I do not own The Mandalorian or any characters in the show or greater Star Wars universe.

Trigger warning

Chapter 15: Sometimes, hope isn't enough

"Mommy, can you tell me about grandpa again?" A 5 year old Star asked her mother.

"Your grandfather was a mighty warrior and an honorable prince. He met my mother on the fields of battle and was immediately enraptured by her beauty. You see, my mother and father were fighting against their own parents for peace between Andromeda and Fyrsta. They had built up a rebellion and gained the love and adoration of the people."

"Like the resistance that fights against the empire now?"

"Yes, very good Star. Now, as you know, my parents won the war and peace was finally established between the two planets. Unfortunately, there were still those who wished for chaos and misery. On the night my mother went into labor with me, the capital came under attack and they were making their way to the castle. My father would die defending the halls of the castle and his family. Before he fell, he won the battle and managed through brute determination alone, to stay alive long enough to see me born. He named me Nova and would die in my mother's arms. He was buried under a mighty tree in the castle gardens."

Star felt tears fall down her face, "I wish I could have met my grandparents. I wish I could have seen your mother planet."

Nova pulled her into a hug, "Oh honey I wish you could have met them too. But one day, your gonna meet someone and start a family of your own. You will find love like your grandparents and like mine and your father's. When that happens, you will never feel alone again."

Star rested her head against her mother's shoulder, "I feel so tired all of a sudden. I just want to sleep." Star let out a yawn.

Nova made her daughter sit up and looked her right in the eyes, "Star you need to stay awake. Their waiting for you."

Star could feel her eyes grow heavy and said, her voice tired, "But I'm so tired, just let me sleep. Just for a little while."

Nova gripped her by her shoulders, "No! You have to stay awake! Star wake up! Wake up! WAKE UP!"

It had been three days since the incident and Star has yet to awaken. Everyday, Mando takes the children to the flower field to pick fresh flowers for their mother. The kids rarely leave their mother's side, it's to the point that Mando had their beds moved into the room. Din sleeps beside his wife every night, praying to any deity that would listen for his love to awaken. The only time Din, the kids, or Papa aren't in the room was when Delta or Andrina had to care for her or to go to the fields.

It was on the third night, when the tide began to change. DJ was having night terrors almost every night since his mother's coma began. On this particular night, DJ decided he would stay up for fear of having another nightmare. DJ had pulled up a stool to his mother's bedside and placed her hand in his.

"Mommy, whenever me or Amelia were sick or felt down, you would tell us a story. You would tell us, everything will be okay. Well, I'm going to tell you a story too. I think your gonna like it." DJ readjusted himself in his seat and began his story.

"Once upon a time, there was a princess who lived in a small kingdom. She was known to be the prettiest girl and kindest person you ever met. She lived with her father the king and her brother the prince. Everyone lived happily until one day, a bad man came and settled in their small kingdom. The bad man wanted to marry the princess but the princess did not like him. She refused him and her father protected her. But the bad man threatened her family, so she had to accept his request. Until one day, a mighty warrior came to the kingdom.

The warrior offered to take the bad man away and so the king and princess agreed. As the princess and the warrior worked together to defeat the bad man-"

Suddenly, DJ felt something squeeze his hand lightly. He snapped his down to look at his hand that was now being squeezed by Star's hand. He then looked at his mother's face and saw that her eyes were open. "and the warrior and the princess fell madly in love." she said hoarsely.

"MOM!!!" DJ gave his mom a big hug, tears of relief falling down his face. Mando jolted awake when he heard the shout and felt relief flood his whole entire being.

"Star? Your awake!? I'll get Delta right away." He squeezed her hand and ran downstairs. A moment later, he reentered the room with Delta right behind him. "Come here DJ, let Delta work." DJ hesitated at first but after a quick squeeze he moved to let Delta work. By now Papa, Amelia, and Aksel had all awoken. Amelia gripped her brother's hand as if it was her lifeline as they watched Delta check up on their mom. Papa held Aksel in his arms and gave him a reassuring squeeze.

Star was still a little out of it, but was still able to answer some of Delta's questions. "Could I have some water please?"

"Oh yes, sorry I know your throat must be dry from sleeping for three days." Delta motioned for Mando to come help her, "can you help me sit her up?" Mando helped her and then grabbed some water. He helped Star drink some.

"Thank you Din. I feel a lot better now." Star saw the fear and worry in DJ and Amelia's faces. She outstretched her hands out to them and they quickly took a hold of it. She kissed each of their foreheads and wiped the tears from their face. "It's okay now. I know you were scared but it's over now. I love you so much."

"I love you too mommy."The twins said together.

Aksel outstretched his little claws towards Star and she couldn't help but melt at his cuteness. Papa went to bring him to her but hesitated. "It's okay Papa, you can bring him over." Papa nodded and placed him next to Star on the bed. Star outstretched her arm towards him and he practically flew to her. "Oh it's okay, its okay buddy. I missed you too."

Mando walked over placed his hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. The past three days had been hell for him, the kids, and Papa. He was just happy to see that his wife was awake and seemed healthy.

Delta cleared her throat, "I know you guys haven't been able to be with Star for awhile now but she still needs her rest. Plus, I need to speak with my patient privately. So, everyone besides Mando, I must ask you to leave. Don't worry, you guys can come visit Star first thing in the morning."

"But she just woke up! We don't want to leave her! What if...what if..." Amelia exclaimed. She began to sob as her face fell into her hands. "I don't want *hic* to lose mommy." DJ wrapped his arms around her, trying not to cry right along with her.

Star felt her heart grow heavy as she watched her children cry. "Hey, DJ. Amelia. Look at me, please look at me."

Amelia uncovered her face and DJ looked up at their mom. Star smiled at them and said "I'm okay. The baby is okay. Everything will be okay. Aunty Delta just has to make extra sure that I'm okay. If I wasn't, would I be smiling right now?"

Amelia and DJ looked at each other and then back at their mom. "I guess." Amelia said.

"Good. Now, please go with your grandpa and Aksel. We call you back in when we are ready."

Papa picked up Aksel, gave Star a kiss on the forehead, and left the room with twins tailing behind him.

When Star heard the door swoosh close, she let the smile fall from her face. Now that the kids were out of the room, Star finally could let out the sobs she was holding in. Mando quickly wrapped his arms around her and Delta crouched next to her. "Please *hic* our baby. Is it okay? Am I *hic* am I still?"

"Yes, yes your still pregnant. The baby is healthy. There was rupture of your placenta that caused the hemorrhage." Delta explained.

Star let out a sigh of relief, "Oh thank the goddess."

"But...we discovered something. We have a lot to talk about."

After listening to what Delta had explained to her, Star felt a mixture of emotions. Anger, sadness, relief. She never thought that those experiments would come back to haunt her. Not like this. "I would like some time alone with my husband please."

Delta nodded and headed for the door, "Don't take too long. The longer you carry that baby, the more at risk you and the baby will be." She left the room.

"Din please. Let me see you. Please." Din obeyed and took off his helmet. She caressed his cheek with her thumb. "I'm sorry. This wasn't supposed to happen."

"There's nothing to be sorry for. It's not your fault. It's those empire bastards that are at fault."

"This wasn't supposed to happen. I wanted us to go through this together. I wanted you to watch as my stomach grew and feel when the baby kicked. Now, your missing out on this experience all over again." Star began to sob and Din held her as she did. He rubbed small circles on her back as she let it out of her system.

Once Star couldn't cry anymore, they let go of each other. She wiped away her tears and said, "Din before all this happened. I had a gift prepared for you. Could you grab me my data pad please?"

"Star I really don't think this is a good time -"

"Din, please. I want to do this for you before I give you my decision." Din sighed and grabbed the data pad for her. He handed it to her and watched as she quickly typed something into the pad. When she was done, she handed it back to him. "Go on. I think your gonna really like this."

Mando read through the contents and look of shock and excitement spread across his face. "This is- but how?"

Star smiled and said, "I reached out to some of my contacts."

"Has he really seen other Mandalorians?"

"My contact is good for it. He said he knows a guy who has seen other Mandalorians. My contact will schedule a meet up for us to contact him."

"Thank you."

"I would go to the ends of the universe for you. You know that."

"I know." He paused for a moment, "So what is your decision? Are we going with option A or B?"

"I want to do what's best for our child, but I want this decision to be what we both want."

"I agree, how about saying it at the same time?"

"okay, on the count of three. 1...2...3..."

They both said, "Artificial womb."

They both gave a sigh of relief. Star said, "I trust Delta and her medical staff. Plus my mom created this and I would trust her with my life."

" I trust them too. Shall we call everyone back in?"

"Yes."

Mando let everyone into the room, once everyone was in, he stood beside his wife.

Delta looked between the two of them, "So. Have you made a decision yet?"

Star looked at Mando who gave her a nod in return. "Yes, we have. Din and I have chosen to use an artificial womb."

Delta instantly lit up at the news, "Excellent decision. I will get everything prepped for you. We will go over the procedure again and the risks but I assure you, this is the best decision."

Papa looked worriedly at his daughter, "But that means she will have to undergo surgery. Won't that be too much stress for her body?"

"I would have to go into surgery either way Papa. I trust that Delta and her team will take good care of me. They were handpicked by mom and mom only picks the best."

Papa sighed, "I know. I know. If you think this is the right thing to do, then I trust yours and Mando's decision."

The surgery was scheduled for a week later and with every day leading up to that day felt like eternity. Star and Mando were anxious about the surgery but confident in Delta and her team's skills. Star was moved to the hospital shortly after she awoke from her coma just in case there was another rupture or complication. The kids and Mando were given cots to sleep on since neither of them wanted to leave Star's side for too long. Though the kids slept with their mother most of the time.

The week was filled with stories and reminiscing of the past and of the good times. There many visitors from the village who brought well wishes and gifts. A particular group of visitors especially lit up Star's day. Kaelyn and his brothers had arrived to Terra to visit her. Luca had even brought Tara and their new born son. That was the day before her surgery and that day was filled with much merriment. Star even got to hold little Xavier. The children were happy to see their uncles again and the twins introduced Aksel to all of them. Every one was happy and filled with hope.

But sometimes, hope is not enough.

The day of the surgery...

Mando and Star had sent the kids off with their Papa for the day and were now alone in the hospital room. Mando was sitting next to Star on the bed, his back against the head board. Star was resting her head on his lap as Din lazily massaged her scalp. A comfortable silence blanketed them for awhile until Star's quiet sobs broke it. Din brought her up to rest her head on his chest as he held her tight, never wanting to let go. He rubbed small circles into her lower back as he whispered sweet nothings into her ear.

They stayed like that for awhile until Star finally separated from his hold. She repositioned herself to sit up next to him and entwined her fingers within his. "Din, my love. I have something for you only and something for you and the kids."

She reached into the nightstand next to her hospital bed and pulled out three data chits. "Just in case," Star swallowed down a sob, "Just in case I don't make it, I want you to have these. The silver one is for you and you alone. It will help you on your quest and will help you finish my quest. The black one gives you and the kids, that includes Aksel, complete access to my inheritance and financial records. It also gives you access to my complete network of contacts. The white one contains a holo-message from me to you and the kids. It also contains a message to our unborn daughter." She placed them into Din's hand.

"I want you to promise me that you will use them and show the white one to our children. Promise me Din." Star pleaded, looking into his eyes.

Din brought their foreheads together and said softly, "I swear upon my creed Star Djarin. I promise you." Star's eyes began to water as Din's eyes began to water. "But nothing is going to happen to you. Both of my girls are coming out of this healthy and alive. Star I can't...I won't lose you again. I love you."

"Oh, Din. I love you too." She said lovingly before bringing their lips together. The kiss was gentle and slow, nothing passionate, nothing urgent. When they finally parted, Din looked over at the clock.

"It's almost time."

Star handed him his helmet, "You better put this back on."

He took it, placed it over his head, and secured it. As soon as it was clasped and he was off the bed, they heard a light knocking on their door.

"Come in!" Star called out. Delta entered into the room, her daughter Andrina right beside her.

"You guys ready?"

Star gripped Mando's hand and nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."

"Okay. Mando, if you'd follow my nurse droid, she will take you to the waiting room." Delta said as she unlocked the bed so it could be wheeled into surgery prep. Mando gave her hand one last squeeze before following the nurse droid out of the room. Once Mando was gone, they wheeled Star to the surgery prep room. Once she was prepped and ready to go, they took her to the operation room.

The surgery...

Andrina, Star's nurse and best friend, helped her onto the operation table. Everyone, but the droids, had on red surgical scrubs and gloves. "Okay Star, as you know, you will be kept awake during the surgey. We will give you a nerve blocker for the bottom half but you may still feel some pulling and pressure. We will be performing a C-section to extract the child and then the child will be placed in the artificial womb. Are we all clear on procedure?"

The surgical team all nodded and said, "Yes Andrina."

Delta, the head surgeon, came around to stand in front of Star's swollen belly. "Okay, let's get this show on the road." At that moment, the anesthesiologist gave Star the nerve blocker and they made sure Star couldn't feel anything from the waist down.

"Scalpel." Andrina gave Delta the scalpel and she made the first incision. Once she made the incision, using surgical clamps, she carefully made the open larger. "Suction." Andrina and another nurse used the suction to clear away some of the

blood.
"Okay, I see her. I'm about to extract baby." She looked up at Star, "How are you doing mama? Ready to meet your baby girl?"
"I can't wait and I'm fine. Go ahead." With Star's go ahead, Delta carefully took out the baby. Star gasped as she saw her new baby girl."She's so beautiful, but so small."
"She's not fully developed yet, she still has some weight to gain." Delta said as Andrina cut umbilical chord.
"My little Sky." Star said, love and adoration evident in her voice.
"Placing baby into artificial womb now, begin protocol alpha-2." Delta placed Sky into the artificial womb(it looks like the things the BBs are in from death stranding). They watching as the container closed and an artificial umbilical chord attached to Sky's own chord. It then filled with a purple liquid. Everyone held their breathes as they watched the monitors for any sign of womb acceptance or rejection. Then, just moments later, they heard Sky's heartbeat and the monitors giving the status if accepted. Everyone gave a collective sigh of relief and Star couldn't stop the tears of relief and joy that fell from her eyes.
Delta smiled at Star, "Let's get you closed up and back to your family." Suddenly, alerts and warnings began sounding from the machines monitoring both patients.
"What is going on?" Star asked, her voice frantic. "Is Sky okay?" She tried to sit up to get a better look at her daughter but was quickly laid back down again. "What's happening?!"
"We are losing womb acceptance! She's rejecting it." A nurse said.
"That's impossible. The womb was created from the DNA from her parents! The should be no rejection."
"Her BP is rising! She's at risk of cardiac failure."
"Droid, get me a crash cart!"
Star looked around frantically as the surgical staff scrambled to save Sky. She grabbed a hold of Delta's wrist. "Let me go to her. I can heal her."
"No absolutely not! If you try to heal her, theres no guarantee that you will survive!"
"You promised me Delta. You promised me that if you had to choose, you would choose my baby."
"Star, let us try our way first."
Star shook her head and looked Delta in her eyes, "No. There's no time."
With all the strength she could muster, she force pushed the staff away from her and Sky. She force pulled Sky to her and placed both her hands on either side of the womb. With tears in her eyes and smile on her face she whispered, "I love you, my Sky." Using the last of her power, she force healed her daughter. She did so till she felt it, a shift in Sky's life force. Star listened for her heartbeat and sighed before letting go of the womb, falling back onto the operation table.
Star's heart monitor began to flatline. Recovering quickly from the force push, Delta sprang into action and begun CPR. "Come on Star! What about your family?! Star!"