JadaSkye: Glad to have you along and I'm happy to hear that you like this story! I hope you keep reading!
We're nearing the end now, and I have to say I'll be a little sad when this one is over since it was my first story on these boards. Anywho, here we go.
Chapter 37
Two days later Luke and Mara Skywalker left to take Menley to Shelter. There was a tearful goodbye from Tahiri, but they knew that the girl had hope: the hope that her daughter would have a better and safer life where she was going until this god-awful war was over.
Mara could understand Tahiri's pain. Every time she had to leave Ben, it felt like a piece of her was being ripped away. No matter how long of time goes by, a mother will never forget her child or stop missing him. Which was why Mara respected Leia now more than ever. She had lost Anakin and almost Jacen at the same time. It was amazing that she could still function properly, not to mention lead the galaxy in a desperate fight for freedom.
Nearly a week later as they arrived at Shelter, both Luke and Mara were about to pass out from the unexpected exhaustion caused by caring for a three month old baby on a small, enclosed ship. Menley was definitely her mother's daughter. Tahiri used to never stop talking when she was younger, and now the infant would never stop crying or talking in loud baby-talk. It was cute, though, and it made Mara miss her son even more. I'm coming, baby. Mommy's coming.
There was a group of young Jedi patiently awaiting their departure of the Jade Shadow, but as soon as they saw Master Skywalker, they were hardly able to contain their excitement. It wasn't often that the famous Jedi master or his wife were able to make it all of the way out there in the middle of the war.
Valin Horn was amongst those waiting to greet the Skywalkers. Although he was happy to see them, he couldn't help feeling a little resentful about them being there. His father hadn't had many chances to come see him or Jysella, and his mother could only stay for short periods at a time. He understood that his father was a Jedi Knight and was needed in the battle, but that didn't change the fact that the boy missed him constantly. Besides, Valin was fourteen years old- he should be out there fighting too. But for some reason, his mother always refused to let him go.
As his younger sister Jysella danced along beside him, Valin simply stood there with a bit of an annoyed look on his face. He was only twelve when the Vong attacked Yavin 4, and he had already learned so much since then. Being treated like a little kid really stunk sometimes!
When the Skywalkers made there way towards the back where he was standing, Valin politely bowed. "It's nice that you are back, Masters," he said, not really meaning it completely.
"Thank you, Valin," replied Luke, not completely believing the boy. "Would you mind taking us to where we could find Kam or Tionne?"
"Of course, Master," he said with another overly polite bow. But on his way back up, he noticed something kind of funny. Nestled into the arms of Mrs. Skywalker was a tiny baby. "If you don't mind me asking, did you have another baby, Master?"
Glancing at the baby girl sleeping-finally!- in her arms, Mara said, "Oh, no Valin. This isn't our baby."
"Then whose is it?"
Mara's eyes flicked over to meet Luke's. "She's Tahiri's."
Caught in shock, Valin stopped walking mid-step. "Tahiri's baby? I didn't even know she was pregnant!" Blushing slightly, he asked, "Can you tell me who the father is?"
Another look between the two Skywalkers. "Anakin Solo."
"Anakin? But he's…"
"We know, Valin. Tahiri became pregnant not long before Anakin was killed."
The boy didn't say much else on the way to find Kam and Tionne. But right before they walked through the door of a small training room, he said, "While we're on the subject of Tahiri, I was wondering if I could go back with you guys and see her."
Placing a hand on his shoulder, Luke said, "I don't think so, Valin. This is a dangerous war, and you're to young to be getting involved. In fact, that's why we are here. To bring Menley to safety."
"To young? But Tahiri was only fourteen when she left to go help!"
"Exactly, and she was kidnapped by the Vong, almost died during the strike team mission, and had a baby. If you ask me, she isn't exactly having the best time ever!"
"But I know I can help!"
Luke sighed. "How about we talk about this again later."
Still disappointed, the boy nodded.
Luke and Mara had been lounging around their guest quarters on Shelter with their son Ben all day and were now ready to begin preparing for sleep. It had been several days since the two of them had been able to get a complete nights rest because of having to deal with Menley, so they were both extremely excited about getting to bed.
But once she layed down and closed her eyes, Mara found that she was no longer tired. Spending the day with her son had brought her a new-found sense of youth and energy, and now all she wanted to do was be with him. Climbing carefully back out of the bed so as to not disturb her husband who had fallen asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow, Mara walked to the small bed that had been set up for Ben.
Stroking his soft hair, Mara gazed at her son. She could still remember the day he was born. He was her joy; her greatest accomplishment in life. Who would have ever thought that the former Emperor's Hand could ever be a mother? Had somebody told her twenty years ago that she would be standing here, the wife of her sworn enemy and the mother of his child, she probably would have laughed in their face before shooting them down with her blaster. But now it would be hard to imagine her life without Luke in it. The galaxy is kind of funny like that.
Mara was surprised to find that a pair of arms had wrapped around her waist while she had been in her reverie. The warm body of her husband was now pressed against her back and his lips brushed the top of her head gently.
The two stood like this for several moments before Luke whispered in her ear, "Come back to bed, Jade," and led her away from their sleeping son, and into the arms of the one person who had always been there for her and always believed in her.
After only a few days with their son, it was time for Luke and Mara to leave. Every time they parted from little Ben it got harder and harder. They couldn't help feeling like they had already missed out on so much of his young life. If only the war would end soon…
But as the two were packing up the rest of their things onto the ship, they had some last minute visitors. "Master Skywalker, Master Skywalker! Please, let me go back with you" called out Valin Horn as he came running towards the Jade Shadow. "I brought my mother with me so you can talk to her about it."
Walking down the entry ramp, Luke siged. "Valin, I don't know about this. I feel bad enough as it is about all of the young Jedi out there fighting. I just don't want to see you hurt."
"I beg your pardon, Masters, but I am not a little boy anymore. I need to be out there with my father and my friends. I can help you!"
With a pained look on her face, Mirax Horn walked up behind her son and placed her hands on his shoulders. "As hard as it is for me to say this, I think he should go. Valin is wasting away here. All of his friends are gone, and he spends most of his time baby-sitting the young children. I know it is dangerous, but my boy is strong, just like his father. We have to let him go sometime."
Mirax's words brought back some old and faint memories for Luke. When he was still a mere boy, no older than eighteen, his own aunt had similarly stood up for him, saying that it was time to let him go off on his own. He remembered his frustration at being treated like a child and not being allowed to go off and join the Academy with his friends. Sometimes you do have to let them go. "All right. But it will be very dangerous. I don't want to lose you the way we have lost so many others."
With a broad grin on his face, Valin cried, "Thank you, Master Skywalker! I won't disappoint you."
One hour later, the three were on their way; dancing through the stars.
Only three more chapters left! Who will Jacen end up with? How will Jaina and Jag's wedding turn out? What will become of Valin? Be sure to stay tuned, 'cause next time we have: Tahiri throwing Jaina a bacheloret party and the boys throwing one for Jagged.