"They've been in there a long time, haven't they, Luke?" Leia asked, concerned.

"Do you think she's all right?"

"She's in good hands," Luke said softly, turning his attention to the bedroom door. "Kay's been through this with her… well before…"

Leia lowered her eyes. "Do you regret not being there?" she asked. "I mean…"

"Every day…"

"And now?"

"We'll manage the best we can I guess," now it was Luke's turn to lower his eyes. "We've all ready discussed this, she knows…"

"And what will she do when you're gone?" Leia pressed. "Unless you want me to have someone else to the Peace Negotiations on Sullest – I may not be the Senate Leader anymore but I still have some pull with the Council…"

"No," Luke said firmly. "Bé understands what being married to a Jedi Master entails…"

"She must be a very understanding woman," Leia said without malice. "And she must love you very much…"

"That she does, Leia… That she does…"

"So, are you going to get dressed, or are you going to greet your sister-in-law clad only in your good intentions?" Kay'leb asked, growing thoughtful. "Although I don't know if she goes that way. Might be interesting to find out…"

Aubé cast him a look that she knew he couldn't see, but knew he would sense. "Stop it, Kay," she growled under her breath. "This is going to be hard enough as it is!"

"You know that she's carrying twins, don't you?" Kay'leb said absently. "And I would wear the blue, not the brown – it's much prettier on you…"

Aubé froze, then carefully returned the brown dress to the closet. "No, I wasn't aware of that," she said quietly. "Luke didn't say…"

"Are you going to tell her about Tamillian?" Kay'leb asked her gently. "Pem's twin?"

"No," Aubé replied after a moment, pulling out the blue outfit. "Not yet, anyway… Kay, it was hard enough telling Luke. I'm just not ready. Not yet anyway."

Kay'leb nodded as he rose to help Aubé do up the back of her dress. "Understandable, Sis," he said. "Another time then. Now are you ready to greet your guest?"

"I think so," she replied nervously. "What do you think?"

He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "I think, no, I know you look beautiful… shall we?"

Aubé smiled weakly as she took his arm. "All right then," she said, taking a deep breath. "Here we go…"

TBC