Mandalore, Rebel Base "Phineas"

0.9 ABY

Day 337, 1549

Jacen had been in the world for only two hours, and already he had captured the hearts of eighteen… no, nineteen people. His royal blue eyes looked beautiful by any standard, and even at a hundred and twenty minutes old he had an unshakeable grin on his face, even when he was crying.

Hera held him close to her, as if afraid that he might disappear from her. She had gone through too much to lose him now. Raven looked on happily, and Kanan kissed Hera on the cheek.

"So, what's his name?" Sabine asked. She and Ezra had shown up late. Kanan and Hera looked at each other before they answered.

"Jacen," they answered in unison. Ezra raised an eyebrow.

"I thought you were going to name him Caleb?" he asked, clearly confused. Sabine glared at him, while Hera laughed weakly and Kanan smiled.

"Next time," Hera said, slowly rocking Jacen back and forth. He gurgled in content and began to fall asleep, as small children do. Even as his eyes closed, he had a ridiculous grin on his face. Hera cooed, "Our little Spectre. Spectre Seven."

Everyone savored the moment for a little bit, before Raven got up. "I've got to go," he said, walking towards the door to give the Spectre family a bit of time together. Zeb leaned against the wall, smiling about the fact that there was an addition to the team now. At least Ezra had gained something in his life. He had taken his mother's loss hard, going through shock and denial within one day. He was angry for two weeks, liable to snap at anyone who so much looked at him wrong. Sabine had only gotten through to him after she managed to sit him down and then just talk to him for almost an hour. After that, he had started to fall into depression. He wasn't letting it get in the way of his service to the Rebellion, but something had to be done to prevent him from falling into blind servitude to the Rebellion. And it looked like Jacen would do the trick.

Eventually, Zeb left the room, along with Sabine and Ezra, to leave Hera and Kanan alone. Kanan watched them leave, then turned to Hera. She was looking down at Jacen, still rocking him back and forth. Kanan smiled at the sight, and seeing it reminded him of something.

"Happy Birthday, Hera," he whispered. Hera looked at him happily and kissed him.

"Best birthday I've ever had, Kanan," she responded.