Chapter 11

The day had come. After six months of research and a lifetime's worth of hassle with the realtor, Arakai and Amee had finally purchased a house to live in. Much to Arakai's delight, it was on Alderaan. Now they were packing for the long journey to their new home.

Well, Arakai and Shetka were packing. Amee, being six months pregnant, wasn't about to pack as she was too tired that day.

"As soon as you get there you should find a job," Shetka said, "You won't be getting any money from me anymore so you're on your own supporting Amee and Alikai."

At this point they had already found out that the child would be a boy and had officially named him Alikai after Arakai's father.

"Don't worry about it," Arakai replied, "I made sure I had an employment offer before I bought the house. We're gonna be fine."

"I would certainly hope so."

"Plus, job stability is much greater on a planet where slavery is illegal."

"Very true."

After they finished, "the family" got into the landspeeder for the last time and flew to the spaceport. When they arrived, they made their way to the freighter that would carry them to Alderaan.

"Good afternoon," the pilot came up to them, "My name is Lindo Calrissian. This is my son, Lando." He gestured to a young boy standing next to him. "Come aboard the Millennium Falcon and we'll take you straight to Alderaan."

Arakai eyed the corellian ship curiously. That thing is a pile of scrap, he thought, I can't believe I agreed to ride on that thing.

Amee turned to Shetka. "I guess this is goodbye then," she sighed.

"Hey, we'll see each other again. Won't we Arakai?"

"Yeah, for sure," Arakai confirmed, "Just as long as you don't move to the Rishi Maze without telling us."

"If there's anywhere more desolate than this planet, it's the Rishi Maze," Shetka laughed, "You won't find me dead over there."

"You take care of yourself now," Arakai responded, "I'm gonna miss you."

"I'll miss both of you," Shetka predicted.

"I think you mean all three of us," Amee corrected.

"Oh, for sure," Shetka laughed, "Don't worry, Alikai. I'll never forget you. I look forward to meeting you in person someday."

"That makes three of us," Arakai smiled, "Alright; we really should be going now. Goodbye Shetka. Have fun being alone on a desert planet selling everyone everything from everywhere else."

"It's not that bad," Shetka grinned, "Take care."

Arakai and Amee then boarded the Falcon. Arakai soon realized he had judged the freighter too quickly. Despite the great distance from Tatooine to Alderaan, the ship arrived in a little less than an hour.

After thanking the pilot for the safe passage and paying him in full, Arakai unloaded their belongings onto an airspeeder that would take them to their new home. Throughout the flight, Amee couldn't hold back her amazement at the beauty of the planet.

"I've never seen so many colors in all my life," she said, "It's so wonderful."

"I just can't get enough of that fresh air," Arakai agreed, "I haven't breathed this well since, well, ever."

"I know, isn't it amazing?"

"I thought you'd like it."

"I do. I do very much. Thank you for picking such a beautiful planet."

"I wouldn't do any less for you."

As soon as they arrived at there house, Arakai set to unpacking. They had two pieces of furniture, those being a stove and a dishwasher. (I know not really furniture but who cares)

"Can you believe it?" Amee was as excited as a kid in a candy store, "We have a dishwasher! An actual dishwasher!"

"Yes, I know," Arakai couldn't help but laugh at Amee's enthusiasm.

"But like, we don't have to wash our own dishes!" Amee simply couldn't get over this fact. "How are you not excited about that?"

"I am," Arakai answered, "It's just not as new to me. We did have those on Mandalore, you know."

"What else do we have? We have a sink!? Look! There's running water coming out of the faucet!"

I knew she'd be thrilled but I didn't expect her to go hysterical, he thought, could it be that growing up on Tatooine was really that bad to her?

"THIS IS INCREDIBLE!" Amee yelled to the top of her lungs. Then she promptly collapsed from exhaustion. Arakai had to sprint to catch her.

"I'm ok, I'm ok," Amee reassured her husband.

"You really should calm down a bit," Arakai suggested, "Let me finish unpacking while you go ahead and rest, ok?"

"You're right, I'll go do that. Um… where do you suppose I go do that?"

"You know what? I'm gonna run over to a furniture store and grab some chairs and maybe a bed."

"Good idea. Have fun."

"Right."

"I'll just be sitting here, leaning against the counter then."

"Alright."

"Don't buy more than you can carry."

"I won't."

"Oh, get a table too."

"You just told me not to buy more than I can carry."

"Then figure out how to carry a table."

Arakai rolled his eyes as he exited the door. He took a long look at the terrain, admiring every bit of it. Then he realized he had nothing to transport anything with. I'm a complete idiot, he thought, what am I gonna tell Amee? I can't believe I was so stupid. With that, he turned back and went inside the house.

"Back so soon?" Amee called from the kitchen.

"I'm gonna call the stores and see if they deliver."

"Why?"

"Because Shetka has the landspeeder."

Amee burst into laughter. "Wow!" she exclaimed, "You had us come all the way out here with no transportation!? That's the dumbest thing you ever done!"

Yeah, I deserve that.

As it turned out, only one company delivered, but it cost so much that all he could buy was the bed. And it took several days to arrive. Until then, the young couple had to sleep on the floor in sleeping bags.

Eventually, over the course of the next few months, Arakai was able to buy the all the proper furniture for the house. His job, which was at a droid repair shop, paid him enough that he could even buy a speeder in a year or so. But as fate would have it, that all changed very soon. Even with all their planning and anticipation, nothing could have prepared them for what came next…