Anakin's POV

Anakin awoke with a start, sweat glistening on his forehead and dampening the sheets. His heart was pounding, and he was breathing rapidly. He quickly turned his head to look at Padmé. Relief flooded through his veins at the mere sight of her.

He watched her chest rise and fall, captivated by her beauty.

Anakin never knew it was possible to feel love so intensely, yet also feel immense terror at the same time.

He sighed deeply and turned his body, removing his sweat-covered legs out from under the blankets and onto the floor. Placing his head in his trembling hands, he took a few deep breaths and tried to quell his anxious mind.

He was too restless to sleep.

Grabbing his black shirt, Anakin slid it over his toned body and padded out of the room.

He leaned against the cream-colored sofa and numbly stared out of the massive window, observing the blur of fluorescent ships and the glare of the bright lights.

When Padmé slowly approached him, he didn't react.

Her fingers brushed the nape of his neck and he closed his eyes at her touch.

"What's bothering you?"

Anakin did not want to tell her about the nightmare. A few years ago he had had a similar dream, except it was about his mother. And she had ended up dead.

I will not let anything harm Padmé. Or my child.

He sighed and looked into her eyes, forcing himself to smile.

"Nothing," he replied.

He eyed the necklace he had given her a long time ago and gently raised it towards the light. A genuine smile appeared on his face.

"I remember when I gave this to you." He was trying to change the subject, but he knew Padmé would see right though this attempt.

"How long is it going to take for us to be honest with each other?" Padmé quietly asked.

She looked at him fiercely, but Anakin could see the muted anxiousness in her eyes.

He looked away and simply stated, "It was a dream."

He knew she would inquire further about the dream and a pit formed in his stomach. Thinking about it made him feel uneasy, especially if Padmé had to share this uneasiness with him.

Padmé crinkled her brow in concern. "Bad?"

He continued to stare out the window.

"Like the ones I used to have about my mother," he replied.

Anakin took a deep breath.

"Just before she died."

He felt slightly sick.

Padmé pressed on. "And?"

Anakin looked intensely into her brown eyes.

"And it was about you," he stated.

Padmé ran her hand gently over his shoulder. "Tell me."

He sighed and stood up, walking towards the window. "It was only a dream." He said this but did not believe it. He decided to be honest with Padmé, no matter how painful the truth was.

He slowly turned around and looked at her.

"You die in childbirth."

She protectively grabbed her stomach, apprehension plainly seen on her face. "And the baby?"

"I don't know," Anakin replied.

A few seconds of silence passed.

Padmé rushed towards him. "It was only a dream—''

"I won't let this one become real," he quickly cut in, gently but fiercely holding on to her.

"This baby will change our lives," Padmé stated, "I doubt the queen will allow me to serve in the Senate. And if the Council discovers you're the father you'll be expelled—''

"I know, I know." Anakin looked away. His fear was more subdued but he still felt tense.

"Do you think Obi Wan might be able to help us?" Padmé inquired.

Anakin looked at her, his face slightly stony. Obi Wan was someone Anakin did not want to think about. He did not require assistance from him. "We don't need his help."

Anakin's expression softened and he reached for Padmé. "Our baby is a blessing."

She smiled and held onto him. He pulled Padmé closer and held her tightly, letting the fear melt away at her touch.