Anakin Skywalker was an idiot. Or maybe he was just touched in the head, product of one too many rounds with a sith. Who in their right mind goes barging into the woman they love's home after seven years without checking up on her first?

It was his first night back on Coruscant and he barely slept at all. After the initial ransack form Order 66, the Jedi Temple had been untouched. While the archives were decimated, the other rooms were left mostly unscathed. He had lain in his old quarters the whole night, thinking about Padmé.

Padmé: the love of his life.

Padmé: the love of someone else's life, too.

Padmé: a mother.

He should have never asked her to move on. He should have been selfish and never let her go. He should have…he should have…

He sighed, sitting up in his bed, glanced at the chrono, and began to dress. He was rubbing the back of his neck with his hand, searching for his utility belt, when his door slid open.

"Anakin."

"Good morning, Obi-Wan" greeted Anakin.

"It's hardly morning anymore, Anakin. Did you forget about the meeting? We have to be there soon."

Anakin rolled his eyes, and then spotted his belt. "Checking up on your youngling, Master?" he teased, smiling slightly as he summoned his belt to him and fastened it around his waist.

"You're not my youngling" muttered Obi-Wan, and Anakin laughed as they walked into the hallway. "I just wanted to make sure you got up in time. It is your first council meeting and I know how you would like to do nothing better than sleep the whole day away" he ribbed.

Anakin rolled his eyes. "Master, I've unofficially been on the council since Sidious gave Order 66. This is nothing new to me." Anakin looked at his feet momentarily, and they gave Obi-Wan a less than sincere smile. His emotions were guarded, but Obi-Wan could feel the hint of despair. Not understanding, Obi-Wan looked at his former Padwan.

"Have you slept since we arrived back, Anakin?"

"I am fine, Obi-Wan."

"Where did you go last night? You left so quickly-"

"No where worth mentioning" he answered evasively.

Obi-Wan opened his mouth but Anakin cut him off again.

"Leave it for now, mother hen" said Anakin as they approached the council room.

Obi-Wan 'humph'ed at the implication, but dropped the subject nonetheless.


"Arrogant, we were, to not admit our blindness in the Force" said Master Yoda. "Given are we, a new chance." The rest of the council members nodded their head and murmured in agreement. The meeting was rounding on its third hour. "One last matter of business, to discuss we have," said Yoda, looking around the room. "What to do with the younglings we had not time to collect and train, we must decide."

"We must collect the younglings who are force sensitive. It is our responsibility to teach them what we know, especially now since our numbers have diminished" said one master.

"What of the younglings that are older? The ones that are attached to their parents?" asked anther.

"We must break the attachment while they are young. It is not prudent to leave force sensitive children vulnerable to the influences of outside sources."

"What if the parents resist?"

"We must convince them it is the right choice. The only choice."

"You forget, Masters," said Anakin "that I was in a similar position as a youngling. It is not easy for a child to forget his or her mother."

"Yes," said a master impatiently, "but you were able to adjust amicably, even with your unorthodox upbringing. You achieved great things."

Anakin nodded his head in thanks, small frown settling on his lips. "True enough, but taking me from my mother was one of the hardest things I went through. Not being able to visit her, even after I began having visions of her death, was extremely detrimental."

"Yes, but you survived."

"Barely" said Anakin, frustration building "It…it brought about extreme anger within me the night he she died" he said, remembering the murders he committed the night of his mother's death. "For years after her death, I resented the council. It almost caused me to fall."

There was a brief, shocked, silence in the room. "Are you suggesting we leave the younglings with their parents?" asked one master.

Anakin shook his head. "No. Growing up with unexplained powers is not a pleasant experience."

"Then what are you suggesting, Master Skywalker? You seem to be opposed to our only to options" a master commented snidely.

"There is another option" said Anakin, glancing at Obi-Wan. His former master was looking at him, chin resting on his laced finger, legs crossed. Anakin took a deep breath. "We must change the code."

The room erupted into shouts.

"Preposterous!"

"Ridiculous!"

"Well I never heard of su-"

The swift knocking of Yoda's cane against his seat silenced the room.

"A serious statement, you make, young Skywalker" said Yoda, leaning forward in his seat, shaking his stick at Anakin. "Millions of years of tradition you want to break! An important foundation in the Jedi way of life it is."

"I understand, Master Yoda" said Anakin respectively, "but do the benefits of non-attachment out way the shortcomings?"

Yoda leaned back into his chair. "Explain" he croaked. Anakin paused to collect his thoughts.

"Palpatine…I trusted Sidious from a young age. He knew my weaknesses, and tried to exploit them. He tried to bring me to the dark side. He almost succeeded. He very nearly turned me."

"The attachment to your mother being the root of the problem!"

"Yes, he did utilize my feelings of my mother," allowed Anakin. "But I wouldn't have those feelings if the code forbade me to see her. While Jedi's are given special powers by the Force, we are still beings, Masters. We have souls. We still are given the ability to feel, and care, and love. We still have the ability for attachment. If the Force didn't want Jedi's to love others, it would have replaced those abilities for our Force sensitivity."

"You can use that argument for hate and anger as well."

"Hate and anger are dark. Hate is selfish and greedy." answered Anakin.

"Love hinders a Jedi's decision making. Love clouds the Jedi's judgment."

"Love is what helped me hold on to the light" said Anakin, swallowing as the unbidden face of Padmé popped into his mind. "Love let me defeat Sidious. We owe the power love our freedom." He paused, calming himself. "Masters, our arrogance led to the near extinction of the Jedi. The Force is giving us a chance to put things right. I feel…I feel this is what needs to be done."

"Much to think about, you have given us, Master Skywalker" said Yoda. "Meditate on this, we all must. Reconvene the Council in two days time, we will to discuss this matter further." The small green alien got out of his chair and hobbled out of the council room without anther word. The other masters followed suit; some giving Anakin a disapproving look, other a thoughtful glance.

"Well," said Obi-Wan standing up when they were the only two left in the room. "That could've gone worse. I am surprised though" he commented. Anakin knew he did not mean the other masters reaction.

"Yes, well," said Anakin, standing as well, rubbing the back of his neck. "I would be lying if I say I never thought to bring it up. But I did not plan to do so today. I planned to confide in you before-"

Obi-Wan waved his hand. "Think nothing of it, my friend."

They walked out of the Council room to see Artoo waiting for them. The little droid wheeled up to them, beeping rapidly.

"An urgent message?" asked Anakin, brows lowered. Artoo activated his hologram setting. A miniature Padmé Amidala flicked up.

"Good afternoon, Jedi Skywalker" she said, bowing her head slightly. Politely. Senatorially. "It was nice to see you again, however brief. I just wanted to inform you that I was unable to keep my promise." She paused for a moment. "I hope I will see you again soon."

The recording flickered and died. Anakin stood, mouth agape, dumbfounded.

I was unable to keep my promise.

"What is she talking about?" asked Obi-Wan, brows furrowed.

I was unable to keep my promise.

Anakin's mind was whirling. If she was unable to keep her promise, she had not been with any others.

I was unable to keep my promise.

"Anakin?"

And if she had not been with any others, which would mean that mean those children were…

"Force" muttered Anakin. He looked at Obi-Wan, a small smile finding its way to his lips. Obi-Wan looked even more puzzled.

"I-I need to go" said Anakin. "I'll explain later." And with that Anakin took off.


Anakin commed Padmé's apartment from his speeder.

"Amidala residence. My mistress is not available at the moment" said the prissy voice of Threepio.

"Hello, Threepio" said Anakin.

"Oh, my! My maker! Bless my circuits! Master Ani! How glad I am to see you, sir."

"It's good to see you too" answered Anakin. "Padmé is not home?"

"No, sir. She took her children to get pet fishes. They were rather excited."

"Do you know where this fish place is?"

Threepio gave him the address he had looked up early to give to Padmé. Anakin thanked him and illegally turned the speeder around, heading in another direction.


Anakin entered the fish emporium, suddenly hesitant. He walked in slowly, scanning the isles. After walking a few paces he felt his stomach dropped. Padmé stood crouched, looking into a tank with an arm around her son and daughter, softly talking, pointing at the multi colored fish.

His son and daughter.

The girl broke away from her mother's lose hold grabbing her brothers arm. "Lukie, look at these ones!" she said as they tore down anther isle. He saw Padmé laugh softly and stand up, smoothing her skirt. She finally saw Anakin and froze.

"Anakin" she said in surprise.

"Hi" he said nervously. He stepped toward her.

"Did you feel the need to get a fish, or-"

"I got your message" he answered, smiling faintly. She returned the smile. He turned slightly and caught sight of their children, hands pressed up against the glass of anther tank. He stared at them.

"They're beautiful" he muttered, not able to look away. His daughter was dressed in a red tunic that fell passed her knees, white leggings, and had a white headband keeping back her long brown hair out of her face. His son had a mop of blond hair, similar to the one he had before he got his Padwan cut, green tunic and dark blue pants. "What are their names?"

"Luke and Leia" she answered, studying his face.

"Luke and Leia" he repeated. Luke looked so much like him, while Leia was so much her mother. Leia glanced at her brother and Anakin felt a tremor in the Force. Signatures blazing, they were communicating silently using the Force. How did I not see it before?

"They're Force sensitive?" he asked, already knowing the answer, but surprise none the less.

She nodded, crossing her arms over her chest. "Yes, their midi-chlorian count was nearly as high as yours. A challenge," she grinned, and he looked at her "but well worth it."

She was so beautiful. She had her hair pinned simply, pulled out of her face, but down. She had on a dark blue chiffon dress that suited her nicely.

"Padmé, I-"

"Mama, are we gunna go to the park now?" asked Leia, her and her brother looking from Padmé to Anakin.

Padmé turned to her daughter. "Yes, Leia. I just have to pay the nice fish man and give him our address so he can send the tank and fishies to our home."

Luke sidled up to Padmé, slipping his hand in hers, and looked curiously at Anakin. Leia still stood in her spot, obviously torn between mirroring Luke's action and her curiosity.

"Mama, who is this?" asked Luke.

Padmé and Anakin both opened their mouths to speak, both at a loss. They made eye contact.

"Well, dear," started Padmé slowly, pulling her gaze away from him "This is Anakin Skywalker. He is… a very good person and, well "

"Are you gunna come to the park with us?" interrupted Leia.

Anakin looked at Padmé. She nodded, small smile playing on her lips.

"I would like to very much" he said to Leia and Luke. Leia grinned and Luke looked down at his shoes, inching closer to his mother, but nevertheless had small smile on his face.

Luke went with his mother to pay for the fish and tank they had already picked out. Leia hung back, examining the strange man.

"You're very tall" she observed after a moment.

Ani? My goodness, you've grown!

Anakin smiled down at her. "Yes, I've been told."

"Will I ever be as tall as you?"

"You will probably be as tall as your mother" he answered glancing at the returning faces of Padmé and Luke. Leia reached out and grabbed her mother's other hand.

"What about Luke? Will Luke be as tall as you?" she asked for her brother. Luke looked at his shoes again, embarrassed yet curious. The man was awful tall.

"Perhaps" answered Anakin as the four of them turned around to exit the emporium. It was a relatively short walk to the park. They had to climb one level up and over a pedestrian bridge. As they stepped out of the store, Leia grabbed Anakin's hand. He looked down at her with surprise.

"Mama says we have to all hold hands when we go outside. 'S cause she doesn't want anyone to get lost" she explained. Luke nodded his head.

With slightly wide eyes Anakin looked at Padmé, grinning to ear to ear. Oh, stars. He really is very handsome. He glanced to his children.

"Your mother is a very wise."

"And pretty!" exclaimed Leia.

"Mommy is the prettiest ever" supplied Luke. Padmé chuckled, shaking her head at her children.

"I would say so" said Anakin. Padmé glanced up at him sharply, a warm feeling traveling from her toes, up as she met his earnest blue eyes. Yes, she thought again, breaking eye contact, extremely handsome.

Luke and Leia let go of the adult's hands as they ran into the park's playground, leaving Anakin and Padmé alone. The two looked at each other for an awkward moment, before Padmé motioned to a green park bench.

"Let's sit. We can see the twins from here. I imagine we have a lot to talk about."

He nodded, following her to the bench. They sat next to her for a moment. Anakin was brought back to the night, seven years ago at Varykino; her in that black dress, him breaking every rule, so completely in love. So many things had changed from that night.

Well, some things never change, he thought to himself wryly.

"So…what do you think?" she asked him, breaking the silence. His eyes found their children once more, following their movements down a slide and through the jungle gym.

"They're perfect."

She laughed. "No, not perfect, but pretty amazing, if I do say so."

"They are completely brilliant, and I've only none them for ten minutes" he shook his head. "I've only known the for ten minutes, and I love them. I love them so much, I'd do anything for them, and I've only known them ten minutes. Is that crazy?"

"No Ani, it's not" she said, placing her hand over his. "You've always had a great capacity for love. You love them as a father should."

"Father" said Anakin, testing out the word. He never had a father. The closest thing he ever had was Obi-Wan… He shook his head, trying to dispel thoughts of Obi-Wan for now. "I'm sorry you had to raise them alone. Truly. If I had known-"

"What? You would have abandoned the Jedi? Left the war front? Anakin, this is why we didn't- we couldn't stay together. We both had other responsibilities. We chose one night, and I don't regret it."

"But I left you alone."

"I was never alone, not really. I had Dormé and my family to help me, and then the twins." His face fell for a moment, and then turned into a mask of indifference. "Don't misunderstand me," she backtracked. "I would have loved to have you with me- to raise our children together as- as a family" she explained, swallowing hard. "But there is no need for you to feel guilty. It's the past, Ani, and somehow we've all made it out in one piece."

He locked eyes with her. "I-I want to be their now, Padmé. I want to be in Luke and Leia's life."

"I would never stop you, Anakin. You are their father. But what about the Jedi-"

"The Jedi Council has begun to take the code under consideration" announced Anakin, quietly.

Padmé's mouth fell open. "What? Are you serious? How do you know?"

Anakin smirked "Because, I am on the Jedi council."

"Anakin! That's amazing! I mean, you're so young. How-"

"I'll tell you later. But please," he asked, squeezing her hand slightly "tell me about Luke and Leia?"

She smiled again, not really knowing where to begin. She followed her children racing and playing with others.

"They're funny" she chuckled as Anakin studied her face. She looked back at him. "I don't know if most parents say that, but they really are. They might not always do it on purpose, but they make me laugh. Whether it's Leia, trying to talk her way out of eating her vegetables, or Luke, mimicking Threepio, they're hysterical."

Anakin laughed. "I may have overdone Threepio's personality a bit" he admitted.

"Luke" she said, "loves mechanics. I once caught him taking apart Threepio when he was powered down, only to put him back together perfectly. He loves looking at the speeders and ships. He's a bit of a dreamer and is a little shy, but once he gets comfortable, he's a riot. Leia is anything but shy; she'll talk to anybody who'll listen. She's also a complete Tomboy, too. She'll race about from place to place, never wanting to be outdone by her brother. They both like the water well enough, but Leia loves to swim. When we go to Naboo, she'll spend the whole day in it. They are both quiet bright, too."

"Must get that from their mother," he said, winningly. She chuckled again, shaking her head. "When will we tell them?"

She paused, thinking for a moment. "Today" she said slowly. "I think…I think I should tell them. It may come as a bit of a shock to them. I'll com my privet speeder and have him pick us up here. Why don't you meet us back at 500 Republica and stay for dinner?"

"All right" he answered, unable to keep the nervousness out of his voice.

"They'll be happy to have you as a father, Ani. Lucky, too." He smiled at her, tilting his head slightly, in that irrevocable Anakin way that always made her catch her breath. She looked down, feeling hot. How old am I? she mentally scolded herself. She met his eyes and smiled back. Later. We will have time for us later.

"Now then, tell me about the Jedi Council, and the war front."


The children ran into their apartment, shrugging off their jackets, and dropping them on the floor.

"Pick up your jackets, please" Padmé admonished as she shut the door.

"Mistress Padmé, Master Anakin commed while you were out" said Threepio, as he shuffled out of the kitchen.

"Yes, thank you, Threepio. He will be joining us for dinner" she said, hanging up her cloak. "Luke! Leia! Jackets! And come here, please, I need to talk to you."

The children came back into the room, Luke dragging his feet, and handed their jackets to Threepio. They sat on the couch and looked dolefully up at Padmé.

"Are we in trouble?" asked Leia.

"No," said Padmé, chuckling slightly, sitting on the edge of the couch, turning her body in order to face her children. "Do you remember when you two asked about your daddy?"

The twins nodded, remembering when she explained that their daddy loved them, but couldn't be with them.

"Why can't he, Mama?" asked Luke.

She smiled sadly at them. "Not because he doesn't want to, babies, but because he can't. When you are older, I'll explain."

Leia would have pressed the subject like she always did with everything, had she and Luke not had felt their mothers sadness radiating off her. They let the subject drop, exceedingly unsatisfied with their answer.

"Well," said Padmé, "he has come back."

"Back?" asked Leia, as her and Luke's eyes grew wide.

"Yes."

"He's back?" asked Luke excitedly. "Can we meet him?"

"You already have" she answered. Leia jumped off the couch, resting her hands in her mother lap, leaning into her.

"Really! When, Mommy?"

"We went to the park with him this afternoon."

"That was him!"

"Yes, that was him."

"Oh, wow!"

"Do you want him to eat dinner with us tonight?" she asked her children.

The twins looked at each other for a moment before vigorously shaking their heads.

"Is he coming soon?"

"Yes, he should be here any-" a knock interrupted her. Her children glanced between the door and herself with wide eyes.

Padmé stood up, ignoring the childish feeling in her stomach. "Let's answer it, shall we?"


I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!

Life's gotten crazy! College Apps, research papers, and an unexpected death in the family makes me a horrible updater!

I promise, next chapter will be up sooner than it took this one.

Reviews are great encouragement. I love feedback! Thanks for reading.