Chapter Sixteen:
The reception was far smaller than the wedding itself had been, for which both Mara and Luke were extremely grateful. Only their closest friends and family were in attendance. Mara sat beside Luke at the middle of the table reserved for the wedding party.
She watched him openly, not caring if others were observing. Luke was her husband now.
Husband!
That rolled off the tongue very nicely.
Luke looked very refined in his formal robes, and she especially liked the splash of color that centered the outfit. He was indeed a very handsome man, and Mara found herself wondering how she could have ever thought otherwise. His face still sported scars from his encounter with the wampa on Hoth so many years ago. But instead of detracting from his looks, they added an air of refinement that any other smooth-faced man would lack. And tonight, Luke practically glowed with joy.
She loved the laugh and smile lines that gathered around his eyes when he was happy. Mara wanted to run her hand through his soft, dirty-blond hair, and feel their silken tresses. But her favorite feature by far was his sharp blue eyes. Those orbs were the windows to his beautiful soul. Luke's eyes could be soft and kind, bold and wise, or harsh and dangerous. Many an enemy had shrunk before the weight of that gaze.
With a jolt, Mara realized that his wonderful gaze had turned to her. She smiled, shrugging a bit sheepishly, while Luke leaned close.
"You look amazing, Mara."
Mara kissed him. "You're not so bad yourself."
He chuckled, and took her hand.
"If the couple would please take the floor for their first dance?" The D.J announced.
Luke stood, and offered Mara his hand. She took it and let him lead her to the dance floor. He placed his other palm at her waist, sending a thrill through Mara. She put her free hand on his shoulder and their song began to play.
Luke led her confidently through the moves of the dance, only taking his eyes off her when he twirled her. Those azure orbs held Mara in wonder. At the end of their dance, Luke drew her close for another kiss, and this one lingered far longer than the last.
She gave him a radiant smile when he reluctantly pulled back. They were drawn apart by members of the opposite sex, in the traditional dance with the bride or groom dance.
Talon was the first to snag Mara, and she saw several women vying for position with Luke, but Leia won out.
"Congratulations Mara." Talon said, drawing her into a brief hug before he led her in their dance.
"Well, to be honest, this wouldn't be happening today if it hadn't been for you." Mara admitted. "Thank you for setting me straight."
He nodded. "I knew you two had feelings for each other, and I knew you needed him."
"Well, you were right."
A dark-skinned arm interjected as Lando Calrissian moved in to take his turn with the bride. Talon bowed politely to Mara, and moved away. Lando took Mara in his arms and offered his most charming smile.
Mara shook her head, but held back her usual snide comments.
"You look ravishing, milady." Lando complimented her.
"Thank you Lando." Mara replied.
Before he could make another remark, however, Han pulled Mara away from the suave man. He smirked at her, and she grinned in return.
"Thanks Solo."
Han nodded, was quiet for a moment, and then opened his mouth to speak.
"Take good care of him, Mara." He said quietly. "Luke's had more heartache than any one man has any right to feel."
"I will." Mara promised. Han hugged her lightly, kissing her cheek. He then relinquished her to the next man in line.
Hobbie Klivian grinned at her. "I get twenty credits for this!" he crowed.
Mara snorted, shaking her head. "What was the bet this time?"
"That I would dance with you before any of the other Rogues." Hobbie said proudly before he sobered a touch. "You look great, Jade. I'm happy for you both."
Mara accepted his quick embrace and thankfully the song ended after that. She spotted Luke, who was just embracing his niece. Jaina grinned happily at the fact that she had secured a dance with her uncle. Mara couldn't help but smile at the sight of those two together.
Jaina obviously adored her uncle, and Mara knew Luke loved his niece with all his heart.
She's like the daughter Luke doesn't have. Mara thought with pensive insight. Then she frowned. Will we have children? Does Luke want kids, and if so, do I? Will I be ready?
She pushed her melancholy away before Luke could catch her mood and start worrying.
The next two hours were spent mingling with guests who refused to let her find her new husband, a fact that annoyed Mara. She wanted to be with him tonight.
Finally, and to her great relief, he caught her eye and moved to join her. The D.J announced that it was time to cut the cake, and Mara suppressed a snigger. This would be very fun indeed.
They went to the cake, a three-tiered simplistic beauty, and poised for the holo. Once they received the thumbs-up from the holo-journalist, they cut the pieces of cake out. Mara picked up Luke's portion, and he carefully took hers in hand.
Luke offered her a questioning smirk, but Mara kept her face deadpan. Luke raised an eyebrow, no doubt wary of what was coming; but like the good sport he was, he offered her the cake anyway.
Mara followed suit, and just as they were nibbling their respective slices, she allowed a feral twinkle come to her eyes. Brief alarm flashed across Luke's features, but it was too late. Mara smeared his cake all over his face, and to the raucous applause and hoots from the crowd, Mara ducked Luke's attempt to follow suit. As she twisted away, however, Luke caught her around the waist. Trailing one finger seductively down her arm, Luke used his free hand to smash a piece of the dessert onto her cheek, and when she squirmed, it smeared.
She growled, grabbed a new chunk of cake, and tossed it at him, laughing heartily as it splattered all down his front. The crowd froze, not sure what to expect. Only the members of Rogue Squadron were whooping with delight, and one of them even held a recording device.
Luke swiped some of the cake from his face and mock-glared at her before he lifted one crooked brow and moved forward. Seeing his intent, Mara backed away, arms raised.
"No… Luke!" She warned, only half seriously. She couldn't help the jovial laughter bubbling from her lips. "No!"
She didn't care if her dress got ruined, it was only a garment. Luke grinned maliciously and leapt forward, wrapping his arms around her and squeezing tightly. She shrieked and squirmed, but Luke held fast, rubbing his cake-smeared face against hers before kissing her.
She stopped struggling and kissed him back.
You taste good, Farmboy! She applauded him silently.
Hmm… you do to, my Love. Luke said with a mental laugh.
The crowd pressed forward with applause and laughter when they were sure it was safe to get their own slices of cake. Luke and Mara retreated to clean up while their guests milled about.
"Would you like some help?" Luke offered playfully, wagging his eyebrows.
Mara glanced into the refresher to make sure it was empty, checked the hallway, and then grabbed his tunic and dragged him inside the refresher. Luke laughed, and Mara locked the door behind them.
She turned, and Luke leaned against the counter, holding up a moist towel. She moved to him, and lightly smacked the thing from his grasp. She snuggled up to him, and he gamely wrapped her in his embrace.
Mara looked deeply into his eyes for a moment. "I feel like I haven't seen you at all tonight." She said softly. "Leia was right when she told me we wouldn't have any alone time at the reception."
Luke nodded, drawing her a bit closer. He brought his face to hers and captured her lips with his. Mara deepened the kiss, pressing tight to him. He traced her lips with his tongue playfully, and she parted her lips for him. He ran his hands down her back, lingering on her buttocks.
She snorted a quick laugh, and stepped back, breaking the kiss long enough to breathe. Then she stood him up, and drew him close again. Luke pressed up to her, and she gave way until her back hit the wall. She opened herself again to him, and he accepted her invitation gladly.
Mara indulged in her earlier desire, and ran her fingers through is hair… only to break away laughing.
"What?" Luke breathed, kissing her neck.
"I'm sorry, but you've got cake plastered all through your hair!" Mara chuckled. "Not the best thing for running my fingers through."
Luke broke away with his own snort of laughter, and then the handle to the refresher door jiggled as someone tried to enter. They broke apart, and Luke hid behind the door as Mara opened it, standing so the other woman couldn't see him. While the lady's back was turned, Luke slipped outside.
Mara suppressed a burst of laughter as she spotted Han coming toward Luke, wearing a huge grin.
She closed the door, blushing ever-so-slightly. Cleaning up as quickly as she could, Mara returned to the reception. Luke wasn't far behind her, and upon seeing their respective garments, both chuckled yet again. Luke offered his arm, and led her back to their table.
After half an hour, Han stood and clinked a fork against his glass of wine.
"As the best man, but more importantly, as Luke's brother, I'd like to offer a toast." Han began. "I met Luke when he was a kid from a farm in the middle of nowhere. Little did I know that when he entered my life, it would change forever… for the better. If it hadn't been for Luke, Leia and I would have never met. Thank you for that, Luke." Han lifted his glass in a brief salute, before continuing. "Luke has always been a source of comfort and stability for me, though I may not always say it. But I realized recently how much I have come to depend on that. And he has never let me down."
Han and Luke shared a private look at that, and Mara felt a small weight lift in Luke.
"Luke is one hell of a man, not because of his Force abilities, but because of his enormous heart. Ask me for a man who loves unconditionally and stands for what's right, and I'll tell you to look no further than this man here." Han again gestured to his brother-in-law. "Luke, I love you as my brother. You are the best man in my life, and my closest friend. I wish you every happiness in what I am sure will be one of the most beautiful marriages this galaxy has ever seen. Mara, take good care of him, he's very much worth it."
"To the Skywalkers!" Han cheered, lifting his glass.
The audience clinked glass wear together and took sips.
Leia stood next, calling for quiet with a wave of her hands: the room fell expectantly still.
"Mara is an amazing woman." She began. "One I am proud to call a sister. I've always wanted a sister. Luke is great, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I wish I had another female closer to my own age to talk girl-stuff with." A chorus of laughter bubbled around the crowd. "Mara, you have brought Luke to life in a way no one ever has. He's never been so happy, and I know he loves you with everything he is. Trust him, and he will never let you down. But just as he is compassionate and trusting, you temper him with practicality and a sharp wit. You two were made for each other, and I'm sure the Force placed the two of you in this galaxy for just this purpose. Live well, and love hard. Hold to each other, and nothing can break you down." Leia hoisted her glass. "Here's wishing you many happy years!"
Again the crowd joined the toast.