Jacie, Keri and A’ Marie were playing in the gardens when their respective masters came for them. They had a surprise for them, since all three of them had bonded as very close friends and been through much turmoil lately, most especially Jacie, it was decided that Anakin would take temporary custody of the other two padawans while their masters went on what was being perceived of a very dangerous negotiation, where hostilities were likely to break out if the Jedi didn’t intervene. It surprised Anakin that he too wasn’t being sent, but he was grateful too, especially since Leia’s and Han’s wedding was only a month away. Most of the preparations had been made and even Anakin would be dressed as a civilian much to his chagrin. But he knew better than to argue with Padmé, Sola, and Jobal, the three Naberrie women were just too convincing and fierce; he gave up without too much of a fight, besides the black suit did look good on him. However, he did feel underdressed without his favorite cloak. When he was approached by Obi-Wan and Lando they couldn’t help but to laugh.

“Wow, he looks so handsome, don’t you think, Obi-Wan?” Lando laughed mischievously.

“Be quiet, Lando I warn you.”

“So where’s the lightsaber, my old padawan?” Obi-Wan laughed.

Anakin immediately called it to him and ignited the blade with such velocity that it surprised Obi-Wan.

“Old lessons die hard, Master.” Anakin responded before disengaging the blade and putting it in the small of his back.

“You are not bringing that weapon to the wedding are you?” Sola asked.

“Yes, this weapon is my life!” Anakin mimicked Obi-Wan’s voice succinctly.

Sola laughed and shook her head, “Okay, Master Skywalker, I guess I can’t forbid you, especially since the bride is insisting as well.”

After Sola left the room, Anakin excused himself, “I have to change I’ll be back and then we can kidnap Solo.”

“Is A’ Marie aware of what’s going to be happening?”

“Yes, she can keep a secret.”

A’ Marie and Han were fishing when she felt her father’s approach, “Are you nervous?”

“Nah, not yet anyway; it just feels right you know? I love Leia so much.”

“Yes, I know.”

Silence resumed as the gentle laps of the water could be heard on the large branches of the tree that descended into the small creek. Anakin cloaked himself in the Force and quietly approached the pair. He quickly reached into the Force and made the air cold.

“Solo!” Anakin’s voice boomed.

Han jumped ten feet dropping his fishing pole and scaring him.

“I am most displeased with your behavior; you are in very serious trouble.”

“Sir?”

“Come, I do not wish A’ Marie to see how I treat men who want to marry my daughters and then break their hearts.”

“Break their hearts? I don’t understand.”

“Don’t worry you will, Solo and you will suffer.”

Han attempted to get away but when the stun cuffs were snapped on his wrists he realized this is very real.

Anakin noted how terrified Han really was and discovered that his prank was working.

“Father, please don’t hurt him.”

“You stay out of this, A’ Marie Skywalker. It is none of your concern.”

Captain Panaka was also in on the prank and pulled Han Solo into the back of the speeder with Anakin sitting beside him.

“I want this man off my planet, Master Skywalker. He is not to be trusted, I heard about his past and the fact he used to be a smuggler. He is no longer welcomed on Naboo.”

“I will take him to a prison facility then, unfortunately, Leia will be heartbroken. Maybe she can marry Prince Isolder instead at least he’s honorable.”

Han Solo was incredulous, how the hell was he going to get out of this one?

“Your ship has been confiscated, Solo and sold to Lando Calrissian; you are completely at my mercy.” Anakin informed him.

“Please, give me a second chance, I’ll change, I love Leia.”

“Oh, how sweet; do you think your little scene of groveling will work? You are truly pathetic.” Anakin responded sarcastically.

Han was on the verge of tears; especially when the Republic Cruiser landed to take him into custody. Anakin went with him, pulling on Solo’s hand-cuffs.

“Let’s go, I don’t have time for this.”

Han was pushed into the cell and Anakin waved his hand and the cuffs fell off clattering at Solo’s feet.

“Behave.” Anakin warned sternly and left to tell pilot of their destination. Lando Calrissian was ready the Bachelor’s party was about to begin as soon as Han arrived, even several Jedi Masters had arrived including Master Agen and Master Windu, Yoda and Obi-Wan were there as well. All of Han’s contacts and friends were there as well. Luke couldn’t wait to see the look on Han’s face.

Anakin put the cuffs back on Solo and also blind-folded him.

“Hey! This is cruelty even for prisoners.”

“Be quiet Solo or else.” Anakin ordered.

“Have you gone to the dark side?” Han asked fearfully.

A shove to his back was all the answer he received and a rough order to move it. The room was very dark and foreboding, Anakin removed the blind fold and the only thing Han could see large bed-like device and a piece of equipment attached to it, if he were hooked up to it, live electrical current would run through his body. He was to be interrogated and the only other presence he saw was Lord Skywalker’s.

Han fell to his knees nearly defeated. “Please sir, forgive me.”

“It isn’t up to me, Solo.” Anakin replied coldly.

Han wasn’t much for crying and pleading, he was a strong man and the only thing that would break him completely is if he lost Leia.

“I love Leia with all my heart, all my soul, if I were to lose her no amount of interrogating would hurt because I would merely be a shell of a man without her.”

Anakin couldn’t resist anymore and the biggest grin shot across his features as he removed the cuffs from Han Solo and helped him to his feet. “Welcome to the family, Han Solo.” And with that all the lights brightly lit the gaily decorated room and all his friends and family were there. A large sign was above the buffet of delicious looking food and it read, “Welcome to the Nerf-Herder’s Bachelor Party.”

“You tricked me! You had me going so badly! I kept thinking I’m a dead man.” Han laughed as he feigned a hard punch into Anakin’s arm.

xXx

Leia had her wedding party and received lovely gifts from all her friends as they drank fine champagne and discussed about men and families. The children were outside having a party of their own and enjoying all sorts of games. As the night fell, they were sleeping under the stars and talking at least the girls was; the boys, Zak and Tomas were catching fireflies. Padmé allowed them to stay outside but left the porch door open in case it rained. Leia was too excited to sleep, although she was sipping on a warm cup of tea.

“How are you doing, sweetheart?”

“Nervous; but at least by this time tomorrow night I will be Mrs. Han Solo.”

“True. You couldn’t have asked for a better man, Leia you are truly blessed. Even your father gave his blessing on your choice.”

“Yes, I sometimes feel badly for Han, Dad sure does enjoy picking on him.”

“Yes, when he told me that he was going to arrest Han as part of the gag for the Bachelor’s party I felt so badly.” Padmé laughed.

xXx

Han was finishing up his last glass of Corellian Whisky when he saw Anakin approach him. “Nervous?”

“A little; Leia is such an incredible woman and so beautiful, I still can’t believe that she said yes to marry me.”

“That’s how I felt when Padmé agreed to marry me; despite all the rules that we would be breaking. A former slave ending up with a beautiful queen of Naboo; sometimes the Force works in mysterious ways, Han; I remember when I first saw you; you reminded me of myself; so young, impetuous, daring and such a smart aleck.”

“Thank you, Anakin for always believing in me, even when I doubted myself.”

“You are family, Han and soon to be my son; if you feel comfortable you may call me Dad or Father, it doesn’t matter to me.”

“I’d be honored, Dad.”

“The honor is all mine, son.” Anakin and Han briefly hugged and then bade each other good night.

xXx

The day of wedding was beautiful and very exciting especially with everyone getting ready; Han was kept in seclusion until it was time for the wedding to start at three o’clock in the afternoon. He was pacing, “Son, you are going to wear a hole in the floor if you keep that up.” Anakin stated smiling gently.

“Sorry, I just hate waiting.”

Anakin pulled on his black jacket and finished buttoning his top collar of his ivory silk shirt.

“You look very handsome, Dad.” Luke called out from the chair in the living room.

“So, do you, Luke.” Luke was dressed similarly. Han was also fidgeting with his collar. “I wish I could have worn my normal clothes for this.”

“We must sometimes obey the women in our lives, Han. I was lucky the day I married Padmé, I was able to wear my Jedi robes and my favorite cloak. She was so beautiful, like an angel.” Anakin’s bright blue eyes misted over gently and he removed his handkerchief and wiped away a tear.

A’ Marie was very pleased with her dark purple dress and saw Zachary was wearing a matching dark purple sash. He was nervous.

“Okay, A’ Marie stay clean and have a seat in the living room.”

“Yes, mom; Leia you are so beautiful.” A’ Marie complimented as she saw the veil being lowered on her head.

“Thank you, Ani.”

A’ Marie entered the living room and saw her father standing near the window, his large hands were clasped behind his back and he was smiling gently.

“Wow, you look very handsome, father.”

“Thank you, young one. You are very beautiful.”

“Thanks.”

Mara Jade finished getting dressed and secured her lightsaber to her thigh grateful that the skirt of the dress would cover the small metallic cylinder. When Luke saw her he was flabbergasted, her long beautiful locks were up and showing the beautiful long lines of her neck and she was wearing a pair of heels that added a couple inches to her height. Luke approached gently, and quietly.

“You are very beautiful, Mara.” Luke stated in a dreamy voice.

“Thank you, Luke. Your sister was wise to choose colors that both A’ Marie and I like; both of us would have probably balked at the color of pink.”

Luke smiled and gently kissed Mara’s hand.

The holy man was escorted to the dais in which he would perform the ceremony; he had a large pitcher of water and a glass next to it. Han was soon brought out and he stood next to the holy man and watched as the benches filled, it was a small wedding in Padmé’s terms only fifty people were invited and the rest was family and very close friends. Luke and Lando stood next to Han, once everyone was seated and the wedding music soon started playing, A’ Marie was tossing rose petals down and even guiding a few into the air and allowing them to gently fall on the ladies of the wedding. Zachary took his place next to Luke who put a gentle reassuring hand on his shoulder, he stopped shaking.

Leia was very nervous as Anakin took her arm into his own, “We will get through this together, Leia. I love you.”

“I love you too, daddy.” Leia gave Anakin a kiss and she felt his pride swell into the Force and light it with very strong emotions. Everyone turned to face the bride as she walked down the aisle. Anakin lifted her veil and kissed her on both cheeks. Leia’s hand was given to Han Solo. The blessing was said, vows were exchanged and the announcement was made, “I present, Mr. and Mrs. Han Solo.”

The applause resounded as Han and Leia walked down the aisle and the rest of the wedding party followed. The reception was held at one of the local Royal Homes that Queen Apailana allowed them to use; she of course was invited to reception and appeared with her various handmaidens. The children were taken to a table to themselves and were happily talking and after dinner were excused to disperse while the dancing and other adult activities abound. Anakin gave his daughter A’ Marie a very stern warning to behave. She smiled impishly at him and said, “I will try; but trouble always seems to find me father.”

“Mm, that’s because you are a Skywalker as well as you are always looking for trouble.”

A’ Marie laughed and joined her friends in the royal gardens.

Anakin returned with Padmé to the reception; it was a lovely day and turning into an even lovelier evening. “Father?” Luke asked shyly.

“Yes, Luke?”

“Can we talk for a minute?”

“Sure, come.”

Luke sat on the bench and Anakin also sat beside him. Luke then stood on his feet nervously chewing on his bottom lip.

“Something on your mind, son?”

“Yes, normally I’d ask the father but since we don’t know who that is and you raised Mara Jade as your padawan, I figured I’d have to ask you.”

“Ask me what?” Anakin knew what Luke was driving at, but decided to feign ignorance.

“Its not easy, you know.”

“What isn’t easy?”

“You are so fiercely protective over your family and in particular your padawans.”

“So?” Anakin playfully responded.

“May I marry Mara Jade?” Luke blurted out.

Anakin started laughing, “That isn’t my decision, and I believe it belongs to Mara Jade alone.”

“No, I mean will you give us your blessing?”

“Yes, you have my blessing, Luke. I knew you loved her the minute you first saw her.”

“Huh? I was only a baby, how can you say that?”

“Because, I felt it through the Force; when you saw Mara it was like the first time I saw Padmé, despite our age difference.”

Luke hugged Anakin and then left to ask Mara Jade to marry him. Mara was holding a glass of red wine sipping on it, admiring the beautiful pond teeming with large goldfish. She looked at Luke and he was nervous as he pulled her into an embrace and gently sat them on the bench. He lowered himself onto his left knee, “Mara, I love you. I would like to spend the rest of my life with you and only you.”

“I love you, too, farmboy.”

“Will you um, marry me?”

“Yes, um I will.” Mara laughed as she saw the beautiful emerald ring being slid onto her left hand. She held Luke as she cried tears of pure joy. He took her into the reception and they danced slowly.

“Well, plan another wedding, my angel. Our son has just proposed to Mara Jade.”

Padmé smiled contented, but replied, “I do hope they will wait a little while longer. I need time to recover from this one.”

Anakin laughed heartily and hugged his dearest to him. Leia and Han Solo left the following morning for their honeymoon and received many blessings and good wishes for a new life together. The children were found playing in the gardens and chasing each other around. It was a happy and contented time for everyone. As Anakin once noted, “Love can even ignite the stars.”

Author’s Note:Thank you folks for all the reviews and the support for this tale and I’m so glad that you guys enjoyed the reading as much I as did the telling. I may one day return to Skywalker Legacy, but for now I will be closing the final chapter. I decided to end it on a happy note and a new beginning for Han & Leia as husband and wife. Once again folks thank you for all your support and reviews. God Bless, and May the Force be with You.—Darth Gladiator45.

PS, stay tuned to Redemption, if you desire.