I am so sorry! I never do this… we caught the flu. We're all better now, and I decided to finish this lol. So today, I'll post this, then on Friday, the last chapter.

She wakes before he does.

Arms tangled, legs intertwined she doesn't really want to move. But her bladder has other plans. She does stretch and leaves him with a kiss on his cheek.

After a quick trip to the bathroom, she doesn't immediately rejoin him, instead she goes to see what might be left for them in her refrigerator. Two eggs, lemon juice, butter and something she really doesn't want to check in a plastic container. Not happy with the sparse items, she glances at the clock over the stove. It's still early—seven am early but she knows that Rose and whoever she asked to come in, is already downstairs, baking.

Before she opens the door to the bakery, her omega fusses—at least leave alpha a note. That way he won't worry if he wakes up.

Fine, she huffs. But even she has to admit that's a good idea. She grabs a sticky note but before she can jot down several words, she glances at him through the doorway. Those long eyelashes of his that frame those whiskey-colored eyes that stare into her soul. The bitterness of his wound taints his scent and she just wants to hold him until he's all better. And while that's why they're there so she can, she also knows that she needs to find some food since he can't.

At this her omega preens at the chance to help their alpha. Alpha must mate us—so we must help him to get better.

"We have to go—" her whisper is loud in the quiet room as she scribbles a few words before she rushes down the stairs.

"Rey!" Finn exclaims part happy to see her and surprised. That's when Rey realizes that she's still in his too-big for her t-shirt, and underwear.

"Sorry," she answers as she tugs the fabric down to cover her rump. "I need food for me—and for Ben. And you've been busy."

And they have. She sees one of the big pans full of cinnamon buns. Another full of fresh croissants. Finn's specialty, beignets that look like little fresh clouds with their dusting of powered sugar. Chocolate muffins wait to be bagged, along with scones to eat later.

"Oh, crap it's Friday—did they say anything when they came to pick up the doughnuts?"

"Rose just ran to the bank—she was the one who made them. And her red-headed guy that picked them up. Hex? Hump? Hugh?"

"Hux?" Rey adds.

"That's him. He came by to get the doughnuts. Rose left with him—"

The back door swings open interrupting them. "No, I'm here. What are you two doing? Rey? why are you in your—Ben's t-shirt? you know that the health department wants you to wear pants in the kitchen, Reybee."

"He's still asleep and there's no food in my refrigerator." Rey goes over to the shop refrigerator and opens the door. "How did it go with Hux?"

Rose giggles.

Which of course makes Finn's jaw drop and Rey smile. "I've never heard you giggle before. At least not like that."

"And you won't again," Rose replies. "How is he?"

"Asleep. You know that old saying, alpha's heal the best when they are asleep. I hope it's true." Rey looks down at the pan of bread, not sure if she wants her best friends to see how she feels.

"And in the nest of their omega." Finn adds.

"Yeah, I guess so." Rey looks up to meet the eyes of her friends. "This is all so—"

"New?" Rose asks.

"Nice?" Finn says with a dreamy smile on his face.

"Something like that? It's hard to explain. He makes he feel—"

"Everything I ever thought love was?" Rose has that goofy grin on her face again. And from the way it feels, she must have one on her face too.

"Yeah—something like that," Finn agrees.

Her heart swells in a happy way as she takes in her two best friends. "Oh! Do you need help? I can go check on him—change clothes and come back—"

"No. you just got married and from what I understand, you need to help him heal so you can bite each other. Palpatine is looking for a way to undo what you two did yesterday." Rose bags some of the food on the counter. "The sooner that can happen, the sooner we can mate too."

"You and Hux? So it is serious then?" Finn asks before Rey can.

"Yeah—"

"Rey?" Comes from the stairwell.

"I'm down here." She walks over so she can see—and there's her alpha at the top of the stairs. thankfully he left his boxers on last night. "I'll be there—"

"Hang on." he says as he disappears back into her—their room.

Oh, wow she's married and has a husband, and she has to share her room with someone. Not just anyone one, Ben. Ben Solo. Son of Han and Leia. The same man she still doesn't know what he does for a living.

Instead of filling her with dread, the thought of being married to her alpha makes her happy.

Except for the not knowing what he does for a living thing. He has to be a cop, right?

Stop questioning alpha. If he knew—

Ben Solo slowly descends the stairs as if he's not sure what he's going to find at the bottom. Rose and Finn each give him a welcome smile which he returns. Then he seeks her out. Amber eyes meet her green ones and he crosses the room to her side.

"Rey? Are you alright?" He murmurs. The object of her focus this Friday morning. Her husband. Her alpha.

"I am." He does look better. Those inky waves of his that she loves to play with are still rumbled from sleep. He managed to find one of his shirts that she hasn't stolen yet and a pair of shorts. She knows that he loves his coffee first thing and wants to go find him a cup, but he wraps his arms around her and kisses her forehead, preventing her escape.

His coffee can wait just a moment longer.

And her omega and her agree, he's doing this because he wants to and not because he feels that he has to or to use her for support. After all he's not leaning on her, and he looks at her the same way he did at the cabin.

Like she's the only Omega he ever needs.

The way that makes her insides all needy and melty.

She could love him, really love him beyond these twitterpated feelings she's feeling for him. And while it doesn't scare her, what worries her is—does he feel the same? Even as he pulls up a stool for the both of them and helps to box up the pastries for the quick sale display.

After Rose reminds her that she needs pants.

Brbrbrbrbr

"You've always been a fast healer—and you've surprised me yet again. You're clear. I know neither one of you have been taking your meds—just try not to overdo it. Ben you will get tired easier, you're officially getting old now."

"How old are you?" Rey asks a little horrified that she doesn't even know how old her husband is.

"The good doctor likes to tease me, but only because she was the one who circumcised me. She forgets that the older I grow, the older she gets." Rey shakes her head but still chuckles along with Kalonia. "And I'm not old, I'm thirty-eight."

"Practically a baby," Kalonia agrees.

"That's not bad. I'm thirty-three," Rey says.

"That's a good age for an omega. I'm frankly surprised that you haven't mated yet," the doc says.

But then Ben rumbles that deep growl that she loves— and on the other side of the table she reaches for his knee. A squeeze and that growl turns into a purr. "And if I had my guess that rut and that heat is coming soon, very soon. Now, what about birth control?"

"I'm on the pill." Rey looks down at her lap where she's playing with the strap of her purse.

"Is that what you want?" Ben's low murmur makes her want to cry.

"Not really. But with all this going on with Palpatine, I don't—"

"Whenever you're ready. Since you're an omega, your recovery time is quicker than a humans." Kalonia replies softly from her desk. "But I understand the urgency of your mating. You may feel like even though you are married, he can still separate you. But if you're mated—just make sure that the mating is something the both of you want. There are things that we can do to break that bond, but they are harmful and usually results in one of you dying—"

"Rey would die?" Ben's voice is heavy with unshed tears.

"No, ironically enough the alpha will. Several studies have been done, but the most recent one is with bonded and mated couples. If the alpha dies, the omega can find a reason to carry on. If the omega passed, the alpha loses all reason." She looks down at some papers on her desk while she mutters, "Quite fascinating, actually."

The three of them sit in silence as they process. Not surprisingly, Rey is the one who speaks first. "Can we—"

"Of course." Kalonia stands with Ben and Rey mirroring. "Let me know how it goes. Ben don't rut too hard," she finishes with a wink. He chuckles and she can feel her face heat.

Rey just knows that she needs to go, so she grabs his hand and lets her alpha lead her out. Kalonia's office is by the hospital, but her omega still wiggles to get them far away from there. but in an effort to calm her omega and to fill the silence she says, "It's hard to believe that we got married in a hospital."

"I know I wanted a less that typical wedding—"

"But a hospital?" she smiles. They stop in front of his truck, and he opens the passenger door.

"Hey," his whisper is soft as he stops her with a touch. She turns to face him as he grabs her hips. The heat—her need has been growing since yesterday. His nostrils flare as if he's finally realizing what is happening. "Kiss me—"

"Are there extra eyes?"

"Mhmm—and your heat—"

"Has been building since we said I do—" He lifts her into his truck. Instead of letting her go, he leans in. Those whiskey-colored eyes of his meet hers. But they're not so amber—they grow dark as they take one another in. His eyes never leave hers as he lifts her hand to his mouth. In an act of old, he kisses the back of her hand, lips lingering as if he just wants to touch her.

He flips her hand over, then in a seductive move, he kisses her palm—bringing back memories she cherishes more than anything. But what's so breathtaking is when he licks the gland just below her pulse point.

But when he sucks on it—her breath hitches in her chest and a gush of slick—not that it wasn't already flowing makes itself knows from the apex of her thighs.

"Alpha—" she murmurs. "I need—"

"I know Omega." Another lick and he tries to let go of her but he looks like he physically can't.

"Take me home."

And it's like her words give him the power to move. But instead of walking back around his truck. He climbs in too.

"Ben!" she squeaks with a giggle.

"I couldn't leave—" he mutters. He's not putting his weight on her but faces her while he holds himself above her, so he won't crush her.

She cups his face and somehow only gives him a small kiss instead of an all-consuming one like she wants to—and he's able to scramble over into the driver's seat.

The diesel truck roars to life as they both let go of one another only to click their seatbelts in place. "Go through town. It's quicker than the four-lane."

He nods and keeps the truck on the road they're on.

"Why is it so quick? I've never—" she moans as she brings his hand up to her nose. She wants him inside her so that she sucks his pointer and middle fingers into her mouth.

His groan fills the truck and her. She just wants to crawl onto his lap when he does that. "Maybe we were both waiting on the go ahead from Kalonia? Or us not taking blockers for the past several days—"

"I don't care—I just know that I need— it's never been this fast before-" she can't finish because he tastes so good. Around his fingers she mutters, "I can't wait to have your dick down my throat."

His strangled cough makes her grin.

"And I can't wait to get you in our nest where I can fuck you until you scream."

"Please Alpha." She can feel her omega come through. "I need you."

"Omega—" he takes the last turn to get to the bakery. Somehow, he parks the truck in what has become his spot in the back beside her Jeep. Normally, Rey would look to see who else was here- her heat clouds everything but how she needs her alpha, and her alpha.

"Alpha—"

He must have more presence of mind than she does because he has to carry her from the truck to the apartment above the bakery. She hears the door slam behind them, and wiggles for him to put her down. As soon as her feet touch the floor, she pushes him against the steal door. She reaches past him to clicks the deadbolt in place as she sinks down on her knees.

She loves the look in his eyes as she unbuttons then unzips his jeans revealing his length to her. His scent, so intense because of his arousal, wraps around her like his arms do. Her hand envelops him where his knot is starting to form.

"Rey—" his mewl echoes in the empty apartment as she licks the reddened area at the base of his cock. His taste, the very essence of who he is fills her. Unable to resist, she sucks on his knot.

"Omega—get up here—"

"Not yet." she murmurs as she sucks just the tip into her mouth.

"Fuck me—" he hisses.

"That's my intent," she says around his dick that's she sucking on like it's a prize from the country fair.

"Do you want me to—" he asks but cannot finish his question because she inhales his length. "I can't—"

She grabs him by the base again and pulls him out of her mouth. Her green eyes meet his amber ones. "Come in my mouth, Alpha—"

He makes a sound she's never heard anyone make before as fills her mouth again. He was closer than she gave him credit for, but it's three jerks and he fills her mouth. She swallows then licks the remaining cum off of him as that part of him settles in her stomach, effectively cooling her heat just a little.

It doesn't completely stop it, but it does help the right now or die feeling.

She's not all surprised when he grabs her by the arms, and with a sense of urgency but gently as he can, he pulls her to where they're eye level. "Alpha—you are the strongest one made especially for me and our pups," she coos.

"Omega—you are the perfect one. Smart and strong. I knew you'd be the best mate." He murmurs as he sets her on her feet.

"You did?"

"I did. The way you took care of us during that first heat—always there when I needed you whether it was for knotting or for feeding me. And now, we get to mate—"

Even though she protests, Rey is able to shove her omega out of the way. She needs to make sure that this is what they both want. There are several things she wishes she could do differently, but mating, she knew that she didn't want to have any regrets.

She cups his cheeks and he returns her stare. His eyes are dark like the moonless night right before dawn. "Ben? Alpha? I need to ask you something, please?" He grabs her wrists to keep her touch on his face but then gently shakes his head as if to shake himself out of this alpha trance he has himself in.

"Rey? What's wrong?" He wraps his arms around her and she pulls him close too.

"Nothing's wrong," she whispers in his ear. A deep breath as she breathes him in. Her heat is growing, but she still says, "I just want to make sure that you want this too."

"Sweetheart—you're the one I've always dreamed about. I know it's crazy that we haven't met before now, but I think I've always been chasing your scent." She starts to say something, but he stops her first with a kiss on the end of her nose. "Every time I'd see Mom or Dad or even Maz and Chewy, there was this new scent that would linger if they'd just been with you. It drove me crazy as I tried to figure out where it was coming from. Then when I saw you in their pool in Boone—I was a goner."

"You really do want me?" Her heart does a happy little dance. "You're the only one besides Mom and Dad who has."

"You're the only one I've wanted to bite and make mine forever," he rumbles. As much as she wants to look away, she doesn't. "What's wrong?"

She can scent his rut, almost bitter because of the worry he must be feeling. "Nothing, at least not like that. I want you too. So much."

"Omega—" he almost alpha commands.

"Don't—I'll tell you." She steps out of his embrace but still reaches for his hand to lead him more into the apartment. "It might sound silly—but I still feel like I forced you into this. And I don't want you to feel like you have to bite—"

"Listen to me you silly omega. I've dreamed about you for years. It was years ago—probably around the same time you opened the bakery. Mom had this ridiculous cake you must have baked. It was chocolate, vanilla, berries with these swirls—"

"Really?" She croaks, his admission brings another wave of her heat.

"But underneath all that goodness, I tasted you. since then, it's like I've been chasing you. I'd catch a whiff here and there. Before you showed up at the cabin, you were everywhere. I'm not sure who's letting us mate and all that good stuff, but I sure am grateful. Shhh, Sweetheart. Please don't cry."

He cups her face and with his thumbs wipes her tears. "I don't mean to be so emotional—"

"It's your heat—" he whispers as his lips touch hers.

"It's my first one without blockers." She mutters.

"I thought it was." He pauses and she can feel this—this alpha and omega thing happening between them. She's never felt this way before—heavy with need and anticipation.

"I need you—" she murmurs.

"You do?" he teases.

"Yes—" she says. With her omega's encouragement, she finds the hem of the t-shirt he's wearing and with his help, pulls it over his head. His scent intensifies as he reaches for her shirt. a grin as she shimmies out of it—with his help of course. Left in her bra and his pants and her shorts, those items soon find their way to the pile with their shirts. Without thinking, she utters, "You're beautiful."

"Omega—" he says as he flushes pink.

"I need you." And she does.

"I can—" his nostrils flare as he takes her in. Tired of waiting, she takes a step towards the bedroom. "Where are you going, omega?"

"I have an empty nest that needs us."

He goes to follow her, and she takes another step, and stays just out of his reach.

Another step and he growls at how he can't reach her.

"Do you want me to chase you?"

"Maybe?" Her omega even finds his attention intoxicating. They've never been chased before. And if she's not mistaken—"you like this?" his length bobs as if that part of his is agreeing with her. "You do." One of his steps closes the distance between them. Then, she's not sure why she does it, but she wraps her hand around his dick.

"Ohh—" he breathes.

"Come on Alpha. I need you." She leads him to the bedroom. Their nest is still in two places, and the chooses the one that scents the most like them—the one on the bed.

When she stops, he stops. A little grunt of disappointment when she lets him go, but a squeak of surprise when she pushes him onto the bed. She startles him so that his alpha mutters, "Rey?"

"I'm not done with you—" she murmurs as she crawls into the nest with him. Instead of settling beside him, she brushes her fingers on the inside of his knee, while her mouth kisses his thigh before she nips at his hip—

The entire time she watches how dark his eyes get as he tries to—"Omega—"

She doesn't answer because she has him in her mouth, but it's just a lick and a kiss, not like she did when they walked in. She continues her journey up his chest.

A lick before she bites his nipple earns her a growl. But when she sucks it into her mouth— her breath catches as she flips over onto her back. The soft fleece of their favorite blanket cushions her bounce as he covers her to rumble playfully into her neck. The other part of that is a warning from her alpha that her omega knows the meaning of without having him to tell her.

"Why are you teasing me, Omega?"

"Alpha—I thought you liked to chase me?"

"Are you not already mine?"

"Are you finally going to claim me as yours? Your bite is not on my neck as of yet."

"Omega—" Ben or his alpha doesn't say another thing, but he quiets as he hovers above her not to crush her under him. It's still enough weight to hold her still. A brush of his nose against hers as his lips claim hers. It's not until his tongue touches hers, that she feels his between her legs. months of practice prevents this from being awkward as he finds her entrance. One thrust and he's in, her slick making the way for him.

"Alpha—"

"Rey— I need to—" he means it even as her heart and omega knows what he says.

"I want to bite you too—" She's never felt this way before-

"Alright. yes." His smile is everything that she's ever needed. His thrusts speed up as his knot begins to swell. The tingles that only he can give her— he doesn't warn her before he sinks his teeth into her neck. At the same time, stars explode behind her eyes as his knot fills her.

As euphoria washes over her, she manages in the wave of pleasure to find his mating gland. A lick and then she sinks her teeth into him.

In high school health class they spent a entire month, much to everyone's embarrassment, on this. Mates, mating and pups. One thing that she never forgot was how sometimes then the alpha would bite the omega and the omega claimed the alpha right away, for a lucky few, their hearts and minds would sync forming a dyad.

As soon as his blood fills her mouth, it's like someone turned on a light in her world. Everything becomes sharper, clearer. Even the sounds from Main Street and the bakery are refined.

The most amazing thing happens—he's there. And not just on the edge of her subconscious ether, she can feel him as the same thing happens to him.

Home.

She's always had a home with Jyn and Cassian—but this is different. This is where she was supposed to be. In his arms, surrounded by him with his bite on her neck. It's like there was a Ben shaped hole in her heart and she was waiting for him to come along and fill it.

"Did you feel that?" She leans back far enough to look into his eyes.

"I can—can you feel me?" He asks. She shifts, and he actually goes deeper, making them both shiver as another orgasm sweeps over them.

"I can feel that—" still woozy from suddenly sitting up and what just happened, she gasps as another wave of her heat washes over her—but when he groans—she knows.

He tugs her back onto his chest where he wraps his arms around her, and she buries her head into his neck. A claiming kiss and he begins to thrust again. "Alpha—"