Miriah woke slowly, stretching, remembering she was off and enjoying the luxury of not having to run off to anywhere. She was suddenly aware of the force signatures around her, and realized Caly was in the kitchen with Corso. Good, she thought. I'm about to surprise them both with my ideas for the vow renewal. It's time we had our day, she had realized sometime yesterday. She made her way to the shower, shivering in the cool air, knowing that the heating system was doing all it could. It's just been a very cold winter. At least things are more settled now, she thought, and turned her face to the warm water.

Corso sat at the table as Caly cooked, content. "So, hon, how are things going?"

"Great," Caly answered with a smile. "The cookbook is going to be available for purchase by summer, and I'm busy doing some children's cooking videos now." She chatted about the work and how much she and Torian had been enjoying having her home. "I think my life is pretty much perfect."

"I'm so glad you're happy, love. That's all me and Mom have ever wanted, for our children to be happy." He felt Miriah's arms around his neck and turned to kiss her. "Right?"

"Absolutely," Miriah confirmed. "This looks delicious." She sat and Caly put a plate of food in front of them both before sitting down with her own. They ate and laughed, and Miriah felt loved. Finally, she put her fork down. "Caly, I hope you brought your vow plans, I'm ready to discuss all the logistics."

Caly grinned. "I'm on it, Mom. I've got everything set, you choose a date and we're ready. The ceremony will be in one of the small temple chambers, family only. Then the sit down dinner reception will be above the cantina, in their ballroom." Caly continued to talk, but Corso had reached for Miriah's hands, questions in his eyes. When Miriah only smiled and squeezed his hands back, he relaxed. Okay, he thought.

Alec Ranin was ushered onto a shuttle and let himself settle into his seat with a contented sigh. He was free from his obligations with the Republic and hoped desperately his plea for immigration to the Alliance would be approved. He had ideas, such big ideas that he should have been squirming with excitement, but he wasn't. No, he knew he had to lay out his plan in such detail that the Commander would listen and know that his ideas were good. He looked out at the snow he could see now as they entered the atmosphere, and smiled.

Aric had gone into his office to work on training plans, wondering where he would put new recruits that were starting their military careers next week. He was lost in thought when Devin appeared in his doorway. "Uncle Aric, why is Alex Ranin here?" Devin asked quietly, and Aric jumped at his voice.

"I can only tell you that Mir gave him a ten day pass," he replied, and saw Devin frown. "Why? Are you sensing something?"

Devin sighed. "Merida says things are going to change, but that it's a good thing. I don't have the gift of foresight, like she and Nana. So I'm taking the word of an almost five-year-old." He ran his hand through his hair, a gesture that Aric recognized from Corso.

"I'm sure that change is ahead, it always is," Aric said softly, and Devin nodded. "Besides, Merida is wise well beyond her years. If she said it, then I'd be looking for the next big thing. But I have no indication that it will be from Ranin." Aric watched his nephew, seeing the instant that he relaxed.

"You're right, as usual. Thanks, Uncle Aric. I appreciate the insight."

"No worries, son. You know I'm always here if you need me." Devin turned to go to his own office, and Aric stood. Maybe I need to see what Mir knows, he thought, and his feet took him to the apartment, almost of their own accord.

Ian had been in his own blissful world. He worked by day in the temple on Coruscant, and spent his nights talking and loving Kira. He was on his way to the temple when he stopped to get some caf, wincing when he tasted it. Not the same as on Odessen, he thought, and shrugged. He had thought he would be missing home, but he had come to realize that home was wherever Kira was. He wanted to talk to her about going back, having the baby in Alliance space, but every time he thought of it, they were in a crowd of people or in a meeting about the fight with Valkorion. Whitsling, he made his way to the temple, hoping to spot his beloved.

Aric walked into the kitchen, led by his nose. Caly was putting fresh food on the table, and smiled at him. "Uncle Aric! Just in time!" she said, and he grinned back,

"I can always use some fresh scones," he said, and Corso pulled out a chair.

"Have a seat, I'll get the caf." Corso knew his friend was very much liking the two day off rotation, since he could visit and enjoy being out of the office.

"Is our journalist friend planetside yet?" Miriah asked.

"Should be any minute. Any idea what he's got on his mind?" Aric watched Miriah carefully, but he didn't see any of her usual tells,

"No clues. Maybe he just likes it here. I've heard we're the spot to be, or at least in Alliance space. All our planets are reporting an increase in immigration. I'm even thinking about another town." Miriah concentrated on the food in front of her, not seeing the shocked delight on both Aric and Corso's faces. "But no work today. We're in planning mode for the vow ceremony."

Aric's ears perked up. "All right! That means I get to walk you down the aisle," he said, gently bumping Miriah's shoulder with his own.

"Yeah," Miriah smiled. "I guess it does." Aric wore a bemused grin that made Miriahs's heart warm.

Mia was walking back to the apartment when Devin stepped in front of her, startling her. "Dev! What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong with me, love. You are a different story," he said softly. Mia blushed hotly and turned her head. "There's something that's worrying you, a deep, unsettling worry. And I can't just ignore it."

"I'm fine," Mia said, trying to brush off her discomfort at his examination, but he slowly shook his head. He quickly scanned the area then focused on his wife.

"Nope," he replied. "I'm here, Mia. Nothing you can say will make me not be here for you." He led her into the cantina and waved away the waitress. "Now, talk to me."

"I got a message," Mia said, her sigh almost bringing tears to her eyes. She really didn't want to talk about it, but she knew it was time. She'd not slept all night for weeks now, and her fatigue was causing her to snap at the children. "It was supposedly from my family."

Devin reared back in surprise. "Family? You mean the monsters who were so afraid of your force use that they abandoned you on Tython all those years ago?" He could see Mia's misery in her eyes, and knew she had been reliving that day.

Mia nodded. "I don't want them here, Dev. I don't want my children, our children, exposed to anyone who would think that way." She twisted her fingers together in her lap. "I'm not even sure it really is them. All the message said was that they were family and wanted to establish contact." She turned her datapad to him and he looked at the message for a minute before taking her in his arms.

"Love, you know that if we don't let them, they can't get any further than the orbital station, right?" He stroked her hair, feeling her hot tears on his chest. "I'll get the intel techs to do some research, okay? If it's really them, then you can decide what you want. No one will go against your wishes, my love. If I tell Mom they're becoming annoying, they'll disappear."

"I know, you're right," she sniffed, her smile watery. "I just worried about it until I forgot all the safeguards here." She put her head on his shoulder, feeling very safe and loved.

"Let's get some lunch, it's a little early but you haven't been eating," he said, waving the waitress over, ready to see Mia looking more like her old self.

Caly was in high spirits. "Let's go get the dress out and see if we need to steam it," she said, taking Miriah's hand. Miriah had to laugh, it wasn't often she saw the sheer joy on Caly's face that she was seeing now. Caly lifted the box down from the shelf above Miriah's mostly black wardrobe and placed it on the floor. They both sat down, and Miriah lifted the top. There it was, she thought, the dress her mother had made with her own hands. She felt her eyes fill thinking about Sarai, and stood to hang the garment. She had her back turned to Caly as she put the dress on the tall hanging stand, so she didn't see her daughter's surprised face.

"Mom! A message! From Nana!" Caly exclaimed, and Miriah turned, almost tripping in her haste. Caly held the box in her hands, and Miriah moved closer to read. On the inside of the box, totally hidden by the dress, was indeed a note, and Miriah recognized her mother's flowing script.

My dear Miriah,

I know that this is a beautiful dress. I know it's what you think you should wear, since you and Corso have been married for some time now. But it's not you. It's perfect for someone who never spoke out, who never once challenged anything, but we both know that's not who you are. Go and look in the black garment bag hanging on Corso' side of this very closet (yes, I'm sure that's where you are) and look at the dress you deserve. The one that captures your spirit and fire. The one that is perfect for you. They're both gorgeous, but this one is just too sedate, too plain for my daughter. You can choose whichever you want, it is after all your day, but you know which one has my vote.

I love you always,

Mom

Miriah had to hold on to Caly, both of them crying openly. "What does she mean?" Caly asked.

"I don't know, let's look at the other one," Miriah said, crossing to the bag she could see peeking out around Corso's formal suit. She pulled the bag out and put it on the tall hangar beside the first one, slowly unzipping it. Gasping, she pulled the dress free.

"Oh, Mama," Caly said. "That's it. That's the one." Miriah could only nod, speechless as the idea of wearing such a beautiful dress.

"I think you may be right," Miriah finally whispered, her eyes shining.

Alec put his things away in his room over the cantina, and sat at the little table that near the balcony overlooking the courtyard. Snow was covering the ground, and he was glad he'd packed for winter. He would go down in a bit to look around, see what had changed, and just generally stretch his legs. He planned to have dinner in the mess hall and maybe a drink in the cantina, and an early night. He felt totally relaxed, at home. He realized he'd missed this whole feeling, it was certainly absent from most of his travels. He pulled his current book out on his datapad and settled in, content.

Aric had gone to see if Maura was done for the day when he decided he might just need another caf. He sauntered out of the secure area and into the mess hall, and when he came out, he saw Alex Ranin waving from the window overlooking the area. Smiling, he waved back, and then made his way to his wife. I don't know what he's got in mind, but I hope it's not something I'll have to put him in jail for, he thought, sipping the hot brew. He let that thought go when he saw Maura giving instructions to the duty officer for the evening crew. "Let's go eat," he suggested when he drew near, and Maura giggled.

"I heard you had an informal work session with Mir earlier today, that involved Caly's breakfast," she replied.

"I did, and I'm going to get to walk Mir down the aisle at the vow ceremony," he announced, and Maura's eyes grew wide.

"She's doing it? Oh, I'm so excited for her." Maura knew that the whole thing had been a sore point for a while now.

"She is, and I am," Aric bragged, chuckling when Maura punched his arm. "Let's go see what the special is at the cantina." Maura linked her arm with his and they set off, both feeling the general goodwill that had been present on the base for the past week.

Corso found his wife and daughter in the family room, and noted that they both had been crying. "I hope this is happy tears," he said cautiously.

"They are," Miriah replied, holding our her arm to him. Corso sat beside her, his arm around her shoulders. "Caly is ordering in food, and Torian will be here shortly. That okay?"

"Perfect," he replied. Nothing better than being here with Mir, he thought, and nuzzled her neck. Nothing at all.

Mia had felt so much lighter since she had confessed her worry to her husband. She had picked the children up from school and made cookies, then put dinner together. By the time Merida and Declan were in bed, she knew her lack of sleep wouldn't be ignored any longer. Devin found her in their bed, and smiled. She needs every bit of rest, he thought, and checked in on the children once more before joining Mia. At least now we can be prepared, he thought, closing his eyes, feeling like a hurdle had been overcome.