Chapter Thirty Nine:

Han pulled at his collar, looking down at himself and his normal attire: dark pants tucked into boots, and a light colored shirt with a vest to match his pants. He was not trying to be someone he wasn't, but part of him was nervous at the upcoming meeting.

Today was the day he met his family-to-be in person. All the paperwork had been taken care of, the fees covered by the Skywalkers: their gift to Han for all his help with their children. Leia appeared in the office, her mother close behind. As soon as Leia saw Han, her face lit up, and she hustled over to throw her arms about him.

"I'm so happy for you Han!" Leia told him. "I hope this all turns out the way you want it to."

"Me too," Han answered. He stepped back and tried to hide his nerves, but Leia saw through his charade.

Her face softened, and she placed a hand on his arm. "They're going to love you, Han. Just be yourself."

Han ran a hand through his hair. "I'm really nervous." He admitted.

Padmé joined them then. "It'll be alright, Han. These people are going to be kind and will care for you the best they can."

Han nodded. "But they haven't met me yet. What if I'm not what they expected? What if I make them mad? What if we can't get along?"

Padmé knelt before him, and Han felt like the child he was, though he hated it. But he also welcomed the endearing expression on Padmé's face. She touched Han's face in a motherly manner.

"Han, focus on the positive things. Maybe there will be awkward moments, but that's to be expected. However, if the three of you work them out together, things will go much better. Give the Olwens a real chance. Give it at least a few months, and that way you can all truly settle in and see if it will work."

Han held her gaze, allowing a touch of vulnerability to show in his own. "And if they don't?"

Padmé smiled sadly. "Then we will look at other options then."

Han sighed. "Alright. I'll give if a fair amount of time."

Padmé smiled proudly. "That's the spirit."

Han cleared his throat and straightened when the door on the other side of the waiting room opened. He stepped clear of Leia and Padmé, determined to stand on his own.

Three people entered from the newly opened door, and Han picked the lawyer out from the Olwens with ease. Shannah Olwen was a nice-looking woman of a modest frame, and a pair of glasses sat upon the bridge of her nose. She was garbed in a long, free-flowing skirt and a blouse that resembled a t-shirt. Her black hair was pulled into a messy bun that seemed to fit her somehow, and Han rather liked her unassuming appearance.

As for Kemuel, he was dressed in khaki slacks and a polo-shirt that complimented his wife's attire. His brown hair was combed neatly, but a stray lock near the crown of his head refused to be tamed. When he looked to Han, the boy noted that the man's green eyes were welcoming and kind.

When the pair both looked to Han, he immediately felt some of his tension ebb away. He could read people— it had kept him alive this long in his homeless life— and he knew this couple truly wanted to have Han as a member of their family.

They approached and Han did likewise, meeting them in the middle. Shannah and Kemuel took seats in the small circle of furniture within the center if the waiting room, and Han sat across from them.

Shannah was the first to break the silence. "Hello Han."

Han nodded once. "Hi."

She smiled softly. "It's nice to finally meet you. We hope you will be happy with us. We've got your room set up, but if you would like to tweak it or anything, we can do that."

"Okay."

Kemuel spoke next. "We have a few house rules— which we will go over— but other than that you will be welcome in just about every part of our home, since it will be your home now too."

Han nodded, wanting to get this over with. "Can we go now?"

They smiled, sensing his eagerness to leave the lawyers office. "Yes."

Leia approached and offered Han another hug. "You'll be going to school with me, I think, though after you have been tested to see where you fall on the education scale."

Han threw a questioning look to Padmé, who explained. "I spoke with the Olwens, and explained about your lack of formal schooling. They want to offer you a tutor for the remainder of this school year, and then start you at public school the following one."

"Oh." Han glance to his newly minted parents. They offered confirming nods, and Han shrugged. "I guess that makes sense. Alright; just as long as it's not someone who's stuck-up."

Everyone laughed, and Han smirked, glad that things were starting off well.

He waved to Leia and Padmé, gathered his scant belongings— all of which fit into a tiny bag— and followed the Olwens to their speeder. The ride was quiet, though not because of tension. When they got to the landing area, the Olwens ushered Han to their apartment, which was on the fourteenth floor.

Once inside, Han got his first true look into the lives of the people he'd chosen to be his parents. Artwork littered the walls in an informal way, most pieces unframed but hung with obvious pride. The furniture looked like it had come from an antique store, and yet it was homely.

Han peeked into the kitchen on his way through the house and found it to be neat and tidy. A small table rested in a niche at the back of the kitchen, where one could look out the window while eating. Han felt a tap on his shoulder and glanced to see Shannah gesturing down the hallway.

"Your room is over there; second door on the right." Shannah told him. "The refresher is the first door on the right. Our room is on the left side of the hall."

Han nodded and moved to his room, though he paused to check out the refresher. It was done up in hues of blue and yellow, and while it was small, it was also clean. Satisfied so far by what he'd seen, Han continued on to his room, and his new parents waited outside so Han could have a moment to himself.

Han spied the large window first, and immediately loved the view: he could see the Manarai Mountains in the distance, and there seemed to be an almost direct path through the cityscape to them.

Han glanced to the dresser, upon which rested a few trinkets and even an unopened model ship. Han found his closet and finally tried out the bed, which was garbed in sheets and such in various shades of brown.

"Ah, we didn't know what color you'd like, so we went neutral." Shannah explained. "We can get a different set of blankets if you prefer."

Han shook his head. "No, it's fine. Thank you."

Shannah smiled in relief. "I'm glad. We will let you get settled in." Upon looking at the one change of clothes Han had brought along, she hesitated. "We can also get you some clothing later."

Han blushed somewhat, but nodded.

"Oh, and dinner is at six, every night," Kemuel said, speaking for the first time since arriving.

They were about to leave when Han spoke. "You mentioned rules?"

The couple paused, glancing to each other before shrugging.

"Now is as good a time as any to go over that." Kemuel reasoned. He and Shannah approached. "First rule is that you don't leave the house without permission. We just need to know where you are and where you'll be, so you are safe. Rule two, no lying to us. Please: we value honesty, and while we will give consequences as we feel they are needed, we will not be cruel. Just talk to us."

Han nodded, unsurprised by these rules so far.

"Next, please stay out of the studio while we are working. We often use equipment that requires special gear while operating. If you'd like to join us, just knock and wait, or talk to us ahead of time."

"You will be given chores to help keep up with the house to it doesn't become a junkyard." Shannah spoke now. "We aren't up-tight, but we don't like an unkempt home."

"Alright." Han inclined his head.

"Lastly, when school is in session, school and homework will come first; followed by chores, and then anything else you'd like to do. And there will be a bedtime or curfew for you, understand? We want to make sure you get adequate sleep."

"And lastly..." Kemuel and Shannah looked to each other. "This one's more of a request: please be patient with us. We are new to parenting, so we are going to be learning as we go just as much as you'll be. Can you give us a fighting chance please?"

"I think I can do that, if you'll promise to be patient with me," Han answered, holding out his hand.

The other two smiled, and each took his hand in turn. "Deal. Welcome home Han."

00000

Two weeks passed and Luke had made a significant improvement in his overall health. He'd gained strength and was speaking more freely now— both in fluency and in volume— though he remained shy and somewhat reclusive at times. Especially with people he didn't know. Anyone new to Luke got the silent treatment, simply because Luke was slow open up due to his scars from the past.

Luke was scheduled to begin physical therapy at the start of the new week, and Anakin had reassured Luke that he would be there for that too. True to his word, Luke's father hadn't left the room except to fetch things about the hospital from time to time. But even then, he was only ever gone for a short time, and then he was back. Luke appreciated the support from his father, and the two had done a bit of catching up whenever Luke was brave enough to converse.

Han was over for a visit today, and he'd agreed to have lunch with father and son. Luke had missed Han since he'd gone away, though he understood that the other boy was on his own journey in life.

Luke had been told by Han that the boy and his new parents had settled into their lives together without any major hiccups. There had been a few incidents where Han had forgotten a rule, or had miss-stepped on the Olwens' personal boundaries. They had toed his personal line once or twice as well as they all learned to live together. But the three of them were settling into a routine, and it worked for them.

So far they had all gone on a few daytrips together, but mostly they stayed close to home as they came to know one another more thoroughly. The Olwens had told Han that he could still visit with the Skywalkers, and had even brought him to see Luke a few times, especially after Han had explained his special friendship with the blond boy.

Luke had been happy to see Han until he'd begun talking about the latest bit of news.

"... my new tutor isn't as bad as I had thought he would be. He's really laid back and casual, but he also expects me to do my work. So I rather like him. I thought all tutors were snobby, ya know?" Han was saying.

Luke felt his spirits droop as Han spoke of his education, and Luke inwardly lamented his own lack of one, suddenly feeling like a toddler among adults. He tried to hide his embarrassment by eating, though in truth he no longer had an appetite, and thus wasn't moving very swiftly.

Anakin snorted softly at Han's remark, amused. "I know what you mean. I found many of the Jedi Knights and Masters in the Jedi Temple to be rather... shall we say aloof?... when I was growing up. Many of them were polite, but they weren't very flexible in their following of the rules and such. And very few appreciated my sense of humor."

Han waved his fork between the two of them. "We're on the same wavelength then. Mr. Nezil is pretty cool, and I wouldn't mind staying with him through next year, but I only have him until I catch up with the current curriculum my age group is at."

Anakin smiled encouragingly. "I'm sure you will catch up swiftly. You're a very bright young man, Han."

Han shrugged bashfully. "Ah... thanks."

Luke stared at his plate, no longer really listening as the two went on. So Han would be going to school like Leia and Ijon. Luke tried to hold back the well of sorrow that information garnered within him, feeling like he was being pressed upon from above. Luke felt small and insignificant, and he hated it.

Luke had so far kept his lack of education a secret: the fact that he didn't know his letters, how to read, do math, science, geography, or anything else that hadn't been involved in his daily task of cleaning Hazael's house. Luke couldn't read a clock, the captions on the holovision in his room, or the little notes on cards sent to him by friends of the family. Luke didn't even know for himself what his wristband said. He knew it said his name and date of birth, because that was what his doctor had said, but Luke could not read those things for himself.

He felt so helpless, and Luke cringed inwardly as Han continued to speak about the man who would be tutoring him. Going off of the things Han had said, Luke assumed that a tutor was a personal teacher.

Luke did his best to hide his discomfort— ignorant that Anakin could feel his emotions in the Force— but matters weren't helped any when the door opened and a nurse came though bearing another gift. Luke's heart sank when he was that it was a set of books, and he felt a flash of frustration, which he hid it so she wouldn't feel hurt. It wasn't the nurse's fault that something else had been brought for Luke. Who were all these unknown people? Why did they feel the need to send him things? They kept coming but for Luke it was all rather... uncomfortable.

"These came for you, Luke, from Senator Organa," the nurse announced, a smile on her face. "I personally have read this series of books, and I must say you're in for quite a treat. Reading will help the time go by faster, I promise."

Oblivious to Luke's fake smile, the nurse laid the new gift on the tray beside Luke's lunch. Anakin, on the other hand, was carefully watching Luke's reaction to the gift.

"Thanks," Luke murmured.

The nurse frowned at Luke's plate, noting how much more full it was than the others' dishes. "Do you not like the food today? I can get you something else."

Luke froze, sensing the interest of both Han and Anakin as their attention was drawn to the same thing as the nurse's. He swallowed and forced himself to eat a bite. "I was just listening to Han."

Satisfied, the nurse left. Anakin continued to eye Luke, however, who forced himself to keep eating to maintain appearances.

As Anakin studied Luke, he felt the cogs in his mind begin to turn. Anakin had noted how each time a card was brought to Luke, the boy would stare at the card for a long time. Anakin had thought that perhaps the boy was simply taking his time to appreciate the gesture by the sender, but now Anakin realized he'd never seen any light of recognition in Luke's gaze. Luke's eyes had either remained blank, or turned sad...

Anakin's head came up, and he recalled his conversation with Padmé that Luke might be uneducated. The man's eyes moved to the books that Luke seemed upset over. Or rather, more upset over. In fact, Luke had been happy until Han had begun to talk about his tutor.

Anakin pursed his lips and as he watched Luke try to force another clearly unwelcome bite into his mouth, Anakin stopped him with a gentle hand to his wrist. "Luke, what's the matter?"

Anakin felt like he knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it from Luke. And it would be cathartic fro Luke to talk about it rather than for Anakin to tell it for the boy.

Luke glanced at his father, but remained silent for a time. He still wasn't ready to tell Anakin, so he denied his father's observation. "Nothing, I'm fine."

Anakin looked disappointed, but Luke ignored it, putting more food on his fork and shoving it in his mouth. He had talked with his father about a lot in the time they'd been together, it was true. But the youth had not said anything regarding his lack of knowledge.

Anakin sighed softly and sat back, looking to Han, who shrugged helplessly. A tense silence settled, and Luke felt guilty for being the cause of it, but he couldn't help it. His feelings on his uneducated state were just too strong.

The bottom line was that Luke was ashamed of himself; of his inability to understand the world around him. He was in it, but not part of it. Luke hated that he was so... stupid. Luke couldn't think of any other term that fitted his position. He felt dim-witted whenever his lack of education was highlighted— which seemed like all the time— and he was even more upset at his inability to change his circumstances. Luke was the same age as Leia, and yet he was as socially and mentally adept as a three year old.

Tears threatened to spill over and Luke glared at his plate, angry that his body was threatening to give away his emotional state. He failed to notice Anakin and Han share chagrined looks.

Finally, Anakin once more laid a ginger hand upon Luke's arm. "Luke, please talk to me."

Luke looked up, uncomfortably aware that he was in the spotlight. He glanced briefly to Han, who was looking just as concerned as Anakin, and Luke swallowed, looking away.

Han frowned. "Hey, what gives? Did I say something wrong earlier?"

Luke bit his lip, shaking his head. "No."

Han relaxed only a little, scratching his head. "Well then why are you upset?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

Han thinned his lips, having had enough. It was time to play hardball and bring Luke around... for his own good. Han looked to the books, also having noticed Luke's reaction to the things. Han picked one up and looked at it like he was considering reading it.

"I've heard of this series too," Han commented, "it's supposed to be really good. Do you think you'll start these today?"

Luke shrugged, knowing what Han was doing but unable to work against it. Luke trembled, realizing he was trapped. Han saw the boy's reaction and knew he was getting somewhere at last. With an encouraging nod from Anakin, Han continued.

"Well, I think you should, 'cause it would be a waste to not..."

"I CAN'T!" Luke shouted, his eyes leaking at last. And with the tears, the floodgates opened. Luke swiped angrily at his face and then picked up his tray of food to hurl away. The contents scattered when the tray hit the floor, but Luke didn't care. "I can't read because I don't know anything! Anything at all!" Luke's face was red, and his voice rose in volume. "All I know is how to clean! I couldn't actually read the labels on the cleaners. I only knew the products by memorizing the correct symbols in the right order so I didn't blow up the house, as my master put it!"

Luke picked up one of the books and threw it as hard as he could, watching as it slammed into the couch. His breathing was labored, and his vision red.

Anakin and Han stared in shock, taken aback by this display of anger and aggression: Luke had never been angry before, and he had certainly not become destructive.

"And every single day I am reminded of the fact that I am uneducated..." Luke threw the second of three books. "And of how I am ten years old but live like a toddler!" Luke threw the final book, his chest hitching with a barely suppressed sob. "Ijon is smarter than I am!"

Luke paused for a second, the silence in the room deafening in the face of this meltdown.

"I am so... helpless!" Luke all but screamed the last word. "And I can't do anything about it!" He shoved his bedside table away so hard it barreled into the wall, and could no longer hold back from all-out sobbing. "I am so... s-stupid and w-worthless!"

That statement finally spurred Anakin into action, and he leapt for the bed as Luke sought to throw something else, which happened to be the stuffed animal Ijon had given Luke.

"Stop!" Anakin barked, and Luke instantly froze, cowering in a way that made Anakin back-step. Luke hadn't ever cowered to him before, and Anakin never wanted to see it happen again. He consciously calmed himself down and spoke in a softer tone.

"You listen to me, Luke Skywalker." Anakin paused, but Luke wouldn't relax from his fearful position. Anakin sighed with a mixture of emotions and gently lifted Luke's chin. The boy's expression pained his father, but Anakin held firm. "You are not stupid or worthless, or anything else like that. You never have been and never will be. And I don't care what Hazael may have told you: he. was. wrong." Anakin emphasized each syllable.

Luke closed his eyes, crying heavily enough that his tears were like rivers. Anakin felt the boy's anger melt away and become the shame the boy had tried so hard to hide. Anakin knelt to be eye-level with Luke, and waited for his son to open his eyes. Luke finally did and Anakin let his love show.

"Luke," Anakin tenderly wiped away at his son's tears, "I'm so sorry that you've been through so much. I really hate that you were treated so harshly... and I apologize that you've felt inadequate. None of us intended for you to feel like that around us."

Luke leaned into his father's palm. "I'm so tired... of being helpless... and clueless."

Anakin nodded his understanding. "I know. But we can work to change those things. But not if you keep hiding things." He gave Luke a pointed look. "If you had just told me, I could have arranged for a teacher."

Han stepped up. "I can talk to Mr. Nezil and see if he'd double up: work with both of us."

Anakin shook his head. "I appreciate that, but Luke will need to start at basic level. I can do that in our spare time."

Luke sniffled. "R-really?"

Anakin nodded. "It will give us plenty to do while we are here. However, when you start therapy we will need to take that into account for our schedule."

Luke nodded emphatically. "Yes please!"

Anakin smiled. "Alright. Looks like I'm teacher too now."

Luke returned the smile hesitantly, though he blushed with embarrassment at the mess he had made. "I... I'm sorry for throwing everything. I just... had to let it all out."

Anakin sighed softly. "I understand: I've had my own moments." Thoughts of his mistake after Shmi had died flitted to his mind, and Anakin cringed inwardly. "And it could have been much worse. No one was hurt."

Luke didn't perk up at all, but he did attempt to leave the bed. "I'll clean it up."

"No." Han interrupted, placing a hand on Luke's chest.

Luke looked somewhat annoyed. "I made the mess; I will take care of it."

"Normally I would agree," Anakin said, "but not until your doctor has given the green light for you to move about freely and on your own."

Luke looked like he wanted to protest, but thought better of it. He sighed heavily and gave up. "Fine." He glanced to Han. "Sorry to ruin your visit."

Han waved it away. "I've had worse. And it's kind of refreshing to see you branching out from your normal quiet."

Luke frowned, not realizing Han was joking until he saw the gleam of mirth in the other's eyes. Finally Luke smiled for real, grateful for his friend.

"I'm glad we're friends, Han." He admitted.

Han gently punched Luke's arm. "So am I."