Okay, I seriously need some feedback and opinions from you guys.

I'm racking my brain like crazy trying to figure out how many years after "Return of the Jedi" to have my version of the Sequel Trilogy. I don't want it to be 30 years, I want it to be shorter than that.

So, Rey would be born sometime before the Empire is defeated, which will fit better for what I have planned.

Palpatine will NOT RETURN in "Rise of Skywalker" or whatever new title I give it! Seriously, it was a waste that we didn't get something more original for the final battle!

Also, should Kylo Ren still be Ben Solo, or one of the Skywalkers from "Legends"?

Let me know what you guys think.

I don't own Star Wars, Disney does. And they're screwing it up somewhat.

Chapter 26: Arrival on Yavin IV

During the trip to Yavin IV, conversations filled the cabin as stories were exchanged and relationships were formed. Years from now, they would come to look upon the Millennium Falcon with great memories and sentiment.

Leia wanted to know everything about the Senate and her Mother's time as a Senator and Luke wanted to know everything about the Jedi.

"So, Obi-Wan mentioned you were Queen of Naboo?" Leia asked.

"Yes, I served two three-year terms until I was twenty-one. Then, the newly elected Queen Jamilla asked me to serve as Senator and I couldn't refuse her," Padmé replied.

"So, you met Dad for a second time during your first term?" Leia asked. She found herself unusually curious about how her parents came together.

She supposed deep down, she found a love story like theirs romantic and wanted romance of her own, though she wasn't about to admit that she longed for matters of the heart. Her parents had an amazing story. She couldn't imagine how hard it must have been for them to be apart for months at a time and keep their marriage a secret.

"Yes, I was twenty-four and he was just nineteen and still apprenticing under Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. I had been fighting against a bill called the Military Creation Act for nearly a year. I was returning to Coruscant for the final vote on it when there was another assassination attempt on my life. There had already been one as we left Naboo. That is when Chancellor Palpatine decided that I needed Jedi protection. The Jedi Council sent Master Qui-Gon Jinn, Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padawan Anakin Skywalker. I recognized Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan right away, but your father caught me completely off guard. I didn't know if I expected him to still be a little boy or something, but here was this tall, blonde, handsome young man before me and he literally took my breath away. But we were so happy to see each other again after ten years," Padmé remembered and Leia smiled.

"Eventually, Coruscant grew too dangerous and Anakin was assigned to escort me back to Naboo for my protection. We went to the Lake Country where we kissed for the first time. I knew I was falling in love with him, but I was so scared, because I knew that some sleazy reporter could have made our relationship into a scandal. That night, he poured his heart out to me and I shot him down, telling him that we could never be. But he melted away all of my doubts when he said that we would deal with what ever difficulties we faced, together. That was when I let go of my fears and told him I loved him as much as he loved me," Padmé explained, as her gaze locked with her husband's.

She left out that they made love for the first time that night. No child wanted to hear about their parents' love life.

"Soon after that, we received a distress call from Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. They had been captured on Geonosis. Mace Windu ordered us to stay put, but we decided to try and go rescue him. Unfortunately, we got captured ourselves and were slated for execution. We were waiting to be brought to execution when your father proposed to me," Padmé explained. Anakin smiled.

"Even though we were already married in the eyes of the Force, I still wanted to make it official," he added.

"After the battle of Geonosis, we returned to Naboo and had four days before Anakin would be sent off to war, so we married there and had some time together before we were separated," Padmé finished her story, gazing fondly at her husband.

"It's a beautiful story, Mom. Ever since dad...Bail...told me I was adopted, I wondered what my birth parents were like," Leia said, looking to them both. "I wondered why they gave me up and I wondered if they loved each other. I used to think the worst about them, but I never imagined that I actually have the best."

Padmé hugged her.

"I love you mom and you too daddy. I've always known you. You were there for me in my dreams," Leia said.

"We love you too, Leia," Padmé said, trying to hold back tears, but failing miserably. A few tears slipped down Anakin's cheeks as well.

"I'm glad that the Force allowed me to be there for you when you needed me most, even if I don't remember any awareness I had while I was in the coma," he said, as he looked at both his kids.

"You both have to know that your mother and I never intended for things to happen the way they did. We had plans to resign our positions as a Jedi and a Senator so we could move home to Naboo and raise a family," he told them.

"We know," Luke assured them as Anakin held Padmé close. Leia smiled, as her parents embraced.

"Uncle Rex was telling me all about all the places you two have been. Fighting in the Clone Wars must have been amazing," Luke said.

"When I told you those stories, I didn't intend for it to glorify the war," Rex replied.

"Rex is right. The Clone Wars was hell. We were constantly surrounded by violence, death, and atrocities. We were fighting an enemy bent on committing mass genocide and ruling the galaxy with an iron fist. And being away from your mother for months at a time was pure agony," Anakin explained. Luke shrank back a little, but he put his hand on his shoulder.

"I know that you long for adventure. I did too after growing up on that wicked sand pit and you've been there longer than I was. Just know that being a Jedi is about protecting and defending those who cannot help themselves. The innocents that have no power and keeping the evil that will always threaten us at bay. We fight only to keep peace and help those in need. The Clone Wars forced us into a war that none of us believed in. At first, I sought the glory of it all, but there was no glory to be found, not like they portrayed it on the Holonet," he continued. Luke nodded.

"You will be a Jedi and you never have to go back to that place if you don't want to," Anakin promised. Luke swallowed his tears.

"I hate it there. I hate farming too," he mentioned. Anakin smiled.

"Yeah, I can't say that I would have made a good farmer either," he said.

"Uncle Owen is going to be pretty upset though when he finds out I'm not going back to Tatooine," Luke said.

"You leave Owen to me. You get to choose what you want to do with your life. And besides, we're your parents and you're staying with us now," Anakin told him. Luke smiled and nodded.

"So, what was it like being my dad's padawan?" Luke asked to Ahsoka.

"Well...there was never a dull moment," she replied, making them all chuckle.

"That's putting it mildly," Obi-Wan quipped as Qui-Gon kept chuckling. Anakin shrugged.

"I can pretty much take credit for a majority of those gray hairs on your head. And don't let Snips fool you. I'm lucky I don't have my own share of premature gray hairs," he said, tossing a look at his former padawan.

"I was only following your example, Master," Ahsoka replied innocently.

"Uh-huh and questioning me at every turn," Anakin added.

"Someone had to keep you on your toes," she quipped back, as they smiled at each other.

Suddenly, they heard a beeping. Han, who had been keeping to himself, hopped up.

"Looks like we're coming up on Yavin IV. Strap in," he told them. They all did so and Han brought them out of hyperspace over Yavin IV. He received landing clearance from the rebel base, when he revealed he was carrying Princess Leia on board and he slowly took the ship into the planet's atmosphere.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Millennium Falcon docked in the main bay at the base. Mon Mothma was awaiting their arrival, expecting only to greet Princess Leia and Master Kenobi.

She was a little overwhelmed at being named the political leader of the Rebellion and Bail had some very big shoes to feel. Little did she know, she and the rest of the Alliance leaders were about to get a very big surprise. Their mouths all dropped open, as they witnessed Anakin Skywalker walk down the ramp and extend his hand, as Padmé Amidala walked down as well.

Following them was Princess Leia and a blonde haired young man that bore a strong resemblance to Anakin. Qui-Gon, Rex, Ahsoka, the Kenobi family, Chewie, and finally Han followed. Obi-Wan took the initiative to approach Mon first.

"Master Kenobi...am I seeing ghosts?" Mon asked in astonishment. Obi-Wan smiled thinly.

"No, they are alive and there is quite a story behind it. Perhaps we can go somewhere to discuss this," he suggested.

"Padmé...is it really you?" Mon asked. Padmé smiled.

"Yes and I promise we'll explain everything," she answered.

"You haven't changed at all," Mon noticed.

"That's very much a part of our story too," Padmé said.

"Well, this is definitely a story I want to hear. Let's retire to my sitting room," Mon suggested, as she led the way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As they entered Mon's spacious sitting room in her quarters, they all found seats.

"Mon is white as a sheet," Padmé mentioned.

"She's just in shock. She'll understand why everyone had to believe we were dead. It was all to protect Luke and Leia," Anakin said.

"I know. I just wonder how my family will react when they find out. I don't even know when I'll be able to tell them. Naboo is too close to the core. We can't even go there right now," Padmé fretted. Anakin took her hands in his own.

"They will understand and I will make sure we find the opportunity to go see them with the kids. Once they understand that Luke and Leia's lives depended upon Obi-Wan's plan to fake our deaths, they'll understand," Anakin assured her, as he pressed his lips to hers in a tender kiss.

"No matter what happens, I know that everything will be okay, because we're together," Padmé told him, as they kissed again.

"Perhaps you should begin your story at the beginning," Davits Draven said, interrupting them.

"Yes, I must stay that it is wonderful to find out that you are both alive, but I'm very curious as to what exactly is going on," Mon stated.

"Only a few people outside me knew they were still alive. It was done for the safety of the children," Obi-Wan began.

"Children?" Tynnra Pamlo asked.

"Yes, you already know Leia and this is Luke. They are Anakin and Padmé's twin children," Qui-Gon replied. Mon smiled.

"I should have known. Now that I look at Leia, the resemblance to Padmé is uncanny," she mentioned. Anakin smiled.

"Yeah, she's as beautiful as her Mother," he added, as Padmé gazed up at him, smiling.

"As you know, Palpatine and his apprentice...Vader critically injured Anakin just before Order 66 was executed," Obi-Wan began.

"We took him to Polis Massa to get him medical treatment outside the Republic. Just before we arrived, Padmé went into labor and just before she gave birth, Anakin fell into a coma as a result of his injuries. After the twins were born, Padmé did as well. Anakin and Padmé's connection runs so deeply that when he slipped away, she did as well. The doctor was convinced that the only way they would live was to suspend them in carbon freezing, which would keep them alive and allow Anakin's body the needed time to heal. And so, that is what we did and for the last eighteen years, Anakin's body slowly healed. In the meantime, we were forced to separate the twins for their protection. Palpatine couldn't get even an inkling to their true identities. Leia was hidden in plain sight as Bail Organa's adopted daughter and Luke was hidden away on Tatooine. I needed Luke as far away from the Emperor as possible, for I knew if he saw him too soon, he would immediately know that Luke was Anakin's son. Then, we had to fake Anakin and Padmé's deaths in order to make sure Palpatine was positive that they were gone and that the child or children as it was, perished with them. And...our plan in that respect has succeeded," Qui-Gon explained.

"Yes, and just in time," Mace said, as he entered. Anakin and Padmé rose.

"It's good to see you both alive and well," the Jedi stated.

"And you, Master," Anakin replied, as Artoo rolled in behind him.

"We extracted the Death Star plans from Artoo and they were completely in tact. They're being analyzed now," Mace informed everyone.

"Well, you'll certainly need a good General for that mission, one who happens to be an excellent pilot," Rex said, nudging Anakin.

"We were hoping you would take the lead on this mission, Anakin," Mace stated. Anakin nodded.

"I'll do my best, Master," he replied. Mace turned his attention to Luke.

"Luke, your Aunt and Uncle are waiting in the dining hall. Perhaps you'd all like to join them for evening meal," Mace suggested. They all exchanged glances.

"I suppose we better," Anakin said.

"I'll have you shown to a residence where you can freshen up before the evening meal," Mon said.

"Thank you," Padmé replied, as they followed Mon to the lift.

Shmi came into the room next, "Ani..."

Anakin went straight for her and hugged her, and Padmé joined him.

"Mom..." he sobbed.

"I missed you both so much," Shmi said, crying a few tears herself.

"Thank you so much for looking after Luke," Padmé said in gratitude.

"Of course sweetie," Shmi let them go and went over to finally meet her granddaughter.

"Leia, this is Shmi, our Grandmother," Luke introduced her, and Leia immediately hugged her.

"I've always wanted grandparents, now I have one," she cried.

Shmi smiled and wiped her granddaughter's tears away, "You are the spitting image of your mother..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After settling into their new residence, Padmé stood in the kitchen with Satine. She watched as Satine helped Annie put her shoes on.

"She's so beautiful," Padmé mentioned, as her heart ached for a child. While she loved her grown children with all her heart and soul, even though she had only met them; seeing Satine with her little girl made Padmé realize that she wanted a baby. Eighteen years had passed, but Padmé was still in the mind frame of an expectant mother.

"It's still not too late, you know," Satine said.

"What?" Padmé asked.

"It's not too late for you and Anakin to have...more children," Satine replied, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Is it that obvious?" Padmé asked. Satine smiled.

"Only because I used to get the same look on my face when I thought I would never have a child," she replied. Padmé smiled.

"Thanks. And you're right, Anakin and I have been given a second chance at not only having a family with Luke and Leia, but growing our family," Padmé said.

"And if any two people deserve such a chance, it's you and Anakin," Satine replied.

"Thank you," Padmé said, as they finished getting ready for evening meal.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Kenobi family and everyone else had gone ahead, while the Skywalkers hung back for a few minutes, as they finished getting ready.

Anakin knew there would be tension at dinner. He could sense Luke's anger toward Owen. Normally, he would be worried, since he knew exactly what he was like at Luke's age. Fortunately, it seemed that his son had inherited his mother's calmer nature and less volatile temper.

Leia had already proven that she had been the one to inherit his temper. He came up behind Padmé, as she brushed her hair. She was wearing a light blue dress and matching headband. He leaned down and kissed her neck and she smiled. She stood up and Anakin pulled her into his arms, kissing her softly on the lips.

"Is Luke okay? He didn't seem at all excited about seeing Owen and Beru," Padmé asked. Anakin smiled at her.

"Are you sure you're not a Jedi?" he asked. She smiled back.

"Yes, I'm sure. But I am married to one and I know the Force. Plus, our son is doing the exact same thing his father does when he's nervous," Padmé said, as they watched Luke fidget and run his hand through his hair. He was sitting in their private family room in their wing of the residence, which included their bedrooms and own private family room.

"He looks just like you when he does that," she said.

"Maybe, but fortunately, he has a calmer temper than I do," Anakin replied.

"I think he's just worried about seeing Owen. He's feeling a lot of things right now, and none of them are good feelings toward his Uncle. I can already tell he and I won't get along," he replied.

"It'll be fine, you'll see. We should go," Padmé said. Anakin nodded. Luke and Leia followed their parents and they eventually found the dining room where Mon Mothma was waiting for them. Obi-Wan and the others were already there and they were surprised to see Han as well. It seemed that Mon Mothma had insisted that he stay around for dinner. Upon seeing Luke, Owen and Beru rushed over to him.

"Oh Luke, I'm so glad you're okay," Beru said, as she hugged him.

"What were you thinking? You just went gallivanting off across the desert searching for that old wizard after I told you not to!" Owen said.

"I went looking for Artoo and Ben found me," Luke protested.

"Yes we heard he found you after you'd been clubbed by one of those sand people! You could have been killed!" Owen argued.

"I'm fine! And if I hadn't gone, I probably still wouldn't know that my parents are alive! Why did you lie to me?" Luke demanded. Owen looked up, noticing Anakin and Padmé for the first time.

"Oh my goodness...it's true," Beru said.

"If you want to know the truth Luke, I honestly didn't think they would ever wake up. I didn't want you living on false hope," Owen replied.

"False hope? How would telling me my mother's name give me false hope? You told me nothing about her and you lied about my father being a Jedi," Luke said, not understanding his uncle's reasoning.

"Owen has never respected your parents' lifestyle. He would have preferred it if they didn't get involved with the Jedi or Republic at all," Shmi told him, glaring at the man in question.

"Please, let's just sit down and we can discuss this more," Padmé pleaded, tugging at Anakin's arm. He backed away and sat down next to her. Luke sat beside his Mother Leia sat between Han and her Father. On the other side, Obi-Wan and Satine sat with Annie, Rex, and Ahsoka. Next to Mon at the head of the table was Tynnra, while Owen and Beru sat on the other side of her. The food was served and Mon spoke first.

"Let me just begin by saying that the news that you are both alive comes as great joy for me and will also inspire a great deal of hope in the people and the Rebellion," she smiled.

"Thank you Mon," Padmé said graciously.

"Do you think they'll be able to find a weakness in the design of the Death Star soon?" Anakin asked.

"We are confident. We will need good pilots though. This mission will be no easy undertaking. But with your experience, it will increase our chances of success," Mon replied.

"Well, you can count on me then," Anakin replied.

"Me too," Luke chimed in.

"Absolutely not!" Owen protested.

"I think that is for Luke to decide," Anakin replied.

"So, you just show up after eighteen years and start being a father to him?" Owen retorted.

"Owen!" Beru scolded. Anakin was about to retort, but Padmé beat him to it.

"My husband is a good man, Owen. Palpatine stole those years from us, but we are a family. Luke is more than old enough to make his own decisions. I realize that you only want to protect him, but he is his father's son. I think you know that and it scares you. Facing the Empire is a scary and dangerous thing, but we can't let them continue to rule us. I used to worry myself sick when Anakin was out fighting in the war, but I knew that he was needed. Millions of people died in the war, but millions more would have died if Anakin hadn't been out there. Billions of people were just murdered senselessly, because Palpatine believes he has the right to exterminate life where he sees fit. Alderaan will not be the last planet he uses his Death Star on if we do not stop him," Padme said passionately. But Owen acted as if he hadn't heard her.

"When will it be safe for us to return to Tatooine?" he asked Obi-Wan. Shmi scoffed at her step-son's complete disregard for other people's suffering.

"Within a few days, I suppose," Obi-Wan replied.

"Owen, you don't have to go back to Tatooine," Anakin said.

"And what are we supposed to do here?" Owen asked incredulously.

"Help us. Be here for us. We are a family, even if it is not by blood. Padmé and I will always be grateful to you and Beru for helping Mom take care of Luke for us. If you do not want to stay here, then at least return to Naboo with Padme and me when we're able to. Farming is much more productive on a planet like Naboo," Anakin said.

"Tatooine was your home, or did you forget that when-" Owen started to rant until Shmi cut him off.

"OWEN LARS, SHUT YOUR MOUTH NOW!" she yelled. Every member of the Skywalker family had different reactions. Anakin was a little surprised, it was only the second time he'd seen his mother get angry, let alone yell at someone. The first time was against the Jedi Council.

Padmé and Luke smiled. His Grandmother had always scolded Owen whenever he started speaking out of line and being to hard on Luke, and he always secretly loved it. Padmé understood Shmi's reasoning; they were both extremely protective of Anakin and his honor.

Leia was shocked that her Grandmother could be so fierce. She seemed so calm and composed when she first met her.

"I've told you a thousand times; Anakin hated Tatooine, and he freed us both from that scorching wasteland. Accept it, don't accept it, it doesn't matter. But don't you dare insult my son about his life choices or his feelings," Shmi continued.

"Mom's right, I hated that dust-ball. For me, home is wherever Padmé is, and now that includes our children," Anakin added, taking his wife's hand in his own.

"We'll be returning to Tatooine when we're permitted. Will you be coming Luke?" Owen asked. Luke looked straight at his uncle with an unforgiving stare.

"No," he replied. Owen nodded and got up from the table with Beru and left. Padmé put her hand on Anakin's shoulder to comfort him. He smiled at her as he felt two more hands on his shoulder. He looked over, only to see his mother and daughter smiling at him. He smiled back, knowing he had a loving family that supported him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later after dinner, Anakin stood outside the base looking up at the star filled night sky.

"Ani, are you okay?" Padmé asked, as she came out to join him.

"I'm fine angel, just thinking," Anakin replied.

She smiled, hugged and kissed him. Anakin slanted his head, so he could deepen the kiss. Padmé parted her lips, allowing his tongue to slide against hers. She felt her knees go weak, as his kiss turned from tender and gentle to passionate and hard. He eventually broke the kiss, leaving them both gasping for air. Padmé laid her head against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her tiny frame, holding her close.

"I love you," Padmé whispered.

"I love you too, angel," he replied, as they gazed up at the starry sky above...

Anybody else hate Uncle Owen?!

Read and review, please!

No flames!