A/N: *waltzes in to offer this very belated chapter. Enjoy the Christmas cookie fluff!
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Ben was surprised to find himself singing along with Rey to the holiday music she had insisted was absolutely necessary for their 'Great Tree Hunt.' He tapped in time to the beat on the steering wheel, feeling more peace on earth than he had known since his Grandmother's passing. What would come as a surprise to his employees was that as he was no lover of the limelight, he usually preferred to be the audience. But there was no fighting Rey's contagious Christmas spirit; if she sang Santa Baby, so would he.
He wove his Audi A5 smoothly through Boston's evening traffic, afraid to think too much lest he breaks the spell that some mischievous holiday spirit had cast over the night. When he'd gotten out of bed this morning he never could have imagined that he would be spending the evening alone with Rey instead of his, once again, MIA girlfriend.
Bazine had left a message, via Rey, that there'd been an emergency on a project out of town. He'd heard that one before, he snorted, but for some reason this time it bothered him. He and Bazine didn't live in each other's pockets, and if you'd asked him a few months ago, it was the best part of their relationship. He didn't want a girlfriend who resented the time he had to be away on business trips. Now, he felt conflicted about what he wanted. He was ready to settle down, was she? Even then… there was that kiss. If he loved Bazine enough to consider marriage, why didn't kissing someone else turn his stomach? Why was he daydreaming about finding the mystery girl instead?
He mentally shook his head and chastised himself for missing some of the things Rey was sharing about her job and friends. She's so enthusiastic about her life. When was the last time I was?
The rest of the drive to the tree lot, they debated about who had received the worst gift, and whether green Christmases were better than white. He thought that green was more pleasant since there were no sidewalks to shovel. She had argued vehemently that while an adventure or two would be nice for the holidays, there would never be anything equal to a white Christmas at home. Ben tried to win her over by telling her about spending the holiday last year soaking up the sun in New Zealand while eating fresh seafood.
In the end, he had finally caved and agreed with her, since that's what he really wanted for Christmas himself this year; to rest at home with the people he cared about. Funny, he mused to himself, I didn't say 'loved.'
He found a parking spot as near as he could get and, after parking, he walked around and opened the door for her. Noting the icy sidewalk, he offered a gloved hand for her to hold onto as she exited the vehicle. He studiously ignored the sparks flying up his arm at her touch, and he told himself it was purely for safety's sake that he tucked her hand under his arm. After all, the walkway was hazardous.
Ben could hear the sound of carols playing overhead as they entered the forest of trees lining the sidewalk. Fat firs, tall pines, perfect and imperfect, they all waited for someone to take them home and decorate them with Christmas magic. Colored lights were strung from post to post and he couldn't help but admire the way their glow seemed to reflect on Rey's face. He was charmed by the way her eyes twinkled with delight as she basked in the moment. He felt a mirroring grin grow on his own face.
"How about this one?" Ben asked, pointing at the tree nearest them.
"Oh no, Ben!" Rey exclaimed. "You don't buy the first one you see. You've got to look them all over!"
"Lead the way then, general," he said. "How will we know when we've found it?"
"Well, you just do. It's a feeling I suppose, a sense of rightness," she offered.
"Like love at first sight?" he teased, as he stepped to the side to let a small child run past.
Rey's cheeks pinked, "I, um...I don't know if I believe in that. Isn't it silly to think you know someone is your soulmate at first glance?" her voice trailed off in a whisper as she lost herself in Ben's eyes for a moment. If only he'd recognize me, Rey wished.
Ben was the first to come back to earth, but not by choice; someone had bumped into him. He cleared his throat and started walking the path between the trees again.
"So tell me," he began, "what other traditions do I need to be aware of?"
Rey's nose scrunched up as she thought, and he had a sudden desire to lean down and kiss it.
"Well, my mom and I always listened to the same cd, year after year, while we put up the tree. When we were content that the tree would fall over if we put one more ornament on it, then she'd order Chinese and I got to pick out the movies for our holiday marathon. I always got to stay up until the last one finished, or I fell asleep on the couch. It was my favorite day of the year, after Christmas Day of course."
Ben watched her wipe discreetly wipe away a tear, realizing her mother must be gone.
"Which movies did you watch?"
"Let's see, Peanut's Christmas, It's A Wonderful Life, the Grinch…" she paused before a Fraser fir, circling it, "oh! And the Grizwold's and Home Alone." She looked back at him. "Which are yours?"
Ben cleared his throat before answering.
"I don't have one," he replied with a shoulder shrug, trying to look nonchalant.
"Not even one?" she asked, surprised.
"No. We always celebrated but, quiet-like. My parents let the staff decorate the tree and house so Mom and Dad could get ahead on work to take a few days off for Christmas. We'd go see The Nutcracker ballet every year, of course, and Nana Padme would read me The Christmas Carol. There was one year my dad took me out in his plane to see the sunrise on Christmas morning. I was eleven, I think. It's one of my favorite memories of him." He smiled at the recollection. "But we didn't watch movies- or wrap gifts. I am horrid at gift wrapping as a result. I usually ask my housekeeper to do it now," he chuffed.
Rey chuckled at his admission. "It sounds like you need to be educated in the ways of the force. I'll see if I can work a bow tying lesson into my schedule."
Ben bowed at the waist. "I shall try not to let you down, my lady."
Rey slapped his arm playfully before she could stop herself, and then a blush stole across her features.
"How about the ones?" Rey asked, changing the subject quickly. She pointed to the three, eight-foot firs standing before them. "They're the right height, full, and just this side of perfection. Gives them a little character, ya know?"
Ben didn't bother looking at the trees, he knew instinctively that whatever she chose he would like. The thought crossed his mind that maybe he should say no, just so their time together wouldn't end.
"I think they're exactly what I want. Thank you for letting me tag along. How about coffee, my treat, since you were out in the cold for my party?" he asked.
"I'd like that. Thank you, Ben," Rey replied.
"Let's get the trees delivered and head to The Castle," he said, starting to walk back towards the booth. No one would blame him, if they knew, for how thrilled he was to have such a charming companion.
The ebb and flow of multiple conversations taking place at once created a natural bubble of intimacy for Ben and Rey as they settled onto a couch at one end of the bustling coffee shop. Ben had insisted on paying, which, to Rey's chagrin, only made him more attractive in her eyes. He was so attentive to details and yet, he couldn't recognize her from the elevator. She tucked that thought away, along with a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"When will you decorate the trees?" Ben asked, taking a sip of his coffee.
"Hmm?" she said coming out of her reverie. "Oh, I planned on doing that tomorrow," she replied. "Ms. Netal won't be back yet, and I'm selfishly pleased to get to do it alone."
Ben leaned back, an arm stretched along the back of the couch comfortably.
"All by yourself?"
Rey raised an eyebrow, "Yup. That's what you're paying me the big bucks for, Ben!" she declared, and rather boldly at that!, she silently patted herself on the back for refusing Miss Mouse a moment of this evening.
Ben took a drink of his black coffee with a lone pump of hazelnut syrup, feeling its warmth curling its way to his freezing extremities. No matter where he had gone in the world there was always the comfort of coffee to be found. He enjoyed trying local beans and flavors wherever he went, but at home, he only drank it one way.
"Actually, um- I was wondering…" he hemmed and hawed.
"Spit it out, Ben," Rey encouraged. "Unless you're going to tell me you want to change the design; then don't tell me," she teased.
He smiled and shook his head no. "I was going to ask if I could help. I'm sure I've done it as a child, but I don't recall trimming a tree before, and now I will have three in my house! I'm more worried about messing up your artistic design than anything else," he proclaimed cheerfully.
Rey laughed, delighted over his desire to join in the Christmas spirit. "I'd be glad to have your help. It's difficult to mess up." As she finished speaking, she noticed Kay and Rose enter the shop and stiffened slightly.
Ben didn't notice thankfully. "I don't think Bazine would agree with you. I tried to help her choose the couch for my living room and she almost had a fit, I swear," he laughed silently, shoulders shaking at the memory. "Ben! Not that one. It looks like it belongs in a provincial farmhouse!" he trilled, throwing his voice to imitate his girlfriend.
Rey clutched her stomach and stopped just short of howling in laughter. It sounded just like her boss. Her laughter attracted the attention of the nearby customers, including Kay and Rose, who waved excitedly and walked over to them.
"Mind if we have a seat, or is this a private party?" Kay asked with a slight smirk.
Ben stood and motioned to the nearby chairs. "Please, join us. Can I get you anything?" he offered.
The pair thanked him but refused.
Kay looked back and forth between Ben and Rey, trying to assess the situation. They seemed a bit more familiar tonight.
"And what are you two up to tonight? This looks a little too cozy to be a work meeting," she quizzed.
"Kaaay!" Rey exclaimed, eyes set to kill.
"You'll have to forgive her. Kay always says whatever she's thinking," Rose said, attempting to gracefully cover the awkwardness, "that's why we keep her around. She makes life interesting."
Ben laughed. "No, this isn't business, it's pleasure. At least for me," he asserted with a smile at Rey. "She graciously allowed me to tag along Christmas tree shopping, so I bought her coffee as a thank you."
"Oh, I didn't mind," Rey said in a hush, "you were pleasant company." A delicate blush painted her cheeks a soft pink, which her friends delightedly observed Mr. Solo noticing.
"Rey," Kaydel said quietly, "is that sweater new? The dark green really brings out your eyes. Don't you think, Rose?"
Rose gave Kay the I-know-what-you're-doing glare before replying, "It really does, Rey-Rey. It's lovely… and festive too."
Rey floundered helplessly, lost for words, her mouth opening and shutting like a tiny goldfish. She was going to die of embarrassment or commit double murder; the jury was still out.
"Thank you," she whispered through gritted teeth. "You two are too kind, I'm sure."
"They're not wrong, Rey," Ben said, jumping back into the conversation. He'd been quietly admiring how blushing enhanced Rey's features, and as a result, he was clueless to the unspoken war occurring between the friends. "Tres beau."
His words were like a caress and Rey softened under his gaze, her head dipping down to hide her pleasure at his compliment.
"Thank you, Mr. Solo," she said.
"You're welcome. And it's Ben."
She looked swiftly back into his whisky brown eyes and answered, "Thank you, Ben."
Across the coffee table, Kay and Rose silently winked. Mission accomplished.
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A/N: I hope this fluff was acceptable! Comments are my delight. :)
I did do a smidge of research and Audi A5 is a super sexy, and expensive, car. Ben would approve!
I plan on updating this fic bi-weekly from now on. I have two stories currently in progress and I don't want to pause either to finish one. lol
Until next time, Lovies!