CH 37
Padme
We decided to go out and get some food for home instead of going to the movies. I had been feeling sick almost all day and couldn't handle an outing. However, I did promise Darra a sweet treat and a movie at home. Just a regular girls night.
P:"So Darra, what would you like for dinner?" I asked her in the small transport I had rented. Since Anakin took all the guards, he had left instructions to me on who to call in case we needed to go somewhere.
I was going to try and call him after we got back but, perhaps we needed time to think. What was I going to do with a baby on the way? What did that mean for us?
D:"Ice cream! No… Cake… no… cake AND ice cream!"
She was so sweet. Darra was already like my daughter, or a little sister. I would do anything for her sake.
I laughed hard at her choices in dinner.
P:"Okay! Perhaps we can make… a delicious chocolate cake with some vanilla ice cream… I know just the kind! And for dinner… perhaps some pasta?"
Darra nodded and smiled. I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her close.
The driver let us know we were at the small shopping center, one with the finest restaurants in the whole galaxy. We went to a small ice cream shop with the best vanilla ice cream, imported all the way from my home on Naboo. We went to another restaurant and got some pasta to go. I had already bought stuff for a chocolate cake, I had been hoping to make one for Anakin as a welcome home gift but… never got the opportunity.
The thought saddened me more than I thought it would and I felt a tear drop down my face, which I quickly wiped away.
We got our food quickly, being Vader's wife had its perks in the more… prominent parts of the city.
We were on our way to the car when we passed one of the small shops and in it… I saw a darling teddy bear. Big, fluffy with a darling white, satin bow. My hand instinctively went to my stomach.
P:"Hey Darra the driver is just down the street will you take the bags for me? I want that teddy… I have some news for you later as to why." I said with a smile.
She looked confused but nodded and took the food from my hands and then ran off to the car. I walked to the store quickly to fetch the bear.
I kept walking through the crowd, my hand still on my abdomen. I could picture me and Anakin, and our baby...
That's when I heard it
Padme.. I love you my Angel…
Another tear escaped my eye…and I returned the call. It was like a warm embrace. A soft kiss…
After a few minutes I made my purchase and quickly returned to the transport.
As soon as we got home we heated up our dinner and began making the cake.
Darra didn't know much about kitchen work, it became apparent to me that she had been made a slave for one purpose only.
P:"So Darra, I have some… news for you sweetie."
She was pouring the chocolate batter into a pan and I caught her lick the spoon once or twice in between. I didn't try to scold her, she had missed so many opportunities as a child, how could I take something so small?
D:"Um.. what is it Paddy?" She asked trying to concentrate on the task present.
P:"Well…. Um… I am pregnant. I'm expecting a baby with Anakin." I said with a smile.
D:"Oh Sabe and Shmi were talking about that the other day!"
Why hadn't those two said anything to me!
D:"They were wondering if you knew yourself, but they said to them it was plain as day"
P:"Oh.. well you're going to be an aunty! And I'm going to need your help decorating the baby's room love"
She threw her hands in the air and hopped around the kitchen excitedly as I laughed.
P:"Alright silly girl, time for dinner. Did you put the timer on that cake?"
She nodded as she continued to lick the batter off the spoon.
P:"Alright, go pick a movie and I'll finish cleaning up. I'll try to call Anakin again to give him the news and check in okay?
D:"Alright, is there anything you're in the mood for?"
P:"Hmm… perhaps a scary movie?" Her eyes widened, and she smiled. I knew those were her favorites for some odd reason.
I wiped down the counters and table and then went off to call Anakin. I noticed I had a few missed calls from him… and instantly grew anxious. What if something happened to him? What if that was why he said he loved me… what if Sidious had done something to him…
All these thoughts raced through my head as the comm. system rang.
And finally, his face appeared. He looked tired, worn down, even… sad.
A:"Angel…I…"
P:"I know… I heard you…It's alright"
We were quiet for a few seconds.
P:"Oh Anakin…"
A:"I miss you Padme…"
P:"Are you alright?"
A:"I can't say I am.. it feels like a lifetime that we've been apart…"
We were quiet once more..
P:"Anakin something has happened… something wonderful…"
A:"I…"
P:"I'm pregnant" I said quickly cutting him off, he didn't seem thrown off by the news.
A:"I…I know… my mother told me."
Of course she did.
P:"What are we going to do?"
A:"Nothing.. let's not worry about anything right now… alright? This… this ia a happy moment. The happiest moment of my life" he said with a smile.
I smiled back, and wiped a tear off my face. Ugh why was I so emotional today?
P:"As is mine… I'm having a movie night with Darra I just.. wanted to give you the news but I guess Shmi beat you to it.." I said with a smile.
A:"Ah… yea she said you'd been ill amongst other things lately, so she said it was a little obvious." He said with a smile too.
P:"Well… I assumed I was sick but… it makes sense now. I… I'm scared Ani…"
A:"Scared? Why? Did something happen Angel?"
P:"The… uh… the Emperor showed up… he knows too Anakin.. he knows about us…" His eyes immediately turned yellow, his face went from soft and gentle to angry, no, raging. He had a look of murder.
A:"What did he say?"
P:"Anakin I-"
A:"WHAT DID HE SAY PADME"
I gasped and tears welled up again. Damn it.
P:"He said… he would kill you… and replace with… our baby…"the tears were flowing at this point, my hand at my stomach again.
A:"I will kill him first, I'll kill that devil…"
P:"Anakin please… no…."
A:"Look Padme, don't leave the house until I get there. I sent Piett down to you so he should be there momentarily. He will keep you safe. I will be home tomorrow night and I'm going to get you out of there"
All I did was nod. I knew better than to arouse his anger any more. I didn't want to fight.
A:"I… I will call you later I promise. We are just getting out of hyper space. I love you… nothing will hurt you. I promise. I'm giving you my last breath for you and our child."
P:"Okay Ani… I love you…"
A:"I love you too Angel. I will see you soon. I promise." I smiled and he cut the comm. off. And I only wish I would have said something more that night…