The ticking of the clock was Rey's only companion as she worked into the wee hours of the morning. Seeing Ben's copy of The Christmas Carol, and hearing of his love for his grandparents had woken her inner muse. His beloved book was the perfect inspiration for this event.

Her colored pencils flew across paper as she drew banisters draped in holly and ivy garlands, candelabras placed around the room for ambiance, and a trio of trees in the living room. Drawings were scattered across her bed like so much snow, as her ideas flowed. Rey rubbed the sleep from her eyes and took another sip of coffee; she had to stay awake until she finished. She wanted to show the designs to Ms. Netal first thing in the morning. Rey was sure she'd impress her boss this time.


"You're late," was the only greeting Rey got later that morning as she entered Ms. Netal's apartment.

"I'm sorry, it was only by…" she glanced at her watch, "three minutes," she offered a tentative smile by way of appeasing her boss.

"Late is late, Rey. And I don't tolerate it," Bazine answered briskly. "Now, we need to get started; there's a lot to do and Benjamin will be here any minute."

So saying, she turned and strode toward the dining room, leaving Rey fuming behind her...

Internally, Rey muttered a curse. Three minutes. Just three! And would it hurt you to look less than perfect once in a while?! No wonder Ben prefers you. You're always perfectly dressed, powdered, and primped within an inch of your life. I wonder what you'd look like in sweats? That thought made Rey smile as she rounded the side of the table and sat down across from her boss. Time to impress! Deep breath.

"I hope you'll forgive me when you see what I've done, Ms. Netal," she said.

Bazine didn't respond, so Rey continued plowing ahead. "I was so inspired yesterday, seeing Mr. Solo's home, and I've come up with a design plan for the party that I think you'll love!" she stated excitedly. She pulled her design boards from her satchel and placed them before Bazine, who began to examine them.

"What- are these?" Bazine asked, lips curling.

"Mr. Solo showed me his library collection yesterday, specifically his grandmother's first edition of 'A Christmas Carol, and I thought we could use this as inspiration for the event. You could see how much it meant to him. I've used lots of old English traditional touches, and-"

"What- three trees? Yuck." Bazine interrupted. "Who wants even one? They make such a sticky mess and drop needles everywhere. Why would he want three?"

Rey's face fell as she realized that her designs weren't going over the way she hoped they would.

"Well, I thought the three trees could symbolize Christmas' Past, Present, and Future. We could have kids from the Skywalker Foundation make ornaments for the Future tree; they are our future after all."

Bazine dropped the remaining drawings onto the tabletop, disgusted. "Sentimental nonsense. You've got this all wrong. Benjamin doesn't have a traditional bone in his body." She looked up at Rey. "This is going to be a highlight of the holiday season in Boston, and we need to help him impress the donors. This theme has been done to death and is utterly unsuitable. I'm surprised at you."

Her words cut Rey deep, but she remained silent as she gathered the drawings up and placed them to the side.

A knock on the door had Bazine sauntering out of the room, giving Rey a moment to gather her tumbling thoughts. She hated them? Sure the idea has been done before, but I did my best to make it fresh. And who doesn't love real Christmas trees! she mentally proclaimed. Bah humbug, Ms. Scrooge. Guess these are only good for the fire, she thought, gloomily, eyeing her work.

When her employer returned, she was leading Ben by the hand.

"I've got the designs right here," she said, pulling them out of her portfolio. Ben took them from her hand and began flipping through them. He studied each carefully and set them down, spread out on the surface of the table. Bazine's drawings were the practical opposite of Rey's. There were reindeer ice sculptures accented by small spotlights, a lone flocked faux tree, and tables draped in white linens with a silver wreath centerpiece. Inside each wreath nestled a hurricane glass and a single white pillar candle. The drawings screamed chic, sleek, and modern.

"What do you think?" Bazine asked after Ben's continued silence. This she hadn't expected.

Ben ran his hand on the back of his neck; he looked rather like a deer stuck in headlights.

"They're...nice."

Bazine stared at him, confusion and irritation brewed behind her eyes. "Nice? I was given to understand you wanted to make an impression on your guest," she spoke softly, but there was a hint of ice to the edge of her voice.

"I do," Ben replied, letting out a breath. "But this... is nothing like what I'd hoped for. I don't like hurting your feelings and don't take your hard work for granted."

He attempted to run a comforting hand up her arm, but his girlfriend stepped out of his reach.

"Weren't you listening when I said I wanted a more traditional Christmas this year? Something quieter, and less over the top?"

Bazine's gaze shifted to the table, and she held herself stiffly. "Of course, I was…" she defended herself, and then a small smirk graced her face. Rey would have missed it if she hadn't been watching, and she was sure Mr. Solo hadn't, turned away as his girlfriend had been. "... and that's why I made a second set of plans for you to see!"

She picked up Rey's designs and handed them over to Ben.

"This way you had a choice. Only the best for my Bennie," she simpered.

Ben grimaced mildly at the pet name and flipped through the images.

"This," his face lighting up, "...this is perfect. It's exactly what I wanted! Thank you, Darling. I shouldn't have doubted you," he said, leaning in to kiss her temple. "Using my Grandmother's book as inspiration means so much to me. Thank you. Though, I don't remember ever telling you about it before. You've never shown much interest in reading," he remarked.

"I'm just- full of surprises, aren't I, darling? We'll start right away then, shall we? Rey," she said, turning to pay attention to her assistant again. "Take these and start contacting the rental agencies as soon as possible."

"But-" Rey started to speak.

"Now, Miss Johnson."

"Those are-" she tried again.

"Those are the pictures he selected. Thank you for pointing out the obvious. Is there a problem, Rey?"

Her boss' gaze could have cut through glass, it was so sharp. The message was clear. Get to work and keep your mouth shut. Rey was forced to acknowledge that this wasn't the time, or place, to argue. She'd get the credit, but lose her job, and any chance to know Ben better.

"Yes, Ms. Netal. Right away. Goodbye, Ben. Have a lovely day," she managed to squeak out through gritted teeth. She took the proffered drawings and left.


Ben sat inside the old community theatre, lost in thought, as he toyed with a small velvet box containing a yellow diamond solitaire. This theatre was special to him. His parents had brought him to see his first production of The Nutcracker here. If he looked closely enough, he was sure he would see the ghost of little Ben, being chased by his father through the aisles, both waiting for his mother to stop gossiping. This place had always been a refuge to him. It had been his place where dreams came to life in front of him. He came to be near his parents' memory and for peace. He needed that quiet now.

Ben turned the little box, this way and that, watching the light reflect off the diamonds' cut surfaces. It wasn't the same. He had always hoped to give his future bride his grandmother's ring. He had shown it to Bazine once, and while she had said all the right things, it was evident she thought it old-fashioned.

His thoughts continued to skitter and bounce, refusing to settle down. Doubt tangoed with certainty and flutters tightened knots. A single kiss had caused his world to shift. Everything, yet nothing, was the same. Was this what he really wanted? Forever with Bazine?

A throat clearing nearby brought him back to the present. An old friend stood before him.

"Uncle Charles!" Ben stood to greet one of his father's oldest friends. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I work here now. I keep the old gal shining," he quirked his head towards the theatre, "and they give me free seats to all the shows. I call it a quiet retirement. Never could abide sitting around with nothing to do for long!" Charles chuckled.

Ben smiled.

His uncle paused a moment before commenting, "Usually guys who are getting ready to propose look a little green around the gills but are still excited. You look like you're being led to the gallows. Second thoughts?"

"Yeah...something like that." Ben heaved a sigh, sitting back in his spot. "How did you know Maz was the one, Chewie?"

"When she told me," his friend joked with a straight face. "But honestly, I just knew, deep down, that life was better when she was near. I wanted to share her world."

He put aside the broom he was holding and sat down beside Ben.

"You wanna talk?"

"I really would," Ben replied. "When I bought this," he held up the ring, "I was sure. It was the next logical step in our relationship. But then… well- there was this kiss."

"You hadn't kissed her yet?!" Chewie squawked.

"No, no! It was- a stranger in an elevator. It was this random, unforgettable moment. The elevator started falling and we reached for each other...we kissed. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it," he admitted, chagrined. "My stomach has been in knots ever since."

"Let me give you some advice your dad once gave me, a long long time ago."

"Please do," Ben asked, choked up at the mention of his dad.

"He told me to marry the girl whose kiss made me feel thankful," Chewie confided.

Ben looked at him quizzically. "That seems an odd choice of words, even for my dad," he remarked dryly.

"I thought so too until I met my wife-to-be. But when I kissed her there was a- spark, a feeling of amazement that she'd chosen me to give her love to. Your dad always said your mom was a gift he didn't deserve."

Ben pondered that for a few minutes, sitting in companionable silence with Charles.

"There was something there, in that kiss," he finally admitted aloud to himself. "a spark that I'd like to explore..." he sighed, "if I knew where she was. Life with my girlfriend feels- familiar. But there's no zing; definitely no thankfulness. You know, I didn't even miss her while I was gone this time. She kisses me and it's nice. I thought that'd be enough, but now...shouldn't there be more? I don't know what to do. I wish my dad were here," he said thickly. "Or even my mom, she'd tell me what to do!" he huffed.

Charles put an arm around his best friend's son. "I can't tell you what to do. You have to decide this one. But I can tell you need to get your flutters and knots straightened out before you ask any questions," he nodded toward the ring.

"You're right, Uncle Chewie. There's no rush. I think I'll just hold onto this for a while," he tucked the box inside his jacket pocket and smiled sincerely for the first time that day.


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A/N: Surprise! Early chapter because a friend asked and I had just gotten it back from my ever great Beta, Angela.

Aren't we all glad Ben dodged a bullet there?! The Ice Queen was victorious for another day, but this is a Reylo, we know she's doomed ;p