Jeyna stands along the shore, her bare feet sinking deep into the shifting white sand. It's pleasantly warm around her toes, and she stays just a few inches away from where the cool waves are washing up. It's late in the morning, the sun bright against the water. Jeyna squints as she stares out, twirling the stem of the flower between her fingers.
They're staying at a place she can only describe as some sort of small, private resort. She's never been anywhere this peaceful before. It seems like the entire planet is deserted save for them, a retreat from the galaxy. The whole area is decorated with tropical flowers in all shades of violet and blue. But Jeyna had selected one of the few white ones for this, and walked out to have a moment of solitude before getting ready for the ceremony.
She's far enough from the cluster of buildings that she hears nothing but the repetitive waves. She looks down at the soft, layered petals of the flower, but her mind is trying to picture something else: her mother's face.
Jeyna has spent so much time trying to avoid thinking of it, that for a moment she struggles to remember. But then it fills her memory, in excruciating detail. The tears are immediate, as they always are when she lets herself revisit the past. She wants to remember her mother smiling, laughing perhaps. But she struggles to recall a single good memory. None of them are as vivid as the end.
She has to force herself to not recoil, to try to push passed the pain and remember more. But the impression of her mother that she's left with is all anguish, visceral pain that echoes strongly enough to make her shake. That terrible last minute is all too eager to replay itself, over and over, drowning out any of the happy memories that came before.
Jeyna snaps her eyes open, shaking herself to try to escape from the sensations. They're too strong, and she realizes tears are streaming down her face. She doesn't want to do this today. Then again, she never wants to do it. So, she ends up pushing the feelings away again. Jeyna focuses on the present to calm herself down. As much as she might wish her mother could be with her for this, she can't change the past. She has to try her best to make peace with it.
She steps forward, letting the water wash up over her ankles. She wades in a bit more, before bending down to lay the white flower in the ocean. It follows the wave's motions, pulled towards the shore and back again. But little by little, it starts to drift, never quite returning as much as it is pulled away. It's soothing to watch.
Jeyna has no idea how long she's been standing there, watching it taken away by the ocean. When she turns back around to return to the sand, Leia is standing by the water's edge. Her hair is up, in a beautiful curling design.
She smiles in greeting, waiting for Jeyna to join her before reaching out to pull her into an embrace. When they pull apart a moment later, Leia gestures along the shoreline. "Would you like to walk for a bit?"
"Sure," Jeyna agrees, matching Leia's slow pace. "I was just… Well, I don't know what I was doing. Thinking, I guess."
Leia is silent for a moment before replying. "I think it's only natural, to think of her on a day like today."
Jeyna frowns. How had she known she was thinking of her mother? Could Leia read minds as easily as her son?
But Leia continues, putting Jeyna's suspicions to rest. "I only assume you were thinking of her…?"
Jeyna nods. "I… I was trying to. But I don't remember much more than my last memory of her, and…I don't like to think about that."
They walk in silence for a few minutes before Leia comes to a stop, her eyes out on the water. "It can be dangerous, to avoid dealing with our pain. I'm so sorry she can't be here with you today."
Jeyna gives her a small smile at Leia's attempt at comforting her. "I think she would be happy, though. That I've found something more than old books and holocrons."
Leia returns the smile, reaching out to take Jeyna's hand in a light hold. "I know it's not the same, but I wanted to say… You are family to me now, Jeyna. And I'm so happy to have you as a daughter."
Jeyna looks away, blinking rapidly to clear the tears that threaten her vision. She hadn't expected herself to be emotional already, but Leia's words affect her deeply. She's spent her whole life alone, without family. To have Leia accept her so readily is touching. "Thank you," she murmurs. When she looks back at the older woman, she's smiling warmly.
"Now let's get you back. We have to get you ready," Leia insists, giving a gentle pull at her hand to urge her back towards the resort.
That Afternoon
The dress is light and flowy, but she's still slightly uncomfortable in it. Jeyna can't remember the last time she'd worn a dress. Most of the clothes she's worn the last few weeks have been someone else's, scavenged from the Millennium Falcon. But even before that, she'd never worn beautiful clothing. Her clothes were always practical, simple.
There is nothing practical or simple about the fabric she's draped in now. It's dainty and beautiful, cut to suit the sunny climate and ocean breeze. She runs her fingers over it as Leia finishes her hair, an elegant style with braids and twists. She likes that her hair is pulled up. It lets the crystal on her necklace show, unobscured.
Jeyna feels nervous, though she can't put her finger on why that is. It's a very informal affair. She had no one to invite, and Ben's family is small. And yet… Her stomach is jittery, her hands wanting to tremble. This is supposed to be a big deal, isn't it?
"Do you think he'll like it?" she asks quietly, giving the dress one last look.
Leia only gives her a knowing smile. "He'll love it."
They're interrupted by a knock at the door. Leia opens it to let Han in, giving Jeyna one last, reassuring look before departing. "Wow. Kid never stood a chance," Han remarks, a good-natured smile on his face. He offers her his arm, and she takes it with a small, grateful grin.
Han leads her towards the exit, towards the sound of waves and gentle, barely discernable music. She feels self-conscious, out of place in the gown. They pass a mirror and she darts her eyes towards her reflection, only to see they are wide with alarm. She barely recognizes the woman looking back, the hairstyle and makeup on her face making her look so different from her usual appearance.
For one moment of intense doubt, Jeyna second guesses the entire day. She wishes she and Ben had done this alone, in some private moment between the two of them. But then she reaches out, using the force to find him in a way that's nearly second nature now.
It only takes a moment before she is successful. Ben's there, waiting for her, and she feels his nervousness and anticipation like it's her own. It vibrates through their connection before he tries to hold back, to offer more steadiness than even he is feeling.
They turn a corner, and ahead are a pair of open doors. The sand is spilling in over the threshold, and the scent of salty ocean greets her once again. It's the same scent that had clung to Leia's robes, so long ago, before Jeyna even knew what an ocean smelled like. Ben had pulled it from her mind, desperate for any clue to find her and get her back. She'd fought it at first, had tried to resist the pull she felt to him. But now her steps come faster, her pace increasing as she nearly races for the doors, and her soon-to-be husband.
Only Han's gentle grip holds her back and keeps her pace. When they step through the doors into the warm sunlight, her eyes bounce over sand and flowers rapidly before they find him. Ben's facing her, waiting.
His eyebrows lift, his eyes widening as if to take in the sight of her faster, drinking her in like she can quench his thirst with a look alone. Her heart lifts when their minds fully join in the force, his presence calling her towards him.
He's always been intense, his emotions nearly a force of nature. But now he's an inescapable tide, his longing and awe urging her onwards until all she can see is Ben and all she can feel is his will. Jeyna forgets whatever had been making her nervous. She forgets Han is beside her, forgets anyone watching. They all might as well be part of the ocean, blurring together into some background noise her brain dismisses.
I wish I could give you the entire galaxy…
Ben's voice blooms in her mind, thoughtful and soft. Her eyes catch his and stay there, anchored by the honey brown storm that pulls her across the sand.
I'd name every sun, every nebula and star system after you…
So no matter where you are in the galaxy, you'd know that I love you…
Her lips curve into a smile when she sees his do the same. He never smiles for anyone else, not like that. It's the kind of smile that touches his eyes, that fills her with joy knowing it's just for her.
You're my everything…
There's just a few more steps to reach him, and Han releases her when they arrive. Ben takes her hands in his as she finds her place by his side. The ocean glitters beyond his shoulders, but she can't tear her eyes away from his face. The sun makes her feel like they are glowing, the wind playing with her dress to make it dance around her ankles. She focuses on Ben, on that feeling of peace between them as they prepare to say their vows.
Later
Jeyna has to take a moment to collect herself. Everything feels like a whirlwind, and the music and alcohol has her head buzzing. She sits down in the evening shade, watching Han twirl Leia to the beat. Leia looks happy, her gaze fixated on the old smuggler's smile as they move together like they've done this dance a hundred times.
"Are you alright?"
She looks up to see Luke's concerned face as he sits beside her, and smiles. "I'm fine. Just needed to sit for a moment," she assures him.
"I wanted to thank you for inviting me," Luke admits. "For a long time, I believed I lost my family. I thought I'd spend the rest of eternity alone on my rock…And, well…This is much better." He gives her a begrudging smile, his eyes leaving hers to land on Han and Leia. For a moment they both watch the pair dancing, before Jeyna replies.
"It wasn't my idea," she says.
Luke's eyes snap back to hers, questioning. Jeyna waits, watching as he processes what she means. Ben had been the one to suggest Leia invite her brother. She assumed he'd meant it as an olive branch, a sign that he was ready to forgive and try to move on.
Ben approaches then, resting his hand on Jeyna's shoulder when he reaches them. He's brought her water, and she takes it with a grateful smile. She is thirsty, and surprisingly tired for how early it is. The sun is just now starting its slip towards the horizon, and yet she finds herself suppressing a yawn.
"Congratulations, Ben," Luke says.
She can feel that there's still a rift between the two men as they lock eyes, and she nervously sips at her water. Ben's hand turns slightly heavier on her shoulder, the only sign that he's tensing up. Jeyna twists in her chair to take his hand with hers, giving it a slight squeeze.
"Thank you," Ben replies, after a brief hesitation.
Luke's expression grows distant. "I thought that I'd lost the chance to be in your life," he says, discomfort clear in his tone. "Thank you, for letting me be here."
Ben only nods, and Jeyna can sense the complicated knot of emotion he's feeling towards his uncle. However, she notices the predominant emotion isn't anger. That counts as progress, doesn't it? It hadn't been long ago that the two men had been at each other's throats with lightsabers. Despite Ben's lingering negativity, the rage has at least dissipated.
"If the happy couple will excuse me, I'm going to go save my sister from a very drunk Han," Luke says, standing. Ben's hand relaxes in her grip the moment his uncle departs, making his way across the beach. Jeyna watches the older man interrupt the dancing pair, relieving Leia from Han's increasingly clumsy hold.
Ben ducks down, pressing a kiss to the braid that twirls up from Jeyna's temple. She looks up to give him a soft smile. "Hello, there."
"Hello," he murmurs in return, sinking into the chair beside her. Her eyes close as he leans in, kissing her softly again. But this time he finds her lips, and she leans into the contact. He tastes sweet, like the jogan fruit from their cake and the ambrostine they'd toasted with.
"The sun hasn't even gone down yet, hold your horses," Han complains loudly.
Jeyna pulls back from Ben's kiss, opening her eyes to see his father drop into a chair opposite them. He smiles broadly, apparently taking joy in teasing them on their wedding day. Chewbacca joins him, a large mug of something in his hand. Han waves for it, taking a sip before squeezing his eyes closed.
"You brought grakkyn?" Han complains, shoving the mug back at the Wookie. "You trying to kill me?"
Chewie only shrugs, lifting the mug and draining it in one long draw. He hiccups, before giving a soft roar and pulling a bottle from his bandolier. Han eyes the bottle warily, blinking.
"Sure, they let children drink it. Wookie children," Han remarks. "That bottle could probably kill a Mandalorian."
Jeyna catches the slight grin on Ben's face. He seems to enjoy Chewbacca's presence, and has relaxed since Luke left them. She decides to take advantage of his improved mood, and press her luck. A mischievous smirk threatens at the corners of her lips, but she does her best to keep her face innocently curious.
"You'd mentioned a story, from Ben's childhood," Jeyna mentions casually to Han. "Something about butterflies?"
The response is instantaneous. Chewie chortles a rumbling laugh, joined by Han when he remembers what she's talking about. Ben, however, gives a groan of exasperation.