Chapter 28

"I think you should call him." Luke said. Luke sat with Gracelin, Jaina, Han, Leia and Mara, in his apartment.

Jaina had purposely woken her parents before her departure, in case she needed them.

Mara sat back down after another trip to the refresher. "I agree with Luke. Kouhuns are no joke. I hate to say it, but someone really wants you dead."

"But why? I'm no one of significance!" Gracelin tried to defend.

"It doesn't matter why, Gracelin, the baby and you are in danger." Leia said quickly.

"What if they were after someone else? It's obvious they don't know what they're doing."

"I admit putting them in the nursery was stupid. But what if next they don't make the same mistake. Or they make a different one, and put them in your bedroom." Mara tried to reason.

"Jacen will be home day after tomorrow. I'll be fine."

"You are not going to say alone. And I don't count Maria as having someone with you." Leia interjected.

"I don't want to inconvenience anyone or worry Jacen, for no reason."

"I swear you're as stubborn as Solo!" Mara said motioning toward Han.

"Hey!" They both said insulted and in unison.

"Gracelin and Maria will stay here with Mara and me. No arguing." Luke silenced her before she could open her mouth to speak.

"Good! Come on you two, let's get back to bed." Leia ushered her daughter and husband out of the apartment.

Mara left the room, shortly after for another trip to the fresher; morning sickness getting the best of her.

Gracelin sat on the sofa in the Skywalker apartment, with her arms crossed over her chest and resting on her stomach. "I do not like being treated as a child."

Luke just stared at her. "When you stop acting like one I won't treat you like one. You are responsible for two lives, not just your own. And with Maria, that adds a third! I don't know if you're just trying to prove to us that you're strong or what. With everything that has happened in the past nine months; we know you're strong."

Gracelin was already emotional but Luke's speech was making tears roll down her face. She stood up to head to the guest bedroom.

"Mara was wrong. You don't share Han's stubbornness. You have the same damn pride as your mother." Luke said.

Gracelin stopped and turned to look at Luke. She walked toward him and lifted her hand to slap him. She didn't get to.

Luke held her by the wrist. "If anything happens to you or that baby, it will kill Jacen." Luke starred her in the eye as he spoke it.

She snatched her arm out of his grip and headed to the guest room. Gracelin wasn't sure she was angry because she knew he was right or because he said she was like her mother. She decided she would think about it in the morning.

Gracelin was awoken to the sound of someone repeatedly ringing the door pager. She was a little aggravated until she sensed who was behind the door. She wanted to run but ended up waddling really fast.

Mara, who was suffering from a lack of sleep and morning sickness, beat her there. She let the door slide open to reveal Jacen on the other side.

Maria ran past Gracelin and into Jacen's waiting arms. He walked past Mara and put Maria down when he saw Gracelin making her way toward him

H quickly put his hands on the side of her face and began pushing away stray hairs. "Are you okay?" He wiped at the tears that tried to escape. He embraced her, the best he could. "I love you." He kissed the top of her blonde curls. "I'm not leaving again."

She slowly pulled away. "How did you find out?"

"Maria told me. I should be mad that you didn't want her to call me. But I'm just glad you're alright."

"I'm sorry." She apologized in a whisper.

"It's alright." He kissed her again. They're reunion was interrupted by the sound of Jacen's comm link begging for attention. "I haven't even been on planet half and hour," he complained. He sighed before answering, "Solo?"

"Knight Solo? This is Captain Caden Gage with the New Republic communications department. We have an urgent message patched through from Naboo for you and your wife."

"We'll be down there in a moment, Captain. Thanks; Solo, out."

The news had broken Gracelin's heart. Kristea said that Sabè passed in her sleep. Even though Sabè was now one with the Force it didn't ease her pain. Sabè had been a grandmother to her, since she never knew her own.

Luke, even though he had only met her once, was upset as well. He had hoped to one day find out as much about his mother as possible. Even though he had her name now, it wouldn't be the same as talking with her best friend.

Gracelin was now sitting in the Tiona Tatum, a ship Jacen had borrowed. The healers at the med center told her it wasn't a good idea to travel but she didn't listen. She was bound and determined to say goodbye to her grandmother and help her best friend with the loss.

Luke had accompanied them on their trip to Naboo. With what had happened the night before heavy on his mind.

Kristea had invited them to stay with her. Gracelin wasn't sure how Nomica would feel with them being there. Nomica hadn't sent a reply to the message Gracelin had sent her months ago. Plus, Kristea wanted to keep Gracelin close by.

Jacen had a bad feeling about returning to Naboo. Maria may not have fully understood what was going on but she knew it was bad. She had grown very close to Gracelin but knew it was best to sick close to Luke and Jacen.

Jacen hoped that being on Naboo would help Gracelin. He hoped it would help himself as well. He was still worried about the latest attempt on Gracelin's life. He knew she would be safer on Naboo.

The funeral pyre had long burned out. Kristea's family wanted a traditional funeral but didn't have enough funds. And refused the ones Gracelin and Luke offered. Jacen was beginning to think it wasn't just Gracelin that was stubborn.

Luke, Maria, and Kristea's parents had been in bed for a while. Jacen had stayed up to listen as Gracelin and Kristea swapped stories.

"Do you remember we were about three or four the first time she had taken us to the Palace?" Kristea asked.

"Like it was yesterday. You decided that you wanted to be Queen and I was going to be your handmaiden."

"But you two look nothing alike." Jacen said confused.

Gracelin placed a hand on his arm. "That's what makes it funny and special."

"Plus, when you're four you don't think about that kind of stuff. Logic isn't even in your vocabulary yet."

Gracelin sighed and slid off the stool she was sitting on. "I'm tired; I think I'll go to bed." She kissed Jacen's cheek, "don't stay up too late."

"I'll be in in a minute." He replied.

Kristea waited until Gracelin was in the other room. "Jacen, I need to show yo something."

Jacen's face showed his concern. "What is it?"

"First, I have to tell you what really happened."

A/N: I'm sorry it took so long. I would've updated sooner but the site wouldn't let me upload the chapter. Go figure. Anyways, I hope you like the chapter, I hope to update soon. Don't forget to review. ;)