Family News at the Family Dinner

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Silver Ridge Estate
Kaas City, Dromund Kaas
[member="Ishana Pavanos"]

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There were Exciting times ahead for the Pavanos couple. Looking back years ago Kaalia wouldn't even entertain the thought, but only a very short time had passed since the Sith-imperial ball when after the second medical appointment she had broken the news to Ishana; they were expecting. It boggled her mind somewhat even now, the happy and fulfilling life she already had with her wife was going to be expanding. In secret the two had begun preparing for their arrival, away from the prying eyes of Ishana's family for now. Her own was a lot more easy-going in regards to what they were up to on a daily basis, but Aalicya and Daveeq were much less afraid to personally check in on how they were doing. They had been successful, though, and after dinner tonight there would be no more need to keep it hushed.

The fact that since the ball nobody else had been informed just yet did not mean there had been no developments regarding Kaalia's pregnancy. The first check-up appointment had revealed they weren't going to have one child, but twins. Ishana had indeed been too impatient after the first attempt and for a few days all the redhead could think of was how much more hectic everything was going to get to the point where stress was already starting to crop up, but after letting the news sink in she had no more issues with it. Both of them were their children in the end, so they were both welcome additions to their lives. Her wife's excitement at the prospect, even if she had been trying to hide it, helped with this a great deal.

"So, who of us is going to share the news?" Up until that moment Kaalia had had quite a lazy day, but now that she was about to leave the house she had to do better than an old comfy shirt, yoga pants and messy hair. The outfit was swapped out for something presentable and now she was busy combing her hair. Tonight was one of the weekly family dinner nights, a tradition her in-laws saw as nothing short of holy. Even Gideon and Syrin Voldaren were expected to be there every single time, although Kaalia's parents always enjoyed the good food and great company. "Oh, and did you get the stuff they asked for from the fridge?" she said while continuing to look at the mirror and tidying up her red locks. They weren't running late just yet, but there wasn't a lot of time left before they were expected to be there.

 

[Ishana Pavanos]

Ishana knew two things in life, one was that she loved flying and two she loved her wife. Now, now there would be three things. Her children. Never in her life did the Balmorran believe she would ever have a child, let alone two. Turned out that Kaalia was not just expecting a baby, but babies. Twins, fraternal from what the doctor had been able to determine. They never discussed twins, they had barely discussed children. Barely, that wasn't a fair term no in truth they had discussed it at great length.

Kaalia, in the beginning, hadn't been keen on the idea.

Now? Now she seemed to glow. Of course the moment they decided that they were going to try, they also decided to share the news at what had now become a sacred family tradition. Weekly dinners. At least once a week, and even the in-laws were expected to show up. Mom and dad would always give their advice whether Kaalia or Ishana asked for it wasn't relevant.

Ishana had been laying on the bed fixing her shoes when Kaalia asked who would break the news. "Well." She started out, "I thought we could tell them together." The older woman finished as she then rose to her feet and looked down at the moccasins on her feet.

The Silver Ridge Estate bore no large manor rather, held several modest homes and a large enough plot of land for which the Pavanos family could continue their life's work of making wine and olive oil. Soil here in Dromund Kaas wasn't naturally suited to both as Balmorra had been and thus adjustments to the craft were made. Still, it kept the family busy. Kaalia and Ishana lived just behind the main Pavanos home, with the Voldarens in a quiet home to the left of the Pavanos.

Even now smaller homes for Ishana's sisters were in the midst of construction. "Uh... I think so?" She answered after grabbing a long gray sweater that went over the waistband of her black trousers, the Balmorran flipped her hair out. "Just have to grab it on our way out."

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"]

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

One last hand ran through her hair before Kaalia decided it looked presentable, then she took one step back to look herself over from top to bottom. She didn't look anything out of the ordinary, but compared to the just-got-out-of-bed look it was quite the improvement. It wasn't just for personal reasons, although she definitely enjoyed taking her time to make sure she looked as good as possible. Ishana's mother would no doubt have her opinions if she went out with an unkempt head of hair and rarely did one of her opinions go unvoiced. She found it to be an oddly charming thing and the the unsolicited advice they would often get were always filled with elderly wisdom.

All in all, Kaalia had lucked out with her in-laws- they were a lively bunch and were family to her just as much as her own parents. They themselves were a lot more calm and easy-going, but just as wise and always willing to listen. It was after she had visited them by herself and laid down the topic in front of them to ask them for advice, that she came to the conclusion that starting a family with Ishana was something she wanted. Not because they shared their own opinions, but because they knew the right questions to ask. That had allowed her to find out what she really wanted. They would've been happy with it no matter the outcome, but knowing them the woman was quite certain they would be excited with the news as well.

"I mean, of course," Kaalia responded as she went to get her shoes, "but saying 'we're having twins!' together at the exact same time is a bit weird. At least, it sounds weird to me." After finding them, she sat down on the ground and put them on. "Unless you really want to do it like that, but I meant who grabs the attention and who breaks the actual news. Am I overthinking again? I am." With a small chuckle she got back on her feet. Meticulously planning things that really didn't need to be planned for was something she did a bit too often.

Kaalia then moved towards the kitchen, where the crate of things that had been asked for waited. "Yup, the crate's right here. You left it in the kitchen." It was a good thing that what she was looking for weren't Ishana's socks. Her wife had a knack for losing them at an unbelievable rate. Once they went missing, they were never to be found again. The woman picked up the crate with a slight huff and started making her way towards the entryway of the house. "Are you ready? They're waiting on us and we're starting to run late," she half-shouted while waiting at the door.

 

[Ishana Pavanos]

"You look fine," Ishana said out of the corner of her mouth. She had caught Kaalia doing that thing where she stands just a little too long in front of the mirror. A smile to reassure the Kro Varian as she placed a kiss on Kaalia's cheek. The brunette stood a moment and listened to her wife, "yeah, a little, I mean - I can do the whole getting their atention thing and then you can break the news?" She answered with a shrug as she gathered the last of their things as they headed for the kitchen. "Habibi, it's-"

Then Kaalia grabbed the crate, and while it wasn't heavy in the least. Ishana still wondered if she should carry that for her, if for anything else to avoid hearing her mother yell at her. Or chew her out from one end to the other. How Kaalia dealt with her mother - Ishana just did not know, the Balmorran could barely handle being around her parents for more than an hour or two let alone for the amount of time that the redhead seems to spend with them. "We're not late, we're on Balmorran time remember that." Balmorrans were typical for running late and the joke was as such in their family. Did you set the party at three? Balmorran time means everyone shows up at five, it was just a thing. Kro Varians however did not take kindly to such, or so Ishana had come to find out.

Without much else to fuss over the pair managed their way out of their house. "Um, do you - I mean, I can take that." Ishana gestured to the crate.

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"]

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

"I know, I know. Being late still feels a bit, well, wrong to me? It's the one aspect of Balmorran culture I can't wrap my head around." Balmorran time, as Ishana always called it. It was a phenomenon Kaalia still hadn't been able to under stand, or get used to for that matter. She considered herself lucky that her wife was able to translate times to its Balmorran equivalent. "The family dinners, the food, the liveliness, things to instantly fall in love with. But Balmorran time? I think it'll be forever lost on me." After saying that she leaned in towards the brunette and gave her a kiss on the cheek of her own. "But for you I'll work around it." It was foolish to expect anyone to change in that regard, so there was little else to do other than simply accept it. Marriage didn't mean you only got the positives but the negatives as well, but that had never been a deterrent to the redhead whatsoever. Things like Balmorran time were trivial to her compared to the endless list of things she loved about her wife.

Kaalia then eyed the door, directing Ishana's attention to it. "My uh, hands are a bit full. Could you?" She stepped aside so the brunette could open the door. They stepped outside and once again the look on her wife's face she had back in the kitchen returned, but only now did she notice it. It was normal for Ishana to offer to carry whatever Kaalia had on her, whether it was a bag to a crate to really anything else. Although the first time Aalicya saw her carrying her own things, she had always insisted on doing that herself, her wife was chewed out for it. So, when she made the offer once again, Kaalia nodded. The first time had left her feeling really bad about the situation, so even though she had no issue carrying the crate herself she carefully handed it over. "Thanks, miala." Another quick kiss. "And there's no way I would let you go through your mother's yelling again."

A short walk later the couple arrived at Ishana's parents' home, where in the garden a long table waited. From inside the house Kaalia could smell the food that was being prepared already, causing her stomach to stir somewhat. "Mhm, smells delicious as always." Simple things like that, those were the reasons why she fought so hard to protect it. To make sure she and her family had a safe home and normal, happy life. The fight was more than worth it.

The thought was quickly pushed to the side, however. Kaalia looked around but it seemed Aalicya and Daveeq were inside the house at the moment, but chances were they would join them sooner much rather than later. Her own parents were already there though, they too still had trouble adjusting to the Balmorran interpretation of 'being on time'. It seemed they had been here for a little while already. "Hey pa! Hey ma!" Kaalia waved and made her way towards them, giving both of them a hug. "Is everything going well?"

"Well, apart from the fact we've been waiting for about an hour while all these aromas feed my apetite, no complaints here," Gideon responded lightheartedly, to which Syrin decided to give him a bit of a stare.

"Patience is a virtue-" Kaalia's mother interrupted herself, giving her a good look from top to bottom. "There's something different about you, Kaalia. I'm just not sure what it is."

"Not sure what you mean with that, ma," the woman responded, wanting to keep the secret for a little while longer. "Nothing has really changed since last time."

"It must be my eyes playing games with me again. Oh, Ishana dear," Syrin suddenly said to change the topic, "come over here. How are you? I hope Kaalia's been treating you well."

[member="Ishana Pavanos"]

 

[Ishana Pavanos]

Ishana only shrugged, Balmorran time wasn't just a concept it was just a way of life. "Which is why I always try to set appointments right in the middle." Which was somewhere between Balmorran time and well, Kaalia time. A smile lifted once more upon Ishana's lips as they headed through the gardens on a paved path. And as the former TIE pilot carried the box she was grateful for the note. Ma had a way of reminding Ishana about the things she was supposed to do like the so-called masculine one of the two. Although Ishana's attempts at pointing out the heteronormativity just fell silent, so, here she was carrying the crate. Although, now that she thought about it, did she really want her now pregnant wife carrying everything? Probably not.

"Hey, Ma," Ishana said just as her father took the crate from her arms, "dad."

"Miri!" Mama Pavanos called out, "come here darling, yes so very nice to see you and yes everything is going quite well we are now waiting for Miri's sisters." Mama told Kaalia plainly before turning over to look at her husband a moment. "Set crate there, yes, right there." It was then that Ishana heard her in-laws, Gideon and Syrin Voldaren speaking with Kaal. Ishana meanwhile busied herself helping ma and dad around the kitchen.

At least until Mr. and Mrs. Voldaren spoke, "oh I'm good, thank you and yeah, always." She responded, "did you two need help?"

She set the table and looked up between her in-laws and her parents, just as her sister Dall managed her way into the room. "Miri," Dalielle greeted almost all too nicely and Ishana eyed her sister suspiciously. She even gave Ishana a hug, and then the Balmorran narrowed her gaze and watched her older sister cautiously. Dalielle actually did like Kaalia so that was a plus, she even greeted Kaalia with a hug as well.

"Myrina," Mama Pavanos greeted with a smile as she gave her oldest a hug, "please help your sister set the table yes? Daveeq! Daveeq! Bring the olive oil."

"Yes, yes," he replied.

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"]

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Syrin gave Ishana an affirmative nod and responded with a simple "Good, good," then decided to lend another pair of hands in the kitchen. Gideon meanwhile watched the both of them from the table as they made themselves busy, with Kaalia sitting next to him. "I don't think I have said this before, iminha," he said as he placed a firm yet supportive hand on his daughter's shoulder, "but nothing does me better than seeing how well you two fit together. I left that unsaid for too long." Kaalia couldn't help but smile faintly. She had always been somewhat afraid he disapproved of her wife, but quite the opposite had been true despite the clear age difference, even if a similar thing although less so was true for him and her mom, and Ishana's lifestyle before things had gotten serious between them, even though those times were already in the past by the time he had met her. He knew how to see through people so when he said something about another it was very real, a trait that was amplified by the fact he was quite stoic by nature.

"That means a lot," Kaalia's reply sounded as she admired her wife for a moment. "But when are you going to stop calling me 'iminha'? I am far from little anymore." The comment was met with a sly grin, a rare thing to see on Gideon's face.

"Hmm, I will when you can prove it. Let's say..." A small pause, "when you become a parent of your own, for example?" The redhead was caught a bit off guard by that and it took great effort to not let that show outwardly, but she managed to remain composed. Before she could reply, though, Dalielle would enter the room. The contrast between her sister in-law's friendly demeanor and Ishana's suspicion was amusing on the surface, but Kaalia made a mental note to ask her wife to make sure there was nothing going on. She then got up herself and greeted Dall with a hug. "Good to see you again." The two got along well, which she valued highly. Dalielle was almost like the older sister she never had.

"I suppose I should help out myself as well," the woman said as her sister in-law went to do so herself, turning towards Aalicya. "If you will let me, of course." Over time she had picked up on what best to do when it came to things within her mother in-law's 'domain'. The first time Kaalia went to help out she did so without asking, which was then met by a prompt near-order to sit back down. She still didn't understand the reason why things such as wanting Ishana to carry her things and not letting her help setting the table were so important to Aalicya, but she was slowly getting used to it and finding ways to work around it. Whether it would work this time or not though, that Kaalia did not know.

[member="Ishana Pavanos"]

 

[Ishana Pavanos]

Ishana watched momentarily as Syrin headed into the kitchen and then her attention turned to Gideon and Kaalia. If only briefly, "you seem occupied." Dali mentioned as she came to sit beside her sister. And while Ishana suspected her sister was up to something she for the moment let it be. "You alright?" There was a slight concern in the woman's voice and Ishana knew it well. The old fighter pilot shook her head softly and opened her mouth to speak but no words came out, instead she shifted in her seat.

"I am," she replied and looked at her sister directly. "A lot of changes on the horizon though."

Dali looked at the ground a moment, the terracotta colored tile seemed a little darker than usual although she supposed that was due to their shadows. "There are always changes on the horizon, Miri. We can either change with them or watch it all change without us."

"Surely you're up to something more than to give me timely advice, Myrina." Ishana straightened her back and squared her shoulders against the back of her chair.

The other woman shrugged, "maybe I am and if so you'll find out. Nothing stays a secret in this family for long."

"No, no it doesn't." Ishana agreed and then rose to her feet as Aalicya spoke with Kaalia. It seemed the Pavanos matriarch took a moment to let Kaalia help her which took a few by surprise. The Balmorran scoffed softly, her mother was softening to Kaalia and for Ishana that was good. It meant the family could be more at ease with her allowing her into their inner sanctum. She then cleared her throat as she approached the two, "am I interrupting?"

Mama Pavanos chuckled, "no - but you have impeccable timing. I was just showing Kaalia how to work the dough for baklava, here you can help."

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"]

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Although she had been quite set at helping out with getting everything ready, it did take Kaalia by surprise a bit when Aalicya actually allowed her to. Sometimes it felt like building up her connection with the Pavanos family was a slow process, and perhaps there was no real 'end' to that, but today was definitely another step forward. She watched carefully as her mother in-law worked the dough for the baklava so she knew how to do it, while internally breathing a sigh of relief that she wouldn't be tasked with anything involving kitchen appliances. The first few times the woman were to try something new it would end in a disaster. This, however, was much simpler and wouldn't be a problem. The last thing she wanted was to leave a bad first impression in the kitchen when a family such as the Pavanos' was involved.

Ishana then joined the two and Aalicya was quick to have her help out with the baklava, giving the couple something to work together on. "I think the two of us got this. Right, miella?" Kaalia smiled towards her mother in-law for a moment, but whether or not she stuck around to lend a third pair of hands didn't matter all too much to her. She began working the dough herself and although her eyes remained affixed to what she was doing, her words were directed towards her wife. "Anything up between you and Dal? I saw how you reacted when she came in, and while you were talking to her just now. There's nothing wrong, I hope." Sometimes she worried about family-related matters a bit too much, but that was simply in her nature. Having lived without anything even remotely close to speak of for most of her life made her value the one she had now even more, so making sure everyone was doing well was very important to her.

Kaalia kept her eyes on what she was doing throughout it all and it was quite clear she looked to do it perfectly, as far as that was possible with working dough. "How is it looking? Never really seen or worked with this kind of dough before."

[member="Ishana Pavanos"]

 

[Ishana Pavanos]

Admittedly, Aalicya wasn't sure if she wanted to have Kaalia help her. Her husband Daveeq reassured her that it would be for the best. Kaalia had been married to Ishana for awhile now and it didn't look like the Kro Varian was going to go anywhere anytime soon. So, it had been decided that this small step forward would be a giant leap for the family. And, baklava at the least didn't involve appliances so there was no risk of Kaalia burning or ruining any of those. Not today anyway, and of course Ishana wanting to help was always a welcomed sight.

Ishana on her part smiled, nodded and placed a reassuring hand on her mother's shoulder. "I've done this before, you and Dals go have tea or something." She said with a cheeky grin, her mother bumped shoulders playfully and left the couple to the dough. The Balmorran almost didn't hear her wife but as she turned to focus on the dough her ears caught the last bit of the redhead's sentence. "Ah, I'm sure it's nothing Dals probably has something she wants to say tonight so we can do the whole spring our news first or wait to see what she has to say."

"Mhmmm, well." Ishana maneuvered herself behind Kaalia and placed her hands atop of Kaalia's. A bit of laughter escaped, "let me show you."

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"]

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Kaalia wasn't entirely sure how much it took Aalicya to put trust in her, but with how long things were taking it was easy to assume that it was quite a large amount. Although frustrating at times she had been patient above everything else, hoping to get her full approval in time. Her mother in-law was obviously an important person in Ishana's life and as such she was important to her as well, so piece by piece that bridge would be continued to build. The woman had seen Daveeq's efforts in this throughout it all too, and she was quite thankful for that. Although she hadn't put her appreciation into words quite yet, more subtle signals had relayed this gratitude to him on multiple occasions.

Back in the present, Kaalia tilted her head to the side to look at Ishana with curiosity etched onto her face. If her wife was indeed right, this dinner was going to be even more interesting that she had originally expected. Time would tell, she supposed. "Oh? I wonder what kind of news she has to share, then. The inner workings of the Pavanos family has yet another twist I hadn't seen before." Her attention returned to the dough in front of her. "Perhaps it's just as surprising, that would be fun." Luckily for her it would be Ishana who would grab the attention of the rest of the family, so the non-verbal decision on who would go first if Ishana's assumption was correct wouldn't have to go through herself.

Right before Ishana placed herself behind Kaalia, the redhead took one small step forward to give the brunette a bit more room to reach her hands. She couldn't help but chuckle along for a bit as it happened, allowing Ishana to give her a bit of guidance in a more direct way. "Please do. I would hate to mess it up, after all."

[member="Ishana Pavanos"]

 

[Ishana Pavanos]

Ishana guided Kaalia helping her work the dough until it was oven-ready.

"Well knowing Dals, it'll be something like new job or maybe she finally found someone to bring home," Ishana said to her wife. Still, they had their own bit of news and it was now a matter of when to announce it. "So we can either wait or announce it now, it's up to you." Dinner itself smelled fabulous and the family began to gather around the table. Setting it up, putting out cups and utensils, Ishana gave her wife a kiss before sliding over to help with the side dishes and bringing them over to be poured or scooped into serving dishes. It wasn't too much longer before everyone was seated and the family began dinner, food was a simple roasted rontho rump with plenty of carbs and veggies to go around. Dessert had only just been taken out before dinner was served, Daveeq and Aalicya settled at one end of the table with the Voldarens at the other and plenty of relatives in between.

"Let me help you grandpa," Ishana got up to help serve him his dinner while her sisters tended to aunts and uncles.

"Kaalia you are glowing!" Exclaimed one of Ishana's aunts from her mother's side of the family, and grandpa looked over at her and smiled. He then whispered into Ishana's ear and she nodded with a smile and he gave his granddaughter-in-law a little gesture that he would keep their secret.

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"]

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

"Wouldn't that be something, Dal being with someone. Who knows, maybe you inspired them." Kaalia smirked just a little while she watched the dough being put into the oven, and in the meantime she mulled over the choice that was given to her. Keeping the secret to herself had become more and more difficult every day and now that they were so close to finally putting it out in the open it was even more so. Perhaps starting off the dinner with sharing the news was the way to go, but she would hold off on making a final decision until it had to be made. "I don't think I will be able to keep it to myself for too much longer, so I'm leaning towards doing it now. I'll let you know once we're all seated." Keeping the excitement down was starting to get harder now, too. With her nerves playing up she took a deep breath and used her meditation techniques to keep herself collected for the moment, but it was still there.

Ishana went to help with serving the side dishes, at which point Kaalia decided to go sit down at the table. A spot to the left of her was kept free for her wife once everything was ready, although it didn't take long for the brunette to get up again to help her father. The redhead herself happily dug into what was on her plate in the meantime, but when she heard her name being called her attention shifted to the woman who had done so. She replied with a modest smile and nod, masking the fact it had taken her off-guard a bit. Being questioned was something she had gone through before on multiple occassions, but this was something different. "Thank you. Things are going very well at the moment, I suppose it shows."

She then saw Ishana's whispering something in her ear, which was followed by Daveeq giving Kaalia a subtle gesture that sent the message that he had figured it out, but would keep it to himself. A small nod was sent back to acknowledge she had gotten the message, and with another small gesture, sent towards her wife this time, she let her know she couldn't wait much longer. This was the time to do it.

[member="Ishana Pavanos"]

 

[Ishana Pavanos]

Ishana looked over at Grandpa Sinope and then over at her father who gave her a quizzical look. She placed a finger over her mouth and then returned to her seat. There, just as soon as she sat down, Kaalia leaned over and spoke as Auntie Mel had exclaimed then whispered into Auntie Lys's ears. Ishana gave her wife another look while taking Kaalia's hand into hers. Whispers would be about so, sooner - the better, and, "yes that would certainly be something, Dals actually having someone, but let's see."

Daveeq took a moment to look at his two sister in laws then his father-in-law. Aalicya seemed oblivious but that only made him chuckle. "So, Ishana - Kaalia. You two look a little more radiant than normal."

"Mhmmm?" Ishana was caught with a mouthful of falafel.

She dabbed a napkin over her mouth and looked at Kaalia, with a raised brow - a shrug that seemed to say, now? Now. Now was a good time to start that announcement. "Um, well, about that - Kaalia and I have a little something to uh announce..."

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"]

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

"We do, and uh," Kaalia said with a nervous chuckle to follow up on what Ishana mentioned. Now that the attention was fully on them words escaped her, causing her to fall silent for a moment. She had given rallying cries to large groups of Sith before storming the field of battle without a single stutter on her voice, but somehow this setting made her feel more vulnerable than she had ever been. She softly squeezed her wife's hand to anchor herself somewhat and regain some of her confidence that way, then began to speak. "For some time now, we have been going through this procedure to try to, uh..." Once again she had to stop for a moment to find the right words, but this time it took much less time. "Have a child, together."

After saying that, Kaalia looked quite relieved already, as though the major hurdle had been cleared. "And what we wanted to share with everyone is that we recently learned it was successful." She was beaming now, with the weight that was on her shoulders falling off with every word she spoke. "I am pregnant. And on top of that, it's not just one. We're expecting twins." She turned her head towards Ishana, then leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek. Without her she would've never even thought about becoming a mother in any way, but here she was.

"We're both really excited, as you probably can imagine. It's a big step for us, but it only makes me realize how much I love her more and more." Her eyes moved towards where her parents were sitting, gauging how they reacted. Although they were never as outward with their thoughts like the Pavanos' were, the ear-to-ear smiles they both had were enough to see that they were delighted. She would catch up with them later, once the inevitable stream of reactions had run its course. Chances were that would be a while, though.

[member="Ishana Pavanos"]

 

[Ishana Pavanos]

The family quietly put down their utensils as Ishana drew their attention. Aalicya looked over at her father, and then she saw her husband Daveeq. He had this look like he was hiding a smile, curious she placed her hands in her lap and waited for her daughter in-law to speak. Slowly, Kaalia began to speak she seemed nervous but Aalicya knew what speaking in front the Pavanos family could be like. Then the word, the word had been mentioned, a child - a child? Kaalia and Ishana were trying to have a baby? She had to control herself she was giddy beyond words.

Aalicya smiled and slowly rose from her chair and walked towards Kaalia. Daveeq meanwhile got up to shake Ishana's hand, and Ishana... Ishana looked at Dals who simply raised a glass in a toast. "Look at you, a mother to be." Daveeq said to Ishana, as Aalicya approached Kaalia with open arms and gently cupped the Kro Varian's chin.

"I am so very happy, very happy, for both of you and for well." Making her a grandmother, but it went unspoken as she pulled Kaalia into a hug. Aunties, uncle and cousins each waited their turn to give either Ishana or Kaalia a hug and to congratulate them. "Our family is growing again!" She said with a smile and looked over at Dals, who only flashed her ring finger and then Ishana chuckled.

Dals rose from her chair and met with Ishana just behind Kaalia, where the poor redhead was now inundated with family members all wanting to wish their congratulations. "Who's the lucky person?" Ishana asked quietly and Dals then informed her sister on who the lucky man was and the two shared a smile and laugh before maneuvering Kaalia out of the crowd and settling everyone back down at the table.

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"]

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

At home Kaalia made use of the Force in company under only the most exceptional circumstances, but there were moments where things would come to her without ever seeking for it. This was one of those moments. After the news had been shared the tone of the room shifted, that much anyone could notice, but the strongest emotional reaction came from Aalicya. It was nearly impossible to drown out the pure joy she felt, a heartwarming feeling that almost embarrassed her a little.

Although the entire family was looking to swarm around Kaalia, her mother in-law was the first to personally congratulate her. The soon-to-be-grandmother's words had her smile once more, and it was still impossible to repress. "You have your daughter to thank. We wouldn't be here if she hadn't convinced me." The original hesitation she had no longer affected her in the slightest, and it was all because of Ishana. "But I'm really happy she did."

The hug that followed came a bit unexpected to the redhead at first. What Aalicya perhaps didn't realize, however, was how much it meant to her. Both of them had always wanted the best for Ishana and it sometimes seemed to cause suspicion, but there was none of that now. "Congratulations on becoming a grandmother soon," she said while she still shared the embrace. After pulling away again she quickly caught a glance of the ring around Dal's finger, but before she had the opportunity to be surprised the next Pavanos was there to congratulate her. One thing was for certain; Kaalia considered herself lucky to be part of the Pavanos family. The days where she had nobody were long behind her now, a distant memory that faded out of her mind further and further with each passing day.

Eventually her wife managed to pull Kaalia out of the crowd and after looking around for where Dalielle was, she gave her a knowing nod while sitting back down at the table. Once she got the opportunity she would congratulate her properly, but there wasn't much of an opportunity at that moment. Once Ishana sat back down next to her, she whispered into her ear. "Did I really see what I think I saw? Because there is no way."

[member="Ishana Pavanos"]

 

[Ishana Pavanos]

Ishana beamed and watched as her family showered Kaalia with love and affection. The former TIE pilot raised her brow at the mention that this would not have been possible without her. "Oh, I don't know last I checked it took two to uh, well." She cleared her throat and laughed a little. "I am beyond words, habibti truly." Words rolled softly off her tongue a warmth to her tone that was more than recognizable. Aalicya took a moment to hold Kaalia's hands and got one last look at her daughter in law before taking a seat.

Kaal then whispered with regards to Dals' ring. "Mhmmm," Ishana returned as she wrapped an arm around her wife's waist. The dinner table eventually settled down. "So Dalielle who's the lucky uh person?"

"Well, he should be... here soon?" Dals looked at the time and waited for the door bell to ring. When it did, Ishana beat her other sister to the door. The two Pavanos sisters looked at the rather tall and lanky young man. Neither one said anything but stepped out of the way for Dals to greet her fiance. "This is Ahmed, Ahmed my sisters Ishana and Aaliyah."

"Hi," Ishana managed and waited for Dalielle and her uh fiance to head to the kitchen table.

The night was certainly one for celebration, and dinner lasted longer than it normally would but that was to be expected. Ishana stayed behind to help clean up before being shooed away by her parents. "Congrats, Dals - really, Ahmed seems like a good guy." Dals smiled and gave her younger sister a hug, mentioned something about not letting Ishana get all the family glory. As soon as the Balmorran had left she waited for her wife as the two stepped outside ready to head back to their house.

It was then that Ishana looked up and smiled, the clear night sky made it easy to see the stars. Even more, snow began to fall and the chill in the air was certainly key to that. "C'mon Kaal, best get back to the house before the snow starts to settle."

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"]

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

In response to the arm that was now around her waist, Kaalia gently lowered her head for it to rest on Ishana's shoulder while she watched the rest of the family slowly settling back down around the table. Only at home was she able to truly show her soft side and that was why she rarely shied away from it. As a Sith one had to ensure to show no weakness, in public she had to be someone else. But here that mask could come off to truly be herself, that was the Kaalia the Pavanos family knew, the Kaalia her wife knew. All that power she amassed, the battles she had fought, the blood, sweat and tears put into raising the empire they lived in, it had always been to provide a safe home for them. Everything else came secondary to that.

When things had quieted down somewhat again, for Pavanos standards at least, Kaalia sat back up straight as dinner continued as normal. Eventually Dal's fiance made his late arrival, but unlike her wife and her sister-in-law she remained seated until Ahmed had come inside and was introduced. Before he and Dalielle went to sit down the woman would get up to quickly introduce herself. "Hi, I'm Kaalia, Ishana's wife," she explained while shaking his hand. "So basically I've already learned how to fit into this family. If you need help, the door's open for you. Just in case."

He was going to need it.

Eventually the gathering would wrap up and the couple began their walk back home. Though it was somewhat chilly Kaalia enjoyed the moment, wrapping her arm around Ishana's waist this time and pulling herself just that bit closer to her. A few snowflakes began falling down and slowly but steadily that snow increased in amount, giving her an idea. Her head turned to look into her wife's eyes for a moment.

"Mhm. Want to watch the snowfall together once we do?" She would take any excuse to just cuddle up to Ishana for a while.

[member="Ishana Pavanos"]

 

[Ishana Pavanos]

"Yeah," Ishana agreed as they settled back into their home. "Let me get the fire going, and change out of these clothes, first."

The Balmorran trudged up the stairs and changed into a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. It had been a long night filled with plenty of excitement, Ishana put the worn clothing into the hamper to be washed later. She headed back downstairs to find her wife already on the couch snuggled up with pillows and blankets to spare. She managed her way on the couch so she could hold Kaal in her arms to watch the snow as it fell.

Ishana nuzzled the back of her wife's neck and let her back relax into the sofa's cushions. "I love you habibti." Ishana murmured as the warmth of the fire was felt throughout the room. As she got comfortable her hands went to the Kro Varian's swollen abdomen, where their babies rested. Two tiny specs of life, small presences within the Force according to Kaal. She was proud of where they were as a couple and as a family.

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"]