VIII: Surprises

"My sweet Rebecca, you've grown up so fast," Cesera beamed, touching her daughter's cheek with her palm. "It seems like only yesterday when..."

"I know, Mom...since you brought me home from the medical center. I've heard this every year on my birthday," Rebecca rolled her eyes. "Besides, you're burning breakfast!"

"I am no-- oh kriff," Cesera exclaimed, rushing back to the stove to flip the pancakes over. "I'm sorry, sweetheart, but I can't help it.The last seventeen years really did fly by."

"Thanks for reminding me, Mom. Now...please tell me this birthday won't be a disaster like last years?"

"It won't, I promise. Grandma isn't coming over. No fights, squabbles and temper tantrums. Today will just be the two of us."

Rebecca paused, "Daddy isn't coming home?"

Cesera shook her head sadly, " I'm sorry... he's half way across the galaxy..."

Rebecca sank into one of the kitchen chairs, pulling her knees up to her chin. "Is Daddy ever going to come home...permanently? He only came home for a week last time...and that was last year."

Cesera sighed, flipping breakfast onto two plates. "I can't say for sure when he's coming home. His missions are unpredictable. I can only hope it's soon, dearest." She said, setting the breakfast plate onto the table in front of her daughter.She then quickly turned away so Rebecca couldn't see the smile forming on her face.

Too late. Rebecca eyed her mother suspiciously. "Mom..."

"Yes, Dear?" Cesera asked with a pure innocent tone.

"You know something, don't you."

Cesera shrugged. "I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about...."

~~~***~~~

"Did you leave the light on downstairs when we left?" Rebecca asked her mother as they returned home later that evening. 

Cesera didn't look at Rebecca to ensure her facial expressions wouldn't tip her daughter off. "...of course I did..."

"Apparently not." Rebecca shook her head. As she approached the front door, she noticed a figure moving around in the kitchen through the window. "Holy sweet maker..." Rebecca muttered to herself as she flung the door open and ran inside, into the kitchen and nearly tackle-hugged the man inside.

"YOU'RE HOME!"

Deroh grinned, clutching Rebecca tightly as he struggled to keep his balance. "Just in time, it seems. Happy seventeenth birthday, Becca."

Cesera closed the front door behind her and made her way into the kitchen, smiling at the two hugging. "I was wondering when you'd be getting in."

Deroh let go of his daughter and embraced his wife, "I'm sorry! My scheduled shuttle broke down and I had to wait three kriffing hours for maintenance to repair it."


Rebecca looked back and forth between her parents. "You knew Daddy was going to come home today, didn't you?!"

Cesera laughed, "Of course I did. Why tell you and spoil a birthday surprise, right?"

"I suppose so...but I still don't forgive you."

Cesera shrugged. "Can't please everyone, I suppose."

Deroh chuckled at the exchange, then turned to his daughter. "I bet I know something that'll please you greatly."

Rebecca's eyes widened. "What, what?" she smiled, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

"I've been invited to one of the Emperor's shindigs in two weeks time." He grinned, "And... I can bring a guest. Would you like to come along?"

Cesera, surprised by the request, gave her husband a confused glance, "Since when do you get invited to those fancy engagements?"

"Since I was promoted last month. You're looking at an Admiral, baby." Deroh grinned.

Rebecca's eyes widened. "Congratulations, Daddy! That's awesome news!"

Cesera gave Deroh a kiss, then smiled. "Admiral Okins... that has a nice ring to it. I wish you would've told me that sooner..."

"And ruin the surprise? Never." Deroh retorted by mimicking his wife's words earlier, "Now...would you both like to accompany me to Coruscant? It sounds like it'll be a fun evening."

Rebecca nodded excitedly, "Yes please! I've never been to Coruscant before..."

"We'll come along, but take Rebecca to the party, dearest." Cesera smiled. "It'll make for a wonderful father-daughter evening."

"Sounds good. I'll event take her shopping so she has something nice to wear. Appropriate of course, but nice." Deroh nodded.

"I can't wait" Rebecca beamed.

Deroh grinned and leaned forward, kissing his daughter on the forehead. "Happy Birthday, Becks."

VII: Family Rifts

Rebecca woke hearing voices coming from downstairs in the kitchen.Getting out of bed, she quietly crept downs the steps towards the kitchen, stopping just around the corner upon hearing her mother on the comm talking with her grandmother. Why they were talking that late she had no idea, and Rebecca was about to return to her room when she heard her name pop up in the conversation. Huddling against the wall, she listened in.

"Rebecca is doing fine, Mother," Cesera answered.

"Good, good. Now what's this I heard about her school? The last time I spoke with her she wouldn't give me straight answers." Elsa replied.

Cesera hesitated before answering. "Well...I pulled her out of public school last week."

"What?! Why?"

"She was having problems, I guess. It's...hard to explain."

Rebecca continued listening as her grandmother spoke. "Problems? What kind of problems??"

Cesera shook her head, trying to figure out what to say. "Well, she's been disturbing the other children...I don't know. Incidents of some kind. But her teacher had to make reports to the chancellor. We had a conference together and decided it was best to pull her from school."

 "Cesera honestly.The girl is thirteen years old. She needs an education. What were you thinking?? You're just going to let her waste away?"


"I've hired a private tutor for her. She isn't going to go without some form of schooling."

"And...have you discussed this with her father? I think he deserves a say in this matter, don't you?"

Rebecca huddled onto the floor, listening to the disapproval in her grandmother's words.

"I haven't heard from Deroh in weeks." Cesera replied, not at all liking where the conversation was evolving to.

"Cesera...sweetheart. I don't like this one bit." Elsa said, "Especially since that husband of yours isn't around..." 

Cesera interrupted. "Honestly, Mother. What do you have against Deroh?! Every time his name comes up you're constantly bad-mouthing him."

Rebecca leaned closer to the doorway, waiting for her grandmother's response. There seemed to be the longest of pauses until Elsa finally spoke.

"He abandoned you! He's not around to care for you or Rebecca, he doesn't call, write...I can go on."

"Deroh has NOT abandoned Rebecca or myself. He's an imperial officer, loyal to his superiors. He simply goes wherever he's called. It's his job! Why can't you just accept that?"

Rebecca listened to the argument for a few more minutes as tears started pouring from her eyes. Unable to bear listening to her grandmother nitpick on her father any longer, she quickly scurried back upstairs to her room and clutched her stuffed ewok, crying into it.

Some of Elsa's harsh words echoed in her mind. 'Cesera, it's been years since he left Corellia. You don't even know if he's even alive...'Rebecca pulled a small card off her bedside table, and read it over and over, hoping it would make her feel better:

 Dearest Beckeroo, 
 You've hit your first milestone birthday, kiddo. Congratulations! I only wish I could be there with you and your mother to help celebrate this special occasion. You're growing up so fast, and I truly apologize for not being able to share those memories with you. 

The mission I'm on is coming to a close, and our ship should be returning to the sector within a few weeks. I'm sorry I've barely talked to you or your mother after all of this time. Work on these Star Destroyers isn't easy, but I think about you and Mother all of the time. 

I miss you and Mother very very much, and am counting down the days until I can return home to you both. After all, I've got years of birthdays I have to make up for. Hope you're prepared for lots of fun.


Happy Thirteenth birthday Becks. I'll see you soon.
Love, Dad.


Rebecca rubbed tears from her eyes and curled up in bed. "I miss you too, Daddy...."