Ben can't breathe as Rey walks down the aisle. It isn't the dress or the veil or the flowers. She could be wearing a flour sack with dirt on her cheeks and he wouldn't have felt any different. She's walking towards him, towards their future, with the cheeky grin that he first fell in love with. Their eyes met and Ben feels as though he's going to faint. He's never loved anyone in his entire life as much as he loves Rey in this moment. Her father kisses her cheek and Ben steps down to take his place. He takes her hand and leads her up to the minister.
"Marriage. Marriage is what brings us together today. That blessed arrangement, that dream within a dream. And love, true love, will follow you forever." The minister turns to Ben. "The rings please." Ben's best man hands them over. "I believe you wrote your own vows, if you would like to go ahead with them now."
Ben looks over at his beautiful wife to be and takes her hand in his. "Rey. You have given my life so much purpose, so much joy. You are quite literally a ray of light. From the moment I saw you, I knew you were the one for me. I cannot imagine my life without you and cannot wait to see what our future holds. I swear to love, to honor, to cherish you in all things, in this life and beyond. I love you." He slides the ring onto her finger, tears threatening to slip down his cheeks.
She gives his hand a squeeze, "Benjamin Solo. The day I met you was possibly the most embarrassing I have had yet." This gains a few chuckles from the crowd and a grin from him. "It was also the best day of my life. Never before have I met someone who's soul meshes so easily with my own and I know I never will again. You are my soulmate, my husband, my everything. From this day forward, I promise to love, obey, honor, and care for you, no matter what comes our way, till death divides us, and even then, I will follow you into the dark. I love you with my whole being and will never stop." She wiggles the ring onto his finger, tears falling freely. They both look to the minister.
"By the power vested in me, I know pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Ben looks to Rey, excitement turning to cold horror as his wife's face oozes blood from multiple cuts and bruises, her eyes swollen nearly shut. She lays a wet hand on his cheek. "Why, Ben? Why did you do this to me?" A car bursts through the wall behind her, racing towards them.
He jolts awake, screaming into the silent darkness of his bedroom, tears streaming down his cheeks. His fists grip the sheets, sweat clinging to his body, his heartbeat racing. "Rey." He whispers, looking over at the box that holds the rings they were to exchange and the neat piece of paper with her vows written in her scribbly handwriting. "I'm so sorry." He hangs his head, defeated by the thoughts of his dead fiancé. "I'm so sorry."
A/N: As forewarned, angsty story. And yes, I did use the Princess Bride marriage speech...just couldn't help myself. Drop me a review if you liked it.
