Ch. 5

Anakin stared at Padme, unsure of how to react. Pregnant? He had always hoped that he and Padme would eventually have children, but this was so sudden and unexpected to him. The timing was terrible- he'd be leaving on another mission soon; he couldn't even guarantee that he'd be home to see his child born. How would they keep this secret if they had a baby? He had always thought that when his taste for adventure had been satiated, that he would retire from the order and he and Padme could live an average life, and then start their family. But he certainly wasn't ready to give this life up yet, and he knew it would hurt her career as well.

However, at the same time, the back of Anakin's mind was filled with hope. A baby? How wonderful would it be for he and Padme to raise a child, cementing their love forever. He could raise it as a Jedi; perhaps he could even be its Master! To have your own child be your Padawan- it had certainly never happened before…but of course, there was a reason for that. The code… so maybe he'd be expelled from the order, but certainly his child would share his medichlorian count, and could join the order! Whatever the outcome, Anakin was ready to love his coming baby. Though his worries certainly outshined his excitement, he hoped that as he got used to the idea, this would change. For now, he would do whatever Padme needed.

Padme! He suddenly looked at her, standing in front of him, just waiting for him to react. He suddenly felt deep empathy for her. How had she been able to deal with this alone, before he came back? How long had she known? Her career would definitely be in jeopardy, she couldn't hide this pregnancy forever, and he knew how much she loved being a Senator. He saw in her eyes that she was thinking the same way he was- she was worried, anxious, and unsure of her next step. He tried to probe her mind to see how he could comfort her, but all of her energy was focused on him, waiting for his reply. All he could tell was that she was just as unprepared for this as he was feeling. But he knew that she would be a fabulous mother no matter what, and he knew that he could find a way to be ready too.

"Anakin, what are we going to do? Please, say something," She pleaded.

"In the long run, I don't know what we're going to do Padme. There's no point in me trying to gloss over the fact that this is a worrisome turn of events- I have already felt that you agree. But Padme, you are far too worried. All of your thoughts are so invested in worrying about how this will affect us in a negative way- have you yet stopped to think about the positive side of this situation?" He paused, smiling at her. "Padme- we're going to have a child! I love you more than life itself, and now, that love is going to be forever manifested in a child that we have created through that love. Padme, this is wonderful news. And it calls for a celebration."

Whatever Padme had been expecting, it hadn't been that. For a grown man who had just played what she could only categorize as a practical joke on a Jedi Master,those wordsmust have come from somewhere buried deep in his head. Anakin had just spoken the wisest and most mature words she had ever heard him speak; and they had been exactly what she needed to hear. She had, of course, feared that he would be devastated that their young lives had to end so quickly, but her main fear had been a different one. She would have preferred his honest opinion, even if it were negative, to his trying to cover up his feelings and pretend he was overjoyed. She had truly feared that he would try to act happy around her, and thus spend more time away worrying to himself about what to do. But Anakin, with wisdom and compassion beyond anything she'd ever witnessed in him, had somehow found the perfect medium for her ears. She looked into his eyes, and suddenly knew that everything would be all right.

"Oh Anakin, how did you know exactly what I needed to hear."

"I just said what I felt Padme. And because we are so perfect for one another, it simply was exactly what you needed to hear."

Padme wrapped her arms around her husband and he held her tightly. She began to cry, but this time the tears were happy ones. She was going to have a baby with the man she loved, and suddenly, this didn't seem like such a bad idea.