Chapter 12: The First Step into a New Life

It was a lovely spring day on the planet of Naboo where everything seemed so green and peaceful. Iz'phal had longed to visit the world adorned with the nobility of the galaxy for years but she had never got the chance until their travels had taken them to the Naboo system to meet with the head of a very important house. Having to wear their finest attire Iz'phal and Risha both presented themselves before the leader of the house before making a done deal and securing the credits, the credits which she and Corso would no doubt put towards securing a place for the future. Feeling as if nothing could go wrong and her heart as light as a feather Iz'phal and her partner strode along the banks of a luscious flowing river, both now dressed down now the meeting was over, Iz'phal wearing a simple overcoat and tunic while Corso wore a lose fitted shirt and short leggings. Iz'phal had always spoken of how they should come to Naboo someday, Corso wondering why she would make the stop until now. The beauty of the world from the moment they had entered the system took his breath away, with nothing but green woods and tall mountains for miles around while waterfalls and rivers wound effortlessly through the terrain, bringing life to all that dwelt there. It was very pretty he admitted but in his heart he had a soft spot for Alderann and the beauties that it possessed. With Risha and Bowdaar making repairs on the ship and taking some down time the couple walked along the river bank engaging in business talk, his fingers laced through hers, a strong arm wrapped around her shoulder. Anyone passing by could tell they were close by the way in which he intimately held her but Iz'phal had waited until this very moment to tell him the wonderful news. She wanted to wait until the right time to tell him but she believed that time was now as her cheeks took on a more rosy tinge than usual, making her look fragile, almost docile as Corso knew his girl was concealing something by the expression in her eyes.

"Naboo huh…" Corso sighed, taking in the vast amounts of greenery and stunning colours of the landscape around him as he lowered his arm to her waist "I sure know why you took the time to see this place. It sure is beautiful" His soft voice almost snapping her from her trance as she was so taken away with the fresh surroundings and his company that she found no words with which to reply for the moment.

"I mean I know Alderann is pretty on all but if we settled down here I wouldn't complain. I hear they do the best Rancor steaks…" Iz'phal said cheerfully as he paused their walking pace to catch her chin in his hand and just stare into the beauty of her face, hooked by her gaze. Now was the time, she just had to say it. Locked in his arms and surrounded by peace for the first time in many months and she may not get a chance to say it again as at first she struggled to get the words out, Corso knowing she had something important to say by the excited glint that shimmered in her brown eyes.

"All right come on Iz, what is it?" he sighed, gazing quirkily down at her his arms hanging over her shoulders, pecking her on the forehead "You have something to tell me don't you." Indeed she did but this was something that was going to change their lives forever, something that she was totally prepared for but she wondered if he was. She just listened to the crashing waterfalls around them; let the sound of running water and the soft beat of his heart soothe her as she looked up from his chest, exhaling deeply, just so excited to tell him.

"Well it's kinda big…" She began to say before shaking her head, her long lekku waving down her back with the movement as she beamed up at him, colour present on her fair face. "What I mean to say is its super important and it's going to be change for both of us but I sure am ready" Iz'phal smiled sweetly and eagerly awaiting her news with bated breath he held her close to him, before she said it, those words she'd been wanting to get out for a while and at first it was a shock before the happiness began to swell within him like a blazing fire, even more proud of his girl now than he ever had been. "Something wonderful has happened…" She breathed out gently, her warm breath brushing against his neck as he looked at her, brown eyes wide with apprehension hanging onto her every word. "Riggsy I'm pregnant…" She sighed, a bright smile lighting up her face, her cheeks heightening in colour as he stared at her for a few seconds, his words stuck in his throat unable to react other than just to take in what she had said. Until great joy burst up within him as he pulled her close in his tender hold, rocking her backwards and forwards against his chest gazing longingly into her eyes. He cupped both her cheeks in his soft hands, her radiant smile sending his heart in circles as he got the words out but they were an excited tremble, his mind already planning ahead for their future. However he knew now he was going to have to be extra protective of her, making sure she didn't over exert herself or work too hard, just wanting her to be as comfortable and calm as possible as she brought their child into the galaxy.

"Izzy that's…I mean…Iz I don't know what to say…" he crooned warmly down at her before holding her closer to him, spilling his heart, saying what he truly meant. "That's wonderful Iz…When did you find out?" Corso asked, evidence of how much this meant to him written on his face as she placed both her hands on his chest, happiness and relief gripping her, for a tiny part of her thought he would think it was too soon but by the way he held her, the expression dancing in his deep brown eyes she knew how happy but slightly taken a back he was.

"Only just a few weeks ago…I can understand if you think this is too soon for us but it will be a life changing moment for us…Are you happy Riggsy?" she asked timidly as the obvious nature of the question had him spin her around in his hold, a great sense of euphoria gripping him, as to have his offspring of his own with the girl that meant the world to him was more than he could hope for.

"You have no idea what this means to me Izzy…What you've done for me, done for us I'm just a bit overwhelmed Iz but…Of course I'm happy you silly nerfhearder! I'm going to be a dad!" he grinned from ear to ear, as he laced his fingers through hers, his heart hammering against her chest. She giggled, nuzzling her nose against his never feeling for all the world that she could be happier. "Right well we got to get planning Iz…Well no rephrase that I got to get planning. You have to take it easy and don't go on crazy smash and grab raids unless me and Risha say it's okay" Corso said in all seriousness of the situation as he had nearly lost her to the evil Imperials and he would not lose her again, especially when she was in this fragile state. She needed his protection and love more than ever as she just gazed up at him knowing she would have to put her business on hold for a while but it was to start their life as a family and that was worth more than any money or job in the galaxy.

"Yes sir…" chuckled Iz'phal as he locked his arms around her lower back, drawing her intimately close to him but realised he was serious. She was not to strain herself in any of her daily activities from now on and if need be he would make sure she took all the necessary precautions.

"Iz I'm damn serious. I don't want anything bad again ever to happen to you. Just let me be here for you. It'll all be alright Izzy sweetheart I promise you" he soothed gently as she knew he was worrying about something happening to her but she pushed the notion away knowing all was going to be fine and she would give birth to their first born.

"I just want to everything to go right that's all…" the fair face blue skinned twi'lek voiced her concerns as he still continued to sway her in a comforting gesture in his hold as she pressed herself against him, looking deep into his eyes. "I've had my misfortunes in my life and this time nothing will go wrong…We can finally be a family and it…" She paused to get the right words out in this moment as the blissful revelation that he was going to be a father still ran around in his head, the sounds of the waterfalls and stream around them making his heart feel lighter than it had done in many years. "It means everything to me…We start the next part of our lives together and I'd share it with no one else" Iz'phal whispered coaxingly up at him as just wanting to express what she'd done for him and how much she meant to him and would always be his loving girl, the only girl who would have access to his heart he picked up her lips in a tender kiss, laying her arms over his shoulders as she accepted the loving gesture. Feeling happier than she'd ever been throughout her life she just relaxed in his hold, letting him express how he felt for her and it made her heart almost melt inside her chest. She felt in this one moment that nothing could be so perfect as the couple stood wrapped in each other's arms, the human and the twi'lek girl who had once been the closest of friends now devoting themselves to each other and any person walking past them on the Naboo banks that day would've seen how much the loved one another.

Life was perfect.