"You've been doing very good with keeping your blood pressure down," Hux in doctor mode, compliments Rey.
"Thank goodness I haven't been craving pretzels," she quips.
"Hush, you've been working very hard to stay healthy and to keep little Jon-Jon happy."
It's now the end of January and she has two more weeks to go. She pokes her tummy and smiles when Jonathan kicks back. "I'm just glad that Poe and Finn are letting me work from home. I can't imagine having to go to school every day like this."
"Let's get you ready for your stress test. Then I'll come back and do your ultrasound." Rey isn't worried. Since Hux said that she had to watch her blood pressure, she's been coming to the office weekly. If there was something wrong, he would have said something before now.
"There you are!" Kaydel the nurse greets her as she knocks on the door.
"Where else would I be?"
"I thought- it doesn't matter." Rey's already sitting on the table ready for the doppler to be strapped to her. "How's your house coming?"
Everyone in the office knows about her house. Yes, Jonathan will be before it's done, but it will be done. "They finished the basement and put in the subfloor."
"Usually once they get that done, the rest of it is easy," Kaydel says as she clicks the monitor on. The familiar swish of her son's heart fills the room.
"I love that sound," Rey confesses.
"I do too," Kaydel agrees. "You know the routine. I'll be back in a little bit."
About the third time of having to do this, Rey started asking for them to turn off the light and leave her in the dark. She lets her eyes drift shut but instead of coming easy, sleep feels far away today. She also knows not to let her thoughts wander, they always end up wondering what he's doing. Her grunt is loud as she wiggles on the table which feels too hard and too narrow on this rainy, late January day.
A loud beep echoes in the silent room, making her jump.
The door creaks open and instead of kay, Hux rushes in. "What are you doing?"
"My usual, causing trouble and setting alarms off."
He snorts and turns the monitor off. "That sounds like you-" his words trail off as he turns. "When was the last time I examined you? Dr. Imwe was your doctor the last couple of times?"
"What's wrong? But yeah, he was in here."
Hux doesn't say anything but pulls out one of the tape measures she finds in the laundry room. There's so many at home, a couple of them have found their way into her room. "Scoot your pants down, please."
She wants to tease him but he has a look on his face that she's never seen before. He lightly presses at the top of her pelvic bone and with one hand hold the end of the measuring tape. With the other he pulls until he has the length he needs. He puts it somewhere on the top of her large bump. "I was worried about this."
"What's wrong?" she grabs his arm.
"The boy is just a little big. Let me do some measuring-"
"What do you mean?"
"How tall is ben?"
"Ben? He's well over six feet. How big is this baby?"
Hux hums but doesn't say anything. Instead, he turns on the ultrasound machine. He turns it so they both can see the screen. "Hux," she murmurs as she touches his arm. Her touch seems to bring him back from his doctor mode. "Talk to me, please. What's wrong?"
"I just need to get an accurate measure. Then we can prepare." He squirts the gel on her and swirls the wand around.
"Prepare for what?" She tries not to panic and seeing Jonathan's sweet profile on the screen helps.
"He's going to be a big boy."
"You said that. Just how big?"
"At least nine pounds. If you wait until your due date, he might be as much as ten. Did Leia ever tell you how much Ben weighed?"
"Ten pounds six ounces." Her breath is shaky. "Are you going to do a c-section?"
"Let's see how much he's measuring next week. But with only two weeks to go, he can come now and be alright."
"Can you just break my water?"
"Not without any kind of labor. Do you want me to check your cervix?" He asks, and both their faces turn bright red.
"I think this is the only time Rose, Poe and Finn would want you to check my cervix. If you think it would be best?"
"Let's go ahead and look." He pulls out a sheet and throws it at her. "Let me grab one of the nurses and I'll be right back." He starts to leave but pauses at the door. "Just think, we'll finally get to meet him."
"I know I'm ready," she answers. He nods and closes the door behind him. "Damn it, Hux," she swears as she tries to sit up from the exam table. "I hate feeling like a turtle." It takes her a moment, but she finally gets up. She undresses from the waist down. With the sheet around her like she's half trying for a toga party, she's almost back on the table when there's a knock at the door.
"Hang on, let me help," Kaydel says as she rushes into the room.
"Thank you," Rey whispers, out of breath. "I'm starting to believe you now."
"Believe who?" Kaydel asks as she gets the stirrups out.
"Me," Hux replies as he comes into the room. "This is going to be a big baby."
She doesn't miss the nervous look on his face. "Its ok," she whispers.
"Right," he replies and puts on a pair of gloves. "Feet up." Kay helps her on one side and Hux guides her on the other. But it's Kay who arranges the sheet while Hux lubricates his fingers. She has to give him credit, he only gives her a quick glance then he meets her eyes.
She holds her breath while he checks her.
"You're at three. Do you want me to scrape your cervix?"
"I don't know? What would you do if I were Rose?"
"I would want her to wait at least another week. At least until we can do another stress test and one more ultrasound," he answers. The gloves are off and in the trash before Kay and Hux help her up.
"So, I guess no home births for me?"
"Nope. He's already measuring over nine pounds. Then add to that your blood pressure. Nope. Jonathan Benjamin Kenobi will be born at a hospital. Until then, go home and get some rest. I'll see-" he stops even though they know that the entire office knows that he's dating her- roommates? Kaydel still shakes her head at him, and Rey can tell that she's biting back a smile.
"I'll see you when I see you," she says.
Brbrbrbrbr
H: The doctor said another week tops.
B: Thank you. Are you sure that it's mine?
H: I know you've worked for S for many years now and you've let him in your head and heart. And even as you work against him, you believe what he tells you. But this baby, Rey's baby is yours. Both of them are the reason why you're attempting to even help L with any of this. Even if you could walk away right now, you know S would come after them. And you know what the knights would do.
B: That's what scares me.
H: Then you know what to do.
B: I do.
Brbrbrbrbr
Leia: What did Hux say today?
Rey: He's big. Really big.
Leia: Did he mention c-section?
Rey: He mentioned it, but he wants me to carry him for at least another week.
Leia: Yeah, the longer they bake the healthier they are. When do you want us to come?
Rey: I'm not sure? I'll ask Hux this evening what he thinks.
Rey: And thank you.
Leia: I can't wait to meet your son.
Rey: I can't wait to meet your grandson.
Brbrbrbrbr
"Ren!" Snoke shouts from his office down the hall from Kylo's.
He swipes out of his pictures, yes he's looking at the ones of her as he wonders what she was doing.
And the baby.
That's his.
He tucks away the swell of emotion from looking at the pictures. Instead he puts the burner phone in his pocket and walks down the hall. He doesn't even make it past Bazine and into the office when the old man is calling for him again.
"Yes, sir?" Kylo answers walking in.
"I need you on the next flight to Asheville. The lawyers for the ski lodge are dragging their feet on this. I need this lodge, don't let some two-bit-community-college-hilly-billy lawyer mess this up. Or the real estate agents who think they know everything."
"Yes, sir." He waits because there is usually more.
"And while you're there, go ahead and schedule contractors to come in for estimates."
"Anything else, Sir?" Ben asks as he takes his work phone out. He swipes it on and his heart clinches as Rey appears on the screen. He quickly closes that app and opens his note taking one.
"Yes, while you're there, you and the knights have a couple of pests that need to be taken care of. Bazine will send you a list.'' Snoke stands behind his desk and his stare demands that Kylo meet it. "I need these bugs terminated."
"I understand sir."
"Have a safe trip, stay as long as you need to. They have a cabin ready for you or you can stay at that hotel." Kylo knows when he's being dismissed. He turns to go without even a goodbye or see you later.
He'll examine later the relief that washes over him as he walks out of Snoke's office.
Or how ready he is to go to Asheville.
Maybe it's time to find a place there-
Brbrbrbrbr
"Are you feeling alright?" Rose asks as she passes Rey the meatballs.
Since Jonathan's due date is in two weeks or sooner, Finn has been making all of her favorites. There seems to be an unspoken rule among the four of them that she's not to be left alone. Which is alright with her.
It's hard being thirty-seven weeks pregnant.
"Tired. I want to sleep."
"That's normal," Hux says as he passes the salad to her. "Sleep when you need to."
"Armie," Poe grunts. "Since its just us, can you tell us, without scaring Rey, of course, if you think the little man will be here soon?"
"Honestly, one thing I've learned through the years is not to guess. Babies and mamas do what they want to do no matter what I tell them. But she's already at three-"
"You're already dilated?" Finn gasps. "But shouldn't you like be in the hospital or at least in the bed?"
"She's not in active labor yet. We could all walk with her and get it started, but I want at least one more week."
"That's fine with me," Rey adds as a yawn catches her. "Besides it will give me a chance to sleep."
They all chuckle as she tries to. Her thoughts automatically go to him. Since the scare with her blood pressure, she's not let herself dwell on him. But at least once a day, her thoughts just naturally land on him.
She puts her napkin on the table and slides her chair back. "What's wrong?" Poe asks.
"Someone is jumping on my bladder, I'll be right back." she waddles into her room and bath. Her hands cradle her ever growing stomach. "Oh baby, did I make the right decision?"
Not for the first time, she wishes Ben was here. She wishes she could still love him. She wishes- for so many things. And as usual. She won't get any of those hopes.
Her tears come, unbidden. The ones she has to swallow every time she sees Jonathan on that little screen. The ones that wanted to run at Christmas when she saw how much they're loved.
The ones that threatened when she would wake up from a dream of their old apartment and their old lives where he would sleep in her arms all night. Would they have gotten a bigger place by now? Or make-do with the second bedroom? What color would Ben have painted the nursery? She knows that he would have taken over-
But he didn't.
Her sob escapes and she cups her hands over her mouth in an effort to bring it back as she sinks onto the closed toilet.
"Rey?" Rose calls as she steps on the squeaky board in the middle of Rey's bedroom. A soft knock. "I'm coming in-" the door creaks open. "Oh sweetie, are you ok?"
She shakes her head, but the damn of tears keep coming.
"Is it time?" Rose whispers.
"I miss him."
"Oh Rey," instead of disapproving, Rose's tone is kind. "Come in here, please?"
Rey lets her friend lead her to her bed. But before they can sit, Hux meets them. "What happened?"
"She's missing him." Rose guides Rey to sit. And then claims the space on the bed beside her. Rey leans her head on her friend as Rose wraps her arm around Rey's shoulders. "What do you need besides him?"
Rey shakes her head but before she can speak, something happens, and her pajama pants grow wet. "Oh no-"
Rose scoots back. "Why is the bed wet?"
"I think I peed," Rey mutters, as her face heats up.
"No, I think this is your water breaking," Hux smiles. "Rey, I think we are about to meet Jonathan Benjamin."
"Oh crap," Rey whispers.
Poe and Finn must have been standing at the door. "Alright everyone! We've practiced this before," Poe announces. "Everyone you remember your to-do lists."
"You all practiced for this? Me going into labor?" Rey squeaks.
"Of course we did," Finn says. "Rose goes with you, Hux is driving, your bag is already in the car. We're going to call Leia and Han and put up the food. We'll come to the hospital when you're about, what eight?" Hux nods. "And don't worry, we won't be in the delivery room with you, but we will be there. Unless you want us?"
"No, just Rose and Hux, if he wants to stay. Is Dr. Imwe on call?"
"No, but he agreed to come in for you," Hux says. "Since you're already at three, we need to leave soon."
"Alright, let me change." Rose helps Rey to stand. "Did I pack the quilt Mama sent? Oh Poe, make sure you call Mama."
"She's on the list," one of them calls from the kitchen.
"And the-"
"We got everything. If we forgot anything, that's why Poe and Finn aren't coming yet. They can bring it." Rose smiles.
"Ok," Rey agrees. "Hux, can I wear pajamas? I need to strip the bed-"
"We'll get the bed," Poe calls from the kitchen.
"It's twenty degrees outside." Hux adds, "As long as you're warm, you can wear whatever you want."
"Ok, out. Let me have a last moment of privacy please?" Her friends file out but Rose stops and looks back. Rey can tell that she wants to say something, but she doesn't. She just closes the door behind her.
That's when her stomach ripples before a dull cramp squeezes. A couple of deep breaths, and it passes not quickly, but it stops after a moment.
Her phone is on the bed. And she knows what is going to happen when she swipes and the number rings. Once, it only rings once when you have reached a number that is been disconnected or is no longer in service-
"Alright then." She throws her phone into her purse and grabs her cord, stuffing it in there too. "Let's go have a baby."
Brbrbrbr
"When can I start walking?"
"Soon," Delly the nurse promises. Her mouth is moving as she whispers Hux's orders as she writes them down on a clipboard. "Ok. I think that's everything. Did Dr. Hux explain the plan to you?"
Only ten times in the car.
"He wants me to labor until I'm seven or eight centimeters. That's when you'll call him. Then he and Dr. Imwe will decide what to do after then."
"Where is your support person?" Delly asks.
Support person. How does she tell this stranger that the one she really wants is over fifteen hours away in the big apple? If only he still answered his phone. If only he still loved her.
Instead she answers, "Rose should be in here any minute."
"Do you want me to stay with you until she gets here?"
"No, you can go." she stops breathing as another contraction starts. Her hands touch her stomach as it squeezes her son.
"Breathe through it, Rey," Delly coaxes. Rey focuses on the bubbly blonde as they breathe together. "Cleansing breath- there. Better?" She asks even as she's looking at the fetal monitor.
"Is he alright?"
"It's a boy?" Delly asks with a huge smile.
"Jonathan Benjamin," Rey says with a smile.
"I love that name," she pauses. "I'll be back in a minute. Your contractions are still five minutes apart. Here's the call bell. I'm going to find Dr. Hux and see if we can get you up and walking so that sweet baby boy can make an appearance."
"Alright." The door isn't even closed when her phone starts ringing. "Hello Leia."
"You sound awfully calm. Is the boy here yet?"
"Not yet. This morning, I was at three and my water broke about two hours ago? I didn't realize it's so late."
"Rey, sweetie, you are birthing my grandson. You can call me anytime."
"Are you and Han on the way?"
"We are on the way to the airport now."
"Oh good. That's good. Call me when you land?"
"Of course. Rey?"
"Leia?"
"We love you. Kiss that sweet boy for me as soon as you have him in your arms."
"I will," she says as she wipes the tears from her eyes. "Leia?"
"Yes, dear?"
"Text me when you can. Even if you can't talk on the plane, still check on us. Ok?"
"I will. Love you."
"Love you." Rey echoes as Leia hangs up. "Well at least Lala and Papa are coming, even if Daddy can't- or won't." She rubs her tummy as it begins to harden. "There's another one," she breathes out as the pressure increases. Her eyes close tight as she tries to remember how to inhale and exhale.
She does remember the cleansing breath when it ends. "Alright little man, maybe I do want that epidural after all."
A soft knock before the door creaks open. More tears as Rose walks in. She lets the bag she's holding drop as she rushes to her bedside. "Rey? Oh honey, what's wrong?" Her best friend rushes to her side as Hux walks in behind her.
"Are you in pain?" Hux asks as he comes over to the piece of paper with the squiggly lines.
"I'm assuming I'm in active labor. Yes it hurts." Rey hisses. "I think I'm ready for that epidural now."
"That bad?" Rose asks.
"You really want one?" Hux asks.
"Do you think I'll have to have a c-section?" Rey asks.
"There's a high possibility."
"Then I guess it's better to do it now, than later?"
"I'd say so," Hux replies.
"Then I want it."
"Alrighty. Let me go tell them. Rose, you stay?" Hux ask.
"Of course." Rose waits for the door to close behind him. "How are you really?"
"He's scaring me."
"Hux?"
"Jonathan. He's going to be huge!" they laugh together. "Did Hux get a hold of Imwe?"
"I think so. He made several phone calls on the way. Did Leia call?"
"She did. They were on the way to the airport."
Brbrbrbrbr
H: She's in labor.
B: She is?
H: We're on the way to the airport.
B: I'm already here.
H: Are you going to Asheville too?
B: Yeah, but not for what you think.
H: What does the snake have you doing now?
B: He's buying a ski lodge.
H: What? You know what? Don't tell me. What flight are you on?
B: avl1129
H: Are you in first class?
B: Are you?
H: I need to talk to your mother
H: Are you alone?
B: I think so. He trusts me.
H: Meet me in first class lounge in fifteen minutes
Brbrbrbrbr need to fix this scene… would like to keep it, but leia knows
"Han? Where are you taking me?"
"Come on, I need a drink."
"What do you mean you need a drink?" Leia fusses as she follows him up the stairs leading to the admirals club. Did you check us in?"
"I did." Han stops abruptly and she runs into his back.
"Why did you- Ben?" she breathes. "What are you doing here?"
"Our son turned state's witness."
"Yes, I know that. You can't keep a secret from me, never been able to. And Rey doesn't know."
"No," Ben whispers. "She can't know. He'll kill them-"
"Come in here," Han mutters as he drags both of them into a private room. "Now listen before either one of you says anything and this turns into a shit show, I just want to tell you son, kid, I'm really proud of what you've been doing." Ben starts to say something, but Han continues, "Yes I know, I didn't know Rey was pregnant. If I had, I never would have told you to go through with this. Our grandson needs his father and when Ben has enough dirt on Snoke, I'm going to do everything in my power to get this family back together."
"Do you have enough evidence on Snoke yet?" Leia asks.
"I did until he decided to buy a ski lodge," Ben says.
"Why does Snoke need a ski lodge? And let me guess, it's in Western North Carolina?"
"Yep," Ben says. "It's already losing money. This way, when Snoke starts repairs—"
"Perfect place to launder money," Han grunts.
"I just want to know, who's idea was all this anyway?" Leia demands.
"Mine and Luke's."
"My bonehead brother is on this too?" she slaps Han's arm. "Why didn't you tell me."
"Honestly, no one told me. After you came home after seeing Rey packing up the U-Haul I called Luke. After he finally told me what they were doing, it was a need-to-know basis."
"Damn it," Leia growls.
"Leia-"
"Mom-"
"Someone better start at the beginning and leave nothing out." Both men start to protest. "You two forget when I was a senator, I had top security clearance and it pertained to affairs of the FBI. And I'm actually still under that oath. So, one of you better start talking before I start making phone calls. My grandson is entering the world tonight and I want his little life to be perfect. And right now, that asshat Snoke is keeping his father from him."
"I'm going to be a dad," Ben whispers.
"Flight AVL1129 is now boarding first class." Comes over the intercom.
"Is someone accompanying you to North Carolina?" Han checks his phone.
"It's just me. He has everyone else on other projects."
"We can't talk on the plane. Not until Ben does a sweep," Leia checks her phone.
"Any news?" Ben asks, hope evident in the way his eyes light up.
"Hang on," Leia says as she types on her phone. "Come on, we have a plane to catch."
Brbrbrbrbrbr
"Who knew that a shot to your spine would feel good?" Rey giggles.
"Contractions were bad?" Rose asks.
"I didn't think- what time is it?" Now that she couldn't feel anything from the waist down, she's sleepy. Very sleepy. Can't keep her eyes open sleepy.
"It's around one o'clock in the morning." Rey feels rose's hand on her forehead. "Get some sleep, friend. I'll be right here when you wake up."
"Get my phone. Leia and Han are on the way."
"How am I not surprised?" Before Rose is done talking, Rey's asleep.
Brbrbrbrbr
Leia: Rey, we're boarding. I'll text when we land.
Rey: Hey, this is Rose. She just got an epidural and she's asleep. It's been a long day.
Leia: I bet it was. You get some sleep too. This is a direct flight, so we'll be there soon.
Rey: Do you need Poe or Finn to pick you up?
Leia: No we have a ride.
Rey: See you soon
Rose texts as she takes a picture of Rey and sends it to Leia.
Rey: Peace before the storm?
Leia: Poor dear. I hope she gets plenty of rest.
Brbrbrbrbr
"Give me the phone, Mother."
Not for the first time, Leia wonders if whoever arranges her life needs to be shot. She and Han got their preferred seats in business class. Just why American put their son that they really can' tbe seen with on the same flight and across the aisle from them remains to be seen. Maybe there is another force trying it's damnest to bring them all together.
Why else would he be on the way to where the love of his life is in the hospital giving birth to the newest little Solo?
"Ben- are you sure?"
"I've been sending him pictures of the kid-" Han admits.
"Han Indiana solo!" Leia sputters. Then because she can't say what she wants to as the rest of the plane boards, she slaps his arm. "One day and one day soon the two of you are going to explain all this to me and Rey. And you better hope to God that she forgives you. And I'm still not sure that I'm going to."
She still hands over her phone. What breaks her heart is that she can't go to her son and hug him when he starts to cry. The picture is scary if you don't know the why. IVs are hooked up. Big thick cords attached to different parts of Rey's body. Her beautiful face flushed red because of what her body is doing.
"She's ok. The epidural is the pain killer. I didn't think she was going to get one, but something must have happened that she changed her mind," Leia whispers.
"There's something wrong?" Ben looks up at her. Even when he was worried as a child, he would get this look- furrowed brows. Frantic eyes. the same look that's on his face now.
"She's ok. She's at the hospital. Look, her OB, over the past several months as become a good friend. We've even met him. There's no one that I trust more to take care of her."
"Are they dating?" He looks down at her phone again.
"No, nothing like that. Do you remember Rose?" Ben nods. "That's who's dating her baby doctor."
"What about Finn and Poe?"
"I'm not sure. They all live together in that huge farmhouse that they restored."
The pilot comes on the intercom and welcomes them on board. Leia waves for her cell to be given back when she mentions airplane mode.
She goes back to the picture of Rey in the hospital bed. And not for the first time since ben left her, she finds herself praying to a God that she only half believes in that somehow, someway, everyone is going to be alright.
Brbrbrbr
"Should we go on to the hospital?" Poe asks.
"The last time Rose texted, she said that Rey was sleeping and she was going to try to nap too." Finn pulls out another bottle of Rey's favorite juice to pack. "Have you talked to Armie?"
"I think he might be sleeping too, at least I hope he is. What if he has to deliver Jonathan?"
"He said that he was going to try not to- but if he does then there's no one else I'd want doing it." Finn pulls out a pack of cookies that Rey loves too. "Is that enough snacks?"
Poe chuckles as he looks in the cooler bag Finn has been packing. "Maybe for after little man is born- can you believe it? We get to meet him today."
Both men look at each other with tears in their eyes. "I wouldn't trade any of this time with Rey for anything," Poe admits.
"It has been pretty spectacular. Do you think we could talk Rose into having a baby soon?"
"Maybe between the three of us, one of us can do it," Poe teases.
Brbrbrbrbrbr
"Leia? We're getting ready to land." Han nudges her.
"Is it too late to go to the bathroom?" she asks. The only reason she gets seats in business class is so she stretch out and sleep.
"You can still go," her husband says. "That one in front of us is empty."
"I'll be back," she announces as she stands.
Han waits for Leia to close the door behind her to ask, "What are your plans once we land?"
"I know what I want to do, but yeah." Ben runs his fingers through his hair.
"What would happen if you did?" Han ponders.
"What do you mean?" Ben asks.
"What would happen if you did show up?"
"I can't- she's giving birth- would she even want to see me- would she?"
"What about the job?" Han asks.
"Honestly I don't care anymore," Ben whispers.
"I know that. But you have to remember too, that you're doing this for your baby. If you do this, and Snoke finds out about him-"
"Him? So, it is a boy?" Tears spring to Ben's eyes. "I'm having a son."
"And you have to protect him now."
"I can't go to them?"
"I'm not sure, son. I know how brokenhearted Rey is. And I don't want to see her hurt again."
"I don't want to hurt her- them anymore. Maybe I should just stay far away. And after we bring down Snoke, I'll just leave the country or something."
"Is that something you really want to do?" Han whispers as she bathroom door cracks open. Leia comes out and freezes. "Come sit down, Princess. It's almost time."
Her gaze shifts from his to Ben's and back again. Before she claims her seat again. "I'm not sure what you two have been up to," she hisses, "as soon as we land, I want to hear every word."
Brbrbrbrbrbr
"Rose?" Hux asks as he stands. She eases the door shut behind her. "Is she alright?"
"Yeah, I just needed a break. She walks over to the nurse's station where Hux was sitting. "What are you doing?"
"Paperwork. Everything has to be written down." He meets her eyes. That's when she notices that they are alone. "You know, after Rey has the baby and she's no longer my patient, we don't have to be so secretive anymore."
"That's true." Her grin matches his. "And what are you going to tell the world about us?"
"That I met the most amazing woman and I'm so glad that she's mine. Then there's her roommates."
"What about her roommates?" Rose grins.
"They are interesting to say the least. But I've grown to love them-" he stops talking when he realizes what he just said.
"You love us?" Rose squeaks.
Delly the nurse rounds the corner, arms full of supplies. "Oh, hey you two. How's the patient?"
Rose watches as Hux- Armie gives her the doctor version what his plans for Rey is. While she can feel herself growing starry-eyed as she watches him do what he loves.
And because of that, she falls for him a little more.
Brbrbrbrbr
"Rey?" Someone gently nudges her shoulder. "They need to check to see how dilated you are."
"Who does?"
"Dr. Imwe isn't here yet." Rose says. "Hux said he can do it, or Delly can."
"Idontcare-" her words slur together as she speaks, her eyes not even opening. "What time is it?"
"It's almost four AM." Hux gently shakes her arm. "Can you roll over?"
"On my back?"
"Can you?" Hux asks.
"I can't breathe, but we can try." Rey says.
"Come on, I'll help," Rose offers as she follows Hux's lead. She doesn't venture to the end of the bed to see what her boyfriend is doing, but she quips, "You know, this is the only time you're allowed to do that."
Hux smiles but Rey groans. And not in a good way. "I know, it's tender," Hux mutters. "Good news though, you are at five."
"That's all?" Rey whines as she lets her legs fall back to the side.
"That's all." Hux takes his glove off. Rose straightens the blanket over her. "Why don't you go back to sleep?"
"That's the best idea you've had in a long time." Her eyes are already shut when she stops talking. "Oh Rose?"
"What is it Rey?" Rose asks with a smile.
"Text Leia. Give her an update, please?" A soft snore fills the room.
Rose finds Rey's phone in the covers and they tiptoe out.
So I'm not sure why, but I really love Hux being a doctor in this. Now, I know this was a long chapter to be part of the birthing baby Solo. But there's so much more than just Rey sleeping. And yes, Ben is on the way… I'm so glad that you're still enjoying my drama filled mess. My life has been crazy lately so it's been nice to have something I can control. And yes, a lot of things happen in the next chapter! As always, thank you for reading and commenting and liking and leaving kudos. If I could, I'd give you all a hug!