Author's Note: So, yes, I'm still thinking about this one. And I'm going there with the virus and other current events. If you have issues with mask wearing, science, or protests and social justice, you may want to not read this one. You have been warned. And I'm not interested in being told not to be "political." It's my story, and I can take it wherever I want to. Feel free to scroll if that's not cool for you, but it's not a huge part of this, just mentions that I felt were realistic.
Also, I'd intended this to be the final chapter, but it's the penultimate. There will be an epilogue.
Disclaimer per usual – I do not own Star Wars or any aspect of the SW universe; just a fan with an idea. No profit here, just fun for me.
Six Months Later
"Dad, really with Slip and Slide?" Poe looks out over the back yard, shaking his head. It's late June, and in Maine, that means it can be really warm or a little less than warm. Today is a less than warm day.
Kes laughs and grins at Poe as Shara streaks by on the toy, shrieking with joy. "Come on, mijo. I made her wear the wetsuit."
Rolling his eyes, Poe throws his hands up in the air and heads back inside. He hears Rey's voice from the study up at the front of the house, and he heads that way. He stands in the doorway, watching as she participates in a Teams call with Luke and the department heads at her school, Rey recently being promoted to head the Social Studies team along with teaching. The've been sharing the study since March, two desks in there now where there was once one. One is set up for video calls like the one she's doing now, the other just set up as a workspace. If they have a meeting at the same time, one of them will take a laptop to the basement, where they have another small desk set up.
He sighs as quietly as he can, going to the open work desk. He reads through a case file, but it doesn't hold his focus. He has a video hearing this afternoon, but his heart just isn't in it. It hasn't been for a while. He wants to make a change soon, and he is going to talk to Rey about it this morning.
He thinks about his dad. Kes moved into the guest room back in March. When coronavirus exploded, Kes said that he wanted to be able to see them regularly and really didn't want to quarantine alone. Some friends of Kes's from the service actually wanted to get out of the northern Virginia area, so he let them rent the house from him.
It has been a blessing – he and Rey have both been working at home pretty steadily since quarantine started. His dad just took over a lot of things for Shara, keeping her entertained as well as showing impressive patience teaching her basic math and working with her on reading.
He looks at Rey again. Things weren't in any way bad a year ago, but having her here, in the house and in their lives, has made things so much better. He thinks she'll like what he wants to do, but he's nervous that she won't. It's a really big change, but one that he's really energized by.
Rey ends her call, and she must have noticed him watching her, because she comes over and perches on the desk, facing him. "What's going on with you? You're quiet." She runs a hand through his curls, making them even more unruly. He's about to need to wear a bandana or something to keep it out of his face. He needs a haircut in the worst way; it hasn't been cut since February, and his hair hasn't been this long since he was an undergrad. Rey threatened to dump him if he resorts to a man-bun. He's about 99.9% sure she was kidding.
She says she needs a cut, too, probably to make him feel better. The braid over her shoulder is longer than it was, but he actually loves it. He reaches up and plays with it. "Yeah. There's something I want to talk to you about, something I want to do."
X
He frowns pensively, and Rey feels a spike of concern. "Poe, what is going on?"
"I want to quit my job." He looks at the end of her hair, clearly avoiding her eyes.
"What?" She's stunned. He's so good at what he does. She crouches down and looks up at him. "Talk to me, Counselor."
He smiles faintly at what he knows is an endearment. "It's too much lately. All of us are getting so much pressure to prosecute people we don't think should be prosecuted. Finn's feeling it too. The protests earlier this month," he pauses, taking a deep breath as he refers to the protest they attended with Finn and Rose, masked and staying as far from others as possible, "Finn and I are both getting pressure for going."
"Why? It was so peaceful." She furrows her brow.
"Peaceful or not, I got dressed down, and Finn was chastised too, because some of the local law enforcement recognized us. I could tell that my boss didn't like doing it, but he did it anyway." He shakes his head, finally meeting her eyes. "It has brought some things into sharp relief." He takes her hand with his. "Luke called me ten days ago."
She cocks her head, confused at the seeming change of subject. "About what, Poe?"
"A job. He called me about a job." Apparently her face gives away her confusion. "Not at your school, but at a school."
"Which one?" She squeezes his hand.
"He's friends with the Dean of the law school in Portland – one of their professors is retiring after he had a bad fall this spring. He's all right, but he isn't up for the classroom anymore. He taught Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, and sometimes Civil Procedure," he explains, "And they also need another coach for their Mock Trial team."
"And?" She prompts him.
"And I talked to them that day. They were at the end of their search process, but I apparently had the deepest practical experience of any of the others they looked at. They offered me the job, tenure track, yesterday. They want someone with my background, and the fact that I'm local just sweetened the deal." He looks worried, and she isn't all right with that.
"Do you want to say yes?"
"It's a pay cut, but I do. I really, really do." He sighs and tells her the numbers.
"Poe, say yes! I think it's brilliant." She squeezes his hand again. "We'll be fine. You've walked me through your finances – far better than mine, by the way – I know we'll be fine between our salaries and the savings we both already have started. And honestly, when you add my salary to yours, we'll be making more together than you were on your own. And bonus, now you get the child-of-a-teacher discount for Shara's school. But it's time to let me start contributing."
"I'll lose a lot of that sweet pension, though." He shakes his head. "I'm only fifteen years in – it'll be reduced. And the college fund may kick our asses."
"I don't care." She frowns. "I love you. I'm marrying you, not your pension or your salary."
He gives her a lopsided smile that makes her heart flip over in a sweet way. "You always know what to say to me." His smile fades slightly. "What if I suck at it?"
She snorts. "You won't. You'll be an amazing teacher, and I can help you with the basics on engaging the students, though not at all with content, of course. What about Finn?"
He brightens again at that. "He's quitting too. He and Rose are going into private security consulting. They already have a few clients Rose met through her current job. They were offered jobs with a large consulting group that was thrilled to get them with a book of business. It's full benefits and good pay, and they can do it from here in Maine."
"That's fantastic. I'm so happy for them! Everything is falling into place." Rey grins. Rose has become one of her closest friends. They've had a few socially distanced cookouts on the deck, the only socializing they've indulged in. Rose is being extra careful, as they are expecting their first baby around Thanksgiving. They had a small wedding on Valentine's Day, and Rey finds herself a little jealous.
But she hopes that will fade soon, because she went off of her birth control at the end of April, two months ago. She can't wait to have a baby with Poe – they agreed they both want one more child, and they want one soon. Poe just turned forty, and he likes to joke about being one of those geriatric dads, a little silly given that many people are waiting longer to have kids these days.
With no objection from Zorii, they finalized Rey's formal adoption of Shara last month. Zorii talks to Shara every week, and she sends Shara toys and clothes regularly. Rey can tell that it's enough for Zorii, and she knows the woman is relieved to not be looked on as Shara's mother. When she's a little older and travel is possible again, Poe and Rey want to take Shara to London, maybe a few years from now. They hope they can meet Zorii in New York with her next summer.
They're getting married in a few days, a small ceremony in their backyard. The only attendees will be Luke, Kes, Leia, Han, Finn, and Rose, outdoors. Rey can't wait. Leia and Han recently bought a new house further north, not quite 90 minutes up on the coast in Bremen, Maine, a good-sized place right on the water. They're letting her and Poe spend two weeks there for a honeymoon, though Kes and Shara are going to join them for the second week.
He bumps her. "Hey, now you're the quiet one. What were you thinking about?"
She smiles, standing up and dropping herself into his lap, making him laugh. "I was thinking about our honeymoon and making babies."
He grins then. "I like that train of thought." He pulls her face down to his, kissing her. She gives way, but as she has learned to, she listens for the sound of Shara and Kes. He pulls back after a moment. "You really think I'll be a good teacher?"
She snuggles into his chest, squeezing him tight. She's not used to seeing him unsure of himself. "Yes. I really do. Poe, you love being a lawyer, and you are passionate about the law. Those things are the foundation. You'll build from there."
He nods, pulling her even closer. "I love you, Sunshine."
She lifts her head, pressing her forehead to his. "I love you, too."
X
Midday on Saturday, Rey is standing in their bedroom, looking at herself in the full-length mirror she brought from her house to set up in one of the empty corners of the room. She'll openly admit that she loves her dress. The bodice is lace with a halter neckline that leaves her back mostly bare, there is a simple ivory satin sash, and the skirt is tea-length pleated tulle that swirls out nicely when she spins. Her shoes are a pair of pretty pearlescent flats, the most sensible thing to wear for a backyard wedding (and she hates heels).
Her hair is twisted up in a knot with some soft tendrils around her face, and her makeup is light and simple. She prefers to be fresh-faced, and it's a relief to her that Poe likes this better, too. She's wearing some simple pearl earrings that she found online and her engagement ring. The wedding bands for both of them are now with Kes.
There is a knock at the door, and Rey turns to see Rose and Leia come in. Leia is wearing a beautiful pantsuit, and Rose is in a dress similar to Rey's but in dark blue and a more modest top and an empire waist. Shara's little dress is a replica of Rose's, but in a lighter shade of blue. Neither of them are masked, but that's because they all made the choice to self-quarantine the last two weeks so they could all safely gather.
The only thing they had delivered were flowers, which arrived yesterday. With supplies delivered to the house, they made all the side dishes yesterday, and Rey, Leia, and, surprisingly, Luke spent this morning making cupcakes while Poe, Kes, Han, Finn, and Rose spent the morning outside with Kes and Han fighting over the smoker, where they have a brisket cooking. Shara cycled between the two groups, but she sticks close to Rose, who she adores.
Rose comes over to Rey. "You look beautiful!" Rose's dress fits perfectly over her small baby bump, pronounced a little earlier than most women's would be because Rose is so tiny.
Rey grins. "You do too, and you as well, Leia."
Leia smiles and comes up to her. "Is it all right if I hug you, sweetie? We have strictly quarantined with Luke for almost three weeks."
With a nod, Rey lets Leia hug her close. "I'm amazed Han and Luke didn't kill each other."
Leia chuckles and steps back. "They have their moments. Luke knows how to push Han's buttons, as you know."
"I do." Rey snorts. "It had to get annoying."
"Noise cancelling headphones are a Godsend." Leia smirks.
Rose shakes her head. "I'm glad we're all able to do this today. Finn and I were getting on each other's nerves." She looks at Leia. "I can't thank you enough for letting us take Rey's old house."
Leia shrugs and scoffs a little. "What's the use of having all this damned money if I can't spread things around a bit?"
Rey gives Leia a fond look. She'd sold Finn and Rose the house at a price well below market. It'll be perfect for their little family, and they have already transformed the walk-out basement into a surprisingly high-tech home office.
Leia looks back at Rey. "So, do you have your good luck bases covered? Old, new, borrowed, blue?"
Rey shakes her head. "I've never been one to worry much about superstition. My dress is new, I guess."
Leia tsks at her, as Rose laughs. "That's what I thought." She goes into her pocket, and she pulls out a silver filigree cross on a blue velvet ribbon. "This was my mother's. Borrowed, old, and blue. We'll tie it to your bouquet."
Rey takes it. "Leia, it's beautiful. Thank you. And thank you again to you and Han for walking me out, and to Han for taking the pictures."
"Of course, sweetie. Our family is a little twisted and tangled up, but it's what we choose." She slips an arm around Rose's shoulders. "Han and I choose all of you. We get grandbabies and everything."
Neither Rose nor Finn has much family to speak of, and that makes Rose sniffs a little. Leia and Rey look at her, concerned. Her dress has pockets, and she waves them off as she pulls out a tissue and dabs at her eyes. "Pregnancy hormones. Just ignore me."
Rey and Leia laugh then, and Rey loops an arm through Rose's. "So, is he nervous down there?" She wants to distract her friend, and she knows teasing Poe always helps with that.
"Not at all." Rose rolls her eyes. "I wanted to mess with him, but he's so," Rose smiles up at Rey, "Happy. He's so happy, Rey."
At that, it's Rey's turn to tear up, softly replying, "I'm happy, too."
Rose nods, and she hugs Rey to her before stepping back. She exchanges a look with Leia, and then says, "I'll go down and check on the boys and Shara. I think we're good whenever you're ready, Rey. Luke even has his weird old religion ceremony ready to go."
Rose slips out, and Leia steps in front of Rey. "Thank you for letting us be here for you, sweetie." She takes Rey's hand. "You would have had every right to push us away after you found out about Ben and again after he died. I'm grateful that you didn't, and so are Han and Luke."
Rey shakes her head, accepting a tissue Leia offers her, dabbing at her eyes. "The hardest thing about leaving Ben was feeling like I had to leave you and Han as well. I'm just as grateful that you didn't turn your backs on me."
"Never, Rey. We love you, and Ben Kenobi would have come back from his grave and haunted us." She hugs Rey, her head barely clearing Rey's shoulder. Then she steps back. "You and me seem to have a talk overdue. I asked Poe earlier if we could come crash when Kes and Shara go up to Bremen next week. He said he's fine with it if you are."
"Of course, Leia. You can bring Luke, too, if you want to. I know you said there's enough space. We asked Finn and Rose, but they have work." Rey nods. She spent a lot of time in her life fairly solitary, and having this big family is more comforting to her than she can reasonably explain.
"I'll ask him, but you know Luke. Just today may be enough time around people to keep him happy for months," Leia deadpans.
Rey laughs and shakes her head. "We should go down, or Poe will get antsy."
As if on cue, they turn, hearing the pounding of feet up the stairs and down the hallway. "Mama!" Shara skids into the room in her fluffy blue dress and little silver mary jane shoes. Her eyes widen. "You look so pretty, like a princess!"
"Thank you, Share-bear. You look pretty, too." Rey grins and exchanges a look with Leia as Shara twirls, her skirt flaring out around her.
"Thank you, Mama! I want to wear my dress every day." She smiles up at Rey and Leia. "Now, you ready? Daddy is getting cranky with Uncle Luke and Uncle Han. Grandpa Kes even told them to cut it out." She cocks her head. "I got them the scissors, and they laughed. Why is that funny?"
Rey laughs, and she holds her hand out to Shara. "I'll explain it later, all right, sweetheart?"
"OK, Mama." Shara takes her hand and starts pulling her down the hallway. "Let's go, Mama. We need to get married!" Rey goes with her, blinking as she tears up a little, and Leia follows them, chuckling.
X
Poe wakes up alone on the sixth morning of his and Rey's two weeks at Han and Leia's new place. It's early, the sun not even risen, and he sits up, looking around for Rey. He furrows his brow, climbing out of the rather insanely comfortable bed in the owner's suite of the house (that Han and Leia are letting them keep for the full two weeks even after they arrive).
He pulls on the sleep pants and long-sleeved t-shirt that landed on the floor prior to their nocturnal activities the night before. Barefoot, he pads towards the kitchen in search of his wife. That thought makes him smile to himself. When he gets to the kitchen, Rey isn't there, but he can see where she made tea, and the coffee is already made for him. He grins, pouring a cup for himself. Out the windows over the kitchen sink, he spots Rey out on the deck in a chaise looking towards the water.
He watches her for a few moments. He's stunned that it was less than a year ago when Shara collided with her on the beach, but even more shocking to him is that he feels completely content for the first time in his life. He has his daughter, his wife, a new job that he's excited about, and no pressure from anyone to be anything other than happy.
As much as Shara's conception was the best surprise he ever got in his life, this is different. Rey has given him a level of peacefulness he's never had, or at least that he hasn't had since his mom died. That thought makes tears come to his eyes, even though she's been gone thirty-two years. "You'd like her so much, Mom." He whispers the words, and he knows it's the truth. Rey is so kind and down-to-earth, fun and completely committed to him and Shara as well as to Kes and the rest of their family and friends.
He swallows the lump in his throat and shakes his head. He heads out to join Rey, not liking missing any quiet time with her, as this place will be bustling in thirty-six hours after the others arrive. They'll spend the 4th of July here, grilling and cooking out food from the rather ridiculous supply that Leia had stocked before they arrived last Sunday.
Rey looks up and smiles at him as he comes out on the deck. She looks adorable in sweatpants, a t-shirt, the hoodie he gave her back when she was in the hospital, and a pair of fuzzy socks. Even though it's July, this far north and here on the coast, it's not even sixty degrees before sunrise.
She scoots over in the chaise and pats the space beside her, and he comes over, putting his coffee down on a side table before he sits. He notices her tea mug is empty, but she shakes her head when he offers to get her some more. He settles next to her in a space that's not really big enough for both of them, but she remedies that by curling up in his lap once he's sitting. He wraps an arm around her and kisses her gently. "Good morning, Sunshine. Why are you up so early?"
She shrugs and drops her head to his shoulder. "I just woke up, and you looked too relaxed – I didn't have the heart to wake you up."
He turns his head and presses a kiss to her forehead. "I wouldn't have minded."
"I know." She snuggles close to him. "I hope Leia and Han let us come up here a lot. This place is amazing."
"Agreed. Now that I don't have to work during the summer, maybe they'll let us camp out here for several weeks next year." Poe loves that idea. Even if they have a baby by then, it would be a great place to be.
She nods against his shoulder. "I would love that."
They go silent, and he picks up his coffee. She grabs it and takes a sip, wrinkling her nose adorably at the strong taste before taking another drink and passing it back to him. They sit there and watch the sun rise together, peeking up over the horizon in a burst of spectacular reds, oranges, and pinks. Eventually, Rey says softly, "Red sky in morning, sailor's warning."
"Guess we should leave the kayaks in the rack today, then." He kisses her forehead again. "How will we spend the day?"
She turns her head enough to kiss up the side of his neck and suck gently at a spot behind his ear. Even as she does, she shivers a little in the cool air. She nestles closer to him and says, "We haven't broken in that giant bathtub in the bathroom yet." She leans back and meets his eyes. "Want to go see if you can warm me up?"
Surprising her and even himself a little, he manages to turn and stand smoothly, one arm going under her legs as the other pulls tight around her back. She squeaks and wraps her arms around his neck, making him smirk. He carries her to the door, leaning down so she can actually open the door for him. He carries her inside, kicking the door shut behind them. As he walks, he says, "So, in case you were wondering, this is a yes."
She laughs and drops her head to his shoulder. "I love you."
He nuzzles the top of her head but keeps his eyes on the path to the bedroom. It would really kill the mood to run into a sofa and drop her. "I love you too, Sunshine."
X
An hour later, Rey is getting re-dressed after they ended up abandoning the bath idea when it was taking too long to fill up. Rey laughs to herself. Poe can be patient about some things, but when she started sucking on his neck again, he'd sworn, turned off the water, and scooped her back up and deposited her on the bed.
They've definitely made the most of their time here. She finds herself wondering when her period will show up and slow them down a little. She leans over to pull on her socks and then sits up sharply, her brow furrowing. She fumbles around on her night stand, grabbing her phone and opening the calendar. After a moment, she says, "Holy shit."
She looks around and grabs her bag off of a chair, slips on a pair of clogs, and heads for the kitchen, where Poe is making them breakfast. When she slides into the room, before he can say anything, she says, "I need to go to the market up in Waldoboro."
"What? Why?" Poe looks confused. It's not unfair, given how overstocked the pantry is.
"I'm late, Poe."
He cocks his head, looking even more confused. "For what? We don't have plans, do we?"
She sighs and rolls her eyes. "No, Poe, I am late. Late, late."
He blinks a few times, then his eyes widen, and he turns and shuts the stove off. "Give me a minute to grab my phone, shoes, and the keys."
She nods, wrapping her arms around herself as he rushes out of the room. She chews her bottom lip. She knows this could just be due to going off the pill, that her cycle might be messed up. When he gets back into the kitchen, she's still there, staring off into space. He makes her jump when he puts a gentle hand on her arm. "Rey, Sunshine, are you OK?" She blinks, turning and hugging him. When she stays silent, he just says, "Talk to me, Rey."
She expels a deep breath. "What if it's negative? What if it's just going off of my pill messing with my cycle? I didn't know how much I want this until this moment."
He pulls her in close. "Me too. And if it's negative, we just try more. We're pretty good at that, if you haven't noticed." When she doesn't reply, he adds, "Please tell me you've noticed we're good at that, Rey. My ego isn't feeling very good right now."
At that, she snorts and leans back to look at him. "Yes, I've noticed." She releases him and steps back, grateful that he isn't afraid to try to make her laugh just about any time. "I can act, but not that well." She gives him a saucy smile and grabs his hand, pulling him towards the garage.
Another hour later, they're both sitting on the floor of the bathroom, leaned against the wall, staring at three different types of finished pregnancy tests up on the counter. She's tucked into his side, head on his shoulder again, and they're both uncharacteristically quiet. After a while, he just says, "OK, two college funds. We have to think about two college funds."
She snorts out a laugh. "I'll need to see my doctor soon. I'm honestly not sure when it happened. They'll guess based on my last missed period, but that may get adjusted later based on ultrasounds."
She looks up at him. "When was that, your last missed period? I just realized it's been a while." He asks.
She shrugs sheepishly. "The one when I stopped my pills?" At his incredulous look, she just shrugs again. "What? It's not like it's been uneventful. Between planning the wedding, planning for school this fall, and helping Kes with Shara while you were still working full time, I was busy. I wasn't thinking about it."
He squeezes her close. "Hey, you know, I missed it, too. It's not like I didn't have any way to notice." He leers at her.
She laughs and rolls her eyes, and she takes his hand, placing it on her still-flat abdomen. "At least this one and little Baby Tico-Trooper will grow up together."
He nods. "That's going to be great." He pauses. "We should probably tell everyone tomorrow, or at least tell the adults, who will notice if you don't drink."
She frowns a little. "Yeah, and you're right about telling the adults. I don't want to tell Shara until after I see the doctor and maybe we get to twelve weeks. I think I want to wait to tell Finn and Rose, too."
"OK." He kisses the top of her head. "I understand."
"Thank you." She sighs. "Shara is going to be excited, but I can't even imagine having to tell her if something happens."
"We can wait until whenever you're comfortable. I mean, within reason. Once you're waddling around, we may be forced to spill." He grins at her.
She elbows him in the side, and he just laughs. "Very funny, Professor Dameron."
He hugs her close again. "I'm really glad about my career change now. I love that I'll be able to spend more time with you, Shara, and the baby than I could in my soon-to-be-former job." He refers to the fact that he gave his notice at the US Attorney's office right after he talked to her about his job offer from the law school in Portland. He pauses again. "How do you think Leia and Han will react?"
"I think they'll be happy. Leia and I had a good conversation before the wedding, one that was likely well overdue. If we get off the floor and go to the kitchen so you can feed me, I'll tell you about it." She pulls away.
"OK, OK. I can take a hint." He stands up, and he takes her outstretched hands, pulling her to her feet. "And by the way, you're telling Han. I want to be a safe distance away. He gave me a really weird shovel talk before the wedding, and it seemed almost like he assumed that we weren't having sex even though we lived together."
She laughs and starts dragging him to the kitchen. "If he gives you a hard time, I'm telling him that I technically put out on the first date, that I was the one who asked you in, and that I seduced you."
"In all fairness, I wasn't exactly a tough sell." He smirks.
"True. You were super easy. Flirt a little over dinner, play footsie under the table, boom, multiple orgasms." She grins as he laughs.
"You should probably leave out the multiple orgasms part when you tell Han." He smirks again, and she can't help the wave of affection she feels for this man.
"Wise." She nods solemnly as she continues pulling him towards the kitchen. "Now feed me."
He chuckles. "I suspect that's something I'm going to hear a lot for the next thirty-plus weeks."
X
The next night, he puts Shara to bed, his first baby completely dead to the world. She'd clung to both him and Rey almost every moment since she arrived with Kes, Luke, Leia, and Han just before lunch today. He knows Rey is tired, so he'd taken Shara from where she'd fallen asleep on Rey out on the deck.
They've been more active today than they've been for a week (well, except the sex – they've done that quite a bit), and he remembers from Zorii that the first trimester can be rough for fatigue. Despite the fact that he'd been trying to give Rey a break by bringing Shara in, she comes into Shara's room, going to the empty side of her bed and tucking her in. She leans over and drops a kiss to Shara's forehead, and Poe watches, still amazed that Shara finally has a real mom.
They leave Shara's room, pulling the door mostly shut. It's a small room next to theirs – the rest of the bedrooms, the ones where Luke, Han and Leia, and Kes will be, are on the other side of the house. They head to the kitchen, and when they get there, he sees his dad with Luke, Han, and Leia near the fire pit out on the deck.
He stops her, pulling her to him and kissing her deeply. When he pulls back, he pushes a strand of hair out of her eyes. "We don't have to tell them tonight if you're not ready."
She shakes her head. "No, let's tell them. I don't want to wait."
"OK." He takes her hand and presses a kiss to the back of it. "Let's go."
When they get outside, Kes is there, two glasses of red wine in his hands. Rey and Poe exchange a look. He says, "Dad, I'll take one, but Rey doesn't want any."
Kes furrows his brow. Then, he looks back and forth between them a few times before his eyes widen. Then, his eyes land on Rey. "Little One, are you?"
She gives him a shy smile that makes Poe love her even more. She nods. "I am. We're not sure how far along. I need to talk to my doctor when we get home."
Kes grins, and he envelopes Rey and then Poe in tight hugs. He puts a hand on each of their faces, and he says, "Oh mija, mijo, I'm so happy to hear it."
"Hear what?" They all turn, and Leia is standing there, Han and Luke right behind her.
Rey motions to the fire pit. It's another cool night, and he knows she's probably cold again. They all head over, Poe guiding her to the area of chairs that aren't getting any smoke. They all sit, and he takes her hand.
They exchange a look, and despite their conversation the day before, he nods, understanding that she suddenly is a little scared. He looks at the others. "We're having a baby. Before you ask, we don't know the due date yet. It's early. We're not telling Shara or Finn and Rose yet, not until after Rey is in her second trimester. So you can't make over Rey tomorrow, you can't treat her any different than usual."
Leia stands and immediately goes over to them, hugging Poe first and then wrapping Rey in a tight hug. "I'm so happy for you, sweetie, happy for you both."
She leans back and lets Han and Luke come over and congratulate them both, too. Han glaring at Poe for a moment but then hugging him more tightly than Poe can ever remember him doing. When Han steps back, Poe can see that he has teared up a little, and the older man looks at Leia, who nods encouragingly.
He turns back and looks at them both. "I hope you two are all right with an extra set of grandparents." He motions to Luke. "And a weird uncle." Luke snorts at that while the rest of them laugh. That breaks some of the seriousness that had descended, and Han clears his throat and goes on, "We took the liberty of funding a trust account, a college fund, for Shara, with you two as the trustees. We'll be doing the same for the little one when he or she is born. It should be plenty by the time she's ready to go, but anyone who wants to can add to it. And she can have what's left to help her start her life out debt-free."
Leia comes over and passes them a letter. Rey is already crying a little, and it increases when they read the letter. Poe wraps an arm around Rey, who buries her face in his shoulder as Poe says, "Leia, this is too much. It's way too much, more than she'll ever need."
Leia shakes her head. "No. It's not. It's the least we can do. We owe you so much for allowing us into your lives. This is nothing next to that." She pulls up a chair, and Han motions to Luke and Kes, beckoning them away, clearly to give Leia space to talk to them. "You two should both know, we updated our wills after we closed on this house. We're moving here, by the way, to Maine. I'm tired of working, and this spring has taught me that I can support my charity boards from afar."
Poe is too stunned to speak, and Rey is still crying on his shoulder. Leia leans in and pats both of their knees. "I know this is a lot to put on you both tonight, but I want this to be clear. You don't need to worry about money, about anything. When Han and I are both gone, outside of some sizable charitable donations and some trusts I've already funded for friends and employees, everything, this house included, will go to the two of you and your children. You're our legacy now. I know you were a little worried about your new job, Poe, but I'm thrilled that you took it, that you'll be out of any sort of possible danger. If knowing your future is secure helps, then I'm thrilled to be able to do that for you."
Rey still doesn't speak, but she releases Poe, leaning forward and hugging Leia close. Poe shakes his head in disbelief, but he catches Han's eye. He squeezes Rey on the shoulder and walks over to Han, who meets him halfway. "Sir, I don't know how to thank you both for this. I'd try to talk you both out of it, but I've met your wife."
Kes comes over, and he snorts at the last part. "Han just told us what Leia told you. He knows I'm as grateful as you are. I live well on my pension, but a legacy it isn't." He bumps Han's shoulder. "But I told him that he has to be Pop or PaPa, because Grandpa is taken."
Poe tears up. He is happy that it doesn't bother Kes, that he isn't upset at having to share the grandparent mantel to some extent. Han interrupts his thoughts. "PaPa is fine, and I know Leia wants to be Nana." He reaches out and squeezes Poe's shoulder. "And it's not just to the new one, Poe. We love little Shara, too. If it's all right with both of you," he glances at Poe and then Kes, "And Rey, we want to be the same thing to her, extra grandparents. I recall that Zorii's parents are gone, so we want to be there for Shara."
Poe feels a now-familiar arm encircle his waist. "We'd love that, Han, but it's ultimately up to Shara." Rey sounds a little more collected now, much to his relief.
After getting a subtle nod from Kes, Poe agrees. "Yes. We'll talk to her tomorrow. But really, all of you, please don't let on to her about the baby. You have to let Rey do normal things with no interference, no trying to stop her or protect her."
Rey's hand finds his, their fingers entwining. She moves closer to him. "Please. If something happens, we'd have to explain it, and Shara isn't old enough to understand."
Leia nods. "Of course." She looks sternly at Luke, Han, and Kes. "And these three will respect that, too. You're pregnant, not an invalid." She turns back to Rey. "One piece of advice, though, don't let your stomach get too empty. By seven weeks or so, when I went too long without eating, I would be puking up my shoelaces."
Rey laughs. "Thank you, and I have a feeling that this one," she bumps Poe with her hip, "Will be shoving food at me every five minutes, so I think I'll be OK."
He shrugs. "If it's not me, it'll be Dad. We Damerons cannot resist our urge to feed people."
After that, they all settle back into their chairs, Leia and Luke talking quietly with Poe about his new job, Han and Kes arguing about how they're bringing baseball back, and Rey tucked into Poe's side. Half an hour later, it occurs to Poe that Rey hasn't said anything in a while. He looks at her, and he realizes that she's sound asleep, head on his shoulder.
Leia gives him a fond look. "I was wondering when you'd notice."
He nods. "Fatigue is the first thing kicking in for her, I think. I should get her to bed."
"Need help, mijo?" Kes looks over at them.
Poe shakes his head. "No, I've got her." He turns slightly, slipping an arm under her legs and rising with her in a bridal carry, just like he did the morning before. Rey barely stirs, just mumbling his name and snuggling closer. "Good night, everyone."
They all call their good nights, and Han says he and Luke will take care of putting the fire out. Kes comes over and opens the back door for him, and Poe pauses. "Dad, are you really all right with what Han and Leia are doing, and with them being grandparents, too?"
Kes nods, and he leans in, pressing a kiss to Poe's temple, something he hasn't done in years. "Of course I am, mijo. These babies of yours deserve as much love and care as they can get. I'd be a real ass to deny them that. They're lucky kids to have parents like the two of you." He drops a similar kiss to the top of Rey's head. "Your mom would just pass out like this, too, when she was pregnant with you. She could fall asleep anywhere."
Poe feels Rey shiver, so he takes her inside, beckoning to Kes with his head. Kes follows him in, and after Kes shuts the door, Poe says, "I wish Mom was here, Dad. Even more than with Zorii and Shara. She'd like Rey, don't you think?" His voice is a little small when he asks, and he realizes that this is important to him.
Kes's expression softens even more. "Of course she would, Poe. Your mother would adore Rey. She would be so happy for you both and for little Shara. All she ever wished for was for you to be happy and fulfilled. I think you are. She'd be so happy and proud of you, mijo."
Poe swallows hard. "Thanks, Dad."
"Get this one to bed. We'll see you in the morning." Kes shoos him towards their bedroom.
"Good night, Dad. I love you. We both do." With a nod, Poe carries Rey down the hall, settling her in their bed moments later. She's just wearing soft pants, a long-sleeved t-shirt, and his hoodie, so he gently maneuvers the hoodie off and leaves her other clothes. He pulls off her clogs and tucks her in, and after changing into sleep pants and a t-shirt, he climbs into bed.
Without waking, she rolls over and snuggles into him. He wonders if she'll start running hot the way a lot of pregnant women do; so far, she definitely isn't. He tries to sleep, but his mind is racing a little. The thought of all the money Han and Leia put in the trust for Shara blows his mind, as does hearing that they'll be their main beneficiaries.
He stares out the window into the dark night. He wishes Ben could know that Rey and his parents are all right. When Poe had talked to him before he was killed, Ben's biggest regret outside of his clear remorse over what he'd done had been how badly he hurt people, Rey and his mom and dad in particular.
There had been a change in him, as if he'd finally seen the light, finally understood just how badly he'd messed up. Poe had fully intended to have his back throughout the trial and beyond, hoping to mend the broken relationship to at least something resembling the old one they'd had in school. Poe sighs and softly says, "No matter what happened, Ben, I hope you're at peace. We'll look out for Han and Leia for you, I promise."
With that, Poe finally starts to feel tired. He allows his eyes to close, knowing that everyone he loves is safe and sound.
Author's note - So, yeah, as a data point, some women run cold instead of hot when pregnant, based on my sample size of one (me). I was freezing for 41 weeks (yes, my kid came late). I also was nearly narcoleptic. Good times.