Lingchi

I Forgive You, Forget You, The End

Epilogue

«~»«~» Four Months Later «~»«~»

"If it's a boy, you should totally name him Poe."

"No, name him Finn, that's a better name." The two males argued to each other, both shooting friendly glares before looking back at the woman, she smiled and put a hand on her stomach, "I was thinking of... Anakin..." Luke raised his head slightly to look at the woman, who met his eyes and gave him a smile, one came to his face and he gave her a nod, as if he was approving the name, "Or maybe Tobi."

"Well, if it's a girl, which it will be-" Rey said as she walked into the room, a smile on her face as she stopped beside the woman and looked down at her, "Name her Reyna." The woman pretended to think about that, a bigger smile curling on her face as she met Rey's eyes, "How about... Padmè? Or Valarie." She shrugged softly as she rubbed her stomach fondly, settling it on a particular part where her baby had been kicking like crazy, causing her pain, but also bringing a smile to her face as she thought about finally holding her baby, holding him or her close.

Then a very familiar and welcomed face entered the room, he was quick to come over to the pregnant woman and kneel down beside her, a soft smile forming on his old features as he gave it a gentle squeeze, "Name it whatever you want," then he was silent for a second, as if he was considering what he had said, making the woman chuckle in amusement at his face, then he looked her in the eyes and allowed a grin to spread across his face, "But I would like to see another Han around."

She tilted her head back and let out a happy, amused laughed at what he said. She pulled her hand from his and patted his face, "Don't worry, you can teach him how to fly the Falcon when he's old enough." That seemed to make Han happy, because he stood up and kissed the top of her head as a thank you, "I'm gonna get us something to eat." Then, he left the room full of people to go get everyone something to eat.

"Well, if you aren't going to name him Poe, then can you at least let me teach him how to fly an X-Wing?" The pilot asked as he stood up to go get himself something to drink, and yet, the smile stayed on her face as she nodded, "Yes, you can teach him how to fly an X-Wing. Finn, you can teach him how to use a blaster, Luke can teach him how to use the force and Rey can teach him how to use the lightsaber. When he's old enough, I'm not starting him at a young age." She warned them, but her eyes still held the same spark from a couple of minutes ago. Yes, she was certain that he would be a force user, like his father before him. And his mother.

"Sounds like a deal." Finn said, a grin splitting in his face as he held his arms open for Rey, wanting to give her a hug. She glanced to Finn before placing a hand on the pregnant woman's shoulder before turning away and going over to the man she loved, easily plopping down in his lap and kissing his cheek, finally allowing herself to relax, it had been simple, and it was... amazing, for the first time in a very long time, the galaxy was safe. It was free...

No one knew for how long, it might take awhile before the dark side rose up again, and it'd be a long battle... but there is no time like the present. The woman stood up after a moment, one hand still protectively on her stomach while another one went to hold her aching back as she walked over to the double doors that went out to a balcony, one that would love look the land in which she called her home.

She just needed a breath of fresh air, something to calm the rising sorrow in her chest, she had to be happy for the baby.

Her home, didn't feel exactly like home, sure... friends were here to help her along. The loss she suffered was still there, the scar was still fresh and it grew every day... perhaps she didn't lose him completely. A smile crossed her face, once she stepped outside and approached the railing, her hand slowly finding her stomach once more and she rubbed her stomach gingerly, touching her baby, imagining that she would see him in her baby's face. Maybe... just maybe she didn't lose him.

In a way, he was with her. Not as their child, but he was still lingering in her mind - he wasn't completely gone. Luke said that, a powerful force bond would make you feel as if the person you bonded with was still there with you.

The wind blew gently, through her hair that she hadn't pinned up, bringing with it an amazing feeling. A feeling of strength and comfort, it also brought a voice with it. The most familiar and welcomed voice, that nearly brought tears to her eyes, how she missed his voice.

"Hope..." he whispered, almost as if his voice was curling around body, arms wrapping around her and settling on her stomach, very gently, very light and loving. It was like someone was holding her from behind, a chest connecting her with back and just holding her close. It felt like someone had settled their chin on her shoulder, and she refused to look, for fear of making it disappear for good.

The tears were evident in her blue eyes, but they weren't tears of sorrow, they were tears of happiness... because she felt his hands wrap around hers and held them over her stomach, "Our child..."

"Ben..." she whispered softly, parting her lips as she leaned back, feeling him like he was real, like he was here. Oh... how she missed him, how she wanted him back in her arms. She just wanted him to help raise her child, their child.

"I miss you." She spoke honestly, licking her lips as she closed her eyes tightly, praying for him to stay for as long as he could, "Just because you can't see me, doesn't mean I am truly gone. I am with you, watching you, loving you... Always and forever, Hope. I will never forget you." And she just had to open her eyes, turn her head and see his face, see the young face she loved so much, before everything bad...

He looked so real and alive... light up, glowing... a happy smile on his face, no more torment in his eyes, just a happy Ben. Just the Ben she knew.

She slowly raised her hand up and placed it on the side of his face, he just closed his eyes, a softer smile on his face as he then held her hand with his own, covering it up, "I forgive you..." she said softly, though she wasn't sure if she was talking to him, or herself... all she knew was she needed to say that... and now, it was like something had lifted off of her shoulders, giving her complete relief...

"Goodbye." He whispered, taking her hand one last time and placing a tender, loving kiss on it. Slowly, he started to fade from her view, while her hand hovered where his face had been, a smile on her lips despite the tears rolling down her cheeks, she was happy she had known him... that she loved him, and felt everything that he showed her, it was more than she could ever ask for...

"The end..."