Chapter 18

"Uh-oh. She's got that look again." said Luna wrinkling her nose.

Obi-Wan looked up from his data pad slightly alarmed. "Again? You just changed her!"

"I know! Which means, according to my calculations, it's your turn to do the honors." she held out a slightly stinky Jinn who wriggled with Joy at the sight of her father.

"Oh, alright." he sighed with resignation. It was best to get this over with fast he'd learned quickly. "Come along little one."

In the nursery Obi-Wan picked up a new diaper and some wipes and laid everything out so that he could reach it easily. "Now then, hold still my dear. This won't be a minute."

He took a deep breath and, using the Force, raced through the change at lightning speed before levitating the dirty diaper into the waste receptacle. Jinn cooed contentedly and gave him a huge gummy smile, obviously feeling much better. He smiled and soon found himself making funny faces to amuse her.

"You know, I'm not entirely sure that was an approved use of the Force." Luna stood in the doorway smirking at him.

"You're just mad that you didn't think of it first!" he laughed. "Besides, I'm certain I'd get a free pass on that. Jedi are supposed to use their powers for the greater good, and believe me, taking care of that little situation as quickly as possible was in everyone's best interest."

Luna giggled. "Good point." she said before turning her attention to the knock at the door. Beru and Luke were scheduled to come today to meet the baby and continue training and Obi-Wan was looking forward to their lesson with great anticipation.

He returned his attention to Jinn who was still laying on the changing table waving her hands in the air.

"Is that Luke?" he asked, as he picked her up. "Let's go have a look, shall we?" She gurgled with laughter as he tickled her face with his beard and he thought for a moment that if sunshine had a sound, it would be Jinn laughing. As he entered the living room, the boy in question could be seen standing next to his Aunt who was talking to Luna about the baby. The amount of boredom and impatience he projected into the Force was almost palpable.

At the sight of him Beru clapped her hands and smiled brightly.

"There she is!" She rushed over and to take a look as Obi-Wan proudly held her up. "OH! She's adorable!" she gushed. "May I hold her?" He handed the baby to Beru who cradled her gently and walked back towards Luna.

"Isn't she cute Luke?"

"Uh-huh. She's great." he answered quickly with barely a glance, his attention fully focused on Obi-Wan. He grinned ecstatically. "Hi Ben! Remember when you said that next time we'd do something really fun?"

"Did I? Hmmm…that doesn't sound like something I'd say. Let me think. Let me think." he teased, stroking his beard as if searching his memory.

"You did! You did!" The boy vibrated with excitement. "I've been waiting forever!"

Obi-Wan chuckled. It did him good to see the unapologetic enthusiasm Luke had towards their lessons. He finally relented. "Come on then. Let's go!"

…

The morning passed quickly while Obi-Wan taught Luke a variety of Force assisted somersaults, back flips, and other acrobatics which he mastered with ease. Before long both of them were drenched with sweat and, since it was terribly hot, he decided to move on to something a little less physically taxing.

Since it had been so long since their last lesson, Obi-Wan decided that a meditation session was long overdue. They found some shade near the house and sat down cross legged. It took Luke a few tries to clear his mind, but when he finally did, he sank into such a peaceful state that it was hard to believe he was the same excited little boy.

How different Luke was from his father! Anakin had always had a rough, spikiness to his Force signature that Obi-Wan had attributed to the immense power he possessed. Luke was equally as powerful, but where Anakin had been agitated and impatient, he was calm and serene. He felt like Padme. It was as if the best parts of each of them had been condensed into one single person.

When Luke finally came out of his meditation, he was starving. Obi-Wan took him into the house and sat him at the table while he pulled things out of the refrigeration unit. As he stood at the counter spreading nut butter and jelly on bread, he had an overwhelming sense of deja vu. He must have made hundreds of these sandwiches for Anakin and he smiled as he watched Luke dig in with the same gusto his father had.

"Did you have fun Luke?" Luna asked. She had just finished feeding Jinn and placed her in a small basket on the couch next to her where she promptly went to sleep. "We watched you out the window and those back flips looked impressive!"

"Yeah! It was great!" He said as he skipped over to the couch and flopped down next to Luna. Now that his excitement was sated, he finally took an interest in Jinn and peered over the edge of the basket at the sleeping infant inside. "She sure is little." he mused

Beru smiled at him. "You were that little once, you know."

Luke looked up with interest. "Really?"

She nodded and smiled as her eyes took on a far away look. "Yes. When you came to live with us, you were no bigger than she is."

He was silent for a while, thinking of this. "Aunt Beru?" Luke asked quietly. "How come I live with you and Uncle Owen? Biggs lives with his Mom and Dad and so does Jinn. Why don't I have any parents?"

Obi-Wan held his breath. He'd known someday this question would come up and he had wondered what the Lars's had decided to tell the boy about his background.

"You know why Luke." Beru's eyebrows drew together in slight frown. "Your Mom and Dad loved you very much, but they died and went to Heaven right after you were born. That's why you came to live with us. They'd be here if they could Luke, you know that right?"

He nodded sadly. "I know." He was still for a while, looking down at Jinn when an odd look came over him. "I wish I had a sister." he said softly.

"Really? Why?" Beru looked at him curiously.

"I don't know. It just feels like something is missing…like I should have a sister." he said vaguely.

Luna looked up at Obi-Wan sharply. Someday you have to tell him, Ben. This isn't right. Came over their bond. He looked down and gave a short nod. He agreed. It wasn't right, but under the circumstances he didn't know what else they could have done. He thanked the Force he hadn't told Beru and Owen about Leia. Luke was so perceptive, he would have figured it out in no time.

A soft cooing sound caught Luke's attention and he looked down into the basket again. He smiled and waved at Jinn who had just woken up. She stared at him and kicked her feet with interest.

"Look!" Luke picked up a small rattle that was in the basket and shook it gently just out of her reach. Her eyes followed it back and forth and the moment he stopped shaking, she reached up and grabbed it, along with his fingers. Luke started with surprise at the sudden movement, which earned him an impish grin and a belly laugh from Jinn.

Obi-Wan usually didn't have Force Visions, but the instant they touched, he was struck with a powerful one. He was standing in a clearing next to a stream of impossibly clear running water. The smell of evergreens was heavy in the air. A little ways off under a tree, a beautiful girl sat reading a data pad. She had long dark hair that hung in waves over her shoulders and clear blue eyes. He knew immediately it was Jinn. This must be the future! His throat constricted and for a moment his eyes misted over seeing his sweet little girl all grown up. Thankfully, when he reached out through the Force, the only thing he felt was peace and harmony.

He breathed a sigh of relief, glad to know she was happy and healthy. Then he noticed her put down the data pad and smile as she looked back towards the tree line. Someone was coming. Before long a handsome young man jogged out of the woods and across the clearing, his blond hair shining in the sun. He was dressed all in black, but what caught Obi-Wan's attention most was the lightsaber hanging at his side. It's silvery hilt greatly resembled his own, and it sparkled as Jinn got up and ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck. He embraced her tightly and, much to Obi-Wan's shock and horror, drew her in for a passionate kiss which she returned in kind.

A sense of fierce overprotectiveness flared through him. Who was this Force user and just what did he think he was doing taking such liberties with his daughter! He tried to move, intending to go over and put a stop to the amorous activities immediately, but found he was rooted to the spot. Cursed visions! He had momentarily forgotten you could only observe, never interact. Drat! In a moment, one of his questions was answered.

"Oh, Luke. I was so worried!" Jinn said, cupping his face with her hand. "If you hadn't come back…"

"Shhh…It's all over now." he smiled and kissed the palm of her hand. "Stars, Jinn. I missed you. I love you so much."

Luke?! Luke Skywalker?! He looked closer, and sure enough, it was. Good heavens!

In an instant, he found himself back in the living room staring at a much younger version of Luke. He had gotten the rattle back and was putting on quite a show for Jinn who clapped her chubby hands with delight. He felt stunned.

"Come along Luke, it's time to be going." Beru said. "Thanks for everything Luna! It was great to see you again! Same time next week Ben?" He didn't answer. "Ben?"

He shook his head. "Uh, yes. Of course." He walked over to the basket and reached for the rattle with a scowl. "I'll take that, thank you!" he said, a little more forcefully than necessary. Fortunately Luke didn't seem to notice.

"Bye Ben!" he called as he ran to Beru. "See you next time!"

…

"I'm telling you, it was him!" Obi-Wan gesticulated wildly with his arms. "They were in a forest somewhere."

Luna sat on the edge of the bed taking off her sandals and watching his display of intense agitation with a sense of bewilderment. The vision he described consisted of Luke and Jinn standing in an evergreen forest next to a stream. What could possibly be wrong with that? "What are you so upset about? You said they both seemed happy and everything felt peaceful and harmonious. It sounds pretty harmless to me."

"It wasn't harmless." he grumbled. "It wasn't where they were, it was what they were doing."

Ah, she thought. Now we're getting somewhere. "What exactly were they doing?" She asked curiously.

He drew himself up to his full hight and crossed his arms almost prudishly. "They were kissing."

"Kissing? Really?" This was most interesting!

"Yes." he said and suddenly looked so forlorn it was almost comical. It reminded Luna of a little boy who had dropped his ice cream cone on the ground.

"Oh, come on. That's not so bad!" she walked over and put her arms around his waist. "I'd be happy if they got together someday."

"Humph." he snorted, still somewhat unconvinced. She didn't have to access their bond to know what he was thinking. It showed plainly on his face. No-one was good enough for his little girl. Not even Luke, who he'd turned his entire life upside down to protect. She loved that he felt that way about their daughter. What a wonderful father he was!

"Did she seem happy?" Luna asked.

He thought for a moment and begrudgingly answered in the affirmative. "Much as I hate to admit it, yes she seemed very happy."

"Well, then that's what matters isn't it." She kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Don't worry, Obi-Wan. Jinn is a very cleaver girl. You can see how smart she is already. I can't imagine she would be with anyone if she didn't think they were worthwhile. Besides, Luke is a gentle soul with a heart of gold. They'll be alright. Trust in the Force, remember?

"I suppose." he finally relented, and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm so glad you're here." he sighed. "At least one of us is thinking sensibly!"

She snuggled closer into his embrace. "There's nowhere I'd rather be."