Yavin in early spring is a sight to behold: bright sun, warm breezes, and climbing ferns that send out tiny white blossoms that give the appearance of a faint dusting of snow gracing the jungle. On this day, a light breeze moved through the tops of the trees, and fortunately for all, the humidity was quite low. The wedding festivities carried on through most of the afternoon, and the happy couple were finally waved off on their honeymoon.

Lyra leaned over to Anakin and Amera. "Vanee doesn't know what he's in for."

Anakin smiled. "It's good to see Vanee happy, and I enjoy seeing Jael turn into a giggling, blushing bride."

"Giggling and blushing. I'm going to remind Mother of that for some time," Amera said, smiling and turning to Leia, who had just walked up.

"Can we have a word? You too Lyra."

"Perfect excuse for me to have more cake. I'll see you later." Amera nodded at the three and moved off to the overflowing refreshments table.

Leia nodded to Anakin. "You and I had the same idea at the same time: an elite military unit of Force users. The Alliance leadership likes the idea and would love for General Skywalker to help create it and advise it."

Anakin beamed in happiness. "Absolutely! I doubt I could physically participate in any missions, but I can certainly help design and train the unit. This is the perfect solution for Force users who have the talent but don't want to be Jedi."

"Not even with the change in Jedi rules that Luke is making?" Lyra asked looking from Leia to Anakin.

"Well, it gives them another option, a choice that should have existed a long time ago."

"Sounds like there's a story here," Lyra noted.

"Luke! Over here. Amera, you too please," Anakin called. "You're right, there is a story."

The group settled in a huddle while the party carried on around them. All eyes were on Anakin.

"As a padawan, I never fit in with the other children. They grew up together from infancy in the Jedi temple while I had been a slave and had seen and experienced things they never had. I did have some friends I played with on Tatooine, but I never played or hung out with the other padawans. My social skills were different plus I was more adept at using the Force, and of course I showed off, hoping that they'd like me more. It had the opposite effect. Working with Luke, and looking back with an adult's perspective, I can see that not only was I not right for the Jedi, but they were not right for me. In a perfect world, I would have been trained on how to use the Force and then utilized my skills in some sort of special military unit. I would have fit in better and would have been happier. I wish someone would have thought about that back then. Anyway, I tell you this because I proposed the idea to Leia but didn't expect the Alliance to take me up on my offer."

Leia's turn. "I too had thought of the idea from watching Anakin and Luke, and I happily introduced Anakin's offer to the Alliance. As we know, General Skywalker has his fans, and the Alliance has enthusiastically endorsed the idea. For the time being, the unit will be headquartered on Chandrila. The new Republic's just named Chandrila as one of the planets that will host the new capital for a time."

"So what about the Jedi academy?" Lyra asked.

Everyone turned to Luke. "If this is what Father wants, then I'm fine with it, just as long as I can still have his help every now and then."

Amera looked over at Luke and Anakin. "You might tag team for a while, combine groups and then separate them into specialties as time goes by. Anakin's can go off into the military unit and the others can do whatever."

Luke nodded. "Yes, they'll specialize in whatever."

When the laughter died down, Anakin nodded to Luke. "Amera's got a good idea. We can discuss it more later."

As the group drifted apart, Lyra subtly pulled Luke aside. "I've been watching Leia, the way she looks at Anakin. There's still something unresolved there. I don't blame her, mind you, but I just wish something could be overcome, if that's possible - and it may not be. I don't dare say anything to her."

Luke shook his head. "No. She and I have had many conversations, and there's trauma that might never be healed. Plus, Leia sees a lot of herself in him. It scares her that if he fell, then she could too. I've tried to reason with her and told her that the odds of her of all people falling to the dark side are slim, but she's still hesitant. Anyway, I told her that we can't undo the past, but maybe she and Father can move forward to something new. Surprisingly, Leia agreed, so we'll just have to see."

Lyra smiled. "Good, I was glad to see that she supports his idea, so that's a start."

"Oh, hey!" Luke lightly grasped Lyra's elbow and pulled her in closer. "Are you going to Chandrila with Father? I don't want to pry, but...well, there's been a lot of discussion…"

"Discussion? About me?"

"Look, everyone really likes you and sees the effect you have on Father. He needs you, and we'd all feel better-"

"You're not scared that he'll turn back to the dark side, are you?"

"Oh no, no. Just for him in general with all he's been through in his life, you're good for him."

"And what about what I need?"

Luke looked taken aback. "Oh of course, I mean, whatever you want, um… I'm sorry; I'm being such a jerk. Yes, you, and us, need to do what you need to do to support you in doing what you need... I'm not making sense, am I?"

Lyra smiled. "Luke, I will consider the situation and will do what is best."

Luke nodded as he slowly backed away. "Okay, well uh...thanks."

Lyra thought for a moment and then called out, "Luke, I'm sorry," and moved over to him. "It's just that for most of my life, I've been told that I exist for another. Even when I was allowed to make my own choices about my life, it was still stressed that I was made to serve another. You know, at some point, it has to be about me. My life is just as worthy. I get to do what I want to do - for me. That might sound selfish, but that's the way it is."

Luke nodded and smiled. "I understand. My uncle kept trying to steer my life, and even though he was trying to protect me, I needed to do what I needed to do. So, yeah, I get it." Luke paused and then asked, "I know this is none of my business, but do you have feelings for him? No judging, I swear; I'm just asking because, well..."

Lyra laughed. "It's okay," she sighed. "I've thought a lot about that lately, and maybe this sounds like I'm contradicting myself given what I just said, but sort of. Yes, there is something there; what that means for the future, I don't know. Anakin has been extremely kind and has gone out of his way to accommodate me in any way he can. Even as Vader, he was respectful and as crazy as this sounds, there was always some sexual tension."

"Oh lord," Luke groaned.

"I would have been long gone if there were no feelings, emotionally and physically. Do you want to know if we've, you know…"

"Gods no! Good talk, bye!" With that, Luke sped off.

Later that evening, most of the guests had left, and the few who remained retreated to their quarters to rest before a light dinner. Enjoying a cup of caf on her patio on the side of the main temple, Lyra observed a few Jedi trainees below horsing around while they cleaned up after the wedding luncheon. At that moment, they were hard at work utilizing a couple of centerpieces as headdresses.

Lyra glanced over to the sound of boots on the stone steps. Anakin landed in the chair beside her, slightly out of breath.

"Good party. You did a nice job."

"Thanks. Having V-8 helped a lot. Mother attempted to help, but her experience as a priestess did not prepare her for party organizing."

Anakin laughed. "So, what do you think about Leia's offer?"

"It sounds good. I think it will fit you well."

Anakin smiled broadly. "Yes! For the first time in decades, I'm truly excited. But, I want to talk about you. I overheard you and Luke talking."

"Reaching out with the Force?"

"Standing behind the tree eavesdropping."

"And why exactly did you feel the need to eavesdrop?"

"I was actually walking by and heard Luke ask if you were going with me to Chandrila. I'm glad I heard the rest. I just wish you felt free to say the same to me."

"I think it's been in the back of my mind for a while, and Luke's question brought it out."

"Well, you're right; your life is just as important. So, what do you want to do? I know what I prefer, but that's not the issue. This decision is yours, and I don't want our activities to cloud your judgement."

"Our activities might just cloud my judgement." Lyra smiled, "The sneaking around's been fun."

"You loose woman, you."

"Yes, well, I'm blinded by lust."

Anakin laughed.

"I think Luke and Leia think that I help drive the dark away from you."

"Maybe, but you can't let that determine your life. Besides, as someone who's been in the dark, it's not a place I want to go back to. Seriously, I'll be fine. This is about what you want. You've always wanted to be a writer, maybe now's the time." Anakin reached over and held Lyra's hand. Scooting from his chair, Anakin knelt in front of Lyra. "You can go with me; you can stay here; I can stay here with you. We can officially re-marry or not. It's about you now. Lyra Sekai, my life is for you. I serve you."

Anakin kissed her hand and rose to leave. As he approached the steps, Lyra jumped up and called out, "Anakin! I appreciate it, I do." Lyra drew a deep breath. "All right, the time is right. We'll make it official, and we'll go to Chandrila."

"You're sure you want this?"

"Yes, yes I do."

Anakin closed the distance between the two, and peered down with a lopsided grin. "And can you leave your clothing here? After all, such loveliness should not be covered up."

This was met with a finger stab in the chest. "Jedi, the Force has given you another chance. Don't screw it up."

The End.