Raal made it back to the Thul's palace home just before the servers began putting out the second course. He found his seat which had been put right next to the Solos. Leia sat immediately to his left, one of her children bouncing in her lap. Raal glanced at the infant, feeling nauseous. Dessert cake was passed around, one of Raal's favorite flavors but he hardly touched the rich cake slice.

"Hey, Raal?" He jumped when Leia reached over and settled a hand on his arm. She frowned. "Is everything alright?"

Eissa was still perched on her lap, pieces of cake caught in her hair. Leia didn't seem bothered. "Of course. I'm fine." He pushed back his chair and stumbled to his feet. "If you would excuse me, It's been a long night and I don't think I can stay up much longer."

"Ra, Ra!" Eissa cheered, swinging her fists and reaching up for Raal. Leia laughed, chanting with her, "Uncle Raal? Is that Uncle Raal?"

"I need to go."

He felt bad for just sitting there. Ever since Freneá had told him about the pregnancy, he'd felt like he needed to be right at her side, doing something for her. However, she'd told him just over eight hours ago and he hadn't spent half an hour with her.

"Somebody's tired," his mother laughed as she passed the dining table where he sat. The cook Raile had set breakfast out for him but he just sat there, hunched over, fork in hand. Stila Panteer rubbed her son's shoulders before she took her seat. "Did you even sleep last night? Honestly, Raal, you look sickly."

He hadn't gotten much sleep last night save for a restless hour during which he'd dreamed of his family and the Cortesses shunning him and Freneá. But he knew his parents wouldn't do that.

He yawned, dropping his fork. Stila gaped and Heeth stared as he entered the dining room. "Uh, Mother," Heeth began, distractedly. "Freneá Cortess is at the door. I think you should come."

"Freneá?" Raal jumped from his seat but settled to walk to the door as he followed his mother. His father, Casso, came with. A loyal maid to the Panteers stood with an arm around a hysteric Freneá as she guided her inside. Raal's heart fell at the sight of her. Her left cheek was discolored with a bruise and one side of her head was wet with blood. Her dress was wrinkled and wet and covered in mud.

"Oh!" Stila gasped and rushed forward, taking the young woman by the shoulders. "My dear, what happened? No, Never mind. Come with me so I can help you clean up. Heeth! Go grab the medkit! Quickly!" She sat Freneá down on the living room couch and hushed her, gently pulling her out of her muddied red shawl.

Raal could only follow, kneeling beside the couch, watching Freneá cry while his mother began cleaning her up. Heeth came in with the medkit and Stila pulled out some wipes to clear the blood from her forehead. "Oh, dear, child, what happened to you?"

Child. Raal could have laughed. She isn't a child. I know.

"M-m-my father!" Freneá stammered. "And mother! They-they disowned me."

Casso started forward, a furious scowl on his face.

"Why?" Stila asked carefully. "You can talk to me if you want to. What happened, dear?"

This was his fault, Raal thought, but he didn't know what to do. He hated himself for it.

Freneá brought her gaze down to meet his. Raal nodded shortly, standing up. "Mom, Father, there's something I need to tell you."

"Raal! Can it please wait? Freneá-"

"Freneá and I are having an affair."

Stila's attention was quickly drawn from the the young woman to her son. She didn't appear angry, just very shocked. She shook her head, turning back to Freneá. "They threw a tantrum over this?" The mother sighed. "I am interested in hearing how long this has been going on. Why wouldn't you at least tell us? Raal, when have we ever not supported you?"

"You're right. We should have told you. But that's not why Elsie and Thieron disowned her."

Casso crossed his arms, coming to stand between his son and Freneá.

Freneá's soft, meek voice announced to the Panteers, "I'm pregnant."

"Raal, this is a kriffing big deal!" Casso smacked his hand on the countertop. "A huge deal!"

"I know."

"This doesn't affect just you!"

"I know."

"This isn't just for her to worry about. This certainly isn't all on her!"

"I know."

His father sighed again. "I know you do. Son, I'm trying to understand. I raised a responsible, good man in you and I can see that you get it but-"

Raal waited. "But?"

"I'm just doing my job, son. That poor girl-"

"She isn't a girl."

"Freneá doesn't have a father who cares enough to destroy you. All that Thieron Cortess cares about is image. Not his son. Not his daughter. Not his pregnant daughter. So I need to know that you get how important this is. This is about her now. This is about the child you two created."

"Yes, sir."

Casso Panteer sighed a third and final time, then surprised Raal by approaching him with a hug. "Congratulations, son. You found yourself a real sweet lady; take care of her."

"That's it! See? Not as bad as it looked. Just a couple staples and you're as good as new."

"Thank you, Lady Panteer."

Stila cracked a smile, rising from her seat to throw the red wipes she held. "That isn't necessary, my dear. I suppose you're just about part of the family now."

"I suppose."

"How do you feel?"

"Just fine, thank you," she said, hesitantly reaching up to touch the spot on her head where Stila had put in the staples.

"Actually, I meant it concerning you and Raal. And the baby."

"Oh. Of course. Uh- I'm scared," she laughed. "I can't really think farther than that."

"Well, don't worry yourself too much. You aren't going to be alone."

Casso returned to the living room with Raal in tow. Freneá stood, though she wasn't sure what for. But then Raal met her gaze with tears in his eyes and his pace picked up as he lumbered toward her until she was in his arms. She treasured the comfort of his arms bound around her body, holding her close and securely against him. She cried into his shoulder, but the hand cradling her head soothed her. Still, both cried with each other.

"Freneá," Casso spoke up and Raal let her go but she held his arms and kept them wrapped across her waist. "My wife and I immediately agreed that you can move into the Panteer palace. If you two so desire," he cleared his throat. "Which I assume you both will- you may share a room. Freneá, there is no need for you to worry about credits or anything of the such-"

Raal's grip around her tightened and she smiled through the tears. "I'll support you," he promised her.

"And lastly," Stila added, "we want you two to consider making an honest woman out of Freneá. Now, I don't know how long you two have had to sit on this but it might be a good idea that you talk some." She took her husband's arm and left the two alone.

"Your parents are very kind," Freneá cried.

"They want to be sure that you're alright."

"I feel a lot better now."

"Good."

" . . . So," she smiled. "An honest woman. What do you think about that?"

"I think I've wanted to do just that for a very long time. But our wedding is going to be a bit different than we'd been imagining. I don't think you'll get the Cortess tiara, though I'm sure my mother will love to give you hers. She always wanted a daughter. And maybe we could be married in the Panteer courtyard instead. Or, even better, Leia might let us use the Organa gardens since you love flowers so much. The Queen always grew the most beautiful flower beds."

"My, Senator, is this a very long and dragged out proposal?"

To her shock, Raal shook his head. "No. But, Freneá Cortess, I promise you that I will propose very, very soon. If you are to be my wife, I'm going to do this right." Freneá smiled with delight and pressed her body up against his. Raal put his hands on her hips and let his thumbs stroke the fabric of her dress over her stomach. "Now, I suppose we have something else to talk about."

Raal's simple gesture caused an unexpected reaction in Freneá. Her stomach was perfectly flat but Raal stroked the area like he could see their baby where it lay nestled within her womb. It made it real to her in a way it hadn't already been. "What are you doing?"

"Trying to understand how we've done something so amazing."

"We've made something amazing."

Raal nodded. "More like someone."

"Oh, bloah, Raal! I get that this is happening but I can't believe-" She gripped his arms and he held her steady. His sea-blue eyes were an anchor and she held onto them. "We are going to be parents."

"We're going to be parents and we'll get married."

"I can't wait to accept your proposal." Reluctantly, Freneá pulled out of his arms. "Gram still doesn't know. I should talk to him."

"Hang on. When your brother comes to kill me, which blaster should I defend myself with?"

She smiled but punched his arm. "I'll try to keep him calm. Then, maybe he could help get some of my things from my room."

"Then, we can transform my room into our room."

Freneá's face brightened. "Ooh! I've never been in your room before!"

"It sounds like we already have our day's plans cut out for us."