Epilogue

The Coruscant Memorial Gardens were empty, save for Mara Jade and her four companions, who walked purposefully towards their destination. Luke was beside her, holding her hand, happiness radiating from him. Mara admired her husband-to-be, who looked rather dashing in a new navy blue dress coat over a stylish, light blue tunic with dark trousers and knee-high boots. She had thought he might choose to wear his Jedi robes, but she was pleased to see him in something new.

Mara wore an emerald-colored gown she had bought especially for the occasion. It was not particularly fancy, but suited her tastes, the tight, sleeveless bodice showing off her curves, and the shimmersilk skirt falling to her ankles. The only jewelry she wore was a silver chain around her neck with a small pendant of intertwined emerald and sapphire gemstones, a wedding gift from Luke. She had given him a finely crafted leather wristband, etched with the symbols of the Rebel Alliance and the Jedi Order, to always remind him of his accomplishments.

Han and Leia walked arm in arm a few paces in front of them, Han in his dress uniform and insignia, and Leia in a beautiful white gown. Tanner completed their small party, walking quietly behind Mara and Luke in a fashionable dark suit.

Mara rubbed Luke's arm fondly to get his attention, and he leaned in closer to her. "You don't mind that it's just the few of us?" Mara asked him. "I know you would have liked some of your other friends here."

Luke gave her a warm smile and patted her hand. "Of course not," he replied. "It's nice to have a bit of privacy."

Mara wasn't sure she believed him, but loved him all the same, and resolved not to let his sacrifice be forgotten. Leia had, of course, wanted a big wedding with half of Coruscant invited, but Mara had balked at the idea. She was still wary of the sludgenews and the potential controversy of their marriage, she didn't want them to spoil her and Luke's union. She knew that Luke had desired a Jedi ceremony, although he had never said so, perhaps remembering her words on Nirauan that she wasn't cut out to be a Jedi. So they had settled on a small ceremony to take place a mere week after they had returned from Nirauan, with Han officiating and Leia and Tanner acting as witnesses.

"Maybe we can have a celebration after we've made the announcement," Mara suggested. "And things have settled down."

"I'd like that," Luke smiled and put his arm around her as they continued to walk through the gardens, the rows of exotic plants and flowers reassuring Mara that the location was not too sterile for a wedding ceremony. Leia had pulled a few strings and had the complex closed down for the day, so they would be left alone.

"It's just here," Mara indicated the side wall of the gardens, just by a fountain where a crop of Jade Roses were in bloom. Their presence was quite a surprise to Mara, since they had not been there when she'd previously visited the gardens. Luke's face cracked into a smile and he hurried over to the flowers, plucking one by the stem and fastening it to his lapel. "Fitting, don't you think?" he asked them, as he plucked another and held it out to Mara. "May I?" he added, and Mara nodded, allowing him to place one of the blooms in her hair, which she had allowed Leia to put up into an elaborate style.

"It's quite a coincidence," Mara observed, noticing that the blooms seemed to be newly planted around the fountain. She cast a look over to Leia.

"It wasn't me," Leia said. "But it's a lovely gesture, I wish I'd thought of it," she added and looked towards her husband suspiciously.

Han shrugged but was unable to keep the smile off his face. "So maybe the groundskeeper is a friend of mine," he said nonchalantly. "But what do I know about flowers?"

Mara turned to Tanner, who was far more successful in concealing his guilt, his usual inscrutable expression in display. Although Mara did detect a hint of amusement in his dark eyes. "I may have an interest in botany," he stated calmly, and Mara laughed.

"Thank you," Mara said, and led them behind the fountain, to a wall of grey plaques, and in particular, one with small black lettering that read Talon Karrde.

"I know it seems a bit morbid," Mara told them almost apologetically. "But he…would have wanted to be here."

Leia stepped forward and rubbed her arm gently. "I think it's beautiful, Mara."

"If we've finished admiring the scenery, shall we get started?" Han asked, rubbing his hands together. "I've waited long enough for these two to get hitched."

They got into position, Luke and Mara facing each other with joined hands, Leia standing beside Luke and Tanner beside Mara, as Han took his position between them. Luke squeezed her hands gently and she smiled in return, sending her anticipation and happiness through their bond.

"Welcome, gentlebeings," Han began, in a speech he'd obviously rehearsed. "To witness the bonding of Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade, and it's about damn time!"

"Han!" Leia admonished him.

"Luke and Mara have come to pledge themselves to each other," Han continued, ignoring Leia's rebuke. "And to make official what was clear to everyone else the moment she stuck a blaster in his face and swore to kill him."

"Han!" Leia broke in again. "Didn't you look at the officiant's guide I gave you?"

"Sure I did, Leia," Han told her. "But I'm Corellian, we don't follow the script."

Leia sighed, but it was obvious she was not angry, having trouble even concealing her smile. She waved him to continue. Luke grinned at Han's unorthodox celebrant's duties, and even Tanner seemed amused. Mara just rolled her eyes.

"As I was saying," Han continued. "It's been a rocky road for these two, who have come from such different backgrounds, and yet have found a kinship with each other. By that, of course I mean they both share an over-developed stubbornness and talent for getting into trouble."

This time it was Luke who gave Han an admonishing look.

"And of course," Han added quickly, "the most important thing they share is their love for each other."

Mara squeezed Luke's hand in order for him to return his gaze to hers, nudging him playfully through the Force.

"In the presence of these witnesses," Han continued, "I invite you both to say the vows you have prepared. Mara?"

Mara took a deep breath before starting. "Luke," she began. "It took me a long time to realize that I loved you, because I was willfully blind and afraid of what it meant to be loved. But I am no longer afraid, because I know that all I want is to be with you always, and share with you the whole of myself."

Luke was obviously moved, his emotions seeping across their bond. "Mara," Luke told her. "I was drawn to you almost from the moment I met you, and in time that connection deepened into the greatest love I have ever felt. The past does not matter to me, because all I care about it the beautiful future that we are going to have together."

Han clasped his hands over Luke and Mara's joined ones. "Luke and Mara, you have spoken your vows to one another, and they were nice and short, for which we are all thankful," he clearly couldn't resist joking. "I now ask you to confirm your commitment to one another."

"Luke, I pledge to you my life and love," Mara recited. "May the Force be with us as we begin this journey together."

"Mara, I pledge to you my life and love," Luke said back to her. "May the Force be with us as we begin this journey together."

"Then I, Han Solo, Captain of the Millennium Falcon and General of the New Republic, do now pronounce you husband and wife."

Mara didn't wait for permission, leaning forward and pressing her lips to Luke's. Han pulled his hands away quickly and stumbled back, grumbling about her eagerness. But Mara didn't care, wrapping her arms around Luke's neck as she kissed him fully and he responded in kind. They were both grinning when she pulled away, sharing their joy through their bond.

Then Leia stepped forward with tears in her eyes and embraced her brother for a long time. Han stepped over to Mara. "Come 'ere, Jade," he said, pulling her into a hug. "You're not getting away that easy."

Mara returned his embrace. "Don't think you're getting away with that dreadful performance just now," she said sharply, but there was teasing behind her tone and she smiled as she pulled away. "Someday, when you think I've forgotten about it," she warned him. "You'll wish you had stuck to the script."

Han laughed. "I'm sure."

When she released herself from Han, Mara stepped over to Tanner, who was standing passively watching the scene. She embraced him gently, and he whispered his well wishes to her, even though he was usually uncomfortable with such show of emotion. Leis was at her side when she broke away from Tanner, pulling Mara into a fierce hug.

"Welcome to the family, Mara," Leia told her warmly. Over Leia's shoulder, Mara watched Luke disentangle himself from Han's chatter and approach Tanner, who held out his hand.

"Congratulations, Master Skywalker," Tanner told him as Luke grasped his hand and shook it. Tanner, however, was not expecting Luke to draw him into a firm hug, and it brightened Mara's heart to see that Tanner not only accepted the gesture, but patted Luke fondly on the back.

This was her family, Mara realized. She had not just married Luke, she was part of a unit now – Leia and Han and their children, Chewbacca, Lando, Wedge Antilles and Rogue Squadron, Corran Horn and the rest of Luke's Jedi – everyone who loved her husband was now her family, as well. And Tanner would be drawn into that bond with her, giving him the support and love he'd not had since his father died. Only Talon was missing, Mara thought wistfully, her gaze lingering on his memorial plaque.

"Maybe he's watching over us," Luke suggested as he returned to her side, slipping an arm around her waist and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

Mara didn't answer, but leaned into him for support, at last thankful that Talon's memory would be kept alive.

Mara lead Luke inside her apartment, clasping his hand tightly. He had not been there before, because when they'd decided to wait until they were married to become intimate again, she'd wanted to avoid the temptation of having him in close proximity to her bed. Mara had been relieved that he no longer kept the apartment they'd once shared - there were too many bad memories associated with it, and she wanted their marriage to be a fresh start. Luke had of course suggested that they could spend the night in the guest room at Leia's, but Mara had called him crazy if he thought she was going to kriff him within the same city block at his sister, her husband and their children, let alone the same suite.

So after the ceremony they returned to Mara's apartment, cramped as it was, to spend the first night as husband and wife. As they entered, however, Mara sensed that something wasn't right, which became obvious when a small astromech droid rolled out into the living room.

"Artoo?" Luke seemed as surprised as Mara. "What are you doing here?"

The droid let out a series of angry beeps and whistles and Mara couldn't sense his intent through the Force.

Luke chuckled. "He says that since he wasn't invited to our wedding, he had to come here to see us."

"How did he get in?" Mara enquired. The security on her apartment was top of the line.

Luke shrugged. "Artoo can get into anywhere."

"Sorry you couldn't come, Artoo," he consoled the little droid and patted his domed head fondly.

"Hmmph." Mara folded her arms crossed her chest. "He probably would have tried to sabotage the ceremony," she said snidely.

Artoo let out another series of hoots and beeps and Mara rolled her eyes, never really understanding Luke's attachment to the thing. She knelt down in front of the droid, at eye level with his viewing unit. "So, Artoo," she humoured him. "Do you approve of me marrying your master, or are we going to have to fight for him?"

The droid was silent for several long moments, his viewing unit looking her up and down as if considering her worthiness. Eventually, he let out a few terse beeps.

[You'll do] she heard through the Force, and Mara laughed out loud as Artoo rolled away and out of her apartment. She supposed that was tantamount to the droid's approval.

"And I thought your sister was going to be the hard one to win over," Mara muttered as she stood, seeing that Luke had been examining her apartment with approval. She had few personal effects except for a few clothes lying around and datadiscs with trading reports gathering dust on the comm unit. But it seemed that Luke had found something that interested him.

"What's this?" Luke asked, picking up a flesh-coloured jacket from the back of the couch, where it rested with her spare blaster holster.

"That?" she asked with a shrug. "It's my favorite jacket."

Luke examined the fabric, the age in the stitching, and the sleeves which flared out from the elbows. "I bought this jacket for you," he said.

Mara looked at him with surprise. "You remember that?"

"Of course," he answered, fingering the worn material. "You kept it all these years?"

Mara smiled. "Of course," she said, covering his hands with her own. "This is a bit embarrassing," she admitted, "but I guess you should know all my secrets. When I was in the 'Rim, and I was…so lonely, I used to wear it all the time. It's really pathetic," she added with a laugh. "Sometimes I would come back to my apartment and just hold it." She took the jacket from him and held it close against her chest as an example.

"I told you that I wanted you to think of me when you wore it," Luke said softly, the memory coming back to him fully.

There were tears in her eyes as Mara looked up at him, love shining from her every pore. "I did."

He grasped her upper arms and pulled her close, crushing his lips to hers. She parted her lips to allow his tongue entrance, returning his kiss passionately. His grip eased on her arms, and he ran his fingers over the bare skin, making her shiver with anticipation. The jacket dropped from her grip, forgotten as she pressed her body against his.

"So," he murmured against her mouth. "We're married."

"Yes we are," he whispered back to him, pressing soft kisses on his jawline. "So I guess you better hurry up and kriff me."

"If you insist."

He made love to her slowly and she did not tear her eyes away from his the entire time as they merged together, awash with happiness and pleasure. It was as it had been in the cave on Niariun, only far more powerful – Mara felt herself join completely with him, as if her entire world was inside his clear blue eyes and nothing would ever tear them apart. She felt her own pleasure, and his reflected back to her, shattering the final barriers between them until there was nothing left but each other.

At the moment of synchronized culmination they became one in mind, body and soul.

When Mara awoke, the sun was setting, filling her bedroom with fading yellow light. She shifted pleasantly and saw that Luke was already awake, a happiness in his eyes that she was sure was reflected in her own. He reached out to stroke her hair, and she warmed to his touch, pressing herself closer to him and inhaling his unique scent. They must have only been asleep a few hours, but Mara felt refreshed and alive as she pressed her lips to his gently. Through their bond, she could feel that he was thinking of the times he'd woken up in his bed alone, when she had left him, and his relief at finally being able to hold onto her.

"I'm still here," she reminded him as she pulled away. "I'll always be here."

"I know," he answered with a smile. "But I think this is the first time I've woken up before you."

Mara shrugged her shoulders ever so slightly. "Well, I sleep now," she told him shyly, since in the awful days of her addiction and recovery, she had found rest difficult to find. "And I sleep best with you beside me." She sighed with happiness and caressed his chest absently. "Thank you for waiting for me," she told him.

Luke chucked softly and stroked her cheek with his thumb. "It was only a week," he pointed out.

Mara shook her head. "No," she told him. "It's been ten years."

Luke smiled, understanding, and leant in to kiss her softly. She melted under the touch of his lips, and they caressed leisurely for some time. A part of her couldn't believe they hadn't been able to find their way to this place years ago.

"We both needed the time," Luke said softly as he pulled away, picking up on her errant thoughts. He ran a hand down the bare skin of her back and pulled her close.

"I think you're being kind to me there," Mara responded, tapping him gently on the chin. "We both know that we could have found happiness years ago if I'd made different choices."

"Maybe," he said evenly. "Maybe not. I wasn't blameless in what happened between us, Mara," he pointed out. "I pressed you into a relationship when you were unsure and grieving, and I thought that if I just loved you enough, I could fix you. It was arrogant and foolish."

"And I lied to you, continued our relationship even though I knew you wanted more than I could give," she countered. "Then I abandoned you and hurt you so deeply most people thought you'd never recover. It was selfish and amoral." She took his face in both of her hands. "I'm going to spend the rest of my life making that up to you, Luke."

He took one of her hands and kissed her palm, shaking his head. "You were always completely and utterly forgiven," he told her. "Our lives together shouldn't be about correcting the mistakes of the past," he added. "But a new beginning - making new memories together."

"Well," she said with a sly smile as she pressed her body against his and began to kiss him again. "Let's get started." He laughed and pulled her down to him as they shared each other's joy.

Afterwards, they held each other in the dwindling light, Mara's head pillowed on Luke's chest and his fingers drawing small circles on her back. Mara hated to break the moment, but there was something that had been on her mind ever since they had returned.

"So," she began. "It occurs to me we haven't decided what we've going to do with our lives, other than be together," she added.

She felt Luke press a kiss to her hair. "I suppose not," he answered. "I'm not needed at the Academy full time, anymore," he continued. "Although I do need to spend some time there. When I'm not, I thought I could accompany you on your trading runs."

Once again Mara was touched by his utter selflessless. "That's a good plan," she agreed. "But I've made a decision that might change things."

"Oh?"

Mara turned over in his arms and rested her chin on his chest. "I…want to be a Jedi."

His face broke into a huge smile. "Really?" he asked in surprise. "Mara, that's wonderful! What changed your mind?"

Mara shrugged. "I'm not sure," she told him. "I resisted training with you before because I was afraid that I would lose myself in it, that I would lose my independence. Or fail," she added honestly. "But when I did that work for NR Health, it was so gratifying, I realized that I liked helping people. As strange as that sounds."

Luke chuckled. "You're too hard on yourself, Mara," he told her gently, brushing a lock of her hair behind her ear. "I've always known you have a deep compassion and desire to do good, even if you didn't want to admit it. But what about your trading company?"

"Tanner will take it over," Mara explained. "I think I've accomplished all I want to in business. Like you said, this is a new beginning for us. So I need a new challenge." The happiness on his face was so strong she didn't need to reach into their bond to gauge his feelings on the matter.

"Before you get too excited," she told him. "I don't want you to train me."

His smile dropped. "Oh."

"I'm already so much in your debt Luke," she told him hurriedly. "I don't think I could handle being your apprentice as well. I want to do this right," she added firmly. "I thought maybe I would ask Leia."

His joy returned as he understood, reaching out to her through their bond and reassuring her with his acceptance, happiness and love. "I think she would like that," he answered. "And nothing would make me happier than you becoming a Jedi, as long as it's your choice."

"It is," she confirmed, and settled back into his arms. "But I don't need to start training with her right now – she's still Chief of State, after all. I thought we could leave for Yavin 4 in the morning," she continued. "Leave Leia to make the press release about our marriage and hide away in the forest together for a while."

He kissed her forehead again and began to stroke her hair comfortingly. "Now that sounds like a plan."

She sighed and nestled into his embrace, awash with bliss and relief. Once, she had feared becoming a Jedi, feared a relationship with Luke because she didn't believe she was capable of it, but now she understood that love was strength, sacrifice was necessary, and all she needed was to allow herself to feel and not be afraid of losing anything she held dear. For the first time in her life, she understood the feeling of utter contentment, no further desire burning within her preventing her from enjoying the moment.

She was sated.