Later on that night Rex is holding the little doll. He can't stop smiling as he stares down at it.
"How long are you going to stare at that?" Aleu laughs as she dries her hair.
"I guess until I get to hold him." Rex chuckles slightly placing it on the dresser. "You looked beautiful in that dress by the way." He takes a hold of her hands leading her to bed, their silver bands glittering a bit in the moonlight.
"Despite the baby bump you mean?" Aleu lifts a brow.
"More so because of it." Rex shakes his head a bit.
Aleu giggles at that as she sits in bed next to him. Rex snuggling her close.
"We'll have to start thinking of names." Aleu lays her head on his chest.
"What about after the Jedi that freed you two?" Rex suggests.
"I don't think so." Aleu shakes her head slightly. "We're grateful to him but I don't want our son tied to the temple like that. What about after one of your batchmates?"
"That's sweet. But no." Rex shakes his head a bit.
"Why not?" Aleu looks up at him.
"You really want to call him 'Clocks' or 'Beater?'" Rex looks down at her with a lifted brow.
"Point made." Aleu laughs lightly snuggling in again.
"How do people pick a name for their kid? This is difficult." Rex ponders holding her close with an arm.
"We'll think of something." Aleu laughs again.
"Guess you're right." Rex chuckles himself.
"Hey have you thought about what you're going to say?" Aleu glance up at him.
"To my men yes. To Cody… I'm not sure." Rex sighs.
"Sorry, because of me…" Aleu starts.
"Hey, this isn't about you." Rex cuts her off. "It's about brotherly trust, I'll fix it. You'll see." He kisses the top of her head.
Aleu snuggles close to listen to his heart and take in his ocean scent. Over time this had become comforting to her. It let her know he's hers and that he's really here with her.
A few days later it is time for them to leave. Shmi hugs her kids, not ready to let go.
"I can't be there for the birth but please send me photos of him and come to visit when you can." Shmi smiles at her daughter worry clear in her eyes.
"We will." Aleu nods touching her growing stomach.
"I'll keep them save m-Shmi." Rex corrects himself.
"Take care of yourself as well Rex. He'll need you." Shmi looks at her daughter's belly with a small smile.
"Right." Rex nods.
"No worries, we always look after each other. Right Skyguy?" Ahsoka looks over at her master.
"Right Snips." Anakin chuckles with a playful wink.
With that they headed off to their own shuttles. The ride home is a bit quiet knowing what talks await them when they arrive.
Luckily the paparazzi left them alone on their arrival. Anakin guessed the council or Trent was keeping them at bay. Maybe both.
"I say we don't risk it and have a nice day at home." Padme looks about as the driver louds the crosier with their bags.
"I'm sorry, but I have to talk with the council and my men." Anakin sighs.
"I should talk with as well. I need to talk with them and get my stuff from the barriks." Rex rubs the back of his neck.
"Rex…" Aleu tugs on his shirt, her ears down.
"I'll be fine." Rex kisses the top of her head.
Aleu releases him as she nods. The guys leave in one crosier as the girls head home with the other.
Arriving Anakin explains his side to his men. He then heads off to see the Jedi council.
"I know nothing I say will make it right. But I'm truly sorry for lies and will work on gaining your trust as a captain and brother." Rex looks at them a bit worried.
All of them are silent as they look at one another. They then see Rex's repentive face.
"Sir… we always knew something was up." Fives speaks up.
"What?" Rex's eyes widen.
"You weren't that suddle. Going to each other's rooms at all hours, finding a reason to go to the medbay, and really no one can play that much swampers." Kix explains.
"Why didn't any of you…?" Rex clears his throat, a bit flushed to know they all knew.
"You're our brother and captain. It didn't feel right to out you." Echo shakes his head slightly.
"Thank you." Rex smiles at them softly. "Do you have any questions?" he scans the room.
"Yeah, the pup a boy or a girl?" Jesse lifts a brow curiously.
"Boy." Rex smiles happily.
"Damn! Come on! Alright! Pay up!" The men are cut in half.
"You had a pool going huh?" Rex lifts a brow.
"Just a small one." They all chuckle.
"I'll let it go this time." Rex chuckles himself packing his duffle.
"Where are you staying?" Kix looks a bit worried.
"With the general. We thought it best until the war ends so the pup always has someone there for him." Rex finishes up.
"At least you're looking out for someone." Calls a voice from the dorms door.
"You got something to say Cody?" Rex looks over a bit angry at his claim.
"I'm asking if you should still be a captain." Cody stares coldly.
"You want to go? Fine, let's settle this like the old day." Rex grabs his bag heading out.
"Fine by me." Cody huffs following him.
"Should we tell the generals? Or stop them?" A few of the men look worried.
"They'll be fine, sour. But there shouldn't be bloodshed." Kix chuckles.
"How do they usually settle things?" They all look confused.
Meanwhile in the gym. Both have their under black shirts on as they shoot a few hoops playing grav ball.
"What you said was too far Cody." Rex gets a basket.
"Can you blame me? You're secret could have compromised missions." Cody gets his own.
"We always took things seriously on missions and never snuck off. We never compromised them." Rex blocks his next shot.
"You still lied for half a year." Cody tries to take a shot.
"And if I came to you?" Rex takes the ball from him.
"I would have kept your secret. Or better yet talked you out of the mistake in judgment." Cody blocks him.
"I regret not telling you. But I have NEVER regretted my feelings for her." Rex stops the game holding the ball. "I will try to earn your trust again as a trooper if not a brother. But you call my son a mistake again and we'll have issues." He hits the ball into his gut.
"Rex…" Cody takes a hold of it feeling the hit.
"Balls in your court commander." Rex emphasizes the last bit as he picks up his stuff heading out.