Corso woke again as Miriah got up, Devin whimpering and calling for her. They knew he was still suffering from the past week's events, but Miriah was approaching exhaustion, her much needed rest being constantly interrupted. "Just bring him to bed with us, darlin'," he'd whispered, but she'd shaken her head.
"No, that would set a dangerous precedent," she'd answered, and went into the little boy's room. Her nausea had settled, and she was generally feeling much better, apart from the fatigue. She returned to their bed, and Corso pulled her close, his gentle hands slowly rubbing her back. "Maybe next time, just use your force connection to calm him. Logan needs you to rest, even if Devin doesn't realize it yet." Her murmur of agreement told him she was drifting into sleep again, and he softly kissed her forehead. Maybe he feels something, something he can't really figure out or tell us about, Corso wondered. He'd ask Mags in the morning, he thought, sliding into sleep again himself.
Sarai felt her grandson's unease, but attributed it to the fear his mother would be gone when he woke. She'd felt the many times he'd awakened, panicked, during the night, but wasn't quite sure what the little boy was feeling. So many unanswered questions, she thought, maybe he's just picking up on that. They'd had a great evening, everyone able to relax and enjoy each other, now that they were all together again. They would all meet in a few hours and evaluate what they knew and which direction would be best. She sighed, and felt her youngest daughter succumb to sleep again, and was able to do the same.
By morning Magdalane was feeling almost normal, her recovery from childbirth being force facilitated. She'd been aware of the restlessness during the night, but knew that Devin was just anxious about being away from his mother's arms. The little guy had been touching her since Miriah had walked into the apartment yesterday afternoon, she thought. She walked into the kitchen, surprised to find Corso and her mom already there, working on putting breakfast together.
"You two are up early," she said, seeing that they were perfectly happy cooking together. Corso hugged her and returned to getting things ready to make his famous omelets. Sarai looked at her oldest daughter and smiled.
"Yes, I just couldn't go back to sleep after Devin's last bad dream, and Corso is hoping that Miriah can get a little more rest." Sarai handed Magdalane a cup of tea, fixed exactly like Mags would have. "Sorry, sweetheart, I felt you awake and got it ready for you."
Magdalane smiled her thanks, and sat at the table. "Poor Dev. He's afraid he'll wake up and his mom will be gone again. He logically knows she's here, but his subconscious won't let him believe it." She sipped the hot tea slowly, savoring the flavor.
Corso looked up from his chopping. "I put him in our bed with her before I came out, maybe they can both get some rest now." He gathered mushrooms and put them in a bowl. "I sure hope so, anyway. Mir needs more sleep than she's been getting, and it breaks my heart to see Devin so anxious."
Miriah reached for her husband and instead felt her son beside her, sleeping soundly. Poor sweetie, she thought, and pulled him to her. The little boy had a handful of her hair, his favorite comfort measure, and was sleeping better than he had all night. She smoothed his own black hair away from his face, and closed her eyes again. Feels good, she thought, to be with him, and she slept. It was midmorning when they both finally woke and made their way out to the main area, everyone had already had breakfast and was either playing or working. Corso met her halfway across the room, bending to take his good morning kiss, and lifting Devin at the same time.
"Morning, love. Good to see you rested," he told her, his little boy's arms around his neck. "Let me make you some breakfast." He led his little family to the table, and when Miriah sat, he put Devin in her lap. "I have Devin's already warming, but I wanted to see what you might feel up to before I cooked," he told her. Felix walked up and held his arms out to Devin, who normally would be happy to be with Felix. This morning, though, the little boy beamed a bright smile to his uncle but wasn't about to leave his mama.
"Wow, rejected," Felix said, laughing.
"Sorry, Felix, he's being clingy," Miriah said, kissing the little boy's cheek.
"That's fine, I think he's entitled to be," Felix replied, sitting with them at the table. Sarai brought her tea over as well, and bent to kiss her grandson.
"You both needed the rest, Mir. And now some breakfast, which I see is in progress." Sarai went into the kitchen and brought back Devin's food, scooting his chair close to his mother's. "Come on, Dev, sit right here beside your mom and eat, okay? " She could sense his hesitation, and Miriah spoke to him.
"It's okay son, I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere," she told him, their eyes locking. Devin put his hand on his mother's face and then allowed his grandmother to put him in his chair. He ate like he hadn't in ages, and in quantities that seemed large for him. Miriah just stared as he consumed everything his grandmother brought him.
"He's been like this since he helped Magdalane with Ian's birth, like I can't fill him up." Sarai was peeling an apple for him, and missed Miriah's confused look.
"What do you mean, Mom? What exactly happened?"
"Well, sweetie, Mags was really having trouble, and Maura and I weren't really enough. She'd been in labor for almost two days, and was so energy depleted. She was struggling, and about to resort to stims, when Devin here climbed up on the bed and just put his hand on her arm. She said she could feel his force add to hers, and she was able to use it to overcome the pain." Sarai grinned at her grandson, who held out a piece of the apple to his grandmother.
Corso heard this, and looked at his son with wonder. How had he known, and known what to do, he mused. He shook his head and took the omelet to Miriah, who took his hand and pulled him to sit with her.
Sarai continued. "He just put his little hands on her, and she said she could feel pure force power. You know, it's often the little ones who can open themselves up to the most to the force." Sarai put another handful of grapes in front of her grandson. "Anyway, since then he's been so anxious, I think he just burns off everything he eats." He took a grape, and held it to his mother.
"Eat, Mama," he told her, smiling. She smoothed his hair with her hand, but continued to look at her mother.
"So he opened himself to his force power, and now he's just Devin again? How does that work?" She absently took the fork Corso handed her, and took a bite of her breakfast. The savory blend of ingredients danced on her tongue and she closed her eyes. "This is so good, sugar. Thank you," she smiled, and Corso smiled back.
"Basically. He so young, but his nurturing spirit, thanks to you both, makes him more sensitive to those in need. Just like he can tell when you're upset or anxious, Miriah." Devin grinned at her then, and Sarai wiped his hands and face, lifting him from the chair and putting him on the floor. He stood at his mother's side, and when she looked at him he grinned.
"Mama eat," he told her, and then pointed to where Colin, Calleigh and Michi were playing with toys. "I go play. Mama stay here?"
"Yes, Mama is staying here," she told him, smiling at him. He looked into her eyes for a moment more and took off at a run, the first time he'd gone on his own to play since before the Tython trip. She watched as he stopped twice to look back, seeing if she was still there, and saw him position himself with Colin so that he could still see her while he pushed toys across the carpeting. "He's still nervous about me leaving."
"He is, and probably will be for a little bit, but that's normal, I'd think," Corso replied. "Eat up, Mama. We're all meeting about the next steps here in a few. Aric is working on the timeline now." She glanced up at him, and took another bite of her breakfast. When she'd finished, without nausea, they all moved into the workroom.
Aric was standing in front of one of their smartboards, Maura sitting close to him. They look content, Corso thought, and it made him happy to see them so connected. They sat, along with Magdalane and Felix, and Aric spoke.
"First, these are the six names who we know were aware of our travel plans," he pointed to the smartboard. "And guess what? Every one of them is supposed to be at this next senate candidate function, tonight. I'd bet they're not expecting Maura to show, so I propose we surprise them. I think me, Corso, and Felix should go with Maura tonight. What do you guys think?"
Sarai spoke first. "I'm going. You need a force user, and I'd like to be there for Helena." She waited for dissenting voices, but no one argued with her.
"I agree with Mags staying home, stars, she just gave birth. But I should be there," Miriah said. Corso wanted to argue, but before he could say anything, Aric was shaking his head.
"No way, Mir. Devin needs you here, he's been through enough, and Corso needs a break from worrying about you and Logan." Corso let out the breath he'd been holding, realizing Miriah took that statement better from Aric than from him.
"Please, cyare," Corso said softly, squeezing her hand. She finally nodded, and he kissed her head, his eyes closing in relief.
"Okay then, the plan is to try and talk with each of the people on this list, but no one goes anywhere alone. We'll have relays, so we can communicate with Mags and Miriah if we need to. Anyone have any other questions or thoughts?" Aric turned to Maura, who just smiled at him.
"Mom, we'll have the most coveted escorts at the dinner," Maura said, and saw Sarai's grin of agreement. "And we'll tell you everything that's going on, Miriah. Now, come help me decide what to wear." The women left, giggling and Aric turned to the guys.
"One of these people is our prime suspect, and we'll need to be on our toes," he said. "Felix, if you need to be here with Mags, I totally understand."
"No, I'm in this," Felix answered quickly. He'd been feeling a little left out lately, but now that Ian was here, his only concern was that Magdalane was safe.
"Okay, then let's make sure the relays are all set to go, and we can relax until this evening." Aric checked out half of the relays, Corso the others and they left the workroom together, crossing to the children. Devin saw his dad and ran to him, his little arms lifted to be held. Corso swung him up, smiling at his giggles, and they sat in the floor to play.
Miriah followed her sisters into Maura's room to look at the gowns there, and when they'd gotten inside the room, Magdalane hugged Miriah almost like Devin had, and Miriah could feel her sister's tears. "What's wrong, Maggie Mae? Don't cry, sis."
"I just can't even express to you how much Devin's help meant to me," she said. "Your son, Mir, is very strong. You've allowed him to think on his own, taught him to be open to ideas and thoughts. I didn't want to get into it out there, because I knew I'd get emotional, but understand. He formed the soul link. Not me. He did it, and he's never gotten any training." She grabbed her youngest sister's hand, trying to make Miriah understand what a special child she had.
"Sweetie, I'm so glad he helped. He's amazing me lately, yesterday he wanted me to eat so I could grow the baby, so he's realized Logan is on the way. I felt him wanting me home when we were waiting for the rescue shuttle. I know he's special, and it scares me a little."
"Don't be afraid, he is the best of both you and Corso. You guys are the models." She sniffed and wiped her face and sat on the bed. "Now, Maura, dazzle us with your fashions."
Aric sat on the floor with Corso, the children playing around them. "Thanks, man, for telling Miriah to stay here," Corso told him. "If I'd said it, she'd have been mad."
"Oh, she was mad," Aric laughed, "but when she took a moment to think about it, I knew she'd put Devin and Logan above anything else. Besides, I need you to put your full attention on the six, and not be distracted by your wife." Corso blushed, but nodded.
Maura got ready for the evening, her sisters helping her. When she left her room, she was a vision in black, and it took Aric's breath away to look at her. Corso stood close to him and whispered, "And you were worried about me being distracted." Sarai joined them, and Mags and Miriah saw them off.
"Think about me, sugar, and I'll be waiting for you. Love you, Corso Riggs, so much," she told him, getting a long, knee-weakening kiss from him. Devin ran up to them then, and pulled on his mother's pants legs to get her attention. "No, Dev, I'm not going anywhere, son. Just Daddy, but he'll be home soon." The little boy hugged her leg, not letting go until she'd moved away from the door. She waved at Corso, and the group was off.
Miriah and Mags got the children in bed, all but Devin and Ian, one refusing to leave his mother and the other getting his bottle. They sat, a child in their arms, and talked quietly. Mags had gotten up to take Ian to his cradle when Miriah heard her relay click. "Hey darlin', just wanted to tell you I love you." Miriah grinned to herself, Corso is such the romantic, she thought.
Seconds after he sent his love to his wife, Corso and the whole group were under their table at the dinner, desperately trying to avoid the sudden barrage of blaster fire.