Anakin showered quickly and returned to the kitchen to join his family. He found Geeta in the kitchen, who informed him that his family were in the living area and that dinner was nearly ready. He thanked her and then walked into the adjacent room to tell his family. As he walked in he saw his wife sat down next to Obi-Wan as Luke and Leia sat on the floor laughing and playing. He couldn't help but be saddened by scene, knowing it was likely a regular occurrence he had missed. He had missed so much with the twins and Padmé and he knew her had a lot to make up for. He shook his head realising he could not dwell on the past and needed to make the most of the short time he had with his children.

"Hi daddy", Leia said turning to see her father stood in the archway.

"Hello, Leia. How are you?", he asked.

"Very hungry", Luke interjected before Leia had the chance to reply.

"You are always hungry Luke", Leia retorted.

Anakin smiled at his children's conversation and then said, "Well, it's a good job I am here to tell you dinner is ready then".

"Yay", the twins said in unison, as they got up from the floor and ran towards the dining area in the kitchen.

Padmé smiled at her children's excitement as she got up from the chair with Obi-Wan. The three grown-ups then followed behind the children and joined them at the dinner table. Geeta had placed all the food out on the dining room table and had then departed, allowing the family to eat together in peace.

The group sat down and ate the food prepared by Geeta, Padmé, Luke and Leia. The twins occupied the majority of the airtime over dinner, but their parents and Obi-Wan were happy to listen to them talk. Anakin relished at this moment. This was the first time he had ever sat down to have a family meal and he hoped he would continue to be able to do so in the future. He was sad that he and Padmé couldn't stay any longer than planned with the twins, but he knew it was essential for their safety that he and Padmé return to their jobs on Coruscant. It was only a matter of time before he would face the Emperor. He planned to build his strength, confront his old master and kill him, ending his tyrannous reign of the galaxy.

Anakin's thoughts were interrupted by his son saying, "Can we play a game with you after dinner father?"

Anakin refocused on the present and replied, "Yes, absolutely. What is the game?"

"It's a get to know you game. We know a lot about you from mummy. But we want to ask you some questions too.", Luke said.

Anakin smiled and responded, "I think that is a really good idea Luke. I would also love to ask you and Leia some questions too so I can get to know you better as well", he added, finishing his dinner.

When they had all finished eating, Luke and Leia departed to the living room, as Padmé, Anakin and Obi-Wan cleared all the plates away. Geeta returned to the kitchen and insisted she was fine to handle it all.

"Thank you Geeta", Padmé said softly.

"It is my pleasure, My Lady. It is actually very nice to have some guests to serve. I spend so much time here alone, it is nice to simply have a job to do beyond cleaning", Geeta replied with a smile.

The family then departed and headed back into the living area to join Luke and Leia. Obi-Wan couldn't help but feel as though he was intruding on a much-needed family moment. He cleared his throat and then said, "I think I shall retire for the night. I have had a lovely day and I thank you again for the hospitality. I shall see you in the morning".

Padmé smiled at her friend and said, "Goodnight Obi-Wan, and thank you so much again for all you have done and for bringing the twins here. Sleep well", she added.

"Goodnight Master", Anakin said, his choice of words surprising both Obi-Wan and his wife.

Obi-Wan nodded and then departed. Anakin and Padmé walked back into the living area to join Luke and Leia who was sat on the floor. The couple sat close to them on the large chair, as Anakin wrapped a strong arm around Padmé pulling her close into him. He then asked, "Who would like to ask me a question first then?"

Both twins put their hand up, but Anakin said, "Why don't you go first Luke as the game was your idea".

His son smiled at being chosen first and then said, "Yay okay. What is your favourite colour?"

"Blue. Like the sky and lakes on Naboo and like my old lightsabre", he replied quickly. "What are your favourite colours?", he asked his children.

"Mine is blue too", Luke responded.

"Mine is purple", Leia replied.

"Both lovely colours", Anakin stated. "Do you have a question, Leia?", Anakin asked his daughter.

"How old were you when you and mummy met?", Leia asked.

Padmé looked a little confused and said, "I have definitely told you this story before".

"I know but I want to hear daddy tell it. You may tell it differently", she replied.

Anakin and Padmé smiled as Anakin said, "That is true. Well, we met when I was a nine-year-old slave boy on Tatooine. Your mother was the Queen of Naboo at the time. Her ship needed a spare part and I helped her, and a Jedi called Qui-Gon Jin by winning a pod race called the Boonta eve classic".

"I've seen that race before dad, it is so cool. You won that when you were nine?", he asked shocked.

"I did indeed", Anakin replied.

"Wow, that is so cool", Luke added.

"Okay back to the story", Leia said keenly.

"When I first met your mother, I asked her if she was an angel from the moons of Iago. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, and I said on that very day that I would marry her, although of course I was joking, I was a slave boy at the time and your mother was a Queen", Anakin reflected with a smile.

"The Slave and the Queen, what a love story", Leia said enchanted.

"And then it became the Jedi Knight and the Senator", Anakin replied.

"You got married in secret, didn't you?", Luke asked curiously.

"Yes, we did. We couldn't fight our feelings for one another anymore, so we got married on Naboo by the lakes in Varykino. It was the best day of my life", Anakin confessed.

Padmé kissed his cheeky softly at his statement and said, "That feels like a lifetime ago".

Both Luke and Leia had other questions they wanted to ask, but they were not sure whether they would be allowed to ask them. Leia then bravely said, "What happened to you when we were born daddy? Why did mummy think you had died? Why have we never seen you until now?".

Anakin was not surprised by his daughters' question. It was more than understandable that they wanted to know why he had appeared now, despite them and their mother believing him to be dead. He paused for a moment trying to think about the best way to explain himself.

"8 years ago, just before you were born, I made a very big mistake. I trusted the wrong person. I listened to a bad man who told me to do bad things, and I hurt and upset your mummy. After that, you two and your mummy had to go and hide from the Emperor. I had a fight with Obi-Wan and he told mummy I had died to protect you from the Emperor. Because I did not die, and the bad man that I trusted was the Emperor."

"Why didn't you come looking for us when you were with the Emperor?", Luke asked.

"Because the Emperor was a very bad man, and he told me you were dead too. I thought you and your mummy had died, and you thought I had died", Anakin said as simply as possible. "I know this is very confusing, but you two just need to know that I am not with the bad man anymore and I want to look after you and your mummy forever. I will never let that bad man hurt you", he said reaching down to give the twins a hug. The twins embraced their father warmly.

Curious Leia then asked, "Was it the bad man who put mummy's name on your back?"

Anakin was very surprised by how receptive his daughter was and replied, "Yes Leia it was".

"Wow daddy you are so brave", Luke said looking up at his father in admiration.

"Yeah, I bet you aren't scared of anything", Leia said strongly.

"Well that isn't true Leia, everyone is scared of something", Anakin replied.

"But you are the best Jedi in the galaxy. What are you scared of daddy?", Leia asked.

Anakin stopped for a moment and gathered himself. Even during the clone wars, he had been branded with this iron of belief that he feared nothing. He had been given the title, 'The Hero with No Fear' by the media. In battle he did not fear anything, he knew he was a skilled fighter and had the force as his ally, and at the time he did not fear death either. But there was always something he feared since he was a boy, he feared losing people. He had lost his mother as a padawan and hadn't been able to save her, and he vowed he would never let it happen again. That vow was tested when he experienced premonitions of Padmé dying in childbirth, just as she had with his mother before she was killed. He had been unable to control his fear and did anything he could to stop it from coming true, and that had meant betraying the Jedi and joining Sidious.

"There are very few things in this galaxy that can hurt me, Leia. But I am scared of one thing, and that is losing you, Luke or your mother. I love you three more than anything in the galaxy, and I could not lose any of you. The reason I joined the bad man before you two were born was to save your mother from nightmares I had about her dying. I could not let your mummy die, so I did all I could to save her. But it was not enough, and for the last 8 years I have lived believing I killed your mummy, and there is nothing more painful in the entire galaxy", Anakin said emotionally. A tear escaped his eye as he wiped it away with his human hand. Padmé comforted her husband, as she too was emotional from his proclamation. Luke and Leia both stood up and said, "Its okay daddy. You won't lose us now we are here, and we are going to be a family".

The four of them embraced in a strong hug, as Anakin said, "That is all I have ever wanted. I love you three so much".

"We love you too daddy", the twins said in unison, still embracing their mother and father.

When the hug ended Padmé said, "Right now you two, let's get you into bed. I want you to be well-rested for another day with us tomorrow before we have to go".

"Okay mummy", the twins replied, as they got up and started to walk out of the living area.

Padmé and Anakin walked behind the twins, simply holding hands now having to speak to one another to know what they meant.

When they arrived at the doors to the twins neighbouring rooms, Anakin said, "Right let's get pyjamas on and teeth brushed and then we can have a big cuddle before bed".

Luke and Leia both then ran into their rooms to get into their pyjamas, and emerged moments later with their toothbrushes. Anakin and Padmé escorted them to the bathroom to oversee them, as they stood near the sink too short to see themselves properly in the large mirror. Once they had brushed their teeth, the twins went into their individual rooms. Anakin and Padmé followed Leia behind into her room as she got into bed. Padmé kissed her daughter on the forehead and tucked her in gently and said, "I love you so Leia. I missed you and Luke so much. Sleep well and I will see you in the morning", she said softly.

"Goodnight mummy", Leia replied, kissing her back.

Padmé then stood from the bed and exited the room to go and see Luke. Anakin took his wife's place and said to Leia, "Goodnight Princess, I love you so much". Leia then leaned up to kiss her father on the cheek softly. He smiled at the sweet action and returned the gesture by kissing her on the forehead.

"Goodnight daddy. I am so happy you are my daddy", Leia said softly, as Anakin stood up from the bed and turned the lights out with the force, closing the door quietly behind him.

He then turned to walk into Luke's room and saw his wife was just kissing him goodnight. He entered his son's room and walked towards the bed. Luke reached up to give his father a warm hug, which Anakin returned.

"Goodnight father. I am so happy we are a family together now", he said with a smile.

"Me too Luke. I love you all so much. Sleep well son", Anakin replied softly. He then slowly walked out of the room, again turning the lights off with the force and closing the door behind him. Padmé was waiting for him outside the room, as they then walked down the corridor together and headed towards their chambers.

Anakin took his wife's hand in his as they walked and brought it up to his lips to kiss it softly before saying, "I cannot tell you what today had meant to me Padmé. To meet our two amazing, beautiful, talent, bright children brings me so much happiness. Despite the hard questions, I think it was important for me to be honest with them about what has happened and why I haven't been here for them. But I also needed them to know how much I love them and how committed I am to ensuring the three of you are safe now".

"I know that must have been hard for you Anakin. But like you said they are highly intuitive clever children and they needed to know what has happened. But I also do not doubt for a second that they know how much you love them and me, and I know they love you so much already. I am so proud of you", Padmé said, a tear falling down her cheek slowly. She wiped it away as they arrived at their chambers. They too wanted to retire at a decent hour so they could spend as much time with the twins as possible.

Anakin felt intoxicated by his feelings of love for his wife and children. He did not know that it was physically possible to ache because you loved someone so much, but that was the way he felt about his children and Padmé. Every time he looked at his wife, the feeling consumed him. Padmé sat at the dresser to take out her hair and jewellery. Anakin reached into his pocket and pulled out his multi-use comm device. Padmé looked at him curiously as he flicked through the device before saying, "Dance with me".

Padmé raised an eyebrow at his statement, but then the music started to play softly in the background. He reached out his gloved hand to his wife as she stood from the chair and took his hand. He pulled her in close, taking in her soft skin, chocolate brown hair and enchanting smell. Padmé looked up into her husband's sky blue eyes and said, "Why are we dancing?".

Anakin smiled and asked, "Am I not allowed to dance with my wife. After all, you are such an effortless dancer", he commented.

"Yes, not bad for an old woman wouldn't you say", she replied wittingly.

Anakin laughed at her reference from their earlier conversation and said, "Indeed you are fabulous Padmé. And despite you being older than me, it does not detract from how youthful and beautiful you are. It amazes me you have hardly changed at all. When we were together in the clone wars I had committed your body to memory, and I am astounded at how you are still truly the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, no one even compares", he added, turning her around in his arms gently to the music.

"I cannot remember the last time I danced like this. Well I danced at the Empire Day Ball, but it was only brief", Padmé stated.

"Ahh yes, that night you wore the most stunning red dress. If you were trying to blend in Padmé your attempt was feeble, there was no one in the room who compared", Anakin replied.

Padmé looked at her husband confused and said, "How do you know what I wore. I don't remember Vader being there the night of the Empire Day Ball. In fact, me, Bail and Mon commented on the strangeness of that fact".

"Yes indeed, that was the point. That night I was not there as Vader. I attended in disguise as an Imperial Office. The same Imperial Officer who danced with you and spoke to you on the balcony", Anakin said to her informatively.

Padmé looked at him a little shocked and said, "I see".

"It's funny actually. I remember that night being rather taken about by you. There was something about your presence that seemed so familiar. Of course, at the time I had no idea it was you as I believed you were dead, and I convinced myself it was merely bitterness at the fact that they had replaced you", Anakin reflective.

"Quite ironic then in hindsight, because I had actually replaced myself as Senator of Naboo", Padmé said with a smile.

"Yes, I guess you did", Anakin mused.

As the music continued and picked Padmé up and held her in his arms continuing to dance slowly to the music. Padmé wrapped her arms around her husbands' neck and looked into his eyes and said, "I still cannot believe we are here. over the last few days, I have had to pinch myself so many times to convince myself this isn't all one beautiful dream, but that you are actually here with me and the twins and you are coming back to us, back to the light".

Anakin kissed his wife softly and said, "I know what you mean Padmé. I cannot tell you how many dreams I have had about you over the last 8 years. And now I am standing here holding you in my arms again, and I never want to let go ever", he said passionately.

Padmé smiled and said, "Well you will have to eventually".

"Never", Anakin replied cheekily. "I can sleep with you in my arms, Angel".

"I love you Anakin", Padmé said softly.

"Words cannot express how much I love you Padmé", Anakin replied passionately.

He then put his wife down gently and they shared a passionate kiss. The pair then prepared for bed, as it was already getting late. Anakin got into bed first and then was joined by his wife as she exited the fresher in her nightdress. As she got into bed Anakin kissed her exposed shoulder and said, "You are so beautiful Padmé".

"Thank you, Anakin", Padmé said blushing slightly. The couple kissed one another goodnight before falling asleep in each other's arms.

The next morning Anakin woke up early and got out of bed quietly as to now wake his wife. He got dressed in the fresher and headed to the gymnasium. Despite being there to see the twins Anakin knew he could let his training regime falter as a result. He needed to be as strong as possible. As Anakin walked into the gymnasium, he was surprised to see his old master sat on the floor in there. Obi-Wan had always been an early riser, and it was a habit he had attempted to engrain in his apprentice, with a significant degree of resistance during his padawan years.

"Habits never die I see", Anakin commented, as he walked towards Obi-Wan in the middle of the room. The Jedi Master turned to face Anakin and said, "I apologise, I hope you didn't mind I used the facilities here. They are far better than what I have had access to on Naboo".

"You think this gymnasium is good you should see the one I have at my establishments on Coruscant, it is very comprehensive, filled with the latest droids and mechanics to enhance my training potential", Anakin replied.

"I see. Well, it does not surprise me that you have had to maintain high standards of training.", Obi-Wan commented.

"I do not wish to disturb your training. I can wait", Anakin said politely.

"No need, I have mostly finished", Obi-Wan commented.

"Well, perhaps I could benefit from some instruction", Anakin said with a small smile.

"I am unsure there is anything you can learn from me now Anakin", Obi-Wan stated matter-of-factly.

"I doubt that", Anakin stated. "Just permit me a few moments to warm up first", he added.

Obi-Wan nodded as Anakin walked over to the adjacent corner of the gymnasium and started to warm up, doing a combination of running, shadow combination moves and stretches. Obi-Wan watched his old apprentice out of the corner of his eye and couldn't help but be impressed. The last time he had seen him fight was on the banks of Mustafar, where Anakin had attempted to gain an advantage by jumping above him. He had been blinded by hatred and arrogance then, but now Obi-Wan noticed he was a lot more mature and calculated with his movements. He noticed his apprentice was considerably stronger too, as he saw Anakin muscle's tense as he moved to warm up. He couldn't help but feel intimidated by Anakin, after all, he was confused in knowing who he was, whether the man in front of him was the man he used to know or a new man entirely.

"Have you finished staring at me, Master Jedi", Anakin asked jokingly, as he walked towards his master who seemed lost in his own thoughts.

Obi-Wan was taken about by his statement and replied, "Sorry I appeared to have been distracted. It is very strange to be standing here in the same room as you Anakin. Truthfully, I never thought I would see the day. And now here you are, and you are much more than the man I faced on the banks of Mustafar. You are older, wiser, more patient, and beyond that, you are a husband and a father".

Anakin smiled and replied, "It brings me happiness being able to make peace with you Master. I know we both suffered after what happened on Mustafar. But I want us to get beyond that, and maybe one day we can be brothers again". At that moment he reached his hand out to shake Obi-Wan's. The men shook hands, and then Anakin drew his old master in for a hug. Neither had ever been one for displays of affection, but it brought both men a great degree of comfort. When their hug ended, Anakin said, "Now, what would you like to teach me, Master?".

Obi-Wan smiled and responded, "I think the true question is what can you teach me Anakin?".

Anakin reached for his lightsabre on his hilt, but then paused and said, "I do not wish to fight you with my lightsabre. It is red and that is not who I am anymore".

Obi-Wan paused for a moment. He had forgotten that Anakin would likely only possess his red blade, and it was understandable that he did not want to fight him with it. He placed a hand on his apprentices' shoulder and said, "Well I guess we can save the practical teachings for another time. We both still have a lot to learn Anakin, but even if you do not realise it, the decision you just made now is not one you could have learnt from any amount of training, but was as a result of you changing within".

"Yes. I have felt myself changing. It has been happening at an increasing rate. I am findings increasingly difficult to become Darth Vader when I need to because he is now further away from the man I am now and the man I want to become", Anakin said honestly.

"I can sense that conflict in you. And I appreciate how difficult that must be for you having to continue your pretence as Vader. However, it will not be forever, and now you are consciously aware that that is not who you are anymore, you are stepping closer towards the light side every day", Obi-Wan stated.

"It is because of Padmé. Everything I do is for her. I want to be a better man for her. I want to be the best possible husband I can be to her. The man I should have been all those years ago when I married her. And now the twins are in my life I want to continue to change so that Luke and Leia can grow up in a galaxy where they do not have to live in fear", Anakin said candidly.

"That is very admirable Anakin. I will admit, I had always believed that your emotions and feelings for Padmé were a distraction for you and that it divided your commitment away from your duties as a Jedi. But now I see that it was all meant to be that way. That Padmé and the twins were all part of your journey and are now the catalysts of your redemption. It was a path that no one could have written for you but was one you had to walk alone to establish", Obi-Wan replied wisely.

"Indeed, my friend", Anakin said. "Now, if you will permit me, I need to do some training. You are welcome to join me if you think you can keep up", Anakin said wittily as he reached for the metal bar and started to do repetitive pull-ups.

Obi-Wan looked up at Anakin and raised an eyebrow and replied, "I think I will kindly pass on your invitation. I was never the sort for that kind of training, especially now. I am not cut out for that".

"As you wish", Anakin replied, as he continued to do pull-ups.

"I shall leave you to it", Obi-Wan said, as he walked out of the gymnasium leaving Anakin to his rigorous routine.

Obi-Wan returned to his quarters to have a shower and then headed to the kitchen to make some food. As he entered, he was greeted by the twins and Padmé, who were making pancakes.

"Morning Obi-Wan", Luke and Leia said in unison.

"Good morning children, Padmé", Obi-Wan said, nodding respectfully to Padmé.

"Have you seen Anakin, Obi-Wan?", Padmé asked as she plated up some pancakes and fruit for the children.

"Yes. He is in the gymnasium. I was invited to join him, but I am simply not up to his standards", he commented honestly.

"I don't think anyone is", Padmé said concerned.

"Mummy, can we go and watch the Holonet in the living room please?", Luke asked as he stuffed his face with berries.

"Yes. But please do not make any mess okay", Padmé said to the twins as they departed the room.

Padmé waited for the twins to be gone before she turned to Obi-Wan and said, "I am worried about him Obi-Wan. Every day he pushes himself so hard training. I know he plans to face the Emperor and kill him, but at what cost to his health?", she asked concerned.

"I think his biggest concern is that he is not immune to the effects of sith lightning", Obi-Wan commented.

"That is what worries me the most. And he has respiratory problems too. It was horrible, I was watching him the gymnasium two days ago and he suddenly collapsed. I had to retrieve his mask for him to put on so the mechanics in it could augment his breathing to regulate it", she said, visibly distressed.

Obi-Wan looked at Padmé with surprise. He was not aware of this fact and assumed he had sustained these respiratory problems on Mustafar. Trying to calm Padmé he said, "You said you had to help Anakin by putting on his mask. I assume that when he faces the Emperor, he will face him as Vader so he will be wearing his suit and mask. That will reduce the risk of such a complication occurring significantly".

"Yes, that is true. But like you said Obi-Wan, he is not immune to the effects of Sith Lightning, and it could affect the wiring in his suit and its ability to help him. If Sidious was to compromise the function of his suit, he could weaken him enough to be able to overpower him", Padmé eyes started to fill with tears as she said, "I cannot lose him Obi-Wan. I've just got him back, I cannot lose him again", she added emotionally.

Obi-Wan reached over and placed a comforting hand on Padmé's shoulder and said, "Everything will be alright Padmé. Anakin is the strongest Jedi that has ever lived, and I am confident in his ability to defeat the Emperor. He just needs to seize the opportunity at the right time", he added.