While You Were Out
Chapter 2
"What do we do NOW?"
The only thing that managed to drown out the combined wails of the twins was the sound of the massive Republic ship taking off. Unfortunately, that mercy was soon at an end and the two Jedi found themselves the target of unwanted attention from passers by. Mutters of 'scandalous' and 'the nerve of those Jedi' met their ears and they quickly decided at least a change of venue was in order.
"What in the name of all that's holy could be wrong?" Obi-Wan asked, exasperated.
Anakin craned his neck, trying to juggle his chrono and the now slippery child in his arms.
"Best guess is they're hungry," Anakin ventured. "I know that they've been on a growth spurt..." As if to confirm this, Luke grabbed his father's gloved hand and began chewing, causing Anakin to utter an oath. "Teething... and he ALWAYS goes for the left. It's as if he knows which hand can feel the most pain..."
The Jedi began walking towards the taxi stand, and as if they were aware that their needs were going to be addressed, the children's cries dissolved in to hitches and sniffles.
"Ma!" said Leia triumphantly. "Maa-sa MA!"
"She's missing her mother already, "observed Obi-Wan sagely as Leia settled into his arms, but Anakin shook his head.
"She calls everyone 'Masa' or 'Masama'. I think it's because they're spending too much time at the Temple... She's trying to say "master" because she hears it from my lips so much."
Not to be outdone, Luke began to chime in with his own rendition.
"Sy-Ock! Sy-OCK Sy-ER SOCK!"
"No... Say 'father ', Luke," Anakin began tickling his son under his chin. The taxi had arrived and the two men, one feeling far more conspicuous than the other entered. As they settled in, Anakin continued to try to educate his son.
"Luke, say 'daddy'."
"Sy-OCK-bbbbbbbb." replied his son through a happy burst of bubbles.
"Father." Anakin repeated, determined.
"Masa-OCK! Bwan!" crowed Luke.
"Faaaaaa-ther."
"Be-WAN poo!"
Obi-wan raised an eyebrow; Anakin chose to ignore him, intent on the matter at hand.
"No Luke," he said a little exasperated. "I am your father!"
"Sy-wok CHUBBA!" Luke replied, obviously pleased with his new sound. Anakin had the good graces to flush.
Another arch of the eyebrow. "And I suppose he learned THAT particular word from home?"
"Padme*, actually..." Anakin replied absently. "Faaaaa-ther Luke... try it, please?"
"Chubba-POO!"
Aware of the odd looks they were getting from their driver, Anakin pulled his com out of his pocket and handed it silently to his son who promptly began sucking on the end. Once again, Obi-Wan cast his companion a look but Anakin only shrugged.
"It keeps him happy," he stated a matter of factly, stroking the sandy locks of his son's hair. Luke gazed at his father with utter adoration, and they made the rest of their journey to Coco Town in relative peace.
