Chapter Text
One year later
“You look perfect,” Ben murmured, bending over to kiss Rey on glossy lips.
“I’m not sure you’re supposed to see me—bad luck and all that,” Rey replied with a giggle.
“Your premise is scientifically unsound. Besides, I’m just the best man.”
Rey leaned into the kiss, murmuring, “That you are.”
“Hey, you two,” Rose said crossly. “I’m the bride here. This is kinda my day.”
Rey shot Rose an apologetic look as she tried to extricate herself from Ben’s arms. It wasn’t easy considering he was refusing to let go.
“You look gorgeous as well, Rose,” Ben said with a grin.
Rey watched her friend melt instantly and tried not to roll her eyes. Despite Rose’s devotion to Finn, she swore the other girl was half in love with Ben. Rey’s boyfriend had that effect on people.
They were standing on broad stone steps leading up to the county clerk’s office, about to see a judge so Rose and Finn’s union could be formalised. Ben had emerged from inside the building where Finn was already waiting.
Ben wore the groom’s choice of attire for the day—a sleeveless black t-shirt that revealed his tattooed arms for unabashed viewing. Finn had been quite insistent on it since the good Dr Solo refused to display his ink at work. Ben’s tailored black slacks, black leather belt and polish black Oxfords made a surprisingly elegant counterpoint to his t-shirt and tattoos. Finn was dressed similarly, except his t-shirt bore the cartoon imprint of a white bow tie.
Rose looked radiant in a dress of white organza with a layered skirt that ended at her knees, her dark curls gathered atop her head and pinned with a short veil. Rey wore a lavender satin slip dress to match Rose’s bouquet of lavender and white roses. In a pram being pushed by Dr Maz Kanata, dressed like a queen in a violet blue gown, lay baby Paige, rosy-cheeked and fast asleep despite her initial fury at being stuffed into a lavender fairy dress with a puffy tulle skirt.
Finn and Rose had decided long ago that they weren’t interested in having a big fancy wedding, but Rey was aware Ben had booked a room at Tatooine’s premier dining establishment as a surprise. The Mos Eisley Cantina promised delicious food and sparkling drinks, and she knew it was going to be a very good day.
Rey drew a deep breath as she surveyed her friends and colleagues—her family. A year had gone by since Ben and her became official, and it had been a riotous and rewarding time. They were two highly intelligent and strong-willed individuals which made for an explosive coupling, but it turned out that was a good thing both in and out of the bedroom.
During their time together they had collaborated and published two papers in reputable journals, and even spent a month in China at the invitation of the government. Ben had examined newly discovered prehistoric skeletal remains while Rey hobnobbed with her Chinese counterpart in an effort to build cordial international relationships.
On a personal front, Ben introduced Rey to his Uncle Luke. He was a brilliant former professor of philosophy who now ran the Skywalker Foundation, having taken over from Ben’s mother. Rey liked the bearded man with his piercing blue eyes and genial nature, more so when she realised he was watching Ben closely the entire time they were together, making sure his nephew was alright.
Three months into their relationship, Ben asked Rey to move in with him. It really was the most logical thing to do since they were spending all their time together anyway. His sleek apartment now housed her collection of novelty mugs with sayings like ‘Back in my day, we had nine planets’ and ‘The science might be theoretical, but the fun is real!’ Ben had taken to drinking his coffee from a white mug with a picture of a black cat gripping a bone declaring, “I found this humerus.”
Rey had never been happier, snuggled beside Ben as she watched the latest season of Star Trek while he ripped apart their concepts of space and time. She had to be careful of the number of Oreos she inhaled in her contentment, but otherwise all was bliss. Rose’s announcement she and Finn were tying the knot was just another reason to celebrate.
Before Rey knew it, the entire party was standing inside the judge’s chambers, Finn so nervous he looked nauseous and Rose glowing like a star in the night sky. They exchanged their vows and Finn shed a tear, which Rey never intended to let him live down. The happy couple signed the official paperwork before Ben and Rey witnessed the document, and Maz stood beaming while baby Paige slept through the momentous event of her parents’ marriage.
Afterwards, Ben announced his gift of a paid dinner reservation which earned him a kiss from Rose, a bear hug from Finn, and an “Oh, thank goodness- somewhere to get a drink” from Maz. As the group made their way to the restaurant two streets away, Rey waited for Ben to do what he always did.
Ben slipped his arm around Rey’s waist, his hand gripping her possessively on the hip, right where her tattoo lay concealed by smooth fabric. Cartoon Yoda had been joined by two tiny bright blue butterflies taking flight. On Ben’s chest, flapping their way out of the darkness of a skeletal mouth, were his own blue butterflies, added to his design the same day Rey received hers.
“You know what I think, Dr Solo?” Rey murmured, smiling up at him.
“What is it you have observed, Dr Niima?” he replied.
“I do believe you’re happy.”
The corners of his plush mouth quirked upwards but he didn’t give in to his grin. “What evidence do you have of such a condition?”
“You’re with me, for one thing.”
Ben mock frowned. “I don’t follow your reasoning.”
“Well, I love you,” Rey said solemnly. “That would make anyone happy.”
He lifted his eyebrows. “This is not new information. Perhaps I should have specified you tell me something pertinent.”
“How’s this for pertinent—the sooner we finish dinner, the quicker we’re alone and I get to show you the see-through purple lace bodysuit I’m wearing under this dress.”
The hand on her hip tightened until Rey was sure he’d leave a bruise. “Damnit woman, why didn’t you tell me sooner?” he growled.
“I didn’t want to distract you,” she replied with a sweet smile.
“Consider me distracted. Can we leave now?”
Rey stifled a laugh. “Let’s wait until we’re a few drinks in so Rose, Finn and Maz aren’t too upset that we’ve dumped them.”
Ben stopped in the middle of the street, turning her around so he could look into shining hazel eyes. “I love you, Rey. Truly, madly, deeply.”
“Ah, but would you get that tattooed across your heart?” she teased, her pulse skipping a beat.
“It already is—you just can’t see.”
Rey blushed, so happy she could cry.
Who could have predicted all those months ago when she first met the brooding Dr Solo that he would turn out to be the partner, lover and kindred spirit she thought she’d never find? Some facts were indisputable and some relationships unavoidable—as necessary to life as blood and bone.