Chapter #12

Rachel lay on her side facing her husband amidst a small army of pillows supporting her ever increasing figure. Something's different…she thought His face was relaxed and there was a peace about him as he slept. Staring at his comely features, she admired how handsome he was. And no man should be blessed with such long gorgeous eyelashes, she thought.

A smile played on his lips, as Ben opened his eyes. "What are you looking at so early in the morning?" Sleep tousled hair only made him more appealing.

"The love of my life," she answered easily. Rachel raised a hand to brush the hair out of his eyes, but Ben caught it bringing it to his lips.

"We need to make a decision about whether or not to stay on Tatooine for the baby's birth," Ben said.

"I have a confession to make…" said Rachel softly, avoiding his eyes.

Ben sat up looking her fully in the face. "The midwife didn't advise going off-planet did she?"

Rachel just shook her head. "I'm sorry I lied to you, Ben. I was just so afraid that you'd never get together with your parents any other way. Can you forgive me?"

"Yes," said Ben. "I understand why you did it, but you could've put our baby's health in jeopardy." Ben punched the pillow he had been lying on.

"Ben, I would never do that!" Rachel sat up, her face flushing. "After having five children, I know what I can and can't do. We could practically deliver this child ourselves if we had to."

"Not if there were complications! You took a huge risk by doing this and also by not telling me," said Ben, his temper flaring.

Rachel sat silently for a moment. "OK, this may not have been one of my best decisions, but sometimes a wife has to take drastic measures when she is married to an unyielding, nerf-headed, gutter monkey!"

Ben's lips twitched playfully as he began to laugh. "You can be the most stubborn, overbearing…adorable woman at times. I'm just so glad you're mine," Ben sighed, taking Rachel in his arms.

Rachel offered no resistance and melted into her husband's embrace. "Speaking of stubborn…I noticed you and your dad talking last night. Did you get anything resolved?"

Ben grinned. "You already know the answer to that, you just want to gloat."

"Yes… and your point is?"

"My point is that you were right and I should have listened to you a long time ago. But don't go getting any ideas into your pretty head about being right all the time," he teased.

"The thought never entered my mind, dear husband."

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With the decision made to stay on Tatooine for the delivery, Luke and Mara also decided to stay and spend as much time as possible with Ben and his family.

Mara and Rachel sat on the couch talking while Luke gave tauntaun rides to Emia, Abby and Caleb.

"Careful, kids, you wouldn't want to go and break you grandfather in half now," said Rachel reclining back and taking in the sight.

"He's not a grandpa, he's a tauntaun, Mom!" insisted Caleb.

Luke smiled broadly as he promenaded around the living room while Emia gave orders as to direction. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been this happy…sore back and all.

The door opened and Ben, Tiann and Nirice entered laughing loudly.

"You won't believe where we're going! There's this huge canyon where Dad says Grandpa used to race speeders when he was a kid," said Tiann waving his hands.

"Beggar's Canyon," supplied Nirice.

"Yeah, that's the one. Dad rented a large speeder and we're all going to go see it," finished Tiann, his face shining.

Rachel looked skeptical. "How goes the terrain for banthas and very expectant women?"

"We won't take you to any part that would tax you, Rach," said Ben thoughtfully.

"It really is beautiful," admitted Mara, "And no racing will be allowed!"

"Then let's get going," Rachel smiled, taking Luke's hand as Ben and Mara herded the children toward the door.

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Luke had forgotten the many colors of the canyon. He mostly had thought of it as his playground when he was young and not a place of beauty. But looking at it now, as an adult, it touched him with its elegance and majestic expanse.

Abby looked up at Luke with her wide green eyes and smiled. "It's talking to us, Grandpa."

"What, honey?" asked Luke taking Abilee's hand in his.

"This place, it's talking to us, listen," she instructed.

Luke stared at her for a moment as she closed her eyes. Then he understood what was happening….she's reaching out with the Force. Gently he followed her as she immersed herself, realizing that this was not the first time she had done so.

He could hear the soft effervescent sounds from a distant time and the music of the wind as it played upon the ever changing sands. Colors danced before his eyes, blinding in their intensity and hue. All this he experienced with his granddaughter as they held hands and listened together.

"Hey, you two," called Mara, "you better hurry up or you'll be left behind!" The rest of the family was already at the mouth of the canyon waiting for them.

Luke opened his eyes and sighed with content, as he came back to the present. He smiled down at his granddaughter and then gently lifted her up onto his shoulders. "We should catch up with the others or we'll miss out on the fun."

"But you heard it, didn't you, Grandpa?" asked Abby again, eyes flecked with wisdom.

"Yes, child, I heard it," said Luke amazed that one so young had such insights.

"I knew I would love you," said Abby simply. "I knew you would understand."

Luke swallowed hard, trying to contain the emotions threatening to spill from him. As they reached the mouth of the canyon, Mara gave him a puzzled look but a slight shake of his head was all that was needed to dissuade her from commenting.

"Did you really race speeders here, Luke?" asked Rachel, shaking her head. "I can't believe your aunt and uncle approved.

"Approval was never a part of the plan, actually. I often snuck out with my friends to come here and hang out," admitted Luke sheepishly.

"Grandpa, you snuck out of your house? Dad would never let us get away with something like that," said Tiann, his eyes wide.

"Your dad is a very smart man," said Luke, smiling over at Tiann. "And I can tell you that I kept a much closer watch on him than my aunt or uncle did on me."

"Oh, I don't know, Dad. I had my moments, too," smiled Ben mischievously.

"Dad, you?" asked Nirice in disbelief.

"And those moments will remain a secret until I am an old, old man," said Ben giving his eldest daughter his best "father look."

"How much longer till the suns set?" asked Rachel, sitting on a large boulder, arching her back.

"Not long," said Luke, looking up at Tatoo I and Tatoo II. "It would probably be a good idea to head back to the speeder. We can watch them from there."

As they walked toward their vehicle, Luke sensed Tiann's curiosity about to burst. "Grandpa, what was is like growing up here?"

"Hot!" laughed Luke, putting his arm around the boy. "I spent most of my time dreaming about leaving this place. It wasn't an easy life, at times it was very lonely, but it did instill in me a healthy respect for important things."

"It made you appreciative of the good things in your life," commented Rachel with a knowing look in her eyes.

Luke nodded and looked over at Ben. "And the people."

By the time they reached their vehicle, the suns were indeed making their descent. Pinks, purples and oranges basted the sky with amazing brilliance. Luke noticed Abby closing her eyes again, but surreptitiously watched Ben to see if he noticed.

"I think it's time to head back, kids," said Ben suddenly, walking over to Abby and picking her up.

"Do we have to, Dad?" asked Emia.

"It's getting late and mom needs to rest. It won't be too long before your new sister or brother arrives," said Ben brooking no argument.

The rest of the family filed in as Ben helped the children in their safety restraints. Rachel was moving slower than usual and thanked Luke as he helped her in the waiting speeder.

"So you've chosen not to know the gender of the baby?" asked Mara, as Ben started the engine and headed back to town.

Rachel nodded, closing her eyes. "We like to be surprised, but it is my turn to choose the name. The last name I got to choose was Abby's."

Luke smiled at Rachel, as he thought about Abby and her Force sensitivity. Everyone was getting along so well, how could he possibly bring this up without hurting his son's feelings.

Abby leaned over and laid her head against Luke's side. "It'll be okay, Grandpa."

Luke kissed the top of her curly red head. "I hope you're right, little one."