Miriah woke with a start, and remembered. Today, Corso would be home, she thought, and pushed herself to sit. She had only rubbed her eyes when Magdalane burst into the room. "Get up, girl! We need to get you polished and pampered!"
"But this is the day of the wedding," Miriah protested. "Maura needs us."
"She will join us at the spa," Mags explained, pulling on Miriah's arm. Miriah knew then that Mags didn't know about Corso, she was just trying to get everyone organized for the wedding. Standing, she quickly made her way into the refresher, and emerged a few minutes later, hair brushed and put on top of her head in a messy knot, wearing soft casual clothes.
"Let's go then," Miriah told her sister, who was already striding toward the door. Miriah grinned. This worked out so well, she thought, and followed Magdalane, enjoying the moment.
Maura had woken before dawn. There was so much to do, she had told herself, and set about making sure the dress and veil were wrinkle free and ready for Coleen to slip into. She had made a breakfast dish ahead of time, and slipped it into the oven. When she had done that, she turned to check on her own dress and ran into Aric stumbling into the kitchen, still in his underwear. "What's going on?" he asked softly, holding his wife in his arms.
"Lots to do," she told him, and he bend to take his good morning kiss.
"You need to take better care of yourself," Aric reminded her and she nodded absently. "Caf and breakfast smell great."
"Go, get your shower, and then I need you to check on the reception room," Maura told him, following him into the bedroom. She pulled the dress her mother had made out of the closet, and felt a rush of emotion. Sarai would love to have seen this day, she thought, but felt a warmth wrap around her. Mom, I know you're here, somehow. She heard the water start in the refresher and went back to check on breakfast, finally sitting for a mug of caf. I want to remember every detail, Maura thought.
Rukisa took another bite of the dish that Corso had made. Bantha bacon, cheese and onion made the omelette the perfect blend of protein and was delicious, she thought. The crew was silent, all too busy eating to talk, and that made Rukisa smile. This man is a treasure, she thought. No wonder the Alliance Commander is so anxious to get him home. During their journey, he'd entertained them with stories, and laughed along with theirs. Corso had told of his love for his wife, and the anguish they'd gone through while she was frozen in carbonite, which had made Rukisa look away, the emotions were so strong. Her force ability was her hidden power, and she didn't like others to see it, but it also made her feel things strongly. I'll be sad to have him gone, she thought, and immediately wondered if she'd lost her mind. Shaking her head, she continued to eat, grateful that her crew was taken care of so thoughtfully.
Corso finally sat to eat, and it was as if he were a magnet and the crew metal. He was trying to contain his excitement, but it was hard. He could just imagine how Miriah was faring, how hard it would be to keep this from Aric. The wedding clothing he had brought was already pressed and waiting in his quarters, and even though he hated to wear formal clothes, he was ready to get dressed. That would mean it was almost over, and he could breathe again, Odessen being his favorite place. With a small sigh, he glanced quickly at his chrono. Four hours, he calculated.
Miriah stood in the fluffy white robe and was directed to the steam room. Inside, Magdalane waited with drinks and a smile, and that made Miriah laugh. "Heard from Maura?" she asked.
"She's on the way. I figured you needed some food and drink." Mags handed her a sack with a breakfast sandwich. Miriah fell on it, ravenous now that she was fully awake. When she finished, Mags nodded.
"Thanks, Mags. I hope Maura is doing okay with all of this."
"She seemed in good spirits. She was going to get Coleen and Caly, too." They would all have their hair and makeup done after a little relaxation and pampering. Miriah sighed and leaned back on the wall, the heat making her muscles feel like putty. She was drifting in her thoughts when Mags words hit her. "Corso is almost home, isn't he?"
Miriah sat up. "Shhh. No one but me and Devin knows, and now you. He should be landing about an hour before the wedding." Mags grin matched her own.
"Excellent," was all Mags said, and Miriah relaxed again. They came out of the steam and saw Maura and the girls just getting changed. Together they went into the salon for their nails to be done, and Miriah gave herself over to the delights of having someone make her beautiful.
Coleen had woken to her mother's chime and shuffled to the door. She had nodded when Maura told her to get dressed, and hurried to get Caitlin fed and handed off to her dad. I'm getting married today, she thought, and realized she didn't feel nervous at all. Happily following her mother, she felt as if she were starting fresh in her life, and truly wanted to believe everything was up from here. She had been with Ty the evening before, and knew they were both anxious to have things official today and not have to hide the fact that Ty had spend most of his nights at her apartment for the past month. Caly seemed energized as well, and they chatted all the way to the spa. Inside, she saw her aunts and felt a surge of wellbeing hit her, courtesy of Magdalane. This is going to be the best day, she thought, and caught her Aunt Mir's smile.
Devin knew he'd be manning the office alone today, and was looking forward to the wedding. The temple had never looked more beautiful, and Merida was already bursting with excitement over the dress she would wear and throwing rose petals. Mia had her hands full, Devin thought, and wondered if he should just leave his work to go help her. His decision was made when he remembered that his father would be home today. Suddenly too energized to sit and read, he closed his things down and locked his desk before hurrying home.
Lana had her hands full, as well. Tali was all set, but today Jaren seemed more irritable than he'd ever been. Nothing seemed to calm him today, she thought, and finally just took him in her arms. She was walking around the apartment, bouncing him gently on her shoulder, when Tali stopped her with a hand on her arm. "His mouth hurts, Mama," she said, her eyes worried.
"Tali, thank you. I wondered what was wrong," Lana praised her daughter. "Can you tell what it is?"
"Teeth," Tali shrugged. Lana thought about what she'd read, and realized that Tali was likely correct. With determination, Lana found the drops to use for infant discomfort and once the dose was administered, took the baby to his room and sat with him in the rocker. In minutes, he was asleep, exhausted from his fussing, and Lana placed him gently in his crib. When she returned to the family room, Tali was napping on the sofa. Force use still made her tired, Lana thought, pulling a blanket over Tali's legs. She couldn't resist dropping a kiss to her daughter's head, her heart full of love for them both.
Miriah stretched her arms above her head before putting her clothes back on carefully over her sleek twist of hair. She sat in the makeup chair next to Mags, ready to be made beautiful. Instructing the artist to use the waterproof products, she closed her eyes. I would almost rather miss the wedding and spend the evening with Corso, she thought, but she knew that would not be the best choice. Instead, she thought about the dress she was wearing and how much Corso always loved seeing her dressed up. She was deep in her thoughts when she heard Caly's voice, telling Coleen about the plans she had in place for a vow renewal ceremony for her parents. I'm not sure I want to do that, Miriah thought. Not just because I don't think it's necessary, but I also wonder if we're really at that place right now. A sliver of uncertainty ran through her, and she almost felt sick. She had to remind herself to not jump ahead to worry about things that hadn't come to be yet, and with a few deep breaths, she managed to quell the urge to flee. Mags felt her sister's worry and reached out to take her hand. Don't borrow trouble, she said, and felt Miriah's sigh.
I know, Miriah replied. With that and the flow of force between them, Miriah felt her mind calm and her nerves settle.
Corso tugged on the coat of his formal suit and wished he'd had a chance to get a haircut before leaving Dantooine. Shrugging, he gathered his gear and took it out to the air lock. About an hour away from the orbital station, he figured, and sat down with the crew who were watching a huttball match. Not ever huttball can keep my attention, he thought, when all I can think of is Miriah. I want her to be happy, to be herself again. Even on Nar Shaddaa, when they were simply physical with each other, he could feel she was different. Suddenly he recalled how walled off she had been when they'd first started to court, her heart hidden by so many barriers, and wondered if his leaving had triggered at lease some of the same behavior. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves, and took the beer that he was offered with a nod. Whatever it is, I'll keep working until I get her back, he thought. The cold beer fortified him, and he glanced at the chrono. Forty minutes until he could see Odessen.
Coleen held her breath while her mother fastened the dress, her eyes closed. When Maura had placed the veil in her auburn curls, she turned her daughter to the long mirror and Coleen opened her eyes. "Oh!" she cried out, and Maura felt the tears well in her own eyes.
"Baby, you're stunning. Nana sure knew what she was doing, didn't she?" Maura helped her daughter turn, grabbing the hand hold on the train and giving it to Coleen so that she could safely walk to where her father waited. He visibly choked up as she made her way to him, her bouquet of blue and white flowers in her hand.
"You're beautiful, Coleen. Inside and out. Ty is a lucky man to have you at his side," Aric said, sniffing as he wiped his eyes.
"Dad, I'm so glad you approve," Coleen joked, and the tension broke with their laughter. "We have a little bit yet, let's sit over here." They all sat gingerly in their finery, and Maura knew she needed to conserve her energy by the trembling she felt in her muscles. Hiding it, she took a cookie from a platter and nibbled, gratefully accepting the drink Aric brought her, hoping she would be able to keep going through the evening.
Miriah told the detail she'd be a few minutes, and hurried through the apartment. She ran her hands over her skin, made soft by the spa treatments. Her dress, an icy blue long sleeved gown with a dip in the front, fit like a glove and she had to thank her mother, who had altered the dress a couple of years ago. Looking in the mirror, she admired the subtle cosmetics that had bee applied and the gloss of her hair. Satisfied, she slipped on low heeled shoes and grabbed a small evening bag with her holo and lip color, and stopped just long enough to spray Corso's favorite perfume and walk through the cloud before hurrying out. She only hoped that Corso was on time. Taking a deep breath, she walked with the detail to the temple.
Corso ran down the ramp and through the military hangar, across the war room and up the elevator. He had just gotten to the temple when he heard music, and stopped to gather himself. Miriah is in there, he thought, and was about to go to her when he saw his granddaughter in her dress. Merida ran to him, and he hugged her tightly. "I have to do this," she said with reluctance, and he put her feel on the floor.
"I understand. I'm going to find Mimi, okay?" Merida grinned and Corso made his way up the side of the main room, his eyes searching but his heart telling him she'd be with the family. When he saw Magdalane, he knew Mir would be close.
Mags felt it when Corso entered and turned to tell Miriah, but at the last second decided not to say anything. He looks good, Mags thought, and hoped they would be able to get back to normal now that they were back in the same place. She saw Devin grin, and sent a smile back.
Miriah felt her heart sink. She'd been sure that Corso would be here, but it didn't look like he'd make it. She had turned back to look at the front of the temple, where the ceremony would take place, when she felt a warm, large hand go around her waist. "Sorry, darlin', I got here as fast as I could." She turned to look at Corso, and he lowered his head, searing her lips in a kiss like only he could give. He hugged her close as she sagged into him, and he saw her smile. Maybe we'll be okay, he thought, and turned to watch the wedding.