Private A Walk in the Park

[Alicio Organa]

THRANTA PARK, SANCTUARY CITY
ALDERAAN
​

Alicio spent a lot of time at Thranta Park, when he first arrived on Alderaan all those years ago.

Back when he wasn't a Senator, or a King, but the Crown Liason of Sanctuary City. It was his job to steward the city's growth in it's final stages of development, which required a lot of micromanaging, a lot of meetings... a lot of time. The young Count had worked his fingers to the bone, addicted to sleepless nights, eager not to let Queen Faith, or his people, down.

There were precious few places where Alicio felt he could escape from it all. Get away, and breathe. Thranta Park had been one of them. And today, he hoped it would do the same.

There were larger parks in the city, but this one overlooked the glimmering waters of the Sanctuary Coast. The taste of salt was strong in the air, as was the smell of strong spices from the adjacent restaurants a short walk away. And along with newly-added playground, there was the namesake of the park- a fountain, it's waters flowing cleanly, featuring a pod of thrantas at play.

"I see it!" August was pulling against Alicio's hand, trying to make a break for the swings. Alicio held back the boy's excitement, for the moment. "Patience, Aug. We're almost there. You can run when you hit the grass."

Liana was much calmer, but her father could still sense her excitement. "Are they here yet?"

Alicio scanned the area. No sign of the other half of this play-date, yet. "No. I don't think so."

Lia raised an eyebrow at her father, and tugged on the sleeve of his dark jacket. "Look-look, Daddy."

"Okay, okay." Alicio smirked, then closed his eyes, diving into the Future. Once he found his answer, he smiled lightly. "Soon."

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Wedding Ring

"Stay close until we reach the park," Valery reminded Aeryn and Adam, who were both eager to run ahead and start playing with their friends. Aurra was luckily much easier to keep close - she didn't feel comfortable being too far away from her parents in a crowded place and had brought along her favorite picture books to look at while the others played. It made handling triplets just a bit more manageable, especially when she was also pushing along little Eryx.

Valery looked down into the stroller and smiled. The newest addition of the Noble family was asleep and seemed completely at peace. Just how she liked it. No matter how serious the war would get, she wanted her little ones to be safe.

"Mommy!" Aeryn called out after spotting the Organas up ahead. She bounced and pointed, and Valery couldn't suppress her smirk anymore. She dipped her head just once, and both Aeryn and Adam took off.

"Lia!"

"Aug!" Adam called out.

Valery snickered and gently took Aurra's hand. The young blonde was feeling shy, so Valery kept her close and pushed the stroller along until she reached Alicio. The two energetic Nobles were already bouncing around him and his kids.

"Alicio, it's good to see you again." Valery smiled and walked around the stroller to give him a hug. But as soon as her arms wrapped around her dear friend, Eryx opened his green eyes and glared at the King of Alderaan.

Alicio Organa ​

 

[Alicio Organa]

"Lia!"

"Aug!"

"They're here!" Liana looked over to the approaching Nobles, her hand waving high.

As soon as Alicio let go of the twins' hands, they met the more rambunctious of the triplets half way. August made it first, jumping around in unrestrained joy. "Hi Adam! Wanna go swing?"

Liana wrapped Aeryn in a side-hug, struggling to get her arm around the taller girl. "Aeryn! I missed you." That made Alicio frown, ever so slightly. There weren't many kids their age on Alderaan. He'd often wondered if Liana and August ever got lonely, not being able to see their temple friends as much.

The thoughtful frown evaporated as soon as Val and the rest of the Noble clan got close. "Val. It's been too long." He hummed contentedly at the friendly embrace, before looking down at her unoccupied children. There was a hint of that old Alicio, that didn't know how to conduct himself in front of kids, before he found himself relaxing. "And it's good to see you, Aurra. I'm sure Lia and Aug would love to say hi, too."

Then, he noticed the glare from the pram. Alicio looked down, bemused at the dark-haired Noble. "And this must be Eryx. I'm honored to make your acquaintance. Alicio Organa." He did a little performative bow, before gesturing with an outstretched arm at a series of benches, by the fountain.

"Let's sit down. We can watch the kids from there, and... I imagine we have a lot of catching up to do."

- Alicio Organa -

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Wedding Ring

"Yeah!" Adam called out in response, before running off with the Organa boy to play at the swing. He was getting taller now, so he'd be able to reach the bigger swing soon! That was exciting, but he wasn't going to enjoy it if Aug couldn't join him. Looking at his friend, Adam wondered when he'd get even bigger!

Until then, the small swings would be fine. Slides, too!

"I missed you, too," Aeryn meanwhile told Lia. She returned the hug and looked up at her Mom for a moment. Valery nodded, and Aeryn giggled, as she took Lia's hand and tugged her along. If her brother was starting at the swing, they could go to the slides or maybe climb around!

Valery watched the little ones run off with a smile, but also calculated if their playing ground remained within sight. At the park, they were free to do whatever they liked, but she wanted to always have eyes on them.

"Hello," Aurra said timidly, "I'll play later. Maybe." She tugged on her Mom's skirt and stayed partially hidden behind her legs. Always shy, it's where she felt safe and Valery wasn't going to remove her from that bubble of comfort just yet. Instead, Valery picked her little girl up and held her in one arm to bring her over to the benches.

But not before catching sight of Eryx glaring.

"Oh dear," Valery snickered, "He can get a little jealous when other people hug me. Or, well, touch me in any way, really." She blinked and looked at the littlest one. Even Kahlil hadn't escaped his death glares. Alicio, however, seemed to score some points with him when he said hi — Eryx squealed and flailed his little arms around.

He even kicked his little legs.

"Seems he likes you. Just be careful with hugs." Valery smirked and walked over to the bench to place Aurra beside her, so she could read peacefully.

Alicio Organa ​

 

[Alicio Organa]

Performing a few clumsy somersaults of happiness, August followed Adam to the swings, not seeming to realize, or care, that the boy was a considerable bit taller than him now. "I push you, then you push me!" Letting the half-Epicanthix get on the little swing first, Aug gave him a heaving push, then another, barely able to move the bigger boy.

Meanwhile, the girls made it hand-in-hand to the slide. Liana gave Aeryn a mischievous look. "I bet I can go down faster than you can." She smiled innocently. If there was one thing the Organas and the Nobles likely shared, given their parentage, it was a competitive streak.

Over at the benches, Alicio smirked knowingly at Aurra. "Of course. Whenever you want." In his youth, he certainly had more in common with the little blonde than not. He'd far preferred books to people.

"He can get a little jealous when other people hug me. Or, well, touch me in any way, really."

Alicio sat down, letting his hand grip the edge of the stroller, within reach of Eryx. His fingers twitched enticingly, either for the baby to play with, or ravage for his crimes. "And knowing this, you did so deliberately, to sabotage our budding friendship. Shame on you, Val." He snickered to himself, before sitting back and watching the kids at play.

"I imagine your house is chaotic, these days. With so many children around." He looked at her, equal parts knowing sympathy and awe in his face. "How do you and Kahlil manage?"

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Wedding Ring

"Okay!" Adam chirped as he got onto the swing and held on tightly. He was getting bigger quite fast, so it made sense that Aug couldn't easily move him around anymore. But he also knew that it'd be easier once he was already moving a little, so he began to sway back and forth to get a little extra momentum going.

He had to go fast! He was a Noble, after all.

Over at the slide, Aeryn grinned and flashed Liana her teeth, "Bring it!" she exclaimed loudly. First, she'd allow Liana to get up on the slide, but Aeryn was climbing her way up right after the girl. No matter how many tries it'd take, she was going to make her way down the fastest!

"Nooo," Valery said and snickered, "He has to get used to others also hugging me. Even Kahlil gets his death glares." Right now, he seemed fairly peaceful, though. He was reaching for and grabbing Alicio's finger and squealed with joy each time he managed to snatch it. Such simple fun was the most wonderful thing about little ones.

Aurra's idea of fun revealed itself as well — she had opened her book and was looking at pictures of Tauntauns. Her favorite animal. One day, she was going to ride one!

"It can be a little chaotic, but I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. When you come back from long assignments — from war or other terrible things — it's refreshing to hear them laugh and see them playing together. Even if they're a bit loud sometimes." Valery wrapped one arm around Aurra's side and pulled her close.

"I don't think I could handle it without Kahlil Noble though. He's so good with the kids and he keeps me sane." She chuckled and ran a hand through her hair to stop herself from rambling on about her husband. "How are you and Amani doing with the kids? The first are always the most stressful."

Alicio Organa ​

 

[Alicio Organa]

The more momentum they built, the easier it got to push Adam on the swings, until August finally gave a final heft, and jumped aside, throwing his hands in the air in success as his friend continued to swing. "Whoo!" He did a sloppy cartwheel in congratulations. "Go higher!"

Lia was the first to ascend the slide. Pressing herself as low as she could, hands gripping the sides, Lia shot herself down, giggling all the way. Slowing at the end, the half-Mirialan rolled away, the static from the ride making her long black hair fizz up in long strands. Looking up the slide, the little girl seemed rather confident of herself. "That was really fast," she affirmed, as if the contest had already been decided.

Alicio had let Auggie and Lia play with his hand, too, when they were little. It wasn't all that long ago, but he couldn't help but reminisce. They'd tug on his fingers, squeeze tightly, nibble his thumb with a contented burbling... And already, they were talking. Playing. Making friends.

Dusky horizon eyes watched the children at play, a cold stillness to them. Valery's thoughts on her kids was no surprise. "Back when we first met... you mentioned how your family brought you joy. Despite all the stress, all the work. I didn't... understand entirely, until Amani and I had them. But I understand, now." One corner of his mouth tightened. "They are my joy. Moreso than anything else I could hope to make, hope to be."

"How are you and Amani doing with the kids? The first are always the most stressful."

"Mmm." Alicio smiled, but the still didn't quite leave him yet. "We're learning. And that's been a joy and a journey all on it's own." That was putting it lightly.

"I... worry. We all stay together as much as we can, but... Well, you and Kahlil must know what it's like, being busy parents." Alicio's unoccupied hand began fidgeting with itself, his thumb tracing around his fingers. "I'm the king of a world, and I've taken on more responsibilities with the Alliance... and Amani is the Headmaster of an entire enclave, and one of the best healers the Order has. We're always needed somewhere away from home. Away from them."

"I just... I know what it's like, to have an absent father. To be forced apart from your family." He pulled away from Eryx, folding his hands in front of him pensively. "I don't want them to feel that way."

Like I felt.

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Wedding Ring

"Not fast enough!" Aeryn countered before she ran up to the slide to already build some momentum. She threw herself down and did her very best to go as fast as she could. It'd undoubtedly mean that Lia would try to step it up again as well, but that was a little battle she'd eagerly fight!

The battle for speed.

Adam had his fun on the swing at the same time, but it was time for Auggie to experience it now! Adam stepped off, waited for Auggie to climb on, and started pulling him back, "Hold on tight!" He chirped before running to give the other boy a boost. In his mind, Auggie was already doing loops on his swing!

"I understand."

Valery watched Alicio while he entertained the littlest Noble, but when he pulled back and shared his concerns, Valery focused on just him for a moment. She had worried about the same thing in the past. A fear that Vera would have been unhappy because of her absence, especially during those years she had lost Kahlil.

"Kids are a lot more clever than we think. They can tell just how much you love them and they do notice the energy you put into the time you spend with them. So even if you end up busy, make the time you do have together special and they'll always be happy." She reached over and placed a comforting hand on Alicio's shoulder.

"Of course, it's also important to find your balance. You're not overworking yourself, I hope?"

Alicio Organa ​

 

[Alicio Organa]

"Mmm..." Lia appraised Aeryn's speed as she went down the slide with a frown, her iron-grey eyes looking suspiciously like her father's when he was inquisitive. "That is preeeeetty fast. But I can go faster!" She ran around the slide again, to begin climbing up, breathing heavily in excitement. She would go even faster than Aeryn. That was for sure.

Finally, it was Aug's turn. Jumping up on the swing, the boy pumped his legs as Adam pulled him back. "Push really hard," he said sagely, before preparing himself to go. Adam's push was really hard, and August was already swinging high. Moving his legs in tandem with the swing, August began squealing in elation. "Wheeeheheheee!" He loved flying, and this gave him the same feeling.

"You're not overworking yourself, I hope?"

Alicio pulled a tight-lipped smile. He thought for a moment longer on what to say, before speaking in a slow cadence. "I was still studying at the University when Faith Organa first brought me into her inner circle. She was the Monarch and Senator of Alderaan, back then, too. When she endorsed my bid for the senate seat, she told me how tired she was. I... think I finally understand that tired." He smirked, and decided to leave it there. He didn't need his friend worrying about him. Not with an entire war, and her own family to worry about.

"But... you're right, I think. The twins... I would've expected more distress out of them, moving and... not seeing us as much as they used to, but they've taken everything in stride. I don't know how they do it." It brought another thought to mind. One he'd pondered a few times, in recent days.

"Do you remember yourself? At that age?"

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Wedding Ring

Yep, he was overworking himself.

He tried to talk his way around it, hoping it wouldn't worry her, but Valery squinted just to let him know that she knew. She couldn't blame him, though, and she was in no position to ask him to change anything. Her own life was hectic all the time, and being overworked or stressed wasn't anything new to the Jedi Master. What mattered most to her, was that he still made time to be with loved ones. That he could take a day off without feeling like he was missing out on something.

Because no matter how important their work was, seeing what happened around them now — their kids playing, squealing and being happy — was more important than anything else.

"They love you, and they will cherish every minute they get. As long as you don't make false promises and show up when you said you would, they will be happy."

Sitting back, Valery raised a hand through her hair again and chuckled, "I remember being yelled at a lot. I was a, uh, difficult kid." She flashed an almost embarrassed smile. "I didn't have my parents, though. No brothers, sisters or anybody who told me that they loved me. I had the Jedi and they were the closest thing to family."

"But... it was different."

She turned to him and tilted her head, "What was your childhood like?"

Alicio Organa ​

 

[Alicio Organa]

She knew.

Alicio responded to Val's squinted eyes with a guilty little smile. They'd known each other too long- dancing around the subject and trying to dazzle her with a tangentially-related narrative wouldn't work. He had to make sacrifices to do everything he needed to. And unwilling to give up family time, his responsibilities on Alderaan, or his duties to the Alliance... he gave himself up.

"I remember being yelled at a lot. I was a, uh, difficult kid."

"Mhm. This is my surprised face." He gave her a very unsurprised face, just barely suppressing his teasing smile, before letting it fall. "But I understand, I think. The Jedi are... family, to each other, in a lot of ways that matter. But unconditional love is... hard to replace." Did he speak from experience?

"What was your childhood like?"

Alicio was quiet again. He was well-distanced from his younger years, had cultivated a family all his own... but it was obvious from the clenching of his jaw that some wounds had never healed entirely. "My family escaped a coup. We were forced into hiding, on a planet we hardly knew. I was born at a time we had... nothing. Except each other. My mom, my sisters..."

The king sighed. He'd alluded to it before... "And my father, Simon. He worked to support us. Fought us from a shelter to an apartment. But I hardly saw him. Looking back on it, I know he was trying his best to keep us afloat, but it felt like he wasn't there. That he didn't care." He gazed across the playground, at his children.

"My family sent me away when I was young, too, you know. I'd fallen to a... dark place. So my parents enrolled me in a boarding school, and then... died before they could visit." He blinked slowly. "It took me a long time to... find myself, again."

A ghostly smile flickered across the former Count's face. His mind traveled to their first conversation. "We used to dance ourselves silly. One of the few good memories I still have of them."

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Wedding Ring

"Your surprised face looks awfully punch-able," Valery continued to squint, but eased up when she noticed his teasing smile slipping through the cracks. She met it with a grin of her own and briefly turned away. She looked at her daughter, who was in a world of her own, reading her favorite book about tauntauns.

Seeing that innocent joy was her favorite thing in the whole Galaxy.

When she turned back to Alicio, she first nodded in agreement to what he said about unconditional love. It's what they felt now, being surrounded by their children. No organization, company or even an entire planet in his case, could even get close to replicating that feeling.

Their children were something special.

Her next question had him explain more about his past, and she couldn't help but notice the shift in him. Valery slid a little closer and leaned in for a quick sidehug. Not that he needed her comfort, but she wanted him to know that she was there for him. Always.

"Sometimes it's hardship that makes for good people. You've grown a lot and, well, look at them." She glanced at the kids as they played and smiled. "This really does make everything worth it in the end, hm?"

Alicio Organa ​

 

[Alicio Organa]

"Mhm. Still a difficult kid, I see." Alicio laughed, a genuine, pealing sound. Whatever shadows he hid, they were gone for a brief, joyful moment. Talking with Val was an easy way for him to forget his woes.

But of course, they came back. Alicio was never long without his thoughts. Like the Future, they were a constant companion.

Physical affection had never been part of his life, growing up, but the more time he spent in the galaxy, the more he appreciated it, nonetheless. Alicio leaned into the hug, before letting up, keeping his eyes on his children. An old conversation stole his thoughts.

"It isn't the hardship that makes the hero." Alicio seemed pensive, but his shadowed eyes had let up. "It's the people around them that help pick up the pieces. That's who makes the difference." A nostalgic smile pulled at his lip. "I consider myself lucky every day to have the support I did. You included."

The Future stole Alicio's attention for a moment. Crossing a leg, Alicio watched as August jumped off the swing, did a little roll in the sand, and started at a breakneck pace towards the benches. "Here comes Prince Charming," he whispered to Val, smirking.

"Aurra!" Auggie struck a heroic pose, just a little out of breath. "Come play with us! Pleeeease~!"

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Wedding Ring

"Hey," Valery protested, but her snorting not even a second later was her admission of guilt. Most people only knew her as a Jedi or from what they saw on the news, but those close to her knew how difficult she could be. Her poor husband especially had his hands full at times.

But she knew he loved it.

When Valery pulled Alicion into a side-hug, she noticed his reaction and smirked. He had never been one for too much physical affection, but at least he had accepted that she wanted a hug whenever they met! One for comfort wasn't going to be too much either, she hoped.

"I'm glad you feel that way, and I appreciate you just as much. I know I've thanked you and Amani a million times before, but I'm not sure if I could have managed without you when I thought Kahlil had died." From crying on their shoulders in the aftermath to getting their help with Vera and having a place to stay — the Organas had helped her through the worst time of her life.

She loved them for it.

"Now I'm happy we get to enjoy this together," she said, referencing the way their kids were playing. "Never thought that'd happen when we danced that one night. You were pretty awkward, you know." She flashed him a teasing grin and only turned away when Prince Charming was on his way.

It was too cute.

Aurra looked up at him when he called her name and held her book close to her chest. She seemed hesitant but looked up at her Mom a moment later. Valery recognized the sign immediately and dipped her head to encourage her, "Come on, my little princess. You can't keep him waiting. Auggie is a real Prince, you know?"

Aurra gasped and quickly set aside her book. She hopped off the bench and walked closer. "Can we play Prince and Princess? I'll be the princess!" she chirped, as if that wasn't obvious enough.

Alicio Organa ​

 

[Alicio Organa]

"We'll always be there for you, Val." Alicio was sure of that much. Even if he became swamped with work, he would always make time for moments like this. "No matter what."

"Never thought that'd happen when we danced that one night. You were pretty awkward, you know."

The King of Alderaan choked back a snort. "Yeah, who wouldn't be? I was... a kid, fresh out of university. Meeting one of the most powerful presences in the Alliance, with no prep to speak of. And she asks me to dance." Alicio crossed his arms, his body language relaxing. They'd been friends for so long, now... it was easy to forget how it all started. "Forgive me for being a little... off my game."

Soon enough, August came to coax Aurra from her books, and with some prompting from her mother, the young Noble agreed to play along. "Okay," August chirped back, walking with Aurra back to her brother. He seemed excited to put his princely training to good use. Alicio could just barely hear their conversation as they returned to the swings. He seemed to be trying to organize with the girls on the slide, into a massive play session. "You can be Princess Aurra, and I'll be Prince August, and Adam can be a knight, and..."

Alicio covered his mouth with his hand, hiding a coy little grin. "That boy..." He hummed. "Mark my words. All of our children are going to be trouble one day."

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Wedding Ring

Valery didn't choke back her snort, placed a hand on his shoulder and playfully leaned against him, "Oh come on," she said, her voice still containing a hint of her teasing self. "You were a little awkward, but you were actually a great dancer. When I dance with Kahlil, it's usually the same, slower dances."

"You had some flair."

She patted him on the shoulders and offered a genuinely warm smile. If they hadn't danced that day and enjoyed themselves, who knows what could have happened. Sure, Amani was also a reason that brought them together, but she still liked to think that it all started that night.

Turning away, Valery focused on Aurra for a moment. She had agreed to go play, but it wasn't until August seemed to be okay with playing Prince and Princess that Aurra really perked up. With a few squeals and hops, she followed him to the swing and played along. He was a real Prince, so this was special!

"Oh they're already trouble," Valery said with a smirk. "But I'm glad they can enjoy themselves like this. I hope they stay close as they got older too, you know?"

"I never want to see the ties between our families breaking."

Alicio Organa ​

 

[Alicio Organa]

"Well, thank you," he said, suppressing a self-satisfied smile. "That does make me feel a little better."

Alicio kept a close eye on the kids as they began to craft their game. He could see the excitement in their faces as their imaginations began to run wild, the slide became a castle, and swings turned into majestic steeds.

"Oh they're already trouble. But I'm glad they can enjoy themselves like this. I hope they stay close as they got older too, you know?"

"I never want to see the ties between our families breaking."

The King considered Valery's words, head turning to the side as if he were trying to decide on the flavor, before responding. "Since we moved to Alderaan, August and Liana were really worried they wouldn't see their friends anymore. Lia, especially." He nodded to his daughter, who was trying to get Aeryn to be a queen with her. "So... days like this? They mean a lot to them. To me."

"I imagine our kids will have a lot of shared experiences, growing up. What with being the children of council members, burdened with legacy and expectation, with the eyes of the galaxy on them..." Alicio's smirk drooped a little. "I hope they stay close, too."

"Do you worry about our families growing apart, Val?"

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Wedding Ring

"I'm glad to hear that this makes them happy. It's not always easy for us to come together, given our schedules, but I'm going to keep making the effort." For Auggie and Lia, but also for her own children. The triplets were always asking about seeing the Organas, and even Vera really enjoyed spending time with them.

She was already nagging about when she could babysit them again.

Turning towards the kids, Valery watched them play and couldn't help but smile. Aeryn was insisting that she'd be the Queen, but seemed to be okay with sharing when she noticed Lia also wanting to play as one. As long as those kids kept interacting with each other like that, Valery knew they'd be good friends growing up.

One day, it'd be them leading Alliances or ruling planets. Knowing they'd have people in their lives they could trust, born from childhood friendships, made Valery feel a little more reassured about the future.

"Do you worry about our families growing apart, Val?"

The question drew her eyes back to Alicio, her eyebrows furrowing into a frown, "I... worry about a lot of things," Valery said with a sheepish smile. "I don't believe we'd ever willingly grow apart, but I'm always a little paranoid about bad things happening. Ever since I lost Kahlil, I just can't stop worrying anymore."

Alicio Organa ​

 

[Alicio Organa]

"I'm glad to hear that this makes them happy. It's not always easy for us to come together, given our schedules, but I'm going to keep making the effort."

"Good. I will, too." Alicio nodded, resigning himself to the same promise. It was important for them to play with kids that they didn't have a power dynamic with. Kids from before their time as royalty. Who better than children who shared the heavy weight of a last name?

Alicio inspected Val's face, searching for hidden meaning as she made known her worries. Meanwhile, his hand traveled to above Eryx's head, and he twiddled his fingers enticingly again. He hummed thoughtfully, before responding.

"Well, I still haven't been formally introduced to Aris or Colette, yet. So perhaps your fears are warranted." A sad attempt at a joke. He sighed in defeat. "Even if we get too busy to talk, or bring our kids on playdates... I don't think there's a world we ever become strangers again. You Nobles mean a lot to us. To me. That isn't a bond easily weathered by time."

A pause. Then, a question, out of the blue. "Have you recieved any... visions of the Future? Recently?"

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Wedding Ring

Valery snapped from her somber thoughts when Eryx squealed and reached for Alicio's fingers again. As worried as she could be, seeing her kids like this made it impossible than to think about anything sad. She smiled and gently reached into the stroller to wiggle her own finger in his tummy.

With Mom joining in, he was loving it!

"I'll have to introduce you, then. They're such great kids and they're really growing up." Valery smiled but there was an almost sad touch to it. "It's hard to see your babies growing older. Less... needy." She chuckled and leaned forward to kiss the littlest Noble on the forehead.

A quick and easy way to get him to giggle.

Turning back to Alicio, Valery frowned at the mention of visions, "Mine have been vague, just like the ones I saw before the Empire invaded. But Vera has seen... something troubling." Valery pursed her lips in thought for a moment, then decided to mention it anyway.

"She saw a vision of my dying in the war."

Alicio Organa ​