-Eternal-
They're outside, taking a walk with the baby for the first time. Kyp holds Kyrie close, telling her about everything around them even though the infant is asleep and wouldn't understand anyway. Jaina thinks it's the cutest thing she's ever seen. Of course, she's probably biased.
A cargo freighter banks low overhead, turning to approach the landing field on the other side of the base. Jaina watches it idly.
"And over here is the garden where Mommy and Daddy have had lots of conversations," he's saying now. "I was going to ask Mommy to marry me here, but she got to it first."
Jaina grins. Kyp has been nothing but a very devoted father since Kyrie's birth, even handling diaper duty with a relatively cheerful nature. No one relishes diaper duty, but he hasn't complained once. And their daughter is definitely a daddy's girl. Jaina can calm her well enough, but Kyp's presence alone is enough to soothe the baby.
His commlink goes off, interrupting her musing and his tour guide monologue. Holding Kyrie to his chest with one hand, he retrieves it off his belt. "Durron."
"Master Durron, this is Jedi Dorvald. There's someone here, came in on the supply ship. They say they're looking for Master Durron."
"Which one?" Kyp asks.
"I don't know. I commed you because I figure Jaina is busy."
Kyp glances her way and raises a brow. Jaina shrugs. She isn't expecting anyone. "We'll be right there."
They cut through the main building, since fences and outbuildings make the long way around very long. Kyp still has the baby, absentmindedly patting her tiny back as they walk.
"Who do you think it is?" Jaina asks.
"I honestly have no idea," he confesses.
They reach the landing field, where visitor ships come and go. The Jedi ships are in one of two hangars to either side: to the right are the X-Wings, to the left are the shuttles and personal craft of the various Jedi. In the middle, on the duracrete surface of the landing field, sits the cargo shuttle.
Kyp suddenly stops, eyes going wide, and hands Jaina the baby. Through their bond, he's projecting shock and a hesitant joy he's trying to suppress. She turns, sees Seha Dorvald standing by the cargo ship, red braid trailing down her back, talking to a tall, thin being with yellow and green mottled skin, a bulbous head, and narrow eyes. A Khommite, Jaina thinks, though she hasn't seen one in years, and suddenly she understands.
Her husband practically runs over to the newcomer, Jaina following a little more slowly so she doesn't jostle the baby. As she reaches them, she hears Kyp say, "You're from Khomm."
"I am," the being says. The voice is the same as her vague memories. "Are you Kyp Durron?"
"Yes," he says fervently. "What generation are you? 83? 84?"
"85," the Khommite says. His eyes search Kyp's face. "I am Dorsk 85. Unfortunately, Dorsk 84 perished not long after his cloning."
Jaina looks to Kyp. He practically vibrates, he's so happy. It's sad to hear of Dorsk 84's death, but all the same, this is a very big deal to her husband.
"And you're here . . ." Kyp trails off.
Dorsk 85 bobs his head. "I am told I show Force-sensitivity. I have heard tales of Dorsk 81 and 82 and their bravery, and I would like to follow in their footsteps. I was told to find you. I went to Coruscant first, but they directed me to Hapes. The Queen Mother told me to come here on this supply ship. Am I . . . welcome here?"
Kyp grins broadly. "Oh, yes. Dorsks 81 and 82 were two of my best friends. You are very, very welcome here, Dorsk 85."
He holds out his hand, and after a moment, the alien shakes it. Jaina hides her smile by kissing the top of Kyrie's fuzzy head.
The two males turn and go into the building. Jaina lingers by Seha for a moment, to give them some space.
"Who is that?" the younger Jedi asks.
"Oh Khomm, they reproduce by cloning," Jaina tells her. "When Kyp was at the academy, he was friends with Dorsk 81, who died. Dorsk 82 came to learn, and he was Kyp's best friend until he died, too, during the war against the Yuuzhan Vong. Kyp also knew Dorsk 83. Dorsk 85 is . . . well, technically, he's Dorsk 82's great-grandson."
"Wow." Seha doesn't seem to know what else to say, so she goes back to checking the manifest lists for the cargo shipment.
Jaina heads back into the building. To Kyrie, she says, "Some things don't end when we die. The Force, Kyrie, is a very powerful thing. It binds us all, and it keeps love going, even after death. And that, my darling girl, makes all we endure worth it."
Kyrie blinks dark eyes for a moment, then falls back asleep. Jaina brushes her lips over the wispy hairs on her daughter's head, and goes to find her husband.
