The Sweetest Thing
Chapter 7, Post 1
By obi's girl
A/N: Derora Sanri and Shelly Lyons make their fic debut in this post :D
"Cherith, we'd been looking all over for you! You do realize today is your birthday and you're expected to attend your own birthday party, the one you're not supposed to know about but you do any way," Shelly Lyons rambled as Derora locked her arm through Cherith's left and pulled her up from the booth, dragging the soon-to-be 15 year old out of the lounge.
"Could you guys be any less obvious I need to make an appearance at the party?" Cherith asked and pulled her arm away from Derora. "I know I need to be there, but."
Shelly cleared her throat and gave her a look, "Look hon, we realize you're still not over Valin,"
Cherith was about to protest but Shelly gave her another look and she shut- up. "But this is your birthday and if you guys happen to work things out, so you won't be driving us crazy for a long while, trying desperately to get the two of you together, wonderful. But we're already late the party,"
"Wait a minute," Cherith said and both girls turned to her, "Who's trying to set me up with Valin?"
Derora shrugged and then slapped Shelly's arm, grinning, "No one, honey. Your love life is your own," Cherith looked suspiciously at her friends, hmm'd and then continued to walk down the hall. "I can't believe you nearly blabbed the whole plan to Cherith. She's not supposed to know she's being set up with Valin Horn. Don't you know anything about keeping your mouth shut?!"
"Sorry," Shelly mused and the two girls walked in silence, trying to catch up with Cherith.
~~
"Do you think we should even attempt to make it look like a surprise party?" Corran said as he stood next to Luke, drinking some cold Corellian ale. "I mean, we know Cherith already knows about this small party, but it just seems wrong, we can't make it a real surprise party,"
Luke laughed, "Derora and Shelly are arriving with her, with any luck, they'll act surprised and Cherith will be the only one that isn't,"
"That's a big shame," Corran said flatly, smiled when he noticed Valin arrive with his little sister. He said something to her, it looked like he was telling to leave him alone and don't cause any trouble. "Valin!"
Valin turned and groaned when he saw his father, scratched his head and walked over quietly, "Hi dad," he said, "Hello Master Skywalker,"
Luke waved his hand, "There will be no formalities at this party, Valin. Call me Luke.I see your mom made you bring your sister,"
"Jysella just better behave herself, that girl is unpredictable!" Valin cried.
"She's coming!" Mirax said, waving her hand to everyone else as Cassia lowered the lights and hid behind the couch with Silara.
Derora and Shelly entered first, joining Silara and Cassia behind the couch as Cherith walked inside the apartment, stopped briefly and called the lights on. As the lights flickered on, everyone jumped from their hiding places, yelling, "Happy Birthday, Cherith!" and "Surprise!"
Cherith shrugged, smiling thanks to everyone and then froze as she caught sight of Valin. But she was unable to make it to him as anyone she passed wanted to either congratulate or hug her. She needed to talk him, but it looked like, that would have to wait till later.
tbc
"The Sweetest Thing" Chapter 7, Post 2
By obi's girl
"Grandma Padmé," Cherith said, greeting her great grandmother, "You actually made it,"
Padmé snickered and laughed, "And this is a surprise to you, Cherith? I wouldn't miss your 15 birthday party.In Nubian culture, 16 is really the milestone. Sixteen and twenty are the big ones,"
Cherith smiled, "I'm really glad you could make it, grams,"
"Where are you friends? I know Valin is here somewhere,"
"I'm kinda avoiding my friends. They've been very acting strange lately, and Valin, well, it's tough to talk to him since everyone I practically know is here,"
Padmé hmm'd and gestured to Leia to start playing some dance music, "It's time for the birthday girl to have a dance with one of her guests!"
Cherith looked at her grams curiously before she pushed her to the middle of the room. Everyone had filed around the room, creating a large circle. She glanced back at her grams and Padmé winked her at her. Cherith's eyes scanned around the circle and then stopped once she found Valin standing next to his dad. Not to seem to obvious, Cherith wandered around the circle some more before landing again with Valin, extending her hand to him.
Valin smiled and took her hand, as she guided him to the middle of the circle, "I should warn you, Fel, I'm a pretty bad dancer,"
"I'm not worried about that, Valin, just as long as I get to talk to you," Cherith said and wrapped her arms around his neck, "I'm sorry about being forceful before in the gym. It's just something we need to face at some point in our teenage lives,"
"I totally agree but I don't think now is the time," he said and twirled her around.
Cherith laughed, "Liar. You said you were a bad dancer, shame Valin,"
He shrugged, "Believe it or not, sparring actually helps you develop some really good dance moves,"
"Hmm, I never would have thought about that," Cherith mused and grinned, "Keeping any more secrets from me, Valin Horn?"
"None that I can think of that you don't already know about at the moment, Cherith," he said and returned her grin. "Um, could you meet me later in the lounge? I have a very special birthday present to share with you,"
Cherith blushed, "I'll be there but wait, the lounge is closed later."
Valin grinned, "It's a very special present, just be there," She shrugged and the continued to dance in silence.
Tbc
"The Sweetest Thing" Chapter 7, Post 3
Sera Fey`lina leaned against Kyp's shoulder as she watched Cherith and Valin dance. She knew Jag didn't like Valin too much, probably because he didn't like the idea of his only girl having a boyfriend this early in her life but no one else seemed to have a problem with it. But then again, she was a Solo, which meant growing up a lot earlier than expected.
"They're sweet together," Sera said and glanced at Kyp, "So, you think our daughter could be like that one day?"
Kyp groaned, "Daughter?" he questioned, "No offense Sera, but I don't think I'd make the ideal father. It's tough enough babysitting,"
Sera shrugged and hmm'd, "You're not giving yourself credit, Durron. I think you'd be a great father, misguided sometimes but a good father,"
"Thanks," he muttered and pulled her away from the circle, sitting down on the couch. Everyone else was too entranced with Cherith and Valin dancing, they never even noticed them leave the group. "Why the sudden interest in parenting, Sera?"
"Why not?" she retorted, "I know once I returned from my last mission, you had every intention in proposing to me but you were scared. Kyp, I'm not scared to marry you, in fact, I know I would love to be married to you. I have been in love with you for years, this just seems like the next step for us,"
It was Kyp's turn to shrug this time, "I was going to propose to you, I won't lie about that but yes, I was scared. What if we ended up ruining our perfect relationship?" "Kyp, I think I can deal with your nasty manly habits," Sera grinned and grasped his hand, "I want to be with you. I have waited forever for you to notice me, love me. why can't we be there for each other forever, Kyp?"
Kyp huffed as he glanced at Cherith and Valin, then at Jaina and Jag. It'd taken them a long time to be where they were in each other's arms. They found their way back to each other no matter the circumstances. "True love," he whispered, "You think we have that?"
"We'll find out together," Sera whispered back, "We can be that happy together, Kyp, I know it's possible,"
He turned to her, grinned and kissed her cheek, "This is true love, Sera. It's always been that way, it's always been you and me, it just took us longer than most to realize it," Kyp kissed her deeper, "Marry me, Sera Fey`lina?"
"Yes," Sera whispered back and kissed him.
"Alright, you two, break it up!" Corran interrupted them, "This is Cherith's party, so whatever's going on, save it!"
Sera grinned but Kyp only scowled, not appreciating Horn's interruption. Before Kyp could tell him to mind his own business, he heard someone wail and then noticed Padmé faint amongst the crowd. Luke and Leia rushed to her side, Leia holding her mother's head in her lap while Luke called Ben for help. ///Ben! What's happening to her?!//
Little Ben, feeling his father's pain, cried louder but eventually, Qui-Gon appeared in Obi-Wan's place, kneeling down next to Luke, probing Padmé through the Force. //No, this wasn't supposed to happen now,// he said and Luke glared at him. //Ben!//he shouted but little Ben only cried louder,//Ben!// he repeated, rolled his eyes,//Obi-Wan! Padawan!//
Finally, Obi-Wan appeared, ran over and knelt beside his former Master and Padmé. As Obi-Wan looked her over, Cherith and Valin broke through the crowd. Qui-Gon looked briefly up at them, noticed Valin was holding Cherith's hand and then turned his attention back to Padmé. //We need to get to a healer's ward//he said.
Leia nodded as Luke ran to the nearest comm. and connected with Tionne and Caligula. Cherith stepped forward, her arms trembling as she stared her great grandmother's small form, "What's happening to her? Why did she faint?" Cherith cried.
//I can't answer that,// Qui-Gon said and looked around the apartment. Luke saw what he saw and moved to excuse everyone from the apartment except for family. Corran looked at his son, Valin nodded he'll stay with Cherith and Corran head out with Jysella and Mirax.
Valin looked again at Cherith and hugged her tighter, smiling wryly, "Happy birthday," he whispered and she rested her head on his shoulder, crying into his shirt.
tbc
"The Sweetest Thing" Chapter 7, Post 4
By obi's girl
A/N: Feels Like Home is by Chantal Kreviazuk. I'd heard this song from Dawson's Creek, remembered it and thought it would be perfect for Cherith/Valin.
Cherith and Valin watched as Tionne settled Padmé on the medic bed and several other apprentice healers stood aside, waiting for orders. It wasn't the first time Cherith had been in the presence of healers but all the same, she didn't want to be there because her grams. She'd always believed nothing worse could happen to her family and this sot of thing happens.
Valin nudged her shoulder, she turned him and they walked back into the main lab, joining the rest of her family. Qui-Gon was there too, explaining to Luke what might be happening to his mother. Though, they were talking very quietly, Cherith knew the reason why her grams was so sick. She was dying, there was no other simple answer.
"She's dying, isn't she?" Cherith finally asked, breaking the cold silence in the room.
Qui-Gon sighed and looked at her, nodding yes. //Although I hoped, her death could have been prolonged, that she would live long enough to spend more time with your family,//
"Wonderful 15 birthday, huh?" she joked wryly and looked at Valin, "Valin, can you take me home?"
"That's a good idea," Leia added, "It is still your birthday for a couple more hours.we didn't get to attack the ryshcate cake Mirax made,"
Valin smirked and whispered, "We'll grab a piece," and looked at Cherith, "C'mon Cherry," She nodded and followed him out of the office.
"None of us saw this coming," Cherith added, "She'd kept her secret very well from all of us. No matters how many times I visited her, I never suspected she was dying a little bit each day,"
"She's a brave woman," Valin commented, bypassing the apartment and walking straight to the lounge.
Cherith frowned, glanced at the apartment and then at her friend, "I thought we were going to grab some cake."
Valin shrugged and smiled, "You really want to eat cake? It's gonna be filled with alcohol,"
"No, guess I really don't want to be drunk on my birthday," she mused, "Why did your mom have to add all that alcohol anyway?"
"It's her secret recipe, it's the way she's always made ryshcate cake. Very little sugar, tons of alcohol," he said and Cherith giggled, causing him to smile, "I knew despite everything I could get you to smile,"
Cherith blushed, "Thanks, friend. Things really haven't been that great lately, I needed to laugh,"
tbc
Chapter 7, Post 1
By obi's girl
A/N: Derora Sanri and Shelly Lyons make their fic debut in this post :D
"Cherith, we'd been looking all over for you! You do realize today is your birthday and you're expected to attend your own birthday party, the one you're not supposed to know about but you do any way," Shelly Lyons rambled as Derora locked her arm through Cherith's left and pulled her up from the booth, dragging the soon-to-be 15 year old out of the lounge.
"Could you guys be any less obvious I need to make an appearance at the party?" Cherith asked and pulled her arm away from Derora. "I know I need to be there, but."
Shelly cleared her throat and gave her a look, "Look hon, we realize you're still not over Valin,"
Cherith was about to protest but Shelly gave her another look and she shut- up. "But this is your birthday and if you guys happen to work things out, so you won't be driving us crazy for a long while, trying desperately to get the two of you together, wonderful. But we're already late the party,"
"Wait a minute," Cherith said and both girls turned to her, "Who's trying to set me up with Valin?"
Derora shrugged and then slapped Shelly's arm, grinning, "No one, honey. Your love life is your own," Cherith looked suspiciously at her friends, hmm'd and then continued to walk down the hall. "I can't believe you nearly blabbed the whole plan to Cherith. She's not supposed to know she's being set up with Valin Horn. Don't you know anything about keeping your mouth shut?!"
"Sorry," Shelly mused and the two girls walked in silence, trying to catch up with Cherith.
~~
"Do you think we should even attempt to make it look like a surprise party?" Corran said as he stood next to Luke, drinking some cold Corellian ale. "I mean, we know Cherith already knows about this small party, but it just seems wrong, we can't make it a real surprise party,"
Luke laughed, "Derora and Shelly are arriving with her, with any luck, they'll act surprised and Cherith will be the only one that isn't,"
"That's a big shame," Corran said flatly, smiled when he noticed Valin arrive with his little sister. He said something to her, it looked like he was telling to leave him alone and don't cause any trouble. "Valin!"
Valin turned and groaned when he saw his father, scratched his head and walked over quietly, "Hi dad," he said, "Hello Master Skywalker,"
Luke waved his hand, "There will be no formalities at this party, Valin. Call me Luke.I see your mom made you bring your sister,"
"Jysella just better behave herself, that girl is unpredictable!" Valin cried.
"She's coming!" Mirax said, waving her hand to everyone else as Cassia lowered the lights and hid behind the couch with Silara.
Derora and Shelly entered first, joining Silara and Cassia behind the couch as Cherith walked inside the apartment, stopped briefly and called the lights on. As the lights flickered on, everyone jumped from their hiding places, yelling, "Happy Birthday, Cherith!" and "Surprise!"
Cherith shrugged, smiling thanks to everyone and then froze as she caught sight of Valin. But she was unable to make it to him as anyone she passed wanted to either congratulate or hug her. She needed to talk him, but it looked like, that would have to wait till later.
tbc
"The Sweetest Thing" Chapter 7, Post 2
By obi's girl
"Grandma Padmé," Cherith said, greeting her great grandmother, "You actually made it,"
Padmé snickered and laughed, "And this is a surprise to you, Cherith? I wouldn't miss your 15 birthday party.In Nubian culture, 16 is really the milestone. Sixteen and twenty are the big ones,"
Cherith smiled, "I'm really glad you could make it, grams,"
"Where are you friends? I know Valin is here somewhere,"
"I'm kinda avoiding my friends. They've been very acting strange lately, and Valin, well, it's tough to talk to him since everyone I practically know is here,"
Padmé hmm'd and gestured to Leia to start playing some dance music, "It's time for the birthday girl to have a dance with one of her guests!"
Cherith looked at her grams curiously before she pushed her to the middle of the room. Everyone had filed around the room, creating a large circle. She glanced back at her grams and Padmé winked her at her. Cherith's eyes scanned around the circle and then stopped once she found Valin standing next to his dad. Not to seem to obvious, Cherith wandered around the circle some more before landing again with Valin, extending her hand to him.
Valin smiled and took her hand, as she guided him to the middle of the circle, "I should warn you, Fel, I'm a pretty bad dancer,"
"I'm not worried about that, Valin, just as long as I get to talk to you," Cherith said and wrapped her arms around his neck, "I'm sorry about being forceful before in the gym. It's just something we need to face at some point in our teenage lives,"
"I totally agree but I don't think now is the time," he said and twirled her around.
Cherith laughed, "Liar. You said you were a bad dancer, shame Valin,"
He shrugged, "Believe it or not, sparring actually helps you develop some really good dance moves,"
"Hmm, I never would have thought about that," Cherith mused and grinned, "Keeping any more secrets from me, Valin Horn?"
"None that I can think of that you don't already know about at the moment, Cherith," he said and returned her grin. "Um, could you meet me later in the lounge? I have a very special birthday present to share with you,"
Cherith blushed, "I'll be there but wait, the lounge is closed later."
Valin grinned, "It's a very special present, just be there," She shrugged and the continued to dance in silence.
Tbc
"The Sweetest Thing" Chapter 7, Post 3
Sera Fey`lina leaned against Kyp's shoulder as she watched Cherith and Valin dance. She knew Jag didn't like Valin too much, probably because he didn't like the idea of his only girl having a boyfriend this early in her life but no one else seemed to have a problem with it. But then again, she was a Solo, which meant growing up a lot earlier than expected.
"They're sweet together," Sera said and glanced at Kyp, "So, you think our daughter could be like that one day?"
Kyp groaned, "Daughter?" he questioned, "No offense Sera, but I don't think I'd make the ideal father. It's tough enough babysitting,"
Sera shrugged and hmm'd, "You're not giving yourself credit, Durron. I think you'd be a great father, misguided sometimes but a good father,"
"Thanks," he muttered and pulled her away from the circle, sitting down on the couch. Everyone else was too entranced with Cherith and Valin dancing, they never even noticed them leave the group. "Why the sudden interest in parenting, Sera?"
"Why not?" she retorted, "I know once I returned from my last mission, you had every intention in proposing to me but you were scared. Kyp, I'm not scared to marry you, in fact, I know I would love to be married to you. I have been in love with you for years, this just seems like the next step for us,"
It was Kyp's turn to shrug this time, "I was going to propose to you, I won't lie about that but yes, I was scared. What if we ended up ruining our perfect relationship?" "Kyp, I think I can deal with your nasty manly habits," Sera grinned and grasped his hand, "I want to be with you. I have waited forever for you to notice me, love me. why can't we be there for each other forever, Kyp?"
Kyp huffed as he glanced at Cherith and Valin, then at Jaina and Jag. It'd taken them a long time to be where they were in each other's arms. They found their way back to each other no matter the circumstances. "True love," he whispered, "You think we have that?"
"We'll find out together," Sera whispered back, "We can be that happy together, Kyp, I know it's possible,"
He turned to her, grinned and kissed her cheek, "This is true love, Sera. It's always been that way, it's always been you and me, it just took us longer than most to realize it," Kyp kissed her deeper, "Marry me, Sera Fey`lina?"
"Yes," Sera whispered back and kissed him.
"Alright, you two, break it up!" Corran interrupted them, "This is Cherith's party, so whatever's going on, save it!"
Sera grinned but Kyp only scowled, not appreciating Horn's interruption. Before Kyp could tell him to mind his own business, he heard someone wail and then noticed Padmé faint amongst the crowd. Luke and Leia rushed to her side, Leia holding her mother's head in her lap while Luke called Ben for help. ///Ben! What's happening to her?!//
Little Ben, feeling his father's pain, cried louder but eventually, Qui-Gon appeared in Obi-Wan's place, kneeling down next to Luke, probing Padmé through the Force. //No, this wasn't supposed to happen now,// he said and Luke glared at him. //Ben!//he shouted but little Ben only cried louder,//Ben!// he repeated, rolled his eyes,//Obi-Wan! Padawan!//
Finally, Obi-Wan appeared, ran over and knelt beside his former Master and Padmé. As Obi-Wan looked her over, Cherith and Valin broke through the crowd. Qui-Gon looked briefly up at them, noticed Valin was holding Cherith's hand and then turned his attention back to Padmé. //We need to get to a healer's ward//he said.
Leia nodded as Luke ran to the nearest comm. and connected with Tionne and Caligula. Cherith stepped forward, her arms trembling as she stared her great grandmother's small form, "What's happening to her? Why did she faint?" Cherith cried.
//I can't answer that,// Qui-Gon said and looked around the apartment. Luke saw what he saw and moved to excuse everyone from the apartment except for family. Corran looked at his son, Valin nodded he'll stay with Cherith and Corran head out with Jysella and Mirax.
Valin looked again at Cherith and hugged her tighter, smiling wryly, "Happy birthday," he whispered and she rested her head on his shoulder, crying into his shirt.
tbc
"The Sweetest Thing" Chapter 7, Post 4
By obi's girl
A/N: Feels Like Home is by Chantal Kreviazuk. I'd heard this song from Dawson's Creek, remembered it and thought it would be perfect for Cherith/Valin.
Cherith and Valin watched as Tionne settled Padmé on the medic bed and several other apprentice healers stood aside, waiting for orders. It wasn't the first time Cherith had been in the presence of healers but all the same, she didn't want to be there because her grams. She'd always believed nothing worse could happen to her family and this sot of thing happens.
Valin nudged her shoulder, she turned him and they walked back into the main lab, joining the rest of her family. Qui-Gon was there too, explaining to Luke what might be happening to his mother. Though, they were talking very quietly, Cherith knew the reason why her grams was so sick. She was dying, there was no other simple answer.
"She's dying, isn't she?" Cherith finally asked, breaking the cold silence in the room.
Qui-Gon sighed and looked at her, nodding yes. //Although I hoped, her death could have been prolonged, that she would live long enough to spend more time with your family,//
"Wonderful 15 birthday, huh?" she joked wryly and looked at Valin, "Valin, can you take me home?"
"That's a good idea," Leia added, "It is still your birthday for a couple more hours.we didn't get to attack the ryshcate cake Mirax made,"
Valin smirked and whispered, "We'll grab a piece," and looked at Cherith, "C'mon Cherry," She nodded and followed him out of the office.
"None of us saw this coming," Cherith added, "She'd kept her secret very well from all of us. No matters how many times I visited her, I never suspected she was dying a little bit each day,"
"She's a brave woman," Valin commented, bypassing the apartment and walking straight to the lounge.
Cherith frowned, glanced at the apartment and then at her friend, "I thought we were going to grab some cake."
Valin shrugged and smiled, "You really want to eat cake? It's gonna be filled with alcohol,"
"No, guess I really don't want to be drunk on my birthday," she mused, "Why did your mom have to add all that alcohol anyway?"
"It's her secret recipe, it's the way she's always made ryshcate cake. Very little sugar, tons of alcohol," he said and Cherith giggled, causing him to smile, "I knew despite everything I could get you to smile,"
Cherith blushed, "Thanks, friend. Things really haven't been that great lately, I needed to laugh,"
tbc