Hey, everybody. Sorry this took a while. I was busy with family Thanksgiving plans and a lot of homework. But I'm back to writing

Let's get to it

Chapter 68- A New Generation

(November 10, 2051)

As the sun sets over the eastern United States, in the Oval Office of the White House, a late meeting is going on. President Nantz is sitting on one of the couches in the room, and sitting across from him on another couch are Ben and Rey. Luke is sitting in an armchair next to the couch. Kelly had wanted to come, but her father needed to be taken to the hospital earlier in the day as they were worried he might be having a stroke and Kelly wanted to take him.

The Skywalkers had been asked to the White House for a special meeting with Nantz. Nantz was working round the clock Grand Admiral Page and the Joint Command to prepare for the planned counteroffensive against the First Order, and wanted to meet with the Skywalkers to talk about how they would be involved in the future of the war.

"Grandmaster Tano has confirmed she's beginning to divert more Jedi to the front lines of the Grysk War to hasten the end of that war. For that reason, I need to know the timeline of when you plan to return to Andromeda," Nantz says. With the success of the Red Dragon chemical weapon and improved battle tactics, the Alliance had been winning major victories against the grysk and driving them back towards their pre-war boundaries. More resources were being allocated to the Grysk War in the hopes that doing so would end the war sooner, allowing full resources to be allocated to the war with the First Order.

"Kelly and I have plans to return in March or April, after we have helped instructing the Padawans of Ahsoka's order. However, our role is not on the front lines. I have foreseen it. We will work alongside Leia to aid the Resistance in its mission, but our position is not on the front lines of battle," Luke says.

Nantz can't help but sigh a bit. He had a feeling they might say that, but didn't want that to be the case. He knew the feats they could perform in the Force, and knew that Luke was one of the greatest lightsaber duelists the galaxy had ever seen, and probably could take down whole divisions of soldiers on his own. He had really hoped to have them on the front lines leading the Alliance's armies.

"I will say that I'd wished for a different answer than that, but I suppose I have to respect that. I'm guessing you don't intend to return to the lead of a new Jedi Order after this war is over," Nantz says, leaning forward slightly as he looks at Luke.

"No," Luke admits as he shakes his head, "I am and always will be a Jedi, as will Kelly, but our futures lie not in any order. Our lives will be spent learning the Force ever deeper than any Jedi in history, and learning what direction the Jedi of the future must take to ensure the safety and peace of the galaxy."

Nantz nods. "I understand," he says, before turning his attention to Ben and Rey. "In that case, I assume that means you two will be taking their places in both regards," he asks the pair.

Ben smiles a little bit before he answers the president, "Kind of."

"But not anytime too soon," Rey says as she rubs her stomach a bit.

Nantz chuckles a bit. "Nobody's expecting you to jump into a war 9 months pregnant or with a newborn, Rey. I know what that newborn phase is like from my own kids," he says. He pauses for a moment, then says, "I'm looking further into the future."

Ben answers Nantz, "We have talked it over. And we do eventually intend to return to the war, once we've had time with our child to get adjusted to being parents, and had the time to spend on our training. But on our terms. We will work alongside the Alliance and the Resistance, but as we desire. We have been training for a reason, and that is to defeat Kylo Ren and his Knights of Ren. And that may not be in company with the military. And after the war is over, we will raise up a new Jedi Order to protect and serve the Andromeda Galaxy. But it will be in our own time."

"And the new Jedi cannot be tied to any government or organization like it has in the past. We will raise up the new Jedi as we are instructed to by the Force," Rey adds.

Nantz nods slowly in response. "The soldier and politician in me isn't too thrilled at not having any connection to any government, but having been around you Jedi enough and seeing what happened in the Clone Wars and the Imperial era…I know why you've made that choice. And I respect that."

"Thank you. We appreciate that level of respect," Ben says.

"I've tried to learn from the failures of leaders that came before me," Nantz responds.

"And that's what is going to make you a President that stands out in American history," Luke says, which Nantz responds to with a thankful smile.

After a few moments, Nantz says, "Well, I think that about wraps up what I wanted to discuss today. Why don't we get you guys out of here so you can get some dinner and head home for the night?"

"I agree. I am definitely feeling hungry," Luke says.

"Well, let's head out. I'll escort you out to the drive," Nantz says. He stands up from the couch where he was sitting, waiting for the others to join him. Ben and Luke stand up, and Ben proceeds to help Rey to her feet.

As the group walks out of the Oval Office and starts heading for the exit out to the driveway by the West Wing, where the government vehicle that brought them to the White House is waiting to take them out for dinner. As they head out the doors, exchanging quick salutes with the Marine guards posted, Nantz asks, "You guys got a place you're thinking about for tonight?"

"Well, I am in the mood for some good old fashioned cheeseburgers," Ben says with a chuckle.

"You'll find plenty of good burger places around here," Nantz says with a chuckle.

Suddenly, everyone hears a short gasp. All three men look quickly towards Rey, who glances between all of them. "I don't think we'll be going out tonight," she says in a tone the guys can't identify.

"Rey?" Ben questions in a concerning tone.

Rey focuses her attention directly on Ben as she says, "Ben, I think it's time for us to have our baby…my water just broke."

Ben's eyes widen, and through their connection, he can feel the emotions and discomfort coming off of Rey, and knows that she's not mistaken or messing with him. He looks up at his father and President Nantz, the look on his face showing a bit of fear and worry.

President Nantz reacts quickly. "Get her in the car and instruct the driver to take her to Inova Fair Oaks Hospital. I'll call ahead to let them know you're coming," he says.

"Thank you, Mr. President," Ben responds gratefully before turning his attention back to Rey and guiding her towards the SUV, Rey wincing as she feels a contraction coming on. Luke quickly exchanges a handshake and farewell with Nantz before following Ben and Rey.

Ben quickly helps Rey into the SUV and then hops in after her. Luke quickly climbs into the front seat, and the driver pulls away. After pulling out of the White House grounds, the driver quickly starts in the direction of the hospital.

It takes about 20 minutes for them to reach the hospital. As they pull up to the doors of the maternity ward, they find nurses already waiting for them with a wheelchair. As the SUV comes to a halt, the nurses hurry forward, and almost as soon as Ben helps Rey out of the SUV, the nurses help her into the wheelchair. She is then very quickly rushed into the hospital.

It doesn't take long before she is checked in and rushed up to her room. After being quickly checked over by a doctor, she's told she still has at minimum a few hours to go before delivery. After ensuring that she is comfortable and settled in, the doctor and nurses leave Ben and Rey to themselves for a little time alone.

After the doctor and nurses leave, Ben and Rey just look at each other with bright smiles for a few moments before Ben finally speaks and asks her, "Are you ready for this?"

"Absolutely not. But I don't think I ever could be, and I couldn't be more happy. We are going to be parents…after all this waiting. And I know I can get through this so long as you are by my side," Rey says, taking Ben's hand and giving it a squeeze.

Ben smiles as he kisses her hand before he says, "This is a huge change for both of us, and is going to be painful for you. But I'm here for you every step of the way." He then leans over and the two exchange a kiss.

(8 hours later)

As the clock passes 3 in the morning, in a room in the Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, things are anything but quiet. Ben is trying to remain calm as the nurses are busying themselves readying themselves for the impending delivery while the doctor is talking to Rey.

"Alright. I think we're ready. TIme to have this baby," the doctor says.

Rey looks over at Ben, nervousness clear on her face. Ben grips her hand comfortingly and says, "You'll be okay. You can do it." Rey just nods, but is clearly still nervous about what is coming.

The nurses help Rey get set up, and then, at the doctor's direction, she finally begins pushing. Despite the pain, Rey is able to maintain her composure for the most part.

As the minutes pass, Rey continues pushing, urged on by Ben and the doctor. However, as the time goes on, the extreme pain she is feeling is starting to wear her down. Even Ben trying to lessen the pain by letting some of the pain flow into him isn't enough. And eventually, she begins to cry out from the pain as the delivery progresses.

However, it doesn't take too long. After only about 15 minutes, the doctor raises himself up a bit as he says, "Alright. If you can give me a strong push, you should have a baby on this next one."

Rey just nods quickly, and Ben squeezes her hand. Then, as the doctor urges her, Rey pushes as hard as she can. She cries out in pain, her loudest cry yet. And then, just as she is about to stop pushing, she feels an overwhelming sense of relief wash over her.

Only a second later, a shrill cry fills the room. Both Ben and Rey look down, and see the doctor straightening up a little bit, and in his hands is a beautiful baby, covered in blood and fluids, announcing its arrival to the world with shrill cries.

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Skywalker. You have a daughter," the doctor says before reaching forward and resting the baby on Rey's chest.

Rey stares down at her new daughter as the newborn baby squalls in displeasure at being born. Then, the dam breaks and her tears begin to flow as she clutches her newborn daughter tightly to her chest. Never in her life had she imagined she would be a mother. And now, this little human is hers. Her daughter.

Ben watches as Rey begins to cry over their new daughter, and feels the tears flooding down his cheeks as well. He stands up a little to lean forward and embrace his wife, staring down at their daughter. Even though her face is scrunched up as she is crying and she is covered in fluids, their daughter is the most beautiful thing Ben has ever seen.

"You did it. You did it, Rey," Ben says as he squeezes his wife tightly.

Rey looks up at Ben. "We have a daughter. I told you," she says, making Ben laugh a little bit.

"Congratulations you two," the doctor says. He smiles at them and says, "Well done, Miss Rey."

"You have a name picked out?" one of the nurses asks jovially.

Rey looks up at Ben. "I have a name I've thought of. A name that I just remember. I think it may have been my mother's name, but I don't know," she says.

"What is it?" Ben asks.

"Vestara," Rey says softly.

Ben smiles. "I like it," he says. He then looks down at their daughter, who has started to quiet down. He gently rests a hand on top of her head, which seems to calm her down even more. "Welcome to the world, Vestara Skywalker."

The nurses have to take the baby away to clean her up. But it's not long before Vestara is returned to her parents. As Vestara is handed back to Rey, now all bundled up in a warm blanket, Ben feels something. Something he hadn't felt before because he was so overwhelmed by the emotions of seeing his daughter born. Opening himself up to the Force, Ben almost stumbles back. Vestara is shining as bright as a star in the Force. Her strength in the Force is immediately apparent to Ben, stretching far beyond what he's sensed from anyone, even in his own family.

"What is it?" Rey asks, seeing the look on Ben's face.

Ben quickly recovers from the shock, leaning over to kiss Rey's forehead before he says, "We have ourselves a little miracle." And he then resumes staring down at his new daughter, happier than he has ever been in his life.

And, I'll end the chapter there. Hope you liked this one.

So, Ben and Rey have finally become parents. As for the name they chose for their daughter, in Legends, Vestara Khai was a Sith apprentice who Ben Skywalker had a romantic relationship with. Since he married Rey in this, I decided to use the name Vestara for their daughter.

Now, Vestara won't play a major role in this story, although she'll show up plenty with her parents in her early years. But she will play a major role in the sequel, which will be in her teenage years.

I hope you enjoyed how I wrote out the birth and them meeting their daughter. We'll definitely be spending a lot of time in the next few chapters showing them getting adjusted to being parents while also gearing up for the counteroffensive against the First Order.

Alright. Next chapter will be up soon. Until it is, please leave a review, and stay tuned!