Chapter 31
Things went dead quiet in the lounge, as Luke and Leia were stunned beyond belief upon hearing this. Here before them was their mother. The one person they had always wondered about in the past. And now both couldn't find a single word to say to her. So many emotions and feelings came flooding into their bodies and minds.
Along with questions, many, many questions.
As Luke and Leia sat down on the sofa nearby, Padme went to bring the refreshments from the bar and placed them on the table. Padme then sat on the lounge chair and waited patiently for one of her children to speak.
Luke remained calm, keeping a neutral face and breathing deeply. He had much practice in this due to his years of training. The same was true for Leia, given her time as a politician, but she found it hard now to keep calm, especially when she almost dropped her cup of water but caught it in time.
Seeing this, Padme could see that her daughter looked uneasy due to the situation, which saddened the woman. "This isn't how I wanted my first meeting with them to go," Padme thought as she sipped her tea.
"If you two need time, I understand," she said to Luke and Leia, who looked at each other. After pouring some water for them, Luke decided to speak next.
"I...imagine there are questions you want to ask us about. And we have some about you and our father," he said to Padme, then looked at Leia, who nodded yes.
Hearing this from her son, Padme could tell from his tone that he was serious. She realized that this was the moment she had been waiting for, the chance to learn what had happened long ago.
"Very well then. I accept your proposal," Padme responded as she went first.
"Who raised the two of you?"
"My Uncle and Aunt, Owen and Beru Lars, raised me on Tatooine. I learned much from them about life, and they loved me like their own son," Luke told Padme, who saw some tears in her son's eyes in saying this.
"I lived on Alderaan by Bail Organa and his wife Breha. They raised me as a member of the royal family and would teach me the ways of a politician," Leia said next.
Padme smiled as she was glad to finally know this. But she could tell from the way they spoke of their parental figures that they must have passed on by now, Making Padme realize she wouldn't be able to talk to them in person.
However, Padme also learned that her children had been split up for some reason. But rather than ask them this now, she heard Luke ask his question next.
"Which planet were we born on?" This had been something Luke had always wondered about in the past.
"You two were born on Polis Massa, a planetoid in the Outer Rim. I was brought there by Obi-Wan, who witnessed your births...Which was the first and last time I ever saw you both. Until today," the two heard Padme say, which brought more tears out at remembering that moment.
Pulling out a handkerchief from her vest, Leia gave it to Padme, who thanked her and wiped away the tears. Then, Padme heard Leia ask about where she was from and her family.
Padme told Leia and Luke about Naboo first, describing its beauty to them. Then, she talked about her parents, sister, and nieces, one of whom stunned Leia after learning this.
"Hold on, you're saying Pooja Naberrie is our cousin!" Leia exclaimed, which made Padme raise her right eyebrow at this.
"How do you know about Pooja?" she asked.
"She was a member of the Imperial Senate when I served. We became great friends there, but I never imagined she was family," Leia responded.
"Do you know if Pooja is still around?" Padme asked, and Leia nodded yes in response.
"When the New Republic was formed, Pooja served as Naboo's senator for many years. She stepped down when the last war ended," she heard Leia say, which made Padme happy to know her niece was alive and had followed in her footsteps as a politician.
Luke was also happy to know that they had more family out there. And hoped to meet Pooja one day.
"How did you and father meet?" he asked next.
Padme knew that was coming as she once again told her children about the events that began on Naboo and led to Tatooine, where she and Anakin first met.
After hearing this, Luke and Leia both had their own thoughts on these past events and those involved.
Luke was interested in learning that Obi-Wan and his master, Qui-Gon Jinn, were involved and wondered why he or Yoda never talked about this man. However, he could ask Padme about Qui-Gon later on and see if the time travelers knew about him as well.
It was surprising for Leia to learn that her mother was a Queen in her youth. This made me see how similar both of them were in one way. A part of her wondered if had things been different, would she have been elected Queen of Naboo like her?
However, both were uneasy about learning about the Emperor's connection with their mother, which made them remember that Naboo was his home world. But he had no loyalty to it after becoming the ruler of the galaxy, which was one of the reasons the world sided with the Rebellion against the Empire.
When it came to how Padme met their father as a child, both knew that he had been a slave in his youth, along with their grandmother Shmi. But both didn't know that he had met their mother at this time in his life or how two droids would meet each other, one of whom had a hidden connection to Anakin.
"I can't believe our father built Threepio as a child?" Luke asked slowly, then saw Padme nod her head to him.
"It's true. When I met him, Threepio, he was just a droid without proper plating, which Artoo joked about him being naked," Padme said as she chuckled at this, which her children also found funny.
But also mentally slapped themselves as they should have asked Artoo this after learning he knew their father. But both would do that in private later.
"I was told by the kids that both Artoo and Threepio are in your cares now," Padme brought up next.
"It's true, Threepio and Artoo are onboard this ship. I'm sure they will be surprised to see you. Hold on, the kids told you...That means they knew about you and didn't tell us!" Leia realized as she changed the subject.
"It's true, but before you get mad, please note that I asked them not to. I wanted you both to meet me in person," she heard Padme explain, who then said this next.
"I was told about your husband by the Observers before coming here. But I did learn some things about Han from the kids later on, and your wife Mara Jade," The two heard Padme say, which made both wonder what the kids told her.
"Don't worry, they spoke highly about them. And I look forward to meeting my son and daughter-in-law," Padme told the two, which made them feel better at this.
However, Luke wondered if the kids had told Padme about the newest member of their family. Given that she hadn't brought up Ben yet, this gave him the answer, which he knew would be a surprise for her later on.
"So, getting back on topic, which of the other time travelers do you know?" Luke wondered as he figured Padme would know Ahsoka Tano. Her mother confirmed this by saying that Ahsoka was an old friend of hers. Along with Captain Rex, they knew each other from the Clone Wars.
When it came to the others, Padme said she didn't know any of them before coming to the future, but she said that since arriving, she had been getting to know her new allies.
"There is a rather interesting group that somehow has connections to our family. I wonder if that's why they were picked?" Padme wondered, as her children soon realized this, too.
"It's possible; the Force moves in mysterious ways," Luke noted, using his master's words. Then, after whispering something to Leia, who agreed and nodded, Luke asked Padme this.
"Now that we've learned some things about yourself. Leia and I would like to ask you this: Why did you come here to the future?"
Knowing that would be asked. Padme had practiced what to say earlier. As she told them this.
"I. I hoped that we could be a family. I know I've missed out on your lives, such as hearing your first words, first steps, birthdays, and other key events. But all...I ask is for you two to give me a chance. That's all I want," she said while speaking the truth from her heart.
Sensing through the Force. Luke and Leia saw that Padme was sincere and that her intentions were pure.
Thinking about what to say briefly, Leia stood up and approached Padme, who looked up at her and heard Leia speak.
"If I've learned one thing today, we should accept that anything is possible. From reuniting with old friends to meeting new ones. And now we can add...the return of a family member: Our mother,"
Hearing this made Padme very happy inside, and she cried tears of joy. Then she got up and embraced her daughter, who at first was stunned by this but felt the warmth from Padme. Leia accepted it, and the two held each other for a bit.
"T-Thank you, Leia, thank you!" Padme was saying as she let out her emotions for a bit. Then, after letting her go, Padme went over to Luke. "Luke, my son. Thank you!" That was what he heard from her.
"Of course...mother," he responded, which made Padme happy to hear this.
"Now then, how about we introduce you to the rest of the family?" Luke suggested once he let go, to which Padme said yes and followed him and Leia as they left the lounge.
(Mess Hall)
Sitting down at one of the tables. Han talked with Juno and Bo about the ships that made up their fleet. While nearby, Mara was changing Ben into a fresh diaper. And Lando and Chewie were catching up with each other.
At the second table nearby,
Ahsoka told Jacen and Anakin about some of her adventures with their grandfather from long ago. Tenal and Tahiri also listened to this to pass the time as they waited. And Jaina was talking with Kira about the Jedi who were on Arkinnea. Threepio and Artoo worked with the kitchen droids to set the food out on the larger tables.
As this was going on, nearby Jaina was watching the conversations happen. She heard her comlink go off, and she got a message and was asked to pass it on, which she did by going over to her dad.
"Sorry to interrupt. Dad, Mom would like you, Aunt Mara, and Lando to come out in the hallway," Jaina told the two, who were curious about this request.
"Is everything okay, Jaina?" Her father asked next.
"Things are fine, Dad. They just want you three to meet who's with them," Jaina replied gently. Hearing this, Han went to get Mara and Lando, who then headed for the doorway.
Once in the hallway, the three found Luke and Leia walking towards them from the right. Behind the two was a woman who could be her younger sister.
"Han, Mara, Lando. We would like you to meet a member of our family: Padme Amidala, our mother," Leia said calmly to them. Who was at a loss for words after hearing this?
"S-She's your mother?" Han asked first as he looked at Leia, who nodded yes. Then Padme came over to him.
"Hmm, so you are Han Solo?"
"Uh... That's me, Miss Amidala, or Skywalker?" Han was saying, looking nervous, which the others saw and kept how funny Han was acting.
Padme felt the same after seeing the reaction from her son-in-law.
"You can call Padme if you like. Also, don't be so nervous; the kids and Chewbacca have spoken of how a good father and husband you are," Padme told him.
Han said nothing more after this and offered her a smile. Then, he watched as Lando made himself known next.
"Please to meet you meet Miss Amidala, Lando Calrissian at your service!" He told her with a charming grin, which made Padme blush slightly.
"Thank you for that, Mr. Calrissian. I've heard you're a good friend to my family and their friends."
"Well, I'm always happy to help those in need. And if you need my assistance, just call me," replied Lando. Padme said she would keep that in mind.
Following this, Padme saw Luke go over to the woman behind Han and Lando. Where he introduced her to Padme.
"Mother. I would like you to meet my wife, Mara Jade Skywalker,"
Taking this in, Padme looked at her daughter-in-law, seeing how beautiful she was. "It's nice to meet Mara," she said, offering her hand, which Mara accepted.
"Thank you, Padme. I'm sure you must have questions about how Luke and I met," Mara said calmly.
"I know a few things about this," she heard Padme say, making Mara and the others wide-eyed.
"Jacen and Chewie told me you didn't get along at first. But later on, you became friends, which led to love in time," they heard Padme say, making them mentally sigh.
"And I must tell you and Han this. I am happy to know that my children have those to be with," Padme added as she looked at the two. Who felt as if they had been given her blessings.
"Well, thank you for that," Han said next. "We look forward to getting to know you,"
"Which we can do over dinner, which should be ready by now," Padme told him as everyone headed inside with her.