Chapter 10: Father and Daughter
"Anakin, I want to raise our baby back on Naboo. In the villa, there is a perfect spot- right by the gardens," Padmé sighed, her wistfulness causing her pause in brushing her long hair. "I can sit in there and feed the baby as I watch the blooming life…"
"You are so…. so beautiful," Anakin whispered almost reverently, softly gazing at her from where he leaned up against the wall.
"You exaggerate the truth, my dear Jedi," she laughed, blushing at his heartfelt words.
"I would never do that," he replied somberly. "I would be much too frightened to tease my beautiful wife."
Pretending to be annoyed, she set the brush down on the ledge and turned to face him. "Are you implying that my pregnancy has made me… touchy?"
Though that had not been what he'd meant, Anakin hastily said, "No- of course not. I just have great respect for the great gift you've given me and I would never, ever do anything to slight that." Slowly, his arms wrapped about her waist. "You have given me something very precious and I am indebted to you."
"I can think of a way you could repay that debt," she said slyly, causing the corners of his lips to twitch. Before he could even blink, Padmé had thrown her arms about Anakin and kissed him soundly, their baby safe and content between them.
Blinking, Padmé suddenly bolted upright in her bed.
Where am I?
Holding her hand against her forehead, Padmé closed her eyes.
Leia was gone.
"Leia!" she called out, frantically pulling back the sheets. Still, there was no sign of her daughter. Jumping out of the bed, she ran and turned on the light but did not see the little girl.
Vader.
"Oh, gods help me," she moaned into her hands, having the wind knocked out of her at this revelation. Hot tears burned her eyes as she stood there, partially hunched over as she wept for her soon-to-be lost child.
I have failed us, Anakin.
Before she knew what she was doing, Padmé bolted out of the room and into the empty corridor. Her bare feet making loud sounds against the metal floor, Padmé ran to the all-too-familiar door that housed a monster that bore such a similar resemblance to the man she had loved.
To her surprise, the door was partly opened. Taking a deep, steadying breath, she took light steps until she was able to look in.
What she saw nearly made her faint.
Sitting in the chair he had reigned from the day before sat Vader. Dressed in his usual black attire, Vader had not noticed her.
But that was not what frightened her.
Sitting comfortably on his lap was Leia.
"You made Mommy cry," Leia said somberly, sizing up the larger man from where she sat on his lap. "That wasn't very nice."
"No, it wasn't," Vader agreed, a small smile playing on his lips. "I am very sorry."
"I want us to be a family," Leia sighed. "I had a family, with Momma and Poppa." Her brown eyes accusingly looked up at him. "Why did you take me?"
"I want us to be a family too," Vader said slowly. "Very much so. It wouldn't be the same if my little girl was missing."
There was a pregnant pause.
"Do you love Mommy?"
"Yes," he said quietly. "I always have."
"Always?" she echoed.
Vader nodded, his blue eyes regarding her curiously. "I used to have dreams about her, even back before we met."
"That's weird."
"It is," he laughed. "It is, young one. You will find that many weird things happen in our family…"
"Like me?"
He pursed his lips. "No, you were a blessing to us."
"What's 'a blessing'?" Leia asked, stumbling over the rather complicated word. Her little face scrunched up as she tried to figure it out for herself.
"Something very precious," he whispered, bending over to kiss Leia on her forehead.
This delighted Leia and she beamed up at him. "Will you promise to be nicer?" she asked in a very serious tone, placing her small hand over his heart. As he blinked rapidly at her, she held his gaze in such a stern way that would have done Bail proud.
"Yes," he said softly, at first not moving but soon he began to fervently nod his head.
"And no more making Mommy cry?"
"I promise," he said, holding up his hand which she squeezed.
"And no more frat… frat…"
"Fraternizing?" Vader asked dubiously, his eyebrows rising in surprise.
The little girl nodded. "No more frat… oh, well, with bad people."
"Of course," he said, barking in laughter a few times. "Where did you ever learn such a big word like that?"
"My Poppa," she said softly, her little face momentarily showing her sadness.
"Well, I'm sure he'd be proud of you… like I am," Anakin said slowly, gathering her into his strong embrace. "I love you, mon petit ange," he whispered.
"Anakin?" Padmé breathed before she could stop herself. Her hands limply fell to her side as she stared in amazement.
He raised his head and
smiled at her.
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