PART 43
The arrangements were made, the next morning they would leave Felucia and meet Bail on Tantive IV; he would then take Sola and Mara to Chandrila. Padme and Obi-Wan decided not to tell the girls until the next morning where they would be going.
That night all four of them were huddled together in the tent, Obi-Wan and Padme on opposite ends with Sola and Mara in between them, Obi-Wan and Padme stared at each other while the girls were asleep, a single tear sliding down Padme's face.
"You've got to be strong for them Padme."
"I know; I just don't want this night to end."
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The next morning after they left Felucia, Padme and Obi-Wan waited until they were in hyperspace to tell Sola and Mara where they were going.
"No, I won't go, I want to stay with you" Sola screamed at Padme and Obi-Wan, Mara crying and holding onto her father.
"Sola it's not forever, this is only for a little while" Padme said calmly.
"We don't even know this woman, what if we don't like her?"
"You will like her, Mon Mothma is a very kind lady, you two will be having so much fun on Chandrila you won't even miss us."
"What if the Empire finds us there?"
"They won't, Mon Mothma is still a senator for the Galatic Empire, the Emperor trusts her, that's why you are going there."
"Use the force, trust your feelings, you know you and your sister will be safe there" Obi-Wan said.
"I only feel safe with you" she said as she ran into Padme's arms crying.
"Miss Padme we are approaching Tantive IV" Threepio said interrupting the conversation.
"Thank you Threepio" Padme replied.
"It's time to go" Obi-Wan said standing up and going to the controls.
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"Make sure to let Mon Mothma know how much we appreciate this Bail" Padme said as she walked with him down the hallway of Tantive IV.
"I will, she sends her wishes to both you and Obi-Wan, and to let you know that both your girls will be treated like royalty."
Padme gave out a short laugh and said, "Well, I hope they are not too spoiled, they might not want to leave, I know what's it like to live in a Palace."
"Leia is doing good, she's getting involved in politics already, she takes after her mother."
"I still think about that day, when she came to my bedside, it was one of the happiest moments of my life."
"She will always remember that day Padme."
"I hope so; I want to her have some memory of me."
"Obi-Wan tells me you are going back to Tatooine, are you going to see Luke?"
"I would like to, I don't know if Owen Lars will allow it, he has a pretty negative opinion of Obi-Wan and I."
"He doesn't know what really happened."
"I know, but Anakin was his step brother, it's only natural he would feel the way he does."
"We better go find Obi-Wan" Bail said as he let her down the hall and into a private meeting room.
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"Be good, and watch after Mara" Padme said as she hugged Sola.
"Okay, I knew something bad was going to happen, I knew it once we landed on Felucia" Sola said solemnly.
"That's why you were so quiet that day?"
She nodded in response; Padme hugged her again and whispered, "I'm sorry" in her ear.
Mara then came over and hugged Padme, tears flowing down her tiny cheeks, "I don't want to go mommy."
"You have to be a big girl now Mara."
"When will you come get us?"
"I don't know, but we will come for you" Padme said as she hugged and kissed her little girl once more.
"It's time for us to go" Obi-Wan said approaching Padme and the two girls, he had said his goodbyes to them earlier.
"I'll miss you both so much" Padme said hugging Mara and Sola, Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around them as well, all four in a group hug.
"Remember the force will be with you both always" Obi-Wan said kissing both girls goodbye.
"Goodbye" Padme said as her and Obi-Wan walked over to their ship. When she turned back she saw both girls waving and crying. She blew them a kiss goodbye.
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"Oh Miss Padme is there anything I can do to help?"
"No thank you Threepio" Padme said as she sat in the backroom crying.
"I feel so helpless" the droid said as he left the room, Obi-Wan standing by the doorway, putting a hand on Threepio's shoulder.
Obi-Wan walked over to Padme and knelt down in front her, "They'll be safe now."
"I didn't know if I would be able to say goodbye, I miss them already."
"I do too" Obi-Wan said kissing the top of forehead, "Get some rest, it will be awhile before we approach Tatooine."
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Obi-Wan found a very remote place for them to live on Tatooine; it was far away from mos eisley and not very far from the Lars residence.
"I have never lived in a more deserted place in all my life" Padme said as she and Obi-Wan set up their things.
"Hoth was pretty deserted."
"Yes but Hoth had people living in the base, our nearest neighbors are sand people."
"That is true, speaking of the sand people, make sure you always take R2 with you when you go outside, his senses can pick up approaching sand people."
"Are you sure it will safe to live here, Owen and Beru live underground, what if the sand people attack our house?"
"They won't, but if they see you walking around by yourself they might attack, that's why you must stay close and never walk around at night."
"Well I still have this" Padme said as she took out her Naboo royal pistol.
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The next morning Obi-Wan set out to visit the Lars family, he and Padme both agreed it would be best if he went to talk to them first.
As soon as he approached the house he saw Owen running towards him.
"Obi-Wan what are you doing here?" he said sternly.
"I've come to talk to you and Beru."
"About what?"
"Padme" and then reluctantly Owen led him down the stairs.
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Obi-Wan didn't see Luke anywhere as he sat in the Lars's kitchen, Beru preparing something for them to drink.
"He's not here" Owen said as he watched Obi-Wan glance around.
"Do you expect him back soon?"
"Hopefully you'll be gone by the time he does come back."
"So how is Padme?" Beru said as she handed Obi-Wan his drink.
"She is well."
"So why are you here?" Obi-Wan then explained to Owen and Beru the reason for his visit.
"You are both living here now?" Beru asked.
"Yes north of here."
"Does she…..does she want him back?" Beru asked her voice quivering.
"She just wants to visit him."
"I won't allow it" Owen said in response.
"He's her son."
"Yes, and she gave him to us, she wanted us to look after him, and that's what we are doing, making sure he is safe from you and her."
"We mean you no harm Owen, Padme is very grateful that you watching over Luke."
"You know, I thought you two would have your own children by now."
"Owen!" Beru said embarrassed.
"It's alright" Obi-Wan said, "Yes, we do."
"How old are they?"
"My oldest daughter is 8, and my other daughter is almost 4."
"8? Well Luke is 9 you two didn't waste anytime did you?"
"It wasn't like that."
"Then what was it like?"
"It doesn't concern you, what happened between Padme and me is none of your business Mr. Lars."
"You're right, it's not, just like you being here is not our business either, please leave."
"Luke has a right to know to know about his mother and father; he has a right to know he has 3 sisters."
"Not as long as I'm alive he doesn't."
"Someday he will want to leave this place, what will you do then?"
"Get out."
Obi-Wan turned to Beru and said, "Thank-you for the tea" as he turned to head up the stairs he heard the door open and heard someone coming down the stairs.
"Uncle Owen, Aunt Beru I'm back."
When Luke walked into the kitchen he was startled to see a man in dark brown robe standing by his aunt and uncle, the mysterious man smiled at him and said, "Hello Luke."