-1!!
Chapter 10
He shouldn't have been surprised she was still awake when he finally got to their room. The lights beside the bed had been turned to dim and he could hear the water running in the fresher. He quietly changed into his sleep pants then walked over to the large window that dominated their bedroom, looking out into the rainy night. It didn't rain on Coruscant often, but when it did it tended to pour for hours.
This was how Jade found him. The lights of the skyline were blurry by the heavy precipitation and he smiled as he heard her walk up behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his shoulder.
"I miss the rain." She told him quietly, her palm moving across his still toned stomach, sending ripples of warmth through him. He grabbed her hand and linked his fingers through hers.
"I know. Maybe we can take a trip to Nyreen soon. It's been a while since we've been there, and I know your father would love to see the kids."
"That would be nice." Jade responded, turning her head to plant a kiss on his shoulder.
"Plus, I can talk to him about this." Kyp added quietly. He frequently called his father-in-law when he needed someone's opinion about something. Michael was always more than happy to help and enjoyed the calls. Jade's mother had passed away a few years ago, and they didn't get out to Nyreen as often as they wanted to.
"So what's really wrong?" She whispered and he chuckled, having known they were going to have this conversation eventually. Turning around, he pulled her to him again and looked into her eyes. He saw pride, love, happiness. The same things that he saw always were present in her gaze.
"I don't know if I can do this." He said quietly, showing a rare moment of self-doubt.
"Kyp, you've practically been doing it already."
"It's not the same." He said, pulling away from her and walking over to the bed to sit down. Kyp leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.
"How is it not the same?" She asked, turning but not moving towards him.
"Because I wasn't responsible for everything then. I just handled a small part. This…this is a big deal."
"Why do you think you can't do it?" She continued, knowing he was beating around the bantha trying to avoid the answer.
Kyp rubbed his temples, willing the headache to go away. "I don't want to be responsible for losing a student to the dark side."
Jade sighed and sat down next to him, wrapping her arms around one of his and leaning her head against his shoulder. "It's just like raising our kids Kyp."
He snorted and pulled away from her to lay down on the bed. "That's what I'm afraid of. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't worry about them. Wondering if today is going to be the day they take that path."
"No wonder you're so kriffing tense all the time." Jade said, smacking his leg and causing him to wince. "Kyp, stop doing that. You have to believe that they will make the right choices. You can't hold their hand for the rest of their lives. They have to make their own mistakes and we have to trust that we raised them to be good people."
"I know." He whispered, laying his arm across his eyes.
"For someone who knows, you sure worry an awful lot." She offered, standing to turn the light off in the fresher. He didn't move as she climbed into her side of the bed and lightly kicked him to move over. Chuckling, he got up and mirrored her actions, pulling her to him.
"Besides." She whispered. "Don't you think that Luke has those same thoughts?"
"I don't know. I've never asked him."
"I can guarantee he does, but he doesn't let it stop him." Pulling his gaze down to hers, she lightly caressed his cheek and smiled. "Give yourself some credit love. You've been a great teacher, father and Jedi. Allow yourself to follow your destiny."
"My destiny? You haven't had a vision have you?" He joked. Jade shook her head slightly and gently kissed him.
"No. But you're a great man Kyp. It's only natural you would be a great leader." She whispered and he stared at her, shocked by yet another member of his family tonight.
"Now I know why I married you." He said, after he had recovered his wits.
"Why is that?" She asked, snuggling closer to him.
"Because you know how to massage my ego."
Jade chuckled. "Yeah, I've heard I'm pretty good at that."
!!
Next day…
Kyp awoke the following morning, feeling a little better about the situation. Jade was already awake and from the smell wafting into the room, cooking breakfast. He took his time in the shower, running over everything in his head.
When he walked into the kitchen, he smiled at the sight. Jarik and Galven were having a discussion on speeders, while Rika sat quietly watching her brothers. He walked over, pulling Jade into his arms and giving her a lingering kiss.
"Gross!" Galven said, holding his hand over his mouth. Rika giggled, while Jarik just rolled his eyes at his brother.
"Morning." Kyp said, ignoring his children to focus on his wife.
"Morning, handsome. I was starting to think you weren't going to get up." She said, putting the last plate on the table then joining everyone there.
"I thought about it, but then what kind of example would I be setting." He joked.
"A good one." Galven said through a mouthful of food. Kyp raised an eyebrow at him and he finished chewing then apologized. Rika giggled and Kyp couldn't help the smile that came to his face. He never, in his wildest dreams, thought he would get the chance to have a family. Everyday he thanked the force that he had found Jade and that they had happy and healthy children and didn't take for granted how lucky he was.
"I was thinking…" Jade started.
"Uh-oh." Galven commented and received a smack on his arm from Jarik.
"As I was saying, I was thinking about what happens if you take Luke up on his offer."
"What do you mean?" Kyp asked, confused. "We don't have to move, if that's what you're worried about. I'd rather stay here than move back into the temple. At least while the kids are young."
"That's not what I was worried about."
"Then what?" He asked, not sure he was going to like what she said.
"I think I should resign my post."
"What!" All three male members yelled. Jade and Rika both jumped in surprise and the senator frowned.
"But mom, you love your job." Galven commented. "Why would you want to leave it?"
"Yeah, you've worked hard to get where you are. There's no reason you can't keep it." Her oldest son added, and she smiled at them both in thanks.
"It has nothing to do with liking my job or not. It has to do with creating problems for your father."
Kyp stopped eating and looked at her. "Jade, you don't have to quit. I can be grandmaster even if you're a senator."
Jade sighed in frustration and glanced at Rika, the two females sharing a look.
"Kyp, my staying a senator would not be in your best interest. The main reason being, how quick would it take one of my detractors, or yours, to jump on the 'here the Jedi go again, trying to run the galaxy' bandwagon? You'd spend half your time trying to convince everyone that your wife has no influence on any of your decisions and not spending time on what you need to be spending it on."
There was silence at the table and Jade allowed herself a huge grin. There was a first time for everything. She couldn't remember the table ever being this quiet during a meal.
"I love you." Kyp finally told her.
"I know, honey. I know." She said, patting his arm and giving him a sly smile.
"Besides, you're going to probably have to have someone just to handle all your own issues. I can help with your PR at least."
"What the sith does that mean?" He asked.
"Because daddy, there are going to be people who don't want you to be grandmaster cause of the things you did." Rika said quietly. Kyp looked at her, surprised. They had never hidden Kyp's mistakes from the kids. It had been a necessity to tell them, considering their classmates would probably know about all of them. He was so proud of how they had handled it though. Even if the boys had gotten in a couple of fights about it.
"You're too smart for your own good, angel." He said, giving her a smile.
"I know. I get that from mommy."
!!
"So he's not sure if he's going to take it yet." Jade finished, looking to Jared to see his reaction. He'd been quiet the entire story, not that it was unusual.
"Why not? He's practically doing it now."
"That's what I told him. He's just worried he won't do a good job."
"I'll just have to beat it into him that he'll be fine then." Jared joked, turning the speeder down the street the Senate building was located on.
"What are you going to do if I resign?" Jade asked quietly, not sensing any anxiety from him.
"Good Question."
"I mean, I won't need a bodyguard anymore. I'm sure we can find you another senator or ambassador."
"You're kidding, right? You're still gonna need a bodyguard. Maybe, not like you do now, but I'm sure I can find something to do. Especially if you're going to be active in helping him."
"Do you think he's going to need protection? There will definitely be some very unhappy people if he takes the position." Jade asked, worry in her voice.
Jared reached over and took one of her hands in his. "It's always a possibility. Don't worry, I'll talk to him about it and even if he doesn't want me to do it, we'll figure something out."
She squeezed his hand in thanks and went back to looking out the speeder window. Most people left Kyp alone. There had been a few zealots over the years, but nothing that had worried her too much. This was a whole new smashball game though.
"Hey." She looked over at Jared and he smiled.
"I told you not to worry about it. Try listening to me for once."
Jade laughed. "After 20 something years, I think it's a little late for that now."
!!
She sighed as his lips gently trailed down her neck. His arms around her waist tightened as she leaned her head back onto his shoulder to give him more access. Her intention had been to come and see if he was hungry for lunch. She hadn't realized he wanted her instead of food, not that she was complaining. One hand slithered up her tunic to run across her tummy and she closed her eyes turning her head to capture his mouth.
"I hate to interrupt your 'lunch time' but you should really lock the door. There are impressionable children around."
Jaina jumped at the sound of Kyp's voice and heard Jag's chuckle.
"I asked you if you locked it, Jagged." Jaina reporved.
"I was a little preoccupied, love." He chided gently, nipping her lightly on the neck and not letting her up from his lap. Finally, she huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Kyp.
"This had better be very good." She told him slightly miffed.
"I need to talk to you two." Kyp said, taking one of the seats in front of Jag's desk.
"Really, I thought you were just thinking about going into voyeurism." Jaina snapped playfully, still trying to rise from Jag's lap. His arms of steel wouldn't budge and she resigned herself to staying there.
"What's up?" Jag asked, leaning his chin on Jaina's shoulder.
"I had a meeting with Corran and Luke yesterday." He started, scratching the side of his head and frowning.
"And…" Jaina urged.
"They want me to take over Luke's spot."
Kyp could feel the surprise leap at him from his two friends, but it was tempered with something else. Happiness. Not for each other, that was always there. No, it was for him. They both knew how much he had wanted this and how he thought he would never get it.
Jaina leapt up from Jag's lap and wrapped Kyp up in a hug. Jag merely sat in his chair smiling broadly.
"I'm so happy for you Kyp!" She told him excitedly, stepping back to look up at him then frowning. "What?"
"I haven't accepted it yet." He told her quietly.
"Why the kriff not?" Jag asked vehemently and they both turned to look at him. "It's the only logical choice Kyp. I dare say you'll do it as well as Luke if not better. You've more than moved past your issues you had when you were younger. You now garner as much respect as Luke does and on a broader scope. Couple that with the success of Jade's career in politics and I'm not sure you'd have as much opposition as you think."
Kyp stared at Jag, knowing that his friend was right but still having a hard time accepting he deserved the role.
"Durron, you've earned this. Don't think you haven't. You know Uncle Luke wouldn't have offered it if you hadn't." Kyp nodded and sighed.
"Come on. Just go down to his office and tell him yes. He's not going to make you take over today." Jaina said, pulling him towards the door.
"Wait." Jag called out quietly before they could get too far. He walked over to them and without warning pulled Kyp into a hug. The older man hugged him back and Jag gifted him with a smile when they pulled back.
"You do realize that this means I'll be your boss?" Kyp said slyly.
"You do realize that I don't really listen to Luke either." Jag countered pushing his friend towards the door. "I'm sure you know where his office is and you don't need Jaina to hold your hand." He added, lightly shoving Kyp out the door and giving him a small wave as the door shut.
"You guys are worse than teenagers!" Kyp called back through the closed door, then chuckling walked back to his room.
!!