Chapter Text
Ben felt his heart stop. He laid the sleeping baby down and rushed towards his unconscious wife. Rey was unresponsive and Ben was about to lose his mind.
He thought something was amiss. She was a tiring easily, her body was more sensitive. Her appetite hadn't been the same either. And the excitement of the day must have taken toll on her.
Ben picked her up in his arms laying her down on her side. Her breathing was shallow. Ben cupped her cheek, tapping lightly. Wishing to the stars she was alright.
“Rey? My love? Wake up.”
Ben straightened up, pouring some water in his palm, sprinkling a little on her face.
“Rey?”
She squinted her eyes, slowly opening them and looked up at him.
She must noticed his anxious expression. She reached out with shaking hand.
“Be-en?”
Ben grasped her hand and pressed it against her lips. She looked weary. As if staying awake was somehow draining her.
“What happened?” she asked.
“You fainted,” Ben answered in a grim voice.
“But why?” Rey asked, she looked distressed.
Ben schooled his expression. His own anxiety was making her feel anxious too. He needed keep Rey calm. Something was wrong and he didn't want Rey to panic. Not in her current state.
“I'm telling the staff to call the doctor from Theed.”
“But--”
Ben put a finger over her lips.
“Rest now.” He started to pull the covers over her body. “Everything will be fine.”
Although he was reassuring her, Ben dreaded if that was true. He was happy for the first time in his life, but the stars seem to have something else planned. He didn't know what was wrong with Rey. And he didn't want to speculate on it.
Ben leaned down and kissed her forehead. Rey was already starting to drift off. Ben picked up Padme and walked out of their chambers.
He call Richard, Luke's butler who was working here for the duration of their stay. He was supposed to return with them.
Richard came rushing with one of the maids following closely behind. Ben handed Padme to the maid, asking him to call the nurse to feed the baby.
He turned to Richard. The shorter man seemed to have sensed Ben's distress.
“What is the matter, Master Ben?” he asked.
Richard was the one who took care of Ben for most of his childhood. To him he'd probably always be the little scrawny boy.
“Send someone to Theed. Fetch the doctor please. The duchess is unwell,” Ben informed.
“Right away, Your Grace.” Richard said, rushing off.
Ben walked back to their chambers to his beloved. Keep vigil until the doctor comes.
Ben was pacing outside. The doctor and his nurse were inside, checking up on Rey. Padme’s nurse brought the baby back. She was quiet, just looking around, surely searching for Rey with her tiny eyes.
When her eyes fell on Ben, a big gummy smile broke onto her face.
“Paapa?” Padme called out extending her arm. Ben took her from the nurse. Padme pressed her mouth to his cheek. She hadn't quite mastered kisses but she tried regardless. Padme then rested her head on his shoulder. It seemed like the baby sensed there was something wrong.
After another 10 minutes the doctor came out. His expression didn't give anything away. It only made Ben more anxious.
“Your Grace,” the doctor looked deep into his eyes, “The duchess is expecting.”
Ben felt his stomach drop. He was feeling dizzy. Almost like the doctor was explaining something from under water.
The nurse walked out as well and Ben rushed inside. Rey was reclining on the bed, her back pressed to the headboard, cushioned by pillows.
Ben rushed forward, falling to his knees beside her. Rey had watery eyes, her lips quivering, as she bit on them to stop from crying.
Their daughter in his arms looked from one to the other, she was confused. Rey quickly took Padme from Ben, hugging the baby to her chest, before she became scared and started crying.
The same couldn't be said about Ben. He held her hand to his chest as tears streamed down his face. He was terrified of what this pregnancy might mean to them. He was scared of losing her.
And Rey? Ben didn't even dare to think how she must he feeling, having been through this once already. All by herself. It tore at his heart to imagine it.
Ben brought her small hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles and the inside of her palms.
“Are you feeling better?” Ben managed to get out.
Rey nodded over the baby's head. Padme was resting her head on the crook of her mother's neck.
“I'm sorry,” Ben croaked out. “I don't know if you were ready for this so early. I'm can't imagine how you must be feeling.”
Rey touched his lips to stop him.
“Ben, it's a miracle. This baby,” she said touching her lower belly, “Is the symbol of our love. A little piece of you living inside of me.”
“I know,” Ben said against her knuckles.
“But I don't know if I have the strength to lose another baby. I won't survive it,” Rey whispered.
Ben pushed up on his feet, crushing his lips to her, kissing her deeply.
“You think I can survive losing you Rey?” he said, “If something happens to you-" Ben couldn't finish the sentence, breaking into tears.
The baby was already snoozing against her neck, but she started to stir. Rey looked up at Ben with pleading eyes. So Ben tried to pull himself together.
Rey laid the baby down on the bed. Padme was fast asleep, without any care for the world. Ben felt Rey sob, then she turned away and laid down beside the baby.
Ben felt his heart break a little when he saw her looking at the baby. A lone tear from her right eye escaped and rolled down the bridge of the nose.
He leaned down and kissed her rosy cheek, nuzzling her cheekbones.
Ben laid down behind her cuddling her from behind. Rey melted into his chest, her eyes fluttering close for a moment, as she felt the warmth of his embrace.
He kissed his wife's temple, and the corner of her eye. His hands were wrapped around her waist, resting on her lower belly.
Ben took a sharp intake of breath as he felt her belly for the first time. A little piece of him residing inside. He never thought about fatherhood.
Until Padme he never gave a thought to children. But then he became Padme’s papa. And everything changed. But to have a little Rey of his own? His heart rejoiced at the possibility. But his mind cautioned him.
His grandmother died in childbirth, his uncle never married, but his sister-in-law, Katherine also died in childbirth.
His grandmother and his mother gave birth to healthy babies. Seemed like Skywalker women were strong enough to survive it. But the same couldn't be said about the wives.
Ben choked back a sob, thinking about it.
Rey was still awake, stars knew what she was thinking. She didn't want to lose another baby. But Ben didn't want to lose her.
She was the only thing that mattered to Ben. As romantic as the idea of his own flesh and blood growing in her belly sounded, he'd rather not have to risk her. For anything.
But what was done was done, Ben thought. It would be another day, another battle. And it might be time to return home.
He buried his face in her hair to breathe her in, pulling her flush to his body.
Rey was already drifting back to sleep. Ben couldn't help but close his eyes too.