Ask Early Mornings

[Jonathen Baize]

He nodded as she voiced her desire to keep everything under wraps for the moment. That made sense, besides she wouldn't be showing for some time so it was not like they needed to cross that bridge right now. He was glad to hear she was planning on staying out of the field, but he was also concerned about just the general stress of the job she held.

They certainly had a lot of things to take care of, but he could work on that when she had time to break away here. She beat him to his own next words. He wasn't going to just sit here on the farm while his pregnant wife was planets away. No, they were a team in this. "Well, at least you didn't make me say it.." he said with a chuckle.

He was excited, his body practically vibrating with it. With an arm around her, he pulled her close. "Hrm?" he sounded when she mentioned food. "If you want, we can definitely make that happen," he said with a smile.

Jon waited for Kali to start descending the ladder, a wave of nervousness hitting the first time a board creaked under her. Suddenly, his confidence in this structure was gone entirely. Kali could have jumped off the platform and landed on the ground with no problem. She was certainly no fragile thing. He knew that in his mind, but that didn't ease the nervousness. "Careful..." he said, the words escaping involuntarily as he peaked over the edge of the platform.

 

[Kalique Baize]

The smirk soon turned into a chuckle again as Jon confirmed her assumption about him not letting her go alone. She loved having him on Raxus for sure, but they had countless responsibilities here, especially him, so managing both would require some adjustments for sure. They'd make it work, that was out of question, too, but right now she didn't want to wrap her mind around details already.

"Then let's do it" she happily agreed, his arm still wrapped around her before she let her lips melt against his again. The emotions were still running high, but she was definitely more relaxed now that she had shared the exciting news with him. "The question is: Do we tell your parents while we're here?" she could literally imagine how they'd react. Especially his mom would be out of it for sure.

She began her descend a moment later and obviously took some extra care. She stopped mid-climb and glanced up at Jon, a smirk forming on her lips as she sensed the nervousity right away. "You know stairs are dangerous...steps and ladders are fine" she couldn't help but quip softly before she descended further.

She then glanced up and as always, made sure Jon also made it down safely, yet the creaking made her shook her head. "Yup...that item will be moved up on our list. I don't trust these steps anymore" especially not for a child. It was nothing that required quick action, yet it had to be done at some point.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

He let a breath as he thought over their question. It was soon, really soon to be telling people, but they would likely have to be told soon. They were going to need extra help around the farm if he was going to be spending more time on Raxus. "We will need to eventually. Do you want to tell them this soon? We don't have to just yet.." he said. He wasn't opposed to the idea, logistically it made sense. He just didn't know the right answer.

Even with the knowledge she was fine, he still breathed a little easier when she reached the bottom of this death trap. He climbed down after. "And boats.." he said as his feet hit the ground with a slight huff. "Maybe we just keep you in a plastic bubble for the next nine months...I am sure the Empire will understand.." he joked, nudging her as they made their way back to the house.

"Help me come up with a plan today, and I will have it fixed up in no time," he said. "When do we need to head back to Raxus?" he asked. He would need to prepare quickly and get things in order.

They made it back home in short order and made their way into the open kitchen. It was larger than their apartment on Raxus, with better equipment. "Coffee?" he offered. "Wait...are supposed to drink coffee? Are there rules to this? What about food?" he asked with a look of concern. He had no idea about these things..

 

[Kalique Baize]

They surely didn't have to, but she had considered it. His parents specifically had made it rather clear that they couldn't wait, so Kali had no doubts it wouldn't just make their day, but their whole year. "You're right...let's keep it to us a little longer" even there, there was no need to rush, so she liked the idea of just keeping it between the two of them for now.

She playfully swatted at him as he hinted at the boat incident again, simply shaking her head in feigned annoyance. "Shhh" she just reached for his hand before they started making their back to the house. "Fantastic idea. Given my luck, I'd probably trip and roll down the next hill available".

The mood was back to lighthearted now that the emotions had abated a little, and they were soon approaching the house. "Absolutely. I'll help you. Mhh six days, so that gives us quite some time to plan". As new trials were about to launch, she had to be back to her duties by then though.

Kali began pulling out cups and plates as Jon asked her about coffee. "A bit of coffee is fine, just a bit though", obviously, she had immediately educated herself on the matter as you could never be prepared enough, so she had a whole manual memorized. Still, his immediate concerns drew a soft chuckles from her.

"Relax. We've got this. No raw meats" them, she didn't like anyway, so that wasn't a big deal, "I have to be careful with raw food in general, that absolutely doesn't apply to our own productions though". Their fruits and vegetables were free from any pesticides, germs or heavy metals.

"Nothing unpasteurized" she continued citing, meeting his gaze. "Will they serve cider tonight? If so, you're drinking for two this time" she threw him a smirk. "That's about it". She concluded before she walked over to the fridge and gave its contents a scan. "Pancakes?" she then asked him happily, settling on the first thing that seemed to match her current cravings.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

"Just a bit of coffee I can do." he said, preparing the coffee and starting the machine. He took a deep breath as she urged him to relax. He had some research to do. He was familiar with taking care of all sorts of farm animals through pregnancy, but a pregnant wife was uncharted waters.

He took note of the dietary restrictions. He was going to need a list. "So, just a bit of coffee, no raw meat, careful around raw food in general, nothing unpasteurized, and I have to drink all of the alcohol." he rattled off the list. "The last one is going to be rough for me..." he said, looking over across the kitchen at her and laughing.

He walked over behind her, hand resting on her waist as he looked over her shoulder into the refrigerator. "Pancakes sound perfect," he said, starting to pull out the ingredients for the pancake batter. "I can handle this if you want. You did just get in.." he said. They cooked together often when they were together, but he understood if she was tired from her travels.

"I did bring in some fresh strawberries yesterday," he said, making sure to get them out. There was something just different about eating food you had grown yourself.

"You know, we don't have to go tonight if you don't want to. I can push back this meeting. We could stay in, watch a movie or something" he said as he busied himself on his part.

 

[Kalique Baize]

While he covered coffee, Kalique fetched them some homemade juice. "You better start practicing" she quipped cheerfully in regards to the alcohol, knowing that today could actually pose a little challenge with the other families, but she was sure she'd manage to trick the crowds.

"I haven't seen you drunk in ages...walking you home tonight could be fun" she mused with a certain hint of playfulness in her voice even if she knew he could take quite a bit. She leaned back against him before she softly shook her head, replying, "I'm fine, really. I don't feel like resting right now". She felt rather energized and she loved cooking with him, especially her in their home.

"Whaaaat?", her eyes immediately widened in excitement- Jon knew how much she loved strawberries, and the freshly plucked ones from the fields were just amazing. "I'll prep them!". As Jon was already on batter duty, she took the fruits from him.

While she started washing them, Jon suggested staying in tonight, and for a brief moment, she considered his words, knowing their last night off had been another while ago. "While this sounds tempting, the meeting is very important" she loved his idea still and it was important to keep them all on board and potentially set this in motion as quickly as possible.

"Perhaps though we can squeeze in some quality time inbetween...". Farm days were always busy, but she didn't doubt they'd manage to get that movie going soon. "Oh god...wanna bet that the moment the Rolstens learn about how our family will start growing, they'll follow?" she threw him an amused smirk, knowing they'd probably even take this as something that could start some new competitive advances.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

"It's a shame there won't be beer pong. Now may have been your best shot to finally beat me." he said with a shrug. He nodded when she said she was fine. He enjoyed their time cooking together so he happily made room for her at the counter.

He knew the strawberries would excite her, a smile coming to his face as she began prepping them. He started mixing the dry ingredients of the batter, making a small well for the egg, milk, and butter to go in before mixing it all.

Jon nodded as he looked down at the mixing bowl. While there was a part of him that wanted to skip the function tonight, it was an important meeting for the future of the project. Like it or not, Jon had sort of taken leadership of the thing and people would not be as eager to sign on if he wasn't there, no matter how beautiful his excuse was. He looked over at her, smiling as he thought to himself. "I am sure we can figure something out..." he said with a grin.

He shivered slightly. His opinion of that family was changing, but he still didn't put it past them. The thought of them starting a family out of spite was kind of disturbing to think about. "God, I hope not.."

Pancake batter hit the cooking surface starting to cook. "So treehouses, I got some ideas, but I want to hear what your ideas first." he said, flipping the pancake over.

 

[Kalique Baize]

"Wooooow" she let out, feigned indignation in her voice. "You're getting quite cocky about beer pong...just you wait" with a rather challenging glistening in her eyes. Yes, it would take quite a while until they could truly start such a contest again, if they ever got the chance anyway, but she was certain his luck would run out at some point.

While Jon worked the batter, the strawberries were soon ready and so Kali pulled out a pan, cooking spray and cutlery. She grimaced at the thoughts about the Rolstens, but her attention was soon fully diverted and back on how he contemplated tonight. There was truly no way she'd let him cancel that and she'd be right at his side, supporting his motion.

She was looking forward to seeing a few known faces from all around here and even if it meant they'd be out for a bit, she was proud of what Jon was building here. The conversation soon shifted onto the tree house though and as the pancakes were the only thing that wasn't ready, she leaned against the country next to him, excitedly meeting his gaze.

"So I was thinking about a little expansion...if that would even be possible, that is" she began, vividly imagining her idea. "What if we'd keep a platform down there, but enlarge it a little? Also, if we clear just a few branches, we could build an actual tree house at a second level...". It would have an even greater view on the fields, and it could offer an actual little hideout. "What did you have in mind?"

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

He looked up and grinned at her. It had always been easy to stoke that competitive spirit in her, not that he was any better. "Hey, you are better than in so many things. Let me have this one thing." he said with a chuckle as he flipped a pancake over.

"Sure it's possible!" he said, pulling out a napkin and a pencil as he listened to her ideas. He nodded as he absently chewed on the back of the pencil before he started sketching out what she had suggested. He quickly turned back to his pancakes, sliding one that was done onto a stack and preparing another one.

"Something like this?" he said, sliding her the rough sketch. "I love it. I would add a ladder on the inside of the second floor that led to a roof hatch. The roof could just barely break the tree canopy so you could lay out there and look at the stars." he said as he walked up behind her, reached out, and added that to his sketch. "Maybe something like this..." he finished before sliding back to his pancakes.

"I think they are ready!" he said picking up the plate and bringing it to the table. He then fetched their coffee before returning to sit.

 

[Kalique Baize]

"Fineee, fine" she conceded dramatically, the smirk, however, never leaving her lips. While she selected some spreads and syrup, she verbally drafted her plans based on what she had formerly envisioned when they had been up there.

She noticed that Jon was putting her words into a sketch and was amazed by how quickly he managed to put her ideas into a draft. "Woooah there. When did you squeeze in those architecture studies?" even if her playful tone underlined the humor, she was honestly impressed and her features told him just as much.

"That's amazing..." she marveled at the sketch and excitedly nodded along with his ideas. "I love it...it'd already coming together", she then answered happily, before they finished up in the kitchen, prepared the table and took a seat.

"That smells amazing...thank you" she gave his hand a gentle squeeze before she slid the first pancake on his plate. "Okay so that's the treehouse", looking down onto the sketch she had brought with her from the kitchen with a warm smile on her lips, she figured they'd probably come up with some more ideas to add soon enough.

From the looks of it, depending on when they'd finish the project, it would also be a wonderful place for them to relax. "About tonight, is there anything else I need to know? You know I'll go support your propositions in any possible way" as far as she know, tonight was about planning, but probably also about convincing the others of the plan Jon had most certainly worked out already.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

He laughed and raised an eyebrow. "I mean, I built this place, I think I can manage a sketch of a tree house." he said, shaking his head. There was always something that needed to be built or repaired around here, which caused him to constantly have to plan. He had taken to sketching those plans out from time to time to help organize his thoughts.

He could see their plans made her happy, giving him a warm feeling. They finished preparing breakfast and sat down. He took a piece of strawberry from the bowl and ate it as he started readying pancakes.

"That's the treehouse, doesn't have to be super complicated. I managed with a wobbly platform and sketchy steps my whole childhood and I managed." he said with a smile.

They began eating and Kali turned the conversation back towards their meeting tonight. If he was honest with himself, and she probably could sense it, he was pretty nervous about it and welcomed the distraction of her arrival. "Well, the goal of tonight is just to get enough people to sign on so that we can collect enough supplies for a small humanitarian mission. Hopefully, with that, we can attract more donors, maybe even corporate ones. Honestly, I am not sure this will even work. If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them." he said, pushing a piece of pancake around his plate.

Jon knew he needed to do something, he had seen Ossus and the aftermath. He had also seen the aftermath of war in general. Soldiers lost lives, but they moved on afterward. Civilians were left trying to salvage what was left and hopefully rebuild.

He reached over and placed a hand over hers. "I am glad you'll be there though." he said with a smile. He was still nervous, but he certainly felt more sure of himself with her by his side than if he was tackling this alone.

 

[Kalique Baize]

He had a point. While the fact that most of it had truly been built by him and him only, Jon was literally a professional by now. He had brought a wide skill set already, but he had refined each and every ability further and further, so that Kalique never doubted he wouldn't manage the next project, regardless of how impossible it seemed. There was always a solution for him.

Topping the first pancake with a handful of fresh strawberries, Kali amusedly added, "and what if your survival there was sheer luck?". They both know it wasn't too bad after all, but she wouldn't ever let a kid try. She wasn't even keen on having Jon climb up when she wasn't around to keep the Force wrapped around him.

As his nervousity flared up, she reassuringly cupped his hand before she softly stroke the back of it. "Okay, so collecting signatures" she recapitulated, before she pondered on his words for a moment, taking another bite. "Why shouldn't it? The Empire is keeping them safe. Yes, the Hutt situation has created some uncertainties, but she Slugs aren't interested in Spintir, so it will remain safe. Other planets are in tough spots, everyone has a responsibility", she softly began.

"I feel like I can help you the most by lending you some optimism" with that, she playfully nudged him, hoping to lighten the mood a little and dispersing this subtle nervousity within him. "So am I..." she added gently as she gave him another warm, genuine smile. Truth was, she wished she could just stay, but duties never stopped and as long as she still could, she also had to do what was necessary.

"What else was on your original agenda today?". Before she knew she'd come, she was certain his day was fully booked.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

"Well, there was a good bit of that too..." he admitted.

"Something like that," he responded as she asked about signatures. "Its a big ask to ask them to set aside some of their crops, even if there is extra to go around. Not everyone thinks we should much care what happens beyond this planet," he said. He didn't blame them, many of them didn't have the experience of the wider Empire beyond Spintir. many of them had not even left the planet once.

It wasn't about remaining safe, though her news did change things. Their children deserved and would have a safe home to grow up in, but they also deserved a better Empire to grow up in. How did that happen if people like Jon and the other farmers were too scared to step up and do their part?

He had a look of thoughtful concern as she nudged him, before letting himself be pulled back into a light mood. He took another couple of bites of pancakes, they were great.

"It was just making sure everything made it through the storm alright. I guess I was going to fix that fence I guess, but it can wait a day. What do you want to do?" he asked as they continued to eat.

"..We are going to be parents..." he said a moment later, looking back up at her. The thought still hadn't fully clicked for him.

 

[Kalique Baize]

She attentively listened to his prior assessment and found herself nodding softly in the end. It didn't surprise her that some lacked the foresight and care, but tonight she'd quickly gauge their attitudes, she figured. "I'm sure we'll manage to convey the plea". After all, they knew for how long had worked for the Empire and how he had insights where they hadn't got any.

Now there was also the Lord Commander present, showing up announced, however with many recent news. Also, they were both stubborn as hell. This discussion could only go one way, even if this was certainly about gentle diplomacy and trying to make the best possible impression for the best possible outcome.

"Hmm I don't know about that. I'm not so keen on more runaways" she chuckled softly after the conversation drifted back to their plans for today."Apart from taking out the pack, I feel like we'd deserve some quality time after work and before the event starts". Even with a full schedule, she was literally just looking forward to spending some time with him, regardless of what they'd do.

"Right? It's kinda crazy, given that you've almost scared me off in that restaurant on Raxus..." she couldn't help but quip, before she teasingly added, "and that after I kicked your ass...". She took another bite and waited for his comeback, before she gently reached for his hands.

"I am still barely able to contain my happiness...I already know you'll be the most amazing father and I'm just so excited". Her emotions were back at once. She was literally vibrating with this pure joy.

@Raydo