Chapter 10: Meaningful Words

1 year later:

Having fully recovered, the bruising from her eyes now gone and the broken bones in her neck and ribs completely healed Iz'phal was able to go about her daily work and meet her contacts with Risha without having to be bed bound or in constant pain. Her face was now back to its full radiant colour and her eyes once again were full of life. The lack of movement she had, had in her condition had caused some of her clients to demand earlier payments for shipments, however she and her crew, especially with Corso's shrewd negotiating talents managed to pay all their balances on time. Iz'phal had never incurred a debt in her life and she didn't intend to start now. After a day of travelling to Ziost, Coruscant, Tatooine and back to Nar Shaadaa the young twi'lek woman wanted an early night as she bid goodnight to Risha and Bowdaar, Corso still doing the engine maintenance checks as she slipped into her room. Deciding to have a little sort out, she kicked off her ankle boots and took off her tank top and overcoat, slipping on a simple a short black lacy night dress as she rummaged under the bed. Eventually she found a small wooden box of what she thought was the last of her honey bars and besides a little sugar before bed wouldn't hurt. Iz'phal opened the box but a couple of sheets of paper met her eyes and knew by the handwriting instantly it was Corso's. Quickly taking a glance at the door and knew she was alone she was curious to see what he'd written. He had mentioned sometime about writing something for her, like a poem or a story but he had always said he'd never got round to it. Her heart leapt in excitement as she read the first line, pulling the box close to her, crossing her legs on the floor touched by what he'd written. It was addressed to her:

Dear Iz,

I'm not a very good writer as you may know but I said one day I'd write you something. Now if this isn't any good say so and I'll write it again. It's only a few lines but it will express how I feel for you and I want to get this right…

Your eyes are like the mountaintop, so clear and so true.

Your voice is like a summer's breeze, so warm and so pure.

Your smile is the light of the sun; it rises with every new day.

The ground you walk, the places you go and the people you meet I want to continue our journey together.

You will have my heart always and you will have mine.

Forever

All my love

Corso

For a moment she wanted to cry tears of happiness from the joy of the words but she held her composure. He claimed he couldn't write, yet he expressed himself so clearly and meaningfully on paper. She was almost honoured he'd written these words for her as she folded the piece of paper with care, placing it back into the box before extracting another sheet, this one a few lines but along a similar pattern. Grinning almost from ear to ear, remembering how lucky she was to have a man who cared so much for her, she set her heart on reading all of them as the minutes ticked by. Each word she read made her heart do a little dance against her ribs, almost flattered by how he felt for her. After realising these were probably a surprise for her she slipped the paper neatly back into the box and slid it back under the bed before noticing the time and pulled the covers over her, sighing as her head nestled into the pillow. Someday when all their wheeling and dealing with the galaxy was done she just wanted to sit down with him and discuss their future. Corso had mentioned this on many occasions but it was just finding the appropriate time and to start making plans. As Iz'phal had said they were in no rush and both of them were still young but it something that was always lingering on both their minds. Contended that all was once again at peace in her life and the Empire would never hunt her down or find her again she closed her eyes and just drifted ever so slightly. Her cherry coloured lips rose into a smile however when she heard his soft voice in her ear, his arms snaking around her waist in a tender manner. As ever she welcomed his company, the way he displayed his affections for her always making her feel special but she wanted to give something back to him, something which would change both their lives forever.

"I didn't know you could write Riggsy" Iz'phal said curiously after a while, her voice its usual warm relaxed sound as he snuggled up close to her, leaning his chin over her shoulder.

"Well you know I can't Iz. I'd like get more practice but when I have time sweetheart…When I have time" he whispered kindly against her cheek as her beautiful brown eyes gazed into his handsome face, guessing she would have to tell him what she'd discovered as she rolled on top of him, nuzzling him with affection.

"I dunno about that Riggsy, you wrote me some pretty lovely things. You didn't have to do that for me…That's so sweet" Iz'phal cooed, as he stared at her, enraptured by the beauty of her face before he leaned forward placing a chaste on her lips, wrapping his arms around her neck, her long blue lekku hanging over his arms.

"Awww Iz how did you find that out…I was gonna give those to you…" Corso sighed as she merely gazed down into his eyes, the soft touch of her skin quickening his heartbeat in anticipation. "Just something I wanted to get done in my spare time. They're yours now…And every word I said Iz it's all true, it'll just remind you how much I love you if ever I'm not around to say it. Hope you liked them…" she nodded immediately wanting to express how much this meant to her before he had a physical yearning for her, but always wanting to keep her safe. She read the intentions in his eyes as she let him gently place her on her back, placing both arms either side of her head, placing several kisses on her face. Giggling in happiness she felt him slip a hand under her night dress, his soft fingers tracing up her chest. She replied through the kisses he was giving her, adoration swimming in her deep brown eyes.

"They mean the world to me…I only want to do something for you…" Iz'phal coaxed gently, running her hands over his hips, excitement gripping her as she wanted to express how she truly felt for him.

"Don't speak Izzy sweetheart, just let me show you how I feel for you…" Corso murmured against the crown of her head as she nodded but wanted to ask one more thing as touch was sending her into a state of bliss.

"When all our work is done Riggsy, when we've played our part I want us to settle down somewhere, get a spacious place of our own and perhaps I dunno maybe in the not too distant future we can have some kids to call our own too…" Iz'phal expressed her heart's desire warmly as she had said the exact thought he was dwelling on. Corso knew that looking ahead to the future with his girl was the most important thing but he could never tell her enough how much he loved her, how much she meant to him and there was only one way he could show he meant it.

"I was thinking along the same lines Izzy, they sure will be beautiful kids with a mother like you…" Corso complimented as she swooned at those words, feeling his other hand slip down her waist, stroking her hip as she collected him against her chest that beautiful smile always lighting up her face, igniting the fires of desire for her in his heart.

"It'll mean everything to have a family with you Riggsy...It would mean the world to me…" Iz'phal spoke warmly against his neck as she was about to speak again when the expression in his eyes made her forget what she was about say as she felt his lips trace her neck, her breathing quickening against his chest as the feel of his skin, the gentleness of his touch sent her drifting away, making her want him more than ever before.

"You better be careful what you ask of me Iz, for I just can't say no…I love you Izzy..." The warmth of his voice now sending her mind in circles she sighed, her back arching in a feeling of ecstasy as he brushed his hips against hers, his lips picking up hers. Not wanting to respond as she wanted to give herself to him there and then as she slipped the sleeves of her dress down from her shoulders, pulling at the collar of his shirt as he helped her throwing it to the floor, slowing down a moment just to look into her eyes, those eyes that had captivated his soul and penetrated his heart. She reached up a hand, brushing his cheek gently as a warm smile crossed his face, looking down at her, so beautiful, so innocent and she was his girl. Corso sometimes wondered if he was dreaming, if he would wake up to find her not there and for it all to be in his head but this was real, all of it and he'd be damned if he ever lost her, the one girl in his life that meant everything to him and always would do.

"Love you too Riggsy, loads and loads" Iz'phal breathed as he picked up where he had left off, his hand trailing over her stomach as he kissed her passionately on the lips, Iz'phal simply closing her eyes, drifting away with the blissful feeling as she returned the kiss with all the fire that was igniting in her heart. The night seemed to pass away quickly but Iz'phal was forever glad her love for him was reciprocated as they gave themselves to each other.

A few hours later Iz'phal stirred from her doze, raising her head from his chest, folded lovingly in his arms as she was slightly tired from the expression of their passions that night. Smiling sweetly she pecked him on the forehead as he opened an eye to see his girl gazing longingly at him but he didn't speak, drawing her closer to him as he clasped her hand in his. When he did speak his words washed over her like a healing chime as she felt his other hand trail down her lekku, as always being affectionate and gentle with her. She nuzzled the crown of her head under his chin, heart still beating furiously against her chest as he just held her, steadying his breathing as he stroked the tip of her head.

"Thank you Riggsy, that meant everything to me…You mean everything to me…" Iz'phal whispered warmly against his neck as he cradled her in his arms, just thinking over and over in his head how lucky he was to have a lovely woman at his side. His voice contained a seductive sweetness as she smoothed stray locks of his long brown hair away from his face, as his eyes just glowed with adoration up at her.

"You seem to forget Izzy, without you I would be half the person I am…You are my everything Iz. The light when all the dark, the warmth when all is cold, the hope when all seems lost. I never realised what I had until I knew she was right there in front of me…I needed you Izzy and I am yours…" he paused as he took the time to kiss the exposed skin of her neck as the softness of his touch made her mouth rise into a sweet smile, knowing she was the most fortunate girl alive to have a man so doting a caring as him. "Whatever you ask of me Iz, whatever you want of me you shall have it…You have my heart always Izzy sweetheart and don't you ever forget that…" Corso murmured against her cheek as Iz'phal's cheeks heightened in colour as he just let him hold her in his caring arms, knowing how it felt to be loved and it was the most wonderful feeling, a feeling that she would not give up for all the riches in the galaxy. He knew he had her heart as she had pledged it to him, loved him as he did her and that was all he ever wanted. Despite the ranting of Risha and Bowdaar outside the door at each other the couple just stayed in each other's embraces, just making the most of the moment while it lasted as he placed his lips to hers.

Life had never been better for Iz'phal Trua.