Chapter 2

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'The Case Involving Leia'

'Goodnight, My Younglings'

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The case involving Luke's sister Leia is wrought with difficulty. Bail Organa continues to fight the case. He vows to fight Vader. He approaches Vader before they enter the courtroom.

"You hear me now, Anakin. I'm not afraid of you! I knew your wife. Padmé was a beautiful person. She wouldn't want her daughter to go through this. You don't even know these children. They don't know you. To them, you're a scary man in a mask. Don't do this. Leave them in peace. You have no right to them. They're babies, just babies!"

"They are My children! You have no right to them! I did not give them to you! I'll get them back. You dare cross me? Do you?"

Vader's attorney's hold him back. Vader is furious. He is tempted to force-choke Bail but is held back. His attorney whispers to him

"Save it for another day. Stop now, Lord Vader before our efforts turn to dust! Listen to me! Get out before the judge throws out the case. Then we'll have nothing. You'll Have Nothing."

Vader pulls away and storms out. Bail Organa is urged to take his place on the bench outside the Judges' courtroom. Everyone is emotionally spent by this time. The case drags on with petition vs. petition.

After an hour the judge sees everyone.

"It is my finding that the minor children Luke and Leia are to be wards of the court. I find further, that, although the children were not legally adopted, they will remain in their designated households until a later hearing to determine other arrangements. Lord Vader is permitted limited visitation in my chambers. The children will be brought before me on a day to be determined by letter. Lord Vader, you are forbidden to visit the children on your own. You will not call them, you will not visit either household or school where these children live and play. Any deviation from this agreement will void any and all hearings and proceedings and custody will be remanded to the current guardians. Is that clear?"

As he is nudged by his head counsel. He is heartbroken.

"Yes, Your Honor."

"Lord Vader, you are a smart and powerful man. I trust you will listen to your attorney and obey the law. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Honour"

"Your Honour, if it pleases the court, counsel would like to present a petition for a final custody hearing. Since Lord Vader is the biological father of Luke and Leia Skywalker, he should have every right afforded to him as a parent, furthermore, your Honour, counsel also files a motion that said offspring were deliberately hidden from Lord Vader after his devastating accident on Mustafar. He had no knowledge of their whereabouts and should not be penalized as a neglectful parent. My client would also like to prove to the court that he can provide a loving and safe home for his children."

"So noted. We will meet again for a new custody hearing and proof by Lord Vader that he can provide for his children in the manner to which they have become accustomed."

"Your Honour?"

"Yes, counselor?"

"The boy, Your Honour has been living under less than ideal conditions. His birth mother was a senator and was from a prominent family. Lord Vader can and will provide for him as he should have every amenity due him.

"I agree. Lord Vader. As part of the conditions set by the court, you are instructed to pay regular child support for Luke comparable to that of your daughter Leia. This account will be set up as a floating trust regardless of where Luke resides once custody is determined and finalized. Let's see if you are still serious about raising these two children as you claim. Are we understood?"

"Yes, Your Honour."

"We will reconvene one month from today. All parties are required to be present and state their cases. This court is adjourned."

The gavel comes down hard.

"Yes, Your Honour."

There is grumbling in the courtroom. Vader whispers to his attorneys and Bail Organa speaks to his attorneys. Bail is worried.

"What does this mean?"

"Lord Vader will need to match funds child for child, credit for credit."

"Does he have that kind of money? Should we be worried?"

"We will soon find out. It will mean nothing. He will still be required to pay back child support even if he does not have custody of his children. He may not even get to see them for years. If we run him through the system, he may just give up. He is just grand standing. He doesn't want those children. Mark my words."

A Month Later

Vader abides by the agreement set by the court. He continues to visit with Luke and Leia. Leia is still a bit wary of him. The Queen of Alderaan shelters her and exploits her fear of Vader. She shows Leia a holovid of Vader wearing the mask during a meeting with Governor Tarkin and Motti. No one knows how she got hold of this but the social worker advises the Queen not to do this. Vader has never revealed this side of himself to his children. A decision on Vader's custodial rights is postponed. Vader is furious.

Back at his attorney's office Vader expresses his frustrations. He paces nervously.

"Why do I feel as if I'm losing ground here? Are you all incompetent? Who do I have to kill around here to get my children back?"

"Lord Vader, these are very delicate proceedings "we" need to be patient."

"My children are turning four soon. I have never had them to myself. Always someone is watching us! I have never harmed them. Never."

"The judge sees that. These cases can take light years. I only ask that you be patient."

"Be honest with me. Do I have a chance at getting them back?"

"We are still combing through the legalities of the adoption. The judge has to rule on it. The Organa's are fighting tooth and nail but they don't have a leg to stand on. Obi-Wan brought Luke to the Lars family. We will take one child at a time. Luke will be easiest to get a judgment on. The other problem is the Naberrie family. They are still pushing a wrongful death suit against you.

"Padmé." He sighs heavily. He is exhausted and frustrated. "I loved her. I didn't kill her."

"It's all in perception and how sympathetic the judge is. She's an advocate for spousal rights. She doesn't look too kindly on domestic dispute cases. We've got to make you look pristine before this judge. You will have to display some humility and contrition; it will go far in your favor for this case. I think your combat injuries my help us but it's a stretch. They will want to subpoena Obi-Wan. That might be dangerous. Care to tell us what happened on Mustafar?"

"It was strictly between me and Obi-Wan. It had nothing to do with Padmé. Palpatine told me I went crazy when I discovered she had died. I thought she was alright."

"Don't talk anymore, Anakin. This will not help your case. Our best bet is to review the petitions and to throw out the claims from Organa and Lars. If we don't get everything we want, would you be willing to relinquish the custody of your children to the Naberrie family? At least they would be blood relatives."

"What about custody? What happened to that? I have nothing personally against Padmé's family but the children are all I have. I want my children."

"Alright. We'll go for full custody. It won't be easy. Are you prepared for a fight?"

"Always. Especially this one."

The case drones on. Vader gets visitation albeit strictly supervised and conditional. Accusations fly about Vader's finances and sources of income. The Dark Lord has devised some 'creative ways of generating income and lots of it from off-track Wampa wrangling to pod racing. None of it traceable.

Another year passes. Vader is becoming impatient. Palpatine is growing impatient with Vader.

Vader is permitted to attend a school performance where Leia is a fairy in the forest of Endor. After the performance she sees her 'parents' backstage and runs to them. Vader stands in the back, restraining himself from grabbing hold of her. He wants her love so badly it hurts. Suddenly she approaches him and thanks him for the flowers he left for her. She hands one of the flowers to him She hugs his legs then hurries back to Bail Organa and his wife. They look for a moment then leave with Leia.

Luke and Leia are now 4 years old. They have a play date together. This event starts to occur more frequently. Their teachers see them 'force' communicating with one another in school though galaxies away. Vader is asked to attend a parent-teacher's meeting. Vader refuses to make them stop. When the issue is brought before the judge, Vader's attorney sights their special bond and gifts with their father and says it would be detrimental to the children to stifle their powers. The judge agrees. Bail Organa is appalled and protests but he is overruled.

Unbeknownst to the judge, Luke has been force communicating with his father. Vader does not discourage it. It sometimes manifests itself while Luke is alone playing or at night while he is in his bed. It's a secret that the two share.

Luke's Force voice is soft and sweet. "Hello, Daddy."

Vader's Force voice. He is on the balcony."Hello, son. Aren't you in bed right now?"

"Yes. Where are you, Daddy?"

"At home. On the balcony."

"I can't see you, Daddy; Can I come to see you?"

"Some day soon, Luke."

"When?"

"When the Judge says you can."

"Don't you love us?"

"Of course I do. How are you, son?"

"I'm okay, Daddy. I miss you. I want to see you. Can Leia come too?"

"I want to see you and your sister too. Of course she can come."

"I love you, Daddy."

"I love you too, Luke. It's late. Go to sleep."

Leia speaks to Luke. "Who are you talking to, Luke?"

"Daddy. You knew that. Want to say,'Hi?'"

"No."

"Why? He won't hurt you."

"I'm afraid." Leia almost whimpers as she speaks to her brother.

"I can ask him to say, 'Hello' to you."

"Dad? Want to say 'Hello' to Leia?"

Leia 'whispers' to her brother, "I'm afraid."

Her father begins to speak to her to put his daughter at ease. "Hello, Sweet pea."

"Hi, Daddy."

She giggles and curls up under her blankets

Luke interjects. " Leia's shy."

"It's ok. Listen, you both should be sleeping. That's enough for now."

"Okay, Dad."

"Goodnight, Luke." He hears a faint voice. It is Leia.

Luke speaks next. "Goodnight, Dad."

"Goodnight, Daddy."

"Goodnight, Leia. I love you."

"What about me?"

"I love you too, Luke."

"I love you too, Dad."

Leia force voice not wanting to be left out, she speaks to her father in the most timid little voice.

"I love you too, Daddy." As the time passes, Leia sheds her timid shell and becomes more than any father can handle. For now, this is a moment her father will cherish for all his years.

Vader smiles and looks up to the Heavens. It is a crisp clear evening. There is a starlit night sky.

"Padmé, she spoke to me."

A few minutes later on Alderaan. The Queen enters Leia's room to check on her. She thought she heard her child's voice. Leia is sleeping soundly with a smile on her face.

There are several visits with the judge over a course of two years. The monthly three-day supervised visits with their father continue. These are soon increased to a week-long visit. Leia is still shy when approaching her father. She prefers to watch as Luke interacts with him.

The evenings of Force-talking continues. Visits to 'Ewokland' on Endor were a great success. A social worker is always close at hand. He didn't care for this arrangement at all. He was tempted to try to 'lose' the woman but decided it would not go over well with the judge. The judge is not yet convinced that Vader can manage two pre-schoolers even with all the increased visitation. He is still awkward with them and sometimes becomes frustrated and impatient. It breaks Vader's heart when he has to return them to their 'current' guardians. He refuses to acknowledge these people as parents to his children.

The judge visits privately with Luke and Leia again when are almost 5 and a half years old, then with each child separately. After an hour the children are sent out of the chambers to a private area in the courthouse with a social worker. They have visited Ewokland for the second time and both children wear their 'Ewok Ears' inside the judges' chambers.

The court reconvenes. Vader's attorney submits a petition and document showing due cause for full parental rights on behalf of Vader. The judge reviews the documents privately in her chambers. When she returns to the bench she makes a startling announcement:

"After reviewing this difficult case and considering all the parties involved, I have come to a decision. But let me say this. This case should never have been necessary had the children's situation been handled properly 5 years ago.

We have a father who has had his children spirited away from him as newborns with no chance to bond with them. We also have two loving families who have spent the last five and a half years caring for these extraordinary children, raising them as their own. Then we have devoted grandparents who want to have their grandchildren remember the great legacy of their dearly departed mother. It is not an easy case to decide."

The judge looks out at all concerned parties in the courtroom. She continues to speak.

The conditions of the adoption are in grave question. To decide upon oneself, albeit well-meaning is an affront to the surviving biological parent. The court believes Lord Vader was not given the opportunity to decide on the future of his children while he was infirmed. It is therefore, although heart wrenching to move these children around, they should be together as brother and sister. By this necessity, the court grants full custody of Luke Skywalker and Leia Skywalker Organa to their biological father, Anakin Skywalker…with conditions…"

There is a cry from Bail Organa's wife and the Naberrie family. The judge bangs her gavel and continues.

"The conditions are, and listen well, Mr. Skywalker. There must be a safe home filled with the necessary amenities for said children, secondly! Order Please! Mr. Skywalker, your children must be escorted to school and any and all extracurricular activities by their father unless appropriate arrangements can be made and approved by the court before-hand, furthermore…"

Shebangs the gavel again amid sobs and gasps. "You are to be visited by a court-appointed case worker at least twice a month and at the discretion of the Coruscant Office of Child Welfare. These visits will be unannounced, so heed my words, Mr. Skywalker, any break from these conditions and this case will be overturned as fast as it was decided.

Furthermore, you will be required to take anger management training classes at a time that does not conflict with your child's schooling or playtime. Luke Skywalker will begin his Jedi training as soon as you are able to procure a mentor for him. You will be required to be a stay-at-home parent for up to 6 months until the court decides other 'appropriate' arrangements can be made.

The droids C3PO and R2D2 will be returned to your custody as they are and have been with your daughter since birth. You will maintain them as an aid to both minor children. You will be required to refrain from working on the space station until said children reach their 18th birthdays. You will no longer refer to yourself as Darth Vader. If that Emperor has a problem with that, have him see me. I have a few choice words for him too.

You will permit visitation by all previous adopting parties until the court sees fit to terminate necessity of said visitation. The Naberrie family, maternal grandparents, aunts and cousins is therefore granted two weekends a month with said minors. These will be alternating weekends commencing Fridays at no later than 5:30p.m., and ending Sunday at 5:30 p.m. or until school begins which they will be returned to their father by Sunday noon but no later than 5:30 p.m. You are to arrange birthdays and holidays for said minors. You will be required to include the former adopted parents of both children until the court deems this practice unnecessary. This is not to mean, that these included parties are to coerce, influence or entice said children to return to the former households. And neither former guardian is to influence or try to enforce their parental methods of childrearing.

Once a smooth transition into the Skywalker household is established, Mr. Skywalker retains the right and authority to cease all visitations to parties not related by blood as he and the courts see fit. So, I want everyone to "play nice," not just the children. That is the decision of this court. All decisions are final and not open to appeal. This court session is adjourned. Bailiff, please escort Mr. Skywalker to the holding area to greet his children."

"All rise."

Bail Organa and the royal legal team comfort his distraught Queen. Owen and Beru are saddened. Both parties were instructed to prepare the children should the court rule in Vader's favor. The Naberrie family is not pleased with the over-all case but they are happy that they will see the children twice a month. Vader's attorney's congratulates him. He is in shock. He is still sitting for a moment to gather his thoughts. He thinks if he were to stand again his legs would turn to jelly and collapse under him.

"Congratulations Lord Vader, or as the court has instructed, 'Mr. Skywalker.'"

"Thank you. I appreciate your work. I apologize if I became unglued and impatient at times. I just wanted my children."

"You still have an uphill battle. You're on parental probation. Please contact us if you have any questions. We're here to help you make this transition."

"Thank you."

The second attorney shakes Anakin's hand. It feels good to hear the name Skywalker again. Anakin finally smiles.

"Good Luck Mr. Skywalker."

"Thank you."

Anakin's lead attorney speaks to him and pats him on the back. "Let's go see your children. Nervous?"

"I want them to like me."

"There's going to be an adjustment period. The judge knows that. It won't be pretty and it won't be easy. We're talking about kids here. I have three of my own. And, listen, you're going to have social workers clawing at the house. Keep your cool and take their advice. They're not visiting you to tear you apart. Just show them that you're a good father. Let's go."He smiles at Anakin and pats him on the back again.

As they head for the room, Anakin takes a deep breath. C3PO and R2D2 are with the children. They are playing. When Anakin walks in everyone grows quiet. Leia does not talk. Luke sits with Threepio. The social worker is there to allay any fears. Leia panics and starts to cry. She knew she might wind up going home with her father but the reality had not set in until this very moment. Anakin feels helpless but he refuses to feel guilty because he got his own children back.

The Social worker tries to calm Leia. "Leia, listen. All of your toys and clothes are in your new room. It's designed just as you wanted it. Your father said you could have it set up any way you want. You're allowed to change anything you want. Do you want to say 'Hello' to him now?"

"No."

The Social worker looks up at Anakin, "Say something to her."

"Leia, I want to get to know you. We've missed a lot of time together. I hope we can make it up. Isn't this what you wanted? I thought we had fun together all those times. I promise…"

"I don't have a mother anymore." She sobs. This makes Anakin shake. He is terrified right now.

He tries to console her but this is awkward for him. Luke takes her hand and squeezes it.

"It's okay, Leia, I'll take care of you." He looks up at his father and smiles.

They eventually arrive home on Coruscant. They are driven home by the social worker who helps get the children on their way. She eventually leaves and Anakin on his own.

The first task is getting the children settled in. Leia refuses to talk to her father. Anakin is intimidated by the children and lets C3PO help them instead. R2D2 chirps away, saying, 'Anakin has no fatherly instinct and is afraid of his children.'

Although the children have separate rooms they feel better sleeping together. Anakin is about to make them sleep alone but Threepio tells him to let it go. The first night Leia cries herself to sleep.

Anakin must get used to having the children round the clock. He follows the list given to him by the social worker of activities to participate in with the children.

He listens to Threepio's advice and sleeps in the spare bed in Leia's room while Luke sleeps in Leia's bed to comfort her. First night jitters. Two preschool-aged children? If this didn't scare the Sith out of him, nothing would.

To be continued… 'The Morning After Sith'

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Attention Readers: It might take 24 hours or more for the next chapter. In the meantime, I hope you're enjoying this heart wrenching story of rebirth and forgiveness.

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