Parallel Shadows

Chapter 8 - Together

Author's Note: Enjoy the end of this story! Thank y'all so much for reading, voting, and/or commenting! :D:D:D

~ Amina Gila

 It's not until later that Luke consciously notices the brilliant presence he's been picking up on in the Force around him. Something about the way it's touching him almost feels like it's hugging him, though he doesn't know if that's because of the emotion behind it, or because of the ridiculous size of his father's presence.

Something shifts in the Force, and Anakin appears in front of them. Right. That reminds him... "You two... talked about things?"

"We did," Anakin replies, exchanging a glance with Leia. She seems strangely more content than she has in a while. "Leia said she had questions," he continues, "I imagine you do too,"

"Yes," Luke agrees. Actually, he doesn't even know where to start. "I went to your castle on Mustafar."

"I know," Anakin replies.

"You were watching me the whole time?"

"Most of it."

"I saw... Ben's robes there, I think," Luke begins, slowly, "Why would you...?"

"I may have told myself it was for many reasons, but in reality, I... missed him," Anakin replies.

"How?" Luke demands, "How could you after what he did?!"

"What are you talking about?" Leia demands.

"Father was in that suit because of him!"

Leia looks between them, more than a little mind blown.

"And I helped destroy all he cared for," Anakin interjects.

"I'll assume this has some connection with why you were chasing Ben everywhere thirteen years ago," Leia interrupts, "But maybe we should start at the beginning?"

"Yes," Luke agrees, "I want to know how you ended up with Palpatine – if you don't mind talking about it. He said you... didn't have anyone else?"

If Anakin doesn't want to talk about it, he gives no such indication, moving closer and taking a seat between them on the bed. "I do not know how much you know of the Jedi, but they are not allowed to marry," Anakin begins, after a pause.

"Sidious told me as much," Luke acknowledges, frowning.

"I married your mother, Padme, right before the Clone Wars started. It was a relationship I had to keep secret from everyone. Before the Empire's formation, I was gone on the front lines for months. I returned only days before the war's end, to find out Padme was pregnant."

Luke reaches over, taking his father's hand. There's no way this can be easy for him to talk about, ghost or not. Leia is listening with rapt attention, and he notices how close she's sitting to Anakin, as though it doesn't really bother her. "I was planning to leave the Jedi so I could be with her, but I was waiting for the war to be over, and in truth, I... was reluctant to leave Obi-Wan."

"Why?" Luke blurts, again.

"We were... close," Anakin replies, "He raised me, and I... saw him as my father."

Luke stills. Oh. Oh. That explains – so much of how Anakin feels, if the way Luke's been these past months is anything to go by, but it only makes him even more angry. Despite that, Obi-Wan literally – He doesn't even want to think about that moment again.

"But after Padme was pregnant, I knew I would have to leave. The war was about to end anyway, but then I started having visions of her dying in childbirth."