Miriah stretched and yawned. They'd decided to head back to the ranch last night, after seeing three quarters of the invasion vanquished. They'd landed at almost midnight, and Miriah had headed straight for her tub and then bed. She felt refreshed, and was glad, since her energy had been low the day after rescuing Logan. She had heard Corso get up earlier, felt his soft kiss on her cheek, but let him go. I can be lazy today, she thought, and went to the shower, feeling at peace with herself.
Lana frowned at her holo. The requests for an interview were growing, and she hated to ask Miriah. Maybe, she thought, if we could get the message out there that we're not vulnerable, that the Alliance would work with the Republic when necessary, would satisfy not only the media but the constant little tests that the Empire kept sending. Just yesterday, they'd had to shoot down two fighters on the border of wild space. They're getting braver, she thought, and sighed, rubbing her abdomen. She calculated the time on Dantooine and decided to wait to call. But I will call Miriah, she thought, and sipped her juice.
Caly was cleaning the kitchen when her mother came in, and stopped to hug her. "Mom, what can I get you?" she asked, but Miriah was shaking her head.
"You just cleaned, I'll grab some fruit or something," Miriah answered, but Caly was already pulling her to sit at the table.
"I can make you an omelet. One skillet." Miriah saw the determination in her daughter's eyes and thought about their time in the small farmhouse only a couple of days ago. Caly has truly come into her own, she thought, but smiled.
"Sounds wonderful," she said, and saw Caly's face light up. She's a treasure, Miriah thought. She saw Torian coming up the path and laughed to herself. And he treasures her, too. Maybe that's why she's so confident and strong. She saw Corso heading inside too, and felt her insides heat up. He was absently scratching the emerging beard she had told him she liked before he looked up and caught her gaze, giving her a slow smile. This is shaping up to be an excellent day, she thought.
Devin looked at Lana's report and sat back in the big chair, which didn't look so oversized with him in it. He was letting his mind drift when he heard his daughter speaking to him. Mimi, she said. Pappa. Come home? He smiled at her progress in the force, and told her, Soon. At least I hope, soon, he thought. With all the other things going on in the galaxies, Mom needs to think about getting back here, but the coverage of the ousting of the Empire from Dantooine was broadcast every ten minutes or so on the holo net. It made the Alliance look very strong, he had to admit. Still, I'm ready to see them. Smiling, he started on the first datapad.
Miriah was sitting at her desk on Dantooine when the call came in from Lana. Pleased to see her friend looking so well, she grinned. "Pregnancy looks good on you, Lana. How's the little one?"
"Everyone is well," Lana blushed. "I forwarded you the info about the interview I mentioned. They're calling every day now, and with the tide turned on your end, it might be a good move to announce our victory to a broad audience."
"Hmm, maybe you're right, Lana. Corso is ready to be back on Odessen, should I wait until then?"
"They want to meet at Carrick Station," Lana explained, but she could see Miriah already shaking her head.
"Odessen. We can use the conference room, and I'll set a date next week. We'll be there by then." Lana was quiet for a moment, but nodded.
"Agreed, it would be best to control the circumstances. We won't be able to edit it, as it will be a live broadcast, but I don't feel any deception in the request."
"And the Alliance banners will be the backdrop." Miriah smiled, yes, that would be the best plan. "It'll be good to be back." She realized it was the truth, that her work and life was on Odessen.
Lana's smile softened her face, enhancing her glow. "I'll be glad to have my friend return." They signed off and Miriah noticed that she wasn't stressed. At all.
Caly was preparing lunch when Torian pulled her into his arms. "Let me help," he told her. "Everything on the ranch is working as usual."
Caly smiled at him, and pushed him to the side. "You can toast the bread, I've got sandwich stuff ready. When you put it in the oven, go ring that big black bell on the deck." She'd forgotten about the bell until this morning, when she was ready to serve breakfast but no one was in sight.
"Aye, Captain," Torian teased, and Caly rewarded him with a laugh. She pulled the bread from the oven and heard the bell. Minutes later, they all filed in to the table.
"This looks so good," Miriah told her. "Tomatoes from the farm garden, fresh vegetables. I need to see if Arcann can grow this variety, they're my favorites."
"We'll take some with us," Corso told her, putting a sandwich in front of her. "When do you all want to go back?"
"I know we were thinking in a week or so," Aric said, "but honestly I'm ready. I miss Caitlin, I'm sure she's grown so much." Aric saw Maura duck her head and knew she was hiding tears.
"I agree. I love being here, but I think it's time," Miriah said, then took a bite of her lunch. They continued to discuss the timeline, but Aric's words resonated with Miriah. She helped Lara get James fed, and then held the baby while the young woman had a chance to eat, and knew they needed to go back. Corso had been watching her off and on, and he saw that she was relaxed and content. As long as she's not stressed and exhausted, I have no issue with going back. She turned to smile at him, a sleeping Lucas in her arms, and he leaned forward to kiss her, so glad his wife was back from her descent into someone he barely recognized.
Solasta received the notification of the Commander's imminent return and smiled. Good, she thought. I need to speak to Aric and Maura and I know Devin will be glad. She turned to refill her mug and sighed. She had been debating on taking a week of leave, and with Miriah on the way home soon, she thought it might be a good time. Aissa was such a lively child, and it would be good to enjoy taking her around the planet. She smiled at the list of sites she'd already thought about, and she was sure Gursan would be able to take some time as well. A contented smile covered her face, and she felt as if she were taking a deep breath for the first time since she'd been told that Miriah had been taken off planet. We can't let her get to that state again, she thought, and hoped they had a good trip back.
Miriah joined Caly in making dinner, laughing and talking together. When the table was ready, they didn't have to ring the bell, the whole family was present, smelling Miriah's pasta sauce. Caly was excited that she was able to follow along, and hoped her own would be as good. As she'd thought, there were a couple of things her mom did differently, that no one who wasn't paying attention would have known. Recipes are often like that, Miriah had explained. Cooks do things a little differently, the ingredients are slightly different, and it changes the whole project. She sat beside Torian, who kissed her cheek. "Smells so good," he said, and when the dishes were all passed, they attacked the meal, laughing and telling stories. They'd decided to head back once everything was washed and put away, and the anticipation was growing.
"Let's tell Dev we're heading out," Miriah said, and they gathered in the office. Once the holo had connected, they could see that Devin was in the war room. "Hey, son!" she said, and saw his face light up.
"Hey, everyone!" Man, it's good to see them, he thought.
"We're taking off in about half an hour, headed back," Miriah said, and he felt like his smile wouldn't be contained it grew so large.
"I'm glad," he said softly. "I've missed you all."
"We've missed being with you," Corso said, his arm around his wife.
"We've got some great stories to tell you," Caly chimed in, and he nodded his head.
"Anyway, just wanted to give you a heads up," Aric said.
"We'll be waiting with food and drink," Devin said, and they cheered. "Be safe. The kiddos are going to be so happy!" He was, too, he thought.
"We will. Tell Coleen, will you?" Maura said, and he nodded. He'd seen her lately with a young Mando guy, and she looked happy.
"See you soon!" Miriah saw her son wave as his image faded. I really want to be there, she thought.
Lana had gotten an encrypted message with the group's plans, and lifted her fists in the air in triumph. She'd had a feeling, when she'd talked to Miriah earlier, that her boss was ready to get back to work, and just having her on the planet made Lana feel better. Tali had noticed the high spirits in their force connection, and made her way to the bed where Lana had been resting. "The 'Mander is coming home?" she asked, and Lana hugged her close.
"She is," Lana replied, and Tali grinned at her, a hole where her first tooth had fallen out just yesterday, prompting a major meltdown until Lana explained another would grow in.
"I'm glad. I missed her," Tali said, and Lana was happy, just holding her children close.
"Me, too," Lana said, and her thoughts turned to getting things in place for the interview. She was thinking about that, and the fact that Tali needed new clothes, since she had gotten taller, and that the school year would be starting soon, when she felt a flutter inside, like a tickle against her skin. She focused on it and waited, and in a minute the flutter came again. She gently rubbed her skin over the spot, but couldn't fee it there, only inside. She felt her heart soar at the feeling, and couldn't contain the laugh that bubbled out.
Caly had packed her things, rolling her knives up in their protective packaging and wrapping the spices she had brought. It's time, she thought. I want to make more videos, and ask Uncle Aric about more weapons classes. With a happy smile, she closed her small bag and took it out to the door, where she joined Torian for the walk to the ship. He'd been quiet all day, she thought, and though he smiled at her, he'd seemed distant. "What's going on that head?" she teased.
"Just thinking of how to help all the troops here," he said. "They have supplies and things, but I'd wager that from now on, there will be a lot of activity here and in orbit."
Caly nodded. "I would imagine so. The Imps don't give up easily." They were almost at the ship when he drew her off the path.
"Caly, what would you think if we eventually ended up here? I could coordinate the troops and movement, and report directly to Odessen. We could raise our warriors here." He saw the surprise on her face, and hurried to explain. "Not right now, but in the future?"
"I would be open to living here, although that is a really big house for just two. And I'm not ready for children of my own, Torian. Not for a bit."
"I know," he answered. "Nor am I, right now. But I'm thinking a few years down the line." With his words, Caly smiled.
"A few years? I'm in," she told him, and he pulled her to him, a quick kiss then they were giggling, running to the ship.
Miriah boarded, Corso behind her, and immediately went to the bridge. The preflight engines were already humming, and Miriah grinned. Aric is anxious, she thought, but I am, too. Once everyone was strapped in for the take off, Miriah took the ship almost straight vertical, gaining whoops of delight from her passengers. All but Corso, that is, who looked a little green by the time she'd leveled them off and in the direction of the hyperlane. Once the hyperdrive was engaged, they stood and made their way to their quarters, since it was already late. Miriah stretched out on their bed, and Corso lay beside her, facing her. Gently, he touched her face, letting his fingertips trace her cheekbones and down her chin to her neck. "You look sad," she told him, and pulled his face so that she could look into his eyes. There she saw the depth of his emotion, and it almost brought her to tears.
"What happens now, darlin'? We're going back to the place and position that makes you loose yourself in stress and anxiety. I don't want it to happen again." He closed his eyes as she touched his face with her palm, her fingers curling into his hair.
"I don't either. I know it's always a possibility, but I'll do my very best not to fall into that trap again."
"You'll set reasonable hours? Eat properly? Rest?" he asked. "We've tried this before, but there's always something." He pulled her into his body, tucking her head under his chin. "You're precious to me, Mir. I need you to commit to being good to yourself. I can remind you, but ultimately, you have to carry through."
Miriah nodded. "I will," she whispered. It was only hours later that Mirirah thought about her husband's words. I will do a better job of taking care of myself, she vowed as he pulled her against him. For Corso and myself. Closing her eyes, she let herself dream of a day when she could relax every day, and the responsibility of the Alliance would be on someone else's shoulders.