Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. It all belongs to LFL.
AN: Here's chapter 7! Thanks for all the great reviews!
A Matter of Trust
Chapter 7: Blazing a New Path
Barriss placed her hands on Padme's belly and reached into the Force, trying to sense what was going on. Anakin impatiently paced at the foot of the bed and Obi-Wan had to resist the urge to smack his former padawan upside his head. Right now, he was more concerned about Padme's condition and the unusual, distant frown on padawan Caelan's face. Her moody disposition was concerning him a bit and he was sure that Barriss had noticed her padawan's demeanor.
"Is she okay Barriss. It's too early for her to be in labor, isn't it?" Anakin asked, as he ran a hand through his shaggy blonde hair. Barriss opened her eyes and smiled gently at Padme. The female Jedi had been using her healing gifts to determine Padme's condition. But when she went into the meditative healing trances, she could also sense other things about people. Padme was a good woman, she could truly see that now. She had sensed the intense feelings of love that the Senator held for Anakin and her unborn children. She had been wrong to be so harsh to them both.
"The pain is subsiding. Padme is not in labor," Barriss reported.
"Then why the contractions?" Obi-Wan questioned.
"She was just having what are known as Braxton-Hicks contractions, or false contractions. Usually they occur in the first trimester of pregnancy, but the can occur in the second. They simulate the pain of real contractions, because of the tightening of the uterine walls," Barriss explained.
"So she and the babies are all right?" Anakin asked. Barriss smiled.
"Yes Anakin, they're all fine. It is likely that this was caused by stress, for it can be the worst enemy to a pregnant woman. I know that a lot of what has happened lately has put you under a lot of stress Padme, and I didn't make it any easier. I want to apologize to you both for the way I treated you," Barriss said. Anakin and Padme both smiled and nodded.
"Master, you can't actually be apologizing to them! The Senator is the one who should apologize for taking Anakin away from us!" Zara yelled.
"Control your temper padawan! Wait outside for me. Once we get back to the temple, we are going to have a very long talk," Barriss chided her padawan. Zara huffed and stormed out of the room.
"I apologize for my padawan's outburst," the knight said.
"It's all right Barriss. Thank you for coming and helping me," Padme said.
"You're welcome Senator," Barriss replied.
"Please call me Padme," she replied. Barriss nodded with a smile, then left the room.
"You gave us quite a scare," Obi-Wan said. Padme smiled.
"I'm sorry Obi-Wan," Padme replied.
"It's quite all right. Just make sure you tell my God children that is a little early for their arrival," Obi-Wan replied. Anakin smiled and caressed her stomach.
"You hear that you two? Uncle Obi-Wan says that it's not quite time yet, so you better listen to him, okay?" Anakin told them. Obi-Wan chuckled.
"Yes, listen to me just like your father always did," Obi-Wan replied sarcastically. Anakin smiled sheepishly. Suddenly, they heard the door chime, signifying someone was here.
"Sabe and I'll see who it is to give you both a few minutes alone," Obi-Wan said, as he and Sabe exited.
Anakin kissed her cheek, as he hugged her close.
"I'm fine Ani," she said, seeing the worried look in his eye.
"I know, and to ensure that, I think we should go back to Naboo early. Jar Jar can take over your duties early," Anakin said.
"Ani, I can't leave now. Obi-Wan said Grevious is dead and I have to be here to help the Republic recover from this war," Padme protested.
"Will you think about yourself for once?" he argued.
"I am, I promise. Besides, if I don't show up in the Senate, my enemies will think they've won by pushing me out of office. They are going to call for my resignation and I'm going to fight them all the way," she replied.
"Well, I don't think it's safe so I'll be accompanying you as part of your security," he told her. She eyed him curiously.
"You're going to sit through Senate sessions all day?" she asked skeptically.
"If it means protecting you, then I would do anything," he replied. She smiled at him.
"You're too sweet, my handsome Jedi protector," Padme said, as she kissed him softly.
"I'm not a Jedi anymore," Anakin replied.
"You'll always be my handsome, sexy, Jedi protector," Padme giggled playfully.
"Sexy huh?" he asked, raising his eyebrow.
"Very," she replied, as she kissed him passionately, the intensity building between them.
"Wow, what was that for?" Anakin asked with a smiled.
"Because I love you silly. And it was very sweet of you to call Sabe for me. It's so good to see her again," Padme replied.
"I'd do anything for you angel," Anakin said, kissing the back of her hand.
"I know and I feel like the luckiest woman in the galaxy," Padme said.
"Well, that surely makes me the luckiest man in the galaxy, being married to an angel of course. So, care to show me how sexy you think I am?" he replied, giving her his best sexy grin.
"Ani, we have guests in the other room," Padme chided. Anakin smirked and kissed her passionately. Padme moaned into the kiss.
"Later then?" he grinned, as he watched her eyes flutter open.
"Um...very possible," she replied. Anakin stood up and helped her up. Hand in hand, they left for the sitting room to greet whoever their new guest was.
"Master Yoda," Anakin greeted, with a respectful bow.
"To what do we owe this pleasure master Yoda?" Padme asked.
"Felt a disturbance in the Force I did. Warms my heart is does to see that you and your younglings are safe," Yoda replied.
"Thank you for your concern master," Anakin replied.
"Yes, thank you master Yoda. It was only a case of false contractions. I feel much better now," Padme replied.
"Strong with the Force your younglings will be, but wrong it would be to take them from you against your will. Vote for that action, I will not," Yoda assured them.
"Thank you master, we are grateful for that," Anakin said.
"Speak with you I would like to master Kenobi," Yoda said.
"Of course master," he replied, as the two Jedi masters went out to the veranda.
"I must say, I am a bit surprised by your stance master. You have always upheld the code," Obi-Wan said.
"Part of the problem that may have been. Clouds everything the dark side does. For so long, refused to truly listen to the Force we have. Made us arrogant it has and passed it down to our padawans we did. Invincible the Jedi are not, proven that this war has. Sure of one thing I am though," Yoda said.
"What's that master?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Tied to Padme, Anakin's path is. Listened to the Force and his heart Anakin did, when he married Padme. Much courage they have for listening to their hearts. The chosen one, Anakin is," Yoda stated.
"I agree with you master. I am just puzzled at your sudden change on Anakin," Obi-Wan said. Yoda smiled.
"Meditated on this heavily I have the last few days," Yoda said before chuckling.
"Visited me through the Force, your old master did. Knocked some sense into me he did," Yoda chuckled. Obi-Wan's eyes became wide as saucers.
"Qui-Gon?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Yes. And teach you to see him as well, I will," Yoda replied.
"Dark times these are Obi-Wan. Adapt and accept change we must, or destroyed we may be," Yoda said.
"Do you think the other council members will agree?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Some yes, others no. An uphill battle this will be. Blazing a new path for Jedi, Anakin is," Yoda said.
"Yes, leave it to Anakin to blaze his own path. I wish we knew how the Holonet found out about Anakin and Padme's marriage. The way it was done was vicious," Obi-Wan said.
"Should have been allowed to reveal it herself. Behind this, the Sith must be," Yoda said.
"The Sith?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Revenge is the way of the Sith. Very angry the dark Lord must be at losing a possible apprentice like Anakin. Hurt them he wishes to," Yoda said.
"I hope you don't mind master. I gave Anakin a crystal to build another saber with," Obi-Wan said.
"Best that is. Protect his family he must. Encourage him to keep up with his exercises you will," Yoda replied. Obi-Wan nodded, as he and the ancient Jedi master went back inside. Yoda bid everyone farewell and headed back to the temple.
"I should be returning to the temple as well," Obi-Wan said.
"Why don't you join the three of us for dinner, master?" Anakin suggested.
"I don't want to impose," Obi-Wan replied. Anakin rolled his eyes.
"You're never imposing master," Anakin replied. Obi-Wan smiled.
"If you insist," he replied.
"We insist. Besides our children's godfather should catch up with our children's godmother," Padme said, pointing to Sabe.
After a wonderful dinner, the four retired to the sitting room. Not long after that, Dorme came in the room.
"Milady, I'm sorry to interrupt, but there was a holo message left for you earlier...from your parents and sister," Dorme said. Padme sighed.
"My guess is that they've already seen the holonews," Padme said, putting her hands over her face. Anakin put his hand on her shoulder.
"I didn't want them to find out this way Ani," Padme said.
"I know angel. I'll be right there with you though," he told her. She smiled and hugged him.
"Sabe and I will go out and talk on the veranda and give you two some time with them," Obi-Wan said, as he and Sabe left. Anakin and Padme made their way over to the desk by the far wall where the holo imager was mounted. Padme took a deep breath, before activating the holoscreen. The images of Jobal, Ruwee and Sola Naberrie appeared before them.
"So, it's been a long time Jedi Kenobi," Sabe said, with a smile.
"Please milady, you don't have to be so formal. We are old friends after all," Obi-Wan replied.
"Okay Obi-Wan, as long as you drop that milady poodoo," Sabe replied.
"Very well Sabe," Obi-Wan replied, with a smile.
"You look well Obi-Wan, it is so good to see you again," Sabe said.
"Yes, it is good to see you again too. I'm also glad that you're here for Padme," Obi-Wan said.
"Me too. And I must say that it takes a lot of courage for you stand by Anakin like you are," Sabe admired.
"Well, I wouldn't be a very good brother if I didn't. Besides, master Yoda says times are changing," Obi-Wan said.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Let's just say that Anakin is blazing a new path for Jedi. One day, they may be free to love and have attachment," Obi-Wan replied. Sabe suppressed a light gasp.
"That's wonderful," she replied, with a smile. Obi-Wan gazed over at her and couldn't help notice the way Coruscant's moonlight reflected off her hair, making it look like silk.
"Yes, I think it is," he replied, as he turned back to look at the stars.
"Oh Padme, we've been so worried. There are all kinds of things about you all over the holonews," Jobal said frantically.
"I'm okay mother," Padme insisted
"They said you were captured by Count Dooku. And now they're saying your married to a Jedi," Ruwee said.
"Anakin and I did not want any of you to find out this way. We were planning to tell you when we came home next month," Padme told them.
"So it's true?" Ruwee questioned.
"Yes sir. Padme and I have been married for three years," Anakin stated.
"We fell in love when he was protecting me and we married in secret," Padme finished. Jobal and Ruwee gaped at them, while Sola beamed, giving them both an "I knew it" look.
"You're coming home next month?" Jobal asked hopefully. Padme nodded.
"Anakin and I are having twins. I'll be entering my 7th month soon and we'll be coming as I near my 8th month," Padme told them.
"Your pregnant?" Jobal asked with a smile. Padme smiled back.
"Yes," Padme reiterated.
"What about you Anakin? The Jedi don't allow this sort of thing," Ruwee asked.
"No sir, they don't. The Jedi have asked me to choose between them and Padme and I have chosen Padme. I love your daughter, she's everything to me and I will not leave her," Anakin told her father. Ruwee seemed satisfied with that answer.
"We're so sorry we couldn't tell you sooner. We never expected it to come out like this. We're not even sure how the Holonet found out," Padme said.
"We just want you to be happy Padme," Jobal said.
"I am mom, you can be sure of that. Anakin and our babies are everything to me too," she replied.
"Are you planning on retiring from the Senate?" Jobal asked.
"I'm not sure yet. Now that the war is over, there are so many things to do," Padme replied.
"Oh Padme, when will you ever leave that life?" Jobal protested.
"Someday I will mom. Anakin and I aren't really sure what the future holds yet. Right now, we're just taking it one day at a time," Padme replied, as Anakin squeezed her shoulder affectionately. Jobal sighed and accepted her daughter's answer.
"I love you both mom and dad," Padme said.
"We love you too sweetie. I think Sola would like to talk to you for a while, so we'll be going," Ruwee said. Padme nodded. Anakin smiled, as he saw Sabe and Obi-Wan peek their heads in. He nodded, telling them it was okay. He turned back to Padme and kissed her tenderly.
"I'll let you talk to your sister. I think master Obi-Wan wants to speak with me," Anakin said. She smiled.
"Okay," she replied, before turning back to Sola.
"Wow little sister, he is...wow," Sola said. Padme giggled.
"He is handsome, isn't he?" Padme replied.
"Oh yeah, and I don't think you're the only one who thinks so. Some on the holonet are calling you the luckiest woman in the galaxy," Sola said.
"Well, I am the luckiest woman in the galaxy. But I'm not so sure I appreciate the holonet talking about my husband like he's a piece of shaak steak.
"Well, he certainly is a fine piece," Sola teased.
"Sola! You're married!" Padme scolded.
"I know, but you've deprived me of three years of teasing you. So prepare your self little sister, because you'll never live this whole secret marriage to your handsome Jedi protector business down!" Sola replied. Padme rolled her eyes, but giggled at her older sister's antics.
"Well, you look tired little sister. It can't be easy carrying twins, since I had enough trouble with just one at a time. Make sure that Jedi husband takes good care of you," Sola said.
"Oh believe me, he does," Padme replied.
"I love you and I can't wait to see you," Sola said.
"Me either Sola, I love you too," Padme replied, as her hologram faded out.
Padme felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her from behind. His lips kissed along the nape of her neck softly.
"You okay?" he asked. She turned in his embrace.
"Yeah, I feel a lot better now that I've talked to them. I didn't realize that I missed them so much," she replied. Anakin smiled and kissed her lips softly.
"Did Obi-Wan leave?" Padme asked.
"Yeah, he needed to get back to the temple. Sabe went to bed too. They both told me to tell you goodnight," he said. She smiled, and kissed him passionately.
"I love you so much Ani," Padme said, as she rested her head against his chest.
"I love you too angel," he replied. Their lips met again in a searing kiss. Padme looked up into his dark blue eyes desperately. Anakin stared back at her, before moving his lips down her neck sending soft chills up her spine.
"Make me forget Ani, make me forget all the terrible things that happened today," Padme whispered, her soft breath on his lips. Anakin kissed her hungrily, conveying his own need for her, as he lifted her into his arms and carried her to their bedroom...