Okay, first off; I'd like some input about the questions I asked in Chapter 26. Regarding the Sequel Trilogy...

Also, all these Guests leaving short, two letter words or symbols, or whatever it is; please stop. If you're gonna leave a review, make it a full sentence. Cause I don't know what the hell those two letter things mean.

I don't own Star Wars. All OCs belong to me.

Chapter 31: Family Bonds

They sat down to dinner and quickly began eating the delicious meal Padmé had prepared. Sola cut her dewback fillet and took the first bite of her tender meat.

"Mmm...well, you haven't lost your talent for cooking, baby sis, that's fore sure," Sola replied.

"Thanks, but haven't you mastered the dewback fillet yet?" Padmé asked.

"Mine never turns out like yours or Mom's," Sola replied.

"That's because you cook it too long," Padmé said.

"Well, it's meat. It's supposed to be cooked until done," Sola replied.

"Cooked, not charred to a crisp," Ryoo piped in, earning a waning glance from her mother. Padmé giggled.

"If you cook it too long, it will taste like shoe leather," she said.

"Yeah, well, she leaves the grilling of meat to me," Darred chimed in, defending his wife.

Everyone chuckled at that.

"Anakin, I'm not judging you or anything, but why didn't you and Padmé retire after you found out she was expecting?" Ruwee asked.

"You have to know that I was ready and willing to walk away, Mr. Naberrie. But the war complicated everything and we both had people depending on us. We decided that after the war was over, we would both retire from our careers and start a family. Neither of us expected it to last as long as it did and I eventually took Ahsoka on as a padawan. We both grew to love her like a little sister, or a daughter and I couldn't let her go out into those battles and not be there to watch out for her too," Anakin explained.

"We told Ahsoka about our marriage when I was about six months along with the twins and then Obi-Wan after that. We were making plans to come home and start our family," Padmé continued.

"But things didn't go as we planned and I was completely caught off guard by Vader and Palpatine. Believe me, Padmé and the children were my first priority and that's why when I found out that Palpatine was the Sith Lord, I went to stop him personally, so the war would end and my family would be safe," Anakin said, pausing for a moment. "But I wasn't ready for or expecting Vader. He turned out to be someone I would have never suspected in my wildest dreams."

"Then you knew this Vader, I mean, before he was in that awful suit?" Sola asked.

"I don't know if...knew is the right term, but yes, in a way. I've never seen him in this so called suit everyone keeps talking about, but I've heard it's quite horrifying," Anakin replied.

"Oh it is, he's a monster. His image is on the holonet all the time. He scares the hell out of people and I suppose that's the point," Sola said. Padmé squeezed his hand, as they couldn't help the tears that were welling in their eyes.

"Is it something I said?" Sola asked.

Anakin and Padmé looked at each other. It was too much. They had just been reunited and to tell them that Vader was an evil clone of Anakin would be too much to take in.

"No...we were just thinking about all the lives that were lost that day. We almost lost our own lives, but the Emperor will soon pay for all that he's done," Anakin answered.

"Well, you did destroy the Death Star. Isn't that going to collapse the Empire?" Darred asked.

"If only it were that simple. While we delivered a mighty defeat to them, the Empire is still very strong. Far stronger than the Rebellion and I'm afraid we're in for a much longer, drawn out war with them. But when the time and opportunity to eliminate the Emperor...and Vader presents itself, Luke and I will confront them and end their reign," Anakin replied.

"So, you're training to be a Jedi?" Ruwee asked. Luke nodded. Jobal snorted.

"Of course and I suppose Leia is following in Padmé's footsteps. No one in this family can ever just settle down and lead safe, normal lives," she spat.

"We want that, Mother, just like you do. But we have to fight to get it or the Empire will eventually destroy us all," Padmé tried to explain.

"Well, you always did as you pleased, regardless of how I felt about it. So I don't expect that to change. If you will all excuse me, I'm going to retire for the evening," Jobal said, as she got up from the table without finishing her meal.

"Give her time, she'll come around," Sola assured them all, as they continued eating.

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

Later that evening, the house quieted, as everyone readied for bed. Leia came downstairs in a silky light blue robe and padded into the kitchen to get a glass of water. She was startled to see Han and Chewie eating the leftovers that Padmé had left for them.

"Hey, there you are. Mom was wondering why you didn't join us for dinner." Leia asked.

"Chewie and I were working on the Falcon and I didn't think we should intrude," Han replied.

"Oh, well you are welcome to join us any time," Leia said.

"Thanks, but we'll be heading out as soon as the ship is fixed in a couple days," Han replied.

"You're leaving?" Leia asked, surprised by the sudden disappointment in her own voice.

"Yep, Chewie and I have some things to take care of and the credits your rich mom paid us will be enough to pay our debts and then some," Han said, noticing how beautiful she looked even in her night robe. Leia filled a glass with water.

"Well, good luck to you both then," she said, as she turned away and then looked back at him. "You know, we need good pilots like you in the Alliance. The pay would be really good."

"Want me to stick around, do you?" Han asked smugly. Leia frowned.

"No, I was referring simply to the fact that we're always in need of capable people in our cause and you seem to fit that bill, for a scoundrel anyway," she quickly refuted. He smirked.

"Well, sorry to break your heart, Princess, but I ain't getting involved in your little crusade even more than I already have," Han replied.

"Of course, because that would require you attempting to care about anyone other than yourself," Leia snapped.

"Whatever was I thinking?" she questioned nonchalantly, as she walked away. Han glared at her back. That snippy, stuck up little Princess really made his blood boil at times. It almost detracted from the fact that he also found her insanely beautiful and fascinating too, not that he would ever admit it in a million light years. Chewie chuckled.

"What are you laughing at?" he snapped. Chewie rawled and Han snorted.

"You're way off, pal. I don't like her, in fact, she makes me want to rip my hair out. The sooner I'm far away from that infuriating know-it-all, spoiled little brat, the better," he spat. But Chewie simply chuckled again. Han grabbed the bottle of scotch.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up fuzz ball," he grumbled, as he stalked off toward the veranda.

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

Padmé sat at her vanity in a silky white robe, as she brushed out her long, silky curls. She put her brush down and picked up the small control that operated the holoscreen in their bedroom, just as Anakin exited the fresher.

"Angel, I'm not sure that's such a good idea," he said.

"I have to see him. It's going to happen eventually," she replied. He still looked very hesitant.

"You're not going to like what you see," Anakin warned.

"I know, but I still need to see what became of him..." Padmé said. Anakin sighed and nodded, as she turned the screen on and found a news channel.

He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, as the human reporter discussed the current events in the galaxy.

"And in other news, there is still no sign of the fugitives that destroyed Emperor Palpatine's new space station, which was to be used to reduce galactic crime and restore lawfulness," the reporter said.

"Lawfulness? Is that what Palpatine is calling it?" Padmé spat.

"Yeah, space station, that's a good one. That thing was nothing more than a means to inflict genocide on the galaxy," Anakin added.

"Just days ago, the mysterious reappearance of renegade Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker has caused turmoil in the galaxy," the reporter continued.

"How dare they?" Padmé cried, but Anakin put his hands on her shoulders.

"They're going to slander our names. It's the only way Palpatine can act like he has control over the situation," he reminded her.

"Lord Vader, the Emperor's right hand, has assured us all that Skywalker and his accomplices will be brought to justice in a rare statement to the galaxy," the reporter said, as the clip was shown.

A very tall man, garbed completely in black, with a frightening black mask appeared on the screen. Anakin and Padmé both gasped in disbelief. The sound of his controlled breathing sent cold chills down their spines.

"Anakin Skywalker has committed serious crimes against the galaxy, but I assure you he will be brought to justice, along with his accomplices. He is a criminal and anyone with any information on his whereabouts will receive a great reward for divulging any information. Only when he is brought to justice can the safety of our galaxy be ensured," Vader announced.

Tears slipped down Padmé's cheeks and she shook her head in disbelief,
"Oh my God..."

"Vader had that same suit in my vision, except...it was me," Anakin said in a shaky voice.

"That bastard..." Padmé cried.

"He's going to pay Padmé, I promise. He will not hurt us again," Anakin promised. Padmé sniffed and nodded.

"I know, but I don't want you blaming yourself. None of what happened was your fault," she assured him.

"If I could have stopped him and Vader...if I hadn't let Vader catch me off guard, I could have stopped them and none of this would be happening," Anakin said.

"You were in shock. No one can blame you for that. You found out you were cloned and that clone was turned into a monster. It was like your nightmare came to life. We can't dwell on what might have happened," she told him. He nodded and she smoothed her hands along his chest.

"We can only move forward. We've been given a second chance to build a life together and have a family. I suggest we use it," Padmé added.

"You're right, no more looking back. You've been reunited with your mother and sister, we're going to continue to build a relationship with Luke and Leia, and…we're going to have a baby," Anakin said. She yelped, as he swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed. Padmé gazed up at him passionately, as he lay her down and hovered over her.

"I love you," Padmé whispered, as passion swelled between them and their need to be together became overwhelming.

"I love you too angel and I'm going to show you how much," he whispered back, as their lips met and once again, the flames of passion consumed the two lovers.

Padmé felt herself melting in his arms, as he kissed her zealously and with wanton. Anakin tugged her nightgown down, letting it slip down her slender form. She moaned into his kiss as his hands roamed her naked body.

"Oh Ani," she cooed, as he caressed her. He paused in loving her to remove his pants and she watched hungrily, as his body was on display for her. His eyes bored into hers, as he held her close against him. Padmé gasped in anticipation, as his thick erection pressed against her thigh.

"Uuunnnhhh...Ani!" she cooed as his lips traveled over her breasts, suckling her sensually. Padmé spread her legs and arched against him. Anakin groaned, as he slid inside her slick, hot tunnel. Oh Force, she felt so good...so right.

"I love you...I love you," she cried, as he began moving in and out of her. He made love to her, taking them both into a place of unimaginable ecstasy.

Slowly, she felt that familiar building in her core. As her climax hit her hard, she threw her head back in release. Waves of pleasure racked through her small frame, as she writhed in underneath her husband. She panted and cried his name, as he held her through the coming he had brought upon her.

He moaned in pleasure, as her tight walls clenched and quaked around him, causing his own climax. He spilled his essence inside her and collapsed over her. They panted together, as their climaxes slowly dissipated and their slick skin slid together, as they came down in each other's arms.

Padmé threaded her fingers through his thick curls and laid his head down on her chest. She smiled as she felt his ragged breaths against her breast.

"I love you so much, Ani," she said, as they continued to bathe in the afterglow.

"I love you too, angel," he replied. He kissed her breasts and started moving in and out of her again.

She cried in surprise, not expecting her husband to keep going. But she wasn't complaining. It had been 18 years since they last made love, and they felt the desire to make up for it.

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

The next morning, Padmé stood on the veranda and breathed in the ocean breeze.

Luke and Anakin had left after breakfast to train down at the beach. Right about now, her husband was probably having their son run laps and learning to lift rocks and other small objects with the Force. Their daughter was getting to know her cousins, who had taken her with them to the market to purchase food for the next week. She had been leery to let Leia go to the small town market nearby, but she had promised to keep the hood of her cloak up during the journey and now Padmé found herself with time to reflect.

And her reflections were on the events that had occurred between herself and her husband last night. Their evening had begun with tears, as they finally witnessed what had become of Anakin's evil double. Then their love had won over all the bad, as it always did, and their lovemaking had lasted well into the early morning hours, as they fed their desire for each other. And with any luck, or the Will of the Force, rather, perhaps they had conceived the baby they so desperately wanted.

"Hey baby sister," Sola said, as she joined her on the veranda. Padmé smiled.

"Good morning," she replied, as they sat down at the table.

"Caf?" Sola asked. Padmé was about to say yes, but then realized that if there was a chance that she could be pregnant, then she should stick to tea.

"I'm going to stick to tea this morning," she replied.

"So, I thought we could catch up this morning. It's been way too long since you and I just sat and talked," Sola said. Padmé nodded.

"I agree, I'd love to catch up. I was so surprised when I learned that Pooja is the Senator of Naboo," she mentioned. Sola nodded.

"She reminds me so much of you. The Imperial Senate is a much different Senate than you served in, but she pushes on, trying to make a difference, just like you," Sola replied.

"It makes me very proud, of her and Leia both," Padmé said.

"Me too," Sola agreed, as she noticed the small pendant attached to a lanyard around her little sister's neck.

"That's a beautiful necklace, where did you get it?" Sola asked.

"Oh, Anakin made this for me, when he was just a little boy," Padmé replied. Sola smiled.

"I should have guessed. You two have an amazing romance. Not even the best romance writer could have scripted a better story," Sola said.

"Well, you know what it's like to be in love. What Anakin and I have only became a story, because of everything we've had to face to be together," Padmé replied.

"Yes, I know what it's like to be in love. What Darred and I have is special, but not like what you and Anakin have. You two have something very unique, I can tell. I mean, he defied the Jedi Code for you, after all," Sola said, with a smile.

"Anakin and I are soul mates and I love him more with each passing day and I know he feels the same about me," Padmé replied. Sola sighed.

"Yep, not even my favorite romance novelist could have written a better love story. And I bet the love scenes are out of this world," she said slyly. Padmé's mouth dropped open.

"Sola!" she said in mock outrage.

"What? You finally have a love life, so don't think I'm not going to grill you for details," Sola replied.

"My love life is between my husband and me," Padmé stated.

"Oh come on, baby sis, throw me a few spicy tidbits. We never got to talk much during the Clone Wars because you were always so busy. And whenever you visited, you and Anakin were always joined at the hip. So, I think it's safe to say your love life is down right steamy," Sola teased.

"So, you're going to live vicariously through me?" Padmé questioned. Sola shrugged.

"Why not? That husband of yours is gorgeous and from the way you two are around each other, I bet he's wild in bed, isn't he?" she asked. Padmé reddened and shook her head.

"I'm not answering that," she replied.

"You don't have to. Your face says it all and I'm not surprised," Sola said.

"Fine, I'll give you just a small tidbit," Padmé said, as she stood up and went to the railing. "Anakin comes from a planet called Tatooine and it's very hot there, because the planet has two suns. And let's just say that he makes me burn hotter than the binary suns of Tatooine."

"He's that good, huh?" Sola asked. Padmé smirked.

"And then some. He is very nice to look at too, wouldn't you agree?" she asked, as she gazed out over the railing. Sola stood up and came beside her. Down below, there was a shirtless Anakin sparring with Ahsoka and Luke sparring with Aisha. Sweat glistened on his bare skin, as every rippling muscle flexed and bulged.

"Wow...it is really hot out here," Sola said. Padmé giggled.

"Uh huh...and he's all mine," she boasted.

"Like you said, baby sister, you're one lucky woman. I'm going to go get us a pitcher of ice water so we can cool off," Sola said, as she started inside when she nearly ran into Rex.

"Oh, excuse me milady," Rex said politely, as he stepped aside.

"It's alright," she replied, as she hurried inside, running into Darred along the way.

"Should I be worried about you going after your sister's husband?" he questioned in a playful tone.

"Of course not," Sola replied in a fake hurt tone.

"Thank you for going with the girls to the market," Padmé told him. Rex smiled and nodded.

"Well, I felt better about keeping an eye on them. We're pretty safe out here, but I felt better just the same," Rex replied, as he observed Luke's training with her.

"He's really training him hard," he said. Padmé nodded.

"Luke is very eager to learn and Anakin and Obi-Wan believe that Luke will have a very big part in bringing down the Empire," she replied.

"Probably, because if you want the truth, I'm not sure Anakin has it in him to kill Vader...you know being that he's, well..." Rex trailed off.

"It's okay, you can say it. He is what Anakin could've become if things had been different. But I know that if Anakin has to make the decision between Vader and the rest of us, he'll do what he has to in order to protect us," Padmé replied. Rex nodded.

She was right, of course, but Luke would be even less apprehensive, for while he knew Vader was a clone of his father, he didn't quite understand the horror of seeing him like a nightmare brought to life like Anakin and Padmé had. Sola returned with a pitcher of water and some small canteens, also filled with water.

"Here, they look hot so I thought you could take them some water," Sola said.

"Thanks," Padmé replied, as she headed down through the house.

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

As Anakin sparred with Ahsoka, he noticed she had mastered Jar'Kai and now used two sabers instead one and a shoto lightsaber, both green.

Luke finished putting together his lightsaber; it looked a lot like Obi-Wan's. He ignited it and an emerald blade appeared.

"Alright, well done," Ahsoka praised.

"Green, just like your mother," Anakin added.

"Mom has her own lightsaber?" Luke asked, surprised.

"Master Qui-Gon and I taught her about the Force and I helped her make her saber. She'll have to show you sometime," Anakin replied.

Aisha appeared, having just finished her morning run. She was sweating like crazy.

"Good job honey," Ahsoka said.

"Thanks Mom," Aisha panted.

"Alright Aisha, now that Luke has completed his lightsaber; I'd like you to spar with him. It'll also give me a chance to see how much you know," Anakin instructed.

Aisha stood straight and saluted, "Yes sir!"

She drew her lightsaber, revealing a cloud blue colored blade. Luke slowly approached and engaged her, using the basics of Shii-Cho. She parried most of his strikes with Soresu.

As the spar continued, both parents observed.

"Well Snips, you've taught your daughter well," Anakin said.

"Thanks Master," Ahsoka replied. "She's very quick and knows how to use her flexibility to her advantage. But she tends to get carried away."

"We've all been there," Anakin chuckled in response, then saw his wife and Sola approaching with a pitcher of water and some canteens.

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