Hey! Happy Halloween!
I thought I could finish in four chapters, it's going to be five… yay! I'm so glad that all of you are enjoying it!
"It's Halloween!" London jumps on her mother's bed.
"Ugh, London. What time is it?" Rey grunts from under the covers. She was awake until at least one texting ben after they went home. It took everything in her not to beg him to stay.
"Your clock says six, zero, zero."
"You're waking me up at six a.m. on a Saturday? That's it kid, next weekend you're staying with Grandma and Grandpa. Or better yet, do you want to spend the night tonight?"
"But Grandpa will eat all my candy," London pouts as she bounces on her bottom beside rey.
Rey uncovers her head and slowly grabs London with a giggle. "Mommy!" the child shrieks as Rey pulls her under the covers with her. Rey cuddles her and kisses London's forehead. "I love you, Mommy."
"And I love you my child who doesn't like to sleep in."
"When can we go trick-or-treating?"
"This evening. I think Ben said they'll be ready around five. He also said we could come over and eat supper with them. Do you want to?"
"Of course, we do," London answers. She cups her mother's cheeks. "Do you love Mr. Ben?"
Her heart stops. "I like Ben, why?"
"Well, if you married him, then Caleb could be my brother and he could be my daddy. And you could be Caleb's mommy."
"Oh sweetheart, I do like Ben, as for the rest of it, we'll have to wait and see."
"But you love him," London states.
Even her five-year-old can see how she feels. "And Caleb, I love Caleb too."
"Then you should marry Mr. Ben."
"How about pancakes first?" Rey asks in hopes of distracting London. It works because she bounces off the bed and runs down the hallway. "But first, Mama has to powder her nose. And put on a bra."
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"Can we go to London's house? Please Dad?" As Caleb does that boneless kid thing where he's begging for something, or in this case someone.
"Let's not invade on their peaceful Saturday just yet—" Suddenly there's a loud crash that comes from Rey's back yard. If he hadn't had his backdoor open, he never would have heard it.
"What in the world—" he asks as he walks to the door to look. All he sees is a streak of orange being chased by a streak of black. Her door opens and that's when he notices her trash cans rolling in her backyard.
"Damn it!" He hears her swearing across their yards. But then she only lives about a hundred feet away. His breath hitches when he sees what she's wearing, or should he say not wearing—she's clad only in a threadbare tank top with UNCA across her chest and a pair of barely there boxers. Definitely not what she was wearing last night.
Without thinking, he opens his door and steps out, ready to go help. But it's not until the coolness of the fall morning hits his chest that he remembers, he's just wearing a pair of running shorts. Not what he was wearing last night either.
And his slippers, of course.
Rey hears his screen door slams behind him and she looks over at him. He keeps walking towards her, a sudden need to be close overriding every other thought he has this morning. when she's close enough to touch, he reaches out for her.
With an easy smile she always seems to have ready for him, she slips into his arms. Her chilly flesh against his, is exactly what he needed this morning. She snuggles into his arms, and with the exception of hugging Caleb, nothing else has ever felt this good to him.
"I'm making pancakes," she murmurs looking up at him. "Why don't you go grab Caleb, and some more clothes—"
"So the neighbors won't talk?" He teases.
"No, you dork. It's freezing out here. More clothes—then food?"
"Sounds good to me," he agrees, meeting her eyes. "You look so beautiful this morning."
He loves the way her cheeks turn pink at his words, making him want to kiss her—as he lowers his head to claim her lips—the squeak of her screen door makes them both stop midair. "Mama! Mr. Ben. You don't have any clothes on," she points out. Ben looks over at Rey's angel. She's still wearing her favorite Snow White gown, curls everywhere, with her hand on her hip. "Where's Caleb?"
"I'm not—" he begins but his own child walks across the yard towards them. He still has his Kylo Ren pajamas on, and added his rubber boots. "Smart kid," he murmurs. Rey looks over and watches Caleb as he trudges through the dew heavy grass.
"We already knew that. If we are going to start dating, we really should put down pavers between our houses." She looks up at him and grins. "You know, to keep from getting our feet so wet."
He wonders if she can feel his heart beating faster.
Did she really just say that? He squeezes her tighter, his lips touching her forehead. Caleb marches past them, and joins London in her house. "We'll have to do that," his lips whisper against her skin.
"As good as you feel," she utters. "You go—clothes—come back and I will have food ready."
"Fine, fine." He finally lets go, and misses her immediately. And not just because she's warm.
He turns to walk back across, when she says, "Oh Ben? I called Mom. London's going to spend the night with them tonight, after trick-or-treating. Instead of with you. Is that alright?"
"Oh really?" He looks back at her. Is she suggesting what he thinks she's suggesting? "Yeah, it's- let me call Mom while I'm changing clothes—" he doesn't mean to run, but the prospect of getting to spend some time alone with Rey without their rugrats interrupting sounds like the closest thing to heaven he can get.
He storms in his backdoor and for a moment, can't remember where his phone is. "Kitchen," he grunts. Three steps and it's in his hand. Three swipes and her phone is ringing.
"Ben?" Leia answers on the second ring. "What's wrong? You never call this early on a Saturday. Oh Lord, did something happen to Caleb? Are you going to the hospital? I'm getting my things and i'll-"
"Mama!" He interrupts. "Caleb's fine. He's over at Rey's eating pancakes with London."
"Awww that's so sweet." He hears his dad say something in the background. "No he's fine. And no, I'm not overreacting. Weird things happen to Organa-Solos on Samhain. You know this. It's been this way since I met you." Her voice is suddenly louder. "I think all that Irish blood in both of us was cursed at one time and it picks Halloween to remind us. What time will you bring that precious boy to see me?"
"I'm going to feed them around four, the neighborhood here is going to start trick-or-treats at five. As soon as we walk our street, then we'll head to yours."
"Them?" He can hear her giggle. "Is Rey and London coming with you?"
Leia, it seems like has known Rey for a lot longer than he has. Somehow, she knows her parents, Cassian and Jyn Erso through Jyn's dad, Galen Erso. Who is still a name to know in the engineering world.
Who also loves to give to his mother's charities.
"Yes, Mother. That's kinda why I'm calling. Can Caleb spend the night?"
"Of course he can. What about Rey's little girl? Does she want to stay too?"
"Rey said that she's going to stay with her parents."
"You know they live just two streets over?"
"You remind me of that every time you mention Rey. I'll call or text when we're on the way. Thanks, Mom."
"I'll see you afterwhile. Your dad said that he's looking forward to eating Caleb's Halloween candy."
"Tell Dad that the kid is coming as Kylo Ren, complete with a red light saber."
"Well I'll warn chewie too. Bye son."
"Bye, Mom."
His exhale is loud in his quiet house. Ever since the bitch left when Caleb was only two, he cringes as he remembers how much his sweet boy cried for his worthless mother. Thank goodness his parents were there to soften the blow.
Then the monthly visits only confuse Caleb even more.
As for him, well he was just trying to make it from day-to-day, until Rey that is. Sometimes he'll call her his Rey of Sunshine. She usually rolls her eyes, but still smiles that smile that makes everything better.
Has she figured out yet that she holds his heart?
His mother told him years ago to always pay attention to Caleb. If he felt good or bad about someone, or something, there was probably a good reason he felt that way.
So when Caleb fell in love with Rey and London along with him, he knew- knows that she's real. What he feels is real. What Caleb feels is real.
After he pulls on the flannels he had on last night he meets his eyes in the bathroom mirror. Even he can see the faint smile on his lips. The color in his cheeks that's only there after he leaves Rey's company. Even his eyes are sparkling.
His eyes are sparkly. That has to mean that he's a man in love, doesn't it?
"Tonight. Tonight is the night that I'm going to tell her how I feel. And hopefully, she feels the same."
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"Mama! I need you," London yells.
Rey finishes tying the last part of her costume—and smiles at herself in her mirror. It's been a while since she's worn it, but it still fits perfectly.
Footsteps run into her bedroom and stops at the door. "mama?"
She turns to meet her five-year-old's eyes. "London Grace Erso. I know you're crazy excited, but we've talked about you yelling at me. you really do need to stop." London's big blue eyes blink up at her. "Now, how can I help you?"
"My sandal hurts," she murmurs. "I'm sorry, Mama."
"It's ok. Go sit and I'll get the Band-Aids and a pair of socks." A basket of just washed laundry waits for no one but Rey manages to find a pair of socks on the top. She sits beside London and pats her lap as she says, "feet please."
Rey unbuckles the shoes and looks at where the straps must be digging in. She rubs London's heel. "Is this where it hurts?" London nods. "I was hoping that your tights would be enough but I guess not. Luckily, these are your dance tights with the hole."
"So I don't have to take them all the way off?" London giggles.
"Nope." After maneuvering the tights, and applying the bandaids where they're needed the most, they finish putting on London's Snow White shoes.
"You look pretty mama. You're going to match Caleb."
"Is that ok?" Rey asks, suddenly worried.
"Yes, he said that he didn't want to be the Prince that—" Rey's phone ringing interrupts.
"That's Ben." They just came back home after eating dinner with the Solo men, years of parenting if nothing else taught Rey that if you don't want the child to mess up the clothes, they will mess up the clothes. So they ate, then changed.
"Hello?" London answers. Rey loves the giggle that follows. "We're coming. Yes. Bye."
"They're—" a knock from the back door echoes through the house.
"At the door?" Rey asks. "Go let them in, I need my boots." She quickly slides them on and walks out to meet them—"Ben?" She whispers.
"Rey?" He whispers.
Thank goodness her make-up for tonight was only waterproof mascara, because she can't keep her tears from falling. Standing in front of her, holding London's hand, is possibly the love of her life dressed up as Snow White's Prince, Florian. Complete with red cape and brown boots all she can say is—"You really are a Disney Prince."
He flushes all the way to his ears. His eyes never leave hers though, as he takes in her costume. "Why didn't you tell me—"
"Rey matches me, Daddy and you match London." Caleb grabs her hand.
"Do you like it?" Rey asks, looking down. She's dressed in the grey and green Jedi clothes Kira wore in The Last Jedi. She was even able to find a near match to the boots she wore in the movie.
"I love it!" Caleb exclaims. But she looks up and it's Ben's stare that she meets.
As if they are caught in one another's gravitational pull, they meet in the middle of her living room.
"I can't believe you did this for London," she whispers, taking in the detail now that he's so close she can smell his stupid smell-good after shave. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Why didn't you tell me? You did all this? For Caleb?" He mutters looking down at what she pulled together.
"I wanted it to be a surprise," they answer at the same time.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, it registers that the children have left the living room. unable to wait any longer. She grabs the blue part of his costume and pulls him to her. His eyes widen but only for a moment as she claims his lips.
She doesn't take it any deeper than just a touch, but when she hears footsteps and pulls away but not as far as they would normally stand, they are both breathing hard like they just spent hours kissing.
"Is Caleb staying with your parents tonight?" She utters.
Ben nods and asks, "Is London—"
"Yes. Are we—"
He grabs her hips and his lips brush hers.
"Daddy! You just kissed Rey!"
"I did," Ben whispers against her lips. "And I'm going to do it again."
"Caleb! This means that my mama is going to marry your daddy—"
Rey breaks the kiss, but Ben doesn't let go of her. "Whoa—whoa! One day at a time, kiddo—"
"You're not going to marry Daddy?" Caleb asks. Rey looks at the children who meet her eyes with tears in theirs, she steps out of Ben's arms, and immediately misses his warmth. She crouches down to their level.
"Listen you two- yes we are all very close. And don't get me wrong, I love it. I really do." She has to smile when she feels Ben's leg at her back. "But as your dad and I figure out how we feel for each other, which we will, but most people do it day-by-day. I know I don't want to hurt anyone and I don't think he does either."
"No- I don't," he agrees with her from somewhere above. "Come on everyone. Let's go get some candy."
"Daddy," Caleb whispers as he reaches up to tug on Ben's sleeve. "Don't forget."
"Thank you, son. Come here London, we have a little something for you-" Rey digs out her cell phone that she has hidden in her Jedi folds. Ben pulls out a jewelry box meant for necklaces. "Every Princess needs her fancy jewels for Trick-or-treating." And London helps him open the velvet box.
While Rey is wiping her tears and taking lots of pictures, Ben gives London the red plastic necklace, bracelet, clip-on earrings and a ring that he must have picked up at the Disney store. She makes Rey fall even more in love with the way London throws her arms around Ben's neck.
And the gentle way he holds her daughter.
Caleb stands beside her, watching. "Let me go get my lightsaber-"
"You have a lightsaber too?" Caleb squeaks and Ben chuckles.
It's an older one that her friend Finn gave her once she told him about her plan for Halloween. As an avid fan of Star Wars, he provided the Jedi tunic and the saber. So when she enters the living room with the hum of the blue sword humming in her hand, Ben's jaw drops, London giggles and Caleb scrambles to turn his on.
He touches her sword with his and it's Rey's turn to chuckle. "Outside, no sword fights inside."
"No one told Kylo Ren and Kira that." Ben says with a grin.
"Well Rey Erso wasn't around to tell them that. Let's go everyone before all the Reese's cups are gone!"
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It took them longer to get through their neighborhood than it did last year- everyone wanted a picture of Ben and London and then Rey and Caleb. Ben didn't mind- well he did want to hurry and get to his alone time with Rey. But it was also nice just the four of them and instead of the family feeling scaring him, he finds that he loves it.
Even when their other neighbors, Rose and Hux give them the look, Ben can't help but to smile anyway. Without paying attention, they circle back around to their houses. Caleb tugs on his hand. "I'm not ready to be done yet."
"Good. You know why?" He asks.
"Why?" London answers.
"Because now, it's time to go trick-or-treating at Grandma and Grandpa's!" Rey replies to which both kids cheer.
"Let's go!" London runs towards Rey's Jeep.
"I'll drive," Ben offers.
"Come on, Daddy," Caleb says as he tugs on his dad's arm.
"Let me go get London's bag." Rey says then Ben nods. "I'll be right back, you listen to Ben."
"I will Mama." London follows Caleb into the Solo house.
"Do you two need to go potty before we go?" He asks. Several expressions flit across both of their faces, making Ben chuckle. "Go- Caleb use mine in my room, London you can use the hallway one."
He has to smile as they hurry. Then he uses this moment to check the refrigerator. Earlier, he put a bottle of Rey's favorite wine in to chill along with several of their favorite snacks. "Definitely an improvement on Netflix and chill," he says to himself.
Running steps herald the return of the kiddos. "Is Mama back?" London asks.
"Not yet-" Ben says.
"Good. Listen Mr. Ben, I need you to love my mama."
"You do? Can I ask why?" He asks a ghost of a smile on his lips.
"Because I need a daddy. And since you're already a daddy it just makes sense. You already know how to do it."
"She's right, dad," Caleb chimes in.
"Now I feel like both of you are ganging up on me."
"No- and Mama's lonely."
At London's admission, Ben knows she speaks the truth because he knows this loneliness she speaks of. But it still hurts to think of Rey being as lonely as he is.
"But she has you."
"You know that doesn't count." the wise beyond her years five-year-says.
Rey knocks on the backdoor as she opens it. "Mama! We gotta go! Grandpa needs me."
London marches past the adults, grabs Caleb's hand and goes into the garage.
"I guess we gotta go?" Rey asks.
"It looks that way," he says before he reaches out to touch her. He pulls her close and whispers, "I can't wait to get you back home."
"Really?"
A truck door slams. "I think we better go-" he says.
"I think so too." She follows him out to the garage and climbs in beside him like she's always done it. He doesn't miss how Caleb and London are all buckled in.
The adults don't have to say anything since the kids are filling the silence. What he enjoys is how her hand creeps over, like she's trying to sneak up on him. But he meets her halfway over the bench seat, fingers tangling together.
Thankfully, their parents don't live far, about a mile away. He turns onto his parents' street, and Rey pulls her hand away. "I forgot to text Mama."
She's still typing when he pulls into the driveway. The sun just set but it's still twilight, her favorite time of the day. "Are we going trick-or-treating here too?" London asks.
"Yes, Grandpa and Grandma will be here in a minute and we'll go."
"Lala!" Caleb yells as the front door opens. "Remember, London, you can call them that too."
"You can call my Grandpa and Grandma, Grandpa and Grandma."
"Oh and that's Papa," Caleb points out as Han steps out onto the porch too. "You can call him Papa too."
"Son, London has met your Lala and Papa before."
"I know, I was just reminding her."
"Are you guys coming in?" Han shouts from the porch.
"Let's go." Ben opens his door, but before he can open Rey's door, Han is opening it for her.
"Come in and get warm," Leia invites them in.
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Ever since the first time Ben brought her and London over a year ago, she's loved this old house. It's so homey and welcoming, she hopes that her little house is as welcoming as Leia's. And her Mom's for that matter.
A doorbell rings and Han hurries to answer. The happiness in the house only increases when her parents come in.
Leia comes rushing through with Jyn close on her heels. "Let's get some pictures before Ben and Rey go on their date."
She's never heard a room quiet in a moment like this one just did.
"A date, Rey? Is Ben finally taking you out?" Cassian asks.
Rey scolds him with a, "Dad."
While Jyn says it with a firm, "Cassian."
That seems to break the spell and everyone starts talking again. At least until her mom pulls her off to the side. "If you and Ben want to go, Leia and I are going to take London and Caleb back out."
She meets those whiskey-colored eyes across the room and motions him over to her. His legs are so long, it doesn't take him long to get to her. "Mom said that they will take the kids back out. Do we want to-"
She doesn't get to finish when he finishes for her, "Yes, that would be perfect."
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"I can't believe that we're finally alone."
"I just have to make one stop on the way-" he takes another side road that leads to the drug store where you turn into their subdivision. "Are you-"
He doesn't get to finish when she's climbing out too. She follows him in, and he walks to the family planning section.
"Condoms are always a good idea," she whispers.
He chuckles. "Look at us. Kira from Star Wars and Snow White's prince buying condoms at the drugstore."
Their laughter makes the other customers smile along with them. "Well come on then my Prince. Take me home?"
"Always."
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He pulls up to his house, and turns the truck off. The two of them sit in silence in the dark. "I feel like I'm standing at the edge of a great adventure," he says.
"I thought you were going to say precipitous. I like adventure a lot better."
"I like you." He decides to just put it out there. But he thinks she already knows.
"I adore you. It's not even eight." She will never know what her words do to him.
"We have plenty of time."
"For what?"
"For me to plan my seduction," he promises.
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"Come on," she murmurs as she jumps out of his truck.
"Where are you going?" He asks, walking after her. She stops at his front door, which he unlocks for her with a smile.
"Wherever you are. Come on," she grabs his blue tunic, and pulls him after her. She waits until he closes the door behind them and then advances until his back hits the door. "I don't think I can wait any longer."
"Really?" His voice cracks and her brows rise. "I didn't think you felt it too."
"It's always been you," she whispers. "Kiss me."
"As my lady wishes," he murmurs. Those stupid whiskey eyes that drives a girl crazy meet hers. But instead of doing the thing, anything that her heart is screaming for, he sweeps her off her feet.
"Where-"
"My bed. Where you should have been at least a year and a half ago."
"That long?"
"It would have been sooner, but I didn't want to scare you."
"I think I noticed you on the first day we moved in. Standing over here watching Poe and Finn help like some vengeful God."
"No it wasn't like that at all. I was wondering who the goddess moving in next door was. And how long it would take me to-" he pauses in front of his bedroom and flushes pink at what he was about to admit.
"How long would it take you to do what, Mr. Solo?"
"At first it was to get you in my bed, but then I fell in love with you."
"Ben-" she whispers as he walks them into his room. She's only been in here once before and that was when Caleb ran in here to get something and needed help reaching it. Instead of the black and greys she almost expected, his room is instead blue. But not navy blue, but more like cerulean blue. But what she loves is how the rest of the room is artwork by Caleb.
He sets her on her feet, but she's distracted by- "Is that one of London's drawings?"
"She gives me drawings and paintings all the time," he admits proudly while she's blinking back tears. "Why are you crying?"
"I feel like a bad mom. I know the kid is always creating something. I just didn't realize what she was doing with it. Thank you for giving her a safe place when I've been too wrapped up in my crap-"
"Rey, stop it. I didnt bring you up here to examine if we're good or bad parents. Somehow we all just make it day-to-day and make sure the short humans live and don't acquire boo-boos beyond what we can fix at home."
"Yes, sir. I'm sorry, I got distracted." She pulls him close again. "Now, where were we?"
His hands are on her waist, hers are trailing up his arms but she makes herself stop when she touches his shoulders. "And here-" he whispers as he rubs the tip of his nose against hers.
"But what about here?" She utters back as she ghosts her lips over his.
No more words are spoken as his lips open under hers. They both naturally tilt their heads as their tongues and breath mingle. Then her need overrides her want and she pulls at his tunic almost frantically.
"We can be nice and slow and sweet next time," she grunts. "But right now, I need to feel you so deep inside me, so deep that I can't tell where I end and you begin."
"Fuck Rey, that's romantic." He stops touching her, but only so he can pull his cape and his tunic off. While he's doing that she starts to tug off her arm wraps but he stops her. "Leave those," he says in a tone she's never heard from him before.
She grins as she kicks her boots off. But before he can get his off, she sinks down to all fours and crawls over to him. "Fuck Rey, that's hot."
"Boot, please?" She replies. He sits on the edge of the bed. She unlaces the shoe, and tugs it off. The other one quickly follows. Following her heart, she does something that she's dreamed about for months now, she wraps her hands around his calves, and kisses his left knee.
His breath hitches in his chest, and she has to smile. Using that as encouragement, she looks up. He's looking down at her- "you know, when you look at me like that-"
"Like what?" he murmurs.
"Like I hung the moon- if you keep on doing that, I might try to just to make you happy."
"Sweetheart, you're finally letting me touch you and kiss you. I could die a happy man right now."
"Please don't die," she's not sure why, but his words make her- she pushes that thought away. She can deal with that later, much later.
"Fuck, Rey, I'm sorry. My pillow talk sucks tonight." He pulls her until she's sitting in his lap.
"It's ok. I know what you mean." She kisses him. As she relaxes into his touch, she remembers that she is sitting on top of an almost naked Ben Solo. And his skin against hers is- well nothing short of amazing.
She stops kissing him, and hops up. He starts to say something, but she's untying her Jedi rode. His grin lights up the room as he stands. He's unbuckling the matching brown pants, while she tugs off her grey leggings.
Her robe and shirt land on the floor next to his tunic and his pants soon join the pile.
Leaving their owners in their underwear. And she still has on her arm wraps, as requested, of course.
For once in her life, Rey has on matching bra and panties and judging by the way his eyes light up, it was worth ordering it a month ago. "Rey-" he chokes out. She answers him by closing the distance between them.
She knew when she dreamed about this if and when it finally happened that it would be amazing.
But his touch, his skin on her skin, his hands running up her back, skimming over bra- his inhale is sharp as she drags her nails over his back. Lips are on lips and the rest of their clothes land in the pile at their feet.
They land on the bed behind them.
Lips trail over goose pimply skin. Unable to wait any longer, she helps him roll the condom on and he slides his length into her depths, stealing both of their breaths.
He moves, she mirrors and they come together in a quivering mess.