A/N - Welcome back to the story!
Ben ran the key Leia handed him over his fingers as they stood together in the courtyard.
"It's all set up like you asked for it to be."
"Good."
His mother hesitated, glancing at his Uncle who waited behind her.
"Ben-" She started, but he held up a hand, silencing her.
"No more arguing," He told her firmly, his gaze drifting between her and Luke. "There will be no more plotting, no more scheming, no more fighting between family. Not if we are to have any chance of making this galaxy a better place."
"Agreed," Luke murmured.
"But know this," Ben warned, his eyes locked on his uncle. "If you ever go behind my back again, if you ever even think of taking her away from me, I will not hesitate to destroy you."
"Ben, be reasonable," His mother encouraged him
"I am being reasonable," Ben growled back. "You're both still alive."
He sensed Rey's presence as she emerged into the courtyard. He should have known that her friends wouldn't be able to keep her away for long.
"Is everything okay?" She asked.
"Everything's fine," Ben assured her. "Are you ready for your surprise?"
Rey glanced back at Luke and Leia before nodding. He smiled as she took his hand and together they exited the palace.
Rey clung tight to Ben's hand as they wove through the streets of Coruscant, ducking down shortcuts to avoid being stopped by citizens that would no doubt be curious about their Emperor and Empress seemingly taking a casual stroll through the city.
"Where are we going?" Rey demanded laughingly as Ben pulled her down another alley.
"I told you, it's a surprise," He insisted. "We're almost there."
He pulled her to a stop in front of a nondescript gray building. Rey stared up at it, confused.
"This is my surprise?"
Ben slipped his arms around her from behind, pulling her back against his chest as he held her.
"It's what is inside that is your surprise," He murmured, his lips brushing against her ear as he bent close to her. Rey's heart pulsed with excitement, but she wasn't sure if it was for the surprise or for him.
Ben stepped away to open the door for her, and Rey entered the building. Her confusion only grew as she took in her surroundings. It looked like a home.
Moving down the hall, she could spy a kitchen, a living room, a door that led to a small yard. Was this a home for them? But they already lived in the palace…
The realization began to hit as she stumbled upon the bedroom. Or rather, bedrooms. There were tons of them, each with multiple beds and toys scattered throughout.
"Ben," she whispered as he caught up with her. "What is this place?"
"A shelter for orphaned and abandoned children," He told her gently, taking her hand in his. "A place for them to stay, until they find a family to take them in. Until they find a home"
"Home," she breathed. Tears shimmered in her eyes as she slowly turned toward him. "How? Why? When?"
His fingers caressed her cheek.
"I ordered the construction as soon as we arrived on Coruscant, and an identical one is already being built on Jakku. As for why… I know what your childhood was like, Rey. I know the pain you were in," He whispered. "There will be no more like you. In our galaxy, every child will find a home. Every child will be loved."
Rey could barely breathe as she tried to take it all in. He had done this, knowing how much it would mean to her to be able to help those like her. He was giving her the power to make a difference about something she was truly passionate about.
She was loved, so unbelievably loved.
"You are my home now," Rey told him, voice breaking.
His arms wrapped around her and turned her within them. He kissed her briefly before lowering himself to one knee and holding out a small black box to her. Rey gasped as he opened it to reveal a ring.
"Will you marry me, Rey?"
For a moment she couldn't find her voice, she could only stare at him as her heart raced and tears of joy burned her eyes.
"I thought you didn't have to ask."
Ben grinned, and Rey couldn't help but think about how much she loved that smile of his. She loved to see it on a regular basis now, loved how it lit his eyes, and revealed that dimple in his cheek.
"Is that a yes?"
Rey nodded eagerly and burst into joyous laughter as he leapt to his feet and wrapped her in a massive hug, before kissing her soundly. He pulled back to slide the ring onto her finger, looking up at him curiously as she noticed the unique stone.
"It's a piece of kyber crystal," He explained, and her eyes lit up. "I thought it suited you better than some random piece of rock."
"I love it."
Ben cradled her face as he kissed her again. She melted against him as his tongue swept in to take possession of her mouth. He scooped her legs into his arms as he lifted her up and held her against him. She barely felt him moving as he carried her all the way home.
A/N - What did you guys think of the surprise and the proposal? Let me know!
As always, please leave a review with your thoughts, suggestions, and predictions, and I'll see you in the next chapter!
~ Elizabeth (FanOfDeliciousFlavour)