Chapter 56: Final Goodbyes

I know, I know, HEARTBROKEN! It hurt me as much to write it as it was for you to read the last chapter. Please forgive me :(

Lyra hadn't left the bed in three whole days. Poe had tried to get her to move, get some fresh air, but she was inconsolable.

The following afternoon, Poe brought a tray of food for her and roused her from sleep.

"Hey sweetheart, I brought you some food" he whispered.

Her eyes were red from crying so much as she looked away from him. "I'm not hungry."

"You…. You have to eat sweetheart" he said, placing the tray near her.

"I just want to sleep Poe, I'm sorry."

He placed a bit of food on a fork. "Well, you can eat something, and then you can go back to sleep ok? Fair trade?"

She nodded slowly, allowing Poe to feed her some of the food. When he was satisfied she had at least enough food to line her stomach, he took the tray away.

"I'm sorry Poe" she said quietly as she settled back down in the bed.

"What are you sorry for? You do something bad in your sleep or something?"

She felt bad his joke couldn't rouse even a smile from her.

"No, I'm sorry for behaving like this, I know it must be hard for you to see me this sad over Tij, he was just, he was a big part of my life and I never thought I would really lose…."

"Lyra, don't. Don't apologise. He was your husband, estranged or not. He loved you, you loved him. I won't ever take that away from you. He was a big part of your life Lyra, you don't apologise for that, never apologise for that baby. You have every right to grieve. Anything you need, just know I'm here."

She took his hand and brought it to her lips, kissing his knuckles softly. "Thank you, for understanding. For everything."

Poe brushed her hair back softly. "You're welcome. If you need to sleep, you sleep. I'll be right here when you feel like doing more ok?"

Lyra nodded as Poe stood to turn the lights off and leave her to sleep away her grief.

The next few days were Lyra's hardest, accepting her husband was dead had finally sunk in and the reality of it stung and left a lump in her throat that hurt. Every part of her hurt and she knew without Poe by her side, she would not have been able to cope.

Poe, being the sweet, attentive, loving man that was he was had organised the entire funeral when Lyra had been too consumed by grief to do it herself. He had even offered to speak at his funeral. Lyra knew she would not be able to hold it together if she spoke.

The evening of Armitage's funeral, Poe had left Lyra to get ready and when he returned to their room, he saw her sat on the edge of their bed, dressed in black with her head in her hands as she tried desperately not to break down once more.

"Hey sweetheart" he whispered as he went to her, kneeling down in-front of her. He knew better than to ask her if she was alright.

"You ready to go baby? I'm right here, I'll be right here the whole time, I'm here for you" he said, leaning forward to rub her arms comfortingly.

She looked up at him, taking his hands in her own. "Thank you Poe, I think I'm ready."

She stood up, and keeping a hold of Poe's hand, he led her down to the main clearing of the resistance camp where everyone else waited, and Hux's body lay on a pyre. Poe had asked Lyra if he would want to be buried or burnt, and where he would have preferred to be laid to rest but when Lyra thought on it, she realised wherever she was was where Armitage had considered home. Naboo, Arkanis, the finalizer, none of it truly meant anything in the end, he would have just wanted to be with her. Though Lyra had said that she wanted some of his ashes spread in the lake by their home in Naboo.

As they stood by the pyre with everyone else, Poe stepped forward to speak.

"Friends, we gather today to mourn the loss of General Armitage Hux. He left this life as a loving husband to Lyra, and as a spy aiding the resistance. He spent his final days helping us and protecting his wife, and will be remembered for such bravery. General Hux was an example of how we are all united under one purpose, love. He only ever did what he did to bring what he felt was unity to the galaxy, and more importantly to protect the one he loved the most, Lyra. I have a lot of personal gratitude towards the General, because if he hadn't have loved Lyra as much as he did, he might never have fought to have her onboard the Finalizer alongside him, Lyra wouldn't have been able to save me from Ren and far more importantly, I would have never met her. I don't know too much about the General in truth, but I know underneath everything he was a good man. I know Lyra wouldn't have married him and loved him if he wasn't.

I know he was a man of conviction, of discipline and passion, he would have been a model member of the resistance if he hadn't been fed lies and led astray by the First Order. In the end though, despite it all, he did the right thing. He did the right thing by Lyra, he did the right thing by us, he did the right thing by the galaxy. He sacrificed himself for us, for his wife. It takes a good man to stand up for what he believes in, but it takes a great man to recognise he has made mistakes and spend the rest of his life amending them. So that is who the General was in the end, a great man. General Armitage Hux, thank you. May you find peace in whatever life follows after this one, and may the force be with you, always."

Poe's moving words towards Hux had brought Lyra to tears and when he returned to her side, she held him close, burying her face against his arm as she cried. He comforted her gently, stroking her hair as he held her.

A member of the resistance lit the pyre and Lyra reluctantly brought herself to look, to say goodbye to her husband, and as she watched the flames rise, the memory of her wedding night sprung to mind.

XXX

Armitage played with his hands nervously as he waited at the end of the aisle for his soon to be wife. It was a quiet wedding, with just Lyra's distant parents and none of Armitage's family in attendance. Most of the people in congregation were co-workers and some friends of Lyra's. Still, it didn't matter. The only one that mattered to him was the woman about to walk down the aisle.

As the doors opened, Armitage turned to see a figure so radiant, it might have been a goddess. Lyra, there in a white gown as extravagant as her personality and a veil that covered her face. She walked down the aisle towards him and he wished he could see her face. She was so beautiful, the gown was magnificent and yet it still didn't do her justice.

With skirts that filled out the aisle and a train that trailed long behind her, she was the epitome of a model bride. Her dress looked as if it was sewn with pure starlight into the elegant, branch like embroidery of the gown.

As she approached, taking her spot opposite him, he pulled the veil back and grinned at her. She was smiling, no hint of regret at being there with him at all. And stars, she was so very beautiful. Her eyes sparkled up at him, shining more than her dress and suddenly, they felt like the only people in the room.

"You look so beautiful Lyra" he whispered as he took her hands.

"So do you" she replied before they waited for the minister began the service.

Every line was like music to Armitage's ears, to have and to hold, for better for worse, in sickness and health, til death do they part. Every word brought true as he recited them and she said the words back. He couldn't wait to take care of her when she was sick and hold her every morning and be there for her when she was feeling down. He wanted her in her entirety, and now she was his and he was utterly and completely hers.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride" the minister said and Armitage took a deep breath before leaning forward and placing a chaste kiss on her lips.

They had kissed before of course, plenty of times, but it had never gone beyond that. He wanted to be married to her before he lay with her. Ever the traditional gentleman.

The reception was lovely but short lived, Armitage was desperate to be alone with his wife. After so much trouble with his family, he was owed marital bliss with Lyra finally.

When the afternoon bled through to the evening, the two of them retired to their new home in Naboo. As they approached the front gates, Armitage swept Lyra up in his arms, heavy dress and all causing her to laugh at his boldness.

"What are you doing Tij?"

He smiled at her. "Darling wife, it's tradition for a groom to carry his bride over the threshold of their new home together. I'm just being a good husband."

She laughed, tucking a strand of his red hair behind his ear. "What a promising husband you are shaping up to be, come on then, let's go home."

He felt a rush of joy at her saying they were home together. He carried her all the way to the bedroom before placing her on the ground by the bed, not wanting to overwhelm her.

"Are you happy my darling?"

She nodded, taking his hands in her own. "Very, very happy indeed, are you?"

He rolled his eyes. "Happy doesn't do the feelings I'm going through right now justice. But yes, very, very happy. Can I get my wife something? Water, wine, some food?"

She grinned up at him. "Wife, it feels strange doesn't it, saying that. Husband, wife. I'm sorry your family couldn't be here to celebrate the occasion."

He shook his head. "Don't be sorry. I wouldn't want them there anyway. I just want to be with you. You truly do look beautiful Lyra, so very beautiful."

She breathed a sigh of relief as she placed a hand on her corseted stomach. "You like the dress then? I can scarcely breathe in it, they had to sew me in, honestly Tij I think it might take you longer to get this thing off than it will take for you to consummate the marriage."

They laughed, Armitage quickly reminded of how witty his wife was. He cupped her cheek before leaning down and kissing her softly again.

"I love you Lyrasanna Hux."

She leaned her forehead against his. "I love you too Armitage Hux."

He kissed her, his tongue passionately yet clumsily sliding against her own as he grew desperate for her. She reached back to take the main clip out of her hair that was holding it up in a bun before allowing it to fall past her shoulders.

Armitage leaned back to look at her again, smiling down at his young wife. "My heart is so full" he whispered to her, prompting her to reach up and kiss him once again.

He heard her breath hitch in her mouth as he leaned around to begin untying her corset. She broke the kiss to stare up at him, her hands finding his arms.

"You'll forgive me that I'm not all too confident in knowing what I'm doing for this next part of the wedding" she told him.

He laughed softly. "You speak as if I am a master of what comes next? I'm new to this too."

She grinned up at him as he took her hands in his own, bringing them up to his mouth to kiss them. "We'll figure it out together" he whispered.

She nodded and kissed him again, feeling his hands in her hair as he gripped her close. Lyra felt his lips break away from her own as he moved to stand behind her, kissing her neck softly as he began to untie her corset. She closed her eyes as she felt his warm breath against her neck as his fingers worked to uncover her.

"Dammit, this is trickier than it looks" he whispered, causing them both to laugh at their lack of experience.

"Do you need my help?"

"No, I almost have it, just one moment, ah, here" he said, untying the ribbons of the corset until it came untied.

Lyra took in a deep breath as she felt the corset fall to the ground but when Armitage went to pick it up she turned to face him and stopped him.

"Leave it Tij, it's fine, you don't have to, let's just be in the moment" she whispered.

He nodded nervously and she took his face in her hands. "Tij, I'm so very happy to have you as my husband."

He smiled at her, leaning down to kiss her again. She felt his hands shake as he stroked her hair and pulled her close.

"Tij, you don't have to be scared, it's just me, it's just us together, there's nothing to be scared of now, you can't possibly disappoint me, I love you far too much for that" Lyra told him softly.

He smiled, suddenly filled with a burst of confidence, he slid her dress off her shoulders and watched it pool at her waist. He only needed to tug at it slightly to get it to fall to the floor entirely, leaving her in her underwear. He took a deep breath in as he admired her. They had kissed before plenty of times but that was the extent of their intimacy. Armitage was a traditional man, wanting to marry Lyra before he asked her innocence of her. He owed her at least that.

She blushed as he stared, his eyes roving over her barely clothed body.

"I feel rather unmatched, your turn" she said, causing him to jump out of his momentary trance to allow her to unbutton his shirt. She grinned as she reached the last button.

"A lot easier to remove than a corset" she told him.

He giggled as she removed his shirt and watched for her expression as she stared at his naked torso.

His thinner frame and pale skin had always made him insecure, but he saw no hint of rejection on her face as she drank the sight of him in. Her fingertips trailed over her waist, her gentle touch made him shiver softly.

She looked up at him nervously. "I'm sorry, did I catch you with my nail?"

He shook his head. "No my darling, it just, it feels good."

She reached up to kiss him again, allowing her hands to roam over his chest. His hands went to her back, sliding up her skin to remove her bra softly, she gasped as she was left almost entirely exposed.

He picked her up in his arms and placed her on the bed gently before he moved to remove her underwear slowly, taking the time to look at her body as he did so.

Feeling embarrassed suddenly, Lyra's hands went to her core, trying to cover it as she shifted against the covers.

Armitage picked up on her nervousness and leaned down to kiss her again. "Don't be embarrassed my darling, you are beautiful, utterly, completely beautiful" he whispered in her ear.

As he kissed her, she bucked her hips against him and her hands went to his pants, pulling at them in an attempt to get them off as quickly as possible so she wasn't alone in her nakedness.

He aided her in taking them off and then he laid down between her legs. They both let out shaky breaths as they felt so close to one another and Lyra's lips moved to meet his own, ghosting over them ever so slightly before Armitage met her in another deep kiss. His hands went to one of her breasts as he cupped it, causing Lyra to let out a soft moan.

She gripped his hair as one of his hands travelled down her body to touch her in-between her legs, causing her to gasp and look up at him as his fingers danced gently along her sensitive clit.

He smiled as he watched her, the way she bit her lip when he touched her in a spot she liked.

She caught him staring, a blush creeping into her cheeks before she reached up to kiss him again.

He reached down to slide a finger into her waiting sex that was warm and wet for him. She moaned into his mouth.

"Does this feel good my darling?"

Lyra nodded, clinging to him desperately. Armitage continued until his efforts, bringing her pleasure until he felt her cry out and clench against his fingers. As she caught her breath, Armitage smiled down at her, seeing her blush creep down to her chest as she was visibly flustered by her new husband's attentions. He kissed her again before he nestled in closer between her legs, looking down at her as she smiled fondly up at him.

"Are you ready my love?"

Lyra nodded, wrapping her legs around him slowly.

"Remember, anything you don't like, tell me to stop and I will" he reassured her.

She nodded again. "I'm ready Tij, ready to be yours, truly, in every way."

He brushed his thumb along her bottom lip before entering her slowly. Armitage hoped if he moved slow enough, he wouldn't hurt her, but when he finally reached a certain point within her, she couldn't help but let out a hiss of pain, gripping his shoulders as he paused his movements.

"I'm sorry my darling, I'm so sorry" he told her, tensing as he shot her a worried look.

"It's fine Tij, it will be ok, just give me a moment" she replied.

He kissed her forehead gently as she took a minute to adjust to him inside of her. When she was ready for him, she rolled her hips against his slowly, signalling for him to continue. He leaned down and kissed her as he slowly pulled back before thrusting forward softly. Lyra wrapped her legs around him as he began to make love to her, revelling in the feeling of him, in the feeling of being truly intimate with him. One with each other. Finally. Her family, his family, his superiors and the military orders he belonged to, none of them could keep them apart. They belonged to each other finally and neither one of them could have been happier with that fact.

As he moved against her, she looked into his eyes, noticing he was crying. She reached a hand up and wiped a tear from his eye, frowning at him. "What's the matter, did I do something wrong?"

He shook his head, holding her close. He smiled down at her, his new wife, forever caring for him.

Armitage kissed her gently as he rolled his hips again. "I am just happy my darling, that's all" he said. She rolled her hips against him as she leaned up to kiss him again.

"I am happy too Tij" Lyra replied before moaning softly as Armitage sped up his movements, leaning down to kiss one of her breasts gently as her hands went to his back, pulling him closer to her as he sped up his movements. It wasn't long until Armitage lost himself in her and spilled into her as he reached his climax, trapping his cries as he kissed her to muffle them.

He slowly pulled out of her and moved to lie next to her. She moved to lay her head on his chest as he drew lazy circles over her back, catching his breath.

"I'm sorry my darling, I'm sure it will get better the more we practice" he whispered.

She looked up at him. "I thought it was rather nice personally" she said with a smile.

He nodded eagerly. "Oh so did I, I didn't mean… I thought it was wonderful, perfect even. I only meant, it was over rather quickly. I'm sure my self-control will improve as we practice."

Lyra grinned before placing a kiss on his chest gently. "I thought you were wonderful, I wouldn't change a thing about you."

He chuckled, stroking her hair softly as he stared down lovingly at her. He had spent his entire young life surrounded by people who wanted to change him entirely, now he was finally at peace with a woman who wanted to do no such thing. It was a blissful feeling.

"Nor I you. I love you" he replied.

She leaned up to kiss him again. "I love you too Tij."

They lay close to each other, holding one another in each other's arms before drifting off to sleep, closing the first day of their lives together as husband and wife to a wonderful end.