Vestara Skywalker frowned at the holo-tabloid perched by the check-out station. Bearing the masthead of BAMR, the tabloid had caught her attention as she waited for the check-out droid.
It wasn't that seeing the former Galaxy-wide news network reduced to grocery store tabloid status bothered her. In fact, she thought it was amusing.
What she did not find amusing in her current emotional state was the leading headline on the cover- Vestara Skywalker, Kept Barefoot and Pregnant in the Jedi Temple? A less-than flattering photo of her, standing shoeless in the doorway of the Skywalkers' Jedi Temple apartment, accompanied the words.
The tabloids had always been fascinated with Ben and Vestara, but after the Jedi reestablished a presence on Coruscant, the articles had reached a new low.
Tearing her gaze from the holo-tabloid, she pushed her hover-cart up to the droid's station. The droid chatted pleasantly as it scanned her items, but Vestara was in no mood for conversation. Why should it matter to the people of Kesh if she was pregnant again? She loved her children and her husband. She had chosen this life and she couldn't see any shame in it.
"Would you like some assistance loading your groceries?" The Gran shop-keeper wiggled one of his eyestalks meaningfully at her middle.
Heat rushed to Vestara's cheeks and she had to call on the Force to calm herself. The Gran's offer to help was sincere, without judgment. She couldn't let Sith tabloids get to her.
"That would be nice." She managed a smile as the Gran took her hover-cart. "Thank you."
Standing in the Skywalker family kitchen, Vestara stretched her aching back and rubbed her stomach. From her vantage point at the kitchen counter, she surveyed the apartment. She was proud of the job she did caring for her home and family, keeping everything clean and tidy.
"Something smells good in here!" Luke strolled into the kitchen where she and Mara were preparing supper with the groceries Vestara had bought.
"I might let you have some," Vestara arched her eyebrows coyly, "if you'll finally teach me that Jedi tracking trick."
"Ves, you don't need Dad to teach you tracking." Ben joined them with the three other sets of Skywalker twins. "I can do it."
"You both keep saying you'll teach me new skills, but you haven't taught me anything new in ages."
"That's because you keep getting pregnant," Luke explained patiently. "We're just trying to take care of you."
Vestara dropped her gaze. "I need a Force skill to know when a spy droid is taking my picture. Because I keep getting pregnant."
Ben winced and glanced at Luke. "You saw that BAMR headline, didn't you? They sure have a lot of nerve."
"They have no right to imply things like that about you." Tears formed in her eyes and her lips quivered. "We love each other and I'm so happy being a part of this family, being a wife and a mother."
"I know. I'm sorry, Ves." Ben scooped her up, holding her close and kissing her belly. "For what it's worth, nobody with half a brain believes a word of those things."
"I know." Sniffling, she kissed his cheek. "But my hormones don't."
"If BAMR is sneaking spy droids into the Temple, maybe Wynn can finally do something about them." Luke gave her middle a gentle pat. "He won, by the way."
"That's good. We don't want Coruscant traffic to get all snarled up again." Vestara laid her head on Ben's shoulder. "Now, what about my lessons?"
"I'll have to do some research." Luke crinkled his nose. "I'm not sure what kind of Jedi training is safe for pregnant women."
Ben chuckled, kissed her soundly, then put her down. "You know, the tabloids would have less to write about if you would keep your shoes on." He nodded at her bare feet, a twinkle in his eye.
"That's enough, you two," Mara scolded. "Luke, you're just making excuses." She kissed her daughter-in-law's temple. "When you recover from this birth, I'll make sure Luke schedules regular training sessions for you. Right, Dear?"
"Of course, my Love. At least until she gets pregnant again."
Mara's retort was cut off by the excited voices of the oldest twins.
"Are we going to see Allana in the morning?" asked Mark.
"And get ice cream?" added Carrie.
Ben ruffled their hair. "Well, Ves, I don't think they're going to mind having a sitter." He addressed the twins. "We'll pick Allana up on the way to Uncle Lando's ship."
"And Allana will give us ice cream," insisted Mark.
"I'm sure you'll get plenty of ice cream." Luke lifted the little boy into his arms.
"Yay!" Twin set number two, Hayden and Natalie, clapped their hands and cheered. "Ice cream!"
"The babies, too?" Carrie indicated twin set number three.
Ben smiled and wrapped his arm around Vestara. "Adam and Daisy aren't exactly the babies in our family anymore, but, yes, they can have ice cream if that's what Allana wants to do."
The next morning the Skywalker family left their home, stopping at the Solo home to pick up Allana.
"Allana!" all six twins chorused when they saw their cousin.
Allana picked up little Hayden and kissed his round cheek. "I hope I have some twins someday."
"Can we get ice cream?" asked Mark.
"Sure," Han loaded Allana's suitcase into the Skywalker's speeder. "You know, whenever your Aunt Leia makes me go to one of her fancy reception things, I always tell her she better make sure they have cake and ice cream."
"Han," Leia scolded. "I think we should let their parents decide if they're getting ice cream."
Setting the Jade Shadow down in the Love Commander's hangar, Luke dropped the ramp.
"Ben, get the suitcases. Allana, get the Twins," he called, scooping up his daughter-in-law. He led the way down the ramp to the hangar floor where Lando Calrissian and his son Chance waited, then placed her on her feet with a gentle kiss.
"Allow me." Lando slipped a supporting arm around Vestara as she steadied herself. "Look at you!" he chuckled. "You're making quite a habit of this. It suits you, you know."
"Make sure you take good care of our kids, Lando," Mara admonished.
"Of course! Don't worry about a thing. SW-33T, H3-4RT, come take our guests' bags, please. And Chance, why don't you help Allana get these little rascals to the suite we set up?"
"Thanks, Lando." Luke clapped his old friend on the shoulder. "And you," he wagged a stern finger at Ben and Vestara, "make sure you tell him if Vestara needs any kind of medical care."
"Sure they will," Lando agreed. "Now, Little Lady, how would you like to try out my new massage droids- they have special programming for pregnant females."
Author's Note: Eight Skywalker twins! I don't think the Galaxy is prepared for the drama and chaos they can cause. At least Ben and Vestara are getting some time to rest. (Luke and Mara probably need some rest, too.)
I thought the idea of a Sith tabloid was funny, so I went with it. It fits BAMR, too. With all the Skywalker drama, they really shouldn't have to resort to slander for interesting stories. By the way, I haven't been able to find out what BAMR stands for. If you know, please share!