Chapter 18: The Calm Before the Storm

All things considered, Ahsoka Tano has led a rich life unlike most young women. Sure, no child or teen should ever be exposed to war and bloodshed, but if that was the road that led Ahsoka to lay underneath a sparkling firework display passionately kissing her true love then so be it. Barriss Offee was worth it. Yes, it was Barriss that kneeled before her so long ago, but it may as well have been Ahsoka. Gripping onto Barriss's princess-eque gown as Ahsoka stared deep into those hypnotic blue iris was more invigorating than the taste of liquor still on her lips.

"What is it?" Barriss whispered, her mouth just inches from Ahsoka's throat.

"I was just thinking of how difficult it's going to be for me to stay calm when you walk down that aisle," Ahsoka moaned as Barriss proceeded to shower her neck with tender kisses.

"Is that so?" Barriss says, sitting herself up on the Togruta's torso.

Ahsoka laughed and waved a hand, "Don't make fun of me, you're so gorgeous, I don't know how I got you to say "yes" to me!"

"I was just going to say how worried I am that I'll faint seeing you at the altar and that's not mentioning my fear of messing up my vows in front of everyone!" Barriss assured, pinning Ahsoka's hands down.

Ahsoka smiles, "I love how flustered you get, shall I recount our first time my love?"

Barriss flushed at the image of herself covering her body, fearing her girlfriend wouldn't want her,

"No… you don't need to do that."

Ahsoka couldn't help but relish in how shy her fiancée could be at times, "It was the night before Obi-wan proposed… we were having our first sleepover here. You were all jumpy sitting on the bed with me while we were watching holo…"

"I wasn't jumpy!"

With a good squeeze to Barriss's thighs, Ashoka

continued her tale, "Oh yes you were! "Jumpy" is a nice way of putting it if we're being honest here! I literally thought you were going to stroke out on me!"

Barriss laughs and puts her red face into the palms of her hands, "Oh, Ahsoka stop!"

"You asked me if the room seemed to be getting warmer and I said "no", but I opened a window so you can cool down. Do you remember what happened next dear?" Ahsoka playfully asked.

"You told me to take some clothes off…"

"Mmhm.." Ahsoka nods as she uncovered Barriss's face from her hands, "You were just as shaky as you are now when I walked over to you and offered to take your cloak."

Barriss leaned into Ahsoka's face, centimeters away from meeting lips, "Don't you dare leave out the fact that you were just as hot and bothered as I was…"

A lustful glint glazed over Ahsoka's eyes, "Darling, I wouldn't dare. I would be lying if I wasn't undressing you with my eyes the entire night before things got…heated."

"You wanted me just as bad…" Barriss whispered.

"So bad… hard to erase that first image of you nude back in the showers," Ahsoka growled lowly with a smirk.

"Admit it Tano, that was a dream come true for you at my expense."

"You have no idea. I've been curious since we had to share that itty bitty room on the ship ride back from Geonosis."

Barriss's lips turned upward, "I figured… you're terrible at concealing your thoughts within the Force my dear."

Ahsoka bared her fangs, "Oh my sweet, your desire to consummate our relationship was no secret, that's how I got the confidence to start taking my own clothes off back then."

"You had me surprised there… I wasn't expecting you to be so toned everywhere…"

"Nor was I expecting you to follow suit and take all those aggravating layers off. I finally got to see your lovely curves up close and personal before I pushed you back onto the bed. I remember telling you that you are the most beautiful thing I've ever laid eyes upon even though you scrambled under the sheets."

"Did you expect me to not react like that? I've never been naked in front of anyone and it was terrifying as much as I wanted.. it," exclaimed Barriss.

"No, but that didn't slow me down! I crawled my way to you on the bed and reassured you that you had nothing to be afraid of. That I love you and how we could stop if you wanted to."

Barriss's face softened, "I still find that so sweet of you. You made me feel so safe then, you always know just what to say to calm my anxiety."

Ahsoka cups the Mirialan's face, "And I will continue to do so for all eternity."

The women shared a kiss, before Barriss thanked the girl, "And that is why I'd never say "yes" to anyone else. Care to continue telling the story my love?"

You told me to get in the sheets with you and made me swear that no matter what happened next, that nothing would change between us, to which of course I said "Duh!" That's when I proceeded to teach you a thing or two about us Togrutas…" Ahsoka recalls with a wink, "I told you we had a penchant for baring our fangs when conquering a fine specimen."

Barriss closed her eyes and leaned back, letting out a low moan at the memory, "Damn, those fangs of yours…"

"They just hit all the right places… those places that make you squeal my name," Ahsoka's hands graze upward towards Barriss's chest, " Wanna recreate the rest of that story now?"

Before Barriss could nod her head, her eyes snapped open and widened at the shadow of an uninvited guest stumbling his way over to the couple.

"Uh, not with Skywalker coming up!", she says pointing ahead.

"Oh what?!" Ahsoka shouts, as the two scramble to stand up.

A very drunk Anakin Skywalker staggered his way towards the duo waving his arms in a ridiculous manner, "Snips, you won't believe it but I won the game!"

With an eye roll, Ashoka replied with a "Good to hear, what are you doing up here?!"

Anakin stops in his tracks and manages to hold up two fingers, "Two things…One, they're cutting cake down there… and two… I forgot... isn't that hilarious"!

Barriss and Ashoka gave each other a knowing look before taking an arm and started guiding the drunk man.

"What happened to that water I gave you earlier Anakin?" Barriss inquired.

Anakin shrugs his shoulders, "Dunno… I was too busy beating Obi-wan and Isadora to give a shit!"

"It's official, you are so not allowed to drink at our wedding you ass!" Ahsoka shouts as the trio make their way downstairs to the party.

The man cackled at the rule, "Snips, you sure are funny sometimes!"

"Let's just get some water and cake in you Skywalker..." mumbled Barriss before admiring said dessert.

As Anakin said, an extravagant multi-tiered cake was placed in the center of the dining area with the party guests surrounding it. The cake was white in color with orange and blue ribbons interwoven with multi-colored flowers. On the top tier laid a porcelain Ahsoka and Barriss cake topper, both wearing white, traditional wedding gowns with the inscription "Best Wishes, Ahsoka and Barriss!" on an edible pink heart at their feet. The crowd clapped and cheered as Padme gestures for the honored pair to join her side. Both Ahsoka and Barriss were happy to drop Anakin onto the sofa next to them, to walk towards the desert hand in hand.

"I cannot believe he let himself get so drunk, I'm going to kill him in the morning!" Padme hissed into Ahsoka's ear before turning her attention to the party guests.

"As we all know, tonight we celebrate the engagement of Ahsoka and Barriss who will do the honors and make the first cut, practicing for their soon to be wedding cake!" Padme announces the crowd, raising a flute of champagne, "To Ahsoka and Barriss!"

"To Ahsoka and Barriss!"

As Ahsoka and Barriss proceed to make the first slice, Barriss was pleased to see Luminara and Obi-wan in the background toasting to her in her line of sight. Barriss had only a second to smile at them before Ahsoka held the small piece of cake they cut, "Shall we?"

I'm pure Ahsoka fashion, the Togruta shoves the piece into Barriss's mouth causing another round of applause and laughter. The Mirialan woman wasted no time. I'm returning the favor by quickly grabbing another slice and smashing it into Ahsoka's mouth. The two soon to be brides laughed and wrapped their arms around the other's waist, allowing themselves to be messy and silly for a change.

"I love you Barriss."

"I love you more Ahsoka."

"I do believe I still owe you a dance my dear wife," Obi-wan tells Luminara, who gave a small smile in return.

"Yes, you do," Luminara replies, setting her drink down and taking her husband's hand.

With everyone else preoccupied with dessert, Obi-wan and Luminara had the outdoor balcony to themselves. There was no music being played, but the couple didn't need it to start swaying in the moonlight. The duo held each other close with their arms holding onto the other's waist. Obi-wan's chin rested on Luminara's head, while she laid her head on his chest, breathing in his scent.

"I haven't told you how incredible you look tonight darling," Obi-wan began to say as he kissed Luminara's forehead, "And I adore the tattoos you and Barriss got today, they are just as beautiful as the women who bear them."

Luminara's dress coordinated with Barriss's in that it was pink in color. Though, unlike Barriss's dress where the skirt was flowy, Luminara's dress was slim fitting and instead of a cape, she had a shimmery white scarf that hung elegantly over her bare shoulders. Much like the scarf, Luminara's wavy locks were free flowing in the gentle breeze that blew in the Coruscanti air.

"Thank you Ben, I'm so proud of her… it will truly be something when I hand her over to Ahsoka," Luminara mused, looking up to meet Obi-wan's stare.

The man leaned in for a kiss before responding, "I know it won't be easy, but you'll always be her home."

"Don't get me choked up now, I've already had my fair share of tears," Luminara exhaled, avoiding her husband's confused expression.

"What do you mean?" Obi-wan asked, stopping to place both hands on Luminara's shoulders.

"You haven't noticed my hand is injured?" Luminara says meekly, raising her bandaged hand to which Obi-wan immediately takes into his own.

"How did this happen? Are you alright?!" Obi-wan nearly shouts with worry.

"Ben, please don't raise your voice, I'm alright, there's no need to worry," Luminara says, pulling away causing Obi-wan to forcefully raise her chin upward.

"Luminara, what happened?" Obi-wan gently questioned, his cerulean eyes twinkling with worry.

"I…" Luminara begins to answer, stopping for a moment to wipe away the tears that were beginning to well in her own eyes, "I saw Satine kiss your cheek while you two were in the hallway with Aurora."

Obi-wan exhaled a huge breath as he raised a hand to cover his face. Guilt clenched his now racing heart as he imagined how awful that scene would have looked from an outside perspective. Luminara takes Obi-wan's hand down from his face and holds onto her own, kissing it.

"Luminara…" Obi-wan sighs as his wife thumbs his own tears away, "I'm so sorry… I…"

Luminara placed a finger to the man's lips, "Ben, it's okay. I know it wasn't what it appeared to be. I know it was a friendly gesture and that there's nothing else to be said about it. I know you love me and I know you're loyal to me…it's just I don't know… it's like my mind is a broken mirror and it doesn't take much for me to fall apart anymore."

Wanting to stay out of anyone's sight, Obi-wan pulls his wife towards an outside bench with haste, sitting them both down. Never has Luminara seen such resolve in her husband as he caresses her face with both hands.

"Now you listen to me Luminara Kenobi, you are not broken. I won't allow anyone, including you, to say otherwise. You are a Jedi Master, a galactic hero, a friend, a wife, and most importantly, a mother to two very special girls. You're a woman who's been traumatized and is healing. It is completely understandable why you felt the way you did. I wasn't the one that had to carry and birth our child knowing my life was in constant danger and I would have crumbled if I saw any man kiss you. Hell, the dark side would seem very intriguing to me at that moment!"

"But as always you didn't succumb to your emotions completely and you got right back up and showed up for Barriss. Damn it all Luminara, there are no words to accurately describe how strong and perfect you truly are! Our daughter is beyond blessed to have you as her mother and I can't only hope to be just as good as a father!"

Luminara's breath hitched at her husband's sentiment. Once again, tears began to pour down her face as she snuggled into Obi-wan's open arms.

"Please don't cry my love…" Obi-wan whispered into Luminara's ear as her lips split into a beaming smile.

"I'm crying because I'm happy Ben. I have the best husband any woman could ask for… you make me feel safe and loved, every single time. I'm sure Aurora will be daddy's little girl seeing how you know how to make a lady feel okay again!" Luminara explained as Obi-wan kissed the wetness on her cheeks.

"I do love my little princess and Queen, there's nothing I wouldn't do for you both… you haven't told me how you hurt your hand."

After taking a breath, Luminara answers, "I punched the tile in the refresher after...well you know…."

"You're hearing those voices again...Quinlan, Maul, your Master...all of them right?" Obi-wan probed, his soul aching for his beloved. In the many nights following Aurora's birth, Obi-wan was no stranger to the nightmares and panic attacks that haunted Luminara. Holding and comforting his wife in her darkest hours, broke the man's heart over and over again. Obi-wan has never felt more helpless. The Jedi will not rest until justice has been served and that Luminara finds peace from her past.

Luminara slowly nodded her head in shame, "I wish it would just stop Ben...I'm so tired of fighting. I've had to fight for every little thing in my life and I swear if it weren't for you, for Barriss, all of them! I fear I'd be the one that took her own life."

Obi-wan quickly pulls Luminara into his lap and holds her tightly while gently rocking, "Don't say that Luminara...It's not true, your life would have purpose even if we never met, but thankfully that will never be the case. I will continue to say this until I'm blue in the face, but I promise it will get easier with time and one day those ghosts will never hurt you again. I couldn't protect you from Maul or Quinlan, but I swear on our child's life that no one will even think of harming you again while I'm still breathing. And I truly am sorry for almost allowing that Geonosian parasite enter you, that wasn't fair of me."

"Ben…"

"Yes?"

"I'll promise to be more patient with the healing process so long as you promise to be nicer to yourself; you don't have to apologize for things that were beyond your control, including the parasite. I think you were just geeking out a little too much there, I had faith you wouldn't actually allow that thing inside me!" Luminara chuckled lightly, feeling her body relax more against her husband.

"Deal," Obi-wan agrees with a kiss, "Either I'm getting too old for this or it's just well past our bedtime?"

"We're still young dear, we're just parents of a newborn and need our sleep. Might I suggest we congratulate the happy couple again and go to bed with our baby? I'd also like to greet Satine if she's still here?" Luminara asked.

Obi-wan shook his head, "Satine left shortly after I finished feeding Aurora. She only intended to stay long enough to gift us with baby clothes and to see the girls before heading back to Mandalore. She told me to give you her condolences."

"Then, I'll be sure to contact her later and thank her for the gifts, that was very kind of her to give our child something," Luminara said thoughtfully before getting herself up, "Let's go darling, I'm exhausted."

With a smile and a nod, Obi-wan and Luminara retreated back into the nearly empty apartment holding hands.

"I guess we were out there longer than we thought?" Obi-wan observed as they looked around for their family members. A tired looking Padme and Isadora then came into the living area, throwing some miscellaneous garbage away.

"Well Padme, you outdid yourself, that was a great party!"Isadora says with a gentle pat on the matriarch's back.

"Thanks Isadora, I just hope my husband doesn't spend a good part of the day puking his guts out. Poor Ahsoka… he will for sure be on diaper duty tomorrow!" Padme replied with a smirk.

"Where's Ahsoka and Barriss?" Luminara inquired.

Padme motioned her head towards the guest room, "Those two tuckered themselves out shortly after cake. Want me to get a bed made out here for you two? Isadora you're also more than welcome to stay here,thank you for helping me clean."

Obi-wan raised a hand, "That won't be necessary my dear. Luminara and I will make ourselves comfortable. I say we just let Anakin sleep in the bathtub that way he can be closer to the toilet!"

All three women laughed at the joke to which Obi-wan says dejected, "I was serious!"

"Actually Obi-wan I like the sound of that. He's currently passed out on the bedroom floor, we can take the bed!" Padme offers mischievously.

"Meanwhile, I'll just crash on the sofa if that's alright with you my lady? I would love to have one of my little probe droids capture Anakin's demise tomorrow!" Isadora asks Padme to which Padme nods her head "yes" in response.

Luminara pulls Obi-wan in the direction of the guest room, "I want to say goodnight to the girls, we'll be back in a moment."

Barriss and Ahsoka were asleep peacefully in each other's arms on the guestroom bed. To Luminara's relief, they both changed into more comfortable pajamas and ditched their evening wear. Obi-wan leaned against the open door while Luminara quietly made her way to the couple. Being ever so gentle, Luminara brushed back some of Barriss's stray hairs from her face and leaned down to kiss her cheek, "Sweet dreams, my dear girl. I'm sorry I didn't see you two off to bed,"

Luminara proceeded to kiss Ahsoka's cheek as well and covered more of their upper body by pulling the covers upward. "I'm so proud of you two, I love you both," Luminara says warmly before turning to walk back to Obi-wan who was beaming. "Goodnight girls," Obi-wan wished as he gently shut the door behind them.

"You really are a mother," Obi-wan states affectionately as they made their way towards the master bedroom.

Luminara grinned and shrugged, "They were the ones to teach me how to be a mother. Hope we get some grandchildren from those two."

Obi-wan laughs softly, "Grandchildren? Oh my dear, please don't make us age up, we're just now learning to be parents!"

Padme was already passed out asleep on one side of the large bed, her arm dangling over Anakin's open mouth on the floor beneath the bed. After Luminara picked Aurora up from the bassinette, she and Obi-wan made themselves comfortable on the opposite side of Padme, placing their child between them. It was one of their new favorite sleeping positions. Neither Luminara or Obi-wan rolled over their daughter when they're asleep, but having their child between them made the parents feel secure. Before allowing sleep to take over, both husband and wife kissed the baby goodnight and wrapped their arms around each other. All was well in the Skywalker residence.

A few days after the engagement party, Depa knocked on the door outside the Kenobi residence. The door hissed open to reveal Barriss holding an awake Aurora, "Yes, Master Billaba?"

Depa smiles at the young woman, "Good afternoon Barriss, is Obi-wan home as well?"

"Not yet, he and Luminara are at a Minding session right now, but should be returning soon, would you like to come in? I was just making some tea." Barriss replied, allowing the older woman inside.

"I would that very much, thank you dear," Depa nods as she settles into a chair, "And how is your little Padawan doing today, she seems alert."

Barriss smiled at the baby who was just staring absently at the world around her, "She's doing well. She's actually a very easy baby, she'll sleep through most of the night and when she does wake up, she just needs to eat and get changed. Not fussy at all!"

Depa's smile grew wider, "It truly is remarkable how things turned out. It's still so hard for me to believe that Luminara and Obi-wan are parents to such a darling little girl."

"Yes, I couldn't be more happy for my Master and Obi-wan," Barriss agreed as she gently sits down at the kitchen table with the prepared tray of tea and a bottle for Aurora, "May I ask why you needed to see Obi-wan?"

"I was hoping to speak to you and Obi-wan about the upcoming trial on Quinlan," Depa admits with remorse in her tone, "I can only imagine the pain you all endured, but it is vital that you, Obi-wan, and Ahsoka explain your side of the story to the Senate. Grand admiral Tarkin is going to speak on Vos's behalf."

Barriss's hands curled into fists, Tarkin was name very high up on her list of hated beings, "I see…"

Depa reached over the table to give Barriss a comforting squeeze, "I'm truly sorry my dear, it's been eating me up inside to have to bring the bad news during such an exciting time in your life, but if we are going to ensure that Vos stays behind bars, the Republic needs to be made aware on why he is to stay out of society."

"I just can't believe anyone would sympathize with such an evil man. He betrayed us all and I'll never forgive him for what he has done to my Master and for wanting to kill this little one," Barriss says holding the baby tighter against her chest, "How could anyone want to hurt such good people?"

"I wish I had an answer to that...I'm just grateful I was able to catch him in time," Depa mused as she took a sip of tea.

"Yes, I am forever indebted to you for getting that monster out of there so that Ahsoka could heal her," Barriss thanked with a slight bow.

"It is the role of a Jedi to arrive where help is most needed," Depa replies before asking, "speaking of which, where is Miss Tano?"

"She's out with Isadora looking for an R unit Isadora could have," said Barriss, "I like to stay with the baby when Luminara and Obi-wan need the break."

"That's very kind of you Barriss, Luminara has raised a fine young woman and an honorable Jedi Knight to boot!" praised Depa motioning her cup towards Aurora, "I have no doubt, you will do the same with miss Aurora here."

Barriss laughed, "I hope so! I'm no Luminara!"

"Only because you are Barriss, I'm no Master Windu, but I can assure you that when the time comes, you'll know what to do. Just always remember that no Master is perfect and that all you can do is teach the best you can. In the end, it will be up to Aurora to decide what kind of Jedi she will become," Depa advised.

"I couldn't help but observe that your Caleb has taken an interest in our dear Isadora," Barriss winked at the Jedi Master who chuckled and rolled her eyes.

"Ah, yes. Master Windu would have ripped that boy a new one for being so foolish! Caleb is a fine young man. The Force is strong with him and he is a studious and dutiful Padawan, but when it comes to his heart's desires...well there's no stopping him! He is a boy that knows what he wants and will do pretty much anything to reach his goal. I admire that about him very much. He's like a son to me, I see a lot of myself when I was his age, I just wouldn't dare do anything that would make Mace's blood pressure spike!"

Barriss raised a brow, "Have you ever fallen in love?"

"We all fell in love at one point," Depa exhaled, "It's just that in my youth, there were no Jedi getting married and having children except for Master Mundi of course for certain reasons. It's only because what you and your family did that future Jedi generations can be set free."

"Then, I hope one day, you will find love if you so wish to have it Master Billaba," Barriss says sincerely.

"Raising Caleb is all I need to keep me happy, but thank you Barriss, I'm flattered," Depa says before the front door opened to reveal Obi-wan and Luminara.

"Master Billaba! What is it?" Obi-wan asked in surprise with Luminara looking just as confused.

"Master Kenobi, I've come to speak with you and Barriss about…."Depa started to say, but trailed off seeing Luminara's face break into a glum expression.

Luminara, with haste, moves to take Aurora and before either Obi-wan or Barriss could protest, she says flatly, "I'll go for a walk with the baby, you two talk and I don't fight it, you know what has to be done."

Obi-wan and Barriss can only give the mother an apologetic look before the man sighed and sat beside Depa. The trio remained silent until Luminara returned with Aurora's pram and diaper bag, "I'll just take a quick stroll to the park and return, I promise I won't be long." After giving a bow to Depa and a kiss to both Obi-wan and Barriss, Luminara left the home with an awkward tension.

Obi-wan was the first to release a breath he didn't know he was holding, "I cannot wait for this damn thing to be over and done with."

"I second that...I'm not entirely sure I'll be able to testify without Ahsoka there to hold my hand, but we have to be strong for her…" Barriss adds.

"Barriss is right, I have the utmost faith that the court won't be fooled by Tarkin's ridiculous defense," Depa says sourly to which Obi-wan gasped.

"Tarkin is speaking for Quinlan?! He and Luminara were always sent to negotiate with the Separtist leaders! How dare he stand against her!" Obi-wan shouts, slamming a fist to the table.

Depa sends a calming wave through the Force, "Be at ease Master Kenobi, remember you have Chancellor Organa already in your guy's favor. It is up to us to maintain an honorable reputation for the Jedi Order. As much as I would love to use the Force to harass that awful man, we can't get too emotional. We want the public to trust and sympathize with us."

"Depa is right Obi-wan, we have the babies to think about here too. They deserve to grow up in a galaxy that doesn't look down on them. Who do we have as our defending representative? Padme of course can't since she's too personally involved," Barriss thought aloud.

"Senator Chuchi has agreed to be your voice," Depa affirms with a ghost of a smile, "She is respected just as much as Amidala and seeing how she is a good friend of yours, I feel you three will be in good hands in addition to myself, Skywalker, Isadora, and Caleb being present."

Both Obi-wan and Barriss nod and for the remainder of Luminara's absence, the three Jedi discuss how they should word their testimonials.

"Can we just fast forward to the part where this damn trial is over with and we can move on with our lives?" Ahsoka says sadly as she and Padme looked over many bridal tabloids while Anakin and Isadora were down the floor with Luke and Leia, who were currently babbling at each other.

With a sigh, Anakin replied with a, "I hear ya Snips, but we have to do it for Luminara. Vos is lucky I don't have the clearance to see his ass in prison...it wouldn't be a pleasant visit for him."

"Thanks to you Ahsoka, Riyo has become a very confident speaker in the Senate. No matter how good of a case Tarkin thinks he has, his words won't even come close to what you all will share," Padme adds before pulling up a holographic photo of gorgeous Naboo beach wedding venue, "Oh Ahsoka, how about here!? Ani, I know you don't like sand…"

Anakin holds up a finger, "Correction, I hate sand!"

With an eye roll, Padme continues, "Alright, I know you hate sand, but not even you can deny that white sand beach on Naboo wouldn't be perfect for Barriss and Ahsoka! I'm sure your shiny legs can handle walking our Soka down to the shores."

"Of course, I can handle it Padme! It will be Ahsoka's big day and if I have to tolerate sand for her to be happy, then of course I'll do it, isn't that right Luke?" Anakin asks his son who currently uses his tiny hands to explore one of Anakin's metallic feet and making noise.

Padme laughed at her son's antics, "I'm sure the babies will enjoy playing on the beach, what do you say Ahsoka?"

Ahsoka smiled at the holo image, "Yeah, I think a beach wedding would be really nice, I'll have to run it by Barriss though."

Padme clapped her hands together, "Yay! I can ask the Queen to hold the reception in the royal palace! Oh Ahsoka, it will be a wedding fit for royalty! Now we need to start thinking about what you're going to wear...are we thinking about a dress or?"

Ahsoka shrugged at the question, "I'm not sure honestly. I know Luminara is having Barriss fitted for a dress soon, but I'm not sure what Togruta women traditionally wear at a wedding."

"Nothing about this wedding is "traditional" Ahsoka, I say wear whatever the hell you want!" Isadora interjects with a wink as she levitates a very happy Luke and Leia in the air with the other three laughed and smiled at the baby's amusement and after a minute Isadora gently sets the twins back down into their father's open arms.

"Just wait until Daddy takes you flying kids or better yet, podracing!" Anakin says with a prideful smirk.

"Absolutely not!" Ahsoka and Padme say unanimously.

"No child of mine will ever be a podracer, Ani. It was hard enough having to watch your race!" Padme argued with hands to her hips.

"Yeah...but do you remember the part when I finished first place and won the money for the parts your ship so desperately needed your Highness?" Anakin asked, blowing a kiss to his wife.

Padme crossed her arms, "I still didn't approve."

Anakin looks to Luke and Leia, "Well kiddos, podracing may be out the window, but Mommy didn't say no to flying!"

Padme grinned, "Well, you are the best pilot in the galaxy . It would be a shame if you didn't teach our children to do the same!"

"Yes!" Anakin cheered excitedly, "I told Qui-gon that one day I would become the best pilot and travel to all the planets, now I can do it with my own family."

"Ani, that's sweet, but maybe not everywhere?"

Anakin frowned thoughtfully before nodding, "You're right, we don't need to go to the sleemo places like Neto Candomodia, Umbara or worst yet Tatooine."

"Don't you have family there Master?" Ahsoka asked curiously.

"Yeah, but they're my step relatives, you guys are my true family and did you forget the fact that Tatooine is Hutt territory?," Anakin fired back with a wink.

Ahsoka shuddered at the memory of her first adventure as a Padawan, "Yeah, never mind. Forget that!"

Anakin looked to Isadora, "So tell me about this new R unit of yours?"

"Got myself one of those all black ones with the red detailing, his name is R7 and his personality is pretty similar to your R2," Isadora grinned.

"Nice, sounds like you'll have fly with us so the two can become better friends than 3PO over there," Anakin says pointing to the gold protocol droid that was engaged in yet another argument with R2, "They drive me up the wall!"

The comlink on Ahsoka's right wrist then went off, "It's Barriss", she says, answering the call.

"Yes, love?"

"Ahsoka, I just wanted to check in with you. Depa just stopped by to speak with Obi-wan and I about the trail," Barriss replied, her tone laced with sadness. Anakin, Padme, and Isadora sat up straighter at the news.

Ahsoka sighed, "How's Luminara?"

"She's alright, she just got back from taking the baby on a stroll. Obi-wan is taking care of her of course….Oh Ahsoka, I can't wait for this awful thing to be over with!" cried Barriss.

"We all do love...I'll be heading back home soon to help with dinner. Padme and I were just looking over some wedding stuff," Ahsoka announced, standing up.

"No rush dear, any ideas you'd like to share with me?" Barriss chirped happily on the line.

Ahsoka grinned, "What are your thoughts on a beach wedding on Naboo?"

Barriss gasped, which caused the other three adults in the room to smile, "I would love that very much Ahsoka...some of my favorite memories of us are from our days on the beach."

"Then it's settled then! Padme is just about to burst with joy over here, she'll take care of those arrangements for us," Ahsoka says as Padme silently jumps up and down with glee, "I'm on my way home babe, see you in a few."

"Sounds good, I love you," Barriss professed warmly.

"Love you too, my bride."

The dreaded day of the Quinlan Vos trail arrived as the Jedi quietly arrived at the Senate. Obi-wan and Barriss each held Luminara's trembling hands as they trailed behind Anakin, Padme, and Ahsoka. From an outside perspective, the family looked as if they were about to attend a memorial rather than a court case. Just before entering the Senate congregation, a nicely dressed Riyo Chuci greeted her defendants with a sad smile, "Good morning all."

"Morning Riyo, thank you so much for being our voice today," said Padme embracing the young Senator.

"It is an honor to speak on your behalf. Master Billaba is overseeing Quinlan's escort and Caleb and Isadora are waiting up on the balcony for you, Master Skywalker, and Lady Kenobi," Riyo says, bowing to Luminara, who was looking more distressed by the minute.

"Excellent, Ani and I will take Luminara up. I take it you will be taking everyone else?" asked Padme.

"Yes, my lady," Riyo affirmed.

Anakin and Padme turned and extended a hand to Luminara.

"It's going to be okay, Luminara," Anakin comforted softly, his eyes softening.

Barriss and Obi-wan then placed a kiss on Luminara's cheeks, "We love you," the duo chimed. Lumianra's body began to shake as the woman struggled to keep her stoic expression. Not wanting to shed anymore tears, Luminara returned the gesture and accepted Anakin and Padme's hands. Ahsoka wrapped her arms around Barriss's waist from behind in comfort, her heart breaking at how distraught her loved ones were.

In silence, Padme and Anakin gently guided Luminara in the direction of the stands where they'd be sitting. Obi-wan placed a palm to his face, wishing he could take his wife's pain away. Not saying a word, Riyo led the way to their next destination.

Having lied about needing to use the refresher, Anakin Skywalker was on a mission to see the very person they were wanting to put behind bars. Quinlan's dark Force energy was strong enough to overwhelm any Force wielder, thus it wasn't difficult for the man to pin down the traitor. Just beneath the ground level floor of the Senate hall, Quinlan stood chained to four prison guards with Tarkin standing beside him. The grand admiral peered to Anakin with interest, "Master Skywalker, is there something I can help you with?"

"If you don't mind, I'd like a moment with your client here," Anakin growled, his blue eyes burning with hatred.

Tarkin scoffed, "And who gave you the right to demand such a ridiculous request. From what I understand, you're just a spectator today, Jedi."

Anakin's fists balled into fists, "I'm not aware of any laws that forbid me having a conversation with a low life murderer."

Tarkin, with an upturned nose said, "I suppose I can stroke your ego with a minute alone. The guards stay though as I'm sure you understand."

"Whatever," hissed Anakin, his patience dwindling by the millisecond. Once Tarkin was out of earshot, Anakin slammed Quinlan against a wall and held a powerful grip on the collar of the man's orange jumpsuit.

"If you so much as look at her, I will end you, trail be damned!" Anakin spat at Quinlan's smug face, his lips curling upward.

"If you were to do that, you'd go to prison for your heroics," sneered Quinlan, "Remember Skywalker, you're a daddy now and what child wants their father as a prisoner?"

"Shut the hell up! This isn't about me, it's about Luminara. If I had it my way you would have been dead a long time ago. I would love to just throw your ass down a Mustafarian canal like your good buddy Maul, but unfortunately you got to walk away almost killing a defenseless woman and her child. Bet you feel like such a man!" Anakin screamed, thrusting Quinaln's head once more against the wall he was pinned to.

Quinaln let out a maniacal laugh, "You're starting to sound just like a Sith Skywalker, it's not too late to join me you know? I can let this assault slide, should I be set free."

Taking everything in him to not Force choke the man, Anakin releases his grip and begins to walk away, "I mean it Vos, you pull any moves with Luminara and I will see that you enjoy an agonizing end."

"Looking forward to it," Quinlan beamed as Tarkin returned to the scene.

"Time's up Jedi, the trail is about to begin," drawled Tarkin, looking bored.

Anakin's eyes gleamed yellow for a moment in Quinlan's direction before turning on his heel and continued his trek back to the stands.