Last On: Rey, Ben, and Leia arrive at a fancy estate. Leia's cousin is still away on buisness, but the house has many servants who are to treat them as family.

Chapter 24

Ben was not a big fan of Holiday Week, or holidays in general. Sure, when he was a kid it was fun. It meant a break from school and good food. But it also, more often than not, meant his dad would get drunk before the end of the first night, his parents would find something to argue about by the third, and by the end of the week, he'd be lucky if they got to the point where they wouldn't be talking to each other at all. The Knights of Ren had their own holidays, and they usually involved fighting over the master position. They weren't much into celebrating, that bunch. And Snoke's holidays all had to do with himself. He once heard a couple troopers chuckling over celebrating the Supreme Leader having a hangnail removed. Still, a party is a party, and most in the First Order were happy to celebrate anything. But Snoke used to frown upon his apprentice having any fun. Holidays were usually spent meditating, or completing side missions. Either way, completely alone.

This holiday, Ben had a mission, to show Rey the full scope of Holiday Week, and as he did that, he found he was enjoying more of the experience as well. Whether they were listening to carols performed by a group of neighbors, or running after them, because Rey wanted to join them at the next house, he found himself having fun.

When his mom gave them a chip with some credits and sent them to the market, Ben took advantage of the opportunity to show Rey some of the town. The center of town, as all towns on Naboo he knew, would be decorated to the brim. Lights, Garland, and Ribbons were everywhere, as were scenes built to show the historic events which were being celebrated. These included people and Gungans in costume, and animals of all kinds.

Rey was enjoying the experience, he could tell, and she asked many questions as they walked. As Ben answered her questions, he felt himself digging into memories he rarely visited. Memories of happy times. His mom reading to him by a fire as Han rubbed her shoulders. His dad asking him to help summon his mom so she'd walk underneath the Konstle-toe, where Han would be waiting to kiss her. That part Ben always found gross, but his dad paid him well. Then Chewy would always end each holiday by bringing him a present back from his own Holiday Week trip.

Leia knew that in this house she was expected to sit back and let the personal chef cook dinner, but Leia wanted this dinner to be special. She was never very good at sitting back, anyways. Truth, she didn't really need anything at the market, but she didn't want to keep those two in the house all day, either. 'It'll be good for them,' she thought.

"That sounds like them," Leia said to Mervin, the personal chef who accepted his demotion to sous chef admirably. Mervin nodded, as he checked the Roast Ponturkin in the oven was near done. Leia ran ahead to the door to meet Ben and Rey as they walked in. Ben carried a bag of groceries much larger than the few items she sent them for.

"That was fantastic. I've never seen one building so full of food!" Rey exclaimed as she came in.

"Well, I see you two enjoyed yourselves. Dinner is almost ready. Why don't you two sit down, and tell me all about it." Leia ushered them out of the kitchen before they got too close a look at the meal being prepared. She had a few surprises she was sure not even Ben was expecting.

Later that evening, Ben led Rey into the dining room. The table was made with a white tablecloth, and a bouquet of exotic flowers. He pulled out a seat for Rey, while his mom took the head of the table. Then a servant wheeled in a cart with a steaming hot meat on it.

"Ben, would you carve the Ponturkin," said Leia. Ben looked surprised, but she nodded.

Ben stood, and took the knives from the servant. The last time he remembered being at a family meal it was his dad who carved the meat. Remembering his Dad's flair for the dramatic, Ben let one of the knives twirl in his hands before going in and slicing meat for everyone. His mom rolled her eyes, but Rey laughed.

In addition to the Roast Ponturkin, there were countless side dishes, and Rey enjoyed them all. Then they brought out a dish that was so heavenly, there should have been angels singing. They called it Dessert. It was a pink and white custard swirled together, topped with a white cream and toasted nuts. Leia called it Chestpie. It tasted sweet, spicy, and fruity all at once.

It was during the meal that Leia explained another Holiday Week tradition on Naboo. "Every year, the Naboo wildlife council group rescues animals from severe harm. It's tradition that one such animal will be released into the wild again at midnight tonight, and they will broadcast a news-holo of it's release live. Everyone stays up to view it. This year, it's a Pelikki that was found with an injured wing."

"It's supposed to be symbolic for making a change. A new life, not so built on destruction," Ben added.

"Oh, ok," Rey nodded along.

"Why don't you go into the family lounge and find the station it's being broadcast on. I'll join you in a little while." Leia was feeling stiff after having such a big meal.

Rey walked out of the room, but it surprised Leia when Ben stayed. He looked suddenly serious and deep in thought. "I'm sorry," came a pained whisper. His eyes didn't leave the floor.

"Are you ready to have our talk?" Leia asked.

Ben took a very big breath in, letting it out slowly. "Yes. What do you want to know?"

"I'm sorry, Ben." He looked up at Leia with shock in his eyes. "I knew that Snoke, or some dark power, was effecting you when you were still in my womb. I failed to protect you from his influence."

"No, mom, I…" Ben started.

"As your mother, it was my responsibility, and I failed. Then I knew your uncle Luke had nightmares. He had moments when he was seized with panic as if he were back on the battlefield again. He said they stopped, but I knew he wasn't being completely honest. Then I asked him to take on a responsibility so big I was unable to achieve it myself. I asked him to train you."

By now Ben had tears in his eyes. "Luke..."

"Luke told me what he did. What he almost did. Do you think that was in the right mind? If he had killed you, my baby. He'd still be dead now, and I'd be the one in the mask. It would have achieved nothing. Luke was not well, and I should not have given him that responsibility alone."

Ben cried for several minutes. "But I killed…"

"Han loved you, so very much. I told him to bring you home, but you weren't ready. Han never would have refused. Even if he knew how it would turn out, he never would have turned away. You have a lot of him in you." Ben shook his head, and Leia continued. "Yes you do. I see him every day. In your eyes, the way you talk with Rey, your smile." Ben let out a nervous smile "There it is. Yes, you have his smile."

Just then Ben surprised his mother again. He reached out and wrapped his arms around Leia, squeezing her in a hug.

The news-holo was displaying a story about how the Pelikki was rescued, along with facts about how they live, what their natural habitat is like, etcetera, etcetera. It was all leading up the the big release.

Leia looked down and saw Rey looked tired. She was trying very hard to stay awake, but her eyes didn't seem to want to obey.

"Go ahead and rest for a bit, dear. We'll wake you when its time." Leia passed her a pillow.

Rey let out a very big yawn and mumbled something before she took the pillow and fell asleep on the couch.

Leia looked over at Ben, intending to start a discussion on tomorrow's activities. Ben, however, seemed to fall asleep just as quickly as Rey did. 'Oh well, I'll wake you both up when it's time' Leia thought to herself.