Chapter 35

"Here is a list of the foods they like and don't like," Padmé said, handing Anakin another list. "And their schedule, you know, bedtime, nap time, that sort of thing."

"Okay, got it," Anakin said. He smiled as he looked at the twins who were already exploring their father's apartment. "Looks like they're making themselves at home," he commented.

Padmé nodded, a lump in her throat preventing her from speaking. Anakin looked up at her, sensing her sadness.

"You know, just because they're with me for two weeks doesn't mean you can't see them," he told her.

Padmé looked at him. "Really?"

Anakin frowned. "Of course! I get how hard this must be for you," he said. "I know all too well what it feels like to be apart from them. I live in the same building, Padmé," he reminded her. "You're more than welcome to come here anytime you want to see them."

Padmé smiled. "That's very kind of you, Anakin," she said. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it," he said. "I plan on taking them to the temple when I go," he said. "Hope you're okay with that."

"I guess so," she said. "I'm not sure how much fun they'll have there, though."

"Oh, don't worry about that," Anakin said. "I've got a nursery all set up for them, cribs, toys, the whole deal," he said. "And Ahsoka and Obi-Wan have been dying to see them, so they'll get plenty of attention and lots of play."

Padmé smiled. "Sounds wonderful," she said. "Obi-Wan mentioned you might have their counts done," she said.

"I might," he said, looking at the twins who were slowly cruising along the couch now. "I know it will be high," he said. "They're going to need training eventfully, Padmé," he said, looking back at her. "You realize that, don't you?"
Padmé nodded, as she watched the twins. "I know," she said. "They're the children of the Chosen One, of course they will."
Anakin nodded, pleased that she was being reasonable. "How long have they been doing that?" he asked as he steadied Luke who was about to take a tumble.

"Not long," Padmé said as she sat down to help Leia. "They'll be walking in a few weeks. We'll both have to childproof everything."

"Well hopefully by then we'll be in the house," Anakin said, sitting down and pulling Luke onto his lap. "Only one place to childproof."
"Lets' hope so," Padmé said. "The decorator has been sending me images of furniture wanting me to decide."
Anakin frowned. "Isn't that what we're paying her to do?"

"I thought so," Padmé replied. "But if it speeds up the process, I don't mind."

"Okay," Anakin said. "I just hope she doesn't ask me to pick out curtains or something."

Padmé laughed. "Oh, I think she knows better," she said. She looked around the room. "You did lovely job with this place, though," she commented.

"I didn't do anything, I promise," he said. He kissed the top of Luke's head. "Not exactly in my skills set."
"That's only because you've never done anything like that before," she said. "I'm sure you'd catch on quick enough. You're an intelligent man."
"Well thanks," he said. "But I'm not so sure."

"Speaking of skills, are you sure you don't want Dormé to come and cook for you?" Padmé asked.

"No, I'm good," he said. "I have someone coming in to do dinners, I figure I can manage the rest."

"Okay then, good," Padmé said.

"So, I hear there's a big gala being planned to celebrate your investiture," he said.

"Yes, not my idea, I assure you," she said. "I didn't want to make a big deal, considering that I'm only chancellor because Bail was murdered."

"I understand," Anakin replied. "But you're going to be an amazing chancellor, Padmé," he said. "Don't sell yourself short."

She smiled. "Thank you, Ani," she said.

The doorbell sounded at his point.

"Expecting company?" Padmé asked as Anakin stood up with Luke in his arms.

"No," Anakin said. "Maybe it's Obi-Wan come to check out the place." He walked over to the door to look through the security screen, and was surprised to see Julie. This will be awkward as hell, he reflected as he let her in.

"Hi!" Julie said. "I hope you don't mind me popping in," she said. "Geoff told me you'd moved in and I wanted to bring you a housewarming gift," she said. "Is this Leia?"

"It's Luke," Anakin said. "Thanks, come on in," he said, bracing himself for what was sure to be an awkward encounter.

Padmé stood up with Leia in her arms as Anakin returned to the room followed by a young woman. She felt her insides tighten with anxiety, but pasted a smile on her face.

"Padmé, this is Julie," Anakin said. "Julie, this is Padmé and Leia," he said.

"It's nice to meet you," Padmé said, giving her a smile, determined to remain calm despite the racing of her heart.

"Hi! You're Anakin's ex, right?" Julie said.

Padmé's smiled tightening. "Yes, I am," she said. "The mother of his twins."

Julie nodded, seeing that Padmé was less than thrilled by her presence. Too bad, you had your chance with him. My turn now. "They're beautiful," she said, looking at Leia. "How old are they?"
"Close to 10 months now," Padmé said. "And thank you."

Anakin sensed the growing tension between the two women, and was hoping he'd wake up and find he was in the midst of a nightmare, an incredibly cringy, awkward nightmare. But it wasn't a nightmare, and he needed to do his best to diffuse the situation. "Julie's brother is the one who found me this place," Anakin said.

"Oh, Geoff," Padmé said. "What a coincidence."

Julie smiled. "He's the best," she said. "This is a great place," she said, looking around. "I can't wait to see the house," she added, looking at Anakin. "Geoff showed me the pics. Wow, looks amazing!"

Padmé looked at Anakin, and he could see in her eyes how upset she was. "It is," he said. "We're pretty excited about moving in."

"You're moving in together, then?" Julie asked, somewhat dismayed to hear it.

"We haven't figured out the final details yet," Anakin said, deciding to twist the truth a little. "Right, Padmé?"

She looked at him, grateful for his words. "Yes, that's right," she said. "We're just furnishing it right now, actually. Anakin was helping me pick out curtains."

Anakin smirked.

Julie nodded, unaware of the inside joke. "Cool," she said. "Well, I think I know where to put this plant," she said, suddenly feeling uneasy. "What do you think, Anakin?" She asked, placing the potted plant on an accent table in front of a large window.

"Looks great, thanks," Anakin said. "I'll try to remember to water it," he added with a smile.

Julie laughed. "Oh, I'll remind you, don't worry," she said, walking back to him and running her hand down his arm. "I know you have lots of more important stuff to think about."

Padmé watched Julie, seeing the way she looked at Anakin, unnerved by the easy way she touched him. A horrifying thought jumped to her mind: were they lovers? Had their dinner date ended in intimacy? The idea was too much for her, and she immediately felt compelled to leave.

"Well, I think I need to get to the office," Padmé said, handing Leia to Anakin.

Anakin sensed her heightened feelings, and frowned. "I'll walk you out," he said.

"Why don't you come for dinner?" Anakin said as they reached the lift. "That is, if you don't have plans."
Padmé looked up at him. "Will it be just the four of us?" she asked pointedly.

"Yes," he said. "Julie's just a friend," he added.

Padmé raised her eyebrows. "Seems like more than that to me," she said. "But that's not my business. I'll see you later," she said, and stepped onto the lift.

Anakin frowned as she disappeared from sight, and then returned to his unexpected guest.

"I didn't know your ex was the Chancellor," Julie said as she sat down and made herself comfortable.

"She is," Anakin said, setting Luke and Leia down in their playpen. "She was also a senator and a queen."

"Huh," Julie said, trying not to be impressed. "So, what happened between the two of you?" she asked. "Seems to me like she's still pretty into you."

Anakin frowned. "Far too much to pin it down to one thing," he said, hoping she'd back off the topic.

Julie nodded. "Yeah, that's usually how it goes," she said. "Was it her or you who filed?"

"Her," Anakin said. "Excuse me, I need to change a diaper," he said, picking up Luke.

"Need some help?" she asked, standing up at once. "I've changed a lot of diapers, you know. Used to babysit for my uncle."
"Sure," Anakin said. "Follow me."

Chancellor's office

"Good morning, Milady," Rayna said as Padmé arrived.

"Good morning," Padmé replied. "What does my schedule look like this morning?"

"Not too busy," Rayna replied. "Senator Mothma wants to discuss the gala with you."
"Oh wonderful," Padmé muttered. "I guess I can't avoid this, can I?"

Rayna smiled. "I'm afraid not," she said.

Padmé sighed. "Very well," she said. "Let me know when she gets here."

"I will," Rayna said.

Padmé entered her office and walked over to her desk. She sat down, and did her best to engage in the business of the day, but her mind was not engaged on the task. Instead, it was in an apartment not far from her own, wondering what was going on between the love of her life and a young woman who seemed bent on wedging her way into his life. Is Sola right? She reflected. Should I try and make him jealous? Would that get him to admit that he wants me? Or would it only drive him away? Padmé knew that Anakin was in a delicate state emotionally. She was not about to take advantage of that by manipulating him, no matter what the end result was, even if it benefited her in some way. I won't do that to him, she reflected. I love him too much to use him that way.

"Milady, Senator Mothma is here."

Padmé's ruminations were interrupted by Rayna's voice. "Send her in," she said, pushing all thoughts of Anakin from her mind for the time being.