Chapter 37

Chancellor's Office

Padmé did her best to appear enthusiastic as Mon Mothma and her assistant described the plans they'd made for the gala. For Padmé, it seemed extravagance and a waste of money, but she didn't want to dampen their enthusiasm.

"Sounds lovely," Padmé said finally. "But perhaps there's something we can do to add a level of fiscal responsibility to this affair," she said.

"Padmé, you're the Chancellor," Mothma said. "It's okay to celebrate!"

"I'm not saying that we shouldn't," Padmé said, though truth be told she'd be perfectly happy not to. "I just think if we can think of a way to raise money for charity, it would make me feel better about the whole thing."

Mothma considered this for a moment. "I suppose we could do that," she said, as the wheels started turning. "But we'd need something to sell, something to auction off to raise money."

"Why not tickets to the event?" Padmé suggested. "If I know you, this will be the social event of the season. Everyone will want to come."

"That may just work, Padmé," Mothma said with a smile. "Leave it to you to come up with a way to give back to the people. No wonder you're so beloved."

Padmé smiled.

Jedi temple

Anakin watched with growing trepidation as the medical droid approached, needle in hand.

"Is there no other way to draw blood?" he asked, looking down at his son who was chewing on the sock that Anakin had removed.

"No," the droid replied. "Please hold the child still," it said.

Anakin frowned, and did his best to calm Luke's mind, to prepare him for the small jab in his heel. But it hurt, and Luke looked up at his father with wide eyes, and then promptly started to cry. Anakin felt horrible.

"I'm sorry Luke," Anakin said, hugging his small son. "It's okay, it's all done," he said soothingly as Luke cried against his father's neck.

Ahsoka, who was holding Leia, braced herself for a similar reaction from Luke's sister. And, just as her twin had done, Leia immediately burst into tears as soon as the droid had injected the needle into her heel.

"I feel like a total jerk," Anakin told Ahsoka as they each held a crying baby.

Ahsoka smiled. "They'll be fine," she said. "See? Luke's already calming down," she pointed out.

Anakin looked down at his son, who had stopped crying. "There's a big boy," Anakin said, giving Luke a smile. He looked over at Leia. "You want to switch?" he asked Ahsoka.

"Yeah, she wants her daddy," Ahsoka said as they made the switch off. It only took a few moments for Leia to calm down, and soon both twins were happily playing on the floor again.

"How long will it take to get the results?" Anakin asked the droid as it packed up the samples.

"Not long," the droid replied. "I'll report back as soon as I have them, sir."

"Why don't we take them out to the gardens?" Ahsoka suggested. "They can play on the grass."

"Great idea," Anakin replied. "I'm not sure that they've ever seen grass," he commented.

"Then it's about time they did," Ahsoka said, picking up Luke.

Anakin agreed one hundred percent.

It was a warm, sunny morning as Anakin and Ahsoka sat on the grass with Luke and Leia. The twins were excited by the feel of grass, and laughed as it tickled their bare feet.

Anakin watched his children, their joy filling his heart. It seemed inconceivable to him now that there was a time, not that long ago, when they were not a part of his life.

"How cute are they?" Ahsoka cooed.

Anakin smiled. "Well, I'm a little biased," he said.

Ahsoka laughed. "Just a little, yeah," she said.

"I think we can safely say that they like grass," he said, watching as the twins grab handfuls of grass.

"I think so," Ahsoka said. "They were born on Naboo, right?" Ahsoka asked.

Anakin nodded as he stopped Luke from shoving grass in his mouth.

"Then they've seen grass before," Ahsoka said. "Right? Naboo is very green."

"Well, they left Naboo when they were 4 months old, I believe," Anakin said. "I don't think they'd remember it, and they sure wouldn't have been crawling around on it."
Ahsoka nodded. "True," she said. "The new place has a big garden, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, it's what sold me on the place, actually," Anakin replied.

"When do you take possession of it?" she asked.

"Two weeks," Anakin said. "The place is getting furnished first. It's huge. I'm just happy no one asked for my input," he said with a smirk.

Ahsoka laughed. "How are things going between you and Padmé?" she asked.

"Better," Anakin said.

"That's great," Ahsoka said. "I'm so happy to hear it."

Anakin nodded. "She came over for dinner last night," he said. "We had a nice time."

Ahsoka smiled. "I'm sure that meant a lot to her," she said.

"Julie popped in when she was there to drop off the kids," he told her. "That was interesting."

"Oh no," Ahsoka said. "I can't imagine how awkward that was."

"You have no idea," Anakin said.

"Padmé must have been so uncomfortable," Ahsoka said.

"She was," Anakin replied. "She's concerned that Julie is using me."

Ahsoka said nothing immediately, wondering if she ought to speak her mind. "I think she is too," Ahsoka said finally. "She knows how wealthy you are, she loves the fact that you're famous…"

"I don't know," Anakin said. "She seems to be just a friendly girl who has a harmless crush on me."

Ahsoka shook her head. "Seriously? Are you seriously that blind?"

Anakin frowned, but was prevented from responding by the arrival of Obi-Wan.

"Ah, there you are," Obi-Wan said as he joined them. He watched the twins with a smile. "They seem to be enjoying themselves," he commented.

Anakin smiled. "For sure," he said.

"I have the results of the twins' blood count," Obi-Wan said. "The medi-droid couldn't find you, so I decided to deliver them."

"And?" Anakin said.

"Twenty-three thousand, both of them," Obi-Wan said. "Astonishing."

Anakin smiled, and looked at the twins proudly.

"Not that surprising though, is it?" Ahsoka said. "Yours is higher than that, isn't it Anakin?"

Anakin nodded. "It is," he said. "I guess we'll have to think about their training soon," he commented as Leia crawled onto his lap.

Obi-Wan nodded. "Undoubtedly," he said. "I have more news," he said, sitting on the grass. "Apparently there is a social event being planned to celebrate our new chancellor's investiture," he said.

"I heard," Anakin said.

"Oh, well, did you know that they are asking for donations for a silent auction?" Obi-Wan asked. "All the proceeds are to go to charity."

"I didn't know that," Anakin replied. "But knowing that Padmé is involved, I'm not surprised at all."

"We three, the Jedi Council as it stands, have been invited," Obi-Wan said.

"What about Master Yoda?" Ahsoka asked. "He's part of the Council."

"He is, but I'm quite certain he will decline," Obi-Wan said.

"When is this?" Anakin asked.

"Next week," Obi-Wan said. "I assume you'll be making a donation, Anakin."

Anakin nodded. "Count on it. I'm sure there's plenty of valuable stuff in the collection I inherited."

Obi-Wan smiled. "You mean, the priceless art collection he had?"

"Yeah, that," Anakin said, standing up with Leia in his arms. "Maybe you can recommend some pieces, Obi-Wan," he said. "I don't know anything about art."

"I'd be happy to," Obi-Wan said.

"Great. Time for a diaper change," Anakin said.

"I thought so," Ahsoka said, picking up Luke.

"Where are you keeping all that stuff, anyway?" Ahsoka asked as they walked into the temple.

"A warehouse," Anakin told her. "I haven't even been there, and have no idea what's in there."

"Well, this will be an adventure, then, won't it?" Obi-Wan remarked with a smile.

A few days later….Chancellor's office

The call to the wealthiest citizens of Coruscant to donate items for the silent auction had been a great success. Padmé had set aside time to personally thank the donors. She knew that it would take up a great deal of her time, but decided it was time well spent.

Anakin arrived at the office of the Chancellor for his audience. There were several others waiting as well, and Anakin frowned as he realized he was in for a long wait.

"You're Anakin Skywalker, aren't you?"

Anakin looked over to a rather lavishly dressed man who sat nearby. "I am," he said. "And you?"

"Palo Jemabie," the man said. "I've known the Chancellor since we were both children," he boasted.

"Is that so?" Anakin replied. The infamous Palo…we meet at last. "So, you've come from Naboo for this gala?"

"Of course," Palo replied. "Padmé and I are old friends."

"So you've said," Anakin replied, growing annoyed with the pomposity of the little man.

"Forgive me, but aren't you a Jedi?" Palo said.

"Yes," Anakin said.

Palo frowned, ever so slightly. "Forgive my bluntness, but don't Jedi have a vow of poverty, or something like that?"

Anakin smiled, deciding that he was beginning to hate Palo. "Not exactly, but what's your point? I'm assuming you have one."

Palo lifted a thin eyebrow and stood up in an attempt to appear aggressive. "I have to wonder what you bring to the table, Skywalker," he said. "This isn't a …rummage sale Her Excellency is organizing you know," he went on with a condescending smile. "Items for the auction are expected to fetch a high price. I myself am donating more then five thousand credits worth of my own artwork. I can't help but wonder what you are donating, given your…obvious monetary restrictions."

Anakin looked up at him, doing his best to master his anger at the insult. And then he stood up. Palo stepped back, unable to hide his nervousness.

"I'm donating more than what your entire art collection is worth," Anakin said. "Does that …satisfy the requirements?"

Palo swallowed. "You expect me to believe that you have that kind of wealth?" he asked.

Anakin smiled. "I don't give a damn what you believe, Jamabie," he said. "I suppose we'll see what I bring to the table at the gala, won't we?"

"I suppose so," Palo said with a smirk. "I look forward to it, Skywalker."