Finals were a blistering time for everyone but the following holiday break gave them something to look forward. Though neither would admit it, both Luke and Mara were nervous about meeting the other's family. Mara was intimidated because they seemed so old fashioned and even, at least in the case of Luke's Uncle Owen, severe. Luke was nervous because Sheev Palpatine was one of the most powerful and wealthiest men on the planet and would probably have an opinion on Mara dating a lowly farm boy. Despite all of this, they did look forward spending the holidays together. During those last weeks, they were only able to spend a very limited amount of time together and when they did, it was rarely more than making out on one of their beds while listening to music or an audio book. That usually carried into passionate love-making since Mara always insisted on wearing clothing that accentuated her amazing figure and then snuggling up to Luke and teasing him incessantly with little kisses and heated words. However, when that last final had been taken and the last bag had been packed, they both took off towards Eisly.

Luke looked in the rear view mirror as the university shrunk behind them. Mara was looking forward down the road, eagerly anticipating the holidays. She loved Christmas and New Years. They were always so cheerful and filled with joy and she was even more excited now because she would get to meet her boyfriend's guardians and see the home he had grown up in. Seeing Sheev would be nice too and she even decided that she would, with good grace, tolerate seeing Sheev's gold-digging mistress, Ysanne Isard. "Whatcha thinking about?" asked Luke, suddenly breaking into her thoughts.

Mara smiled and hugged his right arm, replying as she did, "I am so excited to meet your family. Your aunt sounded so sweet on the phone."

Luke chuckled, not realizing how nervous she was. "I'm glad. Do you like riding horses?"

Mara nodded her head eagerly. "Good. We can probably get some trail riding in if you want."

"That sounds like fun."

They drove through the afternoon and into the evening. Around eight o'clock P.M., they checked into a tiny motel in a one stoplight town. It was neat, clean and there was a diner next door where they ate dinner. That all done, they got ready for bed. Mara decided that she was going to be extra teasing to Luke, wearing a very tight tank top and pink underwear. The farm boy didn't even try to hide the fact that he was constantly staring at her. Every tantalizing curve called to have a hand brushed over it. Luke himself just wore a pair of gym shorts and Mara found the tables turned on her. His muscles were well developed and defined. Mara wanted desperately to touch those muscles. The feeling of his hard muscles covered by a layer of smooth, soft skin was so very wonderful. Immediately, she realized that, without even intending to, he was frustrating her the very way that she was him. Well, if he was going to do that, intentionally or not, she would turn the tables again. She suddenly rolled over to him, took the remote from his hands and straddled his hips and kissed him passionately before asking, "Did you do that on purpose?"

Luke's hands were brushing up and down from her smooth, sexy thighs, up her back and shoulders and then back down again. He questioned between kisses, "Did I do what on purpose?"

Mara shook her head. "Never mind. Just kiss me and screw me already."


The next day found them heading towards the farm where Luke had grown up. As they got closer, Mara got more and more nervous. At about four p.m. on the second day after they had left the university, Luke pulled onto a very long drive way off a small two lain road surrounded by snow-covered fields. The drive had to be a mile at least but they eventually came to two large red barns and a ranch house. As soon as Luke turned the engine off, a woman came from the house, smiling happily as she walked briskly to the car. Luke grinned and grabbed his bags. He was going to grab Mara's but she took it with a smile. "I can take it, you know. I'm a big girl, Farmboy."

Luke chuckled and murmured, "You don't look all that big."

"Oh Luke, welcome home;" said the woman who Mara assumed was Luke's aunt Beru.

Before he even had the chance, Beru turned to Mara and hugged her too, saying as she did, "Luke, why aren't you taking her bag for her?"

Mara giggled and said, "I didn't let him. Call me independent minded. It's a pleasure to meet you, Missus Lars."

"Oh none of this Misses Lars nonsense, please, young lady. Call me Beru. Welcome to our humble home. Do come in out of the cold. Luke's uncle is actually in Eisly right now picking up a couple parts for the truck. Would you like something hot to drink? We have coffee, cocoa, tea or anything you'd like. Also, would you like something to eat?"

Luke chuckled as his aunt doted on Mara almost as much as he did. Mara took it all in stride, smiling pleasantly and being the perfect picture of a gracious and wonderful guest. Luke wasn't at all surprised. She could adapt to any situation at all with perfect grace. It was one of the things he strongly admired about her.

When they were all at the kitchen table, Aunt Beru and Mara chatted about Luke, embarrassing him thoroughly. Beru talked about his younger years and the trouble he got into and Mara did everything she could to say things that would express how well Beru and Owen had raised him. Luke just sat quietly, switching between blushing from embarrassment do to his younger shenanigans or blushing do to the high praise Mara kept delivering on his behalf. Suddenly, the door flew open and in stumped a grizzled looking man with stubble all over his craggy face. Luke stood up and said, "Hello, Uncle."

Owen Lars smiled and said, "Ah, Luke. Glad you're back, boy. Hope you're not expecting to skip out on work while you're here."

Luke chuckled. His uncle was never going to change. "Of course not."

Owen gave him a stiff hug and said, "Good, good. Tomorrow should be a fairly easy day, though. Just milk the cows and help me change out some parts on that old truck. But that's tomorrow. Introduce me to this lovely young lady."

Luke smiled and said, "Uncle, this is Mara Jade, my girlfriend. Mara, this is my Uncle Owen."

Mara stood and shook his hand. "It's a pleasure, Mr. Lars;" she said with a bright smile.

Owen chuckled, "Pleasure's all mine, Miss Jade but please call me Owen."

"Only if you call me Mara;" she replied politely.

Owen chuckled and said, "I was glad to hear that Luke found someone. It's good that he has someone who can keep him focused on school."

Mara laughed and said, "Actually, he helps me stay focused on school. Luke has gotten nothing but A's the whole semester."

Owen chuckled as he got up and poured himself some coffee. Without turning around, he ever so casually asked, "So will you two be needing your own rooms or are you sharing?"

Luke blushed and groaned while Mara looked at him, turning as red as a rose. Beru gasped, "Owen!"

Luke's uncle turned around grinning. "It's a fair question, Honey."

Beru looked at him severely and said, "I prepared two rooms just in case. I won't be offended if the second one isn't used. Do whatever you two are comfortable with."

Luke groaned and Mara was staring into her cup of coffee, blushing madly. Both Owen and Beru, seeing their embarrassment, burst into good-natured chuckles. It was infectious and soon the two college students were laughing too. These were going to be fun holidays.

Updated 10/15/2018