Bazine settled back onto her couch, thrilled to be near Ben again. He'd been traveling for most of autumn and she'd started to notice space growing between them. Nothing obvious though- it was the little things he'd say or forget to do, that made her aware he wasn't as happy in their relationship as he used to be. Like the time he'd forgotten to bring back the Brussel's lace she'd asked for, instead bringing her a book on Danish art, or how often Ben came up with excuses not to go out when he was in town. He said it was "jet lag," but she secretly feared it was her he was tired of.

Ben was the perfect match for her; from his attractive looks to his prestigious family, they would be the perfect power couple. All of Boston society would be at their feet and she was determined not to let this opportunity slip through her fingers. She yearned for the life he could give her, and she was sure she could make him happy.

Bazine observed Ben discreetly as he removed his jacket and loosened his tie before joining her. He lowered himself to the couch with a huff.

"I think I'm getting too old for all this traveling," he told her. "Maybe I should hire an assistant to take some of the workload off my shoulders."

"Why would you do that?" she scoffed. "You travel to exciting cities all over the world and rub shoulders with the best people. You can't just walk away from that!"

"Traveling for fun and traveling for work are two different beasts, Bazine. I never get to stay in one city long enough to find my bearings. It's one party after dinner, after an opera, after a plane ride. It never ends."

"Well," she purred, wrapping her arms around him, "maybe I can help with that."

"Maybe you can…" Ben stared off at the city's lights, forgetting to finish his sentence.

"Benjamin?"

"Yeah, yes!" He rubbed a hand across his face. "Sorry, I think I'm more tired than I thought. I wanted to ask you a question."

Hope flared in her chest.

"Whatever it is, my answer is yes!" she stated emphatically.

He smiled at her, and took a deep breath, "I wondered if you'd decorate my house for Christmas? I am having a party to thank this year's Foundation donors. It would mean a lot to me if you could make room in your schedule to take this over for me."

Bazine blinked once, and counted to ten quickly before plastering a phony smile on and responding, "I would be glad to. Anything for you, Sweetheart."

Ben drew her close and kissed her temple. "Thank you so much. It's a huge help. Shall we meet tomorrow at my house to go over the details?"

"That would be fine. I'll bring breakfast, or rather Rey will," she said, beginning to flip through a magazine.

"I don't remember you mentioning hiring a new assistant."

Bazine looked up, "It must have slipped my mind. Business has been booming and I needed an extra set of hands and eyes. She's quite talented... in her own way. Usually, her taste is spot-on, so I can trust her to do exactly what I tell her. Not like that moron I fired last year."

"Coming from you, that's high praise, Darling," Ben chuckled.

Bazine hummed in reply, as she made her way through her mail pile.

"We've received multiple invitations for parties this month. Can we choose which ones we'll be attending?" she asked.

He cringed, "I was hoping we could have a quiet old-fashioned Christmas this year. Just the two of us. We could go ice skating, actually shop for each other instead of using personal shoppers…" he smiled, "maybe we could figure out what figgy pudding is?!"

"Ben, as- lovely as all that sounds, I was hoping we would actually be a part of the social whirl together this year. We've been apart so long that no one even remembers we are a couple!" She picked up his hand and drew him closer. "It would be a shame if we missed all the festivities and deprived people of the joy of seeing us at Christmas," she cooed, as she leaned in to kiss him. She kissed him languidly and pulled back, smiling.

Ben angled himself away from her slightly, a puzzled look on his brow.

"What?" she wondered aloud.

Several emotions fluttered by on his face before he successfully masked them.

"Nothing, it's not important. If these parties are important to you, I guess we can go to some of them. But can we please limit them to those you deem strictly necessary?" he pleaded.

Bazine's face was bright with triumph.

"Absolutely. This will be the best Christmas yet, Benji!"

Ben...wasn't so sure he agreed with that sentiment.


Rey jabbed her spoon into the pint of Ben & Jerry's she held and set it back on the coffee table. There were some things even Phish Food couldn't cure. With a sigh, she rested her head on Rose's shoulder. Her friends had insisted that a "cocoon of love" was necessary for the comfort of such a massive blow. Cuddled up between Kay and Rose on the sofa under her llama fleece-y blanket, she had to admit, it helped...a little. At least she wasn't alone and miserable.

"I still can't believe it," Rose commiserated. "Why was he kissing anyone if he was in a long-term relationship?"

"Maybe he's a creep after all? I mean, he is dating the Devil Woman. I bet he's as arrogant as she is and just takes what he wants," Kaydel fumed.

Rey pondered that thought a moment; maybe he was that kind, but he didn't strike her as being like Bazine. She was like a bee who lured you with honey just so she could sting you. Backhanded compliments and backstabbing were more her forte. But then, why would he be with her if he didn't like that kind of woman in the first place?

Rey groaned and pulled the blanket over her head. "I just wanna wake up and do yesterday all over again," she murmured. "I want this all to be a bad dream. We sparked! The spark! I've waited years for it and it betrays me like this. What does the universe want from me," she whined from under the blanket.

"Maybe we put too much pressure on ourselves," Rose commented. "What if the spark is just a fairy dream we use as an excuse to search for perfection? Maybe it doesn't really exist."

Rey poked her head above the covers and looked at her friend. "I would have agreed with you before last night. But now... I felt that magic in his kiss. It's real. It's like my soul recognized him.

The shrill ring of her phone interrupted Rey's romantic musings.

"Do not answer that," Kay threatened. "It's eight o'clock on a Sunday night. She doesn't pay you for this."

"I have to, it's Ms. Netal." Rey swiftly moved to her bedroom for privacy.


"Hello, Ms. Netal."

"I've received a proposal from Benjamin," Bazine declared on the other end of the line.

Rey's heart fell. "Congratulations. That's...what you've always wanted."

"Not a marriage proposal, Rey, a business proposition," she corrected, acidly. "I need you to bring a goodie basket to Benjamin's house tomorrow at seven-thirty. I'll text you the address. He likes his dark roast black and you know how I like mine. Make sure you get some of those chocolate chip scones too; they're his favorite."

"Do you really need me on this job, Ms. Nettle? It's only decorating for a house party, and I'm sure one of the other designers would be able to meet your needs. I can focus on the McClanahan house instead," Rey anxiously rambled on.

"Rey, this is a very important party for the foundation Benjamin runs. He deserves the best, and I will be delivering it to him. You will be working with me on this. It will be our top priority, all our other clients can wait until after New Years. They'll understand. This is a huge yearly event in Boston. Only the highest sponsors and donors are invited to attend."

"Why?" Rey pushed back, as she began to pace her bedroom. She was still confused about how this small party necessitated casting aside all their other clients.

"Because Benjamin's family runs the Skywalker Foundation which funds theater programs across the country and the world. That's why he travels so much. This cocktail party is an honor of the Ballet's opening night performance of The Nutcracker. Read a newspaper or something," came the exasperated reply.

"I just don't understand why you need me. I mean with so much going on at work…" Rey was desperate to avoid working with him on anything.

Her boss' growing irritation was evident over the phone. "What is your problem? Do you have trouble following my directions or are you trying to get yourself fired for the holidays?"

Rey froze to the floor of her apartment, stiff with fear. "No, no! Absolutely not. I was only concerned for…" she sought frantically for a good spin to put on her lies, "...our reputation. I didn't realize how huge this party was. Would you like me to call our current clients and explain the situation to them?" Maybe offering to do the busy work would appease her boss.

There was silence for a moment, and then, "Yes. That would be very helpful. Thank you, Rey. I knew you were just the girl for the job. Use my password to get the list of our clients off the computer at work. See you tomorrow. Goodbye."

Rey toppled onto her bed face first. That was close, too close. She needed this job to advance her career faster. It was imperative that she be on good terms with Bazine. This meant that now she'd be spending Monday calling all their clients and trying to placate them. An onerous task; wealthy clients paid well to have their way.

Rose and Kay came to spy out the damage when they heard the talking stop coming from Rey's room.

"What did the dragon lady want this time," Kay asked.

"We're decorating her boyfriend's house for a high society Christmas cocktail party," came Rey's muffled reply. "How am I going to survive seeing him every day knowing that I know about the kiss and he's a clueless dork?" she whined.

"You could tell him," Kay stated plainly. "Just tell him it was you. See what happens."

Rey sat up, wiping the hair out of her eyes. "I can't do that. If it meant nothing to him it would hurt, and then I'd still have to work with him for the next two weeks knowing that he knew that I knew he knew. Besides, if Ms. Netal ever finds out she'll fire me on the spot, no questions asked. She's not the type to tolerate competition."

"Maybe it's fate; Christmas magic at work," Rose said hopefully. "Maybe this is the universe giving you a second chance."

"Rose, this isn't one of your movie scripts. There isn't going to be a happy ending this time," Rey murmured quietly, staring at the floor.

"Don't sass me," Rose scolded. "You can be miserable, but I'm going to hope the best for my friend and there's nothing you can say about it!"

"I love you too!" Rey pronounced, drawing her friends in for a group hug.

"Maybe he just needs to see your award-winning personality," Kaydel added. "Banish Miss Mouse and let him see you. That way, if he doesn't remember the kiss at first, he still has a chance to meet the real you before it's too late and he's engaged to that witch. If he can't see what a treasure you are by Christmas, then he doesn't deserve you as his present!"

The trio laughed together and Rey felt her spirits lift. With friends like these, what more could she want? It was time to knock their Christmas socks off.


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A/N: A huge thank you to my beta, Angela, for all her help :)

In case you wondered, yes, Phish Food is my favorite Ben & Jerry's flavor. You get to eat fudge fish. 'Nuff said. Also, I chose Benji for Bazine to call Ben because we don't like her and I dislike that above all others for Ben Solo's nickname (no offense intended).

Now that the Holiday's are over I will resume my normal posting schedule for this story. Expect new chapters on Saturday! Except for this week. One of my Reylo besties has a birthday so I am madly typing away on her present. This week you'll get 'Sealed with a Kiss', a love letter story between Marine!Ben and Teacher!Rey.

Till Saturday, have a lovely week and a Happy New Year!