Hidden Moments
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A/N1: AU story!
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A/N2: I do not own Star Wars.
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A/N3: Please note that this series of stories takes place within the "Suns Among Stars Trilogy" timeline.
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First Word:
It was a particularly hot day, with the two suns doing their utmost to bake every living thing within range of their light. Luke Skywalker wiped the sweat from his brow, finishing the task of tightening the bolts on the condenser of his final moisture vaporator.
It was late afternoon, and despite his supply of water, Luke was feeling the heat more-so today for some reason. He sighed and worked his hands to loosen them after his chore was complete.
With a glance toward his homestead's main building in the distance, Luke smiled in anticipation of returning home. It had been a long day, and he was more than ready to see his precious little Shmi when he returned.
Shmi Skywalker was now seven months old, and her head sported a good shock of jet-black hair that was finer than the silks he'd seen senators wear in their holos. Her blue eyes were so lively and full of emotion. They were bright and innocent, as pure as her soul.
He loved every inch of her; inside and out. And when she smiled at him, her toothless grin was enough to make even his worst day better. Shaking his head to clear it, Luke gathered his gear and walked back to the house, drinking a healthy dose of what was left of his water.
By the time he reached the front door, the twin suns were starting their descent to the horizon, where they would be swallowed by the golden sands once more. Luke detoured to place his gear in the garage and then returned to the house proper.
Shaking the sand from his hair and clothes as best he could, Luke sighed at the cooler temperature of the house. It wasn't cooled by central air, but the simple act of being both underground and out of the suns made a huge difference.
Luke took the steps eagerly, looking about for any sign of his daughter. He heard noises in the kitchen and stopped to peek within.
"Hi Aunt Beru," Luke greeted her with a warm smile.
"Luke." Beru Lars returned the smile, coming forward to embrace him. "Any trouble with the moisture vaporators today?"
"Nothing major, just the usual maintenance," Luke replied, looking around Beru. "Where's Shmi?"
"She was tired, so I put her in her crib," Beru answered. "I think she's still asleep."
"Okay, thanks." Luke turned... and then paused, looking back at Beru. "Did you need help with anything?"
"Not for a little while: dinner isn't ready just yet."
"Alright." Luke resumed his short trek to the room he shared with his child.
Sure enough, the small form in the crib didn't even stir as Luke silently crept inside the door. He paused to gaze upon her, and grinned softly at the sprawled way she slept upon her back: with arms and legs sticking out from under the blanket and her head cocked to the right.
Luke reached into the crib to tenderly caress her scalp, putting all his love into the gesture. Then he withdrew his hand and sank onto his bed with a sigh, resting his head back. He'd taken to napping when he returned from his chores if Shmi was too, since she woke during the night at least once, and had a habit of staying up for an hour or so.
Owen permitted his short naps so long as Luke did not neglect his chores.
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It was no surprise when, half an hour later, the soft wails of his daughter woke him up. Luke stretched tired muscles and then sat up with a yawn, realizing that he'd never taken his boots off. Shrugging, Luke stood and shuffled over to where Shmi's little arms and legs were working agitatedly, her small lungs increasing in volume the longer she went without attention.
"Well, hello there!" Luke greeted her with a loving smile.
Shmi's cries halted at the sound of her father's voice, and her big eyes fixated on his face. Seconds later Shmi's mouth turned up into a toothless grin and she reached for him, her tiny fingers grasping to show her intent.
Luke chuckled and reached in to pick her up. "Good morning to you too, Sweetheart..." He caught a whiff of something odiferous and grimaced. "Phew! Someone needs a diaper change!"
Luke set her back down and grabbed the needed supplies, smirking at her now unhappy face.
"Don't look at me like that, unless you like sitting in a dirty diaper," Luke told her. "Now hold still..."
She squirmed a little, as if it was a game to her, but Luke didn't mind. He loved his child, and he didn't mind a little mess. Soon her fresh pants were in place and Luke disposed of the soiled one.
Then, on a whim, Luke returned to the kitchen to prepare a bottle for her while Shmi protested his leaving her sight. He also prepared a small helping of cereal and fruit. They were trying to introduce Shmi to more solids now that she was old enough to both eat and digest them.
"Luke?" Beru appeared at the doorway to the kitchen, her voice holding a question. "Oh, you're already getting her dinner."
Luke turned to find Shmi in Beru's arms, the child babbling happily as she pulled a loose piece of cloth on Beru's shirt into her mouth.
"Yes, I'm just finishing up." Luke hefted the bowl of food and the bottle, and then deftly took Shmi from Beru.
"Dinner will be ready in just a minute, by the way," Beru called after him. "I'll ask Owen to set the table; you can clean up after dinner."
"Yes Ma'am." Luke nodded and situated Shmi into her highchair next to his seat at the dining table.
Shmi spotted the bottle and held her arms out expectantly, but Luke shook his head, hiding the small jug out of her view.
"No Little Lady, solids first," he said with a gentle tap to her chin.
Shmi pouted when he placed a small spoonful of cereal to her lips, and she turned her head away.
"Come on Sweetheart, eat up," Luke urged her.
Shmi resisted a minute more before hunger won out, and she opened her mouth. Luke placed the food on her tongue, and Shmi promptly mouthed it and swallowed. When she opened for more, Luke gave her the fruit this time.
Experience had taught him that if he gave Shmi solids before her bottle, she'd eat more and get more out of the meal. Also, if he varied the bites given to her, it kept her interest much longer. It was also easier to get her eating some veggies if he hid it within fruits.
Luke continued to feed her until she no longer accepted the spoon. Shmi looked at him, her mouth and cheeks smeared in a sticky purple paste. Luke chuckled when her lips turned up into another grin and he kissed her sticky face.
"I love you, Shmi."
"Luke?"
The younger man looked up to find Owen Lars standing at the head of the table with a stack of dishes in his grasp.
"I was just feeding Shmi," Luke told his uncle.
Owens face softened into a warm look upon seeing Shmi. "I see she rather enjoyed her fruit."
Luke laughed. "That she did."
"Here, take your things," Owen instructed, handing Luke first a plate, and then the rest of his utensils.
Luke helped him set Beru's place as well, and then watched Owen disappear, only to return with food and Beru. Once everyone was settled, Luke gave Shmi her bottle while the adults delved into Beru's cooking.
"Luke, how was the work on your end today?" Owen inquired.
"Everything looks good. Also, I will need to go to Tosche Station in the near future for some parts for my T-16... if I may."
Owen considered. "I do need a few things from Anchorhead. I'll send you in three days; they'll be getting a new shipment of droid parts. I want you to pick those up too."
"Yes sir." Luke was relieved that Owen didn't fight him on this one.
Luke loved to fly his Skyhopper: it was much faster than his land speeder, and he was able to pull maneuvers and stunts the speeder had no hope of surviving. It was his one true passion outside of caring for his child, though he'd give it up if it would benefit Shmi.
"Luke, would you mind..."
"Loo."
Everyone froze, all eyes turning to the seat next to Luke. Shmi was staring directly at Luke, her eyes bright as she worked her mouth.
"Looo."
Beru gasped softly while Luke's heart clenched in joy, and he turned to face Shmi.
"Luke," he said slowly.
"Looo-oo," Shmi cooed, her face contorting in concentration.
"She's trying to say your name!" Beru whispered gleefully. "Oh, how precious!"
"Her first word!" Owen agreed, and Luke heard the emotion in the older man's voice.
Luke smiled at them both before he reached over and plucked Shmi from her chair, propping her in his lap, where her attention promptly moved on to his spoon.
"Shmi, can you say it again?" Luke asked.
Shmi blinked at him, and then returned to her spoon, gumming it happily.
"And I believe that's that," Owen joked gently, his smile soft for his grand-niece.
Luke laughed with his family; Shmi oblivious in his arms. But Luke's heart had rarely felt such joy.
Kissing his daughter's head, Luke returned his attention to the conversation he'd been having with his guardians.