Chapter 113

Nine Years Later

Anakin POV

"It keeps making that noise," said Mrs. Spucura. "My husband is working on it, but he made it worse."

I laughed.

"Well this model is tricky, but," I put two cables together and the engine roared. "I think I got it."

"Your Amazing Anakin," she said. "Will 400 credits cover it?"

"I only need three."

She smiled and handed me the credits. When we got here my competitors were ripping people off, not as bad as Tatooine, but still bad. I got customers just from my prices alone, and when people found out I knew what I was doing, I was always busy. Occasionally, someone heard "ex-Sith Lord" and went to a competitor, but it wasn't often.

Mrs. Spucura jumped into her speeder and rode off, leaving me to go back to work on a speeder bike for a different client. The brakes were not working, and I was trying to see what the problem was when I heard the familiar sound of a speeder, pulling up at our house.

I left the workshop to go see my wife, and two children.

"Hey dad," yelled Jinn.

"Hey buddy," I said, and picked him up and swung him around. Jinn laughed.

"Can I play in the workshop?" asked Jinn.

"Jinn, do you have homework?" asked Padme, raising an eye.

"Yes," said Jinn glumly.

"Get it done quick," I said, "and then I will let you help. I got a D-11 water speeder and I am gonna rebuild the whole engine."

"Really cool," he said, and he rushed off inside.

"Hey, sweetie," I said to Ashla.

"I am in trouble," she said.

"Why?"

"A mean boy tripped me on the playground, so I hit him," she said.

I laughed.

"No dessert tonight," said Padme.

"Aw, she can have dessert. He started it," I said.

"Anakin!"

"She was just defending herself. You gotta be tough, right. Scrappy?"

"What does scrappy mean, Daddy?"

"Your good in a fight."

Ashla put her hand on her hips, and a big grin spread across her face. "I'm scrappy!"

Padme shook her head. "Okay Scrappy, wanna help Mommy make dinner?"

"Uh huh," she said.

We went into the house and C3-Q9 was waiting for us.

"Miss Padme, Master Anakin, I believe you have a message from Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"Uncle Oni-Wan," cheered the kids.

I laughed.

"Yes, Uncle Obi-Wan," said Padme. She turned on the oven and I helped her get dinner started. "Go ahead and play it, Scooter," she said.

My blue astromech droid beeped and whirled into the center of the kitchen. A life size picture of Obi-Wan appeared.

"Anakin, contact me. It's important."

I looked at Padme and she shrugged. "He might be in trouble," she said.

"Contact, Master Obi-Wan," I said to Scooter.

The astromech beeped, and soon three images filled the room of Obi-Wan, Yoda, and Windu.

"Masters," I said bowing.

"Greetings Skywalkers. How feel you?" he asked.

"We are doing fine Master Yoda," I said.

"This is an unexpected pleasure," said Padme.

"We were wondering how Ashla and Jinn were doing in school," said Obi-Wan.

Padme looked at me, and shrugged.

"Academically they are doing very well," I said, "Ashla has some problems with some boys picking on her, but she can pick back."

"Do you think there is anger or malice in her?" asked Windu.

"No, just being a kid," I said. "Why do you ask?"

"Old enough to be padawans, they may be," said Yoda.

"You think they could be Jedi?" I asked. Padme lightly touched my arm with eager delight.

"Mm-hmm," he said.

"Aren't they too old, and didn't the Academy reject Ashla?" I said.

"Too sure of our old ways," said Yoda. "I do not sense darkness in her, only curiosity and emotion. Need guidance, but not rejection."

"How often will we see them?" asked Padme.

"Often," promised Yoda. "See you, they will every night while training, and when home while on assignments."

"Who will train them? I am retired," I asked.

"Trained by Obi-Wan, Jinn will. Trained by Depa, Ashla will."

"And they come home to us?" asked Padme.

"Hmm," nodded Yoda.

"I could get transferred back to Coruscant easily," Padme said to me.

"I can get work anywhere," I said. It would actually be better pay in Corrausaunt and more interesting machines.

"They could be Jedi," said Padme.

"Kids!" I yelled. "Come to the kitchen!"

Ashla and Jinn came bounding into the kitchen.

"Kids," I said, "this is Uncle Obi-Wan, and this is Master Yoda and Master Windu of the Jedi Temple. Can you say hi?"

"Hello," they said together.

"Children," said Obi-Wan, "You are very special. Your father was a Jedi when he was younger, and he was a good Jedi at that. He uses the force in very powerful ways. Also, your mother is a politician and she uses the force to do her job."

"Mommy uses the force?" asked Ashla.

"To a degree, yes," said Obi-Wan. "That is why we think that both of you would be very good Jedi. But you will have to work hard, and study, and listen to your masters. But we will train you as best we can."

Ashla and Jinn looked at each other, and a smile spread across both of them.

"I want to be a Jedi like Dad," said Jinn.

"I want to save the world like the Jedi," said Ashla.

Padme teared up a little, but I grabbed her hand. I wanted my children to follow their dreams.

"We would see them all the time?" I asked.

"Until they go on missions, but they would be much older. We don't just take them from you anymore, Anakin," promised Obi-Wan.

"I'll send Padme and the kids to Coruscant. I got one or two orders to finish. Then I will join them. Shouldn't take me more than a week."

"And will you rejoin the order Anakin?"

"I have had my fill of keeping the peace. I am tired of being the Chosen One. I just want to be a husband and a father."

"The Chosen One, always be, you will," said Yoda.

"Alright," I said, "But I am tired of killing. Time to work with my hands."

"I miss you, Old Friend," said Obi-Wan.

"I miss you too, Master. I am honored that you will train my son."

"I'll protect him. May the force be with you."

"May the force be with you, Master." The hologram turned off.

"So much for raising our baby on Naboo," I said, drawing Padme into my arms.

"Are you kidding? No politics, no war, no Sidious. This was like a dream come true," said Padme. "But, I want them to be Jedi, like their father, like Luke and Leia."

"And I come home to you every night," I whispered, and kissed her on the mouth.

"I am packed!" yelled Jinn.

Padme sighed, "He has a change of clothes in a bag." She went down the hall to help my son.

Ashla came into the room with a piece of paper in her hand.

"Daddy, I made this in art today."

"You did?" I said. "Let me see it."

There was something that looked to be an arch and a circle that had two stick figures popping out of it.

"This is very good," I said.

"It's you and Mommy on Geonosis, when she told you she loved you."

I smiled. Ashla loved the story of Padme and mine second kiss. For some reason she liked it better than the first time we kissed.

"This is beautiful honey," I said. "Go show it to mommy."

"Don't be afraid," I said. I was going to get us out of this.

"I am not afraid to die," she said with determination in her eyes. Then she softened. "I have been dying a little bit each day until you came back into my life."

"What are you talking about?" I asked. Does she mean what I think she means?

"I love you," she whispered.

"You love me? I thought we decided not to fall in love. We would be forced to live a lie, and it would destroy our lives."

"Our lives are about to be destroyed now." She got close to me and whispered, "I truely, deeply love you,"

Our lips met for a second time, and I was home.