Music drifted through the clearing as the Wookies danced and exchanged Life Day orbs. In the centre of the area stood an ornamental tree, decorated with hundreds of the coloured globes. As the sunlight streaming through from a gap in the leaves above hit the fragile glass, they shone, projecting all the colours of a Chandrilan rainbow.
Sitting off to one side, leaning back against one of the gigantic wroshyr roots, Rey held her infant daughter in her arms. The sheer joy and love of the celebrations never failed to amaze her, and she was thrilled to be able to share it with Liana.
Beside her, Poe was leaning over her shoulder, holding Liana's hand and bopping it along to the beat as he sang, exaggerating his mouth movements for her amusement. She was giggling loudly, her gaze wandering between her father and the celebrating Wookies. Every now and again, she made noises as if she were trying to sing along, and Rey and Poe would stop to congratulate her.
Technically, this was Liana's first Life Day; at nine months old, she had been born not long after last year's celebrations. But for the Wookies, it was like she was one of them. Rey and Poe had been accompanying Chewbacca to Kashyyyk for the holiday for several years now as part of his honour family. In fact, it was here that Rey had first truly committed to starting to pull back from the Jedi Academy in order to spend more time with Poe. The Wookies had been there as Rey and Poe stumbled through the first years of their marriage, as they found a balance between work and family, and as they decided to make the leap and have a baby.
'Of all the things in the galaxy,' Poe sang, swaying Liana's hand from side to side, 'I wish you love, peace, and prosperity. Have endless faith and ardent hope to light your way when all seems lost.'
The last few bars of the song played, the last note lingering as the melody faded. There was a shuffle near the tree as the Wookies rearranged themselves, preparing for the next song, and Liana started to fidget in Rey's lap. She moved Poe's hand through the air in a clear attempt to make him start singing again.
'Do you want me to keep singing?' he asked with a broad smile.
Before he could start again, a shadow fell over them. 'Chewie!' Rey said. 'I didn't expect you to be back so soon.'
The Wookie was standing over them, an orb in his hand. He let out a low rumble.
'Yes,' Rey said, looking down at Liana, 'Chewie's right. Daddy is a good singer, isn't he?'
Liana immediately settled, letting go of Poe's hand to reach out for her honorary uncle. 'Bababababa!'
Crouching down, Chewie gently patted her on the head, ruffling her short hair.
'Ouch!' Poe exclaimed, eyes sparkling as he raised his hands to his chest as if he had taken a physical blow. 'I see where I stand.'
Chewie held out the orb, pressing it into Liana's hands. Sucking in a breath, Rey reached out to help her steady it, supporting it so it wouldn't fall. Few non-Wookies ever received Life Day orbs; she and Poe had, but it was after years of attending the celebrations.
The girl was staring at it with wide eyes, tracing the pink and silver sparkles with her fingers.
'Isn't it pretty?' Rey asked Liana.
'Thank you,' Poe said on the girl's behalf.
A/N: For the Star Wars Advent Calendar with the prompt 'Gift-Giving Wookies'.