The Struggle with the Acceptance of Love

Chapter 26

THIRD POV:

Leia sat in her quarters going through her old photos. It felt like so many years ago as she stopped and looked at a picture of Han, Chewie, and Ben. Who was six at the time when the picture was taken.

The photo brought back hopeful, warm memories but it quickly turned sad. Leia grieved everyday for the mistake she made. She wished she never sent Ben off with Luke. That drove him and Han away from her.

She wished she could go back and relive every moment she had with Han and her son and maybe changed a few memories so they could be more uplifting.

A knock was at the door and Leia gestured the person to come in.

Rey came in and Leia immediately noticed how pale and sick looking she was. Her clothes looked extra big on her.. Leia guess she lost tons weight from hardly eating. Leia looked closer at her face and realized her eyes were puffy, her cheeks red as roses.

Leia stood up and wrapped her arms around her, cradling her scrawny body as though she's a little kid who needs comforting. Rey felt like one to Leia, all weightless bones and fragile limbs. Rey stiffened, but then slumped against her and started to cry once more. 

"Leia.." Rey cried against her. He throat thick and raspy, "Why did this happen to me?"

Leia shook her head, "I don't know child.. I don't know.."

Rey pulled away finally and sat down next to her. Leia gestured some food towards her, but Rey wrinkled her nose and pushed it back.

"Maybe if I fought back and maybe try and stay with Ben, this would have never happened," Rey said, "Maybe if I took Ben's hand we could be raising Padme together somewhere safe.." Her voice cracked.

"The force works in mysterious ways Rey.. not everything is as perfect as they seem." Leia pointed out. She noticed how Rey's eyes drooped low, barely able to keep them open. Leia laid her down and gave her sleeping medicine, a lot of it, and soon Rey was out like a candle.

Leia went to go walk out of her quarters until she heard a beeping. She froze when she realized the sound of it. She hadn't heard it since..

"Ben.." she whispered softly.

She turned around quickly and headed towards the holotable. She hesitated to answer it. She wondered if it was a trap. She looked back at Rey and back at the holotable. She knew her son would never hurt Rey.

She took a deep breath and answered it. She slowly looked up and stifled a sob that lay at the back of her throat.

She looked at her son. 'He had grown so much,' she thought. She looked in his dark eyes and saw the resemblance of Han and him. Her heart ached just looking at him. She noticed he was holding something. She looked closer and realized it was Padme! Her heart swelled with joy to know her granddaughter was safe.

'Of course..." she thought as she looked at Rey then back at her son.

"General.." he spoke. His voice deep, but soft.

"Supreme Leader," she spoke back.

"We need to discuss things.." he spoke. Leia noticed how uneasy he looked, she didn't need to use the force to see it.

She nodded her head before tilting it to the side, "We do.. please share your thoughts."

"I'm going to make a peace treaty with the Resistance," Ben finally said. Leia's eyes widen. She was going to say something before she was rudely cut off.

"Are you out of your bloody mind Ren?"

Leia could see Hux stand next to her son. He looked angry.

"I am doing this for a good reason," Ben bit back at him, "Would you like to spend the rest of your days fighting this worthless war or would you rather have a normal and peaceful life?"

Hux's face relaxed a little bit and grumbled, "I suppose you're right but if the First Order hates this decision I had nothing to do with it."

"Seems alright with with me," Ben replied back.

Leia gave a scoff, "Back to the subject, what systems do you want?"

"We'll take the factory systems and take care of the banks, the Resistance may have the rest." Ben said.

Leia raised an eyebrow, "That's a little less half of the systems in the galaxy.. I thought the First Order wanted more."

Ben shrugged. Leia saw the boy in him come out for a second, "The First Order isn't that great."

"Ren?!" Hux exclaimed.

"General, if I were you I'd keep my mouth shut or else the next thing coming out of your mouth is blood." Ben growled out him.

Hux then went quiet and so did everyone else. Leia pause a moment before speaking once more, "It's settled then.."

Ben nodded his head, "It is.." He then turned to Hux and his Knights and dismissed them. Once they were gone, he looked back at his mother, anticipating what he was going to say. "How.. how is she?" he asked.

Leia looked at Rey, who was sleeping, and turned back at him and sighed, "Not good.. she's so skinny, and she looks likes she's on her last breath every day."

Leia saw hurt and fear form on his face, "I'll try and get here as soon as possible.. but I need the coordinates."

Leia sighed, "Can I trust you?"

Ben froze by her outtake. Leia trusted her son, yes, but it was the First Order she was worried about. She knew their ambition and was hesitant every move she made when it came to them.

Ben nodded his head, "Yes you can."

Leia then gave him the coordinates.

Ben then tsked, "That base, really? I've seen better hidden bases on other planets."

"Oh shut your mouth." Leia sarcastically bit back. 

Ben hummed back a response. Almost barely realizing he was bonding with his mother. Sorrow gripped his chest as he gave one last look at her before ending the call..

Ight I know this is an alright chapter, but next is going to be Rey's third Pov I think. Hmm I still have to think how to end the chapter and begin so may post it the day after tomorrow?? Anyway, hope u enjoyed!!

In a galaxy far, far, away,
        -Kira<3