Author's Note:

Disney/Lucasfilm own Star Wars and not me. I make no money from this story, but do gain a new hope for a bright future for my favorite characters and franchise.

Yes, one reader of this story, you know who you are, when I was writing that one line from Han, you know which one it was, I was thinking of you. Funny, many of Han's line sound like something you'd say.

Yes I'm updating fairly quickly. I have to. I'm not allowing myself to begin drafting my AU (Episode VIII The Jedi's Reckoning) until this story is edited and posted and the ideas are flowing freely, so I have to get this story up before the plot bunnies hop away.


"Pooja, will you tell us what's going on?" Ryoo demanded.

Pooja looked around the warm family room where everyone waited, though none relaxed except for the two young boys, and their even younger sister.

The fire danced behind the copper grating. The dim glow of lamps cast golden halos at the end of each sofa, and on the many soft leather chairs-all seats filled-and those seated. Their faces wore many expressions: some expectant, some fearful, some annoyed.

"Sister, dear, I promise I will explain everything in a few moments," Pooja said, eyes wide and smile even wider.

"Why are you so blasted happy?" Darred demanded, his frown deepening. "We were all practically dragged from our work, school and home by agents of the Queen and told we were being taken into protective custody. After what happened at the palace…"

"Father, please," Pooja interrupted, her tone calm and soothing, "I'm truly sorry. I don't mean to frighten anyone. Imperials will be coming here for our vote, and I do fear a possible threat to our family. The Queen agreed with that assessment, and her support for us is why her forces were so insistent, but there is another reason, a happy reason, I wanted you here. One I could not tell the Queen, but will share with all of you now."

Pooja looked around the wide family room. Her grandmother and grandfather were huddled in the corner of a small sofa their two year old great granddaughter curled up in her great grandma's arms.

Ryoo and her husband, Sulle, were sitting on one side of a sofa with their 12 and 13 year old sons sitting in a few freestanding padded chairs.

Pooja's father, Darred, had risen from his seat as she was explaining and was now pacing the room, and only stopping when his wife, Sola, entered with a tall man, an astromech and a protocol droid just behind her.

"Everyone," Sola said, waving toward Han. "This is General Han Solo. He and the other emissaries of the Alliance are going be staying with us as well."

At the startled and concerned looks around the room, Sola held up her hand and explained, "What you are about to see and hear is not known by the Queen or any other person on our world, or any other for that matter, but it is very important to our family. We'll finally have answers to some questions we have long thought would be mysteries forever. Artoo?" Sola called.

Pooja stepped forward again. "Ryoo, do you remember this droid?"

Ryoo's mouth dropped open a moment before she asked, "Pooja, you're not saying? Is that Aunt Padme's droid?"

"It is," Pooja said, "and she left a recording on him for her family. Artoo, play it, please."

Silence fell on the room by the time Artoo rolled forward and with a warble and a few beeps, an image formed in the center of the room.

A beautiful woman in a white lace veil knelt before Artoo. "Ready?" she asked. A recording of Artoo's yes trill sounded. The woman nodded and stood.

Gasps rose around the room and Jobal began to queietly weep. Tears fell from Ruwee's eyes as he grasped his wife's hand as they heard their long dead daughter speak to them once again. Darred scooped up his sleeping granddaughter from his distraught mother-in-law.

"I hope when you see this recording we are all together, and you will have forgiven me what I am about to do. Mother, Father, Sola, and my beautiful Pooja and Ryoo, I wanted you here so badly, to be a part of my wedding just like family should, but Anakin and I… we can't let anyone know we are married for now. The Jedi forbid attachment of any kind, and marriage is as attached as one can be." Padme said with small smile.

"I know one day we'll let our marriage be known, but with the Clone Wars beginning, and the Republic in jeopardy." Padme paused and sighed. "It's not the right time." She smiled as if trying to seem more light hearted. "I hope we'll be laughing about this at my daughter's wedding, or my son's, " she added with a true smile. "I love you all, and I promise Anakin is a wonderful, amazing man, and we love each other so much."

Pooja had her arm around her mother's shoulders as she watched her sister take the hand of the Jedi and stand in front of the Holy Man.

Tears tracked down her face, as the ancient promises were exchanged, and her sister became Padme Naberrie Skywalker.

Sealed with a kiss in the brilliant red of sunset with Anakin and Padme staring into each other's eyes, the recording faded.

"Padme married Anakin Skywakler?" Ruwee said, wiping tears from his eyes.

"One of the Alliance representatives with you is Luke Skywalker," Jobal said, jumping to her feet, "Is he?" she started.

"But Aunt Padme was pregnant when she died," Ryoo interrupted.

"It was made to look that way," explained Sola, "Because children of a Jedi as powerful as Anakin Skywalker would have been hunted by Darth Vader and the Emperor. Obi Wan Kenobi and Bail Organa each took one of Padme's twins and saw to it they were raised in loving homes."

"Twins?" asked Jobal, but before she could say another thing Luke and Leia walked into the doorway.

"Mother," Sola said, taking Jobal's hand and guiding her in front of Luke and Leia. "May introduce you to your grandchildren, Luke Skywalker, and Leia Skywalker Organa."

Jobal looked at Luke and Leia wonder in her eyes. Ruwee was beside her in an instant before reaching out to Luke, who hugged his grandfather for the first time. Jobal hugged Leia, tears running freely down her face.

Jobal pulled back and gazed into Leia's face, "Look at you! So beautiful."

"And you," Ruwee said, pulling away from his own hug and holding Luke by the shoulders as he gazed into his eyes. "But for your eye and hair color and that Skywalker chin, you have your mother's face." Luke smiled widely.

Jobal reached out to him. "And her smile." Luke hugged her back.

Leia reached out to embrace her grandfather.

Pooja walked up to the reunited family, a woman near to her age beside her.

"Luke and Leia, I'd like to introduce you to your other cousin, Ryoo," Pooja said.

Ryoo smiled but was a bit hesitant.

"Hello," Leia said, reaching for Ryoo's hands. Ryoo took them and smiled.

"Hello," she replied, momentarily tongue tied.

"Oh, Ryoo, don't be intimidated. Luke and Leia are thrilled to have found out about their mother and want to know us. I've known Leia for years, and she is truly a great friend, and Luke is, well the Jedi thing is impressive, but otherwise, he and the General over there," Pooja added, nodding toward Han. "Are normal people with a few unique talents."

No one around the room looked entirely convinced of that. Most looked in various stages of shock.

"Perhaps you could introduce us to everyone else?" Leia suggested to Ryoo. She nodded and releasing Leia's hand she motioned for them to follow, "Over here we have my father, your Uncle Darred."


Laughter echoed around the room as small ball of knotted yarn flew through the air landing in Han Solo's outstretched hand.

"Got me," Han said. "Ask away."

"I heard so many stories about the amazing Millennium Falcon before you arrived. All the battles it survived—even won outright," Pooja paused, hiding her smile, as she could see Han seem brighten with each word of praise. "So is its This-Ship-Is-About-To-Crumble-Into-Space-Junk look a way to have your enemies underestimate you, or has it simply been through that much damage?"

"Hey!" called Han indignantly, over Luke and Leia's fit of laughter.

"Oh, it's always looked that bad," Luke confirmed. "I never thought of it as a strategy before now though."

"I'll bet I can beat any of your pretty sparkle, shine ships cause everything you've heard about her performance is true and more," Han answered with his crooked grin, his arms crossed across his chest.

"He's right," Leia added. "The more you haven't heard is that it is the fastest ship I've been on."

Han grinned and took her hand, giving it a kiss. "And the most likely to fry a circuit, and leave you limping along for days while you try to find the problem."

"Hey," Han said, dropping her hand and shooting a mock glare here way. "Whose side are you on anyway?"

"Yours, Dear, I'm trying to make an honest man out of you any way I can."

Everyone laughed even harder. Han shook his head and scanned the room. Seeing Pooja, his eyes narrowed, and he made to toss what had been dubbed the question ball toward her, but at the last moment changed it's angle to land in Ryoo's hands.

"Oh come on," Ryoo protested.

"No fussing," Han said, grinning. "You're the one who came up with the whole whoever catches the ball has to answer a question. Sides, I think you might like mine."

"Firstly, I only suggested we use this classroom tool of mine because I didn't want you and my two cousins over there to be constantly bombarded with questions and not have a chance to ask your own. And secondly, I doubt I'll like your question, with what you've managed to come up with so far, Han."

"Hey, it's me," he said holding both hands out in front of him. Groans and chuckles sounded around the room. Han smirked as the room quieted and asked, "What question could I ask Pooj over there that would get her back for insulting my ship?"

"Keep calling me Pooj, Han, and it's back to General." Pooja said as the ball flew at her. "Drat," she complained as the ball landed in her lap.

"Pooj, dear Sister," Ryoo said, her eyes twinkling with mischief, "Leia is engaged to that handsome General over there and our dear Cousin Luke is going to be busy for a while since he has to rebuild the Jedi, but even he plans to have a family one day. I've got my family, so when are you going to settle down?"

Pooja, crossing her arms over her chest, huffed as her cheeks colored. "I have more important things to do right now than look for the right guy. And don't call me Pooj."

"That's understandable," Ryoo teased, "You aren't living the life of leisure our cousins are, it's true."

Huwae, Ryoo's oldest son yawned widely.

Luke hid his yawn behind his hand, and teased. "Can't yawn like that Huwae. It's contagious."

Huwae chuckled even as his brother, Lanu yawned widely.

"It's more than that," Jobal said her voice more a tease than a scold, "It's extremely late and we all should rest, especially after what you four," Jobal pointed from Pooja to Han, then at Luke and Leia, "Have been through today. We have three days to learn more of each other. And to plan that small wedding," she added with a wide smile at Han and Leia, "Before the first of three debates and several more weeks together yet?" Jobal turned to Pooja for confirmation.

"It looks like that will be the time line, Grandmother."

"I think you are making a wise suggestion, Darling," Ruwee said, then winked at Han and stage whispered. "Always look for ways to work in how right the wife is."

Jobal popped his arm with a pillow as everyone else laughed.

Sola, holding her sleeping grand daughter, stood, "Ladies, let's go figure out where we're going to get everyone settled," Pooja, Jobal and Leia stood while Han stretched on on the now empty sofa, his bare feet propped on the arm. "Wake me when you've found a spot." Han called after the retreating women.

"I'll take the first watch," Luke said, rising. "I want to hook Artoo up to a translator program anyway."

"Give him hell," Han said. "Little grease ball could have said something."

"Watch?" asked Darred. "Is something wrong?"

"Have you heard of anything?" asked Ruwee, "Or your Jedi senses?"

Luke held up his hands, placating. "It's nothing like that, Grandfather," He motioned to Han. "We have been fighting so long that we really don't rest well unless someone is on watch. The Queen has security all over the place, and I'm sure it's great."

"But the only way anyone in the Alliance survives is by keeping a sharp lookout. Those habits don't die easy," Han explained.

"I suppose that makes sense," Sulle, Ryoo's husband, said.

"What do you say, Men? Raid the kitchen?"

Huwae and Lanu cheered and raced ahead, "Night Luke."

"Night Cousins," he smiled after them.

Darred and Sulle nodded at Luke and followed the boys, while Ruwee held back. "Can a Grandfather have a hug?"

Luke walked into his Grandfather's embrace. "I know I've said it before, but I love you, and I'm so proud of you."

Luke swallowed at the knot in his throat before replying. "I love you too, Grandfather."

"So formal, my Boy," Ruwee teased. "It's Gramps, remember?"

Luke smiled and nodded.

"Just don't swell his head with too much praise. He's already hard enough to live with as it is," Han teased.

Ruwee laughed. "Then I suppose it's not safe to tell my soon-to-be-grandson I love him and I'm proud of him as well."

"Oh that's fine, Gramps-to-be. I'm the most humble person I know."

Luke and his grandfather both turned, shaking their heads and laughing as they exited the family room.


"I'm sorry we kept you up so late, Leia," Pooja apologized.

"I'm not. It was wonderful talking with the girls. I've been surrounded mostly by men, good men, but men in the Alliance. I forgot how nice it is to enjoy the company of other women."

Pooja smiled. "Still we practically planned a wedding for you."

"You did plan a wedding," Leia said with a bright smile, "and it's better than I could have hoped."

"But we haven't," Pooja began.

"If you add any more it won't be a simple family wedding. As it is you, Aunt Sola, and Grandmother," Leia began.

"Gram," Pooja corrected.

"Gram," Leia continued, "Have found a way to blend and honor traditions from Alderran, Naboo, and even a bit of Corellia for Han. I love it, and we don't need another thing done. But looking through Mother's dresses you had shipped her for one we can alter? How did you know we'd need them? And how did you talk the Queen into packing and sending them all here?"

"I didn't, but Gram and Gramps have held onto all of Padme's things, and I was sure they would want each of you to have a mementos from her. I told the Queen that I feared that if they attacked our home all that my parents had of Padme could not be replaced, and asked if they could be sent to safety with us as well."

"And you're sure my mother has a green dress in her wardrobe?" Leia asked.

"You have no idea what a clothing hoarder your mother was. I'm certain she wore every color the human eye can see and probably had a collection containing colors only other species could see, just to say she could. Mother thinks it was her time as a Nubian monarch. All the ceremonial clothing just became a way of life for her."

"What do you think?" her smile wistful.

"I think my Aunt Padme was a beautiful lady who liked beautiful things. I am surprised, Leia, that with all the white Alderaanians wear, that your traditional wedding gown color is green."

"It represents growth and fertility," Leia explained. "And I know it's silly, but Alderaanian brides married in another color are said to be unlucky."

"And you and Han need all the luck you can get with the crazy life you lead."

Leia chuckled and nodded as they turned to the family room where Han was sleeping soundly. "I don't want to wake him." Leia admitted. She tugged the robe tightly around the gown she'd changed into after helping everyone settle sleeping arrangements. "I'll just sleep on the couch on the other side of the room for tonight," Leia said, taking the blankets they'd brought to make up the couch for Luke and laying them on the sofa.

"Are you sure?" Pooja asked. "That's not a lot of privacy for you two."

"We're both way too tired to need privacy now," Leia said, shrugging out of her robe and helping spread blankets on the couch.


Pooja punched her pillow and turned to the other side of the bed for the fifth time in the last half hour if the antique timepiece on her bed stand was correct.

She glared at the darkness, willing her racing mind to quiet. To no effect. With a huff of impatience, she threw off her covers and sat hunched over on the corner of her bed. "Maybe some warm milk would help," she muttered as she slid into her slippers.

Padding quietly down the stairs, her hand gliding over the marble railings, Pooja smiled. It was so peaceful now, and her family was together, her whole family. Perhaps that's why she couldn't sleep. So many mysteries were solved now. There were a few left, but… Pooja cut off those thoughts with a shake of her head. There were a few days to prepare for the upcoming debate and Leia's wedding. That and spending time with her family, new and old, were all that mattered.

Pooja peeked in the family room where Leia and Han slept on opposite couches.

She turned toward the kitchen and stopped as she heard Luke's voice.

Pooja poured a two glasses of Shaak Milk and pulled out several cookies left over from desert and placed them on a tray.


"How would a blood test show Force sensitivity?" Luke asked.

A warble and a few beeps later Luke said, "Midichlorian levels found in blood?" For a moment there was a pause, then Luke added. "Really? That's kinda anticlimactic."

A few warbles and beeps later and Luke laughed. "I didn't have any idea how Jedi found Force sensitive apprentices."

A beep interrupted Luke. "Okay, not apprentices. Padawans," Luke corrected. Waving his free hand toward Artoo, he added, "But I thought it'd be more mystical than some easily testable biological element found in a simple blood test."

A few warbles later and Luke chuckled. "No I didn't expect having to leap through rings of fire, or correctly predict the best three out of five winners on a the Hutt's pod racing circuits. Best seven out of ten, maybe?" He added teasingly.

"Hey, at least that will make finding recruits easier when the time comes," Luke said, then sighed. "I hope I'm ready when the times comes."

"I don't mean to interrupt," Pooja said, peeking around a door a tray in her hands. "I heard you talking and thought you might like a late night, er… rather early morning snack…"

Luke smiled up at Pooja. "That'd be great," Luke said. Pooja handed off the tray to Luke and surprised him by sitting down on the balcony next to him.

"The balcony where your parents married?" she observed, smiling.

"I thought it looked like it," Luke said. "Seemed as good a place to have a talk with Artoo and keep watch as any."

"So that's the translator pad for Artoo, huh? I'm surprised you didn't have Threepio translate."

"Are you kidding?" Luke asked, with a chuckle. "They'd argue part of the time and then Threepio would add his commentary. I suggested Threepio get a good recharge for the night."

"You have a point. Pooja placed a hand on Artoo, "so are you clearing up all the mysteries of the past for Luke?"

A happy chirrup sounded, and they both laughed. "Such a confident yes."

"He's been really helpful," Luke said. "But the more I talk with him, the more I know how little I understand about even the simplest aspects of what being a Jedi meant before the Republic fell."

"But what I saw in the hangar," Pooja protested.

"I have the skills of a Jedi," Luke explained, "At least the core skills. And I have the overarching goal of all Jedi: to see peace and justice throughout the galaxy. But what I'm learning from Artoo is that I'm just scratching the surface."

Pooja laid her hand on his arm. "How do you eat a shaak, Luke?"

"What's a shaak?" Luke asked with a chuckle.

"A four legged herd beast with a massive body."

"Lot's of sauce and fried mushroom crisps?"

Pooja poked him in the ribs gently. "One bite at a time, Goof."

Luke chuckled.

"I don't suppose Artoo can tell us what caused Aunt Padme's death?"

Luke tensed as Artoo released a questioning warble.

"You're doing it it again," Pooja said, looking into Luke's eyes.

"What?"

"You," Pooja stopped and then amended, "you and Leia freeze up when we asked too much about why you two were separated, and what happened to your father. I'm sure the others believe that it's just a sensitive issue for you, but something else is going on here. I want to know."

Luke smiled sadly. "I don't think you do. Not really."

Pooja took the pad from Luke's hand. "Master Luke, this answer could contain sensitive information. Do you wish me to answer?" Pooja read, her voice a quiet whisper. "Luke, she was my aunt and I loved her very much. I want to know, and more importantly, I want to help you and Leia."

Luke looked torn, "I would like someone to talk with about this other than Leia and Han. Especially knowing what should and should not be shared with the rest of the family, and how to help them understand why we can't let our relationship to them ever be public knowledge." Luke admitted with a nod toward the house where everyone slept.

"Luke I can keep a secret. I'd like to help you."

Luke closed his eyes for a moment as if in thought, or Pooja realized, meditation perhaps?

"I won't tell you," Luke held up his hand to stop Pooja's protest, then added, "But I will share some facts with you that even a mildly curious reporter could find and see what you can guess from them. If you guess right, I'll tell you."

"That sounds fair," Pooja agreed.

"Sheev Palpatine was here at the celebration of Naboo's liberation. Who else was there?"

"Padme, members of the Jedi council, Obi Wan Kenobi, and, well, your father as a young boy."

"And Palpatine wasn't just a politician…" Luke trailed off and looked at Pooja.

"He was a Sith Lord," she said, "We all feel sick when we think of it."

"And what had Obi Wan just done to his Sith apprentice."

"He'd killed him," Pooja said. "Luke I don't understand."

"At the celebration, Palpatine stopped by my father and said he'd be watching his career with great interest."

Pooja began to feel sick, "Luke what are you saying?"

"Turns out, he meant it. Artoo tells me that he was a mentor of sorts to my father, a friend."

"But he was Obi Wan Kenobi's student, a Jedi Knight, and a hero."

"He was. And he broke the code to marry my mother. He was keeping secrets from the Jedi. First a wife then becoming a father."

"Did Palpatine know about them?" Pooja asked.

"According to Artoo, he found out somehow. Before Obi Wan did. But to be fair I don't think a reporter would know that. They would know that Palpatine was close to mother via her shared world, and the friendship my father and he shared was common knowledge; it's not too far a stretch that he could have known."

"How did the attack on the Jedi temple begin?" Luke asked.

"Palpatine sent his apprentice Darth Va-" Pooja's words stuck in her throat."

"No," Pooja looked at Luke, her eyes wide in horror. "No, no, no, no. Please tell me you're not saying."

Luke leaned his head back against the cool stone of the balcony railing. "It was the first time anyone ever heard of Vader, and in the images all you saw was a hooded coat like the Jedi wore."

"If my life day is anything to go by, it happened a few days before I was born, a few days before my mother died. A few days before it was vital the Jedi hide us from the Emperor and from Vader.

"I want to know how she died, Luke," Pooja said, determination and dread mingled in her voice.

"Artoo?" he prompted the droid, grimly.

Artoo sadly trilled and beeped, the final tone sounding very like a weary groan.

"No medical cause could be found. The diagnostic droids said she lost the will…" Pooja's breath caught " No! She was strong."

Luke didn't try to stop he tears flowing down his cheeks.

"He became Vader," Pooja acknowledged dully.

Artoo beeped a few more times sadly.

Reading the translation Luke broke down completely, the translator pad tumbling from his fingers.

Pooja caught the pad and read, "Her last words, to Obi Wan as held you, Master Luke, was that there was still good in him."

Pooja laid the pad aside and drew her weeping cousin in her arms.

"She was right," Luke gasped between sobs. "He turned away from the dark side." Luke dissolved into weeping once again. For a while, they cried quietly, Pooja rubbing Luke's back as he released the grief he'd only begun to allow himself to feel.

"When I refused to turn to the dark side, the Emperor was going to torture and kill me." Luke whispered into Pooja's ear once his sobs subsided. "He picked up the Emperor, and even though Palpatine's Force lightening ripped him apart from the inside out and fried the electronics that kept him alive, he carried him till he reached the reactor shaft he threw the Emperor down."

"It was her last wish. You helped him find himself again. She would have been so proud of you, Cousin."

Luke began to cry quietly once more. "The more a I look back, the more baffled I am. I don't understand how so many good people, how the Republic, how the Jedi Order could be destroyed by the evil of one man?"

"I don't know how Palpatine did what he did, Luke, but I do know that if one powerful person can enshroud the galaxy in the shadow of the Sith, another powerful person can drive back the dark with the light of the Jedi."

"I hope you're right," Luke whispered, hoarsely.

Pooja pulled back and gripped the wide arm of her robe's sleeve to wipe the tears from Luke's cheeks.

"I am," she smiled. "We'll figure out what we need to do later, but for now." Pooja rose and reached down for Luke's hands.

He took her hands and stood beside her. "You need some sleep. My room is the first one at the top of the hall." She turned him gently by the shoulders and gave him a gentle shove in that direction. "Go. Artoo and I'll take care of things here."

Luke nodded over his shoulder at her.

"Artoo," he said, "Answer her questions. She's a full member of the Skywalker Council for Headaches, Anxiety, and Sleepless Nights Club."

Artoo chirrped and whistled.

"Go," Pooja said with another tiny push on his shoulders.

"Okay, okay, don't be so pushy," Luke added with a wink over his shoulders.

"Har, Har, Har," Pooja deadpanned.

Luke walked up the stairs. Pooja slid back down in front of Artoo. "What are we going to do Artoo? We've got find a way to help them. And we've got to help our world and our galaxy as well. It's all so much," she ended with a weary sigh.

Artoo warbled and beeped a question.

"How do you eat a shaak?" She read aloud the words on Artoo's datapad. "So not fair," she teased, then smiled.

"You're right. First bite. What to do about the family?"


Leia woke with a start. The wisp of a dream faded from her. She gripped at it but it slipped away leaving only a sense of love and satisfaction? Or was it pride?

Leia shook her head. It was gone, whatever it had been.

The rosy tint to the sky colored the lake shimmering just outside the windowed western wall of the family room.

Yawning she grabbed her robe, and tied it about her waist, pausing just for a moment as a glimmer in the center of the lake caught in the corner of her eye.

The most wonderful scent in the galaxy pulled attention back from the lake and guided her into the kitchen where the smell fresh, hot, caf called to her.

A pot was bubbling gently over a burner. Pooja sat on the end of the marble bar, eyes red rimmed and puffy.

"What's wrong?" asked Leia, concerned.

"Have a cup of caf, and we can talk about it," Pooja offered.

Leia tensed a moment. Taking a breath, she forced herself to relax. "I'm glad you brought this Coruscant habit back from our Senate days.'

Pooja chuckled. "I don't think anyone who has ever had this magic elixir of productivity could ever do without it."

Sipping from her own cup, Leia sat on the stool beside Pooja. She sat her cup down and agreed, "True." Leia looked closer at he friend. "At first I thought you just hadn't slept well, but…" Leia trailed off. "Have you been crying?"

Pooja nodded. "Artoo? Begin the scanning we talked about earlier this morning."

"What are you doing, Pooja?"

"Protecting a confidence. Artoo is scanning to make sure that no human comes in hearing range of this conversation," Pooja answered her voice low.

Leia felt sick. "Luke told you," she rasped.

"No," Pooja whispered, truly grateful now at how he'd let her find out. She didn't want to put any more strain on either of her newfound cousins. "I guessed based on some commonly known information."

At Leia's startled look, Pooja clarified. "Only common to those of us who know who your mother is. As long as your mother and your sibling relationship to Luke remains a secret I doubt anyone would figure what really happened with your father."

"My father was Bail Prestor Organa," Leia ground out. "Anakin Skywalker—he's the man my first mother loved. But…"

"It's not like you to hide from the truth, Leia."

Leia glared at Pooja.

Pooja met her glare with a compassionate expression, but did not look away.

"Bail and Breha Organa were wonderful people and your parents in the way that matters the most. They raised you, loved you, and shaped you into the incredible person you are. No one can or should ever try to diminish that."

"I'm glad you understand that," Leia said tensely.

"But your Mother, my aunt, was an incredible woman who I'm sure adored her offspring from the moment she knew she was carrying you. Did you know Artoo has recordings of her singing to you while she caressed her very pregnant stomach."

Leia's eyes glistened.

Pooja sniffed. "That was the cause of the red eyes. The puffiness," she trailed off. "Well I couldn't sleep. So I came down here, heard Luke talking with Artoo, and during the course of the conversation, figured out why the two of you short circuit when we got too close to asking questions about your father, or about what happened to your mother."

"Leia, your mother is a part of your past, and I don't think you want to deny that."

"No, I don't, but she was a wonderful woman. My father, what he became," Leia shuddered. "I don't care that he killed the Emperor. It doesn't undo the evil he did over the course of my entire life."

Pooja took Leia's hand. "No it can't, and I won't tell you how you have to handle such a horrific truth. I don't know how I would deal with it. I only want you to know if you need to talk about anything regarding it, let me know."

Leia took a breath and tried to release the dark emotions swirling within her. Pooja wasn't telling anyone, and she didn't turn away from her or Luke. That was… comforting she finally decided. "Thanks."

"After caf, I was thinking of a strategy to answer awkward questions. Maybe you and I come up with some kind of family "press release" sort of thing and get it all out of the way in the most, erm, politic of fashion. We can explain, truthfully, that you and Luke are sensitive about the topic. Once we get that far, I promise you that all questions will stop. We all care about you three and especially don't want Padme's children uncomfortable."


Luke tossed the towel left on the bench at the end of his bed over his shoulder. He was wearing the blue swimming trunks that had been folded up next to the towel. He grinned as he picked up the note that had fallen to the floor that read—family lunch at the beach, strict dress code enforced—Gram and Gramps.

Folding the note he tucked it into the one of the belt pouches for his new Jedi robes. Having a note from his grandparents was too important to him to let it go. His newest keepsake protected, he turned, shaking his head at the unlikeliness of this situation, to meet his family for a picnic and swim at a lakeside retreat.


"I still can't believe it," Sola groaned, flopping back onto her towel on the sand. Luke paused at the exit of the gate to the white sandy shore of the beach, panicking. "Pooja you didn't," He whispered.

"It's impossible," Ryoo moaned. "I just don't see how something like this could happen."

"It's tragic," Jobal agreed sadly.

Luke's heart leapt into his throat. Until all the ladies, including Leia, broke into laughter.

"How can it be that in all your Mother's clothing—all of those gorgeous gowns—not a single one is green?"

Luke chuckled, the tension leaving him. He released the breath he had not realized he'd been holding up until that very moment.

"Problem ladies?" Luke asked. Dropping his towel down beside them, he sat next to his Grandmother who promptly swept him up in a hug.

"Good afternoon, sweet boy," she smiled as she released him.

"We spent the better part of a morning going through Mother's clothing. Luke, the gowns, they're magnificent, each one like a work of art as much as clothing, and so many of them could be altered a bit to fit me, but there's not a green one in the entire massive collection."

Luke chuckled. "Maybe you could dye one."

"They're too beautiful," Leia explained. "I can't bear to alter even one in any other way than for fit."

"Ryoo's a talented seamstress. She's going to make a dress with fabric the Queen is arranging to be sent to us later today. Padme did have some beautiful green jewels that will work well with the designs we were able to come up with on short notice."

"I still say that's too much work," Leia protested.

"Nonsense," said Jobal. "We'll be here for a few days with nothing else to do. Besides, we came up with the design based on several of your favorite dresses."

"We want to do this for you," Pooja said.

Luke looked out at the guards, posing as vacationers, worry creasing his brow.

"Luke," Pooja said with a smile. "We were talking with some of our guards this morning. We told them how wonderful all three of you that we decided to adopt you into our family, unofficially."

"The guards think it's cute," Leia said, her voice free of tension. "There's even a few that said they would be our 3rd cousins twice removed, the ones no one talks about."

Luke burst out laughing, and grinned wide. He waved at some guards boating by A few jumped and waved back, playing the part of the relaxing tourist, while others remained on watch.

"Luke's here!" shouted Huwae, and a moment later his 12 year old brother Lanu shouted "Yes!"

"What's up, guys?" Luke asked.

"Dad, Gramppa Darred, Great Gramps and Han said they'd beat, me, Huwae, and you," Lanu explained "At water ball."

"We told them, no way," explained Huwee. "You're a Jedi, and we're awesome!"

Luke chuckled. "And we're younger than all of them," Luke added conspiratorially. He grinned at Leia and passed her his lightsaber. "Hang on to this, will ya?"

Leia took the saber with a shake of her head. "You brought, your lightsaber to a beach outing?"

"That goes where I go," He said with a grin. He pointed to his trunks. "But I'm pretty sure it won't clip to these."

"Are you sure we can't?" Huwee said, staring at the cylinder in Leia's hands.

"Absolutely not!" Ryoo said, crossing her arms over her chest. "That thing is a deadly weapon."

"Sorry guys," Luke said. "Mother has spoken."

Both boys groaned.

"How about we teach a group of geezers how to play water ball?" Luke asked.

"Yeah!" shouted the boys in unison.

On the way down to the beach, Luke asked, "How do you play water ball, anyway?"