Private Snacks, Secrets, and Service

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Wedding Ring

Valery's heart warmed at Kahlil's gentle squeeze and the smile that seemed to light up his entire face. There was no place she'd rather be, no one she'd rather share this with. She leaned into him for a moment, her amber eyes sparkling with happiness as she took in the beauty of their surroundings and the comfort of his presence.

"You always know how to make things perfect," she murmured, her voice soft and filled with love. "Snacks or no snacks, being here with you is all I need." Her smile widened, and she pressed a light kiss to his cheek before glancing toward the village.

She did kind of still want the snacks though...

But as her gaze lingered, something began to stir in the back of her mind. The excitement that had filled her just moments ago shifted slightly, replaced by a faint unease. The layout of the village wasn’t quite as she remembered. Buildings that should have been on one side of the main road were now on the other. A few structures appeared older, their architecture reminiscent of a time long before her recent memories. And the colors — they seemed muted, almost as if she were looking through the lens of the past.

Her steps faltered, and her smile faded slightly as realization began to dawn.

"Kahlil," she said, her voice soft but edged with confusion. Her amber eyes turned to him, searching for answers. "This… this isn’t how it looked last time we were here. The layout is different. Some of these buildings… they weren’t here before"

"What’s going on?" she asked, her voice steady but she gripped his hand tightly, as if she was scared that she'd be dragged back into the past, away from him, and this was the only way to keep him close.

Kahlil Noble​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

So it did work.

Kahlil smiled softly as he kept his arm around Valery's waist, helping to guide her forward even though things seemed off and odd now. Muted, older. He idly toyed with the artifact in his free hand before he leaned over to kiss the top of his wife's head. "You'll see in a moment. Just don't forget, we can't stay." For a Jedi who lived all her life suppressing her emotions and desire for family, to have a family now with him but never the chance to reunite with her parents, her mother, he couldn't help but want to bring her here. Even after stressing how important it was they don't get attached to a past that never was and never could be.

She kept guiding her to the old house, as it was before, as it was only years after she left.

"Let's go say hi."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Wedding Ring

Valery leaned into Kahlil's steady embrace as they walked, her steps hesitant but obedient as his words began to sink in. The unease that had crept into her heart was quickly overtaken by a swirl of emotions she couldn't quite define. The closer they came to her childhood home, the more her surroundings began to feel achingly familiar. It was more than just a resemblance — it was precise, down to the last detail. The scent of wildflowers in the air, the faint creak of the wooden gate she had only seen in old visions... her mind raced.

Her breath hitched as her gaze landed on the house, pristine and glowing in the soft light of the valley. The memories from her dreams, visions from her time in stasis, and the stories she had pieced together over the years all came rushing back. But this — this was real. Too real.

"Kahlil..." she whispered, her voice trembling as realization struck her like a wave. Her free hand moved to her stomach as if to ground herself, but her eyes never left the house. Before Kahlil could respond, the door of the house opened, and Valery's world stopped. A woman stepped out, her movements graceful but strong, her presence commanding yet warm. Her long brunette hair fell in soft waves, streaked with elegant silver that caught the sunlight. Her fiery eyes, so much like Valery's own, sparkled with recognition and love.

"Mom?" The word escaped Valery's lips in a trembling gasp, her voice barely audible as her knees threatened to buckle. Her vision blurred with tears she didn't even realize were falling.

The woman smiled, her expression soft and radiant. "Welcome home, my little princess," Yvaine said, her voice rich with emotion.

That was all it took. Valery turned to Kahlil, her tears flowing freely now, and wrapped herself tightly around him. Her entire body trembled with disbelief and joy, her fingers gripping his tunic as if letting go would shatter the fragile reality she was living in. Her tears soaked his shirt, her heart pounding as her emotions overflowed. She clung to him, her anchor in a moment that felt too extraordinary to be real.

Yvaine just chuckled and looked at Kahlil first, before turning to her daughter, "You're not going to just stand there and not give me a hug after all this time, right?"

Kahlil Noble​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil just raised a brow as Valery turned to him to hug him. Surprise was palpable, to the point he didn't react at first. Eventually though his expression softened as he glanced to Valery's mother, giving the woman a simple nod. He'd reach up to ruffle Valery's hair. Right now, there was only one person who should be comforting Valery, while they had the chance to. So he leaned down to kiss the top of Valery's head before sort of just, pushing her towards her mother.

"As happy as I am you'd seek me first, you've someone you've been wanting to see for far too long waiting. Go, love."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Wedding Ring

Valery hesitated for a moment as Kahlil kissed the top of her head and gently nudged her toward her mother. Her grip on his tunic loosened, and with a deep, trembling breath, she stepped away. Her amber eyes, glassy with tears, turned to Yvaine, who stood with open arms and a smile that exuded warmth and love.

"Mom…" Valery whispered again, her voice barely holding together as she crossed the distance between them. She practically fell into Yvaine's embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around her as though she could make up for decades of lost time in that single hug. Tears flowed freely now, streaking down her cheeks as her emotions spilled over. Yvaine held her just as tightly, one hand cradling the back of Valery's head while the other rubbed soothing circles on her back.

"I got the message you left," Valery murmured through her tears, her voice cracking as she buried her face in her mother's shoulder.

"I know," Yvaine replied softly, her voice steady and reassuring, "I could feel it." The simple acknowledgment carried so much weight, as if it bridged the vast expanse of time and space that had separated them.

After what felt like both an eternity and a fleeting moment, Yvaine gently pulled back, her hands settling on Valery's shoulders as she took in her daughter's face. The joy and pride in her fiery eyes were unmistakable, and as her gaze drifted downward, it landed on Valery's pregnant stomach. Her expression softened with awe and curiosity before she turned to Kahlil.

"So, you're the one, hm?" Yvaine asked, her sharp eyes flicking over him in a quick, appraising sweep. There was no malice in her tone, only interest and a hint of playfulness. After a moment, her lips curved into a smirk of approval as she looked back at Valery and dipped her head proudly. "Good catch. I can tell he makes you happy."

Valery flushed, her ears and cheeks burning up as she glanced between her mother and her husband. She managed a soft laugh, her hand instinctively resting over her belly. "He's amazing," she said, her voice filled with love and pride as she glanced at Kahlil.

Yvaine chuckled lightly and stepped toward Kahlil, extending her hand. "Thank you for bringing her home. You have no idea what this means to me."

Kahlil Noble​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil hovered. Close, but not too close. He wanted to give Valery the chance to be with her mother, but he was also aware that this wasn't necessarily real. He wanted to protect her, make sure there were no weird effects from the artifact. And yet, he couldn't help but smile after a moment. This wasn't just a vision. Whatever this was, Valery's mother was aware. He reached up to take her hand, shaking it firmly.

"No, but I know how much it means to Valery. I'm glad this worked."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Wedding Ring

Yvaine's smile deepened as she shook Kahlil's hand, her grip firm but warm. "You've made my little girl so happy," she said, her fiery eyes shimmering with gratitude and a touch of amusement. "Thank you for taking such good care of her, and congratulations with the new baby."

Valery's cheeks flushed a deep red, her amber eyes widening as she groaned softly, "Mom..." The affectionate but mildly embarrassed protest was met with a playful laugh from Yvaine, who winked at her daughter before releasing Kahlil's hand.

Before Valery could recover, another figure entered the room. Standing tall with broad shoulders and the rugged strength of a man who had spent much of his life working the land, Corr Noble exuded a quiet confidence. His weathered hands adjusted the simple glasses perched on his nose, and his neatly pressed shirt gave him an endearingly nerdy air. The contrast between his physical presence and his gentle demeanor made him seem larger than life and oddly familiar.

Valery froze for a moment, blinking as realization dawned. Her gaze darted between her father and Kahlil, the resemblance in their composure and quiet strength suddenly impossible to ignore.

She opened her mouth, but no words came, her mind catching up with the startling realization that she and her mother might just have a very specific type when it came to men. A sudden laugh bubbled up despite herself, and she raised a hand to cover her mouth. Oh yes, this was great.

Yvaine turned to look at her daughter, an amused eyebrow raised. But before she could say a word, Corr stepped forward and looked at Valery with the smile of a proud father. Before he turned to her for a hug, however, he first looked at Kahlil. He hadn't seen Valery since she was a baby, but there was still a fatherly protectiveness in his eyes that Kahlil would recognize more than anybody else.

"I'm Corr," he began firmly, "Pleasure to meet you."

Valery and Yvaine looked at each other, both smirking as the two men met for the first time.

Kahlil Noble​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil just snickered as he glanced to Valery and nodded. It was cute, seeing her be the flustered one now. Though for how much longer that was the case was still up in the air, as Kahlil found himself looking to the man that could only be Valery's father. As the man introduced himself, Kahlil turned to face him. Gave a kind smile as he reached out a hand for a friendly handshake. Though, he knew it wasn't going to be too friendly.

A handshake was the best way to size up one another.

"Kahlil. It's good to meet you properly."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Wedding Ring

Corr’s grip was firm as he clasped Kahlil’s hand, his weathered fingers pressing just enough to communicate strength without tipping over into aggression. His violet eyes met Kahlil’s with an unflinching gaze, a subtle but unmistakable assessment in his expression. This wasn’t just a handshake — it was a moment of mutual understanding. One father to another, one protector to another.

Valery and Yvaine exchanged a look, eyebrows raised in unison, their expressions dancing between amusement and curiosity. Yvaine’s lips quirked into a knowing smirk, and Valery let out a soft sigh, her arms crossing over her chest as she watched the silent standoff.

After a beat, Corr’s grip loosened, and his face softened into a more approachable smile. "You've made her happy and I can tell you protect her," he said, his voice steady but warm. "That’s all a father can ask for."

Valery groaned softly, pressing a hand to her temple. "Dad…" she murmured, though her exasperation was tinged with affection.

Yvaine stepped forward, her laughter light as she placed a hand on her husband’s arm. Her gaze then shifted to Kahlil, a sparkle of playfulness in her eyes. "Please don’t mind him, dear. It’s his way of saying he likes you."

Corr shot his wife a look, then chuckled under his breath. Turning to Valery, he opened his arms, his expression softening even further. "Come here, little star. Let me look at you properly."

Valery didn’t hesitate this time. She stepped forward into her father’s embrace, her head resting against his chest as she closed her eyes. "I'm sorry I never visited you, Dad," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.

Yvaine glanced at Kahlil, her smile widening. "So, is the baby your first?" She asked with genuine interest.

She had no idea.

Kahlil Noble​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"That's all I want to do, in truth." Making Valery and their children happy was Kahlil's only real goal. Everything else he did? Just to help that belief and want as much as possible. He did blink in surprise at Valery's nickname though, before his expression softened that much more. Girls really do pick guys that remind them of their father, huh? "This is our sixth pregnancy wise. Eighth total."

Which wasn't a lot at all to Kahlil. Or Valery for that matter. It was more likely they'd have a few more.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Wedding Ring

Corr held Valery close for a long moment, his strong arms cradling her like he had so many years ago. She could feel his heartbeat, steady and grounding, a comfort she hadn't realized she'd missed so much. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft, but it carried a weight of emotion that brought fresh tears to her eyes.

"I missed you, too," he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Every single day. But seeing you now… everything you’ve become, everything you’ve done… I’ve never been more proud of you." He gently pulled back, holding her at arm’s length so he could study her face. His smile was warm, his violet eyes glistening. "My little girl, a Jedi Master. A wife. A mother. You’ve done so much good in this galaxy."

Meanwhile, Yvaine’s eyes widened in genuine surprise at Kahlil’s admission about their family size. "Six pregnancies? Eight children?" she echoed, her fiery eyes sparkling with delight as a playful smirk tugged at her lips. "You’ve been busy, haven’t you?" She chuckled softly, her tone teasing but affectionate. "That’s a lot of little stars running around."

Valery blushed deeply, her cheeks flushed as she glanced between her parents and Kahlil. "Actually," she began softly, her voice tinged with shyness but also pride, "The baby I’m carrying now… she’s going to be named Yvaine. After you, Mom."

For a moment, Yvaine stood frozen, her fiery eyes widening with a mix of surprise and emotion. Then her hand flew to her chest, and a bright, beaming smile broke across her face. "Oh, Valery," she breathed, stepping forward to take her daughter’s hands in hers. "That’s… that’s the most beautiful gift you could have given me." She squeezed Valery’s hands tightly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Thank you," Yvaine whispered, her voice thick with emotion. Then she turned to Kahlil, her gaze full of approval and warmth. "You’ve got a good one, you know that?" she said, her tone playful but sincere. "You better keep spoiling her."

Kahlil Noble​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Four pregnancies, actually. Triplets were our second." The numbers were all over the place to talk about, but, Kahlil was beaming none the less. He was proud of his family, of his children. Of his wife. It did his heart so much joy to see how much Valery was able to share this with her parents. To see how happy they were. Whether it was just a memory altered or the artifact bridging through time, it didn't matter. This was worth it.

He smiled to Valery's mother, nodding his head once.

"There's nothing in this galaxy that will stop me from spoiling her. You've my word on that."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Wedding Ring

Yvaine's eyes widened in astonishment at Kahlil's clarification. "Triplets?" she gasped, placing her hands over her heart as if to steady herself. "Oh, my stars! That's incredible!" Her expression quickly shifted into one of eager excitement, her fiery gaze sparkling. "Do you have pictures? You must have pictures!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in pitch as she practically bounced on her heels.

Valery blinked, her cheeks flushing a deep red at her mother's enthusiasm. "Mom…" she started, her tone half-exasperated, half-amused. But she couldn't help the warm smile that tugged at her lips. The sheer joy radiating from her mother was infectious, and Valery found herself both embarrassed and deeply moved.

Yvaine, however, wasn't letting up. "Don't look at me like that, Valery," she teased, shooting her daughter a playful grin. "I want to see my grandbabies. Triplets! I still can't believe it. Show me everything." She turned her attention back to Kahlil, her hands clasped together as though pleading. "You have pictures, don't you?"

Valery groaned softly, but her smile didn't falter. Her amber eyes shifted to Kahlil, filled with a mixture of affection and humor. "You know, Vera — our first — actually found your message," she said, her voice softening. Her gaze lingered on Kahlil, her love for him shining through. "Together with Kahlil. If it weren't for them, I don't know if I'd ever have seen it."


Yvaine, still clutching her hands together, sighed dramatically, her eyes darting between Valery and Kahlil. "You two are just perfect, aren't you?" she said with a teasing smile. "Now, Kahlil, pictures. Chop chop!"

Kahlil Noble​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Before Kahlil could even properly answer Yvaine proved to be as much of a spitfire as Valery herself was. Kahlil just closed his mouth rather than respond right away, smiling ever warmer. And dug out the picture album. That he carried on him at all times. Just a little holopod that he could activate to scroll through any and all pictures he'd ever taken of his children.

"Don't worry, don't worry. there's plenty."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Wedding Ring

Yvaine practically leaped forward as Kahlil activated the holopod, her fiery eyes lighting up with delight. She leaned in eagerly, a proud grandmother absorbing every detail of the images as they began to scroll past. "Oh, look at those little faces!" she cooed, her voice rising with every photo. "I can't believe how precious they all are!"

Valery chuckled softly, her cheeks still a touch rosy from earlier, and stepped closer to join her mother. Her amber eyes softened as she watched the images, each one bringing back a rush of memories. Even Corr, quiet and steady as always, leaned in with a small smile, his broad shoulders relaxing as he soaked in the joyful moment.

Then it happened. One image flickered onto the holopod — Valery asleep, the triplets nestled against her. The sheer peace and innocence in the image made Yvaine stop and squeal, clapping her hands together in giddy excitement.

"Look at that!" she cried, her voice filled with wonder. "Valery, you're a natural! And those babies — oh, they're just too adorable for words." She turned to Kahlil, pointing at the image as if he hadn't already seen it a thousand times. "Did you take this? It's perfect!"

After the pictures had been thoroughly admired — with Yvaine making plenty of delighted exclamations and Corr offering quiet but heartfelt compliments — Yvaine finally leaned back and looked up at Kahlil. Her expression softened into one of genuine curiosity and admiration.

"So, Kahlil," she began, her tone warm but inquisitive, "You're a Jedi as well, right? What's it like for the two of you, balancing being Jedi with being parents? I can't imagine it's an easy path, but you seem to have made it work beautifully." Her fiery gaze flicked briefly to Valery, the pride in her eyes unmistakable, before returning to Kahlil.

"How do you manage it all?"

Kahlil Noble​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil had a subdued, if still excited smile. He was beyond proud as a father, and even his usually calm demeanor couldn't hide that from anyone. But the pictures came to an end, and a different question came to light. "When we got together I wasn't a Jedi. I didn't actually end up a proper Jedi till after Vera was born. The balancing didn't really start until later. But, it feels like it's been easy. We're Jedi when we have to be, but we're their parents. Vera, Aris, and Colette have chosen to be Jedi, and are currently in training. We help sometimes, but we don't oversee their training."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Wedding Ring

Yvaine's smile grew even warmer as Kahlil spoke, her fiery eyes flickering with pride and admiration. "It sounds like you've found the perfect balance," she said, her tone brimming with sincerity. "Parenting is never easy, but you two... you've made it work beautifully. I couldn't be prouder of my daughter and the life she's built with you."

She glanced at Valery, her expression softening even more. "Now, how about you two stay for dinner? It's been far too long, and we've got so much catching up to do." Her enthusiasm was genuine, but it faltered slightly when Valery's smile dimmed.

Valery looked at Kahlil first, her amber eyes conveying both gratitude and regret before she finally spoke. "I'd love to, Mom, but... I can't." Her voice was quiet but steady, tinged with a sadness that echoed in her heart. This place wasn't real, so beyond this meeting, Valery knew they couldn't linger.

Yvaine's face softened further, and she stepped forward without hesitation, wrapping her arms around Valery in a warm, comforting embrace. "I understand," she murmured, her voice a whisper filled with love. "I always will." Corr joined them, his strong arms encircling them both, offering silent support. For a long moment, they held each other, a family reunited despite the boundaries of time and reality.

"I love you, my little princess."

Then, like a ripple through the Force, the world shifted.

The warm embrace faded, replaced by the feeling of open air. The hum of nostalgia gave way to a quiet stillness, and as Valery opened her eyes, she and Kahlil were standing in a field of green grass. The sunlight was warm, the breeze gentle, but the serenity of the moment was broken by the quiet weight that settled over Valery.

She stood still, her gaze distant, her amber eyes fixed on the horizon. Kahlil was just behind her, his presence steady and grounding, but she said nothing for now. Her silence spoke volumes, the emotion simmering beneath the surface of her composed exterior.

Her hands settled gently over her baby bump, and the breeze carried the faintest whisper of her breath as she steadied herself.

Kahlil Noble​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil gave this moment to Valery. He stepped back, letting her say goodbye to her parents. A good bye she never got to share in all her life, before the freezing and after. It was when the Force shifted and reality turned to how it was supposed to be that he stepped forward to gently touch Valery's shoulder and pulled her into a gentle, if firm, hug.

He didn't say anything, there weren't words to be shared on this. Just a silent but ever present comfort.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Wedding Ring

Valery leaned into Kahlil's embrace, her cheek resting against his chest as she closed her eyes and let his steady heartbeat guide her breathing. The warmth of his arms wrapped around her like a shield against the lingering ache of goodbyes unspoken and memories reclaimed. She didn't cry — not because the moment wasn't heavy, but because his presence anchored her in a way that made her feel safe and whole.

For a long moment, she stayed there, drawing strength from him. When she finally tilted her head back to meet his gaze, her amber eyes shone with gratitude and quiet affection. A soft smile broke through the lingering wistfulness.

"Thank you," she said, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "This... this may be the best gift anyone has ever given me."

Her smile widened slightly, a glimmer of humor surfacing as she added, "Well, except for our babies. They're my greatest blessing."

Valery let the warmth of the moment settle between them before a familiar spark of mischief returned to her expression. She stepped back slightly, her hand brushing over her baby bump as she smirked up at him. "Now," she began, her tone light and teasing, "Can we head into town? I'd like to see some locals and, of course, get my hands on some snacks."

As if on a timer, her stomach began to growl.

Kahlil Noble​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"There's nothing to thank. I wanted to meet them too." Kahlil smiled softly, kissing the top of her head again as he held her. This was a difficult thing, to say good bye like this. But she did it, and she did so with a strong sense of will. He smiled wider as he pulled up, standing fully to look towards town. Now was the time to finally get the snacks.

"Let's go get them, yeah?"

Valery Noble