One Month After Battle of Exegol

We both were still trying to keep things calm in the galaxy after the fall of the First Order, other planets and our old allies were nervous to come back out with their freedom and their peace from being under the First Order Tyranny. Poe and I decided to go help them, show them there was nothing to be afraid of, taking Poe, Rey, Chewie and our droids with us too. I trained Finn on the ship some more, finally getting to spare not just with Finn but also with Rey. Finn had good reflexes, though Rey was lighter on her feet and I could senes her every move as she tried to pin me. After another rousing session of sparring when I got her pinned, she looked up at me with a gasp on her lips.

"How do you manage to do that?" She asked though I gave her a coy look.

"You'll learn sooner than later."

It was a bit of a lengthy trip, but I didn't mind since we were all together and not having to be arias of being on the run. We would all vouch and show our allies that there is no longer a major threat. We also thanked those who came out and helped, all of them thanking us in showing us the way and bringing hope back to all of their lives. I knew it was something my mother wanted to do all along.

We held a smaller intimate funeral for her, only members of the Resistances and old allies of my mother's were in attendance. It was nice, though painful to see her and know that she was finally and reluctantly gone from my life. But not gone completely, there was still a part of her within me and I knew that. But this was hard, since not only did I lose my mother, but I knew my brother was gone too.

I could still feel his presence for time to time, almost like phantom presences that would come and go as I was with the others back at either my home or in the Millennium Falcon. I knew his presence, it was familiar with me. At first, it was saddening for me to feel this since I knew he was physically gone. But then again, it was just like my mother: their presence was within me and was trying to soothe me in times of pain or sadness. Almost like they were a ghost, standing right behind me and resting their hands on my shoulders to show me that they were there to comfort me.

After we made our journey throughout the galaxy and help bring peace and balance back together, we finally were able to start working our home. It was a nice change of pace, no longer needing to get up early to run drills or go out on another top-secret mission. We were slower with our time, still doing some work here and there but mostly just enjoying the nice and comfortable silence that our new home brought. We both needed the change of pace and a new way of living.

The house itself was small, with plenty of repairs and remodeling that needed to be done since it was barely touched for so long. We needed mind it, already getting most of the work done before we knew it and settling in quite nicely. There was a good-sized barn in the back of the house where most of the tools were being held.

One of the things that we needed to do was to find a place to hide and keep our X-Wings since neither one of us was willing to get rid of our X-Wings. Near the edge of the forest in our backyard we made a clearing for our two ships that was nice tucked away from the naked eye. After we did that, Poe and I decided that we needed to do one more thing together to make this new life for the both of us official.

We wanted to get married.

I was doing my stretches outside in the grassy area within the clearing near our new home. I was nearly healed from my wounds that were inflicted on me. It was a beautiful morning at our home, a cooler breeze was coming through near my home t the edge of the moon planet. It was going to be a big day, in which I needed to stretch and get my brain in check. My nerves were on end at this point when I was getting through the last stretch with my leg and getting the kink right out of it that was there for a while.

The sound of an upcoming ship was flooding my mind as I opened my eyes to see who it was. It was a familiar ship, having me grin and stand up straight and move my hair out of my eyes. At that moment I heard my droid coming over through the grass to beep at me in excitement.

"I know," I reassured him, "It is an important day."

I was getting married.

Later that day, a bit past noon, I was sitting in my room in front of my mirror at my vanity table, looking at my reflection in the mirror and was alone in the room. There was movement outside my room, out the backyard where the Sensitive Force Tree was held. Plenty of our friends from the Resistance were getting the wedding ready without my consent, Poe reassured me that it was going to be a surprise for me, for the both of us but mostly for me. I was a bit skeptical about having a wedding with plenty of people at our home, but Poe reminded me that this was good for us to be surrounded by those who were with us in the fight, in our relationship, and for the rest of our lives.

I was looking right at my reflection in the mirror, seeing how I was finding with the simple make-up I was putting on and trying to get my hair in the right spot. And yet, something wasn't right as I was looking at my own eyes. I felt a small pit in my stomach, fluttering there too from the nerves as I heard a timid knock on the door of the bedroom.

"Neyli?"

It was Rey, having me see her head poke in from the other side of the door. I binned a few times, resting my hands on the top of the vanity while he gently and carefully came into the room with D-O rolling behind her. Once she closed the door quietly, I looked up to see Rey fully through the reflection. She was wearing a simple yet gorgeous dress, it was emerald green and was down to her feet. Grinning at her slightly, I could see she was watching me carefully with D-O rolling over to me to look at me with his mechanical face.

"Poe wanted me to check in on you and see if you were okay," Rey explained as she walked over to stand right behind me, having emotive her a small smile.

"Or did he think I was going to have cold feet?" I asked, almost in a stammer as Rey grinned at me.

"I think you have rather warm feet," She said in almost a joke, hoping to light up the mood and make it seem better. I nodded tapping my fingers on the vanity surface, having a sense of dread that was there within my chest. I took in one more breath as I looked at Rey through the reflection of the mirror. It was supposed to be the happiest day in my life, and the happiness was there, but I knew who I needed there with me. They couldn't be there, and it was hurting just to think about it.

"I wish they were here," I admitted in a mutter. Rey stayed quiet, but I could see it in her eyes how she knew who I was talking about. I was moving on, slowly but surely with my life and letting the past be in the past, but this day was important for me to have them with me. Just thinking about it made me almost cry there in my chair. Rey saw me falter a bit as she placed her hands on my shoulders to calm me down and soothe me.

"They should be here with me," I muttered almost in a stammer as I cringed from how pathetic I sounded. I wished my mother was here to help me get ready in my room, telling me how beautiful I looked. She would calm my nerves and tell me that this was a happy day.

I wished I had my father to walk me down the aisle, holding onto my arm delicately and yet fiercely since I was his only daughter. He would tell me to walk slow, since walking fast was showing too much urgency. He then would give Poe a knowing look not tor break my heart.

And lastly, I would need Ben here to dance with me at the reception. He would hold me close as we would sway to the music and he would tell me he was beyond happy for me.

But those were robbed hopefully thoughts and dreams. I couldn't have them in reality, which made me beyond mad and sorrowful in knowing that it felt like I was alone in all of this. I took in one sniffle, trying now to brawl everything out since I already did some of my make up.

"They are with you," Rey reminded me, rubbing my shoulders with her arms and I took in a shaky breath, "They're here with you, and they always will be. And you still have family here that's willing to help you and Poe have a great day," I nodded in agreement, seeing Rey give me a small smile now as she looked down at D-O.

"Go get Rose, D-O," She instructed, having me look at her in concern as she reassuringly grinned.

"We're gonna get you ready properly."

It was finally dusk there at our home when the wedding was finally commencing. Rey and Rose finally got my hair looking stunning for a wedding as I was walking down the aisle. It was just a small cluster of people in attendance. They made a small walkway down the middle that did lead to the Force Sensitive Tree, lanterns were lit within the large branches above our heads and candles were placed along the aisle and around the chairs.

It was simple, but it was perfect.

Jencon walked me down the aisle, having me grin from ear to ear as I was wearing my wedding dress. It was covered completely in lace in my upper body down to my wrists and on my neck with a white brassier underneath along my chest, and a flowing skirt and train behind me. My hair was in flowing waves, my hair clipped away from my eyes and face. I wore simple slip one shoes that were pearly white and holding a small bouquet of local flowers that were found near the outskirts of our home. With Jencon leading me, I walked down the aisle to Poe who was waiting for me at the end underneath our Force Sensitive Tree.

He was wearing his best General clothes, hair pushed to the side with waves. He wore black pants and his boots that were shined, a blue waistcoat and a white dress shirt that was rolled up to his elbows. Once we locked eyes as Jencon walked us down the aisle, I saw him grin so wide and look so warm, I knew this was the best day and moment in my life.

The ceremony itself was short, we wanted dit that way since we both knew what we wanted to say and how we wanted to at least celebrate. Rey held my bouquet and Finn held the rings, the both go them standing behind Poe and me while the ceremony was commencing. The cool night that was coming through gave us he intimate feel and glow that was surrounding us we each gave our rings to the other and said our vows to one another.

"Neyli, I knew that you were going to impact my life from the moment I met you in that mess hall, and ever since then, you imprinted on my heart. I never felt that with anyone before my parents, and I don't want to lose that feeling ever again.

"I promise you to be standing next to you in all your decisions, love you unconditionally every day, and fight alongside you in all that comes our way. You're my whole life, and I love you more than I can ever tell you,"

I started to cry when he was telling me his vows, a tear almost slipping from my cheek. Poe instantly reached over from holding both of my hands and wiped away the one tear that fell. it was so gentle when he did it, having me think that he was thinking that he was going to break me. But I grinned when he wiped the tears, taking both of our hands back together between the both of us as it was my turn to say our vows. Clearing my throat, I looked at Poe straight in the eyes.

"One of the things I ultimately wanted in this life was to be loved, fully loved, for who I was. Not for who my parents were, not for where I came from, but for who I am. But as the years went on, that dream and hope were slowly slipping away from me, and I was about to get used to not having it.

"But it all changed when I met you, so many years ago. And I'm beyond glad it did because you were the one who taught me to love myself for who I am. I promise to constantly love you every moment of every day, to be with you in every choice you make, to never leave your side in rough and difficult times, and to constantly and regularly remind you that what we have is good, it's strong, and it's worth fighting for every day. I love you, Poe Dameron, and I know we'll be together for the rest of our lives."

We sealed it with a kiss, and it was the blossom of a new story for us.

Our reception was out under the trees with the chairs being moved to the side and out fo the way for the dancing that ensued. It was a wonderful night, plenty of dancing came and drinks were provided from our old allies that came to the event. It felt like Poe and I didn't have to lift a single finger the whole night, the both of us having our own table at the foot of the Force Sensitive Tree at the beginning of the reception and others coming to hug and congratulate us.

Everyone was dancing, eluding Chewie and Lando who were telling old war stories that they had that included my parents. I watched from the corner near the house where they were sitting, our friends sitting around them and listening like they were listening in on a cautionary tale, Lando using great expressions and Chewie pipping in every once in awhile. It was sure a sight to see, and I was glad they were working together.

I showed Finn how to dance properly as Poe did the same with Rey. Finn too was dressed formally in his new General outfit, and yet he was squirming and trying to follow as I showed him. After a few minutes of attempting him to do what I was doing, he finally got the hang of it and he was grinning like a youthful child. I was chuckling as went over to sweep Rey into his arms and show her what I showed him moments before.

Poe wrapped his arms around me as we slowly danced, looking around at close friends nearby as they were dancing too. I rested my head on his shoulder as we were having our small moment together. It was like we were in our own bubble, nothing else around us mattered as I felt him squeeze me gently and fiercely.

"Are you happy?" He asked me, his voice was soothing and kind as we were swaying back and forth, wrapped in each other arms and feeling the drinks settling in to give me warmth and light sensation. I was feeling the flutter of all that happened with the last few hours, the remorseful feeling of my family not being there to see this, but I remembered what Rey told me before that they are here with me.

It was much better than I thought it was going to be, and with my newfound family here with us in celebration of our marriage, knowing how they all flew with us on plenty of missions, fought in the battles that almost brought the Resistance to its knees, they were still there for us.

I squeezed our joined hands that were resting on his chest. I grinned, sighing happily now as this was the most content I have ever been in my life.

"Beyond happy."

2 Years After Battle of Exegol

The sunlight woke me up early that morning, having me squint and squirm a bit in my bed, which was unoccupied at the other side of it. Slowly I opened my eyes, I could see from my view with my head in my pillow the large window that was showing the open grass area and the edge of the cliff not too far away. The rays of suns were peeking over the trees and into the sky, giving off alight shade of pink and blue mixing together to show the start of the day.

It was warm outside, the large glass door that lead outside was barely open and the breeze was coming through to cool down the room. I could see the curtain slowly swaying in the wind from the gentle breeze while I stretched out with my legs and wiggled my toes to help wake myself up. Luckily, I had nothing going on today, we were going to have some visitors come over to the house for the day to visit and help do some upkeep on the house. Even after living here for almost a year, we were still doing upkeep and fixes on the house.

But we didn't mind it.

Finn and Rey would come to visit constantly, having me joke with them at one time when they were over for dinner that we could build them a permeant home near our own house. Although Poe was thinking about it for a brief second and he saw the side look I was giving him, he dryly chuckled and shook his head.

"Not gonna happen." he joked, Rey and Finn laughing too from the thought. We still loved having them with us at the house, but they both were incredibly busy. Poe was working with Finn in more diplomatic meetings with old and new allies in hopes of keeping the peace permanent. They wanted to make sure there were no more whispers about the First Order, and if there were we tried to snuff them out once and for all.

Finally, after what seemed to be countless trips and visits, we were finally able to have a peaceful life I knew we were fighting for. Poe and I made it back to our home, starting working from the bottom up with upkeep that was needed from an aged home. It was nice working with my hands, not having to go at a fast pace and taking my time with the finishing touches and the loving craftsmanship.

The days were colorful with sounds of the jungle, the streaks fo lights coming through all of our windows that were floor to ceiling, and the ever-constant breeze that would come through all the day long when Poe and I would enjoy our days together. Whether it was doing another job on the house. or reading books constantly that we scarped together from past missions, Poe and I were slowing down dramatically.

But we loved it.

The nights were peaceful and calm, the haunting and yet beautiful sounds of the jungles lured me to sleep every night with no hesitation. The best part of the night was the stars, constantly bright and ever-moving every time we were looking up on top of our roof. It was my favorite time of day: sitting on our roof that we fixed together with our own hands, holding our calloused hands together and seeing almost every single star in the galaxy so close and yet so far away from us.

Some times we would talk about our day, who we linked up within our Resistance delegations and negations, or visits to planets that required our assistance in the post First Order reign. Other times, we would just sit there in silence and enjoy the other. It was nice to have those silent moments, it reminded me that all is well and there was nothing to fear.

Those rooftop moments reminded me of the times we would lay out on my X-Wing, looking at the same stars in our old Resistance Base after hours of talking or training. Back when we were just friends and getting to know each other, but now we were husband and wife. The feeling was almost the same as it was before, years ago, but it was also different too. None the less, I was content on where I was and who I was.

I finally swung my legs over the side and I felt my toes linger a bit on the hardwood floor, the cool sensation touched my skin and made me sigh in relief as I looked out the large window with a smirk. I knew exactly who it was that left the large door sightly open that would lead to our grass outer area and knew he had a sneaky way of doing those little things for me when he thought I wasn't going to know myself.

Slowly with my hands on the bed, I carefully made myself rise up from sitting on the edge and I tried to et my own sense of gravity back into motion. It was getting harder for me to at least stand and stand standing for long periods of time, and it was both enduring and bothering me at the same time.

I was 8 months pregnant.

When I first found out, I was petrified. It was scary for me to think that I would be bringing in a new life into the world. Was I going to be good enough? Was I going to be making mistake after mistake? Was I capable of being someone that could handle being a mother? It was haunting me from the moment I found out after being examined by the same Medic who put me back together. With Poe out for the day to see Finn with Resistance business, I called the medic to my house. After a few mere moments and tests, she told me the news.

Poe, on the other hand, was ecstatic when I told him the news. I thought he was going to slam his head not he wall when he whirled around in joy from hearing he was going to be a father. I only stood there still and let him have his moment before he finally slowed down and looked at me as if I was crazy not being just as excited as he was. He could see the hesitance there on my face as he finally took in a deep breath.

"What's wrong?" He asked, standing right in front of me and now looking so concerned since I wasn't being as excited as he was. I said nothing, looking down at my stomach which was not showing any signs of life there yet. I was petrified in what was to come, sure there was a small sense of joy was there since it was Poe that I was going to share this with.

"Neyli," Poe called me back to reality, having me snapback from the nightmare I was ready feeling and dreading. I could see how he was looking at me like he was afraid to spook me at any moment, "We can do this, you know that right?" I could see how he was wanting me to answer him. I had to think about how Poe was thinking, not how I was thinking.

Sure I was petrified with this and how we were going to be parents, but I didn't see that in Poe's eyes. All I saw were possibilities, huge leaps to jump, and one massive adventure we were about to embark on. His face was lit in joy, not darkened in despair. We never talked about kids, not once when we were together because there was no need to talk about it. It wasn't on either one fo our minds, nor was it in our agendas. But because of that, Poe was none the less excited. Not only did I have to trust him, but there was a small flicker within me in hopes that I would want this too.

It made me think of Ben, somehow having a wishing and hopeful feeling he was there with me and standing next to me. Would Ben be excited for me? He had to have been, I knew he would have been. So with this new step and walking in our new life together, I nodded my head.

"I believe you."

As the pregnancy went along with no hiccups, I was feeling more and more confident in becoming a mother. I was getting sued to how my body was no beaching a vessel for another being, not really liking the fact that I wasn't in most of the control with my body, seeing my lower stomach getting bigger and my hips getting wider. It was making the training harder for me since my sense of gravity has changed.

Doing my moves with my saber was way more difficult, having to catch myself a few times from falling over since I was used to having a small center of gravity. Now it was bigger, and it was hard for me to do. So I resorted to medication, concentrating on my breathing and the Force Energy sensations around me in our new home become strong thanks to the Force Sensitive Tree that was getting bigger and bigger by the day. It was calming, compared to sparring and parceling, and it did the trick.

For being a person that loved being in control, this was bothering me. Sure, I didn't mind being pregnant and it took me a month to let it sink in and enjoy it, the changing of my body was enough to make me mad.

But Poe, never the less, was right behind me in all the aches and pains that were along the way. Within the first few months of my pregnancy, I was constantly vomiting, but Poe was right behind me to hold my hair back and rub out the pains in my lower back. Later one as I was swelling up like a planet, Poe was reassuring to me that I was still beautiful.

"You don't have to butter me up, you know," I warned him as we were sitting together on one of our couches, looking at the sunset from there since I wasn't able to go on the rooftop anymore, "I already married you," He chuckled as I tapped my slightly pregnant belly that was getting bigger and bigger by the weeks going by. I was less scared compared to how I was when I first found out, I was becoming more content.

"I know," Poe replied as he snuck a kiss to my cheek and rubbed his hand affectionately on my pregnant stomach, "I just like to make you blush."

"Of course you do,"

"It's my life mission, you know."

I waddled down the hallway and past the nursery that we made up, the door barely open as I made my way over to the living room and the open kitchen on the other side. I could hear the kitchen being occupied, along with the beeps from BB-8 and Q2 as they were chatting with each other. I had to chuckle with the riveting topic of conversation as I turned the corner quietly, not wanting to be seen just yet.

"No, it's not a good idea to wake her up,"

Been Beep!

"You know what she's like if we wake her up too early, Q! You think I wanna go through with that now?"

Chirp Chirp!

"Don't get me started BB-8!"

Poe had his back turned to me as he was making breakfast, I could smell what he was making as he was wearing one of his old pilot shirts and pajama pants. I just wanted to watch him there for a few moments, seeing him be more relaxed and enjoying himself in his home, in our home. I finally was able to walk over a few feet before my own familiar droid saw me, coming over to beep at me good morning.

"Hello to you too," I said to my droid as I finally saw Poe looked over his shoulder to see me. I grinned, pacing his breakfast down briefly before coming around the counter to greet me with a quick kiss, his hands were on my stomach instantly as I chuckled.

"You're making breakfast?" I asked.

"I didn't want to wake you," Poe reminded me, "And your doctor told you to be on bed rest for now until we become parents." He raised an eyebrow at me as I placed my hands on my hips and gave him a knowing look.

"That's like asking me for not fly anymore," I commented in a grumble as he grinned and kissed the top of my head lovingly.

"And I know asking you to actually be on bed rest is not going to happen," He replied as he took my hand, "Let's have some breakfast before Rey and Finn come for their visit," I nodded in agreement, the both of us walking over to our small table and ate our breakfast together. We had nothing else on the agenda that whole morning, which was a rare commodity since we both would be going to to planet visits with old allies and outlining new treaties and alliances with those we haven't in the past. But today, it was a comfortable quiet morning for both of us as we were talking about our day and what we were going to do with Finn and Rey.

"Maybe we can take them to that watering hole?" I asked in a suggestion, "The one with the massive waterfall?"

"Yeah Finn would love that," Poe said in agreement, "I can try to make him try to jump off the edge," I grinned from the thought. I watched Poe think to himself as he was looking out the window now with nothing else to say to me, but I was lost in a trance with him. I was proud to call him my best friend, the love of my life, my husband, and now a future father.

This was something we bough fought hard, that we both almost sacrificed our lives for. It all started in the beginning when we both wanted peace in the galaxy from the First Order, long before we knew each other or thought of each other. But we both were fighting for the same thing: a new life away from pain and death.

And we won. I won, all because of Poe.

Poe and I came a long way together, seeing the good and bad in each other but never running away. having both of us finally finish our meals together before I got up slowly and stetted out my back to get it back to feeling as normal as possible.

"I'll clear these," I was about to say to Poe, but he shook his head and got my plate before I could do something about it. I sighed, seeing that he was once again going to go above ad beyond to make me not lift a finger. I planted a kiss on his lips, the both of us holding it there as the new sun rays of the new day kissed our skins.

"I'll clean these," Poe rephrased that for me against my lips as I giggled and walked away, walking over to the bedroom once again, "You wanna go get ready?"

"You got it, sweetheart," I commented, waddling down the hallway and then stopping in to see the nursery. I pushed open the door slightly, peering into the room and seeing how it was just waiting to be occupied.

It was a smaller room that used to be our Resistance headquarters room. It was dark with the drapes already pulled in tight, small trinkets from our adventures in the past stored on the shelves and dresser as I was now feeling the anticipated excitement. I placed my hand on my swollen belly, looking down at my stomach for a brief moment and feeling some peace coming over me.

"I hope you're ready," I mumbled mostly to myself, finally looked back up and then seeing the two bassinets there on opposite walls. There was a small table right in the middle of the two bassinets, the small Force Sensitive Tree that I received from Poe as a gift years ago was growing there within its pot and was already giving off a somber glow in the room.

I knew we were ready, it took me long enough to be, but I was ready. I still had a physical family here that was willing to help Poe and me, and I had Poe to be behind me in this new scary adventure. But out of all the battles that I went through, all of the near-death experiences that I was close to experiencing, this was going to be nothing compared to other times that I was scared. I was no longer afraid, I was ready more than anything.

I was ready for Ben Anakin Dameron and Shara Leia Dameron