Ch 26
Ben
I eventually started to feel like I was running out of air and I heard her agree with me in my head. I pulled my lips from hers but kept her in my embrace.
"Rey... it's really me." I said between deep breaths "I'm here, I'm never leaving your side again... Being away from you felt like I was missing half of myself. It should be me begging you not to leave, you have every reason to leave. And I want you to know that if that's what you want I won't stop you. I don't want to hurt you or stand in the way of your happiness" I hung my head in shame knowing I meant every word. Part of me wanted to be selfish and make her stay but I loved her too much. She deserved to make her own choice. Force knew I'd rarely been given that chance.
"Ben no, please don't say that" she said as she cupped my chin in her hand and forced me to look at her. She opened her mind up to me and showed me how sad and devastated she'd been after my death.
I'd felt this dark hole inside me, a black void that made its presence known as often as possible. But when she saw that I was back it was like it had never manifested itself inside if her.
If there was one thing I learned recently was that I had to let go of what I'd done and trust her and the love we had for one another.
Another breeze passed by and we both shivered.
"I... kept your cape... something told me I'd be needing it tonight." She said as she pulled me towards the small boat where a black lump of thick black fabric laid. I picked it up and wrapped it around my shoulders as she turned the motor on.
It was strange seeing her perform such a menial task, specially in the nightgown she was wearing. She looked so feminine and delicate, she reminded me of my grandmother.
A few hundred yards before we reached the estate she stopped the engine and told me we'd have to push the boat the traditional way, she didn't want to wake anyone up.
"You know... there's an easier way to do this" I said with a laugh. She raised her eyebrow and I concentrated, willing the boat to move towards the small dock.
When we got there she simply looked at me, obviously annoyed and called me a show off, to which I chuckled in response.
"You're just jealous because this is new to you still, you need more training princess" I said as I helped her out if the boat.
"Ben Solo I've beaten you in a fight twice now, if anyone needs training it's you" she mocked.
We made our way up the stairs and she held on to my arm and leading the way. We had to sneak in and, although everyone was asleep, we didn't want to risk any unnecessary run ins.
Luck was not on our side as half way through the place and young girl ran into us.
"Miss Rey? Who-"
"You will go back to bed" said Rey with a wave of her hand
"I will go back to bed"
"I will explain in the morning when I come out of my room" she added.
"You will explain in the morning when you come out of your room" the girl repeated mindlessly and walked down the hall she'd come out of.
"Impressive... what other tricks do you have up your sleeve if I may ask?" I said to her teasingly.
"You are very obnoxious when you want to be" she whispered back at me as we reached our destination. She turned back to me and stood on her toes to kiss the bottom of my jaw. "But I wouldn't have it any other way."
We went into her room and I recognized it from the times I'd been here as a child with my parents.
Nothing had actually changed except for the draperies and bedding, everything else was in the same exact spot.
"Um... I can go in the closet and see if I can find something for you to sleep in... are you hungry? Do you need anything else?"
I'd been so entranced by my new surroundings I had completely overlooked any other form of human related needs.
"Um... I don't feel hungry now, but I would appreciate something more... comfortable to sleep in" I said, averting my gaze from the massive bed in the room. I had only slept with her once and that was what felt like eons ago. I didn't really count it though, it had been through our connection, I wasn't even sure we were in the same quadrant of the galaxy. She disappeared for a moment behind a massive set of doors and I sat by the fire place. It was off now, the little bit if lighting coming from a light by the door. I started to feel kind of tired, not enough to sleep but enough to not want to move once she came back out. I sat at the edge of the bed while I waited for her, she came out after a fee minutes.
"Alright so I found this pair of sleeping pants? They don't look like regular pants and I found a tunic. They're the only ones I found and in black! Right up your alley..." her voice trailed off. She seemed nervous, but I was also distracted by how beautiful she looked.
"You know... this look suits you princess." I said to her with a smile and I held my hand out to her, admiring her beautiful figure in the nightgown she wore. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and blushed slightly, clearly embarrassed by my comment.
She walked towards me and grabbed my hand as she sat by my side.
"I'm not a princess Ben... but this is all new to me. I took the Skywalker last name and well your mother visited me as a ghost and said it was mine. I guess now that you're back, the rightful Prince of Alderaan should take his inheritance." She said with a soft smile.
"Well Alderaan is basically nonexistent... and I was born on Chandrilla, but I guess you're right" I responded with a laugh. I took the clothes from her hand and went to the bathroom to dress. Technically she'd seen me half naked a few times on accident but I didn't want to make her any more uncomfortable.
I came out quickly and she stayed sitting at the end of the bed with her head down. I sensed something bothered her, but I couldn't pinpoint what it was.
"Rey, are you alright?"
She looked up startled at my interruption of her thoughts.
"Uh... yea I guess... I'm just afraid that this is all a dream and when I wake up you'll be gone... losing you was horrible Ben. It was like I was running out if air, like half of me was gone. I can't bear the thought of losing you again" I walked towards her and sat, wrapping my arm around her and letting my love flow to her. I was able to connect to her on my own, no surprise this time.
She reciprocated the feeling and we simply sat in silence and enjoyed the connection we felt through the bond. After a few minutes I could start to feel her mind closing and nodding off. She was exhausted.
"Rey we should get to bed. We can talk more in the morning okay?"
She nodded and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
I carried her bridal style and walked towards the side of the bed, laying her down as gently as I could. I was going to make my way to the couch in the sitting area but she tugged on my sleeve.
"Don't leave my side... please sleep with me..." the fear in her voice rendered me speechless and I couldn't deny her that wish. I could never deny her anything she asked of me.
She moved over to make room for me and I laid down. She quickly shimmied her way into my arms and I cradled her, laying a kiss on top of her head. She gave a sigh of contentment and wrapped her arms around me as tight as she could.
In this moment, I knew things couldn't be any more perfect. I could lay here in her arms forever and die a happy man.
