Dahniel Pryscott took a short pause between calls to swirl around in his comfortable nanofibre woven chair. He looked up from the golf game on the projector to the ceiling, where his stocks latest returns were being displayed in real time, or as close to it as legally allowed. A private contractor had once offered to get him the live feed, but a part of him preferred the thrill of playing the game at the same speed as the others on his tier. It was just a game. And they had enough for him to play fast and loose. His well-earned reputation for playing hard had maintained his family's long-standing position as one of the most influential on Corellia, where less than three dozen other families had similar levels of wealth. But none of their son's were senator. He smiled proudly at the picture of his son and then girlfriend at university graduation. His comm rang, his secretary's authorization code enabling the audio automatically. "Karayn, is this the bank or the painting company? If it's the latter, tell them what we keep telling them. There is no way they can paint their logo on our drive regulators."

Karayn paused. "Sir. Lady Tarkin for you."

He inhaled, glancing down at his casual clothes. "Patch her through." He straightened out, smiling. "Lady Tarkin, good to hear from you."

Thalassa Tarkin did not activate the video-only her voice came through his speaker. "And you, Dahniel. How is your family?" She seemed occupied, though Dahniel wasn't sure if that were because she was distracted, or simply on the move. He knew from many a story of Maia's that Thalassa had trouble sitting still in speeders and starships for too long.

"All well. I'm glad to report that my niece is recovering from her poisoning quite nicely. They recovered the Rodian that attacked her, but we're still trying to determine who put out the hit. I hope your family is also doing well. Anything interesting happening on Eriadu?"

"Much of the same," she replied. "Trying to finish some things before I leave for Imperial Center. And that's actually why I'm calling. I believe you'll have a contract coming in soon, did your son tell you?"

"He did mention something about that. I'm guessing that you are not calling to tell me that the contract was cancelled."

"No, of course not," Thalassa said. "No, no. I'm calling because of the overhauls of Page's small parts factories. I don't think they'll be able to produce the widgets you and Sienar will need in time while he's rebuilding, and I wanted to propose that my cousins will. You've done some work with Motti Production before, right?"

He narrowed his eyes. The plans were proprietary. And yet. "Which widgets did you have in mind?"

"The core temperature regulators. Inside sources in your organization have informed us that it would cost you 450 credits per unit. We would be able to complete the task for 85 each."

He swallowed. "I see. May I ask how Motti came to have the technical capacity to produce those units so cheaply?"

"That is a trade secret, but we've used the method for a thousand years, if not more."

Dahniel leaned back in the chair. "I'll accept this in good faith. I suppose I'll see you on Imperial Center?"

Thalassa's tone gave nothing away-Dahniel had no idea if she sensed his uncertainty, but she also moved on, whether because she was unwilling to prey on it or for some other reason. "I hope so, yes. I'll be there, like I said. I was disappointed I couldn't go down with Wilhuff and Gideon, but one of us needed to close up shop here. Gideon's on his way back to take over."

"Then we shall have the pleasure of once again meeting in person."

"Yes. Ah, I just got home, I'll be in the study in just a minute, if you'd like to talk on video." The clip left Thalassa's tone as she walked slower, moving through the foyer and passing her coat to a slave.

Dahniel jumped to his feet, pulling a suit jacket from his emergency stash over his shirt. "I wouldn't be opposed. Your daughter has been very helpful. She's brilliant."

"Of course she's brilliant, she's ours." Thalassa paused. "Oh, that's when I was supposed to compliment your son."

"He's all right, had slightly higher grades than Maia."

"Not true, but feel free to repeat it in private." She pushed the study door closed behind her and dropped her bag on the couch, taking a seat in the office chair. "Ready when you are."

He sighed, relaxing as he straightened the tieless shirt one last time before engaging the holo. "Lovely as usual." He smiled. "Forgive my casual dress. Local holiday."

If she cared, even Thalassa's expression did not give it away. "Did your son or my daughter ever send you sonogram photos," she asked.

"They did," he beamed. "I remember Dahn's. They only get cuter from here though."

Thalassa chuckled softly, covering her mouth with a loose fist. He saw her smile growing behind it. "I remember when Garoche was born, and then Maia. My niece Rivoche looks at the photos and squeals, calls it gross. We try to explain it to her. She, of course, doesn't get how magical it is."

"A child being woven together is truly a marvelous sight." Dahniel smiled. "You'll be a grandmother."

Thalassa nodded, still grinning behind her hand. "And you'll be a grandfather. Rivoche has asked Wilhuff and I which one of us is more excited. Have you and Laira gotten that ridiculous question too?"

"Obviously I'm most excited of the four of us." He beamed wider, as if such a thing were possible. "We've gotten it. Everyone is asking."

"Then it's like that question, do you love your spouse more than your children." She shook her head, smirking and finally dropping her hand and, perhaps, the fear of him seeing vulnerability.

He nodded. "An impossible one. I look forward to our visit on Coruscant."

Thalassa nodded. "So do I. We're taking Maia to another appointment. Of course, we couldn't have taken her to the first one."

"I'm sure Dahn is thrilled to get another look at his child."

"I know that Maia is," Thalassa replied. She cocked her head to the side. "I wanted to thank you and Laira for caring for her. I'm content being just a few standard hours from her during times like these, and all times, really, but I'm more comfortable knowing that you and your wife and less than a standard hour away if something goes wrong."

"She's going to be family. It's the least we can do." Dahniel nodded more seriously now. "We're happy to keep an eye out. Even if she weren't pregnant." Dahniel smiled. "And if something happens, we will take good care of her until you arrive."

Thalassa nodded. "We know that, and we appreciate it. I hope you know we would do the same for your son."

"I'm glad to hear it. When they're in your part of the galaxy, that will be enormous comfort."

Thalassa smirked. "Are you, like my husband, already planning their vacations?"

"Perhaps. They need to go fun places, so we can fly along."

Thalassa nodded her eyes, cocking her head to the side. "I believe Wilhuff's making plans for them to spend every holiday on Eriadu. Something about it being only fair because of how close you and Laira are."

"I won't contest it, so long as my wife and I can visit as well."

She held her hands up. "Oh, then, all deals are off."

Well we will have to bring it up as we argue the prenup."

Thalassa nodded small. "Then I'll see you on Monday. Say hi to your wife for us, and I'll have my cousin send you that proposal."

"I look forward to it. It was good to speak with you!"

"And you, Dahniel." Thalassa hung up, immediately composing a message for her cousin.

A flash on the screen indicated another incoming call and Dahniel returned to his golf game.

They knew him here. Vader always came to this cantina. He always sat by the same bar, in the same booth, in the same corner, to meet the same contacts. And tonight's contact approached perfectly on time. Vader stayed seated, his expression blank even under his mask as the assassin droid claimed the seat across from him.

The IG-88 unit moved smoothly into the booth, activating his suite of anti-listening equipment before settling his hands on the table in an almost human posture. The cold warble of IG-88B's voice processing units A through D indicated that the droid needed a tune up. "It is good that you have reached out to me. This unit was very disappointed by the silence of the past three months. Especially given that the esteemed Lord Vader knows full well that the fault on the last assignment lay not with this unit."

"You are aware, I'm sure, that the Prime Minister is pregnant." Vader had no interest in wasting time.

"This unit does have ways of making certain that he is not the last one to know anything." The droid straightened, assuming a posture that strained his gears less dramatically. "Does the esteemed Lord Vader have any idea just how difficult it is to get a job when the mighty Emperor does not see fit to pay for this unit's services? I would have thought that you and I would have shared sympathies. Myself being a droid unit and you being. Yourself."

"I am no droid." Vader narrowed his eyes behind the mask. "I have a job for you."

"A job for which, perhaps, this unit is uniquely designed?" IG-88B's view sensor illuminators flashed. "I have updated my knowledge with contract law after the incident on Naboo. I still have not recovered from my stay inside the sea creature."

Vader swayed, quickly stilling himself. "Was your pay not sufficient enough to cover repairs? I can deposit 35,000 more credits into your account."

The illumination lights dimmed for a half-second before brightening again. "A valid calculation. It is only slightly higher than this unit's estimation. I accept your gift. I take it in the spirit it's offered. Our working reputation allows me to trust that you will do as you have said. And now, with those unpleasanties out of the way, what can I do for you, Lord Vader?"

"As I said, Prime Minister Tarkin is pregnant. She is about to start negotiations with Prince Xizor, with whom I know you're familiar. The Emperor and I are not interested in seeing her the victim of sexual violence. We need you on retainer."

IG-88B didn't know why they put Maia Tarkin in that situation to begin with. "Though logic dictates that if you were not interested in seeing her as the victim of sexual violence, you would keep her far from a known sexual predator, your offer makes this unit extremely pleased. On retainer, I can once again accept contracts-upon the completion of my term of service with you of course." He inclined his head, a sign of respect picked up from the protocol droids unit files he had accidentally assimilated. "I assume that there is a contract." He filtered through the dataholos.

"Yes. Lord of Vader, do I detect a document that you've written yourself? I am both impressed and surprised. This unit has noticed you're becoming more adept at constructing legal documents. Am I to infer that the Emperor has not actually assigned you the test of protecting Ms. Tarkin's honor?" He scoffed as he used the word. Asinine. So typically organic. "Never fear. As you see, I've accepted the contract. Buying my silence is free, as you know from previous interactions."

"If you've signed, I believe we're finished here." Vader stood, glaring at IG-88B as the droid spoke.

"I actually do still have questions. Questions that I only need to accomplish the job, exactly as you described, with no deviation from the plan." IG-88B reflected that he'd be excellent at cards, though he wasn't interested in the slightest. He withdrew a tool, beginning to tighten a small joint in his arm. "How am I to get close enough to protect her from Xizor?"

Vader say forward against the booth's table. "While she is at work, you can keep an eye from a distance, yes? Your credentials are valid."

IG-88B ran a net antenna through his security field. "My credentials have, in fact, been updated. This unit is most satisfied with that portion of the plan. Having worked for subsidiaries of Xizor before, I also am aware of several layers of his security protocol."

"Good. When the Prime Minister is walking about, you should be able to track her in the same way, and if you think monitoring her at home is necessary, tracking Xizor may be easier than that."

The droid unit stood. "I will complete my repairs, including a full download of information on all of Xizor's public assets."

"Good." Vader stood. "I'll be in touch. If it needs to be said, don't let her know you're following her."

"Silence is easy. I may get a cosmetic change as well, however slight. This unit bids you farewell."

"Evening." Vader left the cantina as abruptly as he had moved inside.

IG-88B wished that his optical receptor unit had servos built in, so that he could roll his eyes. Alas.

Maia sat at her desk, reading through notes Lunette had taken at the unplanned meeting the party had called. There was next to no chance of Maia even adding the opposition's bill to eliminate zoning and height restrictions to the agenda, but Bail had wanted the party to meet over it anyway, and so they had. Maia's work related stress never ended, but asinine bills like this just made it worse. She looked up as a quiet knock came at her door, and then her it opened, her nine-year-old cousin's grinning face peering through, hair messily falling over her shoulder.

"Rivoche," Maia exclaimed, dropping her pen.

"Hi. The Blue Guards said I could say hi." Rivoche slid inside. "Hi."

"You said," Maia replied, hopping around the desk and moving up to her cousin. She set a hand over her abdomen and leaned forward, pulling the girl into a hug. "Is Aunt Evana or Uncle Gideon here too? Or did they let you come alone, like a big girl?"

"I came down the hallway. Daddy saw someone he met in the field." She skipped around after she released her cousin from a hug. "So can we play a game? Can I choose if legislation passes? That's fun."

Maia smiled. They'd played the game many times before. Rivoche, of course, believed her choices impacted policy. It was harmless. "Do you want to sit next to me while I work?" She paused, tilting her head to the side. "Did you come down the hallway alone, or did you tell Uncle Gideon where you were going," she asked. Honestly, she doubted her uncle would be too worried about his daughter moving about in these halls, but she supposed she'd learn soon enough the initial surprise of turning and being unable to see your child.

"I told him I was going to see you, and he knows I know the way." She grinned and kicked the floor. "But then I left before he could reply." Rivoche ran inside, leaning over the desk with great difficulty. "Can I choose a policy? What are you looking at now?"

Maia pulled a chair over, placing a hand at the back of Rivoche's hair and leading her to the seat. She lowered herself into her own chair and shifted the paper in front of her cousin. "They're notes from a meeting. About the building heights around the planet."

"Get rid of them, but keep them in important places." Rivoche nodded sagely. "The restrictions mean no ten thousand story tall roller-rocket-slides and that's a bad thing. But the gravitas. Is important." She pointed to the word on the memo. "It's important."

Maia blinked, turning her head to the side. "Do you know what gravitas means?"

"It's like gravity so it pulls you to the core." She beamed. "I'm smart."

Maia laughed, petting Rivoche's hair. "It means a situation that's grave."

"I don't like graves." Rivoche commented, biting her lip. "I visited a lot with my daddy and with your daddy because of the Clone Wars, and they weren't happy places."

"They are sad places," Maia said, pouting herself. "But it's important to pay our respects, right? Did they take you to cousin Ranulph's grave too? And to Garoche's?" Maia's brother had died the year Rivoche was born.

She nodded. "I wish I knew him, even though a lot of people didn't like him very much. He seemed really important and ambitious. And I wish I remembered Garoche."

"Ranulph fit right in with the rest of us," Maia commented. "And Garoche loved you." She looked up as her uncle rapped his knuckles against the door, moving inside with a smile. His jaw was squarer than his brother's and fuller, his auburn hair cropped just as short, though it had yet to recede. The brother's eyes were the same shade of grey, though Gideon's seemed more tired than Wilhuff's, even as he smiled. When Maia looked close at them together, they each looked just as worn as the other.

"Daddy, I was telling her about the dead people." She looked at her hands and jumped down from the chair, running to her father's side and squeezing his leg. "Can you tell her more like you told me?"

Gideon scooped his daughter up with ease. "Can I say hi to Maia and give her a hug first," he asked.

Rivoche smiled. "Then you get to put me down." She snuggled him for a minute and put her arms up to slide from his grasp.

Gideon laughed, setting Rivoche down to avoid harm. He could hold her, but not when she squirmed, actively trying to escape. "Hi, sweetheart," he called, nodding to Maia.

His niece smiled, moving around to hug him. He took great care to pull her into the embrace as carefully as possible. "Congratulations," he said, smiling at her conspiratorially.

"I get to play with the baby now, right?" Rivoche jumped over, poking Maia's tummy in an attempt to cover the fact that she had forgotten about the pregnancy.

Maia shook her head, moving Rivoche's hand away as Gideon winced and wrapped an arm around his daughter's shoulder. "Not yet, the baby still has to grow," Maia said.

"Oh." Rivoche blinked. "I want to snuggle it, though. I get to snuggle first."

Maia shifted from side to side, nodding with ease. "When the baby is born!" By that time, Rivoche would certainly not remember the promise.

Gideon pet his daughter's hair down, watching Maia move back behind to her desk. "Let's talk about your dad."

Maia sat down. "How about we don't do that?"

"Well then let's talk about you." He grabbed a chair in front of her desk, pulling Rivoche on to his lap. She squirmed, but eventually settled down, curling up against him. "How is Dahn?"

"He's good." Maia nodded, folding her hands atop the stack of notes. "Mum apparently called him at two in the morning about flowers."

"That's like your mother." Gideon smiled, looking down at Rivoche. "Isn't it like Auntie Thalassa?"

"I think so. She said I could wear a pretty suit if I wanted. Or a dress. Or a gown." Rivoche turned her head in thought. "I like the word gown, it's like clown or frown or grown. Duh. Ground. Get it?" She chuckled at her joke.

Gideon pet Rivoche's hair down and looked up to his niece, his smile dropping just a little bit. "Your dad is on planet too. He wanted to be around you."

Maia narrowed her eyes. "He came to apologize for once?"

"I think he's going to do that as much as he ever has." Her uncle replied. "Which is to say exactly as much as you expect him to."

She shrugged, a turned-out hand suspended at eye level. "So why did he come?"

"He wanted to be around you," Gideon repeated.

Maia inhaled. She rolled her eyes, setting her jaw.

"He loves you because he's your daddy. My daddy loves me most though." Rivoche looked up. "My mummy too."

Gideon winced, swallowing it down before his daughter could see. "Honey, why don't you go get Maia and I some coffee, like a big girl?" He passed her a hundred and a two-hundred credit note. "Can you do that?"

"Yes." Her eyes grew wide. "I keep the change, right?"

He nodded. "Like a big girl. Can you get them on your own, or do you need help?"

"I can do it." She looked over the money. "Half caffeine like last time?" She asked Maia. "Or none?"

"None this time," Maia said. "Thank you for asking. You're so smart."

"Thank you." She beamed, loving the visit with her cousin more than ever. She ran down the hallway, a ball of lightning in a blue dress.

Gideon closed the door behind her, turning back to Maia. "Please don't give your father shit when he pretends nothing happened."

She looked at him, blinking. "Did you tell him something similar?"

Gideon raised both brows, chapping his lips. "He said he was an idiot without saying it and then asked how I would approach making you feel better. Anticipate a box of chocolates that's long overdue. Hopefully he'll take my advice. Hopefully, he'll remain calm."

"Does he usually take your advice or remain calm, in your experience," Maia asked.

"Only ever when it's family. When it's you," Gideon replied. He crossed his arms, sitting back down. "I don't want to give you shit, I want to be with you on this. Don't be difficult."

"I'm not being difficult." She turned her head up. "He's not the perfect one, it's not like he never makes mistakes that hurt people. He hurt me this time."

Gideon watched her. "Well, you're not going to change him. You're going to have to learn to take his apologies how they come."

Maia fell silent, rubbing her thumb against her lip. Her uncle still just sat in place, watching her. After a moment, Maia nodded, but said nothing.

"Okay. I know you're disappointed by a lot of things. But that's a different issue. I've told you for years that I think you and your parents need to sit down and talk."

Maia shook her head. They'd talked. It never got them anywhere.

"Things won't change if you don't talk. Knowing yourself and your enemy makes you much more certain of how things will sort out." Gideon winced. "Not that your father should be your enemy, but you know what I'm saying."

Maia exhaled, bristling. "Profound."

"Yes, ma'am." He saluted, raising an eyebrow as he let it down. "Don't snap at me, you're my niece." Gideon sighed, looking at the door as his shoulders slumped. "I had hoped to calm things down. I see you've inherited your father's intractability on certain matters."

She shook her head, looking away from him. "I wasn't snapping at you."

"I forgive you." He smiled small. "Your father doesn't like it when I do that either."

Maia shoved her hair back. "You can keep trying to prove the point, but you're wrong."

"I don't have to prove anything, I believe he's said that exact line before." Gideon's smile grew. "I'll have to record it next time, to mock you both."

She sighed, banging her head against the chair's padding.

"I see you're mentally and emotionally prepared to meet with your father. I'll send him in then?"

"I didn't get coffee for him, though." Rivoche commented, coming up behind him.

Gideon aborted the half-entered combat step at the surprise, recognizing his daughter's touch. "Hello."

Rivoche passed him a cup, and then handed Maia one with the lid's decaf button pushed down. "I didn't get Uncle Wil a coffee."

Gideon moved a coaster and set his cup down. "Come with daddy to get another, and we'll leave this one for Uncle Wilhuff?"

"Okay." She looked up. "Can I walk on my own? That's more fun."

Her father turned his head to the side. "I haven't picked you up yet, have I?"

"Not yet." Rivoche said. "Maia, one more hug? Can I hug the baby too?"

Maia moved around to her cousin, lowered herself to her knees and pulling Rivoche in for an embrace. "Be careful. The baby is still growing so you have to be very careful and not touch my stomach," she said.

Gideon placed a hand above Rivoche's shoulder, ready to pull her back if needed.

Rivoche air hugged Maia, patting her back and putting an ear close to the new expanse of her cousin's stomach. "If you can hear me, tell me the secret code when you're older. It's Kamino."

Maia pet Rivoche's hair down, holding in a laugh. "I'm sure they'll remember."

Her uncle winked, watching his niece. "A smile. Good. You didn't get that from your father." He paused, turning his head to the side. "Actually, when he's a few under he wants to arm wrestle people, which is funny, because he's strong but usually not as strong as the challenger. Don't tell him I told you that."

She rolled her eyes. "I've seen it, Uncle Gideon."

Gideon shrugged. "Has he ever tried to arm wrestle you a dozen times in one night?"

"Not me, no," Maia quipped. "And I figure I have at least five months of protection."

Gideon smirked. "A reasonable guess. Of course, I'd also look out for your child, they might not be safe from his machismo."

"What's machismo," Rivoche asked, turning to her father.

"It's when men measure how tough they are by comparing their. Aggression. It's not a good thing, my dear."

Maia raised both brows, sitting back down. "Hypocrite," she sang.

"Just because I sometimes engage doesn't mean I'm." Gideon grinned. "Fine. But don't make me arm wrestle you."

She held her hands up. "Five months of protection."

Gideon glanced at Rivoche. "Arm wrestle your cousin."

Rivoche shook her head. "Baby. Five months protection. Which means." She cut herself off, squinting. "You're pregnant for four months so far."

"That's right, Rivoche," Gideon pat his daughter on her shoulder. "I love you, and daddies always love their daughter's." He glanced at Maia. "And I think Maia's daddy will want to talk to her soon."

Maia exhaled, glancing to her lap before straightening back up. "He's out there?"

Gideon nodded. "I'll let you have a minute before I send him inside," he told his niece.

Maia nodded, exhaling as she sat back down. "Yeah. Thanks." She paused, staring forward for a moment, and then looked back up. "Love you," she told them both.

"We love you too." Rivoche said, and her father nodded in agreement.

"I think we should meet for dinner. I love you, and so does your father. Remember that, even when he's cold with you."

"I know he loves me," Maia said. She breathed out again. "How long are you on planet? My dad will be able to plan dinner?"

"I think he's capable of that, at least," Gideon said. "A joke, I said nothing." He squeezed Rivoche's hand. "Let's go, let's give Maia a minute and then send your uncle in. Come on, let's go."

"But," Rivoche started. Maia didn't hear the rest, Gideon pulling his daughter out the door before she could say anything more. She dropped his hand, rushing out in front of him. "I'll get you another coffee, daddy," she yelled.

Maia swallowed some of her own. Lunette kept the office at exactly the temperature Maia liked, but the drink warmed her temporarily even still. She welcomed the sensation.

Rivoche whizzed out to the halls of the building. Gideon let her go. When he moved out to Maia's waiting area, he saw his older brother sending someone a message on his comm, brow knit. He closed the door with a firmer push than necessary. He always reveled in the surprise on Wilhuff's face as he looked up, dropping his comm onto his lap, and this was no exception. Gideon nodded, a half formed smirk aimed at his brother as he claimed the seat across from the Grand Moff. He nodded at the device. "The newly minted Lieutenant Commander Daala, again?"

Wilhuff nodded, narrowing his eyes. "She's uncertain in her role. I'm offering guidance."

With his niece's staffers dotting every corner of the office, Gideon kept his head in place as he all but glanced to make sure no one was too close. "Just guidance?"

"Of course." Wilhuff raised an eyebrow. "She continues to justify her advancement."

Gideon watched his brother, but said nothing more, exhaling with a sigh. "Do you remember what we talked about? She's still upset."

Wilhuff nodded, sending a micro-message before disconnecting. "I do."

Rivoche snuck poorly around the desks, coffee in hand. "Daddy!" She exclaimed. "I was getting coffee for a surprise."

Gideon turned, laughing at his daughter's angry expression. "I sent you for the coffee, I gave you the credits!"

"But it was a surprise." She complained, wagging a reprimanding finger. "Tell him, Uncle Wilhuff."

"You are a surprise ruiner. And an awful brother," Wilhuff agreed, though he hadn't thought as much for years.

Gideon held back the urge to shove his older brother, and gestured for his daughter to come closer. "Can I have the coffee?"

"You have to act surprised." Rivoche insisted, withholding the drink.

Gideon raised an eyebrow at his daughter, and then covered his face, emptying his expression behind his hand. When he had peaked out again and dropped his hand, he opened his eyes wide in feigned surprise. "Thank you, Rivoche!"

"You're welcome, daddy." Rivoche handed him the coffee.

Gideon took a long drink, reaching forward to pet Rivoche's hair. "I love you so much. Let's let Uncle Wilhuff go talk to his daughter?"

"Okay. Bye Uncle Wilhuff." She waved. "Tell Maia I love her."

"I will." He smiled small. "Take care of your father."

Rivoche beamed. "Always," she whispered.

"I'm trusting you, Captain Rivoche." Wilhuff nodded to Lunette, who stood from her chair and moved to Maia's office door.

"Remember what I said," Gideon called to him.

Wilhuff nodded, sending another micro-message to Daala before slipping his comm away. "I do."

Lunette knocked on Maia's door. "Your father," she said, though apprehension shone through as Wilhuff Tarkin stepped through, even the slight delay an unusual courtesy on his part.

"Thank you, Lunette." Maia stood. She swallowed, watching her father in silence. After a moment, she stalked around the desk. "Hi, dad."

He approached her just as slowly, a weak smile breaking through. "It is. Pleasant to see you, sweetheart."

Maia nodded, pushing her hair behind her ear. "Rivoche brought you coffee." She stepped back to her desk and picking back up the cup Gideon had left on the coaster. Her uncle had left his chair in place, perpendicular to her desk.

Her father waved the cup aside. "Aren't you going to offer me a hug?"

She dropped her shoulders, turning back to face him, and set the cup back down. "I was waiting for you."

"I was told to wait for you." Wilhuff said. "I believe my brother may have sold us the same meal, paid for with the same credit."

Maia exhaled. Before either of them knew it, she was back at her father's side, and they hugged. Maia leaned her head over his shoulder, closing her eyes. She always felt like she made herself vulnerable in these situations and it was later used against her.

He shook his head. "We should not have had harsh words with each other." He rocked her, kissing her hair, and pulled back for a moment to look at her. "Dahn is still in his office."

"How do you know that," Maia asked.

"I'm fairly secure in being at least thirty rungs above the mean security clearance in this building." He sighed. "Honey, we should go to dinner tonight. You, me, Uncle Gideon and Rivoche. Dahn. You've been to Sevren's Steak, on the forty-third story by the Wuun Valley." He broke away, pulling up a holomap and displaying the location. "I would never admit missing their home seasonings, but, if pressed." He trailed off, pointing at the storefront on the map.

She nodded. "It's good. You've taken me before." She swayed. "Your coffee will get cold."

He reached for it, sipping and turning back to examine her. "The baby. When should we expect it? Them?"

"April or May," Maia said. "Just one." She exhaled. "Dad, I'm sorry if you're mad at us, but I'm not sorry for having a baby with Dahn."

"Don't be sorry. Let us help you plan for it." He said. "I'm thrilled that you're having a child. I love you. But the Pryscotts don't have what we have, and they need to consider terms that will be amenable to our family as well. I don't want you to get bogged down with those negotiations."

"Dahn and I have already talked about the prenup," Maia said. She started to lower herself into her desk chair and then thought better of it, moving to the couch. "I called mum to tell you both. I didn't want to call you. I got the lawyer's comm number."

"I knew that part, but we have additional counsel." He lifted a business card from the desk. "Whom it looks like you have also contacted. And if I'd known that, we wouldn't have had to come the day after our disagreement." He nodded. "Of course, your mother and I will need to meet with Dahn's family another time. Why don't you let us handle the financial negotiations with his parents?"

Maia thought for a moment and then nodded. She had no desire to be party to that. "It's probably better you came today, anyway. Why didn't mum?"

"She's on her way, but she had to get to the spaceport. She's running the household-she can't just leave as quickly as I can. The fleet jumps when I say jump." He looked over at the bill report. "Are you really considering a bill to remove height restrictions?"

She watched him. "Do you think I am, dad?"

"It's open on your desk." He pointed. "With annotation. And it seems that Rivoche has proposed an amendment." He smiled, half amused before moving to the couch and settling into it. "Where do you and I stand?"

She watched him and then turned on her side, leaning against him. "We as in you and I?"

"Our plans going forward. What have you discussed with the counsel so far?" Tarkin said. "And where do we stand?" He leaned against her before sitting back up. She fell against his chest, and tried to nuzzle the same spot she had as a child.

"I'll send you the recording from the meetings we've had so far. As for us, you're my father," she said. "That's where we stand."

"That's somewhat less revealing than I'd hoped." He raised a stern eyebrow, squeezing her shoulder. "Let's be frank. I want to support you, but this came as a shock to your mother and myself."

She hugged her arms around herself. "I'm twenty-five. He's twenty-eight. Would it have been any less surprising if we were already married?"

"Yes, because we would have expected such an announcement from a married child of ours. As it is, and in your position." He shook his head. "It was a surprise, is what I'll say."

Maia kept from biting her lip. "I understand that, but we've been planning the wedding for years. It's not like we made a mistake and then decided to live our lives together."

"But you're usually so careful." Her father frowned. "It's just not like you. and, you're still upset. You know how we feel about surprises."

She watched him. "I know."

"Then we'll let this pass. The wedding will go on, and perhaps we'll move it forward a month or so to maintain appearances."

Maia tilted her head back on his shoulder. "We've actually been thinking that it might be smart to move it up sooner, because-and don't get mad-the Emperor likes to monopolize planning on these kinds of things. So we were thinking sooner. Like within the next month." She nodded. "Hence my needing to speak with the lawyers so quickly."

"The Emperor has his way of doing things and I have mine. That being said, we will move as quickly as you like and as the Emperor allows. We have to do it the right way. We have a lot at stake." She had to recognize the potential legal and financial complications with an unexpected child positioned to inherit the majority of the Tarkin wealth. He supposed that was more reason to get married quickly, but he wouldn't say that.

"We can keep the civil ceremony and whatever reception is necessary separate, can't we?" She exhaled, keeping her expression blank as their eyes locked.

He nodded. "The reception has to be grand, of course. It showcases us as a family. But the civil ceremony can be as extravagant as you like."

"The good news is that I don't think there are any more alleged family friends to pull me over and suck up when I'm trying to get food."

"There are always new people." He shook his head. "The number of people who suddenly knew your grandfather grew exponentially when I was your age." He sighed, remembering with a roll of his eyes. "So. The drafts for the prenuptial agreement."

She nodded. "Dahn and I haven't shared ours yet, and we haven't spoken to each other's representation. I'll send it to you, like I said. I thought the lawyers did."

"A legitimate point." Tarkin frowned, initiating a search protocol through his electronic communications. "I haven't been contacted through this. Let me. Ah. A missed communication. They're at second priority and I've had seventeen first priority calls today. I'll speak with them tonight."

"Before or after dinner," Maia asked. "Do we need to make a reservation?"

Tarkin shrugged. "They'll make room." He pulled her hair out from where her head pinned it against his chest, rubbing his hand from her crown through to the ends.

She peered up at him. "Do you just want to lay like this?"

"I've missed you," he said, nodding small. "I miss holding you."

Maia watched him. "Did you and Uncle Gideon take Rivoche to Garoche's grave?"

He nodded. "We did. She should be proud of who came before her. Your brother was very brave."

Maia bit the inside of her lip, nodding. "He was." She moved one of her hands up and down his arm. "Dad, are you okay?"

He stirred. "Remaining still is the way to ensure we are the next victims in the family." He pushed his head against hers before pulling away. "I'm all right, or I will be in a moment."

"Why don't you let me hug you until then?"

He shook his head, standing. "I already stayed longer than I meant to. I have appointments to keep." His face was uncharacteristically flushed. "But we will speak tonight."

She pulled her hair over her shoulder, moving down from the couch after a moment's hesitation. "Senator Page? It might be better to wait just a minute, dad. Or, were you going to talk to Dahn too? You could go there first." Dahn would not try to manipulate her father when he was so flustered. Senator Page would.

Her father regarded her with a mixture of amusement and respect. "You've learned to play the game well. I should watch my back around here."

Maia nodded, pulling him into a hug in spite of his previous comment. "I didn't want to be the one to say it."

"Well, now I know to look out." He smiled and returned her hug.

"I'd look out more for Uncle Gideon, if I were worried about coups. Trouble," she dragged out, teasing.

"I have my ways to counter any attempts by him, should he make a move." Wilhuff shrugged.

She squeezed him, and then let go. "You should go to Dahn first."

"Call to get him ready for me, would you?" He straightened his coat before glancing at his daughter's abdomen with a small smile and moving for the door. "I'll see you tonight. And your mother said you have that OB/GYN appointment tomorrow?"

Maia nodded in confirmation, following his eyes to her stomach. She covered the tiny bump with her hand. "She wanted to come. Do you want to as well?"

"Of course." He turned his head to the side. "I love you." When she repeated the sentiment, he erased his smile, steeling his expression, and he left into the hallway.