***Author's Note***
Okay, so I totally forgot to put an author's note yesterday; oops! Anyway, the next couple chapters are going to be complete fluff, given that there's been so much seriousness for such a long time. Hope y'all enjoyed the wedding ceremony; there's more wedding fun in this chapter. Enjoy!
Ben and Rey sat at the long table, overlooking their friends. Rey reached over and took Ben's cybernetic hand in her right hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Ben beamed at her and raised her hand to his lips to kiss her knuckles. They turned their attention back to the crowd before them as Tagorians filed in carrying great trays heavily laden with drinks, which they began to distribute. As glasses were handed down the long table, Poe stood and waited for the room to fall silent.
"Okay; so, I'm the best man, which makes it my holy responsibility to thoroughly humiliate the happy couple!" This announcement was greeted with raucous cheers and a great deal of laughter.
"Don't you dare, Poe!" Rey brandished her fist in mock-seriousness, utterly failing to keep fro laughing.
Poe laughed, "Apologies, my lady, but they're expecting it now, and I never disappoint my audience! I don't think I need to remind anyone exactly how I met Ben, here, so I won't get into the painful details. Suffice to say, we were trying to kill each other. (At this, Ben muttered in a stage whisper, "I still want to kill him, sometimes:) I'm sure you can guess who came out on top in that fight! Seriously, though; the next time I saw this bastard, he was...diminished. Course, that kinda happens when you're missing limbs." Ben put his face in his left hand and raised the middle finger of his right, which caused an uproar of laughter.
Still chuckling, Poe continued, " As I was saying, the next time I saw him, he was missing a couple of limbs, and Rey refused to leave his side. For the life of me, I could not figure out why she trusted him; I sure as hell didn't! We were stuck together on the Falcon for days and I began to see, against my will, I might add, how devoted he was to Rey, and how he depended on her for everything. And I do mean everything. It was something else to see this guy openly accepting help for everything from brushing his hair to buckling his boots. But still, I didn't trust him. I hated looking at his stupid face everywhere I went on D'Qar. Even so, I made sure that I knew where he was, and what he was doing. It wasn't until Captain Morris over there decided that it was a good idea to bring up Padme that I started to see him as a person with actual feelings.
"It was...disturbing, somehow, seeing this enormous man with unbelievable power sobbing like a baby (Poe ducked as Ben mock-swung at him). But I didn't start to actually trust him until he personally led the Endor Liberation. I watched him fight like a demon to protect those children. And then stories started coming in. People with terrible wounds suddenly found those wounds healing just enough to keep them going. A blaster-bolt that should have been fatal was deflected to hit somewhere less vital or missed them altogether. It started to circulate that Ben had done those things. That was the moment I stopped regarding him as my enemy, and even began to trust him, just a little.
"The day I lost my hand, though, and got this shiny new replacement, that was when I started to see him as a friend. He helped me come to terms with my new hand, and kept me from being stupid and truly hurting myself. I have seen him go from a cruel, heartless bastard to one of the best men I've ever had the honor to call 'friend'. So; in closing, brother, I would like to propose a toast to your happiness and longevity. And I would like to add that every fight the two of you find yourselves in, and we all know there will be many, you will find me fighting right beside you."
Poe lifted his glass and drank as Ben stood and embraced his friend warmly. "I hate you so much right now," he said, laughing.
Finn, who had been sitting on Poe's right, stood and cleared his throat. "I'm not really known as that guy that makes speeches; that was always Poe. But I felt like I had to say something to Rey. Before I met you, I'd never had a friend before. The day we met, I knew, somehow, that I would always be safe with you. You and I have watched each others' backs from the moment we met. So, the first time I saw the two of you together, I decided I'd watch and wait. I always figured he'd betray us, but I was wrong. I don't think that I've ever known a better man. So, I'll say to you, Ben, take care of our girl. You're not the only one here who loves her." Finn raised his glass in a toast, "May you both live long, prosperous lives, and may you someday find peace."
Rey stood to hug her friend, with tears in her eyes. "Well, if the speech-making portion of the evening is over, lets eat!"
A large crowd of Tagorians rose and moved swiftly and gracefully towards the food table each picking up a platter of food and carrying it from table to table, offering each delicacy to the table. Rey thought they moved like dancers. When everyone had eaten their fill, a small group of musicians filed in and began to play. Ben stood, offering his hand to Rey, "May I have the honor of dancing with the bride?"'
Rey giggled as she took Ben's hand, feeling so giddy that she could have been drunk. The pair took to the floor, twirling gracefully as others began to join them. Ben saw his mother dancing with Captain Antilles, and Finn had his arms wrapped around a pretty little teal-skinned Twi'lek. He smiled to himself. Everyone seemed to be pairing off; even Poe had a sweet-looking pilot. He wasn't sure, but Ben thought they might be trying to set the floor on fire, they moved with such speed. Leia came over and claimed the next dance with Ben, while Luke claimed the next dance with Rey.
"Surprised that I know how to dance?" Luke chuckled, "Well, I'm just full of surprises. I may be blind, but I'm no cripple."
"Thank you, Master Luke. I don't think I could have asked for a more beautiful wedding, even if I had known what to ask for."
"It was nothing. It's nice to feel such a positive atmosphere. This is sure to go on all night and well into the morning. There has been so much alcohol consumed that I sincerely doubt that anyone would notice if the two of you slipped off somewhere."
Rey grinned. "You're probably right, except for one thing. I'm fully expecting the celebration to go on all week!"
Luke laughed with her, "I wouldn't be surprised in the least."
Across the room, Ben watched as Rey laughed at something his Uncle had said, smiling happily to himself. "You know, Mother, I would never have predicted that my life could hold such joy. I still feel like I don't deserve her, but then I doubt I'll ever feel worthy of such an amazing, beautiful woman. Her strength has always astounded me." He glanced down at Leia, "I am so grateful to you for all that you've done for me. For us. I will never be able to repay you for gibing m a second chance."
Leia laughed, "Of course you'll be able to repay me," she leaned in close and Ben stooped low so she could whisper in his ear, "Have lots and lots of children." She looked up at her son with wicked amusement glittering in her eyes as she watched the flush spread from his cheeks and down below his collar. "When you and Rey are ready to slip off, Tyrnia will take you and Rey somewhere that you can have privacy for as long as you want it; call it your honeymoon."
Ben leaned in and kissed his mother on the cheek, "Thank you, Mother. This means a very great deal to me."
Just then, Rey came over and took Ben's hand, "Ready to get out of here?"
"I thought you'd never ask, my Light. They caught Finn's eye, and Finn tapped Poe on the shoulder. The pair came over, and the group said their quiet good evenings. Tyrnia seemed to melt out of the crowd and the three of them quietly left the hall, where the party would certainly go on for the next week, at least, as Rey had predicted.
They walked on in silence until they had left the compound. Rey looked curiously around her as they entered the forest. Where do you think she's taking us? Ben glanced down at her with an eyebrow raised. I'm not sure, but I'm enjoying the walk, so I don't much care. He waggled his eyebrows at her, making her giggle.
"It's just through those trees," Tyrnia said quietly. They passed through a small copse of trees, and Rey stared at what she saw. Standing before them was a lovely wood-and-stone cabin; it was only one bedroom, it seemed, but that was just fine. There was a small garden off to one side of the little house, and it seemed that plenty of animals came through the area. The roof came gracefully to a peak, and the roof was covered in a rich, deep green moss, and a stone chimney rose above the cabin on one side, where a thin trickle of smoke was already rising. The effect was quite becoming; like something out of a fairy tale. "You are welcome to stay here as long as you like. Be at peace, friends. When you return, we will discuss the business of war. The Resistance has been too long idle. But for now, have no fears and no worries. No one will bother you here." With that, Tyrnia turned and vanished into the trees. For the first time in a long time, they were truly alone. Rey thought it was the best wedding gift she could have ever received.
"What I can't believe, is that you made it all this way in that dress." Ben teased her, earning himself a swat for his efforts. "Well, Mrs. Solo, shall we?" Rey nodded, and Ben stooped to lift her into his arms. "I know it's an archaic tradition, but I'm rather fond of it." He waved his hand and the door opened for them as he carried her into the little house. "Now. What do you think we'll do with our time here..."
Rey laughed and lunged for him, undoing the buttons on his tunic with all the speed she could muster. In a short time, the pair had managed to strip each other of their clothes, which lay around the room, leaving a path the the stone fireplace. In front of the fire, which was crackling cheerfully, there was some kind of thick, soft animal fur; Ben slowly lowered Rey down onto this and glanced around for some kind of blanket. He found just what he was looking for draped over a low couch. Ben laid the blanket over the both of them as he sank down to her. Rey wrapped her hand around his manhood, and found he was already hardening for her. He reached down to circle her nub with his right hand as he stretched down to nibble at her earlobe, making her gasp and shudder. "Please, Ben, now." Ben nodded and slid gently into her warm wetness. She groaned as he began to move in a slow, intoxicating rhythm, and raised her own hips to keep time with his. They pushed each other to a faster and faster pace, until sweat rolled down their foreheads and their breath came in short, ragged pants. Ben felt his climax rising, just as Rey clamped down, tight around him. On a wild cry, Ben climaxed and sank down onto the furs beside her, panting, with one arm slung across Rey's chest. "Best wedding present ever," he heard her mutter into his ear; he shook with laughter and pressed a kiss to her hair.
"Good night, my love," he whispered as they settled down into peaceful sleep.
***Author's Note***
Yaaaay, fluff! Hope y'all enjoyed this chapter. Sadly, however, we are nearing the end of our story; I should think it will be wrapped up by chapter 30, and then I think I'll write about what Poe and Finn have been doing this whole time. If anybody has anything else they'd like to see me write about, message me with your ideas or leave your ideas in the reviews section. As ever, tell me what you thought in the reviews section, and thank you for reading!