Yep, I did it. Deep breath…
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"Why does it feel like I'm forgetting something?" she says. It's Sunday morning and thank goodness she doesn't have to catch a commercial flight. Poe wants to leave as soon as they all check out though.
"Did you get your stuff out of the bathrooms?" Kylo calls from the bathroom. He's such a guy—he's already packed. She, however, is such a girl and her stuff has scattered all over the place.
"I checked—" he interrupts by coming back with handfuls of her stuff. "That has to be the stuff I'm forgetting. I'm not usually this bad but then again at home I have Three—" she stops talking. Does he need to know that she has a butler?
"Three what?"
"Only three rooms?" She starts to pack her stuff and as she's rearranging her bag—a pink plastic box that fits in the palm of her hand falls out. She recognizes it immediately, and she groans. "Fuck," she whispers. "Fuck, fuck, fuck—"
"What's wrong?" he asks, worry making his brow knot.
Should she tell him that for the past however many days they've spent in this little piece of paradise—she forgot to take her birth control pill like an idiot? She has a business degree from New York University, and she forgot to take her pills.
But instead of telling him, she says, "I thought I was forgetting something else, but I found it. do you have everything?"
"yeah I do. are you about ready?"
"I think so—" she pauses as she looks around. the hotel suite looks the same as it did when they first bumped into each other out in the hallway. But seeing it now at the end of this time with him—it feels more like home than New York ever did. if it's possible her heart sinks and flies at the same time as the realization sinks in.
It's him. He's the one who feels like home.
"Kira?" he says. She lets him pull her close and kiss her forehead as she leans into him.
"I'm alright. You know, you look really cute and casual today. I like you in jeans and a t-shirt."
"Well, I took my cue from you and your Ugg boots," he chuckles as he glances at her outfit of the same shorts, a welcome of Vegas t-shirt and the flipflops. His hoodie is tied around her waist because Poe always has the jet too cold. "May as well be comfortable when traveling."
"Amen to that."
"Hey, Sweetheart—how about if we grab dinner one evening at Maz's and meet at Morosis? Not swinger night though," He murmurs into her hair.
Her arms tighten around him. "I like that, I like that a lot."
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It's not until they are on the plane headed home that Rose joins her on the couch and bumps her shoulder against hers. "You know we're just going back to New York. It's not like you won't ever see him again."
"I know. It's just I'm still half scared to tell him who I really am. Yes, it's evident that he's not a cop or firemen—"
"Cops or firemen?" Rose asks, confusion making her eyes crinkle and not in a good way.
"Yes, when we first started scening, I used to tell myself that he was a cop or a fireman. The man wears three-thousand-dollar suits. Tailored suits. Unless his uncle is a tailor, he makes a very good paycheck." Rey shakes her head. "I'm not sure what to do."
"You love him."
"Is it that obvious?"
"It is. Then don't be afraid of who he is." Rose scoots closer. "He might surprise you."
"You know something—you know who he is?"
"No, nothing like that. Just Hux has those three-thousand-dollar suits too," Rose chuckles. "You could always wait until you two are signing the marriage license. You know, before you sign it, say something like, oh by the way, you know the Palpatine building? I own it. Plus, the building Morosis is in, a cute little brownstone that's currently being rented to a lovely couple from Florida. Not to mention that I'm a silent partner in half a dozen companies—"
"You forgot the cabin in North Carolina, the chalet in Colorado, and the beach house in Miami."
"Vacation houses. You know, you really should rent those out as Air-Stay-Here-Now."
"I should keep the one in North Carolina and sell the rest. I know, if I give them away, I can claim them on taxes."
"I like that idea. I want the house in Miami. Oh, but bugs. Maybe Colorado then," Rose says as she nudges Rey with her elbow. "Are you alright?"
Rey glances around the cabin. Poe is flying and Finn is in the cockpit helping. Kaydel is on the other couch across from them asleep. "Don't scream at me—" she murmurs, "but the entire time we were in Vegas, I forgot to take my pill."
She looks down at her lap and waits for the fallout. Instead Rose leans against her again as she whispers, "Oh Rey. Are you alright?"
"I can't be pregnant. It was just four pills—"
"You know what to do, don't you?" Rose mutters as Rey nods. "But you want this baby if you are, don't you?"
"I do—" Rey confesses tears in her eyes. "We're thirty somethings now. What if this is my baby? My chance for my HEA? What if Kylo is the man for me?"
"Well, I know you've already made up your mind that he's the one. Now the hard part, waiting for everyone else to catch up," Rose teases.
"What about you and Hux?"
"I think I could be happy with him, too. And the way he handled the people at the conference—it felt so natural being up there with him."
"That's how it feels being with Kylo, like we were made to be together." Rey wipes her eyes with the sleeve of his hoodie. It smells so much like him that she never wants to take it off. "You know we're going to have so much work waiting on us. I dread it." Yes, she knows that she's changing the subject of the conversation, but she needs to before she cries for three days or something like that.
"You have Beaumont as an assistant now, he should have everything done."
"I hope so, I'd love to have an excuse to give him a bonus."
"I'm sure he would too," Rose chuckles.
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"I was wondering when you were going to climb in that seat."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. it's been too long," Ben says, adjusting the headset and the microphone. "Where's my pre-flight list."
"It's already done, Sir." Talle the trainee Wedge hired before the trip to Vegas says as she enters the cockpit.
"Do you mind—" Ben begins.
"No sir?" Talle says looking between him and Wedge.
"It's alright Ms. Lintra," Wedge says. "Go take a break, Mr. Solo won't be here to the entire trip."
The men continue running through the list, and once the tower clears them, they taxi out the tarmac. And moments later, in they in the air. Setting the automatic controls when they reach cruising height, Wedge turns off his microphone to the tower.
Ben does the same and turns, ready for the questions.
"Who is she Solo?"
"Have you seen my dad?" Ben asks.
"The other day, your parents needed the jet for something. Who is she?"
"If I told you, you'd laugh," Ben's chuckle is self-deprecating at best.
"We have time before we're landing at Teterboro." Wedge flips a switch but returns his attention back to Ben.
"She's—I met her in a bar and we've been seeing each other for the past year."
"Well, that's great. What's her name?"
"This is where it gets weird. I don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know?" Wedge echoes what Ben feels.
"The bar—err place we met is like a club. And I didn't want her to know who I was, and I can just tell that she doesn't want me to know who she is—" His heart sinks. Is this what she meant last night? Is she really going to tell him soon who she is?
"Hey, Ben. Don't worry. It will all work out." Wedge returns his attention to the control panel.
"I hope so."
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"Welcome home, sir." Artoo fairly chirps. "How was your trip?"
"It was," he pauses and exhales. The smile that appeared on his face when he first saw Kira in the hallway and he wore the entire time in Nevada, is still within easy reach. Even Artoo looks surprised when Ben smiles that smile. "Amazing."
"That's good to hear. Your mail is in your office, and dinner is in the refrigerator."
"Thank you Artoo. Did you have a good break while I was gone?" As usual, when he went out of town, he always gave his butler the days off too.
"I did sir. Threepio and I went on the most amazing trip. Thank you for giving me the time off."
"Threepio?" Why does he know that name? "That's good. Are you heading out now?"
"Yes, is that alright, or do you need me to unpack for you?"
"No—it's fine. That can wait until tomorrow." Ben runs his fingers through his hair. He wants to talk about Kira but he can see how Artoo is ready to go home. Maybe she's home by now? And maybe she's hungry? "See you tomorrow, Artoo."
"Good evening, Ben."
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"How was your trip, Ms. Rey?" Threepio asks as he accepts her bags from the driver.
"It was—" she pauses and her goofy smile that hasn't been far away since she saw Kylo in the hallway in Vegas appears. "Amazing."
Even though she might have come home with more than just some new t-shirts and the shoes he gave her.
"You look rested and refreshed and if I may say, happy," Threepio chirps.
"I am. How was your trip?"
"It was very nice and restful for us too." Threepio pauses and Rey can feel her old friend as he scrutinizes her. "You're in love."
"How—can you tell?" Rey trips over her words.
"It's all over your face. I've never seen you so happy. Now, would you like for me to unpack for you—"
"No, you can get it tomorrow. Is there supper?"
"Yes, but from the smells, Abuela is cooking too." Threepio picks up his messenger bag. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye, Threepio." She waits for him to close the door behind him before she digs in his hoodie that she's still wearing. The goofy smile is back when she sees the text waiting on her.
"Hello beautiful," Kylo answers on the first ring.
"Hey you," she greets. "Are you hungry?"
"For you, always. For food, I could eat."
"Maz and Chewy's?"
"Actually," he pauses as he glances out the window where the sun is still shining over the park before he looks in the refrigerator. "Meet me in the park?"
"Are you bringing the food?"
"Yeah, I guess you could say a friend left me dinner."
"That's nice." For a brief moment she thinks about inviting him to Abuelas, but she also wants these last couple of hours with him alone. "Where—" she says.
"Where—" he says at the same time she does. they both chuckle. "You pick."
"Shakespeare's garden? It's—" she says.
"Beside Belvedere Castle." he finishes. "See you in a minute?"
"Thank goodness," she adds. "Call me when you get there?"
"Of course, or call me if you get there before me?" He asks.
"Yes, let me change—"
"You mean you still have my hoodie and flips flops on?"
"Yes, being in the desert then coming up to new England I'm cold—"
"But it's June!" he teases her.
"I know, I know. I'll see you in a minute."
"Alright, Kira," he pauses and it feels like he's getting ready to say more—but instead she hears a whisper that says, "Bye." And silence.
She's not sure why she's crying, but she is. "Stop it silly. You're going to see him now. It's not like you're never going to see him ever again." She goes into her closet and in moments she's wearing one of her miniskirts, a t-shirt with a little sweater on top of it, and her ballet flats. A brush of her hair and fresh lipstick and she grabs her vintage Chanel purse that was her grandmother's.
She hurries downstairs and hails a cab. The driver must tell that she's not in the mood to talk so they ride in silence. But the gardens aren't too far from the Palpatine building and he's pulling to a stop in minutes. After she pays she hops out, excited and ready— and she looks around trying to see— "Where is he?" she mutters.
"There you are!" Kylo says behind her.
Her breath catches as she turns. "You scared me!" She fusses but with a smile on her face.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Her eyes pass over him and she wishes they were back in Vegas in their rooms eating this picnic on the bed all while both of them are naked—she doesn't let him say anything else because she's throwing her arms around his neck. "I've missed you so damn much. I know it was just a couple of hours—"
"I feel it too. what are we going to do?" he asks.
Ironically both of their stomach's growl at the same time. "Let's eat. Then we'll find somewhere to have sex at and maybe talk?" She says with a smile.
"Is that why you wore a skirt?" he quips.
She looks down and can feel her face heat up. "I didn't even realize— that's funny."
"Come on, I know the perfect spot." He takes her hand and starts to lead her down the nearest path.
"What's in the backpack?" she asks. Strapped to his back is a old school Jansen pack. It looks full to the top and she hopes it might be a blanket and enough food for both of them.
"Our picnic," he says with a wink. "My parents used to take me on them whenever we were all in the city—even to this little spot," he continues off the paved path, through the trees.
"Where—" she can't finish what she was going to say because her breath is taken away. Just beyond the path is clearing. Surrounded by maples and oaks, it's a little piece of paradise in the city. "This is beautiful."
Kylo takes off his pack but before he sets it down, he unzips it and pulls out a blanket. That's when he sets down the pack and starts to spread out the fabric. Kira grabs the other side and smoothes out the wrinkles.
"I haven't done this since—" she swallows hard as she slips off her flats. "Since my parents passed."
"Then it's time for some new memories." He sits down beside her and pulls open his bag. Out of his bag of deliciousness comes a huge container of lasagna, then one with salad. Couple of bottles of salad dressing, a bottle of sparkling grape juice, forks and napkins.
"This is amazing," she says with a giggle.
"What?" he looks as he tries to open the bottle.
"You forgot glasses."
"Oh, shit I did," he says as he rummages through the bag. "I thought I'd gotten everything."
"It's alright. We can drink out of the bottle," another giggle. "Just make sure the sparkling grape juice part is where the cops can see it, so they won't try to give us a ticket."
Together they finish setting out the food. "And don't forget—" he grins as he pulls out a little chocolate cheesecake.
"Is that from Maz's?" she asks.
"You recognize it?"
"The container. I helped her find a more environmentally friendly one." she opens hers. "Her pie." She turns the container and sees more. "Wait, this is her triple berry pie. Good choice."
"I thought you might like it." he passes her the bottle. "Since we can't toast to us, I'll just pass the bottle."
"Excuse me?" They both look for the owner of the voice. A uniformed officer stands beside them. "No wine is allowed in the park."
"This?" Kylo holds it up. "No, it's sparkling grape juice," he says with a chuckle. "I'd offer you a glass but I forgot to bring them."
He takes a step closer so he can see the label. Then a nod as he remarks, "Well, have fun." They silently watch him walk back to the path.
And wait for him to disappear around the curve. "Why do I feel like I'm in high school again?"
"Did you get in trouble a lot in school?" he asks.
"No, not at all. Grandfather would have punished me. What about you?" She takes a bite of the lasagna. "That is so good," she whispers before he can reply. "Did you make this?"
"No, a—friend did."
"A cook?" She asks, wondering why he paused. Maybe he doesn't want to admit that he has a butler too? Or a housekeeper? A chef? If it's a chef maybe she can hire them too—
"A housekeeper," she loves how he flushes red, but wonders why.
"I'm not sure—I have a housekeeper too." There she told him something about herself. Deep breath, she's sure her heart is still beating.
She's just not sure why he's looking at her like that.
"Like I said in Vegas—let me take care of something. Then if you're ready—"
"Yes," his answer is quick like he was waiting on something. "I'm ready when you are." They reach out their hands and the other is quick to accept their touch. He tugs and she scoots closer, so close that their thighs are touching. "I guess we can't go back to my place—"
"Not yet. I want to—when I can tell you everything, I want it to feel like we're starting over if we can. Does that make sense?" She murmurs.
"I think so. I like that idea. I just know that at the end of this, I want to be yours," his whisper next to her ear is harsh, like he's crying.
She looks up at him and indeed there are tears in his eyes and seeing his makes hers start. "And I want to be yours." She turns so she's facing him. A kiss on his nose as she cups his cheeks. Forehead to forehead, breaths mingling, she murmurs, "I'd give everything I have to stay here in this moment with you—or at least go back to Vegas."
"Hey, remember—Jamaica?" He smiles through his tears.
She nods. "Can we hurry up and eat so we can make out in your car? You did drive, didn't you?"
"That sounds perfect," he chuckles.
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"This is easier in a bed," he groans as she climbs on top of him. Since it's Sunday there are still people out, but they managed to find a place where people walking by won't be trying to look in. They're currently in the back of his SUV making out like teenagers and they didn't just have sex that morning in Vegas.
"We don't have to—"
"Yes, we do." He leans up to kiss that spot on her neck that he knows she likes. She shivers in his arms, and he glances at her. There's something different… "What's wrong?"
She freezes and her green eyes meet his. A smile, it's small but genuine appears on her lips. "I'm nervous."
"About the thing to see if we can finally reveal our secret identities?" He waits for her to nod, and thankfully she does. "I'm really Batman and you're Catwoman?"
He can feel her breath as it catches then she leans forward to rest her forehead against his. "Something like that. Just promise me something?"
"Anything—"
"That you'll still like me after all this."
He tilts her back until their eyes meet again. "You're really worried about this, aren't you?"
She nods and leans forward but this time it's to bury her nose in his neck. As much as he wants to comfort her, and promise her that it will all be alright, something deep inside stops him. He knows what he has to hide, but what does she?