Chapter Eighteen:

Long after Mara had cried herself to sleep, Luke maintained awareness. He was wide awake, thanks to his swirling thoughts and tempered emotions.

Luke was angry.

He was angrier than he'd been in a long time. He was furious with the man that had done his beloved Mara wrong. And the more he stewed in that anger, the more he wondered just what he'd do if he ever met up with Garris again. Or if he ever saw the spacer. Whichever one had done the deed.

Luke simmered in his dark emotion for a long moment before he finally just willed it away. Vengeance would solve no one's problems. Anger would only serve to cloud his judgment and hurt Mara in the long run… and that was something he would not have.

Mara would never come to harm under his hand, or by his choice.

So Luke bridled the dangerous thoughts he'd been entertaining for the better part of an hour, and let them evaporate like steam. It amazed him how much better he suddenly felt, his heart not nearly so heavy as it had just been.

Closing his eyes momentarily, Luke breathed a quiet sigh. Mara shifted against him in her sleep, and Luke opened his eyes in time to see her lips moving just slightly. She looked so vulnerable to him right now, and her raw fear from earlier had scared him senseless.

Pregnant. Mara was pregnant. He'd confirmed it in the Force per her request before she'd settled down. And while the life inside her fascinated him, he couldn't help but feel a pang of regret that the child was not his.

Instantly Luke chastised himself. Who am I to be jealous? I'm not her husband. It wasn't Mara's choice, and it's certainly not this baby's fault. And anyway, I will not dictate Mara's life. I promised, and I won't break that vow.

Stretching out with the Force again, Luke very gently brushed against the tiny life form within Mara's womb. It was an… interesting experience: one that he couldn't quite describe. But he knew that this child was completely innocent, and did not deserve his negativity. The growth of the fetus within also amazed him, as he'd never encountered anything like it before.

He'd never known the Force could allow him such an experience. He withdrew just as gingerly as he'd come in, letting the baby be.

Returning his attention to Mara, Luke studied her again. He had promised to not abandon her to her fate. He would support her in whatever she decided, though personally he hoped she chose to keep the child.

But he would not force her.

He would be there every step of the way, though. He'd be her companion, her comfort, friend, confidante, supporter… and, if she agreed to marry him— he planned to ask her properly later on— her lover and husband.

If she chose to keep the baby, Luke vowed he would help her raise him… or her… and he would do so as if the child was of his own flesh and blood. Because, truth be told, Luke was already a little in love with the thought of becoming a family with Mara and the baby. And… he already loved the tiny human growing in her womb.

He didn't fully understand why he already loved the child, but he did.

It was something he'd have to explore more later on.

Finally, with his anger gone, and those few topics covered in his mind, Luke felt the exhaustion kick in. Settling in a little more with Mara, Luke tilted his head to rest against her's and closed his eyes.

00000

"The test is complete, Miss Jade is indeed pregnant," the medical droid informed the pair.

"Can you tell how far along I am?" Mara asked.

"Approximately two months," the droid replied. "I will be prescribing prenatal vitamins for you to take during your pregnancy."

Mara hesitated. "Prenatal vitamins?

"They will help you retain a sufficient amount of nutrients in your system as the baby is fed through your bloodstream," the MD droid said.

"Okay." Mara nodded.

The droid left, and Mara fell into a silence. She had done an inordinate amount of thinking the previous night, and up till now. She was still not happy about the pregnancy… or more accurately with how it had happened.

However, Mara did not fault the child in the slightest.

Even if the baby would grow up reminding her of either Garris or the spacer.

She would not let that interfere with the child's life. The baby would be loved and well-looked after.

Mara paused at the direction of her own thoughts.

She was already growing protective of the child? She hadn't wanted this… how could she already love the baby?

She was aware of Luke beside her, offering his silent support, but letting her have some needed space at the same time.

Mara was not ready to be a mother, not yet; but she supposed no one was truly ready until it happened and maybe not even then. Would it really be so bad to have someone who'd love her unconditionally?

Mara mused that she already had that someone in Luke, but this was entirely different. This child already did— and would for many years to come— depend on her for everything. Was she okay with that?

To Mara's utter surprise, she discovered that she was. But… she did not want to go this road alone.

She turned to Luke, her eyes pleading.

"If I keep this child… will you help me raise… him or her?" she asked with great hesitancy, not wanting to burden him with this.

"Of course I will," Luke assured her without any delay. "I have to be honest: I've been, ah, fantasizing about you, me and… the little one being a… a family." He blushed sheepishly.

Mara stared at him, taken aback. "You have?"

Luke nodded, meeting her gaze. "Yes. I will help you raise this child as though he was mine… if you will let me. And I will love him unceasingly."

Mara felt unexpected tears spritz her eyes, and she took his hand in hers. "I love you so much, Luke." She kissed his knuckles. "You are such a wonderful man, and the best friend I have ever had."

Luke's blush turned a light pink at her praise, but he did not object, instead leaning down to lightly kiss her lips.

"Then I guess you'd better keep me around," he quipped when they pulled apart.

Mara snorted with amusement and swatted his arm.

Luke laughed, but their conversation was cut short with the return of the MD droid, who completed Mara's exam and gave her the prescribed pills.

After Luke got Mara back to her quarters, she told him she wanted to rest. Luke acquiesced, saying he had a few things to do anyway.

00000

Leia stared at him for a long, long moment, in which not even Han dared interrupt.

Finally, when Luke did not back down, Leia spoke quietly.

"You want to propose to Mara?" Leia clarified.

"Yes."

"Please don't take this to be insensitive, but…" Leia hesitated, biting her cheek.

Luke perceived her thoughts, and didn't fault his sister for her concern. "It's not because she's pregnant. That simply sped up my timeline; I had already planned to propose in a few weeks time during the Sweetheart's Day festival."

Han grinned. "How romantic."

Luke shrugged, a blush coloring his face. "I'd like your blessing, Leia… you're the only family I have left…" He shot Han an apologetic look. "Blood relative, I mean."

Han waved him off. "I knew what you meant, Kid."

Leia pursed her lips in thought, and then smiled softly. "My brother's growing up…"

Luke scowled at her 'big sister' tone, but chuckled with her.

"How can we help?" Leia finished.

"Actually, I wanted to reserve the larger garden on board Home One," Luke answered. "I plan to propose in three days."

Leia nodded, placing a contemplative finger to her chin. "I can arrange that."

Luke grinned. "Thank you." Then he sobered. "One more thing."

Han and Leia waited while Luke took a breath.

"Please don't say anything about the pregnancy. At least not until after she agrees to marry me. If she does agree, we'll make the event happen as soon as possible."

Han tilted his head. "She's two months along?"

"Yes."

"People are going to know the child's not yours, unless you claim to have slept with her in the… y'know," Han said gingerly.

Luke thinned his lips. "Mara and I will talk about that, but I will not claim to have slept with her in that dump. Ever." He shuddered. "Mara deserves so much better than that, even in stories."

"Okay. Just tell us what you decide, so we can back you guys up," Han affirmed.

"Thank you, I will." Luke rose. "I have to get going on those preparations."

00000

Mara stood before her mirror, examining her image within its reflection. She wore a shimmersilk dress in a lovely green that boasted streaks of gold here and there. Not too many, or too flashy; just enough to give the gown a little pizzazz.

Her hair was curled and styled loosely, most of it cascading down her back and over her shoulders.

Luke had asked her out on an official date two nights prior, one he said would require formal attire, thus the dress Leia had provided the next morning. Mara had to admit she liked the gown.

Slipping on a pair of heels, Mara grabbed a shawl just in case it got chilly wherever Luke planned to take her. Mara lastly took up a mini purse with a few bare essentials— such as nausea medication— and left her cabin.

She looked at the slip of flimsi that had been delivered to her by Han earlier that day, and soon found herself at a door she'd not been through yet. Mara had seen a lot of the Rebellion's flagship, but not all of it.

She heard that there was a garden or two onboard somewhere, but she'd not yet been there. Opening the door, Mara stepped through without really paying attention to where she was.

Until the door closed behind her.

Mara gasped as her eyes took in the sight before her. Plants of all shapes and sizes spread out before her in a lovely garden, complete with a softly flowing stream and many fountains.

Mara happened to look up to see hundreds of tiny lights above, mimicking a star-lit sky since the ship was in its night cycle. Mara had to remind herself to breathe, and when she looked down, it was to spot a light sprinkling of flower petal on a pathway that was scattered with a bench here and there.

No doubt to lead the way, Mara mused.

She followed the flowers until she came to a small glen, in which she saw a faint glow. Mara entered the stand of trees and gasped lightly.

A tiny table set for two rested in the center, with only a few candles to light the space around it. The table was set with a white cover, and then a smaller yellow one in the center to accent. A glowing candle adorned the golden cloth, giving a velvety glow to the fine china atop the table.

Mara had the presence of mind to look for Luke, but he was nowhere to be seen.

She approached the table slowly, stopping to stare into the candle's flame almost as if in a trance.

Soft hands touched her upper arms, catching her off-guard. Mara tensed until she heard Luke's soft voice from behind.

"Good evening, Beautiful."

Mara smiled and turned to face him, bringing her face close to his. "Hi yourself."

He smiled and kissed her gently on the lips, then stepped back to hold out her chair. Mara lifted a brow, but sat and he moved to his own chair.

Mara observed him in his formal attire. "You look really good when you clean up, Farmboy."

Luke blushed a touch, but smiled. "Thank you. I love you in that gown, by the way."

Mara saw that he liked her in it, but he remained chaste despite that fact. "This is very nice, Luke. Is this the only garden on Home One?"

"No, there's a smaller one closer to the aft of the ship," Luke replied, turning a little and gesturing.

Mara heard the soft whir of wheels, and smiled when she spotted Artoo Detoo pushing a hover-cart with covered dishes on it.

"I see your noble steed is making himself useful again," Mara teased.

Luke chuckled with her. "Yes. Good old Artoo. Thanks buddy."

Artoo beeped happily as he wheeled away again to a respectful distance.

Luke set a plate before her, and then took one for him, also opening a bottle of juice to pour for them both.

Mara lifted a questioning brow at his choice of drinks.

"I don't think alcohol would be good for the baby," Luke said quietly. "But that's up to you."

Mara had never thought of that, but now that he mentioned it… "No, it's okay. You're probably right anyway. Juice it is then."

They opened their plate-covers to reveal a delicately presented piece of meat complete with a serving of steamed vegetables and a slice of toasted and garnished bread. Mara sniffed appreciatively over the plate, then picked up her utensils.

"So how was this morning?" Luke asked between bites.

"No morning sickness today, thank the Force." Mara made a face. "I won't miss it when the nausea passes."

Luke smirked. "I'll bet not."

Mara smiled softly, but did not comment. They spoke off and on as their meal neared completion. When their plates were clean, Artoo came to take them away, and Luke stood, offering his hand.

"Would you like to dance?" he asked.

Mara shot him a surprised glance. "Dance? But there's no musi…"

As if on cue, soft music began to play, wafting along an artificial breeze. She glanced back at Artoo, who seemed to tilt forward ever-so-slightly as if in encouragement. Mara merely shook her head and took Luke's offered hand.

He led her a little from the table and then drew her close. Mara wound her arms about his neck and gazed at him as he slowly led her about the floor in an uncoordinated but enjoyable manner. He didn't have a particular dance in mind, she knew, he just wanted to dance with her.

Mara was fine with that.

After a time, Mara rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes and breathing him in. Force, she loved this man!

He had never once mistreated her, nor had he shunned her in her darkest hours… not when she was with Garris, nor when she'd told him of her past… and certainly not when she'd dropped the pregnancy bombshell on him.

He had only ever supported and loved her.

Mara felt her heart swell, and she felt the burning desire to be with Luke for the rest of eternity. She wanted to go to sleep beside him every single night, curled against him as she had the other evening. She hadn't slept so soundly in… well, ever really.

She had felt so safe and secure in his embrace, as she did now. His hold was not one of possession or lust, but one of gentle strength, comfort and love. It was born of a desire to please her, to show his affection.

Nor had Luke ever tried to bed her. And she knew it wasn't just to give her time to heal from her time on Nar Shaddaa. Luke was just that much of a gentleman. He loved her, and to him her body was just an added perk.

But one he would not inappropriately touch or ogle over without the safety of marriage.

Well, then, what's he waiting for? Mara wondered.

As if hearing her thoughts, Luke stiffened ever-so-slightly, and then pulled away, eyeing her curiously.

Mara held his gaze without flinching, wondering what he was searching for. The ghost of something lit his eyes and then he stopped dancing.

"Dessert?" he murmured.

Caught a little off guard by the sudden topic change, Mara nevertheless agreed.

"Alright."

Luke led her back to her seat, and then motioned to Artoo, who came forward and carefully placed a plate before both Luke and Mara. Mara stared at the tiny plate, wondering what kind of a dessert would be so small.

She glanced at Luke, who smiled encouragingly and then moved to take the cover off his new plate. Mara did so too, and frowned further upon seeing the tiny box in the center of the plate. Looking up, Mara spotted one on Luke's dish as well.

Then she recalled the boxed chocolates that had been a favorite at Imperial formal balls, and a giddy excitement rose up in her.

"Truffles?" she asked eagerly. "I haven't had one of those in ages!"

She carefully untied the silver ribbon atop the tiny black box, opened it… and promptly gasped.

Inside wasn't just a treasured piece of chocolate.

A ring sat nestled atop it, shining with the glow provided by the candlelight.

With a slightly numbed mind and shaky fingers, Mara lifted the white-gold band from the box and examined it closely. Instead of a single raised solitaire diamond, this ring was adorned with an indented splatter-design in three places, with some of those indents sporting tiny, yet radiantly perfect diamonds.

When she finally looked up, it was to see Luke now kneeling beside her chair.

"Mara…" he began nervously. "I realize we've only known each other for a little over a month, but all that time I've spent getting to know you better. And I would like to continue to get to know you… for the rest of my life. I love you: I loved you before the baby, and I love you still. My love is without blemish. You are the most wonderful woman I have ever known, and I never want to be separated from you. I promise to always cherish and protect you. Would you be my wife?"

Mara, who'd just been wondering why he was hesitating to propose marriage, now wondered why she was waiting to proclaim her answer. The one she'd had even before setting eyes on this ring.

She finally smiled, working past the shock-induced fog in her mind, and leaned forward.

"Yes," she said simply.

His face broke out into a huge grin, and he took the ring from her to place on her finger. Mara accepted his kiss, and then tugged him to his feet.

"Let's do it right away… I don't want to wait another second," Mara declared.

Luke's eyes widened a touch. "Wow; I was going to suggest this week, but…"

Mara bit her lip. "Luke, I don't need or want a fancy ceremony. I only want to be your wife."

Luke smiled again, caressing her face. "And I would love for nothing more, but I already promised Leia she could help you with the dress."

Mara glared at him, and he winced. "So certain were you that I'd say yes?"

He managed to look bashful, and Mara laughed. "You're a bold one, Farmboy."

They shared a laugh, and Mara looked at him. "When then?"

"How about the end of the week? We can gather our family and any friends we want, plus we'll need to do the paperwork for the legal side of matters."

Mara nodded. "Done and done."

Luke had never loved her more than in that moment.