Alright guys, those of you who know me will know that I stop posting the last two (possibly three in this case) chapters that finish the story. That being said, this will be the last chapter for a bit. Enjoy, I had the final scene for this written for a rather long time.

Chapter 23

Ahch – To

Finn sat, legs crossed and eyes closed, focusing on the rock that levitated before his nose. It had only been three days since they realized that Rey and Master Ren had left the island, but Finn had felt he had developed so much in the ways of the Jedi since their absence. He couldn't explain just what exactly made him think that, but it was perhaps one of the strongest feelings he had ever felt. He wasn't focused on whether Master Ren was going to toss him into the ocean, or if Rey was with him and what they could possibly be doing. He was, for once in his life, at peace.

Rose's presence wafted over him, her feelings emanating warmth and something more… something he could feel pulsing greatly in the time alone. Or dancing. Or simply holding her hand to help her up over a tricky rock. It was deeply soothing, a welcome change to Master Ren's silent nightmare. She hovered near him, her feelings unwavering.

"Good morning," Finn cooed, feeling her "extra" suddenly fluttering.

"Morning," Rose giggled. "How are you?"

Finn gently opened his eyes, seeing his rock warble in front of him, and smiled. "I am floating a rock in front of my face. Something I thought was only for fairytales." He turned to her and gently sent the rock to her to catch. "I am fantastic."

Rose lowered the rock, her face illuminated in a bright smile. She hesitated, a thought clamoring across her face, then scampered next to him, leaning close and saying, "I bet you can't skip it to the next island."

He leaned back and scoffed, "Really? With my luck, I'll hit Swissy the Suicidal Porg."

She lifted an eyebrow and smiled. "Chicken," She declared, levitating the rock herself. It made a full rotation, slow and precise, before rocketing over the broiling sea, skipping over the surface before sinking twenty feet before the intended pile of rocks that could be considered an island.

"Weak," Finn grinned, summoning a rock from behind him and launching it as hard as he could, skipping his rock over the sea until it sunk possibly a foot further than Rose's.

"Oh!" Rose cried. "Nope! No way!" Another rock floated before her.

For an hour, countless rocks vaulted over the island of Ahch-To to the neighboring island, much to the amusement and laughter of Rose and Finn. In all that time, not a single rock hit the surface of the island's beach and as to who "won," that determining factor mattered significantly less to a single sentence uttered from Finn's lips:

"I'll bet Rey and Ren could stack rocks on top of each other on that peak right there."

This time, the thing that warbled was Rose's feeling of love that she had been exuding, like a top slowing to a halt. She inhaled, then turned to Finn. "What if they don't come back?" She asked, her tone low, hopeless almost. "Or if they come back married?"

Finn turned to her, his feelings screaming in agony around him. "She has to come back. She was the first friend I made when I left the First Order. She's my first and greatest friend. Hell, she's more than that. She's my family."

Rose looked at him, her smile fading as her love echoed his silent, agonized wail. "E-even when she sees you as a brother?"

He looked back to the sea, commanding his eyes to keep it together. He nodded, unable to say anything.

"She doesn't deserve you, Finn."

He swallowed the lump in his throat. "He doesn't deserve her."

"He knows more about what she's going through than you do. Think about it, you had two years on him. He shows up for ten minutes and he knows more about her in one look than you did in two years."

Finn shot a look at her, wanting to shoot her down. He knew what Rey was going through. He could tell, too. But, the Force called to him, encouraging him to ask who would benefit from rage. Certainly not him. And she had been right, before. Perhaps this was her gift from the Force.

He inhaled deeply and let it out through his nose. In his mind, he pictured Rey, standing in the meadow of Naboo, her hair fluttering around her shoulders as she played with the petals of a daisy. He had always run towards Rey, always reached out to her in some way. He swallowed hard, and mentally took a step back.

Something touched his hand, yanking him back to Ahch-To. Rose's hand had touched him, but their hands were in her lap. No, this wasn't right. He reached for her hand, and her thumb was caressing his. He looked up to see a look upon her features, a soft, warm look that dotted the corners of her eyes with tears as she looked down at their clasped hands.

That was when it struck him. That "extra" emotion she had been exuding was a memory of tenderness; A kiss, shared on the salt planet of Crait after she had saved his life. She had been waiting patiently for another touch as sincere as that one had been two years ago.

Finn inhaled, and lowered himself to rest his head on her lap, erasing all emotions from her body, save for shock. He didn't care as Rey's image returned to his thoughts, her willowy frame taking a step away from him so that he could see Master Ren's tall, ink stained figure behind her, his eyes glimmering as he waited for her. He stood with that confident air, knowing that he didn't need to worry about his lady wandering away from him. He was a planet and she was his moon, her path always circling around him.

"If I let her go," Finn whispered, not entirely certain that she could hear him, "I don't know what will happen to her. If he'll hurt her, or if he'll be so good to her that she'll forget about me."

"No one can forget about you, Finn," She told him, her hand resting on his ear and neck. "I know I won't."

SWSWSW

On the fourth day, the Raven Starr appeared over Ahch-To, greeting Finn and Rose moments before C-3PO shuffled to them. "Captain Finn!" He called, waving his metal arms. "Captain Finn! I've received word from Commander Dameron, he is coming with Master Ren and Captain Rey."

So, they did come back, Finn thought, adjusting his basket of rocks. His muscles had gotten significantly bigger since first arriving. He could hang for hours over the cliffs of the island without aching much. He could carry heavy baskets of rocks up the paths where the Caretakers needed him without heaving breaths like he first did. In fact, by the way he had taken over some of the shaping and arranging, he could easily become a mason's apprentice on a quarry system, earning a wage away from the Resistance. He set his basket down, and turned to the Caretaker who guided him.

"I'm to go," He said in their language.

The Caretaker nodded, waving him away with a grey hand.

Finn hesitated, looking at him as he bent over his work. This Caretaker was elderly, he could see that from the wiry white hairs that crept out from under his cap. He staggered under the weight of the boulder Finn had cut, his breathing coming heavier than what Finn was used to hearing. Finn looked over his shoulder, seeing the tips of the black TIE Fighter in the traditional landing spot.

He turned back to the Caretaker, and caught the boulder he carried. "Threepio," Finn called over his shoulder, "Tell Captain Rey I welcome her back. And tell Poe I'll be there with him when I'm done."

"Commander Dameron has said that you and Sergeant Major Tico were to return with him to the Rising Dawn for a mission."

Finn watched the Caretaker stand and rub the lower half of his back. He looked up at Finn, his eyes glittering with gratitude. He couldn't be doing this for much longer, Finn thought. "I'll be there when I'm done here."

SW

Finn trudged up the stone steps, the Force swirling all around him. The Caretakers knew something was happening courtesy of C-3PO. They had brought him a flagon of water and fresh change of robes, urging him to hurry for whatever reason. Decently sponged and changed, Finn saw a Caretaker leaving his hut, and knew his bag was packed and ready to depart at a moment's notice. He gave an awkward grin to her, and stepped around her, determined to take at least five minutes solving this new… atmosphere. Something big was happening. Perhaps Rey and Master Ren had felt something in the Force? Perhaps, if he sat at the edge of his bed, he could sense it, too?

That had been his intention until he saw Rey emerge from her hut, dressed in an elaborate black gown with her trademark white scarf draped over her hair. He halted, feeling his jaw slacken at the sight of her. Damn, she was gorgeous! She had pulled her hair into a single bun, a braid wrapped around it, and she wore no cosmetics save for what looked like mashed red berries smeared over her lips so that they stood out against her pale cheeks, drawing him to her. She looked at him, her feelings calm as though she had been waiting for him.

Then at once he realized what was happening: she was getting married.

He stepped forward, absorbing her appearance. She was shivering in the sly cold wind (the chains on her back must have chilled with the breeze faster), but said wind caught the silver sleeves and veil, fluttering them over her knees so that she looked like a mystical moon fairy come for her annual celebration. She lifted her left hand over her stomach, more to show than to tell him with the diamond ring shaped like a star on her fourth finger, confirming his suspicion. Finn nodded at the finely constructed ring. It was them, he had to admit; light and dark coming together.

"He's lucky," Finn told her. "I hope you know that."

She smiled and nodded, "Yeah, I do." Her smile faded. "I-I can't live without him, Finn. I can't explain it…" She swallowed, and stood taller. "This is a lesson for the two of us, I truly believe that. We're drawn together and… I love him. I can safely say that I love him, and I would rather be with him than apart from him."

Finn smiled, feeling a sense of bitter happiness flow over him. She could have married him wherever she had gotten that dress. They could have gone anywhere in the galaxy, Naboo, Canto Bight, and had a magical wedding night. But, it was clear as the diamonds on her hand that she wanted to come back. Why though?

"Well then," He nodded, feeling as though his heart was tearing in half with every inhale he made. "You shouldn't keep him waiting."

"Finn," She breathed, her shivers changing from cold tremors to those of fear. Slowly, she extended her arm, palm facing upwards. "I need you to take my hand."

His heart, his soul, and whatever else used to love the woman before him split apart in that moment. He didn't want to do it. He wanted to run over the cliff and fall upon the sharp rocks, Force and Jedi be damned. He inhaled, the broken parts weighing him down. There was only one anchor he had left, one reason to keep his feet from bolting off: the knowledge that she wouldn't go to Ren alone. She could do it. Hell, Rey could do anything! But for the first time, she showed that she was afraid to do it, to go into the void and shine alone.

He saw his fingers curl around her cold hand and felt her relief as he pulled her close, pressing his forehead to hers. Her skin was silk, she must have had a lathering bath sometime soon, she even smelled like it. She smiled into his eyes, the honey color as searing as a lightsaber, her feelings of fear giving way to nervous anticipation. Finn reached up with his free hand, her lips inches from his, and cupped her cheek. He mashed his lips and extended his thumb to her bottom lip, wiping away the red berries.

"Let him see you as you are," He whispered. "You were beautiful yesterday, the dress is just extra."

A tear slid down Rey's cheek, seeping into his fingers. Finn wiped her upper lip, using the heel of his palm to wipe away any traces of rouge that he might have gotten on her cheeks.

"Thank you," She barely whispered.

He kissed her forehead, the only kiss they would ever share, then turned and tucked her arm under his. "Alright," He forced a smile, "Let's get you hitched."

They walked together, silence ebbing from ceremony. From their huts, the Caretakers emerged and stood on either side of the walkway, watching the bride's ascent. Rey shivered in the cool wind, making Finn wonder why she hadn't grabbed a poncho rather than such a thin scarf in such weather. Then he realized that a poncho would detract from her dress, and she had wanted to look beautiful, complete with a veil. They climbed to the ruins of the Jedi temple, hearing soft voices murmur within. Once Rey had cleared the landing, Finn looked up, and felt the last of his heart shatter.

Master Ren stood beside Poe and Rose, wearing ceremonial white robes and his black cloak. Master Ren must have dunked his head into a quick washbasin because his hair was slicked back and controlled, combed even. For once, he did not wear his lightsaber, and for once, Finn could feel the emotions of anxiety scream from him. He shifted in his position, arms crossed in front of him, nodding to Rose as she whispered words of encouragement to him. Rose herself had dressed in what looked very much like one of the old garments from the Vanished Jedi, a light blue half skirt that split open to reveal white trousers and a light blue and white ceremonial top robe.

Poe looked up from beside Master Ren, and his jaw dropped. "Rey?" He gasped.

Master Ren looked to Poe, but Rose turned to the entrance of the ruins, her face breaking into a smile. She touched Master Ren's arm, prompting him to turn to her, then at the new arrivals.

The look on Master Ren's face when he turned to his bride halted Rey where she stood. His feelings obliterated save for one: awe. His eyes swept her frame, his feelings changing from awe to love, a deeper love that Finn had never felt before on anyone let alone himself. He dropped his arms and stepped forward, each step purposeful and slow.

The wind whipped around them, as Finn held Rey's arm. He didn't want to let her go, to leave him. To start a new era in her life without him, instead of him.

Ceremoniously, Master Ren stopped before Rey, his breathing sputtering. He could have passed for a fool to Finn if he didn't know better. Slowly, Master Ren dipped his chin and lowered his body to kneel on one knee in absolute reverence. He lifted his hand and took hold of the hem of Rey's black gown and lifted it to his lips, kissing it, before meeting her eyes.

Finn could have sworn lightning struck him in that moment. It struck him from his crown to his knees what this small gesture signified; a small footnote from a tale he heard General Leia Organa tell a group of refugee children of when an Alderaan prince welcomed his bride. Master Ren wasn't putting on some sort of flattery show -well, he was, but that wasn't the point- he was welcoming his bride in his mother's customs. Master Ren rose to his feet, and slid off his black cloak, revealing himself in almost completely white garments, and motioned to Rey and Finn that he was going to cover her.

Finn clutched Rey's arm, his last chance to hold onto his best friend, but let go once she pulled away from him, her core gravitating towards her groom. Finn stepped back, feeling the tears churn inside of him. He had done his duty, he had been there for her. Now, it was her husband's turn.

In one swift motion, so fluid and perfect, Master Ren flung his cloak around Rey's shoulders, fixed her veil to frame her lovely face, swooped down, and kissed her. Rey latched onto him, holding him against her body as though the very motion of covering and protection, was the marital ceremony itself. Finn shifted away from them, moving to stand beside Rose, doing his best to keep his chin from wobbling.

Her hand reached out and took his. "It's alright," She whispered to him, "I get it."

Finn nodded, afraid to do anything more.

Master Ren stopped kissing Rey, and resolved to smiling, laughing with her out of sheer joy. The sound was an eerie relief on Finn's ears. Come to think of it, he had never heard Master Ren laugh for anything, positive or negative.

"Are you ready?" Rey asked, her smile blinding.

Master Ren nodded, biting his lip. "Yes,"

He slipped his hand into hers, lifted it, and tucked her arm into his. Then, as one so uniform and perfect, they faced the trio and moved forward as an indivisible pair. Black and white, both sides of the Force uniting.

Poe grinned, taking one step forward and asked, "Who comes to be married?"

Master Ren looked to Rey before speaking, "The lady and I."

"And your names?" A silence whipped around them as Master Ren lifted his eyebrow in sarcastic askance. "Look, the two of you have each had name changes, I need to know what to put in the Captain's Log."

Finn looked to Rose, lifting his eyebrows in confusion.

"Yeah, that happened," Rose hissed, lifting her shoulders.

"Rey Kenobi," Rey told them, smiling at Finn.

But hesitation came from Master Ren. He inhaled, and lifted his chin. "Ben Solo."

SW

"Alright then." Poe cleared his throat, rubbed his hands for a moment, and began:

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in… uh, who-knows-where, to unite this man and this woman in marriage. If there is anyone who has a good reason why these two should not be together," Finn felt a tremor run through his body, "Keep it to yourself or reap the consequences of the Force for separating them."

Those present snorted, Ben and Rey making eye contact in nervous acknowledgement before turning back to Poe. "Rings?" He asked, looking to Ben.

Rey quickly wiggled the ring off her finger and handed it to Ben. Poe regarded him, "Repeat after me,"

Ben inhaled, butterflies erupting in his stomach, "I Ben, take you Rey, to be my wife. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health. With this ring," He grinned as the diamonds and gold glided over her finger, "We are wed."

Rey's feelings erupted in a mash of excitement, fear, love, and above all, joy. He was never going to leave her. He promised, here and now. She shuddered with happiness, her grin the widest he had ever seen it.

Poe leaned forward, "Do you have a ring for Ben or…?"

Ben handed her his ring, giving her a quick wink.

"Alright, repeat after me,"

Rey inhaled, her eyes locking onto his, twin hearth fires blazing warmth into him where there was once years of frigid cold.

"I Rey, take you Ben, to be my husband. To have and to hold from this day forward. For better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health. With this ring," She broke eye contact to slip the ring onto his hand, then batted her lashes at him to finish, "We are wed."

"Awesome," Poe replied, "Do you guys have vows?"

"I do," Ben answered, turning back to Rey.

"I can't wait for this," Poe muttered to Finn. In his normal voice, he told him, "Alright, state your vows."

Ben ignored him. "Rey," He began, "There was a time when I thought I would never have you by my side. From the first moment I saw you, you intrigued me." He smirked, the one he saved only for her. "The first time I asked you to join me, I offered you knowledge. The second time, I offered you the galaxy. You turned me down both times until I offered you myself, complete and unconditional." A tear slid down Rey's cheek, but her smile and her attention were unwavering. "So, I vow to you now, to learn beside you as we make our way through the galaxy, one body, one heart. I vow to you the protection of my sword, and the openness of my heart." His voice broke, his emotions screaming to those who watched, "My darling."

Poe shifted forward, "Rey, do you have vows?"

She nodded, taking a moment to swallow her tears before speaking. "Ben, the first time I saw you, I wanted to kill you." The witnesses stifled a grim laugh, Ben grinned. "In fact, I think I spent more time disliking you rather than loving you. But, now, I cannot fathom a life without you. I spent years trying to find my family in others, trying to make them love me in return. From this moment, you are my family." She inhaled, the words echoing on her ears. "I vow to you, that I will stand by your side. I vow to make you feel wanted each day for who you are. And I…" She trailed off, emotion choking her.

Ben smiled, "I know."

She grinned, a chuckle rumbling over her body as she nodded, finished speaking.

Poe shifted his weight, still smiling. "By the power vested in me by, well, you guys, and the New Republic, I now pronounce you man and wife, Master and Mistress of the New Jedi Order. Ben Solo, you may kiss your bride."

SWSWSW

Rose chattered almost aimlessly with Finn and Poe as they entered the Raven Starr. Finn barely followed along with her, feeling like he had come from a battle rather than going into one. He followed them to the cockpit, thumping down on a seat and removing his blaster as he did so.

The last sight Finn saw on Ahch-To was Master Ren sweeping his bride into his arms, poised to carry her to their new home.

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