Years ago, the day before Halloween if it was on the weekend, or that day if it was during the week, the elementary school would let the kids wear their costumes to school. But for many reasons, they no longer continue that. Instead, the teachers can have a Halloween party, with the kitchen providing cupcakes.
Rey wants to go into the supply closet and cry.
She just wonders what would it take to bribe London to sleep in tomorrow? The kids are fidgeting, not wanting to do anymore schoolwork so for once, she gives in. "Alright everyone, put up your workbooks, clear off your desks."
She sent home letters last week inviting parents to the party, and she opens the classroom door to let them in. A hum of excitement vibrates through the room. The students are quiet as they tidy their areas, while several moms begin to set up for the party.
"I'll be right back," she murmurs to Elizabeth's mom. "You're in charge."
"Oh no, please anything but that," Jania quips. The two ladies chuckle as Rey walks out into the hallway. She's not even paying attention when she blindly runs into someone.
"I am so sorry," she gushes as she looks up. "Ben! What are you doing here?"
He's holding a container of cookies with several bags of Halloween candy. "I heard that this was a banging party?" She giggles and shakes her head. "Jumping? Hopping? I have no idea what the teens are saying these days."
"Well thank goodness these guys are just first graders. What are you doing here?'' She hears several children chattering in her room. "Come with me, I have to get something out of the teacher's lounge." He follows her down the short hall. "What are you doing here? Didn't you go to work today?"
"I did. Snoke had a massive heart attack."
"What?" she asks before she opens the cabinet with her name on it. "When? Are you ok?" She's not sure why she does it, but she takes the food from him and sets it on the table beside them. Then she wraps her arms around him. "I know you only liked him sometimes but pretty much hated him all the time. But I'm sorry he's not doing well."
His arms surround her and pulls her even tighter. "It's weird, part of me is sad that this happened. Nervous about future work stuff, and relieved that he won't be in the office for a while."
She leans back so she can look up at him. "It's not awful, just honest. So, you took the rest of the day off?"
"The whole office did."
"Good. I know you needed the break." As much as she doesn't want to, she steps out of his embrace. She quickly retrieves the bag of goodies she put together for her class. "Come on then. Let's go party like we're six."
"I can say that's something I haven't done in many years."
He follows her down the hallway and she pauses before they go into her room. "These guys like to party and when I say party I mean make a mess."
"Maybe this was a mistake—" he begins.
"It's too late now, Solo!" She giggles as he follows her into the classroom.
Caleb sees him and comes running. Rey barely has time to grab the cookies and candy in Ben's hands before Caleb attacks his dad's legs.
Several of the moms are taking Ben in like the handsome man he is. And she knows that she shouldn't want to pull all their hair out—or better yet, so claim her as her own.
But she can't. He's not hers.
Brbrbrbrbr
"Halloween is today!" London stomps her foot. "I wanna go trick-or-treating."
"Today is not Halloween, I promise. Come here," Rey says as she motions her to come look out the window. Look, if it was Halloween, then everyone would be out getting candy." Tears gather in London's eyes. "You're tired because Caleb spent the night last night, and then there was the party at school. I know what would help—how about a bubble bath?"
"Can I take it in your big 'arden tub?
"Yes, you can, London-kins."
"How long can I play?"
"Until the water gets cold?"
"Is that ten minutes?"
"Yes, it can be."
"Let's go, Mommy!"
Once London is enjoying her bubbles, Rey goes to sit on the edge of her bed where she can look into the bathroom and see her.
And her mind does what it does when she's quiet, it goes to Ben. Her tall, dark and handsome neighbor and very good friend. He was so good with her first graders today. She loved how they all sat down as soon as he promised them an almost scary story. Of course, it was a kid version of Sleepy Hollow, and kids and parents both loved it.
At one point he slipped out and picked up London from her own party so she could join theirs—even if it was for the last five minutes. When will she be brave enough to tell him how she feels?
Ben: Are you awake?
Rey: Lol yes. It's only 7:00. Is Caleb in the bed?
Ben: No. He's still bouncing off the walls. Remind me to bring apples for the Christmas party instead of candy.
Rey: Lol
Ben: And I forgot to ask—can London spend the night tomorrow?
Rey: Yeah, I guess. I'll wait and tell her in the morning. What are you doing?
Ben: Besides waiting on Caleb to pass out? Nothing. What are you doing?
Rey: London is in the tub. So, I'm being a responsible adult and making sure she doesn't do something silly like try to breathe water.
Ben: That is being a good mother.
Rey: Thank you, Sir
Ben: You're calling me Sir now?
Rey: I was the one who admitted that you are the only one who uses my back door.
"Why did I just text him that?" she whispers.
"Mama? What did you say?" London half-yells from the bathroom.
"Nothing London-kins." She looks down as her phone hums in her hand.
Ben: I think we need to explore this when our little people are no longer awake. And with us. Preferably with grandparents.
Ben: The kids with the grandparents I mean.
By now, her heart is thumping out of her chest. This is the most he's ever flirted in person or texting. She doesn't want to read into it too much, but he is wanting to be more than friends?
Ben: Mom called. She said that after we trick-or-treat our neighborhood, she'd love it if we brought the kids to hers. I said yes it would probably be ok with you too.
Rey: That's fine. Mom and Dad live close enough so we can go to their house too.
Ben: What time do you want to start?
Rey: 5? 5:30? Do you two want to come over for supper before? Lol I'll fix something healthy before we let them go beg for candy from strangers.
Ben: I can fix food. When you put it that way, should we just bribe them to stay home?
Rey: Ha-ha I'll leave you to deal with that fall out. And supper at your house sounds amazing. You always surprise me.
Ben: Tears for days.
"Mama! The water's too cold."
"You know what that means," she answers as she sets her phone down.
Instead of protesting and begging for five more minutes, London asks, "Can I take a shower now?"
Rey walks into her bathroom where she sees the remains of a bubble bath. Which is not many bubbles at all and a shivering five-year-old. "Let the water out," she says as she turns the water on.
"That's better, Mama."
"Do you need help washing your hair?"
"Maybe?"
She chuckles as she pulls the shower curtain before she turns on the shower. "Let's hurry, and we'll watch a little bit of The Nightmare Before Christmas."
"Thank you, Mama!"
Brbrbrbrbr
"Mama? Can Caleb come over and watch Jack with me?"
Rey knows that her daughter loves the little boy even though it feels like she's trying to play match-maker. Even though she's only five. "Here," she says as she gives London the phone. A couple of swipes and Ben's phone is ringing over the speaker.
London's giggle is so sweet as they hear, "Hello."
"Hey Mr. Ben!" London greets.
"Hello London," Ben's deep baritone as he answers does things to her that she doesn't need to think about right now. "How are you?"
"Me ok. Can Caleb come over to watch Jack with me? You can come too."
"Would you like for us to bring some popcorn?"
"Mama!" London yells.
"Baby," Rey answers. "I'm right here, you don't have to yell."
"Mr. Ben said they can bring popcorn."
"Tell him that sounds perfect." She can hear him chuckle over the speaker.
"That's perfect, Mr. Ben. See you in a minute! Bye!" And London touches the red circle to end the call.
"Did you wait for Ben to say bye?"
"It's ok. It's Mr. Ben." London's still for only a moment then she runs off to her room. Rey doesn't think anything of it until she comes back with all of her pillows. She dumps them on the floor and goes running back. This trip she has all of the blankets which land on top of the pillows.
"Are we camping out?"
"No Mama. Just want to be more comfortable. You know how you and Mr. Ben were this morning."
London continues making her nest while she groans, "I should have known that was going to come back to bite me."
A knock makes London jump up. She runs past Rey and opens the door. She looks around in time to see the two kids hugging. A smile appears on her lips when she sees his red and black plaid flannels and Caleb's Kylo Ren pajamas. His smile is big when he notices that she's wearing the same pink Star Wars shirt and unicorn flannels. London however is wearing her Snow White gown.
Ben steps around them. His chuckle reaches her and she says, "I think she's happy to see him."
"He's always happy to see her." He sets some plastic bags down on her kitchen island as she walks over to join them. "I hope it's ok, I brought some stuff."
She has to chuckle when he takes out enough vegetables to make a platter.
"What?" he asks. "Tomorrow is Halloween and the seasonal overdose of candy. Tonight, they can munch on veggies while they veg out in front of the TV."
"True," she agrees.
"Mama? Can we start Jack and Sally?" London is still rearranging blankets and pillows while Caleb looks a little confused.
"Can I help?" She asks as she walks over to London and Caleb. "Hop up, you two." Once they are standing behind her, Rey tosses the pillows to the side, then straightens up the blankets, padding the floor for them. "Now set the pillows up against the couch."
"Oh, like I do on my bed?" London asks and Caleb nods in understanding.
"Exactly."
"How's that, Mama?" London asks. It's not perfect, but Rey knows that as soon as they sit down, their little nest won't last long anyway.
"If you're happy I'm thrilled."
"Come on Caleb," London giggles. She only let them do this once before, when Caleb spent the night last summer when Ben had to work late. All three of them ended up sleeping out here, the kids on the floor and her on the couch behind them.
Since then, she's been saving for a new and more comfortable couch.
"That looks-" Ben begins.
"-amazing?" Rey finishes.
"Cozy," he says instead. She bumps his shoulder with his and he rewards her with a grin.
"Dad!" Caleb grunts from the floor. "We're hungry."
"Well it's a good thing that I have food for you people."
"We ain't people," London says. "We are London and Caleb."
"I will go prepare your broccoli and carrots Snow White," Ben says with a bow and a smile that makes her love him a little more each day, especially when he gives it to their kids.
Their kids.
Why does that make her feel all the things she's trying not to feel about him?
Instead of staying she turns and walks back into the kitchen. He must have poured the juice for London and Caleb while he was getting the veggie tray ready. "He really does think of everything," she whispers. The urge to check her refrigerator makes her open the door. When she spies the six-pack of their favorite IPA, she yells, "Thank you Ben! Do you want one too?"
His heavy footsteps sound behind her and she feels him before she sees him. "Please," he murmurs in her ear.
"Do you want anything else?" She whispers.
"Mama! You didn't start the movie," London yells, interrupting the spell being woven around her mom and neighbor.
"Coming," she answers. She turns and Ben is right there. In the bright lights of her tiny kitchen, she can see every detail. The ones she has memorized: the shape of his brows, the amber color of his eyes with the golden flakes around the edges, the shape of his nose and how she imagines it would feel if he was to ever do any of the things, she dreams of them doing together. Those inky waves. Would they really feel as soft as Caleb's waves? "Hey, you," is all she can whisper.
"Mama!"
He chuckles and she gives him a weak smile. She loves her daughter, even when she wants to sting her up by her toes-
Caleb sheepishly hands her the remote and Rey gives London the mom look. "London you may not talk to me like that."
"I'm sorry. I got too excited." London ducks her head and Rey feels guilty.
She goes ahead and starts the movie and Ben appears at her elbow. "Shall we sit?" she asks.
"After you." she tiptoes over the kids, trips over a blanket, turns at the last minute and lands on her bottom on the couch.
The kids don't notice her struggle but Ben follows with concern, making his brows furrow.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I am. Come sit by me?"
"Always," he mutters as he claims the cushion beside her. "How many times have we watched this?"
"I'm not sure, I've lost count," she giggles.
"I'm just glad that it was all with you," he utters.
She falls silent as Jack laments how lonely he is when Ben nudges her arm.
"We should do this sometime," he murmurs.
"Do what?"
"Go watch a movie. Just the two of us."
She meets his eyes in the dim lights of the living room. That same look in his eyes that she catches glimpses of every once in a while, is back. She can't tell if he's hungry, or if he's trying to figure something out.
For once, she hushes the little voice that usually stops her when she asks him, "Are you asking me out, Benjamin Solo?"
His stare never leaves hers as his hand finds hers. "I am. Are you saying yes?"
"I don't think I can tell you no, even though I'm scared."
"Why are you scared?" Worry makes him squeeze her hand.
"What if it doesn't work?" she squeezes back.
"What? Me and you?" She watches his smile take over his face. "I don't think we have anything to worry about." She takes a deep breath, and searches her heart. "Rey?" When she meets his eyes, he whispers, "I feel it too."
"That's good," she murmurs.
"Shhhh!" London hushes them. "We're watching Jack and Sally."
"Yes, ma'am," Rey answers. Then mutters to Ben, "Kitchen."
They stand and tiptoe over kids, pillows and blankets. But instead of just walking into the kitchen, as soon as they go through the doorway, Ben tugs her out of sight.
And into his arms.
"I don't think I can wait any longer," he breathes against her lips as his nose just brushes hers. "Can I kiss you?"
In all her years on this Earth, no one has asked for her permission to kiss her. And she loves that this hunk of man that she's been lusting, needing, wanting for the past two years, takes fifteen seconds to ask her if he can kiss her.
"Yes, please," she almost begs as his lips settle over hers. This kiss is gentle, seeking, loving as all first kisses should be. Then a forgotten line from a song echoes through her head—my last first kiss—
But before they can move past just lips, familiar little feet come running. Rey doesn't move away, but she does lean back. Unsurprisingly, London doesn't notice anything different when she asks, "Can we have some popcorn? We ate all the carrots, Mr. Ben."
"Yeah, let me fix it—" Rey says as London goes back to sit with Caleb. But before she can take another step, Ben pulls her back to him.
Another kiss, a simple peck really, but it steals her breath. "A girl could get used to all these kisses."
"Good," he utters. "That's my intention." He chuckles as her face turns bright pink.