Chapter 51
Night was falling upon the forest as Anakin set the ship down on the landing platform. The twins, both pairs, had fallen asleep on the trip back to Naboo. Anakin picked up Luke and Leia while Padmé placed the babies' travel seats into a double stroller, and then they headed into the house. Padmé felt happy to be back to the place she'd called home for nearly four years, for she'd missed it during the short time they'd been away. She knew leaving it for months at a time would be very difficult for her, but knew that it was for the best. Luke and Leia clearly needed to be trained. They needed the structure that the Jedi Order could provide. The question remained: would their father join them?
"It's good to be home," Padmé said as she and Anakin sat down together outside on the patio overlooking the lake.
Anakin nodded. "You will miss it here," he commented.
"I will," she said. "But we can come back," she added. "I want to come back as often as we can. My parents are here, after all."
Anakin looked at her. "Of course," he said.
Padmé studied her husband as he looked back at the lake. He'd been very pensive on their trip back to Naboo, and she knew the reason why. He had a huge decision to make, one that would direct the course of the rest of his life. Padmé had told Anakin her feelings on the topic; it was up to him now. Padmé felt that she knew her husband better than anyone, and yet she could not predict what decision he would make. As long as she'd known Anakin, being a Jedi was a huge part of his persona. Even when she'd met him as a young slave boy, he'd dreamed of becoming a Jedi one day. And yet, his dark past had effectively eroded away Anakin's sense of belonging in the Jedi Order. His guilt over the purges still filled him, and probably always would. He felt like an outsider now, and despite the fact that they had invited back into their midst, Padmé knew that he felt unworthy of that invitation.
"Let's go to bed, Ani," she said, reaching over and taking his hand.
Anakin looked back at her. "Tired, Angel?"
She smiled. "No," she said.
Anakin returned her smile. He stood up, and took her hands as she stood up. He pulled her into his embrace and kissed her. "Let's go," he said.
Later
Padmé lay in Anakin's arms, a smile on her face. "My, but you are an amazing lover," she sighed.
Anakin smiled, and kissed the top of her head. "I'm happy you think so," he said. "So are you," he added.
Padmé looked up at him. "I guess we make a good team," she said.
"Oh, without at doubt," he agreed.
Padmé laughed. "But there is something I've been thinking of," she said.
"What's that?" Anakin asked, running his finger tips over her bare shoulder.
"We need to use some method of birth control," she said.
Anakin frowned. "I thought as long as you were nursing the babies you couldn't get pregnant," he said.
"It's not likely, but it's not impossible," she said. "And I don't know about you, but I couldn't deal with that right now."
"No, that wouldn't be ideal," he commented. "What about the tablets you were taking when we first got married?"
"I can't take them while I'm nursing," she said. "What about...you know...prophylactics?"
Anakin groaned. "You know I hate those things," he whined.
Padmé smiled. "I know you do," she said. "But it's really the only option while I'm nursing the babies."
Anakin yawned. "I guess it's the only way then," he said. "I'll pick some up tomorrow."
"I have to take the babies in for their three month check up, so you could come with me if you like," she said.
"Sure," Anakin said through a yawn, rapidly drifting off.
"Mom and Dad can look after Luke and Leia," she said.
"Mmmhmmm," Anakin murmured. And then he started to snore.
Padmé looked up at him with a smile. "Night Ani," she said, and then snuggled into his arms and feel asleep.
The next day
Having missed Luke and Leia's infancy, Anakin was very interested and involved in the physical examination the pediatrician performed. He asked a lot of questions, which she answered patiently.
"I'm listening to Amidala's heart and lungs," Dr. Tremblant explained as she pressed a stethoscope to the baby's chest. "Just to ensure there are no abnormalities or breathing problems."
"She's okay though, right?" Anakin asked.
The pediatrician smiled. "Yes, they both sound good," she said.
Next she checked the babies' eyes and ears, as well as their mouths.
"When do they get teeth?" Anakin asked.
"Usually not for another month," the doctor replied patiently. "But it's not unheard of to get them this early. Neither of them have any signs of teeth emerging at this point, though."
The babies' reflexes and muscle tone were checked, as well as their head control. The doctor noted how strong they both were, and how well coordinated.
"It looks like both young Ami and Ani are doing very well," the pediatrician said finally as Anakin and Padmé got the babies dressed. "They're both in the 80th percentile for weight and height. That's remarkable considering that they're twins. Usually they're on the smaller side."
Padmé smiled. "Well they do like to eat. I was thinking of trying them with solid food in another couple of weeks. Do you think that's okay?"
"I think so, yes," Dr. Tremblant said. "If they're not ready, you'll know."
"Thank you so much, Dr. Tremblant," Padmé said as she placed Ani in his travel seat while Anakin did the same with Ami.
"You're welcome," the doctor said. "See you in two months."
"The pharmacy is downstairs," Padmé said as she and Anakin left with the twins.
Anakin had been hoping that Padmé had forgotten about the purchase they needed to make, but realized that he should have known better. "Let's go," he said.
They took the lift to the main floor of the clinic to where the pharmacy was located.
"I need a few things," Padmé told him. "You get what you need, and we'll meet at the check out."
"Okay," Anakin said, and headed off to find the item in question. He met up with Padmé in a few minutes.
"All set?" she asked him.
"All set," he said, putting the item on the counter. He looked around, feeling rather self conscious as he did so. "Where's the damn clerk, anyway?" he grumbled.
Padmé couldn't help but smile at his embarrassment. "Oh no, I forgot diapers," she said.
"I'll get them," Anakin said. "Come on guys," he said, and took the stroller and wandered off again.
Padmé watched him go, and then looked back at the counter, wondering where the clerk was. She was about to walk away to find someone, when someone spoke to her.
"Padmé? Padmé Naberrie?"
Padmé looked up to see a man looking at her with a smile. After a moment she recognized him and smiled. "Hello Palo," she said. "It's nice to see you."
Palo's smile grew. "It's nice to see you," he said. He glanced at the items on the counter, and then back at her. "What are you doing here?"
"Buying a few things," she said, thinking it was quite obvious.
"There are your things?" He asked.
"Well, most of them," she said, realizing what he was referring to, but not feeling compelled to explain.
"Is there a ...a man in your life?" Palo asked.
"Yes there is," Padmé said.
"Anyone I know?" Palo asked. "Who is it?"
"It's me," Anakin said, standing behind Palo. Palo whirled around to see Anakin standing there, a large package of diapers in his hand.
"Palo this is my husband, Anakin," Padmé said. "Ani, this is an old friend of mine, Palo."
"Nice to meet you," Palo said, holding out a hand to Anakin.
Anakin remembered Padmé talking about Palo long ago, about how he was her first crush, her first kiss...and an irrational wave of jealousy washed over him. He shook Palo's hand, squeezing it a little tighter than necessary. "Yeah, same here," he said.
Palo looked down at the twins once Anakin had released his hand. "And who have we here?"
"This is Amidala, and this is Anakin Junior," Padmé said.
Palo looked up at her. "You're married and a mother Padmé?" he asked. "Wow, I never imagined you that way."
Anakin frowned. "And just how did you imagine her?" he asked.
Padmé could tell that Anakin was simmering to a slow boil, but Palo seemed rather oblivious. If he'd known how thin the proverbial ice was that he was treading on, he'd have chosen his next words more carefully.
"I suppose I just expected her to take her political career more seriously," Palo said. "Not settle for ...domesticity."
Anakin's frown deepened several centimetres. "I think you ought to ...rephrase that," he said.
Palo was alarmed by the intimidating tone in Anakin's voice and looked at Padmé. "I...I meant no insult," he said. "There's nothing wrong with settling down, if that's your thing."
"Palo I think you would walk away before you end up saying something that you're really going to regret," Padmé said, seeing that her husband was about to blow.
Palo decided that she made a good point, and simply walked away, ditching his copy of Fancy Pants magazine on a local display of toilet paper.
"Your first crush eh? What an arse," Anakin muttered.
Padmé simply smiled as a clerk finally arrived and started to ring up their purchases.
