Maura lay stretched out on the soft couch in her mother's suite. As much as she'd slept this past week, she thought she'd be caught up by now, but every time she got even a little comfortable, she found herself nodding off. I know it's to be expected, and I'll sleep until this little guy is born if that's what it takes, she thought. She could hear her mom and Magdalane in the other room, preparing for the "baby party" this afternoon. She chuckled to herself, remembering Aric's face when she described what would be going on in here, all the women and silly games and gifts. She knew that a few of her academy classmates, Elara, and Miriah's crew would be there, and Magdalane's padawan. She yawned, wondering when this part of the pregnancy would be over. I want to savor every part of it, but I'm ready to have more energy, she thought.
Now that she was on admin duty, and Aric and her team were in a holding pattern, each of them temporarily reassigned to other units, she felt a little guilty. She knew it was the right thing for them to be doing, but already she missed the constant action she'd been a part of for so long. She didn't mind being Garza's liaison, but didn't want to do that forever. That, she thought, worries me too. She didn't want to be like her mother, who'd put everything behind her career for so many years. She remembered all the mornings she was awakened by the household droid, because her mother hadn't made it home during the night, all the school events that Magdalane attended in her mother's place. But, she thought, that's nothing compared to what Miriah survived. She smiled, thinking of how adorable her baby sister had been as a young girl.
Maura had been three—almost four years old when her mother had brought Miriah home, and Maura had fallen in love with the pink, dark haired infant with silver eyes. Her mother had stayed home for about a week, then gone back to her work, leaving the girls in the care of the droid. Maura remembered when she'd turned six and went to school on her first day. Miriah had come to depend on her for human contact, and on the first school day she seemed okay with the fact that Maura was gone most of the day. It was the second day, however, that wrenched Maura's heart even after all these years. Miriah had pouted when she saw that her sister was leaving again. "You went to there the day before today," she'd said, tears threatening. Maura hugged her hard, kissed her cheek, and hurried out, not wanting to be late. Of course, in her haste she forgot her sweater, and had to go back inside. Maura would never forget that scene- the droid in another part of their modest home, and Miriah, clutching a worn stuffed kath hound, sitting on the floor in a corner, her back to the room. Her head hung low, and while she made no sound, Maura could see the tears falling and she looked so utterly alone. She still felt guilty for leaving Miriah there. That was the day, Maura thought, that Miriah knew for sure she'd have to resolve herself to being alone for always. Marua softly rubbed her still mostly flat stomach. You'll never, never have to feel abandoned, little one, she thought. Not even if I have to resign my commission.
Just then, her black haired, silver eyed sister bound into the room. "Happy baby present day!" Miriah exclaimed. Sarai and Magdalane brought trays of food into the area, and they began to chatter excitedly about what else needed to be done. Miriah's crew, Akaavi and Risha, as well as a few other of the women invited, came in as well. The party was in full swing when Maura had to make another trip to the refresher. In the hallway, Miriah caught her in a hug. "You are going to be great at this," she told Maura, "and I can't wait to be an aunt!" Maura hugged her back, tears in her eyes, " I know what you want to say, and I promise this child will have a mom so involved they will never have the questions you've always had."
"I never doubted that for an instant," Miriah replied, and the sisters parted, smiling at each other as they reentered the party.
The games over, Maura looked over the gifts and sighed, so happy to have been so fortunate to have friends. She'd gotten so many wonderful things she wondered if they would all fit in their smallish military apartment. Miriah had brought her a hand carved rocking chair she'd found when she'd been at her place on Dantooine, and Magdalane a knitted blanket so soft Maura had put it around her shoulders, where it still was wrapped. Her mother, of course, had established a trust, not able to figure out what else she might need. Maura was still looking over all the small clothes and cute toys when she heard Mags call to her.
"Okay, now comes the big question. Do you want to know the sex of the baby?" Mags asked. "I know we didn't talk about it, but I would be happy to tell you. I haven't 'looked' without permission." Maura hurried over to her, grabbing her hands.
"You can do that? You would?" Maura asked, so excited to know more about her child.
"Of course, " Mags smiled. "Lie here on the couch, and relax." Magdalane sat on the edge of the couch and readied herself. Maura couldn't wipe the grin off her face, and everyone else still at the party was doing the same. Mag's arua grew brighter, and Maura felt the fatigue lift and be replaced with an intense feeling of wellbeing. Mags smiled, and lifted her eyes to Maura. "Oh Maura, everything is perfect in there. They're doing great!"
Marua smiled and sat up to hug her sister. Oh that's such a relief, she thought, since I was still in the field when I realized what was going on. Wait a minute…
Marua drew back from Magdalane, "Wait a minute, did you say…."
"Yeah, " Mags grinned at her, "I did. Fraternal twins, Maura, a boy and a girl!"