Luxsoka: A Love Story

|| Epilogue ||

Four months later...

"Ahsoka, you know you don't have to do this if you don't want to. You don't have anything to prove."

Ahsoka Tano looked up at Lux Bonteri, her fiancée of just over four months, from where she was sitting on one of the couches in the apartment they shared. It was the fifth time in the past few minutes that he had said that, and while she knew it was just because he was on edge, she didn't need him trying to talk her out of what she was about to do.

"No, Lux," she replied patiently. "This is something I need to do. You know you don't need to protect me from anyone – least of all from her. I can handle it."

Lux chuckled halfheartedly, smiling back at her for a moment before turning back to look out at the speeder traffic whizzing past the window in front of him. "Yeah, I guess that's true. I'd probably just get in the way. I just... it's been my job ever since we decided we wanted to be together to worry about these things. And with what happened six weeks ago..."

Six weeks ago. Those three little words thundered around in Ahsoka's lekku like exploding ion torpedo shells, reminding her through images of possible futures and fragments of memory of everything that she had lost.

Instinctively, she put a hand to her belly, but withdrew it a moment later. Even just thinking about it hurt, and the old habit wasn't making it any better.

Lux turned around just as the first few tears began to drip down her cheeks, as if having somehow sensed their presence. He was by her side in an instant and opening his arms to her, and she accepted his embrace gratefully.

"I'm sorry; I'm sorry," Lux repeated over and over again. "I know it hurts. I didn't mean to remind you."

"She would have been so beautiful, Lux," Ahsoka whispered, her voice on the cusp of a sob. She nestled her face deeper into the folds of his soft grey pullover, hoping the lack of light would help block out the memories that were washing over her.

Lux nodded, pressing a soft kiss to her temple as he rocked her slowly back and forth. "Just like her mother," he whispered.

Against all odds, a faint smile colored Ahsoka's lips. "And her father."

Lux smiled back and leaned in to capture her mouth with his for a moment. Ahsoka placed a hand on the back of his neck and pulled him gently closer.

"All right, sweetheart," Lux said finally, pulling away. He cupped her face in his hands, tilting her face up so that her eyes would be sure to meet his. "If you're still feeling up to this, it's time to go."

Ahsoka exhaled a long breath of air to calm herself and nodded, wiping the last few tears from her cheeks. "I'm ready."

Lux stood up and extended his hands to pull her to her feet. But instead of letting go once she was up, he pulled her closer and kissed her again, one hand cradling her cheek. Ahsoka let herself melt into his embrace, smiling against his lips.

"Okay, now you're just stalling," Ahsoka said, breaking the kiss. "Our window isn't going to last forever, you know – and Rex is risking a lot to keep it open as long as he is."

"Right." Lux got their cloaks and, upon having draped his over his shoulders, began helping Ahsoka into hers. Ahsoka smiled at him, her blue eyes darting up to meet his sparkling grey ones, and she reached up to place a hand on his cheek.

"I love you so much," she whispered. "Not many people would have stuck with me after everything that's happened in the past couple of months."

"Well, I think you'd be surprised by how much loyalty someone like you can inspire in the people around you. Just ask Nix or Rex or Anakin if you don't believe me."