PART 15

When Vader walked into the hospital on Endor he sensed Padme had been there, but he also sensed something had happened. He immediately went to the front desk demanding to know what had taken place here. The woman behind the desk informed him that the former Senator had come in, with another man, but that she and the baby died in childbirth. Part of the deal she made with Obi-Wan was to put on record that one child was born, instead of two. Vader could tell she was lying, so he ordered his imperial troopers to search the records while Vader continued walking around the hospital.

When the troopers came back, they told Vader how the records did indeed say the child was still born, and Senator Amidala's death certificate was filled out and signed. Vader force chocked the trooper who gave him the news, and then he approached the woman behind the desk and started force chocking her until she told him the truth about what happened to Senator Amidala.

"What happened to the Senator, TELL ME WHERE SHE IS."

"She died, shortly after the delivery, I swear, I'm not lying, I saw the man who came in with her carry her body out of the hospital, he was very distressed, he was screaming in the room when she died, but two….."

His grip became harder, he noticed she was trying to speak, but he didn't want to hear anymore, he finally let his anger take control and in a few seconds she was gone.

He ordered the troopers that they were leaving immediately, while in his ship, he tried to contact the Emperor, he needed his Master's help in understanding how he could still feel Padme was alive yet apparently she was dead. He ordered troops to Naboo to interrogate her family into finding out if she was buried there or if they knew about her death. He believed that the baby had died, it explained how he could not sense its presence, and that something terrible happened at the hospital, but he still felt Padme was alive, and needed to be with her again.

But when he spoke with his Master he was instructed that another Jedi was spotted on a planet in the outer rim in hiding and ordered Lord Vader to go there at once. His master said they would talk about Padme once he got back from that mission. Knowing he had to obey, Vader changed course on his ship at once.

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Obi-Wan could tell something was on Padme's mind all evening, he gotten to know her pretty well over the past few months, just as well, if not better than his former Padawan.

"Something's bothering you, I can tell, what is it" he said as he tried to amuse Leia on the floor with the twin's toy blocks.

"You know me too well sometimes Obi-Wan" she said with a smile on her face.

"Tell me" he said so softly Padme barely heard him.

She didn't answer, she just walked over to him and gave him a quick kiss then picked up her daughter and went back to the table with her. Obi-Wan sighed and got up and said,

"I'm going to check on Luke see if he's still napping."

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As they were both sitting in their bed reading right before they were about to go to sleep, Obi-Wan knew what was on Padme's mind, it was Anakin. He knew when she didn't want to talk about what was bothering her it usually involved him, it was all part of the whole "we will not speak about Anakin" agreement they had.

He turned to her and said, "You've been thinking about Anakin haven't you?"

She continued reading her book, then put it down and said, "Yes, he's been on my mind more than usual lately."

"And you can't mention this because?"

"Because I don't have to tell you everything that's on my mind, because I'm allowed to keep things to myself."

He opened his mouth to reply, but decided it was best to drop it.

"No, tell me what you were going to say" she said in a very confrontational way, it was that kind of attitude that he couldn't stand about politicians.

"Fine, no, you don't have to do anything, I'm not your husband, even if I were you still would not have to, but I am a part of your life, I offered to marry you after the twins were born because I know you come from a traditional family. You said no, I understood your reasons, then we came to our agreement about not mentioning Anakin, but just because I'm not your husband doesn't mean I don't have a right to know what's bothering you. I only live here, take care of your children, and risk my life to keep you and them safe. I want to help you, but I can't if you won't confide in me because you refuse to mention his name. But do you HAVE to tell me, NO, I can still go on being the person who supports you, watches after you, and pleasures you night after night without being you're equal."

"How dare you accuse me of---" but then she was cut off by Luke's screaming, he obviously sensed the tension going on between them, Obi-Wan said Luke was extremely force sensitive like his father.

"I'll get him" and Obi-Wan quickly left the room.

When Obi-Wan got Luke he couldn't get him to stop crying, he went back into the bedroom so that Leia would not wake up, and Obi-Wan figured Luke probably needed nursed. When he walked in he saw Padme curled up in a ball on the bed crying. His heart sank seeing her like that.

"Padme, I think he needs nursed" as he sat down beside her on the bed.

She got up and took a wailing Luke in her arms, she tried to feed him but he still continued crying. Frustrated, Padme started rocking him as she still continued to cry softly.

Obi-Wan bent down beside the bed and gently placed his hand on her knee and said,

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that, please forgive me."

"No, you have a right to say how you feel, I'm crying because I'm sad you feel I don't look at you as my equal Obi-Wan. I DO appreciate all you have done, you are the kindest man I know. Don't think because I didn't want to marry you I didn't think of you as my partner, I do."

He rose up and hugged her, she kissed his cheek and he returned the kiss. When the kiss broke Luke stopped crying and started smiling at his mother.

"Wow, is this normal for children who born force sensitive?"

"It doesn't happen very often, but yes some are this strong with the force, he has a very strong connection to you, Leia does too."

"They have a connection with you too Obi-Wan, They fuss when you leave in the morning." He smiled at her then picked up Luke who was started to doze off and put him back in his crib beside his sister.

When he came back to the bedroom Padme stretched out her arms and he came to her, they sat holding each other for a few minutes before Padme said,

"Anakin has been on my mind a lot, he's still looking for me, I know he is, and he won't stop till he finds me."

"I'll keep you safe, I'll die before I let anything happen to you or the twins, we can leave Tattooine if you want."

"No, I don't think we should unless we have to, we can't run forever Obi-Wan."

"I'll run as long as you want me to, I'd do anything for you Padme."

Tears started forming in her eyes again, Obi-Wan hugged her tightly and tried to soothe her tears with his kisses, it worked and soon Padme started pulling off his nightclothes. Later, as they lay there after their lovemaking with Padme's head on his chest, she said,

"Obi-Wan, I love you, I love you the way you deserve to be loved, I'm ready for you to marry me now."

He didn't know what to say, she rose her head and looked at him to make sure he wasn't sleeping.

"Don't feel you have to do this because of what I said earlier, I was angry, I wasn't making an ultimatum."

"I know, I know you would never force my hand, I know I said before I had no interest in ever being married again, but, being here with you, is the life I've always wanted. Even under these circumstances, I still want my love for you to be official."

"I love you, I don't need to say a vow to always be there for you."

"Same here, but I want to" she looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Then I guess I better go buy real wedding rings for us then."