| Author |
Topic:
How Hard Can it Be? - Daddy Luke Challenge response
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VaderLVR64
Title: Fan Fic Manager in Combat Boots
Registered:
Feb '04
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Date Posted:
11/11/05 10:52am
Subject:
How Hard Can it Be? - Daddy Luke Challenge response
- Date Edited:
3/26 9:34am (4 edits total)
Edited By:
VaderLVR64
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Title: How Hard Can it Be?
Author: VaderLVR64
Characters: Luke, Ben, Mara, chaos
Summary: How hard can it be to take care of one little boy?
Notes: Written for the “Daddy Luke” Challenge
Include the following things:
the word "nightmare"
the phrase "bantha bop"
an exploding toy
a delivery man who interrupts something
How Hard Can it Be?
Luke waved jauntily at Mara as she hopped into the speeder. As she settled herself into the seat, she gave Luke a worried glance. “Are you sure you two will be all right?” A slight frown marred her forehead and her lips were tightly drawn.
Sighing and giving his wife a frown of his own, he shook his head. “I’m quite sure I’m capable of being alone with our son for a few hours,” he admonished gently. “Go – have fun. You and Leia have a great time.”
Mara rolled her eyes. “Are you sure?’
“How hard can it be to take care of my own son?” Luke scoffed.
At this, Mara laughed so hard that a tear ran down her cheek. Then she shook her head. “All right then, farmboy. You two are on your own.”
“Good,” he replied. “You need some down time.”
“I have my comm,” Mara added as she gunned the engine. “Call me if you need me.”
Luke waved her off. “We’ll be fine. Now go!”
Her hand lifted in farewell as she pulled away and Luke looked down at his son, who was kneeling down to inspect a bug that was crawling on the ground. The boy poked at it with his chubby finger. “Rollie bug,” he announced, peering up at his father proudly.
Father knelt down beside son. “Yes, rollie bug,” Luke agreed.
Ben poked at it again and it rolled up into a ball in protest. The little boy studied it carefully and then picked it up, cradling it in the palm of his hand. Luke got to his feet and looked down the street where Mara had disappeared. Now that his wife was safely out of sight, he allowed his concern to show on his face.
He had taken care of Ben when he was baby, even done diaper duty with little complaint. But Ben had stayed where he was put for the most part at that age, safely ensconced wherever his parents decided to put him. Two-year-old Ben, however, was very much mobile. Frighteningly mobile if the truth was known, and terrifyingly active.
Luke glanced down just in time to see Ben chewing contentedly. At first, the father was not concerned. Then he realized that there was nothing his son should be eating. So the question was, exactly what was the little boy eating? He stared at Ben for a moment, who continued to munch on whatever was such a delight to his palate. Then Luke noticed that Ben’s hands were empty and there was no rollie bug on the ground. Where was the -?
Uh oh.
A bad start.
Briefly, Luke considered letting Ben finish off the bug. What harm could it really do, after all? He knew, though, that somehow Mara would find out and then there would be hell to pay. Okay, that meant that bug retrieval was necessary. Lifting Ben up, he swept his finger into the boy’s mouth.
Ben bit down – hard.
Luke yanked his finger out with a yelp. “Ow!”
The little boy laughed. Apparently, his father’s howl of pain was quite amusing. He grinned at Luke and a little bit of dark drool spilled from the corner of his mouth. Bug soup. Yummy. With a grimace, he bravely stuck his finger in the tiny mouth again and swept out bug guts.
Ben stared at his father for a moment, obviously offended. Then he began to scream as loudly as he could. Nothing worked to soothe the boy, and finally Luke hustled him inside where at least the neighbors would not be looking out their windows.
“Come on, Ben,” Luke pleaded. “Stop crying for Daddy!”
Big blue eyes merely filled with yet more tears and the volume increased. Luke bounced and sang, begged and scolded, but nothing worked. At last, inspiration struck and Luke got his son’s attention.
“How about Daddy does the bantha bop?”
Ben gulped and was blessedly silent for a moment. When Luke did not begin dancing, however, he took a deep breath in preparation for more screams. Quickly, Luke put Ben on the couch and began hopping around the room.
“First the bantha goes hop...hop…hop,” Luke sang, taking three hops forward.
The little boy laughed and clapped his hands.
“Then the bantha goes stop…stop…stop.” Coming to an abrupt halt, Luke pretended to almost fall forward, flat on his face. This prompted more chortles and Ben began to bounce up and down.
“And that is the bantha bop!” Luke finished triumphantly, twirling around in a circle, swinging his arms wide.
“Excuse me, sir?” A stranger’s face peered into the room. “You left your door open and I have a delivery for a Master Luke Skywalker.” Carefully, the deliveryman did not mention he had just seen the galaxy’s most famous Jedi Master hopping around the room like an idiot.
As Luke signed for the package, he jerked his head toward Ben, who studied the stranger with interest. “Uh, my son was upset,” he tried to explain. “I was just trying to amuse him.”
“Yeah,” the deliveryman said. “Uh, sure…whatever you say, sir.”
“Daddy dance,” Ben added helpfully.
Luke closed his eyes and shook his head as he closed the door firmly, locking it behind him. What a nightmare! He could just imagine what the press would have to say about this if word of it leaked out. He turned to his son and scowled. The little boy tried on a matching frown and crossed his arms over his tiny chest. Then he stood on the couch and began to jump up as high as he could.
The father managed to swoop him up into his arms just before Ben went tumbling off the couch. The little boy thought it was all great fun. “Go up high?” he asked, clearly hoping that Luke would toss him into the air.
“No,” Luke replied, shaking his head. “No going up high.”
Ben wriggled out of his father’s arms, obviously put out with Luke’s lack of cooperation. Luke slumped into a chair and wearily watched Ben stomp off to his room. Maybe now he would get a moment of peace and quiet. He looked at his chrono wondering how many hours Mara had been gone.
Fifteen minutes??!!
He tapped the chrono, certain that it was malfunctioning. Then he glanced at the chrono on the wall, and it, too, reflected the sad fact that his wife had left him alone with Ben only fifteen minutes earlier. It was going to be a very long day, he reflected.
There was no sound from Ben’s room, so Luke allowed himself the luxury of closing his eyes for just a moment. He did not remember drifting off to sleep, nor did he hear the sound of tiny feet padding past him to go to the kitchen. He did not hear the scrape of a chair being moved or the delighted giggle of a little boy who had reached his goal.
No, Luke did not hear any of that.
Luke Skywalker was dreaming. He was dreaming of time alone with his wife, of quiet moments spent on sandy beaches with good wine and delicious food. Luke dreamed of Mara smiling as she welcomed him into her arms.
They were very good dreams.
It was the crash of sound that woke him.
Rubbing his eyes, he sat there for a moment, disoriented. Something nagged at him, something important. Then he heard a tiny voice from the kitchen.
“Uh oh.”
In an instant, it all came to him. Watching Ben, falling asleep, and then the ominous crash. He raced into the kitchen to see Ben covered in something sticky. A drop of it dangled on the tip of the boy’s nose for a moment before plopping to the floor. Ben stuck out his tongue and lapped at it.
“Good,” he pronounced.
Luke could do nothing but stare at the mess. By the Force, what had the boy done? There was a large puddle of the dark goo on the floor, slowing oozing out in a large circle. He sniffed. It smelled like honey.
“What did you do, Ben?” he wailed in despair. “Your mother’s going to kill us.”
“It went boom, Daddy,” Ben explained, completely unconcerned.
“What went boom?” he asked distractedly as he tried to figure out where to start his clean-up efforts.
“Toy went boom,” the little boy answered.
“What toy?” Luke asked as he lifted his son up gingerly, trying to keep the sticky little body away from his.
“Droid,” Ben replied as he began to lick his fingers.
His eyes narrowing in suspicion, Luke asked, “Where did you put your toy droid?”
“In the honey,” Ben whispered conspiratorially. “Then it went boom.”
Groaning at this news, Luke held his son out at arm’s length and made his way to the fresher. “We’ve got to get you cleaned up before your mother gets home.”
Ben took one look at the tub and began to wail. “No like bath!”
“You can’t stay sticky,” Luke explained, trying to remove the gooey clothes from an uncooperative Ben.
As he pulled his son’s shirt over his head, Ben removed his arms from the garment and then took off at a fast run. Luke chased after him, still holding the sticky shirt. He followed the little boy out the back door into the small yard and then came to an abrupt halt.
Ben was valiantly trying to turn on the watering system. “Take bath out here,” he explained, his little face turning red with his efforts.
“No, you’ll take your bath in the tub,” Luke replied.
“No,” Ben answered. Clearly there was a mutiny threatening.
Luke considered the situation. Really, he just wanted to get Ben cleaned up and put him down for a nap so that he could clean up the kitchen. Did it really matter where the boy got cleaned?
Giving in, he grinned. “All right, you can take your bath out here.”
Ben gave a whoop of delight and began to jump from one foot to another as he waited impatiently for his father to turn on the water. Luke quickly stripped off Ben’s clothing and let him run through the water spray while he retrieved some soap and a cloth. The child was quite cooperative as his father washed him, standing there in the water under the warm rays of the sun.
Luke got soaked, but considered the peace to be well worth some wet clothes. At last, Ben was squeaky clean and as his father wrapped him in a warm, soft towel the boy’s eyes began to close. Quickly, Luke dressed Ben and tucked him into his bed.
The kitchen was a disaster, but after a solid hour of cleaning, it gleamed once more. He even had enough time to shower and dress in clean dry clothes. When Mara walked in the door, he was sitting in his favorite chair, calmly reading and listening to music. Ben was still asleep and the house was silent – clean and quiet.
Mara looked around, clearly surprised not to see a mess. “So…how was it?” she asked as she leaned down to give her husband a kiss.
He shrugged. “It was fine,” he answered. Then he smiled. “It’s like I told you, how hard could it be?”
-----signature-----
If you have to choose between tears and laughter, remember that laughter burns more calories. Army Mom! HOOAH! Adopt a soldier: http://soldiersangels.org/
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Killik_Swarm
Registered:
Oct '05
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Date Posted:
11/11/05 11:09am
Subject:
RE: How Hard Can it Be? - Daddy Luke Challenge response
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Heh… great, Mama Vader.
I only hope I don't have to worry about that… 
KT
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Anakins_Force
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
11/11/05 11:32am
Subject:
RE: How Hard Can it Be? - Daddy Luke Challenge response
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The 'rollie bug' and the procession from chewing to the mouth sweep to tantrum is all too familiar! This was so cute and I laughed out loud at Luke's ability to let Ben control him! Great job--really enjoyed it.
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ginchy
Registered:
May '05
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Date Posted:
11/11/05 11:41am
Subject:
RE: How Hard Can it Be? - Daddy Luke Challenge response
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Ben wriggled out of his father’s arms, obviously put out with Luke’s lack of cooperation. Luke slumped into a chair and wearily watched Ben stomp off to his room. Maybe now he would get a moment of peace and quiet. He looked at his chrono wondering how many hours Mara had been gone.
Fifteen minutes??!!
I LOVE it! One little boy vs. the Jedi Master--who wins? The Littlest Skywalker, of course! This was very cute, and I love how Luke scrambled at the end to get everything cleaned up and how surprised Mara was that she came home to a clean house.
Great job on the challenge!
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Alphiriel
Registered:
Feb '05
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Date Posted:
11/11/05 12:14pm
Subject:
RE: How Hard Can it Be? - Daddy Luke Challenge response
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Aww! That was insanely cute and well-written!
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"She was short, she was furry, she was loud, and she was determined to sell him a melon." -Specter of the Past
May the Force be with me... I mean, you.
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Azeria_Jade
Title: Tipoca City Webmistress
Vancouver BC CA
Registered:
Feb '01
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Date Posted:
11/11/05 12:42pm
Subject:
RE: How Hard Can it Be? - Daddy Luke Challenge response
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Aw! That was utterly adorable! I loved it!
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Star Wars Alternate Universe Fanfiction: Shroud of Darkness http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=26793660&brd=10476&replies=1 Spoiler free for Shadows of Mindor!
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Healer_Leona
Registered:
Jul '00
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Date Posted:
11/11/05 1:28pm
Subject:
RE: How Hard Can it Be? - Daddy Luke Challenge response
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Gotta give it an AWWWW as well.
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Any way youll never know
The many ways I've tried
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Jedi-2B
Registered:
Nov '00
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Date Posted:
11/11/05 1:53pm
Subject:
RE: How Hard Can it Be? - Daddy Luke Challenge response
- Date Edited:
11/14/05 3:05pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Jedi-2B
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Funny, and sweet. I think my boys ate their share of bugs, too. Have to get your protein. 
EDIT: I just had to tack on this cute joke-thing that someone emailed me. I thought it fit this story:
MOMMY TEST
I was out walking with my 4 year old daughter. She picked up something off
the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took the item away from
her and I asked her not to do that.
"Why?" my daughter asked.
"Because it's been laying outside, you don't know where it's been, it's
dirty and probably has germs" I replied.
At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked,
"Wow! How do you know all this stuff?"
"Uh," ..I was thinking quickly, "All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mommy
Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mommy."
We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently
pondering this new information.
"OH...I get it!" she beamed, "So if you don't pass the test, you have to be
the daddy."
"Exactly" I replied back with a big smile on my face and joy in my heart.
-----signature-----
It was on her fifteenth day in the darkness of the Nirauan cave when Mara Jade awoke to discover a rescuer had finally arrived.
It was not, however, any of the potential rescuers she would have expected.
It was Luke.
~~And the rest is history~~
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mavjade
Registered:
Sep '05
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Date Posted:
11/11/05 2:13pm
Subject:
RE: How Hard Can it Be? - Daddy Luke Challenge response
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That was just too cute! I loved it!
Poor Luke! Having to take care of a 2 year old by himself!
He shrugged. “It was fine,” he answered. Then he smiled. “It’s like I told you, how hard could it be?”
Yeah like Mara won't figure out the truth eventually!
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We don't love the people we love because they are perfect, we love the people we love because they are. http://whiteknot.org -because everyone should be able to tie the knot! . http://theworldaccordingtopooh.blogspot.com <- Come share your opinions!
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JadeLotus
Registered:
Mar '05
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Date Posted:
11/11/05 3:01pm
Subject:
RE: How Hard Can it Be? - Daddy Luke Challenge response
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I would pay good money to see Luke doing the bantha bop...
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You are the only thing that makes sense
Just ignore all this present tense
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Meredith_Kenobi
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
11/11/05 4:01pm
Subject:
RE: How Hard Can it Be? - Daddy Luke Challenge response
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 That was really cute! Ben reminded me alot of my little brother...Fantastic, wonderful, terrific job!!!
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Proud to be ZaraValinor's Padawan Delighted to be brodiew's Master 
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KELIA
Title: Fan Fiction Moderator
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
11/11/05 5:18pm
Subject:
RE: How Hard Can it Be? - Daddy Luke Challenge response
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The bantha bop...
Loved little Ben's stubborness over where to take a bath!
Awesome job on the challenge
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academygrad88
Registered:
Apr '04
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Date Posted:
11/11/05 6:19pm
Subject:
RE: How Hard Can it Be? - Daddy Luke Challenge response
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Awesome little viggie! It sounds very much like what happens when I leave my husband with the boys... except hubby is not quite as patient as Luke.
I will run to the store to get some milk. I am gone for 30 minutes and when I get home the house is quite and the kids are asleep. They started fighting so hubby sent them to bed... at 4PM. I know that may sound like a great idea at the time, but when they are wide awake at 3AM you will rethink your position! 
Great job!! Very realistic. I am sure something like this has happened to every parent at some time.
AG88
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I love my Bomb Disposal Expert Winner of more Golden Ewoks™ than you can possibly imagine! Check out the pictures I made: http://ag88.deviantart.com/ ! You will Kriff Luke Skywalker!~ The Real last Command http://swff.bpweb.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4
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LVB
Registered:
Feb '05
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Date Posted:
11/11/05 7:32pm
Subject:
RE: How Hard Can it Be? - Daddy Luke Challenge response
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That was great
Babysitting a 2yr old isn't complete without some sort of disaster. Great stuff
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"Devils do your worst. I'll live in spite of you."
Christopher Marlowe, The Jew of Malta
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ChristianKenobi
Registered:
Nov '05
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Date Posted:
11/11/05 7:56pm
Subject:
RE: How Hard Can it Be? - Daddy Luke Challenge response
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Great job!
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Member of the Official Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ewan McGregor Fan Clubs "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return." -Moulin Rouge  
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BrentusofGath
Registered:
Aug '05
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Date Posted:
11/11/05 10:40pm
Subject:
RE: How Hard Can it Be? - Daddy Luke Challenge response
- Date Edited:
11/11/05 10:41pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
BrentusofGath
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VaderLVR64 wrote: He shrugged. "It was fine," he answered. Then he smiled. "It's like I told you, how hard could it be?"
I'll bet Mara found out about the bug and the bath, somehow! and really let Luke have it! Well done, cute and funny!
Another great fic by Vadey!
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In time or so I'm told, I'm just another soul for sale, oh well Feel it in my bones when you break my back, break it just to watch me bend Why'd you have to go and Let it Die? -Foo Fighters http://conscienceoftheking.blogspot.com/
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