Little Space Family

Chapter 3

Author's note: The picture above is just so you know what Ezra looks like as a baby. Just to specify, Ezra's age is mostly unknown to the crew but they assume he is eight or nine months old as he can support himself to sit up and can say a few words, but cannot yet walk. Also, before anyone criticizes me, I have an eleven month year old male cousin that I look after a lot as my auntie and uncle live next door so I'm using what I've seen him do and say to know what to put for Ezra to do and say. Now, on to the story....

Eventually, Zeb and Sabine returned to the ship with their hands and arms full of bags and  boxes; Hera asked how they had so much stuff as she hadn't given them many credits "sales Hera!! Sales!!" was all the teen artist exclaimed. Kenobi and Ahsoka had finished training by this time....well the girl had, the master wanted to meditate for a while. They all laughed before getting to work. Immediately, Kanan, Rex and Zeb began to build the crib and high chair. Sabine stored the baby food in one of the cupboards in the kitchen, as well as the small plastic cutlery in the draw. Ahsoka took it upon herself to fold the baby clothes and put them away, stored in an empty draw in Kanan's room. And Hera watched and played with the child - his new toys scattered on the floor in the common room; he seemed to instantly favor the soft lothcat teddy and had yet to let go of it since setting his beautiful eyes on it. Thirty minutes passed and everything was in place....well, nearly everything; the boys were surprisingly struggling with the building task. Turns out they had thrown the instructions away - typical!! Kenobi decided to join them by this time and dug through the cardboard and bubble wrap until he located the booklet; it was rather easy after that. 

Finally everything was actually in place and ready!! Kenobi and Hera heated up some baby food before handing it over to Kanan who had sat the kid into his high chair. "Hera, he won't eat it" the man sighed as Ezra moved his mouth away from the spoon; the Captain chuckled before taking the spoon on mushy peas into her own hand "the spaceship is ready for landing, in three, two, one!!" she moved the spoon in a circle motion as she counted down; the child happily opened his mouth and ate his food. They continued this process until the food was completely gone, to which Zeb, Sabine and Ahsoka took it upon themselves to clean up; they had all eaten as well so there were quite a few dishes to be cleaned. Kanan decided it was time the baby needed to be cleaned up and put into some actual clothes so he picked Ezra up and entered the fresher; Hera followed and watched from the door way, just in case the man needed any help. Truth be told, the Jedi was grateful for the action as...he was terrified!! What if he did something wrong?! What if he accidentally harmed Ezra?! What if the water was too hot?! Too cold?! 

Calming himself by clearing his mind, Kanan ran a shallow bath and allowed the woman to say whether the temperature was right; she used her elbow to do so which the man took note of. After confirming the water was perfect, Kanan took the kid out of the blanket and gently placed him into the bath but awkwardly kept a hand on him "it's okay love, Ezra can support himself to stay sat up" Hera spoke up "if he begins to lean forward or backwards too much, that's when he help him" the man nodded and took his hand off of Ezra's back "no you can use the cup to wash his hair". Being as careful as possible, Kanan did as told and tried his best not to get any water, shampoo or conditioner into the babies eyes; Hera once again reassured him that the soaps were harmless as they were purposely made for babies - more items Sabine and Zeb had bought. Now that the child was all clean, Kanan allowed Ezra to play with the water and one of his water proof toys for five minutes; he seemed to giggle and smile a lot, loving the water. It ended in him splashing the man, making Hera laugh as her boyfriend sent a much gently slash towards the boy "dada!!" the kid squealed before yet another splash. Kanan couldn't hold back his own laughs - his heart also leaped at the boys new name for him "alright little one, time to get out" somehow, Ezra seemed to understand what he had said and pouted; it was an extremely cute and funny sight. 

"Come on bud, you can have another bath tomorrow, deal??" Kanan stated, making Ezra's smile return as he reached up at the man; he picked the child up and wrapped him up in a sofa blue towel. Hera was still chuckling "what??" Kanan asked as he turned towards his girlfriend "nothing, I just never thought I'd see you negotiated with a near one year old" now she was saying it out loud, it did seem rather fully. The Jedi returned to his own cabin as Hera decided he could dry and change the kid on his own - she reminded him to add baby powder before the nappy; Kanan became slightly nervous again but still held his confidence as bath time had ran smoothly. After drying Ezra with the towel, he lay him down on the bed before gently rubbing some baby powder onto his skin - it seemed to tickle the boy who continued to giggle and kick legs "come on my little wriggle monster, time to get dressed". Kanan put a nappy on the child before picking out an orange onesie and carefully put it on the baby; he towel trying his hair so that it was a little damp. The man quickly changed his soaked shirt before picking Ezra up and sitting him on his hip "come on bud, let's go find the others". 

Leaving his room, Kanan soon entered the common room where everyone was watching the holonet; all attention turned to the two; Hera smiled as she held her hands out for the kid - Kanan happily passed Ezra over as he sat down. "How's my favorite baby boy??" the woman asked as she gave Ezra a hug "clean and cute" was all Kanan said "you're not wrong there". Soon enough, Ahsoka stole the child away and placed him and herself on the floor to play with the new toys; both Hera and Sabine joined in whilst the others smiled and watched. They chuckled as Ezra played with the toy space ship; all of the girls aww'd of course. Ahsoka gently rubbed the child's bag in a form of burping him as they didn't know if he was old enough not need that anymore. Better safe then sorry, right?? Kanan was once again soon holding the boy in his lap when they all noticed Ezra yawn and lean against the man's chest - he was dosing off. "I think it's time to call light out guys, it's nearly nine O clock after all" Kenobi instructed; some agreed whilst others groaned. They all said good night before parting ways to their own cabins; Hera followed her boyfriend to help put Era to bed. The woman changed the kid's nappy, followed by his orange onesie to his pajamas; she rushed to her own cabin to change into her pajama shorts and one of Kanan's tops he had lent her a few years ago...yeah, he was never getting it back. She returned to her boyfriends room to see him changing himself to his pajama bottoms - Ezra was sat on the mans bed, happily playing with his feel. "Come on you, time for night nights" Kanan stated as he picked the child up and lay him down in his new crib; he made sure that the lothcat teddy was within reach for Ezra who instantly gripped onto it and held it close. Somehow, the kid was still awake yet sleepy; Hera had an idea and began to sing a lullaby....she didn't actually know or remember any so she was forced to think of one on the spot.

"Hush little baby, don't say a word. Momma's gonna buy you a mocking bird. But if that mocking bird don't sing, momma's gonna find you a cyber ring. And if that cyber ring don't glow, momma will love you forever and so". (I actually sing this to my baby cousin - changing the momma part to my name - and it works!!).

As if my magic - or by the force - Ezra was fast asleep by the end of the melody. Kanan had wrapped his arms around his girlfriend's waist "I love you" he mumbled into the crook of her neck; Hera smiled as she slowly spun around and kissed him "I love you too dear". The Captain wrapped her own arms around the man's neck and stared into his eyes for a moment "come on, time for bed" she stated before attempting to leave for her own cabin. The woman was forced to a halt as a hand reached out grasped her own "wait...why don't you stay here??" Kanan asked as she turned to face him once again "we are a couple and it means we can both take turns if Ezra wakes up through the night" it wasn't a bad idea. Not a bad idea at all. So with that, Hera crawled into the bed, followed by her boyfriend; they were wrapped up in each other's arms, the covers pulled up to cover them both. Soon enough, they were fast asleep, safe in each other's embrace.