Chapter Two

Luke and Taza joined the rest of the family at breakfast table the next morning, each of them feeling ambivalent and anxious about facing Anakin again. Luke had slept little the previous night, for the unsettled feelings he sensed emanating from his father made his sleep a restless one. Taza had cried off and on through the night, her hormones giving her emotions an extra edge to them in the uncomfortable surroundings she found herself in.

"Good morning," Padmé said as Luke and Taza entered the room. She gave them a warm smile, setting both of them at ease as only Padmé could. "I hope you slept well."

"Well, not really," Luke admitted. "Is Dad still upset?" he asked, noting with dismay that his father was absent.

Padmé frowned ever so slightly as she sipped at her tea. "I don't know if upset is the right word, Luke," she replied. "You know how difficult change is for him. It will just take some getting used to."

"What will take some getting used to?" asked Obi, all ears as usual.

Padmé looked at her youngest child, and then back at her eldest, as though to ask Luke silently if he wanted to be the one to inform the rest of the family.

"Well Obi," Luke began, taking a deep breath. "Taza and I have some news. We were married last night."

"What?"

"Married?!"

" Why?"

"What's going on?"

Luke faced the various reactions from his five younger siblings stoically, not at all surprised by their shock. "I know it's kind of a surprise," Luke said, looking up just as his father entered the room. "But we love each other," he added, looking at his father. "And we want to spend our lives together."

Anakin knew that his son was directing his comments in his direction, and returned his gaze. He felt badly that things were so tense between him and his eldest son, but Anakin had never been a man to hide his feelings.

"Well I think it's awesome that you're married," Shmi spoke up finally, giving her new sister-in-law a smile. "Welcome to our family, Taza."

Taza smiled, greatly moved by Shmi's kind words. "Thank you Shmi," she replied. "It's an honour to be a part of this family, it truly is."

Anakin said nothing, much to Padmé's chagrin, and helped himself to some breakfast.

"Yeah, welcome Taza," Qui-Gon piped up, sensing how tense his older brother was. "You rock, it's cool that you're our sister now." One by one each of the other children added their well wishes, not wanting to make their brother and his wife feel uneasy.

Taza's smile grew, and she looked at Luke. Luke smiled back, and then looked at his family. You guys are the best, he told his siblings silently. Thanks.

Anakin heard his son's silent words but said nothing and continued to eat his breakfast.

A little while later, Qui-Gon Skywalker sat in his father's speeder as Anakin directed it towards the Jedi Temple. In the back, Obi and Ani sat comparing their homework. Anakin was grateful that they were so quiet, though suspected that they were no doubt up to some mischief. Yet, he had concluded in his years as a father that such things were unavoidable where his children were concerned. And so he simply accepted the inevitable, knowing that he was powerless to change it. I thought Luke was different though, he reflected. I thought he was more responsible than this.

"Dad?" Qui-Gon asked.

Anakin said nothing, for he was lost in his thoughts.

"Dad?"

Finally Anakin looked at his son. "Yes son?" he asked.

Qui-Gon frowned, in the way his father knew meant he was trying to formulate the right words to say what he needed to say.

"Why are you so angry about Luke marrying Taza?" Qui-Gon finally asked.

Anakin looked away, focusing on the traffic once more. "I'm not angry, Qui-Gon," he replied. "I'm just…disappointed."
"Why?"

Anakin sighed. He knew that Qui-Gon idolized his older brother, and was consequently very protective of him. But Qui-Gon was also intuitive enough to know that something was going on, something more than simply a hasty marriage.

"I don't really want to get into it," Anakin replied.

Qui-Gon frowned, trying his best to read his father's thoughts. But Anakin's mind was like a steel trap, and gaining entrance wasn't easy. But he had a feeling, a hunch – and decided to go on it.

"Taza's pregnant, isn't she?" he asked quietly so his younger brothers wouldn't hear.

Anakin looked at him quickly, quickly enough to let Qui-Gon know that he was correct.

"I'm right, aren't I?" Qui-Gon asked.

Anakin nodded, a slight frown on his face.

"Is that why you're upset?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Yes," Anakin replied. "Your brother was careless. He should have known better."

Qui-Gon wasn't sure what to say in response, for he really didn't want to consider this aspect of his brother's relationship with Taza.

"Yeah, I guess," Qui-Gon replied. "But you love kids, Dad," he pointed out. "Aren't you excited about becoming a grandfather?"

Anakin didn't know how to answer this question. Was he excited? He did love children, he adored them. And another baby in the family was an exciting prospect. And yet, Anakin wasn't quite ready to face the possibility that this grandchild would represent a watershed in his life, between his youth and middle age. And middle age wasn't something Anakin Skywalker was ready to accept.

"I suppose I am," Anakin replied finally. "It's just that…."

"You feel old?" Qui-Gon offered with a smile, hoping he was being helpful. His father's frown dashed that hope quickly.

"Old? Not exactly," Anakin said. "I guess it's just hard to imagine being a grandfather," he said.

Qui-Gon shrugged. "It'll be fun though, don't you think? I mean, having a baby in the family? You know how Mom loves babies. I think she'll like being a grandmother."

Anakin nodded, quite certain that she would. Padme was a natural when it came to children, and he had no doubt that she'd be as wonderful a grandmother as she was a mother.

"I'm sure she will be," Anakin said.

Qui-Gon said nothing more, sensing that his father was less than happy talking about the situation.

It wasn't lost on any of Anakin's students that their master was preoccupied. He wasn't himself, and only his children knew why. Several of Luke's classes were with his father, something Luke normally enjoyed. But today it was very uncomfortable for Luke being in his father's presence. He decided that he needed to have a heart to heart talk with Anakin as soon as possible.

It wasn't until the lunch break that Luke was able to find his father alone in his office. He screwed up his courage and entered the small room, closing the door behind him.

"Dad, we need to talk," Luke said. Anakin looked up at him, not surprised at all to see him.

"If you wish," Anakin said as Luke sat down. "Though I think perhaps a talk before now might have been more prudent."

Luke frowned. "I know you're disappointed with me, Dad, but…"

"You're right, I am," Anakin said. "I thought you were more responsible than this."

"I'm not sixteen," Luke countered. "I'm a grown man, Dad. You were married when you were my age."

"I know how old I was when I was married," Anakin countered. "But our situation was entirely different. Besides, we were already married when you and Leia were conceived."

Luke felt his face grow warm. His father had never been one to mince words.

"I'm sorry," Luke said. "I'm not perfect. I know you expect me to be, but I'm not."

"I don't expect you to be perfect," Anakin said, growing upset. "Why would you think that?"

"Because I'm not allowed to make mistakes," Luke said. "I thought that you'd be more understanding. You've made more than a few mistakes in your life, after all."

Anakin had no immediate response for his son, his words stinging him. "Yes, I've made mistakes," he said. "Mistakes that will haunt me to my grave. I'm sorry if I've place such high expectations on you, Luke. I guess I just want the best for you. Having a child is a huge responsibility. It will make the trials very difficult for both of you."

Luke sighed. "I know," he said. "But it is what it is, Dad. I love Taza, and we were planning on getting married and having a family someday. I guess things just happened a little sooner than we anticipated."

Anakin smiled. "I suppose I can get used to being a grandfather," he said.

Luke smiled with relief, pleased that his father was starting to relent. "You'll be the coolest grandpa in the quadrant," he said.

Anakin laughed. "I don't know about that, but I'll promise you one thing. I'm going to spoil that child of yours rotten. You know that, don't you?"

It was Luke's turn to laugh.