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Chapter Text

Rey checked her hair and makeup one last time before exiting her hotel room. She then quickly appraised her outfit: a green dress with spaghetti straps and a black leather jacket. Not the wisest choice for this cold evening, but it was all Rey had for a big night like tonight.

She was new to the city and had to wait a few more days before her apartment was ready. She thought the train ride from Jakku to Coruscant was exciting enough until she arrived in the large city. Rey had never seen anything like it. The endless sea of people, the multiple job opportunities if her new job didn't hold out. There was always something new to look at or visit. She didn't have to try to be someone she wasn't. She could be just Rey.

Jakku was a small town with little room to grow and succeed. Everyone knew everyone, and that only worked out for those who were well-off. If you were like Rey Johnson, you were shit out of luck. Nothing but dead-end jobs unless you were buddy-buddy or related to certain people. Not to mention deadbeat boyfriends who cheat. It was hard enough for Rey to deal with the fact that her parents had abandoned her as an infant, but knowing she wasn't good enough for someone to stick with her, just Rey, was almost depressing.

But no matter. Once Rey's childhood friend Rose sent her an email about a job opening at the office she worked at in Coruscant, Rey immediately submitted her resume and hoped for the best. Pure luck was on her side, as Rey was interviewed within days and hired almost immediately after the final interview.

While she was more than happy to leave her life in Jakku behind, the move was more stressful than she thought it would be. It could be the mix of emotions of leaving Jakku and starting over. Rey wanted to make a clean break in every way possible. She left all her material possessions behind and moved with her clothes and cash in her wallet.

As luck would have it, she went to an urgent care two weeks before her move due to a dog bite that unfortunately got infected. It wasn't a big deal; it was just one of the downfalls of her job as a veterinary technician. She felt it was the final nail in the coffin. 

But after taking her last dose of amoxicillin, Rey grabbed her luggage, turned in her key, and said goodbye to Jakku.

Moving away was a little frightening, and she often found herself lying awake the last two nights, questioning her decision, but not tonight! Tonight was not a night to dwell and worry about her past and what may happen in the future. It was New Year's Eve, time for new beginnings– might as well go into the new year with a bang! Tonight, Rey was celebrating, as was the rest of the world. 

It was a short walk from her hotel, and as expected, the bar was fucking crowded, but Rey found her friend with ease. After squeezing through the sea of people, Rey hugged Rose while they waited to order their drinks. 

Shot after shot, Rey and Rose downed the little glasses until Rose got excited and tapped Rey on her shoulder a few times.

"There he is! My boyfriend! One sec, I'll bring him over!" Rose tipsily exclaimed when she saw Armitage Hux across the room.

Rey watched her friend as she and her boyfriend closed the distance between them, like some cute rom-com she would watch. Their hug quickly escalated into a full makeout session, and Rey shyly turned away with a giggle and looked at her drink. Something caught her eye across the bar and Rey looked up. She felt her jaw drop.

It was a man who caught her attention at the bar. Rey noticed his strikingly handsome features and ginormous height when he stood up and offered his seat to a woman whose date took the only available stool. Something about this stranger stood out from the rest.

Rey watched to see if the woman would turn her interest to the gentleman who gave up his seat, but he wasn't paying attention when she did. Instead, he sipped his whiskey and watched the ice cubes shift in his glass.

He looked lonely and out of place. What if something happened to him? She decided to strike up a conversation. 

Rey slid her glass a few inches away from his and smiled at the bartenders. She paid for her drink and glanced at the tall man. He was even more gorgeous up close. Rey almost forgot how to form words when he glanced at her before taking another sip of his drink. 

"Hey, are you ok?"

The man paused as he brought the glass to his lips.

Rey realized she sounded stupidly casual with a man she didn't know, but the alcohol said who cares. It's not like she would ever see this man again.

"What?" He asked.

"You look out of sorts. I just wanted to see if you are ok." Rey suddenly felt embarrassed for butting in on this man's business and wanted to turn away from the man but found she couldn't.

The handsome stranger finally nodded his answer. "I didn't realize it was that obvious. I just had a really shitty night on my shift."

"That sucks that you had to work earlier." Rey sincerely offered as a compassionate way to keep him talking. His deep voice was as smooth as velvet. She could spend the whole night listening to him and not the bar's loud music.

The man shook his head. "Don't mind me."

"No, keep talking if you want to." Rey softly smiled when he looked at her again. She placed her drink on the counter.

The man looked confused. He looked at the glass in his hands before making eye contact again, like he was trying to find something to say.

"I'm not that fun. My coworkers dragged me here."

"Well, good!" Rey lightly giggled.

His lips twitched into a small smile. "Good?" 

"Yeah! No one should be alone for a holiday! Especially New Year's!"

"Yeah, but I'm not fond of how loud it is. Maybe I'm a little broken–"

"That's fine. I hate loud noises too." Rey beamed. "Hate it but still have fun! New Year's isn't a time to feel broken; it's a time to celebrate." She saw doubt in his whiskey-colored eyes. "It's time to celebrate the good, forget about the bad, and celebrate our new beginnings."

The man finally smiled– like really smiled at Rey's enthusiasm. She felt her knees buckle at how handsome he was.

"I never thought of it like that," he said. "I'm Kylo." He offered his hand.

"I'm Kira," Rey replied. She hated lying, but what was the chance of seeing Kylo again? Slim to none.

An electric thrill went through her body when she placed her hand in his warm palm.

"Well, Kira" -Kylo lifted his glass- "here's to letting the past die and to new beginnings?"

"Yes! There's the spirit!" She raised her glass to his. "To new beginnings!"

They each took a sip and smiled again.

"Thank you, Kira."

"For what?"

"For reminding me there is always something to look forward to." He took a step back. "Happy New Year."

When he began to walk away, Rey reached for him and lightly touched his shoulder.

"You're not leaving, are you?"

Kylo's shoulders tensed. "That was the plan."

For some reason, Rey's heart sank. 

"But we just met and the night is young." Rey nervously smiled when he turned to her.

"Oh? Um, did you want to hang out?" He sheepishly asked.

Rey had never seen a handsome man act so shy. Then it dawned on Rey the bar was not likely his final destination. He was probably on the way to his girlfriend.

"Oh God, you probably had plans." Rey could feel the heat cross her cheeks and ears. She brought her hands to her cheeks to hide her embarrassment. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to intrude."

Kylo shook his head. "I don't have any plans."

Rey took a deep breath to still her rapidly beating heart. "Oh?"

"Yeah. I only came in for a drink with my coworkers, who are now busy on the dance floor. I planned on going home and crashing for the night." Kylo's eyes did a once over on her. "Um, are you here with anyone?"

The way he eyed her body did something to her. Kylo had piercing amber eyes that lit a fire deep within her womb and sent chills down her body.

"My friend, but she seems to have disappeared. I think she's banging her boyfriend in her car or the bathroom." Rey giggled. "I'm sorry. I swear I have manners!"

Kylo laughed with her. "No, you're fine. I think I know your friend's boyfriend, and I think it's safe to say you're more than likely correct on your assessment." His longing eyes locked on hers. "Well, I can't be a total asshole and leave you hanging by yourself then." Kylo winked and walked back to the bar with Rey.

They ordered round after round of drinks, and before they knew it, Rey pulled Kylo onto the dance floor. They kept at least one hand on each other as they danced the night away as if they were worried they would lose sight of one another. Hand touches led to shy explorations of one another's bodies. Rey ran her hands up Kylo's chest while his traveled from her shoulders down to the small of her back. Rey shyly smiled while looking at Kylo's lips and opened her mouth when he suddenly pulled her body against his while his lips came crashing upon hers. Their tongues danced while Rey wrapped her arms around Kylo's shoulders. Their bodies pressed hard against one another, and Rey could feel Kylo's hands tremble as they slowly explored the globes of her ass. 

Their kiss broke when someone accidentally bumped into them. Rey shyly licked her lips before turning away, but Kylo cupped her cheek and leaned in for another kiss. Another electric thrill filled them both when their lips touched. They softly laughed before deepening the kiss, but Rose's squeal of delight interrupted them.

"I'm feeling a bit thirsty. How about you?" Rey asked with a raise of her eyebrows.

"I'm parched." Kylo grinned when he felt Rey pull him by his belt.

He wrapped his fingers around her waist as they returned to the bar. But instead of hydrating with water or soda, they opted for more alcohol. Rey sometimes needed liquid courage to continue flirting, and she wanted more than flirting by the end of the evening. 

"This place seems fun," Rey stated, attempting to pave the way for another conversation while they waited their turn.

"You don't come here often?" Kylo replied.

"No, I'm new to the city."

"Definitely a new year, new you kind of thing, huh?" He ordered more shots when the bartender reached them.

"Yes, and thank-fucking-goodness. I feel like I can finally breathe now that I'm out of that hellhole."

"Moreso than you can breathe in here?" Kylo gestured to the crowded bar before taking the shot glasses from the bartender.

"Yes! You have no idea how freeing this is right now." Rey laughed as she looked around. 

She paused when she saw a woman lie across a few men. One of them poured tequila on her navel, and another man latched his mouth onto her skin.

"A penny for your thoughts?"

There was a shift in Kylo's tone. It became deeper, huskier, and full of want. Rey looked up at him, and Kylo locked his hungry eyes on hers. Nervously, Rey grabbed a shot glass from his fingers, placed it between her breasts and dress hemline, and held her breath. She silently hoped she didn't misinterpret the situation. 

Without breaking eye contact, Kylo smiled at Rey. His seductive lips were more intoxicating than everything she had to drink that night. She watched as he lowered himself and bit her lip when his hands grasped her hips. The edges of his long raven hair tickled her exposed skin and she finally released her breath when she felt the shot glass move. Kylo straightened his posture, tilted his head back, and easily swallowed. He removed the glass from his mouth and placed it on the counter before handing Rey the other shot glass.

"Bottoms up, sweetheart."

Rey took the glass and brought it to her lips. She felt Kylo's plush lips and hot tongue on her neck and the warm palm of his hand on the other side as she tilted her head back to take the shot. She ran her free hand through his thick hair and held him close to her body. Rey was horny as fuck and wanted him as close as possible. His movements felt desperate, and Rey was more than happy to oblige his needs. Kylo continued to suckle on her neck as if he was the dessert and she was the rain. He removed the shot glass from her hand and drunkenly placed it next to the other discarded glasses. 

Rey's back met a nearby wall, and Kylo's knee wedged between her legs. She could feel the thick, heavy bulge of his dick and grew even more desperate to get laid. Their breaths grew heavy as his peppered kisses returned to her lips. She sucked and nipped at his swollen lips before their tongues collided again.

"Kylo," she whimpered.

"Sorry." Kylo pressed his lips in a firm line. His curtain of hair covered his beautiful eyes. "I didn't mean to–"

"It's so loud in here."

"Oh, I was just apologizing for–"

"Do you want to go someplace quieter?"

Kylo shook the hair out of his face, and his eyes held hope. "That's a great idea. It will be easier to talk."

"My hotel room happens to be quiet."

Chapter Text

Benjamin Solo hated the holidays, particularly New Year's and everyone who dared to say "hold my beer," and "watch this." 

It was part of why Ben had a job and shouldn't complain, especially as he chose to specialize in emergency medicine. He loved not knowing what kind of patients he would see throughout his shifts. Each person would bring something different. Sometimes it would be something minor, while other times, he and his team would have to bust their asses to save their patients.

Tonight was one of those nights. Ben and his coworkers had already seen their share of alcohol poisoning, car accidents and wounds from playing around with fireworks. His last patient coded on him twice before Ben could stabilize him. That older man on his exam table startled Ben on a personal level, and he was more than happy to clock out at the end of his shift. Hux insisted that Ben go out tonight for at least one drink before hiding away. 

That was the plan until he noticed Kira.

He had seen her across the packed bar. This woman stood out from the rest through the smokey air and wave of people dancing and celebrating. Maybe it was her demeanor. She looked like she was having fun but looked equally lonely. Her beaming smile would catch his attention every time, but it was her eyes that Ben locked on, even from such a distance.

Fuck. 

Why did he give Kira a fake name? Oh well, now wasn't the time to dwell on such stupid matters. This woman somehow magically breathed life back into his lungs in a matter of hours. Her eyes were full of longing and lust, and it was just for him. 

It could be the alcohol talking, but who cares. As Kira stated earlier, tonight was a time to celebrate the good, forget about the bad, and celebrate new beginnings.

"My hotel room happens to be quiet."

Midnight was nearing; there were too many people in this tiny bar. It was as if the room fell silent and the people dancing and drinking nearby were no longer there when Kira said these words. His throbbing cock strained against his pants, and he now envied his friend Hux for banging his girlfriend in the bathroom so early in the evening. He knew there was no way he could manage to fuck this woman here, but her suggestion of going back to her hotel room? Ben Solo was game.

Ben studied Kira's pretty face before finally asking, "Are you sure?"

The smile Kira gave him was brighter than any flashing light on the dance floor or the exam rooms at the ER for that matter. She was fucking beautiful and positively radiant. He was a moth to a flame and wanted to burn. Ben watched as she nervously sucked a short breath through her teeth before wrapping her hand behind his neck and pulling him closer. He was a moth to a flame and wanted to burn.

"I've never been more sure in my life." She smiled again.

"I drank more than I had planned to. I'll call for an Uber," Ben suggested while wrapping his hand around hers before leading her through the crowded room. 

"There's no need."

Ben paused and looked at Kira, who gave him a reassuring smile.

"My hotel is just down the street."

"You walked here?"

"Yeah! Why not?"

"It's not exactly the safest street."

"I can take of myself."

His heart hammered when Kira bit her lip before giving him a seductive smile.

"I would love to take care of you," he blurted out like an idiot. 

"Well, the night isn't getting any younger, is it?" 

"Which hotel?"

"Ajan Kloss."

Once outside, the frigid air nearly made Ben shiver. He looked at Kira, who only had her sexy green dress and a leather jacket. 

"That's a few blocks away," Ben said as he shrugged his jacket off and placed it on Kira's shoulders despite her insisting she was ok. 

As he zipped his jacket, he watched Kira grin while eyeing his muscular arms. 

Hand in hand, they walked through the crowd. They could barely hear their wet footsteps over the excited people laughing and cheering. Before Ben knew it, he had Kira pinned against her hotel door, fiercely kissing her and running his hands up and down her body. The soft giggle that escaped her lips when she bit down on his bottom lip was a pleasurable sin, making him want to hear more of it.

Kira pulled out her keycard and turned around to unlock the door. Ben didn't miss the way she pressed her ass against his crotch. It only made him dig his fingertips deeper against her waist as he waited the painstaking seconds before her door opened.

As soon as they clumsily stepped into her hotel room, Ben shut the door with his foot before entangling their bodies against the wall. Their kisses grew desperate, as did their hands as they explored their bodies. Ben slipped his hands under Kira's dress and grabbed her asscheeks. He swallowed her wanton moan and lifted her off the floor with another deep kiss. Kira knew what Ben wanted and complied by wrapping her legs around his hips. He could feel her rub her cunt against his bulging cock, still trapped under his slacks. He let out a slight growl, pecked her neck with kisses, and pressed against her sex harder. Ben could drown in all her little moans with each small motion of his hips. He slowly walked them toward the bed as they dry-humped one another and took a deep breath, trying to gain control before he reached his release too early. 

It wasn't long before clothing began to fall to the floor. Lusty smiles turned to shy grins as Ben unzipped the jacket he placed on Kira before leaving the bar. He removed it and then her leather jacket almost immediately after. She eagerly helped him remove his sweater and unbuttoned his dress shirt next. Watching Kira's hazel eyes widen with a smug smirk as she slid his shirt off his shoulders gave Ben a confident boost he didn't know he needed. He reached for the zipper under her left arm and paused.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yeah." Kira lifted an eyebrow. "Let's forget our troubles, fuck out our frustrations, and start the new year fresh."

"Freshly fucked?" Ben gave her a cocky smile and pulled the zipper.

"Maybe it will bring us good luck?"

"Can't argue with that logic." He all but purred as he pulled her dress down. 

Ben's breaths turned shallow as he admired the curves of Kira's body, toned arms, and each freckle he wanted to kiss. Their lips crashed with renewed fire, each enjoying a taste of one another. He reached behind her back to undo her strapless bra while she unbuckled his belt. After admiring her breasts, he quickly reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet.

"Shit," he muttered.

"What's wrong?"

"I, uh, I don't have a condom." Ben cleared his throat and ran his hand through his hair. "It's been far too long and it would have probably expired."

"Condoms expire?" Kira gave an amused smirk.

"Everything does." He eyed Kira's body again. "We can still have fun in other ways."

"Of course we can. It's been far too long for me as well. But I'm on the pill, and I'm clean." Kira unzipped her watermelon purse and fumbled her hand in one of the pockets before pulling out her birth control. "See?"

Ben nodded, but his eyes zeroed in on an orange bottle. "Is that Amoxicillin?" Kira may have said she was clean, but the antibiotic nearly killed his boner.

"Yeah–well, it's an empty bottle of Amoxicillin." She placed the birth control back into her purse and showed him her hand. "A dog bit me just over a week and a half ago."

"What?" Ben took her hand and studied the faded bite mark.

"It was nothing serious. The poor thing was just scared. See? It was just a nip. Just a downside to my job, I guess."

"You work with animals?" Ben brought Kira's hand to his lips.

"I do."

With a low hum, Ben placed his hands on Kira's hips. "I'm game if you are."

"Let's do it then." 

Ben dropped his pants saying "I love your enthusiasm." He then pulled her into another kiss.

"You're the only one who does," Kira mumbled against his lips.

"That's a shame, ah, that you feel–"

"Oh fuck, you are huge!" Kira exclaimed as she ran her hand up and down the length of his cock.

Ben gave her a half-smirk and then removed his briefs. He watched as she raised her eyebrows and widened her eyes. He found it adorable how her pink cheeks deepened in color.

"Wow. I mean-" Kira bit her lip and finally looked into Ben's eyes. "Sorry, you're just massive."

Ben looked at Kira curiously. "You're sorry that I'm massive?"

Kira shyly laughed. "I mean, I don't have lube." She looked at his cock again. "Do you think it will fit?"

Ben lightly chuckled and pulled Kira's panties down her legs. "It will fit. I'll just have to play with your pussy and make sure you're nice and moist."

"Such a dirty word," Kira giggled as she stepped out of her underwear and gasped when Ben's mouth latched onto her cunt.

Ben delightedly hummed against her sex before sliding his tongue along her folds. He suckled against her clit and pushed against her hips.

"Get on the bed," he quietly commanded, ready for another taste.

With a few strokes of his cock, Ben watched as Kira sat on the edge of the bed. Her fiery eyes never left his while she slowly spread her legs. Ben gently placed his hand between Kira's breasts and pushed her against the mattress before kneeling before her. He dipped his head between her thighs, licked a hot, wide stripe against her folds, and circled his tongue around her swollen clit. He deeply inhaled through his nose, enjoying the scent of her arousal. He opened his mouth wider, pressed it against her dripping pussy, and began eating her out. Ben pressed his hands against Kira's thighs when she started to rub her cunt against his face. 

With another hearty moan, he dove his tongue into her pussy and lapped her juices. When he felt Kira's hands grasp his hair, he swayed his head from side to side and placed her legs over his broad shoulders. 

Kira's soft whimpers and slight jolts of her body intoxicated Ben more than the alcohol from earlier. He flicked his tongue against her walls and teased her clit repeatedly before inserting two fingers. Ben placed an arm over Kira's waist to hold her still while he ate her out and finger fucked her. Her arousal covered his mouth, chin, and fingers. Like a starved man, he immediately grew addicted to her taste.

"Fuck, Kira," Ben groaned. "You're so wet." He nipped her inner thigh and began to scissor her. "I think I'll fit just fine with how moist your pussy is." He latched his mouth against her sex again, relishing how she squirmed and moaned beneath him.

"Ah, Kylo!" Kira whimpered. "Oh, fuck."

When Ben felt her fingers tighten their hold on his hair, he grazed his teeth against her slit, gently bit down, and pulled her tender flesh. He softly kissed her skin before licking and sucking her folds again. Her high-pitched gasp as she tried to say his name was music to his ears, the squeeze of her thighs around his head: heavenly.

But he needed more and knew Kira needed it too.

Ben abruptly pulled his head back, and dove his middle and ring fingers deeper inside Kira's warm center. He placed his knee on the edge of the bed and began fingering her harder. With a roll of his lips, he watched as she unraveled at his touch. Ben loved how Kira arched her back and roughly ran her hands through her hair before grabbing his wrist and begging him for more. He curled his fingers, pressed against her front walls, and grinned in satisfaction as that was one of her special spots. Kira's body trembled and Ben could feel her growing wetter.

"Good girl," he praised and looked at his now glistening palm. "Can't wait to make you come all over my cock."

Kira softly muttered while running a hand from her hair to her face and then to her breast.

"What's that?" He huffed after he couldn't understand what she was trying to say.

"Give it to me," she repeated.

Ben only scissored his fingers faster. He could feel Kira's arousal splatter against his hand.

"I am giving it to you."

Kira's lips trembled with a low moan.

"You were so shy at the bar." She giggled slightly before licking her fingertips and bringing them down to her clit.

"I was shy, but now I'm horny," Ben purred.

"Mmm, I can see that." Kira wrapped her fingers around the base of his cock and began stroking him. "Show me how you like it," she said with a lift of an eyebrow.

"Fuck." Ben almost stopped finger fucking Kira but continued his motions. With a deep breath, he covered his free hand around Kira's and guided her with how he liked to pleasure himself. 

Their breaths grew heavy and desperate with each stroke of Kira's hand and swipe of Ben's fingers until, finally, Ben pulled Kira onto his lap. They each let out a hearty moan as she took him inch by inch.

"OH, fuck! Ah, Kylo–" Kira placed her arms around his neck as they began to grind against one another.

His groans were met with her whimpers as her wet walls clenched tightly around his cock.

"I told you I'd make it fit," he panted near her ear and cupped his fingers behind the base of her neck.

He pulled her into a kiss when she whined with a retort. The whine turned into a whimper when she instinctively rolled her hips.

When Kira placed her hands on his shoulders, Ben left a pattern of kisses down her jaw and neck until he reached a breast. He flicked her nipple with his tongue to withhold a lusty moan. Ben mouthed her soft flesh as she bounced up and down his cock. He needed to feel all of her, run his tongue over every inch of Kira's perfect body. He wrapped his hands around her asscheeks and assisted with her motions. Feeling her tight cunt rub up and down his cock wasn't enough. Perhaps it was the alcohol or the high of the moment, but Ben wanted to merge with this woman, live inside her, and become one with her, or fuck her forever. It all sounded good.

Ben groaned in delight when he felt the sting from Kira's nails digging deeper into his shoulders. He gave her ass a hearty slap and lightly bit her breast, causing her to gasp and giggle. He smiled against her soft tissue and sucked her tit again and grasped the other with his free hand. Ben let out a low, guttural moan as he played with her breasts. Kira only encouraged him by running a hand through his hair and pressing against him. He pulled her nipple with his teeth and finally let it go, licked it, and switched breasts. He worshiped her body while this sex goddess rode his dick. The feel of her arousal pooling between their bodies increased Ben's need for control.

Ben flipped their positions, laying Kira on her back and settling between her legs.

"You like me biting you?" He lightly bit her neck before suckling a small bruise.

"Yeah, I love it, AH, Kylo!" She loudly panted when he slammed into her. "Do you like it rough?"

"Sometimes." He closed the space between them and deeply kissed her.

"Yeah?" She whimpered in between kisses with a slight nod of her head. "Me too." 

Ben adored how her voice shook with each piston of his hips. He nipped her lower lip and then pulled back to watch her lovely tits bounce. Watching her perfect breasts bounce and jiggle only made him dive into her harder. He reached down and grabbed a breast in each hand and roughly massaged them. Ben watched as Kira excitedly grinned and ran her hands up and down his forearms, encouraging him to continue to play with her breasts. He gave them a decent squeeze, stopped thrusting, leaned over, and took turns mouthing her perfect tits. But his cock begged for more action. Ben grabbed Kira's left leg and pulled it against his chest. Kira arched her back off the mattress in ecstasy. 

"Kira, you're so fucking tight," Ben cooed and roughly dragged his cock against her upper wall before pushing deep within her core. He angled his hips just right so his skin rubbed against her clit. "Just want to fuck your pussy forever."

"You know, for some reason, I'm ok with that," she jested before moaning again. "Your cock feels so fucking good."

Ben hooked an arm around Kira's leg and thrust harder. He dragged his teeth against her leg and ankle while listening to Kira whimper and the sounds of his skin slapping her wet cunt. Kira's sweet-tasting nectar not only covered his cock and balls, but it was also splattering against his thighs.

"Did you come again?"

"Y-yeah, sorry."

"Sorry?" Ben nearly faltered in his thrusts. "Fuck, sweetheart, I'm not doing you right if I don't make you come." Ben slowly dragged his cock in and out of her tight cunt. "You poor thing, you needed a good fuck, didn't you? So fucking moist–"

"Kylo!"

"And tight." He loudly moaned. "I think I can make you come again."

"Please, oh please. Ah, fuck!" Kira softly chanted.

Kylo released her leg and placed his palms on either side of Kira's body. Excitement and lust filled his body and mind as he lowered himself and kissed her neck.

"Do you like that?" He grunted and took turns palming her tits with one hand.

"Yes! Fuck, yeah, I do." Her breath hitched when he bit her neck. "Do you?" But he was already growling a response.

"So fucking good. You feel so fucking good, Kira." His voice shook. He felt like he was ready to lose control. 

Ben's and Kira's moans grew louder as they both approached their climaxes. Kira's high-pitched wail and clenching pussy signaled he had made her come again. He could feel his balls tightening and dove deeper and deeper, wanting to enjoy the feel of her tight pussy for as long as possible. 

The bed shook, the faux headboard behind them bounced against the wall, and fireworks boomed and popped into the evening sky. 

"Ah!" He hissed through his teeth and moaned into her neck again. "Fuck."

Kira ran her fingers through his hair and tilted their heads until their lips met. The kiss was just as passionate as their earlier kisses. It was full of want, lust, and desperation until Ben abruptly ended the kisses and rolled his jaw as he stopped mid-thrust.

"Fuck!" He yelled as he came.

Ben clumsily pulled his cock out of her. Rope after rope of hot, thick cum spilled inside and onto her clit, trimmed pubic hair, and belly.

"Shit!" He roughly ran a hand through his hair and noticed Kira sit up.

"Did you–" She paused and followed the cum trails to her cunt. "Did you just creampie me?"

"I'm so sorry. I–" Ben rolled his lips in frustration.

"Hey," Kira placed her hands on either side of his cheeks and softly kissed him.

Something about how Kira kissed him made Ben want to feel her lips on his forever. The simple action was calming and caring. He nervously took a breath through his nose when she gently rubbed her thumbs against his skin. When Kira broke the kiss, she affectionately moved a few strands of his hair that tumbled over his eyes during their intimate act.

"We knew it was a possibility. I'll take my birth control in front of you like a good girl– oh–" Kira grinned when Ben's eyebrows lifted. "Do you want me to be a good girl?" She playfully asked.

"You need to stop awakening things in me." Ben responded and kissed her again. "I'll get a washcloth."

More fireworks and cheers echoed outside.

"Wow, look at all those fireworks," Kira stated while dutifully waiting for the washcloth.

"Oh, that will be an endless show for the rest of the evening until dawn finally arrives," Ben said, unimpressed. "Sleep will be damn near impossible." He placed the warm, wet washcloth on her sex and began cleaning her of his spend.

"Oh? Well, it's good that we have each other for company then."

Ben looked from her stomach to and into her eyes. Kira was calm and yet enthusiastic. Like positive energy stored in a beautiful woman. 

She was something else.

"Would you mind if I recuperate before we go for round two?" Ben gave her a crooked smile.

"Of course, Kylo." Kira beamed, making him wonder if he should give her his real name. "I'm a little dizzy from all the alcohol and incredible sex."

This woman knew how to boost Ben's confidence. He smiled as Kira lay on her side and lay behind her wrapping one arm around her waist and the other around her breasts.

It wasn't long before Ben and Kira explored each other's bodies again. He groped a breast and teased her clit, while she stroked his cock, but just as things grew hot and heavy, loud, insistent beeps from his pager interrupted them.

"Is-is that a pager?" Kira asked after Ben broke the kiss.

Ben was already off the bed, rummaging through the mess of clothes on the floor until he found the pager.

"Yeah. We have them in case there's an all-hands, and we're in a dead cell service." He replied as he looked at the small device in his hands. "Fuck."

"You're a doctor?" Kira pulled over her lap after she sat up.

"Yeah," Ben quickly answered as he began to redress. The pager alarmed again. "Fuck." He muttered and pulled his pants up his legs.

As Ben grabbed his shirt, he noticed Kira getting out of bed.

"I'm sorry. I would love to finish what we started, but it's all hands, some sort of emergency–"

"It's fine, I understand," Kira calmly replied.

Ben pulled his shirt over his head. "You should try to rest if you can. And you know, drink plenty of water. I lost count of how much you drank."

"I have plenty of bottled water and Body Armor drinks." She cracked open a new water and handed it to Ben. "You didn't drink as heavily as I did, but you should also hydrate."

Ben smiled at Kira and accepted the bottle. She opened another one, reached into her purse, pulled out her birth control, and popped the pill into her mouth before taking a sip from her bottle.

"Can I still call you a good girl?" Ben lightly jested and sat down to put his socks and shoes on.

"I'd like that very much." Kira grinned before yawning.

"You don't have to stand naked, waiting for me to leave. You can lay down."

"Oh," Kira paused, "yeah, ok."

Ben wondered if he had made a mistake. Maybe this good girl from the bar wanted to kiss him goodbye?

No.

It was just a one-night stand for New Year's. No one ever wanted him.

Ben hastily placed his jacket on and double-checked all of his pockets for his wallet, keys, badges, and phone. He quickly strode to the door and looked at Kira, who had curled on her side and under the thin hotel sheet.

"You should probably hit the pharmacy tomorrow for a Plan B. Amoxicillin can affect contraceptives–" Another round of fireworks exploded nearby. "I work at Yavin New Hope, just a few blocks from the bar. If you can't find an open pharmacy." He tried to explain over the barrage of explosives that filled the night sky.

Kira tiredly smiled at him. "Thank you, Kylo. Be safe, and I hope the rest of your new year is better than last."

"Thank you, Kira." A strange, new warmth flowed through Ben's veins and he returned Kira's smile. He suddenly felt excited and maybe a little nervous and quickly left the hotel room. What was it about her? 

It wasn't until several hours later, as Ben filled out paperwork over a patient from a multi-car wreck that had passed away, that he realized he never gave Kira his real name or asked for her number. A lump grew in his throat, and he cleared his throat before continuing with his report. 

What a way to start the new year.

Chapter Text

"A singer in a smokey room

A smell of wine and cheap perfume

For a smile they can share the night

It goes on and on and on and on."

The catchy, slow tune by Journey suddenly blasted from the nightstand next to Rey's bed. A song she usually would loudly sing along with and dance to, but instead, she turned off the alarm with a loud, painful groan.

Rey lay face down on the thin pillow and grimaced. Her head throbbed while her stomach threatened to empty its contents. She shifted her face just a few inches, and a pleasant musk of cedar and sandalwood greeted her. The scent reignited the embers. Rey rubbed her thighs together. Rey slowly smiled and opened her eyes to see the empty spot beside her. Her smile faded, and she carefully rolled on her side while trying to remember the previous night's events.

There was Rose almost immediately disappearing into the crowded bar and then the handsome man named Kyle–no–Kylo. 

His name was Kylo, and he had the most beautiful yet melancholic eyes she had ever seen. Rey remembered feeling a spark like an instant connection to the man, something she had never experienced before. Kylo, while shy, was fun and sexy, and it didn't take long for her to break down his walls. 

And his cock!

Rey bit her lip and squeezed her thighs again. She was surprised they didn't break the bed with how hard he fucked her into the mattress. It was disappointing that his pager beeped, calling him back to work, wherever that was; Rey would have loved another round of sex with him.

The radio came to life again. She spent her five minutes of snooze time remembering not just the best fuck of her life but the best time of her life. Kylo made Rey feel seen. She didn't have to put up a front with him. Her smiles and laughs were genuine. 

But Rey realized it was a bit stupid to feel this way over a random stranger at a bar on New Year's Eve, and that euphoric feeling disappeared. She looked at the clock and forced herself to stand, despite her body protesting with each movement. But continental breakfast wouldn't last forever! Even though Rey didn't have an appetite, she would collect her free food and drink and store them for later.

With a few more groans of irritation and pain, Rey stumbled to the bathroom and turned on the shower. While the shower water was warming, she stepped to the sink, turned on the cold water, and brought it to her face and the back of her neck. Once she felt like she wouldn't vomit, she looked at her reflection and paused. 

Hickies decorated Rey's neck, collarbone, and breasts. 

Her breasts!

Kylo left multiple hickies and fingerprints all over her soft mounds of flesh.

Rey rolled her lips to refrain from smiling and looked down at her abdomen and thighs. Sure enough, she found more love bites, but not as many as her breasts. She looked at the mirror once more with a beaming smile.

"Rey Johnson, you found yourself a lover, a biter, and a boob worshipper. Not bad for my first one-night stand. OH!" Rey turned around to look at her asscheeks and giggled when she saw a few minor bruises, most likely left from Kylo's fingertips. "I think he liked meeeeee," she stupidly sang before stepping into the shower.

Maybe Kylo will be at the bar again tonight. She should check it out later and not worry about it. It was time to clean herself of the previous night's delicious sins, grab her complimentary breakfast, and go to her new job. Most of the city may be asleep, but she and her coworkers still had patients to attend to.

To say Rey was surprised by the hustle and bustle of the city was an understatement. While the streets were not as busy, it was still an endless sea of traffic.

Coruscant was vastly different than Jakku. In her old town, it wouldn't surprise her to find people passed out drunk on the sidewalks and most businesses wouldn't open until the second or third of January. 

Rey thanked her Uber driver after she paid him and walked inside Organa Animal Hospital.

"Good morning, Rey," a young man named Finn greeted her.

"Morning, Finn. How are you?"

"I'm good but exhausted." Finn laughed. "But I'm sure that goes for almost everyone today."

"I agree." Rey smiled.

"Yeah, you look tired." Finn quickly held up a hand. "No offense! It's New Year's. No one is going to look refreshed."

"Oh, we have some hungry babies in the back," Leia Organa chimed as she walked through the door that led to a hallway full of examination rooms.

"Except for her. Leia! You look as wonderful as ever." Finn smiled.

"Why, thank you, Finn." Leia returned his smile and greeted Rey. "I hope no one has a hangover. We have some very vocal pups and grumpy cats ready for breakfast and medications."

When Rey walked into the room with the cat kennels, she saw Rose lovingly petting an orange tabby.

"There she is!" Rose cooed to the cat. "I thought Rey disappeared."

"Don't tell me you're mad?" Rey inquired. "I was left to my own devices when you saw your boyfriend."

"I didn't mean to; it was just a quickie," Rose replied. "By the time we returned, you were with that tall guy on the dance floor. Well, I think Armitage saw you. There were too many people, and I only caught glimpses of you until I saw you with your tongue down his throat, and then you disappeared when I cheered you on."

"I was thirsty." Rey chuckled while looking into another cage to attend the Bombay with a swishing tail to signify his mood. "And someone is broody." She smiled at the cat with black fur. "Don't worry. You're mommy and daddy are coming to pick you up later."

Rose injected an oral medication into the orange cat's mouth. 

"Who is a good girl? You are!" She sang to the cat and placed her back in her kennel. When she turned around, she gasped and pointed to Rey's turtleneck. 

"Oooooh was someone a naughty girl last night?! I love that for you!"

"It's just a turtleneck."

"Yeah, and I am the king of England." Rose quipped.

"Best fucking lay of my life, Rose, okay? He was so gentle and then he became an animal and–" Rey let out an exaggerated huff of air. "I feel like this guy ruined me for everyone else. He was that good."

"Well, that's one way to start your new life in the city. So when you say he became an animal?"

"He was a biter and a groper and awakened things within me." Rey gave the Bombay a few gentle pets after feeding him. "He let me be in control at first, but when he took over, I felt like his plaything, and I loved it. But my breasts are killing me."

"All consensual?"

"Oh yeah. I was hammered but knew what and who I was doing."

"What's his name?"

"Kylo." Rey looked at her friend. "Does that name ring a bell?"

Rose thought for a moment and shook her head. "No, sorry, I can't say I've heard that name before."

For some strange reason, Rey's heart felt heavier.

"Did you recognize him?"

"I honestly didn't get a good look. I'm short; people are tall. He smooshed his face against yours." Rose giggled. "Did you get his number?"

Rey sadly shook her head and read a chart for the next cat.

"Oh shit. Well, that's a bummer. Maybe the sex wasn't as good as you remembered because the alcohol amplified it?" Rose began writing on a chart. "Are you sure Kylo is his real name? Did you go to his place? Or–" She paused when Rey blushed. "REY."

"I know!" Rey pathetically whined. "I know, it was a dumb move."

"He could have murdered you." Rose tsked.

"And I'm still here."

"So no number, maybe a fake name. Did he stay throughout the night? Or just fuck and go?"

"Well, sort of."

"Sort of? Huh?" Rose looked at Rey quizzingly.

"Well, we had sex, then cuddled." Rey could feel her cheeks warm as she fondly remembered how safe she felt. "I know I fell asleep in Kylo's arms, and I think he also napped, but someone shot more fireworks near my hotel. So, one thing led to another, you know, teasing and groping each other–"

"Ooooh, midnight handsies?" Rose probed as Finn walked into the room. "Foreplay and then round two? Fun!"

"Whoa, I walked in on the wrong conversation." Finn nervously chuckled and quickly left the room.

Rey grinned and shook her head after Finn left. "Not exactly." She rolled her lips. "His work paged him."

"Paged?"

"Yeah, like a pager-pager. Kylo said he was a doctor."

"Oh, maybe he worked near the bar."

"Maybe." Rey looked at the orange tabby Rose was previously tending. 

What did Kylo tell her? She remembered he was talking about medications and something about going to his work, but she couldn't hear him over the noise of the fireworks.

"How is your special friend today?" Rey asked after finally deciding to change the subject.

"She's doing better. I know Leia said we can't get attached to the animals here, but I found her and feel like if no one claims her, I should adopt her."

"You would be an amazing cat mom."

"Really?" Rose grinned.

"I can feel it."

A few hours later, blocks away at Yavin New Hope…

"My God, Solo, you look like garbage," Hux joked as Ben slid off the bunk bed in the on-call room.

"I'm fucking exhausted," Ben groaned and ran his hands through his hair. 

"Didn't you sleep before the page came in? I thought you had a drink and went home."

"I had a short nap and came here as soon as I received the page," Ben explained, rolling his neck to crack it.

"Huh. I must have had a lighter caseload last night–" 

"Man, I heard it was insane last night!" Poe Dameron said as he strode into the room. "How the hell did they let you two work last night?"

"Why the hell didn't you come in last night?" Ben growled lowly.

"I came in just a few hours after you did. Traffic is god-awful as it is. Let's factor in New Year's and then the major car accident–"

"Or you were too busy getting sucked off." Hux interrupted. 

Poe raised an eyebrow. "You never know, Hugs–"

"Hux. It's Hux you–"

"Believe it or not, I do take my job seriously. Wait, Is that–" Poe squinted and pointed at Ben's neck. "Is that a hickey? Did you finally get laid last night?"

"Holy shit." Hux looked at Ben's neck before Ben pushed him away. "Way to go, Solo. So when you said you had a short nap, was it code for your little rendezvous? Or you had a short nap after?"

"What do you think?" Ben sighed, "I'm going to grab a coffee and something to eat before my next shift."

"I'm just saying I'm surprised you didn't already go back and get some more." Hux smirked. 

"There was no point. Everything was so fucking busy last night that when Holdo told me to rest before my shift, I came in here and crashed. But since you all insist on gossiping, I'll finally get ready for my shift." 

"Ah, well, I'm sure your little woman will be happy to help you feel better after your shift tonight." 

"I didn't know you had a woman, Solo," Poe continued.

"I don't."

Poe patted Ben on the back. "Master of secrets and women. I gotta respect that. Not everyone knows how to keep their personal life private around here." He looked around. "So, was it another doctor or a nurse? A past love? Tinder?"

Ben narrowed his eyes at Poe. "No."

Poe held his hands in the air pretending to surrender. "Okay, keep your secrets."

While waiting in line at the small cafe inside the hospital, Ben squinted his eyes, looking up and down the busy hall. He didn't know if he felt hopeful or desperate while he looked for the girl with brunette hair and hazel eyes. A woman he had only just met and felt an instant connection to. 

It was a stupid thought. Ben knew that. He knew it was just an alcohol-fueled fuck, but he couldn't help but want to see her again since things ended so abruptly.

So why was he standing in front of Kira's hotel door several hours later at the end of his shift? Ben looked down the hallway before lightly knocking on the door, his heart hammering as he tried to hear if she was inside. 

But he couldn't hear anything.

Maybe he went to the wrong hotel room?

With a deep, shaky breath, Ben backed away from the door. He cleared his throat and walked back to the lobby.

The little bell on the lobby desk echoed. Nervously he glanced around to see if anyone else was nearby. But Ben quickly took his leave when the front desk clerk came around the corner.

It wasn't like him to stalk a woman. He wasn't sure if what he was doing could be considered stalking. Ben wasn't a creep. He just needed to talk to her and maybe see her beautiful smile one last time.

Find out if her name was really Kira.

Once he slumped into the driver's seat, Ben released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and shook his head. He watched the small flurries melt on his windshield before starting his car.

What was it about the girl that captivated him?

Icecubes shifted in the diet soda Rey slowly sipped while sitting in the bar from the night before. 

Or at least she thinks it's the bar from the night before. 

She's sure of it.

But with every new patron that entered, her heart sank further. 

It was a silly thing to do: hope that her one-night stand would return to the bar.

It wasn't silly. It was downright pathetic. Rey knew it was only a one-night stand, and whatever connection she felt to Kylo wasn't real.

But he said something to her, and she was certain it was important, but the fucking fireworks... 

Kylo was in such a hurry, and she felt lost in a daze that she didn't bother to ask him to repeat himself. Rey couldn't believe she had brought a man back to her room and had the best sex of her life with someone who looked like a Greek statue come to life. Kylo was as handsome as he was kind, even if he got a little rough. Rey enjoyed it. Kylo's smiles, groans, laughs, velvety voice, strong hands, and overall demeanor made her feel alive.

Something she hadn't felt in forever.

With a small sigh, Rey left the bar. The flurries on her cheeks were a lovely welcome as she walked back to her hotel. 

Maybe she went to the wrong bar. 

That's what Rey told herself as she stood in front of her hotel door. Her breath hitched. She could faintly smell his cologne. She looked up and down the hallway before sadly smiling and entering her room.

How touch-starved was she to believe she had made a connection with a stranger the night before?

Ben walked through the smaller crowd to the bar and idly drummed his fingers on the bar top before sitting. An odd sensation rippled through his body when he realized it was the same seat as the night before.

Just ever so briefly, Ben thought he could smell Kira's perfume.

"Ben Solo, you are such a fool," he thought and ordered a drink.

"She's not here." The petite, older woman behind the bar stated nonchalantly. 

Ben's eyebrows dipped, and he looked around but couldn't escape the woman's side-eye as she handed him a beer. 

"Excuse me?" 

"The woman you seek. She's not here."

Ben momentarily stared at the woman before taking a sip. 

"Meh." She shrugged and wiped down the bar. 

What the fuck? What did this woman know? She wasn't here the night before, yet she looked at him like she knew his whole story.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Ben sighed.

"If you live long enough, you see the same eyes in different people." She smiled at Ben. "She had the same eyes as you." 

Ben rolled his eyes before bringing the amber bottle to his lips.

"Lonely yet full of hope," she continued. "Now, tell old Maz all about her."

Chapter Text

"Fuck! Fuck, fuck, oh fuck!" Rey groaned through her teeth as she ran down the sidewalk.

This wasn't happening. How stupid could she be? 

Apparently extremely stupid. 

Fucking some random guy without protection despite a pharmacist telling her nearly two weeks ago to use a backup contraceptive. 

What the fuck was she thinking?

She wasn't thinking. And because she wasn’t thinking, she was now in a panic.

Six days have passed since Rey’s spicy evening with the mysterious Kylo. She spent her days concentrating at work, setting up her new apartment before she would spend a few hours looking at different bars to see if Kylo was there. Only now has Rey realized her mistake.

Rey had just walked into her apartment, kicked off her shoes, tossed her purse on the end table, and sat on the couch to rub her aching feet. That's when she noticed the empty Amoxicillin bottle and remembered Kylo had warned her about needing a backup contraceptive, especially since he didn't pull out fast enough. 

Deep down, she wanted to blame Kylo for not pulling out and making her anxiety spiral. But she was as much at fault as he was. Moreso hers since she forgot both the pharmacist's and Kylo’s advice about having a backup. And she insisted a raw fuck would be okay. Rey even comforted Kylo, like a dummy, when he tried to apologize for creaming her.

Kylo couldn't have spilled much inside of her. Goodness knows he practically painted her body with tons of cum.

"So. Much. Thick. Creamy. Cum."

Rey shook her head. Now wasn't the time to get lost in how she wanted to taste his spend. 

Her heart seized in panic when she saw the pharmacy was closed for the evening. 

Rey Johnson was so fucking stupid. Lovers were not worth losing track of time. She needed to let go. 

"Okay, Rey, what did you need me to do?" Rose asked and moved her cell phone to her other ear to hold it between her head and shoulder while she played with her cat.

"Tell me I'm stupid." Rey sighed and slumped on her couch.

"I'm not going to do that. You're doing a great job of it. Isn't that right, Millicent?" Rose waved a toy in front of the orange cat.

"Millicent?" Rey heard the little jingle of a bell in the background 

"Armie named her!"

"Oh."

Rose sighed and placed the cat toy down. 

"Rey, just buy a pregnancy test."

"It's too early." Rey was close to whining.

"Then wait a few more days and then buy one."

“My boobs are killing me.”

“Rey, you said he went to town on your breasts.”

Rey tried not to think about how good Kylo’s lips felt on her tender flesh while she waited in silence for Rose to continue.

"That's it?" She asked.

"Huh?"

"You're not going to say I told you so?" Rey probed.

"Rey, are you asking me to lecture you?"

"Yes! Why do you think I sound so pathetic?"

Rose giggled. "Okay, fine. Rey Johnson, stop feeling bad for yourself. You're lucky you're not dead! In fact, if I were you, I wouldn't worry about a possible pregnancy since your periods are never regular!" Rose laughed harder, "Hi, Armie! Yeah, just give me a minute. I'm lecturing." Rose’s voice turned serious again. "Stop sleeping around–"

"It is only one guy!” Rey interrupted. “I haven't slept with anyone else!"

"That one guy can fuck your life up for good! Drink some water, have a snack, sleep, and start new tomorrow. If anything, you should worry if the guy had an STD."

"Rose, darling, I can come back in a few minutes." Hux sounded desperate to leave the room.

Rey softly chuckled and looked at the carpet of her living room.

"Rose, I'll let you get back to your evening."

"Are you going to be okay?"

Rey paused for a moment before answering, "Yeah. Like you said, what are the chances? He would need super sperm to fertilize these eggs."

Rose laughed again. "There's the spirit, you naughty tramp!" 

"I'll see you later."

"Bye, Boo!" 

Rey softly hummed at the end of her giggle after ending the call. But the silence of her apartment quickly killed her good mood. She was used to feeling lonely. So why does it hurt so much more now that she’s out of Jakku?

The results were negative when Rey took a pregnancy test near the end of January. She breathed a small sigh of relief, but this terrible feeling plagued her. She chalked it up to her obsessive bar hopping in hopes of finding Kylo. As Rey tossed the test into her little trash bin, she decided it was time to finally let go of trying to find the man she had slept with. It truly was ridiculous she held onto hope for so long over a good fuck. Besides, she was always exhausted at the end of her shifts. Instead of looking for Kylo like some crazed stalker, she could be curled up on her couch, reading a smutty book, or sleeping. 

Looking in the mirror, Rey took a deep breath.

“This isn’t like you. Kylo was nobody; he was nothing.”

So why did her heart tell her it was the opposite? That he could have been everything.

Rey grabbed a heating pad, plugged it next to her bed, and placed it on her still-aching chest. The bruises were long gone, the pain had disappeared days after that one night, but dull aches have returned. Rey had convinced herself that he must have bruised her deeper than she initially thought. Her breasts were another reason she should be able to forget about Kylo.

It was now mid-March, and unfortunately, the man plagued her mind occasionally, just as her breasts did– more so her boobs than her memory of Kylo’s smooth voice, sexy grunts, or warm eyes. 

What kind of fake name was that? She's only heard it in a movie about space wizards.

It would only be a few months later Rey would find out.

“So anyways, Millicent has been acting super weird,” Rose chirped as she pulled her cat out of the carrier. “And Armie said she’s gained weight, but I think he’s just being a stubborn man who won’t admit he is crazy about this sweet baby.”

Rey let Millicent sniff her before softly petting her. “Any change in her diet?” She asked while she started to observe the ginger cat.

“No. Not unless Armie has fed her extra treats. I’ve caught him doing that.”

“Well, I’m about to weigh her, so we’ll know if it’s your boyfriend’s fault if she’s gained weight.” 

When Rey picked up Millicent, she noted that the cat’s stomach did feel a little bigger than the last time she held her. 

“Rose.”

“Okay, yeah, she’s put on about half a pound–”

Rey placed Millicent on a small scale, and just as Rose said, the cat gained half a pound from her last exam. “I don’t think it’s cat treats.”

“That’s got to be it.”

“Rose, we’re in the same profession.”

“But she can’t be–”

Rey brought Millicent to the table and gently pressed her fingers around her belly.

“And your mommy calls me naughty.” Rey playfully cooed at the cat before looking at Rose. “Ultrasound or x-ray?”

“Noooooo,” Rose mournfully sang.

“I can’t believe you’re in a state of denial, Rose.” Rey softly chuckled. “And that you didn’t get her fixed after she healed from her injuries.”

“Millicent already went through whatever hell she went through. I wanted her to bond with me before she went through something traumatic again.” Rose softly scratched Millicent behind the ear. “You only got out that one time.” She lightly chastised her cat.

“Sometimes that’s all it takes,” Rey stated empathetically. 

“Ultrasound.” Rose sighed. “I thought I was the responsible one.”

“Um, ouch.” Rey jested with another laugh before exiting the room. “You are responsible. Your heart was in the right place, but your mind surely wasn’t.”

After Rey retrieved the ultrasound machine, she focused on Millicent as she would on her other patients.

“Well, Rose, you’ll be happy to know you’ll be a grandmother to four kittens.” Rey said after a few minutes. “Millicent is healthy and looks like her babies have all their organs and are growing perfectly.”

“Awwwww, Millicent, you hussy,” Rose playfully sang. “Isn’t she the prettiest mama to be?”

“She sure is.” Rey felt a chill go through her body. “Why is it so cold in here?” She crossed her arms over her chest. Any time the temperature dropped, her breasts ached more and more.

“Hey, you should help me drop the news on Armie!” Rose beamed after she placed Millicent in her carrier.

“Oh, this is perfect!" Rey smiled in delight. "Finn talked me into a blind date, and I’d rather cut my arm off.”

“Nice try, Peanut.” Finn poked his head into the room. “Rose and her boyfriend are joining us.”

“Ugh, Finn! Why are you eavesdropping?”

“I wasn’t eavesdropping. I just stopped by to let you know the guy you were supposed to meet can’t make it tonight.”

“So, why do I have to go?” Rey sighed and washed her hands at the small sink across from the examination table.

“Aside from getting you out of your apartment?" Finn lightly chuckled. "Poe already made another arrangement.”

“Come on, Rey, it will be fun.” Rose smiled. “Maybe this will help you stop thinking about what's his face.”

“I haven’t thought of him in so long,” Rey quickly replied.

“Liar. You still think he damaged your boobs.”

“Whoa-” Finn nervously laughed. “I didn’t need to hear that.”

“My breasts are killing me! He must have done something to them!” Rey raised her eyebrows. For some reason, she was desperate for Rose to understand. “He killed my boobs, Rose.”

“Wow.” Finn shook his head.

“Maybe you should have an ultrasound?” Rose challenged with a silly grin. “It’s been over two months. There is no way in hell your boobs were damaged from a little bit of rough sex.”

“I should head out.” Finn pointed to the door. “I’ve already completed all my–”

“Finn, tell Rose this isn’t normal.”

“What?” Finn shrieked. “Rey, I don’t have breasts Poe can grab.”

“Maybe you’re just in the middle of a psychiatric breakdown. You moved away from your hometown, fucked some random guy–”

“Rey did what?” Leia stepped into the room. “Good for you, honey. Live wild while you can.”

“Leia!”

“Are you kids ready to go? You all did a great job with the cleanup. The animals in the boarding rooms are fine. Millicent is preggers.”

“Yes, Leia. We were just finishing in here.” Rose smiled. “Thank you for letting me bring her in after hours. I was worried sick.”

“That’s fine. I’m glad it wasn’t anything super serious. But you should consider having Millicent spayed after the kittens are ready to go to new homes.”

“Who said they’ll go to new homes?” Rose beamed. “Maybe I’ll become a crazy cat lady.”

“If anyone is going to be the cat lady, it will be me.” Rey grinned at Rose.

“Not if we get you back on the dating scene!” Finn winked at Rey.

Rey sighed. “I’ll go. I’ll hate it, but I’ll go.”

“What else would you do?” Leia asked.

“I just want to nap. I’m exhausted.” Rey rubbed her face.

“Maybe you should make an appointment with your doctor? You might be anemic,” Leia suggested.

Beaumont Kin, Rey’s date, was an insufferable piece of garbage. She could kill Finn for letting this setup happen. It didn’t matter if he was a replacement for whoever the fuck she was supposed to meet. Finn should have canceled the blind date.

The man was a narcissistic fool who wouldn’t shut up about himself. From his hair gel, awful smelling cologne to his uneven, scruffy beard. Rey has seen dog asses that grew hair better than this douchebag's face. Hell, she’s seen plenty of men who cannot grow out a full beard look a thousand times better than him. It’s like he preferred to look like a porcupine mixed with a bear.

At first, Rey thought Beaumont was just awkward with his "manners." When Poe introduced him to her, Rey offered a polite smile while lightly shaking Beaumont's hand, but then he stepped into her personal bubble with his cloud of cologne and tightened his grip on her hand. As if stepping into her personal space wasn't bad enough, he tried to bring her hand to his lips with the most pathetic "enchantée" Rey had ever heard. She snatched her hand from Beaumont’s with a stiff laugh and looked at Rose for help when Beaumont offered his arm to walk her inside the restaurant. Rose could only stare in disbelief, which made Rey feel like she was the one being difficult. She didn't want to be touched and knew she didn't give this man any signal that she was remotely interested in him or that she wanted physical contact aside from the polite handshake.

"Oh, I'm fine," Rey declined with a nervous smile.

"But I insist," Beaumont quickly replied.

Rey gestured to the restaurant's entrance. "The door is only ten feet away." 

"A lady should always have a man to assist her." Beaumont's tone sounded stern.

"I think I can handle myself."

"I'm very traditional, and I must insist."

Once more, Rose looked at her friend but offered no help, although Finn looked like he was ready to say something. Rey was disappointed her friend didn't cause a scene. She wasn't a damsel in distress but needed someone to tell her this wasn't normal and that she wasn’t being rude.

Without waiting for Rey’s approval, Beaumont linked their arms and began walking into the restaurant. Rey looked over her shoulder and glared at her friends while formulating a plan to fake a sickness and get the hell out of this date. She couldn't become mad at Poe; they barely knew each other. Finn and Rose knew her level of discomfort, but she knew they didn’t want to cause a scene.

Beaumont pulled out a chair next to the wall for Rey to sit instead of letting her pick her seat, essentially trapping her and putting a distance between her and the others.

When Rose's boyfriend showed up, Rey sighed in relief as Beaumont greeted him and started talking about the hospital they worked at. But that conversation was short and Beaumont turned his attention back to Rey.

“Reminding the patients or their families how much they owe can get so annoying.”

“You work in a billing department?” Rey asked while looking for the waiter. A basket of bread would be ideal right about now.

“Yes, at Yaven New Hope–”

“Yaven New Hope? Why does that name sound familiar?” Rey quietly asked, primarily to herself.

“They act like I’m paid to listen to their sob stories of being too poor to pay their bills or that I’m supposed to care and look and see if someone filed the insurance correctly.”

“Yaven New Hope is one of the top-rated hospitals in the country,” Hux answered Rey’s question. 

“Oh, that’s right. Rose mentioned you work in the ER.” Rey was relieved someone interrupted Beaumont’s bellyaching.

“I do. Those of us who work there take pride in our work, well” -Hux side-eyed Beaumont, who was still trying to get Rey to listen to his complaints- “most of us. I can’t speak for everyone.”

“These people just want a free handout: free services, free surgeries, free everything. It’s ridiculous.”

Rey curled her lip. “Is it so ridiculous to double-check to see if someone ran their insurance correctly?” 

“It almost always falls on the patient, and it’s not my job.”

“I think you’re in the wrong occupation,” Rey stated. “The patients or their relatives have a right to ask about the charges. Those surgeries are expensive. Hell, even minor procedures cost an arm and a leg. And you’re acting like they are beneath you?”

"What can I get you all to drink?" The server asked.

Thank God. Rey was ready for a glass of wine.

"Red wine for me, please," Rose smiled at the waiter.

"Beer for me, please," Hux replied.

"Can I have a white wine?" Rey grinned at the waiter.

"A white wine?” Beaumont scoffed. “That won't go well with your dinner."

"I'm having the chicken. It will go just fine," Rey stated more firmly.

"She'll have the apricot wine.” Beaumont closed the menu. “The shrimp salad is a much better choice for you."

"I said I'll have the bloody white wine, a glass of chardonnay,” Rey started to raise her voice. “I’m allergic to apricots and shellfish."

“I have you down for a chardonnay, ma’am,” the waiter cut in.

“Thank you!” Rey smiled at the waiter and continued once he left, “Now there’s a gentleman.”

“I need to powder my nose!” Rose suddenly stood from her chair. “Rey, care to join me?”

“Like you have to ask me twice.” She glared at Beaumont. “If the waiter returns before we’re back, I’ll have the chicken but without garlic because I’m also allergic to garlic.”

“Alright, I got it. You’re allergic to everything,” Beaumont complained.

Once inside the bathroom, Rey let go of a deep, heavy breath.

“Holy shit, Rey, are you okay?” Rose asked, making Rey laugh a cold, disheartened giggle.

“No. My temper is about to explode, and I feel like I’m going to vomit because I’m trying so hard not to cause a scene!” She let out another heavy breath and pinched her eyebrows.

“I’m sorry, Rey. I had no idea who they set you up with.”

“It’s not your fault.” Rey rushed into a stall and promptly vomited into the toilet.

“Oh shit. That asshole got you completely worked up in all the wrong ways.” 

“Beaumont is a fucking moron,” Rey groaned before emptying her stomach again. 

“Well, looks like you found a way out of the date,” Rose offered in hopes of cheering up her friend. “I wanted to say something, but Finn said he was under the impression that Beaumont would only fight back, and Finn didn’t want to make it worse for you.”

“It’s fine. Besides, I want my damn wine, and I want my chicken.” Rey flushed the toilet, walked to the sink to rinse out her mouth then washed her hands. “Beaumont said he's traditional. Then he will pay for my fucking meal.”

“Careful, Rey, he’ll expect you to put out.”

“Oh, but I will.” Rey laughed. “I put my foot where the sun doesn’t shine and make sure he never has a chance to procreate.”

Surprisingly, the food was at the table when Rey and Rose returned. Rey didn’t realize they were gone for so long.

“We were wondering if you two jumped ship,” Beaumont discontentedly stated.

“Everything okay?” Poe politely asked.

Rey rolled her eyes, shoved a roll into her mouth, and began cutting into the chicken breast on her plate while answering Poe’s question with a friendly yet forced grin. Her eyes were pleading for help. Poor Poe was probably trying to deter the table from more drama. 

Once Rey swallowed the bread, she brought the chicken to her mouth and bit it off the fork.

“Not that anyone could blame you if you two had run off. The air is quite stifling,” Hux joked and lightly rubbed Rose’s back.

But Rey didn’t hear Hux’s hidden insult toward Beaumont. She was in such a hurry and didn’t check her food. She assumed the scent of forbidden spice was on another plate. The chef didn’t see the request for omitted garlic, or Beaumont never requested it.

Rey knew Beaumonty neglected to ask for no garlic.

She could feel her tongue swell, and her mouth tingle. Her eyes watered, and her throat began to constrict.

Rey dropped her fork and spat out her food before painfully gasping for air.

“Rey?” Finn and Rose immediately stood.

Everything changed so quickly. Rey couldn’t hear her friends asking her if she was fine. She didn’t see Rose’s worried expression or Hux walking toward her while demanding someone call 911. Rey grabbed her purse and dumped its contents onto the table.

Once more, Rey tried to gasp for air, but this time she couldn’t. She wrapped her shaking fingers around the EpiPen, removed the safety cap and slammed it against her thigh until she heard it click. She became so light-headed while counting to three she barely registered that she was collapsing.

“Oh my god, Rey!” Rose shrieked in horror as Rey fell to the ground.

“Is this how she wants to get out of the date?” Beaumont complained.

“Seriously, our friend is in shock, and that’s what you think?” Poe screamed while he stood.

“Oh man, I should take you outside and beat the fuck out of you,” Finn growled.

“Everyone shut up,” Hux hollered while rolling Rey onto her side. “Hang in there, Rey.” Hux peered at Rose. “Rose, please collect all her belongings and put them back into her bag.”

Everyone sighed with relief when Rey took a small yet painful breath.

Rey didn’t move as the paramedics placed her on the stretcher. She barely registered the people speaking to her. 

It felt like she blinked and was time traveled. One moment she was on the restaurant’s floor, and the next, all she could see was the blinding fluorescent lights as the ER staff rushed her into an examination room.

“Someone page Doctor Solo stat!” Hux commanded as he ran down the hallway.

If anyone could save Rose’s best friend, it would be Ben.

Chapter Text

"Hang in there, Rey."

Rose's voice sounded like an echo as Rey shifted in and out of consciousness. Her body lightly shook; she felt dizzy and could feel perspiration bead against her cold skin.

"You're in the exam room now."

Rose was always so calm. Rey often told her she should have gone to medical school, but Rose insisted she preferred animals to humans. Rey could find no argument with that. Humans only disappoint.

Suddenly, Rey felt the silicon lining of an oxygen mask and air rushing against her mouth and nose. Rey could barely open her eyes and focused on the hiss of the flowing air.

A bright light flashed across her eyes and she thought she heard her name again.

"Can you hear me?"

Another flash of light.

"Ms. Johnson?" 

Rey opened her eyes a little bit more.

"Ms. Johnson, I'm Doctor Connix. Can you hear me?"

"Y-yes." Rey tried to swallow.

"You're at Yavin New Hope. Do you remember what happened?"

Rey didn't feel like responding and closed her eyes. It felt impossible to move her hands or arms, let alone her jaw. She was exhausted.

"How long ago did Ms. Johnson administer the Epinephrine?"

Rey's eyes fluttered at the familiar deep tenor of a man's voice.

"Twenty, maybe twenty-five minutes ago," Rose answered. 

"She could breathe on her own during the ambulance ride but needed oxygen when we arrived," Hux added.

"What caused the reaction?"

"Did she have the apricot wine?" Hux asked Rose.

"She ordered a white wine because she is allergic to apricots. But Beaumont must have forgotten to order her food without garlic unless there was something else in the food she was allergic to."

The deep velvet-like voice began speaking again, ordering something to be administered. A sharp sting in her arm made Rey hold her breath for a few seconds, even after she felt the medical tape fold over the IV in her arm.

"Breathe, Rey," Rose softly reminded her.

"Doctor Connix, after you finish her IV lines–"

"Solo–" Hux interrupted.

"Run a blood test," Ben continued while reading Rey's chart. "Let's make sure there are no underlying concerns," he muttered before leaving the exam room.

As Rey slept on the hospital bed, Rose glared at Hux, who immediately followed his coworker.

"Solo, what the hell was that?" Hux demanded.

"What was what?" Ben sighed and shook his hair out of his eyes. He took slow, deep breaths to calm his alarmed heart. 

"We specifically asked for you, not a resident," Hux continued.

"I'm an attending. It is my job to supervise the residents. Doctor Connix knows what she is doing–" Ben stopped at a desk and looked at another chart.

"Solo" -Hux placed his hand on the desk- "you know your team tonight doesn't need you to babysit them."

"I have other patients–"

Hux rolled his eyes. "It's not even that busy tonight."

"Why is this so important to you?"

"Why are you acting like you have more important things to do? Look" -Hux huffed- "that is Rose's best friend, and if anything happens to her, Rose will be devastated. That and Rey was the girl you were supposed to go out with tonight."

Ben rolled his jaw in annoyance. He exchanged shifts with a coworker because it didn't feel right to go on a blind date. Not while he was so smitten with his one-night stand. But, apparently, Rey had no qualms about moving on so easily. 

With a sigh, Ben silently cursed at himself. The best fuck of his life was months ago. He held on while she let go. 

"And I was easily replaced," Ben finally replied.

"You're the one who took on an extra shift, and she got landed with Beaumont."

"Who?"

"Some douchebag in the billing department."

Ben's upper right lip curled in disgust. He had heard of the douchebag from the billing department. It sickened him that Rey went out on a date with such a sleaze. 

"I'll have Doctor Connix keep me up to date."

Hux observed Ben with a squint of his eyes. "There's something else."

Of fucking course there was something else. 

After months of searching, Ben finally found Kira. Seeing her pale face and trembling body startled him. She was a far cry from the lively woman he had first met. Worry filled his heart seeing her in such a state. Kira looked as though she were knocking on death's door. When he looked at her chart as Hux explained what happened, he discovered Kira's name was Rey, and she had gone into anaphylactic shock while on a date with some other guy. 

"I knew it!" Hux hissed when Ben didn't respond.

"You know nothing."

"Rose said Rey had become obsessed with looking for some guy she had met at a bar. And here you are, constantly going out for evening drinks." Hux placed his hands on his fiery red hair. "I can't believe it took me this long to make the connection!" His eyes grew wide when he grinned. "Yeah, don't think we haven't noticed!"

"I have work to do," Ben robotically replied.

"What kind of name is Kylo?" Hux pressed, but Ben walked away to oversee the next patient.

An hour and a half and several patients later, Kaydel brought Rey's blood test results to Ben.

"How is the patient?" Ben asked before reading the paperwork.

"Ms. Johnson is doing better. I removed the oxygen mask forty minutes ago, and she's getting restless. She even sent her friends out of the room, insisting they eat since she felt like she ruined dinner."

"Her friends are not supposed to be here anyways."

"Doctor Hux was adamant that Ms. Johnson received the best care. I think his girlfriend was the driving force on that."

"Hux should know we give the best care possible, no matter what." Ben sighed.

"I think Ms. Johnson is ready to go home, but I told her we might need to keep her overnight for observation," Kaydel continued.

"I'm not seeing anything for concern–" Ben stopped. It felt as though all the blood left his body.

"Doctor Solo?"

Ben cleared his throat. "I'll go over the results with her."

Nervousness wasn't something Ben experienced often, but tonight was something else. He didn't know what to do or what to say. It's not like he could treat her like any other patient. Yes, they only slept together once, but it was more than just sex. Ben knew he couldn't continue feeling like this.

Suddenly, the paper in his hand felt heavier than his heart on the nights he couldn't find Kira. 

Rey.

Rey Jonhson.

A complete stranger and yet she fucking rocked his world harder than he ever imagined. And old lady Maz insisted Rey was looking for him.

Ben could do this. He could be a professional and go over Rey's results. They needed to talk, but not at the hospital while he was on shift.

Fuck! Their situation, whatever it was, just got a lot more complicated.

With a gentle touch, Ben opened the curtain and stepped into Rey's exam room. Her tired yet beautiful hazel eyes widened when she saw him. Ben swallowed the lump developing in his throat and assessed her appearance.

To his relief, Rey's skin was no longer pale and clammy. Her lips were a light shade of pink and were no longer trembling. Her eyes were coherent yet alarmed, confirming Rey didn't realize he was one of the doctors helping her earlier. But now, she sees him. 

"Ms. Johnson, I'm Doctor Solo. As Doctor Connix and I tended to your care, you slipped in and out of consciousness. You had an allergic reaction to the garlic during your evening dinner and, therefore, nearly stopped breathing–"

"Wait." Rey's timid voice was nearly a whisper.

But Ben continued. He couldn't talk about their night if she truly remembered him. 

"My colleague, Doctor Hux, rolled you on your side after you administered your Epipen. He stated you were able to breathe on your own."

Rey raised a hand. A pathetic plea for him to stop talking. "Stop, please."

Ben held his breath and barely looked up from her charts. "Was I going too fast?"

"Yes." Rey broke eye contact and licked her dry lips in confusion. She gripped the sides of the bed and found his eyes again. "Kylo?"

Ben pursed his lips together in an attempt to stay professional.

"Again, I am Doctor Solo–"

"Oh, so you have a split personality or a twin?" Rey quipped. "Which one is it?"

"Neither." Ben drew a short breath. "I need to go over your blood test results."

Rey felt a cold wave trickle through her body. She was just a one-night stand to him, just as they agreed. She should have known better. 

Rey gave Ben a tight smile. "I'm extremely allergic to garlic, among other things. I was careless and didn't look while cutting the chicken or putting it in my mouth."

Ben narrowed his eyes. "Because you trusted your date to order your food without garlic?"

She didn't miss the way he begrudgingly stated the word date. Maybe he did care.

Probably not. No one ever did.

"I was set up on a blind date." Rey felt more foolish than she did looking for this Doctor Solo at the bars.

"Ms. Johnson, your EpiPen was close to its expiration date. Even if you have an extra on hand, follow up with your primary doctor for a refill." Ben duly stated as he continued to look at her lab work.

But Rey didn't like that the handsome doctor she slept with refused to look at her. He didn't have to act like a cold-hearted asshole.

"Is that all?" She interrupted.

"No," Ben firmly stated and finally looked into her eyes again.

"I feel better, though. It was honestly nothing."

"I wouldn't call the swelling of your throat, tongue, and mouth, difficulty breathing, and passing out nothing."

Rey sighed. "What is it? You're looking at me like you've found something awful." Rey fidgeted with her fingers when his face remained stoic. "Did you find something?"

Ben merely nodded. 

If Rey didn't know any better, the doctor looked sadder than he did while he drank his whiskey at the bar before she walked over to him.

"Is it cancer? Wait– that wouldn't show up on a simple blood test. You would need a more specific test."

"Ms. Johnson, your HCG levels are 180,000." Ben paused. He could tell Rey recognized the term. "You're pregnant."

Rey merely shook her head. 

Ben hated it when people played dumb. Rey was young and attractive. Of course she would have no problem finding dates or other one-night stands. She was so quick to dismiss the lack of condoms. Perhaps he was lucky he didn't get an STD.

Ben felt more foolish about his fruitless search at the bars for her with each passing second.

"I guess you enjoyed the new city more than you realized," Ben coldly muttered before continuing. "Doctor Connix will bring you your discharge paperwork–"

"Excuse me?" Rey lowly growled.

Ben didn't acknowledge his slip-up. "If you need a list of obstetricians–" 

"It sounded like you were implying something." Rey felt her cheeks flush in anger.

With a lift of his eyebrows, Ben droned on "I'm not implying anything."

"Bullshit."

"Doctor Connix will bring you a list if you need any."

"I've not slept around."

Fuck. 

All Ben wanted to do was roll his eyes. 

Her sex life was not his business. 

"I gave no indication-"

"By stating I've enjoyed the city more than I realized, you insinuated I've slept around." Rey couldn't believe he was acting this way. " Doctor Solo, you're the only one–"

Ben took a step forward, determined to keep his private life out of his work life. "Now isn't the time for this conversation, Ms. Johnson."

Rey's jaw trembled. "There hasn't been anyone else."

Oh, if only Ben could believe Rey. He should have had Kaydel deliver the news. Now all he could think about was this beautiful girl before him trying to get her hands on his hard-earned money, just as several others tried before. 

Ben glared down his nose at Rey before turning on his heel. He was letting his emotions and insecurities get the best of him.

"Ms. Johnson, I just said now isn't the time for this conversation. If you have concerns about your health, please let me know."

Rey shook her head. This didn't feel real. Her voice broke as she replied, "I hate how you think you found something awful. What a terrible way to tell a woman she's--It's a terrible way to announce something like this" At the moment, the word pregnant felt impossible to say.

The pregnancy wasn't awful; it was Ben's insecurities and inability to mask his loneliness in his eyes. He had fallen for Rey and barely knew her.

Just as Ben pulled back the curtain, he saw Kaydel with a stack of paperwork. He couldn't let Rey leave like this. Ben needed to know more.

"Give her an ultrasound." Ben tried to sound professional, but he knew he came off harsher than he meant to.

"An ultrasound? Really?" 

"Immediately," Ben hissed through his teeth.

"Oh gosh, is something wrong?" Kaydel quietly asked.

"Doctor Connix," Ben seethed.

"Right away, Doctor Solo," Kaydel hastily replied. 

A few minutes later, Ben stood behind Kaydel in the small exam room with his arms crossed as Kaydel slowly ran the fetal doppler across Rey's lower abdomen. 

Rey clenched her jaw at the feel of the jelly sliding around with the ultrasound wand. Kaydel pressed harder, making Rey think she would piss herself.

"Here we are," Kaydel quietly stated.

Ben leaned forward and studied the screen. He could feel his heart beat faster. His jaw slackened just the slightest before he finally remembered to take a short breath. Child development was not his area of expertise, but judging from the size and estimated gestation age, Ben's jaw dropped when he realized he could be looking at his child. 

"Looks good. Now, go ahead and show the patient."

Confused, Rey looked at Ben and Kaydel. 

"I haven't had a chance to do an ultrasound before," Kaydel explained. "This is the first time–"

"Dr. Connix," Ben simply stated.

"Sorry. I talk too much." Kaydel paused. "I'm doing it again, but look. Here's your baby."

Kaydel turned the monitor so Rey could see it.

"Oh," Rey stated. "At this stage, they almost look the same as puppies or kittens."

"I can assure you, there's a huge difference," Ben replied.

"I am well aware." Rey rolled her eyes and looked at the fetus– no, this was her baby. 

Her baby and Doctor Solo's baby.

What was Doctor Solo's first name? Was it really Kylo, and did he wish for her to address him as Doctor?

Kaydel cleared her throat, clicked a few buttons, placed the ultrasound wand onto its stand, and helped clean some of the gel off Rey's belly. "I'm sorry, some of the gel might have gotten onto the hem of your jeans."

Rey quickly peered out of the corner of her eyes to see the handsome doctor staring at her.

"Here you go." Kaydel handed Rey a small print from the ultrasound. "A little keepsake for you to take home."

Gingerly, Rey took the picture from Kaydel and looked at it.

Ben watched as Rey's fingers trembled while she looked at the picture. He was far too harsh on her. She didn't look like a woman who got pregnant on purpose. Rey only discovered he was a doctor at the end of their intimate evening.

"Dr. Connix, keep her under observation for another half hour and then discharge her," Ben quietly instructed before leaving to finish more paperwork before the end of his shift.

Toward the end of the hour, Hux found Ben as he was gathering his things.

"Hey." Hux nodded.

"Seriously? What the hell are you still doing here?"

"You have a wonderful way with words, Solo." Hux laughed.

Ben straightened his collar and double-checked that he had everything.

"Is Rey alright? She seems shocked. And not related to the anaphylactic shock."

"Ms. Johnson went through a rough ordeal this evening."

"Rose thinks she's hiding something."

"Hux, are you trying to get patient information out of me?"

"No. That's my girlfriend's best friend. I'm not breaking the law by asking if she's okay. Rose will kill me and then you. Ben," Hux dramatically sighed. "Rose can make it look like an accident."

"She's like five foot two."

"The shorter, the deadlier!" Hux jested.

"Ms. Johnson should be fine. Have Rose stay with her if you're concerned."

"I'm not concerned. Rose is."

Ben shrugged. "Same thing."

"Is not."

"You two share one brain cell now."

"Oh, and Rey is already leaving the building." Hux watched as Ben hastily walked away as casually as possible. "I fucking knew it. Simp."

Ben ran after Rey as she stepped outside of the hospital with Rose.

"Rose, I can easily get a cab or an Uber."

"It's not a big deal, Rey. We can drive you home," Rose insisted.

"I already made tonight a huge fiasco."

Rose looked in Ben's direction as he quickly approached him. "No, that jerk face, Beaumont, made the night a fiasco. You just made it more interesting." Rose cleared her throat. "Hot doctor coming your way."

"What?" Rey looked over her shoulder to see Doctor Solo approaching with Hux a few feet behind him. 

Solo's hair moved in waves as he walked. His shirt clung to his pectorals and toned arms. Who gave him the right to look like a sexy doctor from a rom-com?

"Ms. Johnson," Ben softly greeted.

"Doctor Solo," Rey replied and continued walking.

"Can I speak to you?" Ben softly asked.

"I knew it!" Rose squeaked. "I'll meet you by the car."

"I don't know where you parked." 

"Don't worry, we'll find you!" Rose cheered and ran over to Hux. The lovers looked at Ben and Rey with an all-knowing look before they walked to the parking lot.

"You didn't tell them about–"

"The baby?" Ben interrupted. "No. That would violate HIPPA." He nodded toward Hux and Rose. "You didn't tell them?"

"It's a lot to process, so no, I haven't. It still doesn't feel real to me."

"Why didn't you take a Plan B, as we discussed? I told you to come here if your pharmacy was closed. Ours was open that day."

"I forgot about getting a Plan B."

"Obviously, you forgot, but how?"

"I was hungover from drinking far too much, and you know the other thing." 

"The other thing?"

Rey lifted and eyebrow. "Am I allowed to acknowledge the fact that we had sex?"

"I'm not on the clock now."

"I didn't know you told me where you worked." She replied with a slight shake of her head.

Ben's eyebrows dipped as he scowled. "I told you before I left."

"The fireworks were extremely loud. You were in such a hurry" -Rey clenched her fists and held the strap of her purse tighter- "and I thought for sure I would remember."

Ben scratched the back of his neck. "Is there a memory issue I need to know about?"

"You mean like how you forgot how to pull out?" Rey crossed her arms. "This isn't just my fault. I'll take the blame for most of it but not all of it. I don't have a memory problem. Just the move was more mentally exhausting than I realized it would be. I was stupid drunk on New Year's Eve and went to work a few hours after you left."

"I-I'm not trying to blame you," Ben whispered. "Rey, can we go somewhere more private to talk?"

Chapter Text

"Rey, can we go somewhere more private to talk?"

Rey regarded Ben for a moment. His eyes looked as stressed and tired as she felt.

"Not tonight," she replied with a shake of her head.

"Yeah." Ben nodded while holding his breath. "I suppose tonight wouldn't be good–"

"I'm far too exhausted to have any serious discussion."

"Can I give you my number?" He asked. His voice was as soft as velvet.

"I left my purse at the restaurant. I can only hope Finn or Poe grabbed it." She watched as he closed his eyes in defeat and nodded his head. "But I'll give you my number. If my phone is missing, I'm sure you can get ahold of me by contacting your coworker."

"Yeah, he's dating your best friend," Ben replied as he pulled out his cell phone.

Rey gave Ben her phone number and turned to look at the parking lot, only to find Rose happily watching them a few rows down.

It would be impossible to have a decent conversation tonight.

The following morning, Rey was gently petting a young French Bulldog.

"We'll call you when he's ready for pick-up, Mr. Din." Rey smiled reassuringly.

"Thanks, Doctor Johnson." Mr. Din lightly scratched his dog under the chin. "Grogu, you be good for them."

"Grogu is an angel."

"I still feel bad, but sorry, buddy, it's time for you to be deballed." Djarin rolled his jaw. "Sorry, it's just me and Grogu. I'm a bit blunt."

Rey laughed. "That's okay. We hear that sort of thing all the time. Have a good day Mr. Din."

After Mr. Din said goodbye to his young French Bulldog, Rey walked Grogu down another hallway and helped him into a kennel. Just as she finished closing the kennel door, Leia walked in.

"Rey."

Rey recognized that tone. Leia was worried and was about to pry into her life.

"Shouldn't you have taken the day off?" Leia continued.

"I'm fine," Rey's voice lightly vibrated. Her throat was still itchy and her body felt strange from the night before.

"Are you sure?" Leia frowned and tilted her head in concern. "Someone in your condition–"

"Condition?" Rey held her breath.

"Rose said it was a terrible allergic reaction. One of your worst so far, according to Finn."

"Oh, yeah, the thing that happened last night." Rey lightly laughed before clearing her irritated throat. "Believe it or not, the reaction was better and more comforting than the pathetic blind date I didn't want to go on."

"Then why did you agree to it?" Leia asked curiously. 

"Because she wouldn't stop obsessing about the guy who nearly broke the bed while railing her." Rose poked her head into the room. "So I did what any good best friend would do and forced her on this date."

"Rose Tico, I swear–" Rey pursed her lips. She wasn't in the mood to joke about her love life.

Rose wiggled her eyebrows. "You swear you would be bored without me? Yes, you would." She giggled before walking away to get her next patient.

"Nearly broke the bed? I would obsess over a man like that too." Leia laughed.

"The mysterious man has absolutely spellbound Rey," Finn said while walking in with a large smirk. "Here's your purse, peanut."

"Thank you, Finn," Rey quietly replied and accepted her purse from Finn.

Leia looked at Rey again. "Honey, find the one who nearly railed you into oblivion." She gave Rey a kind smile. "You know, you can tell your friends no to future blind dates. For example, my son was supposed to go on a blind date recently. He said he would rather run into oncoming traffic."

Rey softly laughed and unzipped her purse. "I like the way your son thinks."

"I'm glad you're okay." Finn softly smiled. "That scared the hell out of me and Poe. I'm so sorry for the whole evening."

"It's fine, really. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself. I always have." 

Rey rummaged through her purse until she found her phone. A nervous excitement washed over her body when she saw a new message.

"Can we meet after my shift tonight? My hours changed. I can meet you at Takodana Cafe at 6:00 if you're available."

Rey nervously licked her lips to refrain from smiling.

It's not a date. 

That's what Rey had to remind herself. 

It's just a meeting to discuss that wild night and the pregnancy.

Rey wouldn't force Doctor Solo to be a part of this. But she wanted to know more about him and any medical issues his family may have. 

She looked up when she felt someone watching her and saw Leia's chocolate eyes looking at her.

"I know that look." Leia smirked.

Rey tried not to smile and shook her head. "It's nothing."

"Is it the boob guy?" Finn asked with a sly grin.

"Why is everyone so curious about my sex life?" Rey nervously laughed. 

"Rey, you could have died last night. I say live your life to the fullest." Leia winked. "Why don't you take the rest of the afternoon off? You're still pale despite blushing. You know, you have sick pay for a reason." 

"I know, but I like to keep busy," Rey replied while trying to think of what to write in her text to Doctor Solo.

"Make sure you take care of yourself. Work isn't everything. I recommend you take the rest of the afternoon off." Leia's playful tone was gone. She sounded concerned.

Leia was always so warm and kind with her and the other vet techs. Rey wondered if that was how most mothers sounded.

Would she sound like Leia?

Rey's heart suddenly felt heavier.

Would she be good enough for her baby?

Or would it be better if she gave the baby up for adoption? It was at least a step up from her parents.

The air felt thick and hard to breathe, thanks to her intrusive thoughts.

"Rey?"

Rey sucked a short breath. "You're right. I need to take the afternoon off." She quickly nodded. "I'll finish with Grogu's file before I sign out." 

"Make sure you relax this evening. We'll see you tomorrow." Leia looked at Finn. "Finn, could you help me with my 4:00? It's a Doberman named Maul. Gorgeous dog, just a lot of energy."

"I sure can," Finn replied with a nod.

When Finn and Leia finally left the room, Rey took several deep breaths to calm herself. 

A baby. 

She was going to have a baby. 

Rey shook her head as reality hit her at the worst moment.

What if she couldn't do it? What if she was worse than her biological parents? Not that she knew anything about them. What if her baby hated her? 

Everyone leaves.

But children are supposed to leave their parents when the time is right. A parent's goal was to raise them into good humans and prepare them for life.

Rey had to believe she could do it.

She began typing her response. She bit her lip when she wrote her reply and erased it several times.

"6:00 sounds good." 

The response was short, but maybe she should have apologized for the delayed message. But explaining her phone was in her purse and with Finn, another man Doctor Solo did not know, would be too much? Rey shook her head after a minute, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and held it. For some reason, her hands felt weak and her skin felt clammy. 

She wasn't having an allergic reaction to anything; she was stressing herself out.

Rey finally pressed the send button and slowly sighed.

Why was this, whatever it was, so fucking complicated?

A few blocks away, at Yavin New Hope, Ben felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. 

"The sutures will dissolve over the next couple of weeks. You can keep the wound clean with mild soap and water, but please don't hesitate to contact your doctor at any signs of infections," Ben explained to his patient. "Or come here if you don't have a primary physician."

"How much is this going to cost me?" The patient groggily asked. "I don't have the most handsome face, but I imagine trying to save this old mug–"

"I'm afraid I don't have your insurance information. I can have someone come in and talk to you." Ben gently tied the end of a suture. "And this old mug you're talking about looks great. You don't look a day over 30." He grinned and handed his patient a small mirror. "If it feels warm to the touch, starts to swell, or oozes, you must have it checked out as soon as possible. You'll need antibiotics."

"What happens if it becomes infected and I don't return for treatment?"

Ben softly smiled at his patient. "I understand you're concerned about the costs, but if it becomes infected and is left untreated, you risk a greater infection called sepsis. Should you go into septic shock, your body will shut down, and you could die. But, I assure you, that is the worst-case scenario."

"I'll be back the moment it oozes." The man chuckled. He held the mirror and looked at the lacerations on his forehead. "Will I have scars?"

"Mr. Fett, I'm afraid with lacerations of this magnitude, there is a great chance they will scar." Ben nodded.

"Have no fear, Doctor" –Mr. Fett looked at Ben's ID– "Solo. The scar will add character." He lightly laughed again.

"There's the spirit, Mr. Fett." Ben lightly laughed and removed his latex gloves. "Do you have any other questions or concerns for me?"

"Nope. Just needed my forehead stitched back together."

"Alright then. I'll come back to check on you in a little bit and reassess you to see if you need to rest more or if you're ready for discharge."

"Sounds good, Doc."

Ben nodded and exited the room. He walked over to the nurses station and ran a hand through his thick hair.

"Nurse Shand, could you monitor Mr. Fett over the next hour? He's showing signs of improvement, but I want to be informed of any declines in his vitals while I move on to my next patients."

"Yes, Doctor Solo. But did you doubt my ability to watch over him?"

"I would never doubt you." Ben smirked. Fennec Shand was among the top nurses at their ER. 

After he left the nurse's station, Ben walked into a small break room. The phone in his pocket felt like it would weigh him down until he read the message. 

Ben hoped it was from Rey, but he couldn't blame her if she needed more time to process the news.

With a deep breath, Ben reached into his pocket, wrapped his fingers around the phone, and pulled it out. He exhaled and looked at the notifications and frowned.

"Hello, dear, your father and I miss you. You need to come over for dinner one night."

He swiped the message from his mother without reading the rest of it.

"Solo, how long have you and Rose's, and I quote, 'BFF' been together?"

Ben rolled his eyes and moved on to the next.

"6:00 sounds good."

It felt like his heart was beating harder than ever as he reread Rey's text. He didn't expect to feel disappointed by the short response. Ben didn't know what he had hoped for. He did not expect an excited reply. He did expect her to insult him, like call him an asshole, but she was more than likely saving that for in person. Besides, a small response was better than no response. Ben pursed his lips and typed out his reply.

"Thank you."

Ben didn't know why he said thank you, but he wanted to say something to her. He needed that connection more than ever despite the fact he probably fucked everything up because of his mouth. 

A cold chill rippled down Ben's back when he thought about seeing Rey on the stretcher and how blue her swollen lips looked when he and his staff moved her onto the exam bed. The "patient" was the girl he had thought about. She was the one he searched for. Rey looked like she had knocked on death's door, and he couldn't react. Ben didn't breathe until he heard Hux explain that Rey had an allergic reaction and already administered her Epipen. He was lucky no one realized he was lost in a train of thought as he looked at Rey before he began to assess her health.

With a heavy sigh, Ben pocketed his phone and returned to work. 

The few hours remaining of his shift would feel like an eternity.

Rey politely smiled as she walked through the crowded sidewalks of Merrin Street. She clutched the strap of her watermelon purse and took a deep breath.

"I can do this." Rey blew the air out of her mouth. "I can do this and not think of Doctor Sexy's big dick or call him an asshole." She wouldn't promise herself she wouldn't curse Doctor Solo out. 

Once inside, she walked to the hostess.

"Welcome to Takodana Cafe. How many are in your party?"

"Two. I think." Rey looked around.

"Was there a reservation?"

"I'm not sure," Rey meekly replied. "He asked me to meet him here at 6:00."

"Really tall brooding guy? Dark hair?" The hostess asked.

"Yes!"

"Right this way." The hostess smiled and led the way. "Is this a first date? He seemed nervous."

"Um–"

"Ah, Tinder, I got it." The hostess winked and stopped at a door that led to one of the outdoor seating areas. "If he or anyone else gives you trouble, just let me know."

"Does he come here that often?"

"That guy? No. I'm sorry, I assumed you're on a Tinder date because you're too nervous for this to be a normal date. But we have Tinder couples here and had to escort a few guys out."

"I love that you do that." Rey grinned. "Look out for other people. It's rare."

"It's a big city. Who else will if we don't look out for one another?" The hostess opened the door and waited for Rey to step through.

Ben nearly dropped his glass of water when he saw Rey. He immediately stood up and waited for her to walk over.

"Alright, I'll let your server know that both of you are here," the hostess said before leaving.

"Hi," Ben casually greeted.

"Hi," Rey replied, sitting on the chair opposite him.

"I, um" –Ben fought the urge to scratch the back of his neck– "didn't know what to order for you, so I just ordered us water. You know, in case you were thirsty."

God, he sounded like an idiot.

"It is warm today." Rey nodded in agreement and ripped the plastic around her straw.

"Yeah. It feels like we might skip Spring altogether."

"Yeah."

Ben waited for Rey to sip her water before he took another sip of his. He hadn't felt this nervous since New Year's Day. The day he went back to her hotel room. 

"Y-you look great, by the way." Ben sucked a short breath through his teeth when Rey looked at him.

"Oh, thank–"

"Your complexion looks good, and you're face and neck aren't swollen," he continued like the doctor he was.

"Thank you," Rey stated more firmly. She watched his eyebrows dip like he was chastizing himself.

"I mean, you look gorgeous as well. Sorry, I uh, shit." He sighed. "Rey, you look beautiful, and I'm relieved you are feeling better."

"Don't tell me you're worried," Rey said dryly. She kind of enjoyed watching the man squirm. "You weren't at a loss for words last night."

Ben lightly winced. "I know."

"What is your name?"

Ben blinked in surprise. "My name?"

"There's no way it's Kylo. And because you are not my doctor here, I will not address you as Doctor Solo. Even if you were my doctor, you're off the clock."

The fire in Rey's eyes and voice made his cock half-hard. But now wasn't the time for his brain to go to the gutter.

"My name is Benjamin Solo." He rolled his jaw out of habit. "Ben for short."

They regarded one another for a moment before Rey took another sip of water and glanced at the menu.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Talk about what exactly?" Rey looked up from the menu. "That night? Your bedside manners? Or the baby?"

"We can talk about all three if you want." Ben watched a droplet of condensation drip down the side of his glass. "That's what we're here for." He looked at Rey and lifted an eyebrow. "Right?"

"Mhmm," Rey hummed. Her large hazel eyes locked on his. 

For a moment, Ben and Rey thought a spark coursed through their bodies, and they broke eye contact.

Ben watched as the breeze sifted through Rey's brunette hair. Her sunkissed skin was just as beautiful as he remembered it. She was wearing a simple grey shirt and blue jeans, and in Ben's eyes, she looked like a model or a walking goddess. 

A goddess he would never be able to touch again.

After a long silence, Rey decided to start another conversation after they had ordered their meals.

"How was your shift?" Rey tried to keep her voice soft. She didn't want him to know how anxious she was.

"Not as busy as it usually is," he answered.

"Uh oh."

Ben smirked. "So you know the curse?"

"Slow day means a busy evening or the following day. Good luck tomorrow."

"So, what else are you allergic to?"

"Did anything interesting happen during your shift?" They asked simultaneously.

Rey raised her eyebrows and nodded at Ben to answer when their food arrived moments later.

"Oh, uh, I had to stitch a guy's forehead back together. But I don't want to ruin your appetite."

"The only thing that ruins my appetite is nausea." Rey looked at her wrap, opened it, and sifted through the lettuce, bacon, hardboiled eggs, avocado, tomatoes, and cheese for any bits of garlic, even onions, to play it safe.

"Nausea?" Ben nervously swallowed when Rey's eyes looked at him before she examined her food again. "Oh, you're already dealing with symptoms?"

"Yep. I didn't realize the moments of nausea were what they were until last night."

"Do you want me to cut a piece off your wrap and taste-test it for garlic seasoning? But more importantly, are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Rey rerolled the wrap. "I'm just overly cautious after a reaction."

Ben nodded his head. "That's a good thing, but it must get tiresome."

"It could get old, and it's moments like that where I am careless and make other stupid mistakes."

"What other symptoms are you having?"

"I'm starving." Rey took a large bite of her delicious wrap. 

Ben sighed and began to eat his large turkey BLT.

"Cafes get away with murder," Rey casually stated.

"How so?" Ben asked with his hand in front of his mouth while he continued to chew a large bite.

"They create fancy sandwiches and overcharge the shit out of you."

"But the bread is really fucking good."

Rey sipped her tea at the word 'fucking.' Her mind immediately slipped back to how the man purred and growled the word while he railed her.

Now wasn't the time to think about her favorite curse word and her favorite night of fucking.

Rey placed her cup on the table and took an unnecessarily large bite of her wrap. Chunks of tomato and avocado squeezed out and fell on her plate.

That's one way to take her mind away from sex, reminding everyone how sloppy she is.

"Does your family have any medical conditions I should know about?" Rey asked in between bites.

Ben's face turned serious. "That's where you want to start this conversation?"

"As far as I'm concerned, it's the most important." Rey pulled a small notebook and a pen out of her purse.

Ben pressed his lips in a firm line. "My father had a heart attack, as did my maternal grandfather."

"I'm so sorry," Rey said as she quickly jotted the information down. 

"My mother had gestational diabetes while pregnant with me," Ben continued before shoving a fry into his mouth.

"Did she have it during any other pregnancy?" Rey said while looking at her pen and paper. "And did it turn into Type 2?"

"I'm the only child. And no. The diabetes went away after I was born."

"And you?"

"Me?"

She grew more agitated by how calm he was.

"Well, are you diabetic?" Rey looked at him after inhaling the last of her wrap. "Do you have any health problems aside from missing a filter?"

"Ah." Ben coldly smiled. "There it is."

Rey slammed her pen down. "Yeah, there it is," she seethed.

"By all means, proceed." He waved his hand across the table.

"I honestly thought I would come here and talk about stupid shit just to keep that night off my mind–"

"Which night?"

"But no, I'm having trouble because your stupidly handsome face keeps looking at me."

Ben lifted an eyebrow. "Which night?"

"After you had the audacity to tell me that I enjoyed the city more than I realized, you dare to sit here as if nothing happened! Like you weren't acting like a complete dick to me last night! You stood there and pretended you didn't know me."

"Rey, I couldn't acknowledge we had sex. I was trying to remain professional–"

"Professional?? Your hospital bedside manner fucking sucks."

"What was I supposed to do, Rey?" His upper lip curled in aggravation. "So which night? Go on, say it. Which night are you trying to–"

"Meeting you after I came out of my anaphylactic shock made me wish I could forget the night we first met." 

Rey watched Ben's Adam's apple bob after they both sucked in a short breath, and he swallowed. She hurt him. She went too far.

Rey reached for her wallet and pulled out some cash. "Let me tell you something, Doctor Solo. I did enjoy the city but in more ways than–"

"Rey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that," Ben began to plead.

"But you did," Rey's voice cracked. She was about to cry in front of him. "I thought you were different. I thought– never mind, it doesn't matter what I thought." She tossed the money onto the table.

Ben stood as Rey did.

"Rey, seeing you on that stretcher as the medics rushed you in–"

"I have to go." Rey grabbed her purse and walked away. "I thought I was ready for this conversation, but I'm not."

5/18/2023

Here is the video that inspired this fic's Grogu.

Chapter Text

Ben watched Rey storm away like a hot yet cute feral gremlin. And once again, he was oddly turned on by how fierce she became. He knew he deserved more of a verbal assault than the one she gave him.

No. It wasn’t odd. Ben loved it when women stood up for themselves. He was a fucking dick for what he said, and he almost thanked Rey for calling him out on it.

The only thing odd about his arousal was that it only grew worse watching her scarf down her wrap. While he was trying to focus on a conversation, Ben couldn’t help but wonder what her pert lips would feel like around his cock. 

With a quiet sigh, Ben grabbed his wallet and pulled out cash to cover his part of the tab. 

They probably overpaid. Who cares. 

Ben needed to focus on how to fix whatever was happening between him and Rey. She was pregnant with his child. He needed her to realize that he was in this with her, that she wasn’t alone. He would provide for her even if they never became a couple because they would always be their upcoming little one’s parents.

When he left the cafe, Ben looked up and down the sidewalks to see if he could catch one last glimpse of the woman he was spellbound by, but she was gone. He shoved his hands in his pockets and walked further down the street to Maz’s Tavern.

“Ben Solo!” Maz exclaimed with a shake of her head. “You still cannot find her?”

“I found her, Maz.” Ben slumped in a chair.

“So why are you sad? Was there someone else?” Maz pretended to wipe the clean counter.

“No.”

“Then what happened? You looked like an abandoned puppy.”

His hair fell in front of his face when he simply shrugged. “I did what I always do.”

“Kiddo, you have to be more specific. I just know you are a lovestruck young man.”

“I wouldn’t call it lovestruck.” Ben sighed. “I just fuck everything up. It’s what I do best.”

“Bah,” Maz tsked and slid a shot glass closer to him. “I’d say you’re better at sulking at this point.” She smirked when Ben glowered. “You’re a doctor. You fix people, right? You help them.”

“Not all the time.”

“Well, you can’t save everyone. When it's someone’s time to go, no one has a say in that,” Maz continued and poured a shot. “Now, how did you find her, and what made you think you fucked everything up?”

“Rey was rushed into the ER I work at. She looked awful. Without her quick response, Rey could have died.”

“But you saved her!”

“Rey saved herself with her Epipen. I just helped with the rest like I’m supposed to. This is the real world. I couldn’t pretend to be her odd-looking prince rescuing her.” Ben placed his large fingers around the small shot glass. “By the end of the evening, through routine blood work, I discovered she was pregnant.”

“She didn’t tell you when you met?”

“She wasn’t pregnant then.”

“Oh.” Maz raised her eyebrows. “That’s right, you two met on New Year's, and she was drunk as a skunk.”

Rey was a beautiful light in the dimly lit bar that night. Her smile was unlike any other, and her presence made Ben want to wrap his arms around her and hold her forever. She made him feel seen and like he mattered.

“I let my insecurity and anger get the better of me and told her she must have had a very good time in the new city.”

“OH.” Maz’s eyebrows furrowed and her jaw dropped from shock.

“I then realized the baby’s measurements on the ultrasound line up to when we hooked up.”

“Oh shit.” She shook her head and lightly tsked.

“Yeah.” Ben brought the glass to his lips and quickly swallowed the liquid before looking at the wooden counter.

“This one is on the house.” Maz poured another shot.

“Thanks.” Ben almost smirked because only a fool would react as he did.

“So, what are you going to do?”

“We tried to talk. Rey chewed me out and left, and I can’t blame her. She wasn’t ready for the conversation.”

“What?” Maz lightly laughed. “Is she going to wait for the baby to arrive?”

“Well, we just found out like two days ago.”

“Ah, I see.” Maz placed her hands on her hips. “Neither of you have had a chance to actually process this news.”

“Nope.”

“Well, how do you feel in all of this?”

“I wish I could say I was shocked, but” –Ben merely shrugged– “I don’t know. I just need to fix this.”

He had to keep believing what he felt that night was real.

“There is nothing to fix.” Maz shook her head and sympathetically smiled when Ben looked at her. “Fate has something lined up for both of you. You two will find a way to communicate outside of the bedroom.”

Days passed by, but not without communication. Ben and Rey would randomly text one another, asking how the other was doing. Ben’s shifts grew busy, but knowing a message from Rey was waiting for him helped soothe the dreadful feeling in his mind and heart. Rey was also occupied with all of her patients, big and small. When she saw she had a message from Ben, it was like someone draped a warm blanket over her. Although Rey had her friends, she couldn’t bring herself to tell them the news, not yet. Knowing she had this big secret with Ben and the fact that he was checking on her made her feel like maybe he did care like he was interested in their child.

Maybe they could work out an agreement on co-parenting?

“You know, he’s not that bad, Rey,” Rose stated one afternoon while helping Rey hold a Boxer still while she vaccinated it. “Ben works a high-stress job. And if Armie is right about him going back to the bar you two met, he must feel something for you.”

“Maybe,” Rey softly replied before injecting the vaccine. The dog yelped, and Rey sympathetically frowned at it. “I know, buddy, I know. That wasn’t fun.”

“What exactly did he say to you to make you so–”

“Rose, I don’t want to talk about it right now.” Rey sighed and realized she somewhat understood why Ben didn’t acknowledge their sexual encounter at the ER. 

It was just a wild night that resulted in the best sex in her life, and by his sounds, Ben obviously enjoyed fucking her to the point he had trouble pulling out.

Rey smirked at the fact her pussy was the reason why Ben’s pull-out game was weak. 

“Rey?” 

“Huh?” Rey blinked and stopped smiling.

“I was going to ask if you were okay, but your Cheshire grin says you’re fine.” Rose beamed.

“Yeah. I just have a lot on my mind, that's all.” She gently pat the Boxer. “You’re such a brave cutie! Right, Rose?”

“He sure is.” Rose scratched the dog’s ear.

Finn approached the girls. “Rey, you have another appointment.”

“Oh?” Rey looked at the clock. “I’m surprised we had room for an appointment this late.”

“Yeah, it was last minute.” 

“Is it sick or injured? How bad is it?”

“Don’t worry, Peanut. It’s just a routine exam.” 

“Finn, can you hand me a treat for Yoda?”

“I love that name.” Finn laughed and reached into a nearby jar and pulled a treat out. “Yoda must have been a good boy.” 

“He was!”

“Someone scheduled a last-minute routine exam?” Rey smirked in disbelief. “That’s so weird. Let me guess. It’s one of those super-rich clients, like Leia’s friends, who think they own the place?”

“Good guess, but no. Well, maybe? I don’t know. But the dog.” Finn grinned before adding, “I think you’ll like him.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s one of your favorite breeds.”

Rey’s jaw dropped. “A Goldendoodle?” She cleared her throat when Finn gave her an all-knowing smile. “I love all kinds of dogs.” She gave Yoda one last pat. “Alright, Rose, he’s good to return to his owners.” She looked at Finn, “Which room?”

“Room Eight.”

“Hey, Rey, we’re going out for drinks. Do you want to join?” Rose asked as she walked Yoda down to another door. “I promise, there isn’t a blind date in this.”

“No thanks.” Rey politely smiled. “I’m a little tired. Maybe another time?” 

More like years from now. 

Rey couldn’t see herself going out for drinks any time soon or ever again.

She looked at her phone as she walked toward room eight and frowned when she saw no new messages from Ben. 

Oh well. It was silly to wish for text, knowing how busy Ben’s job could be.

Rey saw the room’s chart and picked it up. she felt like time had stopped when she read there was a Goldendoodle named Kylo behind the door. Her cheeks twitched as she tried to stop herself from sadly smiling at the coincidence. Maybe she should pull the pretend Band-Aid off and call Ben tonight. It was time to get these complex discussions over with to see what the next step should be.

With a deep breath, Rey knocked on the door before opening it and entering the room.

“I’m sorry about your wait,” Rey stated while looking at the paperwork in her hand and shutting the door. “Things can get a little busy at the end of the day. It looks like you just adopted Kylo from the shelter.” Rey looked across the small room. She quickly scanned the adorable dog with chestnut fur, but her eyes locked on the man behind Kylo. Her breath hitched when she saw that glorious thick obsidian hair she longed to feel again. “Ben?”

The way his soft eyes never left hers made her knees nearly buckle like she was in a lame rom-com movie.

“Hi,” he quietly greeted.

Rey typed her password into the small laptop near the exam table. 

“I’m afraid Kylo doesn’t have a file yet, but you already knew that… you just adopted him." Rey's eyes widened in fear. "Oh, God.”

“What?” Ben’s eyebrows creased in confusion.

Rey turned back to him. “You’re not about to do something insane like propose to me? Are you?”

“Hmm, we’ve wined, we’ve dined, but we have not sixty-nined. So no. No marriage proposals here.”

Rey stood flabbergasted at his humor, something she was convinced he didn’t have. Her cheeks instantly flushed at the thought of going down on him while he–

“Okay,” she breathed.

“I’m sorry if that was too bold, but it looked like you were about to panic.”

“No.” Rey gave Ben a small smile, not ready to admit she was panicking. “It just threw me off. You just seem so serious.”

“I’m uptight,” Ben admitted. “As a doctor, I should perform well under pressure, but when I saw you on that stretcher looking nearly lifeless, Rey” – Ben pursed his lips– “this is where I will sound crazy. Rey, I was scared. I don’t know you. I don’t know anything about you aside from those wonderful hours we had at the bar and in your hotel room.” 

Rey let Kylo sniff her hand before she started to pet the dog while listening to Ben.

“In our short time together, you did something to me. Up until then, I was a dead man walking. I worked, slept, ate, and worked again. You know, wash, rinse, and repeat. I wasn't living, but I was sort of okay with it. That is until I met you."

Rey took a short breath through her nose. She could feel her heart beating harder as the man across from her confessed everything to her.

"Something about you made me realize I'm not okay. You gave me a spark of hope." Ben paused and rolled his lips. "I promise I'm not psychotic... of course, a psychotic person would say something like that."

Rey almost bit her lip while examining Kylo's eyes and ears.

"I've known some psychotic people, Ben, and I don't think you fit the bill." 

Ben nervously swept his hair out of his face.

"Well, let's see if you still think that after I say something else."

Rey fidgeted with her stethoscope. "You said you weren't proposing."

Ben smirked. "I'm not proposing marriage, but I would like to propose we continue to try to work things out and get to know one another."

"One second, please." Rey listened to Kylo's heart. She kept her eyes locked on Ben's while she examined his dog. It was cute seeing the worry in his eyes. He was nervous about something. "Kylo's lungs and heart sound perfect." She pulled the earpieces out and pocketed the stethoscope. "You can continue."

"Rey, I would love to be there for you and our baby. If we discover that night was just something magical and we don't get along, I still want to be a part of our child's life. I don't want you to go through this alone."

She sighed and tilted her head. "I don't want you stuck in the picture because you feel obligated."

"Our baby is not an obligation.” Ben paused momentarily when he saw the beginnings of a smile that quickly faded. He could tell Rey had her guard up. “I'll never be able to take back what I said. But seeing our child on the ultrasound, that spark of hope you ignited only grew."

They heard Finn and Rose talking nearby, reminding them anyone could hear them.

Ben leaned closer. "Even if we find out we're better off as friends, I'll always be there for you and our child. But it's all up to you. I don’t want to impose, but I would love a chance to be part of this wonderful journey with you. We just need to restart our beginning, so to speak."

"So you're proposing we start dating?"

"We can jump into a relationship, or we can continue talking. I just needed to let you know where I stand. And look! Kylo and our baby can grow together!” Ben looked so nervous while he smiled. It was like his life was on the line. “I'm actually excited about this, but I'll understand if you–"

"I hope you realize I'm not putting out.” Rey raised her eyebrows with a half-smile. “That's strictly for, well, I would say good relationships, but I've never had one, and you're my only one-night stand. So, I have no grounds to stand on. And now I'm rambling." Rey smiled as she tried not to laugh. The burning desire in Ben Solo's eyes made her squeeze her legs together. "I mean it."

"You mean what?" Ben’s eyes flicked to her lips.

He had to be playing with her.

"I'm not putting out that easily… again."

He gave her a toothy smile. "Excellent, because I happen to like a good chase."

They heard Leia talking and broke eye contact.

"I need to bring Kylo back for a few tests and his vaccines," Rey quietly stated.

"Of course. Um, could you do me a favor?"

"Hm?"

"Please don't let Rose or anyone know I'm here," he whispered even quieter.

"I wasn't going to. I'm surprised Finn didn't recognize you."

"I hadn't met him until today." 

"We don't need everyone in our business until we know our plan," Rey continued.

"That was exactly my thought. Yes. Thank you. I feel a little stressed about it. I can only imagine how you feel." Ben nodded in the direction the voices were in. “He seems like a good guy.”

“How can you tell?”

“Sometimes people are easy to read. Finn beams nothing but positive energy, but I’ll take a guess he’s defensive of his friends.”

“Oh, you’re good.”

Ben softly laughed. “Go ahead and do whatever you need to do. I’ll wait here.”

“I’ll be right back. Maybe we can talk after I finish my day here?”

“I would love that very much.” 

Rey picked up Kylo, looked into his chocolate brown eyes, and then at Ben with an all-knowing Cheshire grin. “I knew you were a Galaxy Wars fan.”

“Did you?” He returned her smile. “Good girl.”

Fucker.

Rey said she wouldn’t put out, but he went straight to her cunt with that.

Heat flooded her cheeks and pussy. Rey just knew her panties were soaked, all thanks to ‘ good girl’ and his sexy smug smile and super sexy biceps as he crossed his arms over his chest. 

She quickly exited the exam room to finish her job with Kylo.

“What did I say, Peanut? I said you would love him!” Finn let Kylo sniff him. “Whose a good boy? Kylo is! He is the bestest boy!” Finn cooed. “And one of Rey’s favorite breeds.”

“I wish people wouldn’t buy from private sellers.” Leia tsked and gently petted the dog.

“He was adopted from the county shelter.”

“Oh, well, never mind then.” The twinkle in Leia’s eyes returned. “What a cutie. My son would have loved to have him.” She softly smiled. “Alright, let's finish up. I’m ready to go home. My husband said he prepared dinner for me.”

“That’s so sweet,” Rose cooed.

“It is. He used to not do such things for me, but after his heart attack years ago-” Leia’s smile turned sad. “Anyways, as I said, let's finish.”

Leia didn’t have to tell Rey twice. She was ready for her work day to be over with. So many questions lingered with Ben.

Her cheeks were no longer flushed when she returned to exam room eight, but damn, her cunt throbbed as soon as she saw Ben sitting in a small chair, one ankle crossed over his knee, his arms resting on the back, like a whore. 

“Kylo looks healthy as can be,” Rey softly stated and ignored the handsome man. “He’s a lucky find at the shelter, huh?”

“Yeah. I didn’t know what I was doing or looking for. Hux suggested I needed a pet to occupy myself with.”

Pet.

Ben Solo knew what he was doing.

Rey signed a few things and began typing on the laptop.

“They said he was running around with a few other dogs, but after multiple tries, the owners were never found and–”

“He’s not microchipped, and neither were the others?”

“Yeah. So, if we could schedule that.”

“Did you want him neutered?”

“It’s the responsible thing, right?” He said with a wink.

“Are you sure you don’t have a split personality?”

“What?” Ben nervously chuckled.

“You were so stern at the ER and then at dinner the other night, I don’t know what to think of that. You seemed like such a dick, but today you’re–”

“I assure you, I only have one personality. I’m just no longer nervous. It was time to rip off the metaphorical bandaid.”

“I thought the same thing.”

“Well, we have to wait a few more days before we can take Kylo to the dog park, but maybe we could take him for a walk around my neighborhood? And we can start with the heavier stuff and what makes us who we are, or start small.”

“Might as well start with the heavy stuff. But Kylo shouldn’t be in public yet. It’s a little different with animals than humans. But we do need to discuss your spontaneous adoption. How will that work out?"

“Very true.” Ben finally stood from his chair. “Have dinner with me?”

Rey’s stomach growled in agreement: the traitor.

“I can cook something simple, or we can order takeout.”

“Where?”

“My house.”

He sounded so confident.

Rey narrowed her eyes and grinned. “I told you–”

“I didn’t say you need to sleep with me, sweetheart.” Ben dared to give her a dashing smile.

They heard Rose giggle somewhere in the building.

“I can’t have them listening and finding out right now.” Rey said in a hushed tone. “What time?”

Chapter Text

Rey wasn't sure what she expected when Ben picked her up from her apartment. The fact of the matter was, she wasn't sure why she agreed to have dinner at his place. They could have just stayed in her home for dinner.

Was she thinking with her brain, heart, or vagina? 

The world may never know.

All Rey knew was that she could barely hear the radio over the sound of her heart drumming in her ears while she gently petted a very relaxed Kylo as the dog sat in front of her seat with his head in her lap.

Having Kylo in Ben's expensive-looking car helped break the wall of ice that was Rey's nerves. She felt fine after their conversation at her office but panic-stricken as soon as she returned home. 

Panic-stricken and hungry while feeling nauseated. 

Rey looked into Kylo's big, brown eyes and took a deep breath.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Rey blinked her eyes and thickly swallowed. 

"Should I pull over? You look a little pale."

"No! Um–" Rey took a shallow breath as perspiration beaded across her forehead and grimaced as her breasts dully ached. She noticed it wasn't happening as frequently, thank goodness, but she wished it would end already. "Could you distract me?"

"Distract?"

"Yeah, uh, tell me more about yourself."

"What would you like to know?"

"Anything? How old are you? Who are your parents? Did you really go back to the ER drunk as fuck that night?"

Ben laughed and shook his head. "No, I didn't drink as much as you."

"I swear I saw you–"

"Oh, I had a few shots and whatnot. But, I have a fast metabolism and, well, after our" –Ben playfully cleared his throat– "vigorous exercise, I fell asleep next to you. I was a little groggy when my pager went off, but the adrenaline of my job– I don't know, it just does something to me. It wakes me up." Ben lightly shrugged and tapped his fingers against the leather steering wheel. "I never know what to expect."

"So" -Rey glanced over at Ben and admired his side profile- "you were okay to work on patients?"

"Yes." His playful tone turned somewhat serious. "Doctor Amilyn Holdo ensured each doctor who responded to the page was ready to attend to our patients. "Do no harm." That is an oath we take seriously. Believe me when I say Doctor Holdo would have turned my ass away to sleep it off in my car or an on-call room."

"Has she had to do it before?"

"With me? No. With other doctors, yes, on super rare occasions. It's usually one of the newer ones, the interns that think the rules don't apply to them. Their insistence on working isn't worth the risk of pain or death of the patient if we are too impaired."

"That's good she looks out for the patients and her doctors." She looked out the window. Beautiful Brownstones with bay windows lined the streets. 

Rey always loved the architecture of the older buildings. The different styles of staircases and windows were always beautiful to look at. And she loved how most of the owners decorated the outside of their homes with pretty little flowers spilling out of the flower pots.

Rey always wondered what the buildings looked like inside and couldn't help but feel excited when Ben parked in front of the Brownstone with no flowers or decor.

"Would you mind walking Kylo to the door, and I'll grab the groceries?"

Rey flashed a smile at both Ben and then his dog. "I would love to walk him. He's so freaking cute and so sweet." She lovingly scratched Kylo's ear. "You know, they say dogs look like their owners."

Ben lightly laughed as they exited the car. "No, I didn't know that."

He knew it wasn't time to think with his dick, but Ben couldn't help but stare at Rey's ass while she walked up the stairwell. He only averted his eyes when one of his older neighbors greeted him. Ben smiled and waved at the woman as she watched her two grandkids playing in their small courtyard. 

Once they were inside, Rey unleashed Kylo. "The neighborhood is lovely."

"So is yours." Ben dropped his keys in a small bowl on a nearby table.

Rey quickly glanced around. She was surprised by how light everything was inside. The white walls felt modern and even sanitary. The dark furniture matched the exquisite staircase ahead of them. On her right was a sitting room with an old fireplace with intricate designs throughout the mantle. There were two black leather chairs with a small table with a medical magazine between them in front of the bay windows. A dark blue rug with a black sofa sat before the fireplace. 

"It's better than the one I had in my old town. It gets loud, though." She noticed the tips of his ears poking out of his hair turn red. "What is it?"

"Nothing." Ben walked into the kitchen with Rey and Kylo following them.

"Liar. What is it?" 

"I'm ashamed to say my mind went straight to the gutter." He replied matter of factly. "I remembered how loud it was in your hotel room."

Rey blushed and couldn't help but grin. "It was a loud evening."

"Between the partiers and the fireworks–"

"And me?" She batted her eyes.

Ben playfully held his hands in the air as a fake surrender. "I was trying to be a gentleman" –he raised his eyebrows and locked eyes with Rey– "and not bring up how vocal you were."

Rey shrugged. "You have no other evenings with me to compare to."

Ben was more than relieved they stood on opposite sides of the counter. His boner was already straining against his pants. He cleared his throat and unbagged the groceries.

"I thought I would play it safe for tonight's dinner because I didn't have a complete list of what you're allergic to while shopping. Thanks for texting me a list of foods to stay away from. Would you believe me if I said I was worried about grabbing the wrong thing? I wouldn't want to repeat Beaumont's mistake."

"I believe you. Beaumont was selfish and careless and just a terrible person."

"So I've heard," he replied, wanting more than anything to beat the hell out of Beaumont. 

Rey noticed Ben's gloomy expression. "So, what did you buy?"

"I bought a chicken." He pulled a whole chicken from a bag. "I was worried that the rotisserie chicken at the deli would have garlic. So, I decided to start from scratch. And I'll season some rice, steam the vegetables, and bake dinner rolls. I would normally pair it with a bottle of white wine but with your condition-"

"I'm not a big drinker." She laughed when Ben looked at her. "I'm serious; I normally don't drink. You just happened to meet me on New Year's, and I was celebrating getting the fuck out of Jakku and starting a new life and trying to have fun since Rose ditched me as soon as she saw Armitage."

"Jakku?"

"Yeah."

"That's one hell of a move." Ben grabbed a few safe seasonings from a nearby cupboard. "Vastly different than Coruscant."

"Coruscant wouldn't have been my first choice. I don't think I'll ever get used to how busy this city is. I was desperate to leave and Rose managed to talk her boss into looking at my resume, and here I am."

Ben held his breath when Rey mentioned her boss: his mother. That would have to be a conversation for another time. They have much to discuss, and he wasn't sure how to drop that news on Rey, let alone tell his mother he knocked up her employee after knowing her for a few hours.

"Are you okay?" Rey watched as Ben rubbed salts and other spices against the chicken, noting his massive hands, and reminisced how firm his grip on her breasts was on that fateful night. 

Ben blinked his eyes and shook his head. "Yeah, sorry. So, were you born in Jakku? Or did your family move there?"

"I don't know." Her breath hitched and she forced a smile. "My parents abandoned me. I bounced around in foster care. I can only guess they left me in that shit hole."

"Shit." Ben couldn't find anything else to say. 

"Yeah." Rey looked at Kylo when he brought a stuffed duck to her. She squeezed it until she found the squeaker. Kylo happily wagged his tail, waiting for Rey to throw it. "Kylo and I have something in common then, huh." She lightly tossed the duck across the room and watched the dog chase after it.

"I'm so sorry, Rey. That must have been rough."

"I was a baby, so I don't remember them. My life was hard at times, but it helped shape me into who I am today. And I hope this helps you understand why I want to keep–" She stopped talking and looked at the food across the counter. "What can I do to help?"

Ben frowned. He knew what Rey wanted to say.

Ben wanted to hear her confirm she wanted to keep the baby so she could have a family. Ben wanted that window to tell her he understood and remind her how much he wanted to be in their baby's life. 

He needed her to believe in their chances, believe in them, and realize they could raise their baby together.

Ben wanted Rey to know she wasn't alone in this.

"I offered to cook for you," he finally replied after a moment.

"Yeah, but I feel like we are on a time crunch. We need to get to know one another and what better way than to test how we can stand one another in the kitchen?" She smirked when Ben laughed again.

"Well, when you put it that way, you can work on the side dishes."

A few minutes later, Ben thoroughly washed his hands after putting the chicken into the oven. Rey placed a lid on the rice now that it was simmering. Her queasiness returned, and she took a deep breath.

"Rey?" Ben asked as he dried his hands. "Holy shit, you're pale."

Rey closed her eyes and held her index finger up. Ben opened a nearby drawer and ripped a small package open as he approached her. The lovely scent of the roasted chicken was replaced by rubbing alcohol as Ben held the small pad under her nose.

"What are you–"

"Take another breath." He softly instructed.

Rey frowned but inhaled again. 

Ben moved a few strands of hair from her face with his free hand. After a minute, Rey looked at him.

"Are you okay to walk?"

"Yeah, it's just nausea." She tried not to smile as he held her by her waist and hand. "It's not like when I'm drunk."

"You don't have a drunken walk," Ben stated as he walked her into the living room.

"What?"

"When we walked to your hotel," Ben explained, "you didn't have a wobbly, drunken walk despite the heels you wore and the amount of alcohol you consumed."

"Oh, well, that's good, I guess." Rey sat on the floor despite Ben walking her to the couch.

Ben sat near her, and Kylo immediately walked over and sat in front of them. Ben picked up a toy llama and tossed it to the eager dog.

"Well, I've told you a bit about myself; now it's your turn."

"Yeah?" His bangs fell in front of his eyes when he looked at Rey.

"Yeah." She grinned and tossed the llama for Kylo. "Tell me who you are and why you stood out at the bar that night." 

Ben sighed. "I might as well get to the core of it." He ran a hand through his thick hair. "I don't care for socializing, so when I went to places like bars, or back when I was younger, clubs, I often felt out of place. I hardly date or go after women because my love life tanked after a few terrible relationships, and I can confirm it wasn't because of my current charming personality."

"Then what was it?"

"A weird, terrible mix of insecurities and cockiness." He tilted his head with a grin when Rey looked confused. "My family comes from a long line of money. I've not inherited my share yet, but no one knows that. Before and during med school, fellow students would probe into other people's lives, and unfortunately, it doesn't take much more than a quick Google search to find out that I am the sole heir to generations of wealth. It's a bit unnerving for me, honestly."

"I was about to say that you don't strike me as a rich boy stereotype."

"I have my mother and father to thank for that. The wealth comes from my mother's side, and she tried to give me a normal upbringing aside from private school. My father" – Ben softly smiled– "He didn't have a penny to his name when they met. He lived paycheck to paycheck."

"I can relate to that," Rey softly replied. "I came from nothing and, until recently, lived paycheck to paycheck. Technically, I still am, but I'm slowly saving, which I couldn't do in Jakku." She gave Ben a genuine smile. "But I promise, I'm not here for your money."

Ben smiled in return. There was something so pure about Rey's composure that helped him relax.

"I believe you," he quietly replied.

"If you don't mind me asking, how did your parents meet?" Rey tilted her head. 

"My dad had a dog, an Alaskan Malamute. He found him as a puppy, lost or abandoned, and took him in. And guess who was interning at the animal hospital he brought him to?"

Rey beamed at Ben. "Your mother?"

"Yep."

She slightly giggled. "You're so smooth, Ben Solo."

"Me?" He pointed to himself.

"Trying to live vicariously through your parents' history?"

Ben shyly laughed. "No, honestly, while I wanted to see you again – I." He paused and looked at the floor before looking at Rey with a horror-stricken face. "Oh shit. I think I unconsciously did that."

Rey only laughed harder. Ben could listen to the beautiful sound of her laugh forever.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get you off track. Go ahead with your story. I want to understand you better."

"Uh, well, when I finished med school, and people realized I was a doctor, they also assumed I had a shit ton of money then. They didn't think about the loans I had to pay off. They decided it wasn't worth the wait when they learned I would not inherit my money until a little later."

"They gave up that easily?"

"Well, the ones I knew that were interested in my money alone, I chased everyone away by being an asshole. I cannot stand liars, and I don't like being used. It's usually tough for me to trust people and open up to them."

Rey's smile quickly faded. She looked at the man with renewed sympathy. 

"What happened?"

Ben's eyebrows furrowed. "Huh?"

"Something else must have happened to you to make it hard to earn your trust."

"Oh? I thought it was a bit obvious." Ben softly sighed. "It's so fucking cliche, but I think my issues started with the first girl I thought I was getting serious with. She was as beautiful as twisted." His tone turned dark, as did his expression. "The girl, her name was Bazine, was in my graduating class way back in high school. She flirted a lot, but I was so focused on my studies that I didn't notice until I thought it was too late. We ran into each other a year later, and she was still just as flirtatious as I remembered. I thought she would tell me to fuck off because she wasted her time in high school. Her eagerness to accept my dinner invitation should have been an indication."

Rey continued to gently run her hand over Kylo's fur as an overwhelming sense of dread hit her as Ben talked.

"Long story short, she tried to rush everything in the relationship, but who doesn't at that age? Rushing in for the first kiss in a relationship, more dates, more sex, but when she was trying to move in with me, only after a few months of dating, did I realize there was something incredibly insincere with how she composed herself." Ben shook his head. "I was so fucking foolish not to notice. Her surprise by how small my first apartment was should have been another red flag."

"Did she expect a skyscraper with a view of the city?" Rey sarcastically asked.

"Basically."

"Wow." She didn't know what else to say. 

"I was so deep in my studies that I didn't realize I dreaded seeing her, even early in the relationship. I would rather put extra study time in than see her, so when she started talking about moving in and marriage, I remember just looking at her and seeing this shell of a woman I thought I knew. It turns out I didn't know anything about Bazine, but her real boyfriend did. How she managed to let the fool sit and wait while she tried to fuck me out of my money, I have no idea."

"She must be a good lay." Rey lightly jested because what kind of man would let his girlfriend fuck around with someone else just for an eventual payout. No one could be that evil.

"She was an awful lay." Ben laughed. "I'm sorry. I know how awful I sound trashing this woman you've never met–"

"Um, trash the fuck away. Bazine used you." Rey watched Ben's eyes lower to the floor. "Ben, she had a plan before you realized you didn't notice her. When you two ran into each other, it sounds like the plan she had in high school popped right up again."

"I wish I had noticed it sooner. Maybe I wouldn't have turned into the cold asshole that I am. Maybe I wouldn't have crossed the line that night at the ER."

"You doubt you would have crossed the line?"

"I would be lying if I stated I know I wouldn't have said what I said. I've always been blunt, and I'm trying to work on it."

"I can somewhat see why you came to such a terrible conclusion, but Ben" – Rey looked into his beautiful amber eyes– "don't ever talk to me like that again."

"I won't speak so terribly to you again." Ben's heart hammered in his ears as he spoke. "I promise."

"Good, because if you do, I will, and I promise this, I will kick your ass."

"I have no doubt." He gave her a crooked smile which only broadened when Kylo brought another toy over and happily wagged his tail and nuzzled him until Ben threw the toy. "Kylo loves to play."

"What will you do with him when you have long shifts at the ER?"

"Well, I can put him in a dog daycare or ask my father to watch him."

"Your father? You said–"

"He had a heart attack. I never said he died." Ben sighed. "But it did affect his health. It forced him into an early retirement."

"That must have been hard for him and your family?" 

"Sort of. My father loved working, but my mother didn't like how his job stressed him out. She was relieved when he realized it was time to retire. My mother makes decent money, but I think the money she inherited helped with such a major transition as my dad was the breadwinner of the two."

"What kind of job did he have?"

Ben gave her a dashing smile. "He was also a doctor. He was a surgeon."

"So it runs in the family?"

"I guess. My dad's heart attack made me want to be a doctor," Ben solemnly continued. 

Kylo walked back to Ben and laid down next to his legs.

"He had a heart attack when you were a kid?"

"I was sixteen at the time. I was recently certified for CPR because I was a lifeguard at the neighborhood pool." Ben's eyes grew distant. "He collapsed feet away from me one afternoon. He and my mother had argued shortly after he came home." He shook his head and faintly smiled.

His smile did not hide the pain of Ben's memory.

"That sounds traumatizing," Rey quietly replied. "Did you perform CPR?"

"I did, and my mom called the paramedics."

"You saved him."

"Yeah," he whispered. "When I finally told my parents I wanted to go to med school, my mother, she was furious."

"Why?"

"She feared the stress of the job would eventually harm me the way it did my father."

"I could see why she would be concerned, but I hope she eventually turned around?"

"We didn't speak for years." 

"Oh."

"My uncle got involved and made us have peace talks before I started my internship."

"Ben, you didn't talk to your mother for four years?"

"I know how to hold a grudge."

"That must have been some argument."

"My mother never holds back and neither do I." He sadly smiled and looked at the kitchen when the timer went off.

"Dinner smells delicious." Rey offered a kind smile.

"All thanks to your help."

"I'm talking about the meat."

If only she were talking about his meat. But now wasn't the time for Ben's mind to return to the gutter.

"Do you feel well enough to eat?" 

When Rey nodded her head, he extended his hand to help her up. 

"Well, Rey, now that you know the dark side of me, do you have any questions?" He asked while they walked into the kitchen.

"No. We all build walls around ourselves for different reasons. I'm glad you opened up to me. It helps me understand you better." She sat on a barstool at the counter.

Ben pulled the roasted chicken out of the oven. "You're not scared of a monster who refuses to talk to his mother throughout medical school?"

Rey shrugged. "I can't judge. Part of me wants to tell you how lucky you are that you had parents who gave a damn about you, but I can see how diving into your studies provided the perfect escape when you two were arguing." Her stomach loudly grumbled. 

"Have you talked to your doctor about the morning sickness?"

"Not really." Rey thought she would drool all over the counter as Ben sliced the juicy chicken. "The rubbing alcohol pad was an interesting trick."

"It's good for in a pinch, but I wouldn't recommend frequently sniffing rubbing alcohol."

Rey softly laughed and scooped the steamed carrots and servings of rice onto her plate and Ben's plate. "I felt awkward talking about my symptoms with my doctor."

"Why? They see pregnant patients all the time." He placed a few slivers of chicken on her plate.

"My breasts were sore for the longest time, and I thought it was because of you." She said before bringing a bite of chicken into her mouth. 

Ben nearly choked on the first bite of food. 

"Me?" He questioned in between coughs.

"You manhandled my breasts, not that I'm complaining. They were sore for a few weeks, but that subsided and returned." Rey softly moaned after taking another bite. "This is really delicious."

Breasts.

Breasts…

Manhandled breasts.

Ben looked at the chicken on his plate.

Why the hell didn't he just buy chicken breasts instead of a whole damn chicken to make this less awkward? Not that he knew breast pain was one of Rey's symptoms.

"I briefly studied women's health while earning my degree and delivered a few babies. I'm sure it's just your hormones fluctuating, but" -Ben cleared his throat- "make sure you talk to your doctor about it to play it safe."

"Your cheeks are so red," Rey playfully stated.

"Sweetheart, you just reminded me how I played with your boobs."

Rey giggled, causing Kylo to wake from his dog nap. "They're not so tender lately."

"Well, that's good."

He wanted nothing more than to run his hands under her shirt and massage her tits, but gently this time.

"I've heard eating small snacks throughout the day can help curb morning sickness," he continued. "Maybe apple slices or nuts– um, cheese and crackers? You know little things."

Breasts and nuts. 

Not the topic of conversation Rey had in mind, especially when it came to food.

She smirked and took another bite of food. 

Damn, Ben was a fantastic cook and a fucking sex god.

"Apples?" She asked to derail her thoughts.

"Yeah. You know what they say: an apple a day keeps the doctor away."

"Well, what if I don't want the doctor to stay away?"

Their eyes locked, cheeks flushed, breaths stilled. 

Ben looked at Rey's pink lips, longing to claim them. Her eyes were full of longing; her body shifted closer to him. Ben leaned across the counter to close the distance.

Kylo barked, reminding the not-exactly-a-couple they were not alone.

Chapter Text

“You know, I can take Kylo on the days I’m not at work,” Rey offered while they took the Goldendoodle for a walk after dinner.

“No, you don’t have to help with my spontaneous adoption,” Ben quickly replied with a shake of his head.

“But he’s an adorable spontaneous adoption,” Rey sang to Kylo as he happily trotted in front of them. “And it goes along with our impulsive night.”

Ben lightly laughed with a sympathetic smile. “I’m sure you have a lot on your plate now because of that.”

“Not really.” Rey shrugged. “I work and go home.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it,” Rey confirmed. 

“You strike me as a super outgoing type. What about your friends? Don’t you all go out?”

“They mostly go out to bars and clubs, and we’ll” –Rey gestured to her still flat stomach– “I have no plans for that. Besides, even when I went to the clubs, it got old quickly.”

“You said you don’t drink much.”

“You don’t always have to get shitfaced to have fun.” Rey smirked.

“Soooo, your friends don’t know about the baby yet?”

“No.” Rey looked at the sidewalk, “At the very least, I’ll have to tell my boss.”

Ben rolled his lips before forming a tight line with them because he, too, would have to tell Rey’s boss.

Why did his mother have to be Rey’s boss?

“Yeah, you’ll have to take a few more precautions during x-rays or other procedures.” Ben agreed as they continued their stroll. “And Leia will have to plan for your maternity leave. Heavy lifting, or at least handling large animals that might be harder to control–”

Rey slowed her steps. “How did you know my boss’s name?”

“Huh, oh, um, well, her name is on the sign,” Ben lamely explained, not ready to reveal her boss was his mother. He needed to, but talking about his mom always stressed him out. He had already revealed so much he felt like he had dumped all of his problems onto Rey before dinner.

Rey noticed Ben suddenly looked vaguely worried about something, but when he softly smiled at her, it made her heart flutter. 

It wasn’t fair that he was so gorgeous! 

“Are you okay?” Ben asked.

“Yeah, I’m just hot."

Ben wholeheartedly agreed with every inch of his body and dick– especially his dick.

"I was about to ask you that,” Rey continued with a soft smile. 

“You are a little pink, but I don't think it's because of the beautiful spring-like temperatures.” Ben grinned when Rey bit her lip. “What’s on your mind?”

Rey's blush deepened before she finally conceded. “I was just hoping our baby has your hair.” 

Ben’s once-heavy heart suddenly felt a thousand times lighter. 

Rey was too good to be true, yet she bashfully smiled and fidgeted with her fingers after her proclamation. There was something so pure and genuine about Rey that all of Ben’s past love interests lacked.

Shit.

Could he still consider Rey a love interest, or did he friendzone himself that night at the ER?

He watched as the light wind flowed through her beautiful chestnut locks. He loved how she closed her eyes and smiled at the sudden breeze, even when a few strands fell over her eyes.

“I don’t know about that,” Ben replied, moving her hair away from her face. “I say you have beautiful hair. They would be lucky to have your genetics.”

He watched as her blush deepened and her hopeful eyes locked onto him. Rey’s pupils were now somewhat dilated, and her pink lips were darker. She quickly glanced at his lips and back to his eyes. Ben could tell by the hint of guilt in her beautiful hazel irises she hoped he didn’t see her looking. Rey was still attracted to him. There was still hope they could get back together or get together. Ben didn’t know what to call their status, but it took everything in his willpower not to sigh with relief and scare her off.

Fuck!

It took everything in his willpower not to fucking kiss her. 

They weren’t on a date. They were testing the waters, getting to know one another, trying to see if they could be friends at the very least. If they jump right back into fucking, it could ruin everything.

But why did everything feel right when he was around her? 

Even during their confrontation, it wasn’t terrifying or wrong. It felt natural, like they could argue and move along with the conversation as if nothing happened because, at the core of their new status in life, Ben and Rey already had a profound respect for one another. She should have never given him the time or day, yet, she’s given him a chance to clear his name and show he’s not a complete asshole. 

All relationships have ups and downs, but it’s the journey through these harder times for a couple that determines if they can withstand it together or move on.

“If you’re okay with it, I want to attend your appointments,” Ben quietly offered, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Your health and our baby’s health are my main priority now.”

“Don’t be silly; I’m fine.” Rey gasped loudly when his fingers lightly jolted in her hair and stopped walking. “That came out wrong! I’d love for you to come to the appointments, but my health is fine, and the doctor has no concerns regarding the baby’s health so far.” She slightly swayed her body and bit her lip again. “If anything, let me try to schedule the next ultrasound on your day off. I know your schedule can be hell sometimes.”

Ben smirked. “I’m not above stealing an ultrasound machine just to have a look if, for some reason, I can’t get that time off.”

“You’re not, are you?” Rey wrinkled her nose before giggling. “Technically, I have them at my job as well.”

“Yeah, but you want to use the ones we have at my hospital.”

She smirked. “Is what we’re talking about unethical?”

Ben shrugged. “I don’t know, but I don’t care.” He cupped her cheek, “Unless I fuck up again, nothing will keep me from seeing my baby.”

Rey’s eyes widened, as did her smile. She felt like she had forgotten how to breathe and looked at his lips again.

“You’re blushing,” Ben stated while softly caressing her skin.

“It’s the hot summer air,” Rey weakly replied.

“It’s only spring.” The deep timbre of his voice sent chills down her body.

“Oh.” Rey studied his beauty marks to refrain from looking at his luscious lips.

“Rey?”

“Yeah?”

“I want to kiss you.” 

His whisper reignited the flames in her core.

“Okay.” Rey nervously smiled when Ben leaned closer.

While his kisses were rougher the night at the Ajan Kloss hotel, tonight his lips were as soft as ever while they embraced on the sidewalk. Kylo sat beside their feet as Ben and Rey gently kissed one another repeatedly. Their bodies and breaths trembled, and their hands clasped together.

Kissing Ben felt right. He felt perfect. 

For some reason, Rey knew they belonged together, even when they argued at the ER and cafe.

Was it possible to know if someone was the one by barely knowing them?

When Rey looked into Ben’s eyes, she knew he felt the same way. They were each other’s belonging.

With a final kiss, Ben and Rey pulled away with shy smiles.

Rey looked at his lips again. His kiss reminded her of how he first ate her out in the hotel room before he became ravenous.

She blushed and giggled when he looked at her quizzingly.

“I said I’m not putting out, and I’m sticking to it.” Rey firmly stated with a grin.

“I wasn’t expecting you to. I’m content with your kiss.”

Rey slightly dipped her eyebrows. “Only content?”

“It’s more than I expected.” Ben raised his brows with a smirk and shrug.

“Oh.”

Ben chuckled; Rey was fishing for a compliment. He didn’t pin her as the type, but it was cute how she was hoping for more.

“Would it satisfy you to know I’m turned on” -he watched Rey look at his crotch for confirmation- “and I’m trying to be a gentleman about it?”

At this, Rey smirked in satisfaction.

“You’re a brat,” Ben playfully declared.

“Maybe,” Rey sang. “And there is nothing you can do about it,” she smugly added.

“Mmm, not yet,” Ben emphasized the “T” with a lift of his eyebrow as he eyed her body. “We should go back. I’m sure Kylo is more thirsty than we are.”

When Ben dropped Rey off at her apartment a few hours later, he eyed her rosy cheeks and perfect lips but didn’t kiss her again. He was bound and determined to prove he respected her decision to “not put out,” but his damn boner wasn’t happy. His dick painfully throbbed as he returned to his car after she entered her apartment.

He all but ran up the steps leading to his home, slammed the door shut before locking, and like some hormone-possessed man, unbuckled his belt as he bolted upstairs to his bedroom. 

“Fucking hell,” Ben muttered as he freed his throbbing cock.

With his free hand, he quickly pumped a small amount of lotion into his palm and rubbed his cock. He sighed with relief after the first few strokes.

Rey was going to be the death of him. 

Ben slowed his hand as he envisioned her pretty smile, adorable laugh, and perfect tits. Oh, how he wanted to come all over her breasts. 

His hair fell over his eyes. He groaned as he envisioned ropes of his cum landing on Rey’s sunkissed skin and swiped his thumb over his weeping tip.

How good would her tongue feel?

He knows it would feel fucking incredible.

His breaths grew heavy as he thought about the muffled noises and wet slurps she would make.

Ultimately, Ben wanted to feel Rey’s moist, warm walls around his cock again.

He bit his lip in pleasure as his body lightly trembled.

Fucking her once wasn’t enough. Ben had secretly hoped Rey would have given him a sign that they were good to fuck tonight. But no, she was a woman of her word. His hand would do for now. 

He couldn’t wait to hear her scream his real name. He couldn’t wait to come inside of her again.

With a shaky moan, Ben’s cock twitched in his hand. He hissed through his teeth as warm spurts of cum covered his fingers.

He shook the hair out of his face as he caught his breath. 

This situation would suck if Rey didn’t feel the same way.

But little did Ben know at that exact moment, Rey quietly moaned as she brought herself to orgasm. Her legs shook, her pussy clenched repeatedly, and her broken voice whispered for Ben.

Why was she holding out? 

Because she was an idiot; there was no other explanation.

~~~

Three weeks had passed since Ben and Rey’s totally-not-a-date dinner at Ben’s house. 

It was totally a date, but if Ben and Rey admitted it out loud or to each other, they would surely jinx themselves, and something awful would happen. 

Right?

So they kept that quiet fact completely to themselves and continued seeing each other. They would meet for walks in the park or a meal after their shifts. When they couldn’t get together, they would text or call, like some love-sick teenagers.

Ben and Rey also remained tight-lipped about their kiss. Each longed for the other’s mouths and more.

But they were both frightened.

Despite their deep conversations, Rey couldn’t help but worry that Ben would still think she was after his money. After all, he said he hadn’t gained his inheritance yet. What if Rey told him she wanted to move things along, and Ben magically inherited his money? He would never trust her again.

Because with Rey’s luck, fate would fuck her like that, and she would lose the most amazing man she had ever met.

As for Ben, he royally fucked up by putting his foot in his mouth and accusing her of being a whore when he revealed she was pregnant. He would never forgive himself for what he said to her that night in the ER. Ben had never been so cross with a patient, and he lost his temper with Rey. What if he was more like his grandfather, like his dad feared?

World-renowned Doctor Anakin Skywalker was one of the top neurosurgeons in the country, but the man worked himself to death. Anakin’s sudden passing was another reason why Leia tried to steer Ben away from medical school, mainly because Han’s heart attack was shortly after Anakin’s and because their health issues were caused by the stress of their jobs.

While he was a doting husband, father, and grandfather, he was strict and to the point. Most of his patients were fine with his bedside manner, but when they couldn’t accept their situation could be life or death, Doctor Skywalker would have to become firm with them.

It was that way in his home life, and due to his natural talent, he expected his children to follow in his footsteps and become the next generation of world-class surgeons.

Naturally, Luke and Leia pursued their own interests. Luke became a psychologist, and Leia went into veterinarian care.  

According to Leia, Anakin accused her of wasting her time and talent and told her she wouldn’t have a penny to her name if she didn’t change her mind.

Leia Organa was just as stubborn as her father, while Luke was more passive like their mother, Padme.

Leia packed her bags and left in the middle of the night. She changed her last name from Skywalker to Organa in honor of Bail Organa, an old family friend. She also changed her name just to anger her father and show she didn't need the family name to succeed. Leia went on to intern for a man named Lando Calrissian and didn’t speak to her father for years.

“Oh dear god,” Ben muttered as he reflected on past conversations with his mother about his grandfather. He stopped walking as shock rippled through his body. “I’m becoming my mother!”

Minutes away at Organa Animal Hospital, Leia sneezed into her shoulder. It was the end of the day, and the staff was preparing to leave.

“Are you okay?” Rey asked while peeking into Leia’s office.

“Yeah.” Leia nodded and continued typing on her laptop. “It must be allergies.”

“It is that time of year.” Rey nodded and tugged on the front of her scrubs. “Leia?”

“Hmm?”

“Can I talk to you?”

“Of course.”

Rey’s heart beat faster as she continued, “I need to talk to you privately, and I must ask this stay between us.”

“Oh, this sounds serious. Close the door.”

Rey slowly took a deep breath and quietly closed the office door.

Leia watched her intern as Rey walked to the desk.

“Please have a seat.” Leia gestured to the chair. 

Leia’s stern stare reminded Rey of Ben. She quietly did as instructed.

“You’re not about to quit on me, are you?” Leia asked.

“Well, no.”

“Oh, thank goodness.” Leia softly laughed but abruptly stopped. “You look so damn serious.”

“Well, what I’m about to say is serious.”

Leia waited for Rey to continue.

“I might need, um– well...”

“Rey, if you need a raise–”

“Oh!” Rey lifted her hands, refusing the suggestion. “No, it’s not about money.” She lowered her hands, placing one on the small swell of her stomach, not that Leia could see across the desk. Not yet. “I’ll need some time off starting the end of September or early October.”

“Oh.” Leia’s eyebrows dipped, and she quickly scribbled on a notepad. “Are you going on a trip? You know, you don’t have to request so far in advance. We have plenty of help to cover you for a few days.” Leia smiled. “Where are you going? Takodana? Canto Bight? Endor?”

“I’ll be on maternity leave. Depending on when I go into labor, I probably won’t be back until Christmas or New Year’s.”

Leia’s smile immediately faltered, causing Rey to hold her breath.

“And,” Rey nervously continued, “I might need help with the heavier or more rambunctious dogs. But, I’m sure I’ll be able to perform my duties here just as I always have–”

“You’re having a baby this Fall?” Leia flatly replied.

“Yes.”

“You just started working here in January, and it’s now mid-April.” Leia removed her glasses and rubbed her eyes. “I know you said you were desperate to get out of Jakku, and Rose said you would have killed for this job, but Rey, you should have told me from the beginning.”

“I didn’t know when I started working here.”

“When did you find out?”

“I found out about the pregnancy the night I went into anaphylactic shock,” Rey quietly answered.

“Why didn’t you say something?” Leia tsked with a shake of her head. “You could have taken a day or two off with medical leave or paid time off. You didn’t give your body a chance to recover.”

“I felt fine.”

“You risked hurting yourself or your unborn child,” Leia sternly lectured and pursed her lips.

“I was fine,” Rey nearly growled.

“I may be a veterinarian, but I know a lot about the human anatomy. My father was a surgeon, and my mother was a nurse. By hiding your pregnancy, you or your child could have gotten hurt. What about the X-rays?”

“I took all the proper precautions we normally take.”

“Rey, you’re missing the point.”

“I’m not. Pregnant women work every day. Yes, something could have happened, but I think it’s up to me to decide if a part of this job becomes too hard for me to do my job. I also didn’t want to say anything because I was just getting into the second trimester, and they all say miscarriages usually happen within the first trimester. I was afraid I would jinx myself.”

“Rey, jinxes are not real.” Leia tapped her pen a few times. Her dark eyes once again reminded her of Ben for some reason. 

Rey could recognize the look on Leia’s face anywhere.

“I’m sorry I’ve disappointed you,” Rey numbly stated.

“I’m not disappointed– well, maybe a little. I just didn’t expect you to come in and disappear so quickly. It will be hard, but I’m sure we can cover you during your maternity leave.” Leia sighed and leaned back into her chair. “I’m surprised Rose hasn’t said anything.”

“No one knows. Well, except for you and the father.”

“That’s good you know who the father is.”

“Well, it’s the only man I slept with.”

“The one-night stand who nearly broke the bed?” Leia chewed on the tip of her glasses with a giggle. “Well, Rey, I hope you two have worked things out?”

“I think we have. We’re starting to get to know one another.”

“Good. Because becoming a parent is not for the faint of heart.” Leia sadly smiled. “It was the best thing that happened to me, aside from meeting my husband, but damn, was it the most stressful. You need to be ready for it.”

“I don’t think anyone can say they are ready for parenthood, but I’ll do my best.”

“And what about McSexy in the bedroom?”

“Leia!”

“What?” Leia laughed. “Okay, how about Mr. Railed-you-into-oblivion?”

“He seems very interested in our child. I feel lucky that he wants to be there.”

Leia nodded again. “Just be careful, dear. Men can be the biggest pieces of shit out there. Don’t rely on him. Only rely on yourself.”

Rey politely smiled. She already knew she was responsible for herself. Relying on anyone was the worst thing Rey could ever do to herself. She realized this far too late when she finally faced the truth her parents would never return for her and help her live a better life. It was all on Rey. So she buried herself in her studies and worked long hours at a dead-end job just to make ends meet while in college.

The move to Coruscant was supposed to be a turning point in Rey’s life. Things were supposed to get better. While having a baby was not in her plans, Rey was becoming less afraid to bring a young one into the world. She’ll finally have what she always wanted: a family. 

It wouldn’t be easy, but Rey was determined to give her child a better life than she had. The only easy aspect of her new reality was ensuring her child knew it was loved. 

Rey couldn’t wait to find out if she was having a boy or a girl. It didn’t matter which one, but she was ready to know so she could come up with names. Well, maybe Ben could pitch in… 

Who was she kidding? She wanted to hear Ben’s ideas on names as well.

Rey checked her mail after arriving at her apartment building. The small metal door of her little mailbox loudly squeaked as she closed it before locking it. 

She softly hummed to herself as she shifted through the stack of advertisements and stopped when she came across the piece of mail she had dreaded: the medical bill. Of course it had to arrive the night Ben was coming over for dinner.

“Okay, Rey,” she softly whispered after entering her apartment and closing the door. “We knew this bill was coming. Things will be tight, but we can do this.” She took a deep breath and locked the door. “We can do this.”

Rey tossed her keys on the eat-in kitchen counter and ripped open the envelope. Her heart plummeted into her stomach upon seeing what she owed and what was denied by her insurance. She knew the emergency room visit and ambulance ride would be expensive, but–

“What the ever living fuck?” She gasped before large tears rolled down her cheeks. Her breaths became shallow, and her body tensed while her trembling hands placed the bill on the counter. Rey loudly sniffed in an attempt to stop more tears from forming and quickly rubbed her eyes.

“No use in crying about this,” she muttered.

Now wasn’t the time to worry about the damned bill. She needed to calm the fuck down before Ben arrived. She hoped he was bringing Kylo so she could cuddle against his soft fur. Or maybe Rey could cuddle into Ben’s muscular body. But then he might ask questions, and she was not discussing finances with him.

After a few deep breaths, Rey’s heart settled, and her tears stopped, but a knock at the door made her heart jump once again.

She deeply inhaled. “Okay, Rey, nothing is wrong. Smile and have fun tonight.” She exhaled and rubbed her eyes one last time and dried off her hands on her scrubs.

Rey opened the door and sweetly smiled at Ben and Kylo. 

“Hi,” she greeted and tried to ignore how form-fitting his polo was. She blushed when she noticed he had a small bouquet for her.

“Hey you– whoa-” Ben’s handsome smile immediately faltered into concern or shock. Rey couldn’t tell. “What happened?”

“Huh?” She stepped out of the way to let Ben and their dog inside her apartment.

Kylo walked over to the food and water bowls Rey had set out for him earlier that day.

Ben pointed to her face. “You look like a raccoon.” 

“What?” Rey’s forehead wrinkled with confusion.

“A very beautiful and sexy raccoon. Can I tell you you’re sexy? But um–” He pointed at her eyes again. “It looks like you went to battle with an ink bottle or something.”

“Oh shit.” Rey ran in the direction of her bathroom. She put makeup on this morning, something she hardly ever wears. But she knew Ben would be over shortly after her shift and wanted to look pretty for him.

“Rey?”

“Oh god, I look like the Emperor from Galaxy Wars!” She cried while looking into the mirror. “Like a fucking zombie. Shit like this is why I don’t wear makeup,” she mumbled.

“It’s- It’s not that bad.” Ben fumbled with his words as Rey tried to wash her face. “You’re a beautiful zombie.”

“You don’t have to compliment me on my lack of makeup skills.” She pathetically whimpered while wiping one of her eyes.

A warm hand over hers made Rey’s breath hitch.

Gently, Ben spun her around and took the washcloth out of her hands.

“Rey Johnson, you are beautiful,” he whispered and softly wiped the remnants of mascara off of her skin. 

Their noses were less than an inch apart. The scent of Ben’s cologne went straight to Rey’s cunt. Her heart was hammering against her chest, and Ben’s eyes were full of lust.

“You’re pretty too,” she weakly replied and grimaced, making Ben chuckle before he placed the washcloth on the counter and cupped her jaw. 

His lips sealed over hers, and Rey ran her hands up his chest and over his shoulders. Her body shook with anticipation as he ran his hand under her scrubs, and his thick fingers grazed along her back until he began to unclasp her bra.

A few loud squeaks from one of Kylo’s toys almost interrupted their kiss, but Ben closed the bathroom door with his foot.

Chapter Text

When the door clicked shut, Ben deepened the kiss, and Rey more than willingly accepted. The tip of his tongue brushed against hers, and the soft, wet sounds of their loving embrace soon echoed off the quiet bathroom walls. 

Rey ran her hands from behind his neck into his thick obsidian locks. Rey felt her bra loosen as Ben unhooked each clasp. The soft material barely moved from her breast before he slid his hand under the fabric and gently groped her. Rey slid one hand from Ben’s hair back down his neck and settled on his firm chest. Ben broke their kiss, pecked her lips and then her cheek as he kissed his way down to her neck.

Rey's skin was soft as Ben remembered, her perfume just as sweet. He had to refrain from grazing his teeth against her sunkissed flesh. Rey let him kiss and grope her while she locked her fingers in his hair and pressed her nails against his polo. 

But while Rey gave him all the signs, Ben didn’t want to rush her if she wasn’t ready.

God, he hoped she was ready.

Rey's little whimper when he slid his tongue against her neck was enough to drive Ben wild. How she tightened her hold on his roots made him want to rip her clothes from her body. With an eager groan, he swiped his thumb across her pert nipple before lightly massaging it again. 

At the feel of his thumb and hand working their magic, Rey smiled with glee and moved her hand from his chest down his waist. She wanted him but worried she would look too easy.

Who the hell was she kidding? She put out for him within hours of meeting him. But who wouldn’t spread their legs for a man who looked like a Greek sculpture? 

Rey could feel Ben’s stubble against her skin as he kissed his way from her neck back to her lips. She longed to feel his lips against her cunt again. When Ben slid his tongue against hers, Rey pulled on his shirt until they were pressed against one another. She could feel his cock straining against his pants and lightly rubbed her body against it. Ben let out a low, primal groan as she teased him. Rey could feel herself growing wetter with each kiss and firm touch against her breast. When she smelled his cologne, she realized parts of his thick hair were still damp.

He showered, and she hadn’t had the chance. She was probably disgusting.

Ben could feel a change in Rey’s enthusiastic kiss and paused.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.” Rey shyly smiled and kissed him again. She sucked a short breath when his other hand grasped her waist.

“If you want things to slow down, you just need to say it.”

“It's not that,” she said between kisses. “We’ve moved at a snail’s pace.”

“A snail’s pace? Really?” Ben lightly chuckled and began to push Rey’s scrubs and undershirt up her body.

“I just didn’t have a chance to shower, and I’m probably gross.”

“You were sweaty as hell on New Year’s Eve,” he murmured. “That didn’t stop me.”

“Good point.”

“Besides, if you are that worried about it, there’s a shower right behind you.” 

The seductive smile Ben gave Rey made her pussy pulsate. She clenched onto nothing and nearly whined in anticipation.

“Shower sex?” Rey asked.

“Shower sex,” Ben confirmed and continued to move her shirt off her body.

As soon as Rey’s arms were free, she unbuckled Ben’s belt while he removed his shirt. Her bra slid down her arms, and she quickly dropped it to the floor before adding her pants and underwear with it.

“Fuck, you’re so beautiful.” Ben purred while he kicked off his pants.

Ben backed Rey against the wall and pecked her cheek and neck with fevered kisses, only momentarily pausing on the mounds of her breasts before he traveled further down her body. He lovingly kissed the small swell of her abdomen. Rey’s breathy exhales echoed off the bathroom walls; her loud gasp when Ben latched his mouth on her cunt elicited a laugh from him.

Rey grasped the roots of Ben’s hair as he tasted and teased her. 

“So” -Ben teasingly swiped her folds with his tongue before kissing her sensitive skin- “wet.” He moaned when he latched his mouth against her cunt again. Rey tasted as divine as he remembered. Eager for more, he dipped his tongue deeper inside her moist, delicious walls.

Rey closed her eyes and whimpered as Ben continued sucking, biting, and licking her pussy. She could feel her cunt fluttering around his thick, wide tongue. Her knees buckled when he rubbed her clit with his nose, and she bit her lip when he pressed the tips of his fingers at her entrance. Ben teased her by slowly stroking her sensitive skin while eating her out. When he finally dipped his fingers into her cunt, Rey moaned and let her head fall back with a light thud against the wall. She lightly grimaced but more at the fact that Ben stopped his motions.

“Oh shit.” He looked up in concern. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Rey huffed, feeling desperate for release. “Go back to eating me out.”

After a moment, Ben mischievously smiled at Rey's flushed cheeks, heavy breaths, and blunt words. He greedily suckled on her wet folds and slid his fingers in and out of her, slowing his motions as her walls fluttered around his digits and her soft whimpers increased. 

When her legs began to shake, Ben planted his hand firmly around her waist to help hold her steady as he brought her closer to an orgasm. Her hushed moans turned into pleading breaths. He sloppily latched onto her sex and repeatedly suckled, nipped, and used his teeth to pull at her delicate flesh while scissoring her pretty little cunt. His cock throbbed with every heavy whisper of his name. Finally hearing his real name while he ate Rey out was as erotic as he fantasized about since meeting her.

"Ben," Rey gasped.

"Come on, baby," Ben crooned. "You're almost there. Give it to me." He teased her clit with a few swipes of his tongue before letting his fingers finish what he started.

Rey's body shook and her knees buckled. Ben kept his fingers firmly inside of her cunt and stood. As her orgasm hit in waves, Rey wrapped her arms around Ben’s shoulders, and she fell apart in his hold.

"Good girl," he loudly growled in her ear before kissing her cheek. "You needed this, didn't you?"

"Uhuh," Rey whimpered as he continued to scissor her. She could feel her cum splattering between his fingers and her thighs.

"Yeah, you needed a good fucking orgasm." He emphasized each word with rough swipes of his fingers before he pulled them out of her pussy and lightly grasped her chin.

"Ben," Rey shakily stated, ready to beg him for more.

"We're not done yet."

Rey softly laughed before Ben took her lips with his. After he wrapped his arms under her legs and lifted her inches off the ground, she deeply inhaled when she felt his cock slowly enter her and wrapped her legs around him.

Feeling how his cock filled her cunt was euphoric, to say the least, as she had longed to fuck Ben again and fantasized about it more often than she cared to admit.

But it was more than just fucking. 

Rey was already head over heels for Ben. She wanted the tender kisses as much as the passionate ones. She wanted to sleep in his arms and smell the scent of his aftershave when they embraced in a hug. She wanted to go on walks with their dog and baby. Rey wanted Ben to see all of the baby’s firsts: the first smile, the first laugh, the first time he or she rolled over. She wanted him to be a part of everything.

Was she crazy?

Rey was more than crazy for Ben Solo.

Being with him felt right. 

Although she never had a stable life, being with Ben felt like coming home after a hard day’s work. He was strong and warm. He made her feel secure even though she could take care of herself. Ben brought out feelings Rey thought she had tucked away long ago to prove she didn’t need anyone because relying on people made her weak.

But falling in love did not equate to being fragile.

Holy shit.

Rey Johnson was in love.

She would normally feel petrified at the idea of being in love if it weren’t for Ben’s strong arms securely holding her while he softly fucked her against the wall with his head tucked into the crook of her neck, delicately kissing her skin. His physical embrace was a reminder she wasn’t alone. Rey liked the idea of finally finding someone she felt deeply connected to.

Rey gasped again as he quietly moaned against her neck. Their eyes locked when he finally kissed his way back to her lips. His warm, honey-colored irises made Rey’s heart flutter. She could almost believe Ben was every bit in love with her as she was with him. 

As for Ben, Rey’s beautiful hazel eyes were the first things he wanted to wake up to and the last things he wanted to see at night. Her soothing voice and beautiful smile helped bring light back to his lonely soul. 

Too often, Ben buried himself in his work. He didn’t care to hang out with his coworkers, and being around his family was draining. So he worked and continued to study hard to become the best doctor he could be for his patients. 

Work, eat, sleep. That’s all Ben needed until Rey danced her way into his life.

And their baby!

He couldn’t wait to see what their little one looked like. He couldn’t wait to see their child sitting on Rey’s lap on Christmas mornings as Rey helped them open their gifts or see her hug and nurture their child. 

In the short time they knew each other, Ben could tell Rey would be the nurturing type. Even on the night of their drunken one-night stand, he knew from the moment she handed him water as he hastily redressed to rush back to the hospital that Rey understood Ben had to report to his job, that he didn’t just fuck her and run off with a lame excuse, although that was their original agreement. The fact she wanted to make sure he was also hydrated made Ben feel something he hadn’t felt in years. At first, it was embarrassing to think that a simple gesture on that wild evening made him feel seen, but as time passed, Ben realized Rey made him feel complete. 

He also looked forward to taking their baby and Kylo for walks, watching their child and puppy grow up together. More than anything, Ben hoped they would grow as a family because he fell downright in love with Rey.

A louder groan escaped Ben’s lips as he thrust deeper inside Rey’s tight pussy. Her sweet, erotic moans echoed off the tiled walls, sending chills down his now sweaty back. 

Fuck, he loved everything about her: her compassion, her fiery temper, her smile, the way her eyes lit up when she laughed, her beautiful voice. He hoped he would be lucky enough to have her by his side one day.

He lightly hissed through his teeth when he felt her nails claw his back after a particularly rough thrust. 

Fuck, he wanted to feel her daily.

Ben sped up his motions as he began to lose himself in the pleasures of Rey’s body and how he longed to fuck her and eat her out daily.

“Ah, Ben!” Rey whimpered and grasped the hair at the base of his neck. “Right there!”

“There?” He asked while slamming into her cunt again. Rey’s lust moan was his confirmation that he had found her G-spot.

With a sly grin, Ben readjusted her body and replanted his feet before grinding in and out of her pussy, making sure he hit that special spot he found repeatedly. He grinned at feeling how wet Rey was becoming. 

“Shower sex isn’t happening, is it?” She asked in between panted breaths.

Ben lightly chuckled before kissing her pretty pink lips. He lightly bit her lower lip and pulled on it before finally responding, “No. I’m going to make you come again, and then I will come inside of your tight pussy.”

He tightened his hold on Rey’s body and thrust harder and deeper. Rey was once more on the edge of an orgasm, and he couldn’t wait to watch her lose herself again.

Rey closed her eyes and rolled her head, careful not to hit the wall again. She could feel the mounting tension ready to release and squeezed her legs harder around his hips and clutched his shoulders. She knew Ben wouldn’t drop her, but she needed to hold onto something as he fucked her harder and harder. 

A high-pitched whine escaped her as waves of pleasure crashed over her body. Ben kissed her forehead and slowly dragged his long, thick cock in and out of her, helping Rey ride out her orgasm. 

When their lips met again, she expected him to jackhammer into her, but no, Ben softly fucked in and out of her as if he was savoring this moment with Rey. In that blissful state of ecstasy and pure exhaustion from a good fuck, she expected to be a little fuck toy. But no, she quickly realized he adjusted his position again and was slowly pulling one last orgasm out of her.

“Ben,” she quietly moaned. “I’m- I’m–”

“Give it to me again, sweetheart,” he lowly growled into her ear.

It was all she needed for the rapidly building tension to snap again. Rey cried out as she came all over his cock again. Ben pulled in and out a few more times before he tucked his head back into the crook of her neck. He moaned her name while he spilled his hot, thick seed deep inside her core.

They remained still aside from their heavy breathing until Ben softly kissed her neck and collarbone and carefully lowered Rey’s legs until her feet touched the floor. He then cupped her face and kissed her lips. He smiled when she placed her hands over his. 

Everything felt perfect. 

“A sexy raccoon?” Rey shyly asked moments after they ended their kiss.

“Yeah.” Ben gave her a half-smirk and turned on the shower. “You looked cute and sexy.”

“But a raccoon?” She laughed and felt the skin under her eyes, hoping she didn’t fuck him with zombie raccoon eyes. “I can’t believe you put sexy and raccoon together in one sentence.”

Ben lightly chuckled with a shrug. “You fell for my ground-breaking flirting skills. It was inevitable due to my wonderful way with words.”

Rey giggled again as they stepped into the shower.

Ben picked up the bottle of body wash.

“Cherry pomegranate.” he quietly read. “I do love the scent of sin.”

Rey snorted. “The scent of sin?”

He pointed to the bottle with a devilish grin. “That’s what it sounds like!”

Rey hummed as she washed her hair. “I think you’re just a horny man.”

“Oh, no doubt,” Ben replied and began to wash. “So, are you going to tell me why you were crying?”

“I wasn’t.” She shook her head and tried to give him a reassuring smile.

But Ben’s face was suddenly serious. She knew she couldn’t fool him.

“What happened?”

Rey began to rinse her hair.

She suddenly felt uncomfortable. It was the medical bill that brought her to tears. What if Ben thought it was a ploy for money?

But as she looked into his warm, honey-colored eyes, Rey felt at ease. Ben wasn’t a man to fear. 

“It’s stupid, really,” she finally replied and ran her hands through her locks, making sure all the suds were out. “I finally received the medical bill from my night at the ER, and it was higher than I expected.”

Ben sucked a breath and raised his eyebrows. “Oh.” 

“Yeah.”

“Yeah, that’s never a fun thing to receive.”

“I honestly thought my insurance would cover more, but–” Rey pursed her lips and shook her head. “It’s fine. I just need to go over my finances and come up with a plan.”

“Would you mind if I looked at the bill?” Ben watched as Rey’s eyebrows creased with concern. “We can look at your insurance and see if someone messed up a claim.”

“That’s a good idea. I don’t know why I didn’t think about it. Well, aside from quickly panicking, which I don’t normally do. But–”

“I know you would have thought of it later.” Ben tilted her chin up and kissed her. 

They finished showering and dried their bodies shortly after. Rey was curious about Ben’s opinion on the bill. Although with his profession, what would he know?

It was only a few minutes later that they stood in her kitchen with Kylo napping on the floor and Ben examining the medical bill.

“This is fucking bullshit.” Ben curled his lip as he read the charges and saw how little her insurance paid. He then looked at her insurance benefits, and nothing was adding up.

“Well, I didn’t say I had wonderful insurance, and they did run it through.”

“I don’t think they did it right.” Ben shook his head. He knew his mother wouldn’t pick shitty coverage for her employees. 

He also knew Beaumont Kin from the hospital’s billing department. The man was an evil little prick who would talk shit about someone he disliked without people realizing he was being insulting until later. A sick, sly motherfucker, and Ben was willing to bet anyone who jaded him would feel his wrath one way or another. 

Poe and Hux told Ben how awful Beaumont was on their joint date and how Rey was clearly uncomfortable throughout the night. Rage rippled through his body as he remembered Hux telling him about Beaumont accusing Rey of faking her allergic reaction.

And now Rey was Beaumont’s target.

“You need to call the hospital and ask for an itemized bill because this doesn’t say shit.” Ben placed the bill on the counter. “These charges are insane.” He shook his head. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

“Maybe the hospital, or you as my doctor, or whatever. What if you or the hospital was out of network, and that’s why it’s not adding up?” 

Ben looked into Rey’s hopeful eyes.

“Sweetheart, I’m in your network, as is the hospital.” He took a deep breath through his nose. “You could have picked the lowest tier on the benefits, and the insurance still would have paid for this shit. It’s like they didn’t run insurance or–” Ben pursed his lips and paused.

“Or what?”

“These figures look made up.”

“That’s silly.” Rey softly smiled, “No one in their right mind would make shit up.”

“There are some sick people out there, Rey. Even in places you least expect it.”

“They act like I’m paid to listen to their sob stories of being too poor to pay their bills or that I’m supposed to care and look and see if someone filed the insurance correctly.”

Beaumont Kin’s bitching suddenly popped into Rey’s mind. She hadn’t thought about that disaster of a “date” in so long. She only thought of seeing Ben at the ER.

“What would happen if someone made up charges?” Rey quietly asked.

It was so absurd. Why would anyone do that? Yeah, Beaumont was a shit date, and she tried to ignore his awful behavior, but that doesn’t mean he would purposely try to screw her over financially.

Rey looked at the bill. “I’ll call for an itemized bill.”

“And if anyone fights you on this or refuses, let me know. I’ll have it taken care of.”

Chapter Text

Later that evening, Rey took a sip of tea before setting her cup on the end table. When Ben wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer, she snuggled against his naked chest and let out a blissful sigh of relief. 

"Better?" He asked while softly stroking her arm.

Rey looked up at Ben and grinned with a nod, "Yeah. I normally bottle things up and keep to myself." She sat up and brushed his hair out of his face. "But, there's something about you. I feel like I can let my guard down when you're around."

"That's a good thing, especially after sex." Ben flashed a toothy smile before bending down and kissing the peaks of her bare breasts as she giggled.

"Thank you, Ben."

Without skipping a beat, Ben raised his eyes, and his smoldering gaze locked onto her eyes. "For eating you out and then fucking you twice? Baby, it should be me thanking you."

"Nooooo– well." Rey rolled her eyes. "Yes. Thank you for eating me out and fucking me twice tonight. But seriously, thank you for your input about this billing situation."

"While I'm not much help with that, I'm glad you let me know."

"You're more helpful than you realize. Hey, look at us." Rey gestured at herself and Ben. "Fucking and communicating. We deserve gold stars or something."

Ben lightly laughed and lightly sighed. "Well, since we are on good terms and earning gold stars, I need to tell you something."

He watched Rey's complexion pale.

"What is it?" She said just above a whisper.

"Sweetheart, it's nothing too serious. Well, sort of." Ben saw a moment of fear flicker in Rey's eyes. "There's nothing to worry about except for my mother."

After a moment, Rey quietly snorted. "Your mother? Don't tell me she's one of those moms that believes her son is a good little boy and still a virgin. You're damn near forty."

"I'm thirty-four."

"Rounding up here!"

Ben arched an eyebrow. "You should be rounding down."

"Oh, I touched a nerve." Rey softly caressed Ben's face. "Such a handsome old man." When Ben cracked another smile, she kissed his cheek. "So, why are you worried about your mother?"

"Well, there is one little detail I forgot to tell you when I told you about my past. And I suspect you haven't figured it out yet."

"Ben, you're being silly. What's the big mystery?"

"She's your boss."

Their eyes remained locked as Kylo stirred from his nap on the floor near their feet.

"My boss?" Rey scrunched her face. "No fucking way." She laughed but stopped when Ben didn't express any form of humor. She studied his face and finally realized Leia's eyes and stern expressions mirrored Ben's. "Oh." Rey blinked her eyes a few times and took a deep breath. "Oh shit."

"And you haven't told her about us."

"I mean, I have told her about us from a certain point of view."

"You couldn't have said much. I know my mother, and the fact that she hasn't crashed through my front door like some crazed Kool-Aid man of a mother."

Rey barked a laugh, "Kool-Aid man of a mother?"

"With a casserole dish in hand." Ben held his large hands in front of him like he was carrying a plate of food. "She hasn't barged in demanding details of a relationship" –Ben looked at Rey's abdomen– "or the baby."

"I haven't revealed your name to anyone because I was scared we wouldn't work out, but things are improving. Right?" Rey looked into Ben's eyes. "You'd tell me if things were going to shit."

"You know I'm blunt with my words, but I like to think we're getting along just fine."

"Yeah," Rey softly agreed, "just fine."

"Hot and heavy," he continued, his smile growing brighter.

"Yeah."

"We should sixty-nine soon."

"Ben!"

"Sorry." Ben gave her a devilish smile. He was messing with her as a means of trying to calm her down. "As you were saying."

"Okay, so I haven't revealed your name. Obviously, Rose knows you're the mystery man because she was at the ER that night. Your mother is blissfully unaware that you are the one I am seeing. But–"

"But?"

"I told Leia about the baby at the end of my shift." Rey took a short breath. Her chest suddenly felt heavy.

"So, at this moment, Leia only knows that you're with the guy you hooked up with on New Year's Eve and that you're pregnant."

"Yeah."

"She has no idea you are carrying her grandchild."

"Not a damn clue." Rey placed her hand over the small swell of her stomach. "Leia sounded disappointed in me."

"So fucking typical of her." He sighed.

"What?"

"Sorry. It's just my mother is very headstrong and expects things to go according to her plan. She often forgets people have lives of their own. But, from a professional point of view, she waited on you, a girl from Jakku, trained you, and expected you to be there when she needed you."

"I get that–"

"And you'll be taking maternity leave during the busiest time of the year: the holiday season."

Rey bit her lip and gave a somewhat guilty smile, but the twinkle in her eyes revealed she didn't give a shit. "Yep!"

"Life happens. She needs to understand that. She can't expect everything to go her way." Ben scooted closer to Rey, placing his hands on her hips and his forehead on hers. "And because you are carrying my child, Leia Organa's grandchild, you must be ready for the invasion of privacy."

"I thought you were about to say something cute as we sit here, cuddled and completely naked." She rubbed the tip of his nose with hers. "But, have no fear; I'm already used to the invasion of privacy."

Ben chortled. "Oh, sweetheart. You have no idea what that means yet." He moved his right hand over hers, and his fingers danced across her skin and against her little baby bump. "I'll let my parents know and sit my mother down when I let her know you are the woman that I–" Ben paused. 

He almost said the woman he fell in love with, but what if Rey didn't feel the same?

"That you?" Rey whispered while unconsciously leaning closer when Ben didn't finish his sentence.

He thickly swallowed and smiled. "That I'll be having a family with you. I know it's crazy, but I don't want just one baby with you. I want to start a family with you. I can see us having more kids."

"Is it crazy that I like how that sounds?" Rey closed her eyes when Ben kissed her forehead.

"Well then" -Ben cupped Rey's jaw and delicately kissed her beautiful lips- "let's be crazy together."

Two days later, Ben stared at his phone as he received another series of texts from his mother during his shift. It was like Leia could feel that he needed to talk to her and his father, like some sort of "spidey sense," but a mom version of it.

Would Rey develop such talent? 

Probably.

He looked at his watch. He had time. It was now, or the inevitable slip-up would happen, and Leia would learn in the worst way possible. Ben couldn't put Rey through that. 

Rey.

Fuck, he couldn't wait for their date at his house tonight.

Ben slowly paced as he waited for his mother to pick up her phone. He rolled his eyes so hard that he felt pain when the call was forwarded to Leia's voicemail.

"Of fucking course," he muttered before clearing his throat.

"You've reached the voicemail of Leia Organa. I am currently unable to take your call, but please leave a message, and I'll be sure to get back to you. Benjamin, if this is you, come visit your dear old mom." Shuffling noises could be heard in the background "Han. The beer is in the fridge– right there, YES, that shelf! Well, move the box." Leia's voice cut off and was followed by the robotic "At the tone, please your message."

"Hello, mother, stalker of my life. I'm just trying to get in touch with you as you sent a barrage of text messages earlier. I figure talking would be easier than texting. Yes. I am alive. No, I'm not working myself to death. I told you months ago that Armitage and I were working toward opening a private practice. Things are progressing as well as can be expected. And as for your other texts. Yes, I adopted a dog. I guess I'll have to bring him over sometime so you can meet your grandpup." He paused and pursed his lips. "As for my dating life, there's been a development, and I think this is a conversation we will need to have face-to-face and not over the phone or text messages."

"Doctor Solo! We need help! Multiple GSWs!"

"Shit." He hung up the phone and ran back to the Emergency Room.

Meanwhile, over at Organa Animal Hospital, Rey watched as Leia carefully finished pulling out a tumor the size of a golf ball from a labrador. 

"That poor thing."

"Well, she's lucky it's just the one tumor," Leia replied and glanced at Rey. "Are you feeling good enough to close her?"

"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I?"

"You look like you're either nervous or you're going to vomit."

Rey shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about."

How could she look nervous? A mask covered her face, and she kept her face as neutral as possible, although working beside Leia was nearly nerve-wracking. But here was Leia, staring her down with similar eyes to Ben's the night of the ER. 

"If you're up for it, close her up then. I need to get ready for the next surgery."

"Yes, ma'am," Rey replied and stepped forward. 

Instead of leaving the room, Leia watched as Rey sutured the surgical site. 

"You have steady hands, and your technique has come a long way," Leia noted.

"Thank you."

"You might have missed your calling. You probably would have excelled as a general surgeon or something like that."

"I don't think I missed my calling. I'm happy where I am. Besides, I prefer animals to people. So, you can't get rid of me that easily," Rey lightly jested.

"Don't we all love animals compared to people?" Leia smiled.

Rey took a deep breath as nausea began to creep up on her. As if she could sense it, Leia stepped closer. Rey wished she could run to her purse and rip open a rubbing alcohol pack as Ben recently suggested.

"So, how are things with you and your boyfriend?"

"Boyfriend?" Rey's eyebrows dipped in confusion, and perspiration beaded across her forehead. She swallowed her spit in an effort not to get sick, but then her mind shifted from worrying about morning sickness to another serious matter.

Could she consider Ben her boyfriend now? They just fucked the other day.

Rey fucked Leia's son the other day. 

She has now fucked her boss's son three times and plans on doing it again tonight.

"Oh, I'm seeing him tonight." As Rey tied the final stitch, she grew concerned Leia might have been tiptoeing around the news that Rey got knocked up by Ben. "What about you? Do you have any plans?"

"The stitches look perfect. I was a little worried because you look downright exhausted on top of looking sick. I remember those days, and I don't particularly miss that stage." Leia nodded toward the now-closed incision. "Well, I was going to text my husband to see what he wanted to do, but I left my phone at home. So, who knows."

Rey breathed a small sigh of relief. "Oh." 

Leia doesn't know yet.

Shit.

How long will Ben take to break the news to his mother? Rey knows his job can be hectic, but this wait was going to kill her. Then again, he's known about this just as long as Rey has. How is the man still sane?

"Now that you don't look like you'll spill your lunch, I'll finally leave you be. Sometimes our bodies need a good distraction to prevent morning sickness. Perhaps your boyfriend should know this." Leia walked across the room. "In case I don't see you after the next surgery, don't break the bed." She winked. "And don't come in too exhausted from a wild night of love-making, young lady."

Oh, Leia wasn't going to back off about being new and getting pregnant so suddenly. And this time, several people in the hallway heard her and laughed.

"Well, I'm going to his house, so it will be his bed that we'll break," Rey sarcastically replied.

Leia laughed and walked back over to quietly reply, "Rey, enjoy being loud and crazy while you can because once that baby is born, you'll have to find faster and less enthusiastic ways to have fun."

"I don't think we'll have a problem with the fast part of it. But we have plenty of time to practice getting quieter and less enthusiastic."

Rey knew she was digging her own grave, but she couldn't let Leia win this little quip of words. 

Suddenly, the idea of fucking her boss's son wasn't so scary. Maybe Leia would learn to keep her comments to herself. Something told Rey Leia wasn't the type who would hold her tongue, much like her son.

Much like Rey.

Her and Ben's child will come into this world screaming sarcasm in the form of baby cries and babbles.

Children.

Ben said he could see them having more kids, and so could Rey. 

It should feel weird to feel this way. They hardly know one another, and yet, being together feels right. It wasn't just about the incredible sex. It was about the instant connection and feeling complete when they were around each other.

The hot sex was just a perk. And Rey couldn't help but smile after she clocked out because sex was definitely on the agenda tonight. 

It was only hours later she and Ben stood in his kitchen. She sliced tomatoes while he seared two steaks.

"So, you know how you asked what I would do with Kylo during my long shifts at the ER?"

"Yeah, you said you would put him in dog daycare or ask your father." She placed the tomato slices in a salad bowl and washed her hands.

"I'm proud to say Kylo is an excellent dog at daycare." He winked at Rey when she laughed.

"I'm not surprised; he's a good boy." Rey walked over and hugged Ben from behind. "He has the best daddy."

Ben chuckled lightly, and his left eyebrow lifted when Rey's hands slowly ran down his chest and abs, stopping at his belt. "Are you being a little tease, Sweetheart?"

"Whatever do you mean?" She stepped over to his side and innocently blinked her eyes.

"If I knew you were in the mood, I would have held off on making dinner." He turned off the stove and moved the pan when Rey unbuckled his belt.

"Sorry, I'm just ridiculously horny," Rey purred as she ran a hand on the large tent in his pants. "And now, so are you."

"For you, always," Ben whispered before taking her lips. He ran his hands down her waist. He loved how the cotton fabric of the little dress she wore felt. It was light and thin, therefore easy to remove. "Where do you want it? On the counter? The couch? I haven't shown you my bedroom yet."

Rey merely lifted an eyebrow and unzipped his pants before kneeling before him. 

Ben immediately placed his hands on either side of Rey's head and watched as she freed his cock. He took a deep breath through his nose when he felt her tongue run from the base all the way to the tip. A small groan escaped his lips when she swirled her tongue along the bead of precum before her lips wrapped around the head of his cock. He buried his fingers into her tresses when Rey began to take him inch by inch. He rolled his head back when he hit the back of her throat.

"Fuck," he muttered.

If possible, Rey would have smiled around his thick cock as she bobbed back and forth, but alas, she couldn't. In fact, she could barely take him. He was just massive. She felt her spit dribble down her chin as she dutifully sucked Ben off. Rey pulled off and ran her tongue up and down the sides, secretly mapping out the bulging veins. When Ben let out a hot and heavy breath, Rey smiled at him before she continued going down on him.

She gagged when he hit the back of her throat a few more times but continued taking him with her mouth. Rey loved feeling his fingers tangle in her hair as he lost himself with her pleasuring him. She wrapped her fingers around part of his cock and pumped him while going down when she began to doubt she could keep sucking him without getting sick. 

"Fuck. Ah fuck." He hissed and slightly thrust into her mouth.

Rey softly hummed against his girth. It only increased Ben's pleasure. He pulled back and thrust again.

"So good," he purred. "Your mouth feels so fucking good."

Rey pressed her tongue against the bottom of his cock and licked what she could while Ben took over the motions. She liked this. Rey liked being Ben's little fuck toy. He's given her so many orgasms already she could give him pleasure and wait until later for hers. She loved watching him unravel all because of her mouth and tongue.

Her loud slurps and his heavy breaths filled the air as he fucked in and out of her mouth. Her lips and chin were soaked, the top of her breasts and dress were wet from her spit, and the roots of her hair now burned from Ben's tight grip. She peered up and watched his toned abs constrict with each thrust and slightly relax as he pulled back. Mesmerized, she ran a hand up his toned stomach, desperate to feel every ridge of his muscles.

"Fuck, ah. Rey, ah fuck." Ben could feel his orgasm approaching and hastened his motions until moments later, he came.

As his hot spend hit her throat, Rey made a choking noise. Ben hastily pulled his cock out with an apology. Rope after rope landed on her face.

"Ow! Aim lower! It got in my eye," Rey whined but lightly laughed.

"Fuck, I'm sorry." Ben groaned while still stroking his cock.

He lowly growled as the last of his spend landed on her breasts. He took a few deep breaths through his nose while he waited for his body to settle.

Rey licked her lips and wiped her dirtied eyelid.

"I'm sorry," he repeated.

"Don't be. Do you have a towel?" Rey shyly grinned when he handed her one.

While kneeling on the floor, Rey cleaned her face and breasts and Ben tucked himself into his pants then zipped them up.

"Um, well, are you ready to eat?" He quietly asked and buckled his belt.

"I'm starving."

Ben offered a hand to help Rey stand.

The front door suddenly burst open.

"Benjamin, where is my grandpup?" Rang Leia's voice just across the brownstone. 

"Ben, I tried to stop her. I tried to call you but to no avail," Han hollered.

Ben's eyes widened with fear. He looked over his shoulder to see his mother holding a casserole dish, walking toward him in the kitchen while his father stood in the doorway with a pack of beer in one hand and a bread basket in the other.

Chapter Text

No.

No. No. Fuck NO. This was NOT happening. His parents were not invading his house just as Rey cleaned cum off her pretty little face.

But there she was, his mother, happily walking into his home like she owned the damned place with that smug look on her face as she carried her grandmother’s casserole dish. As if bringing food would solve all the world’s problems or make Ben forgive her for intruding into his home.

Well, for Rey, food would sometimes fix her problems. Ben quickly learned if he fed her while she was grumpy, she quickly calmed down.

He eyed the casserole dish again and sniffed.

The meal would be deadly if Rey ate it. His mother loves cooking with garlic. Luckily, the aroma was strong enough that Rey could have smelled it a mile away. 

Ben’s heart hammered with each step his mother took, her footsteps echoing off the walls. She paused long enough to coo at his dog when Kylo happily walked over and wagged his tail while he sniffed her.

“Mom! Dad!” Ben’s eyebrows dipped. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

That stopped Leia in her tracks.

“Really, Benjamin?” Leia huffed.

“Yeah, really.” Ben sighed and gestured at them, specifically his mother. “You can’t just show up unannounced.”

“We tried to call–” 

“And where did you get a key?” His voice almost sounded like a whine.

“A mother always needs a key,” Leia chimed as she neared the counter.

“No.” Ben ran a hand through his hair as his anxiety spiked. Despite feeling relieved that he already tucked himself into his pants, there was something about his parents walking in after receiving head– in his home. “No, you don’t need a goddamn key.”

“Hey!” Han hollered as he stepped in. “I get she’s invading your privacy, but show a little respect to your mother. What’s gotten into you?”

Just as Ben’s eyes drifted to look at Rey, she popped up from the floor, pretending she was holding something in her fingers just as Leia set the casserole dish on the counter.

“Ah! I found it!” Rey happily announced as if she didn’t hear Leia and Han.

Ben’s eyebrows shot up and his lips made a quick “o” shape before responding, “You found–” 

“My contact! Right here on the floor.” Rey sighed in false relief as she held nothing between her fingers. “Now I won’t have to worry about Kylo accidentally ingesting or inhaling it while he sniffs for crumbs.” She then turned and smiled at a bewildered Leia and Han.

“Ah, that’s why he’s so uptight,” Han whispered to Leia and set the bread basket on the counter. “You interrupted date night.”

“I didn’t interrupt–” Leia paused and observed Ben’s and Rey’s flushed cheeks and her son’s rigid body language. “Wait a minute.”

“You should, um, get a new contact from your purse.” Ben quietly suggested as he grew more desperate to put more space between them and his parents.

“Ben–” Leia looked as though her head would explode.

“Yeah,” Rey nodded. “I should go do that right now.”

“Here.” Ben placed his hand on the small of Rey’s back and began walking her toward the stairs. “Why don’t you use my bathroom upstairs for more privacy.”

“I could use the one down here–”

“Wait just a minute–” Leia continued.

“Upstairs we go.” Ben could hear his father chuckle as he escorted Rey to his bedroom.

“Benjamin!” Leia called after the young couple.

“She forgot her purse.” Han waved Rey’s purse and quietly laughed.

Ben closed his door and locked it.

“Holy fucking shit.” Ben let out a deep breath. “That woman just made me a prisoner of my house.”

“Why are they here?” Rey whispered. “I mean no offense–”

“Your lips were just on my dick moments before she burst through the door. No offense taken.”

Ben rolled his jaw as he remembered the voicemail he had left his mother.

“Fuck,” he muttered. 

“Ben!” Rey was now panicking. “I still have cum stuck between my breast and in my bra.”

“And cum stains on your dress.”

Rey hastily wiped the palms of her hands over the small daisy prints of her dress. “This is so fucking awkward.”

“Yeah. Well, maybe it will teach my mother not to come barging into my home–”

“Like the Kool-Aid man?” Rey nodded in understanding. 

Ben tried to warn her, and she thought he was being overdramatic.

“I tried to warn you.” He let out a heavy sigh.

“You did. I just couldn’t see it. Leia acts so professional and understanding. But that–”

“She’s a smother. She constantly butts into my life, where she doesn’t belong.”

“Where she doesn’t belong?” Rey frowned. “Ben.”

“You know what I mean. Mom just arrives at all the wrong moments.” Ben leaned against the wall. “I called her on my break today as she left me back-to-back messages this morning when I was already at work, hounding me for an update on my life. So, I called her back, and of course, she didn’t fucking answer.”

“Leia did mention she forgot her phone earlier.”

“She does this shit on purpose, I swear.” He stared at the floor and shook his head. “I fucked up. I told her we should talk face-to-face about the development in my dating life.”

Rey leaned against the wall next to Ben and softly caressed his cheek. “Hey, it will be okay.” She smiled when he looked into her eyes. “You didn’t fuck up.”

“But I did. That’s why my mother is standing downstairs waiting like a damn spider–”

Rey placed her finger on Ben’s plush lips. “There’s nothing we can do to change tonight’s circumstances. If she hasn’t figured out you’re the mystery man who nearly broke the bed–”

Ben started laughing, but his eyes filled with pride as he thought back to how hard he fucked Rey on New Year’s night and how loud the headboard slammed against the hotel wall.

“You did not tell her the bed almost broke.”

“I didn’t; Rose did.”

Ben smirked at Rey. “You know you’ll have to tell Rose before my mother does.”

“Oh fuck.” Rey pursed her lips and gave Ben a hopeful look. “Is your mother the gossiping type?”

“What was her reaction to some guy, and she doesn’t know it was me, nearly breaking the bed while fucking you?”

“At first, she told me to live wild while I could. And that she would also obsess over a man who nearly broke the bed.” Rey giggled when Ben squeezed his eyes shut and grimaced. 

Ben sighed again. “Alright. Let me just get this over with. I’ll go talk with them.” 

When he pulled away from the wall, he looked at Rey’s hand when she grabbed his.

“Together,” she softly assured. “We can do this together.”

Ben pulled Rey closer and cupped her cheek with his free hand. The way her beautiful eyes locked onto his and her reassuring smile made Ben remember everything would be fine. She was the calm to his storm, the water to his fire, the spark of hope he didn’t know he needed. These were among the many reasons Ben Solo was already deeply in love with Rey. 

His lips gingerly embraced hers while he stroked her cheek with his thumb.

“Ready?” He quietly asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Hand in hand, Ben and Rey walked back downstairs. Han sat on the sofa with a beer in one hand and Kylo’s rope toys in the other, growling back at the pup as they played tug of war.

“Oh, who is a tough boy?” Han playfully snarled while pulling on the rope. Kylo happily wagged his tail and repeatedly chomped on his end of the rope while pulling back. “So this is the big development he wanted to tell you about, huh? I mean, I love dogs, but we didn’t have to rush across town for this.” He looked at Leia, who stood between the staircase and the kitchen with her arms crossed.

“No,” Leia firmly stated. “That’s only part of it.” She turned when she heard the couple walking down the dark staircase. “Did Rey find her contacts in your room?”

“Nope. Rey doesn’t wear them. We just needed a minute.”

“You needed a minute?” Leia hotly replied.

“Yeah. I bet you would need a minute if I barged into your home while you and Dad were going at it.”

Han choked on his beer when he tried to stifle a laugh. 

“Oh boy,” Rey muttered and placed her hand on Ben’s chest. “Calm down.”

Leia looked at Ben and then at Rey and lightly shook her head. “This was the big development in your dating life?”

“This?” Ben and Rey asked together.

“Leia, did you just refer to this young lady as this?” Han gave Kylo a scratch behind his ear and stood from the couch.

Leia held her hands up. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Then what did–” Ben felt Rey cover his mouth.

“Ben, calm down,” Rey reminded him, although she could feel her temper rising. She politely smiled at Leia. “Why don’t we all sit down? Ben and I were about to eat. You’re more than welcome to join us with whatever you brought.”

“I brought dinner.” Leia gave Rey a sharp smile.

Rey resisted the urge to roll her eyes and continued. It was now or never. Rey needed to assert her place in Ben’s life, even if that meant overstepping.

“You brought dinner for you and Han. Ben and I already cooked our meals. Had we known you were coming over, we would have prepared more.”

Ben rubbed Rey’s waist and kissed the top of her head.

Leia was taken back for a beat before she responded, “Your dinner is probably cold now.”

Ben held a fake smile. “It wouldn’t be cold if we didn’t have to politely get over the shock of you waltzing into my home like you own the damn place.”

“The food will be fine,” Rey added.

“The linguine alfredo is still hot–”

“Mom, think about what you made before you came here and what ingredients you used.” Ben stated as he took Rey by the hand and walked her back to the kitchen. Silently, they loaded their plates with their steaks, baby potatoes, and a salad in nearby bowls while Leia and Han followed.

“Well, it's all simple ingredients. I cook the chicken with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Then there's the fresh garlic, heavy cream, butter, the parmesan.”

“What sent Rey to the hospital?” Ben asked as he pulled out a barstool for Rey to sit on before cutting his steak. He peered over at Rey and winked at her when she took a small bite from her plate.

“The garlic.” Leia pursed her lips.

“Hey, more garlic knots for me!” Han jokingly stated and pulled the little bread basket closer to him. He gave Leia a half-smirk when she glared at him. “I mean, damn, we’ll have to cook our lobsters differently when they come over.” He looked over at Rey. “Do you like lobster, Rey?”

Rey softly smiled. “I’ve never had it.”

“Oh, well, don’t you worry.” Han waved her statement off. “That happens to be one of the few dishes I’m good at cooking.”

“I’m afraid I’m also allergic to shellfish.” Rey quietly replied. 

“Oh, I’m sorry–”

“Even if you weren’t allergic to shellfish, that’s something you should be avoiding now, am I right?” Leia quirked an eyebrow.

“Huh?” Han looked at Leia.

Leia ignored her husband. “Don’t they recommend pregnant women to avoid shellfish?”

“They warned me to avoid raw fish or any raw food.”

“That’s what this is about?” Han asked and removed the towel from the breadbasket. “Wait, can I eat this in front of you? Or–”

“The allergic reactions happen if I ingest it. Smaller reactions happen if I touch the things I’m allergic to.” Rey smiled reassuringly.

Ben took a small breath in relief. His father was trying to calm Leia down by not overreacting. He knows his father will have more to say at a later time.

“Okay, just making sure.” Han grabbed a garlic knot and took a big bite before a heavy sigh followed. “Ben’s new girlfriend is pregnant. Wow.” He chewed a few more times as he processed the news. “Our Ben is going to be a dad.”

“And you know for sure–”

“Yes, Mom,” Ben quickly cut in. “The baby is mine.”

“Beer?” Han held a bottle in the direction of his son.

Ben happily accepted, opened it, and took a few large gulps.

“Are you two absolutely sure it’s Ben’s?” Leia asked again.

“Leia, eat something.” Han opened the casserole dish.

“Look, I’ll get a DNA test done as soon as possible if that will get you off my back,” Rey sternly replied.

“I’m not on your back.”

“You’re acting snide, and I can only imagine how you’ll be at work.” Rey pursed her lips. “If I were some random girl you never met, I bet you would have a much different reaction.”

“She has you there, Leia,” Han said, scooping large servings of the chicken linguine alfredo on the plates Ben handed him.

“No,” Leia stubbornly stated.

“Yes,” Han and Ben replied.

“Rey would rather let someone inject her with a giant needle, endangering the pregnancy” -he frowned at Rey before glaring at his mother- “than deal with your bullshit.”

Leia returned her son’s glare before turning to Rey. “And what exactly have I done that you have found so offensive?”

Rey narrowed her eyes as she spoke. “You’re already acting like I can’t do my job.”

“I am not–”

“Watching my every move, which is something you haven’t done since my first week on the job.”

“Is it not my job to teach you?”

“Asking if I’ll vomit is not teaching,” Rey growled.

Leia sighed in resignation. “I didn’t realize you were so easily offended.”

“Bite.” Ben shoved a piece of sauteed potato into Rey’s mouth.

“Perhaps it's your hormones,” Leia continued.

“And unleash hell.” Ben waved his hand in his mother’s direction. 

“Thank you, darling.” Rey briefly smiled at Ben. “It’s not my fucking hormones. Hiding my pregnancy from you and my friends has grated my nerves, and you were just dropping hints left and right about it in front of them earlier. I’ll turn in my two weeks' notice if you want me to quit. But not without a letter of recommendation because I’m a damn good employee, and you fucking know it. Within two days, you have made it obvious that you will be challenging to work for just because I’m pregnant. It’s highly unprofessional. Which is quite unfortunate because up until recently, I was quite fond of how you ran your practice and treated your clients, their pets, and your employees, but now, seeing how pathetically personal you get over someone’s private life makes me think differently. But if you don’t want me to quit, fine. I will rise to your challenges and will do quietly because that is the difference between class and trash.”

Both Ben and Han chugged their beers.

“But make no mistake, while I’ll take your mental games at work, I will keep the baby away from your toxicity.”

“Rey.” Leia tried to cut in.

“You see, I grew up in abusive households. I’ll do everything possible to protect my and Ben’s baby. I worked too hard to get where I am, which may not be much to you, but it’s better than what I had growing up and where I started a few years ago. I never planned to have children, but now it’s happening. I’m going to be a mother, and I’ll try to do my best, which is more than I can say for the woman who gave birth to me and every foster parent I had.” 

Everyone waited with bated breath for Leia to respond while Kylo sat next to Han, hoping for a handout.

“I’m sorry,” Leia finally stated after a tense minute. “You’re right. I was already testing you today. But to be fair, you did look like you were about to vomit.”

“True.”

“But I remember your conversations; the girl talks with Rose and Finn. You only mentioned one partner, and now that I think about those conversations, there is no way in hell you knew Ben was my son or the amount of money he inherited from his grandparents.

Ben gave Rey an apologetic smile. He had told her he hadn’t received the money yet, but it wasn’t true. 

“I know I told you I didn’t receive my inheritance yet, but the truth is that I received it when I turned twenty-three, and it’s just sat in my bank account after I paid off my student loans, my car, and this home. I usually keep that information quiet because–”

“You don’t have to explain yourself–” Rey reassured.

Ben leaned over and whispered how well-off he and his family were. It was Rey’s turn to nearly choke on her drink. After she dabbed her napkin across her lips and chin, she looked at Leia.

“I’m glad we had this confrontation now because I can only imagine how bitchy you would have become over this situation.”

“You think I would have accused you of getting knocked up on purpose?” Leia momentarily paused and nodded, “I’ll admit, I probably would have done it.” Leia smiled at Rey. “I’ve always liked your fiery spirit, and again, I overheard the conversations more often than not. You met Ben under a different name and you looked for him everywhere. Hearing you talk about it made me smile because it was so romantic. Ben must have left quite the impression.”

Ben placed his hand over Rey’s. They lovingly smiled at one another now that the tension had passed. He leaned over to kiss Rey on the cheek.

“Oh my– Ben!” Leia’s jaw dropped. “You're Mr. Fucked her into the mattress ?”

“Now, there is a delayed reaction.” Ben shook his head.

“Mr. Nearly Broke the bed?!” Leia’s face was one of pure terror. “I was encouraging more of that for her without realizing it was you?”

“You know, there are some things that dads just don’t need to know. Also known as I don’t need to know. I didn’t need to know any of that!” Han complained. “I mean, good for you, son, but ah man, Leia, come on.”

Leia only laughed and waved Han off. “It's not my fault he takes after you.” 

“Holy shit, MOM! Seriously.”

Han peeled a garlic knot apart and handed a piece to Kylo.

“Dad!”

“What?” Han shrugged. “We were young and wild too once.”

“No.” Ben shut his eyes and sharply inhaled. “Not that!” He pointed to the garlic knot. “I’m talking about that! No people food!”

“Huh?”

Ben pointed to Kylo. “Don’t feed Kylo people food. If he licks or ingests something Rey is allergic to, she might get a reaction if he licks her!”

“I’m sorry I didn’t think about that.”

“It’s okay, Han,” Rey replied.

“It’s always better to be safe than sorry.” Han chuckled after a minute and smirked at Ben. “You and your obsession with Galaxy Wars.” 

“Shut up.”

Leia’s lip curled as Han and Ben went back and forth.

“Back to my point!” Leia loudly whined. “This whole time?!” She pointed at Rey. “You knew this whole time that you were jumping my son’s bones! And you boasted about it?!”

“Kylo was a hot villain,” Rey piped in to encourage Ben and Han’s conversation before looking at Leia. “And I didn’t know he was your son until recently.” Rey smiled as Ben held her hand. “We should watch Galaxy Wars sometime.”

“Galaxy Wars? Is that the one where that idiot boy almost killed his mother?” Leia shook her head.

“But he didn’t,” Rey countered, feeling smug that Leia’s attention turned.

“And he got the girl in the end. So, how bad could he have been?” Ben smirked.

“Now, Ben, in your voicemail, you said things with the private practice were going as planned?” Leia said after a few bits of creamy linguine. 

“Yeah. I didn’t expect it to happen overnight, but I’m starting to get impatient. But, basically, all we will need after we get the malpractice insurance is a building to set it up.”

“You and Hux are opening a private practice?” Rey asked, feeling pride for Ben and his friend. “That’s amazing!”

“Yeah, I guess. I just didn’t want to say anything and, you know, jinx myself. But, as much as I love the thrill of working in the ER, I would like something a bit–”

“Slower?” Han asked.

“Essentially.” Ben nodded at his father. “I loved the unpredictability of working in the ER. The adrenaline rush was incredible. But I felt like something was missing and thought that if my hours weren’t insane, maybe I could focus and find it. And then I met you.” He looked at Rey. “Call me crazy, but this baby is almost like a sign that things will work out for that. If we can’t get the practice to open before the baby is born and before you return to work, I can bring the baby to the hospital’s daycare.”

“Or to us!” Han and Leia sang.

“Mom, you work.”

“I won’t work forever.”

“Let me start with taking care of Kylo during the day,” Han offered. “I got nothing else to do.”

“I don’t know. When Kylo is a bit bigger, he’ll be fine in the house while I’m gone.”

“All those hours alone and no one to play with?” Han sympathetically asked while petting Kylo.

“And as for the baby,” Ben continued, “We’ll figure out childcare sooner or later. Let’s see if I’m still at the hospital–”

“Kid, you don’t want to bring your kid to the hospital daycare where all the illnesses are.”

Rey smiled at Han and squeezed Ben’s hand as she could tell he was already getting stressed. They hadn’t had a chance to discuss daycare or anything after Rey’s maternity leave ended.

“Ben, will it be a specialized practice?” She asked to help turn the conversation back to Ben’s plans for his career.

“No, it will be family medicine. Hux already said he’d prefer dealing with older patients. But we’re trying to get some of our other doctor and nurse friends to hop on board so we have staff we are familiar with and hire as needed.”

“It sounds like you are taking it one step at a time, which is an excellent idea. Grandpa Anakin would be so proud of you, as would Grandma Padme.”

“Oh, I love their names!”

“Ben, you haven’t even told her their names?” Leia looked at her son in shock.

“I–” Ben scratched the back of his head. “Well–”

Leia rolled her eyes. “Maybe you two use your mouths to talk instead of–”

“I am still here,” Han loudly announced. “Please do not finish that sentence.”

Rey tried not to laugh but couldn’t stop herself. She looked at Leia before bursting into a fit of giggles and smiled guiltily at her.

“I mean, we are learning about one another still–”

“Not just your bodies.”

“We’ve had a lot of deep discussions,” Rey continued. “The fun times only just, uh, restarted, so to speak.”

Ben could feel the tips of his ears burning. “Who wants cheesecake?” He asked before pulling it out from the refrigerator.

Leia looked at Rey. “You don’t have gestational diabetes on top of all of your food allergies, do you, dear?” 

“I don’t know. We’ll find out at the next appointment. I’m due for bloodwork and an ultrasound.”

“Oh! I can’t wait to see the baby!” Leia cooed.

Ben couldn’t wait to see the baby again as well. Especially now that things are better between him and Rey. But oddly enough, he knew he wouldn’t be in a hurry to show his mom the ultrasound. If anyone deserved to see the baby after him and Rey, it would be Maz. 

@Moem on Twitter and Bsky made this meme, and I legit laughed so hard. Thank you again, Moem! Be sure to check out her account for incredible Reylo art!

Chapter Text

Ben and Rey finally removed the large metaphorical bandaid and were no longer sidestepping the major issue at hand: Rey's boss, Ben's mom, Leia Organa. 

No, instead, they now unleashed a brand new monster. 

Leia Organa– Grandmother-to-be. 

And deep down, something told Rey she should watch the soon-to-be grandmother like a hawk.

It was now or never. Rey and Ben finally needed to announce her pregnancy to their friends before all of Coruscant heard it from the Kool-Aid Mom. 

Rey's heart sank when Rose's voice delightfully rang through her cellphone's speaker when Rey invited her and Hux to dinner less than an hour after Leia and Han.

"I'm so damn excited! You've been a hermit for far too long!" Rose exclaimed. "But why should we wait until Thursday? Why not tonight?"

"Oh, you know, the work week is so busy, and tonight would be too last minute." Rey fidgeted with a pen. Her ultrasound was two days away on Thursday morning, but Rose didn't know that. Showing their friends might be a good way to break the news.

"So, we could move it to Friday if you're worried about everyone's schedules, silly!"

Rey froze. Waiting until Friday would mean working with Leia the rest of Thursday and all of Friday, and she just knows Leia can easily guess what her appointment on Thursday morning will consist of.

"Oh, I guess Friday could work–" 

"That way, we can all get shit-faced and not worry about work the next day."

Rey nervously laughed and looked up at Ben when he softly kissed the top of her hair.

"Sure." Rey cleared her throat. It makes sense for everyone else to go out Friday. She could handle Leia's snooping. "Friday would work better."

"Yay! Now, your drunken railing can happen at his house or yours."

With a roll of her eyes, Rey groaned, "I'll never live this down, will I?"

Ben playfully shook his head with a wink while Rose sang, "Nope! Oh, let's do a group call!"

Rey rolled her eyes and tightened her grip on her cell phone. "Here, I thought of a better idea. How about I just send the invite in a group text?"

"Uh, sure? Why?"

"Because I don't feel like getting ridiculed all night."

"I understand," Rose quietly replied. "You want to be railed all night."

Rey could visualize Rose's broad smile as she spoke.

"Oh goodness." Rey lightly laughed. "Take care of Millicent and her babies, then jump on Armie!"

"Trust me; I will jump his bones all night." Rose chuckled before sighing. "Oh, Rey, the kittens have grown so much! You should take one home."

"Kylo would eat it," Rey exclaimed. 

"Ben's dog? Oh, things must be getting serious between you two."

If only Rose had realized how serious things were getting.

"Bye, Rose."

"Aw, you're no fun."

"I know," Rey stated before ending the call. She then began typing a message to their large group text.

"I don't know what she's talking about. You're a lot of fun." Ben smirked when Rey paused typing. "And not just inside the bedroom."

"Hmm, I'm fun at bars, hotels, bathrooms, living rooms, and your kitchen counter."

Ben lifted his eyebrows with a playful smile. "We should add my bedroom to this list."

Rey's jaw dropped slightly at Ben's stark features and lustful gaze.

"Oh?" She tucked hair behind her ear. "Your parents didn't kill the mood?" 

"Not really. I just remembered you mentioned how my cum is still between your breasts, and I'm horny again." Ben playfully smirked.

Rey giggled. "But it's getting late–"

Ben wrapped his hands around Rey's hips. "Then stay the night."

"Huh?"

Ben tilted Rey's chin. "Stay with me."

Rey could feel her heart hasten. 

Rey felt her cheeks beginning to blush and pressed her lips together. "What about my clothes?"

"I have a washer and dryer. We can wash the cum out of your bra."

Rey couldn't stop herself from laughing.

"I know you drove over here, but we can both go to your apartment and pack a few things." Ben kissed her neck. "I can pack a bag of my things as well, and we can, you know, go back and forth." He kissed her throat. "That way, we can be more spontaneous in our evening adventures."

Rey tilted her head as Ben's lips moved to the other side of her neck. "Are you sure you want to move on to the next step in this relationship?"

Ben hummed as he left a lingering kiss on her skin. "Damn right, I do." He pulled away from her neck and straightened his back. "I want to move on to the next step. Even if we just come back and fall asleep like old people. Besides" -Ben gave her a half-smile- "you recently said we were moving at a snail's pace… So now what do you say? Do you want to speed things up?" He watched as Rey started to smile again. "We planned on meeting early on Thursday for your appointment, so why let tonight's fun end? Stay with me tonight, and we can figure out tomorrow's sleeping arrangement."

Rey bit her lower lip as she grinned. "Okay."

Ben's playful smile widened. His smile and eyes were damn near radiant. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. This way, we can see if we can handle each other snoring."

Ben smirked. "You do have the cutest, drunken snore."

Rey's jaw dropped. "I do not!"

"Ah, you do." Ben winked. "And if you decide you are too tired to return to my place tonight, we can sleep at yours." 

"We'll need extra food and water bowls for Kylo."

He looked at Kylo. "We will. We can easily use Tupperware at your house until we buy new bowls."

Rey playfully hummed and wrapped her arms around his bicep. "Your bed looks more comfortable, and" -Rey raised her eyebrows and nodded in satisfaction- "it's bigger."

"But on your bed, I can pull you closer."

"I get overheated easily." Rey offered a sad smile.

Ben laughed in relief. "Thank goodness because I do too." 

"I don't know how anyone cuddles for so long." Rey bounced up and down on the tips of her toes. "Well, let's do it then."

Jokingly, Ben pulled at his belt buckle.

"Later, Ben." Rey's cheeks began to hurt from laughing and smiling so much. She couldn't remember ever feeling this happy. "Let's bring some of your things to my place, and I'll pack an overnight bag for yours."

Rey watched Ben rummaging through the closet first, then his dresser, and finally the bathroom. Once he finished packing days worth of clothes, he moved things around in his room, explaining she could have more dressers or closet space if she wanted. His beautiful honey-colored eyes took Rey's breath away. The first night they met, she noticed his striking eyes and how sad they looked, and now Ben looked as happy as Rey felt. 

Despite it being Ben's idea that Rey stayed the night, she couldn't help but feel guilty when they took Kylo for a quick walk before getting into the car and driving to Rey's place. She found no trace of second thoughts as Ben began to hang his shirts in her closet. Rey rearranged a few of her dresser drawers so he could place his other clothes. When they returned to Ben's house, she put her belongings in the spaces provided in his closet and drawers, each exchanging shy smiles while she unpacked. Rey looked at her bras as she set them down. It wouldn't be long before she would need to buy a bigger size as the current ones were starting to feel tight.

Although the simple rearrangements in both homes were minor, the big step into seeing if they could live together felt surreal. But both Rey and Ben felt excited about this new chapter in their lives. 

After Rey closed a dresser drawer, Ben cupped her jaw in one hand and unzipped her dress with the other while they engaged in a series of soft, delicate kisses. Rey leaned her head back when he moved his mouth from her lips to her jaw and then her neck, leaving a trail of kisses down her throat to her collarbone as he pulled the material of her dress off her shoulders. Ben gently ran his lips over the peaks of her breasts before he gave her a crooked smile and unhooked her long-soiled bra. Rey didn't miss the glow of pride in his eyes, knowing he was the reason why she had to sit through dinner with his parents with cum drying on the satin material. And watching the fire take over pride, she didn't have to guess that he knew her panties were wet with fresh arousal as he continued his subtle kisses down her abdomen and to the hem of her panty line.

Earlier in their strange relationship, hearing his deep inhale would have made her blush, but now, it only turned Rey on even more. She bit her lower lip when Ben latched his teeth against her panties and playfully pulled them down her legs. Her eyes fluttered when his lips returned to her sex and she buried her fingers into his thick obsidian hair. She wrapped her fingers around his locks when his tongue teased her clit.

"You should get on the bed," Ben muttered before latching his mouth on her cunt again. "Can't have you hitting your head again." He abruptly stood, causing Rey to laugh when he picked her up and carried her to the bed.

The following morning, Ben and Rey woke to their phone alarms ringing. The night was a wonderful blur, and waking side by side filled their souls with a warmth they never realized they needed until now. They went about their morning routines as though they had been together their whole lives. A quick morning walk with Kylo, breakfast with coffee, shower, and teeth brushing. Rey dressed in her scrubs while Ben wore business casual since he changed into scrubs at the hospital. 

With a chaste kiss goodbye, they each got into their cars and drove in a similar direction, ultimately changing when Rey got closer to Organa Animal Hospital. Ben would drive a bit further to drop Kylo off at puppy daycare before going to work. He would work out arrangements with his father at a later time.

As expected, Rey caught Leia giving her knowing glances. At one point, Rey pulled an imaginary zipper across her lips when Leia was talking to Rose. Leia pouted at Rey when Rose entered the examination room for her next patient. But Rey wouldn't fall for it. She wasn't ready to announce it yet. It would be easier if all of her and Ben's friends were together. One last bandaid to pull off, and with luck, everyone will "ooh and aah" over the ultrasound instead of pestering them with a thousand questions at once.

Aside from waiting for her ultrasound, Rey was on pins and needles waiting for the itemized bill from her ER visit. While she found it absurd that someone would intentionally fuck up her insurance and overcharge her, as Ben suspected, remembering that Beaumont was in the billing department, Rey worried he would see her other claims as her obstetrician was in the same hospital: Yavin New Hope.

But worrying about things she did not have control over would only spike her blood pressure, which wasn't good for her or the baby. Rey would have to worry when she finally received the itemized bill. 

Meanwhile, Ben's thoughts were also on Rey's upcoming appointment and the lingering bill in question while he examined an X-ray.

"You look lost in thought," Hux muttered.

"The femur is broken in two places." Ben nonchalantly pointed to the two fractures. 

"That sucks." Hux took a sip of his coffee.

"Doctor Connix," Ben called down the hall. "Please page Orthopedics. The kid needs surgery ASAP."

"Right away, Doctor Solo," Kaydel replied.

Undeterred, Hux continued. "But this patient's injury is not what's occupying your mind, is it?"

Ben removed the film and sighed. "The patient's recovery will take months."

Hux rolled his eyes. "Always avoiding the topic at hand. Solo, come on, you can't shake us." 

"Us?"

"Yep!" Poe poked his head into the room. "Us!"

"Don't you have patients to attend?" Ben quietly stated and typed notes into the patient's chart.

"What do we have here?" Poe held the film up against the light. "Damn, that sucks. How did that happen?"

"Playing soccer with friends, and he took a cleat to the leg." 

"Holy shit. Did the kid somehow mistake soccer for karate? Because how the fuck does this happen?" Hux asked.

"Shit, kids are rough." Poe sighed, "Glad I'm not having any."

Ben's left eyebrow involuntarily twitched. Hux cleared his throat and nodded his head in Ben's direction.

"So, what's going on between you and Rey?" Poe dutifully probed.

"Hux, are you getting Poe to do your bitch work?"

"Can you blame me? Poe masterfully excels at gossiping while I usually pretend I do not hear it."

"A gathering for dinner on Friday night?" Poe interrupted. "You chickened out of the blind date, and now you're fine with going out in a big group setting?"

"Well, that was a blind date. I know who my date will be this time." Ben scribbled on a prescription pad. "This poor kid will have a very uneventful summer."

"Well, if he follows your and his physical therapist's orders in the fall, the kid should be good to go for spring sports. Kids are resilient," Hux replied. "Now, what's going on with you and Rey?"

"Seriously?"

"Rose is up my ass about the two of you. Are you girlfriend/boyfriend? Are you two engaged? Moving in together? I love Rose, but she won't shut up about you two. And Millicent's kittens are walking all over the place, including my face this morning. So, I'm exhausted and need to give my girlfriend a full report."

"Ah well, in that case" -Ben stood and pat Hux's shoulder- "It sucks to be you."

"Oh, come on!" 

"I told you he wouldn't budge. Hey, Solo, so that you know, I have Finn asking the same questions."

"Finn doesn't scare me and certainly doesn't scare Rey."

"Damn it."

"Rey tried for a Thursday dinner, but your girlfriend" -Ben pointed to Hux- "insisted on another day."

Hux frowned and countered, "Rey could have been firm in her plan."

"She could have, but she hates upsetting people. That's something Rey needs to work on. So, how about the two of you fuck off with your questions since the information you desperately want won't be available until Friday." Ben flashed a fake smile. "Now, I have to squash this kid's summer dreams."

"I'm sure he knows it's broken," Hux replied.

"Yeah, but you know how kids are. They hope for the best until the very end." Ben paused and his eyebrows creased. "It's been forever since I felt like that."

"Same here." Poe nodded in agreement and offered a genuine smile. "Well, whatever is happening on Friday, I'm looking forward to it. Thanks for including us."

"Yeah, sure, no problem." Ben ran his hand through his hair and walked toward the hall.

Poe playfully sniffled. "Look at our little Benny, all grown up and publicly declaring his relationship official. Never thought I'd see the day."

Ben ignored his friend. There was no telling how they would react to the pregnancy. Both Dameron and Hux must have thought he was emotionally stunted, and perhaps for a time, he was. But there would be no joking when it came down to his child. 

Not that Ben ever needed Poe's approval, or Hux's for that matter, but seeing his friends somewhat support him already took the edge off. He knows the announcement will not be rainbows, unicorns, and all things happy and sparkly. Ben knows there will be questions that he and Rey may not have all the answers to, but the overall mood with the announcement was becoming easier. Therefore, he was becoming more and more excited about the upcoming appointment. The temptation to pick up Rey for her lunch break and drive her to the hospital so that he could do as he previously joked: steal an ultrasound machine and take a peek. 

But no. Ben would wait. Right now, he needed to focus on his job and one other pressing matter after he tended to his patient.

"Whoa, you look serious," Poe quietly stated.

"What do you know about Beaumont Kin?"

"That loser Rey was stuck with on the blind date? You don't need to worry about that asshole. Rey hated him from the moment they met."

"I'm not worried about that. I'm worried about Beaumont's work ethic." Ben looked down the hall to where his patient waited. "I want to know everything there is to know about that scumbag: from his personal life to any complaints made to HR."

Poe mischievously said, "Oh, I'll get that info for you." 

"Is he trying to contact Rey?" Hux asked.

"No, but I have my suspicions about something else."

By the end of the day, both Hux and Poe had details on Beaumont. Complaints ranged from how he talked to patients on the phone to sexual harassment claims by coworkers, claims that were eventually dropped. The complaints from patients were quickly swept under the rug while it sounded like he intimated any woman who filed a complaint against him. 

Ben looked out the window at the never-ending city as Armitage and Poe explained what they had heard. Ben rubbed his chin and pursed his lips as little raindrops hit the glass and the clouds grew darker. One way or another, he would make sure Beaumont Kin would pay for every misdeed. 

"Ben?" Poe cautiously probed. "You okay?"

"No." Ben felt his phone vibrate and looked to see Rey calling him. He could feel his temper immediately dampen, and Hux and Poe must have also noticed.

"Ah, the lover is calling. We'll give you some privacy." Poe winked.

"Sweetheart," Ben greeted as the two other men left.

"Hello darling," Rey chimed. 

Ben took a deep breath and smiled at her beautiful voice.

"I know you're still working, but–"

"I just finished my reports for today. You're not interrupting."

"Oh, good. Well, I was calling to see where I should go tonight. Your house or mine?"

Ben's grin grew. "You're blushing, aren't you?"

"Maybe."

"Let's go back to my place tonight. I'm closer to the hospital, and getting to your appointment in the morning will be easier."

"Sounds perfect. Should I pick Kylo up from puppy daycare?"

Ben snorted. "I just realized how silly puppy daycare sounds. But it sounds adorable coming from you." Ben sighed as he watched more rain hit the window. "Sweetheart, I'll pick up Kylo while you meet me at home. More specifically, meet me in our bed."

Chapter Text

The following morning, Ben and Rey sat in the waiting room until a nurse called her name. 

Once they settled in her examination room, Rey sat on the table and nervously smiled at Ben.

"You look frightened," Ben whispered.

"What if they find something?" Rey shook her head. "What if the baby stopped growing?"

"Sweetheart, everything will be fine," he calmly assured. 

"Yeah, but–"

Ben grasped Rey's hand in his. The feel of his warm palm immediately soothed Rey's soul.

"Everything will be alright. If the doctors find something, we will do everything possible to help our baby."

"Okay." Rey slowly nodded in agreement.

But Ben already knew her so well. He could see a question lingered.

"What's on your mind?" 

"Well, for starters, let me just say I know how stupid this is going to sound, but" –Rey took a short breath– "What if I drank too much that night? On New Year's Eve? What if I drank too much and somehow poisoned the egg and the sperm?"

Ben gave her a knowing smirk. "Were you pregnant then?" 

"No." Rey lightly laughed. "I told you it's an irrational question."

"By the time my, what was it you called it?" Ben quirked an eyebrow. "Super sperm?"

Feeling mortified, Rey could feel her cheeks burn, "Oh god, how did you find out?"

Ben chuckled before continuing. "Before my super sperm fertilized your egg, the alcohol would have been out of your system."

Rey smiled while looking at the tiled floor.

"Does my sperm wear capes?"

Rey snorted. "Yes, actually, they do. Mini Kylo Ren capes, to be more specific."

A soft but quick knock at the door interrupted their laughter. Ben and Rey took a collective breath and smiled at one another as the doctor walked in.

"Doctor Solo?" 

"Doctor Kalonia," Ben greeted.

"I had no idea you had a little one on the way." The older woman warmly smiled at the couple. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," Ben replied.

"Ms. Johnson, why didn't you say anything?" Kalonia laughed.

"Oh, you know how Ben is. He's very private."

"That he is," Kalonia agreed. "I'm surprised your mother hasn't said anything."

"I've asked her to remain quiet for the time being," Ben answered. "Meaning we needed to get past this appointment before Mom announced it to all of Coruscant."

"Well then, let's get to it. I just know you two are anxious about this appointment."

Doctor Kalonia, Ben, and Rey went over the typical questions. How was Rey feeling? Has she felt any flutters yet? Did they have any concerns? Rey took a deep breath, smiled when she laid back for the ultrasound, and anxiously looked at the monitor once the ultrasound jelly was on her belly. Ben squeezed Rey's hands as Kalonia paused for body measurements and ensured all the little organs were growing.

"Everything looks great so far," Kalonia stated, moving the ultrasound wand again.

"Oh, thank goodness."

"Except?" Ben quietly asked.

"Ben?" Rey looked at Ben, who was watching Kalonia like a hawk.

"Oh, I apologize! I didn't mean to startle you, Doctor Solo. It's just that your baby–"

"Yes?"

"Is playing a little game right now."

"Aw," Rey cooed. "Wait, what does that mean?"

Kalonia warmly smiled. "The baby has its nether regions covered."

"Seriously?" Ben asked and looked at the monitor when Kalonia turned it so they could see the baby.

Ben's lips twitched into a half-smile as he looked at the two little feet, perfectly placed and blocking the view. Rey once again cooed when she saw her baby's feet.

"Stop it. Those feet are so precious!" 

Kalonia pressed a button and a small image emerged from the printer.

"I'll show you everything else, like, here are the kidneys; they look healthy. And the baby has a good heart rate. And" -Kalonia moved the wand again and pressed another button- "here is a more detailed image of the baby's profile." She paused the screen a couple more times and printed other pictures for Ben and Rey.

Ben's chest swelled with pride and Rey's smile only grew while tears formed in her eyes. 

"That's your nose," Ben stated.

Rey pointed to the screen. "And your mouth!" 

They watched as the baby moved.

"And your ears! Awwww!" Rey giggled.

"No, that has to be wrong." Ben blushed. "Poor kid can't have my ears."

"Why not?" Rey looked at Ben and ran her thumb across his knuckles.

"Because I have big ears." He looked down at her and smiled.

"You're ginormous." Rey lifted an eyebrow. "Everything on you is large."

Kalonia cleared her throat, making Rey smirk in satisfaction as Ben's blush deepened. 

"Come on, little baby," Kalonia urged, moving the wand. "Show us what you're hiding."

After a few more minutes, Kalonia frowned at the parents-to-be. 

"Aw, the baby is being too stubborn?" Rey asked.

"It has to be my father's side shining through right there," Ben lightly jested. "So dramatic already."

"It could be my genetics, you know. I'm somewhat stubborn myself," Rey cheekily informed.

"You? Stubborn? I wouldn't have guessed it." Ben laughed when Rey scrunched her nose.

"I'm sorry we couldn't confirm the gender today," Kalonia stated as she removed the towel tucked into the hem of Rey's pants and handed her a few towels to clean the gel off her abdomen.

"It happens." Ben lifted his eyebrows. "But don't be surprised if my mother calls you."

"There is nothing in this world that Leia Organa can do to make me violate HIPPA," Doctor Kalonia assured. "Alright, Rey. I'll need you to stop by the lab so they can do their twenty-week bloodwork, and you know the drill. No news is good news."

"Then I can finally eat!" Rey sighed in relief and sat up. "I'm starving!"

"And then we'll schedule you for your next checkup. If we need to do another glucose test, the receptionist will call you." Kalonia opened the door. "See you next time," she stated before leaving.

Minutes later, in another room, Rey turned away as the nurse took vial after vial of blood. 

"We're almost done, Ms. Johnson." The nurse gently assured and untied the rubber band. "The hard part is over with."

"I don't think I'll ever get used to this."

"Just wait until it's time to deliver the baby," Ben quietly replied. "And they hook the IVs in you."

Rey looked up at Ben. "Not helpful."

She closed her eyes and thickly swallowed. She felt cold and warm all at once and tried to ignore the nausea that crept in.

"Rey?"

"I'm fine," she hastily stated and held her breath.

"Last vial," the nurse stated with a hint of urgency. "All done."

Rey could feel pressure on the crook of her elbow as the nurse removed the needle and laid gauze in its place. She slowly exhaled as the nurse wrapped medical tape over the gauze and opened her eyes when the nurse finished.

"Rey?"

"Ms. Johnson?" 

Rey didn't respond. She felt cold. Their voices sounded distant compared to the ringing in her ears. 

Ben watched Rey's complexion as she paled, knelt beside her, and placed his hand against her back.

"Lean forward, Rey." 

"I'm fine."

"Forward." Ben gently pushed her. "Try to move your head to your knees."

He nodded his thanks when another nurse brought a cold cloth over to them and placed it on the back of Rey's neck. Ben listened to her heavy breaths decrease into her normal breathing pattern.

"This is so damn embarrassing," Rey finally mumbled after another minute.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about," Ben lovingly whispered.

"It happens all the time," the nurse chimed in and ran a paper towel under the faucet of a nearby sink.

"You both have to say that so I won't feel like a loser." Rey groaned. 

Ben softly laughed at Rey's answer and helped her sit up. He moved a few strands of hair that were stuck on her damp face and softly kissed her forehead before accepting the paper towel from the nurse. He gently patted her face with the wet paper towel and kissed the tip of her nose.

A few minutes later, Rey felt good enough to stand and walk to the counter to schedule her next appointment. Although no one was staring at her, she still felt like she was doing a walk of shame. Rey hated feeling weak, and nearly vomiting and passing out from a simple blood draw was downright embarrassing. As if he could sense her discomfort, Ben squeezed Rey's hand while they walked to the elevator.

Ben opted to take them to a small diner near the hospital instead of the cafeteria. The food at the hospital wasn't bad, but he felt overprotective of Rey and their unborn child. He didn't want to risk Rey getting sick, not that he could prevent that. After all, her OB was in the large building.

"Do you remember Maz?" Ben asked between bites of his crispy bacon.

"The lady who owned the bar we met at?" Rey asked and sipped her drink. "Yeah, she was funny, and she must be a psychic. She once told me I would find you. You, who was nothing but a mysterious man at that point. Maz sounded very sure of herself, though."

Ben laughed. "She told me the same thing, and here we are."

"Here we are." 

"I was thinking we could show her the ultrasound."

Rey beamed. "Yes! Let's show her! Even though I kept going to the wrong bars because I drunkenly forgot where we met–"

"A wonderful story to tell our children." Ben laughed.

"Shut up," Rey jokingly jested. "Anyways, I remembered Maz said that if you live long enough–"

"You see the same eyes in different people," Ben finished.

"Yes! She said she was at the bar on New Year's, but I don't recall seeing her. But she said we had the same lonely, hopeful eyes."

"She said the same thing to me when I tried to find you the next day."

"And for some reason, thinking someone was as lonely and yet as hopeful as me made me want to believe in fate– that we would find one another again." Rey bashfully smiled.

"It made me continue to believe as well," Ben softly replied and stroked the back of Rey's hand with his.

"It's a pity I have to go back to work." Rey lifted an eyebrow. "All of this talk about fate and finding one another made me horny."

"Mmm, now that you mention it." Ben's deep voice sent a chill down Rey's back. "My hands feel oddly empty."

"Oh?"

"I've longed to play with your breasts but hesitated because you were so sore last time."

"It was worth it," Rey smirked. "I'm well past the sore breast in the early pregnancy stage."

"Rey, you're giving me a boner." Ben paused and took a deep breath to make said boner go down. "You know, with you nearly fainting earlier, you should let your food settle before returning to work."

"What the hell kind of doctor advice was that?"

"It was shit advice because all the blood is in my cock and not my brain, and I can't focus on anything but your breasts."

"Well, let's return to your place, and I'll make the problem disappear."

Ben immediately stood and pulled on Rey's hand.

"Ben, my food–"

"Pack it and bring it!" Ben replied with such intense urgency it made Rey giggle and forego bringing her food.

They made it back to Ben's home in record time. Ben slammed the door shut and shoved one of the nearby leather chairs in front of it to prevent any possible motherly break-ins. 

Rey giggled when Ben grasped her jaw and backed her against the wall. He excitedly kissed her and roughly dragged his hand from her jaw, down her neck, past her collarbone, until he finally fondled his prize. His large paw of a hand groped her breast as he kissed her neck.

"I just want to bite you and leave marks all over your body."

"Bite me where people can't see," Rey replied breathlessly. "I told you that first night that I like it rough."

"Fuck yeah, you do."

Rey giggled and ran up the stairs with Ben hot on her trail. Just as Rey ran into Ben's bedroom, his arms swooped around her waist and lifted her, pulling her back flush against his chest. He gingerly kissed her neck while her toes dangled just off the floor. Rey's heart pumped with renewed energy as she reached back and locked her fingers in his thick hair.

When her shins bumped against the soft fabric of his comforter, she bent her knees so Ben could place her on the bed. As soon as Rey sat on her knees, Ben wasted no time in removing her shirt. She smiled when she felt Ben's soft lips against her back while he unhooked her bra. She slid the straps down her arms and closed her eyes when she felt Ben's warm palms cover her breasts and his mouth against her left shoulder.

"We should have taken the whole day off from work. That way, I could properly worship your body."

The deep, seductive tone of Ben's voice sounded sinfully delicious, and goosebumps rippled through her body while her cunt began to throb. His visceral grip on her breasts tightened as he slowly massaged her soft flesh. 

"You like my body?" She shyly asked as her cheeks flushed.

"I love every inch of your body," Ben whispered in her ear. "And long to fuck you all day." His hands never left her breasts as he pulled Rey's body flush with his bare chest and nipped at her earlobe.

"I like the idea of fucking you all day."

"Like a good little fuck toy," he growled. "Turn around." 

The comforter slightly bunched around Rey's knees as she turned her body around. She smiled against Ben's passionate kiss and ran her fingers through his hair while her other hand pulled at his belt. Ben moved his head and placed hot kisses along her neck and collarbone before finally pausing at her left breast. 

Slowly, Ben traced his lips around her soft mound of flesh. Rey's body shook with excitement as she felt his hot breath and plush lips bring pleasure to her. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back as he wrapped his lips around her areola.

"You know," he muttered between locking and suckling her perfect flesh. "I'll be jealous of our little one."

"Oh?" Rey crooned as he continued to palm her free breast and his mouth encompassed the other.

Feeling his hot tongue press harder against the curve of her breast made Rey's eyes flutter. There was something primal in how he moved his tongue and enveloped her breast. Her breath stifled as she grasped his long strands of hair, encouraging him to continue his motions. Heat simmered deep in her core, her panties grew wetter, his hand moved her right breast in circles, and he continued stimulating her left breast until he released it.

"Yeah." He gently pulled her nipple with his teeth. "Your breasts will swell when the milk comes in to nourish our baby, and then your tits will be completely off-limits to me." He lovingly winked at Rey, tugged at her pants and underwear, and pulled them down her toned legs.

"Not completely off-limits–" She lightly gasped when she felt him lick her sex.

The deep-hearty chuckle from Ben made her clench onto nothing. She longed to feel more of his adventurous mouth or his fingers inside her cunt, but instead, he kissed the inside of her thighs and placed his hands on the swell of her stomach.

"Not completely off-limits?" Ben crooned and kissed her belly.

"I could never deprive you," Rey purred.

"Is that so?" 

Rey's lips twisted into a faint yet seductive smile as Ben palmed her breasts again.

"I suppose if a duct is clogged, I will dutifully help relieve you of it," Ben muttered, hastily removing his pants. "We should practice."

Within seconds, Ben slid onto the bed and grabbed Rey by her waist. Once she straddled his hips, she spat on his cock and teasingly stroked it.

"What do you mean by practice?" She asked while rolling her hips and rubbing her cunt against Ben's dick.

"It's quite simple." Ben stilled her hips and pulled Rey down onto his cock until they both hissed once he was fully sheathed. "When the inevitable blocked duct happens, we'll use gravity and my willing mouth to help relieve you like this." Ben latched his mouth over Rey's breasts. Instead of sucking motions, he used his tongue to press against her flesh. 

"Ben, you'll choke on my breast if you continue!" Rey giggled between gasps, prompting him to release her.

"If it's my time to go, then it's my time to go," he stated while wrapping his hands around the globes of her ass.

Rey stifled her moans when he began to bounce her up and down his now throbbing cock.

"I can't wait to see your breasts, full of nourishing milk for the baby I impregnated with." He purred before lightly biting the side of Rey's breast. "I'll have to be gentle from here on out. Not as rough as the night I fucked common sense out of you."

"What?" Rey moaned when he slapped her ass.

"You, forgetting the morning-after pill, like a naughty girl." He smacked her ass again and licked the valley between her breasts.

"You like me being a naughty girl," Rey said with an enthusiastic roll of her hips.

Ben gave her a hearty groan and hastened his hips. "I fucking love you being a naughty girl."

"I think you fucking love me." Rey beamed at him. 

Ben rolled Rey onto her back with a wild look in his eyes. "Maybe I do." He moved his hips back and forth, excitedly watching the pleasure in Rey's hazel irises. 

"Good." Rey ran her trembling fingers through his thick hair. "Because I love you too."

Gone were their lustful gazes. Now stood looks of longing, yearning, and acceptance. Ben and Rey knew they were made for each other. 

Erotic, wild movements of their hips were now slower and gentler as they lovingly kissed one another while running their hands over their faces and through their hair until they reached their orgasms. 

Quiet breaths filled the air as they came down from their high. Ben pressed his lips to Rey's sweaty forehead and suddenly sat up.

"Your bloodwork!"

"What?"

"Rey, the hospital uploads your test results on your Patient Portal."

"Uhuh."

"Through simple blood tests, doctors can determine the sex of the baby. I bet it was done with some of your first blood tests."

"What?" Rey sat up. "Shut up. Are you serious?" She excitedly asked. "Why didn't she say anything."

"There are more important factors to look at, and maybe since nothing alarming came up in your earlier test results, she didn't remember."

"Holy shit." Rey got off the bed and stumbled to her phone. 

"Careful."

"I know, I know." Rey politely waved him off as she logged onto her Patient Portal app and smiled. She looked into his honey-colored eyes, "You said you loved me."

"I did." Ben grinned. "And you said it too."

"That I did." Rey blushed and sat next to her lover. 

After a few minutes of going through her health record, they held their breath simultaneously as they read the results. Ben pulled Rey into a tight hug before softly kissing her lips.

Chapter Text

The barks and howls of the nearby dogs in kennels and random clips of toenails as other dogs trotted by didn't distract Rey as much as the random all-knowing looks from Leia throughout the rest of her shift. 

One moment, Rey was drawing blood from a cat, and the next, she could see Ben's mother peering from around a corner with her lips pursed in an amusing smile. Later that day, Rey was reading over another patient's chart when Leia did it again, and again, and again. 

Each time Rey saw the older woman's eyes glisten with the hope that Rey would break down and tell her the sex of her grandbaby. 

Leia's nonstop hints continued into the following workday. Rey only needed to survive her shift, and then she and Ben could prepare themselves to tell their friends that evening. Leia was relentless, but Rey would not break. Ben should be there when Leia finds out. So Rey would only smirk, look away, and continue as if she didn't see her boss. 

"You cannot hide forever, Rey," Leia mumbled while passing her in one of the hallways.

"I will not tell you," Rey replied and scrunched her nose when Leia pouted. "You're not used to hearing the word "no," are you?"

"That's beside the point." Leia huffed. "Have you at least told Rose?"

"No."

"Finn?"

"Nope." Rey hastily scribbled a few notes about a cat she just examined.

Leia's frown turned into firmly pressed lips.

"You're killing me. You know that, right?"

"Does guilt-tripping work on Ben?"

"Well, no–"

"Good, because it doesn't work on me either." Rey sighed while placing her pen on the counter before her, rolling it back and forth a few times. "You'll find out soon enough."

"I'll just have to pry the information out of Benjamin then."

"Yeah, you can try to go over there for a 'sneak attack,' as Ben calls it, but he's changing the locks as we speak."

"What?"

"Ben has the day off and decided to change the locks." Rey paused for a moment and lightly shook her head. "Leia, do you know how embarrassed your son was that you barged into his home?"

"I mean, it's not my fault you were on your knees–"

"He wasn't embarrassed by the fact that I just gave him a blowjob" – Rey ignored Leia's widening eyes and deepening blush– "Ben was embarrassed that his mother made a key to his house without his knowledge. The man is in his thirties, and you barged in like he was a teenager. Most women would find that as a turnoff." 

"But not you," Leia jested.

"Not me. Your son wore me out that night." Rey flashed a smile before picking up her pen and placing it in her breast pocket. "Now, I have other patients to attend before I get ready for date night. And remember, if you slip up to anyone, we'll make you wait until the baby comes."

"You can't do that to Han."

"It was Han's idea."

Leia's jaw dropped. "The nerve of that man."

"That's right. You should totally tell him off tonight." Rose happily stated as she walked a Mastiff to a scale.

"What all did you hear?" Leia asked.

Rey waited with bated breath.

"Huh?" Rose looked from the dog to her boss and best friend. "Nothing, just 'the nerve of that man.' So, I thought I'd show my support." She grinned and looked at the number on the scale. "Good boy for sitting so pretty! Now comes the not-so-fun part: your vaccines," Rose explained to the dog as she brought him back to his exam room. Rey was ever so thankful her best friend showed no indication that she knew. Although Rose was the one to tell her to take a pregnancy test weeks into the New Year.

Across town, the sound of Kylo happily panting in the morning sun while chasing after ripped bits of cardboard as Ben shredded a box open drowned the tweets of nearby birds. 

"Do you think these new locks will keep your mother out?" Han jokingly asked.

"I can only hope Mom will get the hint and finally respect my privacy," Ben replied while placing a drillbit into the electric screwdriver.

"You know, you can just use a regular screwdriver." Han pointed to the tool while scratching Kylo's ear.

"Yeah," –Ben pressed the button, causing the drillbit to spin– "but this makes it faster."

"New locks, new dog, new girlfriend, and a baby ," Han stated after Ben disassembled the front door's lock. "That's a lot."

"I know." 

"Especially for you."

Ben merely looked at his father through his curtain of hair as he placed the new lock on the door.

"Are you ready for all of this?" Han continued. "Your schedule is busy enough as it is. Imagine my surprise when your mother practically screamed, 'Ben said there's been a development in his dating life,' and she threw together that meal as fast as she could."

"How about we talk about how crazy Mom is?" Ben hastily cut in. "Who the hell makes a dinner and rushes over for gossip?"

"Your mother may be a little–"

"Insane?"

"I was going to say over the top." Han smirked. "But she loves you, Kid."

"Yeah, I know. But Mom doesn't need to act crazy. I'm an adult."

"And you don't need to avoid the topic at hand. You're an adult, so answer the question. Are you ready for what's to come?"

"I don't know." Ben pursed his lip and shook his head.

Han watched as his son drilled another screw into the lock.

"I don't know how anyone can say they are ready for any of this. Even when the baby is in my arms, I'll never know if I'm ready, but I will do my best to be there for my child and Rey."

"Now about Rey–"

"Dad, Rey is everything to me." Ben placed his tools on the ground and shook his hair out of his face. "Ever since we met, she's changed my life in ways I don't understand. All I know is I finally feel happy after years of feeling nothing."

"I wasn't going to say anything bad about Rey. I think, just from meeting her the other night, that she's a good catch for you." Han watched as his son looked at him suspiciously. "I know you and I haven't always seen eye-to-eye about things, but I saw how you took care of one another. Rey saw you were stressed and borderline pissed–"

"I was beyond pissed that Mom waltzed into my home like a damn fairy godmother–"

"Yeah, yeah." Han waved his son off. "My point is, Rey knew that you were upset and didn't make a big show out of it. She wasn't walking on eggshells around you; she knew just what to do to try to keep you at ease. You did the same for her as the conversation came to a head."

Ben moved the lock's cover in place and peered at his dad from the corner of his eye.

"Rey was quick to inform us she wasn't going to deal with any bullshit, and that's hard to do. When the time came, you saw she was ready to blow up at your mom and you fed her." Han chuckled. "Never mind the fact that's something I do to try to distract Leia. You zeroed in on the fact that Rey was done with your mom's accusations, you tried to calm her down, and then you let her rip into your mother because Leia needed to hear it from someone else. You and Rey had very similar reactions, yet you balanced and protected one another, and I think it's easy to say you'll do the same for your baby." Han smirked at his son. "I can't even tell you the pride I felt in watching you two. Conflict was always something you had an issue with."

"Because of my anger, I know." Ben watched Kylo walk over and gently pat his head when the dog sat and leaned against his leg.

"You've worked through it, though. We all have something, and it's up to us to deal with it. Kid, I'm telling you I'm proud of you and who you've become. I think Rey is going to fit into this family perfectly."

The breeze rustled through Ben's hair and Kylo's fur. Ben cleared his throat; his father wasn't one for deep conversations, and Han just opened his heart to Ben.

"You're not dying or anything, are you?" Ben asked.

"No." Han smirked with a wink. "Smart ass."

"I'm just checking. Well, in that case, thanks. It means a lot to me that you can see why Rey is important to me."

"I know it hasn't been easy since you realized there are a lot of shady people out there who would do terrible things to try to get money. Rey strikes me as the type that if she knew how, uh, well, how well-off you are, I think she would have run for the hills." 

With a hearty chuckle, Ben agreed and stood. "Now I just need to train Kylo to keep mom from entering the house."

"Good luck with that." Han laughed and slowly stood with a groan. "Ugh, it sucks getting old." 

"Do you want some water?" Ben asked and waited for his father to walk into the home.

"Yeah, that way, we can talk arrangements for Kylo and more about the kid ." Han sighed. "Enjoy the rest of your youth while you can. You're just a few years younger than I was when you were born."

"You were thirty-seven when I was born."

"I'm telling ya, my body started to break down in my thirties, but it was in my forties that everything started going to hell."

Ben rolled his eyes and grabbed two glasses from his kitchen cabinets. He could hear Kylo playfully growling at Han as they played a new game of tug and war.

"So, you're sure you want to care for Kylo while I'm at work?"

"Yeah, why not? I love dogs." Han looked at Ben. "The offer to help with the baby is still here. You'll need all the help you can get with him or her when Rey returns to work."

"Aha!" Ben pointed to his father.

"Aha, what?"

"You're trying to see if I'll slip up."

Han paused momentarily before gesturing to himself. "Me?"

"Yeah, you."

"Maybe. At least this way, your mom can't say that I didn't try while I was over here." Han looked around the brownstone, noting the top floor and basement staircases. "You have some baby-proofing to do."

"We'll have baby-proofing to do at both places."

"You two haven't moved in together yet? I thought she was already living here."

"No." Ben handed Han a glass of water. "We just made arrangements the other night to take turns at each other's places."

"But?"

"I didn't say but–"

"It's there." Han waited and slowly grinned. "You're ready."

"Huh?"

"You're ready for the next step: moving in together."

Ben sat on the couch and placed his elbows on his knees. "Yeah."

Once again, Han waited. "You're making me feel like a gossip. Come on, Ben, tell me."

"It's just that I don't know if Rey is ready. If she is, she's not obvious about it. She's cautious."

"Is it the money thing?"

"I think that is part of it, but it's mostly because it's hard for Rey to trust people. Her upbringing was harsh, and she had to rely on herself. Placing all of her trust in me is a lot. I'm sure in the back of her mind, she's worried that things won't work out."

"But you're not worried about it." Han nodded and observed his son. There was something different about Ben. While his son sounded unsure, he looked more confident and happier than ever. The once dark, lonely eyes now looked vibrant and full of hope and life. Han smiled at the young man across from him. "You love her, don't you?"

With a brush of his hair out of his face, Ben tried not to smile and looked at the rug beneath his feet.

"It's crazy, I know." Despite saying it was crazy, Ben knows Rey loves him. They professed it, albeit it was in the middle of fucking, but it didn't make it any less true.

"It's not crazy. When you know, you know. You'll want to have this conversation with Rey soon. She's halfway through her pregnancy, and that's if the baby doesn't come early. You don't want to be far from her if she goes into labor. Not with this city's traffic. And that's about as much interfering as I will do here. I know you don't like it when people suggest things for you–"

"No–no, I get it, Dad, I do. Trust me, I've thought about it. I just need to figure out how to approach Rey with the idea later. The last thing she needs is to worry about us moving in together and then us not working out."

"So you can't rush it, but you can't wait too long for it."

"I know."

Hours later, at a tiny bar near the Yaven New Hope Hospital, a set of older hands held a sonogram.

"I knew you two would find one another and set things right." Maz beamed and turned the sonogram in different directions. "But darlings, I am an old woman, my eyes aren't what they used to be. This" – she pointed to the baby's head– "is the head right?"

"Yes, Maz." Rey smiled before looking at Ben's loving eyes.

"So precious." Maz looked at the young couple and winked. "Well, I guess celebratory drinks will have to wait." 

"They are, at least for me, but I'm not much of a big drinker anyways."

When Maz frowned at her, Ben couldn't help but stifle a laugh.

"It was New Year's Eve. Everyone was trashed." Rey scoffed. "I just needed more liquid courage to talk to Ben."

"It was cute how you tried to speak," Ben said with a playful lift of his eyebrows. "You just stood there, staring at me doing this thing with your mouth, like you forgot how to form words." 

"That's exactly what happened. I walked over to see if you were okay because you looked sad, and then I saw you up close, and my brain failed me, but yay! You revived me and apparently my libido that night."

"Well, thank fuck for that," Ben joked. 

"Maz, thank you for giving us hope." Rey looked at the older woman.

"Think nothing of it."

"I thought I was crazy for trying to find him– I kept going to the wrong bars." Rey bashfully smiled when Maz snorted.

"But I kept coming back, and you knew exactly who I was looking for."

"I know when people are fated to be together. Don't ask me how; I just know." Maz looked at the ultrasound again with a loving smile. "Seeing your little one warms my old heart."

"And you got to see our baby before everyone else," Ben boasted. Rey leaned against his chest as Maz's smile grew.

"I'm the first one?!" Maz looked at the picture and then at Ben and Rey again. "Shut up! Are you serious?"

"Yes," the lovers replied.

Maz returned their photo and cleared her throat. "You kids almost made me cry. You're too sweet."

"Well, it's because of you we didn't stop believing. You gave us both hope."

"They're here!" Rose joyfully sang while waving at Ben and Rey from the table where she and the others sat.

"Sorry, we're late," Ben replied. "We needed to take care of Kylo before coming out."

"Now, that's a beautiful couple." Poe gestured to them. "This is how the blind date should have looked. All of us and Ben and Rey."

"That's right, that's how it was supposed to be," Hux cut in and then pointed to Ben. "But Ben here got cold feet."

Ben rolled his eyes as he pulled out a chair for Rey, their eyes never leaving the others.

"You could have saved us all from a terrible night. Mostly Rey, but all of us," Poe continued.

"I feel like you two rehearsed this." Finn flashed a smile before standing and extending his hand toward Ben. "I know we met when you brought Kylo in for his checkup, but it's nice to officially meet you."

Ben smiled and shook Finn's hand. "You too. Rey has told me a lot about you."

Finn laughed. "Yeah, she's told us a lot about you." He tilted his head toward Rey and Rose as they chattered. "The girls tend to gossip nonstop." 

"So?" Rose slyly asked before sipping her margarita.

"Nothing. I just heard way more than I ever wanted to hear." Finn leaned toward Ben. "If you hurt her, I'll break your face and make sure Poe gives you hell for the rest of your life."

"Good to know." Ben chuckled. "But you won't have to worry about that."

Unconvinced, Finn momentarily observed Ben. "Let's hope not. Now then! The rest of the drinks are here!"

While the rest of their group enthusiastically cheered as the waiter handed out more beers and cocktails, Ben and Rey exchanged looks. Rey was already worried, while Ben felt calm. A beer was placed before Ben, followed by a strawberry margarita on the rocks in front of Rey.

"Here's to finally going out and having fun as a group!" Rose cheered.

"How many have you had already?" Rey jokingly asked.

"I'm on my thiiiirrrrdd." Rose took a hearty sip and hugged Rey. "I'm so happy you're out here with us!" 

"I'm happy to be here too," Rey expressed, even though it was her idea to have their friends come together tonight just for her and Ben's announcement.

"Drink up!" Rose pushed Rey's margarita closer.

Rey looked at Ben, who gave her an amusing smile before sipping his beer.

"I will," Rey lied. "I'm hoping to have some appetizers first. I'm starving."

"It's Friday. Don't worry about eating first, Peanut." Finn grinned. 

Slowly, Poe looked from Rose to Rey, to Ben, and then to Finn. He quickly glanced at Hux and then back at Rey as she smiled at Finn. 

Ben softly rubbed Rey's back. He could feel how tense her muscles were becoming.

"I love cocktails!" Ben jokingly stated and took Rey's margarita, causing everyone else to laugh when he chugged Rey's drink.

"There's the old Ben!" Poe amusingly clapped. "Except I thought he loved the other kind of cocktails because of how reserved he was. Turns out, he was just shy around the ladies."

Ben rolled his eyes before locking them on Rey's. She smiled in relief.

While she and Ben planned the night, Rey didn't know why she was suddenly worried about announcing the pregnancy. Was it because her friends were finally excited she left her apartment? That they thought they could only have fun around her if they were all shit-faced? Would they be disappointed in her? Would they grow distant? 

Suddenly, her eyes felt heavy as she became overwhelmed by her fears.

"Can we please have another round of drinks?" Finn asked the waiter when he returned. "Apparently, our friend Ben here was drinking for two."

"In a way, I am drinking for two." Ben lifted an eyebrow.

"Dude, you can't hold your alcohol anymore." Hux chortled.

"The fuck I can't."

"And could we get three of the samplers?" Finn looked at their group. "Because we're starving, and no one can hold their alcohol anymore." 

"You're drinking for two, that's cute." Rose giggled and poked Rey. "You let him drink your whole margarita! The Rey I know would have swatted his hand away!"

"No, I wouldn't have." Rey nervously giggled.

"You would have playfully pushed our hands away." Finn gestured at her. "And then you would never finish your drinks!"

"But you would!" Rey gestured back with a shy smile.

"Watered down flavored tequila!" Finn laughed. "YUM!" 

The new round of drinks arrived in record timing, and Rey looked at the large glass in front of her and looked at Ben.

"You can't drink for two anymore." She bashfully smiled.

"Yeah!! That's right!" Rose sang. 

"You're drinking for two." Ben softly stroked Rey's hand.

Rey nodded, "I am drinking for two."

"Alright, let's go, Rey!" Finn picked up his drink. "Bottoms up!"

"I'm drinking for two." Without a timid smile, Rey raised a glass of water instead.

Chapter Text

After Rey's quiet yet important announcement, a stunned silence swept across the group’s table. They looked at Rey as though she were someone else– someone they didn’t recognize. Or perhaps Rey was overthinking and underestimating her friends. As the seconds passed, she could no longer tell as anxiety rippled through her body.

“Wait, what?” Rose blinked and shook her head before looking at everyone else to make sure they heard the same thing before looking at Rey again.

Seconds felt like hours as everyone at their table stopped joking and talking. Nobody moved; they just stared at Rey. It almost felt just as terrifying as the night she found out she was pregnant. 

But, while everyone seemed frozen in time, Hux quietly pulled out his wallet. 

“I’m drinking for two,” Rey repeated. “I’m pregnant.” She quietly announced and took a shaky breath while Ben wrapped his large fingers around her hand. She could feel her heart pound against her chest as anxiety began to set.

“I knew it!” Poe shouted with the largest shit-eating grin imaginable.

“No, you did not!” Finn looked at Poe as his boyfriend happily received a payment from Hux with a laugh.

“Oh, yes, I did!” Poe snapped the fifty-dollar bill. “Look at her, and Rey, please don’t mind my assessment, as we've met only a handful of times." He gestured to Rey. "Now, everyone, listen to my reasoning. Rey’s breasts are bigger, and Finn, you said you overheard her telling Rose her breasts were killing her–”

“If I had to hear it, so did you! That was confidential!” Finn nervously laughed.

Poe ignored his boyfriend and continued. “You also said her scrubs looked tighter–"

"Rey, ignore him!" Finn's short, anxious laughs only increased.

"Finn didn't say anything bad– aside from looking like you might vomit at random times. He mainly expressed that you looked healthier." Poe cleared his throat before continuing. "And you do. You have a glow, and I didn't understand it until now. Ladies and gentlemen, Rey has that pregnancy glow we always hear about. Wait, holy shit!" 

Suddenly, Poe’s charismatic charm was gone, his face ashened. It was like day and night. One moment, he was sunny and cheerful; the other, he was dark and ominous.

"Ben?” Poe cautiously asked, “Is it yours?"

“Of course it is. That’s why Ben just downed the whole margarita for Rey moments ago.” Hux tsked. 

Ben placed his hand on Rey's tiny swell and proudly boasted, "This is our New Year's Eve baby."

Through everyone's cheers and awes, Rose loudly sniffed.

"Rose?"

"My best friend is pregnant and didn't tell me?" Rose batted her eyes with a fake pout.

"You suspected I was pregnant before everyone else." Rey’s lips twitched into another smile, bracing herself for the terrible jokes or pure disappointment from one of her best friends.

"I did suspect it, didn’t I?" Rose frowned. "And you still didn't tell me?"

"I wasn't ready to talk about it.” Rey shrugged apologetically. “It was so sudden and obviously not planned."

"Well, when did you find out?" She took a long sip of her margarita. 

"The night I was rushed to the ER."

Rose nodded as she processed everything, and then her lips made a large “O” shape as she put the pieces together. 

"Oh shit! That's why you two acted so fucking weird around one another!" Rose giggled before loudly snorting. "Mr. Fucked Rey into the mattress and nearly broke the bed will now be known as Mr. Knocked her up in one try!"

"I knew you were hiding something that night!" Hux smirked and rubbed Rose's back before taking her drink away. "I think you need some water."

"Fuck off, I'm happy!" Rose snatched her glass back. "They were meant to be! Awww!" She leaned towards Rey and wrapped her arms around her. "I'm so fucking happy for both of yoooouuuuu.” After a moment, Rose pulled away and gave Rey a mischievous grin. “And you called Millicent a hussy."

"No wonder you couldn't take any kittens," Hux added. “I knew it was more than worrying about Kylo eating them.”

“I don’t know about that. Kylo is in a very chompy stage right now. He just might accidentally eat a kitten,” Ben joked, with Rey nodding in agreement. 

"Millicent isn’t a hussy,”– Rose playfully slurred as if the conversation about dogs and kittens weren’t happening– “You’re the hussy, and you're our hussy." Rose jokingly chirped and hugged Rey tighter. "And I love yoouuu for it."

"I love you too, bitch," Rey joked before she pulled Rose in for another hug. “Besides,” she pulled away after their hug ended and turned toward Ben. “If I’m anyone’s hussy, it’s Ben’s.”

“Fuck yeah, you are,” Ben purred while stroking Rey’s hand with his fingers.

"Damn, Ben, this is crazy and exciting!" Poe smiled, almost in disbelief over the news. "I could never picture you as the fatherly type before, but now, I can see you juggling at least three kids around."

"Careful! You're going to give him a breeding kink." Finn laughed when Ben wiggled his eyebrows.

"I'm fairly certain he already has one." Rey smiled at Ben. 

With another playful expression, Ben gestured to himself. “Me?”

“Yeah.” Rey lovingly hummed. “You.”

Time froze for Ben and Rey. Their lips turned into small yet loving smiles before Ben leaned toward Rey until their lips met.

“Alright, alright, before you two do it right here on the table.” Rose interrupted and her playful expression turned somewhat serious. “Do you know what you’re having?”

“For dinner? I want the messiest cheeseburger imaginable.” Rey snickered at Rose when she whined.

“Oh,” –Ben nodded to his right– “it looks like the waiter is on the way back with another round.”

“Damn, Solo, you were ready to celebrate!” Poe looked across the busy restaurant as the waiter approached them with a tray of new drinks.

“So you all know the drill. Blue for a boy, pink for a girl,” Ben instructed before sipping his beer.

Rose squinted, trying to determine the drinks' color as the waiter grew closer. “That’s such a cute way to make an announcement!” She turned to Hux. “Armie, why didn’t we do this for the kittens?”

“Uh-” Hux half-heartedly laughed, yet proceeded carefully in case Rose was serious. “Because they are kittens, and there’s like eight of them.” 

“Here we are,” the waiter announced and set the tray of drinks in the middle of the group.

All eyes zeroed in and widened at the sight of the four specially made drinks just for Rose, Finn, Poe, and Hux while Rey grabbed the soda she had ordered for herself with the alcohol.

“It’s a–” Finn flashed a bright smile.

“OH–” Poe’s eyebrows creased.

“Seriously?!” Rose looked around at their friends, her lips twitching back and forth from a smile to a frown.

“That’s neither blue nor pink.” Hux lifted the glass and closely examined it. “This is purple, nearly black.”

“What happened to them?” Rey whispered mostly to herself, but Ben and the waiter heard her.

The poor waiter anxiously shifted his stance and watched his table examine each cup.

“What the fuck?” Ben muttered.

“Hey.” Finn sipped his and nodded in approval. “The baby drink tastes like cotton candy!”

“I’m sorry, sir,” the waiter cut in. “Was there a mistake?”

“It’s nothing.” Ben politely dismissed the waiter. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Okay, sir, your food should be ready soon.”

“Thank you.” 

“Soooo, are you two going to tell us?” Rose probed once the waiter took his leave.

Softly, Ben pecked Rey’s cheek before they looked at their friends and took a deep breath.

It was only hours later that Ben and Rey stood at the doorstep while Ben lightly laughed as he rang the doorbell. 

“You don’t have to do this,” Rey whispered with a shake of her head.

“She wants to know.” Ben pushed his hair out of his face before pressing his forehead against Rey’s.

“You’re so trashed. They’re probably asleep.”

“I’m fine. They’ll be fine. We’re all fine.” Ben gave Rey a half-smirk. “You’re so beautiful.”

Rey lightly giggled and repeated, “So trashed.”

The door creaked when Leia and Han opened it.

“And you’re sexy,” Ben replied and grabbed Rey by her hips, turning their bodies toward one another. “Just wait until we get home–”

“Again, kid” -Han sighed, already looking exasperated- “there are some things I just don’t wanna hear.” 

“Ben! Rey!” Leia immediately hugged Ben and then Rey before pulling them by the hands.

“You’re not supposed to be welcoming.” Ben huffed.

“Yes, I am.” Leia scoffed. “You’re my son, you’re home, and you both have news for me!”

“Your mother was going stir-crazy all night. She was in complete disbelief that you hadn’t told her yet. Hey” – Han pointed at Ben and Rey, who each held a small white box– “whatcha got there?”

“Just a little dessert,” Rey replied. 

“Oh, the kitchen is this way,” Leia said as she shuffled her way through their home. Her slippers were slightly scuffing on the large tiled floor. “But you didn’t have to bring a dessert.”

A variety of plants sat on shelves and tables they walked by. Rey smiled as she saw a few framed pictures of Ben from when he was younger. His tight-lipped, shy smile and beautiful eyes remained the same. The main differences Rey could pinpoint were how Ben’s face matured over the years and how he grew his hair to cover his ears. She didn’t understand why he felt the need to hide his ears; she absolutely loved them.

“Well, we thought you would like something sweet to go along with the news, Mom.”

“Do either of you want milk or water?” Leia looked at Ben’s lopsided, drunken grin and sighed at his somewhat disheveled appearance. “Coffee, you need coffee.” She then looked at Rey. “Please tell me he didn’t drive.”

“Don’t worry, Leia. Your son had some fun tonight but handed me the keys when it was time to go.”

Rey eyed Ben’s plush lower lip when he gave her a fake pout and moved strands of hair out of his face before they placed the two small boxes on the counter.

“Is that enough for everyone?” Leia asked while pointing to the small boxes. “We have ice cream and– what else do we have in here–” she muttered while rummaging through the freezer.

“Mom, these cupcakes are for you and Dad. Unless, Rey, if you’re still hungry–”

“I couldn’t eat another bite. I’m stuffed.” Rey playfully narrowed her eyes when Ben looked highly amused.

“I’ll stuff you later,” Ben whispered in her ear.

“Rey, what would you like?” Leia continued. “We orange juice, lemonade, tea, milk.”

“Oh, I’m fine with just water. Thanks.”

“Are you sure?”

“We also have decaf if you want,” Han suggested as he prepared their coffee maker. 

“There’s no need to make a fuss. I appreciate the offers, but I’ll be fine with a little bit of water, or else I’ll be up all night.”

“Baby, that was the plan anyway.” Ben wiggled his eyebrows. “Up all night in our bed–”

“Oh god!” Rey covered Ben’s mouth. “That’s enough from you.”

“I love you,” Ben muttered against the palm of her hand.

As the coffee maker began to heat the water, Leia was positively buzzing with excitement. She did her best to appear calm, but Ben and Rey knew she could hardly contain herself. Ben pushed the small boxes toward his parents.

“Well, don’t wait on our account. Go ahead and open them,” he instructed and walked behind Rey, placing his hands on her belly and his chin on her shoulder.

Han and Leia looked at one another with renewed energy as they gingerly took a box in hand.

“Now I’m suddenly nervous.” Leia bit her lower lip.

“Two boxes… Are you having twins?” Han looked at the younger couple.

“No, we wanted to make sure you both had a treat to celebrate,” Rey answered. She leaned against Ben when she felt his soft lips on her cheek.

Han and Leia took a deep breath and opened their boxes; their eyes glistened as they looked inside. It was mere seconds later that Leia happily cried and ran around the counter to give Ben and Rey another hug. Ben looked to his father, who let go of a breath he forgot he was holding and wiped his left eye.

“You know something; I never cared for the color pink,” Han stated as he stared at the icing; his eyes twinkled in delight. “But I love it now.”

Chapter Text

Days turned into weeks, which turned into months. Ben and Armitage were on the cusp of opening their private practice. While the hospital discouraged the two from informing their patients that they would have a family practice opening near the hospital, it didn't stop their coworkers from adding and highlighting their information on their list of recommended practices. Ben, Armitage, and the staff joining them would go to the new building after they finished their shifts at the ER and add patients' data into their computers so things would be ready to go when their practice opened.

Their practice was slowly growing in contrast to Rey's once-flat belly as it grew and grew along with the baby, as did the love between her and Ben. 

Little flutters that Rey began to feel shortly after she and Ben revealed the pregnancy grew into stronger kicks and stretches as their little girl grew. 

The look of love and adoration in Ben's eyes when he first felt their baby girl's movements was like no other. While he would gaze upon Rey as though she were his missing half and the love of his life, he looked at her belly beneath the palm of his hand in wonder and pride.

The life that he helped create was growing stronger with each passing day. And while they knew their little one's due date was rapidly approaching, it felt surreal to finally feel their baby's movements. Their family would grow before they knew it, and they had a chance to love someone who was part of who they were. This small, unexpected gift was more than either could ask for. 

Along with their daughter's life, both Ben and Rey felt they were reborn—two lonely creatures who found one another in the most unlikely of places. Unknowingly, at the time, their fate was sealed the moment they laid eyes on one another, and they would never know the meaning of loneliness again. 

However, with Rey's growing belly and rapidly approaching due date, Ben's concerns over Beaumont continued to increase. 

Every time he thought he had enough concrete evidence and witnesses to bring it to HR, the women backed out, fearing for their jobs and reputations despite Ben's reassurance. Beaumont Kin proved to be a more sinister man than Ben initially thought. While he may have underestimated how terrible of a human being Beaumont was, Ben wasn't surprised as Beaumont reeks of privilege and thrives from making people fear him– never being held accountable would certainly feed his ego. And Ben Solo was determined to make the fucker pay for his actions against Rey and everyone else he wronged. He was trying to prevent bringing Rey directly into the fight, but as witnesses back out, Ben was running out of options, especially after Rey had the department rerun the charges through her insurance after receiving the itemized receipt. 

In the end, Ben could only hope that an audit (at the very least) would happen after he finally submitted his complaint. Watching his girlfriend worry about the charges was stressful. Beaumont would make a perfect punching bag, and it would be worth any jail time Ben would receive. 

And while Ben insisted his stress was due to work, Rey couldn't help but feel guilty. She knew he was trying to help her. When he wouldn't budge on telling her his concerns, Rey would try a more thorough technique to make him talk. Ben called it seducing; Rey wouldn't argue. Besides, sex helped her as well. Her hormones were out of control, and she was almost always horny when she thought about him. It was good for both of them, especially as they actively avoided another large issue: officially moving in together. Ben knew Rey was still worried despite how strong their relationship was. She just needed to push past her stubborn mind and realize Ben was in it for the long haul. As for Ben, he needed to stop letting the woman he loved seduce him anytime the topic of moving in together came up.

Ben's head fell back with a hiss through his teeth as he tightened his hold on Rey's hair during his climax. He could feel Rey hum in delight as she dutifully swallowed his spend. He relinquished his hold after Rey pulled back with a final lick against his cock.

"Do you feel better?" She asked with a coy smile. "A little less stressed?"

"Baby, you always make me feel better, but shouldn't I be helping you?" Ben extended his hand to assist Rey.

"Darling, you help me in so many ways," she lovingly stated while standing with a small groan. Her growing belly made easy tasks such as standing or walking up stairs uncomfortable. "You needn't feel guilty for enjoying my mouth for pleasure," she offered while walking into the bathroom.

The sound of water pouring into the sink echoed off the bathroom walls. Rey dipped her electric toothbrush into the water and turned off the faucet before placing a small dollop of toothpaste on the bristles. She hummed in delight when Ben walked behind her and placed a hand on her pregnant belly before lovingly placing his lips on the crook of her neck. Rey closed her eyes in pure bliss at the sentimental action. She could get used to this– having someone love her and shower her with devotion. Rey could almost put her guard down, but there was always the lingering question.

What if?

What if Ben decides she is not the one for him? After all, they're still getting to know one another. They come from two different worlds. A man as handsome and as kind as Ben could do so much better than Rey. He just needed to have more confidence in himself to realize this.

Or maybe Rey was the one who needed more confidence. Her mind was just as anxious as Ben's, and Rey was more stubborn than she realized.

The very thought nearly made Rey rolls her eyes. She shifted the toothbrush toward her back molars and gagged, something that's happened more often than not lately. She doubled over the sink and dry heaved while spitting the foamy paste out of her mouth. Ben moved his hand from her stomach and rubbed her back.

"Are you ok?"

Rey hastily nodded and lingered over the sink in case her stomach followed through with its threat of emptying itself.

After a few more seconds, she cleared her throat and straightened her posture with a small smile. Rey hated getting sick or gagging in front of Ben. It made her feel weak and foolish. Like, who has trouble brushing their teeth while pregnant? It shouldn't be a difficult task like walking up the stairs. Which she's not as fast as she was a few months earlier, and Ben tells her he loves her little waddle while she walks.

There is no way she waddles. He has to be fucking with her.

But in the mirror, his calm yet worried amber eyes studied her.

"I'm fine," she insisted with a nod before bringing her toothbrush to finish cleaning her teeth.

Ben stood beside Rey and began brushing his teeth. He kept peering at her. The way his eyebrows dipped told Rey he was in deep thought. Fleeting looks of concern would drift away as soon as she made eye contact, and the familiar tingling of anxiety stirred in her soul.

"What's wrong?" She asked after a final spit and rinse in the sink.

Ben shook his head as he continued brushing his teeth. His hair swaying back and forth with the slight movement. Rey merely frowned at him, not believing him. She could tell he wanted to ask her something– more than likely, the subject of moving in together. Their friends keep bringing up the idea of a baby shower, but then they would have to decide where to put it. 

Rey would immediately assume her place because she is carrying the baby and they still sleep at her apartment from time to time. But it would make more sense to set everything up at Ben's house as her apartment is much smaller, and the crib and other baby gear would take up space in her bedroom. Not to mention, his neighborhood was quieter, and they couldn't hear other couples fucking or fighting. Rey could make her apartment work, but the baby deserved more room to learn how to crawl and move around than Rey currently had to offer. 

If they set everything up at Ben's, Rey would have to move in, and therefore, she would lose the last thing she independently had control over. She would be homeless if things didn't work out between her and Ben. He wouldn't throw her out on the streets, but Rey couldn't stomach the idea of living with someone who no longer cared for her.

"Ben." Rey frowned and held her breath. "I can tell you want to ask me something. Can you just say it before I panic and my mind takes me to dark places?"

Ben's plush lips frowned around the toothbrush before he leaned over the sink to spit. After rinsing his mouth and wiping it dry, he straightened his posture and looked at Rey. His face was somber, and his breaths were shallow.

They were going to get into an argument. Rey could feel it. She wasn't ready to lose her freedom. She wasn't ready to trust that this man wouldn't leave her like her parents did. She wasn't ready for her world to burn around her.

"Your toothbrush." His deep voice broke the silence.

Rey blinked in confusion. "What?"

"Well" -Ben scratched the back of his head- "you gag on your toothbrush but not my dick." His pale cheeks turned light pink as he paused and rolled his jaw. "Is your toothbrush bigger than my–" He gestured toward his pelvis.

Rey's lips twisted in amusement; surely Ben wasn't serious? But his expression confirmed he was. 

"I know how absurd I sound, but Rey, you gag while brushing your teeth more than when you're going down on me, and I don't know if I should be worried or jealous."

"Of course, you're bigger than the toothbrush." She glanced at his flaccid state. "Even now, you're bigger." When Ben looked unconvinced, she lifted her toothbrush again. "We could measure."

"No." Ben held his hand up. "That's not necessary."

"I don't know why the toothbrush makes me gag when you're so much bigger, and let's add in your width. You don't have to be jealous or worried that I gag while brushing my teeth. Remember, I did gag on you before, but I find it easier to go down on you while I'm horny."

As Rey watched Ben's concerned face lighten, she couldn't help but grin– even more when he arched his eyebrows.

"So, are you still–"

"Horny? Maybe." She playfully replied. "But I should try to rest tonight."

"I'll wear you out." 

Rey giggled when Ben picked her up and carried her back to his bed.

The following day, Rose hugged Rey as she walked to a computer to log back in from her lunch break and checkups.

"Rey! You look so pretty! How are you feeling?"

"I'm good. It's getting harder to bend down to tie my shoes and walk up the stairs, but I won't have to worry about that for long." 

"I'm glad you're feeling well. I can't wait to meet this little one. I bet she'll be just as beautiful as her mama. I already love her!"

"And she'll love her aunt Rose!"

"Goodness, look at your baby bump!" Rose cheerfully sang and lowered herself to hug Rey's belly.

"It's not little." Rey laughed when Rose lingered. "Hey!" She pointed at her friend. "I know what you are doing, and that's called cheating!"

"Whaaaa?" Rose stood, feigning a shocked face. "I have no idea what you're talking about." 

"You." Rey smirked at her friend. "You're trying to measure my belly because you want to win one of those baby shower games you are planning."

Rose put her hand over her heart and playfully batted her eyes. "You don't trust me? Your best friend in the whole world?"

"Hey, she's my best friend too!" Finn poked his head around the corner. "And I don't need to cheat to win a baby shower game!" 

Giggling, Rose continued to insist she wasn't cheating while Finn brought his index and middle fingers to his eyes and then pointed them in Rose's direction.

"But in all seriousness, Rey, you two need to decide a good day for your baby shower," Rose gently reminded Rey. 

"I know." Rey took a deep breath. "Well, Ben doesn't have to be there, I guess."

"He is a busy man, after all. The long shifts at the ER and then the building he and Armitage picked for their practice is almost ready." 

"Behind Ben's apprehension, I can tell he is excited. He hates feeling like he is tied down to the hospital. I just hope he's ready to be his boss and all the stress that comes with that. I can also tell he feels guilty because the ER needs doctors, but Ben is ready to move on." Rey momentarily paused and glanced at Rey. "How's Armitage about all this? Is he excited about opening the practice?"

"Armie doesn't show excitement unless it's a fun game in the room." Rose smirked. Rey watched as her friend's cheeks blossomed pink. Rose was clearly recalling what she and Armitage must have done recently. "But I think it's safe to say he is happy. Now, back to the topic at hand, the baby shower."

"Han and Leia will host the baby shower," Finn announced as he walked to Rey and Rose. 

"Oh?" Rey lifted an eyebrow. "I wasn't aware of this."

"Leia decided since you keep putting off the baby shower, she will host it and store the gifts at her house until you and Ben decide what to do. And Rey" –Finn placed his hand on her shoulder– "Leia said don't wait until you go into labor." He looked at his friend's stomach. "Which is soon ." Finn met Rey's eyes. "You know you can go into labor any day now."

"I'm fine." Rey waved off the concerns about when she would go into labor and frowned. "Wait a minute." Rey crossed her arms. "Who said Ben and I agreed on this?"

"My son did. Well, he agreed to it." Leia poked her head out of her office. "I just got off the phone with Ben."

"Ben would have said something to me–"

"I'm sure he will later. He also said you avoid the subject at all costs, so I took it into my hands. I caught him right before they got notice of an incoming trauma." Leia removed her glasses and let them dangle on the small, elegant chain around her neck. "You can't avoid it forever, Rey."

Rose and Finn looked at one another before slowly backing away.

"Wait a minute, where are you two going?" Rey asked.

"I have charts to read," Rose said apologetically.

"I'm running late for a very important lunch date with Poe," Finn added. "Besides, you don't need me and Rose as backup." He gave Rey a reassuring smile. "I'll be back soon, hopefully."

"Hopefully?" Rey and Leia asked simultaneously.

"Huh? Yeah, sorry. I'm just in a hurry. If anything happens, call Armitage." Finn waved as the women began questioning him and ran out of the building.

"What was that about?" Leia asked.

"I don't know. We'll have to ask Rose if she knows anything since Armitage is somehow involved with Finn's lunch date with Poe." Rey sucked in a small, sharp breath and placed her hand on her belly. Her daughter was stretching, ultimately pushing one small section of her abdomen to the side. She looked at the tiny bulge poke from her round belly.

"Rey, I really am scared you're avoiding this until you give birth, and as Finn already pointed out, you can and more than likely go into labor any day now."

"Well, that's my issue, Leia, not yours." Rey politely smiled with a deep breath. She knew she needed to move things along but hated being the center of attention on top of deciding where she and their baby should reside. She was being ridiculous, but she couldn't let go.

"It's also Ben's," Leia carefully replied. "Look, I know I promised I would back off, and I know you're both grown, but whatever it is holding you back, you need to let go."

"Here's to letting the past die." She recalled Ben toasting with her on New Year's Eve. 

Ben and his mother were right, but why was letting go of her fear so fucking hard?

Rey rubbed her forehead and rolled her lips. "When is the baby shower?"

"Tonight at seven-thirty." 

"Leia, that's extremely last-minute." Rey shook her head in disbelief.

"Not for everyone else." Leia smiled in victory. "Never underestimate the power of a grandma-to-be." She brought the end of her glasses to her lips and giggled. "But, it was also a combination of panic. I started planning it just in case you, well, did what you are doing right now: Procrastinating at the wrong time."

Rey paused before grinning. "You really want to move things along."

"Guilty as charged." Leia smirked. "The sooner we host it, the better. I, for one, have held onto baby gifts for months now."

"Well, I'm not surprised about that." Rey lightly laughed.

"The rest of your friends and coworkers have also held onto baby shower gifts. We are all so excited."

"Right. Tonight, then." Rey agreed, but her smile fell. "What about Ben?"

"We all understand he can run late sometimes due to whatever happens in the ER. The baby shower will go on as planned. Most fathers don't attend these things anyway." Leia paused, her dark eyes apologetic, her smile melancholic. "Rey, again, I didn't mean to pry, but I'm worried about you. Well, I'm worried about both of you. I've never seen my son this happy, and I would hate to see a beautiful relationship fall apart because you can't let yourself be happy."

Rey couldn't be mad at Leia for meddling. She could tell Leia was worried and meant well. Rey also knew she couldn't continue putting off this conversation. Ben had hinted at it for several weeks, but she would always change the subject. Rey couldn't explain why she felt so defensive about moving or was still so insecure when Ben had been the perfect boyfriend once they moved on from their rocky start at the ER. She felt like she was going insane while her worries threatened to swallow her whole, and her hormones spiked nearly out of control.

Tonight. 

She knew the conversation would happen tonight whether she was ready for it or not.

"Okay." Rey solemnly nodded and warmly smiled at Leia. "What did you have planned for tonight?

While Rey and Leia discussed the baby shower, Ben walked through the sea of cars in the parking lot. His footsteps were near silent, his fists clenched, his lips pursed, and his heart steadily beat as he followed Beaumont Kin. He lied to his mother, stating the staff was notified about incoming patients, but in reality, he had other plans.

He had seen the pathetic excuse for a man around the hospital occasionally, but today, as the adrenaline began to course through his veins, Ben felt more than ready to beat everliving fuck out of Beaumont. The fucking douchebag who was trying to ruin Rey's life by bankrupting her and more than likely pocketing the extra expenses he charged her. 

A heavy hand on his shoulder snapped Ben out of his dark thoughts. 

"Easy there, big guy," Poe whispered.

"You won't do Rey or your daughter any favors by getting thrown in jail," Hux stated in a hushed tone.

Ben was so focused that he forgot Hux, Poe, and Finn said they would tag along to make sure he didn't murder Beaumont.

Murder? No. Toss around? Maybe.

He looked at the couple standing behind him. Poe looked just as determined as Ben felt. While a bit disheveled and out of breath from running to catch up to them, Finn seemed as ready as he could be to help protect Rey from Beaumont. 

Deep down, Ben knew Rey would never agree to him confronting Beaumont, but he no longer felt like he had a choice. Beaumont is a threat to Rey and hundreds, perhaps thousands of patients. 

"Beaumont Kin," Ben called out to the douchebag.

Beaumont paused and turned around. "Oh, it's you."

"You know who I am?" Ben glowered at Beaumont.

"Doctor Benjamin Solo. A prized ER doctor who is foolishly leaving the best hospital in the city to open a private practice."

"What's it matter to you?" Ben replied with a slight shrug of his broad shoulders.

"I'm just trying to figure out what kind of coward you are."

"I'm a coward?" Ben laughed. "For knowing what I want and doing what it takes to get it? What about you? You think you're doing something heroic by scamming patients out of money?"

Beaumont's cocky smirk faded. "I don't know what you're talking about." Though he rolled his eyes, the man looked less confident in his stance against Ben. 

"You don't? That may work on some of your coworkers but not on those you've harassed before, and you're certainly not fooling me. You know why I'm here, and now you will tell me why you're messing with Rey's bill."

Beaumont looked at Hux, Poe, and Finn. "You couldn't confront me on your own? As I said, you're a fucking coward–"

"I'm not here as backup. I'm here for Rey," Finn seethed. His breaths were already deepening with each passing moment as he looked at the asshole trying to ruin Rey's life. 

"Backup, witnesses, whatever you want to think, Kin," Hux sneered. "As often as you cheat the system, we know you would spread lies if anyone were to confront you."

Beaumont rolled his eyes and ignored the others. "And you, Solo, you think you're so honorable." He coldly laughed. "Standing by her side because she's knocked up. It's probably not even yours. Girls like her don't behave. They sleep around, go for the gold, and look at what she landed: the famed heir to the Skywalker-Solo fortune!"

"Dude, do you know how stupid you sound?" Poe cut in.

Watching Beaumont make a fool of himself was more than entertaining to Ben. This little mind game would never have worked even when Ben first thought Rey got pregnant by someone else. His own foolish behavior and insecurities were almost as cringe-worthy as Beaumont Kin's disgusting opinion of women.

"Fix Rey's bill. We both know the bloodwork, ultrasound, and medications never add up to the amount she was billed for."

"Maybe–"

Undeterred by Beaumont trying to interrupt, Ben continued. "You saw her name and made-up charges–"

"You can't prove it was me." Beaumont scoffed and gave the trio a wicked grin. "You've got nothing on me, even when you sent a copy of it to my supervisor."

"Yeah, I'm fairly certain your supervisor DJ is in on it too."

Beaumont's complexion ashened a touch, and he boldly shook his head again. "You've got nothing on me."

"When I looked further into it, Rey's balance differed from yours," Ben explained. He watched Beaumont's Adam's apple rise and fall. Ben then held Rey's bill and itemized receipt. "You're going to tell me the phone numbers listed don't lead directly to your desk or DJ's?" Ben shook his head with a half-grin. "I'll admit, that little detail was difficult to catch but incredibly damning when HR looks into it."

"The official record shows what she owes. Mine just happens to be something else. So, every inquiry and itemized receipt is easily manipulated– just as the patients and anyone higher up than me. And your little whore of a girlfriend, she fucked with the wrong man."

"I think we have what we need," Poe whispered.

"You have nothing," Beaumont insisted. But then it dawned on him that the doctors he knew and the random stranger from a nearby veterinary clinic all had their cell phones in their breast pockets with the cameras facing out. His nostrils flared as he glared at the men. He easily fell into their trap. "It's not my fault the gold-digging tramp got herself in a situation she cannot afford–"

Finn stepped forward, inches from Beaumont's face. "Your petty revenge against Rey because she didn't sleep with you will be your undoing, you limp-dicked bastard." 

With a fake, crooked smile and a lift of his eyebrow, Beaumont continued, "Who says she didn't sleep with me the night of our blind date?" 

"Because we all knew she hated you the moment you opened your stupid mouth," Finn hissed. "Not to mention, Rose and I stayed at her apartment just in case she had another medical complication. You wouldn't understand a damn thing about Rey or the allergic reaction she suffered."

"And what makes you believe the tests were covered?"

"Because I'm the doctor that treated her that night. If your reading comprehension were higher, you would have seen that when the medical claims came through. I, along with most of the doctors at Yaven New Hope, happen to accept her insurance, and I know what the copayments should be." Ben all but spat. "You saw her name, took over the account, and you're trying to steal money from her. Just as you have with other patients time and time again."

"You're all talk. You can't do anything–" Beaumont's smile fell when Finn grabbed him by his shirt. 

Ben's and Poe's eyes widened. Things weren't supposed to escalate like this, but Beaumont has a punchable face. Ben couldn't blame Finn for getting worked up from protecting Rey. He nodded to his friends, and they all turned off their phone's cameras.

"Fix Rey's account! Fix every account you fucked with," Finn demanded.

"Or else what? You're going to hit me?"

"No." Finn's deep voice rumbled in the cool air around them. He roughly released Beaumont. "I'm better than that."

"Because you don't have shit. I'm unstoppable. You'll ruin the hospital's reputation and break the public's trust in it and the medical staff.

"Finn." Ben looked at Finn and nodded in understanding when Finn turned off his phone. Beaumont's idiotic grin returned when Finn backed away. "Finn may not stoop so low, but I will. I'm not worried about anyone's reputation." He smoothly explained before punching Beaumont in the face.

"Are you insane?!" Beaumont brought his fingers to his cracked and bleeding lip. "I'll have your job for that!"

"For what?" Ben grinned viciously.

"Yeah, I'd say you fell from the looks of it." Poe cracked his knuckles.

Beaumont's eyes widened when Ben brought his fist forward again.

Chapter Text

The red, irritated skin on Ben's knuckles, along with his unnerved expression, distracted Rey from the baby shower fun when he finally arrived. After Hux, Poe, and Finn silently entered Leia's home, Ben sat beside Rey just as she opened the next gift.

"Wild day at the ER?" Rey quietly asked before politely smiling for a picture when Leia held her phone in the air.

Ben remained quiet as he remembered how he beat the ever-living fuck out of Beaumont and how Finn, Poe, and Hux joined in kicking and punching the miserable little shit.

"Yeah, I guess you can say that." Ben shook the hair out of his face. He playfully tugged on the shiny, metallic string tied around the box. "Go on, open it."

After momentarily regarding her boyfriend, Rey gingerly opened the box. "Finn didn't return to work. He said he was meeting Poe for lunch." She peaked at the front of the box and grinned, "Aw! The flower tub to wash the baby in! Thank you, Kaydel!"

“No problem! It was so cute! I had to buy it for you!” Kaydel beamed.

"Oh, I didn't realize Finn was late." Ben distantly replied. He was thankful that Rey had someone as strong and kindhearted as Finn. Finn had mentioned he didn’t want to stoop as low as Beaumont and stopped himself after two punches– he was the better man out of the group. Ben should have controlled his anger, but he couldn’t help himself and unleashed hell on Beaumont Kin.

"You all walked in together, and you each look so disheveled." Rey smiled again for Leia as Han brought a larger box. "What happened?"

Beaumont’s threat of suing them echoed in Ben’s mind; it almost made him smile. Making a narcissist cry and beg for mercy felt good, despite Ben’s attempt to settle things peacefully. But for men like Beaumont Kin, peace was impossible.

"Nothing." Ben hastily answered and gave a small grin to the camera. “If my mother isn’t concerned with Finn’s disappearance, you shouldn’t worry either.”

"Ben, I know when people hide things from me.” Rey quietly hissed as she observed the room. Rose was paying less attention than normal to Armitage. Finn and Poe were distant from one another as well. Even Kaydel looked guilty, while Maz also eyed everyone in the room suspiciously. “And right now, it feels like everyone is hiding something from me."

“It’s a baby shower.” Ben smirked, downplaying Rey’s accusation. “Of course, they won’t tell you what they got.”

“No, you are hiding something terrible from me.”

"We'll talk when we get home."

"Home?"

"Wherever you want to stay. Come on, Sweetheart, open the box. There's no point in trying to pry information out of me right now."

Rey thickly swallowed and looked at their friends. Poe had a busted lip, Hux's usually kept hair was tossed, and she could see Rose was quietly proving him for information. Finn looked guilty as sin.

"I, um-" Rey's smile weakened.

"Are you okay?" Leia looked at her with concern. "Oh, any back pain or cramps?"

"No." Rey moved a strand of hair to her ear. "I just need the bathroom." She softly giggled with the rest of the room to mask her unease. Her damn hormones were in the way, and Ben's late appearance only spiked it.

Ben stood, offered his hand, and helped Rey stand. She stretched her back and placed a hand on her belly with a deep breath.

"I'll help you to the bathroom," Ben quietly stated.

"I'll go grab a trash bag to start cleaning all this up," Han offered.

Once Ben and Rey walked down a hall, Leia stopped smiling and glared at Poe and Finn. "No, I think I know who can help with the cleanup while Rey is in the bathroom."

Both men nervously swallowed and Poe nodded in Hux's direction, making Leia narrow her eyes at him as well.

"What happened?" Rey stopped in front of the bathroom door.

"Sweetie, I said we'll talk later."

"You don't get to decide that, just like you don't get to decide where home is."

"I haven't made any decisions. Going home is just a saying–"

"You made the decision about this baby shower, and I had to endure all this unwanted attention without you."

"Oh, heaven forbid everyone from wanting to celebrate our baby." Ben rolled his eyes. "Rey, how about you start allowing yourself to be happy over such things?"

"I am happy, but I hate the attention."

"Better get used to it, sweetheart. Everyone will want to see you and the baby after she is born."

"Ben, where were you? I know it wasn't at the ER or your practice."

Ben sighed. "You wanna know? Right now?"

"Yes! Look at yourself, something happened–"

"We were sitting in a jail cell, Rey."

"Wh– what?" Rey shook her head, not wanting to believe what she heard.

"I beat the fuck out of Beaumont Kin."

Rey's jaw dropped in shock. She took a step back and placed her hand on the door frame. "You what?"

"I finally had enough evidence against him. The number you called for the itemized bill led straight to Beaumont's desk, and the other number led to his accomplice– some guy named DJ. It was such an easy oversight, I can’t believe I didn’t catch it earlier–"

"That doesn't mean you should have fought him!"

"Lower your voice.” Ben looked down the hall to see if anyone heard Rey’s outburst. With a heavy sigh, he turned his attention back to Rey. “This is why I wanted to wait to have this conversation."

"Ben! You could lose your license–"

"I know! But the fucker was bragging about how easy it was to change the claims and hide it from management. And he went on to say how I wouldn't dare bring it up to HR because it would make the hospital look bad and no one would follow me to my practice.” Ben coldly smiled. “Like, I give a shit. The fucking asshole doesn't know I already submitted the information to HR."

Rey rubbed her forehead before hastily wiping a tear rolling down her cheek. "Beaumont can sue you for assault."

"He can try, but he's facing a bigger felony.” Ben tried to caress Rey’s cheek, but she turned away. “No one saw what we did. The little bitch called the cops after we beat the shit out of him. We sat in jail for a few hours, his word against ours. There were no security cameras. We insisted he fell while walking through the parking lot. The only evidence is the recordings we have against him. His words on how he cheated patients out of money. I paid the bail for myself and the guys, well, not Beaumont's, and now we're here."

"Ben, do you know how stupid this was? It's not worth the risk."

"I beg to differ. Besides, you're not the only one Beaumont was trying to steal money from." Ben heard some of the guests laugh at Kylo. It sounded like the pup was running through some of the discarded paper while Finn, Poe, and Hux were tasked with cleaning the room, but a sudden sniffle from Rey made his heart stop. "Sweetheart, please don't cry. Baby, I promise I won’t lose my license or ruin my life because of that mother fucker. And if I do, it’s worth it. I’ll do anything to protect you and our daughter."

"You can’t promise me that nothing terrible will happen because of your reckless actions." Rey opened the door to the bathroom before hastily adding, “And I'm not crying.”

"You don't have to pretend to go to–"

"I'm not. I stood up, walked around, and now I have to pee. One of the wonderful side effects of being nine hundred years pregnant." She groaned and rubbed her lower back. "Besides, even if I was pretending, I would still need to flush and wash, or else everyone would think I'm gross."

Even as she spoke, Ben could see more tears forming but decided against saying so. He simply nodded, knowing he upset her, and waited outside the bathroom door. He wished he had hit Beaumont harder now. But Ben made sure the fucker learned a lesson he would never forget.

After Rey flushed the toilet, she washed her hands and blotted her face. It was no use; it was easy to tell she cried. She silently cursed before opening the door. Ben looked as apologetic as ever as he offered his hand.

"Aw," Leia cooed. "Ben, you know Rey can walk, right?" She jokingly asked when the young couple walked through her living room.

"Oh, Leia, I'm clumsy at home." Rey pressed her lips together. She didn't have to look at Ben to know he was smiling at her slip-up. "It takes me forever to walk up the stairs because my bump is so large and sometimes I trip over Kylo's toys."

Leia's playful expression changed to concern. "Oh dear, please be careful." 

"I'm fine, Leia, really." Rey genuinely smiled. “It just hurts a little to lift my legs a little. The bump is too big.”

"I'll help her wherever I can." Ben winked at his mom. "Now, what do we have here?" He shifted the box Rey was about to open back over to her. 

"Let's open it together." Rey smirked and placed a large pink bow in his hair. "That way, you can have fun!"

"That's the spirit!" Leia laughed and took another picture, to her son's dismay.

Ben and Rey ripped the pink paper with white daisies printed across it to reveal the stroller they wanted.

"Rose! Armitage! Thank you!" Rey beamed.

"It's the top of the line. You can run or walk on sidewalks or the ground, and the baby shouldn't feel a thing." Hux boasted.

"This little princess deserves the best!" Rose happily grinned at Rey and Ben.

"That was very kind of you, thanks," Ben added.

"Now, these diapers" -Leia pointed to a decorative cake she made out of diapers with a large pink envelope on top of it- "are mostly newborn sizes; the baby will quickly outgrow them, especially if she takes after Ben. But we have a few boxes of size ones and baby wipes ready to go." She then handed Rey a heavy diaper bag.

As Rey and Ben sifted through packages of bottles, pacifiers, several packs of onesies and swaddles, and a first aid kit, Han brought the pink envelope to the parents-to-be. Ben accepted the envelope as Rey and the girls cooed over the pink and purple outfits.

"Sweetheart," Ben softly called.

Still unnerved by Ben's actions earlier in the day, Rey took a short breath and plastered a smile for him. "Oh, go ahead and open it!" She said as she began to repack the diaper bag.

"That's a cute outfit," Ben nodded to a light purple onesie with matching pants that had blue butterflies on them.

"She can wear it when we leave the hospital?" Rey held the outfit higher. "I love butterflies."

Ben opened the envelope, read the card to Rey, and unfolded a piece of paper that was tucked inside. Rey's and Ben's jaws dropped when they saw a picture of the nursery set they intended to buy.

"Mom, Dad–" Ben felt at a loss for words. "This is too much."

"Think nothing of it." Han waved him off.

"Did you know Han picked out that outfit?" Leia nodded to the outfit in Rey's trembling hands. 

Once again, everyone in the room erupted into soft "oohs and ahs" when a tear trickled down Rey's freckled cheeks.

The furniture they were looking at was expensive, but it was the top of the line, and the crib would convert to a toddler bed and eventually a full-size bed when their child was ready. Rey fell in love with the glider at the store and could picture herself rocking their baby to sleep or reading stories to her. 

They didn’t order the bedroom furniture due to Rey’s reluctance on where they would call home. Rey felt guilty about Ben’s parents paying for it. She and Ben had already put money to the side to order it.

"Aw, Han! Leia! It's perfect!" Rey tearfully beamed. "Thank you!"

"Nothing but the best for my grandbaby." Han winked and continued playing tug of war with Kylo. 

Less than an hour later, laughter filled the room as the men had to shove balloons up their shirts and posed with Rey for pictures. Ben and the others were not allowed to bend their waists to pick up anything, having to squat in order to pick up anything from the floor. Hux grumbled as Rose had him pick up a diaper. Finn and Poe helped balance one another as they tried to pick up a diaper bag. Han sat on the couch beside Leia, holding a beer in one hand while pretending to pat the balloon under his vest. As for Ben, his eyes never left Rey's as he lowered himself to pick up a small pile of swaddling blankets. He was bound to win whatever game this was and found it no different than when he lowered himself to eat Rey out while she stood. Rey finally cracked a smile at him when the balloon under his shirt popped on his belt buckle. 

When it came time to guess how big Rey's belly was, Rey warned everyone to be nice as the participants unrolled strings of ribbons for their guesses. Finn's and Poe's were much too small, while Hux opted not to try. Sighting, he didn't want to offend Rey and, therefore, offend Rose. Kaydel, Leia, and a few others were close, but Rose gleefully won the game. Her ribbon was almost the exact size of Rey’s adorable belly.

"It's because I hug my best friend every day! And therefore, I'm hugging her baby every day!" Rose hugged Rey and then softly cuddled Rey's baby. "I can't wait to meet you!"

Rey placed her hand on the top of her stomach and grinned at Rose. "Do I suspect baby-fever?" She jokingly asked.

"Nooooo! No, Rose does not have a case of baby fever," Hux answered with a nervous laugh.

"I bet you Rose has a wild case of it." Ben smirked. “I’ve heard it's quite contagious.”

"Who's ready for some cake?" Leia asked.

"I'm always ready." Han gave Leia a half-smirk.

"I can't tell if you're serious or being dirty," Leia replied.

"I don't want to hear that." Ben sighed as he stood. He offered his hand to Rey and helped her to her feet.

Rey held her breath and moved her hand to the left side of her stomach.

"Oh my goodness! Look, the baby is moving!" Rose cooed as she watched a small lump move across Rey's belly. "That is so cute and scary at the same time."

"Yeah, it's almost like watching that scene from Aliens," Finn agreed, his eyes glued to the protruding orb sticking from Rey's abdomen moving around.

"She is quite active right now," Rey replied tiredly. She was ready to curl up on her and Ben's bed. 

"Does it hurt?" Poe asked.

"Sometimes."

Han cut slices of cake while Leia handed them out to the guests. "Oh, Rey, you look tired." She noted as Ben playfully fed her a small bite of cake.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know it was obvious. I'm so exhausted." Rey politely smiled. "It's been a day full of surprises."

Ben rolled his jaw. He knew she was still upset with him.

"Well, how about we wrap this up then?" Leia suggested. Her eyes held a touch of guilt. "It is getting late."

Rey closed her eyes as she nodded in agreement. "Again, I'm sorry." She couldn't bring herself to smile. "It's a lovely party."

"You don't need to apologize, sweetheart." Ben gingerly rubbed her back.

"Ben's right, and so are you. I did spring this baby shower on you," Leia empathized. 

"And you're growing a little human who is almost ready to make her big debut," Han added.

"Ben, why don't you and Rey stay the night?" Leia looked at the young couple as guests started to say their final congratulations and goodbyes.

"Oh no, you've already done so much for us," Rey replied, knowing her conversation with Ben was far from over.

"Besides, Mom, we don't have any of our stuff."

"True, but I'm sure that hasn't stopped you before staying at one another's house. Besides, there are stores nearby." The ever-persistent Smother continued.

"Mom, Rey, and I lived within blocks from each other."

“Blocks my ass. It's late and Rey looks absolutely exhausted–”

"Well, how about I start loading the cars? I can also put the bigger stuff like the stroller in the back of my truck." Han suggested. Even though it was late in the evening, he acted like he had the energy of a twenty-year-old, ready to explore a city or a hidden hole in the wall. "Oh, the furniture will be delivered here in a few days; what is a good day for me to come over with it? I can help set it up."

Han watched as Ben and Rey looked anywhere but each other. Rey had the excuse of hugging Rose and Finn as they left, but Han recognized Ben's worried eyes.

"You know, it's late, don't worry about it. We can figure out the details later.” Han suggested and looked at Leia. “That is a downside of springing a last-minute baby shower on someone, especially this late at night.” He added a wink at Ben and Rey in hopes it would smooth over whatever was happening.

Just as they arrived separately at Leia’s house, they drove back to Ben’s house separately. Rey swallowed the lump in her throat as she parked next to Ben’s car. He waited for her with one hand in his pocket while the other fidgeted with Kylo’s leash. The cool autumn air danced throughout his long locks. Rey held her sweater in both arms, covering her belly as she looked at the ground while trying to think of what to say.

“Are you ready to talk?” Ben gruffly asked. He gestured to the door when Rey finally nodded.

He offered his hand and helped Rey walk up the stairs while Kylo walked on his left side. No matter how annoyed they were at one another, he wouldn’t let anyone or anything harm Rey or his baby. From Beaumont’s treachery to Kylo’s playfulness to the stairs that seem to plague Rey’s walk nearly daily, Ben would do whatever it took to keep her and their daughter safe.

Once inside, Ben unhooked Kylo’s leash, and the pup happily strode to his water bowl and happily gulped. When Ben turned to look at Rey, he felt annoyed she remained standing by the door.

“Face it, Rey, you’re not going anywhere. Sit down so we can finally hash this out.” His unrelenting eyes pierced into hers when she glared at him. “This is our home. I know you agree.”

“I don’t know, Ben.”

“What else is there to know? You followed me here. You said this was home earlier.”

Rey broke eye contact, opting for an empty wall.

"I honestly don't understand why this is so fucking hard for you." Ben's stern tone lightened into a sigh. He was going to have to push her to talk. The fastest way was to anger her. He closed his eyes and leaned against the wall. "Rey, honestly, your apartment, at best, is cozy."

"Cozy?" Rey’s lip curled and her glare deepened. She loved her apartment. The one in Jakku was a shithole. She could only imagine how Ben would have acted if he had seen it.

"Rey. You know as well as I do that it's too small." Ben tried to calmly explain despite insulting her home.

"There are dozens of families living there."

"And I bet they constantly run into one another or trip over toys, pets, etc."

"So thinks the walking sasquatch."

"What does my height have anything to do with this?" 

“You sound so judgemental over the size of my apartment. You realize I would have lived there with our daughter if we never reconnected, right?”

“Sweetheart, I’m not trying to sound judgmental–”

“And arrogant,” Rey cut in. “Do you know who you sound like?”

Ben tilted his jaw up, braced for the insult. “Who?”

“Your ex-girlfriend when she was surprised by how small your apartment was.”

Ben’s cheeks puffed with a breath of air before he let it go with a shake of his head. There wasn’t getting through to Rey, and she was letting her insecurities waste their time.

“You shouldn’t be surprised that I happen to like my apartment,” Rey continued. “It’s my home, for goodness sake.”

“That’s not the point.”

“Then what is? You don’t have to act like your home is better than mine, I already–”

“Fine. Look, I’m going to cut to the chase because you’re already pissed off. I know my place is better for raising a family. We have more room over there, the school district is better, it's closer to both of our jobs, and I don’t hear people fucking while I’m falling asleep. Do you want our children to hear that, Rey?”

“Of course not, but–”

“But what?” Ben shrugged, gesturing at her with his hands. “Say it. What are you so afraid of? I’m not a mind reader, and I’ve tried to be patient with you, but we are running out of time before our baby arrives. We can’t avoid the big decisions forever. So fucking say whatever it is that is bothering you, please!”

The hum of the heater intruded on their intense stare-down. Rey could feel her eyes filling with tears again. 

“My apartment, my home, was the best I could do.”

“That’s fine, but I can offer more, fuck I’ll offer the world if you ask it. Hell, I'd give you the fucking galaxy.”

“I had pride in that tiny apartment.”

“Okay, I’m sorry–”

“If that wasn’t good enough, how can I be good enough?”

“What?” Ben’s forehead wrinkled and his lip lightly curled. “Sweetheart, I’m not comparing you to your apartment. And I’m not trying to be an asshole about your place, but–”

“What if you leave me?” Rey raised her eyebrows, her breath hitching as her heart raced. “What then? Where would I go?”

Ben took a shallow breath and his face relaxed. “Rey.”

“When I move in, I leave my independence. What if you decide you don’t like who I am? You think you know me, but I’m afraid nobody does.”

“But I do.”

“No one has stayed by my side.”

“I will.”

“You say that, and then you’ll grow tired of me. One day, you’ll find I’m just as terrible as my cozy, tiny apartment, and I won’t be enough for you. You’ll only stay because of our daughter. You’ll end up resenting me for it. I’ll only hold you back.”

Ben stepped closer to Rey, pulled her against his body, kissed the top of her head, reassuringly held the back of her head, and slowly rocked her back and forth. Feeling relieved, he closed his eyes and tightened his hold on her when Rey’s body began to shake, finally shedding the tears she desperately tried to hold back. 

She needed this. She needed to let go. To finally confront the truth and talk about her greatest fear: being alone. 

“I didn’t mean for you to think your apartment is anything less than mine. And saying the apartment is small isn’t insulting. Hell, I’ve tripped over Kylo here. What if I trip over the baby?”

“You won’t.”

“But I’m still worried about it.” Ben lifted Rey’s chin. “And I know everything about you. I suspected you were holding onto your feelings of loneliness and abandonment; you just refused to talk about it. You will not lose your independence if you officially move in with me. If you want me to move into your apartment to prove your worth, fine, it's settled–”

“Ben.”

“I’m trying to meet you here, Rey. I’m trying to tell you I’m in it for the long haul and not just because I knocked you up.” Ben wrapped his hand across her belly. “You, along with our daughter, are the best damn thing that’s ever happened to me. Even with you cussing me out and disbelieving over how much I love you. I’m yours, and you are mine. Even if you weren’t pregnant, we would have found each other. Everything about our relationship snowballed ever since that night at the ER. Rey, I know you love me just as much as I love you. Baby, I want it all. You, our baby, a home, our dog, a yard with a picket fence, and butterflies flying in a garden.”

Rey finally cracked a smile through her tears. 

“I love you, even when you refuse to tell me what’s wrong and you keep bottling all this shit inside. You’re not scaring me away.” Ben entwined their fingers. “Maybe I should be firmer with you and more upfront because letting you work things out slows everything down.”

Rey frowned. “It does not.”

“You’re what, weeks, possibly days away from giving birth, and it took you this long to tell me you’re scared I’ll leave you.” Ben lovingly smiled. “Rey, I mean it. I want it all. I want to be more than just your baby’s daddy or boyfriend. Jesus, Rey, I want you to be my wife, and I want to knock you up over and over again, Rey, because I want a big family with you. ” He pressed his forehead to hers. “Now, tell me you don’t feel like running.”

“I don’t,” Rey firmly replied, finally feeling relief from her outburst and finding confidence in herself. 

“You don’t?”

“No. If I want to run, I want to run with you.” Rey’s lips trembled as she smiled. “I want it all with you, and that scares me.”

“You can feel scared, but you don’t have to. I’ll always be with you.”

“I love you, Ben. And I love Kylo, and I love our baby.” Rey played with the bottom of her lip. “You once said you can see us having more kids. Let’s have a large family.”

Ben lightly laughed with Rey and they tightened their hold on each other’s hands.

“You’re my home, Ben Solo.”

“As you’re mine.”

Rey closed her eyes, took a deep breath and held it before slowly releasing it. “Okay.”

“Okay.” Ben softly kissed her cheek, relieved Rey didn’t flee.

“I’m home.” She smiled when Ben looked at her quizzically. She stepped back and gestured around the living you. “We’re home. I’ll put in my notice at my apartment complex.”

“Are you sure?”

“You already called me out on it. I’ve considered this our home; I was just too scared to admit it. But damn, I’m stuck with you, aren’t I?” She jested.

“Damn right, you are.”

“For better or for worse?” Rey slightly raised her eyebrows, causing Ben’s smile to grow.

“For richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health.”

“We’ll promise to love and cherish each other.”

With a seal of a kiss, Ben and Rey wrapped their arms around each other and sighed in relief.

“Baby,” Ben cooed as he rubbed Rey’s back.

“Hm?”

“Saying these vows now doesn’t get you out of a real wedding.” They softly laughed together. 

Rey pulled back and winked. “I think I can deal with that.”

“Can you deal with my mother helping you plan?” Ben chuckled when Rey’s eyes widened with fear.

Her fear disappeared into a cocky smile. “I guess I’ll just have to beat her at her game then.”

“Ooh, really?” 

“But, let’s continue another night in sin.” Rey pulled Ben to the staircase. “I can’t wait to be able to sexily walk up the stairs again instead of waddling.”

“Your waddle is sexy.”

“You’re not about to call me a penguin, are you?”

Ben wrapped his hands around her ass. “I’ve already called you a sexy raccoon; I might as well add sexy penguin to it.”

Chapter Text

Just as Leia set up a last-minute baby shower for Ben and Rey, they, in turn, called his parents and their friends to a small courthouse wedding just days later. They toyed around with the idea of having a bigger celebration after Rey had the baby and when Ben wasn't so swamped with opening the private practice with Hux. Ben wanted Rey on his insurance as soon as possible, and they knew they wanted marriage; why wait?

Leia firmly held Han's hand as Ben and Rey quietly exchanged vows. Han nearly hissed in pain when Leia loudly sniffled and tightened her grip when Ben slipped a beautiful diamond ring onto Rey's finger. Rose laid her head on Hux's shoulder when Rey slid Ben's wedding band onto his ring finger.

"Where did they go to find rings that fit perfectly in such a short amount of time?" Rose whispered to her boyfriend.

"That simp accurately guessed Rey's ring size and bought it for her a month or two ago."

Shocked, Rose's jaw dropped and she narrowed her eyes at Hux. "And you didn't tell me?"

"You suck at keeping secrets. You would have blurted it to Rey, and God knows how she would have reacted.” Hux placed his finger on Rose’s lips when she tried to protest. “Now, shhh, the ceremony will be over soon."

The small crowd applauded when Ben cupped his bride's face and kissed her.

“Well, thankfully, Ben made Rey realize she’s not alone and that she’s loved.” Rose happily smiled at the newlywed couple as Rey grasped Ben’s hands while they continued their delicate kisses, sealing their marriage.

Over the next two weeks, Rey grew annoyed with her friends and new family as they all watched her every move. While she appreciated their concern and understood they were anticipating the birth of her daughter, she felt like she was under a microscope. She wasn’t some fragile thing, and she and her baby were healthy.

It was only impending childbirth. It wasn’t going to be anything terrible.

That’s what she kept telling herself during her shifts and when she lay restless in bed, unable to sleep because she couldn’t get comfortable. 

She also couldn't sleep because she was over the moon about meeting her and Ben’s baby. 

That, and she was now past her due date. 

Her OB had no concerns, citing it was common for women to go past their due date, especially with their first baby. And with Ben being a doctor, the OB knew Rey was in good hands. 

Doctor Solo would adoringly touch Rey’s belly, talk to their little girl, and kiss Rey’s stomach. Rey loved watching her husband whisper against her belly. She would gingerly move his hair from his face to observe his loving expressions when he told their baby how loved she was and how they couldn’t wait to hold her. 

Even Kylo, with all his puppy senses, knew there was a change in Rey. He would cuddle against Rey’s thigh or stomach if she were reclined on the couch after a long shift at work or relaxing on the weekend like she was supposed to be doing today.

“Call me if you feel anything, even if you think it's Braxton Hicks,” Ben requested as he prepared for his Saturday morning shift. “And take it easy. Don’t worry about unpacking; I’ll help when I get home. Your back was sore all night because of this move. Today, you should rest. Doctor’s orders.” He winked.

They heard Kylo tossing one of his toys around in the living room and kitchen and watched the pup happily play.

“But I’m growing restless. I just wish my body would hurry up and kick her out.” She playfully frowned when Ben laughed. She placed her hands on her lower back and massaged her skin in hopes the pain would fade.

“Sweetheart.” Ben grasped Rey’s chin. His amber eyes made Rey feel warm throughout her body. “We have tried everything from the exercise ball, walking, nonstop fucking. Your body is contempt on keeping our baby for a few more days.” He softly kissed her before leaving for the hospital.

As Rey finished a chapter of her new book, she lightly scratched Kylo on the head as he cuddled close to her. She set the book down with a soft sigh and looked at the boxes scattered around the room. Ben painted the baby’s room days before the furniture arrived and set it up as soon as he and his father brought it to the brownstone. Ben installed car seats in each of their cars, including Grandma Leia's. Now, all that was left was for Rey to unpack the rest of her belongings. She donated her furniture and some of her kitchenware but kept her books, art supplies, and knickknacks. 

With a slight groan, Rey stood from her comfortable position on the couch and stretched her back. She took a deep breath, stared at the crown molding, and rubbed the small of her back to soothe the ache that came and went throughout the morning. When Kylo yawned with a whine, Rey smiled at him. 

“Sweet boy, do you need to go outside?”

She smiled as the dog only rolled onto his back and wiggled his nose under a blanket. Rey looked out the window. Autumn arrived early in Coruscant; at least it did if she compared it to Jakku. The leaves were already fading from green to yellow and orange. Bright crimson leaves dangled on the trees just outside of their home. Everything was wet from a rainshower late last evening. It was the perfect day to snuggle on the couch and read or watch movies. But Rey knew her baby would make her grand debut soon; she would have plenty of time for snuggles after the birth.

Despite Ben telling her to take it easy, Rey walked over to a box, stripped the moving tape off the top, and began grabbing books to add to Ben’s collection. She smirked as she placed a few of her old clinical veterinarian textbooks from college next to his medical textbooks. Ben could organize instead of unpacking. 

When Rey opened a box of her drawing and painting supplies, she decided that, for now, it should go downstairs. Not knowing if her baby would give her time to draw, there was no point in keeping it nearby.

With a puff of her cheeks, Rey picked up the box and carried it from the living room and to the staircase next to the kitchen that led to the basement. She was just a few feet away when she tripped over one of Kylo’s squeaky toys. The box fell with a heavy thud and Rey whimpered after she managed to fall on her butt.

“Ow.” She shut her eyes and sucked a shaky breath through her teeth. Her heart thundered in her ears. Her cheeks felt hot as a tear streaked down her face. Her tailbone burned, and her baby jolted in her belly. When Kylo licked her tear-stained cheek, Rey finally opened her eyes and released her breath. She looked at the dog and softly pat his ear.

“I’m fine. Mommy and baby are okay.” Rey assured the dog and maybe even herself.

She grimaced as she lifted her hips to reach for her phone that fell out of her pajama pocket. 

“Oh shit.” 

A spiderweb of cracks now lay on the phone’s screen. No matter how many times Rey pressed the power button to turn the phone back on, it would power up for three seconds and black out again. Kylo started to whine.

“Okay…” Rey whispered with a short breath. “Okay… I’ll just walk over to one of the neighbors and ask to borrow their phone.”

But as soon as Rey tried to stand, she whimpered in pain. She placed a hand under her stomach and the other firmly on the floor to push herself to stand.

“Ow, ow, fuck,” her voice trembled. 

The ache in the small of her back turned into something more. Instead of a pocket of tenderness, she now felt as though someone was roughly pressing against her back and sides of her stomach. Rey managed to lean against the nearby wall while Kylo lay near her feet, his worried eyes never leaving her. 

Her forehead wrinkled with worry and pain. She took steady breaths in an effort to calm herself, but just as her body would relax, another pain etched from her back to her stomach. 

“It’s just false labor.” Rey swallowed the lump in her throat. “It’s not real.”

But her baby. She needed to check on the baby. She fell and landed on the hardwood floor; her discomfort could wait. Rey needed to know if her daughter was alright. 

But when she failed to pull herself to a stand and slumped over from the intense pain, all Rey could do was start slapping the wall behind her. She could only hope someone could hear her through the staircase and thick walls.

“Hello?” She called out before hitting the wall harder. “Is anyone home?” Fresh tears burned her eyes. “Hello? Someone?! I need help!”

Her jaw quivered at the realization her neighbor was not home. She stayed often enough to know the neighbors were usually gone for the weekend.

Her heart and breath increased with the next rapidly approaching contraction.

A few hours later, Ben walked up the cold, damp steps. The cold breeze played with his hair while he found the key to the front door. As he unlocked it, he heard Kylo frantically running across the house. He smiled at the thought a year or so from now, he’d listen to both Kylo and his daughter running to the door to greet him. The idea of little feet joining the dog made his heart burst—such a contrast from what he had felt earlier in the day. Something felt off to him; even Hux and Poe told him he looked paler than usual. Perhaps he was worried for nothing and called someone to take over the rest of his shift for no reason.

But when he opened the door to see his dog shifting his weight from one front leg to the other and his tail hanging low and not wagging, Ben quickly stepped inside and glanced around the room as he shrugged off his jacket.

“What’s the matter, Kylo? Do you need to go outside?” Ben opened the door for Kylo as the dog kept pacing. 

Kylo’s whines only grew more urgent. 

“Rey?” 

Ben noticed her new book on an end table and stacks of books added to one of the bookshelves. Usually, the sight would make him smile, but his stomach was now flipping as his heart slowed to a worried beat. 

Kylo ran ahead and paused, his tail slightly wagging, but not happily. He looked at Ben and then toward the kitchen several times.

“Rey?” Ben hastily crossed the floor of the brownstone. His footsteps echoed as he approached until he found a box of spilled items. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Rey slumped against the kitchen island with a trail of liquid from the wall to her soaked pajama pants. Her sunkissed skin looked pale while strands of hair clung to her beautiful face. “Oh God, Rey.” He immediately knelt by her side and checked her pulse.

Rey opened her exhausted eyes and tried to smile before she bared her teeth in pain with a dreadful moan.

“Oh, sweetheart.” Ben grasped her hand. “Deep breath, come on, big breath.” He drew in a breath when Rey did. “Good job now, hold it.” 

He watched as Rey lightly bounced the back of her head against the island. They both mentally counted to ten before she slowly blew out her breath.

“When did your labor begin?” Ben asked as he rolled his sleeves up his arms. “How long ago did your water break?” 

“I– I don’t know. Not long. Ow!” She cried and tensed her body. “Fuck!”

Kylo walked around the other side of the kitchen island.

“Kylo, buddy, go lay down. That’s a good boy.” Ben praised the dog for following directions and then looked at the fallen box and nervously swallowed. He needed to remain calm and not show his wife he was panicked. “What happened?”

“I tripped and fell–”

“Were you carrying a box?” He tried not to sound like he was chastizing, but he was worried and needed to know everything. “Did you fall on your stomach?”

“Yes, I carried the box, and no, I fell on my ass.” Rey hissed and grabbed his hand.

Ben softly stroked her knuckles while she squeezed his hand. “Sweetheart, why didn’t you call?”

Rey loudly whimpered and nodded to her broken phone. “Fuck, I feel like I’m getting split in two.”

Ben silently looked at her phone as she dealt with the contraction. He felt guilt-stricken about Rey enduring everything by herself.

“Are your contractions consistent?” He watched as Rey nodded. “Do you feel the need to push?”

“Uhuh. Oh God!” Rey took a deep, painful breath. “What if I shit myself?”

“You wouldn’t be the first laboring woman to do so.” Ben calmly assured. “I’m going to grab a pillow from the living room, and then I’m going to check your cervix.”

As Ben hastily rushed to the living room, he sent a group text to his parents asking them to get Kylo. He couldn’t ignore the feeling telling him to check her cervix before driving Rey to the hospital.

Once he was by Rey’s side, he placed the pillow on the floor and helped Rey lie down.

“Baby, I’m going to help pull down your pants, then I’ll wash my hands before checking you, okay?”

Rey’s frightened eyes locked on his as she quickly nodded. 

She whimpered when Ben shifted her hips to pull her panties and her pants down her legs. He stilled when he noticed more amniotic fluid dribbled out and wondered if the baby's head was preventing the rest of the fluid from coming out. 

He softly muttered an apology for having to leave her half-naked and cold on the floor before he approached the sink. Ben pulled out not only a fresh hand towel but also a first aid kit. His jaw tightened as he rummaged in the small box, and he pulled out several packages and opened them before placing them on the counter just above Rey's head. The heavy thud from a packaged pair of scissors caught Rey's attention as Ben examined different gauze packages. 

"Sweetie, do you have any pads?"

"No, I haven't bought them in months, though I mainly used tampons, but maybe I should look into cups?" Rey tried to smile as she overexplained. 

After Ben placed the gaze on the counter, he opened a nasal aspirator and put it beside the other materials. He then opened other cabinets, grabbed multiple hand towels and trash bags, and set them on the floor.

"Okay, give me just another minute." 

"I'll be right here." She tried to joke but had to take a few short breaths and hold her tightening stomach. "What's the first aid kit for? What is all of this?”

"Baby girl, you know me. I like to be as prepared as possible for any circumstance." Ben answered as he thoroughly scrubbed his hands and forearms. “Fuck.” He muttered as he rinsed. “You had back labor all night, and I just didn’t realize it.”

Ben patted his hands dry and turned around, with his arms slightly raised, palms facing him, fingers curled into the air as he lowered himself onto the floor beside her.

Rey was in the middle of another contraction. Ben watched as her stomach tightened under her shirt. He took a deep breath and quietly counted through the contraction.

“The contractions are consistent?” He asked as he gingerly spread her legs.

“Yeah,” she painfully squeaked. “Fuck, it fucking hurts!” 

“I know, sweetheart.” Ben lowered his hand. “I’m about to insert my fingers to feel how dilated you are. You’ll feel some pressure–”

“That’s what all you doctors say. Just some pressure. That's always bullshit!”

“There’s my girl.” Ben smiled at his wife, hoping to keep her as calm as possible.

Rey flinched when he dipped his fingers inside of her; Ben’s eyes widened. 

“Ben?”

“There’s no time.” He stated in disbelief.

“Can I have fresh pants before we go to the car?”

“Baby, there is no more time.” Ben shook his head. “She’s coming.”

“What?” Right now?!”

Ben finished removing Rey’s pants and panties before spreading her legs and positioning himself between them.

“Are you ready to push? Or do you want to try another position?”

“I can’t–” Rey shook her head.

“You can.”

“Ben, I’m scared. I can barely move.”

“That’s alright, sweetheart. You can stay just like this. All you have to do is breathe and push for me. Got it?”

“That’s all?” Her breath hitched.

“That’s all. Now, inhale” – Ben pushed her thighs a little further while Rey sucked another breath– “and push.”

Ben cast his eyes from Rey’s face and back to her sex and watched intently, softly reassuring her in between counting.

“Let go, there you go, breathe out.” He softly murmured. “I’ll need your help. Without the equipment, I won’t know every time there is a contraction. Let me know as soon as you feel another–”

“It's already here.” Rey tried to explain between gasping for air.

“Push and hold that push.” Ben held her quivering left leg while Rey bore down through the contraction. His poor wife tried so hard to push silently, but her sobs nearly broke him. “Good job, Rey. She’s almost here.”

“I’m scared.”

“I know, honey, that’s fine.”

“What if something happened– ow-ow-ow.” 

“Rey–” He watched as his wife took several panicked breaths.

“What if the cord is wrapped around her neck?”

“Baby, you need to push. If there is an issue with the chord, I can handle it.”

"I– ow," Rey cried out.

"Rey, as your husband and, right now, your doctor, I'm telling you to do as your body is telling you to and push. You got this, sweetheart."

Rey stilled her cry and nodded. With a breath, she bore down again as Ben counted.

"Hold that push, Rey. Hold it, her head is coming–"

"She's burning my vagina." Rey gasped and pushed again.

"Good, good, good job, Rey." Ben cooed and placed his hand under his daughter's head. "Big breath." Ben briefly locked eyes with Rey. "One more time and push."

He faintly heard Rey's painful grunt as the anterior shoulder emerged. Ben let out a small sigh of relief that the shoulders were not stuck and the umbilical cord was not a risk. As soon as the other shoulder emerged, Ben continued guiding his daughter out while Rey pushed. Ben hurriedly reached the counter, grasped the nasal aspirator, and suctioned his daughter's mouth and nose, squirting the liquid onto a nearby towel.

Ben released a small laugh of relief when the little girl squeaked before crying. 

"Oh, thank fuck."

"Ben!"

"Sorry," He smiled at their daughter, gently wiping her skin before wrapping a towel around her little body. She looked so much like Rey, but he could see himself as well. It was oddly fascinating to see the combination of their genetics. His mouth with Rey's chin. His obsidian hair versus Rey's chestnut. Their daughter even had a tiny mole on her cheek and Rey's ears. But he didn’t have time to admire his wife and child. "Rey, do you think you can hold her?”

Although her body trembled uncontrollably, Rey smiled. “Yes.”

“Okay, remove your shirt. You know, as a prize for me being awesome, but mostly so you can do skin-to-skin. She may even try to latch on a breast.”

With renewed energy, Rey sat up and slid her spaghetti straps down her arms and the shirt past her breasts. Gingerly, Ben placed the baby into her arms. His heart hastened as he watched the love of his life hold their daughter. Rey softly cooed at their baby, tears springing to life while Rey talked about how perfect their baby was. The little girl’s whimpers calmed as Rey spoke to her. 

“Sweetheart, I know you’re exhausted, but you must push again."

Rey didn't question her husband and did as instructed. Ben grasped the placenta and guided it a few inches to the floor before clamping and cutting the chord. He stilled Rey’s legs as he studied her to ensure Rey didn’t tear during delivery.

“Everything looks good.” 

He quickly placed the placenta in a bag, set a towel under Rey’s bum, and proceeded to clean the afterbirth and amniotic fluid around them with the towels before rewashing his hands and arms.

“I’ll clean the rest up later. I’m going to grab the diaper bag, some blankets, and a change of clothes for you, and then we’re going to the hospital to play it on the safe side and because I don’t have the eye drops we use on newborns.” Ben bashfully grinned as he realized the doctor's side of him was still talking. “But first,” he pulled out his phone and snapped a picture of mother and daughter. 

“Oh, Ben! Call your parents to see if they can pick up Kylo!” 

“They’re already on the way. I also just messaged Hux and Poe. Turns out, Hux is the one on shift. But he will promptly page OB and pediatrics.” Ben placed a blanket from the sofa onto Rey’s legs and arms to keep her and the baby warm while he grabbed what they needed. “Dameron, while he would do the same, he would also contact everyone to greet you.” 

Rey softly laughed and stroked their baby’s wet hair. She inhaled deeply and looked at Ben. 

“You still feel contractions?”

“Not as bad, but–”

“That’s going to happen as your uterus shrinks.”

“So there isn’t another one in there?”

Ben chuckled. “No, we only have the one.” Ben placed a changing pad onto the kitchen island along with fresh clothes for Rey and the baby. 

He waited for their sweet girl to finish the first of many nursing sessions before delicately taking his daughter and placing her on the changing pad. For time's sake, Ben decided he would have put a diaper and clothes on the tiny girl and let the hospital wash her. While the staff helped with that, he would meticulously watch as he didn’t know a damn thing about cleaning a baby. Ben smiled in pride at Rey as he swaddled their little one and then helped Rey off the floor.

“She won’t roll off the pad, will she?” Rey asked before groaning in disgust as afterbirth trickled down her leg.

“She’s not going anywhere.” Ben kissed her cheek before wiping Rey’s shaky legs. “The hospital will have the right diapers for you–”

“Diapers?!”

Ben wholeheartedly laughed and helped Rey step into her clean clothes. “Until then, you’ll have to deal with this hand towel. But who knows how much it will hold.”

“A diaper?”

“Well, it's a giant pad, but I’ve heard my patients refer to them as diapers.” He chuckled again at his darling wife’s confused expression. “My love, I’ve only delivered the babies. I was never part of the aftercare. We have a phenomenal team of pediatric nurses and doctors for that.”

A loud, rampant knock on the door interrupted them.

“Ben! Rey!” Leia called as she cracked open the door. “You left the front door slightly open, but might I suggest you lock it before trying sex to induce labor?”

“Leia, are you serious?”

“What, last time–”

“I’m well aware of what happened last time.”

Ben’s cheeks pinkened in color before he lightly called over his shoulder, but not loud enough to disturb their sleeping princess. “Come on in; we have a surprise for you.”

Ever the koolaid mother, Leia marched into the home, happily greeting Kylo as she and Han walked closer to the kitchen.

“Is that–” Han pointed to the bundle on the counter.

Ben grinned and picked up his daughter, “My baby burrito?” Rey softly giggled and leaned her elbows on the counter.

Leia’s hands clasped over her mouth as tears sprung to her eyes. “I didn’t know you planned a home birth! Oh, Rey, look at her! She looks perfect! Can grandma hold her!”

“This wasn’t a planned homebirth. I need to bring Rey and Hannah to the hospital.”

“No wonder you needed us to pick up Kylo ASAP.” Han looked at Rey, “You alright, kid?”

She nodded. “I’m good considering.”

“Wait,” Han’s shocked expression turned into a beaming smile. “Hannah?” He looked at the younger couple. “Am I dreaming?”

“Nope,” Ben and Rey answered.

“But,” Han looked and pointed at Leia.

“Rey asked me if it would be okay,” Leia explained. “And I loved it so much. We almost lost you those years ago. And every time we talked about the baby, you would light up like a Christmas tree.”

Like Ben’s, Han’s cheeks and the tips of his ears blushed. “I, uh, I don’t know what to say,” He bashfully replied.

“Dad, you don’t need to say anything.” Ben smiled. “I don’t want to rush this, but I want to get Rey and Hannah to the hospital as soon as possible. And Mom, just take Kylo to your place. I’ll clean this all up later.” Ben looked at his mother quizzingly when Leia pulled out latex gloves from her purse. “Why do you have latex gloves?”

“Ben, you should know me by now.” She popped the end of the glove around her wrist. “I like to be prepared for anything. Usually, it’s for examining smaller, abandoned animals. But I’ll throw the towels into the wash, we’ll mop the floor, and then we’ll bring Kylo to our house. Besides, it looks like you managed to clean most of it.”

Han and Leia managed to talk Ben into letting them walk Hannah to the car as he helped Rey walk outside. As Rey’s still lightly quivered, and her breaths were shallow, Ben made sure Rey was okay with every step, especially down the wet, concrete stairs outside. 

With a quick wave to Han and Leia, Ben rushed his wife and newborn baby to the hospital.

Hux stood waiting with a team of doctors when Ben parked at the patient drop-off. He eyed the bloodied bag in Ben’s hands.

“That’s not the–”

“Yes, it is.”

“You.” Hux pointed to an intern. “Yeah, you, grab the bag and properly dispose of the placenta. And before you ask, no, you cannot keep anything as a souvenir.”

“Ew, do interns really do that?” Rey tried to whisper but was so shocked she couldn’t.

“You’d be surprised,” Hux answered as he brought a wheelchair for her to sit in. “Ben, we already have a room for her. We’ll be in 1215.”

“You already got a room?” Ben asked.

“Damn right I did, Solo. Besides, you said Rey fell. You know we’re going to admit her for observation.”

Ben kissed the back of Rey’s hand. 

“Hey! What did I miss?” Poe ran over.

“You get to carry the baby.” Hux pointed to the car seat.

“Ooooh, bonita.” Poe softly sang and grabbed the handle of the car seat. 

“Professionalism.” Hux promptly reminded Poe.

“Yeah, yeah.” Poe waved Hux off. “Look at her, she’s a beauty!”

Ben parked in his reserved spot and all but ran to room 1215. Just as Hux said, the hospital admitted Rey and Hannah for observation.

Once within hours, their friends and Ben’s parents filtered in and out of the room to visit the new parents and their lovely Hannah.

Rose cried happy tears when she got to hold Hannah—cooing about how tiny she felt and how adorable the baby was. Hux withheld his groan when Rose batted her eyelashes at him. Finn’s smile was contagious, and he was positively adorable when he first held Hannah, frightened of how small she was and insisted he had never held a baby before. But Rose and Rey reminded him of the tiny kittens and puppies he cared for; he could easily hold a human baby.

And of course, the grandparents held Hannah the longest aside from Ben and Rey. Rey blinked tears away as she watched Leia delicately hold Hannah with practiced ease. With Hannah’s dark hair, it was easy to picture a youthful mother holding Ben after he was born. 

Han looked at the baby and Ben when he found a beauty mark and said Hannah had his lips. He also stated Hannah might have had Rey’s nose, or it could be from Padme.

Hannah was a little bundle of cuteness, and Ben never knew he could feel so proud and overprotective. He helped make this perfect baby and he counted his blessings knowing Hannah and Rey were healthy after such a scare in their home just hours prior.

Everything felt perfect. Ben’s and Rey’s love was stronger than ever, and nothing could stand in their way, not even Beaumont Kin. The hospital quietly pressed charges against that asshole. He pled no contest and now sits in jail while his accomplice sits in another. 

Wedding bells were in the future for Armitage and Rose as well as Finn and Poe. Rey held Hannah as they served as a bridesmaid and flower girl in both ceremonies. 

Ben and Hux opened their private practice without any complications. Most of their staff followed them, much to the hospital’s dismay. But Coruscant was such a large city that the staff was quickly replaced.

Han and Leia helped with Kylo and Hannah when Rey returned to work. While Leia was tempted to train Rey as her replacement once she retired, Rose and Finn were there much longer than Rey was. Rey didn’t mind. She was happy for her friends and knew it was well-deserved. Besides, nepotism was never a good look. Rey had plenty of time to continue learning as she adjusted to work life and motherhood.

A little over a year later, Rey kissed Ben’s cheek as he quietly shoved a toy into Hannah’s Christmas stocking.

"Santa baby, just slip a Sable under the tree for me," Rey softly crooned as she passed another trinket for Hannah's stocking. "Been an awful good girl. Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight." She lightly nipped Ben's earlobe.

“This is more fun than last year.” He whispered before turning to return Rey’s kiss. 

Rey looked at the new toy that would play happy music while blowing little balls into the air. She grinned and leaned against Ben’s solid frame. “She’s going to have so much fun tomorrow morning.”

“Last year, it was pacifiers and a rattle. And tomorrow” -Ben smirked and pointed to the toy from Santa and the other gifts under the tree- “I know Hannah doesn’t understand what’s going on during the holidays, but the idea of her opening the stocking to pull out this stuffed mermaid is exciting.”

Rey lifted her eyebrows with a small laugh. “Speaking of pulling out and gifts, would you like one of yours now?”

Ben quickly shoved one of Hannah’s favorite snacks into the stocking and unzipped his pants. “I’m always ready for you.”

“Oh darling, I know you’re always ready.” Rey handed him a small red envelope. Her diamond ring glistened under the twinkling Christmas lights. “But–”

“But?” Ben arched an eyebrow with a lopsided grin as he opened the envelope. “But what, Baby girl? You look both naughty and nice right now, and I can’t think straight.” Ben’s smile only grew.

“Your pullout game is weak,” Rey answered with a sly smile.

Ben beamed at the ultrasound. “But you’re on the pill.”

“Two words.” Rey winked. “Super sperm.”

“Two words…” Ben turned the ultrasound to face Rey. “Two babies.”

They quietly laughed before Ben pulled Rey into a loving kiss.

“I know we’re supposed to wait between babies, but I guess we’re getting our large family sooner than we thought.” Rey bashfully stated while smiling at the ultrasound. “What do you think? Are you okay with this? I know Hannah’s birth scared the shit out of you.”

“Baby, I’ve never felt happier.” Ben chuckled and looked at the ultrasound. “And I doubt we have to worry about such an exciting home birth next time.”

“You’re going to watch me like a hawk, aren’t you?”

“Damn right, I will.” He winked.

She watched as Ben’s smile grew more mischievous.

“What?”

“Are you going to suck my candy cane? Sit on Santa’s lap? Climb my tree?”

Rey burst into laughter. “My God, you are such a nerd. But yes” -she wrapped her arms around Ben’s shoulders- “I’m so naughty and nice, I might make you come twice.”

Ben silenced Rey with a passionate kiss. He snaked his hands down her body and lifted Rey off her feet. “It was nearly two years ago that you hinted being freshly fucked could bring us good luck. My little wife is a prophet.”

“Merry Christmas, Ben.”

“Merry Christmas, Rey.”

With that, Ben carried Rey upstairs to their bedroom for Christmas magic. All the things they didn’t know they wished for until they met were coming true. 

Two once lonely souls were loved more than ever as their small family grew and grew, all because they never stopped believing in hope, in their love for one another, and in their happily ever after. 

Chapter Text

Rey leaned against the wall with a content, silent sigh while Ben quietly closed the bedroom door to the twins’ room. He smiled at his wife; his eyes sparkled more than their Christmas tree. 

Ben Solo's life was whole. He had a beautiful, devoted, loving wife, three beautiful children, a successful career, and a new house.

What made tonight even better was that it was Christmas Eve. It was already magical since Hannah was a tiny baby girl, but now it's even more mystical with the twins. As their children grew, they added new traditions to their household.

Christmas cookies for Santa, reindeer food made with oats and cookie sprinkles to attract the magical reindeer, Elf on the Shelf, and tonight begins a new tradition. 

When Ben was younger, he might have scoffed at hearing other parents talking about these silly little things. But now that he's a father of three, he understands and loves moving their elf Peppermint into funny poses to make their children smile and giggle, or goof off and place the elf in naughty positions. Just Like the night he made Peppermint 69 with a Ken doll and merrily showed Rey his wishes. His goofy grin was accompanied by a laugh when Rey rolled her eyes and pulled the dolls apart because he knew in less than an hour she would go down on him while he ate her out.

Another new tradition was making “reindeer food” with oats and sugar sprinkles and tossing it into the backyard on Christmas Eve.

And who doesn’t love the important Santa task of taking bites of delicious sugar cookies? 

Ben and Rey hoped their children would look back at their childhood fondly. And they also hoped tonight would go smoothly.

His loving wife smiled at him, and crooked her finger, beckoning him toward her. He crossed the hall wall and placed his hands on either side of the wall, leaning down until his plush lips connected with Rey's. It was loving and soft as they slowly embraced, afraid their children would hear their moment of bliss. 

“It's almost time,” Ben crooned against her cheek.

“I know. But first” –Rey giggled before quietly counting backward– “three, two–” 

They turned to the right to see Hannah's door handle turn. Ben crouched in front of the door frame as Rey silently stated “One.”

“Boo!” He quietly teased, making the young girl shriek and giggle.

“Daddy!”

“Hannah,” Ben sang. “Santa will not stop at our house unless you go to sleep.”

“I know. Can I have one more mommy cuddle and daddy cuddle?”

“Of course, precious.” Rey smiled and extended her arms. Hannah promptly smiled and ran over to Rey. The red, white, and green skirt of her nightgown rustled as she shuffled across the floor. Rey felt the soft dragon squishmallow press against her back as she picked Hannah up. She softly kissed her daughter's cheek and swayed back and forth.

“It's Christmas Eve; such an exciting night,” Rey whispered. “I know it’s hard to sleep.”

“Yeah,” Hannah agreed and tightened her hug before pulling back. “Do you think Santa ate his cookies yet?”

“Probably not.” Rey laughed and rubbed the tip of her nose with Hannah's. Nose kisses as her daughter called them. “We just put you and your siblings to bed.”

“What if Kylo eats the cookies?”

“Three, two, and here we go,” Ben stated in an all-knowing tone. He knew his children's nightly routine well. They now looked at the twins' door handle and waited for them to open it. Ben crawled across the floor and put his face at the twins’ eye levels, making them shriek with laughter when they cracked the door open. “There's my little monsters.”

Rey placed Hannah back onto the floor and watched as she climbed onto Ben's back.

“You're the monster!” Jacen pointed at his father with a giggle.

“Yes, I am.” Ben playfully growled and jokingly attacked his son by ticking his ribs. Padme scurried past her father and hid behind Rey's legs where she proceeded to giggle. “But this monster can't eat you yet. It's Christmas Eve, and I don't want coal in my stocking.”

Rey smiled as their children giggled. She could imagine their reactions to the little surprise she and Ben had in store for them.

“Can Kylo sleep in our room?” Padme asked.

“Kylo loves sleeping downstairs,” Ben explained, smiling when the kids whined in protest. “He has his routine. He follows us room to room as we say goodnight and then he walks back downstairs and sleeps in the living room as it’s the center of our house. He wants to protect us.”

“What if Kylo eats Santa?” Jacen asked.

“Kylo will not eat Santa.” Rey giggled and carried Padme back to her bed. “After all, he never ate Peppermint!” 

This was a lie. Kylo happily chewed on their elf Peppermint after the kids went to bed one evening. Ben promptly drove to a nearby store for a replacement.

“Are you sure?” Hannah looked toward the staircase.

“We gave Kylo a special dinner tonight. He’ll be in a food coma before we know it,” Rey reassured.

“Given the fact that he stole mommy’s”–Ben mischievously grinned at Rey– “What did you call it again?”

The children immediately shrieked with laughter.

“It's called a Christmas pinwheel. It’s the same concept as a yule log or a pumpkin roll. Since the kids didn’t want chocolate or pumpkin, they wanted vanilla–”

“You called it a snowman turd!” Hannah shouted, making the twins laugh even louder.

“Well, it will definitely be that now.” Rey frowned as she remembered how she made the vanilla cookie batter from scratch. 

That was the easy part. She then separated the bowl into three batches, dyeing one batch red and another green, before kneading the dough into thin disc-like shapes and throwing them into the freezer. Once enough time passed by, she pulled the three batches of dough out of the freezer, placed them on the counter, and rolled them into rectangles. She knew Kylo was watching intently, but didn't worry about him lounging for food. She placed the three rectangles on top of one another and carefully rolled them into a tight spiral. 

Rey remembered thinking it was much easier than she feared as she rolled the pinwheel across a sheet full of red, white, and green sprinkles. After wrapping the log and placing it back in the fridge for nearly an hour, she pulled out the soon-to-be dessert, placed it on the counter, and unwrapped it. But before she could slice the roll into little pinwheel cookies, her twins’ screams caught her immediate attention, and she left the Christmas goodie near the edge of the counter. 

After settling a dispute with her littlest ones, Rey walked back to the kitchen. She was so excited over something so simple, but she was proud of herself for trying something new. She never had a chance for such traditions growing up.

But Kylo’s loud chomps and licks led her around the kitchen island, and seeing the dog happily eat the spiraled cookie dough horrified her. She knew the ingredients weren't toxic, but it could still upset the dog's stomach. Needless to say, Ben made sure Kylo went outside several times after he woke from his food coma. 

But that was hours ago and it was time to patiently wait for the children to fall asleep.

Once Ben and Rey settled the kids again with Hannah now sleeping in the twins’ room for a sleepover, they walked hand in hand back to their bedroom. They knew their children’s giggles would quiet down soon enough.

When Rey heard the quiet click of the door’s lock, she turned to Ben and shyly giggled.

“We don’t have time.” She bit her lip when he latched his lips against the crook of her neck.

“We don’t?” Ben whispered against her skin. He grasped her hips and made her walk backward to their bed. 

“Well no–” She gasped when her legs bumped into the bed. She bit her lip when Ben pulled down her pajama pants and underwear.

“Nights like this, I miss the times you just wore my shirt.” He muttered before lightly kissing her sex.

“You– you said you liked these pajamas.” Rey’s eyes rolled back when she felt his thick tongue slip between her folds. Goosebumps traveled down her legs after her pants and underwear fell to the floor.

“I do. Not only do they look cute on you, but they make your ass pop out,” Ben stated while giving her bottom a decent smack. He pulled one of Rey’s legs out of the fabric and had her sit on the edge of the bed. His fiery eyes never leaving hers, he gently placed his hand on her chest and slowly pushed her down onto the mattress. “This monster is hungry.” He kneeled before her and sprawled his hands over her inner thighs. “I have enough time for a quick snack.”

Rey's lips twisted into a content smile, and she slowly exhaled when Ben's lips latched onto her cunt. Although he said it was a “quick snack,” the deep pressure from his fingertips against her thigh said otherwise. The unrelenting pressure that would surely leave little bruises drove Rey wild with excitement as Ben dipped his tongue further and further inside. Teeth grazed her sensitive folds before plush lips suckled on her clit, making Rey buck her hips and whine when he pressed his fingers harder against her already quivering thighs. She grasped the roots of his hair and smiled when Ben happily awarded her with just enough friction to drive her closer to the edge. Feeling his five o'clock shadow swaying back and forth against her cunt made her eyes flutter again. 

“Such a delicious snack,” he whispered as he moved his right hand further up her thigh, dragging his neatly trimmed nails against her flesh. He hummed in satisfaction as she pulled his tresses with a quiet moan.

The pressure of one then two fingers felt like heaven. Ben suckled and played with her clit as he slowly finger fucked Rey. His piercing eyes caught every reaction, his ears every moan. His cock now painfully throbbed as he gave his little wife an orgasm. 

“I love turning my wife into my naughty, dirty, cum slut.”

Rey could feel her cheeks flush as she giggled. When she heard the metal clink of Ben’s belt buckle her smile only grew.

“Are you sure we have time?” She jokingly asked with an arched eyebrow.

“So long as the kids stay in bed,” he purred while stepping out of his pants. 

“Mmm, are you ready for your present?” Rey rolled onto her belly and crawled across their large bed, reaching for her nightstand. “I bought this cute nighty for tonight. I’ll just grab it and slip it on–”

“You can wear it another night.” Ben reached across the bed and cupped an asscheek before sliding his fingers against her wet cunt. “Because I’m always ready for you.” He purred while continuing to tease her folds. He loved seeing his wife like this: Her body frozen in place with the occasional tremble to his touch. He loved turning her on. Her little gasps and whimpers were pure bliss. He lived for teasing her just so until she was ready to beg for more. While Ben dipped his fingers inside of her, he began to stroke his cock with his free hand. “Besides, we only have time for a Christmas quickie.”

“Funny, wasn’t that how our one-night stand was supposed to be?” Rey giggled when she felt his wet fingers grasp her hips before he slammed into her pussy.

“A quickie? Fuck no.” Ben hissed as he bottomed out. “I wanted to fuck you nonstop that night.” He pulled his hips back and firmly placed his free hand on her left shoulder. “And you wanted it as well.” 

Rey moaned against the soft fabric of their comforter when Ben’s cock hit deep within her. Her husband was a fast learner and knew how to hit her G-spot just right. She felt his hand squeeze her shoulder while he began to piston his hips.

“Just like how I knew I wanted to get you pregnant over and over again.” He quietly growled. 

“You wanna get me pregnant again?” Rey grinned against the comforter. Her hands tightened their hold against the linen, her toes curled in delight.

“Fill your pussy with my cum and watch your belly swell with my fourth child.” His hands slid to her breasts. He roughly groped the soft mounds of flesh and pulled Rey’s body against his. His right hand slid to the base of her throat with a light squeeze.

“Give it to me,” Rey whispered.