Chapter #5

Luke stood by the landspeeder as he lifted his face to the resplendent Tatooine sky and breathed deeply. His dark blonde hair now kissed with silver softly rippled in the warm flowing breeze. So many memories swept through him making it difficult to stay in the present. He closed his eyes and immersed himself in the Force as images began to swirl….

A young school age Biggs running ahead of Luke as they laughed, trying to catch an elusive sand lizard…

Uncle Owen lifting three year old Luke up to his shoulders, as Aunt Beru watched lovingly…..

Ben….Ben Kenobi telling Luke about the Force for the first time and giving him his father's lightsaber…..

It seems like so long ago….he thought.

"Not so long ago, my love," said Mara, running a finger lovingly along her husband's jaw.

"Ah, you caught me day dreaming," smiled Luke, ruefully.

"Imagine that!" laughed Mara. "So what do you think?"

Luke looked over at the new Jedi Academy Temple and nodded. "They have done a wonderful job. I had feared that it would be some architectural monstrosity looking totally out of place, but it is simple and reflects the culture here nicely."

"My thoughts exactly," agreed Mara. "How does it feel to be back?"

"There's no simple answer to that question," sighed Luke. "There is always a melancholy sweetness to my memories here. Like coming home to a place that isn't really home anymore. I didn't think being here would affect me so much this time."

Mara wrapped her arms around Luke's waist, laying her head against his chest. "Does some of what you are feeling have to do with Ben getting in today?"

"Of course," he said softly. "I wish he would let us meet them at the space port. It hurts a little that he doesn't want us there, but I do understand him wanting to protect his family from the rampage of the holo reporters."

Mara smirked. "It's not as if Jedi Grand Master, Luke Skywalker can go anywhere in public and not attract the attention of the holo news…especially on his home planet."

"I'll bet Abby and Caleb could take them," speculated Luke with a laugh. He took Mara by the chin and kissed her gently on the nose.

"Force help the holo reporter who tries to get near those two," said Mara, shaking her head.

"True. Speaking of which, I suppose we should be getting back and finish preparing for their arrival," he suggested, taking one more look at the temple. "They should be here in a couple of hours."

"Yes," said Mara with a gleam in her emerald eyes. "Time to commence with Operation Grandchildren."

Luke looked around the large Anchorhead hotel suite, taking in all the flotsam and jetsam of a grandmother with a strategic plan. Large and small packages wrapped with the promise of a child's greatest wish fulfilled lay in piles around the perimeter of their living room.

"Luke, did you get those ginger cookies I asked you to pick up earlier?" asked Mara who was busy in the kitchen preparing for lunch. "They're Caleb's favorite."

"Yes, and the juice and the plates with the animal faces on them, too," said Luke. "Was I supposed to get the blue milk?"

"Luke Skywalker! You are in big trouble if you forgot to get milk for my grandbabies," Mara said as she stormed into the living room.

"Well…it's a good thing I got it then," he teased. "I thought I was the one who was so nervous about our first meeting."

"Watch it, farmboy. I'm a grandma on a mission right now and I'm not about to put up with any of your foolishness."

"Oh, no?" asked Luke playfully, advancing towards his wife slowly.

"Luke! Stop that, they'll be here any minute!" said Mara exasperated, trying in vain to avoid her husband's grasp.

"Then we better hurry," whispered Luke into her ear.

One look from his wife and Luke knew she meant business and not the kind that included putting a twinkle in his eye. "All right, what's next on your list?"

"OK, let's see…." Mara scanned her data pad. "Gifts wrapped?"

"Check."

"Extra pillows for Rachel in her bedroom?"

"Check."

"Holo books and vids?"

"Check."

"Did you get the Science data pad for Tiann?"

"Yes and check."

"Do you think they allow the children sweets?"

"Don't know, but what they don't eat, I will," smiled Luke. "We're ready, Mara. We have everything and whatever we don't have we can go get."

"I just don't want to waste a moment having to run out and get something when I could be here spoiling them," explained Mara, looking around the room for any missed detail.

"I know, now come here and give me a kiss, or my head will explode," he said.

Mara laughed and took a breath, "Oh, Luke, I'm just a little nervous. I hope they like us."

"How could anyone not like you, the most beautiful grandmother to ever wield a blaster this side of the Outer Rim?" said Luke taking her hand.

"You Skywalker men always did have a way with wor-"

Mara was interrupted by a knock on the door. Luke quickly crossed the room barely able to keep his excitement in check. He opened the door, smiling…

"Master Skywalker?" asked a young uniformed government official.

"Yes?" Luke answered, puzzled.

"Sir, I'm Hatahn Gowin, Protocol Liaison with the Alliance," said the young man, a worried look on his face. "I have a message from your son. I'm sorry to inform you that there has been a medical emergency."