The pair woke up early the next morning to the piercing sound of the alarm. Padme rubbed her tired eyes and sat up in bed. Anakin did the same and got out of bed quickly. He had gotten used to early mornings as Vader and was much better at rising from slumber quickly. He had never been a very peaceful sleeper and had adapted to function optimally on limited sleep. But since he had been sleeping with Padme the last few nights, he had been sleeping better than he had for years.

"I'm just going to have a shower, are you okay to return to your quarters to get ready?", Anakin asked his wife.

"Yes, that is fine. Shall I meet you in the kitchen in twenty minutes to depart?", Padme replied.

"Yes, that is acceptable", he responded nodding before entering the fresher.

Padme got out of bed and started to walk towards her bed chambers. At this time in the morning she would have been grateful for a shorter walk but conceded that with a long day of travelling ahead of them, it would be good to stretch her legs now. When she arrived at her room, she walked over to her wardrobe and picked out a light summer dress. She anticipated the weather would be nice on Alderaan, so did not want to wear anything too heavy. Anakin had said anything they needed would be available at his estate, so she quickly chose her dress and got ready. She then applied some simple makeup and styled her hair naturally, accentuating her curls that she knew Anakin liked.

Once she was ready, she walked towards the kitchen and was surprised to see Anakin stood in his mask and suit as Vader. Before she could ask any questions, Anakin said, "I must leave these establishments as Vader. But once we are on the transport, I can take my mask off so I am not recognised. When we arrive on Alderaan I will need to arrive as Vader as well. but I anticipate we will arrive before the twins so I will be free of the mask and suit when I see them, I promise", he added.

Padme knew this made sense, and they had to do all they could to ensure they didn't draw any unnecessary attention to themselves. The pair then walked to the hangar bay, where there was a transport ship waiting for them. As a trooper approached them, Anakin said, "Board the ship Senator, I need to brief my trooper". Padme nodded and replied, "Yes Lord Vader, knowing it was important they maintained their façade as Vader and Senator Soruna.

Once Padme had boarded the ship Anakin told the trooper, "I am having to escort the Senate on a business trip. I will return within a couple of days. I want you to keep this to yourself trooper. If people were to hear of mine and the Senator's departure, we could become targets", he commanded.

"Yes, Lord Vader.", the trooper replied. Anakin then turned away and walked up the ramp of the ship.

Once the ship had departed the hangar bay, Anakin set coordinates for his estate on Alderaan. He quickly removed his mask and heavy exterior armour. Padme remained sitting next to him and asked, "Is everything set?".

"Yes. The coordinates are set, and we should be jumping to hyperspace soon. The ship will inform me when we break out of hyperspace and enter the atmosphere of Alderaan", Anakin replied running a hand through his hair as he continued to stare out of the cockpit window.

"Great", Padme replied with a smile. She could tell there was something troubling Anakin. She didn't know whether to ask him or wait until he told her. She assumed it was something to do with meeting the twins and Obi-Wan. It had all been a lot for him to process over the last couple of days, and whilst she knew how excited Anakin was to be a father and meet Luke and Leia, it also understandably had made him anxious too.

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Padme placed a hand softly on her husband's shoulder and asked, "What's the matter Anakin?"

Anakin turned his head to look at Padme. He knew he could not lie to her. His mind was so full of questions and worries he had hardly spoken a word all day. He wanted to be honest with her about how he felt, but he also knew she had concerns of her own and didn't want to worry her.

He exhaled deeply and then said, "I am worried I will not be a good father Padme. I never had a father and I have been absent from the twins' lives since they've been born".

She was not surprised by his statement, but she knew how to comfort him and replied, "Anakin, you being absent from the twin's lives was not your fault. We cannot change what happened all those years ago. But what does matter is that you love those twins as much as you love me, and nothing makes me happier than thinking we will be a family together, it's all I've ever dreamed of. I never doubted that I wanted you to be the father of my children Anakin, and that belief has not faltered now", she said passionately, as she placed her hand on his cheek softly.

Anakin smiled and said, "It is all I have ever wanted as well Padme. and I want you to know how grateful I am for you for giving me Luke and Leia and giving me the chance to be their father. it is a debt I will never be able to repay, which is why I do not want to mess it up", he added.

Padme ran a hand through his hair softly and said, "You won't Anakin trust me. The love you have for the twins already is so powerful, and I know when they meet you they will love you so much. They are such incredible children Anakin, and even more so you are connected to them in a way I never can, through the force".

Anakin paused for a moment. Padme was right, it was not at all a surprise that Luke and Leia were fore sensitive, and even though he had not met them, he knew they would be very strong with the force, the way he was. He was touched by his wife's words and replied, "Yes, I can imagine they are incredible children. But with a Queen and Champion Senator for a mother and a Jedi father it is not surprising".

"That is true. They are certainly the first to have that mix of genetics", Padme remarked with a smile.

"It's almost like it was allowed"' Anakin replied with a smirk.

Padme laughed at his statement and replied, "Yes, what were people thinking. If only they knew all the good Luke and Leia can do", she added.

Anakin had wanted to ask his wife this question for quite a while but had never quite found the moment. Knowing there was no time like the present he boldly asked, "Would you ever consider having another child Padme?".

Padme was slightly taken aback by his question. It was something she had never really considered. But now her and Anakin had been reunited it was a possibility.

"Truthfully, I had never thought about it after the twins. I believed you were dead Anakin, and I knew I would never be able to love someone and commit to them enough to have a child with them. But I love Luke and Leia so much and I have always loved children, and now you are back in my life it is something I would consider definitely"' Padme said with a smile.

Anakin took his wife's hand and said, "It isn't something we need to worry about now. I just wondered whether it would be something you would consider. I know I have not been here for you and the twins since they were born, but I promise you I will do all I can to make up for that time. But nothing would make me happier than having another child with you Padme". He kissed her hand gently as her eyes glistened with tears.

"Yes, it is Anakin. When this is all over and the Emperor is gone, we can talk about it again", Padme said.

"Absolutely. Right now my priority is keeping you and the twins safe, and then once Sidious is rotting in hell, we can focus on our family. It can just be us and our children, forever and always". Anakin replied passionately.

"I love you Anakin Skywalker", Padme stated, leaning in to kiss her husband sat next to her.

"And I love you Padme Naberrie Skywalker", Anakin replied, kissing his wife softly on the lips.

The pair continued to talk as their ship travelled through hyperspace. Padme had made the two breakfast, and they had played a game of cards to help her time pass.

A little while later the ship console started to beep informing them they were breaking out of hyperspace. Padme sat down in her seat and Anakin said, "The coordinates are set for the estate, so it should guide us in well. You will see the entrance to the hangar below the property. They are aware of our arrival so the doors should open. I am certain you are up to the task my love, I need to get my suit and armour back on", he added distastefully.

"No problem Commander Skywalker"' Padme replied, trying to cheer up her husband. She knew how much he hated putting on the suit of Vader. But it wasn't for long, and it was a necessary measure on their arrival to maintain appearances.

Padme guided the ship into the guarded hangar bay as Anakin returned, encased in his armour as Vader. Once the ship had landed Anakin turned to Padme and said, "This estate has troopers present so all I need to do is ensure the maid who lives here can be trusted".

"Okay", Padme replied, as the pair disembarked the ship. They were greeted by a woman who Padme assumed was the estate manager. She nodded to Vader and Padme and said, "Welcome Lord Vader. It is good to see you at these establishments it has been too long".

Anakin sought the moment to penetrate the woman's mind and read her thoughts. He sensed no deception in her and knew if she had a brain she wouldn't betray them.

The woman turned to Padme and said, "Welcome My Lady. I am Geeta.". She could have sworn she recognised her from somewhere but couldn't put her finger on it.

Padme was unsure how to respond and smiled nodding in acknowledgement to her before Anakin said, "Geeta this is my wife Padme Amidala Skywalker".

Geeta paused for a moment and then replied, "I thought I recognised you, My Lady. But I had heard you had died many years ago. I was unaware you had married Darth Vader". She commented.

Padme didn't know how much Anakin was prepared to tell Geeta so replied, "No. My death was faked for my protection".

"Padme married Anakin Skywalker, perhaps you remember the name", Anakin aged simply to Geeta.

"Yes I remember him, The Hero With No Fear he was called. He was a rather handsome young man from memory" she added.

"I am Anakin Skywalker Geeta", Anakin replied.

Slightly embarrassed by her comment on his appearance Geeta stated, "Forgive my candour, my Lord".

"Apologies are not necessary. I just need to know we can trust you with this information Geeta", Anakin stated.

"Of course Lord Vader", Geeta said bowing her head.

"Please call me Anakin or Master Skywalker", he responded.

"Might I ask what has brought you to Alderaan, Sir?", Geeta asked.

"We are expecting guests. Our children should be arriving soon with Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. That is why I requested for four bedrooms to be prepared", he added.

"Indeed Master they have been prepared", Geeta replied, trying not to sound too surprised at his statement. In the last few moments, she had established that Lord Vader not only was married but had children.

"Please inform us when they arrive Geeta. You have my communication frequency. I want to show my wife around the establishments", Anakin stated. He then picked up their bag and took Padme's hand to escort her into the house".

"Thank you Geeta", Padme said to her as the pair left the hangar bay together.

Once they had left the hangar bay, they entered a lift which took them up into the main part of the estate, much like the establishments on Coruscant. However, when they exited the lift Padme was surprised how different the house was. On Coruscant the estate consisted of long dark corridors and there were a lot of large windows in all of the bedrooms and living areas. But this house was a more traditional Alderaani style, with stone walls and large archways between rooms.

"Anakin, this house is beautiful. Reminds me more of being back on Naboo", she stated.

"Yes, it is very different to my establishments of Coruscant. I have only ever been here once though. Truthfully, I never stayed in any of my estates for comfort or pleasure, they were simply a place to rest before my next mission", Anakin replied.

Padme took his arm in hers and said, "Well now you have a reason to enjoy being here. It is where you are going to meet your children for the first time".

"Indeed they should be here soon. I need to go to our chambers and relieve myself of this terrible mask. I do not want to terrify Luke and Leia before I have spoken to word to them", he stated.

"Of course yes that is a good idea. But don't worry Anakin, they are going to love you as I do", Padme said, squeezing his arm gently under his suit.

Padme went with him to their chambers, as he removed his mask and heavy shoulder pads. He stripped down to a pair of simple black trousers and a black military jacket. He ran a hand through his hair nervously and then turned to ask Padme, "Do I look okay Padme?".

Padme smiled at her husband softly and replied, "You look very strapping Anakin. Black has always suited you very well. You look fine, and they will love your regardless", she added.

Anakin attached his lightsaber to the hilt of his belt and replied, "That's easy for you to say Padme, you are the most beautiful woman on the planet, and everyone adores you".

Padme's cheeks reddened s little at his statement and replied, "Appearances are subjective".

Anakin laughed at her response and said, "Well let's just say that I have never met anyone who doesn't think you are beautiful".

"This is coming from the poster boy of the clone wars. The hero with no fear. You were the media's model for the wars. I remember I used to hear all sorts of comments in the Senate about you. Women were obsessed", Padme replied.

"Oooh really, do tell", Anakin teased.

"Trust me, you don't want to know", Padme stated. "Some were most inappropriate. They were man-eaters Anakin".

Anakin walked over Padme and kissed her hand softly before saying, "Well, not every woman has the talent and grace to make a man weak at his knees without saying a word Padme. It is a gift bestowed only on angels".

"Oh shush Anakin", Padme replied, hitting his shoulder playfully.

Their moment was interrupted by the sound of Anakin's comm. He answered it and Geeta stated, "My Lord. Your guests have arrived, but they are coming through the front entrance to the house through the gardens", she added.

"Received, thank you", Anakin stated before shutting off the device.

"It is time", Padme said excitedly. The couple walked out of their chambers and down the hall towards the main entrance to the gardens. The doors opened, and Anakin could feel his heart racing intensely. He was about to meet his children. When they stepped outside, they heard the twins shout, "Mummy, Daddy".

Padme immediately saw the children and ran towards them embracing them tightly and said, "My babies, I missed you so much. I promise mummy won't leave you for that long ever again". She put the twins down and kissed them one by one. "We missed you too mummy", Leia said smiling at her mother. Padme then saw the twins look up to see their father stood behind Padme.

Anakin stood in the same place, frozen with shock. His son, Luke, looked just like he did at that age, with soft golden brown hair and blue eyes. His daughter Leia, looked exactly like his wife, long brown hair and doe brown eyes. "Is that daddy, the twins asked Padme in unison. Padme stood up and took both the twins hands and said, "Yes, this is your daddy. This is Anakin Skywalker".

At that moment got down on his knees and opened his arms to his children. They ran at him and hit him with quite some force as they embraced in a warm. Anakin was immediately overwhelmed with emotion. Never before had he imagined he would live for the day when he would embrace his children. The beautiful children that he and Padme had together. After a tender moment, the twins stepped back from the hug and Leia said, "Daddy you are very handsome. Mummy always said you were very handsome".

Anakin wiped a tear from his cheek softly and said, "Thank you Leia, and you are just as beautiful as your mother".

"Mummy always said I look like you daddy. The same hair and eyes", Luke stated looking at his father intently.

"Yes son, you do. I looked very similar to you at that age", he replied kindly.

"Are we all going to be a family now daddy?"' Leia asked, turning to look at Padme too.

"I promise now that I am here I am going to look after you two and your mummy. The Emperor will not hurt you, I swear", Anakin replied, looking at his daughter.

At that moment Obi-Wan emerged on the path from behind them. Padme walked over to him to help him with the bags and welcomed him with a warm hug. Obi-Wan said, "I just wanted to give you a moment with the twins and Anakin".

Padme smiled and said, "Thank you Obi-Wan. And thank you so much for bringing the twins here to see us, it means so much to me and Anakin".

"It is my pleasure Padme", Obi-Wan replied.

At that moment, Anakin stood from his knees and looked at Obi-Wan. He couldn't help but find it strange that he had spent the last 8 years planning how he would kill his old master if he got the chance. But was now standing metres from him, and his urges were quashed by his desire to make peace and continue on his path to redemption. Anakin walked up to his old master, as Padme took the twins hands to walk them in. She knew the two men needed some private space to talk, so wanted to take the twins away for a moment.

When Anakin reached Obi-Wan, he stated, "Here let me help you with those bags".

Obi-Wan passed a bag to Anakin and replied with a thank you. As they turned to walk down the garden path towards the house. Trying to break the awkwardness Anakin stated, "I want to thank you for bringing the twins here. I cannot express what that means to me. And how much having them and Padme back in my life means to me. It has truly saved me".

"I have to be honest Anakin. When Padme first told me I did not believe it. After what happened on Mustafar I feared for her safety and that of the twins. Since that day Padme had been a broken woman, and I did not want to see her like that again. And I couldn't stand by and let the twins be taken by the Emperor", the Jedi stated matter of factly.

"I know there is a painful history for us after Mustafar. But I know that in order to continue my journey to becoming Anakin Skywalker again, I must start to reconcile and make peace with that part of my life. That started with asking Padme for her forgiveness. Whilst I do not deserve it, she has given it to me, and I will do all I can to prove to her it was worth it. I wish to do the same with Master Obi-Wan, and I hope that both of us. And see a way to get past what happened on Mustafar", Anakin replied. They were prepared words and he was content he had said all he wanted to.

As the two men entered the house, they placed the bags down to be taken to the rooms. Obi-Wan had listened intently to his words and then replied, "It will take time. But with time and the help of the force, I believe we can heal from all that has happened". He then reached out a hand to Anakin, who responded and the pair shook hands.

Padmé watched from around the corner and smiled. She had been worried about Anakin and Obi-Wan meeting and she knew they still had a long journey ahead of them to heal the damage caused, but it was certainly a step in the right direction.

"How long are we here for mummy?", Luke asked his mum.

"Just two days sweetheart. Then mummy and daddy have to go back to work. But I promise we will not be gone for as long. I know how excited your daddy has been to see you too", Padmé said to the twins.

"I have arranged for chambers to be prepared for all of you. Obi-Wan your room is located down the corridor in the guest quarters. Luke and Leia, I have asked for the chambers near the mast room to be prepared, so we will all be close to one another", Anakin announced to the group who gathered in the living quarters.

"This house is very pretty dad. It looks a bit like the house on Naboo too", Leia said to her father.

"Yes, it is a nice house. I hope to come here more often", Anakin replied to his daughter. He still could not believe how Leia resembled her mother, and she was fiery and confident like Padmé too.

"Is there a swimming pool here dad?", Luke asked curiously.

Anakin paused for a moment and said, "I am afraid there isn't my son, but there is a lake behind the house down through the trees. This is a very secluded and isolated area, so I am certain it is safe", he added to comfort Padmé.

"Can we go for a swim as we do at home? We go swimming in the lake all the time at home with mummy", Leia said. Anakin was interested in his daughters' statement. Until now he was unsure where Padmé had been living with the twins and Obi-Wan. But now it was clear they resided in the lake country, after all, it was the place that Padmé had said she wanted to go to when she told Anakin she was pregnant.

Padmé could see her husband was lost in thought so said, "Why don't you too help Geeta and take your stuff into the rooms and pick who wants which room. No fighting please and make it fair.", she shouted as the twins ran away up the corridor.

"Are you okay Anakin?", Padmé asked her husband, placing a hand on his arm gently.

Deciding it was a good time for him to depart, Obi-Wan stated, "Thank you very much for your hospitality. I shall go to my quarters and do some meditation, I think. Will be nice to have some peace and quiet for a little while Luke and Leia are with you", Obi-Wan said with a smile.

"Of course, thank you Obi-Wan", Padmé said with a smile, as the Jedi turned and walked towards his quarters. She then turned her attention back to Anakin.

"I just think of all I have missed Padmé. Now I realise where you have been all this time, in the lake country. Where you always wanted to go. And all I can think is how it is my fault that I was not there with you. That I was not there to help to fix up the baby's room by the gardens, which was what you told me you wanted all those years ago on the balcony on Coruscant", Anakin said emotionally.