Corso woke slowly, gradually becoming aware that he felt marginally stronger than he had, and that he had an armful of his favorite, warm female. He grinned, this might be the best day in a while, he thought. He had closed his eyes again when Magdalane came in to check on him and stopped short at the sight of her youngest sister beside her patient. "Shhh," he said. "She's finally getting some rest."
"It's been a hectic few weeks," Mags said softly. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," he said. "I'll be glad to be in my own bed tonight." He bent his head and brushed his cheek against Miriah's hair.
"You'll be there before then, Corso," Mags warned. "I mean it, you have to rest when your body tells you to, otherwise, all my work will be for nothing." She took his hands and her force aura grew, then faded. "Progress. But I mean it, you have to rest, okay?"
"Absolutely," Corso said, just as Miriah started to stir. She raised her head, blinking rapidly, trying to reconcile her surroundings. "Hey, darlin'," Corso told her as she focused one eye on him.
"Hey," she said on a breathy voice, the one that normally made certain parts of his anatomy twitch. He felt the familiar response and was inwardly relieved. At least everything still works, he thought, and gave himself over to her good morning kiss. When she would have only gently kissed him, he put his hand on the back of her neck and drew her deeper. He knew he'd almost died on Zakuul, and it made everything more meaningful to him. When Miriah lifted her head again, he only smiled at her. "I need to get going, sugar. I'll bring you some clothes back when I've had a shower and changed," she told him.
Corso nodded. "I'll be right here, but promise me you'll have some breakfast too, okay?" Miriah nodded at him. "Love you, darlin'."
Miriah stopped pulling on her second boot to look at him with loving eyes. "Love you too, sugar. See you soon." She leaned over for another kiss, and was just standing again when she heard someone behind her.
"You two never stop," Aric said with a grin, his hands carrying food for Corso. "At least I brought sustenance." Miriah couldn't stop her smile.
"I'll leave you to eat," she told them, and when she exited the room, Aric had pulled a chair close to the bed, handing the food to his friend from the bags. While she walked, she thought about how often Aric had been with Corso since they'd returned. They really are more like brothers, she thought, but those musings were replaced when she saw Lana waiting for her at the elevators.
"Just going over some last minute things before the large party," Lana said, but then blushed, and Miriah looked closely at her friend.
"What's up, Lana? You look like you've got a secret," Miriah said, and watched the other woman waver her hands around restlessly.
"Commander… I mean, Miriah," she stammered, then drew herself up and stood strong. "We want you to marry us. Today. The celebration will be our party, too."
Miriah was taken aback by her request. "Lana, are you sure? You deserve to have the wedding you want, not what's convenient." Her eyes roamed over the Sith, and saw that she was now calm and confident, the woman Miriah was more familiar with.
"Theron and I decided last night, well, I decided and he agreed. We wanted to make sure Corso would be able to attend, but since he's been released, the timing and the venue are perfect."
"What about a dress, and the whole pageantry..."
"I don't want the whole big wedding, I want the marriage," Lana replied. "We can go over to the temple before your speech..."
"Speech?" Miriah asked, but her mild protest was ignored.
"And then we can just enjoy the big party," Lana finished, and graced Miriah with a smile bigger than she'd ever seen Lana have. Miriah thought for a moment, then nodded.
"If that's what you want, Lana, I'd be proud to marry you two." Miriah felt her breath leave her as Lana hugged her, but it didn't dim her happiness.
"Go, get ready, and I'll message you when to meet at the temple," Lana told her before skipping off toward her own apartment. How did I not realize there would be a speech, Miriah asked herself, then started off to get herself ready. She rapidly typed a message to her mother about getting some flowers into the temple at least, only to find out they'd already been arranged. She laughed to herself, Lana must have been pretty sure she could convince me, she mused. She rushed inside her own home and quickly showered and dressed. She pulled some appropriate clothing out for Corso and grabbed his kit, hurrying to get down to where she knew he was waiting.
Aric pushed more food to his friend. "Eat up, Cor. This is going to be a long day, and you need every bit of strength to get through."
"Is everything all set up? Where are we all going to be?" Corso asked, taking a small bite. He wasn't all that hungry, but knew he needed to try.
"There's a platform set up with chairs. Miriah should only have to say a few words, but you know her, she'll probably want to greet the people who want to shake her hand and such. Don't worry," he said when he saw the concern creeping over Corso's face. "I've set up the security for her, she'll be well protected, and we'll all be at her side." Corso's looks didn't lighten like Aric thought they would.
"I can't protect her, Aric," he finally said. "I can barely stand on my own." He looked dejectedly at the door, struggling to put words to his emotions. Finally he looked at his friend, and saw that Aric was just as worried as he was.
"I have the HK units at the platform, and Felix and myself with her, every step, I promise," the Cathar said, and stood. "I see your party clothes arriving."
Corso wiped the fear off his face and presented his wife with a smile. While he showered and dressed, which he'd had to have help with since the shower had already depleted his small energy reserve, Miriah had been happy, laughing, and when she told him why, he felt his spirits lifting as well. He knew he would have to use a transport chair, but was ready to get out of the medcenter.
Miriah and Corso entered the temple to see the beautiful flowers around the front, her mother and daughter beaming, and a visibly nervous Theron. He grinned as they approached, and asked Corso to be his witness to the proceedings. Miriah took her place and saw Devin nod at the back of the temple. Lana appeared on his arm then, her long dress a light blue, so light that it almost looked white, and Miriah smiled. She would have the whole experience, she thought. No veil, but Miriah could see a crown of tiny white crystals and flowers, and glanced at Calypso. She had to have designed that, Miriah thought. As they approached her position, Miriah tugged on the black tunic she wore and let her face relax into a smile.
Devin turned and offered Lana's arm to Theron, who took it with wonder in his eyes. They turned to Miriah, who cleared her throat. "We are gathered her to witness the union of Theron Shan and Lana Beniko, who have both been invaluable to the Alliance. When Lana first asked me to do this ceremony, I was afraid she wanted a traditional Sith service." She paused while everyone laughed and Lana blushed. "Instead, I have the honor of making their union official. Lana, do you take Theron as your lawful husband, to love him and keep him until death takes you?"
"I promise," Lana replied.
"Theron, do you take Lana to be your lawful wife, to love her keep her until death takes you?"
"I do, very much," he answered and sent a wink to Lana.
"Then, as the Commander of the Eternal Alliance, I hereby place my seal on this union, and will notify the official record keepers of this marriage. May the force bless you both." Miriah had put her hand over their entwined ones, and now released them. "You may kiss your bride," she told Theron.
Theron gave Lana a loving kiss, and they turned to accept the congratulations of the gathered family. Before they started back outside, Miriah stopped them. "The only condition I have is that you stay dressed as you are, and join us on the platform and let me announce your marriage."
Lana stopped in her tracks. "You would do that? Why?"
"Because everyone out there knows that you are integral to our operations here, and they care about you," Miriah replied. Lana still seemed reluctant, and glanced up to Theron, who shrugged.
"Hey, I'm proud to have snared you, Lana," he joked, and they saw her relax her shoulders.
"Of course, Commander," Lana said.
Corso had stood during the ceremony, but now sat in the mobile chair. Miriah took his hand and Devin guided the device as they crossed over to the platform. Once there, they got into position, and he looked around at his family. Devin and Mia, the stoic Jedi and the one who used all aspects of the force, yet a unit. Logan and Elara, the baby left in the secured area with one of Elara's friends who was waiting to have her own child. Calypso on his other side, her newfound confidence and maturity making him proud. Miriah walked a few paces forward, and waited for the growing crowd to notice. She stood tall and straight, all in black, and he thought she looked strong. He knew she hated speaking in public, but no one would be able to tell that. When the crowd grew quiet, she lifted her hands in the air and spoke the only thing she knew to say to them.
"Thank you," she said. "Now, let's have fun!"
A couple of hours into the party, Miriah was tired and hungry and the family had finally gotten her to sit down. Caly brought her a plate of food, and rested one on Corso's legs as well. She motioned to his food, her mouth full. "Eat, sugar. Or do you want to go lie down?" she asked.
He smiled at her then, and picked up his fork. "I'm fine, I mean, I'm just sitting. I think you need to rest your hand at least." She'd spent the last hour shaking hands. She'd thanked widows and families for their service and those lost in the invasion, and asked that any gifts others made be sent to those families. She'd looked into the eyes of those that had been dropped on Odessen, their only purpose to fight and kill in Vaylin's name. Many had dropped to their knees and apologized, and that had made her very uncomfortable. Now, the games and food had brought everyone together, and she could see that there was a common thread of thankfulness. She brought her thoughts back to Corso, and he smiled at her again.
"Sorry, I spaced out there," she apologized. He brought her free hand to his lips, then released it.
"Let's eat and relax," he encouraged. "Aric and Maura are right over there, and the family seems to be having fun for a change." She nodded and took another bite. It was good, she thought, and she finished the entire plate. Calypso had taken off to gather dessert, but Miriah patted her full tummy and wondered where she'd put it. Corso had eaten well too, and together they made their way through the throngs of people to the elevators. Corso was faltering, and Miriah knew it. They'd gotten inside the apartment and she had helped him into soft sleeping clothes, grabbing kisses and soft touches. He was getting settled on the sofa, thumbing through the holo channels, when the door chime sounded. Miriah jumped up, already on alert. She opened the door to one of the intel techs they'd passed earlier in the war room.
"Sorry, Commander. We received a call that initially asked for Lana, but your instructions.."
"Yes, let's not bother Lana tonight. I'll be there in a minute," she told the young woman. She turned back to Corso, who had closed his eyes, exhausted from the day. She went to him, kissed his forehead, and followed the tech out to the main war room.
Corso opened his eyes as she left, and sighed. He knew she'd not be back soon, and resigned himself to sleeping alone. He closed his eyes and remembered how he'd woken that day, and let that memory comfort him, drifting into slumber.
