Thank you so much to those who are following! I really hope you are enjoying it. The plot starts in the next chapter! x
Obi-Wan's heart swelled with pride as Luke and Leia headed through the school gates to the playground. They looked very sweet with backpacks that were too big for them and uncharacteristically, their hair was neatly brushed. Padmé smiled a teary smile at him.
"I can't believe it. Where has the time gone?"
"Where indeed," he moved closer to her and she leaned up, placing a kiss on his cheek. "I'll see you at home time. And good luck with your interview, though I doubt you'll need any luck."
She grinned. "Thanks, I'll see you all soon. Have a great day."
Obi-Wan gave her a kiss, still amazed that she could, then headed into the busy playground after Luke and Leia, who were waving goodbye enthusiastically at their mother. Registration started in five minutes and he needed to make sure they knew where to go. He cast about and saw that there were a few new human and alien younglings having their first day amongst the other familiar children. He placed his hands on his children's shoulders and walked them towards the right entrance door.
The school was small, with only three main classrooms and a staff room. However, it had a large playground which was full of trees, bushes and in the summer, flowers. There were a few old swings and one slide too that was was fiercely fought over at lunch time.
"This is my classroom Luke, Leia," he gestured to the door. "It's for Basic and mathematics. There are two other rooms as I said earlier. There's one for science and agriculture and one for history and geography. Three teachers, three year groups, three classrooms, three periods in the day with lunch and morning break."
They nodded, staying quiet instead of being their usual rambunctious selves. He could sense they were nervous, but also excited.
"Hang up your bags and take a seat, the rest of the new younglings around your age will be coming in any moment when the bell rings," he said as he sat down at the front desk and organised himself ready for registration.
The new students were all going to be a bit shy and intimidated, especially around the other children in his class who had been here the previous year. They all had to integrate so he had some games planned which had worked well in previous years to break the ice and get everyone talking.
The bell rang and in came with new students as well as some from the previous year who were still in the first grade out of the three. There were five new children, two of them were human, two were Utai and one was a Kurtzen. This brought the new total amount of students in Namusa Village School to twenty. Obi-Wan got the ball rolling with introducing themselves to each other through the various ice-breaker games he had. It was fun, and it took him back to his days as a Jedi Initiate, though he felt a pang of deep sadness when he realised all the children that he played with back then were gone now. He felt the pain, acknowledged it, and let it pass.
The day continued and Luke and Leia gradually came out of their shells. They made friends with their fellow students, and were quick to catch on with the content of the lessons. After morning break, Obi-Wan bid them farewell as they moved with their fellow younglings into a different class with Mr Darnak, the teacher of history and geography. In the meantime he welcomed back the second grade class, some of whom he'd had in his home group the previous year. At lunch, he chose to eat with the other teachers in the tiny staff room, so to leave the twins alone and enjoy time with their new friends. There was a table and chairs, a kettle, some heating machines for warming food and a Holo Projector which was playing the latest news report.
Obi-Wan's attention was caught when the news reported the development of a new imperial base in Salis D'aar. His stomach dropped. There was already a slight imperial presence in the capital, but this new base would ensure a stream of imperial troopers to their planet. Would they be safe? Would they be far away enough to be out of harm's way?
"An imperial base?" Mr Darnak nearly choked on his meal. "Why would they want to build that here? What do we possibly have to offer them so far out? We used to be part of wild space!"
"Perhaps they are just trying to have a presence on as many planets as possible," Obi-Wan replied, his head still reeling from the news. He hoped Padmé hadn't heard about it yet, lest the worry throw off her focus for her job interview.
"Let's just hope they stay in the capital," Mrs Kloisark said through her voice modulator, sounding cool and collected to most, but he could sense her fear through the Force.
The Holo report continued on and the three teachers watched as they found out that the base's construction would start next month, and that it would serve as way to 'connect Bakura to the greatness of the new empire'. Obi-Wan's mind was racing. As soon as he returned home he would be sure to start drilling into the children the location of the lightsabers, where to hide if strangers ever came to the house and where to go if disaster were to strike. It looked like their safe little corner of the galaxy could be under threat far sooner than anticipated.
At the end of the school day, the bell rang out and the pupils rushed to grab their backpacks before heading home. In the chaos of small children running about, Obi-Wan spotted two familiar looking ones and pulled them to one side. Their neatly brushed hair from the morning was in disarray, especially Leia's, who's plaits had all but unravelled. Their clothes were in an even worse state.
"What have you two been up to?" he asked incredulously, gesturing to the mud and grass stains that lay like patchwork on their light coloured clothing.
"Just playing," Luke said innocently, smoothing down the rumples.
Momentarily forgetting about the threat of the empire, Obi-Wan bit back a laugh. How he loved being their father. It would take an age to scrub that out, and yet he didn't mind one bit. But then he remembered what had happened, and his mood fell.
"What is it daddy?" asked Leia whilst she pulled on her backpack, immediately sensing something was off. She was very good at detecting mood shifts through the Force.
"Nothing my dear," Obi-Wan knelt down and checked her backpack was all zipped up then did the same for Luke. Holding their hands, they left the classroom with the other pupils, streaming out into the daylight for home time. There were many parents gathered in the playground, collecting children and chatting amongst themselves. It only took him an instant to spot Padmé. She was as radiant as ever, even in her brown peasant clothing. However, he knew the second he saw her face that she had heard the news.
Luke and Leia let go of his hands, running forward to greet their mother with fierce hugs. She knelt down and gathered them in her arms as they flung themselves at her. Though she was worried she hid it well, asking them about their day and if they had made any friends. As she got back to her feet she turned to him.
"Did you hear?"
He nodded. "I heard. Come on, let's go home before we talk."
The four of them headed out towards where the speeder was parked, the twins racing ahead and jumping on the back. They rode home accompanied by the usual squeals of delight from Luke and Leia as the world zipped by at incredible speed. Fields, plains, forests and hills blurred together as they travelled the distance from the school back to their cottage.
The second the speeder had come to a stop by the long garden path to home, the twins had already leapt to the ground and were off racing each other to the front door, their backpacks bouncing about as they ran. At a slower pace, their parents followed.
He knew Padmé would jump straight into politics when she spoke, so put his arm around her before she could start. He wanted to hear some good news first.
"Tell me firstly," he planted a kiss on his soon-to-be-wife's cheek and she leaned into him. "How was the interview?"
"It went well," she smiled up at him sadly. "I got the job."
"You did?!" he exclaimed. He hugged her tightly and she returned it. They pulled apart and kissed, but he could feel her heart wasn't in it. He loosened his hold on her and looked down into her deep chestnut eyes. He cupped her cheek lovingly. "Why don't you seem happy Padmé?"
"How can I be, when we could all be uprooted any day now that they're building a base in Salis D'aar? Everything has been so good these last few months, but now we might have to start all over again."
"Salis D'aar is a long, long way away from this backwater town. I'm worried too, but I think we're far away enough not to attract any attention. They have no reason to come here."
"But they could. We're only a day's flight from the capital."
He looked ahead toward's their little house, where he could see the children running about in the vegetable garden. The late golden grass of summer was long and full of the sound of crickets. It was so peaceful. Deep down, he was worried, but he also knew about the military and their resources. It was unlikely they would ever be threatened in such a remote place. He voiced this assessment to Padmé.
"The news didn't say how many soldiers would be there. It may only be a handful just to keep tabs on the politics there. They will have no interest in a lowly peasant family from a Namana harvesting town."
She put her arms around his waist. "I hope you're right."
"Later, I'm going to show the children where the sabers are, where they can hide, who to contact and what to do if something were to happen. When I heard the news my first thought was to protect them by preparing them for a worst-case scenario. But, hopefully it will never come to that."
She nodded. "With the trooper's presence, we need to prepare for the eventuality of something happening to us, or them. It's the only way to protect them."
"We knew life out here would never be perfect."
"But it has been lately," she finished his sentence, smiling lovingly up at him and his mood lifted.
"Well then, let's not let the empire it spoil your good news! The days of housewife are over!"
"Thank the Force," she grinned, a genuine bright smile that brought out his own too. Her joy was so contagious that in the spur of the moment he picked her up and spun her around, rewarding him with a playful shriek and the sound of her adorable laughter. He placed her back down and she grinned up at him dizzily, leaning forward and bracing herself against his chest. "From a Senator to a shop worker, how the times have changed Obi-Wan."
"The role may change but you are still the same wonderful Padmé. You're going to be the best shop assistant Namusa has ever known."
She blushed and scoffed at the praise. "As long as I finally have a salary. Now we can start saving for a house extension. That's what's important here."
"Of course, that's the whole reason I got you the interview."
She playfully smacked his arm and was about to retort when distant pleas from Luke and Leia reached their ears. The children were calling for them to hurry and unlock the front door.
ooooo
Padmé watched on as Obi-Wan removed the secret floorboard in their bedroom. Luke and Leia's eyes shone as he lifted up two lightsaber hilts from the dusty crevice below. She swallowed at seeing her ex husband's weapon. She hadn't seen it in over five years. She didn't have time to dwell on the memories as Luke started speaking.
"What are they?" he asked, leaning forward to peer, his sandy hair flopping down.
"They're lightsabers, as I told you about in training," Obi-Wan placed the floorboard back into its slot and turned to them. They could sense the seriousness of the event and stood still, listening with their hands behind their backs. "Now, these are very, very dangerous weapons. They are for emergencies only do you understand?"
They both nodded, eyes darting between their father's face and the shiny new weapons. Padmé could instantly tell that they wanted to play with them and she suppressed a smile. The family went out to the back garden, where the sun was setting in the late afternoon through the trees. She watched as Obi-Wan ignited the two lightsabers and the twins instinctively jumped back at seeing the bright, fizzing heat of the weapons.
"These are the weapons of a Jedi. When you are both much older, you will inherit these," he glanced at Padmé, conveying in his expression the magnitude of the moment. "But for now, I am simply showing you where they are in a case of emergency."
"What kind of emergency?" asked Leia, who was hypnotised by the glowing blue light.
"If bad people ever came to the house, or me and your mother don't return home one day, you should take these and keep them with you. Put them in your backpack, in your robe. Keep them hidden and keep them by your side. Do you understand?"
They nodded, and soon Obi-Wan was teaching the twins how to ignite the weapons in the safest way he could with two five year olds. Padmé prayed that they would never have to run and grab these weapons, not until they were teenagers and ready to practise. But who knew what lay in the future for their family. She crossed her arms over her chest, hugging her shawl around her as she watched Luke holding Anakin's saber very carefully, following Obi-Wan's strict instruction. There was a chill in the air as the sun sank lower in the sky. Suddenly she just wanted to be inside in the warm living room with her family safely around her. But the lesson wasn't over yet. After the twins were comfortable safely igniting the blades, they were shown the secret basement that had been full of moonshine (her and Obi-Wan had slowly been draining it over the five years). They were told where to hide and how long to wait before coming out. Then, before they went back in, Padmé told them about where to go if something were to happen. She knelt down and took their hands in hers.
"You must head to a planet called Alderaan, and find a man named Bail Organa. You can get there by contacting Parga from the village shop. I've left his number by the pot near the door. Don't worry if you can't remember all this," she smiled fondly at Leia who was rubbing at her eyes. The sun had disappeared now and they were tired. "We are going to remind you both every day of these things before bed, so that you'll never forget and always be prepared."
"Okay," she answered, continuing to rub at her eyes. She reached her arms up at Obi-Wan, conveying she wanted to be carried, and he obliged instantly, lifting her up in to his strong arms. Luke continued to hold her hand in his and Padmé's heart tightened. Her darling children, how she wished she could protect them forever. She scooped Luke up too, who was getting heavier each time. Together they went back into the warm safe light of the house.
ooooo
The two moons shone bright and clear, casting their silver light down onto the grassy meadow and tall trees that surrounded the little cottage. Though it was night, it was so bright that Padmé could see Obi-Wan very clearly, illuminated in the soft luna light. Not a breath of wind moved his hair or ruffled his stubbly beard. His eyes were warm and his expression so honest and sincere it felt like she was falling in love even more just by looking at him.
Bittersweet memories resurfaced from her previous wedding on Varykino. She acknowledged them and let them go, focusing on the here and now as Obi-Wan had taught her to do, as Qui-Gon had taught him. It was still and sacred and perfect despite the memories. She was still so proud of herself for making it through the dark and into the light. She welcomed her new life, and her new husband.
He took her small hands in his and spoke his vows.
"My darling Padmé. I promise that with our marriage, I commit myself to loving you, honouring you, protecting you and ensuring your happiness as my personal mission. Your smile and your joy is what I live for. I promise that you will never walk alone. I will banish away all your worries. I will stand by you and our family until my dying breath," he paused to blink back the tears that appeared with the depth of his words. Padmé squeezed his hands reassuringly. "I promise to love and protect our children, Luke and Leia. It is an honour to be their father, and to be your husband. I will love you for eternity, and I will show you with actions every day the depth and endurance of this love. This is my promise to you, my darling Padmé."
The warmth in his words moved her to tears. She wanted nothing more than to embrace him but she stood by the formality of the moment. The tears started to trail down her cheeks as she began her own vows. Her extensive experience in public speaking lent her a strong voice despite her emotions.
"My sweet Obi-Wan. From the day I first met you I could clearly see the good in you. Your steadfast opposition to the dark has helped us both through the toughest time of our lives and into a bright, hopeful…wondrous place," she paused as her voice threatened to break despite her training as a spokeswoman. He was listening intently, his whole focus on her words. "You are honourable and humble, noble and kind. Every quality that you have is perfect in my eyes. You have helped me in more ways than you can possibly know, and I truly love you from the bottom of my heart. I vow that I will love you, care for you, support you and honour you through the highs and lows of our beautiful new life. I also promise to be the best mother I can possibly be, for Luke and Leia and hopefully to many more future children. I never wish to be parted from you from this day forward, and so it is my honour to become your wife, forever."
The moonlight glistened on the tears that streaked her husband's face. He reached into his pocket and produced a delicate shining necklace. She did the same. They had had them ordered in from the capital, using some of their savings to purchase the best they could afford. The reason why they had waited a while for the ceremony was for the necklaces to arrive. Though they were already married on paper and had been for five years, this homemade ceremony made it real in their eyes.
Obi-Wan gently fixed the necklace around her neck and she did the same to him. The necklaces were of matching design. They both had a delicate chain and at its heart was a small star motif. They were simple but perfect. Padmé still had Anakin's necklace, safely stored in her bedroom. She dearly loved that boy from Tatooine, and he would always be part of her life, but he was gone now and she was no longer his wife. After years of hard work, she was finally free of him and all the grief that had wrecked her heart and soul for so long. Though she would always miss her Ani, her new life was here and it was wonderful. She finally had the courage to try again. She had another chance at happiness, and she was taking it.
"I love you so much Obi-Wan."
"And I love you."
Far away planets, stars and systems seemed impossible to her in that moment. Her whole universe was right here. Her husband, her children, their little home and the meadows and forests that surrounded it.