Chapter Forty: Family Growing

"Leia, stop worrying," Padmé insisted as they both gazed at her reflection in the mirror. She placed one last hairpin in her daughter's hair. "You look beautiful."

Leia just blushed with nervousness. After hours of preparation, they were finally done. Her dress was a brilliant white, decked with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a lacy neckline. A long veil was swept over her carefully braided and pinned hair.

"Luke?" she asked her brother, who was sitting on a chaise nearby with baby Arié, dressed in his formal robes. She turned around so he could see her dress, smoothing it nervously so it lay flat.

He looked up from the cooing baby in his arms and gave her a genuine smile. "Beautiful. You look lovely, Leia." He had his finger in a deadlock with Arié, who was completely oblivious to the scene before her; her blue eyes were latched onto Luke as if he was her whole world. Of the members of their family, the baby resembled Luke the most, with straight, light wisps and blue eyes, but her wisps were quickly darkening, suggesting that the light colors would not stay for long.

"Your father is waiting in the hall," Padmé told Leia, giving her a peck on the cheek. "We have a few minutes."

Leia let out a breath, nodding. Only a few minutes. A few minutes.

"Here," Padmé said suddenly, taking a small object from her gown. Her soft brown eyes shining with hints of nostalgia, she pressed it into Leia's hands. "It's a charm from Naboo."

Leia turned the small object over in her fingers. It was a clear blue-green stone attached to a short chain.

"Wear it around your wrist, underneath your sleeve," Padmé told her. "It will give you good luck."

Leia smiled and allowed her mother to knot the chain around her wrist.

"Now, remember," Padmé began as she finished tying the chain. She met Leia's eye, fixing her with a serious stare. "The wedding is fun, but night is the best part. Make sure you are prepared, and wear something nice." Behind her, Leia could sense that Luke was shifting in his seat uncomfortably, but Padmé was not finished, "Also, men love it when you take control once in a while. Make sure you try new things. Keep him guessing. That's what makes it interesting."

Leia blushed, but she was even more amused to see a bright red Luke squirming in embarrassment. Padmé and Leia both turned to look at him.

"Are you taking note, Luke?" Leia asked him, giggling nervously.

If possible, he blushed further, but a reluctant smile spread across his features.

Padmé and Leia just laughed at that, but soon the chime of the tower bell signaled the closing of the hour. Leia's smile died from her face, and was replaced by nervousness.

"You'll be fine," Padmé told her. "I'm so proud of you." With that, she gave Leia a final kiss on the cheek, and headed with Luke from the room, taking the baby from Luke's arms. Leia followed behind, and the four met Anakin and Jinn in the hall.

Anakin rose from his seat when he saw them exiting the room.

"Luke and I are heading down," Padmé told Anakin, placing a kiss on his cheek as she passed by. "The Best Man and Mother of the Bride can't be late! Jinn, are you ready?"

At the nodding of the young boy, who was dressed in his best robes, Padmé extended her arm and took him by the hand, leading him, Luke, and Arié down the stairs. As their footsteps faded from ear, Anakin and Leia were soon left alone in the hallway.

"Ready?" he asked her softly, offering her his arm.

Leia bit her lip and nodded. "Nervous." She slipped her arm onto his.

"I was too," he told her. "I know Han is as well."

They were silent then; a quiet peace seemed to settle over the both of them as they slowly made their way down the winding staircase, moving carefully so Leia would not trip. They passed by bouquets of Nabooian and Alderaanian flowers, silver wrapped gifts, and unopened bottles of wine, past the windows looking out to the veranda, and under the sloping archways of the Varykino resort. Nervousness stirred in Leia's belly with each approaching step.

Soon, before she knew it, they were at the entranceway of the veranda, waiting under the archway just out of sight for the guests to finish settling.

"Father…" she began suddenly. She wanted to say something, to tell him something before she went ahead and did this, before her courage could fail her. "…I just wanted to say thank you, for everything. I'm glad you're here… after all that's happened." When he turned to look down at her, she found that her courage flickered for a moment. Here she was, a Princess who had given Senate-wide speeches to representatives all over the galaxy, with her tongue tied in knots. Gathering a breath, she explained, "Five years ago, I could have never imagined things would happen the way they did, but I'm so glad they did. I can't imagine where I would be if not for you, and Mother, Jinn, and the baby. Over the years, I've come to realize how special you all are to me."

A smile spread over Anakin's face. He didn't seem to mind the sentimental words. "I've always been so proud of you, Leia," he told her as he reached for her hand. Leia could see his eyes grow moist. "You're a strong woman - intelligent and loyal. I'm so proud that you're my daughter."

Leia found her own eyes tearing up at her father's words. No. She wouldn't cry- she couldn't cry now. She'd muss her makeup. She let out a shaky breath as she heard the congregation of people stand and the processional begin to play. Then, beaming at her father, she reached to take his arm, and the two walked down the aisle.

Hello, just want to shout out a big thank you to all of my readers and reviewers! You all are the best, and you keep me going! Thanks especially to Above the Winter Moonlight, froovygirl, Jedi Master Misty Sman-Esay, QueenNaberrie, and will zona for your frequent (near daily, if not daily) reviews. Much love! You all are fantastic! Thanks also to ShyMaryButterfly, Mo Angel, Bradley Cude, Fireshifter, angie, and Atlasina7, and all others who reviewed to keeping me going and encouraged!

If you haven't got a chance, please review this final chapter. I am trying to improve as a writer (that's the purpose of me posting here), and would greatly appreciate any feedback you could give me. Let me know what you thought of the story, and let me know what you thought of my writing. If you don't feel comfortable reviewing, shoot me a PM! I love written feedback. I thrive on it. It's the only reward I get for hours of work.

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Much love, Sphinx