Chapter 48

Laetitia looked up and saw the frown her uncle was giving her aunt. She couldn't believe Beru recognized her so easily.

"What are you talking about, Beru? We only know one Anakin Skywalker and he's a Jedi. He can't have kids."

"I'm sure. The lady Anakin came with 6 years ago was already pregnant with his child." She turned to Leah "You're their daughter, right?"

Laetitia just shook her head.

"Yeah, aunt Beru. I am."

Owen gasped. This was not how he'd expected his day to go. He didn't really like Anakin. He never did. He couldn't understand how his step-brother left his slave mother alone to fight wars. He just showed up after 10 years, asking for his mother and getting angry for not protecting her. They did everything they could, and like he had a right to be angry. He had left his mother alone to be a part of some cult. And it turns out, he didn't follow the Jedi laws and had a child.

His attention was on the ginger man behind his 'niece'.

"Who are you? And what's with the baby?"

Leah and Obi-wan looked at each other.

"Maybe it's better to have this conversation inside. If that's possible?" Leah asked as nicely as she could. She had to be. She needed them.

Before Owen could protest, Beru said "Of course. Come on in."


Inside the house, Laetitia and Obi-wan were sitting in front of Owen and Beru. Luke was getting a little fussy, so Beru was holding him. It was clear than she liked him.

"Okay, kid. Why don't you start with your name?" Owen asked her.

"Laetitia. Laetitia Shmi Skywalker."

"That's a beautiful name. And what about this one?" Beru asked as she turned to Luke.

"That … is my brother. Luke Obi-wan Skywalker."

Owen was getting more and more irritated. So Anakin didn't break the rules once but more seeing he has two children.

"You're one of them, aren't you? A Jedi?"

Leah didn't say anything. She knew Owen wasn't a fan of her dad but not this much.

"Yes. Yes, she is. I'm sure you've heard of Laetitia Naberrie before. She has been on the HoloNet a lot." Obi-wan answered for her.

That explained how a 5-year-old was able to walk, talk and act better than other kids her age.

"Okay, Laetitia Naberrie. What are you doing here? And where are your parents?"

"Um … my … uh … my parents are dead." She stuttered.

Owen and Beru looked at each other. Owen definitely did not expect that.

"I'm sorry to hear that. How did it happen?" Beru asked slowly.

Laetitia swallowed. How was she supposed to answer that?

"Uh … war happened. The Republic became a Galactic Empire and my parents died fighting." It was true from a certain point of view. At least that's what Leah wanted to remember.

"What do you want from us?"

"I was wondering if you could … if you took Luke in and raised him as one of your own."


Beru and Owen exchanged a look. Beru clearly wanted to say 'yes' but Owen?

"No. Absolutely not."

"Owen …"

"No, Beru. That kid is trouble like his dad. I am not going to have that kind of danger in my house. What if someone comes looking for him? Then my wife and I will be in danger because of your brother."

"Uncle Owen …"

"Don't call me that!" He snapped at Leah. "You may be Anakin Skywalker's daughter but that does not mean that you are my niece and I your uncle. As far as I'm concerned, you're just some kid who lost a war and destroyed the Galaxy in the process."

"You're being a bit harsh, don't you think?" Obi-wan asked.

"And who are you?"

"I'm …"

"Master." Leah cut Obi-wan off.

"Look, Mr. Lars, I know what I'm asking is a lot but I wouldn't come here if I had any other choice. My brother is innocent. You're right. It's my fault that the Galaxy is like this now but it's not his. It's not his fault that he has no family or that he was born when being a Force-sensitive is a crime. Please, I'm begging you. I just want my brother to be safe. I promised my mom I would keep him safe." She begged crying.

Obi-wan looked at her with tears in his eyes. He never expected Laetitia to be like this. Crying and fragile.

Owen looked at the kid in front of him with sympathy. He's be lying if he said that her words had no effect on him.

After a moment of silence, Owen said "Fine. He can stay. But I have a few conditions."

"Anything." Leah said happily.

"You can't see him. Ever."

Her smile disappeared. Did he even know what he was asking of her?

"Mr. Lars, that is impossible. Luke is Laetitia's last and only family. Her brother! How can you expect her to never see her brother?" Obi-wan asked in mild anger.

"If she even comes near him, I'll throw him out of this house."

"Owen!"

"Okay!" Leah said loudly with tears in her eyes, closing any other argument space from Obi-wan. "I'll never even come near him. Is there anything else?"

"Yeah. He'll be raised as 'Luke Lars'. He can never know about his true parentage or his magical power or whatever it is you Jedi call it. He'll be in danger if he does."

"On that, we can both agree. Now I have a request."

Owen raised his eyebrow. The kid was certainly bold.

"What is it?"

"Please remove my grandmother's gravestone. If Luke sees it, he might ask things. Questions that are better left unanswered."

Owen looked at her in disbelief and disgust. He may have not liked Anakin but Shmi was the closest thing he had to a mother. Who the hell does this kid think she is that she's asking him to destroy his mother's grave? But then again, he knew where she was coming from.

"Okay. We'll do that." He said quietly. "You can leave now."

"You won't even let her say goodbye?" Obi-wan asked. The man was really impossible.

"No. Get out of my house and leave my family alone."

Done :)