Chapter 37 - Happy Reunions
One month later
The senate building shakes, and a few politicians let out little yelps of fear. Bail sits next to me, his hand resting on my knee to stabilize me. I lean back on the hard durasteel bench, seeking some comfort, but the hard bench top just digs deeper into my back.
The ground shakes once more, and the lights flicker, before the backup generator boots up, and then is immediately replaced by the normal power.
"The separatist army is in retreat," a calm, robotic voice calls over the intercom. "Lockdown will be lifted shortly."
I let out a sigh, and Bail helps me to my feet. We've been sitting in the senate panic room for several hours now, ever since the separatists took the chancellor and placed a blockade on the planet. Now, we're finally being released.
"Do you think the chancellor is alright," Senator Orn Free Taa asks me in passing. His opinion of the chancellor these last few months has been changing to one of indifference. A once strong supporter Sheev Palpatine shifted to a quiet rebel against his rule.
I make it to my feet and Bail lets me use his arm as a crutch. It's been a while since I've sat down on the floor. Bail has really stepped up for me, acting how I imagine Uncle Ono acted when my mother was pregnant with me, like a true gentleman, a second husband of sorts.
"Thank you for all your help," I smile, looking up at Bail.
"Anything I can do," he says, his eyes saddened and distraught, but still hopeful.
"I'm just glad Breha left yesterday," he says with a sigh. "Safely home on Alderaan without a care in the world."
I nod. "I wish I knew how that felt again." No updates have come in about Anakin and Obi Wan. I still don't know where they are, if they're even still alive. Bail looks at me, concerned, but says nothing. I choose not to acknowledge him, instead staring straight ahead at the large doors that trap us in this room.
After a few moments, the doors open with a hiss, and Bail forces a smile. "I guess everything is back to normal again."
"I suppose," I smile back. "Who do you think saved the chancellor and sent the separatist army back to the hole why crawled out of?"
"Wouldn't it be poetic if that Anakin boy did it," senator Laudia mumbles as she passes us. "Considering what he did for your planet almost fifteen years ago?"
"Thirteen, thank you very much," Bail corrects her.
She shrugs. "What's two more years?"
"Millions of deaths," senator Rufus says from behind me, his voice raspy and low as if he's smoked so much tobbac that his lungs have turned to dust.
Senator Laudia waves him off and sidles through the crowd to avoid a discussion.
"Huh," Rufus sighs, "young people these days."
I shake my head, and Bail smirks at me. It's always uplifting to watch a couple of dignitaries bicker back and forth.
"Will you be able to get back to your room safely," Bail asks, as we approach the elevator.
"The elevators are broken," a droid calls from the side of the hall where they are located. "You must all take the stairs!"
Bail shakes his head before I answer him. "Don't worry, I'll get you back to your room."
I nod, smiling gratefully, and he wraps his arm around my back now.
"You can trust me, you know," he says, "any time you're in trouble, just call me."
I laugh. "I can take care of myself, but thanks for the kind gesture."
"I'm serious, Padmé," he says. "Any time."
"Thank you."
oOo
A few hours later
"Anakin and Obi Wan will be arriving momentarily, M'lady," Typho says quietly.
"I need you to go, then," I tell him. "Id rather you didn't eavesdrop on my conversation."
Reluctantly, he nods, and steps away from me, leaving me alone hiding behind a large pillar in the entrance call of the senate building. This hall is roofed, and yet still outdoors, so that ships can land nearby. Anakin and Obi Wan will be both traveling on a small transport jet that will land here in a few minutes. From there they'll probably be moving on to speak to the chancellor. Together they'll discuss war strategies, especially now that Count Dooku has been executed. One less person who hates me.
The welcoming committee wait only a few yards away from me, hands clasped in front of themselves, wearing wide smiles. As the small transport ship lands, the senators let out a sigh of relief, and hastily adjust their composure.
Anakin quickly jumps down from the transport vehicle, glad to join the crowd of politicians waiting for him. Obi Wan, however, stays inside the ship, and refuses to get out. He jokes for a bit with Anakin, and they exchange signature glares. Then the ship speeds away, Obi Wan still contained inside. Bail quickly moves to walk beside Anakin, and they discuss something or another together. I watch as they pass me.
"But the fighting will continue until General Grievous is spare parts," Anakin mutters to Bail, his eyes wandering.
Bail sighs deeply, disappointed, "Well, I will do everything I can in the senate."
Anakin's eyes finally lock onto mine, and his mouth curls up in a small smirk. "Excuse me," he says, waving to the senator.
"Certainly," Bail smiles.
My husband jogs over to me, and wraps me up in his arms, letting out a deep sigh. His smell is intoxicating, and I need more of it. I nuzzle my face in close to his neck, and he angles his face down to meet my mouth. His kiss is desperate, like a drink of water to a man stranded in a desert. His fingers tangle up into my cloak, pulling me closer.
"Oh, Anakin," I almost moan when he pulls away.
"I've missed you, Padmé," he sighs, soaking in my being and loving me deeply. I've missed him so much, and I'd only been hearing news of his death, tears begin to build up in my eyes, and I draw a ragged breath.
"There were whispers that you'd been killed," I whisper through the tears.
"I'm all right," he assures me. "It feels like we've been apart for a lifetime." He kisses me gently, on the neck, pulling away only to speak. "And it might have been if the chancellor hadn't been kidnapped. I don't think they would have ever brought us back from the outer rim sieges." His lips dance across my skin, finally stopping on my cheek. He sucks the soft skin into his mouth, sending shivers down my spine.
His hands wander down my back, and clasp around my ass, giving it a quick squeeze. I pull away from him, pushing back against his strong, broad shoulders. "Wait," I gasp, "not here."
"Yes, here," he insists, "Im- I'm tired of all this deception. I don't care if they know we're married." His mouth gently caresses my face, his lips like gentle finger tips, and I shiver again.
Reluctantly, I push him away again, and scold him. "Anakin, don't say things like that."
He looks down, ashamed of us own disability to hold back, and sighs. I hug him now, and he holds on extra tight. I realize now how afraid I am. I have to tell him now, I can't wait any longer.
"Are you alright? You're trembling," Anakin asks, concerned. "What's going on?"
I take a deep breath, and force a smile. "Something wonderful has happened," I explain. His eyes search mine for meaning. I want him to find the answer himself, somehow, but it's not possible. With a deep breath, I spit out the words. "Ani, I'm pregnant."
At first, there's a moment of shock, quickly followed by disbelief. Then realization washes over him, and he breaks out into a grin, only for a split second, before the stakes are thrown upon him. This baby could mean the end of my career, of his life as a Jedi, the loss of all our friends and everything we value.
"That's-" his eyes fill up with tears, and he lets out a sigh. "Well that's won-" he smiles again, hopefully. "That's wonderful."
I stammer, urgently clutching the fabric of his robes. My head swims, and my shoulders begin to vibrate in panic. "What are we gonna do," I breathe, tears now spilling over my eyelids and onto my cheeks.
Anakin quickly takes my cheeks between his hands, stroking them with his thumbs. "We're not gonna worry about anything right now, all right" he plants a soothing kiss on my forehead, and I feel my breathing slow. The world becomes stable again, and all I see is Anakin. "This is a happy moment," he says, smiling wide. "The happiest moment of my life."
Gratefully, I kiss him again, and he pulls me into his arms again. "I love you," he whispers, "nothing will separate us, especially not our child."
I smile at him now. In my mind, I know this will be the end. But for now, perhaps we can pretend that we can be together, that we can escape, and get away from the republic, from the senate, and from everything that keeps us apart. Only a fool would hope for these things, I know, but it's all I can hold on to.
"I love you, Anakin Skywalker," I whisper, and take his hand.
"I love you, Padmé Naberrie," he replies, with a smile.