A/N: Hello old readers! No, I'm not dead XD As I was getting back into writing, I made some minor-ish edits to the last three chapters (8-10). I know it's so annoying when authors ask you to reread chapters but I'm not asking I'm begging :'D Thank you all! I will finish this trilogy—mark my words!
S-3_C-11: The Invitation
A streak of panic ran through me when I looked at the empty corner where the baby's crib should have been. Finally remembering, I breathed out a sigh of relief as I let my head fall back. I closed my eyes.
Though I wanted more sleep, my mind was awake and anticipating a noise at any second. I squeezed my eyes shut tighter, telling myself the baby was asleep. Experimentally, I tried to sense his presence. It felt like I was reaching into an endless void, as though a black hole had sprung up inside me where the Force used to be.
I cracked my eyes open to escape the darkness.
Alright, then.
Orange sunbeams had fought their way through my curtains to announce sunrise. I pushed myself out of bed and stretched. I feel great. I decided to take my time in the fresher since I had neglected myself for days.
Before tying it up, I ran my fingers through my hair to remove the tangles. I pinched the very end where it thinned to a point. Doing the math, I realized I had gone two years without cutting it.
Sweeping my hair upwards, I previewed a shoulder-length haircut. I glanced down at the scissors sitting on the basin.
By the time I left my room, the baby's door was ajar and his crib was empty. Hushed voices from the breakfast table caused my heart to hammer inside my chest. I clutched the fresh ends of my hair as I walked down the hallway.
John spotted me first.
"Lucy..."
His flabbergasted tone made everyone else turn to look at me. I stood in the doorway awkwardly, feeling like I was on full display. I avoided Ben's gaze like the plague.
"I like it," Laye said, thankfully breaking the tension. She spared me a tight smile.
"Thank you," I said, taking my usual seat.
The baby squirmed in Ben's lap beside me until he handed him over. I embraced him like I was siphoning comfort from him; as if sensing this, he used his little arms to cling to my neck.
"Me, too," John piped from across the table. "It looks the same as when I first met you."
I felt a small smile on my face. "Really?"
"Really," he rumbled, taking a sip of water. "It suits you."
"Thanks," I murmured. I subconsciously patted the baby's back until he started to squirm restlessly. I moved to pass him back to Ben, and our eyes finally met. His eyes studied my face.
"You look beautiful," he said with a smile.
I looked away. "Thank you, Ben."
My smile lingered for the rest of the morning.
After John and Laye left for work, Ben watched the baby again while I did my morning chores. I finished fairly early, escaping the heat with a basket of freshly-harvested beans to shell. As I walked through the door into the living room, the baby's loud screams immediately concerned me.
He stumbled into the room with a huge smile on his face. He screeched in delight when he saw me, making a wobbly beeline straight for me. Ben lumbered into the room a second later, clearly pretending to chase him. Before the baby could reach the safety of my leg, Ben scooped him up and lifted him into the air.
"Gotcha!"
The baby's hysterical laughter forced a smile onto my face.
Perching the baby on his hip, Ben turned to face me and brushed the hair away from his eyes. The innocent look on both of their faces made me laugh.
"Just tiring him out," he explained with a gesture.
I nodded. "I see."
Maneuvering around them, I took the basket into the kitchen and set it on the narrow counter. I heard the baby fussing, so I offered to take him from Ben. He snuggled into my neck as I patted his back. I could feel Ben's eyes on me.
"You're so great with him," I murmured.
Shaking his head, Ben rubbed the back of his neck. "I grew up around younglings. I guess it's all just…coming back."
I tilted my head as I pictured his younger self. "On Chandrila?"
Ben's eyes darted up to my face. "Luke's temple," he clarified.
I nodded and glanced away, worried that I'd brought up a touchy subject.
"Strange that you mentioned Chandrila…"
At his request, I followed him into his bedroom with the sleepy baby still attached to me. I sat at the terminal as he pulled up the transmission he wanted to show me.
"His name is Ari-Gon Fa. He was an expert on the Force in my hometown. My parents hired him to teach me before I left for the Temple."
I frowned in thought. "What made you contact him?"
"He transmitted first," he explained, scrolling through their brief conversation. "He's been searching for 'Ben Solo' for years."
"I see…," I trailed off as my eyes started reading Ari-Gon's latest response.
"I will not be returning home for two months as my business in Coruscant has been extended. If you would like to meet sooner, please let me know so that arrangements can be made. I am a guest of Senator Taniri Halloway, who has graciously offered one of the apartments at her estate for your convenience."
"Coruscant," I murmured, feeling a rush of trepidation. "You're leaving?"
Ben wet his lips before replying. "I—well, I wanted to ask you…"
Hoping the question would end how I wanted it to, I was already nodding.
"Would you come with me?"
I smiled up at him. "I would love to." My smile drooped when reality caught up with me. "I just have to ask John."
He nodded as though he expected such an answer.
I excused myself to put the baby down for a nap. Since he had eaten so much for breakfast, I figured an early nap and a late lunch couldn't hurt. It was the first deviation from the written schedule that Cara had given me, so I was a little nervous.
Ben was already shelling beans at the table by the time I entered the kitchen. I still hadn't gotten used to him helping out with even the dullest of tasks. I sat across from him silently and joined in.
The room was oddly quiet. I wondered what was on his mind.
"I tried to use the Force this morning," I said, hoping to pique his curiosity.
It was very successful. "Oh, really?"
I popped a bean into my mouth as I tossed the husk aside. "I'm sure you can guess how that went," I murmured.
He gave me a generous look. "I'm glad you tried."
Feeling embarrassed, I looked away. I pictured the last time we had worked together in the kitchen. "You make it look so effortless."
Ben's movements out of the corner of my eye slowed as if he was taken off guard. "It's all I've ever known," he said gently.
I nodded, trying to contain my jealousy. There's nothing he can't do effortlessly.
"Lucia," he said, recapturing my full attention. "I can help." When I started shaking my head, he added earnestly, "I want to help."
I sighed hesitantly. "I don't even know where to begin."
He shrugged. "At the beginning."
Moving aside the basket between us, he set his hands on the table, palms upwards. I timidly mirrored his actions, feeling my stomach clench with nerves. I stared at our hands—his, pale against his dark sleeves, and mine, calloused and dirty.
"The Force is energy," he began, "created by life and connecting all living things." His fingers clenched as though he felt it in the very air above them. "Without life, there is no Force. And without the Force, there is no life."
I swallowed. "...Right."
"Sorry," he suddenly laughed, hanging his head. "I'm a horrible teacher."
I caught his eye and smiled. "You're not," I argued. "I need this."
Seemingly reassured, he continued. "Open yourself to everything around you." His eyes fell to my hands when I wiggled them tentatively. "Not just physically, but mentally."
I sucked in a breath as I focused hard, staring at the table separating us. Everything around us...has energy…
"Close your eyes," he instructed gently. "Remember, you've done this before."
I nodded and closed my eyes tightly. Breathing in and out, I tried to recreate the feeling of lightness in my chest. The sensation of the Force sense had once comforted me greatly.
"I can feel you reaching out," I heard Ben say softly. "Reach farther."
My heart skipped a beat in anticipation. "Reach for what?"
"Reach for me."
He appeared in my imagination, sitting across from me with his hands extended. I breathed in…and out. As his form took on more shape, I noticed the uncanny details that my mind conjured. Suddenly, I felt a strange presence on the tips of my fingers that caused me to recoil and gasp.
"It's alright," Ben murmured, his face peaceful and his eyes closed. "Try again."
Replacing my hands on the table, I closed my eyes and focused once more. The details came rushing back like they had never left. The presence returned, and I reached for it like I was reaching for a ladder. It traveled through my hands and my arms and then filled my chest with a fullness and warmth that was almost too hot.
"That's it," I breathed, a smile playing on my lips. "The Force..."
Color flooded my vision when I opened my eyes, and the feeling immediately subsided. My hands were clutching onto Ben's as though my life depended on it. I pulled them back in shock.
"I'm sorry," I rattled out. I didn't even realize!
Ben was smiling; he slowly closed his hands. "Don't be."
The meek restraint in his voice made my entire face go bright red. He had already told me exactly how my presence alone affected him. "I—I felt it," I said.
He nodded. "Me, too." His smile grew. "You did great."
The rest of the morning felt electric. Using the Force again for even a moment was exhilarating. I couldn't wait to tell the others about it. I couldn't wait to try it again. Luckily, finishing afternoon chores and feeding the baby made the rest of the day pass quickly.
Ben and I agreed to bring up the Courisant issue after dinner. After John finished recounting the experience he had with a disgruntled customer, a lull in the conversation caused us to look at one another.
"John, something's come up," I started, nervously bouncing the baby in my lap.
In typical John Vegas fashion, he simply narrowed his eyes at me. Heart accelerating, I looked over at Ben to metaphorically pass the baton to him. His eyes widened before he turned to face John.
"I've been invited to Courisant to meet an old acquaintance," he said, clearing his throat. "I was hoping to...borrow Lucia for a few days."
Surprisingly, John cracked a smile. "'Borrow,' eh?"
I put my hand on the table for emphasis. "I want to go," I told him, wiping the smugness from his face. "I just don't want to cause too much trouble. Because, you know…"
As if on cue, the baby smacked the fork off my plate and sent it clattering to the ground. Ben crouched to retrieve it as I held John's weighted gaze.
"Shouldn't be too much trouble," he said, watching me as he took a drink. "Once Ttow starts working, Laye can watch the baby here. We can rehire Cara Dune in the meantime."
My mind froze. Did John hire help? "Wait...who's Ttow?" An annoying smirk grew on his face at my confusion. "Oh, no, is he a jawa? That name sounds jawan."
He chuckled as he reached for his datapad. "He's not jawan. He's quarran." He cocked his head to the side. "I think."
I snatched the device when he offered it. An alien's picture and credentials were displayed on the screen, including a potential salary. I nearly choked at the price. "Where did you find the money for this?" I demanded.
When both John and Laye looked up at Ben, I whirled on him with my mouth gaping. Ben smiled sheepishly. "I offered more, but he wouldn't take it."
John laughed harshly. "Damn straight."
I could hardly take my eyes off him in my shock. Ben was smiling as he delivered a gently taunting comment to John, who laughingly joked back in reply. I felt a smile growing on my face as I realized the two were finally getting along. It's a miracle. My mind started to wander to the upcoming trip with Ben.
"Exciting times, indeed," I heard Laye murmur with a smile.
