To Hope

"Hope is the seed of liberation."

…………………………………………………………………….

Anakin finished bandaging Eva's arm.

"Well, as soon as I get a mechanical arm I really will be an official Skwalker." She stated.

"Yeah what did you mean by that earlier?"

'Oh, I just meant that most of my family members have lost a hand. You lost yours. I lost mine. And…my dad lost his."

"Oh."

Eva suddenly jumped up. "We have to get to Padme!"

"What?" asked Obi-Wan.

"Yeah, uhh this is probably a bad time to mention it but Padme she be going into labor soon."

"What!" this time it was Anakin.

"Yeah, umm Master Kenobi you know I'm his granddaughter, well uhhh Padme is my grandma."

"Well, this day just keeps getting better doesn't it." Remarked Obi-Wan sarcastically.

Eva closed her eyes waiting for them to land in the hangar which was several minutes away. She thought about home. She knew, even though they were 32 years apart her Dad could hear her if she concentrated hard enough.

Dad?

Eva?

Dad thank goodness.

What's wrong?

Do you still have a mechanical arm. Me being here hasn't changed that right?

Yeah I still have it.

Anything different there?

Not much. I've had several memories I never had before pop into my head but…

Ok. Palpatine is gone. Is he gone there?

No. Maybe when you come back everything will change all at once.

Maybe.

What happened last night?

What?

You gave your mother and me quite a scare. I woke up because you were hurt.

Oh, blame Palpatine.

What happened.

Want the long or the short story?

Long please.

I went to his office the day after he revealed his real identity. He was there. He wanted me to join the dark side. I led him on long enough to make up a plan. But when he asked me if I wanted to be a sith and his apprentice I said no. He got angry. We fought. I need to train up on my light saber dueling by the way 'cause I stumbled and lost my saber.

I still don't get where the being hurt part is?

After I lost my saber he hit me with that force lightning stuff like he did to you. I'd called grandpa and Obi-Wan earlier they showed up about 10 minutes after he started attacking me with the force lightning. He finally stopped with the lightning whenever they arrived and he got away. I slept for 15 hours after that. I should've been up sooner.

I was only under it for maybe a minute and was extremely tired. I don't blame you.

Yeah. Oh by the way I'm officially a Skywalker.

Why's that?

I'm getting a mechanical hand. That's why I asked you about yours.

Why what happened?

Palpatine cut it off. Oh we're headed to see grandma. Your gonna be born soon.

Cool. How many kids can say they saw their Dad when he was a baby?

Not many I bet. I'll be home soon. Tell everybody I miss them.

I will. May the force be with you.

May the force be with you as well.

Eva opened her eyes. They were landing now.

"I thought you fell asleep." Said Anakin.

"No, I was just talking to my dad."

"Oh. How are things there."

"Good. He was worried. He felt me get hurt last night."

"You mean the lightning?"

"Yeah. Palpatine did the same to him when he wouldn't join him. But…."

"But what."

"You stopped him. But I guess you can't now cause that never happened. I am so confused by this time travel stuff."

"Master Yoda can probably help you there."

"Yeah. Come on let's go see Padme." Said Eva running out of the ship.

"Wait up." Called Anakin rung after her.

Obi-Wan laughed at the sight before calmly walking to them.

"Come on we need to find Padme." Said Eva.

"Eva, wait."

"What is it Anakin?" she asked.

"In the future what did Padme die from." He asked sullenly.

Eva frowned, "A broken heart. Physically she was in perfect health. She just gave up."

Anakin nodded slowly. That wouldn't happen this time.

"Now come on." Squealed Eva resuming her happy demeanor.

The three made their way to Padme's home. Anakin typed in the code and walked in, the other 2 behind him. Startled Padme tried to cover her "condition".

"Don't worry about it, Hun." Said Anakin embracing her.

"Ani, how I've missed you." She whispered.

"I've missed you too. How are you feeling?"

"Not well. Its coming Ani."

Anakin nodded. "Let's get you in bed."

Eva and Obi-Wan sat on the couch. Eva nervously tapped her fingers on the stand next to her.

"Everything will be ok, Eva"

"And what if something goes wrong. If my dad isn't born I'm not born."

"I'm sure things will be fine. You just have to hope things will be alright."

"I can't hope." She muttered.

Eva stood about pacing the room.

Anakin helped Padme to her bed and called in her midwife.

Padme lay comfortably back on her pillow.

"And what if something goes wrong. If my dad isn't born I'm not born." A girls worried voice came through the door.

"What is she talking about, Ani"

"Who."

"The girl outside. She said something about if her dad isn't born she won't be born."

"Oh, I'll explain later."

"NO you don't Skywalker. You come over here and tell me the instant." She screamed.

"Hun, calm down someone in your condition sho-"

"MY CONDITION. YOU DID THIS TO ME." She screamed at him.

"Ok…uhh…so." Muttered Anakin startled.

"What did that girl mean?" she asked calming down.

"Well…uhh…here I'll let her explain" he muttered backing away to the door.

He hurried over to Eva.

"Help me." He whispered.

"What?"

"She's going crazy yelling at me and she was asking about why you were worried about your Dad being born and…"

"What? I'm not going in there." She muttered.

"Oh yes you are." Said Anakin pushing her to the door.

Once they were inside Anakin closed the door.

"Please explain to her what your relation to me is." Pleaded Anakin.

"Ok…well you know I've been at the Jedi temple lately right Ma'am."

"Yes."

"Well I wasn't trained there my father trained me."

"Ok."

"My father. His name is, Luke Skywalker."

"Skywalker? Like Ani."

"Yes."

"But why did you say that thing about your dad or something."

"Well, I was born about 32 years from now and my dad should be born soon."

"Oh. Who is his mother maybe I've met her."

"Oh…I'm sure you have. Her name is Padme Skywalker."

"You mean, I'm you, You're my…"

"Granddaughter." Eva smiled and turned to leave.

"Oh please stay." Said Padme.

"Umm…Alright." Eva took a seat next to Padme's bed. Anakin did the same on her other side.

Padme grasped each of their hands tightly before….

"Wahhh…Wahhh…Wahhhh"

"It's a girl."

Padme smiled, "Leia."

Padme grasped their hands again when….

"It's a boy."

There was no cry…

"Is he alrig-"

"Wahhh….Wahh…Wahhh…."

"He's fine." Said the midwife smiling.

Padme looked at Eva, "His name is Luke."

Eva smiled at her.

"You look a great Padme. Just keep in bed for a few days and you'll be find." Said the midwife.

"Thank you."

"I'll see you later Grandma." Said Eva hugging her.

"You come and visit me ok?" she said.

"I will. Bye Anakin." Eva laughed. "I don't think I could ever call you guys grandma and grandpa."

Eva walked over to the two babies. Picking her aunt up she cradled her softly and handed her too Padme. She turned back to the other crib. Dad. She picked him up carefully and handed him to Padme as well.

"They're great kids Padme."

Eva waved goodbye walking to the door.

"How are they?" asked Obi-Wan as Eva shut the door carefully.

"Mother and children are both fine. The kids have ten fingers and ten toes, I counted twice."

Obi-Wan smiled. "The council wishes to see you. They called while you were in there."

Eva nodded. "Let's go then."

The two Jedi walked joking and laughing as they went.

"Council." Greeted Eva.

The Jedi on the Council nodded.

Master Yoda looked at her, "Congratulate you we must."

"For what Master Yoda?"

"The Sith you defeated. Turn to the dark side you did not."

"Oh but Master Yoda I didn't…Anakin and Obi-Wan helped. I barely did anything...I"

"Faced the sith twice you did. Succeeded both times."

"I didn't succeed. The first time I stumbled if Obi-Wan and Anakin hadn't have showed up." Eva shuddered at the thought, "And the second time I lost my hand even with Anakin and Obi-Wan's help."

"Stumble, you may have but fall you did not. When faced with a decision, Dark side or Light, chose rightly you did."

Eva nodded.

"The help of 2 Jedis you may have had, but dueled with Darth Siduos you did. Without their help at that time. A Jedi you are not. Yet faced the sith courageously you did. A great Jedi you will one day make."

Eva nodded.

Master Windu spoke this time, "The Republic is holding a party in honor of you, Obi-Wan, and Anakin. Naturally they expect you to be there."

Eva nodded again.