Chapter 11

Luke cleared his throat a second time before they heard him. Gracelin jumped and nearly fell off the bed. Jacen was clearly embarrassed at being caught.

"Jacen, can you come out here, please?" Luke asked in an almost irritated tone.

"Coming." Jacen informed his Uncle's retreating form. He got off the bed and kissed Gracelin's forehead. "I'll be back in a minute," he told her. The door shut behind him but Gracelin could still hear what was being said.

"Are you crazy!"

"Excuse me!"

"Jacen, we are on an assignment! There's no time to be fooling around. And especially with out host's daughter!"

"Luke, we're old enough to make out own decisions."

"I don't think you are Jacen. At least not by yourself."

"I've used the Force and I've meditated. Its telling me this is right."

"I'm afraid I disagree."

"I'm sorry you feel that way."

"Now it makes sense," Luke mumbled to himself.

"What?" Jacen asked defensively.

"Nothing, I was just thinking." After an awkward silence, "I came here early to let you know we'll be leaving in two standard weeks." With that Luke headed down stairs.

Jacen returned to find Gracelin had gone through the window and was standing on the balcony. He joined her. Her back was facing him.

"Two weeks?" She asked.

"You heard?"

"He's not very quiet when he's mad."

Jacen walked up behind her and put his arms around her. He kissed her temple.

"I knew this was too good to be true." Gracelin said to herself.

Jacen turned her around, he found himself starring into those wonderful blue green eyes he'd come to love. "I'm not leaving you."

"What are you talking about? Luke just said you're leaving in two weeks."

"I'll stay."

"You can't do that. You're needed elsewhere. And what about your mom and dad?"

"Okay, then, you come with me."

"Jacen, you know Nomica would never allow it. Plus, what about my work at the Palace?"

"The promotion, I forgot. Have you heard anymore about it?"

"No, and don't change the subject. What are we going to do?"

Gracelin turned back to look at the landscape. Jacen put his arms around her waist. It seemed they had always known each other, when in reality, they'd know each other for about three months.

The idea came to him. He put his lips close to her ear and whispered, "Marry me?"

She quickly spun around, "What?"

"Marry me, Gracey. Then we'll know we have each other. And even though we may not be able to be together right now, but we can in a month or so. I love you so much; I don't want to loose you."

"It's crazy!" She put her hand to her forehead and thought for a moment. "I'm crazy!"

"Is that a yes?"

"Yes! I'll marry you!"

They enveloped each other in a hug and then a passionate kiss. When they parted they leaned on one another to keep their balance.

"When?" She asked.

"Tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow. We aren't going to tell them are we? I don't think we should."

"Not yet anyways."

Gracelin pulled away first, "I guess I have a few comm. calls to make." She then climbed back through her window.

They all sat at the table as they had become accustom to doing.

Greyton spoke first, "What's everyone doing today?"

"I've got work. Luke? Mara?" Nomi asked.

"We have to head in town. Jaina and Jacen are coming with us."

"Actually I can't. I promised Mom I'd call her today."

"Okay, so, Jacen is out." Luke commented.

"I'm supposed to visit Sabè today." Gracelin said after pushing her plate away.

Luke could sense she was lying.

"I'm going to head out." Gracelin then headed upstairs to get ready.

"We better get going too, Luke." Mara said to her husband.

"Okay."

Slowly everyone left the table and went on with their plans.

Jacen did indeed call his mother. However, she was in a meeting. He was now left to wait for Gracelin to come back from Sabè's.

"I know, I know, and I promise I won't stay gone that long again." Gracelin said.

"Well good! Kristea's been by here a lot and I hadn't heard from you." Sabè replied.

"I have to tell you something. It's a secret; you can't tell Kristea or anyone for that matter." Excitement dripping from her words.

"What is it?" Sabè asked worriedly.

"I'm getting married today. And I'm scared to death."

"Married! To who?"

"Remember the young Knight I told you was staying with us?"

"Yes but the last thing I remember he got on your nerves." She replied confused.

"Things have changed so much since then," Gracelin sighed.

"I'm guessing neither of your families know about this."

"No."

"Gracelin, things aren't going to go well when they find out."

"I know but I'm not going to worry about that now."

"Gracelin, I would be. I'm not going to tell you what to do, but please make sure you think this through. I've already seen rushed marriages fail; I don't want to add you to the list."

"Yes, ma'am." Gracelin had thought about it. She couldn't explain the feeling she got with Jacen. She loved him, and no words could express that love. She wished she could make everyone understand.

Gracelin just sat and listened to Sabè; even though her mind was somewhere else.

"Explain to me again why I can't drive." Jacen said from the passenger seat of Gracelin's speeder.

His hand was resting on her knee; she reached down from the controls and grabbed it. "They'll think it's weird if you came home driving home my speeder."

"Do you think anyone will be there?"

"I'm not sure." She fell silent and he did too. After a few moments of the silence, Gracelin pulled into the driveway. She looked over at Jacen as they sat there, "Hey Jacen?"

He looked over at her and smiled, "yes?"

"We got married!" She said with a smile.

"I know," his smile grew wider. He leaned in and kissed her. He pulled back and their foreheads met. He could see tears in her eyes. "You okay?"

"Mm hmm."

"Let's go inside," Jacen then hopped out of the speeder. Gracelin got out as well. Jacen walked to her and put his arm around her, as they went inside.

"Mom? Greyton?" Gracelin called out but received no answer.

"Luke? Mara? Jaina?" Jacen called but, he too, received no answer.

"NO one is here." Gracelin said stating the obvious.

Jacen was quick to take her in his arms. Their lips were soon connected. Jacen pulled back and picked her up.

"Put me down." She giggled out of breath.

He smiled mischievously, "nope."

That was all he said before he carried her up stairs.

A/N: Hope you're enjoying the story! Dont forget to review!