Chapter 20AE

'Daddy, I need A Tutor'

'There's Always Room for Jedis'

'Eat, Drink, Pray, Kill'

''This Dinner Table Gets Worse All the Time'

It has been awhile since the Skywalker family has gathered for Sunday dinner. It is usually a joyous occasion. Anakin finally will see all of his children today.

The Sunday Coruscant Times arrives promptly at 7:30 that morning, albeit, with pages strewn across the garden in front of the house, the magazine is missing, possibly lodged in the hedges. Anakin has been looking for his elusive paperboy all morning.

He keeps his promise to make the other customers pay up on past bonuses owed to the neighborhood paperboy. The visits were short and effective as Anakin does not like to repeat himself. One visit to each of the offenders sufficed. Anakin brought the family droid dog Skippy as an added incentive. Skippy's microchip was temporarily set to 'stun.' Madame Domina Tagge, General Carvin, and 'Resident' never miss a bonus. They even leave bonuses when there is no holiday.

The cook staff is toiling away in the kitchen preparing the family dinner. Anakin stays out of the way, holed up in his study. Skippy is in rest mode at his side.

Several hours pass. Anakin receives one visitor just as the family members arrive at the house. Skippy flies out the study as the visitor enter and heads to the front door barking like a maniac. There is activity outside his study. He waits a few moments before opening the door again.

The dining table is set. Place cards are on each plate. Mara scans the table then reaches for a place card.

"I'm not sitting next to anyone who calls me a bad housewife." She switches her place card.

Luke throws up his arms in frustration.

"Oh, good grief, Mara!"

Han sees his place card near the head of the table beside Anakin. He complains.

"I'm not sitting near his worship." He moves his card to another place at the opposite end of the table. Threepio stands nearby.

"Mr. Solo, I wouldn't do that if I were you. Master Ani gets upset when people mess up his evil plans."

"…An even better reason to change my seat. Beat it, Goldenrod."

Luke calls to his stepmother.

"Mom, what's with the place cards?"

"Your father wants to seat you in the order in which he wants to speak to you."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, I am."

"So he wants to speak to me third?"

"Just sit there so we can all get through this evening."

Li-An arrives. He greets his mother with a kiss and a bouquet of Felucia flowers. He sets a white canvas duffle bag at his feet.

"Hey, what's with the place cards, mom?"

"Ask your father." She notices the duffle on the floor. "Thanks for the flowers. Is that what I think it is?"

"Uhm…yes."

"Put it in the laundry room."

"Thanks, Mom. I love you. You're the best."

Kris searches for his place card.

"Why do I have to sit near Dad?"

Alex slaps him on the back.

"I think you know why, 'chokey-smurf'."

"I didn't choke anyone…Mom!"

Isabel scolds, Alex.

"Cut it out, Alex."

Alex is enjoying this and continues to taunt his younger brother.

"Okay, so you had a fist-grip around the Admiral's heart. I stand corrected." He pats Kris gently on his face.

Kris again focuses on his assigned seat at the dinner table.

"I'm not sitting next to Dad. He busted my air surfer board."

Alex laughs.

"Oh, yeah, I heard about that. Heh-heh! Admiral Zaarin must have a skull as hard as a Mustafar lava rock to cause that much damage."

"Now I can't go the surfer park with my friends. I'm being treated unfairly."

Han raises his fist in true rebel fashion.

"That's right, kid. Stand up for your principles."

Leia rolls her eyes. Don't give my little brother advice. He's in enough trouble as it is."

Ana-Lena arrives. She is pleased to see her place card on the right side of her father's chair. Everyone looks at her. There is a satisfied smile on her face. Leia walk over to her kid sister.

"Okay, little 'Miss Perfect', what are you up to?"

"Who, me? Nothing."

"You're up to something; I can feel it. You're a little too happy about the seating arrangements."

"If that's what Daddy wants then I think we should respect his wishes. Seriously, sis, I don't know what all of the fuss is about."

Leia is skeptical

"Hmmm…really? You don't fool me one bit."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Alex meanwhile is handing out concert passes to his latest gig.

"I got front row passes to my show at the Galaxies Concert Hall."

Leia examines her concert pass.

"Got any backstage passes? I'm not going to sit in the front row while you body surf through the crowd."

"That's half the fun, sis."

Kris tries to grabs a pass but Alex holds it out of his reach.

"Hey! How come I don't get a pass?"

"Because you're 12 years old."

Han chimes in.

"And there are half-naked women. They'll destroy your innocence, kid."

"So?"

Leia wonders why Han needs to go to the concert.

"Wait a second, why do you need to be at this concert? Aren't you a little old to attend garage bands?"

"I'm not just going for the music; it's my responsibility to act as a chaperone for these kids.

Isabel walks in and orders everyone to get ready for dinner.

"Skippy follows the Skywalker children through the house. The K-9 droid barks incessantly. Han yells at him.

"Shut up, you noisy little gas can!"

The K-9 droid nips at Han's leg.

"What's with this critter?"

Leia smiles.

"He likes you, Han."

"He tore a hole in my pants!"

"If he wanted to hurt you, he would have done it a long time ago."

"Oh, like his master."

"Yeah…isn't he cute?"

"Great! I feel so much love."

The bickering stops as the children hear the door open to their fathers' study. Ana-Lena especially takes notice. Anakin stands in the doorway. He is speaking to someone.

"Thank you for stopping by, Lieutenant. I am impressed with your work. You can expect more projects to come your way in the New Year."

Karol Needa salutes the Dark Lord.

"Thank you, my Lord. Those are kind words. I will toil endlessly for you."

"That's good to hear, Lieutenant. I wouldn't expect anything less."

The lieutenant notices that others are in the house.

"Well, I see your family is waiting for you to join them for dinner. I shall not take any more of your valuable time."

"Don't stop to chat with any of them. They're nothing but trouble. Threepio will show you out."

"Good evening, my Lord."

Threepio leads the way.

"Follow me, please, Lieutenant."

Ana-Lena sees Lieutenant Needa leaving her father's office. She flips her long raven hair and flashes a coquettish smile. Her hypnotic blue eyes gaze at the young officer.

"Hello, Lieutenant Needa."

Lieutenant Needa turns nervously then nods respectfully and stammers a bit. He knows that Anakin is close by.

"G-Good evening, Little Miss."

Alex and Li-An giggle. They are mocking her. Ana-Lena is insulted. Just as she is about to have words with her brothers, Anakin calls her.

"Ana-Lena, I need to speak to you for a moment… Step into my chamber, please?"

Ana-Lena snubs her brothers then joins her father in his study. Anakin closes the door.

"What is it, Daddy?"

"Are you joking? Don't act so surprised, young lady. What's this about you failing Algebra?"

"Daddy, I have disappointed you and I am sorry."

Anakin is calm. He remembers to heed his wife's advice to listen to his children before reacting.

"I see you came prepared with an defense. Ana-Lena….you're usually good in math. I don't understand this. When the Mother Superior called me, I thought she was talking about another student. No one goes from an 'A' to an 'F' in less than a month."

"I tried, Daddy, but this new math is really hard."

"Then you should study harder."

"You know what I need, Daddy? I need a tutor. If you get me a tutor, I know I will improve."

"You've got it all figured out, don't you?"

"I just don't want you to worry. I am being proactive about this because I want you to be proud of me."

"You should have been proactive about getting an 'A'."

"I'll do better, I promise. I need a tutor."

Anakin glances at some notes in a folder on his desk, and then glances across the desk at his daughter. He closes the folder. Ana-Lena flashes her hypnotic blue eyes at him. Anakin releases a heavy sigh.

'Okay, you'll get your tutor."

"Thank you, Daddy. You're the best. See you at dinner, Daddy."

She gets up and walks around the desk, leans over and kisses her father on his right cheek. She leaves the study.

Anakin is distracted for a moment. There is a look of bewilderment on his face. He just realizes what has happened.

"But…that's not what I wanted to happen…Ana-Le! I'm not done with you!"

The one thing Anakin cannot tolerate is to have his children play Jedi mind tricks on him. He will exact revenge soon.

When Anakin finally enters the dining room, a few of the children have taken their originally assigned seat. Alex mouths the words 'coward' to Li-An. Anakin pretends not to notice that some of the family members are at the other end of the table near Isabel. His mother-in-law, who usually sits close to him, is seated several chairs away. He wonders why she is not sitting closer. Even her demeanor is frosty; His plan for a harmonious family gathering is collapsing. It is time to start dinner. He will have to address this issue later. He stands at the head of the table.

"So...good evening everyone. I'm glad you could make it. He turns to Li-An. "Li-An, How's work at the refugee camps?"

"We're making a difference in the lives of these displaced people, Dad."

"So, are you still thinking of taking a vow of poverty or are you going to finish medical school?"

"I'm going to make a final decision at the end of spring, Dad."

"Well, you may as well lead the family in grace while you rethink your life."

Li-An is caught off-guard but quickly thinks of a prayer.

"Oh, uhm…okay…if everyone would please hold hands? Okay…oh, man…"

Anakin keeps his head lowered in but lifts his eyes as Li-An begins the peculiar prayer. Ana-Lena smirks. Alex and Kris follow suit and begin to giggle.

The doorbell rings. Threepio is sitting in a chair at the dining room entrance. He turns his head towards the door.

"Who is so inconsiderate as to visit while we're having dinner?"

Anakin barks at the protocol droid.

"Will you get up and answer the door?"

Threepio gets up and walks to the front door. Everyone can hear him as he greets the visitors.

"Oh, it's you, Master Kenobi!"

"Good evening. I hope we're not too late for supper."

"You mean the 'family' dinner?

"Were you delayed at happy hour at The Outlander?"

"No…no, my metallic friend. We have just returned from a couples' retreat on Endor."

"A couple's retreat? Really?"

Anakin yells from the dining room.

"Will you get in here, please?"

Obi-Wan Kenobi enters the dining room with his wife, 'Aunt Bunny.'

Aunt Bunny leans over and gives Anakin a smooch on his cheek. Her bright red lipstick leaves an imprint on his face. Her strong floral perfume lingers. She speaks in her smoky drawl.

"Hey, Anakin, sugar, how are you doin', honey?"

Anakin responds with a monotone voice.

"Hello, Bunny…I'm fine, how are you?"

Obi-Wan notices the empty seats at Anakin's end of the table and smiles.

"So, Anakin, my good friend, I see you're bringing the family together in peace and harmony as usual."

Ouisanne, Anakin's mother-in-law, folds her arms and looks away.

"Humph!"

Anakin senses her displeasure with him.

Obi-Wan walks over to the empty places at the table to Anakin's left. He pulls out a chair for Aunt Bunny who sits to Anakin's left. The dark lord waits impatiently for Obi-Wan to sit. One of the servants approaches the Jedi Master. Obi-Wan whispers to the stately looking gentleman.

"A Corellian Twister for my wife and I'll have a Celanon Semi-Dry…."

Anakin clears his throat.

"Must you? We haven't eaten yet."

"My apologies, Anakin. It seems that we have arrived too late for cocktail hour."

"We didn't have a cocktail hour."

"Well, then, by all means, please continue."

Anakin rolls his eyes.

"Thank you." Anakin looks to the right side of the table. "Li-An, you may continue."

Everyone holds hands again. Li-An bows his head in prayer.

"Uhm…this evening we come together with family and friends to enjoy this fine grub that our mother has prepared for us with the help of her staff. It will nourish us for our next mission and future journeys…Holy, holy, holy lord…Lord who is all knowing and all-seeing…bless this table…Amen."

Anakin sits quietly for a moment as everyone is about to lift their forks and knives to eat. He reaches for his wine glass. They pause as he sets down his wine glass to makes a comment.

"Humph! That sucked. "What the hell kind of prayer is that?"

Li-An looks around.

"No one else is complaining."

"I hope you're better with as scalpel than the priesthood."

Isabel is outraged.

"Anakin!"

Ouisanne praises her grandson.

"Li-An, that was a lovely prayer. Some people at this table are just hard to please." She picks up her cloth napkin and places it on her lap. The servants bring more food to the table. Leia whispers to Han.

"She's right about that."

Anakin looks towards the other end of the table.

"Do you have something to share with us, Leia?"

"No, Daddy, I don't."

Alex senses his father's displeasure and quickly changes the subject.

"Mom, dinner is great. It's sure good to be here for a home-cooked meal."

Anakin starts speaking again.

"Well, if you spent more time visiting your mother and me instead of playing with that noisy garage band, you would get better meals."

"Uhm…but we're doing really well."

"Is that so?" He turns to Luke. "Luke, what's going on with you that you can't stop by the house?"

"Me? Mara and I have been traveling for business, as a former Jedi, you should know that, Dad….but we're here and it's great to see family again. That's all that matters."

Obi-Wan raises his glass.

"Here, here!"

Anakin knows Obi-Wan is already intoxicated. He turns to Mara.

"Enjoying your dinner, Mara?"

Mara looks up from her plate. She becomes defensive.

"Sure, why? Okay! I know I owe you a storage container. Why are you picking on me? Leia borrowed as many containers as I did."

"What containers?"

"Uh…Never mind."

Anakin has no idea what Mara is talking about. He turns his attention to Kris.

"Did you see your chore list that I taped on your bedroom door, young man?" He lifts his wine glass.

"Yes, Dad. Hey, how come I don't get wine?"

"Drink your milk."

Ouisanne meanwhile cuts her roast duck. She decides to speak.

"The boy doesn't need any chores. He's got schoolwork, besides; he should be enjoying time with his friends and playing on his air board."

Kris woefully breaks the news to his grandmother.

"I don't have it anymore, Nana. It's broken."

"What?"

"I didn't break it. It's a long story."

Anakin lifts his eyes. Ouisanne looks at the head of the table. Anakin glances up from his plate and takes a sip of wine.

"What happened to the 'non-interfering' mother-in-law?" He sets down his wine glass.

"I feel I have to speak up for these poor children."

There is silence at the table as the tension mounts between the two strong-willed individuals. Mara giggles quietly. Isabel breaks her silence.

"Mother, Anakin, stop this right now."

Ouisanne ignores her daughter.

"Well, I'm Kris's grandmother. You can't take away the boy's air board."

Kris breaks the news to his grandmother.

"Nana, it's okay. I'm grounded."

Han whispers to Leia as Ouisanne speaks her mind. She and Anakin appear to be at a standoff. The Dark Lord sips some wine from his glass again then sets it down and quietly wrings his hands. Han leans back in his chair.

"Whoa! This boring dinner is finally getting good."

Anakin's mother-in-law keeps talking.

Isabel whispers to her mother to be quiet.

"Mother, please…don't aggravate him."

"Hush, Isabel. It's high time someone stood up to him."

Isabel has a sound of dread in her voice.

"Oh, God."

Kris fearing his father's temper pleads with his beloved grandmother.

"Nana, it's okay…I'm grounded anyway."

Ouisanne scolds him.

"Kris, don't interrupt your grandmother, dear. I want to straighten out your father."

There is a cacophony of hushed 'ooo's at the table from the other family members.

She continues to stun everyone at the dinner table with her volatile remarks. Anakin is stunned to the point where he is rendered speechless.

"Listen to me, Anakin, I've watched you discipline these kids with a heavy hand over the years and I've been quiet about it up until now. Why did you ground this poor child?"

Luke whispers to himself.

"And now would be a good time to stop talking, Nana."

Ouisanne ignores everyone's pleas to keep quiet. Mara crosses her legs and sips her wine. She giggles as Ouisanne keeps talking. Luke stares at Mara and wonders if she is drunk.

"You need to take it easy with them. Now, Anakin, I love you as if you were my own son, but I'm telling you, you're wrong about what you're doing. It's downright shameful."

Anakin taps his glass then clenches his fist. He lets out a loud sigh. Han discreetly unclips his side arm. Leia notices this. She immediately elbows him hard in his ribs and whispers tersely.

"Put that away! Are you crazy? Someone will get hurt!"

"Yeah, your grandmother will if his lordship loses it."

Meanwhile Nakai, Aunt Bunny, and Obi-Wan are busy enjoying their dinner. Obi-Wan gestures for one of the servants to approach the table. He whispers to the elderly gentleman servant.

"I think now would be a good time for a cocktail."

"Yes, General Kenobi. Your usual, sir?"

"Celanon Semi-Dry…double."

"Right away, sir."

Everyone waits for Anakin to spontaneously combust; instead, the Dark Lord calmly turns his attention to Ana-Lena. The next revelation will surely vindicate him.

"So, Ana-Lena, did you tell your grandparents that you're flunking math?"

Ouisanne drops her fork.

"What?"

Nakai looks up from his plate.

"Is this a joke?"

Ana-Lena scowls at her father.

"Daddy!"

Ouisanne is still in shock.

"Flunked math?"

Anakin responds, almost proudly.

"Yep! Flunked math." Anakin take another sip of wine. He now has the upper hand. Ouisanne is stunned.

"But she was taking honors math classes. Ana-Lena, what happened?"

Ana-Lena feels betrayed.

"Daddy, this was just between us!"

"I never promised you that. This is family. We have no secrets."

Her grandmother agrees.

"That's right. We don't keep secrets in this family. Listen to your father."

Nakai reaches for his wine glass.

"Oh, boy."

He takes one long gulp and empties the glass. He waves one of the servants over. The servant has another bottle of wine at the ready.

Obi-Wan chuckles as he sips his drink.

"Oh, dear…this is where the fun begins."

Kris laughs and points to his sister.

"Aha! You're flunking math!" He leans over and is in her face. Ana-Lena is angry and shouts back at him.

"Be quiet, you heart-strangling little monster!"

Kris continues to taunt his sister.

"But I'm not flunking math. Blah! Hah-hah!"

Isabel scolds him.

"Cut it out. Kris, sit down!"

The servants prepare the table for the next course. No one is speaking to Anakin. Everyone eats in silence.

Anakin decides to speak.

"Ana-Le, I want to apologize for embarrassing you. I have a tutor for you as you requested. If it improves your grades, I'll do anything…" He looks towards the window, craning his neck. He rises from his chair. "As a matter of fact…I believe your tutor is outside now."

Ana-Lena squeals with glee.

"Really?" She tones down her enthusiasm. She takes on a serious air. "Really?"

Anakin smiles softly.

"Yes. Uhm…shall I go get him?"

"Sure. If you think it will help me, father." Ana-Lena pretends to sound contrite.

Kris rolls his eyes.

"Oh, brother!" He stuffs his mouth with a forkful of food.

Anakin leaves the room and ventures out towards the garden. Ana-Lena fluffs her hair and primps herself. Alex is perplexed as he stares at his sister.

"Oh-oh…it has to be a guy. Is he in high school?"

Kris giggles.

"Is he from Jrade Technical Institute? Loser!"

Ana-Lena answers.

"Better. He's a dreamboat and he's so mature...unlike some of you at this table."

Anakin can be heard yelling to someone outside.

"I've been looking for you. Get in here! Yes, you!"

Li-An smirks.

"Who is he yelling at like that?"

Ana-Lena rolls her eyes and sighs as she speaks in a self-important tone.

"Daddy can be so embarrassing."

Leia smiles.

"You've got that right. I remember when I brought Han home for the first time."

Everyone nods. Her siblings have heard this story a million times.

"Yeah, yeah…he force-choked Han. Heard it!"

Han is somewhat offended.

"Hey, it was a good story…. still is…"

Ana-Lena shrugs.

"Dad never talks about it."

"Your darling father tied to kill me."

Anakin re-enters the house and is back in the dining room. He has a someone with him. Ana-Lena flips her hair as she prepares to greet the new dinner guest. The table goes silent. Alex, Li-An, and Luke smile. Leia watches Ana-Lena's reaction when Anakin makes the introduction. The smile on Ana-Len's face disappears. The person her father brings inside is not who she thinks it is.

"Ana-Le, you know Arnold Celchuk, don't you?"

Han folds his arms across his chest. He appears amused as the others with the exception of Ana-Lena.

"Someone is at a loss for words."

Li-An giggles.

"That's the 'dreamboat'?"

Ana-Lena looks as if she has seen a wampa creature. Arnold greets her with a cheerful smile.

"Hello, Ana-Lena."

Ana-Lena returns an icy stare. Anakin beams as he stands behind Arnold. He places his hands on the boy shoulders.

"Ana-Le, Arnold's your new tutor. Who's your hero now, huh? Loss for words? You can thank me later."

Ana-Lena is horrified. She scowls.

"Aw! "

Arnold is smitten. He remembers to remove his hat and stuffs it into his pocket. One of the servants takes his coat. He greets the others at the table.

"Hello, Mrs. Skywalker. Hello, everyone."

Isabel is happy to see him.

"Hello, Arnold. This is a lovely surprise. Have a seat." She turns to the head servant. "Hobson set a place for this young man, please."

"Very good, Milady."

Arnold is in awe of all the attention he is getting.

"Gee, thank you, Mrs. Skywalker."

"Arnold, you've met my parents before."

"Yes, I have. How are you Mr. and Mrs. Nor?"

"Hey, kid."

Ouisanne smiles.

"Hello, dear. What a nice young man. Weren't you in Ana-Lena's Sunday school class when you were little?"

"Yes, Ma'am. We were in the 5 to 9 year old group."

Ana-Lena rolls her eyes.

Aunt Bunny smiles then leaves her seat and gives him a warm hug.

"Hey, sugar. Aren't you sweet? Look at those dimples! I could take you home!"

Isabel introduces him to Obi-Wan and Aunt Bunny.

"You remember Master Kenobi and his wife?"

"Oh, sure. The lipstick lady. Hello Mrs. Bunny."

Luke almost spits out the wine he is drinking.

Anakin beams as he looks around the dinner table.

"This is great, isn't it? See, Ana-Le, this is the best thing that could ever happen to you."

Isabel cuts him off and changes the subject.

"Are you enjoying your dinner, Arnold?"

"Oh, yes, Mrs. Skywalker. I've never been to a royal dinner before."

Han whispers aside to Leia.

"Yeah, a royal pain."

Isabel smiles at Arnold.

"There's no royalty here. It's just a family dinner."

Dinner continues despite of the awkward moments. Anakin continues to listen to updates from each of his children. Obi-Wan is on his second cocktail. He calls Hobson to the table. Ouisanne continues giving Anakin a scornful eye. Han smirks his way through the meal. Anakin notices all of this but dismisses it. Li-An causes a disturbance after noticing that there is someone missing at the dinner table.

"Hey, where's Palps?"

Han, Leia, Luke and the other siblings groan then toss their dinner napkins at Li-An. The commotion grows with a mixture of boos and protests such as, 'Why did you have to mention his name?'

The servants begin clearing the table for the dessert course. Leia is thoroughly annoyed.

"What did you have to mention that man's name? We were just in the middle of enjoying a nice family dinner."

Li-An responds.

"Leia, you need to calm down so your twins can have a peaceful birth."

"Ask me if I'm worried."

Han chimes in with his trademark smirk.

"Li-An, are you concerned about our children?"

"All I'm saying is that Leia yells too much. I'm not saying anything else."

Mara takes a sip from her wine glass then leaves the table.

"Since you brought it up, where is the old critter?"

Anakin folds his arms across his chest.

"So now you're interested?"

"Leia laughs.

"Did he fall down a well?"

"No…the old man is a working stiff."

"Yeah, working at making everyone miserable."

"He won't be around enough to do that. He's got a job at TaggeMart with Lorian Nod."

There is total silence at the table and then a sudden burst of laughter. Luke shouts.

"What?"

Leia is looks at her father in disbelief.

"Dad, you're joking. Who gave that old coot a job?"

Anakin sighs.

"I kid you not. Apparently there's a high demand for elderly workers."

"Where?"

"I just told you…TaggeMart. Don't you kids listen when I'm talking?"

"What's he doing?"

Anakin is amazed by the sudden interest in old man Palpatine's activities.

"He's some sort of door greeter or inventory control clerk. That store has no idea what they're in for with those two."

Obi-Wan raises his eyebrows.

"They should be a real boom to customer service." He winks across the table at Luke.

Li-An still has questions.

"So Palps skipped the family dinner to work today?"

Leia is more concerned about Palpatine being out on the street.

"Doesn't that retirement village have a curfew?"

"He's not at the TaggeMart near Shady Acres; he's at the mall in CocoTown."

"Really?"

"Yes, so don't go down there disturbing him while he's working."

Alex laughs and leaves the table.

"I've got to see this!"

Li-An leaps from his chair and follows.

"Discount!"

Kris, not wanting to be left out, cautiously gets up from the table. Anakin watches as all of his children leave the table.

"Hey! Get back here! Kris, you are grounded! You're not going anywhere."

"I was coming back. Gee, I never have any fun."

Luke points as he follows Kris.

"I'll go and keep an eye on him."

Anakin is outraged.

"What?"

"Relax, Dad. What can happen at the Mall?"

"Ana-Lena quietly leaves the table. Anakin looks at her.

"Where in the hell do you think you're going, young lady? You need to work on your math. Your tutor is here."

"Oh, Daddy, please!"

Ouisanne discreetly summons Kris back to the table and takes him aside.

"Kris, come give Nana a kiss before you leave."

There is so much commotion in the room. Han figures this is his cue to make a quick exit. He stretches and yawns then checks his watch.

"Oh, look at the time. It's getting late. I think we're going to head home. Speeder traffic is going to be a mess tonight."

Isabel speaks as the Skywalker children leave the table.

"What, no dessert, Han?"

Han pats his belly.

"Counting calories…Got to be in shape for the twins."

Leia follows his lead and nods in agreement.

"He's been cutting down on carbs and fat." She rises from her chair and waddles behind her husband.

Mara, who has disappeared from the table, returns with a silver thermal tote filled to the top with containers of leftovers.

"Luke! Wait for me! Bye everyone! Thanks for dinner."

Threepio shouts to the departing Skywalker children as they whisk pass him at the front door.

"Master Alex, it's cold outside, wear your muffler, Goodness gracious me, where is everyone going in such a rush? This is so unsettling."

The droid gets no response.

After the dust settles, only Anakin, Isabel, her parents, and Obi-wan, Aunt Bunny and Arnold remain.

Arnold looks around.

"Are we still having dessert?"

Isabel smiles.

"Of course."

Anakin sits upright at the head of the table with outstretched arms.

"Knock yourself out. We have plenty of dessert."

The servant presents a tray of assorted sweets. Arnold's eyes widen.

"Wow… I could eat all of them."

"True but I wouldn't advise it. You'll be hurling all the way home. I need you here. You still have a tutoring gig, Sparky."

"You know, Mr. Skywalker? I'm surprised that Ana-Lena needs help she was at the Math Challenge at the Galaxies Auditorium last spring."

"Well, she needs to study more. She seems to have lost focus. It's time she rethinks her priorities."

"So, Mr. Skywalker, sir, your kids must really love their granddad to leave so suddenly."

Anakin does not comment. Obi-Wan grabs the bottle of Whyren's Reserve from the butler. He speaks to Arnold while filling his glass.

"Oh, they do enjoy the old devil."

"I always wanted to go to the CoCoTown Mall."

Obi-Wan offers some sage advice to the boy.

"Son, the CoCoTown Mall is a hotbed of corruption and reduced-priced goods. Best to keep your distance."

Anakin stares at the Jedi Master in disbelief.

"What?"

"Oh, I was thinking of someplace else. What were we discussing?"

"The CoCoTown Mall."

Obi-Wan confides in Arnold who listens but has no idea what the Jedi Master is talking about now.

"Ah, yes…CoCoTown Mall. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy…It's a shoppers' paradise but one will be tempted to overspend. We must be cautious."

"Uhm…Yes, sir."

Anakin looks at Obi-Wan.

"Bunny, you're driving tonight, right?"

"We can drop off Arnold, sugar."

Anakin ignores them and turns to Nakai and his angry mother-in-law.

"Ouisanne, you have humbled me. I need your help."

A short time later, the Skywalker siblings stand outside the entrance to the TaggeMart Superstore. The mall is filled with Sunday evening shoppers. Luke passes through the automatic doors then returns a few minutes later while the others wait. The banner across the storefront of the superstore reads in huge block letters:

'Old Empire Days Sale'

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