I DO NOT OWN STARWARS IT IS PROPERTY OF LUCAS FILM AND DISNEY
AN: Thank You Moritaka1901, RickyBobby3892, thechosenbibliophile, ForsakenMythr2012, GalaxyGirl137, Papa122, UzumakiKirofu, Nyx-Arae, minki7, , deathsweetqueen, Shadin, lestatdu59, Princess of Pearls, Pheobe Arocis, MittensRocks, VillPotter, Fav/Following
AN: Special thanks to B-Kira, padme-sky ,Jadaerys, riml, Guest, ThunderSphinx, thechosenbibliophile for reviewing.
15 BBY
Luke rolled over in his in bed still exhausted from the night before. They have been on Coruscant for the last six months. His dad thought it would for the best since they got an edition to the family.
Mara Jade.
She was picked up by his dad a year ago after he destroyed the supporter of the evil Jedi on Mandalore.
Luke was with Nova playing an educational game that was starting to teaching him how to speak, read and spell in basic.
He was enjoying himself till he felt a jolt of anger from his dad. Then it disappeared replaced with sadness, shock and comfort. It was a brief flash then it was gone.
Later at dinner, Luke was impatiently waiting for his dad to come. The future Sith lord was about to knock over a chair with the force, when he saw his dad walk through the door.
"Dad!" he bounced off his chair and made a beeline to his father. He didn't notice the Stormtroopers surrounding him. Or the little girl he was cradling.
Luke pulled on his cape then reached out to feel his father's force signature. He felt it, but there was another bright one close by.
"Luke…" He was broken out of his enjoyment when Nova pulled him off his father.
"Thank you Nova, you are dismissed…" said Vader. Nova saw the little girl as she left, but knew it was not the time to question it.
Vader sat down, the best he could into his suit at the table where dinner was. Luke was confused with what was going on, so he went back to his seat to start eating again. Then he got a better view of what his dad was holding.
"What's that?" Luke said a little loudly.
"Luke you know the rules, when Stormtroopers are in here we do not talk, wait until they are gone." Vader could not have any Stormtroopers hearing any of their conversations. Luke gave an annoyed look, but complied.
After twenty minutes the Stormtroopers finally cleared the living area Vader took off his mask and put it on the table.
"Sorry Luke…" Vader started, he looked warn out like he usually does. "This has been a stressful day for daddy…" Vader looked nervous about what he was about to say. "When I was on Mandalore something unexpected happened." He held on to Mara a little tighter.
Luke was confused by his dad. He looked like he feared something.
"After daddy got rid of the Duchess, there was this little girl like you." Luke still looked confused. "She can feel the force like you." The little boy's face formed into an O.
"Since I didn't want her to fall into the wrong hands I decided to adopted her." Luke still did not understand what was going on.
Vader breathed in with a little impatient "I decided to make her a part of our family, she is going to be your sister and you're going be her brother."
Luke stood up out of his chair and walked over to his dad. The little force user closed his eyes to feel the other bright presence in the room. It was strange but the three-year-old connected with it.
Vader tried to contain his tears at the sight of this. The Sith Lord still overwhelmed with the amount of love in this child has.
"Daddy can I see her?" he asked.
"Of course." he lowered her down to be at Luke's level, so he can see her sleeping face.
"She pretty." Luke grazed her cheek lightly. He also started to admire her red hair. "She's my sister?" Luke whispered to his dad. Then he frowned as he noticed his dad's tears. "Why you sad?"
Vader smiled. "I am not sad." he let another tear fall. "I am just so happy. I am sure Mara will be happy to see you when she wakes up." He whispered as put the sleeping girl in one arm, and took Luke by the hand and walk to put her in her crib.
His little girl.
An hour later Mara woke up and was immediately frightened by her surroundings. So, she did what her instincts told her.
The little red head reached out through the force.
Then she was met with the same faintly light but mostly cold presence.
But she felt this warm comforting presence that put her at ease. She stood up in her white crib and called out to the presence.
Luke woke up to the tremor he felt though the force. He tossed his comforter aside and went inside of his dad's room to see a white crib with Mara in it.
He walked to the bars and saw her wide awake and looking scared at her surroundings.
Luke quietly approached the girl and sent some calm through the force.
"Hi." This caught the little girl's attention.
"Wher my mama? The man told me she go smowhere." She started to cry.
Luke looked confused he didn't know what a mama was.
Maybe his dad would know.
"I don't know. But I am your brother, whatever that means." she started to calm down. "My daddy said you going to be my sister."
Mara started smile but was a little frighten, spoke again "I can be your sister." and Luke put his hand through the space of the bars to hold her delicate hand.
The minute their hands connected, felt this surge of power that made both of their eyes widen.
Mara after that had hard time adjusting. She was toilet trained, and smart but was combative. She was upset for a time, feeling all the darkness on the on the ship and from Vader. The little girl for a time asked for her mother, and father. Mara was insistent that her father was a Jedi and he was going to save her.
This created a lot of problems for Vader especially with Luke. One day, when Luke was in his lessons, Vader told Mara a story about the Jedi. By the end Mara was in tears and embraced Vader for the first time.
Once Mara slowly accepted that fact, she started to assimilate into life with the Skywalker's. Meal times, playing, and education. Vader made the hard choice to have private tutors for him.
Vader knew son will miss out on the socialization, being in a normal school some of the aspects of being a child…
Luke though will be in a controlled environment, still a secret from the public. Mara was enough to help Luke with his socialization skills.
He will be able to travel, and he will be able start his training. The Sith is still deciding when Luke will be trained and in the dark side of the force. But Luke will be able to stay with his family.
Luke just had his fourth life day, an occasion that Vader was happy to have Mara with them. It was nice to celebrate as a family.
Luke had become a good big brother. At first he was a little jealous and was mad that he had to share his dad. After some tears and fights the pair became inseparable. He was her defender and becoming her best friend.
The young Skywalker was there to cheer her up, cause mischief, played different toys together, and learn from each other.
The Sith Lord also saw how Luke grown to adored Mara.
The day after Vader brought Mara home, he introduced her to Nova. Nova didn't falter when she started taking responsibility for the little girl.
She could appeal to Mara and helped her adjust to her life with Skywalker's. Nova was excited to do girl things with Mara. She still has never seen Vader's face but she knew that he cared about Mara.
The care taker still had the same rules, and expectations in the apartment and on the star destroyer with Mara. She was thrilled to see how Luke was taken Mara.
Over the last year it had been pleasant, and Luke is sure his dad has never been happier. He was still busy, still very sad, and really mad, but Mara had brought a new light. Into both of their lives.
Luke with that last thought, he yawned pushed off his covers, and got of his bed. He made his way to the bathroom to start his day. His of lessons, training and causing mischief with Mara. Luke gave a smile to that last thought as he started to brush his teeth.
o-o-o
Vader rose from an unusual dreamless sleep, and the day greeted him with a calmness that has not felt in a long time. He pondered this form a moment, pushed it away, and started his morning routine.
The Sith lord started to dress in his normal black attire. Then he called C-4PO his protocol droid (he made this one silver and a lot less annoying), to prepare breakfast for his small family. As he was brushing his teeth, Darth Vader thought about his assignment, with an annoying grunt.
Babysitting the Imperial senate.
The emperor had some personal business to see to with the death star, the Stormtroopers and other Imperial business. He was also keeping his eye on Vader, and the force sensitive children.
It was something Darth Sidious was using to control Vader.
The Sith apprentice though had been growing with his limitless potential with the force. His shielding, his fluidity, and overall grasp on the force had grown, tremendously. Along with his light saber skills. The Emperor has felt this, but not the full change.
Vader finished his bathroom routine and made his way down the hallway. He opened his son's door, and was happy to see he was awake. "Luke breakfast will ready in 20 minutes!"
"Ok dad!" He heard him respond.
Luke has yet to meet with Darth Sidious and Vader will delay that meeting for as long as he can. Keeping Luke as near to him as possible, shielding him and his power. Luke is everything to him and will do anything to keep him from the emperor. Vader is planning how to overthrow him with most of the Empire under his control and only when he knew Luke was ready.
Mara though was another story. He promised give her to the Emperor to be one of his loyal Hands'. That Vader would raise and train her till Sidious saw fit to take her.
Though, the Sith Lord has grown attached to her, and he knows how upset Luke will be when the Emperor takes her away. But, he had to it so she could live. Children to Sith Lord were still innocent and deserved a chance. Even if he took most of those chances away. Vader then thought about the first time when he first took her to her new home.
Vader after he received word that the new Grand Moff along with a new batch of Stormtroopers had seized control of Mandalore. He took his shuttle up to his star destroyer, and walked to the holoprojection room that was used for the high-ranking members on the ship.
The Sith Lord punched the code to contact the Emperor. Vader swallowed his fear, as much as he hates Obi-Wan, he does it have it in him to kill her. Every child he encounter's he sees his son's face.
The look and feel of pure innocence.
As ruthless as he has become, he could never bring himself to kill children. It was something that got him a lot of punishments. This was the first truly powerful child that they could find. He will spare her.
The Sith apprentice was taken out his thoughts when he saw the Emperor materializing in the big room he stayed in bowed position with the Eighteen-month old girl sound asleep in his arms.
"Good news from Mandalore I presume." The hologram hissed as his yellow eyes let out eyrie glow that pierced through the hologram. The Sith lord knew how angry the emperor is that he was unharmed on Mustafar. How he expected him to maim and imprisoned in his suit.
"The Duchess has been destroyed, Mandalore is under our control now." He took a breath. "There was no trace of Obi-Wan or any Jedi in the palace or on planet." He says through his modulator.
The Emperor looked displeased. The Sith Lord sensed a powerful presence there. This is most displeasing the force is not as forth coming to him as was before. Perhaps it was that child Vader has, or his apprentice's limbs being intact. This is still most concerning to him and will look to the force for answers to this.
"That is most concerning my apprentice." Darth Sidious than turned his attention to the child sleeping in his arms. "I see you've brought another child with you again." he gives his apprentice a more menacing look. "Tell me my apprentice why do you carry a child with now, you know how are you to dispose of them."
At that last statement Vader breathing came out ailed and nervous. He knew how Darth Sidious regarded the life of anything. "Master this is the force presence I believe you have felt on Mandalore." Sidious's stature raised a little bit. "I knew of my ex-master's relationship to the Duchess of Mandalore." Vader breathed a little bit. "I believe her to be the daughter of Obi-Wan Kenobi."
At that statement, the Emperor grinned the same sinister grin when he won his apprentice.
"Tell me Vader what is her Midi-Chlorian count." Said with much delight by the Emperor.
"We tested her in my shuttle, her count is nearly 17,000 master." He looked up into the eyes his master. He saw the utter arrogance at this victory.
"You continue to serve me well my apprentice." He hisses in his damaged voice. "She will make an excellent Hand in the future." Vader held the sleeping girl. "Darth Vader, I trust you could look after her till I can train her myself?" Darth Sidious commanded.
"I will, my master." Darth Vader responded.
I almost have the family I want. I just don't have my angel. Thought the Sith Lord when the Emperor hung up his call.
After he introduced Luke to Mara he was still in awe how kind he was to her the first night she was on the ship. It was a rough adjustment for Mara. Her mother taught her a lot, and she developed a close bond with her mother in the short amount of time they had. The duchess filled her daughter's head with lies about the Jedi. How they were guardians of peace and justice. But Vader knew the truth.
Mara said she told her stories about her father. Obi-Wan Kenobi.
A fact he could confirmed quickly on his star destroyer.
Vader felt the satisfaction when he got the results. Of having his ex-master's daughter. Raising her to become more powerful than that fool ever allowed his own self. Becoming a tool to destroy the very light he dedicated his life to.
The red-haired child, was getting Luke riled up too. She asked him countless times about where her mom is. About how her dad was going to save her. The girl at one point was demanding Vader to take her back to her mother. Which sparked the one question with Luke he was trying to avoid.
One night at their home on Coruscant when Mara went to sleep early, Luke was up with him playing a board game. They were in the living room together; The ex-Jedi had been talking to Luke like he usually does. But his son was unusually quiet. Vader knew something was on his mind.
Luke looked at his game piece as if was going to move its self. The three-year-old had look like this since dinner and it was worrying Vader a little bit.
"Luke, what's wrong?" The young boy snapped his bright blue eyes up to face dad's partial yellow tinted ones.
"Dad, do you know what a mommy is?" Luke asked in a curious voice. He was a little nervous because he felt some weird emotion come from his dad anytime he Mara mention that person.
The force sensitive child was feeling it again from the Sith Lord.
Vader felt the fear rise in him. He was not ready for this. To deal with this question. But looking at Luke he could not deny him the answer.
"A mommy is like a dad. They take care of little boys and girls like you. They help make up a family." Trying to keep the grief out his voice.
The blonde-haired boy took in this information.
"Is Nova my mommy?" questioned Luke. He had only known Nova to take care of him. In some ways, she was like his dad.
Vader thought he could do this, with all the power he had now and how much they have grown. Shattering his son's innocence. He knew it was the worst thing he had to do. The Sith Lord thought he had more time.
"No, she isn't." trying to read his son's face he continued. "Your mother, she is gone… she couldn't hold on to be with you." Trying not hurt his son. "As much as she tried to be here she just couldn't hold on." Vader says in voice full of aguish.
That part of him that was still that weak Jedi, could hear her pleas and terror. That were in his vision that constantly tormented him the weeks up to her death.
Screaming for him to be there for her.
Then the guilt started to punish him. How he was not there for her. How his son doesn't have a mother because he was too late to save her.
"Hold on? Hold on to what?" Not understanding his father's turmoil. "Wheres mommy?" Luke asked. He didn't understand what his dad was saying. He wasn't making any sense. Why was he so sad too?
The little force sensitive boy then picked up a storm of emotions brewing from his dad, at his last statement.
Luke felt the force swell around them in this uncontrollable fury. Their game was destroyed along with the table and furniture around them the windows even started to form cracks in them. Luke had never seen his daddy this scary before.
Vader's eye glowed a dark yellow full of pain as he shouted. "SHE IS GONE!" followed by a storm of tears and continued to shout.
"SHE DIDN'T STAY, SHE LET GO, SHE LEFT YOU AND ME HERE!" he took an anguished breath. "She was supposed to be the strong one."
What Vader says next he will come to regret because he knew it wasn't true. "She didn't want to be here…so she let go." He finished with a low whisper. His hands were covering his eyes as tears were leaking out of it.
Lost in his despair he felt Luke come up to his leg to hug it. The toddler had tears coming out his eyes too.
"I sorry daddy." he said with aguish in his voice. "I won't ask bout her no more."
They both stayed in hysterics for a while.
When Vader got a grip on his emotions, he picked up Luke. The little boy was exhausted from all the emotions he felt in last few minutes.
Emotionally fatigued himself, Vader carried his son to his master bedroom. He put Luke on his bed. The little boy rose a little bit and went underneath the neatly made covers. Knowing it was one of those nights.
Vader went to check on Mara who was sleeping soundly despite the emotional outburst he had along with the destruction he caused.
Mara was like her father in that aspect.
Vader immediately frowned at that thought. That man was the reason for his turmoil right now. He would have saved her if that man did not distract him on Mustafar and nearly killed him.
Feeling the rage and tears building again, Vader reeled his emotions in and went to bed. He lied down on the opposite side of Luke, went under the coved pulled his son into his arms, and sent calming waves trying to quell his unrest along with his own.
After that night, Luke didn't even question anything about his mother. He was too afraid at the reaction of the pain and fury he felt from his father.
Drawing out his thoughts he went to help Mara get ready for the day. As independent as she is already, he still had to help her with certain things.
After that was finished, the small family had each sat at their place in the dining room. Luke was dressed for his lessons. Mara was dress in something C-4PO picked out, he gave Vader a lecture on female fashion. With Vader not having an eye for that.
"Daddy going to the senate?" Luke asked with a mouth full of Panna cakes.
"Luke don't talk with your mouth full…." Said the Sith Lord. Luke gave a sorry look.
"Yes...daddy has to babysit the senate again today…." Vader said taking bites of his Gartro egg omelet. He went a little bit of a rant about the senate, and it earn a laugh from the two children.
"Daddy, when are going on your ship again…" Luke loved his father's star destroyer. He loved running around it and exploring it. When Mara was confident enough she started going on adventures with him.
"Soon Luke…. hopefully the emperor will be back soon…. or some Jedi scum will demand our attention." Vader said.
This was something Vader strived for. Spending time with his family, especially at meal time. Force knows he never had enough of them with his wife….
For the next fifteen minutes, they enjoyed each other's company till Vader heard Nova arrive at the apartment.
o-o-o
After a long day of sitting in front of the senate, the Sith Lord finally got the news he had been waiting for. There has been rebel activity spotted on Ryloth along with a possible Jedi sighting.
So, the small family, along with Nova got ready to make the journey on the Imperial class Star destroyer. The two children were exited.
It was the first time in two months they were going on the big ship.
The two settled into their rooms as Darth Vader suited up as he resumed his duty.
Mara went to Luke's room with Nova watching the two. He was playing with his Starfighters, and Mara was near by playing with her dolls.
Vader gave them both a rare day off with the promise of them not causing mischief.
Nova looked at the chronos noticing the time she got children ready for dinner. She told the protocol droid what the children wanted and what she wanted dinner.
She had not heard from Vader all day so she assumed she would be having dinner with them.
C-4PO was nearly finished with everyone's dinner when Nova heard the distinct the thick boots of Darth Vader.
Luke ran and gave his dad a big hug while Mara stayed by Nova. She never liked being around Vader with the mask on. It frightens her.
"Lord Vader, I wasn't sure so I had dinner prepare for everyone…." Nova said after she bowed and looking at him through his eyepieces.
"It's alright once your dinner is ready, you are dismissed." Nova nodded. She is always certain that she was going to have dinner alone. Because Vader always tried to make it home for dinner.
She knows it's important to him to have dinner with his family. The droid always has her meals kept warm until she made back to her living quarters that were the size of large apartment. The kids sometimes play there but she is mostly there alone. Part of her sometime wishes for more socialization, but the isolation best suits her for most of the time. She knows when the children are grown, her services will not be needed. She knows then she can maybe welcome the socialization back into her life again.
But now here she has holo dramas to keep her company.
C-4PO had taken Vader's dinner request, and put Nova's dinner in a standard warming device.
In the middle of this madness the two children sat on the couch waiting for their dad to get ready for dinner.
They were used to this...
"Why don't you hug daddy?" Luke asked. He has been seeing Mara's reaction when his dad was in the suit. It annoyed him a bit. She knows who his dad is, but for some weird reason she keeps reacting like that.
"That's not Vaddy…" She still refused to call him dad or daddy, so Vader reluctantly comprised with her and allowed her to call him that. "…. that's the man in mask is scary…" Mara started.
Luke looked at her surprised he did not like his daddy's mask, but it was not scary. Luke was about to tell Mara about the mask not being that scary, but was cut off by his father entering in a plain black Imperial uniform. He looked tired and his hair was starting to grow longer and curling at the end.
"Come on looks like C-4PO cooking something nice for dinner…" He picked up Mara and put her in her high chair and Luke sat in his booster seat to accommodate his small height.
The first few minutes you could only hear forks scraping against the plates with the family lost in their enjoyment of food.
The silence was finally broken by the oldest of the children.
"Why do you call Mara princess?" Luke asked to start the conversation off.
"Because her mother was a Duchess of a planet …." Vader trying to find the right way of explaining it. "…. your mother…" Luke saw and felt the visible pain from that statement from his father. "…. was queen of her planet as well, so that makes you a prince…" Vader said looking at his son. He wanted Luke to know he came from noble lineage. She might have been elected queen, but the Naberrie's are the embodiment of Nubian royalty.
"What that make you?" asked Mara.
"Well, I am second in command of the Empire so in a way I am a prince too." Vader said a little playfully.
"Is everyone a prince and princess?" Luke asked.
"No not everyone is a prince or a princess." Vader took a sip of his drink. "You both and myself have a higher standard of…. living." Vader thinking of a good way to show how they were above everyone in the galaxy.
"Are there other princesses, princes even queens?" Luke asked amazed what his dad was telling him.
Vader smiled. "Some planets do have a democratic monarchy but they are still under the Empire's control." trying think of a good example to tell the children.
"Like daddy still has to tell the royal family of Alderaan how to run their planet…" Mara and Luke paid attention finishing the last their dinner. "…there is Queen Breha Organa, her husband the Prince Bail Organa and they have their two daughters Winter and Leia Organa and they are princesses themselves." Vader felt the joy of the two kids.
"How do you know who they are?" Asked the little Imperial Prince.
Vader briefly pictured Padmé walking into Watto's shop, how she radiated grace and beauty. He knew then she was special, so much more than some handmaiden. "Well they are very pretty." Vader was looking for the right words to describe them, ignoring the pain any time he thought about her. they have a certain grace about them….and you can feel it through the force…"
"Like when Mara came home…" Luke said with eagerness. He loved his sister dearly.
Vader could see it.
"That is right Luke…" the silver droid then cleared the table and put out desert. Vader was quiet and he took the time look at his children. This is what he longed for and looked forward to every day. Being with his children. Ever since he got the news of her pregnancy.
The Sith lord frowned at that thought. Then allowed himself to think about her which was a rare for the Sith Lord.
What she would do if she was eating here with them?
What would she bring to the conversation?
Would she smile when he calls her a queen?
Would she let him put her on the pedestal she always deserved?
Vader's mood started to spiral with each question in his head. Luke quickly noticed and felt his dad's dampening mood.
"You okay daddy?" Luke asked with concern in his voice. He felt the storm of emotions brewing in his dad. It was because of the bond they had.
"Yes I am ok buddy." Vader said as he snapped out his spiral. By that time dessert was finished and C-4PO was already clearing the table.
"I think it's time for bed." Vader, he said to the children and was met with some groans. He laughed at the groans from each of them, scooped up Mara and took Luke by the hand to start their night time routine.
o-o-o
After about a week into their time on the Imperial I-class Star Destroyer Garrett. Luke was finished with his studies for the day. Nova was with Mara and he felt his dad was nearby.
Luke had started his training with the force. It was basic mediation and force exercises. His dad even gave him a training light saber to start training with too. He rarely gets to see his dad or sister during the day.
The Imperial prince was still bothered by what Mara said a couple nights ago.
Being a Skywalker, it made him want to prove her wrong. So, he quietly made his way to his father's room through their living area.
Hearing his dad in the fresher, he decided it would be a good time to test his argument with Mara.
Making his way to his father's closet he saw it. Trying to blend with dark chrome interior of the shelf.
Darth Vader's mask.
Made from black Durasteel, the mask's appearance had a similar appearance to a skull. The top of his mask was crowned with a circular interface, that was dotted with an array of square slots around a disc of silver at the base of skull.
There is a disc that was an interface between the mask and the helmet. The face of the mask was exaggerated and angular. The two ridges above his eyes fit in with those of his helmet.
The ridged bridge of the nose seemed lost in the largeness of the eyes, but jutted out in a manner like a bare human skull. The cheekbones on the mask were angular, curving slightly to join the nose at its base. All of this used to enhance to the fear of all the beings around them.
The mask on its own was not that scary. The little force sensitive boy knew how much his father hated. When Luke sometimes hears the hermetical seal sound, when his dad puts his mask on, he feels his dad's emotions from it. It's this array of seclusion and loneliness that Luke understands.
To be honest he hated too. It hid his dad's face that he has always loved. His bright smile, silly faces he would make and that devious smirk.
But it was not scary. Luke's determined attitude was going to prove that to Mara.
When he found a lose chair, and pushed it in front of the shelf that held the mask. It gave him a boost, though he still was short.
It created an obstacle of getting the helmet delicately like his father had shown him with every piece of machinery.
Having it a small height and short arms to deal with, Luke quickly became impatient. So, the Sith Lord's son started tapping into the force.
Trying to tap into his powers with the training he has so far.
Over the next few minutes Luke was only getting brief bursts and movement in the force. It was barely moving the black Durasteel helmet.
Luke then started to panic, he heard the shower in the fresher click off. The impatiens, fear and anger built up inside the boy, he took these emotions and directed it at the object that he wanted to take.
Luke did what he saw his dad do sometimes in front of him, tapping into those emotions.
With disastrous results.
o-o-o
Vader sighed deeply as he let the hot water poor down the aching muscles in his back. He let himself along with his mind relax and enjoy the very little time he had for himself. Away from his duties, responsibilities, and heavy burdens he regularly carries shoulders.
He was coming off a busy day full of reports and rebellion destruction. He told the officer who was teaching Luke to let him go early to have some time alone with him.
It has been a while since he went on a flight with his son. He knew Luke missed it as well as himself. He also wanted to reward Luke for doing well in his subjects and being a good big brother.
Vader gave a smile to that.
He knows she had a hard time adjusting. Occasionally she is stubborn, but he loved her no less. Mara at two, was as fiery as the hair on her head.
She is so smart for someone her age. He could only be proud.
With that thought he shut off the shower and reached for a black towel. He wrapped his wet body in it. Letting his damp hair hang lose just missing his shoulders.
Still in a fog and basking in warmth he felt from the shower, he slowly started to make his way to room.
Till a loud crash broke him out his fog.
o-o-o
Luke was hidden under articles of clothing, of what use to be his dad's well-organized closet.
Vader's uniforms, under garments shirts, pants and gloves were all scattered among the over turned drawers.
The impact from the contents coming out took the small boy along with them.
Luke briefly had the mask in his hands, but power of the force pulled him out of his chair. The momentum from the force, forced the helmet out his hands and into the steel wall behind him.
The helmet didn't sustain any damage but it was the first thing Vader saw when he rushed into his closet. He felt that Luke was in there too.
He Ignored the mess and the fact he was only in a towel.
"Luke!" Vader shouted.
Popping out of a pile cloth, slight gash on his head that had some blood gushing from it.
"Daddy…" his dad pulled him out of the pile of cloths.
"What happened in there?" The Sith lord asked as he sat Luke on his bed. Vader quickly realized he was only in a towel.
"Stay here, I will be right back…" he went in to the storm that was his closet and put a pair of undergarments, shirt and pants.
Luke stood on the bed and felt the gash on his head. He looked up and saw his dad had worry and some anger in his eyes.
I am going to get it… thought Luke.
"Luke what happened in there?" Vader asked while putting his gloved hand on his son's gash.
He winced along with Luke as he touched the gash. It had some blood coming out, but it was nothing something a little Bacta couldn't fix.
"Luke?" The little boy looked up at his father with a guilty look.
"…I was trying to get your mask…" Luke felt his dad starting to get mad him.
"Why Luke, you know my mask isn't a toy!" Moments like this he wished he had had Padmé with him to help him.
Luke bowed his head down in shame. A tear fell down his cheek. Then he finally looked up at his father.
"I don't know…I guess I want show Mara it's not scary." He said in a defensive voice. He felt his dad's emotions calm down a bit. But they were replaced with something else that Luke never felt from his father before.
"Luke…" Vader said with a little sigh. Looking down at his son's eyes. "…I understand that the mask is scary to a lot of people…." Luke was about to object, his father shut him down. "...I know you want your sister to not be afraid, and you are protective of my feelings…." Vader looked down Luke who looked like he was about to argue. "... But the mask is necessary for daddy to do his job properly…." Luke's eyes looked up at his dad taking in his words.
"…I know you want everyone to feel the way you do Luke, but there are reasons why some people have to fear the mask… for your safety and your sister's safety…" Luke silently listening to his father. "… Plus, you got hurt trying to get the stupid thing…" He breathed and started to lighten his tone a little bit. There was a small pause, then Vader spoke up again.
"…How did you cause a Tatooine sand storm in my closet?" The Sith Lord asked, quickly cursing himself for the reference.
Luke feeling a little better said "I used the force like you daddy…." Luke felt a little surge of pride coming from his father. "…. I was doing what you taught me…it was workin so I did what you do…."
Vader felt a slight chill go down his spine. If that was uncontrolled he could only imagine what his son could do with his connection to the force with his training. Combined with his power… the galaxy will be brought to its knees.
"Buddy…I am amazed at what you did. But I don't want you taking it that far until you are ready…." Luke drew his eyes away. Then looked back up at his dad who had a softer expression on his face.
"I don't want you to get hurt…. especially when it's from your power…" Vader says grazing his son's cheek. "I can do it Luke; I've had a lot of training…."
Luke feeling better looked at his dad "…. I am sorry dad I didn't mean to ruin your closet…" said Luke with sorrow in his voice.
"It okay Luke…but I can't leave this unpunished…." Luke looked down in shame again, "Two days no desert, and no Holo videos, you will only leave your room for meals and school…" he hated having to punish Luke, but he had to learn.
"Ok…" He said with a sour edge in his voice.
o-o-o
Luke hated being punished. It was only two days but it annoyed him no less.
So, on the second day that was a weekend for him, he dug deep into the force. Luke had done this before.
He went to a place where he could at least play with toys. Immersing himself in a meditative state he focused on his room on Coruscant.
Luke was stood up straight from the corner he was sitting in his room. Then was a little startled to see that there was someone in there.
A girl.
And she was going to touch his sister's dolls
"Hey!" Luke shouted in a voice that was trying to be commanding like his dad.
The mysterious stranger spun around and her hair snapped like a whip.
In front of him was a little girl who look about his age. She had a bright yellow dress on, with brown hair, warm brown eyes and a braid down her back.
Luke wouldn't admit it but she was really pretty.
She seemed frightened but his dad always taught him to protect his family. That included their things.
"Don't touch those doll they aren't yours!" Said Luke. The force user saw the change in the girl. He also felt some of her emotions behind it.
"I wasn't going to touch them! Why do have them anyway you're a boy!" She shouted as she ran straight toward the him and tackled him.
After a couple of minutes of a scuffle between the two, the girl had had him pinned.
The Luke didn't fight back. His father taught him to respect women and girls. That was any time he was mean to Nova or fought with Mara like this. So, when she pinned him he tried to reason with her. "Why you pushing me!" shouted Luke back. "Those my sister's dolls. Daddy says don't let strangers touch them!" Luke said starting to get angry himself.
She then let him go.
"I'm sorry. Don't know where I am. I saw the dollies and thought they will help me get home…" The little girl said in a panicked voice.
The rest of the anger disappeared from Luke as saw and felt the girl's fear. "It's'okay. If you want to know where you are you're in my room."
She perked up at this.
"Your room?" She said, followed by a weird look.
Luke was getting a little anxious at the look she was giving him. "Yeah, when I am not on my daddy's ship with my sister." He felt her relax a little. "How you're here?" he then asked.
He saw her hesitation. The internal debate going on inside her. It was making him a little nervous too.
This girl was the first person he has ever seen outside of his sheltered life. The other officers, and his dad had told him about the people outside who do just want to hurt him. That frighten the young force user a bit.
He watched the girl slowly move to be in front of him. He studied her level gaze and careful movements till she opened her mouth to speak.
"I was in my room, I reacheded out in the force and I'm here." She said in a shy voice.
Luke gave her an astonished look, and was secretly excited that he found another person like him. "I did the same thing, I come here to be lone. I got in trouble and groundeded. I come here smotime when that happen." She listened him intently.
"Are you some sort of space pilot?" She then asked.
Luke lightly chuckled at that. He also saw her smile from it.
"That's what my daddy calls me." Luke said with a smile. His dad was over the moon that he enjoyed flying with him. Luke couldn't wait until he could ride on his own.
"My daddy calls me a princess." He saw her feel more comfortable. The little force user gave a light chuckle to that as well.
"What so funny?" She asked with a smile.
"Because you look like one, my daddy told me about them." He felt the princess lighten up at this. "Do you want to play with me. We can use my toys." He gave her a smile.
"I thought was not allowed to touch them." She said condescendingly.
"Yes, but your not a stranger no more." Luke countered.
He saw her think about it briefly.
"Ok." Said the Princess with a big smile.
Hours had passed and they were in the middle of a Starfighter motion, and Luke was focused on the motion of the Starfighters.
He turned his head to say something to her and then noticed she was gone.
Luke was a little sad. He was having a lot of fun with her. Sure, she did attack him at first, but he had more fun playing with his Starfighters with her then he had with Mara.
Leaving his toys where they were, he went back to his other room on the Garrett. He was sure it was time for dinner.
Luke got up from his meditative stance and heard a knock on his door. He got up and acted like nothing ever happened.
"Come in!" Luke shouted.
It was Nova looking as kind as ever.
"Luke it's time for dinner." She says in her kind voice. Luke smiled. With a smile, Luke went with her to dining room. There he saw his sister waiting for their dad.
Luke was happy to see her. He let the ache go way about what his friend did to him. She probably had to go home to her daddy. Like he did.
So, he waited for his dad to come and enjoyed another quiet dinner as a family.
Luke never brought up the new friend he made that day.
o-o-o
A couple more weeks past and Darth Vader's mood was dampening. He received news from informant that was infuriating.
Apparently, the rebels were now building a base. But that is the only news he had about it. The rebels had safe guards with their information. Just like that woman that is one of their leaders.
He was becoming more merciless with his raids and with crew. He was getting a lot more agitated as the days went on.
Vader around this year cycle was always this volatile.
His officers never question him. Nova was aware of this because she has seen the pattern before.
It was a hard day for the, he had to deal with the normal incompetence of the Grand Moffs at his meeting today. It was so tedious he had to work through dinner.
So, when he dismissed Nova for the night Luke was up waiting for his dad to put him to sleep along with his sister.
"Dad we have not see you in a while…" Luke whined a little bit.
"Yeah." Agreed the girl next to him.
Vader sighed this was never an easy time for him. He usually found a way to be alone, he found something to kill or made sure he was away close to this day.
This was the first time he had to deal with this with the kids around. He wasn't sure how he was going to do it. With the living reminder of what he lost.
"…. And since this is true we want a movie night with you daddy…" Luke said with determination.
Vader was close to telling them both they needed to go to bed. But there was something both of their eyes that went him go back on that. For all of things Vader demanded and left no room for arguments, his children wanting to spend time with him was something that he would always bend on.
No matter what was coming up.
With a sigh Vader opened his mouth and said "Okay."
Both the children jumped up with joy and went into the living room.
He told C-4PO to make some popcorn and fruit fizzes.
After the movie was over he picked Mara up to carry her to her room. On his way there, Luke pulled on his dad's pant leg.
"What Luke?" he answered with a little irritation.
"Wanna sleep with Daddy tonight…." Luke wined. Vader was slightly annoyed at this he wanted to be left alone.
"Luke, not tonight daddy needs to be alone." Vader tried to tell his son.
"…. But you have not been around, you are sad too…" Luke said softly.
"…yes I am sad…but daddy needs time to be alone to sort it out …"
I need to punish myself….please go to bed thought Vader.
"No! Sleep with daddy!" shouted Luke. He shouted loud enough to wake up Mara.
Vader winced. Mara was starting to get cranky and trashing a little bit in his arms.
"Annhua…" Whined Mara, then some tears started to fall.
Great.
"Fine…." Luke gave a smile. " But you are going have to promise to leave daddy alone tomorrow…"
"Ok." Luke said with a smile.
o-o-o
It was a crisp and calm late afternoon on the balcony of the Varykino estate. The sun peaked through the delicate clouds, calm landscape and canopy of the green trees.
This sun brightened up the world around him. He saw the salutes that were their two distinguished droids looking on close behind.
He hears the words of the holy man beside them, speaking words of promise, commitment, and love. All the things he thought of and more when it came to his Angel... who was standing in front of him.
A vision in her white beaded dress and beaded head piece with the long strings of her curled brown hair cascading down her shoulders… Her warm eyes looking at him so full of love and understanding. He had the same expression is reflected in his own eyes.
No rings were exchanged, only the promises of their love…
He took her left hand with his, then confidently lifted his new cybernetic right arm, and joined it with her right hand.
In that moment, everything was perfect. There was nothing but their love ...
No politics, no plotting... no war.
Everything he always wanted in the galaxy
With that same tender look, he bowed his head to capture the lips of his wife…. his angel… his galaxy… Padmé…
The blonde-haired man in his big black bed opened his eyes a little groggy. Still absorbing the last warmth from the dream, he was having.
Ignoring the sudden chill, he closed his eyes and turned over. He felt something odd…...someone occupying the spot next to him. Then his dream gave him the answer.
He subconsciously reached over with his flesh hand expecting to feel the satin of her night gown that restricted her beautiful skin from being felt, to smell those luscious brown curls, and hear that soft pure of content she made when he gave her soft kisses around her body.
Those thoughts caused the man's lips to curl into a warm smile.
He was about to pull her in his embrace and place a loving kiss on her shoulder...
Till he realized his bed companion was wearing cotton night ware, the person was smaller and there were two people on that side.
The blue eyes opened to see long red hair in front of him. His smile instantly turned into a frown. He slowly got up out of bed, careful not wake up Mara and Luke.
The Sith Lord walked into the fresher and tried to fight the tears threatened to fall.
His Angel not being here is grating on his soul. Her death left a hole in his heart that no amount of power has filled.
He didn't need a calendar to know what today is.
His Wedding anniversary.
Today, seven years ago is when he said, 'I do' to the one person in the galaxy who under stood how he ever truly felt. When they were together it was like the whole galaxy was at peace.
She had given him everything, her love, compassion, their son, his reason for living.
The pain and hate swelled inside of him as he thought of those things. It was becoming something violent and scary very quickly. As force started to swell around him, it was broken by his son entering the fresher.
Feeling his son in his room, Vader tried to control the tears but it was useless to try. This day has always been hard for him and Luke will start notice. The older he gets.
"Dad?"
Darth Vader looked up from the sink to see his son looking up with a worried expression.
"Luke, go tell C-4PO what you want for breakfast and bring your sister with you…" He said in a soft voice.
"Dad, are you okay?" Luke persisted.
"Luke!" Vader snapped.
"…Please just do what I ask…" He said in a commanding voice, but a little calmer.
Luke was about to argue further but he read from the force not to argue. So, he went and got Mara up then made his way to the dining area.
When Vader heard his bedroom door close, the tears continued to fall.
Of course, the memory of his wedding would come today to haunt him.
He bitterly thought as he punched his mirror with his gloved hand. Then went on to destroy the fresher.
Feeling his son's worry through their bond he remembered he was around his kids.
Leaving the destruction behind him, he went to his comlink and dialed Nova's number.
"Lord Vader?" Nova ask with some tiredness in her voice.
"I need you to take care of the children today…" He said in formal tone. "I will not be around for dinner either…. expect to be on call…" Vader finished.
"What? Who is this?" Nova asked in an alarmed voice.
Kriff
Since she has been in their lives she has only heard his harsh modulated voice from the mask.
"I am Lord Vader. If you must confirm, ask me anything about Luke …" Still kicking himself for being so careless.
"Which Starfighter is Luke's favorite?" She asked a nervous voice.
Vader gave a smile "The grey TIE advance. I gave it to him for his third birthday. I had to send one of my officers to retrieve it when he left it at the apartment." Vader finished.
There was a pause. It made Vader a little nervous. "…Ok I will be their soon."
He hung up his comlink and got dressed in standard flight suit. He put his gloves on and dressed in a long-hooded robe.
He needed to fly. He couldn't be around Luke today.
He hid his force signature, and made his way out of the living area without the children noticing. The Sith Lord made his way to the hanger and took out his TIE Advance for a flight.
It has been a while since he has done this for fun, just to clear his head.
He let a tear fall.
Vader tried to rid himself of the pain, the guilt of losing his Angel.
Today is supposed to be a happy day. A day he was supposed to share with his wife, in her loving embrace.
He does a death drop to numb his sense a bit.
The Sith Lord went out on his own for another few hours. He eventually was called back to go through reports. Vader locked himself in his room after he was done to continue to grieve.
Vader through all the pain told himself that it was going to be worth it when Luke stands next to him and they rule the galaxy.
It had to be.
AN: I do not have a Bata reader but I am always trying to fix my story so as I updated the earlier chapter might change.
AN: Review, Review, Review! I want to know what you like about the story!