5 standard years after arrival

They left at first light, traipsing upward through the cold mist that hung upon the hill side. Leia shivered and grabbed Luke's hand. The children were bundled up in thick jackets though it was summertime, as the nights on Bakura were chilling no matter the season. Obi-Wan stopped when they reached a point where the land flattened out and was shrouded by forest. He had come here many times to talk to Qui-Gon, to meditate and to hone his skills so that they would not go rusty. The sun had risen enough to cast some dull light through the woods, where the air hung between the trees in a thick shroud of mist. He turned to the twins, who looked up at him expectantly.

"Luke, Leia, do you know why we've come up here this morning?"

They shook their heads. "No."

"Today is the first day of your training."

The twins exchanged a confused glance and Leia spoke. "Training? For what?"

Obi-Wan smiled. They were still so young. He knelt before them so that they were on his eye level, and he took Leia's small hand in his. "Remember all those times your mother and I told you not to use your powers? When we would get so worried we would raise our voices at you both?"

Leia glanced away, remembering the many scoldings the two of them had received for their antics. Levitating objects, Force pushing each other and playing tricks had been hard for Obi-Wan and Padmé to put a stop to. Now that they were the age of Jedi initiates, they were old enough to control their power. He hoped that with greater understanding of the Force, they would grow into responsible younglings who would know when and where it was appropriate to practise their skills.

"Yes dad."

"Well, the time has come for you to learn a little more about this power. Where it comes from, what it does, and how to control it."

The twins looked at him wide eyed, Leia's a deep brown like her mothers, Luke's a Skywalker blue. They were beautiful children in his unbiased opinion. In town the older folk often fawned over them, especially when they'd been babies.

As they had grown from babes to young children, their personalities had emerged. Leia was confident, loyal, fiery and soft all at the same time. She could also tend to be bossy and argumentative. Usually, she was the one who masterminded the antics that got her and Luke into trouble, but she was always quick to take the blame so that Luke wouldn't be scolded. She had an incredibly kind and protective nature that made him and Padmé proud. He tucked a strand of wavy brown hair behind her ear and squeezed her cheek affectionately. She beamed at him.

Luke on the other hand tended to be a little quieter than his sister. He still had a great deal of confidence in himself, but it wasn't as outwardly projected. Luke was thoughtful, intelligent, patient, cheerful and always put others before himself. Though he did let Leia boss him around more than was necessary. He bore a striking resemblance to Anakin in appearance with his light blonde hair, but his personality was quite different. Obi-Wan looked at his sweet child and thanked the Force for his circumstances, for Luke had not grown up a slave.

The two of them often star gazed together and went on long father and son walks through the forest, where they had wonderful conversations about all sorts of things. Luke had a deep interest about the wider world, and would ask him a million questions about other planets, stars and species of creatures. He loved the time he spent alone with his son, for he reminded him not just of himself as a child, but of the young Anakin he so sorely missed. Though he had failed his apprentice, he would raise his child and see to it that he was safe and loved. It's what the old Anakin would have wanted, back when he was a good man.

A bird cawed overhead, circling high above the trees, bringing Obi-Wan back to the present. His children were waiting patiently for more explanation. He'd never said anything about their power to them before now, only that they were not allowed to mess around with it. Obi-Wan sat down cross legged and motioned for them to do the same. "Let's sit a while."

"But the grass is wet!"

"Just sit," he said firmly. They sat down reluctantly, making faces at the dew that soaked into their trousers. "Now both of you close your eyes. No peeking. No fidgeting. Just sit completely still. Whoever does the best job will get a treat later."

With new incentive, the two of them sat very still and closed their eyes. Obi-Wan took himself back to his days as a youngling and remembered the types of training he received. Learning to meditate was one of the simplest practises a child could do. Soon, he planned to teach them how to communicate through their mental Force bonds and how to erect mind shields.

"The Force is an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us, it binds the galaxy together. Through meditation, you can feel the Force all around you."

"I don't feel anything," Luke said.

He watched them as Luke screwed up his face with a determined look and Leia frowned, concentrating with all her might. Obi-Wan suppressed a smile. A Jedi youngling's first day of training was a special occasion, but today was marred with sadness for him. He hoped the twins would forgive him for moving away. He'd found several potential locations a few miles away and planned to tell Padmé about it tonight. His stomach churned with dread at the thought, but he knew in the long run it was the right thing to do.

Ever since the wedding party, his love for her had only grown even more intense, and he couldn't put it off any longer.

ooooo

Padmé was anxious, busying herself with chores as a distraction from the emotions the day was bringing with it. At present, she was mending a hole in Leia's trousers whilst sitting on the living room sofa and half watching some HoloNet soap opera.

The distractions weren't working however, and Padmé found herself thinking about the future now that her children had now started on the path of being Jedi. She knew it was vital for their self-defence, but still, it reminded her that they had a great destiny to fulfil, one fraught with danger.

Padmé hadn't seen Obi-Wan use his lightsaber since they arrived, though she knew he did train in secret to keep his skills in top shape. Her eyes involuntarily darted to their bedroom, where there was a hidden cupboard under the floorboards where Obi-Wan kept his and Anakin's lightsabers. When the twins started training with them, it would be hard to see Luke, with his messy blonde hair, wielding Anakin's saber.

It had been five years since her ex-husband had turned to the dark side. Though she would forever carry that pain in her heart, Padmé had processed her grief as best she could and was now enjoying her new life with Obi-Wan and the children. She finally felt happy. Most days she didn't think of Anakin, and if she did, it was as if she was remembering someone else's old life. But now things were changing again, and her new life could be under threat.

For so many years they'd lived in blissful peace away from any reminder of the fighting and the terror, but now their old life seemed to be catching up with them, and it terrified her. Recently, there had been an influx of imperial stormtroopers in the capital Salis D'aar, and rumours were spreading that turning in Force-sensitives could get you a handsome reward. She knew the children needed to learn to control their power in order to hide it. But the fact they were practising it at all still made her nervous for their safety. If anyone saw them…

Shouting and laughter brought her attention back to the present. She headed to the front door and saw the twins running far ahead of Obi-Wan. They were sweaty and muddy, bursting with the energy of youth. They ran into the house, throwing off their shoes and hanging their coats. They hugged Padmé around the waist, all ruddy cheeks and sparkling eyes, their hair sticking to their foreheads with sweat.

"We had so much fun!"

"Mommy I'm starving!"

"I'm glad to hear that," she smiled. "Both of you get in the bath. We've got leftovers for lunch once you're clean," Padmé said, already on her way to the fresher to start running the cool water.

The twins followed, stripping off their clothes. Once the water was high enough, Padmé added some soap and the two of them got in. Then she handed them each a sponge and helped them clean themselves and their hair thoroughly. She sung them a little rhyme she'd made up to help them wash.

"When we clean we go, in-between the toes, right behind the ears or…tickly under here!" she tickled Luke's armpits and he yelped with delight, splashing water on Leia who started shrieking for the fun of it.

They smacked their arms about, determined to soak one another. Laughing at their antics and satisfied they were clean, she put out two clean towels on the side and left them to play. When she went back into the kitchen, Obi-Wan was leaning against the doorframe, looking out into the golden summer fields that stretched off into the distance amongst the green swaying trees. It was a very hot day. A sapphire blue sky arched over their little home, flawlessly clear without a cloud in sight.

"It looks beautiful out there," she commented with a smile as she heard another wailing shriek and sounds of hilarity from the fresher. "How was it?"

Obi-Wan turned to face her, and her breath hitched. His farmer-style shirt had been opened at the front and his sleeves were rolled up to the elbow, revealing an expanse of chest she rarely saw and two strong forearms. Already quite tan from the summer months, his sweat gave him an extra glow that highlighted the definition of his muscles, the broadness of his frame and the elegant yet rugged contours of his face. The light from outside gently illuminated his damp golden brown hair and the true colour of his eyes as it shone through - sea blue.

"It was a great first lesson. I think sessions twice a week should suffice for now. Are you alright?" he furrowed his brow at seeing her glazed over expression.

Padmé reprimanded herself for her constant distractedness. Obi-Wan was…incredibly attractive, that was undeniable. But she had known that before, since she was fourteen and queen of Naboo. Her and her handmaidens had not been oblivious to the charm of that young man on their ship. If she could act indifferent to his good looks back then, then she could do so now.

"Yes, I'm alright. I'm glad it went well. I just… I'm worried. About the presence of the troopers. If anyone saw you…" she trailed off.

"I would be able to sense if someone was close."

She nodded and felt a bit better with his reassurance. "Good. But, having them train…it does bring back a lot of memories for us both. Especially Luke. He looks so much like him."

"I know," he moved forward and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. She looked up into his eyes and was transfixed by their intensity. "I'm sorry that you're going through more worries. I thought I had banished them all away."

The tenderness of the moment and his words made her want to draw closer. "You have, I guess you need to banish a few new ones today."

"I guess I do," he smiled softly, his care for her shining unspoken in his eyes.

Pushing aside her desire to move closer to him, Padmé smiled back before moving away. It had been a few months since the wedding party, and somehow she'd managed to hold it together despite her confused and pining heart. Obi-Wan hadn't made a move after that dance, and she believed therefore his tender words were of that of a friend. Again, she told herself to keep it together.

Padmé turned and began looking through their refrigerator. "So, the twins actually sat down and meditated? I can't imagine that happening."

"With some bribery and using their competitiveness to my advantage, it was possible. Do you need help with lunch?"

"No it's alright. I can believe that. I've never seen them be still unless they're asleep."

"And even when sleeping they roll around," he smiled, looking strangely sad for a moment.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I just can't believe how fast they're growing up." He turned his head as Leia shrieked again and the sounds of splashing reached their ears. "I can sense the children are finished in the bath and making a mess in there, let me send them out to you and I'll take a quick shower.

"You don't need Jedi senses to tell that," she grinned.

Luke and Leia arrived a short while after, squeaky clean and dressed in some light clothing for the heat. Sitting themselves down at the table to wait for lunch with their legs swinging, they told Padmé all about their training.

After lunch, the family enjoyed a leisurely afternoon. Obi-Wan didn't have to work the next day and the twins didn't start school for a week. Padmé went on a forest walk to forage for fruits and summer berries, whilst Obi-Wan read on the sofa and the children played. The day wore on and faded out into a long golden evening. The family ate dinner outside, enjoying the meadows around the house with a picnic. Not long after, the twin's eyes were rubbing their eyes and Obi-Wan put them to bed. Padmé closed the front door and checked the summer mosquito nets were all in place for the night, before pouring herself some wine and retiring to the sofa to read. It was a very hot, still evening. Obi-Wan came back in to the room, quietly closing the children's door behind him.

"Did they go down ok?"

"Only took about three seconds," he smiled and turned on the Holo to a music station that was kept by the sofa.

Quiet Bakuran tunes filled the room as he sat down beside her and picked up his book again, taking a sip from her wine glass as he did so. They sat in comfortable silence beside each other for a while, absorbed in their books. After some time passed, Obi-Wan looked like he was lost in thought, and several times opened his mouth as if he were about to say something but stopped himself.

"What is it?" she asked, getting impatient. Padmé put her book down and gave him her full attention.

He looked at her with a guarded expression which she hated. "What do you mean?" he replied.

"I know you. Something's weighing on your mind. Tell me."

Obi-Wan looked away from her for a moment, focusing his gaze on the fireplace and the twin's artworks that adorned it. There was a sad but resolute expression on his face when he turned back to her. "Padmé I…. I've fulfilled the first part of my mandate here now."

Her heart began to race.

"The twins are five now. Old enough to train, old enough to look after themselves and old enough not to need two parents on their case. You don't need me as you did in the first few years. I will train them, and of course teach them at school. I will come and visit whenever they'd like, as often as they'd like. But I should not live here anymore. A growing family is no place for this old Jedi. You need your own space."

"Where will you go?" she asked, her voice sounding distant, like it belonged to someone else. "You can't be serious about this Obi-Wan."

"I'm afraid I am. I will go and live a little further away in my own space. The second part of my mandate now is to train them and prepare them for whatever danger may come later in their lives. You must remember I am a Jedi Master above all other things."

"But you're their father! That's what they believe. They're too young to comprehend the truth. Stay here and train them," she implored, moving forward on the sofa to clasp at his hand.

He held her gaze for an agonising moment then broke it. His hand didn't return its normal comforting squeeze that she was used to. Padmé was sure she could make him see reason. Surely his mandate was not as important as his happiness?

"Padmé. I'm not their father," he spoke quietly and her heart broke at the words. It was true, but after five years had he not come to see them as his own? "As I said, I can visit whenever they'd like-"

"Are you not happy here?" she interrupted, again squeezing his hand to reassure both him and herself from the contact. "If there's something I can do to fix this, please just say. I don't want you to leave us."

"I am happy here Padmé. But you and the twins are not my true family. You are not my wife. And they are not my offspring." He spoke the words so gently, yet their force shook her. "This is the best way I can protect you all without interfering in your family life. I've got you a job interview in the village shop. They have hours that can fit around the children's upcoming school schedule. And if you need help I can always come over."

"No… no.." she was shaking her head in denial, trying to find words to persuade him to stay. She couldn't let him leave. She liked everything the way it was, with him by her side, they were a family, how could he not see it? She felt like her world was about to collapse, just like before. This time she wouldn't let it.

"You are part of our family Obi-Wan. You are their father in their eyes…and in my eyes too. You are deserving of the title in every respect. They are so lucky to have you. No, you have to stay. They should have their father here, to love them and guide them to the light."

Obi-Wan listened calmly to her, but she could see the turbulent emotions betrayed in his eyes. Her words may be having some effect. She pressed on in the hope that she could persuade him. "Please, stay. We're all happy and safe here together. The twins need you."

Abruptly he stood and walked to the fireplace, stroking his chin in thought. She watched anxiously from the sofa. He turned to face her, his height making her feel small. "And what about you Padmé, what do you need?"

"I… I need you Obi-Wan. I can't do this alone. I need you to stay here with me and help me raise them."

Obi-Wan processed her words and then seemed to distance himself. He squared his shoulders. "If it's just the help you need around the house, I can buy you a droid."

"Why are you saying this?" her voice broke mid-sentence and she fought back tears that threatened to fall. Her mind flashed to the Anakin's betrayal on Mustafar and her throat worked. "I thought we were a team!"

"We are Padmé. We are the best of friends. But we are not husband and wife. It's time to stop pretending to be something we're not… I can visit often, it's not like I'm disappearing forever. I'm a Jedi Master and my mission did not say anything about-"

"Your mission," she interrupted angrily, the tears falling freely now. She tried to keep her voice down, lest the children heard. "Did it tell you to live with us for five years and form no attachments? Did it tell you to abandon your new family? Did it tell you to never love, to never open up your heart? Even to your own children? You're raised them for five years; how can you not love them? Have you not learnt that blocking love ends in tragedy?!"

He clenched his jaw. "I do love them. More than anything. I would give my life in a heartbeat for them."

"So… why are you doing this?" she rose from the sofa and approached him.

"Because there is no reason to keep living here in the house. I will still love them Padmé, I just will become more of a mentor than a father."

"No… you can't…" she sobbed, reaching out and clutching at the fabric of his shirt. He made no move to embrace her as he normally would. Instead, he turned and walked off towards their bedroom.

"I'm sorry. But I can't stay here."

"Stop!" she reached again and grabbed his arm, pulling him back to face her. "Please. You may see it as moving a little further away. But to me…" she bit her lip as hot tears flowed. She wanted to confess her love, but she just couldn't, he would never stay with them then. "It's as if I'm being abandoned again. Please, reconsider."

Obi-Wan studied her face and his eyes seemed to soften. He brought her close in a blissfully warm embrace. She closed her eyes and tried to hold onto this moment. Her best friend tenderly placed a hand beneath her chin and lifted her face up so that he could see her. Achingly soft, he brushed the wetness from her cheeks with both thumbs and tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear, cupping her cheek tenderly. Resting her hands on his chest she looked up at him, her heart once again reaching out for the man she had come to adore.

"Padmé… I didn't want to have to do this, believe me. But I can't stay here because I… because I'm in love with you. I have been for the past few years."

Her crying stopped immediately as the meaning of his words sunk in. He was in love with her? All this time?

"I didn't want to make you uncomfortable, so I said nothing and gave you no hint of my true feelings. But now I'm at an impasse. Spending every day with you, sharing a bed with you, raising children together, it's been the most challenging and wonderful period of my life, but I want more. I want everything with you. I want us to truly be man and wife. I want to marry you. I'm still a Jedi, but I want this new life more than anything, and so I cannot go on with things the way that they are. It has become tortuous for me. I'm sorry if this ruins our friendship, but this is the truth of the matter."

"Obi-Wan," she began, her heart racing. "I had no idea…I'm sorry that you have been suffering for so long. I thought I would never recover from the pain Anakin caused me," she reached a hand up and traced his cheek. It felt so good to do. His eyes were shining with hope as she finally let out the truth that had been long buried in her heart. "But I think I have. I love our new life here. And…I've been in love with you for a long time."

It felt so good to say it out loud. Years of denial and confusion melted away as the words left her mouth. She knew it as she spoke it that it was true. Obi-Wan felt like home.

Tears shone in his eyes and he smiled the most beautiful smile she'd ever seen. "May I kiss you?"

Surprising them both, she stood on her tiptoes and brought her lips to his.

ooooo

Obi-Wan and Padmé cuddled in bed that night, simply enjoying the feeling of finally being with each other. He cupped her bare shoulder with his calloused hand as she lay nestled against his chest. They were perfectly warm and entangled. He kissed her forehead, breathing in her sweet familiar scent. It felt right.

The Jedi hadn't expected this outcome in a million years. They had talked after their kiss, and it turned out that they had both been denying their feelings for fear of it ruining their friendship and home life. But now, it was about to get a hundred times better. Finally, they could be together as a true family.

"When can I marry you?" he asked.

She propped herself up on her elbow and leaned over him, her hair cascading down and glowing in the bedside lamp's warm light. "We're already married as far as Bakura is concerned," she teased.

"I know, but I want to do it properly," he leaned up and stole a kiss which she returned, squealing and clinging to him as he flipped them over so he was on top of her. If it was possible to die of happiness, he probably would have done so right then and there.

Eagerly she captured his lips and ran her hands down his neck across his shoulders whilst he traced his fingers over her collarbone, gently moving the straps of her nightgown down to feel the soft skin there. He relished being able to finally touch and kiss her how he had wanted to for so long. Moving from her lips he kissed her neck, making her shiver and sigh into his ear. She laced her hands together through his hair and arched her back upward towards his chest so they melded together. The strings of desire began pulling at him urgently, a feeling he had never felt so intensely.

It was beginning to get very heated and when they broke apart she looked up at him with eyes shining full of love and passion in the low light. She shot him a mischievous smile that made his desire grow. There was clearly a whole new side of her that he was about to access, and his heart beat fast at the thrilling thought.

"What about the other part of marriage," she said, trailing a hand down his chest, getting gradually lower."The part that comes after?"

"Well, like you said, we're married on paper. Why wait at all for that part?" he joked, looking down at her with a gaze that was undoubtably as hungry as hers was.

Padmé's lips curved into a smile. "Thought you wanted to do this properly?"

"I do," he admitted with a rueful sigh, wishing he hadn't said that but knowing it was the right thing to do. His self-restraint was tested as he fell to his side and captured her smaller frame in his arms, giving her shoulder a kiss. "Are you okay to wait until we've said some vows?"

"Of course," she snuggled as close as she could possibly be and yawned. "A wedding night is a special occasion. It shouldn't be rushed."

He agreed and turned out the light. That small taster he'd been granted was more than enough to keep him happy until they said their vows. Call him old fashioned, but he wanted things to be done right as they turned over a new slate. Turning off the light they cuddled close and drifted off, both of them so excited to start the rest of their life together in the morning.