Maura woke to the sounds of giggling children. She smiled, closing her eyes again and snuggling into Aric's warmth. "Can't we just stay here today?" she whispered, hearing Aric's grunt of approval.
"Wish we could, seems like years since we've been home," he murmured. He took his good morning kiss, lingering for more. Maura pushed him away, giggling.
"They're hungry, honey. Let me get them fed and maybe we can sneak back here in a bit," she said, as Calleigh rounded the doorway.
"Mom, can we have pancakes?" the little girl asked, hopping around, already too energetic for Maura to follow. She left without an answer, and her parents chuckled.
"I've got this, sweetheart," Aric told her, "you stay here and rest, I'll bring you some breakfast." Maura grinned. "And maybe then I'll have found something intriguing for the twins," he said, bending to kiss her. She laughed as she heard him lead his children down the stairs, a song he'd taught them from his childhood in full voice. I wonder if we'll ever get to have more, she thought. I'd like them, but I'm happy with our family, too. She drifted back to sleep, thinking of babies.
Miriah was thinking of babies, too, specifically the one making her sick at the moment. She'd just made her way back into the kitchen, where Corso and Devin were having breakfast, something she didn't think she could do, at least right now. She took some icy cold water from the cooler and joined them, trying to smile at them both. Devin reached out to her, and she took his little hand. Instantly, she felt the nausea recede, and it shocked her.
"Dev, did you make mama feel better?" she asked her son, peering at him intently. She couldn't see an aura, like Magdalane had, but she definitely felt better. His smile got larger as he nodded at her, and she turned those silver eyes to Corso. "He really did, the second he touched me, I was better."
"He was concerned when you got up and rushed out, so it makes sense he'd make you better if he could." Corso was impressed with his son, but tried to make it just part of their lives. Miriah knew that was the right approach, but she still was in wonder at Devin's force use. "Let Magdalane know, though. She'll be the only one who can understand it." He leaned over to kiss Miriah. "He loves you, kitten. I do, too. So much." He took her hand. "Want me to make you something to eat now?" She shook her head.
"No, I'm going to take it easy for a little longer." She sipped the water, feeling it soothe her throat. Devin took his piece of toast and held it out to her.
"Mama, eat now. No more bad," he told her, his eyes meeting hers. She took the toast and nibbled on the corner of it, making him smile. "Love Mama," he said, finishing his breakfast and clapping when she finished hers, too.
Magdalane watched as Michi gently hugged her infant brother and kissed him on his head. "Thank you, Michi, that was very sweet." The little girl's smile lit her whole face at her mother's words, and she was still watching the baby when Felix came to get her, breakfast being ready. Mags followed, Ian in her arms. Felix took him and pulled the chair out for his wife, Michi already busily eating. Felix put a full plate of food in front of his wife, and sat across from her. "He's almost asleep, hon, let me put him in his cradle and you can eat as well." Felix shook his head.
"He's only this little for a short time more. I want to enjoy it," he told her, smiling at his son. "When Michi was this small, we were still trying to figure out why she cried so much. I remember going to Miriah's house, and she made you go sleep while she tried the new bottles." He watched what he thought of as his girls enjoy their food, laughing and Michi babbling, while Ian slept. It was so good to be back home, he mused, in their own house. He saw Mags glance up at him with a wondering look, and told her what he was thinking. "I'd like to take Michi out and play for a bit, then after lunch, while she's napping, I'd like to spend some time with you." His warm brown eyes met her own vivid green ones, and she felt the electricity between them.
"That sounds like a pretty perfect day," she said, smiling at him.
Miriah sent a message to Mags, telling her about Devin's force heal, and she turned the datapad off. She wanted a day free of obligation, of communication other than with her son and her husband. She walked to the back deck and saw them crossing the pasture to the barn, Devin riding on Corso's broad shoulders. So content to just be out here, she thought, they're truly so alike. She crossed to the deck chair and got comfortable in the weak, early spring sun. She was warm and relaxed in minutes, and her pregnant body took over once again. Corso grinned as he and Devin made their way up the rise to the house an hour later, and he told his son to be quiet, Mama was sleeping.
Devin was down for a nap when Miriah woke to her husband lifting her up to take her inside. "You're too fair to stay out in this sun for long, cyare," he told her as he put her on their bed. "Besides, I'd rather nap with you than by myself." He pulled her close, smelling the grass and sunlight in her hair, and they both enjoyed their quiet day.
It wasn't until they were in their swing, dusk growing darker, that either of them mentioned the office. "I guess we should get back in the office tomorrow," Corso said with a sigh, "but this has been an incredible day."
"Sure has, sugar. But you're right, we have a dozen or more ops coming up for Garza. Do you think she'll really take a vacation at some point?" Miriah was absently rubbing her middle.
"Who knows? I guess she might, especially after her assistant appears to be an Imp. That might get her a little break." Corso moved her hair to kiss her under her ear, grinning when she shivered in response. He moved his hands through her hair, feeling her relax against him. "I sure hope the others have had as good a day as we had," he said, and felt her nod against his hands.
Aric had spent the afternoon playing with his children, but he intended to spend the evening playing with his wife. He'd pushed the swings a thousand times, chased Colin for a good mile, and had pretend tea with Calleigh and her stuffed kath hound. He deserved some Maura time, he thought, and the thought made him smile. He spotted her as she went up the stairs, and grabbed a bottle of wine and some glasses before he made his way up as well. He found her in the tub, which was unusual for her. He approached her, and saw that she was smiling.
"Mir was right, this is a little slice of wonderful," she said, and he could hear the relaxed tone of her voice. "I never figured I'd like it, but it's really nice." Miriah had given her some bath salts and candles some time ago, and she'd dug them out to use tonight. "What did you bring me, handsome?"
He grinned and put the glasses on the counter, opening the wine. "I figured since we finally have some time alone today, I'd make the most of it." He handed her a glass and sipped his own. "This has been an exceptional day. I guess we're back in the office tomorrow, Garza's probably sent a few hundred updates today." He sat on the floor beside the tub, watching Maura as she sipped her wine and luxuriated in the hot, fragrant water.
"Mmmhmm," she responded. "Garza can have you tomorrow, but tonight, you're mine," she told him, seeing the lust spike in his eyes.
"I'm yours always, Maura. You know that, right?" he murmured.
"I do, love, I do." She stood from the water and he wrapped her in a towel, helped her step over the edge of the tub, and bent to kiss her neck. They made their way to their bed, enjoying the last of their relaxing day.
Felix fed Ian and got him ready for bed. He's grown so much just in this first week, he thought. He took the infant to his cradle, the little boy's eyes already closing. He turned just as Magdalane entered, and she took his breath away. He'd been feeling the sensual caresses in her aura all afternoon, but since Ian was only a week old, was reluctant to let himself return her feelings. He couldn't help the rush of desire he felt when he saw her in a sheer robe that enhanced her already lean figure. She smiled as she felt his emotions, and without a word led him to their bed. With their force connection, they needed no words.
By morning, the entire group convened at the office, rested and relaxed. Miriah had brought wild berry muffins, which were a hit. The cookie bin was refilled, the kids had brought some new toys with them, and Ian blended seamlessly into the mix. Miriah took her mug of hot cocoa into her office, turned on her computer terminal and started looking through the numerous messages that had accumulated since they'd been on Coruscant. She sorted them and sent them to the various members of the group and sent all general inquiries to Aric.
Aric and Corso sat at their work benches, Corso reviewing the current ops for changes to weaponry and Aric looking for tactical advantages. They were both crunching on cookies, and looked up when Felix entered with Ian.
"How's the little guy doing?" Corso asked, grinning down at the infant. He thought about Logan then, and glanced at Miriah, who was buried in her work. He'd noticed last night that her body was changing, and he couldn't wait to be able to see his son growing,
"He just takes everything in stride," Felix replied, smiling down at his son. "Whatever we're doing, he's good with it. As long as he's dry and full, everything is fine with him." He crossed to the portable crib in the corner, placing the sleeping baby inside. "Now, what are we working on?"
"Garza sent this to us at midnight last night, " Aric said, handing Felix the datapad. "Looks like we'll be doing some planning on the push into Makeb." Felix read the datapad, absently tapping his foot.
"This looks pretty straightforward, but the numbers are off," Felix said. "I'll rework it a bit." He took a spot at the third workbench amidst Corso and Aric's smiles. They knew he'd been itching to dive into the missions, but had been holding back because he wanted to care for Magdalane while she was pregnant. Corso could empathize, he kept sneaking glances at his own wife, who'd been nausea free since Devin's intervention yesterday.
Miriah had just told Mags what Devin had done, when the kids burst into the break room, asking for cookies. "Devin," Mags said, and grinned at his happy face turned toward her. "You are having fun today?" He nodded his head enthusiastically, a cookie in each hand.
"Mama good. Not bad today. Her eat," he told his aunt, his eyes shining. He ran off with the others after a hug from his mom, and Mags turned to her sister.
"He is really something," she said, seeing Miriah's pride in her son on her face. "His comprehension of things around him surpasses his vocal ability, but you clearly know what he's saying. I may have to revise my prediction, he might be a healer instead." She grew thoughtful at that, wondering what he'd need to be taught first. Maura joined them in the break room.
"Mir, the bath was wonderful! I finally took your advice, and you were right. There's something about a woman relaxing in a tub of hot scented water that the men just can't resist." She giggled at the look on Miriah's face.
"Glad I could be of help, but I don't really think you need to try so hard. Aric's pretty observant on his own. That letter he sent you from the flagship should have told you that."
"Speaking of observant, your husband can't keep from glancing at you, Miriah," Mags said.
"Yeah, he's like this when I'm expecting," she replied, blushing a little.
"And when you're not well, or upset, or really just if you're breathing," teased Maura. Miriah looked over at the workbenches, and sure enough, Corso's brown eyes met her own. She smiled at him, and blew him a kiss, making him blush. The sisters chuckled, and returned to their desks, smiles on their faces.
Felix was deep in thought as he read. "Did you know that the mining on Makeb has essentially destroyed the stability of the core, and that all the habitable areas are on mesas with steep drops? The photos are incredible." He continued to read, becoming uneasy about the plans. "How are we supposed to blow up light bridges?" he asked. He shook his head as Aric sent him another set of data, the ding of the datapad telling him it was there. "There's more?" he asked, and sat back down to read.
Corso was reading, too, but soon put his datapad down and crossed to Miriah's desk. She looked up as he approached, and saw his worried frown. "Darlin', let's take Devin home and get some lunch. You need to eat, and I'm sure he's getting tired. I'll come back later and finish, do whatever you need done as well." He paused, waiting for her answer, and she reluctantly nodded her agreement. "I'll go get the boy, meet you at the speeder?" She nodded again, and went to tell Maura they were off.
They were in the swing, Devin napping, when she finally spoke. "Are you going to be so worried this whole pregnancy, sugar?"
"What? Oh, I hope not, darlin'. I just know you've lost some weight, and that the office has snacks but no real nutrition. I want you and Logan to be healthy, that's all." He let her stew on that for a few minutes, and she realized he was right, again.
"Sorry," she said. "I know you only have our best interests in mind. I just don't want to be a burden on you or on the others. I have work to finish, too. I know I can do it tomorrow, " she said, and he could feel her smile, "I just don't want to do nothing."
"No one thinks that, you know. You do more than just the office things to keep this group going. You're our pilot, our field medic, and our planner. You're our light, cyare, the one we all look to for guidance. Sarai told me something that I bet she never said to you. She said when we were gone, and Mags went into labor, she realized you were the positive force, the one who kept things moving forward, in the group." He fell silent and waited for her to digest this.
"She never told me that," Miriah said, her voice soft. "That was a really nice sentiment."
"It's true, darlin'. I see it every day. Devin gets that from you." He pulled her up his body and turned her to face him. "I love you, Miriah," he told her, kissing her soundly. They only broke apart when an speeder started up their drive.
"Who is that?" Miriah asked, shading her eyes to try and make out their visitor.
"No idea," Corso replied, and made sure Torchy was securely in his holster before rising to meet the rider.