Many thanks to you who took time to review. I'm glad you liked the beginning of this series. I know I stated that this was going to be mostly humorous, but my bunny was in a funny mood when I wrote this chapter. Remember, all thoughts, comments, criticisms and suggestions are most welcomed.

JC-Puzzler: Thanks for your kind comments. I haven't read your story yet, but I promise to do so soon : )

I like "what if" stories a lot so I wanted to venture into this area, since there seems to be very few stories covering this genre.

Pokey1984: It is fun to give Anakin a hard time although this chapter he seems to do a good job of it on himself. My eternal thanks again (which strangely didn't show up) for reviewing chapter 1. Hope you enjoy.

Marshmellowlvr: Glad you liked. Your wish is my command. : )

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"Thank you very much, Paddy."

"You're welcome, Milady." Padmé's face furrowed as she curiously shook the mysterious package that the older man had delivered to the villa.

Before she could return inside, the custodian asked, "How are those precious babies of yours doing?"

"Both Leia and Luke are doing well; thank you for asking."

With that, the older man cocked his head as he left the villa. Padmé shifted the box around, still curious what was inside.

At that moment, I came from our living area while holding Leia in my arms. She seemed to enjoy wrapping her cubby little hands in my shoulder length hair, which of course she loved to yank whenever she was unhappy. I found it strange that she would not do the same to Padmé though. Perhaps she was trying to tell me something.

As I saw my wife holding the box, I knew immediately what it was.

"It came!" I exclaimed as I rushed over to Padmé

Arching her eyebrow in curiosity, she asked, "What is it?"

She smirked at my excitement and held out her arms so we could trade presents. I immediately tore the package open to remove its contents.

"It's a holocam," Padmé observed blandly.

"It is not just any holocam; it's an Octax MVD-8000 with variable shutter speeds, automatic focus, astromech interface, remote levitation controls, two hypersensitive microphones and over one thousand hours of recording capacity." I recited with wonder.

My wife gave me a look of being thoroughly unimpressed as she shifted her attention to our daughter. "Let's let Daddy go play with his new toy, honey." She then flashed a silly smirk at me as they left for the kitchen.

After an hour of tinkering, I finally figured out all of the camera's potential uses. Who needs instructions? I was about to go test it outside when Dormé came into my work room.

"Master Anakin?"

"Yes?"

"Master Kenobi is on the holoviewer wishing to speak with you."

I smiled at her. "Tell him I will be right there."

She bowed politely as she left my room. I sighed deeply as I looked at my camera longingly. With a deep huff, I grabbed it as I went to our viewer room where I was greeted by the near life size image of my former Master.

"Master Obi-Wan, it is good to see you."

The older Jedi smirked as he calmly answered, "Anakin, how many times have I told you that you don't have to call me Master anymore? Especially since you are a Jedi Master yourself now."

I wrapped my arms firmly against my chest as I shot my friend a grin. "Well, you had a large hand in making that possible, Master."

He chuckled as he shook his head in amused defeat. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?" I asked.

"I wanted to see how Padmé and the children were managing, and you as well."

"It was a bit rocky at first, Master. But, I think after three months we are finally getting the hanging of parenting."

A curious grin crossed the face of my Master. Even though he was far away on Coruscant, I could sense his absolute pride in me. There was a time when I was arrogant enough to believe that pride was deserve and expected. Now, I almost feel embarrassed about it because of all I put the poor man through. Fortunate for me, he never held a grudge.

"I'm glad to hear you all are well. The Council asked for me to extend their best wishes and to inquire when you will be returning to Coruscant."

"Within the week, Master," I answered. "Padmé is ready to resume her duties in the Senate and with the mess old Palpatine left behind, she more than has her work cut out for her."

"And you Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked solemnly. "Are you ready to come back?"

I sighed deeply as I considered his question. Silently, I nodded at my friend. "I believe so, Master."

Obi-Wan smiled as he looked down towards my hands. "Is that an Octax 7000?"

"8000," I retorted smugly.

"Those are quite impressive," the elder Jedi Master remarked. "Does it have auto zoom?"

"Yes and also variable shutter speeds, automatic focus, astromech interface, remote levitation controls, two hypersensitive microphones and over one thousand hours of recording capacity." We both grinned like children as I rolled over the camera in my hand. "I was planning on taking some holovids before we leave."

"Well then, I won't keep you from you project," Obi-Wan said. "Please comm me when you arrive in Coruscant. I would very much like to visit with you and the family."

I smirked at him as I nodded in response. "Until then, take care my friend and may the Force be with you."

"May the Force be with you as well, Master."

As his image disappeared, I remained standing in front of the holoviewer for several moments. Since the twin's birth, I really hadn't thought about all that happened, nor the life that was waiting for us. Again, I should be thankful that there was still one remaining in the first place.

Coming out of my ruminations, I realized that this was not a time of sorrows. Rather, my family and I had much to look forward to. I smiled as I looked at the holocam in my hand. I knew exactly what would lift my spirits.

Immediately, I ran outside to the balustrade where two momentous occasions in my life occurred. I figured this would be the best place to start. I pressed several buttons on the holocam, causing it to come to life as it floated in front of me. After I removed the remote from the unit I pressed the record key.

"Hello Luke and Leia, as well as my other children that I have not yet met; it's your Daddy. Wow, I still get the shakes when I say that. Anyhow, I don't know when you are going to see this, but it probably won't be for a long time."

"I suppose that I look pretty different from how you will know me in the future. Hopefully time and you all will be kind to me so I won't age too quickly. Well, I just got off the comm with your Uncle Obi-Wan and he made me think about a lot of things. Some good, some well, not so good. So I decided to make you this recording and I hope this will all make some sense."

As I nodded to the camera, I panned it to look out towards the lake country and then back towards the balustrade.. "Well, I thought I start at the beginning, more or less. Although I had known your mother since I was nine, it wasn't until I was almost twenty when I saw her again. And it was right here where I realized that I truly loved her."

"After a whirlwind courtship," I chuckled inwardly at the euphemism. "We got married in this very same spot. Although try not to bring that up with Grandma and Grandpa Naberrie or your Aunt Sola, even now they aren't too pleased about our impromptu wedding."

I then walked around the lake house's garden and pointed out different points of interest. I spoke with Paddy Accu and several of the groundskeepers to get their version of Varykino's history. Once I was done outside, I moved inside where it was near dinnertime. Although I was surprisingly not hungry as I continued to record.

"I am sure you will all spend many summers and vacations here. This place never ceases to amaze with its beauty. Anyway, onto the kitchen where, oh my goodness, there you are; well at least Luke and Leia. Oh and look, here's your Mommy. Say hi, Momma."

Padmé turned her attention from feeding Luke to look at me with a mixture of curiosity and exasperation. The expression on her face looked like she was wondering what in blazes possessed her to marry me, let alone decide to have children with me. But my sudden lack of faith disappeared quickly when my angel gave me one of her beautiful smiles, the one that was reserved for only me.

I grinned as her as I continued. "So, we are now here with the person you call Mom or I call angel. The woman who went through thirty hours of labor to bring you both into this world so be sure to be extra generous to her on Mother's Fete day," Padmé chuckled softly as she shook her head, returning her attention to our hungry son.

"And just think everyone else has to bow and primp while calling her their Lady. Although I was required for a short while to address her as such as well"

My bride rolled her eyes as she threw a dishtowel at me. I then asked. "What are we doing here?"

"Well, it's Luke and Leia's dinner time so I am getting their formula ready, which oh Chosen One, I am choosing you to go warm up your daughter's bottle." She ordered playfully.

I quickly turned the camera towards myself. "Got to feed you, my princess. I'll be back in a moment."

I walked over to the storage vat, pulled out a bottle then set it into the warmer before picking up my baby daughter. Using the Force, I tapped the remote to reactivate the holocam.

"So here we are now, waiting for your bottle, Leia. You do seem to get quite perturbed whenever your mother or I are just slightly late with your feeding. I wonder if this will always be the case as you grow up?"

Padmé and I shared a smile as I walked over to sit with her at the table. She was giving Luke his bottle and he appeared to be nearly done as his little eyelids were getting heavy. Moments later, a soft beep indicated that Leia's bottle was ready. As I removed the bottle, I squirted a few drops on my forearm to make sure it was not too hot for her.

After placing her in the proper position, I spoke as I stood in the kitchen feeding my infant daughter. "As you can see, this is what you have to look forward to when you become parents, bottles and diapers galore. Except, do me a favor, please don't grow up too fast. Let Mommy and Daddy enjoy being the center of both your universes for little awhile."

I looked up to see my bride gazing upon me with deep affection. Despite all I subjected her during the first four years of our marriage, I knew that she loved me now more than ever. Our bond, which survived many trials, became unbreakable when we were given this gift of our children. The twins became the embodiment of our love for one another and both our universes shrunk to only the four of us.

I flashed a quick grin as I returned my gaze to the holocam. "Looks like my darling Leia, you are finished. And from the look that I am getting from your momma, it is time that both you and your brother go to bed. 0300 comes really quickly."

I then shut off the camera so Padmé and I could follow our usual ritual of sitting in the nursery with our babies to rock them to sleep. Thank the Force, it usually knocked them out within twenty minutes.

After we finished putting the twins down, my bride headed off to take a shower. Meanwhile, I took my holocam and went into Padmé's office. It was quiet and there was one last piece I wanted to record before I placed the datachip safely away. After sitting in her large chair for several moments, I punched the record button back on.

"Well, it's nearly 2200 now and your mother is upstairs getting ready for bed. I just wanted to get a few things of my chest before I put this away for you both or all as the case might be." I sighed deeply as I considered momentarily my next words.

"Luke, Leia, I have done many things in my life of which I am not proud. The Force is strong with all of us and one day you both will understand this reality. Sometimes I wonder if it is more a curse than a blessing, but I cannot change what I am nor will you be able to either."

I paused as I considered what to say next. "By this point in your lives, you both know that your Grandmother Shmi, my mother was lost tragically many years ago. For a very long time, I blamed myself for her death and I swore that I would use all my powers to prevent such a fate from ever happening again to the people I loved most."

I looked down towards Padmé's desk as I couldn't face the camera. "Your father was a fool for a period of time. He thought that he could protect you and your mother from all harm if he sold his soul to power."

Tears fell down my face as I continued to look away, ashamed at what I had done. "And in my arrogance, I nearly lost everything. But thank the Force, it was your mother's love and your Uncle Obi-Wan's faith that stopped me from that path."

Fighting through my tears, I continued, "Many years ago when I first saw your mother, I called her an angel because I thought then and still do think that she is the most beautiful person in the galaxy. But over time and with my brushes with darkness, your beautiful mother, my beloved Padmé was in fact my guardian angel. She saved me in everyway it is possible to save another human being… I can't even express how much…."

Sorrow overcame me as I placed my face into my hands and wept bitterly. "I'm so sorry, my children," I muttered through clenched teeth. "But I promise that I will spend the rest of my life, loving you with all my heart and being the father that you need. I know I will make mistakes, but please never doubt that you are all part of my soul, a part I could never live without…"

Unbeknownst to me, Padmé had come down from our room and had heard what I said. I felt the softest touch on my shoulder as she turned me around to face her. My angel smiled warmly as she reached over to kiss my forehead. She then turned her attention towards the still recording holocam to speak.

"Children, I'm sure when you see this, you will know what almost happened. But always remember that your father, when it mattered most, chose us instead of the alternative. In the end, he accepted that all the power in the galaxy cannot alter fate. While the road to that decision was difficult, he loved us all so much that none of that mattered because remember my darlings, love transcends all..." Padmé paused as she turned her gaze upon me. "Even death has no dominion over it."

Padmé then reached down to shut off the camera. As I looked up, through my tears at her, there were so many things I wanted to tell her. I was about to apologize again for everything when she stopped me with the gentlest of kisses. My angel then stood back and shook her head slightly. "No more apologies, Anakin."

With guilt eating at my heart, I looked away from her. "I don't deserve you or our children. I also should have been expelled from the Order, not promoted."

"I seem to remember a line in our wedding vows; to love and support you, come whatever may. And if you wanted to run around the universe being the big, bad Sith Lord, I'm not saying I would have liked it, but I would have followed you." Padmé smirked, trying to calm me. A strained laugh escaped my lips as I tried to not dwell on the past. Sensing my lingering thoughts, my bride's face became serious.

"Ani, you seem to forget, you didn't join Palpatine or the dark side. And while true, several were hurt during your lapse in judgment, you more than exonerated yourself when you realized the truth and defeated the Sith, once and for all." Padmé said, recalling those dark days.

"And remember what Master Yoda said. You are the only Jedi to ever face such a powerful temptation, yet remained in the light. It would have been easier to give into your fears and relish in the power than to do what was right" Padmé gave me a half smile as she offered me her hand to hold..

"That along with your admission of guilt for your actions, our marriage and your willingness to submit to their judgment demonstrated you had grown beyond the arrogant, angry boy that they had feared. That's why you are now a Jedi Master."

"Are you sure you aren't a Jedi disguised as a Senator?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

She chuckled softly. "No, but I have lived with one long enough to pick up a thing or two."

I then stood up to wrap her in a firm embrace. Of all the places I've seen and visited in this galaxy, this was where I truly belonged. In my Padmé's arms was the home that I have so desperately sought for all of my life.

"What would I ever do without you, angel?"

"Let us hope, my beloved that we will never have to find out."

TBC-Reviews are always most welcomed… :)