After a long hot soothing shower, Anakin dressed in a black pair of jeans and a dark blue shirt. Barriss was outside in the garden sitting in the gazebo. She was meditating, she felt Anakin's strong current in the Force and she looked up and saw him standing over her. He offered his hand and Barriss stood to her feet.

"You clean up nicely, Master Skywalker." Barriss smiled.

"Please Barriss, we are the practically the same age, just because I defeated the Sith doesn't make me any more important than you."

Barriss was pleasantly surprised by his humble nature, maybe being married with two children and a third on the way somehow mellowed him out.

"Okay, Anakin."

Anakin and Barriss went for a walk before dinner.

"I guess I won't be about the bush, Anakin."

"You never do, Barriss. That's one attribute that I really like about you."

"You aren't going to like what I have to say."

"I know, but say it anyway."

Barriss took a deep breath and looked into Anakin's blue eyes and communicated with him telepathically, she didn't want others so overhear what she had to say.

"Anakin, there are possibly two alternatives to helping Padmé and your unborn child. The first would be to put Padmé into a force-induced coma and remove the child artificially. Keep Padmé in the coma until her heart could recover, but it is uncertain how long it would take, she's getting weaker by the day."

"Yes, I know. I supplement her daily with my healing, but it is not exactly my forte."

Barriss smiled gently, "Yes, aggressive negotiations are your forte."

Anakin smiled sadly, "Yes, but unfortunately those aren't going to help Padmé."

"The second alternative is not really any better, but it's the only other option I have."

"Go on."

Barriss took another deep breath, "We could block your child's ability to use the Force as it is draining Padmé of her life. The child could start developing her skills in her later years."

"Let me talk it over with Padmé and see what she says."

"Anakin, we both know what she will say, she is willing to sacrifice herself for the sake of her child, and she's a mother, that's what they do. I don't agree discussing this with her, I think we should see if we can at least first but a block on the child's abilities first and if that doesn't work than offer choice number two."

Anakin sighed deeply suddenly feeling a need to mediate on this.

"Thank Barriss I appreciate your help in this, I'll meditate and let you know what I've decided."

Barriss felt badly she wished she could do more, but ultimately the decision was Anakin's.

Mara Jade entered the meditation chamber to see Anakin sitting crossed legged on the floor. Tears were gently falling as he continued to meditate. Mara could feel his pain and sorrow, even though he was trying desperately to hide it.

Mara was about to leave when Anakin called out to her. Mara sat across from him and only listened to what her master had decided.

"Mara, what I'm about to say must remain between us, understand?"

"Yes, master."

"I've decided to help Barriss Offee to remove the ability for my unborn daughter to use the Force; she is unknowingly removing Padmé's life force."

"How is that possible, Master?"

"I don't know. The only thing is that my daughter may never be able to use the Force, ever."

"Isn't it possible to put a block on it until she reaches a certain age?"

"Maybe, but there is a lot of uncertainty with this plan and worse my daughter might grow to resent me."

"It is a difficult choice master. I'll help you in any way I can." Mara Jade promised.

"I know you will young one."

Mara smiled and felt a warm glowing feeling embrace her; Anakin was getting very good at giving hugs through the Force.

Padmé awoke the next morning to feel her daughter's movement in her stomach; she smiled gently as she laid her hand on her baby. She was enjoying a peaceful moment, Anakin was gently snoring, and her Jedi protector was so sweet when he was sleeping, his long blonde locks falling in his face as he gently murmured. He needed his rest and she wasn't about to awaken him. Luke and Leia awoke that morning and gently eased the door open. They peeked around the corner to find their mother sitting in her rocker humming a melody they both recognized. Their father was asleep his chest bare, but was wearing his black silk pajama bottoms. His hand was lying over the side of the bed. Padmé put her finger to her mouth motioning them to be quiet.

Luke started to shake up the shaving cream and put some in his father's hand while Padmé stifled her laughter. Leia took a large feather and started to tease it around her father's nose. "Stop Obi-Wan, I'm tired." Anakin murmured.

Leia kept it up until Anakin's hand lifted and he smacked himself in the face with shaving cream.

Padmé, Luke and Leia started laughing hysterically as the prank worked.

"What the hell?" Anakin saw his family laughing at him and as he glared at Luke and Leia they tried to run out of the room.

"Where do you think you are going, Luke and Leia Skywalker?" Anakin sternly asked as he held up his hand and stopped them. As they struggled, Anakin held them there as he went to the bathroom to wash off his face and hands.

Luke and Leia tried to combine both of their force abilities to fight against the barrier that Anakin had erected around them, it was no use, and he was too powerful. He grabbed his shaving cream and proceeded to spray a glob of it above his hand and Force pushed it through the barrier to hit both Luke and Leia directly in the face.

They shrieked and as soon as the barrier was lowered they ran to the bathroom, as Anakin laughed.

"Our children are a handful are they not?" Padmé asked.

"Yes."

Anakin helped Padmé to her feet and hugged her tightly, "Anakin, you're trembling what's wrong?"

Anakin didn't answer and just clung onto Padmé.

"Ani?"

"Padmé, there's something I must tell you and it isn't going to be pleasant."

"Tell me Anakin."

He gently lowered her to the settee and knelt beside her on the floor. Tears came from his face as he started to explain the situation with Padmé, she was at first angry and then sad as she realized there was no other way her unborn daughter A' Marie would have to lose her ability to use the Force; it could be years before she could sense it or it might be never. This decision was obviously crushing Anakin but it was the only way to save Padmé and the baby.

"How are you going to do this, Anakin?"

"I will have to form a bond with this child and ever so gently pull her ability from her, Barriss will help. We will have to put you in a trance so you won't feel the baby's discomfort."

"Will it hurt A' Marie?"

"I don't know, maybe, but since she's still unborn I don't believe she will remember this."

"When will we do this?"

"Soon, possibly tonight, I will need you to rest."

Anakin left Padmé's side and returned to the meditation chamber where he was visited by an old friend.

"Anakin."

"Qui-Gon, it's nice seeing you again. I've missed you."

"Yes, young one I know. You are worried about A' Marie."

"Yes, master. I don't like this choice I have to make, how is this really going to work and how long will the block last?"

"The name you have given your daughter is very appropriate. Gracious under adversity, she will survive this and her abilities might take time to develop but they will and when they do she will be very strong in the Force. You will have your hands full, I see her becoming like her father: stubborn, fiery-tempered, and sarcastic. But her love of family will surpass all this she will be the tie that binds."

"That's comforting, Qui-Gon thank you."

"You are not to inform anyone of this, one day will come and you will recognize the time to begin training."

"Me?"

"Yes, her powers should start developing at about the age of nine."

Qui-Gon said his farewell and told him that he would be watching out for the both of them.

Author's Note:Okay, I hope my constant readers are somewhat happier with this conclusion of my story. One more chapter and then the fun really begin with part III. Thank you for your support. DarthGladiator45