I don't own anything just so everybody is clear on that.

This is an idea I have been playing around in my head for a couple of years. One night when I was snowed in at my grandma's I was thinking of this and couldn't get it out of my head. Since I'm a little stumped on my Mysteries on Naboo, I'm hoping to take a break and work on this for a little while. A lot ideas in this came from reading the Star Wars books: The Ghostling Children, The Hunt for Anakin Skywalker, Capture Arawynne, and Trouble on Tatooine. Great reads by the way so there will be a lot of spoilers from them. There will also be spoilers from the Legends series. This is part of the series of if Anakin hadn't gone to the Dark Side, and he and Padme were able to raise Luke and Leia together in the same universe as my Mysteries on Naboo.

Story takes place eighteen years after the battle of Yavin, shortly after the Corellian trilogy. Enjoy!

Skywalker Adventures: Hidden Legacy

What started out as a simple project for his grandchildren turns into a grand adventure uncovering the secrets of Anakin's past. Now, Anakin and his family must search and find out the truth of his lineage, and learn the true meaning in being a Skywalker.

Chapter 1

Tatooine; 32 bby

Anakin winced as his mother gently dabbed the little cut on his face he had gotten from his latest podrace.

He had been so close.

He had reached Metta Drop when Sebulba flashed him with his vents causing his podracer to spin out of control. Anakin's experience and quick reflexes had saved him when he cut the thrusters and tried to right his steering before the engines slammed into the sand. He was able to save the pod. Well, mostly. He left the crash with only a few bruises, and a couple of minor cuts and burns. No worse than usual everytime he crashed. Master Watto had been happy with all the winnings he got betting against him, but his mother Shmi Skywalker had been frantic, especially when she saw the harsh cut bleeding down his face.

After helping Watto return the damaged podracer to the shop's junkyard, Watto had allowed them to return home where Shmi could wash and Anakin's cuts. The bowl of water Shmi had gotten to help clean him was now dirtied with blood, sand, and grime Anakin had acquired that day.

Shmi's eyes were filled with tears and worry. No doubt thinking of all the close calls Anakin had everytime he raced. "If Watto makes you race again, I swear I will throw him in the shredder," Shmi swore as she placed the bacta patch onto the cut.

Anakin shook his head. His mother always threatened Watto everytime he climbed into that pod. "I don't mind it, Mom," Anakin said to her.

Podracing, flying in general was his passion. When he was soaring through the desert he felt like he wasn't just flying. He was free. Yes, podracing was his escape from the cruel reality he and his mother lived in as slaves on Tatooine. It didn't matter how many times he crashed. When he was flying, he felt like nothing could hold him down.

His words didn't ease his mother's worry. "Everytime Watto makes you race, I pray that you make it out alive and in one piece," Shmi said.

"I'm getting better, Mom," Anakin reassured her. "I swear. I'm going to win the next one. I can feel it. Then after a couple wins, I'll win my freedom then I'll win some more and buy yours."

Shmi smiled watery. He son said that all the time, but she didn't have the heart to squash his dreams. When you're a slave, dreams were the greatest power to help you get through the hardships.

"Just be careful," she told him.

Later that night, Anakin found himself sitting outside his home, looking up at the many star systems in the night sky. His mind wandered to a few days ago when he and his best friend Kister, and their friends Pala and Dorn helped the ghostling children escape. The ghostlings were delicate, but beautiful creatures who had been captured by Sebulba and his men to be sold to Gardulla the Hutt to be placed in her Pleasure Garden. Anakin and his friends had been able to help them escape before the transmitters had been placed in them, but during the ordeal, Pala and Dorn had been identified. So when Jira's smuggler friend had come to take the ghostlings he had to take Pala and Dorn with him as well, or else they'd been killed by Gardulla for helping the slaves escape. Anakin and Kitster had barely managed not to be identified by wearing Jawa disguises throughout debacle. As Anakin looked up at the stars he imagined the ghostling children being reunited with their parents, and Pala and Dorn returning to the homes they had been taken from at such a young age. Anakin hoped that when they returned home their families would still be there.

"Ani! Bedtime!" his mother called out, but Anakin just continued to look up at the stars.

"Ani?" Shmi stopped when she saw her son staring up at the stars glittering the Tatooine sky. She recognized the wistful look on his face and knew what he was thinking. She went over to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, holding him close to her. "They'll be alright."

"Are you sure, Mom?" Anakin asked, turning his head to look up at her. "What if Pala's mom doesn't recognize her? What if Dorn's parents don't want him anymore?"

Shmi ran her hand through his hair comfortingly. "A mother always knows, Anakin. Parents never forget no matter how long. There ever comes a time you and I ever get separated, I would never forget you. Dorn and Pala's parents will remember them." Shmi just knew it.

Anakin leaned into his mother's embrace, taking comfort in her words. "I love you, Mom."

Shmi smiled then kissed the top of her son's head, holding him close to her. "I love you too, my beautiful boy."

For a while they just sat there outside their home, holding one another as they gazed at the stars.

"Mom?" Anakin broke the silence.

"Yes, Ani?"

"Do you remember your parents?" he asked.

Shmi froze and Anakin could sense the sadness in his mother, making him feel guilty for asking.

Shmi took a deep breath to calm herself. The topic of her parents was always a painful one ever since she was taken and made into a slave when she was younger than her little Ani.

"Yes," she answered.

Anakin looked at her with his big blue eyes.

"My memories of them are over thirty years old, but I remember bits and pieces of them. I only have one memory of my mother. I must have lost her when I was very young. She had the bluest eyes like yours, and a beautiful, kind, but sad smile on her face. I remember my father a bit more. He had dark hair and dark brown eyes. I remember he was always serious, but everytime he saw me he would smile, and I would know that he loved me so much." Tears stung Shmi's eyes just like they did everytime she dove deep into her memories.

Anakin hugged his mother, trying to send all his love to her. He couldn't imagine being separated from her.

Shmi wiped her eyes and held her son close to her. "When I was taken, my family had been on a space cruise before the pirates attacked. I believe I had been with my grandfather while the rest of my family managed to escape. When the pirates found us, they killed my grandfather, but spared me when they noticed I was wearing an expensive lace dress with jewels, and decided I was more valuable alive. I never saw my family again," Shmi explained.

Anakin had heard the story before about his mother's capture into slavery, but not her family.

"Maybe you were a princess?" he suggested.

Shmi couldn't help but chuckled a bit. "I don't believe so, Ani. Yes, I was wearing an expensive gown, and yes I had a higher education than most children my age, but that doesn't make me a princess."

"Well, then you came from an important family," Anakin insisted. "Maybe they're looking for you right now."

Shmi tried not to sigh. Her son looked so hopeful and enthusiastic over the idea. "Maybe," she said, looking back up at the stars. "It's been so long though."

"Didn't you tell me that parents never forget no matter how long?" Anakin asked. "They're out there. They're looking for you. Looking for us."

It was a sweet idea. One Shmi rarely allowed herself to even think as the years went by. She had hoped for so long that her parents would find her and Anakin, and that they would be a family. But too much time had passed.

"They'll find us one day," Anakin said, looking up at the stars.

"Yes," Shmi whispered as the stars twinkled above. "Maybe they will."

000{{*}}000

The man slammed the door of his private office with such force many items in the room shook, and he threw the datapad he had been carrying across the room in a rare display of temper.

Another dead end.

This time the informant was shot by his partner before he could give any useful information.

He was so close. So close to finding the ship that had taken his child from him. By now she would be a fully grown woman in her mid-thirties.

So many years had passed. Years he wasted by distractions he no longer deemed important anymore while his child suffered under Force knows what torments. Now, he had the time and resources to find her and bring her home where she belonged.

He calmed himself, picking up the datapad he had thrown before sitting himself down at his desk. His newly acquired position was still new to him compared to his previous one. Expensive paintings decorated the office walls along with antiquities and heirlooms his family had collected over the years.

He could remember his child playing hide-and-seek in here, and giggling as he searched for her, pretending that he couldn't find her until she burst out of her hiding spot and tackled from behind.

A small smile appeared on his lips at the memory of those times.

Reaching out into one of the drawers in his desk, he pulled out and turned on the holo he had hidden in it. The holo was of a little girl around five or six years old playing in a garden surrounded by plants and flowers and getting dirt on her pink frock. Her dark ebony hair was pulled back out of her face, showing sweet, innocent brown eyes, and a charming grin missing a front tooth as she looked up at the holocamera. The image sent a pang through his heart.

After everything he'd been through, losing his daughter was one of the most painful experiences in his life. He never forgave his family for abandoning her, and he'll never forgive the Republic or their precious Jedi for allowing such things to happen and not do anything.

No matter, he would find his precious little girl, even if it took the rest of his days.

"I will find you, my little Shmi. No matter how long it takes. No matter who stands in my way. I will find you."

The image of little Shmi grinned brightly at him.

000{{*}}000

Coruscant; 18 aby

"Jaina Solo!"

Jaina woke up with a jerk, sitting up to see her history teacher Madame Mou and the entire class looking at her. She felt her cheeks redden as she realized that she had fallen asleep in history class again.

Madame Mou narrowed her eyes. "Could you tell me who was the last member of the House Valorum?"

Jaina's mind went to a panic mode trying to remember all those lessons Threepio jabbered about.

Madame Mou quirked an eyebrow. "No? Anyone else?"

A few hands rose before she picked the girl sitting behind Jaina. "Finis Valorum."

"Correct," Madame Mou said before returning her gaze to Jaina. Jaina tried not to let her cheeks burn anymore under it until Madame Mou returned to the front of the class and continued her lecture.

After the incident on Corellia, her mother Chief of State Leia Skywalker-Solo had taken an extended leave of absence to spend more time with her family. That also included her wanting Jaina, and her brothers Jacen and Anakin to have the normal childhood experience of going to school and interacting with other children instead of the private tutors they had been doing the last few years. It wasn't so bad for Jaina. She liked most of her classes, got along alright with almost everyone, and the best part was that her twin Jacen shared most of her classes. She just didn't enjoy history that much. Ironic her father would say, considering that her mother and grandmother were a couple of the galaxy's most famous politicians. Jaina was more interested in mechanics and flying, not politics.

She looked to her left, and two rows down was her brother Jacen chewing the end of his pencil, no doubt bored as she was. He had been forced to leave his pet Voorpack their grandmother had gotten him at home when their mother caught him trying to sneak it to school with him this morning. The fluffy little animal had cried a little when Jacen handed it off to his mother. If Jacen had been able to sneak it to school, he'd be playing with it under his desk while pretending to listen to the teacher. Now, Jacen seemed bored out of his mind as Jaina.

Jaina tried to listen as Madame Mou taught.

"Can anyone tell me the importance of family trees?" she asked the class.

Several hands went up. "So we know who we're related to and don't accidentally marry our cousin," one boy answered.

A few kids giggled. Madame Mou smiled. "Yes, but not quite. Anyone else?"

A girl answered, "So we know where we come from."

"Yes, so we know where we come from. History has shown us that while we do not make history, history makes us. Therefore, we are the product of history. History can make the greatest heroes and the worse villains," Madame Mou explained.

Jaina thought about her own family. Her mom, dad, Uncle Luke, and grandparents were heroes of the New Republic. Just that alone was enough to awe anyone.

"For your holiday assignments I want you to do a billboard of your family tree going back six generations. I will expect them completed when you return in a month's time," Madame Mou explained.

The class groaned at the thought of doing homework over their Fete break.

The school bell chimed signaling the end of the day. As everyone gathered their belongings and rushed out into the hallway, Madame Mou called out, "Jaina! Jacen!"

The Solo twins stopped and turned back to their history teacher. "Since the two of you both share the same family, I want you to do separate branches. That means one of you do one parent's side while one does the other parent's. Understood?"

The twins nodded.

"Very well, you may go."

They turned to leave.

"One more moment, Jaina," Madame Mou called.

Jaina stopped. Her brother gave her a nudge through their bond to tell her that he'd be waiting for her outside with their brother Anakin. Jaina turned back to Madame Mou.

The teacher motioned her to come closer. Jaina did so, already anticipating the lecture she was sure to get for falling asleep in class.

The teacher would send a message to her mother explaining what she did in class, and then Jaina would get a lecture from her mother about disrespect and the importance of listening to others. She honestly didn't mean to fall asleep. She had been up half the night trying to figure out what to get for her grandparents and Uncle Luke for Fete. since the Corellian incident, Jaina, her brothers, and parents had only seen them about a handful of times. Uncle Luke was busy teaching at the Jedi Academy on Yavin, and her grandparents were always traveling the galaxy, visiting old friends, finding more students, and helping whatever they could. She missed them and wanted to get them something special for Fete, but no luck so far.

"Did you get any sleep last night?" Madame Mou asked gently.

Her mother had tried to teach her the importance of honesty, but she felt embarrassed telling her teacher what was bothering her. She did get some sleep though so she nodded.

Madame Mou frowned but didn't press on it. "Then why don't you like my class?"

Jaina shifted uncomfortably. Madame Mou was really nice. She just got exasperated by students' lack of interest in her subject. Jaina didn't want to hurt her feelings. "It's not that I don't like it. It's just that it doesn't click right with me. I want to be a pilot someday, and I don't see how knowing who Finis Valorum was is going to help me," she explained.

Madame Mou nodded. "I see, but what kind of pilot? If you plan on joining the military it will be important to know the history of your government. Or if you plan on flying freighters you should understand the cultures your clients will be living in. If you plan on becoming a Jedi like I've heard you talking about with your brother, you'll probably need to know more about the history of the Old Republic, the Empire, and the New Republic."

Jaina winced. Her uncle and grandfather had talked with her parents about sending her and her brothers to the Jedi Academy for training in a couple of years. Jaina was excited and couldn't wait to go. She knew Madame Mou was right. Whenever her grandparents came to visit, Jaina would listen to tales of her grandfather fighting the Separatists, and battling Dooku, Ventress, and Sidious, and her grandmother uncovering Separatist plots and conspiracies. Her family made history interesting in their stories. Anything else seemed boring to Jaina.

Madame Mou smiled gently at her. "I know you come from an interesting family, but I think this assignment will help you appreciate the legacy they come from and be proud of your other ancestors."

Jaina hoped so.

Madame Mou said she could go and Jaina didn't hesitate to leave, she went down the hallway, stopping at her locker to grab her bag and stuff her books and datapads in it before going outside to meet with her brothers.

A couple weeks from Fete, the weather on Coruscant was cold with snow falling down, giving it a Fete feeling.

Jaina noticed most of the students gathering in speeders with their parents, but where were Jacen and Anakin?

She heard the roars of engines, then a shout "Come on, Jaina!" that sounded a lot like Anakin. Turning her head she saw that her father had arrived in one of their speeders. Her brothers were in the back seats waiting for her. She ran over to them and hopped in, buckling herself as her dad pulled away and headed towards their home.

"You kids excited to be done for the holiday?" Han asked as he flew through the Coruscant traffic.

"Well, I wouldn't say done. The teachers gave us all assignments to work on over the holiday." Jaina answered.

"Say what?" Han exclaimed, looking at his children in disbelief for a moment before turning his attention back to the traffic to avoid a transport.

"My teacher told me o write about my holiday over the break," Anakin said.

"And our science teacher assigned us a project on Ithorian plants," Jaina added.

"And our history teacher wants us to do a billboard on our family tree," Jacen finished.

Han whistled. "Man, they sure crack the whip on you kids in private school, but the good news is that you'll have a whole month to work on them."

"Can we stop at Zekk's place real quick?" Jaina asked. "Zekk said he was going to be off planet around Fete time and I want to give him his present before he leaves." Zekk was a street urchin the twins had met a year ago and had become their best friend. Since he loved to tinker like Jaina, she had gotten him a new tool set for Fete. "Please, Dad."

Han sighed playfully. "Alright, but real quick. Your mother wants you kids home and ready for when your Uncle Luke and grandparents come over."

"They're coming over today?" Jacen asked excitedly.

Jaina was excited too. Her grandparents were flying her grandmother's old Naboo skiff and hadn't been expected to come for a couple more days.

"Your grandpa commed a couple hours ago. Said they'd be in Coruscant space and home in time for dinner," Han confirmed.

Jaina was so excited and she could sense her brothers' excitement as well. She couldn't wait.

000{{*}}000

"Yes, Chief Gavrisom. My family will be there in time for the New Year celebrations," Leia Skywalker-Solo saif to the Calibop.

The current Chief of State of the New Republic bowed his head in appreciation. "Thank you Leia. you have no idea how important your presence will be at the gala," he said.

The transmission ended and Leia sighed. "No more than every gala these last twelve years," she grumbled.

When she went on her leave of absence, she had been expecting her workload to have lightened a bit. Ponc Gavrisom, her replacement seemed to be doing alright, but there were still some cases that required her expertise and public events that required her and her family's presence. Han had grumbled, asking what was the point of retirement if they were just going to keep bugging her.

She'll admit that at times the calls got on her nerves, but ever since she sent the children to a normal private school here on Coruscant months ago, it had become quiet here at their apartment with just Threepio, her noghri bodyguards, and her assistant Emle for company. Leia wasn't cut out to be a homemaker, as proven by her past attempts at cooking, and she certainly wasn't the type to host or attend tea parties like the noblewomen of Naboo and Alderaan use to do. She needed to either be working on something or in the middle of some kind of action. Of course, with the peaceful quietness coming from the last remnants of the Empire, the later seemed less likely.

She sighed before getting up from her desk to check if everything was ready before she sent Emle home for the day.

Leia, Emle, Threepio, and the children had decorated their home weeks ago for Fete and the place looked festive with green holly, red bows, and handmade decorations everywhere. It kind of reminded Leia of the Fete holidays she celebrated on Tatooine as a child with her family, and the ones she celebrated on Alderaan as a teenager with the Organas. Those were special times in a time of darkness, and Leia was determined to make more happy ones with her family.

She paused when she heard the front door open and close, followed by a bunch of footsteps and then she smiled.

That would be Han and the kids. She could sense them. They were a little late coming home but that shouldn't have surprised her.

She walked to the front hallway to see Han tugging his jacket off. The children's coats, shoes, and bookbags had already been pushed aside, and Leia could hear them chattering in the kitchen and trying to get some snacks, according to Threepio's complaints.

She smiled, walking up to her husband, and wrapping her arms around her husband before pecking him on the lips.

"Interesting trip?" she asked, pulling slightly away.

Han's eyes flickered towards the kitchen. "Always," he answered before kissing her back.

000{{*}}000

When the chimes rang, the children were excited as that one pet they had that got excited everytime the door chimes rang. They all rushed to the front door before Leia or Han could even get up from their seats.

Thankfully the Noghri, Leia's personal bodyguards Cakhmaim and Meewalh were there first to confirm that it was indeed Leia's parents and brother. Not that Leia couldn't sense them, but it was important for the children to know whether the people behind the door were friends or foes.

Leia and Han had gotten up and were heading towards the front hallway where they heard the exclamations of "Grandma! Grandpa! Uncle Luke!" from the children, and the "Oh Artoo!" from Threepio.

When they reached them, Leia smiled at the sight. Jacen was hugging her mother, Jaina her father, and little Anakin with Luke.

The years had been kind to Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala-Skywalker despite the wars they faced and the losses they endured. In their sixties, their hair had only just begun to turn gray, mostly around their temples. Lines and wrinkles had also become more noticeable, especially the laugh lines that had appeared in recent years. Everyone in the galaxy looked at them and saw heroes of the Old Republic that survived the Empire to help create the New Republic. However, to Leia, her family, and her friends they saw two people who loved each other for four decades and endured whatever the galaxy threw at them together.

"Alright kids, let your uncle and grandparents settle down so we can eat," Han's voice told their children.

Leia hugged her parents and brother as soon as she was able to.

"I was getting a little worried when you guys said you'd be delayed for another week," Leia said as they headed towards the dining room to eat supper.

"We had to make a few side trips along the way," Padme said as they entered the dining room where Threepio began laying out their dinner.

"We ended up playing school transport to some of the students going away for Fete, then we stopped at Naboo to visit Sola and the girls, then Bakura, and of course we had to stop by Hapes to visit the Queen Mother and her family," Anakin elaborated as everyone sat down.

Leia and Han both sat at the heads of the table, Jaina inbetween her grandparents on one side, and Luke inbetween his nephews on the other.

"How is everyone?" Leia asked.

"Well, your Aunt Sola and cousins all send their love," Padme said as she buttered her roll while her husband started digging into his nerfburger. "She gave me the children's presents to open on Fete."

The children perked up, excited at the knowledge of opening more presents on Fete.

Han coughed a little. "And how's little Malinza?" he asked carefully.

Anakin and Padme both set their utensils down and looked at their son seated across from them. Malinza Thanos was the daughter of a former lover Luke's, Gaeriel Captison whom he had known after the Battle of Endor when the Skywalkers, Han, and Chewie visited Bakura on a diplomatic mission. Luke had broken it off, and fourteen years later had returned to ask Gaeriel for her help in dealing with the Corellian incident. The price of that help costed Gaeriel her life and many other Bakurans, leaving her five-year-old daughter an orphan. Because of that Luke had made the point to visit her at her guardian's home whenever he could, and Anakin and Padme were happy to join him.

Luke smiled. "She's growing up fast. She was real excited over our visit and the presents we had gotten her for Fete."

Leia exchanged a discreet glance with her parents. At the time, Leia couldn't understand why her twin brother didn't pursue more into his relationship with the beautiful Bakuran senator. She had wanted Luke to be happy as their parents were with one another, and as she was with Han. she knew he was still fond of her years later when he asked her for her help and felt guilty over her death. She knew now that while Gaeriel Captison wasn't the love of his life, Luke had still cared for her, and Leia hoped that one day he would find someone and settle down. At least he would be a father to someone's orphan child sho needed one.

"That's good," she said, cutting up her nerfburger. "Do you think Laera would allow a playdate with the children?"

Luke shrugged as he lifted his drink. "She might. I'll have to talk to her about that."

"And how was Hapes?" Han asked.

"Well, Teneniel and Isolder are doing alright despite the usual plots and assassination attempts. Their daughter has sprouted and is really tough for an eight-year-old. And of course Ta'Chume is as charming as ever," Anakin answered, that last bit with a little sarcasm.

"Why would someone want to kill the Queen Mother and Prince Isolder?" Jacen asked.

As Padme explained to Jacen the politics of Hapes to him, everyone else chatted away as they dove into their dinner.

After the table was cleared, everyone gathered in the living room where the children happily helped unpacking the presents from their uncle and grandparents suitcases and placing them under the Alderaanian pine tree with their other presents. Leia would have to keep an eye on them until Fete day.

Leia and Han talked with Luke, Padme, and Anakin as they sat down on the chairs and sofa. They told how everyone else was doing.

Had had taken Chewie to his homeplanet Kashyyyk so he could spend Fete with his family.

Wedge was taking his family to spend Fete with Booster Terrik and the Horn's aboard Booster's ship.

Leia had commed Winter on New Alderaan to know that she, Tycho, and the Alderaanian council planned on hosting a celebration like they use to before Alderaan was destroyed.

And finally, Han told them about how Lando was taking Tendra over to Mon Cal for a getaway.

"So Lando's getting serious with Tendra," Padme commented, remembering the young woman who had helped them months ago during the Corellian incident.

Han nodded, smirking a little.

Luke raised an eyebrow, setting his hot chocolate. "Are you really thinking what I think you're thinking?"

"What?" Anakin asked.

Leia rolled her eyes. "Lando came in here a few days before he left, asking for ideas on how to propose to Tendra while they're on Mon Cal," she explained.

Padme gasped in delight. Anakin just said, "So the idiot finally worked up the nerve."

Padme smacked his arm, and Luke chuckled. "Well, I'm happy for him. I know he was a little nervous with her father a month ago when I last saw him. He must have been asking for her hand."

"As he should be," Anakin said, his arm wrapped around his wife's shoulders. "Tendra Risant is practically a princess. Any father would want to know his little girl wasn't marrying a scoundrel."

"Was that a shot at me?" Han demanded.

Anakin rolled his eyes. "Cool your jets, Solo. i'm just thinking about how one day Jaina will marry a hotshot pilot like you, and how priceless your reaction is going to be."

Everyone laughed at the horrified expression on Han's face at the thought of his little girl marrying a scoundrel like her mother did.

"Speaking of wedding bells," Leia said, looking over at her brother. "I'm surprised you didn't invite Mara over."

Luke's face reddened. "I did, but she said she was busy helping Karrde with runs, and had already made plans to spend some time with her Kryze family on Mandalore."

Leia exchanged a grin with her parents. It was no secret to any of the Skywalkers and Solos that Luke was attracted to Mara Jade and had feelings for her. She was practically a part of the family ever since they meet her during the Thrawn Crisis when she helped save their lives from Thrawn and C'boath, and Anakin discovered her birth parents.

"That's too bad. Maybe we could invite her to come with us for the New Year gala this month," Leia suggested.

Luke was about to protest when little Anakin came up to his grandmother. "Grandma, could we open a present?" he asked in a cute innocent tone. Leia knew her son was being unfair when he stared up at her mother with those Skywalker blue eyes that no woman could resist.

Padme sighed, getting up. "Alright you kids can each open one today."

"You're going to spoil them now?" Han asked as Padme went over to the pile of new presents the kids had just stocked under the tree.

"That's what grandparents are for?" Jaina answered as her grandmother gave her and her brothers each a present to open.

Leia shared a conspired grin with her twin and father. They knew what Padme was up to.

The kids ripped off the wrapping paper and groaned. "Pajamas?"

When they were children on Tatooine Leia and Luke were allowed to open one present the night before Fete. It was always a set of new pajamas for them before they dug into the real presents the next day.

Anakin made a show of mock horror. "That hurts. Your grandmother and I went through a lot of trouble getting you kids those pajamas on Chandrila."

The kids looked up at him and he grinned. "I'm just teasing you guys."

Everybody laughed.

Jaina got up and went over to hug her grandparents in thanks.

"Grandpa?" Jaina asked as she pulled from him. "What's the best present your grandparents ever got you?"

The humor and joy was gone in that moment, replaced with trepidation as Anakin's wife, children, and son-in-law looked at him.

Jaina, Jacen, and little Anakin didn't know about the harsh childhood their grandfather had been through as a slave, or that the only family he had at their age was his mother Shmi Skywalker.

Anakin took a deep breath. It had been so long since he thought about those hard days working in Watto's shop in the infernal heat, lucky to have a few scraps of food and water, and worried about someone beating his mother when Watto would rent her to a customer. He had often thought about her during his exile while he and Padme raised Luke and Leia, and had learned to make peace with the past years ago. He knew she would have loved the twins, and he knew she would have loved Jaina, Jacen, and little Anakin as well. His grandchildren deserved to know about her, their great-grandmother.

"Well, I never knew my grandparents. It was just me and my mother, and we couldn't afford gifts. But every Fete after dinner, my mother would have me light a candle and then we would eat pallies and sing songs with our neighbors throughout the night, and we would have a wonderful Fete."

Tears stung Anakin's eyes, remembering his mother telling him that the lighting of the candle was a beacon to good spirits who brought fortune to those with a lighted home, and singing and dancing with his friends under the three Tatooine moons. The one time of the year the slaves of Tatooine could feel free.

Jaina, Jacen, and little Anakin sensed their grandfather's sadness. They all gathered around him and shared a big hug with him.

"I'm sorry, Grandpa," Jaina whispered in his ear.

A tear escaped Anakin's eyes as he held his grandchildren close to him.

Padme, Luke, Leia, and Han watched the scene with aching hearts, knowing of the true pain and loss that weighed down on Anakin Skywalker.

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So what do you all think? As I was writing this chapter I got an idea for my Skywalker Adventures one-shot series. If any of you guys have questions I'm willing to answer them. Review please. I would love to know what you're thoughts are on this.