The chatter of people relaxing after a long day and the hiss of coffee machines swirled past Rey, but she was unable to enjoy the peace of her favorite coffee shop. The Castle had been her haunt since she had moved to Boston for college and she had introduced her friends to it a few years back. She and her roommates were ensconced in a cozy booth for an emergency grumble session.

"She took credit for my designs!" Rey hissed. "I just- it's so unprofessional. Not to mention Ben was there too. Now he is even more enamoured with her. She "knows" him."

"Gag me. Let's just call it what it is, hun." Kay interrupted. "She stole your work."

Her friends had been outraged on Rey's behalf once they'd heard her story.

"I mean, I thought, at least, she'd acknowledge it'd been a good idea in the end, even if she never told Ben. But it's like she despised me more!" Rey exclaimed, one hand slapping the table.

"Rey, I love you, but it makes perfect sense to me. Dragon Lady cannot stand being wrong and you did it in front of her boyfriend," Kay insisted.

"You're competition now," Rose stated bluntly with a shrug of her shoulder.

Rey shook her head. "No. I'm not. I just listened better to a client's request."

"Uh-huh. Right. You showed me those designs, and they were enchanting." Rose leaned over and set her head on Rey's shoulder. "Someday it'll be your designs in the spotlight. Just wait and see."

"Thanks, guys. You always know just what to say."

Rey reached for her mocha and took a sip, feeling herself relax at the warmth. This was just what she needed after a day like today. She couldn't wait to get home and start their yearly Home Alone marathon. Maybe she'd even be able to talk the girls into buying their Christmas tree a week early.

She had settled into a pleasant lull and was happily people-watching when her eyes caught sight of an unexpected customer. Kay and Rose saw her stiffen and looked around for the source of it.

"Stop looking, stop looking," she hissed, grabbing their arms and bodily turning them around.

"What is it?" Rose asked, confusion evident on her face.

"It's Ben…" Rey said, trying not to move her lips. She placed a hand on her forehead and looked down toward the table in an attempt to remain invisible.

"The Ben Solo!?" whisper-squealed Kaydel. "I've got to see," she said, trying to turn around with Rey holding fast to one arm.

"Oh, he's worth looking at," Rose smirked. "I could study him for a while."

Rey squirmed inside like a worm on a hook. He was sure to notice them at this rate. Her friends were absolutely incorrigible. At that moment, Ben paid for his drink and turned to exit the store... and spotted her. There is no avoiding this train red wreck now, she moaned. She forced herself to sit up straight and paste a welcoming smile upon her lips. This was just a chance meeting, that's all.

"Hello, Rey. It's a pleasure to see you again," Ben said.

"Hello to you too. You don't know my roommates," Rey replied, "Kaydel and Rose. We were just deciding whether or not to get our tree early," she fibbed.

"We were?" Kaydel responded. A swift kick on her shin had her amending her reply. "Oh yes, we were- discussing that." A sly look came over her face. "We were trying to decide whether to go with a theme for the decorations. What do you think of sugar plum fairies, Ben?"

Another kick came from a desperate Rey, this time rattling the table. Ben looked quizzically at the girls but said nothing.

"I think they're my favorite," he answered politely. "I gather you love The Nutcracker then, ladies?"

"Yes, we do! We love the dancing, the romance, and all that glitter," Rose offered, receiving a pinch on her hip for the trouble.

Ben laughed, "I can't say I'm too excited by glitter, but I do love the ballet. I think I spend more time talking about it than actually watching them anymore though," he sighed, quietly.

"Maybe you should change that," Rey encouraged. "Tis' the season, after all."

Ben smiled softly at her.

"Maybe I will. I won't disturb you anymore. I hope you have a pleasant evening. See you next week, Rey," Ben said and departed.


Bazine breezed into the Solo mansion Monday morning like she was already mistress of the place. Not even waiting to knock, she let herself and Rey in. This morning, they were going to begin decorating the house for the party; it would take several days to complete. Rey had brought Rose along because she needed help lifting the old-fashioned lamp post that had rented.

Rose set the lamp post down in the entryway with a huff and wiped the hair out of her eyes.

"This thing is heavier than it looks, you know, Rey," Rose said. "I'm glad to help, but you owe me big time."

Rey laughed and agreed.

"Rey, bring all those boxes and bags. We will start in the living room, I think," ordered Bazine. She didn't lift a finger herself, of course, she was too busy delegating. "Lily, bring the lamp post in here. I want to see how it looks next to the fireplace," she commanded.

Rose bent down and picked up the lamppost again, muttering, "My name is Rose."

"Oh, sorry," Bazine said, insincerely. "I'll get it right next time, I promise. Put it here, please." She waved her hand to the left.

Rose set the lamppost next to the fireplace and waited for Bazine's approval. The woman hmmed for a moment then whirled around.

"It's no good there. Let's try it next to the piano, Rose."

Rose rolled her eyes and glared at the woman, before hoisting her nemesis again and waddling across the room with it. Once set beside the piano, Rose stretched her back and waited for the verdict. Bazine circled the piano, eying it like a hungry tiger, before deciding that the light did nothing for the space and was better back where it started.

Rey, unaware that disaster was about to strike, had busied herself sorting decorations out upon the couch. An ear-piercing screech rent the quiet and someone landed on the floor with a resounding thud. Rey ran across the room toward her boss who sat keening and cradling her nose in her hands with tears streaming down her cheeks.

"What happened?!" Rey asked, bewildered.

"I hit her in the face with the lamp post," Rose said, chagrined. "I picked it up and turned around without looking behind me first. I hit her nose like a homer outta Fenway Park," she grimaced.

"Don't just stand there! Go get me some ice," Bazine hollered at Rose, "We don't need a committee meeting to discuss this. I think she did it on purpose."

"I'm sure it was just an accident," Rey consoled her. The last thing anyone needed was for her employer to sue one of her friends.

"Bring me my purse," her boss demanded, nasally.

Rey scurried over to their purses in the entryway and brought back the black handbag. Bazine rooted inside to find her compact and swiftly opened it, finally exposing her nose. Rey gaped silently at her first glimpse. Bazine's nose was already turning vivid shades of purple and green, and beginning to swell.

"This can't be happening...this can't be happening!" she chanted over and over frantically. "I can't- Ben can't see me like this. I'm going to get engaged in a couple of weeks!" she blurted desperately at Rey. "This- this isn't happening! I've got to- I know, I'll go see my mother for the week in New York. Between the spa and her plastic surgeon I'm sure they can fix this."

Rose came scuttling back with ice wrapped in a towel and handed it to Bazine, guilt clear on her face. "I am so sorry, Ms. Netal. I really didn't mean for this to happen, I swear."

The only response she received was a glare and an outstretched hand. Rose helped Bazine carefully to her feet and Rey handed Bazine her handbag. Purse in one hand and ice in the other Bazine headed swiftly for the front door.

"Ms. Netal, what about the house? Should I wait for you?" Rey called after her boss.

"No, you'll be responsible to get it done while I'm out of town," Bazine said over her shoulder.

"Of course! What shall I tell Ben when he asks for you?"

"Tell him business took me out of town. He'll understand, it happens."

And with that, she left. The door slamming shut broke the pair from the shock at the sudden change of events.

"Well... that just happened," Rey observed, still staring after her departed boss.

"Yeeeeah," Rose replied. "And, now you get to decorate the house the way you want to, Rey."

Rey looked at her friend, a small smile lurked on her face.

"You're right, Rosie," Rey remarked.

"And, it's just a little thing, but... Ben lives here," Rose twirled a finger in the air, "so maybe, just maybe, I'm saying, you'll get to spend some one-on-one time with him."

Rey's smile bloomed into a blazing sun.

"Silver lining, huh?" Rose chirped.

Rey nodded, "Silver lining indeed."

The friends high-fived, and, with guilty chuckles, knuckled down to work.


The last rays of the setting sun were kissing the library goodnight as Rey put the finishing touches on the room. The week of decorating had gone pleasantly for Rey. She'd asked a few assistants in to help for several days, and all that was left were the finishing touches; these she preferred to do on her own. Perfection, for her, was in the little details. The tiny touches she added on whims; like the tiny book ornaments tucked into the garlands on the staircase or the antique candleholders she'd found in the flea market.

Christmas was her favorite time of year and she loved to make it beautiful for those around her. Silver Bells played quietly on her phone as she tucked the last of the red velvet bows into place. She sang along with all the confidence of someone who knew she was alone in the house.

"You have a lovely voice," a deep voice commented behind her..

Rey screamed and jerked around.

"Ben! You scared me half to death! Where did you come from?"

He smiled, "I've been to London to see the Queen, of course," he responded cheekily.

Rey grinned, fear forgotten.

"What do you think?" she gestured towards the room.

"I think it looks... magnificent. Truly, " Ben replied. "It looks like Christmas magic. Thank you for all your hard work, Rey."

She blushed at his praise and nodded her head in thanks.

"All that's left now is to buy the Christmas trees and decorate them. Sooo…" she went to go grab her hat and jacket.

"Before you go, can I ask you a question?"

Rey paused, curious, coat hanging off one shoulder still. "Shoot."

"I noticed when I was going over the design boards again, that the initials RJ were on every one. Rey, did Bazine come up with this theme, or did you?"

Rey's gaze met his calmly. For a fleeting moment, Ben thought he saw something in it, but whatever emotion it was disappeared.

"Trade secrets, Ben. If you look for the wizard behind the curtain you'll be disappointed. Best leave the magic alone."

Ben chuckled softly, deciding to let it go. She'd answered his question quite skillfully. His mother would have adored Rey's reply. Polite, yet vague. Answering and yet not. The perfect two-step.

"Good night, Ben. I'll have the trees delivered tonight and be over bright and early to decorate them tomorrow."

Ben's brow furrowed. "You're going to pick out three trees alone?"

"I'm a big girl, Ben. Tree lots don't scare me."

"But wouldn't it be more- festive, if you had company?"

Rey cocked her head to the side. "Would you like to come with me, Ben?"

He smiled and answered, "I thought you'd never ask."

Rey squealed giddily inside as she took his proffered arm, and they set out into the starry night in search of the perfect trees...


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A/N: I hope none of you cheered too loudly when Bazine took one straight to the face? LOL ;p It WAS an accident, for the record. I hope to have the next chapter up on Sunday, but just in case, I have a pre-arranged excuse: I am writing another bday fic. So another one-shot for you to enjoy if chapter seven isn't there on Sunday. It's an enemies-to-lovers w/ pranks story! A huge shout of thanks to my beta, Angela, for her continued support and encouragement.