For Unto Us A Child Is Born (closed)

[Kali (Laili Rendar)]

*She wrapped her free hand around him as he kissed her. The joy of this day and the love for the two Bacs in her life swelled in her heart. She couldn't imagine life without either one of them now. Pulling back after what seems a lifetime, she looks deeply into his eyes.*

"You are strong, Mantus. You are free from the restrictions of the Jedi as well. We are free. Free to live as we would like. Free to love. Free to have our family now. All of the happiness in this moment is because of the sith. You will grow stronger and more powerful than the Jedi ever would have let you become."

[Brandon Rhea]

"Yes, but it is becoming increasingly clear to me that neither Order will let their strongest become stronger. I mean, the Jedi...well, you know what they did...but now with Invidius and his whole "Sith Civil War" rant and trying to kill us...everyone is wrong. We were wrong for joining the Jedi, and we were possibly wrong for joining the Sith. The only right decisions we have made are getting engaged and having a baby. I just want to run away, get married and raise Ussej. I mean, it's been over a year and we're still not married. Doesn't that bother you? Doesn't it seem like we are being pulled back by some sort of outside presence that we cannot control? I don't know if it's the Jedi, the Sith or the Force itself...but something is stopping us from truly being happy. Ussej is the only glimmer of hope at true happiness. Perhaps in him we can find it...."

[Kali (Laili Rendar)]

*She pulls back to look at Mantus as if she wasn't hearing him correctly.*

"I do want to get married and soon. You've been training for days with Ravinos and I have hardly seen you. I joined the sith because of you and Ravinos. It was what was best for our family. All of our family. I still believe that now. We're safe here and aren't on the run. Do you think you can just walk away from the Sith? They would hunt you down in a heartbeat and kill you."

*She takes one hand away from Ussej and places it on Mantus face turning it so he looks into her eyes.*

"Our family belongs together."

*She didn't say it but it was in her words. If he left again, she wouldn't follow.*

[Brandon Rhea]

"Ravinos would never have me killed. He cares greatly about you and my death would only upset you."

*He looks into her eyes.*

"I think that I am going to tell him that I will be disappearing for a few weeks. That way, I can stay with you before running back to some forsaken world."

*He smiles.*

"We belong together...nothing will ever tear us apart...nothing..."

[Kali (Laili Rendar)]

*She smiled at him and leaned into him as her eyes went back down to Ussej. Now she didn't have to worry about hiring someone to help out while she was recovering. It would be at least a week before the doctors would let her do any major lifting or climbing. Kali knew she needed to rest after this ordeal. It had really taken alot out of her. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and just let the scent of her fiance wash over her. His warmth and the comfort of him being near relaxed her. She soon found herself drifting off to sleep.*

[Brandon Rhea]

*Laili fell asleep in his arms. Knowing that she was safe and sound brought him great joy and comfort. As she finally entered into the realm of dreams, Mantus motioned for a nurse to come in. He handed her Ussej and she took him to the nursery. He watched as his son fell asleep in the nurses arms and smiled. He turned back to Laili and set her gently back upon the pillow. He covered her with a blanket and dimmed the lights. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead.*

"Sleep well, my Laili..."

*He left the room to get himself some rest.*

******TIME PASSES******

*Mantus stood inside an apartment on Telos looking over the mornings holo-reports. The Battle of Coruscant, at this time, was a draw and the favored winner was Darth Ravinos. He had heard rumors of Invidius stepping down, but there was no evidence to support it as of this moment. He heard crying coming from the next room and went in to get Ussej. Laili was asleep in the bed. She had been for about two days. He was able to carry her to this apartment without her even waking up. But, it was for the better. She needed her rest after this pregnancy. It did take a lot out of her, and the fear of losing her took a lot out of him. He picks up Ussej and smiles.*

"Hey, buddy. What's wrong?"

*He rocked Ussej in his arms and felt strong and supportive for the first time in many weeks. Knowing that he was a father gave him a great sense of pride. He looked over to Laili to see her stirring in bed.*

"If mommy wakes up, then maybe you will be able to have your breakfast. Would you like that, Ussej? Yeah..."

[Kali (Laili Rendar)]

*In her dream, she woke up to find herself in the apartment back on Onderon. She could hear Ussej crying and rushed from room to room trying to find him. Panic began to set in as she couldn't find him. Tears streamed down her face as she called out for Mantus next. Still no answer. She sat up in bed calling out Mantus' name with tears streaming down her face. It was then that she was awake. Perspiration filled her brow and her eyes were wide open with panic and fear.*

[Brandon Rhea]

*Mantus turned around to see Laili awake. At first he smiled, but then that smile turned to worry. He set the baby in his crib and sat next to Laili on the bed.*

"What's wrong...you're trembling."

[Kali (Laili Rendar)]

*She wrapped her arms around him holding onto him tightly as the tears came.*

"It was a dream....just a dream...thank the Force it was only a dream..."

*She turned her face to the crib to see Ussej's arms waving in the air. He was starting to get fussy for being put down. Gingerly, she got up and moved towards the crib picking him up and holding him tightly to herself shushing him. Turning back around to face Mantus, she finally tells him.*

"I...I dreamed that Ussej was gone...I could hear him but I couldn't find him. When I called out to you....I couldn't find you either."

[Brandon Rhea]

*He leans in and kisses her. He knew her fear now, it wasn't much different than his fear. And, he has had it for a year.*

"Dreams pass in time..."

*He smiled.*

"Don't worry...we aren't going anywhere."

[Kali (Laili Rendar)]

*She nods her head at him and kisses him in return before looking down realizing little Ussej's impatience. She sat down on the bed and undid the first few buttons of her gown as Ussej quickly helps himself after a little help from his momma. He closes his eyes and she takes her free hand stroking his curly hair.*

"He's going to be a heartbreaker isn't he. Just like you."

*She turned her gaze to him and smiled.*

[Brandon Rhea]

"Oh, you can almost count on it."

*He looks down at Ussej and smiles.*

"He's a Bac alright..."

*He strokes Ussej's arm, but the child acts as if he wants his father's arm out of his way.*

"...and a Rendar too, it seems."

[Kali (Laili Rendar)]

*She chuckled at his comment and turned to look into his eyes again smiling.*

"Let's hope he's more of a Rendar than a Bac."

*She nudged him with her elbow playfully as Ussej began to slow down and drift off to sleep. Kali waited until the child had fallen asleep and gently burped him. He began to get fussy for being disturbed as he squirmed but didn't wake up. Kali then gently placed him in the crib and pulled the blanket close around him before moving back to Mantus and wrapping her arms around him.*

"How long was I asleep?"

[Brandon Rhea]

"About two days. This whole thing took a lot out of you."

*He put his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him.*

"The doctors want you to stay in bed for a week or so. I think that would be best, just to make sure that nothing happens."

*He looks down, thinking about the future.*

"When Ravinos gets back.....I think he should marry us."

[Kali (Laili Rendar)]

"Two days....you should have awakened me. As for doctor's orders, I won't stay in bed for a week. There's too much to do. We should go back to Korriban soon. I...I felt the return of the Dark Lord."