speechlesscody

[speechlesscody]

“Ru and I stopped at the store,” I hum, “he picked the paper and two of them.”

“I see,” he huffs a laugh and pulls out a pair of fuzzy TIE fighter socks, grinning as Ruhn giggles.

“Mommy said you like to fly! And- and be cozy! So I saw those!”

“They’re wonderful, Ruhn,” he says softly. “Thank you so much.”

[speechlesscody]

I smile at him and then give a wink, “I have a bottle made up for the baby, it’s warm. Let me feed him while you go open some presents?” I point to the table with a few hastily wrapped presents. Literally nothing big, just things I thought he’d like when we were shopping. Just things to show Ruhn what birthdays are supposed to be.

“This is insane,” he laughs softly and hands Luca over, then moves to the table to start opening his gifts. “When did you even have time to do all this?”

[speechlesscody]

I wave a hand, “no worries. Got you Sera’s for dinner, hope that’s okay?”

“Ohhhh it’s perfect,” he hums, kissing your cheek. “This whole day is perfect. Thank you so much.”

[speechlesscody]

“Yes surprise,” I laugh and come back over, “we’ve got food and cake to eat.”

“Oh wonderful,” he beams, “Crosshair is on his way. He got back late from his mission.”

[speechlesscody]

“Well it’s when everyone is gonna gather around the table and eat together. We’ve got Tatooine food on the menu, so you should be familiar.” I help him wash and dry off his hands before the door opens for Vader.

Vader walks in and blinks at all the decor, laughing softly. “Oh my… you two worked fast in just an hour!” He calls, patting Luca’s back.

[speechlesscody]

“He’ll be safe here now,” I nod, “we’ll help him.” I kiss Cody’s cheek and then move over to Ruhn, switching languages, “let’s wash your hands since it’s almost dinner time.”

“Okay mommy.” He toddles over with you to wash his hands, “what is dinner time?”

[speechlesscody]

“Correct,” I nod once, “and it’s his birthday because the little guy thought I was gonna rape him so I came up with this ruse instead.”

Cody’s eyes soften and he turns to watch the boy race around. “Poor thing,” he whispers. “Can’t imagine what he’s been through for that to be his default fear.”

[speechlesscody]

“My thoughts exactly,” I whisper and nod, “okay so- and there’s also an infant. V’s got the baby.”

Cody’s brows raise. “Oh wow. Alright. So he knows he’s supposed to be pretending it’s his birthday? Perfect. It is his fake birthday right? I didn’t actually forget anything?”

[speechlesscody]

I pull Cody aside and talk to him softly, “I think the Force made them,” I say in Basic, “I think they’re ours.”

Cody blinks. “Mhm. Mhm.” He nods a little. “And… you know what- actually, I’m not surprised. That kid looks just like V.”

[speechlesscody]

Ugh. Knew it.

“Well good,” I hum and gently pick him up and set him down to the ground, “I’m glad we found each other. Can you go pick up the trash and put it into that bag while I talk to Cody?” I point.

“Okay mommy,” he toddles around the room and starts to pick up all the trash, always wanting to make you proud and do his part around here.

[speechlesscody]

“Yes!” I nod, “that’s right,” I say, “are you okay with that?”

Ruhn nods softly. “Mhm. The voice is no longer whispering. I think you are my mommy! You are the mommy who was coming!”

[speechlesscody]

“He is…” I think about how annoying it would be to explain the complex relationships and then shrug, “he’s with us, too. You can call him Papa if you’d like, or Buir.”

Besides, if the public sees our children calling Cody any sort of father, they’ll know he’s ours and untouchable.

“Papa,” he echoes. “Oh! I have two daddies and one mommy now?”

[speechlesscody]

“It’s Vader’s birthday,” I say pointedly, “and this is his birthday gift, Ruhn. Our son. Your son. Hello. Say hi, Ru.”

Cody nods slowly. “Okay…” he looks up at Ruhn and smiles softly, giving him a wave. “Hi.”

“Hi,” Ruhn waves right back, looking down at you. “Who is he?”

[speechlesscody]

“Congrats, we’ve got a kid,” I say to Cody, “now come on in, it’s birthday time.” I open the door further so he can see the decorations and cake behind me.

Cody walks in slowly, brows furrowing. “Shit… did I forget a birthday…? I’m usually good about that. Is it Cross’ birthday?”

[speechlesscody]

“Hmmm. Maybe Cody,” I move over to the door and open it, letting the child stay up on my shoulders since he seems to like it up there.

Cody gives you a nod in greeting. “V told me to be here? Oh,” he blinks at the sight of Ruhn. “The fuck?”

[speechlesscody]

“Yep!” I nod, “when it’s your birthday, we’ll do it for you, too.” I bounce on my toes so that he bounces.

“Oh!” He giggles more, pausing as the door opens and someone knocks on the door. “Uh oh! Who is it?”

[speechlesscody]

“Yes you did!” I cheer, handing him a piece of the streamers with tape on it for him to put up.

We get streamers all over the room, and then a happy birthday sign, and then a droid comes through the window with balloons and cake and when we step back it looks like ‘birthday’ positively threw up in the room, “I think it looks good, buddy.”

“This is crazy,” he giggles, “and- and you do this for every birthday? Every single one?”