A/N: Hullo! This is Chapter 5: Fatherhood. I think I'll be completing this story within the next week -- I still have two more chapters. I really, really appreciate everyone's reviews. Thank you so much.

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"Ugh. Obi-Wan, does calling each other at the same time make you feel the same way I feel?"

"Like giggling adolescents?"

"Exactly."

"How sickingly sweet."

Siri smiled. She cradled the comm's earpiece on her shoulder. In one week, she could listen to him talking with her ear against his cheek, instead of a metal device. And in two weeks...

"Well, I'm happy you called," she began. "I have some news."

"Me too."

"You first."

"All right, love. Master Windu says that we should be home in three days, instead of seven." He heard her draw her breath back. He laughed. "I knew that'd make you happy!"

Silence.

"Siri? Siri, are you all right?"

"Yes," her voice was soft. "I'm fine. That's wonderful."

"Are you cryi---"

"Oh no, Kenobi. We JUST had that conversation. Besides, I'm just laughing a little bit."

He sighed with relief. "Now, what's your news?"

"Nothing really that urgent," she said innocently. "You won't believe the story Bant told me about Fitso's brother. Quite the scandal. Oh, and our daughter will be here in two weeks! But anyway--"

"WHAT!"

"Well, you see, it turns out that a few years back he had a fling with the Temple's head financial advisor! Can you believe that--"

"I HATE it when you do that!"

She grinned. "Two weeks, love," she said softly.

"Are you sure?" Obi-Wan's voice was nearly a whisper.

"Yes."

They talked for a while longer, working out what time the Jedi would probably arrive back on Coruscant.

Anakin drew his hood over his head. Rain poured down in sheets as he strectched his arms to grab a crate of ration bars from off the back of a transport. He pulled the crate into his arms and swung around to walk back to the supply building. His feet started to slip in unstable muddy ground, but he quickly regained his balance. Two seconds later, he started to slip again. Anakin kicked his feet awkardly until his feet flew out from underneath him and he landed face down in the muck.

Lovely.

To top if off, he looked up only to see a grinning, bearded face.

"Good afternoon, Anakin! I was looking for you."

"Hello, Master," Anakin murmered, defeatedly raising his head up.

Obi-Wan held out a hand and helped Anakin off from the ground.

"Here, let me help you with that." He picked up the crate that Anakin was been attempting to carry. The two Jedi started walking back toward the supply building.

"You seem to be in a good mood," said Anakin, wiping the mud off from his face.

Obi-Wan turned around and smiled. "We are to be leaving early, now that the Relief Movement is here." There was a twinkle in his eyes, as the two friends walked side-by-side. "And, I just spoke to Siri again. It seems that our daughter is going to be here in two weeks, according to Bant."

Anakin grinned and patted him on the back. "Congratulations, Obi-Wan. You must be excited."

Obi-Wan deeply sighed. "Thank you. We are."

Four standard hours later, the Jedi had loaded onto the gigantic freighter ship to take them back to Corausant. All of them felt reluctant to leave with the refugees' lives still in shambles. Still, the Nubian Relief Movement would help them more than the Jedi could. Anakin and Obi-Wan sat at a table on the observation deck, watching Corellia slip away. Both were intent on getting some rest before arriving back on Corusant. Anakin looked over at Obi-Wan, who was drifting in and out of sleep. It was hard for him to imagine his mentor knee-deep in diapers. Obi-Wan had watched Luke and Leia countless of times. While it was clear that he had fun babysitting them, he had always ended up completely frazzled.

Anakin knew that Obi-Wan would be a good father. He smiled to himself. Obi-Wan was already a good father -- Anakin had always considered him to be more than just his Master. Obi-Wan had been a true parent to him. He knew enough stories about Anakin to humilate him in front of Luke and Leia.

Obi-Wan stretched in his seat and yawned.

"You know that you're got going to be getting any beauty sleep in next few months, right, Master?" Anakin teased.

"Oh, I'm certainly aware. I figure I might as well start making up for future lost time."

"Sure... that makes perfect sense."

A few minutes later, Anakin thought that Obi-Wan had drifted back to sleep. Through their Force-bond, he felt that Obi-Wan was perfectly content and peaceful. However, he also felt that Obi-Wan was comtemplative, and not worried. Anakin was surprised when he spoke.

"Anakin, did you ever have fears?" Obi-Wan's tone was soft.

"What do you mean?"

Obi-Wan straightened up in his seat. "I sometimes doubt that I can be a good father. Siri and I are going to be responsible for her. For a little tiny life. What if something happens to her or me? What if we can't protect her?"

Obi-Wan was staring at the tabletop, his eyebrows knitted tightly together. Anakin knew exactly what his friend was going through.

"I had the same thoughts that you did. When we found out that Padme was pregnant, we were so scared. We couldn't tell anyone, and I felt so alone. The galaxy was in turmoil." Anakin stared into the beautiful vastness of space through the observation window. "But we knew that we loved the twins, and that we'd do everything we could to keep them safe. But if we couldn't, well..." he sighed. "Honestly, those thoughts never go away. But eventually, you learn to accept that you can't always keep them safe, but that's what makes them their own little people. That's when they become who they are."

Obi-Wan smiled. "That helps, Padawan. That helps."

"Any time."

Obi-Wan was again silent.

After a while, he said, "I'm proud of you. I still haven't figured out when you grew up."

Anakin threw him a cocky grin. "Well, at least you realize it."

Obi-Wan just shook his head.