Inevitable, A modern day Reylo AU

Chapter 19 - Anticipation

A/N - Hi Everyone!  I just want to start by thanking all of you for sticking with this story.  I know its taken  A LONG TIME to get our Stupidheads here - and sorry, but there are a few more chappies to go before the moment of realization - but it'll all be worth it in the end!  It is, after all, a SLOW BURN (lol).  The good stuff is right around the corner though - I promise.  Just....not quite yet though.  I had to get a few plot points in before that all happens.... Anyhoo, I hope you like it!  Please comment and vote!  Enjoy!!

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The next few weeks passed by quickly.  As usual, Rey was busy with work, and before she knew it there were only a few days left until they were to leave for the Bahamas.  It was Monday evening, and she had her earbuds in, listening to music while riding the T home after a long day.  Closing her eyes, she tuned out her surroundings and thought about life - about everything that had happened lately – and how she felt now that the dust was finally starting to settle.

All in all, it hadn't been the worst couple of weeks to get through.  Life was slowly getting back to a new normal for her – one without Finn.  Surprisingly though, she found that she really didn't miss him all that much, which she knew was rather telling.  It gave her a fresh perspective on what their relationship had actually become by the end.  Looking back on it now, she felt a bit foolish for letting it go on as long as it had, clearly having convinced herself that what they'd had had been real and solid – a foundation to build upon for the future, when it really wasn't. Anna had gently tried to tell her that, but she'd been too stubborn to listen.

It still felt odd coming home to an empty apartment every day, knowing that it would be just as empty later, unless Ben was coming over.  However, for the first time in a long time she felt free.  Now, the apartment was hers; she could do whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted, thankful to no longer feel like she was walking on eggshells when she was home, worried about saying or doing something that would piss Finn off.  That alone felt like a giant weight had been lifted from her shoulders.  She hadn't realized how much that had been wearing on her and generally stressing her out.

Also, she didn't have to tiptoe around the subject of Ben any more.  It hadn't been a daily issue between them, but she'd always felt that Finn got a little weird – almost out of sorts - whenever she mentioned seeing him, texting him, or talking to him.  Wanting to avoid the conflict, she'd simply spoken of their interactions less and less as time went on.  Not having to worry about it any more was like a breath of fresh air, and she was happy and relieved to finally be able to talk to him as often as she wanted, without worrying about what anyone else – especially Finn - might think.

Ben.  The mere thought of him brought a sure smile to her face these days.

Thinking back to those first few days after the breakup, he'd been simply amazing – and so very patient with her.  She'd stayed at his place until Sunday that week, crashing on his couch for those few days when she'd still felt so raw over Finn's infidelity that she hadn't wanted to return to the apartment, knowing that if she went home she'd be completely alone, and would probably stew over it.  His earnest words floated back to her.

That's what friends do, Rey.

He was right – she knew he was.  That's what friends – best friends especially - did for friends who were hurting.  But somehow, she'd felt.....cared for....by Ben in a way that she never had been before.  He'd literally thought of everything to make her feel better, and to make her comfortable at his place.  They'd cooked, talked, laughed – just spent time together – and those few days had helped to strengthen her spirit and lift her out of the pit she felt like she'd fallen into when she found those panties.