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...."