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Chapter Text

"Ow!" Rey yelped as she opened her eyes, seeing her roommate and friend, Rose Tico, with arms crossed. Rey gasped in annoyance, "You pinched me!" She said rubbing her arm. "And it's cold!"

Rose shrugged and pulled the covers off from Rey, "We have to tell our gross landlord that the heater has to be fixed."

"Ugh...great. Wow, it's cold," Rey said putting the covers back on her.

Rose sighed and took the covers off again, "I tried waking you up...Texted three times and called four times."

Rey gave up in retrieving the covers and yawned. "Wh----aaaa---tt?" grabbing her cell from the nightstand and rubbed the sleepiness from her eyes. She looked at her phone. "Oh. You did." She looked back to Rose, face scrunched. "Is that why I kept hearing the Harry Potter music in my dream? Good, because—"

"Rey!" Rose said loudly, waving her arms.

"What?" Rey dropped her phone next to her and stretched her arms high, moving her hands and fingers.

Rose sighed and shook her head, eyes determined, "It's 7:30. Monday. You know..."

Rey's eyes enlarged quickly, "7:30...shit!" She jumped out of bed, grabbed her towel that was thrown on her desk chair, and headed out the room down the hall to the bathroom.

Rose smiled to herself and grabbed her backpack from the floor. She walked after Rey, stopping at the closed bathroom door. "I did try to wake you as I was getting ready."

Rey was taking off her tank top and pajama bottoms as she whispered, "Thank you, Rose."

Rose knocked on the door twice, "That's what friends are for. Later, I'll be here to hang the lights with you." She walked to the front door and opened it, "Remember, dress warmly. It's going to be much colder outside!"

"Bye!" Rey said as she heard the front door close. She looked at the medicine cabinet mirror, seeing the tiredness still in her eyes. She took a deep breath. She's not going in just as an associate today. For just the day, she's taking over for the owner of Skywalker's Books. She's supposed to let in employees before opening at 9 this morning and it looks like she will barely make it. Rey looked at herself in the mirror again, "You can do this," she assured herself before going in to shower.

In her room, Rey was dressed in black pants, flats, and in her bra. She looked at her hanging orange and white circular clock above her door, reading 7:55 a.m. "Oooh!" Rey exclaimed. Time was going as fast as her breaths as she started to walk quickly out of her room.

She walked briskly toward the laundry area which was situated on the other side of the kitchen. She flung the curtains to one side and saw the washer's door was lifted open. She walked to the washer and saw water and clothes in there. "Shit!" She remembered now that last night she was going to get more clothes to throw in the washer, but was distracted by a call from her grandfather and forgot. She forgot! Rose was already asleep and Rey was supposed to stay up for another hour, but hearing from her Grandfather, the first time in weeks was so welcome, even though it was to tell her he wouldn't see her this Christmas. Rey expected this but was truly hoping this year would be different.

Rey closed the washer, and it immediately made the washing noise. Her warmest sweaters were in there, along with her favorite shirts, including one she was planning to wear today. "Shoot," she said as she walked to Rose's door. She tried to turn the knob but it didn't open, as she expected.

It started ever since she and Rose moved in the apartment months back; three times they had stuff missing from their drawers, including some underwear. They were set on believing it was their revolting Landlord Plutt since he had a key to everyone's apartment in the building. He said it was for insurance reasons and in the contract, but it doesn’t mention he needs the keys for their bedroom doors. She and Rose know they need to find another apartment fast, but the dirty landlord charged hundreds less than others in the area so they had to make due until they could make more money.

Rey opened the building door leading to the main street of town. She was immediately hit with the cold, getting chills throughout her body. It had rained the previous night. The sidewalk and street were still wet. Rey wore a long grey sleeved wool blouse, but she still felt the cold seep through her clothing. "Great," she murmured as she tried to walk fast to make herself not feel so cold; it wasn’t working.

A couple of blocks later, Rey walked inside of Good Java and the instant warmth made her smile a bit. She stood in line, waiting to order her regular cup of coffee and a cranberry scone. She looked at the time on her phone. She sighed in relief. I still have time. Rey looked around and saw holiday decorations throughout including candy canes and mistletoe taped to the standing menus near the cashier and the menus on the wall. Christmas lights with different colors were hung all around the large room. The smell of coffee and breakfast sandwiches was overwhelming. This was the bustle of the morning rush. Rey looked ahead, as the chatter of people and banging keys from laptops were heard.

"No," a sharp male voice was suddenly heard in the back of Rey. The voice continued, "Oh, I don't know Hux because the fucking holidays are around the corner. What do you fucking think?" The man said with utter authority and annoyance. 

Rey turned around slowly and saw a tall man with wavy dark hair reaching to the nape of his neck. He was dressed in a huge black coat, hiding his frame. She looked at his face and first saw his eyes, a warm brown color, inviting but they instantly turned guarded as he realized he was being watched.

"Yes?" He asked, his voice sounded deeper. He kept his phone to his ear and stared at her.

"Oh, I—" Rey stammered, feeling a little disoriented.

"Next in line!" The cashier said, interrupting what Rey was going to say or rather what she was trying to think what to say.

The tall man tilted his head toward the cashier. "Your turn," he said, his tone the same. 

"Oh...sorry," Rey whispered.

He shrugged and looked away, going back to his call. "What? Oh, it's no one. Now, continue what you were saying, but say it without sounding like an annoying shit."

Rey gasped suddenly but didn't say anything this time. She turned around and walked toward the cashier, trying to forget what just happened...but failed.

Rey still had to walk a couple of blocks to work but she had some relief knowing it wasn't even 8:30 a.m. I can do this, she kept repeating to herself silently. "Rey!" The barista called her, shaking her out of her thoughts. She thanked the barista and walked toward the front door, squeezing to get through the crowded line. She had the urge to look behind her. She turned and saw the tall man finish paying for his order and walk toward the other counter. He was still talking on his cell. Rey thought he looked familiar but shrugged that thought.

As she opened the door, she was greeted by the cold again. Seriously, it's so cold! She put her cup of coffee on a nearby table. She warmed her hands by rubbing them together. She was about to take back her coffee when she heard his voice.

"Excuse me," the tall man with nice hair said, with a gentler tone.

"Yes?" Rey asked, clearly puzzled.

He took a breath and started, "I'm sorry about in there." He pointed to the shop. "I didn't mean to—"

"No, please. It's fine, I guess," she said but got nervous again, being near him. What was this? And she was still feeling cold. She needed to walk.

The man continued, "I saw you from in there. You look cold. Here." He started to take off his coat.

Rey was shaking her head, "Oh, no. I'm not far from work."

"Where do you work?" He questioned, still taking off his coat.

"Uhh--Skywalker's Books," Rey said still looking at him, but with curiosity.

"Ah. Well, I can stop by later." He handed her his coat. Rey noticed he was also wearing black gloves.

Rey put her hand to the coat. "I'm fine."

He sighed, but still had his arm out, "What's your name?"

Rey looked at his eyes again, and the same warmth she saw earlier was there. "Rey."

He nodded, "Rey, it's a cold one this morning. Take my coat. I'll stop by later to pick it up."

Rey was surprised by this stranger's generosity "Do you need directions to the bookstore?"

The man shook his head, "I know where it is," he said with a guarded tone.

Rey nodded, "Thank you..."

The man slightly smiled, "See you later, Rey." He was turning away as Rey stopped him.

"Wait, I don't know yours," Rey said. The man turned around, with curious eyes. Rey scoffed, "Your Name."

He eased at once and said, "Kylo." He turned around and walked away.

She nodded as she watched him go back inside. He was wearing a fitted long sleeve black sweater, black jeans, and shoes. She looked at him, head to toe, her eyes staring at his broad build, and to his—" Kylo looked back and caught her staring, again.

"Shoot, she whispered to herself. She gave him a thumb up. He nodded slowly, then looked away and walked to the counter. Thumb up? "What?!" Rey sighed feeling a little strange being caught by him, again! She quickly put on the coat, and instantly the cold she was feeling turned into warmth. She sighed and moved her head and sniffed inside the coat, smelling honey and clean soap. It was a soothing scent to Rey but she immediately shook her head, grabbed her coffee, and walked in the direction of the bookstore. She looked back one more time and saw through the front window Kylo take his drink, a nod toward the barista, and went back to talk into his cell phone. Rey turned and walked away, knowing she had heard his name before, but from where?

Chapter Text

"Oh!" Kylo Ren. Rey knew that name sounded familiar. He wrote books about action, adventure, and fictional wars. "Interesting," Rey whispered, as she held his most recent book, It Was Worth Fighting For, in her hand. She put it back on the shelf next to a couple of copies remaining. The red and green mini lights Rey was going to place on top of the shelf already had one too many. Rey put them back in the box with the rest of the unused lights.

Skywalker's Books was the biggest bookstore in town. It was the season where subtle holiday music was playing all day long. The not so busy two-story bookstore was greatly decorated with different types of lights on top of bookshelves, on the wall, and more upstairs. Two cashiers were at the front desk, one helping a customer. Upstairs a medium-sized Christmas tree stood, whimsically decorated. Few customers were up there, browsing.

Rey carried the box of lights to the front desk when the front door chimed indicating someone was opening the front door. The owner and Rey's boss, Luke Skywalker, an older man with a one of a kind personality, wore an ugly green and red mixed Christmas sweater. As he entered the store, he was anything but his usual self. Instead, he had a somber look but as he saw Rey, his face lit up a little, "Rey, how was today?"

Rey put the box down and turned around with a forced smile. "During the lunch hour, it picked up a little. It is Monday after all..." Rey's smile dimmed a bit. Luke shrugged in response, waved at the two cashiers, and as he stood next to her, she whispered with instant concern on her face, "How is he?"

Luke gulped, "He's still resting." Luke stopped but then continued, "He's never given up. All the time I've known him... And he won't now."

Rey nodded in response. The door chimed again, and this time, Kylo Ren entered wearing a different coat, Rey noticed. She could still smell the honey and clean soap scent from the one he lent her earlier. Rey shook her head, trying to forget his smell, then smiled slightly, "Hi Kylo."

Kylo looked at her first, gently, then he looked at Luke, and his guarded facial expression returned.

Luke looked at Rey with surprise, "You know my nephew?"

Rey's mind stumbled in trying to explain, "Uh...yes—met—uh--this morning." Rey started to say then said, "Hang on, Kylo's your nephew? I thought his name was—"

Luke interrupted by putting his arms up and walked toward his tall nephew, "Be-ee-nn, come here."

Kylo stood in place with an annoyed look and put his hand to stop Luke, "Lu—" but instantly he was squished by his uncle. It had been a while since Kylo had a hug and he remembered why he didn't like them. He couldn't breathe. "Luu—kk—ee," he managed to say.

Luke let go then patted Kylo's arm, "Your mom said you were coming by. Thought it would have been a couple of days ago, straight after the heart attack."

Kylo stepped back a couple of steps, his hand at his sides, fists clenched. He looked away while he said, "I had some meetings."

Luke crossed his arms, "Right," he scoffed.

Kylo rolled his eyes and looked back at Luke, "I just got in this morning. I will see him."

"When?"

"I will. That's all you need to know," Kylo looked away from Luke again, his eyes landing on Rey. She was stunned that the stranger she met this morning was the nephew Luke would sometimes talk so fondly about.

"Ben," Luke shook his head, "He wants to see you."

"I have..." Kylo started to say in a dark tone that Rey recognized from when he was talking on his cell.

Rey didn't want to hear that voice again so she quickly interrupted, "I'm going to see Han right after work," Rey looked behind her at the clock against the wall. It was 5:25 p.m. She looked toward Kylo with a sincere look, "Perhaps you can come with me?"

Kylo looked uneasy. "What?"

Luke chimed in and looked at Rey, "Actually, I'll close this evening Rey. Why don't you go now?"

Kylo tried to interrupt but Rey nodded at both men and quickly walked to the back room to retrieve her things. Rey didn't look back at what was most likely an uncomfortable sight.

Luke made sure Rey was out of sight then turned back to his nephew, "Ben, you need to visit more often."

Kylo shook his head and said, with a bit more composure, "I wasn't here to see you."

Luke's eyebrows lifted, "Oh? Then, who?"

Kylo whispered, "Rey." Luke smirked a little which angered Kylo. "I lent her my coat this morning at the coffee shop."

Luke nodded slowly, "I see..."

Kylo retorted with, "She looked cold. I offered my coat. That's it."

"Right," Luke chuckled. Kylo looked away. Luke sighed and patted his nephew again on the arm, "That was nice of you Ben."

Kylo looked again at his uncle, moving his mouth one side then to the other, also moving his chin, and finally said, "Thank you."

Luke nodded, "Hey Ben, I would like—"

Kylo's cell rang interrupting their short chat. Kylo looked at his phone then back at Luke, "I have to take this. Please tell Rey I'm in my car out front." Luke nodded as Kylo walked out the front door.

Rey came back to the room with her satchel purse and Kylo's coat over one arm. Kylo was nowhere in sight. "He's inside his car out front," she heard Luke say from the front desk area, a few feet away from her.

She walked to Luke with a determined expression on her face, "Mr. Skywalker, you've got to explain."

Luke looked up from putting lights in a large tote bag, confused, "Rey?"

She pointed toward the front door, "Your nephew is Kylo Ren."

Luke shook his head. "I know him as Ben Solo."

"You sell his books. You've mentioned your nephew when he was younger..." Rey tried to get something out because this was so sudden.

Luke sighed heavily and said, "It's a long and complicated story."

Rey smiled. "Those are my favorite."

Luke shook his head again, "Another time." He grabbed the tote filled with Christmas lights and slid it toward Rey, "For you and Miss Tico to decorate your apartment."

Rey was speechless but then shook her head quickly, "But, these are brand new."

"Weren't you going to buy some anyway?"

Rey gently touched an icicle light, "At a thrift store."

Luke nodded knowingly, "Rey, I don't need them. Take them."

Rey smiled again, "Thanks, Mr. Skywalker."

Rey walked out of the store and felt the instant chill again. She recognized Kylo inside his sleek and expensive black SUV. She walked toward the car and instantly heard Kylo, "I said I did not want to do that event, Hux. I said it fucking clearly. I'm saying it again...fucking clearly....:

Rey knocked on the window lightly. Kylo instantly looked her way then unlocked the door. He said back into the cell, "Hux, I have to go. Don't call me again tonight." Kylo hung up, put his phone down, and looked at Rey as she closed the door behind her.  "Wow, looks like Christmas in there." Kylo pointed at the tote filled with lights.

Rey nodded, "Yes, I'm going to decorate my apartment tonight with my roommate."

"Nice," he said as he took the bag and put it in the back seat.

Rey put her seatbelt on then looked inside the car. It looked spotless. it smelled new.

She looked at the backseat. "Is this a Lexus?"

Kylo started the car and drove, "Infiniti QX70."

Rey smiled and nodded, "Nice."

Kylo looked ahead. "How long have you been working there?"

Rey grabbed his coat from her lap, "Wait, your coat."

He shook his head, "You should wear it. It's cold tonight."

Rey looked at him with a little bit of guilt in her eyes, "Oh...I..."

They came to a stop sign. Kylo looked at her with a slight smile, "Please." He looked away, driving again.

Rey knew he was being sincere and nodded in agreement, "Okay. Thank you." She started to put the coat back on and instantly smelled his scent. She needed to say something to distract her from it, then remembered his question, "I've worked there since freshman year of university."

"I see."

"Your dad mentioned you before. Sometimes in class."

Kylo continued to stare ahead, his mouth moved again along with his chin, "Really?"

Rey stared at Kylo's profile, "He was my professor for philosophy." She knew he was a little older than her. He still looked so young, Rey realized.

Kylo felt her stare. He moved his hair back. "Philosophy... is your major?"

Rey loved talking about what she studied, "I double majored in that and English. I graduated this past June. As I'm working at the bookstore I'm still trying to find what I want to do," she admitted. She looked at Kylo. He was still staring ahead. She brought up, "You're an author."

"I am."

"You're pretty successful..." she said but it didn't work. She expected him to talk about the numerous books he had written, awards he received, but nothing. He was silent. "Sorry was it something I said...?"

Kylo shook his head and finally said, "I enjoy writing, it's just..." He stopped talking.

"What?" Rey asked quietly.

Kylo admitted, "I want to love what I'm writing. I've never had that feeling." He looked quickly to Rey who nodded in understanding. "I've never told anyone that," He gulped and continued, "I meet you today but I feel I can talk to you." He smiled slightly and she returned it.

Rey stood in front of Han's closed door. She brought her satchel and bag of Christmas lights. She intended to leave early so Kylo can talk with his father. She felt him a few steps behind her. She opened the door and saw Han Solo, lying in bed, his head propped by a couple of pillows, blankets covered him to his neck. Rey had never seen him look so weak.

Han opened his eyes and tried to smile, "Rey," he quietly and hoarsely said. "It's good to see..." He stopped as Rey moved aside and his son, his almost thirty-year-old boy, walked in the room. Han smiled a little more as he said gently, "Kid."

Kylo didn't say anything but his face said everything. He walked up to Han, looked down at his father. He looked so helpless. Kylo hated seeing him like this. He looked away as he felt tears come to his eyes. "Where's Mom?"

Han continued to look at his son. His mouth moved one side then to the other, his chin moving, "She had an appointment with the council, she'll be by after."

Kylo nodded back then grabbed a nearby chair and placed it next to his father, sitting down, looking at the floor.

Rey looked away, tears threatened to rain down her cheeks. She placed her things on another chair and looked around the almost empty room. There were two poinsettia plants near the window but there was nothing that would put anyone in the Christmas spirit. She finally broke the silence, "How long are you in here, Han?"

Han looked up to the ceiling, clearly annoyed, "Another week maybe, probably just after Christmas."

Rey knew what she had to do, "Well, I have a surprise with me. I've come to decorate your room—"

Han looked at her and interrupted with his same tone, "My room is in my home."

Rey smiled, "Yes, well I have these Christmas lights I'd like to decorate this room with." Han just shrugged and looked away. Rey saw that as approval.

Kylo got up from his chair and walked toward Rey with concern, "That's very generous of you but I can go buy him something."

Rey shook her head. She was determined, "Your Dad deserves some cheer, don't you think? I want to help."

Kylo was touched by her gesture and said, "Let me help you." Rey handed him a strand of lights.

A little later, a variety of Christmas lights: mini white, green, and red, snowflake designed, and icicle lights decorated the room brightly. Kylo was back sitting down as Rey sat next to him. Han looked more annoyed, "Looks like Christmas in here..."

"Great," Kylo and Han said at the same time. Rey smiled at both of them.

Chapter Text

"Ben, you'll visit tomorrow?" Leia Organa softly asked her son. She, Rey, and Kylo were standing in front of the closed hospital elevator.

Kylo swept his hair back, a nervous habit, Leia noticed in him ever since he was a boy. "I can," he finally said. Leia smiled and put her arms around her son. He received his mother's embrace and wrapped his arms around her petite form. He looked down at his mother's now grey hair, neatly styled in one of her buns. He remembered then, as a young boy when he used to play with her hair. He would distract her from brushing it, so he could have more time with her before she had to leave for work.

"Good, let's meet for lunch," Leia said quickly, breaking Kylo's fond memory and before he could interject. She moved to hug Rey. Rey smiled in return. "And Rey, this Friday, for our annual holiday party, we're going to have a small gathering here instead. Can you make it?"

Rey loved going to the Solo's for their annual holiday party. Rey was grateful that they invited her every year. "Yes, of course."

Leia put her hand on Rey's shoulder. "Good. Bring your friends."

Rey nodded, "I will." The elevator door opened. Rey went inside first, then Kylo. They both turned around just in time to see Leia wave at both of them. The elevator closed and Kylo immediately pressed the down button. They were alone. They stared ahead at the steel elevator door. She then moved and saw his profile. He was still staring ahead. Rey wanted to break the ice. "Are you going?"

Kylo looked to face her, slightly puzzled. "Hmmm...?"

Rey moved her head toward the door. "The gathering?" Her stare on his eyes went to his lips, his full lips, Rey noticed. She hadn't noticed that before. They looked nice.

Kylo noticed Rey's stare. "Maybe."

Rey looked back up and saw he was amused at something. He must have caught her staring, again. She sighed then looked toward the door, "It would be nice..."

The elevator door then opened. A cluster of people moved toward them. Rey walked closer to Kylo. He stepped back in the corner. Rey was in front of him, a step away. A lady in front of her stepped closer to Rey which made her step right in front of Kylo. She immediately felt a shiver when she came into contact with him. His bare hands went to her waist to steady her. She barely felt his large hands because of the fabric of his coat, but she felt comfortable. She looked down at one hand. She noticed he wasn't wearing his gloves. He must have left them in Han's room when he helped her set up the lights. She felt him remove his hands then felt him at her ear. "Sorry," he whispered.

She felt the shiver again, this time traveling through her body, especially toward an area that made her open her mouth and take a couple of quick breaths, to steady herself. His deep voice did something to her and she welcomed it. She turned her head and saw his nose and lips. Her lips were so close to his. She lifted her head as he moved his back up. She saw his eyes full of curiosity as if he felt what she just felt. She whispered back, "It's fine." She turned away and continued to stare ahead and figure out what was happening.

Other than Kylo asking for her address the car ride to Rey's apartment was quiet. She looked down at her phone. She texted Rose she was on her way back home. She lifted her head and looked out the window and saw the night with a twinkle of lights here and there at every home they passed. A text chimed through the silence. Rose texted back with a thumb up and mentioned Finn, Rose's boyfriend and Rey's friend, had brought some leftover decorations from his work. Rey smiled and looked away. She looked forward to decorating that night. The familiar brick apartment building came into view and for some reason, she felt at a loss for words.

Suddenly Kylo broke the silence as he parked. "I'll be at Good Java tomorrow morning at about 8:15. Will I see you there?"

Rey was stunned at first but instantly grinned because she did want to see him again. She quickly said, "Yes." She went to look at him and found he was staring at her, waiting for her response.

His eyes went from worry to relief. He nodded, turned off the car, and got out to meet at her side. He did this when they were at the hospital. She still wasn't used to it. Rey opened the door as Kylo opened it wider.

He offered his hand and Rey took it, feeling warm again. She wanted more. Kylo had a small smile. He felt it too. There was the shiver, the tremor from just the brief touch. Both stared at each other, a few seconds longer, before she gulped and broke contact, making their hands drop. Rey went to get her satchel from the seat.

She turned around. "What do I call you?" Rey was curious and wanted to address him the way he felt comfortable. Kylo looked at her, brows furrowed.

"Kylo or Ben?" Rey stepped away from the door.

Kylo closed it behind Rey, turned around, and saw her, someone he instantly felt close to. He wanted more. He said what he honestly felt. "Whatever you like."

Rey nodded in return, started to walk away, then looked back and made eye contact. "Goodnight, Ben."

Chapter Text

"You met Kylo Ren?!" Finn asked with a shocked expression. He handed a string of green and red lights to Rose, which she spread around their small artificial tree. He sat on the couch with a cup of hot cider in hand. He looked toward Rey, who was feet away in the kitchen. She placed the last of the lights, against the wall, on the counter, near an outlet. Finn smiled toward her. "Do you think you can get him to autograph—"

"Finn!" Rose went to sit next to her boyfriend, tossing her legs on his lap. Finn handed her his cup. Rose took a sip and smiled, loving the warmth of the drink.

Rey's back was to the couple when she heard Finn's question. She shrugged, turned and said, "Finn, I just met him."

Rose raised a brow. "He lent you his coat, drove you to see his father."

"I didn't know—" Rey started to say in defense.

"You were invited again to Mayor Organa's holiday party."

Rey pointed to them. "And you're both invited as well."

"We'll be there," Finn assured.  

Rose nodded as well and continued. "And Kylo might show up this time because of you, and you're going to meet tomorrow morning for a date." Rose smiled and raised her cup to Rey.

Rey rolled her eyes. "It's not a date!" She looked away. "We're just going to be arriving at the same time and chat."

Finn laughed. "Sounds like he likes you, Rey, and you like him."

Rey sat on the ground across from them, her back against an armchair.  "He's different from what I expected."

"How so?" Rose asked.

Rey immediately remembered how it felt to be physically close to Ben in that elevator. His touch and voice did something to her. She quickly shook her head and tried to think of what to say. She shrugged. "He's just not what he seems." She looked away. There was so much Rey wanted to say but these new feelings were something she wanted to keep to herself. It felt strangely intimate to share anything right now.

Rose crossed her arms. "I read online that he comes off as a jerk. But if he's okay with you, Rey, then—" She shrugged. Finn nodded in agreement and took the cup Rose handed him.

Rey looked down and remembered Ben's heated conservation with someone named Hux. Then there was the unresolved conflict between him and Luke. What gave her a pang in her heart was watching Ben with his father. She felt she should have left the two to catch up but something made her stay to witness their interaction. The warmth in Han's small grin and Ben's speechless expression, it moved Rey to see them together. She smiled without realizing it.

"Why are you smiling Rey? Thinking of Kylo?" Rose teased.

Rey smirked, not wanting to reveal she indeed was. She stood up and spread her arms out. "Woo! The apartment is decorated and looks beautiful." The living room and kitchen were filled with a mixture of different colored lights. She smiled, loving the feel of the holidays

    The next morning at Good Java, Rey immediately spots Ben to her left, near a side window. She sees him facing away from her on his phone, looking out the window at a rustic brick wall, looking tense. Rey sighs but then grins, feeling she knows whom Ben is talking to. Even with the holiday music blaring in the cafe, she's able to hear his voice, a few feet away.

"You said it was—No Hux, you listen to me."

She sat in the chair opposite him. He immediately had a compose expression once he saw Rey. He mouthed hi to her.

"Morning, Ben." She whispered.

H He smiled back, liking how his real name sounded from her. The noisy cackling from his phone was overbearing as he said into the phone, "Hux, shut up for a second." He grabbed his wallet from his coat pocket. He took a credit card out and handed it to Rey. "Anything you want, on me."

"What? I can't—"

"I'll have whatever you're having." He winked at her then spoke into his phone. "I didn't hear you because I said to wait for a fucking second."

Rey took the card grudgingly and turned around. She walked toward the register, smiling as she could still hear Ben telling off that person named Hux.

She came back with a tray filled with two cranberry scones, two warm breakfast sandwiches, and two coffees. She saw Ben looking out the window again but looked her way. As she handed back his card their fingertips barely touched but it gave her that same shiver from the previous day.

"I'm going to stay here for a while Hux. Yes, next week too—No, I said I was not going to do to it—No, that's my final—" Ben scoffed at his phone. "That idiot hung up on me."

"I've been wondering who Hux is. You two seem to have lively conversations." She smirked.

He laughed. "He's my agent." He rolled his eyes. "He's pretty good at his job but very thoughtless on certain concerns."

"Ah." She placed Ben's sandwich, scone, and coffee in front of him. "Here's a sausage, egg, and pepper jack breakfast sandwich, a blueberry coffee, and a scone--Hope you like cranberry." She smiled as she started to eat her sandwich.

Ben smiled and grabbed the cranberry scone first. "Thank you," he said before eating a piece.

Rey looked up and saw him close his eyes, looking relieved. "Glad you like cranberry as well."

"Mmm." Ben took a sip of his coffee. "My grandma made the best scones. Cranberry was always my favorite."

"Something we have in common." Rey grinned, looking at Ben's stare right at her. She could make out his brown eyes, almost caramel color. Beautiful, she thought.

"I'm going to see my dad later," Ben said, looking down. He moved his mouth to the left then right. Rey waited to see what else he would say. She didn't have to wait long. "Seeing him yesterday...was the first time in a while and reminded me how much I missed him," he said. He looked up, with glassy eyes. He scoffed before he drank more coffee.

"I feel there's a lot that needs to be said between the two of you."

Ben laughed and nodded. "You could say that again." He ran his fingers through his hair.

Rey took a bite of her scone and closed her eyes, savoring the sweet taste of the cranberry. She opened her eyes and saw Ben look at her with a half-smile. "What?" She wondered if she had something on her face as she patted her cheek.

Ben shook his head. "I have the same feeling. Its sweet taste crumbled with—"

"Sugar." Rey nodded her head, taking another bite of the sweet goodness.

"Exactly," Ben said as he took a bite of the scone and gave a hint of a moan. 

That sound made Rey feel that shiver once again. She closed her eyes, giving in to this feeling toward Ben. She did want more.

Rey's alarm on her phone sounded just as she finished the last of her coffee. Ben looked toward her as if he was making sure she was safe. She grinned as she raised her hand, then with her other hand, swiped the screen to turn off the alarm. "Just me." She laughed. "It's my reminder that I need to head to work."

"Right." He nodded. He took the tray with Rey's trash and put his own on it. "I'll take this." He quickly went to throw away their trash and placed the tray with the others near the trash bin.

"Thanks," Rey said as he came back to their table.

They walked outside the café together. Ben handed a small bag to her. "For you. Got another one while you went to the restroom. Just, I don't know—for a break or something." He shrugged.

Rey looked inside the paper bag and found another cranberry scone. She looked up and smiled. She was moved by his gesture. "Thank you, Ben." She held onto the paper bag and said, "I enjoyed this, let's do this again, tomorrow morning, same time?"

"I look forward to it." Ben grinned, feeling at ease as he waved back at Rey before she turned and walked the opposite direction to work. He turned, walking to his car, ready to face the past he had thought he wanted to forget.