Corso watched Aric as he processed his next move. "Aric, Maura and Coleen need you right now. Go, bring them down and let's eat that mountain of food. Give them both some comfort. Tomorrow, we start the search, okay?" He watched as Aric nodded and started off to his place, where he figured at least Maura had gone. Corso entered his own home and was immediately hugged by his wife.
"Is he okay? Did he say what he wanted to do?" Miriah asked, her eyes worried.
"I told him to get the girls and come back here to eat. Tomorrow, he'll figure out what he wants to do next." Corso took Miriah's hand and they went to the kitchen to start getting ready for dinner again.
"At least he didn't go wild," Miriah said, and Corso thought about that deafening roar Aric has loosened once he was outside. It spoke of pain and rage, and he felt it might just upset Miriah if he mentioned it.
"He's furious, for sure, but not at anyone here," Corso answered, his hands busy. Beside him, Miriah sighed.
"I'm sure he's going to search for the father, and you're going to help him, is that how this is going?"
Corso hesitated. He didn't want to upset his wife, but he felt he had to help Aric. "I did tell him I'd help." He was mildly surprised when Miriah wrapped her arms around him
"We'll all do whatever we need to do, sugar." She held on to him for a few minutes before she pulled away to wipe her eyes. "They've always done so much for us, it's only right to help him now." Corso only nodded, and wondered what he would have done if Caly had been in the same position, and realized he'd already be on a blood hunt.
Maura had gone home, and Aric found her on their bed, weeping quietly. "Honey, I'm so sorry that I shut you out," he whispered, sitting on the bed beside her. "I wasn't thinking straight, at all."
"I know. I wish could tell you who the father is, but Coleen won't say." Maura remained on her side, facing away from Aric, and he reached out to touch her shoulder.
"I love you, Maura. I love Coleen and I already love my granddaughter," he said, his voice quivering with emotion. "That's all I'm focused on right now."
Maura turned to face him. "I know you love us all, Aric. That was never in question. What are you going to do, that's the real question here."
Aric paused, and wondered exactly what he might do if he ever confronted the man. "I want to know who he is, and why Coleen doesn't want him to know about the baby."
"Is that all?" she asked.
"At this moment, that's all. I can't promise it will be enough tomorrow or next week, but right now, I want to let you and Coleen know that I'm on your side in this." Aric stroked his fingers down Maura's cheek. "Corso said to bring you both down to eat. I know Coleen needs the nutrition, and she can see that her family loves her." Maura nodded, and when she sat up, Aric hugged her to him, relieved when she hugged him back. "We have a little one to love, to spoil rotten," he said, and chuckled.
Coleen opened the door and gasped when her father's large frame filled the opening. She couldn't move, and when he hugged her, she almost cried. "I'm proud of you, Coleen, for coming to us. We're always here for you. Now, let's go down and eat, you need to put some weight back on." Coleen was speechless, and went with her dad down the hallway, one arm around her, one around her mom.
Caly had cooked her mom's sauce and stuffed pasta, one of Torian's favorite meals. They'd enjoyed their day, and managed to do all the errands she had on her list. She sat back, full and happy, watching Torian as he finished his second helping. He saw her watching, and grinned at her. "This is so good, Caly. I see why it was always a favorite of your family as you were growing up."
"I remember pulling the last of the frozen sauce out, when Mom was in carbonite," she said wistfully. "I told myself then that I'd figure out what all she used in it. I guess I've been experimenting with it ever since. This batch is as close to hers as I've ever come, even after she taught me how to make it. Food is individual to the cook, you know."
"It is delicious, that's what I know," he said, using a breadstick to mop up the remaining sauce on his plate. Caly stood and started to clean her work area, and Torian jumped up to help. He'd noticed that Caly had been quiet since they'd returned home, and nudged her with his shoulder. "What's on your mind, my love?"
"I've been wishing the wedding were here, that we could be together the way we want to be. I know, I know," she said, holding up her hands to protest, "that we're waiting. I'm just not sure what we're waiting for now. The dress is almost done, Arcann said the flowers will start to bloom in a few weeks. Mom came up with the perfect cake, so I'm not sure why we're delaying."
Torian took the offered plate to dry. "Well, we didn't talk to the General today, and Mandalore won't be here until about ten days from now. But then, I guess, we can consider the date."
"I don't know anymore." Caly rinsed the sink and put her knives in their special covers. "I feel like nothing is what I expected, you know?"
"The important part is that we're together, sweetheart. That we're allowed to be living in the same space, share our thoughts and hopes."
"I know, and I love that. I wish I got to cook more in my job, and that we weren't waiting to have sex." Torian's eyes widened, and she saw desire there as well as a little fear. "I'm not trying to pressure you, I'm just being honest. I'm ready, Torian, for a full life with you."
Torian hugged her then and felt her deflate. "It's all going as it should, Caly. Maybe patience is what we're both meant to learn."
"Maybe so," she murmured, her arms around his waist. "Maybe so."
Miriah hugged Coleen, as did Corso, and they sat down to eat. They were a little more subdued than normal, but there was light banter and conversation, and they enjoyed the meal. When Miriah pulled out dessert, Maura groaned. "Oh, gods, Mir. Not sure I can eat anything else," she said.
"Of course you can, there's always room for dessert," Miriah said with a grin. "Besides, babies need cake."
"It looks wonderful," Coleen said. I've eaten more tonight than since I found out I was pregnant, she thought, but at least there's no nausea, and that cake is making my mouth water. She watched her aunt slice a hunk off and put it on a small plate before handing it to her.
"This is the prototype for Caly's wedding cake, so I need some feedback," Miriah said, and handed a smaller piece to her sister. The first bite had them all closing their eyes as the white chocolate and vanilla combined with the buttercream frosting melted on their tongues.
"This is the possibly the best cake I've ever tasted," Coleen finally said, her voice dreamy.
"It's excellent, Mir. It will be a hit at the wedding," Maura offered, and looked up when Corso and Aric brought in the fresh caf. This seems normal, Maura thought, and took the mug Aric held out to her. Maybe, just maybe, we can get through this without any fighting. She smiled at her husband as he took a bite of her cake.
"Um, yeah, I'm volunteering to serve cake at the wedding now," Aric said with a grin, and they laughed. "A piece for you, a piece for me, and so on."
"When is the big day?" Coleen asked.
"I'm guessing next month," Miriah said, and explained what was done and what was left. As they started to discuss the wedding, Corso saw Aric's face and when he checked out of the conversation. He knew his friend was working on a plan, and when they left, Aric drew him aside.
"I need your help tomorrow, to go through some databases," he said, and Corso nodded. Tomorrow will be the beginning, Corso realized, hoping the ending would be soon.
Coleen reached her door, and Aric waited for her to get inside before he hugged her again. "Rest, hon. You still have ten days before school starts, and if you need any help with anything, you only need to ask, okay?" Coleen only nodded, still nervous around her dad. "I love you, Coleen, and my future granddaughter. Just take things day by day, and you know where we are if you need us." Aric kissed her forehead, then pressed his own to hers before stepping back. She waved as he turned to go home, and he saw a spark of hope in her eyes. Good, he thought, and made his way to Maura.
Corso joined Miriah on the sofa, both of them sleepy with all the food they'd consumed. "Do you really think Aric will go off to find this man?" Miriah asked, but her query was cut short with Corso's kiss. He continued to kiss her, each one deeper and more intimate, until he stood with her in his arms and took her to bed. By the time they settled to sleep, she'd forgotten she'd asked anything. Corso was awake for a long time, wondering how to help Aric and still keep the peace with Miriah.
The next day, Miriah had heard the morning briefing and was settling down to work on a document for the science section when Aric stuck his head around the door frame. Corso saw him and stood, but Aric came into the room. "Mir, Corso. I'm asking to be relieved of duty for an indefinite time," Aric stated, his face calm.
"What do you mean?" Miriah said. "No, I can't do this without you, Aric."
"Logan runs the detail now, and everything is going well. I need to be free to travel, and not be an emissary of the Eternal Alliance. To do that, I need you to relieve me of duty, Commander."
Miriah stood, stiff and unyielding. "I will not do that! Aric, Maura and Coleen need you here. I need you here."
"This is something I have to do. I won't need long, but I also don't want to go as long as I represent the Alliance. Please, Mir. I need to do this."
Miriah huffed and frowned. "Why? What good can come of it? Nothing will change, Aric, and you could be hurt. Then what will we all do?"
"I'll be going along," Corso said softly. "I'll keep him out of any trouble."
Miriah turned to him. "And I'm supposed to do what? Divorce you, so that you won't represent the Alliance either?" She slammed her fist on the desk as her voice rose in volume. "Do either of you realize that you're hurting the ones who love you with this?"
Corso saw his wife's temper flare and knew it was only going to get worse. "Darlin', I..."
"Don't 'darlin' me! This is serious! I can't let this happen, not when there's so much to lose!" The raised voices brought the guard captain and Lana into the room, both wearing worried faces but afraid to speak.
"Commander, I already put in my leave forms. I will return to duty in thirty day's time. Until then, you can always reach me via datapad or holocom." Aric turned smartly on his heel and was gone.
"ARRRGH!" Miriah yelled, and turned to her spouse. "And I suppose you're going too?" Corso looked sheepish but nodded, and Miriah fell into her chair, stunned.
"I don't want to leave you, but I swore to help Aric. At least with me along, I can hopefully speed up the search and get us home faster." He started toward her, wanting to hold her but the look on her face stopped him. "I love you, darlin'. Please, understand this."
"Just go," she told him, still fuming. He went to the door and turned back, wanting her to say something. Anything. Instead she held her head in her hands, eyes fixed on the desktop, refusing to look at him. Corso hesitated, but knew that Aric was counting on him. He sighed deeply and made his way to the apartment to pick up a gear bag, meeting Aric in the hangar.
"She's really mad," Aric said, nodding at the flight deck officer as they made their way to the Dreamweaver.
"Yeah," Corso said, and nearly ran his friend over when he stopped short.
"Stay here, Cor. I'll be fine," Aric said, but Corso shook his head.
"No, I promised. And she'll be okay. What did Maura say when you told her?" he asked, but Aric had turned to the ship. Corso hurried to catch up, and when the air lock cycled shut, he tried to swallow the guilt and sorrow he felt.
Maura woke and felt for Aric, but he was gone and his side of the bed was cool. She sat up, yawning, and realized she'd slept late. When she reached for her chrono, she saw the datapad message indicator blinking, and brought the device to life, reading the apology and note that Aric had left. I should have known, Maura thought, and got some satisfaction in the sound of the datapad disintegrating against the wall.