Aric wondered where his wife had gotten off to, and when he looked out the window he saw her, walking with Elara Dorne, down along the river. They were on Tython, for Magdalane's wedding, and the activity around the temple was like a killik hive. Aric grinned when he saw Maura absently rub her pregnant tummy. I bet they're moving like crazy in all this fresh air, he thought. He had inadvertently woken the twins up last night, and Maura wasn't too happy about it. He'd spend about an hour just softly talking to them, feeling them move and kick in response to his voice. After he'd gotten them to settle down, he felt he owed Maura a back rub, but she was already sound asleep. He didn't know if it was the pregnancy that was wearing her out, or something else, but he was a little worried and reminded himself to ask Elara about it.

Their house on Dantooine was almost ready, and they'd go there after the wedding. Maura would be officially on maternity leave then, and he was glad that she'd be able to rest when she wanted to. As commander of Havoc squad, she'd been so busy and had so much going on, that he was afraid she might be upset at the relative inactivity, but so far she seemed fine with just getting things ready for their family. Corso had told him that he and Miriah would be on Dantooine for a couple of weeks after the wedding as well.

Maura and Elara were enjoying the beautiful day, and each other's company. "The house is almost ready, Elara, and we have plenty of space, so please stay with us a few days," Maura told her friend. Her squad medic would be traveling to their place at least twice a month to check on the "Havoc babies", as her team called them.

"I wish I could be there for the whole time, " Elara told her. "But I'm glad you'll have your sister close by, should you need assistance. I really thought that I'd not like her, after hearing the stories about her in the Empire halls, but really, she's quite a lovely person."

"Yeah, well, she probably started most of those stories herself," Maura laughed, "to further her reputation as someone not to mess with."

"Well, anyone who can make a moff wet himself just on reputation alone, I figured would be intimidating, but she's really a softie. I like her," Elara replied. Maura smiled, her sister would be pleased to know that she was infamous.

"We should start back," Maura said, "the wedding starts in a few hours, and I think I'd better rest before it all starts."

"Still really fatigued? Hmm I think maybe some supplements are in order, they'll help you feel more energetic." Elara wasn't too concerned, her CO and XO weren't small people, both of them tall and in fighting shape, so she figured their babies would be good sized as well. Besides, twice the nutrients were being taken up by their growth. She'd have to do some research, maybe call a colleague. "Oh by the way, do you happen to know if the scientist on Magdalane's crew might be at the wedding?" she blushed, not looking at Maura.

"I would expect so, looking for a date?" Maura teased her.

"Well, it would be nice to have someone to dance with," Elara replied.

"I don't think you'll have to worry about that, Dorne," Maura chuckled. They'd reached the Chantalle family home, where they were staying. Miriah was on her ship, just for space's sake. "Just wear that killer green dress you have, those poor Jedi boys won't know what hit them." They said their farewells, and Maura went inside, stopping in the kitchen, where Miriah was cooking breakfast.

"Corso and Aric got a call from Felix, apparently he's beginning to panic a little, and needed his guy friends for support," Miriah snorted. "I think he's just afraid the binding ribbon won't come off."

"Have you talked to Mags today? She sure looked more rested after staying at your place."

"I didn't call, I hoped she'd be able to sleep up until Risha went to do her hair and makeup," Miriah replied. "She is fine, or she'd have buzzed one of us by now." They knew that the Jedi tradition was to have no family present until the ceremony, but she would call if she wanted them.

"Yeah, you're right, she knows we're nearby." They sat and ate the chocolate chip pancakes Miriah had made, combining two of her favorite foods.

"Oh stars, the babies like chocolate," Maura groaned, "already they're telling me what they like and don't like. They love their daddy, for sure, every time he's near they just go nuts. And he loves that they do it, too. Sometimes I feel like a punching bag."

"Maura, being a soldier and commander of Havoc squad was a great accomplishment, but nothing compares to this, you know," Miriah told her. "And Aric? Well, he's over the moon about you and them."

"I know, just sometimes I wonder if he's more in love with them than me," Maura sighed, feeling the tickle of tears, "and I'm so damn tired of the hormones."

Miriah took Maura's hand in her own small one, "Maura, on Corellia? He worried about you the entire time."

"Worried, yes, because of the twins. I just want him to look at me the way he used to, before I looked like I swallowed a melon whole."

"You just don't see it," Miriah reassured her. "He does still look at you, you know. It's obvious to everyone else, even when he's trying to put on his military face and not show it. You're more beautiful than ever, sweetie, you just don't feel beautiful right now. Let's do some indulging beauty stuff, before the wedding."

While Maura soaked in a warm bath, Risha returned from the temple. Just in time, Miriah thought, she knows way more about all this gook than I do. By the time the guys returned from getting Felix sorted out, Maura looked radiant and rested. Risha had put her russet colored hair up, and she wore a gold dress that left her shoulders bare and floated around her body. "Thank you, Risha, you've made me feel pretty again."

"You should feel pretty," Risha told her, "you are!"

Aric was speechless when he saw her, silhouetted against the long window, and walked quickly to her. Ah, there's the look I wanted, she thought, smiling. He ran his finger along her arm, looking into her eyes.

"I can't…I don't….um this isn't fair. I've had enough cold showers the past few months, that this is almost cruel," he said.

"Why would you have to resort to that?" she asked, her eyes wide. "I thought you just weren't attracted to the fat lady." She looked at her feet, but he caught her chin in his hand and forced her eyes up to his.

"I can't always control myself with you. I try, but just being in the same room with you gets me going, and now with the babies…" He pulled her against him, kissing her hair, "I just don't want to mess anything up, hurt anyone."

"It's worse thinking you don't want me than anything you could do to any of us," she whispered.

He ran his tongue up her earlobe, and whispered to her, his warm breath making her shiver, "I promise, I will make you know that I will always want you."

This wedding is going to take forever, she thought, anticipating having her husband back to normal.