One year later.
Endor was a buzz with the thrill of impending celebration. There weren't too many people, Leia had insisted on a small, more private ceremony and chose to have her wedding on Endor and not Chandrila where she resided.
However, any additional people meant additional stares and he took to staying out of their way.
"You're going to have to get used to this, you know."
Ahsoka stood beside him in a secluded corridor where he had chosen to stand and they watched all manner of people pass. The guests all dressed up and waiting for the ceremony to start and the staff carrying decorations, chairs, tables and food to their destination.
She turned to him with a smirk. "You can't remain a recluse forever."
He frowned and crossed his arms tight over his chest. "I think most of the galaxy would prefer I do just that." He shot back and she rolled her eyes.
"It will be good for you, Anakin. You need some healthy social interaction."
"That's what I have you for."
"You need more than me. I'm not here all the time."
After their initial reunion she had stayed on Endor for a while to help rehabilitate him back to physical and mental health as best she could.
Though Ahsoka had a life of her own and she was not interested in becoming a Jedi again even under Luke's new leadership, she still offered to help train Luke and teach him what she had learned over the years.
They would spend hours together and it gave him a joy he hadn't felt in a long time to watch his son and his former padawan train together.
Once he was strong enough he even attempted to join them once.
Luke had handed him his old 'saber and the moment it was placed into his hand a flood of memories came pouring back. His last actions with that lightsaber had been death and destruction, of the Jedi, of innocent children, of his best friend and of himself.
He thrust it back into Luke's hands almost immediately.
"It belongs to you now, son." He told an alarmed Luke. His son had defeated Vader with it, proved his own skills, and reclaimed its goodness.
He didn't want to remember the darkest moments of his life. It was time to start anew and it meant leaving all of that behind him.
After that he decided to only just watch and give verbal instructions. He didn't trust himself enough yet to not give into the power he knew he still had.
Ahsoka would then argue with him on method and style, and he would remind her that he had trained her, and then she would remind him she spent twenty years without him and picked up new skills on her own.
Luke took advice and put into practice what each of them had to say and even trusted his own instincts. It wasn't long before Luke was nearly on equal footing with Ahsoka and even - every once in a while - was able to overpower her.
"You are your father's son." She told Luke the first time and he and Luke exchanged equal looks of pride.
She came to visit every few weeks, spent a few days training with Luke and then spent days alone with him, rebuilding the friendship that had been lost.
He was surprised by how easily their friendship had fallen back into place. Her acceptance and forgiveness was the key and he found he had something to look forward to. His life was no longer confined to the medcenter with his only companionship being Luke.
They often went on walks to get him used to his new prosthetics, and to get out of the base for a change. Eventually they discovered a hidden meadow not too far from the base where they ended up spending most of their time together.
He would sit and listen while she told animated stories of all she had been up to, and twenty years provided plenty of stories to tell. It was almost like old times, when they had been fighting on the same side. It was that feeling of bittersweet nostalgia that kept him listening to the tales of the rebels. He realized with Ahsoka on their side, and then Luke and Leia, they actually stood a fighting chance against the Empire, even if he hadn't turned sides and killed the Emperor.
She tried to get him to open up and talk about himself but he didn't want to discuss his time with the Empire. He knew she knew some of what he had done, the tales of his horrid acts were spread all across the galaxy, and he dare not confess the rest.
Instead he told her about Luke and Leia and where he hoped his future was going with them.
They talked about Luke and how he was progressing and Ahsoka's constant praise helped him feel like a proud father, even if he had nothing to do with how Luke was raised.
The boy was his flesh and blood, and while he still believed Luke was more like his mother, he was still proud to be able to claim him as his son.
She gave him kind encouragement but also told him, like Luke, to be patient with Leia.
His daughter still avoided him to the best of her ability. Every once in a while, he caught her watching him from across the room and it always looked like she wanted to approach him but never did.
It was those lingering, contemplative but not contemptful glances that held his hope on the thin thread it lived on.
After a few months they moved off of Endor and to Chandrila, it was where Leia needed to be for the senate and Luke hadn't really had a home of his own except Tatooine and neither Luke or Anakin wanted to return there.
Leia spent her time either working, with Han, or with Luke and he almost never saw her. Chandrila was a more populous city and she could easily disappear.
He sensed when she was near, just as he could with Luke but kept his distance until she was ready to approach him. It was so tempting to confront her but he couldn't risk any more damage to their already fragile relationship.
He lived for the days Ahsoka and Luke were around. Otherwise the loneliness was almost stifling. He often liked to be alone during his time as Vader, but he was in a different frame of mind then. He didn't have friends, he had stormtroopers who listened to his every command and Palpatine who acted only as Master. He had been free to feel but all he felt was anger and hate and lust for power. Now that that part of him was stripped away he was left with all the emotions he hid for so long and he craved personal connections but was afraid to reach out for it, couldn't reach out for it, except to those who were willing to give it to him.
Despite knowing he had let her down, Ahsoka was the only one he could talk to that might understand. She was the only one that knew him and it felt good to have that again.
"You mean to say you have no social interaction with anyone when I'm not here?" Ahsoka asked.
He shrugged. "I have Luke."
"He's your son."
"And Artoo."
"You cannot restrict your friendships to droids, as good of one as Artooey is."
"I don't see why not."
"Anakin."
He threw her a look of exasperation. "As if I've ever been good at making friends."
He could only think of three meaningful relationships in his life and he had proceeded to blow them up like the disaster he was. Two of them were dead and he was grateful the third actually still liked him after it all, even if she was sometimes as irritating as she was as a young padawan.
Her lips twitched as she turned to face him. "Never a better time to start than after you've destroyed half the galaxy."
"Thank you for your optimism," he muttered darkly, "it is extremely helpful."
"I am being serious. You've made mistakes, but now you've got the chance to try and make up for them." She laid her hand gently on his arm, pulling his attention back to her. "Despite what you think it's not your scars that scare people away. Not the visible ones anyway."
"I cannot get my own daughter's forgiveness, how do you think I could get anyone else's?"
Ahsoka pressed her lips together. "Don't give up on Leia just yet."
He peered at her curiously and she gave him a gentle smile. "I don't think I have to tell you how much like you she is. She doesn't want to get hurt again but I can sense the struggle in her. She wants to know you."
"I hope you're right. Sometimes, it still feels hopeless. I've done terrible things, Ahsoka, unspeakable things. I've torn apart families, including my own and all for the sake of…" He paused and scowled. "I don't even know the reason anymore. Power and control? It all seems so pointless now."
Ahsoka shook her head and moved to stand in front of him to catch his eyes. "No. No, Anakin, you're not doing this. Not today."
His eyes narrowed as he glanced to her. "What are you talking about?"
"This spiral you do into depression and self loathing. You've made a lot of progress in the last year, anyone who takes the chance to get to know you can see that. It's not going to come quick or easy or at all to some people but it will come, I know it. And today is your daughter's wedding day so wipe that sulk off your face and enjoy the day because it is a happy one and Leia doesn't need Mr. All Dark and Broody dampening the day."
It was somehow both irritating and relieving how well Ahsoka could see right through him and he certainly always admired her for speaking her mind. "You know, Snips, you are perhaps the bravest person I've ever known."
She scoffed but smiled slightly. "Why? Because I should be afraid to stand up to you?" She shrugged."Never have, never will and someone needs to snap you out of your own head."
His frown deepened and a dark look passed over his eyes. "My sanity is not your responsibility."
She pressed her lips in firm line and then reached out to grab onto his arms, startling him. "I know you have been emotionally stunted for your entire life but this is what family does. And before you argue with me, yes you are my family. You're right, I can only do so much to help you but I'm willing to do whatever I can because I care about you. You," she released his arms and poked his chest lightly, "are stuck with me."
"This is beginning to feel very familiar." He muttered with a slight roll of his eyes.
She nodded with a small smirk. "It will feel like old times. I'll be following you around, only this time you'll be learning from me and Master have you got a lot to learn."
He was about to reply when Luke's head suddenly popped around the corner. He did a double take and then he let out a little sigh of relief.
"Here you are." He said as he approached them. "I've been looking all over for you."
"Hello Luke, you look nice." Ahsoka greeted with an approving smile as she took in his all black but simple and nice outfit.
"Thanks 'Soka." He smiled and gave her a once over. "So do you."
"Father," Luke then turned to him in exasperation, "were you hiding again?"
"No." He said quickly and almost at the same time, Ahsoka answered, "Yes."
He shot her a dark look and she smiled with a shrug.
He grunted and looked back at Luke with a small scowl. "I will reserve my social interaction to the necessary requirements. I will show my face at the wedding, if I am even wanted."
"Of course you're wanted." Luke sighed in exasperation but then a smile lit his face. "That's actually why I've come to find you. Leia wants to speak to you."
He whipped his neck so fast he thanked the Force for the supports he still had to wear. "She does?"
"She does." Luke confirmed with a nod. "Come on, I'll take you to her."
He blinked in stunned silence for a few moments but as he went to follow Luke, Ahsoka gently grabbed his hand and held him back.
He looked over his shoulder and she gave him a soft, encouraging smile. "Remember what I said. This is a good sign. She's not going to start anything on her wedding day. Now go bond with your daughter."
He turned back to Luke, skeptical but the smile on his son's face gave him hope that maybe Ahsoka was right.
He couldn't imagine that after all this time, with hardly a word from Leia, that she would want to make amends.
His pulse was pounding, rushing through his head as he followed Luke through the halls to Leia's room.
Luke knocked on the door and Leia's muffled response came from within.
Luke cast a knowing smile over his shoulder and somehow his son's confidence eased his nerves.
Luke opened the door and nodded him in.
He stepped in through the door and found Leia in the corner of the room facing a full length mirror.
She was dressed in a simple but beautiful white dress, her long hair loosely pulled behind her. She looked so much like her mother in that moment his heart nearly stopped. The beautiful dark brown color of her hair was all Padmé.
He remained at the door, barely catching Luke's pleased grin as he shut the door behind them.
Once the door was closed, he focused all his attention back on Leia.
One arm was pressed to her side, the other hand rested over her abdomen, a sign of something that perhaps she did not feel comfortable telling him but somehow he knew.
"Luke said you wanted to see me." He said once he finally found his voice.
"Yes." Leia said, her expression stony and calm. She continued to face the mirror but her eyes fell on his reflection.
Gone completely was the black armor that had housed his injured body for over twenty years.
At Luke's direction, the medical and technical teams worked to build him something that would not only sustain his life, but keep him as comfortable as possible. This included a portable respirator that kept him breathing and allowed him to not wear the stifling helmet. He still had to wear a bit of protective armor, mostly a back brace to support his injured spine but his movements were much less constricting.
It was an adjustment to say the least, he became self conscious, and even angry at first, at the thought of being exposed to the world. His scars reminded him of his failures but to be able to feel the air on his face again, and not have to live in that suit that was more like a prison, was well worth it.
He found that Luke had kept his survival a secret, as best he could, and once he was ready he entered the world as Luke and Leia's estranged father. Once they relocated to Chandrila it helped even more.
The rumor was that Vader had died upon the Death Star along with the Emperor and hardly anyone knew that Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader were one in the same.
Some people knew, especially those who were present at his time of rescue, and rumors flew, so there were always cautious stares, especially because of his scarred head, his prosthetics and the respirator that was still vaguely reminiscent of Vader.
Luke and Ahsoka's acceptance helped him through. They forced him into public view and everyone either respected Luke too much, or was too afraid of Ahsoka, to say something.
"I was just wondering …" Leia continued. "...how were you and my mother married?"
The question caught him off guard and thoughts and memories of Padmé sent his heart racing. He took a moment for the respiratory system to catch up and the tightness in his chest to loosen.
He let his mind wander to that brief moment of pure bliss so long ago.
When he pulled himself back to reality, he caught Leia's expression in the mirror. It had softened and he could see his own reflection, his lips pulled into a small, sad smile as he remembered his wife.
"It was a private ceremony on Naboo. The Jedi would have forbidden our marriage so we had to marry in secret. It was only us and the droids - Artoo and Threepio."
Leia's brow pressed together, a frown of disapproval. It reassured him somewhat that, although Leia did not pursue that side of her, focusing instead on her political position, she did not approve of the oppressive nature of the the old Jedi order.
"It was a difficult time of my life." He admitted, almost choking the words out. He hated to talk about it but knew if he wanted Leia to open up to him he also had to open up to her. "My mother had just been killed."
A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes. She hadn't known that and why would she have? She knew almost nothing about Anakin Skywalker.
"I felt angry and lost." Leia's eyes lifted to meet his through the reflection and her face slowly softened further. She understood that pain. He had caused that pain, however indirectly.
"My mother had been all I had for a long time. I loved her but I left her...to become a Jedi. When she was gone I…" he trailed off. His murder of those responsible for his mother's death was only the beginning of his downward spiral toward the dark side.
He suddenly remembered Ahsoka's words and pulled himself out of those dark memories.
He couldn't bring himself to go there, to dampen his daughter's wedding day with his darkness, not when she finally appeared to be letting him in. "...but Padmé helped me, she loved me. She was the light that guided me through the dark and our wedding was a highlight of my life."
Leia's frown slowly morphed into a small smile, her tense shoulders relaxing. She reached up to tuck a few strands of her hair back into place.
"How old were you?"
It was the longest conversation Leia had with him since their first confrontation after his rescue and she wasn't hostile or cold. She was cautious but curious about his life and he was prepared to answer any question she had.
"I was nineteen." Leia's eyes flickered back to his reflection in faint surprise. "Your mother was twenty four."
Around the same age that Leia herself was, he could see that trail of thought flicker across her face. He couldn't believe so much time had passed, his children were older than he was by the time he fell.
His daughter was getting married, yet the memory of Padmé's pregnancy was as fresh in his mind as if it had happened yesterday.
He hadn't valued those moments as much as he should have and so much of her life had been missed.
He shook off those thoughts as he found his mind drifting and focused his attention back on Leia's question.
"I was young but I knew. I had loved her from the moment I saw her." He smiled again wistfully. The only good memory of Tatooine was his first glimpse of his future wife. "I was nine years old."
"Nine?" Leia laughed in surprise and his heart lifted at the sound.. "You were nine years old?"
"Yes, she was Queen of Naboo at the time and on a mission with Obi-Wan and another Jedi, Qui-gon. Their mission led them to Tatooine and to the shop where my mother and I worked. I thought she was an angel, the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. Though as a slave boy on Tatooine I hadn't seen many girls."
Leia smiled again, soft and sad and he thought it may be one of the beautiful sights he'd ever seen. It was one so rarely seen, not in his presence and never to him. He was only able to admire it from afar when she was in the arms of Han Solo or joking around with Luke.
"I left for Jedi training with Obi-Wan and wouldn't see her for another ten years but she never left my mind. When we did reconnect after I was assigned to protect her as a young Jedi, at first she couldn't see me as anything other than that little boy and it was incredibly frustrating. Eventually she did see me as the man I had become and loved me as I loved her. Though the Jedi forbid our love it only made me love her more. We escaped to Naboo for a few days and were married. It was always the thought of returning home to her arms that kept me fighting through the clone wars."
Leia's smile was soft but it faded and she chewed gently on her lower lip. There had to be a million thoughts and feelings running through her head, though her face remained calm, he could see the storm of emotion in her eyes.
"It sounds like you really loved one another."
"We did." He answered quietly and his heart ached at the thought of his beloved wife. Her loss was still a sting, even more so knowing all he had worked for in order to protect her had done nothing but destroy her and their family. "Your mother was wonderful Leia. I regret you never had the chance to know her."
Leia's jaw tightened. "So do I." She whispered.
She then took a deep breath and said, "Bail and Breha Organa were and always will be my parents."
Though the truth of the words continued to sting, he knew Leia would never accept him as he was. At this point he was grateful for any acceptance from her at all.
"They should have been here on this day and it kills me to know they can't be." Her voice cracked with emotion and he could see her eyes mist over with unshed tears. His heart went out to her, his daughter was showing her vulnerability in front of him and he longed to reach out to her, to hold her, to love her but knew he couldn't.
"I'm sorry." He said and he meant it. Once upon a time he was angry that Organas had raised his child but he had learned to move past it, grateful at least that Leia had people who loved her. He didn't want his daughter to suffer and perhaps if he had known back then he may have done something to save Bail and Breha Organa. After all, Bail had been a friend before he was the enemy and he was only the enemy because of his allegiance to the republic. It was Anakin who had betrayed them, who turned against them, made himself their enemy and not any fault of Bail Organa.
He hadn't known him too well but Padmé had and Padmé would have wanted someone familiar, someone trusted by her, to raise their daughter and Bail at least had been that.
Leia blinked in surprise and then clenched her jaw, forcing back the tears and cleared her throat. "However, I also know that I had another father who loved me before I was ever born. I have been thinking a lot recently, about you, about what Luke and Ahsoka have told me about you. I've had much to work through regarding my own feelings and kept my distance as I did, for my own sanity. I think I know where I stand but I just have one question for you."
She finally turned around to face him. She took a few meaningful strides toward him and paused just a few feet from her, inclining her head to look him in the eyes.
Her face was pulled tight and serious and there was that familiar fire in her eyes. For a moment he was pulled back to their first meeting when she looked him straight in the eyes and told him off. She had nothing but hate for him then, but her eyes now shone with new emotion. Behind that fire was doubt and fear and hope.
"Are you Anakin Skywalker?"
"Yes."
For so long he had denied any connection to that name. He had let people call him Anakin the last year and slowly became used to the name, and his identity, again. Gone was the Sith, and returned was the man known as Anakin, not the Jedi, but a new man, a father to Luke and Leia, the man he was perhaps meant to be had he not been stifled by the Jed or corrupted by the dark side.
Leia held her hard stare for a few more long seconds and a few other emotions passed over her eyes and then her face softened and her lips twitched up in a small smile. "Then will you stand with me? At the altar?"
He would have stopped breathing if he could. He didn't think Leia even wanted him at her wedding, none the less stand beside her as someone important to her.
"Are you certain that is what you want?"
"Yes," she kept her eyes steady on his, "I want my family...and you are my father."
It was the first time she had acknowledged it to his face and he felt an overwhelming weight leave his shoulders.
"Will you stand with me?" She asked again.
It was another step in the right direction. His eyes must have betrayed him, showing the emotion that was coursing through him from his daughter's long awaited acceptance of him on one of the most important days of her life.
"It would be my pleasure, Leia." His voice was soft and raspy.
The barest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her lips and then she nodded, sharp and curt, like the diplomat she was, like her mother before her. "It's settled then. I will see you out there."
She turned away from him and returned to the mirror, once more studying her reflection for any last minute touches.
The change in her was so abrupt he was left standing there for a minute, his mind reeling as it tried to process all that had happened.
His daughter wanted him. It was a day he thought would never come.
He didn't want to press his luck by talking again but he had to know.
"Leia…" The call of her name recaught her attention. "What made you change your mind?"
Her lips curled at the corners and she ducked her head and he was struck by the familiarity of the action. He always thought Luke had Padmé's smile but he could see her in Leia as well.
"I've been watching you trying to acclimate yourself here in our lives." She said after a few moments of silence. "For a long time I was angry, and honestly I still am, and probably always will be. It's not something I can easily let go of but ultimately I've realized that Luke was right." She lifted her head and turned around, giving him a smile that warmed his heart.
"There is still good in you."
Han was not surprised when he walked up with Luke but eyed him with wary suspicion and contempt. Leia must have warned him of her plan and he was not about to argue with his bride on their wedding day even if he did disagree with her.
Chewbacca stood on the other side of Han and glared him down, like a big furry protector.
Luke engaged him in light conversation to distract him from the stares as the other guests filed in. It was the most attention he'd had on him since his rescue and he could feel the discomfort in the air as people cautiously eyed and whispered about him.
Ahsoka took a seat near the front of the crowd and managed to catch his eye. The on her face and Luke's presence at his side reminded him it was about Leia and she wanted him there and nothing else mattered.
There was a sudden hush among the crowd and a smile blossoming on both Luke and Han's face meant Leia had arrived.
He turned around and his heart jumped and for a moment he was taken back in time.
To Naboo, to twenty seven years ago, to a beautiful young bride who smiled at him and vowed her love and life to him.
He wished she were here to witness this, to stand beside him and Luke, smiling in joy as their daughter married, celebrating her love and marriage as they were never able to.
For a second, angry tears stung his eyes but he forced them back.
It was devastating that Padmé was not there but he would make certain that Leia had everything he could not.
"She's beautiful, huh?" He heard Luke's quiet voice whisper behind him.
"She sure is." came Han's awed voice.
All three men were mesmerized by the young woman walking gracefully towards them.
Leia approached the altar and first met Han's eyes and their faces lit up in equally bright smiles, eyes shining with love.
Before taking the final turn towards her soon to be husband, she first turned to Luke standing directly to her left. He wore a smile equally as bright and she reached out to squeeze his hand. Their hands lingered together for a long moment and then Leia dropped his hand.
Her gaze moved to him and her eyes crinkled at the corners, her smile widening just that bit more and she reached her hands towards him.
He glanced down in surprise at the action but slowly lifted his gloved hand to meet hers. Her smaller hand slid into his and his fingers gently curled around her hand.
A familiar feeling passed through him and Leia gasped quietly at the same time. She must have felt it too, the force connecting them. It was the first time Leia had purposefully touched him, a small but powerful act of acceptance. His thumb brushed affectionately over the back of her hand and he wished more than anything he could feel her.
His heart was pounding and he dared to act on the thought running through his head.
Leia's eyes widened as he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a feather light kiss to the back of her hand.
Her breath caught and time seemed to stand still for those few brief seconds father and daughter touched for the first time.
The moment was over as soon as it began as Leia withdrew her hand and slowly released her breath.
Her jaw tightened and she held his gaze for a moment more. Her eyes flashed with an emotion he had never seen directed at him. She blinked quickly and swallowed over the lump in her throat as she finally turned away from him and back to Han.
Han's brow furrowed, his eyes filled with concern and he shot a flickering glance to Anakin.
A shaky smile crossed her lips as she then took his hand and gave a quick, reassuring shake of her head.
Anakin couldn't keep his eyes off of her but out of the corner of his eye, he caught Luke's bright smile.
His son nudged him gently with his elbow and his eyes pricked with tears.
Their challenges certainly were far from over but for the first time he felt truly accepted as part of Leia's life as her father.
Finally his family was complete. Not perfect but together at last.
The reception was held in the same area as the ceremony. Chairs and tables were rearranged in a circle that left a small clearing in the middle for dancing and celebration.
The food, a combination of Leia and Han's favorite dishes, was laid out buffet style for people to eat when they chose.
Han and Leia shared a few dances together but as the music picked up, Luke walked over and stole his sister away from her new husband.
Leia looked completely at ease as she danced with Luke, as if they had always known each other and grew up together.
The walls he had often seen around her were gone, her body relaxed, a radiant smile on her face and she laughed as Luke tried to dance with her.
Where his son was swift and smooth in a fight and holding a lightsaber, it didn't translate well to dancing.
He was so enraptured by the sight of his children so blissfully happy that he failed to notice a presence had walked up beside him.
"So," Han's voice startled him but he turned to his new son-in-law with a pensive frown.
Han had his arms crossed and looked up at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Does this mean I have to call you Dad?" His eyes danced with faint amusement and his voice dripped in sarcasm.
Had he met Solo when he was a young Jedi he might have liked him. He could certainly see why Leia and Luke became so close with him.
Anakin only grunted and looked back at his children. "I would highly prefer that you didn't."
"Good," Han nodded, "so we agree on something."
"I think we agree on something else too, Solo. My daughter's happiness." His lips twitched at the corners as Leia's face lit up in delight as Luke attempted, and failed at, a dance move.
Han rolled his eyes. "Oh, don't start with the overprotective father speech."
Han's sharp words brought his attention back to him. Han met his eyes seriously and had taken a closer step towards him.
"Leia has struggled with accepting you into her life and I'm still not a fan of it, or you, but it was her decision and you are her father. So I think, as her husband, it's now my duty to warn you not to hurt her. I stood by her while you were still terrorizing the galaxy." Han poked himself in the chest, tapping on his heart. "I never hurt her...sure we argue but that's just what we do. We love each other and I would never do anything to intentionally harm her. I do not trust you to do the same. So I am just here to tell you that if you hurt her, I will gladly sit by and watch as she takes you down, but I pray she doesn't have to lose another father."
He had known of Han's love for Leia but that little speech had proved his devotion once and for all. He had a sudden respect for him that he hadn't had before. "Well said, Solo. I am impressed. Ordinarily I would take those words as a threat."
"You don't?" Han narrowed his eyes inquisitively.
"No I don't because contrary to your belief, I am human, I do have a heart and one that, not so long ago, loved a woman as much as you clearly love Leia. I also pray you take better care of my daughter than I took care of my wife."
His words clearly stunned his new son-in-law into silence. He barely had spoken to Solo in the year since his rescue and clearly, the man still saw him as the heartless Sith Lord who encased him in carbonite and nearly destroyed the galaxy. Which was a very fair assessment. He hadn't cared about Han's forgiveness, or opinion, but he did care about Leia's and if Leia cared about Han he at least had to try to win over her husband.
"I do not take for granted my place in my daughter's life. Leia's heart and trust is hard won….much like my own. You may not believe me but she had my heart before she was ever born and I regret every choice I made that led me away from knowing her and letting her know how much I loved her."
Han stared at him, wide-eyed, his lips parted in stunned silence. "Well…" he cleared his throat and crossed his arms again. "..alright then. Good, I'm glad that's settled."
"Yes."
They fell into an extremely awkward silence that was only broken as the twins' simultaneous laughter carried over the crowd and a smile softened both of their faces. Luke had attempted to twirl his sister, which ended in her tripping over his feet and landing in his arms before she hit the ground.
Han gave him a sideways glance. "So what do I call you? Just realizing now this is the longest conversation we've ever had and since we are family now I guess I need to call you something."
He pursed his lips slightly. "Anakin will do just fine."
"Anakin…" Han nodded slowly and then he groaned and turned to face him fully and held out his hand. "A sign of faith."
Anakin looked back at him.
"Luke and Leia believe in you," He shrugged in way of explanation, "and I trust them with my life and my heart, clearly. So I want to believe in you too."
He stared at the outstretched hand for a long moment of silence.
It was strange, how far they had come in a year. He never could have dreamed in a million years that his life could have been this.
He had felt hopeless and lost, buried in anguish and guilt but the love and forgiveness and second chances had brought him back to life, in more ways than one.
He reached out and shook his son-in-law's hand. "A sign of faith," he echoed, "Han."
Han's lips twitched in a half smile and then dropped his hand.
When they looked back Luke and Leia were now approaching them, each carrying two slices of the wedding cake.
Leia handed one to her husband with a small, inquisitive smile.
"I hope you two are behaving over here."
Han broke into a true smile, his eyes glinting. "Always."
Leia rolled her eyes and Luke handed his extra plate of cake to his father.
Han raised his brow at the exchange. "Can you even eat that?"
The twins shot him equally snide looks.
"Han." Leia hissed quietly in reprimand.
"It's an honest question!" Han lifted his shoulders in defense. "I've never seen him eat anything, have you?"
"It's quite alright, Leia." Anakin spoke up seeing the look on her face. "Your husband is correct, I cannot eat in the traditional sense. However, I have found there are other ways to enjoy baked desserts."
All three looked back at him inquisitively.
There was a brief silence as he raised his free hand and then he flicked his wrist.
As soon as he did so, the plate in Han's hands flew upward, sending the delicately frosted cake into his face.
Leia gasped, her hand covering her mouth. Luke stared agape as Han removed the plate slowly from his face and then the younger Skywalker burst into laughter at the white frosting smeared across his new brother-in-law's face.
Leia stifled her giggles behind her hand, her eyes turned up in amusement but the longer she stared at Han, the harder it became to resist and eventually she joined her brother in laughter as Han wiped the frosting off his eyes.
The small humiliation of Han and his children's laughter left Anakin with amused self satisfaction.
"Oh, you think it's funny do you?" Han narrowed his eyes and he slowly approached Leia and she took a cautious step back.
"Han…" she tried to warn him but couldn't keep the laughter out of her voice.
She let out a small screech of laughter as Han suddenly crossed the distance between them, gently grabbed her around the waist and planted his messy cheek firmly to hers.
She playfully shoved at his chest, a grin split across her face, laughter pouring from her lips as he nuzzled her face with his own
Luke was in hysterics behind them and then without warning, Han released Leia and turned toward her brother, grabbed the plate out of his hand and shoved it into his face, effectively silencing him.
Leia only laughed harder, her arms wrapping around her stomach and Han grinned smugly.
"Hey!" Luke spluttered as he removed the plate from his face and wiped at his eyes. "I'm not the one who caked you!"
"Yeah well, it's my wedding day, I don't particularly feel like dying today by upsetting Papa Skywalker. You'll have to do instead."
Luke narrowed his eyes and continued to wipe at his face.
There was a weird stirring in Anakin's chest at the affectionate, if sarcastic nickname from Han.
Papa Skywalker.
At times he felt as young as he had when he was a Jedi, and others he felt like he'd lived a hundred years.
That one name was a reminder of all the time that had passed but gave hope to moments that were yet to come as Luke and Leia's father.
Another familiar face approached the group, laughing quietly as she caught sight of the mess.
"What happened here?" Ahsoka asked, looking between all the caked up faces. "Who started it? Luke?"
Luke threw his arms up in exasperation. "Why am I always blamed?"
Han snorted and Luke shot him a look.
"It wasn't me." He sent a pointed look in his father's direction.
Ahsoka turned toward Anakin, the only one in the group with a clean face, and a mischievous smirk on his mouth. "Anakin," she shook her head with a laugh, "I should have known."
He shrugged. "Some things never change, eh Snips?"
She smirked. "If all you're doing is starting food fights I'd say that's an improvement of character."
Her blue eyes danced in amusement and from anyone else those words would have brought a scathing bite of guilt. Ahsoka was the only one alive who knew who he had been before Vader, the only one who knew him well enough to know how to joke with him.
"Funny."
She laughed again and shook her head and turned to Luke and Leia.
"Your father was quite the trouble maker."
"Him? You're kidding me." Han remarked dryly and received another scathing look from his wife.
"The good kind of trouble." Ahsoka assured him with a smirk.
"Not to the Jedi."
"Yeah, well, you never belonged with them, Anakin."
He only wished he had realized that before it was too late.
He caught Leia watching him, a peculiar look in her eyes. It was as if she was seeing him for the first time and he realized that she was. She was seeing him not as Darth Vader but as Anakin, as her father.
Their eyes met and her lips curled in a small but soft smile.
He returned a smile back to her, mostly because what he had longed for the last year was finally coming true - his daughter was giving him a chance.
But it was also in part due to the fact that his daughter was quite the amusing sight, her face smeared with frosting.
"Leia," he began seriously and she raised her brow, "I do believe you have something on your face."
Her eyes narrowed playfully and Luke started laughing again.
"And we can't have that on her wedding day." Ahsoka said with a laugh and she walked over to stand beside Leia. "Come on, i'll help you clean up."
Leia turned a warm, grateful smile to her. "Thank you, Ahsoka."
"You boys behave yourselves…" Ahsoka threw a warning glance over both Han and Luke but then snapped a sharp look to him, "...Anakin."
He smirked. "Oh I've had my fun, you don't need to worry about me."
"I always worry about you."
Her eyes softened and they shared a meaningful glance.
He waved them off with a slow wave of his hand. "I shall behave."
"I've heard that before." Ahsoka laughed.
"Look who's talking, Snips."
Ahsoka only shot back a small grin, a hint of a gleam in her eyes.
"Excuse me, who exactly are the more senior adults here?" Leia asked, her voice tinged with amusement.
"Leia," Ahsoka gently wrapped her arm around the younger woman, "If there's one thing you need to know about your father is his very unique sense of humor."
"And that the Jedi's big mistake was making her my padawan because she only encouraged it."
Ahsoka laughed quietly. "We certainly gave the poor council something to groan about and gave Master Kenobi a few gray hairs."
His smile faded at the thought of Obi-Wan and he could see the same thought almost immediately cross her face.
Just as soon after Luke's face softened into a solemn frown, followed by Leia and then Han as they each remembered their fallen friend.
Ahsoka cleared her throat, breaking any tension that was beginning to fall over the previously happy group.
"Anyway, Anakin and I were so alike that putting us together probably wasn't the greatest idea the Jedi ever had but it did make us good friends."
Luke's face slowly lifted and then so did Leia's. The two could be so different at times but there was no mistaking the sync they had as twins.
He felt the dark cloud that had started to settle around him lift and his lips turned up in a small smile.
"That it did."
"That must be where Leia gets it from." Luke said and she turned a look on him and he gave her a well meaning smile. "That sharp, biting humor." He shrugged. "You are like him in that way."
Leia's eyes narrowed and he felt his chest tighten as he waited for her response. She hummed, her face softening again. "I guess I am." Leia mused quietly with a light shrug. "Like father like daughter...as they say."
Leia was continuing to surprise him that day. Her consistent acceptance of him as her father certainly gave him hope that their relationship would only continue to grow toward the positive.
His eyes drifted from Leia to Ahsoka who gave him a knowing, almost smug smile. It would have annoyed him had he not been so incredibly grateful that she was right. She winked and then turned to Leia, "Let's get you inside before that stains your dress."
"I don't see anyone caring about the stains on our clothes." said Han, who definitely received the worst hit with bits of frosting over his face, neck and splattered across his chest.
Ahsoka turned her head with a small smirk. "Do you care about the stains on your clothes?"
"This happens to be my best vest."
"Yes," Leia laughed quietly, a knowing twinkle in her eyes, "that I bought you for our wedding specifically because you didn't have anything nicer."
"I never said it was my favorite." He shrugged.
"And after today I'm sure you'll never wear it again."
They shared a smile that only newlyweds could share. "And that's why she's my wife. She knows me so well."
"If anyone cares I do care about my clothes." Luke said, frowning down at the few spatterings of white on his shirt.
"Planning on training a lot in your fancy clothes do you?" Ahsoka asked in amusement and his lips pursed as he looked back up at her.
"No." He stressed. "But it's nice to have something to wear to these such occasions. Leia, you remember what I wore to that ceremony after the destruction of the death star? There you were dressed like the princess you are and I… "
Leia stifled a laugh. "Yes, that yellow jacket. Your fashion sense does need a little work, Luke."
"It's all I could find at such short notice." He defended.
"It was blinding." Leia told Ahsoka and they shared a laugh.
Luke shook his head but a small smile crossed his lips. "Go ahead, laugh at my expense."
Anakin felt an odd mixture of joy, wistful longing and regret listening to his family reminisce on memories they shared together, knowing at that time he had still been lost. He didn't mind hearing that it was his defeat they were celebrating, he minded that it was because of him they had an enemy to defeat at all. He minded he hadn't been there to fight alongside them instead against them.
Luke sighed. "I knew I was getting a brother today, I didn't realize I also had another sister."
"Ah, I'm more of a wise old Aunt, right Skyguy?" Ahsoka turned an amused look to him.
Ahsoka's presence was a reminder that although he had missed much, there was still hope for new memories to be made with a new family just beginning.
He grunted and nodded, a smirk pulling at his lips. "Yes, she was my annoying little sister first, complete with an equally annoying nickname."
Ahsoka grinned. "Oh you loved it."
"Skyguy, huh?" Han mused and looked at Luke, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
"Don't even think about it, Han."
"Besides," Ahsoka chimed in, "there may be more than one Skywalker but Anakin's the only Skyguy."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Don't you have someplace else to be, Snips? I believe Leia is patiently waiting."
"I'm rather enjoying this conversation, actually." Leia said, her smile lighting her face.
"Your father is right. We should get you cleaned up but don't you boys worry we'll be back in no time."
Ahsoka and Leia looked at one another and shared a smile and then Ahsoka nodded her head towards the base.
He watched his best friend escort his daughter away from the party, their arms wrapped around each other, their laughter fading with them.
"Personally, I think it's a good look for you, Luke." Han said teasingly.
"You think? I think it's you who makes the look."
Beside him, Luke and Han started poking at each other with frosted fingertips, grinning like brothers.
He still felt a little amiss amongst such simple domesticity, it was one part of life he had never come to know. As close as he had come with Padmé, their stolen moments hardly counted and were vastly different to...this.
Yet he preferred it to anything else. It gave him a feeling of warmth he had never really experienced before. Even his marriage to Padmé was tainted by fear and secrets.
With his son, best friend and now daughter's acceptance, nothing held him back except the darkness of his past that never would truly escape him.
There were so many unknowns that lay in the future ahead but he knew one thing for certain - he'd been brought back to life and not just physically.
His life as Anakin had started anew and he swore, no matter the cost, he was not going to waste it again.
And that is the end!
I would like to thank you all for reading my first full and complete Star Wars story and giving such wonderful feedback! I appreciate it so much!
This may be the end of this particular story but I do plan on continuing this into a series that will probably be various one shots as Anakin continues to grow back into his family's lives. It will feature all characters seen in this story, plus more as it dives deeper into their future. I have big plans for our favorite little (big?) Disaster Skywalker.
I hope you all will check it out! The first part should be coming out rather soon!
And if you like prequel Anakin, I have another AU series where Anakin and Padmé get to raise Luke and Leia it's called A New Life.
Thank you all again so much and please let me know what you thought!