Good day, friends!
Another chapter is here. The second to last one.
It's rather short (don't say I didn't warn you haha). These last few chapters are really additional excerpts, or rather, windows into Anakin's life since he didn't turn to the dark side. He gets to see his kids grow up, Luke get knighted, and now his daughter get married:)
In reality, it's an extended epilogue. But I broke it up for a very specific reason as you'll see in the last chapter. I've said that I would be combining various elements of Legends and Canon into one timeline. So be prepared for that.
In any case, I hope you all enjoy this fluffy lil update:) Reviews are welcomed and appreciated!
"And will I tell you that these three lived happily ever after? I will not, for no one ever does. But there was happiness. And they did live." -Stephen King
Chapter 55. Wedding
24 ACW, Varykino, Naboo
When Anakin Skywalker became a father of two children, nothing could have prepared him for the adventure to follow. He had no idea what he was doing back then. Zip. Zero. Zilch. The day Padme told him they were going to be parents was one of the happiest of his life. But as Obi-Wan wisely stated, "It's one thing to talk about raising kids, it's quite another to actually do it."
The Force, universal and all encompassing, was strangely silent on how to soothe a crying baby, change a diaper, apply a bacta patch to a scraped knee, drive a hover speeder, and chase away pesky boyfriends…especially ones that refused to be chased away.
Perhaps that's what made walking his beloved and only daughter down the aisle on her wedding day so bittersweet.
He had to hold in a few tears when Leia presented herself for the first time. She wore an off-sleeve wedding gown of silver that draped the floor in all its splendor, sequined by Naboo's finest craftsmen, giving the skirt a sparkling dazzle that mirrored the stars themselves. Her hair was done in an elaborate updo, tied together in a veil covered bun, dotted with various ornaments. The makeup was expertly done but not too heavy (Leia never liked the white face paint used by many of the planet's feminine elite).
She looked beautiful. So much so that it reminded Anakin of Padme on their own wedding day twenty-seven years prior.
Not until he took the very last step before the altar did it hit him: his little girl was all grown up. The bird was ready to leave the nest.
"Dad?" Leia's arm was still interlocked with his own. She was smiling, but it carried an unmistakable message.
'It's okay, dad. Let go.'
With a heavy heart, he did so, but not without one last kiss to her cheek. "I love you, princess."
"I love you too."
He nodded towards the groom, Han Solo, who returned it. They'd shared a complicated relationship since meeting for the first time over a decade ago. Where there was once apprehension and mistrust, Anakin had grown to admire, even respect, the once daring rogue from Corellia.
She's more than enough for him to handle, came the comical thought.
The forty-six year old swore the heaviest steps he ever took were the ones on the way back to his seat on that immaculate day. Padme placed her hand against his arm in a silent show of empathy. It was just as hard for her as it was for him.
And yet, the Force had never been more alive. Anakin had learned to stop…and listen to this omnipresent energy instead of merely harnessing it for remarkable athletic feats. He listened to the birds chirping their songs. He listened to the sound of trees swaying in the gentle breeze. He listened to Leia and Han give their wedding vows, swearing themselves to each other until death parted them.
He saw ancient villas dot the majestic coastline of the Naboo Lake Country. The lazy drifting of thin, wispy clouds dotting the deep blue sky, stretching across equally deep blue water below. The presence of every friend and family member sitting on the outer deck of Varykino in the very same spot he and Padme were married.
All was good. All was right.
"They're…so young."
Padme was just quiet enough so no else could hear.
"So were we," he said back. "Younger."
"I know. That's why it's so difficult."
The point was well made. They had been twenty-four and nineteen respectively when deciding to secretly tie the knot. A pair of star crossed lovers, doomed to carry their burdens until it destroyed them. It had been almost prophetic.
"They're different," he whispered back. "They don't have to hide like we did."
He caught Luke's eye and received a tender smile in return. The boy's gentle nature could win over even the most ardent detractors. It's how he became a gruff, former smuggler's best man after all.
The rings were given and the local magistrate asked the final questions.
"General Han Solo of Corellia. Do you promise to take this woman as your lawful wife? To cherish, honor, and stay by her side for all time from this day until your last day?"
"I do."
Though Han was infamous for being a standoffish wiseguy, the answer came as smooth as honey. His expression contained no vestige of its usual cocky smirk. Anakin knew the difference between lust and love. The way Han looked at his daughter left little doubt as to which one he felt.
"Senator Leia Amidala Skywalker of Naboo. Do you promise to take this man as your lawful husband? To cherish, honor, and stay by his side for all time from this day until your last day?"
"I do."
"By the power vested in me, I declare you husband and wife."
Anakin and Leia shared many common traits. Among them was the tendency to give few genuine smiles. Only a select few witnessed such events. Today, Leia beamed a smile that eclipsed the brightest sun. The light of her presence in the Force was as powerful as the day she was born.
The congregation stood as Leia and Han sealed their love with a kiss. He'd never felt happier.
With the evening came a pleasant coolness in the air. During his childhood on Tatooine, Anakin had done everything possible to escape the harsh conditions of the desert. The brief period between the brutal daytime heat and the shivering cold of night was his favorite. Naboo harbored no such extremes, but he loved it all the same.
Perusing the upper balcony, he settled on the white stone railing, gazing at the sunset towards the West. Loud music and chatter served as background noise to an otherwise tranquil scene.
He took in a breath as a flock of birds passed over in a 'v' formation. They flew into the magenta embers of the sky and disappeared over the horizon. Naboo may not have been as strong in the Force as other planets, but it was the most peaceful. A paradise. And he'd lucked into it by sheer accident. Not for the first time, Anakin marveled that he was alive to witness all this. Getting older helped a man appreciate the little things.
In private moments like these, though he'd achieved proper control over his emotions for some time, the mind wandered back to that middle aged, salty man with dirty blond hair and blue eyes. The one who'd dropped out of the sky and changed everything. He offered gratitude to the spirits of the Force.
Thank you, my son.
Though there was never an audible reply, there were rare instances, when he was alone and content, where a warm breeze drifted on by and into his soul. Always it seemed to say: you're welcome, father.
"Ah, there you are."
Obi-Wan stepped out onto the deck and made his way over to the railing. He wore his best robes on this occasion (which basically meant that the standard brown robe and white tunic were washed and pressed). Two glasses were in his hands.
"Your children are looking for you."
Anakin didn't move from his position on the balcony. "Eh, they don't need me right now. Let them have their fun."
Obi-Wan's beard twitched but otherwise, didn't indicate a position on that comment.
"Well in any case, I come bearing gifts."
He handed Anakin a glass of what looked like a dark red substance, likely wine, and took it. "Hitting the sauce early, old man?"
"At my age, it's best to take advantage of opportunities that still present themselves. An open bar definitely qualifies."
Anakin cracked a chuckle.
"I was just joking, you know. You're not that old."
"Sixty two is not exactly a spring chicken. At least you're still in your forties."
"With two grown children, one of whom just got married. You're not the only one feeling the years."
Obi-Wan opened his mouth and closed it, deciding whatever wisecrack he had in store fell short. Instead, he raised his glass.
"To us. Two old farts."
"I'll drink to that."
The glasses clinked and Anakin took a respectable sip from his glass. Of course it was Kanala wine. Leia's favorite. Padme's too.
Obi-Wan leaned over the railing and peered down, rotating his drink absentmindedly. Anakin saw his beard was almost entirely white now, though a fair amount of copper brown streaked a thinning, yet respectable amount of hair.
"Seems like only yesterday we met for the first time on Tatooine."
"Yeah." Anakin tried to downplay the significance of his home planet. Tatooine still wasn't a favorite topic to discuss (therapy had helped to mitigate much of that pain). "I guess we turned out okay, didn't we?"
"Indeed. You have brought peace, security, and justice to the Galactic Union."
This time Anakin could not resist an audible, sarcastic scoff, though a smirk formed around his lips.
"Hilarious, old man."
"I'm not being completely insincere despite my teasing, Anakin." Obi-Wan took another sip of his wine. "Look around you. Look at this scene. Our families are happy and healthy. The Jedi Order is thriving. The galaxy is entering a new age. Thanks, in no small part, to you."
"Thanks." Anakin's modest gratitude failed to hide the swell of happiness that he knew Obi-Wan sensed. "Doesn't hurt that the Council just named you the new Head of the Order," he said, replaying the compliment in kind.
"The business of running the Order is a collaborative effort with many others. Including Ahsoka and yourself."
Anakin made a noise which sounded like agreement as he scanned the sky. The light continued to fade over the distant tree tops, creating a multi-colored glow as though heaven awaited on the other side.
"I used to dream about stuff like this," he said in a way that sounded more like an inner monologue. "After I started my training at the Temple, I saw Naboo almost every night. Hoping I could have a life this good. Now that it's a reality I…" he paused, searching for the right word. Thankfully, Obi-Wan retained an uncanny knack of helping him find one.
"You're unsure of what to do next."
Anakin nodded. Every waking hour of his existence had been spent on the move- following commands as a slave, training as a Jedi, fixing machines, fighting a war, dueling Sith Lords, raising children…it was a strange feeling. Empty, yet not unpleasant.
"There will always be another adventure, my friend," Obi-Wan said, setting his glass aside. "More problems to solve. More changes to come. For now, I think it's best we enjoy this moment-"
"-before getting drunk and embarrassing our children?"
The Force hummed as the two brothers grinned at each other, ready to rejoin what was a reception never to be forgotten.
A/N #1- Some of you asked what profession Leia went into. This should clear that up. She's a Senator but with Jedi training. You'll find out why in the sequel.
A/N #2- As improbable as it may seem, she and Han do get together again in this timeline. That will also be explained in the sequel.
A/N #3- Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka are basically the official and de facto leaders of the order now. As for Padme? Well, not to sound like a broken record, but...you'll find out in the sequel ;)
Can you believe there's only one chapter left to go? I can even give you an exact date: May 4th.
Rock on!
~The Wasp