From Scratch

Chapter 39

Jacen and Tenel Ka were separated shortly after their arrival on Mon Calamari. They were with his family, answering their questions about their strange companions and their journey when Tenel Ka's honor guard arrived at the door.

Jacen squeezed her hand. "Can I catch up with you later?"

She nodded once. "This is acceptable."

He watched as she turned and left, even as she sent him a feeling of frustration through the Force. He turned back to his parents, catching the knowing smile on his mother's face.

He choose to ignore it as he pulled the legal document binding himself and Tenel Ka from his pocket. "I know you're all curious if our marriage is legal and binding and all that. So we'd like to have this dated even though we know it's valid."

Leia took the data pad he offered her and drew in a sharp gasp, nearly dropping it when she saw the document. "This is an Old Republic, pre Empire, certificate!"

"I know." Jacen smiled roguishly, wishing Tenel Ka hadn't needed to leave just yet. "I also know it's from just before the Empire was acknowledged as a power; before the senate was dissolved. I was hoping you could help."

Leia's eyes filled with sudden tears as she ran a gentle hand over the inscription. "This is Alderaanian. Wherever did you find it?"

Jacen was silent for a long moment as Han wrapped an arm around Leia's shoulders. Jaina took the certificate from her mother's hands and examined it closely. "This has Bail Organa's signature on the bottom. I thought-" she trailed off, looking carefully at her mother.

Leia gently took the certificate back. "Jacen. Where did you find this?"

"I told you. Flynn's community had it. We needed something that would hold up in a court of law here and this is what they offered us. The vows we spoke are binding to us, but the Hapans will never accept them. They wouldn't even accept the Dathomirian gift exchange." he fingered the know on his hand absently. "The elders were kind enough to help us out."

Leia smiled, passing the certificate back to her son. "You're very lucky, Jacen. This is a certificate the Hapans can't help but acknowledge; they won't have a choice."

"It won't make it any easier though." Anakin shook his head. "What were you thinking going for the girl with a consortium who hates men as a dowry?"

Jacen chuckled. "The same thing dad was thinking when he went after mom. Or you are when you're away from Tahiri."

Anakin flushed slightly, not looking at anyone but his brother. "I still say you're crazy."

Jacen winked at him. "Only for my Wife. Vergere taught me to chose and act. I've made my choices, acted upon them, and things have turned out far better than I'd ever hoped they would. Tenel Ka is my wife, I've got a family that supports both of us and Flynn and Vola are in the best hands possible with Uncle Luke."

Leia smiled, reaching out to grasp Jacen's hands a squeeze them tightly. "Congratulations, Jacen. We really are proud of you, even if you're a little too much like your father some times."

Jacen leaned in and placed a kiss on her cheek. "Thank you, mom. It means a lot to me."

Anakin rose to his feet, Tahiri with him, and they hugged Jacen before taking their leave, offering their congratulations. Jaina and Jag were quick to follow, leaving Jacen and his parents alone.

Leia looked at her son pointedly. "Is there a reason you impressed upon your siblings that you wanted them to leave?"

"Huh?" Han looked between the two of them. "Oh, a Jedi thing. I get it."

Jacen chuckled. "Yeah, sorry. I found something while we were on Coruscant that I thought you should see. I want to give it to Uncle Luke, but he was more attached to Grandpa than mom."

"That's an understatement." Han murmured, squeezing his wife around the shoulders. "But if this has to do with Anakin Skywalker, why show your mother?"

Jacen's smile was faint. "Because it affects more than just mom. Watch." Jacen dug into the small sack at his waist and pulled the memory core into the light. "This was found in a ship in the lower reaches of the planet. It looked like a ship that was pre-Clone war, or at least, during. When I entered the ship, this is what greeted me."

Jacen placed the unit on the ground and attached a holo projector to it. C-3P0's image appeared in front of him, drawing a strangled gasp from his mother as he began to speak. "Master Ani! So good it is to see you again."

Leia's face went pale with shock as her loyal protocol droid began speaking to her son as if he was a complete stranger. Jacen quickly shut it off before the memory core could play any more. "From what I can gather, C-3P0 was built by Anakin Skywalker. I wanted to wait to talk to you before taking this to Uncle Luke. I haven't looked too far, but there are memoirs in here. There's mention of a woman I think might have been your mother."

"Your uncle has been looking for information on her for years." Leia's eyes held a disbelieving note. "But he wouldn't know what she looked like if he found her."

"I know. That's the other reason I brought this to you. There are several holos of a young woman that I think is... grandma."

Leia exchanged a look with Han. "We need to talk about this before we dig into that any deeper. This could have a serious impact on your uncle."

"And you." Jacen put the memory core away. "Can I leave it here? Tenel Ka and I may have to leave at a moment's notice for Hapes and I don't want to lose it."

Han opened his hand. "I'll keep it. Tend to your wife, son, I'm sure the two of you aren't done surprising us yet."

Jacen grinned. "You have no idea. Thanks dad. Contact me when you've made your decision."

"We will." Han shook his son's hand and watched him leave before turning to his own wife. "Leia?"

Leia looked up at him slowly. "I'm alright. I just need to... meditate on this, I think." She looked a little confused. "If that does have pictures of mom..."

Han enfolded her in a tight hug. "Luke will be thrilled. It's been a long day, why don't we let this go until tomorrow."

She didn't object when he carried her into the bedroom.