Maz was waiting on the front porch when they arrived back in the early hours of the morning.

She hobbled down the steps and pulled Ben and Rose into the tightest hug she could. "You stupid stupid children," she sighed, too tired and relieved to have them back to really scold them. The hug was all they really needed, though, a reminder that they were not alone in the world and someone cared about them, someone cared that they were out so late, someone cared if they were alright.

"Maz, we found Paige's body," Ben told her.

She sighed and patted his back. "I supposed you would. Her grave is empty. I have space in the basement."

Ben waited until everyone had settled to bed, with Rey and Paige escaping to Rey's greenroom. He took a single topaz crystal from his bookshelf and cradled it in his hand.

"Hey."

Ben turned to face his father. He swallowed.

"I thought you didn't want to see me."

Ben shook his head. "I'm sorry, for what I did."

Han blinked. "Well, uh, no harm no foul, right?" He grimaced at the sentiment.

The corner of Ben's mouth turned up. Just like his father to not know what to say and to fumble over his words.

"Uh what I mean is-"

Ben held out his hand. "You died for me."

Han shifted and shoved his hands into his pockets. "Well, yeah, I told you that I'd do anything to help you. You know that. I'd do anything."

"And you did. You died for me."

Han smiled and nodded.

"For my immortality."

Han chuckled. "Of course. You're a good kid. A better man than I ever was."

Ben's eyes fell to the hardwood floor, and he bit the inside of his cheek.

Han tried to set his hand on Ben's shoulder, but it hovered through. "You are, Ben. I've kept an eye on you. I know how much you're doing for others. What you're doing for Paige and Rose and Rey and Finn. Maz can't say enough good things about you."

"I've killed people. I killed you."

"Hey," Han said, stepping back and spreading his arms out. "I get to see you more now."

Ben snorted.

"And I was talking to Maz. She was talking about why you're here. I mean, you were all good in your teaching job in DC and all, but there were rumors that you were the one who killed me."

"I did kill you."

"But your mother wasn't going to let that ruin your life, or hers. A senator in the middle of a murder scandal between her husband and son." He laughed and rolled his eyes. "She always took care of you. You wouldn't be here if you hadn't killed me. You would have stayed where you were, and you would have never met that girl, Rey." Han smiled at that. "I like her. It sounds like you like her, too."

Ben's ears reddened.

"And your old job wasn't going to keep you. You needed somewhere to go. And Maz took you in as her own." Han smiled. "And you're better for it. You're better because I died for you. You're alive because I died for you. At least that's what old Ben told me." He ran a hand through his hair. "The last thing I remember before I died was touching your face, right where that scar is."

Ben touched his scar, remembering the hot tears covering his face and the last touch of his father. "You're the one who gave me immortality, not Snoke," he whispered.

Han smiled. "If you believe in that kind of thing."

Ben looked down at the topaz in his hand. He offered it to Han.

Han quirked a smile and took it. Ben threw his arms around his father's shoulders, a little more solid than before. "I'm so sorry, Dad. Thank you for trying to help."

"Hey, it's what a dad's supposed to do, isn't it?"

Ben sent a quick email to Holdo and his students letting them know that he wouldn't be holding class the following day, or rather that day, but the sun still had not risen, and 4 in the morning was not quite the next day for him. Considering most of his students were also present see him murder a fellow teacher and continued to watch as a demon tried to devour the soul of the recently dead, it would be good to give everyone a chance to catch up on lost sleep and let the initial horror blow over. He wondered how much Ben Kenobi had played with their memories. If he had wiped away a blood covenant from their palms, what had he done to their minds?

He couldn't be bothered to consider the possibilities. He fell into his bed, waving a hand for his curtains to cover the window, leaving him in a deeper darkness to allow sleep.

"Ben!" Maz shouted again. He pried his eyes open to his dark room. Again. How many times had she shouted?

"Happy Birthday," Rey greeted, a soft hand resting on his arm.

Ben groaned and buried his face in his pillow.

"There's a man here for you with a gift from your mother."

"Ben!" Maz shouted again.

He rolled from his bed and rubbed his eyes when he entered the lit hallway. "Coming Maz!"

He glanced at his watch. He hadn't taken it, or his clothes, off before he fell asleep. 2 in the afternoon. He missed the last step and stumbled as he reached the main floor. Before he could regain his balance, he was being dragged into a hug by an extraordinarily large hairy man.

"Uncle Chewie?" He gasped into a broad chest.

"Happy Birthday, Kid," the thick gruff accent greeted.

"Come on back into the kitchen, Chewie," Maz laughed. "Let's cut into that cake you brought."

He followed his father's best friend back into the kitchen and chuckled at a sleepy Rose leaning against a counter with hair curling every which way. "Morning Rose."

"Afternoon, ProSo," she slurred with a wave and a yawn. "Happy Birthday."

Chewie offered an immaculately wrapped package, stating that it had come straight from his mother. He pointed to the box on the counter that Maz was opening, stating that that had come from him.

Ben ripped the wrapping off and took the lid off the small box. It was a white cardboard jewelry box that necklaces or watches would come in, and a medallion carved into clay greeted him.

"What did you get?" Rose asked, peeking over his elbow.

He pulled a folded paper from beneath the charm, a note from his mother.

Happy Birthday Ben

I found this when I was going through my birth mother's things. She had a beautiful fashion sense, but I thought you would appreciate this more.

I asked Threepio about it. He said that Anakin Skywalker had made it for her. It's nice to have things from where you come from.

Love you,

Mom

Ben studied the medallion again. "My grandfather made this for my grandmother," he told Rose. "My mom found it in her things. She was adopted, so this is from her birth parents. Sentimental," he finished wistfully.

Rose's hand raised to her own medallion around her neck. "That's so thoughtful."

"It is, isn't it?"

"What piece do you want, Ben?" Maz asked, turning the cake so he could look at the decorations. Dinosaurs.

Chewie burst into chortles at Ben's face, though Ben's surprise dissolved into laughter, too. "I'll take the raptor."