4ABY: Planet Hosnian Prime
Jyn was sitting up on her medical bed already changed into a white gown. She had her hands placed on either side of her belly bracing for the next contraction. Where was Cassian? Bodhi had left Jyn in the hands of medical staff almost immediately to go contact him. That was almost an hour ago. Jyn cried out in pain, trying her hardest to keep her breathing level. There were a few medical droids busying themselves around the room, preparing for the delivery. It was a cold room; artificial light with the temperature set low. Jyn knew something was wrong when a female doctor entered the room. Births were typically performed by droids only.
"Mrs. Andor, my name is Dr. Keikodi."
Jyn was still feeling the pain of her latest contraction and merely nodded. She didn't feel like engaging in pleasantries.
"The droids have shown me the scan they just performed on your uterus and have revealed a potential risk to you and the baby," the Doctor continued. "We are going to induce your labour by breaking your amniotic fluid."
Jyn's head was spinning. "What? Why?"
"You are portraying symptoms of placental abruption."
"What?" The pain was finally subsiding, allowing Jyn to breathe deeply with relief.
"It is when the placenta detaches itself from the womb. Fortunately, in your case, due to the minimal bleeding and position of the placenta, inducing your labour will allow you to deliver naturally."
"Is that why I am early?" Jyn's heart was beating faster, thinking of all the possible scenarios that could come of this.
"Yes" she confirmed. "However, the majority of you pain is from the actual detachment of the placenta and the distress your body is in from it. Your baby's vitals are showing normal for now, but we would like you deliver as soon as possible to prevent any long term complications."
"Fine, fine." Jyn lay back on the pillows, staring up at the ceiling as she felt the cold hand of a droid positioned her legs apart. She bit her lip, trying her hardest not to cry. It was no good. Jyn couldn't stop the tears rolling down her cheeks as the medical team performed their duties. She should have known something would go wrong. It was her fault, she thought miserably. She had been seven weeks along when she discovered she was pregnant. This meant that she had been five weeks pregnant when she had fallen down a flight of stairs after taking on two stormtroopers. Rostok had hauled her up from the base of the stairs, half dragging her to their waiting shuttle. It hadn't been the best of missions.
Half an hour later, Jyn had her legs stretched out before her, trying to calm down after being administered with pain relief. It wasn't as effective as she'd hoped, but it was something. They had attached a monitor to her chest to keep check of her heart rhythm and Jyn avoided looking at the screen, even going so far as to turn the monitor away from her. She was thinking of the name they had picked for their daughter, trying to guess who she would look like the most. That was when Cassian came bursting in the room, startling Jyn.
"Cassian!" He looked as he had run up the entire two levels to the maternity ward.
Jyn reached out to him with her hand, and taking it, Cassian sat on the side of the bed. "What's wrong? What have they said?"
Jyn sighed, starting to feel another contraction coming. "Just a complication that requires I have the baby now."
Cassian frowned, looking around her for some sort of clarification. "What kind of complication?"
"My body is in distress...I..." She grabbed his hand tighter, leaning into his shoulder as the contraction waved over her. After, she stayed like that, taking in his scent and warmth. He had wrapped his arm around her, keeping her close. They stayed like that for several moments, enjoying the comfort they gave one another.
Finally, Jyn lifted her head to look at her husband. "Where's Bodhi?"
"I sent him back to our place," Cassian answered. "Don't worry about anything or anyone else right now."
Jyn rested her head on his shoulder once more. "Talk to me."
Cassian rubbed his hand along her arm. "About what?"
"Anything," she breathed. "You know how much I hate waiting."
Cassian chuckled. "Well, Bodhi mentioned that he is getting married."
Jyn smiled. "Yeah. He invited us to the wedding and we're going. End of discussion."
"Let's get you through this first, shall we?"
Jyn hummed enjoying the respite from the pain. "He is inviting all of Rogue One. Be good to see them all again."
Cassian shifted so they were lying down on the pillows side by side. "Our daughter will be... what? Two months by then?"
"Perfect time to start her on hyperspace travel."
Cassian grinned. He gently placed a hand on her belly. "Hopefully this will be the only time she has bad timing."
"Here's hoping."
...
0ABY: Planet Yavin IV
Morning after Battle of Yavin
They were evacuating. The empire knew of Echo Base and the time had come for the rebellion to relocate. While the destruction of the Death Star had been a major victory for the alliance, losing Echo Base was an almost equal loss. The entire rebel fleet was in orbit over Yavin IV, having been called to assist with the evacuation. It was a major operation that involved the transport of equipment, weapons, data, personnel, food, medical supplies and damaged fighters. No one had been told where they were relocating to; General Dodonna was working on that. Jyn's task in all this was to assist Draven in the dismantling and loading of intelligence files and equipment.
Jyn was carrying a large crate through the hanger towards their imperial cargo shuttle they had stolen from Eadu. She noticed Bodhi hovering around it, checking the specs. After shifting the crate to give her a better view, she also noticed Cassian talking with Draven. Jyn hadn't realised he'd been discharged from medbay. She quickened her pace, reaching the shuttle in time to see Cassian turn to her, smiling. Someone – she didn't see who – came to take the cargo away from her and into the cargo pod.
"Lieutenant," Draven said. "Major Andor and I have been discussing the future of Rogue One."
Jyn was staring at Cassian, wondering why he hadn't told her of his discharge. "What of it?"
"Andor has decided to keep the team together and operate from this cargo shuttle." Draven jerked his thumb at the ship behind him. "You will work under the jurisdiction of alliance intelligence."
"I thought intelligence had sole operatives?" Jyn asked, folding her arms.
"Mostly, but we have the odd team now and then." Draven turned to Cassian. "Rogue One will become our main infiltration and reconnaissance team."
"Understood, sir," Cassian replied.
Draven turned back to Jyn. "For now you will continue to assist with the evac. General Dodonna has come up with a few potential planets to start up a new base. The final decision will not be made until later. Coordinates will be given after the fleet meets at the rendezvous site."
After Draven left, Jyn and Cassian stood staring at another. Jyn assessed him; he was standing well, his beard had been shaved back to its normal thickness. All in all he appeared fine.
"You look... better," she finally managed to say.
Cassian walked over to her. "I was discharged this morning. A little earlier than they would have liked..." Cassian gestured to the surroundings, "...but given the situation."
Jyn nodded. "Are you okay, though?"
Cassian shrugged. "Felt better; my back still aches."
Jyn could tell he wasn't going to give her the full medical breakdown so she left it at that. "So long as you can keep up."
Cassian smirked. "Don't worry about me."
Boarding Rogue One again felt surreal. She vaguely remembered the last time she exited the shuttle, being carried away to medical. The interior looked the same – utterly imperial. Jyn grimaced. The cargo pod door was open and Jyn could see people storing equipment. She stepped through and saw Private Basteren conversing with Corporal Tonc. At the site of her they smiled, waving her over.
"Erso!" Tonc said, dropping a bag of equipment at his feet. "Take it you heard the news?"
Jyn returned their cheerful banter. "Which news? There's been so much of it lately."
"Our news," Basteren said. "Captain... I mean, Major Andor has managed to convince command to keep Rogue One together."
"Couldn't believe it," Tonc added.
"Yeah, I heard." Jyn surveyed the cargo pod. "I hear this is to be our new home when we're not on base."
"Bit too imperial for my liking," Tonc said, picking up the bag and hauling it on top of a cargo crate.
"We can fix that," Jyn replied, still smiling. "Once we have offloaded all this equipment onto our new base, we can make Rogue One more... us."
"I like the sound of that." Jyn turned at Cassian's voice. He had come up behind her carrying a duffle bag.
Cassian gestured for her to follow him. "Come on, I'll show you to your bunk."
"I have a bunk?" Jyn was bewildered. She hadn't remembered seeing any beds.
"Yeah, the top deck as three bunks." Cassian began to ascend the ladders. "Didn't you wonder what was behind that door next to the tech station?"
Jyn followed, trying to remember the door he was speaking of. Her mind was drawing a blank. As she reached the top of the ladder, Cassian helped her up by grabbing her hand to steady her. They were close, hands clasped. They had held hands a lot lately.
"So," she began carefully. "Who gets the other two beds?"
The trance over. Cassian let go of her hand and headed back, pass the tech station, opening a hatch. "Bodhi, and myself. The others can stay down below."
The hatch led them through a narrow passageway that after a few steps, immediately turned left. It was so narrow it fit only one person at a time. Cassian thrummed his fist on the first door to the left. "There's the 'fresher." The door opposite the refresher was open to reveal Bodhi sitting on a narrow bed.
"Hey," Jyn said, popping her head in to see his room. It was tiny and she guessed hers would be too.
"Hey," Bodhi returned with a friendly smile. He was unpacking some gear.
"Jyn," Cassian said, standing a few feet down the corridor between two more doors. "This is your bunk."
Jyn's door was on the left with Cassian's opposite next to Bodhi's. Jyn slid her door open, stepping inside. It was identical to Bodhi's and she guessed Cassian's was to. She sat down on the bed feeling how thin the mattress was, yet thicker than many she had slept on. Across the hallway Cassian was sitting on his bed, unpacking a blanket and medical supplies. She guessed those supplies were for him.
"Here." Cassian threw a blanket across to her which she caught in her lap. It was dark grey; a standard issue military blanket.
Placing the blanket at the end up the bed, she opened the drawer under her bed to find a pillow and sheet. Besides that, her tiny room only had three other drawers build into the wall. They were all empty. So this was to be her room now? It was smaller than the cell she shared on Wobani, but it was warmer, and smelled better. Still though, it was imperial.
"This shuttle needs to undergo a serious makeover if we are to live in it," Jyn remarked, plopping her pillow at the top of her bed.
Cassian smiled, placing his medical gear in one of his drawers. "We'll have plenty of time to do that over the coming months."
"So, we're really going to be staying on this shuttle then?"
"Rogue One's main objective is to infiltrate and assess. If this shuttle could get us through Scarif's shield-gate, it can get us through anything."
"Won't they remember this shuttle?"
"Doubt it," he replied, retrieving his own pillow. "Even if they did figure out this was the shuttle we came down on, that information would have been lost once Scarif was destroyed."
Bodhi came into their view, leaning against the wall next to Cassian's open door. "Our cargo pod is full. General Draven has ordered us to take off and head for the rendezvous point."
"Is everyone on board?" Cassian asked, standing.
"I think so," Bodhi replied.
Cassian stepped out of his bunk, sliding the door shut. "Gather them at the ramp."
Jyn stood, following Cassian's lead. This narrow way of living was going to make personal space an issue. Not that she particularly cared.
Stepping off the ladder, Jyn saw the rest of Rogue One on the ramp, talking amongst themselves. She remembered each of them. Tonc, Sefla, Rostok and Basteren. Along with Bodhi, Cassian and herself, they were now Rogue One – or what was left of it. Jyn thought of Chirrut and Baze. She missed them. They hadn't known each other long, and part of her was surprised at the impact their absence had made on her.
They all acknowledged her when she came to step up next to Cassian. Their gear in hands, war-weary in their eyes, and yet still, they were ready for whatever came next. Cassian had once said 'welcome home' and his words had meant more to her than he realised. She felt at home then, but now it was different. This was home. Rogue One – the shuttle was home. The familiarity of it already made her remember the moment she first stepped into it on Eadu. There were memories here so personal she can remember each emotion. And the people. Each of them had believed her; followed her to Scarif and helped her accomplish what needed to be done. They never once doubted her resolve, and they never once left her behind. Rogue One had come back for her on Scarif, and now Rogue One was back indefinitely.
...
4ABY: Planet Hosnian Prime
Ten Hours into Labour
Jyn was exhausted and sweaty. She felt absolutely sweaty, everywhere. A droid had informed her she had just finished the first stage of labour. Jyn couldn't believe it. That was just the first phase?
Cassian had positioned himself so he was sitting with his back to the pillows with his legs swung to one side of the bed. Jyn was lying back on his chest, holding his left hand while he smoothed her hair with his right. It had been ten hours of agony, and Jyn wondered how much longer she could take. For all those months, the nurses and medical droids had informed her that childbirth was a normal and natural event that millions of women go through each year. Kriff that! There was nothing natural about the pain she was currently in. She felt that as each passing hour went by her body became weaker and weaker. What's worse, through all the pain and temporary respites, Jyn hadn't felt the baby move. She wanted to ask if that was normal, but her mouth was dry and her head felt dizzy.
Cassian was doing his best to accommodate her needs, which were few. He had given up asking if she needed anything after asking for the twelfth time. Jyn had threatened to have him thrown out of the room if he asked one more time. A surgical drape had been placed over Jyn's stomach, hiding what was going on. She wanted to see; she wanted to be in control. The medical team had other ideas. She wanted to shoot them when a droid informed her she could no longer receive any more analgesics. That denied request had caused her to cry in frustration. Dr. Keikodi had told her that her pain would feel worse due to the placental abruption, which had caused the severe abdominal pains in the first place. Jyn would be the first person to say she had done terrible things in her life, but she didn't think she deserved this.
Cassian was resting his lips above Jyn's ear when Dr. Keikodi came over, fiddling with Jyn's heart monitor. Her face was stern, giving away nothing. But in all of Cassian's years of being a spy, he could tell something was wrong. He wanted to speak with Keikodi privately, away from Jyn, but he knew if he moved an inch, Jyn would demand that he return. He chose Jyn.
"Everything good?" he asked, holding Jyn tighter.
"Jyn, your heart rate is high," Keikodi informed.
"Wonder why..." Jyn replied sarcastically.
"Yours is higher than it should be, despite being in labour." Keikodi pressed a few buttons before turning to them. "Nothing to worry about for the time being, but we will continue to monitor you closely."
Cassian could tell there was more to it. He desperately wanted to pull Keikodi to the side and demand to know what was going on.
Jyn's labour went on for another four hours, her contractions becoming more frequent. Cassian could tell she was becoming weaker and pale. He didn't know if this was normal or not, but he couldn't ask. He didn't want to scare Jyn anymore than he already knew she was.
"Cass..." Jyn breathed, rolling her head to the side. "I don't feel so good."
"Shh. It's all right." He wished he could convince himself of that. He knew his attempts hadn't worked on Jyn, but it was the thought that counts.
"Okay, Jyn." Keikodi was at their side. "Your baby's heart rate has spiked into the tachycardia phase, just as your own heartbeat has entered tachycardia. Fortunately, the baby is almost here."
Jyn tried to make sense of her surroundings, but everything was shaky. "What?"
"Your baby's heart is beating too fast. The baby is in distress. You need to push now."
Jyn tried her hardest, but her head was swimming and she was finding it difficult to breathe.
"Keep going."
"Come on, Jyn," Cassian said. "You can do this."
No she couldn't. She wanted to punch him for even suggesting it. He didn't understand what she was going through, or how she felt. It had been the most painful fourteen hours of her life. She cried out, holding Cassian's hand with a ferocity that made him flinch. She felt nauseous and could see small black lights in her vision.
"Almost there, keep going."
Stop saying that! She wanted to scream, but it was difficult to talk and her throat was dry and sore. The pain suddenly became so intense she wanted to melt away but her body insisted she keep pushing.
A cry. It wasn't hers. Jyn was breathing heavily trying to focus her vision. She saw a droid moving away with a bundle in its arms. She wanted to protest, reach out to stop it, but her body gave way.
Cassian didn't see his child being born. The surgical drape covered his view, but when he heard his daughter let out a small cry, his heart leapt. Jyn was noticeably weaker in his arms. He was about to soothe her when he saw his child being taken away into another room.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Nothing to worry about," Keikodi assured. "Your daughter's heart needs to be monitored and..."
Cassian followed her gaze down to Jyn, who had her eyes closed. She looked peaceful as if sleeping. "Jyn." She didn't move. "Jyn."
"Sir, you need to leave," Keikodi ordered, assessing Jyn's vitals.
"No, tell me what's happening."
"Your wife is going into shock. She has lost a lot of blood due to complications."
That slice of information certainly made Cassian stand his ground. "I am not leaving my wife!"
A droid whirled over to him, lightly grabbing him by the upper arm. "Sir, your wife needs to go into surgery. You cannot be present for that."
Cassian was torn. He wanted to cry and demand more answers. Where was his daughter? Was Jyn going to be okay?
"Sir," the droid said again, tugging harder. "Your wife needs to have life saving surgery."
Life saving surgery. Numbly, he allowed the droid to guide him out of the room, not once did he take his eyes off Jyn until the door hissed shut in his face. He stood there, a foot away from the door, staring at it. Jyn was behind there and his daughter. He knew there had been a complication, but no one had told him the extent of it. Had Jyn known? If she did she hadn't gone into detail. He couldn't blame her; she had been in so much distress.
Not knowing what else to do, Cassian found a seat not far away, covering his face in his hands. He didn't know how long he stayed that way, but he heard the door hiss open, revealing a young woman in a nurse's uniform.
"General Andor?"
Cassian stood up hurrying over to her.
"I'm Baric, a paediatric nurse," she said. "If you'll come with me." The nurse led Cassian up to the next floor and weaved through several corridors before coming to a halt outside a door signed 112. She opened the door to reveal the room was empty. No bed, nothing.
"Your wife is still in surgery, but I have been told she is doing well. Once she is out of post-operative care she will be brought here."
Cassian allowed some of his tenseness to melt away. "What exactly happened?"
"Your daughter was born with increasing tachycardia – abnormally high heart rate. After the delivery, your wife started to haemorrhage, bleed out. That's why she was taken into surgery."
"She'll be okay?"
"Yes," Baric confirmed smoothly. "Both mother and daughter will be fine. Last I checked, your daughter was doing well and should be released from intensive care shortly. In the meantime, you are welcome to stay in here."
Baric left Cassian in the empty room. He made his way over to the chair, sitting down roughly, exhausted. It had been a long fourteen hours. Why couldn't anything be simple in his life? At least his family was safe. Cassian faintly smiled at that. His family. He had a family of his own now. That was something he never thought would happen. His back stiff from being still for fourteen hours in addition to his fatigue, Cassian fell asleep, still uncomfortable in the chair.
Two hours later, Cassian jolted awake at the sound of the door opening. Years of service had left him on edge. Baric had returned with a bundle in her arms – his daughter. The nurse was smiling as Cassian stood up, meeting them halfway.
"Say hello to your daughter, General."
Awkwardly, Cassian held his daughter for the first time, amazed at how light she was – and tiny! Her eyes were closed, splaying tiny lashes across her cheeks. Hair as dark as his along with his complexion. She had Jyn's nose and cheeks already. She was utterly beautiful.
"She is in good health," Baric said, peering at the bundle. "The birth just left her stressed."
"She's okay?" he asked, not taking his gaze away from his daughter.
"She is fine," Baric assured. "A little underweight, but she'll grow quickly. They always do."
His daughter shifted, nuzzling her face into his chest. "Babies enjoy the sound of your heart beat."
Cassian finally looked over at Baric. "Oh?"
"It's comforting," she continued. The nurse's communicator beeped. "Your wife is awake."
"Jyn! Is she..."
Baric raised her hand in assurance. "They are bringing her over now. The surgery went well. She will still be tired from the anaesthesia, but is alert enough."
While waiting for Jyn to arrive, Cassian circled the room, trying to adjust to this new sensation of holding a baby – his baby. She opened her eyes to reveal their grey colour. She yawned, staring up at her father before drifting back to sleep. Such innocence. He wondered if she will inherit her mother's temperament, or maybe she will take after him and have a calm demeanour. Only time would tell.
Jyn was bought into the room moments later in a new bed. She was sleepy, eyes half closed. She looked a lot better; the colour had returned to her cheeks. After the droids fiddled with the monitoring equipment, they left the new family alone.
Cassian came over to her side, taking his spot next to her on the bed. Jyn opened her eyes fully, automatically lifting her arms. "Give her to me."
Their daughter squirmed at the change of hands, but settled once she was snug in her mother's arms. Cassian wrapped his arm around his wife's shoulders, swinging his legs up on the bed.
"Oh, look at her," Jyn whispered. "She looks like you." Jyn looked up at Cassian. "I went through all that and she looks like you."
Cassian tried not to laugh. Instead he kissed her tenderly. "You did great."
"Never again," she vowed, turning back to their daughter. "I am never doing that again. Worst fourteen hours of my life."
"I'm okay with that." Cassian stroked his daughter's thick hair.
They stayed like that for a while, content to watch their daughter. She remained sleeping, only occasionally letting out a whimper.
Finally, Jyn spoke. "Still happy with them name?"
Cassian kissed Jyn's forehead. "Of course. It's a good name, and I think it suits her."
Jyn smiled down at her daughter. Cuddled up with Cassian with their daughter snug in her arms, Jyn finally felt that life was sweet. After all those years of rebellion finally ending with the Battle of Endor, Jyn was content in the assurance that her daughter, Kalei Andor would never have to know the struggles she and Cassian went through.