Chapter 34 – Happiness before the Pain (The Sith)
Dubrillion
Royal Gardens
The majority of my life had been spent on a battlefield. There were not many moments of genuine peace and simplicity. My son's wedding was one of them.
The timing had been perfect. It was one day we could all come together to reconnect as a family and few knew how much that meant to me. It reminded me briefly of my childhood and though those memories felt very faint, the feelings were still there. They hadn't all been tainted by my horrible mistake, my weakness.
My daughter sat next to me during the ceremony, Reide next to her, Elliah at my other side, his Nadia next to him.
Mako and Vette had grown so close she'd asked Vette to stand with her. I approved of this friendship, for many reasons, not many of them admirable. Vanceto stood with his brother and I can say with certainty that I have not seen my Lancoro as happy as he was, watching Mako walk down the aisle towards him. Blizz, a Jawa, and member of my son's crew whom I deeply approved of, served as the flower girl.
The ceremony itself was beautiful. Afterwards, Lancoro and Mako didn't stay at the reception and I hadn't expected it. I couldn't afford my son a long honeymoon. In fact, I needed him to go to Ilum immediately for a pickup that could not wait.
The entire family stood at the archway, where a colorfully decorated speeder awaited the newlywed couple. I hugged Lancoro tightly, proudly then stepped away. Elliah put his hand on my shoulder and I leaned against him, watching my now married son and his new wife. Mako climbed onto the speeder behind Lancoro and wrapped her arms tightly around him. They sped off together amidst waves, and cheers, and playful catcalls by Vanceto and Tana.
"Did you ever believe he'd go first?" Elliah asked.
"I don't know that I approve completely. But she'll do for the moment."
Elliah chuckled. "You're happy today."
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Happy enough to dance with your husband?"
"Can you?" I grinned over at him.
"I'll even lead," he took my hand and I walked with him onto the small dance floor. "You are happy," he commented in between a spin. "You didn't make a snide comment about Nadia."
A shadow of a smile touched my mouth. "Don't have to. Her eyes are boring a hole into my back. It's a delicious feeling."
Elliah laughed, shaking his head at me. I came in closer and set my chin affectionately on his shoulder. Mostly because I wanted too, less because it would antagonize Nadia. He was right though, I was happy.
Moments later, I heard someone clear his throat. When I looked over my shoulder, Quinn stood there, entirely too handsome in the all black and blue uniform's that my army wore. "May I cut in?" he asked.
"You may not," I said.
But damn Elliah, he spun me around, forcing me to face Quinn. My idiot husband kissed my hand, had the gall to wink at me, and let Quinn step in. I probably should have walked away. Instead I allowed Quinn to take me into his arms.
"You're beautiful," he said.
"You're pushing it. Again," I warned him.
"I only wanted to dance."
I didn't believe him for a second. He'd been behaving himself but I knew it was only a matter of time before he pushed the line again.
I didn't know he'd gotten so close until I realized his cheek was pressed against mine. A second later I felt my fingers toying with the hair on the back of his neck, and let my eye drift closed.
"Marry me?" he asked softly.
For a brief moment I was… speechless. And then I laughed. I had too. Only he would have the sheer nerve, the courage to ask me that. I just couldn't find it in myself (not yet at least) to be furious he would even suggest it. "I'm already married Captain."
"He doesn't have your heart."
"How would you know?"
"You've never looked at him the way you look at me," Quinn said quietly, in his own matter of fact tone.
I couldn't argue with that, because it was true. So I settled for this; "The answer to your question is no."
He said nothing else, just held me close until the music stopped. Then, he simply stepped back, saluted me respectfully and walked away.
I watched his departing figure, pointedly ignoring the look Elliah was giving me. I turned to see Reide walking towards me. I could tell by the expression on her face something was amiss.
"We need to talk," she said in a low tone. "But not here."
I nodded and followed her lead.