With calm steps, Valery walked through her room while she cradled the baby in her arms. She had been humming a soft, melodic tune she remembered from her childhood, and gently swayed her daughter to the rhythm to keep her calm. Simply looking into Vera's little orange eyes was enough to make her smile. No matter how exhausting these first weeks had been, she had finally started a family with the person she loved.
Right now, Kahlil Zambrano was still in the kitchen, baking together all the snacks for a day spent together at home with their daughter. With the house decorated for the holidays and the aroma of freshly made hot chocolate reaching throughout the apartment, everything was set for the perfect day they had spoken about so many times before. To start a family together, to live without the constant worry of his father — it had finally happened.
But it hadn't always been this good.
Less than a year ago, Kahlil had told Valery about his intent to fall so he could take down his father, and how that meant separation between the two until it was time for his return. He had asked her to bring him back to the Light or take him down if he had fallen too far and ever since that moment, she had lived with great fear in her heart. To make matters worse, she found out she was pregnant shortly after his departure and was left to get by without the father around to help her. It was only because of the help of her Padawans and amazing friends such as Dagon, Yula, Aayla, and Jem, that Valery had been protected and cared for during these difficult times.
However, as Life Day was coming around, a miracle happened.
While Kahlil's mission to stop his father had taken an unexpected turn, leading to his severing from the Force, it had meant that the mark from his father no longer held any effect over him. After an entire life of struggling with his family, he was finally free and with guidance from the Force he no longer truly felt, the two found each other again on a stormy New Cov night.
For once in her life, the future truly looked bright. Together with Kahlil and their daughter, she had found more reason to keep going each day than ever before. She felt like the happiest woman alive, and today was another moment to celebrate and enjoy it all together, as a family
"You coming? Food is ready."
Valery looked in the direction of the living room and smiled before her eyes turned to Vera.
"Come on, let's not keep your dad waiting."
