Footsteps are heard on the stairs, and Han and I turn to see Luke, Leia and Padmé. Padmé's face is radiant, the joy she feels at being reunited with her long lost children has seemingly renewed her spirit. As they reach the bottom of the staircase, she takes each of them by the hand, as though afraid to let them go.
"Han, Chewie," Leia calls. The pair stands up and approaches her. "This is my mother, our mother," she corrects herself. "Padmé Naberrie Skywalker. Mother, meet Han Solo and Chewbacca."
"It's an honor to meet you, Mrs. Skywalker," replies Han, seconded by Chewbacca.
Padmé smiles, the sight of her radiance illuminating the room, filling my heart. "Please call me Padmé," she tells him. "I'm very pleased to meet you both."
I watch the exchange, disturbed by the pang of jealousy I feel as she bestows her beauteous smile on Solo. How long has it been since she smiled at me? I can't even remember…
I stand up and walk over to the group of them, watching Padmé's reaction.
"I can't tell you both what it means to me to see you reunited with your mother," I tell my children, looking at each to them in turn. "I'm just sorry it has taken so long for it to happen." I turn my eyes to Padmé as our children watch the exchange. Are they aware of what transpired between us before they entered the room? Can they feel the almost palpable tension between us?
"What matters now is that we are together," says Luke at this point, looking at me. "Isn't that right, Father?"
I nod, not taking my eyes from Padmé's.
"Luke is right," adds Leia. "It's time to put the past behind us and concentrate on the future."
Padmé's eyes reflect the conflict I know she is feeling.
"Yes, Leia," I say. "It is. But perhaps your mother needs some time to assimilate all that has happened here today. No doubt she is overwhelmed. Isn't that so, Padmé?"
Padmé nods slowly, her eyes not leaving mine.
"And I will give her all the time she needs," I continue. "Time to get to know you both, without pressure, without any expectations."
Leia frowns, unsettled by what she senses is transpiring between her mother and I. She turns to Padmé and then back to me. "What do you mean, Father?" she asks.
"I mean that I am going to give you all the space you need," I tell her, "in order to get to know one another."
"Space?" says Luke. "What exactly do you mean, Father? Surely you don't mean you plan to leave!"
I look at my son and smile at him. "Yes, Luke," I tell him. "I think maybe that would be best, at least for now."
"You can't leave!" exclaims Leia. "Why would you even suggest such a thing?"
"It's better this way," I tell her gently, touching her face. "You and Luke need to spend time with your mother, to get to know her. I…I don't want to intrude on that."
"Intrude?" echoes Luke in exasperation. "You're a part of this family, Father! We have been apart too long. If healing is to take place we must all be together!"
"Luke is right," Padmé says, much to my surprise. She looks at me and I can see in her eyes how torn she is. I sense that she is surprised by how close our children have grown to me; no doubt she did not expect that level of acceptance given the history of our family.
"I don't want to make you uncomfortable, Padmé," I tell her. "If my presence is painful to you, I will go."
She considers for a moment, and then shakes her head. "No," she says. "Please, don't leave."
I smile at her. "Very well," I reply, trying to control my relief and happiness. "I will stay, if that is truly what you want."
"It is," she replies.
"Good, it's settled then," announces Leia. She holds out a hand to me, and, after a moment, I put my hand in hers. I look at Padmé, realizing that we have a long way to go if we are ever to rebuild our lives. Is it even possible? I wonder. Will the strength of the love we shared all those years ago enable us to withstand this? Only time will tell.
