Chapter Twenty-Two
Ella sighed as she packed the last item in her suitcase, zipping it up so that Echo could take it to the speeder. It didn't seem fair that they had to go now.
Echo walked inside from where he was subbing on the porch, the last of the ice cream clinging to his lips as he went to put away the dish and spoon. "All packed up?"
She nodded, "Yes."
"You don't sound chipper."
"Oh, shove off."
"You're not mad at me."
"I am. Very. Absolutely furious. Outraged. Livid."
He smirked, "Is my darling thesaurus done?"
She shook her head, "Outraged. Angry. Irate. Incensed. Incandescent."
"Well I agree with the last one."
She blushed.
He smiled sunnily and set the dirty dishes in the sink before trapping her against the countertop bodily, both hands barring her hips. "You're dressed," he observed.
"Brilliant observation," she replied.
He rolled his eyes, "You're also snippy."
She huffed, crossing her arms.
"It's because we have to go, isn't it?"
She slumped.
"Come here." Without waiting he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her lips. "We might not be able to be with each other every second of every day," he started, "but that doesn't mean we won't see each other, and it doesn't mean we won't wind up in bed together either. I'm your husband. Got the ring to prove it."
She giggled, "You are so proud of that ring."
"Course I am!" he exclaimed, "It's a circle of us. We'll never end. We might get scratched or dirty or lose our shine, but we aren't going to ever end."
Ella smiled at his words and kissed him deeply, hooking her finger through the drawstrings of his sweatpants and yanking him closer. He chuckled.
"Ella, I declare. Do I always make you this desperate?"
She nodded, "Your presence is smothering. I can't keep my hands to myself."
"We're in the kitchen. You've already cleaned the sheets and remade the bed."
She rolled her eyes, "You in the kitchen is hot."
He snorted, "I can't cook to save my life."
"Cinnamon rolls," she reminded.
"They had clear instructions, and all I did was preheat your oven, put them on a pan, put them in, check them, and take them out when they were done."
"You made muffins too."
"With supervision."
"Nah."
"You supervised."
"But did I really?" she asked. "Or was I checking you out?"
He went beet red, "You... you... you were checking me out?"
She nodded proudly. "Yes. Thoroughly. Several times."
He shook his head and walked towards the door, grabbing her bag.
"Where are you going?" she whined. "Don't go!"
He laughed, "No, angel. This needs to go in the speeder. We're leaving in a few minutes."
"But Echo!"
He smirked, "Besides, didn't you just say you check me out? You could make good on that saying, 'I hate it when you leave but I love to watch you go.'"
She humphed and crossed her arms. "Come back."
"No, you come get in. They're probably all waiting for us with signs and banners and a reception and announcements, interrogation chambers and cigars."
"Cigars?" she asked as he disappeared through the door.
"They blow smoke in your face during interrogations to disorient you. At least, that's what Fives and Hardcase say!"
"Because they're experts on the subject!" Ella called.
"No. They saw a holo film once. Some sort of espionage thing!" he shouted back.
Ella rolled her eyes and followed him, not because she wanted to. Of course not. It was just inconvenient to yell across the house.
Right.
Echo put his hands on his hips and rolled his shoulders, pulling an exercise shirt over his head. Then he turned to look at his beautiful wife who was glaring daggers at him.
He laughed.
"This isn't funny," she grumbled.
He shook his head, leaning on the door of the speeder, "It kinda is."
"Is not!"
"You're acting like a child."
She sighed and flounced off towards the beach.
"Where are you going?" he called.
"Swimming!" she growled.
"You aren't wearing your bathing suit. I saw you pack it."
"Who says I need a bathing suit?" she shot back.
"Well you'll get your clothes all wet and be uncomfortable all the way to the Resolute!"
She turned around and promptly pulled her shirt so that the snaps opened, then dropped it.
"I don't need clothes either."
"Great. I've created a nudist," Echo moaned. "Ella, please. We have to get back now!"
"No."
"Ella. Darling. I love you. But you're really being immature."
"I don't care."
Okay that did sound so teen angsty. Why am I acting like this?
Ella took off the last of her clothes and jogged towards the water, then sprinted when she heard her husband chasing her.
She should've known it was futile. He was an ARC trooper after all.
Echo swept her off her feet and over his shoulder, carrying her towards the car.
"Echo put me down!" she screeched.
He chuckled, "Nope."
"Put me down!"
"Two can play at this game, Ella. No."
She squirmed and tried to wriggle away, but he didn't budge.
Stang your stupid super hot muscles!
They reached the porch and he set her back on her feet, grabbing her wrists in his hands, gently but firmly, and holding them above her head as he pressed her against the wall.
"It isn't appropriate to go walking around without clothes on," he chided. "I cannot believe I'm telling you this. You're one of the most mature people I know."
She sighed. "I just thought... if I didn't wear clothes we could stay longer."
He sighed, "Cyar'ika, I want to stay too. But we can't. You know that."
"I know. And you're right. I'm acting like an idiot. I just... I guess..."
"What?"
She looked down, "I'm scared something will happen when we go back. That someone will try to take you away from me."
He released her hands and bit his lip, "Ella, I cannot promise something won't happen to me. But I do promise that I'll do everything to come back to you. As long as I live, I will fight to my last breath to be with you."
Ella leaned her head against his shoulder and lay her hand over his chest where the handprint of his armor would be. "I love you so much, Echo. I don't want to lose you."
He smiled and kissed her. "You won't, Ella. I swear." Then he paused. "Maybe we could use a shower before we go."
Her eyes widened excitedly. "Really?"
He nodded, "I'm sweaty and sandy. You're sweaty and sandy. We borrowed the speeder. We can't leave it a mess, right?"
Ella nodded, "I see what you mean. It would be pretty poor stewardship, wouldn't it?"
"It would," he agreed. "But first you have to get your clothes off the beach."
She sighed at the reminder of her silly idea. "Alright."
"I'll help."
"You just want to check me out."
"Yeah. I do. Whatcha gonna do about it."
"Nothing."
"Really?"
"Well except this." And she swayed off down the beach, completely aware his eyes were glued to her and absolutely pleased with that fact.
•~§~•
There weren't signs and banners, but a good many of their friends were waiting for them when they walked off the transport on the Resolute.
Ahsoka immediately hugged Ella, and Echo was practically tackled by a gaggle if his close friends. Rex, Kix, and Chopper were the only ones to refrain from dog piling him.
"So, did you enjoy yourself?" Fives asked laughingly.
Echo blushed.
"Oh he did!" Hardcase brayed.
"Let him up," Rex chuckled, pulling the pile of troopers (and general) apart. "We'll interrogate him in my office."
Echo stood and ducked out from under Jesse's headlock. "I have to bring our things to Ella's room."
His wife shook her head, "I don't have much. You just have the suitcase. I'll be fine."
"You sure?" he queried.
She nodded and kissed him, "We'll be just fine. I'll see you later?" She winked. She winked!
He nodded, trying not to smirk with satisfaction. "See you later, love."
Then she walked away, pulling her suitcase and bag, Ahsoka pulling his.
"Come on, vod. You'll see her soon," Rogue laughed. "You have to tell us about everything."
"Everything?" Echo squeaked.
"Everything," Hardcase stated.
Echo squirmed, "But what about young ears?"
Vaughn scoffed, "I'm not that young, Echo. Come on."
Echo sighed. "Look. I'll try to answer as much as I can, but it wasn't just my honeymoon. It was hers too. And... it is a bit private. There's parts I'll talk about, others I won't."
Rex nodded, "That's fair. It is, boys. He's got to think about what his wife wants too."
"Rex is right, boys," Anakin agreed. "There's a wise saying, 'happy wife, happy life.' Pair that with, 'if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy,' and you get a clear picture. Wouldn't want to be the reason he gets kicked out of her room, would you?"
"Man, I can't believe you're really married," Hardcase sighed.
"I know. It still hasn't sunk in," the ex-bachelor replied.
They all entered Rex's office and sat down in a circle. They'd obviously planned this. There was a whole mantle of pillows covering the floor, and several blankets. They sprawled on their stomachs or sides, or sat up, leaning forward on their elbows.
Echo blushed and sighed, scratching his neck, "Where do I start?"
"First," the General started, "how was the place?"
Echo smiled, "Beautiful. Perfect weather. We swam and sunned, and the bath was amazing. We used up those little fizzy things the first week."
He nodded, "Thought you'd like that. Everyone told me you love water."
"I do sir. Thank you. And swimming in the lake was nice too."
Then Fives asked, "So how was... you know?"
Echo ducked his head, "It's hard to describe. But good."
Rex was the one who asked, "How about her?"
"Ella?"
"Yeah. Did she have a good time?"
Echo laughed, "It was all I could do to pry her away from the place! She had a blast."
Hardcase chuckled, "You've got the moves down then."
The newlywed blushed like a sith lightsaber. "I wouldn't... I wouldn't say that. We... we're just kinda still... learning."
"So she didn't...?" Jesse asked.
"No! She did! But... I'm no expert or anything. We've just been married for two weeks. I wouldn't say I'm class A. More like... I'm starting to understand how to make her happy."
Vaughn shyly raised his hand. "When do you think you will have kids?"
Echo shrugged, "I don't know. It happens when it happens. That's what she and I decided anyway."
"I'm gonna be the best uncle!" Fives declared.
"No way! I am!" Hardcase asserted.
"Guys, it's obviously me!" Jesse rolled his eyes.
"Um, can I be an uncle too?" Vaughn asked.
"And me?" Rex seconded.
Echo beamed, "You can all be uncles whenever that happens. And you'll all be special for different reasons."
Rogue smiled, "Just wait till he has a girl and she's as gorgeous as Ella, and all the boys want her."
Echo paled, "Now you stop that. Don't go giving me gray hairs before I'm older. She'll do that for me."
Anakin laughed, "She definitely will."
•~§~•
Ahsoka and Galene squealed, laughing as they hugged their friend. Ella joined in, hugging them back.
They crawled onto her mattress and sighed in unison.
"Ella, I cannot believe you're married!" Galene exclaimed.
"I know! It's awesome!"
"I'm sure," Ahsoka teased.
They laughed at Ella's blush.
"Tell us all about it!" Ahsoka begged.
"Yes! Every minute detail!" Galene demanded playfully.
Ella shook her head, "It was beautiful. Unforgettable. I think I know him better now than I could've before, and we've grown closer as a couple. We had our first real fight," she said. "And like most fights it was just miscommunication. I thought he meant something he didn't, he was trying to be a gentleman and give me space and I took it the wrong way. But we made up. And I think now that that's out of the way, I'm not terrified he'll want to book it whenever we squabble."
"It's hard to imagine you two disagreeing," Ahsoka said. "You're usually so like-minded."
"It's the miscommunication that gets us sometimes. We're both kind of quiet thinkers. He's a deep thinker. I'm a deep feeler. And that can either blossom or clash. It just hurts because we love each other so much and we want to agree or figure it out and sometimes it's like picking apart a complex puzzle."
"Hmm," Galene hummed. Then she smiled deviously.
"No!" Ella groaned.
"You're not getting out of it," her friend said.
"Allee!"
Galene just sighed, "Tell us about the wedding night at least. How was it?"
"Did it hurt?" Ahsoka asked.
She shrugged, "A little. But he was careful. Really careful. The rest was amazing."
"Did he like the bathing suit we picked out?" Ahsoka asked.
She nodded. "Yes. He did. I think his jaw hit the floor when he first saw me put it on."
"I'm guessing it didn't stay on for long," Galene purred.
Ella just shrugged, "It was just us there, so it doesn't really matter." Then she shrugged, "We didn't just do that while we were there though."
"What else did you do?" Ahsoka asked, thoroughly interested. She turned onto her stomach, tucking her knees to the side and leaning on her arms.
"Well," Ella drawled, "we planned. We talked about what we want to do after the war or during it if it's viable. We talked about animals and houses and kids. We sat on the porch and watched the stars at night and ate ice cream. We read to each other on the beach, and snuggled on the couch watching comedies. He has such a cute laugh. I love it."
"You are so cute!" Galene crooned.
Ella made a funny face at her friend and shook her head. "You'll know. When you find the person you love more than anything and can't live without, everything about them will be it's own treasure."
Galene blushed and wrung her hands, "Ella... I wanted to tell you..."
Ella's eyes widened. "Yeah?"
She shifted, took a breath, then blurted, "Kix and I are together. We kissed at your wedding. I swear I would've told you before but I wanted you to have your own time with Echo, so I waited!"
Ella squealed and hugged her friend. "I did see you two at my wedding. During some of the line dances, wasn't it?"
Her friend's face turned as red as her hair. "That was a really... into-it kiss. Kisses. Several. A lot. And really hot. Gosh he's amazing at kissing."
Ella laughed. "Do you love him?"
She nodded, "I do. He's just... I don't know. There's something so special about him. Maybe it's everything and that's why it's so hard to put my finger on it. But I love him. I want to marry him one day when he's ready."
"Does he know?"
She sighed, "I think so."
"Did he tell you he loved you?"
She shrugged, "We kinda just kissed. We haven't said it yet. And I think he loves me. I think he does. I'm almost positive."
Ella thought so too. "So if he tells me he loves you, will you be mad if I tell him you love him?"
Galene shook her head. "No."
Ella hugged her again, "I'm so happy for you, Allee!"
She smiled, "Thanks Ella. Now. What about we watch a movie and chill?"
"Girls night!" Ahsoka cheered. "At least till your hubby comes knocking."
Ella blushed. "Okay. That sounds fun."
Ahsoka bounced in excitement, "Yes! I've been wanting to for ages!"
"I'll make popcorn!" Galene exclaimed, and ran towards the kitchen.
Ella laughed and changed into a pair of fluffy pajamas she kept at the bottom of her drawer. Then she took out a bunch of homo films she had.
Her friends returned a few minutes later, on bearing an enormous bowl of popcorn, the other in a giant kitty onesie, her chevron lekku standing Out against the white fluff.
Ella laughed, "Where on earth did you get that?"
Ahsoka shrugged, "It was my birthday resent from Padmé."
Ella hugged her. "It's beautiful and adorable and definitely you."
She smiled and sat down.
"What're we watching?"
Ten minutes later, the narrators voice declared, "That day she was amazed to discover that when he said 'as you wish,' what he really meant was, 'I love you.'"
•~§~•
"You won't stay and tell us more?" Hardcase begged.
"The 'more' part specifically?" Jesse suggested.
But Echo shook his head, "My wife will find and torment me if I don't go back to her. But I'll see you in the morning."
They sighed and waved goodnight, calling 'sweet dreams!' and 'bet you won't get any sleep!' and 'enjoy yourself!' as he walked away.
He chuckled. Didn't they know that even married people had to sleep?
Ella was curled up in bed when he arrived, her eyelids heavy as she read one of her books. He walked to the bathroom and brushed his face and teeth, then changed into just underwear, slipping in beside her. She put her book in the hidden shelf in the bunk and turned into him.
Echo chuckled, "How are you wearing that? It's boiling here!"
She hummed, "Had a girls' night with Ahsoka and Galene. Had to dress for the occasion."
"Hmm. Cute, but you'll burn up if you sleep in that. Where's the shorts set you had in the honeymoon?" he slipped out of bed and knelt on the floor next to her bags.
"They're dirty. I need to wash them. There's a simpler set in the third drawer in the dresser though," she informed.
"Third up or down?"
"Down."
It was the first time he'd actually gone looking through her drawers for things. He scrutinized her pajama drawer, trying to pretend the lacy sets weren't there. He pulled out a lightweight cotton shirt and some comfortable looking shorts.
"How will these do?" he asked.
She nodded, "They work."
"Want me to go in the fresher or turn around?" he asked when he handed her the articles.
She shook her head, "No. I don't mind. Nothing you haven't seen before anyway," she grinned cheekily.
He laughed, "That's why I asked."
"Oh?"
"Ella, you're sleepy. I'm sleepy. We... I mean..."
She nodded, "I know. It was a long day." She unbuttoned the fluffy top and handed it to him, "Could you just toss it on the chair?"
He nodded and did so, returning to repeat his actions with her bottoms.
Then she reached for him, cuddling into the warmth. "Snuggle me!"
He chuckled, "So demanding, darling. Fortunately, orders agree with me. And I like following yours."
She giggled, "As you wish."
He laughed and rolled his eyes at her, "Haha. Very funny. Now, can I turn off the light, or are we reading?"
She yawned, "Oh! I think I'm too tired for more tonight. I just want to sleep in your arms and wake up holding you tomorrow."
"Mmm, sounds like a yummy plan," he agreed, switching the lights off. "You know, this bed could be bigger."
"I think it's—"
"Ella, you're against the wall, and I'm on the edge."
"We could switch?"
He shook his head, "Then you'd be on the edge."
She sighed, "I think it would be possible to rig a bigger mattress in here. We just need a plank and some square parts to make legs for a bed."
"I've never made anything before," he confessed.
"It'll be okay. We made a chicken coop that's still standing when I was younger. We didn't have any experience with tools either. Not really."
She paused.
Then, "We'll need to measure the height and width of the bunk without the mattress. Then we'll need a good strong board, and screws, some planks for a frame, and the footboard. Box springs aren't too expensive. Neither are mattresses. There's such a supply right now that the prices have dropped. I could make it nice in here for us. We could. I'll need your help."
"But... what if we break it?"
She shrugged, "We fix it. And I think we can avoid that. We'll just have to research how to make a safe bed on your own." She shrugged. "It'll be fun!"
He hummed, "We're headed to Coruscant to pick up Padmé. She's on some sort of diplomatic mission. We're just body guarding. You think you can pick up the right supplies before we leave and we'll build it there and back?"
Ella squeezed him tight, kissing his lips chastely. "Thank you, Echo. You're wonderful!"
He laughed, "Hey, I want to sleep with you without worrying about pushing you off the edge of the bed in my sleep, or squishing you against the wall."
Ella nodded, "Can't have that, now can we?"
He hummed and tucked his head against her hair. "Let's sleep, Ella. We can research tomorrow. No one is really busy since we haven't got an urgent mission. Leave lasts for another month. After that we have to go back to normal."
"Who's swapping with us?" Ella asked.
"The 104th. The boys wanted to get back out there again after their pretty devastating loss at the beginning of the war," Echo answered.
"Ah. Yeah. The Malevolence," she remembered. "Master Koon, Commander Wolffe, and only two others survived, right?"
He nodded. "It was really tragic."
Ella sighed drearily, "I'm glad they're back in action. I can only imagine how bittersweet it must be."
Her husband agreed, yawning, "Uhm... yes. I'm sure it is. Sleep love?"
She nodded, "Sleep. Night."
"Night, Angel."
A few minutes of quiet passed.
Then the silence was broken.
"Echo?"
"Mmhmm?"
Pause.
"I have to pee."
"Ugh." He stood up to let her out. "You better get back here right quick, or I'll be forced to drag you back."
"As you wish!"
"Ahh!"
•~§~•
"This should be everything you need, ma'am. Would you like it delivered?" the salesman asked.
Ella shook her head. "No thank you. Help getting it to my speeder would be great though."
"I'm surprised your husband didn't come with you," he said.
She sighed, "He's really busy right now. The rush getting back from the honeymoon, you know?"
He nodded, "Got back and I thought the paperwork factory threw up on my desk."
Ella nodded, "Yeah. He promised he'd help me with it though."
"Good luck with that."
"I don't know. I think he will. He's not the type to make a promise and then break it."
He just shrugged and helped carry the plank for the under boards to her speeder.
"You going to be able to fit it all?" he asked
She nodded, "Yes. See?"
The speeder she'd borrowed was definitely big enough for the supplies.
"Oh. Okay!" he acquiesced.
It didn't take long for them to load the vehicle. After that, she drove back to the Resolute.
"Hmm..." she murmured, surveying the supplies in the back of the speeder. The box spring. The mattress. The wood and tools. How was she going to get it all to her room on her own?
But just then, "Need a hand?"
She turned to see Chopper, Fives, and Captain Rex. She smiled at them relievedly and hugged them all.
"Y'all are lifesavers. Yes. If you could help me get this all to my room, I'd really appreciate it," she said.
They smiled.
"No problem, Ella," Rex said. "Fives, you and Chopper get the box spring. Ella, run ahead and open the door for them. Have you got a space cleared?"
She nodded. "I do."
"Good. I'll get the rest managed."
Her eyes widened and she glanced from him to her full speeder. The heavy mattress, tools, and building materials.
"All of it?"
He laughed, "Yeah. But don't worry. I'm not doing it all alone." He nudged his chin in the direction of the Resolute.
A dozen or so of their friends were coming to help. Jesse, Hardcase, Kix, Vaughn, Rogue, Vutyc, Wander, Axe, Denal.
"What first, sir?" Hardcase asked.
Ella promptly hugged them. "You guys are the sweetest ever. Thank you!"
Denal shrugged, "Your husband told us you'd be coming back with a load of heavy stuff; he couldn't be here himself, but he wanted to be sure you'd have helping hands."
Of course he did. Echo, I'm going to give you a big kiss when you get back.
"Ella, how about you take this here?" Rex suggested, handing her the sheets and covers set. "Ah! Appo, glad you made it. Help me with the mattress, eh?"
And just like that, the monstrous mountain was easily divided and carried into her room.
"It just got lots smaller in here," Ahsoka chirped as she arranged the pillows on the mattress in the corner. "You have a plan?"
Ella nodded. "We took the measurements of the bunk. Found that the length from head to foot was long enough to slide a queen sized mattress into the nook. The height also allows a box spring. So we're going to build a footboard for the end of the bed, and a frame that attaches to the bunk. The floorboard will support the box spring and mattress. That's pretty much it."
"Have either of you done anything like this before?" she asked skeptically.
Ella shrugged, "When I was around your age, I helped make a chicken coop. It took a while, but I learned some about tools. I don't think this will be as delicate a job. And we already had the stuff cut at the depot."
"So Echo doesn't know how to?"
"No but I'll learn," cake a well-beloved voice. Echo wrapped his arms around Ella from behind, kissing her temple. "How's my wife doing today?"
She smiled, "Great! Her brothers-in-law were an amazing help getting all this inside."
"They're thoughtful like that."
"So's my hubby."
"Hmm, who?"
She nudged him gently, "You, you goof! My hubby?"
"And you're my... wifey?"
"Yep."
"I like that."
"So do I. But Ahsoka isn't enjoying this. She's turning green," Ella giggled. "Ahsoka, were not going to start making out in front of you, so chill."
Ahsoka sighed in relief and went back to her regular sienna hue. "I'm good with sweet talk. But... yeah, please don't."
Ella winked, "We won't if it makes you uncomfortable."
Echo pouted.
Ella smiled and whispered, "Don't worry. We're making this bed for a reason she has nothing to do with."
He flushed and brightened. "Then we should get busy."
Ahsoka shuddered, "Gross. I'm out," and she waved as she sprinted out the door.
Echo laughed at her quick exit, but was cut off by the lips of the naughty wife who sent her scurrying. He hummed against them and turned her around to hold her, sighing when she pulled away.
Ella moved across the room to the frame that she constructed while waiting on him. She'd just finished the last leg when her husband returned. "Wanna change and help me assemble?"
He nodded. "Can I use your shower?"
"Absolutely," she replied. "And besides. It's our shower now."
Echo grinned as he grabbed his clothes from the dresser and closed the door of her fresher.
"Ours," she heard him mumble as he turned on the water. "Hmm. I like that too."
•~§~•
"Here," she said. "Now push a little."
Echo nodded and carefully drilled the screw into the bunk bottom. "Like that?"
"A little more," she urged. "Great! Wanna do the others?"
"Huh?"
She shrugged, "The only real way to learn is through experience. Go on. Get the rest of the screws in there and then help me with the board."
Echo did, feeling more than a little nervous. Why was it so intimidating just to install the screws.
The corner of his mouth twitched as he jokingly said, "I just hope I won't screw this up!"
Ella snorted, "Very funny, my comedian."
Echo wrinkled his nose at her and finished drilling. It wasn't half so difficult as he feared, and he moved to help her situate the under board over the supporting planks.
And then they were pretty much done.
They settled the box spring and the mattress, and Echo helped Ella make the bed.
They stood back, looking proudly at the thinly they made together.
"I think it looks great," Ella cheered.
"I'll say," Echo murmured. Then he smirked. "But you can only learn from experienced right? I mean. Shouldn't we test it out?"
She caught his look and giggled, "Yeah. I mean, what if we needed to fix something?"
He grabbed her and tossed her onto the springy mattress, laying atop her. She hummed and kissed him back.
"Did you lock the door?" she asked.
Echo leapt up and clicked the lock shut, then resumed kissing his wife.
Wouldn't do to really scar Ahsoka, now would it?
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I hope you like this installment! Sorry it took a while.
Love, peace, and
LittleBitOfGrace.
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