Sometimes I thank God, for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts, are unanswered prayers.
Obi Wan watched as she wrung her hands and paced nervously, "He's fine Aja."
"I know." She muttered, the officers watching their Empress slowly become more anxious as they raced to the coordinates she had furiously typed in with the image that had been projected to her.
"Your anxiety isn't good for .. You." He hesitated and once again she garnered looks from those on the Bridge, her concealment of her pregnancy was becoming more difficult as she grew larger.
Just cresting six months she could barely hide her belly under gowns, but she was thankful that her heavy cloak still hide her secret. "I know," she repeated, "I'm going to drive myself into a frantic up here. Ozzel, I'll be waiting for him in Hanger Five." The man nodded and she left, her Jedi protector not far behind.
They reached the turbo lift and they travelled silently till they reached the hanger. She slumped, leaning against him. He jumped slightly at the contact but wrapped an arm around her shoulder, "I know you're just as worried."
"I just got my best friend back." He said quietly. "He has to be ok." She nodded and rested her head against his shoulder, seeking comfort from the older man. For some reason it didn't bother her that she was falling of this man while pregnant with another man's child and a recent widow. Tacky, very, unorthodox, considering he was a true Jedi-very Jedi. But she hadn't a hesitation since she called him Darling in that dank bar. She chuckled at the memory.
"What is so amusing?" He asked, unsure as to why he was so at ease with this woman leaning against him.
"So you'd lose your head if it wasn't attached.. Darling?" She jibbed and he rolled his eye, sitting down on a crate, pulling her hand and sitting her next to him, the momentary snap of contact felt by both. Confusion by Obi Wan and acceptance by Aja.
"Do you just walk around with Rings in your pocket?" He laughed, remembering the questioning glare of the Officers and his own shock at her blue eyes.
"They had been a .. safety net in case Padmé was given better option than Rori. In the beginning we had planned on getting her and the children to Organa, but it never panned out."
"It was the will of the Force."
"That's poodoo, I simply-." She started, but the rest of her comment was lost as a lone fighter was pulled into the hanger. They watched with bated breath as the ship cleared the shield. R2 was squealing and squeaking as she raced across the hanger. Aja climbed the ladder and pulled open the cockpit with the Force. She checked him over thoroughly and breathed a sigh of relief. He was unconscious, but very much alive.
"Concussed and unconscious, but very much alive."
"Never stopped him before," Obi Wan cracked and she rolled her eyes.
"Why am I always saving you," she muttered as she attempted to lift him from the cockpit. The medical board was hovering beside him and she placed him on it as tenderly as she could, worried that he'd sustained damage to his new limbs. "Med Bay." She snapped.
"I'm fine," she heard him grumble and she rolled her eyes, her concern lifting and being replaced with giddy glee. It was all over. It was done.
And her family would be fine.
Obi Wan stood vigil after he had sent Aja to bed. She had fussed and stomped her foot like an indignant child and he merely smiled and pointed at the door, "There are many fine Medics on this ship, they will survive without you for a few hours." She scowled but had succumbed and wandered to the large guest suite on board.
He was sitting in the corner of the room when Anakin's comlink went off, he sent a message to Padmé shortly after Anakin had been brought aboard but was concerned that she would have misinterpreted it.
"Yes Padmé." He said tiredly.
"Obi Wan. Please tell me-"
"He's fine. He has a concussion and will probably be quite sore for a few days, bad news, he may have an over inflated ego as well."
He heard her giggle from the other side, the sound was both relieved and fatigued, "I was so worried. How is she?"
"I sent her to bed about three hours ago and haven't seen her since."
"She'll need lots of rest."
"She's still determined to fix everything."
"So is he." Padmé said intuitively. "Will you be arriving soon?'
"I imagine so." Obi Wan said vaguely, he hadn't spoken with anyone on the bridge since he and Aja had walked down to the hanger. "Get some rest Padmé. The worst is over." He flipped off the comlink and leaned back in his chair, his own eyes starting to droop.
"Anakin Skywalker, if I find a grey hair in the morning it's all your fault," he mumbled. In all his thirty nine years, in all that he'd seen, all he wanted was peace, his mind flashed to the Empress's smile as he finally gave in to his heavy lids.
She awoke sharply, unsure of how much time had passed, only that the rumble in her stomach would not be ignored any longer. Wandering into the small kitchen she replicated herself a small meal and ate quickly. Her heart was divided between the Bridge and the Med Bay, Duty first, the words rang in her head and she sighed in exasperation. She wanted nothing more than to retire, to live out her days in peace.
She was starting to see merit in Anakin's idea of being nothing but a Parent.
Wrapping the heavy cloak back around her shoulders she met the bright young Piett in the hall, "Milady," he bowed low, "Good evening."
"Is it?" Piett didn't react, ever the professional. "I'm sorry, I fell asleep, I'm lucky I know what way is up." She broke through his mask and he grinned, no longer able to ward off the charming Empress. "You wouldn't happen to know our ETA?"
"I just left the Bridge for dinner, I believe we still have a few hours until we revert to sub light. We are still three hours from Coruscant." She nodded grateful that she had accomplished her one goal.
"Continue on Lieutenant. Let it be recorded I never stood between a man and his dinner." He chuckled and they parted, the young man deeply in awe of the woman.
Aja followed her Brother's signature but was dismayed to find him still asleep. She looked to the ever present Obi Wan and smiled as he too was asleep.
"Men." She rolled her eyes. The Medic attending to Anakin chose that moment to walk in as she was checking his head.
"Ma'am you're not supposed to be in here." She said to the cloaked back.
"My Fleet, My rules." She said and turned to face the small woman. She smirked as the medic began to tremble.
"I'm-.. I-.. Forgive me."
Aja shook her head, the rest having quieted all the raging emotions and the food quieting her stomach, "Do not fear, I'm simply checking up on the great Hero." She shot her eyes back to the Medic, "There is something you can do. Would there be fetal equipment on board?"
The Medic's expression grew confused, "I would have to check, our primary Doctor would know better."
"Retrieve them." The medic nodded and Aja sat on Anakin's beside, wakey wakey sunshine she tried and was rewarded with a grumble and a moan.
"Don't be smart," She smoothed back his blond hair, smiling down at him.
"How do you feel?"
"Like I got trampled by a shaak." He still didn't open his eyes, his voice was rough and hoarse.
"I have an idea of something that may make you feel better?" He cracked an eye open as the Doctor walked in.
"Milady, I hear you were enquiring about Fetal equipment?"
"Yes Doctor. Have you any?"
"Yes, but I'm not sure why, this patient isn't-" she had removed the heavy cloak and reveled the thin purple dress beneath that displayed her blooming belly proudly.
"I want to hear my baby's heart beat." She said.
"Milady I didn't know-"
"This will be kept confidential." She said, planning already to wipe the poor Doctor's mind after the assessment. He nodded and left to get the equipment. The medic that had followed him in directed her to an adjoining room.
"If you want to hear, you're going to have to get up." Anakin's eyes went wide and he started to stand, wobbling a bit before sitting back down, "No rush. I'll tell you when I'm ready."
He nodded and smiled broadly. While he sat on the bedside, his mind mulled over how much she had integrated herself into his life. From that night at the Opera he had known she would always be a part of him. Even now he could feel her excitement through the thin wall of the other room.
Gingerly he stood, grabbing the table beside him to steady his wobbling legs. After a couple steps he felt more sure and walked past the sleeping Jedi. He smirked at Obi Wan, the steadfast Jedi had truly proven his loyalty in these past few weeks, the devoted and comforting presence was encouraging to Anakin that it was possible to move forward. After all that had happened between them, to regain even the minute possibility of the friendship they had once shared was heartening.
He staggered to the room where his sister was, her long body laid out on the medical bed in the center of the room. A pair of sleep pants similar to his own and a short tunic rolled up over her swelling belly. Anakin sat at the chair beside her, picking up her cool hand in his larger one.
She had quickly become so important to him, she had needled her way into his life in such a manner, he could barely remember a time when her warm presence wasn't hovering in his mind, their connection stronger than any he had ever known.
"Hello." She said, "Men. Why are your always so warm, while we women are always terribly cold."
"Perks of the gender Mal." She cracked an eye and looked at him through fair blond lashes. The doctor entered with the cart that looked like it had never been touched, the tall man's eyes darting from brother to sister.
"Milady this is highly irregular." He started but she waved a hand.
"My protector has every right to be here, it is none of your business."
"Yes Ma'am." He withdrew the tube of jelly, "I'm afraid this will be cold."
She cringed and shuddered, "I miss the heat." Anakin chuckled, wholeheartedly agreeing with her. The Doctor moved the wand and she pulled the monitor towards her using the Force. The Doctor opened his mouth to speak but was silenced by a glance from Anakin.
"She-.. She's so.." Aja's eyes watered and she took a shaking breath, "She's beautiful." Anakin stared at the screen, unable to discern what he was looking at.
Aja gave him a sympathetic look, reaching out she pointed to a large object, "That's her head," her fingers traced down the screen, "those are her hands…" She trailed off as a fluttering sound echoed through the room.
"I take it you know what that is." The Doctor smirked, enjoying the blissful look on the Empress's face.
"That's her heart. She's so strong." Anakin was flabbergasted. The fluttering sounded like wings so delicate and precious. His Sister was carrying life. The Doctor withdrew the wand and the fluttering sound ended. He passed her a cloth.
"I'll-.. I'll leave you two alone."
He flashed to a dark memory, "You forced me to marry, you force my husband upon me, and now there is a child growing where their once was nothing…" How could something so precious be conceived while there had been so much evil, how could beauty be created in the Dark.
"She wasn't created in the dark. Moonlight is the sun's promise not to abandon you." Aja's golden smile was stretched across her face, "Darkness is sometimes necessary."
"No Mal, darkness is never the answer."
"One must walk through the dark to understand the light, and it is in the shadows that we crave the sun." She cupped his face and moved to sit up, "Now give your sister a hand. I'm not as agile as I once was." He chuckled and he pulled her up, his hands under her shoulders and pulling her into a hug.
"You have been far kinder that I ever deserve." His arms were wrapped around her slender shoulders, "I will be thankful ever day for you. You gave me my family back."
"Blood is inescapable Ani, never forget that. No matter how angry, how hurt, how mad we are, your blood runs in my veins as my blood runs in yours. We are a part of each other as Luke and Leia are a part of you. If we don't stand behind each other then we stand alone." She smiled and leaned back, her large stomach between them proof of their growing family, "You will only ever be alone by choice. Never forget tha- Ooof!" She said, cupping her stomach.
"Mal!"
"She's upset that we're ignoring her," Aja said jokingly. "Come On, we'll be arriving in Coruscant soon. We should hail your wife."
Obi Wan awoke alone, the crick in his neck aching something terrible. He reached out and sensed both Skywalker's just down the hall and found his way to the guest suite, both seemed to be in communication with Padmé.
"-I had contacted the Bridge, but they told me you were with some woman. Mistresses on board Ani?" Padmé scowled, delight at being able to tease her husband a wonderful feeling.
The golden laugh from his shoulder causing his scarlet blush to grow more red. "That's right Padmé," Aja said, "Give him hell!"
"Mally," Anakin groaned, "You're not playing fair."
"I bring you your beloved family and you hang around loose pregnant women? Whatever will the public think," All three started laughing at that and both Skywalker twins smiled at the sight of a sore and tired Obi Wan.
"Well look who finally woke," Aja stood and gave her sister-in-law a little finger wave, and nodded to the large sitting room, she dropped a kiss on Anakin's cheek, and walked out, trying to ignore the teasing Padmé was giving Anakin.
She collapsed on the long white sofa, smiling at the awkward Jedi and patting the spot beside her. "Come, sit. We'll be arriving in twenty minutes and then all hell will break loose." He slumped on the couch and she rested her head on his shoulder and he stretched his arm behind her neck and pulled her to him in a comforting embrace.
"Aja I-" He stopped himself. "Amalla." He smirked.
"Yes,"
"Have you thought of-.." he wanted to ask, he wanted to know- wanted her to know how he felt, but at the last moment he lost his nerve. "Names? Baby names?"
Her face was closed and pensive, "I wanted to name her for Nafia, but now that Tarth's -…Gone, I feel like I owe him something. I've been playing around with his name in my head and came upon Tara."
"Tara." He parroted. "I like it." They sat in silence, her head cradled against his shoulder, her hand cupping her large belly. Anakin peeked in and clapped a hand over his mouth. He promptly whirled around and left the two cuddled together.
The man had been an older brother, connected to Anakin in all but name and blood. He had raised Anakin and he respected him, but to think of him with his Sister was an odd concept. He was much older than them, but somehow she made him seem so much younger.
The man had always been an old soul, even as padawan to Qui Gon, Anakin recalled the man admonishing his beloved Master for being 'reckless', a speech he too would hear from Obi Wan. But the Jedi on the couch did not seem like the proper man that he had known. He seemed like a man unconcerned with the world around him.
He seemed like himself when he was around Padmé. He seemed like a man very much in love.
They landed a few hours later, Anakin having been woken by his Comlink informing him that they had made reversions and were entering Coruscant atmosphere. He had hurriedly rushed to the Hanger and had hustled Obi Wan and Aja who hadn't moved from their position on the couch. He was restless and fidgeting in the Shuttle on the short flight down, which wasn't missed by a bemused Aja.
"Ants in your pants?" They had been her words when she had admitted to having created his dark hell. The suit that had enabled him to survive for three years.
"I miss them."
"As they miss you." She patted his knee and smiled, "But at least you'll have peace for now. At least for a couple months." Anakin's eyes were curious and his face was confused.
"What?" She blushed and when he attempted to probe her mind he found it; for the first time; very blocked. "Tell me!" He bellowed.
"No." She said quietly, "You'll just have to figure it out by yourself."
"You sensed something?"
"I had a vision." She smiled and said nothing more to him, turning her face to Obi Wan. Anakin attempted to look into her mind again but she had her memories closed off. He scowled and turned his attention to his buzzing comlink.
They landed minutes later and Anakin was the first off the craft, right into the arms of his family. His children were running up to him from their Mother's grasp. Luke made it first, the little three year old screaming "Daddy!" the entire way. Leia was right on her brother's heels her smile infectious.
Anakin scooped up both of his children and held them tight. His covered their faces with kisses, "I missed you two.." He said. They clung to their Father and he lifted them both up, carrying one in each of his strong arms. He looked to Padmé and kissed her cheek, his arms both occupied by the children.
"They told me you had been injured." She said, her eyes pinched with concern.
"Thump on the head. I'm fine." He smiled, "My pride was more injured. I could have flown that better when I was younger." She rolled her eyes.
"Obi Wan was right. Your ego knows no bounds."
He attempted to look offended but couldn't hold back the smile when his children asked, "What's an ego?"
"It means you feel good about yourself." Anakin said to Leia, her big brown eyes wide with curiosity. He noticed Padmé's attention diverted to Aja and Obi Wan, who were disembarking together, Aja slumped against the older man's shoulder. Outwardly, it appeared that Obi Wan was assisting a tired Aja to the Palace, but all the Skywalker's could see the connection between the two.
"And you doubted me." Padmé whispered.
"Never again my love." He smiled and inhaled sharply. Both Luke and Leia were resting their heads on his shoulders, their eyes half closed in blissful rest, his wife's face one of easy happiness. He couldn't fathom his life before this. He refused to remember the darkness, the anger.
This was where he belonged, for the rest of time.