Wake Up

[Soliath Devin Talith]

“Esmae.” He said quietly.

That was Amorellas real name, not many people knew that. He was pretty sure that only his family knew that. Kira would of course because she had been in his head, but saying it out loud would be significant. Yet they were married now, and more so then before, even the unspoken truths were to be revealed.

“Perhaps as a middle name.” He said musingly. “She would appreciate that I think.”

She would.

Amorella and Soliael had become ironically closer since the fall of the Moross Crusade. He communicated with her regularly and kept in touch. Kira had taught him the importance of family, had shown him that Amorella loved him and that he had ignored her.

Soliael knew that now, he knew what he had to do in order to keep his family close. “What about something starting with an A? I've always liked the letter.”

Half a joke, but also serious.

 

[Kira Talith]

"Esmae..." Kira would nibble her lower lip, only to have her face warm with a smile. Esmae. The name would roll off her tongue, a whimsical joy washing over her expression. Yes.

"I'd like that." she told him, dropping her gaze back down to him. Slowly, her fingers would lightly trace up his neck, lingering over the pulse at his throat. She just couldn't seem to stop touching him; then again, as a Lorrdian, communication was relayed through body language. Through the subtlest of movements. The arch of a brow, the quirk of a lip, the gesture of a hand.

Her she would sign her love of Sol. Trace her affection over the curve of his bearded cheek. Label her joy in the line of his lower lip.

"Oh? Aurek, is it?" she'd grin, a light tap of her finger over the tip of his nose.

"Hmm.. A..." a gentle scratch of his beard just under his jaw would come next, the rasp of the hair tickling her fingertips. "...How about..." She began to recite a few simple names.

"Arei? Ayle? " the smile would widen, "Aeli.... Aela." she gave a slight pause, the last dancing in her mind again. "Aela." the fingers scratching his beard would slow.

"Aela..." she'd repeat for a third time. "Aela Esmae."

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

He smiled, his fingers curling and squeezing her behind playfully.

There would never be a stop to things like that. He would always play, always tease, always fondle. It was rather inevitable now. Kira had either resigned herself to that fact or she had come to love the feel of it, Soliael thought that it was likely the latter.

“I like it.” He said.

Aela Esmae Talith Shamalain.

It was a mouthful, but then again so was his name. The last would never be used, and the middle name would only be known to those that truly knew her. He smiled at that, those that truly knew her. It was so funny to think that one day he would have a daughter or a Son. Someone he would love unconditionally, someone who would grow and make their own decisions.

He squeezed again.

“And a boy?” There were many names for a boy.

 

[Kira Talith]

There was a joy in hearing him agree to the name. That he liked it; and it wasn't just at face value, for the ring would pour into her the subtle nuances of his contentment. Kira couldn't help but dip her head, rubbing her cheek against his, enjoying the rasp of his beard against her skin. A smile would warm as she would turn her head, lips pressing against the curve of his cheekbone.

"Hmm...for a boy..." she would whisper against his flesh, giving a small rock of her leg that would lightly sway her on top of him. "Hmm.." slowly she would start to press tiny kisses along his cheek, drifting over to the line of his jaw.

"How about..." she'd breathe by the shell of his ear. Her nose would lightly nudge against the lobe of his ear. "Micah?"

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

“Micah.” He repeated the name, the two simple syllables.

Soliael found the echo of it pleasant, the way that it rolled off the tongue and sat within the air. A slight smile curled his lips, and he looked down at his wife, pressing his lips against the top of her head as she kept trying to kiss his cheek.

“I like that one too.” Maybe he was in an agreeable mood, or maybe the names were just fitting, but he felt a stirring of mirth within his core. He was happy. “What if its twins?”

He said with a hint of teasing in his voice, though he was half serious.

Anything was possible after all, especially with the two of them.

 

[Kira Talith]

The press of his lips on the crown of her head made Kira instantly curl to snuggle closer, if that was even a possibility. That's when she felt his body start to shake, humor rumbling up his chest with the teasing quip.

Twins!? Really?!!

The thought made Kira give a snort of laughter, her arms tightening around him so in a hug. He'd be able to feel the chuckle breathe against the curve of his neck, a press of another affectionate kiss placed right under his ear.

"I don't think you can handle twins there, Sparky!" She would joke, nuzzling his chest. "Careful what you wish for!" Followed after, but it was clear that the Lorrdian did not appear to mind the tease at all.

Her free hand would drift, searching for his again. There came an interlocking of their fingers, and she brought them up to draw them near to her mouth. A gentle kiss would caress his knuckles.
"If we were to have twins -Which I'll demand extra back massages if that's the case buster - then I guess to edge on the side of caution..." She would start to mull. What other names? Could be another boy. Or another girl.

"Boy or girl.. As long as they are healthy," she began, nibbling her lower lip. That was a cause for worry. She'd only been operated on less than a year. Would it all be ok?

"I like Khayri. For a girl. Serve you right to be surrounded by women!" She teased. " What about you? Isn't it about two names with your side of the family?" It was curious. Their traditions. But it was a nice one. It made her feel included. Granted, she didn't have a middle name herself.

But at least their children could right?

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

[member="Kira Talith"]

“I'm already surrounded by women.” Soliael said with no hint of begrudging in his voice.

It was certainly true. Soliael grew up in an environment of powerful women. His great grandmother, his mother, Amorella. Every person close to him was a woman, save for Dissero. They all had their own strengths, all had their own weaknesses, but he loved every one of them in an odd sort of way. He smiled slightly, rapping his free hand against the small of her back in a slight tickling motion.

“On my mothers side.” He said smiling. “Yes.”

It was odd how that worked. The Shamalains always ended up having long complex names. It was funny for him, not so much for everyone else. What was more amusing was that it was perhaps the best kept secret in the galaxy. Unlike the Zambranos, or even the Taliths, the Shamalains kept their relations secret.

He pondered for a few moments, lips thinning, then pursing, then thinning. “What about Maleah?”

It kept in the theme, and flowed nicely.

 

[Kira Talith]

"Maleah." Kira would lift her head, resting her chin on his chest, eyes dancing with merriment. "Then Leah for short?" Kira was always one for nicknames. Some made sense. Others were downright silly. But that was just an extension to who she was. The nicknames were a form of affection.

The right corner of her mouth would quirk in devilry,"Alright then, what if we have another boy? Mm?" A finger would log lightly bop the tip of his nose.

"Then what?"

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

He frowned slightly.

“Bob.” Soliael said quickly. “We'll call him Bob.”

He wasn't being serious of course, but he could only think of so many names. It was a lot of pressure. Besides, he was confident that this first one would be a girl. Soliael had no idea why, no idea why the feeling stuck with him, but something told him, something said that he would have a daughter.

His free hand would slide over Kira, settling on her belly.

“Aela.” He said quietly, looking up at his wife. It was his way of sharing the feeling that he was getting, the odd knowledge that he held in the back of his head. He ascribed it to the force.

 

[Kira Talith]

Her laughter would make her body quiver, rolling onto her side, his large hand following the curve of her belly to cup it. Bright blue eyes would twinkle in mischief, and she would give him a poke to the ribs.

"Only if we can spell Bob as Xesh, Yirt, and Zerek." she shot right back without missing a beat that one would wonder if she was serious. Then again, did it really matter?

Snuggling close, the petite blonde would settle against the warm solid body of her husband, enjoying the caress of his hand, feeling the love and contentment in every breath, in the look in his eyes.

Aela. It felt right.

A small nod would follow, "Mmm. Aela." she would agree, sinking into the cherished hold of her beloved. Closing her eyes, her body would relax, a leg sliding up to drape of his own.

This was her life now. Their lives. Sol's. Her's. The baby's.

And it was only the beginning.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

He smiled at her, then slowly closed his eyes.

Sleep was not something that came easily to him, it never had. There were dozens of reasons for it. His body was not made for sleep, his mind was always active, the force provided more rest than sleep ever could. An hour of meditation was enough to allow him to continue for an entire day, a drop of Kira's blood for an entire week.

Yet with his wife pregnant, and with the two of them so close, sleep was a requirement.

A foot had been placed onto the ground, and Kira had enforced her law.

His hand rushed from her stomach and up her spine, lingering at the nape of her neck for a few moments her tangling within curly blonde locks, gently caressing. He smiled slightly, his eyes closed, then whispered. “Go to sleep.”

His tone was melodic, nearly a song.

 

[Kira Talith]

There was always something about Sol's touch that would lull her; relax her. Her lids would close, and soon his melodic voice would usher her into slumber. It was the affection in his caress, the love in the timbre of his voice. It was strange to think that she was here, wrapped in his arms, a child in her belly, and beloved by one of the most powerful men of the Force in the galaxy.

How did this all come about? It was almost surreal. A fantasy. Could she really be dreaming? Her fingers and arms would tighten around him, almost half afraid he would disappear.

She was a nobody. Orphan from Kuat. A thief. A murderer really. Then a Jedi. Her past went as far as her own flesh and blood, there was no trace of whom her family was nor where it came from other than the Lorrdian heritage.

To a degree she felt a bit out of place next to Soliael's family dynasty. He certainly deserved better. Expected better. However, when those times came a mere glance at his direction would reflect the love, devotion, and care he held for her. She felt it every moment through the ring that tied him to her. That bond.

The past didn't matter. Their present and future did. Kira Liadan may have been a slip of a girl with nothing to her name but a Jedi mantra, pranks, and a few jokes, but it was more than enough for the former False God of the Moross Crusade.

For in the end of it all, at the core, he was just a man selflessly in love with a woman.

And that woman was her.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

He stood quietly at the very edge of their balcony, the beach house having been almost entirely cleared out and filled to the brim with food, decorations, and a myriad of other small things that Kira had wanted for this day.

Soliael wore a cloak, a heavy fur thing that decorated his suit in ancient tradition of both the Beast Riders of Onderon and the Kiffari tribe from which he hailed. There was a slight smile on his face, only barely hidden by the carefully trimmed hairs of his beard. He stood, watching the ocean tides swell onto the beach below. There were only a few other people here, Amore being one of them.

They hadn't wanted this to be big.

Hadn't needed it to be big. They wanted it done simply, they wanted it done well. He felt no nervousness, no anxiety, only eagerness. He knew what he was doing, and he knew that it was the right decision.

“Soon?” He asked quietly, being met with a gentle pat on the back and a nod. He smiled, then looked back out to the ocean, wondering what his future wife was doing.

 

[Kira Talith]

Soliael was not nervous; his bride however was.

"Oh, beans," her hands were frantic, gesturing wildly in half strung signed sentences. Oh, it wasn't about spending her life with Sol; she was very certain of that.

Kira was just nervous because the whole concept of marriage and what one was supposed to do simply was going over her head. Was there something she was supposed to do? Say?

Did she have to wear something specific? Or how was it all supposed to be? There was no doubt in her mind and heart at how much she was in love with Soliael; but she was worried she would do something wrong to horribly ruin the entire affair.

She would trip! Lose her balance or something equally ridiculous with her luck. A deep groan would fall from her mouth and she would sink her face into her hands.

There she was, not even half dressed, her hair in loose waves about her shoulders completely lost at what she was supposed to do...

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

He had no way of knowing of her wracked nerves.

Of course she would feel the steady stream of calm wash through her from the ring, though at this distance the effect likely wouldn't rub off on her. A shame that was. If he had known about Kira's freak out he very likely would have gone running to her, grabbed her, and squeezed her to make her feel better and calm her.

Instead he pressed his knuckles against the bannister, cracking them loudly.

He was happy, pleased, content, a thousand other synonyms. Today was a day of celebration, of something that he had never thought would happen. Marriage had never been in the cards for him, had never been an option, and yet...here he was.

A smile crept onto his face, and slowly he turned to one of Kira's Jedi friends. She was a young woman, red hair, hazel eyes. Soliael had met her once or twice before. “Would you check on her? It's almost time.”

The young woman smiled, then nodded.

There were only about twelve people here total, including Kira and Soliael. Important people to bare witness, and some friends and family, though the latter came from his side only of course.

 

[Kira Talith]

By now, Kira was avidly biting what little bit of nail she had left. Her forefinger was stuck in her mouth, and she would worry it as the seconds would tick past.

Okay, this was silly. It was just a wedding! Well...whatever people did at weddings at least wouldn't be too bad right?! Kira tried to give herself a pep talk, by now having moved over towards a large mirror, much like the one in Soliael's refresher back on Exocron.

The woman staring back at her would give a weak smile; one that would grow wider by the pushing up on her cheeks by both of her fingers at the corner of her mouth.

Okay, this wasn't working.

"Ughhhhh." came her frustrated groan. Her stomach sank. She felt oddly sick. Oh gawd, was she going to puke? She was going to puke. A hand went to her stomach, and she sank down to the floor a bundle of nerves and just lost.

Calm would pour through the ring; Soliael was doing just fine. That's great! He knows what he's doing... at least. In her mind she could imagine all the important people in Sol's life that were here, and another rush of nervousness would befall her. What if she did something silly? Stupid?

It was funny that such a thing as her impending marriage would get the normally optimistic and carefree woman in such a state. With affection, with the consciousness of having another in ones life as much as Sol meant to her brought a whole new wave of fears... insecurities.

Is this why the Jedi said there shouldn't be any attachments? That fingernail managed to find its way back into her mouth. Her knees came tucking forward towards her chest, half hidden now in the closet floor.

Worrying her finger and her lower lip, more minutes would tick on by. Something soft would graze her right cheek. It was a breezy summer blue dress. A bit whimsical, but captured Kira just fine. That's when she heard her name.

"Kira?"

A half audible "I'm here," came from the closet.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

More time passed on by, and Soliael looked at his chrono.

They hadn't really set an official time for this, just a day. Perhaps it was because making it big and official just wasn't very Kira and Sol, or perhaps it was because this way things were a bit more...relaxed.

Though from the way his wife was reacting, it seemed that the relaxation of it all didn't quite hit her yet.

His eyes cast down towards the beach, then he turned away from the scenic view and looked towards the house. He wondered for a brief few moments what was taking her so long, and he had to fight the urge to go and see if she was okay.

It was odd.

Even being away from her for such a short time, knowing that he couldn't just go see her, that he couldn't touch and hold her, even because of silly tradition, made him ache to be with her.

 

[Kira Talith]

It was these traditions Kira was worried about, because she didn't take 'how to do weddings 101' at the temple. Marriage was never even a thought for the Jedi Master before; truth be told neither was having personal attachments. Okay, so maybe there was that kathpup crush on Ben years ago, but it was just a crush.

What she felt for Soliael was all together different. Real. She loved him; but it went beyond the words. It was as if they were two stones that eventually they’d eroded each other into the perfect fit, become a single wall, nestled into each other’s curves and hollows, her strengths chinking his weaknesses, her weaknesses reinforced by his strengths.

How did that make sense? She wasn't so sure. But she desperately didn't want to ruin this for him. The marriage was important to him. It meant something; the symbolism of it all. The name.

So, with some self gumption and reminding herself that if she screwed up, she could very well hopefully make a joke of it all, Kira's petite figure would soon grace the threshold. There was nothing incredibly fancy about her attire; at least not by formal standards.

No, she wore a simple blue off the shoulder dress. Whimsical and breezy as it would flutter about her bare legs. Her hair was fingercombed to allow the natural waves to flank her face. A curious crown of freshly picked white daises would rest on the top of her head; a gift from one of the younglings when she'd mentioned she didn't know what to do with her hair.

Blue eyes would search the grounds as she nervously made her way towards the venue. Blue eyes would immediately latch onto the powerful figure of a man she could discern anywhere. A half brave smile would tug at her lips, her fingers griping the small bouquet of wild flowers.

But when she saw his face, the look in his orange eyes, she couldn't help but wash that fear away. She felt on top of the 'verse, and as if she was the only one he would ever have eyes for.

As he was to her.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

He saw her.

His heart skipped a beat.

Oh sh was beautiful. He has seen her thousands of times before, held her, kissed her, but the beauty that was floating about her now was indescribable. He wanted to run to her, he wanted to sprint to her and snatch her off the ground, hold her, kiss her, and never let her go.

Yet he resisted.

He knew the traditions, the path they had to take, what they had to do. So instead, he fidgeted slightly, something that she would see, something that she would interpret and know. She was a lorrdian after all, and they were married.

Soliael gazed at her, absolutely transfixed.

 

[Kira Talith]

Everything went so fast.

They say that one should take mental snapshots on the most important events of your life. That the time spent may go so fast and turn into a blur that you just might forget the key moments.

So Kira took mental snapshots. Images she would burn into her mind so she could remember them with vivid clarity. One of those snapshots was Soliael's expression, the warmth in his eyes and the adoration within them making her feel like the mightiest woman in the galaxy.

It was a good thing she didn't trip. Maybe the nervousness made her all the more aware of her surroundings, but before she knew it, she was there, standing beside Soliael, a comical sight to see with the vast difference of their heights. She had the cheesiest grin on her face and she just couldn't seem to stand still, rocking on her heels and fingers dancing along the stem of her small bouquet. The Lorrdian in her was reflecting her excitement, nervousness, and love -- much like Sol was doing before her. Amusement and perhaps a bit of relief would come at reading that he too felt the same. Save the nervousness; no there was not a single glimmer of nervousness in his body.

He was so sure.

Beaming up at him, Kira couldn't help but flash a sunny grin.

"Hi." came her low breathy greeting, eyes bright and a genuine glow about her.

Now here's to hoping she didn't mess anything up.