The Millennium Falcon had seen better days Luke decided as he helped Han repair his beloved ship. The smuggler had helped the rebellion immensely when he decided against bolting and helping his friend Luke with the destruction of the Death Star.

The space battle had been no child's play and the Falcon had paid for it. Han had been lucky to land it. There was a lot of work to be done and Luke had promised to help his friend.

Chewie was working inside on the software calibrations while Han and Luke were fixing a repulsor that had been hit.

Han was muttering curses under his breath. "Stupid Imps. Looks like I will be needing another replacement."

"You can't fix it?" Luke asked.

"I'm no miracle worker, kid. This repulsor is fried, just adding it to a long lists of spare parts I don't have." Han sighed. "I hope your rebellion will provide me with the funds to fix it or else the Falcon won't be up for flying for a long time."

Luke felt the familiar presence of Leia approaching and tugged at Han's overall. "Care for a break? Leia is here."

Han's brows shot up. "Her Highness? Perfect, I will discuss the financial troubles with her then."

Luke chuckled and got up to meet the Princess, who was also his sister... Luke shook his head, he still couldn't wrap his mind around that.

"Captain Solo. Luke." She greeted them with a nod. After that she smiled and embraced both of them. "How is the Falcon."

Han looked disgruntled at his ship. "She has seen better days. I need to replace a lot."

Leia nodded. "The Alliance will provide you with the necessary funds."

"What brings you here, your Highness? I am sure you didn't com down here just to ask if the Falcon was okay."

Leia took a deep breath and nodded. "You are right, Captain Solo. Actually, I am here to inform Luke that... Yedi Skywalker has woken up."

Luke smiled brightly. "Father is awake? That's great news!"

Han slang an arm around his shoulder. "See there was nothing to worry about!"

Luke laughed. "Can we go to see him? Now?"

"I am not sure if that's such a good idea." Leia stated.

"Don't you want to see him, too?" Luke asked confused. "He would want to see you, too."

Leia shuffled her feet. "I... I have just lost... I mean... I am not sure if I am ready for this." She looked sad with a faraway look in her eyes.

Luke and Han were silent.

After a while Han excused himself and left brother and sister to sort out their family problems.

Luke chided himself. She had just lost her father and now her biological one just pops out of nowhere. She believed Anakin would replace her father.

"I understand, Leia. But give it a chance. The memories you had with your family, they are still part of you. No one thinks you are replacing Bail with Father."

"I don't care what others think, Luke. I just don't think I can accept Yedi Skywalker as my... father, when I don't even know him."

"Okay." Luke couldn't hide his disappointment. "You don't have to. Just show him your support. He's been through a lot."

"I know." Leia bit her lip. "I just fear he will sense my reluctance and this could hurt him."

Luke smiled at her. "He will understand. I am sure. It would hurt him more if you weren't there."

Leia chuckled. "When did you become an expert on Yedi Skywalker, Luke? You only spoke to him when he was delirious."

"It's what the Force tells me." Luke replied easily.

Leia shook her head. "I will go with you."

Luke smiled and hugged his sister. "Thank you. It wouldn't be the same without you."

His sister just rolled her eyes. "Let's go."

The control panel to the private recuperation room of Anakin Skywalker was by no means extraordinate. It was white with a small holoscreen embedded seamlessly into the plastiplate. There was no access code necessary, as the orange button simply indicated "open".

Leia would only need to press on the button and the door would swish open. However, Leia had stood in front of the door for a good minute now. Her hand was hovering only inches from the button. Yet, she had not pressed it.

Luke was fidgeting slightly beside her. He did not want to force his twin sister into anything and especially not when she was not ready, but he was also anxious to see his father.

He could not really relate his his sister's reluctance to meet with their father. Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen had always made it clear, that his father was dead, so he was just glad to finally see him and get to know him.

Leia however had had a dad for her whole life and had lost him only days earlier. Logically, he understood, why she was so hesitant, but Luke's heart could not. So he stood in front of his father's room torn between waiting for his sister to make up her mind again and simply storming inside and see his father.

"Leia?" He asked in hopes of distracting her from her thoughts.

She said nothing, took a deep breath and finally pressed the button. The door swished open and revealed the sight of a tall man with tousled, blond hair and deep blue eyes. His posture was slumped but when he saw the two of them he straightened up unconsciously.

There were profound rings under his eyes, which contrasted strongly with his pale skin. He looked as if he hadn't eaten in weeks. These signs of weakness could not stop Luke from thinking of a strong warrior.

It could have been the edge in his eyes or simply his presence, but Luke did not see a defeated man but a strong and proud man in front of him.

Next to him Leia was having similar thoughts and her back straightened. In the back of his mind could not help but compare both. Their presence was similar: strong and simultaneously sad.

The small family regarded each other for a while. Because that's what they were now… Luke felt a small smile tug at his lips. …family.

That was when the door's timer expired and the door swished closed, leaving the twins staring perplexed at the while door.

Anakin blinked when the door closed and rubbed his face. He had been entranced by the sight of his children.

His beautiful daughter had stood proudly in front of him and she looked so much like his angel. He had nearly cried then and there.

His kind son gave of the same kindness his late wife had. The familiar smile on his son's lips made his heart beat painfully alive against his ribcage.

The door swished open again. This time his children did not waste time and went into his room. The silence around them was awkward. Neither knew the right thing to say, since words could not express the turbulence of emotions he felt around him.

Anakin shifted in his seat. He felt the urge to stand up and embrace his perfect children but his legs still would not support him and the least thing he wanted was falling in front of his children as a first impression.

It was his son who took the first steps in Anakin's direction he was hesitant at first but nothing stopped him to sit on one of the chairs next to Anakin's bed.

His sister came up behind him cautious and reluctant.

Anakin opened his mouth but did not trust his voice so he closed it again.

After some long minutes in silence his daughter could not stand it anymore. "It's good to see you up."

His son chuckled and added awkwardly. "Yeah, last time we saw you, you didn't look so good."

Anakin groaned. So much for the first impression. "I…" he started but a lump in his throat stopped him. He felt his eyes prickle. I'm so glad you are alive. He had wanted to say. Instead he took a deep breath and continued. "I've been in better condition."

"You'll be okay, right?" His son asked worriedly.

"I'll be fine…" Anakin started and noticed his horror that he did not even know the names of his children. Sure, he and Padmé had discussed possible names but they hadn't found the right ones at the time. His breathing shuddered. "I am so sorry. I…"

"You have nothing to apologize for, right, Leia?"

Leia. A jolt went through his whole being. Leia was the name he had preferred most, when he and Padmé were having a playful quarrel about the gender of their baby.

"Ani, I know this one will be a boy. He will be our lightbringer." Padmé stroked her protruding belly gently.

"I don't know, angel." He with a playful twinkle in his eyes. "I am sure this one will be a strong, independent girl. I can feel it."

He was cut from his musings when he felt a hand touch his shoulder softly. "Father?"

Anakin looked up to see his children look at him concerned. Seems we were both right… A boy and a girl.

"Sorry, I just… I remembered something." He told them.

Both accepted this with nod. And there was silence again.

Leia shook her head. "I could use some refreshments. Luke, like the moof-milker he is, is a huge fan of tea, while I prefer a nice cup of stimcaf. Would you like some, too?"

"Hey! Who are you calling a moof-milker? And tea is much more civilized than caf."

Anakin chuckled at the display. "Well, Luke." Anakin tested the name and, Force, it was the perfect name for his son. "I am afraid I have to side with your sister on that one, though I am sure that Obi-Wan would love to chatter about different brewages with you. I never understood why he like that watery, herbal taste."

Luke was looking a bit betrayed but the smile on his sister's face made up for it. She grabbed the service pad, which all patients with bedrest had and typed in her order. "So… one fruity tea, one stimcaf with milk… How do you like your caf?"

"Just the way it is, please."

Leia nodded and send the order to the service station.

"So, how do you know Ben?" Luke asked curiously.

Anakin inclined his head. "Sorry… Who?"

"He is talking about General Kenobi." Leia explained.

"Oh! Obi-Wan. Well he was my Jedi Master. You could say he raised me."

"So, Old Ben is practically our grandfather?" Luke exclaimed surprised.

Anakin chuckled. "Well, more of an Uncle, although… his grey hair is more befitting of a grandfather but he is more of a brother to me."

The door swished open and a service droid came in with three steaming cups on his tray. "Sir, the beverages you requested."

Anakin nodded and used the Force to float the three cups onto the small table beside his bed. "Thank you."

Luke and Leia had observed the floating cups with wide eyes. "You can do that with the Force?" Luke asked excited.

"Yes, but Obi-Wan always chided me for using it for frivolous tasks."

"Can you teach me?" Luke blurted out. "I mean Ben got me started on the basics but I want to learn so much more!"

Anakin nodded. "Of course, I would love to." Anakin turned to Leia. "Are you also interested, Leia?"

She looked at him surprised. "I?"

Anakin furrowed his brow. "You do know, that you are force-sensitive, right?"

Leia shook her head slowly.

"But Obi-Wan should have told you, when he told Luke, right?" Anakin was confused.

"We grew up separated." Luke said softly. "Ben told us after we saved you."

Anakin blinked.

Leia sighed and sipped on her caf. "Luke lived on Tatooine with the Lars family, if I recall right. General Kenobi lived somewhere in the desert."

"Tatooine, huh?" Anakin whispered. "How are Owen and Beru?"

"Dead." Luke supplied. "Stormtroopers burned the homestead while I was with Ben."

"I am sorry, Luke." Anakin put a hand on his shoulders. "They were… good people."

Luke just nodded. "Yeah. I miss them but I am also just glad I got away from that dustball."

Anakin nodded. "I can relate."

They drank their respective drinks for a while in respect for the Lars family.

"So, Leia." Anakin began. "I hope you grew up on a kinder planet."

Leia nodded and barely repressed her hurt. "Yeah, but I don't want to talk about it."

"Okay." Anakin whispered and Luke looked at his sister with a worried glance. "Perhaps, you are ready to talk about it later. I will be here for some time."

Leia nodded in gratitude and breathed in deeply to regain her composure. "Well. There is something I wanted to ask you."

Anakin looked at her. She seemed a little on edge. "What is it, Leia? You can ask me anything."

And he meant it.

Luke just sipped his tea quietly, while Leia bit her lip nervously. "I don't remember much about our mother." She began and looked into the dark reflecting surface of her stimcaf. "I remember her smile. It was very beautiful. Kind, but...sad. I just…"

Leia looked at Anakin and stopped. Tears ran freely down his cheeks and it seems like he was lost in his memory world for some moments. Then he rubbed at his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Sorry." He sniffed slightly.

"Father, if it's too much, just tell us. You can always tell us later." Luke interrupted.

"No." Anakin held up his hand. "I want to."

Luke and Leia were silent as he composed himself.

"You remind me of your mother." He began. "Both of you. Your mother was so kind. She was an angel always helping people, systems the galaxy. Her name was Padmé, she was the senator of Naboo at the time of the Clone Wars, but when I met her she was known as Queen Amidala."

Luke and Leia were entranced as he told them about their mother. He recounted the adventures they had together and tried to put Padmé's love and joy for them in words. Only when his voice had become hoarse from use they had called it a night.

With a blinding smile on his face Luke had hugged his father and wished him a good night. Leia had been more reserved but the her content expression on her face was all he needed from her. They promised to come back tomorrow to tell him about the adventure that world eventually lead to their reunion.

After his children had left, Anakin's small smile slipped off his face quickly. Although spending time with his children eased the ache, it was still there. His angel was dead. Talking about her had lifted his spirit a little but it came crashing down when he was alone.

He could not grasp the concept of that. Padmè had always been a constant in his life. Sure, his dreams had warned him about her death and a small part of him had already accepted the possibility of Padmé's untimely demise. Her smile, however, still echoed in his mind and her bright, warm presence was still engraved in his memory.

He wanted to remember every moment he had spent with her. He just wanted to hold on to that fading image of his late wife. It was the only thing he had left of his angel. Even after hours of telling tales about Padmé he felt alone. He was desperate to tell the twins all he knew about their mother but it was not enough. No words and no story would ever be enough to describe his wonderful wife.

So he sat like an unmoving statue on his bed staring at the white wall trying to find more than what he had told his children. Instead of a white wall he saw the good and bad times with his wife. When she had come into Watto's junkshop and her presence lit the whole place up like a beacon. Their engagement and their vows. The petty fights over Palo, his worries, when she put herself in danger again and all these happy times, when they were finally reunited after a long time of absence.

He felt regret. So much regret. The memories would not be enough to show Luke and Leia how perfect their mother had been. He should have spent more time with her. It had been too short. He longed for another moment to bask in her presence. He buried his face in his hands and sobbed quietly.

Duty comes first, huh? Kriffing duty, he thought. That was what had stood between them all the time. If he hadn't become a Jedi and she quit being a senator, they could have had so much more. If Palpatine hadn't been, they could have had led a fulfilling marriage.

They had missed out on so much. Although he would not trade any memory for a much quieter life, he wished that they could have been a normal couple, too. They would have experienced the birth of their children together and awed at their first experiences of the galaxy around them.

Anakin shook in frustration. Another thing he had missed out on. His children were adults now. His age! To him they were not even born, a day ago. So many regrets. He hugged his knees in his grief and let out another wail.

Why did it always have to be he who lost so much? He felt empty and alone. Even Obi-Wan was not the person he knew anymore. His master was old and broken, he could see that much. He lost everything he held dear once and he was of sure he could begin anew.

His world was gone and he did not know if he had the strength to create of another one around himself so soon after losing it all. Without Padmé as a beacon he was lost in the

Sobs wreaked his frame until exhaustion claimed his mind and he fell into blissful unconscious.

That is until the nightmares of death and instant destruction came. Anakin woke up screaming and clawing at his face. Hot, white fires set his brain alight with agony. Breathing heavily, he tried to calm down.

He was alone again, part of that deathly machine, which used him to wipe out an entire planet. He had lost so much and was afraid to lose even more. Always afraid.

Fear leads to the dark side. He remembered Yoda preaching. Palpatine had paved the way perfectly for his fall, he saw. However, his hate for the Sith Lord kept him firmly in the light side of the Force. Anakin would not follow that path, because his love was just too strong.

He would never betray Padmé and Obi-Wan. He would not disappoint his children. He was stronger than that.

So, he slowly released his hate into the Force. He used to hate meditation but now it felt good. He could think clear again. His connection to the Force was not muddled by that dreadful drug anymore.

He was floating in bright colours and for a moment he could just be himself.

He noticed something in the Force something familiar and warm. It embraced him, soothing him when he thought nothing could.

After some time he was okay. A headache remained due to his exhaustion and his body screamed for rest, but the images and the grief still plagued his mind. The soothing presence had erected a cotton like shield around his mind. He felt groggy and exhausted, but also warm and safe.

Blinking, Anakin tried to place this warm presence around him. It was like a lullaby and he was too exhausted to fight against the exhaustion now. His eyelids dropped and he fell asleep again, but this time the warm presence protected him from his inner demons.

The next day, Anakin could have sworn he heard an angelic voice whispering. "Don't give up, Ani. I am here with you."