They had received the transmission late last night. Beru and Owen had never heard of the man who contacted them before, but at Anakin's name both of them had stiffened. They could never forget Shmi's son and the impression that he had left on them about three years ago. 

This Obi-Wan claimed that he was bringing Anakin's child for them to raise.

He didn't give any more details than that.

The light from the first sun is just beginning to rise from the horizon now, leaving the place in a state of uneasy gray.

He is to be arriving shortly. Beru knows that she should be preparing the homestead for a guest and the newborn, but she can't seem to move from her place at the table. She's been wondering all night if she is qualified to raise a child on this harsh, cruel planet.

She herself is young. Sometimes she feels as if she is still a child.

She wipes the tears from her face, telling herself that she needs to pull it together. This is her chance to finally have a child. After so many tries, this is the only way that she and Owen will be able to have their own.

That struggle falls only on her to blame.

There's something wrong with her. Owen rebukes her each time she admits it out loud, but it's true. She hasn't been able to carry a child to full term, only making it just past four months both times.

They debated seeking help through fertility droids, but the process was too expensive.

As if Owen knows what she's thinking about, he enters the kitchen and kneels down beside her. His calloused hand gently rubs her knee, bringing her comfort in her selfish mourning.

He's quiet as he usually is. He mulls over what to say, his jaw locking and unlocking. "This is how it was always meant to be." He finally says in his gruff voice.

She avoids his gaze. "Because I can't keep my own babies alive?" She softly chokes.

"Because this child deserves the best mother this galaxy has to offer." He replies. His voice is stern with no room for argument. "This child needs someone who can protect them from this rough, unforgiving planet."

She sniffs, unable to keep her emotions inside. "Then they should be sent to live with the Tarrik family."

Owen's eyes crinkle, showing his disapproval of her response. "This child also needs someone who is as warm as the suns. Someone who always knows the right thing to say. Someone who can teach them kindness when this place only offers pain."

She scoffs and shakes her head at him. She can list many others who would do a better job than her at that.

"Beru," Owen coaxes. She forces herself to meet his gaze, feeling like she might collapse at any moment. "You are the only person I've ever met who can do all those things and more. There is no one else who can care for this child in the way that they need."

She sighs. "But I'm not their mother, Owen. How can I possibly care for them like I am?"

"You're right. You're not their mother. You will never be their mother." He agrees. He grabs her hand, holding it tightly between both of his. "But they need someone who will love them as their mother would."

She closes her eyes and bows her head. "Why me?"

"I know that this child is special, Beru." He quietly says. "They're being placed in our care for a good reason. I don't have the answers you want now. I might never have them. But take comfort in knowing that the galaxy is gifting us this child because it knows we can handle it. And that we can raise them better than anyone else ever could."

When she can't find the strength or the words to express her emotions, Owen rises and kisses the top of her head. "Obi-Wan will be here soon." He softly reminds her. "If you need more time, I can receive the child from him alone."

She shakes her head and grabs his wrist with urgency. "No. I want to take him."

"Him?" Owen repeats. His left eyebrow bounces in amusement at her sudden conviction of the child's gender.

"It's a boy. I know it." Beru says. Using him for support, she rises out of her seat. "I want to be the one who holds him first."

"Alright." Owen nods, a faint smile on his lips. "I'll be outside watching for him if you need me until then."

xxx

She hears the eopie grunt outside of their homestead. Taking a deep breath, Beru exits their home and walks with steady strides to the robed man. She watches him gracefully slide off of the creature with a bundle tucked protectively in his arms.

She holds her arms out to Obi-Wan, her heart rapidly beating in her chest. She's held many babies in her lifetime, but this time it's different. The mother won't be taking the infant back when it starts to fuss.

Once she is given the child, he will be her responsibility.

With caution, the white bundle is passed into her arms. Her hands tremble as she presses the warm baby against her chest. She looks upon his little face hidden beneath the soft blanket, unsure what she'll see.

Fear? Sadness? Worry?

His sleepy eyes flutter but he remains tranquil in her presence.

He trusts her.

She smiles. With each passing second, it grows wider on her face. She looks to Obi-Wan, wondering if he knows of her uneasiness about assuming the responsibility of the boy.

"Does he have a name?" She suddenly asks.

Obi-Wan wraps his arms in his sleeves. "His mother named him Luke." He begins. "Though I suppose he would never know if you changed it."

She shakes her head. "No." She looks back at the sweet babe's face. "Luke is perfect."

Without much thought, she returns to Owen's side. She gives a quick jog, eager to show him the baby. Though Luke has only been their responsibility for a few seconds, she has to introduce Owen to him.

Upon hearing her approach, he turns and his eyes land on the baby. He bends over and peeks under the blanket. "Does he have a name?"

"Luke," Beru says as she watches him.

Owen's finger brushes against the baby's round cheek lovingly. "Luke." He repeats.

Together, the two of them gaze at the sunrise. Beru takes a deep breath, now feeling proud and sure of herself. She holds Luke tighter, now ready for the challenges they are going to face.

Owen's arm reaches around her waist and pulls her close. With him by her side, she knows that nothing will harm Luke. They are going to raise him as their own. They are prepared for what this galaxy wants to throw at them.

Beru has the sudden thought that she should thank Obi-Wan for placing Luke in their care, but she hears the eopie already leaving, signaling that she's too late.

She instead returns her gaze to the sleeping babe, her heart already full.

Though she is not his biological mother and never will be, she will raise Luke like she would her own son. He will always and forever be Beru's.

Closing her eyes, she places her first kiss on his forehead. The newborn lets out a content gurl, his head rolling to lay against her chest. Owen's grasp on her tightens for a second, then releases.

She knows he too shares this feeling. Though Owen will never be his father, he will do the best he can for the boy.

"Do you want to hold him?" She asks.

Owen's refusal is on his lips, but Beru's arms move before he can say anything. To save Luke from hitting the ground, he clumsily opens his arms to her. With a gentle smile, Beru expertly lays the bundle against his chest and instructs Owen on how to hold him.

He needs to watch his little head. He needs to keep Luke close to his body.

Though he's being held at an awkward angle, Luke remains fast asleep in Owen's arms as if he knows he is safe there.

Beru presses another kiss to Luke's forehead. It's the second one of many that he will receive during his time in their care.

~~~~~~~~~~

I literally love Owen and Beru so much. Like it isn't funny. And the Kenobi finale only made my love for them stronger fr.