Wave after wave hit me, knocking me down, keeping me down, urging me to sleep, to let go. I was the seaside, and after every wave, a little more of me was washed away. The water certainly made holding on difficult, for the rocks were becoming slippery. After every wave subsided, I wondered about letting go and simply allowing myself to be swept away. I knew that if I let go, I no longer would cut myself on the rocks and I wouldn't have to keep resisting the ocean's lullaby.

At last, I would finally be able to sleep.

Every time this thought muddled my mind, something else caught my attention. Something else caused me to grip the rocks a little tighter, to ignore the sting of broken skin. Something else, although I couldn't identify what that something was, gave me a feeling of warmth. I supposed that perhaps it was the sun peeking out from behind the clouds, warming my shores.

I knew that if I gave myself over to the ocean, I would never see the sun again. I would never experience it's familiar touch again, for in the depths of the ocean, the sun would not be able to reach me. There would be no light or warmth, only darkness and cold.

As the next wave came crashing down, slamming against the rocky shore, I noticed two people standing amongst the dark waters. They stood side by side and didn't say a word. They only looked at me, looked at my struggle. Despite the confusion filling my mind, I recognized them.

Mom and Dad.

As I recognized them, the shores shook, and sand began to filter into the water. It had been so long since I had seen my parents. They were so close. All I had to do was let go, and for the first time in forever, I could run into their arms. I could touch them, laugh with them about how ridiculous this life of ours had been. We would be a family again.

"Family," I whispered, my voice being drowned out by the crashing waves and the trembling earth.

As that word pierced me, a series of faces and names filled my mind. I saw a pair of kind, green eyes and two large hands covered with hair that I somehow knew were gentler than they appeared.

"Hera," I gasped, "Zeb."

Next, I saw a girl covered with splotches of blue and pink paint. Her amber eyes flashed at me, and I noticed a droid standing beside the girl. The droid whirred and swung its stubby arms, and the girl laughed.

I couldn't help smiling. "Sabine," I said. "Chopper."

Finally, I saw a man with a blue sword in his hand. His shoulders shook violently, and I realized that he was crying. I heard him whisper my name, and although his back was turned to me, I recognized his voice.

"Kanan."

As soon as I said the man's name, the man stopped crying and turned around. When he saw me, relief spread throughout his body, and he smiled. Dropping his weapon, Kanan closed the distance between us and wrapped his arms around me.

When he touched me, warmth, the same warmth the sun had given me, filled me. One by one, Hera, Zeb, Sabina, and Chopper appeared around me. With all of them gathered around me, the ocean receded, not daring to draw any nearer.

I knew what this was. "Family," I murmured.

Confusion invaded my mind as I looked behind me at my parents, now so far away. Weren't they my family too? Why weren't they by my side like this other family was? Why were they so far away?

When I finally realized the truth, this time, the shoreline did not heave and quake, perhaps because I had known the truth all along. I just hadn't confronted it.

I took a step towards the water's edge and gazed at the water, looking at my parents for the last time. Turning around, I expected to discover my other family standing right behind me. Instead, I found a deserted beach. Determination filled me, and I began to run. I was not going to lose my family again.

HELLO!

I loved writing this chapter, and I hope you love it too!

Tell me what you think!

I already have the next chapter in the works, so I'll post the next chapter soon.

Julie :D