Chapter 154

The following day, Ari found herself looking around Theed just as the morning light illuminated the city. The day before had been a busy one. After the Naberries arrived the previous morning, they were told of the upcoming nuptials. They had all seemed very happy with the news and helped Ari make contact with all the necessary people. Ari, Leia, Pooja, Sola and Jobal (along with input from Threepio) had decided on flowers, colors and even food for dinner that night. It had taken all day, but all necessary people had been contacted. It was even decided that the newlyweds should have some time to themselves, so once the celebrations ended; everyone else would leave the Lake Retreat to give Luke and Ari some time alone. It would only be for two days since they all knew they had to return to Coruscant soon, but two days was better than no time at all.

"Come on, Ari. We still have things to do."

Leia's voice broke Ari from her thoughts and she followed her future sister-in-law inside the dress shop. There were gowns for every size and figure, but (name) had contacted the shop and told them that Ari and Leia would be there.

One of the sales associates approached. "Which one of you is the bride to be?"

Ari lifted her hand slightly. "I am."

The sales associate nodded and led her to the back. "I have a variety of dresses already picked for you. If you don't like them, we will find something else." Ari was glad to see that the rack of clothing contained some simplistic dresses, which is what she had wanted. She figured that if there was a big ceremony on Coruscant, she would be wearing something elaborate. Yet, at this small ceremony, she didn't need anything extravagant. She just wanted it to be an intimate ceremony with some of her closest friends, who were more like family than anything else.

"Go try them on," Leia instructed, taking a seat in a nearby chair, posture straight, just like a princess.

Ari took the first three dresses into the dressing room and she frowned, seeing all the little buttons on the back of the first dress. She managed to get it on, but couldn't get to the buttons with her hands. She knew she could call Leia to her, but decided against it. Instead, she used the Force. It took a little time, but all the buttons where in place. Ari glanced in the mirror and made a face. It was not her sort of dress. It was long, which was nice, but it weighed quite a bit and all the lace itched.

"Let me see," she heard Leia.

Ari held back a sigh then stepped out, a train of fabric trailing behind her.

"You look beautiful," Leia complimented, and then she paused. "You don't like it though, do you? You look uncomfortable."

Ari nodded. "I think we need to just pick some more simplistic ones." She went into the dressing room and decided to discard the other two.

Still wearing the first dress, she came out and hung up the other two dresses. She started to make two sections of the rack. One side for the ones she would try on and the ones she knew she wouldn't like. Yes, many were beautiful, but they didn't seem fitting for her now. Years ago, she would have loved the lace and pearls, the little details and even the small buttons. She wasn't that girl anymore. The other side contained dresses she liked better. There was still some decoration on most of them, but they weren't overwhelming.

She took those dresses, there were five of them, into the dressing room. She was relieved to take off the heavy dress. She tried on the first dress, liking that there was just a zipper instead of little buttons. It was a little large, but she knew that could be altered.

She showed it to Leia who nodded slowly. "Maybe."

Ari felt the same way about it and tried on two more dresses, both with the same results. They were nice, but not what she was looking for. She was wondering if she might have to wear something uncomfortable or something she disliked.

How is dress shopping going?

Ari jumped in surprise, even as she recognized the voice. Luke, speaking to her through the Force.

Fine, until you startled me. She was surprised how easy it was to speak to him like this. It was almost as easy as speaking aloud. She wasn't sure if it was because it was Luke, her own training or a combination of both.

She could hear a hint of laughter in his response. I apologize. I just thought I would ask. I am being kept busy as well. While Ari and Leia were looking at dresses, Luke was getting fitted for new clothes. He didn't seem too thrilled by that idea, but Ari knew he wouldn't say a word. He hadn't wanted to wear a suit, so new clothes had been a good middle ground. He and Han also had a few other things to take care of. Ari wasn't certain what, but she had seen the Princess give Han a list.

We are rushing a wedding, she reminded him.

Do you want to push it back?

Ari shook her head, even though he couldn't see it. No. This is right. It is just a lot to plan, even for a small ceremony.

Just wait until Leia and the others are pushing us for a large ceremony later.

Ari barely managed to hold back a groan at that thought. She had no idea what it would be like, but she had a feeling it would mostly be out of her hands. That would be alright though. This wedding, the one happening the next day was the one she wanted to go well. Well, you are her brother and the hero of the Rebellion.

Don't sell yourself short.

Ari shook her head slightly. Luke was always telling her that, but she never did feel like she was a hero at all.

Though she hadn't spoken a word, Luke seemed to pick up on this. It's true, Ari.

"Ari, how is it going in there?" Leia's voice floated to her.

"Just a minute," Ari called back to her. I have to go, but I'll see you tonight.

She knew it wasn't like ending a comm where a person could press a button, but she did have things to focus on. Like finding a dress.

She slid on the next dress and after using the Force to handle the zipper and lone button on the top, she looked in the mirror.

She was surprised by what she saw and for a moment, she just stared. She had not had time to dress up often in her life. Yes, her mother had her wearing dresses on Naboo, but that seemed like many lifetimes ago. She was always dressed practically for Tatooine and wherever they went for the Rebellion.

The dress was long, falling to her ankles. It was a light fabric and she didn't feel like it was constricting her. There were short sleeves on the dress, covering her shoulders and some of her upper arm. The cut of the dress showed Ari that she had grown up and was no longer a little girl who used to like playing dress up in her mother's clothing. There was a small amount of embroidery along the hem of the dress and the cuffs of the sleeves, but that was all.

To Ari, it was perfect.

"Ari?" she heard Leia call again.

Instead of responding, she pushed aside the curtain of the changing area and stepped out, watching Leia's face for a reaction.

Leia looked her over then nodded with a small smile. "A little less than I would have picked, but it looks perfect on you." Then, her eyes lit up. "I will be right back. Don't move."

Ari wondered what she was doing, but didn't have to wait long. Leia returned carrying a few items. A pair of shoes, a long sheer piece of fabric and three small boxes.

"You need shoes of course," she said, setting them down on the floor. "Try them on."

Ari was grateful they were flat and without a heel. They seemed to match her dress, having the same design on them as the one on the hem of her dress.

While she was doing that, Leia was getting things out of boxes. "A necklace." She stepped beside Ari and fastened it around her neck. It was a simple silver chain with a light blue stone hanging from in.

Leia then pulled Ari's hair back and held up a comb to it. "And then you can attach the veil to it." She managed to hold the veil to it and Ari had to admit, the effect was stunning.

"I love it," she said as she looked in the mirror. "Could you help me with my hair tomorrow?"

Leia nodded. "There might be others better, but I can work with it. The only other thing that you might need is a bracelet."

Ari shook her head even before Leia could pick up the box. "I have a bracelet."

Leia glanced at it. "It's quite battered," she remarked. Ari glanced at it and knew she was right. It didn't really seem to fit with these other items. Not the necklace or the dress or even her hair swept up like this. She wasn't going to take it off though.

"Luke gave it to me, years ago back on Tatooine," she explained.

This made Leia pause. "Then I guess you have the right bracelet to wear."

Ari nodded. "I should change; I know we have a lot more to do."

Leia nodded and Ari quickly changed into her normal clothing, liking the familiar feeling of the lightsaber resting at her side.

The Naberries had apparently decided to pay for things because when Leia and Ari went to the counter to pay for their purchases, they were told it had already been handled.

"I feel bad about it," Ari said as they left the shop. "They don't know me and yet they are paying for this."

"You are marrying Luke," she replied. "Getting a few in-laws along the way."

Ari nodded and glanced at Leia. She hadn't said much about her new found family. "How do you feel about it?"

Leia paused, looking over the plaza before answering. "It is strange. I knew that I had been adopted. Father had told me that. I never felt the need to know about my birth family before. Now, I know my parents and my birth parents are gone. My entire world. Yet, I have a twin brother. I have a type of family with some of the Rebellion, now the Republic. All of a sudden, someone I have known since I started attending the senate is related to me and I have a whole family I never knew about. They want to know me, but also tell me about a family I never even thought of until recently. It is hard to take it all in."

"You seem to be handling it well," Ari complimented.

Leia smiled a little and was about to say something else but her attention was caught by something else. Ari followed her gaze just in time to have a bundle of white fur leap toward her. Ari caught the small alien and laughed.

"Taga!"

You left. You were gone long. The little alien sounded hurt.

"I'm sorry," Ari responded. "You're here now though and you won't be left behind. Well, you might be with others while Luke and I have our honeymoon, but don't worry. You won't be left like that again."

The alien, happy to see her, still seemed upset. Yet, he didn't leave her arms.

"Someone is happy to see you too."

Ari glanced up and saw it was Lando. He smiled at her. "I would kiss your hand but it seems you have your arms full. Aside from Taga, Ari was carrying a bag containing the shoes, veil, haircomb and necklace. Leia carried the dress.

"A bit," she admitted.

Lando smiled and kissed her cheek, giving her a hug. "It is good to see you."

"You too," she smiled.

Lando then went to Leia and gave a bit of a bow and kissed her hand. Leia smiled at this and gave him a quick hug of greeting. "It is good to see you too, Lando."

"Well, I couldn't very well miss the wedding, could I?" he answered.

"No, though if you want, I am sure Han, Chewie and Luke would enjoy having you around."

Lando nodded. "I can take a hint," he said, brown eyes showing he was amused, not insulted. "I already spoke to them. Do you want to come?" he asked and for a moment, Ari thought he was talking to her, and then she realized he was looking at Taga.

Taga glanced up at her and Ari shook her head. "I think Taga can come along with us. I am surprised you asked though."

Lando shrugged. "He seemed to understand what I said, though I couldn't always tell what he wanted."

Ari nodded. "He's not exactly a pet."

"I gathered that much," he said. "Good luck with your shopping. I better go find Luke and Han before Han causes trouble." He grinned at them both then turned and strolled away.

"Come on," Leia urged. "We still have a lot to do."