A Question for Uncle Obi-Wan

by GGGG23

Summary:

Order 66 didn't happen but Padmé still died in childbirth. Obi-Wan Kenobi takes every chance he gets to help Anakin with the twins and enjoys being an uncle more than he thought he would, especially to little Leia who adores him immensely. And, she tends to ask him difficult questions.

Basically, each chapter is about different questions Leia asks Obi-Wan throughout the years. The chapters aren't in chronological order.

Chapters are mostly fluff apart from chapter 7 which has its own seperate warnings regarding substance abuse (but there's still fluff, alright) ⚠️

Chapter 1: About Family

“Uncwe Obi-Wan? May I have a woid?”

Leia Amidala-Skywalker is only 3 years old, but – despite the still developing pronunciation – she is more eloquent than most children double her age.

“Of course you may, little one. What’s on your mind?” Obi-Wan replies with a warm smile and kneels down to her level.

“I’d wike to go a-tide fow a wawk. It’s vewy ipotant and I don’t want ‘em to heaw,” she states with a seriousness of a toddler and points towards her father and brother.

“As you wish, my dear. Anakin, I’m taking your daughter outside for a bit,” he informs the other adult in the room and offers his hand to the little girl. “Come, Leia.”

His honorary niece takes it without hesitation and follows Obi-Wan out of the house.

---

“So, what would you like us to discuss?”

Leia adores Uncle Obi-Wan. Ever since she could remember, he always felt warm and calm and safe. He never talks down to her and instead of using the annoying baby-talk some adults use with her and Luke, he speaks to her with the same language (as far as she can tell) he uses while talking to other adults. When she doesn't understand something, she can always ask him, and every time, uncle Obi-Wan patiently explains. Leia senses that he enjoys teaching her whatever she feels like learning. He is a teacher – Master, daddy calls it – after all. She can ask him anything. This topic, however, seems to be exceptionally difficult.

“Weww…, Leia begins hesitantly and squeezes her uncle’s fingers for reassurance. “I have a tesun, Uncwe Obi.”

“And what question would that be?” the Jedi asks, smiling affectionately at the way she pronounces said word. He knows that pronunciation well – little Leia has a litany of “tesuns” for him every time he visits, ever since she learned how to form simple sentences a year prior.

“Can you teww me ‘bout my mommy?”

Oh… Oh oh.

Obi-Wan feels his heart ache a bit and memories of Padmé are beginning to resurface. Then, an anxious little voice brings him back to the present.

“Uncwe Obi?”

The Jedi Master quickly snaps out of his thoughts and crouches down in front of his best friend’s daughter. He takes both her hands in his. Force, how tiny she is.

“Leia, dear… why don’t you ask your father about this?” Obi-Wan offers, slightly worried he might reveal something about the child’s mother that Anakin doesn't wish for her to know yet. Three years after her death at childbirth, Padmé is still an extremely sensitive topic.

Leia looks down. “I aked him. But… but he was sad. I made daddy weawwy sad, Obi. I wanna heaw ‘towies ‘bout mommy but I don’t wanna make daddy sad. Don’t wike it when daddy sad, Obi.”

“Oh, darling,” Obi-Wan sighs and brings Leia’s tiny hands to his face to gives them a kiss. “You never make your daddy sad. You make him very, very happy. You and Luke both.”

“But he was vewy sad when I aked him tesuns ‘bout mommy, Uncwe Obi-Wan,” Leia continues, watching her hands being stroked by his big thumbs. “He din’t… he said we wiww tawk ‘bout it ‘nothew time. So I aked you but now you’we sad too... I… I aked somefing wong, I’m sowwy, Obi.”

Obi-Wan, knowing this conversation would take longer than previously expected, slowly stands back up and leads his honorary niece to a nearby log. Once he sits on it, he picks Leia up and sits her on his lap facing him.

---

“Leia, I want you to know that us being sad after that question isn’t your fault. There’s nothing wrong about asking us. We are both sad because we miss your mother. Because she was a wonderful person. And it’s harder for your father because your mother used to be his wife, and he loved her very, very much. So it’s perhaps more difficult for him to discuss her. But I would never want you to think that you can’t talk to us about her. You can ask me anything, even if it makes me a little bit sad. Because when we are sad about someone not being here anymore, it means we loved that person. And that we were being loved. And that's a beautiful thing. Okay?”

Leia observes him for a while, maintaining a pensive expression.

“Okay, Uncwe Obi. But we wiww aways tawk ‘bout mommy in pi… pitet.”

“In what?”

“In pitet... Awone. Onwy Weia and Uncwe Obi. When nobody can heaw,” she explains.

“Oh, in private.”

“Yeah... ‘Cause Wuke woun’t undetin,” Leia states seriously.

“Luke wouldn’t understand? And why is that?”

“Weww, Wuke don’t tawk vewy muts. He don’t have tesuns ‘bout mommy. Wuke don’t tawk to Obi and have tesuns, Wuke onwy pways wif his skyhoppew when Obi visits. Bowing.”

Had the topic been different, Obi-Wan would have laughed at the way this three-year-old child was talking disdainfully about her twin. She was right though, in a way – out of the two of them, Leia was the curious one.

“Okay. So you only don’t want Luke to hear our conversations?”

“Weww… Wuke and daddy. Don’t want Wuke and daddy to heaw ouw co-cove-covevetins… Conetitins… Codevetins.”

“Conversations, that’s right,” Obi-Wan listens to little Leia’s attempts lovingly and kisses the top of her head.

“Obi… I tink daddy needs mowe time fow my tesuns ‘bout mommy,” she states matter-of-factly.

Obi-Wan smiles at the child in his lap, brushing a loose hair strand out of her eyes.

“I think you might be right, Leia.”

“Yeah. I’m wight a wot, Uncwe Obi!” the little girl brags, and the Jedi Master can't help but see little Anakin in her.

He chuckles and she lets out a tiny giggle.

---

A moment later, she becomes solemn again.

“Uncwe Obi?”

“Yes, my dear?”

“I’m a wittwe bit sad ‘bout mommy too… but I don’t ‘membew hew. It means I wove hew too?”

The Jedi stares into her big, brown eyes and before responding to her question, he caresses her cheek with his large, calloused fingers.

“Yes, darling. And that she loved you. Very much,” he swallows, trying to keep his emotions under control. “She loved you even before you were born. You and Luke both. And your father.”

“I tink I woved mommy befowe I was bown too, Obi.”

He smiles at Leia, tears now visible in his eyes: “I’m certain you did.”

“And I wove you too, Uncwe Obi,” Leia whispers and wraps her tiny arms around his neck.

“And I love you, sweetheart.”

Obi-Wan hugs the toddler back and kisses her soft cheek. She starts giggling and touches her own face with her hand.

“You’we tatsy, Obi!”

“Scratchy? I don’t think that’s true,” he teases playfully.

“It’s twue, you’we tatsy. You… you… you have haiw hewe…,” Leia pats her uncle’s beard. “It’s tatsy, it ti-titwus.”

“It tickles, really? I might have to try again, just to be sure.”

Obi-Wan gently presses the little girl’s face closer to his and gives her multiple kisses on her cheeks and forehead. She giggles more and finally leans fully into his embrace, with her tiny fingers playing with the fabric of his robe, letting her uncle Obi-Wan hold her. There aren't many safer places in this world than his arms.

“I wove you even when you’we tatsy, Uncwe Obi.”

Chapter 2: About the Jedi

Summary:

Leia overhears a conversation between daddy and Uncle Obi-Wan. She has some questions for Uncle Obi later.

Notes:

So, I unexpectedly decided to not leave this as a one-shot :) Let me know if you'd like to read more chapters.

“Uncwe Obi?”

“Yes?” Obi-Wan Kenobi replies, smiling down at his nearly 4-year-old niece who is ‘helping’ him fix a thing or two on his ship.

“I have a kesun.”

“I expected as much,” he says, amusement sneaking into his voice. “What is your question, my dear?”

“What’s ‘the way of the Dedi’? I heawd you teww daddy ‘it’s not the way of the Dedi, A’kin’.”

Upon hearing the toddler mimicking him, Obi-Wan has to hold his laughter and pretend to cough. If not for the mispronunciation of ‘Jedi’ and ‘Anakin’, he would swear he just heard a perfect imitation of his Coruscanti accent.

“Well, Leia, the Jedi way – or the Jedi Code – is the way of life to which the members of the Jedi Order have to adhere. It’s not only a set of rules the Jedi have to follow, but also a philosophy of sorts.”

Once he finishes the sentence, he sits cross-legged beside the little girl, and waits patiently for the next question to come.

“What’s fifo- fisowo- fi-wo-wo-sy, Obi?”

“Philosophy, in this context, means a way of thinking about the world, the universe, people. A way of thinking about your life and living it, the way you see your relationship to the world, to others.”

“Hmm…,” the child seems pensive for a moment, pondering her uncle’s words. She sits closer to him. “And what is the Dedi way then?”

“Well, for example, the Jedi Code teaches us to not give in to feelings of anger toward others or seek revenge.”

“Wike when Wuke hits me, and I get angwy and hit him back?”

“Precisely,” Obi-Wan nods and marvels at the child’s quick understanding.

“Why can’t I get angwy and hit him back, Uncwe Obi?” Leia asks, and the Jedi Master snorts.

“You have the right to feel your anger, little one. And don’t get me wrong, Luke shouldn’t be hitting you in the first place. But after you’ve let yourself feel your anger, the Jedi Code teaches us to let go. Because if we don’t let go of our anger and instead act on it, we create more anger, fear, and hate. And that doesn’t lead to anything productive. Do you understand?”

Leia shakes her head hesitantly, not wanting to fully admit that Obi-Wan’s first explanation wasn’t enough for her to get it.

“That’s okay. Let’s further discuss your example, then. When Luke hits you and you hit him back in anger, what happens next?”

“Weww… he cwies. Ow he hits me again. Ow… bof.”

“Or both, exactly,” Obi-Wan replies, having witnessed a similar situation this morning. “So… do you think your ‘revenge’ makes the situation better? Does it help solve anything?”

“Hmm… pobabwy no. Feews bettew fow a wittwe bit but then it feews sad and wong. Ow mowe angwy.”

“Right. What makes it better, then, if not revenge?”

Leia seems lost in thought for a moment. “Hugs fom daddy? And… um… hugs wif Wuke when we say sowwy.”

“Yes. Or in other words, kindness. And there is no room for kindness when we give in to feelings of anger or seek revenge. And that is just one of the things the Jedi Code tells us.

“Awwight. I tink I get it now. What ewse does it say? The Dedi Code?”

Obi-Wan smiles fondly at Leia and tries to remember her curious eyes the way they are at this very moment. The inquisitiveness, the excitement, the eagerness to learn... From the bottom of his heart, he wishes life will never take that from her. And although he probably wouldn’t admit it out loud, he would do nearly anything to stop that from happening.

“A lot of things. One of the other more essential parts of it, I suppose, is about attachment.”

“What’s attament?”

“Basically, it’s an inability to let go of someone – for instance, when they die or when they have to go their own way that is different to yours,” Obi-Wan explains, trying his best to make his lesson comprehensible for an extremely bright, yet still extremely small child. “It also means not putting one person or relationship above all other responsibilities and people.”

“And that’s wong?”

“For us, Jedi, it’s inappropriate, according to the Code. As putting somebody first and above everything else prevents us from fulfilling our duty. That’s why Jedi aren’t allowed to marry or have children.”

Leia sighs, suddenly looking rather unimpressed.

“Weww, that’s vewy siwwy, Obi.”

The Jedi Master is forced to feign coughing again. “Silly, hm? Why do you think that, my dear?”

“Because you aways say daddy was a gweat Dedi befowe we wewe bown. But he had to weave the Dedi onwy because… um… onwy because he has Weia and Wuke now and it’s against the wuwes. That’s siwwy. And,” she adds, gesturing with her tiny hands. “It’s awso siwwy because daddy had to weave, and you didn’t. So it’s not faiw.”

“But I didn’t marry and I don’t have any children. Why is it not fair?” the Jedi Master asks, somewhat confused.

“Because you have Wuke and Weia too. You come hewe a wot and you take cawe of us too, wike daddy. And… um… you aways put daddy, Weia and Wuke fiwst. But I don’t tink you’we a bad Dedi because you have daddy, Wuke and Weia. No. You’we a weawwy good Dedi. And a weawwy good uncwe. You can be bof. So… the Dedi Code is siwwy, Obi.”

The logic of a not-even-4-year-old combined with her matter-of-fact tone catches Obi-Wan completely off guard. Although he could argue that it’s not that simple, that having close personal relationships complicate the duties of a Jedi, he must admit that to some extent, she has a valid point. Why can’t he be both? And why couldn’t Anakin? Before his twins were born, Obi-Wan had never seen his former Padawan control his turbulent emotions as skilfully as he did now for his little ones. Because he didn't feel like he had a good enough reason. Until the reason - or rather two reasons, to be more precise - was born. And maybe, just maybe, those two tiny reasons would make him an even better Jedi Knight.

Hm, the famous Negotiator defeated by a toddler, he concludes for now, and can’t help but start dreading Leia’s teenage years.

“Well, Leia, thank you for sharing your view on the matter,” he smiles at the little girl in front of him and strokes her cheek gently with his finger. “I will reflect on your arguments later.”

“Okay, Uncwe Obi-Wan,” she says, standing up and responding to the Jedi Master's affectionate gesture by wrapping her tiny arms around his neck. “I wove you.”

“I love you too, darling.”

And I would break the Code for you in a heartbeat.

Chapter 3: About Luke

Summary:

The freshly 4-year-old twins are sick and Anakin needs Obi-Wan’s help.

It’s the middle of the night when Obi-Wan gets a call from his former Padawan. He sounds worn-out and anxious.

“Obi-Wan, the kids have been sick and Luke’s getting worse, and his fever is starting to get really high, and- and- and-“

“Anakin, calm down, take a breath. How can I help?”

"I might need to take Luke to the healers. Can you come and watch Leia?” Anakin asks, his voice pleading. “She’s sick too but it’s not that bad, she can be looked after at home, but I don’t wanna leave her with anyone else than you, I-”

“Anakin, I’ll be there in two hours.”

At that moment, the Jedi Master is thankful that Anakin didn’t move further away from Coruscant after he had left the Jedi Order. He is also grateful his next mission doesn’t begin until next week.

---

When Obi-Wan arrives at the Skywalker household early in the morning, he is greeted by his exhausted former Padawan. He may have been the famous Hero with No Fear in the past, but at the moment, he has dark circles under his eyes, his worry for Luke radiates strongly off of him, and he looks at Obi-Wan as if he is his only hope. Before the two men have a chance to discuss anything, they are both hit by a whirlwind of emotions stemming from the twins’ Force signatures. At only 4 years of age, they are already powerful in the Force, just like their father used to be as a child.

Obi-Wan follows Anakin into the children’s bedroom, only to be met by the sight of an extremely pale, sweaty Luke, and a less pale and sweaty, but all the more grumpy Leia. Both twins notice Obi-Wan’s presence with their eyes glazed over, and instead of hurrying towards him as usual, they stay where they are, letting out unhappy noises – something between a groan and a whimper. The Jedi Master’s heart breaks. He sits on Luke’s bed, where both children are huddled together, and strokes their heads gently. He immediately feels how much warmer Luke’s is.

“Hello there, little ones,” he whispers.

“Unc’ Bi’,” Luke murmurs faintly and said man leans down to kiss the little boy’s forehead.

“Yes, my dear, Uncle Obi-Wan is here.”

“Luke, buddy,” Anakin begins, kneeling next to the bed. “We’re gonna get you to the healers, okay? They’ll help you feel better. Leia, you’re gonna stay here with Uncle Obi-Wan.”

Even before Anakin is able to finish the sentence, Leia latches onto her brother and resolutely shakes her head.

“Leia, sweetheart, let go of Luke, please,” Anakin asks.

“No. Won’t wet you take Wuke!”

The former Jedi sighs and Obi-Wan can’t help but wonder how a 4-year-old’s glare could be this intense. Threatening even.

“Leia,” he starts. “Your father needs to take Luke to the healers to make him feel better. It is highly unlikely he will get better here.”

“I wanna go wif him then!”

“Leia, I’m afraid that’s not possible. Your presence would be of little use there. Luke will go with your father, and we’ll stay here together. Okay?”

“No!” she growls at her uncle. “Don’t wanna stay wif you! I won’t stay wif you! Don’t want you!”

“Leia, come on, let go of Luke now,” Anakin says more firmly this time, noticing his son gradually turning more and more pale.

The little girl doesn’t oblige and not only continues glaring menacingly at the two adults, but her eyes also start to fill with angry tears.

“Alright then. Sorry princess, but this needs to be done,” Anakin decides not to waste more time, swiftly grabbing his daughter against her will and handing her to Obi-Wan, who grasps her gently but securely.

Leia seems stunned for a short moment and then… starts screaming. And it isn’t the usual screaming of a child. No. It’s that kind of screaming that almost blows everyone’s head off. At that point, Obi-Wan can’t help but appreciate his experience from the Clone Wars – the sound of battle used to be so deafening that one screeching 4-year-old isn’t able to shake him now. He also appreciates his experience raising Anakin – though he was a few years older when they first met, his angry outbursts, exacerbated by his childhood trauma, used to be so intense that sometimes, they shattered windows. So, Obi-Wan just embraces Leia and holds her tight, murmuring soft reassurances into her ear. She seems not to hear them though and continues to wail and yell, banging her tiny fists against her honorary uncle’s chest.

Anakin picks up Luke and seems to hesitate for a short while, glancing at Leia trashing in Obi-Wan’s arms. Obi-Wan notices how uneasy his former Padawan feels leaving his daughter in such a distraught state. Truth be told, the young man appears to need a hug as much as his 4-year-olds do.

“Go, Anakin, you need to get him there as soon as possible. I’ve got her,” Obi-Wan assures him and keeps his hold on Leia.

When Anakin finally takes Luke and the door closes behind them, Leia’s outburst doesn’t stop.

“NO! NO! NONONONONO! WUKE! I WANNA BE WIF WUKE! WET GO! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!!!”

“I’m sure you might think that right now, little one. Here, let’s sit,” Obi-Wan says calmly, hugging the child close and taking a seat with her in his arms. He sends her soothing waves through the Force and rubs gentle circles on her back. A few minutes later, her sobs finally begin to subside, and her struggle against Obi-Wan’s grip is gradually replaced by her leaning against his chest and grabbing two handfuls of his robes.

“There, shhh. Are you feeling slightly better now, my dear?”

“Be-bettew,” she sniffles, her face buried in the Jedi Master’s robes.

“I’m glad to hear that,” he says, making sure to let her have as much time to calm down as she needs.

A few moments later, she finally looks up at him. Force, she’s so much like little Anakin after a tantrum, Obi-Wan thinks. Her eyes are red and teary, her bottom lip still wobbly, and a mix of intense emotions flow strongly from her Force signature.

“Is Wuke gonna come back fom the heawews?” she asks suddenly in an unusually feeble voice, leaving the Jedi Master confused.

“Yes, of course he will. Why would you ask that?”

“Because… um…,” Leia’s eyes begin to fill with tears again. “Sometimes peopwe do-don’t come b-back fom thewe.”

Oh.

“Leia, darling, are you afraid that Luke is going to die?”

She nods, and a sob escapes the little girl’s throat.

“No, Leia. No, no. Your brother isn’t that sick. He is only a bit sicker than you, and your father took him to the healers to prevent him from getting worse. That’s all,” Obi-Wan explains, cupping the little girl’s cheeks with his hands. “They will make him feel better and then he’ll be able to come back home. Okay?”

“Okay, Obi,” she whimpers. “I was scawed.”

Obi-Wan’s heart breaks a little and he kisses Leia’s cheek, keeping her soft skin pressed against his.

“I know, my dearest, I’m sorry it scared you so. Is that why you were fighting us so much?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Okay, I understand now. And I’d like to assure you – you don’t have to be afraid of that. Everything is going to be just fine.”

The uncle-niece duo sits together in silence for some time, Leia still curled up on Obi-Wan's lap. Then, the child straightens up and speaks, her tone and expression both apologetic.

“I’m sowwy, Uncwe Obi-Wan… I’m sowwy I hit you,” she whispers almost inaudibly and strokes his left shoulder in an attempt to make up for it.

The Jedi kisses her forehead, trying to soothe the amount of guilt that is too great for her small, still developing Force presence. “All is forgiven, little one.”

“Does it huwt?”

“No, you didn’t hurt me in any way, Leia,” he reassures her, somewhat amused by the notion of a High Jedi General being injured by her tiny, 4-year-old fists. He takes those tiny fists, which are now clutching the fabric of his robes, into his hands, and kisses them gently to show he has forgiven them too.

Leia smiles at the gesture, uncurling her fingers from her palms to wrap them around Obi-Wan’s large fingers.

“Okay. I’m gwad you’we not huwt, Obi. And... I… I don’t hate you. I said I hate you but I don’t. I said it because I was angwy... I didn’t wet my angew go and I awwowed it to co- contwow me,” she paraphrases Obi-Wan’s earlier words and clumsily stumbles over the more complicated ones.

He beams at her, feeling immensely proud.

“I’m sowwy, Uncwe Obi. I don’t hate you… I wove you.”

Leia leans forward to place a sloppy kiss on the Jedi Master’s cheek, and he returns the gesture.

“It's okay. I love you too, my dearest.”

Chapter 4: Before Questions Started

Summary:

Obi-Wan remembers his early days with the twins.

In Obi-Wan’s memory, the first 6 months after Padmé’s death were awful. For the first two weeks, Anakin was so devastated that he wasn’t even able to approach his children. Not that he didn’t wish to, but the grief was too strong. He was so distraught by the loss that he couldn’t keep his shields up and was terrified he would accidentally harm the babies. Even when he began to care for Luke and Leia, Anakin was still mourning his wife and needed support. Therefore, in the beginning, it was Obi-Wan and Padmé’s handmaidens who did a fair portion of the work.

As the time went by, Anakin was more and more able to fulfil his parental responsibilities. Hence, the handmaidens moved out and Obi-Wan returned to his Jedi duties. He was maintaining regular visits though, and the Council was considerate enough to leave longer missions to somebody else. As a consequence, Leia and Luke have known Obi-Wan well from a very early age, and their Force signatures radiate happiness whenever they sense him nearby.

---

One evening, when the twins are 14 months old, Obi-Wan visits the Skywalker household. When he arrives, the children are already sleeping. The Jedi Master has a quiet drink with Anakin, discussing his latest mission. This discussion is followed by another one, this time about Anakin's mission - to keep two Force-sensitive toddlers with his DNA from trouble. Because of that, Anakin is exhausted and soon goes to bed.

Obi-Wan decides to meditate but as he settles down to do so, he hears two quiet little voices babbling from the twins’ bedroom. He smiles and gets up, prepared to tend to the children before they start fussing and wake up their sleep-deprived father.

“Hello there, little ones,” he whispers as he walks in. “How come you’re not asleep at this late hour, hm?”

“Gah-gah. Bah!”

“Oh, is that so, Luke?”

“Guh-guh-guh!” the little boy replies more loudly, and Obi-Wan strokes his cheek to hush him in a gentle manner.

“Now, now, my little one… let’s not wake your father up, yes?”

“Dada,” another little voice says from the other crib.

Obi-Wan chuckles. Did she just connect ‘father’ and ‘dada’ as words with the same meaning? Smart youngling.

“Are you saying ‘daddy’, Leia?”

“Dada,” she confirmed in a tone unusually serious for a one-year-old.

The Jedi Master smiles at his honorary niece lovingly, caressing her cheek as well. She grabs one of his fingers with her tiny hand and Obi-Wan can’t help but feel a wave of affection building up in his chest. It’s present every time he’s close to these two.

“I’m afraid your father is asleep right now and I would very much appreciate if it stayed that way. I am, however, willing to stay for a little while,” he whispers, looking into her big, brown eyes.

She observes the man for a moment, as if considering his proposition. Then…

“No dada. ‘Bi?”

Obi-Wan stays silent for a few seconds. Was it…? Did she…? But… the twins don’t know how to say his name yet! They didn’t have a word for him the last time he was visiting!

“Leia, did you… um… did you say Obi?”

“Hm. ‘Bi,” she points at him.

He lets out a laugh and grins down at the little girl. Leia notices his reaction and giggles. She then decides to repeat what she said to see if his reaction will be the same.

“’Bi. ‘Bi! ‘Bibibibi!”

It is.

“Yes, Leia, that’s right. My name is Obi. Obi-Wan. Good job, my dear,” he praises, leaning down to press a kiss on the toddler’s forehead.

“Bah!” comes from the other crib. “B-b-bah, bah, bah!”

“No. ‘Bi.” Leia corrects, her tone mildly exasperated. 14-month-old arguments are hilarious.

“Bah!”

“Nono. ’Bi. ‘Bi!”

“Bah, bah!”

“Okay, okay, little ones,” Obi-Wan chuckles. He lowers his voice in a hope to soothe the children and lets each of them grip one of his hands for comfort. Thankfully, it’s possible, as the cribs are right next to each other. “Shh. You’re both saying it really well. No need to argue.”

Luke and Leia calm down and fix their gaze on Obi-Wan again. Hm, sending waves of calm through the Force helps during twin arguments. Duly noted for the future, he thinks to himself.

“Alright, my darlings, we are going to talk more tomorrow, yes? Now, you need to sleep. And so do I.”

“No,” Leia says.

“Well yes,” he smiles down at her.

“No no.”

“Yes.”

“No no no no.”

“Leia, I’m certain you’ll be a brilliant negotiator one day, but right now, you are not winning this dispute.”

He turns to leave the bedroom when suddenly…

A sniffle.

And another one.

Oh no.

“Leia, shhh. It’s okay. Come here,” Obi-Wan soothes, picking the child up and kissing her soft cheek. “Maybe you are, at least partly, winning this dispute after all, little one.”

This doesn’t set an ideal precedent, does it, he thinks, but can’t help it. A short while later, he places a calmer Leia back into her crib and strokes her small hand gently. He does the same with Luke’s.

“Alright then. Let’s renegotiate the terms. You both will close your eyes now and try your best to go to sleep. I will stay here for a short while and then I'll go to sleep once you do. How does that sound?”

Of course, there is no verbal response. Both children look content, though, as they watch his large hands hold theirs.

“Alright,” he whispers. “Good night, Luke.”

“Bah.”

“Good night, Leia.”

“Uh-ah, Bibi.”

I’ve never been bested in a negotiation by someone whose vocabulary consists of 10 words before, he thinks fondly as the twins’ eyes start closing and their grip on his fingers slowly loosen. I’d better prepare myself for the day you start asking questions.

Chapter 5: About Stories, Feelings and Bad Words

Summary:

Obi-Wan notices different strengths in each twin and is amazed by Leia's ability to attune to the Force at a very early age.

Luke and Leia are both brilliant children, though in different ways. Luke is a mini copy of his father, loves flying with him and is able to identify every last part of a speeder before he even learns to speak properly. And while Luke follows Anakin everywhere like a little shadow and copies everything he does, Leia’s interests have always been closer to Obi-Wan’s.

Whenever he comes to visits, she grabs his hand and drags him into her room, sometimes urging him to read books to her and discuss their content, other times to tell her stories. Ever since she learned to talk, she asks him questions, comments on what he says, or repeats it if she finds it intriguing. By the age of two and a half, Obi-Wan reckons, Leia shows signs of high social intelligence and makes quite a decent conversation partner. Sure, her speech has still its limits, but there are certainly countless adults with whom Obi-Wan shared duller exchanges in his life… At that age, Leia also starts telling her own ‘stories’, which amuse the Jedi Master to no end. They are usually just snippets of her life with Anakin and Luke, often mixed with her fantasy or something that was read to her by him or her father.

---

“Uncwe Obi teww a ‘towy?” she asks him while playing with a couple of plush tookas. They are both sitting on a carpet in the twins’ bedroom where Leia dragged Obi-Wan a few minutes earlier. In the meantime, Luke is ‘helping’ Anakin with fixing a droid in Anakin’s workspace near their house and Leia can’t be happier to have her Uncle Obi to herself.

“I will. But why don’t you tell me a story first, hm?” he challenges, smiling down at the child.

“Otay. Weia teww a ‘towy ‘bout… ‘bout… ‘bout daddy!”

“Alright then, I am listening,” Obi-Wan encourages her.

“Daddy bweaked a pait befowe Uncwe Obi comed.”

“Daddy did what?”

“Bweaked a pai-,” Leia repeats.

“Baked a pie?”

“No, Obi, no,” she shakes her head and sighs. She sounds rather frustrated by his poor understanding skills. She pronounces more carefully this time: “Daddy b-w-e-a-ked a pait.”

Obi-Wan attempts to decode her sentence for a moment and then it hits him.

“Oh! Broke a… Daddy broke something before I arrived? A part…?

“Yeah!” Leia claps her hands but then glances at the esteemed Jedi Council member somewhat judgmentally. “Weia tewwed befowe, Uncwe Obi.”

“I know, my dear, and I apologize. I must have misunderstood,” he replies with a poker face, keeping the corners of his mouth from twitching upward.

Leia smiles and reaches toward him with her chubby hand to pat his knee clumsily.

“It otay, Obi.”

Obi-Wan returns the smile and encourages the little girl to continue.

“So, daddy broke a part and then what happened?”

“It fawwed, boom. And it bweaked and…,” she begins to whisper all of a sudden. “Daddy tewwed a bad woid.”

“Oh, did he?” Obi-Wan whispers in turn and puts a hand over his mouth in an exaggerated gesture.

“Uh-huh. Daddy tewwed ‘kiff’, Obi.”

At that point, the Jedi Master stops trying not to grin anymore. He is going to torment Anakin with this for weeks.

“And how exactly do you know it’s a bad word, young lady?” he winks at the little girl.

“Um… ‘cause Weia wepeat and daddy say nono. And Weia wepeat ‘gain and daddy feewed tiwed.”

Obi-Wan lets out a laugh. Of course Anakin felt tired, no wonder. Wait… felt tired?

“What do you mean, little one? That daddy felt tired?”

Leia shrugs.

“How do you know when he feels something, Leia? Is it something he says or the way he looks or…?”

“No. Hewe,” she says, placing a hand first on her chest and then on Obi-Wan’s.

The Jedi Master smiles down at the child, rubbing his thumb over the tiny hand on his chest. It seems she is already able to sense emotions this clearly through the Force – at 30 months!

“I think I understand, my dear. Can you feel daddy now?”

“No. Daddy faw. But feew daddy when come home. And Wuke too. When Wuke sad, Weia sad too, Obi.”

“Oh, I see. Even when Luke is not with you at that moment? When you can’t hear him or see him?”

“Uh-huh. Weia feew Wuke. Wike daddy. And Obi,” she says, pointing at him with her chubby finger.

“You can feel my emotions too?” he asks, surprised. Her abilities are exceptional enough for her age, and so far, Obi-Wan’s been certain they only work with her closest family members – the ones who live with her permanently.

“Yeah. Weia feew Obi too,” Leia replies, standing up and toddles toward him. She places both her hands on her uncle’s chest, concentrating. At the contact, Obi-Wan feels a surge of affection building up within him but stays still and keeps his facial expression neutral on purpose. A little while later, Leia starts giggling adorably and her voice gets really high and excited. “Hihi. Uncwe Obi ‘appy? Uncwe Obi ‘appy ‘bout Weia?”

“That’s right, my dearest,” he says finally, wrapping his arms around the child and bringing her onto his lap for a hug. He kisses her temple, holding her close. “Uncle Obi is very happy indeed. And this ‘happy-about-Leia’ feeling is called proud. Proud of Leia.”

“Poud of Weia?” she repeats the new phrase. “Obi poud of Weia?”

“Yes. And every time you sense this feeling in me, it means I’m proud of you, little one.”

And I’m confident you’ll sense it rather often, my dear.

.

.

.

"Uncwe Obi?"

"Yes?"

"Weia wanna weawn mowe bad woids... Obi teach?"

 

Oh kriff.

Chapter 6: About Late Arrivals

Summary:

Obi-Wan visits the Skywalkers after a longer period of time than usual. And he has to deal with some pretty complicated feelings.

Obi-Wan lands his spacecraft near the Skywalker household and makes his way towards the waiting family. Luke, now aged four and a half, immediately jumps into his arms.

“Uncwe Obi! Uncwe Obi!”

“Hello there, little one,” the Jedi Master greets his nephew and hugs him tightly, pressing a kiss on the top of his head. “What have you been up to, hm?”

Luke begins babbling about his day, dragging Obi-Wan towards Anakin’s speeder, and showing him the newest modifications his father has made to it.

“I hewped, Uncwe Obi-Wan! And wook, I did this aww by mysewf!” he brags adorably.

“Well done, Luke. I can see we have another little mechanic on our hands, don’t we?” he chuckles. “By the way, where is your sister? I landed 15 minutes ago, and she still hasn’t come to say hello.”

Leia’s absence felt strange to Obi-Wan. Up to this point, every time he came to visit, she was waiting for him together with her brother and jumping into her uncle’s arms at the first opportunity. This time though, there is no sign of her.

“Weia’s inside, Uncwe Obi. She said she’s not gonna come say hewwo ‘cause she’s mad at you.”

“Oh?”

Luke shrugs and runs off to play with his favourite toy spaceship, making corresponding noises with his mouth.

“She’s mad because you said you’d come back in six weeks and it took two months,” Anakin emerges from a small workshop behind his former Master. “And in the last few weeks of the mission, you didn’t comm either. I know you had a good reason and tried my best to explain it to her but…”

“But she’s four years old and on top of that inherited her parents’ temperament, I understand,” Obi-Wan shoots a smile Anakin’s way before getting up from his sitting position.

“Hey, I was much less stubborn as a child!” Anakin argues.

“Yes, and I was Master Yoda,” Obi-Wan retorts with an eye roll which is swiftly and good-naturedly returned by his former Padawan. “Leia is in her room at the moment, I presume? It seems I have amends to make.”

Anakin nods with a smirk. “Good luck, Master.”

---

When Obi-Wan walks into the twins’ bedroom, he sees Leia sitting at her table, drawing. He is certain the little girl is able to sense him and only opts not to acknowledge his presence.

“Hello there, Leia,” he greets and when no response comes, he continues. “I know you can hear me, little one.”

After a moment of silence and tension, without looking at him, a little voice finally says: “I’m mad at you.”

“Yes, I noticed. Would you turn around so that we may talk about it? From personal experience, being angry with someone and bottling it up inside doesn’t do any good whatsoever. I’m open to listening to whatever you have to say.”

Leia stays silent for a little bit longer, considering his proposition. Obi-Wan uses that time to sit cross-legged on the carpet beside her table. Finally, she turns around and stands up, facing him.

What Obi-Wan sees is a tiny combination of Padmé Amidala and Anakin Skywalker – the child has Padmé’s small stature and facial features, but also her fearless posture, all somehow mixed with Anakin’s intense glare. Obi-Wan used to be a target of this penetrating glare often back when Anakin was a teenager, and right now, Obi-Wan feels an amalgamation of mild frustration and relief. Frustration, because he’s experiencing it all over again, and relief that he already knows how to handle it.

So he just sits there, giving Leia his full attention, with just enough encouragement to make her talk but not too much for her to feel pressured. And it pays off.

“I’m mad because you didn’t keep youw wowd,” Leia states, putting her hands on her hips in a confrontational stance. “Why did you bweak youw pwomise? You said you’ll be gone fow six weeks but you wewe gone fow nine! Assense this long is un… un… unassetable.”

Ah. Absence. Unacceptable, Obi-Wan translates the more mangled words in his mind.

---

You see, Leia – despite being a normal little girl in many other ways – has always been more eloquent than her peers. In the last few months though, the difference has become even more apparent. She has begun to speak in complex sentences, to use advanced vocabulary and together with her rather commanding voice, it’s a combination that has been known to astound strangers. The contrast with Leia’s small stature makes it even more staggering. Obi-Wan likes to pretend he has no clue who his niece got it from. But each time he makes eye contact with Anakin after one of Leia’s more precocious sentences, he shrugs and utters “Don’t look at me, Obi-Wan, I don’t talk like that.” with the unsaid “But you do, Master.”

---

“…and also, you didn’t comm," Leia continues with the admonishment. "When you know you’we late, you have to comm and apogize. Othewwise, it’s wude, Uncle Obi-Wan. We wewe espeting you.”

“I am sorry I didn’t keep my word, Leia. May I explain the reason? It’s only fair to be allowed to say something on one’s defence.”

A nod.

“I was sent on a mission to a planet very far away. It was supposed to be an easy mission, a diplomatic one, with no complications. However,” the Jedi Master continues, considering his next words carefully, not wanting to go into details and scare the little girl with the reality of what occurred. He keeps his shields tightly in place, not wishing to risk letting her sense anything. “However, someone stole my ship and I got stranded there, with no means to travel back.”

“Why didn’t the othew Dedi help you? It was wathew un... un-ci... un-ci-vized to leave you thewe."

At this moment, Obi-Wan has to focus to keep the corners of his mouth from turning upward. He succeeds.

“They did, eventually. But it took some time for me to contact them and then for them to pick me up and take me back to Coruscant. As I said before, it was a system far, far away, Leia.” And I also got captured and tortured. Not too badly, I have definitely survived worse. But there’s no way I’m telling you any of that, little one.

“Why didn’t you comm daddy too? You commed the othew Dedi, so why didn’t you comm daddy?”

“I… to be honest, my dear, there were some very bad people on the planet. And I didn’t want to risk them knowing about you, tracking your location – knowing where you, Luke and your father live. That’s why I commed him only after I had arrived back at the Temple, not before. Do you understand?”

“I guess.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t keep my word, Leia,” he apologizes. “But you must know I would never do that on purpose.”

The little girl looks at him closely, pondering his words. Then, for the first time since his arrival, she gives him a small smile.

“Youw apopogy is asseted, Uncle Obi.”

Obi-Wan smiles back, opening his arms for her. Leia steps forward and lets him hold her, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck.

“I missed you, my dearest,” the Jedi Master whispers in her ear.

“Missed you too. I was weally sad when you didn’t come like you pwomised, Obi. And… angwy. And a little scawed too. That you won’t evew come back.”

Obi-Wan coos reassuringly, holding her closer and kissing her cheek multiple times.

“I love you so much, little one.”

“I love you too, Uncle Obi,” she replies, giving him a kiss back and giggling. “You’we still scwatchy.”

“Yes, it definitely seems like it,” he grins at the child.

Then, Leia pulls back from the embrace, still sitting on the Jedi Master’s lap. Her hands start clutching the fabric of his robes and her expression grows weirdly solemn for her age.

“You got huwt.”

Obi-Wan isn’t able to hide his surprise. He also doesn’t fail to notice that it was a statement, rather than a question.

“Wh- What do you mean, Leia?”

“You got huwt on the planet faw away. Didn’t you?”

“How… how could you possibly know that?” Did she overhear my conversation with Anakin?

Leia shrugs.

“I don’t know how. But I know you got huwt. I feel it.”

“You felt the pain?” Obi-Wan asks, horrified, inadvertently giving away the truth.

“No. I feel… I feel… um… I don’t know how to descwibe it, Uncle Obi,” she sighs, clearly frustrated with her inability express herself. She isn’t used to that. “I’m sowwy. I just know.”

“No, no, that’s okay. You don’t have to apologize. I suppose it might be the Force manifesting itself through your connection with other people. We’ll figure it out as the time goes, my dear.”

“Uncle Obi-Wan?" the child says a moment later. "Did the bad people huwt you? The ones you didn’t want to get to me ow Luke ow daddy?”

“Yes,” Obi-Wan exhales, not wanting to lie to the child whilst trying to disclose as few details as possible for her sake. “But you don’t have to worry yourself over it, nothing serious happened to me, I quickly got everything under control again.” Well, getting out of chains in a week whilst injured and heavily drugged is rather quickly, isn't it?

Leia observes him for a few moments, as if deciding whether she believes his words. Then, she asks.

“Did they huwt you because you’we a Dedi?”

“Well, it’s a fairly complicated matter with which I don’t wish to burden you. But to answer your question frankly… yes, it happened partly because of that.”

The little girl makes eye contact with him again, her expression still serious and at the same time, profoundly compassionate. Up till now, Obi-Wan had no idea four-year-olds are capable of such empathy. Perhaps most aren’t.

Then, as if her countenance isn’t enough to bring tears to Obi-Wan’s eyes, Leia adds:

“I’m sowwy they huwt you because of who you awe, Uncle Obi.”

Obi-Wan inhales sharply and hugs the child closer to himself, kissing her temple affectionately.

“You are being incredibly kind, my dearest. But it doesn’t bother me so much that they did anymore. Do you know why?”

Leia shakes her head and Obi-Wan presses his forehead against hers gently, taking her tiny hands in his.

“Because Jedi is not all that I am,” he smiles and starts whispering, as if telling the biggest secret. “I also happen to be Uncle Obi to two little ones whom I wouldn’t trade for anything in the whole galaxy.”

Chapter 7: About Love and Bad Decisions

Summary:

Obi-Wan is in the middle of a Council meeting when he gets an important call. A call for help.

TRIGGER WARNING: alcohol abuse

Obi-Wan Kenobi is in a middle of a Council meeting when his comm starts beeping. It’s Anakin. Obi-Wan declines the call, making a mental note to comm him back after the meeting ends. However, a few seconds later, the comm starts beeping again. The Jedi Master excuses himself from the meeting and steps out of the Council chamber to find out what could be so urgent.

“Anakin, I am in the middle of a meeting with-”

“Uncle Obi?”

Obi-Wan stays silent for a moment. He didn’t expect to hear Leia’s voice. The children have never commed him before on their own – Anakin is always the one to begin the call, making sure it’s a good time. He would also never call at this early evening hour, knowing too well that’s when the regular Council meetings take place.

“Hello there, Leia. Is anything the matter?”

“Um… I know you wewe ‘posed to come tomowwow, but… can you come now, please?” she asks, her voice slightly distressed and much more timid than usual.

“Of course. Of course I will,” he replies without hesitation. “But first, you need to tell me what’s going on, okay?”

“Thewe’s someting wong wit daddy.”

“Wrong? What do you mean, little one?”

“He looks like he’s sick,” Luke chimes in. “But it’s a weiwd sick, Uncle Obi.”

“Weird sick?”

“Uh-huh,” Leia corroborates. “He talks weiwd and he can't walk stwaight. And… and he fell down when he twied to sit on a chaiw.”

Oh no. Oh, Anakin.

“Can you come, Uncle Obi?”

“I’ll be there as fast as I can, my dears. Where is your father right now?”

“In the kitsen. I tink,” Luke says.

“Alright. And where are you two?”

“In ouw bedwoom.”

“That’s good. You are both doing very well. Now I need you to stay there, okay?”

“Okay, but… what if we need the fwesew?” Luke asks innocently, and Obi-Wan’s heart melts a little.

“Then of course you can use the fresher, my dearest. But other than that, try to stay in your room. Keep the comm with you, don’t hesitate to comm me again if anything, anything happens, yes? I’m on my way.”

“Awwight, Uncle Obi-Wan. Tank you.”

After the call concludes, Obi-Wan quickly informs his fellow Council members of his immediate departure, leaving no room for inquiries. Then he boards his space vehicle and heads for the nearest planet, roughly two hours from Coruscant via hyperspace. Once again he’s thankful that that is where Anakin chose to live with his family, not in some far-away system in the Outer Rim.

After switching to autopilot, the Jedi Master is finally able to exhale and put his head in his hands in slight despair. You see, the reason why he was originally supposed to visit tomorrow is the twins’ fifth lifeday. Surely a joyous occasion. Yet, in Anakin’s case, it is also unfortunately the fifth anniversary of his wife’s death. Obi-Wan knows this and is aware of how tough this is for his former Padawan. With that in mind, he commed Anakin a few days ago, offering to arrive earlier and help him through the days leading up to the anniversary. Anakin, however, refused, and assured the Jedi Master he has already come to terms with it and is able to cope on his own. It’s been five years, Obi-Wan, I’ll be fine. Well, as it turns out, he isn’t.

---

When Obi-Wan lands, it’s already dark outside – a clear sign that the twins should already be in bed. Today, though, they’re wide awake. Upon entering the house, the Jedi Master notices his former apprentice lying on a couch, nodding off. He briefly considers waking him up but decides against it, leaving that for later. Instead, he quickly makes his way toward the children’s bedroom. There, he is greeted by the twins, both looking confused and upset, Luke more than his sister. He lunges at his uncle with tears in his eyes, while Leia stays back, her expression one of concern.

“Shh, it’s okay,” Obi-Wan soothes, rubbing gentle circles on the little boy’s back. “Uncle Obi’s here.”

And although it seems – at least at first glance – that Luke is the only one who needs to hear those words, Obi-Wan means them for both twins.

“Is daddy gonna be awwight?” Luke asks, visibly worried.

“Yes, of course he is, my dear.”

“What’s wong wit him?”

“Well, Luke… I think that’s something he should explain to you himself. Not at the moment, though – tomorrow. Now, he needs some rest. As do the two of you,” Obi-Wan says with a soft smile, projecting as much calm as possible. “Why don’t you take a shower, brush your teeth, and change into your nightclothes? I’ll check on your father in the meantime.”

“But then you’ll come back, wight? To tuck us in?” Luke inquires, seeking reassurance.

“Certainly. Now go on, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

---

Obi-Wan makes his way to the living room. He approaches Anakin and before attempting to rouse him from his slumber, he remembers to extend his shields to protect Luke and Leia from whatever whirlwind of emotions might engulf their immediate surroundings after Anakin’s awakening.

“Anakin, wake up. Anakin!”

“Hmm? Um… M’ster? What’re you doin’ ‘ere?”

“What am I doing here? I came – ugh, you reek of alcohol, Anakin – I came because your children commed me. Yes, you are so drunk that your 5-year-old children felt like they needed to call for help.”

“Oh Force, I… um… I gotta talk to ‘em, Ob’-wan, I…” he slurs whilst trying to stand up but failing.

“No. You will do no such thing. You have done enough damage for one evening,” Obi-Wan declares resolutely and pours Anakin the biggest glass of water he can find. “You will drink this so that you can function tomorrow. Then, you will lie down in your bedroom and sleep it off. And by no means – under absolutely no circumstances – will you approach your children again in this state. I will take care of them for the time being. Are we clear?”

Obi-Wan expects his former Padawan to argue with him. Unexpectedly he doesn’t, and feelings of shame and regret pulsate through their bond so intensely it makes Obi-Wan wonder what exactly transpired prior to his arrival. There is no point in asking now, however. Anakin eventually drinks the water and staggers towards his bedroom, while Obi-Wan returns to the children.

---

When he enters the twins’ bedroom, Luke is sitting on his bed, waiting for Leia to exit the fresher. Obi-Wan lowers himself next to him and strokes his hair gently, feeling his unease.

“Your father will be alright, little one, no need to worry. He just made some bad decisions today and needs to sleep them off.”

Luke buries his face in his uncle’s side, seeking more comfort, and Obi-Wan wraps an arm around his tiny shoulders.

“Daddy was acting weiwd, Uncle Obi. It was a little scawy. And… um… um…” he hesitates.

“And what, my dear?”

“He was mean to Leia,” Luke whispers. “He said someting… I didn’t undewstand but… he said someting ‘bout mommy. And then when Leia twied to talk to him, he… um…”

“He what, Luke? You can tell me, it’s okay,” Obi-Wan encourages his nephew to confide in him.

“He said he can’t look at Leia. And told hew to go away.”

Obi-Wan feels a wave of pure rage travelling through his body. From Anakin’s teenage years, he remembers the feeling of being frustrated or outright furious with him often for various reasons. This, however, is a completely different situation. Because in the Jedi Master’s eyes, none of Anakin’s previous transgressions could ever be tantamount to taking his issues out on his children. And while Obi-Wan is sure Anakin didn’t mean his words and will be remorseful once he fully realizes what he’s done, the same can’t be said for the little ones – especially Leia – who now probably doubt their father’s affection for them.

Obi-Wan hugs Luke more tightly and presses a kiss to the top of his head.

“My dearest, I’m certain your father loves you both very much and didn’t mean to say any of that. Nevertheless, he shouldn’t have said it at all, and we’ll talk to him about it tomorrow, okay? Now go take a shower and brush your teeth, I can hear that Leia is nearly finished.”

Luke reluctantly agrees and when his sister steps out of the fresher, he goes in. At this moment, Obi-Wan has a chance to pay more attention to Leia. Unlike Luke, she doesn’t cry or ask her uncle for hugs or reassurances. She simply sits down on her bed in silence. However, even if Obi-Wan didn’t know how to read her emotions through the Force, he can still see from her facial expression and her entire demeanour that she is far from okay. The usually loquacious, confident child is now avoiding eye contact, and her lips are pursed together, indicating she is fighting back tears. She has always been like that – trying to keep a brave face – even though nobody was actively encouraging it.

“Leia?” Obi-Wan initiates interaction, moving closer to his niece. “Can you look at me, little one?”

She does the opposite, turning away so that he isn’t able to look her in the eye.

“Leia, my dearest, I know what happened. Luke told me what your father said to you. I’m sorry.”

The child still doesn’t reply, but a small sniffle escapes her, followed by little fists rubbing her eyes.

Obi-Wan sighs. He slowly reaches for her, putting his hands under her armpits and lifting her onto his lap. She is still so tiny.

“You don’t have to hide from me, little one. It’s okay to cry, you know that, right? No need to hold it in.”

Then, finally… a sob. And a gut-wrenching one at that.

Obi-Wan’s heart breaks and he hugs the child close to his body, kissing her head. Instantly, a pair of tiny arms wraps around his neck.

“There we go, Leia. There we go. It’s okay to let it out… I’m here. Uncle Obi’s here and he’s not going anywhere.”

Even after she stops sobbing, the Jedi Master’s hand doesn’t cease to stroke her hair and keeps brushing it away gently from her face each time it falls back there.

“Un- Un- Uncle Obi?”

“Yes?”

“Why doesn’t daddy love me anymowe?”

Oh, Leia.

“No, darling, no. Of course he still loves you. He loves both you and Luke so much. You both make him very happy and he’s going to be awfully sorry about what he said before. I need you to know he didn’t mean it, okay? There’s nothing in this world I’m more certain of than that he loves you, loves looking at you and after you, and loves having you around,” Obi-Wan does his best to comfort the sad little girl in his arms. “That said, your father should never have let those words out of his mouth, and I can’t imagine how hurtful it must have been for you to hear them. So if you’re feeling sad, angry, disappointed or anything else, you have every right to be, my little one. For as long as you need.”

Leia nods and rests her head on Obi-Wan’s shoulder, her small hands fisting his robes.

“I’m glad you’we hewe, Uncle Obi. Will you be hewe tomowwow?”

“Of course I will,” he kisses her forehead and smiles at Luke who has just emerged from the fresher. “I wouldn’t miss my favourite twins’ lifeday, now would I?”

“Yes, but I mean… um… will you be hewe in the mowning when we wake up?” she asks and points at the bed they’re lying on, indicating she wishes for him to sleep with them in their bedroom.

“Oh. Of course. The farthest from you I’ll go to is either the fresher or the kitchen, I promise. And even then, all you have to do is call for ‘Uncle Obi’ and I’ll be right back next to you,” he smiles down at the child resting on his chest.

Luckily, the children’s beds are already pushed together, so after taking a shower and turning the lights off, he positions himself in the middle and lets Leia and Luke each cuddle into one of his sides. Luke falls asleep rather quickly, apparently exhausted from that day’s stressful events. Leia seems to have dozed off too, therefore Obi-Wan carefully disentangles his fingers from her grip and reaches out towards a bedside table for his datapad to do some work. At that point though, Leia makes a discontented sound. He swiftly turns his gaze back to her and finds the little girl peeking at him with sleepy eyes.

“Whatever is the matter, my dear?” he whispers, adamant not to wake Luke.

“Youw hand,” she whispers back, pouting. “Wanna hold youw hand.”

“Okay, okay. There you go,” he says, caressing her cheek with said extremity and letting her grab it. The Jedi Master is momentarily irritated by the thought of not getting any work done, but that feeling is immediately replaced by the warmth of a tiny hand wrapping around his index finger. He smiles down at the child, rubbing his thumb gently over her knuckles.

“I love you, Uncle Obi.”

“I love you too, Leia.”

“Uncle Obi?” she whispers again.

“Yes?”

“Daddy was dwunk, wasn’t he?”

“Yes. Yes, he was,” Obi-Wan admits, knowing that he would never wish to lie to her. “Leia, was that the first time you’ve seen him like that, or has it happened before?”

“The fiwst time. But once I saw a dwunk man outside when we wewe at the mawket wit daddy. And daddy looked similaw. That’s how I know.”

“Oh, alright,” the Jedi Master exhales, relieved that this isn’t a recurring incident which he somehow completely missed.

“Why was daddy dwunk, Obi?” she whispers another question.

“Well, little one, I think he is the one who should answer that. You may ask him tomorrow, yes?”

“Will you be thewe?” the child looks up at him, her Force signature radiating nervousness. It breaks Obi-Wan’s heart to see her feel this way regarding an upcoming conversation with her own parent. On her lifeday, on top of that.

“Of course I will. You may hold my hand, sit on my lap, be in my arms… whatever you need, my dearest.”

“Awwight. I love you, Uncle Obi,” she declares again, perhaps needing to hear him say it back.

“I love you too, my favourite Skywalker girl,” he winks, bringing her tiny hand up to kiss it. She giggles quietly.

“I’m the only Skywalkew giww, Uncle Obi,” she ‘informs’ him, as if he didn’t know that.

He grins at her: “Yes, the only and my favourite.”

“Then you awe my favouwite Kenobi boy!”

Obi-Wan chuckles at her antics and gently hushes her, not wanting to wake her brother.

“Let’s sleep now, darling, okay? It’s getting rather late.”

“Okay. Goodnight, Uncle Obi. Love you.”

“Love you too, Leia. Goodnight.”

---

Obi-Wan wakes up early in the morning while the twins are still asleep. He uses this opportunity to seek his former apprentice. When he enters the living room, Anakin already sits there, sipping caf and looking devastated.

“Obi-Wan, I… I screwed up, I know. I don’t remember what I said but… I said something to the kids… to Leia… I… I screwed up.”

Obi-Wan sits down across from him, his countenance deadly serious.

“By all accounts, you told your five-year-old daughter you can’t look at her and then you sent her away.”

“No, I couldn’t… I wouldn’t-“

“But you could, and you did. They both cried, Anakin. They were scared and confused. And Leia asked me why daddy doesn’t love her anymore. I did my best to assure them you didn’t mean what you said – for their sake. But I also told them what you did was unacceptable and that they had every right to be mad at you for as long as they needed to be. Now,” Obi-Wan continues. “They will wake up soon and ask you questions. You are going to answer them truthfully and age-appropriately and you will apologize.”

“Master, I-“

“I wasn’t finished. Furthermore, your children won’t notice any signs of their father’s hangover on their lifeday. No matter how much you suffer, how bad your headache gets or how nauseous you feel, you will use your shields to the best of your ability, and they will not know. Are we clear?”

“Ye- yes. I’m sorry.”

“Now I’m aware how difficult the anniversary of Padmé’s death is for you. I’ve been nothing but understanding and offered you help, support. You refused, convincing me – and yourself – that you’ll be fine. And even yesterday, when you were already drinking while watching your children, when it must have been clear to you that you’re far from fine, you still haven’t commed me and asked for help. Your five-year-old – five-year-old – children were forced to do it for you. So this is on you, Anakin. And you’ll make up for it.”

Anakin only nods, too ashamed to look his former Master in the eye.

“I have promised your children I’ll be there when they wake up, so I’m going to return to their room now. Use that time to pull yourself together.”

---

About 30 minutes later, Obi-Wan comes out of the children’s bedroom with Luke and Leia each holding one of his hands, both twins now dressed beautifully for their lifeday party. At first glance, though, Anakin sees how timid and apprehensive they seem.

Anakin kneels down to their level and fights back tears, feeling awfully regretful.

“Hey, sweethearts, I… I’m really sorry about yesterday, I… there’s nothing I could say that would make my behaviour okay. But, I promise to never do it again, okay? I…,” he swallows, trying not to burst into tears. “I’m sorry. I love you both very much and I didn’t mean to hurt you in any way.”

At that, Luke lets go of Obi-Wan’s hand and leaps into his father’s arms. He hugs him tightly, and Anakin isn’t able to keep it together. He starts crying, kissing Luke’s forehead, and running his fingers through his soft hair.

“It’s okay, daddy. I’m glad you’we not weiwd anymowe. Don’t do it again, okay? It was scawy,” he says.

“I know, I’m sorry, buddy. I promise it won’t happen again.”

“I tink you sould say sowwy to Leia, daddy. You wewe mean to hew,” the little boy whispers in Anakin’s ear.

“Yeah, you’re right, buddy,” he kisses his son one more time and turns his attention to his twin, who stares at him with a ‘it-won’t-be-that-easy-with-me’ look. When Anakin approaches, Leia tightens her grip on Obi-Wan’s hand and moves closer to him, pressing into his side.

“Leia? Princess, I-“

“I’m no pwincess!” she interrupts, her tone disdainful. “I’m a Jedi like Uncle Obi-Wan!”

“Oh. I… I’m sorry,” he apologizes, breathing in and out to centre himself. “Leia, I know I said some things to you that were hurtful. And I couldn’t regret that more. But… I would like to explain. Can I?”

A hesitant nod.

“When I said I couldn’t look at you, I… I didn’t mean it like that. You see, yesterday, I got very sad when remembering your mom. It just happens sometimes, even though it’s been quite a long time now since she… you know. And… I didn’t handle it well, and instead of comming your Uncle Obi-Wan and asking for help, I got drunk. And drunk people say things they don’t mean, and they also aren’t very good at expressing themselves. So, I said that terrible thing when actually, I meant to say that you look very much like your mom and sometimes… sometimes-“

“Awe you sad when you look at me because I wemind you of mom?” Leia asks, and both adults in the room know that if Anakin doesn’t tread lightly, he might soon make the whole situation even worse.

“No, no, Leia,” Anakin shakes his head, horrified that that might be what she takes from his monologue. “Force, I’m not very good at this, am I? I’m sorry. What I meant was that… it just makes me sad that she’ll never get the chance to meet you. To see how smart you are. How resourceful. How strong and brave, but also compassionate and kind. And that she'll never know how much you resemble her in every way. That’s what makes me very sad, Leia. Not you. Never you. You make me,” he gulps, fighting back tears again, but smiling anyway. “You make me so very happy. Every day of my life ever since you were born. You and Luke both. I love you both so much.”

Leia sizes her father up and – apparently still not convinced – inquires further.

“Why did you tell me to go away?”

“I… I don’t know, Leia. Honestly, I don’t remember saying that. I suppose… I may have wanted you to leave the room so that you don’t see me anymore in that horrible, drunken state. But I would never, ever wish for you to go away, my sweet. I love having you around. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have you and your brother around. I love you. And… I’ve never been more sorry in my life.”

The little girl contemplates his words for a few moments and then…

“I fowgive you, daddy. Undew one condition…,” she holds up her tiny index finger. “Uncle Obi will be con-fi-ca-ting all youw alcohol.”

Sounds fair to me, Obi-Wan tells Anakin through their bond.

“Okay, I accept,” he smiles at his daughter, relief visible all over his face. “Come here, my little Jedi.”

Leia smiles back and finally lets go of Obi-Wan’s hand, wrapping her arms around her father’s neck. He hugs her and kisses her cheek and temple multiple times.

“I love you, Leia.”

“Love you, daddy. I’m happy you’we not sad and dwunk anymowe.”

---

That evening, after the twins have celebrated their fifth lifeday and have gone to bed, Obi-Wan and Anakin sit together on the porch of the house, drinking non-alcoholic beverages.

“Obi-Wan? Thank you for coming yesterday… For being there for my kids while I was being an idiot. I could never repay you.”

“You’re welcome, Anakin. But listen… what happened yesterday can never happen again. Your children are strong and resilient but we both saw what it did to them anyway,” Obi-Wan pauses. “Force Anakin, I thought we were over this. Over you not asking for help when you needed it. Over trying to be the perfect Padawan, perfect Jedi, perfect man in my eyes. You’re not perfect and neither am I. And it’s okay. It has always been okay.”

“I know, Obi-Wan,” Anakin sniffles. “I’m sorry. I just… I still miss her so much.”

The Jedi Master stays silent but firmly grasps Anakin’s shoulder, bringing him close and embracing him, pressing a kiss to his curls.

“I love you, Padawan mine. And I promise you, if you comm me, I will always come to your aid. No matter where I am or what I’m doing, till the day I die, I will always be there for you and your children. But when you need me, you have to tell me.”

“I know. I will next time, I promise.”

“Good... Have I ever hit you, Anakin?” Obi-Wan asks, out of nowhere.

“Um... No, Master.”

“I haven’t, have I? Not when you were a child, a teenager… I have never done that. No matter how furious I felt with you, it has never even occurred to me. But I promise you, if you ever, ever pull off something like this again and take your problems out on your children, I will come and punch you in the face. Then I will help you. But first, I will punch you.”

“And I would be deserving of that, Master. But it will never happen again. I promise.”

Notes:

This chapter is very personal to me. I was a few years older than Luke and Leia when my caregiver was repeatedly getting drunk at home. I remember how scary it used to be and how I desperately needed someone like Uncle Obi to come help and comfort me. Unfortunately, I didn't have any close grown-up whom I would trust enough to call. So writing this chapter was one of my ways to heal, I suppose.

As always, I'd be grateful for any feedback - no need to hold back because the topic is related to my own experiences. :)

Chapter 8: About Sleep

Summary:

Obi-Wan and Leia when she's 18 months old and is starting to talk.

Notes:

Okay, so I'm planning on making Leia older for the next chapter so that they may have more complex conversations. I just needed a cute baby Leia this week ❤️ Hope you'll enjoy!

When the twins reach the age of 18 months, Obi-Wan wishes he could spend more time with them and be there to witness their developmental milestones. Yes, he tries his best to comm as often as circumstances allow and even uses the holoprojector so that they can see him (no, he refuses to repeat that one time when the children didn't see his face for three weeks and forgot what he looked like - the crying and hiding behind Anakin was unbearable for Obi-Wan). Still, keeping in touch through technology could never compare to hugging their little forms to his chest and to tiny hands tugging on his robes and excitedly pulling him away to play.

Lately, both twins have become more talkative (though Leia is definitely winning on that front) and Obi-Wan marvels at the speed with which they are able to acquire new vocabulary - especially when he realizes that only a couple of months ago they were just babbling syllables with no real meaning behind them. 

Both Luke and Leia have started to call him "Bibi" recently, as it is easier for them to pronounce than his actual name. The Jedi Master doesn't mind this at all. No, quite the opposite. Perhaps he wouldn't admit it out loud, but every time he hears the nickname, his heart melts, and he can't be prouder to be called that.

One day, Obi-Wan arrives in the Skywalker household late in the evening, when the children are already sleeping. After using this opportunity to spend some undisturbed time with his former Padawan and subtly check on his wellbeing, he says goodnight to Anakin, who can't wait to actually get a few hours of uninterrupted sleep, and decides to stay up in the living room to finish a mission report on his datapad.

About an hour later, however, his concentration is disrupted by a pitter patter of toddler feet. He looks up, already feeling the familiar Force signature of his honorary niece, and what he sees is her adorable, smiling face.

"Bibi!" she exclaims, pointing in his direction.

"Hello there, Leia," he smiles and opens his arms for her.

"Eyyo, Bibi," she giggles and runs to him, flapping her chubby hands in excitement. The Jedi Master catches the little girl and lifts her up onto his lap, where he gives her a couple of cheek kisses.

"Why aren't you sleeping, little one?"

"No 'eep. Bi' guww," she states almost too matter-of-factly for an 18 month old, and accompanies her words with the universal gesture of raising her hands up in the air to show him how grown up she indeed is.

"Too big for sleep, hm?" Obi-Wan chuckles. "And tell me, how did you get out of your crib, young lady?"

Leia points towards her bedroom, babbling something that Anakin, her parent, would perhaps understand. Obi-Wan, however, doesn't.

"Oh, I see," he says anyway.

"Bibi no 'eep. Why Bibi no 'eep?" she asks, her big brown eyes observing him carefully. 

"I had some work to finish, dearest," he explains and gives her another kiss. At that, she giggles rather loudly, as young children tend to.

"Shhh," Obi-Wan whispers and puts his index finger in front of his lips in an exaggerated gesture. "We need to be quiet, Leia. We don't wish to wake up your brother and father, now do we?"

Leia's expression grows more serious as she clumsily copies Obi-Wan’s gesture.

"Thhhhh," she loud-whispers and splutters Obi-Wan’s face with saliva in an attempt to repeat his shushing sound. The Jedi Master snorts as he wipes his face with his sleeve.

"Yes, little one. That's right. Leia and Uncle Obi-Wan have to be very, very quiet."

"Eia thhhh," she repeats her action, while this time - fortunately - not directly facing Obi-Wan. "U'ke Bibi thhhh."

Obi-Wan gasps. 

"Leia, dear heart, did you... did you say Uncle Obi?"

"Yeah. U'ke Bibi."

He grins at the toddler. Probably like an uncivilised idiot, he thinks briefly, but it couldn't matter less, because his heart is melting. He strokes her cheek gently and kisses her forehead.

"You are saying it so beautifully, my darling."

"U'ke Bibi," she repeats, awaiting his reaction.

The Jedi Master hugs her closer, and tucks her head under his chin.

"You are making Uncle Obi very, very happy, Leia. Uncle Obi loves you very much, you know that, don't you?"

The child babbles incomprehensibly and places a sloppy kiss on his cheek.

"Ya you, U'ke Bibi."

They sit together for a few more minutes, with little Leia's head comfortably laid on his chest. After a while, Obi-Wan notices the toddler is being unusually silent. As he looks down and checks her Force signature, he realizes she has fallen asleep in his embrace. Therefore, he gets up and makes his way to the twins' bedroom. However, when he tries to lay the child down in her crib, she whimpers in her sleep and clings to his robes so tightly he would have to pry her tiny fists off of them. In his mind, he quickly rejects that option, and carries Leia back to the living room. He sits back on the sofa with her in his arms, hoping he will be able to place the child in the crib later, when her sleep gets deeper.

---

When Anakin doesn't find Leia in her crib in the morning, he panics. However, he exhales with relief as he enters the living room. Because what he finds there is his former Master - who has been, ever since the Clone Wars, notorious for being an early riser - with little Leia sprawled out on his chest, both fast asleep.

Chapter 9: About Hurting and Secrets

Summary:

Obi-Wan and young Leia go on a trip together. Something unexpected happens and the duo has to tackle a difficult topic.

Notes:

I wish to thank Yellow_sunrise0807 for the idea. Hope you enjoy the chapter!

For the past couple of years, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and the twins have had this tradition: twice a year, each adult pairs up with one child, and they take a three-day trip together. Once a year, Anakin goes with Leia and Obi-Wan with Luke, and the second time, Anakin takes Luke, and Obi-Wan goes with Leia. That way, both men get one on one bonding time with each of the children.

This week, it is Anakin-Luke and Obi-Wan-Leia time. Although Leia enjoys going on trips with her dad, she can't wait for her alone time with Uncle Obi. This year, they are planning to do a three-day hiking trip through the woods with a beautiful lake at the end of it as a treat for the little girl. She loves swimming (and climbing all over Uncle Obi and jestingly trying to 'drown' him in the lake, of course). Not many seven-year-olds have the stamina for such a hike. For Leia, however, it poses no problem. She has the endurance of a young Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan sometimes remarks, and fears that in a few years, he won't be able to keep up.

The first two days pass as expected, with the duo walking through the woods, observing plants and animals, and Leia asking inquisitive questions about them and Obi-Wan answering. In the evenings, they curl up inside their tent together, and Obi-Wan tells the little girl scary stories per her request. They both have a great time together.

The third day begins on a similar note, the only difference being the rain that started during the night. Leia keeps jumping into puddles, splashing him and giggling, and the Jedi Master can't help but grin at her antics. About three kilometres from the lake, Obi-Wan feels the urge to urinate; therefore, he instructs Leia to wait for him.

"Be careful and don't climb those rocks, my dear. The rain made them slippery," he warns the child before disappearing in the bushes.

"Yes, Uncle Obi," Leia replies but doesn't really mind his words. It's so fun to be jumping around and climbing them!

However, as Leia uses the opportunity of not being supervised for higher climbing, her foot slips, and she falls down.

Ouch!

"Leia!" Obi-Wan calls out from the bushes and runs to her as fast as he can. "Leia!"

He finds her sitting under said rocks, startled and on the verge of tears. Noticing that, Obi-Wan’s internal alarm goes off. Leia doesn't cry often, and when she does, they tend to be angry tears in case something doesn't go her way. She rarely cries from pain.

"Are you alright?" he asks, cupping her cheeks in his hands.

"Ye- ye- yes," she hiccups unconvincingly.

When the Jedi Master checks her over, he feels pain radiating from her Force signature. 

"Leia, don't lie to me," he says, his voice somewhat stern. "I can feel you are in pain. What hurts?"

"My... my arm," she replies, looking down. 

"Let me have a look."

Obi-Wan checks her arm, finding it slightly bruised. He exhales in relief when it doesn't seem to be broken or seriously hurt in any other way and kisses her tiny fingers.

"Your arm will be fine, little one," he comforts her and himself at the same time. "Are you absolutely certain that nothing else hurts?"

A hesitant nod.

"You didn't hit your head in any way?" he makes sure.

"N-no, Uncle Obi," she replies, wiping her tears away and standing up. "It's... it's just the arm, and I can feel it already getting better. I... the fall surprised me, I didn't expect it. That's why I was acting so weird when you came. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you before. I will next time, I promise. Can we continue?"

Obi-Wan sighs and nods. Hearing Leia become her eloquent, brave, no-nonsense self again convinces him that everything is alright.

"We will continue under one condition - from now on, you will listen to me on all matters regarding your safety. If you don't, I will be forced to conclude our trip prematurely and return home. No lake swimming. Are we clear?" he keeps his expression strict.

"Yes, Uncle Obi."

They continue for about half an hour, getting closer to their final destination, when Leia begins walking slower than usual. The Jedi Master notices this and inquires whether his honorary niece is okay.

"Do you need a break, little one?"

"No, I'm fine," she retorts and attempts to regain her usual speed.

She is temporarily successful, yet a few minutes later, her head starts spinning, her vision gets blurry, and she stumbles. If it wasn't for Obi-Wan's quick reflexes, she would have fallen to the ground.

"Leia, whatever is the matter?" the Jedi Master asks as he catches the child, his tone and countenance both full of concern.

"I... I'll be fine, I just..." she pauses mid-sentence and trails off. Before her uncle manages to react, she gags and throws up.

When she's done, Obi-Wan helps her wipe the corners of her mouth before realising something serious. At that, his heart skips a beat.

"Leia, I need you to answer my next question truthfully - when you fell before, did you hit your head?"

She nods and looks down, ashamed that she lied to Uncle Obi. She even points to the exact spot on her head where she hurt herself. Obi-Wan checks that spot both physically and using the Force, and doesn’t like what he finds - it seems the swelling has already begun. Nothing immediately dangerous, but it could gradually escalate to life-threatening for a child this young if not properly treated.

"Okay," he exhales, trying to project as much calm as he is able to at the moment. Sending Leia into panic, on top of everything else, wouldn't help the situation at all. "Darling, we need to get you to the healers as soon as possible. I'm afraid you might have a concussion."

"B-but the lake..."

"No buts, Leia. This could be serious. A healer needs to see you."

Sensing the gravity behind Obi-Wan's words, Leia stops arguing, and her bottom lip wobbles instead. As tough as she is compared to other younglings her age, she is still a seven-year-old child, and the concept of being seriously injured scares her. The Jedi Master places a gentle kiss on her forehead in an attempt to comfort her and sends her a wave of calm-protection-love through the Force.

He picks the little girl up and promptly begins carrying her to the nearest town from which they can be transported to a medical facility. On their way, Obi-Wan makes sure to keep her awake. Despite his efforts, Leia's eyes begin to close once they arrive at their destination and wait for the Healers.

"Unc' 'Bi?" she slurrs.

"Yes, my dearest?"

"...'m s'rry I lied t' you."

"That's okay, dear heart. Don't worry yourself over it right now. Save the energy, yes?" he forces himself to smile. 

"Am I g'nna die?" Leia asks. Her voice is so quiet and small that it is almost unrecognisable.

"Oh no. No, of course not, little one," Obi-Wan kisses her forehead for what must be a millionth time today. "Your Uncle Obi would never let that happen, now would he?"

"N-no," she replies, managing an almost unnoticeable smile.

Obi-Wan continues to hold Leia in his arms, stroking her hair gently and sending as much strength through the Force as he can. When the healer arrives, he is completely exhausted, but it's worth it. There's nothing he wouldn't do for this child.

---

When Leia wakes up, she is lying on an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar room. She senses a familiar Force signature, though. She opens her eyes properly and groans as the light hurts them. At this tiny little sound, the familiar Force signature doesn't miss a beat and immediately comes closer to start fussing over her. One large hand cups her cheek, while the other holds her hand and caresses it.

"Unc' Obi?"

"Yes, I'm here, dearest."

"Wha' happened?" Leia asks, confused. 

"You fell during our trip, remember? You have a concussion. We are at the healers' now," Obi-Wan explains in a soft, quiet voice, careful not to overwhelm her senses. "But don't worry, you will be alright, my little one."

"Where's daddy?"

"He is on his way. They were deep in a forest with Luke, his comm didn't work. I was only able to reach him a little while ago. He will be here very soon, I promise."

"My head hurts," the child says, but it doesn't sound like a complaint or a whine. It is simply a statement. 

"Yes, I imagine it does. The healer said that you must have hit it pretty hard," the Jedi Master remarks, stroking it as gently as he can. "Leia, darling... why didn't you tell me you hurt your head? Or that you weren't feeling well?"

"Well... I... I..."

"Were you afraid I would be mad?"

"No... no," Leia tries to shake her head and regrets it instantly.

"Then why, little one? You know how reckless that was, right?"

"I guess..." she looks down, fisting her duvet in her small hands. "I guess I wanted to be brave like you."

Obi-Wan stares at his niece for a few moments, not knowing how to react. 

"Wh- what do you mean, Leia?"

"Well, you never tell us when you're hurt. Or when something's wrong. Like... like when you came from that mission last year and you felt really sad and you had those new scars on your chest. I saw them when we went swimming, remember? But when I ask, you always say it's nothing, that you're okay and- And I heard you tell daddy that you're doing it for us, that you want to sp- spare us. So I wanted to be brave like you and deal with it on my own."

Obi-Wan opens his mouth to reply, but nothing comes out. He is totally staggered and horrified at the same time. Is he responsible for this? Is he the reason why she kept a potentially life-threatening injury from him? To be brave like him and deal with it on her own? On her seven-year-old own?

"Leia, I..." he gulps and breathes in and out a few times to centre himself. "I apologize if I gave you the idea that in order to be brave, one mustn't ask for help and needs to keep things such as injuries to himself. I do not think that to be true at all."

At that, Leia's big, brown eyes meet his and Force, is that a piercing look.

"Why do you do it, then?"

Yes, why do I do it, then?

"I... I suppose it must be something I learned a long time ago and haven't really attempted to unlearn it since, even though it isn't beneficial to me in any way. And while I was under the impression that I have been protecting you and Luke from the harsh realities of this galaxy by keeping some information from you, it seems I might have inadvertently done quite the opposite," Obi-Wan explains, sighing. "I am truly sorry, Leia. Will you promise me that you won't be keeping any more dangerous secrets like this one if I promise you to do the same?"

"Yes, Uncle Obi. I promise. And I'm sorry too."

Obi-Wan leans closer to kiss her head one more time.

"Uncle Obi? We didn't get to see the lake!" Leia gasps at the sudden realisation.

"That's right. But we will. I promise to take you there once you get better, yes?" he smiles at the little girl and she reciprocates. "I love you, my dearest."

"I love you, Uncle Obi."

---

A few seconds later, Obi-Wan feels the chaotic Force signature of Anakin Skywalker quickly approaching before he bursts into the room to check on his daughter.

Chapter 10: About Goodbyes

Summary:

Toddler Leia is struggling with letting her Uncle Obi go. She wants to keep him to herself.
It's emotional but also incredibly cute.

Each year spent with the twins was both exciting and taxing in different ways. Later, if anyone asked Obi-Wan which period in the twins' life was the most beautiful and equally the most heartbreakingly painful in his eyes, he would without hesitation pick the year between their second and third birthday. On one hand, it was a period full of pure adoration, pitter patter of tiny feet following his every step, small bodies clumsily copying his actions, and adorable toddler voices babbling to him, butchering his name and most other words in the cutest way possible. On the other hand, especially little Leia took such a liking to him that every time he had to leave in order to return to his Jedi duties, she would become inconsolable.

Yes, both Obi-Wan and Anakin tried their best to explain the situation to the child, but no matter how much the adults attempted to prepare her for his inevitable departure, she always began wailing and screaming, and tried to physically attach herself to Obi-Wan so that he had no choice but stay. She was never successful, of course, and Obi-Wan and Anakin usually ended up placating her in one way or another, but she put up a fight every single time. The whole ordeal was breaking the Jedi Master’s heart, and each time, he was dreading the moment when it would dawn on the little girl that he was, indeed, leaving.

---

"Leia, Uncle Obi-Wan is leaving tomorrow," Anakin reminds his daughter gently so that she won't be surprised. "He's gonna read you a bedtime story now, and tomorrow we'll all have breakfast together. Then he leaves."

"Otay, dadda," Leia replies with what seems to be acceptance in her voice and continues to play with her brother and their toys, waiting for Obi-Wan to come with her favourite bedtime-story holobook. At this point, though, neither Anakin nor Obi-Wan are fooled by her seemingly calm facade anymore. They know that tomorrow, her reaction will be different.

Next morning, as expected, Leia is indeed gradually becoming less and less accepting of the fact that for the next three weeks (which feel like an eternity to a two-year-old), this is the last in-person contact she will have with her Uncle Obi. Yes, comms and holocalls exist, but how could that substitute all the hugs, kisses, and handholding she gets from him? It simply cannot.

"Luke, Leia, my dears," Obi-Wan crouches in front of the twins after breakfast. "I need to return to the Temple. We have to say goodbye for now, little ones."

Luke seems pensive for a brief moment, then points outside.

"U'ke Obi bye bye?"

"That's right, dearest."

"U'ke Obi fwy 'way. 'Peedew," he continues pointing at the space vehicle parked just outside the Skywalker residence. 

"Yes, Luke," Obi-Wan smiles at the little boy. "Uncle Obi will fly back to Coruscant in his speeder."

Luke nods, then throws his pudgy arms around his uncle's neck. The Jedi Master hugs him back, placing a kiss on his soft cheek. 

"Bye-bye, U'ke Obi."

"Goodbye, little one. I shall miss you."

After saying his goodbyes with the more easily placated one of the twins, the Jedi Master turns to his more headstrong sister. She stands there, observing him, and from both her body language and Force signature, it's obvious she doesn't agree with her uncle's plan to leave at all. No, thank you.

"Leia, darling," Obi-Wan begins what he knows will quickly become a rather tricky interaction. "I'm afraid we need to say goodbye too."

...

"No."

"I understand you wish for me to stay... But I cannot. I need to leave now, and nothing can change that," he explains patiently.

"No, no, no," she shakes her head and grabs his hand (or rather one of his fingers), attempting to pull him towards her room. "U'ke Obi no go, U'ke Obi pway."

The Jedi Master sighs, and although it's emotionally difficult for him, he doesn't budge. He holds his crouched-down position and lets Leia realize she doesn't have the power to make him accompany her.

The little girl pulls on his hands and robes multiple times before the frustration begins to show.

"Leia, I promise to return to you, Luke, and your father once my mission is complete. However, I must go now," Obi-Wan tells her, resolve apparent in his voice. In the past few months, ever since this started, he has gotten quite adept at faking it.

"No!" Leia shrieks two octaves too high, and when Obi-Wan stands up, she begins bawling.

The Jedi Master hides his heartbreak under a loud exhale and picks the toddler up. She angrily struggles against him but, at the same time, refuses to let him go. Being a two-year-old is hard. Obi-Wan holds her and lets her sob and hiccup her no-nos while sending her piece-calm-love through the Force. When Leia's energy is somewhat depleted, she just keeps her arms around his neck and sniffles. Obi-Wan rubs soothing circles on her back and presses a kiss to her temple.

"My dearest, I understand this is difficult for you. I know it's sad and frustrating for you to see me leave. I am also sad to be away from you three again," he confesses his feelings into her ear so quietly that nobody else can hear it.

Leia looks up at him with teary eyes. "Why go?"

"Because, little one, Uncle Obi isn't the only thing that I am. And please, do not misunderstand - I love being that. And I am so very proud of being that. It's just not everything that I am. I am also a Jedi - I travel through the galaxy, I try to help other beings, I-"

"U'ke Obi he'p?" The little girl interrupts him, apparently interested in something he said. "Who he'p?"

"Well, nowadays, my job is mainly to help negotiate, which mea-"

"What neguguguh?"

Obi-Wan does his best to hide his amusement and her pronunciation. "Basically, to be a negotiator means to help beings who disagree with each other to agree on something."

"Agee?"

"Yes. And when I do it right and help the grown-ups agree, then maybe, their children - little ones like you and Luke - can live happier lives out there," he boops her nose gently.

"'Appy... But Weia no 'appy. U'ke Obi go."

"I know, darling. I know," he kisses her forehead. "But we can't be happy all the time. Sometimes, we are sad or angry. Or afraid. And that's okay. That's life, Leia... But then, when we feel happy again, we may truly enjoy it because we know it doesn't last forever."

Obi-Wan is aware his freshly two-year-old niece probably understands half of what he says at best. She seems calmer and more accepting of his departure now, though, and that's all that matters. 

"I have to go now, dear heart. Would you like to say goodbye here or outside?" he asks, knowing that giving young children choices usually helps.

"Atay," Leia replies after a few moments of hesitation and points towards the door.

The Jedi Master carries her outside in his arms. He stops a few meters away from his speeder and sets her down, kneeling.

"U'ke Obi come 'gain?" she asks, playing with the fabric of his robes. 

"Certainly, my dearest. Three weeks, and I will be here again. In the meantime, I will try to comm as often as possible."

"Pomi'?"

"I promise," Obi-Wan smiles at the child, stroking her chubby cheek gently with his hand.

Leia suddenly turns away and runs off. Seconds later, she returns with something in her hands.

"Fow Obi," she proclaims.

"What is it?" he asks even though he sees the object. 

"Wock, U'ke Obi! See, it a wock!" Leia replies and makes a how-come-you-don't-know-what-a-rock-is face at him, gesturing wildly with her pudgy arms in the process. 

"Oh, a rock!" Obi-Wan exclaims, his tone exaggerated. "And it's for me?"

"Yeah! U'ke Obi... um... U'ke Obi take cawe wock. F'om Weia."

"A rock, and on top of that, from Leia! Of course I will take care of it, little one," he assures her, taking her hand and kissing her tiny fingers. It's unbelievable how tiny her hands are, yet surprisingly strong when they want - or don't want - something.

"No it, U'ke Obi."

"What do you mean, dearest?"

"Wock. See, no it. See a giww wock," Leia informs him as if it's the most obvious thing in the galaxy. 

"Oh, she is a girl? I apologize, I didn't notice," Obi-Wan says, a playful smile appearing on his face. "Does our girl rock have a name?"

"No," Leia replies in her no-nonsense tone, which is ridiculous coming from a two-year-old, and looks him in the eye with a frown. "See a wock. Wocks no have names, U'ke Obi. 

"Oh, I didn't know that. Thank you for explaining that to me, my darling."

"You 'ecome," she smiles triumphantly, proud to be able to teach her uncle something. That probably means she's becoming a really big girl!

Obi-Wan smiles at her affectionately in return, and after putting the she-rock safely in his pocket, he leans closer to the little girl and kisses her gently on her cheek.

"I promise I will keep your rock safe. Goodbye for now, dear heart. I will miss you," he hugs the toddler and lets her give him a sloppy kiss, after which he will have to dry his cheek. He'll wait until she can't see him, though, like always.

"Mitt you, U'ke Obi. Bye-bye," she waves and runs off, right into Anakin's arms.

Obi-Wan’s last thought before taking off is that sometimes, he doesn't wish to leave at all.

Notes:

I would be grateful for any kuddos or comments! Thank you in advance :)
Also, if you have ideas about tricky questions Uncle Obi-Wan could be asked, don't hesitate to let me know. I may try and write a chapter about it! ✍️