Another perfect Editing job by Taraum!

The argument about moving the children ended once Bail agreed with the men. Bail thought that it would be best for everyone to lay low for a short time, and he kindly offered us one of his houses on Alderaan to use at least until the end of the winter season on Endor.

The cottage was located deep in the country. Not many people knew of its existence, making it the perfect place for a mismatched family to stay. He promised that the summer house would be stripped down to all but the bare essentials, especially everything breakable, so that the children wouldn't end up breaking any priceless artifacts. Bail also promised that all the humanoid servants would be reassigned, so that no one would be tempted to betray us for any bounty on our heads.

Eventually, it was decided that Suu, Cut, Barriss, Kix, Chopper and I would take all the children to the summer house. Aayla, Bly, Fives, and Rex would stay home and take care of the farm. As much as Shaeeah wanted to come with us and enjoy the summer air, she decided to stay on Endor for her midwife exams. The doctor was trying to get her certified, so that if Shaeeah wanted to move away one day and practice on another planet, she could.

I was pleasantly surprised when Bail personally came to take us to Alderaan. He smiled and told me that it was because he had wanted to meet Suu and the children. And although I knew that was one reason, I also knew that it was because he didn't want us to use a public transport.

Jekk came with us. He wasn't quite ready to live away from his parents for so long. I was hoping he would be able to spend some time alone with them, since the "cottage" was apparently several times the size of our house. Neno was afraid of leaving his mother, but Aayla assured him that it was for the best. I promised Neno that he could crawl into bed with me anytime he wanted. After a talk with his parents, he reluctantly came with us. Nara seemed to enjoy the idea of being somewhere new and looked forward to the upcoming adventures the house had to offer. The Twi'lek duo were too young to know what was happening, but I knew Aayla's heart was silently breaking as she and Bly passed their twins to Suu and Cut.

Taking Plo from Fives was heartbreaking. He started wriggling and crying for daddy and papa. Eventually, Bail took Plo from me, ignoring his screams as he loaded him onto the ship in order to give me a few uninterrupted moments with my husbands.

Rex quickly gathered me into his arms, promising that this was all for the best. I wanted to believe him but was unable to stop the sobs from shaking my shoulders. Rex and I had never been apart for this long before. Even after my knighting, we had never been apart for more than two months. I had already had a tearful goodbye with both of them earlier that morning, which had ended with Rex and I making love in the bed and later Fives and I making love in the shower. Chopper smiled sadly at Fives, as both of them watched me.

"Just go and have fun," Rex whispered, gently releasing me. "It's only three months."

It might as well have been a lifetime, but I kissed both Rex and Fives once more before Chopper led me onto the ship. Chopper hugged me close once we got on the ship, but my tears didn't stop until we had left the system.

"You call this a cottage?" Suu gaped, turning to Bail. He just grinned as he led us towards the building. Cut, Chopper, and Kix has told us to go ahead with the children, so they could unload the ship without the little ones underfoot. The house was a mansion, as I had once heard Padme say.

"This is our vineyard retreat," Bail smiled as he led us. "The yield hasn't been as productive in the last few years, so I bought some new properties further south. I brought in some droids to analyze the soil this year, so I didn't need any staff here. It's perfect for your family."

Suu shook her head as we walked down the large driveway, the children rushing off in the direction of the large pond. Barriss smiled as she followed, holding little Elle on her hip. The little Twi'lek looked unsure about her new surroundings; her twin, however, was excitedly exploring with Nara.

"The pond is clean and full of fish," Bail explained, pointing at it. "It houses several ducks and a swan or two. I also had the smaller barn animals brought back for the summer, so the children would have some animals to play with. Most of them are used to Leia and her cousins, so they shouldn't be a problem. They are also easy to care for, an added bonus in keeping the children busy." I smiled, thankful for Bail's incredible kindness.

"The house is a little big, but at Aayla's request I had it stripped down to just the essentials. But due to its size, I think you should use the cleaning droids." I agreed with the idea as Bail led us into the house. All the expensive furniture had been replaced with simpler, durable furniture.

"I know the rooms are much bigger than your family is used to," Bail said, though it almost sounded like an apology. "Without all the decorations, the house does seem a little naked."

"It's safer this way," I assured Bail as I looked around. It would be impossible to even dream of replacing anything the children broke. "But it does give us room for some pretty big pillow forts."

"Yes, it does," Bail laughed. "You always have something in mind."

"Obi-Wan taught me well," I smiled sadly as Bail led us into a second room.

"This is the dining room," Bail told us as he walked over to the dark mahogany table, which was big enough to seat twenty people. "It's just one long table, but its durable, so I had the droids keep it here. If it can survive my child, it can survive anything."

I could smell the faint aroma of cookies coming from the other room as I walked around the large table. "And through here is the kitchen," Bail explained as he led us into it. " I know it's a lot more advanced than you're both used to." That was an understatement, I decided, as we watched a droid roll a ball of bread dough. "I think you both should let him do all the work," Bail smiled softly. "It makes him happy."

"Do you have a name?" I asked the droid as I reached for a cookie from his collection.

"I am Cooking Unit 23, the household chef droid," the gray robot told me as he passed me a plate to use. "Use a plate. The floors were just washed."

"Sorry," I grinned sheepishly. "May we call you Coo?"

"That is allowed," he told me before he rolled away to finish his work.

"He can stay," Suu winked. Bail smiled at her and led us up the stairs to the second level.

"My wife tells me that this is the most important room in the house," Bail teased as we walked into a large bathroom. The bathroom was bigger than my bedroom back at the farm, with a balcony off to one side. The doors were opened, the warm breeze blowing in through the gossamer curtains.

"How are we going to bathe the children in this?" Suu asked in dismay as we examined the huge tub, which was almost big enough for two (perhaps even three) people.

"The other rooms have smaller tubs," Bail laughed as Suu shook her head.

"I am going to spend a lot of time in here," I grinned, running my hand over the smooth porcelain. "Barriss will too."

"It seems like such a waste of water," Suu bit her lip as she looked at the tub.

"We can have Neno swim in here," I teased, looking around the room.

"Try it once," Bail encouraged her as we moved around the room. "Water isn't an issue on this planet, so you don't have to worry about it," he smiled. "But if you don't like the tub, there is a shower."

"Oh," I breathed, examining the three-spicket shower head behind the glass doors.

"And there is a beach for swimming," Bail told us as we walked out onto the balcony. "You can see it from here."

"You can see everything from here," Suu gasped, leaning over the railing to watch the children play a game of tag with Jekk. Chopper was sitting with the twins as Plo and Barriss brought over a small, furry animal for the others to pet.

"So most of them are Force sensitive?" Bail asked as I passed him some tea. I could hear Suu laughing as Neno decided he would try to ride one of the extremely fuzzy sheep. The sheep seemed to enjoy the "abuse" by the children, standing still as Neno wiggled around on his back.

"The majority," I nodded as I mixed sugar into my tea. "All except Jekk and Plo."

"They keep you busy," Bail laughed as we both watched the children.

"I enjoy it," I smiled as I hugged my knees. "Every insane little moment."

"There must be a lot of them," Bail said as we watched Plo copy Neno by climbing onto a second sheep.

"You have no idea," I giggled as Barriss fussed at Plo to get off the other sheep.

"They seem to be adjusting well," Bail decided before going silent for several moments.

"We are trying," I told him, biting my lip as I watched them all.

"That's all we can do," Bail murmured to me. "Just keep positive, and the children seem to follow. But these are very happy children, so you must be doing something right."

"I hope so," I smiled as Barriss took Plo off the sheep and instead gave him some hay to feed it with.

"I have spoken with Suu, and I believe it would be best if only she goes to town," Bail told me.

"Suu?" I asked.

"Twi'leks are a large minority here. They have several settlements around this area," Bail smiled softly. "Too many new faces would raise suspicion."

"Jekk will go with her, right?" I asked in concern.

"Of cause," Bail nodded. "But it would be best if you, Barriss, and the men stayed home."

"I hate it, but I understand why it has to be this way," I agreed sadly.

"There's also another thing," Bail said, and his gaze became worried. "When we bring Leia up here, I need to ask that none of the children use the Force around her. Leia has begun to show signs; she's been having dreams, yet they always come true…Breha and I both agree it would be best if she doesn't know what is happening. We both fear what would happen if Vader learns of her presence."

"I understand," I nodded sadly. I wasn't even sure if Vader knew I was still alive…and for everyone's sake, I hoped he didn't. "We will explain the situation to the children."

"Thank you," Bail smiled.

"We can never repay you for all this kindness," I smiled sadly.

"And I will never ask you to," Bail said resolutely, taking my hand in his and squeezing it.