Mistaken: Chapter Eleven

I had never experienced déjà vu. However, this particular moment in my life did bring back some rather unpleasant memories. I refused to entertain them, though – seeing the circumstances were quite the reverse.

The medical droid handed me a squirming infant boy that had my chin and Padmé's dark hair. I proudly handed him to his mother who beamed with excitement and happiness.

"Hello little Ben," she cooed to the tiny, red face. "Oh, Obi-Wan. He's perfect!"

There was no comparison to this incident and what I had seen before. Apparently, Padmé had no memory of what the witch had put us both through during her final hours, which was a good thing. The experience was a burden enough for just me. At first, I had struggled with it and had been motivated to increase my meditation two-fold. Padmé told me she understood and hadn't pressed me for details. I'm not certain I would've told her the entire truth anyway. It was too disturbing to share.

We were fine. It was Anakin I was concerned about. Had the witch shown me what could be? Or had the scene been entirely fictional, created in her own dark and twisted imagination?

In either case, I had been forced to look closely at my interactions with my young student and had even recruited the wisdom of Master Yoda. I figured, two Master Jedi would be better than one. This was my first Padawan and I didn't want to make the mistakes my own Master had made with his.

Even with the extra attention and meditation, Yoda explained the boy's future was still clouded. I would simply have to do my best where he was concerned.

A gentle touch upon my arm focused my thoughts on the here and now, and I smiled in response, leaned down, and kissed the forehead of my newborn son, as well as the lips of my beloved wife. She had no idea how close we came to never getting to share this moment.

Padmé's parents were watching the scene unfold through an observation window and both looked extremely pleased. I was happy for them. Another grandchild to add to their growing family. Everything was perfect and that's exactly what worried me.

Had the droid just announced there was another baby? And why did Padmé suddenly look so tired downtrodden? I rubbed my eyes and viewed my surroundings once more. Yoda and Bail Organa were now standing in the observation window. Where had the Naberries gone?

"Obi-Wan..."

Another vision flashed before me. A soft voice speaking my name. One that sounded tired and strained. No. It couldn't be. I squeezed my eyes tightly closed and focused upon the Force.

I was losing my mind! Even in death, Cassia was interfering with my happiness. Perhaps she had achieved her goal after all.

A squeeze to my hand brought me back to reality and my eyes flew open to see the concerned gaze of my wife and our son, Ben, sleeping safely in her arms.

"It's all right. I'm here for you. Draw from my strength," she said adamantly with a powerful voice and determined gaze - such as I had never seen her display before.

Here was the answer all along. I wasn't in this alone. Not only did I have the Force to guide me, but I also had Padmé beside me. Her love would fill me and guide me where the Force could not - and no one would ever take that away from me. Make no mistake about it.

/End

AN: Every year around this time, I try to install a seasonal story. This one is it! Happy Haunting everyone!