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Chapter Text

It was the first week of August, weeks before Rey was to start college and despite the full academic scholarship she’d received from the prestigious Coruscant University things were looking pretty grim.

Plutt, her guardian, had refused to help fill out any loan applications. “Why in tarnation would I want to get into even more debt? Especially for the likes of you, you want to go, pay for it yourself,” the man had sneered. 

Rey was unsurprised with this callous response, she was used to Plutt’s stinginess,  but she had no way of paying for housing, much less a place to stay or enough money for food.  The college dorms and dining programs with their high price tags were out of the question.  The meager cash she’d earned working in high school would at best pay for one month. 

Rey glanced at the Coruscant University poster on her wall.  The beautiful campus mocked her with its ivy towers and fall foliage.  She’d filled out dozens of job applications but she had quite a bit of competition with applicants who the right name and spent their high school summers interning with companies instead of wiping snot at a head start daycare.  

“Am I  foolish for dreaming that a girl like me could go to Coruscant?” Rey wondered aloud to no one in particular.  For four years Rey had worked her ass off in high school with hopes of attending the University, she’d joined every club she could afford, tutored kids, participated in community service, heck she’d even been Valedictorian of her class with all of it’s 197 students.  

Rey slammed her computer shut and picked up the acceptance letter from Jakku Community College, she’d also been given a full academic scholarship there.  “I guess I’ll be going here,” Rey sighed.  The community college set in the desert had no trees and its programs would keep Rey in her southwest town forever. Almost of all of her college bound classmates were attending there, no one had money in Jakku.

Rey’s poor excuse for a phone rang.

A polished voice demanded, "How soon can you start?"  

“Who is this?” Rey stuttered in surprise.

“What do you mean who is this, this is Bazine Netal, did you  not fill out an application to be my live in Nanny?”

Rey couldn’t believe it, she’d filled out the application weeks ago, thinking the advertisement for the job was a far flung shot in the dark.  Rey might be from the middle of nowhere Jakku but even she had heard of the super model socialite.  The application had been lengthy demanding not only a background check but essay long questions and an IQ test. 

"Well I start Coruscant University in a few weeks so I really -," Rey started, surprised by the woman’s attitude. 

"So this week then, right?" Bazine cut Rey off.  "I mean you live in a foster home, surely you want out and want to get ready for your classes, you’re a small town girl who wants to live in the city or some other over the top Hallmark story?"

"Well if you give me the advance for the airline ticket I can start tomorrow," Rey was gobsmacked by this response.

"Perfect, my water just broke," Bazine responded to Rey's shock. “I cannot wait to get this gremlin out of my body and get my tubes tied you know. Pregnancy is not for someone like me. Never again, it's the damn antibiotics I took, apparently they cancel out birth control because believe me this wasn't planned."

Rey practically dropped the phone at this, she'd thought Unkar was cold but this, this was a whole new level. 

"So anyways, I need you at the hospital," Bazine commanded. “I certainly can’t manage on my own.”   

"What about the Dad?" Rey sputtered. Was Bazine single?

"We don't talk about the Dad, got it," Bazine snapped. "There is a no contact agreement as part of the custody arrangement, I want nothing to do with him and you will have nothing to do with him. On Friday mornings his driver will drop the kid off at mine and then you will watch the child until Monday morning.  Thank God I found you or I'd actually have to watch a baby during the weekend. I've literally been looking for a Nanny for the past five months but applicants either are using the application process to look for their big break or are super judgey.  Plus Grandma my ex's mother demanded that all applicants be run through him which really means her. A desperate poor nerd like you is perfect, or at least my agent thinks so. You’ll just be so grateful that I saved you from that rotten desert and can go to college or whatever you want to do.”

Rey blinked at this but held her tongue.  There was a certain amount of truth in Bazine’s cruel assessment. 

The woman rattled on, “You wouldn't believe the judgmental comments people have made about parenting and my career;  I mean I only kept the baby because my agent said the market for modelling for maternity clothes was hot.  My career has never been better."

Rey's eyes fell on her poster once again.  The campus was so green, and was Rey’s only ticket out of this one horse town.  Rey had wanted to leave Jakku since the day her parents had died when she’d been dumped with her distant cousin Unkarr.  The only trees Rey remembered were in her dreams, dreams where her parents were alive.  She didn't want to tolerate Bazine but if she didn't, she'd be staring at the desert the rest of her life.

"I'll go pack," Rey was agreed. 

"Really, shit, you're so nerdy but Leia kept insisting that I interview someone wholesome like you.  I guess I can't be picky at a time like this, oh God, this hurts. Just get here ASAP. "

************

With no regrets Rey packed her bags and said goodbye to Unkar.

“You’ll be back,” the man sneered. “Your momma thought she’d make something of herself and look at what happened to her. Course that side of the family was a bunch of snots, they were from HyperKarn.    

Rey would not miss her guardian.  It was only her momma’s last words in the hospital that had sustained her over the years, “I’ll always love you, even if I can’t be with you. You are loved little one. Someday you'll get out of this town and see the world."

Rey might be nothing and no one, but once upon a time she’d been loved. It was a love that carried Rey straight to Coruscant and when the plane landed, Rey gazed at the green parks of the city in amazement.  Her momma had been right, she had finally left Jakku.

Rey stared at every tree she passed as she was driven to Coruscant hospital.

Bazine Netal greeted Rey,  fully clad in clothes and make up.  She did not look like a woman who had just given birth.

"Oh thank God you are here, I have to fly to Denmark," Bazine pointed to a little bed where the baby lay crying, "just do what you need to do." 

Rey's mouth dropped open, "You had a baby yesterday and you're leaving now." 

Bazine glared at her, "Listen, I didn't hire you to comment on my life, just watch her okay? At least your a passably pretty nerd even if your sense of fashion is so secondhand private school girl.  Do me a favor and dress better, I'm certainly paying you enough."

Rey ignored the barb, Jakku had Amazon, Dollar General and a Goodwill - fashion didn't exist,  She glanced at the poor baby. Her name had been embroidered on a hat, Natalie Grace.  Rey would guess that both the name and the hat had been gifted by someone with far more investment in the child than Bazine.

A nurse popped in, "Miss Netal, we really insist you stay - you haven't watched any of the parenting videos we require." 

"That's her job," Bazine pointed to Rey, "I'm leaving."

"But you can't..." the nurse stared at her.

"But I am," Bazine snorted, grabbing her bag, not even giving her child a second glance.  

Rey picked up Natalie and cradled the crying baby in her arms.  The child stared at Rey, her dark eyes seeking something that Rey was determined to give her.   Rey snuggled the infant against her chest and the child settled.  “I’ll take care of you sweetheart.”  Little Natalie just let Rey hold her.  Rey couldn’t give this child much but she could give her love.  She felt so soft and sweet.  

“You have a way with her,” the nurse said kindly. “I was tempted to call social services but -”

"I want everything you have," Rey interrupted her, "Parenting videos, classes, workshops, nutritional guides, everything you have."  Rey could do this, she could take care of this poor abandoned child.

The nurse raised her eyebrows, "This is going to be the hardest thing you've ever done." 

"I'm all in," Rey gently kissed the top of Natalie’s head. 

"I believe you," the nurse smiled warmly.

***********

A day later Rey was delivered to Bazine Netal’s brownstone house with Natalie in tow.  The child had all of the latest baby gadgets and clothing but Bazine didn’t even call to check in on little Natalie.  She did however ship Rey an entirely new wardrobe that screamed Upper East Side Nanny Chic with designer sweaters and leggings.  The first few days were exhausting as Natalie was always needing something especially formula, Rey had no idea babies ate so much.   Rey felt both relief and sorrow as she strapped Natalie into her carseat Monday morning so that the baby could go see her father.

The father's driver was a large man with a full beard and his eyes were on Rey the whole time. 

He said nothing to her but when Rey kissed Natalie, Rey swore she saw him smile.

“By sweet baby, I’ll see you soon.” 

Friday couldn't come soon enough.

*********

Rey slept half of Monday and then did everything she needed to get ready for school.  She was so excited, her dream of attending university was finally coming true.  She decided not to put all of her eggs in one basket and got a part time job at a local cafe on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  Her classes weren’t till noon so she could do the morning shift.  

The added advantage was that Rey met Finn and Rose.  Finn was a former foster kid and he was working his way through school by juggling three jobs.  Rose came from a large family so she worked in the cafe and commuted from her home across town to save money. Rey was so glad to meet two students who weren’t the privileged stereotype.  They both loved little Natalie and one or both would often go with Rey as she pushed Nat in the stroller at the park.  Rey loved taking Natalie to see the green oasis.  She dragged her all over the city, to Museums, the Zoo, cafes, etc, soaking in everything she'd never experienced.

“I can’t wait till we take you to the beach,” Rose laughed at Rey’s enthusiasm at a giant lake in the city park. 

“I can’t wait to take Natalie there,” Rey smiled at the little one who felt like hers.

“You’re so good with her,” Rose admitted. “Just don’t miss out on having fun. You are in college."

Rey had no desire for the typical college life, she’d seen what partying did to kids in Jakku and thought it wasn’t all that.  The only boyfriend she’d had in high school had been a year older than her and lost his college scholarship from partying too hard.  Rey couldn’t afford that."

So Rey enjoyed little Natalie, Finn, and Rose, and built relationships with customers who came to the cafe every week.  They were eclectic and wonderful, many of them like Doctor Kalonia from the hospital became friends.  

But it wasn’t until November that a man walked into the cafe that grabbed Rey’s attention.  He was there every Tuesday and Thursday like clockwork at the crack of dawn.  His dark eyes always had bags and his face wore stubble. His order was black coffee and he brought a laptop that seemed to have his full attention.  Rey couldn't help but notice his long fingers as they typed over the keys. 

Rey felt practically invisible every time she refilled his cup and he simply said, "thanks".  He was certainly attractive with a large muscular body, dark hair and eyes and a face that was arresting.  

This man was far too old for her, Rey was certain of that, yet she was more drawn to him than the run of the mill Golden Boys of Coruscant University whose money couldn't gild their entitlement. More than one had asked her out but Rey was no fool, they were more interested in her ass than her brain.  

Every time this customer asked for something, Rey squeezed her thighs together, the man's voice was rich and could make, "please can I have more Joe," sound seductive.  

It wasn’t until Thanksgiving day that he finally looked at her.

Rey had picked up several shifts over the Thanksgiving week as she didn’t have classes and had no intention of going back to Jakku.  Mr. Tall and Silent as Rose liked to call him, hadn’t been in this morning so Rey was surprised to see him enter the place in the afternoon.

“I guess you are like me, nowhere to be this Thanksgiving,” Rey quipped.

The man looked up from his laptop, startled, “Did you say something, I’m good with coffee."

Rey felt stupid, “I guess I was just trying to make conversation. I’ll leave you to do your thing.”  There would be no flirting with this man, that was for sure, he couldn't even pay attention to a hello."

The man frowned, his eyes finally seeing Rey after all these months.  Rey flushed as his gaze took her in from her pert ponytail to the black skirt that displayed her "killer calfs" as her high school boyfriend had said.  Rey knew her legs looked good and she took a smidge of satisfaction from the way this man's gaze lingered.

"Rey isn't it?" the man finally said. 

Rey raised her eyebrows.

"Your name tag," the man pointed to Rey's tag and she blushed. "So why are you alone this thanksgiving?" A dash of concern laced his tone.

Rey could tell the man what she told Finn and Rose, that it was easier with her job to stay around, but the truth was plain and simple, Unkar had told her not to bother coming home; Rey had no one.  Finn and Rose invited her to their homes but she didn’t want a pity invite and besides it was true, Natalie would need her on Friday.   Rose was still kinda mad at her for not coming to hers but Rey just didn’t want to intrude -- especially when she knew Rose's parents had so little.

“I have nowhere else to go so I might as well be working,” Rey sighed.

“No where else to go,” the man was more sympathetic than Rey would have guessed, “But you're what eighteen, nineteen?”

“Nineteen and my parents are gone,” Rey replied. The man’s eyes widened. 

“It’s okay,” Rey assured him.

The man looked both saddened and shocked, “I’m sorry kid."

“It’s okay, really,” Rey didn’t want to be an object of pity nor a kid- this man was the object of her dreams. “What about you?”

“What about me?” The man stared at Rey.

“Do you have someone to be with today?” Rey prodded, curious about this often silent and always reserved man. 

The man laughed wryly, “I do, but damn, most of the time I don’t think I deserve her.”

Of course this man was taken.  Rey said wistfully, “Go be with her, it’s the holidays, if I had someone to be with, I would be with them instead of here.  You’re lucky to have someone you love.”  Whoever had this man was lucky indeed. 

“Oh I’m not married or dating or anything like that,” the man responded quickly. “Never had much luck when it came to that, they all just want my name and money, especially the last one, I’m talking about my kid.”

Rey was startled by this revelation, “You have a kid and you aren’t with them on Thanksgiving? Do you know what I would give to be with my parents today?” Both tears and anger filled her.  Rage at the audacity of this man to abandon his child on a holiday poured out of her. "I would give anything, and you've just left your poor kid on their own. How can you do that to them?"   Rey knew her voice was fierce but she didn't care. 

The man obviously felt Rey’s wave of feelings as he took a deep breath and shut his computer down. “But would you want your Dad, even if he was a terrible person, whose done terrible things? I wrote a book that tore my practically destroyed my family, exposing my grandfather's sins, just to get a job. It tore my mother apart and practically killed my father.  The only reason my family is talking to me is because of my daughter, they want her in their lives."

Rey could see the guilt plaguing this man, it defined him, seeping through every crack in his soul.

"Maybe you've made mistakes, but the greatest mistake you can continue to make is to back away from your child," Rey was softer in her approach. "You need to forgive yourself from your past."

"I don't deserve forgiveness, not from anyone," his bitterness was so pungent. "I just can't be there for her, I can't."  His voice held finality.

"Your feelings have nothing to do with whether she needs you or not," Rey was blunt. "I can tell," her voice shook, "that your parents hurt you.  Are you going to follow them in their path or create your own?  My Uncle treated me terrible, awful really and I had a choice," Rey tried desperately not to cry, "to allow the past to make me like him or to treat those around me the way they deserved to be treated. Your daughter deserves to be loved by her father no matter you do or don't deserve yourself."

The man's brown eyes widened. "Man kid you know how to throw a punch but," he sighed, "You certainly have been through a lot." He sat up straight, "I guess this whole time I've missed the point about what Gracie needs haven't I?"

"Her name is Gracie?" Rey felt that was so fitting.  This man needed so much grace to move forward.

"Yeah," a smile played at the man's lips, "Well that's what we call her, little Gracie.  My grandmother insists on it and always says that Grace is the miracle in the storm."

Rey thought of little Natalie who was a miracle in the life of Bazine but the woman just couldn't see it.  "Kid's have a way of grabbing our hearts, let your daughter have yours."

"I will," the man nodded,  tears coming unabashedly falling down his cheeks, "Believe me I will."   He cleared his throat, "But what about you?  You have someplace to go, my mom would be happy to add an extra plate?"  

Rey would love to go with this man for Thanksgiving but she knew what she wanted from him and what he was able to give were too entirely different things.

"I appreciate that but...." Rey thought of Rose and her family, "I have a friend who invited me over and I think I owe it to them to attend.  They offered me kindness even though they don't have a lot."

"You should go," the man nodded.  "I'm the last customer here you know, pretty sure Maz would tell you to go home."

Rey blinked, "How did you know Maz was the owner?"

"I notice more than you think Rey," the man winked.   It was flirty but Rey was one hundred percent sure this man saw her as just a cute college kid at best. 

"What’s your name?" Rey blurted out. 

“Ben,” the man responded warmly, “Just call me Ben, haven’t gone by that in a long time but you know I think it’s time I did.” 

“Happy Thanksgiving Ben,” Rey smiled warmly. “Good luck with your daughter.” 

“I’ll be back on Tuesday kid,” Ben squeezed her shoulder and then he pulled out a bill, “Have a good one. Keep the change, you deserve it.  You really, you really said something I needed to hear.”

Rey smiled to herself as Ben walked out of the cafe.  She felt drawn to the man who’d obviously been through so much.  She hoped he really did connect with his daughter.  The kid deserved to be loved and Ben looked like he desperately needed to give it.  He was a man in need of redemption, that was clear. 

She picked up the cash off the table and stared at it in shock.  Whoever the hell Ben was, he’d left her a thousand dollar bill.

Rey smiled, she would give the Tico family the best Thanksgiving in the world.

Chapter Text

It was six weeks away from Christmas and Coruscant was already full of Holiday Cheer.  Rey loved it all, the lights, the ice skating, the smell of Christmas treats in the cafe.  Rey had taken Natalie all over the city, giving the little girl everything from Christmas at the Zoo to meeting Santa.  Rey loved finally getting to experience Christmas with someone even if that someone was eighteen months old.  It really was magical. 

But there was one person who just had to be a grinch.

Bazine. 

 With Rey’s current schedule, her times to just have fun were few and far between.  And Bazine had put a stop to Finn and Rose visiting after she made an unannounced visit one weekend and found Rose, Finn and Rey having a Disney Dance party in the living room.  

“I don’t pay you to have your friends come over,” Bazine had sneered.  “These two need to leave now.” 

Rose and Finn gave her apologetic glances and scurried off.  

Bazine then had her lawyer draw up a Non Disclosure Agreement that prevented Rey from even discussing her job with others.  

“I am a supermodel after all and people could use you to get to me. Don’t assume those people were actually your friends, everyone always wants to get close to me,” Bazine explained loftily.

Rey had gritted her teeth but signed the agreement.  

That had taken place last February and since then Rey hadn’t seen her friends during the weekend since.  And truth be told much of Coruscant's student life existed on the weekends.   At first Rey hadn't missed being left out but when Finn and Rose were able to take off from work every once in awhile to attend concerts or movie showings, and Rey couldn't it started to get old.  

Then Finn one evening at work offered Rey an opportunity she didn't want to miss.   “So Poe, you know the guy from Econ, well he asked if we all wanted to go to his parents' cabin in Vermont from Monday to Saturday off for a Friendsgiving and I just thought if you took Friday off, you could both be my wingwoman. It's a cute little village from what I hear, we could go skiing, shopping, it would just be fun Peanut."

"I want to," Rey sighed, "I really want to, I've never seen snow in the countryside, Jakku never got it." 

"

Then come," Finn pleaded. "You of all people deserve a break.  It's just one day off, one day, we'll have a Friendsgiving and you can eat all the stuffing you want." He grinned. Rey had fallen in love with stuffing at Rose's last year and he knew it.

"I'll give you the time off," Maz hollered from the kitchen, "You need a break. A real one." 

"See," Finn grinned, "Do this, for you, for me."

"What about Rose?" Rey didn't want to leave her friend out.

"You know Paige's boyfriend invited the family to New Jersey, probably an engagement in the works, Rose can't come, so it's up to you," Finn pointed at Rey's chest.

"Fine," Rey relented, "I'll ask you know who." 

*****

“I’m sorry Rey but the answer is no,” Bazine snapped over the phone.

“But I’ve literally never asked for a day off,” Rey sighed.

“I realize this may be hard to understand for someone like you, but custody agreements are final, Natalie is not going to spend an extra day with her father just so you can go galavanting off on a ski trip,” Bazine sneered.  “Besides I’ve arranged a Christmas photo shoot for Natalie that Saturday and I need her regular routine intact so she actually smiles during the photos this time.”

Rey inwardly groaned, Photo shoots with Natalie were horrible.   Bazine insisted on holding Natalie and Natalie did not want her, only Rey.  It wasn't surprising given that Natalie only saw her mom every few months and never long at that. 

“It is very upsetting to me when Natalie is upset so please do whatever you need to make sure my child understands how important the shoot is,” Bazine commanded. “Do not change the routine.” 

“Natalie is only eighteen months old,” Rey protested. “No photo shoot will be easy with a kid that young.”  Did Bazine not know anything about children?

“Really Ms. Kenobi,” Bazine became stern, “You are becoming all too opinionated these days. Do your job and don’t ask for a day off again.”

With that, Bazine hung up.

Rey felt like throwing the phone across the room but instead tucked it back into it’s port.    She wiped a few tears aways

"Mama! Mama!"  Natalie looked up from her blocks.

Rey's heart broke.

"Your mom is off the phone honey," Rey sighed.  Bazine never asked to talk to her daughter.

"But you my mama," Natalie crinkled her brow.  She pointed to Rey. "My Mama."  Then Natalie grinned, "My Mamma loves me, My Daddy loves me, My Nanna loves me, My Papa loves me."

Rey scooped the little girl up, "We all love you very much."

"I luv you," Natalie smiled.

Rey hated Bazine, but she would never give up on this precious child.

**************

"You okay kid?"  Ben asked the following week.

Rey sighed, she hated it when Ben called her kid, but that wasn't the problem.    She was all boiled up over Bazine's refusal and with Rose out of town this year, she really was going to be alone for Thanksgiving.

"Nope," Rey didn't want to talk, "Nothing is wrong." 

Ben glanced at her with suspicion, "Not buying it kid.  Unless you are telling me off, you are little miss sunshine. What happened?"

"Hey I don't tell you off on regular basis," Rey protested.

"You didn't used to," Ben laughed. "You used to be this really quiet perfect waitress, but now, you tell me I don't eat enough, you tell me I need a break from writing and you even tell me my writing is too depressing." 

"Well it is," Rey said indignantly, "You're the one who let me read your writing and you should know by now Benjamin, that I demand happy endings in stories, not whatever that is," Rey gestured to the poor manuscript on the table. 

Ben had given Rey a copy of his manuscript and Rey had loved it until he killed off the male love interest. 

"Kyle needs to live," Rey crossed her arms, "You've left Aurelia all alone and that's not fair."

"But Kyle isn't good enough for Aurelia, and you are avoiding telling me what's wrong," Ben frowned. "Come on, spit it out." 

Rey sat down and sighed.  She and Ben really had gotten to know each other better over the past year although he seemed utterly oblivious to her intense crush on him.  Most of their conversations centered on her classes or things about Coruscant; as per Bazine's order's Rey kept her second job quiet.

"I have another job and my boss won't let me out for a day, just one day so I can go with Finn and this guy he likes to Vermont for Thanksgiving," Rey sighed.  "I really want to go, so much, I've never even played in the snow and I never get time off."

Ben frowned, "You're boss won't let you, but aren't you guaranteed time off?"

Rey snorted, "I've never had a day off, ever, I mean don't get me wrong, I love the job and I really, really need it, but my boss is a real bitch."

Ben raised his eyebrows, "Considering you are never negative about people, I'd say she's more than a bitch, you always see the good in people Rey."  There was a warmth to his words that made Rey's heart flutter.  "But there should be something in your contract about days off, I mean how long have you worked for this woman and do you get health insurance through her?"

"Well, technically, I was vetted by an agency and she hired me through that," Rey said thoughtfully, "And the agency provides me health insurance."

"Then, take a look at the agency's policy about time off," Ben grinned. "If she hasn't given you time off in over a year, you can sue her for breaking the contract."

Rey blinked, "I can do what."  She'd never done anything like that in her life.  "But I would never risk my job for that."

"Does she know that?" Ben chided Rey, "You need to find the policy and throw it in her face, Rey, you deserve a break, you really do."  Rey flushed beneath Ben's intense gaze.  "If you run into any problems, my mother is a lawyer and let me tell you she never loses a case, ever."

Rey felt buoyed by Ben's attention.  "I will look up the contract, I promise.  It's just this woman thinks she can treat me however she wants."

"Don't let her," Ben shook his head.  "I have an ex like that, only dated her because her Uncle insisted on it.   Best thing I did was to break ties with her,  well as much as I can."  There was something cryptic in his tone. "She was so negative about my writing that she almost took it from me, but she didn't nor did she take Gracie for that matter."

Ben never talked about Gracie's mom so she was surprised by this admission; Rey had the impression the little girl was like Natalie, completely unplanned.  There was no lost love between Ben and his ex. 

"How's Gracie?" Rey asked.

"Grandpa takes her on Tuesday mornings so he is probably with her at the Zoo again, she's a real animal lover and she totally has my Dad wrapped around her finger," Ben laughed.

Rey wanted to share about Natalie and her love for the Zoo but kept her tongue.  

"So you are gonna fight to have time off?" Ben changed the subject, "Right, because you know, I will pester you about this."  There was so much fondness in his eyes that Rey wanted to cry. Why oh why did Ben have to see her just like a little sister.

"I will fight it, I promise," Rey swore. "But, you have to work on making your book have a happy ending for Kyle."

Ben snorted, "I'm pretty sure even if Kyle lives, he can't be with Aurelia, she's just too good for him.  He would only weigh her down, she's got her whole life ahead of her."  There was an odd note in his voice at the end.  "She deserves the best and he certainly isn't that." 

Rey didn't agree but she wouldn't verbally wrestle with him anymore.  

***************

That night Rey pulled up the contract papers from the agency that Bazine recruited her through.  Sure enough Rey worked enough to be considered a full time employee and because of that was guaranteed the equivalent of a week off a year.

"You have to give me Friday off," Rey told Bazine over the phone.

"What?" Bazine snarled. "I don't have to do anything."

"No, the paperwork I filled out with the agency guarantees me a week off a year with the amount of hours I put in, so either you give me the time off or I contact the Agency," Rey stood her ground.  "I mean I am sure the publicity would be great for you."   Rey didn't know where this boldness was coming from.  

"You wouldn't dare, you signed a NDA," Bazine screamed.  

"I signed an NDA regarding Natalie, not you," Rey replied confidently with the contract in front of her.  "Believe me, I could make millions on the story I could tell about your parenting."  She knew she had Bazine over a barrel.  The press would eat up anything Rey gave them.  Not that Rey would actually ever do that to Natalie, but Bazine didn't know that.

"Fine, I guess I will just have to cut my trip short because of you," Bazine snarled, "From now on, I demand a month's notice from you for future time off. This is really inconveniencing my Thanksgiving plans and it also means I have to see Chewie, I can't stand the man."

Rey smiled to herself.  Thanks to Ben, she'd not only won this, but it meant she might get a weekend or two with her friends.

"Just have everything ready for me when I come home," Bazine snapped. "What the hell am I gonna do with her for twenty four hours? I thought my days of taking care of rugrats were behind me."

Rey didn't feel at all sorry for Bazine but she did feel incredibly sorry for Natalie.  Also when the hell had Bazine ever taken care of a child? The woman appeared to know nothing about them.  

Rey just really wished she was Natalie's real mom.  She might want time off with her friends but she always wanted to come back to the little girl. 

And if Rey was really honest, she wished Ben was far more than a customer.  

She just wanted more than pretend. 

Chapter Text

"You need a boyfriend," Rose informed Rey matter of factly on the last Thursday of Summer Break. 

Rey who was grabbing the coffee pot for a couple of customers blinked, "I think I'm ok, Rose, seriously, I'm happy being single."  

But deep down Rey knew that was a lie, for a mere twenty feet away sat Ben in his all too tight t-shirt that revealed chiseled muscles. To say that Rey thought about Ben a lot was an understatement.   Ben occupied her thoughts as she took Natalie for walks in the park and saw couples with children, as she watched him type on his computer with his oh so long fingers, as she fell asleep and imagined him kissing her and more in the depths of the night.  Ben was never too far from her mind and Rey knew it was bad.

"I have a boyfriend, Finn and Poe are dating, you need someone who is not him," Rose gestured to Ben. "Please Rey, you deserve to have a life."

"Shut the f- up Rose," Rey hissed mortified.   Until this moment she had lived under the assumption that no one knew how she felt about Ben, it was not pleasant to have that assumption removed. 

"Oh God Rey, we all know you like him," Tallie Lintra,  part of the summer staff interjected.  "You've been drooling over him all summer and who wouldn't, he's totally got the brooding hot guy thing down.  I mean he is Jess Mariano, we get it."

Tallie knew too? Rey couldn't believe this.

"This is an intervention," Rose folded her arms over her chest and her dark eyes met Rey's with concern, "You have been daydreaming about him for too long," Rose thankfully dropped her voice, "We are just worried about you."  

Rey believed Rose meant well but this still stung.  Everyone apparently saw her as some pathetic college student pining over the impossible.

"Do you have that coffee?" Dr. Ackbar called sharply interrupting the conversation with perfect timing. " I have a meeting in half an hour and I would like my refill now as well as my food."  

"Coming," Rey replied, trying to blink back tears.

Rose touched Rey's shoulder.  "It's okay, really, we've all been there babe where we've liked the impossible, you just have to find the possible."

Rey wondered who on earth Rose's impossible would be?  Snap, Mr. All American football player seemed lofty enough.  Rey had her own concerns about him but didn't want to damped Rose's excitement about her new relationship.  Unlike Rey, Rose had never had a boyfriend and Rey knew it was a big deal.  Still Rose's attitude about Ben played on Rey's mind.

After Rey poured Ackbar's coffee and served him pie, she took Harter Kalonia's order.   The woman smiled kindly and then dropped her voice to a whisper, "You alright Rey?"

Rey liked the kindly doctor and replied truthfully, "It's just Rose got a boyfriend over the summer, Snap Wexley," Rey rolled her eyes, "Rose thinks I need a boyfriend too."

"But you'd rather be dating our resident Mr. Darcy?"  Dr. Kalonia's voice was soft and sympathetic.

"Does everyone know?" Rey almost dropped the pot; this was humiliating. Was she so obvious?

Dr. Kalonia nodded, "It's okay Rey, we've all been there.  I was in love with one of my college professors for my entire program. Older men can be very appealing, but he's got to be at least thirty and you're only a junior in college."

Rey was acutely aware of the age gap between her and Ben, ""Do you think he knows?"

"Probably," Dr. Kalonia grimaced and then added,  "You're gorgeous and smart, I can't imagine you'd have trouble finding anyone who would be more appropriate."

Rey flinched at the word appropriate, she felt like she was being scolded.

"Hey kid can I get some?" Ben called oblivious to Rey's inner turmoil.

Rey nodded to Dr. Kalonia and grabbed the coffee pot again, thankful that Rose and Tallie weren't behind the counter this time.

Ben sat with a manuscript out on the table and his laptop open, a frown creasing his brow.   To Rey's delight Ben had let Kyle live but to her utter frustration Kyle had let Aurelia walk away.  Readers were apparently unsatisfied with this ending as well and Ben was now writing a sequel.  She knew Ben was struggling with Kyle deserving a happy ending and was very stuck these days. 

"Thanks kid, it's not going so well," Ben smiled wryly not meeting her eyes.  "What the publisher wants just seems so unrealistic."

Rey usually was happy to discuss Ben's book but today her emotions were on overdrive so she blurted out, "Do you think I should find a boyfriend?" 

Ben looked up from his work and his eyes scanned her face, his expression unreadable, "Are you thinking of dating someone?" His tone sounded a bit off. 

Rey turned red, wondering why she had said anything, still she kept talking, "It's just Rose thinks I need a boyfriend since you and I well.. I mean you obviously don't like me the way I like you."

 Ben chortled on his coffee, clearly taken aback by this confession.

Damn.

Rey felt her heart constrict, waiting for just one bread crumb of hope.  Maybe just maybe Ben might like her back and he wouldn't think as Dr. Kalonia did. 

But his lips remained tight and gave away nothing.  

Despair replaced hope.   

"I've ruined things by telling you this, haven't I?" Rey couldn't meet Ben's eyes.  Why was she so incredibly stupid? Of course Ben didn't like her.  

"No kid, you haven't," Ben's voice was incredibly soft..

So soft that Rey felt a wetness fill her eyes.

"We're friends, " Ben's tone was tight, "And we'll be friends tomorrow and the next day and well always but I think.... well, I think Rose is right."

Rey lifted her eyes up to Ben's, the tears falling freely now.

"You deserve to have a college boyfriend Rey, someone your age, someone who you can dream about the future with," Ben replied his brown eyes burning.  "I think you should go out and meet guys and have a good time.  You deserve to be loved by someone who can do it well."  

It was a punch to the stomach, and it hurt worse than Unkar Plutt's cruel words.   Because Rey had never had faith in Unkar, but in Ben, she had all the faith in the world.

Rey nodded, "I understand."  She had never felt so crushed.  Her heart hurt so very much. 

"Maybe I can have a piece of cake with this, " Ben cleared his throat.

It was a terrible reminder that Ben was a customer after all and Rey was just a waitress.

***************

Rey spend the last morning of summer running all over Coruscant as she cried tears for what she would never have with Ben.  Then she showered and 

met Natalie and Chewie.

"You alright Miss?" Chewie asked Rey.

In the past two years, Chewie had never said more than "Hello Miss" or "Goodbye Miss", Rey knew she must have it bad.

"I'm fine," Rey lied.

Chewie patted her shoulder awkwardly in a way that was sweet.  

Rey really felt pathetic.

"Mama why you sad?" Natalie asked as Rey walked her into the house.  

"I just am Nataliekins," Rey sighed.   She felt bad for being so obviously heartbroken that little Natalie picked up on it. 

"My Daddy sad," Natalie disclosed. 

"Was he?" Rey asked absently.   

"Nanna told him he thupid," Natalie prattled on.  "Auntie Kay too. But",  Natalie's lip trembled, "I sad that you sad and Daddy sad."

Rey felt really bad now, "You know Natalie, I will try to be better," she took Natalie's hand, "We could go on a walk."

Natalie beamed, "And we get Ice Cream? Auntie Kay says Ice Cream make you better."

"You know what,  she's right, let's go get ice cream," Rey laughed. 

"Yeah," Natalie clapped her hands, "Lots of it."

Rey shook her head, at least if her romantic life was a mess, she still had love in her life. 

"Love you mama," Natalie beamed.

"Love you too," Rey was so grateful for this precious child.  She couldn't bear tell Natalie not to call her Mama even though Rey was sure she would pay for it later.

They spent the weekend doing all of Natalie's favorite things and Rey found it the perfect distraction.

Still the hurt for what could have been lingered and Rey knew Ben's reaction to her confession had left no small wound.

************

Mercifully school started on Monday after Chewie picked Rey up.  It was junior year and Rey knew it would be more serious as her electives were over and the real course work would begin.  Finn and Poe would no longer have any classes with her and Rose just a few.   Rey had made little effort to get to know anyone else due to time constraints and she knew there would be many lonely moments this year.  She had surface relationships with a few girls in her cohort but no real friends. 

But there were times at Coruscant that Rey knew it was better to be lonely than to be seen.  There was a group of students at Coruscant University that Rey avoided like the plague, dubbed "The Golden Shitters" by Poe who'd had his dorm room furniture placed on the lawn after he challenged one of them in class,.  They were rich kids who attended the same three Coruscant prep schools for high school, wore clothing from Paris and spent their Spring Breaks in places like Greece and The Canary Islands.  Thankfully they only tended to show up in Rey's general education classes and were typical stacked with one hundred plus students.   Rey was a childhood psych major and most of the "Golden Shitters" had majors in business, politics, finance, etc.   Her smaller seminar classes were blissfully free of that crowd so far. 

Until this year when Rey stepped into her lone night class, Theories of Social Psychology and realized that her usual cohort must have taken the other class offering.  The room was full of "Golden Shitters" and Rey groaned. 

Gideian Hask, Dopheld Mitaka and Nastia Umnio were proudly discussion how Ackbar had let them off the hook for getting high and stealing the rowing club's eight seater during the summer session. 

"We literally rowed five miles and I ruined my heels that I bought in Berlin, I think my mom was more upset about the shoes than anything else," Nastia snickered.  "They were worth $2,000 dollars."

Rey already knew she wanted a class change.  

And then Golden Boy of Coruscant University, Armitage Hux entered.  He was handsome to be sure but his party boy, rich boy reputation preceded him.  Legend was that Armitage had snuck into Coruscant  U's parties while still in High School and lost his virginity to a sorority girl.   Rey didn't doubt that this was true.  Her only interaction with him had been in Politics  class last spring when he and Rose had been paired on a project.  Rose and him got into awful arguments and Rey was shocked he didn't bail on her friend.  It had been a long semester.   Things had ended badly between him and Rose although Rey's friend had remained tight lipped about the cause of it.  

Armitage scanned the room, waived to his friends and then his eye's landed on Rey and for some odd reason he came over and sat right next to her.

"What are you doing here?" Rey stuttered.  What on earth was he doing sitting next to her?

"What a charming welcome," Armitage commented with his classic smirk, "I'm here because all business majors have to take this course." 

"Great," Rey groaned as she noted Bella and Lucia, two of Coruscant U's queen bee's take seats in front of her after giving her a brutal side eye.   

"No Rose?" Armitage raised his eyebrows, "Didn't you sign up for this class together?"

"We did," Rey wondered how on earth Armitage knew that or even remembered, "But she's rearranged her classes to be with her boyfriend."  Rey was a little miffed by this decision.  Rose's world had suddenly started to revolve around Snap and it was beyond annoying.   

"Rose has a boyfriend?" Armitage seemed to grow even paler than usual. 

"I know right?" Bella suddenly turned around, "Like for real, Snap of all people?  I mean yeah they are both from like the ghetto but he's a football player, he could do so-oo much better." 

"Exactly have you seen what she wears?" Lusica snorted, "And I mean she lives at home and commutes, she's literally just a charity case."

Rey was not having this, not from these two bitches. 

But Armitage Hux surprised Rey and spoke up before Rey could. 

"You two are just pissed because she outshone you academically and always will," Armitage sneered. "Come on sis you slept with that bellboy in Paris this summer so don't be so snotty."

"But at least he dressed well," Lusica rolled her eyes.

Rey was momentarily stunned by the revelation that Lusica and Armitage were related. 

"I can't believe you slept with the help," Bella exclaimed.

"Like you didn't sleep with that ski instructor in Aspen last year?" Lusica turned to her friend.

"Lu's my half sister," Armitage explained to Rey as Lusica and Bella prattled on. 

"And you just love me for it," Lusica's attention shifted again and she smiled nastily at Rey, "You know you have a super cute wardrobe, I mean you wear really quality stuff, do you have like a sugar daddy or something?"

Rey really had no words.

"Lu, her last name is Kenobi, she can't be that poor," Bella rolled her eyes and smiled apologetically at Rey.  "Lu isn't the brightest at times, I mean you are a Kenobi right?"

"Yes, does it really matter?" Rey sighed, she vaguely knew that her father's family had been well connected and well off but she was so far removed from that, it wasn't funny.    Her dad had died years ago, estranged from his father for running away.  No Kenobi had ever claimed her, Rey doubted they even knew she existed. 

"All right class, hope you have all properly caffeinated, we have a long night ahead of us," Professor Meero smiled as she entered the room,  The blond instructor looked like she would fit right in with the Golden Shitters and Rey emailed her advisor. She had to get out of this class.

The response was immediate, "The other class is full and has a wait list, sorry." 

Rey wondered if Bazine had a hidden stash of alcohol anywhere.  She was going to need something. 

************

"Hey are you walking home Kenobi?"  Armitage's voice stopped Rey in her tracks as she walked down the street.  She turned around and saw him lounging against a limo that was clearly his. 

"I don't have the luxury of being driven places," Rey snapped, "so obviously I'm walking."

"Would you like a lift?" Armitage opened up the car door and gestured to the car's leather interior.

"Excuse me, what?" Rey blinked. "Doesn't Lu need a ride?"

"Very funny, Lu is getting drunk off her head with Bella and Nastia at some nightclub so no,  I have plenty of room," Armitage laughed. "Are you coming or not?" 

Rey wondered if she'd stepped into some sort of surreal dream.   The truth was, she really didn't feel like walking at this hour. "Sure," Rey shrugged. 

"Really?" Armitage smiled widely as Rey got in, "To what do I owe this pleasure? Rumor has it that you don't say yes to anything." There was a smirk in his tone and his gaze slid over Rey in a very deliberate way. 

Rey cocked her head, "Are you flirting with me?"  This evening was getting stranger and stranger. 

"Would that be a problem if I was?" Armitage lazed against the seat with his arms spread out.   He looked every inch a College Prince with his coiffed hair and crisp white shirt paired with a designer sweater. 

"I'm not like you," Rey said quietly, hoping to disuade the redhead. "I work hard and I rarely play and I'm in love with someone who doesn't love me."   

"Brutally honest Kenobi, how you wound me," Armitage mocked, placing his hand over his heart in an exaggerated movement.

"Might as well be," Rey replied, "I don't play games."

"Well normally I do, but you see I'm at an impasse," Armitage's blue eyes didn't meet hers. "I seem to be able to get any girl I want, except the one I wanted and it's rather uncomfortable for my pride."

Rey was flabbergasted by this confession.  There was a raw honestly in Armitage's  tone that Rey knew had to be real.  She lived with the rawness everyday, still it was difficult to believe that Armitage's interest was sincere,  "So what about one of your own like Bella or Nastia, I'm sure they would be better suited to tend to your wounds."

Armitage sighed, "Girls like Bella look at me and see a Park Avenue Penthouse, summers in France, a gold plated future, you," he paused, "You don't really give a damn about any of it and honestly neither did she."

"I'm sorry," Rey was sincere and she wondered who it was that hurt Armitage so badly.

"I'm sorry about him, whoever he is," Armitage was surprisingly sincere and it unexpectedly moved Rey.

For just a moment she didn't feel quite so alone in her pain.

 "Look Kenobi, " Armitage's voice was crisp, "If you're interested, there's a concert tomorrow night at one of my favorite bars and I'd like a bit of company,  just text me if you want to go, no big deal, no pressure."

"I'll think about it," Rey surprised her self.  "Maybe."  

**********

It was Ben's distance with Rey on Thursday that pushed her to go.   He was cordial but the chattiness he'd had with her before had vanished.  

"I hate this," Rey confessed to Rose.  "I wish I'd never told Ben that I liked him."

"I think it's good for you, now you can move on," Rose urged her warmly.  "I know it hurts but this is for the best."  

It certainly didn't feel like it. 

"I was asked out by someone," Rey admitted. "But I'm not entirely sure."  Rey also wasn't sure she should tell Rose that it was Armitage who had asked her out.  It felt a little disloyal to date someone who had fought with your best friend. But honestly Armitage's confession had touched Rey and she was flattered by the attention.  

"Why are you not sure about dating this person?" Rose frowned.

"They aren't really my type,"  That was an understatement, Rey was nothing like Armitage.  

"Well whoever it is," Rose advised, "They deserve a chance and so do you. Snap is hardly my type and it works for us."

Rey glanced at Ben who seemed unaware of her presence and was definitely giving her the could shoulder, "I'll go out on a date."

************

Maybe it was the flowers Armitage brought Rey, the way he opened doors for her, and how he kept his eyes off her ass, because somehow Rey didn't hate being with him.  Armitage made Rey laugh a lot and at the end of the evening she found herself agreeing to another date and then somehow another.   There was something to be said for not being alone; during the week Rey truly was alone without Nat.  Rose was with Snap constantly and even switched her work hours so Rey rarely saw her.   Finn and Poe had moved in together and were in their own world.  

The Golden Shitters were not truly kind to Rey but they were not unkind either.  The girls like Bella, Nastia and Lu at least pretended to be nice although Rey could feel a false tone in many of the words they said,  Rey knew they didn't really consider her one of them.  The boys on the other hand soon discovered that Rey was an exceptional listener and Dopheld and Masir Tracsch in particular would often bend her ear even when Armitage wasn't around.

Dopheld had spotted Rey on campus one day and was sharing his latest love catastrophe with her over coffee at the campus Starbucks when Poe and Finn walked into the cafe.  They gave Rey an odd look and she waved.   Rey was certain Finn was going to interrogate her at work later, she had an evening shift that day.

"Are you friends with them?" Dopheld demanded.

"Yeah," Rey glanced him, "So what if I am?" 

"But you are friends with us," Dopheld looked shocked, "Why would you ever be friends with them?"

"I think the world's big enough for me to be friends with everyone," Rey patted Doph's shoulder, "You should try it."

Armitage laughed when Rey relayed the conversation to him before work.   

"You know most of my friends literally have never spoken to anyone outside of their social circle," he snorted. "You're good for them."

Rey highly doubted that, girls like Bella, Lu and Nastia were the future High Society of Coruscant.  They had no interest in bending, Dopheld would forget about Rey as soon as she and Armitage broke up. 

Finn confronted Rey as soon as she walked into work.   Rey was thankful that both Rose and Ben were absent.

"Seriously Rey of all people, him?" Finn's voice was incredulous. "Armitage Hux, "Golden Shitter Supreme."

"He's really not that bad," Rey sighed. 

"I'll reserve my opinion for now," Finn was skeptical.  "Kids like us, we don't date people like him."

"Can I ever like anyone that other people approve of?" Rey was beyond frustrated. "Everyone was on me for liking Ben and wanting to find someone else and now you are mad that I found someone else.""

Finn winced, "You're right Peanut. I'll give the douc- Armitage a chance."

So Rey invited Finn and Poe out for a double date and somehow miraclously Poe and Armitage got along.  Both were avid skiers and talked about slopes and lodges and snow and the decided to drag Rey and Finn to an indoor ski center.    Rey had only skied once with Poe's family but that was about it.   Thankfully Armitage was there to pick her up every time she fell over and she knew he was biting his tongue.

Finn knew it too. "If you're happy I guess it's okay," Finn mumbled later that night.

Happiness wasn't the point, Rey just simply was tired of being alone. 

That would just have to be enough for now. 

**************

It was a week before Thanksgiving when this newfound world started to shake. 

Armitage appeared at work one day with a smile on his face and tickets to a show that night.

Rey responded warmly to his hug as she would have to Finn or Poe.  She'd grown fond of him after all. 

 "What on earth, what's this?" There was clear accusation in Rose's tone.  

To Rey's surprise Rose was staring at both of them, daggers in her eyes.

Rey felt her miffed, Rose had been the one to push her to date in the first place.  Surely Rose couldn't begrudge just because she'd been irritated by Armitage on more than one occasion.

"I told you I was dating someone," Rey replied tersely.  "Armitage asked me out so I said yes, just like you encouraged me." 

Rose stared at Armitage, "You really are something aren't you, asshole." 

Rey glared at her best friend, "What is wrong with you?"

"I really don't see how I'm the asshole here," Armitage sneered.  "I have a right to date whomever I want just as you do."

Rose snarled, "Clearly," She turned to Rey, "He's a jerk, you'll see."  She looked like she was about to cry. 

With that Rose stomped off leaving Rey mystified and beyond frustrated. 

She was torn between chasing after Rose and checking on her boyfriend.  

Finn put his arm around her and whispered, "I'll see what's up, it's probably Snap."

Rey nodded and turned to Armitage, "I really don't know what that was about." 

"It's fine," Armitage shrugged his shoulders, but he didn't look fine.  "You off in an hour?"

"She's off now," Maz called warmly, "Go have fun with your boyfriend, you're only young once."

The sound of a mug smashing drew Rey's attention to Ben, he had somehow managed to knock his coffee cup on the floor.   Rey rushed to him, "I can clean it up."

"Nope, I'm good, Maz is right, go have fun with your boyfriend," there was a bitterness in Ben's tone.  

"You told me to date," Rey practically yelled.  "That I should move on."  Ben had no right to be bitter when he had done this to her, no right to look so utterly broken.  Especially when he had ignored her for so long. 

"I did," Ben's eyes looked sad, "And you should. Go, I made this mess and I just have to live with it."  He gestured to the broken cup and spilled coffee. "Please just go Rey." 

He looked so disheveled and there were a few gray hairs amongst his black strands, it tugged on Rey's heart. "Please let me help you," Rey said softly. "Please."   She used her rag to clear up the coffee.

Ben nodded but said nothing more.  

Together she and Ben picked up the pieces of the mug, they were so sharp.  

"Ouch," Rey said as one cut her hand.

Ben quickly took a napkin and his warm hand wrapped around her finger.  

Rey felt herself grow warm at his attention. 

"Just apply pressure and let me do the rest, I'll only end up hurting you more," Ben growled.

Rey felt a flood of tears fighting to escape, but she would not cry this time, she wouldn't.

"He's waiting for you," Ben ordered, "Now go."

This time Rey listened and Armitage silently tended to her wound. 

As Rey walked out of the cafe Armitage slipped his hand in her non bandaged one and they silently walked the streets of Coruscant for an over an hour, both lost in their own worlds.  

Rey found herself crying during the play as the heroine's heart was broken.  

It wasn't until Friday morning when Natalie ran into Rey's arms that she dared to feel better.   

"I think I need more ice cream," Rey told Natalie in all seriousness.

"Daddy ate three gallons this week and Nanna yelled at him," Natalie confided. "So I made Daddy a picture and he told me that I was his princess.  And guess what. he's writing me a story just for me.  He told me I could draw all the pictures.   

Rey smiled, Natalie adored her dad, that was clear.   And it was a good thing, Bazine at best was home once a month and it was always a whirlwind visit.  

Natalie deserved all the love. 

******************

"Are you okay?" Armitage asked for the billionth time at his dad's house on Thanksgiving Day.

It was an occasion that was for sure, the dining room alone was the size of the Tico's first floor and the food would have fed the family of seven for a week.  There were several families at the Hux's  including the Mitaka's and the Trach's.  The table was set with centerpieces, china and wine glasses that were constantly being filled by maids.  The luxury was stifling.  

Rey was glad Armitage had warned her to dress formally.  Lusica and Doph's younger sister Amanda were dressed in formal gowns. 

"I'm fine, this is just a little intimidating," Rey was honest.  "I've never been to anything like this."

"Just wait till you see the lounge at the game tomorrow," Armitage warned her. "The food and drink makes this look pathetic."

Rey had worked it out with Bazine that she would have Friday off.   Bazine wasn't happy about it but Rey wanted to attend Coruscant U's big game of the season that they played against Theed University every year.   Armitage was thrilled as most weekends Rey was busy.  Per Bazine's binding document, Armitage had no idea what Rey did but he was not a fan of her limitations.  Rey didn't mind so much, it kept her relationship with Armitage slow and steady and with her lingering feelings for Ben, Rey didn't want to give too much.  Armitage had become a good friend, but Rey knew deep down that love was not in the cards for them.

And given that Rose's reaction, Rey was starting to wonder if Rose had been the one to break Armitage's heart, but why? 

Thanksgiving dinner flew by and Rey concentrated on the food instead of the company.  Almost everyone but Doph ignored Rey and she was okay with that. Lusica was more interested in talking about a trip to London over Christmas break than anything else. 

Rey was more than happy to leave when it was time to go to Armitage's mom's house.

Kaitlyn O"Hara, Armitage's mother was Irish, blunt, and welcomed Rey to her small apartment with kindness.   They ate little but laughed a lot.

Kaitlyn had been a maid in the Hux household when Brendol was a college student himself. "Brendol was full of promises that he never meant to keep,  I'm glad for Armie but his father caused me much heartbreak."

Rey could believe it, Brendol was full of selfishness.

"I've done alright though," Hux's mother was proud, "I worked my way through school and got work as a secretary now.  Have a nice boyfriend who wants to marry me but I keep telling him I am good just as I am."

Rey was suprised by this admission.

"I learned not to make promises I couldn't keep," Kaitlyn explained.  "I can't promise to marry someone just so that I can have a husband, a boyfriend does me just fine."

Of that Rey had no doubt.  

They played games late into the night and Kaitlyn's boyfriend joined them, he was an older pleasant man who treated Armitage with respect.  It was a nice family picture that made Rey want her own."

Finally Rey pleaded that she needed to go.

"You're lovely," Hux's mom smiled but then paused, "But I swear Hux called you Rose not Rey."

Rey raised her eyebrows at this and thought back to the incident in the cafe where Hux and Rose had both acted strangely.

She was too tired to unpack it now.

Yet as she hit the pillow sleep was elusive and Rey tossed and turned all night.    When she dreamed, it was of a dark eyed man.  

*****************

The next day Rey dressed in designer jeans and a Coruscant University Sweater.   The weather was mild for Thanksgiving, a fact which Rey was ever thankful for. 

Rose was down in the stands, close to Snap.  Armitage dragged Rey to the VIP lounge and promptly offered her a rum and coke.

Rey gladly took the drink, still upset by the previous day.

Martelle nodded at Rey and Lusica halfheartedly waved.  

Dophelp and Masir came over and started talking to Armitage about players and plays that went over Rey's head.

And then Ben Solo walked into the room, and he wasn't alone.

Rey's already fragmented heart took a beating as Ben and stunning blonde walked over to the bar.  

The blond looked far too comfortable next to Ben for Rey's liking and something ugly twisted in Rey's stomach.    She was clearly older than Rey and also clearly part of this world.  

Rey felt tears in her eyes and she blinked them back.   She had a boyfriend, she had no reason to cry.  But Rey knew deep down that she needed to ask Armitage about Rose.  There was something off about the whole thing.

"I'm going to go to the ladies's room," Rey halfheartedly smiled at Armitage.

He smiled back but was clearly interested in what Doph was saying.

Rey headed towards the restrooms off the lounge and was grateful for the stillness.  

She heard another person come in and then a whole cluster of women entered the room.

"How can you stomach Rey?" Bella's voice sneered.  "She's such a goody, goody and so obviously not a Kenobi or anyone really."

"I don't mind her really," Lusica replied, "She's not falling over him like Rose, so glad I took care of that."

"That was genius what you did," Nastia chuckled.  "Can't believe you hacked their phones and then set them up on dates where neither showed."

"I had so much fun crafting the texts afterwards," Lu snorted.

"Didn't you tell Rose that "she was bitch whose mouth was as big as her butt," Nastia snorted.  "As if Armitage would say that but the stupid cow believed him."

Rey stilled, anger filling her soul. 

"It was easy enough," Lusica sighed, "And did the job, got rid of that trash so fast.  Daddy's gonna put the pressure on Armie after Christmas to dump Rey and she'll be gone. Armie has no balls or he would have gone after Rose even after she "rejected" him," Lu snorted.  

Rey felt sick to her stomach.   She hated this world and all it's players. 

"You know Snap is renting a hotel room tonight just to take Rose's virginity and then is going to dump her after finals," Nastia prattled.  "He made out with Callie Lintra at the party last week and told her everything."

Rey had to get to Rose now, no matter what had gone down between them, she didn't deserve this.

But first, Rey had something to say.

She swung the door open and all three girls looked shocked.

Rey washed her hands and felt the silence.

She turned to the trio.

"You all need to stop playing with people like as if you were children playing with barbie dolls." Rey began and watched the girls eyes' narrow.  "You all might be rich and used to money saving you but once you get into the real world you'll find most people won't put up with this kinda shit."

Rey paused and turned to Lu, "I know how many scrapes your brother has rescued you from and frankley it's embarressing for you to be such a bitch to him."

"You're nothing," Lu seethed, her face redder than a tomatoe."A total nobody."

Rey smiled, "Damn straight and I'm proud of it." With her head held high she walked out.  She really was done with this crowd.

Thankfully Armitage was talking to Doph still and Rey pulled him to the side. 

"What on earth has got into you?" Armitage stared at her.   

"Do you love Rose?" Rey demanded.

"What?" Armitage blinked, "I'm dating you, why would you even ask that?"  His face was red. 

"Answer the question, do you love her?" Rey was tired of all of this.  She might not be able to date Ben, but that didn't mean she needed to fear being alone.  It wasn't worth it to date someone meant for someone else.

"My mother said something I knew it," Armitage started.

"Armitage -" Rey was so exasperated she interrupted him. "I don't love you and you don't love me but your little shit of a sister sent you a text message last summer pretending to be Rose and did the same thing with Rose pretending to be you after she made you both think the other didn't show for a date.  Plus that jerk Snap Wexley is planning on seducing Rose tonight and then dumping her in the morning.  So if you really truly give a crap about her, do something."

Armitage went red, then white and then red again as Rey shared all of this.

"I don't want to hurt you," Armitage said slowly, "You don't deserve that from me."

Rey glanced at Ben with the pretty blonde and sighed, "You can't hurt me anymore than I have been."

Armitage cocked his head, "That's him?"

Rey nodded.

"I'm sorry," Armitage hugged her. "But thank you for just, for just being you."

"Go," Rey urged him.

Rey watched as Armitage pushed past people and headed down towards the stands.  She ran out of the lounge along with a crowd of onlookers.  Armitage didn't stop there, instead he marched right down toward the sidelines where Snap Wexley waited to join the game.   Then to the utter horror of the entire Corsucant audience, Armitage tackled Snap to the ground.   

"What the hell are you doing?" Rose's voice shouted. "Get off of him, now."  

Armitage got off of Snap but not before two bodyguards grabbed him. 

"Asshole," Snap yelled. 

"He's fucking using you Tico!" Armitage said, "And he's paying for it." 

"You're the one who used me,  you kissed me, ghosted me and then told me you never wanted to see me again.  Then months later you are dating my best friend, you have nothing to say to me." Rose seemed close to tears.  

Rey was now a mere few feet away and decided to intervene, "Lusica is the one who messed this all up.  She tricked both of you."

Rose turned to Rey as if seeing her for the first time, "What?"

"My sister got between us Rose, please believe me," Armitage called out as they dragged him away.

Rose looked completely confused.  

Rey slipped her arm around Rose, "Just go with him Rose, he's a decent guy and really does care about you."

"Do you really believe any of this?" Snap yelled. "He's just a punk." 

To Rey's surprise, Doph ran down the bleachers and spoke to both of them, "No Snap's the punk, Rose, Rey's right, Lu's a total bitch. We all know what she did to you and Armitage."

Rose seemed to finally digest the truth.  She put her hand on Rey's shoulder, "So you're okay if I chase him?" 

Rey grinned, "Please do."

"Sorry Snap, bye," Rose yelled and ran towards where they dragged Armitage off the field.

"Damn it," Snap shouted. "How the fuck am I gonna make it through my finals?"

Rey rolled her eyes.

Doph cleared his throat. 

"So now that you're not dating Armitage...I was kinda hoping you'd date me?" Doph looked bashful.

Rey was touched but knew that was a definite no, "Can we just be friends? Is that okay?"

Doph sighed, "I'm never gonna get a girlfriend am I?"

"What about Lu or Bella or Nastia?" Rey suggested and the two headed out of the stadium. Rey had no desire to go back to that crowd.

"No way," Doph looked so horrified that Rey had to stifle a giggle. 

"Let's go get some pie," Rey suggested, "I know a place."

"But it's not a date?" Doph persisted.

"Doph!" Rey glared at him.

"Okay, okay," Doph shrugged.

The two headed toward's Maz's and Rey texted Finn and Poe to join them.  Screw the game, it was really nice to just be her friends.  Rose and Hux came and joined them a little later.  They looked so happy that it hurt. 

Then Ben and his date entered the cafe.

Just great.

Ben ignored Rey but to her surprise the blonde came marching over to the table and stuck out her hand, "Hi, I'm Kaydel, I know my brother is an idiot but I really like how you handled that in the bathroom. Those girls needed to be slapped."

"Kay!" Ben snapped.

"You're his sister?" Rey's mouth fell open.

"Of course I am," the blonde grinned.  "He's totally into you by the way, just so you know." 

Ben was red as a beet but Rey felt a huge burden lift off of her.

"Well I'm totally into him," Rey admitted.  "Even if he thinks like Kyle he doesn't deserve to be happy."

"Don't worry, mom and I are totally working on him to grow a pair," Kay confided.

At this Ben marched over and grabbed his sister, "Would you shut up?"

Rey slid out of her seat and faced Ben, "You and I are talking now."   

Ben opened his mouth and then shut it.

"Say thank you sis," Kay beamed. 

"We are not talking in here," Ben glared at his sister. 

"Agreed," Rey gestured to the parking lot.

The two of them went outside and Rey noted that it had grown significantly colder.  

She shivered and looked at Ben, "Just stop bullshitting me and tell me the truth."

"Fine, I like you," Ben sighed, "I like you a lot ok and it killed me, and I mean killed me to watch you date someone else."  The shadows under his eyes attested to this.  Ben looked a wreck.

But still.

"Then why the hell did you push me away?" Rey gritted her teeth. "It hurt so much, so much Ben."

"Because you don't deserve someone like me," Ben shouted. "You are beautiful and smart and don't need a single father who betrayed his own family." Tears came to his eyes. "You're so perfect," he said horsley, his brown eyes meeting hers.

"Ben," Rey scolded, exasperated, "You don't get to decide what I need and what I deserve.  Why do you keep doing this? We talked about this with Gracie, you can't just shut people out."

"Do you really, truly want me Rey, because I'm - " Ben started.

Rey put one finger on his lips, "Just one date, please."  

Ben ran his fingers through his hair, "Okay but we have to go slow. I don't want to hurt you or Gracie.  It's not you, it's just I don't want to confuse her."

Rey could understand that, "I work a lot anyway so finding time together will be a challenge.  Just let me in here ok." She placed her hand over his heart.

"Trust me, you're alread there," Ben said softly and he bent down and gave Rey the gentlest of kisses.

Chapter Text

Four Years Ago

Life for Kylo Ren was the best he could expect.  He had just published a best selling book about his late grandfather and his legacy including sordid details that framed Kylo's family in a negative light.  Snoke, Kylo's, agent was thrilled and had signed a very extensive contract with him.  Kylo's current girlfriend Bazine was a model and social influencer.  If Kylo's family including his teenage sister currently hated him, well, it was the price Kylo paid for finally telling the truth about Anakin Skywalker.  The tell all book had made him famous at least.   Geeky Ben Solo who was an outcast in high school and college was finally gone. 

Kylo had finished writing for the day when he received an odd text from Baz, "Can we meet at five instead of seven for dinner? I need an early night."

Kylo didn't care, he guessed sex was off the table but Baz hadn't been in the mood lately anyway and Kylo had never been the type to pressure a girl. "Sure."  

"See you at Lugio's at five then," Baz replied.  She always told Kylo where they were eating just like she told him everything else.  Kylo didn't care, it was easier just to go with the flow with someone like her.   If he was honest, he didn't see a future with Baz, she was just someone to keep his loneliness at bay.  Because Kylo knew not even Snoke with his promise of fortune and fame could make him feel okay.  

Bazine walked into Lugio's like she owned the place.  Her dress, hair and makeup appeared immaculate but Kylo noticed right away that her smile was not quite right. She saw him and he noticed bags under her eyes.

She sat down and took a sip of water instead of wine.

"What's wrong?" Kylo immediately asked.

"Aren't you just too insightful?" Baz rolled her eyes.

Kylo was used to her barbs, her tongue was never full of kindness. But then Kylo wasn't used to kindness either, his mother had always been too busy and father the same. Only Nona and Kay had bothered but he's lost their love by chasing fame.  

"Well there is something that I planned on telling you tonight."

Kylo wondered if she had taken a full time modeling gig and guessed this was goodbye.  He supposed he could pretend to be heartbroken to make Baz feel better. 

But the words Baz shared took Kylo by complete surprise.

"I'm pregnant, it's your, but you and I aren't together, I only dated you to make my Uncle happy and you weren't the first I dated like that. "  Baz was so very matter of fact about everything as if she was explaining that she was getting her house painted.

Kylo stared at Baz, shocked at her news and shocked that Snoke had put her in such a position, "I'll help," he stuttered.   He couldn't believe that he was going to be a father. 

"Good, because it's gonna be fifty fifty custody, I need a life," Baz continued. "And you better help financially." 

"I'm not going to be an absent father," Kylo hissed.  Did Baz really think so poorly of him?

"So I'm tired of my Uncle and tired of working for him, Bazine scowled. "I mean I didn't want a baby, not at all and took every precaution to not have one." Baz's frustration was clear," But I am not letting Snoke have any hold over this baby so I took a job with one of the agency's I've done freelance with. Apparently they want me pregnancy and all," She tossed her hair. 

Kylo blinked, "You think Snoke would use our kid?" 

Baz frowned, "Of course he would use our kid dumbass, he used you to get back at your mother stupid. I mean come on Kylo, he hates your mother, she's gone after his child porn publications.  He managed to get off freed due to some heavy bribery and moving the industry overseas but that's the only reason he became your agent.  Your book with its tell all about Anakin's inner demons has cast a lot of doubt on your mother's trustworthiness and caused her to get passed up as Attornery General for Coruscant. He totally used you."

Kylo knew that every word Baz said was true and felt it incredibly stupid.  His Uncle Luke was a literary agent and had taken Kylo on after college at his mother's urging. It had been a disaster as Luke completely disagreed with Kylo's writing style and wanted to change everything.  Kylo had been so frustrated that he had taken Snoke's offer to be his agent with no real thought. Kylo thought of Nona who wouldn't even talk to him after the book came out for his portrayal of her dead husband, and knew he had paid the price for his stupidity.

"I'll quit," Kylo sighed. "I can't do that to our kid."  He didn't know what the hell he would do and was sure Snoke would blackball him. 

"Well at least you have a few brain cells," Bazine sighed. "I think it best that this is the last time we talk."

"Why?" Kylo demanded, "Don't we have to take of the kid together?"

Bazine stared at Kylo's eyes, "I never chose to be with you and every time I see you, I remember that."   

There was something so sad about this confession. "Why have this baby?" Kylo was so confused, "Won't you feel the same?"

Bazine held her chin up, "Because I want to remind myself never to trust my Uncle or anyone else again.  He pretended to rescue me - but it's me who rescues me and only me." 

Kylo thought that was a horrible reason to keep a child.  But Bazine's gaze was steel.  He felt sorry for her but hoped to god their child wasn't anything like her or him for that matter. 

"Fine, whatever you want," Kylo conceded. 

And that was that.  Kylo called his mother after realizing he needed a lawyer to free himself from Snoke, "I need your help mom please, I need to get out of Snoke's contract." 

"I can't possibly help you," Leia had replied cooly, "You've made your bed Ben, you have to lie in it."  What a surprise, Ben had never had much help from his mom when he needed it.  She was always to busy to deal with school bullies, his uncle, or just anything.

"I'm going to be a father mom, please," Kylo had desperately pleaded hoping against hope that his mother might yield, "Please help me.  I can't let Snoke anywhere near my kid and his niece is the mother.  I know I hurt the family, but please don't hold it against your grandchild. They don't deserve to pay for my sins."

Leia wasted no time in her response, "I'll meet you for breakfast." 

Leia not only helped Kylo break his contract with Snoke but she used information Kylo and Bazine gathered to finally pin him down for publishing child porn. Snoke went to jail and Kylo decided to try writing on his own terms.  Kylo republished the book and changed significant information.  It didn't sell as well but Kylo felt much better and his grandmother hugged him tight. "Thank you Ben, thank you."

Then Gracie was delivered to the Solo house.  Leia insisted on Gracie staying with them the first few months.  

Chewie gently handed Gracie to Kylo.  Of course Leia, Han and Kaydel were all there to greet Gracie too.  

Gracie was a tiny being, so little and fragile and delicate.  Kylo was afraid he would make his daughter cry.  Gracie's eyes just stared at him, solemn in their gaze.

Kay urged, "Smile at her, she just wants to know you love her."

Kylo looked at the precious bundle in his arms, "Hi Gracie," He smiled for the first time in a long time. 

Gracie smiled back and Kylo lost his heart right then and there.

"She almost seems to like me," Kylo gasped amazed.

Kaydel laughed, "Of course she does, you're her father."

Kylo gulped and held the beautiful child close, "I hope I can be a good one." 

"You already have Ben," Leia said softly, "You chose her when it counted.  You are wiser than I was."  There was a sincerity in her tone. "I never put you first and I regret it, when you asked for help with protecting your child," Leia stumbled over her words, "I knew, I knew I owed you." 

Han came up and put his hand on Kylo's shoulder, 'We both do son and we want to be here for you and this little one." 

Kylo knew his parents were both acknowledge her own mistakes and letting him go for his.  But the past had so much hold on him, nights when his parents were absent, the jeers of classmates, his uncle's cruelty, Snoke's manipulation.  The self doubt was a river that threatened to drown him.  

It was Rey though, beautiful, full of sunshine Rey who made him finally see that loving Gracie well meant that anger and self hatred had to go.  It took many months of therapy, a new literary agent and a friendship with Rey to help the anger go. 

Kylo Ren became Ben Solo again, He never regretted it.

***********

Gracie started part time preschool when she turned  three and Ben started to work at Coruscant's library so he could meet Rey for lunch.  It worked well as Rey was always busy during the weekend and Ben had Gracie Monday afternoon through breakfast on Friday.  Rey had cut back her hours at Maz's as her senior year was so busy.  Ben was happy to be her break even if sex was limited.  They did manage a weekend in April and then one in July and every minute was so sweet.  Ben was hesitant to bring Rey into Gracie's life until they had been dating a year and was waiting till Thanksgiving. Rey understood. 

One day in October Ben was working on final edits on his newest manuscripts when he felt the gentle press of Rey's hand on his.

Rey stood there looking gorgeous in a red sweater that stretched over her lengthy legs in a pair of tight pants.  She was holding a paper bag from a nearby sandwich shop. 

"Sorry," Ben apologized and began to pack up his things, "I'm in the zone."  

Rey grinned, "No worries, I just have an hour and a half until my seminar so I figured I'd bug you and we could eat.' 

"You can always bug me," Ben caressed her hand and then brushed his lips against hers, "You always taste so sweet," he growled in her ear wishing he could have more. HIs left hand gently caressed her ass.

Rey prettily blushed and pretended to glare, 'We are in the library."

Ben suggested wickedly, "Want to make out in the library stacks?'

Rey smacked his arm, "Yeah and be posted all over social media like Lu and Masir were, no thanks." 

Ben choked, "Seriously, you know I was joking right? I have no desire to be the object of college gossip."  

Rey laughed as they exited the library, "Too late, Hux's sister is convinced your are my Sugar Daddy."

Ben frowned, he didn't want his presence on campus to be a problem for Rey. "I won't come here any more then."

Rey rolled her eyes, "That's a them problem, not an us problem.  I've been a subject of gossip for that crowd far longer than you and I have been dating.  Rose is a legend for handling that crew with Armitage.  Of course they have all pretty much blackballed Armitage since he started dating her except for Doph."

"I knew their type in High School and College," Ben shook his head, "Kay even puts up with it at Theed but not to the same extent. There's not as much favoritism as here."

'Holdo wants me to apply to grad school there," Rey sighed.  " But I really want to go here and I've already been told I'm pretty much guaranteed a spot."

Ben stopped walking and turned to her, "Are you sure, Theed is really good?" He really didn't want Rey to leave, not at all.  But he also didn't want her to throw her future away. His own Nona had been a past president of Theed and he knew what a good school it was.

"No worries," Rey grimaced, "I could never afford it, I need my current job to afford attending grad school, it covers all my living expenses. I'm too poor to have any choice." There was no bitterness in her tone but Ben knew that Rey had learned the art of putting on a cheerful smile.  

Ben felt a sense of relief that Rey wouldn't be leaving any time soon but also frustration for her financial situation.  He wished he could help her but the preschool Bazine had Gracie attending three days a week was super expensive, and Ben was paying Coruscant prices for housing.  He honestly would love to take Gracie to Theed and live close to his Nona but Bazine would never put up with it.  

"Well if I didn't have to pay for Gracie's school I could be your sugar Daddy," Ben tried to lighten the mood.  

"Hmm," Rey smirked, "I might be too expensive for you." 

Ben grabbed Rey by here wasted and kissed her, this time, long and hard regardless of on lookers.  He pressed into the kiss, enjoying every moment, his cock hardening as Rey kissed him back.  He was tempted to throw her over his shoulder but instead broke the kiss off and said horsely, "You would definitely be too expensive."

Rey smiled softly, "Damn straight."

Ben had never been so happy.

****** 

Kay was home for fall break in mid October and Gracie latched onto her Aunt as usual. 

"My mommy took me to a princess movie," Gracie bragged.

Kay laughed, "I honestly never expected your mommy to be so maternal."

Ben had to agree, "No kidding, Gracie tells us she does all kinds of things with her mommy, they go to the zoo, they bake, they go to the park."

"I love my mommy, she's the best," Gracie beamed.

Ben and Kaydel exchanged a glance, it was just hard to picture Bazine being so motherly but for Gracie's sake Ben was pleased. 

"I saw a picture of your mommy in a magazine," Kay smiled brightly, "want to see."

Gracie nodded, 'Yep."

Kaydel pulled out the latest issue of Vogue, "Here she is," Kaydel pointed to a picture of Bazine in a perfume add.

"That's not my mommy," Gracie glared at Kay, "That's the picture lady."

"What?" Ben and Kaydel stared at Gracie.

"That's the lady who makes me get pictures," Gracie explained, "But she's not my mommy." 

Ben was seriously worried, "So you only see this lady to get pictures?"

Gracie nodded, "U huh, she likes to have my picture took. My mommy comes with me too." The she smiled, "My mommy always says I have to be nice to the picture lady but I stick my tongue at her cause I don't like to get pictures." 

Ben was both angry and confused but wasn't about to let Gracie know that.

What the hell was going on?

After an oblivious Gracie went to bed Ben called Chewie, "When was the last time you saw Bazine?"  He was really hoping there was an explanation to this.

Chewie was quiet for a minute, "I've never seen Bazine. Before Gracie went to Preschool the Nanny was the only one I saw."

Ben had a truly terrible feeling about this.  "Are you telling me that my daughter thinks that her Nanny is her mother?'

"It is possible, the Nanny is really very lovely," Chewie replied.

Ben didn't even know how old the Nanny was much less her qualifications or name.

"Well does this Nanny have a name?" Ben shouted. 

"I don't know her name," Chewie confessed, "And I don't mean to be unhelpful but the Nanny and I stopped seeing each other once Gracie started Preschool. I am sorry Sir."  

Ben was furious, but it wasn't Chewie's fault. 

"I understand, thanks," Ben sighed. 

He immediately called his mother who had already been briefed by Kay.

"I think it's high time we see a lawyer and go back to court," Leia said firmly. "Because whatever is going on, it's not acceptable."

"I agree, I appreciate what Bazine did with Snoke," Ben spat, "But how could she abandon our daughter like this. Gracie deserves the best. If Bazine doesn't want Gracie, I'll take her all the time."  Ben was sincere, he'd love to have Gracie everyday of the week.

So that's how Ben found himself in the law offices of his mother's old friend, Monica Monthma with his parents, sister and Chewie.

Ben tapped his foot on the floor out of nervousness, he really hoped today's meeting would do something.  

His mother Leia placed her hand on his knee,"Relax, Monica  is one of the best, let her work her magic." 

The lawyer came into the lobby with a smile on her face, "Let's go to my office."

They all piled into the corner room, two sides of the city visible from the windows. Monica Monthma was a legend in law after all.  Ben tried to breath, he had too.

Monica's secretary Kor got them all a drink and then finally Monica said, "Tell me everything."

Ben began and shared the whole sordid tale, he sighed. "I didn't realize Snoke was using me to get to my family till it was too late." 

"It's not your fault," Leia sighed. "We pushed you away Ben, we did. We never should have sent you to work with Luke."

Monica listened with a frown on her face. "I've taken a look at the file and it's all ironclad.  It's a fairly typical custody arragement between two parties who don't want to have contact. I'm not sure I can do anything unless you want to go back to court.  With Bazine being a celebrity, it will get public and messy. Is that what you want?"

"But the Nanny is raising my child!" Ben exploded near tears. Bazine has literally dumped her in the hands of someone else!"

Monica smiled sadly, "It's the same for half of the upper crust here. As long as Grace is being fed and taken care of there is nothing you can do.  You would have to prove neglect."

"The Nanny is really good to her," Chewie said quietly.

Ben glanced at his mother whose face mirrored his own.

"What should we do if we want to fight this," Leia had steel in her voice, "If Ben wants full custody?"

Mocia sighed, "Are you sure?"

Ben thought of Gracie's confusion and lack of attachment to Baz, "I'm sure."

Monica sat up in her chair, she turned to Chewie, "Write down the dates and times you picked and dropped Gracie off and note whether you encounter Bazine."

She turned to Ben, "The school is your best bet, if Bazine ignores communication with them, and /or doesn't respond to medical concerns if Gracie gets hurt, then maybe we can do something.  This may take months, I am not doing anything until I have something more.  Take note of everything."

Ben felt a sliver of hope.

"But," Monica cautioned, "Stay clean, don't do anything around Gracie that's remotely questionable. Are you seeing anyone?"

Ben squirmed, "I have been dating someone for almost a year."

"Has she met Gracie?" Monica raised her eyebrows.

"She is going to meet her for Thanksgiving," Ben confessed.

"Well keep her away from Gracie until this is over," Monica advised.  

Leia frowned, "But why?' Leia had been begging to meet Rey for ages.

"Do you want me to help you or not?" Monica glared at Leia, "Bazine is the type to did up dirt on anyone Ben is seeing and use it. Just keep the girlfriend low profile until this is over." 

Ben was totally frustrated but also didn't want Bazine anywhere near Rey. 

"Fine," Ben agreed.

"And I think you should keep what you are doing on the download, from everyone," Monica instructed. "You never know who knows who in this town and Bazine is pretty famous.."

Ben knew Monica was right.

****

"You okay?' Rey asked Ben the next day.

"Custody problems," Ben sighed. "I can't really go into it, I'm sorry. I wish I could share everything with you." 

Rey nodded, "It's okay, seriously, I mean I can't go into details about my work,  I hope it all works out."

Ben was so grateful for his girlfriend, "Thanks, but it means you can't meet Gracie for Thanksgiving. I'm sorry."

Rey's face fell and Ben felt awful.  

"That's fine," Rey lied with an obviously plastered on smile.

"Kay offered to watch Gracie on Wednesday night so we could spend the night and eat Thanksgiving Breakfast with my parents if you want to?' Ben asked tentatively.

Rey perked up, "That would be lovely if you are sure it would be okay."

Ben was thankful for Kay's suggestion.  "It would be more than okay and then we could spend some time together too."

"I wish we could be together more," Rey admitted. "I like waking up with you."

Ben knew then that if Rey left next year for grad school it would kill him, "I like waking up with you too.  I'm serious, when the custody stuff blows over, you could quit your job and move in ..if you wanted to." 

Rey sighed, "Oh my god that's too tempting but I .... I can't leave my job Ben... It's hard to explain but.. I just can't." She had tears in her eyes and took his hands, "You need to focus on fighting for your daughter."

"I know," Ben agreed, "but when it's over let's talk about this again."

"Agreed," Rey promised.

Ben just knew it would all work out, Gracie would live full time with him, Rey could move in and everyone would get their happily ever after. 

********

And then the damn broke the week before Thanksgiving. 

Ben had been holed up in the library, typing away all day.  He'd dropped Gracie off at Preschool with a kiss. Then he'd had breakfast with Rey and gotten to work. 

He exited the library and was shocked to see five missed calls from Gracie's preschool. 

"What's going on?' Ben demanded.

"Mr. Solo, we are so glad to hear from at least one parent," the secretary disclosed. "We know it is not your day to pick Natalie Grace up but she has a fever and we need a parent to pick her up, not the Nanny. It is our school policy and we will not bend no matter how famous her mother is.  Please, we need you to release her to you." 

Ben groaned, poor Gracie.  "I'll be there," he assured them.

"We will tell the nurse and of course Miss Kenobi," the secretary said. "The poor Nanny has been waiting to pick up Gracie since twelve, it is now three."

Ben felt his blood run cold at the name given him, "Kenobi?"  

"Yes, the Nanny, Rey Kenobi, seriously what is wrong with you and Bazine?" the secretary snapped and slammed the phone down. 

Ben suddenly felt his whole body freeze, it was impossible, absolutely impossible.  

He had to go rescue poor Gracie though. Oh God, did Rey know about this? Was she a plant by Bazine? All sorts of thoughts were going through Ben's mind.   He called an Uber and header to the Upper Crust Preschool his daughter attended.

Ben's hands were sweaty and he just couldn't breathe.

Finally he arrived. 

The Preschool Director greeted him.  She was a tall woman with a sour expression on her face. "Do you know this is the second time this has happened where we have tried to reach Ms. Netal about your daughter being sick? The first time we let the Nanny take Natalie Grace but not this time.  Not only has Ms. Netal refused to take our calls, she has responded to every email that she's been sent that Ms. Kenobi could handle it and generally refused to be helpful in any way at all. And," the director was red in the face, "She actually told me that she wouldn't be able to attend Natalie Grace's quarterly review because she didn't believe it was important! When I asked her if you could attend it she said no, she was the primary guardian and it really didn't matter so please leave her alone." 

Ben put his head in his hands, he'd thought better of his ex, what a mistake, "I will attend it," he promised.

"It's already occurred," the Director snapped, "But hopefully you will make the January one and we also expect our parents to put in time volunteering for events, do you think you might have time for that too or are you too busy?"

"Whatever you need," Ben replied wearily to the irate woman.

"What we need is for you to answer us when we call," the Director replied. "Because if we don't have at least one parent show some involvement your daughter is out! This is an exclusive Preschool that your daughter has been on a waitlist for since birth, there is a line a mile long waiting to get in."

"I'm sorry, truly sorry," Ben pleaded, "Can I see my daughter?"

"Please do and take her and the Nanny out of my Nurse's office, everyone else has gone home," the Director snapped.

Ben walked into the Nurse's office and sure enough there was Rey with Gracie.

"Daddy!" Gracie hopped off a cot. "I have a fever but I don't feel sick."

Rey stared at Ben and then at Gracie and then Ben, "Oh my god."

"Daddy this is my Mommy," Gracie pointed to Rey. "Not the picture lady."

Ben was about to pass out, this was insane.

"Natalie Grace," Rey looked at Ben and he could see her wheels turning. "I always call her Natalie."  He could see pure panic on her face.  "But I signed an agreement, that I would never talk to you or I would lose my job."

"Would you all mind leaving now, please?" the Director frowned.

Ben, Rey and Gracie scurried out of the room and then out of the building.

"Could we all get ice cream Daddy? Please!" Gracie pleaded, "Then you me and Mommy could go watch a movie."

Ben had never hated Bazine, resented her yes, but hated her no, but now watching tears fall down Rey's face he absolutely loathed her.

"Not tonight honey, I'll see you on Monday," Ben said slowly.

"But I want us to be a family," Gracie stomped her foot, "I want my Mommy and Daddy together, please." 

"Oh God," Rey started to sob, "I'm so sorry  Ben, I'm so sorry." 

Ben's own heart was breaking too. 

"Mommy why are you upset?" Gracie frowned. "Daddy, Mommy is upset." 

Ben did something he shouldn't do, he pulled both his girls in for a hug, "It's okay," he whispered into Rey's ear, "I'll figure this out."

"But if you want custody and I want my job...." Rey didn't finish her sentence. Instead she buried her face in his shoulder and broke down. Every sob tore Ben up. He knew now that he loved Rey, loved her with his whole heart.

"I love you," Ben pressed a kiss against Rey's forehead.

"I know," Rey sobbed. 

For one moment they held each other.

"So will you hang out with us Daddy?" Gracie looked so hopeful that it broke Ben's heart. 

"Not tonight honey, I am sorry, but be good okay," Ben told his daughter.

"Okay," Gracie's voice wobbled.

"Bye Rey," Ben said, "Have a Happy Thanksgiving." 

"Have a Happy Thanksgiving Ben," Rey wiped her eyes with her sleeve. 

Ben watched her walk down the street and out of his life.  This was not the end, it just couldn't be.