A/N: Hi all! Another chapter is ready for you! Big shout out to psychedelic breakfast and Jedi Master Albus for their kind reviews!

Chapter 31

Happy Family

Padmé filled the Lars empty closet in their new residence with commonly worn Coruscant clothing.

Beru wanted to protest, but Padmé shot her a look that made Beru regret wanting to do so. Beru sat back down on her bed and watched as Padmé went through each outfit hanging in the closet with the seriousness of a librarian sifting through books for a university student who wanted to complete a term project.

Beru looked at Owen silently but her eyes plead for some sort of rescue. Owen smiled at her, a smile which was followed with a non-comital shrug. They were all helpless to Padmé's whims.

Cliegg was minding the few potted plants Padmé had purchased for him. It was difficult for a farmer to be so far away from dirt and nature. He didn't have too much experience with the sort of fruit and vegetable plants Padmé had given him, only with what was native on Tatooine. But each of the plants had an instruction manual that he would devote himself to studying. If he stared at the endless metal of the skyscrapers surrounding him for the rest of his stay on Coruscant, he would go mad.

Once Padmé had finished dressing her in-laws, she set her sights on her husband who was braiding Leia's hair. Luke was standing in the corner of the living room swinging a toy lightsaber that Anakin had built for him around with vigor and enthusiasm, his blue eyes alive with wonder.

She was about to call out to Anakin, but she noticed Jacen sitting on the living room couch, staring absentmindedly at nothing. She walked to him and kneeled so their faces were level.

"Jacen, sweetheart, what's the matter?"

"I don't know." He whined.

"You don't know. Hmmm, do you want to watch a holofilm?" Padmé asked, her voice soft voice etched with concern.

"No."

"You don't want to go and sit with Anakin and the twins? I'm sure he has some absolutely hilarious stories to tell you about his time as a Padawan."

"You want me to go and watch him braid hair?" Jacen asked dryly.

Padmé adjusted the collar of the vest she had asked him to wear. "Well, it'd be better than sitting here with a frown on your face."

He looked at her, his furrowed brows easing into a relaxed expression. His brown hair was shorter now, as short as Anakin's in his Padawan days.

"You look so handsome, Jacen. In a few years all the girls at school will be fighting over you."

"You're just saying that 'cuz you're my mom."

Padmé relished at the sound of Jacen calling her mom.

"No, I'm not. You truly are handsome. One day a stranger will say it to you and then maybe you'll believe it."

Jacen rolled his eyes. "I guess…"

Padmé set her sights on Anakin, walking towards her occupied husband and sat down beside him.

"What's the status report?" Anakin asked.

"Teenage sass. Upset over nothing." She smirked.

Anakin glanced at Jacen. "He's bored. You take a kid who's used to working constantly and have him sit around all day."

"He does not sit around all day. We've been studying to get him at grade level for the boys academy on Naboo."

"Oooh studying, I'm shaking with excitement." Anakin replied sarcastically.

Padmé swatted him playfully on his arm. "Shut up, Anakin."

Anakin fastened the jewel encrusted barrette he was holding to the crown of Leia's head, pinning the two braids he had just finished underneath it.

Anakin looked at Jacen and then back at Padmé. "He needs a hobby."

"Do you want to teach him some of your mechanic skills?" Padmé asked.

"I don't know that that's what he likes, but yeah I guess." Anakin replied.

"Or you could teach him to be a star pilot." Padmé smiled.

"You want me to teach him to be a law-abiding pilot like myself?" Anakin grinned wickedly.

"On second thought no, you'd race each other through the Coruscant speedways. The property damage would be catastrophic. Nooo thank you."

Both Anakin and Padmé burst into laughter.

There was a moment of silence after the laughter died down when both Anakin and Padmé glanced at Jacen, but it was short-lived.

"We'll figure something out." Anakin replied finally.

Padmé's plans didn't seem to be working out as planned. The upscale restaurant she had brought The Lars to made them feel out of place. They stared at the dishes brought out to them with hesitation and didn't speak much, afraid their Tatooine vernacular might not be so well received at such a luxurious establishment.

"I have something I'd like to talk to you all about." Padmé's voice finally breaking the awkward silence. She tried not to laugh at Anakin trying to entertain Luke with a toy starship. Luke giggled in response reaching for the little starship.

Padmé regained her focus. "I'm so glad that we have forged together our families. And that Anakin has people as wonderful as you all." Padmé looked at Beru with fondness. "And I'm glad to have a new sister that's far less annoying than my old one,"

"Sola would set your silk dresses on fire if she heard you say that." Anakin interjected.

Padmé shot Anakin an agitated look.

Owen and Cliegg tried to stifle the laughs that were bubbling behind their lips.

"Is anyone going to let me finish!?"

Cliegg cleared his throat. "Yes, go on…"

"I want to have a formal party celebrating our new family." She looked around the table expecting positive responses, well any sort of response really, but everyone looked at her expressionlessly, not a word spoken.

"Well if it's going to be as boring as uncomfortable as this, you can count me out." Jacen responded.

"Jacen, that was incredibly rude!" Padmé almost shouted, tired of his sour moods.

Anakin handed the toy starship he had been waving around to Luke who started banging it against the table.

"Apologize to your mother, Jacen." Anakin said unconvincingly.

"Why?! It's the truth. Look at them!" Jacen gestured toward the Lars on the opposite side of the table.

Padmé took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I wanted you to enjoy this outing. Be honest with me. Do you hate it here?"

Beru smiled gently at Padmé. "We are grateful to have someone as giving as you Padme. Truly we are. I never dreamed I would get to walk around in such expensive fabrics in a place as beautiful as this." Beru looked at the furnishings of the restaurant.

Cliegg finished. "But we feel like all them rich folks think we're um…not up to the standards here."

"I will make anyone who even thinks of disrespecting any of you regret their decision immensely." Padmé replied with the same passion she displayed during senatorial meetings.

"Can I make a suggestion?" Anakin asked Padmé.

Padmé looked at his soft expression and all the exasperation she felt melted away. "Yes, Ani. Go ahead."

"Let's take this food home and have dinner on your veranda and talk about your celebration plans where we'd all feel at home. We can all discuss what we'd like there."

"That actually sounds like a great idea." Padmé replied with excitement.

Beru had changed into a comfortable nondescript chocolate colored gown, her soft blonde hair spilling in waves over her shoulders. Her and Padmé were sitting on 500 Republica's veranda away from the others, red alcoholic beverages in the glasses they were holding.

"Please don't feel afraid to put me in my place, Beru. I don't want to force my opinions and customs on you. I just felt like spoiling you all. You deserve the luxury I take for granted. That's where I'm coming from. But I won't find it rude if you disagree with me on things."

Beru smiled, her blue eyes disappeared between crescent eye lids and thick light brown lashes, a pure and true smile. She placed her hand over Padmé's. "Don't worry, Padmé. We understand. We're not upset with you." She paused. "That could be the drink speaking, though."

They both laughed. Padmé placed her head on Beru's shoulder. "I'm so glad to have you as a friend…and as a sister."

Beru enjoyed the Coruscant breeze ruffling her hair and washing over her hair. She kissed Padmé's cheek. "Me too."