Chapter 36

Luke had ordered a pre-prepared meal for six from a five star restaurant near the Solos' apartment ad had it arranged to be delivered. Leia had gotten ahold of Jaina, but Jag had unfortunately not been able to come do to pressing matters with the Imperials—well, that and being several light years away. Ben had been able to get Myra to agree on the dinner on such notice—which surprised Luke frankly, he knew how busy Myra's schedule was due to her studies.

Though, he was sure he heard the exasperation and subtle displeasure in her voice at Ben's faux paus.

When he got off the comm system, his son wore a visible hang dog expression. Luke was quite familiar with that Luke and he couldn't help but grin.

"You're enjoying this." Ben accused.

"Not so."

"You lie badly, Dad," He stated. "You should learn to cover that tone if you're going to do it."

He grinned and slipped an arm around his shoulders.

"What?"
He looked at his father curiously.

"It's…just that, I've always dreamt of this day. When you'd meet a woman that completes you the way your mother completed me." He hugged Ben tightly. "You always
seemed so…distraught over…well, you know."

Ben nodded.

"You told me there would be another."

"There always is…." Luke dropped his arm and walked over to the side table to retrieve a glass of water. "Son….when Calllista first left me, I began to despair that I'd ever find that special someone whom I was meant to spend the rest of my life with. I gave up the notion of children…of having a family. Then your mother came along, or more like she'd always been there…and I'd been too blind to see it." His eyes started to mist over ad his voice to clog. "She was always there for me; when I felt the lowest…even when I was beyond arrogant and I'm sure she wanted to hit me upside the head. " He smiled sadly, but Ben could hear the happiness enter his father's voice.

Ben put a hand to his father's arm.

"I honestly thought I'd never find anyone else to feel that way for again, then I met Melinda. I realized even though I would never share the same feelings for her I had for your mother, I could feel again. I could give my heart to another—something I thought was impossible back then." He turned to his son. "We are capable of loving more than one person, caring for more than one…you were…and so was I." He raised a hand to his son's cheek. "You've got something wonderful, Ben, and I'm happy for you. Always be happy, my son."

"Dad, I..."

"No, this is not about me." He corrected, as if knowing where Ben's thoughts were headed. "This is about you."

"Still, your happiness means a lot to me too."

Luke laughed. "Very well. I suppose I can't argue with you, no more than I could with your mother." He clapped a hand on Ben's shoulder. "But let's leave that discussion for later. Tonight is your night."

Ben slid a sidelong glance to his father.

"Very well," He mimicked.

Luke cuffed him behind the ear gently.

"Let's get to that ready shall we. Didn't you say you needed to pick Myra up?"

"Yeah, you're right. I better book it. She hates it when I'm late." He grinned. "Maybe Sev's right."

"About that?"

"Being whipped."

He shook his head.

"You're not whipped, Ben, as Sever so eloquently put it. You simply love Myra." He paused. "But I would recommend not being late. Now, go."

After Ben left to pick up Myra, Luke received call on the comm unit. It was Diana Landon. He thought he'd heard the last from her two days prior; apparently he'd been mistaken.

"Master Skywalker," she greeted with a slight nod. "I know you didn't expect to here from me, but I wanted you to know the article will be hitting the HoloNet tomorrow morning." She gave a considerable pause I hope you'll read it."

"I look forward to it."

He thought she would sign off, but Landon remained on the line, looking as if she wanted to say something more, but wasn't sure how to broach the subject.

"Is something wrong, Ms. Landon?" He asked, concerned.

"No." She said, then as if changing her mind, "Yes, there's something bothering me. It's about the connection I feel, it's a little bit more."

Luke held his tongue, letting her speak, but still dreading it nonetheless.

"I feel as if there's something I should know, but don't. I was hoping you could help me..."

"I'll do what I can, Ms. Landon."

She gave him a relieved smile, pushing her hair behind her ear: a nervous reaction.

"I thought I'd resolved everything in our last meeting, but I've still had this lingering feeling.I'm not sure what it is...but I always tend to go with my gut."

He nodded understandingly.

"Master Skywalker..." She was cut off, by a muffled voice in the distance behind her. "Shoot." She sighed. "It seems I'm needed. We'll...talk about this at a later date. And don't hesitate to call me about the article."

"Ms. Landon..." Luke started to protest.

She quickly logged off before Luke could say a word more.

Luke stared at the blank screen in consternation.

What had that been about? What was Landon going to say, if anything?

He thought back on what she had said.

Feeling. She'd used that word before.

It was a hard word to ignore; almost as if she knew.

He'd tried to convince himself he was imaging things, but now he was certain he hadn't been. No, he was one hundred percent certain that Diana Landon was Force-sensitive—whether she recognized it or not.

He also knew that she wouldn't easily leave it be; that left him in a major dilemma. He sighed deeply, and rubbed his temple absentmindedly.

He'd think about it later. Right now, he other pressing matters.

Luke arrived at the Solo apartment early and was greeted by his sister, who gave him a warm hug and kissed him lovingly on the cheek. She ushered him, pointing him toward he living room.

"Han's with Jaina and Jett," She looked past him as if trying to see something. "Where's Ben?"

"He went to pick up Myra, he'll be here shortly."

Luke went and joined them, kissing his niece on the cheek and ruffling Jet's hair, before seating himself.

Ben and Myra arrived several minutes later. It was obvious Ben was barely able to contain the smile that threatened his face. Seeing this, Myra sent him a silent reprimand with his eyes. He was going to blow it before he even had a chance to tell his news. Luke chuckled and Han slid him a look. He simply smiled as if to say, ah, youth.

Han didn't look convinced. Instead, he raised an eyebrow.

Leia, as if sensing Han's skepticism, spoke up:

"Well, now that everyone's here, shall we eat?"

"That sounds good." Ben said. "I'm starved."

Myra rolled her eyes and gave him a gentle shove. Ben looked back and gave her a lop-sided smile; one that shone from down deep in his soul.

Leia stepped up to her brother and gently leaned next to him. He looked to his sister, catching her gaze, before they both returned to watching the young couple. Ben still held a wild grin on his face and devil may care gleam in his eyes as he and Myra clasped hands. In the young man's eyes, the siblings could see the utter love ad adoration he had for the woman before him.

Leia smiled softly.

"Just look at him, Luke. He's happy."

He nodded. "And she makes him that way." He paused. "As if she's the only thing in his world."

She nodded this time then turned to him.

"Are you happy, Luke?" She asked.

"You know I am."

She reached out and squeezed his arm. "Good, now let's get down to that dinner. I'm almost at my limit."

Leia was barely concealing her excitement—and it didn't take the Force to see that. They were only lucky Myra wasn't turned his gaze to Han-his brother-in law was a different matter entirely. The Corellian was too suspicious for his own good.

They all made their way to the dining area and took their seats around the oval table. Well, all but one, Luke noticed. His brother-in-law hadn't seated himself yet and instead was scanning the faces around the table. He then picked up his glass filled with wine and raised it slightly.

"Ahem," Han made a grand gesture of clearing his throat. "I'd like to make a toast."

Leia and Luke exchanged glances. What was he up to?

"A toast to my nephew…"

Ben gauged his uncle and felt Myra squeezed his hand tightly.

"For gathering us here today." Han paused. "I'm not the best at this sort of thing….but when family gets together, it's a reason to celebrate." He shrugged slightly and sat down.

"Cheers," Jaina said cheerfully, barely concealing her grin behind her glass.

Luke blinked twice, trying not to gawk at his friend, but knew he was failing miserably at it when, Leia nudged him gently. He looked to his sister and caught then knowing look in her eye,

….when family gets together, it's a reason to celebrate.

The meaning behind Han's words couldn't have been clearer than crystal: he knew.

Luke caught his son's gaze and both knew that the jig was up.

And apparently so did Myra judging by the hold she had on Ben's upper arm.