Chapter Text
The Naboo rose garden was growing on Takonada. The vegetable patch was doing well too. Friends and allies had donated fruit trees for an orchard, and those were Rey’s care, but the flowerbeds were Ben’s.
It was near these garden grounds, within sight of Maz’s Cantina, that Finn and Rose Tico, and Armitage Hux and Mateo Bolivano took their vows, ordained by Maz Kanata herself — though how she had the authority to do so was nebulous at best. Still, the official paperwork was all in order, bouquets flew in the air, and music started in joyous celebration.
The students had been encouraged to display their artistic abilities, and many made their first sales that day. System dignitaries from all over the galaxy were reassured to find new, peaceful ways for the Force-sensitives to co-exists with 'ordinary' people, and promised more funds for the school. For many species, this meant an end to the witch-hunts.
After the weddings, the couples went on honeymoons while Poe and Ben and Chewie visited Poe’s father on Yavin IV — now that the trauma had diminished for Ben Solo — and then to Kef Bir to visit Poe’son and Jannah, who wanted another child, but would not give up her tribe and the nomad way of life on the wind-swept plains, to Poe’s consternation. He couldn’t imagine a life without flying across the stars, but understood Jannah’s free spirit as almost the same as his own. Their arrangement was an amicable one.
Then, they travelled to Chewie’s homeworld, Kashyyyk. Meeting up with Mallatobuck was crucial to working out the malaise still undermining the relationship between Ben and his cousin Lumpawaroo. The offer to assist in the official mating rite of his cousin was passed as a message to Lumpy, who was away on business.
A few more trips, not smuggling but transporting legitimate cargo, and Ben was relieved no one was asking him for 'diplomatic duties' anymore. Besides, with the Droids, they were working to support Droid rights, and other serf-like people like miners and agro-workers.
That was on top of preparing course-work, something the ex-Master of the Knights of Ren was still learning himself, often remembering how enthusiastically he had proposed to Rey to 'be her teacher and show her the ways of the Force'. She didn’t let him forget it.
A new version of the Je’daii Coda was up on the wall, still not perfect. It would never be. They would constantly seek to improve it, to balance the emotions within.
There is no Light without Darkness,
Light reveals Knowledge
Darkness hides Chaos
I will find the chaos within me
I will face my fears and my anger
I will bring them into the Light
I will accept them as Passion
And to that passion I will give Life
And Joy and Love.
***
The second morning Rey Solo woke up with nausea, she knew this was it. She was not 'late'.
She went to the med facility and took one of the little chemical tests to confirm her state and there it was, written in blue and white. She was not just skipping this month too. The seed had taken.
The next few days of waiting for him to come back were excruciating. Keeping a calm demeanor and their contacts brief was excruciating. Teaching was the only thing she could focus her mind on, though she kept her secret. Her family was finally starting; her days as the Dragon were ending as well. Had she done enough? They had more than two dozen students and saved thousands of people from slavery. They had created a safe place for Force-users, away from war and politics.
Ben and Finn Tico — now back at the school — the others, and her, had put together a real, comprehensive outline for this third contingent of students. They had found fitting ways to deal with the emotions that fuelled the Dark side and the Light side of the Force, though they nuanced it more.
She had found how to deal with her own Dark impulses. Maz had suggested offering her services to salvaging businesses, taking down old buildings or ships for parts. With dancing, it was an interesting substitute. A substitute for the violence that still peeked through now and then. She would have to learn to live without enemies. To live in peace. With hope. As well as Ben had. Ben, who was finally coming home today. How would she let him know?
She wasn't going to run and jump into his arms and squeal "Weeee!" into his ears, cry-laughing like some idiot fan-girl. She had more dignity than that. She put her hand over her womb, took a deep breath and felt inside her. There it was. A tiny heartbeat. It was so very rapid. Wait. Maker! Ah hell, maybe she would jump into his arms.
When Poe, Finn and Chewie came down the gangplank just ahead of Ben Solo they saw Rey running excitedly right pass them straight to her husband, jump into his arms and whisper something into his ear. He stiffened, put her down before him and said: "Are you sure?" and when she yelled "Yes!" He picked her up again and swung her around and around, and then just held her tight. They kissed. He put her down and then he picked up again. They kissed some more. They were totally oblivious to the world around them.
Chewie let out a mighty cry of joy. Poe and Finn looked on half-shocked, half-enchanted by the scene before them, until Poe slapped Finn on the back and said "Guess that leaves you!"
~* The End *~