Been a busy week! But Taraum has been awesome, and got another chapter done- Thanks babe!
The trip back to Endor's moon was hard on all of us. Plo had been cranky, causing everyone in the transport to instantly hate the woman with the uncooperative baby. Shaeeah unfortunately became airsick and so stayed in the bathroom with Barriss for almost half the trip. And poor Chopper had it no better. Although he didn't run to the bathroom, he looked like he desperately wanted to throw up. I didn't even remember falling asleep.
"Hello, beautiful," Aayla smiled softly, petting my lekku softly to wake me up.
"Hey," I smiled, reaching over and petting her stomach. "Yeah, I'm home."
"I'm glad to see you," Aayla said. "Rough time?"
"It could have been better," I agreed, running my hand over her stomach. "How're the babies?"
"Both active," Aayla sighed, moving my hand to where one of the twins was kicking. "Especially this one, now that it's turned around."
"More room to make mischief," I giggled, placing my ear up to her stomach. "Where's Bare?"
"Bare?" Aayla repeated, tugging my lekku lightly to chastise me. "Barriss is out playing with Suu and the children. They love her."
"Everyone loves her," I smiled, looking up. "And the boys?"
"Chopper is sleeping," Aayla said, running a finger down my montral. "Kix is with the others out in the barn."
"Is Chopper all right?" I asked, worried.
"Overwhelmed," Aayla nodded. "I think the children frighten him."
"It's going to take a while," I sighed.
"I talked with Nara and Neno," Aayla told me. "I asked them to be patient and not to push Chopper."
"It will take some time," I sighed. "It took me almost a month to get Chopper to sit beside me in the mess hall."
"It will be a good test of the children's patience," Aayla said before wincing in pain.
"Are they kicking?" I asked, sympathizing with her.
"It feels like my ribs," Aayla sighed, trying to lie down.
I shook my head. "Let's move," I said, pulling her up gently. "Plo used to kick when I sat still too long."
"All right," Aayla groaned as we walked out of the bedroom.
"How did you climb the stairs?" I asked.
"Stairs aren't an issue," Aayla smiled mysteriously. As we walked by one of the spare bedrooms, I looked in through the open door. Chopper was curled up into a ball, sleeping peacefully. "He's comfortable," Aayla told me, leading me away from the door. "I already checked on him and tucked him in."
I nodded, seeing that the blanket was pulled taut against Chopper's body. "The men set up the new cribs," Aayla smiled, trying to cheer me up. She dragged me into her bedroom, her excitement palpable in the Force as we walked around. The two cribs sat just under the window, which had a darker curtain to prevent too much light from shining through.
"Its dark in here," I said, pulling back the curtain.
"I've been sleeping a lot," Aayla sighed, sitting down on the bed. I noticed how tired she really looked.
"One more week left," I encouraged. "Then you'll never sleep." Aayla rolled her eyes; I just giggled before waking over to the cribs. One had a yellow blanket set, and the other a green set.
"Bly chose the colors," Aayla smiled. "They do cheer up the room."
"They do," I agreed, playing with the yellow blanket on the first bed. "Are you ready for this?"
"Were you?" Aayla laughed, shaking her head. "Of course I would end up with twins."
"I am not having twins," I declared, looking around the room; it was odd seeing children's decorations in Aayla's room. There were several paintings on the wall beside the cribs. A closer look at one painting proved that it was the farm; the buildings (no doubt drawn by an adult) were a colorful red and brown, and there were several childish drawings of nunas and eopies.
"The kids wanted to help decorate," Aayla smiled as I touched a childish drawing of an eopie. "Who did this one?"
"That's Fives' drawing," Aayla giggled. I clapped my hand over my mouth to stifle the laugh. "He was bored by watching and decided to join in."
"Did Rex draw anything?" I asked, looked around for Rexie's signature handiwork.
"No, he was in the fields. Suu drew out the buildings; Neno, Nara, and Jekk colored while Fives watched them. Angel and I were outside, reading the picture books," Aayla smiled softly, looking at the picture.
"It is very beautiful," Barriss' melodic voice chimed from the doorway. "Aayla, why…why would all of this be banned for us?" Barriss asked, coming in to sit down beside Aayla. She sounded genuinely confused. I shook my head sadly as she continued. "These children are happy…happier than the Temple's children were. They are well-balanced with no ill temperaments. And they are not jealous of one another; they all seem to know that they're well loved and feel no resentment when an adult praises another."
"That's how we try to raise them," Aayla nodded. "We do allow them to get angry, which luckily almost never happens. We allow them to feel things and decide what they wish to do about things, as long as they understand the consequences their actions will have."
Barriss was silent for a moment, staring off into space as if having an epiphany. When she spoke again, her voice was breathless. "This might actually work."
"There…there is no Order now," Aayla reminded us, tears shining in her eyes. "We have a duty to teach these children what we know, and we know the old ways don't work anymore."
"I'm going to have to learn how to adjust to this," Barriss admitted, running her hand though her hair; it seemed to be a nervous habit.
"We all did," Aayla sympathized. "It was not easy for Bly and I, either. But…tell me, Barriss, does Kix like you?"
Barriss blushed, her skin turning a color I had never seen before. "He does."
"Do you like him?" Aayla smiled, through we could all tell from the gleam in her eyes that she knew the answer.
"I am learning to," Barriss whispered, glancing down at her hands. I had to hold back my laugh at Barriss' embarrassment; there was no way she was still this innocent.
"How do I let him in?" Barriss asked, raising an eyebrow at me. I found myself wondering yet again whether or not those Force cuffs actually worked. Sticking out my tongue, I left the room to give Barriss and Aayla some privacy.
"I am going to give my spot to Chopper tonight," Fives told me, kissing my neck as he pulled me into his arms. I had just gotten out of the shower and was starting up my nightly routine. "Is that okay?"
"Are you sure?" I asked gently, running my fingers though his hair. "I don't want you to feel abandoned."
"Kix says he needs you," Fives whispered, fiddling with my montral.
"And you want to help?" I chuckled, nipping his lower lip. Fives kissed me tenderly, passionately, before reluctantly pulling away.
"We all need to help," Fives sighed, looking down at me with those big brown eyes. Hugging me tightly, he lifted me onto his hips. I automatically wrapped my legs around him, dropping my towel in the process.
"You're an amazing husband," I sighed, taking comfort in his strength. He was supporting me as if I weighed nothing.
"No, you're the amazing one," Fives laughed. "For the first time in years, Chopper is sleeping through the night. Kix says that Chopper's been more relaxed in the past two days than he's been since before they defected from the GAR." Fives' eyes lit up with excitement. "You did that."
I smiled, blushing brightly, as Fives kissed me until I ran out of air. "Can you take Plo tonight?" I asked, threading my fingers in his hair. "Chopper has been using me as his pillow; I can't move until he wakes up."
Fives laughed, "At least I'll have someone to cuddle with."
"Plo has been a little jealous," I said.
"He is only a baby," Fives reminded me. "Give him time; he'll learn."
"Speaking of babies, Aayla's bedroom looks beautiful," I giggled and winked. Fives looked around, making sure we were alone. He swung me up into his arms bridal styles before walking into the bedroom.
"It was fun," Fives smirked before unceremoniously dumping me on the bed. He laughed, lying down beside me. "I think I like painting."
"It is fun," I agreed, shivering because my skin was still partially damp.
Fives nodded, kissing me. "Rex and Chopper will be up in a few minutes, but Rex said I can have a few private moments with you."
"It's good that you got his permission," I teased good-naturedly. I knew that even though Rex was the alpha among my men, he never abused his position. If anything, sometimes I got the feeling that our current arrangement made Fives a little more comfortable, since it seemed to remind him of the "good" times in the GAR.
Fives got up to get me some fresh clothing from the wardrobe. "I don't need permission," he growled playfully. "I am your second husband, after all. I take what's mine…when it's my turn." I laughed as he continued. "And right now, Chopper needs you."
"What about your nightmares?" I asked, worried, as Fives started to dress me.
"I've been okay," Fives whispered, slipping my tank top over my head.
"Will Chopper trigger any new ones?" I asked, worried. Fives shock his head, slipping my sleep pants over my legs and kissing my stomach. He gently raised my bottom and pulled my pants up. "I'll be careful."
I laughed as Rex came into the room. Chopper followed, unsure of his place. Fives kissed my lips softly as Rex continued to speak with Chopper. "Fives and I use the same dresser, the left one," Rex explained. Fives left my side, picking some clothes out of their dresser before leading Chopper into the bathroom.
"Hello," Rex smiled, hugging me close as the door closed behind Chopper and Fives.
"Hello," I giggled, fluttering my eyelashes.
"Miss me?" Rex chuckled, kissing me until I couldn't breathe.
"I did," I said breathlessly. Rex grinned before sitting down on the bed and settling me in his lap.
"Kix looks great," Rex said. "Chopper will need some work, though."
"I noticed," I sighed, straddling Rex's lap and wrapping my arms around his neck.
"He took your death very hard," Rex informed me. "Kix told me that Bail had him sedate Chopper before he told him the news."
"I wasn't told that," I said, biting my lip.
"I wasn't supposed to tell you," Rex murmured. "But we don't keep secrets."
I shook my head. "Not about family; we can't help each other if we don't know what's wrong."
"But we will help him," Rex declared, his brown eyes determined.
"You're…okay with Chopper in our bed?" I asked Rex, hearing the water in the bathroom turn on. I could hear Fives softly chatting with Chopper.
Rex nodded. "I would allow Kix to join us also, but I think he is interested in someone else," he chuckled, tapping my nose gently.
"I think Barriss really likes him," I giggled, kissing and nipping on Rex's fingers.
"Does she…?" he trailed off.
"No. No interfering," I said in a mock-stern voice. Rex rolled his eyes before gently pushing me off his lap. Almost eagerly, he pulled back the sheets. I moved over to the other side of the bed to help him.
"New bed sheets?" I smiled, touching the soft blue sheets; they felt silk like under my fingers.
"I liked them," Rex pouted, reminding me greatly of Plo. "They feel like silk."
I put my fingers back on them and sighed. "Very nice," I grinned, crawling in between the sheets; they felt wonderful against the warm night air.
"Like them?" Rex whispered.
"Love them, and you especially," I smiled before kissing him. "They are a beautiful gift."
"Will Chopper sleep behind you?" Rex asked, moving around to his side of the bed.
"He likes to cuddle," I nodded, rolling around in the sheets; it was strangely addicting.
"He always did," Rex chuckled. Chopper came out of the bathroom, Fives following after him. I sat up as Rex guided Chopper over to the bed, trying to calm him down.
"Right here," I told Chopper, patting Fives' side of the bed. Chopper hesitated, halting just two feet from the bed. "Come to bed, Chopper." He turned to his brothers, conflicted. Fives nodded in encouragement before giving Chopper a gentle shove towards me. I grabbed his arm, pulling him down onto the bed.
"Fives shares, Chopper. Don't be so nervous," I whispered.
"And Rex?" Chopper swallowed nervously, looking to the bathroom that Rex had disappeared into.
"Night," Fives whispered, stealing a kiss before leaving the room. I smiled at him and he winked.
"This was Rex's idea in the first place; if he didn't like it, he would have said no," I smiled, running a thumb down Chopper's scarred face. "I am still in charge of our little pack, but I take everyone's feelings into consideration. Rex and Fives feel that you need our help, and they are willing to help you, Chopper. As am I. Even if you just choose to remain friends with us, we will always be here to help and support you. That is what you need to understand."
I leant forward and kissed Chopper's forehead, "Rex will be in front of us."
"Just like old times," Chopper smiled gently.
"We're not that old," I whispered.
"You're not," Chopper smiled sadly. I felt the weight of the bed change as Rex laid down beside me.
"No philosophy tonight," I begged Chopper.
"Good night, aid'ka," Rex said, kissing me softly and running a hand over a montral. Chopper pulled me closer, and I settled my back against his front, using his arm as a pillow. "Night, Chopper," Rex smiled over my shoulder as Chopper snuggled in closer, holding me tightly. Almost as if expecting that I would disappear sometime during the night.