I love this chapter! I really do… I hope you love it too!

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"Mama, are you sure Josie's here?" Juniper asks for the hundredth time.

"Yes, there she is with her parents." Rey points to Rose and Finn who watch their daughter play. This part of the reunion is at their local park that recently got all new playground equipment. Juniper looks up at her, silently asking for permission. Rey encourages, "Yes, go play." Juniper grins, then runs over to join them. Greer grabs Wyatt's hand and follows. Jack looks around, a little lost until Rey adds, "Come on, let's go play."

"There's a lot of people here," Ben whispers as they get closer to the crowd.

"It's still not everyone. But you have to remember, our graduating class was only one hundred and fifty-three people."

By now they've caught up to Rose and Finn. Rey is pleasantly surprised that Juniper is introducing everyone to everyone.

She doesn't miss Ben's grin when Wyatt or Jack isn't trying to hide behind his legs. Instead Josie leads them over to the playground where the other kids are playing. "Should we get them to eat first?" He asks.

"Let them play, then they can eat," Rey answers. "They're serving food until two I think."

"What time did you say we have to be back?" Ben asks.

"We don't have to be back here," Rose answers. "It's at the golf course."

"Fancy," Finn smirks.

Wyatt runs up to them, and stops in front of Finn. "Are you Josie's dad?"

"Guilty as charged," Finn admits.

"What does that mean, Dad?" Wyatt asks Ben.

"Guilty," Ben swallows hard trying to think of how to explain the term to his son. "In this case, it means that what you are asking him, he did it, or in this case, you found the person you're looking for."

"Oh,'' Wyatt whispers and it looks like the adults are having to bite back their laughter. "Josie needs you."

Rey and Rose watch as Finn and then Ben follow Wyatt to where the rest of the kids are waiting. "Should we go too?" Rose asks.

"Nah, they would be crying and screaming if it was really bad," Rey replies. Then the two friends giggle together.

"That's true," Rose says. "How did you talk Ben into coming today?"

"I'm still not sure how that happened. He wanted to go back to the lake, but I think I ended up begging. I don't think he remembers that next weekend is prom."

"Is he finally going to be your prom date?" Rose teases.

"Maybe? I don't think he realizes that I have to work. Are you and Finn still coming?"

"I have to, the same as you," Rose says as she rolls her eyes. "Did you bring Juniper and Greer's things?"

"Yep. They'll go with you and then Ben and I will take the boys to Leia. What time are you going to be at the club?"

"I don't know? Five? six?"

"We'll try to be there around the same time."

Ben comes jogging back to them. "Wyatt and Jack are hungry; can we go ahead and eat?"

"Yeah that sounds good to me—" Rey answers.


"Can you help me?" Ben asks.

"Yeah, come here," she takes over, tying his tie for him. "Do you not wear ties at work?"

"Not if I can help it," he says with a smile. "The office is pretty casual, so I wear a lab coat if I have patients in the hospital. When I go back to the ER it will be scrubs. Have I told you yet that you look beautiful?"

"Not yet."

"Well, remind me to," he says with a wink. She's wearing the pink lace dress that Rose picked out for her. She just finished with the last curl and her make-up.

"While I'm thinking about it, what are you doing next Saturday?"

"Can we go to the lake?" He asks and she doesn't miss how hopeful he sounds.

"Do you want to go to prom with me?"

"You already asked."

"I'm reminding you?" Rey whispers. She isn't sure of the look on his face, so she quickly adds, "You don't have to, I was going to wear this, and you can wear that—"

"I'll go," he begins, "but only if you'll spend a week with us at the lake house when school's out."

"The girls too?"

"Of course! We'll have yours, mine and—" he pauses instead of saying ours.

She doesn't miss how beautiful he is being awkward so she rescues him with a kiss. "We'd love to."

Her phone chimes and interrupts their plan making. "Let me get that, it could be Rose or the girls." She picks it up and smiles. "It's the girls. They want pictures."

"Do they have their own phones?"

"No, there's one. It's my old one and they can only use it when they're with Poe." She stands beside Ben and he takes the phone from her to take a selfie. Juniper replies instantly. "She said that Ben needs to take all the pictures from now on." Rey giggles. "I think she's saying that she likes your long arms?"

He kisses her temple. "Send one to mom?"

"And mine," she says as she continues to text while he leads her out the door.


"This is kind boring," Rose whispers.

"Maybe we should have volunteered to be on the planning committee," Rey murmurs back.

"Nah, we didn't like those people in high school and I still don't care for them."

"How much longer do we have to stay?" Ben asks and both Rey and Rose can just tell that Finn wants to leave too.

Rose and Rey look at each other and shrug. "I guess we can go now?"

They gather their things and walk out. It's still early enough that the sun hasn't set yet. Ben pauses before they get to either one of their vehicles. "I have a crazy idea." He turns to Rey. "That is if Rey wants to do it."

"Me?"

"Yes, you." He drops to one knee and reaches for her left hand while Rose pulls out her phone. Rey watches as the two nod at each other then he continues, "Rey Marie Holdo, will you marry me?"

Rose gasps, Finn giggles and Rey whispers, "What?"

"Last week, I can't believe it's only been a week, but then I've known you all my life. I still remember that first time I saw you. You and Aunt Ami just arrived and were getting ready to unpack the moving van. Mom had volunteered all of us and everyone to come help. I was of course being a moody ten-year-old boy but you, even with everything you'd been through, was this sweet, amazing kid.

"I think I fell in love with you then," he says, blinking his tears away.

"Oh, Ben," she's crying, Rose is crying and a couple of old classmates are gathering around them.

"Really though. And even though you beat me at Doctor Mario. I still liked you. Then we got older but not wiser. I wouldn't trade the kids for anything, but when I saw you at Bear Lake it felt like a new beginning." He stands back up and pulls her into his arms. He whispers against her temple, "I love you so much, Rey. Let's go get married. I don't want to live another day without you being Mrs. Benjamin Anakin Solo."

"Ok—" He doesn't let her say anything else because he claims her mouth. Even though the crowd around them cheers, they keep on kissing. She murmurs, "Let's go to Gatlinburg."

"What? You really want to do this?" He asks.

"I've always loved you too, and yes, I want to marry you right now."

"Right now, right now?" Ben asks again just to be sure.

"Yes, you dork." She turns to Rose and Finn. "Are the girls alright with your mom?"

"Of course, they are."

"Then come on, you two are going to be our witnesses."

Finn meet's Rose's excited gaze and they both say, "Let's go!"


They make it to Gatlinburg ten minutes before the marriage license office closes.

"Which chapel?" Rey asks as they cruise main street.

"The white one on the corner. It's the prettiest one," Rose says.

Ben squeezes her knee. "The white one?"

"The white one."

"Rings!" Finn says from the back. "Stop up here."

"At this strip mall?" Ben asks, turning his signal.

"A friend of mine has a jewelry store over here. You two need wedding bands."

It only takes them a minute to pick out the platinum bands, simple, no beginning and no end, perfect. As they walk out to the Land Rover, Finn starts to sing, "We're going to the chapel, and we're," Rose joins her husband, "gonna get married—"

"You bunch of dorks, get in the vehicle." Rey rolls her eyes but still has the same excited-can't-believe-that-this-is-happening grin.

"This is so romantic," Rose says in the backseat.

Rey squeezes his knee and is rewarded a grin before he turns into the parking lot. When he puts the SUV in park, his eyes meet hers. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, Ben Solo, I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

"Let's go," he says. Once they enter, Ben gives the young lady behind the counter their marriage license, and his and Rey's driver's licenses. It takes her a minute to fill out everything and while they wait, they decide the rest of the ceremony.

A gentleman, who looks to be Han's age walks through a door in the lobby. He nods and says, "My name is Lor San Tekka. I'll be performing the ceremony this evening. Now, who's getting married?"

"We are," Ben answers as he tugs Rey to his side.

"Excellent." Lor says. "And you two are moral support?"

"And witnesses," Finn adds.

"Are you walking down the aisle?" Lor asks.

"Yes, if I can," Rey answers.

"Dani," Lor starts, "help these two get ready, I'm going to take the gentlemen here and help them."

"Yes, Daddy," Dani answers. She waits for the guys to go into the sanctuary before she asks, "Ok, you can pick out any bouquet out of the refrigerator there. You too, best woman." She waits while Rey and Rose pick out matching rose and daisy bundles. "I love those. Do you want a veil? Your fiancée paid for you to have one."

"Yeah, I think I'll like that."

Dani pushes a book on the counter towards them. "Look through here, and see what you'd like."

As soon as Rey sees it, she knows that she needs the pink short veil to match her dress. Even Rose says, "That one."

"That one," Rey echoes. Dani smiles as she hands her the veil. Rose leads her to the mirror and with tears in their eyes they adjust it.

"This one is the one," Rose murmurs.

"New beginnings," Rey whispers.

"Are you ready?" Rose asks.

"I am." Rey looks over at Dani. "Are you the one taking pictures?"

"It's me, any special requests?"

"Get a picture of Ben's face when he sees me. This is something we've both been waiting for, for a long time."

"Yes ma'am," Dani says with a smile. She opens the door and peeks in. She must have given her dad a signal because music begins to play.

"Wait, is that—" Rose says.

"It is," Rey answers. "It's the theme song from The Princess Bride. He remembered!"

Dani smiles. "Alright Rose, you start." As much as Rey wants to watch, she knows that Finn is recording everything with her phone. And even though Ben has already seen her, he's never seen her with a veil on and she wants to keep that a surprise if she can.

"Rey?"

She nods and Dani opens the doors. Afterwards when she watches the video, she might wonder why she didn't take a moment to actually look around to see how sweet the chapel was. Fresh flowers scattered about seemingly on accident but on purpose.

But instead, she can't keep her eyes off her groom.

He's waiting for her at the end with the biggest smile she's ever seen on his face. It's so big, his dimples are showing and he never smiles that big unless it's while he's playing with the boys.

Ben must have chosen a traditional service because Rey and Ben are promising each other their forevers with a simple "I will."

Finn says, "Aww" while Rose is wiping her tears as Ben gently kisses her while Lor announces, "May I present, Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin Solo."

Much to their surprise, Rose and Finn throw Rose petals which rain down on them in a shower of red. He pulls her down the aisle until he has to stop in the lobby. "I can't believe we just got married," she giggles.

"Mrs. Solo—I do like calling you that."

"I can get used to it." she grins.

"Congrats you two," Dani wishes. She walks back around the counter. "Sign here Dr. Solo. And you sign here, Mrs. Solo," she says with a wink. "Alright you two. It's all signed, sealed and I'll deliver it Monday to the register. Then I'll mail you the official one." She taps the papers together. "But you two are officially married. Oh here, let me make you a copy—"

Lor slaps Ben on the back and then the two shake hands like they were old friends. "You owe me," Rose says in her ear.

"For what?" Rey asks.

"Those Rose petals were a pain to pick up."

"But you made today even more special," Rey says, as she gives her a hug. Her eyes meet Ben's. "Let's go home."

Brbrbrbrbr

"Are you sure the girls can stay until at least lunch?" Ben asks Finn.

"Of course, it's your wedding night," Finn answers.

"Mom could always go get them if we're not back by lunch," Rey adds.

"They're fine." Rose looks at her phone. "It's right now nine PM. We'll go over in the morning after Mom calls that she's fed them. Then we'll hang out until you call to tell us that you're back."

"What about your boys?" Finn asks.

"They're with Mom and Dad." He reaches for her hand. "Should we tell our families at the same time?"

"Whatever you think," she replies.

"We could get your mom and my mom to bring the kids to the lake house?" Ben asks.

"They probably would?" Rey answers. She didn't really think that much about them eloping until Rose whispered something to Finn. Is this too sudden? Will the kids get along? What about Poe… No, don't think about him. He didn't think about you years ago when he was cheating. Where are we going to live?

Ben stops the SUV and Rey looks around like the last several hours have been a dream. "We're back at the high school."

"Yep. Bye bestie. Let me know how it goes tomorrow," Rose says as she kisses her cheek.

"Bye," she answers. She watches them climb into Finn's truck.

"Hey, are you alright?" He asks now that it's just the two of them. "I think I lost you there for a minute."

"I think you did," she says as she looks at him. Then she smiles. "But I'm here, you're here and for the first time in a long time—this feels right. And I'm so happy that you found me again."

"I think we found each other." The street lights are on by now as they drive to her house. "I thought you could go get a change of clothes for tomorrow."

"See, that's just one reason why I love you, Ben Solo. Always thinking ahead."


"I guess I should call Mom and Dad?" Rey asks. "I can't believe we just got married!" She giggles.

"Yeah, I think so." He squeezes her hand because she hasn't let go of his like he's a lifeline that she didn't think she needed until now. Or maybe she did, just life and everything else made her forget.

"Are you alright?" she asks. "You aren't regretting doing this, are you?"

He smiles. That smile that he smiled at her when they were ten. Yes, he beat her at Donkey Kong, but that smile. "I don't regret anything." They pass a car and she can see the sudden worry on his face as the light chases away the shadows. "Do you?"

"No, Sweetheart. I just hope the kids will get along."

He chuckles. "I doubt they will. They barely get along with each other."

"That's true." The light from the headlights show them the sign for the road. He turns and she squeezes him again.

He stops and grins. "Don't move." It takes him less than thirty seconds to come around to her side of the SUV where he opens the door for her. He offers a hand and murmurs, "Welcome home, my beautiful bride."

She grins and slides her hand in his. "I need my bag—"

"I'll come back for it," he says as he sweeps her into his arms. She giggles and wraps her arms around his neck.

He stomps up the stairs to the front door. "Give me the keys?" He jiggles them under her knees where she fetches them. She looks at them and fishes out what could only be a house key. "This one?"

"That one," he confirms.

She wiggles it into the deadbolt and the door swings open on silent hinges. "Welcome home, husband," she says as he steps over the threshold.

"Husband," he mutters. "I like that word."

"I do too." She steals a kiss. "I need my bag," she reminds him.

"You do?" he smirks. "What will you do if I go get it for you?"

"Hmmm—I don't know? A kiss?"

"Where?"

"What do you mean where?" She giggles. "What about here?" She asks as she kisses his cheek. He shakes his head. "What about here?" She echoes as she kisses his ear. He hums so she sucks his lobe into her mouth and nibbles the end of it.

He lets her slide down his torso, holding her until her feet touch the floor. "That works."

He dashes out the door. It only takes him a couple of seconds to come back but she needs to touch him again. The bag hits the floor as she wraps her arms around him.

He lowers his head and she knows that he's going to kiss her, but she steps away. His eyes widen in surprise, but she backs up. "I'll be right back."

"You will?"

"I will." She starts down the hall but pauses…

"I know, you're hungry."

"Just a little something though." She winks. "You know, so we can keep our energy up."

"Don't forget we need to call our mothers."

"Let me change—"

"Alright." He waits until she disappears in his room. She doesn't shut the door, and he has to smile. As much as he wants to follow, he knows she will need food.

But before he can start to look, she's back with his robe belted around her. "What ya' got on under there?" He reaches for the terry cloth belt.

She swats his hand away. "Let's call the mothers." She glances at the clock on the stove. "They're going to think someone's dead, it's past ten."

"How about we call your mom, then we or she can call Mom." He winks. "A three-way call. Sounds kinky."

She laughs, "Hush!" Her mom's phone rings.

"Rey!" Mom answers. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, but Ben and I need to talk to you and Leia. Can you three-way-call her?"

"Yeah, hang on." The line goes silent then they hear ringing.

"Amilyn! What's wrong?"

"See, I told you they were going to think that people are dead," Rey fusses.

"Hey Mom, Aunt Ami." The phone is silent. "Rey and I are here at the lake house. Could you, Ami, pick up Greer and Juniper? Mom, you and Dad bring the boys around three tomorrow?" Ben asks.

"Oh, and bring some hamburgers and hot dogs to grill?" Rey adds.

The moms are quiet but they can hear Han and Tobias murmur something in the background.

"Ben?"

"Rey?"

Then somehow like only friends who've known one another for many years, they ask at the same time, "What did you two do?"

"Just—everything's good. We promise. But we want everyone here tomorrow," Ben answers. "Please?"

"We'll be there," Amilyn says.

"We will too," Leia says. "Can we come sooner? Like more around lunch?"

"Mama?" Rey asks. "The girls are at Rose's parents. Do you want me to call Rose and tell her that you're coming to pick them up tomorrow?"

"No, I can," Amilyn says and Rey can tell that she knows that something big happened.

The four of them are quiet for a moment until Rey says, "Alright, we'll see you all tomorrow. I love you Mama, I love you Leia. If the boys are still awake, give them a hug from us."

"Hopefully the boys are asleep," Ben rumbles.

"They are," Leia answers and even Rey can tell she's holding back a chuckle. "Goodnight everyone."

"Goodnight," Amilyn echoes.

The phone clicks in Ben's hand. "I bet you a quarter that they are calling each other."

"You know they are," Ben says with a smirk.

"Did you find food?"

"I did." Ben pauses. "But guess what?"

"What?"

"I think for the first time in like three days, we're alone."

"I think you're right, Dr. Solo." She stands on her tip toes and wraps her arms around his neck. "Fuck me, please," she purrs.

He straightens up, lifting her off the floor. "That can be arranged, Mrs. Solo."

Rey has to laugh when he almost runs down the hallway. When she ran in her house to get what she could, she grabbed the tea lights Juniper insisted on buying last Halloween that they lost as soon as they got home.

She also grabbed an old silk scarf and threw it over one of the lamps, casting a pink hue over the room.

Ben stops as soon as he crosses the threshold. "Rey—what did you do?"

She looks down, suddenly shy. "It's our wedding night." He tips her head back and smiles at her. "I wanted to make tonight special."

"It's beautiful. Where did you get the candles? Did I have them already?"

"No," she giggles. "Juniper threw them into the buggy at the store sometime before Halloween last year. We actually lost them until a month ago."

"Perfect timing." He looks down between them and tugs on the terry cloth belt. "Now, can I see?"

She nods. "Why don't you get more comfortable too?" He nods and she walks behind him. She knows that he wants to say something, but she whispers, "Shhh—" as she grabs the shoulders of his sports jacket. He wiggles, and she catches it before it hits the floor.

She turns to put it on the dresser and he's taking his shoes off. Their eyes meet and she reaches for his belt. His baritone chuckle makes fall even more as she lowers his pants. One leg at a time, he steps out of them.

His pants join his jacket.

He reaches for his buttons, but she shakes her head. One by one she unbuttons him. When she uncovers the first bit, she licks and ends it with a kiss.

The next button opens over his heart. Another kiss and he whispers, "Rey."

Another button reveals more of his rib cage. But instead of a kiss, she pulls his button-up shirt out of his pants. Her patience is gone, and she wants to see him, to feel him.

She looks up into those whiskey colored eyes. "Ben, you have made all of my dreams come true tonight. I will spend the rest of my life loving you."

His answer is when he cups her cheeks and claims her lips. He stops long enough to murmur against her skin, "it's you, Rey. It's always been you. that's why I could marry—because I knew deep in my heart—that it's always been you."

"Ben," she whispers. He unties her belt. "I know it's not much, and I actually got in on the sale rack at Dillard's for like four dollars—"

He pushes the robe off her shoulders revealing a pink lace baby doll nightie. "It's beautiful—"

"This is the first time I've worn it," she confesses. She knows that he would never ask, but he doesn't look as tense when she admits that.

"Well not for long," he teases. His white button-up lands on the floor along with his boxers. "Get on the bed."

"Do you want me to leave it on?"

"I do, but then I want you naked."

Her grin matches his smirk as the lace hits him in the face. "Come here, wife."

"As much as I like hearing you say that, I thought you wanted me on the bed."

"I'm going to lay down and I want my wife to join me."

He goes to his side of the bed, and pulls down the covers. She mirrors his movements and they sit at the same time. They lay back on the pillows and he holds out his arms. Her smile lights up the room as bright as the sun as he cuddles to his side.

"I know you're tired. Do you want to—" he doesn't get to finish because she's kissing him. His lips never leave hers when his hand wanders in between her legs.

She hums when he finds her clit, and starts to rub it the way he's figured out she likes it. He's so focused on her, that until she grabs him, he doesn't notice that she moves. He moans into her mouth as she begins to pump him.

"Fuck me, Ben."

"Do you need me?" he asks, parting her legs.

"More than you know—"

"I think I can tell how much you need me."

"I know how much you need—" she stops talking when he slides in. "Fuck you feel so good."

"I do?" He mutters in her ear.

"Move, please," she grunts as she wiggles under him trying to get some traction.

"Like this?" He shimmies his hips from side to side, teasing her.

She has to laugh. She tries to reach his butt so she can slap it, but he's so tall that she settles for pinching his side. That's when he pulls out until the head of his dick is still in, then he scoops her legs up until her knees settle in the crook of his elbows. Then he slides his entire length back home.

Home. This is home.

Her eyes roll back, and he's too far gone to taunt her anymore. This time, when he moves, it's to bring them both to the brink. Faster and faster until her orgasm begins to catch her, but he pauses. He releases her knees, and her knees slide down his sides. Their lips meet, in the sweetest kiss. Foreheads touching, he cups her head as he brings them both to an earth-shattering orgasm.


Yes, you can elope to Gatlinburg, TN… get married the same day you get your license… I've had several friends do it, we almost did! And just remember if it seems quick, it is. But they've known one another since they were ten. And when you know, you know.