After another passionate round of lovemaking, Ben and Rey walk hand in hand down the ramp of the Falcon. They smile and giggle together as they take in their surroundings. It is just as beautiful as Rey remembers. Green, nothing but green. And the gorgeous sparkling lake leading to where Maz Kanata's castle once stood is as stunning as ever. Rey's eyes widen as she takes in a brand new establishment standing where the castle once was.
"Shall we go explore?" Ben asks softly.
He watches as his wife turns to him with a wide smile. She squeezes his hand and pulls him towards the new building. Ben laughs as he tries to keep up with Rey, loving her enthusiasm for exploration and discovery. One of the many things he loves about her. She glows with pure joy and it shines through their bond. They walk along the glistening water until they reach the castle entrance and make their way through the open courtyard.
"BEN SOLO!" a strong voice calls out.
The newlyweds stop at the voice and slowly turn around towards the direction. Rey doesn't miss the slight blush crossing his cheeks and she smiles. They turn to find Maz Kanata marching over to them quickly. Nerves from Ben flood into their bond but Rey pushes loving thoughts back to Ben to calm him. Maz finally comes to a stop and stares at the pair. She adjusts her eyewear to get a closer look, making Ben even more nervous. A slow smile spreads across her face and she readjusts her eyewear back to its normal setting.
"It's good to see you, son. And it's wonderful to see you too, Rey," Maz says warmly.
"It's so good to see you!" Rey says excitedly, kneeling down to accept Maz's hug.
"Get in here, Solo!" Maz exclaims, pulling down on Ben's cloak and making him fall beside his wife.
They all hug for a moment more before Maz releases them. Rey and Ben stand back up as Rey takes his hand once more.
"This place is beautiful, Maz," Rey breathes in wonder.
"Well, you can thank your husband for this place," Maz replies with a wink towards Ben, making him blush even more.
Rey turns to Ben with a stunned look on her face. His face is now as red as the lightsaber he once owned.
"Maz helped raise me as a child when my parents and Uncle Chewie were off on diplomatic missions. Takodana is like a second home to me. After the battle I…" he pauses, taking a deep breath.
"It's one of the many things I regret. I knew I had to make it right not just for the connection the First Order had to this planet at the time. But I also had to make it right to Maz," he continues, looking at Maz with his deep blush.
Rey smiles gently at her husband, squeezing his hand in understanding. There were many things Ben had done while being controlled by her grandfather. Having been inside Ben's mind, Rey knows he was never to blame. Maz smiles at Ben and nods towards him. He nods back, his blush beginning to creep away. Rey feels Maz's eyes on her and she locks eyes with Maz.
"Dear child, I see you listened. I told you the belonging you seek wasn't behind you but ahead of you," she says softly, taking Rey's hand in her own.
"Yes, you were right, Maz. I found my home at last," Rey replies, looking first at Maz then letting her gaze drift up to Ben.
He smiles at her and brings her hand up to his lips, kissing it gently. She trembles from the gesture and tries to hold her composure together in front of Maz. Ben grins and kisses her hand again with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Let's get you two settled," Maz says with a smile.
She turns and the newlyweds follow her inside the castle. They walk up a flight of cobblestone stairs to a hallway with many rooms. Maz leads them to the one on the very end. She hands Ben the key and he opens it up. He and his wife marvel at the beauty of the space.
"If you need anything at all, just holler," Maz explains.
The couple thank her and she turns with a smile. As soon as she's out of sight, Ben scoops Rey up into his arms. She squeals and her giggles fill the empty hallway. Ben carries his bride into the room and sets her down softly, his arm still around her waist. They look about the room and see a beautiful balcony, a hot tub, and a marvelously large bed among other things. Rey turns into Ben's chest and pulls him into a deep kiss. He hugs her close and kisses her back hard. They stand in each other's embrace for several moments longer before needing to part for air. Ben looks down at his wife and follows her gaze, smiling as he sees she's looking at the hot tub in the next room over.
"Would you like to try it?" he whispers in her ear before kissing it tenderly.
"I've never been in one before," she breathes, overtaken completely by her husband as he kisses her below her ear and slowly down her neck.
"But I'd love to try it," Rey continues, trembling as she feels him smile against her skin.