Chapter Fifteen:

Thanks to the combined efforts of the bone-knitters, bacta submersion, and a few healing trances, Mara's ankle was fully healed a few days later, and Doctor Mallis gave Mara a clean bill of health.

"It looks like we can stick with our original date, then." Mara said happily. "If you are still okay with that." She added, looking at Luke as they entered his apartment.

Luke snagged her around the waist from behind, hugging her tightly. "Of course I am. The sooner the better!"

She patted his arm lovingly, and he kissed her neck. Mara sighed happily, leaning into him as he trailed kisses along her neck, never fully moving his lips off of her skin. Rather, he brushed them tantalizingly along her body.

She turned in his embrace, and placed a firm kiss on his lips, putting her arms around his neck. Luke held her to him, rejoicing in the fact that in two days they would be husband and wife. Mara mirrored his joy, and filled their meld with happy thoughts.

When they parted, Luke cupped her face in his palm.

"I love you so much, Mara." He said earnestly. "I can't wait to call you my wife… officially."

She smirked at his teasing. "And I can't wait for you to be all mine, Farmboy."

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The night before the wedding had come at last, and Mara Jade sat alone in her apartment, per the custom of the bride and groom not seeing each other until the ceremony. She sat in the middle of her living room floor, thinking.

I still have one demon to face before I can go through with the wedding… or rather, the wedding night. She said to herself. I have to do it for myself… and for Luke.

Standing, Mara went to her bedroom, locked the door, and secured the blinds. Then, standing before her floor-length mirror, Mara closed her eyes and stripped out of her clothes. She held a breath, and gingerly opened her eyes.

She forced her vision to focus, and stood holding her arms out slightly from her waist. She stared, and ran a critical eye over her frame, until she could do so without any remaining hesitation.

I am a beautiful woman. She told herself.

Mara grappled with that: her last demon from her recent experiences. She still had trouble believing it at times, even though Luke frequently told her otherwise. She had seen his thoughts, and she knew how deeply he loved her. And he was able to look past the physical, something Mara had never been granted before.

So she owed it to him to come to grips with herself once more. Because she knew she couldn't go into a marriage where she denied him what Mara considered one of marriage's greatest perks. And she refused to deny Luke Skywalker the right to make love to his wife. She wanted Luke to make love to her.

Mara focused on that for a moment, tried to picture herself as Luke saw her.

"You are a gorgeous woman, Mara Jade." She said aloud, trying to mimic her fiancé's voice. "You are wonderful from the outside in."

Mara eyed her body in the mirror; and the more comfortable she grew with what she saw, the happier she became. Mara ran her hands along her entire frame, reconnecting with herself on a level she had rarely paid much attention to before Luke had come into her life.

Finally, Mara smiled, a happy, and fully genuine smile. At last she threw her head back, shouting exultantly:

"I am beautiful!"

She felt a great weight lift from her shoulders at that confession; no, realization.

No. She corrected herself yet again. Acceptance.

Mara closed her eyes, and allowed her mind to wander; she found herself wondering what it would be like to have Luke standing with her just then. To have him wrap his arms around her like he had before. To touch her as only he would ever touch her from this point on.

Mara imagined Luke's lips trailing kisses in more places than just her neck, and a smile filled her soul. She thought of what their wedding night would be like… and how wonderful it would be to finally experience love in a way that was all Luke and Mara. She was finally going to know what it was like to make true love to Luke Skywalker, the man she loved more than anything.

And with that particular idea, Mara was suddenly imagining Luke behind her… his bare skin touching hers. And, of course, she wondered what it would be like to have so much more than just his skin pressing against her.

Anticipation set off a reaction in Mara that she wasn't used to at all, and it surprised her greatly. Following a sudden carnal urge, Mara retrieved her recently purchased lingerie, and tried each piece on once more.

She posed in front of the mirror in each outfit, picturing the expression on her soon-to-be-husband's face for each one.

Then a thought struck her, and Mara smiled eagerly. There was one thing Luke had never seen her do. Luke had never seen Mara Jade dance… not in the way she knew she truly could. Mara rubbed her hands together in anticipation, and started choreographing her moves.

00000

Luke Skywalker paced his dressing room nervously. He fumbled with his sleeves, his collar, and his hair. Today was the day… today was the day.

That thought kept running through his mind like a broken recording. He wrung his hands, stopping in front of the small mirror.

Han entered, and upon seeing the fidgeting Jedi Master, he chuckled, closing the door.

"Luke, if you keep wearing a line into the floor, you're going to get all sweaty." Han teased.

Luke sighed, taking a seat on the edge of a chair. "Were you this nervous?"

Han didn't have to ask what his brother-in-law meant. "Well, yeah, a bit. But once you're at the altar, and Mara starts walking toward you, everything will fade out except her."

Luke started to run a hand through his hair, and then saw that it was already disheveled, and instead grabbed the comb. He straightened his hair, grateful for something to do other than fiddle.

When finished, he tried to put the comb back, but his hand wouldn't stop trembling, and he ended up dropping the brush. Han grabbed it before he could, and placed it on the table, putting a hand on Luke's shoulder.

"Why not try one of those famous Jedi relaxation techniques?" Han suggested quietly.

Luke nodded and ran through a few of them, until he was still. Blowing out a deep breath, he stood, and made to leave the room.

"Han." Luke turned before opening the door. "Thank you. For everything."

At Han's roguish grin, Luke chuckled. "I know, how very cliché of me, but I mean it. You've always been there for me, and I'm glad you could be here for this too."

Han clapped him into a hug. "Ah, you're worth it Kid. Now go get her."

They separated and moved into their positions; Luke on the dais, and Han going to stand with Leia in the procession line. Luke caught the eye of a few friends, and at their waves of encouragement, offered a smile.

Someone in the back waved at the official who would be performing the ceremony, and he straightened. The music for the bridal party procession began, and Luke's heart started to pound.

This is it!

First in the room were Wedge and Iella Antilles, followed a short distance by Corran and Mirax Horn. Jaina and Jacen Solo were next, trailed by Han and Leia. Luke smiled at how radiant his sister looked; he sent her a wave of love, which she returned. Anakin Solo came in with their rings, followed by Syal Antilles, Mara's flower girl.

Once everyone had lined up in their respective places on the platform, the music changed to one of Mara's favorites. It was a beautiful melody that one could easily move to; a song that reflected her inner love of dance.

Luke felt his pulse quicken as a movement at the door caught his eye. Mara entered on the arm of Talon Karrde, and Luke's heart stopped for a few milliseconds. His breath caught in his throat, and his eyes misted.

Walking down the aisle toward him was the most captivating woman Luke had ever laid eyes on. Her natural beauty combined with her being robed in the purest white, also framed by the light of the fading sun… Luke had to consciously remind himself to breathe.

Oh, my stars! Luke gaped mentally. Mara! Oh, Mara!

I think your mouth is open just a bit, Farmboy. Came her witty reply, but she softened the rebuke with her own appraisal of him. My, what a lovely groom you make.

Luke's face split into a huge grin, and he locked eyes with his bride. He barely noticed the music fading as Karrde gave her to Luke, hardly noticed the official making the opening remarks as they turned toward him. All he knew at that moment in time was Mara.

I love you Mara! Forever!

And I love you, My Farmboy! Always!

Luke forced his attention to the official just as he was asking if anyone objected to their marriage.

If they know what's good for them, they'll not object! Luke thought with gusto.

Mara laughed silently at him, and he shrugged.

Told you, I'm a jealous husband-to-be.

She merely smiled, and no one announced an objection, so the official turned to the couple before him.

"The couple will now offer their vows."

Luke took his cue from the official. Anakin came to his side with the rings, and he carefully took Mara's. Turning to face his bride, Luke took her hand.

"Mara, my Love, you are without a doubt my best friend. I will always be honest with you, kind, patient, and forgiving. But most of all, I promise to be a true and loyal friend to you in return. My commitment to you will never fail, and if it does, may the most severe punishment be mine. I promise you that I will work together with you to achieve our goals. I accept you unconditionally, and I cannot wait to share life with you throughout the years. I will be a listening ear, a guiding light as you have been to me. I promise to always put you first, and to respect who you are. I love you more than words could ever express. Don't ever change, because you are perfect the way you are."

He placed the ring on her finger, and her eyes glittered like the gems they were. Mara took Luke's ring, and in a movement mimicking Luke's, she grasped his hand in hers.

"Luke, you have been a friend to me in so many ways, more than I could ever say. You have always been there for me, even when I tried to push you away. I promise that I will love you through good and the bad, through joy and the sorrow. I will try to be understanding, and to trust in you completely. I humbly give you my hand and my heart as I pledge my faith and love to you. Just as this ring I give you today is a circle without end, my love for you is eternal, and I promise to be a true and loyal friend to you. I promise to work together with you to achieve our goals, and I will always support you, through thick and thin. I promise to stay by your side until the end of time. I love you so much!"

Luke didn't bother to blink back his joyful tears as she slipped his ring into place.

This is never coming off. He promised her silently.

"By the power vested in my by the New Republic Government, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

Luke instantly drew her to him and kissed her fervently, and again everything faded away to the sensation of their first kiss as husband and wife. It was an entirely new kiss, one that heralded many more wonders to come. Luke never wanted it to end, but Mara's practical side soon began to take over, and reluctantly he released her.

Applause erupted all around, and as the couple advanced back up the aisle, the official called out to the audience.

"I present to you, for the first time, Luke and Mara Jade Skywalker!"

More cheers, whistles, applause, and whoops from Rogue Squadron assaulted their ears. Luke couldn't have wiped the grin off his face if he'd wanted to. Mara was also smiling, and she squeezed his hand lovingly.