Chapter 12

He had to move but hated to wake her up. She had fallen asleep with her head on his bare chest. He had been running his hands through her blonde hair.

Unfortunately, this bliss would end soon and, he had sensed Luke, Mara, and Jaina returning from Theed. He knew it wasn't the right time to tell them.

He tried to slip out with out waking her. She, however, was able to sense his every move, thought, and emotion through the Force.

"They're almost here, aren't they?" Gracelin asked him.

"Yes." He answered grimly.

They both knew how amazing it was that no one had come home sooner. They both got up and got dressed.

Jacen was at the bottom of the stairs when Luke opened the door. That was too close, he thought.

Is everything okay? Jacen jumped when he heard Gracelin's voice in his head.

"Are you alright, Jacen?" Mara asked.

"I'm fine," he responded, sounding as if he was distracted.

Luke noticed but dismissed it. Jaina however, didn't. Luke and Mara walked into the kitchenette.

Jacen, how is it I can hear you? And I'm assuming you hear me. Gracelin's voice was once again in his head.

The Force. Jaina and I can do this. I know Luke, Mara, and my mother do it all the time.

Oh.

"Jacen, you okay?" Jaina asked as she looked at her abnormally quiet brother.

"Yeah," Jacen replied.

"You're lying Jacen Solo! Tell me! I wont tell, promise!" Jaina quickly exclaimed.

Can I tell Jaina?

Not yet; please?

Okay, whatever you want.

"Sorry Jaina, I can't. At least not yet."

"Please?"

"Sorry."

"I don't want to go to bed." Gracelin said as she put her head on Jacen's shoulder.

"Why not?"

"Jaina's in there asleep."

"Oh."

"I want to stay out here with you."

"I want you to, too. But it's probably best if you go on to your room."

"Our room." Gracelin corrected.

"No, that's your room. We don't have our own place, yet."

"Speaking of which, when are we going to tell them?"

"I don't know." They fell silent.

"I wish I could come with you."

"I wish you could too." He kissed the top of her head.

"When will you come back?"

"It won't be long, I promise. I'll be back soon."

"I can't believe you're leaving tomorrow."

"I don't want to believe it." He sighed. He heard her sniffle. "Come on, let's go to bed."

Gracelin reluctantly got off the bench and headed inside. She however just walked to the couch and sat down, tugging at Jacen's arm to follow.

"Gracey, we have to get up in five hours."

"I know." She made no effort to get up. They sat there in silence until they both drifted off to sleep.

"It was good to see you again, Nomi."

"Same here, Luke. And you too Mara."

"Hopefully next time we visit it can be for recreation, not work." Yeah, right!

Be nice, Aunt Mara! "You all should come visit us on Coruscant sometime."

"I'd like that; maybe we'll be able to soon." Gracelin stepped forward and gave Jaina a hug. "Then maybe I could meet this Kyp character."

Jaina chuckled, "Only if you bring your boyfriend as well."

Gracelin could feel Jacen panic a little bit. "I might be able to arrange that."

"Okay, everything is packed, we should start heading for the port."

"Luke's right, come on you two." Mara and Luke went to the speeder.

Jaina gave Gracelin another quick hug and followed. "Bye."

Jacen stood there a little while longer. "I have something for you."

"You didn't need to -"

"Yes I did." He pulled his hand from behind his back and held a silver band. "It's your wedding ring."

Gracelin wanted to cry, "It's beautiful, Jacen."

"Look on the inside." On the inside of the ring, was engraved JS ♥ GD.

"It's perfect."

"And since if you wore it, it'd be too obvious…" He pulled out a silver chain.

"You thought of everything." She said in amazement. "If they weren't sitting right there I'd kiss you."

"Damn Luke," Jacen said faking anger.

Gracelin giggled, "Go, I'll see you soon."

"You will!" I love you.

I love you too!

As Jacen ran to the speeder Gracelin put the ring on the chain and put it on.

Jacen got into the speeder.

"What was that all about?"

"Nothing, Jaina, mind your own business."

"What!" Gracelin exclaimed.

"Yup! They wanted me to come congratulate you." Kristea said in her official voice.

"I can't believe it!"

"Well you better! You start training next week. Grandma Sabè wants you to come see her." Kristea was walking out, and then poked her head back around the corner. She smiled at her best friend. "Tonight, we celebrate!"

This is crazy! A handmaiden? Wow! Jacen's going to be so excited. Gracelin had to sit down, all the excitement was making her dizzy. Jacen, I need to send Jacen a holo message.

Gracelin ran to the comm. room of the Palace. She impatiently awaited her turn at a private terminal. Then it finally came.

"Jacen, I've missed you so much! It seems like these past few weeks have flown by. I got your last message. Tell your mother we hope she feels better.

"I have something exciting to tell you. I found out that I've been selected to go through the training to become a handmaiden! A handmaiden, Jacen! Can you believe it? You're the first person I told.

"Kristea actually told me of the promotion, so she knows. She's gong to take me out tonight. And you need to come home, I mean here.

"I miss you. I wish I could've told you in person. But that's okay." She smiled. "I'll talk to you soon. I love you, Jacen."

She reached up and turned the recorder off. The only thing missing was you.

"Where is it?" Jacen said to himself.

"Where's what?" Han asked from the doorway.

"Nothing. I'm just looking for something."

Han could tell Jacen didn't want to tell him what he was looking for. "Well when was the last time you had it."

"When I was on Naboo."

"Did you bring it back?"

"I don't think so, Dad."

"Do you think you should go get it?"

That's when he got the idea. "I do need it. Plus it'd be nice to see everyone I met there again."

"Then go!"

Jacen couldn't believe his father was encouraging him to leave. "Uncle Luke may not like it."

"Don't worry about Luke or your Mother. I'll take care of them."

"Thanks Dad."

"You're welcome Jacen. Oh and tell her hello for me, and I can't wait to meet her."

"Who?"

"They girl your going back to see. I don't need the Force to tell." With that Han walked off.

Jacen grabbed a bag and started packing. Yes, it didn't have to be an over night trip but he was determined to make it.

He hadn't seen her in so long. The holo messages weren't enough. He missed holding her, kissing her, and just listening to her breath. He wasn't sure how much longer he was going to be able to keep their marriage a secret. Another thing to talk about when I see her.