The three sisters were sitting together outside, watching Felix and Aric playing with the babies. Risha and Elara were chatting nearby as well, just as much a part of the family as anyone. . Miriah repeatedly scanned the sky, her anxiety almost palpable. Corso had been gone a week—a whole week! Miriah was beside herself.
"Hey, when did I become this needy woman who can't seem to function without her man around?" she asked her sisters.
Maura snorted. "About the time you left Ord Mantell looking for your stolen ship with a handsome Mantellian," she replied, ducking the popcorn her sister threw at her.
"How long is it that he's been gone again?" Magdalane asked, a false look of concern on her face. The popcorn continued to fly. It was an honor, really, that the governor on Ord Mantell had negotiated to buy ronto from a former son of the planet, Miriah just wasn't sure why he'd needed to take them. At least with this baby boy growing, I've not had any problem sleeping, she thought. She rubbed her hand over the visible presence of her child, something she'd found herself doing more often now that her stomach was no longer flat. Magdalane had already "looked" at him, proclaiming him in awesome shape.
"Mir, I hate you," Maura told her now. "From behind, you can't even tell you're expecting. I gained weight everywhere, you're gonna look like you have a hutt ball under your shirt."
The sisters laughed. "Well Maura, you did have two fighting for space. Besides, if he does get to be a nine pounder, I'll probably not be able to walk by the end." Miriah hadn't really bought maternity clothes, but extra large stretchy tshirts, which were more comfortable for her, but with the recent growth spurt she wasn't sure that was going to work for the duration. Her hair had grown an inch in the last few weeks, not to mention the need for larger undergarments. Corso was in for a surprise, she thought. She was starting to feel movement inside, but hadn't yet felt it from outside. She sighed, missing him again. He'd called every night, sometimes twice, but it wasn't the same.
The babies delighted in the attention of the adults, and Miriah found herself not wanting to let Calleigh go when it was nap time. The little girl hung on to her aunt, too, and would have cried at the separation had it not been her daddy who took her. With the babies sleeping, the guys started to work with the grill.
"Hey, Spitfire, when is your ugly half coming in?" Aric asked her, wielding the firestarter.
She sighed, "He should have been here by now, but who knows what customs had him do, since he was transporting livestock." They'd just gotten the thing started when she heard the whine of a speeder approaching, and had to calm herself to keep from running to it. She saw him walking quickly toward the deck, smiling and waving at everyone but making tracks straight to her. She stood just as he got to her, and they ignored the whistles and hoots as he kissed her thoroughly. He didn't care, he'd missed her so much that just touching her face and kissing her fed a need in him, a temporary fix until he could have her alone.
He lightly rubbed her belly, whispering to her how much he'd missed her, missed them. One more kiss, and I will be okay, he thought. Then I'll be social. He turned to talk to everyone, but never let go of his wife, craving her touch. His nose was already happy, her familiar scent calming him. He finally let go of her hand to help with the grilling, and the girls retreated to the kitchen to get the other things ready.
Miriah had a huge smile on her face, her world was right again with him home. "Maura, you never mentioned this part of pregnancy," sending her a pointed look, at which Maura smiled slyly.
"Finding it hard to concentrate on anything but him? Oh yeah, the hormones definitely boost desire. And other things." She nudged her little sister with her elbow, and they giggled together. Risha overheard this exchange, rolled her eyes and said, "Believe me, they don't need any incentive." They all laughed as Miriah blushed, but didn't deny Risha's observation. It was true, she thought, they did enjoy each other, but that was as it should be. She glanced out the window to see his brown eyes searching for her, and felt that familiar zing in her gut when her gaze connected with his, and it made her smile.
Corso saw her smile, and it burned inside him. He'd never been away from her as long as he just had been, not in the almost three years they'd been together. He was so lost in thinking about her he missed something that Aric said to him, which made them all laugh.
"She's not going anywhere, man," Aric teased him. Aric remembered that feeling, felt it still, that he'd never get enough of Maura. He smiled to himself, thinking of being with her the evening before, and again this morning. Since the twins were getting a little older, they'd taken advantage of every opportunity. He figured once they started walking, there'd be little peace.
Felix had been quiet, but broke his silence. "You guys got room in the dad's club?" The other two stared at him, wide eyed. Corso spoke first, "Of course we do, I just didn't know. Congrats!" He and Aric both slapped him on the back.
"That's exciting, and even more exciting that we know before the women do!" Aric laughed.
"You guys are the first. Mags is probably telling them now." He smiled, thinking of her joy earlier this morning. He didn't think he'd stopped smiling since she'd jumped up and down in their room, holding the scanner in one hand and pumping her other in a fist. Their daughter would be almost the same age as Corso's son.
Mags was indeed letting her sisters know her news, which was received with hugs and tears. "Mags, our babies will be so close in age! That's wonderful! And a girl, oh, I'm so happy for you!" Miriah cried easily these days, but at least this time there was a good reason.
"I just had a feeling, if I could relax about it, it'd happen," Mags smiled, "and don't worry, I've already told Mom, so she won't be calling and yelling at anybody." Miriah was still angry over that episode. "Besides, I still need a girl's name, so start thiking." They spent a few minutes tossing names around, laughing at some of the combos, when Miriah felt it—a very distinct, sharp kick. She stopped taking things out of the refrigerator and just looked around, wide eyed, for a few seconds before running outside.
Her sisters looked at each other, puzzled, and followed her. Miriah ran as fast she could manage to her husband, but when Corso saw her, he went on alert, thinking something was wrong. She was slightly out of breath when she reached him, so he still wasn't sure what was happening. She grabbed his hand and placed it where she'd felt the kick and almost as soon as she did, the baby kicked out again.
The look on Coros's face was priceless, a combination of wonder and delight. He couldn't move, captivated by the feel of his son. They stood a few minutes, absorbed in each other and their baby, before realizing their family stood around them, smiling. They all started talking at once, Risha making Miriah sit so that everyone could take a turn at trying to feel Devin kick.
Felix kept an anxious watch over Mags. She'd told him she was feeling fine, other than a little tired, but as he was always watching out for her as his job, it seemed a natural extension to watch her now. He did see that she sat down more often, but that was a good thing. She and Miriah were sitting together talking, while Maura, Risha, and Elara carried things in and out, setting up their dinner. Miriah had, as was her habit, prepared most everything in advance the day before. He smiled as he saw Mags touch Miriah's belly, looking forward to the day when he'd get to do the same to her. Corso saw it as well, and nudged Felix with his elbow.
When they'd all had dinner, and the babies had entertained some more, it was getting late and everyone was ready for bed. Maura and Aric left first with the babies, since they were getting cranky, and Miriah had held Colin almost all evening. "They recognize a partner in mischief, that's why they love you and Tanno so much," Maura had said, and Miriah thought they were probably right. When Miriah put Colin in his seat, she leaned over to buckle the harness, and Calleigh caught her hair. Miriah smiled up at her, and the tiny girl let go of her handful of black hair to softly touch her aunt's cheek. There was recognition in her silver eyes, identical to Miriah's, that brought tears to her aunt's. Miriah kissed the tiny hand, which brought a smile. When she straighted again, she saw Maura looking tenderly at them.
"They both love you, Mir, I do, too. Thanks for another wonderful day. When Devin gets here, we move these to our house for awhile, okay?" Miriah nodded at her sister, who hugged her as she got in the speeder. Felix and Mags left soon after, the emotions and excitement of the day catching up to Magdalane.
Corso waited until the last speeder left to pull Miriah to him, leaving no doubt what he was thinking. They wasted no time in finding their bed, and he delighted in lightly caressing every inch of her, enjoying the changes even a week had brought. He discovered that she was even more sensitive to his touch, and her cries were wreaking havoc on his control, which completely shattered when she started running her tongue along his ear.
When they were resting, with him spooning her and lightly rubbing her tummy, he asked her what she thought about Magdalane and Felix's daughter. "I'm glad they're having a baby, don't get me wrong, but it did feel a little strange. And now, she can't help me like she did Maura, it would put her in labor." She looked thoughtful. "I just realized that. I had been kinda looking forward to that," she said.
When Corso looked confused by that, she elaborated. "When Maura was in labor, Mags used the force to take almost all the pain of the contractions into herself. I could see the agony Mags was in, but she's so strong that she just fought it back with force power. " She shifted to look into his eyes, "You'll be with me, right? I mean, it won't be pretty or anything…." He cut her off with a kiss.
"Of course, I'll be there. Darlin', you need to get used to me always being there, good and bad times, no matter what. I know you think I won't like the way you'll look at term, or that I'll feel trapped, but Miriah? You're wrong. I don't get to say that often," he chuckled as she punched his arm, "but this time, you're wrong." He snuggled closer to her. "I love seeing this," he told her as he touched her tummy. "Not only is it a precious child, one we want so much," he kissed the taunt skin, just as his son kicked against him, making him laugh in delight. "It says that you're mine, you want to be with me. Because I get a little insecure about that sometimes, too." He blushed a little, but looked into her eyes. "This past week was hell, I can't imagine not being able to see you and touch you ever again." He kissed her again.
"I am yours, you are mine, always. Remember that, love. I am the luckiest girl in any galaxy, as long as I have you."