While You We Out

Chapter 12

Sulustian Take Aways and Reunions

When Obi-Wan reached the Healers room, he found Anakin sitting up in a bed and Leia... Leia in a hovering high chair. He repressed an involuntary shudder as Luke virtually threw himself at his father.

"Fadda POO!" Luke squealed happily as Anakin took him into his arms. "Pa-pa! Opee- Wan go bye-bye!!"

Anakin cast Obi-Wan a puzzled look but Obi-Wan just shook his head.

"It's nothing..." he replied dryly. "But are you alright? I thought it was only Leia who was ill..."

"They won't let me out of this Sarlac pit disguised as a Healers ward until I eat something," Anakin sighed. "Breakfast wouldn't stay down, but now I'm as hungry as a rancor. I took the liberty of having some dinner sent up for you and Luke as well..."

Ameriss suddenly appeared at the doorway with a second hover high chair and a few dishes of food. She eyed Obi-Wan appreciatively before setting down the dishes and helping Luke into the high chair.

Anakin smiled. "Thank you Ameriss," he said as she began setting up their dinner. "That smells wonderful!"

Ameriss returned his smile and mouthed something that to Obi-Wan looked suspiciously like 'com number' before taking her leave. Obi-Wan was incredulous.

"Sulustian take away? Gods Anakin... doesn't Padmé know what that does to you?"

"Yes...Jedi Mild for you. Sith Spicy for me." He began to tear into his dinner like a man possessed.  "Padmé won't be there tonight and she won't let me eat it when she's home since I stuck her head under the covers after dinner one night... I spent the rest of the night on the couch for that one..."

Obi-Wan, having had his own dealing with Anakin and his penchant for spicy foods, ignored the comment. "They're bringing her right to the Healers then?"

"Yes..." he replied between gulps of food. " Tomorrow after lunch... "

"What if you're still unwell?"

"I'll come if I have to drag myself by my fingernails..." Anakin replied taking a moment to move Luke farther away from Leia, who was trying to force feed him with her own spoon.

"And the children...?"

Anakin sighed. "We'll manage, right children?" Leia made another grab for her brother who began howling in protest. "Somehow..."

"I'll come in the morning..." smiled Obi-Wan, who gently began spooning both twins their dinner. "We'll get you settled  in tonight, and I'll be back in the morning."

"Eat," replied Anakin taking one of the spoons himself allowing Obi-Wan to start eating his dinner which was rapidly cooling. "It's not necessary Obi-Wan..."

"No arguments my friend," Obi-Wan replied softly. "The children and I will be just fine. Just be sure that the keys to your speeder are secured...."

The next morning, Anakin left as soon as the twins had been put down for their after breakfast nap, once again professing not to have an appetite.

A few hours later, Obi-Wan packed up the twins and headed back to the healers ward.

Once he got there, he was directed to a small private room and he felt his apprehension to embarrassment as he entered the room.

Padmé was sitting part way up in a bed, her healers gown pushed up past her belly and the blankets pushed nearly past her waist. Headless of the monitoring devices stuck all over her abdomen, Anakin was blowing 'fart noises' on her belly while a radiant Padmé giggled like a school girl.

Before Obi-Wan could think of a polite way to interrupt them, Luke and Leia cried out in unison.

"Massa-MA!!!" They squealed as they tried to wiggle out of the stroller. Blushing furiously, Obi-Wan placed the two excited infants into their mother's waiting arms.

After the welcome homes and cuddled greetings died down, Obi-Wan cleared his throat.

"Welcome home Padmé," he said at last. "I trust you are better?"

"Thank you Obi-Wan," Padmé smiled. "Anakin told me you've been a wonderful help..."

Anakin blushed a bit as he rearranged Padmé's bedding. "Do you want to tell him or should I?"

"Tell me what?"

"I should have known," Anakin said softly taking Padmé's hand in his and looking dreamily at her. She returned his look and Obi-Wan flushed even more, remembering what he had 'seen' in their bedroom.

"Known what?"

Anakin kissed Padmé's palm and smiled at Obi-Wan.

"Padmé's not ill, per say, it's just that..."

"Just that what?" Obi-Wan asked a bit apprehensively.

Anakin's smile became a grin. "We're expecting."