Holiday

"What do you mean you can't come because you're working?" he asked her. "It's Christmas Eve! No one should have to work a holiday."

Rey had just started dating Poe Dameron two short months ago. They had met thanks to their mutual friend, Finn, and while things had been going well in their relationship so far, and Rey was exceedingly happy to have finally found someone who actually seemed to 'get her,' she knew there would be bumps in the road. Apparently, this was the first one.

"I agree no one should work on holidays when you're talking about retail or service industries, but some jobs are necessary all the time," Rey argued. She hated that this conversation was happening over the phone. She would really like to see his expressive face right now, to know what he was thinking.

"Well, of course!" Poe countered. "Hospitals and cops and firefighters and such," he continued. "They are needed and are hopefully getting extra pay for their service." He paused. "But Rey, you work for a bank. Why are you working Christmas Eve?"

Rey smiled. There was a bit of a whine in his voice. "I'm not working my regular job," she told him. "I'm volunteering at the local animal shelter."

The other end of the line was silent, so after a moment, Rey continued.

"I'm volunteering to feed and clean that night so that the regular staff and other volunteers can have the night off to be with their families. I've always done it over holidays since I don't have family of my own. I had already signed up to do it this year before we started dating and I didn't bother changing it because I didn't know if you even celebrated Christmas or not."

"Well, yeah," Poe answered her non-question. "Dad and I have always had a traditional Christmas Eve. Dinner followed by presents." He sighed. "I was really getting excited about the thought of you joining us. I think he was, too."

"I'm sorry, Poe," Rey said, and she truly was. "I should be done by eight, if you guys want to do it a little later than normal?" She paused. "Or you could come with me and we could get done sooner..?"

"I… I wouldn't know what to do. I'd just be in your way." He sounded surprised but not upset. And he hadn't said 'no.'

"It's not that difficult. I've done it so much I could do it in my sleep. It would be easy to direct you." She bit her lip before adding, "and I know you'd love to love on all those dogs and cats."

He huffed a laugh. One of the things that had helped them bond was their shared love of animals. Poe's dog BB had solidified that bond by attaching himself to Rey more than any other woman Poe had dated. Or so he said. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice still uncertain.

"Poe, I would love to spend Christmas Eve with you, even if it means cleaning cat litter boxes and scooping dog poop."

His responding laughter made her smile. Oh, how she loved to hear him laugh!

"Okay," he finally said. "I'll do it. I'll just let Dad know we'll be a little later than normal."

Rey's heart thumped hard a couple of times in her chest. She was more sure than ever that she was falling in love with this man. "Thank you, Poe," she said softly. "For inviting me to be a part of your traditions and for your help."

"Thank you, Rey," he responded. "For letting me be a part of your holiday traditions, too."

This just might be the best Christmas ever.