Beyond - Legends Transitions Towards the Wonder of Us. (L/M, etc.) WIP

by WarmNyota
Note: This is a shameless self-indulgence where I write of Luke and Mara's journey after they become engaged to the moment when they exchange vows. This tells of their discoveries and adjustments.
Naturally, their friends and family celebrate and participate.
For this Prologue, I include a nummy from the Mini-Games Challenge.
For the marvelous "Language of Flowers Challenge #1 is: plumeria

Spoiler

Plumeria: Plumeria Acutifolia – also known as champa, frangipani, or temple tree – is a type of flowering deciduous shrub that, for most, immediately calls to mind thoughts of the tropics. These flowers are often used in Hawaiian leis, where they are synonymous with hospitality, friendship, and celebration. In modern tradition, if a Hawaiian woman wears a plumeria behind her left ear, she is in a relationship, but if she wears a flower behind her right ear she is open to meeting a romantic partner. However, for the plumeria being such a popular Hawaiian symbol, it is not native to Hawaii. Instead, there is some debate about whether or not these flowers originated in the Caribbean and Mesoamerica, or Southeast Asia. Either way, they are highly sacred flowers to both regions.
According to the Aztecs and Mayans, the plumeria symbolized new life, while the earliest Mexican cultures believed that the gods were born from plumeria flowers. To the Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim cultures, the plumeria symbolizes immortality, most likely because the plumeria can still grow even when uprooted. A plumeria blossom will not burn, not unless the heat of that fire surpasses five hundred degrees! In Laos, where plumeria is the national flower, plumeria is planted outside of every Buddhist temple, while Hindu couples trade garlands of plumeria at weddings as a sign of loyalty and devotion. It is a Muslim tradition to plant plumeria by graveyards to keep a sweet scent and memory of beauty nearby their deceased. It seems that the common belief shared by all, however, is that the plumeria is a symbol of life, consistency, and joy.

~

Luke sent Mara a bouquet of flowers native to Baroli, a rich amethyst in hue. This particular blossom symbolized joy and love. the accompanying note said: "I love you, Mara. Thank you for agreeing to be my wife and also joining me at Han and Leia's tonight."

Mara tried to scowl, but just picturing Luke's exuberance even as he bought the flowers melted her heart. She was becoming a softie!

She surprised herself again when she spent more than a few minutes picking out an outfit, something she never did, as she usually went for the practical/casual look.

She finally decided on a one-piece form-hugging outfit a lighter shade than her eyes.

She arranged her red-gold curls to fall in soft waves across her shoulders.

When Luke buzzed her conapt door, his feasting gaze told her she had made the right choice.

"Nervous?" Luke asked with a twinkle.

"Should I be?' Mara retorted, and he laughed.

They made their way to the Solos' apartment and Mara suddenly realized something.

Krell! She wasn't intimidated by Solo or by Leia. But younglings ... she could count on the fingers of one hand the number of times she'd had to deal with them, usually peripherally during social/business meet and greets.

What have I gotten myself into? she suddenly wondered.

++
TBC

 

A great beginning with a beautiful flower. And younglings

 

I can actually kind of understand why she doesn't like younglings as much.
Those flowers are beautiful, by the way.

 

Thank you and hello!!!

 

Such a gorgeous flower! This is off to a great start. I love the romantic beginning and then Mara's 'uh-oh, younglings' moment!

 

When she reflected on it later, Mara was pleasantly surprised at how well dinner had gone.

She and Han had traded stories about sabacc since he was an expert at it; Mara was competent enough, although amongst the Wild Karrde crew, Shirlee Faughn and Aves were the best.

Leia watched her brother with Mara and was thrilled at how happy the two of them seemed with one another. It made her heart glad that Luke had finally found a life-mate who could share his life's work as well, the burdens and the joys.

The kids, though, were the biggest surprise.

Jaina hung on Mara's every word and Jacen amused her by telling about their pranks with the household droids.

"Even Threepio?" she asked with a laugh.

"No," Jacen said with an eye-roll, "Mom said he was off limits. Dad didn't mind."

"I downright encouraged it!" Han put in, and everyone laughed.

"That droid needs a memory wipe," Jaina said, echoing her father's favorite observation.

"Oh, no you don't!" Luke and Leia said in unison, causing another laugh.

**

"That went better than I could have hoped," Mara said.

"Who could fail to love you?"

"You're a romantic sap, Skywalker." Mara said, kissing him. (She wouldn't have it any other way.)
++++

 

Awww so sweet and funny! Glad Mara got along so well with the kids. And the last little L/M bit was adorable.

 

Mara and the kids; funny with comments on Treepio
and a lovely encounter with Luke

 

This is definitely a breath of sunshine -- loved Luke's gift of flowers in the first one. (Space plumeria being purple, at least sometimes, sounds wonderful! Don't know much about it in real life but that image and the way you worked it in with the bouquet is lovely.) And the whole Solo clan are not such bad company, as Mara finds out in part 2! The kids are pranksters (poor droids ), but sweethearts anyway, and they like their cool new aunt! And the idea of Han and Mara bonding over sabacc is so much fun.

 

Talon Karrde favored Mara with a knowing smirk as she told him in greater detail about her engagement to Luke. She said: "What's that look? You look like a tooka who just found a pitcher of blue milk."

Talon laughed. "I just had a feeling this was coming. There was actually a small bet going as to how long it would take."

Mara gaped. "What? Whose porg-brained idea ...?"

"Hold on. Anyone with two eyes could see Luke Skywalker was smitten with you for ever, and as for you, every time you two were in the same room, the air literally sparked with the ... tension."

Mara tried to glare, but she had to admit he was right, in all fairness. So, she laughed softly and remarked, "Worst kept non-secret in the Galaxy..."

"You could say that." Karrde quipped.

Mara groaned, more amused than irritated now.

"There's this tradition," Talon said, "common to joining ceremonies on many worlds, where the bride is escorted down the aisle by a near male relative, a father, brother, cousin, uncle, whatever. And he has the first dance at the reception to kick off the celebration. I would consider it an honor if you would consent to let me fill that role, if that's even something you'd be interested in following?"

Mara was incredibly touched. She smiled warmly, one of her genuine, rare, full-on smiles. "I'm the one who's honored, Talon. Thanks for the offer; and yes, you certainly may."
+++

 

Aww I loved this update!

And Talon offering to walk her down the aisle, and her acceptance, is so lovely!

 

love the banter with Talon and him being the one to accompany her

 

A/N: Fun stuff with Mirax.

---

Mara always liked joining Mirax for business runs on the Pulsar Skate. They always wound up involving a great deal of bluffing and snarking with the contact(s) and more than a few times running from the low-lifes after putting more than a dent in their hull plating with the juiced up armaments of the Skate.

After the loss of the Jade's Fire, these occasions were more than a little bittersweet, Mara had to admit.

But this occasion was completely celebratory as Mirax grinned at Mara's announcement of her engagement. "Sounds a bit like mine and Corran's. Very informal proposal. Must be a pilot or guy thing."

Mara laughed. "Marrying anyone was the last thing I ever expected to do!! And Luke?! Literally never entered my mind."

Mirax smiled. "The wedding planning is no joke, trying to satisfy everyone."

Mara groaned. "I have a feeling Leia's going to go a bit overboard." She rolled her eyes.

Mirax was very happy for Mara. She fairly radiated happiness and contentment.

Marriage was a lot to get accustomed to, Mirax reflected, accommodating another's likes, dislikes, moods, and habits.

But Corran was the joy of her heart and soul, and she had a feeling Mara was going to discover that same thing about Luke.

---

 

pilot or guy thing, I love the comments the ladies make. They are pilots too

 

Another sweet update! Always nice to see some girl bonding time.

Aww!

 

Mara was perplexed. Luke was occupied with datafiles and Holonet searches whenever she commed him. He hurriedly pushed them aside as if he didn't want her to know what he was doing. Luke was the most honest and above-board person Mara had ever known, even at the time in their acquaintance that such things worked her last nerve. But all her casual inquiries led to him flushing and saying "uh, it's nothing really."

Which all led Mara to believe most fervently that it certainly was something.

 

I'm with Mara here. Something, indeed.

Fun update!

 

and what's that something?

 

Since @mavjade had an time over the weekend, I thought I would dedicate this update to her because ... chocolate

~!

Mirax decided to make a variant of the famed Corellian sweet cake, putting chocolate in the filling and extra chocolate in the buttery icing.

Then Iella had a suggestion. "Let's make it a layer cake!"

Three layers of ooey, gooey chocolate for the ladies celebrating the fact that FINALLY Luke wasn't on the short end of the romantic "stick," any longer.

Nothing unrequited or mystifying about this choice, except (as Han and the other Rogues put it) what took them so long!?

When Mara took the first bite, Mirax prompted: "Do you like it?"

"Not the word I would use," Mara answered and grabbed a second slice before finishing the first.

===+

 

Thank you so much for thinking of me!
That sounds so, so good! Your descriptions were making my mouth water and now I need some ooey, gooey chocolate!
And at Luke not being on the short end of the romantic stick!

 

Ooh, so sweet in every way! That cake sounds amazing.

Lovely update!

 

sweets for lovely ladies