Raal loved everything there was to Freneá Cortess. He envied her innocence and cheer, her bright smile. He was always entertained by her enthusiasm, her . He adored the way she always smiled broadly, showing most of her teeth, and threw her head back when she laughed. He loved laughing with her, enjoying that brilliant smile more than whatever had caused it. She was exciting to be around, could flip his day around with nothing more than the cheerful aura about her. stunning and flawless and Raal was in love with every bit of it.
Then, there were all the small things- the everyday, little details of things. Quirks, habits, aneurysms, simple personality traits. One of Raal's favorites was her closet. Freneá held a passion for what she dressed herself in and Raal was always left speechless when he got to see what new clothing item she'd found. Freneá had a very specific taste in clothes, though Raal didn't think she realized it despite the redundancy. She loved anything red, sinfully scarlet, or a sunny yellow. Polka dots were a common appearance as well. However, she favored antique floral patterns above all else. She made them look modern, like she could revive a dying, wilting bush back to a lively rainforest. She was a flower, he thought, and she was the showpiece of the bouquet.
"Good morning," she beamed as she entered the dining room and came to sit in Raal's lap. "Good morning, angel," he greeted back, setting the morning's paper on the table and slipping his hands over her hips. He looked up to meet her eyes- they held the same cheer which they always did, but they were dark with exhaustion. Even her supreme skills with a makeup kit couldn't hide the toll the pregnancy was having on her. "Did you sleep well?"
"Just fine. You know, you don't have to turn off the alarm clock. I can get up the same time you do."
"Love, you're carrying our child. You need some extra sleep."
Freneá shook her head, dismissing the topic. "The caterer called back," she told him, already scooting out of his lap. She took her seat where Stila had already set out her breakfast.
"And?"
"I don't think we could afford it." She lowered her gaze to her plate.
Raal nodded. He wasn't entirely surprised. Following the Empire's attack on Alderaan five years ago, most of the noble houses had given up their wealth to aid in paying for the rebuilding of Alderaan and also for all the families who lost loved ones. The damages had been catastrophic and Houses Thul, Organa, Panteer, Alde and half a dozen others hadn't hesitated to help pay for the mess. Cortess had been the only house not to, keeping all their wealth and riches. By default, they were easily the wealthiest noble house now. Freneá could have kept that, could have ignored Raal and stayed loyal to her parents. But she hadn't. Now, she and Raal were preparing for a baby and trying to pull off a wedding fitting for two nobles with a citizen's income. Raal didn't regret aiding his home in rebuilding and Freneá didn't condemn him for it. They'd figure it out, Raal swore to her every morning and night.
"Raal, just let me return the dress-"
"No! No, you are keeping the dress. I promised you that beautiful dress and you are going to wear it on our wedding day."
"You haven't even seen the dress!"
"But I know you have an extravagant taste in clothing. Besides, you could make anything look beautiful."
"Flirt," she teased.
"Only for you."
Freneá got back up and went through the door to the kitchen. He followed her. She stopped before a cabinet and Raal helped her reach her vitamins. He reached up from behind her, over her head, resting his free hand over the protruding bump at her midsection. She giggled, laying a hand over his.
"I haven't said 'good morning' yet to my sweet pea," he said as he handed her the small container. He dropped to his haunches to hold Freneá's hips and press his nose against her belly. "How is he?"
She laughed again, threading her hands into his hair. "You change your mind every day."
"Well, if I insist on a certain gender, then I have half a chance of being wrong!"
She shook her head. "I think we were right about thinking that the baby's already moving. I keep feeling that flutter."
"That's amazing, angel." Raal kissed her belly again. "That's just beautiful."
"It is. The baby's growing so fast. Imagine how huge I'll be by the wedding!"
Now Raal shook his head at her, rising back to his feet and reigning her back into his arms. "You'll look so gorgeous. Just hot."
"Raal!" Freneá laughed mellifluously. "The dress hardly matters to me," she insisted, looping her arms around his neck.
"But I know it matters more than you'll ever admit. There's nothing wrong with that. I want to be able to give you the wedding you've always dreamed of having."
"But there's also nothing wrong if I don't get it. Raal, we're going to be a family. We'll be married, then it won't be long after we're married that we're going to have a baby."
"A family," he echoed, his hands still covering her belly. "That sounds wonderful."
"Even more wonderful than a dress."
"I still want to see you in that dress."
Freneá's smile was sly, mocking. She threw her head back and sighed loudly. "Fine!" She gently pushed herself out of his arms but lingered where she stood with her hands still caught in his. "I can't wait to show you."
"And I can't wait to see."
