Chapter 28

Alderaan

The state funeral for Chancellor Organa had been a solemn, tasteful affair. The cathedral in Aldera was full to capacity with beings from across the Galaxy wishing to pay their respects to the late chancellor and viceroy of Alderaan.

Padmé stood with Mon Mothma and the other senators near the front of the cathedral. It had been an extremely emotional time. Watching the queen trying to be stoic was very hard, for Padmé knew that inside of her, Breha's heart was broken. She had loved Bail deeply. Padmé remembered how many times she'd feared for Anakin over the years, while he was fighting in the Clone War, while he was running for his life during the Purge. She couldn't imagine how she would have dealt with losing him the way Breha had lost Bail. Even though they were no longer married, she knew that he would always be a part of her. But will he ever feel that way about me again? She thought. The last time she'd seen him had been pleasant, but she had to caution herself not to read to much into it. Clearly Anakin was going through a lot presently; the last thing he needed was pressure from her.

After the funeral, there was a reception held at the palace. Anakin, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka were among those in attendance.

"Look at that view," Ahsoka said as they stood looking out at the mountains. "Amazing."

Anakin nodded, his eyes searching the groups of people nearby for Padmé. He was hoping that he'd see Luke and Leia while on Alderaan, but so far, he hadn't.

Obi-Wan could see how anxious Anakin was to see his children, and felt badly for him. He wasn't sure he had the words to make it all better though.

"I imagine Luke and Leia are with their au pair at the hotel," Obi-Wan suggested.

Anakin looked at him. "What?"

Obi-Wan frowned. "I said, the twins are probably at the hotel," he said. "I sense you are looking for them."

"I am," Anakin replied. He frowned. "Padmé said I'd see them today," he muttered. "What kind of game is she playing with me?"

"I don't think Padmé is the type to play games, Anakin," Ahsoka said. "I'm sure you'll have a chance to see them, don't worry."

Anakin turned to her. "Seeing them isn't good enough," he said. "I want to be a part of their lives, I want to raise them," he said. "If Padmé thinks she can keep me away and let me see them only on her terms she's sadly mistaken."

Ahsoka and Obi-Wan exchanged a concerned look.

"Why don't you ask her about them?" Obi-Wan suggested. "Clearly you are very upset about his."

"Are you suggesting I shouldn't be upset?" Anakin challenged.

"Of course not!" Obi-Wan said. "I understand how you feel, truly. But getting angry isn't terribly productive. You need to talk to Padmé and let her know how you feel. She is a reasonable woman, and she loves you, Anakin. I'm sure she wants you in the twins' lives."

Anakin said nothing in response. He walked away to find a waiter with a tray of drinks, leaving Ahsoka and Obi-Wan without a word.

"I'm really worried about him," Ahsoka said as she watched him walk away.

"So am I," Obi-Wan said.

"Do you know what the psychiatrist said to him yesterday? Did he give him a diagnosis?" Ahsoka asked.

"If he has, Anakin has not told me," Obi-Wan said. "I just hope he's open to getting the counselling he so clearly needs."

Anakin found a waiter with a tray of drinks, and helped himself to a glass of wine. He'd just taken a sip when a man he didn't know approached him.

"Excuse me, you're Anakin Skywalker, aren't you?" the man asked.

"Yes," Anakin replied. "Who are you?"

"My name is Dane Mendicino," the man replied. "I was the late chancellor's attorney."

"I see," Anakin replied, wondering why he was having this conversation.

"I was also the attorney of Sheev Palpatine," Mendicino continued. "And was the executor of his will, which was read a month ago. I realize that you have been in hiding due to the Purge, but I've wanted to speak to you."

"Why is that?" Anakin asked.

"Well, General Skywalker, you were named in the will of Sheev Palpatine," Mendicino replied.

Anakin's eyes widened. "Really? Why? In what way?"

Mendicino smiled. "You were named as his sole heir," he said. "Clearly you meant a great deal to him."

"His sole heir?" Anakin asked in shock.

The lawyer nodded.

"I …I'm shocked," Anakin said. "Things weren't exactly …warm between us at the end of his life," he said.

Mendicino smiled. "I'm aware of what happened, sir," he said. "And quite frankly, I consider you a hero for what you did. I suppose he…assumed that you were allied with him, otherwise he'd not have left his fortune to you."

"Huh," Anakin said. "A fortune, eh? So, I'm a millionaire now? Is that what you're telling me?"

"More like a billionaire," Mendicino replied. "Congratulations. If you could come and see me on Coruscant, we'll get started with the release of your money."

Anakin nodded, still in state of shock. "Yeah, sure," he said. "I'll be returning there tomorrow."

"Very well," Mendicino replied. "Here is my contact information," he said, handing Anakin a business chip. "I'll see you then."
"Thanks," Anakin said as the lawyer walked away. He stood for a moment trying to absorb the news. Anakin had never had money his whole life, and to think that now he had a fortune was overwhelming. He looked around for his friends, but before he could find them, his ex-wife approached him.

"Hello Anakin," Padmé said. "It's nice to see you."
"You too," Anakin said. "Are the twins here?"

Padmé shook her head. "They're with Dormé at the hotel," she said. "I came over to ask you if you would like to go see them," she said.

"Yes," Anakin replied at once. "I do."

She smiled. "Then let's go," she said.

"Right now?"

"Yes, right now," she said. "You've waited long enough. Let's go."

Anakin was quiet on the way to the hotel. He was excited at the prospect of seeing Luke and Leia again after so long, but part of him was afraid. What if they are afraid of me? What if they cry when they see me?

"Ani? Everything okay?" Padmé asked.

He glanced at her. "Just wondering what to expect when I see Luke and Leia," he said. "I mean, it's been so long. They won't know me at all."
"Luke and Leia are very gifted, like you," Padmé said. "They will know you. If they were typical babies, no, they'd make strange with you. But I don't think there's anything typical about our children, Anakin. They're their father's children, after all."

Anakin considered this. "I hope you're right," he said. "I think we ought to think about some sort of custody arrangement now that I'm able to be out in the galaxy again."

Padmé looked at him quickly, his words striking at the heart of her. "Custody arrangement?"

"Yes," Anakin said. "We're not together anymore, and I want to be in their lives, not just seeing them occasionally."

Padmé frowned. "Is that what you think I'm doing?"

"No, the situation hasn't been your doing," he said. "But…"
"Hasn't it?" she challenged. "You make me feel as though it is."

Anakin sighed, and said nothing. Clearly this was going to be a difficult topic to discuss. They flew the rest of the way in silence.

Padmé's hotel suite was large and luxurious, with two floors joined by a sweeping spiral staircase. Anakin couldn't help but think of his own modest suite of rooms at one of Aldera's more affordable accommodations. But not anymore, he reflected. Now I can afford this too…

"Milady? You're back earlier than I'd expected," Dormé said as she appeared.

"I've brought Anakin to see the twins," Padmé said. "Where are they?"

"Having dinner," Dormé said.

Padmé turned to Anakin. "Come with me," she said. She was about to take him by the hand, but thought better of it and didn't.

Anakin followed Padmé into a nearby kitchenette, where the twins were sitting in highchairs eating their dinner. They looked up when their parents entered the room.

"Hello my darlings," Padmé said, and kissed each twin on the top of their heads. "Luke and Leia, say hi to Daddy."
Anakin stood before the twins, not wanting to frighten them. He crouched down in front of their highchairs to look at them face to face, the emotions welling up within him faster than he could manage.

"Hello," he said. "I'm…so happy to see you both," he said with a smile.

Luke and Leia examined their father's face, curious and hesitant at once. They didn't recognize his face, but there was something in his eyes, something in his aura that was familiar. On a level imperceptible to most, they recognised him, and they smiled.

"Oh my God," Anakin gasped, the tears spilling from his eyes. "My precious babies, I've missed you so much!" he cried as he reached out and took their hands.

Padmé watched, her own eyes full of tears. Then she left the room and let Anakin have some time alone with his babies.

"Dormé, why don't you take a few hours off," Padmé said. "You've been alone with the babies all day. I'll take over."

"Are you sure?" Dormé asked.

"Yes of course," Padmé said. "I'm tired, and quite ready to call it a day."

"Very well," Dormé replied. "I have always wanted to check out the shops in Aldera," she said with a smile.

Padmé smiled. "Have fun," she said. She watched Dormé head up the stairs to get her things before returning to the kitchenette to see how things were going with Anakin.

"Looks like they are quite comfortable with you," Padmé commented upon entering the kitchenette.

Anakin was holding Leia in his arms, the smile on his face telling all. "I know, it's amazing," he said, looking at his daughter adoringly. "I can't believe how big they've grown."

Padmé nodded and picked Luke up. "They're almost 9 months old," she said. "Babies change a lot in their first year."

"No kidding," Anakin said, taking in every detail of his daughter's face.

"Do you remember how to change a diaper?" Padmé asked. "They both need a change."

"I guess there's only one way to find out," Anakin replied.

Anakin and Padmé brought their babies upstairs and, upon opening their diapers, decided a bath was in order.

"I never liked water that much when I was a baby," Anakin said with a smile as the twins splashed happily in the tub.

Padmé laughed. "Now how would you know that?" she asked.

Anakin shrugged. "Just a feeling," he said. "Guess I'll need to learn how to do this," he said.

Padmé looked up at him. "It's a lot easier now that they are bigger and can sit up. Bathing newborns was very tricky. And they didn't like it nearly as much as they do now."

Anakin nodded. "I received some rather unexpected news earlier today," he told her.

"Really? What news?" she asked.

"It seems I'm the sole heir of the late Sheev Palpatine," he told her as he took Luke from her and wrapped him in a towel.

"How did you learn this?" she asked.

"His attorney was at the reception," he told her as he dried Luke off. "I'm still in a state of shock, to tell you the truth. I've never had money in my whole life, and now I have more than I know what to do with."

She smiled. "That's incredible," she said. "Any plans?"

"Not yet, still trying to wrap my head around this," he said.

"I'm sure," she said. "Perhaps you can use some of it to clean up the Jedi temple," she said. "I'm sure it needs it after what happened there."

Anakin nodded. "I'm sure. Good idea. I can't think of a better way to spend the money of that monster."

Padmé agreed whole heartedly.