Chapter 20

Rey was flitting around the room, unable to steady herself. After returning from a full day in the gardens and greenhouses, she was exhausted but deeply happy and fulfilled. She loved the heat of the sun on her skin and the feel of dirt on her hands. Having taken a quick shower, she was now simply waiting. Waiting for Ben to return from his shift and for them to talk.

No sooner had she thought of his return, did the door open, revealing an equally tired and filthy Ben. He smiled widely when he saw Rey, but put his hands up in front of him when she walked in for a hug.

"I need to shower. Badly," he laughed. "One of the new apprentices had a mishap and I'm covered in grease and dirt. I wouldn't touch me if I were you," he chuckled, throwing her a stunning smile as he did. Her heart fluttered at the sight, thinking her husband was one of the most beautiful people she'd ever seen.

"Oh dear," Rey laughed, "go shower, I'm not going anywhere."

She flopped on the bed, her nerves getting the best of her, as she felt her breathing speed up along with her heart rate. She heard the water in the fresher start as she willed herself to breathe deeply. She wasn't sure what she was so nervous about in the first place. It's not like they didn't have options, regardless of what they decided. She closed her eyes softly, focusing on her breathing and the gentle rhythm of inhale and exhale.

Not long later, Ben emerged from their washroom, a towel wrapped low on his hips. He wandered over the bed, leaned over and kissed Rey softly. "You got some sun today," he said smiling, kissing her nose for good measure.

"I did," she said dreamily, "and I loved it." When the sun kissed her skin her freckles became even more pronounced, dotting her beautiful face. Ben loved Rey when she was kissed by the sun.

"How exactly did you get both grease and dirt on you at the same time?" she asked laughing, as she watched Ben get dressed, admiring the view as she did.

"Long story," he chuckled, pulling on some clean pants and a crisp new t-shirt. Not bothering with socks, he walked over to the bed and laid down beside her.

"I bet," she giggled, pulling him in for a kiss. He wrapped his arms around her, opening his mouth to her, deepening the kiss. She could tell that he missed her and it made her heart quicken.

"So how did it go with the doc?" he asked, rubbing his nose gently on hers, keeping his eyes closed.

Rey reached for his hand and brought it to the spot where the bandage was. Ben's eyes immediately opened. "Did you… get a new one?" he whispered.

"Not exactly," she replied back softly, looking him in the eyes deeply. "My body was literally rejecting the implant. The discomfort I was feeling was it physically being pushed out of my body."

"Seriously?" his eyebrows shot up in surprise, rubbing his thumb gently over the bandage.

"That was the doctor's reaction," she laughed softly. "She had never seen anything like it. The implant itself was functioning perfectly. So she didn't see any point in putting in a new one. Figured it would just happen again."

"There is nothing normal about us is there?" Ben laughed, kissing her softly on the forehead. Since the consummation of their Force bond, they both experienced unprecedented healing rates, a deeper mental and emotional connection, the ability to create shields and summon Force ghosts. The evolution of their journey as the Dyad was not without interesting plot twists.

"Clearly not," Rey replied. "My body has a mind of its own it seems."

"Indeed," he replied, placing his forehead on hers and closing his eyes once again.

"Dr. Kalonia mentioned other birth control options for us to consider. A few of them are hormonal in nature and I'm not sure how I feel about that…" she trailed off quietly. "I finally have a body that can actually produce hormones properly, I don't really want to interfere with that."

"Rey," Ben said softly, running his hands slowly up and down her back.

"She mentioned barrier methods as well, but those sound cumbersome…"

"Rey," Ben said a little louder this time.

"She did say we had some time. I never actually knew how the implants worked… so silly since it was in my body." She was rambling now, her nerves getting the better of her. "She said it usually takes a few months for the body to adjust and be hospitable again."

"Rey," he repeated one last time in a much firmer tone. Her eyes met his as he cupped her cheeks softly. She took a deep breath and calmed herself as she felt the waves of love and affection flow through their bond. "If it's alright with you, how about we don't use anything?" His voice was soft but sure.

"Really?" she whispered, feeling tears forming in her eyes. Collectively their hearts quickened, understanding the magnitude of this conversation and its implications.

"Yes," he smiled, running his thumbs gently over her cheeks. "I want to have a family with you, Rey. I know now that I want that more than anything." He leaned towards her, kissing her softly on the lips, pulling her body close to his. He could feel her smile against his lips and he couldn't help but return the gesture. She wanted this with him too. Children and a family together.

"Now I won't lie," he continued as he kissed her temple and then her cheek. "I am just a little terrified."

"So am I," she laughed in return, running her hands up and down his back slowly.

"We did say we would wait for the Force to give us a sign," he chuckled as he thought back to their conversation months ago.

"I thought the same thing as the doctor told me what was happening," she chuckled. "Our method of birth control was literally being pushed out of my body."

"That's a pretty clear sign," he laughed, kissing her again. Rey sighed as she placed her head on his chest. The feelings of joy, anticipation and nervousness flowed between them both.

"It will still be at least a few months before I'm even likely to get pregnant," she whispered into his chest.

"Before you're hospitable?" he laughed in return, running over the curve of his hips, drawing slow circles with his thumbs.

"Yes that," she giggled. Her mind was still whirling with the implications of this conversation. The possibility of being a mother was both beautiful and overwhelming, but in a good way. She thought back to the information and conversations she had with Dr. Kalonia, wondering what was next from here.

"Did the doctor have more to say?" Ben asked curiously as he followed her thoughts through their shared connection.

"She had a lot to say," Rey replied with a laugh. "She is very thorough as you know. She went over both prevention and conception. It was a little overwhelming. Who knew it could be so complicated?"

"Seems pretty simple to me," Ben laughed, wagging his eyebrows seductively as he let his hands trail lower, cupping her bottom.

"You'd think, but there are charts, temperatures, cervical fluids…" Rey laughed, kissing his neck softly causing him to purr just slightly. "Honestly, I tuned out when it got a bit intricate."

"Well how about this," Ben said, his voice low and deep, leaving soft kisses on her collar bones. "We'll just have lots of sex and see what happens." His lips were leaving trails of liquid fire in their wake, igniting Rey's desire exponentially.

"Mmmm," Rey responded, kissing him firmly on the lips, running her hands through his hair. "Sounds like you have this all planned out," she giggled as he rolled her on top of his body.

"Indeed," he murmured, deepening the kiss, all their dinner plans were forgotten as the sounds of laughter and joy flowed through the room.