Playing with the children, eating some of the best steak sandwiches he had ever consumed(rapidly) and catching up with an old friend. It all just felt so...well, the words wouldn't come to describe the nearly overwhelming warmth and comfort that came from their hilariously fun excursion. When it came to the subject of excursions, Neta had some fantastic ideas that she floated for them before and during their meal, most of which sounded much more appealing than crawling through dark tombs in Wild Space. However, in Yerbol's mind, the gentle cascade of tides bubbling up against the shore and a small cabin replete with a luxurious interior sounded too wonderful to pass up. He was sure that the Selkath could forgive the duo for causing such a ruckus the first time they came to the planet; after all, Manaan was now a proud Alliance world. It was interesting that the Selkath would pledge themselves to the Alliance now that there was no conflict to speak of between Republic and Empire, but the political ramifications of their decision would be fodder for thought another time. At the moment, Yervobl was having too much fun watching Taral attempt to not accidentally hit the poor children with his sweeping tail. Chwuq seemed to be a bit more cautious with the children, but Taral was playing with a bit more...enthusiasm, which prompted the Champion to dismiss him outside. 
"Getting restless. We should probably get going ourselves so we can hit the falls. Sounds like a nice jaunt through the wilderness without fearing for my life." 
"Oh come on! It wasn't THAT bad! There was a wide enough berth so that your head would stay attached to those shoulders of yours." 
"You can't pilot a speeder the same way you do a ship, Neta."
"Wimp." 

It was good to see her. 

___

They enjoyed their trek up through the forested area behind Neta's home, the path naturally snaking back down towards a more populated path that, when explored further, led to a trail that allowed a perfect view of the cascading falls that poured into a bubbling pool below flanked by more wilderness. While taking in the sights, the duo managed to blend in once again to their surroundings. A few onlookers managed to peg them for who they were, but for the most part, they just looked like a very happy couple that seemed to be levitating in each other's presence. To think that the Jedi would have wanted their relationship to be broken apart on the grounds of "forming attachments", to even contemplate that the deep love they shared for each other would be an obstacle was...well, for lack of a better term, moronic. He could not have felt more in harmony with the Force than right now.

After returning to Neta's place for some more food("I want another sandwich!" to which Neta rolled her eyes), the pilot suggested that they stay the night, which they complied with to the children's approval and subsequent whining, seeing as their bedtime was soon after dinner. The children were issued upstairs before Neta showed them to a modestly appointed bedroom on the first floor.
"Didn't think I'd ever get to use this...not after Vivi died anyhow. Consider this a home away from home if you ever need it." It was comforting to know that they did indeed have a haven on Alderaan that was away from the more populous areas.  

Early the next morning, Yerbol awoke to find his partner still asleep, sheets tangled up all around her. 
"Goodness gracious you're adorable." He mumbled, kissing her still cheek before getting dressed and emerging into the living area to find Neta sitting on one of the two couches, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke at the device: 
"I don't know if I'm gonna be able to keep waiting." A deeper voice came from the datapad, Yerbol able to see from where he was standing that there was a face on the other end of this exchange: 
"I'm almost done out here. Just a few more days." 
"The kids...they haven't seen you in weeks."
"I know. But this is going to turn out fine. I promise you."
"Don't..." She sniffled.
"Don't make a girl a promise you know you can't keep." The voice sighed deeply.
"I love you. This is for you. It always has been." Another sniffle.
"I know, I know...just..." Her normal bravado returned.
"Just come back to me in one piece, ok? I know what it's like to have someone not come back home."
"One piece and a few boxes of candy." 
"Deal." She paused, then added:
"I love you so much, Dun."
"And I love you. Always." The voice signed off, leaving Yerbol to tiptoe past the couch only for Neta to tell him:
"He's a good man, you know."
"I don't doubt it." With his presence exposed, Yerbol decided to plant himself on the opposite end of the couch, noting her reddened eyes and even more flushed nose and cheeks. 
"I can't help falling in love with the military types, I guess." She chuckled, prompting Yerbol to move a bit closer.
"Who is he?"
"Dun Mansal. I met him my second week here while at the spaceport for supplies. used to be a Republic trooper stationed at the port, but got picked by his Lieutenant for a newly formed squadron of Alliance troopers that were sent the very next day to Nar Shaddaa to deal with the 'blue people'." 
"But things have calmed down since then, haven't they?"
"Not from what he's told me. Gangs have been trying to fight off Alliance troopers, attempting to gain back territory. Three of the people he was sent out with were killed and I...I can't lose someone else in the field." She wiped her eyes with a nearby tissue as she continued:
"But he's stubbornly confident. Like me." She laughed a bit, eyes beginning to clear up. 
"And he'll be home before you know it. Because if he's anything like you, he's not going to let himself die until he's good and ready to." Another laugh, the former pilot blowing her nose before telling her adopted sibling:
"Just made me realize how much we need to value being around the people we love, you know? To not take for granted when they're around because this galaxy can be an unforgiving place." 
"Yeah...yeah that makes sense." Yerbol gulped down a painful recollection as Neta continued:
"Don't let this go to waste, kid." 
"What?"
"What you have with her."
"Neta..."
"No, just shut up and let me make my point without you cutting me off." The normal playfulness in her tone was absent, leading Yerbol to comply with the directive. 
"It's rare to find someone you just 'click' with. Someone that understands you on a level that you can't even...understand." She took a sharp breath in, brushing away a couple of tears that had formed at the corner of her eyelids. 
"When that person comes into your life, you hang on, honey. You hang on with every ounce of strength you've got. Because when they're gone, you can at least know that you did all you could to be with them." Silence passed between the two of them, which was broken by Yerbol quietly asking:
"You think I should ask, then, huh?"
"You bet your big head I do. I wouldn't be this insistent if I didn't believe I was right." He nodded, clearing his throat. 
"I haven't been able to stop thinking about the question since we got back from the falls, to be honest."
"Told you it was a romantic." A shared chuckle. 
"Thank you, Neta."
"Someone has to be around to set you straight." 
"I think Ari does a good enough job of that."
"Bah. She needs all the help she can get."
"You are SO supportive sometimes, you know that?" She rose, kissing him on the head as he told him with a twinkle in her eye:
"For you? Always." 

____

The sun was just now setting, rays cascading onto the pearl white sands stretching out into seeming infinity. He reached for the drink beside him on the wooden table, taking a sip and sighing contentedly from the second story balcony of their rented beachfront property. 
"I hate it when you're right all the time." He mumbled to the non-existent Neta, smiling as he set the beverage down and crossed his arms over his chest, eyes closing. When they had settled on Manaan for the first leg of their trip and made reservations on a site provided by their bubbly host, he had no idea they would be renting an elaborate two story home that featured every possible amenity and feature one could ask for from a vacation spot. The alabaster white building was one of the few homes on this part of the beach that had such a great view, most of the other dwellings farther back towards the path up to Ahto City, contributing to a sense of isolation from the rest of the world, yet allowing the duo to explore the vast gardens, aquariums and surprisingly bustling markets that peddled wares from all corners of the galaxy. Their exploration was complimented by lazy periods of laying around, talking and making sure the hounds got their exercise on the beach, which didn't attract too much attention considering there were few beach combers. They had spent a week in this state of bliss, enjoying each other and what the galaxy had to offer. It was, in a word, marvelous. 

Something else that was more than marvelous came to him their sixth day on the planet, before they went to bed. They were laying there, eyes cast up at the ceiling, her head on his chest, breathing gently synced and a confirmation of something that had been floating through his mind came to him:

He wanted her to be his wife. 

Yerbol didn't breath a word of this to her, suppressing the feeling as much as he could in order to ensure that their bond didn't give anything away. The next day he did talk to someone, however. Multiple someones to be exact. While Aria was in the shower, his parents exuded the best kind of joy upon his confession, Yerbol urging them to keep the sentiment to themselves while he figured out a way to propose. After the call, he had felt a slight nagging that he had to tell someone else, but it passed, allowing him to focus on their planned journey to the Ahto City Market. They had spent most of the day there and returned about an hour ago, Yerbol slipping out onto their balcony and mixing a drink before contemplating ways to surprise his partner with his proposal. He had an idea of where to go, but he would need to see if she would be favorable to the idea. Speaking of...

"No matter how hard you try, I'll still be able to hear you sneaking up on me. Your tiny feet are still audible."