a/n: I'm so glad people enjoy this story! Thanx so much for the reviews! Well, here is Part II to my story, Family Time. Now I can say that this is officialy, my first multi-chapter fanfic. I didn't think I would ever get here. Anyways here is Part II for your enjoyment and please keep up the reviews!

Family Time

by Jedi Princess Jainakin

Part II: Meadow Excursion

It didn't take very long to get the children ready for the day, excited as they were. Once the family was all ready, Padmé packed a picnic lunch for them to enjoy during their walk in the meadow. Anakin grabbed a blanket on his way out the door and the family was set.

The walk in the meadow was a peaceful one and the children thoroughly enjoyed listening to the crickets chirping and the birds singing. Padmé and Anakin laughed at the happy smiles on Luke and Leia's faces as they took in the sights around them. Every once in a while, Anakin would lift one of his children up on top of his shoulders so they could experience the wonders of the meadow from a new perspective. He would point out different aspects of the meadow to his children and patiently answered their many questions.

"What's that Daddy?" Leia asked, frightfully, from her perch upon her father's shoulders, pointing to a group of large brown animals across the field.

"Those are called shaaks, Leia. Don't worry sweetheart, they're grazing animals. They won't hurt you." Anakin reassured her.

"Unless you're actually clueless enough to try to ride one," Padmé teased, looking at Anakin with amusement in her eyes.

"Hey, I only did that once and I didn't get too beat up," Anakin retorted jokingly. "Plus you thought it was pretty funny."

"Well of course I thought it was funny," Padmé responded back, laughing, "I couldn't believe anyone would actually try to ride a shaak."

"Really, Daddy?" Luke questioned, joy in his eyes, "You really tried to ride one? Can I see?"

"Yes please Daddy?" Leia asked from his shoulders.

"Well…I don't know, it did hurt a bit last time," Anakin stated thoughtfully, "but if you really want me to…" Anakin looked at Padmé, amusement in his eyes. She shook her head at him and turned towards Luke

"I don't think so Luke," Padmé replied, "it's not safe and I don't want you two getting any ideas."

"Please Mommy," both children pleaded, pairs of puppy dog eyes looking into hers.

Anakin wisely remained silent, laughing inside at his children. He knew that Padmé wouldn't be able to resist that sweetness, because he knew he wouldn't be able to either. He remembered the last time he had ridden a shaak. It really was fun and he was only sore for a few days after falling off and getting trampled. But he thought it would be fun to do it again and show off to his children. He knew they would love it if Dad made a fool of himself, they always did. Anakin smiled in spite of himself; he loved making his children laugh and he couldn't imagine anything more precious than the laughter of young children.

Padmé looked over at him and saw the joy in his eyes. She knew he would do anything for his children and she loved that about him. She looked at her children and saw the same joy dancing in their eyes. She sighed and knew she had lost this battle.

"Oh all right. Your daddy can go shaak-riding if he wants to embarrass himself again. You two just promise me you won't try anything like that, ok?" Padmé questioned.

"Yes Mommy," two voices happily replied. Leia squirmed around on her father's shoulder and Anakin reached up to set her down. Her and Luke began running towards the shaak at the end of the field before their mother's voice called them back. They ran back towards her and stood by her side, hopeful eyes upturned toward their father. Anakin laughed at their expressions and grinned happily at his children.

"Ok you two. Just sit right here with mommy and be very quiet. You have to sneak up on shaaks and if you scare them, I won't be able to get on top of one. Now, just as your mother said, you must promise not to do anything like this. Ok?" Anakin asked his children.

"Ok Daddy," Luke and Leia agreed, joy and excitement shining in their eyes. They sat down next to their mother, on the blanket that she had laid out, looking eagerly towards their father. Anakin was already across the field, quietly sneaking up on one of the largest shaaks in the herd. Carefully, he walked around to the back, being cautious to stay out of the shaak's line of sight. Very quickly he leaped and landed upon the shaak, being very careful not to fall. The startled shaak galloped away, bucking all the while, trying to get Anakin off of its back. This startled the rest of the herd and soon the other shaaks were running away from Anakin's mount. Anakin was trying very hard to keep his balance and it was becoming increasingly more difficult as the shaak became more scared. After a few moments, Anakin decided it was time to get off and tried to gracefully jump off and land on the ground. But the shaak had managed to buck him off and he landed, very hard and very ungracefully, flat on his stomach. Just like old times he groaned inwardly to himself.

Oh no, not again Padmé thought to herself, watching as Anakin was thrown off the shaak. She shook her head and looked at her children, noting the startled expressions on their faces. She could sense the anxiety in Luke and Leia and their fear over how injured their father was.

"Don't worry," Padmé reassured them, "Daddy's okay. He's just a little sore and bruised from being tossed around. But he'll be fine."

Luke and Leia exchanged anxious looks, not quite convinced by their mother's reassurances. They both got up and ran, as fast as they could, to where their father lay on the ground. Padmé shook her head and looked after the children. She quickly packed up the blanket and followed after her children.

Anakin, lying motionless on the ground, could hear soft footsteps approaching him from where he had left his family. He smiled, despite the pain he felt, as he realized it was Luke and Leia coming toward him. No matter how much pain he felt or how bruised he was or how sore he would be over the next few days, he had fun showing off for his children and was glad he could make them happy. He would do anything to make them happy. Although, Anakin thought to himself, this might have been overdoing things. I probably won't do this again. By this time, his children had reached him and crouched down beside him, one on each side. He could fear their anxiety and their fears and felt that he should reassure them and let them know he was all right. He slowly turned over and smiled and them. He quickly noted the fearful look on both their faces and put a compassionate expression on his face.

"Don't be scared," he soothed them, "I'm all right. Don't worry. I'm not beat up too bad."

Luke and Leia both fell on top of him, hugging him as tightly as they could, grateful that he was okay. Anakin hugged them back, just as tight. He sensed Padmé's approach and looked towards her direction. He could sense that she was somewhat annoyed but thoroughly grateful that he was all right. He gave her a smile and she shook her head, somewhat amused. She approached him and crouched down near him, next to Leia.

"Promise me you'll never do that again," she reprimanded him.

"Ok, I don't think I'll be doing that anytime soon anyway," he told her, "it hurts just as much as it did last time."

"Are you okay Daddy?" Leia asked him, still fearful that he had more serious injuries.

"I'm fine Leia, don't worry about it," Anakin replied, giving her a small smile to prove his point.

"I'm glad you're okay Daddy," Luke told him. Then a large grin broke out on his face. All of a sudden he started laughing. "That was really funny Daddy!"

Leia nodded and started laughing as well. Padmé, as annoyed as she might be, couldn't help but mimic her children's actions and soon, she was laughing as well. Anakin joined in and soon all four of them were laughing together. They laughed for a long while, enjoying the peace and the happiness that surrounded them. Finally, the laughter subsided and all four of them had bright smiles plastered on their faces.

"Now that that's over, I think Daddy has embarrassed himself enough for one day," Padmé teased, "what do you say we go sit somewhere and enjoy our lunch?"

Luke and Leia had huge grins on their faces as they giggled at their father. They turned back towards their mother and nodded.

"Well then let's go." Padmé got up and gathered the blanket and the basket that she had been carrying. The twins got up as well and turned over towards their mother. She handed them the items and went over and offered her hand to Anakin. He smiled as he accepted her hand and got up. He gave her a quick kiss on her cheek and wrapped his arms around his waist. She kissed him back and wrapped her arms around him too. They turned and followed their children, still carrying the basket and the blanket, to find the perfect spot to sit enjoy their picnic lunch together.