Chapter 32: Home (Epilogue)

Four months later…

Bringing the First Order down wasn't the epic drawn out battle Rey expected. In fact, the whole situation was rather anticlimactic though no less rewarding when she and Ben watched as Anthony Snoke was carted off in handcuffs like a common criminal.

Though some of what Phasma and Hux provided to the Corellia Police Department and the MMA League officials was considered admissible in court, the allegations alone were enough to end the fighting club and put a freeze on all of Snoke's personal finances.

Once they had all provided their testimonies, it was a unanimous vote to give Anthony Snoke a life sentence. His lawyer had appealed it, of course, but the damage to his reputation was irreversible. The story was all over the news for months. While the lawyers duked out the specifics of Snoke's sentencing and the appeal in court, Rey was happy to return home with Ben.

After her boyfriend was released from the hospital, Rey fell into a daily routine. She'd wake up before dawn to go through the checklist Dr. Kalonia provided them at discharge. Rey made sure all his meals were prepared, even going as far as to put sticky notes on the containers in the fridge to identify a dish as breakfast, lunch or dinner. She also listed out which medications were to be taken with each meal.

From there she'd grab a shower, dress for work, and drive the Vanquish out to Cloud City. Her first day had been delayed due to Ben's condition. Even if Lando hadn't been a family friend, he wouldn't have kept Rey from the hospital. Ben's situation was public information. Between the mobs of his fans and people fighting against domestic abuse, she and her boyfriend were hounded non-stop since the story got out. All of the attention made Rey uncomfortable, so she was more than glad when she was able to start full time in Bespin.

Throughout the workday, Rey would step out of her lab to shoot Ben texts, making sure he followed the strict schedule outlined by the doctor. Most of his responses were complaints. He didn't want to eat kale for the third time this week. Would it really be so bad if he hit the bag a few times? Or her ultimate favorite — why had she hid the whiskey from him?

By the time she arrived home in the evening, he was usually finishing up physical therapy with Sabine Wren. Dr. Connix had recommended her and Rey had been relieved to find out Ms. Wren did house calls.

Often she invited the woman to join them for dinner, wanting an update on Ben's progress. She didn't trust him to be completely honest with her. Despite her radical hair color, Sabine was a methodical and direct therapist. Unlike Dr. Connix, who could be blunt when aggravated, Sabine had a no bull-shit policy, which Rey adored and Ben couldn't argue with. As much as Ben pretended not to like the woman, Rey could tell he enjoyed having someone to talk to during the day while she was gone, especially someone who wouldn't back down when he threw something….like a chair.

Of course, Rey's favorite part of her new routine was later, after Sabine had taken her leave for the evening. Ben and her would cuddle up in bed, or at least the best they could considering his wound.

Dr. Kalonia informed them Ben would have the scar for the rest of his life. It hadn't bothered him. However, Rey teared up at the news. Despite their victory against Snoke, she still felt partially to blame for Ben's injury and no amount of him telling her she wasn't would persuade her otherwise.

Tonight, as they laid together in bed, Ben told her about his role in the latest release of EA's MMA video game. He was expected at their recording studio next week to begin dialogue work. It was too far away to commute, so he'd be staying over in a hotel for the week, or longer, if they needed him.

Rey was proud of him. She knew it drove him mad to be trapped in the apartment all day, especially since she had forbidden him to use the home gym. Ben hadn't done any exercises others than those authorized by Sabine, which Rey contributed to his glowing reviews from Dr. Kalonia. Each time they went in for a check-up, the doctor gave him a clean bill of health and reminded him to keep up the good work.

As they neared the four month mark, Rey was looking forward to the prospect of them officially beginning their new lives together. While she had been moved into their apartment since he got discharged, it hadn't feel real, mostly because Ben was so restricted.

The only activity he had been fully cleared for was in the bedroom. After the first two weeks at home, he called Dr. Kalonia's cell requesting she tell Rey it was fine for them to go back to normal. Of course, he didn't mention to his surgeon that normal for them was working up a sweat fighting on the mat before they ended up naked and on top of each other. Rey also chose to leave out those particular details.

Gunshot wound or not, Ben was as insatiable as ever. He kept her up some nights until near morning hours, resulting in her need for two cups of coffee before she left for work, but Rey never complained.

Ben didn't do anything small. It wasn't in his nature.

Interestingly enough, given the nature of what transpired with Snoke and Ben's role in securing Rey's safety, the MMA chose to decrease his community service sentence and reinstated him as a proud member of the MMA. They were shocked when he announced he was retiring, as was the rest of the former First Order. Everyone except Rey, Phasma, and Hux were baffled by his sudden decision to leave the professional fighting world behind.

As soon as they got through the door that night, Rey was on him, intent on proving to him how impressed she was.

He continued to impress her when he offered to host a holiday gathering at the apartment for their family and friends. Rey, who had only ever celebrated Thanksgiving by working, was surrounded by a home filled with food, friendly faces, and fun.

Leia brought enough wine to get the entire apartment complex drunk. Han brought equal amounts of whiskey. Phasma and Tormund brought the main event, the giant beast of a man surprising everyone with his culinary skills as he masterfully cooked up two insanely large turkeys.

Poe and Finn arrived with an assortment of homemade desserts they had spent the better part of the week making, such as pumpkin pie, pecan pie, chocolate cupcakes, and brown sugar cookies.

Hux actually worked up the nerve to ask Rose to be his date to the party. She called Rey to ask if she thought it was a good idea to get involved with Ben's former manager.

At first, Rey hesitated. Her concerns about Hux lingered, but since he came clean to her and Ben at the hospital he had been nothing but kind to her. He sometimes dropped by to bring them groceries or offered to pick up Ben's medicine at the pharmacy so Rey didn't have to go out of her way on her drive home.

Ben called it overwhelming guilt, but Rey was beginning to believe that Hux viewed Ben as his only real friend. So she gave him her blessing and he and Rose enjoyed the holiday together. Strangely enough, he stopped doting so much on Rey and Ben after Thanksgiving and began to turn all his attention to Rose.

Jess arrived with Luke, Maz, and Chewie, who Rey gushed over for a solid ten minutes, before she realized she wasn't sure what the apartments policy was on pets. Ben told her not to worry about it and she resumed giving the pup a belly rub.

The Rogue One crew came with tons of food. Like Tormund, Cassian and Baze enjoyed cooking. The three kicked Phasma out of the kitchen, working together until it was time to serve their feast. Somehow they had managed to produce more food than Rey had ever seen in her life, including all those expensive restaurants Ben insisted on taking her to.

Jyn hung out with Jess, Rose and Rey while Chirrut and Kaytoo played a round of chess. Somehow, even though he was blind, Chirrut won. His victory led to the blonde bartender sulking in the corner the rest of the night, until Ben brought him a round of whiskey for a change.

Even Lando joined them. Rey's new boss brought champagne to prematurely toast the success of Lobot, his latest release which she helped with. While he hung out with Han, Leia, Luke, and Maz discussing the 'good 'ol days', Rey and Ben mingled with the rest of the guests.

Rey's position at Cloud City was going well, so well she constantly wondered if she was going to wake up one morning to find this had all been a dream. Some nights Ben would find her staring off, her mind consumed with doubts about her position. He'd pinch her, chuckling when she'd swat him in retaliation, then hold her close as he promised over and over again that she deserved this life.

Not matter how many times he told her, Rey still liked to hear it.

"So, what do you think?" Ben asked.

"Huh?" Rey glanced over at him, suddenly snapping back to the present.

"See," he laughed, "I knew you weren't listening."

"Sorry," she blushed.

"Something on your mind, sweetheart?"

"Just thinking," Rey replied.

The holiday season and New Years had passed in a blur and she had been sure Ben would propose. He hadn't. Rey knew with the trial, the GA launch at her job, and rehabilitation they were busy. Yet, she couldn't help the nagging feeling in her gut that Ben might be second guessing his choice to ask her, even if the hospital hadn't a real proposal.

"If you're worried about the first quarter numbers for Lobot, don't be," Ben reassured her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders to pull her closer. He pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. "It's only been a month."

"Right, right," she nodded, only half listening.

"Rey?"

"Hmmm?"

"You want to tell me what you're really worried about?"

"It's nothing," she insisted.

"Sweetheart, I know the last few months haven't been easy so if something is bothering you, tell me."

"I'm just tired," Rey lied.

Ben pursed his lips, but didn't push her. He kissed her goodnight, told her he loved her and rolled onto his back to go to sleep.

As she laid awake in the darkness next to him, Rey wondered if she would have preferred an argument to his silence.

Kylo — well, he went by Ben now — cursed himself as he nearly missed the exit for EA Studios. He had been struggling to concentrate since he left the apartment earlier. Due to traffic, Ben woke before Rey and slipped out after kissing her goodbye. She'd barely roused long enough to tell him she loved him, before her soft snores filled the bedroom.

She had been off for the last couple of weeks. At first he worried it was because Plutt's final sentencing was coming up, but when he mentioned it to her, she appeared to have forgotten all about it.

Lobot was doing exceptionally well in the market and Lando was giving all those who worked on the project a bonus, so it wasn't work related.

Last week he asked if taking care of him was becoming too much and suggested hiring a nurse. Rey had vehemently shot his idea down. "You took care of me before, Ben. Please let me take care of you now."

He couldn't argue with her. At the same time, he couldn't understand what had his girl so down.

His trip couldn't have come at a worse time. Ben felt as though their relationship was unraveling. Like a spool of yarn unwinding before his eyes, he saw the signs of it but he didn't know how to stop it. If only she'd tell him what was wrong.

Ben spotted the parking garage for the studio and pulled the Vanquish into the first available slot. He took a moment to text Rey, letting her know he arrived safe. Ben had the urge to call her but he knew she'd be in her lab by now. He didn't want to disturb her.

Next week was his final exam with Dr. Kalonia. He had been planning on taking Rey out to dinner to celebrate and then for a surprise afterwards. Valentine's Day was fast approaching and though he didn't want to be a cliche, he felt he'd waited long enough.

At Thanksgiving, Ben had pulled Finn and Poe aside, asking them for their permission to marry Rey. After her reaction at the hospital, he realized he was forgetting some crucial steps in making the proposal perfect. Having her friends' blessing was a new twist on the old tradition, but it was one he knew she'd appreciate. It had been his sole reason for having everyone to the apartment for the holiday. It served as the perfect diversion so he was able to speak man to man with both Finn and Poe without raising any suspicions from his girlfriend. His parents were already in the loop and fully supportive of his decision.

Now the only one he still needed to speak to was Rey.

Ben decided he didn't want to propose while he was in recovery. Rey had been waiting on him hand and foot. Even as he got cleared to do more and more on his own, she insisted on doing meal prep and other tasks to make his days easier. He didn't want her to feel obligated to say yes, so he held off. When Rey said yes, he wanted it to be because she wanted to, not because she felt she should.

He knew she loved him. It wasn't a matter of that. Ben trusted Rey and trusted in her love of him. He only wanted to afford her the opportunity to accept his proposal on her own terms.

As he strolled up to the studio entrance, his cell rang.

"Hello?"

"Hey!" His girl's voice greeted him, instantly bringing a smile to his face.

"Hi, sweetheart. How's your day going?"

"Good. I wanted to catch you before you went in so I could say good luck!"

"Thanks. I love you," he replied, feeling warmth surge through his body. It felt good to know she was thinking of him. "I miss you already."

"I miss you too," she sighed, sounding smaller than she had before.

He fought every nerve in his body demanding he get back in his car and drive back home.

"But it's only a week, right?" Rey questioned.

"Right," Ben confirmed. "Then I'm all yours."

"Promise?"

"I promise, Rey. I'm yours and you're mine."

"I'm yours and you're mine," she echoed back to him. "Good luck, Ben."

"Thank you, sweetheart. Love you."

"Love you."

They disconnected after that. Ben sighed. A week had never felt so long.

"Are you sure about this, Rey?" Rose asked.

"Yes."

"I think it's pretty badass," Jyn commented, as the four women walked into E.G. Landis Jewelers in downtown Corellia.

"You would," Jess rolled her eyes. "You proposed to your husband."

"I had too," Jyn shrugged. "Cassian loves to play the slow game. If I hadn't taken matters into my own hands we'd still only be dating."

The girls all broke into a round of laughter, all except Rey who was peering into the nearest case. Houses beneath the thick layer of glass were dozens of ring options ranging from titanium to stainless steel to white gold and traditional gold. Her eyes skimmed over each, looking at the width, overall design and color choices. There were nearly as many varieties as there were for women.

"When does Ben come home?" Jess asked, joining her.

"Tomorrow night," Rey answered. "He's driving home after he finishes his final session."

"Are you going to do it then?" Jyn questioned.

"No," Rey shook her head. "We're going to see Dr. Kalonia on Monday. Afterwards, he's taking me to dinner to celebrate. I figure I'll ask him then. I don't want to spring anything on him before they check his blood pressure."

"Probably for the best," Rose agreed.

Rey spotted a black Tungsten Carbide metal ring with a pair of red bands through the center. She flagged down an attendant, pointing to the ring. "May I see this one, please?"

The jeweler brought the ring out for her to see. Rey felt the weight of it, heavy and large in her palm. As she studied it, she decided the coloring was wrong. Red and black were the colors of the First Order and of Kylo Ren. She didn't want to marry Kylo Ren, the prized MMA fighter. She wanted to marry Ben Solo, the man who taught her how to fight, the man who had taken care of her when she was sick, the man who had given all of himself to her. That's the man she loved. That's the man she was going to ask to marry her.

"Would you like to see a different option?" the attendant questioned.

She nodded, selecting a different ring. Her second choice was an obsidian titanium band by David Yurman. The main band was dark gray with the black encircling the middle section. It made her think of all the darkness in Ben's past, parallel to the darkness within her own past and how they had come out on the better side of it…together.

"This one," she decided, nodding to the attendant. "I'll take this one, please."

"He's going to freak," Jess commented.

"Probably," Jyn agreed, "but then he'll get over it."

"Did Cassian?" Rey asked.

"Yeah, of course," Jyn laughed. Then after a pause, she added, "By the time we reached our third or fourth anniversary."

"Wait! What?!"

Ben's final exam with Dr. Kalonia was a success. Both Harter and Tallie were impressed he managed to follow their plan to the letter. They thanked Rey for her obvious persistence and sent them both on their way. It wasn't until they left Dr. Kalonia's office, Ben realized he had forgotten to transfer the ring from his sock drawer to his pocket.

"Do you mind if we stop off at home before dinner?" he asked, as he drove them back to Corellia.

"Why?" Rey furrowed her brow.

"I forgot….my wallet," he lied.

Rey raised an eyebrow at him. "It's in your back pocket. You gave your ID to the nurse at check-in, remember?"

"Right," Ben nodded, internally scrambling for another reason to go back to the apartment.

"Ben?" Rey reached over and took his hand. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," he replied quickly. Too quickly.

"Oh," she withdrew her hand, crossing her arms over her chest. "Is this about Dr. Kalonia?"

Yes, she figured it out, he was— Wait, what?

"Sorry, sweetheart," he feigned guilt. "I miss the mat."

Her face broke into a genuine smile. "I'm sure we can manage a short pitstop."

Though he managed to bypass one potential set-set-back, Ben still had to work to keep his breathing regulated. His palms were sweaty and he was sure Rey could hear his heart hammering away in his chest all the while they made their way up to the apartment.

Once they were inside, she headed into the bedroom and began changing. Ben followed her lead, prolonging his actions to wait her out so he could grab the ring, but Rey waited for him in the doorway.

"Are you coming?"

"Yeah, I'll be right there," he told her.

She gave him a look, but then padded barefoot into the home gym.

Ben dug in his sock drawer pulling out the small velvet case and dropping it into his training pants. He envisioned a spring wedding, a time for rebirth and new things. It would officially mark the rebirth of him as Ben Solo and the new life he chose to live with Rey. They could leave the rest of it behind — Plutt, Snoke, their former loneliness. All of it was in the past. Rey was Ben's future.

Joining her in the gym, he saw her stretching in the corner. When she noticed him, she stood up, falling back into her stance. He charged, aiming for a quick take-down but the months on bedrest and in physical therapy had slowed his reaction time down. Rey sidestepped him, kicking out his knee. Ben barely managed to get away before her next strike came down on him.

Rey kept on him, sparing him no mercy as she pressed forward. Ben had rarely fallen back on defensive tactics, but he found in his weakened state he was unable to match her with his normal power. His girl was as deadly as she was beautiful. He was too busy admiring her handiwork as she attempted a spinning snap kick that he missed her follow through. She knocked him to the ground. With a grunt, Ben fell onto his back.

"Ben!" Rey dropped to her knees at his side. "Are you alright?" she asked, leaning over him.

"Yep," he smirked, grabbing her by her forearms and flipping them over so he was on top of her.

"Good," she narrowed her eyes, before wrapping her legs around his torso and flipping them again so she was straddling his hips. "That was sneaky," Rey pointed out.

"Almost as sneaky as this?" Ben asked, as he plucked her head off his chest to show her the ring he was holding. Rey's eyes widened. She stared at the ring, then at him and then back at the ring. Then she nodded.

His uncle had said Rey leaving Ahch-To at the end of summer was poetic. To Ben proposing at the start of their lives together was poetic. They were both leaving their old selves behind, starting new careers and taking their separate lives alone and merging them into one shared existence. What was more poetic than making it official with a ring?

He decided since they were merging two separate lives, he would merge his two separate ideas for a ring. With Leia's permission, he had the stones taken from his grandmother's ring. A jeweler from Chandrila created a custom band for Rey, setting all the stones within it to make one unique set — an engagement and a wedding band which fit together — two halves of a whole. Just like them.

And when he slipped the ring onto her finger and it was a perfect fit, there was no denying how utterly poetic — and perfect — the moment was.

Rey had tears in her eyes as she stared down at him. He cupped her face in one of his hands, lifting up just far enough up off the mat to kiss her.

"Are you sure you can handle being part of the Skywalker clan, sweetheart?"

Rey flashed him a coy grin. In a surprise twist, she pulled out a ring from her training pants and slipped it on his finger.

"Hit me with your best shot."