This Moment

A/N: I do not own Star Wars…

Mother:

"Push!" Cilghal urged. "You're almost there Mara!"

Mara gripped Luke's hand tighter still, not noticing his wince as her already crushing grip increased its hold. She reached deep down, seeking any and all strength she had left, feeling her exhausted and utterly drained body shake.

I can't do this! I don't have enough juice! She thought in despair, though she knew on some deep level that that was the hormones talking. Even so, she found herself grasping in desperation for the strength Luke was sending to her.

Mara took a deep breath, following Cilghal's instructions to push while holding her breath. She gritted her teeth and pushed with all her might, feeling the pressure building at her temples. Her head felt like it would burst, the pressure was so great, but Mara ignored it and concentrated on using her abdominal muscles.

Mara heard an alien sound and dimly realized she was screaming. Luke sent her a soothing wave of Force energy, doing whatever he could to ease her pain.

"Okay, stop." Cilghal instructed. "Take a second to rest. One more push and young Skywalker will be here."

Mara stopped pushing gratefully, heaving in great gulps of air.

"You're doing great, Mara." Luke murmured to her, lightly stroking her arm.

Mara's head was swimming a little, and she found it hard to focus on him. Her body felt as frail as a porcelain doll due to the effects of the disease, which Mara somehow knew would no longer be an issue.

Don't think about that right now, Mara thought. Focus on getting your son to a safer place.

As if reading her mind, Cilghal positioned herself for the final push.

"Okay, Mara. Push!"

Mara pushed with everything she had left, and after what seemed like an eternity, she heard another scream. Her exhausted mind wondered idly if she was the source again, but then she recognized that the sound was not her voice.

She collapsed against the bed, completely drained, her mind wandering listlessly for a moment.

Loud wails filled the air, and Luke squeezed her hand. "You did it Mara! You did it!"

Mara was too tired to come up with a witty reply, but somehow she found the inner strength to lift her head. She did her best to focus her eyes, but it was to no avail, because Cilghal was still tending to the newborn child.

"Luke, please assist me." Cilghal instructed.

Mara felt his hand leave her's and he followed the Jedi Master's instructions to cut the cord. Cilghal moved away to a cleansing table to clean their child, and to do the normal infancy test. Finally, Cilghal brought the baby over so Mara could see.

Mara laid eyes on the most beautiful sight of her entire life.

Cilghal moved to Mara's side, and instructed Mara to hold her arms just so. Mara did as she was told, and she felt Luke placing pillows under her elbow so she could hold their son comfortably.

Cilghal placed the baby in her arms, and for Mara, time stopped.

The first thought to pass through her groggy mind was that this was impossible. This wasn't real. There was no way her wretched and ravaged body could have done this, and the baby's weight was alien to her unaccustomed arms.

Following those thoughts were discouraging notions that she wasn't mother material. Mara had no idea how to handle a baby, and with her own childhood, or the lack thereof, how could she possibly know what she was doing? What if she let him down? What if she couldn't protect him?

But as she stared at the crying baby who was now starting to calm in his mother's arms, all negative thoughts and fears evaporated like steam.

Mother.

Mara rolled the word; no the name, around on her tongue.

I'm a mother!

The infant's cries finally dwindled off as he felt the comforting Force signature of his mother, and heard her steady heartbeat. Mara's mind had never been clearer, and as she watched her son's eyes dart around the room, she felt a surge of joy.

"Hello Ben." Mara murmured.

At her voice, the newborn's eyes seemed to focus on her face, and Mara wondered if his little blue eyes could really see her. They were Luke's eyes, she realized, and yet, they weren't. She lifted a weak hand to caress his tiny head, feeling the oily softness of his bright red hair.

Ben's mouth worked a little and his arm suddenly shot out of the blanket, and when his tiny hand flailed, his perfect fingers swatted Mara's chin. She smiled at him.

"Already a fighter, eh Ben?" She cooed.

His eyes closed, and he turned his head to nestle into the crook of her elbow. Mara sighed contentedly, and before she realized what she was doing, she bent over to kiss his cheek.

Finally, Mara reached out tentatively with the Force, checking him over for her own sanity. No imperfections, no trace of her debilitating illness, and no danger sirens went off in her head. Mara felt her eyes moisten, and she smiled a weak, but luminous smile.

Her world was now complete. And with this baby in her arms, Mara felt a renewed sense of purpose fill her being, centered around her son. She knew, as she had known from the moment she'd discovered she was pregnant, that she would gladly give her life for Ben. She would be his fiercest defender, and his staunchest supporter.

Mara laid her head back, breathing easier, ignoring her still agonized body as she reveled in her newborn son.

He's perfect. She thought happily. Just perfect.