Chapter 16: Life Goes On

The Skywalker family had returned to Coruscant and Anakin was helping Obi-Wan and the other Jedi that had come out of hiding to rebuild the temple. Padmé and Sabé had returned to work to rebuild democracy. Leia was learning on being a politician and Luke was being trained to be a Jedi. Anakin and Padmé were proud of their children.

One night, Padmé was placing the twins into bed when she heard Anakin's speeder. "I love you both so much," she told them. She kissed them goodnight before turning the lights out.

Anakin walked in and saw Padmé come out of the twins' room. "Are they asleep?" He asked.

"They are," she replied.

He smiled as he hugged her. "How's the temple coming?" She asked.

"Slowly, but everyday we get something new done," he replied.

They sat down and she placed her head on his shoulder. "Ani, I have something to tell you," she informed. He pulled back and she looked up at him. "I'm not so sure about how you feel but..." she trailed off.

"What is it, Padmé?" He asked.

She took one of his hands and placed it on her stomach. "I'm pregnant...again," she informed. Anakin smiled and pulled her into his arms in a tight hug. Padmé hugged him back with a smile. "You're not angry?" She asked.

"Of course not," he replied.

"Good," she sighed.

"I love you, Padmé."

"I love you too."

They just held each other not caring about time.

The next day, Anakin was walking around the temple that was being rebuilt. He entered the still wrecked council room and then his mind flashed to what he saw.

(Flashback)

Anakin entered the room and saw the younglings come out of from behind the chairs. "Master Skywalker, there are too many of them. What are we going to do?" One of the younglings asked. Anakin looked at them and ignited his lightsaber. He then killed the young boy in front of the him. All the children ran around screaming. "HELP! SOMEBODY HELP US! PLEASE!" They shouted.

(End Flashback)

Anakin swallowed the lump in his throat. "I did this, I caused all of this," he whispered. He jumped when a tiny hand went in his. He looked down and his eyes widened when he saw that it was the younglings.

"We forgive you, Master Skywalker," they told him.

Anakin was in disbelief. "How could you forgive me?" He whispered.

"You didn't mean to do it, Master Skywalker," a young girl replied.

"The Emperor did that to you," the boy added.

"And we forgive you," the children added in unison.

Then they disappeared. "It isn't easy to say you're sorry, but it's a huge step to take to know that what you did was wrong," Obi-Wan informed. Anakin turned and looked at Obi-Wan.

"I destroyed many lives, master, I know many of them won't forgive me for what I have done," he stated.

"Perhaps, but the Jedi you destroyed know that the emperor manipulated your mind. He poisoned you, Anakin. That wasn't your fault," Obi-Wan assured him.

Anakin sighed as he looked around at the ruins. He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. "I know I have forgiven you, Anakin. Sabé has forgiven you and Padmé has forgiven you. We all love you, Anakin, but we can't change the past. However, we can work for a brighter future," he advised. Anakin took Obi-Wan's works to heart.

"You're right, master, but it will take sometime for me to forgive myself for what I have done," he informed.

"And in that time, I know you and Padmé plan on having another child," Obi-Wan stated.

"We are."

"And that child, is proof that you have a bright future ahead of you."

Anakin closed his eyes and nodded. "Go home, Anakin, get some rest," Obi-Wan instructed.

"Yes, master," he answered.

Then he left the temple and returned home.

When he came home, he saw a sight that he was glad to see. He saw Padmé asleep on the couch with Luke and Leia on each side of her fast asleep. In her hands was a book. Anakin smiled as he picked the twins up and tucked them into bed. Then he picked Padmé up and placed her onto their bed. He then sat across from the bed watching her sleep. His eyes were drawn to her stomach, that another one of their children was growing inside of her. "And that child, is proof that you have a bright future ahead of you," Obi-Wan's words echoed.