Happy Birthday, Papa

 

by Michele

 

 

Feedback:  [email protected]

 

 

A day in the life of Mara and Luke Skywalker, set after the events on Duro.  MAJOR SPOILERS for Balance Point, by Kathy Tyers. 

 

This was written before the Edge of Victory duology was released, so will probably be obsolete after that. Many thanks to my friend JediGirl for her suggestions.

 

All characters belong to George Lucas and his authorized pro-fic authors.  Of course, no money is being made off this little piece.

 

PG-13

 

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Waning cries of nightbats and morning whistles of jubba birds filtered through Dagobah's foliage.  Mara Jade Skywalker, drifting awake inside the main cabin of the Jade Shadow, couldn't hear the noises outside, however.  What she did hear was a soft voice next to her.

 

"I can't wait to meet you, my son.  I only hope the galaxy will be a safer place by the time you arrive."

 

It will be if I have anything to say about it, Mara thought to herself.  She reached down and tousled her husband's silky hair.  He looked up, smiled sheepishly, and scooted up to give her a warm kiss.

 

"Good morning, Papa," Mara cooed, returning his kiss, "and happy birthday."

 

"Hmmm.  Thanks."

 

They lay together in silence, heads nestled together on one pillow, joined hands resting on Mara's swollen abdomen.

 

"When are they coming?" Luke murmured.

 

"Han estimated it would be late morning, our time," Mara returned.

 

Luke ran one hand up under her sleeping shift.  "Then I have time to unwrap my present." 

 

"You are incorrigible, Luke Skywalker," Mara retorted teasingly, enjoying her husband's caresses.

 

He continued his ministrations up her body, exploring all aspects of her ever-changing figure.  "And you, my love, are blossoming all over."

 

"Without even looking,  I can see the smirk on your face."  Mara railed back by tugging on the waistband of his sleep pants.  She could sense a flicker of apprehension from him.  "Don't worry.  I told you before, he can't see anything," she assured him, laughing.

 

 "I know that," Luke replied defensively.  "It's just ... well ... you're getting bigger ... and we should be careful."

 

 "You don't have to keep reminding me," Mara admonished gently, pulling his face down to kiss him warmly.  "I'll be fine, and he'll be fine.  Now quit worrying, and start making me forget about how big I'm becoming."

 

Luke helped her ease on top of him and they made love -- slowly, ardently, tenderly -- always heedful of the new life they had created with just such an act some four and a half months earlier.

 

Afterwards, they snuggled once more under the soft coverlet, clinging to each other as if to block out all the unpleasantness in the galaxy that had shattered their world.  Luke pressed himself close to Mara's body, rejoicing at the sensation of feeling his son's movements, and at the same time wondering what kind of father brought a child into a realm of terror and hatred -- a world where he was in danger even before he was born.

 

 

Similar thoughts ran through Mara's mind as she felt her husband's strong heartbeat next to her own.  She had never been one to concern herself with what others thought; still, she couldn't help but wonder what kind of reaction her in-laws would have at the unexpected news she and Luke had "neglected" to reveal.

 

It had been two months since they had all blasted away from Duro; two frenzied months since Tsavong Lah issued his ultimatum to have all Jedi turned in, in exchange for a false promise of refuge from the Yuuzhan Vong's onslaught.

 

Luke had aged ten years in those two months, Mara thought.  It was the Jedi purges all over again.  Only this time, instead of Palpatine and Vader hunting down the Jedi, it was ordinary citizens.  The same citizens the Jedi had sworn to protect.

 

By the time the Skywalkers and Solos had reached home on Coruscant, they found they no longer had a home on the capital city.  Kenth Hamner, Cilghal, and the other Jedi had all been forced into hiding.  Han had been frantic, torn between the need to get Leia to a medical facility immediately, and the knowledge that his wife and children could be mobbed and captured as soon as the Falcon's ramp was lowered.  In the end, Admiral Kre'fey had managed to get them aboard his flagship.  Jaina and Jacen had stayed with their parents, while Anakin accompanied his aunt and uncle in a desperate flight to evacuate Yavin.

 

During that time, Anakin had finally noticed there was a new presence in the Force hovering about his aunt, and that she wasn't as firm as usual in rebuffing Uncle Luke's protective gestures.   Respecting their wishes, he kept their announcement to himself, dampening down any outward signs of boastfulness that they had entrusted him with such a monumental secret.

 

 

Drifting in and out of sleep, Luke's head suddenly jerked upward in surprise. 

 

"They're early!"  He could sense the Millennium Falcon entering Dagobah's atmosphere, accompanied by Anakin in his X-wing.  As he hurried through a shower, he picked out the individual senses of Leia, Han, Jaina and Jacen aboard the weathered ship.  Luke gave Mara a quick kiss as they passed in the refresher, she also rushing to get ready for their visitors.

 

Luke caught a sense of good wishes from Leia, causing him to smile as he traversed the corridors of the Shadow.  He bounded down the ramp just as the still matte-black Falcon was touching down in the small clearing Luke had maintained over the years, no easy task in view of the constant overgrowth of jungle vines.

 

Jaina and Jacen descended first, greeting their uncle then turning to their younger brother who had hopped lightly down from his snubfighter.  Just heading in from a mission with Kam Solusar, Anakin had covertly rendezvoused with his family several hours earlier in deep space, and they had all headed to Yoda's former home in anticipation of the first family reunion they'd have in much too long a time.

 

Luke looked up to see his sister standing at the top of the Falcon's boarding ramp.  He nearly leapt up the ramp, picking her up and swinging her around enthusiastically.  Hearing a clatter, he saw Leia's cane falling onto the deckplates.

 

"Happy birthday, my brother," Leia cried, holding him tightly.

 

"And to you, my dear sister," Luke returned warmly.  Smiling, he ran a hand over her soft crown of hair.  "New hairstyle for your birthday, huh?  Another ten years and you'll be wrapping it into buns again."

 

"That's right, you haven't seen my new look, have you?"  Leia grinned widely as she clung to him.  Somehow things always looked brighter when Luke was near.

 

"No," he replied, "though Mara gave me a good description."

 

"Hey, hey, break it up out here," thundered a deep voice behind them.  "That's MY wife you've got a stranglehold on, kid."

 

"Han!"  Luke released Leia just long enough to give Han a welcoming embrace.  "It's good to see you again," he said, instantly sensing the peace of mind that his brother-in-law had reacquired.

 

"You too," Han sent back.  "And happy birthday, by the way.  Now, where's your own lovely bride?"

 

"Finishing getting dressed.  We weren't expecting you quite this early."  Luke could feel Leia reaching out with the Force to send Mara a greeting, and quickly moved to distract her by bending to retrieve her cane. "How are your legs doing?" he asked as the trio ambled down the ramp. 

 

"Much better," Leia assured him as she shuffled along.  "I can get around on smooth floors without this thing," she said, waving the walking stick in the air.  "But these three fusspots I'm surrounded by were afraid I'd trip over some root here on your swamp hideaway."

 

Luke frowned slightly at the implication that he was 'hiding,' but let the remark pass.  "Ahh, here comes Mara now," he announced as his wife strode briskly across the clearing.

 

"Mara?  In Jedi robes?" Leia laughed in astonishment at her sister-in-law's normally despised attire.  "I never thought I'd see the day!"

 

"Hello, Leia." Leaning forward, Mara embraced the other woman's slim shoulders.  "I'm so glad to see you looking well."

 

"And you're ... "  Leia stopped suddenly, giving Mara a shrewd look,  "... positively glowing."  Leia's eyes opened wide as realization dawned on her, and she glanced down at Mara's swathed figure.  "Mara?"  Not receiving an immediate response, she turned to her brother.  "Luke?"

 

Luke was doing his best to fight back an unabashed grin.  He merely nodded, knowing Mara would kill him if he blurted out the news before she could speak.

 

Han glanced at the three of them with that same puzzled look he always got when some "Jedi thing" was going on.   "Is somebody going to let me in on what's going on?"

 

"Well, you see, Han..." Mara began, but she was interrupted by the arrival of the Solo twins.

 

"Mom?  Aunt Mara?" Jaina queried, feeling the joy radiating from her mother and her aunt and uncle.  She looked sideways at Jacen, who had a slow smile growing on his own face.

 

"I bet I know," Jacen said smugly.  "Concentrate on Aunt Mara," he directed his twin.

 

"I didn't say anything!" Anakin avowed in response to the glare that Mara was sending his way.

 

"Wow," Jaina finally acknowledged.  "This is ... quite a surprise."  She gave her aunt a wary embrace, clearly showing she had mixed feelings about the revelation.

 

"Will somebody ...please ...!" Han practically shouted impatiently.

 

Mara laughed and took his arm soothingly.  "The farmboy and I have been busy, Solo," she winked, patting her stomach.

 

"You mean ... ?  Whoa!"  Han pulled Mara into a tight hug, regardless of whether she appreciated the gesture or not.  Releasing her, he turned and clapped Luke on the back heartily.  "About time, kid.  I thought you two had given up on the idea, especially as these birthdays keep rolling by."

 

"Maybe they should have," Jaina mumbled.

 

"Jaina!" Leia reprimanded her daughter.  Mara stepped in to intercede, though, and to turn the discussion in a new direction.

 

"Now, now, we didn't meet here to talk about my having a baby.  I believe we have a birthday party to attend to."  Mara turned her attention to her brother-in-law.  "Han, did you bring those supplies we talked about?"

 

"Uh, sure, Mara."  Han gave his children a parental glare.  "Kids, there's a crate in the cargo hold marked 'party.'  Go bring it to ...."  He turned back to Mara.  "Where are we having this shindig anyway?  You two have some kind of campsite set up?"

 

Luke shook his head.  "No.  We've been staying on the Shadow.  It gets too cool and damp here at night for ... well ..."

 

"And we thought he was overprotective before!" Mara laughed.   "We'll just have the party in the ship's lounge."

 

Just then Threepio shuffled his way out of the Falcon.  "Oh, Master Luke, Mistress Mara, it is so good to see you both well.  I trust Artoo hasn't been causing you any trouble?"

 

"No, of course not, Threepio," Luke answered.

 

"We manage to get into enough trouble on our own," Mara added in a low voice.

 

Luke shook his head at her.  "Artoo's waiting on the ship for you, Threepio.  He doesn't like the swamp any more than you do."

 

Jaina, Jacen and Anakin retrieved the crate from the Falcon, and everyone made their way to the Jade Shadow.

 

 Just as Mara continually tried to shift everyone's attention away from her condition, the topic refused to disappear.

 

"How far along are you?" Leia questioned as Han served her a piece of birthday ryshcate.

 

"About eighteen weeks," was Mara's succinct reply.  All of the Solos paused, calculating in their heads.

 

"So you were already two months pregnant when you were on Duro?" Leia waited for Mara's confirmation.

 

"Yes."

 

"That's why you wouldn't chase down Nom Anor in the tunnel," Jaina reasoned, scowling.  "You shouldn't have even been there.  That cave-in of the rocks could have killed you or your baby.  Uncle Luke, I can't believe you let her go."

 

"That'll be enough, young lady," Han growled.  Mara herself was showing remarkable restraint at her former apprentice's words.

 

"Now, Jaina," Luke began, not sure how to even respond.  He himself had had serious afterthoughts when he heard about Mara and Jaina's harrowing escape.

 

"In fact, I don't think you even have any business having a baby, now of all times."  Jaina's voice rose as she continued undaunted, eyeing both her aunt and uncle.  "I thought you had more sense than to bring a baby into the middle of a war."  She swung around to face her Aunt Mara.  "And what if your disease comes back?  Didn't you even think of that?  Is that why you didn't tell me or Mom on Duro?  You were ashamed?"

 

"Jaina Solo!" Leia stood shakily, holding onto the table.  "You apologize this instant!"

 

"For what?!" Jaina retorted.  "I'm not the one foolish enough to get pregnant."  Jaina stormed out of the ship, into the mists of Dagobah's swamps.

 

Han started to rise, to follow her, but Mara waved him back down.  "Let her go, Han.  She's disappointed in me, and maybe she has a right to be.  Give her a chance to cool down."

 

Jacen and Anakin both stood, nervously shifting from one foot to another.  "We'll keep an eye on her, from a distance," they said to the adults.  Mara nodded in acknowledgement and the brothers quietly exited.

 

"I'm so sorry," Leia apologized, turning to her brother and his wife. "She's been so temperamental lately."

 

"We understand," Luke replied, putting one arm comfortingly around his wife's shoulders.  "We knew this would be a shock, and that everyone would have their own reaction."

 

"And believe me, no one was more shocked than us."  Mara gave her husband a sideways glance and weak smile.

 

Han and Leia exchanged surprised looks.  "So you weren't trying to have a child?" Leia said tentatively.

 

Luke shook his head negatively.  "No, we thought we were being careful.  Not careful enough, apparently."

 

"Luke has his own theory of what went wrong," Mara supplied.  Han and Leia both swiveled their heads toward the Jedi Master, curiosity plainly showing on their faces.

 

"I think it was Vergere's tears," he explained.  "While they acted as an antitoxin for Mara's disease, I believe they could have also counteracted her repress meds.  We didn't even think of that at the time."

 

"Jaina was right, in one respect," Mara conceded.  "This is lousy timing.  But...," She squeezed her husband's knee.  "We want this child, more than anything.  And we'll do everything it takes to protect him."

 

"Him?" Han smiled.  "You're having a boy?"

 

"Yes, even though Luke was hoping for a daughter," Mara laughed.  "It seems the powerful Jedi Master can't control everything."

 

"I just wanted a little girl as beautiful as her mother," Luke defended himself.  "But I'm overjoyed to be having a son.  Our son," he added, giving Mara a kiss on the cheek.  Han noticed that Mara didn't seem the least bit embarrassed.  "And he's healthy, as far as we can tell."

 

"Have you seen a medic?" Leia spoke up.

 

"Yes," Mara answered.

 

"No," Luke said simultaneously, frowning at his wife.  "I wanted her to see Cilghal, but she refused."

 

"I was checked out by a droid," Mara countered, then turned to Leia.  "When we blasted off Yavin, I discovered Luke had crammed the Academy's Emdee-Five unit into the cargo hold of his X-wing.   He claimed his only thought was to save it from an ignoble death at the hands of the Vong."  Mara gave a little laugh at her husband's expense.  "Even after all these years of living with me, he's still pathetic at being devious."

 

Han and Leia joined in the moment of levity, chuckling at Mara's customary harassment of her beloved husband. 

 

"Believe me, Leia, you were lucky Han couldn't detect every little nuance of your pregnancies.  Luke's convinced this kid's going to be a great swordsman."  Mara rubbed her abdomen soothingly.  "And as much as this little guy moves around in there, he could be right."

 

"Just be glad he doesn't have a twin to duel with," Leia chuckled.

 

"I don't think I could handle twins," Mara groaned in relief.

 

"I think you could handle anything."  Leia rose and gave Mara a loose hug.  "I know this happened when you weren't ready, but if ever there were two people who could handle what life throws at them, it's the both of you ."

 

"Thanks," Luke and Mara replied in unison.

 

Leia sat back down, giving Mara a mock frown.  "But you could have told me on Duro, you know."

 

 "You had enough to worry about at the moment," Mara explained.  "None of us could have predicted it would be so long before we saw each other again."

 

Mara was silent a moment, then gave Luke's hand a quick squeeze and rose.  "I'm going to find Jaina," she informed the others.

 

Leia and Han nodded in assent.  Jaina had always respected her aunt, up until today that is, Leia reflected.  She watched as Mara whisked out the hatchway, Jedi robes fluttering in her wake.

 

 

"I'm so happy for you, Luke," Leia reiterated to her brother after Mara left.  "I've always known you'd make a wonderful father someday."

 

"Well, that remains to be seen."  Luke chuckled.  "But I'm sure looking forward to finally having that chance."  He stared at his clasped hands, resting on the table in front of him.  "Fourteen years ago, I had given up on the idea of ever being a father," he shrugged, his voice turning more solemn.  "Callista had told me it wouldn't be right to bring a child into less than ideal conditions.  She said she was talking about her lack of the Force, but I read into it a deeper meaning.  I think she was referring both to the state of the galaxy, and to my own heritage."

 

"Surely you didn't let that influence you?" Leia pressed.  "You and Mara have waited a long time, I know, but ..."

 

"No," Luke smiled faintly.  "We just got too busy, with reorganizing the Academy, her traveling with Mirax, our getting used to being married.  And then she came down with that illness.  That was when we both started to have misgivings that maybe we waited too long."

 

Leia nodded, remembering Mara's anxiety when the disease attacked her womb.

 

"How long are you planning to stay on Dagobah?" Han spoke up.  "Things are getting worse every day.  From what we hear, riots are breaking out in the plazas all over Coruscant.  Citizens are demanding that all the Jedi surrender, even the children.  They're crazy if they think the Vong would keep their word."

 

"I know, but they're desperate to protect their families."  Luke bit his lip in frustration, thinking that he understood exactly how those beings felt.  "I need to be back out there now, to encourage the others to stay strong.  But Mara will want to go with me."

 

"And you think she should stay here," Leia stated matter-of-factly.

 

Luke nodded yes.  "I know she'll do everything possible to keep the baby safe, but what if that's not enough?  How valuable a sacrifice would the Vong consider the pregnant wife of a Jedi Master, who is a Master herself?  And she wants to go after Nom Anor, I'm sure of it.  She doesn't say so out loud, probably to forestall any lectures on revenge, but ..."

 

"Oh, Luke," Leia returned in sympathy.  "Mara's not happy if she's not in the thick of things.  I'm surprised you got her to stay here this long."

 

"Yup," Han drawled, leaning back on his couch.  "Lucky for me, I've got a meek little wife who always does what I tell her."

 

Leia's brown eyes blazed, then softened at her husband's jesting.

 

Luke glanced at the two of them, smiling.

 

"What?" Han questioned, noticing Luke's gaze.

 

"Just happy to see you both getting along so well.  In fact, it nearly makes me want to change my mind about what I was going to ask you, Leia."

 

"And what was that, Luke?"

 

"If you would consider staying here with Mara, while I go start acting like the leader I'm supposed to be.  She'd go stir crazy by herself here, and I don't want her to be alone, anyway."  Luke raised his eyebrows hopefully at his twin.

 

"You want me to bear the brunt of Mara's wrath while you're out flying around the galaxy?"  Leia asked incredulously.  "I'm not that brave."

 

"She enjoys your company, and she'd listen to you," Luke implored.  "You are the savvy diplomat of the family."

 

"Savvy enough to propose this:" Leia stated.  "YOU convince her to stay behind, voluntarily and without bodily harm to you, and I will stay with her, if she so chooses, for whatever length of time both of you agree on."

 

Luke worked his jaw in thought.  "I was hoping you would help me convince her ..."

 

"No, no, brother."  Leia wagged her finger at him.  "YOU alone."

 

Han laughed out loud.  "You think Leia of all people could convince someone to take it easy while pregnant?!"

 

Luke stared at his sister, remembering her confrontation with the Noghri while carrying the twins, and then with the reborn Emperor while expecting Anakin.  He heaved a sigh in resignation.  "Point taken.  I'll talk to her tonight."

 

"You never thought marriage to Mara would be easy, did you?" Han ribbed him.

 

"No." Luke grinned widely.  "But it's worth every minute."

 

 

Mara had no trouble sensing her niece amid Dagobah's ancient gnarl-trees.  She nodded as she passed Anakin and Jacen, quietly talking to themselves halfway between the ship and their sister.  At least the boys seemed to have accepted her condition, Mara thought to herself.

 

Jaina was instantly aware of her aunt's approach, but remained resolutely silent, not even turning around.

 

"Jaina," Mara murmured, coming up to stand next to the recalcitrant teenager.

 

"Master," Jaina responded automatically, in a flat emotionless voice.

 

Mara sighed in frustration, then wondered to herself just when along the line she had picked up that habit from Luke.  "Jaina," she repeated, in a tranquil, soothing voice.  "Ever since I married your uncle, I've thought of you as a sort of surrogate daughter, and I would never do anything to jeopardize our friendship.  I know I've failed occasionally in your expectations of what a Jedi Knight should be ..."

 

"But you're a Jedi Master!" Jaina interrupted, clutching the stump of the petrified tree trunk she stood beside.  "And we're in the midst of a terrible war, with no end in sight!"

 

Mara laid one hand on her niece's shoulder and turned her around to face her.  "Jaina, I am also a woman, a wife, and soon, a mother.  I cannot live my life on some high Jedi pedestal, above normal feelings and actions.  Your uncle did that for years, and it nearly destroyed any chance of happiness for him.  None of us can let some aliens from another galaxy control our lives.  Your uncle and I love each other very much, and we already love our son."

 

Jaina looked up at the word 'son,' but didn't speak.

 

"We know this is not the timing we had hoped for.  But fate, and the Force, has granted us this miracle of new life."  Mara lowered her hand from Jaina, and paced slowly around the small area, ignoring the nearby butcherbug spinning its deadly wireweb.  "I know the danger my child could face because of my illness.  There isn't one moment of the day it's not in the back of my mind.  It was the first thing I thought of when I discovered I was expecting.  When I voiced my concerns to your uncle, you want to know what he told me?"

 

Jaina arched an eyebrow, waiting.

 

"He reminded me that any one of us could die, at any time.  The Vong could pull down another moon, or we could fall out a window."  Mara chuckled at the memory.  "Now there's the wisdom of a Master."

 

Jaina finally looked straight at her Aunt Mara, tears welling in her eyes.

 

"I've been a selfish brat.  I thought I knew better than you or Uncle Luke, or Mom or Dad, or even my brothers."  Jaina squeezed her eyes shut against the pain of self-reproach.  "I thought because I've been in a few space battles, I had a clear grasp of how everyone around me should be acting.  I'm so sorry, Aunt Mara."

 

Mara reached out and tilted Jaina's chin to face her.  "Jaina Solo, you are the most mature, level-headed young lady I've ever met.  It is my privilege to be your aunt, your teacher, and your friend."  Mara gave her niece a warm hug.  "Now, I believe they're saving you a piece of ryshcate."

 

As the two women walked through the dense foliage back to the Jade Shadow, Jaina spoke up suddenly.  "So you're going to have a boy?"

 

"Yes," Mara smiled.

 

"At least you won't have to put up with a stubborn daughter like Mom does."  Before Mara could respond, she continued.  "Have you picked out any names?"

 

"No, not really," Mara replied.  "I suspect Luke may want 'Ben' in there somewhere.  But I'll put my foot down if he even suggests 'Yoda Skywalker.'"

 

Jaina joined Mara in laughter at the thought of the diminutive Jedi Master being a namesake for a tiny infant.

 

 

Late that evening found everyone once more crowded into the Shadow's lounge, discussing both old worries and new hopes.

 

"I heard Octa Ramis narrowly avoided capture on Commenor," Jacen was saying, "and even Kyp and his group have had to resort to firing on private ships just to escape."

 

Mara grasped Luke's arm tightly.  "Luke, we need to be back out there, before something terrible happens."

 

Luke gave her a rather odd glance.  "Uh, sweetheart, I've been meaning to talk to you about that."

 

Han and Leia suddenly rose from their places.  "We should be getting over to the Falcon.  It's been a long day.  Come along, kids."

 

"But I was going to stay here on the Shadow," Anakin objected.  "It's too crowded on the Falcon."

 

"We'll make space," Han declared, leaving no room for argument.  "Let's go."  He and Leia were already ushering their bewildered children out of the lounge.

 

Mara narrowed her emerald eyes dangerously.  "What's going on here?"  She turned and eyed her husband's innocent expression.  "Skywalker!"

 

Luke merely shrugged his shoulders.  "Guess they're tired."

 

"You're a terrible liar," she growled.  "Leia?  Han?"

 

"Goodnight, Mara, Luke," Leia sent over her shoulder, her cane tapping briskly over the metal decking.  *Good luck, Luke,* she sent mentally.

 

Just as the Solos filed down the lowered ramp into the murky night, Mara's voice could be heard shrieking at full volume.  "YOU THOUGHT WHAT?!"

 

 

The End