Chapter 36

Luke and Leia sat in their highchairs eating their supper. The cook that Anakin had engaged had made a pasta dish, and the twins were digging into it with gusto, much to the amusement of their parents.

"Wow," Anakin said. "Save a little sauce for the pasta, guys," he said, wiping Luke's face as Padmé wiped Leia's.

Padmé laughed. "Oh, this is typical," she said. "Bath time is scheduled after dinner for a reason."

Anakin laughed. "Yeah, I'm starting to see why," he said. "This sure beats the refectory at the temple," he said.

"She did a good job," Padmé agreed. "And made plenty so you'll have enough for lunch tomorrow."

"Perfect," he said. "And they seem to like it," he added, watching the twins with a smile.

"Oh yes, no doubt about that," she said.

"Listen, I'm sorry about what happened earlier," Anakin said.

Padmé looked up at him. "You mean…Julie?"

"Yeah," Anakin said. "I could tell that you were uncomfortable."

Padmé raised her eyebrows. "I'm not sure uncomfortable is the correct word," she said.

Anakin watched her for a moment. "Seemed that way to me," he said.

"I guess I was just taken off guard," Padmé said. "I didn't realize you and she were that close."

Anakin frowned. "We're not," he said. "Not at all! The fact that she showed up here was as much as a shock to me as it was you."

"I believe you," she said. "And, tell me if this is none of my business, but were the two of you …intimate?"

"Excuse me?"

She looked up at him. "You went out her the other night," she said. "I'm just wondering if things went beyond a simple dinner date."

"Wow," Anakin said softly. "I thought you knew me better than that," he said.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I mean, do you really think I'd sleep with a woman that I barely know?" he asked.

Padmé shrugged as she pushed her dinner around on her plate. "No," she said. "I guess not."

Anakin watched her, sensing how uneasy she was. "Speak your mind, Padmé," he said. "I know there's more you want to say."

She looked up at him. "I don't want to upset you," she said.

"I can take it," he said.

Padmé considered her words carefully before she spoke again. "I'm just concerned that this woman is…using you," she said.

"Using me? How?"

"Your money, your celebrity," she said. "You said yourself she idolized you. Does she see you as a person or as a commodity?"

Anakin considered her question, and what was behind it. "I think you're overreacting," he said. "One dinner date, Padmé, that's it," he said.

"And yet she feels comfortable popping in at your home," she said.

"She's friendly, a little too friendly maybe," he replied. "What do you want me to say?"

"I'm just worried about you, Ani," she said. "I'm not trying to be difficult. I know that you're dealing with a lot right now, and I don't want her to take advantage of that by barging into your life."

Anakin smiled. "I appreciate your concern, truly I do," he said. "I have no intention of letting her or anyone else take advantage of me. I'm a big boy, Padmé. I can take care of myself."

Padmé nodded, not sure she was convinced. "Okay," she said. "If you say so."

"I do," he said. "I'm gonna start cleaning up. Do you want to get the kids ready for their bath?"

Padmé smiled. "Sure," she said.

Bathing their children together, it was easy for both Padmé and Anakin to forget that they were divorced. They enjoyed being together, for their devotion to their children had formed an unbreakable bond between them.

"Well, they're down for the count," Anakin reported as he sat down on the sofa next to Padmé.

"Right on schedule," she replied.

"They sleep through the night, right?" he asked her hopefully.

She smiled. "Yes, they have for some time," she replied. "Of course, they get up pretty early," she warned.

"How early?" Anakin asked warily.

"Sevenish," Padmé replied.

"That's not early," Anakin responded. "Believe me, living with Obi-Wan as long as I did, seven is definitely not early."

Padmé laughed. "No, I suppose not," she said. "I seem to remember you enjoyed to sleep in," she remarked.

Anakin smiled. "Well, when I was with you, I was exhausted after making love to you all night. I needed to sleep in to recharge."

Padmé blushed ever so slightly. "I remember," she replied. "I miss those days."

"So do I," Anakin replied. "Seems like a lifetime ago."

"So much has happened since then," she replied. "So many things I wish I had the power to change."

Anakin nodded, her words making him melancholy. "I know," he said quietly.

She hesitated, and then reached over and took his hand. "I'm sorry," she said. "I shouldn't go there. I know how much I've hurt you, Anakin. And it breaks my heart to think of it."

Anakin said nothing, but simply held her hand in his, rubbing his thumb over the softness of her skin. "There was so much going on," he said, not looking at her. "I don't blame you for what happened, not anymore." He looked up at her. "I will always cherish what we shared, Padmé."

Padmé nodded, his words creating a lump in her throat. "So will I," she said, her words barely more than a whisper. They looked at one another for a moment, neither saying anything. Finally, Padmé stood up. "I think I ought to get home now," she said.

Anakin stood up, wanting her to go, but wanting her to stay at the same time. "I'll walk you out," he said.

"Thank you for dinner," Padmé said as Anakin walked her to the lift. "It was so nice to eat together, the four of us," she said.

Anakin nodded. "It was," he said. "And I meant what I said, Padmé; don't wait for an invitation to come see the kids."

Padmé smiled. "I won't," she said. "Well, goodnight," she said. She hesitated for a moment, and then gave him a quick kiss on the mouth before stepping into the lift.

Anakin stood in the foyer for a moment after she'd left. The innocent kiss she'd given him had sent a rush of lust through his veins. It had been a long time since he'd felt this way; the kiss Julie had given him had not created such a reaction in him; but Padmé's had. Anakin frowned, and headed to his bedroom, deciding to take a long, cold shower before going to bed.

"I seem to remember you enjoyed to sleep in."

"Well, when I was with you, I was exhausted after making love to you all night. I needed to sleep in to recharge."

Padmé blushes. "I remember. I miss those days."

"So do I," I tell her. "Seems like a lifetime ago."

"In some ways, yes it does," she replies. "In others, it seems like yesterday."

"What do you mean?" I ask, intrigued by her comment, wanting her to open up to me.

"I mean, I dream about those times," she confesses. "And wake up expecting you to be in my bed. I miss having you in my bed."

Her words shock me. More than that, they turn me on. "Is that true?" I ask her. "You miss me in your bed?"

She nods, and I can see the desire clearly in her eyes. "You were always such an exciting lover, Anakin," she tells me. "It was always so electric between us."

"I remember," I reply. "I have to admit, I dream about you too."

She smiles. "You do?"

I nod, running my hand up her arm slowly. "I do," I say. "It's very frustrating."

"Why is that?" she asks with a seductive smile.

"Because you're not in my bed when I wake up," I tell her.

"And if I were, what would you do?" she asks, moving closer to me.

"Are you sure you want to know?" I say as her hand finds its way onto my thigh. "Might turn you on."

"I'm already turned on," she tells me, moving her hand higher. She smiles. "And so are you," she says when she finds the undeniable proof of her statement.

I laugh. "I guess I can't very well deny that, can I?"

She shakes her head. "Not a chance," she says, moving closer.

The sound of his children babbling over the baby monitor shook Anakin from his sleep. He opened his eyes, still feeling the affects of the dream he'd just had. Getting out of bed, he summoned to Force to calm himself, to cool the desire that coursed through his veins. He walked into the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face, and stood looking at himself in the mirror for a moment. I wonder what Dr. Wallig would say about that dream, he mused. But he didn't need a therapist to tell him what it meant; he knew all too well. What he didn't know, was what to do about it.

"Good morning!" Anakin said as he picked up Leia and gave her a kiss. He kissed Luke on top of the head and then changed Leia's diaper. Next, he changed Luke while Leia crawled around on the nursery floor. "Are you guys hungry?" he asked his son. Luke gave him a big smile in response. "Me too," Anakin said. He picked them both up in his arms. "Let's have breakfast."

Jedi temple – later that morning

Luke and Leia Skywalker were greeting with warmth and excitement when they arrived at the temple with their father. The Skywalker twins represented hope, hope for the future; and their importance wasn't lost on a single member of the fledgling order.

"I can't believe how much they look like you and Padmé," Ahsoka said as she held Luke.

"I know," Anakin agreed with a smile as he held Leia. He kissed her cheek. "Let's show them around," he said.

Luke and Leia were fascinated by all the sights and sounds, as well as the other Force sensitive beings they met. Paternal pride filled Anakin as he introduced his precious children to the other Jedi. Yoda was the last one they met, and the ancient Jedi was uncharacteristically emotional when he beheld them.

"Strong with the Force, your children are," Yoda told Anakin with a smile. "Beautiful, precious they are," he added.

Anakin smiled. "Thank you, Master Yoda," he said. "I'm going to get their levels tested today," he said. "I've programmed a few medical droids already," he said.

Yoda nodded as he regarded Luke and Leia. "It will be high," he said. "Close to your levels," he added, looking up at Anakin.

"I think so too," he said. "Let's find out."