A/N: Sorry about the short chapter last time! It's like 6am and I'm so tired lol Anyway... I think this will be the last chapter for this story. Thank you to all who have read so far! And if it was rushed, the only thing I have to say about that is... when you know, you know. And they knew. Enjoy! R&R!

FIRE

Epilogue: Forever

Rey's apartment had never gotten done. They said it was too far damaged. Apparently, the electric was shot and they couldn't get the smoke smell out of her walls. How they managed to get it out of Ben's, who was closer to the fire, but not hers, she'll never know. But it worked out anyway because they'd decided long ago that it was far more comfortable to sleep next to someone than wake up alone. Time ran on for the two, having lost track of the year that had passed by so quickly, like sand down an hourglass. Things were going smoothly. Sort of. They butted heads, but they were able to recover quickly. They had this understanding between each other. That when the other was too angry, they would say they loved each other. At first, it seemed silly. But they both realized the significance of that statement.

They weren't alone anymore. They'd chose each other. They'd found comfort in each other and the last thing they wanted to do was to push each other away. Especially over some stupid little argument. Those three words held such power over them that it was able to break any trance of anger that sprung up between them. They'd pushed each other's limits and found where the boundaries were. But because they were both so stubborn, they often tested those boundaries over and over again, despite warnings.

And today was one of those days.

Rey huffed as she got out of bed and walked to the kitchen to make some coffee. Ben had said that he needed to get a shower and Rey was reluctant to get up, but she knew he needed one. He wanted her to join him, but she was on her period and she didn't want to do that. So he'd gotten upset, but he understood. However, despite him saying he was all right and he understood, Rey knew there was something wrong because he was short with her. So, rather than address it, she stormed out of their room to get some coffee. She felt the hormones rushing through her, aggravating her already sensitive emotions as she glared at the coffee pot. What were they even arguing about? She didn't even know... She just felt really mad all of a sudden. And Ben asking her to bathe with him wasn't making it any better.

She snatched a blue and black coffee cup that Ben had bought her a while back and started to pour her own coffee. She slammed the pot back down and groaned as another cramp hit her, tensing her whole body in agony as she all but doubled over at the counter. She let it pass and sighed in aggravation, tears prickling at the corners of her eyes as a wave of unwanted sadness started to take over her. She felt arms wrap around her gently, his face nuzzling her hair affectionately. "It's ok," he whispered as he kissed the back of her head, gently rubbing her stomach.

She let him hold her for a minute, but then she felt this overwhelming amount of anger towards him. "How would you know?" she hissed back at him as she spun out of his grasp, glaring at him. Ben just stared at her curiously, a small smirk on his lips. "What are you smirking at?"

Ben shrugged. "Nothing in particular."

"Liar." Ben chuckled. "What's so funny?!"

Ben looked at her, his eyes intense and smoldering. "I love you, Rey," he said as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her lips tenderly. She sighed against him, but didn't fight. She wrapped her arms around him and leaned into him, making him tangle his hand in her hair as she cocked her head just enough to deepen the kiss.

After a moment, she pulled away and half-heartedly punched his arm. "Jerk."

"Your jerk," he amended with a grin.

She snickered. "I'm so lucky," she said with a roll of her eyes, her tone playful and bored at the same time.

"I mean... there's the door if you think you'll find better."

She glared at him, a new wave of anger coming on again. "Shut up," she hissed at him, pulling away, but he held her tight against him. "Let go, Ben."

"It was a joke, Rey."

"That's not a joke, Benjamin," she hissed angrily, her eyes threatening to spill more tears.

He kissed her forehead. "Sorry." She looked away and glared at the floor. "I don't want you to leave anymore than you do," he admitted gently as he kissed her cheek exposed to him.

"Don't joke like that... You already know I'm having trouble..."

He chuckled again, earning him a glare from the woman in his arms. "You're not that bad."

She scoffed. "Right. Wanting to rip a hole in your throat one minute and cry enough to flood the apartment isn't bad. Gotcha."

He gently hooked his finger under chin and turned her head to look at him. When their eyes met, he gave her a small sympathetic smile. "It's ok, Rey. Don't worry about it. I know you don't mean half the things you're saying or doing. I understand it's hormones." She softened a little at him as she offered a brief nod. "But maybe we should get you something for the pain," he said with a small smirk.

She blushed and shrugged. "Maybe..."

"I'll be right back," he promised as he kissed her forehead and released her. He retreated to their bathroom, leaving Rey to stand at the counter to sip her coffee. She wiped her eyes and sighed in frustration at her emotional havoc her hormones were wreaking. When he returned with a bottle of Pamprin, she gratefully took the small pink pills and sighed as she waited for them to work. "Do those actually work?" he asked curiously.

"Yes. I don't feel the overwhelming urge to murder you in your sleep." She laughed as he quirked a brow at her.

He leaned closer to her, arms on either side of the counter, his face inches away from hers. "You'd be lonely if you did."

"Would I?"

"You would."

She grinned at him. "How do you know?"

He leaned just a hair closer so their lips barely touched, but she could feel the movement of his lips as he spoke. "You can't sleep without me anymore. Remember when I worked late? You were still up when I got home." She blushed when she realized he got her there. He grinned against her lips. "I can't sleep either."

"No duh. You can't sleep while you're working, Ben."

He smirked at her. "I'm serious, Rey," he said as he pulled back just a bit to look at her face. She pouted at the loss of their closeness, but stared at him quietly. He lifted a hand to gently cup her cheek, his thumb caressing the soft skin there. "I don't want to sleep without you anymore. I can't."

Rey's brows furrowed in confusion. "Ben, what's going on with-"

He kissed her lips to hush her and she caught the hint when he pulled away. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

He gave her a small hesitant smile. "Then stay with me." Rey opened her mouth, but he continued. "Forever."

Her eyes widened a hair. Confusion was swirling in and out of her depths as she searched Ben's eyes for any sign or inclination that would show her what he was asking. She only found mirth and amusement. And... pleading? No matter how many times she tried to run it through her head, she didn't understand what he was asking. She needed to ask, but she knew she'd seem really stupid. Oh, who cares. It was just them. "Forever?"

Ben grinned as he pulled away from her and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small box and set it open on the counter, pushing it towards her. "Forever," he confirmed.

She looked at the ring inside and blushed when she realized what he was asking. Tears started to well in her eyes as she jerked her head back to look at Ben, who was waiting patiently as he smiled softly at her. She looked back at the ring he'd presented to her. A promise of forever. A promise that he'd love her forever. That he'd be with her forever. That they didn't need to separate again. Her lips started to pull into a loving smile as she picked up the box and plucked the ring from it. She looked it over for a few long seconds and then slid it onto her left ring finger. She smiled up at him. "Forever sounds good to me."

He gave her an affectionate smile and kissed her lips lovingly, Rey answering by wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer. He wrapped his arms around her lithe body and pulled her flush against him. Forever sounded good to him, too. And their forever was starting right now. Together. When they pulled away, Rey laughed gently. "How long had you been planning that?" she asked with a small smile.

He gave her a grin. "Long enough."

"Did you know I would say yes?"

Ben shrugged. "I hoped you would."

Rey smiled at him. "I love you, Ben."

He gave her a wide grin as he held her hand that wore the ring. "Forever?" he asked as he kissed her knuckles, eyes still glued to hers.

She gave him a warm smile. "Forever."