(A/N: I wanted to thank everyone for their patience. I apologize that this took so long; I was finishing up another story. You have all been amazing and supportive. I hope to see you around some of my other stories. May the Force be with you.)

Epilogue:

Luke sat beside his wife, who was in the final stages of labor. Their child was about to join his parents in the galaxy. Luke was beyond excited, as he had already bonded with the baby. He could still remember the day when he'd been idly playing with Mara's swelling belly, and the baby had given a good kick.

Luke and Mara had shared a laugh, and then Luke reached in to caress the baby with the Force. He'd been surprised when the child reached back...

"Luke?"

Blinking, Luke came back to reality to find Mara gazing at him while she breathed as instructed by the medical staff.

"Yes?" He shifted closer, taking her hand.

"I think it's time," Mara huffed.

Luke felt his heartbeat pick up pace, and sure enough the doctor appeared to check Mara.

"You're fully dilated," the man informed Mara. "It's time. Luke, please help Mara get positioned."

Luke did as he was asked, helping Mara scoot down so she could prepare for the delivery. Once he was prepared and the two nurses were in position to help, the doctor began coaching Mara through the delivery.

After several long minutes, Mara broke down into tears when the delivery took too long for her frayed nerves.

"I... c-can't!" she sobbed.

Luke new it was the hormones talking, so he leaned closer. "Mara you're almost done, Love. Don't quit. You're doing wonderfully."

Mara pitted him with a glare, but Luke only smiled. "Come on, let's finish this."

"You're not... doing anything!" Mara panted as she started to push again.

Luke knew better than to argue, so he simply held onto her hand as she squeezed the life out of it. He made a mental note to use his prosthetic if they had any other children.

Mara screamed as the push ended and she trembled with fatigue.

"I see the head!" the doctor said eagerly. "Give me another good push, Mara."

Mara didn't answer, but instead took a good breath and pushed. Luke leaned forward to try and see, but the doctor and the nurse were both in the way.

"The head is out!" the doctor exclaimed. "One more time, and we'll be all done."

Mara took a few breaths in preparation... and then pushed with all her strength. After what seemed like forever, a loud cry erupted into the room. Mara grunted loudly and then collapsed against the bed.

"It's a boy!" the doctor announced to the couple.

Luke and Mara shared a joyous look. They had chosen to wait on learning the gender until this moment. Also, Mara had selected a pair of names: one for a boy and one if they had a girl.

"Aeron."

"Cutting the cord..." the doctor murmured as he and the nurses worked. "Alright, let's get him cleaned up and into his mother's arms."

Luke tended to his wife as they listened to the unhappy wails of their newborn son. Mara was exhausted, but he knew she was excited to hold her son for the first time on this side of things.

However, there was also a level of fear she'd never truly lost: her fear of being a mother.

"Mara..." Luke soothed her softly. "You will do fine. Just wait until Aeron is in your arms... you'll see."

"I don't know Luke..." Mara whispered. "What if..."

Luke shook his head, placing a finger to her lips. "No buts. Have faith in yourself, Mara."

Mara thinned her lips, but did not argue. Moments later the nurse returned with their son, all wrapped up in a small blue and green blanket. He squirmed, and Luke could feel the baby searching with his primitive instincts for the two presences he knew.

"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Skywalker, your son is completely healthy." The nurse smiled at them.

She instructed Mara on how to hold the infant, and soon the bundle of baby and blanket was nestled in her embrace. To Mara's obvious surprise, the baby stopped squalling and squirming the moment he was in her arms. His body relaxed, and he gazed with his tiny eyes at Mara's face.

"He can see you at the distance from your breasts to your face," the nurse said quietly. "So though his vision isn't really clear, he knows who you are."

"Thank you," Mara murmured, and Luke saw a tear slip down her cheek.

That single droplet of moisture took with it all Mara's previous insecurities, and Luke watched his wife gaze with utter love at their infant son.

"Hello Aeron," Mara whispered while Luke knelt beside his family. "You're so handsome."

Luke reached up to tenderly touch the small crop of dark hair Aeron sported, and he felt how soft it was. He wondered what color the child's eyes would be when he was old enough for their true hue to present itself.

Mara glanced up at her husband, who had a warm smile for both his wife and child. "He's perfect, Luke."

"Yes," Luke responded softly, "yes he is."