Ben
Varykino was surrounded by lush emerald meadows and a glistening mirror like lake that reflected the golden sun creating a golden blue colour to the lake. We had all stepped off the Falcon to be basked in the warmth of the Naboo country air. Miles from Theed but enough to be free from the woes of the past. It was dead here, in this small corner. Nothing could affect us and it never would.
I watched Rey from the balcony of our room. She had wondered down to the lake removing her boots and turned up her trousers to feel the warm water kiss her feet. It was worshipping her like the goddess she is and it made my insides constrict with a pang of jealousy. I could tell she was smiling with her eyes closed to the sun in a childlike awe.
I changed into a black shirt that wasn't as constricting as my fighting gear and my trousers were looser. It felt strange to wear such casual attire but very freeing simultaneously.
The door creeked open behind me. "Ben?" The voice was small and still unsure. I was still so unsure to here a term of endearment off the small child's lips and I could tell that she sensed that in me.
"Yes, Venus?" I felt her walk up beside me and my muscles tensed slightly.
"Why are you shy?"
I looked at her, my eyes were wide and shocked at the clarity with which she could see through me for a child of her age. I noticed Rey had taken down her buns to allow her platinum hair to billow freely, it was long, down to her waist. "Shy?"
Venus nodded, I could hear her thoughts contemplating whether to call Rey 'mother' or simply Rey. It was for my benefit as opposed to hers and my heart warmed slightly towards her. "Rey said you aren't sure if you want to be my father."
She was blunt and straight to the point, how was she sure that Rey wasn't her biological mother? I didn't know how to tell her, make her understand. "I'm not a good man, Venus. And if you knew half the things that I had done, you wouldn't want me to be your father."
She stared at me, straight through me actually. "You have a good heart. Rey said you wanted to let the past die, wouldn't that make me and Baby and Rey your future?"
"A future is hard to accept just as much as forgetting the past."
"But your future is bright?"
"Only if we don't get found." My voice sounded distant. I was glum and Venus was right, the future was looking up for me, something I was unused to that I was sure it was a dream. Or a cruel joke that someone was playing on me. A deception to jangle the atrocities of my past in front of me with such an accepting family.
"If who finds us?"
"The First Order. Rey and I are fugitives, Venus."
"And Kerra?"
I sighed and looked down at Rey from this great height. She was so peaceful and revelling in the opportunity. "She is safe."
"Ben?"
"Yes, Venus?"
"Would you tuck me into bed and read me a story please?"
I gave a small chuckle and obliged. "You don't have to call me Ben, Venus."
Venus smiled broadly, it was nice innocent smile and she said, "Okay, Papa."
Rey
The waves tickled my bare feet, kissing them tenderly. The sun was dipping low behind the dark green hills. I knew it was time to go inside but I didn't want to. The only thing that made me turn and walk towards the lake house was my ravenous stomach rumbling. Ever since I woke up in the hospital bed, I have been starving. Whatever I ate just wasn't enough, it didn't satiate my hunger. I suppose that was normal considering Baby inside of me.
That reminded me, I wanted to look over Ben's list he had made. I waltzed into the house smelling sweet spicy aromas. My feet dragged me towards the source of the aromatic air. "Rey?"
Kerra was bouncing around a large, lavish kitchen tinkering around pots and pans. Fresh bread and fruits were displayed elegantly on the table. "You made all this?"
"Yep."
I approached the table and my stomach growled. Or perhaps it was Baby aching to be fed. "Where's Ben and Venus?" I asked.
Kerra smiled warmly. "Ben is upstairs reading Venus a story."
My heart warmed dramatically as Kerra signalled for me to take a seat. I obliged and a bowl of aromatic smelling broth was placed in front of me. "It smells divine, Kerra." I broke off some fresh bread and placed it besides my bowl. Grabbing the spoon and laidened it with a healthy mouthful. It tasted delicious. "Kerra this is wonderful."
"Thank you." She said taking a seat.
Moments later Ben walked in and took a seat next to me. His bowl was still hot and he tucked in silently. "This broth is very good, Kerra." I smiled.
Having finished my own, I excused myself and sauntered up the large marble stairs. I felt heavy and tired in need of sleep.
The room Ben had showed me too was large and full of splendour. The ivory drawers that I opened contained many silk and tulle nightgowns. Much too extravagant for me but feeling the fabrics made me want to wear them. I pulled out a lilac one which had a plunging neckline and flowed down to my ankles. I changed into it and pulled back the cover to the bed. It was soft and fluffy when I laid down. So much room. Such comfort I had never known until a year ago. I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
A deep churning low in my abdomen woke me up. The room was dark only lit by the glow of a single candle to the side of me. I didn't care.
Hurling myself out of the bed, I ran into the refresher and knelt over the toilet just in time to throw up my guts. I felt hot and feverish all over and for the first time since throwing up only hours ago, I noticed how sore and tender my breasts were. I groaned still vomiting into the toilet. Sweat dripped off of me. If we are to get along, Baby, you have to be nice to mummy! I mentally scolded my unborn child.
I felt my hair lifted from my face and gentle circles rubbing at my back. "Are you okay?" Ben's voice was low and gruff from sleep but soft with concern.
"Mmmm" I murmured too soon as the next wave of sickness took over. I hated this. This was horrible. I wanted to sleep undisturbed and I wanted to keep the food I ate inside of me.
"Drink this." Ben said lowering a cup to my lips. I sat back having finished vomiting and leaned against the cool tiled wall. Ben knelt down in front of me, "Better."
"Yes. Although I don't feel it."
"Come on." Ben said and he scooped me up into his arms the way he had when he kidnapped me on Takodana. That seemed like a lifetime ago. He placed me gently on the bed and got in beside me pulling me into his warm bare chest. He placed a hand over my abdomen and whispered in my ear, "Baby has gotten bigger."
I turned and looked at him. "You can hardly tell."
He grinned and said, "It's swollen slightly." I huffed and closed my eyes. Even so, I placed my hand on my abdomen and found Ben was right, there was a small swell there and I found myself smiling. "How come I haven't noticed these are bigger?" Ben chided lightly groping my breasts.
"Ow." I whined smacking his hand away. "Let me sleep."
Ben chuckled. The sound was low and vibrated through his chest onto my back. "I will take you on our wedding night."