Mara and Luke:
If someone had told me mere months ago that I would be sitting at my own reception wearing the most gorgeous wedding gown… and married to Luke Skywalker of all people, I'd probably have punched them outright.
But here I sit, openly observing the reason I am here: my newly minted husband. Luke is currently engaged in conversation with Han and Wedge, so he doesn't notice the way I smile softly. Luke laughs, and he briefly turns his head. When he catches sight of me, he blows me a loving kiss before returning to his conversation.
My gaze goes unfocused as I recall the very first time those soft, wondrously full lips touched mine.
One might question the fact that we proclaimed our love for each other during a near-death experience, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. Because without it, he and I would likely still be fighting each other.
And then there's our bond: the Force Bond we now have that took some getting used to… and we are still learning about it every now and then. But I didn't realize just how badly I wanted such a close relationship with a man. And not just any man, I discovered after several hours of contemplation while in transit back to the known galaxy from Nirauan.
I didn't just want a close bond with a man: I wanted a close bond with Luke. The only person in the entire galaxy who ever accepted me wholly and unconditionally despite whom he knew me to have been. And even while at blaster-point he trusted me, believed in me.
A girl could only be so lucky once. However, once is perfectly fine with me… I have no intentions of ever needing to find a new mate.
Luke is the best husband I could have ever hoped or dreamed for.
And his kisses…
A shudder of pleasure courses through me. Luke Skywalker kisses me like no man has ever done, and never would again. When he touched his lips to mine it was total and complete bliss for me, a taste sweeter than all the finest wines and sweets I remembered from my days in the Empire.
My small, private smile widens infinitesimally as I return my mind to remembering the first kiss in the caves after our escape from the cloning chamber. It began as a chaste kiss from two people who'd been formerly at odds with each other. But as the seconds slipped by unheeded, the kiss gradually deepened with the shared realization that we had been unknowingly fighting our feelings for one another.
Luke's heart had soared, a feeling I felt through our bond with startling clarity and at that point he picked me up. I was a willing participant, wrapping my legs about his waist…
A hand to my forearm draws me from my reverie with a slight jolt, and I realize Luke has finally caught onto my line of thinking. His own private smile assures me that he remembers too, and I cannot wait to feel his lips pressed against mine again. Thought this time it will be without any prying eyes.
He leans forward and the twinkle of his blue gaze takes my breath away. How happy he is! And I know his joy is reflected back at him, because I have never been happier in my life.
I never would have imagined this possible for me, but looking back, I wouldn't have it any other way. Because our pasts made us who we are today and without those, we wouldn't be here: a happily married couple looking forward to many, many years together.
A stray thought wanders across my mind as Luke draws me to the floor for our first dance as husband and wife: would this have happened sooner had this wonderful man kissed me sooner?
A snort from me draws a curiously raised eyebrow from my husband, and I grin unrepentantly.
Not likely: I'd probably have knocked a few of his teeth out had Luke tried kissing me back then.