Jaina's Journal_Entry_20

"Family"

By obi's girl

Syal looked back at Soontir, expecting him to explain what was going on. Wedge was about to say something else but Valis entered the sim room, greeted several of the pilots and walked over. He nodded to Wedge and Soontir, standing in between the two. Syal perked up a little bit when she recognized the young Chiss, "Valis, is that you?"

Wedge frowned, looking confused then smiled, "Don't tell me Valis was your spy while you were on Chiss?"

The Chiss pilot nodded, "Of course, I wasn't. Jag asked me to come, so I did. We go way back. Syal, what are you doing here?"

She shrugged, "I don't really know why I'm here but I had this urge to be here. Does that make any sense?"

Wedge laughed, "It does, you have no idea."

"Hmm. So what was it you were going to say, Wedge?" she asked but had to be stopped again when Jag and I entered, laughing. Jag almost froze when he saw his mom. Of course, I had no idea whom this woman was because I had never met Syal Antilles before.

I shook Jag, trying to contain my laughter as he finally came back to reality. I looked back at me, pulling me forward towards the group. I smiled hello at Wedge, Valis and Soontir but frowned when I saw the woman. I saw her before. I bumped into her in the hall; I didn't really take recognition of her before but now, something told me, I should have. What surprised me even more was when Jag hugged the woman and kissed her cheek. I felt like a complete idiot, I had no idea whom this woman but when she kissed Soontir it came to me! Syal Antilles. Oh Sithspawn!

But to be sure, I figured I'd ask before making myself look like an idiot. If she were Syal Antilles, this woman would be my future mother-in-law. "Um, excuse me – who are you?"

She smiled, "Syal Antilles, Wedge's sister. Your name?"

I couldn't even form words looking at the woman that was Jag's mother and Wedge's lost sister. I bumped into her in the hallway, running off to meet with her son. I laughed to myself, seeing my older self tell how I originally met Syal Antilles – almost knocking her over to meet with her son, my fiancée, Jagged Fel! It was a very funny prospect. But I couldn't help myself. I laughed anyway, causing her to frown and Jag to look confused and hurt. "I'm sorry, Jag – it's just we already met." I added, between laughs and trying to breathe.

"How can that be? As far as I know, you never met before this ---." Jag started but Syal started to laugh as well, remembering our brief encounter in the hallway. "Mom?"

"Jag, she's right. We met already. She was running out of the sim room and we bumped into each other but thought nothing of it." Syal explained, stifling back some more laughs.

Wedge laughed as well, "Well, I guess there's no need for introductions ---."

I waved my hand no, "She said we bumped into each other Wedge. She didn't say we said, 'hello, who are you?'" I formally extended my hand to Syal, after catching my breath. "Jaina Solo...Lieutenant."

She took my hand graciously, remembering something else. "You aren't by any chance related to Han Solo are you?"

"Yeah, he's my father. You've heard of our family?" I asked, though not really surprised. The Solo-Skywalker name was already legendary before my brothers and I was born. We're really just one extra branch to our extensive family tree.

"Oh yes. Even on Chiss, I still manage to keep track of what's happening here. This place, it was my home for a time before I had to leave."

Suddenly Wedge became quiet but Jag smiled, hugging my shoulder. "Mom, there's something you should know – Lieutenant Solo and I, well, we're engaged!" Syal looked at her brother and he nodded yes, grinning. She looked at her husband then back at her son and I. I didn't need to read her emotions to know she was shocked and overwhelmed. I saw it in her face. "Mom, aren't you going to congratulate us?" Jag glanced at me and I lowered my eyes, falling silent.

"Mrs. Antilles...?" I asked. "Are you okay?"

She smiled hopefully, "You caught me totally off guard, Jag. Of course, I'm happy for you." Hugging him. I smiled, glancing at Wedge. "When did you two get engaged, better question, how long has this romance been going on?"

I laughed again, settling down at the table. "From the start? Well, I beat him in a sparring match. Pinned him on the ground and told him, 'we're equals, no more competitions'. But your son, he's kinda stubborn when it comes to who's the stronger sex."

"I'm stubborn?" Jag question, placing his fists on his waist, "I think the word you're looking for is competitive, Sticks." He smiled at Syal, wrapping his arms around my waist. "I still don't know how good you are during flight sims..."

I nodded my head, "Ah huh, Jag. Let me spare you the humiliation, 'cause I tell you right now, I would kick your butt!" I glanced at Syal and she laughed, "Well, I would." I mused.

"I know you would, Jaina." Wedge laughed, "Um..." He started to say something but nodded to Syal. I smiled back, understanding.

They really didn't have a proper reunion before Jag and I decided to stop by and say hello. I nodded to Jag we leave. He smiled good-bye at Syal and Wedge, following me out of the sim room. Soontir smiled and kissed his wife before leaving himself, mumbling something about having a meeting with some one or some important person.

Syal was quiet a moment, not really sure what to say to her brother. It had been a long time, really long time. She smiled, remembering going over the scenario of meeting Wedge after so many years and what she would tell him, but now, she didn't really know what to say to him.

Wedge scratched his head, leaning back on the wall, sticking his hands in his pockets. "Why don't we get out of here and talk in private?"

She nodded all right and followed her brother out of the sim room. On the way, she occasionally glanced at him and smiled though she was still timid and shy. Wedge led her to his office and gestured she sit down. Syal smiled thanks and took a seat, her eyes wandering around the office. There wasn't even a picture frame of his family, or her family rather.

Wedge sighed, sitting down on his desk chair, "How have you been?"

"I have a family, don't I?" Syal paused a moment, frowning slightly, "Look Wedge, I'm sorry I left before you even got a chance to know me but it was my dream to be a singer, or entertainer of some sort...I was young – I didn't know any better." Syal looked down frowning, "You probably hate me for leaving; I wouldn't blame you."

"Syal, you're departure hurt me, but I don't hate you and I don't blame you. You're family, and in the past, I've learned family is the most important thing in the universe." Wedge smiled, "And now you'll get the chance to be a part of one of the most legendary families in the galaxy." She laughed, nodding to the empty walls and desk. He smiled, "I have this office on loan. I have some stuff in my quarters here on Coruscant but I'm been too busy to actually grab them and lay them out."

Syal nodded, smiling, "What's your family like, Wedge? I imagine I have some nephews and nieces to meet."

He shrugged, "Oh you do. They're not here right now but they'll be here once the wedding date gets closer. I actually named my daughter after you."

She nodded, looking away briefly, crying. Wedge frowned, abruptly sitting up and placing his hand on hers. "I'm sorry. I really am sorry. I know you said you don't blame me for leaving, but I just feel so horrible about leaving. You never even had the chance to get to know me, and I left. I'm so sorry, Wedge."

Wedge stood up and knelt down next to her, smiling, "I'm not a mean person, Syal, but I am your brother and forbid to blame yourself for something like this..."

Syal nodded, standing up, "I left you Wedge! Be angry with me! Yell at me! Please. It's the only way I'll feel better..."

"I won't. I won't because I'm grateful you're here and the last thing I want is to drive you away again." He mused. "I won't tell you it was a mistake that you left or that you were insensitive. It was your choice and from the looks of things, you were happy. You had a son, a family, a life – I won't condone you for that."

She laughed lightly, looking at him, "Ya know, they always asked about you, when they were younger. They wanted to know everything about their legendary Uncle...and Jag, believe it or not, he actually knew about Jaina before he met her." Wedge frowned but she continued, "Before the war, there had already been stories about the Solo twins and he thought Jaina was pretty. He had a crush on her then, and now they're engaged...It's unbelievable."

Wedge looked down, "It's unbelievable you're here." He paused, "I'm sorry but can you stay awhile? I mean, can you stay here after the wedding or will you go back to Chiss?"

"I don't really know, but why don't we take it one step at a time." Syal advised and for a moment, Wedge saw their mother in her eyes.

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