Fifteen years later …

Rey opens her eyes slowly, looking around their bedroom. She immediately listens closely, but hears … nothing? That's odd. Usually the twins are up by now, demanding in their 3-year old way to have their parent's attention.

Thankfully, Tara has been an amazing older sister, the 15-year old usually rounding up the rest of her 'troops'—as she calls them—for breakfast. Rey had been able to sleep in for her entire pregnancy with her twin girls.

When she realizes the silence really is holding, she rolls over in her husband's arms and kisses his nose while stroking her fingers through his hair. It's as thick as ever, but sprinkled with silver.

"Ben …" she murmurs.

"Five more minutes," he mumbles.

"It's morning and the house is quiet."

He cracks an eye open. "Really?"

"Really," she says with meaning, her hands wandering.

His eyes fly open and she giggles as he swiftly rolls on top of her and captures her lips, kissing her passionately.

Palming her breast, he growls, "Do you think we have time?"

"Let's take our chances," she groans as her hands slink down his sleeping pants.

But then their bedroom door flies open, and they're covered in their five daughters, shrieking and laughing.

Rey sighs and gives into the chaos.

He loves this. Absolutely adores it. He's been completely outnumbered for years and he wouldn't have it any other way as he traps the twins in his arms, kissing and tickling them.

"Papa!" they squeal while laughing beautifully. There's so much laughter in his house.

"Oh, well, if you want me to stop …"

"No!" Astra and Seren both cry out.

"Me too!" demands his 7-year old, Itri.

"I only have two arms!" Ben protests.

"Then I'll just have to help!" Rey exclaims, throwing herself into the fray.

While engaged in the epic battle, he glances at Tara, who's sitting on the edge of the bed, watching. She looks happy, but her eyes are wistful. Reminded of what's happening today, Ben pauses.

But he's pulled back into the madness when Estrella tackles him. She's 11 and usually thinks she's too old for 'kid stuff' so he tickles her with special enthusiasm.

Once everyone is gasping for breath and Seren has got the hiccups, Rey hollers, "Alright, girls, time for breakfast!"

Rey watches Ben flip the skillet-cakes. This time he's made them in the shape of tookas and Itri looks on greedily.

"I want that one!" Itri declares.

"There's plenty for everyone," Ben says as he slips the latest cake in the oven to keep warm.

Sipping her caf, Rey sighs happily. She'd never imagined this could be her life. There have been hard times. The twins almost didn't make it. But Ben has given her everything she could have ever dreamed of and so much more.

Putting down her cup, she goes behind Ben and wraps her arms around his torso, laying her head between his shoulder blades.

His free hand smooths over her skin and he hums contentedly.

"Did you ever imagine?"

"That the key to my happiness was a half-feral herd of girls?"

"Hey!" she bats at him. "You love it."

"I really do."

After breakfast, Itri is chasing Astra and Seren through the living room when Ben notices a pillow floating towards Astra's head and he yells, "No Force in the house!"

The pillow drops and Itri bashfully mumbles, "Sorry, Papa."

"Why don't you three go color?" Rey suggests. "I think Papa might have picked up the latest Rebellion heroes coloring book."

"Gramma!" the twins shriek.

"Well, I see where we rate," Ben jokes. All the girls are over the moons for his mother.

"We don't give them enough sweets to have them attached to the ceiling," Rey observes. Ben smiles innocently, hoping Rey hasn't noticed how often he sneaks treats to the girls.

"Oh, I know, Solo. It's just not worth the energy.

Once the youngest three are off coloring, Ben cocks his head. "Where're Tara and Estrella?"

"Oh, Estrella is helping Tara finish up packing."

Ben scowls. "I still don't like this."

"It's only for the high summer! She'll be back in four weeks."

"Do you know what the ambassadors' kids used to get up to!?" The first time he'd had to field propositions was when he'd visit his parents during the Future Leaders of the Republic internship program. He'd been 15. Just like Tara.

Rey looks at him like he's an idiot. "Tara could hang them upside down by their toes with the flick of her finger. Do you really think there will be a problem?"

"Is Papa worrying again?" Tara says as she wanders into the living room.

"Always," Ben complains. "You try having five girls!"

"I thought that's what you were afraid of," Tara teases, making Ben choke.

Rey, however, laughs heartily.

"It's not like I'll be alone. Jesen and Kitra are coming, too!"

Ben wisely keeps his counsel on that. He likes Jesen, he's a good boy. Finn and Rose have raised him right. Kitra, however ...

Poe seems to be locked in some sort of competition with the Solos to repopulate the galaxy. He has four children with two mothers and a fifth on the way. From mother number three. Kitra is just like her father and if Rey wouldn't kill him, he'd declare her a bad influence.

Rey comes over to where he's sitting and settles herself in his lap, kissing him softly.

"Ew, gross," says Estrella as she joins her sister on the settee.

"Yeah, seriously, you have enough kids," Tara declares.

Ben looks at Rey's flat belly longingly when Rey sends through their bond, "Oh, no. Nuh uh. Factory is closed."

"One more?" he pleads back.

"Only if you handle this one."

"How about we just practice?" he sends hopefully.

"They're doing it again," Estrella complains.

"Yeah, I know. They forget that I can hear them if they don't pay attention."

Ben's cheeks burn.

Leia will arrive righe after midday, and Ben is just growing more morose.

The kids are all engrossed in the latest holo, so they have a rare moment of peace. They're sitting at the kitchen table while Ben cleans his lightsaber. He does that whenever he's tense. Long ago they managed to heal his crystal, and now it's back to its original blue.

He'd kept the strange crossguard design, however.

Has it really been almost 16 years since they crashed into each other's lives? He still cares for her like he did in the beginning. Bringing home little presents, always tending to her. She'd assumed he would have calmed down by now. But no. Not her husband.

She can't help but snicker. Ben? Calm down? He just wouldn't be Ben if he didn't feel things so deeply.

"What is it?" he asks.

"Oh, just thinking about you. How much I love you."

"And that made you laugh?" His brow arches. Gods, he's still such a handsome man.

"Mmmhmm," she hums noncommittally.

He sighs dramatically. "Tell me again this will be alright."

"Ben, she's staying with your mother. This is a great opportunity for Tara. You know how good she is with people. She wants to follow in Leia's footsteps; she's going to be an amazing leader."

"I know, I know … but couldn't my mother just come visit?"

"She can't be away from the capital that long. They need her. Besides, this way Tara will get to meet other young people with her interests. Begin making connections. You know how much she wants this."

"You're right. I know you're right."

"She'll be home before you know it."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

"Grandma!" Itri screams as she sees Leia's speeder arrive outside.

Ben had been about to warn the girls not to crowd their grandmother, but as Leia steps through the door she's already lost in a sea of happy shrieks.

"Gramma! Gramma!" the twins exclaim, wrapping around her knees while Itri and Estrella have their arms around her waist.

Astra steps back and exclaims, "Pwesents!"

"Astra!" Rey scolds.

"Oh, it's alright," Leia shushes. "Of course I brought presents!"

Ben looks skyward and just rolls with it. That's how he survives.

After a raucous afternoon with her family, Leia is pleasantly worn out. She doesn't move as well any longer and bending over to play with the twins has her back twinging.

But she wouldn't change anything. This is the life she'd always hoped for. She's able to devote herself to bringing justice and equality to the galaxy as well as bask in the glow of a happy family. It just turned out she was always meant to be a grandmother.

Seeing her son so fulfilled makes it all worth it, somehow. Even the loss of Han. Over the years, she's come to see how he was so lost that he needed something to break him from the dark's hold. What happened with Han had been the first crack in his heart, and Rey had been able to make her way so deep into her Son's soul that he could never walk in the dark again.

She'd tried to convince him to run for senator, but he'd surprised them all when he'd declared he wanted to become a professor. And here he is, happy as can be teaching history on Chandrila.

Leia sits with Itra on one side, and Estrella leaning her head on her shoulder. Estrella is already taller than Leia, even though she's only 11. Not that Estrella would agree that she's only anything, already desperate to be a young woman.

The twins are asleep on the floor and Tara and Ben talk quietly while Rey looks on.

Rey has impressed her more than she'd ever thought possible, taking on training her girls in the Force. Ben still shies away from that, too afraid of his years with the dark side. Rey has essentially created a new academy for Force users. They don't call themselves Jedi, any longer, and focus on balance instead of only the light.

"Leia?"

"Yes, Rey?" she responds.

"Could we talk for a moment?"

"Of course!"

She walks with her daughter-in-law to the kitchen, and Rey begins to prepare the tea. How many pots of tea have they shared over the years?

"You seem troubled," Leia offers.

"I … I just wanted to make sure you'll keep an eye on Tara."

"Is Ben fretting again?"

"Yes, but … that's not why. She's never been away from us before. I … I'm worried she'll feel like we sent her away."

Leia smiles gently. Rey has never completely lost her fear of losing those she loves, keeping her children and husband close and dear. It had taken Tara quite a while to get them to agree to allowing her to participate.

"She's staying with me. She'll still be with family."

Rey nods. "You're right. Of course you're right …" she trails off.

"Sooner than you like, you'll have to let her go."

Rey snorts. "Don't tell Ben that. Thank the gods he hasn't noticed Jesen making eyes at Tara."

Leia slaps the table and chortles. "He does know all of them will eventually pair off, doesn't he?"

"Are you kidding? If it were up to him, they'd stay with us forever."

"But not you?" Leia asks keenly.

"Ben has made me so happy. I want that, for them."

"I don't think you need to worry about that. Skywalkers love fiercely."

"Have you ever thought about finding someone, I mean, after Han?" Rey asks curiously.

Leia shakes her head. She's considered it, and she has had a dalliance or two. But her heart … "They also only ever love once."

"Are you happy?"

Taking Rey's hand, Leia says, "Happier than I've ever been."

It's time and he is absolutely not ready to watch Tara go. He knows she'll be back before the weather turns, and of course his mother will keep a close watch over her.

But she's his baby. She made him a father and brought he and Rey together.

Standing outside their home, he gathers Tara in his arms and holds her tightly.

"I'll miss you, Little Star," he murmurs into her ear.

"Not so little anymore, Papa."

"You'll always be my Little Star. The first in my galaxy."

"That sound suspiciously like you're saying I'm your favorite."

He pulls back, aghast. "I don't have a favorite!"

"Uh huh." She winks knowingly and he rolls his eyes.

They've been playing this game for years, she always teases him that she's his favorite and he always denies it. He'll never tell her that it's true. He loves his children with everything he has, but he's connected to Tara in a way he treasures down to his marrow.

"My turn," Rey interrupts as she sidles between them, pulling Tara into a close hug. His firstborn is nearly as tall as he is, now, and she bends to embrace her mother.

Once she's hugged her sisters goodbye, they all wave as his mother and baby girl speed off into the distance. His arms are around Rey, Estrella, and Itri, with the twins clinging to his knees.

Rey starts to sniffle, and he looks down on her. He thought he'd be the one to cry, but he sees that haunted look in her eyes he knows will never truly leave her.

"She'll be back," he reassures.

Rey nods and looks up at him. "I know." Then she smiles brightly.

"Mama has a treat for everyone! Back in the house!"

The gaggle jump up and down, demanding to know what she's hidden away.

"Only good girls get air cake."

The chorus of hoots has Ben grinning as he watches his family race to the kitchen.

His galaxy of stars.

A/N: NOTE ON NAMES: All of their girls' names mean 'star'.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, ArtemisBare. You have been an amazing and essential part of this journey. Thank you for your wonderful ideas for this chapter, you made it so much better.

Thank you, Readers! I'm beyond thrilled to finish up my fourth completed longfic. It never gets any easier, though. Your constant support made this an incredible journey and I'm so grateful to everyone who has read, followed, favorited, reviewed. You're beautiful and so generous with your time.

Next up, I'll be completing 'Unbidden'. I'm going to take a few days to rest my hands (and re-read that sucker) but keep an eye out around Thursday for the next chapter. If I recall correctly, it's almost time for a wedding! I've never actually written The Wedding before, so I'm excited. Hope to see y'all over there!