A/N: And so we've reached the end! Thank you for coming on this Reylo journey with me. Writing this story was such a positive experience for me in this strange time, and I'm glad that it brought some joy to your days, too. :)
They are married at sunset the next day.
Throughout the ceremony, Ben's eyes never leave Rey. Rey finds that she can hardly stop looking at him in return; he is even more regal and imposing than usual in his ceremonial attire. More than that, though, his gaze — full of intensity and emotion — draws her in, just as it has since they first met.
They each speak words of devotion, pledging themselves to one another in a traditional Alderaanian marriage ceremony. Rey knows that Ben does this for his mother more than himself, even if he will not admit it. She thinks of Leia watching the broadcast in a quiet room on some faraway planet, and it makes her even more hopeful than before.
It has taken her this long, but she understands now. Just as Anakin said, it does not matter whether Ben is light or dark, as long as the conflict in his soul has been put to rest.
Gazing into his eyes, their hands intertwined, she knows that it has.
Before their marriage is officially sealed, Ben eases his hands from Rey's, reaching for the elegant circlet on the stand beside him. Rey kneels, drawing the white skirt of her gown to the side to better accommodate the movement.
"Rey of Jakku," Ben says, just as they had practiced, "do you swear to guide the galaxy with truth, honor, and mercy all the days of your reign?"
"I swear," Rey replies, placing a hand over her heart and bowing her head.
"Then as Supreme Leader of the First Order, I crown you Empress Rey. Rule justly, and keep the Force within your heart." He places the circlet on her head. "Rise, my Empress."
My Empress. That wasn't in the script.
Rey stands, and as she does so, Ben kneels before her. She takes his circlet into her hands. It is delicate and beautiful, little golden leaves interspersed with stars all around the edges, the perfect match to her own.
"Kylo Ren," she begins, then pauses. "Ben Solo."
His eyes widen at the sound of his name, that familiar vulnerability flashing across his features.
Rey continues, "Do you swear to guide the galaxy with truth, honor, and mercy all the days of your reign?"
He swallows hard. "I swear."
Settling the circlet atop his dark hair, she says, "Then as Empress of the galaxy, I crown you Emperor. Rule justly, and keep the Force within your heart. Rise, Ben Solo."
He does. His eyes have gone glassy, as if he is holding back tears, but his hands are steady when they clasp hers once more.
"As you are one in your rule," the officiant says, "so are you now one in the Force. Seal your union with a kiss."
It is their second kiss, and though it is shorter than their first, it is still so sweet that Rey's head spins. Two weeks ago, she never could have imagined that Kylo Ren would be capable of such softness — of such love. For that's what this is, Rey realizes. Ben Solo loves her; she can feel it.
And I love him, she thinks as they part, unable to keep the smile off her face. Somehow, the realization does not shock her. It's as if she has always known.
Hand-in-hand, they make their way from the balcony to the double doors that will lead them into Varykino. Pausing at the threshold, they turn back, giving the holocam a final acknowledgment — a wave and smile from Rey, and a stoic nod from Ben — before they enter their new home. Ben shuts the doors behind them with a soft click.
They are alone.
They had agreed that they did not want an extravagant feast following the ceremony. Rather, they have had the chefs prepare a simple dinner just for the two of them, with the marriage attendees returning to the Finalizer in Naboo's orbit.
Ben turns to Rey and offers her his arm. "Would you like a tour? Dinner should be ready in a few minutes."
She nods, tucking her hand into the crook of his elbow. He leads her through so many beautiful rooms that she quickly loses count of them, awed by his grandparents' villa. All of this is hers? She can hardly fathom it.
The last room they visit is a spacious bedroom with light blue walls, a large four-poster bed with a blue and white comforter, and a breathtaking view of the lake below. Attached is an opulent 'fresher, tiled in matching blue and made entirely of porcelain. Rey can't help but reach out and run her fingers along the wall. All her life, she has been surrounded by durasteel and other cold, synthetic materials. Tile and porcelain feel so real in comparison, like something out of an old holo.
Ben leads her to the closet next, and Rey's jaw drops in amazement. It is so large that she can actually walk inside of it! Even her hut on Ach-To wasn't quite this large. Hanging in neat rows all along the left side are her clothes. Some she recognizes from the Finalizer; others are new to her, tunics and even a few dresses in a myriad of colors. And on the right are...Ben's clothes?
She gives him a questioning look, and to her surprise, he seems embarrassed, a faint blush on his cheeks. "This is our room," he explains, his eyes searching hers. "But if you would be more comfortable with me staying elsewhere, I can move — "
"No, it's — it's alright." She fights away her own blush and gives his arm a light squeeze.
Relief shines in his eyes. "I'll leave you to change, then." He kisses the back of her hand, then leaves without another word.
Rey lets out a long breath and turns to her side of the closet.
When she descends the stairs only a few minutes later, Ben immediately looks up at her from his place by the window. Rey can feel his surprise — along with a flicker of delight — at her appearance.
"That's not yours," he says quietly, the corner of his mouth lifted in a half-smile.
Rey shrugs, grinning mischievously. "I don't know what you're talking about. This sweater was in our shared closet." He has changed as well, she notes, wearing looser black pants and the same kind of black sweater that she now wears.
"Ah, I see. Still a scavenger at heart, then."
"Always."
The half-smile transforms into a smirk. "Shall we?"
Rey nods, taking a steadying breath to hide her nerves. Ben's wedding gift is waiting for him in the adjoining dining room — and though she had thought it a perfect idea at the time, she can't help but wonder what he will think of it. She has never given anyone a gift before. Has she gone about this the right way?
Well, she thinks, only one way to find out, I suppose.
The moment they cross the threshold, Rey's eyes widen, her mouth already watering at the food set out before them. It's a variation of her favorite dish from the Finalizer, noodles and sauce, made fancier by the accompanying vegetables and bread. Then her gaze lands on the wrapped box to the right of Ben's plate. She glances at him out of the corner of her eye. He tilts his head, brows furrowed, gazing intently at the box.
"It's for you," she says. He makes no move towards it. "Go on," she urges, "open it."
He approaches the table with slow, cautious steps, as if he is afraid that this is a trick. Again, Rey's heart aches for this man. Has he really known so little of affection in his life that even a small gift leaves him wary?
One hand hovering over the box, his gaze darts to hers before returning to the gift. Assured, now, that this is truly meant for him, he slides one finger under the edge of the wrapping and tears it off with a carefulness that she had not expected from him. He lifts the lid of the box — and takes in a quick, sharp breath.
Rey does not need to look for herself to know what he sees. Nestled inside the box is an elegant, golden pen, the kind that Rey had only ever seen in old holos before this. Ben carefully lifts the pen from the box, and the light of the sunset outside illuminates the letters that have been etched into the pen's sides: BS on the left, and KR on the right. Ben says nothing, his jaw working in that way of his as he gently rolls the pen between two fingers.
"I saw it," Rey says, and Ben's gaze flies up to meet hers. "In your mind. The pens and ink on your desk at Luke's temple — you loved writing with them, when you were younger. It made you...happy."
"It was the only thing that did."
"You deserve to be happy, Ben."
He takes in a breath. "I — I am happy. You've made me happy, Rey."
She grins, blinking back tears of joy. "Then let's be happy together."
Gently placing the pen down on the table, Ben gives her a small smile, opening his arms to her in invitation. Rey does not hesitate. She goes to him without a second thought, wrapping her arms around his waist and tucking her head beneath his chin.
"Together," Ben agrees.
The future stretches out before them, hazy and undefined — but for the first time, neither of them minds. For they are together. And because of that, the rest will fall into place.