Naberrie Family

Two days later, Padme and Anakin Skywalker were strolling toward the small mountain village that the Naberrie family resided in, hand and hand. Behind them they could hear Artoo and Three-pio arguing. "Don't be nervous," Anakin told his wife, "They are good people," he admolished her.

"I know, it's just Anakin. I….we've been lying to them for over two years."

"Out of necessity, Padme. They will understand. Have faith, my love," he replied, stopping meters from the house so that he could look into Padme's eyes. "I love you, with everything I possess, once they realize it they will understand," he replied as he lowered his lips to briefly cover hers. "It's better that we get this over with. I know you are nervous, so am I. What will they think of you marrying a younger man?" he teased.

"Oh Ani," she melted, and squeezed his hand again. Anakin and Padme allowed Three-pio to announce them.

"Master Ani and Mistress Padme here to see you," he said, and Padme watched as her nieces came flying outside to see them. Pooja and Ryoo Naberrie. Ryoo came flying into her own arms, nearly bowling her over, and Pooja threw herself at her husband.

"Uncle Ani," she said, looking into his eyes adoringly. He balanced her neice on his hip and stroked her dark brown hair.

"You've grown into a great beauty, Pooja," he said to her. "You look more and more like your aunt every time I see you. Of course, I didn't meet her until she was fourteen but I have no doubt that you will grow into a beautiful and shrewd politican," he praised her.

"Really, Uncle Anakin?"

"Of course, I'm a Jedi, don't tell me you doubt me?" he asked, placing her on her feet and pretending to be wounded.

"Jedi lie," Padme heard her sister's voice. "And so do politicians." The light that had surrounded her husband fell off of him in waves.

"Hello again, Sola," he said to her, "You have beautiful daughters. You should be proud."

"We are," she replied, her voice icily. "And I don't need you filling my daughter's heads with silly fantasies."

"Sola," Padme began. "Anakin is only telling the truth. There is no need to be mean to him. Let's take this inside," she replied, and her sister stepped back, allowing Anakin and Padme into her parent's home.

"We saw the news feed. We know what you have come to tell us, son," Ruwee said to the young Jedi. "I doubt there is anything we can say that would change your minds now." Anakin smiled at him.

"No, sir. Know that no harm will ever come to your daughter as long as I live, you have my word. I love your daughter more than my own life. I would never see harm come to her."

"You are a Jedi. You are the Jedi protector we met before."

"Yes, sir."

"I should be angry about the secrecy, about the lies, but I can see that my daughter is happy. All I want is my daughter's happiness. Some day, Anakin, when you have your own children, you will understand."

"Yes, I'm sure I will."

"You aren't pregnant, are you, Padme?" Sola asked her sister. "That isn't the reason you have come out is it?"

"Sola!" Padme's mother exclaimed.

"Well, we have a right to know, if this Jedi is to become part of our family. Darred, please take the children to the nursery," she added, watching as he did as told.

"Apparently, he's learned that arguing with a Naberrie is pointless," Anakin remarked.

"Who are your parents?"

Anakin frowned as he sat down at the kitchen table that Padme's parents and sister were already sitting at. He got up and held out a chair for Padme and then returned to his seat. Idly, he levitated the spice shaker, something he sometimes did while being frustrated. "My mother….was murdered three years ago on Tattooine," Anakin's eyes flashed with the memory. Padme's mother covered his hand with her own.

"I'm so sorry, I hadn't heard."

Anakin laughed bitterly, "You wouldn't have. My mother was married to a moisture farmer on Tattooine. When I was small we moved to Tattooine along with others. My mother and I we….were slaves." Even Sola was speechless.

"Anakin saved Naboo from the Trade Federation, with no training at all, he flew his ship into the Control Center and took out the droid army."

"And your father?" Sola continued.

"I have no father."

"You mean he didn't stick around."

"No, I mean my 'father' is the Force. I simply was. There is no explanation for my birth. I am the child of the Force."

"They call Anakin the Hero with No Fear," Padme stated. "He's a Jedi Knight, or he was. It's why we had to keep our relationship secret," Padme explained.

"So what's different now?"

"I left the Jedi Order," Anakin replied. "The Jedi's ideals have become perverse, and corrupted, the Force believes there is a better way to serve it, and I have followed the will of the Force."

"I don't pretend to understand most of this, Anakin," Padme's father said, "But you have my blessing and your mother's. I would like to welcome you to the family. I would like to hold a celebration in your honor and that of my daughter's."

"I would be pleased, sir."

"Dad, Anakin, please call me Dad, we are family now." Anakin smiled, he really did have a family.

"How will you support Padme?" Sola asked.

"I am a General of the Republic, I may not be a Jedi anymore, but I am still a soldier of the Republic. The 501st are my men. Along with Ahsoka we will be returning to the war in a few weeks. My leave was ordered by the Chancellor. He will be planning a renewal of our vows, and we would like to personally invite you."

"We will be there, son. Wouldn't miss it for the world. Padme's father stood up as did Anakin. "Welcome to the family, Anakin Skywalker," he said and he hugged Anakin. Anakin's eyes filled with tears, tears he was having trouble blinking away.

"I have never been a proper Jedi," Anakin said, as his voice cracked.

"There's no shame in a few tears, son."

"I know, I just lack….Jedi reserve. I've struggled with it since I entered the Order," Anakin explained. "Master Obi-Wan says I wear my feelings on my sleeve," Padme's father just hugged the youth, until he was able to get his emotions under control.

"We are staying at the Lake House."

"That's a fine home. Have you thought about children?" Anakin took a step away and allowed Padme's father to lead him into his study.

"No, we were trying to keep it a secret before, and now, I wouldn't want my enemies to come after Padme or the children. General Grevious and Count Dooku are still at large, as well as Count Dooku's master. It's another reason we wanted to keep our relationship secret, si….Dad," Anakin corrected himself. "Until this war ends I don't know."

"Children, Anakin, come when you least expect it. And they are one of life's greatest treasures. When Sola was born I didn't think life could get any better, and when Padme was born, I knew my life was complete. Children are self-renewing, they give us hope in the future. What do the Jedi think of your marriage?"

"It's against the Code, it's why I'm no longer a Jedi, they don't believe in love, or in attachments," Anakin replied.

"Anakin, son, if you ever need anyone to talk to, please don't hesitate to come to me. Even if I don't understand the ways of the Force, I do have experience as a husband and a father."

"Thanks, Dad," Anakin replied. "We will return tomorrow." Anakin replied as he went to collect his wife. He felt lighter than he had in a long time. Even if he had lost his mother, he had gained a family that he had never dreamed possible. Now all he had to do was win over Padme's sister.