Here's a little Christmas gift! Have a great day!


Things settled down quickly after the resolution of Oncaconda Farr's death and murder investigation. Everything except Padmé's grief and determination for the war to end. It is disheartening to see Padmé close herself off and solely focus on work. Except today of all days.

It isn't even a special day. I'm now about six, almost seven months along. Things are going all right in the Senate. The war effort seems to be going well. There haven't been any assassination attempts recently. So I don't understand why Padmé is so focused on cleaning and making dinner. I watch from the couch as Padmé rushes around the apartment with Teckla, Dormé, Ellé, and Moteé. I would be running around too if Padmé didn't force me to sit on the couch every time I tried to get up. It is honestly getting on my nerves. And every once in a while, one of the handmaidens walks over with a new glass of water. I have to pee.

Standing up is a struggle, but I manage and am almost immediately assaulted by Moteé. "Sit," she orders.

"No," I argue, folding my arms across my chest.

Her gaze is stern as she raises an eyebrow. "You may be pregnant, but I will shove you back on that couch."

My stare matches hers. "Well, go ahead if you wanna clean up piss."

Moteé's expression immediately lightens. "Oh! If that's the case, come on." She grabs my arm and leads me to the bathroom.

"Do I really need an escort to the bathroom? It's just the bathroom."

She pats my arm. "Oh, honey, we're just making sure you don't exert too much energy."

My face contorts into a slightly worried, slightly weirded out expression. "I barely ever do anything. You four haven't let me do anything in at least a month."

"Hey, those senate murders were scary stuff." I roll my eyes at her but don't reply as I enter the bathroom. The moment I exit, I'm led back to the living room. Are they keeping my in the living room to keept an eye on me? They've got to be planning something.

As I read a holobook, I put my feet up on the ottoman and rest my hand on my stomach. After a few minutes of peacefully reading, my belly seemed to rumble. I had grown accustomed to the feeling though, so I knew exactly what was happening. It wasn't gas or indigestion. It was my baby kicking. As the days go by, the more active he or she seems to be. Or I could simply be becoming more aware. Probably just more aware.

I move my hand to where the baby kicked and smile lightly. As Teckla passes by, she notices and gasps. "Did he kick?" she asks.

I nod. "Are you so sure the baby is a he?" I ask in return.

"Well, mostly," Teckla answers. "It seems a little too active to be a girl, but considering its mother, the baby very well could be a little girl." She looks at me accusingly and I simply shrug. It's hard to make me sit still, I understand that. Whether my child is male or female, they're going to be an active kid. With a handmaiden as their mom and a jedi as their dad, it'll be hard to make the kid lazy. "I'm still holding out for a baby boy though."

I chuckle at her wish. "Are you five ever going to tell me what you are up to? Something is going on, and I want to know what it is." Teckla simply smiles and rushes away once more. I groan, annoyed at the girls, but I return to the book.

After an hour of reading, Ellé and Moteé enter the living room with grins on their faces. The both grasp my arms and help me off the couch. Together, they lead me to the patio. My eyes widen at the decorations and food laid out. Dormé fluffs a pillow before setting it on the blanket on the floor. Padmé and Teckla stand to the side with huge smiles.

"What is going on?" I ask but receive no answer as Moteé and Ellé place me on one of the patio couches. Then the group leaves me. Strange, but okay. I look around at all the blanket and pillows placed strategically on the floor, with lights strung up and a small fire going in the brazier. The only type of food that seems to be missing is meat. Oh, how I miss a nice roast.

As soon as I hear footsteps, I turn my head around quickly, meaning to mouth off to Padmé, but someone else graces my sight. Obi-Wan is practically pushed out onto the patio as I spot Padmé running away behind him.

I nod to myself as I realize what they have done. But nonetheless, I stand with a smile. Obi-Wan offers me the same smile in return, the smile of content. His hair is the same length as the last time I had seen him, except now it was seemingly adorned with a few gray hairs. The war is hard on him, but it hasn't lessened how I feel about him. I can stare at him for hours. Instead of staring though, I rush forward to embrace him. He meets me halfway.

His strong arms wrap around my torso, bringing me as close to him as possible with my stomach in the way. My face burrows in his cloak. His breathing is steady, which helps me relax in his arms. It's calming and peaceful.

"It's so good to see you," I mumble into his shoulder.

His head rests on mine. "I missed you," Obi replies. I can feel his fingers lightly tracing the small of my back. This is nice, just having him back. "I see that Senator Amidala spared no expense." We let go of each other and gaze at the decorated space around us.

"Well, if I'm ever certain of one thing, it's that Padmé has a flair for style."

Obi-Wan laughs and wraps his arm around me, placing a kiss on my head. "I am starved though. Army rations have no taste." His hand finds its way to mine and he leads me to the blankets. Sitting on the ground is a hassle to get to, but once sitting, it was nice and comfortable. The million pillows and blankets probably help.

"Did Anakin tell Padmé that you two returned from a mission? Is that why I didn't know about all this?" I ask, waving my hand to the general surroundings.

"I suppose so." Obi-Wan picks up a piece of bread. "They don't exactly hide their relationship well. I'm fairly certain Anakin still does not know that I know."

I snort, grabbing some fruit. "I'm not at all surprised."

A silence infiltrates the air as Obi-Wan gazes at me. His gaze isn't cynical or patronizing, and the silence isn't uncomfortable. I'm unsure how to break the silence, or even if I want it broken. It is nice to simply have him here. But he decides to end it. "How are you?" Obi asks.

"I'm alright," I answer. "Could be better. Being pregnant is exhausting. I can't do anything without Padmé and co. freaking out."

"Only you would find having everything done for you exhausting," Obi-Wan points out.

I pause before replying. "Okay, the very state of pregnancy is exhausting. It seems like I have to pee at least every hour. And I can barely bend over to put shoes on."

"It sounds like you don't have to put shoes on yourself with the others around." I push Obi-Wan lightly and he laughs. Ever the joker. I halt in my movement as my stomach moves. Obi notices the change in my demeanor. "What?" Instead of answering, I grab his hand and place it on my belly, a big smile spreading across my face. Perfect timing, baby. "What are you-" He stops speaking when he realizes what's happening. I watch his expression closely. His eyes widen comically, but he doesn't move. "That's-" All he could get was a word out, but I nod, understanding his question. That's the baby. Our baby. Another moment passed before he smiled as well. His perfect smile graces his features as he looks at me and looks at my stomach.

"Guess the baby knew you were here." I lace my fingers with his.

Obi-Wan holds on to my hand tightly and brings it to his lips, kissing the back of my hand. "You have no idea how much joy this brings me, how much joy you bring me. This war sucks the life out of everything it touches, and I don't want it to do that to you."

I offer him a small smile. "It won't, as long as I have you."

Obi-Wan sighs. "That's what I'm afraid of. Every time I go out on a mission, I worry that I won't come back. I know Jedi aren't supposed to be afraid or have attachments, but I think about it every single time." He pulls something from his utility belt. "If I never get the chance in the future, I want to give you this now." He opens the small, simple box and pulls out a necklace. The long silver chain dangles from his fingertips. At the bottom is a blue and green crystal.

I gingerly reach out and touch the crystal. "It's beautiful."

"It's a kyber crystal."

My eyebrows furrowed a little. "A lightsaber crystal?" He nods his head. "Why are you giving it to me?"

"If I lose or break my current lightsaber and I can't salvage the crystal, this crystal will be the one I use to make a new one. A Jedi's weapon is his life. And I can't think of a better person to hold on to the heart of my weapon than the person who holds my heart." A single tear escapes and slides down my cheek. Obi-Wan holds out the necklace. "May I?" I nod and move my hair out of his way. Obi places the necklace around my neck and secures it. "Now when I go searching for one heart, I'll always find the other."