Loving Skywalker - Book (3)

Sorrow and Pain

Raina's POV.

The Raina fell on the street in a rhythmic pace. Raina walked slowly along side Luke. Up ahead the Solo couple lead the procession of people with Ben trudging along side. The poor family followed closely behind their young daughter and sister's casket. The funeral procession paraded through the streets of Coruscant only to end at an assigned tomb. Leia held her head high, though Raina could feel her breaking within her soul. Han stared at the ground also feeling indescribable agony. And Ben. Staring at the ground as well. His feelings a tornado of grief and pain, but more notably anger. Extreme anger.

Raina lowered her head as tears fell down her cheeks overwhelmed by the grief that was emanating from the family. Her own husband was feeling a storm within him. As for herself, she could only describe her emotions as heartbreak. Heartbroken for their family, for Breha, and for the Galaxy. Her and Luke's sweet niece, Han and Leia's daughter and Ben's sister had been taken all too soon. She deserved more. She deserved a long life of joy, but instead it was ripped away. She was ripped away from all of them.

When they finally arrived at the tomb Leia stood in front of the casket that held her daughter's body. Back still facing them she laid her hand atop the smooth metal. Raina held back a sob for her dear friend and sister. Finally Leia turned around to face the crowd and her family. Her face thin and pale, dark circles under her eyes and obvious tear stains on her cheeks. She looked down and took a breath before looking back at everyone. Her voice shook as she spoke, though she was trying to be strong.

"I have been through much in my life. I have been tortured, I have seen planets destroyed including my own, I have lost friends, family, my parents, comrades." She paused. "I have seen my loved ones suffer, my brother and husband hurt for a cause we all were willing to sacrifice for. I have watched loved ones and friends  die at the hands of those who hate us. Their life cut too short by an evil this galaxy has been fighting for decades. I have loved many and stored up unfathomable pain and heartbreak over the years, but this..." she looked back at the casket. "Losing my daughter." She sniffed and looked back at Han.
"Our daughter. Your sister." She looked at Ben.
Her voice shaking and tears falling. "This is the worst pain that I have ever felt in my life."

Raina heard Luke sniffle from beside her. She put her hand on his shoulder doing her best to comfort him.

"Our Breha was the light of our lives. She was the kindest person you would ever meet. She loved Coruscant and wanted to serve this planet and its people one day. She desired it so much that she wanted to go to school to learn and have the best opportunity to do so. Sadly she will not get the same chance or privilege I have had. Our hearts and home will forever have a piece missing and we will never forget our sweet Bre, but as family we will heal."

Raina watched as Leia held her head higher trying to strengthen herself.
"I know many young people were taken too soon along with Brenda that tragic day and I know the families and friends of the victims shall never be the same. Neither will the galaxy. We shall mourn their deaths and notice their vacant seat at our tables forever. But in their absence we shall grow stronger by holding onto their memory and by knowing that no one is ever truly gone. They will always be with us."

Walking from the podium she layer her hand in the coffin and whispered something private to her daughter something only she would ever know. And with that she returned to her seat. A choir of robed women began to sing as the coffin was laid to rest within the tomb. And it was over.

Everyone had left. Raina and Luke stayed behind waiting for the Solo's to depart. The family had stayed at the tomb to spend some time alone with Breha.
Raina could feel Luke's heaviness and guilt.

"This was not your fault." Raina said softly.

"You know that's not true." He whispered.

"You couldn't have known this would happen."