Girl at War: Spark of Rebellion

13. Setting Family Boundaries

Slowly, Hera and Kanan went to check up on Ezri, who was sleeping peacefully. To the Twi'lek woman, it warmed her heart at how calm the girl was sleeping.

"I better move her to her own room," said Kanan, going to move but Hera put a hand on her Jedi's shoulder.

"Don't,' Hera said, she looked up at Kanan knowing he was getting tired. "You'll just disturb her."

"Yeah, you're right," Kanan said. Smiling as the teenager turned onto her other side.

"But maybe, I should change her," Hera said with a smile, holding one of Ezri's pajama bottoms she and Ezri went shopping for last month "That jumpsuit does not look comfortable to sleep in."

It had not taken Hera long to realize that caused Kanan to look offended because it was Hera's idea to leave her undisturbed. However, she knew how to deal with Ezri's sleep. Hera had done it before that one time when the teenager fell asleep in her room last time, so this would have been easy.

"Alright, fine," Kanan said, crossing his arms. "just tell me when you're done."

Hera rolled her eyes and slowly approached her charge. She unzipped Ezri's jumpsuit, glad to see that she had a tanktop underneath. She lifted Ezri up, slowly pulling the arms of her sleeves off before putting her back down. She carefully took the jumpsuit off completely and putting her pants on. It was a miracle that Ezri could sleep through this whole thing. It was a good thing that Kanan had a blanket nearby because Ezri shivered a little bit. Hera remembered how after her mother would undress her if she fell asleep in her jumpsuit on, Tislera would put a blanket over Hera. So, the Twi'lek did exactly that, laying a plain white blanket over Ezri's body. The girl shifted a little before blinking her eyes opened.

"Mom," Ezri asked weakly.

Hera blinked, shocked. Ezri must have been too tired to realize her mistake. But the Twi'lek didn't have the heart to correct her.

"Yes Ezri, I'm here," Hera answered.

"Mom, I'm scared... Please don't leave me alone, mom"

Hera couldn't help but feel sympathy for her and Kanan's charge because that was just sad.

"Shh, it's fine, hon, said Hera. She carefully gathered the girl up into her arms. It may seem immature but she wasn't leaving the girl in this terrible state. "just go back to sleep. I'm not going anywhere."

Quickly, Ezri looked to Kanan, who came in the room hearing Hera comforting the teenager. Did the kid just call Hera "Mom?"

Slowly he approached, seeing Hera holding her hand. Ezri looked up more and saw her Master.

"Daddy?" Ezri asked, shocking Kanan even further. He looked at Hera in distress, causing the woman to gesture him to play along. The older Jed rolled his eyes but complied. He crouched down, petting her hand.

"Yes, I'm here," Kanan said fondly, kissing her on the forehead again. "And I'm going nowhere. Just, go back to sleep, Ezzy."

The girl laughed. "You have not called me that in years."

"Yeah well," Kanan assured the fourteen-year-old, "I had to call you that. Just remember, Ezri, where here for you." Hera and Kanan smiled down at her. "no matter what. Now, just go to sleep, kiddo."