Anidala: Across the Stars

Chapter 29: Goodbyes

Luke and Leia were 13 years old, and it was finally time for them to become padawans. The Jedi council had decided that it would be best for Anakin to not have contact with them for the first year of their training, and he and Padmé agreed that it was for the better.
Leia sat on the couch in front of her father as he carefully did her hair in the side Huns that she always wore.
"Leia, the Jedi council isn't always correct. Sometimes it's ok to go against what they say, but only if Ahsoka agrees with you. And never tell the Jedi council when you are going to disobey their orders. I'm on the council, but that doesn't mean they listen to me all the time." Anakin talked as he finished weaving and pinning her hair to her head.
"Dad..." Leia said, tears welling in her eyes,
"Come here Leia," he said, holding out his arms.
"I'm going to miss you dad," she said, sitting next to him and leaning her head in his shoulder.
"You and your brother are the most talented Jedi I've ever seen in my life, besides Ahsoka. You will be ok, and you have your hologram to keep with you."
Anakin said. Leia nodded.
"Now, go get ready, Obi Wan and Ahsoka will be here soon."
"I love you dad." Leia said, kissing her fathers cheek and hugging him before running off to finish getting ready.
"I love you too princess." He said.
"Has anybody seen my lightsaber?" Luke yelled running across the living room.
"Luke! Luke!" Anakin got up and ran after him.
"Luke slow down!" Anakin laughed and put a hand on his shoulder.
"I'll help you look. Where was the last place you saw it?"
"My nightstand. But I checked all over my room and can't find it!" Luke had tears in his eyes. Anakin smiled.
"Don't worry Luke, we'll find it." He said. Luke looked up at his father, wiping the tears from his eyes.
"Thanks dad." Luke said, then walked back to his room to check again.
"Use the force to sense your crystal, son." Anakin said, kneeling next to his boy. Luke nodded, and closed his eyes. Seconds later the lightsaber flew into his outstretched hand. He grinned.
"I guess I just wasn't looking in the right places." Luke said.
"Now remember, your lightsaber is your life. Take care of it, respect it, and try not to lose it. But if you do, fight to get it back, ok?" Anakin stood up, and hugged his son.
"Thank you dad." Luke said, then ran off to find his sister.
"That boy is always in a hurry." Padmé said, coming up behind Anakin and wrapping her arm around his waist.
"He's always trying to catch up to his sister." He said turning her toward him.
"I love you Ani." Padme said, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I love you too." He leaned down and kissed her.
"Moooooom!" Leia yelled, "Rex is here!" She called. Rex had married Maeka, and they now had 2 beautiful daughters, both strong with the force.
Padmé smiled at Anakin once more, and kissed him lightly on the cheek before they went to great their friend.
"Thank goodness I didn't miss them." He said as he entered the doorway.
"They're just getting ready to go." Anakin said clapping Rex in the shoulder, "Obi Wan and Ahsoka should be here any minute now."
"Leia! Luke!" Padmé called, summoning the Skywalker Twins. They came running in.
"Rex!" Leia said, running and hugging him.
"Hey princess! Ready for your big day?" He asked, gently ruffling her hair.
"She's not as ready as I am," Luke said, also hugging their fathers old friend. Leia scowled at him.
"You wish." She she said, and lightly bumped him.
"Hey you two, remember all the tricks your dad and I taught you, ok?" The twins nodded. A speeder arrived with Obi Wan and Ahsoka waiting to take them to the Jedi temple for their first assignment.
"Dad." Luke said, and hugged his father tight.
"I love you Luke, be strong and be brave, and remember what I told you." Anakin said. His son nodded, and hugged him again.
"Leia, you are beautiful, and strong, and you are powerful. Use that to your advantage. I love you princess." Padmé said, hugging her daughter tight.
"I love you too mom." She said, then went to her dad,
"Daddy." She said, tears in her eyes.
"You will be ok Leia. I'll see you in a year, and you will have brought peace to the galaxy. I love you, Leia."
"I love you too dad." She said hugging him while Luke spoke to their mother.
"Luke my sweet boy, you and your sister are strong together. You must take care of eachother, especially when you miss home. I love you, Luke, and I will see you sooner than you can say force." Padmé hugged him, then he ran to join his sister. They wrapped their hands together As their parents hugged them one last time. Obi Wan and Ahsoka entered. And took the twins away with a few sweet parting words exchanged between the adult friends, and then they were gone, Rex following them.
Anakin turned into Padmés shoulder and cried. She pulled him to the couch and rested his head in her lap.
"Well see them soon Ani." She said, wiping tears from her own eyes.
"I miss them Padmé, I miss them." He said, his voice quieting as his wife ran her fingers through his hair.
"They'll be ok. We'll see them again soon." She reassured her husband and herself.