If someone were to describe her future life to Neva over a year and a half ago, she never would have believed them. Where she was once living in one of the most renowned and illustrious apartment complexes on the Galaxy's Capitol, she was now living in a little house between Bestine and Anchorhead. Where she had once been an aide, unofficial chamberlain and stylist to a Galactic Senator, she now took in seamstressing jobs for a couple of the clothing shops in Bestine to make a little extra money. Where she had once been pining for a Jedi she could never be with, she was now married to that Jedi and building a comfortable, simple life with him.

She had never been happier.

True, she did miss Naboo, and the thought of what was happening in the rest of the Galaxy, and even elsewhere on Tatooine, was enough to make her sick at heart. Everyday she missed her childhood home in Fara and the family she had left there. She missed Padmé, unsure of her fate and whether or not she still lived, but she didn't dare to try and find out.

Though a little part of her had wished that she could have kept Padmé's son as her own, she had come to accept that his place with the Lars was a good one. She knew that Owen, Anakin's step-brother, had not been keen on the idea of taking the baby in at first. Nor had he been particularly keen on any association with Obi-wan. But Neva was sure that, despite his gruff exterior, he genuinely cared for Luke, and didn't regret taking in the baby for a moment.

Beru, of course, had loved the little boy from the instant she laid eyes on him. Even from her perch on the eopie they had taken out to the isolated farm, Neva could see it in the woman's face when Obi-wan had laid Luke in her arms for the first time. There was nothing that woman wouldn't do for her nephew. Neva had come to learn that intimately.

Shortly after they had delivered Luke to his new family, Neva had taken it upon herself to visit the Lars Moisture Farm on her own. Obi-wan had been off on some errand or another, and Neva couldn't stand not knowing how the little boy and his relatives were doing. Beru Lars had been hesitant at first, something that Neva couldn't help but approve of, given the situation, but the two women had quickly become friends. Neva's motivation for visiting in that first instance, and for several others after that, had been to check up on Luke. She had grown to love the sweet little boy in the short time that she had looked after him. She had been worried, especially after hearing about Owen's reluctance to take the boy, how Luke was adjusting to his new home. Neva quickly learned that she had nothing to fear there, but that realization didn't put a stop to her visits. In fact, they had become quite a regular occurrence.

Beru had been born and raised on Tatooine. She was a strong and resilient woman with a loving, gentle soul, and Neva came to admire her greatly. She soon discovered that, despite periodically asking the Naboo native to help watch Luke, Beru really didn't need the help; it was all for Neva's benefit. It was something that came to mean a lot to the former Princess. Beru was deftly able to juggle the care of her young nephew and her responsibilities on the farm. She had seen right from the start that Neva had needed the connection to Luke to help in her own adjustment process. He was a link, a bridge even, for her between her former life and her new one. Neva eventually came to realize that her connection to the little boy, and eventually her friendship with Beru had helped ground her, providing a purpose and a continuity that she could lean on as she adjusted to her new life.

Also, being from a far more temperate planet, Neva had not adjusted quickly to the harsh realities and harsher climate of her new home. Beru had been an immense help there. She had become an indispensable mentor to the former Princess, patiently teaching her vital lessons on how to survive in her new home. Plus, once she had learned about Neva's seamstressing background, Beru had been the one to put Neva in contact with the few garment shops she eventually gained a partial employment with. Had it not been for the Tatooine native's advice and instruction, Neva wasn't quite sure how she would have survived the transition. Needless to say, Neva owed the young farmwife quite a lot.

More than that, she had also found a friend in Beru.

And then there was Obi-wan. The first three months had been the hardest. Not only were they both learning how to survive in their new home, they were also learning to live with each other. That fact was only complicated by the reality that they were both still dealing with the tremendous changes and trauma brought about by the events surrounding the formation of the Empire.

Neva had still been fighting the looming specter of the (artificial) death of her friend, the abrupt abandonment of her old life and necessary break with her family without notice or explanation, as well as the blow the death of Democracy in the Galaxy had caused. Everything in Neva's life was different, and she had taken it hard. Yes, her friendship with Beru had helped, but there was still a great deal that the Tatooine woman couldn't have helped with and, really, didn't know about.

Neva hadn't revealed much of her previous life to Beru beyond the basics or things she simply couldn't hide; no, she was not from a desert planet; yes, she had left friends, family and a life behind; yes, she knew Luke's parents and no she couldn't talk about them; yes, she had come with Obi-wan; yes, she was in hiding as he was. Though it was never explicitly discussed, Neva knew Beru had known about her and Obi-wan from the start. They both made sure Owen didn't find out, else Neva would have been banished from the farm like Obi-wan had. That was something that wore on her too, and Neva knew it also bothered Obi-wan. He didn't like that he couldn't check on the boy, or that Neva was periodically off travelling around Tatooine on her own. He also wasn't initially keen on Neva visiting the Farm at all, especially as she'd made the first trip without him knowing. It hadn't been something she'd been pleased about either, but she'd known Ben would have tried to stop her and it was something she needed to do. It had been the subject of their first major fight as a couple.

Obi-wan, meanwhile, had still been fighting off the memory of his battle with Anakin, something that tormented him to no end, especially through his dreams. He'd also, rather understandably, had a hard time coping with the reality that the Order he had devoted his life to had been obliterated and all his friends killed or driven into hiding; truthfully, a much harder truth to reconcile than what Neva had to deal with and one he would likely never completely come to terms with. It was something that she still periodically, though rarely, forgot; lapses that she always immediately and deeply regretted. But he internalized everything, and in falling back on his Jedi training, he often appeared far more at ease and balanced than he truly felt. It made it far too easy to forget just how deep his pain went at times, creating another early source of friction between the couple. Neva knew she could help him if only he would open up to her, just as she knew he had helped her simply by listening. She knew from experience the healing effect of letting the pain and grief out, but, being a Jedi, he had been taught his whole life not to dwell on feelings of pain, anger and loss. But there was simply too much of it this time for him to simply will away.

Really, everything in his new life that he had struggled to come to terms with had been forbidden in his old life. There were times when Neva would catch him visibly struggling with the pain and grief borne of his many losses, no matter that he quickly pushed it aside when he saw her. But she knew it would take time.

One thing that helped him, though, was his meditation. Especially when he had finally confided to her that during his sessions, he had established contact with his long dead Master, Qui-gon Jinn. After that confession, he had tried to explain it to her how Qui-gon had managed to retain his individual consciousness after his death. She hadn't understood afterward, but his attempts at helping her understand had ended up being far more entertaining than either of them had expected. It proved to be a breakthrough moment in their relationship.

After that, he was far more open with her, and she found she had a far better understanding of him. He never did come out with what had happened on Mustafar, but she eventually came to terms with that, realizing that he might never disclose what had happened. He finally opened up about the loss of his Order though, and it had been far more cathartic for him than he had expected, something that relieved Neva to no end.

So, after months of dancing around each other, hesitantly trying to start building a life together, those crucial breakthroughs had made all the difference, and they were finally able to start moving forward. Her Obi-wan had taken to going by Ben, the name she had affectionately called him by nearly from the start. Together they began making their little house a home, and for the first time in rather a long time, Neva felt truly at peace. Her dream of a quiet life was coming true. Then, not long after they found their little house in a small settlement between Bestine and Anchorhead, Obi-wan had met her standing proposal with one of his own. Not two weeks later they had finally married. Beru stood as their witness with little Luke gurgling in her arms. It had been the happiest day of Neva's life.

She couldn't help but think of that day as she sat in the marginally cooler common area of their little home. The rough-spun garments in her hands were absolutely nothing like the exquisite materials she used to work with, or wear for that matter. Her wedding dress, for instance, had been simple; the green and copper gown she had worn the first time she and Obi-wan had wandered through their garden on Naboo together. He told her once that it was his favourite, and that it brought out the green in her hazel eyes. It was one of the only garments she had left from before Tatooine. But it didn't bother her. Plus, she never had to wear her hair in borderline ridiculous fashion anymore; it had been loose at her wedding, and nearly every day since. It had been an almost perfect day. It was only the absences that had made her wedding to her Ben bittersweet.

Outside she could hear the rather unique sound of Ben's beat-up swoop approaching. With a smile she set down her mending and went to stand, intending to meet him at the door. She was stopped though, by another one of the dizzy spells that had plagued her the last little while. Only now, as she waited for the sensation to pass, it didn't fill her with worry, only a growing feeling of hope. As she heard the faint whoosh of the front door opening and her Ben stepping through, she couldn't stop the smile that came to her lips as her hand found her belly.

If Beru's suspicions from earlier today were right, Neva would soon have a new happiest day.

***

Neva could only hold Ben tighter as the engines of the transport ship behind her began to spool up and the Passenger-master bellowed out his last call. She did not want to go, all her instincts were telling her not to, even though her head told her she must.

It was proving to be one of the hardest days of her life.

It broke her heart to think that what she had hoped would be their greatest joy was separating them like this. She never dreamed that that one stray blaster bolt from years past would emerge to haunt her like this.

Telling Obi-wan that she suspected she was pregnant did turn out to be one of the happiest days of her life. He had scared her a little at first with the apprehension that had appeared in his usually tender gaze. But then his blue-grey eyes had lit up with the same joy she had been trying to control since Beru first roused her suspicions. Then he had spun her around the room before kissing her soundly to express his joy. It was days before it fully sank in that their little family was about to grow, with Obi-wan asking her time and time again if she was sure, even after repeatedly reaching out through the Force to touch the tiny life growing within her. He hesitated at first to answer her when she questioned him about why he couldn't stop asking for reassurance; he said he was trying to convince himself it wasn't a dream, and that he was in no danger of waking from it.

She was out shopping with Beru when they had to wake from the dream. Neva had gone into Anchorhead with Beru and little Luke one afternoon when suddenly Neva found herself waking up on the ground, a fire in her side, an ache in her middle that only seemed to be growing and a frightened looking Beru hovering over her. The Tatooine native had all but rushed her to the closest medical clinic. Sensing her distress through the Force, Obi-wan burst into the clinic not long after Beru had managed to get Neva settled in with the medical droid. Neva had never been more terrified in her life, and judging by the look in her husband's eyes, neither had he.

The droid broke down Neva's condition for her. The blaster wound she had sustained during the assassination attempt years earlier had apparently done more damage than anyone had realized. To put it bluntly, there was doubt that Neva's body would be able to carry their baby to term. After its examination, the droid even expressed its wonder at her even becoming pregnant in the first place. It went on to explain that there was even a chance that, without medical technologies beyond those available in the Outer Rim, Neva's very life could be at risk.

To say that the news had nearly devastated Neva and grieved the young couple was an understatement. It was almost two days before Neva really spoke, and almost a week before she and Obi-wan came to their final, heart-wrenching decision.

Neva had to leave Tatooine. And she had to leave Obi-wan. He couldn't leave Luke, and with the Jedi still being actively hunted, there was no way he could show his face on any planet with the type of medical facilities Neva needed. It was finally decided that she would go home to Naboo. There, at least, she could be surrounded by her family when their child came if she couldn't be with him. But that didn't lessen her anxiety in the slightest. Especially when Obi-wan insisted she would be safe enough on Naboo. A large part of her spirit soared at the thought of seeing her Homeplanet again, but another part sunk.

Even months later, the cruel, knowing look in Anakin's eyes that night on the Veranda haunted her. Plus, the more she thought on it, the more she realized that security recordings in Padmé's apartment would confirm any suspicions Darth Vader had about her relationship with Obi-wan if he was inquisitive enough to search them. And the newly-minted Sith knew she was from Naboo. She had told Obi-wan about that night, unable to keep the tremor from her voice at the memory. Even Obi-wan's assurances that she would be all right failed to completely quell her anxiety. But he assured her enough that it was likely the best option for the simple reason that Darth Vader would know she knew of his suspicions. It would be like hiding in plain sight, especially as Naboo greatly valued the maintenance of its people's privacy. Besides, she knew Naboo in ways the Emperor's right hand didn't, and she knew he was likely looking for her.

So preparations were made and, all too soon, it was time for Neva to leave. Neva and Ben had travelled to the docking bay in silence, neither one wanting to start the inevitable goodbyes.

"I can't do this, Ben. I need you at my side." The words tore at her throat like a sob. But she refused to let her tears fall. With a heavy sigh, Obi-wan pulled back from their embrace ever so slightly, his gaze dropping to her gently rounded belly where his hand rested protectively. She could see in his eyes that every instinct in him was urging him not to let her go. But like her, his rational mind knew that she had to.

"You have to, Neva. Our child needs you to. Its only hope—your best hope—is on Naboo," a faint smile came to his lips, though it didn't quite reach his eyes, "besides, the sooner you leave, the sooner you'll be back." Neva couldn't help but scoff at the clichéd adage, though the hint of a smile tugged at her lips. Behind them, the Passenger-master called one last time.

So, with a final hushed goodbye and one last kiss, Neva pulled away from her husband, hurrying to board the ship only moments before the ramp hissed shut, blocking Obi-wan from her sight.

It took everything she had to keep the anxiety she felt in check. Everything would be all right, she tried to assure herself for the millionth time as the Transport shuddered beneath her feet. But then she felt the sensation of Obi-wan's consciousness brushing against her own. The love and reassurance in the touch did far more to calm her nerves than her own anxious reasoning did. Finding an empty compartment, Neva lowered herself onto one of the threadbare seats. Cradling her growing belly, she felt the tiny flutter under her palm that finally strengthened her resolve. She could do this. The little life beneath her fingers was depending on her.

"We will be alright. And we will see your father again," she whispered.    

A/N: Thanks for reading!

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