Chapter 24

Jacen looked around the room. He couldn't believe how much stuff the three women had bought. He surveyed. They bought a dresser, crib, a bassinet, a rocking chair and about six cans of paint.

That was what he was doing tomorrow. Kristea was going to her transport now. That left the job to Jaina, Kyp, Gracelin and himself.

Gracelin had picked out a blue-green for the room. Suitable for a boy or a girl. They still have a while before their little dispute will be put to rest.

Jacen had known he had an appointment to contact the Council in the morning so he decided to go to bed.

Gracelin walked into the apartment after escorting Kristea to the hangar. She made her way to what would be the baby's room.

She reached out to Jacen and knew he was asleep. She walked to the dresser and opened the top drawer. She pulled out a small soft pink one piece suit. It had a soft, matching, blanket that had the name Solo embroidered on it. It even had little socks to match.

She held the tiny outfit in her hands. She felt tears coming when she thought about how in six months she would have a baby in the outfit.

She sat in the rocking chair and started thinking. She missed being at home, on Naboo. She missed her favorite gardens. She missed Greyton. But she really missed Sabè and her mother.

Gracelin stood up and put the outfit back in the drawer. She walked to the comm unit and turned on the recorder.

"Hi, Mom. I meant to talk to you sooner but things got a little busy. Especially with the moving."

"Kristea flew in for the day. She, Jaina, and I went shopping for the baby's room. We had lots of fun.

"Oh, You'll never guess who came by! Ramey! It was so crazy." Gracelin laughed at the thought. "He tried to strangle Jacen. But don't worry I wouldn't let them hurt each other. It was just a misunderstanding.

Gracelin stopped and looked down, blinking back tears. "Mom? I miss you. I wish you could be here. I'm so scared! I don't know what to do. I don't know how to be a mother. What if I mess up?"

Gracelin wiped at her eyes. "I'm sorry. I keep getting so worried. It's late and we're painting the baby's room tomorrow. I hope everything is well there. Tell Greyton hello for me. I love you, both of you."

She reached up and turned the recorder off and stood up.

"You're going to be a great mother, Gracey."

She turned around and saw Jacen leaning on the wall. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Not too long. I hear you talking and was wondering to whom." Jacen walked up to her, he took her in his arms. "You are going to be a great mother. I don't doubt you and you shouldn't doubt yourself."

"You're not scared?"

"Only to death, Gracey. But I know that you can help me and so can my dad. And you have me and your mom, and my mom."

"I know."

He kissed her forehead. "I have the utmost confidence in you, Love."

Gracelin chastely kissed his lips. "Thank you."

Gracelin didn't really want to go but they are Jacen's parents. They had accepted their marriage and even treated Gracelin as if she was their own daughter.

Gracelin had bone back to work, along with the morning sickness, she wasn't getting enough sleep. And Jacen had been acting weird. In the last week he had insisted on walking her to and from the Senate building. It was sweet but she was curious as to what had inspired his actions.

She wanted to talk to him about it before the party. Unfortunately Luke and Han had come over. Then Jacen had suggested to Gracelin that they would need to be leaving in an hour. She knew he wanted her out of the room and it hurt her that he was keeping a secret.

But Gracelin wasn't one to be left out. Yes, she would comply while the two were there. But Jacen had to answer to her before she would set foot outside of the apartment.

She sat in front of her vanity mirror, fixing her hair. Now can the part she dreaded. The dress. Gracelin realized that the Solos were a prominent family and she would need to get over her reluctance to wear a dress.

She had picked it out herself. I was a dark brown, almost the same shade as Jacen's eyes. That being the reason she had chosen it. She slipped the form fitting dress on.

Jacen Solo sat in the common room of his and his wife's apartment. Sitting across from him on the sofa was his father and uncle.

Jacen handed them a sheet of paper and waited for their reaction.

"How long have you had this?" Han asked.

"About a week. It was lying on the floor outside the apartment door."

"And nothing has happened yet?" Luke questioned.

"No." Jacen answered worriedly. "What does that mean?"

"Jacen calm down first. Keep your mind clear and it'll be easier for you to decide what to do." Luke tried.

Stay calm? "How can I stay calm? Someone has threatened the lives and my wife and child and you expect me to stay calm!"

"Jacen this sort of thing happened all the time once you and Jaina were born. Even while you were with Winter we got all types of notes and letters." Han explained.

"So what, I should just disregard it? Assume it's a fake?"

"No, but you should worry less about it."

"You haven't told Gracelin about his yet, have you?" Han asked realizing why he had suggested she leave the room.

"Not yet. I don't know how to."

"Jacen, this is going to happen. It happened to your mother and father, and to Mara and me. Some are real, others aren't. It's been a week; I'd say keep your eyes open, but don't make that your sole concentration. If you do, you'll drive yourself crazy." Luke tried to console his nephew.

"I'll try." Jacen sighed. "I know." Jacen said quickly before Luke could, "Do or do not, there is no try."

Luke smiled remembering Yoda telling him the same thing. Luke was brought out of his musing by someone shouting.

"Jacen! Come here!" Gracelin called from the bedroom.

Jacen was on his feet after hearing his name. He used the Force and felt no distress coming from her. He used the Force to open the door before he reached it. He ran inside lightsaber in hand. "What's wrong?"

"Gracelin stood in front of her mirror. "Nothings wrong just come here."

Jacen was confused. He had heard urgency in her voice but now she looked almost excited. He clipped his lightsaber back to his belt. "What?"

"Look!" She placed her hand on her abdomen.

Jacen looked, but really didn't see anything. Then he noticed that the dress didn't quite fit right. He noticed the pull at the sides.

Now he felt really confused. Most women would be upset about gaining wait and he knew that after living with Leia and Jaina. He wasn't sure what she was so excited about but he wasn't going to let her know that.

Jacen smiled and gave her a hug. He heard a knock and then saw the door slide open.

"Everything okay?" Han asked.

"Wonderful!" Gracelin answered leaving the bedroom and heading into the common room. Han glanced at Jacen and shrugged. They followed Gracelin into the common room.

She walked in to find Luke sitting on the sofa.

"Is everything alright?" He asked.

"Fine, just fine." Gracelin said with extra pep.

Luke stood up to hug her. "And I see why. You're finally starting to show."

"I know! Its so exciting."

Luke could see how happy she is. He smiled inwardly. "It is exciting. Well I'm going upstairs to finish getting ready and meet Mara."

"Alright, I'll see you two tonight."

Luke kissed her cheek. "I'll see you there." Luke left the apartment.

"I should probably leave too. Your mother will have my hide if I make us late." Han said as he and Jacen walked into the room.

Gracelin gave him a hug, "See you tonight, Han."

Jacen walked him to the door and returned to see Gracelin starring at him. "What?" He could tell she wasn't pleased with him. She had to have learned that glare from my mother.

"Why did you want me out of the room when they got here?"

"It'll be okay, Gracey."

"What 'will be okay', Jacen? Tell me what's going on!"

"I found a letter. It said that someone wanted you," Jacen had to take a deep breath to steady himself. "And the baby, um, dead."

Gracelin's previous anger melted away. "What?" She immediately sat on the sofa, not trusting her legs to hold her up much longer.

"I don't' know who sent it but I'm going to find out." He sat down beside her and saw the unshed tears in her eyes. "I'm not going to let anyone hurt you again."

Gracelin sat silent. She was scared, and she wasn't going to deny it. She had only been shot a few weeks ago. Was that an attempt? And now she not only feared for her life but mostly of their unborn child.

It was a lot of information to take in, especially before a special family dinner.

A/N: I'm SO SORRY this has taken so long. I had family come in town and was distracted. I hope to make it up to ya.