Corso looked down at his sweat soaked shirt and leaned on the nearby fence. They had landed early this morning, and the detail had taken Miriah directly to her office. He couldn't read the expression on her face, but he knew she was doing her best to stay positive. Arcann had requested he come down to the annex to give his opinion of some ronto they'd just brought in from a neighboring planet, and he'd agreed. Now, he realized he'd forgotten how hot it would be on Odessen compared to the overall cooler climate where their ranch was on Dantooine. He wiped his face with his shirt and waited for Arcann, who was doing the last radio tags. He was enjoying the feel of the breeze that had kicked up when he saw the long, black hair on his shoulder and smiled. They'd spent the time before Odessen in bed, and had enjoyed every second. His insides grew hot as he thought of his lips on her skin, skimming all those places he knew and loved. He was startled from his thoughts by a loud whoop, and looked over to see some of the workers shooing the new animals into a holding barn for quarantine. "Thanks for coming down," Arcann said, and Corso turned to him. "I know you all just landed, but I didn't want to accept any inferior stock."
"I'll send you the program we use on Dantooine, I wrote it years ago to match the bulls with the best options."
"I think Logan already set it up for us. I have to say, I was surprised to see him take his young ones and leave for Dantooine."
Corso nodded. "We were, too." He told Arcann what had gone on, the shuttle being shot down all the way through getting Miriah and his children back to safety.
"Sounds like it was an eventful trip." Arcann could see that Corso was ready to be back on the base, and thanked him again. As he watched the Mantellian leave, he shook his head. The Commander seemed to always find herself at the front lines, he thought, and wondered if Shae would ever be in the same position.
Devin had moved into the office next door from his mother's and was there when the detail brought her down the hall. "Mom!" he said, and saw her emerge from her guard, rushing to him.
"Son, it's good to see you!" She held on, but Devin didn't mind. It seemed a very long time since he'd hugged her.
"No one here knew you were on the way in," he said, when he could see her eyes.
"We hoped to land without fanfare, and get settled before we did anything. Didn't work out that way," she said, a wry smile on her face.
"Well, the way we have things divided up, you only have to approve items and take official calls. Lana says she will contact you later today with the interview details." His face grew serious. "Are you sure about doing that, Mom?"
Miriah nodded. "I think it will settle some questions within the Alliance, as well as the Republic." She'd been apprehensive before, but for some reason, she didn't feel worried about this interview. "Caly and Torian are cooking for everyone, so we can all get together tonight." With another hug, Miriah left for her office, and Devin settled in to work, his heart light now that his parents were back.
Sarai had made her way home but knew that was all she would be able to manage for a while. She directed the droid to hang up her clothes but stretched out on her bed, toeing off her shoes. She pulled the warm quilt over her, and had closed her eyes when Mags rushed to her side. "Mom! What's happened?"
"Nothing at all. I'm just tired," Sarai answered, and saw from Mags face that she was upset.
"I want to do a full physical," Magdalane declared, and Sarai sat up.
"I will do as you wish, but not today. I don't plan on moving today." She lay back and smiled at her oldest daughter. "Honestly, Mags. I'm just going to rest."
"Will you promise to call if you need me?"
"Of course," Sarai said, and Mags squeezed her hand.
"Okay, then. I'll check in later." She watched Mags leave and closed her eyes again. She fell asleep quickly, and apart from the droid doing laundry, the apartment was still and quiet.
Aric and Maura were anxious to see their little Caitlin, and once their gear was hastily thrown into the apartment, they went up the five floors to Coleen's door. Aric was standing behind Maura, both their faces alight with the anticipation of seeing their granddaughter, when a tall, dark haired man opened the door, half dressed. Aric's face immediately went dark. "This is our daughter's apartment," he roared. "Who the hell are you?" They saw the young man's eyes grow wide just before their daughter appeared at his side.
"Mom! Dad! I had no idea you'd be back today," she said, blushing hotly.
"Obviously," Aric snarled. Ty started backing up, reaching the chair and his shirt at the same time. "What's going on, Coleen?"
"Ty and I have been..seeing each other for a month or so now," she said, starting off meekly but finding her voice. "As you can see, he slept here, on the sofa, because it was late when we got Caitlin down." Maura glanced at the bedding on the sofa, and back at her husband.
Aric stared down the young man. Finally, he held his hand out to him. "Colonel Aric Jorgan, this is my wife, Colonel Maura Jorgan. And you are?"
Ty swallowed hard and resisted the urge to salute. "Tyvark Karda, but please, call me Ty," he said, his mouth dry with nerves.
"What are your intentions regarding my daughter," Aric asked, and Coleen leaped between them.
"Dad! What are you doing? I am an adult," she spit out, her temper getting the best of her.
"An adult who has kept her parents busy helping her for the past months. Not that we minded," Aric said, seeing Maura's narrowed gaze. "But if there's the possibility of this not going right, I want to know now."
"Sir, I have great feelings for Coleen, and for Caitlin. I hope to one day call them my own, but I do not want to rush things. I understand that trust is earned." Ty stood tall, and Maura saw how he tried to protect Coleen, which endeared him to her.
"Aric, why don't we let them get things straightened out here, and meet them down in the cantina for breakfast?" she urged, and Aric saw the wisdom of having neutral ground.
"Agreed. We'll see you in about fifteen minutes." Aric turned to the door, and Maura kissed Coleen cheek before following. Once in the elevator, Aric pulled her against him.
"He's one of the Mandalorian troops," Aric said, and Maura nodded.
"They look good together," she commented, and Aric frowned. "And just maybe he's serious about Coleen. It would do her good to find someone, and it can't be easy with a baby." They entered the smuggler cantina and were shown to a booth, where they slid in beside each other.
"I just want her to be sure. I know, she's a grown woman, but she's still my baby," Aric grumped, and Maura smiled at him.
"Just think of how pretty their babies would be," she said, and had to hold Aric's arm to keep him in the booth. "Kidding, hon. They'll be here, just try to give him a chance, okay?" Aric scowled but nodded. Having grown kids is almost as hard as when they're little, he thought. I need to talk to Torian about that guy. With a plan in mind, he felt more settled when he saw them, and reached for Caitlin, her smile all he needed to feel better.
Miriah wondered where Corso had gotten off to, and was rewarded with the sound of his voice coming down the hall, which made her smile. He appeared with a tray of beverages and a bag of something that had her mouth watering, Devin in his footsteps. They sat down at the low table and Miriah savored her cocoa. "Ahh that's so good," she said, her eyes closed and her head back, resting on the sofa. Corso temporarily forgot his caf, watching her.
"Mia is trying to keep the thought of dinner tonight from Merida, she's gotten so perceptive in the force that the whole base would know how unhappy she was not to be in your lap," Devin told his mom.
"So, Dev, is this a good role for you? You're doing an amazing job, and I'd love you to stay in the exec wing, but not if it makes you unhappy." Miriah took another sip, and a large sandwich from the bag.
"I am enjoying it more than I thought I would," Devin admitted. "Mia says I'm more settled and sleep better. I want to stay." Corso was hoping he'd say that, just have him closer to them. They told stories of Dantooine, and of Logan and his adventure. Devin sat back and just soaked them in, loving being with them both, until Miriah stood and stretched.
"I want to go see Lana, and talk about this interview," she said, and Corso followed as she made her way to the detail. Then I hope I can talk her into going home, he thought, and caught her hand in his as they started forward.
Ty turned to Coleen as she walked him to the barracks. "I was sure I was going to get a face full of fist," he confessed.
"I was thinking along the same lines," she said, and took Caitlin from his arms. "They'll be fine. It was just a shock."
"I don't want to cause an issue between you and your parents, but I'm not sure I'd survive not seeing you," he told her. "Gar cuyir ner te'r, me'suum'ika bal tyatr. (You are my sun, moon and stars)." He saw her blush, and turned her face up to kiss her. "Dinner?"
Coleen nodded. They'd spent time every day for the past two weeks together, and Caitlin was as smitten as she was. "I'll cook. I'm working on lesson plans today, school will be in session before I'm ready for it."
"You'll do great. I have to get ready for my shift, but I should be done on time." With another kiss, Coleen reluctantly turned to walk back to her place, Caitlin already resting her head on her mother's shoulder, rubbing her eyes. She didn't see her mother, watching from the parade field, hands on her hips.
Maura turned to Solasta. "So the whole time we've been gone, she's been playing house with that hunk of man?" she asked, and with downcast eyes, Solasta nodded.
"I wanted to tell you and Aric, but as far as I know, last night was the first time he stayed past midnight. And, with all that was happening on Dantooine, I didn't want you all distracted by something that seemed above board. I was reminded that your daughter is an adult, with a family of her own."
Maura sighed. "I can certainly see the attraction, but you're right. She can live her own life."
"I'm really glad you are all back on Odessen. I need to report to the Commander," Solasta said, but Maura put her hand on her arm.
"Don't worry, I won't say anything to Aric. It's best he not know anyone didn't tell him about Ty."
Solasta trilled softly and nodded as she walked away. Yes, that's probably best, she thought.
Tali ran to the door and opened it, bouncing with excitement. "You're here!" she cried, and Lana could only smile at the hug Tali gave Miriah.
"I am! You've grown so much!" Miriah said with a smile, and Tali led her over to the sofa where her mom was resting. "Lana, you look amazing." Corso held Tali on his hip and she told him all about her summer so far. "Seems like you've got this all under control."
"Well, as much as anything is, I suppose. Let's talk about the interview. I've got it lined up for three days from now, in the conference room. We'll use the same protocol..." She stopped when Miriah held up her hand.
"I'm more interested in how you're doing than anything else right now," Miriah said softly. They chatted about the baby and Nico's being planet bound, and how much Tali was advancing in the force. When Corso joined them, and they'd told some of the things that had happened on Dantooine, Miriah stood. "We'll talk about the interview tomorrow, if you're feeling up to it."
"I'd love that," Lana said, smiling. She had truly missed her friend, and was glad she was back to her usual self. I'll do everything I can from here to keep her like this, she thought, and waved as they made their way out.
Corso held Miriah close to him as they entered the apartment. She could hear laughter in the kitchen, and followed the voices to find Caly, Torian, and Devin there. She was settled at the small kitchen table with a glass of wine when Maura and Aric joined them. Devin had said that Mia and the children would be on the way soon, and Logan and Lara would wait until Lucas had woken from his nap. All as it should be, she thought, and sipped the wine made at the annex over the winter, as relaxed as she had been on Dantooine.
Sarai had seen the message sent over about dinner at Miriah's, but she just didn't feel she had the strength for it. She'd slept most of the day, and had the droid bring her some soup mid afternoon, but just the thought of getting up and ready was too much, not to mention the walk over. No, she thought, I just can't. She closed her eyes again and briefly wondered if there really was something more wrong than just age, but fell asleep again before she could think about it more.
Coleen welcomed Ty inside, and had just turned around when she realized he hadn't moved. In the small foyer, he took her hands in his, and asked her to marry him.