Title: First day of school
Fandom: Star Wars
Characters: Anakin, Dormé, OC
Beta: A huge thank you to
cariel for beta reading this for me =D
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Of course I own none of this. Though I truly wished I did >;)
Author‘s notes: This tale was inspired by
cariel manip
here. ^^
He would never forget the moment Dormé left his world. He had known for some time that his beloved was fading away. Despite all the advances made in medicine, there remained no known cure for Dormé’s rare heart condition. Despite their valiant efforts, not even the top medical specialists or their technology could save her. They could only prolong her short lifespan for a little while longer.
Despite being born with the rare condition, Dormé didn’t learn of its existence until she was a young woman serving in Amidala’s entourage. Had it been discovered sooner, her chances of surreal would have been for more possible. A cold, loveless upbringing ensured it was never discovered. A chance meeting with a certain clumsy Jedi Padawan ensured it had.
Years later, Anakin would curse himself for not discovering it sooner. Nevertheless, his beloved was not a woman who wept over such trivial matters.
‘Life is too short, to live it dead,’ was her motto and so she lived it to the fullest right until her final days. Even then, she’d tease Vader, reminding him that he couldn’t be rid of her so easily. She would return one way or another, if only to keep them company.
It had been four years since Dormé returned to the Force, yet not a day would go by without Anakin seeing her, either through the force or in the amber eyes of their precocious daughter Aené. Through raising their daughter wasn’t always easy it was incredibly rewarding. In truth, he wouldn’t change it for the world.
The only thing he wanted to chance was the one thing he couldn’t. In spite of all of the powers he wielded, Anakin could not return the departed to their bodies. It didn’t stop him from looking for signs of her presence. Dormé did say she’d return and Anakin knew she was not a woman who’d back down on her word.
As he prepared Aené for her first day of school, the former Sith Lord, found himself desperately longing for his wife’s presence. Aené was growing up so fast and though he was incredibly proud of her, Anakin wished she’d slow down a little. It was a selfish thought, but it didn’t stop his heart from aching all the same.
As Aené put on her backpack, she beamed up at her daddy, her amber eyes shining in a way that reminded him so much of her mother. “Ama says she’s proud of us!” she happily announced. It wasn’t the first time Aené claimed to have seen and spoke to her Ama. While Anakin had yet to see Dormé or even hear her voice, he didn’t doubt the child’s words. Aené was strong in the Force and pure of heart.
His brother and friend once hypothesized that his use of the dark side was a possible cause for her absence. But with Dormé’s passing, Lord Vader retired as a Sith Lord. His life was now dedicated to his daughter and he no longer had time for the hunt. Palpatine once believed Dormé’s death would enslave Anakin further to his cause. It was a mistake that cost the emperor his life. Anakin would forever bear physical scars along with the memories. But their daughter, Aené, would never know what would mean to live in fear and that alone was enough. Though Sidious’s death marked the end of the Empire, for Anakin, it was the beginning of a new life.
Brushing some loose strands of hair from her amber eyes, the youngling gave her Daddy an eager smile. Her excitement was as wondrous as it was heartbreaking. “I’m going to have so many friends, Daddy,” she said in all seriousness as she smiled, causing her freckles to dance the way Dormé’s once did. Anakin forced a smile of his own so as to fight back his heavier emotions. He was sincerely glad that Aené loved the idea of school. He just wished Dormé could have been there to witness it firsthand. He knew his beloved would have been so proud of their daughter too.
Taking the little girl’s hand, the former Sith Lord walked Aené to the school she was to attend. It was one of the many educational buildings Dormé had helped sponsor and build when he was still known to the galaxy as Lord Vader. It was also one of the finest on Delaya.
The hardest part is always letting go--but it is a necessary sacrifice, one that will enable them to grow.
Anakin could still recall Obi-Wan’s word upon confessing his sadness over Aené going to school. Obi-Wan too had a daughter, Isellé, who was about Aené’s age. As he approached the school’s front doors, he imagined both Obi-Wan and his wife Sabé were undergoing a similar experience at that very moment with their own daughter.
With a heavy heart, Anakin let go of Aené’s hand. Kneeling down to her level, he kissed her brow and pulled the little girl into a tight embrace.
Aené giggled as she hugged her Daddy back before kissing his cheek. Her excitement and joy was hard to ignore. “OK, Daddy, Ama says it’s time for me to go now.”
Just then, the school buzzer began to chime, reminding the students that class was about to begin. Anakin smiled as he nodded in reply. He felt both contentment and wistfulness at their daughter’s ability to speak to her ama. At least she would never truly be alone.
“Of course, princess, you better go inside,” he said gently. Giving the youngling a hug goodbye, he wished her luck, and reminded her of his love before watching as the five-year-old raced indoors. As Aené joined the other children, Anakin felt a lump forming in his throat. He knew it wasn’t his place to interfere, but it didn’t make it any easier.
She’s growing up so fast, Dormé--too fast if you ask me. But I’m so proud of her and I know you are too. Anakin thought to the Force around him. Though there was no reply, there never was, Anakin felt a shift through the Force, a familiar storm followed by a gentle, peaceful warmth.
Suddenly, invisible, but calloused fingers slipped into his own. Anakin’s heart raced as hope filled his soul. With a shy smile, he glanced over his shoulder and to his immense joy, found his beloved, Dormé, smiling back at him. Unshed tears filled his eyes as through the Force he heard her whisper words of love to him.
Yet as autumn wind began to gust, the petite beauty faded away as though her very spirit had been carried away with the breeze. Though Anakin could no longer see her, the young father knew she was near. He could smell the soft scent of her perfume, water flowers, and hear the musical sound of her laughter in the rustling of the leaves. Smiling to himself, Anakin slowly made his way home, feeling for the first time since Dormé’s passing as though he were complete, for only in her presence was he certain that balance had been restored to the universe.