Evening had fallen, Anakin, Padmé, Barriss and Mara Jade went into the master bedroom and as Padmé lay on her bed, Anakin sent his all his love and affection through their bond. Anakin gently lulled her into a deep sleep, his presence comforted Padmé like no other could. He nodded his head to Barriss and she rested her hands on Padmé's stomach, Anakin joined and A' Marie responded to her father's touch. Her mind was as open as the fields of Naboo. He hummed a gentle lullaby through A' Marie's bond. As the baby relaxed, Barriss sent warm feelings as she was gently blocking the child's Force ability. It was painless for A' Marie the babe was unaware of her ability to hurt her mother and Anakin could feel Padmé's love for this daughter. When the block was complete, Padmé's heart strengthened and the life force was continuing to spread giving her a natural glow. Barriss pulled away from the bond and soon did Anakin after leaving the child with a lingering thought of his deep abiding love. Anakin fell to the floor exhausted from the effort, Barriss and Mara Jade helped him to his feet and he lay down next to Padmé.

"Master Skywalker will need his rest, healing is not his forte."

"Yes, I know. When Leia and I went to Kashyyyk, I worked with Master Gallia, poor Leia had to work with Master Skywalker."

Barriss smiled at that, "He's tough isn't he?"

"Yes, but I couldn't ask for a better Master." Mara Jade replied.

Barriss smiled, "Do you want to go swimming?"

"I thought you would never ask."

Despite the late hour, Mara and Barriss went out by the lake and dove into the water.

The next morning Padmé awoke feeling like her old self, she saw Anakin still sleeping. She gently kissed his lips and left the bedroom. Luke and Leia were sparring with wooden swords when she stepped out on the patio.

"Mom!" Luke and Leia exclaimed as they ran to her and she gathered the two up and hugged them.

"You look a lot better, are you feeling better too?"

"Yes, thank you for behaving for your father."

"Yea, like we have a choice." Leia replied.

Luke jumped into his father's Sith Lord Stance and intoned deeply, "You will do what I tell you, young one. Or the consequences will be dire."
Padmé literally fell out, Luke had it down pat. "That's pretty scary Luke." Leia laughed.

Luke continued to mock his father until he saw a large shadow fall over him; Luke turned around and saw Anakin standing there with his hands on his hips.

"Are you sure it's wise to mock me, young Luke?"
Luke looked at his father and smiled sheepishly, "No probably not Dad. Sorry."

"Apology accepted, Luke Skywalker." Anakin replied deeply and then started laughing; Luke Forced-jumped into his father's arms. Padmé felt the baby kick and she smiled, "A' Marie seems to want some attention too, Master Skywalker." Leia hugged her mother and whispered to the baby, "Beware of Dad's Sith Lord Stance, A' Marie."

"I heard that, young lady." Anakin scolded.

Padmé returned to perfect health as the baby continued to grow. Luke returned to Obi-Wan's tutorship and Leia returned with Master Gallia. Mara Jade was continuing to work Han Solo on the Falcon so she could learn how to fix minor things herself. Han Solo would soon be ready for the great wonders of space. Anakin had already released him of his apprenticeship and Han eventually decided to hook up with Kuat Space yards to learn about building new ships; even though the Falcon was his favorite. Anakin would miss him including their incessant banter. Mara Jade would be ready in a few more years to become a Jedi Knight. She was very nervous about this next mission that Anakin would be sending her though. Padmé, Anakin, Mara Jade flew to Tatooine to spend some time with the Lars family. Mara Jade was loaned the swoop bike, several days' rations, and she wore light colored Jedi robes, though Anakin insisted on packing a black cloak as he warned her it became very cold at night.

"Master, why this force-saken planet?"

"Because I lived here and you need to learn to survive in different environments, young one. I will meet you in Mos Espa at Mr. Banai's shop within a week's time. If you get into any trouble, call. You are leaving tonight at midnight; avoid the Tusken Raiders and banthas."

"I guess I will get some sleep then."

"Yes, please do."

Mara Jade sighed and left the garage to find her quarters. She fell asleep the minute her head hit the pillow. Padmé and Beru were discussing her newest addition to the family and Owen left Anakin in the garage to fix his speeder that was giving him some trouble. It didn't take long for Anakin to get covered in oil and grease. He managed to fix the land speeder and even juiced it up a bit for it to go faster. Owen would get the biggest kick in his life. "I really appreciate your help, Anakin."

"No problem. I love fixing things; I even think you'll find that she'll have a bit more kick." Anakin smiled mischievously.

"I'm not going to be entering any pod races anytime soon, Anakin." Owen replied sarcastically.

"Why not? Its great fun, especially if you have a dug with a vendetta."

"Shmi never quite explained how you got started in that racing business."

Anakin sheepishly smiled that was because he took a pod out without Watto's permission and was summarily whipped within an inch of his life.

"Mom never approved of my racing, even before I raced in the Boonta Eve Classic. I think I was about seven and Watto had me fix the stabilizers on a pod that belonged to a friend of his. After I fixed everything and cleaned it up it shined like a brand new pod, it was so beautiful it was painted the brightest yellow I have ever seen. Resisting temptation was never one of my strongest suits, you know? To make a long story short, I took the pod out and I was long gone before Watto could even stop me; the wind, the speed, even though I had never driven a pod before it was like a Tusken taking to a bantha. I felt at peace and I believed I could do anything freedom was so close at hand. I turned the pod around and brought it back. Watto's friend was incensed; a slave of his had dared to take his pod out on a joy ride. I was taken over the counter and summarily whipped; it was then that I made a solemn vow that one day I would free myself and my mother. Mom tried to prevent Watto from whipping me, but when he threatened to do the same to her, I told her that I would take the lashes, she wouldn't need to suffer for my stupidity."

"Mom loved you so much Anakin, I would see her sometimes stand outside looking up to the stars thinking of you. She told me that you were taking after your name sake, walker of the skies."

"Yes, I still miss her, about once a year I disappear to mediate and to mourn her, but here in the last few years I haven't needed to do that. It's like I've been healed and I think my children have a lot to do with that."

"Shmi would be proud of her grandchildren, no doubt."

"Yes she would be."

"Owen! Anakin! Time for dinner." Beru called out to the both of them.

Anakin looked at himself, "I better get cleaned up first."

Owen sat at the table and Padmé asked, "Where's Anakin?"

"He's getting cleaned up, Padmé."

"Typical." Padmé sighed.

Anakin finished his shower and joined the others at the table. Mara Jade had awoken and she was always grumpy when she first awoke.

"Good evening, my padawan."

"Yea, good evening, master."

After dinner, Mara helped Beru with dishes, while Padmé rested; she was drinking some tea and eating a cookie. Owen and Anakin were playing Sabacc, she watched the game then Padmé suddenly shrieked as her lower half became soaked with her water bursting. Anakin threw down his cards as did Owen.

"Padmé?"

"The baby!"

"It's too soon you have a few weeks still." Anakin replied.

"Tell your daughter that!" Padmé yelled.

Beru helped Padmé to her feet as she guided her to the bedroom that Anakin and she were occupying.

Mara silently thanked the Force, she wouldn't have to go on this trial, for Anakin would need her help here. Padmé insisted that Mara stay to help and to offer moral support. Anakin could not refuse his wife's request especially when she was giving birth to his daughter. As the contractions became stronger, Padmé was getting tired. "Padmé come on just a little more. The baby's head is crowning, push."

"I'm going to kill you Anakin Skywalker, you did this to me!"

"Later darling."

"Don't you darling me!"

Anakin smiled at Padmé's empty threats, she would be satisfied once the baby was born. Mara Jade continued to wipe the sweat from Padmé's brow. At exactly midnight, local Tatooine time A' Marie Skywalker was born. Anakin cleaned her nose and mouth and the baby took one look at her father cooed at him. He wrapped her up and handed her to Padmé, "Hello little one." Padmé whispered. A' Marie yawned and gently closed her blue eyes.

Mara Jade witnessed the beauty of moment and felt Anakin's happiness through the Force his presence was glowing with such a bright light that nearly blinded Mara Jade. She wasn't surprised that Anakin had cancelled her jaunt into the desert; he would have to set up a trial some other time. Owen and Beru were invited to come to Naboo sometime soon for a vacation. A' Marie was taken home, Mara Jade enjoyed holding the newborn, and she was very sweet. Padmé was grateful to Mara's help. Anakin guided the speeder home driving cautiously. The Naberries had a surprise party held for the newest addition to their family, though A' Marie enjoyed being held by most everyone, when her Father held her she was most comfortable. Sometimes it was only he that could ease the tension out of the babe.

Epilogue:A' Marie was adored by her family. Luke and Leia continued their studies with their respective masters. Mara Jade would be ready for the final trials within the next few years. Padmé retired from the Senate and was grooming a young girl for the Senate as well as teaching political science at the local university. A' Marie was taken care of by Anakin and Mara Jade. Han Solo finished his apprenticeship and was rewarded with the Millennium Falcon and a large nest egg, all those times he had gone without his pay was stashed in his account. He and Anakin had grown to be great friends and had a deep respect for each other. Han decided to sign up at the Kuat Shipyards for designer team but when Corellian Manufacturing offered him more benefits and a bigger pay, he resigned and decided to go work for them.

Luke's antics kept Obi-Wan on his toes, he was just like his mischievous father and Obi-Wan attributed his gray hair to Luke. Leia was becoming an excellent negotiator and healer. Ryoo and her sister Pooja were doing quite well and of course adored their youngest cousin. Ryoo would be graduating high school earlier than expected and would be attending the finest Nubian College on a full scholarship; she had turned her life around. Pooja would be entering high school next semester; both girls had a bright future ahead of them.

Author's Note:Okay, this is it for now. I really appreciate all your kind reviews and hope you will enjoy the next installment; it will take place nine years from this story. A' Marie will be nine, Mara Jade will be twenty-two, Luke and Leia will be seventeen and nearing their final trials. Ryoo is twenty-six, Pooja is twenty three. Obi-Wan is nearing sixty, Anakin nearing forty and Padmé is nearing forty-five. Thanks again for your patience with this story hopefully you will enjoy the next story as well.—Darth Gladiator45