•two journeys• din djarin

XIX

The few days Din had promised quickly turned into weeks, then a month. I spent every day sitting on the small bench by the garden and staring up at the sky, hoping that the ship would float down, and I would get to see them again. I couldn't help but worry that something bad had happened, but every time those thoughts crossed my mind, I did my best to rid my mind of them, it wasn't good for the baby. The baby. Since they had left, my stomach had grown enough that I can see the small bump when standing now. I figure eventually I'll have to tell my parents, but it breaks my heart to have to share it with them without Din with me.

"Sindre honey, it's getting late, dinner is ready," my mom called from the hut. I turned back and looked at her, nodding my head to let her know I had heard her. I looked over my shoulder one more time at the star-filled sky and stood to join my parents. I pulled my jacket tightly over my body in an attempt to hide my obviously pregnant belly and sat by the fire. I was passed a plate that has a piece of bread and ripe berries on it. I quickly ate the food but was still left craving more.

"I'm going to head out to the garden and see if there are any vegetables that can be picked. I'm really craving some right now," I said to my parents. They nodded and requested I bring in any that I find. I stepped out into the humid air and slid my jacket off. The pathway to the garden was lit with small lights on either side of the walkway. I pushed my sleeves up and began my hunt for any extra food I could find. I had probably been outside for 30 minutes when I heard a familiar whistle behind me. My heart flipped around in my chest as I turned around to see my ship. The bundle of various vegetables I had collected fell from my hands into the dirt as I ran to the doorway. As the ramp lowered, I saw the familiar man that I loved so very much. My arms flung around his neck and my legs wrapped around his waist as I held onto him tightly. "I thought something happened to you."

"I told you I would be safe; I have a reason to be now." His voice brought tears to my eyes, the voice that I longed to hear for weeks, and the man that I longed to hold were back with me. He placed me down gently and backed away, placing his gloved hands on my belly. "You've grown," he exclaimed.

"It's been over a month, of course I have." I looked up at his helmet, then down to a small imperfection on his chest plate. "What's this?" He grabbed my hand pulled it away to look.

"I... don't know, I never noticed it." I could hear the tightness in his throat, he was lying to me. I wasn't going to push on and demand an explanation though, I just wanted to enjoy my time with him.

"Where's Grogu?" I asked while looking behind him.

"He's sleeping. Can you come on board? I have some things I want to talk to you about." I nodded my head and grabbed his hand as I followed him to the lounge room. We sat across from each other in the chairs closest to the big window. He pulled his helmet off and set it on the ground beside him and in that moment, it took everything in me to not pounce on him.

"What's wrong Din?"

"Nothing's wrong, I don't think. There have been arrangements made between Bo-Katan and I. We agreed that fighting would be perilous, and it would make more sense to lead together, on Mandalore." I nodded my head along as he talked. "So, I need to live there, on Mandalore." I agreed and waited for him to get to the point when I realized, that was the point.

"Din, did you think I would protest that?" I could see a small blush form on his cheeks, something I had never seen before. "Din, I was prepared to raise a baby while you traveled through space kidnapping people and turning them in for credits, settling down on Mandalore is much preferred to that lifestyle." I could practically see the relief wash over his face at my response. Why he thought I would decline the offer to build our own home in a solid location is beyond me, but I'm glad he values my opinion on the matter. We stood up and walked towards our room where Grogu was wrapped tightly in the blankets. I carefully picked him up and held him tightly in my arms. His eyes opened one at a time and I could tell it took him a second to realize who I was, but once he did, a look of pure joy spread across his face. I laughed at him and looked over at Din who was staring at me. I felt heat rise to my cheeks as his eyes searched my face. His hand reached towards my face and rested on my cheek.