“𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞”
𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐥𝐟𝐟𝐞 𝐱 𝐎𝐂
𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Wolffe spends time at home with his wife and little baby during his leave, while the Clone Wars rage on in the galaxy...
𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 3,5k
𝐝𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: @orangez3st @ladylucksrogue @the-bad-batch-baroness – Thank you for giving me such a emotional experience while reading your stories! They definitely sparked this idea ✨
𝐚/𝐧: I hope you need a little bit of adorable Wolffe in your life, who takes care of his own baby girl. The idea came to me unexpectedly, and I haven't spent so many hours writing in a long time! It gave me a lot of joy, and my heart melted. Enjoy! ✨
𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐎𝟑 | here!
𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐲: @strangergraphics
Wolffe woke up in a darkened room where the blinds had been lowered to protect his eyes from the city lights. He wasn't sure if he had slept for a moment or several hours, nor could he remember when he had fallen asleep. He glanced at the chronometer, which showed 0306, judging by the light, it was afternoon, probably the same day he had fallen asleep.
He sat up in bed and rubbed face with his hands. He looked around the room, noticing the outlines of cabinets and shelves.
In the corner stood a small crib, but he saw no movement in it, only a gray blanket with drawings of several wolves... a gift from uncles in the Wolfpack for his little one.
For his little daughter.
He smiled at the thought that he was so close to seeing his beloved wife and their child. All he had to do was stretch and get out of bed, which he did almost immediately.
Runi was bustling around the kitchen with the baby cuddled to her chest. Buying a sling in which she could safely hold their daughter while doing her daily chores was a very good idea, although he wasn't convinced at first. He did some thorough research on the holonet, weighing all the pros and cons, but his wife was more knowledgeable about all things related to children and always managed to convince him of her point of view. Now he could see that it was really a useful thing.
“Oh, Wolffe. I hope we didn't wake you,” Runi said softly, noticing him entering the kitchen.
“Actually, I don't know when I fell asleep,” he sighed, coming closer.
The smell of the meat casserole he loved so much filled the apartment. She always prepared something special for him when he was on leave, and today was even more special. He wasn't the only one who got leave.
“It must have happened when you put Livie down for a nap. I just came in for a moment to see if you needed anything, and I found a completely adorable view. She fell asleep on your chest, and you fell asleep with her,” she explained, smiling the whole time.
“Did I hurt her?”
“No,” she assured him calmly. “I took her so she wouldn't disturb your sleep. You looked completely exhausted, and Livie can wake up grumpy from her naps.”
Wolffe felt that he wasn't doing enough to provide everything his family needed, starting with the time he had, which was very little. He had hoped that when Livie was born, things would change for the better, but the war wasn't slowing down, and he was needed both at home and on Plo Koon's cruiser. The general was very understanding, knowing that the situation was complicated, and besides, he had loved the girl from the moment Runi brought her to him.
The Wolfpack loved Livie as quickly as Plo did. Comet was a little jealous, as if the title of puppy had been taken away from him, although Wolffe assured him that his daughter wouldn't take his place. If he had no motivation to fight before, now he wanted a free galaxy for his own child. It was more important than anything else.
“I know you love having her close to you, but I wanted you to rest before our apartment becomes a complete mess,” she laughed softly, looking at him. He rolled his eyes at her short and concise explanation.
“I won't let THEM turn our apartment into a mess, I promise.”
His brothers hadn't had the opportunity to meet Livie before. Yes, they had seen her through holo-calls, but their leave passes never allowed for a real meeting with the old gang that Wolffe had known since childhood. The Wolfpack was his home, but before them were the commanders, whose friendship he valued greatly. He had the best chance of meeting Cody, occasionally Bly, less often Fox, although they had always been closest to each other. He had the impression that everything had changed completely since Ponds' death, or maybe it was just that the war had gained momentum to end sooner than anyone had expected. He hoped so.
“I know you'll keep an eye on them,” she added, then looked at her daughter, who moved on her chest, waking up from her nap.
“Look who's awake too, ad'ika,” Runi said softly, turning so that the baby could see Wolffe.
The man smiled at Livie, feeling his heart fill with the calm and pleasant warmth that always accompanied him in the presence of the little baby. He had never loved anyone as much as his two girls. Every separation from them was a real torture, but the days during campaigns and missions seemed to pass much faster when he knew he would be able to see them.
Livie let out a loud squeak when she noticed him. Wolffe smiled softly in response, reaching out his arms toward her. His wife helped him get their daughter out of the sling, and a moment later she looked at the two of them with an expression of sincere love. The entire galaxy could be shrouded in darkness, but Runi felt safe with him, and Livie was loved by both of them. Together, they could survive anything.
“You were well-behaved, weren’t you, Liv’ika?” he asked his daughter, who smiled broadly, as if she understood every word. In her mere three months of life, she had managed to learn to recognize her mother’s and father’s voices, but that was enough.
“She won't be so well-behaved when she gets hungry. She's a little foodie, you know,” Runi explained, shaking her head. “I can prepare a bottle if you'd like to feed her in a few moments.”
“That would be wonderful.”
Runi smiled at him and took out her own milk, which she had prepared earlier. She usually breastfed the baby, sometimes using bottles, but the girl wasn't too picky, and the woman knew how much Wolffe loved doing this. It was no problem for her to give him a little more joy while he was at home.
“Are you really okay with the boys coming over tonight? We could meet at the club,” Wolffe said, handing his daughter the stuffed toy she loved and had had since the beginning.
“I don't mind, as long as none of you get drunk and decide that karaoke at night is a great idea,” she replied, looking at him amusedly.
“That only happened once, and if I remember correctly, you didn't mind,” he smiled, raising an eyebrow.
“Only because I was drunk myself?”
“Right. I remember... as well as the day after. You promised you'd never suffer from a hangover again,” he reminded her.
“Well, then she came along,” she said, pointing to the baby. “But honestly, I don't miss hangovers. Morning sickness was better.”
“Don't remind me. You spent half the day in the refresher during my time off.”
“Oh, I'm so sorry that my body was creating a human being at the time,” she laughed, teasing him. “It was half your fault.”
“Now we're looking for someone to blame, huh?”
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
“Ha! Still not as good as me.”
“No one is as good at rolling their eyes as you are, dear,” she said with a smile.
She loved their little teasing and always missed it when he was away. The apartment became really quiet and empty when she didn’t hear his footsteps and his neatly arranged armor wasn’t lying in the corner. She missed those little gestures and his very presence, including his scent and the warm kisses he gave her every morning. Being with someone like him was a real gift, but at the same time it meant constant longing... because his passes always seemed too short.
They talked via holo-video every day, whenever his schedule wasn't completely full and he found time to exchange a few words with her. There were many moments he missed, but she tried to think about what he did get to see. He was with her during the birth, he held his little daughter close during their first night together as a family of three, he took care of them while she was recovering... She was extremely grateful to his soldiers and his deputy, because if they hadn't risen to the occasion, all of this would have been impossible or very difficult.
“No one smiles as beautifully as you, cyar'ika,” he whispered, nestling their daughter against his chest.
Livie cried softly, clenching her small hands into fists.
“...and no one is as hungry as this little one right now,” he laughed, gratefully accepting the bottle his wife handed him.
Wolffe sat comfortably on the sofa, holding Livie in his arms so that a few seconds later she could easily start sucking. She looked at him with her big green eyes, inherited from her mom. Her little fingers touched his hand, and he enjoyed every moment. He felt his wife watching him.
“Join us,” he said quietly, without taking his eyes off his baby's face.
Runi sat down next to him on the sofa and rested her head on his shoulder. Their daughter's eyes wandered between him and her, as if she couldn't decide who to look at.
“She's the most beautiful,” Wolffe whispered. “I'll do anything to keep you safe. I'll protect you both,” he promised.
“I know.”
They had to rely on support for single mothers because Wolffe didn't earn any money and Runi couldn't leave their daughter with a stranger. The woman also found a remote job that she could do from their small apartment, and she could spend the credits she earned on their living expenses.
Her parents weren't thrilled to hear that their daughter had married a clone—in their opinion, he was nothing more than a “thing” in the hands of the Republic. That's why, as soon as she told them the news, she cut off contact with them. They didn't even know about their granddaughter...
Wolffe was the first important person in her life whom she trusted completely and loved with all her heart. She couldn't lose him for the sake of her family. She didn't want to lose him.
“When the war is over, I'll find the best job and we'll go somewhere together,” he said with a smile, looking at his wife.
“I'll hold you to that, I really want to see Naboo. The photos on the holonet aren't enough,” she told him, then kissed him on the cheek. “Riyo promised to take us to Pantora one day. Did I tell you about that?”
“No,” he replied, raising an eyebrow. “That sounds wonderful. I didn't know you were so close.”
"Well, Fox must have told her about the baby, because she sent some things a few days ago. When I thanked her, we started chatting a bit, you know how few friends I have... she's really very nice and kind. I wouldn't mind if she became my friend.”
“That would be good for you, and for her too. I'm sure being around Fox all the time must be a real challenge.” Wolff laughed quietly, and Runi nudged him in the side.
“You're impossible,” she muttered, rolling her eyes again.
“Wolffe, you're not helping,” Runi giggled as he swayed her in his arms while she tried to finish the dinner he was supposed to eat with his brothers. A moment earlier, he had laid their daughter on a blanket, hanging a few toys above her so she could watch. This was supposed to give them a few minutes together.
“I'm not trying to,” he said honestly, kissing her hair. “I haven't had enough time to enjoy you yet,” he added a little more quietly.
“I have to finish dinner so your brothers can have a proper meal. You boys need more than just food rations,” she explained, seasoning the soup with a few spices he had never seen before.
“I'm sure they'll love it, especially Bly.”
“He loves good food, doesn't he?”
“Mhm.”
They couldn't always have what they dreamed of. For example, Bly didn't have access to all kinds of ingredients and spices, even though they knew he could be a good cook (unlike Aayla, who couldn't cook). Fox tried to find more time for Riyo, but being the commander of the Chancellor and Coruscant Guard wasn't the most pleasant job in the galaxy. Cody and Rex always followed their crazy generals, which gave them minor heart attacks during every mission. And he himself was usually far away from his wife and little baby...
Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and Wolffe sighed quietly, unwillingly leaving his wife. Runi just smiled and took her daughter in her arms, much to her delight. The girl loved to be cuddled and hugged as often as possible.
“Where is the most beautiful puppy in the entire galaxy?” Bly asked as soon as Wolffe opened the door. He stood in the doorway with the rest of the group. Rex was also present, although he wasn't on the guest list, but it was good to see their younger brother, who used to follow them around everywhere and had become almost Cody's shadow.
“Good to see you too, vod,” Wolffe muttered, but he moved aside to invite them inside.
Livie looked around, hearing many different voices—at once very similar and very different. Her dad's voice was usually gentle, but a little hoarse, so she recognized it among the rest.
“You look beautiful, Runi,” Fox said, entering right behind Bly.
“Thank you,” she replied with a smile. “You all look very elegant too.”
She greeted them all. She loved it when their usually quiet apartment started to get a little noisy. Besides, Wolffe's brothers were wonderful and always very helpful. She didn't know them all very well, having spent most of her time with Fox, but they always found plenty to talk about.
“Livie has been looking forward to your visit all day,” Runi said softly, allowing them to approach the baby in her arms. She didn’t want to overwhelm her daughter with so many stimuli at once, which they understood without words, approaching one by one to greet the girl.
“It's good that she looks more like you, Runi,” Bly commented, reaching out his hand toward the baby. Livie looked at him for a long moment, kicking her legs happily in her mother's arms.
Wolffe rolled his eyes, but he couldn't disagree with him — Livie was beautiful like her mom, and he didn't mind that at all.
His brothers loved her immediately, promising to protect her if necessary. Wolffe knew that they always had to be ready for any eventuality, including the possibility that one day he might not come home... which is why he was all the more grateful for their promises, knowing that they would keep their word.
Livie was passed from one person to another, but she didn't mind at all. A similar situation had occurred before, when several of Wolfpack's closest soldiers burst into the apartment. Being the center of attention was perfectly fine with her, which pleased Bly the most, as he had lost his head over her. He entertained her when she started to whine, showed her toys, and told her stories that none of them had heard before.
“Wouldn't you like to give Aayla a kid?” Fox asked, watching his younger brother. They were sitting at the table, eating dinner prepared by Runi.
Bly sat up straight.
“I'm not that crazy... besides, she's a Jetii, so it's completely forbidden,” he explained to them.
“You broke all those rules by falling in love with her, so what difference does it make?” Cody asked, also noticing how well he was doing with the little girl.
“Actually, I could say the same about you,” Bly raised an eyebrow. “I'd like to have a little ad'ika with her, stars, I dream about it, but first of all, we're at war, and she's my general... so it's not very reasonable to have a baby together and raise it on the battlefield, right?”
Wolffe pondered his words, but before he could say anything, his wife spoke up.
“You're right, taking care of a child is really difficult and time-consuming. Despite all the good moments, there are also a lot of bad ones that we as parents have to deal with. Your thinking is perfectly fine, Bly, especially since you're both caught up in the war. It's not okay because each of you deserves much more than the Republic can offer you,” she said, looking at them. “We are all waiting for better times to come, but until then, we must learn to function with what the present offers us.”
“Am I to understand that you don't regret the decisions you've made?” Wolffe smiled.
“I've never regretted a single moment... but I was also surprised by the positive pregnancy test.”
They laughed, knowing how difficult it must have been for her. Wolffe was stressed every day, worrying not only about his own soldiers, but also about the family waiting for him at home. It wasn't an easy situation for any of them, but they accepted what they had been given.
A moment later, she apologized to them so she could put Livie to bed.
Fox offered to help her when she started picking up far more things than she should have.
She smiled and promised she would be back soon.
“Thank you, Fox,” she said quietly as he followed her into the bedroom and placed a few stuffed animals on the bed.
“You're welcome, at least this way I can help,” he said, watching her care for Livie before bedtime. She changed her diaper and put on clean sleepwear, carrying out these tasks with tenderness and patience that he would certainly lack. “You've created the best home for her, for both of them. I haven't seen Wolff so relaxed in a long time, and it's only been a few days since the battle ended. You're the reason he sees meaning in all of this.”
“I don't do much, I'm just... here for him,” Runi whispered, looking at him. “I love him more than anyone else in the galaxy, Fox.”
“As long as you are his sun, the darkness will not take over him,” he quoted her own words, which she had said a few days earlier to his beloved. He smiled at her. “You quickly stole Riyo's heart.”
“Oh, she's the nicest person I've ever met! I can't believe we haven't met before,” she laughed.
“My mistake, I'm sorry.”
“You're a very busy man.”
“True,” he said. “Do the baby onesies she sent fit Livie?”
“They're perfect! I was very surprised by this gift. I don't know how to repay her,” Runi said quietly, rocking her daughter in her arms to lull her to sleep.
She couldn't put into words how grateful she was to everyone who did all these nice things for her. Wolffe's brothers were always ready to help her, and those closest to them were also very kind, like Plo, who checked in every few days to see if everything was okay, or Riyo, in whom she found a new friend. Runi and her daughter were surrounded by love, which only reinforced her belief that they were an important part of this family.
“I'm sorry I told her about the baby... but as soon as she found out, she probably wanted to earn the title of best auntie,” he chuckled softly. "She has a heart of gold… and she values you very much as a friend. She asked if she could see you soon.
“Of course, she can contact me when she has time. I'll prepare something special for her, at least that way I can thank her.”
“I'll tell her.”
Fox smiled and left the bedroom so she could rock her daughter to sleep.
Wolffe was completely exhausted when he closed the door after saying goodbye to his brothers. The evening had been very enjoyable, but the lack of sleep was slowly taking its toll on him. He cleaned up after dinner and freshened up, before heading to the bedroom.
Runi was lying in bed, reading something on her datapad. She looked up when she heard his footsteps. She smiled gently, uncovering his side of the bed. His eyes were tired, but she could see that he was truly happy—sleepy, but happy.
“What a day,” she said quietly as he slipped under the covers next to her.
“Did Livie fall asleep?” he asked, resting his head on her shoulder.
“Yes, without much trouble,” she said, then looked toward the crib. “She loves them.”
“They're a family, and I feel like she understands that somehow.”
“She's a smart girl, she gets that from you,” she laughed softly.
Wolffe smiled and kissed her on the cheek.
“...and she's fussy, and grumpy, and—”
“You're making fun of me,” he muttered, putting her datapad aside. Runi giggled, trying not to wake the baby.
“She's just like you, Wolffe. She has your heart of gold,” she whispered.
“Mhm, that's better,” he muttered, moving closer to her to silence her with a kiss.
Everything was as it should be. She was with him, he was with her, and nearby was a sleeping child whose thoughts were filled with beautiful dreams.
For a while, they could have their own sky full of stars that lit the way for them before darkness covered the entire galaxy...