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The feeling in Phee’s chest could only be equated to the warmth of a thousand suns. There was something about watching her husband, typically a reserved man, show such softness. His gentle smiles and comfort to touch had grown so much in the years. Falling in love had that kind of effect. So did fatherhood.
Tech was somewhat precariously balanced on the edge of a twin bed. Between an assortment of stuffies and a child, there wasn’t much room for him. He didn’t mind though. He would squeeze into that little bed as long as he could. These were moments he treasured. His little girl nestled in his arms, a story pulled up on the datapad he held between them.
““These messy leaves are covering everything,” said Toad. He took a rake out of the closet…”
Even as her eyes grew heavy, Uma listened with rapt attention. Given her affinity for any creepy crawly creatures, a book following a frog and a toad was an obvious choice for her. She was as cozy as she could be, curled up into her buir’s chest, stuffy locked in her arms. With her ear against her chest, the rhythmic beat of Tech’s heart lulled her further towards sleep.
Phee swayed back and forth in the rocking chair by the foot of the bed. It had been some time since it had rocked a baby to sleep, however Uma thought it was fun and Phee wasn’t ready to let it go yet. Their little one was six whole years old now, but it felt like yesterday that Phee would settle into that chair with a tinier Uma to deliver her bedtime bottle.
Uma wasn’t the only one who showed the march of time. He was by no means an old man, but the rapid aging of a clone had left some marks of Tech as well. Phee had noticed his first few grey hairs over the course of the past year. A small speckling of silver behind his ear. There were shallow crinkles at the corners of his eyes and even smile lines that were just beginning to show. Just over fives years had passed as a decade for him.
It was a fact of this life Phee was aware of, but tried not to pay any mind to. It just meant she had to make her time with her husband count even more. Everyday was cherished, going to bed angry was not allowed (not that they argued much anyway), and they always took the time to do fun new things together. Entering a relationship knowing that growing old together would be a bit more short lived than she would like was a difficult pill to swallow for a time, but there was no one she would rather be with than him.
“That night Frog and Toad were both happy when they each turned out the light and went to bed.” Tech closed out the book and set the pad aside, his gaze shifting to the drowsy little being in his arms. “And the rest will wait until tomorrow.”
Uma nodded through a yawn. There were no complaints from her. She was ready to surrender to sleep by now.
After delivering a kiss to her temple, Tech slid his arm out from under the girl with great care as he lifted himself from the bed. Phee stood as well, joining at his side to pull the covers up over Uma’s shoulders and place her own kiss on her forehead. The girl curled further around her stuffie.
“Goodnight, Mom. Goodnight, Buir,” she mumbled. “Love you.”
“We love you, too, little gem. Sweet dreams,” Phee whispered back.
“Goodnight, Uma. We will see you in the morning,” Tech said.
The pair stepped outside the room, Tech leaving the door open a crack behind them. They didn’t speak at normal volume until they reached the kitchen, out of earshot of the sleeping girl. Phee put the kettle on to prepare some evening tea while Tech finished cleaning up from dinner. A few minutes later they each had a mug in hand, Tech scrolling on his datapad while Phee stood by the window looking into the night sky.
It was a clear night. The autumn breeze tickled her skin through the open window. The stars began to sparkle brighter as the sun sank further below the horizon. Some stars she knew, their solar systems being among her long roster of voyages. Some she had visited alone, others on the occasional weekend getaway with Tech. Tech had pointed out the star of the Ylu system one night, Uma enthralled with his words as he explained it to be her system of origin. They had promised to take her to Ylu someday, hopefully when the Empire was no longer trying to sink its teeth into the planet. Until then, Phee would be grateful from a distance that that planet had presented them with a perfect little foundling to adopt.
Another breeze filled Phee’s lungs with crisp air. A beautiful night like this could not go unappreciated.
“C’mere, Brown Eyes.”
Tech looked up from his scroll. “Is something the matter?”
She gazed him a smile. That warm smile made his heart feel like it was swaddled in a million blankets. Her eyes twinkled as she held out a hand. “You want to step outside with me?”
Tech cocked his head. “Is there something there?”
“Beautiful stars and a nice breeze.”
Tech tilted his head more. She chuckled. “Just come outside with me.”
That was all it took for Tech to comply. He stood and took her hand, allowing her to guide him out to the terrace. Phee leaned against him as the looked above.
It was chillier without the shelter of the house, but still beautiful. Tech admired the glistening sky for a moment before glancing down at Phee. The glimmer of the crescent moon reflecting in her eyes was captivating. He felt a light shudder through her body, compelling him to free his hand from her grip only to wrap his arms around her, holding her from behind. Phee’s hands settled on his arms, fingers rubbing them over his pullover as she sank into the warmth.
“We had some fun there, didn’t we?” She asked with a smirk, pointing to a star twinkling above them.
“Indeed,” Tech recalled with his own little smile. “It was a most romantic anniversary getaway.”
They had spent the weekend in a stunning rainforest filled to the brim with diverse plants and animals. A private bungalow had served as their private sanctuary, a place for just the two of them. They loved their family, but a break from whatever drama the others managed to cook up was nice from time to time. Only a few days ago the pair was sinking into a passionate make out session when Wrecker all but kicked down their front door shouting that their stove wasn’t working and he was going to starve if Tech didn’t fix it.
A lively bunch indeed.
This was one of those treasured moments for them to keep for themselves. Phee felt as cozy and safe as she possibly could in her husband’s embrace while Tech was blissfully caught in the throws of Phee’s sweet scent and the feeling of her thumbs brushing his forearms.
Just then a streak of light cut through the sky. Phee gasped and Tech stared up in awe. The comet’s tail illuminated the night before fading into the distance. A split second of beauty unmatched.
“Make a wish,” Phee whispered.
Tech pondered for a moment. Wishing on stars was illogical as there was no empirical evidence to suggest they had such power. He had said as much to Phee when she first told him of the old superstition. But he had allowed himself to think more whimsically in the years past. A level of dissonance between hard facts and flights of fancy was part of inspiring imagination for their little one. It could bring a little more wonder and romance to simple stroll between lovers. Whimsy may not have had a place on the battlefield, but it certainly had a place here.
After a few seconds, Tech spoke.
“I cannot think of anything I could wish for that I do not already have right here,” he told his beloved softly.
A witty and adventurous wife with a smile so warm it could bring summer to Hoth. A healthy daughter with a curious mind and a thirst for knowledge. His family whole and happy, their company never out of reach. All with roofs over their heads, fully bellies, and happy hearts. There was nothing else he could possibly wish for.
Phee tilted her head back to meet his gaze. She knew he meant it, and knowing that gave her all the peace she needed in life.
“Me either,” she agreed.
She spun to face him, her arms draped over his shoulders while his now rested in the small of her back. Tech felt that familiar flutter in his chest, his lips now feeling pulled towards hers. He leaned down and Phee closed the gap, two becoming one.
A few moments passed before they parted, resting their foreheads together. Phee’s fingers ran along his jaw before coming to rest on his chest. The pair turned their gazes to the sky again, staring out into the vast expanse of the night. Through billions upon trillions of light years across the unending universe, they had found each other. They had found their home.
That was all they needed.