The next morning, Anakin awoke before his wife, and slipped out of bed quietly as to not wake her. He headed downstairs and was greeted by a warm hug from his children.
"Hi daddy!" the twins said in unison, smiling up at their father.
"Good morning you two. Did you sleep well?" he asked them, returning a smile.
"Yes." They both replied. "Although I did have a bit of a sad dream at one point. I had a dream that mum was sad. She looked scared daddy." Luke revealed.
Anakin placed down his mug and moved to sit next to his son. He placed a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder and said, "Don't worry Luke. Your mother is going to be fine, and I know how much you both mean to her. A lot has happened recently, and now that your mummy is pregnant again, it is also making her a little bit more emotional." Anakin tried his best to explain.
"I think she is worried about you daddy." Leia stated. "She is worried about you fighting the Emperor."
Anakin paused for a moment, thinking of the correct response. "Facing the Emperor will be dangerous. He is a powerful man. But he is a threat to the Galaxy, and I must destroy him, you both understand that don't you. I am the only one who can." He told them, a faint smile forcing itself onto his face. "I promised your mother I wouldn't leave her and you two again, and I couldn't break another promise to her. Everything will be alright, I promise you. But it is very important that you help me take care of your mother okay, because we love her so much."
"Let's make her breakfast in bed!" Luke stated excitedly.
"Oooh we have some Shuura fruit, I know how much mummy loves that. We can make her some pancakes too." Leia added.
Anakin smiled at his children's enthusiasm, happy that they had become side-tracked from their earlier concerns. He was not totally surprised that they had felt Padmé's distress and fear within the Force. Luke and Leia were strongly connected and very protective of their mother, and it was natural that they would hate to feel her experiencing such feelings. But, as much as possible, Anakin wanted to shelter his children from anything dark and upsetting, and he knew that killing the Emperor would bring him that much closer to doing so.
"I think that's a wonderful idea. I will leave you in Geeta's capable hands to prepare a beautiful breakfast. I am going to go outside and pick some flowers for your mother." Anakin told them, before heading outside along the winding path in search of the most beautiful flowers.
A little while later, Padmé awoke to the sound of the bedroom door closing. Curiously, she opened her eyes, squinting initially at the brightness around her. She immediately smiled when she saw her husband and children standing at the foot of the bed carrying a tray of food and a bunch of flowers.
"Morning mummy. We made you pancakes and Shuura, your favourite." Luke said, a bright smile beaming on his young face.
"Aww thank you my babies, that is so sweet of you both. It smells wonderful." She replied, the thoughtfulness of the gesture making her smile ear to ear.
The twins approached their mother on the bed and placed the tray down on her lap as she said, "Come and join me. I can't eat all of these alone." Padmé told them softly. She lifted her head to see Anakin remained standing near the doorway, the gorgeous bunch of flowers still held in his gloved hand. "Come here." Padmé beckoned her husband with her hand, appreciating the moment he had given her and their children. Anakin took his place on the end of the bed and passed his wife the flowers as she reached out for them. She brought them to her face and smelled them. "These are beautiful, thank you." She told him, leaning across the tray to kiss her husband's lips softly.
"Mum, the pancakes will be getting cold." Leia reminded her.
Padmé placed the flowers down on the table next to the bed and replied, "Yes, of course sorry. And cold pancakes are not as good as fresh warm pancakes. And I want to try them at their best for sure."
After Padmé had finished all of the breakfast, with a fair bit of help from her children, she placed her hands on her stomach and said, "I am stuffed now. I don't think I'm going to be able to move from this bed all day."
"Well, you don't need to mummy. You can rest here with the baby." Leia replied innocently.
Padmé smiled at her daughter's statement and said, "Perhaps walking around and getting some fresh air will be good for me. Besides, don't think you two will be able to get out of schoolwork that easily." She told them as she raised an eyebrow at them. "How about you two go downstairs into the living room and have a look at where we got up to last time. I will be down soon, and we can carry on from there. Maybe later you can do some training with your father, how does that sound?" she asked them with a smile.
"Okay mum." Leia replied.
"Will you tell us more stories about you, dad and Obi-Wan during the Clone Wars?" Luke asked enthusiastically.
"Yes. There are a very many to tell." Padmé replied, loving her son's enthusiasm for the topic. "Now, take the dishes back down with you, and ask Geeta if she needs any help washing up, and I will be down shortly." She instructed them.
Once their children had left Padmé looked at her husband, who remained sitting across from her on the bed. "That was very sweet, thank you Ani. And the flowers are absolutely beautiful."
Anakin smiled and replied, "I want to be able to do things like this for you more. I have missed out on a lot the last 8 years, and even before then during the Clone Wars when we were married. You are a Queen and deserve to be treated as such. I have a lot of making up to do." He proclaimed.
"You don't have to make up for anything Anakin." Padmé stated. "But the gesture is nevertheless hugely appreciated. I will have to think of something I can do for you, to treat you like a King." She added.
Anakin laughed at her statement and shook his head softly. "Padmé you have given me more than I could ever deserve. Just being here with me now, being my wife, the mother of my children, is more than I could have asked all the stars in the Galaxy for."
Padmé leaned in and kissed her husband softly. Their kiss deepened as Anakin brought one hand into Padmé's tousled locks and pulled her small body closer. "I love you." Padmé told him once they broke the kiss, both needing air.
"I know." Anakin replied, teasing her with his tone.
"So arrogant Skywalker." Padmé chided jokingly as she got out of bed, creating a little distance between them.
"I prefer to call it confidence. And confidence is key." Anakin replied, his eyes following her as she stood from the bed, once again admiring her beauty in her soft silk nightgown.
"Indeed, it is, Commander Skywalker." Padmé teased, as she removed her nightgown and let it fall to the floor, before walking into the fresher and turning on the shower.
Anakin was about to start removing his clothes to join his wife when the loud chime of his commlink interrupted his thoughts. He called the device to his hand and recognised the frequency as belonging to one of his squadron Commander's leading the investigation on Coruscant. He growled bitterly before quickly departing for his office, having retrieved his mask, knowing that was all he would need to conceal his voice.
"Yes, Commander." Anakin stated angrily.
"I am sorry to disturb you My Lord, but after your departure from Coruscant you did not leave us with any orders Sir, and we now been given some that supersede your own." The trooper reported. "I thought you would want to know immediately, Sir." He added.
"What orders, Commander?" Anakin asked confused.
"The Senate has been reconvened Sir. The Emperor reported to the media and the Senate this morning that the assailant has been apprehended and it is safe for the Senators to return from tomorrow. We are to remain here as a front to reassure people of additional security measures. I would have assumed that the Emperor would have informed you of his plan, My Lord." The trooper stated nervously.
"He had not informed me of this decision." Anakin replied blankly. There were a myriad of thoughts racing through his mind right now. Why did the Emperor not tell him? Was this all a plot to get him angry? Was he trying to force Padmé's return to the Senate? He did not know, and if there was one thing Anakin had always hated, it was the unknown. "It appears that I will need to return to Coruscant, Commander. If the Senate is returning to session, there is potential for backlash following the attack. Furthermore, I am still responsible for the protection of Senator Soruna, and I have no doubt that her bleeding heart will demand to return to the planet, so she will require my personal protection." Anakin added, hating to speak ill of his wife, but knowing it was necessary to maintain the façade.
"I understand Lord Vader." The Commander replied. "However, the Emperor did mention that he thought you would return with Senator Soruna, and if you reported you were doing so, to inform him."
Anakin immediately felt his senses heighten at this statement. This was it. This was the acknowledgement he had been waiting for. He now knew the time had come. The time had come that he was going to face the Emperor. The time had come for him to meet his maker and pay him in kindness for all that he had done.
"I will inform the Emperor of my intentions, is that clear Commander?" Anakin responded threateningly.
"Yes, My Lord, of course." The trooper replied hastily. Before anymore was said, Anakin terminated the call, quickly removing the dark mask, as he let it crash onto the desk next to him.
Anakin hastily headed downstairs, his cybernetic hand clenched tightly by his side as countless thoughts raced through his head. He entered the living area to hear the end of what clearly seemed to be a highly engaging story by Obi-Wan, recounting one of their many treacherous adventures during the Clone Wars.
"I am sorry to interrupt, but there is a pressing matter I must discuss with you both." Anakin stated, unable to stand there silent long enough for Obi-Wan to finish the story.
Padmé immediately looked up to her husband with a concerned expression on her face. She then moved her gaze to look upon their children and forced a soft smile. "Right, how about a little challenge. If between you, you can write down thirty facts about the Clone Wars that you have learnt, you can have a special treat later. How does that sound?"
"You got it mum!" the twins replied enthusiastically.
Padmé and Obi-Wan both stood up and departed the room with Anakin, heading for his study further up the long hallway.
"What is it Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I just spoke to one of my Commanding Officers. It appears the Emperor has called the Senate back into session. He has given the orders for several squads to remain within the Senate under the guise of further security. Those orders supersede my own which were for troopers to be stationed elsewhere either investigating the attack or conducting usual inspections and enforcements." Anakin told the pair.
"He must fear that he is losing favour. I imagine he has also become increasingly concerned about the Rebellion gaining further support when they have not been under his watchful eye in the Senate." Obi-Wan stated, stroking his beard subconsciously.
"There is more." Anakin added. "I informed my Commander that I would return to the planet and would like return with Senator Soruna who would need protection. My trooper also told me that the Emperor had asserted that I would make a point of returning with the Senator, and to inform him if I reported I was doing so." Anakin finished.
"Interesting." Obi-Wan replied simply.
"What does this mean Anakin? What does he know?" Padmé asked, her mind spinning with worries and questions.
"It means that my confrontation with the Emperor is imminent. He has as much confirmed so. And if what he said to my trooper is true, he must suspect some connection between us." Anakin told them.
"Oh, Anakin." Padmé cried, concern painted clearly on her face.
"This does indeed present us with a problem. The Emperor will no doubt be expecting both of you to return to Coruscant, but I will not leave you to confront that monster alone Anakin. But we cannot risk brining the twins to Coruscant. I have been able to shield their presence from the Emperor thus far, aided by their distance from him. I fear their safety would be compromised by bringing them so near to him." Obi-Wan said.
"I agree. We cannot take Luke and Leia to Coruscant. I will not let him anywhere near our children." Anakin concurred. "I do not think it is safe for you to return to Coruscant Padmé. Least of all because of the attack, but especially if we believe that the Emperor may suspect a connection between us. I will not put you in danger, Padmé." He added strongly.
"We don't have a choice Anakin. I will not let you go to Coruscant alone. And in any event, I must return to 500 Republica to collect my possessions. If I do that, I can maintain my story that I am conducting my duties from Naboo and that I will only be returning to Coruscant for emergency sessions in the Senate. After the attack I have no doubt people will understand that." Padmé told her husband.
"Padmé is right. We cannot afford to raise any suspicions that could compromise either of your positions while the Emperor still lives." Obi-Wan agreed.
"I have an idea." Padmé stated. "Anakin can escort me to Coruscant, under the pretence that he is protecting me as Vader. Obi-Wan, you can take Luke and Leia to Naboo. I can ask Dormé to care for them for a short time. You can then travel to Coruscant to help Anakin. I will then return to Naboo to be with the twins before you two return home safe."
"You make it sound so simple, Padmé." Anakin responded, a hint of bitterness in his voice.
"Why can it not be?" Padmé challenged. "It is a sound plan."
"Sound except for the fact that you will be coming to Coruscant and be in danger, and sound except for the fact that we will be leaving Luke and Leia with a stranger, and sound except for the fact that I may be unable to delay my confrontation with Sidious until Obi-Wan arrives." Anakin countered.
Padmé sighed softly and replied, "Anakin, firstly, I will not be returning to the Senate so will not be in danger and I will be with you and to me there is no where safer. Second, Dormé is not a stranger, she is one of my most trusted handmaidens and friends. And finally, you should not force your confrontation with Sidious, we do not even know if that is why he has requested your presence, and Obi-Wan will be there to help you, I am certain."
"I agree." Obi-Wan stated. "I think we need to act fast, and this is the best plan we have. May I also suggest that, if she is willing, we send Geeta with the twins to Naboo. I am sure that will give you both more peace of mind, and it will bring some comfort to Luke and Leia as well." he added.
"That is an excellent idea Obi-Wan." Padmé replied. Her brow creased suddenly as she said, "Oh, Anakin, how are we going to tell the twins?"
Anakin walked over to where his wife was sitting and placed a hand on her shoulder softly. "Don't worry Padmé. Luke and Leia are so bright and intuitive. They understand that I must face the Emperor and they will know why you must return to Coruscant. But it will not be long before you join them, and then hopefully myself and Obi-Wan will have the same privilege."
Padmé hit her husband's hand away lightly and looked at him sternly. "Don't you dare do that, Anakin Skywalker. You promised me you would not leave me again. You will return to us. Remember confidence is key."
Anakin sighed and kissed her head warmly, "I'm sorry Padmé. I know, I promise I will win for you and our children. I just wish I had a little more time. I wanted to feel more ready." He admitted honestly.
"You are more than ready Anakin. I can promise you that." Obi-Wan stated confidently.
"Thank you, Master." Anakin replied with a small bow.
"Come, let us have one more afternoon with the twins. I want to hug our babies until they pop." Padmé said, tears glossing over her eyes.
"Let's go, Angel." Anakin said, taking her hand and leading her out of the office, as the older Jedi followed behind, once again in awe of the strength of the bond that Anakin and Padmé shared.
The young couple entered the living area to see their children enthusiastically recalling facts and noting them down on the holopad in front of them. "How are you two getting on? Have you managed thirty yet?" Padmé asked her children with a smile.
"We have more than thirty mum. Lots of the facts are about you, dad and Obi-Wan too!" Luke replied with a beaming smile.
"And there should be bonus points for any facts involving me." Anakin chimed, warmed by his son's enthusiasm.
"Well, it seems you two have once again exceeded expectations and are definitely deserving of a special treat." Padmé replied, hating the thought of leaving her children again.
Sensing that the family needed some time alone, Obi-Wan bowed his head and said, "I am going to retire to my chambers to meditate for a while."
"Thank you Obi-Wan." Anakin smiled gratefully.
"What's the matter mummy?" Leia asked. "We can sense that you are sad." She added.
Padmé knelt down on the floor in front of her children, knowing any attempts to lie to them would be feeble. She took a minute to examine their beautiful faces, tears coming to her eyes as the unconditional love she felt for them filled her heart. She reached forward and grabbed each of their hands in her own and said, "Remember what I told you about the Emperor? Well, your daddy and Obi-Wan are planning to defeat him so the Galaxy can be free. And I need to return to collect my things as the Senator I was pretending to be." She tried her best to explain. "I know this is confusing babies. But we will not be long, and Obi-Wan is going to take you both to Naboo so you are safe, and then we will join you and be together as a family like we promised."
"Is daddy going to fight the Emperor on his own?" Luke asked.
"No, son." Anakin interjected. "Once Obi-Wan has taken you two and Geeta to Naboo, he is going to join me on Coruscant and help me win."
"Geeta is coming with us?" Leia asked.
"As long as it is okay with her, yes, my love. I want you two to be safe on Naboo, so you will have Geeta and Dormé to keep you company." Padmé told her children.
"Who is going to protect you mummy?" Leia questioned.
"I am of course." Anakin replied, kneeling down next to his wife so his face was level with that of his children. "You both know I will always protect you and your mummy."
"Besides, I will not be going near the Emperor. I will be going to my apartment to collect my things and then come straight home to you two." Padmé told them reassuringly.
"You're going to kill the Emperor aren't you daddy?" Luke asked, his matching blue eyes gazing into his fathers.
"Yes, my boy. I am. I am going to end the Galaxy of his evil. Then we can be together as a family." He told him.
"Us four and the new baby?" Leia asked.
"Yes, darling. Just our little family." Padmé said with a small smile.
"And Obi-Wan of course." Anakin added fondly.
"Of course. He is part of this family." Padmé stated.
Luke and Leia both turned their attention towards their mother before exchanging a look between them. It had not been long after their birth that Padmé had learnt of her children's deep Force connection to one another, and they were able to communicate wordlessly, often leaving Padmé clueless. She had seen this expression before, and she creased her brow curiously. "What is it?" Padmé asked her children.
"You know how me, and Leia are connected and can feel one another in the Force." Luke began. "Well, we think we can feel the baby too mum."
Padmé couldn't stop the huge smile that appeared on her face as she asked, "Really?"
Anakin looked at his children, astounded by their deep connection to the Force and their ability to feel the presence of their unborn sibling. "Yeah, mum. We can feel its presence in the Force. It is like a tiny bright light." Leia tried her best to explain.
"That is so beautiful. I wish I could feel that." Padmé replied. She then felt Anakin's human hand move slowly to rest on her stomach. She placed her hand over his as he shut his eyes, clearly focusing on the Force. Padmé realised what a special moment this must be for Anakin, for he had never been able to enjoy such a moment when she was pregnant with Luke and Leia. She quickly disregarded those painful memories, as she sought to replace them with this moment.
"Can you feel him?" Padmé asked her husband softly.
"Him?" Luke asked.
"Your mum thinks she is a boy." Anakin stated with a smug grin.
"Do you think it is a girl daddy?" Leia asked.
"I do." he replied confidently.
"You said that last time." Padmé told her husband.
"Yes, and I was right, wasn't I?" he teased.
"You were both right. Because you had one of each." Luke stated happily.
"You are right son." Anakin stated, his eyes remaining closed as he focused on the tiny Force signature of his unborn child.
"Well?" Padmé asked, apprehension filling her.
"It's beautiful Padmé. It is only tiny, but I can feel the Force signature of our child. It appears we will be having another child who is gifted with great strength in the Force." Anakin told his wife with a bright smile.
A happy tear rolled down Padmé's cheek as she leaned in to embrace her husband and children, more grateful than ever to have her beautiful little family together. "I love you all so very much." Padmé whispered, kissing each of them on the cheek softly.
"We love you too mummy." The twins replied.
"I love you, Angel." Anakin told his wife, wrapping an arm around her waist as the family stood from the living room floor and headed towards the kitchen.
