Obi-Wan takes a quick trip to Mandalore to see if it is safe for Iyla to visit. Anakin and Padme get their chance to experience parenthood when they babysit the 4-year-old for a few days. Lots of fluff and family bonding.

Chapter 23: Babysitting Little Kenobi

In hindsight, Obi-Wan really should have thought about his wording before he said it. Maybe then he wouldn't be holding an inconsolable 4-year-old who refused to let go of him. He was leaving Iyla for the first time, well, ever, and made the terrible mistake of telling her that he was "going away" for a little bit. To which the little girl promptly burst into heart-wrenching sobs and wails, begging him not to leave her "like Mama." Obi-Wan cursed his stupidity and groaned in frustration at his poor word choice.

"Pease don't l-leave me, P-papa! No go 'way li-like Mama and G-ganpa Qwi! P-pease! No want you to be b- blue!" she sobbed in his arms.

"No, no, darling, that's not what I meant. I'm not leaving like your Mama and Grandpa Qui and I'm not going to be blue. Shhh, little one. I'm sorry, it was a very poor choice of words. I'll only be gone for a few days, not forever. And you'll get to spend time with Uncle Anakin and Auntie Padme. They'll take wonderful care of you," he said as he rubbed her back and sent her feelings of calm through the Force.

"Y-you not go 'way fowever?" Iyla sniffled.

"No, love," Obi-Wan answered.

"You c-come back?"

"Of course, Iyla."

Iyla shifted in his arms and looked up at him. "I'm gonna miss you, Papa," she said softly and ran her hands along his beard and face as if trying to memorize it.

"I'll miss you more, my little light," he said, playfully snapping at her fingers as they trailed over his moustache. Iyla giggled and pulled her hand away with a squeal.

"Why you gots to go?" she asked.

"Well, I'm going to a very special planet to make sure it's safe. If it is safe, then I'll come get you and we can go back together," he explained.

"What panet?"

"Mandalore, darling."

Iyla gasped and sat up quickly, looking at him with big round eyes. "Manlowe! Like where Mama from!"

Obi-Wan smiled somewhat sadly. "Yes, little one. Where Mama was from. Your Mama's family would like to meet you but I want to make sure Mandalore is safe enough for you to go. Last time I was there it was very dangerous and I don't want you to get hurt."

"Mama gots fam'ly too?" Iyla asked.

"Her sister Bo and her nephew Korkie. They live on Mandalore and they would love to have you visit. I agreed that you could, but not until I have decided it is safe. I will not risk your safety even if it is to meet your family. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Papa. Gotta be safe," she nodded.

"That's right, dear," Obi-Wan smiled. "Now, I will be dropping you off at Anakin and Padme's apartment tomorrow morning so we must pack up some of your clothes and toys to take with you. Do you think you can be a big girl and start to get your things together for me? I have a few final arrangements to make on my datapad," he said and picked her up off his lap to stand on the floor.

"Yes, Papa! I'm a big girl!" Iyla said proudly with a puffed out chest and a raised chin.

Obi-Wan chuckled. "Good girl. Go pick out a few things and I'll be in to help in a minute."

Iyla nodded then enthusiastically bounced into the bedroom, delighted to be trusted with a big girl task and excited for the opportunity to show her father that she can handle it.

Once she was gone, Obi-Wan sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He had mixed feelings about this whole trip. He was reluctant to leave Iyla and worried about how she'd react to him being gone. He didn't doubt Anakin and Padme's ability to care for her, not one bit, but he knew Iyla could be clingy and gets anxious easily. But he also knew that she'd never learn to be independent if she was always right by his side or around him all the time. It would be good for her to have a few days away from him, as much as neither of them wanted it.

He also had mixed feelings about going back to Mandalore. Last time he was there he lost Satine and the city and palace were attacked and destroyed. It wasn't exactly full of good memories. Then there was Bo-Katan. Obi-Wan didn't know much about Satine's sister, but he did know that she was part of Death Watch, who had a hand in taking down Satine's government and ruining everything she'd worked so hard to build in her time as Duchess. Bo may have saved him that day on Mandalore and she may have had some kind of redemption, according to Korkie, but Obi-Wan was hesitant to trust the other Kryze sister. He also, loathe was he was to admit it as it was very unlike a Jedi, might have yet to completely forgive her for her part in Satine's downfall. He'd tried many times since he'd contacted Korkie about Iyla and learned that Bo was now part of the picture, to let his anger, bitterness, and blame go into the Force, but he still hurt so badly. Like a barely healed wound that ran the risk of opening anew at the slightest provocation. He was nervous to face her and nervous to face Mandalore.

Still, he agreed to go. Iyla deserved to know her mother's family and to see the world Satine loved so much. But he refused to bring his daughter into danger. He would not lose Iyla like he lost Satine. It would utterly destroy him. He needed to make sure Mandalore was safe then he'd agree to bring her to meet Korkie and Bo. Those were his conditions and he wouldn't back down.

"Papa I gots all my stuff!" Iyla called from the bedroom.

"Good job, darling. I'm coming," he called back.

Obi-Wan took a deep breath and pushed away the anxiety and tumultuous emotions into the Force. Focus on the present, Qui-Gon would always say. So that's what he did, and in the present, he had a 4-year-old to help pack and a warm and bright little light to chase away his fears…for now.

Iyla was trying her hardest to be brave as Obi-Wan gave Padme and Anakin some instructions for looking after his little girl. She gripped Barney tightly in her arms and stared silently around the apartment living room, biting her lip and twisting her fingers in her sleeve. It took all of her willpower not to give in to the tears that burned behind her eyes. She had to be strong and brave for her Papa.

But then it was time for him to leave and she had to say goodbye. Obi-Wan knelt down in front of her and called her into his arms. Iyla's face screwed up in sadness and she started to sniffle. She lowered her head and buried her face in his chest, squeezing his middle tightly and giving in to her tears.

"Shhh, darling. It's alright. I'll be back before you know it," Obi-Wan said. He rubbed her back and ran a hand through her hair. "You're going to have so much fun with Uncle Anakin and Auntie Padme that you'll probably barely notice I'm gone, love."

Iyla shook her head against his chest and squeezed him tighter.

"It's only for a few days. Uncle Anakin has my comm frequency so you can call me anytime you need to. I'll always answer, little one, I promise," he soothed.

Iyla nodded but did not take her head from his chest. Obi-Wan felt her trying to calm herself down and he smiled at her attempt to slow her shaky breaths, an exercise that Master Alann had been teaching her since her panic attack that awful day in the crèche. When he felt her calm enough, Obi-Wan moved back a bit to get her to raise her head and look him in the eye. Iyla swallowed thickly and used her palm to scrub at her wet face then brought her puffy eyes to look at him.

"Can I get a goodbye kiss from my brave little light?" he asked, cupping her cheek and smiling encouragingly.

Iyla took a deep breath and stepped forward to kiss his cheek and rub her face against his beard. "Wuv you, Papa. Miss you," she breathed out.

"I'll miss you, too, darling. And I love you so much. Forever and ever," Obi-Wan replied, giving her forehead a kiss and closing his eyes against the moisture forming under his lashes.

"Fowever an' evew," Iyla whispered back.

Obi-Wan sent her love and peace through the Force then stood up and slung his bag over his shoulder. Anakin came to stand by Iyla and put a hand on her arm. Obi-Wan nodded then turned for the door. He looked back to wave at them and gave them a smile.

Iyla was gripping Anakin's arm tightly with one hand while waving solemnly with the other. She watched sadly as her father left and leaned her head against Anakin's leg, still sniffling occasionally.

Padme approached them and knelt down in front of Iyla, taking the small hand in her own. "Why don't we go set your stuff down then maybe you can come help me water the plants on the balcony? How does that sound, sweetheart?" she asked.

"Ok," Iyla replied quietly.

Padme smiled and offered her hand to the girl then led her to her room.

Watering the plants seemed to perk Iyla up and soon she was excitedly asking Padme about them. Padme laughed as she bounced around and examined them all carefully. It was a nice day so they decided to have their lunch out there under the shade from the overhang. Anakin joined them, elbows and tunics covered in dirt and grease. Iyla wrinkled her nose at him.

"Why you so messy, Unka A'kin?" she asked.

"I've been fixing up some of my old droids and machines. They need a lot of work and it can get pretty dirty," he explained.

"You make dwoids? Can I see?"

Anakin's face lit up, "I'd love to show you, kiddo. How about after lunch?"

"Ok, Unka A'kin."

The three of them chatted happily as they ate. Iyla rambled on excitedly about the plants and flowers she'd learned about today and told them about her favorite ones in the Room of a Thousand Fountains too. Halfway through their lunch, C3PO came out to offer them refills on their drinks. Iyla stared open mouthed at the protocol droid as it approached the table with a tray of cups. She'd never seen or heard of such a thing before and she was very confused. She eyed the droid warily and shrunk back a little when he offered her a drink.

"Would the young lady like a refill?" C3PO asked.

Iyla didn't reply and just continued to stare at him with a slight frown and wide eyes. She looked nervously to Anakin and Padme.

"It's ok, Iyla. It's just Threepio. He's not going to hurt you. He's designed to help people. I built him myself," Anakin said, taking the drink from the tray and setting in down in front of her.

"You builded him?" Iyla asked. "So…he's a nice dwoid?"

"Yes, he's very nice," Padme assured her.

"Ok. Peased to meet you Misser Freepo. I'm Iyla Kemmobi," she said, addressing the gold droid in front of her.

"Well met, Miss Kenobi, but there is no need for the Mister. Just 3PO will do," Threepio replied. "I am very sorry to have startled you."

Iyla smiled shyly at him. "S'ok Freepo. And you can call me just Iyla, if you wanna."

"Indeed, just Iyla," Threepio replied.

Iyla giggled and watched, fascinated, and he walked away stiffly on his metal legs. "Freepo's funny," she said and went back to her food.

When they finished their lunch, Anakin practically dragged Iyla off to his workroom to see his droids, like a child excited to show off his toys. He watched in amusement as she looked around at his various machines and droids with shock and wonder-filled eyes. She followed him over to the desk where he kept his spare parts and equipment.

"Wow! That's a lotta stuff, Unka A'kin! It looks cool!" Iyla said, standing on her tiptoes to see the parts on the table. Anakin brought over a chair and helped her up onto it so she could see better.

"This all stuff for dwoids?" Iyla asked curiously, picking up a small cylindrical piece of metal.

"No, not all of it. Some of it is for small engines and other machines. I like to build and fix stuff. It's kind of my thing," he answered with a nonchalant shrug.

"You must be supew smart. It looks vewy hawd."

"It's not so hard once you get to know how machines work. I've been doing this stuff since I was a little kid. I'm pretty good at it by now."

"What you gonna fix today?" Iyla asked, reaching for a long pointed tool.

"Don't touch that, kiddo, it's pretty sharp," he warned, taking her hand before she could cut her finger. "Today I'm working on something simple. Threepio has a short circuit in his eyepiece. It's been flickering and he's been whining about it for weeks," he said rolling his eyes.

Iyla giggled at his eyeroll. "You gonna help fix Freepo's eye?"

"Yeah, I'm working on it. It's easier just to give him a new one so I'm making it for him," he explained. "Do you want to watch?"

"Yes, pease!" Iyla replied excitedly.

Anakin beamed and pulled up another chair to sit next to her. Iyla stood up on the chair and watched him in fascination. He explained what he was doing and what the parts were called as he worked and encouraged Iyla to ask a lot of questions. At one point he even allowed her to help with a few bolt screws by putting his hand over hers as it held the screw-driver and helping her get the motion right. He let her do the last one herself, after doing the five other ones with her. Anakin sat back and observed her as she worked, her little tongue poking out of her mouth and her eyebrows scrunched together in concentration. He found it so blasted adorable and also so Obi-Wan when he was absorbed in a project as well. He adjusted her grip on the tool slightly and smiled widely when she finished successfully screwing in the bolt.

Iyla bounced excitedly on the chair and pushed her curls away from her face to look up at him. "I did it, Unka A'kin! Did'ya see? I did it all by myself!"

"You sure did, little one. Well done, Iyla. You're a great helper," he praised, happy to see her eyes light up at his words.

A series of beeps and whistles interrupted them and Anakin looked down to see R2D2 bumping against his leg. "What is it, Artoo?" he asked.

Iyla looked around Anakin to see the small blue and silver astromech on the floor. "That anuver dwoid too?" she asked curiously.

"Yes, this is Artoo, he's the best droid around. And a great friend," Anakin added.

"Dwoids can be fwiends?"

"Sure they can. And Artoo is a very smart droid. It's almost like he's human sometimes."

"Cool," Iyla replied then waved at the small droid. "Hi Ardoo, peased to meet you!"

Artoo beeped back at her and glided over to her chair. He extended a small metal claw. Iyla stared at the claw questioningly.

"He wants to shake your hand," Anakin clarified.

"Oh," Iyla said, taking the metal claw in her hand and bowing to him. Artoo whistled at her then spun around to face Anakin. He beeped incessantly a few more times and Anakin nodded.

"Artoo says Padme wants us in the living room. She says it's time to take a break from the mechanics for now," Anakin said.

"You know what he say? But he just beeps. He not even use words."

"I speak his language," Anakin answered. Iyla arched an eyebrow at him and Anakin laughed. Ok, Obi-Wan he thought jokingly. "Never mind, kiddo, let's go see what Padme wants," he said, helping Iyla off the chair.

"How are my two mechanics doing?" Padme greeted as they entered the living room.

"Good!" Iyla replied. "Unka A'kin showed me the new eye he maked for Freepo! And he letted me help wif the screws and bolts. He said I'm a vewy good helper!" she told her proudly.

"I'm sure you're a wonderful helper, sweetheart," Padme praised. She looked at the little girl's dirt-smudged hands and smiled. "How about you go wash your hands, little one. And don't forget to use the 'fresher too."

"Ok, Atie Pamay!"

Padme addressed Anakin once Iyla was in the 'fresher. "It's technically Iyla's naptime but I'm not sure she'll go down easily without being in the crèche and without Obi-Wan. He says she'll be cranky though if she doesn't sleep for a bit in the afternoon."

"Well, what can we do? Somehow I don't think telling her that it's naptime will go over very well," Anakin replied.

"No, me either. But I have an idea. What if we sat and had some downtime in the living room? I could play with her for a little bit then read her a book and you could get some work done on your pad. Just tell her it's a break from all the work you two did," Padme suggested.

"That could work. Might as well give it a shot," Anakin shrugged.

When Iyla came out of the 'fresher she found her aunt and uncle sitting in the living room talking quietly to each other.

"All clean, dear?" Padme asked. Iyla nodded and smiled. "Good. Uncle Anakin and I were thinking about taking a break from working on the machines and maybe we can play with some of your toys or read some books. What do you think?"

"Can you read me some books?" Iyla asked shyly.

"I'd love to, little one. Go pick some out," Padme said.

Iyla grabbed a few books from her bag then climbed up on the couch to sit between Padme and Anakin. Padme began to read as Iyla snuggled against her side. After two books Iyla was out like a light, slumped against Padme and breathing softly. Padme nudged the books against Anakin's shoulder and he looked up from his datapad curiously. She gestured to Iyla's bag with the books then looked down to the sleeping girl in her lap. Anakin smiled and nodded, taking the books and putting them in the bag.

An hour later Iyla woke up and looked around groggily. She didn't recognize the living room she was in and it most definitely wasn't the crèche. She sat up quickly and rubbed her eyes.

"Hi, kiddo," a voice said from next to her. "Sleep well?"

"Unka A'kin?"

"Yeah, little one. Did you have a good nap?" he asked.

Iyla nodded and yawned. "Papa back yet?" she asked.

"No, not yet, kiddo," Anakin replied.

"Oh," Iyla answered dejectedly. Padme could see tears starting to form in the little one's eyes as she hugged her arms and sunk back into the cushions. It was time for a diversion.

"Iyla, sweetheart, I'm about to go make dinner but I might need some help since my big old tummy sometimes makes it hard to cook. Would you want to be my assistant?" she asked.

"What's a sistent?" Iyla asked, eyeing her curiously.

"A special helper. Someone who is very smart and very good at listening," Padme explained.

"Papa says I'm smart and speshul and Unka A'kin says I'm a good helper. I also listen good too! Masser Al-an tolded me so," Iyla replied, sitting up and looking eager.

"Well it sounds like you'd be the perfect assistant, then. What do you say? Would you like to help me with dinner?" Padme asked.

"Yes, Atie Pamay!" Iyla said, now excited to be given a job and responsibility. "I be the best sistent evew!"

"I'm sure you will be, dear," Padme laughed.

Iyla followed Padme to the kitchen and listened carefully as she explained what they were having and how to make it. Padme would do all the cutting and boiling, grown-up jobs, she explained, and Iyla could help mix and put in the ingredients. Iyla took her job very seriously and worked carefully alongside her aunt. The two talked and laughed as Padme handed Iyla the cut up carrots and herbs to throw in the pot on the stove. Padme complimented Iyla on her mixing skills when it came time to make the sauce. Anakin wandered in at some point and tried to stick his finger in the sauce to taste it. Padme scolded him and hit his hand away but not before he swiped some and stuck it in his mouth. Iyla laughed as he winced at Padme's swat and tried to hide behind Iyla to avoid any other punishments. He winked at the girl and whispered in her ear about crazy ladies taking over the kitchen.

"I heard that Anakin Skywalker," Padme said. "Now leave my assistant alone and go make yourself useful by setting the table. We're almost done here."

Anakin gave a salute and started reaching for the plates in the cupboard.

"Maybe one more pinch of salt," Padme mused as she sipped at the sauce. "What do you think my wonderfully helpful assistant?" she gave a small spoonful to Iyla.

"Yes, I fink that's a good idea," Iyla agreed and sprinkled some salt in then mixed it up. She then took another sip and smiled. "Perfik!" she said.

Padme smiled and started to bring the food to the table. Anakin assisted and directed the two females to wash their hands in the 'fresher.

Dinner passed quickly and happily, the little family sharing laughs and telling funny stories about when they and Obi-Wan were younger. Iyla giggled at the thought of her Papa being chased by a bantha and falling into a pit of lizards.

As the night wound down, once again the trio sat in the living room to relax. Padme was playing with Iyla's hair, putting it in different styles and using a mirror to show her the best ones. The feeling of hands running through her hair made Iyla drowsy and soon she was falling asleep in Padme's lap. When the little girl finally gave in to her exhaustion, Padme scooped her up to take her to her room and get her into bed. She carefully changed her into her night clothes and tucked her in. Just as she was about to turn off the lights, Iyla woke up.

"Papa?" she asked softly.

"No, dear. It's Auntie Padme. You're staying with me and Uncle Anakin for a few days, remember?"

Iyla looked around anxiously and her lip started to tremble. "P-papa," she cried. "I want my Papa."

"Oh, little one. It's ok. You're safe here with us," Padme soothed, sitting on the bed next to her.

"No, I w-want Papa!" she insisted, working herself up into a full blown sob. "Papa!"

"Alright, sweetheart. How about we call him on his comm and see if he's able to talk?" Padme suggested.

"K-kay," Iyla agreed. She climbed out of bed and followed Padme out to the living room. Anakin looked up from his datapad and frowned at the teary-eyed girl.

"What's wrong, kiddo?" he asked.

"Iyla misses her Papa. I thought maybe she could call him and talk to him for a few minutes," Padme said, running her fingers through Iyla's hair.

"Well, sure. Let me go get my comm, ok, little one?"

Iyla waited patiently as Anakin retrieved his comm from his room and dialed Obi-Wan's frequency.

"Kenobi," Obi-Wan answered.

"Hey, Master, there's someone here who wants to talk to you," Anakin said, handing the comm to his niece.

"P-papa?" Iyla sniffled.

"Hello, darling," Obi-Wan replied. "Is everything alright?"

"We're getting ready for bed and Iyla got a bit upset that you aren't here," Padme explained.

"Oh, little one. Were you calling to say goodnight?" he asked.

"Y-yes. I want you. I m-miss you," Iyla said.

"I miss you too, my little light. I'm sorry you're so sad. Did you have a fun day with Auntie Padme and Uncle Anakin?"

"Uh-huh. I meet Freepo and Ardoo and helped Unka A'kin fix Freepo's eye then I was Atie Pamay's sistent when we maked dinner."

"That sounds wonderful, dear," Obi-Wan replied.

"You have a fun day too, Papa?" Iyla asked.

"As much fun as one can have in space, little one. I should be landing on Mandalore soon."

"That's good," Iyla said. "Papa…?"

"Yes, darling?"

"No wanna seep wifout you. No wanna seep all 'lone," she said.

"I'm sorry I can't be there, love, but you will only have to sleep without me for a few nights. Just two more, dear one. Can you be brave and do that for me? It would make me very happy to know that you are sleeping well," Obi-Wan said gently.

Iyla hiccupped and sniffled. "Ok, Papa. I be b-bwave."

"That's my brave little light. Papa is so proud of you."

"I wuv you, Papa," Iyla said around a yawn.

Obi-Wan chuckled. "I love you too, dear. Forever and ever."

"Fowever an' evew," Iyla repeated back.

"Now go get some sleep so you can be all rested tomorrow for another fun day with your aunt and uncle."

"Ok. Night night, Papa," Iyla said.

"Night night, my darling. Sweet dreams," he said before signing off.

Iyla yawned again and rubbed her eyes tiredly.

"Feel better now, kiddo?" Anakin asked.

"Yeah. I be bwave like Papa said."

Anakin gave her a kind smile. "Go get some sleep," he said.

Iyla nodded and grabbed Padme's offered hand to lead her back to her room.

The next night Anakin was woken up by an unsettling feeling in the Force. He sat up and closed his eyes, trying to find the source of the disturbance. He was interrupted by Threepio appearing in the doorway.

"I am terribly sorry to interrupt, Master Anakin, but there seems to be a problem with the young one," he said.

Anakin jumped out of bed and hurried towards Iyla's room. "What's the matter, Threepio?"

"It appears to be a bad dream, but she is very upset and refuses to speak about it."

Now standing outside the door of the extra bedroom, Anakin could hear the muffled sobs and the hiccups. "I got it from here, Threepio. Thank you," Anakin said.

"You are most welcome, sir," Threepio said before leaving him alone.

Anakin pushed open the door and peeked his head in. "Iyla?" he asked softly.

The little girl gasped, still startled and jumpy from her nightmare, and looked sharply towards the door.

Anakin smiled and came through the door all the way. "You ok, kiddo?" he asked.

"Unka A'kin? W-why you h-here?"

"Threepio told me you were upset. I wanted to come and check on you. What's wrong, little one?"

"I had a b-bad d-dweam," Iyla cried. "It was vewy sc-scawy."

"I'm sorry, Iyla. I've had some bad dreams myself. I know how scary they can be," he replied.

"It was the m-mean Massers. They…they comed to frow me out the tepol. Acause I'm a b-bad Jedi," she said, lip trembling and tears falling down her cheeks.

"Oh, kiddo. It's alright. The mean Masters can't get to you here. And your Papa and I would never let them take you away," he wiped her tears and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Can…can I seep wif you and Atie Pamay?" Iyla asked hesitantly. "I'm still kinda scawed. No wanna be 'lone."

"Sure, little one. But first, do you need the 'fresher? We can stop by on our way to the room." Anakin remembered Obi-Wan's emphasis on taking Iyla to the 'fresher before bed and if she woke up in the night.

"Yes. I gotta go," Iyla answered.

"Ok, kiddo. Let's stop by the 'fresher then you can come and sleep with us."

Iyla nodded and held up her arms to him. Anakin smiled affectionately and picked her up. Iyla was quick in the 'fresher and soon was settled in his bed between him and Padme.

Padme woke up at the extra person in their bed and rolled over to see the red puffy eyes of the little one next to her.

"Iyla, darling, is everything ok?" she asked, concerned.

"Bad dweam," Iyla replied.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, little one. Were you very frightened?"

"Yes. The mean Massers taked me away. It was scawy."

Padme frowned and narrowed her eyes. She remembered Anakin telling her about the terrible Masters who harassed her niece and scared her. She wanted nothing more than to give them a piece of her mind, her righteous anger surging up in her chest. Padme pushed the feeling down though when she saw the shaking little one hugging her stuffed bantha tightly. She was flooded with an overwhelming feeling of protectiveness and her motherly instincts kicked in. She drew Iyla into her arms and hugged her against her shoulder.

"It's ok, sweetheart. You're safe here. The mean Masters are far away and they can't get to you," she said, running her finger through Iyla's strawberry blonde curls.

Iyla's eyes were closing now, the calming feelings from Anakin through the Force and the gentle circles Padme was rubbing on her head lulling her back to sleep. Iyla took Anakin's hand and grabbed it in her own, wanting to make sure he was still close by so he could protect her from all the scary things.

"I'm still here, sweetheart," Anakin whispered.

Iyla snuggled up against Padme's side and sighed contentedly. "Night Atie Pamay. Night Unka A'kin. Wuv you," she whispered.

Padme's eyes watered at the sweet little one's words. She bent her head to place a kiss on the girl's forehead. Anakin shifted so he was closer and flopped over to lay a protective hand over both of them. He sat up a bit to kiss Padme on the cheek and on her belly then hesitated for a second before giving a kiss to Iyla's head as well. Padme smiled to herself and pretended not to see, for his sake. He was going to make a wonderful father. Before she could be overcome with emotion at the thought of meeting her own little lights soon, she relished in the here and now of the sweet family she was blessed with, then closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Thank you for reading, reviewing, following, and favoriting! It's really amazing to me that people are still interested in this story 23 chapters in!

Next up: Mandalore! (2 chapters worth because I just had too many ideas!)