Sorry about the long delay! I wanted to make sure this story got an ending before I posted this. Turns out theres one more chapter after this so that'll be up by tomorrow.

Happy Reading!

Chapter 7

"Reach out," He said, "Just feel. Feel the Force flow in the grass, in the birds… in me, in your father," Obi-Wan sat on a large stone, his legs crossed and his arms lost in the folds of his robe as he guided Luke through a complex meditation. His son seemed to be doing well and he couldn't help the proud way his lips curled into a smile. In another time Luke would have made an excellent Jedi. Even as a boy when Anakin had taught the twins the most basic uses of the Force, both had excelled but Luke had always had an interest that eclipsed his sister's. Where she found meditation boring and liked the more physical uses of it, he had embraced meditation and longed for a deeper understanding that Anakin was reluctant to teach.

Obi-Wan smiled as the boy's presence wandered the space around them, his senses extended and gently brushing against the living Force that surrounded them but never seeking to dominate. Balance. Peace. Luke let out a breath and pulled out of his trancelike state. Sweat shined on his forehead and darkened the short hairs at the nape of his neck. "You did very well, Luke," Obi-Wan said as he stood from his seat on the stone and walked closer to him.

"Thank you, Master Kenobi," Luke said as he pulled one leg close to his chest. "That was… different than when I did it when I was a kid…"

The older Jedi smiled, "I'll bet. I know your father has been reluctant to advance your training, but you're just as naturally gifted as he was."

Luke sat up straighter and he could feel his son's surge of pride at the compliment. "Do you think one day I'll be as good a Jedi as he was?"

The question caught both of them off guard. He and Obi-Wan shared a worried look. Neither really knew what to say. Anakin has not yet talked about any of this with Padme. The thought of Luke becoming a Jedi has not been on their minds since they were reunited. Obi-Wan cleared his throat, and shifted his weight as he regarded the younger Skywalker, "Well, we'll have to wait and see." It was a weak answer and not what Luke was looking for at all, but Anakin was glad it would at least buy them some time.

"Why don't you go and get yourself cleaned up," Anakin said, closing the distance between them and holding a hand down to help his son up, "Dinner will be ready soon and I don't think your mother and sister want you smelling like a shaak." He smiled as his son rolled his eyes and ruffled his hair as he left. "Thank you," He said once Luke was out of earshot.

"As much as I know you are reluctant to let him," Obi-Wan said, "I think you and Padme need to talk about it."

He shook his head, "I know…" He said.

"You know the boy would be welcomed at the Temple. He is so strong with the Force and wise beyond his years. We need good men like that." Obi-Wan placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze, "We've learned the error of our ways."

"Have you?" He asked. "I know things have changed but is it really because any of you have learned? Or have things just changed because the times demanded it of you so you could exist?" Anakin's eyes closed as he heaved a heavy sigh, "I know that's harsh, but this is my son we're talking about. Granted, I do worry more for Leia given her proclivity to passionate emotions. But I don't have to worry about her seeking ways to actively use her gifts. But Luke…"

"You have my word he would be safe."

"On Coruscant? You can't promise that. It just takes one person— the wrong person— to get their claws in him to—"

"Anakin, I know you're afraid," He said, placing a firm hand on his shoulder, "You're afraid like any father would be in your position."

Anakin scoffed, "No father has ever been in my position."

"Your children are nearly grown," He said. "They're getting ready to leave home. You're afraid of the challenges they will face," Obi-Wan smiled and nodded his head, "Every father has those fears." Anakin remained silent as the Jedi continued, "I had similar fears with you," He said. "When I came to the realization you were ready to be knighted. There was nothing more I could teach you but subconsciously I kept trying to think of things you could improve on. But the Force told me you were ready. And I knew that whatever was left to teach you, you had to learn it on your own. I heeded the wisdom of the Force. And I trusted that you knew what you were doing. As difficult as it may be, you and Padme need to decide when the right time is to give that same trust to your children." Obi-Wan's hand fell from his shoulder as he stepped back and bowed his head respectfully. Without another word, the old Jedi Master turned towards the path Luke had walked up moments before and slowly started the trek back to the house.

It was rare for Padme to be in the locked medical room with him. But of all the rooms in their home, it was the only one they knew had complete privacy even from their sneaky twins. Anakin sat at the small workbench in the room, a spare prosthetic leg displayed firmly mounted on the surface with parts of the wiring exposed. His eyes were focused on the leg, he made an act of examining the wiring, trying to distract himself but to little avail.

"Are you going to tell me what's bothering you?" Padme asked. She was seated next to the workbench facing him, her hands folded neatly in her lap. "You've been distant since you came in this morning. Did Luke's training not go as well as you said it did?"

He shook his head, "it's not that…" He said, giving his wife his full attention. "Luke wants to be a Jedi," He said, pausing, expecting her to say something. But she remained silent, waiting for him to continue. "What are we going to do?"

Padme shrugged her shoulders, "I… I don't know," She said. "He's wanted to be one for so long… you'd think we would have figured it out by now."

He bit his lip as he continued, "I think we've run out of time to figure it out," He said.

"I know," She sighed. "In all honesty, the idea doesn't thrill me."

"Me either," He agreed.

"But, I don't think we have a choice."

"Don't we?" He asked. "He's still a kid, we could tell him he's not allowed to—"

"And then what?" Padme demanded, "All that does is hold him back a few more years. Maybe… maybe it's time we let him."

Anakin shook his head, "You can't be serious," He said. "You say you don't like it, but you'd just… do nothing?"

"It's not nothing," She said, "For Luke, letting him follow his dream would be everything."

"But…"

Padme reached across and took his hand in hers," Ani…" her thumbs traced the smooth metal of his knuckles, "The thought of Luke being a Jedi and knowing the kinds of beings he would be around, it scares me. Knowing the dangers and temptations he would face… it's why we chose to raise them here where we know they are safe. But… it's no longer about what we want. We can tell them what we think, and how we feel but regardless, we have to let them make their own choices, or at least start to make those choices."

His eyes closed as he shook his head again, "I can't…"

He felt her hand come to his face, cupping his jaw, she brought their heads together, their foreheads touching lightly as she stroked the skin behind his ear, "We'll ease him into it," She said. "Just… let him take the first step. And if he ever wants to back out, he can always come home."

Anakin was far from happy. Despite his better judgment, he and Padme had come to a decision regarding Luke and becoming a Jedi. Neither one of them liked it, but they both reasoned it was the best thing they could do right now. In a few months, Leia would be leaving for the Legislative Youth Program. It seemed only fair to offer a similar thing to Luke. Standing outside their son's bedroom, both parents took a final moment to confirm this was the right thing to do. With a deep breath and a supportive squeeze from his wife's hand in his, they knocked on the door before entering.

Luke's bed was a mess like it always was, a pile of clothes sat at the foot of the bed and his desk was littered with spare parts, data disks, and dirty snack dishes he had yet to bring to the kitchen. Despite the mess, Luke was sprawled on his unmade bed, a gamepad in his hands as he played his racing game.

"We have something we'd like to talk with you about," Anakin said, his tone silently requesting for their son's attention.

"Am I in trouble?" Luke asked, pausing his game and sitting up.

Padme gave him a warm smile, "No, sweetie," She said, "We just… Obi-Wan is finishing up Leia's lessons and will be leaving for Coruscant in the next few days."

"And… And we were wondering if you'd like to go with him." Anakin finished. "For a few weeks," He hastily added.

Luke's eyes widened as he slowly processed what they had said but quickly recovered, blinking rapidly several times before shaking his head, "Wait… we… we're going to Coruscant?"

Anakin shifted his weight awkwardly. This had been another thing they had considered. Padme thought it would be a good idea for them all to go, part of her seemed almost excited to go back and see politician friends but Anakin was extremely reluctant. The last time he had been there, it had still been called Imperial Centre. And the dark memories of the Empire and what he had done to the Jedi and Republic were things he was not ready to face and might never be.

"Not us," Padme said, "Just you." Her eyes drifted to meet Anakin's for a moment before she looked back at their son's whose eyes looked just like his father's. "We… we thought it was about time to let you start your Jedi training. Only if you want to, of course."

Luke's eyes met his father's, "Do you mean it?"

He was seeking approval. And the hope that shined in his eyes was just too much for him. Anakin nodded and forced a smile to his face, "Yes." The wind was nearly knocked out of him as Luke barreled towards him, embracing him in a fierce hug. His arms wrapped tightly around his son as he buried his face in his son's hair. He never wanted to let go.