Chapter Eight

Ten Years Later…

Karis sat in the homemade rocking chair that sat on the front porch of the small house that she had lived in the last ten years. She watched as the twin moons rose in the sky shaking away the last bit of light that had been left behind. Before her lay the field that had been farmed with as much caring and love as she and her family could muster. Her family which now consisted of not only her and the man whom she continued to love but also the four children that they now had. Mia who had grown to be a beautiful young lady of fifteen. She had grown to be strong, interdependent and very attached to her adopted father which never ceased to amuse Karis. The big bad former general of the First Order was a complete marshmallow in the young girls hands. All she would have to do was to look at him with her doe like eyes and he would say yes to anything she wanted to do.

Next was their first son nine year old Alexander Alexander. He was shy, smart and looked just like his father with the red hair and striking blue eyes. He was an inventor of sorts. Always tooling around with whatever materials that he found creating to his hearts desire. He too was very close to his father. Never more than two steps behind him. Alexander and Ari had been inseparable since the day he had been born and placed in his fathers arms. Karis had never seen a happier man.

Their second son Eoin was much more like his mother. At six years old with her dark hair and dark eyes he was a force to be reckoned with. He had her adventurous spirit but was much more out going than his older siblings. He was dotted on and seemed to get away with whatever mischief he seemed to find himself in. He favored his mother but he too was close to his father. He had a big heart and an even bigger smile. He was always a happy child and found the joy in just about everything you could imagine. Currently all three sat out in the yard staring up at the sky as the stars began to come out one by one. This was always a favorite time for the small family. She heard the mumbles of her children as Mia explained what each star was and met.

Karis looked down at the small bundle that was wrapped in a thick blanket nestled in her arms, their youngest. She was only a few days old and had come as a happy surprise. She was tiny but lively. Little Rowan, her little star.

"Hey little, its going to be a good life here." She said softly as slightly rocked in her chair. It had been a gift from Ari at the birth of their first child. They had discovered a lot about each what surprised her the most was how good Ari was with his hands. He was found to be a surprisingly good farmer and even better craftsmen. The two of them had built their own house and they had discovered on the small planet they had found that a lot of the inhabitants where like them. Those looking to start a new life away from whatever terrible fate their worlds had beheld. A new sanctuary so to speak and they were blissfully happy. A hand fell gently on her shoulder and she looked up to meet the eyes of her lover.

"How are you feeling dove?" He asked as he bent down and gave his finger to his newest daughter. Rowan grasped as held on tight causing her father to give off the brightest smile she had ever seen.

"I'm good, we're good just tired." She answered but no less happy.

"You are amazing. Have I ever told you that?" She chuckled slightly and he kissed the side of her forehead.

"Yes, actually, quite regularly." She reached her one hand up and placed it on his cheek bringing his eyes to meet hers. "And you are equally amazing." Then she kissed him which he returned with enthusiasm. When they pulled away he squatted down so that he was eye level with her.

"Well then I also must tell you how much I love you and that I wouldn't be at this point or even alive if it hadn't been for you. All of this wouldn't have even been a remote possibility without you. You make me better and I wouldn't want this with anyone else."

"Oh Ari, I didn't think this was possible for me either and you have given me such gifts in these kids. I never dreamed that I would have a family and yet here we are. I love you too, more than you can imagine." He smiled contently at her as he looked down at Rowan who still gripped her fathers finger. He used his other hand to gently brush the yawning infants cheek. She was a mix of both of her parents, dark auburn hair with some of her fathers features and her mothers small stature.

"Lets get the two of you inside and I'll round up the others." He said softly not really wanting to leave this moment.

"Just a few more minutes. There won't be many more nights like this before the cold season moves in. Let them enjoy it for a bit longer." He nodded in agreement but not before looking back up at her.

"Okay, but don't let yourself get too cold out here. You're still recovering." She smiled with a shake of her head.

"Ari I gave birth. Women have been doing it for centuries."

"I know, I still worry."

"That's my job isn't?" She asked him kindly.

"Well it's mine my job to protect you, all of you."

"And you do, everyday." He kissed her again and when he pulled away to really look at her.

"Okay." He said with a smile. "Just a bit longer."

A/N So originally this was going to be a short one shot but just kept going. I hope you all liked it. I know it was different and soppy but there you go. I hope you enjoyed and please let me know what you think.