Felix gathered his new wife's bags and placed them aboard their ship, ready to undock and find Magdalane. The wedding was a lot of fun, but he was ready to focus on her. He helped the droid figure out what was to be unpacked first of the gifts they'd received, and hurried up to their quarters, which is where he figured he'd find her. When he entered the room he heard the shower, and set about fixing up their room with flowers and treats, soft music, dimmed lighting. He hoped he'd guessed right, since they'd spent the last two weeks in separate quarters, waiting for this night. He told her time and again that marriage wouldn't change this part of their lives—she'd mistakenly heard that marriage diminished sex, he didn't know from whom, certainly not Miriah, he thought. Nor Maura. And, knowing Mags, she'd worried about it some.
She entered the room in her robe, and smiled in delight. "Oh, this is beautiful, Felix, thank you." She walked to him and kissed him softly, fisting her hands in his shirt. He returned her kiss, then deepened it, quelling her nerves somewhat. She thought about her conversation with her sisters about this, and they both had assured her that things would be better, if anything. Felix was always so reserved in public, it was amazing the difference she saw when they were together.
Her sisters were right, she thought later, as she smiled.
The ship was so quiet, she thought, as she realized it was later in the morning than she thought. Their crew was on vacation until they returned from Alderaan. She heard Felix then, as he walked down the hall carrying a tray with breakfast. The droid had informed them that they would be underway shortly. As they ate together they laughed and discussed the wedding.
"Why did that guy want Miriah's holo frequency, when we were leaving? Doesn't he know Corso would hunt him down?" Felix asked her.
"It was a matter of getting his son to a treatment center on Courscant, silly, not a date," she said, lightly punching his arm. "I'd never do that to Mir, she hits too hard, besides I like Corso."
"Oh, well, I wouldn't admit to telling him you gave out the contact info then, I saw them leaving and he had his hands full with Miriah, she'd had a little too much champagne," he chuckled. "I'm guessing they were interrupted with the call."
"Uhoh," she smiled, "yeah, that's her one weakness. I've seen her drink tequila until no one else in the cantina can stand up, but champagne does her in."
"What's your weakness, Mags? I've never seen you show any, through the combat or the diplomacy missions." He moved the tray from between them, and pulled her closer. "I know the Jedi don't like to think there are any weaknesses, but you're still human." He held her hand, lightly rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. As he did, he felt her aura infuse him, cool and calming, but with an edge today that he couldn't identify.
"I don't drink often enough to develop any tolerance for it, so I guess that might be one. I can't pass up a child or an elderly person in need, but really," she said shyly, "my only real weakness is you, love." He felt a surge in force power, realizing the edge he felt was desire. It deepened his own, especially when he knew he was the only man who would ever feel that in her aura. It didn't occur to him to ask why he could interpret her force aura so clearly until much later, when they were on course for Alderaan.
"Mags, I have absolutely no connection with the force, yet I can sometimes feel things in yours, other than the calm. Why is that?"
She flushed, looking embarrassed and upset, "Remember the battle on Hoth? The one where you're unit was ambushed, and you had a significant injury?"
"Yes," he said, smiling at her. "I probably would have died if you hadn't been there. I remember lying in the snow, thinking that if I did die you'd never know that I loved you."
"I had to create a soul link to heal you that day. I would have told you, but remember I slept almost two full days after that from performing the heal. I knew it was a possibility we'd have a residual link, but didn't think there were any lingering effects. "She looked at him with tears in her eyes, "I swear to you, Felix, I didn't influence your mind or your heart, I didn't plant the idea of your feelings for me."
He pulled her to his chest, chuckling softly, "Sweetie, I fell in love with you the second you pulled your hood back and focused those beautiful green eyes on me, at that first meeting on Hoth. The soul link was already there, we both created it."
Just before they left the reception, Aric managed to get Elara's attention. He pulled her over into a quieter corner, trying to find a way to ask the question he need to ask. "Sargent Dorne, Elara, I…um, I need to ask you…well, hell, you know we're married and….what I need to know is, can I possibly hurt the babies if we…..are intimate?"
Elara smiled at him gently, "No, Aric, that's perfectly fine up until Maura goes into labor. Don't worry, they're well protected, and I daresay Maura will be more relaxed. You, too. "
"What about the constant tiredness she's having? Is it just because it's two babies and not one?"
"I consulted a colleague today about that, and yes, it's the strain of growing two. We just have to get her eating a little more and keep her well hydrated. She had no extra weight at all when she conceived, so at first their growth depleted any reserves she had." Maura had, in fact, been on Hoth when she'd started feeling tired and sore, but didn't put it together for a couple weeks after they'd finished that mission. It made Aric respect how tough she was, he'd had no idea she'd been feeling sick at all. He thanked Elara, even hugged her quickly, then hurried back to gather Maura up.
"Let's go tonight, "she told him, "let's just get on the ship." She ran her fingers along his cheek, and he took her hand. When they got to the orbital station to go through the airlock, they say Corso, trying to herd an intoxicated Miriah into the opposite elevator, and had to laugh.
"I have a feeling Calleigh will take after her Aunt Miriah," she told Aric. He growled back, "Well, I guess I'd better start thinking of threats to use against boyfriends then." Maura thought about that a minute, figuring six feet of angry Cathar might be deterrent enough. They were relieved to be back on the ship, where it was cool and quiet and deserted. Aric helped Maura get her shoes off, and moved to help her slip out of her dress.
"I'll just be a minute," she teased, then skipped out of the room. Wow, he thought, she was gorgeous before, but now? Things were, well , enhanced. How did I miss that? He hurried after her, helped her take the pins out of her hair, letting the russet waves fall free. He remembered the first time he'd met her, that glorious hair making her stand out in the room as decidedly female. He wished now that he hadn't wasted so much time in going after her, but he'd not been sure if she would be interested in him. Since Cathar mate for life, it was a lot to consider.
They were tender with each other, Maura's belly slowing things down a little. While Aric was still concerned, she tried to reassure him that things were fine. He finally got the point, when they were snuggling and he felt the twins push against him. He wondered how Maura could stand the constant movement, but she was so sleepy and satisfied he didn't ask her, just held her, making slow circles on her stomach. For the first time in a couple of months, she slept without worry or anxiety, in the softly furred arms of the only man she'd ever given her heart to.