Disclaimer:

I do not own anything or anyone in the Mandalorian. I only own my OCs.

Again, thank you for the continued love and support. I'm sorry for the long pauses in between updates but I will try to update more regularly.

The moment the bedroom door was shut and locked, Star started to take off Din's armor (except for his helmet of course)as he unzipped her dress. As he began to pull the dress down past her shoulders, he froze and Star followed suit, "what's wrong?"

Din slowly lowered the rest of her dress, as the dress slipped past her shoulders and down her back, it exposed several deep scars across her entire back. It looked as if someone had either whipped her or slashed her up with a knife. Din sucked in his breath, fury coursing through him. "Did he do this to you? What happened?"

Star stood still and quiet for a moment before taking a deep breath, "He found out that I was telling the twins that he was not their father. That the Empire was filled with bad people and we must never become those bad people. That they must be honorable like their real father, like a Mandalorian. So, to make an example of what happens when you disobey him. He had me punished in front of Kaelyn and his brothers and he made our children watch. He made them watch as he latched out at me." Star hugged herself, "then he said that if I disobeyed him again, that my children would be next. So, I played nice until I killed him."

"I should have been there, I should have found you. I am a Mandalorian and I failed you, I failed my family." Mando ran his hand over his helmeted head and looked away from her. "I gave up on you, every lead I got turned out to be either a dead end or false information. After awhile, it just got easier to distract myself with other missions. It got easier to make myself think you were dead. How can you tell our kids that I am honorable when I let this happen to my family?"

Star turned to look at him and wrapped her arms around his waist, "because you are an honorable man, Din. You saved my village and you saved that child's life. What happened in the past is in the past, what matters now is the present and the future." She brought his helmeted head to hers, "I loved you in the past, I love you now, and I will always love you. Your a good man and you will be an even greater father. This is the way."

"This is the way."

Star rested her ear against his heart and said, "I think this is the most I've ever heard you talk. Maybe we can hold off on the love making and catch up." She sat at the edge of her bed and patted the space next to her. Din sat beside her and filled her in on his recent adventures with the Child.

When Mando was done, Star sat silently for a moment then asked, "So that toddler is 50 years old. 50? Well he certainly is the cutest 50 year old I have ever met. I would like to meet this Cara Dune in person Din. She sounds like a good time and any friend of yours is a friend of mine. There are some things that seem peculiar though."

"Like what?"

"Din. Are you sure Gideon is dead? I mean, you didn't stay and go back to the crash site so there is a possibility that he survived. Plus, from what you have told me, there was no explosion. What does he want with the child? Who was guarding the child and taking care of him for the past 50 years? What does the Empire want with the child? There are too many unanswered questions."

"I do not have the answers at this time, but I will find out. I saw Gideon's ship go down and there is a very small chance that he did survive. If he did survive, I will protect you and the kids, I promise."

Star stood and walked to the window to watch the children play again. "Din, I trust you wholeheartedly and I know you will protect us but I am still worried for our children including the little one. Back when we were under the control of the Empire, I found out their plans for the twins and I. They wanted to brings us over to the dark side. They thought if they broke me down enough, I would submit to them, to their temptations. Then, I could lead the children down the same path. But, as you can see, that did not happen. I'm worried that they are trying to do the same to the child."

"The dark side? Can you explain this to me? What else can you tell me about the sorcerers?" Mando asked.

"From the tales my mother used to tell me, there were these sorcerers that turned to dark side. I think she called them Siths. Unlike Jedi, Siths are force sensitive folk that fall for the temptations of the dark side. Siths are hungry for power and will take down anyone that gets in their way, including children. They are murderers. Jedi can turn into Siths or fall to the darkside when negative emotions take over. That's why a lot of Jedi aren't married or have kids. If something were to happen to their family then hatred could seep in. Is this making any sense?"

"Yes."

Star sighed with relief, "Good because this is a lot of information to take in all at once. I don't want to overload your brain." Changing the subject Star asked, "So did someone send you or did you find me yourself?"

"I was sent by your father, he was able to locate you." Mando placed his hand on her shoulder."Star, I have some bad news, Papa is dying. He sent me to bring you and the kids back to Terra."

Star looked up into the expressionless helmet. "What? Are you serious?" Mando nodded and he watched as Star's expression went from disbelief to anger and settled on sadness. Star gripped the hand on her shoulder, "We leave at first light tomorrow. We have to get to Terra as soon as possible." Mando saw the tears form in her eyes as she said quietly "he could be dead by now."

Star wiped away her tears and walked over to a com on the wall, "Dre, tell the boys to meet me in the living room in 30 minutes. We have things to discuss."

"Roger that."

Star left her room with Mando following right behind her as she called outside. "Kaelyn, bring the kids inside, I have an announcement to make as soon as the guys get here."

The twins pouted and Amelia asked, "Oh, just a little longer Mom and Uncle Kaelyn? Please? We were having so much fun."

Kaelyn picked up the little one, "Sorry Amelia but your mom said it's time to come inside and your mom's word is final." The kids begrudgingly followed Kaelyn inside.

The twins were sitting on the couch with the child in between them, currently being occupied by a teddy wookie. Kaelyn and his two clone brothers, Dre, and Izo occupied the other couch. Star stood at the front of the room with Mando by her side. The fourth brother, Luca walked in with a very pregnant woman, "I hope you dont mind that Tara joins us." He helped her down on to the couch.

Star smiled at Tara, "Of course not, she is always welcome. How are you today?"

Tara rubbed her belly, "Ready to get this baby out of me."

"Try having two babies at one time. Anyway, I called you guys here for a couple of reasons. First I wanted to formally introduce Mando, my lost love from six years ago, my children's father, and the new addition to our family."She gestured to the child. "Secondly, I just got some bad news about my father, Papa. He is very sick and I need to be there, so the kids and I will be leaving with Mando tomorrow to go see my father."

Kaelyn stood and gestured angrily at Mando, "Your going to leave with him? Without us? Star. I know he is the one you fell in love with six years ago but people change. How do we know we can trust him?"

Luca stood next to his brother, "I have to agree with Kaelyn. We do not know this stranger. If you go, we all go." The brothers nodded in agreement.

Tara looked at Star with concern and gripped Luca's hand, "Your supposed to deliver our baby. I-I dont want to give birth without you or Luca. You cant leave now."

Star asked firmly, "Do you trust me?"

Everyone unanimously answered, "Yes."

"Then you will trust my judgement. Mando may have changed a little in the past six years but he is still a good, honorable man. He saved a child from the Empire. Besides, Luca your married and expecting your first child any day now. You do not want to miss the birth of your first child. Tara, you are strong. Luca will be there and the Village Leader has experience with births. Dre, Izo, you guys have important jobs here in the village that need you. You guys cant go, I'm sorry."

Kaelyn sighed, "Your right, my brothers may not be able to go but I can. The only things that bind me here are you and the children. Where ever you go, I follow."

"Okay. Kaelyn will join us. We leave at first light tomorrow. Izo. Dre. Please gather supplies for our trip, including weapons. Luca I need you send a message to the Village Leader. Tara you will stay and rest, you and Luca can have the guest room." She placed a data chit in Luca's hand. "Luca, if you could gather the twins' school work, I dont know how long we might be gone. Mando and I will help the kids pack. We will all meet back here for dinner. Disperse.

On command, the brothers sought to their tasks. Star helped Tara up and walked with her to the guest room, leaving Mando alone with the kids. Amelia was the first to speak, "grandpapa is sick? Mommy's going to be sad." The child's ears flopped downward at the drop in Amelia's mood. DJ then quietly said, "Dad. We should do something to cheer mommy up. Mommy likes flowers and when we draw for her."

Amelia's mood increased as she jumped off the couch, "I know where we can get flowers! Come on!" She grabbed Mando's hand and started to lead him out the back door when Star entered the room.

"Amelia. Where are you taking your father? It's getting late."

Amelia gave her mom a big toothy grin, "it's a secret mommy."

"I don't think it's such a good idea." Mando put his hand up, "They'll be fine. I'll stay with them."

"Are you sure?" Mando nodded and Star sighed. "Okay but the child stays with me. I think all of the play time has made him tired." The child was trying to keep his eyes open but it was obvious that he was tired. Star picked him up and gently wrapped him in a soft blanket. Din watched as she gently rocked him and softly sang him a lullaby. He felt a pain in his heart as realization struck him like lightning.He has missed all of the twins' firsts, their first words, first steps, and even their first smile.

Din was distracted from his thoughts by Amelia's firm pull of his arm, she was surprisingly strong for a six year old. As soon as they were outside, Amelia smiled up at her dad, "Okay dad. There is a field filled with purple flowers. Purple is mommy's favorite color. Um, Dad? Can you carry me on your shoulders?" Din looked into her big puppy dog eyes and sighed, he would have to learn to resist that in the future. He lowered himself to allow Amelia to climb on his shoulders and she let a squeal of excitement. Amelia was surprisingly light and Mando had no problem carrying her, "Hold on, tight and dont move too much. I dont want you to fall." Amelia nodded and said okay. With that they were off to the field.

DJ held Din's hand and led them through the woods as if he knew the place like the back of his hand. The whole while, Amelia told stories of their adventures and their training. Amelia always boasted about her brother and DJ would quietly boast about his sister. Their current story was about their latest hunting trip when they finally made it to the field of purple flowers. Amelia climbed off her dad and ran forward and began to gather the best flowers she could find.

Din made a move to follow when DJ tugged on his pant leg, "It will break mommy and Amelia's heart if you leave. They will cry, and I don't want mommy to cry anymore. So, don't die again, I wont forgive you if you make them cry again."

Din looked down at DJ, he was mature for his age and reminded Din of himself, "I'm not going anywhere" Mando said. DJ nodded and as Amelia called out to him, he ran over to her. After showing DJ her bouquet of flowers, Amelia brought it over to Din for his approval. "She will love them."

When they arrived back at the cottage, the sun was just starting to set. Star was sitting in a rocking chair on the back porch, the child bouncing happily on her knee while she made a toy float in front of him. As she gave him the toy, Din and the kids reemerged from the woods. Amelia ran over to her mother, "We have a surprise for you!"

Star smiled, "Really? What kind of surprise?" Mando walked up to her and presented her with the bouquet of flowers. Star's smile grew wider as she took the flowers, "thank you."

"The kids helped me pick them out."

Star looked got down to the kids' level and said,"Did you guys have fun with your father?" Both of them nodded their heads."Im glad. Now I want you two to take the little one and go wash up for dinner. Everyone will be joining us tonight. Your uncles, Auntie Aliyah, and Auntie Tara will all be here tonight for dinner so I want everyone on their best behavior." DJ and Amelia both said yes ma'am, Amelia held the little child's hand, and headed inside.

Star walked over to a vase resting on a small wooden table and placed the flowers inside. "You know Din, we should really give the child a name. We cant keep calling him little one or the child forever. Unless your worried about giving him a name." Star gave Din a knowing look, she could always read him like a book, even behind his cold armor.

"I don't want us to get too overly attached to him, eventually he will go back to his own kind, or the sorcerers." Star gently placed her hand on his beskar covered heart. "I think we already are "overly attached," Din. I know that the Armorer gave you this mission but maybe his place is with you. It will break his heart to be separated from you, just as it broke mine. I think that it will break your heart if that day comes."

Mando sighed, "I have to reunite him, this is my mission. This is the way."

Star couldnt help but laugh a little at his response, "your still as stubborn as I remember. How about I give him a name and you can choose to either call him by his new name or continue to call him the child. Its up to you."

Mando crossed his arms over his chest, "that would make me look like a womp rat. You calling him by his new name and I continue to call him the child."

Star smirked and headed for the door, "I know. I guess you will just have to call him by his new name, if you dont want to be a womp rat."

Mando followed her inside, "you did that on purpose." Star just shrugged and they entered the dining room where everyone was waiting.

The night was filled with merriment and stories about everyone's adventures. Mando was formally introduced to Aliyah, the village chief, and to the clone brothers. The twins even got to share their own adventures they had with Luca and Kaelyn. Star constantly boasted about Din and her kids with absolute love and joy. The small gathering lasted a few hours before Star stood, and everyone else followed suit.

"It was great to see us all together again like this before we depart tomorrow. My family and I might not be back for awhile so Im glad we could all meet together before we leave. In my absence, Dre and Izo will be in charge of the clinic. Chief Aliyah has the most experience with births so she will be in charge of the women's section of the clinic. Kaelyn and I are only a transmission away if an emergency emerges. Please only contact us if there is an emergency. That's all for now. You are dismissed." The brothers,except for Kaelyn, and Chief Aliyah, and Tara all left giving Star hugs and well wishes on the way.

Kaelyn began to clear the table as Star looked over at the children, "Its time for your bathes then its off to bed. DJ why don't you get some of your old bath toys for the little one while I draw your bathes."

DJ gave his mom a small salute and ran upstairs to accomplish his new mission. Star picked up the child and headed upstairs with Amelia following close behind, leaving Mando alone with Kaelyn.

Kaelyn handed Mando a large plate of food, "I noticed you didn't eat so I prepared you a plate to eat in private."

Mando thanked Kaelyn and took the plate from him. Kaelyn went back to his work and as he grabbed the last cup he said, "she used to cry when ever something reminded her of you and on the anniversary of your "death" she would cry herself to sleep. The only thing that could ever cheer her up those days were Din and Amelia." Kaelyn looked at Mando as if he was staring at his very soul. "Star had finally come to terms that the man she loved was gone, but then, you show up out of the blue. Bringing all those feelings back up to the surface. I will respect you because you are the father of her children, but it will take time for me to trust you." With that, Kaelyn disappeared into the kitchen leaving Mando alone in the the dining room.

Mando decided that it would probably be better if he was not in the room when Kaelyn came back and headed upstairs. As he climbed the steps he could hear the child giggling and babbling and followed the sound. Currently, he was in a bubble bath with DJ playing around with a small ball and the bubbles. "You boys better be washing yourselves in there!" Din heard Star call out from further down the hall. Din followed her voice to the other bathroom where she was currently washing Amelia's hair. Star smiled and look up at Din, "Oh thank the maker your up here." Star handed Din a small baby brush, comb, and a normal brush. "Can you go make sure those two womp rats actually wash themselves instead of just playing please. When you wash DJ's hair make sure that after you shampoo it, you condition it really well. Comb out his hair then rinse the conditioner out. If we don't comb his hair while its conditioned, it is unmanageable."

Mando took the supplies from her, "I don't know. Maybe, they should wait for you." Star rinsed Amelia's hair, "Mando. You are a Mandalorian. I think you can handle washing a little boy's hair." Mando sighed and went to the other bathroom. As he entered the bathroom, he nearly slipped on the large amount of bubbles and water on the ground. How did a toddler and a little six year old child make such a huge mess? "What is going on in here?"

The child and DJ stopped giggling and looked at Mando with the look all kids give when they know they've been caught. Mando took off his gloves and kneeled down beside the tub. "Try to keep the bubbles and water inside the tub next time. Someone could have slipped and hurt themselves. Understand?" DJ nodded and the child mimicked his new brother's movement. Mando proceeded to bathe the two mischievous boys leaving him nearly soaked to the bone. After the boys were thoroughly rinsed off, Star, with Amelia right behind her, came in with three towels. Star nearly doubled over with laughter when she saw the very wet and very annoyed Mando.

Star tossed Mando and DJ a towel and wrapped the small one in one. "DJ. Amelia. You two go get dressed and get into bed please. I'll be right there to tuck you in." Amelia gave her mom a salute and headed for her room with DJ trailing behind. Star then took the child with her to her bedroom. "I set up his crib in our room, I hope you don't mind." She then laid him down on the bed and dressed him up in a light blue robe similar to the one he was wearing when they arrived. Star smiled as she lifted the child into her arms, cradling him. She let the child grip at her fingers as she said, "this used to be DJ's when he was a toddler. The one that the child was wearing seemed a little tattered so he can wear DJ's old clothes til I fix his robe up. I can make him some new clothes later." Star handed the child over to him, "I'm going to go tuck in the twins. Give them their good night kisses."

Mando watched her leave the room and was surprised when he heard soft snores coming from the child. How does she get him to sleep so easily? Mando thought as he laid him down in the crib next to their bed. Mando began to take off his armor as Star reentered the room. Star changed into a short and white night gown. When Din had finished taking off his armor, except for his helmet, Star turned off the lights and slipped on her eye mask. Din took off his helmet and placed on the nightstand.

"Goodnight Din."

"Goodnight Star."

Author's note:I'm sorry for taking so long to get this chapter out. School and work took over and left me very little extra time. So, I made this chapter longer than what I usually put out.