Corso was having the BEST dream! He was in their big bed in the house on Dantooine, when Miriah rolled on top of him. He could feel her soft hair brush against his chest as she stretched to kiss his neck. She scooted up to be able to kiss the soft spot just under his ear, and both actions had their desired effect. He was pretending to be asleep, just to get her to continue. She nipped his shoulder, then licked the same spot, and he wasn't sure he'd be able to be still much longer. He started to realize he wasn't dreaming when he felt her push off his shoulders to sit astride him, and he peeked through his eyelashes to see his gorgeous wife washed in silvery moonlight that matched her eyes, her back arched and her eyes closed, running her hands over his chest.
They'd never had any problems pleasing each other, but it seemed, he thought, that she was especially open and passionate here, probably because she wasn't worried about the crew hearing her. He was definitely awake now, but continued to let her lead, wondering how he'd gotten so lucky.
Later, she apologized for waking him up. "Sweetheart, no man in the galaxy would be upset about that," he grinned at her. "Feel free to wake me up anytime." She blushed, and he kissed her again. Today was the day Maura and Magdalane would be here, he remembered. He gathered her hair off her neck, and planted kisses there too, while she was cooking breakfast. He wanted to take advantage of the time they had alone. She giggled and pushed him away, "I'm going to burn the omelets, silly man," she told him.
They sat down to eat, discussing their plans for the day. The girls would be here today and tonight, then they would all travel to Tython for the wedding. The men were planning to meet for dinner later. Corso was expecting a young ronto herd he'd gotten from a neighboring ranch, and was going to spend the day getting them settled and radio tagged. Miriah had just finished clearing the table when she heard the sound of footsteps on the front porch.
Her sisters burst in, both talking at once about the house, the flowers in hanging baskets outside, how great it was to be here. Miriah smiled, she hadn't seen them since a couple of months earlier, during an especially hard mission they'd undertaken. It was good to see them smiling and happy, she thought.
"Whoa, Maura, how many babies did you say were in there?" Miriah teased. She put her hand on Maura, feeling the faint movements of the twins. Maura sighed, putting her hands on her already strained lower back.
"They never stop, I think they're fighting already. I finally get them settled, then Aric says something to me, and they get so excited to hear his voice," she smiled. She was really loving this, Miriah thought. "We did settle on names this week though. Aunts, meet Colin and Calleigh." She turned to Miriah, "and we're buying that place about 20 kilometers from here!"
They hugged, congratulating Maura. Magdalane looked strained, Miriah saw. They decided to take cold drinks out on the porch, while it was relatively cool out still, and settled around a hand carved table.
"Mags, you look tired," Miriah said. "Gee, thanks, sis," was Mag's reply. "I'm beginning to think that this whole Jedi wedding stuff is so that when couples ask about it, they run away scared. And if my droid wakes me up again at 0500, I'm spacing him." Her sisters suppressed their giggles, knowing she was at her limit.
"Well it'll be over soon, and on to the more fun stuff," grinned Miriah. "That's true," replied Maura. "Only two more days now, and you guys can actually hold hands in public!"
They chatted before taking a tour of the house, and eventually ended up in the kitchen. Just like when we were young, Miriah thought, the kitchen always seems to be the gathering place. Miriah had surprised herself, falling in love with the huge space. It even had its own fireplace. She'd replaced the aged appliances and had created a workplace she enjoyed. "You guys are in for a treat at dinner," she told them. "Fresh grilled fish that the ranch foreman caught this morning, locally grown vegetables, and homemade bread, with chocolate silk cake for dessert." They both just looked at her, mouths open, unbelieving.
"Who are you, and what have you done with Miriah?" Magdalane asked.
"You…you're settling in here. I never thought I see you this happy planetside," Maura said. "I mean, I'm glad, because now we can see each other more, but…"
"Oh wait a minute, sis, I'm happy here now, but I'm not totally grounded. I just like having little mini vacations here," Miriah replied, smiling. She glanced out the window over the sink. "And the scenery is spectacular, " she said, grinning wickedly.
Magdalane looked out where her sister had looked, to see Corso herding baby rontos, his shirt on the fence behind him. "Mmm, sure grow them nice on Ord," she said.
"Oh stars, you've corrupted a Jedi, Miriah!" Maura exclaimed. "I never thought it was possible. Happy now? The lightning will kill us all. But give me a piece of that cake first."
They all laughed until they were out of breath, enjoying being together. When they'd settled again, this time in the living area, Miriah turned to the low table beside the chair she sat in.
"Hey girls, remember this?" She held up a faded piece of paper, with wide writing on it, and held it up.
"Oh, Miriah, is that the list?" Mags asked. She was instantly transported to the day they'd made it, on one of Mag's infrequent training holidays, sitting around the fireplace in their childhood home on Tython. Mags was 15, so that meant that Maura was 12 and Miriah only 8. They'd decided to write down their plans for the future.
"It is indeed, I found it when we started unpacking the things I'd kept in storage for all these years," she said. "Look, Mags, it says you'll be a famous negotiator, with your own ship. Prophetic, I'd say."
"What does it say about me? I don't remember anymore," asked Maura.
"It says,' Maura Renee' Chantalle will be the boss of everyone', well, that's kinda true too." They laughed at that.
"What does yours say, Mir?"
"Ah, let's not go there, we're having fun." She put the letter in its protective plastic back on the side table. Maura grabbed it, scooted across the room, and her eyes went wide when she read the printed statement. She said nothing, but moved to Miriah, grabbing her in a big hug.
Magdalane grabbed the piece of their history then, and read aloud, "Miriah Julianne Chantalle will be loved by someone other than her sisters." Mags looked at her, then said softly, "but honey, it came true."
Miriah looked uncomfortable, "I was only 8, that was my fondest wish at that time. But you're right, it did come true, in spades." She smiled at her sisters, her thumb rubbing the gold and platinum band on her left hand. "And I wouldn't trade it for anything."