Success! I finished this chapter and hope to finish the epilogue by tomorrow. Enjoy friends! This saga is coming to an end.

Chapter 23

She was spending another night as a politician, completely prepared and resigned to this idea.

Leia was dressed to the nines, as always, in a slim, satin green dress with thin straps and a twisted back. Her hair was even more complicated than usual. She had more time to prep with Chewie there to entertain her son and Han not there to distract her.

She left her apartment with a kiss for her son. She made sure he had his pajamas on and was ready for bed before Chewie arrived. Less of a battle for the Wookie was always better. She already girded herself for a long night and to return to her bed long after her son was asleep.

She had met with Mon earlier in the day so they could strategize together about their game plan for the evening. Who would target which Senator, who would avoid which Ambassador, and how they would both take the burden of talking with the 'problem children.' Meaning the officials who were notoriously hard to put up with or to negotiate with.

And it was with one of their 'problem children' whom she found herself speaking with for over half an hour. Actually, she was doing less of the talking and more of the listening. With a glass in her hand, she swirled the air that had long occupied the empty container. Gods, what she wouldn't give for another drink. She was already two deep but could certainly benefit from a third.

The party was hosted by a few of the wealthy influencers whom Leia was obligated to work with on a regular basis. And they knew everyone, everyone with any sort of political power was present that night.

While the man in front of her talked on and on, her eyes scanned the room, and religiously followed the droids who were carrying trays of filled glasses. Alas, those droids seemed to be avoiding her like the plague. Thus her glass remained empty and she continued to half-listen as the Senator finally seemed to wrap up his life story.

Leia plastered her charming smile on her face as she pretended to be amused. "Fascinating, Senator," she rolled as she shook her head. "You should really publish your memoirs."

Her sarcasm cloaked with charm was always well received, this time just as always. "Funny you should say that," his eyes brightened as she hit on another topic he was even happier to pursue. "I have a draft that I would appreciate…"

She saw where this was going and immediately acted to abort this conversation. "That reminds me…" she quickly turned the subject, her eyes growing only slightly as she panicked. "I've been meaning to ask you, what are your priorities for this term?"

That was the best topic she could come up with in the moment.

The man was about to take her cue to pivot when she nearly jumped out of her skin as she felt someone's fingers clutch onto either side of her waist.

"Gaaah!" She shrieked as she flailed her arms and bent her knees to pull away from her attacker, a fight or flight reflex rarely seen from her by the company in the room. Now she was glad that her glass was only filled with air.

She stepped to the side with her arms automatically moving into a defensive stance. Hearing a familiar amused chuckle, she felt herself being pulled towards this new being and barely caught his face as his lips took over hers.

She knew those lips. She knew this kiss. She didn't know how it was possible that she could be experiencing this here and now. He wasn't supposed to get back for another few days. Yet here he was and here she was. Where were they again?

She felt her back bend as he supported her with his arm cradling her shoulders and his other hand at her waist. Her cool, confident demeanor that she had worn into this party was completely stripped. And all that was left of her melted into his embrace.

Moving her lips over his with even more fervor, she flung her arms to caress the nape of his neck and used her other arm to cling to her shoulders, tipping the glass that she still held, air spilling everywhere.

Han's grin as she pulled away gave her miracle level healing to her soul. "Surprise, sweetheart," he lilted as he took a moment to look into her bright eyes from her recumbent position before lifting her back onto her feet.

She exhaled as some of the feelings came back into her limbs. The first thing out of her mouth brought her back to there here and now. "How did you get through security?" She asked as her eyes scanned to the people around her who were pretending they weren't staring.

His eyes gleamed with mirth as he kept her arms in his hands.

She tilted her head at his expression. "How?"

"Told them I was Mr. Organa."

He giggled along with her as he lowered his forehead to hers.

She rolled her head to the left and then to the right. "You scared my companion away."

He shook his head, keeping himself pressed against her like glue. "Yeah, not sorry."

"Me neither…" She said under her breath as she raised her lips to his for another much needed peck.

She stepped back, reaching behind her to place her empty glass on a table.

Only he didn't let her get far.

"Let's go," he said as he linked her fingers with his and pulled her back to him.

Her eyebrows crossed as she stood stock-still. "Go where?"

"Home," he said obviously as he successfully pulled her to the side of the room.

She finally took notice of his image below his lips. He had the wrinkled appearance of a man who hadn't changed his shirt, vest, or pants for the past three days. He had obviously come here right after he landed.

"Han, honey," she uttered as she stopped his determined forward motion. "If you didn't notice I'm kind of in the middle of something."

"Don't care," his answer was immediate as he turned back to her with a look on his face that imitated a wounded pet. "I wanna be selfish."

"What about me?" She only half scoffed.

"Please." His fingers made their way to her sides as he rubbed his tips up and down her silky dress. "Be selfish for once."

Be selfish for once. She sighed. Yes, she deserved to think about herself first, let her emotions lead her actions for once.

"Senator Organa," another voice came within earshot and immediately sent a jolt to her shoulders. She recognized that voice as another ambassador whom she had been strategically avoiding.

"Oh gods…" She squinted her eyes and kept her head turned to the one man in front of her. With a stretch of her neck, she reached up as high as her height could take her, her head dropping back. "Kiss me now."

"Absolutely, your worsh…" He didn't finish as she grasped his neck and devoured his mouth.

It took longer than she expected for the voice to realize what was happening in front of him and to speak again. "Oh excuse me…" he said as he took his cue to politely bow out.

She didn't let Han up for air until she was sure the real intruder was gone. She let out a frustrated growl as she broke off.

"I'm going to need to work on my apology to Mon," she huffed.

He nodded his head in agreement. "I'll buy her something,"

She was decided. "Come on."

She took the lead as they clung to the walls to try and leave as inconspicuously as possible. Nobody noticed or chose to question as the two snuck from the room.

"You're early," she finally stated the obvious with a quick glance behind her.

"Lando's got a fast ship and he had an impatient copilot."

That checked out. She expected those two men to break the sound barrier when they were flying together.

"You drive?" He asked as he moved to pace beside her, walking quickly through the halls of the building, past security, and towards the exit.

She nodded as she pumped her legs faster to keep up.

"Good," he said as he squeezed her hand in his.

She felt his mind swimming as his smirk grew. "Where are we going?" She asked, her eyes analyzing him in her peripheral vision.

"Falcon," he informed her. "It's closer."

"And it doesn't have a child there." She added the additional context with her own grin.

He reveled in her suave tone, immediately turning his body to block hers and finding his arms snaking around her waist. "What time does Chewie expect you home?" He asked with his lips diving into her ear lobe.

"Not for another hour or two," she informed him as she pulled away, working to get them to their final destination as soon as possible.

Han took a moment to consider their time. He let out his remark as he wrapped an arm around her waist. "That'll do."

They didn't stay on Chandrila any longer than necessary. They all wanted to get home. None more so then the dark-haired young man. He had a lot waiting for him on that planet.

They stayed until Poe confirmed with his team that Parnassos had been secured and all personnel were in custody and protection. They were even able to find the digital records Hux meticulously kept on each individual, where they came from, and who their contacts were on each planet where they harvested. Carise Sindian was one of the first on that list.

Poe casually mentioned all the work they now had to do as they worked to round up all of the First Order allies that were mentioned in these documents. He looked at Ben, rather inconspicuously, as he outlined the new challenge in front of them.

Ben got the message. He could be one of their most valuable assets. He had a lot to think about.

Han continued to pilot the ship to take them home. That made him happy. Ben didn't put up a fight, even though he was feeling much better. He took the time to sit back and reflect, think. Come to terms with the offer in front of him.

His mother made a few comments that would have allowed him to discuss his thoughts openly, but he didn't feel ready to talk about it yet. At least, not with her.

He felt relief as he saw the hues of the Naboo planet to come into his view. Home. It was still in the middle of the day at the time they arrived, so he was sure she was in the middle of training. He mentally prepared himself to wait until the evening to see her again. But his thoughts didn't account for how much she wanted to see him.

As Han and Chewie pulled the ship into their home hanger, he took note of the figure of his wife standing at the hanger opening. He felt tension he didn't even know he had leave his body.

He stood from his seat even before the ship was securely on the ground and opened the ramp as soon as he could reach it.

With the last piece of metal separating them taken care of, he descended the ramp and strode right into her arms.

"Ben," she smiled her brilliant smile as she wrapped her arms as best she could around his back and up to his shoulders. It was certainly getting harder to give a proper hug with her stomach protuberance.

But that protuberance only made their embrace more meaningful as he dug his nose into her shoulder and breathed in the scent that was her. His hands traveled from her back and down to caress the bulge that he swore grew since he last saw her. His lips landed on hers as he reveled in this homecoming.

"You're okay?" She asked as she moved her face back slightly, taking in his slightly scruffy appearance.

"I'm fine." He nodded his assurance. "Hux is taken care of."

She rolled her eyes. "I know that."

Of course, she knew that. She had been present for most of his exciting and frightful mission. She felt his stupor as he finally found Hux, felt his swirling emotions as he contemplated his next move, and felt his pain as he was hit in the shoulder. But he was here now, returned to her in one piece which brought her back to a place of peace.

"How are you?" He asked.

His question brought her out of her immense relief. "How am I?" She asked back in a voice that said he was crazy for even thinking about her after all he went through.

"Yeah…"

"Ben Solo," she quickly admonished with her hands slapping against his shoulders. "You were the one who was shot!"

"But you're pregnant…" He said in his worry voice.

"Not the same thing," she cut him off.

"I know but…"

"Not the same thing, sweetie," Leia confirmed as she finally came to intercept Rey for a hug. She deduced they had spent enough time dallying on the ship to give her son a moment before securing her own Rey greeting.

The young girl grinned as she moved to greet Leia, Ben hovering close by.

"How are they treating you?" Leia asked after Rey's health in her own words.

The young girl smiled as her hands went to rub her growing stomach. "The past few days have been fine, gloriously fine."

Leia was about to launch into another series of questions when Han came up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Come on, Leia," he said, perceptive for once. "Let's leave them be."

"I'm coming!" Leia admonished as she gave Rey's hands one last squeeze before allowing Han to pull her away.

Leia, Han, and Chewie made their way back to the ship to do some final work to shut the transport down. But as they walked away, Han posed a curious question about Leia's previous word choice. "They?"

Finally left to their own devices, Ben gladly took Rey's outstretched hand and pulled her close as they began their walk home.

"How are you feeling?" Rey asked as they found a slow pace together, following along the hilly path through the Naboo landscape. She took a quick moment to smile at the new walk she was sporting, more of a waddle than her usual quick stride.

Ben sighed as he thought about his answer. "A galaxy without Armitage Hux is a step in the right direction." He truly believed that. Hux was a clear and present danger to the galaxy at large as well as him personally. "I'm feeling relieved and…" he paused. "I'm feeling a sense of professional purpose I haven't felt in a while."

"I'm proud of you," Rey stated as she gleamed at him from his side. "If you didn't already know that."

"I know." He pulled her closer. Hearing those words from her never failed to make him feel like the luckiest man in the galaxy.

It took almost the whole walk home before he spoke up about the real thoughts that were swimming through his mind.

"They offered me a job," he shared out of the blue without context. That was the only way he could seem to get it out.

"Who?" She questioned, trying to catch up to the wheels turning in his mind. "The Alliance?"

He nodded as they continued to walk. "Poe Dameron."

She took that in. If General Poe Dameron was personally asking him to take up a position, this was something important. "What kind of position?"

He shrugged, not entirely clear on the specifics himself. "Special Projects."

"Not like Leia?"

"No," he shook his head emphatically. He would never be considering that. There was no way he could politic his way through countless galas and dinners and network as his full-time profession. "Not an ambassadorship. Definitely not."

"What would the job entail?"

He started to list all the points he and Poe had briefly discussed. "Mission-driven assignments. For one thing, there's a list of planet leadership who worked with Hux. The Alliance wants them detained. I'd be able to fly…"

"That's where your heart is," she noted as she recognized the intones of his voice rise as he spoke of the work. "You have so many valuable attributes to share with the galaxy."

He felt his lips curl up as he tilted his head so he could meet her eyes. "So do you."

"Yes," she acknowledged with a proud assurance. She had come a long way in recognizing her abilities. "We both do."

He let his fingers shift in her palm so he could feel the ring she wore, his digits playing with the band as they finally saw their cottage appear in the distance.

"What did you tell Poe?" She brought him back into the conversation.

"Said I'd have to talk it over with my wife." He was learning. No more secrets.

"I'm on your side, always will be." That was her position and she was sticking to it. "Do you want to become an official member of the Alliance of the Republic, take your place among your mother, father, grandmother, and grandfather before you?"

His answer was simple but telling. "I want to be the best version of myself that I can be."

She stopped him, halted both of their movement as she turned to face him. Her eyes bore into his as she gauged his reaction. "And have you reached that yet?"

No, not yet. But he was very close. "I'm becoming that person," he shared with a nod.

She heard his answer and approved, finding her lips curling up as she related that to her own situation. "We both are."

Yes, they were. Emerging from the quagmire of war and destruction to an evolving process of being.

"We're doing it together." His words both a statement and a promise as his forehead lowered to hers.

She rubbed her head against his. "Kiss me," she said with a grin as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

A smirk spread over his face as he complied, pressing his lips against hers as he once again took her in his arms."What time does your training start?" He asked as his lips traveled to her ear lobe.

"Not for another two hours," she informed him as she let her forehead fall against his shoulder.

Ben took a moment to consider their time. He let out his remark as he wrapped an arm around her waist, leading her home. "That'll do."