momslilassassin | The Skywalker-Wiggin House by the Lake in Naboo

Val squealed in delight. "Yeah, she's messing with you," Ben confirmed.

"Spoon," Ender said firmly, pointing at it. "Tell me the name like you mean it."

"Dah," Val tried, giving him big, pleading eyes.

"Spoon," Ender repeated.

"Poon," Val finally said.

"Good," Ben said, grinning at her.

"Close enough," Ender said, laughing softly.

Ben smiled at them both. "Ready to learn about queens, princess?" he teased Val.

"I hope you're full now," Ender told her, "Because you have a lot to do and see."

Val held up the empty bowl and stared into it, like ice cream would magically reappear.

"We'll have more later," Ben said. "Promise."

"And now you'll live your life as your father has lived it before you," Ender teased, getting up. "Forever chasing that next bowl."

"And now you'll know why I run every single day," Ben agreed, bopping Val gently on the nose and heading for the speeder.

Ender followed close behind, smiling a little. "This is Theed, Val," he said, waving his hand at the city. "It's where your great-grandma is from."

"Oooh," Val said obligingly, big eyes taking it in.

"And that's the Palace she used to live in," Ben said, pointing.

"She was a Queen," Ender said. "And she was very good at it."

"And then she became a Senator, and she was even better at that," Ben said, heading for the museum.

Ender smiled. "We're going to a museum that will show you all about her," he promised. "You get to see her, Val."

Val laughed happily and reached out for Ender.

Ender reached out in turn, taking her little hand in his.

Ben's heart just about melted into a puddle in his chest. "I love you both very much," he murmured, sending a wave of affection through the Force.

Ender smiled at him. "We love you too," he said, "You strange, ice-cream hogging man."

"There is nothing strange about hogging ice cream," Ben said, leading them into the Naboo Museum of History. "Let's skip the Gungans this time," he said in an undertone.

"Agreed," Ender said quietly.

The last thing they needed was Val taking a shine to them. "The Queen exhibit first, I think."

"Oooooooh," Val said, eyes wide as they approached the room, where a model of the ceremonial dress for special events, white and enormous, greeting them.

"I think that was Padme's," Ben murmured.

"This is what your great-grandma wore," Ender told Val. "Pretty, isn't it?"

Val nodded. "Touch it!" she tried, reaching for the dress.

"Look with your eyes, darling," Ben said.

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