CHAPTER TWENTY
PADMÉ'S DECISION
Things were getting better. Anakin was recovering his strength and taking things one day at a time. Although he was a little blue about not being a Jedi anymore, he was happy to see Luke stronger than ever. He never got sick again since he got better. It seemed that having his father's powers helped him 'a little bit'. Now little Luke didn't walk shyly and frightened as he used to. Now he run all over the house and the gardens with Leia. His sister, though she was very young, was a little jealous of her brother's energy and good resistance.
Anakin had to do some special exercises to keep in good shape. Every time he went running he felt tired and this seemed strange to him. Then he remembered that he wasn't the same man anymore. Padmé hated to see her husband so frustrated, so she would join him in his 2 hours a day running exercises. That way she would keep her good shape. Sometimes, they would take the children with them and race to see who was faster. Anakin didn't like to do this competitions because he got tired, so he just watch his children and his wife run through the meadows.
One afternoon, as many others, the Skywalker family were at the meadow. The kids were running around and Padmé and Anakin sat down on a blanket. They were watching the twins run. Anakin noticed that Padmé has been quiet the whole afternoon. He wondered what was the matter with her.
"What is it, Padmé?"
"I was just thinking about what we talked some time ago, about Luke becoming a Jedi". She smiled when he saw Luke holding a stick and waving it like a lightsaber.
"And?". Anakin was dying to know his wife's answer. It was hard to get used to not having Jedi powers and be a regular person. Padmé pointed at Luke and smiled once again.
"Look at him, Ani. He already looks like a Padawan waving that stick like that. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I don't let him be a Jedi, it's his destiny". Anakin couldn't believe what his wife just said. He wrapped his arms around her, stood up and spin her as he kissed her face. Padmé laughed and begged Anakin to let her down because she was getting a little dizzy.
"Whatever you say, misses Skywalker", he said teasing her. Anakin turned to look at his son. "Hey Luke, come over here!", he yelled. Luke came running to where his parents were and sat on his mother's lap.
"What daddy?", he asked smiling. Anakin sat down next to Padmé and held his son's hand.
"Well, mommy and I were thinking if you would like to be a Jedi". Luke's eyes were shining out of joy. He jumped out of his mother's lap and hopped around his parents laughing.
"I'll take that for a yes", Padmé said.