[OBITUARY]

[08]

•.[STAR WARS].•
15 BBY
A New Hope
.•|{}|•.

"Where are they?"

"Odessa-"

Her fiery gaze never faltered "My children- where the hell are they?"

Darth Vader paused for a moment, pain aching his body every time sound left her mouth, every tone of hatred and vengeance was directed at him. Her wondering eyes were avoiding him, his figure rejecting his touch, she acted like he was a disease, one of which she refused to catch.

Her eyes followed his nod, turning her body and moving in the direction of the door furthest into the lounge area. Odessa's fingers graced the handle, she could feel Anakin's breath on her neck, he was dangerously close, she could feel his presence peering over her shoulder.

Every part of his body fought back the urge to break down, collapse to the floor and crumble under the revelation that the man she loved was alive. But she knew she couldn't, her babies needed her.

And selfishly also, she needed them.

"Mummy!"

The brunette crumbled to her knees as the two bouncing children ran into her arms, both their heads falling to one designated shoulder. She knew he was watching every moment, Odessa followed his shadow in the tall standing mirror opposite her.

She ran her fingers through both their locks, kissing their foreheads passionately "God- I missed you both so much- are you alright?"

Luke grumbled into her skin "You was asleep for like forever.."

She laughed slightly "I know baby I'm sorry- I was tired that's all."

Anakin felt something in his chest twist.

Odessa pressed her forehead to Luke's hair. "Are you hurt? Did anyone frighten you?"

Luke shook his head quickly. "He didn't touch us."

Her hands stilled for the smallest second at that.

Then she kissed his temple. "Good."

Leia pulled back just enough to study her mother's face, small fingers brushing beneath Odessa's eyes where tears had dried.

"Did he hurt you?" Leia asked quietly.

Odessa's expression softened in a way Anakin hadn't seen in six years.

"No, sweetheart."

It wasn't the full truth. But it wasn't a lie either.

She adjusted the pillow behind Luke, smoothing his hair back with practiced tenderness. Then she reached for Leia's braid, fingers working gently through the blue ribbons, tightening where it had loosened.