This story is all about what happens AFTER the redemption story. It's something I have always wondered about and felt it wasn't really elaborated on. The danger has pasted (mostly) and Anakin and his young son Luke have to start anew. Luke is almost-four and, threw his love (as usual) brought his father back from the darkness. In this story, I will elaborate about how he was redeemed and account for the whole cast. WARNING this is a very fluffy story, so be ready.

As always, all rights and characters to George Lucas and co. (aside from whatever OC's I may come up with)

Anakin set the coordinates of the chosen planet into the shuttle and made the jump to hyperspace. He breathed deeply, and leaned back into the cushioned chair. This shuttle had belonged to some traveling dignitary, and was "borrowed" by them for an inconspicuous escape. Anakin's head began to throb, things had all happened so quickly, he hadn't the time to truly process his thoughts. Just this morning, he was Darth Vader, Dark lord of the Sith. He sighed, things had changed so fast, yet he had no regrets. Returning to the light was the greatest thing to ever happen to him. Well, maybe not the greatest thing, he could think of two people who would win out for that spot. In fact, he could sense one of them approaching now.

"Daddy?" Anakin smiled as his almost-four-year old son scurried into the cockpit. His hair was disheveled from sleep and his onesie pajama set was slightly wrinkled. He clutched a small stuffed bear to his chest, gripping it with tiny, stubby hands. The sight pulled at Anakin's heart.

He turned his chair to face him, "What's the matter, little one?" He said with a warm smile. It was late, past 0200, and Luke, normally was a very sound sleeper (at least in the month they had been together).

Luke scurried over to Anakin's knee and reached up, silently asking to be picked up. Anakin scooped his son into his arms and cuddled him against his chest. "I had a bad dream, Daddy." Luke whispered, a slight quiver in his voice.

Anakin held Luke tight, slightly rocking him, "A bad dream? What was it about?"

Luke looked on the verge of tears, "I had a dream the Bad Man came back; he was hurting you Daddy!"

Anakin stroked Luke's hair, whispering quietly "Luke, you don't have to be afraid. The Bad man is gone now, gone forever. He won't hurt you, me, or anyone else ever again." He kissed Luke lightly on the head, his blond hair so soft and silky. "You were so brave today, you helped me stop him. You, Luke Skywalker, are a hero. All before your fourth birthday." He smiled affectionately at his clinging son.

Luke looked up into Anakin's blue eyes, "You think I was brave?"

"The bravest boy I have ever seen."

Luke smiled that beautiful bright smile, the one he got from his mother, "I guess I was pretty brave, but you were brave too. You used your laser sword and beat the Bad Man and he exploded, SWOOSH!" Luke made a sweeping gesture with his arms, demonstrating what he saw.

Anakin laughed, "Yes son, I guess we were both brave today. But I think you were braver. I should have done that to Palpatine years ago, but I didn't have the courage. Only by meeting you did I find the power to finally stop him." It was true too, when he met Luke just one month ago, things had changed for him completely. He could see in his mind the moment when his old life ended and a new one began. His star ship, The Destroyer, was running a mercy mission within the Outer Rim. A massive virus had hit the area, quickly growing into an epidemic. The virus primarily targeted people over the age of 16, leaving many children temporarily orphaned. Vader's flag ship had been used as a temporary housing for the children, and that was when it happened. When he met his son. Vader had just returned from consulting with the Grand Moff of the sector and was disembarking from his shuttle. At the same time, another group of children were being unloaded from the planet, one of which was a Luke Skywalker. Luke caught sight of Vader, and his features lit up into the most wonder-filled smile. He had broken free from the caretakers and sprinted to Vader as fast as he tiny legs would carry him. He reached out and attached himself to Vader's leg.

"W-What do you think you're doing?!"

"Hi! I'm Luke Skywalker and you're my daddy." The little one said simply and pressed his face against Vader's leg. Without a doubt, that was the most shocking moment in his life. Time stood still, the galaxy stopped spinning. Only one thought went through his mind, 'my child'.

"Daddy? Daddy!" Luke's sweet voice brought Anakin back to the present. He looked down at Luke, his little angle.

"What's the matter?"

Luke chewed his lower lip in a rather adorable way, "Ca-Can I sleep in here with you? Please?"

Anakin smiled fondly at his son. He knew small children should get used to sleeping alone, but so much happened today, and to be honest, he need the warmth of his son as much as he needed his father. "Alright, for tonight, you can sleep here."

Luke made a little cry of joy and scooted off his father's lap. He waddled out of the room quickly and returned a moment later with a blanket and pillow in hand. He pulled the copilot seat near his father and hoisted himself up. He made himself comfortable in the plush chair and Anakin chuckled. His son was just so precious. "Comfy little one?" He asked as he reached and stroked Luke's hair. Luke nodded eagerly and began to settle down, adjusting the blanket properly and retrieving his stuffed animal. "Luke," Anakin said, "May I ask you something? How did you know I was your father when you first saw me?"

Luke looked up at his father endearingly, "I felt it in here," he pointed to his heart, "and I had dreams about you, only you weren't all dark; you were like you now. When I saw you, I first felt all the dark, but then I felt the light too. I knew I was around my daddy then. And then, I saw you and I thought, 'that's him!' and I started running cause I wanted you to meet me."

'He felt it through the Force,' Anakin realized. "I'm glad you did. When your mommy died, I felt so… sad that I let the dark take me fully. I didn't think there was any light left. Bu you, my wonderful boy, saw it where I couldn't. It was your love that let me escape from the prison I created."

Luke flushed and giggled, so happy that he could help his daddy. He had been so sad when he saw how mush dark was around his daddy, but he could always feel the light too. And after a week or so together, Luke felt the light growing, and the dark start going away. Seeing his daddy all better now, without and dark made Luke super happy. "Why did you go to the dark in the first place?"

Anakin sighed audibly, "Luke, that is a long story, and not one I am proud of." He adjusted himself in the seat to hide his fidgeting, "Well, it all started when your mommy told me she was pregnant. I was so happy, and I was so excited. Only later did I start having dreams; dreams about your mommy… dying. I was very…scared, sweetheart. I loved your mommy so, so much. She was my world." Luke looked up at him and sniffled gently. Anakin reached out and took his hand, "She would have loved you so much. In fact, I know she loves you with all her heart. She is with us now, in our hearts, minds, and in the Force. But my goodness, she wanted you." Anakin's eyes welled with tears, "She told me you would be a boy; she said she could feel it. I remember… She was so excited to be a mommy. Told me you were a blessing." The tears began to fall in full force, form both Skywalker's. Anakin's voice began to crack, "Luke, I… I promise to tell you more about your mommy latter, but right now… It's too much right now." Luke's little hand squeezed his father's sweetly. "I'm sorry, Luke, I know I should have told you about mommy a long time ago, and you should hear about her now, and you deserve the truth. The whole story about what happened; why I went into the dark. It's just hard, your mom… I miss her. I miss her so much."

Luke reached up and whipped the tears away, "It's ok Daddy, don't be sad."

Anakin smiled and dried his tears, "Thank you sweetheart."

Luke resettled himself within the blankets and made himself comfortable. His eyes began to droop. "Goodnight Luke," Anakin said softly.

"Night-night Daddy." Luke whispered before falling into a deep sleep.

Anakin leaned back in his chair, and began to meditate. He let his mind open up to the Light Side of the Force, relishing in the newfound comfort it brought. Only by knowing the darkness could he truly applicate the warmth and soothing nature of the light. The Light… part of him had a hard time believing he had ever shunned it. He had only embraced it fully a few hours ago, yet he could not imagine spending a moment without its gentle presence within the back of his mind, like lukewarm rain falling on his soul. Part of that, he realized, was the soothing presence of his son. Ever sense he had discovered his child, he had been slowly teetering away from the darkness. The sweet, kind, soul of Luke Skywalker had slowly began to heal his tattered psyche. After meeting Luke that first time in the hanger bay, he had quietly taken the boy to his care. Dark Side or not, Luke was his child, period. Moreover, Luke was incredibly Force sensitive, and could be made an incredible asset. At least, that was what he told himself. Above all though, Luke had to be kept hidden from his Master. Palpatine would destroy the boy completely, or worse, replace Vader with his own child.

Luke stayed in his quarters privately, using droids to watch over the boy while he was incapacitated. Luke never complained and seemed overjoyed whenever he returned. He would often refuse to go to sleep until he saw his father and could hug him goodnight (at first the hugs were one sided, but slowly they were returned with earnest). Over time, Vader could feel the darkness edging away, but despite himself, he didn't care. Being around Luke, his child, made him happy, a feeling he had not known in so long. Within a week, he was going out of his way to come and see Luke in the day. Killings in all departments dropped dramatically and the atmosphere of the ship in general was more relaxed. However, this was not to last. It did not take long of Palpatine to learn of Luke's presence and take action. Very severe action.

Palpatine had arrived unannounced and planned to kill Vader himself, destroy the traitor and receive a new, perfectly corruptible apprentice all in one go. When Vader had felt Palpatine's presence, he immediately went to Luke. Thankfully, he arrived in time to intercept the Royal Guards that had come to remove Luke before their master's arrival. He dispatched them quickly, and, not a moment later, the Emperor arrived in his full decrepit form. Vader needed no introductions nor did he attempt any explanations. Three guards were dead and he stood in protection of a little boy who could have been his double. At that moment, alliances were clear and formed, and the Emperor was ready to kill. They fought, Vader with his red saber and Palpatine with his Force Lightening. The fight seemed to go on for hours, but in reality only lasted about five minutes. Despite Palpatine's age, he was fast and strong, nearly overpowering Vader, yet he would not give in. When Palpatine had gone for Vader's life support system, the fight took a much darker turn. Vader fell to his knees, the agony intense, far greater than the Burning of Mustaphar. Darkness crept over his vision and threatened to take him completely. Suddenly, he heard a sweet little voice from behind, "Please Daddy! Please don't go!" And it was at that moment, Darth Vader was destroyed and Anakin Skywalker returned in full force. He called to the Light Side of the Force and it responded, welcoming him like an old friend. He found the strength to get to his feet, despite the flow of lightning. Palpatine's surprise caused him to pause for a moment, and that was all Anakin needed. He raised the blade and destroyed the Sith, and everything they symbolized. He breathed deeply and that was when he realized that his life support system had failed complete. The whole system had shut off, yet he was still drawing breath. More than that, he felt his hands, yes hands, move against the leather of his gloves. He could feel the cold of the metal floor through his boots and even felt the movement of his flesh and blood toes. Part of him too scared to believe it, he cautiously moved to remove his helmet. He turned to the reflective metal walls and saw himself, his 28 year old fully healed self. His dark blond hair flowed to his shoulders and his blue eyes shinned like star in the night sky. He was whole again.

"Daddy," Luke giggled as he tugged on his cape, "you're so pretty."

Luke's words brought Anakin out of his stupor and, wordlessly, he fell to his knees and scoped Luke up into his arms. Tears fell from both sets of blue eyes as Anakin whispered again and again, "I love you, I love you." And he meant it. He meant it with all his heart.

…

A beeping indicating their impending arrival brought Anakin out of the meditative trance he had entered. He glanced at his chrono, 0800 already. He gently roused Luke, waking him just enough to get him into a sitting position and properly strap him in (despite being too small to actually fit into the straps). Anakin strapped himself in as well and prepared for revision. It was time to begin their new life.

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