A/N: I'm going to be honest with y'all. I didn't know what day it was today. Is it Saturday? Is it yesterday? How the heck is it already May? Damn quarantine...

I'm not having the best week, but oh well, I'll get over it. You guys are a happy distraction.

It's a bit of a mess for our stubborn couple, huh? This story has 34 chapters plus an epilogue, so we're almost on the home stretch. Don't lose hope, folks. It's not over yet!

~XXVIII. Six Months Later~

The day had come. Their six-month 'trial period' was met.

After the evening they had, the morning started out quietly. Rey woke up with barely a wink of sleep but forced herself out of bed to start her morning routine – shower, change clothes, and go to the kitchen for breakfast. She spent the entire night bawling her eyes out, letting go of everything she had been keeping inside for the past week. But today she wasn't going to let her emotions break her down. It was already hard as it was given the significance of that day, but it is what it is. Rey had one thing on her mind – to put all of this behind and go back to her own life.

Ben's night wasn't any better. His interrupted phone call set the tone for what could've been… well, he wasn't sure what he was supposed to think what he and Rey's night could've been had they not been interrupted. All he knew was that it was the heat of the moment and it felt right. And with Rey responding the way she did, Ben had thought that maybe, just maybe… things would turn around. Unfortunately, it didn't. When she shut him out, he plopped on the couch and droned out the agonizing silence and evident loneliness around him; beating himself up for once again doing the wrong thing. It was better this way, he finally decided before he shut his eyes nearly 3 AM. The universe said no, so he wouldn't argue. If he and Rey weren't meant to go on, then he'd leave it at that. It was time to give up. You won, universe. You won.

They shared a silent breakfast together, acting as if the night before didn't happen. While things were more than ever complicated between them, neither Ben nor Rey wanted to give the other person the upper hand and show weakness, so they decided to journey to the courthouse together amicably. Stubborn idiots. This willful blindness was saved by none other than their mutual best friend when he knocked on their door at half past the hour.

"Poe? What are you doing here?" Ben was surprised to see him.

"Good morning to you too, Ben," Poe chuckled and slipped inside the apartment.

"Poe?" Rey asked when she appeared from the hallway. "What-"

"Seriously, can't a guy come and visit his friends without all this wondering?" he stopped Rey before she could ask the same question.

"Dude… Now's not really a good time. Rey and I have to be-"

"At the courthouse by noon," he interrupted again. "I know. I was there the first day remember?" he chuckled.

"Okay so… what are you doing here?" Rey finally was able to ask him.

Poe deeply sighed. He knew his pestering wouldn't work today.

"I know what day is today," he looked at Ben. Then he turned his attention to Rey. "It's… a big day."

Ben fiddled with his keys and averted his eyes elsewhere. Rey shuffled her feet a bit and sulked. No one wanted to acknowledge their friend's words. If they did, then it would be too real.

"Look," he sighed. "I was there the night this all happened. I was there the morning we got back to LA. I'm part of this relationship whether you two like it or not," he lightheartedly joked.

This at least got Ben and Rey to ease up a bit and look up at him.

"I'm both of your best friends. So, I'm going to be there when this all ends too."

They both looked up at Poe and smiled. For the first time that morning they felt a little better about the day.

"Thanks Poe," Ben patted his back.

Rey went over to hug him and give her thanks as well. With that, the trio immediately departed and headed to their eminent doom.

~.~.~.~

It was déjà vu all over again. Their appointment got pushed back by two hours, leaving the trio waiting around the courthouse on a busy Friday afternoon in downtown Los Angeles. Poe offered to buy lunch and they all ate silently in their seats outside their meeting hall. Truthfully, Rey was glad Poe had tagged along. She didn't know how much longer she could keep up her brave face. The awkward air she spent around Ben that morning and the intensity of everything that was supposed to happen that day was overwhelming. Ben was thankful for Poe's saving grace as well. Sure, he submitted to the universe's decision to keep himself and Rey apart, but that didn't mean he completely agreed. He was desperate to speak to her but held his guard up because he didn't want to complicate things anymore. Poe's arrival saved him from doing further damage to their morning.

"It's just our luck that our meeting got pushed back again, huh?" Ben said to no one in particular.

"Maybe it's a sign from the universe," Poe teased the pair.

Poe meant what he said that he wanted to be there for his friends. But that didn't mean he agreed with their decision. He thought they were making a huge mistake. And he wasn't talking about their drunken marriage.

"Or maybe Snoke just likes to torture us," Rey said in reply.

"Oh stop your complaining you guys," Poe dismissed the two. "It's a beautiful day! At least we get some nice sunshine."

Poe leaned back, raised his arms behind him and got a bit comfortable on the bench between his friends.

"Well with sunshine that usually means heat. And I just drank two bottles of water, so I'll be right back."

Ben excused himself and disappeared down the hallway to find the men's room.

"How are you holding up, kiddo?" Poe asked Rey once they were alone.

"I'm fine," she said simply.

"Just fine?"

"Yeah. I'm… numb to it I guess."

"Which one?" he asked oddly.

She was a bit confused at his question and was about to ask him what he meant… but then she remembered.

"Don't even," she frowned at him.

"Okay, I'll stop," he brought his hands up to surrender. He may be a jokester, but Poe knew when to be serious. "Just let me know if I can do anything, Rey. I'm serious. I got you."

"Just being here and supporting us both is good enough," she smiled at her friend.

She rested her head on his shoulder and allowed her thoughts to puddle. He had a point. Which one was she more numb to really?

Ben emerged from the men's room a few minutes later and before heading back, took a stop at a water fountain nearby. It really was a warm day and the air conditioning in that building wasn't really the best.

"Ben?" a familiar voice called behind him.

He shut off the faucet, wiped his mouth and spun around.

"Dad?"

"Fancy running into you here, son." Han was walking towards him from the other side of the hallway.

"Uh… what are you doing here?" he asked timidly.

"Your mother wanted me to drop off some late tax returns to our attorney's office. What are you doing here?"

"Um… It's nothing dad, don't worry about it," he tried to dismiss. Then he looked at his watch. Crap, it's almost close to 2, Ben realized. "Sorry, I got to go."

Ben started to head the opposite way, but Han was not easy to get rid of.

"Come on son, what are you doing here? Are you in trouble?"

"No, dad." Ben kept walking. Han continued to follow.

"Because if you are, Sabine's here. Our lawyers can help you."

"Dad, I'm fine, please leave."

Ben stopped at the corner of the hallway. He didn't want Han to know who was on the other side.

"Ben," his dad sternly said. "Whatever it is that's troubling you, you know you can tell me, right? I know we haven't been on the best terms lately, but I'm still your father. You can tell me anything."

Ben heavily sighed. Maybe he should tell him.

"Dad… I… Please go." He decided against telling him anything last minute. He didn't want a lecture before his meeting.

"Come on, son, what is it?" Han was insistent.

"Mr. Solo?" Poe said from across the hall.

Han peered in front of him around the corner. He saw Poe and Rey sitting on nearby benches.

"Poe? Rey?" He was surprised to see some more familiar faces. He then turned back to Ben. "Did you come here with them?"

The Solo men walked over to the bench as Poe and Rey straightened up their postures. They were becoming just as uncomfortable as Ben with Han's presence.

When no one wanted to speak up, Han's frustration began to show.

"Alright, someone tell me what's going on before I make it more uncomfortable for the three of you," he was beginning to lose his patience.

Rey and Ben glanced at one another. The jig was up. She nodded at him to continue.

"Dad…" Ben sighed. "Rey and I are splitting up."

"What?!"

Ben sulked his head in shame. Rey and Poe stayed silent, not daring to meet eyes with Han or each other. There was no easy way to break the news. They simply awaited his reaction.

"You two are getting a divorce?! It's barely been a year!"

"Six months, and no. We're getting an annulment."

"No son, it's a divorce."

"No, dad. Snoke agreed to-"

"You're hearing is with SNOKE?! What the hell did you two do?!" He angrily glanced between the pair.

"Rey. Ben. We're ready for you," Rey's attorney stepped out of the courtroom to inform the group.

Poe and Rey got up slowly and began to make their way to the room.

"I'm… really sorry, Han. We never mean to hurt you," Rey said to him before walking inside.

A furious and very confused Han turned back to his son.

"You better tell me what the hell is going on right now, Ben," he sneered.

He was about to turn on his defenses, and tell his dad to piss off but what was the point? Soon it would all be over.

"Dad just follow me. It'll all make sense if you sit down for our hearing."

They'd find out soon enough; might as well rip the band aid off while the wound was still fresh. Han was about to retort, but Ben was called back again and he had no choice but to follow him inside.

After the introductions, the infamous judge appeared before the tiny audience in the courtroom.

"Alright let's see. Mr. Solo and Ms. Andor. Ah, look who it is, the lovely couple from Vegas," Snoke welcomed them.

"Vegas?!" Han irately whispered to Poe.

Of all the seats to take, Han plopped himself right beside their friend. Talk about awkward. Poe dryly gulped and nodded at the older Solo.

"Friend Poe," the judge sardonically acknowledged their friend's presence.

Poe wasn't sure if he were more scared of Han or Snoke at the moment. He sat small in his chair, hoping to become invisible. The things I do for my friends.

"Now before we get down to it, is there anything you two would like to share with us today?"

The judge gave them a chance to speak, though Ben and Rey kept their vow of silence.

"Alright," as if Snoke wasn't fazed. "Moving forward. Mr. Pryde, would you please step up to the podium."

The counselor stood up and made his way to the bench.

"Let's go over the terms from the last meeting. In the case of Mr. and Mrs. Ben and Rey Solo, the two parties requested an annulment after an impromptu marriage ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada - to which I ordered a six-month probationary period…"

"What?!" Han furiously grumbled under his breath.

It's decided, Han was scarier. Poe winced in his seat next to the angry man.

"Let's see… shared living expenses, no fraud or infidelity I may assume, Mr. Pryde?"

"No sir."

"And they in fact lived under one roof the whole time?"

"Yes sir, In Mr. Solo's loft in Santa Monica."

"I see… And were they working out their marriage?"

"Indeed. They co-existed peacefully, respected one another and went so far as to take on shared interests."

"Now see, that wasn't so bad was it?"

Still, not a response from either party. Still, Snoke wasn't deterred.

"Mr. Pryde, before you are dismissed, do you have any last words about the couple?"

The counselor glanced at Ben and Rey, the two people he had visited every other week for the past six months. If anyone saw the constant progress firsthand, it was him.

"Your honor, I've been in this business for twenty years. Most of my cases are usually to prove no foul play on surprise marriages for citizenship or for financial gains. This was a unique situation where a husband and wife were to be observed in trying to make an unplanned marriage work. With these two… well, they're just two people who care about each other's well-beings. Honestly, I would've never guessed they were having any marriage qualms or that they wouldn't be this compatible. They've coexisted and complimented each other so well; one might even think they've been married for years. I've never seen a stronger bond between two people. They're perfect for each other."

As tough as the situation was, the words Pryde spoke were a breath of fresh air. Han's face softened for the first time since he stepped into that room. If he agreed with one thing, the counselor's words were spot on. A smile broke on Poe's face hearing what the counselor said of his two friends. Despite the constant teasing and badgering, he was glad to hear that there really was something going on with them. He certainly agreed with Pryde. They were perfect for each other. If only the two of them could accept it.

"If there's anything they can take out of this," Pryde concluded, "it's that there are genuine feelings between them. They care about each other's happiness."

He smiled at the couple and they nodded curtly, thanking him for his kind words. Still, they couldn't look at one another.

"Thank you, Mr. Pryde, that will be all."

Wow he really is a cold guy, Poe thought to himself. Admittedly, he was about ready to shed a tear with what Pryde had said, but Snoke didn't even bat an eye. What a monster.

"Alright, Mr. and Mrs. Solo. Last chance to put in a word," the judge offered the two.

At long last, they looked over at one another. They spoke no words, but their eyes said it all. Longing, remorse, regret. They broke contact just as fast as they made it and had brief conversations with their attorneys, then their two lawyers conversed. After a minute Ben's attorney Sabine spoke for both parties.

"Your honor, while they appreciate what Mr. Pryde said and have taken a lot from this shared experience… both of our clients still just want an annulment."

Snoke studied the two, as if finding a snide remark to say or possibly give them another chance to speak. Nevertheless, he thought against it and simply shrugged.

"Well then…" he shuffled his papers in front of him. "Annulment granted."

With the crack of the gavel on the rock hard surface, it was officially over.

Hushed murmurs and chairs shuffling filled the white noise surrounding them. Ben sulked in his seat, trying to make sense of reality. Well, that's that. Rey for a moment was coming to grips with it as well. She let out a breathy sigh. Then she stood up, walked to his side of the room and placed her ring on the table in front of him. He forced himself to meet eyes with her. She was on the verge of tears, but the stubborn woman was fighting it.

"Goodbye Ben."

And just like that, Rey walked out of the room with her attorney, Poe towing behind waving apologetically at him as he followed his other friend out the door.

Ben picked up the ring. The one he spent a fortune on and didn't even know. Though it was worth every penny because it was meant for someone he thought was worth every moment.

"Well… I can't say I'm relieved that this is all over," Han walked up to his son.

Ben got up from his chair and pocketed the ring. He reluctantly turned to his father, awaiting his punishment like a guilty puppy with his tail between his legs. Han was about to scold Ben, call him an idiot, call him irresponsible, call him a liar… But even he could tell his son was broken.

"Come on," he patted his shoulder. "Your diet's over. Let's grab a beer, son."

~.~.~.~

"Augh, I haven't had alcohol in so long. I'm seriously going to feel this later. Like when Poe and I…" Ben stopped his string of thought, realizing he was talking to his dad.

"What? When Poe and you used to sneak in my liquor cabinet and drink my whiskey? Don't think I didn't notice, son," Han chuckled.

Ben sincerely laughed for the first time that day. Who would have thought of all people his dad was the one to console him after he just separated from his wife? Whoa, he never thought he'd ever say that. It was a tough enough morning already for him and Rey. Running into Han at the courthouse just made it even harder. But his father surprised him after the whole ordeal and took him to a bar downtown to drink his problems away. However, he knew his dad. It was any moment now that Han would admonish him for his actions. Which was why Ben thought now would be a better time than any to start drinking again.

"Alright," Han polished his second beer before ordering another bottle. He felt enough time - and alcohol - has passed for Ben to start explaining things. "Are we going to do this the easy way or the hard way? Because I've got nowhere to go."

"Jesus, dad," Ben huffed. "Can't we just sit here and drink? We haven't had the best relationship and I actually like just sitting here with you."

"Don't try to butter me up with a 'bonding moment' excuse, son," Han warned him. "And yeah, I like this too, us hanging out. But it's not entirely my fault that you and I haven't had the best relationship. You shut me out all the time."

"That's because you never give me a chance talk," Ben hissed back.

"Well alright then, talk…"

"Really? Now you're letting me speak? How convenient for you," he rolled his eyes at his father.

"Funny how things work out huh?" he teased his son, not one bit perturbed by his frustration.

"Fine," Ben gave in. Before he spoke, he downed his old-fashion and ordered another one. If he was going to share this whole story with his dad, he'd need the liquid courage. "What do you want to know?"

"Jeez where to start," Han decided to get a bit more comfortable in his seat. "How did this happen? And how did Snoke get involved?"

Ben let out a tired sigh. He started from the beginning, telling Han of his plans to go to Las Vegas for the weekend because he was still heated after getting fired. He shared how his and Rey's hotel room was double booked. That was how he reconnected with Poe and how their friends met, hence why they all went to the clubs together and Ben got to know Rey. It was hard for Ben to share with Han how stupid drunk he, Poe and Rey got once it was just down to the three of them. Then one thing led to another and he woke up the next morning in bed with Rey.

"Well, at least you woke up with a beautiful girl next to you," Han eased the moment.

Ben blushed at that comment. It was already uncomfortable telling his dad about his sex life but remembering that day with Rey got him sentimental.

He continued and told Han that they didn't even remember getting married; Poe's friend had to tell them. When Ben and Rey put the pieces together and found the wedding ring, it was legitimate.

"You bought her an actual ring? Not one of those cheesy fakes at the chapels?"

Ben fished said ring from his pocket and placed it on the counter.

"Real gold. Real diamonds."

Han picked it up and carefully examined it.

"Nice taste, kid," he said approvingly. "And how did you pay for this?"

"Let's hash one situation at a time, dad," Ben joked. Han laughed at that and handed the ring back, motioning for Ben to continue.

They went to the courthouse the Monday they got back, and their original judge was reassigned to a more urgent case. As luck would have it, they ended up with Snoke, no choice there. Han knew Snoke. He hated the man. Snoke played dirty and didn't care who knew. He thought he was above the law. Funny because he would always chastise people like Ben and Rey for thinking they were overly privileged when he was the real culprit of robbed power. Ben explained how much of a hard time Snoke gave them, not accepting their annulment plea the first time and instead sentenced them to live together for six months under his watch. Then he would decide at the end whether to grant them an annulment.

"I wish you would've told me or your mother Ben, we could've helped. You know we have some of the best attorneys."

"Sabine helped with the whole thing, but even she couldn't get Snoke to reconsider. I also asked her not to tell you and mom anything so don't get mad at her."

"No, it's fine," Han assured him. "God, I hope one day that snotty old curmudgeon gets what he deserves."

"That's pretty much it," Ben shrugged. "You know the rest. Rey and I became roommates, well… married roommates, but that was all. Sorry we didn't tell you or mom the truth. We didn't want to hurt you guys."

"Well," Han groaned. "I can't say I'm happy."

"Neither can I," Ben took a long sip of his drink.

Replaying the last six months in his head was a lot to process. He saw the progress he and Rey made with each other. They really have come a long way. But in the end, the progress was for nothing. After a moment to let it all seep in, Han spoke up.

"What the hell were you thinking, Ben?" he said flatly.

Ben was caught off guard. Sure, he's heard his father say those words, but they were usually accompanied with a more spiteful growl. Either way the words meant the same. His dad was once again disappointed in him.

"Go ahead dad, tell me I screwed up again," he scoffed.

"You're damn right you did!" Han grumbled.

"Great, yeah keep it coming," his sarcasm did not help calm the situation.

Han got up from his seat and paced around. He was trying his best to keep his cool and not make a scene with his son. No matter that it was after the lunch rush and the bar barely had eight people in it.

"You're an idiot, yes. But not for getting drunk and married, but for losing Rey," he said pointedly, emphasizing the last part to Ben.

"What?" he did not expect that.

"Don't play dumb with me, son. You guys didn't fool anyone."

This was pushed on long enough. All the teasing and prodding the last six months from his friends, Ben was almost at his breaking point.

"We weren't trying to fool anyone!" he cried. "Well, okay we didn't tell people exactly how we got married, but we were civil. We got along fine."

"And fell in love," Han added.

"What the fuck?!"

Again, that was another topic that was pushed around to which Ben was losing patience.

"You heard me, son," Han was not afraid to challenge him.

"Dad I-"

"No Ben, stop with your god damn excuses!"

This time Han slammed his hands down on the counter, the random patrons jumped at the noise, wandering their attention to the two men.

"Shit dad, be any louder?!" Ben said through gritted teeth.

Han waved off the others, telling them to get back to their own things before turning back to his son.

"It's one to mess up your own future with your wishy-washy dreams of becoming a pilot or whatever the hell you want to do. But did you ever stop to think you were altering Rey's future too?"

"I never stopped her from doing her job."

"I'm not talking about her career; I'm talking about her heart. And your heart. You can go out and break girls' hearts all you want, but I thought I raised you better than that when it came to the real thing."

Ben fell silent. So, Han continued.

"I know you don't want to hear this, especially right now and from me, but you fucked up, Ben. You really did. She was the best thing to happen to you."

"Don't you think I know that?!" Ben croaked.

"Then what the hell are you doing here talking to me?!" Han exclaimed.

"Dad, it's too late," he sulked his head to the counter.

"It's never too late, Ben."

He patted his son's shoulder and sat back down, trying to calm himself for his son's sake.

"I'm not proud of this, but I've walked out on your mother when we'd fight so many times when you were young. But whenever I was wandering the streets, drinking alone at a bar, I came back to her and she always forgave me. That's why I always came back."

"What made you think she would always forgive you?" Ben looked at his dad.

"Because your mother and I love each other. Love is stronger than hate. You forgive someone not because they're wrong or you're right. But because you love them."

Ben played with the napkin that his drink rested. Even if this wasn't reciprocal love between him and Rey, he had six months to do something, anything. It was just too late. Not meant to be… At least that what he believed the universe was telling him.

"Even if I knew what to do, I don't think I have the strength to do it," he confessed.

"You do, Ben," his father said. "Sometimes the one thing that is right for you may be the hardest thing to do. That just means it's important."

Ben suddenly glanced up at his father, surprised at what he said.

"What?" Han was puzzled by Ben's abrupt gaze.

"Nothing, it's just… Rey said something along the lines of that to me once."

"Well, she's a smart girl. And if she saw something in you that was worth taking the chance, then you're a better bet than you think you are."

"How are you sure?" Ben was still doubting himself.

"I'm not, but I'm hopeful," Han said to him. "It's like I always said when you were in little league… Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. Rey's a home run, son. That you can be sure of."

Hans words resonated through Ben's thoughts. This was the first time his father ever believed in him. Too bad right now Ben didn't believe in himself. He looked at his father in pure innocence. Han understood. There was no bright side of things for Ben. At least not today. There was no getting through to him anymore. He tried his best, but Han knew there was nothing else to say to change his son's mind.

"Look, everyone copes differently. And who gives a damn what people say. Just think for yourself and what's best for you," he told his son. "If you need me, you know where to find me."

Han finished his beer and took out a couple of bills to pay for his and Ben's drinks. He got up, kissed him on top of his head and started to leave.

"Dad?" Ben muttered.

Han turned back to him, surprised that his son still had something to say.

"Yeah?"

For a moment Ben let the silence blanket between them. Then he stood up from his stool and faced his father.

"Are you disappointed in me?"

Han saw for the first time a scared little boy standing in front to him. He immediately walked back to the bar and took Ben into his arms. His son's broad shoulders immediately collapsed at his embrace. Then unexpectedly out of nowhere Ben began to sob.

"You're my son, Ben. No matter the crazy stupid shit you've done, you'll always be my son. I know you'll figure out what's best for you, and I know you'll always come home to me and your mom. There's nothing to be disappointed by that."

A/N: Preview of next chapter: Friends Don't Let Friends Drink Alone

"How are you holding up, kiddo?"

"Ugh Poe," she rolled her eyes. "You've asked me that like five times today. I'm fine."

"Yeah, I don't buy it."

"It's been a long day... All I want to do is just stop thinking."

"I can respect that. But I know you, Rey. And I know how important this day was supposed to be... Both circumstances."