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Two months after the end of Luminous Beings Are We
Obi-Wan looked around the apartment, taking in its open-plan layout, high, rounded ceilings and simple yet modern furnishings. Everything looked neat and clean. The space was warm toned, with beige, caramel and orange accents, and there was a lot of space for the children to run around in. It was a little bigger than Padmé’s old apartment at 500 Republica, and it dwarfed the size of their cottage on Bakura.
From all the apartments they’d viewed, he could see Padmé had made a real effort to meet in the middle in terms of living space. He was utilitarian, and his wife was from Naboo. Enough said.
“I think this one has the best light,” Padmé said, wandering towards a giant floor to ceiling transparisteel window at the edge of the living space, her silken robes trailing behind her.
She turned and looked at him, holding a property guide flimsi in her hands. Speeders zipped past behind her against a busy blue skyline. “What do you think?”
He nodded appreciatively. “This is the nicest we’ve seen so far.”
“This property has amazing access to the old Imperial city airways,” the property agent droid scrolled to show them more details on his data pad. “You’re only a twenty-minute journey away from New Republic City. My data bank tells me you will be travelling frequently to the Jedi temple, the Senate and the associated Senatorial charity administration centre. This apartment is well-situated with easy access to all your most frequented locations.”
“That’s a big plus,” Padmé smiled sweetly at Obi-Wan, tilting her head in a way that was intended to butter him up. It was working.
Junie, who had been fascinated with her hands lately, was chewing on her fists in the hover stroller, looking up at the high ceilings with round blue eyes full of interest and cooing softly to herself. Thinking of how his daughter was quickly growing, Obi-Wan remembered something important.
“The carpet is very pale; it might be a liability with a toddler.”
“Already taken care of,” their guide revealed a cleaning droid cleverly built into a side wall in the kitchen. “This is the best housekeeper model on the market.”
Obi-Wan was impressed, and Padmé’s smile was growing. “What’s their temperament like? We already own a protocol droid and an astromech model, and they’re both a little…”
“Argumentative,” Padmé finished for him.
“If you’re worried about any conflict, this housekeeper model lacks the high processing power of your current droids. It simply cleans, cooks and performs other standard household duties.”
“Good. The last thing I want is more droid drama,” Obi-Wan said, moving over to look at the adjoining corridor. “Those two argue enough as it is.”
“Is this the way to the rest of the apartment?” Padmé asked, gesturing with the property flimsi.
“Yes, if you would please follow me, I can show you the bedrooms, freshers and the study.”
Following the floating property agent, Padmé and Obi-Wan looked at an expansive collection of warm-toned, neatly furnished rooms with all the modern conveniences they had taken for granted before hiding in the Outer Rim. Then they came to the master bedroom, which was equally beautiful.
“Baaaaumm!” Junie shouted, wriggling her legs free of the blanket in the hover stroller and starting to squeal.
“Do you want to have a look around too?” Padmé asked her, picking her up and placing her on her hip.
Junie was full of energy, grinning and making noises as Padmé showed her around the room. Her Force presence had grown, becoming a bright and beautiful glow at the edge of his awareness. Smiling to himself, Obi-Wan went to look at the view out the window, only to find there was a balcony. Stepping out into the cool air, he watched the midday traffic streaming through the sky and felt the wind ruffle his hair.
In the distance, he could spot the spires of the Jedi temple, shining in the light. No flames. No smoke. Sometimes he still imagined it was there, but not today. His old memories of Coruscant were gradually being overwritten by new ones. But it was still going to be a long process.
He couldn’t deny it was hard. Even walking through the halls of the temple was difficult, as if he could still hear the events of that night when his whole world had descended into darkness. Obi-Wan knew the other Jedi could sense the desolation in the air too. Silent screams seemed to echo in the vaulted halls from that dreadful night, a reminder of what had occurred within the place that should’ve been the Jedi’s safe haven.
Junie gurgled and shouted something in baby talk behind him, bringing him back to the present. It was hard yes, but it was getting gradually easier. Children’s laughter was quickly filling the halls whilst renovations were being carried out. Younglings rescued from Project Harvester and the Arkanis imperial academy had been brought to the Jedi and were being cared for, whilst charities tracked down the families they’d been forcibly taken from.
As he’d predicted, Padmé had gone back to her public service roots, and was now dedicating her time to reuniting those whom the empire had separated. Her compassion and empathy knew no bounds, and he couldn’t be prouder. Many younglings had already been reunited with their families because of her hard work. Additionally, many parents, once they’d been tracked down, had given consent for their child to become a Padawan in a hope of a better life, as it had been in the old order.
Unfortunately, there were also cases where parents had put up resistance when stormtroopers came to take their child away, and there were many orphans in the temple, a stark reminder of the empire’s brutality. These children held deep emotional scars which the dark side teachings at the academy had extrapolated. He and the other Jedi had their work cut out for them to reshape the children into the new Jedi Order, something which was more than a little daunting. However, Master Yoda seemed to be happy as ever teaching the next generation. Having been abducted themselves, transported on a Project Harvester ship and having lived at the academy, the twins were well equipped with empathising and understanding the other children, and had been indispensable in helping them adjust to life as Jedi.
Remembering his twins, he wondered what they’d been up to today whist studying with Ahsoka and several other younglings. Artoo had sent him a message a short while ago, but it had only included a request from Luke and Leia about going out to Dex’s for dinner again. He knew it’d been a mistake to take them there in the first place after what had happened at the Alderaanian embassy party. Luke now had a yearning for everything sweet, and Leia wanted fries with every meal. He supposed it was his own fault in some way for giving them a healthy unprocessed diet for most of their lives.
“What are you thinking Obi-Wan?”
Padmé had come to stand beside him, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
“I’m thinking about taking the twins to Dex’s tonight.”
She smiled knowingly. “Have they been pestering you again?”
“Yes, this time sending messages via Artoo.”
“I think you’re giving in easily because you want to go there just as much as they do.”
“Me?”
She lifted a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “Obi-Wan, you’ve been eating there for years. Now you’re making up for lost time.”
Caught, he blushed. “Well…sometimes food at the temple just doesn’t hit the right spot.”
She grinned at him, making his breath hitch. She was so beautiful. “Well with all the reforms to the Order, perhaps you can persuade the other members of the council for a new catering contract?”
He laughed. “You know, I used to take Anakin there from time to time. He would always get the meiloorun shake. It’s funny, what you remember.”
“I’m sure he cherished those memories. As Luke and Leia will.”
He nodded. “Well, that makes me feel slightly better about taking them. Would you like to come along?”
“I’d love to, but I’m going to see Bail and Breha,” she smiled. “Something wonderful has happened.”
He looked down at her, wondering what the Bail, the first Chancellor of the New Republic, was up to that involved Padmé. “And what’s that?”
“Remember that shy little girl Arbeth?”
Obi-Wan recalled a youngling with that name who’d been rescued from a Project Harvester ship, she’d looked about five years old. Padmé had found out through her work that the girl had been orphaned in her abduction, and the girl hadn’t adjusted well to being a Padawan.
“Yes, what about her?”
“She’s been adopted by the Organas!”
Obi-Wan grinned. “What fantastic news. She couldn’t have gained better parents.”
“That’s what I said. I think she will live a better life with them than at the temple. But anyway, I’m going over to help them with the mountain of paperwork they have to get through. Chancellor Organa is so busy with the Senate moving to Hosnian Prime, he barely has time to eat let alone figure out all the proceedings that go with adoption, so I’m hoping I can help in some small way.”
“Your kindness knows no bounds,” he told her earnestly, again amazed by the endless capacity his wife had to help others.
Obi-Wan touched her cheek and leaned in for a kiss, but Junie was now vying for his attention, reaching out her chubby limbs towards him. Picking her up easily, he placed her against his chest. She wriggled and stared about, watching the distant speeders with fascination.
“This place has a good feeling about it,” he said. “What do you think?”
Padmé nodded, pressing her cheek against his shoulder. “It feels right.”
The property agent floated onto the balcony to join them. “How are we finding this property?”
“It’s lovely,” Padmé replied.
“You have still only viewed eighty-nine percent of the complex. The master suite comes with a stunning walk-in wardrobe, if you would like to see please follow me.”
Padmé was gone in an instant, following the droid back into the room. Chuckling to himself, he adjusted his daughter in his arms and she watched him with round eyes.
“Your mother likes her clothes, doesn’t she?”
Junie stared at him a little longer, then smiled, shyly bringing her hand to her mouth and chewing.
“What do you think of this place young one?”
He stretched out with the Force, seeking their bond. Junie’s mind was fuzzy and unintelligible, but he could sense her emotions, and she seemed very happy being held in his arms and looking at the traffic on the balcony. Obi-Wan started to feel more and more certain that this was perfect for their new home.
“Well, if you’re happy then I’m happy.”
“Baa.”
“Let’s go tell your mother that we’ve reached a decision.”
“Da… dummm!”
ooooo
Three weeks later
Padmé awoke early to the sound of a crying baby and for a moment she scrabbled to remember where she was. Then, the events of last night came back to her. They had finally finished all the bureaucracy involved with moving residence, and this was the first morning in their new apartment.
The mattress shifted beneath her as Obi-Wan rose up wearily into a sitting position and then got out of bed. Closing her eyes, she heard Junie quieten down and heard the fresher door slide close as he went to change her.
The sun was rising, and early rays of light reached the balcony outside, illuminating it in soft golden tones. Padmé sat upright and yawned, stretching her arms upright. She’d never been so busy, exhausted and happy all at the same time before. Checking the chrono, she got up and wrapped a gown around herself. Padding softly into the kitchen, she woke the housekeeper droid called HUM-1 and requested some caf for her and Obi-Wan. It immediately floated off to brew the drink, and she looked around the open-plan space for a moment.
It was silent and dimly-lit, with the sun not quite reaching the room yet. Around the sofas and near the windows there were stacks of boxes and crates waiting to be unpacked and sorted out, most of them full of clothes, furnishings and artwork from Naboo, or their possessions from their old house, such as their collection of Holo images. Her parents had also sent a box full of baby clothes and learning toys exclusively for Junie, having fallen in love with her when they went to visit Theed last month. There were model starfighters and speeders on the floor, left by Luke the night before, and a toy blaster that was Leia’s on the caf table. Obi-Wan’s tunics were slung over the sofa, and there were baby socks, blankets and bibs everywhere. They couldn’t even program HUM-1 to tidy up yet because nothing had a location where it was meant to live. It looked like a bomb site.
But even though it was messy and imperfect, she couldn’t help but smile at the scene. It had been months since they fled their cottage on Bakura, and now they finally had a new home to call their own, a place where they could rebuild their lives from.
Taking two steaming mugs from HUM-1, she thanked him and headed back to the main bedroom, careful not to wake the twins who were fast asleep in their bedrooms. Obi-Wan was sitting upright in bed with Junie, feeding her with a bottle. Now she was getting older, their baby was sleeping for longer stretches of time, and Obi-Wan almost looked well-rested as she approached the bed, his sleep mused hair and stubbled cheeks giving him a rugged appearance that she found irresistible. Sometimes she forgot how handsome he was.
“Ah, thank you my dear,” Obi-Wan murmured as she set the cup down to the side.
“You two look like a picture of domestic bliss,” she commented, crawling into bed beside him.
“It still feels strange to me how I can have a morning like this, then go to the temple,” he laughed softly to himself.
“I can’t see Mace following suit anytime soon.”
Obi-Wan flashed her a cheeky grin. “No, nor I.”
“Though maybe Caleb and Hera…” she mused, taking a sip of caf. “I think there’s definitely something there.”
“Perhaps,” he mulled it over. “Maybe he’ll be the second to have a civilian family.”
“I hope so, it would certainly take the pressure off us.”
“Maybe I can try some matchmaking today.”
“Do you have time to matchmake with such a busy schedule, Master Jedi?” she smiled, enjoying teasing him.
“If it’s a task as important as this, I will make time.”
“Good, I’m glad you take your duties seriously. Oh, I forgot to tell you, Sabé is coming over after dinner for a few hours tonight.”
“Any occasion?”
“No, it’s nothing important, it’s just I need to make a start setting up my wardrobe.”
“That sounds important to me. I’ll make sure Luke and Leia are kept out of your way.”
“Thank you,” she smiled, knowing that the twins would want to start playing dress up the minute they started unboxing all her clothes.
“What time is your first meeting today?” he asked.
“At 10 hundred, I’ve got a call with the ex-imperial governor of Antu. We need to access their records to find several families, and the administration has dissolved into chaos over there.”
Obi-Wan nodded. “Have you thought anymore about taking Luke and Leia to Seswenna?”
She took another sip of caf, remembering the conversation they’d had a few days ago about getting the twins involved in charity work in the Outer Rim. It would certainly do a great deal to reinforce a positive image of the new Jedi order, as well as building Luke and Leia into well rounded young Padawans.
“Yes, I think we’ll go in about six months’ time. We’ll only be gone a week, but I think the hands-on experience will be good for them. My father took me out to help with the Refugee Relief Movement when I was only seven.”
“Yes, I remember you telling me. It will be good for them,” he nodded. “But I don’t know how Junie and I will cope without all of you.”
She nestled closer to him, taking in his wonderful scent and the softness of his sleeping shirt, concealing the firm and warm body beneath. “It’s not safe to bring Junie along just yet.”
“I know,” he kissed the top of her head. “All in good time.”
“Mm,” she mumbled into his chest, snuggling closer.
They sat in companionable silence for a while and enjoyed the feeling of peace before the busyness of the day would begin. When Junie had finished her milk, Obi-Wan lifted her up against his chest and started the familiar task of burping her. As he was gently tapping her back whilst she peered over his shoulder, he smiled.
“Incoming.”
Padmé glanced at the doorway and heard the pitter patter of feet outside. The panel then slid open and two barefoot pyjama-clad twins peered inside.
“Good morning, can we ask HUM-1 for pancakes for breakfast please?” Luke asked in his polite voice, running a hand though his bedhead.
“We’ll have them with fruit on the side,” Leia added as an incentive.
“Have you woken up Threepio and Artoo from the charging dock yet?” Padmé asked.
“No, we can go do it now.” Luke said.
“Alright, go and wake them up then you can have pancakes,” Padmé agreed and they ran off towards the kitchen.
“I don’t know where they’re going to find any room to sit down in there,” Obi-Wan said, continuing to pat Junie’s back. “The dining area looks like a herd of bantha have run through it.”
“All in good time,” she repeated what he’d said earlier and snuggled closer to him, moving up to catch his lips in a slow and sweet kiss that he eagerly returned despite his hands being occupied.
Leaning back and looking into his eyes, she felt a sense of rightness that was hard to understand. Was it the Force at work? Was this their destination all along?
Whatever the case, the New Republic was here, and every day spent with Obi-Wan and their children in this bright, luminous new galaxy was a blessing. She intended to make every second count.
☆ The End ☆