Chapter Text
The sky on Naboo was calm with a hazy mist in the air. The sunrise was a dusty pink in the sky. Rey stirred first, her husband is still asleep next to her. Her eyes fluttered open. Their french doors were open, letting the sunlight in. She saw the beautiful balcony where they were married, just a few months ago.
The stone railing and luscious greenery brought back so many memories for Rey. Of course their wedding, but also the earlier moments. After The Battle of Exegol and their extensive times of healing, they retreated to the planet of Ben’s ancestry. This was what they decided on, as it filled both of their wants for a home. For Rey, somewhere green with lots of water, and for Ben, somewhere peaceful and secluded. But the most important was that they were together. They realized how precious their bond was during the healing period at the resistance base. They shared a room, talking for hours about everything . Their childhood, their fears, their hopes, and everything in between. Nothing barred them anymore. They didn’t have to fear anyone from their respective side seeing them or hearing them.
When they were finally cleared and given a clean bill of health, they still couldn’t leave. There was still so much to do to get the First Order truly out of power. Well, Ben was technically still the Supreme Leader. And his last act as Supreme leader was to dismantle the order completely, creating a new republic. This new republic would have multiple leaders from every planet. He promised a new, peaceful resolution and assured the galaxy that he had changed and wouldn’t take a leadership position. He didn’t even consider running for office until Rey mentioned it. Though that was far after they moved.
It was five months after the battle when Rey and Ben finally had the opportunity to move away. They talked for a while, discussing a couple of different locations, though their hearts set on Naboo the moment Ben brought it up.
“How about Naboo? I think I have citizenship there,” Ben said. Rey gave him a side-eye.
“How in Kriff would you have citizenship on Naboo?” Ben twirled a piece of his hair, sighing.
“Something about being a family member of a former royal, it’s nothing.” She sat down, putting down the star chart.
“Since when are you a royal? I know your mother was adopted by the royal family of Alderaan, but this?” Rey gesticulated her surprise.
“In all honesty, I didn’t know until I was older. I knew about the whole Alderaan bit, but other than that…”
“You’re stalling,” Rey said. Ben sighed.
“You know how my grandfather is Anakin Skywalker,” Ben said. Rey nodded.
“Not like you were obsessed with him or anything…” He rolled his eyes.
“Well, he was secretly married to the former queen of Naboo, my grandmother. Padme Amidala Nabierre Skywalker.”
“That’s- that’s a lot of names,” Rey said, somewhat stunned.
“Well, she was born as Padme Nabierre but was given the regal name Amidala when she was elected. And the Skywalker bit…”
“Yeah,” Rey said, understanding. But still, it’s a little crazy that your boyfriend doesn’t tell you these things. Though he’s not a big fan of talking about his family.
“I think we’ve found the place,” Rey blurted. Ben sat down next to her.
“Are you sure?” he said, holding her hand. She nodded through tears. This means so much. They are finally, finally moving away. Going to a home that is theirs.
“Good morning,” Ben whispered, his voice rough and husky as he awoke. He stroked her cheek. He noticed that her eyes were a thousand parsecs away“What are you thinking about?”
“Our first day here,” Rey replied. Ben sighed, with happiness of course. “And our awkward meeting with the city.” He snorted, remembering that, for lack of better words, embarrassment.
“The city- it’s so beautiful,” Ben said.
“You’ve never been here before?” Rey said. She was pretty surprised that Leia never took him to the place of their roots.
“No, I don’t think Luke and Mom knew who their mother was for a long time. It was 3po who told them I believe.”
“3PO?”
“Yeah, he was here. When they got married.” Rey laughed, interlocking hands with Ben as they walked into the courtyard of the Theed Palace.
“Are you sure these documents can prove citizenship?” She looked at the documents. It was Leia’s original birth certificate, buried in the records of the medical center where she and Luke were born, hidden under so many firewalls. Of course, there was no father listed.
“Probably, though I don’t know how they will react when they find out that the late queen has grandchildren, most thought the child died with her.” He looked upon the building, wondering of the events that would happen inside.
“I guess it’s now or never,” Rey said. Ben nodded and they walked on in. They were first met by the woman at the desk.
“Hello, I would like to speak to someone about citizenship.” The receptionist was very young, almost a teenager. She replied with a very monotone question.
“Are you refugees of the first order?” Ben shook his head. He tried to open his mouth, but she interrupted again.
“Are you any kind of refugee?”
“No, I have documents. I believe they give me the right to citizenship.” The girl looked annoyed.
“Okay, you’re going to want to talk to Emil, he’s just through that door.” She pointed. Rey smiled. They went together into Emil’s office. Inside the door was an older man, writing some things down.
“Hello?” Ben said. The man closed his notebook.
“Can I help you?”
“Are you Emil? The girl at the desk said we should come here about immigration. We’re not refugees, by the way,” Rey said.
“Oh? Most people that immigrate are refugees.”
“Well, I believe I have a birthright to citizenship.” He took a deep breath and put the papers on the table. Emil picked up the envelope, opened it, and squinted.
“This is your mother’s birth certificate?” The man asked in disbelief. Ben nodded.
“Is your mother still alive? Leia Organa?” Ben shook his head. He took a deep breath before telling him the news.
“She passed away recently.”
“That’s unfortunate, you know to me she’s royalty.” Ben smiled, remembering his mother. The memories were always bitter to him, something he regrets.
“Speaking of, I would look at the listed mother,” Ben said. Emil put his eyeglass up to his eye and inspected the document again. His eyes widened.
“She-” His eyes widened, the glasses falling off of his nose. Ben nodded.
“Yes, she gave birth. The babies survived. Padme Amidala gave birth to twins before she died just after. One of which is my mother.” Emil got up abruptly and went to his bookshelf. He put his glasses back on his nose as he scoured his library. He huffed a sound when he pulled out a book that was totally covered.
“The Empire tried to destroy all of the copies,” he said, putting a book on the table. It was old, very old. Though it was only around sixty years old, it looked to be thousands due to the way it had been stored.
On the cover was a photo of a woman, her face painted white, her lips painted red with two symmetrical dots also painted red.
“Is this her?” Ben asked, the man nodded.
“You are quite a specimen, sir, almost a spitting image. Well, her without the makeup.” Ben sighed, he was not exactly in the mood for an old man to call him attractive.
Their conversation was just dying, Ben staring at the book unsure of whether to read it or not. Step clunk step, step clunk step. The sound echoed as it neared the office.
“Emil? Is someone in your office?” The woman’s voice became known.
“Sabe , please I’m helping someone right now- I’m very sorry, she’s senile and lives at the palace.” Despite Emil’s pleading, Sabe entered the room. Ben turned his head, looking at her.
“The maker! Your eyes!” Ben physically moved back. The old lady almost ran to him. Rey put her hand on Ben’s shoulder. “You have her eyes…” her voice drifted as she teared up. Her hand went to his cheek and then to her pocket. She pulled out a key.
“Padme’s lake home, it is yours now.” Sabe placed the key on Ben’s hand.
“And you.” She pointed to Rey. “I see your eyes, they belong here. You come from here.”
“Okay, can you help us find this house?” Rey said. She nodded.
“Alright, then let’s go,” Ben said.
They reminisce on Sabe’s anecdotes, sharing memories of a woman they will never know.
“We really need to get up, there are things to do,” Rey said. Ben groaned, tightening his grip around her. His lips met her neck, his hands beginning to explore. His nimble fingers traced their way up her nightdress. She winced. Ben could feel her discomfort.
“What’s wrong?” He backed away, his hands retreated to her cheek, touching her gently.
“Nothing, just tender. Probably going on that time.” Ben chuckled. He leaned in to kiss her. She swung herself out of bed, going to the wardrobe right away before Ben could grab her again. She pulled out a dress, something that she would have never worn on Jakku. A knee-length lilac dress, light and flowy. Compared to some of the other dresses that were in the home when they arrived, this is nothing. She put on a white apron over top, at least while she went into the garden. Then her boots.
She turned and saw Ben, still not dressed. She wondered how his disdain for mornings worked while he was in the First Order. Rey rolled her eyes, throwing an outfit at Ben. He put on the cotton ensemble, barely able to keep his hands off of Rey.
“You have lessons to make, and I need to harvest.” She kissed him on the cheek, sending him off. She laughed as he went into the study.
Ben and Rey took over the village school, teaching the children. And they have for a while now. Not just force-sensitive kids either. All kids, and a lot of the kids from the children’s home that know them like family.
Of course, Rey was asked to do at least something in the new galactic senate. But it wasn’t for her. She wanted to be ‘retired’ with Ben, or their definition of retired. And their definition of retired is just working a different job, and not fighting battles. That one’s important.
Rey picked up her basket, finally leaving the home. To the side of their house is the garden. They grow a variety of vegetables and fruits here. Most of them are native to Naboo. For Rey just seeing this life grow here and then being able to eat something so sweet, it was nearly unthinkable. But now she grows a bountiful harvest, keeping a quarter, giving half to the orphanage, and selling the rest.
Rey waters and weeds, letting her mind wander. While she harvests, she thinks about the island, Luke, the people there. She thinks of Leia,and how much she misses her.
Before she could let her mind wander any further, she reached the end of the crops. Rey looked down into her basket and saw the bountiful harvest, ready to be taken to the orphanage. She smiled, taking off the apron. She didn’t sweat, even though it was considered summer on Naboo. On Jakku this would have been a nice cool day. She brought the basket inside.
“Looks like it’s a good day,” he said. Rey took some of the produce out of the basket and kept it in the kitchen.
“You want to come along? The kids miss you.” She slid her hand in Ben’s, trying to convince him.
“Alright, but only because I miss my friends,” Rey snorted. It’s not a surprise that when they first moved here the kids weren’t so fond of Ben. Though now, the kids love to use his strong shoulders for bantha back rides.
Rey swept a piece of Ben’s hair back, toeing up for a quick kiss. “Then we better get going.” He smiled. They left their home and went on the path by the river.
“Something feels different,” Ben said. Rey looked at him, puzzled.
“What do you mean?” She truly had no idea what he could be talking about.
“In our dyad, something just feels different.” Rey shrugged. Neither of them knew what this energy could be.
“Probably just coming on with something. Anytime you get sick, I feel awful.”
“Maybe,” Ben said, truly stumped. Usually if one of them gets sick or anxious, the other feels it. Something of a sharing, so neither of them are truly in deep pain.
They continued walking for about five minutes before the children’s home came into view. They saw the little children of all races, playing outside. The first one to see them, a little togruta child, Emika, ran up to Rey and hugged her.
“Did you bring us veggies, Miss Rey?” She smiled and showed Emika the contents of her basket, including some of the child’s favorites. She smiled and ran off. The matron greeted the couple.
“We have some new additions here if you would like to meet them,” she said. Emika was practically hanging onto Rey.
“Guess what!” She finally said. Rey squatted down to her level.
“What?”
“I got a forever family, I’m moving out!” Rey smiled, picking up the child. “Miss Matron said they signed the papers and everything!” Rey and Ben smiled wide, so happy for the child to have a home.
The matron took them up to the nursery where a new infant was lying in a cot.
“Would you like to hold her?” Matron said to Ben. He looked scared.
“I’d-rather not, I’m sorry.” Ben backed up from the infant. Rey, on the other hand, loves children. There weren’t many babies in Niima Outpost, so she went right away to scoop the baby in her arms.
“Does he have a name?” Rey asked. The matron shook her head.
“He won’t be here long. Human babies go fast.” Rey rocked the baby, holding his finger.
“You sure you don’t want to hold him Ben?” Rey walked towards her husband, showing him the tiny little thing. He backed up again.
“I’m just not that fond of babies, it’s nothing.”
“You teach children.”
“Fair point, it- it’s just you know the babies that the first order took away.” oh.
“It’s in the past, and you didn’t sign that law. Snoke did.” Ben’s face was still low, and Rey frowned. She bounced the baby, trying to get a smile out of him.
“I think it’s about time we go home,” Rey said, putting the baby back in his crib. Ben was fast to grab her hand. Rey smiled, waving to the matron before leaving with Ben.
They walked home in silence.
“What was that back there?” She said. Ben looked down.
“What was what?”
“Back there, I’ve never seen you so uncomfortable with kids! You’re a teacher!” She didn’t realize she had raised her voice. Ben winced and started walking away, limping.
“Ben, I’m sorry, what’s wrong?”
“It’s just my bad leg, I’m going to rest it.” He pulled his cane over with his hand extended. Rey heard him walk away with two steps and a clunk. She sat down, her hands going to her face. Her leg started cramping, a usual occurrence when Ben started hurting. The pain wasn't just in her leg this time, but in other places too. She imagined her regular monthly pain but worse. Some sort of punishment from their bond, she assumed.
She sat there for longer than she knew she should have. She finally went into their bedroom after thinking for far too long. She leaned by the doorframe, seeing Ben sitting on their bed.
“Can I come in?” She said. Ben nodded. She came and sat on their bed. She looked down to see him rubbing his leg, the one that was most injured on Exegol.
“That must hurt, I’m going to get some bacta.” She got up once again, going to the refresher to grab some patches and gel. “Here,” she said, putting a couple of patches on his bad spots then going to rub the gel all over his leg. Through the force, she said I’m sorry , she hoped he got the message. Ben was still looking away, almost refusing to lock eyes with Rey while she massaged the gel on his injury. Once the medicine was fully spread she sat up and looked Ben in the eyes. Her hand inched closer to his, not daring to touch him. A sigh escaped her lips.
“Ben, really I am sorry. I know we talked about kids before. I shouldn’t have gotten mad just because you weren’t comfortable with an orphan baby.” She touched his shoulder and stroked his face to calm him.
“It’s okay, Rey. You know… When I see those orphans, especially the human ones… It makes me think of what Snoke told me, and what Hux and Phasma told me. They would go out to community orphanages just like this and adopt those kids in droves. They took them to their camps where they did who knows what.” He started crying halfway through his sentence. She held him.
“It’ll get better. Remember when we first left Exegol and you couldn’t look a resistance soldier in the eyes. When you were having nightmares every night and day. This- feels like a drop in the bucket compared to that.”
“I want to have kids with you, Rey. I want to be a dad that shows this galaxy that I have changed.” He buried his face in Rey’s hair. She kissed his face, covering him in love. He put his hand on her stomach, something that he does, similar to on Exegol.
“I love you so much, Ben,” she said, bringing her hand to his curls. His hand rubbed her stomach, no longer wounded. But while they held each other, he felt something. He couldn’t decipher what it was, but the memory stuck in the back of his mind.
“Here, it’s getting late.” She pulled the blanket back and they got into bed, still no space between them. They didn’t have to say what was wrong, they could feel it. Rey knew that Ben felt like he had let her down because of how he reacted. Rey was upset because for a moment she thought he didn’t want kids. Ben felt that. He felt how he hurt her.
“I want to have kids with you, Rey. I don’t care how hard it will be. I want this, remember that.” He interlaced his fingers with hers as they gazed on the balcony. That night they reflected on their wedding together, later talking about their plan. Because really, their future kid is going to be fucked genetically. Being the son or daughter of the force dyad, they will not enter into the world easily. After much discussion, the pair decided that now probably wasn’t the best time. They decided that they would start trying in a few years once they have recovered and fully settled into life together. That would be perfect.