Chapter 33

Laetitia had heard that Obi-wan had been assigned to go to Utapau. Anakin had heard from the chancellor that Grievous was there.

"Hi, master." She said, bowing.

"Hey, Little." Anakin said and turned to face Obi-wan "You're gonna need me on this one master."

"Oh, I agree. However, it may turn out just to be a wide Bantha chase."

"Wait, you're not going with him?"

Anakin looked down and Obi-wan sighed.

"No, he's not."

"Well, can I at least come? I owe it to Grievous to punch him in the face."

"And break your hand in the process?"

"It'll be worth it. He killed master Ti."

"Sorry, Laetitia."

"Master." Anakin said suddenly, stopping Obi-wan.

"I've disappointed you. Uh, I haven't been very appreciative of your trainings. I've been arrogant and I apologize. I've just been so frustrated with the council."

Laetitia blinked. She didn't this side of her father often.

Obi-wan smiled "You are strong and wise, Anakin, and I am very proud of you. I have trained you since you were a small boy. I have taught you everything I know. And you have become a far greater Jedi that I could ever hope to be. Be patient, Anakin. It will not be long before the council makes you a Jedi master."

Anakin looked down, being touched with what his master said.

"Aw. Are you blushing?"

Anakin and Obi-wan both looked at Laetitia and gave her a look.

"You just … had to ruin the moment, didn't you?"

She shook her head "Yep. It was getting a little, just a little, awkward."

They all laughed. Obi-wan was heading to the ship.

"Obi-wan … may the Force be with you."

"Good-bye old friend. May the Force be with you." He said pointing his finger at Leah "Take care of him."

"I always will."

500 Republica

Anakin woke up from the screams of his child again. He had had the same vision since he came back to Coruscant. He had watched Padme die about 100 times but still hadn't gotten used to the feeling. The thought of living in a world without her scared the hell out of him. He couldn't live without her. He just couldn't.

He remembered what chancellor Palpatine had told him in the Opera. Darth Plagueis, the wise. Even if, in the worst case scenario, the black hooded person got to Padme and their child, he could still bring them back to life.

But at what cost? Said a voice within him. He shook his head, burying the righteous feeling inside of him. he would save his family until the day he died.

Laetitia entered her mother's apartment. She saw Anakin on the sofa, panting. He buried his head in his hands.

"Dad, are you alright?"

Anakin came out of his thought and looked at his daughter. Those big, brown eyes staring at him. He smiled to himself. She was his center. He couldn't live without her, either of them.

"Yeah, Little. I'm fine."

"No, you're not. Something's bothering you. It has since you found out about the baby. What is it?"

Anakin forgot who he was dealing with. His daughter. She was anything but stupid, and stubborn. He knew she would not give up until he told her what she wanted to know.

"I just had a bad dream."

"The same dream? Since you came back to Coruscant?"

"Yes."

"What is it about? And don't tell me it's …"

"It's nothing."

"Nothing! It's clearly something that has you acting like this."

Anakin shrugged, trying to change the subject.

"Have you heard from Ahsoka? With Maul in Mandalore, it's not gonna be easy to fight."

Laetitia frowned and kept looking at her father. She wasn't being fooled.

Anakin looked away, not wanting to look his daughter in the eye. He wasn't about to tell her 'Hey! Your mom is gonna be murdered as soon as your brother or sister is born and I can't even find the person who's gonna kill them.'

He just shook his head.

"Don't worry, kid. I have it under control."

"Do you now?"

"What, are you my mother or something?" He smirked.

"I hope not. That'd be weird."

Anakin just laughed and held his daughter in his arms.

"Hey, dad?"

"Mm?"

"Don't do anything bad, even for the good reasons. I don't wanna lose you."

Anakin's breath stopped. How did she know what I was gonna do?

"Don't worry, Little. No matter what happens, you will always have me." He said as he hugged her tighter.

"We're feeling a little left out." The voice came from behind.

Anakin and Laetitia both turned around and saw Padme looking at them with crossed hands.

"Sorry, angel. This was a father-daughter moment."

"Yeah, mom. There was no place for you or Oy."

"Oy?"

"Yeah. Well, I don't know if it's a sister or a brother and I won't call the baby 'it'. So 'Oy' feels like the appropriate word to call my future sibling."

Anakin chuckled "Really?"

"What? What's wrong with it?"

"Nothing, sweetie. It's just … very you."

Anakin's comlink beeped.

"Skywalker here."

"Skywalker. This is Windu. Meet us at the briefing room. We have updates from Utapau."

"Yes, master. I'm on my way." He turned to face his family "I got to go."

Padme asked "See you tonight?"

"I hope so."

As soon as Anakin left, Laetitia sat on the sofa.

"Mom, there is nothing wrong with dad, right? I mean, does he seem like himself to you?"

"Yeah, honey." At least, I hope.

Leah wasn't convinced. She could feel something big was about to happen. Just didn't know what.

"So, how was the meeting with the senators? Could you start your Alliance?" She asked casually.

Padme looked at her daughter with wide open eyes.

"What are you talking about?"

"You know, the Alliance against Palpatine?"

Padme's mouth opened.

"How did you know?"

"Honestly? I overheard senator Organa and Mothma talking earlier." She answered looking down.

"Don't worry. I am all for taking down the chancellor. I'm not gonna tell anyone, but I think you should tell dad. He deserves to know." She said as she lied down to rest a bit, not knowing this was the last comfortable sleep she was gonna have in years.

Done :)

Sorry if nothing important happened in this chapter. Instead, the next chapter, a lot is gonna happen.

;)