A Star Wars Reylo AU: The Taming of the Professor

Fifty-Four

Rey sat in the passenger seat of Ben's truck. They were parked on the street outside of Maz's place. The last few days had been a whirlwind. Ben had packed most of their things and shipped them to his townhouse. They had flown, with a newborn, back to the frozen north. Flying the day before Thanksgiving was not something she would do again soon. 

"Before we go in," said Ben, "you should know that I haven't told any of them."

Rey blinked. "Why?" 

"We've been busy." 

"It's been months. Haven't you talked to your mom in that time?"

He rubbed the back of his neck and ducked his head. "Yes. Once. Just to let her know I was out of town for a while. Have you told Rose?"

She winced. "Touche." It wasn't a phone conversation, she had decided. At least, it wasn't a conversation she wanted to have on the phone. She didn't blame him for not telling them that way.

"It won't be so bad. They'll be surprised."

He covered up the baby carrier and they walked up the driveway. 

"Deep breaths," said Ben, and knocked. She wasn't sure if he was talking to her or himself.

His father, the Coach, opened the door after a few moments. He looked between Ben and Rey, and then down at the baby carrier. A slow, wide grin spread across his face. 

"Ah," he said. "That explains that. Come in, you're the last to arrive. We were all just getting ready to eat. You're right on time." 

They walked through the door and the Coach took their coats.

"Hey, come on in here," the Coach yelled.

Master Luke came first, then Leia, and finally Maz, wearing her bright pink apron. Ben and Rey were standing in front of the baby carrier, and she was sure they hadn't seen it yet. Ben smiled at her, and nodded for her to proceed. Rey bent down and carefully unfastened the straps and lifted the baby out of the carrier. Leia took a sharp breath and her hand flew to her mouth. 

"We brought another guest," said Ben. "I hope that's alright."

Maz smiled from ear to ear. "That's just fine." 

Leia slowly approached, hand still over her mouth. Rey was startled to see tears streaking down her pale cheeks. Rey had expected demanded explanations. This reaction was a relief.

"This is Ailise."

Leia's eyes darted between them, so wide the whites were visible around her pupils. "Is she? My . . . my granddaughter?" 

Ben leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Yes, Mom. She's yours." 

"Oh! Stay right there. I'm going to wash my hands."

The Mayor nearly flew out of the room, and was back before anyone else had time to ask a question. Rey felt strange handing her baby over to a new person, but she carefully laid Ailise in Leia's ready arms. 

"She's perfect," said Leia.

"We think so," said Ben.

He reached over and tugged Rey against him. "Do you know how long it's been since I've had you to myself?" he said softly, just so she could hear him. He kissed the top of her head. "Ailise always gets first dibs. I say we let them hold her the entire day. I'm not going to let go of you."

"That might make eating difficult."

"You never know until you try."

While Rey had recovered emotionally from the birth, her body wasn't as resilient. After the delivery, she had looked in the mirror and barely recognized herself. Her belly was squishy and floppy, her arms were bruised from the many attempts at placing an IV, and her skin was colorless under the bright florescent lights. Her hair hung in a limp ponytail. Ben had crawled into the narrow hospital bed beside her, while the nurse rolled Ailise away in a plastic cart to check her out, and held her while she sobbed. 'Just the hormones,' said the nurse to a worried Ben. But it wasn't just that. Rey was so in love with Ailise that she couldn't contain it any other way. And she was so very glad to not be pregnant any more.

Now, she was fantasizing about a nap, because she was still exhausted from the ordeal. She had finally reached a point in life where she would give up food for sleep.

"Congratulations," said Master Luke.

Ben held fast to her, but reached out to shake his uncle's hand. Luke grasped Rey's shoulder and squeezed. 

"This means I'm old now, doesn't it?" said Han. 

Maz eyed him. "You've been old for years. Nobody told you?"

"Yes, Grandpa, you're old," said the Mayor, not taking her eyes from Ailise's tiny face. 

"This means many things," said Ben. "Which we can talk about over dinner." 

True to his word, Ben did not break contact with her. He was as careful with her as he was with Ailise. Neither of them had had much sleep, but as usual, his tolerance for sleeplessness was much higher than hers. He woke every time Ailise cried. Usually, she slept in the crook of Rey's arm, or lying on her chest. She refused to sleep alone. Rey was too tired to fight her, and it broke her heart to hear such a small, helpless thing crying alone in a cold bed. 

Ailise meeped at Leia, and began rooting around. Rey stood reached for her. 

"I can feed her," said Leia.

Ben laughed. "Not likely. Rey will feed her and bring her back."

"Oh," said Leia, finally understanding. "Not a bottle."

Rey smiled and pulled Ailise close, which infuriated the hungry girl even more to be so near food and not yet have it in her mouth. Demanding. 

"Use my bedroom," said Maz, pointing up the stairs. "There's a love seat in there."

Ben came with her, and Rey was glad for the company. 

"I think that went well," said Ben.

"Me, too. I'm glad your mom likes her so much. What about your dad?"

"I can't ever remember him being around kids. I don't have any cousins."

"Should we talk to them about the other thing?" asked Rey.

"Later. This was enough revelation for one day."