Chapter 6.

(Edited 04/05/2021)

"I mean, of course I'm excited. It's just a very big step. It's not too fast, is it?" Rose asked, staring at herself in the mirror to examine every piece of her outfit.

Rey was staring off into the distance, thinking about her recent vision. She still was not sure what to call it, and whatever it was, shook her to her core even as she sat here in Rose's room, only half listening to what her friend was saying.

She tried her best to return to the conversation, but found it difficult as her mind was so heavy at the moment. She told herself it needed to be done, no matter what she was going through at the moment, no matter the questions that flittered across her mind.

Afterall, she never had a friend like Rose... In fact, she never truly had anyone at her side as Rose had been, so accepting and genuine in all her nature, that is besides Finn.

Briefly, Rey thought of Leia, too. But her relationship with the General was something different. She looked to the Princess for guidance and support... Rey wondered, with a pinch at the heart, if that's what it felt like to have a parent.

It had been a while since Rey had given thought to her parents. Back on Jakku, she thought of them every single moment of every day. She had so much hope for their return, looking at the face of every person who stumbled their way onto the forgotten planet, wanting so desperately for one of them to be something she could recognize.

However, no one ever came for her. For years she was alone, taking care of herself, fighting and scavenging for herself... Back then, she was all she had, and all she could rely on.

'That's right...Because I'm just a scavenger.' Rey thought to herself.

Her mind furthered the thought, reminding her with a harsh take on reality that it was all for nothing, all the waiting and hoping. Her parents were there the entire time, buried in a pauper's grave, having been no one to the outside world, but everything to the young Rey.

"Rey?" Rose asked now at Rey's side, touching her shoulder. Rey jumped at the contact and looked to her friend, giving her a wide smile that Rose did not believe to be genuine.

The false smiled faded as Rey shook her head.

"I'm sorry. I have a bit on my mind, but that is not a discussion for today." Rey replied as she stood.

Embarrassed and ashamed to have been taking away from Rose's day, Rey decided to softly press Rose's mind, unbeknownst to her, for the question she had asked a moment ago while Rey was lost in thought.

"No, it's not too fast. You and Finn complement each other extremely well, I can feel the pull you have to one another. You're both the soul the other needs."

Glancing to the ground, Rey was glad to have spoken with honesty. There were times she had watched Finn and Rose together, their complicated souls aching for peace and finding it in one another. They were both fiercely devoted to the Rebellion, but Rey could feel the want they both shared to be over with the war and move on with their life.

This time, Rey offered a smile that Rose returned, feeling that this one was real, and immediately Rose's hesitations and worries washed away. She returned to the large mirror and Rey watched her, admiring the way Rose's dressed looked. It was a white dress, the white laced sleeves clinging to her small arms, the dresses trail coming down to below her knee. It wasn't a crazy dress, but it was very much Rose, Rey decided.

With a small clear of her throat, Rey smiled and chose to reveal more insight. "Actually, Rose... I was a bit lost in thought a moment ago. But, part of what I was thinking of was how grateful for your and Finn's friendship. You both mean..." Rey trailed off, struggling to find the words, however after a moment she chose to spill her honesty. "Well, I never knew friendship until I met you both, and now I can't imagine living any more of my life without it."

If at all possible, Rose's smile widened, and before Rey knew it, she was being enveloped into a tight hug, the force picking up on the energy around her and alerting Rey of sudden emotion.

With a quick chuckle, Rey returned the hug, knowing Rose took her words to heart. "Back at ya, kiddo." Rose whispered through a sniffle.

With a sigh, Rose took a step back, patting away at the few tears that had trailed down her cheeks before she glanced down at her attire. "Alright. I think I'm ready. What do you think?" Rose twirled just as BB-8 rolled into the room with a long whistle.

Rey chuckled and said, "Yes, BB-8, I know. She looks stunning." Rey agreed. Rose looked at her with dumbfounded shock.

"I do? What about you! You dress is amazing! I feel under dressed compared to your outfit and everyone else's!" she exclaimed, making Rey blush now.

"Leia asked...well, ordered me to wear this. No one can really say no to her." Rey laughed and shyly looked to the floor as Rose nodded knowingly. Both girls smiled. It was extremely hard to say no to the General after all she had done for the galaxy.

BB-8 whistled again, followed by the droid flipping out a small claw that held a little white box. Rose bent to take it, grinning.

Opening it, she pulled out a patch that belonged on Finn's jacket. Rey wasn't sure the meaning, but she knew that this little patch meant something to Rose as she watched her hold it close to her chest and smiled lovingly. Rose's eyes lit up as she grabbed something from her vanity and turned to Rey.

"Oh! I almost forgot. Can you take this to Finn?" Rose asked, handing Rey a brown, carved box. It fit in Rey's hand perfectly, and she took a moment to study the etched design on the lid of the box.

"A present?" Rey asked, holding the light box up.

Rose nodded. "It's tradition, apparently. He'll know." She spoke.

Rey smiled and nodded before turning to leave towards Finn's chambers, leaving the bride alone with the droid. Rey was unable to help the smile that spread across her face as she listened to the tune Rose hummed, the noise following Rey all the way down the hall.

It was difficult getting to Finn's chambers Rey had discovered, when numerous members of the Resistance had stopped to ask her about the special task Leia had assigned her to tomorrow, and others commenting about how good she looked dressed up.

By the time she reached her friend's room, Rey was exhausted from the questioning and the constant blush that had not left her face since leaving Rose's room.

She had never been complimented so much. It made her ache for her regular sand-toned bandages and staff, uncomfortable with the unwanted attention. This was one of the times she missed her small home on Jakku, the secluded, broken ship had the power to hide her when she needed it most.

Rey rolled her eyes and reminded herself that she would never return there, nor should she want to, regardless of how overwhelmed she was at times.

With her hand raised to knock, Rey cleared her throat to gain her composure again, and before she could catch her breath, the door opened wide, and she was being pulled into the room by her hand.

She smiled, remembering that this was how Finn insisted on leading her when they first met. She still did not like it, but it was a fond memory, she mused.

"Well, hello to you, too." She chuckled as she stood in the middle of his small room, waiting as he closed the door behind her.

The energy in the room was exuberant, a heightened excitement bouncing off of every inch in this space.