Summer. Four years later.

Holding the soft gaze of the figure before him, Ben prepared himself to ask one very important question. Taking a deep breath he repeated the words in his head for the hundredth time that morning. For the past several months every spare second was spent carefully going through the words and motions.

Now feeling confident with his plan Ben was certain he'd hear a yes from Rey. At least he hoped. But since she'd left for graduation rehearsal at the university earlier he set aside party preparations and made Kylo his designated guinea pig.

Swallowing down the sudden wave of butterfly jitters as Kylo eyed him expectantly, flicking an ear, clearly not amused, as Ben found his voice. "Rey, will you marry me?"

What in the hell was that? It was definitely not what he'd been rehearsing. And he'd just stood there foolishly as if everything had suddenly been blocked from his memory.

"Shit, that's not how it was supposed to go," Ben scolded, firmly palming his eyes. "And I forgot to kneel, didn't I? Let's do it again. One more time."

Lowering to one knee on the lush summer turf Ben extended a palm to Kylo, absent of the engagement ring that belonged to his grandmother Padme Amidala-Skywalker, due to arrive at any moment with his parents from their winter home in North Carolina. If any of the ranch staff was watching they'd likely consider the act absurd but Ben didn't care.

Because how often was a man able to ask his girlfriend to marry him the day of her college graduation? Not to mention he'd planned to propose in front of guests who were expected to show later at the party. There were no 'ands' or 'ifs' about it, he couldn't screw it up.

Schooling his emotions back to somewhat normal, Ben took another breath. "Rey," he breathed, "I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you please marry me?"

Ignorant as to what his master was wanting to accomplish Kylo snorted and abruptly veered his attention toward a patch of grass, the mid-afternoon snack Ben had so rudely interrupted. Slumping his shoulders Ben rolled his eyes, his annoyance set on Kylo.

"Thanks for helping, buddy," he praised though the words were anything but genuine. Of course, he wasn't really mad. Kylo was just a horse. And it wasn't his fault that Ben was such a fucking wreck.

"You could have offered him a carrot or two if you wanted him to be a bit more receptive, you know," Sabine hollered, perched on the top of a corral post behind him.

"Not a bad idea actually," Ben sulked. With a heavy sigh, he rose to his feet, dusting a bit of soil from the knee of his slacks. "You wouldn't happen to have any with you at the moment, would you?"

"Do you always need to act like the sky is falling?" Sabine groaned. "You're being ridiculous."

Grimacing, Ben ambled towards her, hands buried deep inside his pockets. "I just want it to be perfect," he explained, worrying his bottom lip between his front teeth as he approached. "I had everything figured out earlier and now..." He left the words hanging as he leaned his lower back against the wooden fence, sighing. "Now I've totally fucked it up."

Sabine considered him. "So, what? You think by giving some sort of grand speech it'll make Rey think differently of her answer?"

Ben shrugged, his brows furrowed. "I don't know. Maybe, I guess. Isn't that what most women would want to hear?"

She snorted. "Clearly you need this broken into simpler terms for you. So, let's start at the beginning shall we?"

Ignoring the apparent wounded expression on his face Sabine proceeded to hold out three fingers of her left hand, the pointer of her other ready to count each digit.

"First and foremost, despite knowing the odds were against you, she wanted to be with you. Second, she loves you, and if you need me to remind you of that I'll slap you upside the head. Lastly, and here's the real shocker," she gestured air quotes for further emphasis on the word, "Rey moved in with you after your parents retired down to Wilmington. You're practically married now!"

Ben grunted then. "Asking someone to marry you is a whole lot different than asking them to move in with you, Sabine. Or to date you."

"Ben," she sighed exasperatedly, slouching her posture, "the point I'm trying to make here is that neither of those needed some well-rehearsed proclamation for her to make up her mind about you. Do you understand that much at least?" His nod of assurance encouraged her to continue, a faint smile curling her lips. "Good. Also, if I know Rey, she'll prefer something more heartfelt, which I know you're capable of. Just breathe and let it come to you naturally, okay?"

Ben took a breath, nodding in agreement as he shifted on his feet. "I know. And you're right. Rey would like it that way."

"Of course I'm right," she affirmed with a smug grin. "I always am. What would you ever do without me?"

"I wouldn't be tooting your horn just yet," he warned lightly.

She clapped him on the shoulder. "You're gonna be fine, I promise. Now come help me hang this banner before your parents get here."

" Now who needs help?" He goaded.

"Yeah, yeah, you can have your uses at times, Solo."

Chuckling, Ben shook his head, trailing not far behind her. They made their way toward the front of the house where the party would be held.

With the help of a few other workers, every table and chair was placed outside the garage. Balloons and other party decor in Indiana University's colors of red and white sat on table tops. All that was needed was the food and cake from the kitchen. And Rey's engagement ring.

The hour was approaching noon when Ben realized his parents hadn't arrived. Their flight had been early, they should've been there by then. Before he had a chance to call or text his mother the phone buzzed as he was retrieving it from his back pocket.

- Mom 11:57 AM -
Stuck in traffic.
Will meet you at the ceremony - Dad

- Ben 11:58 AM -
Okay. You remembered the ring, right?

- Mom 12:01 PM -
Why, were we supposed to bring it?

Ben's heart nearly catapulted from his chest when he read the text, and his thumb hadn't been able to hit the call button fast enough. While the phone rang he started to pace, down and back again over the gravel drive.

"Hi dear," Leia greeted after the third ring. "Sorry, we had some trouble with the rental car at Enterprise. Now we're at a standstill in traffic."

"Please tell me that you did not forget it," Ben gritted through his teeth.

He heard his mother huff. "Oh, so that's the only reason why we were invited?"

"Mom!"

"Calm your shit, Ben, your father was just kidding."

"Jesus Christ," Ben sighed in relief, his thumb and index massaging his eyes. "So you did bring it then?"

"Yes, it's in my purse," she assured with a leveled tone. "And the trip was quite pleasant thanks for asking."

"Sorry, it's just - it's been a rough morning is all."

"Well, I'm sure whatever it is it can't be any worse than spending four hours on a flight with your father."

Ben scoffed. "You just said it was pleasant."

"It was," she affirmed, "after he finally fell asleep."

Snorting, Ben rolled his eyes.

"But as I was saying, we'll see you there in a little bit," Leia added.

"Alright," he nodded. "The ceremony is at 2:00 so you guys still have plenty of time."

Briefly exchanging goodbyes Ben ended the call. After a morning of everything going wrong (or just about), he was more than ready now to pop the question.

**

"Rey!"

Turning in her seat at the table with Han and Leia and Maz Rey looked towards the direction of the voice that called her name. She saw Rose coming up the driveway, clad in a pair of wedged sandals with a bohemian amber-colored backless sundress. As always her glamorous appearance made her seem as if she had walked fresh from the runway.

"Rose!" Rey squealed, bearing a smile that quickly spread to her eyes she lunged from the chair and met Rose halfway, greeting her with a warm hug. "I'm so glad you could to make it tonight!" she exclaimed.

"Me too but I'm so sorry I'm late!" Rose explained once they had parted. "I tried getting the night off but apparently everyone at the salon had the same idea as me."

"Oh, well, it's fine really. I'm just glad you were able to make it," Rey assured, folding her arms over the champagne-colored silk of her dress, her brows furrowed then. "Where's your boyfriend?"

She snorted at that. "Talking with yours already." Pivoting on her heel Rose pointed a finger toward Hux and Ben, heavily engaged in conversation by the refreshments.

Rose and Hux's relationship was the true epitome of enemies to friends to lovers. Following Rose's break-up with Finn near the end of their high school senior year, the duo had only gotten closer. But just as Rose had stated to Rey earlier that year, she and Finn remained close friends; even after Finn had moved to New York with Poe, attending college there. Rose had stayed behind to attend a cosmetology program at a local beauty school. Rey pursued a degree in veterinary medicine.

Within a matter of months after graduating high school Rose confessed to the blossoming relationship with their former principal. To Rey, it hadn't been that much of a surprise when she'd noticed the subtle changes in them through the remaining days of the school year. Though for Ben it was unexpected since it was Hux who'd given him the ultimatum.

"I should've known," Rey remarked.

"So what have you been up to doc?" Rose teased, moving to claim a seat at one of the nearby empty tables. Rey did the same, taking the chair opposite hers. "I'm so proud of you by the way! You've been working your ass off for this."

Rey beamed with pride. "I'm still far from being called doc , but I'm at the halfway mark I suppose."

"Yeah, but still this is such a huge accomplishment! And I'm sure Ben is really proud of you too."

"What about me?" Ben asked, cutting into the conversation, a glass of champagne in each hand.

"That you're proud of me," Rey happily divulged, receiving one of the two glasses he carried and a kiss.

"Very much. And actually, I've prepared a little something special for you."

Clearing his throat, Hux claimed the seat alongside Rose, offering her a glass as well. "This is gonna be good just so you ladies know," he remarked. Rose's smile grew knowing.

Before Rey had been able to ask either man what was going on Ben raised his glass to the air, calling for everyone's undivided attention. Her skin burned crimson at the aspect of having every pair of eyes at the small gathering trained on her. As much as she hated being the center of attention she managed to put on a happy face.

"I'd like to offer a toast for the person who this evening is dedicated to, Rey Kanata," Ben announced to all who were present, gaining a soft round of applause. Rey's cheeks grew tomato red.

Taking a breath Ben lowered his gaze to Rey, the hint of a smile shaping his lips. "Rey, five years ago you came into my life, and I've had the privilege of watching you become the incredible woman who you are today. Through every obstacle, I've watched you face them head-on. Fearless. And always ready to face new upcoming challenges life has in store for you. You have been that rock in my life when it was I who should've been yours."

Tears immediately swelled behind her eyes as an echo of aws followed his words.

"Together," she mouthed for his ears to hear only while everyone took their sips for the toast. "We've done this together."

His grin only proceeded to widen. "And here's to many more years. Together."

Blinking she furrowed her brows as Ben handed his drink to Hux, retrieving a small velvet black box from his pocket, and then he knelt on one knee before her. While Rey caught her breath everything seemed to be reeling in slow motion, her ears drowning out the sharp gasps in the background.

"Ben..." she uttered slowly, setting her drink on the table. "What are you -."

"Rey," he murmured hoarsely, opening the lid to reveal the box's content. An elegant circular-cut diamond embraced by entwined waves of a white gold band, with four other strategically placed diamonds the shape of hearts in opposing corners of the larger diamond. "Will you marry me?"

Ben hadn't needed to ask her twice. Amidst the tears plunging over her cheeks, Rey managed to choke out a yes . A loud series of whoops and hollers in approval rose from the crowd while he slid the ring over her finger, both eager for the kiss that followed, as Rey held him in place securely with her arms around his neck.

"Finally!" Rose exclaimed. "Do you have any idea how hard it's been keeping that secret this whole time?"

Parting from the kiss Rey gaped at Rose, as Ben moved for a congratulatory handshake from Hux. "Wait, you that this was going to happen?" She accused.

Rose nodded. "Ben told Hux and Hux might've let it slip once a few months ago." Turning to Hux she regarded him pointedly, her brow raised. "Speaking of which, where's mine?"

Hux snorted. "We'll see."

Sharing a laugh with the group Rey drew Ben in for another kiss, knowing there were others who wanted to see the ring she would surely to be swept away from him the rest of the evening. All the while doing so she found it hard to believe she would be calling him her fiancé, that she was finally marrying her best friend. That they were taking the final step in their relationship, and building a life together at the ranch.

"I love you, Ben Solo," she sighed over his lips.

Cradling her face between his hands he placed a final kiss tenderly to her mouth. "I know."

Thank you to each and every one of my readers who've been with me since the beginning of this fic. ❤️️ It's been fun!!