Chapter 3: The Crecheling
It was only when Anakin's speeder rested motionless in the empty hangar bay of the Jedi Temple that he dared to breathe.
He had thought that he would never be able to return home. How long had it been since he'd left Coruscant? In the back of his mind, Anakin knew that it had only been five months, but with the missing presence of his loved ones, it had truly felt like an eternity. Had the Chancellor not been captured, how much longer would he have stayed away from home? Would it have been his twenty-fourth lifeday before he got to see the smiling face of his love?
After a few moments of drumming his fingers, Anakin quickly got out of the speeder and entered into the colossal structure that was the Jedi Temple. As it was midday, busy Jedi Knights and their padawans quickly strode past him, but the young man was not ignorant of the admiringlooks he got.
Anakin's heart caught in his throat. The many months away made him feel as if it were a dream.
I'm home.
Soon, he passed by the all-too-familiar sight of the training rooms. Just like on the day that Anakin had last left, Yoda was within one, instructing the smallest of the younglings. Despite his previous anxiousness, Anakin paused before the entrance and watched the youngling's progress.
In doing so, he met Master Yoda's gaze and received a slight bow which Anakin readily returned.
"Put away your things- done for the day, we are," Yoda's gravely voice called out. Simultaneously, all of the miniature practice lightsabers flickered off and all the younglings beheld Anakin, awe and excitement written all over their childish faces.
"He's my hero," Anakin heard a little Rodian excitedly whisper to his partner. In perfect agreement, the little girl nodded.
"Well done, Anakin, well done," Yoda congratulated him. Having come to stand before Anakin, the short Jedi leaned on his grimer stick as he gazed up at the Knight. "Good to have you home, it is."
A faint blush came to Anakin's cheeks upon hearing these rare but meaningful words. A small not from the diminutive Jedi Master had sent all the young initiates running to Anakin's side. He soon felt dozens of tiny hands and pays grabbing at his cloak, knees, and trousers- anything that they could get a hold of. One girl even wrapped her arm about Anakin's legs and gave him a big hug.
During the course of the past few years, after each victory, the people he had saved had always celebrated him as a hero. Still, Anakin found that the greatest reward that a man could ever wish for was the little faces that were smiling up at him.
"Go, Skywalker must," Yoda called out, causing all the children to reluctantly back away from Anakin. "A long day, this has been for him. Prepared, your new quarters are," he told Anakin.
Lonely was the one emotion Anakin felt upon reaching the rooms that was to be his new home. Home had always been with the ones he loved- with his mother, Obi-Wan, and, of course, Padmé.
For the first time, he was by himself.
Consolation came to him as he gazed out of the large window and across the traffic lanes to the tall spire in which his wife surely was.
I miss you.
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One of the dangers of his being a celebrity was the lack of privacy. Anakin had been in the 'fresher cleaning up for a few minutes when he had sensed many presences outside his door. Grumbling, he quickly pulled on his pants and, after struggling to get on the many layers of his tunic, he discarded the rest of his clothes and went to answer the door.
He soon regretted his attire, or rather, the lack thereof.
"Hello, Knight Skywalker," a young girl simpered.
Standing before him was the large group of female padawans who, before the Wars, had delighted in watching Anakin spar with Obi-Wan.
Embarrassed, Anakin realized that he was currently giving them the view that they had always goggled at.
I hate fangirls he thought before he could help himself. He prayed that they hadn't overheard his frustration.
Only delighted further by the fact that he was dripping water all over, the girls began to giggle, making Anakin blush even more.
"Can I help you?" he asked in a polite tone.
"I was just wondering if… if… if…" the girl who had spoken fist seemed unable to find the right words as she continued to stare at him. It was only after one of her friends nudged her in the side that she was able to stammer on. "For one of my classes, my master has asked that I write a report on my hero, and I wanted to do you." Finished, she turned beat red and giggled into her hands.
Somehow, Anakin found himself wishing that he had not manipulated Obi-Wan into visiting with the Senators. He only hoped that no one of higher importance than a padawan passed by. Though not normally concerned about his physical appearance, Anakin could only too well imagine what the sight he must look as he stood there sopping wet with his hair plastered against his head, the ends beginning to curl.
"Well," he said hastily, "I'd be happy to, but you will need to also interview Master Obi-Wan." When the girl adopted a puzzled look on her face, he explained, "Without him, you won't be able to get the full story due to the fact that one of us was always in the healer's ward."
That's for getting away so easily.
Suddenly, Anakin felt himself being watched.
"I need to go," he said simply, brushing off their protests. Eventually, the girls left and Anakin stood there gazing at the figure concealed within the shadows.
"Why do I get the feeling that you're the reason the Jedi are not allowed to marry?" a feminine voice asked dryly.
"No, you are more or less why I would never want to marry."
A blow to his arm caused Anakin to wince momentarily, but he soon grinned down at the petite woman who now stood in front of him. "I think it's good to see you again, Siri."
"Well?" she said after a moment of silence, crossing her arms over her chest. He gave her a puzzled look. "Are you going to put on the rest of your clothes or are you planning on srutting around the Temple half-naked?"
Blushing, Anakin quickly retreated back into the 'fresher while Siri paced in front of the door.
"You owe me one," she announced when they stepped back into the hallway and began to walk. "You know how I feel about these sort of things- I don't like being distracted from my duty."
"Don't worry- it will soon be over with and at least your life will go back to normal," Anakin said a little testily.
"You'll be delighted to know that Ferus has been quite jealous over my split attention these past few months," she said as they turned another corner.
"It was probably good for him."
At last, they came to stand before a pair of large wooden doors. Above it, there was an inscription that was carved into a piece of marble.
Uneasy, Siri gave Anakin a wary look. "You ready to be mobbed by hordes of drooling kids?"
Anakin did not answer, for he had already pulled open the door and gone inside. Little crechelings scurried about and, while some rested or played, others inconspicuously stood in a corner as they practiced the forbidden art of levitation.
"I knew I shouldn't have done it, but I had no time this morning," Siri said apologetically as she looked about the large room.
"Ah, Knights Skywalker and Tachi!" the Creche Master called out. She quickly rushed up to them. "It is so good to see you both." The woman sighed wearily. "He's waiting for you in the nursery. I don't know how, but it seems like he knew you'd be returning today," she told Anakin.
Both Anakin and Siri exchanged looks. "Thank you, Creche Master," Anakin said before striding off into the adjoining room.
The nursery was filled with many cribs, and in each one a little being either slept or was being soothed by one of the many Creche supervisors.
Using the Force as his guide, Anakin followed a strong Force signature to the corner of the room.
Sitting up in his crib was a little boy. Dressed in traditional crecheling attire, the boy sucked on his fingers and looked up from beneath his thick mat of hair at Anakin with wide eyes.
"How are you doing, little guy?" Anakin cooed, gently picking up the youngling and the blanket that they baby held. Carefully, he smoothed out the infant's overalls.
A reply came in the form of a wide, toothless grin.
For the first time in nine months, Anakin truly smiled as the little boy began to chew on the older man's black glove.
"Don't tell Master Yoda, but I think I've become attached to him," Siri confessed softly, cautiously looking over her shoulder lest someone should overhear her. "He's got that same charismatic quality that won Obi-Wan over to you." Much to Anakin's great surprise, she reached out and brushed the baby's soft and chubby cheek with her finger. "He's a blessing of the Force- you are quite lucky to have found such a Force-sensitive baby to take as your padawan learner."
Not trusting himself to reply correctly to this, Anakin hastily said, "Now, we at least know where Ferus went wrong."
"You are impossible," Siri sighed. "You and Obi-Wan are about the limit of what a woman can take." Seeing the peaceful look on Anakin's face, she said, "I will let you two have some time alone." Kissing the baby's head, she swiftly left, leaving Anakin with the sleepy baby in his arms.
Troubling thoughts led Anakin to leave the Creche and head to his favorite place in the Jedi Temple- a large window that gave a panoramic view of the Capital.
Not for the first time that day, Anakin pondered the odd use of words. Yes, he was indeed lucky, but not in the manner everyone thought.
When the baby sighed contentedly, Anakin lovingly kissed the baby's head before returning his gaze to the sky.
Deep down, Anakin knew that neither the Force nor luck had led him to discover nine months ago this child who had such a high concentration of the Force.
Anakin had been there the night Padmé had given birth to their son, Luke.
A reader pointed out to me that I made yet another blunder- I disabled Anonymous Reviews. Ah well… that's what I get for trying out a new forum!
On another note, I have several chapters posted up on another site, but I will continue posting here a lot until I get caught up!
Have a good day, and may the Force be with you!
AF
