Chapter 3

Later that night, in the cantina at Anchorhead, Cliegg and Owen were laughing themselves silly, after a jug of Corellian ale, Obi-wan shared a story about a rather amusing prank Anakin had pulled on him when he was 15. Shmi was sitting there shaking her head while Beru just wondered how Obi-Wan had stopped himself strangling Anakin. Anakin went to the bar and bought another jug of ale, when he got back, Beru decided to drag Owen onto the dance floor. Cliegg said with a smile "Wonder when Owen is gonna wise up and ask Beru to marry him?" Obi-Wan said with a smile "Based on the time I have spent around him, I think Beru is going to be making the choice for him" and the entire table laughed heartily. Shmi after she finished laughing said "Owen is pretty dense, but he is a good man." Anakin nodded his head in agreement, him and Owen did not have much in common, but they both were very hard headed and proud, which led to the beginnings of a solid friendship. Owen and Beru came back from the dance floor, Beru looked stunned. Noticing the look on Beru's face, Shmi asked "whats happened?" Beru, breaking out into a massive smile squealed "Me and Owen are getting married!" Cliegg for a second looked like he was about to have a heart attack before Shmi stood up and hugged Owen and Beru. Owen looked at Anakin and asked "Hey Anakin, mind being best man?" Anakin, filled with joy said "Of course, just don't ask me to sing!" The rest of the night passed in laughter, all the way back to the homestead.

11 Months Later...

It was the night before Owen & Beru's wedding. Padme took leave from the Senate so she could be Anakins plus one. Cliegg, Owen, Obi-Wan and Anakin were at the homestead having a bachelor party. Obi-Wan earned some credits selling sand whale meat, enough to buy a bottle of Cortyg brandy. Anakin, having made a considerable amount of money from his business, had obtained a barrel of Mandalorian Tihaar, as well as a generous amount of Iridonian Ale. Beru, Shmi and Padme were at the home of Beru's parents, as it was considered bad luck for the bride and groom to see eachother the night before the wedding. Cliegg was regaling them all with the tale of how he met Shmi, Anakin hearing this story for the second time, felt tremendous guilt for never being to return and free Shmi himself, and grattitude to the Lars family for helping his mother find happiness. Owen, trying not to let on how nervous he was about his upcoming marriage, was on his third glass of tihaar, and said "Hey Dad, how did you not faint the night before the wedding?". Cliegg with a wise smile said "Thats what the drinking is for" before everyone started laughing again. Obi-Wan poured himself a shot of Cortyg brandy and said "One things for sure, this is somehow more fulfilling than life as a Jedi, don't you agree Anakin?" Anakin, smiling said "Yeah, I agree, I'm a married man as well, it seems to me that the Jedi made a mistake by not allowing its members simple pleasure's like this." On that note, Owen got to his feet, swaying slightly, raised his glass and said "Heres to what the future may bring, may it be brighter than the Twin Suns"

Over near Mos Eisley in the Whitesun family home, Beru, Shmi, Padme and Beru's sister, Dama were gossiping over a bottle of wine. Beru and Shmi were laughing at a joke that Padme had told about Anakin. Beru when she was able to stop laughing asked "Padme, something I have been wanting to ask you, how did you end up falling in love with Anakin?" Padme, with a slight smile answered "I remember when I first met him, little slave boy in Watto's junk shop, he was so bold, he asked me if I was an angel. Later, without any thought for himself, he offered to help us get the hyperdrive generator we so desperately needed. When he won that podrace, I could see that he was destined for greater things. After ending the Trade Federations occuaption of Naboo, I didn't see him for 10 years. When I did see him, he was every bit the man I thought he had it in himself to be. Truth be told, I resisted the urge to give into my feelings for him, he was a Jedi, Jedi are not allowed to fall in love, but after coming here and rescuing Shmi, facing what I thought would be a our deaths Geonosis at the beginning of the war, I could not deny it any longer. I was surprised when he left the Order, but he has been so happy since leaving. He's doing what he loves the most, building things. Deep down, he is still that same boy who did the impossible. That's what I love about him, his will to succeed." Shmi with a rye smile said "Bet you're glad that hes done so well, he has repaid the hefty amount of money you forked out to help him get his business venture off the ground." Beru looked at Shmi and asked "Is it normal to be this nervous the night before you get married?" Shmi answered "Goodness yes, I remember the night before my marriage to Cliegg, My stomach felt like there were sand bats doing loops in there. But the instant I said I do, that went away, and he has made me so happy. Owen is a lot like his father, he is just a lot more self contained, but he loves you very much Beru"

The next morning, at a large function room in Mos Espa, Owen Lars and Beru Whitesun exchanged their vows, when they sealed their union with a kiss, everyone cheered. Afterwards at the reception, Anakin as best man, stood up to make his speech "I returned to Tatooine 18 months ago, over the course of that time, I have learned much of what it is to be part of a family, I gained a brother in Owen Lars and now a sister in Beru. Now, I sincerely hope that you both enjoy many happy years together, and have many shildren. As my wedding present, I am proud to present to you a custom built SoroSuub V-35 landspeeder. I personally rebuilt it from the ground up, after finding it buried in a junkshop. It's perfect for carrying a family and thanks to the modifications I have made, it'll never break down. I have already had it delivered to the homestead, it will be waiting for you when you get back from your honeymoon." Anakin sat down and emptied his glass. Padme, sitting next to Anakin said "Obi-Wan wants a word tonight after the reception". Anakin asked "Did he tell you why?" "No, he didn't say".

That evening, Anakin and Padme returned to the house Anakin had recently purchased in Mos Espa, Obi-Wan stayed there whenever he was in the area. They all sat in the living area and Obi-Wan looked at Anakin, before speaking. "Anakin, a week ago, I came across a cave in the Northern Dune Sea. I felt the Force there, it was an incredibly strong presence. But I did not enter." Anakin, confused asked "Why didn't you enter if this cave felt so strong?". Obi-Wan answered "There was an inscription carved above the entrance, it was written in Old Galactic Standard, it was difficult to translate, its been extinct for thousands of years. But I was able to eventually decipher it. The inscription said "This place is for one who will bring balance". In other words, I believe that you are supposed to be the one to enter this cave." Anakin then asked "Where exactly is it?" Obi-Wan pulled out a map of Tatooine and pointed to a spot near the Great Pit of Carkoon. Anakin after thinking for a moment said "I will leave in the morning, I can be back in under 2 days if I leave at dawn"