Chapter 3: Happiness Ruined

When Vader's ship arrived back to his original Starship, he saw the many lines of soldiers there to greet him. Getting up, he walked off his ship where Lieutenant Piett was waiting for him. "Status report Piett," he told the soldier as they began walking.

"Everything is right on schedule Lord Vader. Another level on the Death Star has been completed," Piett informed.

"Any word from my Master?" he asked.

"No Lord Vader," Piett replied.

Vader stopped, reaching under his cloak, and pulled out the discarded saber. "Make sure this gets to my Master with a message stating that this came from another Jedi traitor," he instructed.

"Right away Lord Vader," Piett answered.

"Any other news?" he asked.

"She is doing well my lord, she is resting in your quarters as we speak," Piett replied.

"Good, make sure no one disturbs me in my quarters," he instructed.

"It will be done my lord," Piett answered.

Nodding, the Sith Lord continued his walk through the halls towards his and Padmé's quarters. Opening the door, he found his wife sitting in a rocking chair that was in the corner. "So?" she asked as he walked in.

"I see you received my gift," he commented as he pulled off his cloak, "I thought that would be more comfortable than a stationary chair."

"Anakin stop trying to avoid the subject, did you do it?" she asked standing up.

He was silent as he put his light saber on the table. "Did you kill them Anakin?" she asked walking over to him.

"No Padmé, I spared their pathetic lives," he replied a little frustrated with the decision he had made on the Hoth System.

"Oh Ani…" she said softly, relief washing over her as she rested her hand on his arm.

"I shouldn't have done that Padmé, if the Emperor finds out what I had done he will punish me for my decision to keep them alive," he answered.

Padmé turned him around, her hands resting on his face. "I'm so proud of you Anakin, you're going to gain the trust of other Systems for keeping those rebels alive," she told him softly.

"It isn't the Sith way," he answered.

She ran her hands over his arms when she grabbed his hands, placing them on her stomach. "What you did Anakin wasn't just showing the people you are different, but you are already setting a better example for your child" she explained. Sighing softly, he moved his thumbs in circles over her bulging stomach. He suddenly felt calmer feeling their unborn child moving under his hands. "This baby is our hope for a brighter future Ani," she told him softly.

"I am providing our child with a better future, especially when I overthrow the Emperor our child can have anything she wants," he answered.

Padmé closed her eyes, lowering her head a little. "Anakin I don't want our child growing up spoiled," she told him.

"Padmé," he said quietly.

"Do you think this is what Qui-Gon would've wanted you to be doing? Is this what he sacrificed his life for?" she asked.

Vader was silent and abruptly let her go. "Qui-Gon gave his life so you can become something, someone who can bring balance back to the Galaxy, you're destroying what Qui-Gon wanted you to rebuild," she explained.

"Enough! I didn't come in here for you to lecture me," Vader snapped.

She was silent, her hand moving over her stomach. "I must speak to my Master," he told her before leaving. Padmé watched him go and lowered her head when she felt a hard kick to her stomach. Sighing softly, she moved her hand over her stomach with a small smile on her face.

"This baby will change everything," she whispered to herself as she sat back down in her rocking chair.

Vader walked down the hall to send a message to the Emperor. Once entering the room, Vader bowed down on one knee as Sidious's hologram appeared before him. "What news do you bring Lord Vader?" Sidious asked.

"I have found the rebels my Master and they have been taken care of," Vader replied.

"Excellent work, Lord Vader," Sidious told him, "I heard from Tarkin that you have a bodyguard for your consort?"

"Yes my Master, I wish for her to be only my prize," Vader replied simply.

Sidious chuckled lightly to see the possessiveness. "As she should be, as you know Vader if any offspring come from this union, they should be given to me immediately upon their birth," he informed.

"No offspring will come of this union, Master, it is impossible for she is unable to carry children," Vader replied, lying becoming one of his expertise's.

"Pity, shouldn't you have picked one who would've been able to carry on your line?" Sidious asked.

"That is what Senator Amidala was for before her betrayal," Vader replied.

Sidious saw the fire in his apprentice's eyes as he spoke of the late Senator Amidala. "That she was, she was an excellent choice. It is a shame that she had to join with Kenobi," he commented.

"A waste of a woman," Vader answered.

"Keep your eyes out for more rebels and other surviving Jedi my apprentice, don't let your lust for this woman cloud your senses," Sidious told him.

"She will not cloud my senses Master, she just comes and goes as I need her," Vader answered giving his Master a half-smirk.

Sidious chuckled evilly at his apprentice's attitude toward his "prize".

When Vader returned to his quarters, Padmé was now standing in front of a crib that was delivered that day. She was folding blankets while humming softly. He leaned against the wall as he watched her. Suddenly Padmé let out a small giggle, her hand resting on her stomach. "You like that song?" she asked her kicking child.

"You have a beautiful voice," Vader told her, making her gasp.

Looking over, she rested her hand over her thumping heart. "I didn't see you there," she commented.

"Sorry," he murmured.

Padmé smiled a little as she rubbed her stomach. "What song was that?" he asked softly.

"It's a lullaby my mom used to sing to me when I was a child, the same lullaby my sister sings to her daughters before they go to sleep at night," she replied.

A small frown appeared on Padmé's face as she spoke about he family. "Padmé…" Vader said softly.

"I'm tired I'm going to get ready for bed," she told him before going into the fresher.

While Padmé was getting ready for bed, Vader walked over to the crib looking at all the baby clothes and blankets she had folded. "Ani I want to raise our baby on Naboo," her words echoed in his head. He was gripping the blanket tightly in his hands. "I can go early and fix up the baby's room…I know the perfect spot…right by the garden," more of her words echoed in his head. Vader swallowed hard. "Mother's intuition is telling me it's a boy." Vader took the blanket and threw it on the floor before leaving the room.

Padmé walked out of the fresher just as Vader left the room. Looking toward the floor she saw the crumpled blue baby blanket on the floor. Walking over, she pushed a brown curl behind her ear as she carefully bent down and picked up the blanket. "Ani…" she whispered as she looked towards the door.

Walking onto the bridge, Vader stood in front of the large window with his arms crossed over his chest. "Lord Vader, I thought you would be spending your evenings with your lady friend," Tarkin commented as he stood beside the young man.

"I have no need of her services this evening," Vader replied.

Vader narrowed his piercing blue eyes at the man next to him. "I do not appreciate you going behind my back and telling my Master of my personal life Tarkin," he informed.

"Well I just assumed that you told the Emperor everything," Tarkin commented.

"Not of my personal business, Tarkin. You will leave my lady friend alone especially when she is in the company of Lieutenant Piett," Vader informed.

"Why keep her with a bodyguard if she won't be here for long?" Tarkin asked.

Vader raised his hand toward the Moff. "You keep in mind that you are still expandable. I don't have to keep you on this ship," he told him. Tarkin kept his mouth closed. "You might outrank all these men on this ship, but I outrank you. I can put you anywhere I want if I feel you're going to betray me in any shape or form. Ask the Jedi of what I do with traitors," he snapped.

"Forgive me my Lord for my insolence," Tarkin answered.

Vader glared as he walked by the Moff and went to take a walk through the ship.

A few days later, Vader was leading Padmé through Polis Massa. "What are we doing here?" she asked curiously.

"We're here so you can get a checkup to make sure everything's alright with the baby," he replied.

Padmé held onto his hand as he led her through the base. Piett was walking beside them still keeping up with his bodyguard duties that Vader had given him. "Don't worry, the Emperor doesn't expect me to check in again until tomorrow," Vader added.

"He's the last thing that worries me," she answered.

Vader gripped her hand a little tighter, making her wince a little. "Anakin you're hurting me," she told him quietly.

"Sorry," he answered.

They were led into one of the examining rooms. "Lady Vader, I will need you to change into this gown for me," the medical droid informed.

"Alright," she answered as she took it and went into the fresher to change.

Vader waited patiently, looking over at Piett. "You may leave now Piett, go back to the ship," he instructed.

"Yes Lord Vader," Piett answered before leaving.

Padmé walked out of the fresher in her gown, rubbing her hands together. "Can you help me on the examining table?" she asked.

"Yeah," he replied.

Holding her hands, he helped her up onto the examining table. Lying back, Padmé let out a deep breath. "You alright my love?" he asked, stroking her hair.

"Just anxious to find out about the baby," she replied.

Vader stroked her hair gently as the medical droid started running a scanner over Padmé's stomach. Looking to the side, Vader saw Padmé's heartbeat as well as a second heartbeat, which he guessed was their child's. Padmé smiled, resting her hand over her Vader's to see that his expression had softened, for a moment she was seeing her Anakin again. Suddenly his smile turned puzzled. "What is it?" she asked.

"What is this?" Vader asked, pointing to another series of heartbeat lines.

"That would be it's twin Lord Vader," the droid replied.

Vader's eyes widened. "Twin?" he asked.

"There's two of them?" Padmé asked in disbelief.

"They are both very healthy Lady Vader, as are you," the droid informed.

A huge smile appeared on the woman's face. Growing inside her were two children, it was double the blessing. Letting out a small laugh, she looked up at her husband with shining eyes. Vader leaned forward, kissing her forehead with a smile on his own face. "I love you Ani," she said softly. He stroked her face gently.

"I love you Padmé," he answered.

He looked back at the charts to continue to stare at his children's heartbeats.

After their appointment, Padmé changed back into her gown. Walking out of the fresher, she had a huge smile on her face. "This is wonderful!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around his neck. Vader hugged her back, lifting her up off the ground. Setting her back down on the ground, he rested his forehead against hers.

"This is wonderful news," he murmured.

"It is," she agreed smiling.

She placed her hands on the sides of his neck. "Come, we must return before the Emperor realizes I'm not there," he told her. Sighing, she nodded her head slowly. Just like that the happiest moment of their lives was ruined with him uttering that evil man's existence. Vader held her hand as they exited the base.

Walking over to the ship, Piett was standing there waiting for them. "Get the ship ready for take off Piett," Vader ordered.

"Right away Lord Vader, I hope everything is alright with Lady Vader and the child?" he asked as they walked into the ship.

"Yes," Vader answered shortly.

Padmé rested her hand gently on Piett's shoulder with a small smile before sitting down. Piett sat down in the co-pilot's seat while Vader set the coordinates for the Starship. The trip back was silent, Padmé was caressing her stomach with a smile. Twins, she couldn't believe it was twins she was carrying. It was the most incredible feeling in this whole world. "Padmé you should put your hood on," Vader informed, not turning around. Sighing sadly, she reached behind her head, grabbing her hood, and placing it over her head.

When the ship landed on the platform of the ship, Vader walked over, holding his hand out to Padmé. Forcing a small smile, she slipped her hand into his before they left the ship. She wrapped her cloak around herself to try to keep her now unborn children hidden from the soldiers' prying eyes.

Arriving at their quarters, Padmé walked in first to see the one crib sitting by the window. "I guess another crib will have to be snuck on board," Vader commented after the door was closed.

"Anakin how are we going to hide two babies from the Emperor?" she asked fear evident in her voice.

Vader walked over to his wife, his hand resting on the side of her neck. "Have faith my love hmm? Nothing will happen to our babies I promise," he answered.

"He could have spies everywhere," she said quietly.

"Not on this ship, my Master trusts me," he answered a little irritated at her accusation.

Stepping back, the former senator crossed her arms over her chest. "Really? Is that why everyone here on board believes I'm a whore?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I have apologized for that," he told her.

"How are we going to hide our children?" she demanded.

"I will think of something, will you stop worrying about it?" he answered, narrowing his eyes at her.

"No! I won't stop worrying about it because they're our children! Do you think they're just going to come out able to defend themselves against the enemy?" she demanded.

"The Emperor is not our enemy," he answered.

"Really? Is that why he thinks I'm dead?" she asked.

Vader glared at her before looking out the window. "What are you planning on doing Anakin? You keep thinking about this "plan" to overthrow the Emperor, but only to gain his power. Ani…" she started grabbing a hold of his arm. She forced him to look at her. "Our children need us, they need their mother and father," she told him.

"I still need his guidance Padmé, to save you, to protect you and our children," he answered.

"Ani you haven't had another nightmare since I was brought on this ship. You haven't had another "vision" about me dying giving birth. Don't you think that the Emperor did this? He knew we were married, he knew I was pregnant. He's truly evil what makes you think he wouldn't turn one of your visions against you?" she asked.

Vader rested his hands over her stomach with a sigh. "He's been plotting my death since I was a little girl. Anakin, what if he was trying to use your love for me to kill me?" she asked. Remaining silent, he was concentrating on the life force of his two children inside her. "Look at me," she demanded, placing her hands on his face and forcing him to look at her. His eyes stared into hers, she could read the confusion in them. "Come back to me Anakin, I know you're in there, the same boy I met on Tatooine, the same man I fell in love with. You're in there come back to us," she begged softly with tears in her eyes. Vader let her go, stepping back.

"You need to rest, you've had a long day," he told her before leaving.

Standing in the middle of the room, Padmé rested her hand over her stomach while her other hand covered her eyes as she cried.

Vader was standing outside the room, his eyes closed. Letting out a deep breath he walked down the hall to check on the Death Star's progress. "Come back to me," her voice echoed in his head. His hands were shaking at his sides as he walked. His jaw locked into place as his eyes began to scan the halls.

"Are you an angel?"

"What?

"An angel. I hear the deep space pilots talk about them they are the most beautiful creatures in the universe…"

Letting out a shout Vader spun to the side and punched the wall. Any clone or soldier that had seen all backed up in fear of the Sith Lord. Looking up, he stared at the small group of men who had seen now staring at him. "Get back to work! What are you looking at?" he snapped before watching them hurry off. They all hurried off in their own directions and Vader walked to the bridge watching the construction on the Death Star.

When he returned to their room that night, Vader put on the lock on the door so no one would disturb him. Walking over, he stroked the curly brown tendrils from her face. She looked so peaceful, her hand resting over her stomach while the other was holding something in her hand. Getting her hand to open up, he saw the Japor Snippet he made for her sitting inside her hand. Leaning forward, he kissed her forehead softly while burying his hand into her hair. "I love you Padmé, more than anything in this Galaxy and I won't lose you," he whispered against her forehead. Preparing for bed, he lied down next to his wife and pulled her close as he fell into an uneasy sleep.