CHAPTER SIX

GOOD? NO. GREAT NEWS

Padmé felt something on her shoulder softly shaking her. She opened her eyes and saw Anakin with a scary look in his eyes.

"What, what is it, Ani?", she asked still half asleep.

"The twins are crying, they won't stop, I tried everything". He had a concerned tone in his voice. Padmé smiled and sat up.

"They're hungry, Anakin. It's ok, bring them to me". She never thought Anakin would be so sweet and concerned about his children. He might have spend hours trying to keep the twins steady to avoid waking her up. He was a good father already.

"There you go. . . ", Anakin said handing the twins to her. Padmé smiled and recieved them. Anakin opened his eyes wide when he saw how his wife fed their children. "Does…does that hurt?" he asked half shy half frightened. Padmé smiled. Anakin was so naïve…

"Well, not reaAAA!!", she yelled. Anakin panicked.

"What should I do? You want me to call the doctor?", he asked scared. Padmé tried not to laugh at her husband and just gave him a smile.

"No, Ani. I'm fine, this is perfectly normal, I just have to get used to it", she explained.

"Oh…yes, I knew that…"

"Yeah, right. Come here, sit next to me". Anakin sat next to her and watched his children eat. They were so beautiful! He thanked the Force for having healthy children and for his wife's strength. Minutes later, Padmé handed him Leia. Anakin was carrying her without knowing what Padmé was asking him to do.

"Sometimes when they eat, they swallow air, so afterwards you must make them burp. Here, watch me", she explained. She leaned Luke on her so that his head was resting on her shoulder. She softly rubbed his back for a while until the baby burped. Padmé smiled and looked at her husband. "See?".

"Got it". He rested Leia's head on his shoulder and rubbed her back just like Padmé had done it with Luke before. Less than a minute later, Leia burped. Anakin smiled. "Hey, it's not too hard…"he was interrupted when he felt something moist on his shoulder. He held Leia in front of him and noticed she had just puke on his shoulder. Padmé laughed at Anakin. "Oh, Force! This is my favorite robe!", he complained. Padmé couldn't contain her laughter.

"I'm so sorry, Ani…"

"Oh, I'm sure you find these very amusing, Padmé", he said a little annoyed.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I do!!", she answered chuckling. Her giggles were contagious, and soon Anakin joined her. They were laughing when they heard a knock on the door.

"Ani, could you please get that?", she said still laughing. Anakin nodded and opened the door. It was Obi-Wan, Mace Windu, Sio-Bibble and Yoda. They all looked stunned at Anakin, who still had Leia in his arms.

"One of the little ones, I assume this is", Yoda pointed Leia smiling.

"Yes, this is Leia. Please come in", Anakin asked returning the smile. The whole Jedi troop went inside the room and greeted Padmé. Anakin sat next to her and held her hand. Obi-Wan carried Luke, who was pulling his beard and Yoda had Leia who was very busy studying the little green creature's ears.

"Well, we've come here for two reasons: one, to congratulate you for your new family…" Mace said, Anakin and Padmé nodded "and the other one. . . Sio-Bibble please".

"Thank you, Mace. The other reason has to do with your duties as a Jedi, Skywalker". Padmé looked down and Anakin squeezed her hand to encourage her.

"What about them, Sio-Bibble? Do I have a new mission?" Anakin asked, secretly praying to have no mission at all.

"No, Skywalker. After a lot of thinking, we've decided to give you a little vacation so that you could be with your wife and children", Sio-Bibble corrected smiling. Padmé's and Anakin's eyes lightened up, they couldn't believe what they were hearing.

"Really? I could really use a couple of weeks at home. This is amazing!", Anakin said smiling.

"Not weeks, Skywalker", Mace added in a serious tone.

"Oh, is it going to be less time?"

"Granted you one year, we have. Keep you busy, this children will", Yoda said smiling at Leia. Padmé couldn't believe the news: she was finally going to have her husband home with her and the children for one full year!! Her eyes glowed as they haven't done it for months. Anakin looked at her and smiled kindly. They hugged. After a while Anakin stood up and bowed to the Jedi.

"Thank you so much, you don't know how much this means to me. I can't imagine how to thank you. We really appreciate this", he said grabbing Padmé's hand.

"It's alright, Anakin. You've worked hard this two years, and you are a good Jedi knight. It's time for you to be with your family and enjoy them as much as you can", Obi-Wan said handing Luke to Anakin.

"Thank you, Masters. You've been very kind. We expect your visit to Naboo soon so you can see how the twins are doing", Padmé said with a kind and grateful tone.

"We'll be looking forward to it, senator. Thank you", Mace pointed.

"Well, you must be very tired, senator. We'll leave now" said Sio-Bibble.

"Thank you again. I will enjoy my vacation. May the force be with you". Anakin bowed carefully, he was still carrying Luke.

"And with you, Skywalker", Yoda said leaving Leia on her crib and then following the other Jedi. Anakin left Luke on his crib and waited for the door to close. When it did, he looked at Padmé, who was smiling at him.

"Can you believe this?", Anakin said moving his arms in the air.

"Come here". Anakin walked towards her and wrapped his arms around her. She rested her head on his clean shoulder and returned the embrace, never wanting to let go. "Ani, I'm so happy. . . I can't believe this". Tears rolled down her cheeks. Anakin noticed and cleared them with his thumbs.

"Don't cry, it's alright", he said trying to comfort her. In response he got a chuckle. He looked at her confused.

"Ani, I'm a woman, I just gave birth to twins, and my hormones are out of control. It's normal that I cry for everything. You should have seen me these last three months. . . I even cried when my ship wouldn't start", she giggled. Anakin looked at her.

"I really missed a thing or two, didn't I?", he asked with a sad tone.

"Yes, you have. But you have a whole year to make it up to us, so don't worry. Come here. . . my third baby", she teased.

"Oh shut up, you old maid. . . "