Chapter Thirty-Five:

Luke walked into the cafeteria near the end of the lunch hour, and made his way to the back where he supposed the cooks on duty would be. He perused the selection of foods in the refrigeration unit by the counter where the food was presented, but saw nothing that would do for what he had in mind.

He did not miss the many stares shot his way as he walked, something he'd been trying to ignore all day.

Everyone here congratulated him on a job well done, and called him a hero. But the more Luke thought it over, and the more he realized the magnitude of what he'd really done… the more it bothered him, despite why he'd done it.

But he pushed that aside for now in favor of something more important.

Today was a very special day, one he'd almost forgotten about in all the craziness that had been his and Shmi's life the last two and a half days.

With a determined sigh, Luke pushed into the food-prep area and spotted the chef on duty cleaning up the leftovers.

The man looked up as Luke entered, and the blond offered a polite smile.

"Hey, you're Skywalker, right?" the chef asked with a tell-tale twinkle in his brown eyes.

Luke inwardly groaned, but kept his face neutral. "Yes."

"Pleased to meet you in person," the man said, offering a hand. "My name is Ryye."

"The same to you," Luke said, taking the hand.

"So, did you need something?" Ryye asked.

"Actually, I do." Luke glanced at the kitchen around them. "See, I need some kind of a dessert that I can take back to my room."

Ryye cocked his head. "What for?"

"Well… today is my daughter's lifeday, and with all that's been happening… I haven't had the chance to really prepare anything," Luke explained a little timidly. "I wanted to at least give her a special treat."

"Are you talking about that little girl? Black hair, blue eyes?" Ryye asked curiously.

"Yes." Luke nodded.

"Ah." Ryye pursed his lips in thought. "You know what; I think I may have just the right thing. Does…" Ryye paused. "What's her name?"

"Shmi."

"Pretty name…" Ryye murmured almost to himself before shaking his head. "Anyway, does she like krinkleberries?"

"Krinkleberries?" Luke echoed. "Sorry I don't think we've even heard of that."

Ryye lifted a brow. "Oh. Never mind then, those are kind of an acquired taste anyway. How about… chocolate?"

Luke smiled. "One can never go wrong with chocolate."

Ryye shared his grin. "Aye. Chocolate it is then; come with me."

Luke followed Ryye to the back where the man apparently kept pre-made food, and in the far right corner was a small assortment of desserts. Ryye sifted through until he found his desired product.

"Here it is: a chocolate cheesecake. It's small, I'm sorry about that, but…"

"It's perfect, thank you," Luke assured him quickly.

Then, once he had the small dessert safely wrapped and ready to go, Luke looked to the man with a slight blush.

"You, ah, wouldn't happen to have a few small candles, would you?"

Ryye smirked, and moved to a desk. "I only have one, but you can have it."

"Thank you," Luke said as Ryye handed him one candle and a single match.

"Of course." Ryye nodded, and Luke left, making his way down the ancient corridors of the Massassi temple.

His progress was slow and thoughtful, and Luke couldn't help the pang of regret in his heart that the only thing he was able to give Shmi for her lifeday was a small piece of cake. Had they been on Tatooine still, Aunt Beru would have made Shmi's favorite treat: strizzleberry shortcake.

And Luke would have had time to buy Shmi some sort of gift.

But now all of that was gone, and all he had to offer his sweet Shmi was a piece of food. The depressing thought gave Luke pause, and he sank against the wall, grateful for the empty corridor.

He looked up to find that he had somehow ended up in the corridors that housed the Alliance's higher-ups.

Like Princess Leia.

"Luke?"

Speaking of…

Luke turned his head to meet Leia's curious gaze, and when she saw his weak smile, her head tilted in concern.

"Luke, are you alright?" Leia asked.

He shrugged noncommittally. "I guess."

She lifted a brow. "What's troubling you?"

Luke kept his gaze on the floor, part of him telling him not to show any weakness. Then he snorted to himself.

It was far too late for that.

That was when Leia noticed that his hands were full.

Frowning slightly at the small parcel he held in his grasp, Leia asked a question. "What's that?"

Ryye had packed his dessert into a paper bag so Shmi wouldn't see it until Luke was ready for her to. When Leia mentioned it, Luke was brought from his stupor and he straightened a little.

"Today is Shmi's lifeday," he told her.

Leia's brow shot up. "I didn't know that. How old will she be?"

"Six," Luke replied with a proud smile, one that faded quickly.

Leia placed a gentle hand on his upper arm. "What's the matter, really?"

Luke's shoulders slumped. "I just… I nearly forgot altogether, and now all I have to give her is a borrowed piece of cake."

Leia's face softened, and when Luke risked peeking, it was to find her looking thoughtful. Then her face lit up with the air of a sudden epiphany, and she began to tug him where she still held on to his arm.

"Come with me."

"Where?" Luke asked curiously.

"You'll see," Leia answered vaguely, intent on leading him.

When they arrived at her door, she opened it and he spotted the bed within. Luke hesitated entering with her, but Leia insisted and so he did, though he hovered near the doorway.

Leia went to a small closet and ruffled through her belongings.

"It's here somewhere… ah!" she exclaimed triumphantly.

Luke was all curiosity by that point, and he looked on with open interest as Leia set a small garment bag on her bed and motioned him to come over. Luke did so; feeling half-hopeful, and half-wary.

"What is it?" Luke asked softly.

Leia opened the bag to reveal a little green dress with white polka-dots and sweater to compliment.

"This was mine when I was about Shmi's age. It was always my favorite," Leia reminisced. "For some reason, whenever I cleaned out my closet to make room for new clothes as I grew…" She paused uncertainly, and looked to Luke. "I know this may sound crazy, but…"

"What?" Luke asked.

"Just promise not to laugh," Leia whispered.

"Never." Luke rested a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Leia smiled softly at him, and continued her tale.

"Anytime I started to get rid of this dress, it just… didn't feel right to do so. I always loved it, and I knew I didn't fit into it anymore, but for some reason I always felt like I was supposed to hold on to it. Now I know why."

She zipped the bag shut and held it out to him. "Give it to Shmi."

Luke was pretty sure his jaw dropped a little. "I can't take this!"

"Yes, you can," Leia corrected firmly. "I have never been so certain of anything before. It feels right to give this to Shmi."

When Luke began to protest more, Leia pitted him with a look that clamped his mouth shut.

"Besides, it is mine to give," Leia informed him. "Take it."

Luke locked gazes with Leia as she continued to hold the dress out to him. Slowly, hesitantly, Luke accepted the proffered item and then looked down, trying to hide his moistened eyes.

"Thank you," Luke whispered.

Leia kissed his cheek softly. "Of course. Now, go spend time with your daughter."

Luke smiled wryly. "Yes, Princess."

Leia swatted his arm playfully and Luke chuckled before leaving. He was halfway to his room— where Shmi was taking a nap— when another familiar voice stopped him.

"Kid!"

He turned his head to see Han approaching, and the smuggler took in the items Luke carried.

"Hey, what's the occasion?" Han asked curiously.

"Shmi's lifeday," Luke answered.

"Ah." Han looked thoughtful. "You only have one gift to give her?"

Luke squirmed. "One is plenty…"

Han cocked a brow. "Quit being modest, Luke."

"I don't have anything else to give her, Han," Luke replied a little defensively. "Leia gave me the dress, and I got the cake from the kitchens."

"Well, if you don't mind, I have a little something for her too," Han offered, taking Luke by the elbow.

Before Luke could protest, he was being led away. Stifling a sigh— all he wanted was to get back to Shmi— Luke followed, knowing Han meant well. The smuggler led him to the Millennium Falcon, where the man disappeared into the back.

Luke heard the sounds of the smuggler shuffling through crates, and the occasional grunt until Han found what he'd been searching for.

"Here we go," Han said, handing Luke a dusty box.

"What's inside?" Luke asked.

"A model of the Falcon," Han said unabashedly. "Well okay, not this ship specifically, but it's a model of the YT-1300's."

He patted the bulkhead beside the pair of men. "I don't need it anymore, 'cause I've got the real thing."

Luke smiled. "Thank you Han. Shmi will love it."

Han smirked. "Well yeah, that's because she'd got good taste."

They laughed, and Luke turned to leave… only to find his way blocked by two meters of cinnamon fur.

"Hello Chewie," Luke greeted the Wookiee.

To Luke's surprise, the Wookiee handed him a small stuffed toy that looked like it had been handmade.

Chewbacca whuffed and Han translated.

"He says Shmi told him her lifeday was coming up, and that she missed her favorite stuffed animal."

Luke gazed down upon the eopie, feeling his throat close as emotion choked him. A hand clasp his shoulder as he swayed.

"Hey Kid, you alright?" Han asked in concern.

"I… I think I need to sit down," Luke admitted, allowing Han to lead him to a seat by the dejarik table.

Luke set his items down and then continued to stare at the small toy Chewie had given.

"What's wrong?" Han inquired.

"It's just all catching up to me, now that everything has settled down," Luke replied. "I'll be okay; I just need a moment to collect myself."

Han nodded, staying close while Luke waged through the strong emotions gripping him. At last Luke took a steady breath and climbed to his feet, gathering his things into a better hold in his arms.

"Thank you both." Luke smiled.

"Tell her happy lifeday." Han clapped Luke on the back.

As Luke descended the boarding ramp, he couldn't help but think that he was starting to regain the family he'd lost.

And that thought added a spring to his step that hadn't been there since Owen and Beru had been killed.

00000

When Luke stepped through the doorway to the room he shared with Shmi, it was to find her just getting out of bed.

He quickly set down his collection of items and moved closer so he could greet her properly.

"Good morning, sunshine."

Shmi graced him with a glittering smile. "Hi Daddy!"

They embraced, and Luke led her to the small table.

"Did you have a good nap?"

"Yes," Shmi answered, spotting the items Luke had returned with. "Daddy, what are those?"

"Do you know what today is?" Luke asked her conspiratorially.

Shmi had to think on that, and Luke waited patiently. Then her face lit up like the first rays of sunrise on Tatooine, and she began to bounce excitedly.

"Today is my lifeday!"

Luke laughed. "That's right. You turn five today!"

He gently pushed her shoulder. "You're getting so old…"he teased playfully.

Shmi giggled, rolling her eyes exasperatedly. "Daddy…"

Luke's grin was wide, and he grasped the small paper bag first, fishing the match and candle from his pocket. When the small dessert was exposed, Shmi gasped and she beamed up at him.

"Chocolate!" she crowed.

"That's right," Luke replied, catching on to her enthusiasm.

He stuck the single white candle in the cake and lit it with the match, before he pushed it toward Shmi.

"Happy lifeday to you, happy lifeday to you…" Luke began to sing. "Happy lifeday dear Shmi… happy lifeday to you."

Shmi scrunched her eyes as she thought of a wish… and then she opened her eyes with the most serious expression Luke had ever seen on her face. With a huge puff of air, Shmi blew out the candle.

Luke eyed her expression, wondering what could possibly cause her to be so businesslike in that moment. But he pushed that aside and instead applauded her.

"Can we eat it now, Daddy?" Shmi asked hopefully.

"We sure can," Luke replied. "Lifeday treats are special."

"Yay!" Shmi cheered, and Luke allowed her to eat the cake, surprised when partway through the child offered him a bite.

"No, Sweetheart, it's your cake," Luke declined.

"But I want you to have some too," Shmi insisted, not willing to take 'no' for an answer.

Kind of like Leia. Luke mused to himself amusedly as he accepted the forkful of cheesecake Shmi offered.

"Mmm," Luke hummed. "That's really good: thank you for sharing."

Shmi gave him a few more bites before they finished, and then Luke offered her first Han's gift.

"This is from Han," he told her.

Shmi smiled openly and carefully lifted the lid on the box, gasping as she took in the model YT-1300 freighter inside.

"It looks just like Uncle Han's ship!" Shmi lifted it free and inspected it carefully, oblivious to Luke's look of shock.

It wasn't until she set it aside that she saw his face. "Daddy, what's wrong?"

Luke blinked several times before he managed to speak. "When did he become Uncle Han?"

Shmi bit her lip.

"Is it okay?" she asked timidly.

Luke cursed himself for making her doubt him, and he hurried to reassure her.

"Of course. I think it'd be good for him." Luke winked. "You just surprised me is all."

"Okay." Shmi breathed a sigh of relief.

"Here, this one's from Princess Leia." Luke offered the garment bag and, taking in Shmi's appearance, he realized she still wore her Tatooine outfit.

Shmi opened the bag and squealed happily. "A new dress! It's so pretty!"

She stood and took the dress from the bag to inspect it closely. "I love it!"

Luke's heart soared at Shmi's exuberance, and he turned to the final gift.

"This last present is from Chewie," he said softly.

As soon as Shmi's gaze fell upon the small eopie made from what could only be Chewbacca's hair, she instantly burst into happy tears. She reverently took the toy from Luke's grasp and cradled it to her heart.

"He remembered!" Shmi whispered around her tears.

Luke's eyes misted too, and he opened his arms to invite her closer. Shmi moved over and settled into his lap, snuggling against him as she continued to embrace her new toy. They held to each other, and it was a long time before Shmi spoke again.

"Daddy?"

"Yes, Shmi?"

"I miss Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru," she whimpered.

"I do too, Shmi," Luke breathed into her hair. "But they are here in spirit, I'm certain of it."

Shmi said nothing, and they held the embrace for another long period before Shmi moved on. She looked to her new outfit, and then back at him.

"Can I wear my new dress, Daddy?"

"Of course, let's get you a bath first though," Luke answered.

Shmi leapt from his lap and carefully situated her new eopie and model ship on the shelf above their bed, then turned to the refresher.

Half an hour later, she spun before the mirror in the refresher and inspected her new look. Luke's throat closed again as he gazed upon his precious daughter.

"You are so beautiful Shmi," Luke told her honestly.

"Thank you Daddy!" Shmi beamed. "Can we go say thank you to Uncle Han, Chewie and Princess Leia?"

"I like the sound of that," Luke answered, offering his hand theatrically. "Come milady, your audience awaits."

Shmi giggled as Luke led her proudly out of the room.