Luke and Leia spend the afternoon with their mother, getting acquainted with her, sharing their life experiences with her. I worry how she will react when she learns that they had been separated at birth, and raised on worlds light years apart. There is so much that Padmé must learn. Up until yesterday she believed that her precious children were dead; now she has a life time, no, two life times to catch up on. I feel a sense of dread as I realize how much of a role Darth Vader played in the lives of both of them, and no doubt she will resent me even further when she learns of the atrocities committed by Vader against each of them. The destruction of Alderaan…the mind probe…the death of Luke's guardians, including Obi-Wan…Han Solo frozen in carbonite…my son's right hand…there are so many atrocities, so many acts of horrible cruelty...how can I ever expect her to forgive me for all that?

As for me, I keep my promise and give them the space they need, and spend the afternoon tinkering about in the hangar bay, where I am amazed to find the very ship that had brought Padmé to Mustafar all those years ago. The Nubian has seen better days, but it seems in fair shape for a 25 year old vessel. I have spent the last 2 hours taking apart her hyperdirve, adjusting the power intake, and cleaning the chrome trimmings on her outer hull. I have always found fixing things to be therapeutic, and an excellent way to relieve stress. I can't help but wonder what Padmé has learned about my interactions with our children over the past few years. Of course, I didn't know they were our children for most of those years; still, I doubt that will make much of a difference.

I stand back and look at the ship, pleased with the job I've done of cleaning her up…looks better than that junk heap Solo flies, I reflect with amusement. Solo…soon to be my son-in-law. I frown as I polish a spot that I'd overlooked. I'm not ready to have a son-in-law…I've just got accustomed to having a son! And within a few years, no doubt I'll be a grandfather! I stop as that thought sinks in, making me feel incredibly old all of a sudden. I'm not even 45 yet. I'm not ready to be a grandfather…certainly the thoughts I've had about Padmé since finding her again after all these years are anything but grandfatherly…

I pack up the tools I've been using and replace the kit on the shelf I found it on. I'm filthy... I realize as I look down at my hands and forearms. I look around for something to wipe my hands on, but find nothing at hand. "Great," I mutter, realizing I'll have to walk all the way back up the house now to wash up. With an impatient sigh, I start off.

Halfway up the path that we had followed the day before, I discover a second path that diverges around to the opposite side of the house. I decide to follow it, since there is still plenty of daylight left, and I am curious to see where it will lead.

The forest is close, and in parts I must bend down to avoid getting scratched with the low hanging branches that have been left to grow wild here. Eventually the path widens, the trees thin out, and I find myself standing at the edge of the lake. I look behind me to see the house, with the balcony where I had stood that morning with my wife above me. The thought of a quick swim appeals to me as I gaze out at the still waters, the sound of the gentle waves lapping against the beach hypnotic and peaceful. I remove my tunic and sleeveless vest underneath and toss them on the beach. I kick off my boots and hesitate for a moment before removing my trousers. I figure there's no one around, so I take them off, leaving my boxers on just in case, and wade into the water. It is cold, but invigorating. I have never been a particularly gifted swimmer, not exactly graceful or fast, but I do manage pretty well for someone born on a planet where swimming only exists on holovids.

I make my way across the lake, at the narrow end of the lake, of course, and sit down on the beach. I look back at the house, seeing no sign of my children or wife. I close my eyes, letting the warmth of the sun penetrate my skin. It is amazing how one can appreciate something so simple when you have spent so long being deprived of it. The two decades spent in that damnable suit created in me a true appreciation of the simple pleasures that life offers; a swim on a warm sunny day, the warmth of the sun against bare skin, the kiss of my daughter on my cheek...all possible now. Even the sound of birds and the scent of flowers seem finer now, unfiltered and unaltered by artificial means. I lie back on the sand, stretch my legs out in front of me, and, before I know it, find myself dozing off under the warm afternoon sun.

I wake up with a start, feeling the evidence of a healthy sunburn as I do. "Damn it," I mutter, examining my arms, chagrined to see them a bright hue of red. There was a time when the idea of getting sunburn was laughable to me; I grew up on a desert planet, and my skin was perpetually brown with the twin suns of Tatooine. But since my 'rebirth', the new skin that was created from my existing undamaged skin cells is much more sensitive, and not accustomed to the ravages of the sun. I should have realized that before I decided to have a snooze on a sunny day. I stand up; brush the sand off my skin, wincing at the brief contact with my sun burnt skin. Looking back at the opposite side of the lake, it seems to be much further than it did earlier. I wade into the water, and start back, the cold water soothing the sensitive skin.

I make my way back up to the house, carrying my tunics, not relishing the contact of the fabric against my skin. I follow the path around to the back of the house, to the entrance I used earlier this afternoon. As I enter the house, I over hear my children and Padmé talking. Though I cannot hear what is being said, I can sense the tension through the Force, and realize that they are talking about me. I cannot help but listen in, anxious to know how my wife will react when the ugly truth of my past is finally laid before her.

Hehehe…sorry to leave you all hanging…I will update soon, Jedi's honour 