"I know that I've said this a lot already but…I am so sorry that I was late. I'm usually not—really. The last time I was that late was in third grade, before the holiday musical, and I only missed the opening number because I drank too much eggnog and had to pee and…"

"Ben, for the last time—it's fine. I'm sure your teacher was more pissed at you than I could possibly ever be." Rey chuckled, feeling amused more than exasperated, even though her date had insisted on apologizing for the umpteenth time since they had left his house. She couldn't say that she didn't appreciate his apologies—she knew that he was sincere in his regret, and she welcomed how genuine he was, a trait missing from many people she had met in her lifetime.

She couldn't be mad at him. Rey decided this once more as she glanced over at Ben from the passenger seat, watching his hands nervously drum on the steering wheel in time along with the radio's rendition of "The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy." Despite the frigid temperatures and the late start, the girl was confident that this would be a wonderful evening, turning her gaze to the window, watching Christmas lights and snow fleck past her vision as they drove on, pointing out particularly pretty decorations to her date, who hummed in approval, his grin welcoming and sweet.

Han had let Ben borrow the family truck, the honor not lost on the two as Ben carefully turned down the snowy main street. In the distance, the toy store's display glowed, understated but warm, as if it was basking in the light from the coffeehouse across the street. Even with the radio on, Rey could hear the holiday tunes being blared from the café, Mariah Carey's holiday anthem growing ever louder as they pulled up to the curb. She shrugged, almost embarrassed at the toy store clerk's raised eyebrow and smirk, explaining: "Poe really loves Christmas—even more than I do."

"I find that hard to believe." His tease was met with a swat, Rey playfully huffing as she opened her door, considering her descent, keeping her eye on a patch of ice waiting for her. In a moment, Ben was at her door, reaching out his hands. "You can trust me—I won't drop you." Her eyes were wary on him and he laughed, shaking his head. "I'm not close to any ice—you can jump on me for all I care. I won't fall."

"It's not that—we have an audience." Her whisper was dramatic, and Ben followed her gaze, rolling his eyes at how Poe and Finn had their face pressed against the café's windows, ignoring their other guests in favor of making kissy faces at the two, laughing as their friend stuck her tongue out at them. With their faces squished against the glass panes, the two men reminded the clerk of the children who did the same to the toy store windows, the sight providing a much needed reminder as he turned back to Rey, motioning her forward. "I got you."

If there was hesitation before, it had melted away with another smile of encouragement, the girl lurching forward and into his arms. In a moment, her arms were looped around his neck, and he was swooping her up, cradling her, her feet dangling far above the treacherous ice. The embrace was only meant for a minute, Ben turning to let her down, but instead, Rey reached up, intent on fixing his Santa hat, her hands lingering on his face as she hummed in approval. "You're really warm."

There was another smile on his face and he leaned forward, nuzzling his nose with hers, chuckling as she tugged at his collar, frowning as he shook his head. "I don't want you to get frozen to me. Poe will never let you live it down."

"You say it likes it's a bad thing." He rolled his eyes, finally setting her down, his large gloved hand settling around her smaller, mitten covered one. Rey noticed how her date fidgeted, unsure if it was from the cold or from nerves, especially now as he tugged on her hand, eyes on his family's store.

"Mind coming with me before we head into the party? Dad wanted me to check on the new display he set up today." Ben watched her face, couldn't help but feel relieved when she nodded, grinning. "I've never seen the toy store after hours…do the toys come to life?" She waggled her eyebrows at him, giggling at his eye roll as she followed him to the doorstep, watching him falter again.

"What's wrong, Ben?" She expected a shrug, a stuttered explanation, but instead he awkwardly retrieved something from his pocket, mumbling.

"I need you to wear this." In his hands, he held a simple blindfold, and Rey quirked an eyebrow, amused but exasperated. "Ben, I've been in the toy store a million times now. There's nothing that could surprise me, I'm sure." She wasn't sure if it was the cold or embarrassment that had his cheeks matching a candy cane, but still, he remained solemn, even as a smile threatened to break across his face.

"Trust me—it'll make the whole thing that much better. You can take it off as soon as it's okay, I promise." She rolled her eyes again, but acquiesced, feeling his hands gentle on her head as he secured the fabric, sighing contently when she failed to see how many fingers he was holding up before unlocking the door.

Rey's grip was tight on his hand, but Ben didn't mind as he coaxed her along. The store was only lit up by Christmas lights, the glow reminiscent to that of a thousand candles, soothing and low. Even now, even though he had seen the store like this a million times, the man couldn't help but feel awed, and he struggled to speak above a whisper, as if he was afraid to break a spell. "Okay, step up. That's right… you're doing great. The display is right back here."

When Ben whispered in her ear that it was safe to take the blindfold off, Rey expected him to laugh, to proudly sweep his arms out, show off the display. But it was his worried face that greeted her eyes, his gaze following hers as she looked past him and gasped.

It wasn't so much a display—it was a castle, made out of cardboard bricks, hand cut stars and paper chains decorating its high walls with simple flair. In one of the walls, there was an opening big enough for her to step through, to explore inside, and she did eagerly, childlike intrigue pricking and controlling her movements. She wasn't sure what she was to do in a castle—she had played teacher when she was younger, not princess, but surely Ben could offer her some pointers?

She opened her mouth to ask, to thank him, but then she froze, gaze locked on the prettily-wrapped gift…and then another one…and another. Rey glanced at Ben, mouth dry, eyes wide, wordlessly gesturing at them. "For me?" She could only just choke the words out, slumping to her knees in disbelief as Ben nodded, eyes kind, like his father's, leaning over one of the castle walls, watching her face, trying to keep his heart together at her first tentative touch on the glossy paper.

The pile of presents was small, but she didn't mind. How could she? This was singlehandedly the biggest holiday haul she had received, and she could have cried when Ben did a double take at the pile, running to retrieve a present he had forgotten, his look apologetic, even though there was definitely nothing to be sorry for.

Four presents. Four. Just for her—not to share with the other kids, not to be stolen and pawned off for beer money. Hers. She laughed at herself, the sound wet as tears bit at her cheeks, slid down her neck. "How did you—when did you—oh, Ben…thank you…!"

"Aren't you going to open them?" Her gaping face was adorable and heart-wrenching all the same, as if she had expected him to yank the gifts off her lap, out of her reach, as if she was just happy to be surrounded by the prospect of the holiday tradition. "How? I don't want to rip the paper." Another gentle touch, another tracing finger on the wrapping, and Ben found himself awkwardly squeezing himself into the castle, making a note to find another kit next time—he had grown since the last time he had built one for himself.

One by one, he opened one side of each gift, undoing the seams he had carefully closed with clear tape, passing them to Rey to cautiously slip out of the paper, solemnly placing the unscathed gift wrap at her side. He had never opened presents with someone like this, and he couldn't help but feel honored that she was taking this so seriously. She could have brushed it all off, ripped through the paper without care, but instead she sat reverently, admiring the outside and the inside equally. With each present, the girl would gasp and then hush Ben, chastising him for his apologies that the "gift is too small—they didn't have the right version in stock…"

Her happiness didn't discriminate between gifts—she was just as pleased with the teddy bear as she was with the chemistry set and the toy lightsaber…but her gasp was the loudest when he handed her the last one, the paper slipping off now to reveal a teaching Barbie doll set, the teacher's desk sitting small and proud in its packaging, the tiny apple perched on it glossy and plastic. She thought her tears were done, that her cheeks would be dry for the rest of the night, but now, a grateful sob bubbled

"Okay, so I lucked out with this one—I managed to find the last brunette doll set, so that she can look like you, and you can coordinate lesson plans and outfits." Rey stared at Ben, watching him self-consciously explain himself, rubbing his beard thoughtfully. When he looked up, he had only a second to brace himself before she launched herself at him, arms tight around him in a crushing hug that had him sprawled on the floor, cardboard bricks laying around them from the affectionate demolition.

"Thank you." Two simple words, but they were a gift enough for Ben. Rey beamed up at him, snuggling into him as they laid back, enjoying the glow of the lights around them.

True, they were late to the party, their sweaters rumpled and Ben's hat askew on his head. And yes, they didn't escape the merciless teasing that Finn and Poe had waiting for them with their drinks, though the pair's smiles as they handed over warm drinks to the new couple were pleased and proud. Later on that night, after she had cornered him under the mistletoe, kissing him until she was breathless and redder than his sweater, Rey announced that it was her best Christmas yet. It had been—there was no way to top it.

Ben tucked that announcement away in his mind, wondering if he would be able to top this night for her. Probably not—but he was already thinking of next year, next Christmas, Rey's hand still in his.