AKwxlady Obi Wans Daughter Part four Chapter four

It was late afternoon local time when Ordo landed Bev’ika at the Lake House on Munin. There was a crowd gathered to meet them. “They must be here to see the new ship,” Ordo said, looking out the cockpit window. He parked and lower the boarding ramp.

Ki’tia’s three children were the first to run up the ramp and into the starship. “Mommy! Mommy!” Etain and Dar were bouncing around Ki’tia. “We’re so happy for you!”

“I’m so happy to see you, too,” she hugged her two youngest children.

Jorj walked over to Ordo. “Uncle Ordo,” he said, seriously, “may I have a word with you?” Ki’tia was trying to see what was going on between Ordo and Jorj. She wasn’t paying attention to what Etain and Dar were saying to her.

“Of course, Jorj,” Ordo shrugged at Ki’tia. “What can I do for you?”

“I understand you intend to marry our Mother,” Jorj said. “Do you love her? I will not allow her to enter into another loveless marriage. Etain, Dar and I do not need a father that badly. Our Mother deserves to be loved, and as her eldest son I will see that her next husband loves her. Or there will be no marriage.” Jorj’s glowing red eyes flashed. He was serious.

Ordo held up a hand to Jorj, “Just a moment, Jorj.” He turned toward the cockpit and raised his voice, “Mereel! Get out here!” He turned back to Jorj. “Jorj, I assure you I love your Mother very much, and she loves me.” “Mereel!”

Kal was walking up the ramp into Bev’ika. He was smiling with tears in his eyes. Mereel came into the cabin from the front of the ship. “Did I mention,” Mereel said looking sheepish, “I talked to Kal’buir from Coruscant and let slip you two were planning to get married when we returned.”

Kal walked up to Ordo. “Son, is it true? Are you and Ki’tia in love and to be wed?”

“Yes, Buir,” Ordo answered. Kal hugged Ordo. “We didn’t know how to tell you? We didn’t know how you’d take it?” Kal grabbed Ki’tia and included her in the hug.

“I couldn’t be happier, oh daughter!” Kal cried. “I think this is wonderful, for both of you.” Then Kal pulled Jorj into the hug and Etain and Dar grabbed onto Ordo’s legs. Ordo wrapped his arms around his new family. He bent over and kissed Ki’tia.

“I think it’s going to be just fine when we tell them,” Ordo said to Ki’tia over the heads of Kal, Jorj, Etain, and Dar. They both started laughing.

“Hey!” Kom’rk yelled up the ramp. “Are you coming out of there? Or do we have to come up and get you! Prudii and I will kidnap the bride if we have to!”

“Come on, Mommy!” Etain pulled on Ki’tia’s hand. “Come see what we’ve been doing!”

There were cheers and cat-calls from the gathered crowd as Ki’tia and Ordo walked down the ship’s ramp. Ordo had one arm around Ki’tia and the other on Jorj’s shoulder. Etain was pulling Ki’tia by the other hand and Dar was between Ki’tia and Ordo. As Kal watched them, he realized that was the first time he’d seen those children as part of a complete happy family. He felt a tear escape and run down his face.

A huge celebration had been planned for the wedding, something unusual in Mandalorian culture. Delta Squad and their families had flown up from the Beach House, along with Dr. Mij Gilamar and his wife Dr. Qail Uthan, the woman who had found the method to stop the rapid aging of the clones. The number of people at the Lake House had swelled to near seventy. An early buffet dinner was set up on the large table and people took plates into the karyai. Some sat on the curved sofa around the central fire, others on chairs around the walls, others stood.

When everyone was enjoying their dessert, mostly sticky sweet uj cake, Kal stood up by the fire. Silence immediately fell across the large room.

“This is a nice little gathering,” Kal smiled looking around the karyai. There were several chuckles. “But then it’s not every day the leader of our aliit takes a wife.” There was a cheer across the room. “Kandosii!” Ki’tia looked at Ordo puzzled. She thought Kal was the head of Clan Skirata. Ordo just squeezed her hand.

“About time!” Fi yelled, which brought about real laughter around the room. Kal nodded to Walon, who was standing close to Fi. Walon reached over and slapped Fi’s head. That brought on more laughter, especially from Fi.

Kal reached out and took Ki’tia’s hand. She stood up and Ordo stood with her. The room fell silent. “Ord’ika,” Kal said, placing his other hand on Ordo’s arm. “I’m glad I lived to see this, and I don’t think you could have chosen any better.” Kal kissed Ki’tia on the cheek and sat down on the sofa, leaving Ordo and Ki’tia standing by the fire. Ordo took Ki’tia’s hands in his and looked into her eyes. They smiled at each other.

Ordo said the Mandalorian marriage pledge first. “''Mhi solus tome. Mhi solus dar’tome. Mhi me’dinui an. Mhi ba’juri verde. ''” Translated it says:  We are one when together. We are one when parted. We share all. We will raise warriors.

Ki’tia then repeated the pledge to Ordo. “''Mhi solus tome. Mhi solus dar’tome. Mhi me’dinui an. Mhi ba’juri verde. ''” By Mandalorian law they were married. Ordo bent to kiss Ki’tia and the room exploded with cheers and congratulations.

“Kandosii!” “K’oyacyi!”  “Oya!”

People were hugging Ki’tia and slapping Ordo on the back. They were separated by well-wishers. Laseema, Atin’s Twi’lek wife who ran the kitchen, came up to Ki’tia. “Atin and I will be happy to keep the children for a few more nights,” Laseema smiled. She usually watched Ki’tia’s children when Ki’tia was on missions with Omega and the Nulls. “And, I can help you get them settled into Ordo’s suite. Do you know if you’re going to have to do any remodeling?”

“I don’t know if there will be rooms for the children in Ordo’s suite,” Ki’tia replied. “I’ve never seen it.” She looked around for Ordo. He was across the room, being congratulated. “Maybe we can all stay in my suite, if necessary.”

“Oh, I don’t think Ordo would do that,” Laseema said. “He likes his privacy. Jorj, Etain and Dar are welcome to stay with us as long as needed.”  Laseema was wonderful. She had practically raised Kad after his mother was killed during the Jedi purge.

Walon Vau put his arm around Ki’tia’s waist and led her away from Laseema. He fascinated Ki’tia, his behavior wavering between his aristocratic birthright and his adoptive Mando’ad warrior instincts. “May I kiss the bride,” the aristocratic Walon smiled at her. Ki’tia nodded and he kissed her lightly on the cheek. “I don’t ever recall seeing Ordo so serene.” He pointed with his chin in Ordo’s direction, where he was being teased by several of the other men. “Normally, a ribbing like that would have Ordo using his fists by now. You must be good for him.” Walon tilted his head and looked at Ki’tia. “I’m glad I didn’t kill you.”

Ki’tia laughed. “Walon, you are one of a kind. I’m glad Kal stopped you from killing me.”

“Never doubt child,” the warrior Walon appeared, “if I had wanted you dead there was not a man in that room who could have stopped my knife from taking your life.”

“Why didn’t you kill me then?” Ki’tia asked, intrigued.

“Let’s just say, I agree with Kal,” he smiled again, “you were worth saving.”  Walon kissed Ki’tia on the cheek again, then bowed slightly and took his leave of her. Ki’tia watched him go. He joined the men around Ordo and stood next to Kal. Walon and Kal turned and looked in her direction. Ki’tia smiled. Kal said something to Walon and started walking toward her. When he reached her, Kal took her into his arms.

“Daughter, you have done wondrous things for my son,” Kal kissed her. “Walon said I should kiss the bride, some sort of tradition. I think I approve.”

“Kal’buir, you two are a couple of rascals,” Ki’tia laughed. She smiled in Ordo’s direction. “Your son is a wonderful man. He fell in love with me first. Did you know that?”

“No, I did not,” Kal replied. He watched his son a moment. “There were several women who tried to capture Ordo’s attention after Besany was killed. He didn’t see any of them. I often worried he would live the rest of his life alone, or with just this old man.” Kal turned to Ki’tia. “You continue to surprise me, Ki’tia, and I mean that in the best of ways.” Kal smiled. “Ordo has made a very wise choice. I can tell he is happy. Happier than I have seen him in years. Are you happy, ad’ika?”

“I’m happier than I have ever been at any time in my life, Kal’buir,” Ki’tia answered. “I feel complete.” Kal hugged her again.

Later, as the party was winding down, Ki’tia was in the kitchen helping with the clean-up. Laseema ran the kitchen. Ki’tia was stacking dishes. The ladies were laughing and telling stories of their weddings. Suddenly the kitchen fell silent. Ordo was at the door.

“Ki’tia,” Ordo held his hand out to her and tipped his head out of the door.

“Excuse me, ladies,” Ki’tia said softly, as she dried her hands. She put her hand into Ordo’s and he led her through the house. He turned down one of the hallway spokes Ki’tia had never been down.

About five meters down the hall there were a pair of double doors facing each other. Ordo gestured to the doors on the right. “Those doors lead to Kal’buir’s suite.” Then he reached for the doors on the left. “This is our suite.” He placed his hand on the biometric reader. The doors swung open on hinges. Ordo picked her up into his arms. “I’ve heard this is a tradition on some worlds.” He kissed her and carried her into the suite.

Ki’tia was amazed. The room was elegant. The area beyond the entry had four steps down to a sunken conversation pit surrounded by a round sofa with a round fireplace in the center, much like the main house karyai. There was a fire burning in the fireplace. To the left was a wet bar. Along the walls were several doors. The walls were finished in dark wood. Ordo turn to the right. He opened a door to a hallway.

“There are two guest rooms and a fresher along this hall,” Ordo pointed down the hall. “The rooms are large. If the boys can share a room for now we can add to the suite in spring.”

“I’m sure that will be fine,” Ki’tia nodded. Everything appeared to be much larger than her rooms.

“I’m very proud of Jorj,” Odor commented, “the way he stood up to me on Bev’ika. I do believe he would have prevented our marriage, if he’d thought I didn’t love you.” Ki’tia smiled. “He is a fine young man. I shall enjoy training him in combat skills.”

“Etain might insist you train her, too,” Ki’tia added. “She is quite the Mando’ad warrior. You may have your hands full.” Ki’tia laughed.

Ordo continued with the tour. “There is a small kitchen and another fresher through the next door.” He opened the door and showed her the kitchen area. Then they walked behind the fireplace, opposite the main door there was a windowed door. “This is the door to the atrium.” He pushed the door open. It was dark outside, but Ki’tia could see the bright snow through the windowed ceiling. She could smell a variety of plants. “My office is off the atrium. You can either share my office, or we can add to the suite for your office.”

“Why would I need an office?” Ki’tia asked.

“You are the Lady Skirata,” Ordo answered matter-of-factly. “You will assist me with the management of the Clan, of course.” Ordo directed her through a door to the left. “This is my office.” The room was large. It had a desk with a comm center and a duplicate Planetary Defense Center. “The Null brothers often hold meetings in here,” Ordo pointed to a table with nine chairs. “It is more private than the outer office.” He pushed open a door to the side. “This leads to our bedroom. There is an entrance from the main room, also.” Ordo took Ki’tia into the Master Bedroom.

The Master Bedroom was dark wood like the main room of the suite. There was a sitting area, a raised platform for the large bed, a walk-in closet and a refresher. “The ladies have already moved most of your things over from your suite. I made room for your clothes in the closet. I’ll just grab something from in there to change into.” Ordo seemed nervous as he slipped through the closet door. He appeared a few moments later with black and red cloth draped over his arm. “I bought you something for tonight on Coruscant,” Ordo said, his voice husky. “It’s on the bed.” He nodded in the direction of the bed. “I’ll wait for you by the fire.” He kissed her quickly and left through the door that led to the main room of the suite.

Ki’tia climbed to the raised platform. There was a box tied with a gold ribbon sitting in the middle of the bed. She pulled the ribbon and opened the box. Inside was a black lace peignoir set, except is was not a gown and robe. The set was a black lace body suit and matching robe. They were beautiful and obviously made for her petite size. Ki’tia took the set into the refresher to change. She noticed her toiletries had already been brought over from her rooms. Ki’tia freshened-up and changed into the body suit. It felt luxurious against her skin, soft and tantalizing at the same time.

When Ki’tia opened the door to the main room, Ordo was standing by the fire. He was wearing black silk pajama bottoms and a black silk robe trimmed in red. He held two crystal goblets with a golden liquid swirling in them. She walked close to him, then stopped to twirl around, to let him see her from all sides.

“This isn’t exactly a peignoir,” Ki’tia smiled and raised an eyebrow.

“No,” Ordo grinned devilishly, “but I always liked the way you look in the body suit for your beskar’gam, so I improvised.” He looked her over. “I think I did rather well, you’re exquisite in black lace.” He handed her one of the glasses. “Corellian brandy.”

“I’m afraid the only toast I know is k’oyachi,” Ki’tia said. “That doesn’t seem appropriate for our wedding night.”

“We could say, ni kar’tayl gar darasuum,” Ordo’s voice was rough with emotion. “It is the mando’a way to say ‘I love you’ but it actually translates as ‘I hold you, or I know you, in my heart, or my soul, forever.” He took her other hand in his.

“Ordo that is beautiful,” there were tears in her eyes as Ki’tia repeated, “ni kar’tayl gar darasuum.” They took a drink of the brandy, then kissed. He pulled her down onto a plush rug by the fire. He started caressing her body through the skin tight black lace. The warmth of Ordo’s strong hands pressing the lace into her flesh made Ki’tia moan with pleasure. “Oh, Ordo, that feels amazing.” Ordo’s mouth soon followed his hands.

“I enjoy the way the light of the fire dances across your hair and skin,” Ordo whispered. Eventually they made love by the light of the fire.

Sometime during the night Ordo carried Ki’tia into their bed. He held her in his arms. “You are mine Ki’tia, darasuum, forever. I have never wanted to possess anything in my life, but I can’t bear the thought of losing you. I want you by my side every day, and every night, for the rest of my life.” He kissed her. “It’s good you are a warrior, to fight beside me.” He smiled. “Oh, if feels good to be back in my own bed!” Ordo stretched out to his full length. Ki’tia started to move away from him, to give him more room. “Where do you think you are going?” He grabbed her playfully and pulled her beneath him. “This feels pretty good, too.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her. Ki’tia laughed. He kissed her and they made love.

Ki’tia woke before dawn and was moving to get out of bed. “Why are you getting up so early?” Ordo asked her.

“I’m going to go help with breakfast,” she answered, bending over and kissing him. “I always do about this time in the morning.”

“Not any more you don’t,” Ordo replied, sitting up in bed and taking her by the arm. “You are the Lady Skirata. You do not work in the kitchen.” He pulled her back into the bed.

“Ordo, you’ve got to be kidding,” she tried to pull away. “Let me go. Laseema is going to need help this morning, what with all the extra people here.”

“I am not kidding,” he held onto her tightly. “You are the leader of those ladies and you will act like it.” His voice was firm. “The Lady Skirata does not just work in the kitchens.”

“Ordo,” Ki’tia was getting exasperated. “I don’t know anything about being the ‘Lady Skirata’ but I do know how to help in the kitchen. Now, let…me…go.” She tried to pull away, again. Ordo held onto her firmly.

“No, Ki’tia. Listen to me,” Ordo turned her to look at him. “Your job now is to be my Lady Skirata. You will lead the women of this clan, and to do that you must act as a leader, at all times.”

“But, I don’t know how to be a leader,” she argued. “I don’t know what you need me to do.” Ki’tia looked worried.

“Yes you do,” he smiled at her. “You have the strength of the Force and the grace of the A’nir. I’ve seen these in you for years, and so have others.” He put his hands on her shoulders. “I know you can do this. You are the Lady Skirata, and you will make me proud.” Ki’tia thought a minute then nodded agreement and he kissed her.

When they went out to breakfast later there was a difference to the way the ladies approached Ki’tia. It was as if they had all been waiting for someone to fill a role left long empty in their midst. Ki’tia stepped into that role with the ease and the grace Ordo had expected.

Jorj, Etain and Dar were quickly moved into their new rooms in Ordo’s suite, with new rules about knocking on doors and not disturbing parents in their bedroom unless absolutely necessary. Ordo started training with Jorj and Etain, he even convinced Ki’tia to allow Dar to train, now that he was seven. They quickly became a family, with a strong, present and loving father.

A few days after the wedding, when the Lake House had returned to normal, Ki’tia was sitting by the fire in the main yaim. The children were playing and Ordo was in the office with Kal and the Nulls. Laseema came into the room, carrying a tray.

“Hi, Ki’tia. Would you like some shig?” Laseema indicated the tray.

“That would be wonderful.” Ki’tia smiled. “Will you join me?” She indicated a place next to her on the curved sofa. “We haven’t had a chance to talk since the wedding and I wanted to thank you for all you did for Ordo and me. You have always been so accepting of me.”

Laseema waved her hand in dismissal, then handed Ki’tia a mug of the tea. “I don’t mind taking care of the children,” she replied, “and the rest was a pleasure. I always hoped it would be you, someday.”

Ki’tia looked puzzled. “What would be me?”

“To be Lady Skirata. To lead us. The ladies.” Laseema answered directly. “I thought they might let Kad take over the clan when he married you. Not right away, but someday. But he never fit in around here.” She reached out and took Ki’tia’s hand in hers. “Now, you’ve married Ordo and everything has worked out just fine!” Laseema smiled. “I knew it would.”

Ki’tia laughed. “Well, thank you for your help, and your support. You will tell me if I’m not doing something properly.”

“I will,” Laseema squeezed her hand, “but, I don’t think you’ll need me to. You’ve always seemed to know what needed to be done. Right from the start. It’s the Force in you. You just keep using that and you’ll do just fine.”

“Trust in the Force and let the grace of the A’nir guide you,” Ki’tia smiled. “That’s what my mother taught me.”

“Mothers are smart women,” Laseema raised a finger in agreement. “And they raise smart daughters.” The women hugged.

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