A/N: Happy Easter everyone! What a coincidence how this next update is a holiday chapter. Funny how things work out lol

Btw, I'm the worst fan ever not even giving a shout out that our queen Rey herself, Daisy Ridley's bday was on Friday. Did you guys watch her read that cute BB-8 story? So adorable. I like that people of influence are doing even just a small part like sharing videos for their fans to enjoy during this crisis (did anyone see John Boyega's hilarious video edit yet?). In a world full of anxiety, laughter can go a long way.

I hope everyone is staying safe, staying healthy and just trying to stay hopeful in these uncertain times. I don't have much to contribute because I'm no celebrity (though I work in the business - still waiting to meet Chris Evans one of these days and trap him into being the father of my children) but I'm trying my best to keep the laughter around me alive. I hope even with this story some of you can enjoy a laugh or two to distract you from the noise.

Ah, okay enough with the rambling and sappiness. Enjoy!

~XVIII. Fourth of July~

As promised, Ben and Rey attended his uncle Luke's Fourth of July barbecue a couple days after his parents visited. Since Rey mentioned that Ben and Poe had recently reconnected, Leia immediately insisted they invite their friend along to the festivities. In fact, Han went so far to suggest Hux and Phasma attend too. He liked Ben's friends on the count of they were polite and really good support systems for his son. Naturally, this led to Ben asking for Rey if her friends Finn and Rose could attend as well. Might as well invite the whole gang. While it was a family affair, Leia considered everyone she met family and she happily agreed to all their friends' presence. This is how on that Saturday afternoon the collective group of friends were able to get together again to enjoy the summer holiday.

When his uncle found out that he was coming, Ben was asked to drop by and help him set up the grill in the morning. He planned to come back to Santa Monica to pick Rey up when he was done helping out, but Rey insisted he stay because the extra hour drive going back and forth would be unnecessary. Instead, she'd get a ride with her friends to his uncle's barbecue. Rey arrived with Finn, Rose and Poe a little after 2 PM because Poe needed to find someone to run the bar at the Cantina last minute. In his defense, Rey had asked her friends the day before about their invitation to the party and they were all surprised but nevertheless excited to be included.

On their drive to Ben's family party, she proceeded to tell them about the awkward meeting of Ben's parents that ended up going well by the end of the night. Naturally, Poe teased Rey that meeting Ben's parents and getting their approval was a good sign. Of course, Finn and Rose just had to poked fun at the subject as well.

"Things are getting pretty serious if you're meeting the parents," Finn teased their friend as the group walked down the cobblestone path from the driveway to the backyard.

"I don't think you can get any more serious than getting married," Rey said back. "Intentionally or not."

"Oh please, you two aren't even taking it seriously," Poe rolled his eyes. "Your stock 'we're roommates' response to anyone who asks."

"It was your idea, Poe!" Rey exclaimed.

"Yeah but you two didn't have to accept it," he told her. "I just laid out the breadcrumbs. I knew you two secretly wanted to shack up," he winked at her.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Rey coyly dismissed.

"Like we haven't heard that excuse before," Rose rolled her eyes. She, Finn and Poe sniggered as Rey scowled at them.

Thankfully they had reached the back of the massive house to where the festivities were being held, ending their conversation.

"Is this where Ben grew up?!" Rey, Finn and Rose grew wide-eyed.

"No, his grandparents live here," Poe smiled, reminiscing the times he spent at that very house with Ben in their younger years. "Ben spent summers here, I tagged along a few times. Man, we had so much in this house."

"So this is how the other side lives," Finn said in disbelief. Rey and Rose, still in shock as well, nodded in agreement.

Ben's uncle Luke hosted his soiree at his and Leia's family estate in Malibu, a beautiful Victorian style mansion just minutes from the coast. They owned two luscious acres of land and the back yard seemed to have stretched for miles in each direction. They had utilized much of their land for his grandmother's horses to roam around, as well as the rest of the place with various recreational activities. A sand volleyball area, a basketball court that doubled as a tennis court, and a small baseball field - to name a few. And of course, a massive pool. Even with all these amenities, Poe pointed faintly to where their actual property line ended – several hundred yards beyond where they can see past the stables.

The main area, a large wooden deck that wrapped around three sides of the house, was where Ben's mother Leia was settled until she spotted them.

"Mama Leia!" Poe shrieked, rushing towards the all too familiar woman and scooped her up into a huge bear hug.

"Poe Dameron, it's so great to see you," Leia said almost teary-eyed. "How long has it been?"

"Well Ben and I kept in touch his first couple years of college. Before he went to Ireland, I think. But we haven't seen each other in 12 years." He informed the older woman.

"My how time has flown! You look just like your father," she beamed at him. "How're your folks?"

"They're great! Mom's retired since her back surgery never fully recovered. She helps dad most days at the shop."

"I should definitely give them a ring some time," Leia smiled. "I'm so glad you and Ben reconnected after so many years."

"Well you can thank Rey for that," he motioned to his friend who was nervously standing behind him.

Leia's face brightened more than it already had when she heard Rey's name. After having dinner with Ben and Rey a couple nights ago, she couldn't stop telling Han how overjoyed she was of her son's nuptials with the perfect woman. Han had to agree that he saw something change in his son, a good change, and betted that it had something to do with the new woman in his life as well.

"Rey," she said in the most delicate, nurturing voice. She held out her arms and allowed Rey to step forward to give her a proper embrace.

"Leia, it's wonderful to see you again. This is a lovely home," Rey shyly spoke. Although they had already met and the two ladies had shared a special chat after dinner, she was still nervous around her 'mother-in-law'.

"These are our friends Finn and Rose," Poe introduced the others. They kindly shook hands with the older woman. "Where's Ben?" he then asked.

"Where else? He's playing softball with the little ones. They miss their favorite coach," she pointed towards the direction of the field.

Ben was running around with a group of younger children trying to steal bases and run to home plate. He was a giant towering over them. Then again, Ben towered over a lot of people. Rey let out a small giggle as she watched him let out his youthful side, an expression that didn't go unnoticed by her friends.

"Is that Phasma and Hux?" Finn spotted the other couple sitting in lawn chairs across the deck.

"Yes, Ben and Rey mentioned you all got acquainted. I'm glad you are all here. Please enjoy yourselves," Leia welcomed them further into the yard. "Rey come, I want to introduce my daughter-in-law to the rest of the family," she excitedly yelped, gently tugging her arm towards the direction of a larger crowd.

The three friends held in snickers going the opposite direction, seeing Rey glare at them with an obvious blush on her cheeks, knowing they were referring to the title Leia had given to her.

The two ladies reached the deck and met with the man in charge of the grill.

"Luke, I'd like you to meet Rey, my daughter-in-law," she squealed at the last part. Leia was still over the moon about Rey and Ben's union and wanted everyone to know her joy. "Dear this is my twin brother Luke, Ben's uncle."

"Ahh so you're the infamous Rey," Luke placed the tongs he was using to flip the meat on the grill to properly shake her hand. "Han was not exaggerating, you are beautiful."

"Thank you," Rey blushed. "And thanks for letting my friends and I crash your party."

"Honey, I got about fifty pounds of meat left to grill. We can feed an army!" Luke chuckled.

Leia then proceeded to introduce Rey to Luke's wife Mara, Ben's grandparents Padme and Anakin, his cousin Ahsoka, Anakin's step-brother Obi-Wan Kenobi whom Ben was named after, and way more people to which Rey couldn't keep track of their names. The sentiments were the same – they congratulated her and Ben's marriage and complimented her beauty. It was pretty hard for her to hide her colored cheeks from all the kind words.

After about fifteen minutes of introductions, the spotlight shifted thankfully from Rey to something Luke's wife Mara mentioned about their remodel project in their Los Feliz home. Rey was able to stand off to the side with Leia and enjoy some refreshments and of course brisket. She watched as Ben finished up his softball game, to which she still couldn't believe he coached. When he spotted her, Ben skipped over to where Rey was lounging with some people in tow.

"Hey there," Ben greeted her with a lopsided grin. Two little kids were using him as a jungle gym with one clinging to his leg and the other climbing onto his back.

"Hey yourself," she grinned at him. "I didn't know you coached a softball team."

"I've still got a few secrets up my sleeve," he smirked. He then grabbed the kid behind him and swung the boy around like a pretend airplane.

"Uncle Ben, put me down!" the boy giggled. He gently placed the child on the ground in between himself and Rey.

"Rey, this is my nephew and best friend Korkie – don't tell Poe and Hux – he's Obi-Wan's great grandson. And this little munchkin down here," he grabbed the little girl still clinging to his leg and picked her up, tickling her sides, "is my niece Ashla, Ahsoka's daughter."

"It's a pleasure to meet you both," Rey kneeled down to their level.

"You're really pretty," Ashla said. Of all people to make her blush the hardest, it was the little six-year-old fiddling with loose strands of Rey's hair in front of her.

"Thank you, you're really pretty too," she smiled at her. Surprised, the little girl beamed brightly and gave her a tight hug. This kid was too precious.

The boy tugged on her blouse. "My great grandpa said you married my uncle Ben," he said, seeming serious.

Rey was surprised again. "Y-yes I did," she nervously replied. She looked up to Ben to ask for help. Even he was shocked.

The boy thought for a moment. "Then I guess we're family now!" he then smiled and hugged Rey as well. These kids were so adorable. "Do you play softball?"

"No, but my best friend Rose does. She's really good. Ask Ben," she smirked at him.

He rolled his eyes and chuckled.

"Do you play any sports," he continued to ask.

"I know a little bit of martial arts. Do you know what that is?"

"Oh yeah, my great grandpa and Ben's grandpa did that stuff when they were kids," he nodded. "They did a lot of sword-fighting I think."

"The only sword-fighting I know is fencing. Some Kendo too." Rey was impressed that this eight-year-old boy nodded and understood what she was saying. "I preferred stick-fighting more though. Bojutsu was my favorite."

"Yeah that's pretty fun," Korkie agreed with her.

"Wow," Ben uttered. He was surprised to learn this of Rey.

She stood back up to his level and smirked.

"I told you I knew my way around a stick," she teased.

"No I believe that," he chuckled. "It's just, I didn't know you were a fan of martial arts is all," he was still blown away.

She looked at him teasingly, lowered her voice and said, "You're not the only one with secrets."

If it weren't already a hot summer day and he didn't just finish a grueling softball game, Rey would've noticed Ben's cheeks burning brighter than the bowl of punch sitting on the table next to them.

After a brief water break, the younger children asked Ben if they could play another game of softball. This time, Rose, Finn, Poe and Phasma joined in. Meanwhile, Rey had been taken inside by Han and Anakin to ogle at the classic cars in the garage, an impressive collection by Ben's grandfather that Han and he shared a love for. Han remembered that Rey's foster dad was a mechanic, so he took a shot in the dark that she was into automobiles. She was indeed. Hux also tagged along as she newly learned that he too was a classic car enthusiast. The prized possession of course was a replica of the famous science-fiction movie Back to the Future - a DMC DeLorean. After spending a considerable amount of time admiring Anakin's impressive collection, Leia hollered for the four of them to return to the yard as to not miss out on the festivities.

Rey and Hux grabbed some refreshments and decided to head to the bleachers to watch their friends play softball with the youngsters.

"Ben's grandfather has an impressive car collection, I'm a bit jealous," Rey confessed.

"The first time I came here, I squealed so loud, Phas made fun of me for three days," Hux chuckled.

As they sipped their beverages and watched the game in front of them, Hux noticed from his peripheral how Ben was stealing glances and crooked grins at Rey, who of course returned the silly gestures. He just had to play with this.

"So," Hux cleared his throat, releasing Rey from her bliss. "I take it you and Ben made up?"

Rey furrowed her brows, "I beg your pardon?"

"Ben keeps looking towards us and while I should be flattered, I'm pretty sure that permanent goofy smile on his face is actually for you," he teased.

"I don't know what you're talking about," tints of pink were evident on Rey's cheeks.

"Come on Rey," Hux rolled his eyes. "Don't you forget the last time I saw you, our college buddies said stupid things. Drunk fucks. When you left to see your friends you and Ben acted strange."

"Oh, right." Rey didn't really want to relive that time. She and Ben decided to just let it go and move on.

"For what it's worth though, I hope Ben told you how moronic they were. We're probably not going to hang out with them anymore. He felt really bad that you overheard."

"It's okay, Ben and I are good now," she assured him.

"I'm glad. I'd hate for you two to have bad blood because of a bunch of drunk idiots who don't know how to mind their own business," he said.

"I appreciate it, Hux," she said. "And thanks for sticking up for Ben. He's lucky to have a friend like you," she smiled warmly at him.

"He's lucky to have a forgiving wife like you," he winked playfully.

She rolled her eyes and chuckled at his remark.

"I guess you're right though, I am lucky," Hux said. "When I met Ben in college, he helped an awkward shy kid with a fading Irish accent fit in."

"Hey, accents aren't embarrassing!" she teased.

"No, they're not," Hux laughed in agreement. "But when you're a skinny twig, with pale skin, carrot top hair and a weird non-British accent that people usually associate 'accents' with, it's a bit disconcerting," they both laughed.

"I can still hear it sometimes when you speak," she said to him.

"Yeah it's still somewhere in me. But after living in America for twenty years, you start to sound like everyone else. I'm surprised yours is still intact," he said.

"Well, I've only been here seven years, but I highly doubt I'll lose my 'accent'," she and Hux chuckled. "However, ever since I met Poe, I've conformed to the 'American lingo' more than my own."

"Yeah. Phas and Ben had their time our first year of college making fun of my 'goofy words' as they say," Hux joked.

"That was Poe with me!" Rey agreed. "You teach the man the word 'wanker' and he won't stop saying it, so I stopped saying it," she giggled. "But you shouldn't be ashamed of your accent, Hux. It's what makes you, you," she smiled at him.

"Yeah, that's what Ben told me when we first met," he told her. "It's why he became my best friend."

Rey smiled at the thought.

"That's the thing about Ben," Hux said. "He told me to embrace who I was. So even though I was losing the strong accent, I stopped being embarrassed for letting a word or two slip now and then. And that made me confident. That's how I won Gwen over."

Hux and Phasma, being kids who were brought up by military parents, were used to calling people by their last names. It was when they met Ben that they learned that not everyone wanted to be referred by their surnames because like Ben, it was hard to live up to a name sometimes. So, they continued to only call themselves by their last names. Ben told Rey that they'd only use first names when it was serious. Like when Hux asked Phasma to be his girlfriend and when Phasma asked Hux to move in with her. Hearing Hux right now say the name "Gwen" made Rey happy to know that this man truly loved his girlfriend. She wondered if she'd ever have that feeling with herself and… Ben. Wait, what?

"You and Phas are so great together," Rey spoke sincerely. "You make her so happy."

"Thanks Rey," he beamed. "But I can't take all the credit. Ben's the one who introduced us. Thought we were a match made in heaven. If it wasn't for his pushing, I would've never met the love of my life."

"Aww," she said to him and smiled at the thought of Ben playing matchmaker. Who knew.

She turned her attention back to the game, watching her friends play, but mostly watching Ben and his carefree happiness. It was her favorite thing about him.

"Ben's a really good guy. He protects the people he cares about," Hux said out of the blue. Of course, his underlying reason was to push his buddy and this woman to get together already, but they seriously were moving slower than molasses.

Rey didn't know why he said that, but it stuck. She wondered if she was someone he cared about.

"He is pretty great," Rey said to no one in particular.

She glanced at the man she had just talked about and while he was currently chasing Finn to try to tag him before he reached the next base, she softly smiled at him. Hux had never seen that expression on her. Sure, he's seen her smile and he's seen her blush many, many times, though this candidness that she exuded towards his best friend – who wasn't even aware she was looking at him – was different. It was her current state that despite the jokes, Hux had a sure feeling that Ben and Rey were brewing up something more.

The softball game shortly ended, and the rest of the day was filled with good company and pure fun. Poe and Hux started a pickup volleyball game with some other guests while Finn, Rose and Phasma dipped their feet at the edge of the pool sipping mojitos and celebrating in victory after beating Poe and Ben's team in softball.

Meanwhile, Rey and Ben had been challenged by Leia and Han to a game of disc golf. Leia and Padme were exceptionally skilled at the sport, to which Ben had been made fun of when he was younger for not inheriting the genes for this mastery. Though everyone was surprised at how quickly Rey picked up the skills at the game.

They were on the last hole of the mini six-hole course built on the far side of their yard. Leia and Han were embarrassingly overtaking Rey and Ben since Leia had successfully scored her last few attempts in just two tries, driving she and Han's score much higher than the other team.

"Rey sweetheart," Han gestured for her attention from across the field. "You see that scoreboard over there?"

He pointed towards a large chalkboard nailed to the side of the back of the main structure's wall. There were titles of the different activities available in their yard and names under each one indicating records, best players, and recent winners. This explained so much of Ben's love for sports, Rey thought. His entire family was competitive. Under 'DISC GOLF', Leia was the recent winner and holder of the most wins record, and Padme was the holder of the most points in a single game as well as holder of the most aces (hole-in-ones).

"Leia is a disc golf champion. Ben's never won against her," he embarrassingly revealed. "Isn't that right, princess!" he hollered across the green to his wife.

"Daaad!" Ben grunted.

"Han don't embarrass our boy in front of his girl," Leia hissed. "Besides, I'm already doing that," she smirked.

Rey muffled a laugh. Ben waved them off and turned to Rey, bent slightly and resting his hands above his knees as if the two of them were in a huddle. She giggled at his seriousness.

"Okay we're screwed," He blurted.

"Nice pep talk, coach," she teased.

"No, Rey. I've never won in a disc golf game with my mom. She and grandma are pros."

"Relax Ben, I think I've held up well for our team."

"No, you literally carried the team," he said to her. "Which is why you should take the last hole."

"Oh and put the pressure on me?" she slapped his arm.

"It doesn't put it on me," he joked. This earned another slap from her.

"Oi. You're impossible," she giggled. "Gimme the disc."

He handed it to her and gave her two playful thumbs up.

"You got this."

She blithely rolled her eyes and turned towards her target. Before she could even focus, Han uttered something else.

"You know you can just forfeit now, sweetheart," He bellowed. "Unless you can get an ace, Leia and I win."

Leia laughed mockingly but chided her husband for the remark anyway.

Rey turned to Ben, who was shaking his head in humiliation, though he couldn't help but snicker because the pressure was on Rey and not him for once. He raised his arms and shrugged, letting her decide if she wanted to forfeit. She facetiously glared and stuck her tongue out at him before turning back around. Trying to focus the best she could – although Han was purposely trying to distract her - she took in a deep breath and clutched at the disc in her hand. In one swift toss the red disc glided in the air. The loud clanking of chains followed a brief silence shared among the four players.

"ACE!"

Elated, Rey ran towards Ben and leapt into his awaiting arms, legs wrapped around his waist and limbs flailing in the air, both cheering while he spun her around happily.

Leia and Han, after a fleeting moment of shock, laughed it off and instead of being upset for their loss enjoyed the intimate spectacle of their son and his wife reveling in their glory.

The celebration turned a few heads since Ben and Rey cheered noisily. Mara, Padme and Anakin who were sitting with Luke by the grill glanced over and smiled at the occurrence.

"Yep, she'll fit right in with the family," Luke nodded approvingly.

Hux and Poe, who were playing volleyball just on the other side of the disc golf course looked at each other and smirked at their two friends embracing.

"'Just roommates' my ass," Poe chuckled.

Finn, Rose and Phasma sat at the edge of the pool, amazed at what just happened and couldn't believe it with their own eyes. The jaw dropping moment of not only winning, but Rey leaping into Ben's arms and the two reveling in excitement was a sight to see.

"They're totally in love," Rose declared.

A/N: Preview of next chapter: Gala Weekend Pt. 1 (Will You Be My Plus One?; A Formal Affair)

"Hey Ben?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you want to... maybe... go with me to my gala next weekend?"