New Family
I don't own Star Wars Rebels!
Hera watched the two kids as they snacked on a few cookies. They were very sweet and she felt terrible that they had had to live on the street for so long. She hoped that they would like Zeb and Sabine, and that they would be happy staying with them.
It wasn't long before the front door opened and Zeb and Sabine came in. They dropped their bags in the mud room and hurried to the kitchen, but stopped short at the sight of the two new kids.
"Um, hi?" Sabine asked.
"Zeb, Sabine!" Hera exclaimed "Meet Ezra and Kyla, they're going to be part of our family now."
"Oh, I didn't know you guys were getting any new foster kids." Sabine turned to the two siblings "Well, I'm Sabine, that's Zeb. It's nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too." Ezra said softly.
"How old are you two?" Zeb grunted.
"We're fourteen." Ezra answered.
"Really?" Sabine asked, surprised "You don't look it."
"Sabine." Hera said warningly "Be nice."
"I am!" Sabine protested "I'm just saying they look younger."
Kanan came into the kitchen and sighed "I got a new assignment, I have to go in early tomorrow."
"What's the assignment, love?" Hera asked.
"I've been assigned a case with the gang, the Specters." Kanan shrugged "Kallus and I are supposed to investigate the leaders."
The twins tensed "Why?" Ezra asked.
"Well, they're criminals. They've been stealing for years." Kanan explained "People are upset about it and they want the police to do something."
"The Specters aren't bad though." Ezra protested "They help people."
"What do you mean?" Kanan asked but Ezra looked down "Ezra, if you know something, tell me."
"Why don't you ask Kyla?" Zeb asked "I'm sure whatever the kid knows, she knows too."
"Kyla doesn't talk." Hera said softly.
"Oh, okay, whatever." Zeb shrugged.
"Ezra?" Kanan asked sternly.
"They, well, they're the reason we're still here." Ezra shrugged.
"What do you mean?"
"It was a few years ago." Ezra sighed "It was the middle of winter and we didn't have anywhere to go or any food. A few Specters showed up and gave us blankets, coats, and some food. Without them, we would have died that night. They're not bad people."
Kanan hesitated "Do you know their leaders?"
"Who doesn't?"
"Um, us." Sabine raised her hand.
"Who are they, Ezra?" Kanan asked.
"The Phantom and the Wraith." Ezra shrugged.
Kanan chuckled "I know that, do you know what their real names are?"
"Oh, that?" Ezra rolled his eyes "Of course not. No one does."
Kanan sighed "Okay, I believe you." He turned to Hera "What's for dinner, dear?"
"Wait, you-you just believe us?" Ezra asked, confused "Just like that?"
"You haven't give us any reason not to." Hera shrugged "So, of course we trust you."
Kyla blinked in confusion and Ezra looked at her quizzically.
"Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes." Hera said "Zeb, Sabine, Ezra and Kyla will be staying in your rooms until we can get theirs ready. Why don't you show them where they are?"
"What?" Zeb asked "The kid's staying in my room?"
"Yes, you and Ezra will share a room." Kanan confirmed "It won't be for long."
"Fine." Zeb grumbled "Come on, kid, follow me." He gestured to the door and Ezra, shooting a glance back at Kyla, followed him out.
"Well, I'm excited to have a roommate!" Sabine chirped "Come on, I'll show you my room."
Zeb's room
The room was large and had a bunk bed in the corner, around the walls were trophies and football helmets.
"So, you play football I'm guessing?" Ezra tried to lighten the mood.
"Yep, I'm on the team at school." Zeb muttered "You can take the top bunk."
"Thanks." Ezra mustered out.
"You got any stuff?"
"No. Kanan and Hera said they'd get us some things tomorrow."
"Hmmm, so you're in for a day of shopping." Zeb mused "Glad it's you and not me."
Sabine's room
Sabine's room was covered in artwork. Kyla looked around in amazement. She pointed to a piece and then to Sabine.
"Did I paint these?" Sabine asked and Kyla nodded "Yes, I did. Do you like them?"
Kyla nodded again.
"Here, the beds pull out from the wall." Sabine showed Kyla how to pull down the bed "What's your favorite color?" She asked suddenly.
Kyla shrugged.
"You don't have a favorite color?" Sabine gasped "That's horrible! I've got a new mission, I'm going to find you a favorite color."
She started pulling out paintings and pointing to different colors asking if Kyla liked them or not. When she pulled out a bright blue painting that matched Kyla's eyes the girl quirked her head.
"Do you like this one?" Sabine asked.
Kyla reached out a hand to gently stroke the canvas and nodded, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
"It's a pretty color. It almost matches your eyes perfectly." Sabine told her.
Ezra and Zeb knocked on the door and came in. Ezra immediately noticed the tears in his sisters eyes and moved closer.
"Kyla?" He whispered "What's wrong?"
"I don't know." Sabine said softly "I showed her this painting and she just got all sad."
Ezra noticed the painting and sighed "It matched our parents eyes. The color is identical."
Kyla swiped at the tears rolling down her cheeks and shook her head, taking a deep breath.
"I'm sorry." Sabine said.
"It's not your fault." Ezra assured her "You didn't know. You gonna be okay, Kyla?"
She nodded and Ezra reached out and held her hand.
Hera called up the stairs at that moment "Kids, dinner's ready!"
"Food!" Zeb and Sabine cheered.
"You'll love Hera's cooking, she's great." Sabine whispered and grabbed Kyla's free hand to pull her downstairs.
Kyla shivered at the contact but didn't pull away. She just tightened her grip on her brother's hand and pulled him with her. Downstairs, Hera had made hamburgers and was setting the table while she waited for the kids.
"I hope you kids like burgers." She joked.
Ezra nodded "It's been a while since we've had a real one."
"Well, Hera's burgers are the best." Zeb grunted.
"Thank you, Zeb. Would you get out some plates for us please?"
"Sure." Zeb walked over to a cupboard and pulled out six plates.
"Go ahead, dish up." Hera ordered.
Zeb, Sabine, Kanan, and Hera all grabbed plates and started piling food on them. Kanan noticed that the twins hadn't moved from the doorway.
"Aren't you two hungry?" He asked
They're stomachs growled loudly in response and Kyla winced and cowered slightly.
Ezra stepped in front of her and asked nervously "How much can we eat?"
Hera froze "What do you mean? You can eat as much as you'd like as long as you don't make yourselves sick."
"It's just..." Ezra trailed off.
"Just what, kid?" Kanan asked calmly "It's okay, you can talk to us."
"In the first foster home we went to, the only one we went to together, we, I mean, they didn't let us eat a whole lot." Ezra shrugged as if it were no big deal.
"What?" Hera asked loudly, shocked.
Kyla jumped and shrunk back against the wall.
"Hera, calm down." Kanan warned then moved closer to the kids "Hera's not mad at you guys. She's mad at that foster family."
"I'm sorry." Hera apologized "I shouldn't have shouted."
"It's okay." Ezra muttered "Kyla had it worse. If she showed any signs of hunger she'd be in trouble, that's why she's so scared."
"You don't need to be afraid of us." Kanan gently held out his hand for Kyla "You're safe here and we'll take care of you."
Slowly, Ezra and Kyla made eye contact over Kanan's shoulder. Kyla softly reached out and took Kanan's hand, she still shivered at the contact, but she didn't pull away. Kanan considered that progress. He led them over to the island and helped them dish up, having to resist piling extra helpings onto their plates.
After they had all taken their seats Hera smiled and asked Zeb and Sabine about their days. This conversation lasted a while, until Kanan looked at the two siblings in concern, they hadn't eaten much, Ezra had taken small helpings of everything and had eaten about half his plate. Kyla on the other hand had only taken a few small bites.
"How's it tasting?" Kanan asked.
"It's good." Ezra nodded.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, we're just not used to eating large amounts of food."
"Or any food." Kyla said so softly they almost didn't hear it.
As soon as the words left her lips she clapped her hands to her mouth and tears started to roll down her cheeks.
"Kyla?" Ezra asked "You-you talked?"
Kyla didn't seem to hear him, she was starting to hyperventilate and was shaking, her eyes glazed over as if caught in a flashback. Ezra tried to move closer to his sister but she curled away from him, squeezing herself into a ball on the chair.
Kanan and Hera were next to her in a flash.
"It's okay." Hera soothed "Match my breathing, can you do that for me?"
"Sabine, Zeb, go to the living room." Kanan commanded "Take Ezra with you."
"No, she needs me!" Ezra cried.
"Zeb!" Kanan gave the older boy a stern look and he seemed to get the message as he picked Ezra up, threw him over his shoulder, and carried him, kicking and screaming, into the living room.
Kanan knelt next to Hera who was gently stroking the quivering girl's hair and saying calming words to her. He gently brushed Kyla's hair out of her face and looked deeply into her eyes.
"Kyla, hon, look at me." He said firmly "Match my breathing, can you do that for us? You're safe, I promise."
"They-they'll find me." She whispered "They're here."
"Who's here?" Hera asked calmly.
"The officer. The Imperials." Kyla gasped "They told me not to talk."
"Officer?" Kanan whispered and Hera shrugged.
"Figure it out later." The green eyes woman suggested "Kyla, what can we do for you?"
"Ezra!" Her cry could have shattered the coldest heart.
The door was flung open and Ezra burst in, followed by Zeb and Sabine.
"We couldn't hold him." Sabine panted.
Ezra wrapped his sister in a tight hug and glared at the adults "Don't send me away when she goes into a panic attack."
"Ezra." Kyla shivered in her brother's arms "They're coming."
"No, no they're not coming." Ezra whispered "That's over, remember? They can't hurt us anymore."
"Who is she talking about?" Kanan asked.
"The gang, the Imperials who killed our parents." Ezra sighed "We saw it happen, our parents hid us under the bed when they came in the room."
Kanan stopped asking questions, he knew that it wouldn't help Kyla to relive it. Instead he gently laid a hand on her shoulder and Hera rubbed her back while Ezra held her.
It took a while for Kyla to come back out of her trance. When she did, she was clearly exhausted but Hera insisted she at least eat a little more and drink a whole glass of water before she could go to bed. Kyla did as she was told, half asleep at the table. When she was finished Hera helped Sabine take her up to her room and gave her some pajamas to wear for the night.
Kanan stayed downstairs. Ezra was sitting at the table nervously. Zeb had gone upstairs to do his homework. When Hera came back down she sat at the table on the other side of Ezra.
"Ezra," She began "What-"
"Please don't send her away." Ezra pleaded.
The grownups shared a surprised look.
"Ezra, we aren't sending either of you away." Kanan said reassuringly "We just want to know what happened."
Ezra hesitated "It started after our parents were killed, after we ran away from that first foster home. Kyla started having panic attacks. It's getting better now, but today's been long and with the one she had in the police car I'm not surprised this one was so bad."
"Do you know who the officer she mentioned was?" Kanan asked.
Ezra paused then lied "No. I don't."
"Kid, we can tell you're lying." Kanan said gently "Just tell us, please?"
"I can't, Kyla doesn't want people to know." Ezra shook his head "If she wants you to know, she'll tell you."
"Okay." Hera nodded "Was that the first time she's talked?"
"In over a year." Ezra confirmed "I can't believe it."
"How about you? How are you feeling?" Hera asked.
"Me?" Ezra was confused "I'm fine, I guess. Um...how are you?"
Hera and Kanan chuckled.
"We're fine, kid." Kanan smiled "You must be tired, let's go find you something to sleep in."
The next day, Kanan was already gone when Hera got downstairs to start breakfast. She pulled out the ingredients for some pancakes and was getting the gridle out of a cupboard under the island when she heard two sets of footsteps slowly entered the room.
She popped her head up "Good morning, kids."
They jumped a foot in the air and Ezra clapped a hand to his chest "Jeez, Hera, you scared us."
"Sorry." Hera smiled sheepishly "How'd you sleep?"
Kyla shrugged.
"Fine." Ezra was clearly lying, both twins had dark circles under their eyes.
Hera hummed "What are you doing up this early? Zeb and Sabine won't be up for at least another half hour."
"We've always woken up early." Ezra explained "If you sleep to long on the streets, people think you're dead and try to rob you."
Hera was stunned "That's-that's awful." She murmured "I'm sorry."
"It's fine." Ezra waved her off "Do you need any help with breakfast?"
"We're having pancakes." Hera smiled "Are those okay?"
"We haven't had pancakes since we ended up on the streets." Ezra grinned "They sound delicious."
"Great, would you like to set the table?" Hera suggested "There are plates over there and silverware in this drawer here." She pointed at the cupboard and the drawer in question.
"Sure." Ezra nodded.
He started to get the plates out while Kyla opened the drawer and pulled out silverware. They quickly set the table and turned back to Hera. Hera was pouring cups of flour into the mixer when she noticed the twins watching her.
"Wow, that was fast." She complimented "Do you want to help me with the ingredients?"
"Okay." Ezra agreed "What should we do?"
"Just measure out the baking powder, the salt, and the sugar." Hera pointed to the ingredients she'd already gotten out "The measuring cups are next to them."
Kyla was the first one to open the bag of sugar and she quickly scooped out a tablespoon of the white stuff. She looked at it quizzically and showed it to Hera.
"That's perfect." Hera nodded "Come here, you can put it in."
Kyla slowly came closer, one hand under the tablespoon to catch any falling sugar. Hera guided her hand over the bowl and together, they dumped the ingredient in.
"Great job." Hera smiled "Ezra, do you have the salt?"
Ezra came over carrying the teaspoon of salt and poured it into the bowl "Was that right?" He asked.
"It was." Hera nodded "Thank you both for your help." She poured the baking powder in and started the mixer.
A cloud of white dust flew into the air, covering them all from head to toe.
Hera gasped as she turned off the appliance "Oh, not again!"
"Sorry, Hera." Ezra said quickly.
"It's not your fault." Hera was quick to assure them "I forgot the mixer isn't very good. I really should get a new one. This happened yesterday too, remember?"
"It was the mixers fault you were all white?" Ezra asked.
"Yeah, it likes to spew stuff every time. I'm supposed to put something over it so it doesn't get everywhere, but I always forget." Hera laughed "Let's get cleaned up. You two can take the showers first, we've got a bathroom upstairs and one downstairs. I'll clean up the kitchen first."
"How...how do we...?" Ezra hesitated.
"Work the shower?" Hera asked "Don't worry, I'll show you." She led them upstairs "The showers work the same, turn the handle to the right for warm water and left for cold."
"Thanks, Hera." Ezra smiled.
"Thank you." Kyla whispered.
Hera's eyes widened in surprise but she quickly grinned "You're welcome. Come on, Kyla, I'll show you where the downstairs bathroom is."
Hera led the way downstairs to the basement and turned on the lights. Kyla was looking around quickly, gauging her surroundings, taking in the windows and the large table in the middle of the room.
"That's the pool table." Hera explained "Zeb and Kanan like to play sometimes but most of the time it's just a craft table for Sabine and I."
Kyla nodded and ran a hand over the tabletop gently, feeling the fuzzy surface. Hera watched her for a moment before she opened the bathroom door.
"Here's the bathroom." Hera showed her newest child in "Like I said, the showers work the same, right for hot, left for cold. Got it?"
Kyla nodded and Hera gently patted her shoulder. Kyla didn't jump this time but she did look at Hera with confusion, as if she didn't understand the kind gesture.
"I'll let you get in the shower." Hera smiled "I'll grab you some clothes, towels are hanging up right over there."
"Thank you." Kyla whispered again.
"You don't need to thank me, hon." Hera said as she left.
When she got upstairs she quickly found Sabine just walking into the kitchen, staring at the white disaster on the table.
"Mixer incident?" Sabine teased.
"As usual." Hera nodded "Hey, Kyla's in the shower can you lend her some clothes for the day while I find some of Kanan's for Ezra?"
"Sure." Sabine nodded and hurried to find some clothes.
When she came down carrying a pair of jeans, a blue shirt, and underwear, Hera nodded.
"She's downstairs, knock first."
Sabine went down the steps and towards the bathroom. She knocked but there was no answer, but she could hear the water running. Sabine opened the door and quietly laid the clothes on the counter. Then she hurried out, closing the door behind her.
It wasn't long before Kyla came out, wearing the clothes Sabine had left for her. The jeans were loose but still fit fairly well, but the shirt hung off her shoulders and kept falling. She adjusted the sleeves again before she went upstairs. Ezra was sitting at the table next to Zeb, Sabine sat across from them.
"Ah, do the clothes work?" Sabine asked, noticing Kyla.
"Yes." Kyla whispered "Thank you."
"We'll get you some that fit properly today." Hera assured her "Pancakes are ready. Grab your plates."
Everyone picked up their plates and came over to the island where Hera had put the finished pancakes in a large Tupperware dish. Sabine loaded up her plate with three and Kyla and Ezra thought that was a lot, until Zeb grabbed five. The twins shared a look before they each picked out two pancakes each.
"Do you want butter or syrup with your pancakes?" Hera asked.
The twins shrugged.
"Try both." Zeb suggested "You've got two pancakes, put syrup on one and butter on the other."
"Wow, that's actually a good idea." Sabine joked "Who knew you could have those?"
The twins took his suggestion and spread the butter on one pancake and poured syrup on the other.
"Zeb, can you take Sabine to school today?" Hera asked.
"Sure." Zeb grunted "Are the kids comin' too?"
"Not yet, we'll enroll them tomorrow." Hera shook her head "We're going shopping today and then we've got a few errands to run."
"Okay." Zeb shrugged and shoved another pancake in his mouth.
Ezra managed to clear his plate that morning and Kyla ate half of each pancake.
"Sorry." She whispered when she noticed Hera watching her.
"Don't be sorry, we can put it in the fridge and you can have it later if you want." Hera offered.
Kyla looked surprised but nodded.
Hera smiled "So, we'll go as soon as the store opens and we can find you both some clothes. Then when Kanan gets off work, we've got a few appointments to go to."
The twins looked at each other "Um," Ezra started "You don't need to buy us anything. It's fine, really."
"Well you both need some new clothes and if you're going to school you'll need school supplies." Hera pointed out "We're happy to get you new things. Especially if you need them."
Ezra looked down and Kyla blushed. They didn't want to spend Kanan and Hera's money, but they couldn't see any way out of it. So they didn't argue.
When Zeb and Sabine had left, Hera finally gotten them in the car, she called it the Phantom, and Ezra smirked a bit at that.
"Why'd you call it the Phantom?" He asked.
"Well, it matches the Ghost." Hera shrugged "Kanan doesn't like it, he says it's not smart to name the car after the leader of the Specters. But I think it's a nice name."
Ezra smiled at that and Kyla elbowed him lightly. Hera chuckled at the siblings as they drove towards the mall, Ezra and Kyla stared out the windows.
They arrived at the store and Hera tried to lead them inside but they stopped at the door.
"What's wrong?" Hera questioned.
"I don't think we're allowed in there." Ezra murmured.
"Why not?"
"They don't like street rats."
"You're with me, Ezra, it'll be fine, I promise." Hera gently took the sibling's hands and drew them inside
Word count: 3650 words
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Love,
The Author