A Star Wars Reylo AU: The Taming of the Professor

Forty-Nine

When Rey entered the kitchen through the back door the next afternoon, Cook motioned her to a chair along the wall and made her a turkey sandwich with a pile of pickle spears on the side. 

"The teacher is out there," said Cook.

"Did you talk to him?" 

"Nope." 

"Then how do you know he's a professor?"

"Is he really?" Cook smiled. "I won that bet with Willem. He said he was some kinda business man. I said teacher. You make sure Willem knows you didn't tip me off."

"He's a professor at the University where I attended last year. What about him made you guess that?" 

"Don't rightly know," said Cook, frowning in thought. "He reminded me of a teacher I had back in grade school. Those types command attention, you know? Not like a soldier or a police officer. Quieter, like, always looking like they're judging you to see what you don't know, and ready to start talking the minute they figure out the problem." 

"That's a very astute assessment," said Rey. 

"I see all kinds of folks in here."

Rey hadn't ever had much of a taste for pickles. Now, she couldn't get enough of the strong dill, garlic, and vinegar. When she had finished her sandwich, and choked down the glass of milk Vicki insisted she needed to make the baby smart, she stepped out into the bar. It was a light afternoon crowd. Ben had set up at a table by the window. He had a laptop open in front of him and was scribbling notes on a notepad beside it. 

He didn't even look up, but he motioned her over. The more things change, thought Rey. She slid into the seat across from him and glanced at his notes, but couldn't make out the mess all over the page. He shut the computer and placed the pen down on the pad. 

"Hi," he said. 

"Are you working? I can come back later."

"Just writing a little. If I don't pin down the ideas I lose them. Speaking of writing, tell me about the short stories you've written and published."

"Oh, that's nothing. Short little vignettes the magazine publishes. The pay is a pittance, but it helps."

"Your writing has improved quite a bit since I last read your work. Are you pleased with it?"

"No. It could be better."

He nodded his approval. "It will never feel any different. No matter what you write, you will always see ways to improve it."

"How did you know about the publications?"

"Hux messaged me. He keeps track of his students."

This surprised her. "Oh. I wonder if he judged it "garbage" or "not garbage?" 

"You should talk to him about it. He has some ideas for you." 

Rey broke eye contact with him and looked out the window. Heat shimmers lifted off of the hard packed dirt. There hadn't been enough rain this summer, and the land was parched and suffering. It was beyond her why people had settled this God forsaken place. It was beautiful, to be sure, but harsh and deadly.

"Maybe. He's not my adviser anymore, though." 

"Well, if you want his advice, he'd gladly give it, official adviser or not. It makes him feel more important than he really is."

"I'm going to see the doc this afternoon," said Rey. "If you want, you can come meet her."

"I'll drive you," he said. "When do we need to leave?"

"It takes about ten minutes to walk down there," said Rey. "This place is tiny. If we drive, we can leave about four minutes before the appointment starts." 

Ben stacked up his belongings and slid them into a briefcase. "Alright. I'm ready." 

Ben had rented a compact car when he arrived in Arizona, and was still driving it. By the time they arrived outside of the office, the air conditioner had had a chance to catch up. He seemed interested in the shop fronts. The old barber's pole received special scrutiny. Rey enjoyed watching him take in the town for the first time. It wasn't much, but it was very different from the University. 

Ben didn't say a word as the nurse checked her in and led them to the single exam room. The doctor entered shortly after. 

"This is Ben," said Rey. 

He shook the doctor's proffered hand. "Dr. Stone. Pleased to meet you." 

Ben watched the doctor measure her belly, and push and prod. "Looks good, mama. How are you feeling?"

"Tired," said Rey. "But not awful." 

"Awful is coming," said the doctor. Rey appreciated that she always prepared her for changes before they happened. "A few more weeks. When you feel like you're the size of a house. Your blood pressure looks a lot better today. I've been worried about that. Whatever you're doing differently, keep it up." The doctor eyed Ben. "Do you have any questions or concerns? Do you need anything?"  

"No," said Rey. She looked to Ben, who shook his head. She was sure he had about three hundred questions. 

"Alright," said the doctor. "See you in a few weeks. Keep up that weight gain. Call if you need me." 

She left the room, pulling the door shut behind her. "Do you like her?" asked Rey. 

"If you do, I do."

"I like her a lot. And she's been a huge support since I got here."

Ben winced. "I'm glad. I glad you have people here." 

The baby kicked, and her belly bulged out for a few seconds. She reached for his hand, and he hesitated before extending it to her. She placed his palm on her belly where the last kick had originated and pressed a little. After a few moments, the baby kicked again, right into Ben's hand. His eyes widened. 

"Does that hurt?"

Rey laughed. "No! Well, sometimes she takes a bladder shot. That's not comfortable. But she's not big enough to cause any pain yet."

"Thank you," he said, reclaiming his hand. "Thank you for allowing me to come today. If you needed anything, would you tell her?"

Rey blinked. There wasn't any point in hiding things from him. "No," she said softly. "What could she really do?"

"I hope you know you can ask me for anything. Need or want."

She thought this through. "I'd like a hug. And some ice cream." 

"Done," he said, gathering her up. The big, awkward belly posed an annoying obstacle between them, but Rey felt her body almost melt into him. "Let's go find some ice cream."