Author's note: Hello everyone! I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving! And if you don't celebrate thanksgiving, I hope you had a wonderful day! Thanks for reading and reviewing. I do take the questions and comments posed in reviews into consideration when writing the story. I hope so far I have answered most of the questions anyone had.

Otherwise enjoy chapter seven and happy reading.

Kolodey, you know who you are, and what you do. Xoxox


It was hopeless. Padmé didn't know why she even bothered living. It was obvious fate hated her and would continue to deal her a cruel blow in life. She took a breath and run her bleeding hand under the cold water. She welcomed the relief the cold water brought to her cut. Anything to take her mind off the ever present pain in her heart. She turned the water off and watched as the pinkish colored water dripped into the sink. As it ran down the sink, it formed patterns and Padmé found herself staring as it trickled into the drain.

"Padmé! What in the blazes are you doing?!" Sola's panicked voice cried behind her.

Padmé jumped and hurriedly grabbed a towel to dab her injured hand. "I was cutting up some shurra fruit and I cut my hand" She explained in a small voice. She hated how her voice quavered of late.

Sola yanked the stained towel away from her and winced at the deep cut. "Were you paying any attention to where the knife was going?" she asked as she inspected Padmé's still bleeding hand.

Padmé tried to pull her hand away. "It was an accident Sola." She said.

Sola shook her head and Padmé scowled at her sister. "What?" she asked as her sister turned to the nearby cabinets hunting for a first aid kit.

"Nothing, maybe you shouldn't be around...you know, pointy things" Sola said finally locating the small kit.

"I am not a child Sola" Padmé said crossly. Sola simply arched an eyebrow in response and removed the bacta gel and patches. She said nothing as she cleaned the wound and dressed it.

"Thank you" Padmé said when she was finished.

"No problem baby sis. If I don't look after you, who will?"

"I can take care of myself." Padmé said defensively.

"Sure, like you have all these years?" Sola snapped.

Padmé's eyes widened and Sola sighed, regretting her harsh words. "Padmé…." she began.

Padmé shook her head and hurriedly left the kitchen. She ran upstairs to her room and locked her door. She sunk down beside the door and fought the tears threatening to fall down her cheeks. As her tears finally began to fall, Padme ignored the frantic knocks outside her door and watched the sunset outside her window.

Padmé knew why she was so miserable. In fact, she couldn't believe her family had forgotten the reason of her misery today. In less than two hours, the entire Empire would be celebrating Empire Day. Padmé had nothing to celebrate, nothing but the wreckage of her life. She couldn't help but wonder if her children were going to have a nice birthday bash the day after the dreaded Empire day. Five years was quite a milestone for any child and she wasn't going to be there to watch them blow out their five little candles or guess their little wishes. She sighed as she stood up and moved to the window. Outside it was pitch black, not even the stars twinkled. Just like my heart, Padmé thought ruefully.


Vader twitched in irritation as yet more civilian idiots began to cheer in the grand square outside Palpatine's palace. He was at his wits end with all the ruckus going on. He considered traipsing through the drunken crowd and decapitating the fools for making noise and detaining him this long. It had been over twenty hours of this nonsense. Sidious had been hosting parties since midnight of the morning of Empire day. Of course he had required his second-in-command to be present at all the events. Some which even he had not attended.

Vader muttered a string of curses and ignored the ache in his head from all the screaming. He understood things were better under the empire, but surely it didn't warrant this lack of decorum did it? Next to him Sidious and Prince Xizor waved benevolently from the balcony to the wild crowds below. Prince Xizor went as far as throwing flowers down to the groups of females below them. Vader watched in disgust as the fickle creatures swooned and fought over the flowers. Finally sick of the festivities, Vader bowed to his master and begged leave.

"Master, if you'll excuse me. I have received word on the rebels." He lied glibly not caring that Prince Xizor gave him a skeptical look.

Sidious gave him a dubious look. "Very well Lord Vader" he said after appraising his apprentice. Turning to the crowds he called out "Citizens, a big hand for Lord Vader. While the rest us are celebrating he insists on working and fortifying this wonderful empire..."

Vader scowled beneath his hood as the crowds began to scream wildly. He turned sharply and left the crowds noise drowning out the rest of his master's speech. He knew he would be punished for this later, but right now he didn't care. He would rather be struck with force lightning than miss the important day coming up in a few short hours.


Back at his personal quarters Vader watched Atina moving around the living room.

"And you are certain they will like this?" Vader asked Atina giving the living room and dining room a dubious look. It was a mixed explosion of decorations in different colors. Pink, purple, blue and grey colored balloons and streamers filled the room.

"Of course Milord. I have done several five year-olds birthdays. Leia likes the softer, lady-like things, I have a feeling that will change in the future. But right now she enjoys being girly. And Luke likes things that are fast and reckless" Atina said as she cast her new employer a look.

Atina had to admit Vader wasn't as horrible as she had expected. But she figured part of it had to do with the twins being in his life. She was certain he had a temper and tiptoed around him when he was present.

Vader oblivious to her thoughts continued observing her as she decorated the living room. "But Leia doesn't like droids and podracing" Vader indicated to the small mobiles hanging from the ceiling.

"Exactly. That's why we did a princess and pilot theme" Atina said as she tried to hide her amusement at Vader's doubtful expression. She picked up the princess themed mobiles and handed one end to the dark lord. "Now stop being such a doubting wookie and hang this up! The twins will love it"

Vader scowled at being ordered around by his nanny. However, since she was the child expert, he wordlessly took the string of palaces, fairies, and pink dresses and stood on the step stool to hang it up. He endured Atina's tweaking instructions and was relieved when she seemed satisfied with his work.

Atina then set to work in the kitchen baking the twins birthday cake. The twins would wake up in four hours and she wanted it ready and frosted before they woke up. Vader retreated to his office and sat quietly. He had been trying to avoid having any downtime whatsoever for the past couple of days.

It seemed every year around this time the force projected overwhelming feelings of sadness and depression to him. Vader wasn't superstitious, but he couldn't help but wonder if he sensed his wife's feelings from the afterlife. He tried to convince himself that was insane, but she was the only one who could project her feelings to him like this. And the very reason made Vader downright miserable. And when the Dark Lord was miserable everyone around him was miserable.

He was surprised the twins hadn't picked up on his mood. They had been too excited about their upcoming birthday to notice. They were calling it their first real birthday since it would be in their new home. Vader didn't want to disappoint them and had gone all out in preparations for the day. He had ordered numerous expensive gifts that would start arriving in a few minutes. After he had left the Emperor's side he had come home and been coerced into helping Atina with the decorations. He hoped the twins loved it, because he didn't care for the decorations.

With a sigh he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes hoping to catch a moments rest.


"Padme, I saw your ship . . ." Vader said. He was concerned. What was his wife doing here? He wondered as he embraced Padme.

Padme pulled away slowly and looked to the ground "Oh, Anakin!" she said.

She looked so distressed. Vader wanted to console and tell her it would be alright. He had fixed everything. "It's all right, you're safe now. What are you doing out here?" He asked looking at her closely.

Padme looked nervous at his scrutiny. "I was so worried about you." She hesitated so slightly if Vader didn't know her as well as he did, he would have missed it. "Obi-Wan told me terrible things." she finished.

Vader didn't have to see his face to know he was scowling at the mention of his former master. "What things?" he asked attempting to sound unconcerned.

"He said you have turned to the dark side . . . that you killed younglings." Padme said her grip on his arms tightening as her eyes searched his face.

Vader's anger rose so suddenly a small part of him cringed in fear at the uncontrollable rage he felt inside. So Palpatine was right! The Jedi were working against him. How could he not have seen this sooner? How could Padme not see it?

"Obi-Wan is trying to turn you against me." he said coldly.

Padme looked stunned at his words and tone. "Anakin! He cares about us." She said.

Vader almost laughed at her stupidity "Us?!"

Padme's eyes flashed slightly at his mocking tone. "He knows . . . He wants to help you" she said trying to calm her husband.

Help? Him? Help him! Vader didn't need any help from his former master. All Obi-Wan had done was hold him back. Now, with Palpatine's help he could finally save Padme. Why couldn't she see that he was just trying to protect her? He glared at Padme. He could sense she didn't trust him. "Is Obi-Wan going to protect you? He can't ... he can't help you. He's not strong enough."

"Anakin, all I want is your love." Padme said looking worried at the darkness she saw in her husband's eye.

"Love won't save you, Padme. Only my new powers can do that." Vader said confidently.

His wife's eyes widened in horror as realization began to sink in. "At what cost? You are a good person. Don't do this." She begged.

Vader couldn't believe she expected him to live without her. "I won't lose you the way I lost my mother!" He raised his voice unintentionally and held her gaze possessively."I've become more powerful than any Jedi has ever dreamed of and I've done it for you. To protect you."

Padme shook her head as if in denial at his words. "Come away with me. Help me raise our child. Leave everything else behind while we still can."

Vader couldn't believe she was attempting to bribe him with what he had wanted for the longest time. He had been tired of hiding their love from the world and begged her to run away with him. But now, it was so simple now that he had fixed everything for them. For Padme.

"Don't you see, we don't have to run away anymore. I have brought peace to the Republic. I am more powerful than the Chancellor. I can overthrow him, and together you and I can rule the galaxy. Make things the way we want them to be."

He looked to Padme, expecting to see her approval and pride in him. What he saw caused his heart to clench.

Padme was horrified. "I don't believe what I'm hearing . . . Obi-Wan was right. You've changed." she said stepping away from him.

Vader stared at her shocked. He could feel their bond in the force weakening. No! This couldn't be happening. He had to stop her talking about this. She had to see his side, she had to. "I don't want to hear any more about Obi-Wan." he scolded almost pathetically. "The Jedi turned against me. Don't you turn against me." he was pleading now.

Padme shook her head at him, "I don't know you anymore. Anakin, you're breaking my heart. I'll never stop loving you, but you are going down a path I can't follow."

Can't or won't? Vader thought darkly. "Because of Obi-Wan?" he asked hating the way his jealousy caused his voice to sound.

Padme wasn't listening to him. "Because of what you've done . . . what you plan to do. Stop, stop now. Come back! I love you." She was crying and Vader felt guilty.

He hated making her cry. He glanced down between them. Was it possible that Obi-Wan had not poisoned her after all? He looked up sensing a very unwelcome presence. A presence that shattered his soul. Obi-Wan.

True enough, his former master stood in the doorway of the ship. Padme's ship. How could she do this to him?

"Liar!" he roared.

Padme turned around and gasped in recognition when she saw Obi-Wan standing in the doorway of the Naboo Cruiser. She looked to Vader and he gave her a hurt look. "No!" she said as if shocked at what he suspected.

How dare she act innocent? She had betrayed him. "You're with him. You've betrayed me! You brought him here to kill me!" Vader said his rage blinding him.

Padme's head shook quickly and she moved to her husband to reason with him. "NO! Anakin. I swear ... I ..."

He wouldn't hear it! He was finished with her lies. She had played him this whole time. He always wondered about her friendship with Obi-Wan. But he never guessed she would betray him like this? It was inconceivable!

He raised his hand felt a strong current of the force run through him. He watched as she began to choke not even caring that it was his angel. His heart was broken and it hurt.

He would make her hurt the way she and Obi-Wan had made him hurt.


Vader sat up with his eyes a dangerous sithly yellow. Everything in the room trembled at the rage he felt inside. He clutched his arm rests trying to calm himself down. Finally, his breathing eased and the trembling in the room stopped. He couldn't believe it was five years to the day since he had last held his angel in his arms. His rage over took his grief as he thought of her betrayal. He would never be that blind again! All that time she had been in cohorts with Obi-Wan. She deserved what she got in the end. He stood up slowly and walked to the window trying to ignore the voice in his mind that strongly disagreed with him. What if he had been wrong? What if she had been innocent? No! He was never wrong.

Vader remained meditating till he sensed the twins were awake. He hurried to the living room and found Atina also peering from the kitchen.

"Where is Daddy?" Leia's voice could be heard asking from upstairs.

"Dunno, he is usually in our room when we wake up." Her brother replied. "Let's try downstairs"

Their socked feet thumped down the stairs and they entered the living room. Vader felt his heart burst with an unnameable emotion as the twins stopped in awe. "Wow!" they said in unison in low voices.

"Do you like it?" Vader asked with a frown when they remained staring at the room.

"It's awesome!" Luke yelled.

"Soo pretty!" Leia said.

The twins spoke at the same time and then ran to hug Vader's legs. Atina smiled as Vader bent down to hug them. Though he tried to appear nonchalant, she could tell the dark lord was deeply pleased. She quickly disappeared to the kitchen leaving the family to themselves.


"This is the best birthday ever!" Luke said when he had unwrapped his last gift from Vader. His sister nodded from her place between Vader's legs. It the end of the day and the living room was scattered with wrapping paper and numerous gifts the twins had received. Even Piett and Veers had sent gifts for the two children. Luke and Leia were somewhat overwhelmed by all the grandeur. This birthday was a sharp contrast to their previous birthdays in the orphanage. But the twins welcomed the change.

"I have something for you two" Atina said coming in the living room and handing them each small rectangular boxes.

Leia carefully undid the wrapping on hers, while Luke ripped his off carelessly. Luke got to his gift first and squealed in excitement. "It's a furry guy!" he said holding up a small wookie action figure.

"It's a wookie Luke," Vader said in amusement.

"A wookie? Well whatever he is, he's awesome." Luke said and put him aside carefully. He turned to his sister, "What did you get Leia?"

Leia removed the tissue paper and pulled out a slender doll. She stared at the doll in her hands. "It's a doll with wings" she said turning the doll round in her hands.

"Not just a doll Leia. That is an angel" Atina said with a smile.

"An angel? What's that?" Leia asked intrigued.

"Angels are an extremely unique species that live on some moon in space." Atina said with an air of awe to her voice.

"Atina, you are ruining a good story with that horrible explanation" Vader said with a shake of his head.

"Oh? Well perhaps you can tell it better?" Atina said a bit surprised at Vader's interest in the topic.

"As a matter of fact I can." Vader said much to Atina's shock. He uncrossed his legs and stretched them out lazily. "Angels are more of a myth actually. They are called the Diathim in some languages, they live on the moons of Iego. They are the most beautiful creatures in the universe. They are good and kind, and so pretty they make even the most hardened space pirates cry like small children" He said.

The twins listened with rapt attention and Atina rolled her eyes. Clearly the dark lord was exaggerating a little.

"Have you ever seen one?" Luke asked.

A flash of pain crossed Vader's face and he covered it with a blank face. "Yes, twice in fact"

"Are they really beautiful?" Leia asked as she stared in awe at the doll in her hands.

"Yes" he noticed the twins looking at him expectantly. "When I met my first angel, I wasn't much older than you two. She walked into the shop I worked in" Vader paused thoughtfully. "I looked closer and instantly knew that she was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. In fact, I was certain that I was in the presence of an angel, even though I'd never met one before."

Atina snorted and received a glare from her employer. "Well if you are done waxing poetry Milord, are you two ready for your cake?" She asked.

Vader scowled at her but remained silent as the twins squealed and jumped up and down in excitement. Atina disappeared and returned with the cake. It followed the birthday theme with half of it decorated as a princess cake and the other half as a pilot. Vader watched as Atina placed the candles on the cake and lit them. "Okay now blow them out and make a wish."

Vader smiled as the twins puffed their cheeks up with air and blew out the candles. "What did you wish for?" He asked curious.

"We can't tell you that!" Leia said with a giggle. "Otherwise it won't come true"

Vader shook his head. "Well then. You two can have a small piece of cake and then off to bed"

"But I'm not sleepy!" Luke said stifling a yawn. "And I want cake"

"Your cake won't be going anywhere" Vader said drily.

Luke pouted but didn't say anything as Atina gave him his piece of cake. By the time they had both finished their cake and changed for bed, both twins were ready to go sleep. Vader stood by as they clambered into bed.

"Dad?" Luke said sleepily.

"Yes Luke?"

"Can tomorrow be our birthday too?"

Vader gave a small smile. "Sure Luke, why not?"

"Can we open presents again?" The boy could barely keep his eyes open.

"Go to sleep Luke" Vader said and moved to turn off the bedroom lights.

"Daddy?" Leia's sweet voice called causing Vader to pause in the doorway.

"What is it Leia?"

"Do you want to know what I wished for?" she asked sitting up.

Vader walked to her bed and knelt between the twins beds. "What did you wish for sweetheart?" he asked reaching out and taking her small hand in his.

"That we'll be together for always" Leia said.

"Me too" Luke said from his bed. Vader looked at both and felt the unfamiliar feeling of tears pricking his eyes. He bit his lip in annoyance. He couldn't cry, he was a dark lord for heaven's sake!

Unsure of what to say, Vader stood and kissed both twins goodnight. As he watched them settle into bed, he hoped their wish came true.


Padmé hurried upstairs glad to be done with dinner. She had barely managed to sit through the meal without screaming. Her family had carried on as if nothing was wrong. She couldn't believe they had forgotten her children's birthday! She took a deep breath and locked her door.

Padmé headed directly for the box that she had stuffed under her bed weeks earlier. She removed the lid and pulled out two matching sky lanterns. From the bottom of the box, she pulled out candles and walked to the small balcony she shared with Sola's old room. She carefully positioned the candles in the lanterns and lit them, singing birthday wishes softly to the wind.

Smiling sadly she launched the lanterns and whispered her wish. "Soon, my littles ones. We will be together soon." she said as she watched the small blinking lights drift further away.