*AN: Thank you to my readers, especially to those who have commented and kept me smiling while it was still a WIP. This story felt like it needed to be told, and I had so much fun writing this. If you're new here, reading after complete, I would love to hear from you too.

Also, the prior scenes of self love and exploring each other were my first time writing and this is my first full out lemon. Give me grace.*

**Last time on WO: They are reunited (and it feels so good…) after destroying the sith artifact and it freed them from the darkness that invaded their minds and bond. They are connected again, and headed back to the academy.**

"Rey?" Ben whispered in her ear. When she opened her eyes, he smirked and nibbled on her ear. She shivered and curled into his chest.

"Hmm?" She mumbled, half asleep.

"You're beautiful, did you know that?" He kissed his way down her neck, stopping often to gently suck, but not hard enough to leave a mark. More like hard enough to drive her crazy. He returned to her ear, and licked it. " I love you," he whispered.

Rey's heart hammered and she sat up to look in his eyes. They shared a bond, and sent feelings back and forth constantly and occasionally spoke into each other's mind. So it shouldn't surprise her. But it did. She loved him, of course she did, but they had never said it out loud. "Ben," she sighed. She leaned forward and kissed his scar, every single inch of it. Now it was his turn to shiver. The skin was super sensitive. At first it made him self conscious, that she didn't find him attractive any more. He doubted his looks on the best of days, but to have something that prominent on his face… Well, it didn't help. But then she told him it just reminded her of his strength, his devotion. Just how much he would endure for her-to free their minds from the darkness and ensure they could live without negative influence and the fear that came with it. What if they lost control again? Said or did something that couldn't be taken back for yet another time.

All this passed through his mind as she gently showered him with kisses, first over the scar, then his cheeks, and finally to his lips. He wasn't sure of the tone she'd said his name, so he wasn't sure if he should have kept his mouth shut. But he wanted to tell her, speak it out loud instead of in feelings through the bond. For her to know without a shadow of a doubt.

"I love you too," she breathed, not really letting their lips disconnect. "So much." He smiled on her lips and deepened their kiss. He swirled his tongue with hers, and gave a low hum. The bond surged with desire, sharp and strong. He liked knowing just how much he affected her. She shifted her hips, seeking friction, and curled her legs around his thigh. Even through all the clothes he felt her heat, and stifled a shudder.

They kissed and what started a sweet give and take, escalated to soft nips and tongues battling for dominance. Rey broke away and gasped for air. The hands that had been clenching his tunic roamed down his chest, exploring the dips and planes of his chest and stomach. He was toned, his body warm from sleep and it felt wonderful under her hands.

"Take this off," she whispered, and pulled back so he could pull it over his head. Then he waved his hand to make sure his door was locked because he might severely injure anyone who barged through that door. Her hands went back to exploring. She traced over his nipples and she thought he was going to jump off the bed. She spent time there, teasing him and swirling around like he did to her. Then they dipped lower and she traced the v shape between his hips, leading lower. To a place she'd seen through a force connection but never really explored. Ben moaned and it encouraged her. Her fingers of one hand slipped under his pants, and the other rested on his chest. Her hand brushed against his length over his underwear, and Ben stiffened. Rey was curious at how it sort of twitched in her hand. She found the slit in his underwear and guided him out. She traced the underside and smirked when Ben cursed. "Good?" she said, looking up at him through her lashes. He nodded, eyes half glazed.

She grabbed him softly, experimentally and slowly dragged her hand up the length of him, stopping to feel the end, where the skin felt different. There was some moisture there and she coated her hand and stroked him downwards. She remembered how he'd touched himself and tried to copy that. Ben was making delightful noises and she figured that she was doing something he liked. She changed up her grip and he hissed. "Yes, Rey," he muttered. She moved a little faster and soon he was twitching in her hand. Soon her hand was warm with a sticky substance and she smiled, satisfied that she'd been the one to do that.

Ben pulled her face up to his and she wiped off her hand on the sheets before cupping his face. He kissed her and she pulled away only to take her tunic off. She loved the way their skin felt, bare against each other. She pressed even closer and moved from his mouth to his ear, sucking on it, since she liked it when he did it to her earlier. She was distracted when his hand cupped her breast.

"Ben?" she whispered. "Could we… I mean… Do you want to…" her face flamed, and she took a deep breath. "I want you. I'm ready if you are. Could we make love?"

Ben placed a hand on each side of her face and searched her eyes. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. I love you and I want you in every way," Rey said, giving him a soft smile.

Ben swallowed hard, his adam's apple bobbing down then back up. "Then, yes." He reached for the tie on her sleep pants and pulled them off. Stars, she wasn't wearing underwear. Ben had no idea how she decided when she would wear them or not. He silently thanked the force that she had been wearing them the day that she was walking around in only them and a robe. He didn't want anyone else to see her like this. Once the pants were sufficiently thrown across the room, he traced the curve of her leg back up. He let go and settled on his side, tucking one arm under her head. He let his free hand glide from her face down to her breasts, giving each one attention until they formed peaks. He reached between her legs, and ran his finger from her opening to the firm place that he knew he could tease until she fell apart. He took his time though, making sure that she was wet, and stretching her first with one finger and as she relaxed another.

"Ben, please," she whispered, placing her hand on his neck and scratching lightly.

He was recovering but not quite there yet, only half hard against her thigh. Besides he wanted her to be ready, to reach her pleasure before. Poe mentioned in one of his long winded talks-that Poe went on when Ben was in an introspective mood-that the first time could hurt a bit for girls, and that it was better if they were slick and relaxed first. At the time, it was one of the last things he wanted to hear about, but now it was insider knowledge. Poe also mentioned that some girls couldn't reach their pleasure during sex, and Ben wanted Rey to, but if not, then at least he could give her this.

Ben focused his attention on the spot she loved, and teased her with languid circles. She shifted her hips, bucking into his hand. He sped up in increments and before long she was tensing up, her legs shaking slightly. He brought his mouth to her breast and when his mouth closed over her peak, she released; his name escaping from her lips.

"Now?" she pleaded, opening her eyes and meeting his own. She sent him reassurance and pure need through the bond. Ben rose up above her, supporting his weight on one arm, and taking himself in hand. Seeing her orgasm on top of a few lazy strokes had him fully hard again. He rubbed himself against her, groaning in pleasure when his tip met her wetness. He stopped suddenly and reached for the side table. He grabbed the condoms and slid one on. He was glad he'd practiced with one a few times when he was alone, so that he could be in this moment and not be so self conscious. He gathered more of her wetness and fumbled around a bit until she whispered "a little further back." and then he felt her opening.

He pressed into her a bit, keeping his eyes on her face, gauging her reaction, as well as searching the bond. He felt pure pleasure so he inched in a bit more. He felt a slight barrier, and pushed through. She stiffened and he resisted the urge to just move. She didn't feel intense pain, but he waited until it abated and she nodded.

Rey adjusted to the sheer size of him. She felt so full, so right. He pulled out a bit and pushed back in slowly. She grabbed his shoulders and pushed up into him, wanting more. She'd been nervous when Leia mentioned pain, but it really was just a sharp tear and then it faded. Then she remembered something else that Leia had talked about that day. "Oh, um. Is that… What you put on… oh force Ben," she moaned, before continuing to talk. "Some kind of birth control? Leia mentioned… But I didn't ever, uh do it," she muttered. She felt feverish and giddy, rambling but also not wanting to be saying anything besides Ben's name. Or maybe some well timed curses. She prayed that it was, because she did not want to stop.

"Yes. Relax sweetheart," he answered, leaning down to press a kiss on her lips. She'd tensed up right before she asked, presumably taken out of the moment briefly.

"Good. Now, can you do that again?"

Ben chuckled, and then he did. Rey's eyes rolled back in her head a little bit, and she lost herself to feeling. Ben couldn't believe how tight she was. It was such a hot, wet pressure and her moans were going straight to his head. He made the mistake of looking down where they were joined and the ways her thighs were spread and her hips came up to meet him. He almost came at the sight of him disappearing inside her. But he wasn't done with her yet. He closed his eyes for a moment before slowing down just a bit and meeting her eyes.

Emotions and spikes of pleasure flew back and forth, and while they were like this, they got lost in each other, joined in body and in mind. A circle where they weren't quite sure where one ended and the other began. He supported himself with one arm again, and reached down to hitch her leg over his hip, and they both gasped at the new angle.

Rey moaned as he thrusted in, his pubic bone pressed against her in the most delicious way. She threw her other leg up and locked them together. He was still setting a slow, gentle pace, but Rey wanted more. She rocked up to meet him and he hit some spot inside her that she'd never felt. White blurred at her vision, and she felt like lightning was coursing through her veins, all meeting together at the places they were joined, and she exploded. "Ben! Force!" she exclaimed.

Ben felt her clenching all around him and a fresh wave of wetness coated them both. There were waves of pressure and when she called his name, he couldn't hold back anymore and he spilled into her. He rode out their orgasms, thrusting slowly until it was too sensitive. He felt boneless and he rested some of his weight on her.

Rey tried to calm her breathing and heart rate. It was more than she imagined being with Ben that way. And she never wanted to leave the bed. She pushed at him a bit as more and more of his weight came on her. He rolled to the side and when he pulled out she felt so empty and wished that she wouldn't have had him move. He pulled her into him, pressing a kiss to her forehead, and they lay silently in each other's arms, sated and feeling complete.

"Do you think that Luke will be disappointed?" Rey whispered. She fiddled with her power cell. She was stalling. She had been stalling for a long time, actually. Ben had finished his lightsaber almost a year ago, on the way to Onderon. But something about it felt dishonest to her. Luke fully believed in the Jedi Code, and although he never said anything to discourage their bond and attachment, it went against what he taught. Ben and Rey talked this in circles, and he had even put off joining the others in his year for their knighting ceremony. He declined, at the time saying that he wanted to wait for Rey, and take that step with her.

It just felt like their place wasn't at the academy. That would mean that they were teaching students one thing, but living another way. Or that they would be on missions in the public eye, and it just felt wrong to call themselves Jedi since they were together. Nothing could separate them, and they weren't going to keep their relationship a secret.

"Rey," Ben said softly. "Don't you think he already knows?"

"No! Do you?" She was distracted, but her hands were so used to fixing things,that she'd assembled the rest of her parts besides the crystal.

"Yes. No one really turns down their knighting ceremony. Except those who decide not to fully accept the Jedi way of life."

"Well, why would he encourage me to build my saber? Or to keep learning?" Rey asked.

"He might want you to have a saber, no matter what you choose. Or he doesn't want us to feel like he is making a decision for us, since we haven't really talked to him about it."

"Maybe. So I should finish this no matter what we decide?" Rey looked down and fussed with a few wires. They were perfectly in place, but she still liked to have something to do with her hands.

"Yes. Yes, I do. My mom didn't finish her training you know? She made her saber, but she left it with Luke because her place in the senate wasn't really a place to tote around a saber."

"Have you heard from your mom lately?" Rey asked. Leia went back to being much more active again in the senate after Onderon. She was assembling a group to help keep the new order in check, and she had Han and some other trusted people including Poe and Shara running missions to get allies and try to keep peace.

"Yep. Same old, trying to single handedly keep peace in the galaxy," Ben joked. There was true humor in this voice, such a change from when Rey first started talking to him. He'd held a lot of pain and resentment for her for years, feeling second place to her duty. "Han and Chewie are… Well, doing what they do best. Causing trouble but in ways to help mom instead of give her gray hair."

"That's good," Rey answered. But Ben could tell that she was still troubled and deep in thought.

"We can talk to him first if you want," Ben said, trying to make Rey feel better. He knew she wanted to finish but also that she was carrying a lot of guilt.

Rey didn't answer, instead she took another hard look at the crustal and fit everything together. She stood and took a starting stance. She ignited her blade and it lit up a soft green. She smiled but quickly powered it off.

"So if we don't follow the Jedi path, what do we do?" Rey asked.

"Anything we want."

Anything they wanted included helping Leia in all sorts of capacities. Rey tried to do some senatorial work with Leia, but hated it. She begged off to join Ben doing aid/covert information gathering runs with Poe. She loved piloting and was better than Ben, which he was sore about, but not quite as skilled at Poe, which made them both grumpy. And it didn't help that Poe wouldn't ever shut up about it.

But Rey kept going back to tinkering. She would find something to repair from the base, or even better in her opinion, something to modify. Ben shouldn't have ever worried about Han letting her help, because he loved having Rey around and they both had ideas to bring to the table. Constantly challenging each other and giving the Falcon mods that no one would ever suspect.

One day she was with Han, grease covering her hands, when she bolted out from under the hyperspace capacitor, hands over her mouth, to the fresher. When she came out after emptying what felt like every single thing she'd ever eaten from her stomach, she glared at Han, who looked smug. He was studying her with a smirk on his face, one identical to Ben's.

"What?" She snapped. Rey was grumpy and brushed past him to get something to drink.

Han decided to start small. "Did you happen to look in the mirror before you came out?" He couldn't hide the amusement in his voice.

"No, I was kinda busy," she said. She poured some juice in a cup, the only thing she seemed to be able to handle in the mornings without it making an appearance. She swiped at her cheek, but only succeeded at smearing it even more.

Han handed her a cloth, and she scrubbed her face, still glaring at him. "Sick again?" he asked.

"Yeah, I guess I should see a med droid, it's been constant for a while now," Rey muttered.

"I know. You've been with me the last two weeks. When is Ben coming home?"

"Later today," she answered, finishing her juice.

"So, he doesn't know?" Han asked.

"No, I didn't want to worry him while he's on his mission. I miss him though," Rey answered. It was the longest they'd been apart, but she just wasn't up to joining them. She'd been so tired, even before her stomach started to rebel against her.

"You know, Leia was sick like this in the mornings a lot. It was about twenty seven years ago," Han said.

"Okay…" Rey said slowly. Why on earth would he talk about something so long ago?

Han was having too much fun. But he decided to be more direct, maybe push the girl to realize what he was nearly certain of. "So, have you gotten a new regular doctor here?"

"No, I haven't really seen anyone since we left the academy," Rey huffed. "I think the droids here can handle a stomach virus."

"It's been what? four years ago? Since you left the academy?"

"Yeah," Rey was getting a little antsy. It wasn't like her and Han didn't talk. They did. About more than ships and parts sometimes. But usually while they were working on ships.

Apparently Han was still being too subtle. "When did you and Ben start sleeping together?"

Rey's face turned bright red, and she felt around for something to throw at him. He was lucky it was just the grease cloth. "Force, Han. What's with the seventh degree?"

"Have you guys been using condoms lately?"

"The hell? Han, you really should call Leia if you want to talk about sex. But no, I have an implant…. Oh kriff… Do you really think? It's been five years? Have you said anything to him? He's going to freak. Do you think he'll be mad? I mean, we've talked about kids, but only kinda abstractly."

"Whoa, slow down kid. I haven't said anything. It really only occured to me yesterday. You don't seem sick in the evenings and then sure enough, it was back this morning."

"I'm going to ask her," Ben said, entering their landing sequence from the co-pilot seat.

"You've been saying that for months now. Hasn't she caught on to anything through your connection?" Poe said, raising his eyebrows.

"She's been a little distracted lately. Maybe she needs time apart instead of getting closer? She said she was exhausted and didn't want to come with us so she didn't slow us down. Do you think she'll say no?"

"That girl thinks you hung the stars, she'll say yes."

Ben fiddled with the ring in his pocket. Poe was right, he'd been wanting to do this for awhile now. They were already joined in so many ways, and he wanted it to be official. Besides, just calling her his girlfriend seemed… Well, not enough. He locked down his end of the bond, not wanting her to know something was up.

As soon as they landed, he felt the bond, and followed her signature. It gave him a general sense and then it flared as they got closer. She was sitting outside, leaning against a tree, her hand idly running back and forth the grass. He pressed a kiss on her cheek, and got on his knees.

"Rey. I love you. You're everything to me and I want to spend the rest of our lives together. Would you marry me? Be Rey Solo?"

She crumpled and started weeping. Ben opened the bond and felt guilt, heavily coating their bond. "He… he told you didn't he?"

He put his arms around her and she buried her face into the side of his neck. "Who? Rey, who told me what?" The guilt through the bond and her negative reaction to his question caused his stomach to drop. Was there someone else? Is that why she'd decided not to come. But surely not?

"I didn't know until today. He suspected, but I… Well, I don't want you to marry me just because… I didn't mean to. I'm sorry."

Rey was making no sense. "Know what? What are you sorry about?"

"I wanted to get married because we wanted to, not because of something unplanned. And I know you would have wanted to make the decision together," Rey said through tears.

"I do want to marry you. Why else would I ask?"

"Because Han told you about the baby, I know he did. It's okay, Ben. I'm not mad at him."

"What baby? Mom's too old… Wait, are you pregnant with our baby?" Ben cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.

"You're not mad?" Rey asked. She pulled away and studied his face. He was smiling so big that she couldn't help smiling back.

"No, how could I be? A baby is a part of us both."

Rey wiped her eyes and nose on her tunic and felt a huge sigh of relief. "So, you asked me, and you had no idea?"

"None. I have been driving Poe crazy. I couldn't decide when or how to ask you."

"Then, yes. Yes, Ben Solo, I will marry you."

They married two months later; at twilight on Naboo, where Leia had inherited a home and land from her grandmother. Rey's belly bump was just starting to show, and to Ben, she'd never looked so beautiful. Her face was beaming, and framed in the dying sunlight. They were surrounded by Ben's family and a few close friends like Poe and Shara.

They lived in the house by the lake, gave birth to a son and daughter, born just over a year apart. Aloryia and Tristan. When they started showing signs of the force awakening in them, Rey and Ben took up their lightsabers, and went to the academy with them. Luke was more open than they ever imagined he would be to relaxing the old Jedi code, leaving room for attachment, love, passion, desire. And teaching them to acknowledge anger, fear and how to channel them in a way where the light still prevailed.

The alliances that Leia had managed to make, and the new order of Jedi spread hope and light throughout the galaxy. Rey and Ben had broken the power of the Sith when they broke the artifact. Without the dark power, the cells of fanatics who called themselves the first order was quelled.

After teaching and shaping the academy, Ben and Rey left it to Luke and his promising group of Jedi Masters, who had great ideas about the future of the academy and how new Jedi could work with the senate to keep peace.

They returned to their lake house. And spent lots of time fixing and modifying ships. But most of all, they spend a lot of time in bed. And in the shower. In the lake. On the porch. Breaking things with the Force in the forest (trust me, even the more relaxed Luke would not approve of this inappropriate use.) And resting (yeah right.)

**AN: I hope you enjoyed it. I had such fun writing this adorably awkward Ben and Rey. Was it the ending you were hoping for? It felt right to me… But for sure let me know. Or say hi. Or

if there is anything you want to see, I am open to doing some one shots. **