I'm cranking these chapters out like crazy! It's amazing how much writing time one has when they aren't teaching 5-year-olds all day, lol. Anyway, this one came from a sudden burst of inspiration after a lovely anonymous commenter asked for sick Obi-Wan being taken care of by little Iyla. Something about the imagery there immediately struck me and I went and wrote it all in like 2 days. I debated waiting to post it since it's so soon after the last one, but it's Fathers Day and I figured it would be nice to post a fluffy Papa Obi-Wan and adorable little Iyla chapter in honor of Fathers Day. So here it is!
Summary: Obi-Wan comes down with the flu and Iyla takes it upon herself to care for him. After a few mixed up comm messages, Obi-Wan's friends and family step in to help as well. Pure fluff and sugary goodness!
Chapter 18: Under the Weather
Papa was still asleep when she woke up. This wasn't really unusual though. She was a very early riser and Papa got very tired after his meetings so he needed to sleep. Usually she'd just sit and play with her toys while she waited for him to get up. It was never too long though. He somehow knew when she was getting hungry or bored and he'd get up to make breakfast. Iyla asked him one time how he always knew and he smiled and said something about the Force and a parent bond. She didn't really understand but she nodded like she did and went back to her breakfast.
But this morning her stomach had been growling for a long time and her Papa was still sleeping. He must be really tired. Iyla wanted him to sleep because she knew grown-ups work very hard and need to sleep a lot but she was also very hungry. Maybe Papa was hungry too? He has been asleep for a long time after all. His stomach was probably growling like hers was. She should wake him up so he can eat too.
Mind made up, she set down her toy speeders and walked to the bed. Papa's mouth was open and his eyebrows had a wrinkle in them like he gets when he's thinking hard or upset. He was also kinda sweaty. Like on his hair and his face. Iyla started pulling the blankets off of him because obviously he was hot and didn't need them. Taking off the blankets made him shift around and he mumbled something before burying his face in the pillow.
"Papa…?" Iyla asked.
"Mmmm," was the incoherent reply.
"Papa, can we have brefast now?" she asked.
He groaned and his eyebrows wrinkled more.
"Papa," she tried again this time touching his shoulder and shaking him. "Papa, pease wake up. I'm hungwy."
"Iyla…?" he muttered. "Wha's wrong?"
"I'm hungwy, Papa and you been seeping fowever," she explained.
He yawned and started to sit up then moaned and put his head in his hands. Iyla looked at him and was concerned. His face was scrunched up like he was hurt and his head was still really sweaty.
"You ok, Papa? Your head huwts?"
"I'm ok, little one, don't worry. Now, you said something about breakfast?"
"Yeah, can we have some? My tummy is growling lots."
He laughed and rubbed a finger over her cheek. "Of course, love. Give me a moment to get up and I'll meet you in the kitchen, alright?"
"Ok. Can I set the table?"
"Yes, but only what you can reach, remember. I don't want you climbing on counters to get things down, dear. Leave the rest for me."
"Kay," she said then skipped off to the kitchen.
The cups were too high so she put out plates, napkins, and utensils instead and waited patiently at the table for him to come out. She hummed a song she learned in the crèche and swung her legs back and forth happily. But after three verses of the song her Papa still hadn't come out. Maybe he fell asleep again. Iyla huffed and decided to go find her silly Papa.
"Did you falled aseep again?" she asked walking to the room with her hands on her hips.
She stopped in confusion though when she saw that the bed was empty. He must be in the 'fresher then. She walked to the 'fresher door and listened for running water. He was probably taking a shower because he was all sweaty. That made sense. But there was no running water. Instead she heard…coughing and…
She knocked loudly and put her mouth to the door. "Are you frowing up, Papa?" she called out.
A quick flush and frantic scrambling was heard. "I…I'm alright, love. It's just…it's nothing. I'll be out soon."
But Iyla was having none of it. She pushed the door open and stepped into the doorway. Her Papa was hunched over where he stood and his shirt was sweaty now too. His hair was messed up and the room smelled like sickness.
"Do you gots a bad tummy ache?" she asked with wide eyes.
He cleared his throat and straightened up. "No, darling. I'm ok," he forced a smile.
"Are you sick?" Iyla asked cocking her head to the side and narrowing her eyes.
"No, no. I'm just feeling a bit…under the weather," he said.
Iyla raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "I'm fouw not stupid. I know what unner the wevver means. It means you're sick."
Papa smiled at her and shook his head. "So clever, my little one." He sighed and slumped forward a bit more. "You're right. I am feeling a little sick. But, not to worry, I'm sure I'll be better soon."
Iyla didn't look convinced though. "Maybe you bettew take a shower cuz you're all sweaty. And you frowed up and got dirty," she said pointing to his shirt.
"Uh…right. Yes, I should clean up. But you need breakfast, little one. Let me get that sorted out for you first," he said walking slowly out of the 'fresher and into the kitchen.
Iyla followed him closely and watched him carefully. He grabbed a cup from the cabinet and poured some milk in it. His hand was a little shaky so some of it spilled and he frowned.
"It's ok, Papa. You not mean to spill," she reassured him because he looked upset.
Her Papa smiled again and patted her head. "Thank you, love," he said.
She grabbed a napkin from the table and mopped up the milk puddle for him then watched as he slowly made his way around the kitchen. He opened the fridge and started to pull out some eggs but his hands were shaky again. Iyla rushed forward to stop him.
"I not need eggs, it's ok. Maybe some toast and fwuit will be good," she said.
"But you love eggs," he insisted.
"Not today. Today I love toast and fwuit," she said stubbornly.
He stared at her and she stared back at him defiantly. Finally he sighed and got out the bread and butter instead. Iyla continued to stay close as he sliced the fruit and toasted the bread. Thankfully he didn't cut himself or burn himself. Something she credited to her keeping a close eye on him. Once he was finished she took the plate and sat at the table to start eating.
"Fanks, Papa. Wanna have some fwuit too? I can save you some."
"My stomach is still not feeling well, darling but thank you for offering."
Iyla frowned. He wasn't going to eat anything? But, she remembered when she had a hurty tummy and how she didn't want to eat anything either so she decided not to say anything and leave it alone.
"Now, I'm going to take a quick shower," he said. "Then I'll be out to help you get ready for the crèche alright?"
Iyla nodded and was about to say something but he was already walking away toward the 'fresher. She munched on her toast and contemplated what to do about her situation. She couldn't go to the crèche today. Her Papa was sick. If she went to the crèche who was going to take care of him? And he obviously couldn't go to any meetings either. What if he threw up in the middle of a meeting? That would be bad. She'd have to tell Master Alann she wasn't coming and the Council people too. She looked at her Papa's comm sitting on the living room table and bit her lip. She wasn't supposed to use his comm at all. And especially when he wasn't there. She could get in a lot of trouble. But maybe this qualified as an emergency. Being sick could be an emergency. And it would be for the best. Her Papa simply could not go to meetings today. She left her breakfast at the table and hurried to his comm. She needed to be quick before he got out of the shower.
Iyla took the comm and wondered who she should call. Someone on the Council obviously. That would be a good idea. But she didn't know who. She pulled up his comm address book and started looking through it. She wasn't great at reading names though so it was a bit difficult to find people. She figured a call to the crèche was first on the list though and quickly found the letter "A." She had heard her Papa call Master Alann "Ali" before and that was only a little bit of letters so she felt confident that she could find his name at least.
"Ahl-eee," she sounded out under her breath. "A…E…ummm."
A and E would have to do. But there was no one with an A and E. It was a small name though so she needed to look for a word with only a few letters. The first name she came to with only a few letters looked like it might be right so she clicked on 'Adi' and waited for them to answer.
The comm quickly went to voicemail though so Iyla decided to leave a message.
"Hi Masser Al-an this is Iyla. Papa is sick. He's sweaty and he frowed up and he gots shaky hands so I not gonna come to the cwush today cuz I gots to take care a him, ok? Pease tell Shona and Flynn and Nawi too cuz they gonna be worried. Anyway, I gotta go. Bye-bye!"
She hung up then looked for someone to call from the Council. She didn't know everyone's real name but she knew about Plo, Depa, Mace, and Kit. She'd heard her Papa say those names a lot. Iyla continued to scroll and found herself in the "K" section. Master Fisto was called "Kit" so she knew she could find him here.
"Kuh-iii-t," she sounded out again. "K-I-T."
Confident that she'd found the right number she clicked on 'Kix' and waited. Again there was no answer. She scowled. Did no one pick up their comm anymore? She left a quick message again.
"Hi Masser Fiso this is Iyla. Pease escooze Papa from the cowsul today cuz he's sick. He frowed up and he's sweaty and vewy seepy and he not gonna come to the meetings. But I'm gonna take care a him so he can get bettew soon. Ok. Bye-bye!"
She heard her Papa coming out of the 'fresher and quickly put the comm back and scrambled to the table.
"All done with breakfast, little one?" he asked entering the room.
Iyla quickly shoved the rest of her food in her mouth and nodded.
Papa chuckled and took her plate to wash in the sink.
"I can do it, Papa. You sit on the couch and rest," she insisted.
"Iyla, I'm alright. I can clean a plate, dear."
"No, Papa. I do it. You sit," she said firmly with her hands on her hips.
He looked at her and was about to argue but a stern look from those big blue eyes did him in. "Alright, alright," he said then went to sit on the couch.
Iyla hummed as she cleaned and dried her dishes and put away her Papa's unused plate and utensils too. She pulled the chair back to the table then went to go check on him. He was being really quiet. She came around the couch and saw him asleep again with his head back against the cushion.
Iyla smiled and carefully climbed up to sit next to him. She stroked his hair and rubbed his arm then gave him a soft kiss on his cheek. She saw that he hadn't put on his robe yet and his feet had no socks or shoes. He must be cold. Quickly she jumped down from the couch and ran to the room. She grabbed her flowered blanket from the bed and brought it back out. Carefully and gently she put the blanket over him. Then she looked at his feet and decided they needed to be covered too so she went to get some socks from his drawer. She pulled out the first ones she could find and set to work on putting them on him. A few minutes later one brown and one beige sock sat crumpled and twisted on his feet and Iyla smiled in satisfaction that she'd helped him not be cold.
Iyla grabbed her Twi'lek doll and Stella the stuffed tooka and settled down against her Papa's side to play quietly. She knew she had to stay close to him to make sure he was alright. It was a bit difficult to play when she was also looking after her sick Papa but she was willing to do it for him. After a while she felt him starting to slump sideways until he was partially on top of her.
"Papa, you're squishing me," she giggled.
He didn't wake up though and continued to fall sideways. Iyla got up and narrowly saved Stella from becoming a pancake under him as he landed horizontally on the couch.
"Sowwy Stella," she said. "Papa's vewy sick and tired. He not mean to almost cwush you," she apologized to the tooka after smoothing its fur.
She played a little bit with her toys again then started to get bored. Usually she'd be at the crèche playing and learning with her friends but now she was home with nothing to do. What does a person do all day? She really had no idea. Maybe she should watch some telly. She looked around for the remote and turned it on but unfortunately it was on a high volume and woke her Papa up.
Iyla watched as he shot up to a sitting position and looked around wildly.
"What's goin' on?" he asked.
"Sowwy, Papa. I not know the telly was so loud," Iyla said.
He looked at her in confusion then looked down at the bright blanket on his lap. "Did I fall asleep?" he asked.
"Uh-huh. But you're vewy sick and tired so it's ok."
Her Papa ran a hand down his face. "I'm sorry, love. Have you eaten yet?"
Iyla nodded. "You maked me toast and fwuit. You member that?"
"Right, yes, of course," he said then looked at the chrono on the TV. "Oh, Force, is that the time?" he asked. "Kriff—I mean, darn, I was supposed to be at a meeting ten minutes ago. And you need to be in the crèche and…" he started to sway as he got to his feet. Then his face went white and he scrambled to get out of the blanket tangled around his waist.
Iyla watched with wide eyes as he rushed off to the 'fresher. He was probably going to throw up again, she reasoned. Sure enough, when she got to the 'fresher she heard him.
"Papa…?" she asked tentatively.
He groaned lowly and continued to cough and choke.
Iyla bit her lip nervously. He sounded really sick and sad. Obviously he needed her help. She pushed the door open again and walked over to him as he sat against the wall. He was breathing bad like she did when she was anxious so she decided her needed a hug. Without caring about the vomit stained tunic, Iyla settled down next to him and hugged him. Her Papa cleared his throat and settled a warm hand against her back.
"Sowwy you feel yucky, Papa. Maybe you gots the Dwagon Balls Flu like me. Member when I had that?" she asked.
He chuckled a bit. "Yes, my love. That was not a pleasant experience at all."
"I frowed up lots and lots," she said.
"Mmmhmm," he agreed.
"You gonna frow up again?"
"I…I don't think so. I think I'll be ok."
"Yeah cuz you gots me to take care a you," Iyla said with a smile.
"Thank you, dear, but you should be in the crèche and I should be in a meeting," he said tilting his head back to rest against the 'fresher wall.
"It's ok, Papa. I called Masser Al-an and Masser Fiso and telled them you're sick. So you not need to go to the meetings and I not need to go to the cwush."
Her Papa sat up in alarm. "You what? Called them?"
Iyla looked up at him and swallowed nervously. He didn't look happy.
"Yeah…wif…wif your comm," Iyla admitted in a small voice.
"Iyla Satine, I have told you many many times that you aren't allowed to use my comm. Especially when I am not around. Why would you disobey me like that?" He had his stern Papa face on and it still looked intimidating even with a pale face, sweaty hair, and wrinkled tunics.
"S-Sowwy," Iyla said looking teary-eyed.
"I'm very upset with you, Iyla. You know the rules yet you broke them anyway," he said pinching the bridge of his nose.
"B-But you're sick and…and you was f-frowing up and I…I 'sposed to take care a you," she sniffled.
"It is not your job to take care of me."
"Yeah-huh. I pwomised."
"Who did you promise?" he asked looking at her with a raised eyebrow.
"I pwomised Mama, Papa. I said I'm g-gonna take care a you! I not wanna b-bweak my pwomise," Iyla said, tears starting to fall.
Iyla couldn't see too well through her tears but she thought her Papa looked sad all of the sudden and she felt it a bit in the Force too. She started to cry harder now knowing she'd made him sad when he was already so sick.
"S-Sowwy!" she wailed.
Her Papa sighed and hugged her to his chest. "Oh, my little one. Shhh, it's ok. I'm not mad," he soothed, rubbing circles on her back. "I think it's nice that you're keeping your promise to your Mama. I'm sorry I got so upset. I'm not feeling well at the moment and I overreacted a little."
Iyla laid her head on his shoulder and rubbed his cheek. "'S'ok, Papa. You feel yucky and sometimes that means you get mad."
"Thank you for being so understanding, my love," he said and kissed her head.
"You seepy again, Papa?" she asked.
"I'm more thirsty than anything, really."
"I can get you a dwink!" Iyla said enthusiastically. "Want me to make tea?"
"No!" he barked. Iyla flinched and he took a deep breath. "No, darling. I don't want you using the hot kettle by yourself. Water will do just fine. But the glasses are high and you can't-"
"I figer it out, Papa, don't worry!" Iyla said jumping up.
"No, dear, I-"
"Be right back!" she shouted running out the door.
In the kitchen Iyla was balancing on the counter carefully reaching for a water glass. She had pulled a chair up and climbed on the counter which she knew was dangerous but she was very careful so it was ok. Plus her Papa needed water and that was important. She stretched as far a she could and grabbed the first one she could reach. Then she carefully climbed down to fill it up. Her foot slipped though and in trying to catch herself, her arm hit painfully against the hard counter surface. She gasped and tears came to her eyes. She was tempted to start crying again because it hurt so bad but her Papa was waiting for water. She sniffled and wiped her eyes then sucked it up like a big girl and set to her task of filling up the glass in the sink.
Getting it back to the 'fresher was difficult though as she had to go slow in order to not spill it. By the time she got to her Papa and gave him the cup it was half empty but he smiled in thanks and took it from her. He drank it slowly then finished the whole thing and sat back with a sigh.
"Bettew?" she asked.
"Yes, darling, Thank you," he smiled.
"You welcome. Wanna go back to the couch and rest? I can tell you a stowy," Iyla offered.
"I suppose I should get off the floor," he chuckled.
"Oh wait, Papa. Your beard is diwty and your mouf too. Hold on."
She pulled the stool up to the sink and ran a towel under the water then hopped back down and sat in front of him. Gently and carefully she wiped his mouth and beard then started wiping the rest of his face too.
"You're gonna be ok, Papa. I'm here. I'll make you bettew," she soothed and ran a hand through his hair.
He looked up at her with tears in his eyes and Iyla got worried.
"Don't cwy, Papa. It's ok! You don't gotta be sad!"
"I'm not sad," he said roughly. "I'm just so grateful to have such a sweet little girl. Thank you, my little light."
"Welcome," she said as she finished wiping his brow. "Now, you're gonna go to the couch and lay down and I'm gonna tell you a stowy. Let's go."
"Yes, ma'am," he laughed.
Slowly and unsteadily, he made his way back out to the living room with Iyla standing close by to help in case he needed it. She watched as he sank down into the cushions with a heavy sigh and gave him a stern look. He dipped his head in apology and stretched out. This satisfied her and she felt confident enough in him obeying and staying there so she ran to go get another pillow from the room and Barney too. She tucked the pillow under his head and covered him with the blanket again. Then she handed him Barney and sat down, settling his head in her lap. Iyla ran her hands through his hair and rubbed his back as she began her story.
"Once upond a time there was a bootiful dunjiss from Manlowe who meeted a hassome Jedi…"
"Has anyone heard from Obi-Wan?" Mace asked. All the rest of the Councilors were present and the meeting was supposed to have started 20 minutes ago.
"I've tried to comm him but he's not answering," Depa said.
"That's…concerning," Plo remarked.
"Yes, it is," Mace agreed. "Perhaps he tried to call one of us earlier. I haven't had a chance to check my comm yet."
The surrounding Masters murmured in agreement and fished out their comms as well.
"Oh dear," Adi Gallia spoke up. "I have a message from Iyla."
"Iyla called you?" Depa asked looking confused.
Adi chuckled, "Well, she meant to call Ali, but it came to be instead."
"Adi and Ali do look alike," Plo said.
"Especially to a 4-year-old who is still learning her letters," Kit replied with a fond smile.
"The message, Master Gallia, what does it say?" Yoda asked.
"Obi-Wan is sick. Throwing up, sweaty, shaky hands. Iyla said she's staying home to take care of him."
"When was this?" Mace asked.
Adi looked at the time stamp and nearly cursed. "Around 7:00 this morning."
"You mean a 4-year-old has been looking after a sick Obi-Wan for five hours now?" Depa asked looking panicked.
"Oh, Force," Mace sighed. "Someone should go check on them. Meeting postponed."
The Councilors all got up to leave and go their separate ways when they heard Ali Alann outside the door asking to be let in.
"Ali?" Plo asked.
"Ah, Plo," he greeted. "I am sorry to interrupt but I was hoping to find Obi-Wan. Iyla hasn't shown up at the crèche yet and I don't remember him telling me that she would be out today. Is he here?"
"We're actually about to go see him. Apparently he's sick and Iyla's been alone with him for the past few hours," Mace explained.
"She actually left me a message that was meant for you, Ali," Adi said. "She said he's sick and she can't come to the crèche because she's taking care of him."
Ali chuckled. "I'm sure Obi-Wan wasn't aware of her call and won't be happy when he finds out. And apparently we need to practice letters a little more."
"Yes, use her father's comm, she should not. But his best interests in mind, she had," Yoda smiled.
"Well, I'm sorry to hear of Obi-Wan's illness but am relieved that Iyla is accounted for. I must be getting back to the younglings, but send them both my regards," Ali said with a bow.
Mace looked around at the Masters standing with him. "So," he began. "Who's coming with me?"
"Intolerable when ill, Obi-Wan is," Yoda said before walking away quickly.
"I'm coming," Depa said.
"As am I," Kit agreed.
Plo and Adi stepped forward as well and soon the five of them were on their way to the Kenobi quarters.
"Kix!" Fives yelled. "Your comm is blinking, vod!"
"Bring it out here. I'm making my caff," Kix called from the kitchen.
Fives picked up the comm and brought it to him at the table.
"Who'd be calling you?" Rex asked teasingly.
"Shut up," Kix scowled.
"I want to know too," Waxer said. "I'm gonna play it," he said barely looking at Kix for approval.
Kix shrugged and sat down with his caff as Waxer pressed the button.
Iyla's voice came through the comm.
"Hi Masser Fiso this is Iyla. Pease escooze Papa from the cowsul today cuz he's sick. He frowed up and he's sweaty and vewy seepy and he not gonna come to the meetings. But I'm gonna take care a him so he can get bettew soon. Ok. Bye-bye!"
"General Fisto?" Boil asked looking confused.
"Obviously she had the wrong number and the message wasn't meant for you, Kix," Cody pointed out. "Kit and Kix are similar after all," he smirked.
"But even if it wasn't meant for me, I feel like we should check on them. Iyla said she's 'taking care of him' but the General sounds pretty sick," Kix said.
"Yeah and a 4-year-old shouldn't be taking care of anyone who is sick, let alone her father," Echo agreed.
"Agreed, vod," Rex said. "I'm going to give General Skywalker a call as well. He can get there faster than we can. Head out in 10 minutes?"
"Aye," the rest of them agreed.
Iyla dozed off but was woken up by the sound of the door chime. She looked down at her Papa snoring and open mouthed on her lap. She was afraid to move him in case he woke up but the door chime wouldn't stop and she knew that the sound would wake him up eventually. She wiggled her way out from under his head and managed to guide it on to a pillow without him even flinching. He must be really really sleepy.
She walked to the door but didn't open it. That wasn't safe. Her Papa had told her to always ask first.
"Who is it?" she asked putting her mouth to the door.
"Hey, kiddo, it's Uncle Anakin. Can I come in?"
"Oh, hi, Unka A'kin!" she greeted.
It took a slight jump for her to reach the button on the door but she managed it. It slid open to reveal Anakin, Ahsoka, and the five Councilors as well. Iyla stared at them all in surprise.
"Hello there," she said. "What you doin' here?"
"We heard your Papa is sick, little one. We came to check on you," Depa explained.
"Oh, ok. Fanks for checkin' but we're fine Masser Blababa."
"I'm sure you are," she smiled. "But we'd like to see how Obi-Wan is doing. It would make us all feel better."
Iyla shrugged. "Ok. But you gotta be quiet cuz he's seeping," she said putting a finger to her lips.
They all exchanged amused looks and put their fingers to their lips as well. Iyla tiptoed through the living room and led them to the couch where Obi-Wan was passed out. Depa and Adi had to hold back the 'aww's that wanted to come out as they took in the scene in front of them.
Obi-Wan was sprawled out on the couch, mouth open, hair messy, face smashed in a pillow. He was partly burrowed under a bright flowered blanket that barely reached his ankles. His feet suck out the end and wore mismatching twisted socks and he was cuddling a…stuffed bantha?
Ahsoka's hand was firmly over her mouth to keep any undignified noise from escaping while Kit's eyes were lit up in amusement. Plo looked on with a fond and sentimental look on his face and even Mace's eyes seemed to soften at the sight. Anakin quickly pulled out a holocam he randomly had stored on him and snapped a holopic before the moment could get ruined.
Iyla walked over to the couch and started petting Obi-Wan's hair and kissing his head. "Papa feels vewy yucky so he gots to get estra hugs and kisses," she explained. "And I telled him a stowy and tuckded him in and gived him Bawney cuz he always makes me feel better when I'm sick."
"You're a very good caretaker, little Iyla," Plo complimented.
"Fanks Masser Koom. I pwomised Mama I take care a Papa."
"And you're doing a great job of keeping that promise," Anakin said with a smile and a rustle of her curls.
"Has he thrown up recently?" Mace asked looking worried.
"Umm…I dunno. He's frowed up two times and seeped lots," Iyla answered.
"You said in your message that he was sweating too," Adi spoke up.
"Yes, Masser Gala. He was supew sweaty. Like his head and his face. But I wiped him wif cold water so he feeled better."
"Well done, little one," Adi praised.
Iyla bit her lip and looked away shyly. "Fank you."
"And what about-" Kit started to ask but the door chime cut him off.
"Again?" Iyla asked looking confused.
"I'll get it," Ahsoka said moving to answer the door. "Oh, hey Kix, what-"
"Commander," he interrupted with a quick nod. "Where's the General?"
Ahsoka pointed to the living room and watched as all seven vode came busting through the door looking concerned and intense.
"What you doin' here, Kiss?" Iyla asked.
"We got your message, vod'ika and-"
"What message?" Iyla asked.
"She didn't mean to send it to you vode, remember? She doesn't know you got it," Echo corrected.
"Yeah, you're just going to confuse her," Fives added.
"Wait, you got a comm message before I did?" Anakin asked looking annoyed. "Was anyone planning to tell me?"
"We're only here because Adi got a message—"
"She called Master Gallia?" Ahsoka asked.
"Well, she was really trying to call-"
"Shhhhhhh! Quiet!" Iyla scolded. She stood with her hands on her hips and an epic scowl on her face. "Papa is seeping! You all being too loud," she huffed.
Everyone in the room looked properly chastised and offered hushed apologies to the 4-year-old. Obi-Wan moaned and shifted on the couch and brought a hand up to rub his eyes.
"You waked him up!" Iyla pouted.
"Mmm, Iyla?" Obi-Wan croaked.
Iyla rushed to his side. "Yes, Papa?"
"Who're you talkin' to?"
"Lotsa people are here, Papa. Like Unka A'kin and Soka and the vode and Masser Koom and Fiso and Window and Blababa and Gala. They comed cuz of my message," she explained.
"What?" he asked looking groggy. "They're all…" his eyes widened and he quickly sat up. He looked around the room in shock at the sheer amount of people in his apartment. Then he looked down at himself covered in a pink and purple blanket and holding a stuffed bantha to his chest. His face went bright red and he quickly shoved the items off of himself and tried to stand up to preserve some dignity. But standing up too fast was a bad decision that he regretted instantly. His head spun and his face went pale.
"Uh-oh. Papa gonna frow up again," Iyla commented when she saw his face.
Obi-Wan tried his best to keep it together but with a panicked "Excuse me," he ran off to the 'fresher.
It was quiet for a moment before everything happened at once. Kix and Cody hurried off to the 'fresher with Anakin quick on their heels.
"Vode, bring some wet towels for the fever," Kix's voice barked from the 'fresher.
"And some stims if you can find them," Cody added.
Given tasks and instructions, the rest of the vode hurried off to do as told.
"Snips, can we get a glass of water in here?" Anakin asked.
"Yes, Master," Ahsoka answered rushing to the sink.
"I'll boil some water for tea," Plo said.
"I'll show you which kind he prefers. Stars forbid we make the wrong one," Mace said with an eye roll.
"He's going to need some clean clothes," Kit mused then walked into the bedroom.
"I'm calling Vokara," Depa said taking out her comm.
"Depa!" Adi said. "You can't call her! Obi-Wan would hate that."
Depa smiled evily. "Exactly."
"You're terrible," Adi replied but smiled as well.
Iyla took a seat on her Grandpa Qui's armchair and watched silently as everyone bustled around the apartment. She continued to watch as Healer Che and Master Eerin came hurrying in and ran straight back to the 'fresher. Papa was not going to be happy about all these people and he really wasn't going to like having two healers in the room. Well three if you count Kix.
"Who the Force called you?" Iyla heard her Papa's voice yell.
"Nice to see you too, Obi," Bant sassed.
"I don't need, ow! I'm not dying Vokara! I'm just, eugh! That's disgusting! What the hell is that, Kix? It tastes like bantha piss!"
"And how would you know what bantha piss tastes like, Master?" Anakin asked.
The whole apartment erupted in laughter and Obi-Wan continued to sputter and protest. Masters Windu and Koon set out tea cups and Masters Billaba and Gallia straightened up the couch and the living room floor. Ahsoka came out and refilled the cup and the vode took the towels and threw them in the laundry.
A few minutes later, a scowling Obi-Wan was ushered back to the couch and given a pillow and Iyla's flowered blanket again. Bant settled it around his shoulders and smiled teasingly at him. Obi-Wan glared viciously at her but she simply laughed and rolled her eyes. Anyone who got near him received the same glare but it didn't seem to faze anyone else either. Iyla thought he looked like a grumpy tooka kitten and couldn't help but laugh at him.
Thankfully, Plo and Mace had finished the tea and Obi-Wan looked like he wanted to cry in relief when the cup was placed in his hands.
Anakin smirked and settled himself next to Iyla on the chair.
"Is Papa gonna be ok?" she asked.
"He'll be fine," he answered with a smile.
"At least he has his tea. I was gonna make it for him but he said I'm not 'llowed to."
"For your safety, vod'ika," Waxer said from his place by the telly.
"But he not safe when he wanted to make eggs for me. I said no he can't cuz his hands was vewy shaky."
"Have you eaten anything today, little one?" Depa asked.
"Uh-huh. Papa maked me toast and I eated some fwuit for brefast."
"And for lunch?" Rex asked.
"Lunch?" Iyla asked. "Is it lunch time?"
"Yes, kiddo," Anakin said. "Did you eat lunch?"
"Umm…I had a ice lolly," she replied.
"You have ice lollies?" Vokara spoke up suddenly.
"Yeah, in the feezer. Why? You want one, Healer Che?" Iyla asked.
"No, it's not for me. It's for your father. He's been fighting a sore throat as well as a fever. The ice lolly might help," she said rummaging around in the small freezer. She pulled one out and gave it to Obi-Wan.
"Stop pouting, Kenobi and eat the ice lolly," Vokara said loudly catching everyone's attention.
Obi-Wan was indeed pouting, or as much as he could with an ice lolly sitting in his mouth.
"He doesn't like that flavor," Anakin clarified.
"He says puwple is skusting," Iyla added.
"Unbelievable," Vokara muttered. "Stop acting like a youngling and eat it."
"But I'm sick," he replied miserably. "And you said I'm already dehydrated and can't afford to throw up anymore but then you give me this terrible ice lolly which might just make that happen."
Anakin snorted and Bant covered her mouth to keep her laughter in.
"You're actually negotiating with me over an ice lolly?"
"It's gross," he said scrunching up his face in distaste.
"He likes the gween ones," Iyla said.
"Yes, thank you, love. I'll take a green one, Vokara."
"I am not going to give you a new one, Obi-Wan, just eat what you have," Healer Che said in exasperation.
Obi-Wan lowered his eyes and slumped his shoulders. He stared forlornly at the purple ice lolly but didn't attempt to put it back in his mouth.
Everyone else gave him sympathetic looks. Obi-Wan could tell they were starting to feel bad for him so he brought out the big guns.
He looked up at Healer Che and flashed his big blue akk-pup eyes at her, putting as much sadness and patheticness into the look as he could.
"I don't see the harm in giving him a new ice lolly, Vokara," Plo spoke up.
"Yeah, I mean, he obviously doesn't like purple and he's not going to eat it," Ahsoka agreed.
"What's wrong with letting him have a green one?" Depa asked giving Obi-Wan a sympathetic look.
"He looks so sad," Kit frowned.
"Yeah, General Fisto is right," Cody agreed. "Looks like someone ran over his lothcat. We should just give him a new one."
"He's doing this on purpose, you know," Vokara said folding her arms.
Obi-Wan continued to flash his sad eyes around the room knowing he nearly had all of them convinced. His eyes lingered on Mace for a second and the Korun Master felt his resolve crumbling.
"Just give him a green ice lolly, Vokara," Mace said with a sigh.
"Mace!" Vokara exclaimed in shock. "He got to you too?"
Mace tried to save his dignity and appear unaffected by Obi-Wan's sad eyes. "He's sick," he shrugged and looked away.
"Fine," the healer sighed and stomped off to get a green ice lolly from the freezer.
Obi-Wan smiled widely, all traces of sadness and patheticness gone instantly.
"You're a brat," Bant whispered from next to him.
Obi-Wan winked at her and gave her a smug smile. "Worth it," he grinned and shoved the purple lolly into her hand.
Bant rolled her eyes and went to go throw it away. Healer Che shoved a green lolly in his face and he smiled up at her sweetly. "Thanks, Vokara," he said.
"The ice lolly will help with the dehydration, sore throat, and bring down the fever as well," she said. "Now, I'm leaving to go treat patients who actually need me and aren't manipulative man-children."
"I'd be offended but I'm too busy eating my green ice lolly," Obi-Wan said with a shrug.
Vokara shook her head then left. Bant was quick to follow but stopped to make sure Iyla could find her name in Obi-Wan's comm list in case she was needed later.
The Councilors stayed for a bit to help straighten up the kitchen and wash the tea cups and the vode went with Ahsoka to the dining hall to get Iyla and Obi-Wan some food.
"Feeling better, Master?" Anakin asked taking a seat next to him.
"Yes, now that I have the right color lolly," he replied with a smirk.
Anakin chuckled. "I'm going to stick around and stay with Iyla so you can get some rest. She's done a great job of looking after you but she really shouldn't be left alone."
"I agree. Thanks, Anakin. But…how did you know to come?"
"Rex called me," he shrugged.
"Rex? But Iyla said she called Ali and Kit. How in the world did Rex get the message?"
"She commed me, General," Kix said coming back into the room with boxes of food.
"No I didn't," Iyla said. "I called Masser Al-an and Masser Fiso."
"I never got a comm, little one. But Adi did," Kit replied
"Adi?" Obi-Wan asked looking confused. Then he laughed. "Oh, I see. She mixed up Ali and Adi."
"I did?" Iyla asked. "Oh, sowwy Masser Gala."
"It's alright, young one. It was a simple mistake," Adi replied with a smile.
"It's just acause you gots a A and Masser Al-an gots a A and you both have not a lotta letters and…"
"You did just fine, dear. I'm proud of you for sounding out the words and recognizing the number of letters. That's very good."
Iyla smiled but still looked a bit embarrassed. "But I know I called Masser Fiso! K-I-T. I saw it!"
"Uh, well, you called me, vod'ika. Kix."
"No, I didn't. I called K-I-T."
"Iyla," Ahsoka said. "What do you think a 't' looks like?"
Iyla took her two pointer fingers and crossed them over each other in an 'x' shape. Ahsoka gently took one of the fingers and rotated it horizontally to make a 't' shape instead.
"Ohhhh," Iyla said. "Oops."
"We'll practice letters some more soon, little one," Obi-Wan said giving her a fond smile.
"Ok, Papa," she replied then trotted off to go eat.
"We'll send you the meeting notes for today and tomorrow, my friend," Plo said.
"Oh, I'm sure I'll be fine by tomorrow, Plo, there's no reason to—"
"Today and tomorrow, Kenobi," Mace interrupted giving him a stern look.
"Alright," Obi-Wan conceded.
"Get well soon, Obi-Wan," Depa said with a smile then turned to address Anakin. "Don't let him give you the puppy eyes again, Skywalker. He uses those things like weapons."
"Oh, don't worry Master. I'm pretty much immune to them," Anakin replied.
The Councilors filed out and soon the vode followed and finally all was quiet in the Kenobi quarters. Ahsoka was helping Iyla clean her dishes from lunch and put the rest of the food in the fridge. Obi-Wan was drooping on the couch and blinking slowly. Anakin watched in amusement as his former Master's head kept bobbing and he fought sleep.
"Time for bed, Master," he said at last and stood to pull him up from the couch.
"I've been sleeping all day," he protested.
"Yes, and now it's time for another nap. Come along," Anakin said guiding him into the room by the arm.
"Night night, Papa," Iyla called from the kitchen. "You can seep wif Bawney again if you wanna."
Obi-Wan's face went red and Anakin chuckled. "No thank you, love. I'm alright," he called back.
Anakin fussed over the blankets and pillows while Obi-Wan glared at him exasperatedly. The younger Jedi gave him a wicked grin and made a show of tucking him in.
"Now, do you need anything else? A glass of water? A trip to the 'fresher? A night light?"
"Get out," Obi-Wan scowled.
Anakin roared with laughter and quickly ran out before Obi-Wan could Force push one of Iyla's toy speeders at his head.
Her Papa had thrown up again. Uncle Anakin was in the 'fresher with him and talking to Master Eerin on the comm.
"Make sure he's drinking plenty of liquids. He's in danger of getting dehydrated," her voice said.
Iyla watched as her uncle wiped Papa's head where it was sweaty and gave him a glass of water. Papa begged for some tea so her uncle finally relented and left Iyla with him to go make some.
"You don't like water, Papa?" she asked.
"No, love I do, but I'd prefer tea if I can keep it down."
"Oh, ok. You want anuver gween ice lolly?"
"Maybe later, dear. But thank you for offering," he smiled but looked pale and tired.
"So you gonna dwink some tea so you not get diedwated?"
"Yes. Drinking liquids is very important when one is sick. Remember when you had to keep drinking water while you had the flu?"
Iyla nodded. "Yeah it was so much. I fought my tummy was gonna splode!"
Papa chuckled and called her forward to him. She snuggled against his side and pressed a kiss to his cheek. She started to hum the crèche song and felt him relax a little bit. Uncle Anakin came in with some tea and her Papa drank it down quickly.
Soka brought by some dinner and they ate while her Papa slept again. By bed time Iyla was really missing her Papa. Which was weird because he was in their room and he hadn't gone anywhere. But she missed him sitting on the couch reading his pad while she watched a kids program on the telly and acted out the scenes with her toys. She missed snuggling up to him on the couch when her eyes got too heavy to watch the show and her head was fuzzy with sleep. She missed lying on his chest as he read her a story and rubbed her back. And she missed cuddling with him while she slept. Because right now she couldn't. Her uncle had said Papa needed the bed to himself because he was still sick and it wasn't safe for her to be so close to him in case she gets sick too. Iyla nearly cried at his words but then Uncle Anakin had hugged her tight and let her sleep with him on the couch and she felt a little better.
But she didn't sleep well. The couch was weird and not comfy like her bed and Uncle Anakin moved a lot in his sleep and it kept waking her up. She was also worried about her Papa and if he needed more things to drink. Master Eerin had said something about him getting 'diedwated' and that sounded a lot like 'die' and she was worried that if he didn't drink enough he might just die and leave her forever.
It was this fear that drew her off the couch and into the kitchen. She was going to make tea for her Papa. She watched her uncle do it a few times and felt like she could handle it. Filling the tea pot was easy enough and getting a cup was too since she just used a dirty one from the sink. When it was time to turn on the fire though she got nervous. She was breaking a lot of her Papa's rules by making him tea. But he needed it in order to not die so she decided it was worth the big trouble she'd be in. Just as she reached for the knob on the stove a deep voice startled her.
"I hope you aren't about to use the stove by yourself, little one."
At first she thought it was her Papa but it didn't sound like him. She turned around and saw her Grandpa Qui standing there with his arms crossed looking stern.
"I…I was gonna make Papa some tea. He's sick and needs likids."
"I know for a fact that you aren't allowed to make tea, Iyla. That's a job for a grown-up. You know that too."
Iyla hung her head and nodded. "I know, Ganpa Qwi but-"
"No 'buts', dear. Step away from the stove, get off the chair, and go ask your uncle."
"But Unka A'kin is seeping and I know he's vewy tired cuz he gots two babies that don't seep so good. I not wanna asturb him," Iyla replied.
"That's very thoughtful of you. But you still can't make tea."
"But Papa needs it, Ganpa Qwi!"
"Your Papa is sleeping. He doesn't need anything else except rest," he replied coming closer to her.
"Yes he does! Masser Eewin said he gots to dwink lots so he not get diedwated and…and Papa said it's portent to dwink when you're sick too. And if I can't make him tea then he not gonna dwink and then he h-he gonna get d-diedwated and he g-g-gonna d-die! I not want Papa to die!" she wailed.
She felt her grandpa hovering close by and felt his hand as it brushed through her hair. "Shhh, dear one. It's ok. Your Papa is not going to die."
"Y-Yes he i-is!" she insisted hiccupping and sobbing. "He gonna get d-diedwated and g-go away like M-Mama!"
"No he's not," her grandpa said softly and gently. "He isn't going to die. And it's called being dehydrated, little one. It doesn't have anything to do with dying. It means he might get so thirsty that he gets sick again."
"F-Firsty?"
"Yes, it means someone isn't drinking enough. Since your Papa is sick he needs to drink more than usual."
"Oh," Iyla said wiping her eyes. "But he not gonna die?"
"No, love. He isn't going to die," he smiled and brushed her cheek.
Iyla felt the light breeze as it washed over her and felt peace and reassurance in the Force. She looked into the living room and was surprised to see her uncle still sleeping even through all of her sobbing and wailing. He must be really tired too. Papa always says Uncle Anakin could sleep through a stampeding bantha herd.
"Unka A'kin still seeping," she observed. "He must be vewy tired. Maybe we should not wake him up to tell him 'bout this," she reasoned.
Her grandpa smirked and winked his agreement.
"Can I go check on Papa? I be vewy quiet and not wake him up," she asked.
"Of course, Iyla. Let's go check on him."
Iyla and her grandpa entered the room and watched her Papa sleep. She looked up at Grandpa Qui and saw a funny look in his eyes. The kind he has when he's looking at her sometimes. It was a happy look but it seemed a little sad too. She asked him once why he looked like that and he told her he was thinking of things that happened a long time ago and remembering happy times. He said she sometimes reminded him of her Papa and it made him smile but it also made him miss him. Now, as they watched her Papa sleeping deeply with messy hair and twisted blankets and arms and legs hanging over the sides of the bed, she saw the same look on his face. He missed her Papa. Even though he was right there. Until tonight Iyla hadn't thought that it was possible to miss someone who was still there but she understood now.
"He looks a little bettew," Iyla said in a whisper. "But he's still vewy sweaty," she wrinkled her nose.
Grandpa Qui chuckled. "He sweats something awful when he's sick. Always has." The happy sad smile appeared again. "He doesn't need the blankets though. We don't want him getting too hot after all. Can you take some of them off, dear?"
"Yes, Ganpa Qwi," she replied then went to go move the covers.
Her Papa woke up with the motion of moving blankets and looked around drowsily.
"Ganpa Qwi said to take off your blankets, Papa. So you not get too hot," Iyla explained.
"What? It's the middle of the night, why aren't you asleep, darling?"
"I'm checking on you," she replied as if it was obvious.
"I felt the Force calling me to come and caught her just in time before she could turn on the stove to make tea," Grandpa Qui explained.
"What?!" her Papa said sitting up with wide eyes. "Why in stars name were you-"
But Iyla's gasp cut him off. "Papa…" she said quietly. "The…the blankets are…wet. And…and so are your jammas," she said with wide eyes. "Did…did you…" she looked around and lowered her voice. "Did you have a assident?"
Papa looked confused and looked down at himself. "Oh, that. It's just sweat, dear," he replied.
Iyla gave him a sympathetic look and touched his arm. "It's ok, Papa. You can tell me. I'm not gonna be mad. You dwinked lotsa stuff afore bed. It's unnerstadable."
Grandpa Qui was chuckling while her Papa sighed. "Iyla, love, it's just sweat. I swear."
"Assidents happen to everyone. You not bad and you not gotta be 'barezzed. Right, Ganpa Qwi?" she asked turning to the blue Force ghost.
Her grandpa was trying to get his laughter under control enough to reply. Finally he was able to make a straight face but his eyes looked like they were still laughing. "Yes, you are right, little one. There is no need to be embarrassed, Obi-Wan. Accidents happen," he said with a slight snort.
Her Papa glared at Grandpa Qui and muttered something that she couldn't hear.
"Language, Padawan," her grandpa scolded but he didn't look mad.
"I sweat through my clothes, darling. It happens when fevers break," he explained.
Iyla still looked skeptical but decided she wouldn't keep talking about it if he didn't want her to. He was probably too embarrassed about it so she left him to his 'sweat' story and left it alone.
"You breaked somefing?" she asked.
"It means my fever is gone, love. I'm starting to get better," Papa said.
Iyla's eyes lit up in happiness and she threw herself into his arms. Then she pulled back and made a face.
"Eww, you're too wet to hug. From all your…'sweat,'" she said side-eyeing her grandpa with a look that said she was saying it was sweat to humor her Papa.
Papa rolled his eyes and got up. "I'm going to take a shower. Then I'd like some tea. Made by a grown-up," he said looking pointedly at Iyla.
Iyla ducked her head and nodded. Grandpa Qui came with her to the living room and she saw that her uncle was already up and in the kitchen.
"You waked up!" Iyla said in greeting.
"Well, Master Qui-Gon's chuckle can be heard through the Force," he replied. "Plus Obi-Wan was projecting his frustration and I figured whatever was happening in there, he was going to need some tea."
"He's takin' a shower cuz he gots all sweaty when he was seeping," Iyla said.
"And there was a bit of a misunderstanding about why he was all wet," Grandpa Qui explained with a smirk. "It really was just sweat but it was fun to tease him."
Her Papa came out a few minutes later and gratefully accepted the cup of tea from Anakin.
"Papa's fever got broked. So he's feeling bettew. Right, Papa?"
"Yes, I do think the worst is over. The nausea isn't bad at the moment either."
"That's great, Master. You good to try some food?" Uncle Anakin asked.
"Perhaps something very light," Papa agreed. Then he turned to look at Iyla.
"And how are you, my love? Are you feeling sick at all?"
"No, Papa. I feel good."
"Even after spending so much time with me and cuddled up next to me? I'd hate for you to get sick too."
"Oh, you not need to worry 'bout that. Kiss gived me a stiff dwink," she replied.
"Kix gave you a what?" Papa asked choking on his tea.
Grandpa Qui and Uncle Anakin turned around looking confused and concerned too.
"Yeah it gots medsin in it and it help me not get sick too. He said it's called a stiff dwink," she explained.
Suddenly Grandpa Qui threw his head back in laughter and Uncle Anakin had to put down the knife he was using because he was nearly bent over from his cackles.
"She…she…" Uncle Anakin gasped out. "She means a stim drink, Master. Kix gave her a stim drink to prevent her from catching what you had."
Her Papa let out a snort and covered his face trying to keep from cracking up. He got his shaking shoulders under control and pulled Iyla on to his lap.
"Oh, little one. I missed you when I was sick," he chuckled and kissed her cheek.
"I missed you too, Papa," she said hugging him tight and laying her head on his chest.
"You don't want any tea for yourself, Anakin?" Papa asked and pointed to an empty cup.
Uncle Anakin smiled and bit his lip. "No thanks, Master. After taking care of you for a day, I'm too tired to do anything else but sleep. How did you survive him when he was sick as a Padawan, Master Qui-Gon?"
"Lots of stiff drinks, Anakin. Lots and lots of stiff drinks," he winked then exploded in laughter again.
Soon her Papa and uncle were laughing too and Iyla was confused as to why stiff drinks were so funny. But she didn't even try to figure it out. She was too tired. She burrowed down into her Papa's arms, closed her eyes, and let her family's laughter and Papa's steady heartbeat lull her to sleep.
I hope you all loved this fluffy rainbow unicorn chapter! Thanks to the anon who requested it. It was the perfect thing to break up the angst I have in store next! *evil smile*