Chapter 3AE

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'Dinner at Eight and Don't Be Late'

'All the News That Miffs the Sith'

'The Great Announcement'

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The drive to Les Galaxies de Coursaire restaurant takes less than fifteen minutes during the evening rush. He hands the data card from his speeder to the valet and walks inside the restaurant. A greeter escorts him to the maître'd who greets him with great enthusiasm and reverence.

"Ah! Bienvenue, Monsieur Skywalker. So good to see you. My, how dashing you look."

Anakin barely makes eye contact with the eager-to-please host.

"Good evening, Pierre. Am I early?"

"You are just in time! You are never late, Monsieur. It is an honor to serve one of our finest clients. I have the best table for you and your family. It is a window table with a view of the city. It is a spectacular night. You can see every star and planet in the Core World Sector."

Pierre leads Anakin into the VIP section of the dining room and snaps his finger. A thin gentleman quickly appears at the ready. The maître'd barks orders to impress the Dark Lord.

"Jean-Claude! I want everything perfect. Mr. Skywalker is here. Don't disappoint."

"Qui, Monsieur."

The maître'd continues to fawn over the arrival of the Dark Lord. Anakin was hoping to keep a low profile. The other patrons turn as his name is mentioned repeatedly. This is somewhat embarrassing as he approaches his table. As he looks around the table, he has an unsettling feeling. Everyone looks too damned happy. He remembers that Qui-Gon is with him. The Force Ghost primps himself and smoothes his robe. Anakin catches him from the corner of his eye. Qui-Gon looks back at him while taking in the surroundings.

'Hey, this is a class place; I just wanted to look good like everyone else.'

'You don't look like everyone else. They can't see you; what do you care?"

'I still take pride in my appearance…even if I am only made up of holo-vapors.'

"Whose fault is that?"

'That decrepit old former Emperor father of yours pitting me against that red menace.'

"Hey, play the game, share the blame."

'Touché. You're all heart.'

Pierre pops up in front of Anakin. Anakin and Qui-Gon are startled. The maître'd starts talking.

"Monsieur Skywalker, permit me." He pulls out a chair.

Qui-Gon blurts aloud.

'Holy Sith! He scared the crap out of me!'

Anakin tries not to laugh, shocked that the revered Force Ghost startles so easily.

"Now you know what it's like to pop up on the living." He continues smiling but it quickly fades as he sees who is at the table He has forgotten that when his wife said 'family' she meant the 'in-laws' Professor James Solo, Sabrina Solo, and that ne'er-do-well son-in-law. Anakin tries to force that charming smile again.

Solo stands and extends his hand for a hearty handshake with Anakin. The suave, retired professor and former undercover agent gives Anakin a slap on the back. If he had slapped Anakin any harder, the dark lord would have coughed up the fruit salad he had earlier.

"Skywalker, good to see you, you old bastard. Glad you could make it."

Anakin maintains his composure.

"Professor. It must be a special occasion. Look who's here." He makes his way around the table. Mrs. Solo gives him one of her celebrity-style air-kisses. She is dressed to the nines. A tiara adorns her upswept hair.

"Anakin, darling. How lovely to see you."

"Good to see you too. You look fabulous as always. Going to a coronation after dinner."

Sabrina laughs.

"Oh, Anakin, you're such a droll fellow. I love you for it."

He ignores Han before returning to his seat. He kisses Isabel before sitting. "Hello, honey. You look gorgeous."

"Hi, sweetie. You look very handsome tonight."

"Thanks."

She gently touches his face then looks across the table. "Anakin, did you see Han?"

Anakin purses his lips then stares at Han.

"Yeah." Han waits for Anakin to greet him; instead, Anakin asks a question of which he already knows the answer. "I didn't see you at the meeting today in the boardroom, Han."

"Oh, I slipped out a bit early."

"Well, if all of my officers left early, the safety of the galaxy would be in peril."

"It will never be in peril with you in charge, sir."

"No. No, it would not."

"Anyway, I had to take a call and then I wanted to be on time for dinner."

"No one wants that. Where's Leia?"

Leia appears at the table. The waiter hurries to pull out her chair.

"Here I am, Dad."

Anakin leaves his chair to walk around the table to give his daughter a kiss on the cheek. Leia looks into her father's eyes.

"What is it, Daddy?"

"Oh, nothing. I'm just glad to see my angel."

The frantic waiter hurries to seat Anakin as he returns to his chair. The sommelier walks over.

"Bon Soir, Monsieur Skywalker. May I bring you a cocktail, wine perhaps?"

"Not just yet. I need to get some food in me."

This is true. He remembers that the medication he took earlier is still coursing through his veins. He cannot drink alcohol until he has some food in his stomach. If he had the constitution the likes of Obi-Wan, this would not be an issue. That Jedi Master has a cast iron stomach with a liver to match.

The first course is served once everyone is settled. There is small talk going on at the table. Anakin knows something is up. Everyone is so nice and getting along splendidly. Anakin's suspicions grow by the minute. This must be an intervention. Did someone blab on him about the new secretary? By the time the fourth course is served, James Solo leans back in his chair.

"Well, I think we ought to share the good news with Anakin."

Anakin dabs his mouth with the linen napkin.

"What's the news? You moving back to Corellia?"

"Oh, no,no,no. It's better news than that. If anything, we're going to spend more time here than before."

Han and Leia regard one another, smiling sheepishly and holding hands. Professor Solo whispers to the waiter to summon the sommelier.

"Wait, wait. This event calls for a special champagne and then we'll have dessert."

The sommelier circulates the table pouring champagne. A team of waiters serves dessert. Anakin is about to stick his dessert fork into a slice of decadently rich Naboo chocolate torte when Han and Leia announce their news.

"Daddy, you're going to be a grandfather."

Anakin's eyes dart around the table. Suddenly, he raises his hand as if to summon a waiter.

"Check please!"

Isabel grabs his arm and quickly lowers it. Qui-Gon looks around.

'Oh this is going to be good. It's high time you two kids started a family.'

Leia sees Qui-Gon and squints with contempt in her eyes. Han is not sure why the expression on her face has changed.

Anakin gives Han an icy stare from across the table. Isabel tries to calm her husband by caressing his back. Professor Solo stands and proposes a toast. He raises his champagne flute.

"I propose a toast! This delightful young couple has never disappointed us. I believe Anakin would agree with me." He looks to Anakin who stubbornly remains seated. Isabel urges him out of his chair.

Anakin stands then picks up his glass. His remarks are less than celebratory.

"Yes. What a day for a celebration! These two are full of surprises." He glares at the couple.

Han's father interjects.

"It is indeed a fine day to celebrate. The Solo and Skywalker family is guaranteed to carry on through the next generation and then some." He hugs his son and kisses Leia. "This is splendid; just splendid!" He turns and gives Anakin another slap on the back. Anakin rolls his eyes then decides he has something else to say. He looks at his daughter.

"Are you happy, sweet pea?"

"Of course, Daddy."

"Well, I guess there's nothing else to say but congratulations."

Professor Solo decides to speak again. He displays his one-upmanship over the dark lord.

"If I can just say a few more words…I must confess this is the happiest moment in my life. We are truly blessed today. Anakin, Isabel, looks like we are a true family now. Leia, your old man and I are going to celebrate with these two cigars I bought just for an occasion such as this one." He presents two cigars he had purchased from the restaurant humidor shortly after arriving.

Anakin remains quiet. He forces a gleaming, toothy smile as thoughts of this moment run through his head. He proposes his own silent 'toast'.

'Double-O sidewinder, wife-mauler, cigar-chomping, martini-drinking, showboating rat bastard in-law. Here's to your son, the cradle-robbing, smart-mouth, nerfherder rat-bastard, junior, who deflowered my little girl even if it happened years ago.'

Anakin remains standing as Professor Solo speaks. He decides it is time to be conciliatory and become as one with the Solos. He brings the champagne flute to his lips when Leia decides to speak. She gestures for her father to wait.

"Oh, wait, Daddy, there's more."

Qui-Gon sits on the empty dessert cart eager to bear witness to the next bit of news. Anakin looks at her.

"There's more?"

Han and Leia join hands and look into each other's eyes once more.

"Yes. We wanted to save the best for last since you were the last to arrive. Well, here it is. Han and I are having twins!"

Everyone around the table rejoices. The clinking sound of champagne flutes and congratulatory comments fill the table. Leia is about to take a sip of the Rodia soda from her champagne flute when there is a loud crash. Pierre hurries over with two waiters. He hastily snatches a napkin from a patron at another table. There is much commotion. Pierre is frantic.

Call a paramedic! Call 911, EMT! Sacre Bleu! C'est fini! Mon Dieu!" He whispers frantically to Jean Claude. My life is ruined!"

Leia shouts to Han.

"Water! Will you please get a glass of water, Han?"

To be continued…