Summary: Shmi gets married to Cliegg Lars, while Anakin deal with life as Padawan Learner.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or it�s characters.
Rate: R
Category: Romance/Drama
"Are you okay," Shmi asked.
"No I lost my father," Owen said.
"Well lets find him," Shmi said holding out her hand.
"I�m Owen Lars," Owen said taking it.
"I�m Shmi Skywalker who is you father," Shmi said.
"Cliegg Lars," Owen said.
Her smile was kind and warm and her touch gentle. She walked slowly going to each person she knew asking if they�d they seen a man by the name of Cliegg Lars. Each person said no so she would got to the next and the next after an hour Owen looked sad.
"You must be hungry I know my son always was," Shmi said.
"You have a son how old is he," Owen said.
"I did he left to become a Jedi a month ago, he was nine his name was Anakin," Shmi said.
"You miss him," Owen asked.
"Yes," Shmi said.
"I miss my mom, she died when I was real young," Owen said.
"Let�s get you something to eat them start our search again," Shmi said.
By the way she lived he knew she was a slave his father talked about. His father hated slavery said it was wrong to think you could own a person. He sat down and took the plate of food and ate it with satisfaction. Shmi smiled at the boy, oh how she missed Anakin. Deep inside she knew she�d see him again, but not for a long time. Still no sign of Cliegg Lars, no one had even heard of him. So Shmi took him back home letting him sleep in Anakin�s room.
"Owen are you okay," Shmi said.
"What if I don�t find him," Owen said.
"We will, we�ll ask my master tomorrow if he�s seen or heard of him," Shmi said.
"Thank you for everything," Owen said.
"Sleep now worry later," Shmi said kissing his forehead.
Cliegg Lars couldn�t believe it no one had seen his son. How far could a ten-year old boy go with no money or anything else? Then he�d seen her she was in a gray dress that was dirty she was outside smiling slightly. Her dark hair was pulled up and she looked at him and walked towards him.
"Are you Cliegg Lars," Shmi asked.
"Yea I am ma�am," Cliegg said.
"I found your son yesterday we�ve been looking everywhere for you," Shmi said.
"Daddy," Owen said.
"Owen," Cliegg said.
"Are you hungry I was just about to make some breakfast," Shmi said.
"I wouldn�t want to impose," Cliegg said.
"You wouldn�t be," Shmi said.
Over the next two months Cliegg and Owen made weekly trips to see Shmi. Owen would smile when she�d come outside arms open to him. For the short time they were together they seemed like a family but then they�d leave. They�d each wish it could be different and Cliegg knew is had to be.
"How about it," Cliegg said.
"No," Watto said.
Cliegg walked out upset he had offer all his extra money and still he would sell her. Watto was a stubborn creature and Cliegg couldn�t give up hope. He walked into see Shmi and Owen on the floor playing a game of some sort. How he would love to come inside from working to see this everyday. Owen went into the back where Threepio was and started to finish covering him.
"What wrong Cliegg," Shmi said.
"I tried to buy you and Watto said no," Cliegg said.
"Why would you do that," Shmi said.
"I want to marry you I�ve fallen in love with you," Cliegg said.
"I only thought it was me," Shmi said.
"If I only I had just a little more I could free you than we could be a family," Cliegg said.
"Wait I have some credits from when Ani won the pod race," Shmi said.
"I couldn�t," Cliegg said.
"Cliegg I love you and Owen this is the way it has to be," Shmi said.
"I�ll make the deal next week," Cliegg said.
"Come on it�s almost triple what I usually offer," Cliegg said.
"Let me think about it," Watto said.
Watto watched as Shmi worked hard, each week for the past month Cliegg would make him an offer and he�d say no. Now he was going to get a lot of money for her. Truth be told she wasn�t his best slave or his favorite. The only reason he truly kept her around before was Anakin. Now that he�s gone there was no real reason to keep her around, so why not make a profit for it.
"Cliegg," Watto said.
"Yes," Cliegg said.
"I want the money in the next hour and she�s yours," Watto said.
"Thank you," Cliegg said.
Cliegg looked at Shmi who was working at cleaning something for Watto. He walked in to her house and got all the credit they had put together. He then looked at her, Owen was helping her while she told him stories of Anakin. Owen would be getting a new mother and brother. He walked into Watto shop placing the credits on the table to get a look from Watto.
"She�s your�what are you going to do with her," Watto said.
"Take her to my farm and marry her," Cliegg said walking out.
Watto looked out the door and watched him tell her and she smiled and hugged him. He�d use this money to buy a slave that could fix thing as good as Anakin. With her gone he�d give that person her old home. It didn�t take long for them to get all her stuff packed up and put Threepio in as well.
The day was beautiful for a Tatooine fall day. The wind was blowing sand everywhere but it seemed to be tame. It had been one week since Shmi was freed. The great thing was she was moments away from getting married. She was dressed in a white dress that Beru�s mother had worn at her wedding. The people here were nice, welcoming her like they had. An older man came and took her hand leading her towards Cliegg and the priest.
"I pronounce you husband and wife you may now kiss the bride," the priest said.
"I love you," Cliegg said.
"I love you too," Shmi said.
Her cupped her face and gently placed his lips on hers. Cliegg was truly happy for the first time since Owen was born. They could hear Owen and Beru giggling and clapping. They broke the kiss staring into each other eyes both hoping Anakin would expect Cliegg and Owen.
"Does this make you my mommy now," Owen said.
"If you want me," Shmi said.
"Oh I do I really do," Owen said hugging her.
Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Lars," Beru said.
Far away on Coruscant Anakin was fast asleep while his master watched him. It had been four months since Anakin had started his training. He was far beyond that of any of the other students. Obi-Wan knew that was why a lot of them didn�t take to him right away. He remembered his days here as a boy never really knowing what the outside world was like. Then he suddenly saw Anakin�s eyes shoot open and seat up looking around.
"Anakin what is it," Obi-Wan asked.
"I saw my mom�she was happy," Anakin said.
"Does this make you sad," Obi-Wan asked.
"No it makes me happy�I hope I get to see her again," Anakin said.
"You will in the future now go back to sleep," Obi-Wan said.
"I will Master," Anakin said.
"Hi my name is Ara Cox," Ara said.
"Anakin Skywalker," Anakin said.
"Why don�t you ever seat with us," Ara asked.
"I didn�t think any of you wanted me to," Anakin said.
"We�ve never gotten a change to know you," Ara said.
"Ara the other are waiting for you," Anakin said.
"Master Windu can Anakin come with us today," Ara said.
"I have a lesson with my master," Anakin said.
"Anakin go I have something for Obi-Wan to do," Mace said smiling.
Anakin looked at Mace giving him a thank you smile walking off with Ara towards the other children. Mace saw how Obi-Wan was keeping him busy all the time with lessons. He was still a 9 year old boy and deserved some free time like everyone else. Obi-Wan could hardly believe what he saw Anakin was leaving with the other children. As he went to stop him he felt a hand on his should.
"Obi-Wan no," Mace said.
"Master Windu," Obi-Wan said.
"He needs to make friends," Mace said.
"His lessons," Obi-Wan said.
"He needs some free time with the other children," Mace said.
"Anakin," Deven said.
"Hi," Anakin said.
"So you finally came," Seba said.
"I didn�t think any of you wanted me too," Anakin said.
"We heard you�re a good pilot," Ara said.
Mace was right and Obi-Wan knew it, but Anakin was different. He knew that and so did the council he was the chosen one. He was more powerful than any other jedi ever. But then treating him like an outsider wouldn�t make him feel every good. Maybe he kept Anakin away from the children maybe it his fault that it took this long. He knew it to be true, he knew it was his own fear that kept Anakin from making friends.
"Did you have fun with the other children," Obi-Wan said.
"Yes," Anakin asked.
"Good I�m glad to see you making friends," Obi-Wan said.
Four months had passed since Shmi had married Cliegg and became Owen�s mother. There hasn�t been a day since then that wasn�t filled with happiness. She and Cliegg had their fights and arguments, but they always made up. Cliegg walked in to find Owen and Beru studying and Shmi in the kitchen.
"So what the doctor say," Cliegg said.
"Just that I�m going to have a baby," Shmi said.
"What," Cliegg said.
"I�m pregnant," Shmi said.
"Oh my god," Cliegg said.
Cliegg hugged Shmi close to him and they both began to laugh. Neither one of them thought this would happen, they both hoped. She was in her late thirty, but having children wasn�t something they thought about. Owen and Beru got from their seats seeing his parents hugging and kissing.
"Mom dad," Owen said.
"Guess what," Cliegg said.
"What," Owen said.
"I�m going to have a baby," Shmi said.
"I�m going to have a baby sister," Owen said.
"Or brother," Beru said.
"No it has to be a girl," Owen said.
"Why," Cliegg said.
"Because I already have one baby brother why get another one," Owen said.
"Ara wait up," Anakin said.
"No catch me," Ara said.
"Fine�I got you," Anakin said wrapping his around her waist.
"So what does Master Kenobi have planner for your 13th birthday," Ara asked.
"A trip to find my crystals," Anakin said as they sat down in the garden.
Obi-Wan knew that this birthday was special to a Padawan learner. It�s a day spent on meditation and getting a present from ones master. He remembered the gift he got from Qui-Gon at the time he didn�t understand the importance of it. Anakin walked inside the ship they would be taking on their trip ready and alert for anything.
"Come Padawan," Obi-Wan said.
"Am I to fly this ship," Anakin said.
"Not yet," Obi-Wan said.
"Alright," Anakin said.
Anakin was in meditation a state where he was at peace. Sometimes he could see thing in the future, this time he saw a child. She was about the age of 5 with brown hair and brown eyes. She had a kind smile and was looking for something. A man came out with sandy color hair picking her up; he was about 17 maybe 18 he had a woman with him. She was about the same age with blond hair.
"Anakin," Obi-Wan said.
"Yes Master," Anakin said getting up from his mediation position.
"Open your present," Obi-Wan said.
Anakin had never been one to receive gifts before. When he did he always did something in return for that person. But now this time it was different it was part a ritual. He took the small package wondering what was in it. He slowly opened the box. It was a chain with some sort of charm on it. Anakin knew he hadn�t seen this charm before.
"When I was about your age I left the order to fight a war with other�s my age. I came back of course but I took this charm with me when I left and I want you to have it," Obi-Wan said.
"Thank you master," Anakin said putting the chain around his neck.
"Mommy," Amie said.
"What Amie," Shmi said.
"Is Beru coming to my party," Amie said.
"Yes," Shmi said and she was off.
"Can you believe she�s four already," Cliegg said.
"As much as I believe Owen is 16," Shmi said.
Amie brown hair was down except for a few braids in her hair, her honey brown eyes looked outside with wonder. She dreamed of meeting her other brother Anakin. She kind of hoped he�d come, but he never did. After the party ended she went to her room looking at the holo-pictures of him. He was nine years old with dirty clothes but his ice blue eyes showed only love.
"Daddy do you think Anakin will come home someday," Amie asked.
"Someday," Cliegg said.
"I hope so," Amie said.
"Amie want to hear a story," Beru said.
"Yea," Amie said.
"Seba where is Ara," Anakin said.
"In the garden," Seba said.
Anakin watched from the distance as she walked around looking at each flower. She was so beautiful with her brown-red hair and gray color eyes. She had a smile that always made him smile. He didn�t know if he loved her or not but he did care for her. Ara saw him and began to run away and he ran after her.
"Ara get back here," Anakin said.
"Catch me first," Ara said.
Anakin ran faster and fast around the garden until he felt his arms wrap around her stomach and pull her close to him. How many times since they were nine had they done this, but why at 16 did this feel different? Why holding her close did it make him feel uncomfortable in a way he didn�t understand?
"Got you," Anakin said.
"You�re getting too fast Ani," Ara said.
"Maybe�why are you here again," Anakin said.
"No reason," Ara said.
"Yes there is what is it," Anakin said.
Ara couldn�t tell him the truth; she cared for him too much. More than Deven, he was her friend too but Anakin was different. She was different to him than Seba and she knew that they both did. She leaned forwards and let her lips touch his. He leaned into the kiss letting the feel of her lips linger on his.
"Anakin," Ara said.
"Yes," Anakin said.
"Nothing let go," Ara said.
"Where is Ara," Anakin said.
"She left," Mace said.
"When," Anakin said.
"Early this morning," Mace said.
"If I may ask Master why did she leave," Anakin asked.
"She didn�t want to be a Jedi," Mace said.
Anakin walked into his room looking out at the stars that was why she was in the garden. Why after all these years she kissed him, it was a kiss goodbye. He�ll never know if he loved her. He put it off as a first crush and a first kiss. Soon Deven and Seba joined him learning that their friend had left.
"He should go to see his mother," Mace said.
"What," Obi-Wan said.
"It�s been seven year and he just lost one of his closest friends," Mace said.
"Isn�t still soon," Obi-Wan said.
"The council doesn�t think so," Mace said.
Anakin couldn�t believe that after seven years he was going to see his mother. What would she look like would she be as happy as he had seen in his dreams? Would she be angry with him for leaving or be happy for him. Only the force knows and soon he�d find out. After learning she�d been sold he was upset, but then he learned she married. Now he was on his way towards the Lars�s Homestead.
"Mom some people are coming," Amie said.
"Who," Shmi said.
Amie went out side looking in the distance where the two men were coming from. Owen came outside and picked the five-year old up, while Beru came to stand by him. Amie was praying this was who she thought it was. She was hoping it was her brother Anakin that he had returned.
"I�m looking for Shmi Lars," Anakin asked.
"Who are you," Owen said.
"Anakin Skywalker," Anakin said.
"Mommy Anakin is here," Amie said.
Shmi heard a small conversation going on outside but paid no real attention to it. She was too busy making the meal for Amie�s birthday party. Each time she thought about it, she couldn�t believe that Amie was five now. School would be starting in two weeks and Amie would be starting. Then she stopped when she heard those words Mommy Anakin is here.
"Mom," Anakin said.
"Ani," Shmi said rushing over to hug him.
"Mom you look great," Anakin said.
"I�m your sister Amie that�s is our big brother Owen and our dad Cliegg," Amie said.
"Nice to met you Owen�Dad," Anakin said.
"You don�t have to call me that if you don�t want too," Cliegg said.
"No it seems to fit this is Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi," Anakin said.
"Yes Qui-Gon talked about you where is he," Shmi said.
"He died shortly after we left, Anakin is my Padawan Learner," Obi-Wan said.
"I am sorry I know how much he must have meant to you," Shmi said.
"Thank you Mrs. Lars," Obi-Wan said.
Anakin felt like he found his family here with the Lars. His mother was truly happy, yet he was not. In the short week he had been here they had opened their heart to him, but something was missing. He knew that he could stay here with them. He�d go to school and become a farmer like his brother and father. Yes that would be a great choice he knew that. He could be with his family and he wouldn�t have to stop feeling all these emotions.
"Ani are you happy here," Shmi said.
"Yes," Anakin said.
"Do you want to stay," Shmi asked.
"Yes," Anakin said.
"Are you going to stay," Shmi asked.
"Obi-Wan where is Young Skywalker," Mace said.
"This was a test to see if choose the Jedi or his mother," Obi-Wan said.
"Is he with his mother," Mace asked.
"No he�s practicing his lightsaber skills with Seba," Obi-Wan said.
"He choose us," Mace said.
"You didn�t think he would did you," Obi-Wan said.
"I questioned him only because of his love for her," Mace said.
Two years later Anakin and Obi-Wan were called to protect Senator Padme Amidala when she was almost killed. Obi-Wan knew this was yet another test for Anakin. To find them would mean coming to terms with his felling for her that had grown over the years. But it would also mean coming in direct contact with Palpatine who Obi-Wan did not trust at all.
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