"It was my idea first! You can't copy it, Armitage, and that's final!"
"Your idea? YOUR idea? Well, how about it's EVERYONE'S idea?! You know you're not the first one ever to think of going to Las Vegas."
"It may be a cliché but I want this to be PERFECT for her. There's no way I'm letting you copy me!"
"Rose, I've had this planned out practically since the day he and I met. I'm not changing my party."
"Well, I'm not changing mine either!"
Rey and Ben listen to the back and forth from their friends as they cuddle close together. Ben has his arm wrapped around Rey while his free hand holds her left hand. He strokes the back of her hand lovingly with his thumb as he presses a gentle kiss to her temple. Rey nuzzles into him as she watches the ring on her left hand glisten in the light. She turns to look at Ben and smiles at him. Her smile lights up every part of Ben as he grins back, leaning in to kiss his fiancé.
They hadn't been engaged long. Ben popped the question three weeks ago to Rey, the love of his life. It might have been three weeks but to the newly engaged couple, it felt as if it was just yesterday. They kept it a secret between just the two of them for a few days, reveling in the joy and love of this beautiful new chapter coming into fruition. After a nice, romantic dinner together, Ben had taken Rey to the beach to watch the sunset with her. It is one of their favorite things to do together. As the sun was setting, Ben got down on one knee and asked Rey the question he'd been dying to ask her since the day he first saw her. Rey's response was quick and led to many happy kisses, hugs, and love on that beach. As the days passed, Ben told his parents of the news to which they couldn't have been happier. Then Ben told his best friend, Armitage Hux, when asking him to be his best man. Rey in turn told her best friend and now maid of honor, Rose Tico.
Hux and Rose continue arguing back and forth as Rey and Ben become lost in their own little world. They share some delicate kisses, smiles, and a few giggles here and there. Their love shines brightly in the space around them. At the height of the conversation, Ben clears his throat and addresses the room.
"I know you say it's tradition, but must we have this party at all?" he asks, pausing to look at his beautiful fiancé.
Rey blushes and gives his hand a squeeze. Ben flashes a dazzling smile at her before continuing his thought.
"In all honesty, we just want to get married," he finishes, his eyes not leaving Rey's.
"It's as simple as that," Rey says in agreement, staring lovingly into Ben's eyes.
"That's all fine and dandy, but you HAVE to have the party! It's tradition!" Rose implores.
"Yes! A sacred farewell to single life as you embrace the responsibility of marriage," Hux adds in.
"Finally! Something we can agree on!" Rose exclaims.
Ben and Rey look at each other, their eyes speaking more words than either Hux or Rose could possibly understand. The engaged couple smile at one another and press their foreheads together gently. Ben kisses Rey's forehead then turns his attention to the others.
"Why don't we combine the two parties so we can all go and enjoy Vegas together?" he asks.
There are a few beats of silence as Rose and Hux think it over. Rey snuggles closer to Ben as she fights the giggles threatening to burst over the crinkled eyebrows on the faces of their friends.
"Well, I suppose that is an option…we could have both the bachelor and bachelorette parties there at the same time…" Rose thinks aloud.
Ben squeezes Rey's hand excited. He blushes when he feels Rey press soft kisses to his cheek, throat, and jawline. A soft chuckle rolls off his lips when he feels her nibble his ear gently.
"But, we must keep to tradition! If we are to have both parties there at the same time, you two cannot spend time together," Hux speaks out.
The heads of Rey and Ben spin quickly to look towards Hux. Their hearts begin to race at the anxiousness of not being together. Every moment since they've met they have been together side by side. It is difficult to be away from one another for too long. The thought of being in Las Vegas at the same time but not being able to be together? It's pure torture. Ben looks to Rey, concern and sadness spreading across his handsome features. Rey smiles at him, comforting him with a kiss to his forehead and resting her hand on his cheek. Then she turns towards Hux and Rose.
"Fine, we accept," she responds.
Rey covers Ben's mouth as a gasp almost slips out from his plush lips. She looks at him with caring eyes and nods at him as a signal to wait. Rose squeals in excitement to get started with planning. She rushes out of the room with Hux trailing her. As soon as they are alone, Rey removes her hand from Ben's mouth and rests it lovingly on his cheek.
"Don't worry, my love. I have a plan."