Ƭhe next morning...

Ben woke up as the sun filtered down through the trees. Rey was snuggled in his arms, he smiled shyly remembering the beautiful night she had given him. He rubbed her bare back gently and her eyes fluttered open.

He blushed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

She smiled. "I don't mind." She placed a soft kiss on his lips to wish him a good morning.

He stole one last kiss before he began rubbing her back again. She closed her eyes again as he gently traced the scars on her back with his fingers. "Thank you for a wonderful night Rey."

She blushed, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him closer. "I was going to say the same thing."

Ben smiled, before kissing her affectionately.

"I love you," he whispered against her lips. He knew that she already knew that, but he wanted to tell her everyday.

"I love you too," she whispered in return. Then she leaned forward until their lips met once more.

꧁❀꧂

After they had enjoyed a few more quiet moments together they got dressed. Then they ate a breakfast of tea and muffins that Rey had packed for them.

They spent most of the day swimming together in a small pool of water near the clearing where they had slept. It was quiet and peaceful being alone in the woods, they never wanted it to end. They were enjoying being together so much that they didn't stop for luncheon. But by supper time, they were both hungry.

"I wish we could stay here forever, but I told your parents that we would be back by dinner tonight," Rey told him. "Apparently they have something important to tell us."

"We better hurry then," he answered. He brushed her wet hair out of her face, kissed her passionately. "Thank you for the best day and night of my life."

Rey kissed him. "It was wonderful." She closed her eyes and leaned her head against his chest. She sighed. "We should go, you must be hungry. I'm sorry that we only got one day."

"It was a wonderful day, one I will relive over and over again in my heart," he answered.

They climbed out of the pool then they dried off and put their clothes on. Then they gathered their things and set out to return to the castle.

It was time for dinner when they arrived, so they made their way to the dinning hall where the King and Queen were eating.

Han and Leia were already eating when Rey and Ben sat down at the table. Han asked the serving girl to bring two more plates.

"How was your special day?" Leia asked.

Ben reached over to slip his hand into Rey's under the table. "Wonderful," he replied.

Rey smiled shyly, stealing a glance at Ben.

"Rey packed a special meal for us and she decorated the clearing with wildflowers," Ben said.

"That sounds beautiful," Leia said.

Ben nodded.

"I'm glad that you two are happy together and that you've finally found love," said Han. "But I am sorry for throwing both of you into this marriage, it was my idea. Rey reminded me and your mother so much of you that it made us feel like you were home again, but it also made us miss you more. And I thought that you would love each other, since you had so much in common."

Rey smiled. "You were right." She kissed Ben's cheek.

"But we should have asked both of you, and we should have given you more time to get to know each other before the wedding," he said.

"I probably would have said something to embarrass myself," Rey said. Even though deep down she was afraid that she would have done something much worse and said something cruel. She was kind of glad that they hadn't made sure that she was happy with the marriage, because she knew that she wouldn't have been at the time. And she wouldn't have gotten to know Ben if they weren't married. And now she was so in love with him, she was happy to be his wife. She was afraid that if she had been given a choice at the time, she never would have married him. She couldn't imagine being without him.

Ben laughed. "So would I."

Rey giggled at that. She could just picture them both sitting in awkward silence. "Then your parents would have been stuck with us being awkward."

"Well I would have laughed at that," Luke said as he came in. "I know how awkward my nephew can be."

"Well he didn't get it from me and he didn't get it from his mother. So he had to get it from you," Han replied teasingly.

Luke shrugged as if it didn't matter. "What can I say? I taught him well."

Ben shook his head.

"Sorry that I'm late, I had to help some of my students," Luke changed the subject.

Leia nodded. "How long are you staying?"

"A little while," he replied.

"Well I hope that you stay for the celebration tomorrow," Leia said.

"What celebration?" Ben asked.

"It is a tradition in Alderaan for a prince's bride to be crowned as princess one month after the wedding. But we thought that we would allow you to share this day with her since you weren't here on your sixteenth birthday when you would have had your coronation. It's not really necessary, but it's a tradition," Leia explained.

Ben nodded.

"I'll definitely be there, I already missed their wedding because I was being held prisoner," said Luke.

꧁❀꧂

Ben stood on the balcony. He looked up at the stars, lost in thought. He was really nervous about the coronation. Standing up in front of a group made up of mostly people who didn't like him was not exactly his idea of fun. He wished that he could just spend another day alone with Rey.

He relaxed as he heard soft footsteps behind him, then felt a gentle touch on his shoulder. "Nervous?" The soft voice was soothing. He placed his hand over hers, brushing his fingers over it gently.

"Yes, are you?"

He felt her lay her head against his back. "Yes, but I'll have the man I love at my side."

"You're right, I'm lucky that I get to share this day with you."

She wrapped her arms around his waist. "And there's going to be a ball afterward, which means I get to dance with you."

"That sounds wonderful," he replied, gently rubbing her arms.

꧁❀꧂

The next day...

Rey and Ben stood at the doors that led to the throne room where a crowd had gathered. They were both nervous, neither of them really liked crowds but they supposed they had to get used to it.

Ben looked over at Rey, she was wearing a violet gown made of velvet and around her neck was the locket he had given her. "You look beautiful," he whispered.

She smiled, then slipped her hand into his. She would feel much more comfortable about this with him at her side.

The doors swung open and they walked forward. Ben was relieved that she hadn't let go of his hand.

Finn, Rose and Poe smiled and bowed slightly as they passed.

Rey and Ben smiled warmly in return. They smiled at each of their friends as they passed, but they tried not to pay attention to the rest of the crowd.

Ben had told his parents what Baroness Tilda and her daughters had said to Rey. He had asked them not to invite them to the celebration; but his father had insisted saying that he wanted to "rub it in their arrogant faces." He wasn't sure if that was such a good idea. But once his father had his mind made up about something there was no changing it.

Ben turned his focus from the crowd to his wife walking beside him. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, knowing how uncomfortable royal gatherings made her feel. They made him feel uncomfortable too, but he was born into this and he was used to it even if he didn't like it. But for Rey this was new and unfamiliar, he knew that she must be terrified.

She brushed her thumb over the top of his hand in reply.

Finally they came to stand in front of the thrones.

They knelt down before the king and queen, keeping their hands clasped.

King Han placed a crown on his son's head; while Queen Leia placed a crown on Rey's head.

"Please rise...Prince Ben and Princess Rey of Alderaan," King Han gestured for them to stand.

Rey and Ben came to their feet together, then they turned and bowed slightly to all those who were gathered. Everyone bowed in return. Rey and Ben were then told to step out onto the balcony so that the crowd outside could get a chance to see them as well.

They stepped out onto the balcony, and Ben suddenly felt nervous as he saw how many people were gathered below. He tried not to think about it, he just wanted this to be over as soon as possible. He and Rey bowed their heads slightly, then everyone bowed in return.

Rey turned to look at Ben, and pushing all of her shyness away...she reached up to kiss him.

The crowd below erupted in clapping and cheering.

Ben was surprised at first, especially because there were hundreds perhaps even thousands of people watching them. He hadn't expected her to kiss him now, but he certainly didn't mind. When he finally overcame his surprise, he returned the kiss, wrapping his arms around her.

She pulled away and looked up at him. Her cheeks were a little rosy as she blushed slightly, but she didn't seem at all embarrassed.

Ben smiled at her. "What was that for?"

She smiled widely in return. "We didn't get to kiss on our wedding day and I wanted everyone to know that I love you."

"I love you too," Ben smiled, then kissed her again.