Star Wars: A Resistance Story Book 4.

Chapter 23: Celebration.

The Falcon landed smoothly on the Galactic Senate landing pad. Its occupants exited as quickly as possible to join the pilots who had participated in the final battle over Coruscant. Several ships landed around them, and soon everyone was looking for familiar faces with the fear of not finding them. A feeling most had experienced less than a year earlier during the Battle of Exegol.

Hand in hand with Ben, Rey bit her lower lip as she searched for her friends, holding her breath without even realizing it. Then, when an A-Wing landed not far from her, the young Jedi released a deep sigh before rushing over to her friend, a relieved smile fixed on her face.

"Rose!"

The two young women fell into each other's arms. A scene that was quickly imitated by the other members of the Senate and the former Resistance. Bango jumped into Nodin's arms, happy to see him alive, while Finn did the same with Rose before coming over to Rey.

Standing slightly back, Ben and Ly'ra watched the reunion scenes. They remained silent for a long moment before the young woman turned her green eyes on her friend.

"It was Rey wasn't it?"

The Jedi raised an eyebrow, frankly intrigued by Ly'ra's request.

"I beg your pardon?"

"The child you helped deliver with Luke. It was Rey."

Ben smirked slightly before looking up at the young woman, not answering. There was no need for that.

"Leia would be very proud, you know... She never doubted you. Not for a second."

A small, sad smile passed over Ben's face as he looked down for a moment before nodding.

"I know... And my only regret is that I couldn't apologize to her. I know Luke never told her what really happened and she died thinking I betrayed her."

"I wouldn't be so sure if I were you..."

Frowning, Ben looked up at his former apprentice. A small, knowing smile had appeared on her face and she glanced behind him. The young man then quickly turned his head and discovered his mother's spirit. Leia waited in the background, watching her son with a gentle smile.

"Go ahead... You wanted to talk to her right?"

Ben offered her a slight smile before asking.

"And you?"

Ly'ra took a deep breath and turned her eyes to the tarmac where an orange and white X-Wing had just landed.

"My family is here now. You, you need to make peace with your past."

"But you sound like a true Jedi, my word!"

The two friends exchanged a laugh before the young woman noticed the hesitation in Ben's eyes.

"Don't worry, we'll save you a drink!"

The young man then offered a smile to his friend before taking her in his arms. Then, accompanied by Chewie, he joined Leia a little further on. Ly'ra didn't have time to watch them, as Poe had just joined her in a hurry.

"Ly'ra!"

With a slight smile, the young woman took her husband in her arms, burying her face in his neck. The pilot hugged her, obviously relieved to see her.

"I was so scared, I saw some kind of explosion in the Night Buzzard and..."

Ly'ra then raised her head and took the pilot's face in her hands before kissing him. Understanding the message, Poe let himself go into the young woman's arms and returned her kiss with passion. They were interrupted, however, by a clearing of Connix's throat.