Baby Mine

by Saber Girl Leia

AN: The beginning of this fic is set AU to the end of Children of the Jedi. I don't own CotJ and it's been a while since I read it, so please excuse any errors regarding it (except of course, those that are intentional ;)).

DON'T WORRY THIS WILL GET HAPPIER.

Disclaimer: Star Wars and that stuff belong to George Lucas, Timothy Zahn, Barbara Hambly, etc. Individual characters, many having spent years fighting for the freedom of the galaxy, deserve their own. Therefore, they belong to themselves. We're nice people, so even those who haven't been fighting for it can have it.

Summary: Callista and Geith, her lover from way back when, have a daughter. Callista is still pregnant when she transfers herself to the Eye. Luke and Leia end up having to take care of her, along with help from the rest of the gang. AU (duh!) Will contain L&M romance (YIPEE!!!!!) I am not a Callie fan, but I have tried to portray her fairly (c'mon people, she's not evil. She's just... not Mara.) Anyway, she's not in it past the very beginning (at least not unless something completely unforeseen even by me happens).

Please review. Constructive criticism especially appreciated.

AN: Standing ovation to anybody who can catch the almost-quote from Les Misérables (the musical). No, I don't own that either.

Prologue

The woman, Cray, had just offered her the most amazing chance in the world. And for Cray, the most amazing sacrifice.

Oh, she wanted to take it. So badly. Luke... But no. That could never be. It was both her duty and her deepest desire as a mother to save her child, even if it meant the end of her own life.

Ellanore, she thought, wondering if her daughter could hear her, remember I love you. And I'm sure your father, Geith, my first true love, does too, wherever he is now. My child... she sobbed. Callista had not told Luke about her baby. If she had, she was sure that he would have done something rash to save Ellanore. Heck, he'd wanted to do some pretty rash things to save Callie herself.

"Jedi Callista?" Cray called, "We're running out of time. I do not want this body anymore. Life without Nichos means nothing at all. Take my body, please. Be with Luke as you both wish. You both deserve happiness."

"I cannot-- I cannot take your body. Though I thank you so much-- my child shall take it.

"Take this-" a nearby computer terminal printed a page, "I don't know how much Ella will understand. I want Luke to know." Callista's voice cracked again but she managed to keep speaking.

Cray took the printout and got into her shuttle.

"I'm ready."

"There's a shuttle of some sort coming in," Leia murmured. After a pause, "It looks like the one Cray took."

Luke looked up tearfully, "It can't be her. She already told us her plans." And it couldn't possibly be the one he longed for most-- she wasn't even corporeal.

"Perhaps she changed her mind?" Leia stroked her brother's hair.

"If she did," Luke stammered, "she's going to need a lot of comforting." He rocked back and forth, his voice choked with grief. "I know how she feels. I know."

"Skywalker," interrupted a familiar voice, though it was missing the usual sarcastic edge, "what can we do for you? What do you need?"

"Would talking about it help?" Leia asked.

Luke shook his head. "You all would have liked her so much. I loved her. I love her. I- I-"

"The shuttle's ready to dock," Mara cut in gently.

"Leia looked confused. "She feels like Cray, but her sense is kind of blurred and different too... can either of you tell?"

"She isn't Callie."

"Luke!" Mara's temper finally broke. "Snap out of it! I know you're grieving and I feel your pain, but there is a living woman out there who quite possibly needs your help." Without either of the noticing, Leia left for the docking bay.

Luke stood up, his face an emotionless mask. His voice was dead. "You're right," he said, not looking towards Mara, "But you don't feel my pain. I have lost so much."

"A lot of what you've lost I've never had!"

Luke walked towards the docking bay. His shoulders were slumped, and he walked like an old man. Normally Mara would chase after him to continue the argument. But he looked so... pathetic. Not a trait usually associated with the Jedi Master.

"Luke," she called softly. He didn't turn. She tried to catch up to him without appearing to hurry. "Luke," Mara said again, putting a hand on his shoulder, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like it came out. Luke I-"

He squeezed her hand and nodded in understanding as words failed her. "I'm sorry too. It's okay, Mara. We both have more temper than we have use for. You're forgiven. Just please stay with me. I don't know what I'll do if I'm left alone."

It was Mara's turn to nod and take his hand. "Come on, Farmboy."

They walked together to the docking bay.

Luke and Mara unconsciously gripped each other's hands tightly as Han guided the shuttle in. Leia placed an arm around her brother's shoulders.

"I'll go," Luke said, his voice still broken. They let him go.

For some reason, the vehicle's occupant had been unable to land alone, so Han had rigged something to let him steer it from the ship they were currently aboard. He gave Luke a comforting slap on the back as he walked past.

The Jedi walked alone to the shuttle. He slowly opened the door. He was greeted by Cray, with her cropped hair and long legs. She collapsed into his arms.

"Cray?" Luke asked, "Are you all right?"

The girl gurgled and flashed an innocent smile. Well, it was Cray's body.

The woman who was not the Cray that they had known held a crumpled flimsy. Luke took it from her. It began 'To my beloved Luke..."

His hands were shaking as he smoothed out the note and read it. The woman, picking up on his feelings, began to bawl. Leia offered a hug which she gladly accepted.

Luke read the letter, allowing Leia, Mara, and Han to read it over his shoulder once he had finished. It read:

To my beloved Luke...

Your student, Cray, shall be remembered as making the greatest sacrifice a person can make. She offered to switch places with me. She was going to give me her body so I could be with you. Oh, Luke, I wanted to so badly.

But I could not. There was someone whose life was more important to me than my own onboard.

I never told you that Geith and I had a daughter. I was still pregnant when I transferred her spirit and my own into the Eye. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to try something even more rash than you wanted to do just for me.

So I gave Cray's body to my baby. This is Ellanore. Please help her get settled, Luke, for me. Remember I love you and I always shall. Death cannot stop love. There is always love.

Forever yours,

Callie

Mara and Han looked incredulous. Leia looked pained but thoughtful. Luke just looked pained.

"Ella?" Leia crooned into Cray-- Ella's ear, "Is your name Ellanore?"

The girl smiled and flailed one arm towards Leia's face. "Ga!"

Leia made an attempt to laugh a little at Ella's antics... but for the most part there was just an uneasy silence. Luke finally broke it.

"I'll take her," he said, eyes still downcast.

The others looked at him quizzically.

"She needs someone to take care of her, quite obviously. Callie asked me. I'll adopt Ellanore... It's the least I can do. And I've always wanted a family."

He stroked the girl's hair tentatively. "Ella? Ellie? I'm... I'm gonna be your new daddy. Can you say hi to daddy?"

Hope you liked it! I know it's pretty sad so far (though, yes I see the group over there dancing for joy that Callista's dead (yes, you, in the blue jeans!)) But don't worry, though it will be a mostly serious fic, I promise some bad attempts at mild humor, and lots and lots of LMLH interaction and hopefully LM romance. Will try to update soon, though I can't say when exactly with exams and all. Please review. Constructive criticism especially appreciated.