As they neared the farm house, Devin struggled in his father's arms, wanting down. Corso gently put his son's feet on the ground and watched as he ran to his Aunt Mags, getting a hug from her. He clung to her, and Corso thought he must have needed something his parents couldn't give him- force power. He smiled to himself and squeezed Miriah closer to him when he saw the Jedi aura glow around Magdalane. He'll always love us, but I can tell he truly belongs to the force, he thought. He looked down into teary silver eyes as Miriah watched their son, and knew that it was time for him to start training. Now I know, she thought, why the Jedi Order takes them so young. She sniffled and felt Corso's lips on her forehead.
Magdalane held the exhausted little boy as Jestera approached them. "He was magnificent, Master Magdalane. Truly already very strong in the force, but his potential is great," the Cathar said. Devin reached over to stroke Jestera's fur as the two Jedi observed the rest the group headed their way. Corso guiding a tired Miriah, his arm firmly around her shoulders. Aric, his cannon slung across his back, greeting the twins and Maura as they ran out to him. Shurxan and Tekmer leading the Aria colonists with their lightsabers drawn, anticipating another attack from the Imperial troops that had been on the hillside.
It was still early morning, and when they'd all gathered back at the house, Sarai and Maura started putting out breakfast. Everyone was talking and laughing, and the children were all gathered with Tekmer, who was telling them stories and helping them with breakfast. Devin looked at his father, a slight frown puckering his little forehead, and Corso realized Miriah was not in the kitchen. He found her in their shower, crying and shaking. He didn't hesitate as he entered the shower with her, not bothering to undress first, and held her. He could feel her exhaustion and just held on, letting her get it all out. When her shudders slowed, he pulled warmed towels from the rack and wrapped her in them, sitting her on the side of the tub while he toweled himself off. He led her to their room and dressed her in warm clothes, tucking her into bed while he changed. He saw she'd fallen asleep while he was busy and pulled the soft blanket around her. He felt settled when he returned to the kitchen.
Aric was sitting with Shurxan and Obo. "So, you think you guys might like it here?" he asked, Shurxan already having told him they were thinking about moving. "We can always use Jedi around here. Devin needs training, and Ian will need it."
"It's certainly a thought," Obo said. "I've long been tired of the stress of battle. Grandmaster Shan was after me not long ago to take some time off, regroup." He stroked his moustache thoughtfully. "Maybe this would be a good move. I'll meditate on it," he said.
"We've decided. If we can find a spot we all like, we're moving," Shurxan said. "Jestera is already loving this planet, and we've all felt a peace here we've been lacking on Aria lately." He smiled as he surveyed the kitchen, seeing so many of his friends smiling and relaxed. "We'll get in touch with the rest of the colonists on Aria, get those interested in a new place out here to see what we see." He leaned back, sipped his caffa, and grinned at the Cathar across from him. "And, Aric? No need to see that specialist. You'll be running after another child soon." He laughed as Aric gave him a stunned look and started searching the room for Maura.
"Seriously?" he asked, his voice barely audible.
"Jedi never lie, Aric. Go hug your wife," Shurxan told him, a large smile on his face. As Aric left to find Maura, Mags approached the Jedi.
"Shurxan, I know you and Joslin were once very close. How are you feeling about all of this?" she asked, her calm aura flowing around them.
Shurxan looked at the former Barsen'thor of the Jedi and, with no hesitation, replied, "I am glad she is at peace now. Whether she is one with the dark side or the light, maybe she is at peace. I'd like to think so, anyway." Magdalane nodded, knowing there was more to his feelings but that he wasn't ready to share them.
"Even if she wasn't the same person you knew at the end, there was a time when her feelings for you were true, remember that." Mags sat back as Felix handed Ian to her and smiled at her son. "Thank you, Shurxan, for being with Miriah, with all of us, for this. Obo says you guys are relocating. I am grateful to have more force users here. I am in the middle of writing a proposal to Grandmaster Shan to put a small training facility here. We could take in padawans from Tatooine as well." She cooed as Ian grinned at her. "This one here, he needs the best to train him. Will you do it?" she asked, seeing Shurxan hold out his arms to take the child.
"I will, we all will," he said, laughing as Ian waved his hands in the air. "Jestera is a master of telekinesis. Tekmer and I both excel at close combat. Flar is a very talented healer. We will all work with the young ones to find out their strengths and develop them in the force." He looked to where Devin was playing with the twins. "Our young hero of today, he is already showing strength in many areas. I have not yet figured out his path. But we will," he smiled. "We will."
Miriah woke slowly, not sure why she was awake or asleep. She had just started to sit up when she felt the flutter of little kicks against her ribs, and grinned. She made her way into the kitchen to join the others, and when she entered, she was met with the sight of family and friends. All these people, she thought, here to support and defend us. Sarai met her gaze with raised eyebrows, she had felt the joyful spike of energy from her youngest and had an idea what had happened. Miriah saw her mother make her way over, and nodded as Sarai put her hands over the tiny bump of her newest grandson, feeling the movement both with her hand and the force.
"He's already like you, Mir. Energetic, happy. You were a lovely baby, and I'm so sorry I missed so much of your life," she said.
Not willing to go backwards in their quest for familial peace, Miriah just nodded. "You'll have to make it up with my children, Mom. They deserve every bit of attention and love," she said, putting her hand over her mother's, resting on Logan. They were standing there, the glow of force light suffusing the room, when they heard Maura's joyous shout. The room erupted in cheers, the whispered rumor of Shurxan's prediction now confirmed.
They spent the day much as they had the morning, except for the holo from General Garzal, inquiring about the sudden departure of the Empire's troops from Dantooine. Corso and Felix cooked, they all managed to keep Miriah off her feet and out of the kitchen, and the children filled the house with laughter. Maura found her youngest sister in her favorite chaise outside, and joined her there while the men manned the grill. "You look so happy, Maura. I know you'll be fine with this one, I feel it," Miriah told her.
"I feel great, and so very lucky!" Maura replied. "I wasn't looking forward to the endless testing and medcenter visits, and I know Aric wasn't, either." She sighed and closed her eyes. "Things are changing again, aren't they?" Miriah nodded, but didn't speak. They sat in silence, listening to the children play and laugh, until Corso walked over to them. He knelt and kissed Miriah, rubbing her arms with his warm hands.
"Time to eat, kitten," he told her, as he helped her and then Maura out of the comfy chairs. "You both looked so peaceful there I hated to disturb you, but the babies need to eat." He grinned at his sister in law, and she laughed. Miriah snuggled into him and he put his arm around her, leading her to the large outdoor tables he and the guys had already set and filled. As the group gathered, the Jedi all made their way to Miriah, most only gently touching her but her sister and mother hugging her, all just wanting to touch her again. What is that, she wondered. I have to ask Mom later. She sat down and was immediately given a plate full of food, more than she could ever eat, and had to smile. Corso was beside her seconds later, his gentle presence taking away the lingering unease from the morning.
Darth Anyzama had arrived on Drummond Kaas and sent the now entombed body of her apprentice to the Dark Council's chambers. She thought she was finished with this business until she was summoned to appear before them. She sighed, and readied herself for the audience. When she arrived, Nikos in tow, she was ushered into the chambers with reverence, the hushed whispers suddenly ceasing in her presence. She looked around her and only saw inquiring eyes. A voice came across the expanse to the center of the room, where she stood, asking her what her assessment was of the Jedi contingent she'd seen on Dantooine.
"They were a cohesive group," she said thoughtfully. "Ready to fight , if needed, but of one mind, one purpose." She stilled herself, letting her force tell her what she needed to know. "They may or may not all stay on the planet, but it's worth monitoring." She waited, and when no further questions came her way, she turned to leave. Her escape was stopped when she heard clapping. It started as one person, but as they all joined in, one by one, the sound was amplified by the shape of the room and she turned back to the Council. Just as abruptly as it started, it stopped, and the apprentice who had escorted her inside touched her arm and led her out. Nikos was waiting, and she took the arm he offered with gratitude, ready to be back in the safety of her ship.
Corso was in the porch swing, holding his wife close and looking up at the stars. All the children were in bed and most of the adults, too. He gently squeezed Miriah and heard her giggle, and he kissed her hair. "Things are going to be different," he told her, his deep rumble soothing her. "But good different." He ran his hands through her long hair, hearing her sigh with pleasure.
"I know, I agree," she said, enjoying the feel of his hands. "I just don't know what it means for us, for the company." A worried note had crept into her voice, he realized.
"We'll figure it out," he soothed her. "All we can do right now is see what tomorrow brings. My granddad used to say.."
"I know," she laughed. "Worry never solved anything. I'll try," she promised.
"No matter what, cyare, we have each other. I'll always be right here, and I'll always love you." He pulled her up to kiss her then, and they lay against each other, the swing rocking gently, staring at the stars.