Thank you for coming back!

This chapter there's mentions of past emotional abuse. It's brief. I've made myself fall in love with these kids too. So, it's nothing but healing for them from this point.

There are some surprises. A big one in this chapter, then a big one in the next chapter. I'm almost to the point of writing the second one. Hehe…this is going to be interesting. I hope you like them.

As always, thank you for reading! Thank you for kudos, likes and comments.

He's not at all surprised when she agrees to everything they discussed with Lando. He's just wondering who she's doing all this for. He knows it's not him, or the boys. Is it to make Rey jealous? Doubtful. She might have been the catalyst to start the process. But there's a little voice inside his head that insists that there's something or someone else that works for her motivation.

The visit was still a couple of days away. Tobias was able to get Jack, Wyatt and him in to see Tobias' partner, a petite woman named Maz. The boys love her as soon as they met her, and after a minute, she even charms him.

The first visit was alright. They didn't get into any deep, dark Solo secrets, but Maz did ask Jack and Wyatt about Bazine. Even he could tell that they were trying to sound nonchalant, but with a raised brow, he guesses even Maz questions how they are feeling.

On the way home, Maz calls him. "I know you are meeting with her in a couple of days. We won't be able to get another session in, but I trust your medical background and your instinct. Don't leave them alone with her. If you see any signs of distress at all, end it. If she is serious about reestablishing this relationship, then we will all come in and it will start here in my office. But I know that you have this already planned."

"You could say that," he agrees.

"I would even record you talking to her, but her consent of course."

"In case we go to court?"

"Among other things." Maz replies as he pulls into his parent's driveway.

He parks his mom's BMW and says to the boys, "Go on in. Rey's cooking supper."

As if she heard her name, she answers by coming out onto the porch. The boys climb out and he waits for Rey to usher them into the house. Then he gives his undivided attention to the therapist on his cell. "Do you think Jack and Wyatt will be alright?"

"They will be. You've got me and Tobias in your corner, now. So yes, if we have to go to the depths of hell itself, your family will be alright. Call me Thursday if you need to." She suggested that they move the visitation up to Thursday from Friday in case Ben or Rey needs to bring in the boys sooner. "If you need me to see them Friday. If not, I'll see you on Monday, right?"

"Yes, ma'am. And Maz? Thank you for your help. I still feel like this is a mistake, but we will overcome it as the old songs used to say."

"Yes, they did," her chuckle warms his heart. "Goodbye, Dr. Solo."

"Good bye, Maz."

He turns off the SUV and lumbers out. Rey opens the door as he climbs the first step of the porch and he catches her as she wraps her arms around his neck from the top step. It was his first morning back at the practice and Han met him with Jack and Wyatt at Tobias and Maz's office.

"What's up Doc? How was your day?" Rey murmurs against his lips.

"You must be feeling better," he observes. She's been recovering for a week and a couple of days. And this is the perkiest he's seen her.

"I am. How are you feeling?" He doesn't move because he's enjoying her embrace too much. He hasn't been afraid to touch her, but he's been easier than normal.

"Dr. Imwe said everything looks good. He took out my stitches even though I insisted that my husband could do that." she chuckles. "I think he doesn't want us playing doctor anymore."

"What he doesn't know won't hurt him." He takes the next step and picks her up as he does. Wyatt has his appointment tomorrow with Dr. Kalonia. "What's for supper?"

"We made the boy's favorite." She lowers her voice so she can whisper, "I didn't know how therapy would go, so we made pizza."

His eyes grow watery. "And that's why I love you. You are this sweet and amazing person." he kisses her lips. "So, giving." Another kiss. "Always a kind word. Thank you for letting us love you."

"And you know what such words will get you, Dr. Solo?"

"And what is that?" He sets her down on her feet.

"Anything you want." She pulls him to her by the button-up shirt she picked out for him this morning. Their lips meet and he's not sure if it's him or her who is moaning at the other's touch.

"Where are my parents?"

"Serving pizza."

"Come upstairs with me." He leans back so he can meet her eyes "I need your help."

"And I'm happy to assist you." She takes his hand and leads him in the house. When they reach the kitchen, he doesn't let go of her hand but walks to his mom, gives her a kiss and murmurs in her ear. Then he tugs her up the stairs.

She follows him with a giggle on her lips while he shuts and locks the door behind them. They don't say a thing as she pushes her shorts down her long legs. Silence as he kicks off his shoes, followed by his khakis.

Her panties, his boxer briefs, land next to already discarded clothes.

They come together gently, but still as passionate as they were before the wreck.

He does stop for a moment to say, "You stop me if this hurts at all, ok?"

"Ok."

His lips are on her neck while her hands tug on his waves. He starts to back her up but she grins and shakes her head no. Then she turns out of his arms. The sultry look she shoots him over her shoulder as she climbs on the bed makes him feel like his heart is going to stop.

When she stops at the edge of the bed, and she wiggles her hips, he understands what she asks for. He teases her with a finger at her entrance and groans when he feels how wet she is. A couple of pumps to himself and he sinks into her until he can't go any further.

"Ben-" she whispers. "It's been too long-"

"I'll be gentle." and he is until she starts pushing back, her hips moving faster than his. He speeds up to keep up with her, but then he can feel her quivering around him. He gets lost in the sensation of her which makes his own orgasm catch him by surprise.

It's a magical moment where they come together, leaving them a gasping mess of limbs and love.

"Daddy's here," Rey calls up the stairs before she walks to the door to let Poe in. "Hey!"

"Hey," he says as he comes in.

"They went to go get their stuff." She motions for him to follow her into the kitchen. She's still moves slow, but she feels a lot better than she has. "How are you?"

"I'm alright, are you ok?" He asks and she can hear the genuine concern in his voice.

"Better. Thanks for coming to get them a day early."

"This must be tough with Bazine coming back."

"I don't think any of them expected that to happen. It makes me grateful that we were able to work things out and share custody of the girls."

"Yeah, me too." Thundering footsteps keep him from saying anything else. The girls run to him hugging his legs and waist. While the boys linger on the steps. He chuckles. "The boys are making me feel bad. Do all Solo's just know how to make you feel guilty? What does Leia and Han teach them?"

She shakes her head at him. "No, it's not like we have active lessons in sad puppy dog eyes."

"Rey?" Wyatt appears at her side. "When will Greer be back?"

"Wyatt?" Poe is the one who answers. "How about, if it's alright with Rey, of course, we meet you at the-"

"Wait-" she slaps his arm and doesn't let him finish. "They opened the pool up this week. Why don't you and Zorii bring the girls and come swim? And maybe a cookout?"

"What about-"

"That's today. Don't worry, she's only going to be here for an hour."

"Alright then, swimming the day after tomorrow. Is that alright with you, girls?"

The cheers of all four children are enough to drown out any doubts Rey might have had that this would never work.

Han and Leia took the boys with them to run errands and Ben is still at work, so Rey has that rare moment of being alone. She loves the family that has surrounded her over the past several years, but she's also grown to enjoy the quiet moments.

She's catching up on emails and texts from friends asking about the wreck, yeah, it's still hard to get back into another vehicle, but she'll talk to Daddy about that later. When she looks down at her phone. The app she uses to track her monthly courses as they used to call it way-back-when, reminds her… she touches the icon and her breath freezes in her chest.

When was the last time she had a period? Better yet, when was the last time she remembered to take a pill?

She forces air back into her lungs. While it's starting to feel perfect and they wish it was always just them, technically, she reminds herself that it's only been eight weeks. She has to smile even though she's freaking out a lot on the inside. Her wedding band shines in the afternoon light and she loves the promises they made.

"Focus, Rey," she mutters out loud to herself. A glance at the screen tells her that she is late. A couple of weeks late. "Ok, maybe while the bitch is here, you can sneak out and grab a test?"

But before she can even stand, she hears the garage door opening, signaling that one of the Solo's has arrived. She clears her screen like she was doing something really bad, and goes to see who's home.

Ben, who got off work at lunch, meets her in the kitchen. "There's my bride," he coos as he wraps his arms… "What's wrong?"

"I'm late," she mutters as she looks down.

"Late for what?"

"Really Ben? You're a doctor." She looks up at him. If she wasn't so worried herself, the emotions that cross his face are priceless.

"Like your period is late?" he whispers.

"Yeah I'm three weeks late actually."

"Alright, alright." he looks calm she thinks but she also knows that he feels things deeply. "Do you want me to run and get a test so we'll know? Do you feel like driving?"

"I know I need to, but will you come with me? I know it's just to the end of the cul-de-sac."

"Of course." He looks at the clock that hangs over the table. "Yeah, she won't be here for another two hours. Let's go."

Today, he drove her Jeep but when they both approach it, he suggests, "Why don't you drive?"

"Ok," she replies. She settles into the driver's seat and moves it up so she can reach the steering wheel. A deep breath before she tries to get her mind off the fact that she's driving for the first time since the wreck and they are going to get a pregnancy test. She can feel his eyes as he watches her. "You and your long legs."

"You've never complained about them before."

"Well, legs equal long other things." The Jeep hums to life and for a moment, anxiety threatens to cut off her air and make it to where she can see anything or even feel anything. But he takes her hand and brushes his lips along her knuckles.

"Let's go see if we are getting more children to add to the gaggle we already have.

If she can just focus on the way his rich baritones make her feel. "Alright let's go."

She finds the aisle with the tests, he grabs the one he's heard the most about. They are back in his parents' guest bathroom in minutes since the drug store is just at the end of the street.

Once again everything in her life slows to a crawl as they watch the second pink line appear in the tiny window.

Yep, she's definitely pregnant.

She doesn't mean for the tears to leak out of her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Ben," she says, her voice cracks as she whispers his name. "I've never forgotten to take the pill. I know its too soon, hell we just got married! And another baby-"

He pulls her into his arms. His lips land on hers, quieting her distress. "I'm not angry," he says with a smile.

"You're not?" Their eyes meet.

"No, sweetheart. Surprised, amazed, excited. Another baby? That's mine and yours?" He picks her up and twirls her around, his excitement is catching. "This kid will be loved."

"Ben-" she leans back so their eyes can meet.

"Why are you still crying?" He whispers as he pulls her close again.

"These are happy tears, I promise. So, it's alright?"

"Of course." They hear the grinding of the garage door announcing that his parents are home.

"Let's keep it a secret, for now?"

"I like that, our little Butter Bean is just for us," he gushes.

"You really are excited," she whispers.

"You're having my baby, the girl I've always dreamed about. I'm just happy that you're back in my life! Then when I asked, you said yes and married me. And now, by happy accident, you're having my baby." his arms are around her again, smiles against lips, backing up towards the bed…

"Dad! Rey!" Jack hollers from the hallway.

He kisses her nose before he leaves one arm wrapped around her shoulders, but turns them to face the door. "Come in, jack."

The boy comes barreling in. Ever since Rey and Wyatt came home from the hospital, all the kids have been more attentive than usual to their mother and father.

Jack is downright clingy.

Even as she thinks it, a big dose of mama guilt settles on her shoulders.

Jack's arms wrap around their waists, and he buries his nose into Ben's stomach. She cuddles closer, enveloping him in a dad-and-step-mom hug. She runs her fingers through the inky waves that she is grateful he got from Ben instead of Bazine's weird red mess that's on top of her head.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" She murmurs.

"Do I have to talk to her?" Rey knows that he's trying to make himself small, a typical behavior for anyone who is getting ready to face something they would rather not.

Rey looks up and meets Ben's eyes. Flashing there is a good mix of pissed at the situation Bazine has put them in and sorrow. She mouths, "Do you want to say something or do you want me to?"

"Son," he begins. "You don't have to talk to her at all. We will be outside with you and Wyatt the entire time. She's not allowed to leave with you. And she can only stay an hour. Do you remember how long that is?"

"Two Clone Wars?"

"Plus, a couple of minutes," Rey adds. "But the important thing is, you won't be alone."

"I wish Greer and Juniper were here," Jack whispers as he hides his face in Ben's waist.

"We'll see them soon." Rey ruffles his hair. "Are you hungry?"

"No. Lala took us to The King of Burgers."

"You went without me?" Ben asks. She loves that Ben isn't afraid to rough house with the kids to show affection. Wyatt must have heard them playing because he runs into the room to be a part of the fun.

"Easy now." Rey grabs Wyatt before he can tackle his dad and brother. "How are you feeling?"

"I better!" He dodges Rey and jumps on Ben who collapses on the bed, all of them giggling.

She has to smile as she imagines a new baby in the midst of the craziness that has become her life. Juniper holding the baby. Greer pouting because a newborn can't play yet. Jack being a protective big brother and Wyatt loving every minute of everything.

The boys run past her and from the way it sounds, they go to their room. Ben's arms surround her and he whispers, "I love your smile. What are you thinking about?"

"The baby."

The doorbell rings, preventing him from saying anything else. "I guess that's her?"

"I hope so, go ahead and get this over with."

"Do you want me to stay up here?"

"Oh no." He grabs her hand, tugging her out of the room. "You're with me." He looks back at the boys. "Stay up here for a minute, ok?" They wait for them to nod before they head out into the hallway.

"Ben." She pulls him to a stop before either one of them takes the first step down. "Just remember that I love you." She can hear one of his parents answering the door.

"I love you too," he whispers. "Is it too late to run away?"

"Never, but I'm not sure how we'll leave the house."

"Oh, did I ever show you? We have secret tunnels in the basement."

"Well you grab the boys and I'll go beat her up while you get away." She doesn't think about how she wishes that was true. Instead she tugs his arm, and he leans down. Their lips meet briefly, and she looks up into his eyes. "I hear her. I guess-"

"Yeah I know. Come down with me? Then I'll come back and get the boys?"

"If that's what you want."

He leads her downstairs.

He might have felt sorry for her if she had looked the least little bit nervous when their eyes met.

Nope.

Once again, he's reminded how well he actually knows her. And by the calculated look in her eyes, he wonders what she's really doing here.

The way she's dressed, from the perfect blow-out to the flawless make-up to the impeccable designer clothes. He knows that she's trying really hard to impress someone.

Or to intimidate the hell out of someone.

Would she really do all this, to try to scare Rey?

Then he remembers the Christmas parties at the hospital in Durham. How everything had to be perfect, until that last Christmas when he had to work late, because even though the staff was having their Christmas party, someone still had to work.

He's just glad that the boys were already at the sitter's when she destroyed the condo.

Then, still dressed to the nines, she left.

She left.

He needs to tell Rey how it felt after that. The hope that maybe she won't be back. Maybe he can finally be free.

After five days of being gone, she came back sometime that Monday while he was at the office. While she was gone, he noticed how much of her stuff was actually missing. He decided to help, so he packed the rest of it for her. Then he called a patient of his who just got her real estate brokers license. He and the boys were out in a month and headed back to Asheville.

Instead of smashing something, he simply says, "You can have your time with the boys outside. The pool is open, but they want you to push them on the swings."

"Oh, I thought we could sit in here and talk." Bazine looks around the living room. He watches her take in the pictures his mom has on the walls. The ones of Rey and her girls aren't new, he's just surprised that Leia hasn't framed the ones from prom yet.

"They are little boys. They aren't even still to eat."

Rey pinches his arm. Their eyes meet, and she whispers, "Let me go get them."

He nods.

He's also surprised that Bazine waits for Rey's footsteps to disappear before she says, "Well, it looks like you've gotten everything you've ever wanted."

"You're here to see the boys, not ask me about my life." He doesn't have to say anything else because he hears footsteps behind him on the stairs.

Jack, his sweet boy is first. Always watching, always protecting. He waits for his brother. When Wyatt reaches his side, they come over to him instead of running to Bazine.

Bazine's face shows no emotion at all.

"Let's go on outside," Rey offers. She walks by herself to the glass doors, and when she opens them, the boys run to her. He loves how they each grab one of Rey's hands and pull her with them.

Because of who she is, Rey helps Wyatt into the swing. Jack climbs into the second one and she starts to push them, without waiting on Bazine. Who looks like she'd rather be anywhere but here with her $1200 red bottomed shoes getting dirty in his backyard.

Still, Bazine doesn't say anything when she toddles over to Rey. Rey doesn't say anything to her, but when Bazine takes over pushing Wyatt and Jack on the swing, Rey returns to his side. They watch for a moment, then she asks, "Should I go back to them?"

"No, come sit down. Make sure you set an alarm."

She claims the outdoor couch and he settles beside her. They both check the time on their phones and she sets an alarm for the next hour.

The couple is silent as they watch. In fact, the entire backyard is eerily quiet for the boys to be outside. Usually when they play, they get loud, quickly. He doesn't miss the worried looks Jack gives him, and he doesn't miss how subdued Wyatt is.

They sit there in continued silence.

"Why doesn't she talk to them?" Rey murmurs.

"She's never talked to them. She's always treated them like objects rather than people."

Rey reaches for his hand and checks her phone. "It's been forty-five minutes-"

Before Rey can finish, Bazine makes a show of checking her watch. Still not talking to her children, she wobbles back to the concrete patio. "It's been fun, but I've got to be going. What time next week? Four PM next Thursday?"

Bazine doesn't wait for a yea or a nay but flings open the glass door and stomps through.

"Keep the boys out here," Ben says as he stands then takes off after his ex.

"You still have fifteen minutes," he hisses as he grabs her arm.

"Don't touch me," she sneers. "I can't believe that you left me for that little bitch-"

"You left, remember?" He steps back in case she tries to hit him. "You are the one who left. You are the one who married Snoke. And I bet the only reason you're even doing this is to prove something to him or to try to split up Rey and I. Well, guess what? She's more woman than you will ever be. And when she met the boys, they loved her within a day. I think it's time for you to leave."

"You know, the only reason why I didn't abort those brats is because I knew that I could hold them over your head for the rest of your life. You know, if you could give me a couple of your mother's millions, I might find it in my heart to stay away for a couple of years-"

Rey steps into the living room with her cell in her hand. "You know, these little things are amazing. Especially when you need to record things at a moment's notice."

He's never seen Bazine's face turn that shade of white before. Or maybe it's greener?

"You know, I'm not a lawyer, but I think you need to go." Rey comes closer and grabs his hand. "And no, you can't have any of his mother's money."

Bazine huffs, and stomps her foot like that makes a difference to him. When she reaches the front door, she turns and starts to say something but he stops her by saying, "Just go."

They follow her to the front window and watch until her car is out of sight.

"Do you think she'll be back?" Rey whispers.

"Highly doubtful. She hates to be embarrassed. Are the boys outside?"

"Yep. let me go get them. Should we send the video to Lando?"

"Let's go check on the boys. I don't think being with her traumatized them too much."

"I can't believe she didn't even talk to them," she says. They stop at the door and watch the boys. They still aren't talking, but are standing at Leia's flower bed. "What are they doing?" she asks.

"Act surprised," is all he gets out before little boys run to them. Somehow Jack splits the flowers he picked between Rey and him, then has to be an extra hand so Wyatt can divide his flowers. Both adults sink to their level and reward them with hugs and kisses. Rey stands but he rests on his knees.

He searches their eyes, for what, he's not sure. Wyatt grins, under his dad's scrutiny. He returns his goofy smile then meets Jack's unwavering gaze.

"We're alright, Dad," his oldest says.

"You are? Why do you say that?"

"I promised Juniper and Greer that I would be." Jack's top lip quivers, but he doesn't burst into tears, because his arms are around his son.

"I've got you." He kisses the side of Jack's head while his son flings his arms around his neck. "You don't have to be so brave all the time."

"Yes, I do. You are and I want to be like you when I grow up," Jack says into his neck.

"That's the best thing anyone's ever said to me."

"Really?"

"Yep, and you know what? I think I want to be like you, when I grow up."

"Daddy!" Jack leans back so their eyes meet. "You're already grown up!"

"I am?" Ben teases before he stands.

"Dad," Jack exhales. "Can we go swimming?"

"Yeah! Rey! You come too!" Wyatt exclaims.

"Go get your swim trunks on," Rey answers. She waits until the boys run up the stairs before she asks, "Do you think they're ok? Do you think they need to go see Maz?"

"I think they are? What would your dad say?"

"For something like this? No idea."

"That's what Maz said. They usually don't come back after signing. Let's go play, and have a normal evening. I think that will help them more than anything." he gently pulls her to stand. "Do you feel like swimming?"

"Yes, I do," she giggles, "I almost forgot."

"Forgot what?"

She pulls his head down so she can reach his ear and whispers, "We're having a baby."

"I'm going to make an appointment with a high-risk OB-"

"Oh, my OB is already a high-risk doctor." She leans back and looks into his eyes. "Do you think something might be wrong? I thought you said that even though-"

"Shhh, sweetheart. It's going to be. But we were hit pretty hard. This is me being the husband and dad who knows too much." He pulls out his cell. "Go ahead and call. Let's see if we can get you in next week? Please?"

"Alright," she agrees, searching for Dr. Oliver's office number. She hands his phone back to him. He swipes to call now.

"Dr. Oliver's office," Kim, his receptionist answers. Ben puts it on speaker phone so she could listen, too.

"Hey, Kim. This is Rey Holdo, well Solo now. I know this might be odd, but I married Dr. Solo and we need to make an appointment as soon as possible."

"Alright, Mrs. Solo."

"Actually, this is Dr. Solo, I'm on the line too. We were in a wreck about two and a half weeks ago. Rey had to have an emergency splenectomy about two weeks ago and she has a positive pregnancy test. I'm afraid this is a case of the dad being nervous and knows too much."

"Aww, we understand. Has Rey had any bleeding, abdominal pain?"

"No, I'm feeling alright," Rey says.

"History of miscarriage? Birth defects? Any other pregnancy complications?" Kim asks.

"No, miscarriages, the girls are perfect and everything else was alright. I'm not looking forward to morning sickness."

"Hopefully it won't be too bad this time. Dr. Oliver has a three o'clock on Monday. Will that work?"

"Perfect," Ben says. "I'll be done at the office by then."

"Alright then, we look forward to seeing both of you on Monday. Have a good weekend."

The call ends and they both just stand there for a long minute.

"I can't believe it," she whispers. "A baby."

"A baby," he echoes. He pulls her into his arms for a hug. "Are you alright?"

"I'm perfect. Are you alright?"

"I'm perfect." he kisses her nose. "Come on, Sweetheart. Let's go wear out the kids we have so we can celebrate."