I hope everyone had a good 4th of July holiday. I have been on vacation for a few days and wanted to post ch. 34 before I left but the website was acting up, so I'm now posting that chapter and the next one.

Chapter 34

As Tahiri walked through the door to the Skywalker apartment, she noticed with amusement the scene before her. Cem was lying asleep on the couch, with her precious little angel safely wrapped in his arms. Quietly stepping over to the two of them, Tahiri gently shook Cem's shoulder. "Hey, wake up."

Slowly realizing where he was, Cem pealed his eyes open. "Sorry, Tahiri. I guess munchkin and I were a little bit tired."

"That's okay. Here, let me put her to bed."

"Oh, I got it," he said as he gently lifted Menley into his arms and carried her into Tahiri's room.

Following behind them, Tahiri watched silently as Cem gently set her daughter down into her crib. He then leaned over and placed a soft kiss on the baby's forehead. Once again Tahiri was amazed at how great he was around children. Quietly shutting the door behind them, Tahiri whispered, "Thanks for watching her. I owe you."

"No problem. I love spending time with little Menley. We have a connection."

Laughing a bit, Tahiri said, "I bet you do."

The two then settled down onto the couch where Cem had been sleeping just moments before. They sat there for a while in comfortable silence, neither having nor needing to say much.

But then Cem did something that shocked both of them. He quickly leaned over and pressed his lips to Tahiri's in a brief but sweet kiss.

Although the sudden contact mostly surprised her, it also scared Tahiri a little bit. She brought her hand up between the two of them and placed them against his chest; gently pushing him away. "Cem…I…we can't."

Avoiding her eyes, he quietly murmured, "I know. I'm sorry Tahiri, I didn't even realize what I had done until after I did it."

"It's okay, just-"

"-don't do it again?"

Tahiri slowly nodded.

At this time, Luke Skywalker entered his apartment and saw the two teens seated on his small couch. "Hey you two. What's going on?"

"Nothing. I was just about to leave."

"Yeah. Let me walk you to the door," Tahiri said as she stood up from the couch.

After she closed the door behind Cem, Luke asked, "So, what was that all about?"

"What do you mean? It was nothing."

But Luke could see the way that Tahiri had gazed after the young man. Could feel her conflicting emotions. "Tahiri, come sit down." The girl walked over and sat next to the Jedi master on the couch. "I know what is happening with you, and I want you to know that it is okay."

"What are you talking about?"

Taking her hand in his, Luke said gently, "Anakin would want you to move on."

"Move on? How can I move on? I loved him!"

"I know. Just like I know that I loved Gaeriel and Callista. Just like I know that I love Mara."

The girl was quiet for a few moments, and then softly asked, "Do you ever miss them?"

"Of course I miss them. They were very important parts of my life. But I love my wife, and I know that she is the one I am meant to be with. The one the Force brought to me."

"Do you think that there is one special person out there for everyone?"

"Maybe. And maybe for some there are more than one. But what you should know is that Anakin loved you, and he would want you to be happy. You're sixteen years old. You have your whole life ahead of you, and you and Menley both deserve someone special."

"Thanks Master Skywalker."

"Tahiri, I practically consider you to be my daughter now. It's Luke."

"Luke."

After a moment, Luke continued. "Leia invited all of us to go eat dinner with her and the family tonight. You should ask Cem to come."

"As friends."

"As friends, or as something more. You don't have to deny yourself happiness, Tahiri. But at the same time, you don't have to go rushing into another relationship. You and Anakin went a little fast. Take things slow from now on; with Cem or with any young man who catches your eye. We're in the middle of a war; concentration and focus aren't overrated. They keep you alive."

"Thanks, Luke. I think I get it now. And I will ask him to dinner tonight. You can never have too many friends."

Jacen was on his way back to his parents place after a short debriefing with his uncle Luke and Wedge Antilles. They had informed him of their ploy of using his sister as a Vong Goddess. And while Jacen didn't think they should really be using Jaina as a type of bait, he had to admit it was a good plan. And according to what they had told him, things had begun looking pretty good while he was in captivity. They were gaining ground; finally beginning to win. And that little glimmer of hope made every day worth fighting for even more.

Jacen was lost in thought as he walked down the narrow corridors. He didn't even see her until it was too late. Right as he was sharply turning a corner, Danni Quee was exiting her room, also not paying much attention. The two ran smack dab into each other, knocking everything out of both of their hands.

"Oh, gee Danni, I'm sorry. I didn't see you."

"It's okay." Looking up to note the identity of who had just plummeted into her, Danni gasped in surprise, "Jacen! I can't believe it's really you. I had heard that you had escaped the Vong a few weeks ago, but I was never able to find you anywhere."

"Yeah, I was on Hapes. I just arrived this morning."

"Well, I think it's great your back. We could really use you around here." She was quiet for a moment. "Jacen, would you like to get together sometime; to catch up."

A smile grew on his face. "That would be great. Actually, my mom is making this big dinner tonight. Why don't you come eat with us. I'm sure everyone would be happy to see you."

"I don't know Jacen. I don't want to intrude on a family dinner."

"Don't worry about it. Jaina's bringing her fiancé and Tahiri will be there. Come on, it'll be fun."

After considering the invitation for a second, Danni smiled and accepted. "Thanks Jacen. I could really use a night off."

"No problem. I'll see you tonight then."

I hope everyone likes the fact that Cem is not so jerky anymore. I tried to make it seem as if he has grown up some. Danni is back (hee hee hee) which could be good or bad.

Chapter 35

The Solo apartment was bustling with activity. Nearly all of the dinner guests had arrived and were now engaging in polite conversation. No one mentioned the war or any other unpleasant topic; tonight was a night for enjoyment, not stress or worry.

As the table was being set, the final guest, Danni Quee, arrived. Rushing in, she quickly apologized for her lack of punctuality. "I'm really sorry I'm late, but I was held up in meetings all afternoon."

Smiling at the girl as she took her coat, Leia said, "That's all right, Danni. We were just beginning to set the table."

"And thanks for inviting me. I really appreciate it."

"No problem. There is always room for one more in this family."

The Solo's, Skywalker's, and Fel's, along with Tahiri and Danni, then all made their way to the dinner table. The group ate in a comfortable silence, every now and then interrupted by a compliment on the food.

Glancing around the table, Han Solo began to smile. It had been a long time since the whole family had gotten a chance to sit down to a meal together. Well, almost the whole family. He still missed Anakin and Chewie every single day, but it was nice getting the chance to welcome some new people into their circle of friends and family.

Plus, Han was finally beginning to warm up to the idea of his daughter marrying a Fel. If he was gonna be completely honest with himself, he would even have to admit that he kind of liked the guy. Sometimes. And he was happy that Tahiri had begun to make friends with Jag's brother and sister. The poor girl had been so unhappy for so long.

And Jacen. How could he even begin to describe in words how he felt about having Jacen back. When they thought he had died as well, Han was sure that he was not going to be able to continue on. But Leia had faith. She knew from the beginning that he would come back to them. For once, Han Solo was glad that he had been wrong.

But right now as they all sat at the dinner table, Han could tell something was up with Jacen. He may not have the force, but he had always been able to read his children like a book. Han had a feeling that his son's discontent had something to do with his recent trip to Hapes; as well as something to do with the older blonde woman currently seated to his son's right.

And at the center of Han's current state of joyfulness? His new baby granddaughter. He had no words to express his love for that tiny little girl that had brought so much happiness into the lives of their entire family. Granted, when he had first found out that Tahiri was pregnant, Han was furious. But over time he had come to sympathize with the girl and understand that she was carrying Anakin's legacy within her, and that was nothing short of a miracle.

Raising his glass into the air, Han proclaimed with a smile of warmth and happiness on his face, "I would like to propose a toast. To peace, and to all of those that have fought and died in order to insure that their children could grow up in a galaxy free from the horrors of war." Turning to Jaina and Jag, "And to love,"

and then to Jacen, "and to strength," and then to Tahiri, "and to courage. For these are what make us human, and what make peace worth sacrificing everything for. To my family; all of you; who have changed me from a lowly space pirate who didn't care about anyone or anything into a husband, uncle, father, and now grandfather. You are my strength and my courage. My everything."

Eleven glasses clinked together in unison. And there was not a dry eye in the house.

After dinner was over, the guests broke off into smaller social groups. Because Menley had started to get a little fussy, Tahiri took her into one of the back rooms to rock her back to sleep. The two had only been in the room a few moments when she heard the door click behind her. Turning around she could barely make out Cem's figure in the darkness.

Walking towards Tahiri, Cem asked, "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, she was just starting to get a little bit fussy. No problem. How are you?"

"I'm good. I just thought that maybe you and I should talk about what happened this afternoon."

"Look, Cem, it's okay-"

"No. What I did was way out of line. In fact, I don't even know why I did it. We're friends now and I don't want to jeopardize that in any way."

"That's right. We're friends, just like you said. And there is no reason why we should risk that relationship."

"Right," he concluded with a nod, but for some reason he didn't feel as confident as he sounded.

After all of the others left the table, Jacen and Danni stayed back to clean up. They were talking and enjoying each others company, but Danni knew something was not quite right with Jacen. He had seemed a little distant all evening; as if his mind was in another place.

"Hey Jacen, are you okay?"

"Yeah. I was just thinking."

"About what?"

With a heavy sigh that made the young man sound like he was carrying the world on his shoulders, he said, "Life. The irony of it."

"Well that sounds a little dreary and depressing. What has caused you to have such a dark outlook on life lately?"

"Being captured and tortured by the Vong. Returning to find that you're in love and being rejected for political reasons. War in general."

They both continued their cleaning without further comment until several minutes later when Danni said, "I'm sorry to hear that you were rejected. That can't be easy."

"No. But it's okay. If Tenel Ka doesn't love me, then I will just have to move on with my life. I'm not good enough for her anyways."

"Don't say that! You are the greatest guy I've ever met. Any woman would be extremely lucky to have someone like you. And if she can't see that, then maybe she isn't good enough for you."

Jacen heard Danni's words, and although he didn't think that they were true, it still made him feel a little bit better.

Once the two finished cleaning, Danni began to gather up her things. "I should probably be leaving soon. I have some files I need to go over before I go to sleep."

"Let me walk you back, then." Danni graciously accepted and the two left the Solo apartment together.

It was not long before the two were standing outside the door to Danni's room. Neither said anything for a moment or two. There wasn't any need for words. They were two lonely people looking for comfort in a war-torn galaxy where everything they had once worked for and loved was being destroyed.

In a quiet, hesitant voice, Danni asked, "Would you like to come in?"

Jacen's mind was turning in circles. He was in love with Tenel Ka, but she did not want him. And now he was here, standing outside the bedroom of a beautiful older woman who had just invited him in. His head and his heart seemed to be pulling him in two different directions. Before he could change his mind, Jacen slowly nodded and followed Danni inside.

Coming up next time: Jaina and Kyp, and Tahiri has to let go of her baby girl. Reviews are always much appreciated (even if all you have to say is good story/bad story) so share the love!

P.S.- Only five more chapters. (And the next one should be upby Saturday)