Sorry for the wait.

I don't own Star Wars.

Chapter 35: Arrival on Hoth

Padmé stuffed the last of the baby things into the travel case and tried in vain to close the overstuffed case. She had learned quite quickly in the last three years that there was no such thing as packing light when you had a baby and even less so now that they had a baby and a toddler.

She threw her petite self down on the case, sitting on it quite uncomfortably with no success in getting it to close. It was at that point she heard her husband chuckle. She looked up and saw him standing there, as he buttoned his tunic.

She blew a stray curl out of her vision and took a second to admire how handsome he was, as she often did. He looked at her, his gorgeous sapphire eyes dancing with playfulness.

"Well, this probably looks quite ungraceful," she mentioned.

"Actually, you're breathtaking, as usual," he replied. She huffed.

"You're sweet, my love, but I'm a mess," she said, being that she was still in her nightgown and her curls were messy from sleep. He gave her his trademark smirk and gently helped her off the case, before pressing down on it with what looked like no effort and snapped it closed. She looked up at him and smiled.

"I'm so lucky to have such a big, strong, handsome husband to help with things like this. Thank you," she said, as she snaked her arms around his neck.

"Anything for you," he replied, as their lips met passionately.

"Come on, I'll make you some breakfast before you go in to work," Padmé said, as they headed downstairs. She would finish packing for their trip later.

Tomorrow morning, they would be journeying to Hoth for their third visit and live meeting with the Alliance Council on the cold, barren world. As they walked down the hall, toward the stairs, they stopped at their three-year-old son's room and peeked inside.

Sure enough, Aiden was awake and playing with his toys. His parents watched, as he giggled and floated his toys around the room. They glanced at each other and Anakin had a worried look on his face.

"I'm going to have to start training him soon," he lamented.

"Not if you don't want to. We're his parents and we get to decide if we want him learning this early or not," Padmé told him.

"I know, but if people start seeing him use the Force like this in public, they'll start asking questions and it could lead to us getting discovered. I...I just want him to be a kid for a while. I want him to have a wonderful childhood, grow up in a loving home with two parents that love him and love each other. I want him to have all the things I never had and that I was denied giving to Luke and Leia," Anakin said.

"You already have," Padmé replied as Aiden looked up at them and grinned.

"Morning Mommy," he called.

"Morning sweetie, let's put the toys down and go downstairs for breakfast," Padmé said. Aiden did as she asked and toddled over to them. Padmé lifted him into her arms and she kissed him.

"Morning Daddy," Aiden said and Anakin smiled.

"Morning buddy," he replied as he ruffled his son's sandy blonde hair.

"You worry too much. We're all happy and that's thanks to you," she assured her husband.

"I know. I guess I'm just afraid of the bounty on my head cheating you and the kids out of that happiness," Anakin replied. She kissed him softly.

"As long as we're together, we'll always be happy and with you protecting us, we'll never have to worry about not being together," Padmé assured him.

"You're right. I'll make sure of it and we're going to let our baby boy be a kid and we'll worry about his training when he's old enough to make that decision on his own," Anakin stated.

Padmé suspected that his unsure attitude a moment ago in regards to Aiden's early and amazingly easy use of the Force had stemmed from his latest meeting with Master Yoda and Mace.

The two elder Jedi, Obi-Wan, Anakin, Qui-Gon, Ahsoka, Luminara, Barriss, Shaak Ti, Aayla and Quinlan were all that was left of the Jedi and thus technically made up the new Council. Cal, Cere, some other Knights and Padawans also remained.

Luke was training, but Mace had made his opinion clear on that matter. He considered Luke too old to be trained and was leery of Luke's attachments, just as he had always been leery of Anakin's strong attachments. He had been more than a little miffed to learn about their marriage.

It was obvious that he thought Aiden should begin training as soon as possible. And though Anakin refused to admit it, she could bet that Mace had even suggested that Aiden be trained by someone other than Anakin and away from them.

The old Anakin would have lost his temper at the suggestion of something like that, but her husband had become much more level headed as he aged. He probably hadn't lost his temper, but had surely made it perfectly clear that their son would remain with his parents, end of discussion.

To say that Anakin was fiercely protective of them would have been the understatement of the century, but it was that protectiveness that would ensure no one would ever tear them apart.

"Mommy...I'm hungry," Aiden announced. She smiled and kissed his forehead.

"Okay, let's go have breakfast while your sister sleeps," Padmé said, referring to their baby, as the three of them went downstairs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prince Ian Lago the Second entered the expensive, high end restaurant located in a very rich, aristocratic section of Cloud City.

He was meeting with Senator Gavin Manara and his Aunt, former Senator Kyla Manara. The prince of Serenno and his parents had just recently joined the Alliance, providing them with a lot of resources, but he had been loyal to the Empire for a while.

He only joined them so he could get close to Senator Amidala. Finding out she was alive after 18 years of supposedly being dead was such great news. Even in his youth, he had always been captivated by her beauty, and sought to make her his.

Unfortunately, the news that she was married to Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker turned out to be true, but that didn't deter him. He would make her his and she would bear him many children.

His meeting with the Senators loyal to the Emperor was to possibly learn more about the construction of the second Death Star. He could then take that information back to the Alliance and solidify his allegiance.

He knew this was a risky way to do it, but if he got any viable information, he could prove himself to the leaders of the alliance and more importantly, Padmé. She would be arriving on Hoth again in two days and he would be there this time.

He knew a more sane man would have long ago accepted that she was married to someone else and have moved on. But he wouldn't...not when she was married to that unworthy Jedi and former slave, he had learned by prying into confidential files.

It sickened him that a former queen like Padmé was stuck with him. If she wanted a real hero, then he was going to give her one by getting invaluable information. If that meant becoming a double agent and seducing Kyla Manara, then that's exactly what he would do.

"Prince Ian, it's so lovely to see you again," Kyla said flirtatiously as she raised her hand. Ian bowed gracefully to her and kissed the back of it.

"Kyla, you look stunning as always," Ian complimented as she became completely pulled in by his charm.

Time had been somewhat kind to her. She was still beautiful, though nothing compared to the level of beauty Padmé possessed, but time had graced her with silvering through her raven hair and a few more wrinkles than he was used to.

Despite his infatuation and obsession with Amidala, he was still quite the ladies man and got what he deemed a lot of attention from many females and took full advantage of his ability to charm them.

"Oh Ian, you always were the flatterer," Kyla giggled, as her nephew approached. "Oh Rush, you do remember my nephew Gavin, don't you?"

"Of course, it's good to see you again," Ia said shaking his hand.

"And you as well, your Highness. I was glad to hear that the rumors of you joining the Rebellion were untrue," Gavin replied.

"Most untrue, I assure you. I was saddened when I learned that Padmé Amidala had defected to them, even though I was happy to hear that she was alive. I had hoped she would join us," Ian said sadly.

"She was a fool to choose that Jedi. I don't think I would make the same mistake were I given the chance to be with a man such as you," Kyla purred and Ia hid a feral smirk as he felt Kyla's hand on his leg. This foolish woman hadn't even been in the room five minutes with him and she was already wanted him to take her to bed.

"That is most kind of you to say and truly humbling coming from a woman such as you, dear Kyla, but I'm not so sure most women would agree. Skywalker seems to capture the hearts of young women wherever he goes. Or, so I've heard," Ian said.

"Well, I'll admit he is quite dashing and handsome, but for me it would be like sleeping with the help. A woman like me only commits herself to men worthy enough in her own class," Kyla said eyeing him seductively.

"Now who's the flatterer?" Ian joked as they laughed together and the wine arrived. Once the waiter left, Gavin spoke.

"I don't think Skywalker will be a problem much longer. I heard Vader has doubled the bounty on his head. The word is that Emperor Palpatine wants him taken out before the completion of the second Death Star. They're worried he'll find a way to destroy it if they let him live much longer," he said.

"And...where is the second Death Star?" Ian asked.

"No one knows, not even the highest ranking officials on Coruscant. They're too afraid of the location getting back to the Rebels. But I have heard that there is some kind of protective shield around this one and the only way to get passed it is Imperial clearance codes issued by the Admiral aboard Vader's Super Star Destroyer," Gavin said.

"Well, it seems that they shouldn't have to worry about Skywalker then. No one is going to give him clearance. Besides, with a doubled bounty on his head, I suspect the moment Skywalker steps out of hiding, he'll be a dead man," Ian surmised.

"To the demise of the Rebellion and the restoration of peace," Gavin toasted, as they clinked their glasses together. As Ian sipped at his wine, he was confident more than ever that he could easily play both sides and at the same time, work toward his own personal goals.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Padmé sat at her desk in the den, doing the paperwork and books for her husband's thriving, successful business.

She smiled as she heard Aiden make his best speeder sounds, as he played nearby. And truthfully, this was the happiest Padmé had ever been in her entire life. Raising her kids and working in a business with her husband was far more fulfilling than any of her days as a Senator.

She and Anakin were so in love and that love continued to grow and strengthen to the point that she knew it had no bounds. They couldn't wait to be together and one of the best parts of the day was now approaching.

She would be going into town with the kids to have lunch at the shop with Anakin. She put her datapad down as she heard the baby coo on the baby monitor.

"Bella is up from her nap. Let's go upstairs and get her ready so we can go have lunch with Daddy," Padmé called to her son. At the mention of his father, Aiden stood up and took her hand.

"I wanna go see Daddy," he said.

"Me too," Padmé replied, as they went upstairs and into the nursery where her beautiful baby girl was standing up in her crib, holding onto the bars.

It was the newest trick she had learned. She was eight months old now and already crawling and starting to talk, so Padmé knew it would not be long now before she started to walk, especially since Aiden had walked early too.

"Did you have a good nap, sweetheart?" she cooed, as she lifted her daughter into her arms.

"Mama!" Bella called. Padmé laid her on the changing table and changed her diaper, before putting her in a sundress.

"There my pretty girl, all dressed. Now let's go see Daddy," she said, as she picked her up and kissed her brown haired head. While Isabella had Padmé's brown hair and soft features, she had Anakin's sapphire eyes. Aiden bounded excitedly down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Nana!" he called as he saw Jobal preparing a basket that they would be taking for lunch. She smiled down at her grandson and picked him up, before sitting him on the counter.

"There you are, little one. Let's get your shoes on," Jobal said, as she put them on him.

"Thanks Mom," Padmé said, as she came in with the baby.

"You know I love helping out with the kids. In fact, I really wish you would reconsider taking them with you to that dreadful planet," Jobal said.

"I know Mom, but Anakin and I really want to have them with us. We'll be fine," Padmé promised.

"It is far too dangerous for you to be taking the babies with you, please Padmé," Jobal pleaded.

"I'm sorry Mother, but Anakin and I will be taking them with us," Padmé replied firmly.

While they got along for the most part now, there would be many things Padme and Jobal would never see eye to eye on.

"Oh all right," she said in disappointment as Padmé took the basket and walked toward the back door.

"I know you're worried Mother, but I promise that we'll be perfectly safe as long as we're with Anakin," she promised as she took Bella out to the speeder, while Aiden followed her out.

"You know how stubborn she is," Shmi reminded Jobal, chuckling.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Daddy!" Aiden called, as he hopped out of the speeder and ran toward his father. Anakin and Luke smiled as they wiped their hands and Anakin caught him just as he jumped into his arms.

"There's my boy," he said as he hugged him.

"Mommy said we're going on a trip tomorrow," Aiden said.

"Mommy's right, we're going to Hoth tomorrow," Anakin told him.

"Ah, but does that mean you and Mommy will be in boring meetings all the time?" Aiden whined. Anakin chuckled.

"Well, we will have to go to a few meetings and you're right, they're very boring. But we'll have the whole hyperspace trip to do fun things on the Falcon and there will still be plenty of time for fun when we get to the base too," he said.

"Promise?" he asked. Anakin nodded.

"Promise," he replied.

"Yeah and besides, while Mom and Dad are in meetings; you can hang out with your big brother," Luke told him.

"Yay!" Aiden cheered as Anakin sat him down at the table. Padmé came in carrying the basket and Luke took it from her.

"Hey Mom," Luke greeted.

"Hi sweetheart," Padmé greeted, as Bella babbled something in baby speak to Luke.

"And hello to you too, baby sister," Luke replied, as he tickled her tummy, making her giggle.

"There's two of my beautiful girls," Anakin said, as he kissed Padmé tenderly.

"Hello to you too," she cooed.

"Da!" Bella called, as she reached for him. He took her from Padmé and kissed her hair.

"Daddy's little girl, through and through," she mused. "Is Ahsoka coming?"

"She and Artoo should be back soon. I sent her to the parcel station to see if the parts I ordered are here," Anakin replied.

Usually Leia joined them too, but she had gone ahead to Hoth a few days ago with the Kenobi family, Rex, Darred, Sola, Lux and Aisha. They had taken a different ship and they were going aboard the Falcon to rendezvous on Hoth with them. Padmé nodded as she saw that Luke was already eating.

"Well, she better hurry or she'll miss out. I think I packed enough food, but you never know with our eating machine," she joked. Anakin chuckled as they sat down and joined Luke.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day, Anakin helped Han load the Falcon.

He chuckled, as he loaded two more travel cases full of the kids' stuff in addition to two others he had already loaded. And this didn't include the travel cases Padme was packing with their stuff yet.

His beautiful, loving wife simply didn't have the ability to pack lightly. In fact, he was pretty sure she didn't know what it meant to pack lightly.

"Are you making fun of me?" Padmé asked in a teasing tone, as she dragged two more travel cases out of the house.

"Never, but you do know we only plan to be gone for a week, right angel?" he asked.

"You never know, we could be delayed a few days like last time. Remember that horrible snow storm that made it impossible to leave the planet?" she asked. He nodded in concession. She had a point there.

"Beside, there's no such things as packing lightly with a baby and a toddler," she added, as she pecked him on the lips. She had a point there too.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you too," she replied, as he lifted one of her travel cases and groaned teasingly.

"What's in this thing?" he asked. She smacked his arm.

"Oh stop, it's not that heavy, not for you anyway," she scolded playfully, but then yelped in surprise as he pulled her into his arms and swept her up bridal style.

"Oh, the case is heavy, but I'm not?" she asked. He smirked.

"Nope, you're light as a feather," he replied, as she melted against him and their lips met in a passionate kiss.

"Uh oh, they're at it again," Luke teased, as he carried his travel case onto the ship.

Yep, I'll get the hose," Ahsoka joked as Anakin gave her a look of disdain.

"Very funny Snips," he replied with sarcasm, as he placed Padmé on her feet. "Like you and Lux aren't the same."

Ahsoka blushed and subtly flicked him off.

"I think that's everything. Chewie and I are ready when you are," Han announced.

"I'll get Bella if you round up Aiden," Padmé told her husband.

"Sure, take the easy one," Anakin joked. She giggled as he followed her inside where they found Jobal holding the baby.

She, Ruwee and Shmi had decided to stay on Ragnos IV instead of enduring Hoth's freezing climate.

"You should come with us," Padmé suggested.

"No, we'd only be in the way," Jobal replied.

"That's not true and you're welcome to come," Anakin urged.

"Thank you Anakin, but we'll be fine here," she replied as she kissed Bella and then allowed Padmé to have her, while Anakin went to find Aiden.

Ruwee hugged his daughter, "Be safe out there, pixie."

"We will Daddy," Padmé assured him.

Anakin and Shmi hugged each other next, "You all take care of each other."

"We will Mom, I promise," he said.

Rukto joined his mother and she picked him up.

They boarded the Falcon and about ten minutes later, the ship left the atmosphere and entered the realm of hyperspace.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Millennium Falcon flew through the sky, as the desolate surface of Hoth came into view. Hoth was a depressing place, for there was nothing but snow and ice covering the entire planet.

As Han slowly brought them toward the Alliance base hanger, his passengers got ready to disembark. Padmé bundled their daughter up while Anakin took care of their son, and Ahsoka did the same with Rukto. They would be landing inside the base, but the hanger was still cold.

Bella fussed, as she couldn't move around as much with the bulky cloak her mother had wrapped her in.

"It's okay baby, it won't be for long," Padmé promised. They felt the ship dock and the ramp was lowered.

General Dodonna and their family and friends were waiting to greet them.

"It's good to see you all again. And it seems that congratulations are in order again," the general said, referring to the baby in Padmé's arms as he shook Anakin's hand.

"Thank you General. Her name is Isabella," she announced.

"Well congratulations to you both again, she's beautiful. I must be going for now though. I'll let the rest of your family and friends show you to your quarters and I'll see you at the evening meal tonight," he said. They nodded as Leia hugged her father.

"I missed you Princess," he said.

"I missed you too, Daddy," Leia replied.

"What about me?" Jaden called, jumping to get her attention.

"Of course I missed you, baby brother," Leia said as he picked him up and kissed his cheek. Padmé hugged her next and Bella grinned excitedly at the sight of her big sister.

"Oh, I missed you too, little one. I've only been gone a week and she's even more beautiful," Leia said, doting on her baby sister.

"Just like her mother and big sister," Anakin added.

"Well, let's get you settled in," Sola said as she led them to the residential wing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After freshening up, while Sola, Leia, and Satine watched Bella and Aiden; Padmé came out dressed in a simple, yet beautiful dress that was dark blue through the bodice and light blue through the sleeves and long skirt. She wore her hair down, letting her curls cascade down her back and smiled at her children.

"There's your Mommy," Sola cooed to Bella as the baby reached for her.

"Hi sweetheart," Padmé said as she took her in her arms. "I see Aunt Sola got you all ready for dinner too." She noticed she was now wearing a little purple dress.

"She's all changed too. Now I need to go get ready," Sola said as she retreated into the bedroom.

Once Sola, Leia, and Satine were ready; they gathered the children and were off to the dining hall. Anakin, Luke, and Ahsoka would meet them there, for they had gone to the situation room to be briefed on the latest activity by Rex and Obi-Wan, who would also join them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Obi-Wan introduced Anakin and Luke to a Jedi that had just recently revealed she was alive; Master Kendra Jade. She was a fairly tall woman in her forties, with light red hair and blue eyes.

"Knight Skywalker, it's good to see you again," she said, bowing.

"You too, Master Jade. But I was actually granted the rank of master just before Palpatine's betrayal," Anakin replied.

"Oh, well congratulations. And this must be your son," Kendra observed.

"I'm Luke, nice to meet you, Master Jade," Luke greeted her politely.

"You as well, young man. This is my daughter, Mara," Kendra introduced a girl around Luke and Leia's age standing in the corner. She resembled her mother a lot, but her hair was a darker red color and she had green eyes.

"Nice to meet you, Mara," Luke said to her, but she just gave him a cocky smirk.

"So, you're the son of the Hero with No Fear? I'm not impressed," Mara scoffed.

"Young lady, so Master Skywalker and his son respect," Kendra scolded her.

"Yes Mom, sorry," Mara responded, dropping the attitude.

Anakin could sense she was strong with the Force, but was letting her pride get to her,
"We'll see what you're capable of later."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ian's eyes carefully scanned the room as he entered the dining hall.

Skywalker was in the situation room, dealing with some Jedi business he was sure and Ian was going to take the opportunity to properly welcome and greet Padmé.

He spotted her or at least the back of her as she talked with Mon Mothma. He made his approached as Mon and Padmé ended their conversation for the time being. He was caught off guard though as she turned and he saw the baby in her arms.

He suppressed a growl, for he was again reminded that Skywalker had put his filthy slave hands on a woman of Padmé's stature and beauty. He suppressed his annoyance and closed in.

"Senator Amidala, it's so good to meet you," Ian said.

"Prince Lago, I'd heard you'd joined the Alliance. It's such a pleasure," Padmé replied, shaking his hand.

"You are truly a vision of loveliness. Your husband is a lucky man," Ian complimented her, kissing her hand.

Padmé was immediately uncomfortable, but decided to be polite,
"Thank you."

Bella whimpered, so Padmé gently rocked her up and down,
"You're probably getting hungry, aren't you sweetie? If you'll excuse me, I need to feed my baby."

"Of course. Congratulations, she's beautiful," Ian forced himself to say. As he watched her go, he became more disgusted.

Now Amidala had given Skywalker four children?! It took all his willpower not to puke.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aiden's eyes slowly drifted closed and then open again as Padmé told him a story.

"What happened then after all the Clones saved the Jedi on Geo...Geon..." Aiden said, trying to remember how to say the planet in the story his mother was telling him.

Padmé smiled, "Geonosis. Well, they were all safe again for the time being and the Clone Wars had begun."

"Did Daddy have to go fight?" Aiden asked.

Padmé nodded and smiled brightly. She had been telling him about a Jedi and a Senator that had fallen in love, even though it was forbidden. She hadn't mentioned their names yet, but even at three, he had already put it together that the story was about his parents.

"Yes, but before he left for the war, we went home to Naboo and got married in secret," Padmé said.

"You had to keep it a secret?" Aiden asked. Padmé nodded.

"Yes, but that didn't mean we loved each other any less. In fact, it only made us love each other more and we didn't have to keep it a secret forever. We're together now without any secrecy and we have four beautiful children, including you," she said as she kissed his forehead.

"Mommy's right and we're going to live happily ever after, I promise," Anakin added as he kissed his forehead too.

"Good night baby," Padmé said as she tucked the blankets around him and stood up.

They watched as his eyes finally drifted closed and they quietly slipped out. Bella was already asleep and they retired to the bedroom that had been designated for them in the wing that had been reserved for their family. As their door slid closed, they were in each other's arms and their lips met in a passionate kiss.

"I love you so much..." Padmé rasped as she kissed feverishly at his neck.

"And I love you. I'm so lucky to have you in my life," he whispered as he threaded his fingers through her thick curls and kissed her hard on the lips, letting her taste his raw passion for her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luke sparred with Mara, discovering she was quite aggressive. She was very competitive and didn't like to lose.

Anakin was suddenly aware of how difficult he had been when he first started training.

Luke's green blade clashed with Mara's purple one, using the new Form he'd developed himself, based off a combination of Soresu and Djem So. He was still working on it and it had some kinks, but it was a good Form. Even Anakin and Obi-Wan said so.

Ahsoka and Kendra stopped the spar to give Mara a lecture on her competitiveness, while Obi-Wan spoke to Anakin and Padmé.

"I spoke with Master Yoda this morning and he believes it is time for Luke to visit him on Degobah," Obi-Wan stated.

"For his trials?" Anakin asked.

"Perhaps or at the very least, the precursor to his trials. Luke's training has been unlike any other Jedi. Master Yoda wants to evaluate him personally," Obi-Wan said.

"Okay, we'll tell him that he'll be leaving for Degobah in a few days," Anakin replied.

"Good, I know how much you'd like to go with him, but this is something he must do alone," Obi-Wan insisted.

Luke meets his future wife~!

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