Star Wars: Cross Paths Part 3
Thanks to Anon, Guest, Daisy, LOVEM, Elen, Sue, DirksTalia, RedLigth16, JediLukeSkywalker, princesselsamidala22 and Connors for reviewing. And to everyone who took your time to read it. You guys are great. Love you all.
Chapter 49 – A Big Surprise
A week had passed.
It was Ben's 6th birthday, and at the time, Ines and Luke, alongside with the kids and R2 were in the Temple giving classes but also preparing their son's birthday, that would happen after the classes.
Also they were making sure to prepare the Temple for the next few days, since the weather report announced days ago that a huge storm was heading to Coruscant, which made the New Republic Senate having emergency meetings, especially to take care the lower levels of the capital, which was one of the reason Ani and Bail were in the Temple with their Uncle and Aunt at the time, since Leia and Han were really busy. One of the decisions that the Senate decided was closing all schools for at least the two days the storm would hit Coruscant, and that was also what Noah and Aurea were doing, fulfilling the kitchen with everything they needed for them and the students who lived in the Temple, to make sure nothing was missing when the storm came in 48 hours.
While the twins were playing around the Temple, something they would love and Ben was in the class room, assisting his aunt Ahsoka giving writing lessons to the smaller kids, since this new set of students, had kids around 7 years old and they need to read and write, which made Luke deciding to also create a school for the force sensitive kids that couldn't write and read yet, and Ben loved to assist those lessons, even if he would only be an official student in 7 months.
In the meantime, Luke was with the with other set of students in the one of the rooms, teaching them how to use the force. He made the students sit on the floor, and made them concentrate with their eyes close, just like he did the first time his first students came in the Temple.
Ines was busy trying to prepare everything for the party, and pay attention to the small kids, especially to her baby who was in the his walker, "walking" around. Thank Goodness she could count with her dear droid R2 and with the older kids, who not only made sure to watch the kids, but also help the other students with the combat training, something that Yana and Idda was doing at the moment.
"Come 3PO we need to be faster so we can prepare the party since it it almost 4pm."
Turning around, she saw her best friend and sister in law walking down the hallway caring Ben's birthday cake, while poor 3PO was caring the plastic plates and forks and napkins.
"Hey, thanks for bringing the cake, even knowing how busy the Senate is for the past days," Ines said as they reach them. "You can go the kitchen and put those things there, 3PO, thank you."
"Yes ma'am," 3PO said as he passed by them and reached R2 that beeped at his friend. "Maybe if you should help and less beeped I could walk faster."
R2 beeped again, which made the small kids gasped.
"Watch your language, especially in front of them," 3PO replied making the kids laughed while they followed the two droids.
"Senator Leia, I'll take the cake," Davi and Luna said.
"Thank you so much," she said while the two teenagers went inside too. "How is everything here?"
"Well Noah and Aurea alongside with Alena, Qoli, Nelah, Kino, Eqol and Ieneh went to buy some stuff from the party but also for the Temple for the next days when everything is close due to the storm. And how is the Senate with all this?"
"Today was a lot calmer. The lower levels are getting fully prepare, we made sure to help the most needed families with essential stuff they need and don't have enough credits for it."
"That is nice. Luke and I also decided to help, buying things and then we all gave them to the people in the lower levels. You should see your nephew and nieces. They were so happy and it was nice to see the reaction of those people, after all they are citizens too, it doesn't matter if we live down there or here and we need to help each other."
"You would make a nice Senator too, you know?" Leia smiled at her.
"Like I said, I prefer to live the boring stuff to you, while I get the physical part, the coolest one to be honest," she laughed. "Where is Han and Chewie?"
"Chewie when to pick Iris from school, and Han went to get the snacks and the drinks for Ben's party."
"I think that what's left. We are just waiting for the classes to end," Ines replied glaring at her baby, who babble around the temple, when he stopped and started to smile towards the entrance.
"Bjbkkkhjbhso" he said making Ines frown and both friends looked at the entrance and smile when they saw Din with Grogu and another person with him who they already saw before, even if it was not in person.
"Hey, I was not expecting you here!" Ines replied hugging Din and kissing Grogu's top head.
"Come on, do you think we will forget Ben's birthday?" Din replied, taking his helmet off.
"He will be so happy, but he will not be the only one for sure," and before she could finish, they heard a scream.
"GROGU! UNCLE DIN," and turning around they saw the twin gils running towards them, making Ines and Leia laughed when Padmé jumped in Din's arms and Alli when towards Grogu's crib right away.
"Hi Grogu. I miss you," Alli said.
Grogu looked at her and started babbling and all of the sudden he said:
"Alli."
"Mama, Grogu said my name," the little girl jumped up and down all happy.
"I know sweetie. He is talking already!"
"Yes, he is starting to say some words but not much. But I'm not surprise that he would say her name," he replied holding Padmé in his arms. "And how are you?"
"I'm good. It is Ben's birthday today," the little girl said.
"I know. Where is the birthday boy?" he asked putting the little girl down.
"He is watching Ahsoka teaching. But I think the lesson is ending pretty soon," Ines informed.
And in fact a minute later, the kids started to leave the class room. The moment Ahsoka saw them, she smiled and walked towards them.
"Din, Grogu and Bo Katan. It is nice to see you again, especially you Bo. It has being a while."
"Indeed. It is nice to see you too," Bo Katan said.
Luke approached them too, and smiled when he saw old friends. Picking his baby son, he shook Din's hand.
"Hello my friend. It is nice to see you again. Hope everything is okay!"
"Yes, we just came for Ben's birthday. We couldn't miss it. And I brought a friend. This is Bo Katan."
"Nice to meet you in person, finally." Luke said shaking her hand. "My mother and Obi Wan told us about your sister and how a great woman and ruler she was and a great friend. I'm sorry for your lost."
"Thank you. But your mother knew Satine!"
Luke and Leia glare at each other.
"Our mother is the former Queen and Senator of Naboo: Padmé Amidala," Leia replied, which made Padmé said right away.
"I'm Padmé like my grandma."
"That is very nice dear," Bo smiled at the little girl. "I didn't know your mother was such a respectable person." she said looking at Luke.
"Is, she is alive," Ines said and seeing Bo Katan expression, she couldn't help but smile. "It is a long story that we explain later, cause you two will stay for a while, right? You will not expect these two girls would let you leave so soon."
"Besides you need to stay cause the air space will be close for the next days," Luke replied smiling at his baby boy who was playing with this tunic."
"We noticed the commotion when we arrived. Is everything okay?" Din asked as they head to the living space and sat down on the sofas.
"Big storm is coming," Padmé said, while Din pull her up and made her sit on his right leg.
"Really?" he asked looking at the others.
"Yes," Luke nod. "First we had some really cold days and nights, but a few days ago, the weather channel just inform that a big storm is approaching the capital. For the past days we are organizing everything, helping the lower levels people. Schools and shops will be close. Even the Senate."
Bo Katan looked at Din.
"Well then we need to find a place to stay these days."
"You can stay here in the Temple. We have plenty of rooms. I mean if you don't mind of course. Noah and Aurea are here with the students who don't live here in Coruscant," Ines replied right away looking at Luke.
"Yeah, you can stay. I'm sure Aurea and Noah would love having you here."
Alli looked at her father and approached him.
"Papa, I want Grogu to be with me," she pouted.
"Well sweetie, that is not Papa's decision. You need to talk Uncle Din that."
Looking at Din, she walked towards him and started to pouted at him too.
"Uncle Din can Grogu be with me, please!"
Din and even Bo couldn't help but smile at the little girl, especially when she rest her head on his leg.
"I don't mind if that what Grogu wants."
Grogu looked at him and babbled.
"Yes," Alli said. "I will take care him. He will sleep with me in my bed."
Then Ben appeared from the kitchen and the moment he saw Din, he ran towards him.
"Uncle Din, you are here!"
"Of course, I wouldn't miss your birthday, buddy."
"That means you brought me something?" the 6 years old boy asked making Din laughed, and taking something from his bag, he handle to him.
"Well, I know how much you love droids, so I brought this version of IG11, the droid who saved us many times."
Ben grabbed and they knew right away the kid loved it.
"This is cool. Thank you Uncle Din," he said hugging the Mandalorian.
"What about me?" they heard and looked at Anakin who was looking at the toy.
"Anakin!" Leia said shaking her head and pulling the kid, making him sit on her lap. "I'm sorry but your know, 4 years old kids right?"
"It is okay. Well I didn't brought anything but I promise that next time I will something to all of you." Din smiled at them, special when the all clap happy.
"Can someone actually help us here?" they heard from behind and turning around they saw Han and Chewie, walking down the hallway, caring many boxes with the drinks and snacks.
"I'll help Papa," Bail said running in their direction.
"Thank buddy, but I know you very well, and the last thing I would do is trusting you with food," he winked at his son, who frown at him.
"We help Han," Luke said, putting his baby son on the walker and walked toward his brother in law.
"Excuse us guys." Leia said and she and Ines stood up, while Ahsoka stayed with Din and Bo.
"I have to say, these kids are adorable," she said smiling at baby Luke who was looking at her smiling.
"That is why I'm helping them. Not only because I love these kids and I will make sure nobody will hurt them, but Luke and Ines and everyone else are really nice people and my friends. So they can count on me any time." Din replied looking at the kids.
"Guys, come to the kitchen, everyone," Aurea called.
As they walked inside, a few minutes later, Amidala, alongside with Ines's father Ken and Dan, Gracy and little 3 years old Zena entered, in time to start singing happy birthday to Ben, making the little boy smiling to everyone who was clapping and singing for him.
After Ines started cutting the cake, that was made of Shuura cream, and everyone started to ate and drink, Amidala and Ken approached Bo and Din who were talking to Dan, that Din had just introduce them to Bo Katan.
"Hey Din, I believe you didn't met mine and Ines father yet."
Din looked at the 50 plus old man and shook his head.
"Nice to meet you. Ines and Luke had told me all about you and how they find you. It is a pleasure to meet you Sir."
"Thank you. My daughter and son in law, and especially my grand kids had talk about you and about Grogu. I met one of his species back in the old Republic, Master Yoda. He was a very wide old Jedi Master."
Din nod and looked at Amidala.
"Oh My lady. Bo this is former Senator Amidala, Luke and Leia's mother."
"Nice to meet you," Bo Katan said.
"Nice to meet you too. I met your sister Satine. She was an extraordinary woman and a great leader. I'm really sorry for your lost. We all lost a great woman and a great friend too.
"Thank you," Bo replied with a smile.
Then they heard a call from the entrance of the Temple.
"Anyone in here?"
"Someone is calling!" Ines replied, at the same time Luke left the kitchen and head to the hallway falling by the others.
The moment Amidala and Ahsoka set eyes on the men, they gasped.
"I heard that someone need some help from some old friends," the man in the front spoke.
"Who are you?" Luke asked him but before he could answered, Ahsoka spoke.
"That is my old friend Rex."
"Nice to see you again, Ahsoka," Rex replied with a smile.
And it is Ben's 6th birthday, and not only Din, Bo and Grogu appeared, but also some old friends since the TCW.