Chapter 1
Anakin
It has been a month but I still wake up expecting to find Padmé sleeping next to me. It's always a blissful couple of seconds before the lack of warmth next to me leads the pain to come rushing back in. She's gone I remind myself. She's gone and isn't coming back. I hadn't been able to prevent those awful nightmares of her death from becoming a reality. I might have perished along with her, might have joined her on the other side so we could continue to be together if I didn't have two very important reasons to stay. Two reasons that make leaving completely unacceptable, two reasons that have become the only thing I have to live for. Two reasons that make want to become the best version of myself, two reasons that make me want to live a long life with them. Two reasons that are already stirring in the crib next to my bed but who are still surprisingly not yet crying in their morning hunger. My little Luke & Leia. The two loves of my life.
Sighing I get up from the bed and make my way to the crib. I pick them up and proceed to change their diapers before heading to the living room. As I make my way there, carefully balancing my two young ones in my arms, the door bell rings. I place both Leia & Luke down on the crib I keep in the living room before heading to the door. Through the peephole I spot my old master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and next to him is a female Rodian holding a briefcase. I make sure I look presentable before opening the door. I stand there for a moment before Obi-Wan holds his hand out and asks "How are Anakin? I hope we aren't bothering you this early in the morning but we have some legal stuff to take care of. This is Marella Farr, a lawyer who wishes to speak to you."
I take my old master's hand and shake it before taking Farr's as well. "I figured this day would come sooner or later. Come in" I reply as I move to the side to let them in. They make their way into the living room. As I follow them in, Luke immediately begins crying so I walk to the crib and pick him up. He quiets down as I begin to rock him. "Please sit down" I nod to the couch "I'll be right back, I have to warm their bottles up."
"I can hold him or her if you'd like" Obi-Wan says nodding to Luke in my arms. "So you can warm the bottles easier"
I stare at him just a bit too long for it to become a bit awkward before I find myself nodding. "Thank you. That would be great actually. It's Luke by the way. He gets easily inpatient, especially when it comes to his food" I reply smiling. Obi-Wan walks to me before I hand him my son, carefully making sure he holds on to him right.
"Takes after his father I see" Obi-Wan chuckles as he stares down at my son. Luke miraculously stays quiet in Kenobi's arms. I can't help but smile as I make my way into the kitchen to warm up the milk. Figures that not only is Kenobi a great Jedi but he's also great with children. When I go back into the living room with two bottles at hand I find Obi-Wan standing next to the crib, staring down at my little Leia while rocking Luke in his arms. I can't help but find it adorable that my old master appears to have a weakness for babies.
Before I can stop myself, I find myself asking "Do you mind helping me out by giving Luke his bottle" I instantly regret it. I can and should do it myself. However, Obi-Wan just takes the bottle from my hand without hesitating and makes his way to the couch. I'm left standing there a bit surprised before I bend down to pick up Leia and move to the couch as well. Once settled I finally ask "All right then, may I inquire as to what is the reason for this lovely visit?"
"Anakin" Obi-Wan answers looking at me "we're here because of Padmé. More specifically were here because of Padmé's will." I don't immediately respond, the only sounds in the room coming from Luke & Leia drinking their milk. A quiet buzz starts to fill my ears before I find myself nodding.
"I apologize that it took this long to finally deliver this to you Mr. Skywalker" Farr replies breaking the silence in the room "but some complications arose that needed to be taken care off before we could proceed with this process."
"What complications?" I ask through a daze.
"Why don't we go through the will first, it'll become apparent " Farr responds. She clears her throat before adding "Before we begin, Master Kenobi could please be so kind to leave the room until we are done. The will is only to be read to the people mentioned in it. That is unless Mr. Skywalker approves of your presence in the room."
"Of course, it's completely understandable" Obi-Wan replies as he stands up. "I'll just-.."
"He can stay" I blurt out "That is, if you'd like to Obi-Wan. I approve of Mr. Kenobi staying" I inform Farr. Obi-Wan gives me a small nod before sitting down again with Luke still in his arms.
"Very well, Mr. Skywalker" Farr responds as she opens her briefcase. She pulls out a hologram device and a couple of folders. "Are you ready to begin?"
"Yes" I quickly reply.
Farr puts the holograph machine on the center of the coffee table and presses play. A holographic image of Padmé materializes in front me and I fight the urge to reach out and touch her. "My Ani" Padmé begins softly "If you are seeing this it means you are safe, which brings me peace and happiness. However It also means that I unfortunately didn't have the strength to hold on. For that I am truly sorry but please know I am at peace knowing you have someone to keep you company, our baby. I know I don't have to say it but please take care of our baby, Anakin. Please love him or her with all the love I know you have inside of you. You don't know how much it means to me that even though I tried my hardest to stay you will have each other as you continue on with your lives. Please Know I couldn't have asked for a better husband or father for our baby, I love you." My Padmé pauses and her holographic eyes bore into me before she continues. I don't know when I started crying but I feel the tears rolling down my face. "I leave with my only wish being that you and our baby find the happiness in life you both deserve. My friend and colleague Marella Farr will inform you of all the other details regarding my finances and such. Goodbye my Ani." Padmé's holographic figure vanishes but I keep staring at the machine expecting her to materialize again. I blink away the tears and clear my throat before I look up at Farr and Obi-Wan.
"Thank you for bringing me this" I choke out.
"No need to thank me Mr. Skywalker, I loved Padmé and treasured her friendship. The universe seems a darker place without her light" Farr responds. I know exactly what she means and in that moment a sense of loss connects us. She once again sits up straight and continues "Now onto the specifics of what Padmé mentioned regarding her properties and finances. She has left left in your name various properties including a townhouse in the Naboo city of Theed. She also specified that her bank accounts be left in both your name and your baby. This is where the problem I mentioned earlier arose. She only specified a single baby, but as we now know she had twins. This lead to some complications as I had to go through the legal system in Theed courts to establish that there are two babies. It took a while to get everything sorted out but both Luke and Leia are now both titled and legal co-owners of the bank accounts along with you. I apologize it took this long but the process took this long and was finalized yesterday morning. Here is the list of properties and accounts now in you and your children's names. I just need a couple signatures and everything should be set Mr. Skywalker."
Once she's done explaining, I stay quiet as I let all this information process through my head. I try to form a coherent thought and articulate a response but my thoughts keep drifting back to seeing Padmé again. I finally manage to stammer "Where do I sign?"
Farr opens her briefcase and pulls out a folder with several pages. "Please sign on the marked lines in these pages. Your initials go next to the the checkmarks. This is to confirm you will be taking over her properties and finances. It also acknowledges that as Luke and Leia's legal guardian you will manage their accounts until they are no longer minors. Once you are done signing everything should be set. I have some keys here for the the properties as well as the account information for the bank accounts. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. I will also leave you my contact information in case you have any questions or doubts further on."
I take the papers and pen she hands me and begin to sign them, wanting to get this whole process over with. Needing to move on from this, to not think about Padmé slowly passing away after giving our babies their names. Helplessly feeling the life draining out of her while I held her hand as our children cried in the background. I shake the painful memory from my head as I finish signing the papers. I look up to find Obi-Wan looking at me with sorrowful eyes. He gives me a sympathetic smile before standing up with Luke. He moves Luke up and begins to gently pat his back as he walks around the room. I'm still staring at him wondering how he knows you're supposed to burp a baby when Farr takes the papers and pen from me.
Farr then hands me a folder containing the information on Padmé's bank accounts and the papers for her properties. I'm also handed a set of keys to said such town house. "Now that everything is signed, you may move into the house whenever you please. The address is in the folder I handed you. Like I previously said my contact information is enclosed in in the folder in case you have any further questions. I'm very sorry for your loss Mr. Skywalker" Farr adds before standing up.
"Thank you for everything" I answer also standing up. I shake her outstretched hand with my own free hand I then proceed to burp Leia as Farr makes her way to the door.
"Well that is all for me Mr. Skywalker" Farr says when she reaches the door "Mr. Kenobi thank you once again for bringing me to Mr. Skywalker" she adds before exiting the apartment. The room once again returns to silence as I slowly walk towards Obi-Wan. He's now sitting on the couch again with Luke still in his arms. Luke is staring up at Obi-Wan as my old Jedi master nudges his chubby little hands. I take a seat next to them before speaking.
"I appreciate you staying" I thank him before adding "Also thank you for helping me with Luke. I know he can be a handful but he seems to like you."
"No need to thank me Anakin. I like him as well" he replies looking up. I smile at him in response. He then asks me "What do you plan on doing now with this new information if you don't mind me asking"
I consider his question, wondering as well what I'm going to do now, before answering "Before today I was intending in staying here in Coruscant, using some of my savings to pay for next month's rent. That way I would have some time to search for a cheaper apartment. I also intended in looking for a job that was flexible enough to allow me to still be with my kids most of the time. I was going to use the rest of my savings to hire a trustworthy nanny until I managed to get a steady income." Obi-Wan doesn't say anything so I continue "However taking today's turn of events I have different plans now. Instead I will be moving to Theed, to the townhouse Padmé left for us. It's a good place to raise my kids in. I can manage to stretch out my saving for a couple extra months so I can manage to stay at home with my kids until they grow up a bit more. I will have extra time to look for a trustworthy, reliable nanny and also extra time to find a job down the line when I feel more comfortable leaving them with someone else. Padmé's accounts will stay as they are until Luke & Leia are grown enough to use it for their studies or the career they chose to follow. Basically I just want to be sure I can give them the best life they deserve." By this point I'm just speaking my thoughts out loud but Obi-Wan only nods in apparent understanding.
"Seems to me like you have it figured out old friend" Obi-Wan finally says. "If you need any help moving for anything else please let me know. I'll do my best to help with whatever I can."
"If I need anything, I'll take you on that offer. Thank you" I answer. I continue watching him as he carries my son around the room, as I wonder about my old master's own future plans. Pondering what he is going to do now that the war is over. Now that Palpatine was exposed after he tried luring me into the dark side to do his bidding. Now that he was killed by master Mace Windu. I try to block those memories but not before the memory of Palpatine being flung out the window pops up in my head.
"I can feel you staring at me, old friend" Obi-Wan says bringing me back to reality "if you have a question please don't be afraid to ask."
I quickly turn away but not before seeing the corners of his mouth turn upwards. I can feel a blush creeping up my neck at being caught staring so I clear my throat and ask "I was just curious as to what you are going to do now. The war is over and the Jedi Council has decided to stay out of politics from now on and keep a low profile. I was wondering what your own future plans are."
"Now that we at the Jedi Council have no current business going on, I have no immediate plans to do anything. I was however invited by two universities to join them as a professor. They tell me their students are extremely interested in learning general information about the force and Jedi history. I haven't accepted or declined them yet but I am considering their offers. Well that is after having asked Master Yoda for approval" he answers me.
"Well if you do accept one of those offers the students would be extremely lucky to be taught by one of the best individuals I have ever had the honor of meeting" I reply, adverting his eyes by looking down at Leia yawning. After a few seconds of him not responding, I look back up at him to find Obi-Wan thoughtfully staring at me. "What? Do I have baby barf on my shirt again?" I respond trying to end the award silence.
Obi-Wan thankfully snorts and says "Well, I didn't want to say anything but it seems you indeed do." He nods at my shirt and I quickly look down to find nothing there. I realize I've been fooled so I look back up to find him chuckling at my expense. I manage to roll my eyes but I'm feeling happier than I have in a while.
Obi-Wan
I make my way to the Jedi Temple feeling grouchy at being called in. To think today had started off so well and it was all because I had the chance to see him again. Of course all that happiness had beed ruined when the call from Mace Windu came through. As I continue walking there I can't help but accept what I had been denying for a while. Why I haven't been able to bring myself visit him as often as I would like. My biggest secret. I am in love with Anakin. No matter how much I keep trying to lie to myself, I know it's pointless to deny it to myself. When he fell in love with Padmé he thought he was being so secretive and discreet but he didn't realize I had figured it out and knew all along. I was ecstatic to see him so happy even if that meant he would never be with me. However I also became overwhelmed with guilt for not telling Master Yoda that Anakin was breaking the Jedi Code. I found myself wondering multiple times whether to follow my duty as a Jedi and report what was happening but I could never bring myself to do anything that would cause Anakin pain. So I guarded their secret romance because his happiness trumped my sense of duty. He became my weakness. It's funny that it wasn't until about half a year ago that I started seeing him as more than a friend. I began to see him as a man. Someone I could find myself spending my life with. Since then it has become 6 months of feeling anger at myself for falling in love with my apprentice. It became a line I could and would never cross. Now that he's no longer my apprentice, not even a Jedi anymore, the what ifs came rushing back. But I still am a Jedi. I am still bound by traditions I don't think I could ever break. If one day he were to see me as more than a friend, as a lover, I don't know if I would be strong or willing enough to not break the Jedi Code.
When I finally reach the High Council Chamber I find most of the members already in their chairs. I haven't been in here in a while, not since we decided to lay low after the war. The talking stops when I enter and make my way to my chair. Master Mace Windu is the first to speak "Master Kenobi, it's good to see you again. How did today's visit to Skywalker go?"
I sit down and think of my response. They of course knew I was going to visit Anakin because Farr came asking for him here. Why they're asking about him has me puzzled though. It's not like they're too happy with the fact that their "chosen one" chose to leave the order instead of staying. That he broke the code of the Jedi Order by marrying and forming attachments. Even though him exposing Palpatine brought an end to the war. "He's doing as well as one can under his circumstances" I finally manage to cooly reply.
The members in the room exchange glances until Windu talks again "That is good to hear." After another pause Windu continues "Master Kenobi you might be wondering as to how this relates to why we called this meeting. It's to discuss something we find troublesome. It might end up not being anything serious but we have decided it is worrisome enough to require some action."
Confusion and panic seize me. What can it be? I ask myself. What does it have to do with Anakin? Did something happen? Is he in trouble. Did they find out I have feelings for him? I stop those thoughts from overwhelming me and decide I should just ask. "What happened?" I finally ask.
"Detected a big darkness in the force, we have" Yoda answers.
"It might just be the force still trying to balance itself out after Palpatine" Windu adds "but we have reason to believe it might be something else"
"All right? So what does that have to do with Anakin?" I ask, letting what they're saying sink in. Yoda and Windu just look at each other so I add "What?"
"We presume it might be Anakin. We believe he might not have completely rejected the dark side as we had previously concluded" Windu finally answers me.
"Impossible" I quickly interject before the implications of what they're saying sink in. I feel my blood turn to ice. Anakin did not and will not join the dark side. He is strong enough to know not to follow that path. I can't and won't accept that. I can't have failed him. He did not fall.
"Completely sure, we are not" Yoda says interrupting my thoughts. "Precautions however, we must take"
"What kind of precautions?" I ask feeling a surge of panic rising up in me again.
"He is moving to Theed, is he not?" Windu asks.
"Maybe, but what does that have to do with anything?" I ask.
"We are aware you got an invitation to become a professor at the University of Theed. We are hoping you accept the position in order for you to be in close proximity to Skywalker so you can keep an eye on him" another of the council members replies.
I let what they're saying process as I feel dread pooling in my stomach. "You want me to spy on him?!" I ask incredulously. Trying to keep the anger I know I'm supposed to keep at bay from flooding me.
"Not spying, it would just be you checking on Skywalker, making sure he's doing fine. To make sure him and his children are adjusting well to their new life." Windu responds calmly. "However we do understand you might not be comfortable doing this. In that case we can just send someone else. We just wanted to give you the option of doing it yourself considering he's your friend and old apprentice."
I don't even know how to respond to them. What can I even say? How would I even consider myself his friend when I would be basically spying on him, ignoring his right to privacy. I do know however that if I don't do accept, they will send someone else. Someone who would not hesitate twice to report him to the council if they saw anything remotely suspicious. Or worse someone who could potentially hurt him if they thought he really fell to the dark side. Someone who would not hesitate twice to hurt Anakin. I realize I have no choice but to accept. I have to protect him and his children. I can't fail him once again. I have to make sure he gets the chance to live a happy life with his family. A chance to live without us continuing to interfere in his life. I don't know what I'm more scared off, living close to him or finding out he really is on the dark side.
"I accept this mission. I will accept my position at the University of Theed and move when it becomes necessary. If I find concrete evidence he's doing something suspicious I will report it to the council, but I will not report on his daily life. I will not take his privacy from him" I leave the council before they have the chance to respond.