171A different, more solid feeling entered her being, and her hand felt contact with another's skin. Her eyelashes fluttered open, and she breathed.
"Luke," she said, feeling his hand gently holding hers.
"Leia." Her daughter stood at the end of the bed, arms draped casually over the footboard.
"Do you know who we are, really?" Luke asked, a hopeful glint in his eyes.
She answered by placing her arms around his neck and holding him close to her with motherly affection.
"Yes," she whispered, "yes, I do, my children."
Padme felt another pair of arms surround her. "I love you both, so dearly. I'll never leave you again, I promise."
Mother, daughter, and son embraced each other for the first time, and when they parted, all had moist eyes. But enough tears had passed throughout the course of the last few days. They found that they had none left to shed.
Truly, four Skywalkers were in the room that day, a fact which Padme was blissfully aware. She felt that the smile could never part from her face.
"I can't wait to get out of here. I know how good Elle has been, but I'm just so tired to sitting around here."
"I know, Mother. You'll have to prepare yourself though. Jar Jar is waiting at the house and he's rather, uh, excited. He hasn't yet gotten the chance to visit."
Padme smiled knowingly. It had been a week since her children had found the antidote and brewed it according to instruction. She had taken a full recovery in just a week, and was more than ready to return home.
Sola and the rest of her family had visited several times already, and there had been a few tears on both sides at first. Sola couldn't believe how she hadn't noticed her own sister all those years. Of course, Padme had forgiven her.
The unfortunate sentients at the refugee underground were being reorganized. Because of the newfound liberty of Nubian society, Pooja had taken the responsibility of putting them in proper care, and, in some cases, homes and occupations.
To say the least, Padme's life was going well. For now, the war had gone from everyone's mind with the reconstruction of Naboo. Elections would go on soon, and Pooja, along with Blue Hand Squadron, would be the temporary government until an organized movement could be formed.
Padme was being discharged today. A small gathering was to be held at the Naberrie house in her honor, and tomorrow, there would be a public celebration. It was just like old times.
As she waited with both her family and Captain Solo, she noticed the Corellian in question holding hands casually with her daughter. She made a mental note to herself that she would need to get acquainted with Han a little better; and then she would need to have a talk with Leia.
Such thoughts faded from her mind as Luke wheeled her into the back of the aircab, and the group set off towards the Naberrie house. While inside the cab, Padme held the japor snippet - it had been a constant to her throughout her lifetime. It was a symbol of love, death, and rebirth. It had been vital to her memory all along.
Tucking it back inside her robe, she wheeled herself out of the aircab, down a convenient ramp. Her son took the handlebars from behind, and led her into the house, and up the stairs.
When the door opened, Padme saw at least two dozen faces, all with inquisitively happy expressions.
"Here, Luke, help me out."
"Are you sure?" She place her hand on his outstretched arm, and rose from the wheelchair.
"Absolutely."
She smiled at the crowd facing her. They clapped, and she recognized each face with detail. At the front was her own family, and behind them were a group of women who resembled her - her former handmaidens and friends, Sache, Yane, Rabe, Motee, Elle, Dorme, and Verse. Behind them, there were Nubian friends she had known from her time as Senator. Finally, separated from the rest were her Gungan friends. Jar Jar in particular looked teary.
"Thank you, thank you. I'm so delighted to be with you all again. And I'm so sorry that we haven't reunited sooner."
The guests crowded around her, reminiscing, talking about how they had lasted in the past two decades, and once again enjoying the company of the great Padme Amidala. Meanwhile, her children merely sunk into the background, observing contentedly.
"All's well that ends well, right?"
Leia smirked. "Han, when did you pick up poetry?"
"Poetry, sweetheart? Nowhere. Since when is that poetry?"
The Princess shook her head, and walked away to the terrace. Han winked at Luke and Chewie, both of whom rolled their eyes and left the lovebirds to find food. After making sure that the Wookiee and Jedi were gone, Han took Leia's hand, and brushed his lips against the back of it.
"Han, what are you doing?" Leia asked, not a little perturbed.
Without a word, Han knelt onto one knee.
"Han, you're scaring me."
Nervously, Han started speaking at a faster rate than usual.
"Leia, I've known you for four years, but it seems a lot longer. It took me three of them to realize that I was in love with you. And, honey, don't stop me, or I might change my mind."
He continued, looking at her with his earnest hazel eyes, "You're one of the most headstrong, stubborn, and short women I've ever met. But you're also beautiful, caring, and I can't help but love you. Even the stubbornness."
Han was rummaging in his pocket.
"Leia Organa, will you marry me?" In his hand was a small black box. Inside was a shimmering ring of white gold and small, yet delicate design of a couple of clear, glittering gems.
Leia was so shocked that she found herself speechless. Han could feel his courage literally melting away. His nerve had somehow run and eloped with his sense of self-preservation. He was gritting his teeth in frustration by the time she found her voice.
"Nerfherder. Of course I will!"
So excited was Han that as soon as he placed the ring on her finger -his fiancee's finger- he kissed her while twirling her around.
It was then that the couple heard clapping and laughter behind them. The crowd had witnessed Han's entire proposal, and was moved. Luke and Sola were smirking as if they had helped orchestrate the whole affair, and Padme was grinning. Chewie came up to hug the couple, but they had to request him to release them for fear of being suffocated.
[Congratulations, Han! Now you can have many little cubs.]
Han and Leia went red, while Luke, Padme, and Pooja (the only ones who understood Shyriiwook) laughed heartily.
A Gungan horn blasted within the crowded street. Banners, confetti, and rice flew everywhere as the procession paraded down the street and up to the Palace steps. People were screaming and cheering nonsensically, children ran merrily about, and aliens of all kinds were running about in freedom.
It was Independence Day.
"Citizens of Naboo," Leia's voice boomed with the help of a microphone, "the tyranny you have experienced for so long is no more!"
Padme could feel her eardrums popping as people began clapping and cheering even harder than before.
"Today marks the dawning of a new world. I pray that you will help lead it with wise and compassionate rulers. Your decisions will affect the lives of many in the galaxy, and I implore everyone to have faith in freedom, liberty, and justice. May the Force be with us all."
With that, Leia descended the podium and the audience gave her a standing ovation.
"Good job," her mother whispered.
"Where's Luke?" Leia asked sharply.
He wasn't there. As a matter of fact, Padme had seen him disappearing right as Leia had begun speaking. Suddenly, Luke popped out of nowhere, tapping his mother on the back.
"Um. . . I hate to say this, but Mon Mothma's on the comm. I've been talking to her. We've got a new mission."
Han slapped himself on the forehead in an exasperated fashion. "We just finished with another one!"
"As they say, all is fair in love and war," Padme commented.
"Yeah, but that depends which side you're on."
The group sifted their way through the celebration to reach Artoo, who was projecting the image of the serene Chandrila Senator.
"Congratulations, once again. I'm sorry this is on such short notice, but there's a dilemma on an Outer Rim supplier. This time is more urgent than the last, because we need you all, including Senator Amidala if she so chooses, for our Coruscant assault. We're going through a weapons shortage and are in dire need of that supplier's product. Once again, I've sent the coordinates to your Artoo unit and General Solo's ship. If you've got any questions, use the high-security encrypt code for the Admiral Ackbar. I would suggest that you get on course tomorrow. May the Force be with you."
"Here we go again. Chewie, let's hit the food and then we'll prep the Falcon!"
Artoo whistled happily.
"Another adventure? Exciting? What rubbish, Artoo."
When only the Skywalkers were left, Leia said with a slight smirk, "So, mother, are you up for another adventure?"
Padme smiled. The 'someday' had come - her children needed her. There was nothing else to say but:
"Of course."
A/N: I have reached the last chapter, my first-ever multi-chapter to be completed. However, if you don't already suspect it, there is to be a sequel in which some issues are resolved. Thank you again to all the wonderful reviewers that have given some good feedback, and I hope you'll join me again when I get the sequel up. But for now. . . The End.