Lonely Nights, Lonely Hearts by brokenxangel19

[Annie]

Lonely Nights, Lonely Hearts

By brokenxangel19

Summary: 6 months after ROTS. Padme survives and is living on Naboo with her children.Anakin (thinking that Padme is dead) hears Padme’s voice one night through the force and questions the fateful decision he made 6 months before. Anakin was never put in the Vader suit.

Chapter 1: Painful Memories

Padme Amidala sat on the edge of her bed with tears in her eyes. Today marked 6 months since Anakin and her spoke one last time on Mustafar. To this day, she still couldn’t believe what he had done. Every time she’d think of him, she’d start to cry. It scared her to see him on Mustafar and see just how far he’d gone. He had gone down a path she couldn’t follow. Okay Padme, think of something positive, she told herself. But any thought, positive of negative, Anakin’s beautiful face popped into her head. She stood up and started to pace the room. Their last moment was imbedded into her mind. She dreamed about it. It haunted her dreams. And knowing it was all for her, made matters worse.

Flashback (6 months earlier)

“Anakin, you’re breaking my heart! You’re going down a path I can’t follow!”

“Because of Obi Wan?”

Obi Wan? She thought. Why would it be because of Obi Wan? “Because of what you’ve done – what you plan to do. Stop! Stop now; come back! I LOVE YOU!”

She could see the anger in his eyes. It made her cry even more.

Anakin started to pace. “LIAR!” He screamed.

She turned around. She was stunned to see Obi Wan, but it didn’t surprise her that he would do something like that.

“You’re with him! You brought him here to kill me!”

“No!” She screamed.

He raised his hand and started to choke her.

After Obi Wan told him to let her go, he released her and she collapsed. Anakin and Obi Wan pulled out their lightsabres and duelled. I can’t do this, I can’t kill him, he thought.To his amazement, he couldn’t find Anakin. His eyes finally found Anakin’s ship leaving the ground. He immediately ran back to Padme’s ship, and he suprisingly found Padme still on board. Funny, he escapes and doesn’t even try to take Padme, Obi Wan thought. He couldn’t believe Anakin just escaped, not even attempting to kill him.

“Master Kenobi, we have Miss Padme on board, please, please hurry. We must leave this dreadful place!” He heard C3PO say. He followed him to Padme, where she asked him if Anakin was alright, then fell back into a deep sleep.

“I can’t do it. As much as I hate him, I can’t kill him.” Anakin said out loud. Flying back to his master, he thought about Padme. It was outrageous that she would turn against him. He started to cry, just as he had earlier in the Jedi Temple. Landing his ship, he went to Darth Sidious.

“The Separatists have been taken care of, Master.” Anakin said.

“Yes, you told me, my young apprentice, though I am sensing much fear and confusion in you.” Sidious told him.

“I am fine Master, I assure you. I’m just tired.” Anakin said.

“Go to sleep, Vader. You need your energy.” Anakin bowed to his Master and left.

--

Padme was lying in the medical chamber looking at her son and daughter. Our love created these children. They look so much like him, She thought to herself. Tears welled up in her eyes, and Obi Wan took the children into his arms.

“Hold on Padme, your children need you.” Obi Wan said to her.

“I – I can’t…”

“Don’t give up, stay with your children, Padme. They need you. You need them.”

“L-Luke and Leia...” She said slowly. “Let me hold them.”

Obi Wan handed them to her. She felt so happy and so sad at the same time. It was a relief to have them out of her, but it was heartbreaking for them to not have a father. - or at least a father that wouldn’t be there for them.

She found the strength to sit up and she immediately started to cry. Obi Wan wrapped his arms around her and comforted her.

“You have to hide, you and your children,” said Obi Wan. “Somewhere where the Sith cannot sense your presence.”

“I want to go home.” Said Padme.

“It’s too dangerous…” Obi Wan said, “…With Anakin not knowing where you are, not knowing if you’re dead or alive, it would be the first place he would search.”

“I’m willing to take that chance,” she said, “My children need a life, a family. And I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to let them live their lives.”

“I’ll discuss it with Master Yoda. We will decide what is best.” And with that, he walked away and let Padme rest.

--

“ Living on Naboo, dangerous it is…” Yoda said. “…But possible.”

“Yes master, but I just don’t think it would be safe. I’m worried that something will happen.” Obi Wan said.

“Understand her decision, we must. Painful for her, it is.” Yoda said. “Bring her to Naboo, we will.”

--

Anakin felt something. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but he definitely felt something. He left to find his Master.

“My Lord, I must ask you something.”

“What is it, my young apprentice?” He knew exactly what he was going to ask.

“Where is Padme? Is she…safe? Is she alright?” He was praying she would be all right.

Sidious sighed and put his head down. “It seems that in your anger, you killed her.”

“I? I couldn’t have, she was alive, I FELT IT!” Immediately, he sent objects flying around the room. He screamed in outrage, as Sidious was smiling inside his cloak.

As Anakin was suffering, Padme was landing on her home planet of Naboo.

End of Flashback.

Padme couldn’t sleep, as per usual. 6 months without his warm body sleeping beside her. He was always on a mission with Obi Wan, but when he came back, she always felt so safe, knowing he was sleeping beside her, with his arms around her. But now she was just so cold. Life was a blur. The only thing that made her smile was her two beautiful babies. They always reminded her of the good memories her and Anakin shared. She walked into the twins’ room and watched them sleep. When she looked at Leia she saw the younger Anakin whom she met on Tatooine. He had asked her if she was an Angel. He had also given her the Japor Snippet, which hung around her neck. She took the necklace into her hands and closed her eyes, thinking of when he first gave it to her. When she opened her eyes, tears filled them again. She looked at Luke and saw Anakin’s colouring. She could swear that Luke was a carbon copy of Anakin. The only thing he really got from Padme was a few facial features.

She left the twins’ room and went back into her room. She decided to go for a little walk, leaving her sister to watch the twins for a few hours. The sun was setting, her favourite time of day. The Lake Country was still beautiful, just as it was when she was last here with Anakin. She stood and leaned on the railing overlooking the sunset. The smiled, noticing that she was standing in the exact place that she and Anakin were married. A mix of happy and sad tears filled her eyes.

--

Anakin sat in his chamber with his face in his hands. “Why did I have to kill that man? He didn’t even do anything. Maybe I am a monster. If I can kill my family, I guess I can kill anyone…” Tears filled his eyes. “What have I become? I went from a little innocent boy on Tatooine to a Sith Lord. I even remember that day where I swore to destroy the Sith. I was there with Obi Wan.” Obi Wan. That was the last name that he wanted to say, let alone think about. He turned his own wife against him. Anakin sighed. He still remembered the way Padme’s hair smelled. He loved the way it just looked so perfect. And her eyes. Her eyes were so beautiful, he’d get lost every time he’d look into them.

Thinking about her always made him cry. He knew how much of a mistake he made. Although he loved having control and power, he was powerless without Padme. She was his strength, his life, and his only love. Though it always puzzled him to wonder about their child. Something inside him wanted to tell that the child was still alive, but he knew the truth.

“All I wanted to do was save you…” whispered Anakin. His premonitions had come true. She really did die in childbirth. But from time to time he still thought about the what ifs. What if I stayed in the Jedi Temple? Would Mace Windu succeed in killing the Chancellor? What if I listened to Master Yoda and just ignored those feelings? He asked himself. Then it hit him. Palpatine! He’d manipulated him, and had him thinking that the Sith could save people from dying. In reality, he could, but he’d never save Padme, because then he’d know that Anakin would be cold and miserable and angry and it would make him more…powerful. She wasn’t going to die in childbirth! Palpatine put that into his head. This angered Anakin. Of course it would for someone to finally put pieces of a puzzle together when its too late. But was it too late? With Palpatine being the monster he is, he could have lied about Padme and our possible child dying. Anakin sat there running all of this information and the possibilities into his head. Then one place popped into his head. Naboo. If she was still alive, that’s definitely where she’d be. But if she was still with Obi Wan, he might have hid her. Anakin sighed and laid down. Just as he was closing his eyes he heard a voice. A voice that he could recognize from a mile away. It couldn’t be…Padme?

--

“Please God,” Padme started to say, “Please find a way to help me through this. I miss him so much. My life without Anakin is miserable and cold. Please help me. I know he wanted to save me, but I believe in my heart that he could save me from anything, just as he is, or was. I know that there’s still good in him. It hurts me to look back on those memories on Mustafar. Those visions haunt me in my sleep, and when I wake up, I realize that they’re not dreams, because I look over and find that Ani isn’t there to comfort me. I would do anything, give anything to hold him again and to just be with him and tell him how much I’d forgive him, even if it was for 5 minutes. I just want to be with him. Is that too much to ask? Am I asking for too much? I just want my husband back into my arms and I guess you’re the only person who can do that for me. Please lord help me overcome this. Without him, I’ll die, and I almost let go until Obi Wan told me that my children needed me. They’re the only reason I stay alive, and the fact that Anakin still has good within himself. My love for him is that strong.”

She started to cry even harder and felt the evening breeze blow across her face. It was a great feeling. A feeling that she hadn’t felt in a long time. As her beautiful brown hair blew in the wind, she whispered, “Please Ani, wherever you are, come back to me.”

Anakin was stunned. He heard every single word she’d said. It could be a trick, his mind told him, but he knew she was real. She was alive and thinking of him. He was angry and happy at the same time. He was going to come back to her. Nothing would or could stop him. But he had to deal with one last obstacle – Palpatine.

Chapter 2

Anakin paced around his room. His wife and…children were alive. He couldn’t believe it. He just wanted to call out to her, but he knew he couldn’t. There was no doubt that they were on Naboo. He couldn’t wait to see her again. There were so many things he had to say. He wanted to tell her how sorry he was for doing the things he did. He wanted; he hoped that she’d find it in her heart to forgive him. He wanted to live the rest of his life making it up to her. He wanted to raise their children and possibly have more. A thousand things were running through his mind, but he managed to put it all aside, for he had one more thing that he had to do. He had to fulfil his destiny and make the prophecy true.

He went around looking for his master and found that he was sleeping. He remembered the story that Sidious had told him about Darth Plageus the wise and how his apprentice killed him in his sleep. Of course, Anakin knew it was Palpatine who did it. He stood over his Master and ignited his lightsabre. He bent down and stabbed Palpatine in the stomach. His eyes flipped open and as he struggled, Anakin spoke to him. “It’s ironic,” he said, “You claim that you can save others from death, but you couldn’t save yourself…you ruined my life, my marriage, and now, I see the light. Goodbye Master.” And he slashed his former master’s throat. That was it. That was all that had to be done and he did it.

Now all he had to do was go home.

--

Padme stood out overlooking the Lake Country. The sun’s reflection was on the ocean. She remembered how she used to love to swim. She still did, although she didn’t have that much time. She still couldn’t believe that everything was exactly how it was when she was last here. Only one thing would make this place absolutely perfect – Anakin. She couldn’t help it. Standing exactly where they were married, she was bound to think about him. She hadn’t moved in the last hour. She just stared at the reflection on the ocean. It was truly remarkable. The childhood memories were coming back to her. How whenever she’d go to the beach with her friends, they’d play tag on the beach, running through the sand; that smooth sand surface beneath their feet. Oh, what a wonderful feeling it was. Then she chuckled, remembering how Anakin had told her that he didn’t like sand. He said that it was coarse, rough and irritating, and it gets everywhere. Then he said, “but not like here, everything’s soft and smooth…” And they shared their first kiss.

She sighed. All these memories played through her head. Like when she first told Anakin she was pregnant. He said it was the happiest moment of his life. That whole night was incredible. He told her that she was beautiful over and over again. They talked about raising their child on Naboo. And then the dreams started. Damn Palpatine! He manipulated her husband. He tricked him. If only he knew that, she thought.

“If only he could be here. Looking at what I’m looking at, its exactly how it was when we were last here…”

--

Anakin ran around and eventually found a speeder that would take him home. He loved saying that, “home to Padme.” It was all over. All the evil, and the Sith were no more. He was overwhelmed. No more destruction. But he knew he had to explain himself to Padme, Obi Wan, Yoda, and whoever else survived the fall of the Jedi and the Republic. And his children! How was he going to explain where he was the first 6 months of their lives? Leave it alone, He told himself. All you need to focus on now is going home.

“She must be lonely,” he decided, “She keeps praying and talking to herself. And I’m hearing it all.”

Then he heard her say one more thing as he got into the speeder. “I love you, Anakin. Wherever you are, I want you to know…”

He shed a tear. “Don’t worry, I’m coming home, my love.”

With that, he flew away from all things evil, and closer to where he knew he was going to be – forever.

--

It was beautiful. She had been out here for a while, and the sun was setting very slowly. Which was fine, because she could stay out longer and gaze at the spectacular sights. When it was dark, she didn’t have this feeling…she couldn’t explain it. There was just something about the daytime that was different from the dark, other than the fact that they were complete opposites. She usually spent the nights alone, when Anakin was out with Obi Wan on a mission. But it was so different now, seeing that now she isn’t a Senator, and now she knows he’s not coming back. This was her favourite spot, not just because Anakin and her had gotten married here. It's just that you could see everything from that exact spot.

She took the necklace that hung from her neck off and held it in her hands again. She closed her eyes and thought about when he first gave it to her. Its something she frequently thought about. Anakin had told her once, when it was his last night before he had to leave again on a mission, that the Japor Snippet he had given her was basically her engagement ring. He knew that from when he first saw her, he was going to marry her. Some way, some how, he would see her again and marry her, whether or not he was a Jedi. And seeing her again after 10 years sealed the deal. He was determined to tell her how deep his feelings for her went. And he also told her that when she finally told him that she loved him on Geonosis, he was complete. She started to cry yet again, wondering how someone that sweet could turn his back on everything he knew, and just leave it all behind.

She held the Japor Snippet and closed her eyes again. She thought about what he had said to her when he was 10 years old as they were on the ship going back to Coruscant.

“I made this for you. I carved it out of a Japor Snippet. It’ll bring you good fortune, for you to remember me.”

He was so confident that he’d see her again. When he first told her how he felt that night in front of the fire, she felt like she herself was on fire. No one had told her that before, not even Palo, whom she liked when she was 12. She wanted to leap into his arms and tell him the same, but she didn’t want him to risk his future for her, even though she knew he would, with or without her consent.

When they were finally married, and the morning after they consummated their marriage, when he had to leave, he told her, “I’ll never leave you. No matter where we go in life, I may be somewhere else, but my heart will always be with you. I’ll always leave it with you, so you know that someday I’ll come back.”

And it was true; his heart was still with her. But she wasn’t sure that he’d come back. She put the Japor Snippet back around her neck, and thought that maybe it was time she walked back. She decided to stay for another 20 minutes or so.

As she thought about it, Anakin Skywalker was landing his speeder on Naboo.

[Annie]

Chapter 3

Reunited

Anakin stepped out of his speeder. This was it. He was coming home. Home, he thought, now that’s a word I haven’t said in a while. He thought about buying flowers, but then he came to the conclusion that it may be a bad idea, seeing that there may be the possibility that they’d end up down his throat or up a certain area of his… so he said no to flowers.

To his amazement, he was scared. For the first time in…years. To him, this was more frightening than battling a Sith Lord or losing an arm. The thought of her not forgiving him haunted him. Even though she said all of those beautiful things about him, she still might not forgive him. His insides were spinning faster than a spinning top. He was sweating, exactly how he was when he was seeing her again for the first time in 10 years. Obi Wan had told him to stop sweating and to relax. He told him to take a deep breath. But he had told Obi Wan that he hadn’t seen her in 10 years. Obi Wan thought he was crazy. He sweats and fidgets when seeing a girl for the first time, but he doesn’t even blink when he’s about to fight a Sith Lord or Battle droid. But this wasn’t any girl. This was Padme Naberrie Amidala. The girl. The girl in his dreams. But the difference now was that he wasn’t just dreaming about her – she was his wife, if she’d still have him.

His knees were shaking. The palms of his hands were dripping with sweat. He took a deep breath and started to walk. The Lake Country was still beautiful. Padme was right. A million things went though his mind. “I wonder what she’s wearing. And how she smells…wow, I sound pathetic.” He now realized that he was walking in circles. He had no idea where she’d be. He didn’t want to go to her parents’ house first. Seeing him? Sure, he thought. They probably want to kill me. Then Padme would most likely walk in on a huge dog pile in their living room. Anakin chuckled picturing that.

He stopped dead in his tracks when he heard singing.

--

She started to hum the song and started to sing.

“Empty spaces fill me up with holes
Distant faces with no place left to go
Without you within me I can't find no way
Where I’m going is anybody’s guess

I’ve tried to go on like I never knew you
I’m awake but my world is half asleep
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I’m going to be is incomplete

Voices tell me I should carry on
But I am swimming in an ocean all alone
Baby, my baby
It’s written on your face
You still wonder if we made a big mistake

I’ve tried to go on like I never knew you
I’m awake but my world is half asleep
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I’m going to be is incomplete

I don’t mean to drag it on, but I can’t seem to let you go
I don’t wanna make you face this world alone
I wanna let you go (alone)

I’ve tried to go on like I never knew you
I’m awake but my world is half asleep
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I’m going to be is incomplete…”

Padme smiled. “I can’t sing. But I do like that song.” She started to cry as she replayed the lyrics in her head. She leaned over the ledge to see the ocean hit the rocks. A tear fell from her face and down into the ocean. “I’m so sorry Ani, but I think I have to let you go…” she put her head down as she took the Japor Snippet off from around her neck. She eyed it mysteriously and questioned whether or not to do it. She took a deep breath and kissed the necklace and released it from her hands. She watched as it started to fall.

Her eyes widened as it stopped in mid air. She was stunned, and more or less confused. It flew up and went back around her neck. Something wasn’t right. Then she felt a huge gust of wind blow from behind her.

“If you’re planning to let me go, then give me my heart back first. I’ll slowly and painfully die after that…”

Her legs refused to move. Her spine broke out in chills. She held her breath for a second. He’s crying, she thought. She finally got the courage to turn around. She saw her husband, and he was as beautiful as ever. They stood in silence for about 30 seconds. If it weren’t for the waves crashing against the rocks, she could swear that she could hear a pin drop. They never took their eyes off of each other. She finally broke the silence. Her throat almost closed up.

“Ani, I…”

“No Padme, I should talk first.”

She nodded in agreement.

“I am so sorry for everything. I was arrogant. Hell, I was more than that, I was…words can’t even describe how sorry I am. But more than anything, words also can’t even describe how much I love you, and how I never stopped thinking of you. When Palpatine told me you were dead, they had to lock me up because I was ready to tear the galaxy apart. I was ready to kill myself -

“Then why didn’t you?” Padme asked. The comment startled Anakin.

“Because I knew I was going to go somewhere dark, and I would never get the chance to see you, even if it were to be in my dreams. I knew that you were alive, even if it wasn’t physically, because you are and always will be in my heart, dead or alive. You are the flame in my soul that will never die. You are the only reason I lived. I knew that I had to see you again. And finding out that you were alive…it lit up my world. I was overwhelmed when I heard you today, it was like you were calling out to me. I knew I had to be home again, and I knew how much of a monster I had become, which I made clear to Palpatine just before I killed him.”

Padme’s eyes lit up. She slowly walked up to him until they were face to face. He desperately wanted to touch her, but didn’t make a move. He was afraid how she was going to react.

“Remember Padme, I gave you my heart; my soul. And I told you that morning that I would always come back. And I just- “

“Shut up, you’ve said enough Anakin. I don’t wish to hear it anymore. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

Anakin just stared into her eyes. She brought her hand up and slapped him - hard.

“And that, Anakin Skywalker, is for you not kissing me already.” Her smile was so wide it could have brightened up the sky.

He laughed and grabbed her. He kissed her and it was a kiss neither one of them would forget. 5 minutes must have gone by until Padme pulled away. “I think you should meet your children.”

Anakin smiled, but shook his head. “Our children.”

Padme shed a tear of happiness. It was the first happy tear in a long time. He put his arm around her waist as they walked down the stairs, on their way to becoming a complete family.

As they left the spot that brought them together as Man and Wife, the sun was finally setting.


Chapter 4

Time for Family

Anakin and Padme were walking hand in hand on their way to their house. Their home. Always and forever. Home sweet home, Anakin thought, as he smiled. Padme noticed the guilty twinkle in his eye and laughed.

“What are you smiling at?” She asked him.

“You’re beauty,” he said, quite pleased with himself.

“Sure…” she said, rolling her eyes.

“I’m serious! You’re beautiful you know that? I look in your eyes and I get lost!”

Padme laughed. She could finally laugh without feeling guilty. She was now complete. The fact that he just came back, willing to take the blame and leave all of the evil and power behind, it made her remember that he is the strongest person she knows. All was for her, and it was no word of a lie. She couldn’t get enough of the fact that he was here, and this time she knew he wasn’t going anywhere, unless it was in a body bag. She desperately wanted to just jump on him and make up for lost time, but she controlled herself. There’s time for that later, she thought, a secret grin forming on her face, which Anakin picked up. He was laughing, because he was thinking the exact same thing.

“Wow, look at these!” Anakin pulled her to a flowerpot and they were looking at pink and lavender flowers.

“Wow,” said Padme, “If I could have chosen anything for our wedding, it would have been flowers. Same colours too.”

“But what about the wedding dress? Surely you’d think about that first, seeing that your sister is the one who likes big weddings and seems to be an expert,” Anakin said.

“Well, I don’t need a huge gown. Everyone seems to think that it’s all about having to look beautiful. But really, it’s not like that at all. You have to know that you are going to be spending the rest of your life with someone, and that means everything. That’s what makes a bride look beautiful on her wedding day; that she acknowledged the fact that she is getting the greatest gift of all – a husband, best friend, and hopefully someday, a family. It doesn’t matter where you are, or how you look, that’s just something people added to make it more memorable. The vows themselves are the most important things, not the dress or the flowers.”

Anakin smiled. He loved her so much. He knew how much this marriage meant to her, and he would do whatever it takes to not mess it up again. He was fortunate enough to have her forgiveness. He owed her.

“Do you mind if we go to the corner stores for a minute? There’s a place I would like to go, I want to pick up something.” Anakin said. “Then we can go home after.”

Padme nodded, as they started to walk. She loved him saying the word home. She knew that he knew that he was here to stay.

They reached the chain of stores.

“What do you want to pick up?” Padme asked.

“Just a part for my speeder. It kind of gave out when I landed. Can you wait here?”

“Okay. I might just go and grab a water bottle or something; I’ll see you in a few minutes. Love you.”

Anakin looked at her and then kissed her deeply. “I love you too...”

And with that, he turned around and started to walk towards the auto-parts store. Padme sighed. She walked to the water stand and purchased a water bottle. Anakin turned around to look at her, and when he saw that she had her back turned to him, he turned and started walking in the opposite direction, away from the auto-parts store.

--

“How can you be sure?” Obi Wan asked the man who stood in front of him.

“I know, sir. It definitely was him.”

“What happened?” Obi Wan asked.

“He stepped out of his speeder, looking very nervous, and walked toward one of the houses. Then after that, it seemed that he changed his mind and went down towards the dock. I saw him walking up a set of stairs where a former resident is staying, and then I didn’t see them after for a good twenty minutes, until they walked down the steps.”

“So you’re implying that it was him and a female?”

“Yes sir.”

“Do you know where they are now?” Obi Wan asked.

“No sir. I’m sorry to have disturbed you, but seeing who you are, I thought you would have wanted to know that he is back.”

“No apology needed. Thank you for this information. One more question, if you don’t mind. What would you say was going on, from the looks of it?” Obi Wan had a hard time believing this, but he knew the gentleman wasn’t lying.

“Definitely two people being reunited. They were smiling and holding hands as they were leaving.”

“Thank you sir,” Obi Wan said to the elderly man. “Thank you very much.”

Obi Wan thought that he might go visit Anakin, but he didn’t want to walk in on anything happening between him and Padme. He decided to wait for at least a few days until he would see his former apprentice face to face again. If Padme was happy to see him, then nothing would be going wrong.

--

“I was beginning to think that you weren’t coming back.” Padme teased, as Anakin walked out of the auto-parts store.

“If you wanted to buy a speeder part, why did you come out empty handed?” Padme asked.

“I ordered it. It’s…going to be delivered.”

“Oh. Shall we go home now? The sun is almost fully down and I don’t like the dark. But I guess I shouldn’t be worried, because I have a big boy to keep me safe.” She winked at him.

The walk back consisted of them talking about what they loved. It was as if they were two friends, just talking about life. They walked by the huge flowerpot that they had seen before, the one with the pink and lavender flowers.

“Those are so remarkable. I’ve never seen such beautiful flowers!” Padme said.

“Neither have I,” Anakin said. They truly were beautiful.

“I’m going to go out and buy some. I want to plant them.” Padme thought about how beautiful the flowers would look on the front lawn of their house. Then she thought of those same flowers being in Leia’s beautiful hair when she were to get married. Surely, it was way too soon to be thinking about her 6 month old babies getting married, but it was cute thinking about it.

“Well,” Anakin started, “I don’t think the owners would mind if we took a few…” He bent down and picked out one of the lavender flowers and put it in Padme’s hair. “Beautiful,” he said. He kissed her lips and they started walking again.

They finally reached the house and went inside.

“So, this is our home.” Anakin said, looking around as they walked through the front door.

Padme’s sister immediately walked out from the kitchen. “Padme, would you mind if -”

Sola just stood there when she laid eyes on Anakin Skywalker. Padme looked at her sister and thought she was going to jump on him and stab him. Padme put her hand in Anakin’s and put her head on his shoulder, motioning that everything was fine, and Sola got the message. She lost the glare and smiled at him. To Padme’s surprise, Sola walked over and hugged Anakin. “It’s good to see you again. Welcome home.”

“So, what were you going to say?” Padme asked, remembering her walking from the kitchen.

“What? Oh! I was wondering if you’d be okay with me going home. Mother needs help, since I left my children to bother her, to come take care of yours.”

She saw Anakin’s Adams apple bob up and down, so she knew that he was nervous.

“Oh, of course you can go home. Thanks for your help.” Padme gave her sister a hug, and went to check on the kids.

“It’s like I’m a stranger in my own home,” Anakin said to Sola, “It’ll take some getting used to.”

“Don’t worry Anakin, everything will be fine. Just let me give you one piece of advice. Don’t hurt my sister again. I’m not saying that I’ll hunt after you, but if my sister has to go through it again…Oh man, Anakin, if only you saw what I had to see. She wouldn’t eat, and if she did sleep, she’d wake up screaming from having nightmares. I was always there for her, but there was only so much I could do. Everyone helped out and did everything they could do. The only thing that could fix her was you. You were the last piece of the puzzle, and seeing her walk in tonight smiling? I’ll tell you, watching her leave the way she was tonight, going to the same spot she went to every day at sunset, it was like watching a ghost. Can I tell you a secret?”

Anakin nodded.

“The only reason she stayed alive was because she kept saying over and over again that there was still good in you. Obi Wan kept telling her to hang on because she was constantly saying “I can’t, I can’t” and Obi Wan told her how much you love her and how your love created two beautiful babies. Your love kept her alive.”

Sola watched as a tear fell from Anakin’s face.

“I didn’t mean to upset you, I just thought I’d tell you just how deep her feelings for you run, just as you did before you got married.”

Anakin nodded again.

Sola smiled at him as she was leaving. When she was walking out, she stopped beside Anakin and said, “They just woke up. Good luck, Daddy.” She gave him a hug and left.

Anakin stood in silence for a while. Padme came out and stood in front of him. She leaned up on her toes and kissed him. She grabbed his hand.

“Come with me…”

They entered a room full of flowers. Anakin immediately thought of what she said that night on Coruscant.

“Ani, I want to have our baby back home on Naboo. We can go to the Lake country where no one will know; where we can be safe. I can go early and fix up the babies’ room. I know the perfect spot – right by the gardens…”

Anakin looked out the window, and saw that there was a gigantic garden outside the window. He smiled, and Padme knew what he was thinking.

“Well, I told you it would be the perfect spot, didn’t I?”

Anakin heard a cough. He instantly looked into the crib, which had two babies sitting upright and looking straight at him. Tears filled his eyes. Padme started to cry too. They were a family.

Padme looked at Anakin as she linked her arm into his. He looked sad.

“What’s wrong?” She asked him.

“I – I don’t even know their names.”

Padme chuckled. “The boy is Luke, and the girl is Leia.”

“Leia, my mother’s middle name!” Anakin said.

“Yeah, I thought it was a beautiful name…”

“…For a beautiful girl.” Anakin said.

Anakin reached in and grabbed Leia. “Hello beautiful.” He kissed her forehead as he started to cry even harder. Padme smiled and picked up Luke. They eventually traded, at which Luke ended up in Anakin’s arms. “Hey there Luke, I’m your daddy!” he held Luke close and kissed his forehead as he did to Leia. Padme felt a tear roll down her cheek as she moved up to him and hugged him. The four of them were now in a bunch. Anakin used the force to flick on the switch for the stereo, and soft music came on. Together, as a family, they shared their first dance.

[Annie]

Chapter 5

Moving On

Anakin Skywalker sat outside enjoying the Midnight breeze. He was in a deep thought, and Padme could tell when she walked outside and sat on his lap.

“Are you alright?” She asked him.

“Alright? I’m better than all right! In fact my life at this very moment is absolutely perfect!” Anakin said, smiling, “I thought my life was over tonight. I thought that you would never forgive me.”

Padme started to cry and Anakin looked at her. “Why are you crying?”

“Because I almost let you go…I almost let us die.”

Anakin wrapped his arms around her. “Shh, It’s okay. I understand how you felt.”

Padme looked up and looked into her husband’s eyes. “I love you,” She said.

“I love you too,” Anakin said. “ And I can’t believe how much Leia looks like you,” Anakin said, trying to change the subject.

“And Luke looks like you,” Padme said. "They’re both going to have your hair.”

“Well, I don’t know about that…” Anakin said, with a big smirk on his face.

They stood up and went inside. Anakin flicked the stereo on again, andhe took her hand.

“Dance with me,” He said. Padme took his hand and they started to dance. She smiled. She liked this song.

I could stay awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you’re far away dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure

Don’t want to close my eyes
I don’t want to fall asleep
Cause I’d miss you baby
And I don’t want to miss a thing
Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I’d still miss you baby
And I don’t want to miss a thing

Lying close to you feeling your heart beating
And I’m wondering what you’re dreaming
Wondering if it’s me you’re seeing
Then I kiss your eyes
And thank God we’re together
I just want to stay with you in this moment forever
Forever and ever

Don’t want to close my eyes
I don’t want to fall asleep
Cause I’d miss you baby
And I don’t want to miss a thing
Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I’d still miss you baby
And I don’t want to miss a thing

I don’t want to miss one smile
I don’t want to miss one kiss
I just want to be with you
Right here with you, just like this
I just want to hold you close
Feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time

Don’t want to close my eyes
I don’t want to fall asleep
Cause I’d miss you baby
And I don’t want to miss a thing
Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I’d still miss you baby
And I don’t want to miss a thing

Don’t want to close my eyes
I don’t want to fall asleep
I don’t want to miss a thing

She loved this feeling. She felt so safe and alive with him. The song ended and they just kept dancing, not caring that there was no more music. As another song came on, Anakin held her tighter. “I love you…” He whispered, “…so much.”

Late at night when all the world is sleeping
I stay up and think of you
And I wish on a star that somewhere you are
Thinking of me too
Cause I’m dreaming of you tonight
Till tomorrow, I’ll be holding you tight
And there’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be
Than here in my room dreaming about you and me

Wonder if you ever see me and I
Wonder if you know I’m there
If you looked in my eyes would you see what’s inside
Would you even care?
I just wanna hold you close but so far
All I have are dreams of you
So I wait for the day
To take the courage to say how much I love you
Yes I do

I’ll be dreaming of you tonight
Till tomorrow, I’ll be holding you tight
And there’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be
Than here in my room dreaming about you and me…

This song reminded Padme of when Anakin was first sent to protect her. She liked him so much but she just couldn’t bring herself to tell him because of their difficult situation. She just kept dreaming about him.

When the song ended,Padme pulled away and yawned. “I’m tired.” She said. Anakin nodded.

“We’ll go to bed, but first I want to check on the twins.” Padme smiled as they walked hand in hand down the hall to the twin’s bedroom. Luke and Leia were in their cribs on opposite sides of the room, sleeping. They walked up to Leia’s crib.

“Which one do you think Leia will take after?” Anakin whispered.

“I think you already know. She obviously has your facial features.”

“I disagree, I think she’ll take after her mother. Luke, on the other hand will most likely take after me.”

Padme smiled. “Jedi Master Luke Skywalker.”

Anakin chuckled. “Senator Leia Skywalker.”

Padme gave him a menacing look. “You forgot Amidala. It’s Senator Leia Amidala Skywalker.” Anakin laughed and put his hands up. “I surrender. Although I wouldn’t mind fighting for it.” He winked and slapped her butt lightly. Padme laughed and tucked Leia’s foot back into her blanket.

They both planted kisses on both the twins’ cheeks and left the room in silence. Padme got ready, and sat on the bed. Anakin took off his cloak and a piece of paper fell out of one of the pockets. He bent down and picked it up, knowing what it was.

“What is that?” Padme asked. She stood up, reaching for it.

“It’s nothing.” Anakin pulled away when Padme tried to grab it. “It’s just…a letter.”

“And...?”

”It’s the letter I wrote to you after I left Mustafar. Before I found out you were "dead". After that, I guess there was no point of sending it.”

Padme had a blank expression on her face. She finally spoke.

“Can I read it?”

“Let’s leave it in the past. I don’t want to start anything.”

“Who said anything about starting something? If it was in the past, then you wouldn’t mind if I read it. Please Anakin, let me read it. I need to know how you felt.”

Anakin handed it to her, and went to go change. He was scared.

Padme sat down and opened the semi-crumpled up letter and silently read it.

Dear Padme,

Words cannot describe how sorry I am for doing what I did. But you must understand. This whole thing was for you. All I wanted to do was save you from dying. I never wanted it to end up like this. I just ask one thing of you. Don’t hate me, and don’t give up on us. But why? Why did you bring Obi Wan with you? Why did you choose Obi Wan over me? I’m your husband! We didn’t have to run away and hide anymore. We could have ruled – as a family. I swore to myself that I would never fail again after my mother died, and I stand by that promise. No matter what, I won’t give up on us. I just hope that you won’t either.

Love Anakin.

Padme folded up the letter and stood upas Anakin walked out. She could see the fear in his eyes.

“Anakin, it’s alright, you were right, let’s just leave it in the past. We’re starting over and rebuilding our life. We don’t need to bring in the past.”

“So you’re not hurt?” Anakin asked.

“I would have been back then if I would have gotten the letter. But don’t worry about it. We had different opinions, and I understand how it must have been for you.”

“But I was wrong, so wrong. And I know that.”

“That’s all then. Let’s move on. Never dwell on the past. Only think about the future. Don’t think about what could have been, think about what is now. Remember? You told me that.”

“Yeah, I remember.” Padme held out her hand and they shook on it.

“Then it’s settled. Now get into bed before I have to force you.”

“I don’t mind you forcing me…” Anakin said shyly, “Your move…”

Padme just tackled him and kissed him. He immediately flipped her over and pinned her down. He had a devilish smirk on his face, and he finally let her go. They slipped under the covers and Anakin wrapped his arms around her.

“I love you Padme. And there will never be a time where I don’t.”

“I love you too, Anakin, and there was never a time whereI didn't.” They lay in silence for a while, And then she finally fell asleep to the thought of him always being with her. No more nights of waking up in terror and realizing that Anakin wasn’t there. Anakin smiled when he heard what she was thinking. He was thinking the same thing. He wouldn’t have anymore dark nightmares about her death or funeral. She wasn’t dead and she was lying beside him, and that is how it was going to stay..

Anakin kissed her forehead when he noticed she was asleep. He looked at his cloak and saw what was peeking out of one of the pockets. The part for my speeder can wait. Buying that was more important. I hope she didn’t see me turn away from the Auto shop. I’d hate for her to find out, It has to be a surprise, Anakin thought. He fell asleep quietly beside his wife, with his arms around her. Nothing would ever come between Anakin and his family again.


Chapter 6

Quality Time

Anakin woke up to the sun shining and the birds chirping. He turned over and saw Padme quietly sleeping beside him. He used his nose and nudged her. Padme opened her eyes and saw her husband looking at her. It made her smile.

“Good morning my love,” Anakin said, “how did you sleep?”

“Great,” she said, “for the first time in a while.”

Anakin smiled. “Well, you can sleep in a little longer, but I’m going to go out and get a few things.”

“Hmm…okay, what do you need to get?” Padme asked.

“Just some food. In the middle of the night I noticed the fridge was empty.” Padme laughed.

“Okay, and Luke and Leia need food too.”

“Well, I wouldn’t go to the market and not get them anything.” He smirked, “Now go to sleep.”

Padme smiled and Anakin leaned down to kiss her. “I love you,” he said, “Always.”

“I love you too, now get out of here you sexy Jedi before I grab you and pull you into bed.” Padme had a devilish grin on her face.

Anakin laughed then stood up, grabbed his cloak and left. Padme rolled over again. She knew that she wouldn’t go to sleep again so she decided to check on the twins. She picked up Leia and kissed her.

“Good morning, Angel, ” She said to Leia. Leia laughed and threw her hands into the air. Padme has to admit – Leia’s little pink jumpsuit looked absolutely adorable on her. She then picked up Luke with her other arm and she took them out into the family room and sat on her rocking chair. She smiled at Luke’s chubby cheeks. She loved her children so much. And she knew that Anakin did too. She looked at the children and asked herself many questions. She wondered what they would be like when they grew up. Padme knew that Anakin would want Luke to become a Jedi, but how would that be possible now that the Jedi were extinct? How would Leia be a senator when there wasn’t even a senate? Many things will change, she told herself. After she fed Luke and Leia, she put them down again for a nap. She then went into the shower.

--

Anakin came through the front door carrying bags. He glanced at himself in the hallway mirror walking by and he thought that the look absolutely silly. He placed the bags down and put everything away. He looked around for Padme and he then noticed that she was in the shower. He quickly checked on the twins and then opened the door and stood in the doorframe of their bathroom. Padme jumped at the sound of his voice and opened the translucent glass door and stared at him.

“Can I help you?” She asked.

“I’m sure you can…” Anakin said, smirking. Padme rolled her eyes.

“Well, can you please close the door? I’m about to freeze.”

Anakin closed the door. He walked in and looked inside the shower as Padme was staring at him.

“What are you looking for?” She asked, puzzled.

“I’m trying to see if there’s any room in there for me.” Anakin said.

Padme shrugged her shoulders sarcastically and Anakin laughed and jumped in fully clothed.

--

Anakin and Padme were laughing as they came out of the bathroom in towels. They went into the twins’ room and checked to see if they were okay.

“I feel like an overprotective parent.” Anakin said.

“Why?” Padme asked.

“Because we’re checking on them every 5 minutes. Not that it’s a bad thing.”

Padme smiled. “You know, it’s not a bad thing to care about your children.”

“I know, but I just feel odd about checking all the time. I feel as if we’re being paranoid.”

“Or maybe you’re just a bad parent…” Padme said, as she gently slapped Anakin’s behind.

Anakin glared at her and she got the message. She squealed and took off running into their bedroom. Anakin was amazed that a) she could run that fast and b) she didn’t wake the twins. Anakin quietly exited the twins’ room and walked slowly and quietly to their room. Waiting always made Padme mad. When he entered, Padme was pretending to be asleep.

“Nice try, my love, I’m not falling for it.” Padme opened her eyes slightly and Anakin pounced on her. He started to tickle her and she was squealing.

“Shh, you don’t want to wake up the twins, do you?” Anakin held his index finger to her lips. He had that look in his eyes that she loved.

"Wait, I have an idea..." Anakin sat up. He reached over and called Sola.

"Hello Sola? Hi, It's Anakin. I wanted to know if - actually yes, that's what I was going to ask...I hope you don’t mind. Thank you so much, how soon can you be here? Great! See you then! Bye!"

Padme gave him a lopsided look. "Why did you call my sister?"

"I asked if she would take the twins for the afternoon."

Padme laughed. "Why didn’t I think of that?"

"Maybe it's because you're a bad parent." Anakin laughed.

Padme lightly slapped his arm. "I'll get you." She said.

"I can't wait," Anakin said.

--

Sola arrived and took the twins.

"I think you should pay me for this, Padme. The rate I'm going, I could buy all of Naboo from every time you've asked me to take Luke and Leia for the day." Anakin and Padme laughed.

Sola said goodbye and left with the twins. Anakin grabbed Padme and carried her to their room. They both plopped on the bed. He began to tickle her and she squealed again.

Anakin kissed her very deeply. Padme pulled away and looked into his eyes.

“Making up for lost time?” She asked.

“You bet,” He said.

And with that, Anakin used the force to gently close the door and it was then that they made up for all the time they lost.

--

Not being so tired anymore, Anakin and Padme woke up and got changed. They left the room and Anakin sat down on the couch, Padme sitting on him. She closed her eyes and laid her head against his chest.

“I love you…so much. You complete me.” She whispered, “Without you I don’t even exist.”

Anakin kissed the top of her head and leaned his head against hers. Padme groaned as she heard a knock at the door.

“I’ll get it.” She stood up and opened the door. A very familiar figure stood in front of her.

“Obi Wan…”

[Annie]

Chapter 7

Familiar Faces

The hairs on Anakin’s neck went up. He could feel the presence of his former Master. Luckily, he was out of Obi Wan’s sight, sitting in a chair away from the door, but he knew that Obi Wan knew he was there.

Padme stood there, unable to speak. She had totally forgotten about the force connection between Obi Wan and Anakin. Of course he’d feel his presence. Padme cleared her throat.

“Umm...what are you doing here, Obi Wan?”

Obi Wan chuckled. “Padme, you’re a very smart woman. And I can tell by the way you look, you know why I’m here.”

“Look, Obi Wan, I’m sorry I didn’t-“

“There’s nothing to be sorry for, Padme. You didn’t have to tell me.” Obi Wan said.

Anakin stood up and walked out from behind the wall where he was sitting on the couch. Obi Wan looked at him. Anakin snaked an arm around Padme’s waist. Padme looked at Obi Wan. She held Anakin tighter. They took a step back and let Obi Wan come inside. Padme broke the silence and cleared her throat again.

“Okay, you two have a lot to catch up on. I’ll go and call Sola and see how its going with the twins.” Padme gave Anakin a kiss and left the room.

“Hello, Anakin. I’m sorry that I just popped in like this,” Obi Wan said.

“I’m glad you did,” said Anakin, tears developing in his eyes, “I’m so sorry.”

Obi Wan sighed. Anakin started to cry.

“Anakin, it’s alright. I know why you did what you did. You were confused and you meant well. I think everyone knows that. But Anakin, you must be thankful. Padme had the strength to forgive you. You have no idea what her sister and I went through. For that whole six months we had to force her to eat. The only reason she is still here is because I kept reminding her that you two created life, two lives. I told her that she could never fathom what it would be like for babies to grow up never knowing their parents. We would be forced to send Luke to Tatooine and live with Owen and Beru. And Leia would most likely go to Bail Organa and his wife. I actually heard from Master Yoda that Palpatine was destroyed, and I knew this was the first place you’d come. But I need to know, Anakin. For the sake of Padme and your children. Are you finally going to be the man Padme wanted you to be? Tell me Anakin, what’s next for you?”

Anakin wiped his tears on his sleeve. “The only way I’m going to leave here is in a body bag. I don’t want to feel hate anymore. My place is here, with my wife and my two children.”

Obi Wan smiled. Anakin walked over to him and gave him a hug.

“I have something for you,” Obi Wan said, reaching into his utility belt.

Obi Wan pulled out Anakin’s lightsabre. “You dropped it before you left. I took it because I was going to give it to your son when he was old enough. But since you’re here, you can surely do that yourself.”

Anakin smiled, a tear running down his face. His smile eventually faded when he came to the realization that he was no longer a Jedi. Obi Wan knew what he was thinking.

“Obi Wan, I-“

“I know, Anakin. And we’ll take care of that.”

“No, I mean, I’m not a Jedi. And I don’t plan to be anymore. I’m settling down. I can’t stand being away from Padme another day.”

Obi Wan smiled. “I understand. You are the chosen one. You brought balance to the force. As far as I’m concerned, you task is done. But I have one thing to ask, with your permission, of course.”

Anakin grew intrigued.

“I was hoping to get the Jedi order running again, and I was hoping...” Obi Wan looked to the floor. “I was hoping that I could train your son.”

Anakin smiled. “Well, I definitely don’t have a problem with that, but I think you should discuss that with Padme.”

Obi Wan smiled again. “Thank you, Anakin.”

Anakin reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a small box. “Speaking of Padme, I’m going to ask her if she’d like to take a walk. I have a big surprise for her. I told her I was getting a part for my speeder fixed, but I went the opposite way when she turned her back.”

As Anakin opened the box, Obi Wan gasped. “Wow, a big surprise, indeed.”

---

Padme felt the cool breeze on her face as she and Anakin walked across the beach. It was her favourite time of day again, sunset. Anakin watched the air blow through her hair. He loved her so much. Padme looked up at Anakin and saw he was smiling at her.

“You know, right now, 24 hours ago, I kissed you for the first time in six months. And now, just like last night, I have butterflies in my stomach.”

Padme raised her eyebrow. “Why, what’s wrong?”

Anakin looked back at her, “Nothing.”

Padme glared at him, “Are you sure?”

Anakin chuckled. “Padme, nothing is wrong. In fact everything is so right. This moment, you and me, it’s great!”

“Then why are you trembling? You’re either scared or-” She thought about it for a second, “nervous...oh no, what are you planning, Anakin? I know what you get like when you’re nervous.”

Anakin smiled and she knew he was definitely planning something. “I want to go to the place where we got married.” Padme looked at him. He gave her his best puppy eyes. “Please?”

Padme agreed and he led the way.

---

When they got there, Anakin took her hands into his.

“I love you, Padme, more than anything in this world. You can ask me anything, nothing comes even remotely close to being more important to you. And I brought you here, mostly because this is our spot. We were joined together as man and wife in this very spot. We were standing here as we are now. The sun is setting, and I’m going to ask you something.”

Padme started to feel anxious and scared at the same time. She never expected to hear what came out of his mouth.”

“Marry me again, Padme, in front of Obi Wan, and your parents. In front of the world so they know that we’re a couple. Marry me without feeling the guilt of having to keep it a secret. No more deception. I want to watch our children grow old, as we grow older. I want to make up for all that time I lost while fighting in the war. I told Obi Wan that I wasn’t going back to the Jedi Order because my life is now going to be about you, Luke and Leia. I want to be a family, and that is all I need to survive. I need to know that you’ll marry me again, and nothing will ever come between us. Ever again. This is really the only thing that I’ve ever known 100 percent, aside from my love for you.”

Padme was crying, but they were not tears of sadness, but tears of joy. She laughed and threw her arms around him and he picked her up and spun her around in his arms. When he put her down, she leaned up on her toes and whispered “yes” in his ear.

Chapter 8

Planning for the Future

Today was a happy day for Sola. She finally had a day where she could relax. She had given her children to her mother that day. If anyone deserved a break from children, it was her. Between looking after her own children and Padme’s, she felt as if she was ready to fall apart. She was able to clean up the house a little bit, and at least enjoy the temporary silence. She sat down and opened up a book.

“Finally,” She said, “Peace and quiet…” She just started reading when she realized that she spoke too soon. Sola groaned when she heard a knock at the door. She opened the door and invited Padme inside.

Sola stood in front of her giving her a frustrated look. Padme felt bad, when she realized that no one was home and that this was the only time Sola got to relax.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know,” She said.

Sola sighed. “What can I do you for?” She asked.

“Well, I was hoping we could have a sister chat, but if you’re busy-”

“No, it’s fine. Take a seat.” Sola said. “Do you want something to drink?”

“No thank you,” said Padme.

Sola sat down beside her sister. “Where’s Anakin?” She asked.

“He took the twins for the day. He wanted to spend the day with them. He… wanted to give me a break and let me relax.” Padme chuckled. Sola rolled her eyes.

“You make it sound so easy. You’re never bothered when you’re alone. When I’m alone, that’s when everyone but my children want something.” She looked at Padme. There was something unfamiliar about her. She couldn’t stop smiling.

“Can I ask you something?” Padme asked.

“Of course,” said Sola.

“Does…does size matter at all?” Padme asked her sister with an awkward look.

Sola turned bright red. “Umm…Padme, I don’t think I’m very comfortable talking about this…”

Padme blinked once, realized how she worded the question, then burst into a fit of giggles. “Sola! I didn’t mean it like that! You should know me better than that! I meant, the size of a diamond on a ring!” She couldn’t stop laughing, as her sister kept gaping at her.

“Oh! On a ring. Well, I don’t think so…why are you asking me?”

Padme held out her hand. “Anakin proposed to me.”

Sola no longer cared about her relaxation time. She jumped up and squealed. “Oh Gods! That is so wonderful, Padme! How? When? WHERE!”

Padme gave her all the details about him wanting to go to the spot when they were first married, and what he said.

“But, you’re already married.”

“Yes, but we want to get married in front of everyone. We don’t want to have to keep it a secret anymore. We want to rebuild our life.” Padme said.

“Padme, I’m so proud of you. How you managed to cope with everything these past six months is beyond me.” Sola smiled and squeezed Padme’s hand.

“I had faith, Sola. I knew there was good in him. That’s the only thing that kept me going.”

“But how? How was it that he came back so suddenly?” Sola grew intrigued.

“He heard me. I was talking to myself and he must have heard me through the force. He said it was like I was calling out to him. And that’s when he found out that me and the children were alive. Then he killed Palpatine.”

“You know,” Sola started, “When you were younger, you kept going on and on about how much you liked Palo.”

Padme rolled her eyes. “Here we go again…”

“No, seriously, you were so convinced that you were someday going to marry him. And I remember that day you came home crying saying that he was leaving to pursue a career as an artist. Do you remember what you said?” Sola smirked.

“Yes,” Padme started, “I said that I would never love again.”

“…and, shortly after that incident on Mustafar, when you came home, you were staring out to the sunset and I came over to comfort you. You said the exact same thing. Except I know that this time you meant it.” Sola saw a tear roll down Padme’s face. Padme thought about that night.

6 months earlier:

“Padme? Look, let’s go inside. It’s not safe for you to be alone.”

“Sola, we were married here. Right in this very spot. I’m not going everywhere. Lightning could strike me right at this very moment, but I’m not leaving, at least not yet.”

Sola watched her sister as she started to cry. “Padme, please don’t cry. You have your whole life to think about.”

Padme sobbed, and it became uncontrollable. “Anakin is my whole life. I can’t live without him. I swear to you, Sola. No matter what, I’ll never love again.”

Sola herself started to cry. “Padme, think about your children, they need you. Come on, let’s go. You need sleep.”

Padme agreed, and on they’re way back, she mumbled to her sister, “Sleep, now there’s an adventure in itself…”

Sola knew what she was thinking about. She decided to change the subject. “So…I have an idea! Let’s start planning the wedding!” Sola’s face it up like a Christmas tree. Padme rolled her eyes. “Here we go…”
Anakin held Luke and Leia on each side of his hips. He was growing tired, understanding why Padme was so tired. He had spent the whole day with Luke and Leia- not that he was complaining, it was a great feeling bonding with his children. He just understood how tiring it was. After all, he wasn’t used to being a parent. He stood overlooking the ocean, when Obi Wan greeted him.

“Hello, Anakin. I see you have your hands full.” He chuckled and ran his fingers through his hair. “Here, let me help.” He held his hands out, and Anakin gave Luke to Obi Wan.

“Wow, I can actually feel my blood circulating in my arm again.” Anakin said, causing Obi Wan to laugh.

Leia started to laugh also. Anakin looked at her and kissed her cheek. Obi Wan smiled. He was very impressed. “Leia looks so much like you, mostly from when you were younger.”

Anakin smiled. “Yeah, but I can see more of Padme’s features.”

Obi Wan looked at both babies. “You’re a good parent, Anakin. I can see how happy you are.”

Anakin looked at him. “A good parent? I’ve known them only two days.”

Obi Wan laughed. “It doesn’t take years to bond with your children. In fact, it only takes a matter of seconds. You don’t have to punish them to be a parent.”

Anakin nodded. “I feel like a parent.” He laughed when Luke sneezed.

“So, let’s take them home, I think they need a nap.” Anakin nodded, and they headed home.
As Anakin walked through the door, he and Obi Wan both saw Padme sprawled out on the couch, with an icepack on her head. Obi Wan took Leia out of Anakin’s arms and headed to the nursery to put the twins to sleep.

Anakin stood over an exhausted Padme and laughed. “Let me guess, you told your sister.”

Padme took the icepack off of her head and glared at him. “You have no idea what she put me through. You cannot possibly fathom what it was like.”

Anakin walked over to her, picked her up and carried her to their bed. Obi Wan walked out of the nursery only to find Anakin standing in the doorframe. Obi Wan laughed when he saw Padme lying on the bed, fast asleep. Obi Wan said goodbye to Anakin and left. Anakin walked back into the bedroom.

“I’m still not falling for it.” Anakin said, laughing. “You’re not very good at pretending to sleep.”

Padme laughed. “I know.”

Anakin lay on the bed beside her so that Padme could rest her head on his chest. He took her left hand into his and stared at the ring he had placed on her finger the night before.

“So, you just had to blab to your sister.” Padme nodded her head. “One of the biggest mistakes I’ve made lately.” Anakin kissed her forehead then smirked. “What plans did you make?”

Padme looked up at him. “Anakin Skywalker, don’t make me hit you.” Anakin laughed. “I literally had to yell at Sola. She told me what flowers we should have, what my dress should look like, and where we should get married. I told her that I already have all that planned. She grew frustrated with me because there was hardly anything else for her to plan. But anyways, daddy, how was your day?”

“It was one of the best days of my life. I got to bond with Luke and Leia. Speaking of which, I think Luke is getting a cold. But I met up with Obi Wan.” Anakin said.

“Yes, I saw Obi Wan laughing at my expense as you both came in. You know, I feel like taking a walk.”

Anakin looked at her. “Now?”

“Yes, now!” Padme took his hand and yanked him out of bed.

They ended up sitting on the front porch, Padme sitting on Anakin, who was sitting comfortably on the puffy chair. Anakin kept kissing her so passionately. When he finally let her breathe again, he said, “You know, I’ve been kind of thinking…what if, I mean not now, but what would you think of having more children?”

Padme looked at him, kind of shocked that he’d be thinking of that. “Really? You’d want that?”

Anakin nodded. “I mean, Luke and Leia are more than enough for right now, but somewhere down the road I was thinking maybe we could.”

Padme kissed his nose. “I’d love to.”

Anakin gathered her into a big hug.

“Anakin?”

“Yes?”

Padme stared into his big blue eyes. “What happened to that part for your speeder that you ordered?”

Anakin laughed, once again. “That actually didn’t happen.”

Padme gave him a puzzled look.

“I turned the opposite way so I could go to the jewellery shop. You had your back turned so I figured that it was the best time to buy your ring. When I came back, I stuck the box in my cloak and you thought I came back empty handed, so I told you that I ordered the part.” Anakin put on an ‘I’m so proud of myself’ look and Padme rolled her eyes. “You’re so sneaky. I don’t know what I’m going to do with you, or better yet, what I’m doing to do to you.” She gave him a seductive look and once again, he scooped her into her arms as they made their way to the bedroom.

Anakin laid her on the bed and he started to kiss her. Just as they were starting to get… rather comfortable, they heard a very familiar sound. Luke started to cry. Anakin groaned. “Of all the times!” He got up and looked back at Padme. “I’ll be right back.” Padme looked at him. “I’ll be waiting.” And with that, Leia started crying, causing another groan from Anakin.“It’s like they know what we’re trying to do and they’re trying to prevent it from happening!” Padme fell back on the bed laughing while Anakin went off to the nursery to feed their children.

[Annie]

Chapter 9

Plans and a Wedding Planner

“So...” Anakin said, as he and Padme were lying in bed the next morning. “Who do you want at the wedding? Oh! How about we put an announcement in the -”

“I told you, Anakin. I want to have a small wedding.” Padme said.

“Yes, love, but we already had a small wedding.”

“I know, but we can still have a small wedding; only with close friends and family. Well, actually, just family. Most of our friends are gone.”

Anakin nodded and put his head down. He sighed and stood up and went into the refresher.

“Anakin,” Padme called out to him. “I didn’t mean it like that!”

Anakin came out and sat down beside her. “I know, but it’s true. And it’s my fault.”

Padme kissed him lightly on the cheek. “Forget about it. It’s over. Let’s just focus on the wedding. Let’s get Obi Wan to help us.”

Anakin chuckled. “Why? Do you plan on marrying him too?”

Padme smirked. “Of course.”

Anakin rolled his eyes. “And when were you planning on telling me this?”

Padme pulled him by his tunic kissed him, a signal for him to shut up. “You know,” Padme said between kisses. “The twins will be asleep for awhile.” Anakin stopped. He looked at her, then the door. He looked back at her. He used the force to reach out to the twins and forced them into a deep sleep. Then he used it to shut the door. Finally...Anakin said to himself.
Obi Wan got out of his speeder and walked towards the Skywalker house. He stopped dead in his tracks when he sensed a lot of movement coming from inside the house. Anakin, how can you possibly be doing that again? He couldn’t help but laugh. He turned around and decided to come back in a few hours.Anakin opened his eyes and heard the Com link. He reached over and clicked a few buttons and Obi Wan’s face appeared. “Now that you two are finished for the most part, is it safe for me to come inside? Padme invited me over; hopefully not to walk in on you two.”

Anakin laughed and rubbed his eyes. “Doors open. Come on in.”

Padme opened her eyes and squinted. “Who was that?”

Anakin put the com on the bedside table and laid back. “Obi Wan.”

Padme laughed. “Oh, I forgot to tell you I invited him over.” She looked over at Anakin, who obviously had something on his mind because he didn’t open his eyes.

“Ani, what’s troubling you?”

Anakin sighed. “I had another nightmare.”

Padme bit her lip. “What was it about?”

“It was about our children.”

Padme rubbed Anakin’s shoulder. “Tell me.”

“Luke. He was grown up and I was dueling with him, telling him that he and I could rule the galaxy as father and son. And then I-”

“What? What happened, Anakin?”

“I cut off his hand.”

Padme straddled her husband’s lap and looked at him straight in the eyes. “Ani. It’s all over. It was just a dream. Palpatine is dead.” He looked away from her and she cupped his left cheek in her right hand.

“Padme, if it’s all over, then why am I still having these visions? Palpatine put those visions of you dying in childbirth into my head. Why would they come back when he’s dead?” Anakin asked.

Padme sighed. “Anakin...stop worrying. I’m serious. I don’t want to hear anymore of this. They will pass. Dreams pass, as did mine. But I’m telling you, I’m here and our children are here. And we’re not going anywhere. Now, as far as how I’m sitting on you goes, Anymore talk about the Empire or anything, I will be forced to punish you.

Anakin smirked. “I like that idea. You know the one thing about Chancellor Palpatine, is that -”

He was quickly interrupted by Padme roughly kissing him, and pressing the palms of her hands into his chest.

Anakin laughed and Padme stopped. They stared into each other’s eyes for what seemed like an eternity. Padme bit her lip, which is something that Anakin loved. “You look extremely sexy when you do that, you know.”

Padme smirked and leaned her head into his chest. “You know, we have time...we could -”

Padme spoke too soon. Obi Wan rang the doorbell. Anakin groaned. “Hold that thought for a few hours.”

They got up, got changed and went to greet Obi Wan.
“Now, I understand that both of you are quite...exhausted,” Obi Wan said with a smirk, “but we have a wedding to plan.”

Padme looked at Anakin and Anakin threw Padme a wink.

“Stop it. You can do that later.” said Obi Wan “Speaking of...that, where are the babies?”

Anakin laughed. “They’re sleeping.”

Padme got up and went into the next room. She returned with two very groggy looking infants. “They had a very good sleep, as did we.” Padme said.

Obi Wan rolled his eyes. “Okay, so who do you want there?”

“Padme said that she wanted just a small wedding; just close friends and family.”

Obi Wan nodded. “That’s a very wise decision. So, Padme, your family, definitely. Who else?”

“What about Bail Organa and his wife?” Anakin suggested.

Padme smiled. “That could work. They would be surprised. Theywould know about Palpatine’s death, but not about Anakin coming home. Oh! And they told me that they adopted a new baby girl. They said that they had talked about it." She looked at Anakin. "I guess they finally got their miracle.”

And I got mine.Anakin sent her through the force.

Obi Wan smiled and nodded. “So, Padme, when are you going to tell your parents about the engagement?”

“I was going to call them, but there’s really no point of me calling them, seeing that they’ll be coming over.”

Anakin’s face went from neutral to shocked in a matter of seconds. “They’re – they’re coming here!”

Padme nodded. “They told me they’d be dropping by either today or tomorrow.”

Anakin’s face went pale.

Chapter 10

The Naberries

Obi Wan started to laugh. This is going to be good.

“Ani? Ani, what’s wrong?” Padme asked.

Anakin stood up. “I need some water.”

Padme sat back down. “What’s wrong with him? All I said is that my parents would be coming over.”

“Exactly,” Obi Wan said, “Your parents. Here, let me grab the twins from you.” He took the twins and brought them into the nursery.

It finally hit her. My parent’s don’t know Anakin’s back! They still hate him! They think of him as Vader!

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Padme widened her eyes and went to open the door.

“Mother, Father!” Padme gasped in surprise. “You’re...you’re early! Too early! She threw her arms around them. “Come in! Why are you guys so early?”

"We have to wake up early tomorrow morning. We were invited to Senator Organa's home to see their baby. We wouldn't have the chance to come over tomorrow, so we decided to come today!" Jobal Naberrie said to her daughter.

Obi Wan came walking out of the Nursery. He tried to hold back his laugh, which had turned into a very wide smile. “Padme, you’re...umm...needed in the Nursery.”

“Kenobi!” Ruwee Naberrie greeted him. “Still protecting my daughter, I see.”

“Obi Wan, it’s a pleasure to see you again!” Jobal hugged him.

Padme went into the Nursery and saw Anakin standing looking out the window. Padme put her hands around his waist. “Ani, It’s going to be okay. We’ll just tell them.”

Anakin nodded. “You go see your parents, and I’ll take care of Luke’s emergency.”

Padme looked down. “Oh, I thought Obi Wan meant...oh, good choice! You can do it for once! She gave him a quick kiss and left the room.

“Mom, Dad, would you like anything to drink?”

“I’ll have some tea.” Jobal said

“I’m fine, thanks.” Ruwee said.

“Oh, Padme, sit down. I’ll get the tea ready for you.” Obi Wan said.

Padme sat down beside her parents. They observed her.

“Padme, dear, we haven’t seen you this...happy since...what happened?” Jobal asked.

“Well, I-”

“I know why she’s so happy,” Ruwee cut in. “The Empire is gone. The Emperor is gone, along with that monster, Darth Vader. The Emperor’s body was discovered but not Vader’s. It’s a shame. But I hope that monster got what he deserved-”

Padme started tearing up. Jobal lightly smacked her husband. “You do remember who Darth Vader is.” She whispered.

Padme wiped her eyes and looked at Obi Wan. He nodded his head.

“I’ll be right back.” Padme said.

“Ruwee, don’t talk about him around Padme. You know how much he meant to her.” Jobal whispered.

Padme walked out holding Luke. She sat down and Jobal took him into her arms.

“Wait, you’re missing one.” Ruwee said.

Padme chuckled.

Anakin came out from the Nursery holding Leia.

Ruwee immediately stood up. He snatched Leia away from him and Anakin kept his head down the whole time.

“What is this, Padme? WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?”

Padme stood up and grabbed Anakin’s arm. “Dad, it’s okay.”

“We demand an explanation!” Ruwee yelled.

“Okay...umm...well, a few days ago, Anakin came back and apologized. He came to realize what he did and then he found out that I wasn’t dead, like the Emperor told him. He came back, dad and I love him.”

“Just like that?” Jobal asked.

“I love him that much. An-and I forgave him.”

“He almost killed you! Your children! How could you be so selfish, Padme? He’s a monster!” He turned to Anakin. “ What, so after someone killed the Emperor you just took off and decided to find our daughter? Did you use a mind trick on her and make her love you again?”

“Dad! I have always loved Anakin. And he was the one who killed the Emperor!”

Ruwee stood there. “He...he killed Palpatine?”

“Yes, father. And he came back hoping I’d forgive him.”

Jobal stood up. “What about the Death Star blowing up, and the battleships-”

“All Anakin.” Padme said proudly.

Anakin choked up a few words. “I’m truly sorry for everything. I know what I did and I have to live with it, but please know that I love your daughter and our children. My place is here and I’m not going anywhere. Padme had the strength to forgive me and I just hope that maybe you will too.”

Jobal started to cry and threw her arms around Anakin’s neck. "Welcome home!" She said. Anakin hugged her back. Padme hugged both of them. They all looked at Ruwee.

Ruwee looked at them and then to Obi Wan. “I’m going for a walk,” he said.

Obi Wan decided to go with him. He figured he’d get through to him.
“I knew it. I knew he’d hate me.” Anakin said.

“He doesn’t hate you, dear. He just has that stubborn streak in him,” Jobal said. “But I feel that I owe you a thank you.”

“You don’t owe me anything.” Anakin said.

“Yes, I do. You cured Padme. You can only imagine what we went through for 6 months. It got to the point where she wasn’t eating. She got too skinny. Obi Wan literally had to force feed her. I feel the need to thank you because if you never came back, god knows what she would have done.” Jobal gave Anakin another hug.

“Well, in that case, it was my pleasure, Mrs. Naberrie.”

Jobal laughed. “You know, calling me that makes me old. Call me Jobal. Or Mom.”

Anakin chuckled. “I think Jobal will be fine then.”

Padme came out of the Nursery and gave Anakin the biggest glare he had ever seen.

“What did I do now?” Anakin asked Padme, trying not to laugh.

“It’s what you didn’t do! Do you know how to change diapers? Do you know how to clean up messes?”

Anakin tried so hard not to laugh.

“Anakin Skywalker don’t you dare laugh! I have to take a shower because your son thought it would be funny to pee on his mother!”

Jobal and Anakin were in stitches. Padme stomped away and jumped into the shower. “I’ll go deal with the twins,” Jobal said. “You go take care of Padme.”

“Oh, I’ll take care of her, all right,” Anakin said.

Anakin went into their bedroom and took Padme’s dirty clothes and put them in the hamper. Now there’s a first.

He walked down the hall and walked into their bathroom. He stood there and stared at Padme from behind the translucent glass doors. Padme almost jumped when she saw him. And she started up again.

“Do you know how annoying it is when you ask your husband to do one simple thing and he screws it up?”

Anakin thought about that for a second. “No. I don’t have a husband.”

Padme grew even more frustrated. “You know what I meant!”

“Alright, that’s it.” Anakin said. He took off his shirt and sleeping pants and jumped into the shower, causing a shriek from Padme.

“Anything else?” Anakin asked her. Padme stood there speechless.

He grabbed her strawberry scented shampoo (in which he loved) and squeezed some into her hair and massaged her scalp. After he rinsed it all out, he kissed her deeply and pinned her against the wall. “I guess it’s safe to say that I’m here to relieve you of that frustration.” Padme was about to respond but then Anakin kissed her again.
“I don’t know, Obi Wan. It seems all too easy. He comes back and she just forgives him? It’s a bit hard to believe.” Ruwee said, as he was walking with Obi Wan.

“I know, but it is the truth. He told me everything and I sensed that he was telling the truth. But you should have seen him before you arrived. He went all pale. It was Meet the Parents all over again. Except this time, you already knew him and what he did, but when you first met him, he was my Padawan apprentice protecting her. Give him a chance.”

Ruwee nodded. “He is my son-in-law, after all. I’ll give him a chance.”

Obi Wan smiled. “You won’t be disappointed.”
Padme felt much more relaxed. Her mother laughed when she saw her practically fly into the kitchen with wet hair.

“Feeling better, darling?” Her mother asked.

Padme laughed. “Much better, actually.”

Just then, Anakin came into the kitchen, and Jobal noticed his hair was wet too. Anakin ducked his dead from behind the wall, and said, “I told you I’d take care of her.” Jobal laughed and rolled her eyes.

Just then, Obi Wan and Ruwee walked through the door. Anakin grew nervous. Ruwee walked up to Anakin and eyed him suspiciously. Anakin gulped. Ruwee wrapped him in a big hug and said, “Welcome home, son.” Anakin hugged him back and mouthed ‘thank you’ to Obi Wan. Obi Wan nodded his head.

“Umm...Mom? Dad? Anakin and I have something we want to tell you.” Padme started. She took her hand into Anakin’s.

Ruwee and Jobal looked at them both. “Anakin and I are getting re-married.”

Ruwee’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. Jobal smirked. “I already knew.”

Padme looked suspiciously at her mother. “How? Did Anakin tell you?”

“No,” Jobal said. ”I saw the ring, Padme. Just because you turn it around so the diamond is facing down doesn’t mean it doesn’t mean the same thing.”

Ruwee smiled. “Congratulations to the both of you!” He gave them both a hug. “I guess we have a wedding to plan! Do you have a wedding planner?”

Anakin and Padme laughed. “Well it seems that Obi Wan has been trying to arrange things.” Obi Wan rolled his eyes.

Ruwee chuckled. “Well, maybe you should perhaps give Obi Wan a break. I know who would be good to plan you’re wedding.”

Padme’s eye grew wide. “Daddy, if you say Sola, I will not invite you to the wedding!”

Ruwee laughed again. “No, Obi Wan told me during our walk what she ‘did to you’. Did you really need an icepack?”

Padme just stared blankly at him.

Ruwee cleared his throat. “Anyway, what about Sabe? She has beautiful fabrics and she could maybe make your wedding dress!”

Obi Wan almost dropped the water pot he was holding. Everyone looked at him. Obi Wan started to blush. “Heh, Butterfingers.” He said.

“But dad, Sabe?” Padme asked.

“We told her what had happened to you. She knows you’re alive.”

“That’s great! Oh force, it would be great to see her again! Obi Wan, you’re fired! We’re hiring Sabe!” Padme laughed. Obi Wan laughed too, trying to hide his blushing.
Later on that evening after dinner, Anakin, Padme and Obi Wan said goodbye to Padme’s parents. Anakin sighed a huge sigh of relief. Padme put her arms around his waist. He smiled at himself, his ego patting him on the back.

“Well, I guess I should be leaving too, I have someone- somewhere to see.” He cleared his throat, “Somewhere to go.”

“Are you alright, Obi Wan?” Anakin asked.

“Yes, I’m fine, it’s nothing.” Obi Wan turned around and started walking towards his speeder.
“I told you everything would be fine. Didn’t I tell you?” Padme asked Anakin.

“Yes, you told me.” He grabbed her brush and sat down on the bed beside her and started brushing her hair. He leaned in and smelled her hair. He smiled, recalling today’s...activities in the shower. Padme laughed. She turned around, grabbed the brush from his hands and threw it behind them. She pinned him down with her arms and her body. “You may have won the battle, but you most definitely lost the war, Mr. Skywalker. I’m the winner”

“I’ll fight for the title.” Anakin said. He gave her the look, in which Padme loved. Exhausted, Padme rolled off of him. “Maybe tomorrow,” she said.

Anakin laughed. “I was about to say that.” And with that, they got under the covers and fell asleep in each other’s arms.

[Annie]

Lonely Nights, Lonely Hearts

By Brokenxangel19

Chapter 11

The Plot Thickens

Padme woke up to the smell of food. Not something that happened too often. She felt exhausted. It had been two weeks since her parents had been over, but it seemed like yesterday, seeing that they called every minute of every day. She didn’t want to think of her parents right now though; she wanted to find out where that food was coming from. She stood up, tied the sash on her robe and followed the smell. Stunned, she saw Anakin cooking in the kitchen. She leaned against the wall behind him and laughed.

“I didn’t know that you cook,” she said.

He turned around and smiled. “I don’t, really. I just remember a few things that my mom cooked when I was younger.”

Padme’s smile faded. “Ani, can I ask you something?”

Anakin turned to face her. “Of course, Angel. What is it?”

“It’s just that- oh, I don’t know, I think there’s something going on with Obi Wan.”

Anakin raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“Well, just yesterday when he left, he seemed a little...on edge. The water’s boiling over the edge, by the way...”

“What?”

“The pot! The water’s boiling over the edge!” Padme pointed towards the stove.

Anakin looked at the pot. “Oh! Whoops.” He turned the heat down, causing the bubbles to subside. “Anyway, I’m sure he’s fine. What do you think could be going on? Why do you think he was so nervous last night?”

“I don’t know,” Padme said, “But it’s never happened before.”

After breakfast, which went by without Anakin burning down the kitchen, Padme decided to go to sleep. She hadn’t been feeling well ever since Anakin had told her about his dream. She had been having some of her own, but they were pleasant dreams. She was jolted out of her sleep when she heard the doorbell. She dragged herself out of bed and went to answer the door. She almost screamed with excitement when she saw Sabe in front of her.

“Oh force, Sabe! It’s wonderful to see you again! Oh, how I missed you!” Padme pulled her inside and hugged her.

“It’s great to see you again, Padme!” Sabe said. “When your parents told me the details about you being alive, it made my day!”

Padme smiled. “So I guess you heard the news.”

Sabe nodded. “I can’t believe Anakin’s back! It’s great! Where is he?”

Padme shook her head. “That’s not the only news...Anakin and I are getting re-married.”

Sabe froze. “Oh my goodness! That’s incredible! That’s fantastic! Well, now I know why your parents encouraged me to visit you!” Padme laughed.

Sabe laughed too. “So...where is Anakin?”

“I think he’s feeding the twins, but I just woke up and I haven’t seen him...”

“Oh, I’m sorry I woke you, Padme.” Sabe felt a little uncomfortable.

“Don’t be sorry! It was totally worth it!” Padme hugged Sabe again. “Please, sit down. I’ll get the babies.”

Anakin came out just then and greeted Sabe. “It really is wonderful to see you again! What have you been up to?”

“Oh, you know, I’ve just been...busy.” Sabe said, blushing.

Just then, Padme came out with the babies. “Sabe, this is Luke, and this is Leia.”

Sabe gasped. “I have never seen babies that look so much like their parents before! Oh, they are beautiful!”

“Thank you.” Anakin and Padme said at the same time.

Padme placed Luke and Leia in her arms and she felt like a little kid in a candy shop. Padme knew Sabe always had a soft spot for children, although she couldn’t have any. That was a secret only Padme knew. Sabe looked at Padme and Padme gave her the ‘I know’ look. Sabe was seriously considering running away with them, and Anakin laughed when she accidentally said that out loud.

“I’m serious!” Sabe said. “They’re so perfect!”

“Wow, I had no idea you were so into children, Sabe.” Anakin said.

Sabe nodded, sadly.

Anakin wondered if it was something he said. For some reason he felt guilty for saying that by the look on her face.

“Is something wrong, Sabe?” Anakin asked.

“I-I can’t have children.” Sabe said.

Anakin gasped. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

Sabe smiled. “You couldn’t have known, its okay.”

Anakin almost cried at hearing those words. She couldn’t have children? He would be devastated if Padme couldn’t have children.

“Only you and Padme know. Please don’t tell Obi Wan.” Sabe said.

Anakin looked at Padme as they thought the same thing.

“Obi Wan? What does Obi Wan have to do with anything?” Padme asked.

Sabe was immediately at a loss for words. I thought they knew! Oh know. She chocked up a few words. “Well, uh, you guys are so close, and I umm...thought that he may tell people and it would get spread around.” She said quickly.

“Oh, no, we won’t tell anyone. It’s not our secret to tell. Just don’t keep it from whomever you decided to marry in the near future.” Anakin said.

“I won’t.” Sabe said.

Anakin smiled. “Sabe we have something we want to ask you. We have been talking about something for a few days and we want to go over the idea with you.”

“Okay,” Sabe said.

“Well,” Anakin began, “Obi Wan is Luke and Leia’s godfather, and uncle, seeing that Obi Wan and I are like brothers. Padme and I wanted to know if you wanted to be Luke and Leia’s godmother.”

Sabe gasped in surprise. “Oh wow, of course! Thank you both so much!”

She hugged them both.
Hours later, Sabe said that she had to get back home; she had things to take care of. It took about 30 seconds to say good bye to Anakin and Padme, and it took 5 minutes to say goodbye to the twins- five minutes per baby. She stepped out onto the front porch and turned to see them.

“Promise that you’ll stop by again some time.” Anakin said.

“Oh, of course I will! Say hello to Obi Wan for me when you see him!”

“We will. Bye Sabe. Drive safely!” Padme said.

Anakin and Padme closed the door.

Sabe walked away and was quickly pulled under a tree. She almost melted when her lips met with Obi Wan’s. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.” Obi Wan said.
“It’s a shame,” Anakin said, “that Sabe can’t have children. I don’t know what I would do if you weren’t able to have children. How did she find out?”

“It was right before the clone wars. Actually, it was right before you and I came to Naboo when you were sent by the Jedi to protect me. She was getting really sick and she suspected she was pregnant. She was secretly dating someone, and she wouldn’t disclose who. Not even to me. I took her to the doctor’s and they said that she was pregnant but she miscarried. They also said that it was a miracle because she wasn’t able to have children anyway. She was crushed. She still to this day won’t tell me who it was that she was with.”

“Wow.” Anakin said.
“How long are we going to have to keep this a secret?” Obi Wan asked.

“If Anakin and Padme could do it, then we can.” Sabe said.

“Yea, but look what happened to them. And there’s currently no Jedi order. We needn’t worry right now. I just hate keeping this from them.”

“I’m going home.” Sabe said. “I have to think about some things. I’ll see you later.” She gave him a quick kiss and left.

I hope she’s alright, Obi Wan thought. He headed towards Anakin and Padme’s house.

He didn’t feel comfortable when Anakin and Padme told him that he doesn’t need to knock to come in the house, but he thought that he’d try it tonight. He walked in and saw Padme squealing and squirming underneath Anakin. Anakin was tickling her. Obi Wan cleared his throat and startled the both of them, Anakin falling off of the couch.

“You see, it’s times like these in which I should tell you that I will continue to knock, despite what you both say.” He chuckled and stroked his beard.

“Hey Obi Wan, you just missed Sabe. You didn’t run into her on the way here?” Padme asked.

“Umm...no. How is she?” Obi Wan asked.

“Well,” Padme began, “She’s kind of...attached to Luke and Leia. But she’s doing very well.”

“That’s good.” Obi Wan said. “I was actually hoping that Anakin would want to go for a drink...and maybe abandon his wife for a few hours.”

Padme laughed at Obi Wan’s comment. Anakin shrugged his shoulders.

“You should go,” Padme said. “I’ll watch the twins.”

“Okay,” Anakin said, “I’ll be back soon.” He kissed Padme and went out the door with Obi Wan.

Padme looked out the window and watched Obi Wan and Anakin take off into the air. She took a deep breath and headed to the bathroom.
Obi Wan and Anakin decided to hang out at Dex’s diner. They were both surprised it was still open.

“So,” Anakin said to Obi Wan as they sat down, “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“What do you mean?” Obi Wan asked, innocently.

“Obi Wan, you may have blocked me out of your head, but I still can sense that something is going on with you. Ever since Padme’s parents came over you’ve been...different.”

“I-I can’t tell you.” Obi Wan said.

“Come on Obi Wan, you know you can tell me anything. Why were you late today? When Sabe came over today...”

Obi Wan stroked his beard. Sabe. He wondered what she was up to. He wondered why she was so sad today.

“That’s it, isn’t it?” Anakin said.

“What?” Obi Wan said, popping out of his thoughts.

“It’s Sabe, isn’t it? Anakin said, with a smirk on his face.

“Anakin, I-” Obi Wan tried to speak but Anakin cut him off.

“Spill it, Obi Wan, from the very beginning.”

And Obi Wan explained it all. From the very beginning.
Padme rubbed her eyes and reached for the comlink on her bedside table. She prepared her best ‘how dare you call me at this hour’ look, and it quickly disappeared when she saw who was calling her.

“Hello love. Were you sleeping?” Anakin asked her.

“Yea, but its okay, it’s you.” She smiled.

“I’m just letting you know that I’ll be home soon, Obi Wan had a little too much to drink, so I’ll be dropping him off first.”

“Okay Anakin.” Padme said.

“I love you.” Anakin said.

“I love you too.” Padme said. “And when you come home, there’s something I have to tell you.”


Chapter 12

Wonderful News

Padme woke up to the feel of Anakin’s arms around her. She shifted around so that she was facing him. He smiled at her.

“Good morning. Sleep well?” Anakin nuzzled his nose against hers.

Padme smiled and nodded. She sat up and leaned against the headboard. A thousand possibilities of how to tell Anakin the wonderful news ran through her head. They were having a baby! It’s not that she didn’t want another baby; it’s just that she thought it was too soon. Anakin sensed she was in a deep thought. He kissed her cheek and got up, heading for the ‘fresher.

“No! Don’t go in there!” Padme leaped out of bed and leaned against the door. She remembered that the pregnancy test she had taken last night was in the waste basket by the door. Anakin was surprised she had such fast reflexes.

“Why? I want to have a shower.” Anakin said.

Padme didn’t want him to walk in and see the test there. She wanted to tell him herself. There’s no time like the present. She took Anakin’s hands into hers and led him to the bed. They both sat down on the edge. Anakin remembered what she had said on the comlink last night. She had something to tell him. Padme smiled and took a deep breath. Okay, so it was definitely a good thing.

“I have something to tell you. I just don’t know how to say it exactly. And I don’t want it to sound bad because then you might think its bad-” Padme said, but Anakin interrupted her.

“Tell me. Just say it.” Anakin smiled and cupped her cheek with his hand.

“Anakin, I’m- I’m pregnant.” Padme said flat out. She bit her lip.

Anakin gasped. He was at a loss for words. “That’s...well, I mean that’s-”

“Wonderful?” Padme asked. Anakin nodded. He laughed and threw his arms around her. He was the happiest man alive at that moment. Padme started to cry. Anakin wiped her tears away with his hand.

“Don’t cry, this is supposed to be a happy moment.” Anakin said softly.

“It is, it is but I just think it’s too soon. I mean, we definitely didn’t plan it. But I’m not disappointed.” I’m happy, they’re happy tears, I promise.” Padme smiled.

“Well, it definitely wasn’t planned, but we’re having a baby!” Anakin shouted, (as he had not been able to the last time she gave him the same wonderful news) picking up Padme and spinning her around in his arms. He set her down and sat down again on the bed. A thought struck him. It was though he was thinking through all of the ramifications of what had happened.

“What is it?” Padme asked.

“How did it happen?” Anakin asked, puzzled.

Padme laughed, as if saying you’re kidding, right?

“Umm...well male parts and...And female parts-”

Anakin shook his head. “No, I mean scientifically I know how it happens. But how did it...happen?”

Padme tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear. “Okay, you lost me.”

Anakin laughed. “How was it...possible for us to get pregnant?”

Padme finally realized what he was putting together. “Oh, you’re asking about birth control. No I wasn’t on any pills or anything.”

“You weren’t?” Anakin asked.

“No, I wasn’t.” Padme said.

“I could have sworn you were...why weren’t you?” Anakin asked bluntly. Padme was getting a bit scared that maybe he had changed his mind.

“What would have been the point? You were...away...and without you here there was no need to prevent a pregnancy. I guess when you got back I just got lost in the moment and didn’t care what happened afterwards. It was just that you were here, and I never thought about going on the pill.”

Anakin nodded. His face then lit up and he smiled. “We’re having a baby!”

Padme laughed and wrapped her arms around her husband, who was gleaming with joy, and was able to show it.

---

Obi Wan groaned. His headache was getting worse by the minute. He felt cold. He had no clue why. He came to the conclusion that he probably fell over into the water fountain outside and Anakin must’ve been unable to catch him. Sabe had wrapped a blanket around him. He sat on his sofa with an icepack over his head. He felt like there was a giant...something standing on his head. He vowed he would never drink that much again. It was a good thing that Anakin--wait. Anakin! He went out that night to chat and he told Anakin about him and Sabe! Although, he couldn’t remember what he had told him exactly. After the third drink he was seeing stars. What if he had told him that they had gotten married? What about the fact that they had been keeping their relationship a secret longer than Anakin and Padme had? He could hardly remember anything, and he knew that Sabe would kill him if he told her that he may have spilled everything about them. And the worst of it? He didn’t know for sure. He couldn’t remember. He had to talk to Anakin. But first, he had to talk to Sabe.

Sabe came out of their bedroom. She looked at the sight of her husband and laughed.

“That’s what you get for drinking so much. You should know how powerful Dex’s drinks are.” Sabe tried hard not to laugh.

“They’re not that bad. Anakin had two full glasses and he turned out just fine. He drove me home.” Obi Wan said.

Sabe laughed and shook her head. “He ordered water. He gave up drinking, remember?”

Obi Wan groaned again. “I’m never going to drink again.” He looked over to Sabe. “I have to tell you something, and I understand if you want to hit me with something and make my headache worse.”

Sabe’s expression went to serious. “What did you do now?”

Obi Wan took a deep breath. “I may have told Anakin about us.”

Sabe froze. “May have or you did?”

Obi Wan could practically feel her icy tone. “I don’t remember.”

“How could you not remember? How many drinks did you actually have? Obi Wan, you know how I feel about this! How could you be so stupid?”

Obi Wan stood up and stood in front of her. “I don’t see why we have to keep it from them. Sabe, it doesn’t have to be a secret anymore. The clone wars are over. Sabe, as we speak, there is no Jedi Order! And besides, Master Yoda already knows.”

Sabe looked at him. “How did he find out?”

“It was when Padme was giving birth to Luke and Leia after the incident on Mustafar. He read my mind. I was worried about Padme but thinking about you too.”

Sabe put her hands on Obi Wan’s chest. “I don’t want Anakin and Padme to know. At least not yet.”

Obi Wan nodded. “Okay, but no matter how I feel right now, I think I have to talk to Anakin. I know him too well, and he doesn’t like keeping secrets from Padme.”

---

Anakin couldn’t stay still. He was so excited. He spent every second beside Padme. They were lying on they’re bed and he was tracing circles with his fingers on Padme’s stomach.

“You know? I just thought of something. When you were pregnant the first time, I came back from the Outer Rim Sieges five months after our...goodbye. And you were five months pregnant by the time I got back. I missed out on a little over half of your pregnancy, not to mention I missed the birth.” Anakin said, hanging his head in shame, “but now, I’ll be there every step of the way. The mood swings, middle of the night cravings, morning sickness, everything!”

Padme gave him a funny look and he said proudly, “I read up on everything. I saw a book at the library. It was called ‘What to Expect When Your Wife is Expecting.’”

“Aww,” Padme said, “but are you sure you want to deal with all that?”

“You bet.” Anakin said, “I’ll be there for you this time Padme, every step of the way.”

They kissed passionately until Anakin pulled away.

“Have you thought of any names?” he asked her.

Padme looked at him. “Come to think of it, I haven’t, really. But how about this- I’ll pick out a girl’s name and you pick out a boy’s name. When the time comes, whatever the sex of the baby is, we’ll use the name that either one of us chose.”

Anakin nodded. “That sounds like a plan. Unless we have twins again.” He barely managed to get those words out of his mouth when Padme hit him in the head with a pillow.

“Don’t you dare jinx it! Luke and Leia are enough to deal with. Another set of twins? Oh gods I don’t think we could handle it.” Padme said.

“Yes we could.” Anakin said, kissing his wife on her forehead. “But I’m not saying I want to.”

They both laughed.

Padme laughed, “Can you imagine us having triplets? Or quadruplets? Or quintuplets? We’d have our own breeding factory.”

Anakin smirked. “Well, we’d be quite busy...I wouldn’t mind that at all.”

Padme giggled. “I’d have no complaints. But we’d send them off to other families. Wow, we’d have quite a business! It sounds silly, I know. I actually dreamed of that last night. We had about 26 children and we just couldn’t keep our hands off of each other. The dreams didn’t lack in detail either...” She stopped and blushed, knowing that if she were to go into the details... “Anyways, yeah having another set of twins would be crazy.”

Anakin laughed. “Yea just give them to Obi Wan and Sabe.”

Padme laughed. “What do you mean? Why would we give them to Obi Wan and Sabe?”

Anakin then realized what he had just said. She looked at him and again, he was at a loss for words. Just then, from the Nursery, Luke and Leia made it clear that they were awake and wanted some attention.

Padme glared at him. “Anakin Skywalker! You know something. Obi Wan and Sabe? What did Obi Wan say to you last night? How is that even possible?”

Anakin gulped. “Oh, it’s possible. Come on. Let’s go feed the twins and I’ll tell you what I know.”

---

When Obi Wan knocked on the door, Padme answered. She just looked at him. She kept looking at him until Obi Wan smiled.

“Hello Padme.” Obi Wan said sweetly.

She let him in and he sat down.

“Is Anakin here?” Obi Wan asked. “I sort of have to talk to him.”

Padme smiled. “Yes, he’s here.” She yelled for him and he came out holding Leia. Obi Wan smiled and gave Leia a kiss. Obi Wan softly whispered to Anakin that he needed to talk to him and Anakin nodded. “Later, we have company,” he said.

Just then, Sabe came out holding Luke. She was smiling and telling Luke how handsome he would become when he grew older. “You’re gonna be just like your daddy.” She looked up and saw Obi Wan. They locked eyes.

There was a moment of silence until Obi Wan spoke first. “Sabe, it’s...wonderful to see you again!” Sabe looked at Obi Wan and smiled. “Hello Obi Wan, long time; no see.” She handed Luke to Anakin and they all sat in silence.

“Well, now that we’re all acquainted,” Padme motioned to Anakin, “Let’s ask them why they didn’t tell us about their secret relationship.”

They both stood there in shock. They knew it. They were busted.