"He'll live. The bullet went through and came out cleanly," reports Dr. Kalonia.

Leia's breath whooshes out of her. She clutches Luke's arm.

"Thank God," grunts Chewie. "I'll go tell Han."

Leia nods. Luke watches as Chewie leaves the waiting room. Snoke, too, is in surgery. Brendol Hux was apprehended unarmed, and the agents found Armitage and Phasma huddled behind a couch inside of the yacht. Poor kids.

"Did you tell Han about what Snoke said?" Luke ventures.

Leia shakes her head. "Not yet."

"Rey says it's true," Luke reports. "She and Finn and Poe."

"I know." Leia grips her head.

"Snoke's manipulative as hell," Dad offers, hesitant as if he's not sure whether Leia wants him to speak up or disappear entirely. "He—"

"I know," Leia shoots back, covering her face and leaning forward. "I just—I let him get to Ben."

"You're not blaming yourself," Luke says, shocked. Padmé covers her mouth.

"I knew he was in pain, Luke, Han and I both knew, but we thought—we kept dismissing it as ordinary teenage stuff—we thought it'd work itself out—we should have been there for him more. He resented us, we both knew it, and we should have—"

"Leia," Luke interrupts, grasping his sister by her shoulders. Bail Organa watches with tears in his eyes. "Ben's okay. There's tomorrow. There's another chance. It's not too late."

She leans her forehead against his shoulder, wrapping her arm around him. Luke catches sight of Padmé and Dad both smiling slightly.

"It's good to know we didn't lose everything," Padmé offers in explanation. "I'm glad—so happy—to see that you two are close."

"Despite it all," Bail comments, leaning against the wall.

"I forgive you, you know," Padmé says. "It was not your fault. Mace and Yoda—well, they're staying with Obi-Wan for the time being. I'm sure we'll talk."

You can't magically fix anything. There's no wand here. All these years—still different than they might have, maybe should have, been. Not always for the worse, either, Luke decides as Bail reaches to caress his daughter's shoulder.

"I'm forcing him into therapy," Leia declares.

"Good idea," Luke affirms.

"Leia," Bail says. "I'm going to get some coffee. Luke, would you—"

"Yes," Luke says immediately, rising. "See you soon. I'll get you an iced."

Leia nods, and Luke and Bail leave Leia with her birth parents.

"Can't force them to talk," Bail observes. "But I don't have to be in the way, either."

"I don't think Leia sees you as being in the way."

Bail smiles. "Of course she doesn't. But—Anakin's probably better suited to give advice on Ben, and she knows it."

Luke shrugs. "Probably." His own nephew.

Ben's so young, even if he doesn't see it that way.

Why didn't we notice?

Well, we've noticed now.

"So," Leia begins, partially wanting to thank Luke and her father, partially wanting to kick them out the waiting room's glass windows. Padmé's here, she reminds herself. She likes the woman.

And, whether she likes Anakin or not, he helped. She knows he did, and she's grateful for it. "Thank you."

Anakin shakes his head. "I'm—sorry, Leia." His shoulders slump, because it's just words, in the end, and he has nothing more to give.

None of them do. Maybe words have to count, sometimes.

Leia nods, blinking back tears. Her husband. Her son. It's so much, so overwhelming. It tears at her—but they're still here. "What would you recommend we do?"

"Me?" Anakin blinks.

"Judging from your history," Padmé says. "You might be best to offer a perspective into what Ben's been thinking."

Anakin heaves a sigh. "I don't know. Just—listen to him. But don't absolve him."

She wishes she could.

She wishes she could travel back in time, wrap her arms around her baby boy, and never let him go, protect him from the complicated shards of the world and of all these consequences that seem to ripple on and on and on.

But Han lives. So does Ben, and so does she. The assassin they caught—Boba Fett, once a police officer as well—is under heavy guard in the hospital after undergoing surgery for a bullet wound to the thigh.

"I love him," Leia says. "I'd do anything for him."

"I know," says Padmé.

Leia shudders as she imagines not knowing who or where or how your children are. She's been through hell.

Leia embraces her birth mother. Padmé gasps, and then hugs her too. "I'm sure Ben will want to meet you," she says. "We'll—when everyone is out of the hospital, we'll have you for dinner—I'd like to—"

Padmé nods, her eyes shining. "And—anything you need, Leia, while they're here—I'd help. If you'd prefer to be left alone, that's a need too, and don't hesitate to voice it."

Anakin stares at her in admiration. Something softens in Leia's heart. "Thank you." She turns to Anakin. "And you're—we'd like to have you for dinner, too. Or I would. I'll make sure Han doesn't get Threepio to poison your food."

Anakin gapes at her.

"I know—I haven't really been able to forgive you," Leia says, the words scraping her throat, her chest, as she speaks. Why not?

Because he did something terrible. And because Leia's expectations of people have always been high, and because, maybe, somewhere, she's always wondered why he didn't look harder for her, why he gave her up, even though she's glad he did.

"You did nothing wrong," Anakin manages. "I don't blame you at all."

You really don't.

Leia holds out her hand, and, with a smile blooming on his scarred lips, her father smiles.

"I hope Ben will be all right," Padmé says as Leia disappears with the doctor. He's awake, or so they claim.

Anakin nods, picking at the loose thread on his shirt. "He's a good kid."

"You know him?"

Anakin offers her a weak smile "I just met him. She—wanted to protect her son from me. Because of—"

"Vader," Padmé supplies. "I know."

Oh. Anakin slouches.

"They told me you didn't want me anymore," Padmé says. "I still—I always—and after they took our children, I thought—I couldn't bring myself to contact you. I always hoped, though. And prayed. Vader wasn't you."

"Vader is me," Anakin admits. "A part of me. So is the Anakin you knew." He shifts, his back aching.

Padmé nods.

"I heard you worked for a nonprofit."

She nods again.

"Are you married?"

Padmé casts him a strange look. "No."

Don't you dare get your hopes up, Anakin. We've both changed. We're decades and decades older.

"Do you want to get coffee?" Padmé asks. "When this is all over? Or whatever it is you're supposed to say when you ask someone out these days?"

Anakin whirls to gape at her. "You're asking me out?"

"You asked me out the first time. I figured it was my turn. Unless you're—"

"No." Anakin shakes his head. "I'm not." His fingers trace his chin, feeling the pits and ridges of his scars. "Padmé—there are things I've done that haven't been widely reported—and—"

"So we have a lot to catch up on." She smiles, and oh God, it's the same smile—older and wiser, but still free and beautiful. Her whole face lights up.

She looks prettier now than she did when we were sixteen.

"You sure you want to go on a date with this?" Anakin has to ask, jerking his hand towards his face. The monster.

Padmé shakes her head. "I see a man who went through hell and still clawed his way to heaven. Or maybe Luke pulled you kicking and screaming. I don't know."

"A little bit of Luke," Anakin confesses. "A fair amount of kicking and screaming."

"No matter what Luke or anyone did, you made your own choices. There's good in you," Padmé says. "I always knew it. Your loved ones just maybe helped you remember it."

"Hold still."

All he wanted to ask is where his mom is, but Ben gritted his teeth and stayed silent as they loaded him onto a medical helicopter.

But the sounds of the chopper sound higher-pitched now. No, they're beeps. I'm in the hospital. His hands twitch. His side aches and his brain feels slow.

"Leia, I think he's waking up."

Dad? Ben cracks his eyes open. White morning light pours in through the window, landing on his legs, which are covered with a knit blanket.

"Hey, kid," he says, face cracking into a smile. His gray hair seems mussed, and he's still in a hospital gown too, sitting in a wheelchair.

Oh my God.

Snoke. Rey—Ben flinches. They know; he told them; they know!

"Calm down, Ben, it's all right!" Mom cries out. "It's all right." Her hands catch his shoulders. "Everyone's okay. Everything's okay."

Tears leak out of Ben's eyes. Damn medication. He shakes his head. "The—"

"Ben, we don't have to do this now," Mom urges, her hand combing through his hair. "It's okay."

"I'm okay, kid. You must have just wanted a bullet wound to match me, huh?"

Ben narrows his eyes. "Snoke—"

"Is going away for a long, long time. As is his assassin buddy," Mom cuts in. "They're not going to hurt us again, Ben."

"I'm so sorry," Ben croaks out. "I—I didn't know—I really didn't."

Dad sighs. His hand grasps Ben's.

"I just—I wanted to—I don't know what I was thinking," Ben admits. His thoughts feel fragile, as if they're falling apart the moment his tongue tries to speak. "I was—mad—I found out about my grandfather and I—"

"Ben," Dad interrupts. "It's okay."

He shakes his head. "It's not!"

"Calm down," Mom insists. "Take a deep breath, Ben. You'll be okay. We're here."

Those last two words burrow down in Ben's stomach. He cringes. "Do you hate me?"

"No," Dad says. "No matter what, we love you."

"I know we haven't been the best at showing it," Mom chokes out, her fingers still running across his forehead.

You didn't betray me. Not like I did to you.

"We're not holding it against you, kid," Dad says. "You're our son for better or for worse. Hell, we forgive you."

"Why?" It's the only question in his mind.

"Because," Mom says. "We love you."

"I can't go through that again," Obi-Wan moans. The smell of coffee permeates the house. Rey pads to the living room, where Yoda and Mace Windu sit on the couch, all drinking coffee. Her heart sinks.

"Rey!" He springs to his feet.

"I'm sorry," she says. "I felt—I thought—"

"You don't have to explain," Obi-Wan cuts in, putting his hand on her shoulder. "You have little reason to trust me, or any adults. None of you really do except Poe, and from what I hear, he's grounded."

Rey snorts. "He is." His parents are also proud of him.

"He does admire your bravery," adds Mace. "Or so he said."

Really?

Obi-Wan smiles at her as he fills a mug with coffee. "I do. I just hope you'll learn to trust us, too. Then again, you do remind me of Luke."

Rey laughs.

"Ben is going to be okay," Yoda adds.

"I know. He texted me." Okay in more ways than one, Rey suspects.

There are people who love each other that much.

"Leia's hosting another barbecue for us all—before you leave," Obi-Wan tells Yoda and Mace. "Next week. Both Han and Ben will be out of the hospital then."

"Can I go see him?" Rey asks.

Obi-Wan gives her a nod. "Of course."

"I'm glad you and my nephew have gotten so close," Luke says as he drives Rey, Finn, and even a grounded Poe out on parole, to the hospital.

"We relate," Rey says.

"Hm?"

"We both felt unwanted."

Poe grips Finn's hand.

Luke sighs.

"You know you're not unwanted, right?" Poe hisses in Finn's ear as they ride in the backseat.

"Sometimes," he mutters back. Maybe more so than not these days. Maz didn't even scold him. She said she understood, and while he was still foolish, she didn't condemn him.

"You know," Poe begins. "Have Baze and Chirrut contacted you yet today?"

"I haven't checked my email, but they haven't called or texted."

"Oh." Poe reddens.

"What?" Finn presses.

"They want to know if you want to work for them next summer. I heard Baze telling Dad. Maz is all set for you to live with her again. You know, if you want the job."

"Seriously?" Finn gapes.

"That's awesome!" Rey shrieks.

"It's true," Luke confirms, slowing for a red light. "Though they were planning on telling you at the barbecue."

"Oops," Poe says.

Finn can't keep his grin off his face. "I'll pretend I don't know." Thought he's not sure how successful he'll be at that.

"We all have to text each other, right?" Rey asks. "During the school year? Ooh, and you guys should come visit! Obi-Wan has a couch."

"I have a house," Poe points out. "And yes, I'd like to." He looks to Finn, hand covering his.

Are we going to keep doing this? Finn nods. "I'd like to, too." And he's saved most of his earnings—he can afford a bus ticket.

And with Poe, he wants to try. There are no guarantees, he knows that. But Poe's the first person who made him feel like he belonged, and Poe's belief in him—it's changed Finn. For the better.

We'll give it all we've got.

"So glad you're home," Anakin says, rubbing Ben's shoulder. His side still throbs, but he's back home—and for some reason, his mother wants to hold a barbecue. At least this time, Finn can make it, and Dad's here too—and he doesn't hate Ben.

In fact, he's taking some time off of work. "Recovery," Dad groused, but Ben knows.

He wants to spend time with me.

He doesn't deserve it, but he's so grateful.

Padmé laces her hand through Anakin's, and Ben can only grin. They head off to talk to Jyn and Cassian, who, along with Mom, are trying to arrange a game of badminton against Luke, Baze, and Bodhi. "Your plan worked, Rey," he hisses.

"I mean, I didn't necessarily count on them getting back together," Rey says around a mouthful of chips and guacamole. "But I'm pretty happy they are."

"She's talking about moving here," Ben adds.

"Seriously?"

"They still love each other," Finn says, shaking his head. "After so many years. Amazing."

Poe winks, leaning his head on Finn's shoulder.

"Hey, Ben."

He looks up to see Hux standing there, Phasma by his side. Both of them bow their heads. "Hey."

"Thanks for—your help," Rey says carefully.

Hux nods. "I'm—glad you guys are okay."

Ben's silent. He read the newspapers. Brendol Hux, along with Snoke and Boba Fett, are looking at decades in prison.

"Where are you staying?" Poe questions.

"With her family for now," Hux says, Jerking his thumb. "Next week I'm going—well. Wherever. You know."

Wherever the state decides.

"It's not easy," Finn says carefully. "But it's not the end of the world, either. Things worked out for me." He sits between Rey and Poe on the grass, a hamburger on his plate.

Hux manages a smile. "Thanks."

"You know," Rey adds. "If you need someone to talk to, you can call me."

Ben's eyebrows shoot up.

"I know foster care," she adds, and Hux nods.

"You should talk to Jyn Erso," Finn says. "See what she can do for you during the summers. If you asked, I don't think she'd turn you down."

"Even if he's dating me?" asks Phasma with a snort.

"We know Snoke ran those booths," Poe jumps in.

She nods. "Actually, Obi-Wan's taken them over. Says he wants to be closer to Lor San Tekka and it's a fun job for retirement."

"How come you didn't tell me?" Ben yelps, turning to Rey.

Her jaw hangs open. "I had no idea."

"He said he'd keep me on if I promised to behave honestly," Phasma adds. "So I can finish school too, and still be the youngest manager." She grins.

"Good for you," Ben says, and means it.

They head off, and Rey turns to Ben. "You're going to visit during the year, right?"

He nods. "Mom and Dad seem to think it's a good idea for me to spend more time with both Luke and Anakin. Grandfather agrees." He watches as Bail laughs with Jyn's father, both men holding bottles of beer. The sun sets behind them, dribbling orange and gold onto the ocean.

"I'm proud of you," Poe tells Finn. "Actually, I'm, like, in awe of you. I still want to kick sand at them."

Finn snickers, and leans over to kiss Poe.

Rey turns to Ben. "We're going to have to group text each other. A lot."

He nods.

"And Skype," she adds. "And you'll visit." Her voice trembles.

"You'll make friends in school. I know you will," he tries to reassure her. He might be going to a new school, too. Mom and Dad are still discussing. Padmé apparently has some recommendations.

"But you're still my boyfriend," Rey teases, flicking his hair off his forehead.

Ben's face flushes. Boyfriend. She's never said that before.

He likes it.

He leans over to kiss her, lips folding over hers. His hands dig through her soft hair, and she presses herself against him.

"Oh, my dear!" squeaks Threepio. "Leia! Obi-Wan! Your—"

"Nah, it's okay," Han says. "Let them enjoy it."

"Wait, they're still dating?" Obi-Wan sounds scandalized and Ben pulls away from Rey. His stomach drops.

"Oops. Sorry," Rey says. "I should have told—"

"No," Obi-wan cuts in, a smile growing on his face. "There are some things you can please keep to yourself."

Ben coughs.

But Obi-Wan's still grinning. "I'm happy for you."

Thank you to everyone who read this story! May the Force be with you. :D