Training Wheels ♥︎ Book 1

Chapter 19

Ben frowned as Han Solo stood up adjacent to his ex-wife, both looking down at Ben. Han smiled lightly at the sight of his son, the corners of his eyes wrinkling. "Hey, son."

"Han." Ben acknowledged him, scowling. Han sighed.

"No, Han, it's the government that said he's to keep your name. Honestly, in my opinion, Ben Solo sounds better anyway. That's supposed to be a compliment, so don't get riled. Ben Solo sounds better than Ben Organa-Solo. Or Ben Organa. That just sounds bad."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. Seriously, though. What the hell does it matter it sounds better? A name's a name, Leia."

"Jesus, Han. That's besides the point, anyway." Leia turned back toward Ben. Ben was so busy watching his parents bicker that he had forgotten that they were here for him." Ben sat up straighter, letting his mother know that he was not intimidated.

Leia folded her arms, pursing her mouth. "Who's this, Ben?" She said fake-sweetly, gesturing to Hux.

"Oh, this is my friend." Ben said quickly. Hux gave him a look, then turned the other way, grasping his hand over his mouth to keep himself from laughing out loud.

Hux looked back at Leia and Han and shook both of their hands at once. It was Ben's turn to try not to laugh. "It's nice to meet you both." He said, grinning.

"Are you dating my son?" Leia asked, still shaking Hux's hand.

"W-what?"

"Ben, here. Are you dating him?"

Han had stopped shaking Hux's hand a while ago, but Hux and Leia still had a firm grip on one another's hand. They were forcefully shaking their hands, their eyes locked. Then Han had to step in and say, "Okay, Leia, you're scaring the kid." Leia let go of Hux's hand, tilting her chin up at Hux.

Ben stood up. "Yeah, mom. Yeah, we're dating."

Leia's mouth dropped open. She looked at Han, who had his mouth in a small smile. "Congratulations, son." He said softly.

"Congratulations?!" Leia looked back at Ben. "Well, I didn't know this  happened while you were at college for a mere 3 weeks. Hell, I didn't even know you were gay, Ben."

"Oh my god, mom. First thing is, I'm not. Second thing is, you didn't exactly give me the chance to ever talk to you about-"

"If you're not gay, what do you call this, then?"

"Um, you don't need to be gay to date a person of your own gender, mom."

"Isn't that how that whole thing worked?!" Leia sounded genuinely confused, making Han snort with laughter into his palm and say, "Oh, Jesus." Leia glared at him, and then looked back at Ben.

"Whatever." Leia looked at Hux. "It was nice to... meet you... I guess. Ben," Leia looked back at her son. "You're coming straight home with me. Me and your father were at a business meeting with 2 clients and we were unfortunate enough to see this. We sent you to college to learn, not to have romantic endeavors. I mean like, first you not being in the family business, and now-"

"Mom! Enough about the fucking family business!!!" Ben flipped his shit and yelled, throwing his hands in the air. "I've heard enough of it! I did what I wanted to do, and you're just gonna have to- HEY!!" Ben didn't notice that he's started advancing toward his mother, and his father was now holding him back from doing something he might regret. Like hitting her in public, for example. Ben had forgotten that they were in a restaurant. He wiggles out of his father's arms and turned away, looking back towards Hux.

Hux gave him a small smile, walked toward Ben and put his hand in Ben's again. He squeezed it again, thus calming down Ben. Ben smiled back and Hux. Luckily for the 2 of them, they took advantage of Han and Leia's background arguing about their son. They noticed the waitress pass by and they asked for the check early, receiving it in less than 30 seconds later. They signed it, and Hux put his arm around Ben.

Han and Leia were still arguing. Leia screaming about how Ben had to pay the price, and Han screaming back at her to let it go. Hux and Ben walked away from the huge scene Leia and Han were making, Ben taking one last glance back at his parents. Leia noticed them leaving and she screamed, "Benjamin Solo, come back here and listen to me, dammit! I'm your mother, and this is not over!!!"

"Dammit, Leia, let. It. GO!" Han put a hand on Leia's shoulder, that being the last thing Ben saw of his parents and the Cheesecake Factory for that night. Hux and Ben went back to holding hands. Ben sighed when he realized that they left without even finishing their meal or getting dessert.

But at least he had a newfound respect for his father now.