Chapter 34

"Well…." Mara began

Everyone whipped their heads around to look at Mara, who was clearly trying to formulate a sentence.

"Well what Jade?" Han asked, a little taken aback.

"Hey Skywalker, remember when I was pregnant with Ben and I mentioned that if you ever did that to me again I would vape you where you stand?"

Luke's eyes widened, and his mouth fell open.

"Surprise!" Mara exclaimed quasi nervously, watching the wide eyes and open mouthed expressions around the room.

Leia immediately jumped off the sofa she was sitting on to wrap Mara in a big hug. "I had no idea you guys were still trying!"

"Way to steal my kids' thunder Jade." Han quipped.

"Hey, you guys asked if there was anything else. I didn't think there would be a better time to tell you." Mara said shrugging.

"Luke, you're fairly quiet over there." Leia commented.

Luke appeared as though his mind was moving a mile a minute.

"Kid, you okay?" Han asked.

"Oh c'mon Skywalker, it isn't like this is our first kid." Mara commented dryly squeezing his hand.

Suddenly the door chimed and Jaina peeled herself away from the conversation unfolding in front of her to answer it. Tahiri was on the other side of the door.

"Hey everyone, sorry I got a little tied up. Hopefully I didn't miss anything." She said as she sat next to Jacen.

"You have no idea what you just missed."

"Someone going to give me the gist of it?"

"Basically, Jacen got married and Mara is pregnant." Jaina said matter of factly.

Tahiri's eyes widened.

"I think I hit the high points." Jaina added confidently.

"What in the name of Hoth kind of alternate universe did I just walk into?" Tahiri asked shocked.

"No idea kid. When we figure it out we'll let you know." Han stated.

"Since Luke is apparently in a catatonic state right now I feel obligated to ask the tough questions." Leia said. "When did you find out, and how far along?"

"I noticed about a couple weeks ago. I haven't gone to see Cilghal yet, but I would say I'm about 10 weeks or so. Everything feels good so far." Mara informed them all, still waiting for Luke to say anything. "Skywalker, can you please at least signal to me that you can actually still hear?"

"I can't believe I didn't put two and two together." He commented to no one in particular. "I noticed some things were a little weird, but the last time there was so many other variables that I couldn't tell what was normal Mara pregnancy symptoms and what was part of the disease."

"So you're okay?" Mara prodded.

"Mara my love, I am thrilled beyond belief." He said before lovingly embracing his wife.

"Mara, I have an appointment with Cilghal tomorrow if you would like to tag along to get looked at." Jaina suggested.

"Might as well now that all the important people have been told." Luke commented.

"You know, you are the best family ever." Jaina pointed out.

Mara's red gold eyebrow arched, "Not that we needed that confirmation, but why exactly do you think that?"

"You guys are a do it yourself media stunt. Between my brothers' secret wedding to Hapan Royalty, and your pregnancy. One look at either of you and no one will give me a second glance."

Mara snorted, "Yes Jaina, I got myself knocked up again simply to keep the press of your back."

Jaina laughed and held her hands up defensively, "I'm just saying, the optics here are fantastic."

Jacen laughed, "Iella would be so proud."

"Listen buster." Mara said, pointing her finger threateningly "You still need me to hatch the perfect plan for a secret legal wedding. Has your sister had to remind you about boundaries lately?"

"I actually had to remind him earlier today." Jaina confirmed

Leia appeared confused, "Boundaries for what?"

"Let's just say one day I accidentally peeked, and I know what your new grandchild is."

"And if you value your life you will keep a lid on that." Leia added.

"Precisely. Boundaries."

All Tahiri could do was shake her head at what she had just walked into.

The next day Mara and Jaina made their way to the healers' wing together. Jaina and Mara were both done their instructor duties for the day. They walked through the temple talking quietly to each other.

"So have you told Ben yet?" Jaina asked.

"Kind of. We tried to make him feel the baby. We aren't really sure if he was successful or not. In any case, I'm sure we will be able to explain it to him a little more when I start to show."

Jaina shook her head incredulously, "I can't believe you're pregnant again."

"No one was as surprised as me. I thought that we were pretty much done. Force knows we've been trying since the war ended."

"And here I am on pregnancy number 2."

Mara chuckled, "Well, you are much younger than me, and neither of yours were planned either." She pointed out.

"True enough. Though, they weren't unwelcome." Jaina observed.

"Much like mine. Though it would be much easier if I was your age."

"Maybe you'll actually get to enjoy being pregnant this time."

Mara snorted, "From what I remember there isn't much to enjoy."

Cilghal greeted both women at the door. She was visibly surprised to see Mara.

"Coming for some moral support Master Mara?"

"Actually Cilghal, I need a check up of my own."

Cilghal blinked a few times, "Of course Master. May I inquire as to the nature of the check up?"

"Prenatal." Mara said.

Cilghal's eyes widened, and her face broke out in a rather large Mon Calamarian grin. "Congratulations Mara!"

Mara smiled, "Thank you Cilghal. Luke and I are very excited."

"Jaina, will you be finding out the sex today?"

"I think I'm going to wait a little bit longer." She informed the Mon Calamari healer. She would prefer to wait until Jag was home to find out what they were having.

"Very well. Let's get started." She said ushering both women into her healers' ward.

Cilghal had completed her assessment, assuring Jaina that all was well with her baby who was in its' 25th week of gestation. As requested, Cilghal did not reveal the gender.

It was Mara who was up next for her assessment.

"I'm surprised that Master Luke isn't here." Cilghal commented.

"He didn't feel it was necessary to be here for a check-up. He says he can check on the baby anytime he wants."

Cilghal smiled, "And I have no doubt that he will do just that every chance he gets."

"I basically just want to get a better estimate of how far along I am, and ensure that nothing is going on that might concern you." Mara said.

"Of course, I should have an approximate timeline shortly." She said entering data into her scan.

Jaina sat beside Mara and waited patiently. It wasn't very long before the scan was alerting Cilghal that there was information available.

"According to the scan, you are almost 12 weeks along."

"I knew I was at least 10 weeks along. So I'm almost done the first trimester. Anything show up on the scan that might be cause for concern?"

Cilghal shook her head, "Nothing worrisome at this point. Though I do want to keep a bit of a closer eye on you because of your age."

Mara smirked, "Understandable. I'm an old lady."

"You might be an old lady in number, but believe me when I say I have met individuals 20 years younger than you who are in nowhere near as good shape." Cilghal reassured her.

Jaina laughed, "Old and pregnant, but yet I would still want her on my team in a scrap."

"I feel so loved."

Jaina and Mara slowly made their way back to Jaina's house, making a couple pit stops to Mara's office, and then to Lukes'.

As they walked toward their houses, Jaina and Mara continued their conversation about recent events in the lives of their family.

"I still can't believe you talked Jacen into babysitting Ben and the twins."

"Listen, if he wants my help pulling off this feat of his, he's going to owe me a few things. I think babysitting our respective children so we can go to the healers' ward is the least he can do."

"Why do we all get ourselves into these situations?" Jaina asked

"You have Skywalker trouble genes in you. I've spent the last however many years trying to keep your uncle out of trouble, now let's add two kids to that equation."

"We are clearly gluttons for punishment." Jaina said smirking.

"I willingly married Luke Skywalker, which means that I signed up for everything that comes with it. Clearly he did some sweet talking on Nirauan."

"I wonder what kind of sweet talking Jacen did." Jaina pondered outloud.

Mara snorted, "Oh c'mon Jaina. I'm fairly certain that there was no sweet-talking required. They've been going around in circles for years."

"That doesn't mean that she would say yes to him." Jaina said as they approached her front door.

"Well clearly it does, and now we've got to do some serious work so that your mother doesn't kill him." Mara said as she opened the door.

They peered in and saw Jacen sitting on the couch watching the holonet. The kids were nowhere to be seen.

"Jacen, please tell me that my child is not lost, or aimlessly wandering around Ossus." Mara said.

Jacen shook his head and smiled, "Nope. All three little rascals are upstairs sleeping. The twins are in their nursery, and Ben is sleeping in Jaina's bed."

"You got them all to sleep at once?" Jaina asked amazed, Jacen nodded.

"I think I'm impressed." Mara said sitting down on the sofa.

"I am a responsible adult you know." Jacen said indignantly, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"It really has very little to do with being responsible." Mara pointed out.

"Well, like a responsible adult I also cleaned your kitchen."

"Don't try and suck up now. You've already dug yourself in pretty deep." Jaina commented as she hung up her jacket.

"Besides, if you were really trying to suck up you would be over at my house cleaning it from top to bottom." Mara pointed out, one red gold eyebrow arched.

"I get the feeling that I will be on babysitter duty far more often now."

"You made this mess buddy, I'm just trying to make myself look good by getting you out of it relatively unscathed." Mara informed her nephew.

"Trying to make yourself look good trumps my eternal happiness?"

Mara shrugged, "I have a reputation to protect here."