Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Everly was young. Everly was far from home. Everly carried with her a secret, as she stowed away on a passenger ship going anywhere far, far away from the life she left had behind.

She knew that this was the right decision... Everly couldn't put it into words, but when this idea had formed in her panicked mind, it was the only one that she felt some measure of peace with. As scared and lonely as she was just thinking of her future, hurtling towards her with all its unknowns, it still felt right.

She had decided that no matter which planet it was, she would hop off after 3 stops. Something about the number 3 had always stuck with her for no reason in particular, but this very short term plan gave her some measure of comfort over this uncontrollable situation. The number 3 felt like the only familiar, safe part in all this.

Careful to make her rations last as long as possible, Everly nibbled on a protein bar and sipped from her canteen of water.

I need to keep up my strength if I'm going to make a real go of this.

Within her she felt a tiny flutter under her expanding bellybutton, as if the tiny little human she was growing wanted to remind her of the reason for that need.

Opinionated already hmm? I'm in for a wild ride, aren't I?

She gingerly placed her hand over the spot she'd felt the flutter and smiled as she promptly felt another one.

I promise, I will do what I have to, to ensure you are given every chance to live your life the way you, and the Force, decide.

Packing up the remains of her measly meal, careful not to leave any trace of her being there, Everly wrapped herself up in the only frivolity she had brought with her; a thick, long, hooded coat, dark in colour, and deliberately too big.

Tucking her pack inside the hood, she tried to get as comfortable as she could behind some heavy crates in the cargo hold. She laid down her head for some much needed rest, humming a little lullaby before dozing off into a light sleep.

The baby in her belly did the same.

~~

Senati lay on her back in bed, as her giggling toddler blew raspberries on her already wobbly tummy - courtesy of said toddler, her first child, and couldn't help but join in the laughter. Her son had such an infectious laugh!! This time he planted his face a little lower than he had previously, and stopped short when he felt resistance under skin, looking at the spot near her belly button with confusion. This made Senati laugh again, and the confusion changed to smiles as he watched her belly wobble even more!

Laney rubbed his little eyes and yawned, all the fun and laughing had finally worked out the last of his energy, and he snuggled up under his mother's arms now ready for that midday nap he'd been resisting, but needing, for the past hour.

His little hand made its way back to the hard spot he'd felt on Senati's belly, and he poked his finger down into the skin just to be sure he really had felt something. Placing her warm hands over his on that spot, she told him,

"You're going to be a big brother soon! That's a baby in Mama's tummy, a brother or sister for you to play with!"

Looking up at her with tired, dark eyes and long lashes, he gave a little smile, and gently patted that spot.

"Baby, my baby?"

Senati chuckled and hugged him closer so his head lay on her chest, watching as his hand continued patting.

"Well, I'll definitely need your help to look after the baby, do you think you can do that?"

A small yawn ended in a soft reply,

"Yeeeeeeahhh…"

She couldn't help but get a little teary at the way her heart was bursting with so much love for this little human, while simultaneously feeling her heart expand with more love each day that the baby came closer to arriving. 

I never thought that so much love could keep expanding my heart without bursting!

And she knew that it would continue to grow each day for the rest of her life. Such was the way of life and the Force.

Soft snoring told her Laney had finally drifted off, but despite there being plenty to get done before her husband, Captain of the Queen's guard got home, Senati couldn't bring herself to move.

So not to disturb Laney as he settled into a deeper sleep, she placed her free hand to the spot he had patted her and whispered to her belly,

"Things will change so much when you get here sweet one, I'm looking forward to teaching you so many things about our world, the galaxy and everything in them."

A little nudge under her hand felt like her baby was responding that they were eager to learn and explore.

All in good time, she thought with a smile, pulling up the blanket around herself and Laney, before closing her eyes to enjoy a nap with her sleeping child while there was still only one to manage on the outside.

~~

Zora was shattered. She and her husband had finally wrangled their 4 girls into bed. They both lay on their own bed, clothed and bed still made, too tired to do anything else. Eren walked his fingers along the bed until he found his wife's hand, enveloping it in his large soft one, intertwining their fingers.

"So," he said, only having the energy to move his mouth to speak. "Were you able to see the midwife today?"

He felt her turn her head, and he looked at her, seeing an incredulous look on her face.

"After the evening we've just had, what do you think? There must be something going on with celestial bodies somewhere and their magnetic forces making the girls extra energetic today. I couldn't bear the thought of taking them all out of the house, walking to the clinic and likely puking at regular intervals along the way. I think I'm going to send a message asking her to come and visit me here."

Giving her hand a squeeze, he offered,

"I can go past the clinic and ask on my way to work tomorrow if you like? It'll only take a few extra minutes off my normal route, plus you really do need to get seen, love."

Rolling over onto his side, knowing it was still early days, he placed his free hand over his wife's tummy, having no clue of what he was feeling specifically, just like the other 4 times. 

"It's already been a few weeks since finding out about the baby, which has kinda put us on the back foot, not to forget this new morning sickness." he gestured towards her paler-than-usual complexion. "I thought it was supposed to have gone by now? I don't remember you being unwell with any of the girls?"

Rolling her eyes Zora responded,

"Well, I didn't have time to notice any morning sickness at all until a few weeks ago, so we must still be early on. Plus I've been running after 4 girls, especially your girls," she teased. "Which does tend to keep one distracted."

Rolling her head back to look up at the ceiling, she creased her brow thoughtfully,

"I've been trying to think about my dates, trying to work out how far along we are, but I just can't remember the last time I had my cycle. It's really annoying! Why can't you remember?" she playfully snapped, using the back of her hand that was still intertwined with his to hit him in the side.

"Haha" he laughed warmly, "You know me, these things don't tend to come across my radar."

"Nothing seems to come across your radar unless it's got bolts and screws and dripping in oil." Zora retorted. "It still surprises me that even after all this time, you know precisely how every type of vehicle in the hangar works, intimately, and yet you have no idea about how my body works!" As an afterthought, Zora huffed playfully as she added, "You've studied it for long enough."

She smirked as she turned to meet his gaze, a corner of her mouth crinkling upwards. Then he smiled; that gorgeous, handsome, send-a-shiver-through-her-body smile, complimenting his intense, smouldering dark eyes and olive skin.

Yep, this is why we have 4, nearly 5 younglings she thought, feeling her heart stutter.

As if he could read her thoughts, he let go of her hand while holding her gaze as he rolled over to bring his face closer to hers. He slid his hand up the back of her neck and gently pulled her toward him to give her a slow, deliberate and passionate kiss. She instantly knew she was undone.

So much for tiredness she mused, trying to catch her breath as he turned completely towards her, his strong arms enveloping her and pulling her body flush against his. Zora enthusiastically kissed him back, running both her hands up his arms, skimming over his broad shoulders so she could intertwine her fingers through his hair, tugging him closer. At this positive signal, Eren moved to hover over her, his swift action making Zora give a small gasp in surprise.

"That's not true," he said softly, smiling wickedly as he did so. She felt her heart skip a beat. "I know your body far more intimately than any machine I've ever worked on" he said as he planted a gentle, slow kiss on the base of her neck.

His breath on the nape of her neck made her shiver, and she felt him smile against her skin, knowing the effect he was having on her. Show off.

Zora tried to make an effort to maintain some control over her body as he continued planting gentle teasing kisses across her collarbone, saying slightly breathlessly, 

"Well that's a relief, I think we'd have bigger problems than 5 younglings if you were this intimate with any machine."

Eren paused and raised himself to look intensely at her in response, slight concern pulling his brows together.

Oh kriff. Zora hadn't meant for it to come out, especially like that, and certainly not right now.

Eren lowered himself to lay close alongside Zora, propping up his head with his hand, arm bent at the elbow.

"What's worrying you? Are you ok with the way things have turned out? I know we didn't plan for this…" His hand, soft and warm, gently returned to her bloated tummy, and she felt her heart melt again.

Even when he's concerned, he's so handsome she thought, unable to answer while drowning in his eyes.

He was so tall and broad, his olive skin had become slightly darker since they first met, due to the time he had spent outside attending to mechanical duties as they had arisen. At the same time he was so sweet, adoring and gentle, firstly with her and then with each of their 4 girls, who simply adored him right back.

"If you've got concerns that's ok, talk to me. We're in this together." His hand reached up from her tummy to cup her face.

Zora felt tears prickle her eyes, as she lost herself further in the depths of his, as if a tractor beam was holding her there.

Stupid hormones she thought, trying to swallow a lump in her throat hoping not to let any tears fall. But one betrayed her, sneaking out of the corner of her eye, gravity pulling it down the side of her face as she held his gaze. He wiped it away with his thumb. She couldn't hold it in any longer and let out a small, strangled sob.

"Hey, it's going to be ok…" he said reassuringly, sitting up and pulling her into his lap so he could envelop her in his big, warm hug. She felt what she always did when they were like this, safe. She closed her eyes, squeezing out the other tears that were already trying to fall and buried her face into his chest.

"I'm scared" she said finally, her voice so tiny and full of doubt and shame. He had heard her though, and responded only with a gentle squeeze, patiently waiting for her to continue if she needed.

"I feel like most days I'm barely coping as it is, what if this breaks me? Not physically, but mentally? What if I'm too tired? Or distracted? And then one of the children gets hurt? Or even worse, I lose one? And I don't realise straight away?" Her breathing started to become faster as her mind found more and more scenarios that could happen, and Zora was beginning to feel like she was caught in a riptide she couldn't escape from. "I don't know how I'd cope, or what I might do…"

"Hey hey hey… ok, we need to take a breath," Eren's voice was strong and commanding enough to break through her rising panic, and he placed a hand on either side to cup her face to bring her eyes in line with his.

"Come on, breath with me, in ... And out..... That's it.... In… and out…" They breathed together, and she started to feel his calm washing over her. She was so tired. "It's all going to be ok," he said gently, planting a kiss on the top of her head.

Holding her close again, he used one arm to pull down the bed sheets, and laid her on the mattress, before settling in properly himself. Placing her back where she was before, in his arms and with her head against his chest and under his chin, he pulled up the covers over them both - still fully clothed.

"We're in this together my love, and we'll help each other." He ran his thumb from her eye to her temple, feeling further tears that had silently escaped and wiped them away.

"I love you." she whispered after a few minutes, calming and relaxing to the point Zora was unable to stay awake any longer.

Once he felt her body relax into sleep, Eren felt a rush of relief go through him.

She had these moods sometimes, almost despairing and it broke his heart that she couldn't see how strong and amazing she was; going with the flow of life and rising to each challenge beautifully, all while raising their little brood of girls.

Confident Zora was now sleep, Eren placed his hand over her tummy again and he said softly,

"She'll be ok, I'll make sure of that. You are going to complete our family." Then, another quick check that she was still sleeping, whispered, "I don't know why, but I feel so sure that you're a boy, our son. Don't worry, I'll help you navigate this house of ladies. And I promise to teach you everything I know about fixing stuff."

Leaving his hand there, he too closed his eyes,

"I love you my little tinkerer, and I can't wait to meet you."

~~

Chapter Text

Everly had always been interested in the art of healing, even though she wasn't able to do it using the force like the Jedi. She had always been a quick learner, and she knew one didn't need the Force to learn to help and care for people who were sick or injured. So she'd have to learn by study, which had always been the plan anyway.

The third stop in the passenger ship's journey happened to be Naboo, a place she'd always heard about as being a beautiful planet, rich in art and whose political system was governed by a democratically elected Queen - this was definitely her type of place.

Knowing that she was starting her life completely brand new, Everly had decided during her hurried planning that wherever she ended up, she'd go straight to the local Jedi temple for help until she was able to sort something out for herself. Fiercely independent as she was, when she knew ahead of time that she would need help - she was not above asking for it.

The main city of Naboo, Theed, had a Jedi temple close to the royal palace, renowned for its mini research centre and medclinic in the art of healing. There wasn't a high need for healing however, quite the opposite in fact. So it provided a quiet haven to research, analyse data, discuss ideas and methods with other highly esteemed physicians, both residents of Naboo and those who had come to visit.

The Theed (Gallo) temple was equipped with what they needed just in case of course, but in general, the people of Naboo enjoyed and maintained relatively good health throughout their lives.  Though Everly knew it would be a  good starting point for her study… eventually.

Everly knew about and had been raised believing in the Force, but didn't know much about the Jedi order and their people. She had heard about their kindness and willingness to help others and felt certain they wouldn't turn her away - especially as she was only 4-5 months away from giving birth.

She had been right of course, but what Everly hadn't expected, after making her way off the transport ship, was that not only was she invited in, she was welcomed with open arms. To her complete surprise, she quickly developed a deep sense of belonging here - she had definitely made the right decision. 

There was a young Jedi healer, recently knighted, who kept referring to himself in third person as "Buckets of Blood". His actual name was Torban Buck, and when she first saw him answering the door, she was momentarily frozen with fear at the sheer size of him; the vivid blue of his skin and spiky horns on his head and hanging over his shoulders. But he'd smiled at her, and it was only then that she had noticed the pink apron he was wearing. Strange as it was, seeing this sight put her further at ease.

He invited her in straight away and offered her a warm drink and some sort of freshly baked goods - the apron making more sense now.

Sitting in the cosy stone kitchen, the smell of baking and radiating warmth from within her as she ate and drank, made her feel too warm, so she shed her giant coat. She thought that she'd feel too self-conscious; afraid she would be judged poorly; a young girl who was on her own, running away from home because she had gotten herself pregnant after an intoxicated-fuelled, messy night with her best friend.

However after removing and placing her coat over her pack that was leaning against the back wall, she turned to come back to her seat. Torban had unmistakably seen her round belly, as she heard him suck in a sharp breath in surprise. Everly looked up in alarm to see that his hands had gone straight to his cheeks on either side of a wide eyed, open-mouthed, silent scream. Immediately she blushed and dropped her gaze, automatically bringing her hands to rest over her growing child defensively. Now she felt self-conscious.

Then he had jumped up excitedly, wrapping her in his arms in a giant yet gentle hug, congratulating her on her impending arrival, somehow immediately putting her completely at ease once again. She couldn't help returning the hug, almost automatically, her face breaking out into a smile - something she hadn't done in months.

Torban was the first person who had offered her a genuine congratulations after finding out about her pregnancy. It wasn't until then, that Everly had realised that she had not even allowed herself to feel anything but trepidation and fierce protection from the moment she had found out herself.

Everly's home town was very conservative; insisting on following rules and traditions that dated back generations. Unmarried and unexpectedly pregnant without a partner had always been one of the most shameful things a daughter could bring on her household. Not that they would be cast out or punished, but there would be societal passive aggressive distaste, judgement, and isolation as others would disengage from 'such a family'.

Growing up together, Ari had always been Everly's refuge; two kids against the galaxy, exploring and discovering everything they could - made easier by living next door.

Before long, they were young adults starting to find their own paths. Ari had found his first - qualifying and completing their planetary pilot program first, then was offered a place on Coruscant to advance his skills in the Republic Defence Coalition.

As exciting as it was, they both felt overwhelming emotions at their impending parting, separating them for the first time since either of them could remember. So naturally, they avoided talking about the separation part, until the night before Ari was due to leave.

As if to have a final adventure, they had snuck away from his farewell party as it wound down, taking a bottle of whatever they could grab before finding their childhood hideout, obscured by trees and brush, only a short stroll from their parent's houses.

Feeling much freer, they drank and talked about everything except his leaving, but it eventually went quiet and the bottle emptied. There was only one thing left to discuss.

He promised to send her regular updates, and that he would miss her so much. Ari thanked Everly for all the support she had given him over their lives and most recently, in applying and succeeding with entry into the pilot program.

Unusual for her, Everly had become visibly emotional - increasingly uninhibited due to the alcohol, and was unable to prevent tears from spilling down her cheeks as she promised to keep in contact too, and that she was so proud of him. The sight of her tears started his, and they clung to each other, not able to keep up the stoic facade any longer.

Sobbing, Ari and Everly put their foreheads together while linking pinky fingers under their chins; their 'secret' childhood greeting. They loved each other so much. There was no more than a deep, strong friendship love between them, and they knew that there would never be more - they were ok with that.

However, the mixture of alcohol, teenage hormones, high emotions and their faces already so close together suddenly turned their greeting into a kiss which became a frenzied, unexpected but unstoppable love making; a first for both of them. After falling asleep in each other's arms afterwards, they woke up before sunrise the next morning feeling a little sick, cold and a little embarrassed. They both giggled and blushed furiously, realising how cliche they had been.

They talked quietly and honestly about what had happened and neither of them regretted it, agreeing that it didn't change how they felt about each other. This night would be yet another story to add to their ever expanding adventures, although perhaps this one they'd keep to themselves.

As dawn broke, light illuminated the tops of the trees above them. So they sighed and quickly righted themselves. They checked each other (removing a twig here or a leaf there), before ending with a hug and a promise to see each other at the spaceport later that day, to bid him a final farewell with their families.

No one seemed to notice as she quietly stepped through her home to her room, where she subsequently flopped down on her bed and fell into a deep restorative sleep.

At the spaceport that evening, Everly was the last person he hugged before boarding the transport. As they held each other fiercely, they reassured each other that their friendship was intact, no regrets, no second guesses, and made more promises to keep in touch until he made it back home when he got his first set of leave.

As much as it hurt, Everly was so proud of him. She couldn't wait to see everything he would do, and knew the galaxy was all the better for having him out there. As he went up the ramp, he turned and gave her a last wink and a wave. When the transport was finally out of sight, Everly felt her heart crumble.

Ari had taken a part of her with him; her refuge had gone. Not a loss of romantic feeling, that had never been there anyway, but a loss of safety, belonging, feeling seen, heard and understood... Home. Now, she felt a soundless void, but presumed it was temporary as she learned to live her daily life as per normal without Ari. The first few weeks were ok, messages back and forth, he reported everything he had seen during his journey and then on the city planet. Never having been off world herself, she was fascinated and shared in his excitement; he was truly thriving!

Then only 5 weeks after he'd left, the messages suddenly stopped. Everly had tried not to worry, but after a week of no response to her attempts to reach out, she became concerned to the point of feeling sick all the time. On the 8th day, Ari's father had appeared at her family's door step, shoulders slumped, red puffy eyes, tear stained cheeks... There'd been an accident.

While performing external inspections of their ships prior to a training exercise, a rogue spark from an astromech droid had lit up a trail of fuel that sped towards the closest craft. Ari had finished his checks quickly, and had come about to see if anyone else needed any help when he saw the flame racing towards them on the ground. Without hesitating, Ari had run full pelt into the pilot who'd had his back to the approaching fire, not realising it was even there. Ari had hit him hard, tackling him in an effort to push them both as far away from the ship as possible before it blew. He succeeded.

The other pilot had been knocked out; the force of the explosion and Ari's weight on top of him had smacked the back of his head on the ground when they had landed. He'd woken up shortly after to the smell of burning fuel, bright flashing fire, muffled sounds of boots running and people shouting incoherently. He'd thanked Ari and said he could hop off him now to rouse him, thinking maybe he too had been knocked out from the blast. But Ari hadn't responded. He hadn't moved. He didn't even breathe. Suddenly boots approached and lifted Ari off the pilot, who was able to scramble up, and was then shocked to see that Ari's back had several large pieces of shrapnel from the exploded fighter embedded deep into his back, blood heavily soaking the uniform around the entrance wounds. Ari had saved his fellow pilot's life by throwing himself in harm's way to protect him, but as a consequence had given up his own as he did so.

On hearing this, Everly couldn't move, couldn't think, couldn't speak. It hardly seemed real, that someone she was so close to was suddenly gone from existence, and that she would never see or speak with him again. She started to hyperventilate and before long she had to run to the 'fresher to empty her stomach, and crawl into bed with exhaustion.

Ari's body was brought home, and he was given an honourable funeral. Everly's sickness had kept getting worse, and she presumed that it was due to all the grief screaming within her and the effort it took to maintain the calm facade on the outside. She felt as if she'd been thrown into the middle of an unknown expanse without a map, cast adrift and lost whilst surrounded by a deafening silence.

Several weeks later at the encouragement of her parents, Everly started taking small walks around home, and gradually began to re-engage with life. One night after dinner, she'd even laughed a little at one of her father's silly jokes, and thought that perhaps she was starting to recover - learning to live with the grief of Ari's passing. But she had then spent the night repeatedly vomiting, even when her tummy was empty and by morning she knew that this couldn't just be grief anymore.

The local doctor came to visit her at home at the insistence of her parents. As he asked more questions, ruling out the standard causes, her stomach dropped as she suddenly realised what could be making her sick, but not before the doctor had asked her out loud with her parents present, if she'd been sexually active in the past few weeks and months. Her parents were aghast at the doctor for even considering it, given that their daughter was a 'good girl' who wasn't married and therefore it was not possible - it had to be something else, and looked at their daughter to also refute it.

But Everly's mouth went dry, she couldn’t make herself deny it. She wanted to lie so badly, not to protect herself from her family, she could handle that. But she wanted to protect Ari, protect his memory and not cause any further pain to his family, or have anyone's memory of him tainted in any way. Her silence answered the doctors question and her parents erupted.

Stunned and trying to process this realisation, the background noise faded and she thought sadly,

Oh stars Ari, I need you. I - I'm pregnant.

Almost as if in response to acknowledging and accepting the situation, her nausea suddenly lifted.

Harsh voices broke through her thoughts, as her parents discussed their 'options' with the doctor; like giving the baby up - but then there'd still be gossip about their pregnant daughter. Was it possible to discreetly "fix" the problem like it had never happened?

At this, Everly finally snapped back and found her voice, a new feeling of fierce protection taking over.

"I'm right here in the room! How dare any of you discuss something like this without me!" she had yelled before she could stop herself. This was met with stunned silence.

Well, I might as well tell them everything.

Placing her hand over lower abdomen protectively, presuming that's where the… baby was growing, she calmed her voice as much as she could so she could continue before anyone else had the chance. The action made her mother look away quickly as if she didn't want to see any physical confirmation of what they had felt was their worst nightmare.

"This is all we have left of Ari." Everly's voice cracked with emotion as she said his name, her throat tightening and making her eyes well up with tears that spilled out, racing down her cheeks to drip off her chin.

This was the first time she'd cried since Ari had left home, refusing to let herself do so until now, even when she was at his funeral. And once Everly had started, she found that she couldn't stop. Months of high emotions of all kinds that had been successfully bottled up and pushed down deep now burst forth with vengeance. Sobbing uncontrollably, eyes closed and arms wrapped around her middle, she let her head fall and sank down into a puddle on the floor. 

Everly didn't know how long she stayed there, but she did so alone. New grief rolled over her; feeling as though whatever had remained of "home" was slipping even further away from her, compounding the loss of Ari to new levels.

The doctor said that he was required off world for a couple of weeks, so he would have to book the procedure for when he returned, if it was still required. He gently encouraged the family to take that time to listen to and discuss it together.

In the hours and days that followed, Everly's parents had tried to calm and think clearly. They had even started to seem sympathetic to how she felt. But each time it had kept coming back to dishonour and shame that would befall their family. And if Ari was the father, then on top of the grief of losing him, his family would then also have to deal with dishonour and shame for their dead son. They couldn't see any other way to deal with the problem, except to ask the doctor to remove… it, and then there'd be no harm done and life would go back and continue as normal. By this stage, nothing Everly said would change their minds. 

Everly had felt totally powerless. She always kept her arms protectively over her tummy, feeling more and more bonded to and protective of this little unknown person, that was a part of her and the only living part of Ari.

One evening, her parents announced that the doctor was going to be returning in a few days, so they would be taking Everly in to see him then, discussing it as if they were discussing some terrible ailment that needed to be fixed or cured, as opposed to the taking of an innocent life. Everly had withdrawn into herself by this stage, having given up arguing with her parents because it just never did any good. But hearing that the doctor was returning, Everly felt the Force prompt her to take action - for light and life she'd heard the Jedi say, which seemed so appropriate now.

She took those few days to plan what she'd do and when, sneaking supplies and ensuring she'd have what she needed, to get them both off world and far away to safety.

The night before the doctor was due to return, she had said goodnight to her parents in the evening, the first words she'd spoken to them in weeks, and feigned going to bed. Everly felt guilty that she couldn't bring herself to hug them goodbye, instead slipping away into the night heading to the spaceport. 

Torban released Everly from his hug, returning her to the present, and he gently took her hand to lead her back to the table, where he offered her the whole plate of cookies and more tea. The thought of eating that many sweet things at once made her feel slightly sick again, but she had laughed in spite of herself.

 Ari would have liked him, she thought, biting into another delectable treat, and the baby within her fluttered in agreement. Being a healer, Torban soon came to the conclusion that if she would accept it, he would be honoured to provide care for her and the baby as long as she needed.

Torban also offered her a room of her own that was cosy and modest within the Gallo temple, and insisted on her sharing in the Jedi's meal times with them. In return she said she would help out as needed in the temple, whilst eagerly hoping to learn more about healing as she went.

They had an accord. Feeling overcome with gratitude, she could only nod as tears sprung to her eyes.

 Yes, she thought, this was definitely the right decision. This feels like…home.

~~

Senati put her hands on her lower back and she arched backwards in a stretch, having been bent over to help Laney with an art project to celebrate his Papa's upcoming birthday. She was definitely more tired this pregnancy, likely because she was chasing a toddler as well as growing his sibling.

Her husband, Tao, was working the palace night shifts at the moment, so when he came home in the mornings to sleep, Senati did all she could to try and ensure Laney was kept busy.

She wasn't sure what she did, but as she started coming out of her back stretch, a red hot burning pain seared it's way on the left inside of her belly moving from her hip to her ribs. It was so sudden and intense that she yelled out in anguish and then lowered herself down best she could onto the lounge, her legs feeling as though they couldn't hold her up for long.

The pain started ebbing away, but very slowly, and she felt breathless as she clutched her side and panted, eyes squeezed shut instinctively, waiting for the pain to get to a tolerable level.

Somewhere in the distance, through the sound of blood thundering in her ears, she could hear Laney crying. He sounded so scared but she couldn't focus on him,

"It's ok baby," she said breathlessly, "Mama'll be ok. Can you get Papa?"

She had no idea if he'd heard her, had she even said it out loud? It didn't matter though because the next instant Tao was at her side, having heard first his wife and then their child cry out through his sleep. His hand found hers and she gripped it.

The pain finally started to disappear, but when it got to the point where Senati could open her eyes, she couldn't focus her sight; little sparkles were dancing in her vision everywhere. The rushing sound in her ears quieted so she could properly hear again; Laney's now hiccupping sobs and Tao's urgent questioning about her welfare.

"I think I'm ok," she said unsteadily, "that just took me by surprise that's all."

She had tried to sound dismissive and casual, but she could hear in her own voice that she had failed miserably.

Still on her side, she reached for his other hand and clung to both of them, using them as her anchor. Senati felt her heart return to a normal rhythm, and her breaths became even and quiet.

Out of the corner of her eye she stole a look at Tao. As expected, he was pale with widened eyes, concern etched all over his face.

"What happened? Are you ok?" His words came fast, thick with emotion. "What hurts? Is it the baby?"

There was no mistaking the panic in his voice, not that he was trying to hide it. She took several slow, deep breaths to calm herself, hoping that this would help ease her husband too before she answered.

"I don't know, I was stretching and then... I don't know... It was like someone stuck my side with hot coals and pulled it upwards." She wasn't sure how else to describe it.

Eyes shifting hurriedly all over her, he said,

"I think you need to be checked over darling, just to be sure you and the baby are doing ok."

"No!" she huffed, hating being seen as needy, or unable to handle something that was perfectly normal like pregnancy. Then sounding more settled and firm,

"I'm fine, it's gone now, I can manage."

With Tao's help, she walked her hands up the edge of the lounge to push herself up into a sitting position . Exhausted, she leant back into the cushions and felt two tiny hands place themselves gently on hers. A pair of dark eyes met hers, pulling her into their orbit like fathomless black holes.

"Mama's ok sweets," she said to Laney, smiling at him and trying to sound as reassuring as possible, "thank you for looking after me, my little star." She could still see worry across his baby like face, so Senati thought that she probably should be checked over; Laney needed her, and his fright had pierced her heart.

Looking back at Tao with resignation,

"Ok… let's get checked out."

 Tao's face relaxed, and he nodded, picking up Laney as he reached for the comms unit to summon a doctor. It was only then that she realised that she felt more worried than she had first thought. Hearing Tao speak with the doctor over the comm made it sound much more urgent than it really was, but in all honesty she couldn't blame him.

Senati had come to Naboo from her home, the city planet of Coruscant. She had been born, schooled and raised in and around politics and politicians, diplomacy and negotiation.

However her true passion, was in teaching. She loved being able to reword an explanation to make it more digestible and relevant for different students at different levels, to then see the delight in her students faces as they finally understood it. Then of course, the immense pride she felt as her fledgling students took flight to disperse their knowledge amongst the stars. She never needed to know how they fared, but of course she naturally wondered about some students more than others, some who would stand out for one reason or another. But it was generally accepted that as long as one had taught their best, their students would find their way.

One day she had received a message from one of her earliest student graduates, inviting her to visit the palace on Naboo. This student had become a diplomatic emissary for the Queen of Naboo's office, and had recently done a great service in securing a mutually beneficial trade deal with a neighbouring planet that had been contentious for many years.

When the Queen had praised her for these efforts, including several approaches that weren't exactly standard, the student had cited her teacher as her inspiration to think a little differently to achieve a desirable outcome for all.

The Queen had been impressed, and requested her to invite this teacher to Naboo, so the Queen could be introduced and perhaps learn something for herself from this 'fountain of knowledge'.

Despite feeling like an imposter once she was there, curtseying to the Queen in her grand hall, they had taken a walk together. The Queen asked questions around the art and science of politics, and Senati found herself having no issues in being able to respond confidently.

A guard had approached them after several hours of in depth conversation, stating that lunch was ready and politely reminding her Majesty of the busy afternoon of appointments ahead of her.

That was the moment Senati first locked eyes with Tao, a young and upcoming security palace guard. He smiled at her, and inclined his head, before bowing to the Queen and offering his arm to escort her.

Senati was glad to be walking behind them, his smile had made her blush furiously.

Her former student, Vallen, was waiting at the table and greeted her former teacher with open arms, after first curtseying to the Queen. The two sat together and caught up while eating incredible food, with the Queen watching and listening in amusement as they told stories of their days on Coruscant.

Not long afterwards, duty had called Vallen and the Queen away for the afternoon, and Tao was tasked with escorting Senati to the guest quarters and ensuring she had everything she needed for her week long stay.

As they walked, the chemistry between herself and Tao was palpable, but she felt awkward having had no personal experience whatsoever with matters of the heart and courting. But he asked her some questions about Coruscant, and as they walked the conversation started to flow more naturally, and it didn't take long before they were very comfortable in each other's presence. It was a whirlwind after that.

To Vallen's surprise but absolute pleasure, Senati extended her stay for a few days. Vallen soon guessed the reason, so she actively encouraged the pair to get to know one another more. Somehow, they kept running into each other, allowing the conversation to pick up where they had left off previously.

During an evening walking together along the lake, Tao shared more about himself - not many people knew that he had been married once before. However, when they were expecting their first child, they awoke one night as she had yelled out in excruciating pain and saw the bed filled with blood. He had gone for help, but nothing could be done. The baby was too small to live, and the blood loss was too much to replace. His wife had slipped away in his arms - his whole world extinguished in a single night. He had learned to live with the grief eventually, but admitted that he sometimes wondered what his life would have been like had she and the baby survived.

Senati had felt honoured that he would share this private and tragic part of himself with her. Admiring his honesty, she said that she would wonder the same thing. She'd told him that they would always be a part of him, and he should never feel guilty for thinking of or missing them. He had thanked her, tears in his eyes, and she had hugged him firmly, trying in some way to show him that he didn't always need to stand on his own. It had meant more to him than she could ever know.

On the night before she was due to leave, Tao had come to her quarters as she was finishing her packing. Looking up, she smiled at him, and noticed that he wasn't in uniform.

Senati had felt strangely sad at the thought of leaving him behind, likely never seeing him again, but she had dismissed it; worried that this was improper given the short amount of time they had known each other.

"Come to bid me farewell?" She asked, trying to sound casual but definitely failing. She couldn't hide the sadness that tinged her words. That was all he had needed.

He'd strewn across room to her, cupped her face in his hands, and kissed her. She had melted inside before kissing him back.

Smiling, they'd put their foreheads together, and wrapped their arms around each other. 

"Stay..." He had whispered. And stay she had.

Resting back on the lounge as Tao spoke on the comms, her eyes drifted to their mantle where a little mother and baby statue carved from stone stood as a remembrance for the family Tao had lost. Sometimes she spoke to it in her mind, sharing random thoughts about Tao here and there.

 Today, she looked at it and thought, don't worry, I'll take care of him.

~~

Zora's mouth gaped open at Aan, the midwife.

"I'm... I'm sorry, can you repeat that??"

Eren was true to his word, and had stopped by the clinic on his way to work the following morning. The midwife had said she was very happy to pay Zora a visit at home. Having helped deliver the 4 girls, it was no wonder it would have been easier to stay at home!

 A 5th baby, she thought as she made her way to the little seaside cottage, the Force has truly blessed them.

As expected, Zora looked terrible... Pregnancy can be difficult at the best of times, even without other children present... Let alone 4 bright and energetic girls.

Having known Aan their whole lives, the girls threw themselves at her when she arrived, exploding into fits of giggles as she responded with laughs and tickles. All children needed attention, and Aan knew that by giving it to them as soon as she arrived they would soon move onto the next part in their play, leaving the two women to speak without interruption. As predicted, cheeks flushed from laughter, the girls ran off to play.

Aan came over to the couch where Zora was laying, pale with dark circles under her eyes. But the women exchanged warm greetings, Zora's characteristic smile and sparkly eyes like her daughters reassured her that there was nothing too serious to worry about at first glance.

As they began talking all things pregnancy, Aan had dismissed Zora's embarrassment at being unable to remember the dates of her cycles, putting the experienced mother at ease.

"I'm surprised you remember your own name!" she joked, winking at her as she used her hand to gently palpate Zora's tummy, working her way from the ribs to the belly button and below to see how far along this baby was. Her eyebrows shot up as her hand reached the telltale firm resistance indicating the baby's growth... Right in line with the belly button.

"Oh" she said, feeling around from one side to the other, just to be sure.

"What is it?" Zora asked concerned, as Aan reached into her bag for a special shaped cup and placed it below her belly button line before lowering her ear to rest on the flat end of the cup.

"Hang on," she said warmly and calmly. "I just want to check something first."

Moving the cup around she finally stopped on the spot she was listening for. She then moved the cup around the areas she hadn't already listened to, before returning back to the first spot. Closing her eyes, Aan counted the number of beats she could hear in her mind, and Zora remembered that she must have been looking for a heartbeat. Aan's silent counting reassured Zora that there was one at least.

"Perfect." Aan said at last, opening her eyes and removing the cup to place it back in her bag. "Healthy and strong, congratulations Zora!"

And she gave the tired mother's hand a squeeze and let her fix up her top before helping her to sit up so they could discuss the next steps.

Here we go, thought Aan.

"So as I said, the baby's heart beat is strong with a perfect rhythm." She paused.

"But..." Zora asked warily, she wasn't sure where this was going.

"I needed to feel how big your tummy has grown, if at all, so I can estimate how far into your pregnancy you are. I then used my cup to help me confirm one of two conclusions."

Zora waited.

"I can confirm that there is only 1 baby in there, not more, as I could only hear a single heartbeat."

Zora exhaled, apparently holding her breath waiting for the news.

"Ah ok, well that's a relief!!" She said with a nervous laugh. "Whoa! You had me worried!"

Aan smiled but didn't say anything, a look of slight trepidation on her face.

"Yes, I confirmed there is only 1... And ... that you are already halfway through. Your baby will most likely arrive in around 4 moon cycles."

Silence. Zora blinked.

"Whhaa...what??" She asked in shock and disbelief. She hadn't known for HOW long?? Her mind started reeling as she mentally tried to do the math, what was happening 5 months ago?? She couldn't remember.... The pregnancy brain fog wasn't helping things.

4 loud squeals outside announced Eren's arrival home, and he bustled through the door with a little giggling girl hanging off each arm, his waist and one being dragged behind one foot.

"Ohhh you got me!" He said dramatically. "How will I ever escaaaaape? Oh, hey Aan!" he grinned, waving at her, the child attached swinging side to side as he did so.

Oh yep, definitely charming! Aan thought returning the wave. However, his smile fell away instantly as his eyes fell on Zora's face, mouth still gaping open in shock.

"Hey hey girls go play" he said, carefully untangling tiny hands, not taking his eyes off his wife.

Kneeling down beside her he grasped her hand and Zora jumped at his touch, clearly not having noticed his arrival.

"Hey," he said gently, slightly alarmed, eyes switching between the two women in front of him. "What's going on?"

Zora looked at Aan, trying to speak but words clearly failed her, seemingly still in a bit of shock.

"It's ok honey, I can explain." Aan jumped in, patting Zora's arm. Zora nodded absent mindedly. "There's nothing wrong Eren, the baby is fine, heart beat is perfect," she told him, trying to reassure him as he stared intently at her, wide eyed with concern.

"Oh," he said, concern washing away with a deep sigh of relief. "Well that's good! Isn't it love?" He asked looking back at Zora, who still looked a little ashen faced.

"Ok... What am I missing?" He asked confused. "Zora.... Are you ok??"

"I think she's in a little bit of shock," Aan tried to explain, "I was able to determine that there's only one baby, congrats by the way, who should be making its arrival in around 4-5 moon cycles."

"I'm… I'm sorry.... Can you repeat that???" Now Eren's expression matched Zora's.

Ok, so that's my cue to leave, Aan decided, getting to her feet.

"Sounds like you guys need some time to process. I'll see myself out. I'll be back next week to chat a bit more, but let me know if you need anything before then." Now it was Eren's turn to nod absent mindedly as she left.

"How are we going to do this?" Asked Zora in a small voice, a few minutes after Aan had left.

"I guess we'll have to trust the Force?" Eren responded, in a similar small voice.

Zora couldn't help thinking that she had wished her own mother had trusted the Force.

She had been raised by her father, here in this cottage where she'd been born. He'd raised her alone, because after her first life day, her mother had left them, stating that she couldn't cope being a mother anymore, and that their daughter was better off without her.

Zora was 13 when she'd finally gathered up the courage to ask after her mother - and despite all the love, comfort and reassurances her father had provided her with, something shifted within her from that day forward.

Will I be like her?

She'd been drawn to Eren a few years later, his gentleness, confidence and charm radiated from him and filled any space with light wherever he went.

He'd come from a large farming family far away from Theed, but had come to the city to pursue his growing passion of engineering.

Zora's father had called Eren out to their cottage to fix their transport vehicle that had broken down; a way to support himself as he studied. He was intrigued by the shy young woman introduced to him, inviting her to talk with him as he worked. It wasn't long before Zora was passing him tools as they chatted, her increasing comfort being around him evident as the day wore on - just talking, no pressure or expectations, simple enjoyment in each other's company.

Zora's father hadn't seen her smile like that since she was a child, and feeling the Force drawing his life to an unexpected close soon, his heart ached for her, in that she might be alone in her grief. Perhaps the Force had given him an opportunity to prevent that? Suddenly a number of things required fixing, and only Eren's talents would be able to help - out at the cottage of course. It wasn't long before the two young ones were spending more time together, as Zora showed Eren the sights of Theed and the Lake Country.

Months later on his death bed, Zora had sobbed at his side, begging her father to stay with her, because she didn't know how she could manage without him. Knowing how close his daughter had become with Eren, he had asked Eren to see him as he lay dying. With shaky hands, he reached out to both of them and they took a hand each in theirs, and he brought his hands together to place Zora's hands on Eren's.

"Together," he had whispered, saying his final words. "Trust the Force, you can do anything… together".

Still in shock at the midwife's words, Zora and Eren looked at each other, their expressions mirroring. Eren took a big breath.

"Together," he said, a little more confidently. "We'll do this together."

Zora felt her shoulders relax, as he cupped her face and kissed her gently.

She was just thinking about how lucky she was to have him by her side when he pulled back with a face of confusion and asked,

"What has happening 5 months ago??"

Zora's laughter finally broke the tension, "I don't know," she giggled. "But whatever it was... It must have been good!" Then it was Eren's turn to laugh out loud.

The door crashed open and all 4 girls came hurtling in towards them, filling the house with noise as Eren scooped them all up into a whole family cuddle - arms and legs everywhere.

"Girls," Eren announced. "Guess what? Naboo is going to have a new citizen soon! A new baby!"

"Where??" They asked looking around as though they could find one floating nearby.

This time, Zora spoke, with a soft giggle,

"Right here." she said gently, placing her hands on her tummy. There was a short pause, and then the squealing started all over again - happy joyous squealing! Zora felt herself fill with light at their exuberance, and laughed as many little hands joined hers, with Eren's hands on top covering them all.

Thank the Force, we're going to be ok. Like you said Father, we can do anything - together she thought, feeling the worry and concern ebb further and further away.

~~

Chapter Text

Everly was so very done. Her baby was about 2 months away now according to Torban, which felt like it had both come up so fast and yet was also dragging on forever. Sleeping was harder, moving was harder. Her mind wanted to get up and get things done but her body kept protesting and wanting to slow down - it was infuriating! Thankfully in her time since arriving, Everly had discovered several new things that helped to balance her during the more difficult moments.

The first she had discovered not long after arriving at the temple. Her body had begun feeling restless in the evenings, and short walks seemed to help rid her body of excess energy. One evening, Everly had felt particularly fidgety, and had walked a little further than usual, finding herself at the outskirts of the Royal Palace when she heard it; the unmistakable soothing sound of music. She closed her eyes at the sheer pleasure of it. Music had once been her everything.

After obtaining permission, a request having been sent on her behalf by Torban, Everly would walk (slowly) to the palace music practice hall every evening. Sometimes musicians were there practicing, and she would sit there with her eyes closed, feeling the music flow through and wash away her concerns, filling up her heart so it left no room for anything else.

She wondered if this was anything like the meditations that the Jedi did every day. Some days she'd see them as she was cleaning up the research labs; their faces were calm and relaxed, looking exactly like how she felt hearing music.

Running out of room within her, the baby was wriggling constantly - a foot poking here, an elbow there. But it wasn't long before Everly discovered that when music calmed her, the wriggling would calm too. When she had mentioned this at one of her check-ups with Torban, he explained that the youngling's hearing would be developed enough to hear sounds and noises from the outside now. He had suggested that if Everly felt relaxed hearing music, then the baby would likely feel it too. Winking, he mused that perhaps this might be a great helper during some of the more challenging aspects of parenting.

Noted, she thought.

On the days where the music hall was empty, instead of returning later, she'd started to sit herself down at the piano, and play the melodies she had learned so very long ago as a child. Ari had both teased and loved hearing her play, sitting beside her on the stool, amazed at how her hands flew across the keys independent of each other. If he felt daring, which was more often than not, he'd hit a random note interrupting her which usually ended up in his being pushed off the stool in annoyance.

It had taken her a long time to try playing again, having avoided it since Ari's departure, and especially since his death. Too many painful memories. And she didn't want to feel good again, as though feeling good would somehow be a betrayal to his memory, and that she didn't deserve it. She wished she had someone she could talk to about Ari, other than his baby of course - although that was currently a one way conversation. She loved talking with Torban about many things, but it wasn't the same as having a confidante.

The second happened while she was humming to herself as she worked one morning, lost in her own musical world - a voice had interrupted her.

"Oh you have such a beautiful voice!"

Everly dropped the cloth she was using in surprise, and spun around towards the voice, to find a kind-faced woman in front of her, reclined on one of the med clinic's lounges. Heart thudding from the fright, Everly forced herself to calm down and relax, inclining her head to quietly respond,

"Thankyou."

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to…" The woman had begun before her eyes fell on Everly's tummy, and interrupting herself, excitedly asked, "Oh I know I shouldn't presume, but are you having a baby here too?"

She looked like she was positively thrilled as she spoke, and again Everly was not used to her pregnancy being a cause for joy for others. It was only then that she saw the woman also carried a similar sized bump to hers.

"Um, yes I suppose so. Master Torban has been very kind to care for me... Us.... Since we arrived."

Hearing others talk about her impending arrival was not as strange as hearing herself talking about it out loud with a total stranger, however Everly felt herself drawn to the woman and the words just kept coming. They spoke for hours, soon feeling as though they had known each other forever.

The woman, Senati, had come to the temple at the insistence of her husband, who was terrified that history would repeat itself in losing his wife and child again. It turned out the pain she had felt while stretching was more to do with the way she in fact overstretched, but her husband, Tao was still worried. The only compromise she had eventually reached with Tao, the doctors and Master Torban, was that when she went into labour, they would come to the temple to birth so others were at hand to help, but only if required. By the sound of it, both their babies were due around the same time.

Maybe the Force heard me, and brought us together for this reason Everly thought, as they continued to visit each other. Everly was so thankful for a friend who had already had one child without complications, and felt able to ask any question that came to mind. Senati had appeared to be more than happy to take Everly under her wing, explaining that she loved teaching others and felt young people had so much to offer the galaxy despite their so called 'limited' experience. Everly had finally been able to talk about Ari, recalling their many mischievous adventures and troubles they had been a part of together, sometimes making the two ladies laugh till they cried. Oh how Everly had missed this, and she continued thanking the Force for connecting them together.

Master Torban was absolutely buzzing at the thought of two babies being born in the temple, and had to relieve some of his excitement by frequently baking and doing extra meditation almost daily. It was nice though, as they always smelled yummy things wafting from the temple kitchen, knowing there would be something warm and sweet ready for them as they finished their almost daily walk together.

Everly felt more and more like she had come home, she couldn't have asked for anything else.

But the Force wasn't done yet.

~~

Senati adored this sweet girl Everly, who had been so incredibly courageous in leaving her home planet so she and her baby could start a new life, after experiencing such pain and loss on multiple fronts. She obviously wasn't a replacement for Everly's mother, being only senior by about a decade, but she felt a protectiveness for her that strengthened every day.  Senati loved Everly's curious and sharp mind, asking so many questions but learning incredibly quickly - her favourite kind of student. They discussed pregnancy and childbirth of course, but soon after broadened out to everything from biology to politics!

Despite the weight of a grown adult on her 18 year old shoulders, Everly was still only a young girl who was eager to devour as much knowledge as she could, as all young people do.

Laney adored her too, the child helping to bring Everly right out of herself - not that he gave her any choice. Tao was feeling more at ease with things, especially as Senati was more frequently visiting the temple to see Everly, so that most of the time, Senati always had company close at hand in case anything unexpectedly went wrong.

Tao had walked home with Senati one evening, Laney toddling ahead of them. She was recalling to him her conversation with Everly from earlier, about how close both babies were to arriving to each other, and they had both voiced their increasing discomfort as their babies continued to grow. Sighing heavily and taking a small stop rest, Senati continued;

"I'm just so glad I have Everly in my life now, I don't know how I would have managed through these last months without her! There's something incredible about almost seeing a future in front of you; not just yours and mine, but now with Everly, we'll be mothers together, raise our babies together, watch them grow up together…"

The thought made her a little emotional and teary - again; she'd given up trying to suppress it now. Hormones and their effects were just part of the experience Everly had pointed out, not understanding the need to avoid or hide them if she felt safe.

Keeping his eye on Laney who was bending down to pluck a flower on the road ahead, Tao stood solidly so Senati could lean against him rolling one foot and then the other to relieve some pressure in her ankles. Almost absentmindedly, Tao agreed with her;

"You are definitely blessed my love, not everyone is so lucky to have found a connection such as this." He sighed, still watching Laney.

Something about what he said made Senati ask;

"What do you mean? Are you talking about... before?" She was referring to his first wife, speaking this way after their trip to the temple as Tao had started to feel very anxious when they spoke about her more specifically than that.

"Oh no, I was speaking to one of our mechanical engineers today. I've seen him around plenty of times of course, but I noticed that he was looking a little less 'himself' lately, and I asked if he minded me enquiring about his welfare. You know the one, with the handsome smile and dark features?" He teased, reminding her of the first time Senati had seen him working on one of the fighters in the hangar and she'd done a double take. This earned Tao a glare as they started walking again.

"I know who you mean," she said stiffly, to cover up the blush that was reminiscent of the embarrassment she had felt, at having been caught checking out the most gorgeous looking man she'd ever seen, by her own husband not long after they'd been married.

"Haha, yes well, I didn't think I'd seen that handsome smile around much," *sharp glare* "He'd been here but just seemed.... I don't know, burdened and tired. Anyway, it turns out he has 4 little girls at home ranging from ages 2-10."

"Oh stars, that tires me out just thinking about 4 little girls!" Senati commented, understanding why this man may have looked so dishevelled.

"But this sounds like it has only been a recent development? The burdened look I mean? He has obviously been working and co-parenting all 4 girls for 2 years now, I wonder what's changed recently that's pushed him a little too far?" She tried to think of, objectively, the tall, olive skinned, dark featured and very fit looking man as anything but... enigmatic. But she couldn't.

Tao continued as they rounded the last corner before home.

"Ahhh right you are! He's been trying to take on as much of the parenting responsibility around work as possible, because they have only just found out that his wife is unexpectedly expecting their fifth child."

Senati's eyes widened.

Tao nodded, "I know, I was surprised as well - where'd they find the time?"

*smack* "Really???" Senati scolded lightly.

"Ow.... Well, it turns out that she has been quite unwell this time around, making it more difficult to care for the girls while getting adequate rest for herself. On top of that, it sounds like there are concerns weighing very heavily on her heart. He said she has these dark moods at times, but it appears this one is lasting longer than any he's ever seen with her and he's worried. Oh, that and the baby will be arriving in a couple of months," he added nonchalantly.

"Wait what do you mean? Didn't you say they'd only just found out they were pregnant?? How can the baby be due soon if..... Ohhh...." Senati felt a rush of compassion towards this woman she'd never met, realising that she must not have known she was pregnant until recently. And on top of that, be prepared to birth in only a few months' time!

What a shock that must have been! Senati thought to herself. In addition to 4 girls already, and physically unwell besides.

Opening their front door so Laney could run inside to play, Senati plopped herself down onto the couch as Tao started to prepare dinner. She thought about this family's situation, and tried to think of what she herself would want and need if she were in their place.

Thinking out loud, she said mostly to herself,

"So, there's the concern about how she is coping, because she's sicker, which is making her feel even worse. Hmmmm.... And then there's the issue of care for the girls in the short term.... Then there's the pending birth and new baby and all that entails...." Senati's mind was whirring, flicking through possibilities for solutions.

Tao looked over at his wife contemplating things, and a small smile crept onto his face, as he had known his wife couldn't resist a puzzle or helping someone if she could, which was why he had mentioned it on the way home. He was at a loss himself in how to help man to man, father to father. She'd even given him the perfect opening by discussing Everly.

Not looking at him Senati asked, "Who is caring for them for the pregnancy and birth?"

Chopping vegetables and sliding them into a pot of water on the stove, he tried to remember.

"I think he said they were being looked after by the same person who had helped them every other time? But they've had to get them to visit the house for check-ups as she's not up to leaving the house to get to the local clinic. Whoever it is had spoken to him yesterday, concerned that she needed more help medically than what she could provide to them at home. He said that had kept him awake all night trying to work out what to do. So I ended up sending him home. I'm concerned about his capacity right now to manage any issues that require quick thinking up in the hangar."

Senati could see why her husband was concerned, he had an important job that relied on precision and mastery of skill, both of which would be seriously compromised by a single night's missed sleep, let alone everything else he was dealing with.

Determined to help, Senati said firmly, "Leave it with me. I'll go to the temple in the morning as usual, and speak to Master Torban. He may have a solution , perhaps using the Force in conjunction with usual care?"

"Thank you darling," he said, heart swelling with pride at watching his wife answer the call for help.

~~

Bed. Shower. Couch. Repeat. Zora had nothing left.

She had continued being sick, at least twice a day, the effort of which sapped her of any energy she may have had. Trying to eat made it worse. She could only sip liquids slowly, even though she knew her body needed more. The baby, needed more.

The midwife had come around again. Zora hadn't even noticed her arrive until Aan gently grasped her hands and called out her name softly to rouse her. She didn't even know what day it was anymore.

This can't be happening she thought, I need to get up, I need to look after the girls, I need to think about the baby coming.... But it felt as if she had the weight of the ocean on top of her holding her down.

Zora needed help. But she didn't know what help to ask for. Her thoughts were sluggish and foggy, and she found it harder and harder to keep her eyes open for more than a few minutes at a time. But she did notice it was unusually quiet suddenly - never a good sign in a house full of children.

"Where are the girls?" She asked groggily, as she felt Aan check her over again.

"It's alright honey, they're fine. They're being looked after. Stay with me here, I need you to hear me… we are taking you to the med centre at the Jedi temple."

Confused, Zora started to protest but Aan was firm.

"You need this Zora. Your baby needs you, so do the girls, so does that handsome husband of yours." This earned a tiny smile on the corner of Zora's mouth. Ever the funny one.

Eren? Where was he? She looked around for him but her vision was fuzzy.

"I'm here love," came his voice from behind Aan, who was kneeling in front of her while she carried out her checks.

He sounded a bit strange to Zora, but knowing he was there was a relief.

"I'm coming with you, we'll do this together," came his voice again.

Feeling another wave of sleepiness, Zora nodded.

Ok.

Sounds of children laughing....almost musical Zora thought dreamily. The sound was more acute than she remembered, as the noise was growing louder, becoming almost painful.

Still not opening her eyes she called out,

"Girls! Keep it down a bit please...." Wait, was that her voice? She sounded like her grandmother had, words all dry and raspy.

"Hey love," came her favourite voice in the galaxy. And she felt a cool kiss on her forehead. The sound of the children died down, it was nice to know they could hear her despite how she sounded.

Through her eyelids she noticed it was light, very light actually...

"What time is it?" She asked, again surprised at her raspy voice.

"Here love, have a drink." She felt the edge of a long sipper against her lips, and she took a drink, slowly, in case she vomited it up again. But this time, it felt so good, refreshing... Life giving. She took another long sip savouring the sensation as Eren removed the cup.

"Can you open your eyes?" He asked gently.

Weird question she thought. Why would he ask me that? But when she tried, her eyelids felt heavy and sticky. What was going on??

"Face cloth please," she managed, and after a pause, Eren placed a soft, moist and cool cloth in her hands and she brought it up to her face. Oh, stars it felt like heaven. Using it to rub her eyes, she managed to open them much easier this time and found her beloved. But behind him, above them, the structure of the room didn't make sense.... They didn't have exposed wooden beams anywhere in their home…

"Where am I?" She asked, blinking to try and make sense of the unfamiliar scene appearing before her as her eyes adjusted. She was in a large room, in a bed that definitely didn't feel or smell like her own. She looked down, what was she wearing???

Underneath a plan white smock, she felt her baby move, giving her some powerful wallops from inside. Her hand went to her belly as she gently chided,

"Woah baby, I'm awake." She tried to sit herself up, but it felt awkward, so Eren gently helped her, using his strong arms to lift her up the bed and placed pillows behind her. This was not home she realised, but it was familiar....

"Ahh she's awake!" Aan came to the edge of her bed and smiled, while she searched Zora's face with her eyes.

Slowly, Zora's memory returned, fuzzy as it was.

"I'm in the temple?" She asked, and Aan nodded, looking relieved.

"I needed help...." She continued.

"That's right love, we came here to get some help because you were getting too sick to stay home," Eren explained.

The room came into proper focus now, stone walls, plain windows, plain furniture. Reaching out towards the cup, Eren handed it to her, and she sipped again. Oh, that was lovely. Was Jedi water different to home somehow? Taking stock of her body and its sensations, she realised that she no longer felt sick. Another long sip. Yep, tummy felt quiet.

"What happened?" She asked, "after I got here? I feel.... Better...."

"Master Torban and I have been able to ease your nausea, and get your body filled with the fluids and nutrients that you were needing. I think being dehydrated was making your nausea worse and it spiralled out of control, one making the other worse again." Aan replied, speaking somewhat slower than normal.

"Thank you," Zora managed. "Where are the girls?"

Eren inclined his head towards the window,

"Outside, Master Torban's fellow Jedi and a couple of maids from the palace are giving them the time of their lives," he said warmly, a smile spreading across his face - damn that man was handsome.

"I'll leave you to rest," Aan said, as Zora couldn't help but yawn still feeling very tired. "And don't worry about anything, your whole family are currently guests at the temple here so you can be together. You just focus on your healing!"

"Ok," she replied, looking at Eren and as if reading her mind, he came and sat on the bed next to her, cuddling her as he lay her back down.

"Oi!" Aan chirped from the doorway, both their heads coming up to look at her. "Hands above the sheets!" she warned with a cheeky grin and a wink. "This is a holy place!"

Zora felt her face flush red hot, as she dropped her head back onto the pillow smiling, as did Eren with a soft laugh as the door closed behind their hilarious midwife.

Alone together Zora snuggled closer into his chest, that familiar feeling of safety helping her to relax.

Boot!

"Hey!" They both said, realising that the baby had done an almighty kick and they'd both felt it!

"Woah, he's getting strong quickly," Zora commented without thinking.

"He??" Eren looked at her, "something you haven't told me?" He asked with a smile.

Blinking, it took Zora a moment to process what she had just said.... Looking into his eyes she felt a rush of joy.

"We're having a boy?" She said disbelievingly, her voice cracking with emotion, and she felt the baby moving around more, and placed Eren's hand over the spot.

"Woah, strong little fella!" Eren mused, winking at Zora with a smile that had grown even wider.

"I love you," she said, and pulled him in for a kiss. The pressure on her tummy as he leaned in got a swift response again.

"Hey, I was here first," he said with a laugh, leaning down to speak through her tummy at the spot the baby was still kicking at. Zora couldn't help a giggle.

With some trepidation, Zora asked Eren, "So what's the plan then, from here?"

"Master Torban has offered for us to stay here as a family until after the baby is born, so the girls can be amused, you can be cared for, and I can go to work without worrying." He explained.

"Oh ok. Hang on… if you think I'm staying in this bed until the baby arrives you have another thing coming!" she retorted, horrified at the thought of being confined to this room for the next month or so.

Eren laughed softly and kissed her forehead again.

"No love, I think you'll find that when you're ready, you'll have a few comrades in arms to keep you company here. But for now, sleep, and I'll stay here until you wake up."

Feeling more and more sleepy but happy, warm, safe and finally well.... She snuggled back into his chest and almost instantly fell into a deep sleep.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 4: Countdown

Watching Zora's little girls play together on the grass, Everly felt a little pang of sadness that this baby of hers, due ANY DAY now, would never have a full sibling to play with.

Master Torban came out and offered her yet another delicious cookie to munch.

"Honestly Torban, I think there's more cookie than baby in here!" she said shaking her head but happily taking one as she spoke.

She smiled as he offered the plate to Senati and Zora as well, who also eagerly took one each before he went down to the grass to offer one to the girls and their playmates. All 3 women looked at each other and knew they were all thinking the same thing....

Awwwwww.... He's so sweet!

They laughed as the girls kept jumping to try and get another one, despite him very easily keeping his hand just out of their reach.

Everly washed her cookie down with refreshing water, and sighed happily.

The last 4 weeks had flown by as Zora had improved quickly, especially once she'd been introduced to the other two mothers. They'd almost been inseparable since.

3 mothers, 3 babies... Again it's that number 3, Everly thought, sneaky Force. When she had initially shared this thought with the other two, they had laughed and agreed, with Zora adding that she didn't know the Force had a sense of humour. Master Torban had overheard them and called out,

"Of course it does! Why do you think Buckets of Blood is so funny???" Which set them all giggling again, considering he had said it while wearing his signature pink apron.

Everly thought Torban was going to explode the first time he saw all 3 women together, baby bellies bursting as they stood in a semi-circle. He had done well though - he had grinned the biggest grin she'd seen yet before he turned and hot tailed it off to the kitchen. Several batches of baked goods, dessert and 2 hours of meditation later, he had been able to control himself enough to do all 3 health checks. What were the chances.... They were all due to birth around the same week.

The bond that they'd developed in such a short period of time had them each committing to be there for the birth of the other two, baby or baby belly in tow. The two fathers had a wager going on who was going to birth first, what were the biological genders and how big would they be.... It was an amazing, blended family bubble, filled with joy, laughter and so many cookies....

Ever the pragmatist, as they watched Torban give in to the little girls, feigning defeat, Everly finally asked the question she'd been mulling over for days.

"So..... What's next?" She asked, a little more shakily than she'd intended. So much for hiding her nervousness at asking.

She kept looking ahead, feeling too self-conscious to look at the other two despite their increasing bonds, though she thought she could sense them looking at her and each other.

"What do you mean, Ev?" Senati asked gently, and Everly felt a warm hand come to rest on her forearm.

Everly felt her eyes starting to prickle at the gesture, but still couldn't make herself look beside her.

For the first time in a long time, in this moment, she felt like a little girl again, wanting comfort and reassurance. Not about the baby or motherhood, but for herself. It was that primal need to belong, and she had felt more accepted as herself here on Naboo these past few months than she had ever been in her hometown with her family. Well, other than with Ari. They had belonged to each other.

She wondered some nights, when the feeling of being so uncomfortable made falling asleep even more difficult, what would her life could have looked like if Ari was still alive. How would he have reacted to the baby news, given he'd only just started his new life? Most nights, she had comforted herself saying that he would have embraced it, awkward as though it would have been at first as he processed it, but then they would have decided their next steps together. Maybe not as a romantic partner, but a partner nonetheless, fumbling through parenthood and life together - forever entwined by their child.

Other nights, different scenarios played out in her head. Of it all going well for a few years, just the 3 of them, until Ari met someone else. Fallen in love with someone else. Decided on building a life with someone else. Where would that have left her and their child? An unwanted accessory? Back to being shamed by others? Where would that left her? Maybe it was inevitable that she and the baby would be ending up alone together, and a part of her understood that rationally. But another part desperately wanted a home. Not a building - a community.

That's what she had found here, and she tried to be rational and reason that it was always going to end at some point. However her heart held on to each day, never wanting this incredible time to be over.

Everly felt Senati wipe a tear from her cheek that had fallen, which brought her back to the present and she swallowed tightly. Why did this have to feel so hard? Would it have been this hard with Ari asking the same thing?

Thick with emotion, she continued,

"I know that I am so grateful, to the Jedi and to you both for all the kindness and love you have shown me. I now know what family really means, and how it should look and feel…"

Here it comes, she thought - for the baby, she reminded herself as she took a deep breath and continued.

"But I know that you both have your own families and homes to go back to after the babies are born…" She choked up at this point, not able to get the words out as her throat felt even tighter than before. She took another deep but shuddering breath, trying to steady herself, but she couldn't hold it in any longer.

Everly let the hot tears flow now, not caring that they blurred her vision. She hadn't been as openly vulnerable like this since the night before Ari had left, and she realised that that had been the last time she'd felt safe enough to do so, until now.

Why did this have to feel so hard? She thought, still not able to look at the others.

Because it matters, she heard in her thoughts.

~~

Senati's heart broke as she watched Everly, such a brave girl - no, woman, dissolve into tears. Looking over at Zora, she could see her getting teary as she was, face also full of concern. Turning back to Everly, she put her arm around the shuddering shoulders, and pulled the girl into a hug.

"It's ok," she soothed, "everything is going to be ok."

Senati had noticed that Everly had gone a little quiet the past couple of days, and had wanted to ask but when she had approached to do so, whatever it was that was on Everly's face, disappeared under a façade. She took it as a sign that whatever was happening, whatever thoughts or worries Everly had, she would talk about it if and when she was ready.

Zora got herself up slowly, and waddled around to sit next to Everly on the other side of the bench, putting an arm around Everly's waist and leaning in on Senati's hand that was holding her shoulder. There was nothing more to say, sometimes people just needed to have the safe space to be able to fall apart, to let it all out free of judgement, even free from problem solving. The three women held each other, Zora and Senati's tears silent alongside Everly's sobs, just holding the space together.

Torban had looked up from his place on the grass and knew to take the girls somewhere to give the women some privacy, and steered the group towards the kitchen.

After a little while, Everly's sobs eased, and she sat up a little straighter, but Senati and Zora kept their arms around her.

Stars, I can't imagine what she's going through, Senati thought. Becoming a mother is such a life changing thing, and that's even with a partner and a baby that was well planned for! In her case anyway, she knew she couldn't speak for Zora who was in a different stage of motherhood again to the other two.

"I'm sorry," Everly said, in a tiny voice that was still heavy with emotion, in between sniffs.

Senati's heart melted all over again and squeezed her shoulder gently.

"It's ok, you have nothing to be sorry for! We're here for you. Whatever it is that is on your mind, if you feel safe to share it, we're here, but if not, we're still here."

Zora nodded encouragingly, her free hand reaching over to grasp Everly's trembling fist and resting them in her lap.

Senati felt her arm go up and down as Everly took another deep shuddering breath, but this time, it seemed to help calm her a bit better. They waited together, holding space to let Everly set the pace.

"Thank you. This is the kindness and family I was talking about. I only ever had this with Ari - never my parents or other family, not even my friends... Sort of friends…" she corrected.

Senati nodded to encourage her.

"Would.... Would it... B-b-be ok if we kept in touch afterwards? After the babies are here and it's time to leave the temple?"

At this, Everly's red rimmed eyes finally looked at each of the women in turn... Senati thought just how young she looked at this moment, again, still a child in many ways who is having to grow up so much, far too quickly.

Senati cleared her throat, and felt a tiny breeze alert her to her own tear-stained cheeks, not realising that she had cried right alongside Everly. But she was able to speak clearly and with a soothing confidence,

"Sweetheart, of course we can! I admit, I had kind of assumed that we would be - birthing together, raising our children together, celebrating milestones and events as… an extended family. Our 3 children, growing up together, a tight crew full of mischief and adventure. Those are the times we'll really need each other!" She added with a small laugh.

Zora nodded in agreement,

"Absolutely! Something that I have always struggled with, has been feeling isolated from the world outside, because of how chaotic it is inside home. My amazing husband and 4 lively girls are a blessing, but I have progressively been feeling more and more lonely. And I think I caught a glimpse of what could happen if I had continued in the same way… or I go back to the way things were. I feel that being here with you both, has given me a sense of joy within myself - separate to being mother and wife."

Senati smiled at Zora, knowing that this would have been difficult for her to admit… stars, for any of them to admit! Zora smiled back at Senati as she continued,

"I didn't realise it was missing - that absence of joy within myself. But if someone had pointed that out to me before coming here and meeting you two, I think I would have told them to kriff off." she finished with a wink. A laugh and a smile broke through Everly's still falling tears, and Senati couldn't help but join in as well, surprised at hearing Zora curse.

After a moment's pause, Zora looked pointedly at both women as she spoke,

"I am a better person for having you two in my life…" Emotion choked her a little as she said this, eyes watering again, "and because of that I know that I'll also be able to be a better wife and mother. I can't put it into words how much this all means to me…" Zora's voice breaking off.

Senati nodded, unable to speak either, and feeling her eyes grow hot and tears fell again, feeling her heart agree with every sentiment.

Clearing her throat again somewhat, she was just able to get a few words out,

"Zora and I are here for you, and each other as long as you'll have us." Senati saw the relief that Everly felt at her words dance across her face.

After a few moments, she tentatively asked, "Have you had any thoughts about your own family, your parents back home?"

Everly's eyebrows drew together before slightly shaking her head, Senati knew that it was a difficult topic, but felt the need to ask her about it now.

"They made their position perfectly clear," she stated in a firm voice. "I don't know about in the future, but at least for the time being.... This is home, this is my family…" Everly squeezed one of the women's hands in each of hers, "You are my home and family," she finished, looking at both women, a small smile appearing that softened her entire expression.

"Then home and family we are," Senati said kindly and confidently, feeling so.... motherly, as the three ladies pulled each other close again, big baby bellies in close proximity making it a little difficult.

There was a moment as they all pulled each other close, when all bellies touched, each one leaning up against the other. None of them had realised until boot! Senati laughed out loud in surprise, at the same time the other two did as well.

"Goodness," she said, looking down where she had felt her baby kick, right in between the places where her belly touched the other two. "They're already trying to play together... Gosh we are in trouble aren't we?" She said with a wink.

Laughing they hugged again, feeling their babies rolling and kicking each other. Senati kissed Everly on the forehead as they hugged and said in her mind,

I've got you, I'll always be here to support and look after you - always.

~~

Zora leaned back on her chair, feeling extremely full... Of baby and dinner. It didn't take much to fill up on food these days, with the big day due to happen anytime now. However, frustratingly, she knew she'd feel hungry again later. Her baby rolled as he got a surge of energy from her meal, and she told the girls to come and put their hands on her tummy to feel their baby brother who was awake. Eight little hands all around her belly, watching as a lump rose here and there, making the girl who's hand was on top giggle with glee.

"All right girls, time for bed," Eren said, planting a kiss on Zora's forehead and then on his unborn child. When they protested he said,

"There'll be plenty of time to play with him once he's here, who knows maybe he'll even arrive tonight? (more squeals) so you'll need to have plenty of sleep tonight just in case, ok?" The girls tore off out of the room, their feet thundering along the floorboards as they ran to their temporary beds. The laughing and talking faded until Eren had followed them and closed the door to their room, so he could sit with them and tell them a bedtime story, allowing Zora to have some peace and quiet.

Senati called over, "Tonight hey? Does he know something we don't?" She teased.

Zora groaned.

"Ohhh wouldn't it be great it if was, I swear I'm bigger than I was with any of the girls. The longer he stays in there, he'll just keep on growing! You're welcome to arrive anytime little man!!" She spoke the last words directly to her belly, however it seemed the baby had gone back to sleep as he gave her no response. Either that, or he was already cheeky like his father and ignoring her.

The Jedi had finished dinner, cleaned up and had gone to evening meditation. This left the 3 mothers-to-be to relax in each other's company, in the common room, as Senati's husband was working evening shifts. He'd popped in for dinner as usual, given the close proximity of his palace posting and the nearby temple, before putting Laney down to bed in a spare room and returning to his duties.

Everly was brushing out her hair, which was incredibly long now.

"Have you guys had any thoughts about baby names yet?" she asked, as she brushed. "One of the visiting scientists was saying that on their home world, naming a baby before birth was a bad omen. Another had said that it was good to be prepared with a few, because the first few days are so hectic and our minds would likely not be able to think that clearly." Everly turned to eye the other women, "I know I'm not a parent yet, but I'm pretty sure from what I've learned, we will only have some times where we are…" Pausing, trying to think of the right word... "Forgetful? That doesn't sound right, but you know what I mean." Placing the brush down on the bench, Everly started to braid her hair.

Zora watched as Everly tried to braid, but got fed up quickly and just plaited it into a long tail. Zora had been trying to teach her how to braid her own hair when she was doing the girl's hair each morning, however the girls were not patient, and Zora found herself having to quickly get it done before there was a meltdown. Then she had an idea and looked over at Senati.

"Senati... Can I use your hair to teach Everly how to braid? I'm sure you'll be much more compliant than my usual clients," she said, winking at Everly.

Senati paused, and agreed providing that she get a little shoulder massage afterwards for her troubles. They set up so Zora and Everly were side by side on the couch, and Senati was on a cushion on the floor between them, making grumbling noises as she eventually lowered herself into position. Zora brushed Senati's thick dark hair, that fell just below her shoulders, making it perfect for demonstrating and practice, and parted the locks into two parts.

Zora was about to start when Senati asked them to hold while she shifted on the cushion to get a bit more comfortable.

"Ok, Everly just watch and copy - the more you do it the easier it gets. So baby names.... Are we superstitious?" She asked them cheekily.

Asking the two to hold again so she could shift again, Senati then asked Zora,

"You're the one who has multiple children, what did you and Eren do? Did you know or have the girl's names picked out beforehand?"

Ensuring that she braided slower than normal for Everly, Zora answered,

"Well with our first we had one of each gender already because those names were a family tradition, so that was easy. And we figured that after that, we'd just have the opposite one to use next time. So poor Adel got lumped with her grandmother's name, my mother, as the first girl is always named after the mother's mother either in first or middle names. After that because we never had a boy, we had to keep coming up with new girls names! Eren got Sani from a holo show he liked.... I know," (answering the inevitable eyebrow raises) "but I ended up liking the show and the name as well. By the time Jana arrived, her sisters were old enough to have a say so Jana it was. We just haven't told her that it was because the horse next door had that name, and the girls were trying to convince us to get them one at the time. And Bea.... Hmmmmmm."

Zora tried to remember how they came up with Bea's name, she searched her memory, feeling it there but just out of reach... Ug, pregnancy brain. "Can't remember, I'll ask Eren when he comes back. What about you Senati?"

"Sorry ladies, I really need to stand, I think I've lost blood flow to my rear, can you help me up?"

Zora giggled as she and Everly helped Senati up off the floor, because she knew that any of them would be the same; feeling like a space whale being pulled down by gravitational force.

Luckily, Everly and Zora had finished a braid on either side, finishing the ends with a plait. As Senati stood with her hands on her lower back, she swayed side to side to restore blood flow, Zora checked out Everly's efforts.

I'm a pretty good teacher, she thought, finding it difficult to tell the braids apart.

"Ev, you're doing great!! Senati, has the blood flow returned yet? I'll get Everly to practice one big one... Are you ok?" Zora stopped in surprise, as she noticed that Senati was taking some deep breaths as she swayed, appearing not to have heard her. Zora knew instantly.

"Oh honey…" she said, coming around to Senati's front, looking her friend up and down. "I'm thinking that your baby might be arriving before mine... How long have you felt like this?"

Senati didn't answer for a few moments, clearly waiting for a pause in her apparent pains. When it passed, Senati was able to reply,

"I think I've been having twinges all day, I just haven't been able to sit still. But I think my adventure to the floor and back just now," glancing at the cushion in front of the lounge, "may have really kicked things off." Still swaying, she laughed,

"Who knew having one's hair done could bring about labour?" Before closing her eyes as another pain started.

Zora was no birth expert, however from experience she knew that subsequent babies tended to arrive a little quicker than first ones. Looking at Everly, Zora could see that she was a little wide eyed and pale.

"Everly honey, could you go and find the Jedi and let them know to come visit please?" She said it as calmly and soothingly as she could, definitely for Everly's sake rather than Senati's. Without speaking Everly left the room.

Zora felt herself going into what she liked to call, 'mother-mode'. After checking Senati was alright for a few minutes, without going too far, Zora started to tidy up and get some of linen out of the cupboard that had been put aside for this moment. She guided Senati over so she could lean on the bench, and started to carefully, move the furniture and cushions away to have a clear space in the common room. The plan had been that the common room would provide a nice home-like environment as opposed to the med clinic itself, which would help keep everyone nice and calm but close enough for help if needed.

Satisfied for the moment, Zora went and fetched a pitcher of water and a glass, filling it up and offering it to Senati to take small sips frequently.

"You need to keep up your fluids. Small sips," she encouraged gently.

"Hmmmmm......." Senati hummed..... "Gosh I really had forgotten how this feels," she commented as she continued to sway.

A pair of horns atop a blue head peered around the door; Torban checking out the situation so as not to disturb or barge in. Zora looked over and saw him peering in, and as she walked over to him, wondered just how much would he be trying NOT to come in with his excitement. He surprised her by being very calm and focussed... Asking her questions so he could get a bit of a picture of how things were going.

He then went off to find Tao while Senati was still in the early stages, as he had agreed with Zora that it would likely be quicker second time around.

Zora continued to bustle around, feeling pleased to have purpose and something useful to do. In the last week, Zora had come up with several ideas for how they could be ready for whenever the babies decided to arrive, so she had made up 3 bundles of everything - labour kits, and newborn kits, and had even pushed Torban out of the kitchen to prepare some hearty meals and soft mashed fruits that would be easy to eat during labour.

Eren had walked into the kitchen hoping to sneak a few cookies after dinner that evening, Torban wouldn't mind, but was met with a very feisty wife who looked as though she had several meals cooking all at once.

Ohhh..... He thought, we must be getting close, she's nesting.

He had tried to back out with being seen, but alas, he was caught. The other thing that came along with nesting from the previous 4 experiences, were the mood swings that were far more erratic than usual. So when she caught him, she had raged in anger at him trying to sneak food, then accused him of spying on her to monitor what she was doing before bursting into tears saying that it was all too hard.

In the present, Eren had walked back through the door after putting the girls to bed, and stopped suddenly in surprise. The furniture had been moved, lights dimmed, linen in piles around the place, and Zora was quietly zipping around getting 'things' done. As Eren's eyes adjusted, he could see Senati with her head down on folded arms over the bench, swaying and humming rhythmically.

Ah. I guess it had to start some time he thought, trying not to get in the way or seem like he was 'spying' as he made his way over to Zora. Before she spoke he put both his hands up in defence, whispering that he was only checking in and not keeping an eye on her. To his surprise, she smiled, and reached up to put a hand gently to cup his cheek, and nodded. She held him there. They stared into each other's eyes in the low light, having a conversation without words - I love you... This is incredible... Our turn soon... Everything is going to be ok.

Zora dragged her eyes away from Eren's and looked around him. Seeing that the room still only had 3 of them, she asked Eren to go and find Everly as she hadn't come back since she was sent to the Jedi, and Torban had already popped in. He nodded and quietly left.

Zora, feeling that she had done enough for the moment to prepare, went and stood next to Senati to keep her company and provide distraction as needed.

"So, about those baby names…" She asked with a wicked little smile.

~~

Chapter Text

Everly was pacing. Everly was feeling a little panicked. Everly heard a voice in her head repeatedly say, you can't do this.

"This is ridiculous," she muttered to herself, trying to drown out the voice. "Get a grip, this is a perfectly natural thing that happens constantly, all over the galaxy, and there is no reason to think that it will be any different for me."

So if she knew all this, and believed it, why was she still feeling as though she was about to topple over the side of a cliff?

"Are you ok?" A deep voice asked gently, making Everly yell out in fright.

"Eren, by the stars you scared me!" She said, hand on her chest, feeling her heart hammering. Everly put her other hand on her tummy, having felt her baby jump at the sound of her yell. "Are you trying to put me in labour as well?" She finished with a nervous little laugh.

"I'm… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…" Eren stammered, hands up as if in surrender. "I'm just following orders from Zora."

"Ah ok," she nodded, finally feeling that her breathing and heart were going back to normal. She sank down and sat on the garden bench, the cool night air was such a relief on her skin. "It's all good Eren. What are your orders?" she asked with a wink, knowing what Zora had been like lately.

"Zora asked me to find you because she hadn't seen you come back after sending you to the Jedi, and wanted me to check in. If you don't mind me saying, I'm glad she did.... Before I scared you, you didn't look.... Yourself. Are you ok?"

"Oh yep I'm fine, thank you," she chirped, a little too brightly. Eren crossed his arms and raised one eyebrow, his expression telling her that he didn't buy it. She smiled awkwardly for another couple of moments then slumped forward, putting one arm across the top of her belly, and using her other arm to prop herself up as she put her chin in her hand.

"Oh who am I kidding?" she said in exasperation.

Eren stepped down into the courtyard, and joined her on the bench.

"Wanna talk?" He asked casually, leaning back on his hands and looking up into the darkening starry sky.

Everly felt a rush of gratitude towards this gentle giant, who had started to feel like a big brother to her, funny and goofing off whenever he could. He had recently said to her that she reminded him of his own little sister, who he hadn't seen in a long time. Having been born and raised on Naboo, he had enjoyed recounting stories of his childhood to her, especially of the times he and his sisters had spent days at the banks or beaches of different bodies of water - having always been drawn to it, 'by the Force' their mother had said.

Everly lent back on her hands as well, also looking up into the sky, not answering at first. Eren waited though, knowing that if she wanted to share she would.

Everly wasn't sure how to say what she was feeling, without sounding silly or childlike. Seeing Eren as more of a brother had had the effect of her feeling much younger, or at least, what others her age must be like without the added burdens she carried.

"It's really real.... Isn't it?" She asked quietly.

"Yeah you're going to have to narrow that down a wee bit for me," he teased.

Scoffing with a smile, she tried again, still speaking in a quiet hushed tone.

"I… I'm really having a baby.... Aren't I?" .

"Well, I know Torban likes to cook but I'm pretty sure there's more than cakes and cookies in there," he said with a silly grin. The look she gave him was NOT of amusement. Clearing his throat to be a little more serious, he asked,

"Is there a particular part of all this that scares you the most?"

 She shot a look at him in surprise... For someone needing her to 'narrow it down', he had hit the mark precisely. That was exactly how she felt. Scared. She had to fight so hard not to withdraw, and stay in the conversation, to be vulnerable and trust the Force to allow a real connection to others. But Force, he was right... She was absolutely terrified.

Taking a big breath to steady her nerves, Everly spoke aloud the words that had haunted her since she was very small, words she couldn't even say to out loud to Ari,

"What if I can't do this? What if… I fail?" She heard how her voice sounded a little shaky and so small. She'd been raised to always be confident, study hard, lead well, do her family proud.... She thought she'd been able to leave that pressure and expectation behind, but clearly not what she had put on to herself.

"I left my family, because I knew it was the right thing if I wanted my baby to live. I think I've been so focused on the short term, because anything more than that hasn't felt real. But I'll be connected to this child for the rest of my life… I'm going to be the only one to care for it, raise it, teach it... But what if I do it all wrong? What if my child ends up running away from me like I ran away from my parents?"

Her thoughts were coming fast, feeling the relief of letting it all out and not hiding it anymore, even from herself.

"How am I supposed to know the right way, the right thing, the right direction, the right answer each and every time? With ZERO experience? And it hadn't seemed real, until tonight when we realised that Senati was in labour. That will be me, anytime now, and I don't feel ready. But it's all screaming towards me… like on a freighter that can't be stopped… I have no choice… and I just know I'm going to fail!"

She had spoken so fast that she left herself a bit breathless, and was amazed at herself for everything she had said. And then, having finally verbalised it and accepted that she was feeling this way, the weight of it came crashing down. Putting her head in her hands, she burst into tears, not embarrassed at doing so in front of Eren.

He put his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head affectionately,

"Hey hey, you're getting a bit too ahead of yourself. The Jedi say that we should only live in the present, because that's what truly matters. I've always struggled with that… staying in the moment, but I know that it's true. We are also human.... Beings who are going to make mistakes, screw up, hurt others, hurt ourselves, and yes.... That will sometimes include our own younglings."

He handed her a cloth and she mopped her face.

"I'm scared too," he continued, and she looked at him incredulously. How could someone who had been a parent for the last decade, with multiple children, be scared?

As if reading her mind, he continued;

"Each baby is different and unique. They all have their own challenges and different needs. I'm scared this time, because I'm the one who is going to have to somehow teach my son… how to be a man. And I don't know how to do that," he said shrugging.

"I've had sisters, a wife and daughters.... I can teach him to handle that.... But I hear you. I'm scared that I will fail him, that I won't be able to impart on him what he is going to need to go through life. My head knows it's illogical...." he tailored off.

 "... But the heart can't help itself," she finished for him. "So what do we do?"

Eren took a big sigh, and let it out slowly before answering.

"I guess we acknowledge our fears, and what drives them. We fall, and we get back up. Time and time again. Hopefully learning something along the way," he gave her a side smile and a wink that made her laugh.

"But no matter what happens, you are not alone. You don't have to be force sensitive to know that we are all connected to each other and everything around us. No one is meant to do life by themselves.... No matter how strong they are, even me," at this he flexed one of his biceps.

Everly screwed up her nose and muttered... "Show off." She playfully pushed him over so he nearly lost his balance, and they both had a laugh together.

"Thanks Eren, I actually feel a lot better. I definitely get stuck in my own head far too often. Ari used to be the only one who knew how to pull me out. I thought that when he died, I'd never find a connection like that again. That that meant I had to always stand on my own two feet and not rely on anyone else, as a necessary part of growing up." She looked around the garden, the soft lights lighting the paths and verandas through the darkness of night then back at him. "But you're right, I'm still learning..."

"Come on," he said standing, offering the crook of his arm for her to take.

"Senati is going to need us... Going to need you. And soon, Zora and I will need you and you'll need us. We are all in this together, in this moment now, and by the sound of it for many years to come."

With a small sigh, Everly pushed herself up and took his arm. They walked in silence, each lost in their thoughts.

She smiled, again thanking the Force as she thought and truly believed it for the first time,

I am not alone.

~~

Senati couldn't believe it. She'd done it. He was finally here. She leant back into Tao who sat behind her, grinning from ear to ear as they as both stared adoringly at their newborn son. His tiny little toes, long fingers, shock of black hair... Had Laney ever been this tiny?

Tao had bolted to the temple as soon as he saw Torban, knowing there'd only be 1 reason someone would be looking for him at work this late in the night. Tao was fit, but when he arrived he was puffing solidly.

"I'm here" he gasped, as he ran through the door, looking around wildly for Senati. As he caught his breath, he saw the 3 women standing together with arms around each other; Senati in the middle, being supported by the other two. She had her eyes closed, beads of sweat on her face, breathing evenly and deeply, but she looked so... Serene.

He'd been so powerless to help his first wife and child, and had been having nightmares and flashbacks for the last few months, waking up in a cold sweat, only calming when Senati had him in her arms to soothe him that she was right there, and the baby was fine. He hadn't had dreams like that for so long, not even when Senati was pregnant with Laney.

But looking at her now, something shifted in him. He felt... A presence, one that was sad but full of love. He couldn't explain it, but he heard a message impressed onto his heart;

It's time to forgive yourself, and allow yourself to be happy. Go to her, and care for her, everything is going to be alright.

A tear slid from the corner of his eye, and he felt the weight of years of regret and blame lift from his shoulders.

"Tao!" Senati had opened her eyes, having gone through another pain, and she'd felt flooded with relief and joy at seeing him there. Zora and Everly beamed at him as he came and they had stepped back so Senati could free her arms, allowing her to throw them around her beloved. And from there, they rode the waves together, moving as one. He was her polestar and shining light to keep her going.

As the birth became imminent, her awareness narrowed and it was just her and Tao. Even with her eyes closed, she knew that their new extended family was revolving around them, providing the precise amount of space and support, like celestial bodies orbiting around a star. They were their own galaxy, and as she felt herself crescendo, trusting her body and baby, she was hit with a bright vision, and it was as if she could see their galaxy from afar, stars separate but yet connected, all drawn together. Her body gave the final push and almost as suddenly as the vision appeared, it dissolved and her eyes fell upon their baby who had finally made his journey to join their galaxy of stars.

Holding him close to her chest, she looked at Tao and he leant down to kiss her,

"We did it!" She said, beaming...no...glowing! He was so proud of her.

Once the afterbirth was delivered, and Torban had checked her over, Zora and Everly tucked Senati into bed, and offered her the best tea and toasted bread she'd ever eaten in her life! Tao came to the bedside, having gone to get Laney, who had just woken up as the dawn was breaking. Torban was taking a rather long time to finish off checking over the baby, which he had insisted must be done in his arms while Senati was made comfortable. The 3 women looked at each other again with smiles, almost barely able to see the tiny patch of pink skin amongst Torban's large and vivid blue arms. Once Tao, Senati and Laney were all tucked up together in bed, Torban gently kissed the baby's head and semi-reluctantly handed him back.

Senati's heart was full to bursting, as the new family of four got to know each other. The others agreed that it was time to let them have some privacy together, but before they left, Zora couldn't help but ask;

"Ok, NOW can you tell us his name?"

Everyone stopped to hear the answer. Senati nodded at Tao, giving him the honour.

Tao took a breath and announced,

"Welcome, and May the Force be with you, our little Stellan Gios."

~~

Eren and Zora lay on their bed in the temple, the sun not fully up yet, exhausted and exhilarated from the night's events.

"Tao owes me," Eren said breaking the silence.

Confused, Zora asked,

"How do you figure that?"

He turned to smile cheekily at her, and held up 2 fingers,

"They went first and it's a boy!"

Zora laughed and playfully tapped his nose before she stretched herself out on her side,

"Oh I'm so tired and sore. I think I overdid it moving the furniture."

He gave her a knowing look with an eyebrow raised, and she rolled her eyes.

"Ok I DID overdo it moving the furniture. I think I'll sit under the hot water in the shower for a bit."

Eren looked at her with a wink, "can I be of some assistance my love?"

"Hahaha" she laughed, "why… yes you can. Can you… bring me a big, hot… homemade breakfast?" A cheeky grin spread right across her face.

His face fell, he'd walked right into that one. "Pleeeease?"

"Whatever my lady requires," he said dramatically, as he hoisted himself out of bed, made a bow with a flourish, and went out the door.

Zora lay perfectly still, deliberately waiting a few seconds so he was well on his way before yelling,

"Love you!" She knew full well what he had wanted to 'assist' her with, and smiled to herself when there was a disgruntled "hmgmmhmh" in reply.

Rolling onto her side, and walking herself upright with her hands, she sat on the edge of the bed and yawned. As she leant forward to get up she quickly sat back down again. For a moment there, Zora thought that she was going to wet herself, and had sat backdown to prevent that. Her poor bladder. She sat still for another minute or so, and tried again but much slower... Maybe the position of the baby had pushed against her bladder when she'd tried to get up too quickly? Easing herself up, this time she knew she hadn't wet herself. She sighed in relief as she stood straight up, before there was a tell-tale trickle down the inside of her leg.

"Oh kriff…" She said out loud. "I definitely overdid it with the furniture."

Then she felt the first tightening, and she knew for sure.

I guess you're arriving today too sweet one.

Eren had recovered from his rejection of his offer of shower 'assistance' and had made an extra effort putting a few things to munch and drink onto a tray. He spied a little floret of flowers that had bloomed on a bush just outside the window to the kitchen, so he plucked it and put it in a little water jug on the tray. He looked it over with pride, congratulating himself on a job well done.

Walking back towards their room, he heard little Stellan's cries down the hall, and he felt his heart melt...

There's nothing like the cries of a newling, and he realised that he was really looking forward to sleepy baby cuddles, taking full advantage of their almost constant need to sleep and snuggle. He rounded the corner still daydreaming,

Oh and that new baby smell... Oh if only someone could bottle tha.... He stopped as he got to the doorway, and nearly dropped the tray.

"Zora!" She was on all fours on the bed, breathing very quickly, her hands tightly closed around handfuls of blanket that made her knuckles turn white. He quickly strode into the room putting the tray on a chair before coming over to her.

"Are you...?" He started... Putting a hand on her back. She immediately swatted it away.

"Yes," she replied with great effort. "Turns out… you aren't the only one… with a competitive streak."

"But I wasn't gone very long…" he murmured, bewildered so much could change so fast.

"Well," she said, through gritted teeth, "it was long enough!" She exhaled loudly using her voice.

He was still stunned.... But how...

"5th. Baby. Eren!" She interrupted his thoughts snappily.

"Right... Ok should I go get help or stay? I'm kind of worried if I go, I'll miss the whole thing…" the look Zora gave him made him think that perhaps this wasn't the time for humour.

"Yep I'll be back" he said and raced out of the door.

Zora shook her head in disbelief as another pain overtook her.... Stars this was happening fast... For a split second she thought that maybe she would birth the baby alone but dismissed it immediately. He's calling for help, not making a sandwich.

Everly popped in so quietly, Zora almost didn't hear her.

With effort, she knelt down so Zora didn't have to move much to look at her as she spoke,

"Zora, Torban's getting the second kit out and ready for you, and Eren is just talking to the girls before they'll be looked after by the other Jedi, and he'll be right back."

She paused as Zora nodded, and was overtaken by another wave, each one now crashing harder and faster than the previous one.

She tried to rest between each one, to conserve her energy, but in those few moments of clarity, she realised that there was no way she was going to be able to move off this bed. She looked at Everly, and whispered hoarsely,

"I'll have to have him here, Ev! I…I can't move!"

Everly's mouth dropped open in surprise, "I'll go get Torban!"

"Wait!" She cried out, reaching for Everly's hand, "Please stay, I don't want to be alone again!" Zora was starting to feel panicked… was there such a thing as too fast?

Everly knelt back down beside the bed and grasped her hand.

"I'm here, you're safe" she said soothingly. Another wave took Zora's breath away as she held onto Everly's hand, using it as an anchor to focus on.

"I'm scared," she admitted shakily, already feeling worn out from the ferocity of the waves as they kept hitting, getting closer together and more intense.

"We're here for you honey," came a voice from the opposite side of the bed. Senati was right there, hand over Zora's other one that still gripped the sheets. Zora almost cried at seeing both of them there, helping her, just as they promised they would.

Torban came through the door, but Zora couldn't concentrate on him right now. Then Eren reappeared in front of her face.

"It's ok Zora, you're safe. I'm here, we all are." Her stoic facade completely melted away, and she threw her arms around his neck gripping him tightly as another wave of pain crashed, bigger than the last.

It had barely finished when another one hit almost straight away, making her cry out, but using her voice made it slightly easier to bear,

"Oh kriff!" She yelled, suddenly full of self-doubt, "I don't think I can do this!"

As if in sync, she heard a multitude of voices, simultaneously responding,

"YES YOU CAN!"

She heard it loud and clear. It was enough. Zora knew she was safe and was being buoyed by those around her. She looked up into Eren's face, those gorgeous dark eyes she'd fallen in love with, and locked onto them.

Feeling the final waves begin, she whispered to him,

"Let's do this… together." He nodded, and she let herself go, roaring with the tide, no longer fighting it until a sudden overwhelming surge followed by a single cry told her… he was here.

Chapter Text

Zora had fallen asleep before they'd had the chance to announce their baby's name together, but Eren was confident that she wouldn't mind. He whispered the name to the 4 new big sisters, and they said together,

"Welcome to the clan and may the Force be with you, our little Elzar Mann."

Even though it had only been a few hours between the boy's births, Everly was struck at how different the experiences had been to each other. And not just in what had happened, but in how she felt about them. Bone tired from being awake for almost an entire rotation, Everly had made herself a tea and gone to try and get some sleep. However even once her tea was finished and she was all tucked up in bed, her mind continued processing all that had just happened.

At dinner last night, she had suddenly been forced to face up to the reality of her impending motherhood, feeling crushed under the weight of responsibility and expectation, so had started to despair... But her new family had each played different parts in helping her to put aside those fears, not just in their words, but through their actions too.

Everly could almost see the Force actively bonding them all together as a group and to each other as individuals - not just those bonds between the others and herself individually, but also the bonds the others had with one another. The Force was showing her the true meaning of life in connection and joy with others. And she finally felt down to her core, beyond any doubt, that no matter what happened from now on, she would never be alone again.

Looking down, Everly felt her baby squirming in the now extra tight space, and she made a point of committing these moments to memory; the sensations of her baby's hiccups, rolls, nudges… because one day very soon that time in her life would be over, and the next part would begin. Everly felt a jab of something bony, an elbow or foot and from the outside, she gently pushed back against it before feeling her baby push back against her!

Smiling, she realised that no other being in the universe had ever been this physically close to her or had heard her heartbeat from the inside... Not even Ari. This was her baby, and she was her baby's mother. Nothing, not even death could change that fact now, and they would be forever linked to each other even when they weren't together.

These thoughts sang from within her, and she realised that she was, and she wasn't, the same person as the night before. It wasn't a matter of changing from one version of herself into another; Everly now understood that both could and would coexist with each other. In fact, there would be multiple Everly's coexisting throughout her life; as herself, a daughter, a friend, a mother, and hopefully one day a healer, and perhaps even a partner. She felt so grown up, heart bursting with happiness. Everly gave a big yawn, finally feeling sleepy, and told her baby to take all the time in the world.

One week later....

Everly was NOT feeling the same as she had the day the boys were born. In all that excitement, she had thought perhaps her own baby would arrive shortly after. But… no. Someone was very comfortable staying right where they were. Still, it had been so lovely snuggling with little Stellan and Elzar. It had only been a week, but they already looked bigger!

Stellan had the same dark eyes, long lashes and dark hair as his brother, and when he was awake, he was quietly observant, as if taking in everything around him.

Elzar on the other hand, was a spitting image of his father; olive skin, wisp of black hair, and dark eyes too, but his temperament was a little different. He seemed to prefer being around people, and let everyone know it if he thought he was by himself.

Everly felt her baby move so much whenever she was holding one of them, it was almost as if her baby knew it was near a playmate.

Another thing she had thought about this past week, was that even though her own family hadn't wanted her to have the baby, she felt that she wanted her child to at least have the opportunity to get to know their grandparents, if her child chose to. Originally Everly had decided never to reach out, but watching her new extended family, she thought that she would at least write to them and let them know of the birth of their grandchild, once she felt settled into motherhood. Everly would also reach out to Ari's parents, who would hopefully see their son living through his child once enough time had passed. But first…someone need to get a move on and actually be born!

~~

Senati woke up on the 8th morning after having Stellan, to a cool rainy day, still residing in the temple. Sitting up in their bed, she looked back to see all 3 of her boys snuggled together still sound asleep.

Tao had been given time off to spend with their newly expanded family, and they had both been relieved that the nightmares that had been plaguing Tao's dreams for months had vanished completely with Stellan's birth.

Tummy grumbling, Senati gently picked up Stellan, and took him to the chair in the corner of the room - he was still asleep and so warm in her arms. She nursed him so a full tummy might help him sleep a little longer, (maybe even all 3 boys!) and then popped him down in the cradle next to the bed. Senati slipped on her robe and cloth shoes, and tiptoed down to the kitchen for an early breakfast.

It was pretty dark in there, Senati noticing that the lamps hadn't been lit this morning yet. Strange, she thought, as she lit them herself. It was very oddly quiet, aside from the occasional early morning birdcall amongst the falling rain. Nevertheless, she fixed herself some breakfast and sat in the common room, still not having observed a single person.

As she finished eating, Zora poked her head through the door startling Senati, but quickly quieted when Zora put a finger against her lips indicating her to be quiet, and tilting her head to the side, as if she was listening for something.

"Something doesn't feel right," Zora whispered loudly, "Do you feel it?"

Senati nodded, she too whispered,

"Yes, something feels off this morning, but I can't put my finger on what it is." Looking around, but not seeing anything out of the ordinary she continued. "It just seems so quiet in here… too quiet."

Nodding, Zora pondered for a moment and then a thought seemed to have struck her, "Have you seen Everly this morning?"

"No, I haven't heard or seen anyone around since I got up," Senati replied as she stood and took her bowl over to the sink. Then she said to Zora, "Come on let's go and check on her."

Both women walked the short distance to Everly's quarters, only to find the door ajar and the room dark and empty. They looked at each other with shared concern. Where could she have gone?

It still felt and sounded far too quiet for Everly to have been just outside, so they took off to the main clinic.

As they approached, they started to hear muffled sounds like people moving around and the occasional shaky whimper. Senati looked at Zora in alarm. Everly!

Together, they quietly opened and came through the clinic doors, where they saw that it was Everly, lying on her side with her back to them on the furthest clinic bed from the door. As they approached they could see that she was sweaty, breathing unevenly, obviously exhausted and obviously in labour. Zora was the first to exclaim as quietly as she could,

"Everly… what are you… are you okay? What's happened?"

Senati could hear the distress in her voice even at this level.

Her own first reaction was to take a step toward to put her hands to support the girl but saw Master Torban, who had been kneeling next to the bed, head bowed, eyes closed with one hand on Everly's tummy, and the other on her forehead. When he felt them approach, he put his hand up to halt them. He stood up, gently reassured Everly that he would be back in a moment and indicated to the two ladies to step outside with him.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Zora asked again, this time with less distress and more command.

"What is going on? "

Master Torban said in a very low yet serious voice,

"Everly went into labour during the night but had tried to manage on her own without disturbing anybody else. Not surprisingly, being her first baby, the labour has been on the longer side, but it doesn't appear that she has made a lot of progress for the past few hours. She is starting to tire and I'm getting concerned."

"What do you think the problem is?" asked Senati, unable to prevent her eyes brimming with tears in concern for Everly.

Torban answered ,

"I think because she laboured so long on her own in her quarters so not to disturb anyone, she wasn't able to get enough food or water to give her the energy to sustain a long labour. I felt a disturbance in the Force while I slept, like a clang of a symbol in my sleep that woke me up. I followed the sound through the Force, rather than hearing with my ears until it led me to Everly's room. I also think that because she has spent so much time trying to manage this by herself, she is losing confidence and perseverance, worsening the exhaustion and may be on the verge of giving up."

Zora's hands shot to her mouth in horror,

"No, she can't do that, if she gives up we'll lose them both!"

Torban nodded gravely, looking so tired himself.

Senati was not a Force user, she was not even a little bit Force sensitive and had therefore never felt the Force before. She had belief in it, having seen the range of wonders the Jedi could accomplish when they used it. She had no idea what it would feel like, but she thought that this was the day that she felt something. It was as if her heart was suddenly pulled through her chest, like a magnet pulling her towards Everly, but at the same time with the same strength, also pulled in the direction of baby Stellan. She couldn't understand why she felt she was literally being pulled in two opposite directions and then it dawned on her. She knew what the Force was telling her in order to help Everly. Quickly brushing the tears from her eyes and thinking quickly out loud, she said to the pair of them,

"When it comes to negotiations and trying to move towards a mutually beneficial agreement, sometimes the state of mind can have a profound effect on the outcome."

Pause.

Zora looked at her quizzically, while Torban wisely kept his expression neutral as she continued,

"If you have two parties that are initially unwilling to engage, the right approach can coax them towards firstly being open to listening and understanding, and then bring them around to a point where they are able to positively work forwards."

Looking even more confused, Zora shook her head while asking,

"I don't follow. Somehow I don't think we can negotiate with Everly and her baby towards the same goal. Especially if they are as stubborn as each other."

Torban tried to suppress a tiny smirk, and Senati smiled, sure that they were all thinking that Everly's baby was definitely going to be as stubborn and fiercely independent as she was!

Senati felt a little lighter at the shared humour, and tried to explain,

"Hehe no, I agree. What I mean is, the problem is that Everly isn't able to change her thought patterns by herself, especially as she is so exhausted and in pain. We need to help her to break through that, and with the right approach, motivate her to not only keep going, but to give even more than she already has.

Stroking his chin slowly, Torban asked,

"Ok, so how do we do that? What is going to be strong enough to reach her and help pull her through?"

Senati smiled.

"Love."

~~

Zora was back in the clinic, followed shortly by Senati. They looked at each other, and Zora felt energised by this plan - this would work!

Senati had put out her idea, and without any hesitancy or doubt, something told Zora that yes, this was the right way forward!

All being agreed, Torban had immediately gone back in to Everly, to give more fluids and energy directly into her bloodstream, allowing her to conserve energy by not needing to swallow anything herself.

As they had walked back out of the clinic quickly, Senati had said to Zora that she felt as if her heart was like a magnet, being pulled in separate directions, and that this was how she knew what to do. Telling her the rest of the plan as they went, Zora understood why she was so certain of the plan's success; she too had felt like she was in a strong current trying to take her towards both Elzar and Everly simultaneously.

Zora had also never felt the Force, and agreed with Senati that this pull must be the Force working through them. If she wasn't awake before, Zora was certainly awake and buzzing now.

Zora and Senati had quickly returned to their rooms, informed their partners of what was happening and what they planned to do to help Everly. If the fathers could just care for the other children, then this would leave the mothers free to assist their friend as long as needed.

Back in the clinic, they helped each other to be ready to put the plan into action. As they did so, Torban had finished another check, one hand monitoring the baby through her tummy, and the other monitoring Everly as it rested on her forehead. Standing up with a smile, he made his way to the others, saying that was happy to report that he had been able to give her a good amount of fluids and nutrients, and that her breathing was much more even. Even the contractions had eased off, which Torban reassured them was actually giving Everly the ability to rest a bit more in between each one.  Turned out even the baby was having little rests too, and as a result both were now doing better.

Zora let out a very audible sigh of relief, almost teary at the good news, and Senati was looking upwards trying to blink back her own tears of relief.

"Torban?" Everly's small voice across the room was a welcome sound that captured their attention, as she tried to sit herself up.

Torban quickly raced over to help support her from behind. Zora and Senati followed, coming around the bed so they were both able to face Everly. Looking tired and still a bit pale, Everly raised her eyes and took in the sight of her beloved friends. Her lip quivered as she said hoarsely,

"I'm… I'm so sorry…" before Zora felt she had to firmly cut her off, putting her hands on her hips to look commanding.

"Nope, I don't want to hear it! We have work to do missy, and you're stuck with us until it's done, you hear me?"

Tears rolled down Everly's cheeks as she smiled and let out a giggle,

"It's a little hard to take you seriously, having a baby strapped to your chest like that!"

Hands still on her hips, Zora looked down at the little mop of black hair nestled just below her chin. Elzar slept soundly, listening to the beat of her heart through her chest and swaddled in place around her. She gave the top of his head a little kiss, sighed and shrugged, deciding to give up the terrible act.

Everly held out both her hands; Zora took one, and looked over at Senati, who had Stellan strapped to her chest the same way holding the other.

Looking back at Everly, she reached out to wipe away a runaway tear.

And then Senati took charge, sounding every bit the teacher and mother that she was.

"We are here to help you to bring your beautiful baby into the galaxy, and the boys are here to do their bit too in calling him or her to them. I know it's been long, and tiring. But the Force is with you Ev, and you are so strong and capable that we know you can do this. Remember you will never be alone and you will always be loved by us. We aren't going anywhere."

Unable to speak, Everly nodded and pulled both women down towards her, where the three of them put their foreheads together feeling their bond strengthening even more, until both boys made little snuffling noises at being tipped backwards and away from their warm spots. They all laughed at the cuteness of those sounds, and Everly suddenly stopped and squeezed their hands and closed her eyes to breathe through a new surge.

Once it was over, Everly looked up at them smiling, eyes shining, filled with a new energy.

"I think that was the biggest one yet!"

Zora felt her heart swell, Senati had been right! Grasping each other's hands, Everly got to her feet, looking brighter by the second. Zora decided she couldn't help herself,

"Right ladies, it's go time!"

Another bout of giggles erupted, until the next surge made Everly stop. Zora looked at Senati and nodded. This was going to work!

~~

Golden blonde hair. Dark blue eyes. Just like Ari.

Everly had finally been able to birth successfully without further incident with her two friends, more like sisters now, coaching her through as the surges picked back up again.

Only an hour later, thank the Force, Torban had handed her a beautiful baby girl. Even before being fully cleaned up, Everly had seen the colour of her daughter's hair, Ari's daughter…. And was so overcome that she burst into happy tears and brought her up to kiss a tiny, soft cheek. Immediately her baby had turned toward her, mouth bobbing around instinctively searching for something, and Everly felt herself fall completely in love.

When she had been cleaned up and settled into bed, Senati helped Everly to attach and give her the first feed. The force of her baby's suck surprised her! Tiny but strong! Within seconds, there was rhythm, relaxing and rest. A tiny arm flailed and Everly, now feeling every bit a mother, placed her hand over the limb to settle it close to her body. Zora sat on the opposite side, and leaned in for a side cuddle, putting her head against Everly's. Everly looked at Senati and said,

"Come on in here."

With a little help from Torban, all 3 new mothers with their babies on their chests, were snuggled together. Everly swore she could actually feel Torban trying hard to hold it together as he tucked them all in.

Everly hadn't been thinking about baby names, at least not seriously until after the boys were born. She knew that if she'd had a boy, she would have named him after his father. Oh how she wished Ari could be here, her heart ached with the grief of it, compounded now by the realisation that Ari's child would never know him, and that she would grow up without her father.

So she did the next best thing, having always planned to give the baby Ari's last name, so she could carry a part of him with her for always.

Senati stroked the little girl's sweet face, and Everly knew, that despite all she had lost, she had gained so much more.

Almost as if Senati had heard Everly's thoughts, she asked,

"Have you thought of a name yet?" as she gently stroked the baby girl's cheek.

"Yes I have."

Zora lifted her head from where it was resting, eager to hear the name that would complete their little trio.

"Welcome and may the Force be with you, my darling Avar Kriss." Hearing herself speak the name out loud for the first time with Ari's last name was almost as overwhelming as the birth itself!

"Woah," she sighed, feeling so much emotion flood through her and smiled. It sounded like a perfect harmony.

Avar, Elzar and Stellan… the galaxy's newest constellation.

Chapter Text

1 YEAR LATER

Senati and Tao walked home under the evening sky, becoming brighter with stars as the sky darkened. Laney, who was now a burly 3 year old, held onto her hand as he walked, jumped and skipped beside his parents. It was incredible to see the little boy emerging from her firstborn, a bittersweet feeling of seeing him leave behind babyhood but grow into childhood at the same time was still something that Senati and Tao were adjusting to. And quite likely would continue to require adjusting to as the years passed.

Senati looked adoringly at her husband, carrying a now 1 year old Stellan, who was sound asleep in his father's arms, with his dark haired head full of curls resting on Tao's shoulder. It had been a big day. It was incredible to think a whole year had flown by after the birth of their little constellation.  

The first six weeks after the trio were born, they all continued to live at the temple. This ensured that everyone was getting adequate rest and help as needed - given that this was such an important time for healing and bonding particularly for mother and baby. Zora and Senati had both agreed that the first 6 weeks were the hardest and the most foggy, as their bodies adjusted and healed from 10 months of pregnancy and birth, as well as that special phenomenon where mother's brains experience immense growth and acquisition of new skills.

The babies had adjusted to life on the outside well, finding their way into their own rhythms. However the most surprising yet endearing thing they'd discovered in that time, was that the trio were always the most settled when they were together.

They had first discovered this, when one night 2 weeks after Avar was born, all 3 newborns were wailing in their own temple family quarters, unable to be put down otherwise the wailing would begin again. All the parents and siblings were a little frayed at the edges, so "Buckets of Blood" baby-whisperer Torban, had collected all 3 infants, and somehow, in his large arms, managed to have them all snuggled together side by side, against his chest at the same time as he walked the dark corridors of the temple to soothe them.

After a few hours of some much needed uninterrupted sleep, each of the 3 mothers woke up and wandered into the common room, finding it unusually quiet. Given there were 4 children, 1 toddler and 3 newborns all living under one roof, quiet was suspicious. But each found relief when they had entered the common room, and saw Torban sitting on the couch with the babies all sound asleep on their tummies, side by side on his chest, a blanket covering them all and two big blue arms securing them in place. Torban initially had his eyes closed too, but it turned out that he was meditating rather than sleeping, having found that it had helped to settle the little ones into a peaceful slumber.

Not wanting to disturb this rare sight, the 3 mothers tasked themselves with getting breakfast, and once he had come out of his meditative state, fed Torban while he continued to be a living cradle. Senati had wished afterwards that she'd been able to take a holo of that moment; 3 little pink sleeping faces lying next to one another across a very broad blue chest, giant arms gently holding them, and Torban eagerly opening his mouth to take the food offered to him mouthful by mouthful. There had been plenty of quiet giggles as they all committed this moment to memory, and Torban certainly didn't mind one bit.

From then onwards, if the tiny infants were unsettled, they were placed together either with Torban if he didn't have other tasks to attend to, or in an extra wide cradle that Eren had constructed just for that purpose.

Today, it had been so lovely to see him again. All 3 families had celebrated the 3 baby's lifedays up at the Jedi temple, the place they were all born within 8 days of each other. They had finally managed to get a holo of Torban holding all 3 now one-year olds together, standing behind a fabulous cake that he had baked in their honor for the occasion.

Although Master Torban had been recalled to Coruscant to train new knights in the Healing Arts, he had made the special trip back to Naboo to celebrate with them. He had cited it as a 'good opportunity' for the new knights to learn about the miracle of birth, as they may one day need to help assist with one just as Torban had. The Jedi Knights who had accompanied him were so shy at first, but were soon joining in after some encouragement especially from the other children. They too had agreed that Torban's baking skills were next to none.

Even though the families knew that moving around to complete assignments was the way of the Jedi order, they missed their gentle giant Chagrian friend. They missed his calm demeanor, light humor, hearing him speak in third person, the smell of his baked goods and even his little pink apron. 

Reflecting on the day as they walked, Senati tentatively asked Tao,

"Do you remember what Torban had told us about the children's M-counts last year?"

Tao nodded slowly to avoid waking Stellan up. The memory felt both sharp like yesterday, and yet so long ago.

"I do. I don't think it's something any of us are ever going to forget."

A few months after the births, Torban had received the news that he had been recalled to Coruscant. He had invited the families back to the temple to tell them personally. They had all returned to their own homes by this stage, with the exception of Everly and Avar who continued to be temple residents for the time being.

Torban had asked the other Jedi to take the children and the babies so he could speak to all 5 parents, before his demeanor became a little bit more quiet and serious. This was unusual for their "Buckets of Blood" friend, and after a slightly awkward silent moment, Everly was the first to ask what they were all thinking,

"Torban, is everything ok? "

Torban had reassured them that all was well, but that he had been reassigned, and would be leaving Naboo for Coruscant in the coming days. They had all started to make sounds of dismay at the news, but putting up one hand, he continued to say that before he left, he had wanted to discuss the babies initial blood results that every newborn had taken within the first few days after birth.

"With this blood sample," he had explained, "among other things, we do a midichlorian count, or M-Count. If any babies from all across the galaxy have a count higher than a certain level, their names are recorded and kept in an encrypted holocron which is secured in the Coruscant Jedi Temple vaults, and only accessible by a select few for each youngling's protection."

The parents looked at one another, each as clueless as the last, all shrugging to indicate that they weren't aware of what this meant.

Again, Torban had reassured them that all was well, and explained that a high midichlorian count usually meant that at least at birth, the infant had a high possibility of being Force sensitive in future. Over time, those with high M-Counts would likely continue to be Force sensitive, and start to show outward signs of their being able to wield the Force as early as toddlerhood, but usually would occur by the time a youngling is around 6 years of age.

The Jedi believed that when this happened, it was the Force indicating for certain that the child had been chosen and was therefore called to service in the Jedi Order for the betterment of the galaxy.

 Torban stated that he himself was brought to the Coruscant temple from his home world of Champala when he was 3 years of age.

He continued to explain that Jedi recruiters, the select few with the holocron access, would usually visit worlds throughout the galaxy every few years, unless they were contacted about a specific child. Any younglings showing Force potential would then be tested by the recruiters, and if they were deemed suitable, there would be discussions with the family about what the next steps could be.

If, and only if, the family agreed, they would give their child over to the Jedi, relinquishing any and all familial rights including any future contact or updates, and in full knowledge that the youngling would be raised never knowing who their parents were and where they had come from.

Once a youngling was at the temple, they would be raised in small clans with others the same age, receiving love and affection from the assigned adults in the creche, similar to having a variety of adoptive parents. They'd even experience this from the wider Jedi community - everyone contributing in the raising of a Jedi youngling, just as they were.

He then explained the process to becoming a Padawan under a Master, through to knighthood. It was a lot of information to take in.

Torban said he had found out about the trio's results as he routinely checked other reports he was waiting on, and he wanted to ensure that the parents were made aware as early as possible, and were told by someone who they knew and trusted. He also knew only too well, that some Jedi Recruiters weren't as tactful as he could be, and combined with his experienced bedside manner and professional history with them all, he had felt it in the Force to be the one to give them all this possibly life altering news.

None of the parents spoke for a long while after that, each lost in their own thoughts. But as he left to give them some time to process what he'd shared, he could see that Everly, sitting in the middle of the two couples, was gripping the hands of the other two mothers on either side of her.

"Why do you ask?" Tao was looking at her intensely, the question jolting Senati out of her reverie.

Timidly, she asked,

"What… What do you think we would do if Stellan starts to show signs that he is Force sensitive?"

Reflexively Tao put his hand over the baby's head as if to protect him from some unknown danger, and answered quickly,

"I'm not so sure I want to think about this right now," sounding quite wary and a little bit anxious.

Senati didn't want to think about it either, however she felt the need to press forward.

"I know you don't want to think about it, I don't want to either because I know what that would mean - "

Tao interrupted her,

"Yes it would mean that we would have to decide whether to give up our child and never see him again, in the knowledge that he would grow up never knowing his parents. He'd never know he had a brother… He wouldn't know anything about where he came from… how is he supposed to figure out who he is if he isn't allowed to have any of that knowledge?"

Little Stellan made a snuffling noise in response to Tao's voice being louder than before, and under his father's hand lifted his head and turned the opposite way, so now Senati could see his sweet little face blissfully sleeping, unaware of the conversation that his parents were having. Her heart gave a painful squeeze.

A little more quietly, sadly but firmly, Tao finished,

"I'm sorry, I could not give up my child - either of them."

Senati put her arm around through his elbow and gently squeezed. She felt the same way.

"Ok," she said. "Then we now know that whatever happens we are deciding to keep him. Torban had said that it would be our choice anyway; that Force sensitive children are not forcibly taken from their families and I don't think that Torban would do that anyway."

Tao's shoulders dropped as he blew out a breath, feeling bit more relaxed after becoming very stressed during that short conversation. He felt better now, knowing that at least they had spoken about it and made a decision together. He hadn't realised that ignoring the issue had been weighing on his mind all this time.

"Why have you brought this up now?" He asked with a gentler tone in his voice.

Senati very carefully considered the words she was about to say, having felt how tense the conversation had made her beloved. But once she had gotten started, she couldn't stop everything from tumbling out.

"I just… noticed today when Torban was holding the three babies together, there was suddenly… some sort of … shimmer around them. I don't know what it was, and it left as quickly as it came. I don't know why, but that moment brought me back to that conversation Torban had with all of us before he left. It made me think… what if Stellan is Force sensitive after all? And I can't seem to let the thought go.

When I think about when we were pregnant with him; there was this… connection, a gravitational pull towards Everly and Zora once we had crossed paths. We all kept saying that it was the Force that had drawn us together, because it knew we would need each other… and it was right! Especially with Avar's birth; the only thing I could think of was that it was the Force that had given me the idea for Zora and I to be there not only for Everly, but to have the boys strapped to our chests for Avar while we did so.

I didn't think too deeply about it at the time, but Torban had asked me afterwards why I had said to Everly that the boys were there to help by calling to her baby… I admitted I hadn't even realised I had said it. But what if… the connection and pull we had towards each other was actually the pull of the children to each other through us? What if the Force knew they needed to be together… what if all three of them are Force sensitive like their blood tests indicated they were?"

She stopped suddenly, having heard herself say what she had. Even though they were her thoughts, hearing herself speak them out loud was a slight shock to her… as if doing so made it more real, as opposed to just remaining in her swirling mind.

Tao was solemn but calm and thoughtful. He had heard the anxiousness and fear in her words. He knew that ignoring or trivialising this would not be helpful, and if Senati had been having these thoughts, then he needed to help her to shoulder them, even if it was so hard to hear. He asked her,

"Have you ever seen any other signs this past year?"

"I don't think so," Senati admitted, "but I don't think we would know what to be looking for."

She pondering about some things that she had felt or seen, but at the time had justified to herself that yes, it might have been the Force, but that's just how life was. But now…

"Don't you think that it's interesting that when the three babies are so unsettled that sometimes the only way to settle them is to put them together? How many times did we put them down together and then let them be, and even if they didn't sleep, they calmed? Even now that they're able to move more, the first thing they do when they see each other is try to move towards one another - again as if being pulled together like gravity."

After a moments pause, they rounded the final corner towards home, and thinking over all she had raised, Tao tried to reassure Senati's concerns, and in truth, his own too.

"Maybe the bond you felt with Everly and Zora before and after the babies were born, and now the bonds between the three infants, could be just that - strong bonds. I don't know about the shimmer you saw today, but you aren't Force sensitive and yet you feel this way. Is there not a chance then, that this could mean that instead of being Force sensitive, they are just very aware of each other? They've known each other since before birth, so I think it makes sense that they would want to be near each other whenever they can."

Senati mulled this over as they walked the rest of the way home. By the time they went through their front door, she thought that perhaps Tao was right. Maybe this is just her ability to sense an incredible bond and the babies have now shown that they also feel a bond with each other, but it doesn't mean that they're force sensitive.

Does it?

~~

Zora came back into her own bedroom, rolling her stiff shoulders after putting all four of her very tired, partied out girls to bed. Looking up as she walked through the doorway, she stopped short. On the bed she saw both her husband and her son lying together, still fully clothed, snoring their heads off, sound asleep. She cocked her head to the side, a smile twitching up one corner of her mouth as she watched them, taking in this heartwarming sight. They both looked exactly like the other; dark olive skin, thick black wavy hair, dark eyes, long lashes… Zora had said to Elzar just the other day as they played together on the sandy shore after he had flashed her his father's smile,

"Oh my sweetheart, you are going to be a heartbreaker like your Papa one day aren't you?" The only thing that Elzar had said with a cheeky toothy grin in reply was "Mama!"

Seeing that they were both still dressed, complete with shoes, Zora shook her head and carefully pulled the shoes off both her husband and child. As per usual, neither of them stirred as she did so.

I swear nothing wakes these two once they're asleep she thought as she sighed, placing a soft blanket over them, after making sure Eren's arm tucked Elzar in close to his side.

Finding herself in the rare position of having some time to herself, Zora decided to take a nice quiet break outside, to enjoy the peace while she could. She fixed herself a nice cup of hot tea, grabbed a blanket and put it around her shoulders as she stepped out into the night.

It had been lovely to be at the temple again today she thought, as she didn't get the opportunity to get back there much anymore. Five children was enough reason for that.

And now, several times a week, Everly would walk past Senati's home, and they would take a transport to get to Zora's house. They had both said that if coming to her home was the only way they'd still get to see each other, and if she was willing of course, then that's what they would do. Zora's heart was so full when they'd offered this, as the thought of being isolated at home  again had started to occupy her mind, worsening after she and Eren had brought the girls and Elzar back to their own home.

 She missed them so much, the bonds closer to sisterhood than friends, so she felt as though her life was empty without them. But she couldn't tell them this. They had their own lives and families.

Even though before the trio were born, when Everly had asked about what would happen next, as much as she wanted to agree with Senati that they'd continue to see each other, Zora had secretly thought it wasn't possible, at least for her, from a logistics point of view.

That was, until both women had arrived on her door step a week after returning home, saying that they were missing her just as much! That was when she knew that nothing she told them would ever be a burden, they had chosen to be a family together for light and life and everything else in between.

So whenever any dark thoughts appeared on her mind's horizon, as they did sometimes ever since she could remember, she was able to be honest and open with them about it - the only other person in the galaxy she had been able to do that with previously was Eren. And like her partner of nearly two decades, they enfolded her in love and support, helping her navigate those dark waters until she'd been able to reach the calmer seas she usually lived in.

Thankfully, these times had only occurred twice in the past year, and for the first time in her life, Zora began to accept that these were a part of her but she'd never go through them alone.

The tea was warm and sweet, tendrils of steam rising in front of her as she sipped.

A year, she thought, how has an entire year gone so quickly?

It had been wonderful to see Master Torban again today, having come to Naboo to share in the celebrations. She liked him a lot, but when they were all living in the temple she had found him to be... intense at times. She was glad in a way to get back home after the babies were born.

With the other two coming out to her, she rarely got to see Torban back at the temple until he had recalled them all to announce his leaving. That was also when he sat them all down and discussed blood results for all 3 infants, something about a high mini Corian count or something, and what that could possibly mean for their future.

 It had taken Zora and Eren completely by surprise, having never heard of those mini things let alone their ability to connect a person to the Force. What had stuck with them however, was how with this great honour would come significant sacrifice. They'd spoken about it at home that night, agreeing that there wasn't any point in fretting because it would either happen or not, and that it wasn't within their control - at least not yet.

Zora reached the ancient wooden bench, solid yet almost petrified from hundreds of years of salt wear. As she sat, she stared out to sea, listening to the waves crashing against the cliffs below. A particularly loud wave crash caught her attention, and she suddenly felt the same ache in her heart that she felt earlier today. Thinking back over it, the odd sensation had taken her by surprise.

She had been linked arm in arm with Everly and Senati, watching as Master Torban held all three babies, much bigger now than when they were newborns, but still able to do so with ease. She had suddenly felt a deep longing and an ache that she couldn't shake… a profound sadness that she couldn't explain, as if she felt that she was saying a final farewell to someone incredibly dear to her.

 At the same moment, Senati had sucked in a sharp breath, and Everly had stiffened on her other side as if they'd all experienced something at the exact same time. Afterwards they'd not had the chance to discuss it, although they had all looked at one another and somehow known that they would need to discuss it together as soon as possible.

The rest of the afternoon had passed in a flurry of joy, baked goods and squeals of delight, although she kept thinking about that sadness.

It's a bit strange, she thought. No one I know of is leaving. I mean yes Master Torban was returning with his accompanying Knights tomorrow… but I didn't think I would feel that sad about him leaving - it doesn't really make a lot of sense.

But after the cake had been cut and the three toddlers were popped down to run amok, the feeling and the aching in her chest had gone away until now, and she still couldn't put her finger on why it had occurred at all, and why she hadn't felt it before.

Despite blowing straight off the water, the breeze was soft against her skin, and not as cool as it usually was. Closing her eyes she breathed in the salty air, and smiled at its familiar scent.

Zora had always lived by the sea, falling asleep to sounds of the waves since she was a youngling. She loved that now her own children were having the same experience, and hopefully, like herself, if they were ever far from Naboo they would be able to recall the sounds of the waves in their minds to remind them of home and happy times.

She opened her eyes in surprise at the thought… who was going to go that far from home?

~~

The morning after the lifeday celebrations, Everly had woken after a restless sleep, tended to Avar, and felt compelled to go and see Senati much earlier than usual. She felt uneasy, and fidgety. Avar was her normal self but no surprises there. Her big blue eyes were framed by her lengthening fine blonde hair, and like usual, they had a cheeky glint to them paired with a sweet toothy grin.

Avar had already learned to walk, months ahead of the boys, and was also now steady enough on her chubby feet to move and sway whenever she heard music. Everly sang to her this morning to settle herself more than anything, and as usual, Avar smiled and swayed in time with her mother's song.

Torban had been right when he had suggested that Everly's love of music and its calming effect on herself might also have the same effect on her youngling.

 After the others had returned to their homes, when Avar was unsettled, Everly was finding it increasingly difficult to soothe her, because she couldn't quickly place her beside her boys. As they were still living at the temple however, there were other hands around to help, but Torban was the only one Avar would fall asleep on. A few months later, he had been recalled to Coruscant, and Avar wasn't able to settle as well with the others - her 'Buckets of Blood' was clearly her favourite.

Everly hadn't been down to the music rooms in the palace since before Avar was born, and during one particularly challenging evening, likely teething, she thought she'd put Torban's theory to the test.

Not usually outside in the cool crisp evening air, Avar was distracted by it for a few minutes after leaving their quarters. After so much crying from pain, she kept having little hiccups and sniffs while she was quietly distracted by the night around her. Everly found it so endearing as she carried Avar in her arms and felt the little body of her daughter hiccup against her.

It was a much quicker walk than previously, and navigating stairs while carrying a baby on the outside was much easier than carrying her on the inside, where Everly's walk had eventually turned into a waddle. To distract Avar further, Everly made a show of jumping down the last 5 steps one at a time, and even sore gums couldn't stop the tinkling laughter at the sheer joy of it. This was the magic of younglings.

As they approached, Everly made out soft notes coming from an assortment of stringed instruments, the music swaying like wind through the trees, and it lifted up her spirit the same way it had always done. She hadn't realised that she'd stopped and closed her eyes, allowing the sounds to fill her up, until she felt a tiny hand gently touch her cheek. Opening them she locked eyes with Avar, those beautiful, blue fathomless eyes, that were showing a slight concern at the sudden stopping.

"Oh my love, don't look so worried, everything's ok!" And brought her daughter up to her face so she could kiss those gorgeous silky cheeks. As Avar drew back, Everly noticed that there were some wet spots on her little cheeks, but a hand to her own found that there had been a few tears she hadn't noticed, likely when she had felt the incredible swell of joy at hearing music again.

The tempo of the music picked up, and Avar turned her head towards the sound, hearing it for the first time.

You are your mother's daughter, she thought, watching Avar's expression soften as the music flowed through her too. She felt overwhelmed with love and joy, tears threatening again as she thought - thank the Force, Torban had been right.

Every day since, even when all was well, it became a regular daily practice that the two of them shared together - some days it was flowy strings, other days it was loud and exciting brasses, but what captured Avar's attention the most, were the choirs. The music of voices coming together had always sent good shivers down Everly's spine, and she had felt that even the most diverse and incredible orchestra didn't quite compare to the cacophony and presence of music that came from living beings themselves, with or without instrumental accompaniment.

Before Avar could walk, Everly would hold her close and sway them both in time with the music, eventually holding her little hand as if they were dancing together as the baby's back became stronger with time. It didn't take too much longer after that, that Avar had started insisting to be put down on her own two feet, supported by her mother of course, moving her head, waving her arms and bopping on tiny knees herself. Everly thought all this had strengthened Avar's body and helped her to learn balance quite early, contributing to her being able to take those first wobbly steps much earlier than usual.

Everly sang as often as she could, just to watch her tiny daughter enjoy the sound, and found that the combination of hearing music and watching Avar dancing to it had gave her a more profound sense of peace than just hearing it herself.

 This morning, as Everly was waiting as long as she could so her arriving at Senati's house wasn't too early, Avar was dancing again. But Everly did not feel peace. As Avar swayed and dipped like she usually did, smiling to herself, Everly felt mounting trepidation - because there was no music. Aside from some early morning birds and Avar's occasional laughter, it was completely quiet - as you would expect for such an early time.

Everly waited until she saw the sun glint over the wall in the temple courtyard, before jumping up and scooping Avar into her arms mid-twirl and headed out.

In the transport on the way to Zora's house, Everly and Senati were sitting together as usual, the children secured and interacting with each other in the back. Everly could feel Senati looking at her periodically, which was making her nervous despite her best efforts. Tilting her head to the side, eyebrows raised Senati asked,

"So…. Are you going to tell me what's bothering you Ev?"

"Yes… But… I feel that I need to wait until we're all together. I'm not sure why. I'm sorry, I slept terribly last night, and… we're nearly there anyway."

Everly was feeling a little embarrassed that she could be read so easily, but at the same time it was so frustrating having so much to say and get out of her head - she shouldn't be surprised that it was written all over her face. Senati placed a gentle hand on her arm, as if letting Everly know that she wasn't alone, and even though they didn't talk the rest of the way, Everly felt comforted.

Once they arrived at Zora's house under a cloudless blue sky, the ocean wind running up the cliffs and flicking their hair about, there were 4 big sisters who rushed out to greet them, the eldest holding Elzar. It was a good thing too, because as soon as Elzar saw Avar and Stellan he immediately tried to wriggle out of his sister's arms to get to them. He wasn't the only one.

Avar protested until Everly put her down to allow her to toddle forward, while sweet Stellan got frustrated by trying to keep up as he crawled over the grass, however 2 legs was always faster than crawling. Elzar was put down and stood on wobbly legs, gripping his sisters finger to steady himself, with his free hand outstretched towards them.

Avar didn't even slow down, her tinkling laughter just audible over the wind, as she ran straight into Elzar tackling him to the ground. A second later, Stellan, who had been scooped up by another sister was plonked on top of them both with a radiant smile at finally catching up to them. He threw his arms around them both joining Avar's laughter, and after a second of surprise, Elzar did too. Everly and Senati looked at each other, hearts melting over this adorable, funny, happy baby pile on.

"If they're like this at 1, can you imagine what they'll be like when they're bigger?" Zora had come out following the girls, and stood just behind the baby pile, while Everly and Senati came over for a trio hug of their own.

Despite Everly's weighed-down feelings, everything felt so much better just being here, altogether.

Arm in arm the 3 women followed behind the gaggle of children, each of the bigger girls now holding a baby and the youngest running with hands clasped with Laney, falling through the doorway to go and play.

Hot drinks in hand and their usual snuggly blankets around their shoulders, they all relaxed into each other's company, and Everly found that she couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Please tell me that you both heard it yesterday??" she burst eagerly, looking expectantly from one to the other.

Their eyes widened in surprise, and Senati looked over at Zora confused, who shrugged and answered,

"Ahhh… can you narrow it down for us a bit?"

Everly felt her cheeks grow hot, and for a moment she faltered, but made herself push forward,

"Yesterday… when Torban was holding the 3 babies? I heard you both take in sharp breaths at the same time, wasn't it because of the sound?"

Zora's mouth popped open and Senati's eyebrows almost disappeared into her hairline in surprise.

"What did you hear Ev?"

Everly felt confused, if she had been the only one to hear it then why did the other two react at the same moment?

"It… was…" gosh, how was she supposed to describe it in words?

"it was, like… a piano chord, a harmony, 3 different notes but all part of the same song. It was loud, and strong… like someone had hit those 3 notes at the exact same time, completely separate but completely entwined. What did you guys hear?"

Senati was the first to answer,

"I didn't hear anything Ev."

Everly felt a little crestfallen, until she heard "Because I reacted to what saw, not what I could hear."

Now it was Everly's turn to be surprised,

"Saw? What did you see?"

Zora still had her mouth slightly open, not having said a word yet, but her eyes got a little wider hearing Senati's version of events,

"I saw… a shimmer, glowing around Torban as he held them. It was bright for a moment, and then it was gone." Senati looked at Zora who still hadn't spoken. "Zora… what about you? Did you experience anything?"

Zora's hand came up over her mouth as she took it all in, and nodded slightly.

Everly's heart was pounding as she croaked an answer,

"I…um… yes but…I didn't see or hear anything." The other two waited as Zora appeared to be gathering her thoughts.

"What I experienced… I felt… I wasn't even sure I had truly felt it until I came out here last night and it hit me again. I tossed and turned all night thinking about it, but thought I'd just eventually get over it…" she trailed off.

Another pause.

Everly saw concern in Zora's unfocused eyes, similar to the several times in the past year when Zora's moods had darkened from intrusive thoughts. Putting her hot drink on the table next to them, Everly gingerly got up and knelt beside Zora, gathering both her hands into her own.

"Zora… it's ok, we're here…"

"Take your time honey" Senati added, coming over to join them, putting an arm around Zora's shoulder as she sat beside her.

At their touch, Zora seemed to come back to herself, blinking from one to the other, as though she hadn't realised they'd come to her.

"It was… sudden, like both of yours… when it hit I was looking at them all and felt my heart bursting with happiness, but like dousing a flame, the happiness was gone… and was replaced by… loss… grief… like I was saying a final farewell to someone I loved and knew I'd never see again, so profoundly sad. And then it was gone as suddenly as it had come. I didn't know what to think, but I had felt both of you react at the same time and knew we'd all experienced… something…"

Senati started to think out loud, standing up to pace as she spoke,

"So Everly heard a harmonic sound, I saw a bright shimmer and Zora's heart felt grief… and it had all happened at the same time, when Torban was holding all 3 of the babies… this isn't a coincidence. Since we all met, I no longer believe in coincidences - but we have all felt what we think is the Force working with and through us bringing us together, helping to bring our babies into the galaxy, being there for each other ever since… could this be another one of those times?"

She stopped pacing and looked back at the other 2.

Everly was still holding Zora's hands as they listened,

"It could be," she said, looking from Senati to Zora. "but how are we supposed to know for sure? And even if it is… what does it mean?"

Senati was chewing her bottom lip as another thought seemed to have occurred to her,

"Were you reminded about anything when you had your experience?"

Zora's eyebrows knit together,

"What do you mean?"

Coming to sit back down next to Zora, Senati said hesitantly,

"When I saw the shimmer… it had reminded me of what Torban had told us, last year, about the babies blood results. That the results indicated…"

"…they could be force sensitive." Everly finished, also remembering the conversation now.

Stars, thought Everly feeling as though several pieces of the puzzle were clicking into place.

What if...

~~

Senati's hands joined the others, and they squeezed gently while sitting in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

Everly broke the silence,

"Do Tao and Eren know?"

"Tao does" Senati answered, "we were discussing it on the way home from the celebration. I had asked him if he thought Stellan might be force sensitive, and if he was what would we do? But he dismissed the idea outright, saying that what we've all felt is the strong connection between us all, nothing more." she paused thoughtfully before continuing,

"Tao said that even if Stellan was… he wouldn't be able to let him go. I had felt relieved to hear him say it, and felt better knowing that no matter what, we'd just stay together, but I had a terrible night's sleep feeling that it just… didn't feel right. Have either of you noticed anything strange over the past year, that perhaps might be a sign of their sensitivity coming out?"

All 3 women looked down at their hands, still intertwined with each other, as they searched back through their memories.

"I don't know if this is anything," Everly started, unable to meet their eyes, "but I have been seeing something strange with Avar lately and it's been really unsettling for me. You know how she loves music, and dancing to pretty much any tune?"

Zora and Senati nodded, it was incredible watching the blonde toddler when she danced, there was something serene and captivating about it, probably because her sweet smile was always so joyful at the same time.

"Well… lately I've found her dancing on her own sometimes, like this morning. We were up so early because I couldn't sleep, and Avar obviously picked up on it and decided to wake too. I love watching her dance while hearing music or when I'm singing to her. But when she dances on her own like this… she dances to music that I can't hear."

Senati could see how much this worried Everly, especially by the way her voice went so quiet saying those words at the end, almost afraid someone else might hear them. She gave the hands still clasped a gentle squeeze.

Everly finally looked up, and Senati felt her heart jolt at seeing tears silently running as the girl looked at both of them in turn with her large hazel eyes, before asking in a tiny voice,

"Am I being ridiculous?"

"Oh honey…" Zora said almost at the same time Senati was about it to, and letting go of their hands wrapped her arms around Everly's shoulders and pulled her close into a hug. Like a dam breaking, Everly burst into tears and sobbed into Zora's shoulder.

Senati got up and positioned herself behind Zora, who was sitting sideways as she had turned to bring Everly closer and hold her.

Senati could see her head bobbing as she sobbed, and placed a hand from behind over Zora's shoulder to rest on the back of Everly's head, stroking her hair with her thumb. Her other hand rested on Zora's arm on that side, as if giving her own strength to the hug through Zora.

Senati didn't know what to say. She felt that nothing could be said, not able to think of what she herself would want to hear at this time. How was she supposed to be strong for Everly and support her, if she felt the same way, deep down, even if she couldn't understand it or put it into words?

A tickle on her chin made Senati realise that she was silently crying too, like they were all mourning together… but for what reason?

Whatever the reason was, Senati knew they would face it together; the truth, their destinies... Or the destinies of their beloved constellation - for light and life.