Chapter 152

Ari slowly opened her eyes and saw the first light of morning coming through the window. It took her just a moment to remember the night before and glanced at where she had last seen her mother. There was no sign of her and though she had hoped for one, she wasn't surprised.

That didn't fill her with pain though. Instead, it made her smile faintly. Yes, she would miss her mother, but she was able to speak to her one final time, able to really say goodbye. Besides, hadn't her mother always promised to be with her? Part of the Force, which would always be a part of her. Something she could touch as easily as one might touch the water in the lake outside.

Ari changed clothes and she left her room, not bothering with shoes. The stone floors were cool and smooth under her bare feet. She got so used to wearing boots on Tatooine, on ships and various bases that it was nice to go without them for a short time.

She didn't think any of the others would be up that early, able to sense that it seemed as if this everyone there was sleeping peacefully.

She paused sensing something in the Force. Not everyone. Apparently she wasn't the only one who was awake at this time. She let the Force guide her to that person. She knew the presence of the person even before she saw him. It was Luke.

Ari stopped a few feet from where he was standing. He was dressed in all black, as he often did now, standing at the verandah that offered a beautiful view that looked even more breathtaking from the various hues of red, orange and yellow that fell across the water and lit up the sky.

There was only silence for a minute and Ari took in that moment. Not just the beauty of Naboo but the serene look on Luke's face. His eyes were closed and if he had been lying down, one could have assumed he was sleeping. Ari had a feeling that he was meditating, possibly over everything that had happened recently. It was something she knew she would most likely want to do as well at some point. This was the perfect place for it.

"I saw my father again last night," Luke said quietly. He clearly must have sensed Ari's presence like she had sensed his.

"Your father?" Ari repeated, a bit surprised, taking a step closer. She didn't know if Anakin would even attempt to appear. However, after the visit with her mother, she shouldn't be too surprised.

He nodded, finally opening his eyes, turning to look at her. "Yes. He had much to say. He said I saved him, having him turn back to the light side of the Force right before he died. He was sorry for all that had happened, though he knew sorry could never fix all that had he done."

Ari nodded, not asking for more. She had a feeling it must have been quite an emotional talk for Luke.

"He also told me something interesting about this place. He and my mother were married here."

"On Naboo?"

"Yes, but here. At this lake retreat. Just a few feet from where we are standing. The witnesses were R2-D2 and C-3PO. They were married by a Naboo holy man, mere days after the Clone Wars started. Of course, they kept it a secret. Then later, when my mother found out she was going to have a child, she wanted a nursery here. At this Villa. This used to belong to the Naberrie family. After Padme's death, it was given to the Queen, but the Naberries and their guests are able to use it whenever they wish."

"Your father told you all this?" Ari asked.

Luke nodded. "Yes. It is possible we would have met as children anyway. Your mother a handmaiden and mine as a politician."

Ari nodded. "Possibly." A beat of silence followed before she said, "You weren't the only one to have a visitor." Luke gave her a questioning look. He never really seemed surprised anymore, though after all he had been through, Ari was almost certain nothing would surprise him now. "My mother."

"Your mother came to visit you?"

Ari nodded. "She looked like your father, Master Yoda and Master Kenobi did that night after the Emperor and Death Star were destroyed. Like a ghost."

Luke nodded. "Well, I can imagine that it is possible, due to Jedi training, even if it was limited." He studied Ari a little more closely. "How are you feeling about it all?"

"You can't tell through the Force?" Ari asked with a small smile.

"I know you have gotten better shielding your thoughts. Also, I would rather ask than to use the Force. I have a feeling it is more than just one emotion though."

Ari nodded, looking out over the water as she gathered her thoughts. Luke didn't pressure her to speak quickly, so she let herself take a minute as the sun started its ascent.

"I miss her. I miss her and I miss my father. I miss Jett and Saber. I think I always will. Yet, it feels different now. It doesn't hurt like it did before. Maybe because I was able to say goodbye. I feel more at peace about things now."

"They will always be a part of you," Luke told her.

"I know, through the Force," Ari nodded.

Luke gave her a small smile. "In part, but also because of your memories and that you keep them close to your heart."

Ari's smile matched his. It was small, but carried enough meaning that nothing needed to be said.

Both of them turned to look at the water again and Ari felt Luke take her hand in his. It was a small, simple gesture, but one she appreciated. He gave her hand a small squeeze and she returned it. Together, they watched the sunrise, silent, as the sky grew lighter and the sunlight touched everything around them.

"I have been thinking a lot about the future," Luke admitted after some time had passed, his eyes still on the water.

"Brand new day, brand new republic. New Jedi Order," Ari nodded, also taking in the scenery around them. "Only fitting since so much has changed."

"At least not everything," Luke responded, his fingers brushing over the bracelet she was wearing again.

Ari looked up at Luke finally, smiling. "No. Not everything."

Luke easily met her gaze. "Ari…" he started and then paused. "Ari, I wanted to ask you something."

"You can ask me anything," she answered, knowing that from the tone of his voice, this had to be serious. Her smile faded as her eyes met his. After a pause she gave him a questioning look. "Luke?"

"My father said that he approves of us together. My mother does too. I also know for certain that Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen would agree."

Ari nodded slowly. "It sounds similar to what my mother said. That she and my father approved."

"Well, that is good to hear," Luke admitted, falling silent again as he looked out at the water.

"Luke, you were going to ask me something," she reminded him.

Luke nodded, looking out at the water for another moment, and then he turned to her, taking both her hands in his. Both felt real and if she didn't know better, she would not have been able to guess which one was his fake hand and which was his real one.

His hands squeezed hers as his eyes met hers. "Arianna, will you marry me?"

Ari was stunned and for a moment all she could do was look at him. Had Luke just asked her to marry him? "What?" she finally stammered.

"I know it isn't the most romantic proposal. Also, a bit sudden, but marry me. I know we only recently admitted our feelings to one another, but it is right. I can just tell."

"The Force?" Ari asked as she started to think about this now that the shock was wearing off.

"In part. I just know that there will not be someone else like you. I also know that I love you. As impulsive as this sounds, I want to marry you before we leave Naboo. You are from here, my mother was from here. This is where my parents fell in love and got married. It is the same with your parents."

"You want to get married that fast?" Ari was once again finding it difficult to take all of this in.

Luke sighed. "I know it is a lot to think about, but Ari, I love you. I want to marry you before we have to part ways again. Hopefully, not for long, but you know that there will be time apart. We will be rebuilding the Jedi Order. Finding those who are Force sensitive. Missions given to us by the Republic."

"And what if you meet someone else?" Ari asked after a moment. "There was that dream girl that you used to talk about."

Luke smiled a little. "A girl in my dreams," he corrected. "I used to have dreams of adventures with her and I had them in the past few years. It's Leia. Our twin connection. She admitted she used to have dreams where I was in them."

"There could always be someone else then," Ari responded quietly.

"Not for me," Luke responded, then frowned and caught her eye. "Is there someone else for you?"

"No," she shook her head. "Even through everything on Hoth, it always was you."

Luke's faint smile returned at this. "So, will you marry me, Ari?"

Ari knew there were a million reasons she should say no. They had just admitted their feelings for each other. The Jedi Code used to forbid attachment, which had worked for many years. They would probably be apart for long periods of time and anything could happen. Yet, they had already faced time apart and she knew that once the Academy truly started, she and Luke would be spending quite a lot of time training.

Her mother's words came back to her. That she would know what to do when the time came. She looked at Luke, for a moment, remembering the boy from Tatooine she had grown up with. He was no longer that same boy, but she was not the same girl either. She did love him. There was no doubt to that. He also loved her. That pushed away all the thoughts of why she should say no or why she should say they should delay it. They were on Naboo with family and good friends at the villa. The Naberries would be coming that day as well. Ari knew there was only one answer to Luke's question.

"Yes," she answered, smiling. "Yes, Luke, I'll marry you."

Luke caught her around the waist, hugging her as his lips met hers. It was a brief kiss, but when they pulled back, Ari felt a little dizzy from the intensity.

"I love you, Luke," Ari smiled at him and she knew she was making the right choice.

"I love you too, Ari," Luke was smiling more than usual, looking happy.

Though the kiss had ended, Luke hadn't released her and Ari rested her head on his shoulder. For a moment, she felt completely at peace, something she hadn't felt in a long time. For years she had been worrying about the harvest on Tatooine. Or being found by Imperials. She worried about her friends and the Rebels in general. She worried about losing the war. She worried about finding Force sensitive beings and starting the Academy as well as dealing with the newly formed government.

Instead, all of those thoughts were gone and she let herself have that moment, Luke's head resting against hers.

After a minute, Luke spoke. "The others are waking up."

Ari nodded and they both stepped apart a little. "I guess that means it is breakfast time. Think we should tell them the news then or do you want to wait for the others?"

"I am alright with sharing the news twice."

"Me too," Ari smiled. "Besides, if we are going to have a wedding that quickly, I'll probably need some help."

"I am sure your soon to be sister-in-law would be happy to do that," Luke responded. His hand founds hers and she they went to the dining area to share the happy news.