Star Wars Episode IX: Duel of the Fates

Epilogue: A New Hope

The sun was descending lower in the sky as the smell of spices and cooked meat floated through the small cottage. Rey stood in front of her stovetop as she gently tossed the meat around the dark iron pan. Even in the mundane moments like this, Rey couldn't help but smile. Her life started with such pain and loneliness. She used to have to eat awful and bland portions just to stay alive. She used to live in a wrecked AT-AT because she could not afford anywhere else. But here she stood in the cottage that she and her husband built, cooking the game that he hunted using the spices that they grew in their lush garden outside. Long gone were the desolate and endless sand dunes of Jakku. The coarse and irritating sand was replaced by the sprawling green prairies of Naboo.

Theed was only a days trip away, which she and Ben frequented if they needed supplies or clothes. They lived a simple life, one that neither of them ever expected to achieve. The dark Prince of Alderaan, Supreme Leader of the First Order, Master of the Knights of Ren, and the Grand Empress Palpatine were considered a mystery to the people of the galaxy. After the Battle of Exegol, no one knew where Rey, the last Jedi, or Kylo Ren, the Supreme Leader, went to. Some considered them dead, some theorized that they were in exile. There were rumors of the shift between the Dark and the Light Side but most now spoke of them as if they were legends. Both Rey and Ben were more than happy to keep it that way.

After the battle, there was only a momentary time where there was anarchy in the galaxy. Rather quickly, a new government arose. The Commonwealth now controlled the galaxy from Coruscant, a seat of power they repurposed from the days of the Republic. They reformed the Senate and there was a time of unprecedented peace in the galaxy. Laws and rules were determined based on vote once again and though there were still issues with slavers and bounty hunters and pirates alike, the galaxy was whole once again.

Rey missed her friends of course, but they still kept in touch. Finn and Poe refused to settle down. After saving up enough money to buy a decent sized ship of their own, they traveled the galaxy together in search of adventure and beauty wherever they went. They explored every small planet, every city, every village that they could. Rey glanced over at the newest letter Finn had sent her of his adventures.

My dearest friend,

We just boarded our ship after leaving a small tropical planet in the mid-rim. It was uninhabited but overflowing with weird fruits and hot, humid weather. I have never felt more relaxed in my life. Poe wasn't a fan of the bugs though, they come out at night and bite him more than me, which is the only reason why we left. Now, we're in search of his home planet. He doesn't really remember the name, but he is going to ask around more populated planets to see if his description is enough. Maybe if we're lucky, we can find information on where I come from too. I'll be sure to visit you soon. I still owe Lucas that five credits after he hustled me at Sabaac. He is more and more like his grandfather every day. I hope all is going well for you my friend.

May the Force be with you,

Finn

Rey couldn't help the smile that formed on her lips at the letter. The peace and simplicity of their new life was welcomed to Ben and Rey. Instead of fighting about the war, they now fought about clothes left on the floor. Instead of struggling and conniving to get more power, they all but cut themselves off from the Force. Still, it lingered in their minds and souls as they lived their life through love and support. "Blasted." Rey murmured to herself as she felt a sputter of grease hit her forearm, breaking her from her deep thoughts. Her eyes then lifted to look over the rolling hills outside of her home to see three figures silhouetted in the distance by the setting sun.

"Oh no! You guys got me! You're too strong!" Ben said through bouts of laughter, his midnight hair sprawling in stark contrast to the plush green grass beneath him. He heard the innocent giggles and felt the weight of two children hop onto his stomach and chest as his own laughter filled the air. Above him (well, more specifically on top of him) sat two children no more than six years of age. One was a young girl, her deep black hair tied back into three buns along the back of her head, her hazel eyes glinting in the setting sun. Her face was round, her cheeks flushed pink as she continued to giggle with her brother. He was taller than his sister, his hair a chestnut brown color, the different hues and tones highlighted in the warmth of the sun. His eyes were a deep coffee brown, his skin alabaster to match the man below him. Ben looked up at his children with nothing but pride and love. His daughter was named Mae Annie Solo, after Ben's grandparents Padme and Anakin, and his son was named Lucas Han Solo, after his uncle and father. Deciding their twin's names was a struggle for Ben and Rey. They wanted to honor those who sacrificed themselves so they could finally live this life of peace.

Ben pushed himself up to lean on his elbows as his children rolled off his body but still remained by his side. Ben's eyes shifted from his kids to the setting sun. The colors and beauty of it always reminded him of his parents. A pang of mourning hit his heart as he glanced back at his children. "Why don't you guys go inside and set the table for mommy? I'll be sure to give you extra cold cream for dessert if you help her out." He suggested. Lucas eagerly nodded and hopped to his feet. He began to excitedly run back to the house. Mae rose to her feet and followed him for a few steps, but she hesitated after a moment.

She turned back to see her dad gazing off into the sunset. His eyes were suddenly filled with expression, a sadness he always tried to keep hidden. Mae looked back to the cottage to see her mother holding Lucas in her arms as they danced around the kitchen. She slowly and quietly walked back to her dad. "Daddy?" She asked in a small voice. He turned toward her, his brows furrowing in concern. "Are you okay, Mae?" He asked. She nodded her head. "I don't want you to be alone." She murmured. Ben felt his heart clench with adoration as he sat fully up, crossing his legs and guiding her to sit on his lap. "We are never alone, Mae. Even if you can see me or mommy, we are always with you." He said after placing a kiss on the top of her head. "I love you daddy." She whispered as she wrapped her small arms around his torso. "I love you too, kid." He said with a small smile. He let his eyes flutter shut as his arms wrapped around the small frame of his daughter.

He so desperately wished his parents could see the man he became. Mae was so much like his mother, peaceful and serene but never let anyone walk over her. Lucas was like Han; funny, smart, and always tinkering with something. Rey and Ben did not yet know if their children possessed a sensitivity to the Force. They hadn't even discussed who they were, or the powers they possessed. Rey and Ben wanted to keep their minds free of the pressure and conflict of the Force as long as they could, but there was always the looming worry that their children would have an Awakening with the Force. Even if they did, Rey and Ben knew they were prepared to face it together.

Rey and Lucas's laughter filled the cottage as they danced to the music playing through the radio. The little man was her best friend. She taught him everything she knew about repairing and building. Ben taught Mae how to do calligraphy and painting. She was her father's daughter and he, his mother's son. Rey looked out of the window to see Ben and Mae together, making a smile form on her lips. After setting the table and serving the food, with the help of Lucas, Rey crouched to his level. "Why don't we go get your sister and daddy, okay?" She said with a smile. She held Lucas's little hand in hers as they walked to the distant hill where Ben and Mae sat looking at the sunset on the lake. Quietly, Rey sat down next to her husband and pulled Lucas into her lap.

Ben looked at the woman next to him. She looked as beautiful as she did when they first saw each other on Takodana. Her hair now held a few strands of grey and her face showed a few wrinkles, but she was just as flawless. They had been through so much, and here they sat on their own land with their children with their house behind them. Rey's eyes met Ben's after she felt the heat of his gaze on her face. She cocked her head slightly at his loving look in his eyes. "I love you, Rey." He whispered as he placed a soft kiss on her lips. "I know." She responded with a smile. Their eyes remained locked as love unable to be expressed in words floated between them. She threaded her fingers through his as her family watched the sun set beneath the horizon. 

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A/N 

Thank you all so much for joining me on this journey. It took some time, but I am so happy and proud of the world that we created. I am not sure if there will be a sequel, because there is potential, but we will see where this takes us. Let me know what you guys thought of this story! 

May the Force be with you all!

Emily