Title: Father's Day
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars
Rating: G
Summary: This is a three-part story. It looks at how Luke and Father's Day go together.

Father's Day

By: Patrice

Chapter 1

Luke woke up early that morning to get his present ready for his uncle. It was Father's Day that day and Luke wanted to surprise him with a present. The little boy had come to a big realization in the past year. He had finally come to terms with the fact that his parents wouldn't be showing up to take him to some far off distant planet. He still might dream that dream, but it was no longer a reality for him.

As a result of that dream the Lars household had never celebrated Father's Day or Mother's Day. Owen and Beru were sad about that fact, but never showed it in the six years Luke had been living with them. Today would be the first time Father's Day came to the homestead and Owen didn't even know it...

"Luke, get you lazy bones out here. Your breakfast is getting cold." Owen wanted to get to work on the west end soon after breakfast. There was a lot to be done today if they were to stay on schedule.

Luke put the finishing touches on the present he had spent several days on. Hiding it behind his back he came into the kitchen where they ate breakfast.

Owen looked over at his nephew who slinked quietly into the room. He let him get settled and Beru gave Luke his plate. "What do you have hidden there?"

Luke took the object from under the table and showed it to his two guardians. "I made this for you Uncle Owen." Owen relieved him of it. "I hope you like it. I don't have enough money to buy anything so I had to make it."

"Luke, it's not my birthday. What is this for?" Before Luke could answer Owen remembered today's date. Weak knees forced him to sit when the realization hit. 'I can't believe this is happening. I never thought this would happen to me. Especially with Luke. He's never shown interest in this holiday. In fact he had always chosen to ignore that it existed. Obviously I was wrong.'

Luke was not aware of the reaction he had generated with his surprise. "Are you going to look at it, Uncle?" His face was so hopeful and innocent that Owen couldn't resist. Even though he wanted to savor the moment some more.

"Of course I'll look at it. I'll look at it right now in fact." He paused to look at his lovely wife who had tears in her eyes. 'Why did she have to get so emotional? Now it'll be even harder for me to get through this without breaking down.'

The present turned out to be a small booklet that was bound together metal fasteners. The cover had a spiral designed made out of sand glued to the paper. The title of the book was simply "My Uncle". Luke went back to his breakfast while Owen read it. Beru had come to stand behind him and read over his shoulders.

Page One: My uncle takes care of me and makes sure I don't get hurt. I don't always do what he says so he has to watch me closely. I don't mean to disobey, but the desert is so much fun sometimes. (Picture of the cliffs)

Page Two: My uncle teaches me things. He knows everything about Tatooine and I try do listen. I don't know very much about Tatooine so he tells me when I have it wrong. (Picture of Planet from space)

Page Three: Uncle knows lots about machines. He knows which ones are good and which ones are bad. He only buys the good ones. He says one day I'll be able to tell the good ones from the bad ones. I hope so because I like machines. He shows me the parts of the machines. There are lots of parts in machines. (Picture of two droids)

Page Four: He likes to ask me to help him. I complain a lot, but I like helping in the garage because it's what I'm best at. The field work is long a lot of the times, but because I'm small I don't have to work as hard. My uncle tells me when I shouldn't carry something that's too heavy for me. (The horizon)

Page Five: My Uncle takes me to Anchorhead sometimes to get supplies. It is fun because we can get off the farm. We ride in the speeder and I like the way the wind feels against my face. Uncle Owen sometimes lets me play with the lights and the radio. But he says I'm to small to drive. Someday he'll teach me how to do that too. (Drawing of a domed building)

Page Six: I'm glad that my uncle is in the desert with me because I get scared sometimes at night and I can hear the raiders. I know that my uncle will not let anything happen to me or Aunt Beru. (picture of Owen)

Owen was close to tears by the time he finished. Beru was already there. 'This boy is so special. I wonder if he realizes how much he affects people?'

"Luke, boy, come here and give me a hug." Luke was so surprised by the request it took awhile for him to respond. It had been so long that his uncle had given him a hug that he couldn't remember when it had happened last. Owen squeezed the boy tightly forgoing any masculine pride. His nephew had given him the best surprise he could remember getting.

Owen thought about why he was so affected. At first he thought it was because the boy had finally acknowledged all that they did for him as guardians. But that theory evaporated as quickly as water at midday.

'I know why this means so much and it isn't because I need gratitude from him. It's because it is a sign of love. This is a sign that Luke love's me like a father and that means everything to me.'

Father's Day

Chapter 2

Luke was looking forward to tomorrow. He was going to be taking Anakin Solo to the Manari Mountains on Courscant to climb and hike for the day. Anakin had been begging his parents to go but Han and Leia couldn't do it so Luke got the job. Leia was busy as always so she couldn't go and Han's exact words were "I'm not climbing when I can take a speeder. I don't like that outdoors nonsense." Luke smiled to himself. Han did plenty of things with his kids and it was no secret that Han didn't especially like the outdoors. This little excursion would provide some quality nephew-uncle bonding time.

Luke picked Anakin up at the crack of dawn that morning. The ride to the mountains was long and he let his eight-year-old nephew nap on the way. They had packed lunch, water, and a first aid kid in the event of an injury. With a Skywalker and Solo together it was a good idea.

"Ani, we're here." Anakin looked up and smiled. The mountains were about the only undeveloped space on the planet and when they were in front of you you'd be hard pressed to tell you were on Courscant. Their hike that morning and afternoon would take them by the Neuse River, a small river located entirely in the valley. They would also be going near Goose cliffs.

When they reached the starting point they got ready for the day. Luke shouldered the small backpack they would be taking and Anakin checked his boots were tied tightly and wouldn't come unlaced. While he did that Luke thought about his nephew. Ani was different from Jacen and Jaina. He was more self-aware and introspective. They were all good kids, but Anakin had managed to get to Luke early on. His force sense was strong and pure, even when he was an infant. He got up to trouble just as much as his brother and sister, but most of the time Luke let the baby of the family off easy. Being an uncle it was hard to punish any of them, but it was especially hard when faced with those big ice blue eyes.

'Enough thinking, we need to get started.' "Are you ready?" Luke asked.

"Yes." And they started their hike...

~~~~~~~~

"...That is a cocklespur. You don't want to get near those because they have pretty sharp thorns on them." Luke was explaining the different plants and animals they encountered on their walk. Luke was enjoying himself immensely and from what he could tell Anakin was too. "You also need to be on the lookout for poison creepers. The way to pick them out is that they have four shiny, pointed leaves and one smooth lobed one. They creep along the ground by runners. They're good plants because they stop erosion, but you just don't want to touch them or you'll be itching for days." He laughed remembering the trek through Myrkyr's forest and that awful thing Mara had made him use to disguise himself. He really needed to get even with her for that.

Luke grasped Anakin's upper arm and helped him across some loose rocks on the path. "What's erosion mean?" Anakin asked.

"Well, it's when rain and wind wash away the topsoil. The topsoil is the most important soil because it contains all the nutrients and good things plants need to live."

~~~~~~~~

They reached the river soon after that and decided to take a break. While they ate a snack Luke made up his mind to give Anakin a lesson on the Force. "Do you want to play a little game Ani?"

"Sure, what's it called?" He asked excitedly.

"It doesn't have a name yet, but maybe you can name it afterwards." He stood up. "What I want to do is wade into the river a bit and we'll see what we can find." They took off their boots and socks and rolled up their pant legs. "I'll go in first and you follow. Even though it's basically just a stream, there are lots of things living in this water. Remember take careful steps; you don't want to fall and we don't want to disrupt the turbidity too much." Realizing Anakin wouldn't know what that was he explained. "Turbidity is the clarity of the water. It tells you what is being carried in the stream. Does that make sense?"

"I think so. So does clearer water mean it's better?"

"Yes. That's right." They got to a large flat stone in the middle and sat down. "Now I want you to tell me what you see down here."

Anakin looked up and down the stream and on the banks and in the trees bordering the river. He took his time to make sure he captured every detail. "In the banks on the river you can see the roots of the trees. The soil is lots of colors there too. It looks like a birthday cake with lots of different layers." Luke smiled, glad that he noticed that. Anakin continued, "The vines don't go down to the river bed, they stop at the bank. The sand is on the edges but stones and pebbles are in the middle of the river."

"That's good Ani. Why do you think that is?"

"Is it because the river brought the sand down here from the top of the mountain?"

"Well, that's partly true. But also the water washes over the stones here and after hundreds and hundreds of years they erode and 'become' sand."

"Erode. Like the soil and the creepers?"

"Ummm humm." Anakin smiled glad that he got it right. "What about the living things?"

"There aren't any fish." The little boy looked disappointed but at that moment a very, very small one swam by. "Oh, look Uncle Luke! Did you see it?!" Anakin tugged on his sleeve.

"Yes, I saw it."

"Cool. He was really small wasn't he?" He thought about whether it was a baby fish or just a really small grown up fish. He didn't know. "Umm, they're some bugs on top of the water." He looked again. Yes, indeed they were on top of the water. "Why are they on top? How do they stay up there?"

"They've learned to live on top of the water. They have special legs and feet that help them float and the surface tension keeps them up too." He didn't bother explaining that term. "It's just like how humans are suited to living on the land and Wookiees are suited to living in giant trees. We don't have big, strong muscles and sharp claws to help us climb trees just like we don't have floaty feet." Anakin giggled at that.

They sat listening to the water for a few more moments. Then Luke asked Anakin to close his eyes and lightly stretch out with his Force sense. "Wow, now I can see the bugs talking to each other. The little fish wanted to eat some of them." He absorbed the interesting things the Force had to say about the stream and opened his eyes again. "I didn't know that bugs could talk."

Luke had to laugh at that. "They're not really talking. What you felt was how they are connected to each other. They need this entire environment, other bugs included, to survive."

"Oh, okay."

Luke wanted to make sure Anakin understood completely so he summarized, "That is the difference between seeing with your eyes and seeing with the Force. The Force is so important to life because it is what binds it together. It's what allows things to grow and flourish. Since so few people can sense this connection it is up to us, the Jedi, to make sure it always exists. We shouldn't ever forget what gives a Jedi his power: Life." He put his arm around Anakin's shoulders. "Even the smallest fish and the smallest floaty bug give the Jedi strength. They deserve our utmost respect."

~~~~~~~

When they continued their walk Luke felt so good. Anakin had understood the lesson completely and it was the most important lesson for a Jedi to learn. It was a lesson that Yoda had to practically beat into his thick head. He was glad Anakin was not like him in that respect.

They were reaching the midpoint of their hike, the picnic. Anakin was determined to go for the glory and have it on top of the small cliff. It was an easy enough hike since there was a trail leading up and a rail to hold onto. But towards the top they had to pick their way through a pretty narrow gap and up a rock that had minimal hand and foot holds. They reached the top with out any trouble though. Anakin had gone to sit on the edge of the cliff after promising his uncle he'd be careful. The view was spectacular. You could see the river, forest, and the rest of the mountain range over the valley. If you looked in the right direction you could see the city over the top of the range. It was so pretty. Ani pulled out his camera and took several pictures.

Meanwhile Luke set his pack down and started set up the picnic. He was lost in thought while he worked. He was remembering a trip he had taken with his uncle one time. After the harvest when Luke was almost ten his uncle surprised him with a climbing trip in Beggars Canyon.

~~~~~~~~

The canyon wasn't that far from the homestead so the trip was short. Luke was practically bouncing in the seat and Owen was glad they were finally there so Luke could get rid of some of that energy. The plan was to teach Luke how to climb. It was a useful skill to have on Tatooine. There were mesas and canyons everywhere you turned and one would need to know how to negotiate them. Owen took them to a shallow break in the canyon. It was easy to access and easy for a beginner to climb to the top by hand. Even a child.

Owen was at his most patient when teaching and for this Luke was grateful. Uncle Owen knew exactly how to explain things to Luke and didn't get upset when he had to repeat himself. Luke was a quick learner though and didn't require too much help after the first fifteen minutes. Owen followed behind him making sure he was doing okay.

The top of the canyon didn't offer much of a view but the sense of accomplishment and a new skill learned excited Luke.

"Luke be careful!" Owen yelled. "You're too near the edge." He was starting to get nervous. He knew how brittle the land on this planet was. Luke didn't.

Luke was running near the edge and was making engine noises with his mouth. He was pretending he was flying low over the canyon. He didn't know why he would be flying but it must have a purpose. Perhaps he was looking for something. Maybe there was a Krayt Dragon down there and he had been sent out to net it and move it away from the settlements. In the back of his mind he heard his uncle say something.

"Gotta get the dragon 'for it gets us," he whispered to himself. "Where would it hide?" He looked over the edge once, moved on. Twice, moved on. But the third time he stepped on unsteady ground because he wasn't watching where he was going. The cliff crumbled out from under him.

"Uncle! Uncle!" Luke's cries pierced Owen's heart as he ran to his nephew. Curse that boy. He told him to get away from the edge. Why doesn't he listen to him when it matters?

He got there as quickly as he could. He was terrified that he might have been to late. "Uncle!" With a choked down sob Owen looked over the edge.

"Uncle Owen! I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to. I'm sorry." Luke squeaked out between sobs. He had slid down the cliff face and landed on a ledge some fifteen or sixteen feet below.

"Can you stand?"

"My leg hurts."

Owen took a good look at it. Luke's left leg was bent at a nauseating angle. In any other circumstance Owen would have been upset about a broken leg but knowing what could have happened he was almost ecstatic. "Ok, Luke. I'm coming down for you. It'll be alright."

He made it down in record speed. When he reached Luke he examined his leg. It was indeed broken. "Close your eyes boy and hold on to my arms." Luke did so. The excruciating pain that followed was almost more than Luke could bear. Eventually it lessened. Through dazed eyes he could tell that he was on Uncle Owen's back and something was tied very tightly around his calf. "I've got your leg fixed so that nothing more happens to it when we start moving."

And move they did. Owen carried Luke back to the top and to the speeder. The doctor saw him as soon as possible. Luke's leg would heal, but Owen would always remember what he had nearly lost that day. For months after that he kind of shadowed Luke. He was not going to fail again. If Owen's own guilt at allowing Luke to fall wasn't enough he had to reassure Luke multiple times that he wasn't mad at him. 'Am I that severe with him? When did that happen? That must change.'

~~~~~~

Luke saw the change in his uncle clearly. Things had gotten back to 'normal' in time, but there was always an extra sense of worry in the house that Luke couldn't remember being there before.

"Uncle! Uncle Luke!"

Luke's heart was pounding as he turned to the voice. "NO!"

Anakin looked at his Uncle Luke in surprise. He was wondering what could be making him look so scared.

Luke's breathing slowed down and his heart settled back into place when he saw that Anakin was still sitting calmly on the cliff with his camera held up. "I just wanted to know if you wanted to take a picture too," the little voice said.

"Ani," with tears in his eyes Luke slid behind him and gave him a hug that would rival one of Chewbacca's. "I love you. And I'll never let anything happen to you. I promise."

Anakin hugged Luke back. "I know Uncle Luke."

~~~~~~

The time soon came for them to go home. Luke walked Anakin back to Han and Leia's home and signaled the buzzer. Han opened the door, "Hey, you two. Did you have a good time today Anakin?"

"Yeah, we went in the Neuse River and had lunch on one of the cliffs. We saw lots of cool stuff didn't we?" Luke nodded. "I got pictures too. You want to see them Dad?"

"I'll look at them after super. Speaking of which, you need to go wash up. The food's nearly done." Anakin scampered away to the refresher and Han turned his attention to Luke. "Do you want to stay? We've got plenty."

Luke looked behind his brother-in-law to see Jacen and Jaina setting the table. After a moments hesitation he declined the offer. He had some thinking to do and he wouldn't do himself any good being around a boisterous family. Especially in the mood he was currently in.

~~~~~~

His home was quiet as always when he entered. It was considerably late, his having taken a trip to the gym after dropping Anakin off the cause. His mind was clearer but his mood was not much lighter looking around the empty apartment. Artoo sidled up next to him. Giving the little droid a cursory pat on the dome he went to the kitchen to make his late dinner.

Sleep and Luke found each other easily that night because he was exhausted from the day's activities. His bedside chrono ticked on and on and when it ticked midnight, Father's Day began. To the Jedi Master it was just another day.

Title: Father's Day
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars
Rating: G
Summary: This is a three-part story. It looks at how Luke and Father's Day go together.

Father's Day

By: Patrice

Chapter 3

The sausage and eggs were cooked and the juice poured. Mara picked up the two trays and carried them into their bedroom. Her husband was sitting up in bed holding Ben looking every bit the father he was. This was a special day after all. Little Ben had been born just six months before Father's Day. Mother's Day had come and gone as had Solstice, so this was the last holiday they had yet to celebrate as a family.

Luke was thrilled beyond words to be able to see this day after so long. After so many dreams, both before and after Mara became his wife. He had so much fun celebrating Mother's Day and wondered what his lovely wife had come up with for this day.

"You ready to eat?" she asked from the side of the bed.

He looked at her with love in his eyes. "Yes, I think we're both ready." The family commenced to eat together in bed. It was a wonderfully peaceful way to start the day.

Luke soon finished feeding Ben and Mara soon finished feeding Luke. Mara rose to take the trays back to the kitchen to be washed and Luke followed her with Ben.

"I think something came for you yesterday afternoon," she called from the kitchen.

"Really? Who's it from?" He wasn't expecting anything, was he?

"I don't know. I put it in the desk. How about you get it and we'll find out right now."

He got the small, slender envelope and carefully inspected it. It was yellow and sealed with a heart shaped sticker. "It doesn't have a return address on it." He looked closer. "Not only that, but it doesn't have our address on it, just my first name." He thought it very strange to not even include his last name. His wife wasn't giving any answers, not even when he looked at her.

"Just open it farmboy," Mara said softly.

"Alright, alright. You just can't be too careful," he replied and managed to avoid her look of exasperation. It turned out it was a card with a holo of a newborn Ben tucked inside. Mara still remained silent.

Luke read the card aloud, "It's a special day today. It's my daddy's day. Daddy hasn't had a lot of special days before. But mommy and I think he deserves a least one every once in awhile. After all, he never let my mommy down. She was tired and sad a lot when I first met her and he made her not sad. Daddy gave her energy to keep going even when she didn't think she could. Daddy, Mommy doesn't say things like Thank You a lot, she never had to. I think she wanted me to say it for her.

"Daddy, Mommy and I want you to have a good day today because you are a great daddy! ~ Love Ben!"

When Luke finally got his voice back he asked, "Mara, why did you do this?" There were tears in his eyes though he didn't cry.

"I didn't do anything. It said it was from Ben."

Luke wasn't stupid, and he could tell the handwriting was hers. But he chose to go along with the fantasy. He crossed the distance to kiss her deeply. "My love, you are amazing."

"I still don't know what you're talking about. I didn't have anything to do with that card so you can stop giving me that look."

Luke laughed and let her take Ben into her arms. She immediately asked the little baby, "Do you think Daddy would like to go to the park now? Hmmm, little Ben?" Taking Ben's slight smile as a yes she headed for the door. "Coming, Papa Jedi?"

"Yes, I most certainly am." I most certainly am. Nothing, not even a Sith would keep him away. Grabbing the baby bag, he followed his family out the door.

His family.

End.