Marta had made sure that Octavia was comfortable. A pot of tea sat at her elbow, a cup of the fragrant liquid steaming in front of her.
After a while, Alais began to tire and Tor scooped her up to put her down for a nap. "I'll be right out," he told Octavia, stopping long enough to let Alais give her a kiss.
Octavia smiled. "Sleep well."
"Night, Auntie!" Alais grinned sleepily and stifled a yawn.
She watched them go in and she went back to the data padd
Tor returned to kiss the top of her head. "What are you doing?"
"Composing a transmission to Master Skywalker." She looked over at him. "Besides chasing your niece all over the yard, what are your plans for the rest of the day?"
He sat down next to her. "I have the day off. I'm going to spend part of it wondering why you'd want to contact that... that Jedi."
"Because, he doesn't know the full story and the last two conversations we've had ... they weren't on the best of terms, Tor. It's taken me quite a bit of time to get past Master Skywalker."
"I saw how upset you were, 'Tavia. Do you really think it's a good idea to be talking to him at all, even if it's just sending a message?"
Octavia laid down the data padd. "Yes, I was upset but to be honest, maybe some of that was my fault. I was still angry and upset over the events at Yavin, and so many not understanding ..." she reached for his hand. "It's just to clear the air between us, I want to give him that much."
He took her hand. "Will he stop bothering you once this is done?"
Octavia laughed, "Knowing Master Skywalker ... it might make him come here for a visit." her eyes sparkled. "I don't know. Tor, you married a Jedi student, and the Force is strong in me. I know that. We can't hide from them."
He nodded. "I know. I know who you are, Octavia, and know that's all part of it. I just hate seeing you unhappy, knowing that you don't have to talk to those people at all. Not now, anyhow. If you want to..." He paused. "Invite him here, if you want to."
She looked at him. "What?" she asked, her tone surprised.
"Well, what is it he's worried about?"
"That I'm being controlled and forced to remain against my will."
"It's an idea, Octavia. If you think it would help him realize that you're not being held here against your will," Tor said. "Do it." It took a lot for Tor to suggest that, but if it helped Octavia, if it got the Jedi to leave his wife alone, it was worth it.
"You're going to make a wonderful statesman. Besides I'm here of my free will and for my family." She leaned forward. "I like seeing you happy and the laughter I heard was music."
He leaned in toward her. "I like seeing you happy, too. When our own little one comes, there will be a lot of laughter in this house."
"Oh that I'm sure of, I have a feeling that Alais will have a hand in spoiling him or her as well."
"Mm.. I'm sure." He leaned in further to kiss her.
She kissed him and smiled. "Do you wish to read what I've told Master Skywalker so far?"
He nodded.
She pushed the data padd toward him. "I was ready to end it, but I will extend your offer of him coming to visit ... Tor, I've included some details that I haven't even told you about. You will know everything."
He picked it up, but didn't look down. "Only if you're sure you want me to read it."
"I want no secrets between us."
He looked down then and read it. After a few moment, he handed it back to her, silent.
She looked at him. "Tor?"
"I had no idea," he said quietly. "You're a strong woman, Octavia."
"I'm stronger now that I have you."
He shook his head. "You've gone through all of that," he said with a nod at the padd, "and this guy thinks *I'd* be strong enough to keep you here against your will? He underestimates you, my love."
"I think it's what they suspect I've been through that makes them wonder. That I've been broken, I can only theorize."
He frowns. "We might want to make sure Recin is busy or away when Skywalker comes, if he does decide to."
"Why?" Octavia questioned, confused.
He laughed. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Try me."
"You, uh, know how protective he can be, right?"
"You've told me, he seemed concerned that I wanted to go into town yesterday, and he agreed only because I think he thought you'd be upset if you found out I went alone."
"Well, I think you've been added to his 'list'."
Octavia raised an eyebrow. "We did have a chance to talk, he seemed surprised that I would risk my life to help others."
"And you found Alais."
She nodded. "I'm so glad we did, more so that it was someone she knew and not a stranger." she smiled at the memory of seeing the girl hugging Recin.
"He's going to watch out for you," he said with a chuckle. "With the Jedi here... I don't know how Recin would react to him. Just playing it safe, you know?"
"Thank you love, If I've gained his respect then I consider myself lucky."
"Let Marta know if Skywalker decides to come."
"I will. Though I don't see it happening." She looked at him. "Do you think Alais will sleep in her room tonight? I don't want to push her, she's been through a lot."
"She might," he said. "Marta wants to stay with her."
"That's a wonderful idea. It will help Alais feel secure quicker, that is important."
"She took to you right away," Tor noted with a smile.
"As I did to her." Octavia admitted. "It's hard not to like her."
He smiled. "I'm glad the two women in my life get along."
"So am I. Less tension that way. Though I would give her time to adjust to me if she needed it. That is why I walked away yesterday, she needed the family she knew."
"She needs the family she *has*... that includes you."
"Captain Kyrsk, you know exactly what I meant." Octavia teased.
"Forgive me, Lady Kyrsk," he said, laughing. "But she knows you now... 'Auntie'."
"That she does. Which reminds me, I do have a visit to make back to the orphanage shelter. I promised a little boy there I'd come back and talk to him."
"You can keep your promise as soon as you're feeling up to it," he said. "Not before."
"As you can see, I'm being quite lazy today, so as not to worry any of you."
"That's all we ask... at least for today."
"And I will work out slowly tomorrow." she smiled. "Though with Alais around, I will be more alert of my surroundings."
"What does Alais have to do with you being alert?"
"If you saw the lightsaber ignited, you would stop, Marta would stop, but to a child ... the risk potential. Maybe there will be someplace here I can transform into a work out area?"
"We could put a stone fence around however large an area you need... maybe put a gate in it?"
She nodded. "Yes, that would work. I just want to be sure no one gets hurt. It would break my heart to cause injury to Alais or our children."
"Children, huh?" he asked. "Already planning for our second?"
"Unless you wish to stop after one." she grinned.
He shook his head. "As many as you want."
"We'll have to see what time my new duties allow me."
He grinned. "What was it you said? Something about being 'just a wife'?"
She shook her head. "I didn't count on Lord Du'Cruet ... though we know I will spend majority of my time here."
"It'll be easier once the house in the city is taken care of. You'll be closer to the center of government."
She nodded. "Then we should have an exercise room there. When I do go back to Telos, would you mind if Alais went with me?"
"That would be fine," he said, "but why do you want her to go to Telos with you?"
"Company ... I think it would be good for her."
"I'll miss you both," he said. "You won't be there long, will you?"
"I shouldn't be. There will be some formalities to take care of, but I don't see it more than a few days."
"This place is going to seem empty without you here."
"I won't be leaving until the end of the month."
He sat back in his chair. "You know, at some point, we should take a real honeymoon."
"At some point." she agreed as she sat back. "Though I enjoy the time I do have with you."
He laughed. "I'm glad. It wouldn't be much of a marriage if you didn't."
She rose and walked over to him. "If anyone told me that I would be calling Arridor home, and would marry the man that risked his life to help me escape ... I would have called them a liar." She wrapped her arms around him. "What about you?"
He put his arms around her carefully. "I thought any chance we had was gone when you left Arridor the first time," he said. "If someone had told me you'd be back and we'd be here -- married, with a baby coming -- I would have laughed and asked what he'd had to drink."
"Well, I am and we are." She reached up to kiss his cheek. "A family ..."
He smiled. "That's what we have. You, me, Alais and our little one." He put his hand over Octavia's stomach.
"I never thought I'd have one, I'll be honest with you on that."
"Are you happy?"
"Yes, and I have no regrets. Except for any concern I may cause you in the future."
"You're planning on getting into trouble?" he asked with a chuckle.
"It does seem to follow me around, but no, I'm not planning on it."
"I'm glad to hear that," he declared. "Speaking of not causing concern... shouldn't you be lying down about now?"
She leaned her head against him. "I guess you're right, soon you'll have me on a nap schedule like Alais."
"Somehow, I don't see you letting me do anything like that," he told her. "Marta might try to bully you into it, though."
"Guess it's not bad being pampered once in a while. So what are you planning on doing while I sleep?"
"Looking into where we're going to put your training area."
"Thank you." she gave him a hug then looked up at him. "You read what I told Master Skywalker about Lord Du'Cruet, I am being honest with him so he understands, and I think you know there have been some .. difficult times for me and Lord Du'Cruet." She paused. "What is on that data padd stays between you, me and Master Skywalker?"
"Nothing goes past the three of us."
"Thank you, because I do trust him, and even though I at first saw him interfering when it came to you and me, I'm glad he gave us time together on Shardakour."
"I know you trust him now," he said. "That's all I need to know."
"I do, I trust him with my life and I would do what would be needed to protect him." she kissed him again. "I should go lay down and let the Force aid me in healing more of the sore muscles."
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"I'm sure I will come up with something." she pulled away and headed inside. She stopped and pulled the data padd to her. "Can't leave this laying around."
"Not unless you want Alais sending doodles to your Jedi Master," he said with a smile that turned serious. "Marta and Recin won't know about it, Octavia. Don't worry."
She nodded "Perhaps doodles is just what this transmission is missing." she mused as she entered the house.
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