16 years ago

She was so tiny.

So, so tiny.

A little hand peeked out of the soft blanket, her miniature arms and legs stretching with her adorable yawn. Cassian had to sigh. Could anything in the universe be this precious?

His arm cradled the bundle closer to his chest, while his other arm carefully wrapped the blanket tightly around her. Sunlight streamed into the room, casting a gold glow over the infant. Her sweet little face illuminated and Cassian took in every fine detail of her. The soft feathers of hair of her brow, the adorably tiny curve of her nose, the soft rosiness of her chubby cheeks.

She was so perfect.

Cassian felt his heart melt as her eyes fluttered open and a little smile formed on her lips. They were a beautiful, soft brown. Jyn swears that she takes after him, but he could see nothing but Jyn in her. He leaned forward to nuzzle her cheek, chuckling as she cooed.

"Gaia."

Her eyes brightened, as if recognizing her own name. His heart swelled with pride, so much so he was afraid he might be dreaming of this exact moment.

A tiny defiant arm slipped free from the swaddle as she stretched again. Cassian chuckled and allowed one of his fingers to trace over the tiniest palm he had ever seen. Small fingers instantly curled tight around his finger. The gesture just felt prophetic to him.

Gaia already had her silly Papa wound around her finger.

Present day

As the first sun set on the lush planet of Buhmi, Cassian walked leisurely back to his home. His new home of nearly sixteen years that housed his family. "Home" and "family" were previously synonymous with the rebel base and his fellow resistance fighters.

Right now, his home was a beautiful cottage on the outmost edge of the village, surrounded by crops of tropical fruit, flowers and vegetables for export and their own use. His family were his lovely daughter and wife – two people who hold so much significance to him, he could not imagine how he managed to live life before he had met either of them.

Today would be an ordinary day. He would return from his side stint - piloting lessons at the village academy - and back to the arms of his wife, likely exhausted from a day of pulling weeds and managing the harvest. In about a week or so, it will be the summer. It was warm all year round in Buhmi, but it was in this time of the year did the village folk seem the happiest.

There will be festivities, weddings bringing in with the auspicious time where the two suns graced over their humble planet for longer stretches of the day.

From the distance, he spied the familiar brown curls of his only daughter. She was helping her mother out into the porch and served her tea. He felt a smile twitch to his lips. How much she had grown over the years. She towered over Jyn and was very quickly nearing his own height.

"Welcome home, Papa!"

"Thank you mi ja."

When he reached them, he pressed a kiss to both their foreheads. He set himself down on the steps and sighed. A freshly baked roll and a canister of tea floated to his lap. He rolled his eyes and caught the items. As much as she loved to test his temper, Cassian found it extremely difficult to display anger towards his cherished daughter.

"Gaia."

A half-hearted warning tone with a grumble of 'youth these days' was all he managed. Behind him, his wife chuckled.

"Don't worry Papa, there isn't anyone about. I've checked!"

Hm. His daughter's voice was oddly cheerful this afternoon. She always was cheery, but this time, it was as though she was hiding something.

"So, what is it that you want?"

"Yes, Papa?"

He turned then, munching the roll with a look of annoyance.

"You want something, don't you? If it's something to do with that boy, I object."

"Cassian!"

Jyn gave him a tired look. She, on the other hand, looked oddly distressed. Cassian had noted it took her longer to get out of bed. Usually, she was up before he was. Was she staying up worrying about Gaia like he was?

So, it was something to do with that boy.

"Papa, please. It's nothing to be worried about."

Before Cassian could retort, Jyn lurched forward and both daughter and husband looked over at her in concern. Her hand rested over her forehead and she waved a hand over her nose.

"It's the Varos fruit. I can't handle the scent. I'm going back inside."

Jyn stood up shakily, taking her cane with her and disappeared into their home. Cassian looked on in worry.

"I think Mama needs to say something to you."

"I think so too, mija."

Ronan wiped off sweat from his brow as he unloaded another box from his father's ship. Just as he reached for the last box, it floated towards him and he nearly yelped till he heard the giggles behind him.

"Can I help?"

A huge grin broke out on his face and Gaia felt her cheeks burn with a blush. She carefully set the floating box down on the back of Ronan's speeder, closing the latch after it. Ronan pulled off his gloves, crossed his arms and watched after her in marvel.

"I'm…still in shock."

"Is it that weird?"

He looked at her incredulously and then laughed at her panicked look.

"Of course it's weird, silly. But that's what I lov- ah. I mean like about you."

A comfortable silence fell between them and Gaia was confident she was as red as the suns bearing down above them. Lucky for her, Ronan was near ready to yell out to the cosmos in embarrassment. Finally, the young man cleared his throat.

"…Mother made the herb tea you like. Would you like to have some?"

"I'd love to."

He smiled warmly at her, the dimple that she simply adored creasing his cheek. The speeder dipped with his weight and his hand reached out to her. She climbed to the front of him, biting her lip to hide her smile as his warm, strong arms came around her to hold the controllers. His chin rested comfortably to the side of her head.

Gaia was so overwhelmed – in the best possible way.

She could feel him – his heartbeat, his energy, his warmth. Everything was so palpable and close to her. She felt so…safe.

Ronan nudged the speeder faster. Gaia fell back to his chest, and he apologised immediately. Slowing it down and making sure she was seated comfortably once more. His hands remained a respectful distance away from her body. Only their heads and arms touched.

Gaia was just glad her father wasn't around lest he had an aneurysm.

"What's on your mind?"

His deepened voice murmured against her hair and she sighed.

"You'll find out soon."

She felt him open his mouth, as if to prod her further, but he seemed to think better of it and kept silent.

It was now sunset, and the second sun slowly dipped down and away from the horizon. Buhmi slowly descended into darkness and gaslights slowly lit one by one in the village. They crossed the villages' market square where people noisily haggled over the streetlights. A few lifted their arms to wave at them – the village chief's youngest son and the mysterious daughter of the strange, but friendly couple that had crashed into their planet years ago. What a pair they made.

Eventually, they reached Ronan's family home. His mother was out in the front gardens, pulling some weeds. Hearing her son's speeder, she looked up.

Gaia had always thought Ronan's mother was stunningly beautiful. Gaia had to admire her. She managed five rowdy sons (or really, four rowdy and one painfully shy), the village and the family's exporting business - she was fit and quick witted. She had the deep emerald eyes that Ronan had; the same caramel tinted skin and head full of dark curls. Hers being so much longer that it brushed her calves. One thing that she did not share with her sons, was their tremendous height. She was an incredibly petite woman – but with a larger than life personality.

"Well, my baby has returned home with a wife."

"Mother. Please."

Ronan's face was now redder than Gaia's. She didn't even think that was possible.

The dark haired woman just laughed good naturedly, standing up to dust off the soil from her pants. Ronan dismounted first, offering his arm to Gaia who tactfully ignored it and jumped off on her own.

"Hello, m'lady."

"Hello, Gaia. You truly are growing more beautiful by the day. It's a little wonder Ronan's always seen with you."

"Mother."

"Oh hush, my boy. Why deny something so plainly obvious?"

She went over to Gaia, giving her a warm, tight hug.

"How's your mother, my dear?"

There was a knowing glint in her eyes and even Gaia had to be stunned. What was it with these village women? They had the keen sense of intuition even without the force.

"She…She's doing well. A little out of sorts of late. She never really did like the scent of the Varos fruit."

"I've got just the tea that could help with that. Come along now."

Jyn shifted uncomfortably in their bed. Her husband's gaze had blanked out for a few moments. He was too stunned to speak.

"…Cassian?"

He blinked once. Twice. He lifted his head to look at her, to her belly and then back to her. A hand raised as if to make a point, but then dropped.

"Is it really that perplexing, Cassian?"

She was just plainly annoyed by him now.

"I'm…but…how?"

"We had sex."

Her answer was so blunt, it made him sit up. There was a comical flush over his cheeks. Her shoulders drooped and she slipped back into bed. She turned away from him and burrowed herself deeper into the sheets.

"I have to sleep for three now. Go away."

There was a deafening silence until she felt the bed dip behind her as arms came around to hold her tight. His voice came out in a murmur against the back of her head.

"Th-three? There's…twins?"

She gave a nod and Cassian let out a long sigh.

"Dios mio."

Jyn had to smile. It was what he said when she had been pregnant with Gaia.

"Are you…mad?"

A firm, but gentle hand urged her to turn to him. He enveloped her in his arms, cradling her close to his chest.

"You ridiculous woman. Why would I ever be mad?"

Jyn just curled up closer to him, hiding her smile to the crook of his neck. He chuckled and kissed the top of her head.

He was the happiest man alive.

A/N: Reviews fuel me. Please leave your thoughts!