Chapter 3: Goodbye. I Love You.

Nine months later, Rey finds herself flat on her back in the new medical facility on Ahch-To, her adopted home planet.

Ben summons Poe and Finn as soon as his wife goes into labor. For many hours, all three men flank Rey and hold her hands. Ben at one point cradles his wife in his lap. All through that day and into the night, Rey curses Finn and Poe by name - an insincere reaction brought on by the agonizing pains of childbirth.

At last, with a scream, Rey pushes the baby out, so that the infant's cries mix in with her own. Finn is handed the bundle by the Caretakers serving as midwives; after taking one look at his son, the former Stormtrooper bursts into tears. Poe stands over the sight proudly, reaching out a tentative finger to tickle the child's brown skin.

"Congratulations," Ben breathes, reminding the men to turn back to the reason they are now fathers. Poe strides over to Rey and plants a kiss on her cheek.

"You did absolutely brilliant," he whispers, almost in awe. His tears fall on her upturned face. "Thank you. For giving him to us."

Rey smiles. "You're welcome. Can I please hold my baby now... I mean your baby?" she falters. The drugs are still wearing off, leaving her more impulsive in her speech than she would like. Also, she might be the birth mother, but she doesn't have any real claim on the child now that it has emerged from her womb. At least, according to the documents she and Ben signed. Finn and Poe are his parents, and will raise him as they see fit. Yet Poe agrees, and helps Finn guide the bundle into Rey's arms. As soon as she beholds him, Rey falls instantly in love. He has Finn's skin tone, that much is certain. Yet she sees Poe's eyes. And most breathtaking of all, the shape of her face... her nose.

"Kitt," Poe announces the infant's name. "Kitt Dameron."

"And Rey," Finn adds. "Poe and I have been talking and... we know what the paperwork says and all that. But... we want you to remain in Kitt's life as much as possible. Would you do us the honor of being his godmother?"

Gulping back a sob, Rey nods eagerly.

The baby is allowed to remain with Rey for several months on Ahch-To, so that she can breastfeed him and properly wean him. Poe and Finn commute to the Jedi hideaway from Yavin IV.

When Kitt is eight months old, a baptism is conducted on the shores of Ahch-To. As the godmother and with Ben by her side as his godfather, Rey baptizes her biological son in the peaceful waters. As the calm waves wash over him, Rey can feel Kitt's Force signature sigh with the sensation.

That very same evening, Poe and Finn congregate with the Solos and Kitt by the docks, their bags all packed. It is no different than when the four (and then five) have parted over these many months. But this time it is different. In one critical respect. "It's time for us to bring Kitt home."

Rey looks to her husband, almost stricken. She doesn't want to let the baby go, as her grip on him tightens ever so slightly. Slipping into her mind, Ben witnesses a Force signature in turmoil: agony, grief, longing.

Rey turns back to Kitt and gazes at him forlornly, overcome with love. Her tears slide like a waterfall from her face and pitter-patter onto Kitt like sweet rain. With a shuddering breath, Rey kisses her son one last time.

"Goodbye," she croaks out. "I love you." Gingerly, she hands the bundle to Poe and watches the Damerons board their ship.

Only after they have taken off does she fall apart in Ben's arms, clutching at him as she heaves wracking sobs.