Desian took Cyrus into the living room and sat with him as he played with his toys, his eyes on Lula watching her make breakfast. He wanted her again and had to occupy his mind with thoughts of his son, though it did little to help the ache in his loins. After breakfast when she had changed into her day clothes a few women of her age from the village came over. Their pregnant bellies a bit more obvious than hers, they were quick to usher Des and Cyrus out of the house. Desian of course protested with a low growl as he kissed his wife and took his son to the market. Hours later he would return with his sons mouth smeared with chocolate. Des put the baby down and went into the living room, the females sat chattering, one of them turned to him and gave him a stern look. "Vi..." she said in a way unfitting of a female, especially to him. "Out.." he said flatly as he looked at them, when the response to his order was not to his liking he repeated it with a low growl. "OUT.." the women gathered there things and lowered their heads as they left him, a small smirk playing out over his lips. Desian turned to the nanny who was washing Cyrus's face up. "Take him upstairs, and keep him up there until your called for..." she nodded and did as was asked as Des made his way to Lula. He sat down beside her and pulled her against him, his hands were in her hair, his lips over hers and down her neck as he whispered hotly onto her skin. "You were right...." and with that he pulled the neck of her soft shirt back to expose her. Her hands moved over his horns as she gasped, feeling his soft lips. Lula wrapped a long slender leg around him and panted down as she looked at his lips locked around her. No words were spoken they didn't need any as he took her on the couch, rocking his hips against hers, letting her suck at his thumb as he slowly moved into her against the soft leather. He felt her tighten and whimper his name, being as quiet as she could as she came onto him, he pumped her deep and fast a few more times before his growl of orgasm, not so quite, washed through the living room. Desian pulled her against him, his hand cupping one of her breasts as he covered them with a skin and turned on the holo tv. He called for the Nanny who reported that Cyrus was asleep and handed over the monitor to Lula. She took her leave as they spent the rest of the evening lounging before he would carry her to bed before they would tangle in a naked panting mass of sleep.

The market was bustling, preparations were being made for the upcoming harvest festival as the women chattered and bartered their goods. The market was huge, set in the middle of the sprawling village with vibrant colors and even more appetizing smells. Fresh fruits and vegetables of everything imaginable were on display. Spiced and cured meats hung from ropes freshly brought from the smoke and curing houses. Freshly butchered meats and fish were on ice with watchful merchants keeping children's hands away. There were other things here as well, fine silks from Naboo, spices both for cooking and medicinal purposes from Tatooine, weapons imported from Corellia, and the finest stock of ales, wines and liquors from Lok and Dantooine. Des held Cyrus on his hip as he followed Lula with her large basket through the marked. The women fawned over him and the child as they looked on with envy at the beautiful blond he had taken as his tai'shan. The party at the house had been set for the night of the harvest festival, after the streets had cleared from the parade and vendors their home would be filled with half if not more of the village, and Lula was buzzing over it. Ever the hostess, Desian knew she had longed for a "party" he had almost felt bad about her not being at the center of the social scene anymore, he remembered well the weekly parties in Landsend, how the petite blond would flit through the crowd with sexy eyes and a flirty smile. He had loved her since the moment he had seen her and every time he kissed her he fell in love all over again.

A male around Des's age bumped into him, causing Cyrus to grip at his fathers shirt, Des eyed the man closely as he made a nodding gesture of apology and backed right into Lula. She stumbled forward a bit and turned around as the male smiled at her, his eyes were not quite right she remembered as he grabbed a generous handful of her bottom and winked at her. Des moved forward, his son still in his arms with a low growl but stopped when he felt her hand on his arm. "Let it go Des..." she said and he nodded but kept an eye on the male memorizing his face and j'ato. They moved through the market back up the stone streets to the large house, the lights on it looked so warm and inviting from the outside where the temperature was already beginning to drop. Desian moved from the couch where he had been watching a game into the kitchen, leaving Cyrus playing on the soft lush carpet. He wrapped his arms around Lula as she cooked and kissed at her neck. Slowly he swayed with her, his hands on her belly, dancing slowly with her as she fixed the evening meal. With Cyrus fed, bathed and in bed they retired to their room. Her gasps and moans of pleasure filled the four wall as Desian rocked in and out of her, kissing her lips, looking into her eyes, actually making love to her while their naked bodies writhed together in the pale light coming in through the window. They came together in a flurry of fevered kisses and roaming hands until in the morning he slipped from bed to go meet with the males in the square.

Morning as usual sitting around, drinking some odd hot beverage as they spoke of fights, hunts, females, mostly things their mates had no interests in or didn't need to know. And then from around the corner the male from the market appeared, clearly spiced out he approached Desian. "How much..." he asked with a cocky grin that instantly had Desian on his feet. "How much for what boy..." even though the male was the same age as he, Des enjoyed the way it insulted him. "How much to mate your female..." he almost hissed and that was all Desian needed. The two males collided as the others stood obviously on Desians side with shouts of encouragement. By the time the boy had burst into the house and breathlessly told Lula that her mate was in a fight Desian was bloodied and bruised but not nearly as bad as the other male who was on his knees laughing hysterically. "DES!" Lula shouted as she ran into the wall of males, none of them letting her pass. "Quiet female.." one of them hissed at her as she fought to break through them. Desian slipped a long slender razor sharp blade from his boot and moved towards the male. "Desian stop!..." Lula shouted again, causing her husband to look back at her, and that was all the other male needed, an opportunity. With what little life he had left in him he rose behind Desian and sank a very similar blade into the zabraks back, jerking it upwards. Des stood still for a moment, looking at Lula as a trickle of blood poured from his mouth just before he hit his knees. The other males didn't move, Lula herself was in shock as the attacked moved closer to Des, too close. Desian made one swiping movement with his blade behind him, never taking his eyes off of his wife as the blade sliced across the other males belly making most of his entrails spill out, he was dead before he hit the ground. Des on the other hand managed to get to his feet, it never amazed Lula just how strong his kind were, though he only managed a few steps before he was down again. The other males still watching, as if he were an injured animal. "Do something..." Lula managed finally as one of the elder males looked to her and shook his head. "No girl...he has to be able to stand on his own, he knows this...if he doesn't get up he will die" Lula moved towards her husband but a strong armed held her back, she stood and watched Desian cough up more blood, gurgling as he attempted to growl, and finally he was up again. This time he stayed up as he moved towards the males, the eldest grabbed his arm and draped it over his shoulders. "Good fight D'nari, your father will be proud, now then, lets get you seen about".

She rushed towards Desian, her cheeks stained with tears as she had watched her husband fight. She knew he was strong but she hated seeing him fight. At one time it used to be something she would thrill over. The tiny hairs on her skin would rise with the adrenaline of the fight watching him, the growling and his strength. Now a mother of going on two, she saw it as a risk. Every time he fights, she could be left alone with two children to fend for herself. Old habits per say but none the less she worried when he fought now. She rushed to his side helping him up, another younger male helped Lula bring him back to the house. He hoisted him up on the kitchen table face down so that she could tend to his wound. She nodded and excused him as she always wanted privacy when working. He acknowledged her and left. Cyrus had woken and was tumbling down the stairs out of reach of the nanny. Lula growled “I’maina!” Obviously not wanting Cyrus to see his father injured, the nanny looked at Lula and collected Cyrus. Unfortunately Cyrus had already seen his father and had started crying out to him in pain of seeing his father hurt. Between the tears of her own pain and hearing the pain of her only child she collected herself and grabbed her medical equipment. The incision was just below her infamous “L” that she had put on his back when she had removed the tracking devise so many years ago. She smiled as she traced over it, she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen as she ran her fingers down to feel what was going on. “Not now,” she cried out softly. She put her scanner over his back to see if any toxins were on the knife, luckily it said no but it was dirty so an infection was running through his body. She grabbed her injection tool and put a dose of antibiotic in, slowing entering it in to his blood stream. She moved slowly and placed the wound back together in a straight line, the tool was quite hot as the smoke and the smell of burning flesh filled the kitchen she slowly repaired him back to normal. He winced and groaned as she worked on him. Grabbing a large bandage she started to wrap it around his back, “just lean up a small bit pelire.” She was able to get it around his massive frame and back again to tie it off. Des slid off the counter slowly and kissed Lula.

No words were exchanged as he went to the couch to rest. She took the scanner to herself, she had vowed never to self-diagnose but the sharp pain in her abdomen didn’t have time to go to the doctor or midwife. She drank a small glass of water and put the scanner on her stomach. Looking for the image of her baby she saw it, they didn’t have this kind of technology here and warned against it. She saw no harm but saw the tiny baby inside of her roaming around in her belly. She checked the vitals and saw that nothing was wrong. She sighed relief and joined Desian on the couch. He put his hand on her stomach. “I heard what you said…are you okay?” He growled softly at her wanting a true answer, not one that she would script for him. She smiled gently at him and nodded. “Vi, I’m fine. It was probably just the baby attaching herself.” He nodded and looked away, then looked at her. “Her?” he added. Lula grinned widely and nodded. “From what I saw” she grinned. “How?!” he demanded. Lula showed him her scanner and smiled. “I thought you left things like this behind. You know the repercussions of having medicine and technology like this.” He looked at her sternly. “They cannot know we have this. It goes against what they believe and it goes against the culture. You are to rely on the midwives and medicine men in the village.” Lula nodded her head slightly down knowing she had gone against his wishes. He reached over painfully and put his hand on her chin moving it up to meet his eyes. “I love you pelire, we will not speak of this and you will hide that somewhere it will never be found,” he demanded. She nodded and kissed him lightly on the lips. “Of course,” she responded. He looked at the scanner then back her, then back at the scanner, then her belly. “Well sith, now I want to see it,” he laughed. She giggled softly and handed him the scanner. A small black and white image showed up, a fast beating of the little heart inside of her could be heard. Desian, as strong and resilient as he was nothing ever made him softer than the view of his children or his wife. She grinned at him as he kissed her belly. She took the scanner and put it back in its case. She moved to the kitchen where there was a safe behind a false back of a cabinet. She opened it and put the scanner in there for safe keeping. Moving back to the couch she sat with Desian as he recovered. They watched the flickering of the fire and fell asleep in each others arms.

Desians lips trailed softly up her back as his hand reached gently under her to cup and cradle his unborn daughter. "Morning pelir'e" he growled low against her skin. Lula smiled and rolled over, he had let her sleep in, Cyrus was up bathed, dressed and fed. Des had made breakfast and had brought her in a tray of fresh cool fruits some water and a few pieces of fresh baked bread with thick sweet butter slathered over it. He had also been to the market and a large flat box laid on the bed. "I picked you up something for the party, I think you'll like it..." he smiled and handed Lula the box as she sat up, her hair tousled, her face glowing. He had already decided if this pregnancy was smooth that he would have another child with her, he loved seeing her like this. Lula's delicate fingers untied the twine around the box and shifted through the tissue paper, under the frail sheets was a dress, made of the finest silk from Naboo, like the ones she used to own. It was deep purple, the halter top would fit snugly around her swelling breasts, the skirt was cut semi low to show off her slowly rounded belly. Nothing was more prominent in the female circle than to carry a child of a warrior, let alone of an Elders son. The skirt was of the same deep purple with other sheets of burnt orange and deep emerald green flowing off of it, suitable fall colors. Lula beamed up at him and threw her arms around his neck. His mouth caught hers as he laid her back softly against the bed, kissing over her neck and down her naked body. "Better get cleaned up and dressed my love....mother is downstairs to see you..." he grinned almost wickedly as she pushed at him. "Desian!" Lula pulled the sheets back as he laughed and swatted at her bare bottom, she knew he loved to torment her, and she quickly did as he asked, cleaning up and dressing, she threw her hair up quickly but it always looked like she spent hours on it. The rest of the morning was filled with his mother and his wife making plans both for the upcoming party and for the upcoming baby. She had shown his mother the dress and she had more than approved, fawning over her daughter-in-law lovingly as she herself had only had the two sons. Cyrus lay on the floor "stalking" his father, pouncing on him only to be attacked back with kisses and tickles. The baby squealed and laughed as he smacked at his fathers face. "Your going to get a baby brother or sister soon Cyrus what do you think about that" Des asked the baby as he just shrugged. "You wont be the baby anymore...you'll be the older brother" Desian ran his hand over his precious sons little horns as he turned and looked at his father. "I no baby Da...I big boy..." Desian chuckled and got a little choked up. It seemed like only yesterday he was holding the tiny baby boy in his arms in a medical center in Landsend. Lula had so many complications with him, he prayed to the gods this one would be different.

Lula sat with Desian’s mother in the kitchen preparing for the party that weekend. On the edge of nervous and excited she deferred to her mother in law at all costs. She was not just doing it out of respect but she was a wife of an Elder. This was a big deal. She examined Lula’s hands looking them over and up her arms.

”Will you be having the family ja’to put on your arms and face for the festival?” she inquired.

Lula looked over to Des for an answer as the process was not only painful but the dye would not be good for the unborn child. Desian stood and made his way to the kitchen with Cyrus on his shoulders. Cyrus was drooling and putting sticky sweet fingers all over Des’s hair and horns.

“Mother, she will have the ja’to put on her arms with semi-permanent ink so that it does not harm the baby. Traditional methods are not recommended for either her condition of being pregnant or her blood virus.”

He finished realizing that he had given quite defensive answer for him. He was protective of his family, his wife, his unborn child. Nothing was going to go wrong with this pregnancy. His mother rose from her seat and stood up at Desian. His face immediately went into military mode. A blank expressionless face that he was used to taking orders and abuse from the military. She reached her hand slowly towards his face and leaned forward. Desian winced slightly, Lula watched with wide eyes not understanding what was going on in front of her. In a quiet voice his mother spoke.

"Never louder than the voice you used. You are not only speaking to an Elder’s wife but your mother.” Her hand rested on his shoulder as she smiled softly at him. “I agree of course with your assessment and the dye will be fine. I will have one of my artists come to do it for her.”

Desian exhaled quickly and Lula smiled at both of them, visibly awkward. His mother had a wide regal grin as she turned her back and sat down picking up in the planning like nothing had happened. Desian stuck his tongue out in a ‘meh’ face to his mother as he walked away with the baby.

“I saw that”, she replied to the unseen face. No response came from Desian as he knew it wasn’t worth it with his mother. Lula smiled back at her mother in law who continued to look at her hands, fawning over her daughter. Even though it was in marriage she loved her as her own. Lula had started to think of her as a mother finally as well. Having lost her own when she was 12, then her Father murdered by Makai’zade 4 years ago, she really only ever had Des.

” Fej'nop (her formal Mother title), it amazes me how you raised two boys, twins none the less. I must know your secret.” She grinned widely as she inquired. She truly loved listening to her mother speak. She placed Lula’s hands down and hugged her firmly across the table.

“Linare, dear. Realizing that it’s family and nothing is above your blood. Making the children aware of that and respect that is the first step.” She looked over at Cyrus and Desian. Desian nodded his horns in agreement. “Cyrus already is starting to get it. He tests his father but not his mother. He will be a fine warrior.” Lula stopped and her chest rose tightly. She knew the fate of her son but always hid it in the back of her mind. “Vi, he will be,” she agreed.

He woke alone in the large bed as the sun filtered in through the widows, he stretched making the muscles of his lean thick body ripple. The door to the bedroom opened and two young females entered, instantly giggling and blushing as the male sat halfway up in bed, tilting his head to look at them. "Vi...you need something girls?" he spoke in that deep sexy growling morning voice. The girls nodded and blushed even deeper as he attempted to push himself down. "We were to clean up for the party, your mother sent us Desian..." they spoke in unison...twins. "Your Tai'shan is at the market with your son and your mother now...is there....anything we can do for you?" They both moved towards the bed as Desian still half asleep watched them. "Um...no...no I'm good, start cleaning downstairs, when your done I'll be gone and you can tidy up in here..." The girls made no movements towards the door, of course the fact that every young girl wanted to bear the child of a warrior had not slipped his mind. And in many households males took as many as four females to his bed each night. "Uh..." Desian ran his hand over his hair and horns and looked up at them again. "You should go down stairs girls....I mean it." His words were only half convincing as the girls moved down stairs with disappointed sighs. Desian smirked and shook his head, reaching over to the other side of the bed he found the delicate slip that he had ripped from Lula the night before. Desian held it to his nose, inhaling her sweet smell. Desian washed and dressed as he made his way down stairs, the girls of course followed him to the door as he almost hurried to be free of the over hormonal youth's. Desian found his mother and Lula browsing the more high end shops. Cyrus clung to his mothers side as he saddled her hip. Desian walked up and grabbed the baby making him squeal, but he knew his fathers touch and quickly wrapped his arms around his neck. Desian leaned over and kissed his wife as he smirked over at his mother. "Never send two young females who are obviously in heat to the house again when I am alone, I feared for my safety". His mother smirked and shrugged. "I knew nothing would happen, you adore this one far too much for that." His mother...Tyaria said as she smiled and wrapped her arm around her daughter. "come my dear we have more money to spend, our males are not working near enough these days, we need to drain the funds a bit" She teased of course, Desian and his family were as good as royalty here, money meant little to them. Desian motioned for his mother to give them just a moment as he handed his son over to her. His arms wrapped around his pregnant wife and kissed her deeply. "Good morning pelir'e...."

She grinned widely and returned the kiss, her right hand gently resting on his jaw line. “Good morning i’shuree pelir’e,” she responded. Her face had a bit of flush to it as she was still glowing as she entered into her second trimester. His large hands swam over her stomach as he held it firmly like a melon. “We’ll know soon, “he grinned. She nodded back to him whispered and replied. “But I already know it’s a girl, so we are just confirming what I know.” She grinned widely at him as he ran his lips along her neck biting the base of it firmly. She growled softly not to make a scene. He smirked at her sass and swatted her firmly to send her on her way. “You sure you don’t need anything for the festival, Des?” He looked at her and nodded. “However if you find something…that might be better than what I was planning. Feel free to purchase it.” It was his way of saying, ‘yes I do need something but you know I can’t say that out in the open market, duh.’ She caught the glint in his eye and laughed softly. She curtsied formally as all husbands and wives did in public. He kissed the top of her head as he sent her on her way. She picked up a similarly printed wrap for Desian at the market. Hoping it would offset not only his beautiful skin but as he wore the traditional markings on his chest, he would be adorned in many necklaces of his ancestors and his family history.

Later that night the house was set and Cyrus was asleep upstairs and Des and Lula were ready to receive their company. She put on the dress that he had bought for her. The purple saturated around her now healthy glowing skin. The slight opening in the middle to show off her swelled belly she laughed at. A quiet knock came from the door, she opened it up and there stood Tyaria. “Darling, I’m here to put on you’re ceremonial j’ato.” Lula looked confused as she looked at the only mother she had known in many years and nodded. “But I thought, someone else was supposed to do it?” She nodded and slowly spoke her wisdom. “The girls that do it these days do not know the precious cargo you hold in your belly. They don’t know what inks to use. I will not risk anything to the young foolish minds of the girls.” Lula smiled widely and embraced her mother-in-law, behavior that was not seen in public nor encouraged among the zabrak culture. Tyaria smiled warmly and embraced her back. Tyaria guided her down to the bed so that she could lie on her back as she drew out gold and black paints to adorn her hands, feet and stomach. Lula giggled as the wet paint dried on her skin. After it was complete Tyaria helped her off the bed and swept back a small piece of her hair smiling. “I could not be more proud of you and Desian. Thank you.” Lula grinned back at Tyaria, “No thank you for everything, I know my stay here has been in big part your fighting for me to stay among the people.” Tyaria opened the door and Lula stepped out of the room down to a house full of people. She went to the top of the stairs and looked down for Desian.

Desian stood at the bottom of the staircase and gazed up at her. She was a vision, glowing, wrapped in the warm colored silks, the gold paint on her body catching the light. As usual he held a small group of males in conversation, their wives already in the formal living room giggling and speaking in hushed tones, no doubt about the males. But Des's attention drifted from the gathering of adorning males, all he saw was her. Desian met her halfway down the stairs and stood with one hand behind his back, the other he offered out to her, pulling her to him gently as she took it. "You are, the most beautiful woman in all of creation, do you know that?" He whispered against her neck stealing a kiss. Lula blushed and nodded as her head turned to the side and caught his lips; he returned the kiss and winked at her. "Come my love let us get to the vultures..." he spoke softly to her. "Desian! Behave yourself..." his mother chided from the top of the stairs. His eyes moved to his mother and he bowed his horns to her slightly. "I mean...our guests" he said with a smirk. He was dressed in the wraps Lula had bought at the market. The tribal markings done by himself in paint over is chest matched those that were permanently inked running up both of his strong arms. Around his neck several long necklaces hung made of colored beads, a string of sharp teeth held tight around his neck, something only worn by honored warriors. They were the picture of near royalty as they made their way through the guests. Males commented on the beauty of his wife which made Desian smirk, females ran their hands over her belly and chattered about the gift of a child, which made Des swell with pride. The air was buzzing with talk; guests sipped spiced liquors which scented the house. From time to time Desian would slip away to check on the progress of the meal, his mother had hired the best cooks in the city to prepare a variety of wild game, roasted and spiced meats, warm buttered vegetables, various delicacies from the warm seas of Naboo, and delicate deserts. The tables were set with the finest of dishes and stretched for what seemed like forever laiden heavy with enough food to feed the town three times over. Each time Desian would return to the side of his Tai'shaun he would kiss the nape of her neck and nod to the guests. Girls giggled over him and blushed when he would look in their direction; young males asked him for "advice" in hushed corners. The older males sat discussing hunts of old, compared their battle scars and made quick glances at the younger females. After the meal once everyone was stuffed the females gathered in the large living room with its overstuffed soft leather furniture and a roaring fire while the males went downstairs to the bar and billiards table. The thick smoked of cigars that had been aged in rum hung in the air as the spoke of all things male. Desian slipped back upstairs and caught Lula by the wrist as she rounded the corner to serve her female guests more dainty finger sandwiches and tea. "Come here..." he said in that low sexy growl of a voice as he pulled her against him. His hands were over her, his lips crushed against hers, her pregnant belly pressed against his toned stomach as he tongued her mouth, tasting his lover. "Des!" his mother whispered. Desian growled and looked up from the kiss as Lula hid her blushing face against his neck. "Yes mother?" he asked with that sly grin. "Not here, your guests..." she said as she tried her best to reprimand him. "My guests, my house, my wife....she didn't get in this condition by us not touching mother..." Desian said as Lula hit his chest softly and giggled. "I should get the sandwiches" she said and moved reluctantly away from him. Tyaria just smiled as her daughter passed, as if Lula could do no wrong in the female’s eyes. "Desian try to control yourself my darling, and where is your father, please tell me hes not down there smoking..." Desian looked to his mother and shrugged. Of course his father was down there smoking, it was the only free time he'd had away from her in perhaps weeks. Desian swatted Lula on the behind as she went back to the women with the tray and then shrugged at his mother as she shot him another glance. The last of the guests filtered out an only his parents remained. They stood in the main foyer and spoke of the festivle and of the parties success, everyone in the town would be buzzing about it for weeks. Desian felt a small tug at his wraps and without looking down grinned, reaching he swung his son up into his arms and covered the little face with kisses. "It is late for little warriors...what are you doing up?" Desian said to Cyrus as the toddler put his hands on either side of his fathers face and giggled. "Well he is your son...the gods know how difficult you were at his age" his father said with a smirk. "Hmmm...he will not be difficult, he is a D'nari, he is perfect" Desian said and grinned over at his parents and his wife. Cyrus reached for his mother and Lula took him into her arms, he was different with her, he cuddled against her and reached for a strand of blonde hair that had fallen down, he twirled it around his little finger as his eyes grew heavy. As if just her scent was enough he slowly slipped into sleep in her arms. "I'll go tuck him back in...thank you for the wonderful party, good night" Lula said as she curtsied and moved upstairs with her son. "Desian that baby is too much for her to carry she shouldn’t..." Desian cut his mothers words off in mid order. "She is stronger than you take her for mother, she'll be just fine..." Desian said as his eyes followed her up the staris. "Now...unless you two want to stay around and hear how your two grandchildren were made I suggest you be getting home..." Desian said as he put his hands on his hips. His father laughed his mother just stood there with her mouth open before his fathers put his arm around her thick waist and lead her out of the house.

Momma..." a little whisper came next to Lulas ear as she opened her eyes and smiled at her son standing clutching his stuffed bantha. "Good morning my little angel, you want to go downstaris dont you?" she asked as the toddlers eyes brightened with a wide smile as he nodded his head keeping the bantha close to his little face. "Wake up Daddy first and then we'll go down." She watched as he ran around the bed and poked Desian in the nose a few times. Des growled and twitched his nose, Cyrus frowned and poked harder. "Daa..get up! Daa!" Cyrus kept poking and then let out in a giglging squeal as Desian swung him up into his arms nuzzling and growling playfuly against his son. "Ok...ok I'm up...take off..." Des got out of bed with his black pj pants on and stretched before moving over and grabbing a quick grope of his wifes breasts. "No morning sex this morning love...someones got presents to open." she said with a smile as the big zabrak pouted. Cyrus was already downstairs running his hands over the new toys when his parents seated themselves on the couch. Desian handed Lula a silk wrapped box. "May the new year bring us more joy than this one did pelir'e..." he said and kissed her neck. Inisde the box was a three stone diamond ring that sparkled with all the fire of the brightest star. "From the finest mines of Dathomir, blessed in the holy waters of Dantooine...a stone for each of my most precious things for my bride to wear" Desian said as he slipped the ring onto her right hand as she was still in shock. The inscription on the ring started on the outside of the band and ran all the way around, swirling around the ring it read: For my Tai'shan, the woman who holds my heart and my soul, I love you Lula. The two sat and held one another as Cyrus played with the new toys. The day would be filled with family, they would spend it at his parents house watching servents run around, having his mother dote over Lula and Cyrus as he and his father tried to hide away somewhere. Later that night the town gathered in the worship hall. Lula sat proudly with Tyaria and Cyrus as she watched Des and his father light the candles around the alter and sit with the elders. Desian wasn't one yet, but upon his fathers death he would inherit his place with the council, just as Cyrus would inherit Desians. The priests read from ritual scripture about the warrior child that had lead them all to walk in the paths of the Dragon, how he had been divine and unworldly, how he had been strong but gentle and had been created by his father some sort of diety as best Lula could understand, to free the people of wicked ways and lead them back in the paths of the righteous warrior. The story was of the warriors birth on a planet on the outter rim, how none of the towns would take them in because of who they were, how he had been born in a lowly Nerf stable. Wise men from Naboo had sought him out bringing gifts. As the priests read the children of the town acted out the event to the side, Cyrus had been chosen to be a Nerf hearder and stood playing with his fake beard for most of the act. At the end the elders stood, each one turning and holding their hands out to the crowed of people. Slowly females stood and went forward one for each Elder, and Des's eyes were on Lula. She made her way up with Tyaria at her side and took Des's hand, slowly he lead her to the alter and knelt with his arm around her and there with bowed head for perhaps the first time in her life she heard her husband pray.

She rested her hand gently on her husband's knee as the weight of the baby was taking its toll on her body. In her seventh month the baby was starting to make it be known that it was ready to be on his way. As they stood they were anointed with oils as the ritual came to an end. They walked out of the worship hall it was late and Cyrus had been in bed for hours. The walk back to their home was quiet as she looked over at Des her head was racing with thoughts. “You are to take your father’s place. You wait for him to pass naturally….or do you….” Her voice trailed off. She looked into his eyes as she gently rubbed her swollen belly. He looked at her with mercy and love unable to find the words. “Custom is that he passes it down to me by his choice not by my will.” He spoke slowly. She nodded and it eased her soul for the time being. She knew there was more to it then that. There always was. This culture, they weren’t savages but they also did not do the political thing nor the traditional rites of passage. It was a culture that you earned your rites and you fought for what you wanted. “So Cyrus would have the same advantage to take your rites when you felt the time was right to pass them down?” She inquired. He nodded quietly, not confirming nor denying what she had implied. His hand moved from her shoulders to her lower back in adoration. He rubbed slowly taking pressure off of her muscles as she walked slower than normal for her. She moved closely to him kissing the side of his face, the night was lit by a twin moons that shone once every forty years. They walked slowly past a pub with a beautiful beat coming out of the windows. A sparkle in her eyes met his as she grinned at him. She held up a single finger at him and nodded at the pub. “One dance?” she begged. He grinned widely and turned them both into the old pub. Inside the pub the beat was infectious. The ancient drums had a beat to them that fluidly moved through your body. She was like a gift from the heavens, it was easy to tell, it was love from above, and that could save him from hell. She had fire in her soul it was easy to see, how the devil himself could be pulled out of him. There were drums in the air as she started to dance, every soul in the room keeping time with there hands. Like a piece to the puzzle that falls into place, you could tell how they felt from the look on their faces as they danced together. They were spinning in circles with the each other in our eyes. She moved like an angel that had fallen from the sky, framed to his body floating over him. The entire place was enamored by their dancing. As the drums stopped and her face flushed they stopped. Finding a seat for her, Des went to the bar for some water for her. She grinned at him. “Daynas, pelire. That is the last dance for a while for me. I am lucky I kept the baby inside of me with all that dancing.” She laughed softly as on-lookers laughed as well. An older woman leaned over to Lula and put her hand on Lula’s forehead. “You have a special one inside of you. The one that will change things.” Lula looked to Des confused and looking for understanding. Desian dismissed the old woman. “Woman, do not scare my wife. She is full with child and cannot listen to your dreams and wishes. Go bother someone else who is with child.” “It’s okay Des, she means no harm.” Lula smiled gently and put her hand on the old woman’s. Desian stood taking Lula’s hand and leading her out of the pub and back into the night. As they walked back to their home Desian’s hand did not leave his wife’s swollen belly. Knowing what the old woman spoke of he could not shake it from his mind. Desian always thought that myth and legend was him…not someone who is still to come. In the morning he would talk about it with his father and mother to find out what, if anything, he did not know about the legend. They curled up in bed that night and Desian fell asleep with his arms around her belly, feeling the movement of their next born child.

Lula felt a slight tickle between her legs as she slept. Slowly Des licked up and down her slit, circling his tongue around her small sensitive nub feeling it swell beneath his affections. Des felt her hands run over his horns as his moved up her body, over her belly to her breasts, rubbing at them gently, flicking his fingers over her nipples softly as he slowly and sensually ate her out. Her soft gasps filled the room as he sank his tongue in deeper, his nose pressed against her clit, rubbing it softly as his tongue darted in and out. Just as she began to tighten around his tongue he rose up and knelt, pulling her against him by her thighs. Slowly he sank deep into her, his hips thrusting urgently against hers. Desian watched his beautiful pregnant wife rock with him in the bed until they both exploded together. He leaned down and kissed her softly before standing and dressing. "I'm going to my parents my love...if you need me I will be there..." she nodded at his words and beamed at him, the glow of pregnancy and orgasm still on her face. Desian arrived at his parents house to see Tyaria holding a small cluster of young female captive with stories. Her eyes glistened as her son strode into the room and stopped like a nuna suddenly finding itself in a narglatch lair. "I...wheres father?" he asked as all the eyes in the room were on him. "Now you see girls when you pick a mate they need to be strong, tall...good breeding stock like my son here..." Tyarias words fell on deaf ears, the girls paid no attention to her, only the young male in the room. "Father...where is he..." Desian asked again, this time his mother nodded towards the study with a smirk. "He's in there hiding..." she replied as Desian bowed his horns and made a quick stride towards the study. "I need to know about the prophecy..." he said as his father looked up from his desk and a multitude of papers. "Why?" the elder asked as Desian took a seat and looked back over his shoulder half expecting to see the females had followed him. "The bakers wife was in the pub last night...you know she has the sight and well she touched Lula and said...the baby was...going to do great things" Desian put his elbows on his knees and leaned into speak softer to his father who had his complete attention. "I thought it was me...but maybe its not father, maybe its to be one of my offspring..." his father waved his hand at Desian. "No...no that can't be..you were born during the first night of the warriors moons, under the sign of the dragon...you were marked son" Drakon stood up from his desk and moved patting his sons back. "That woman's crazy, hasn't been the same since their oldest son killed himself four hunts ago...and don't tell your mother, she'll have the priests down there..." Desian nodded and stood moving to the window where his father stood. "She asked me about the passage of the Elder last night..." Desians father shot him a quick look. "And what did you tell her..." he said with a slight smirk. "I told her...without great detail..." his father smirked. "So you told her nothing.." his father said as he patted his sons shoulder. "Should I of father...I don't think she needs to know that when you deem it is your time, you and I will go into the woods and only the stronger warrior will return to claim the Elder title, as it will be with my son when my time comes" Desian spoke softly as he looked out over his mothers prized gardens with the ancient fountains. "No, females do not need to know the burden of such things, no matter how strong they are, none of them should have to think of their sons killing their mates at some point". Desian nodded and turned moving cautiously back to the study door. "Are they still out there?" his father asked. Desian cracked the door and nodded. "Go out the back then, your mother is very much still in the old ways, she loves your wife beyond all else but she'd see her son father half the new sons in the town by next year" Desian smirked and moved towards the back door, slipping out silently he headed back to the house.

She was sitting in the window seat soaking up the warmth coming in. The cold winter had arrived outside and the chill was blocked by the warmth in the afternoon sun. On her immense belly she had a piece of canvas that she had begun painting. Cyrus was on the floor playing quietly waiting for his father to return home. The nanny had been let go for the holidays but the housekeeper was kept on for cooking and cleaning due to Lula being so close to giving birth. The mysterious blood disease that had crippled her so badly months ago were nearly gone nor showing her any adverse effects since the pregnancy. She smiled as she rubbed over her stomach feeling a small butt inside. A sharp pain woke her out of her dream-like state. Dropping the paintbrush and canvas from her hands and lap she cried out in agony. Her housekeeper came to her side as Cyrus crawled over. “The baby just wants out Cyrus dear,” she laughed and tried to keep a smile on her face as not to worry Cyrus. Desian opened the door to find the huddle over by the window. “Honey, I’m…..” Panicking he ran over to them and put Cyrus in the housekeeper’s hands shoving her aside. “Are you okay? Is it the baby? What can I do?” questions kept firing off quicker than Lula could return answers. “Baby..I’ll be fine. They are just contractions, but probably not real ones. Probably prenatal horns and nothing more. Remember when we had Cyrus? Same thing. He looked at her wearily and picked up the holovid to call the midwife that had been looking after Lula her pregnancy. “I want her to come over to make sure everything is okay.” Lula rolled her eyes and shooed him away. “Fine…you’ll see its just what I’ve said, and you’ll have to pay her for coming out in this nasty snow!” Desian growled from the kitchen where he was placing the call. He also called his mother who had overseen many difficult births and probably the most knowledgeable about mixed race births. Lula’s breathing slowed down as she tried to concentrate on calming the little one down inside of her. Within moments the door rapped open with the village midwife led by Tyaria. Lula gave a look to Desian as he stood in the kitchen out of the way but concerned. If he knew how to fix it, he’d be in there. “Just let me know if you need blood, I’ll be on stand-by,” he yelled from the kitchen. “Des, we have enough of your blood for the entire birth. We’re good sweetheart. I love you pelire “she called from the living room. With those words he calmed down and watched the women work. They took Lula’s vitals and checked her dilation. “It will be within the week that the baby will come…and it has prenatal horns. Are you prepared for the effects of this?” The midwife looked concerned to Tyaria. Tyaira replied, “Lula gave birth to Cyrus on Tattooine without the help of our people. She will be just fine.” In a hint Des could hear his mother’s proud voice of how strong her daughter-in-law was. “Des, did you hear that? Within the week you will be a father again.” She grinned widely at him, her breaths short but calm and her face glowing with sweat. “Vi, pelire.” He grinned back at her with concern but knew she was strong. Lula leaned over to the midwife, “What do you think it will be?” The midwife looked at Lula then at Tyaria. “I believe this one is a girl. But we will find out next week. The birthing will take place in your home, I will send a checklist of what you must have on hand to Desian so that he can shop for them.” “Daynas,” Lula nodded back to her. “Are you ladies done yet?” Desian called impatiently from the kitchen. “Vi, go to her now,” Tyaria called. Desian rushed to Lula’s side sweeping his hands over her face then over her belly in protection. “You gave me a scare there,” he told her with concern. She grinned at him, “Tell that to your daughter.”

Desian spent the night pacing the floor watching Lula sleep, every once in a while he would see the baby move inside of her and he would stop. He rememberd well the night Cyrus was born and he prayed this birth would be easier, though he knew zabrak babies never came into the world easily. Des moved from the room but left the door open incase she would call for him, down the stairs and into the kitchen he went. Just as he took a bite of the wild roasted pig sandwich he felt a tug on his pj pants. Desian looked down to see Cyrus standing, naked with his bantha clutched in his arms. Des smirked and lifted the baby onto the counter and gave him a piece of the meat he was eating. "Why are you naked?" Des asked his son as he poked his little belly. The baby giggled and looked down at himself then back to Des. "Like you da, dis is how joo sweep" Cyrus said with a proud smile before taking a bit from the slab of meat. Desian smirked and nodded before rubbing his sons head. "Da..?" the toddler asked, and Desian replied. "Yes son.." Desian looked at him. "When will my seester be here da? I wanna pway wiff her" Cyrus said studying the slice of meat before taking another bite. "She will be here when shes ready Cy, and she'll be too little to play with at first, you'll have to be gentle with her" "Cause shes a girl" Cyrus said mater of factly. Desian just patted his sons head and picked him up. "Thats right, now...back to bed with you my little naked warrior" Desian took the toddler back up stairs and tucked him in before moving back to their room to check on Lula. He watched her arm reaching over to his side of the bed, she felt for him and then sat up. "Des..." she said softly in the dark. "I'm here pelir'e..." he answered her and moved into the bed by her side. His hands slid over her belly as he kissed her neck, wanting so badly to take her but knowing she was far too close to giving birth for that. Instead he laid with her and stroked her hair until she fell back asleep back in his strong arms.

Desian walked into the small shop centered between the herb store and the blacksmith's shop. It was cased in thick stone walls, the counters were made of ancient wood and shelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling. Desian folded his arms over his chest as a young girl helped a rather pregnant female. "I'll be with you in a moment Sir, did you have an order on hand?" the girl asked before looking up at Desian and getting that dreamy look to her eyes. "Vi, it will be under D'nari..." his voice was low and calm as he gave her half a grin. From the back a fluster of shuffling was heard as an older woman made her way from a back room and gripped the girls arm pulling her away from the pregnant customer. "Elder D'nari I apologize for the young ones stupidity, she did not realize it was you, is your wife doing well, we have your order completely prepared, feel free to look over it and anything I can do for you or your wife will be my honor Elder." Desian looked from the older female to the pregnant one who was standing with her head bowed. "Where is your mate, are not the males usually the ones to gather such things for the upcoming birth?" he asked as he moved towards her and lifted her chin with his fingers. She was young, perhaps her first child but he doubted it, the girl looked up at him as her hands went over her belly. "He did not return from the hunt" she said with mournful eyes. Desian looked to the older woman who was busy preparing his order for inspection. "Stop what your doing, tend to this one, put the things she needs on my account, and further more how dare you dishonor the memory of her mate by shuffling her to the side" The older woman was already rushing to help the pregnant girl as he finished repremanding her. "Of course Elder, how stupid of me, yes dear all of your things are in order now then you'll just be needing the blade..." her words trailed off as she saw the womans face. The blade she spoke of was unique to each clan, to each male, given to them at the right of passage, and the one she needed was obviously with her dead mate. "Woman, could you be any less caring...ready my order I will be back..." he looked to the pregnant girl and took her gently by the arm. "Come with me girl..." he lead her next door to the blacksmiths shop. "Describe your mates blade to the smith, he will make you one, you have my blessing upon it, take it to the river and wash it good and clean before you need to use it...understood.." the girl nodded and bowed her head to him. "You come see me if you or the baby need anything...." he made a quick nod to the smithy and moved back to the shop to get the things Lula would need for the birth. Assorted oils, crushed herbs prepared, wrapped in pieces of parchment with ancient inscriptions, a bundle of herbs tied with string which held another inscription in the middle, his blade of course, a ceremonial crushing bowel, and three sheets of fine woven linnen. The oils and herbs would be crushed and mixed in the bowl to annoint the baby's head as the inscriptons were read, the bundle of herbs would be burned during the actual labor as the smoke would calm Lula, his blade would be used to cut the cord and the sheets were to wrap the baby in. Desian took the package and looked over the woman. "You would be wise to be kinder to the unfortunate such as that girl...where do you think your precious warriors come from...." he hissed at her and left the store. When he returned home the nanny had Cyrus outside, he had hired the full housing staff back in the final days of Lula's pregnancy even though she had objected to it. He found his mate laying on the couch reading a book looking more than bored, he sat the package at the bottom of the stairs and went to her side. "How are they today my love?" he asked as he moved his hands over her stomach. Lula smiled but her eyes gave away the pains. "They...it won't be long Des, I haven't felt her move in a few hours and I can feel the pain in my lower back and over my pelvis...they're getting stronger but still only hit every hour or so" Desian nodded and looked around to make sure they were alone, his mother had instructed him on how to check her and when exactly he needed to send for her. "Let me see..." he said as he moved to her feet and pushed her knees apart, he knew it would be uncomfortable for her as his fingers were much larger than the mid wife's. Desian watched her face as he inserted not wanting to cause her too much discomfort. "Vi pelir'e...not long at all..." he said as he moved to lift her into his arms. "I want you upstairs and in our bed...I'll not have our daughter born in the living room..." he smirked and carried her upstairs, positioning pillows around her body for support as he slid in behind her so that she laid between his legs and against his chest. "Try and sleep angel....it may be a long night...." he said before his lips brushed her forehead. The nanny had been instructed for round the clock care of Cyrus and the rest of the staff knew to keep the noise in the house minimal or else face his rath. All there was to do now was to be at her side and wait.

Tossing and turning most of the night Lula could not get comfortable much less fall asleep with the little one just itching to get out. When she finally did fall asleep her dreams turned to nightmares were so vivid she woke up screaming. Her eyes opened and she looked around finding Des looking at her concerned. “Pelir’e are you okay?” He said. She moved her hands around her stomach and nodded. “The nightmares keep getting more intense.” She moved her hair from her face and realized she had been sweating. Concerned Desian looked at her and inquired. “What was it this time?” She took a deep breath and shook her head. “It’s fine,” she smiled calming him. She slowly moved over to the bathroom and stretched on her way over. “DESIAN D’NARI!” Screams from the bathroom as Des ran almost landing on his butt making the corner. “What is it?” “She grinned at him with a puddle at her feet not quite making it to where she needed to be. “Your daughter is on her way; call the midwife and your mother.” He grinned widely excited but his eyes showed worry. Within minutes they had moved Lula downstairs and had prepared everything for the birthing of their daughter. She groaned loudly and grit her teeth as the contractions came closer and she felt the small horns tearing her inner walls. Desian paced nervously back and forth with his cup of café. He wanted to smoke badly but wouldn’t leave her side. She thought that alone was making him insane. She slowly reached out her hand to him and he quickly came to her side on his knees. He enveloped her hand into his body clinging to it like it was the last part of her that was his. “Daynas pelire, I know this is difficult.” He cooed in her ear. She smiled at him and blew him a kiss. Hours passed as the labor became more difficult and her blood loss became more. Desian looked at the fading color in her face and then looked at the midwife. He knew that he had no say in this process. It was the one, the only one that men could not interfere in. It was the one where warriors were born and from there were given to the men. But the women kept and held onto the one tradition that they could nurture and have as their own. He looked at his mother and she could read his eyes. She shook her head ‘no’ at him. He looked back at Lula his heart swelling was the only thing keeping his temper at a slow simmer. Lula leaned over and whispered to him, “I’ll be fine; it’s already going better than Cyrus.” Desian snorted and kept a watchful eye over the women. What seemed like an eternity was over in a matter of a few hours. The screaming of Lula was preceded by that of a baby finally came. The midwife propped Lula up and checked her vitals to make sure she was stable. She nodded to Tyaria and left the room. She would be on hand for a day or so to make sure that everything with the mother and baby were up to par. Desian finally got the nod that he could now be a part of what was going on. He moved over to Lula and kissed her deeply as they held their new daughter. Time stood still that moment.