Owen stood huddled against his father's side, hands over his ears and a deeply intent look on his young face. Above him dangled his younger sister's legs, Luke holding Clarissa with an equally intent expression on his own visage. Breha, Shmi, and Linc all hugged the Jedi Master, the four younger children depending on his shielding abilities to protect them from the absolute jubilation as the town around them erupted in glee, fat wet drops starting to fall from the sky. Toddlers and small children zipped between legs, shrieking with delight, while teens and adults stared in stupefaction at the round blops of wet sand appearing with growing rapidity. Venerable men and women, having lived their whole lives in a barren desert, held hands and cried, a miracle come to pass in their lifetimes.

Vader looked down from the top of the tower, his own eyes blessedly wet. He still hated this planet, hated sand – but now, he had done something good for it. His children had freed the slaves, but he… he had brought rain to the desert. The moisture farmers now would no longer need to fight and wrench the moisture from the air, but instead collect and purify the drops now pattering down on the small town. The former Dark Lord smiled, basking in the unmitigated joy of the residents of Skywalker Town and the visitors from surrounding environs.

As the first outpouring of astounded ecstasy subsided into a more manageable rejoicing, the Skywalker Clan kids eased out of their little knot. Luke, Han, and Chewie shared a knowing look, preparing to suddenly chase after nearly half a dozen over-excited small Force sensitives. Clarissa was the first to wiggle down, dashing into a throng of other kids and tilting her head back, dancing and laughing in the rain. Soon she was joined by her brothers and cousins, Han and Chewbacca moving closer to keep an eye on them.

Luke paused a moment before following, tilting his face to the sky and closing his eyes. A small smile tugged his lips as he concentrated on the feeling of raindrops sprinkling his skin. His father truly had wrought a miracle – rain on Tatooine.

This is a spin-off to LPK9's story The Interference of Mara Jade. You should totally go check out her works, too.