Chapter 21

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Réunion at Mos Espa'

'The Sands of Wrath'

'Anakin, You Big Dummy'

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part of the child custody agreement was to give the former guardians some sort of closure during the painful transition. Reconciliation with the Lars was something that Anakin had been putting off for some time. Owen was not exactly extending any invitations for a truce.

Anakin did want to do the honorable thing. Owen, on the other hand was angry that he was not able to fight for Luke and he felt guilty for Beru. She was unable to give him a child and Luke was all they had.

Surprising enough, Beru was pragmatic about the whole ordeal. After the whole ordeal with the court and after the dust had settled, she told Owen that she was ok with the decision. She had come to terms with the fact that Luke belonged with his father. He would have become stifled leading the life of a poor farm boy. Being the product of a high-profile mother and an ambitious and powerful Jedi knight necessitated itself for Luke to be brought up as a Jedi. The judge would also see it this way.

Luke, even as an infant, sensed his real family. He had always sensed his father. Owen and Beru would not be able to hide this from him even if Anakin had not 'returned from the dead.' But it was the mother that Luke missed and felt a great sense of loss. Beru would want him to know everything.

It was fortuitous when the Naberrie's found out about the twins, even if it was Anakin that would have to credit for the discovery. They wanted the children to learn about their birth mother and the rich Naboo heritage that came along with it. When Beru saw the Naberrie's in the court room for the first time, she knew it was necessary to give Luke back.

On The Dusty Road to Salvation

A few days before his departure, Anakin informed Isabel that he wanted to get this matter taken care of soon. He hated Tatooine and dragged his heels about making the trip. He wanted closure. If he were ever to become an effective parent, he needed to mend fences with these people. He barely knew them and the only reason they remained in the picture was because Shmi married Owen's father.

He was angry that Owen and Cliegg Lars didn't do enough to save his mother. How could he possibly have feelings for these people who were resigned to accept his mother's abduction so easily?

But that was years ago. It was time to let go of the anger. It had dissipated over the past few months. The therapy and anger management classes were helping. He was a lot happier and felt less threatened by things around him.

Isabel has been a great help too. She was able to rationalize things that bothered him but in a constructive way. She told him the night before his departure that what he was about to do was a great thing. It was a giant step towards his freedom as a parent. She also believed this was a trip he could manage on his own and his anger would not be an issue.

Isabel had faith in him. He could do this.

The ship had landed early; just before noon. It was a clear sunny day and warm. He makes the twins wear khaki trekking hats to protect them from the harsh sun and sand. Leia protests but Anakin tells her they won't leave the ship until she puts on the hat.

"But I don't want to wear the hat. I'll get hat hair."

"Leia, don't fight me on this. I've been up since 5 o'clock this morning. I am not a happy camper right now."

"But I don't want anyone to see me with messy hair."

"They won't." Anakin takes the hat and pulls it down on her head so it stays put over those round pigtails she's so fond of wearing. He told Padmé years ago he hated that hairdo. Now his 6 year old is donning it. Leia looks up at her father. She pouts. Anakin mocks her.

"Aww, what's with the sad face, 'Pouty-Pie'? Don't got to worry about anyone seeing your hair now, eh?" He checks the twins once more to make sure he has applied enough sunscreen on them. He has. He tells her to put on her sunglasses. Luke is already wearing his. He loves to imitate his father.

"You're not using proper grammar, Dad." He playfully mimics her then chuckles. She will thank him one day for protecting her skin. The ungrateful little brat.

"You're welcome."

Isabel woke up early that morning to comb Leia's hair. Her father still teased her, saying that, had she gotten that 'bowl' cut as he suggested months ago, she wouldn't need to get up so early to have her hair done. Isabel had the ritual down to a science by now. Anakin is always amazed that Isabel can do this in a matter of minutes. Luke's hair was a lot easier to handle. She cut it so that, even when 'messy' it flowed pretty much back in place. Even Luke's redheaded nemesis in school takes notice. She still tortured him but at least she wasn't roughing up a 'total toad.'

Leia is pissed off now. All of Isabel's beautiful work…destroyed.

Anakin helps each child on this special morning. Luke and Leia each have their own little backpack. Isabel packs a treat for each child and allows them to take a favorite toy along to make the trip to Tatooine a bit easier.

After they finally leave the ship, Leia looks over at her father.

"How come you don't have a hat?"

"I do; it's in my back pocket."

"Well, it's not going to do your head any good back there…or maybe you're a butthead."

Luke's mouth drops open. He has a bad feeling about this. He looks at Leia then looks up at his father who is wearing his titanium Hatchet Wire Sunglasses. Anakin stops. Luke is waiting for the 'Sith' to hit the fan…Nothing. The children are a few steps ahead of their father as they head for the taxi stand from the Mos Espa landing port. Suddenly Leia falls on her behind on the sandy path. Luke stops short. He doesn't know if he should laugh or wait for his turn to 'fall.' Anakin closes in after her; his arms folded across his chest.

"Oops! Looks like you took a little spill there, Princess. Get up…walk it off."

"You did that on purpose!"

"Who me? You should be more careful."

"That wasn't a very nice thing to do." She brushes the sand off her legs and the pink skort she is wearing.

"What are you going to do, small fry, tell the social worker? You got any proof? Hahaha!"

"I'll tell Isabel."

"And how are you going to explain yourself, sweetheart? You can't because you know she's going to have one of her 'talks.' And we all know how Isabel likes to give us advice. It's like 'True confessions' time when she gets hold of one of us. So, you go on…try it."

"Fine. I apologize for calling you a butthead." Leia almost has to laugh at herself. She walked straight into that trap. Luke smiles to himself as he takes his father's hand. He looks down as his sand-walking shoes make tracks in the dense sand.

"That's better. Apology accepted." Anakin pulls his trekking hat from the rear pocket of his khaki pants and puts it on his head. The three walk over to the ground transportation area.

Anakin hires a driver to take them into town. The first stop is the main shopping district in Mos Espa. The driver lets them out and parks the car. He is more than pleased to do this. It is rare that he gets a passenger who spends more than a brief ride across town. He is going to hit the jackpot today. He may even take the rest of the day off when he is done.

Anakin thinks they should bring flowers for Beru. There were plants around the Lars home but only simple ones and nothing with much color. He purchases a large bouquet of imported Naboo roses and Felucia Freesia because these flowers remind the children of Isabel and they smelled beautiful. Anakin agrees. They all begin to feel a lot better about their impending visit.

No one knew what to give to Owen. He was such a fussbudget. He actually had Beru believing that a simple life on a moisture farm was a good enough life for her. He had her expectations as low as his. Luke and Leia decided to give him some framed holographs of them to hang on the bare walls of that dismal cottage. They find a local frame shop and Anakin gives the clerk a set of holographs to copy. The job took all of five minutes. Anakin and the children decide to take the flowers to the car wear it is cool inside. They return to pick up the framed holographs.

The children are amazed at the bustling pedestrian traffic. Anakin is amazed that it is now more active than he remembers it years ago as a young boy. He is also surprised at the increased tourism. Gamblers and businessmen would travel from all parts of the galaxy to watch a live pod racing event. The tickets weren't cheap anymore either. There were lots of corporate sponsorship and lots of celebrities.

There was also a big market for mail order brides and dating services. Imperial storm troopers were top clients who were looking for love in all the wrong places.

Anakin slows down when he spots a familiar place. He almost doesn't recognize it because it is sandwiched between two new merchants. In addition to that, there is a new holovid marquee above the door:

'Watto's Reclaimed Emporium'

'We don't take crap…We fix it'

Anakin looks up at the marquee like a child looking up to see snow for the first time. He is surprised the old buzzard is still in business after all these years.

Luke looks at the marquee too then turns to his father.

"What's this place, Dad?"

"…An old shop I used to work in as a small boy. I was not much older than you, Luke."

Leia looks around as her father ducks his head to enter the place. The children stay close behind.

"It sure is messy."

Luke nods in agreement. "It sure is. What a bunch of junk!"

Suddenly, Watto, who is sitting on his work bench like old times, turns and takes notice of the tall gentleman. He knows the man has not entered the establishment alone because he hears small voices commenting on his "collection."

"Ke Booda" What?

Anakin steps forward without revealing his 'associates.'

"Chut, Chut, Watto."

Watto cannot hear over the pit droids that have started chattering in response to the comments made a moment ago. One of the little droids scampers around the work table and sees Leia. It reaches under her hat to touch her hair. She shies away and grabs at the back of her father's shirt.

"Daad…"

Watto pounds his fist on the work table. "Ga ana bopa!" Shut down!

The pit droids become silent. Anakin picks up a small piece of equipment, examines it then returns it to its original spot on the table. Watto protests in Huttese.

"Yo baan pee hota. No wega mi condorta. Kin chasa du Sith…Jedi? No bata tu tu"

I don't know you...What can I do for you? You look like a Jedi. Whatever it is... I didn't do it.

"I used to work for you."

Watto strains his eyes. He is wary of the tall man with the two Scurriers peeking from behind the strangers' long legs.

"Ani? Little Ani? Naah!" He sees a flash of blond hair. It is Luke. "And an itty-bitty Ani? Wha…You are Ani! It is you!...Ya sure did buff up since last I saw you. Hey…sorry about your mum. Shmi was a fine woman…but never expected to see you again, boy. Heard bad things…" He stops short. He remembers the 'two Scurriers' then clams up quickly. He flashes a smile revealing those gnarled teeth. He tries to catch a glimpse of Anakin's accomplices. "So, Ani, waddya got here?"

"My children."

"Look at you! Ani a daddy. Don't that beat all?"

"Listen, I just stopped by to see if anyone was still around. Actually I'm heading out of town and I've got to go."

Watto starts to recall the rumors floating across the galaxy.

"Oh, yeah, I get it you're a busy Sith Lord now…Got no time for old Watto."

"Frankly, Watto…"

He tried to speak confidentially to Anakin so as not to upset the 'Scurriers.'

"Been years…heard your old master been getting busy with the ladies…can ya beat that? So…ah…howsabout you? Your wife gotcha babysittin' the kids… you're whipped."

"I'm a widower."

Watto thinks his age is catching up with him then he starts to recount events after the overthrow of the Republic. He continues to speak in hushed tones while glancing occasionally over to get a glimpse of the children.

"Oh, yeah…sorry. Yeah..heard about that. You had some bad times. His eyes light up. Well, hey! Lots of eligible women at the Mos Eisley Cantina." He winks and nods.

"Not interested."

"Oh well, I can understand that. So, what's the occasion?"

"Visiting….the Lars Homestead."

"Oh, that dustbowl of a farm? Yeah, that's out in the country."

Watto can't help but be intrigued by the bashful little scurriers who keep hiding from him. He buzzes around Anakin to get a better look. The children circle their father trying to get away. Leia is almost climbing her father's leg. He finally sees Luke.

"Aha! Cute little fella. Hey there, half pint! Come over here and let ol' Watto get a good look at ya!"

Anakin almost loses his balance as the twins scramble around him. Watto is laughing. Leia lifts her face from her father's side. Anakin is slightly amused and decides to let Watto get a good look at the twins. Watto is delighted to finally see them reveal themselves to him.

"Oh…waddya have here? A little girl 'Ani' She's yours too, eh?" He speaks to Leia. " Hello little Miss! She' a shy one, Ani. Two eh? More than you can handle?" Watto sees an opportunity here.

"They can be."

"Tell ya what I'm gonna do…Howsabout you leave your little one here to help me out in the shop. I'm sure he's as talented as his old man. Hmmm, never thought I'd be callin' you that! You see, Ani, I'm getting up in years. I could use an extra hand around here in the shops."

"Shops?"

"Oh yeah… didn't I tell ya? I got a chain of Watto's in the tri-Spaceport area."

"Really, a chain eh?" Anakin looks down at Luke and smiles. Luke's eyes bulge thinking that his father is thinking of trading him. Anakin shields Luke. He looks back at Old Watto. "Impressive. So, how many stores in your chain now?"

Watto smiles brightly at his former helper. He is proud of his 'business expansion.'

"Two! "Watto's Pick N' Shop' on Highway 9 near Mos Eisley Spaceport on the way to the Jundland Wastes. So, waddya say? I got some new spark plugs and motivators…howsabout an 'even' trade, eh?"

"Are you insane?"

Watto is offended.

"Hey, Ani, what gives? I was like a father to you! I was going to bring you into the 'family business.' I even had a sign made up, got it for half price. "Watto and Son." Imagine…all this could have been yours." He opens his arms proudly at the vast array of junk and gizmos. "So, waddya say, Ani? Throw me a bone here."

Leia finally speaks up.

"Daddy, who is the ugly bug with the Elephant nose?"

Watto squints at her.

"Hey, girlie, watch it! Ani, this one's got a mouth on her! Not so quiet after all. Don't you teach these little scurriers any manners?"

"Leave my Daddy alone, Butthead!"

Anakin almost laughs. "Leia! Watto, listen, we really have to go. I've got a car waiting."

"Woohoo! Look at you, Mr. Sith big shot has a 'car waiting.'" Watto breaks into his snaggletooth smile. "Wait! Wait! Don't go yet. Hold up…." He starts rummaging through a crate on the counter tossing bits and pieces of odd parts aside. Anakin rolls his eyes as he waits for the old buzzard. " Let's see here…what I have for the little tykes…"

Anakin tries to interrupt. "It's ok. You're too kind. We really must be going…"

He is trying to avoid taking anything but he sees that Watto eagerly wants to please the Younglings. He truly misses Anakin after all these years and he is relieved that he is well.

Watto eventually finds what he is looking for. "Here we go…something for the little ones." He hands each child a pit droid. "They're of no use to me. They just get in the way. The kiddies will get a real kick out of 'em."

"Uh…thanks, Watto. That's very kind of you."

The twins stare at the 'parting gifts' with some trepidation. They start to operate them. The little droids examines the hair tucked under Leia's hat. She shuts hers down. Luke giggles when he examines his. They thank him.

"Thank you, Mr. Watto."

Yeah, right back at ya…so, Ani…sure you don't want to leave little Blondie Jr. here with me?"

"I'm positive. Goodbye, Watto. Thanks"

The twins chime in. "Goodbye, Watto. Thanks."

Anakin slips Watto some money since he knows he never has accepted credits. Watto is not expecting this. Anakin winks aside to him as he leaves the shop. "Towards your 'chain.'"

"Thanks, Ani." He waves to the twins.

The last thing Anakin needs is Watto claiming he is owed something. Anakin and the children return to the waiting car.

Watto goes inside his shop. He grabs the remote then yells for the remaining pit droids to stop their chatter.

"Shut down! My show's coming on!"

The familiar theme music begins to play; the sound of a guitar and moog synthesizer can be heard. Watto hums along to the vintage show. He came across the DVD when a time capsule dropped off a truck headed for a smuggling operation run by Jabba the Hutt. Since Jabba could not legally file a claim for the missing cargo, he had to count it as a casualty of the trade. The crate contained lots of stuff from primitive planet Earth. Stuff from Earth was always landing on Tatooine. The 'word' NASA was stamped all over the capsule inside the crate. When Watto opens it, he knew he couldn't sell it without Jabba coming after him, so he kept it for his personal entertainment purposes.

He sits in his easy chair to enjoy the show about an elderly Junk collector and his son. Watto sits in the shop ready to enjoy his program. The 'Out to Lunch' sign is in the shop window. He starts cackling immediately.

"Oh, that Fred Sanford is a hoot! I got great respect for him" He whispers ruefully. "That coulda been us, Ani."

Anakin and the kids were well on their way to the Lars Moisture Farm.

To be continued… 'Low Expectations and Hard Work build Character'

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------