Second chances

CHAPTER 11

Leia's POV

Seeing aunt Beru and uncle Owen go was...sad. I grew to really like them. I was going to miss them, Luke even more. I could tell they were going to miss us as well. But they will come again, to visit. They promised that.

I was tired, because I couldn't sleep after I returned to the house during that night. I was worried about Ahsoka and dad. She always talked about him in a good way, so why did they argue? I hoped they sort things out. Dad looked like he regretted whatever happened and I knew Ahsoka wasn't the one to hold a grudge, so they should be okay. I wanted them to be. A blind would see they cared about each other. A conversation I had with Luke last night came to me.

"Leia, sleep! Or at least think quietly so I can sleep!" Luke said out of nowhere, startling me from my thoughts.

"Aren't you curious, Luke?"

"No, not all. They argued and they are probably talking it out right now. Nothing's changed."

"Yes, but why were they arguing? Dad wouldn't tell me."

"Leave that to them, alright? Sleep." Luke yawned, fell silent and I felt him slip into sleep. I sighed and tried to calm my mind. It was hard at first, but, slowly, I felt myself drift off to sleep.

I woke up. The sun was already shining through the windows. I noticed Luke wasn't in his bed. Seeing that made me think about him, and so there I was, lying in my bed, thinking about the conversation. He was right, nothing changed. Dad is still going to stay, he and Ahsoka are going to be okay. But, what if they weren't? What if one time they would argue so badly that it wouldn't be okay anymore? As much as I wanted to sleep, I knew I couldn't until I talked to at least one of them, so I wandered the house. I found dad in the kitchen. He was eating, but stopped and smiled when I entered. I was about to ask where Ahsoka was, when I remembered she left to fly aunt and uncle back to Tatooine.

"Well, well, well. Good...lunch-time, sleepy head," dad said, smiling.

"Blame is on you and Ahsoka. I couldn't sleep because I didn't know if you were okay," I retorted and immediately regretted it when his face grew guilty.

"I am sorry. We just had some...misunderstanding. But don't worry kid, we're okay now," he answered.

I looked at him and, for the first time in months, I realized I had a family again. Sure, Ahsoka and dad weren't together like that and that was good 'cause I couldn't imagine them in that way. But still, we were a family. A family I didn't want to loose.

"Hey, Leia, are you okay?" I heard him ask and realized there were tears coming from my eyes. Dad got from his chair and came closer to me.

"What is it?" he asked. I looked at him and said:

"I don't want to loose another family. Please, don't...don't fight one another."

He stayed silent. I didn't see his expression because I was looking down. That was, until dad knelt in front of me and put a finger under my chin, making me look at him.

"You are NOT going to loose this family. I promise you that. Trust me, okay?" he said.

"Okay?" he repeated when I stayed silent.

"Okay," I spoke finally and he smiled.

"Come here," he said and hugged me. It felt good. I felt safe, like it didn't matter what or who would come, I was going to be safe, because nothing and noone could get to me. I felt the same when Ahsoka hugged me, but the feeling wasn't so strong. I sensed a presence at my shields, asking in. It was father. I never let anyone truly in. Ahsoka was close, Luke was close, but I never actually let them in my mind. There is first time for everything. I closed my eyes and allowed him in. It was a beautiful feeling. I felt his love for me much strongly then before. It was blinding and overwhelming, but in a good sense. I reached out along the bond we had and let it strengthen. Father hugged me tighter and I knew he sensed it too.