Bedtime

Although dinner was a pleasantry, Kylo had no means to continue the evening and wanted desperately to go to his quarters and be alone with Rey. The awkward ride on the elevator exhausted him and he felt he had aged thirty years. The Supremacy was a huge vessel and yet, the elevators were far too small. Kylo was pressed up again the wall and he could practically feel Chewie's fur in his nostrils. Rey's pregnancy saved her from being squished and placed her by the door.

Once back in the hall, Kylo had no idea how to say goodbye to his dyad's friends. A "have a great night' sounded too friendly and not at all in his character. He slipped away while Rey and her friends were discussing what awaited them in the week ahead.

As he undressed to hop into the shower, he could not help but whirl in his mind the mysterious wonder that is marriage. When the girl known to him as Rose mentioned it, the table was silent. It wasn't until Chewie made a joke about how Ben used to parade around Han's black vest, toy gun in hand and pretend to shoot wanted criminals that distracted all from the discomfort. Chewie always played the bounty and just because he was a small child, he never went easy on Kylo.

The steam of the shower did not ease Kylo's thoughts. How did he feel about marriage? Growing up, before being sent away for jedi training, he remembered how his parents bickered a lot. It was always about Han's long journeys away from home, leaving Leia as a single parent. In turn she was busy trying defeat the vile empire. Kylo was then forced to play all sorts of games on his own and did not know what it was like to have a real parent present. His uncle, Luke, did nothing as a stand in father figure, quite the opposite.

Kylo knew there was a time his parents definitely had strong feelings for one another, he just did not know when. Giving a heavy sigh, he got out of the shower, put on his black pajama bottoms, no shirt, and slicked his damp hair back.

"Was it awful?" Rey asked as soon as Ben stepped out of the bathroom. She was sitting up in bed wearing her pjs. She smiled sweetly at him as she rubbed her swollen belly.

Ben sat down next to her and placed a kiss on her cheek. "Not entirely. Did you have fun, sweetheart? Are you happy?"

Rey looked into Ben's eyes with such glee, Ben swore he fell in love all over again. Her happiness was everything to him and each passing day he saw her dejected, it was like a dagger in him. Ben knew Rey was not content in the vessel he called home. For Rey, it was temporary lodgings and she longed for something to call home. He could be on the other half of the ship and he could still feel Rey's loneliness in the force. When they would meet for dinner, Ben inquired her about her day and always lying, she would inform him she had fun exploring; he would always let her lie to him.

It had become a such problem that unbeknownst to Rey, Ben had asked a lieutenant to trail her and report back to him. The reports were of Rey exploring The Supremacy and, much to Ben's dismay, reports were also on how cold Rey was treated. There was a particular incident where Rey was denied access into a certain area because of lack of authority and was asked to go away, when in truth she was denied because they wanted her to go away. Ben, technically Kylo, dealt with those who ushered her away.

"I swear I could not be happier. Thank you." Rey cuddled closer to Ben and leaned her head against his shoulder. She did not mind the water dripping from Ben's hair onto hers. "I know it is not easy for you to express yourself with others, but I could see you tried for my sake." Ben placed his hand over Rey's hand as both caressed her belly. "I'm a whale these days. I miss my jedi training." Ben smiled at his soulmate and placed a kiss on her temple. As they sat in bed, sharing a comfortable silence, Rey felt it was the perfect time to bring up a difficult topic.

"Ben," reluctantly to proceed, Rey turned his head to her, "have you given a thought to a name? Your- Your mom suggested Aria for a girl, Aria Solo. She has full faith I am carrying a girl." Ben did not respond as he knew where she was heading with this. "Aria Skywalker Solo?"

Silence engulfed their room but through the force, Rey could feel Ben's resentment, a bit of anger and to Rey's surprise, fear. Rey knew she had no right to ask him to forget the pass, but she felt it her place to guide him to a better future. She wanted Ben reconciled with his mother and perhaps he would see Leia's reasoning for everything. He would finally understand she did what she did for the love she had for him. "Ben?" Ben, if not for me then for our child. I am not saying to forgive Leia but simply hear her out. Let her in even if it is just a little."

"I – I think," Ben could not continue out loud. "She hates me." Rey sat up straight and could not believe what she heard through the force. "I know she does. I am neither a jedi nor Sith. Everyday there are two worlds in me pulling at each other, fighting for domination. She knows what I am and cannot forgive me. It's better for me to resent her for all she did than to hear her forced forgiveness."

"Ben, you don't mean that! Leia loves you the way you are. You're lost and, love, trust me when I say I will help you find whatever it is you are missing." Rey wanted to assure Ben the light inside him was greater and the conflict within him would eventually end.

As if knowing its parents, the baby started kicking Rey aggressively to lighten the mood. "No matter who you think you are or have become, our baby will be granted your light. The baby kicks like a true jedi." Rey laughed and laid on the bed, letting Ben feel his child's kicks.

He placed his head on her stomach, wanting to hear anything from within. "A jedi baby. A forced sensitive, jedi baby." Ben kissed her dyad's stomach and felt Rey's hand stroke his hair. It was with these simple moments of happiness that Ben knew he did not deserve Rey or the forgiveness his mother offered. However, it was then he swore he would do right by his child. Right by his lover. Ben would do anything he could to restore any bonds Rey seemed fit to recover. He knew she wanted only what was best for him and even in darkness, she would always be his light.

Ben's eyes displayed the extreme devotion, admiration, trust, and love he had for Rey.

"Rey… Rey, would you marry me?"