Magdalane had gone by the offices earlier, and Miriah was not in yet. Now, it was mid morning, and she still wasn't in. She pulled her holo out, and dialed Aric's frequency. "Hey, where's Mir today?" she asked.
"Not sure," Aric replied. "The detail reports she's not come out, but they're ready. Why, is something wrong?"
"I'll check on her," Mags said, and made her way to the apartment.
Devin clicked off the news feed and sighed. There was a segment that featured his dad, smiling and clapping, at an illegal race. He already knew what his mother had decided about the swoop races, but of course, the reporter made it into something way bigger than it was. "Is the Alliance so strapped for cash that they're hoping to hit it big at the races, or is Mr. Riggs enjoying his freedom," she asked, and smirked. Mom's going to be mad, he thought, but what can you do? He had talked to Mia about it last night, and they both just wanted everyone back on Odessen. He reached out to his mother's force, and saw she was sleeping. I won't disturb her for this nonsense, he told himself, and started on his other work.
Mags breezed past the detail and into the apartment. She found Miriah on the sofa, and knew that the sleep was not just from being tired. "Up, Mir," she said, taking her sister's arm. "You have to get up!"
"No," Miriah mumbled, "why?" She had slept fitfully, and felt like she was being dragged through water, her limbs were heavy and she didn't want to move.
"Mir, you have to get up," Mags insisted. "Fight this!"
"I can't," Miriah replied. "I just don't want to."
Mags sat on the sofa, forcing her sister to sit up to make room. "You've been wallowing for two months. You're too thin, and you need your hair trimmed. You look haunted, Mir, and it's affecting how the people of Odessen see you." That got Miriah's attention, and she opened her eyes. "And it's making them all worry."
Miriah was quiet, and after a couple of minutes, Mags stood. "I'm getting up," Miriah said, and her voice sounded a little stronger. "I'll go shower, and then we can plan a day, okay?"
"Excellent," Magdalane said, and pulled the bedding from the sofa. "And no more sleeping out here." Miriah rolled her eyes at her sister and continued on to the refresher.
Lana had made breakfast and Tali was signed up for additional Jedi classes, at her request, during the school break. "Sweetheart, you need to get ready," she told her daughter, who grinned and ran to her room. Jaren was more alert every day, and his gaze tried to follow his sister before returning to his mother's face. "Hey, little bean," she cooed at him, and he smiled. Only a minute later, Tali returned, her hair neatly tied back and her robe on.
"I'm ready," she announced, and Lana smiled.
"Let me get a sweater for the baby," she told Tali, and they set out for the temple. Lana had planned to shop a little, and had put Jaren in the stroller. On the way to the temple, she received a message but waited until Tali was in class to pull her datapad out of the diaper bag slung over her shoulder. Reading it, she slowly walked back into the secure area and to Miriah's apartment, determined to help her friend through this.
Miriah stretched sore muscles under the hot water pouring down over her. I can't believe I let this get to me again, she scolded herself. I need to get things back under control. She knew the Alliance was fine, and that Corso was coming home. So why do I feel like this, she wondered. She rubbed the peach scented shampoo through her long hair, realizing it was almost to her waist, and knew she needed to put a better face on as the leader of the Alliance. Determined, she wrapped a towel around herself and pulled out some casual clothes.
Caly had also received the message from Mags, and cleaned her kitchen quickly before racing out the door. She had been working on a cookbook, but her deadline was months away and she was almost finished with it, so she'd been honestly a little bored. I've neglected my family lately, she thought as she passed the cantina, but I'll make up for it. She waved as she caught Torian's eye, and he grinned and waved back. They had been closer than ever, and she loved being married. Hopefully I can spread a little love around, she thought, and went into her parent's apartment.
Maura was holding down the office, and happy to do so. The wedding was set, and in three weeks, she would see her youngest child take her vows. Ty was doing everything he could to help with the preparations, and the cake was the only thing Maura worried about. We have to improve Miriah's frame of mind, she thought. She had gotten the message about a girl's day, and she hoped that would improve things. Corso needs to get home, she thought, and then everything will fall into place.
Magdalane thought Miriah was taking too long, and found her drying her hair, already dressed. A smile crossed her face then, and she took the brush, dragging it through the thick waves. With them both working, it didn't take long, and they walked out to the family room, where Lana and Caly waited for them. Mia hurried in, hugging her mother in law, and Lara was with her. "Wow, so this is an intervention," Miriah joked, and they all laughed together.
"Brunch, then salon," Mags announced, and they trooped out to the cantina. Miriah discovered that she was ravenous, and ate all of her meal for a change. They laughed and talked, and when they left, Miriah felt loved and cherished.
Mags saw her smile and put her arm around her sister. "You really should have a vow renewal ceremony," she said, and Caly heard.
"Oh! Yes! Let me plan it," she offered, and Miriah shook her head.
"You have the perfect dress already," Mags reminded her.
"I'll have to ask Corso," Miriah insisted, but Caly shook her head.
"I'll tell him we need to do this," Caly said, and Mia agreed.
"It would be very nice," Lara said, and cooed at Jaren.
"Agreed. It would be a good thing for the Alliance to celebrate," Lana said, nodding.
"Okay then, I am on this," Caly said, and giggled happily as the group traversed the courtyard.
Aric saw the women as they went out of the secure area, and it made him feel good that they could all laugh and talk and be themselves. He knew that it would be well received by the people, and hoped the word spread that the Commander was herself again. He had messaged Logan about the detail, and he knew there were several of the group stationed around the base, ever watchful for the Commander's safety. Good for you, Mir, he thought. Good for you. He had turned to go back to work when he saw Solasta approaching. "Good morning, General," he said, and heard her soft grunt in response.
"What's happening here?" she asked, pointing to the Commander's group. Aric explained the outing, and Solasta finally nodded approval.
"She needed some fun time," Solasta said. They discussed the upcoming conference, and set a date to go over the security plan again. When that was done, Solasta trilled softly. "My cousin needs to come home. Then we will be truly whole on Odessen."
"I couldn't agree more," Aric said. He'd seen the news item, but didn't think it was anything to worry about, and followed Miriah's group out to get caf at the mess hall, feeling they were closer than ever to having everyone in place.
Ian straightened his robe, and realized he felt content, for the first time in a long while. He and Kira had spent all their spare time together, and he'd even gone to dinner with Lord Scourge. The mission they were working on kept Kira busy, but he understood that. He hummed to himself as he saw the very young padawans gather at the temple, and recognized Tali. Tali is a true force user, he thought, and almost laughed out loud as she used the force to cover herself in light, as her instructor had asked the class but she was the only one who was successful. It was hard, at this age, to control force for most. Lana has laid the groundwork, and now Tali will excel as a healer. He bowed respectfully to the instructor, and took his place in front of the class, ready to see if any of the students would be able to use the force to disappear.
Corso was awakened by his datapad, and patted around the small bunk to find it. When he saw Devin's message about the news story, he groaned and rubbed his eyes. This is surely not a Miriah bed, he thought, pushing himself to his feet. Hopefully I can get back to the ranch today. The flights last night had been grounded due to weather, and he was anxious to get home. He started the small pot of caf that came with the room, and sighed. I want to go home to Odessen now, he thought. Pulling his datapad to him, he sent a message to the Alliance unit on the ranch, asking about troop flights. He hadn't received an answer by the time the caf was ready, so he put the pad down to sip from the mug, and almost spit it out. This isn't Aric's caf either, he thought grimly. Deciding to go in search of breakfast, he stepped out into the grey light of dawn. Mir, darlin', things have to get better soon. I'm coming home.
"I love it!" Miriah said, viewing her hair in the surrounding mirrors. "I hadn't noticed how heavy it had gotten. I bet this helps my headaches, too." Mags nodded, Miriah's hair was now just past her shoulders, several inches lying in the floor.
"I would imagine it's going to help," she told her sister. "Let's go shop for bit, then lunch." The group had definitely brightened the salon's day, with Lana and Mia getting haircuts and Caly a manicure. This is fun, Miriah thought. I never enjoyed this when I was younger. They strolled down the Promenade, looking in windows and picking up little items. Miriah hadn't purchased anything until they hit the sweets shop, and she restocked her chocolate supply, taking a square as they walked out. "Now, Mir, don't ruin our late lunch," Mags said. Miriah looks so much more relaxed, she thought.
By the time they entered the mess hall, Caly had already started to plan. She sent a message to her dad, who was all for a vow renewal. She had put together a menu for a dinner afterward, and a food list. She was seated across from Lana and held out her arms for the baby, which Lana gratefully passed to her. "He's so cute," Caly gushed.
"He's an angel." Lana smiled at the young girl, looking so natural with a baby in her arms, and took a long drink of her juice.
"I'll sit for you, anytime," Caly said, her eyes on the baby's face.
"I'll take you up on that," Lana said. She was still enthralled with the infant, but she knew that Nico might like a night out, just the two of them. "Tali has been wonderful, and wants to babysit, but she's a little young yet."
"It must be great to have such a good helper," Miriah said, and Lana nodded. Miriah saw her daughter with Jaren, and felt a surge of love. Caly and Torian with babies, she thought, and glanced at Magdalane, who felt her thoughts and smiled in return.
After lunch, the group made their way back into the secure area. Lana had to go get Tali, Lara and Mia had the same errand with James and Merida. Caly and Mags went back to Miriah's apartment and settled in the kitchen. "Now, Mir, you promise you're going to sleep in your bed tonight," Mags said, and Miriah nodded.
"I will. And I'll make more of an effort to eat," Miriah promised.
"I've been working on a vow renewal ceremony," Caly announced. "Dad's in. I've got it all handled, Mom. Trust me. All we need is a date."
"Coleen's wedding is first, then the conference," Miriah said. "That would put us about a month away." That gave Caly a starting point, and she promised to clear the date with her mom as soon as she had it. Happy, Caly kissed her mother's cheek and headed home.
Coleen had the day free from school and had spent it at home, resting. She had taken Caitlin to the day care, and slept off and on all afternoon. Ty would pick her up and join her at the cantina for dinner, and she finally got up and showered. Everything was clicking along on the wedding front, and she felt settled about it. Ty would move in with her, since he was in barracks now, and she couldn't see any obstacles. Her grandmother entered her thoughts, and she had to smile. Thanks, Nana, she mused and hugged herself. Finally, she thought, I'm happy.
Corso finally got a response, but not one he wanted. Reluctantly, he called Miriah. Once they'd greeted each other, he sighed. "Darlin', I'm stuck right now with the southern detachment. Weather is delaying flights."
"Nothing you can do about that," Miriah observed. "I'm fine here. Mags made me get out today and it helped." They chatted about their days, and when they ended the call, Miriah went into the kitchen and made a light meal, taking it to the holo and finding a movie she'd been meaning to see. After she ate, she washed up and took a long soak, then climbed into bed. It's so strange, she thought, to be alone here. She thought of her older sister, and wondered how Mags managed to go on after losing Felix, even considering her disappearance soon after, mourning him. Her eyes were closing and she thought of Corso, and drifted into sleep.