Five years later

They stood and watched Col where he ran along the tideline; bare feet splashing in the surf as it stretched over the sand. A little girl toddled after him, wet to the waist and waving her tiny hands in wild excitement as she babbled to her older brother. Col beckoned to her and crouched, apparently having spotted something that caught his interest, and grinned as he poked at a small creature crawling next to his toes. Kira caught up and squatted next to him, the faint sound of her small voice drifting to them on the wind. Col picked up the animal and held it out to her, showing her how to cup it in her hands. Kira squealed and dropped the creature, and it skittered back among the waves, just managing to evade the two children giggling and grasping desperately after it.

"What are you thinking about, Ben?"

Rey's question startled him, and he turned to face her. Her voice was quiet; the way it always was when her own thoughts were far away. He could feel the way they drifted out among the stars to the far reaches of the galaxy.

"You ought to know," he chuckled.

She smiled back at him, a little sadly.

"You're thinking of the proclamation you made today. And you're worrying what it means for us, as you always do."

"It was a risk, even though we've prepared for it. The dissolution of the First Order and my abdication leaves the galaxy open to unrest."

"Which the New Galactic Republic will take care of," Rey said, with a small smile. "You're not on the throne anymore, Ben. Rest."

"And what if the senate tries to sentence me for the crimes that I committed under Sidious? I am not innocent, Rey."

"I don't see why you aren't," she replied, and there was a trace of humor in her voice, though it didn't show on her face. "The man who did all those things died on Exegol. The man who returned from that planet has done great things to ensure the safety and well-being of the galaxy and its peoples. We did what we set out to do. I see no reason why you should be convicted."

"Rey…" He looked to her; to the strands of her hair that blew across her face and the quiet expression that it held. She was so full of hope. She had always been. It was, perhaps, her mark, and what had drawn him to her. That beautiful light within her that she had shown to him. A low chuckle left him, and he shook his head in exasperation. "I love you."

"I know."

Her face lit suddenly with a bright smile, and she pressed a kiss against his cheek. And then she was gone, with a brief look at him over her shoulder, walking down the beach towards the place where their children were playing in the sand.

Ben stared after her, drinking in the sight of her as she knelt next to Col, her hands moving through the damp sand as she showed him how to make a castle. The light of the setting sun cast the world in a warm red glow, and a breeze blew in from the sea to lift the hair from his neck. Ben closed his eyes and breathed it in, letting it carry away the uncertainty and fear.

The light side came as he called to it, its warmth something soothing that eased the tension in his body. He opened his eyes again and let them drift back to the three figures on the tideline who meant more to him than the entire galaxy. He had no way of knowing what would happen in the future. The years ahead were as unknown to him as the vast reaches beyond his galaxy. Yet there was peace. In this moment- this beautiful, luminous moment- there was peace.

And that was enough.

A/N:

Well...I guess that's it.

It's hard to believe that's its been about three years since I first started writing this story. In my arrogance, I never quite believed that I would be the kind of writer that takes years to complete stories- I always figured I could crank one out in twelve months tops. Hahaha..ha...ha... Gosh. Now what do I do with myself?

This story has become quite dear to me, being the first one longer than two or three pages that I've ever completed. Which is part of the reason I wrote it. I wanted to see if I could finish a "practice" novel, if you will. One of the other reasons I wrote it is for you all. Throughout this whole journey, you all have read, followed, favorited, and reviewed. It was more than I ever expected and I'm grateful beyond words for the patience and kindness you all have shown me. You've given me grace to grow and develop as a writer and courage to keep trying. Thank you. Each and every one of you. Thank you.

Thank you especially to FenrisInside and Leona2016. Fenris, from the start you've been a voice of encouragement, a kick in the proverbial pants, and a huge help in regards to ideas, logistics, and lore. You're awesome. Thank you. Leona, you're the best beta a writer could ask for. You constantly encouraged me, challenged me, and spent countless hours reading over my messes of rough drafts to somehow find the good in them all. You're amazing. Thank you. I can truly say that you've both made this story all that it is. Without you, I probably would have quit a long time ago. From the bottom of my heart, thank you (again).

I don't know if I'll "see" you all again. I'm going to start work on a few originals to see if I can make something of them. Maybe someday you'll hear my voice again, but in a book that's bound and has a cover and is written under a different name. It would be a sort of reunion, wouldn't it? Friends meeting once again. That's a nice thought. Or maybe I'll be back. I'm not sure. I've got a few roughly sketched out ideas for other fics rattling around in my skull, and maybe one will stick and start bugging me and then I'll have to sit down and get it all on paper...or the internet. Whatever.

Before I go, I would say one thing more. I write my stories out of a deep love for one greater than me and as a way to point others to Him. Any talent that I might claim to possess is, in fact, not mine at all. It's a gift. And so I thank God for the words, and the heart I have to tell stories. What am I but a vessel? A way for His light to shine into the world. Not I, but Christ in me.

May you be blessed, my friends. It has been an honor.

-Emmeth Nigh