Chapter 30

Nomica's visit to Corusant brought back many good and bad memories. The walk through the Imperial Palace seemed to take forever. Then what she dreaded the most came out of a door and headed in their direction.

Mara had known that Nomica was on planet, Luke had told her that. But that didn't mean she felt like dealing with her. Now, however she had to because she was headed in her and Leia's direction.

They all exchanged pleasantries. They all sort of fell into an awkward silence.

"So, Mara, how's the morning sickness going?" Gracelin asked with a bit of humor in her voice.

"Did I, in anyway, make fun of you?" Mara said defensively.

Jacen couldn't help but chuckle at Gracelin's stance. She looked quite funny with her hands on her hips and belly poking out.

"What about when you called me the 'Solo Blimp'? Or how about the when you made fun of me because I craved elibom casserole?"

Leia started to laugh. "That's funny." Mara began to blush, which was a rarity.

Gracelin pointed an accusing finger, "Ha, you're craving it too, aren't you?"

Mara just rolled her eyes, "Anyways!"

"And their going out of season. I'm going to love to watch Luke trying to find eliboms that won't make him go broke." Jacen chuckled.

"New subject," Leia interrupted. "Nomica, I was glad to hear you were coming."

"I'm excited to be here, visiting old places and old friends." Nomica smiled. She and Mara had used to be friends but with Mara married and carrying Luke's child it just made things uncomfortable for both of them.

"Will you be here for the party?" Leia asked.

"What party?"

"Gracelin! You didn't tell her about it?" Leia redirected her attention to Nomica. "We're having a wedding slash baby party for them. It's the end of this week."

"Only if they want me to be."

"Of course I want you there Mom, I was going to ask you tonight at third meal."

"Good! Now that that is settled, we could use your help planning."

"Umm, okay." Nomica had no idea what she was getting herself into.

"Sit still, Gracelin." Nomica reprimanded. "You've always fidgeted when I tried to fix your hair."

"Ouch Cause you pull too hard, Mom." Gracelin joked as her mother tried to pull it back in to a small ponytail to allow some of her curls to lie across her shoulders.

"Did Leia ever pick you out a dress?"

"Just because I'm the size of a bantha doesn't mean I can't pick out my own clothes."

"Oh, please, Gracelin, you're not that big. I was much bigger with you."

"Really? I don't see how you did it?"

Nomica put a peach flowered clip to hold back her hair. "I loved you."

Gracelin smiled and she felt her eyes tear up. Damn hormones, she thought. She wiped at her eyes trying not to mess up her makeup.

Nomica decided to change the subject. "Did you invite your father?"

"Yes, but he didn't think he would be able to make it. But that's fine, Greyton's here."

"And, I believe, Kristea arrived last night."

"She did. Her and her new boyfriend, Taylor." Gracelin informed her mother.

"Good. I think you'll like him. They seem pretty serious."

"I know! I'll be happy when we move to Yavin; we'll be closer to Naboo." (A/N: I don't really know how close they are.)

"I didn't know you were moving."

"The Academy is on Yavin. And I would like to train some. Plus, Luke wants Jacen to help him teach this coming semester. And I want to be with him. And Force knows I won't be able to take care of this baby by myself."

"But we just fixed up the baby's room here."

"We'll only be on Yavin for about five months out of the year. If that. Plus the semester doesn't start for four months."

"The baby will only be three months old!"

"Mom, it'll be okay. I promise."

"Alright, I'll stop. Its getting close to time so I'm going to go check on Greyton and start getting ready."

"Okay, I'll see you tonight." Nomica grabbed her bag and headed for the door. "Mom!" Gracelin called and watches as she turned back around. "I love you."

Nomica smiled, "I love you too."

The party had already peeked and was making a very slow descent. Leia had introduced them to, what felt like, a thousand people. Gracelin and Jacen shared one dance. They had danced to the song they had danced to at Kristea's party. But that was the only dance because of Gracelin's feet beginning to swell.

They now sat at their table waiting for permission to go home.

"They did a good job." Jacen commented on the work their mothers had done."

"They did."

"Want me to see if they'll throw you a birthday party like this?"

"Not funny." Gracelin smacked his shoulder.

"What?" He tried to act innocent. Then he put on that cocky but cute Solo grin. "Mad because I suggested a big party? Or because I reminded you your birthday is in two weeks?"

Gracelin acted as if she was pondering about it. "I choose… both." Then she started laughing.

Han walked up and squatted between their chairs. He looked to Jacen. "Your mother sent me over here to tell you that you need to mingle."

"What about Gracey? Her feet are killing her."

Han put on the smile his son had just shed. "She never said anything about Gracelin." He then got up and headed off to the bar.

Jacen shook his heat at his gather. He looked to Gracey but she sat with her eyes closed. "Are you okay?" He asked with worry evident in his voice.

"I just feel nauseous all of the sudden." She opened her eyes.

"Too many cream puffs, what it is." He knew they were her favorite dessert.

"Hey, they're good!" she said defensively.

"Well you stay here and try not to lose your dinner. I'm going to go find Luke and Mara."

"I saw Mara earlier; she's wearing a lavender dress."

"Thank you. I'll be right back." Jacen kissed her forehead and went looking for his uncle.

Gracelin's sick feeling was just not going away. She got up and went to the bar. "Can I get a soda water, please?"

She sipped on it for awhile. Where are you? She heard inside her head.

Getting some water, she sent back to Jacen. She wasn't facing the crown but figured he was looking for her. She took another sip.

She felt a hand pull back hair and lay it on her left shoulder.

She smiled at this. She then felt feather light kisses on her neck. What is Jacen thinking? She noticed it didn't tickle as it normally did.

She lifted her shoulder to block her neck. She felt uncomfortable with such a display of affection in public. "Not here!" she scolded.

"Then where?" He whispered. But the voice did not belong to the man she thought it had.

Suddenly and arm came around her shoulders and was dragging her away from the bar. She instantly screamed causing everything to stop.

Jacen felt her distress before he heard the scream. He was now standing in front of his wife and her attempted assassin.

"Let her go, Bow!" Jacen was amazed at how calm he sounded and yet remained forcefully."

"Afraid not, Solo." Bow responded. That was when Jacen saw the blaster he carried in his other hand.

Jacen felt his heart skip a beat. Jacen reached for his lightsaber.

"Don't move, Solo!" Bow said as he placed the blaster next to Gracelin's temple.

The remaining guests saw the blaster and began to panic. Jacen was unsure of what to do him self.

He looked at Gracelin and saw the streams of tears running down her face. She had her hands on Bow's forearm trying to pull out of his grip.

Jacen could feel the back of his eyes beginning to burn. He looked passed Bow to see Luke standing behind him. He saw Luke mouth one word and knew what they were going to do; run.

The word most would consider cowardly, except for them. Jacen took a deep breath and ran directly at Bow.

Instead of Bow pulling the trigger he pointed the blaster at Jacen. Gracelin felt her tears double as she saw Bow point the blaster at her husband. She quickly shut her eyes.

All the sudden, there was a push and she fell. The one thing she heard was the blaster shot before darkness took over.

A/N: I'm SOOOO Sorry that it took so long for this chapter to come up. I had writer's block and then some family things had come up. But I'm not going to go that long without updating again. And I hope to have the next chapter up in a few days. Its already half way finished.