Lady of Juniper
The wind on Veradune always carried a particular weight—wild, alive, threaded with the scent of deep forests and the distant rumble of predators moving through undergrowth. Jairdain paused at the crest of the rise, letting the breeze play through her loose black hair while Sage trotted ahead, tail flicking with bright, curious energy.
Below her, the grove spread out in mottled light, sunbeams piercing through the massive canopy. It was a place untouched by the war-torn years she and Jax had survived, a place that breathed in a slower rhythm—a place where she could finally exhale.
Her hand drifted, almost unconsciously, to her abdomen. No more than a whisper of change lay beneath her palm—barely noticeable unless one already knew. And Jax always knew.
The soft footfalls behind her were unmistakable. She didn't turn immediately; she felt his presence through the Force, warm and familiar as a heartbeat remembered. When she did turn, her smile grew without effort.
"Jax."
His name was spoken like a return.
Jayna was with him, her steps quick and excited, eyes bright with the kind of boundless curiosity that only she could carry into every planet they touched. The girl's joy hit Jairdain first—bright, open, unshielded—and she opened her arms before Jayna even spoke.
The teenager practically flew into the embrace, Sage weaving around their feet in delighted circles.
"I've missed you both," Jairdain murmured, pressing a kiss to Jayna's temple before drawing back to look at her properly. "You've grown again. I swear, I leave for one mission and you gain another inch."
Jayna laughed, but her gaze slid down—subtle, perceptive, lingering on her mother's abdomen for just a moment. Jairdain brushed a hand gently across the girl's cheek, a silent acknowledgement.
Then her eyes lifted to Jax.
The Force didn't need to carry words between them; the look said enough. Relief. Love. A thousand unspoken things that Veradune would keep safe for them.
"I thought it was time we stole a quiet moment," she said softly. "Just us. Before the galaxy remembers we're useful again."
Her smile turned wry, warm.
"Walk with me? There's much to tell you both. And something I've… been waiting to share with you together."
Sage gave a soft chirp, as if seconding the invitation, before darting ahead into the grove's dappled path. Jairdain reached for Jax's hand—fingers brushing lightly, seeking the familiar grounding she had always found there—while Jayna hovered close, eager and attentive.
The three of them stepped forward, sunlight catching in their hair as the forest opened to welcome them home.
Jax Thio
Jayna Ismet-Thio
Below her, the grove spread out in mottled light, sunbeams piercing through the massive canopy. It was a place untouched by the war-torn years she and Jax had survived, a place that breathed in a slower rhythm—a place where she could finally exhale.
Her hand drifted, almost unconsciously, to her abdomen. No more than a whisper of change lay beneath her palm—barely noticeable unless one already knew. And Jax always knew.
The soft footfalls behind her were unmistakable. She didn't turn immediately; she felt his presence through the Force, warm and familiar as a heartbeat remembered. When she did turn, her smile grew without effort.
"Jax."
His name was spoken like a return.
Jayna was with him, her steps quick and excited, eyes bright with the kind of boundless curiosity that only she could carry into every planet they touched. The girl's joy hit Jairdain first—bright, open, unshielded—and she opened her arms before Jayna even spoke.
The teenager practically flew into the embrace, Sage weaving around their feet in delighted circles.
"I've missed you both," Jairdain murmured, pressing a kiss to Jayna's temple before drawing back to look at her properly. "You've grown again. I swear, I leave for one mission and you gain another inch."
Jayna laughed, but her gaze slid down—subtle, perceptive, lingering on her mother's abdomen for just a moment. Jairdain brushed a hand gently across the girl's cheek, a silent acknowledgement.
Then her eyes lifted to Jax.
The Force didn't need to carry words between them; the look said enough. Relief. Love. A thousand unspoken things that Veradune would keep safe for them.
"I thought it was time we stole a quiet moment," she said softly. "Just us. Before the galaxy remembers we're useful again."
Her smile turned wry, warm.
"Walk with me? There's much to tell you both. And something I've… been waiting to share with you together."
Sage gave a soft chirp, as if seconding the invitation, before darting ahead into the grove's dappled path. Jairdain reached for Jax's hand—fingers brushing lightly, seeking the familiar grounding she had always found there—while Jayna hovered close, eager and attentive.
The three of them stepped forward, sunlight catching in their hair as the forest opened to welcome them home.
Jax Thio
Jayna Ismet-Thio
