By the time they reached Tuanul, Unkar Plutt's landspeeder had already arrived at the Church of the Force. Han, Unkar, and Chewbacca were waiting along with a couple of Unkar's bodyguards. Lor San Tekka was waiting with them as well. The old man was dressed in robes and smiling like a beggar who's just been invited to a feast. "Rey, it's nice to see you again. We've missed you at the sermons since your mother passed."
Rey looked away as she replied. "Yeah … you know. I've been busy. Do you know Ben?"
"Yes." A trace of disapproval crossed Lor San Tekka's face. "It is good to see you again, young Solo. How is your mother and uncle?"
"Mother is … not well, I'm afraid." Ben saw worry cross Han's face but didn't comment on it. "As for Uncle Luke, he and I haven't spoken since I left the Jedi Academy, I'm afraid. But I'm sure he has his hands full with his new students."
"I am sure that he does." Lor San Tekka slipped his hands into his robes. "Perhaps we should discuss matters inside the Church. The day is still rather warm, I am afraid."
"Of course, sir," Ben offered his arm to Rey who stared at him with absolute confusion.
Unkar chuckled. "Young Solo wants to escort you inside the Church, Rey."
"I can walk just fine on my own." Rey wasn't being hostile. "It's … nice of you to offer, Ben, but I'm healthy."
"I am sure young Solo is quite aware of that. Why don't you go on inside. I want a moment with your suitor."
"I'm not so sure that's a great idea," Han said firmly. "You want to talk to my son, I'm going to be here."
Chewbacca roared agreement.
"Dad … Chewie … it'll be fine." Ben smiled at them. "I don't think Mr. Plutt would do anything to hurt me." Not before the wedding, at least. "Go on inside. We'll be there soon."
"All right, all right." Han shuffled inside the Church after Lor San Tekka. Chewbacca seemed inclined to hesitate, then followed his old friend.
Rey stared at her father and his guards suspiciously. "No breaking him, Dad." She smiled gently. "I think I kind of like him."
"That's very nice to hear, little girl. Now humor your old man and go on in."
Rey looked inclined to rebellion- of course when didn't she?- but she finally went on inside.
Unkar Plutt placed a heavy hand on Ben's shoulder. "Young Solo, I am delighted to see that Rey seems to enjoy your company. After all, the two of you will be spending a lot of quality time together. It is only with your assistance that she can have the kind of life her mother and I have dreamed about for her-"
"I am sensing a but coming," Ben said. He could feel the crushing weight of Unkar's grip on his shoulder.
"The 'but' as you put it, is that Rey is … inexperienced … in the matters of the heart." Unkar fixed Ben's eyes with his own. "She is the most precious thing in my life. There is nothing I would not do to protect my daughter, young Solo. And not all the power of the New Republic will protect you if you should mistreat her. Do we understand each other?"
"I understand better when my bones are not breaking."
Unkar released his grip. He brushed imaginary sand off Ben's shoulder. "You seem like a very decent young man. I would not allow my daughter to leave with you if I thought there was any chance you would … harm her. I am, however, prepared to admit that sometimes I have been wrong. Do not make me wrong, young Solo. I do not think that you would like the results of my displeasure. My reach stretches beyond Jakku."
"Mr. Plutt," Ben said sincerely. His own temper was starting to rise now. The Force was still his to command … though Force-choking Unkar was not likely to endear him to Rey. Kriff! Why am I wanting to make a good impression on her? "Mr. Plutt, I promise you that I have no intention of hurting Rey. You have my word on it."
"See that you keep your word, young Solo, and you and I will have no reason to argue with each other." Unkar slapped him on the back. "Now come … let's go see to your wedding."
..**..
I hope Daddy doesn't hurt Ben, Rey thought to herself as she followed the older men into the Church. Force! Why do I care- I just met the man! Daddy always warned me not to let a pair of pretty eyes turn my head … but he wants me to marry this guy and go away with him. So why would he hurt Ben now?
Rey sighed.
Daddy- and Mama before she joined the Force- had talked to her about going to school off Jakku. Rey hadn't wanted to leave them- and she was loathe to go even more now that Daddy was going to be all alone without her.
But … some part of her wanted to go. She had heard traders' talk about the Galaxy and the New Republic for years. Before Unkar had adopted her, she had scavenged the wreckage of the ships from the last Rebellion-Empire fight. She still owned a Rebel helmet and a doll she had made for herself. The thought of leaving the desert sands of Jakku and walking on worlds with free standing water- and trees- was an exciting one.
And to have someone along with her … someone to show her things …
Someone to kiss her again …
Rey blushed and glanced around anxiously to see if anyone had noticed. Han Solo and Lor San Tekka were busy talking, but Chewbacca was looking right at her. She didn't understand Wookie facial expressions, but she was certain that he was smirking at her.
She glared at him so fiercely the Wookie turned away.
"It's been good seeing you again, Lor, and I'll be sure to mention the good work you're doing here to Leia when I see her again," Han said smoothly.
"That would be welcome, Han Solo." Lor San Tekka nodded his head. "We could use New Republic supplies and aid. Jakku is a long way from being a self sufficient world."
"I'll do what I can. You have my word on it," Han promised, almost sounding like he meant it.
Rey wrinkled her nose. The man was a thorough scoundrel. He had tried to talk Daddy into giving him that old freighter- hard to believe it was really the Millennium Falcon- claiming that he was the legal owner. When that failed, he had tried to win it back in a sabbac game … as his stakes he offered his services to represent Jakku's interests in the New Republic Senate. He had lost- Daddy still had the golden touch with dice- and had tried to sneak away on the Falcon. The only reason he was still in one piece was because he had fast-talked Unkar into letting him send Chewbacca the Wookie off to bring his son back for this sham of a wedding.
And apparently Han hadn't even told the Wookie what he was promising Daddy.
Of course, Daddy hadn't told her what he was up, either.
That was probably just as well, Rey admitted to herself. She loved Daddy- it had taken both of them time to reach that point- but she wasn't always that great about letting him order her about. If she had known beforehand that he wanted her to marry someone … well, she would have been anything but cooperative.
Rey smiled. Perhaps that was why Daddy had not said anything until the moment was right.
"Young Solo and I just shared a very good conversation," Daddy said as he lumbered into the Church with Ben at his side. "Lor, it is good to see you again." Daddy was not a follower of the church as Mama had been, but he did donate a certain portion of his profits to help keep the Church running. He and Lor got along fairly well together.
"Unkar," Lor San Tekka smiled. "I am looking forward to presiding over the ceremony for Rey's marriage." His gaze flickered over to Ben. "Though I admit I never thought I would do so for Ben Solo."
"Not all of us were meant to live the solitary life of a Jedi Master like Uncle Luke," Ben said with an uncomfortable shrug. Rey made a mental note to get the full story from Ben later.
Lor San Tekka said nothing for a moment, but Rey could still read volumes of disapproval in that gaze. "I have a legal document that can be signed once the ceremony is over. We also have recorded music. Will there be an exchange of totems?"
"I don't have a ring," Ben said, looking endearingly unhappy.
"I got you covered, son." Han walked over and pressed a ring into his hands. "Leia gave me this back when we got … well, you know. I'm sure she'd want you to have it."
"Dad … I can't ..." Ben looked down at the ring. "I mean …. maybe ..."
"Ben … your mother and I had some good times. We loved each other. Kriff, maybe we still do. But we just didn't belong together. I want you to have it too."
"Okay." Ben closed his hands around the ring and looked over at Rey.
"I don't have one either," Rey admitted. Why is my heart pounding? It's just a deal. It's not like we're going to be really married.
"Trust your old man to plan better than that, little girl." Unkar opened a hand and offered a ring of his own. "After we adopted you, your Mama and I had went to your old AT-AT and dug out some gold out of it and had it cast into a ring." The Blobfish smirked. "Just like you made a life out of that wreck, we wanted to make your future."
"Daddy ..." Rey hugged him and took the ring. "Thank you."
Chewbacca roared.
"Chewie's right," Han looked at them. "Let's get this done."
"The boys and the Wookie can serve as witnesses," Daddy said with a gesture. "It probably is a good idea to get this taken care of- before Han here has an opportunity to … complicate things."
"Very well." Lor San Tekka nodded at his droid and the music began to play. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the presence of these witnesses to join Rey Plutt and Ben Solo in matrimony. Marriage is commended by all sentients, and is not a thing to be entered into lightly. As the Force binds us together, so too will this ceremony bond Ben and Rey forever after. If anyone can provide just cause as to why these two should not wed, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
Han opened his mouth- and then shut it.
The Wookie snickered.
Ben glared at them both before glancing over at Rey. He blushed nervously and looked away.
Rey found herself blushing too. He's just so stinking cute when he gets embarrassed. Oh Force! What's wrong with me?
Lor waited with admirable patience before continuing. "Do you, Ben, take this woman Rey as your lawfully wedded spouse? Do you agree to share good times and bad, happiness and sorrow, with her?"
"I do," Ben said. His eyes turned to Rey, and a small smile crossed his lips.
I could get used to that smile, Rey thought to herself dazedly.
"And do you, Rey, take this man to be your lawfully wedded spouse? To likewise share in all the times of happiness and sorrow, joy and pain, that may befall you both?"
"I do." Rey's voice was a soft whisper. Why did I let Daddy talk me into this? Why does it feel so real?
"You may now exchange your tokens of commitment."
Ben's mother's ring easily slipped onto her finger. At first she feared that she would not be able to get the ring Daddy had given her onto Ben's hand, but after a small delay they managed to make it work. Their hands were tingling where they touched.
"It is good," Lor said when the two of them looked to him and nodded. "By the power vested in me as a representative of the Church of the Force, I now declare you man and wife. Ben, you may kiss your bride."
Rey closed her eyes and tilted her head. She told herself that she shouldn't expect the Force to strike twice … that this kiss wasn't going to be as good as their private one would be.
She was right.
It was better.
Energy seemed to course through them, and she wrapped her arms around Ben's neck and felt him draw her into an embrace. Nothing mattered … nothing existed … except this moment … this feeling of Ben …
"I think the Force approves," Lor San Tekka said dryly.
Rey opened her eyes and they reluctantly ended the kiss.
"Force!" Ben exclaimed. He wrapped his arms even tighter around Rey.
They were floating three meters off the ground.
"Ben!" Han cried anxiously. "Chewie, catch them!"
The Wookie roared with laughter.
Fortunately, his assistance wasn't needed. Rey and Ben gently floated down to the ground.
"That was unexpected," Daddy said, placing a reassuring grip on Rey's shoulder. "Are you all right, little girl?"
"I'm fine, Daddy!"
"Now that we're finished here, Ben and Rey can take his ship back to Hosnia Prime," Han said, clapping his son on the shoulder. "Chewie and I'll take the Falcon-"
"Um, no. Sorry, Dad. Chewie can pilot my ship. You're coming back on the Falcon with Rey and me."
"Ben- you two lovebirds don't need your old man tagging along- and your ship is so much nicer than the Falcon-"
"Sorry, Dad. It's not that I don't trust you … kriff, it is that I don't trust you. You're coming back with us."
Rey frowned at this reminder that Ben had married her just to get his father back to his mother. It's just a deal for him. I need to remind myself of that. I don't want to be a sap. "Yeah, Solo. You promised Daddy you'd speak for Jakku in the New Republic Senate. Don't think I'm not going to be keeping an eye on you to make sure you keep your word."
"Trust me, little girl-"
Rey grabbed the old man's hand and painfully pulled back on a finger. "Only Daddy gets to call me that!"
"Rey, please don't break my father's fingers," Ben told her, but he was smiling. "I wouldn't want Mom to think we had to brutalize him to get him back home."
Rey let him go.
"That's my blaster hand!" Han massaged his fingers. "All right. Fine. You want the old man along to cramp your style, fine. But before we head back to Hosnia, I'll need to make a stop at Takodona. I need to talk to Maz. I owe her for helping me find the Falcon."
"And how will you pay her back?" Ben asked him.
Han looked at him. "Unkar told me you said something about having credits-"
"Oh, Force." Ben rolled his eyes. "Fine. Let's go get your debts paid off, Dad. I've already been gone too long." Ben looked over at Rey, and the smile returned to his lips. "I think you might like Takodona, Rey. We can do some shopping while we're there."
"Shopping? What for? I have clothes. If you think I'm going to wear some skimpy sleep wear for you-" Why am I thinking about that?
"No, no," Ben said a little too quickly, blushing fiercely. "Just a few dresses for you to wear. I'm sure Mom will want to throw us a party when she meets you."
"A party?" Rey looked at him suspiciously. "Why would she want to throw us a party?"
"Because once word gets out to the media that I'm married, people are going to want to see you."
"Why would they want to see me?" Rey eyed him again. "What aren't you telling me, Solo?"
Ben sighed. "It's no big deal. I don't even use the title-"
"What title?"
Ben sighed. "Prince."
"You're a Prince?!" Rey gasped. "You didn't tell me that! No one told me that! If you're a prince, does that make me-"
"Yep," Han said cheerfully. "You're now Princess Rey Organa Solo."
"Princess ..." Rey closed her eyes. "This didn't go the way I thought it would ..."
"You've always been a princess, Rey," Daddy told her, his eyes misty. "My little Princess. Now the rest of the Galaxy knows it." He gave her a quick hug. "Now go out there and make your old man proud!"
"I will, Daddy," Rey promised. "I will." A Princess?! That's almost as ridiculous as becoming a Jedi Knight …