Chapter Text
Ben and Rey quickly fall into a routine and the next two weeks pass in a blur. Rey decides that moving in with Ben has been the smartest decision that she’s ever made. Living together is as easy as breathing, and the way they are always in perfect sync makes Rey’s heart flutter with what ifs and possibilities of more. She had been worried about disrupting Ben’s daily routine, especially when there was only one bathroom, but the transition could not have been more seamless.
On the days that they volunteer, Rey gets up and makes their coffee while Ben makes breakfast for them both. Despite the fact that her and Finn used to make meals together all the time, this feels more intimate, more meaningful, even when it’s just instant oatmeal to take along with them on the car ride.
Each time they step through the doors, Rey watches Ben fall a little bit further in love with the one-eyed dog at the front of the shelter. Whenever they have a break from cleaning cages or distributing food, she catches him talking to her through the cage, taking her on extra walks or just carrying her around the building.
“How’s Kira doing today?” Rey asks as Ben walks up to the reception desk, leash in hand as he came back from a walk with the pup. He bends down, scoops her up, and walks around the desk, leaning against it at Rey’s side and lowering Kira so that Rey can give her some pets. She had grown on Rey over the last couple of weeks, but Rey knows that the bond Ben has formed with Kira is special and unbreakable.
“She’s great. You’re the best little girl, aren’t you Kira?” He coos, kissing Kira on the top of her little head as Rey smiles and rolls her eyes. When he leaves to put her back in the crate, Rey lets her mind wander for the thousandth time since she moved in with Ben. He’s caring, thoughtful, generous, and incredible easy on the eyes. She never fails to notice how his large hands cover Kira’s whole torso when he picks her up, and, if her thoughts turn salacious when that happens, well, he’ll never know.
She recognizes that her thoughts are probably not the type that she should be having on a recurring basis about her platonic roommate, but the more time they spend together, the harder it is to push her daydreams aside. Every now and then, she gets a sliver of hope, like the time she caught him looking at her for just a little too long, his eyes averting quickly when he realized she’d noticed. It’s enough to think that maybe she isn’t alone in her feelings, but she won’t be the one to bring them up.
She can tell Ben is equal parts happy and melancholy each day when Kira is still there. She knows he wants her to get adopted so that she doesn’t have to keep living in cramped quarters, without a forever home, but, at the same time, he loves getting to spend his days with her. Rey’s never seen Ben so happy.
So she decides to take action.
❄️❄️❄️
“Poe, I need your help.”
Rey feels like she’s concocted the perfect plan to give Ben the best Christmas ever, especially since he had given her so many wonderful things in the short time they’d been roommates; most importantly, a sense of home.
“What’s up, sunshine?” He responds as he looks up from the kitten that he’s been bottle feeding.
“Well, Christmas is only a week away…” she starts, gathering her thoughts on how she wants to ask. “I was hoping you could stay late tomorrow for me.” She sees the look of incredulity that passes over Poe’s face and rushes to continue. “I want to adopt Kira. For Ben. For Christmas. But I need it to be a surprise.”
His face changes from confusion to elation in an instant.
“Of course! She deserves a home and I can’t think of a better home than y’all’s place. What’s the plan?”
Rey obliges and details out the plan for Poe. “I made dinner plans with Finn and Rose, so Ben shouldn’t be suspicious as to why I’m leaving—”
“Why would he be suspicious?” Poe interjects, a mischievous smile passing over his features.
“Well, we usually make dinner together and stream something. Right now we’re bingeing Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” Her cheeks color, and she looks down at her shoes when the smile on Poe’s face turns downright smug.
“You guys have it bad for each other,” he teases, but Rey shakes her head with gusto.
“It’s not like that! At least, not for him. I don’t think—” she breaks off. Poe wiggles his eyebrows at her and she smacks him playfully on the shoulder, but not enough to jostle the precious tortie kitten in his arms. “That’s not the point. Ahem. As I was saying…”
She continues to tell him the plan. Finn will pick her up and then they’ll come back to the shelter where Poe will be waiting so that she can finish the adoption paperwork. Kira would stay with Finn and Rose for the remaining days before Christmas before Rey sneaks her home.
“How are you going to you sneak off on Christmas morning to pick up Kira and bring her back to the house?” Poe asks, helping Rey through the last of the plan.
“Easy! Finn always goes to his grandma’s on Christmas morning. They’re going to stop by, sneak around the back and tie her leash to the back gate. They’ll text me when they get here so I can run out and grab her straight away. Ben will be none the wiser!”
Poe grins, nodding his head with enthusiasm. “I’m in, sunshine. I think this is a great idea.”
The mischievous twinkle is back in his eye, leaving Rey to wonder if Poe doesn’t maybe have something else up his sleeve. She isn’t bothered in the least by it, though. Her unbridled excitement at finding Ben the perfect gift carries her through the rest of their shift, the smile refusing to leave her face for the entire drive home and well into the evening, when they fall into their routine of dinner and television.
She hopes Ben doesn’t notice.
❄️❄️❄️
Rey can’t stop laughing as she pulls the newspapers lining Kylo’s kennel out a few days later. As soon as she opens the kennel door the sleek black feline shoots straight out and climbs his way up her hideous shelter sweater to her neck, and then carefully drapes his lithe body across her shoulders. The cat presses his nose into the crook of her neck where she can feel him purring. He remains there quite happily as she goes about her remaining tasks and giving the odd chirp when she mumbles to herself as though adding in his two cents.
Kylo was one of the more feistier residents of the shelter, Poe had told her in a surprised stupor a few days prior when he had found her with Kylo draped over her shoulders. He had arrived just over six months ago and, up until now, he hadn’t allowed anyone to stroke him, let alone have him lovingly curl up around their neck. It is part of the reason he’s still there. But Kylo has come a long way since that first anxious head bump.
She feels truly honoured to see the parts of this beautiful cat that others haven't yet had the chance to notice. If she had not already filed to adopt Kira, then she would most definitely be taking the Oriental feline home with her.
Ben has taken a few photos of her with Kylo since they started volunteering, she even has one of them as her profile picture on Facebook.
❄️❄️❄️
“So I was thinking,” Ben starts as they share breakfast a few mornings later, “maybe we could take a look around the pet store on our way home this afternoon?”
Rey almost drops her oatmeal. Shit. Fuck! She desperately hopes that the panic invoked by his statement doesn’t show on her face. She’s one hundred percent sure that the game is up and that he’s figured out her plan. Ben, who owns zero pets (knowingly at least), wants to visit a pet store. Shit!
She’s sure he overheard her talking to Poe, or maybe the lively kennel assistant couldn’t keep his mouth shut. There was also a chance that Poe has mentioned something to Amilyn, who in turn told Ben because she didn’t know that it was a surprise.
Shit. I haven’t thought this through.
She gets lost in her own thoughts as she fights the urge to bury her face in her hands until Ben snaps his fingers in front of her. Say something Rey, he’s looking at you like you’ve grown a second head. Speak, damn it!
“ The pet store?” She asks, her voice suddenly several octaves higher than normal. “What a wild idea!” She can only listen to herself giggle bemusedly and internally cringe.
Ben looks at her with one dark eyebrow raised as though he can’t quite work out what species she is. “Rey... Did you sleep okay? Or y’know... at all? You seem...”
“Happy?”
“High as a fucking kite.” He responds, his lip quirking just so.
❄️❄️❄️
“Do you know what Kylo’s favorite treats are?” He asks as they slowly roam around the two storied pet store.
“Dreamies are a firm favorite but if you really want to get under that armor of his, he’s a sucker for those freeze dried fish cubes.”
Rey smiles as she pictures the cat that has become her favorite resident of Takodana’s. The pairing of his overly large ears and narrow face gives the black Oriental an endearing quality that she has never before found in a cat.
Her heart aches with the knowledge that one day Kylo will find the loving home he deserves. Even though she wishes that home would be with her, she would be happy with the knowledge that he wasn’t spending Christmas in a kennel.
Ben picks up several bags and tubes of the treats before dumping them into their basket.
Rey can’t help herself, she needs to know why they’re here.
“So what brought this on?” She asks him as she pretends to look at food packaging, not trusting herself to look directly at him.
He’s quiet for a few seconds and Rey wonders if he heard the question.
“Just the thought of all the animals being at the shelter for Christmas,” Ben responds stiffly, also averting his eyes to look at the shelves instead of her. “The least we can do is make sure they have as good a Christmas as they would in new homes.”
Rey feels her heart constrict at his words. Just when she thought that she was managing this crippling crush on her best friend he says something like this. For someone that acted as though he wasn’t keen on volunteering when they had first walked into the shelter several weeks ago he’s become incredibly protective of its residents.
She needs to do something with herself or she may end up making a fool of herself and kissing the man. So, instead, she uses his own idea to further her planning.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” she tells him with a beaming smile as she leads him to the dog section. “What kind of things does Kira like?”
Ben grins in response, clearly doing exactly the same as she did at the mention of the little lady he has no idea is his.
“She’s nuts for those little chicken meatball things. You know the ones that smell almost like jerky? Or the actual chicken jerky that comes in the purple packaging,” he babbles excitedly, pointing out some of the types Kira likes and the ones she dislikes, having no idea how much easier he’s making her workload. “So the short answer is anything that includes chicken.”
Rey chuckles as she watches his eyes light up like a child on Christmas morning and dumps a few bags of each in their basket.
“Now.. what about toys?” She asks with a sly grin, not wanting the moment to end.
❄️❄️❄️
When Rey moved in, Ben never expected he’d be opening his home to a weird looking black cat named Kylo too. But here he is, driving home on Christmas Eve, with Kylo securely strapped into the back seat. All the while mewling bloody murder.
“I know, buddy, I know,” Ben says, glancing in the rearview mirror for what feels like the millionth time since Poe and Amilyn had helped him safely secure the cat carrier in his car. “We’re almost to your forever home, okay? Just a few more minutes.” Why Ben feels like some sort of catnapper, he’s not sure. Maybe it has to do with the fact that he’s going to have to smuggle the cat into their home and keep him a secret for the next 15 hours.
This was quite possibly the dumbest idea he’s ever had. But, well, it was for Rey. Even if the surprise failed, he knew Rey would be ecstatic to have Kylo right where he belonged.
“Alright, buddy looks like the coast is clear,” Ben says as he drives past Finn and Rose’s and sees that Rey’s car is still out front. “Let’s get you home, yeah?” Kylo lets out another plaintive meow in reply.
Five minutes later finds Ben wildly looking around him, worried Rey’s going to drive up before he has a chance to unload Kylo’s carrier and rush inside.
Another five minutes and Kylo is hiding out under Ben’s bed. Which is cool. Poe told him to expect this. He allows himself a brief moment of celebration, smiling to himself. He got Kylo home with Rey none the wiser. Operation Feline Surprise is on track.
“Alright buddy, just a little longer and you can hang out with our favorite girl.” He can’t keep the grin off his face, thinking about Rey’s reaction. It’d be it’s own miracle if he himself could keep the secret. Ben checks the food and water situation one more time before slipping out to start dinner.
The spaghetti sauce had just started to simmer when he hears the key in the lock and the squeak of their front door. “Ohhhh, dinner smells delicious,” she calls from the other room and his stomach swoops. Honestly, she says that every time. It shouldn’t be a big deal. But it is.
“Just in time! Can you taste this for me?” he calls, grabbing a clean spoon from the drawer and scooping up some of the sauce. She walks in smiling and pulling her scarf from her neck and his stomach does that swooping thing again. It has got to stop that.
“Of course!” She walks over to him and he holds out the spoon, his other hand hovering under in case it dripped. Her familiar scent of her shampoo washes over him and his smile grows a little more.
“Careful, it’s hot,” he murmurs as she leans in and closes her lips around the spoon. Her eyes close and he gets momentarily distracted by the way her throat moves as she swallows. His heart beats a little faster as he waits for her response.
“That’s—” Kylo meows from Ben’s bedroom and he’s pretty sure his stomach is on the floor now. No. Please. No. Her eyes snap open and she eyes him. Another meow, this one louder and more insistent. Desperate. Shit. Shit.
“Benjamin. Organa. Solo,” she says, her voice flat and expression guarded. “Is that a cat?”
He bites his lower lip. Fuck.
“Yes?” Fuck. What if she doesn’t really want him?
“Are you fucking with me?”
“No!” He sets the spoon down and turns off the stove, covering the pots. “Come with me.” He grabs her hand and pulls her towards his room. Kylo meows again. “It was supposed to be a surprise,” he says, managing not to trip over all his words as he stops in front of his door. “But well, I guess the cat’s out of the bag.” She rolls her eyes but smiles tentatively, squeezing his hand as she practically vibrates in place. He takes a deep breath and pulls her inside, shutting the door quickly lest Kylo get any ideas.
She gasps and the grin on her face is infectious as Kylo stretches up on his back legs and reaches up her leg, his feet just reaching her hip. “Hello, Kylo,” she whispers, sitting down cross legged on the ground. Ben can hear the cat purring from here as he climbs onto Rey’s lap and bumps his head against her chest. Ben settles down next to her.
“Is he—are we…?” She looks up at Ben as she scratches between Kylo’s ears and he realizes she’s afraid to believe. To hope.
“Yeah, Merry Christmas, Rey. He’s all yours,” Ben says with a smile, his heart beating a million miles an hour. Her face breaks into the most radiant smile he’s ever seen, her eyes glittering. She ducks hear head and turns back to Kylo.
“Are you really all mine, Kylo?” she whispers, scratching under the cat’s chin. The cat continues to purr as he puts his front paws up on her chest so he’s eye level with her. In that moment, Ben swears Kylo knows. Kylo lets out the quietest meow as he gently headbutts her cheek. She chuckles and swipes at her eyes before turning back to Ben and offers him a watery smile.
“Thank you, Ben,” she says, reaching out for his hand and squeezing it gently, her voice thick but filled with so much feeling, Ben feels tears prick at his own eyes.
He swallows and clears his throat. “You’re welcome,” he says, matching her intensity and squeezing her hand back. He doesn’t even care that the selfish bastard cat ruined the surprise. All that matters is that Rey is happy and Kylo has a loving home. All the planning and anxiety was worth it to see that smile on her face.
She gently pulls her hand from his and wipes at her eyes, clearing her throat and sniffing.
“So uh, do you want to have dinner in here tonight?” She turns to him, her eyes wide and smile hopeful.
“Can we? Please? ” Ben nods and chuckles. He can’t see her tearing herself away from Kylo for a good long while. And there’s no way in hell he could make her. He gets up and has his hand on the doorknob when she speaks up again.
“Hey Ben?”
“Yeah?”
“Just so you know, I’m hugging the fuck out of you the first chance I get,” she says, gesturing to Kylo, who is now in the process of kneading her lap.
❄️❄️❄️
Rey pets Kylo until Ben comes upstairs with dinner. The spaghetti is a success, and their conversation switches between Rey gushing about Kylo and Ben telling her about his mishaps in getting Kylo home as they settle onto his bed. Ben couldn't be happier if he tried.
"Ben, thank you so much for this… for all of this," says Rey, squeezing his hand and making eye contact with him.
For that magic moment, there is only them. Christmas magic softens all sound in the room, as though snow coated everything in a protective layer of peaceful silence. The longer they hold each other's eyes, the closer their heads magnetically draw together.
When Rey heaves a loud sigh, Ben's lips part, and all Rey wants is to kiss him. They're so close. She begins to close the distance, only for Kylo to meow loudly at being ignored.
They are awoken from their dreamlike state, but Kylo is still salty about the experience, so he jumps gracefully off the bed and explores the room. For a moment, both watch the cat take in his surroundings, ignoring the tension that had been there moments before.
"Please tell me he's sleeping with you tonight," comments Ben, making her bust out laughing.
"Oh yes. Based on your experiences, I'm keeping him. Oh, look! He's playing with the door."
Kylo swats at the door, and it moves back and forth slightly, making him jump back and hiss. Both laugh and enjoy the moment.
"He'll know the whole house in no time," states Ben, not sure if he should feel excited or worried by the prospect.
"Oh yes. I have no doubt there." Her voice grows lower, more tender. "You've made me feel so welcome here." Turning to face him, she shifts so that she’s kneeling on the bed. "You've really made this house my new home. I can't thank you enough."
"I— you're welcome," he says, stumbling over his words and looking down.
Her hands grab his face, forcing him to meet her eyes once more. There, he sees just how truly happy she is.
"I liked living with Finn and Rose, but I love living with you," she says softly, climbing over his lap so that her legs sandwich his. "Kylo is going to love it because you care so much."
"It's all for you," he chokes out, his hands shaky as he cups her face. "It always has been and will be. I'd give my life for you."
Her shiny eyes blink with emotion, and she beams at him. He grins back, and they're just about to kiss when the bedroom door creaks open.
Loudly.
Killing the beautiful moment.
"Stupid cat," mutters Ben, making Rey poke his arm. "Ow! It's true."
"He's smart, and I love him. Almost as much as—"
She pauses, realizing that she is about to admit her feelings for Ben. The feelings that started as a crazy crush and have evolved into something much more powerful, more lasting. She isn't ready to admit it out loud and keeps hoping one day it could happen, especially when he asks his next question.
"As much as what?"
"Um—" Her mind runs a mile a minute trying to think of something else. "As much as I love being here with you."
To emphasize her words, she hugs him. Finally giving him the hug she's been wanting to give all night. He melts into her arms, and it feels like Christmas came early.
They hear the door squeak open and close a few more times, Kylo playing and miffed that he is being left alone. Finally, he jumps back on the bed, meowing loudly. Ben chuckles as Rey moves to sit and grab the needy cat.
"I'll wash our dishes fast, and then we can watch a Christmas movie before bed?" he asks.
She nods excitedly, and he makes it back upstairs in record time. When he sticks his head in the door, Rey is already looking his way. He thinks nothing of it until Kylo hisses.
And the door is pushed in his face.
Amidst giggles, Rey scolds, "Kylo, no! Be nice to Ben. He adopted you, you know."
"Left in the doghouse by the cat," he comments, making her laugh more.
Soon, all three are snuggled in bed, watching "A Christmas Story" since it is on its yearly marathon. They are about halfway through when Rey falls asleep, leaning against Ben's shoulder.
Carefully, he lays her down, cuddling up beside her. Kylo lies on top of Rey, purring softly. It's the kind of domestic happiness that Ben has always wanted with Rey, and he grins, a full-bodied thing as he takes her all in.
"Merry Christmas, Rey,” he whispers.
❄️❄️❄️
Some hours later, Rey awakens to the sound of light snoring. Kylo is cuddled in a ball at the foot of the bed, quiet for once, and Ben is spooning her, pressed against her back and providing all the warmth she never knew she wanted.
It was the best Christmas gift she could ask for. She revels in the closeness to him, her mind counting down the hours until Kira will arrive. She can't wait to surprise Ben.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Ben asks after yawning.
His arms stretch momentarily before sliding protectively around her waist once more. She's never felt more loved or wanted. She turns to face him, and he is blinded by the radiant joy her face contains. "Merry Christmas, Ben. I'm happy to share this one with you."
"The first of many," he promises, tapping her nose before sliding his hand along her cheek. "Merry Christmas, Rey. What do you want to do today?"
"Let's make breakfast together… after we sleep in more," she suggests. "And then we'll open presents. I have something special for you."
His eyes light up, intrigued. "Oh?"
"You'll have to wait," she teases.
The pillow talk continues until Kylo stirs and demands to be fed. Then, they all make the trek downstairs. It is as they are cooking the bacon and eggs that Rey notices Finn's car driving in front of the house.
"Ben, will you grab my Santa hat from upstairs while I take care of the trash?" she asks nicely.
As soon as he is upstairs, she rushes outside, where Finn, Rose, and Kira are. Rose is petting Kira and cooing while Finn watches with an adoring look.
"Finn! Rose! Thank you for doing this," says Rey, hugging them. "Merry Christmas!"
"Kira is the sweetest thing ever!" cries Finn. "We're going to miss her."
"I already do. I've already tried to convince Finn to come and visit you so that you can help us find the perfect pet. Preferably a dog," says Rose, eyeing Kira.
"I know several who would be perfect," replies Rey, thinking of a Portuguese Water Dog named Kaydel. "Talk to Poe and Holdo about them; they're rather like Ben and me."
Rose raises an eyebrow, and a calculating look fills her face. Finn gives her a sympathetic look.
"We will! Thanks, Rey," says Finn as the girls hug goodbye. Then, he hugs Rey and hands her the leash and two bags. "Here are our gifts for you two this year. Merry Christmas!"
The car is barely out of the driveway when the back door opens. "Rey, was that-"
Kira barks excitedly at the sight of Ben and lunges forward, yanking the leash free of Rey's unsuspecting hand. Moments later, Ben is rolling in the snow with Kira on top of him, licking his face.
Rey has never seen anything more precious, the little dog finally finding her home and being reunited with her best friend. Ben looks like he could die of happiness based on how wide his grin is.
"Rey, you didn't!"
"I most certainly did! Just wait until you see the rest of your gifts," she remarks, making him laugh.
"We seem to be on the same wavelength in more than one way," he replies, getting up and carrying Kira with him. "I'm beginning to think we both wanted the same thing at the pet shop."
She chuckles as they close the door behind them. Kylo stands in the doorway, sniffing Kira once before going back to his business, much to Rey’s delight. Kira is curious and starts sniffing Kylo's butt, earning a disdainful glare from the cat. As the pets run about, Kylo not wanting anything to do with Kira, Rey and Ben cook, and breakfast is had around the tree.
Rey and Ben watch contentedly on the sofa as the pets sleep next to the tree, sharing a blanket as Rey huddles against Ben. It's selfish and unneeded with the blanket, but Rey does it anyway. She's gotten into the habit of doing it every time, ever since he first pulled her over on the sofa while they streamed shows together.
It's peaceful and quiet.
It's perfect.
Rey never wants to end this moment. She doesn't think it can get better… until it does.
"Thank you, Rey," he says, turning to face her. His smile is warm and bright as he takes her in.
She turns as well, her whole body coming alive at the sight of his smile and the shift in energy in the room when he lifts his legs up on the sofa, shifting them both to a reclining position. She makes room and draws closer to him.
"You're welcome. You deserve so much more at Christmas," she admits.
His face is skeptical. "Hardly. You're more than I deserve and everything I ever wanted," he blurts out. His eyes widen, and he adds, "Just having you here is enough."
Her heart bursts with warmth and love. That's as good as a declaration of love in her mind, so she does what she's been yearning to do almost since she met him: kiss him.
And kiss him she does. Her hands reach up for his face, tentative at first, and he only watches, not quite believing what’s happening. She clings to him as though he is everything, which he is in her mind. She wants him to know just how much he means to her. She leans up so that her lips are level with his, and his open slightly in anticipation. When she kisses him tenderly the first time, he remains frozen, so she kisses him a second time, her mouth and tongue claiming him as hers.
This time, he receives the message, and he is kissing her back, his arms clasping around her and pulling her on top of him.
Where she belongs. With him.
When they pull apart to breathe, both are out of breath. Rey is mesmerized by the joyful and incandescent smile and look that transforms Ben's face.
"Rey," he says breathlessly. "Are you—? Are we—?"
"Yes," she interrupts, kissing him again. "I care about you as so much more than a friend."
"Me too," he replies, his hands moving to her face.
"I love you." The words tumble out of her mouth, and she doesn't regret saying them. They're honest and true.
All the same, she doesn't want to see his face in case he doesn't feel the same. She hides her face in his chest, her arms resting comfortably around his chest. When he rests his chin on top of her head and pulls her closer, she breathes a little easier.
"I've loved you for so long, Rey," he says, and she doesn't think her heart can be any fuller. "I don't think I want anything else."
She's about to agree when Kira wakes up, whimpering and coming to snuggle around Ben's feet. Kylo follows suit, jumping onto the sofa next to the cuddling couple.
"Except for these two fluffs who brought us together," says Rey. "They make everything better."
"Yes, they do." He brings her head up and sees the sleepiness there. "Let's get you to bed."
"Can I-” She stops, still unsure.
"What is it? Whatever it is, it's yours," he says, eager to please.
"Can I sleep in your bed again tonight? It was… the best sleep I've gotten in a while," she admits. "It was nice."
"It felt right," he agrees, picking up Kira and depositing her in Rey's lap before carrying them bridal-style off to bed.
Kylo follows Rey wherever she goes, and before long, Kira and Kylo are sitting on top of the blankets, snuggled between Ben and Rey. With hands interlaced and eyes locked, the last thing they see is the look of love in one another's eyes, the warmth and soft sounds of their new fluffs lulling them to sleep.
Ben and Rey have found their family at last.
One Year Later
Rey grins as she sits on their kitchen counter, watching Ben as he scurried around the kitchen. He pauses for a moment, gathering his thoughts. “What?” he raises a curious eyebrow, catching her laughing at him.
“It’s just funny to watch you get so flustered. If something goes wrong we can just order a pizza, no harm, no foul.” She glances around at the various dishes he’d spent all morning preparing for their first family Christmas get together.
He gives her a look, his lips pressing in a tight line. “I just want it to be perfect.” he shrugs lightly, stirring the mashed potatoes on the stove.
“And it will be!” Rey jumps off the counter, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing a kiss between his shoulder blades. “A perfect Christmas is you, Kylo, Kira, our friends, and their pets. Anything else, especially good food, is icing on the cake.”
She steps back, rolling up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. Upon hearing her name, Kira trots excitedly into the kitchen, skidding on the tile floor before stopping in front of Ben. “See? She agrees.” Rey pats the little dog’s head before returning to her spot on the counter.
“At least make yourself useful.” He mumbles, a small smile on his face as he hands her a spoon with a bit of mashed potato on it.
Rey sticks the spoon in her mouth, tapping her chin dramatically like she’s seen fancy chefs do on the television. “Terrible, absolutely terrible.”
Ben pauses, looking at her, his face covered in confusion. “Are they really that bad?” He grabs the spoon from her, tasting them himself. “What’s wrong with them? They need a bit of sal-” His face falls as he realizes she’s laughing at him.
“They’re perfect, calm down.”
Kira barks as their bell rang, running towards the door. Rey jumps down, kissing his bicep as she walks towards the door.
“Rose!” Rey chuckles as the small woman wrapped her in a tight hug. “You’ve got to help me, he’s freaking out over the food.”
“Bless him.” She shakes her head, unclipping Kaydel’s leash so she could play with Kira, who was already jumping on the large black dog excitedly. Finn hugs Rey as well, shutting the door and following the girls into the kitchen.
“Hey man.” Finn pats Ben on the back as he enters the kitchen.
“Hey!” Ben smiles, turning off the stove and scooping some of the potatoes into a bowl. “Can you put this out for me?”
“Sure,” as he grabs the bowl to take it into the dining room Finn whistles lowly, scooting dishes around to make room. “You do know we’ll never eat all this, right?”
“I’ve already tried Finn, it's no use!” Rey hollers from the living room, settling the presents under the tree.
“Can’t help it.” Ben shrugs. “I’m used to making enough for Uncle Luke and all Mom and Dad’s friends.”
“Leftovers never killed anyone,” Rose agrees as the girls enter the kitchen, pausing as she passes to kiss Finn’s cheek.
“Knock Knock?” Poe shouts, stepping through the door with Amilyn and Barking Betty the Eighth hot on his heels.
“Hey guys!” Rey hugs each of them, gathering plates to set on the table.
Amilyn swoops in to help her with the silverware, setting it out on the table.“Thank you for inviting us.”
“Of course!” Rey says, nodding her head, “You’re family.”
❄️❄️❄️
Once they’ve eaten their fill, and then dessert for good measure, they settle into the living room to watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas and open presents.
The film is decided only after a rather hilarious argument on which version of the movie was best, the cartoon or the live action. Rey grins as she curls up against Ben, wrapping them in their new fleece blanket with a photo of their small family on the front. Kylo, uninterested in the dogs’ high energy play session occuring in the leftover wrapping paper, settles onto their laps. Poe sits on the floor between Amilyn’s feet, BB8 on his lap, the small, ever-so-loyal dog uncannily sensing his owner’s annoyance over losing the Grinch argument.
“What if we took a picture of all of them in front of the tree? We could put it on next year’s Christmas card!” Rose asks as she watches the dogs wrestle, already thinking about positioning and layouts.
“That would be cute, but it would have to just be the dogs. Kylo isn’t too fond of the tree anymore.” Rey scratches the sleepy kitty behind the ears, Ben chuckling behind her.
“Anymore?” Finn raises an eyebrow, watching the cat roll over and stretch out on his back so that Rey could scratch his chest.
“Not naming names or anything, but last year someone decided to climb the tree, all the way to the top, only to have it fall and get him all tangled up in the lights.” Rey smirks as she recounts the memory, shaking her head lightly.
“If you thought untangling Christmas lights is bad, try doing it while holding down a wet and extremely scared cat.” Ben says dryly, kissing Rey’s temple as she chews her lip to keep from laughing.
The others cringe and nod, agreeing that maybe photoshopping Kylo into the photo was a much, much better idea.