Going Up!

Chapter Thirty Two

Author's Note:

HELLO, LOVELIES!!!! I am bacccccccccccck! Thank you so so much for your patience as I have taken a hiatus from this fic that is my first love. I have had some real-life stuff going on that has really impacted how this story was coming out, and I hated the way Ben and Rey were coming out each time I sat down to write. I have FINALLY gotten back in my groove with them and really hope you guys enjoy these next few chapters!

The trip home was uneventful, well as uneventful as Ben would allow it to be that is. I slept for most of our extremely early morning flight out of Heathrow, and by the time we landed at JFK, it was only noon on Tuesday, New York time. We exited our plane and picked up our luggage before heading to meet Michael, Ben's driver, who was waiting for us just outside the baggage claim.

As soon as he spotted the two of us, he made a beeline for us, "Mr. Solo, please let me take your bags," he said, trying to retrieve the bags I held after Ben was quick to wave him off. I allow him to take the larger of the two from me, and he smiles warmly at me.

"Thank you," I said, and he smiled at me as he opened the back hatch of the Audi. Ben handed him the rest of our luggage, and we loaded into the SUV.

Once in the backseat, Ben pulled me into the center and I buckled up. His hand wove into mine, and I laid my head on his shoulder. A few moments later, he was shaking me awake as he was opening the car door.

"Rey, babe, we're at my apartment." He smiled over at me, and I grinned at him, my eyelids heavy. I shook my head, trying to shake the sleep away before I slid out of the seat behind him. He pulled me into a tight hug and nuzzled into my neck. "l love you."

Melt. My whole fucking body just melted.

I leaned back and looked up at him, "Ben Solo, I love you too." Pressure was building behind my eyes; I blinked, hoping to avoid the tears I could feel about to fall—the exhaustion of travel combined with my love for this man as overwhelming my senses.

Almost like he could feel the tension rolling off of me, he pulled his hands to my shoulders, leaning me back so he could look into my eyes, "You ok?"

His concern for me was my tipping point; The tears I had been holding began to fall. I nodded and leaned forward again, snuggling my head into his vast expanse of a chest. "I am, I'm just exhausted and overwhelmed."

He rubbed his strong arms along my back before he brought one to my chin, tilting it up to him. "Let's get you upstairs and out of these clothes so you can sleep."

I nodded, pulling away, but lacing my fingers through his, Frank spotted us and was quick to greet us. "Mr. Solo, it's good to have you back, and Rey, you look more gorgeous than ever...wait a minute, is that an engagement ring?" His eyes flew between my eyes and Ben's in delight.

I smiled at him and nodded. He practically jumped with excitement. "Congratulations, Ben!" He dropped all formality and hugged Ben, who smiled broadly.

"Did you just call me Ben?" He chuckled; his arms still wrapped around the young man who tensed briefly. "I've been asking you to call me Ben for four years, and all it took was me getting engaged. Go figure." He released him from the hug, his smile wide.

Frank turned to me, "Well, let's see that skating rink, we all know that he didn't spare any expense for you." I laughed, holding out my hand so he could see the cushion-cut solitaire. He let a long whistle, "Whew, he did well." Frank smiled at me, releasing my hand, and I nodded in delight.

I looked over at Ben, my eyes full of adoration for the man I love so much, "Yes, he did."

Frank grabbed our luggage, and we followed him to the elevator; he swiped his keycard, then lift started to move. Ben leaned down his mouth just barely grazing my ear as his arm wrapped around my waist, his hand settling on my hip.  "When I get you upstairs, I fully intend to strip you naked and eat your pussy, so don't think just because you're tired I'm not going to take care of you." His words were soft, barely audible even to me as he whispered them against the back of my ear and into my hair.