tramitem_comm | Texts sent to Ben Kenobi

it scares me to death, but yes. Yes, please.

>> She's only ten.
>> That's not that scary
>> You teach children her age all the time

Yes, but they don't hold the... power to make me unhappy. I want her to like me.

>> I can see how you'd worry about that.
>> But she's gone through this before with her mother remarrying.
>> I think she'll like you.

I guess at least I don't have to worry about her thinking I'm trying to be her mom?

[ If Bail had been drinking when reading this he would have spit-take'd ]

>> She's had a thorough, age appropriate education about health and sexuality.

[ Shortly followed by ]

>> I cannot guarantee she will instantly like you, but I'm sure she won't mean. And she will definitely not think you are her new mom.

I love you - and my nerves don't mean I'm not excited.

Glad you're her dad, though. And that sex education has improved.

>> I love you, too.
>> I send her to an excellent school.
>> When are you free?

For this? As soon as you are and she is.

>> Elizabeth is with me this week. I don't want to assume we can take your Holiday plans, but if you're free before Thanksgiving, so are we.

My plans up until the holiday are wide open. What time and which day?

>> We both have the whole week off
>> Work for me, school for Elizabeth
>> So whatever time and day works best for you

How about Wednesday at 2?

>> That works.

It worked for him, too.

He showed up on time, sans bottle of wine - or other gift, this time - and showed up in jeans and sneakers with a Grpahic Tee and jacket, knocked on the door and absolutely refused to be nervous.

He was nervous anyway, but mostly because what meeting Elizabeth meant, rather than of meeting Elizabeth.

Bail was quick to get to the door when Ben arrived, but not as quick as his daughter. She was just a few seconds ahead of him.

So it was Elizabeth who actually opened the door.

Dark hair, dark eyes, she was very clearly Bail’s daughter. And of course, the same girl that featured in most of the family pictures scattered throughout Bail’s home.

“Are you Ben?” she asked, looking up at him. Was it skepticism in her expression or curiosity? At the least, she didn't appear outwardly hostile.

Bail entered the scene at this point. He pulled the door wider, smiling at Ben to reassure him. “Yes, this is Ben. Ben, this is Elizabeth.”

The look Ben gives Bail when asked if he's Ben is a little bit bewildered, but not in a way that's lacking amusement. He appreciates the introduction, though.

He flashes a smile at her once he's inside. "Yes, I'm Ben. Do you shake hands or would you rather just stick with the contact free introduction?"

Elizabeth, without prompting from her father, extended her hand for Ben to shake. The gesture was a bit sharp, be she looked up at Ben expectantly, still with no malice on her face.

"Once you're both done with introductions," Bail said. "I thought maybe we could go to Rockafeller Square."

Everyone here liked to skate and this was quite a public place with many options for food nearby. In Bail's mind, it seemed like a perfect, low-key way to spend the afternoon getting to know each other.

He's happy to shake her hand, firm and adult but not so firm and adult it was likely to be... overbearing. Just a handshake and a, "It's a pleasure; I've been looking forward to meeting you."

Then Bail got an outright grin from him. "All right, but if you're pulling a limo out from somewhere I need to change clothes." Total tease, that, and he hopes the grin shows that. He's actually really really happy. Skating, food, out, lower pressure for out-

"Oh, that's what I forgot," Bail said, playing into the joke. "I forgot to tell the driver to bring around the limo."

Elizabeth looked from her father to Ben with confusion, not getting the joke. Grown-ups.

"We can stop by your place and you can pick up your skates?"

He looks down and flashes a smile. "Good idea. What happens when I'm using rental skates is almost as embarrassing as when I use new ones." Not joking, actually, though he says it in good humor. "Maybe between the pair of us we can get your dad to keep working on a jump?"

"Go up and grab your skates," Bail said to Elizabeth, and at the same time he waived Ben in. The car was out back anyway so they'd have to go through the house to get to it.

By the time the door was shut, Elizabeth was up the stairs, and Bail felt he could lean and give Ben a kiss.

"Thank you," he said, and then he added optimistically, "It's going well so far, I think." And he hoped Ben saw it that way, too.

He returned the kiss without more than the slightest amount of caution, and that slight amount was probably the appropriate amount to keep it quick and keep an ear open for Elizabeth.

"I think so, too, and I think going out to do something is a stroke of genius." Bail was smart. Really smart. One of many things Ben loved about him.

"Hmm," Bail said, appraising Ben. "What comforts you more? That this isn't my first rodeo or that as a therapist that does work with families, I generally know good ideas for these sorts of situations?"

He stops for a moment and considers that, but without any real discomfort and his smile stays in place. "That it isn't your first rodeo, I think, but you could just let me stick with appreciating that you're smart."

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