Chapter 6
Luke slept off and on throughout the rest of that day. When he was awake, he wasn't quite together, and hardly recognized Leia when she tended to him. She sat next to him for most of the afternoon, blotting his feverish forehead, and easing him into a sitting position when he'd start to cough.
When GC-14, the medi droid, arrived later on, Luke felt a little bit better. "Have you made your decision about the surgery, sir?" the droid asked, and Leia grasped Luke's hand tightly.
"We decided it would be for the best," Luke replied in a tired voice. "Leia, can you hand me a tissue?" he added, groaning and laying back against his pillows. She nodded, walking over to the desk, where the box sat. She brought the box over to the bed and allowed him to pull a few of them out. He managed to cover his face with them before snapping forward, sneezing.
"Bless you!" Leia gasped, and GC-14 rolled to the side of the bed.
"The surgery will have to take place tomorrow afternoon, sir," the droid began again, just as Luke blew his nose. "I would prefer you that you not eat anything from now until then, to be sure your diet won't interfere with the anesthetic. I will give you some medication tonight, sir, that will help you sleep."
Luke pulled another tissue out of the box and blew his nose again, nodding. "Thank you," he croaked, and Leia turned to the droid.
"What are the odds of his surviving this surgery?" she asked, trying to steady her shaking voice.
Luke glanced at her after disposing of the tissues, and bundled himself more comfortably beneath the covers.
"We are ninety nine point nine percent certain he will come through the surgery without any trouble, Miss," he replied, and Luke swallowed.
"And the other one percent?" Leia asked.
"There is always a risk, Miss. But there is more of a risk of death if he did not choose the surgery."
Leia gave a small nod. "Thank you." She turned to Luke, closing her eyes, and lowering her head.
"I will return this evening to give you your medication, Master Skywalker." GC-14 rolled out of the room, the doors shutting behind him. When silence passed between the twins for a few moments afterwards, Luke eventually cleared his throat.
"I would like to see Jacen," he told Leia softly. "I do feel horrible about having fallen asleep before he got here before."
Leia smiled warmly at her brother. "Jacen understands," she replied. "If you're sure you're feeling strong enough, I'll send him. Otherwise, I would definitely recommend getting as much sleep as you can."
Luke coughed, massaging his aching chest. "I do want to see him." He nodded, and Leia kissed his forehead.
"All right. I'll be back. Hopefully he hasn't gone too far." She swept out of the room, leaving Luke by himself. While he was gone, he leaned against the headboard, refusing to close his eyes until he got to see his nephew. He rubbed his temples, feeling terrible that Han and Leia were having to spend their vacation worrying about him. I'll have to make it up to them, he thought, just as the double doors opened, revealing Jacen and Leia.
"Mom, I'll be fine by myself," Jacen insisted, rolling his eyes.
Luke turned towards them, waving as Leia backed away, and Jacen soon entered the room. "Hi," Luke spoke softly. "I'm sorry I missed you earlier."
Jacen came over to the bedside, taking his Uncle's hand comfortingly. "That's okay. You're sick, so you have to sleep."
Luke patted the empty side of the bed, encouraging Jacen to join him. "What's bothering you, Jacen?" he asked, once the boy was sitting down. "You seem a little on edge. And I don't think it has just to do with my illness, either."
Jacen looked into his Uncle's eyes. Luke always knew what people were feeling…that must be what came with his Jedi powers.
Jacen shrugged. "It's just stupid stuff," he insisted. "That's all."
Luke touched his hand. "If it's disrupting your normal pattern of thought, than it certainly isn't stupid."
Jacen sighed. "I don't know. It's…I guess it's about you," he finally spoke. He paused, and Luke gave a nod.
"Go on," he encouraged.
"I don't know. I guess, I feel like…you don't love me as much as you love Jaina and Anakin."
Luke raised his eyes. "You know that's not true, Jacen," he replied. "I love all of you very much."
Jacen wet his lips. "You just seem softer and more informal with them, that's all."
Luke chuckled warmly. "Well, Jacen, they express their need for hugs and kisses openly. They cuddle with me openly. I don't automatically shower you three with affection, unless you show me you want it."
Jacen managed a small smile, remembering how Jaina had run and jumped into Luke's arms when they arrived the previous day. Jacen admitted that he did feel a little uncomfortable when adults babied him, and tried to stand off to the side at family gatherings. Luke stroked his forehead, brushing a few stray strands of hair away from his eyes.
"You see?" he asked. "I don't want you to doubt for a second that I love you."
Jacen embraced his Uncle, burying his face against the Jedi Master's shoulder. He felt Luke place a kiss against his temple, and the gesture made him hug his Uncle even more tightly.
"I want you to get well, Uncle Luke," he choked.
Luke stroked the back of his head. "Whatever happens is the way of the Force, Jacen. I want you to remember that even if I do not make it through the surgery, that I will always be with you."
Jacen released his grasp from his Uncle, not ashamed at all now to be shedding tears. Luke reached over and grabbed a tissue, offering it to him. "You're going to come out fine," Jacen insisted. "You'll see."
Luke gave a weak nod.
"Should I get Jaina?" Jacen hiccouged, wiping his nose with the tissue, and drying his eyes.
Luke took a deep breath, bracing himself for the worst with Jaina. "I'm glad you felt comfortable to tell me what was bothering you, Jacen." Luke hugged and kissed him again. "I won't bite you," he added. "If you ever want to hug or kiss me, don't hesitate."
Jacen smiled. "Okay." He gave his Uncle a kiss on the cheek. "I'll go get Jaina. You might want to have the tissues ready, because she's been a sob fest all day."
Luke chuckled, watching as Jacen hurried out of the room. Sure enough, when she arrived, barely a word between them was exchanged. Jaina threw herself into her Uncle's arms, sobbing hysterically. He held her tight, rocking her gently.
"Shhh," he whispered into her ear. "Shhhhh. Oh sweetheart." He kissed her cheek.
"Uncle Luke," she choked. "I'm so scared." She accepted a tissue once her sobs slowed down.
"I know." He touched her cheek with the palm of his hand, closing his eyes as she grasped it tightly, lacing her fingers through his. "By this time tomorrow night, I'll be feeling much better," he told her.
Jaina slid under the covers, snuggling against her Uncle's side. "How long will you have to stay in bed for after the surgery, Uncle Luke?" she asked, allowing him to stroke her hair.
"I would say at least two weeks," Luke replied. "And I'll probably have to use a wheel chair even after that."
Jaina frowned. "I wish we didn't have to go back to Coruscant," she said. "I want to stay with you."
Luke chuckled softly. "Well, you soon will," he promised.
"But that's six years away! It seems like forever and ever!" Jaina exclaimed. "The week we have to visit on holidays is so short."
Luke kissed her. "I know." He let out a yawn, blinking. "Excuse me. I'm falling asleep here, sweetheart."
Jaina cocked her head to one side. "I should let you sleep then," she told him.
"I'm sorry, honey. I'm trying," he whispered, yawning again. "Could you do me a favor?" he sniffed, coughing.
"What?" she asked.
"Could you find your mother? The medi droid wanted to give me a bit of medication tonight. I don't want to forget to take it."
Jaina nodded, giving her Uncle a big hug. "I love you so much, Uncle Luke," she whispered, and he hugged her back.
"I love you too." He watched as she slid off the edge of the bed, and as she scurried through the main doors to his room. He felt so exhausted at this point, that his head spun. He snuggled down against his pillows, trying to rest his eyes, but another bout of harsh coughing shook him. He felt tears filling his eyes as he pressed the back of his hand against his mouth, forcing himself to take a decent breath.
He was still coughing when Leia arrived, and she immediately fetched him a glass of water. "Take a small sip," she encouraged, easing the edge of the glass against his cracked lips. He swallowed a tiny mouthful, closing his eyes as the cool liquid slid down his sore throat. "Is that a little better?" she asked, feeling his forehead. "You're running a bit of a fever again." She sighed, sitting down, and produced two of the small, white pills GC-14 had given her.
"Leia," Luke whispered, once he took the medicine, and was lying comfortably…or as comfortably as possible again.
"Mmm?" she asked, placing the half-empty glass on his nightstand.
"I don't want you, Han, or the children seeing me before the surgery," he told her.
Leia's eyes widened. "Are you nuts?" she asked. "Why?"
He took her hand. "It's hard enough facing the fact that I'm having this done at all," he whispered, "let alone having to see you. I'm not being insulting," he added quickly, "but I just think it would make me more nervous to see everyone."
Leia lowered her head, wetting her lips. "I would think it would give you something to encourage you," she replied. "Seeing our faces before the anesthetic takes over might be a good motivator."
Luke smiled. "Please, Leia," he begged.
"Oh Luke." She gave him a hug. "If that's what you'd like, then I'll have to agree." She kissed him.
"I'm sorry, Leia," he told her, and she shook her head.
"Luke, I love you. We all love you more than I can even say."
There was a knock on the door, and both twins glanced towards it. "Come in, Han," Luke called, and Leia stared as the former Corellian smuggler entered, with Chewbacca at his heels. Chewie gave a low roar, and Luke waved softly.
"He just took his medication, Han," Leia announced. "So he might not have much time to chat."
Luke chuckled. "I might start getting a little loopy," he warned, and Han came over to the bed.
"No problem. I had to put up with your whining on the Falcon, so I think I can handle a little loopiness." He winked, and Leia smacked him gently on the arm. "Hey Chewie," she greeted, and the wookiee grunted and snuffled, nodding his head in a return greeting. "Are the kids back in their room?" she added, and Han nodded.
"Yeah. Jaina's still a little shaken up, but she'll be fine."
Leia stood. "Well." She raised her arms. "Should I let you two have a few moments alone, or do you want me here?" she asked, and Han looked at her.
"Why don't you go and check on the kids yourself, sweetheart?" he asked, and she pecked a kiss on his lips.
"All right. Luke, I'll see you before we go to bed," she added, and left the room.
Han glanced awkwardly at the ceiling, feeling a little emore than out of place. It was really odd seeing one of the most famous rebels and Jedi Master bed-ridden. Then again, Luke had never been one of the healthiest of kids, even when they first met. He'd always been unusually thin and scrawny, and allergic to practically everything, if he remembered correctly.
"All right there, Han?" Luke finally spoke up, and Han looked at him. "Yeah," he replied, shaking his head. "Sorry, kind of distracted."
Luke chuckled. "Mmmm." He cleared his throat.
"So," Han began again, "ready to go under tomorrow, junior?"
Luke shrugged. "I guess that would be putting it lightly." He took another breath. "I told Leia I don't want you four seeing me off tomorrow," he explained, his voice weaker than ever. Han smirked.
"Your sister won't listen to you, kid. She'll not only see you off, but she'll probably spend the night outside the med-center door."
Luke smiled. "It wouldn't surprise me if she did," he admitted. "But you have to promise to keep her away, Han. This is supposed to be a vacation for you. I'm sorry I'm so sick." He coughed, closing his eyes, and tried desaparetely to fight the pain. Han glanced at Chewie, who stood by the desk, and the wookiee gave a low rumbling growl. Han reached over to give Luke a squeeze on the shoulder.
"Well, no use feeling sorry for yourself now," he replied. "Do you want us to make an announcement to your students about this? No doubt you'll be laid up for a while after the surgery."
Luke had been worrying so much about how his family would react to the surgery, that he'd completey forgotten about his pupils! Sure, it was holiday break, but they still needed to know. The vacation only lasted a week.
"Tell Threepio to make the announcement in the morning," Luke replied. "He really likes to feel useful."
Han snorted. "If that's what you want, kid."
Chewbacca gave another small rawr, and a chuckle, causing both men to stare.
"Sorry, Chewie," Luke apologized, yawning into his fist. "I didn't mean to ignore you."
The wookiee gave a grunt, and Han nodded.
"He says it's no problem. But we'd better go, anyway…you really need to take it easy. Looks like the meds are already kicking in."
Luke blinked sleepily, nodding in agreement.
"Thanks for being here, Han." He yawned again, settling down beneath the blankets. Han watched as Luke's eyes closed, and waited until his breathing relaxed into a somewhat normal pattern, before standing up. He tucked Luke in more comfortably, and raised his eyes to Chewie.
"Yeah, yeah," he rolled his eyes. "I know I've gone soft. But hey, it comes with being a Dad." He winked, and led the wookiee out of the room, shutting the double doors quietly behind him.