Rey woke to the sound of Kylo talking softly,

'And so we thought we were enemies, but the force knew better and it brought us together and now it has brought us you.'

The baby gurgled.

'You probably already knew all this didn't you? Those eyes look like they know more than you are letting on little one.'

Rey kept her eyes shut and pretended she was still asleep so she could listen.

'It is fortuitous for your mother that the force decided on a different path for us, because we both know daddy is the stronger fighter.'

'Hey!' Rey said sitting up in bed.

Kylo smiled at her, 'I knew you were eavesdropping.'

Rey smiled and rolled her eyes, 'Give me my son so I can teach him who is really in charge around here.'

'Oh, no need to teach him that he already knows it's him.' Kylo said as he placed the baby in Rey's arms. 'Rey? While you were resting he has chosen a name.'

'Really?' Rey said looking down at her little boy.

'He wants to be given the name Ben.'

Rey stilled, 'how do you feel about that?'

'I think...I think it's an honour that he wants to take my name and...I want to give it to him. It symbolises that a part of me will always be with him. I like that.'

Overcome with emotion and still feeling the hormonal effects of pregnancy, Rey let her tears fall freely. 'Kylo that's so beautiful. I think you are finally coming to terms with your past and letting it go. It no longer defines you.'

'No, my actions define me and you and our son.'

'We have to try to do better now, Kylo. For him.' Rey said looking down at the sleeping infant.

'We do.' Kylo agreed. Placing a hand on her shoulder and gazing down at the baby.

Leia popped her head around the door, 'I hear that the little prince is here?'

'He is.' Kylo said walking towards his mother and taking her arm in his. Leia looked surprised but delighted by the contact.

'Come meet him.' Kylo coaxed.

Rey held Ben out to Leia. She received him carefully and looked at him in awe. Rey and Kylo both felt the joy that radiated from her.

'He looks so much like you, Kylo.' She murmured.

Rey squeezed Kylo's hand and he instinctively knew what she wanted him to say.

'Leia, we've named the baby. Actually, he chose his own name. He wants to be called Ben.'

Leia pulled in a sharp breath and held it for a moment. Her eyes filled with tears,

'Hello Ben.' She said softly, stroking his soft hair. 'I will do better this time.' She whispered. 'I will be present...I won't leave you. I won't make the same mistakes. I will share your burdens little one.'

Kylo cleared his throat. But Rey felt how much his mother's words had affected him. The rift between them was closing more each day,

'In light of this and recent events,' he began, 'I have decided that we would be stronger together. With this in mind I want to propose that we start negotiations for a truce between the rebels and the order and then later perhaps even a partnership can be formed between us to share rule, we shall have to look into the logistics of it all.'

Rey and Leia looked at each other in shock. It is what they had both hoped for in secret but they hadn't realised that Kylo would come to the same conclusion so soon.

Kylo continued, 'it's about time I began listening to others, I think I am ready to start trusting again and I don't want a world at war for my son. I want him to know a lifetime of joy and happiness.'

'We are all open to that.' Leia said simply with a knowing smile.

'I am glad. It will take some time to hash out the details I am sure. It is probably best if you make preparations to stay here on a more permanent basis.'

Leia nodded. Looking down at Ben, 'I would be very happy to stay and spend time with my grandson.'

'Finn will also be welcome to attend, he did help save my life after all.'

Rey sighed, 'this feels right.' She said. 'This is how it should be.'

'Yes I feel...lighter and more at peace than I have in a long time.' Kylo agreed.

'Perhaps we are finally finding the balance.' Leia said kissing her grandson's forehead.

Later when Kylo and Rey were back in their own quarters, Rey woke from a nap to find Kylo lying on the bed next to her with Ben contently sleeping on his bare chest. Rey smiled down at them. She had left Ben in his cot next to the bed while she slept. Obviously, the supreme leader was right about who was the boss now. Ben already had his father wrapped around his finger. Rey lay down next to them feeling as if her heart might burst. Everything she ever wanted, acceptance, love, a family, it was all around her and though she knew there would still be hard times ahead, she knew they could handle anything as long as they were together. As sleep claimed her once more, she remembered her past and once again wondered if this was the true will of the force all along or if they had shaped their own destinies? She yawned. It didn't matter anyway. What mattered most was that they were happy and safe and hopefully they would remain that way for many years to come.