Epilogue

Five years post Turned Upside-Down

Allana stood in the doorway between a large ballroom filled with people and a dimly lit garden. She kept her back to the party going on behind her; she tilted her head up so she could see the stars flickering in the dark sky. Someone came up from behind her, wrapped their arms around her waist, and nuzzled their face into her neck.

"Your neck is going to hurt tomorrow if you keep looking up at the sky," Poe said against her skin.

"It's the only think keeping my headache at bay," Allana responded, hugging his arms to her. "This has been one of the longest days of my life."

"Yeah, but you know what?"

"What?" She asked, turning so they were nose to nose.

"We got married today," Poe said, a child-like grin taking over his face.

"We did," Allana said tenderly, kissing him softly. "My head still hurts though. And my feet."

"I'll massage them later," Poe laughed. "And we can stay right here until your headache goes away."

"Do you know how much I love you?" Allana asked, leaning further into his chest.

"Well, you did marry me three hours ago, so I think I have an idea."

"I'm serious Poe."

"I know Lana. Of course, I know."

"Good."

They were quiet for a while, and the only sounds were their breathing and the music coming from the party a few steps away. The party where they were supposed to be dancing until their feet fell off to celebrate their marriage. Neither of them said a word until Poe felt Allana take a deep breath that nine times out of ten preceded crying.

"What's wrong Lana?"

"I wish my dad was here."

Poe wordlessly spun her around so they were facing each other.

"I mean, I knew I would miss him," Allana continued. "But we never talked about me getting married. We never talked about him walking me down the aisle. I woke up this morning, and my first thought was I'm getting married today! My second was I want him to be here."

"Lana," Poe said softly, pulling her into a tight hug. "He's here. Even if you can't see him, he's here."

Allana took a deep shuddering breath and nodded her head against his shirt.

"Do you miss your mom?" Allana asked abruptly.

"Of course, I do," Poe said, cupping Allana's face in his hands. "I miss her every day. Especially today."

"Would she have like me?"

"She would have loved you."

Allana kissed Poe softly on the lips, relishing in the fact that her heels made her tall enough to negate the need for her to stand on her tip toes. A loud shriek from the party made them abruptly turn their heads.

"We should have eloped," Poe said, once they had determined that no one was injured.

"And induce my mother's wrath?"

"She would have taken it out on you."

"No, I think she would have blamed you. I'm the perfect angel daughter, and you're the pilot who corrupted me," Allana teased.

"Now that is a boldfaced lie. Your mother loves me."

"Just keep telling yourself that," Allana said, patting his cheek gently.

"Well," he said, wrapping his arms around her again. "The good thing is that after a few more hours, all of this wedding madness will be behind us."

"I wouldn't be too sure about that."

"What did you hear?"

"Nothing," she said, the corners of her lip curving into a smile.

"We've only been married for three hours, and you're already keeping secrets from me."

"Finn asked Luke for permission to marry Rey last week."

"You're kidding."

"Dead serious. Uncle Luke can't keep a secret from my mother to save his life, and she accidently let it slip yesterday."

"Well good for Finn," Poe said, resting his chin on Allana's shoulder. "It's about time, and now Finn will understand what I was saying to him about planning weddings. Maybe I'll just tell him to elope."

"My mother might actually kill you if you do that. She loves planning parties."

"I know. Don't worry, I won't actually tell him that."

"Good."

"How's she handling the whole Ben's birthday being in two days thing?"

"I think she'll be okay. I still feel bad about leaving her alone."

"She's got Luke, Lando, and my dad. They'll keep an eye on her."

"I know."

Before Poe could say anything, Rey came up to them.

"There you guys are!"

"What's up Rey?" Allana asked.

"Leia wants the two of you to make a speech thanking the guests for coming."

"I thought we already did that." Poe said.

"She wants you to do an official one. She also told me to tell you that once you make the speech, you are free to go back to your hotel room."

"We'll be there in a minute. Also, tell my mother that we don't need to be bribed."
"Yes, we do," Poe said, wrapping an arm around Allana's waist. "I'm so tired; I think I might fall asleep standing up."

Allana laughed as they followed Rey back into the ballroom, immersing themselves into the crowd of well-wishers.

AN: Before you all go, I have a few more things to say. First of all, thank you all for reviewing/following/favoriting this story! I cannot express in words how much it means to me! I started this story over a year ago, and I had just started writing and had a completely different ending in mind (if you're interested in finding out what it was, let me know). This was my first multi-chapter story (and third story ever), and I feel like I have learned so much. I know this is far from the best story on the site, so I really appreciate all the support I've been given. Thank you for putting up with long waits in-between chapters, a change in beta readers, and plot holes that you may or may not have noticed. I love you all!