The Dreamweaver sat silent, the C2 droid charging, when Miriah and Corso came back through the airlock. Miriah felt numb, not even getting her usual relief at being back aboard from Tython. She went straight to the galley, pulling a bottle of chilled Corellian red wine from the cooler. She poured them both a glass and sat heavily at the table. "It feels like ten years since this morning," she said. Corso gently rubbed her neck, his hands warm and soothing, and she leaned into him.
"I want to make a toast," Corso said, and she lifted her head to give him a puzzled look. "To us. We've raised two good men, Miriah. I'm so proud of them both. But it all comes from you, cyar'ika." She shook her head, her mouth full of wine. "No, really, it does. You're the rock, the glue, the spark. We all love you, no matter what. Devin loves you, and he'll always love you. Logan is the same. Even still, they don't love you as much as I do." He waited for her to swallow, and took her glass out of her hand. He had known that this day would be hard on them both, and he wanted to do everything he could to turn around her blues. He took her mouth, at first sweet and gently, and gradually letting his passion for her through. When he had to breathe, he saw that she was breathless as well, and loved seeing that look in her eyes. She stood and took his hand, and led him to their quarters. He had taken the time that morning to put some things together in their room, and she saw now the electronic candles flickering, the plate of chocolates on the low table, and turned to kiss him again. He lifted the hem of her shirt and ran his warm hands up her back. The sound she made in response had him almost forgetting to be gentle with her, and by the time she pulled him down on the bed with her, they were lost in each other. Miriah felt her sadness leave as her beloved undressed her slowly, placing kisses where he removed clothing.
They spent the first night without their firstborn alternately loving and soothing each other. When they slept, they were well on their way to finding a new normal, and all too soon the chrono alarm sounded. Miriah started to get up, but Corso pulled her back to him. "We have time, love, all the time in the world," he told her, taking his good morning kiss and more. Miriah was dozing in Corso's arms when the holo chime sounded. Corso groaned and rose, pulling on clothes. "Stay right there, beautiful, I'll be back," he told her, and her wicked grin had him hurrying to talk to whoever was so impatient. He hit the receive button and saw Logan. "Hey, Logan. Everything okay?" he asked, inspecting the image of his youngest.
"Everything is good here. When are you guys coming home?" There wasn't exactly a whine in his voice, but Corso could tell he was missing them.
"We'll launch shortly, son. Be there tomorrow afternoon. Are you sure everything's okay?"
"Yeah, everything is fine," Logan replied. "Just ready for you guys to be home." They chatted for a minute, and when Corso turned from the now silent holo he saw his wife, wrapped in a sheet.
"Let me get us into the right route," she said as he approached her, "and we can continue where we left off." He grinned at her as she turned to the bridge, made the break with the orbital station and maneuvered them into the sublight lane.
Devin had been awakened while it was still dark on Tython, and for the past hour had been standing in the courtyard of the temple as the sun slowly rose. They were supposed to be meditating, and he was trying to keep centered. He wondered how his parents were doing, and felt a little nauseous with the thought that maybe he'd made the wrong choice. When he just couldn't take the uncertainty any longer, he called on the force. The cool calmness infused him, and he closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, the Jedi who'd been instructing them stood in front of him.
"Well done, Devin. Well done," said the soft voice. Devin resisted the urge to smile, and instead nodded at the master. He relaxed, and let the force wash over him. He'd always had a force bond with his mother, and thought of her now. He could feel that she was relaxed and not upset, so he pushed no further, and enjoyed the sunrise and the flow of force power around him.
Miriah and Corso were sitting in the lounge, huttball on the video feed. Miriah had her head in her husband's lap and he was absently running his fingers through her hair. He missed that she had spoken for a moment, and realized when she turned to look at him that she was waiting for his response. He blushed and confessed. "I was lost in thought, love, I'm sorry," he told her, bending to kiss her gently.
"I said, what do we do with our lives now? Our boys are grown, or almost. What do we do?" she asked, the lost look creeping into her eyes again.
"What do you want to do, cyare? We have the ranch, and we still work on planning Republic military missions," he said. "Did you have something in mind?"
"No, not really," she said, "I guess I'll know when I see it. Logan needs to see more of the galaxies, and I feel like without the boys, we'll drift apart." She looked at her hands, and he could see this was something she'd been thinking about longer than just today.
"Miriah, my love, my heart. Do you really think that?" he said softly, and his hands covered her smaller ones. She nodded, unable to speak. "That will never happen. Years ago, you asked me if we'd still be into each other when we were older. Do you remember that?" He waited for her to reply, and he saw her nod. "I think the past twelve hours have answered that question. I tell you all the time that I love you, and I mean it with all my heart. Why would we drift apart?" He lifted her chin to look into her eyes. "You never, ever have to doubt me. Actually, with the boys doing their own things, we have more time for us." He kissed her, and he felt her relax in his arms. They spent the evening touching, never far from each other, even when they ate. When they went to bed, they held each other in sleep, as they always had. By morning, a rested Miriah felt much more positive about things.
Devin spent the day getting familiar with the temple and grounds, and had classes on what they could and could not do as accolytes. He could already tell that he had much more command of the force than most of his classmates and silently thanked his teachers on Dantooine. I'll write a note to Master Shurxan tonight, he thought. He was in the dining hall, tired from his restless night and early morning, when a young girl, about four or five years old, approached him and sat across from him. "You're Devin, aren't you?" she asked. He nodded, and watched as she used the force to move things around where she wanted them on her tray. "I'm Mia. Welcome to the temple," she said, and began to eat. He was a little curious at first, then realized that she was the first student he'd met that used the force as effortlessly as he did. He smiled at her and they ate dinner in companionable silence.
The Dreamweaver landed in their hangar late afternoon, and was met by Sarai, Logan and Felix. Logan hugged his mom tightly when she came down the ramp and she could feel his relief that she was home. When he'd straightened from hugging Miriah, Corso put his arm around his son's shoulders, and they chatted on the way up the hill to the house. Inside, Magdalane and Maura were preparing dinner, and Aric rose as they came in, clapping Corso on the back.
"Gotta tell you, the boys may have your size, Cor, but at least Logan got ther mom's shooting skills. He's a natural with a sniper rifle," the Cathar told him. Logan beamed in his uncle's praise. "He's a damn better shot than Colin. I think Colin needs to stick with a cannon." They sat at the work table. In a much softer voice, Aric asked his friend how Miriah was doing.
"It was tough on both of us, but I think she's handling it well now," Corso replied. "You guys will be going through this in a few months with Colin, too." He sighed. "At least Calleigh will be going to university on planet."
"And Coleen is still young enough to keep her mom busy," Aric added.
"Mir is wondering what she should do now, and frankly, that worries me a little," Corso said, looking over at his wife as she laughed with her sisters.
"You guys are still young, have another baby," Aric said, a huge smile on his face. Corso blushed and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Don't give her any ideas," he said. "I finally might just get her undivided attention for a while now." Aric laughed, knowing his friend had always had most of his wife's focus anyway. Corso loved his sons without question, but he was ready to have more of Miriah's time.
When dinner was done and everyone left for their own houses, Logan found his mom and dad in their favorite spot on the porch. "Hey, was Dev ok when you guys left?" he asked.
"He was fine. I think he was a little intimidated by everything, but I'm sure he's doing well," Miriah answered. She lay against Corso's chest, warm and relaxed. "How was your vacation from parents?"
Logan grinned, "Nana isn't as good a cook as you are, Mom. But it was okay. I kinda wish I'd gone with you, though."
"We are going to take a trip, soon, " Corso said. "It's been brought to my attention," and here he squeezed Miriah, "that you've seen very little of the galaxies. We can fix that."
"Awesome," Logan exclaimed. "I know I like to be here, but when Colin and my friends at school start talking about other planets, I realize I should have gone out more." He sat in a nearby rocker, a silly grin on his face. "School will be out in a few weeks, maybe then?" he asked, a hopeful note in his voice.
"Absolutely," Miriah said, her eyes closed. It had been a long few days, and her muscles were pleasantly sore. The warmth of her husband's body always relaxed her and made her feel safe. Corso and Logan talked about the ranch, and she drifted into sleep. She woke when she felt Corso pick her up, and snuggled into his body as he carried her to their bed. He dressed her for sleep and crawled under the covers with her.
"I love you," he whispered to her, kissing her temple.
"Love you, too, sugar," she replied, sleep making her voice husky.
At the office the next morning, Aric pulled up a message from General Kenon, who'd taken over when Garza had retired a few years ago. "Look at this, " he said, holding up his data pad. "There's something strange happening on Oricon, which is a moon on the Outer Rim." The group gathered around him, curious. "Kenon wants us to gather info on these Dread Masters." That's all Miriah needed to get started. She sent holomails and started multiple database searches. Corso was updating current missions when he looked into her office and saw her pacing restlessly. He stood and crossed to her, and she looked up startled when he called her name.
"Sorry, I was trying to remember where I've heard that name before. The Dread Masters, I mean." She crossed to the computer on her desk, seeing it was still amassing information. "I'd suggest we just go check it out, but it seems that many ships have been downed in the area, by their own pilots."
Magdalane walked into her sister's office, a strange look on her face. "What is it, Mags?" Corso asked, almost afraid to know the answer.
"The Jedi Council just sent a message. The Dread Masters are using mind control to wage war. They've asked all available force users to come to the temple, to brainstorm a solution." She looked at her youngest sister. "I know you guys just came from there, but I'd really like us all to go, in case I need to go on from there to Oricon."
"Well, twist my arm to go back and possibly see my son," Miriah said with a wry grin on her face. "You and Mom need to be there, we all go. No questions. But you won't be going to Oricon without us, either." They stared at each other for a second before Mags nodded, and went to tell the others. Miriah took Corso's hand in hers.
"Windwalker is ready," he said, but he was thinking, here we go again.