I must admit my interest for this story so there might not be all that many chapters left before I stop. But until then enjoy here is the chapter for when the empire is defeated. My guess would be she was part of the space battle.
Hera barely noticed how late it was all she could register was her need for sleep. She really needed some sleep. The high command had her working like crazy for the last few days … okay maybe it was the last week … or two weeks … or three … or four. Hera felt the pang of guilt. She wasn't a good mother. She had barely seen Jacen for the last four weeks it had just been … crazy. Rebuilding the republic wasn't a small or easy task. Hera felt a knot in her stomach grow knowing she had only seen Jacen when she got home when he was a sleep and in the mornings before he woke up. What kind of mother didn't have time for her own son? Sure he was looked after but she was so reliant on Sabine, Zeb and Kallus. Hera sat down on her bed and removed her clothes before dressing for sleep and laid down. She was asleep before anything else was possible.
SWR
"KANAN" Hera shouted as she jumped up with tears running down her face and her bedsheets were covered in sweat.
The old nightmare seemed to plague her at the most stressful and inconvenient times. Right after his death she often dreamed about how he perished in the flames but as time had gone by they had started to settle but some nights they still haunted her. What she wouldn't give to have Kanan comfort her right about now. The distance and pain burned in her and a small sob escaped her.
"Mommy" a small voice said.
Hera looked up and found her small son standing in the door looking scared.
"Oh sweety what are you doing here? You should be in bed" Hera said.
"I woke. You hurt" Jacen mumbled.
Hera closed her eyes for a brief moment feeling guilty. What kind of mother worked so hard she barely saw her child for four whole weeks and when she did he came to comfort her? She was a terrible mother but right now her son needed to have some comfort. She owed him that much.
"Come here sweaty" Hera said and opened her arms.
Jacen came over and crawled up to her as she took him into her arms.
"Hurt" Jacen cried.
"Sshh sweety. You need to sleep" she whispered to her.
Jacen moved further into her arms and she held him so close. Her poor son who was already a miniature version of his father. Hera felt hurt over the loss of Kanan but she knew she had to stay strong. Her son needed her. Yet she felt guilty as she utterly exhausted she fell asleep.
SWR
Hera woke up and looked to find the spot next to herself empty. Hera was confused Kanan usually only stood up long after she did … then it dawned on her it wasn't Kanan it was her son. Guilt hit her even harder than last night. She should be with him but she had a ton of work to go through. Maybe she could have a bit more time next week? Hera went into the kitchen to make breakfast. She found Sabine waiting for her with food ready for her. Hera looked at the young woman and sat down.
"Hi Sabine, how is it going?" Hera mused.
Fine but we need to talk" Sabin said.
"Sure I have a few minutes before the meeting" she replied as she started to eat.
"No Hera you barely have any time. For the last three weeks have you even running yourself ragged and you have barely seen Jacen for that time. He keeps asking for you Hera. He don't understand why you aren't there" Sabine said.
"I know and I am sorry but it has been crazy for the last few weeks. It will pass I am sure" Hera said feeling her guilt increased.
"I know you feel guilty but maybe you can take a week off. Spend some proper time with Jacen. We both know that next week won't be any different than this or the former" Sabine tried.
"I can't ... my work" Hera mumbled looking down. She felt it as Sabine gently took her hand.
"Hera … you know Kanan wouldn't like this. He gave up his life for both of you. He wouldn't like to see you working so hard and Jacen being without you" Sabine said very gently.
Hera looked at Sabine and felt how tears pressed to her eyes. She tried to hold it together but she couldn't. Tears began to fall down her cheeks. It was so like Kanan and she was heartbroken upon hearing this. She wanted him to hold her and comfort her. For him to be their in the morning making her caff, to tease her to no end to distract her when she was working too much. She wanted to feel him kissing her cheeks, sharing her bed. But more than anything she wanted him to hold their son. To play and have fun with him. To be alive and be with them both. Why did he have to die?
"Oh Hera" Sabine said and moved over to her.
"I miss him so much Sabine. I wake up and want him to be lying next to me. When I enter the kitchen I expect him to stand there making dinner for me. When I work too much I can almost hear him tease me to distract him. I see him everywhere. I want him to be here Sabine" Hera sobbed.
Sabine moved over and held her in an embrace.
"I know you must miss him Hera. I miss his stupid grin everytime he looked at you. How he always took care of us and checked on us. His sense of humor and his plans who always ended up getting us in and out of trouble" Sabine said.
Hera gave us a halfway chuckle.
"But I also know that he would want us to manage and move on. He would not like seeing us morning him forever" Sabine said in a very low voice.
Hera looked away unable to look at Sabine. Sabine took a deep breath and looked at Hera.
"Hera do you work so much to awoid the reality that Kanan isn't there?" she asked very, very quietly.
Hera looked at her and wasn't even sure what to answer. She was not sure if she even knew the answer herself. She just wanted Kanan so badly. Sabine didn't press the issue further.
"Be with Jacen. He needs a mother who don't work every waking hour of the day and then some" Sabine encouraged.
"Hera please" Sabine said very softly.
Hera looked at Sabine and thought about it. She did want to spend more time with Jacen. Perhaps she could ask for a few days off and be with him. She looked up to Sabine.
"Okay Sabine. I will try" Hera said.
"I am glad. Now please go and see Jacen. I will call and explain" Sabine said smiling.
Hera nodded slowly and finished her plate before she rose. Hera went to Kanan's old room. It had seemed the right room to make Jacen's. Even if she couldn't bear to talk to him about Kanan he deserved to have something from his father. Jacen was sitting on the floor with his favorite toyes which was all different types of flying machines. Jacen looked up.
"Mommy" he said smiling.
"Hello Jacen what are you doing?" Hera asked.
"Playing" Jacen answered.
"Can mommy play with you sweety" Hera asked.
"Yeah" the small child cheared and Hera slipped down on the floor.
Hera she moved over she grabbed Jacen gently and held him close as he continued to play. As she held him she felt her guilt in her. She should be more with him. Hera sighted she didn't want to work so much but in this position she wouldn't. Sabine was right she had to cut down she would have to take the job offer. Being a single mother and working this much just wasn't possible but she would hate not being part this. But for Jacen she would do it.
A/N There it is. Hera has learned to put Jacen first. It's normally not a problem but she is a workaholic. Hope you like it. Not my fines but still.
