My thanks to all who reviewed and read the last chapter. Comments, suggestions and criticisms are always welcomed. Now we get to see how Anakin's and Padme's vacation turns out; meanwhile, Obi-Wan and Sabe are keeping an eye on the twins.

GallyHoshi: Glad you like. Padme definitely is the Sabacc shark. Guess it is all the practice she gets from dealing with disreputable senators.

LokiGirl: Yes she is. Thank you so much for reading. Hope you like this chapter!

Emerald Green Queen: Happy to know that this made you smile. I have a lot of fun tormenting the normally unflapable Obi-Wan so keep looking out for more of that. By this point, the twins are a little over three years old and they are quite smart for their age. As for more Skywalkers, we shall definitely see ;).

Lunatigerstar: Thank you so very much for your kind comments. Hope you enjoy this next chapter!

PrincessSkywalkerOrgana: I really appreciate your wonderful comments and look forward to your thoughts on this chapter!

LVB: No doubt. Obi-Wan definitely got a lesson in humility from a politician of all people :). Thank you so much for reading and your review.

Dogdemon4040: Glad you liked. Thanks for reviewing!

Countess Jackman: Thanks so much. As for what lies ahead, we'll get a good idea after this chapter. Hope you enjoy!

Lilac Moon: Thanks a bunch and here you go :).

Pokey: Happy to know that you had fun reading. Enjoy!

StradCelloGrl123: Thanks for reviewing and glad you liked.

Maxennce: I wholeheartedly agree with you. I definitely would not like to be Padme's opponent in anything (politics or sabacc). As far as another Skywalker...keep on reading. Thanks a bunch for your review and hope you enjoy the update!

A/N: A billion thanks goes out to Jenn for betaing this chapter and giving me some wonderful ideas. Thank you, Thank you! Now, away we go...


I closed my eyes as I breathed in the fresh sea air while I lay on the warm sand. The crashing of the nearby waves against the shore was especially relaxing as sleep was quickly calling me. I allowed a grin of pleasure to cross my face as I didn't have to worry, for the moment, about two screaming three year old twins; nor their tantrums or getting them out of trouble with Master Yoda. Thanks to my Master's miscue. It afforded my angel and me a much needed and well deserved vacation.

It had been almost four years since Padmé and I had been able to spend significant time alone together. First with Sith Lords running around causing trouble, then with Sithly-like twin youngsters stomping about, not giving either of us a moments peace. It was to the point where I couldn't use the refresher without either of my children banging on the door to get my attention. And poor Padmé. The twins were really growing and both still demanded that she carry them around whenever they hurt themselves or fought with one another. Her back was always a knotted mess at the end of the day. Yes, this vacation was well deserved and earned.

As I was about to drift off, a tiny body jumped on me and I suddenly felt the cold chill of dripping water. I opened by eyes to see my soaked wife grinning as she wrung out her hair on my chest.

"Hey!" I screeched.

She continued to grin as she said, "Come on Ani, the water's great."

"You go ahead, angel. I am going to take a nap"

Padmé raised her brow curiously as she snuggled against me. "I'm surprised that you are laying on the course, rough sand. You know it does get everywhere," she said teasingly.

I propped myself onto my elbows to look at my wife. A maniacal grin eclipsed her face as she grabbed my hand. "Why don't you come with me into the water where everything is soft and smooth."

I rolled my eyes as I shook my head. "Alright, I have to admit that was pretty lame on my part. However, milady, may I remind you that despite that, the line obviously worked."

Padmé stuck her tongue out at me and screeched as I tried to reach over to tickle her. However, my queen was too quick as she ran back towards the water. I then rose to my feet and chased after her into the ocean. As I flapped through the water in a vain effort to catch Padmé, I uttered several choice Huttese curses directed at Obi-Wan for never teaching me how to swim properly. However, before I could resume my search, I felt a pair of slim legs wrapped around my waist at the same time that two arms reached around to grab my shoulders.

"Got you!" Padmé yelled as I turned my head to look at her.

"Whatever will you do with me?" I asked as I arch my brow with curiosity.

My angel smirked before she kissed my cheek. "I'm sure I can think of something, Master Skywalker."

Padmé let go just long enough to move around in front of me and grab hold once again. We were standing a few meters offshore, holding one another, when I noticed my wife—my lover, for the first time in a long while. Even though I frequently compliment her physical attractiveness, I had forgotten what a beautiful person she truly was. Force, I am the luckiest man in the galaxy.

At that moment, I thought about those two kids who fell in love on Naboo and married in secret; neither one knowing what fate would bring. Now, after seven years of marriage and twin children, I see in those deep brown eyes the home that I dreamed about—first as a slave boy sitting in the Tatooine dessert, waiting for miracle. Then as a young man who desperately sought acceptance within a venerable Order, but who finally found it upon the return of this angel into my life.

"I love you, Padmé. I will always love you."

Her face brightened as she responded, "And I love you." My wife gave me a quick kiss, but furrowed her face when she withdrew. "Why the serious look?"

"No reason," I said as I changed my expression. "Just needed to tell you that."

Padmé's beautiful smile eclipsed her face before she embraced me tightly. "Well, don't let me stop you if you have any more to say." We both laughed as we continued to wade in the rolling waves. Thankfully, Padmé took mercy on me and helped me work on some of my swimming strokes since we never seemed to get around to it whenever we were at Varykino. After I completed her tutorial, I was rewarded by a wall of water that she splashed in my direction. And like our two children would probably do, we were chasing each other along the shore, kicking water at the other. Thankfully the twins were not present to observe and learn from our model display of maturity.

I finally got tired and headed to the shore so I could lie back down where we had left our things. My wife followed quickly behind and stood over me as I was getting comfortable.

"Are you going to stay here much longer?"

"I thought I'd dry off a bit before heading back up to the cabin. How come?"

Padmé tried unsuccessfully to hide a mischievous grin by shaking her head nonchalantly. "I have a surprise for you, but you have to promise that you'll comm me before you head inside."

"I promise."

She smiled happily as she bent down to give me a quick kiss. "Then I will see you shortly."

I nodded as I closed my eyes for a much needed nap. As I drifted out of consciousness, I briefly wondered how my old Master was doing with the twins. I'm sure they are all enjoying themselves.


Obi-Wan sighed audibly as he hit the accelerator on the landspeeder. The three year old Skywalker twins had been incessantly arguing since that morning when they left their home to travel to their Mother's home village up in the mountains.

"They're having fun without us," Leia pointed out angrily.

"No they're not," her brother vehemently argued.

"Yes they are."

"No they aren't."

"Uh huh"

"Nuh uh"

"Children!" Obi-Wan exclaimed, his voiced drenched with irritation. However, before he could scold them, Sabé let out a slight chuckle.

"Oh Obi-Wan let them be. They miss their parents," she said with a large smile. "Right you two?"

The two cherub faced twins nodded solemnly for a moment, until Leia gave her brother a wry look.

"They're having fun and they're never coming back."

A look of horror filled Luke's face as tears welled up in his eyes. "Really?" he tearfully asked.

"Uh huh," his sister replied matter of factly.

The sandy haired boy cried out in agony while Obi-Wan strangled the speeder's control sticks as he tried to remain calm. "Leia, you know that's not true."

The little girl pouted, but his tone of voice suggested that there would be no further room for argument. Leia then patted her brother's head as she painstakingly apologized. "I'm sorry, Lukey. I just miss momma and daddy."

Still frowning, Luke nodded as he muttered, "I miss them too."

Feeling sorry for the twins, Sabé said, "Once we get to the carnival, I'll buy you both, your own piece of Corellian rock candy."

"Yea!" both twins cried out as their gloomy mood miraculously lifted.

The former handmaiden grinned at the still agitated Jedi Master. "Sometimes when all else fails, resort to bribery."

Obi-Wan cracked a smile at Sabé's mirth as he gave her a sideways glance. "Interesting diplomatic skills. Did they teach you that in the handmaiden academy?"

Sabé chuckled while retorting, "No, actually Padmé taught me the finer points of politics while she was still Queen."

"I suppose my previous assumption was true then."

"Which was?" Sabé asked as she arched her eyebrow.

Obi-Wan grinned. "Politicians are not to be trusted."

"Oh really, Master Kenobi," the young woman observed as she feigned a scowl of agitation towards him. "Much the same could be about the Jedi prior to the inception of the new Jedi Code."

As Obi-Wan took his eyes off the road to look at Sabé, he quickly noticed the mischievous smirk growing across her face. He chuckled loudly as he said, "I do believe, milady that you are making fun of me."

"Never, Obi-Wan. I'd be much too fearful to tease a Jedi Master."

As the two adults were busy catching up on the years that passed since their last encounter, the Skywalker twins were busy in the backseat discussing their plans for the day.

"I want to get on the big hover wheel and ride the shaaks alone," Leia pointed out.

Luke crinkled his face at his sister. "You can't ride them without Uncle Obi-Wan."

"Yes I can. Dad said I could."

"No he didn't."

"Yes he did."

Luke folded his arms snugly as he sulked. "You're gonna get in trouble."

The little girl shook her head as she turned her attention out towards the landscape. Several minutes later they had finally arrived. Before Obi-Wan could open the door to the speeder, both Skywalker twins jumped out and ran towards their waiting grandparents at the carnival's front entrance. Sabé and he quickly joined them as Ruwee gave them both a knowing grin.

After he hugged both Leia and Luke, the Naberrie patriarch returned his gaze to the Jedi. "Looks like you have your hands full."

Obi-Wan released a deep breath as he answered, "Seems as if I bit off more than I could chew."

The elder man chuckled as he placed a hand of comfort on the Jedi's shoulder. "Well, never fear son. Jobal and I figured that even with Sabé's help you would be in need of reinforcements."

A look of pure gratitude shone over Obi-Wan's face as he thankfully shook Ruwee's hand. "I truly appreciate it, sir."

"Don't mention it, Master Jedi," Padmé's father said as he noticed Sabé waiting anxiously nearby. "Now you two go and have some fun and we will keep an eye on these two until Sola and her brood join us this afternoon."

Sabé beamed as she thanked Ruwee. Before Obi-Wan could reiterate his appreciation, she snaked her arm around his and whispered, "There's a water ride that you have to come with me on."

"Sounds intriguing," he said as they ran off together.


After waking from my nap, I comm'd Padmé, just like I promised and she asked that I go over to Sola and Darred's cabin, which was right next door. She wanted me to clean up and she had laid out something that she bought for me to wear. Since they were not there, I entered the door code and quickly headed to the fresher to shower. I noticed that my angel had chosen a white synthsilk shirt with a black vest and black pants. It was similar to the outfit from the Thousand Moons Colony that I wore during our trip back to Naboo when I was assigned to protect her. However, the quality of these clothes was significantly better.

After cleaning up and getting dressed, I made my way back up to my in-law's cabin. It was a small, two bedroom structure that was built for intimacy. There was no Holonet access or any other distractions, which afforded the occupants the opportunity to focus on one another. As I opened the front door, I immediately detected the scent of jasmine and fresh flowers in the air. What also caught my attention was that the inside was completely pitch black except for a row of candles that trailed down the entryway towards the living area. Briefly reaching out into the Force, I could sense my wife's presence nearby, as well as a growing feeling of anticipation about something. My curiosity was piqued when I found a handwritten note adhered behind the door, instructing me to follow the lighted path.

Intrigued, I obeyed the instructions and walked down the entry way and towards the dining room. I stopped abruptly when I saw an assortment of candles surrounding the table on the floor, with a single one set in the middle. Also, two places were set perpendicular to each other for dinner along with two already filled wine goblets. Another note placed where I normally sat for our meals instructed me to sit and wait; dinner would be served shortly.

Interested in what my beloved wife was scheming, I again dutifully obeyed and sat myself down. I was grinning to myself as I tried to imagine what she could be possibly wearing. If she was cooking dinner, I doubt she would wear her red synthsilk lingerie or her very thin, light blue nightgown; however, I could hope. I know for a fact that she had her black leather corset dress here on Naboo, now whether or not she brought it here was another story.

I was lost in my ruminations when Padmé emerged from the kitchen holding a silver tray with our dinner. I sighed deeply when I saw she was wearing a conservative, long deep blue dress and had her hair done up with several loose tresses dangling from the sides. She looked quite breathtaking don't get me wrong; however, I suppose her surprise was making me dinner. As she set down the tray to serve us, I smiled as I declared, "Milady, you look absolutely gorgeous."

Padmé beamed as she twirled around playfully. "Why thank you. You look quite stunning yourself."

I winked at her seductively as I stood up and wrapped my arms around her while I kissed her. However, I did not want to mess up hours of preparation so I pulled away only to be firmly grabbed on my arm and drawn forcibly back to her.

As I ran my hands along her back and down her sides, I whispered, "I wish we could skip dinner and go straight to dessert."

Padmé chuckled. "I promise after dinner you will enjoy the real surprise."

"Which is?"

She then grabbed my shoulders and spun me towards her while she leaned back against the wall. As Padmé began to deeply kiss me, she slid her right knee up against my left thigh while she grabbed my hand and guided it under her dress. I slightly flinched in surprise, but chortled evilly when I became aware that my wife, the esteemed Senator and former Queen of Naboo was not wearing anything underneath her dress.

I looked at her astonished as she smiled sheepishly. "I thought it would make the evening more…inspiring."

I looked at her wild eyed. "You could say that." Much to my delight, Padmé had made my favorite meal—Bantha stew. This was not an easy dish to make so I wonder what I did to deserve such kindness. Whatever I did, I was going to savor this moment for as long as possible.


After we finished our delicious meal, I swooped my wife from her chair and carried her to the bedroom. As I laid her down on the bed, I noticed that she had a troubled look on her face. "What's wrong angel?"

She sighed deeply before she answered "Something…uh well…nothing…."

Looking at her seriously, I stated, "Your thoughts betray you, my love. I feel the conflict inside you."

Padmé looked at me reluctantly and then reached over to give me a soft kiss. Becoming paranoid I blurted out, "You've met somebody else."

With an initial look of astonishment that quickly turned into amusement my wife chuckled momentarily before reaching for a pillow and smacking it over my head. Looking at her pensively I asked, "What was that for?"

Gazing at me with mock disdain she said, "Anakin Skywalker, that is about the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard come out of your mouth." But her mannerisms changed when she sensed my continued trepidation. She then reached for my hands, motioning me to sit up across from her. Padmé then looked deep into my eyes. "Ani, you know I love you more than life itself and there is nobody else in the universe I'd rather be with than with you. You are my lover; my best friend; not to mention the father of our children." My heart relaxed as I saw a soft smile sweep over her face as she continued "And that is what I want to talk to you about."

With slight concern I asked, "Is something wrong with one of them?"

She shook her head. "Nothing at all my love, it's just…"

Squeezing her hands affectionately, I asked, "Just what, angel?"

Nervously, Padmé asked "Do you remember the night after I told you I was pregnant with the twins?"

"Of course; how could I forget?"

She smiled sheepishly. "Do you recall what else we talked about?"

The worry suddenly came flooding back into my heart. I knew exactly what my angel was referring to . While we reveled in our excitement about becoming parents, we talked about the future and how things would change. We also spoke about how much we were looking forward to raising our baby together and that we were both open to having more eventually.

When I was a boy, I always had aspirations for a large family, given that it was only Mom and me for so many years. Then I was blessed with being taken in by Padmé's family and I thoroughly loved how close they were with one another. When Padmé was young, she hadn't really thought about having her own family; especially since she was Queen. After we married, we occasionally chatted about having a couple of children, but never said anything definitive. Somehow during the years, we ended up wanting four children. That was prior to us knowing we were going to have twins and especially before she had complications while delivering them.

Returning to the moment, I nodded nervously as I answer, "I remember."

I was about to protest, my angel placed her fingers gently on my lips. "Before you tell me what I know you are thinking, just hear me out, alright?"

Nodding, Padmé then steadied herself. "Anakin…I love you so very much. Having children together has been one of the most joyous experiences of my life next to marrying you." She paused to look at me thoughtfully before she continued, "I know that we went through a very difficult and frightening time with the twins and I know how scared you were and are about this, but I really want to try, Ani. I want to have another baby."

With my heart trembling, I answered "I'm just so afraid to lose you angel. I know it's un-Jedi like and I should be stronger than this, but the truth in the matter is that I am scared. Padmé, I love you so much and the thought of living without you is too much to bear."

She reached over to kiss me gently and as she pulled back she said softly, "I will completely understand if you don't want to have anymore children. The circumstances that the twins were born during weren't the best and I'm sure the stress of the situation had a lot to do with what happened."

I nodded solemnly as I listened and remembered those dark, yet wonderful days that led up to the birth of Luke and Leia. The elation of holding them in my arms for the first time, knowing that we were eternally linked gave me a sense of happiness that I had never felt before. Especially once I knew Padmé was going to be fine, I had never been more content in my life. Finally, the years of searching and needing to belong were over. There were now four of us; forever connected by blood and spirit. How could I let my fears deny Padmé or myself from experiencing such bliss again?

She grinned mischievously as she observed "Well, if nothing else, I'm sure you won't mind the actual trying part."

I chuckled softly as I answered "Not at all."

Cocking her head to one side she asked, "How do you feel? If you need time to think about this, Iwill…"

Softly, I placed my fingers on her lips to interrupt her. "I don't need time to think about this." I sighed deeply as I continued, "While I am honestly frightened about what could happen, I also know that I love the life and the family that we have built together; so this time we will be much more careful and with no more Sith Lords trying to convert me to the Darkside, I'm sure it will be less traumatic."

Raising her eyebrow Padmé asked with reluctant excitement "This time?"

Smiling warmly at my bride, I nodded. "Yes my love, this time."

Before she could speak, I brushed my lips at first softly against hers as I reached over to release Padmé's curly hair, which tumbled down onto her shoulders. I then deepened the kiss as I pressed her gently into the bed. While I was pulling off her dress, my angel beamed as she whispered, "Besides, you and I make pretty babies."

With a sly grin I answered "That we do my angel. Besides, what are the odds we'd have twins again?" Padmé and I chuckled softly as I wrapped my arms around her tiny body. We then fell into passion's embrace letting whatever fate had in store for us, come to pass.

TBC-Reviews are always nice. Does a bunny good :)