Part XXXIII

Ben stays stoic and stone-faced as he watches Rey jump from her cot and start to babble incoherently but he interrupts her, "You said something about getting undressed." His deep voice left very little room for argument.

When Rey went to further explain, her voice drifted off with just the slightest lift of his brow, tempting her to question him. So with shuttering breaths, she stripped. Ben's gaze softened slightly at the now purpling bruises that littered her creamy skin, not that she saw the shift in his resolve as she bent over to removed her boots and pants.

As she stood back up completely bare, he walked around her as if looking for any evidence that another man had touched any part of her. By the time he came back around to stand in front of her, Rey was almost in tears. "Kneel," he commanded.

Rey did as she was told, dropping down to the cold duracrete floor of her quarters. Her face was level with his crotch and when his gaze flicked from her worried eyes to his covered but already hard cock, Rey reached up with trembling fingers to work at the closures and free his smooth shaft from the dark confines of his pants.

"Ben it's not true…" Rey whimpered. "Rose saw my hickeys and assu…"

But her speech was cut off when Ben gripped his cock around the base and pushes his already leaking head between her lips. She sputtered at first but then worked her tongue along the bottom of his shaft as she took him into the back of her throat.

Pushing the hair back away from her face, he placed the pad of his thumb into the divot in her cheek as she hollowed her face with the relentless sucking. "I know," he admitted with a smirk.

Pausing on her upward stroke, Rey's eyes went large before narrowing up at him. Her lips curled back and using her teeth, she put pressure around his cock and Ben immediately held up his hands and started to nervously laugh. "I'm sorry sweetheart. It was too perfect a setup…"

Retracting her teeth and coming off him with pop, Rey stood up, brushing dirt from her bare knees, "What the hell Ben?"

Before she could fire off any other curses or insults, Ben had picked her up, still loving the way she always squeaked at his show of strength and he moved forward until her back hit the wall of her quarters. He covered her lips with his and gripped at her rear as he blindly stabbed at her core with his still wet cock.

When he found home they both groaned at the sensation of completeness and he then breathed a sigh of relief as if being buried within her was his only salvation. "I thought I told you last night that you are mine," He hissed into his thrusts.

"Yes, yours…" Rey panted as she hiked her leg up over his hip to change the angle of her pelvis and allow him to hit deeper within her heat.

She pulled at his hair and pecked sloppy kisses against his lips that were pulled back over gritted teeth. "You are going to be my wife. Mine," he emphasized his words with snaps of his hips.

Rey's answer was a pleading cry for release so with each trust he would also pull her into him as he hands and forearms were cradling her rear. "I was your first and will be your only."

"My only," Rey nodded, her expression somewhere between pleasure and pain. "Only for you," came out in a deeper tone as she felt the pooling her her core start to heat.

"Touch yourself," he commanded as the coil in his gut stated to tighten. "I want you to make yourself cum."

Snaking her lithe hand between their bodies she rested the back of her head against the cool steel wall as her fingers made intentional circles around her clit.

"So beautiful," Ben's voice was ragged as he watched her hazel eyes roll with their combined assault. "Want to feel you leak down my cock," he spoke into her neck as the wet smacking sounds of the love making echoed in the small room. "Want to put my seed so deep in you."

He grunted as he felt the first flutter of her cresting orgasm and he continued to slam home until she was biting into the curve of his shoulder, screaming into his still blaster marred skin as he balls tensed and then he was pulsing his spend as deep as physically possible.

"Fuck," Rey whispered as she tried to catch her breath. "Where did that come from?"

Ben chuckled with his own panting breath and kissed along her shoulder, "I saw some of your…dreams through the bond last night." Rey's skin heated even more than it already was and she balked. "I aim to please," Ben said as he kissed her nose and then her parted with shock, lips.

Just then, there was a knock at her door and Rey let her head lull back again groaning, "I was supposed to meet Rose and Finn in the mess hall for dinner."

Humming in acknowledgment, Ben continued to lazily kiss at her neck. She moaned as she shifted her hips, he was still hard enough for her to feel a jolt of pleasure as his cock rubbed at her sensitive flesh.

The knock sounded again and Rey squeaked, "Coming!"

"Yes you did," Ben smiled into her skin.

Rey playfully slapped at his shoulder. "Put me down," she whispered.

Sighing he did as he was told and as he slid from within her a chill was sent through his body as his cock was covered in their slick. They both whimpered at the feeling of being apart, the bond was never as good as the real thing, but they had learned to manage.

As he tucked himself back into his pants, Rey cracked her door to see who was on the other side. Ben felt somewhat sorry and satisfied as he saw the indentions of the wall's rivets along her back and two red marks on her rear that were clearly handprints.

"Oh hey Finn…yeah I just got distracted…doing push-ups." Her shoulders flinched at her own horrible excuse. "Give me a second to uh…put on a shirt and I'll be right out."

She slammed the steel door shut again and gave Ben an incredulous look over her shoulder before moving around her room and dressing as quickly as she could. Rey hopped around on one foot as she slid into her left boot and then she was scampering for the door, stopping only to turn and throw her arms around Ben's neck, "Next time you want a blowjob just ask," she smirked, "instead of being an ass about it."

He would worship her for the rest of their days, Ben mused as she kissed her smile and whispered, "I'll keep that in mind," as he watched her trot from the room.

Dinner was easygoing but Rose kept shooting her friend giddy glances and Rey almost wanted to use her Jedi powers to take back the unfortunate lie. She also couldn't help squirming in her seat as she continued to feel Ben's spend soak into her panties. Embarrassingly she almost thought that she would leave a wet spot when she stood from the bench seating.

She was high off of her engagement, Ben's multiple attempts to thoroughly prove to her that their love was beyond any barrier, and Poe's thankful realization that peace was going to be made through talks and signatures, not through more dead fighters and ion cannons. Rey had so much work to do and she felt as if she was running out of time.

So during her next bond with Ben she told him that Poe was ready to talk peace. They discussed the options of a surrender versus a treaty. Ben offered to talk with some of his advisors about the prospect of finally ending the Resistance. He disclosed to Rey that he had a few new pieces of legislature that he wanted to put before the committees and pass before Poe attempted to make any demands through a treaty.

"There will still be the matter of trials for war crimes," Ben reminded her.

Rey sighed, "I know, but offenders on both sides must be brought to justice." She gave him a pointed stare, "That undoubtedly includes Hux."

Ben nodded, "I've had a judge working on the case… discreetly of course." His expression became concerning, "I need you by my side before we move against Hux and his group of First Order loyalists." Tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear his gaze softened, "I need your strength and wisdom and I have to know you are safe through what we must do."

Returning his soft gesture, Rey carded her fingers through his hair, "And what marvelous things we will do."

Their kisses were not rushed that night and the bond cut out just as Rey whispered her love into the curve of his neck.

Rey spent the next few weeks finally sitting in on the Resistance high-command meetings. She continued to meet with Poe is private as well, helping to steer him in the right directions as the rebels prepared their demands for surrender.

The desire to make a truce with the New Order was not yet common knowledge to the ranks of the Resistance. They still needed to be able to show a strong front and if they knew that peace and dismemberment of the small group were on the horizon, then the more leery fighters were sure to flee before the talks would even commence.

So between taking a position within leadership, managing the repairs on the X-wings, training new pilots, and keeping up with her saber forms, Rey found most nights when the bond opened that she was wanted to be held by Ben until they would both drift off.

On day four hundred and eighty Rey was working in her bay in the hangar when Rose came running up to her buzzing with excitement. "You need to come with me now," Rose said almost breathless.

If not for the smile across her friend's face Rey would have thought that something was horribly wrong. "What's going on?" Rey asked as she wiped her hands on a shop rag before being pulled away from her station by the small but strong dark haired woman.

Rose didn't speak again until they were shut away in the quarters that she shared with Finn. "I need you here…"

"For what?"

"To either celebrate with me or console me…depending on the results," Rose said with a hopeful expression as she turned around with a handheld medical diagnostic device in her grip.

Rey looked on with confusion, the device was mostly used to check blood sugar or enzyme levels. She watched Rose prick her finger and hold it to the device. "Are you ill?" Rey asked as she appraised Rose's appearance. Her friend seemed a little pale and despite the nervous smile on Rose's face, the dark circles under her eyes spoke of fatigue.

"Not ill…" Rose started and then squeaked when the device beeped, "I'm pregnant!"

"Pregnant?" Rey repeated and felt faint.

Her first thought was that she had to end the fighting, had to pave the way for Finn, Rose, and their child to be safe. Her mind drifted to the dream she had while bathing on Coruscant, the two children playing on a green hill under the warm sun, and she wondered if the girl with dark curly hair was the small pulse in the Force that Rey now felt in her friend.

Before she could fathom why Rey felt tears start to stream down her cheeks and to hide the mix of fear and excitement painted across her face, she pulled Rose into a tight hug. "I'm so happy for you and Finn," she was able to whisper into her friend's hair.

"Oh goodness…" Rose started to sniffle now too. "How am I going to tell Finn?"

They stood an arm's length from each other but still gripped on to the other for support, "Are you worried that he won't be pleased?" Rey thought about the nursery that Ben built into their home on Coruscant and how they both strived for a family. She pictured the moment when she would be able to tell him that they were expecting a child. His cheeks would crease, lips would part, and the rare gap-toothed smile would light up his face.

He would drop to his knees before his Empress…his wife and worship the skin between her hips, whispering love and promises into her womb. Rey almost giggled to herself thinking how she would find his overprotectiveness endearing…to a point, and how he would command Arlan to give Rey anything her heart desired.

As her thoughts drifted back to her other life, her other family that she continued to leave behind, a fresh set of tears ran down Rey's face.

"We knew that this was a possibility when I had my implant removed before the wedding but we never thought it would be this soon…" Rose mused and she thought back to the conversation in the transport at the close of their honeymoon. "I want this child to never be touched by war," she said as she protectively ran her hands over her lower abdomen.

Rey bit at her lip, thinking if she could tell Rose about the pending peace talks and since her friend had kept quiet about Rey's fictitious relationship with Poe, she figured that she could give her friend some hope. "This war will be long over before your child is born."

Rose narrowed her eyes in a confused manner and tilted her head. "What are you saying?"

"Poe is ready to sit down with Emperor Ren and sign a treaty," Rey said with a blazing smile.

"You did it!" Rose laughed. "You really did it!"

Reaching out to Rose, Rey clasped their hands together, "Your child will be happy and play on rolling green hills and be kind and she will be beautiful." Tears welled in both their eyes again, "I've seen it Rose, as clear as I'm seeing you now…"

This was perhaps the greatest gift that the Force had bestowed upon Rose, the promise of a future that surpassed the cruel life that both herself and her husband had to endure. Rose's body heated with the prospect of being able to give her child the life that was just a hope within her dreams and she was about to bring Rey into another bone-crushing hug when she faltered. "Wait," she swayed on her feet. "She? It's a girl?" Rose touched her stomach again.

Smiling with heated cheeks Rey nodded, "The Force hasn't been wrong yet."

Wanting to make a retort that it has been wrong about Kylo Ren…Ben Solo…Rose stammered with the thought that perhaps Leia's son had been redeemed, that he was pulled more towards the light, because what other reason was there for the changes within the Order and the galaxy over the past year?

The two women spent the rest of the day talking about a future that Rey knew was to come true but Rose could only hope for.

Sometimes across the bond, as the connection was becoming solid, pieces of emotions and thoughts would swirl between the two of them and later that night as they waited for the Force to be kind and allow them to drift to sleep in each other arms, Ben was bombarded with Rey's excitement.

His breathing stilled as words like 'early days', 'baby', 'surprise', and 'daughter' floated over to him. When the bond opened and he saw his beautiful fiancée standing before him with glassy eyes and a brilliant smile on her face, he wanted to crumple at her feet.

"Rey," he breathed and crossed the two paces to her, taking her face in his hands and kissing her before she could speak a word. When she was thoroughly breathless, he pressed his forehead to hers and one of his hands ghosted down her body to lay just under her bellybutton. "Tell me," he whispered. "Please."

Feeling his hope and yearning across the bond Rey's heart just about broke. She pulled her face back from his, wrapping her hand around his wrist and brought his palm up to her lips. When she looked upon his face, his eyes were still closed tight in silent prayer. "Rose is pregnant," Rey said against his fingers.

His expression crumpled and his forehead fell to her shoulder as his body shook with a quiet sob. Ben sank to his knees and buried his face into the space just under her breasts. His only comfort was Rey's arms wrapping around him, stroking his hair while placing kisses upon the crown of his head.

"I'm sorry Ben," Rey said, knowing exactly what she was apologizing for. When he looked up at her, she stroked his red face and as she laid her hand upon his cheek, Rey shared the vision that was gifted to her on Ahch-To what seemed a lifetime ago. "I will give you sons and daughters. We will have a family. Our bloodline will ensure peace for a millennia."

Ben nodded before sinking his face back into the rough fabric of her tunic. They made slow and soft love that night in her bunk and afterward, Rey talked about her plan to get Rose and Finn off Dantooine as soon as the treaty was signed. Ben again whispered promises of her friend's safety through the surrender.

"I want to bring them to Naboo," Rey mused, running her fingers through his hair as he lay on her chest with his ear pressed just above her heart.

He placed a kiss to her breast and smirked, "I happen to know the Queen and will put in a good word."

Rey snorted a laugh and pulled him by the ears back up to her lips. "Seven days…" she breathed against his pout.

"Seven days," he repeated and the bond fizzled out.

Over the next week the bonds openings were short and it left both Rey and Ben frustrated. They barely had enough time to share a lingering touch or a fleeting kiss. But each time they felt the prickle of the bond stating to close they would give the other a small smile and count down the days.

"Two days," came his deep voice and Rey jumped having not felt the bond open.

She was in her shuttle running through her preflight checks and turned to face him, "Two days," she replied with a breathtaking smile.

"No second thought?" Ben asked as his brows pinched together and his eyes pleaded for her to be kind.

"None," she said and tilted her face up with an invention for his lips to capture hers.

The bond closed before either of them wished for it too, and Rey sighed heavily before she finished checking the shuttle. At sundown, she was racing away from Dantooine and set a course for Coruscant.

To her disappointment, Ben was not in the apartment when she arrived even though his Command Shuttle was perched proudly atop the building, but she was still pleased to see Arlan and Tyris on the landing pad to welcome her home.

Home, Rey thought and her heart felt light.

"The Emperor has gone ahead of us and will meet you tomorrow for the ceremony," Arlan confirmed Rey's feelings, as the Empress could not feel Ben anywhere on the city world.

Rey was saddened but she gave a small smile anyway, "I've read it's bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding."

Arlan just returned the Empress' smile and led her cloaked friend into the building. "Your gown was delivered yesterday along with a grooming droid. We are to take the MK3 where you can get ready in the comfort of your own quarters. Cale and two other Knights will accompany us."

"And tonight?" Rey questioned with a raised brow, thinking that Ben had perhaps planned her entire evening as well.

Loving that she had come to know her Empress so well, Arlan gave a coy smile, "You are to have your hearts desire."

Her heart only yearned for the man half way across the galaxy, but Rey agreed to the separation for propriety's sake. "Who all is in residence?" She asked looking between Arlan and Tyris.

"Cale, Jix, and Bona," Tyris listed. "Davin and Alister went with Ren yesterday."

Rey had yet to meet the Knight named Bona, but she was eager to see Jix again and formed a plan. "We shall all dine together, to toast tomorrow's union and the budding peace between the New Order and the Resistance."

Tyris nodded and went to the kitchen to start on their meal while Arlan left the apartment to go collect the Knights. Rey walked into the sleeping quarters and stood by the door for just a moment, pulling his scent from the air and her body calmed and came alive at the same time.

On the bed rested a small light purple box and a dark green bottle. Next to them was a folded piece of parchment and Rey picked up the rough paper first, remembering the many notes from Ben that were stowed away in her quarters on Dantooine.

Rey, my Star that lights the way Home,

From the first day I saw you, I knew that I never wanted to spend another day without you. You pulled me from the depths when there was nothing but Darkness. You loved me despite my numerous sins and have shown me the path to Balance.

You are the Light the rose to meet my Darkness. You are the other half of my soul and I will forever be a servant to you and the Force for the precious gift that is your heart and your devotion.

With impatient admiration, I wait for you where we found peace within our bond, where I will become your husband and you will become my wife.

Unquestionably and passionately yours,

Ben

Rey wiped at the tears that streamed down her face as she smiled into her finger tips. She read the letter until the words were burned into her memory and then she held the parchment to her chest as if she could absorb the love that she felt for the man that first stole her and then stole her heart.

The small box held more chocolates from Chandrila and attached to the bottle was a small note from Irris, offering her congratulation, apologizing for not being able to be present, and hoping that the Nabooian champagne would more than make up for it.

Having some time before their dinner would be ready, Rey showered and then dressed in leggings and a tunic that were made from much softer materials than what she wore around Dantooine. Deciding to keep the chocolates for herself, Rey took the bottle of champagne to the kitchen where Tyris was just putting the finishing touches on a creamy pasta dish.

Upon her entrance, the three men sitting at the table jumped to their feet, all bowing at the waist and muttering a respectful but quiet 'Empress' in unison. Rey recognized Jix's signature within the Force, his empath talents flooded the room with a sense of security and also esteem. The third Knight in attendance, Bona, gained her curiosity.

He was young, perhaps Rey's age and she wondered how old he had been when the academy fell. She tired to imagine Ben leading a boy barely in his teens into the grips of Snoke. Through the Force she could feel the intense loyalty to Ren that Bona held, viewing his Master with a brotherly affection and allegiance. She also felt the Light within the young Knight and was pleased to think the Ben had sheltered this part of the boy from Snoke's torture.

Cale stepped forward and Rey turned her cheek so that the newest Knight could place a friendly kiss to it. "Empress," he started. As a Knight he was expected to address her formally even though he still held some familiarity from his time as a guard. He would always hold her in a more profound regard since she was the one to bestow his Knighthood upon him. "Jix you have met before, but may I present Bona, Forth Knight of Ren."

"Empress," the young Knight bowed again. He too was trying to feel her out within the Force as they gazed at each other from across the room.

Jix was the one to break the tension through the Force as he rounded the table and offered the same greeting that Cale had, "No brownies?" He asked with mock distress.

Rey laughed, "Not this time, but perhaps some champagne from Naboo will ease your disappointment."

The Knight returned her laugh, it was almost impossible for him to not bathe in the Light that the Empress cast off through the Force. He took the bottle from her offering hands and inspected the label. "It's a good start."

Tyris announced that dinner was ready and Arlan finished placing a large bowl of leafy greens and a loaf of fresh bread on the table as the male guard carried a large steaming pot across the room.

Rey took up her spot at the head of the table and Arlan sat across from her, none of the Knights daring to sit where Ren belonged. Bona blessed the food through the Force and Jix opened the bottle of champagne and passed it around the table for everyone to fill their glasses.

Once all of their plates were piled high with the delicious meal that Tyris prepared, Rey stood from her seat with her flute in her hand. "I'd like to propose a toast," she started. The other five in attendance turned their eyes towards their Empress and also took their glasses in hand.

With slightly pink cheeks from having all of their attention set on her, Rey cleared her throat, "Thank you for being with me on the eve of my wedding, even though I'm sure Ren threatened the life of anyone who dared to refuse…" They all chuckled at this and Rey was set more at ease. "But mostly I want to thank you all for keeping my Ben safe, for standing with him through the dissolution of Snoke and the First Order, for believing in our New Order and believing in him."

Tears started to gather in her eyes and Rey sniffed before smiling, "I don't want the food to get cold, so a toast!" She held her glass higher, "To the Force, the New Order, the Knights," her expression softened, "to friends and family," she gazed around at those surrounding her before finishing, "to the Emperor."

"And to the Empress," Cale added and all around cheered in agreement causing Rey's checks to redden further.

"To the future," Rey concluded and then drank.

The meal was merry and filled with stories and laughter. When Rey had first come to this place she dreaded the attention that she was bound to gain in her position by Ben's side but now she made plans to commission a larger table so that all the people she loved, both new and old, would be welcome in her home for a warm meal and an atmosphere so saturated with joy that Rey was almost drunk on it.

Thousands of parsecs away Ben stood on a rocky cliff watching two golden suns drift below the horizon. "Master," Alister's voice drew Ben out of his almost meditative state. When he turned, his first Knight spoke again, "Davin has a camp set up just over the ridge whenever you are ready to eat."

Ben nodded and offered a quiet word of thanks before he turned back towards the dark and churning waters. The outcropping he was on was flat and lacked the moss like vegetation that seemed to cover every other surface of the island. Before him was a vertical stone that appeared to be unnaturally sheered off at chest hight.

Reaching out and touch the smooth but slightly charred top of the stone his eyes fluttered closed and he drew in a sharp breath. So many times he watched Rey be awash with visions but he had only been left with one when they touched hands for the first time through the bond.

At this moment he was in awe of the Force. Not only could he see his beloved as she wielded Anakin's saber but also feel the conflicted but determined emotion that rushed through her during those few days that she spent with Luke.

Back then she had hated Kylo Ren, called him a monster and a murderous snake. This was before he bared his soul to her, before she learned of the pain and betrayal that killed Ben Solo and created Kylo Ren. Her eyes…her body had begged for understanding and acceptance. Her journey towards the Jedi had only caused her to feel more alone and lost, but he had known all along that she would never find her belonging with Luke or with the Resistance.

Being pulled back out of the vision, Ben shuttered with anticipation at the thought of what was to come. His Rey of Light had found her place, found peace and balance. Less than a day cycle from now she would bind herself to him for the rest of eternity. They would be one soul, one flesh, one within the Force and nothing could break that bond once it was made.

He had never been more certain about anything in his entire life and as he listened to the porgs cry out as they made their way back to their nests on the cliffs below, as he felt the crispness of the ocean air on his face, he felt completely gray within the Force even without Rey at his side.

A warmth coated his mind and body and a tear escaped from his closed eyes as he turned around to be cast in a cool blue light. But it was the voice, the one that haunted him for year that caused his calm resolve to shatter.

"Ben…my son."

AN: Happy New Year to you all! I hope you'll be pleased to hear that I keep having more ideas for this story so it may not end as soon as I thought it would. Also, there will be a Part 2. I don't know if I will make it it's own story or just keep it all together.

To all of you that commented about Rey's lie about Poe...just know that if I didn't have to have to lie like that...I wouldn't have done it.

Please drop me a line and let me know what you think! It makes me write fasters and so freaking happy to know that others love this crazy story as much as I do. I have the most amazing readers!