Force Sensitive (Merrical Fanfic)

Ilyana's Birth

Year 8 BBY: 7:13 AM

In a galaxy far far away...

Ilyana is born into the water, peacefully entering the world aboard the ship they call home, the Mantis. Cal watches patiently, and excitedly as their beautiful daughter slowly enters the world with a slow and controlled push from Merrin. She breathes out hard trying to control her urge to cry out in pain as their baby comes into the world for the first time. He catches her and gently cradles her close while Merrin catches her breath, tears of relief streaming down her face.

From the moment Cal has Ilyana in his hands he falls into a state that feels purely instinctual. He supports her head while getting the cord unwrapped from around her tiny body and turns her around so he can lean her forward and rub her back to help start her breathing. Once she lets out a cry he laughs in relief since he knows that means she can get air now. He turns her over and keeps her as vertical as he can while supporting her head. While doing all this Cal makes sure to keep her body as much in the water as possible so she stays warm. As she cries she opens up her eyes and looks right into his and starts to calm herself.

When he looks at her, he sees so much of Merrin looking back at him. A much smaller version, but he can already tell she'll be a lot like her as she grows in looks alone.

"Welcome to the world Ilyana. We've been here waiting to meet you, my love." He looks to Merrin, scooting closer to her side. "Are you ready to hold her Merrin?"

She took a long look at Ilyana in Cal's arms and her heart flourished seeing him embrace his role in taking care of their daughter. She smiles, takes a deep breath, and reaches out her arms to hold their baby for the first time on the outside of her body.

He sets her gently into Merrin's waiting arms, making sure to keep her face clear of her long silver hair and once she has her he sweeps the stray strands of hair out of Merrin's face due to all the hard work she just did. She adjusts her so Ilyana is lying with the side of her squishy face pressed against Merrin's chest and her tiny arms on either side of her stomach while Merrin holds her tiny head and body close to hers. Now that she's in her mother's arms, it's clear that they both have the same pale grey skin, the only difference being Merrin's dark-lined tattoos that her mother had given her that Merrin would one day pass to Ilyana as a tradition of the Nightsisters.

"She's got your eyes, Merrin." Merrin looks up from playing with Ilyana's soft hair to look into his eyes to be met with his unhidden smile. "She looks just like you, except for her hair of course." They both giggle and Cal leans in to rest his forehead gently against Merrin's while gazing at the sleepy baby in his partner's arms. The most striking difference upon seeing what Ilyana looks like next to Merrin is her full head of bright red hair, courtesy of her father of course.

Cal pours pitchers of warm water on them both while Merrin soaks in every second they have together like this. The flickering candlelight seems dim compared to the light they feel having their child with them at last, safe in the loving glow of new parents taking in their baby for the first time. 

Merrin holds her head as she moves around so Ilyana is lying facing Cal in her arms. He scooches closer to them, unable to pull his gaze away from the breathtaking scene. Cal grabs one of the towels and rolls it up to give Merrin a cushion so she can lean back on the wall and fully relax. He kisses the side of her head, then dips his hand back into the water so it won't be cold, and reaches for Ilyana's tiny hand. The second he touches it she grabs his index finger and holds it tight.

"She's got a strong grip, I can't move my finger now." Hearing his voice seems to make Ilyana hold even tighter to him.

"She loves you already Cal." They both giggle as he rubs the pad of his thumb along the back of her small fist. Ilyana coos and Cal doesn't hold back the sudden flow of tears that flow down his face as his daughter holds onto him. A tiny sob of joy escapes from him as he beholds the sight of his family right in front of him.

Cal places his other arm around Merrins' shoulder and gives her a reassuring squeeze. She looks over at him with a smile as her tears leak from her smiling eyes. Then in an instant, a pained expression flashes across her face, her body tenses up again, and she breaths in sharply holding Ilyana tighter for a moment.

"Are you okay Merrin?" He wills himself to stay calm and not panic so he can help her however she needs effectively.

"More contractions, I think it's the placenta coming out. I remember this happening during a couple of births I attended when I was younger." She said this through gritted teeth and with effort. He remembers what they had prepared and first carefully pries his finger from Ilyana's firm baby grip.

"Hang on my little love, I've gotta help Mama." He wipes his face to clear his vision of tears before grabbing the big bowl set to the side of the tub. Luckily they didn't have to wait long, one more contraction and it came out, and now Merrin could finally relax. Cal scoops it into the bowl, making sure that it's intact so Merrin doesn't risk an infection, and once he's sure he places it on the side of the tub. The cord attaching it to Ilyana would be burned later. With that finished Cal returned to their side, not wanting to waste a second with them. Merrin leans her head onto his shoulder and closes her eyes, breathing deeply. He gives her another small kiss on her warm forehead then closes his eyes while gently nuzzling the top of her head with his.

He feels like he's in a dream as he holds his family close, overwhelmed by all these new feelings. Being new parents, and seeing her here for the first time. Ilyana was a total surprise, yet a welcome one after all the hardships everyone on board had gone through. Everyone on the Mantis wants to make sure her life won't be riddled with those same tragedies of the past. They know they can't keep those stories from her forever, however, they agreed to only tell her when she was old enough to understand. Keeping her safe is all that matters to them now, so if telling her tales of the darkness that they've faced will help her then they will, but they don't want to rob their daughter of a normal childhood while she's so young.

Once Merrin is ready to get out of the tub, Cal helps her stand while she holds Ilyana. He pulls the plug from the drain and then runs a bit more hot water to clean her up a bit. Once she is standing on a dry towel lined outside the tub, she has Cal hold Ilyana while she dries off and dresses in her comfy night robes. Once she settles on the bed Cal hands Ilyana back to her and goes to grab a pair of newborn clothes and diapers that Cere and Greez had bought for them.

Ilyana can't get fully dressed yet since her cord is still attached but they're able to put a diaper on her and wrap her gently into a blanket. Cal changes into his nightclothes and sits next to them on the bed. He slides an arm around Merrins' back who is holding sleeping Ilyana in front of her on her lap. Merrins' thumb slowly caresses her soft cheek. Cal puts his hand under Merrins' so that they're holding her together. He closes his eyes to take in the magical moment.

"You're here at last our sweet Ilyana..."

(I've made edits to this chapter as of September 1st, 2024 so if you've read this before and are by chance reading again and it seems different, that's why. Thank you for reading!

Also, I found this Star Wars timeline and it was very helpful with getting my non-canon fanfic to at least have somewhat accurate dates, I found it fascinating and funny to read through. Be warned there are spoilers if you haven't played the game but if you're reading this there's a pretty good chance you have.

https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/star-wars-timeline-chronological-order/)