Chapter 2
Obi-wan sat in utter shock. His former apprentice was married? When did this happen. In one sense he was surprised, but in another he wasn't. The Jedi master had sensed the connection between the two even when Anakin had been a small boy. Hadn't he warned the council about this very fact? He stuttered, "Well, that explains a lot."
Anakin laughed nearly spewing out his drink. Seeing the look on his mentor's face he apologized, "I'm sorry master. It's just you're not usually so blunt. I believe this is one of the few times I've seen you lose your composure."
Obi-wan was not happy at being put out of character. Yet for some reason, Anakin had that effect on him. "Well this is the last thing I had in mind. How long have you two been married?"
The other replied, "Since the beginning of the Clone Wars. We got married when I escorted her to Naboo."
The Jedi was shocked yet again. So this was the big secret. "Is that why you left the order?" Knowing the answer was yes he continued, "But why now?"
"Because we tried keeping it a secret, and it just wasn't working out. Our relationship began to show signs of neglect, and other complications cropped up too." He confided,"Padme's not any happier about me leaving the Jedi than you."
Obi-wan nodded in understanding. He knew the senator rather well and knew Anakin was right. She would not want Anakin to give up his entire future if he didn't have to. As sad as it sounded, he knew Anakin could not return to the Jedi unless he left Padme. Not that Obi-wan would want him to leave his wife anyway. That was completely out of the question. It would be selfish of him, and not Jedi like behavior.
He had noticed his padawan had mentioned another reason for leaving. He prodded, "You mentioned other complications."
Anakin sighed. Why had he said that? Now he would have to tell Obi-wan about Padme being pregnant. "The other complication is that Padme is pregnant with our first chid. I can't be a Father if I'm tromping all about the galaxy all the time. And I don't know if I want our children to become Jedi or not. We haven't really talked about that yet."
Obi-wan found for the third time in the same night that he was surprised. First Anakin was married, which when he thought about it was possible. Now he was going to be a Father. A strange feeling of protectiveness came over the Jedi master. He didn't know the source of the foreboding, but knew it was a warning. He asked cautiously, "Does anyone else know about this?"
Anakin shook his head, "No. You're the first one we've told." Seeing a familiar look on Obi-wan's face he whispered, "You sense it don't you? A strange sense of foreboding. I have felt it for some time, though I cannot determine it's source. A shadow is looming."
Obi-wan was not surprised by this statement. He knew how perceptive Anakin was. He nodded in agreement and apologetically stated, "I fear I must return to the temple." The Jedi rose to his feet and pulled Anakin into an embrace. When he released him he cautioned, "Be careful Anakin. Do not disclose the information about Padme and the child to anyone you do not trust completely."
Anakin was sad to see his mentor go, but knew that he also needed to return to the senate. Palpantine would be expecting him to escort him to tonight's meeting. He responded warmly, "I will, and may the force be with you."
Obi-wan nodded and then left the diner through the front door. Anakin turned on his heels and headed for the back door. Once outside he walked casually to the speeder which sat parked in the back of the diner. He was soon gliding through the busy skyways of Courscant toward the senate and his new home.