Chapter Twenty-Eight:
It was another two weeks before Luke was cleared to return home. He'd had a few alarming episodes of his breathing and heart condition, and his family had each taken turns helping him through it so that they'd all know how to do so when— not if, but when the doctor had emphasized— it happened at home. Javas had also instructed his family not to leave him alone at night in case he had an episode during his sleep. This was to continue for some time until he was better healed in that respect.
He could walk now, but his energy was not what it had been due to his on-going respiratory and heart issue. And indeed, he still could not go long distances without help, and he was shaky if he pushed himself too far too fast. The doctor had warned Luke about straining his body too soon after such an ordeal as he'd been through. He'd been told to rest and take it easy until he was doing well in his therapy sessions and showed satisfactory improvement.
This was all depressing to Luke, and he tried not to let it show to his family, who'd been nothing but supportive. However, the doctor had assured them that with time and the therapy classes he'd signed Luke up for, that the young man would be back to his former strength in due time.
These thoughts ran through Luke's head while he sat beside Leia in the family's speeder, which cruised along the lanes of Coruscant. He looked out over the ecumenopolis with mixed emotions. This place was both familiar and yet, after seven years away, foreign and unwelcoming against the serenity he was used to on the far-less-developed Trichi.
Luke wasn't sure how he felt about being home after seven years away... he wasn't sure how things would go once they were there. If he was being honest with himself... he was afraid.
He'd had a sort of secure bubble on Trichi, and even at the hospital. He'd been with his family again, true, but he'd not been home... the place that was essentially ground zero. It was the final missing piece to his life, and he didn't know what he'd do once he was back. Would he feel comfortable there again? Would he fit again? Would he be able to sleep in his bed after seven years away, or eat dinner at a table he'd not seen in too long?
He sighed to himself as he refocused on the speeder as their building came into view, and Luke's nerves rose with their approach.
However, to Luke's confusion, his father— who was piloting— stopped three levels below the penthouse where Luke knew the Skywalker residence was. Luke frowned, looking at the other occupants of the speeder in search of information. Had they moved during his time away?
"Why are we here?" Luke finally asked when Anakin got out, but Padmé and Leia remained where they were in the speeder upon landing.
"Someone wants to see you," Anakin answered cryptically.
Luke felt his spirits droop further, and he sighed softly. He didn't want to be visited right now, let alone go to someone's house: someone that he didn't know right now and probably wouldn't really remember anyway. That would all just lead to awkward silences intermingled with tentative, politically correct questions and answers. Luke sought for a diplomatic way to decline when, seeing his expression, Leia touched his arm.
"Trust him, Luke," Leia murmured. "You won't regret it."
Luke met her gaze and she nodded, with Padmé also giving him an encouraging smile when he looked to her as well. Luke sighed to himself once more and climbed carefully out of the speeder.
He joined Anakin on the terrace just outside a set of double doors. Luke only then noticed the high railing the speeder had flown over, complete with a secured gate. Frowning, Luke looked to Anakin, who only smiled secretively and opened the doors, waving Luke through first.
Luke hesitated, but then walked gingerly inside, wondering why the owner of this condo hadn't come to welcome them if they were expected. He froze in utter shock when he was greeted not with a normal house with furniture and a holovision, or even children running about while toys littered the seating area, but what looked like an indoor forest.
Luke's jaw dropped, and he instantly recognized some of the trees and plant life he had seen on Trichi, and he turned a confused face to his father.
"What is all this for?"
Anakin said nothing, merely waving Luke deeper into the abode, and the young man bit back a frustrated noise... especially when he heard a familiar whinny. Luke's head whipped about and his eyes zeroed in on a black animal cantering her way among the specially designed space.
Luke's face split into the first genuine smile of the day, and he sped forward as much as his energy supplies would allow so he could meet his kilit partway. He collided with her and threw his arms about her neck, clinging tightly even as his eyes flooded with tears.
"Mirat!" he whispered, feeling her excitement to see him again as well. He had forgotten that Anakin mentioned Mirat when he'd woken up, but between all the hospital craziness and everything else, he'd not thought to inquire as to what had become of his kilit.
Luke was trembling, and Mirat snorted with concern, even as she nuzzled him affectionately. Luke pulled back and patted her face lovingly, though when his knees began to wobble, he wrapped an arm about her bowed neck once more and turned to face his father, who was watching the exchange from where he'd been left.
"You brought her along?" Luke asked him with a watery quaver to his voice.
Anakin smiled softly and walked forward, patting Mirat's muzzle affectionately. "She didn't really give us a choice," he said with a small laugh. "But yes, she's here, and I wanted her to be close and as comfortable as possible. And... I didn't want to separate you two if we didn't have to. Though I think you owe Han and Chewie a big thank you for getting all this," Anakin waved about them at the plants, "here. Also, we own this condo now, and it's been specially redesigned so that Mirat won't bother anyone above or below this space."
Luke wiped at his wet face, and then reached for his father and drew him into a tight embrace.
"Thank you..." he breathed. "Thank you so much!"
Anakin returned the embrace, though he was worried by Luke's quivering. "Anything for you, Son. But we need to get you home: you can visit Mirat whenever you want. And, I managed to secure a pass for you at the Coruscant Zoo. They have access to an arena where you can exercise Mirat when you feel like a ride."
Luke smiled, turning back to Mirat. "Would you like that, girl?"
She nickered and nuzzled his hand.
"Well, it won't be for a while, I'm afraid," Luke lamented, lowering his gaze. "Doctors orders and all."
Anakin wrapped an arm about Luke's shoulders and gave a gentle shake. "You used to be the optimist of our family. Keep your chin up and you'll be on the mend before you know it."
Luke threw Anakin a grateful look, and then decided to share his fears with his father.
"Dad?"
"Yes, Luke?"
"I...," Luke hesitated, lowering his gaze again. "Don't be mad, but... I'm afraid."
Anakin frowned, and Luke felt his concern. "Afraid of what?"
"... going home," Luke said in a small, insecure voice.
Anakin did a slight double-take, blinking as he took that in. When he saw Luke's body language, he tipped the boy's chin gently. "Luke, I'm not angry. But please tell me why going home frightens you."
Luke bit his lip for a moment. "I... it's not that I don't want to go, or that I don't love you all, but... I'm afraid it won't... feel the same. It might be as I left it, and it might not be. But how do I just... go on living there after so long?" He looked away despite the fact that Anakin still held his chin. "What if you guys expect me to be who I was, or hope for things to go back to how they were, but... but I can't? I... I don't want anyone to feel like I don't appreciate or love them..."
Luke squeezed his eyes shut and allowed more tears, these not so happy, to fall. "I just... I don't want to disappoint anyone when I can't go back to how things used to be. I am scared of the awkward moments, and how that will affect us as a family."
Anakin listened to Luke's concerns, and his heart clenched when the young man began to weep.
"Luke, we don't expect anything like that from you," Anakin promised.
Luke opened his eyes, sniffling softly. "Maybe not consciously."
Anakin had to pause at that. "Well, I can't promise we won't have some tentative moments, but we love you, and we understand things won't just go back to how they were. Nor should they: we've all changed, Son, and we accept you completely. No strings attached."
Luke met his gaze hopefully. "You promise?"
"I will do my best not to be judgmental, if you promise to be patient with me in return. The same goes for Leia and your mother. We will all have to relearn how to live together again."
Luke smiled gently. "I think I can manage that."
Anakin led him back to the door. "Good."
00000
Luke stood before the opening to the patio of 500 Republica, unable for some reason to take that final step inside. His family had all gone in ahead of him, but he sensed their watchfulness as he took his time.
He was here; he was really here after so long. Luke took in the décor, from the familiar, chic furniture Padmé preferred in the open areas to the fountain he'd always loved. Luke felt a little childish for lingering like he was, so he sucked in a breath and stepped into the house.
Instantly he felt a peace and familiar warmth settle into his heart and very soul, and Luke soaked it in. How could he have been so worried about how he'd feel here? He'd forgotten what it was like to be home.
Luke felt his eyes mist, and he slowly made his way to his room where, to his surprise, Leia was already. Luke frowned at her to see that she was packing some things into a sack.
"Leia?" He spoke softly and she glanced up to him, blushing ever-so-slightly.
"Hi Luke. Sorry, I'm almost done," she said just as quietly.
Luke frowned. "What are you doing?"
"Packing, of course," she remarked with a hint of humor.
"But... why? Who's things are you moving away?" he queried.
Leia paused in her actions, hesitating. Then she sighed, dropped her clothing and sat on the bed, looking at the comforter as she ran a hand over it.
"I slept in here, instead of my bed," she explained with a semi-embarrassed shrug. "I... well, especially right after you were taken, I couldn't stand the separation, and being in your room helped. I couldn't sleep unless it was in your bed. It had your scent; it had memories of us together as siblings... it was comforting when we were ripped apart so violently." Leia shrugged sheepishly. "It may sound a little ridiculous but..."
Luke shook his head, stepping forward. "No, it's not ridiculous. I don't mind at all that you slept in here."
Leia lifted her big brown eyes to his, and Luke smiled gently, finally joining her on the mattress.
He touched her face tenderly. "If this is what helped you get through the last years, then who am I to complain?"
Leia nodded, looking toward her room, which could be seen through is open doorway. She looked put-out.
"What's the matter?" Luke inquired.
Leia sighed. "It'll be strange and... unfamiliar now to sleep in my own room. I don't think I'll get much sleep tonight."
Luke pursed his lips. "You don't have to move out right away," he offered tentatively.
Leia cocked her head at him, and Luke elaborated. "Doctor Javas told us that I wasn't supposed to be left alone at night for a while, remember? In case I have an... episode during the night." He finished, shifting uncomfortably.
Leia scooted closer and took his hand. "Luke, are you alright?"
He thinned his lips briefly, and then shook his head. "Not really. I... I don't want to deal with this new health issue. How am I ever going to get back to my original physical condition or live a real life if I can't help myself without fear of a relapse?"
Leia squeezed his hand. "Hey; Javas also said the episodes would spread out over time. And who knows, they might just go away entirely. It's just a by-product of being stabbed right by the heart and lungs like you were."
As soon as the words left her lips Leia regretted reminding Luke of why he had been hospitalized in the first place. Luke hadn't taken the news of Sidara's death all that well, and Leia knew he battled between anger and hurt caused by the woman he'd loved, and just letting her death be the end of things on that front.
He hurt deep in his heart, Leia knew. She felt it every day from him, especially when Luke caught glimpses of their parents having a moment. Not that he resented them for it, but it was a reminder to him of what he'd thought he had, and the slap in the face he'd gotten when it had turned out to be a lie.
"I'm sorry," Leia whispered when Luke looked down.
"It's alright," Luke murmured without glancing up.
Leia knew it wasn't, not really, but now wasn't the time for that discussion.
She squeezed his hand to get his attention. "Would you like me to stay in your room?"
Luke finally met her gaze, and she could see he didn't want to be alone tonight either. "Would you, please? I wouldn't mind sharing the bed like we did... before. But... please forgive me if we wake up with my arms around you in a... well, less-than-brotherly manner."
Leia smiled warmly. "I used to hold you too, sometimes. I could tonight as well."
Luke finally lightened up, and he returned her warm grin. "That would be great. I'm tired of sleeping in cold, lonely hospital beds."
Leia snorted. "No arguments there."
They shared a laugh and then looked up when Anakin appeared at the door. "Dinner."
Luke brightened. "Real food? I'm in!"
The trio laughed openly and Leia helped Luke to the dinner table, where the Skywalkers had their first family dinner since Luke's kidnapping.
00000
"Dad?"
Anakin looked up from where he sat on the couch. It had been a week since Luke's return to the Skywalker home, and the twins' birthday was fast approaching. Luke looked exhausted after his therapy session earlier that evening, and Anakin frowned when the young man wearily made his way over.
"What are you doing out of bed, Luke?" Anakin asked. "You need your rest."
Luke waved that away. "I will, but I wanted to ask you something."
"Okay," Anakin frowned, setting his datapad aside and giving Luke his full attention. "But couldn't you ask earlier?"
"No." Luke shook his head. "I don't want Leia to hear this."
Anakin lifted a brow. "Okay... what is it?"
Luke took a deep breath, and then looked at Anakin earnestly. "Do you think Captain Solo or yourself would be willing to make one last trip back to Trichi?"
Anakin couldn't hide his surprise. "Why?"
"I left something there." Luke looked down, slightly self-conscious. "Something important to me."
Anakin pursed a thoughtful lip. "And Leia can't know of this why?"
"Because it's for her," Luke said softly, and then he looked up. "Please, Dad. I need to finish this one thing."
Anakin could see and feel it that Luke was deadly serious... and the Force was urging him to help his son in this matter.
He leaned forward. "Tell me what you need me to do, Luke."
Luke's smile was so filled with love and gratitude that Anakin's heart lightened and he felt true joy for a moment.
"There's a large, leather-wrapped item hidden in my quarters on Trichi..." he began.
