Padmé opened her eyes slowly. The brightness of the room felt awkward to her vision so she waited until the images weren't so blurry. Next to her bed in the med center she saw Sabé deep in conversation with Obi Wan. They both looked worried. To her opposite side stood Anakin's parents and sister, Sola, with her two daughters. Pooja noticed how her aunt opened her eyes and made sure to acknowledge the rest of the visitors.

"Mommy, she's awake!", she exclaimed. Every single head in the room turned to Padmé and they all looked shocked to see her awake. Sola placed her hand over Padmé's and smiled kindly at her.

"How are you feeling, Padmé?", she asked kindly. Padmé tried to answer her but her throat went suddenly dry. Sola noticed and asked the nurse to bring her a glass of water. Padmé drained the glass in two seconds and sighed heavily.

"Thank you". Sola nodded and whispered something into her father's ear. Ruwee nodded and quietly left the room. "Where... where's... Anakin?", asked a weak Padmé. Sola turned to look at Sabé who gave an approving nod of her head. Sola smiled.

"He's all right. The healer was able to save his arm", she explained. Padmé sighed in relief and granted Sola a tired smile.

"Good. How is Seth? Is he doing all right? Where is he? I need to see him...", she spilled. Sola placed a hand on her shoulder and shushed her.

"He's fine, I promise. We'll bring him to you once you are stronger, in the meantime..."

"But I'm strong enough now, I want to see my son", Padmé interrupted. Pooja climbed to the bed and placed her hand over Padmé's.

"My cousin is okay, don't worry aunt Padmé". Everyone in the room smiled at the little girl, including her aunt.

"Fine, I'll believe you", she replied playfully. A nurse interrupted the moment saying that the visiting time was over. They all said good bye to Padmé to let her have some rest. She decided to make the most of the situation and closed her eyes again to get some sleep.

*

A light intruded her peaceful slumber and unwillingly Padmé opened her eyes. A blurry image of a man appeared in front of her eyes. An image of a man she knew.

"Ani?", she asked. A weight on her bed sent her on alert and she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. A comforting hand settled over her arm.

"Yes, it's me", he replied. Padmé's eyes opened widely at the sound of his voice and as soon as she got a clear view of her husband she cried his name in excitement and threw her arms around him. Anakin sighed in relief after seeing that she was all right and carefully returned the embrace.

Padmé pulled back a little and kissed him as she hadn't done for a long time. Anakin more than willingly responded, releasing all the fear, angst, despair, longing and love he had felt during Padmé's absence. He cupped her face and allowed his lips to linger on hers for a while. One desperate kiss led to another and another until they were both gasping for air. When they finally broke apart they pressed their foreheads together and closed their eyes. Anakin sighed happily.

The worst was over.

"I can't believe you are finally here with me", he whispered into the darkness. Padmé smiled and combed his hair with her fingers. Anakin kissed her again and then held her against his shoulder.

"I missed you", she confessed. Suddenly, Anakin pulled away, smiled, and walked towards the door. Padmé was so confused she only managed to blink. Her confusion was swept away when the door re-opened, revealing Anakin carrying a small bundle in his arms.

Padmé's breathing quickened. Her heart started beating three hundred times faster. Her eyes welled up in tears. Her palms got sweaty. Her vision focused on Anakin's arms, specifically on what he was carrying. On who he was carrying.

Anakin smiled at his wife's reaction and walked closer to the bed. And he thought he had missed his son... Padmé's expression proved him that his nostalgia was nothing compared to the yearning she held on seeing her son again.

"Someone came to pay you a little visit. Do you think you can see him?", he asked playfully. An anguished laugh blew past Padmé's lips and she extended her arms towards her husband. Anakin sat down next to her and willingly gave Seth back to his mother.

As soon as Padmé felt her child's warmth she started crying. The baby seemed to recognize her for he started making sounds and smiling. One of the little hands reached for Padmé's cheek and that was when the dam broke. Tears started falling all over her face landing on the baby's blanket and soaking it. A nervous giggle escaped her as she held her son close to her heart.

It was a big effort for Anakin to keep his tears to himself, but he succeeded. He reached for Padmé's hand and squeezed it in a sympathetic gesture. Padmé squeezed back and mouthed a 'thank you' to her husband. Her attention returned to her son when he grabbed her index finger. Anakin smiled widely.

"See? I told you he remembers you", he commented. Padmé shook her head and smiled in return.

"He doesn't have to remember me anymore... I'm here now, and I don't plan leaving his side anytime soon...", she paused and caressed Anakin's cheek. "...nor yours, Ani". He smiled and brushed her lips with his for a brief kiss. When they broke apart she looked down at the baby staring wide-eyed at her. "He's grown so much... his hair is longer, his eyes are as blue as yours", she observed in awe. Anakin smiled his agreement.

"I know... he looks just like you", he chuckled and shook his head. "You should've seen all the trouble he gave to Sabé... she's a goddess!"

Padmé frowned, obviously confused but smiled anyway. "Why?"

"Every time she tried to change his diaper he would grab the powder bottle and start shaking it, making a real mess... Or when Sabé tried to feed him he would spit the food on her and laugh about it, and sometimes he...", Anakin paused after noticing the sad smile on Padmé's face. He sighed and lied down next to her, his shoulder a pillow to her head. She accommodated her head on Anakin's chest and sighed deeply. "Don't worry", he soothed as he played with her hair, "you'll make it up to him for all the time you spent away from each other".

"I know... but still... I feel as if I missed a lot of his life", she regretted. Anakin kissed her temple and smiled at her.

"But he's still a baby, he's young and you will be an active participant in his life, forever", he promised. After seeing that Padmé wasn't that convinced by his words, he added: "you are a wonderful mother, honey"

Padmé gave him a serious look and breathed heavily.

"Don't... call me... 'Honey'". They both laughed at her words and sighed afterwards. It was good to be together again as a family. Anakin tightened his embrace on Padmé and placed a determined kiss on her cheek. Padmé nuzzled the side of his face and stared at him. They looked at each other and spoke all the things they couldn't say with words.

Padmé smiled mischievously after reading her husband's thoughts. To her smile followed a giggle and a kiss.

"Oh, I can't wait for that either, mister...". At her husband's shocked expression she laughed and kissed the tip of his nose.

"No fair..."