The Shadows Star: Book 2

25: Meet The Naberries

The group stepped out of a taxi into a charming neighborhood. Padmé had requested the driver to drop them off at the neighborhood's edge, as they wanted to enjoy a leisurely walk. The cobblestone streets and picturesque homes welcomed them, creating a warm atmosphere. Laughter from children playing in the streets filled the air. Anakin watched as Sombra, basking in the midday sun, closed her eyes and smiled, the jewelry adorning her glinting in the sunlight.
"Look, there's my house!" Padmé exclaimed, breaking Anakin from his reverie. With excitement, she and Sombra began to run ahead. Sombra halted when she sensed Anakin's hesitation, while Padmé turned around, puzzled. "What's the matter, Anakin? Don't tell me you're shy!"
Anakin felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment and replied, "Well, not exactly, but..."
Sombra moved closer to him, linking her arm with his, and whispered reassuringly, "It's alright. I understand this might be unfamiliar, but trust me. The Naberries are the kindest people in the universe. They welcomed me as a family when I arrived three months ago, and I'm sure they'll love you too. I'll be right there with you every step of the way."
Anakin gazed affectionately at the girl beside him, about to express his gratitude when two young girls interrupted, shouting, "Auntie Padmé!"
"Ryoo! Pooja!" Padmé rushed toward the little girls, lifting them into her arms and hugging them tightly. After a brief moment, she looked at them with a fond smile. "I've only been gone for a few weeks, and you've grown so much! I have a surprise for both of you. Are you ready?" The two girls eagerly nodded and started hopping. Padmé stepped aside, revealing the Jedi standing behind her.
"Sombra!" The girls squealed and ran towards her. Sombra knelt, enveloping both girls in a warm embrace. "My partners in crime! I've missed you both so, so much," she said with a smile, patting their heads. "Have you been causing mischief while I was away?" The girls grinned, speaking excitedly over each other. Anakin looked down at them, his quizzical smile revealing his lack of experience with children, especially in large families like Padmé's. Nonetheless, he found Sombra's connection with them endearing.
"Go say hi to Artoo and C-1," Sombra instructed the girls, who ran off giggling, calling out to the droids. Anakin chuckled as he watched the scene, the girls' wide eyes and endless questions reminding him of Sombra.
The group continued toward the house, and the door opened to reveal an older man. He possessed a distinguished appearance, with salt-and-pepper hair framing a face adorned by a slightly graying beard. His warm, brown eyes exuded kindness and paternal love through his gentle demeanor. "Padmé, my dear, I am so happy you are home. I've missed you."
Padmé rushed into his arms, replying, "Father, it's good to see you too."
Sombra stepped forward with a bright smile as she approached Ruwee, whom she had grown close to. "Mr. Naberrie, I am happy to see you well."
Ruwee warmly pulled her into his embrace. "Sombra, my dear, it's always a pleasure to have you here. The house has been too quiet since you left."
Finally, Ruwee turned his attention to Anakin, extending a friendly hand. "And you must be Anakin Skywalker, the young man Sombra has told me so much about. Welcome to my home, I am Ruwee Naberrie."
"Thank you, sir. It's an honor to meet you." Anakin cleared his throat and stepped forward. Ruwee welcomed Anakin with a warm handshake and led them all inside.
The doors opened into a spacious main room with a large table set in the center. A woman in her thirties entered, carrying a large bowl of food and shouting over her shoulder, "They'll be eating at Jev Narran's later, Mom. They just had a snack. They'll be fine."
As she attempted to place the bowl on the table, it slipped from her hands. Sombra reached out, gracefully catching the bowl and returning it to the table. The woman looked up at the group and grinned, then hurried over to hug the girls. "Padmé! Sombra! You're late. Mom was worried!"
Sombra laughed, saying, "Sorry, we walked most of the way."
Padmé introduced her, saying, "Anakin, this is my sister, Sola."
Sola briefly glanced at Sombra and extended her hand to shake Anakin's. "Hello, Anakin."
"Hello," Anakin replied somewhat stiffly.
An older woman in an elegant gown entered, carrying a large plate of steaming food. Padmé gestured to her and said, "...and this is my mother, Jobal Naberrie."
The kind woman smiled at the trio. "You're just in time for dinner. I hope you're hungry, Anakin."
Anakin smiled sheepishly and mumbled, "A little."
Sombra chuckled, saying, "He's being polite, ma'am. We're famished."
Ruwee let out a hearty laugh, saying, "You've come to the right place at the right time." The group settled into their seats, and Sombra motioned for Anakin to sit next to her. He nodded appreciatively, and they all began passing the food around.
Jobal broke the silence as they ate, saying, "Honey, it's such a relief to see you safe. We were terribly worried."
Padmé responded with an annoyed glare and an eye roll, while Ruwee offered a kind smile to his wife. "Dear..."
Jobal raised her hands in surrender, conceding, "I know, I know. But I had to say it. Now it's out there."
Sola tried to shift the conversation, saying with a sly smile, "Well, this is interesting! Anakin, did you know you're the first boyfriend Sombra has ever brought around?"
Anakin's face lit up with a flattered expression, and Sombra blushed deeply, her cheeks turning a shade of pink as her eyes widened in embarrassment. "Sola!! He's not my boyfriend!"
"I'm only mentioning that when you lived here, it wasn't uncommon to catch you daydreaming with a lovesick smile. I'd always ask what or who you were thinking about, but you'd never tell. Have we finally uncovered the forbidden reason?"
Sombra was speechless, but Anakin reached under the table to hold her hands, giving them an affectionate squeeze. "Actually," he spoke up, still flattered, "I'm just a Padawan who's been assigned to protect Padmé alongside Sombra. Sombra and I are old friends."
"Another bodyguard?! Oh, Padmé! They didn't inform us it was that serious!" Jobal exclaimed.
"It's not, Mom, I promise," Padmé defended. "Anyway, Anakin's a friend. We've known him for years."
Sombra added, "Remember that little boy who was with me and the Jedi during the blockade crisis?" Heads nodded around the table. "Well, he's grown up."
Jobal glanced at both girls with concern. "Darlings, when will you both settle down? You're at the right age to start families. You're both beautiful and intelligent; finding someone to love you wouldn't be a challenge."
Sombra smiled kindly, saying, "Mrs. Naberrie, I'm a Jedi Padawan. Romantic commitments go against our code."
Jobal huffed, "Even so, dear, you haven't completely committed yourself. It's such a dangerous life. You could live here, put your talents to good use, and perhaps find love."
"Thank you for your kind advice, but I don't think that's the life for me. I'm too restless to stay in one place with one person. Besides, I love my adventures. The galaxy is vast, and who's to say I won't meet my soulmate on some faraway planet?" Sombra smirked.
"...Or maybe right next to you..." Sola muttered as she took a sip from her glass. Sombra overheard and shot her a warning glance.
"Alright, but haven't both of you had your fill of that life? I certainly have! The danger lurking at every corner!"
"Mom, I'm not in constant danger," Padmé muttered, a hint of frustration in her voice.
Sensing that neither of the girls would readily admit the truth, Ruwee turned to Anakin. "Is she?"
Sombra turned and mentally begged him, 'Anakin, please don't.'
Anakin's eyes widened, and he nervously looked at his plate. "...Well, she does face some risks."
Padmé quickly interjected, "But they're manageable."
"Moreover, we've made plans to go to the lake country retreat. We'll be quite safe there. I promised all of you that I would protect Padmé with my life, and I stand by that vow," Sombra concluded.
"But it's not just Padmé's safety that concerns us. Sombra, you've become an important part of our family. We care about your well-being," Sola pointedly remarked.
Ruwee nodded in agreement with Sola's words, his expression reflecting the genuine concern of a father. "Indeed, Sombra."
Sombra's embarrassment from earlier seemed to dissipate as she felt the warmth and sincerity in the room. She smiled gratefully at the Naberrie family. "Thank you, all of you. Your care and support mean a lot to me. I promise to do everything in my power to keep both Padmé and myself safe."
Padmé placed a reassuring hand on Sombra's shoulder. "And we'll look out for each other, just like we always have."
Sola chimed in, her tone lighthearted now, "That's the spirit! Now, let's enjoy this wonderful meal and catch up. It's been too long."
The tension that had briefly hung in the air was replaced by a sense of camaraderie and shared affection. As they continued their meal, the Naberrie family, Padmé, Anakin, and Sombra relished the bonds of friendship and love that had brought them together, no matter the challenges they faced in the galaxy.