WHO: Wedge Antilles WHAT: Contemplating fatherhood WHEN: Backdated to Monday night WARNINGS: None STATUS: Closed, complete narrative
Wedge slipped out of bed, making sure not to disturb Pepper. They had both been restless the past few nights, knowing that the baby could arrive any time now. He gently brushed his lips across her forehead but she didn't stir and he smiled. Turning toward the door, he walked out onto the beach and sat down not far from their shelter. He would hear Pepper if she called but wouldn't disturb her if someone happened along and wanted to have a conversation. Time was strange here, he had no idea what time it actually was, only that it was night but if he had to guess by looking at the stars, he'd put it at around two or three in the morning.
Looking out toward the ocean, he let the sound of the waves wash over him as he thought about the time he'd been here. When he'd agreed to come, he'd had no idea exactly what it would be like. All he knew was that he was tired of war, tired of killing, tired of fighting. He believed in the Rebel Alliance, he believed with all his heart that the Empire needed to be destroyed but he'd lost so many friends, men and women that he'd known for a long time. Some, like Biggs, that he'd known for most of his life. Together with Luke, the three of them had spent many hours flying in the canyons on Tatooine, shooting wamp rats, pretending that they were shooting at enemies. Then suddenly Biggs was off to the Acadmey and he was fighting for real, two years later Wedge followed him and his life changed when the Empire killed his first love. It hadn't been a huge leap to joining the Rebellion at that point and Wedge had learned to live with a price on hi head at the age of seventeen. Four years later, he was reunited with his old friends as they took on the Death Star but Biggs hadn't come back from that one. Just Wedge, Luke and a handful of others. Perhaps that was it. Losing Biggs whom he'd loved like a brother. He was tired and needed a way out. Arva offered him one.
The last thing he'd expected was to fall in love. When he met Pepper, everything between them was purely physical but then after she'd asked him to father a child for her and he'd gotten to know her, Wedge discovered that she was a remarkable person and falling in love didn't seem so unexpected anymore. It was more than love though, he admired her, she had accomplished so much, had beaten the odds and succeeded in a man's world. She had so much to offer yet she'd come her because she wanted the one thing that she hadn't had at home.
A child, her own family.
In just a few days, their daughter would be born and Wedge smiled at the thought. What would she be like? Would she look like him? Would she look like Pepper? They had agreed that she would learn about both their worlds, Pepper's world and Wedge's. She might never visit either place but she'd know about them and there were others from those worlds here who could share things as well. Pepper's friends, Luke....they'd all be happy to talk with her. She was a lucky little girl, thought Wedge. Not even born yet and she already had so many people who loved her.
He'd told someone that he didn't know whether to be scared or excited but the truth was that he knew exactly what he felt.
Thankful. Thankful that he'd come here and that he'd been lucky enough to meet Pepper. Most of all he was thankful for the little person who would soon be joining them. He couldn't wait.