At Last

[GABA]

Undisclosed Outer Rim World

It had become extremely difficult to get around without eyes following, being the former leader of the Jedi and now the one of the heads of the Sith made travel easy, yet hard at the same time. Getting around still wasn't impossible, she had managed to do it for as long as she had, but there were circumstances that still seemed to put a dent in plans. Regardless, she had made it and she couldn't help but to grin the entire time. She gently brushed Vida's hair; her soft black curls bouncing back into place after Ebberla pulled the brush through. Ebberla was already dressed, wearing a beige and gold embroidered simple gown. The tulle overlay was stitched with tiny flowers; obviously by hand by many hours and the Corellian made sure the individual was paid handsomely for their handy work. Vida wore a similar dress, but more child-friendly, allowing for the rambunctious toddler to move and play without discomfort and preventable tearing.

Ebb placed a floral crown on the girl's head and Vida's face scrunched up in the mirror, taking off the crown immediately and handing it back to Ebb, "So pretty!" Ebberla said placing it back on her head, "You can show Daddy how pretty?" Ebb said fixing a loose curl from her own hair; she brushed back some of Vida's curls and stood up, lifting Vida with her and gave her a kiss on her cheek. Vida giggled and outstretched her arm, fussing at her pink and green fluorescent stuffed gungan laid on the vanity. Ebb sighed and gave it to her child, who nuzzled the hideous toy. Ebb couldn't wait until she found her a new favorite toy, or just so unluckily it gets lost in the wash.

Thaed would be waiting for them, hopefully not as irritated as he seemed earlier when her and Vida started to fuss at him to get things done. The early evening air was comfortably warm, and it was welcoming change from the recycled air on the ships Ebb had frequently traveled aboard. No shoes needed as they reached the sand along the beach, Ebb set down Vida, who seemed in awe by the new sensation of having sand between her toes.

 

[Sreeya]

OOC: Four years in the making. Jesus!

If Thaed’s buddies back on Iridonia could see him today, they would lose it. Thaed wore a white button down and khaki pants that were rolled up to his shins. They were on the beach after all, and he didn’t mind going for the slightly casual look.

The weather was warm, just how he liked it, and he was also barefoot with the sand between his toes. He had been puked on once by Vida already, and the morning had a rather sour start. A few tantrums and multiple threats later, the trio was on good behavior.

Thaed glared at the officiant, a man that gave Thaed nervous looks every once in a while. The Zabrak scowled in return, sighing and wondering when Ebberla would show up. He knew that women were often late to these things, but she was really taking her sweet time. At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before he wandered over to the open bar to chug some booze.

Thaed couldn’t deny he was nervous. He kept flexing his fingers, feeling naked without his sabers on him. On top of that, he pondered on the implications of marriage, wondering how it would change his life. He had responsibility now, things he couldn’t simply brush under the rug and forget. And his hooker days were over for good, a thought that brought a brief frown.

He waited as the waves washed ashore, gently against his feet and receded again. The water was warm, and he intended to dive in as soon as he had the opportunity. Any moment now the sappy music would start and he’d see his bride.

 

[GABA]

The music started to play, a quartet of strings introducing Ebberla and Vida. Vida, of course, did her own thing, seeing her father, but was distracted by the shells she found in the sand and then the flowers, until Ebb caught up with her daughter, nudging her to run to Thaed. The toddler giggled and wobbled as she tried to keep her balance in the sand and eventually latched onto Thaed's leg before gesturing for him to pick her up. Ebberla caught up, taking her moment to admire Thaed in something other than dark robes.

When she turned to face Thaed, the music stopped; she glanced at the officiant, who was sweating bullets and then shot a look at Thaed. She was curious to what he said to him before she had arrived, though there had been times, just the sheer will of his looks seemed to make even the most manly of men flinch. The Corellian shifted the tropical flowers to the bend of her non-dominant arm and extended her free hand to Thaed. She was trying her best to enjoy the moment, curious to know how much bad habits Thaed would cease, and for herself, well now, her duty would not only be to Vida, but forever to Thaed too. She wondered if Thaed expected her nagging to cease and she grinned.

Not in this lifetime....

The officiant smiled and greeted the couple and Vida before proceeding.

"When true love finds one another, there is no discrimination. The pains one face are shared by the other, their happiness, joys, and sorrows also become your own too. Through these struggles and accomplishments, your insight and understanding grows for one another, and soon you will find your compassion will pass to everyone you will meet. Love is something not easily broken as its roots bury themselves deep within us; there may be those who wish harm, who do not know the feeling of love, but remember, love is eternal and therefore its roots go for an eternity."

The officiant motioned for Thaed to take Ebberla's hands, "Thaed, in taking the woman whom you hold by the right hand to be your lawful and wedded wife, do you promise to love and cherish her, to honor and sustain her, in sickness as in health, in poverty as in wealth, and to be true to her in all things until death alone shall part you?"

 

[Sreeya]

Thaed was happy for the distraction Vida provided. Standing around awkwardly with the officiant was brutal enough. He grinned down at his daughter, scooping her up. She was the only one that could make him melt instantly, an effect he couldn't explain even today. He let her play with his horns, which was much better than when she had been chewing on them before. Thaed glanced at Ebberla, his brows raising at how beautiful she looked. It was nice to see her out of her usual attire, and she seemed almost adorably out of place.

As the officiant began to babble, Thaed hardly listened, giving Vida a small peck on the cheek. She had no idea what was going on, but she definitely noted the different attire her parents wore. She toyed with his shirt, unfamiliar with the casual look. He looked down when the officiant motioned for him to take her hands. He could only take one, the other still holding Vida who was now so intrigued, she was drooling. She looked at the officiant with fascination. Thaed was focused on Ebberla at the moment.

"I do."

As he barely got the words out, a pen from the officiant's pocket began to rise up into the air. Thaed glanced over and saw Vida giggling at her antics. The officiant squeaked in surprise, jumping back.

"Vida!"

Thaed scowled at his daughter, looking at Ebberla.

"She's going to be a nightmare.."

 

[GABA]

Ebb nearly jumped as Thaed cried out Vida's name, Ebb couldn't help but shrug and smile, snatching the pen from the air and handing it back to the officiant. "She's going to be just like her mother." Ebb replied, distracting Vida with a couple of her flowers from her bouquet. Ebb was unsure of that thought as it sunk in, recalling the trouble she had made for others when she was younger. Vida babbled with delight as she examined the tropical flowers closely before trying to press them against Thaed's horns. The officiant cleared his thraot, looking to pull the couple's attention back to the service.

Ebb took Thaed's free hand and the officiant continued, "As we were, Ebberla, in taking the man whom you hold by the right hand to be your lawful and wedded husband, do you promise to love and cherish him, to honor and sustain him, in sickness as in health, in poverty as in wealth, and to be true to him in all things until death alone shall part you?"

Ebb's smile grew as the officiant spoke, her attention focused on Thaed as she took in present. The galaxy was tearing itself apart around him and for once, as Ebb stood with Thaed and Vida, she didn't care. "I do." Ebb replied, perhaps this is where her peace laid.

The officiant smiled, though Ebb wasn't sure if he was truly happy for them or that he was getting closer to leaving the presence of Thaed, "Very good, now I may pronounce you two, husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

 

[Sreeya]

This was it. This was the moment.

Oddly enough, Thaed wasn't the least bit fazed. He looked into Ebberla's eyes and was instantly calmed. Though they had spent years yelling at each other or sometimes even hating one another, those eyes always calmed him. They had an inexplicable effect on him, as if he could simply toss his sabers aside and walk away from the life he was born into. Perhaps that's what this all entailed, and perhaps he would finally be allowed that luxury. As the officiant pronounced them husband and wife, Thaed couldn't help but smile. It wasn't one of his lopsided grins, but a genuine smile.

Without a word, he grasped Ebberla by the waist and pulled her into a kiss. It was deep, hungry and laced with love only she had invoked in him. He was kissing his wife, the mother of his child. At that moment, nothing else mattered. He was with family.

It was a long moment before he pulled back. He hadn't even noticed Vida throwing a huge fuss, the floral crown torn to shreds. Her hair was a mess, and yet Thaed smiled on, keeping inches away from Ebberla's face.

"Let's disappear."

 

[GABA]

Ebb was mesmerized by Thaed's gaze and then the kiss came, his love pouring into her, even with Vida fussing in their ears and yanking the flowers from her and her mother's hair, Ebb was at peace and she could feel it in Thaed too. She felt his lips part from her own, a brief yearning for it to last a little longer. Slowly opening her eyes, Thaed spoke, once more suggesting something she thought would be impossible. However, the odds were never in her favor, but she was Ebberla Daw, the impossible feared her possibilities and she had faced greater uncertainties head on with her courage. Did her destiny have to be tied to a war where they sat as pawns at something greater than just a battle of good and evil? It was clear to her, from her years of fighting, that her fate would never be met on the war plane, it truly laid elsewhere, but as for where, she had yet to find it.

Vida had let out an ear-piercing scream and went limp, dead-weighting on Thaed's arm, clearly having her terrible two temper tantrum because she was not getting her way. The officiant's pen snapped from his pocket and Ebb floated it in front of Vida, who suddenly was pleasantly joyful. Though the officiant was startled enough, he excused himself from the couple and the string quartet took the cue as they were finished, a soft melody playing behind them.

"How?" Ebb questioned, taking his suggestion seriously. She knew the Jedi's zealots would hunt her and the Empress and her Dark Lord were not very forgiving of those who leave. Though, for Ebb, perhaps that is where the path needed to take her, away from war, away from the hypocrisy; it was certain Ebb knew where the galaxy laid now, was not the path she ever wanted Vida to take, to have to decided, to declare loyalties to something she would not believe is right. "Where could we go where no one will find us?"