Chapter 62

Naboo – Luke and Leia Skywalker's first birthday

Anakin sat with both twins on his lap as Padmé brought out a birthday cake with 2 candles on it, one for each twin. Luke and Leia's eyes widened in excitement as they beheld the cake, ignoring the family and friends who had gathered to sing them happy birthday. And just as Leia was about to reach for the flame, her father blew out the candles, as everyone applauded. The twins looked up in surprise, not understanding what the fuss was about. But their attention soon returned to the cake in front of them, and before their mother could take it away, each of them grabbed a fistful of the sweet treat and popped it into their mouths.

Anakin laughed. "Impatient little ones, aren't they?" he said.

"Remind you of anyone?" Obi-Wan quipped.

Padmé laughed. "You can't mean Anakin," she said as she picked up the cake.

"Alright, alright," Anakin said. "Enough ganging up on me." He looked down at the twins. "Tastes good, doesn't it?" he asked.

Luke turned to his father and offered him some, placing his little frosting covered hand right on Anakin's face. Everyone laughed including Anakin.

"Yeah, it sure does," Anakin said.

"I can't believe they're already a year," Ahsoka said as she watched Anakin with his children.

"I know," Anakin said. "When I think of where I was a year ago, I can't believe where I am now."

Obi-Wan smiled. "You're right where you should be, by my estimation," he said.

Anakin nodded. "Yes, surrounded by family and friends," he said, looking down at his twins adoringly.

"Who's for cake?" Padmé asked as she and Dormé returned to the terrace with plates of cake in hand.

"Me, Auntie Padmé! Me!" Sola's daughters cried in excitement.

"Everyone will, it's a big occasion," Ruwee said with a smile. "It's not everyday someone turns one, after all."

"Very true," Padmé said as she set cake down in front of her two nieces. She looked at Anakin, whose face now had nearly as much frosting on it as the twins. She smiled. "A little cake with your frosting, Ani?" she teased.

Anakin chuckled. "Sure, you can't have too much birthday cake," he said.

Luke and Leia agreed wholeheartedly.

Later that night

It was quiet in the lake house, as guests had either departed, or gone to sleep in the estate's many guestrooms. Anakin and Padmé lay awake talking quietly in their bed, reflecting on the big day.

"You know, I predict Obi-Wan and Dormé will be married before Luke and Leia's second birthday," Padmé said with a smile.

"You could be right," Anakin said. "I haven't seen Obi-Wan so smitten with a woman since Satine." He frowned as he recalled her murder. "I didn't think he'd ever put his heart out there again after what happened to her."

Padmé nodded. "I can't imagine how difficult that must have been," she said.

"He loved her," Anakin said. "But I think Dormé is helping him heal. She's perfect for him."

"I agree," Padmé said. She smiled. "Maybe one day our children will be friends with their children."

Anakin smiled. "That'll be something, won't it?"

She nodded. "Ani, I've been thinking," Padmé said.

"About anything other than the birthday party?" he asked with a smile as he played with a strand of her hair.

"Yes, actually," she said.

Anakin looked at her. "What is it?" he said.

Padmé sighed as she gathered her thoughts. "I was thinking of leaving politics," she said.

Anakin frowned; her words totally unexpected. "Leave politics? You mean, resign?" he asked.

Padmé looked at him and nodded. "Yes," she said.

Anakin propped himself up on one elbow. "Is this because of the mess with Julie?" he asked.

"No," she replied, "well, partly. "I'm tired of being in the spotlight," she said. "That incident with Palo left a really sour taste in my mouth. And then Julie and that whole media nightmare."

"I'm with you," Anakin said. "I've always hated the press, the spotlight. During the war it was brutal."

"I remember," she said. "But its more than that," she went on. "I nearly lost this baby because of the stress, because I feel torn," she said, looking at him. "I feel torn between being Chancellor and being Luke and Leia's mother," she said. "And I hate feeling that way."

Anakin looked at her. "How long have you felt like this?" he asked.

"Finding out I'm pregnant again really brought the feelings to the surface," she told him. "But as Luke and Leia have been developing, seeing them growing up so fast… I don't want to miss any of it. And then the miscarriage scare…I don't our children to ever feel short changed, and I feel like they will, that they are, because of the demands of being chancellor."

Anakin smiled. "Padmé, you're an amazing mother," he told her. "Luke and Leia are flourishing largely due to you."

Padmé smiled. "Thank you for saying so," she said. "But I feel like I'm putting them second, and my career first. I don't want to do that anymore. And in a few months, there will be another one, and I'll have even less time. I'm not sure I'm explaining myself well," she said with a sigh.

"No, I get it," he said. "And if this is what you want, you know I'll support you one hundred percent," he said.

"Thank you, Ani," she said. "I couldn't do this without you."

He smiled. "Well, you'll always have me," he said. "Always," he said, and leaned close to kiss her.

Padmé submitted her resignation two days later, in a carefully worded message to the Senate. It felt strange to be leaving politics, after spending much of her life heavily involved in the political life; but she knew it was the right thing to do. Her priorities had shifted irrevocably when she became a mother, and her career didn't quite seem so important to her anymore. Once the children were older, she would consider returning, for she knew she had a lot to offer the Republic. But for now, family would come first, as she and Anakin built a life together with their cherished twins.

As for Anakin, being on suspension was turning out to be a blessing in disguise. He was spending his days simply being a father, and watching his beloved Luke and Leia grow. They manifested very strong Force tendencies, and Anakin had begun to teach them rudimentary skills. He knew that one day they would make strong Jedi, as would their new child, and any others that happened to come along.

Several months later

Amidala and Anakin Skywalker Junior were born in the middle of the night. Anakin Senior was at his wife's side as she gave birth to their second set of twins, and was the first to hold them in his arms. It was an experience unlike any he'd had in his young life, one he would cherish for the rest of it.

"I wish they would let you stay another few days," Anakin said as he rocked his infant daughter to sleep. "It's going to be nuts with two sets of twins under two years of age."

Padmé looked up at him from her hospital bed, where she was holding baby Anakin, who was asleep in her arms. "It will be," she agreed. "But Mom and Dad will help us out."

Anakin nodded. "True," he said, looking at his daughter's face. "I think she has my nose," he said.

Padmé laughed. "After two days you can already tell?"

He smiled. "Of course," he said, not looking up. He was pensive for a moment. "I've been thinking about postponing my return to the Order," he said. He looked up at her, her face was a picture of surprise.

"Ani, being a Jedi is everything to you," she reminded him. "Your suspension will be over in a few months."

"I know," Anakin replied looking back at Amidala's sleeping face. "But I think that being with you and the babies ought to come first. They grow up so fast," he said, looking at her. "I don't want to miss anything."
Padmé smiled. "You know I'll support whatever decision you make," she said. "I'm not so sure how Obi-Wan and Ahsoka will feel about this."

Anakin shrugged. "It's not like I'm never going back," he said. "Once the kids are old enough to be trained, I'll return," he said. "What do you think?"

Padmé considered this. "I think that's a wonderful plan," she said. "Assuming there are no more children before then."

Anakin raised his eyebrows. "More? You want more?"

She laughed. "No, I think four is plenty."

Anakin nodded. "I think four is perfect," he said, looking back at his sleeping daughter with a smile.

Three years later

Anakin walked into the Jedi temple, his four children at his sides. The twins, both sets, looked up at the soaring ceilings with awe. They had been in the temple before, but today they were starting their official training, and they knew it was a special day. Their father had been instructing them informally since they could walk, but now their training would become official. And even they, as young as they were, knew how significant that was.

"Uncle Obi!" Luke cried as he saw his favourite uncle approaching them. Obi-Wan smiled, and took a knee as all four of the Skywalker children ran to him.

"I'm so happy to see you!" Obi-Wan said as he hugged all four children at once.

Anakin watched with a smile, as Obi-Wan confirmed what Anakin had believed for some time; he will be a great father. Dormé was expecting their first child in a matter of weeks, and Obi-Wan was beyond excited.

"Auntie Ahsoka!" Leia said as she saw Ahsoka coming towards them. She ran to her, and Ahsoka picked her up in her arms for a hug. A special bond had developed between Ahsoka and Leia, one which would flourish now that Ahsoka was to be her master.

"Welcome home, Anakin," Ahsoka said with a smile.

"Thanks," Anakin said. "It's good to be home."

Obi-Wan smiled. "You look terrible, by the way," he quipped.

Anakin chuckled. "Padmé started back at the senate today," he said. "Things have been a bit crazier than usual the last few days. Just wait until that baby is born," he told Obi-Wan. "Nothing like having kids in the house to deprive a man of sleep."

Obi-Wan chuckled. "Well, my wife is carrying one child, not four," remarked with a smirk.

"Guess that means you have some catching up to do then," Anakin replied.

Obi-Wan smiled. "Perhaps we do," he said. He looked down at the children. "Come," he said, "let's begin."

"Daddy? Am I going to be a Jedi now?" young Anakin Junior asked his father as he walked beside him.

Anakin looked down at his young namesake with a smile. "One day," he said. "You will be a great Jedi, Ani."

Anakin Junior smiled. "Like you?"

Anakin smiled in response and took his son's hand. "Yes, just like me."