Chapter 29AE

'Early Arrivals'

'Shower Your Pain'

'Return of the Planner'

'The Granddaddy of All Siths'

Anakin and Kris have been spending more time together. Doctor Melfi sees a great improvement in the relationship. She praises Anakin for the time he sacrifices for his son. Anakin has another reason for spending time outside the house.

There are guests in the Skywalker home, several of them. This requires stealth Jedi movement to avoid said parties.

Anakin is sneaking out the back door. Kris trails behind as he struggles to slip into his remaining hiking boot. He is trying to keep up with his father.

"Dad, what's the hurry?"

"Come on! It's going to be scary in a few minutes."

"But, Dad…"

"Kris, I am your father. You have to trust me on this."

"Okay…"

The two walk pass the terrace when a familiar voice heads to the door.

"Oh, they're still here. They're on the terrace."

Anakin increases his pace when he hears the voice growing closer.

"Daddy! Where are you going? Come in and say hello to everyone."

Kris whispers to his father.

"So, this is why you're running for the hills?"

"Shhh! I was not running away…" Anakin feigns a smile then walks back to the house and stands at the day room door. "Hey Leia, how are you, sweet pea?"

"Daddy, Oma and Opa are here from Naboo. Come in and say 'Hello."

"Oh…they are, eh? I was just taking your little brother out for some quality time."

"I'm sure he won't be permanently traumatized if he misses a day with you. He might welcome the break."

Anakin walks inside and follows Leia into the living room. He looks around the room at the guests. His former in-laws are sitting on the sofa. Jobal and Ruwee appear refreshed from their recent holiday on Yavin4.

"Jobal, Ruwee, hello. What a surprise."

"Hello, Anakin. "The two men shake hands.

"What brings you here?"

"We're here for Leia's baby shower."

"Oh! Ummh…Where are you staying?"

"Well…"

Leia responds.

"They're staying with me and Han, Daddy."

"Oh! That's great! They have a lovely place way across town." Anakin gestures with his hand to demonstrate the distance to the Solo home. He suddenly tones down his enthusiasm. "That's nice."

Isabel interrupts.

"But we're having dinner tonight, so Anakin, you'll have to be home by 6pm."

"Uhhh…oh…." Anakin is about to make an excuse but he sees the look on Isabel's face and stops himself. He already has a reprieve from the Naberrie's. He figures he should be grateful. "Sounds great, honey. Well, I'm going to take my son for our bonding time…I'll uhmmm see you later. Have fun at the shower!"

Anakin quickly ushers Kris out of the house to the speeder.

"Boy, you dodged that bullet, eh, Dad?"

"Hurry up before they call us back."

"Where are we going, Dad?"

"Let's increase our score at the arcade."

"As long as we're back by six or Mum will be mad."

"Yes, Sir, Mr. Skywalker."

They get into the speeder and head downtown.

After spending a few hours in town, Anakin and Kris return home. They are storing another prize in the back of the house before sneaking to the front door. They enter the foyer. Anakin hears Ruwee Naberrie's booming voice in the living room.

"Isabel, you must get back to Naboo."

"We'll see. We have to decide what to do with our youngest for the summer."

"Oh? Where is he?"

Isabel hears Anakin's voice in the foyer.

"He's coming in as we speak. Hi, sweetie. You remember Mr. and Mrs. Naberrie"

Kris stops in the entranceway to the living room. Jobal and Ruwee have their eyes on him.

"Uhm…yes. Hello." He nods politely.

Jobal smiles.

"Oh, Isabel, he's adorable. He reminds me of Luke when he was twelve."

Isabel smiles adoringly at her youngest child.

"Kris, did you have a good afternoon with your father?"

"Sure. It was cool."

Isabel explains to Jobal and Ruwee.

"Anakin is spending some quality time with Kris. The Jedi council thought Kris was lacking a positive role model outside of training."

Jobal chirps.

"Oh…so Anakin stepped in as a substitute?"

Isabel quickly changes the subject.

"Kris, why don't you go wash up for dinner?"

Kris gladly makes his exit and heads upstairs.

Anakin finally enters the living room. He takes a deep breath, and then puts on his "smiley face" for the Naberrie's.

"You're still here?"

Isabel stares at him.

"Anakin, Jobal and Ruwee are helping with Leia's baby shower."

Anakin throws up his hands.

"Well where's the element of surprise?"

Isabel speaks calmly but firmly to her husband.

"She should have a say in what she wants for her shower."

"Well, she is a control freak. I wonder where she gets that."

Isabel tries to usher Anakin out of the room before he says anything embarrassing.

"Why don't you go freshen up? We have guests for dinner."

Anakin is happy to leave the room.

"Oh, okay. I'll be back soon. Jobal, Ruwee…excuse me." He bows and then disappears upstairs.

After a quick shower and clean clothes, Anakin is almost ready to go downstairs. He stands in front of the mirror and adjusts the collar of his navy turtleneck sweater.

"Well, time to dine with the in-laws, Anakin. Be brave. Okay, let's get this nonsense over with once and for all."

Anakin heads downstairs. He hears Leia.

"I love this house but I don't think my father is ready for a big party here."

"It is a beautiful haus! But I promise you, I vill make your baby showa the envy oft der galaxy anywhere we have it. Achkay?"

Anakin stands frozen midway on the staircase. He knows this voice.

"Oh, hell no!"

Anakin ventures down the staircase to verify his suspicions. Standing beside Leia is that over-exuberant event planner. He wonders why the family keeps hiring this man. Before Anakin can say another word, Leia and her guest see him.

"Mr. Anakin Skyvalker! As I lift und brief! Such a langer time I haft seen you. Vust a delight! How are you? Come here! Gibt mich ein hug. "

"I'd rather not."

"Come on. Roulf vill not bite you!"

Leia commands her father.

"Daddy, give him a hug."

Anakin scowls as he is forced to get close to the smiling event planner. Roulf reaches out and gives the Dark Lord a hearty embrace. Anakin looks petrified. Leia stands back and smiles.

"Oh, how sweet."

Anakin abruptly pulls away.

"Enough! Where's my wife?"

"Dad, she's in the dayroom with Oma and Opa."

"No one tells me anything!" He storms out of the room. Isabel stops him as he enters the dayroom.

"Where are you going? Dinner is ready."

"Umm…can I speak to you for a moment?"

"Can it wait? We have company and dinner is ready."

"Not really."

"Are you serious? People are waiting. You look very nice. Stop sweating. Why are you breathing so heavily? Anakin, did you take your medication? You look stressed. Calm down, it's just family."

She pats his forehead then leads him into the dining room.

Anakin walks into the dining room and takes his place at the head of the table. All the people who torment him are present. He releases a heavy sigh. Someone is missing.

"Where is Kris?"

"Oh, I let him have dinner early. He doesn't need to be here with the adults."

"Then who's going to sit at the head of the table with me?"

"This is so wunderbar! I am sitting next to zuh imperial Gottväter!"

Anakin turns and watches as Roulf takes the seat at Anakin's right. At least the chair on his left is empty. Roulf grins ear to ear. Anakin rolls his eyes.

Just as he begins to say grace, another dinner guest hurries into the dining room and plops down in the empty chair.

"Sorry folks, thanks for waiting."

Leia is disappointed.

"Well, it's about time you showed up, Han. You're late."

"Hey, I'm sorry."

Anakin snorts sarcastically.

"I guess I should have expected you to show up."

"I'm like a bad penny, I always turn up."

"Great. Well, since you're late…say grace."

"Ummm…sure. " Han folds his hands and ponders for a moment before finding the right words. Leia's grandparents stare at him. "Don't expect too much. I'm not really into these hocus pocus religious rituals…"

"I'm losing my patience."

"Okay. Bless this table and save us from the forces of evil." Han opens an eye to steal a peek at the Dark Lord. Anakin stares back. Han continues. "Thanks for the chow, Amen."

"Some example you'll be as a parent."

"What? You're being judgmental."

"When I ask you to say grace, I was not expecting you to be stupid."

Isabel is embarrassed.

"Anakin!"

"Oh, please, everybody stop pretending to be shocked."

Roulf looks around the table then speaks to Anakin.

"You know, I would love to say grass."

"What?"

"Grass. What Han just said. I thought it was fah-bulous! Such a wunderful ritual. I remember many jahres ago ven I wast ein jungerkinder."

Anakin returns a blank stare.

"Good for you." He turns to Han. "Han, I want to apologize. You did a passable job."

"Gee, thanks."

Anakin starts to pay attention to Jobal and Ruwee.

"So, Ruwee, you're helping Leia and Han?"

"It's a special event, don't you think? We enjoy being great-grandparents…which is why I wish to propose a toast to Leia and Han."

Anakin joins the others in raising his glass. Ruwee continues to speak.

"To our dear Leia, Han. You are about to become parents. Thank you for allowing Jobal and me to participate in the planning of your baby shower. You cannot imagine how much this means to your grandmother and me. Cheers."

Everyone drinks. Anakin immediately refills his wine glass. Roulf claps his hands.

"Zat ist wunderful. It brinks a tear to Meine eye but not oft sadness but happiness…so, so happy! Ist wunderschön!"

Anakin zones out the dining room chatter as the wine slowly enters his bloodstream. He is careful not to appear overtly inebriated or else there will be hell to pay later on. He does not want to hear about how thrilling it is to be a great grandfather again from Ruwee. Anakin does not want to hear anything with the words "grand" "father" or "babies". And if that Roulf does not shut that garbled trap of his, Anakin will fear the dark side will come out to handle matters. This will not be pretty. Anakin cringes when he hears the dreaded words drop from his wife's lips.

"So Ruwee, Anakin is going to be a grandfather for the first time. Do you have any words of advice for him?"

Ruwee raises the wine glass to his lips then ponders for a moment.

"Well, he should prepare to sacrifice his time to the two new younglings due to grace this home."

Leia almost spits out the pera juice she is drinking.

"That's going to be a tall order, Opa. Daddy does not do sacrifice well."

Han seconds this.

"You can say that again."

Anakin takes issue with this remark.

"Excuse me. I sacrificed a lot in my life. Don't tell me what I don't do well."

"Daddy, calm down. It's not a big deal. The twins will love you either way." Leia sees the servant arrive with food. "The first course is here. Enjoy your dinner."

Anakin responds sarcastically.

"Enjoy dinner…hmmm…if only…" Anakin sees Isabel giving him the stink eye from across the table. He quickly changes his comments. "Ah! Dinner…the most delightful time of the day where I'm surrounded by family and people…Isabel, you're looking at me as if I'm the most handsome man at the table." Anakin flashes a charming smile to his wife as the servant serves him his steak. "This looks delicious I hope everyone enjoys the meal. Isabel has slaved over a hot stove all afternoon."

Isabel responds in a firm but charming voice. She wants him to be quiet.

"Anakin, your food is getting cold."

"Yes, ma'm, Mrs. Skywalker, I'm getting ready to dig in right now. You're the boss. Bon appétit, everyone!"

Roulf smiles gleefully.

"It looks and smells marvelous! Guten Appetit, everyone! Bravo!" He waits for cheers from everyone but none comes.

Han whispers to Leia.

"Okay, now I see why your Dad is about to blow a gasket. For once he's not giving me the hairy eyeball."

"We might lose an event planner."

"Better him than me!"

Leia whispers back.

"Keep your head down and keep eating, you'll be fine."

Han swallows a forkful of food.

"Dinner is great." He gestures with a thumbs up.

Anakin makes it through dinner and barely tolerable table conversation. Anakin slices a large piece of cake and ice cream just as coffee and dessert are served. Jobal asks for Bimmisaari tea and Isabel steps away to get it. Anakin waits until Isabel is out of sight. He bows to Ruwee and the others.

"If you'll excuse me, I'm going to spend some quality time with my youngest."

Leia is annoyed.

"Daddy!"

"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

"We have company."

"Your little brother is having a difficult time right now. I should be with him. Ruwee, Jobal, you understand."

Ruwee nods in agreement.

"Oh, of course, Anakin. We understand completely."

Anakin winks.

"See? Ruwee understands." Anakin snaps his fingers and points to Mr. Naberrie. "Enjoy the rest of the evening everyone."

Anakin disappears upstairs.

Isabel returns with the tea.

"Where's your father?"

Meanwhile, upstairs Anakin is in Kris's room on the bed. The two are eating ice cream and cake while playing holovid game 'Space Pirates of the Galaxy.'

"You need a game upgrade. What version is this?"

"It's 7.2.3. I'm on punishment, remember? I'm not even supposed to be playing."

"Who made that rule?" Anakin presses his controller and scores some more points on the game.

"You and Mum did."

"What were we thinking? You poor kid!"

"Are you alright, Dad?"

"Yeah…but I couldn't take one more moment of that marble mouth event planner and then your sister is downstairs giving me the stink eye."

"Leia gives everyone the stink eye. You sure you're not freaking out becoming a grandfa-"

"Ack! "

"Gran-"

"Ack!"

"Are you …heh heh heh…come on, let me say it!" There is a gleeful expression on his face. Anakin stares him down.

"Keep it up; you'll be on punishment until you leave the Academy."

"Don't freak out, Dad, they're just babies."

"Eat your ice cream."

"Can I have the rest of your cake?"

"Don't push it."

"Okay, Grandda-"

Anakin quickly surrenders his cake to Kris.

"Eat up!"