Part 55

After a massive medication treatment along with surgery, the doctors on Chandrila were able to save Padme's liver, she had her pancreas removed and an artificial one to replace it. As for her reproductive system, the doctors were able to stop the internal bleeding and no permanent damage was done. She was no longer considered in critical condition and would be able to leave the hospital in a couple of days.

During the two days that Padme spent in recovery, Obi-Wan got the chance to be with his daughters again. When they weren't visiting Padme, Obi-Wan spent a lot of time working on exercises with the girls. Mara had continued to be more advanced than Sola, but Obi-Wan made sure to give special attention to Sola in helping her to use the force. It was a great bonding experience for Sola and Obi-Wan, he hadn't felt this close with his daughter since they were together on Roon. He realized how much he missed while he and Padme were away on Tatooine for all those months, and how much he needed his daughters. Padme was right, he couldn't leave Sola and Mara, he had to find a way to keep the family together. And he knew the person he needed to talk to about it.

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"What are we going to do?" Padme asked looking up at Obi-Wan, concerned about the future of their family.

"We are going to stay on Chandrila with Sola and Mara."

"Here in the palace?"

"No, I've spoken with Mon Mothma, you and I will be living in a small village right outside the palace gates."

"And the girls?"

"They will live here; they will legally be Mon Monthma's"

"What do you mean?"

"She is going to formally adopt them."

"WHAT?"

"Padme, it's the only way, Mon Mothma and I have discussed this, we think for Sola and Mara's safety it is best that the girls are not traced back to us."

"You mean by changing their names?"

"Yes."

"But when we would see them? How can we be a family if they are not living with us?"

"They will only be living in the palace while they are attending school, during holidays they will be with us in the village, and they can come visit us, we can still see them everyday sweetheart."

"I can't give up my girls Obi-Wan."

"You won't, Mon Monthma knows this is not the type of adoption Bail has with Leia, this is for our daughter's protection. The Emperor and Vader will never know who Sola and Mara really are."

"What is she going to tell the public?"

"That she adopted two orphans who recently lost their parents."

"And the girls will be changing their names?"

"Just their last name."

"And they will come visit us?"

"Yes, palace security will be escorting them to our apartment after school everyday."

"What about our stuff on Tatooine? Will you be going back for it?"

"Yes, I didn't get to bring much of our things here, I will be returning to Tatooine tomorrow to get the rest of it."

"Will you do something for me Obi-Wan?"

"Anything."

"Take me to see Luke, just one last time."

He hesitated before answering, it was a risky move, but he couldn't deny her, she would never see her son again.

"Okay."

"Thank you" she said quietly as she gave him a gentle kiss in appreciation.

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When Padme and Obi-Wan arrived on Tatooine, he decided this time Padme was not going to leave his sight. He rented a speeder for them to take to the Lars homestead.

As he helped her off the speeder he noticed how she was still in pain from the surgery, he reached out through the force to help ease her pain. She looked up at him and smiled showing her thanks. He noticed she had become more aware of the force lately.

She was dressed in a red cloak, her hood covering her hair, but once she pulled the hood down her long brown curls were revealed. There was never a moment she didn't look beautiful.

"Do I look professional?"

"You're gorgeous."

"I'm serious Obi-Wan; perhaps I should have worn one of my senate gowns instead of this plain pink dress underneath this cloak. I want to look nice for Luke."

"I personally never cared for those huge gowns you wore, you look too formal when you wear them, you want Luke to remember Padme, not Amidala."

"I just want him to remember this moment."

"He will, and it doesn't matter how you look, but you always look beautiful."

A big grin came to her face when all of the sudden Owen appeared in the doorway.

"I thought I'd heard a speeder outside, was wondering if you were ever going to come to the door" he said coldly.

"Hello Owen, how are you?" Padme said gently smiling at him.

"I've been better."

"May we come in?"

"You can, but he can't."

Padme turned to look at Obi-Wan, unsure of what to do, he smiled at her and said, "go ahead, it will be fine."

She followed Owen into the house, as she walked down the stairs into the kitchen she said, "I don't appreciate the way you treated my husband back there."

"I'm sorry Padme, but I don't like him, I don' want him near Luke."

"He would never do Luke harm."

"I think Obi-Wan is a bad influence."

"He isn't, but I am not here to talk about Obi-Wan; I came to see Luke, may I see him?"

"Why do you want to see him?"

"A few months ago I saw him at the market in Mos Eisley, I spoke with him briefly, you've raised him well, Obi-Wan and I are leaving Tatooine, I wanted to say goodbye, this is my last chance to see him."

"How do you know you will never return?"

"It's too dangerous; I have to protect my daughters from the Empire."

"Where will you go?"

"We will be with the rebel alliance."

"I hope it works out for you, I'll go find Luke for you."

"Thank you Owen."

She stood anxiously while he went to get Luke, the moment had finally come, her last moment with her son.