The next morning, Gabby went to have breakfast with her father, when they were approached by Master Windu.

"Skywalkers," said Mace.

"Morning, Uncle Mace." Gabby said before taking a bite of cereal.

"What's going on?" Anakin asked.

Mace was quick to notice that Anakin had only one child with him, Carousella and Remix were eating at the horse trough that was added to the cafeteria since they started getting horses in the Temple.

"Where's Boba?" Mace asked.

"He's probably still sleeping." Anakin said. "Why?"

"Your daughter came to me last night. Now I need to speak with your son. Alone."

"You're not gonna do anything rash, are you?" Gabby said both sternly and worriedly.

"Of course not," said Mace. "I thought about what you said, and you are correct that the least I can do is face the consequences of my own actions."

Mace left without another word.

Gabby looked at her father, unsure of what she should do next, assuming there was anything she could.

Boba was still asleep when Mace entered Anakin's quarters.

Mace thought more about what Gabby had told him as he looked at the young boy sleeping peacefully, cuddling his stuffed lion. Thinking back to before, he realized that Boba couldn't have slept so easily after watching his birth father getting decapitated. And it was thanks to a younger child's compassion that he had a change of heart and started to follow a better, brighter path.

Naturally, Mace didn't expect that they would become friends. But, it was only right that he at least apologize to the boy. He also remembered how roughly he'd acted with Gabby when the Council expelled her father, and the girl became terrified of him for a while. Despite that, Gabby was able to forgive him after he and the others apologized. But unlike Gabby, Boba would never see his birth father again; even the clones could not replace Jango Fett. They might have looked like him, but they would never be him.

Right now, Mace had to be the adult and the bigger person in this scenario. Boba was given a second chance, and the last thing he needed was to feel awkward and afraid every time he saw him. Naturally, every time Boba looked at him, he would first see his father's killer. But, with time, patience, as well as proper guidance through the ongoing grieving process, Boba might grow to see him differently in the future.

Looking at the boy now, Mace didn't see a killer. After the things his honorary niece told him, and seeing how Anakin and his wife cared about him as their own, he just saw... well, a child. And this was a child in need of guidance, compassion, and a bit of compensation for the wrongs that were done to him

Mace hated to disturb the boy's hopefully pleasant dream, but it was vital that he spoke to him.

"Boba..." Mace said quietly.

Boba hardly even stirred, and he kept sleeping. So, Mace gently shook Boba by his shoulder.

"Wake up, Boba."

This time, Boba yawned and started to stretch out.

"Morning, Dad." Boba said, still a little tired, not realizing who he was talking to until he rubbed his eyes and looked up.

Boba got scared when he saw who was there, and hid under his blanket, not knowing how else to respond. So, yes, he was acting like he was Gabby's age in the moment, but again, he had gone through a lot, and was still uncertain how to proceed with his emotions.

"Boba, relax. I just want to talk to you." Mace said.

Boba didn't move, nor did he say anything.

Mace sighed, and he sat down.

"I sense you still have some anger in you," said Mace. "Who am I kidding? You're furious with me. But you need to understand that I was only... it's complicated. But..."

Mace wasn't sure how he could explain why he killed Jango Fett. And he might not have been the most sentimental Jedi, but he was smart enough to know overcomplicating it wasn't going to help anyone.

"Oh, what's the use trying to explain?" Mace groaned. "Nothing can justify what I did. I killed your father, and there's nothing I can do to bring him back. And while I don't approve of the way you behaved afterward, trying to get revenge, I can start to understand why you responded in such a manner. You were hurt, and you had no guidance for your emotions. If I'm being honest, I myself am still adjusting to the changes in the Jedi Code, and still have a lot to learn. We both have a lot to learn."

Boba started to come out from hiding and actually looked at Mace in disbelief, but also with a bit of awe.

Mace looked at Boba.

"What I'm really trying to say is... I know we probably won't be friends, but I think we can at least try not to hate each other so much. And, above all else, for what it's worth... for everything you've gone through. No child deserves to go through what you did, including yourself. And I had a lot to do with it. And... I'm sorry."

Boba looked down at that, not knowing what to say. Mace looked concerned and waited to see what Boba would do. And, Boba started softly crying.

Remix entered the room and saw his boy crying. He stepped in slowly so he could help. But Mace held up a hand for him to wait as Boba started to say something.

"I know you probably won't believe me, but... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Boba said. "For everything. I tried to get revenge on you, and I only ended up endangering even more people in the process, including the people who adopted me later. I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive myself for any of that."

Boba sniffled.

"I didn't deserve any of the good things I got," said Boba. "I should've just been left alone."

"Boba, don't say that." Remix said, nuzzling his boy. "You're not a bad kid. Yes, you made mistakes, but you're owning up to them, and you're making an effort to be better. That's what's important. Not every song sounds perfect at first. Sometimes the notes are improperly played, or an instrument hasn't been tuned right. But, when one learns to listen, you can change the song and make it all better with time and dedication."

Mace didn't know much about music, but he agreed that Remix was correct.

"I'm not mad at you, Boba." Mace said. "And now I understand you need time to grieve. I don't expect you to forgive me right away, but I can forgive you, and thanks to your sister, I'm willing to give you a second chance. But, you'll have to behave yourself and earn people's trust from now on. Do you understand that?"

Boba looked at Mace tearfully and nodded, then he started crying again.

Mace didn't know why, but he felt compelled to do something unexpected both to him and Boba.

"Come here," said Mace, pulling Boba into a hug, allowing the boy to cry into his shoulder.

It seemed pretty crazy, I know. But, they were making progress.

Gabby happened to walk in to see her brother and uncle were hugging. Things seemed like they were getting better. Remix also joined in by wrapping his neck around the two guys as best he could. Then, Gabby came in and joined the hug, and believe it or not, so did Anakin in a big group hug.

Boba had never felt so cared for, so loved. All his life, he'd been taught that having friends, becoming too sentimental, and just plain enjoying certain parts of life were too dangerous, and he thought he would grow up to be a bounty hunter like his father. But, now he had a new life and new choices. Even though Jango didn't show it when he was alive, Boba knew his father would likely just want him to choose what made him happy. And as of now, what made him happy was to embrace his new family and friends, and continue on his way to becoming a better person, while discovering who he could grow up to be in the future.

Gabby had one more idea though. She went to her parents about it and told them it was wedding-related.

"I wanna give my role of ring bearer to Boba." Gabby said. "He's part of the family now, so why shouldn't he get to be part of the wedding?"

Gabby's parents were surprised that Gabby wanted to give up the role she was given for her brother.

"Are you sure that's what you want, Princess?" Anakin asked. "I know being a flower girl would be pretty cliche."

"Maybe, but Boba deserves to have the chance." Gabby said. "I'll just be a flower girl like my cousins, if Boba accepts the job."

So, Anakin and Padme had Boba sit down, and Gabby presented the pillow to him.

"Big Brother, my parents originally chose me to carry the rings at the wedding." Gabby said. "But now that you're part of the family, I want to give you the job... if you'll have it."

Boba couldn't believe his family was giving him such an important role. He'd never been to a wedding before, much less been part of the wedding party.

"I'd be honored." Boba said. "But what about Gabby?"

"I'll be a flower girl." Gabby said. "I'm adorable and grow flowers all the time. Plus, I get to do it with my- I mean our cousins Ryoo and Pooja."

Boba held the pillow dearly in his hands. He started to believe he was going to be very happy being a Skywalker.