Father:
Luke Skywalker looked upon his wife and son, watched the two most important people in his life bonding.
Cilghal approached him.
"There are quite a few people waiting to meet Ben." She said in her gravelly voice. "But I will hold them at bay until you are ready."
Luke glanced at Mara, and he felt her give him a mental thumb up.
"I think we can handle a few visitors." He said, turning back to the Mon Calamari.
Cilghal nodded wearily. "Congratulations, by the way. If you don't mind, I will go rest."
"Thank you Cilghal, for everything." Luke said earnestly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We couldn't have done this without you."
She bowed her head in acknowledgement, and went to the door. Luke drew the blanket up over Mara's now clean form for privacy.
First into the room were Mirax Horn… and Anakin Solo.
"Anakin!" Luke greeted his nephew enthusiastically. "I'm glad you're okay!"
Anakin merely nodded, his attention riveted on the small form in Mara's arms. Luke smiled; Anakin hadn't really had much experience with babies, he being the youngest in his own family.
Come to think of it, I don't know if Anakin knew we were expecting. Luke thought.
He heard his nephew blurt out something about Ben being ugly and wrinkled, followed by a gentle rebuke from Mara. When Anakin backtracked, trying to find a way to pull his foot out of his mouth, Luke decided to step in.
"His name is Ben."
Anakin smiled, but there was still some concern on his face.
"Aunt Mara, are you okay, then?"
"I've never been better, Anakin." She answered with a glowing smile.
"Well, isn't he the cutest?" Mirax spoke up, coming closer to Mara. "You said his name was Ben?"
Luke nodded.
"Well, he is definitely a Skywalker, with that fiery hair." She joked, drawing a smile from both Luke and Mara.
"Congratulations." Mirax said warmly.
She gently patted Mara's arm, winked her eye at Ben, and clapped Luke on the shoulder affectionately.
"Thank you." Mara said.
Mirax glanced out into the hallway, and began to steer Anakin from the room. "Let's go, Solo, there are plenty of others who want to meet the galaxy's newest citizen."
A few at a time, people from the hallway came in to congratulate the new parents, and to get a glimpse of the new arrival. Booster clapped Luke mightily on the shoulder and clasped his hand.
"Well done, Dad!" He said in a surprisingly soft voice, obviously trying not to disturb Ben.
Luke returned the man's infectious grin, and nodded his thanks. It took a few minutes for everyone present to say their hellos, and then the new family was left in peace.
Almost.
Mirax returned just as the last visitor exited, she carried a piece of flimsi in her hand, which she waved at Luke.
"Sorry, I know you three want some alone time, but we just got word from Han and Leia, they're on their way to the Errant Venture. They should be here late tomorrow." Mirax informed them, handing the flimsi to Luke. "Let me know if you need anything, okay guys?"
"Thank you Mirax." Luke said, reading the notes on the flimsi.
Mirax gave Ben one last glance, and then left, closing the door behind her. Luke waited until he was certain they would have no further interruptions before turning his attention to his family.
Mara was almost asleep on the bed, and Luke ached to hold his son for the first time.
"Mara, may I take him?" Luke asked gently.
Her eyes jerked open, as if he'd startled her. Then she looked a little embarrassed.
"I'm sorry, Luke, I just got carried away." She said, shifting Ben in her arms so Luke could take him.
Luke caressed Mara in the Force, assuring her that everything was fine. He took Ben with the tenderest care, and for a brief second felt a wave of uncertainty wash over him. Ben was so… tiny, so fragile. Luke was scared to death of dropping, or hurting his son.
But then he remembered holding his niece and nephews, and he smiled. Holding Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin had been wonderful, but Ben was his son.
Luke gently brought Ben up so he could look at his son's face. He cradled Ben's tiny head in his hand, looking at a face that was part Mara, and part Luke. Ben's impressively almost full head of hair was indeed a fiery shade of red, very similar to Mara's. His eyes were closed, and Luke wondered if they would be blue, green, or perhaps a different color.
Ben's mouth worked as the infant slept, causing Luke to smile softly. When Ben started to squirm a little, Luke brought the baby up to his chest, and sat back down. Ben nestled into Luke, settling vertically along his Father's chest.
And as Luke watched his precious child, his priorities once again shifted.
His universe no longer revolved around just Mara. Now it moved to include this boy… his boy. And Luke felt his sense of protectiveness envelope this infant as it did Mara.
Luke thought back on the vision he'd had just before Ben's birth; thought of seeing his son at the helm of a strange starship. Luke smiled, wondering if Ben would enjoy flying as much as Luke did. Flying was in the Skywalker genes, Luke knew. Anakin Skywalker had been considered one of the galaxy's finest pilots, and Luke was as experienced a pilot as his own father.
Luke was drawn from his thoughts as Ben let out an infinitesimal whimper. Luke looked at his son, and saw the boy peek his eyes open.
"Hello son." Luke whispered, lost in his son's dark eyes. They were indeed a beautiful shade of blue. "I am so glad you're here."
Ben blinked, and though Luke knew an infant's eyesight was unfocused, he had the distinct impression that Ben knew exactly who he was looking at. And that thought filled Luke with immense joy.
He had a son! He was a father!
Finally!
Luke paused at that, surprised by its intensity. He hadn't realized how badly he really wanted this. But now that Ben was here, in his arms, Luke couldn't help but wish this had happened sooner. Luke shook his head, still looking at Ben.
Stop. Be grateful for your son, here and now. He's here, he's finally here!
Luke kissed Ben's head, sending a gentle wave of utter love and warmth to his son.
My son! I have a son!
Luke burst into joyful tears, and his heart swelled with blissful pride… and his longing finally burst forth, freed like a bird from a cage. Ben started at this sudden outpouring of strong emotion, and screwed up his face in fear.
He let out a cry, and Luke immediately dampened down his emotions to a more soothing level. Mara started in her deep slumber upon hearing Ben cry, and Luke stood, moving around the room, sending soothing thoughts to Ben.
Ben slowly calmed, and seemed to snuggle deeper into his father's embrace. Luke's heart still swelled with fervent emotion, but he kept Ben carefully shielded from the full onslaught of said emotion.
Luke waited until Ben was asleep again before he tentatively sent out a tendril of Force energy to caress his son. He was mildly surprised when Ben instinctively reached back. Luke reveled in the raw Force presence of his only child.
Ben was indeed strong in the Force, and better yet, was completely healthy, just as he and Mara had hoped.
Luke felt a pressing need grow in his son, and as Ben woke again and worked his mouth not in cries of anguish, but of hunger, Luke moved back to the bed.
He paused upon seeing Mara deep in the sleep she so desperately needed, but Ben had to eat…
"Mara." Luke gently nudged her with the Force.
She woke an instant later, blinking at the light. "What?"
"I think Ben needs you."
Mara looked at him questioningly, still somewhat asleep.
"Ben is hungry." Luke explained. "And I'm afraid that is not something I can do for him."
Mara smiled almost irreverently as she caught his joke, and she sat up to take their son.
Our son! Luke rejoiced, and he felt Mara join him, and they opened themselves to each other, filling the Force with such love and devotion that anyone nearby could have felt it.