Authors note:
My first fic! So welcome and I hope you enjoy. I know that so far I've enjoyed writing it.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot I suppose.
I can do anything
If you want me here
And I can fix anything
If you let me near
Where are those secrets now
That you're too scared to tell
I whisper them all aloud
So you can hear yourself
I'm sorry I have to say it but you look like you're sad
Your smile is gone; I've noticed it bad
The cure is if you let in just a little more love
I promise you this, a little's enough
"Ani...you're breaking my heart." Padme cried.
Obi-Wan watched as his former Padawan...best friend...brother used the Force in unspeakable dark ways. He watched him use the Force to choke Padme into a sleep. He looked into Anakins now Sith yellow eyes. "Anakin, what have you done?" he screamed from his place across the platform. "How could you do this brother?"
"I need to save her Obi-Wan. I need powers the Jedi could not offer me. I'm doing this for her." Vader replied gesturing towards Padme's still form. "Now move Obi-Wan, I do not wish to hurt you but I will fight you if you try to stop me."
"Anakin, listen to yourself. This is madness! Don't you see you're the one killing her-"
"I AM NOT! I am saving her. Now move! Don't make me draw my blade on you!" Vader reached towards his saber hilt drawing it to hand.
Obi-Wan mimicked the movement, refusing to stand down. He needed to get him to see reason, to see his mistake. After a few moments Vader ignited his blade and charged at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan matched his movements knowing the young Knights fighting pattern. After a few minutes of back and forth Obi-Wan pushed with enough force knocking Vader back and onto the floor causing his saber to fly out of his hand which Obi-Wan summoned to him.
Vader slowly rose to his feet panting. "Give it back to me Obi-Wan."
"No! Anakin, I can't let you do this! He's using you, he's lying to you, he just wants your powers. He wants to use you against yourself and everyone you love. If you do this you will kill her Anakin. We can get you help for this. Please see reason Anakin, I know you're still in there. I love you brother."
"Lies!" Vader screamed grabbing his head.
Obi-Wan watched what he could only imagine was an internal battle between Anakin and Vader. Falling to his knees Vader grasped his head in his hands and began sobbing, "But my mother!"
Obi-Wan was unsure of whether Anakin was speaking to him or himself. Regardless he answered, "Sidious knows of what happened Anakin. He is sending you false visions so he can use you. He is using your greatest ability against you." Obi-Wan knelt in front of him. "Your ability to love unconditionally. He knows that you will do anything for those who you love. And you're proving him right."
Obi-Wan felt a small shift in the Force. "Help me Obi-Wan." Anakin pleaded. Obi-Wan saw a hint of blue in the yellow of Vader's eyes.
"Use the Force Anakin, block him out. You can do this. Don't do this for me, don't do it for you. Do it for Padme, do it for your child. Do it for Shmi. She wouldn't have wanted this Anakin. This isn't what she would have wanted from you." Obi-Wan felt another shift in the Force less darkness clouded Anakin, and he knew he was getting through to him.
"Ani?" A weak sob came from Padme. "Ani...I need you."
Obi-Wan watched as his former apprentice fought his internal struggles, "You can do this Anakin. I know you can hear me. I know you can hear her."
"Ani, please. Ani, help me." Padme pleaded.
Obi-Wan stood and made his way over to Padme, kneeling beside her grabbing her hand. She slowly opened her eyes and shook her head pulling her hand away, "No. No. Obi-Wan…There is good in him…I know. I know there is…still…"
"I know Padme. I know." He tried to calm her through the Force, but it had no effect.
"Ani." Padme called out and used all the strength she had left to turn herself towards Anakin, who still had his head in his hands. "Please Ani, I love you."
Obi-Wan braced himself as he felt the shift in the Force. It was a powerful shift and he knew any Force sensitive being in the galaxy had felt it. A dark heavy cloud was lifted and replaced by a peaceful calm. Anakin lifted his head and Obi-Wan gave him a small smile, gone were Vader's Sith yellow eyes, instead there were Anakin's crystal blue ones.
Anakin scrambled to his feet and ran to Padme. Dropping at her side he grabbed her hand with both of his, "I'm here my angel. I'm here."
"It's coming Ani." Padme whispered wavering between consciousness.
"What's coming?" Anakin questioned. Wiping the strayed hairs from her face. "Padme? What's coming?" he questioned frantically.
Obi-Wan couldn't help but chuckle, knowing it was not funny he tried to pass it off as a throat clearing. "I believe Senator Ami-Skywalker is referring to your child."
Realization hit and Anakin sprung to his feet lifting Padme in his arms, "Come on Obi-Wan we have to get her to a medic!"
Obi-Wan ran along side Anakin back to Padme's ship. As Anakin laid her down on one of the couches in the seating area, Obi-Wan ran to the cock pit starting the ship, "The closest is Polis Massa, we'll be there in a half hour." Obi-Wan started the ship and pushed all it's limits to get them where they needed to be in time.
Meanwhile Anakin kneeled next to the couch that held an unconscious Padme. "I love you so much angel. I am so sorry. This is all my fault. Please be okay." He lifted her hand to his mouth and brushed his lips gently against it. As he placed her hand down he saw a glint of something around her neck. Reaching for the object he realized she was wearing her necklace with the japer snippet he gave her on it, also attached to the necklace was her simple one diamond wedding band. He removed the necklace from her neck, and slid the ring onto the ring finger of her left hand. "No more secrets." He said placing the necklace back around her neck. He reached under his tunic and yanked the chain off, pulling his own wedding band off and placing it on his finger.
Anakin wasted no time running out the back of the ship carrying Padme into the medical unit.
"My wife, she's having a baby...she...she's passed out. Help me!" He breathlessly called to the Nurse Droid. The nurse sent out a signal and a few moments later several nurses and doctors came running with a gurney. Anakin laid Padme down and they started hooking her up with all sorts of tubes and wires.
"Thank you Jedi…Skywalker. I'm Doctor Valen and we've got it from here." Doctor Valen said as they began to roll her back through the doors they had emerged from.
"Wait! Can't I be in the room when she delivers?" Anakin rushed after them stopping the Doctor.
"Sorry, immediately family only." the Doctor replied.
"I'm her husband!"
Doctor Valen looked him up and down and laughed, "Good one." as he turned to leave.
Anakin started to wave his hand, "You will l-" but was stopped by someone grabbing his hand.
"Thank you good doctor. We will be waiting in the waiting area for updates." Obi-Wan interjected. Doctor Valen nodded and ran through the double doors.
"Master, why would you do that?!" Anakin turned to him with a tone mixed with shock and anger.
Obi-Wan gave him a knowing look, "You must control yourself Anakin." he replied and walked over to the medic droid, "Where can we wait for the baby to be delivered?"
"Floor five, room C. There are waiting chairs outside the room."
Obi-Wan knew this wouldn't be easy for Anakin, what he didn't expect was Anakin to pace back and forth outside the room. Every time a new scream would come from within he would see Anakin pale a bit, freeze and turn to the door.
"Please sit down Anakin! You are going to put a hole in the floor, and besides you are giving me a migraine. Your worry is creating such a disturbance in the Force." Obi-Wan finally spoke up, but Anakin acted as though he did not hear him.
"Ani! Please Ani. Please! Help me!" Padme's sobs were heard through the door. Obi-Wan was not sure whether he was relieved or not that the screams were now words. He did know that her latest cry for help would not go lightly on Anakin.
Anakin turned towards the door and for the first time started to send calming vibes trough the Force. Obi-Wan perked up and looked at his former apprentice. Anakin was standing in his mediation pose, eyes closed. Obi-Wan smiled and felt his own tensions relaxing.
"If I can't be in there with her psychically than I will let her know I'm here for her." Anakin finally spoke looking at Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan smiled at him, "Very wise. I can feel her presence calming. She knows it's you."
"I know she knows." A secretive smile came to his lips, "I told her it was me."
"Did you now?" Obi-Wan arched his eyebrow at him, certainly he was jesting. Padme was not a Jedi, she did not have this connection with the Force.
"I know what you're thinking. But we've always been able to do this. She says she can feel my emotions and hear me. I can not hear her, but I can feel her emotions. It's a special bond we share." Anakin paused for a second as Padme screamed, he closed his eyes and sent another wave through the Force. "Obi-Wan...I'm about to be a father."
"I can honestly say I never thought I'd see this day." Obi-Wan chuckled, "Then again I should have known. You were never easy."
"I'm sorry Obi-Wan" Anakin said lowering his head. As he did a babies cry was heard through the door. He picked his head up an excited smile coming to his face.
"It's okay, you're about to receive payback." Obi-Wan laughed standing, when a second babies cry was heard. "Make that double!"
Obi-Wan hugged Anakin who hadn't moved since the second cry was heard. Anakin had paled and looked like he was about to faint when the door opened.
A nurse came out smiling. "A boy and a girl! Come, come the mother is nursing now. Do you know how to contact the father?" She asked.
"I'm already here!" Anakin exclaimed stepping forward.
The nurse giggled and swatted his arm, "You're funny Jedi Skywalker. Come clean up and we'll let you in to see the babies."
Obi-Wan laughed and Anakin sighed, "No one wants to believe me on this. I am the father."
"Patience." Obi-Wan said following the nurse into the cleaning area.
After stepping through a sterilizing machine they were finally allowed in. Padme was sitting propped up with both babies in her arms. The babies were fast asleep after having eaten. Anakin wasted no time crossing the room and leaning down to kiss her. "I'm so proud of you angel. They're beautiful." he kissed both of the babies on the top of the head.
Padme smiled at her husband lovingly, "They are beautiful and they are ours."
Doctor Valen and the three nurses all looked on with shocked faces. Obi-Wan laughed and nodded his head.
"My…my apologies Jedi Skywalker. I did not realize-" The doctor started to fumble.
Anakin held up his hand, "Think nothing of it. I understand the doubt."
Padme looked between the two of them with a confused look but decided to drop it. "Ani, would you like to hold them?"
"Yes!" Anakin exclaimed causing Padme to giggle. He leaned over grabbing his son from her, realizing the difficultly of bending down to grab his daughter he reached out to the force and levitated her up grabbing her in air.
"Anakin Skywalker! Don't you DARE ever do that again!" Padme said pointing her finger at him. "Are you trying to kill me?"
A look passed Anakin's face but he hid it quickly nuzzling his children. "Sorry love, I didn't mean to scare you. You know I would never hurt them." He looked back down at the sleeping babies, "Angel, what are we going to name them?"
"I was thinking Luke Ben and Leia Shmi Skywalker." She looked up at him to see his reaction, he smiled still looking down at the sleeping children.
"Luke…Leia…" Anakin smiled again kissing them both on the head, "Perfect."
"Come now, don't hog them. Give me my little Jedi." Padme said reaching out to Anakin.
Anakin laughed and passed Luke to her, "Little Jedi? Don't be so sure of that, me being expelled from the Order probably won't reflect well on them."
Padme rolled her eyes, "Ani, no one has expelled you yet and with you as their father I have no doubt that they are Force sensitive."
"They most certainly are." Obi-Wan spoke up from his position in the corner, he had been observing the little family quietly. "There was a very big shift in the Force when they were born. I know Anakin felt it as well, I wouldn't be surprised if every Force sensitive being felt it." Anakin nodded still looking down at Leia as she slept cuddling into her father."
One of the nurses hesitantly approached them, "I don't mean to bother you. But we're going to need to take them to perform some tests and exams, just regular check ups. If you could fill out their birth certificates on this holopad that would be wonderful." Another nurse came up beside her and Anakin passed Leia to her and took the holopad from the first nurse. Leia instantly began to cry. Padme reluctantly handed her Luke, who joined his sister in crying. Anakin closed his eyes and sent calming vibes to them through the Force.
"Shhh, it's okay loves. Mommy and Daddy are here." He said running his finger down Leia's face. The twins stopped crying and drifted off back to sleep.
"You think you could come work in our nursery?" The nurse holding Luke joked, "We could really use that skill with the babies."
Anakin laughed as the three nurses made their way out.
"Jedi Skywalker, may I please have a word with you outside for a moment?" Doctor Valen asked making his way out the door. Anakin gave Padme's hand a reassuring squeeze and followed the doctor outside.
"What can I do for you sir?" Anakin asked closing the door behind him.
"I would like to first congratulate you, they are beautiful babies who appear to be very healthy." Doctor Valen started.
"Thank you." Anakin nodded smiling.
"But there were complications. Your wife isn't doing as well as she may appear. We have her hooked up to a few machines that are regulating and aiding her breathing. It appears to be what we commonly see in strangulation but her neck is pristine. Not even the slightest bit of fowl play." The doctor watched Anakin's face drop. Anakin fell into the chair next to the door and put his head in his hands. "I'm sorry Jedi Skywalker."
"Is there anything we can do?" Anakin asked not moving, his voice quivered.
"We were able to control it temporarily. With a simple procedure, she will survive. Unfortunately the procedure does cause women to become sterile, and will require her to carry a inhaler just incase. It could have to do with her fainting when going into labor. She has no recollection of anything prior to coming here today. Is there anything you know?" Doctor Valen questioned.
Anakin lifted his head, tears in his eyes. "No. She went into labor and then passed out. Please, you have to do something. Does she know?"
Doctor Valen shook his head, "No we don't want to traumatize her right now. We will speak with her tomorrow about it, for now she should rest." Anakin nodded his head.
"He's sad, Obi-Wan. He's worried about something. Do you think it's the babies?" Padme said from her spot on the bed.
Obi-Wan had sat down in one of the chairs next to her bed, "Yes. I sensed that too. I don't know Padme. Whatever it is I'm sure Anakin will handle it."
Padme nodded agreeing, "Obi-Wan, what happened before I got here? I don't remember anything from today. I remember being in my apartment and then waking up here in pain, so much pain."
"Perhaps you should ask Anakin these questions. The babies are beautiful Padme, and very Force sensitive." Obi-Wan tried to change the subject.
"They are. Do you really think they will expel him?"
"I do not know. The Order is very strict with their ways. He has defied pretty much all of them."
Anakin walked in to the room, Obi-Wan sensed he was attempting to control his emotions. He may be able to fool Padme, but anyone who knew the Force could sense it was a cover.
"Ani, what's wrong? Why were you sad?" Padme asked him as he sat down in the chair closest to her bed.
"Nothing is wrong my angel. I'm just happy right now, we have the most beautiful babies in the galaxy. And what a surprise two of them!" He smiled grabbing her hand. He knew that she did not believe him but she dropped it.
"We do my love. And I noticed you are actually wearing your wedding ring, as am I." She smiled lifting his hand.
"No more secrets Padme."
"Ani-"
"Perhaps this is not the best time to discuss this." Obi-Wan interjected. "I believe this conversation has a place and time, and this is not it. Be happy right now."
"He's right Ani." Padme said laying her head down yawning, "I'm so sleepy."
"Rest now angel." Anakin said using his other hand to brush her hair out of her face. "You did wonderful today, I am so proud." He leaned down to kiss her and she was out in moments. "Obi-Wan, I need to tell you something. Let's go get a drink from the cafeteria."
Obi-Wan nodded and stood following Anakin out of the room. Anakin retold Obi-Wan what the doctor had said as they walked down the hall.
"It is not your fault Anakin, it was Vader who did it, not you."
"Vader and I are the same person."
"No you aren't. You are not Vader. You are Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, you have an amazing wife and two beautiful children. Vader is a monster who has none of these will have to fight your demons Anakin, and when that time comes we will all be here to help you. Padme needs not to know what happened on Mustafar, right now she has no memory of it."
"That would be lying. I just told her no more secrets, this is a big one Obi-Wan."
"Sometimes Anakin secrets can be good. I think no good will come of you telling Padme you strangled her, at least not now."
"I didn-"
"She will understand when the time comes. You'll know when."
"Thank you Master. I am truly sorry for what happened back there. I was just so wrapped up in Sidious lies and promises that I was willing to do anything to prevent them from happening. Padme brought me back from that."
"The healing process will be long, but I believe in you."
"Thank you Master. If you would like you can go back to the ship, it's been a long day, and I should return to Padme."
"Good night Anakin, sleep well. This will be the last quiet night you have in a very long time.
Anakin laughed and headed back into the room.
The next morning after feeding and changing the twins, Doctor Valen and Anakin explained to Padme what had happened and the procedure she could have and it's side effects. Padme sat shocked on her bed.
"It'll be okay angel." Anakin grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips, "It'll be brief and you won't feel a thing."
"I want to do it." She looked at Doctor Valen, "When can you do it? I just want to go home."
"We can do it today, and you'll be able to go home tomorrow." Doctor Valen answered.
Padme looked form the doctor to Anakin who gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Let's do it."
The procedure was successful and the Skywalkers and Obi-Wan were able to leave Polis Massa in the morning. Obi-Wan rented a ship to head back to Coruscant and they headed for Naboo on Padme's request.
"How do you think they're going to take this?" Anakin said as their ship landed on the lake houses landing dock.
"I think they'll take it well." Padme said confidently picking up Luke. Anakin laughed as he picked up Leia.
The Naberrie family was waiting on the dock when they exited the ship.
Jobel Naberrie stepped forward and stopped as he saw the two people exit the ship with tiny bundles in their hands. "Padme…Master Anakin, what are-"
Ruwee stepped in front of his wife cutting her off, "What's the meaning of this?"
So that's chapter one! I hope you enjoyed, please review.
I am also looking for a beta, so please message me if you're interested.
xxPadmeNSkywalker