Chapter Sixteen – Past, Present and Future

Master Yoda and Master Windu were together on a balcony outside the medical center. Yoda was still seated in his hover chair holding his cane while Windu stood stolidly next to him. Silently, they stared out at the serene beauty of the planet. The air was crisp, the dark night sky was filled with so many beautiful stars. Though it was late into the night, lights glowed in the homes and surrounding buildings.

The birth of Luke and Leia had been unlike anything either Jedi master had ever witnessed. And the wave of the emotions had made the Force shine so brightly as though the Skywalkers had become their own sun. Anakin's light combined with his twin's along with Padme's overflowing love.

"The children are strong with the Force," said Windu who kept his gaze out on the view.

"Powerful, they are," Yoda agreed. "More than their Father, it seems."

Windu turned his head to gaze at Yoda who in turn looked up at him.

"With powers as strong as theirs, it is with the utmost importance that we train them," said Windu.

Yoda nodded. "Great potential in them, I feel."

"When they come of age in a few years we must relieve them from Skywalker and have them brought to the Temple to be trained," Windu stated.

Yoda held his chin in his hand deep in thought. "If brought together, they are. Between them, attachment will grow, in time," he said, looking grave.

Windu looked off to the side. "Yes, as they are siblings they will remain close and share something more than companionship. It seems we have only one option to prevent any attachment growing between them. Once they're brought to the Temple we will separate them and put them in different youngling training groups. Then they…"

"Oh no, you will not!" Ahsoka's sudden sharp voice cut off Windu's words and they both turned to see her marching out onto the balcony. Her face was furious and her eyes burned with a fire they had never seen in her. Behind her Obi-Wan stood at the balcony entrance, his face full of disbelief.

"Did I just hear that you're planning to separate Luke and Leia from not just their parents but from each other?" Both the Jedi Masters were silently stunned by the fierce accusation in Ahsoka's question.

Windu was the first to recover. "Ahsoka, we do intend to have the children trained to be Jedi. But because they are siblings, it is certain that a strong attachment will form between them if they are kept together. And you know as well as we do that attachment is not allowed in the Jedi order, so yes, we do plan to have the twins separated so that their main focus will be on their training. That way there will be no trouble or fear of them forming any attachment with each other." He spoke so calmly that you would have almost believed that the intentions were right. But it only infuriated Ahsoka even more.

"Over my dead body," she stated in an equally calm but deadly voice.

Windu blinked in stunned silence at her statement. Yoda merely sat up straighter in his seat.

"Ahsoka…" he began to say.

"No!" She interrupted. "I don't want to hear anything more from either of you. Right now you will both listen to me. For as long as I breathe I will not allow you rip those innocent children from their parents then separate them from each other. You must either be blind or simply denying what you felt when you saw their birth earlier tonight."

She folded her arms across her chest still glaring at them. "I now know I made the right choice to leave the order when I did. Because sometimes you Jedi can be so heartless. You were so ready to accuse me of a crime I didn't commit, then you accuse Anakin for simply following his heart and now you intend to tear his own children away from him! Think of what this would do to him, you saw the way he looks at them and how much they mean to him. The same deep love he has for Padme. But then I guess you will just ignore that and take the children regardless. Well if you do, then you'll have to go through me first. I speak for both Anakin and Padme now, remember that."

She stormed off the balcony, past Obi-Wan in the doorway and back into the building.

Obi-Wan watched Ahsoka with sad eyes as she hurried away. He had never seen her so angry before. If she had still been a Jedi, then he was sure that that outburst of anger would have been a path set for the dark side. But he knew in his heart that that was not true. She was merely following the new duty she had assigned herself as the Skywalker family's protector.

Turning away, he stepped out onto the balcony and faced his fellow Jedi Masters. Yoda looked just as sad as he did. Mace Windu, on the other hand, looked completely astonished. As though he never imagined that Ahsoka was capable of that kind of fury. Come to think of it, Obi-Wan was taken aback himself that she was capable of that kind of anger. Then again, everyone in the galaxy had it in them, it was easy to trigger in some while others were able to restrain it or hold it in.

"I agree with her," said Obi-Wan, folding his arms. "I feel that taking Luke and Leia from Anakin would destroy him. Considering all he has been through, this would be the final straw for him. Making plans like this will most likely make the situation worse. You could see how devastated he was when we found out about his marriage. Now if we were to take the children, Anakin would see us as enemies for doing something like that. Not to mention Padme, she would heartbroken to part with them and most likely lose any trace of trust she has for us."

"Young Skywalker has done his part as the Chosen One, Obi-Wan, but I'm afraid it is now the duty of the Jedi to…" Mace Windu was silenced as Yoda suddenly raised his stick at him in an obvious order for him to stop speaking.

"Too soon, it is. Speak no more of this, we will," he said to Windu, his voice very serious. Turning to Obi-Wan he spoke more gently. "Until Skywalker's trial, no further decisions of this, will we make. And no more, we shall discuss. Retire for the night, we will."

Obi-Wan Kenobi bowed and then he left the balcony.

When the morning dawned, Anakin awoke feeling a bit disorientated. For a few seconds he wondered why the bed he was in felt unfamiliar, when the memory of the previous night all resurfaced. They were in the med center, Padme had gone into labor the previous night and had given birth to not one baby but twins, who were both healthy and beautiful. And astonishingly Padme had lived through the childbirth.

Had it all been a vivid dream? Because it had all been so extremely wonderful that it couldn't have possibly been reality. But when he opened his eyes, he saw to his delight that Padme was lying beside him, breathing quietly as she slept. He noticed the Japor snippet chain still hung round her neck and the carved charm was on the bed next to where her hand rested on the pillow. It will bring you good fortune. He smiled at her then looked up and saw the two cots positioned next to the big bed. His delight increased as the reality settled his troubled thoughts. It had not been a dream. His family were here safe and sound with him, alive and well. The sight of it all made a warm wave of bliss flood his heart, which had suffered many breaks and strains.

A quick glance at the chrono told him it was late morning, so he guessed that she could sleep as much as she needed right now. After all, she had had an exhausting evening. He tenderly pressed a kiss to Padme's forehead then slipped out of the bed and went over to the cots to see the twins were still fast asleep. Luke was wrapped in a blue blanket, Leia in a pink, and both of them looked snug, warm and peaceful. He smiled and tenderly reached in to gently rub his index finger against their small cheeks in turn.

"Ani?" Padme's sweet voice whispered behind him. Turning round he saw her sitting up in bed and smiling.

"Morning love." He went over to kiss her and the moment their lips met she ran her fingers through his hair.

"How are you feeling?" Anakin whispered.

"Like the happiest women in the galaxy," she said. Anakin seated himself back on the bed to take her in his arms and hug her close to him. Her arms embraced him, her palm still in his hair.

A small murmur behind them made both of them turn round to look. Luke had woken up and was looking straight at them with his curious blue eyes. Anakin got up and went back over reaching into the cot to lift Luke up into his arms.

"Good Morning, Luke." The baby murmured again as though in reply and Anakin smiled down at his son's angelic face before giving him a kiss on the cheek. He brought him over to the bed and Padme touched her hand to Luke's head.

"He's everything I imagined he would be, Ani," she said. Anakin chuckled and handed the boy to her and she cradled him close.

"I thought it was all a dream Padme. The birth, it just seemed too perfect to possibly be reality, and the babies; they're more than what I envisioned. They're both so perfect."

Padme nodded. "I know Ani. I somehow knew that whatever child I gave birth to would be perfect. I guess it's the way many mothers and fathers feel upon meeting their children for the first time."

Behind them Leia let out a sad cry and Anakin hurried over to her cot feeling panicked that she was hurt or ill, but through the Force he just felt sadness from her.

"Shh, Leia," he whispered, lifting his daughter into his arms. "It's ok, Daddy's here. Shh, it's ok."

Leia opened her brown eyes and whimpered softly. He leaned forward to kiss her cheek just as he had with Luke. "Daddy's got you. You're safe my Princess." Leia's sadness subsided and she closed her eyes resting back into his arms.

Going back to the bed he seated himself beside Padme and Luke. "Poor child, must have felt lonesome without her brother beside her," said Padme sadly. "She'll never be lonely and neither will Luke. They will always have us and each other." They sat together happily with their new-born children as the first light of dawn glowed through the windows filling the room with the golden glow which seemed to reflect the love the family shared.

Later that morning, two human nurses came into the room and throughout the morning they taught Anakin and Padme the basic lessons of how to wash, change and feed the babies. Anakin found most of it surprisingly easy to learn and Padme seemed to be a natural mother at everything. As he ate his breakfast, he watched cheerfully as Padme cradled Luke and Leia close to her while the twin's simultaneously drank their mother's milk. It was a sight which was so adorable for him to watch.

In the early afternoon, Ahsoka came to inform them that the doctor had told her that they could all return to the villa that evening. The couple were delighted to hear this news and after a nice and calm afternoon, they met Obi-Wan who took them back to the villa.

After dinner that evening, the six of them were in the sitting room, which was lit from the roaring fire. Padme and Ahsoka were seated on the sofa with the twins in their arms while Obi-Wan and Anakin stood together out on the balcony where they had previously stood not very long ago. Both of them looked out at the Lake which reflected the setting sun.

"They are extraordinary children, Anakin. You should be very proud," said Obi-Wan with a glimmer of a smile on his face.

Anakin nodded, not taking his gaze from the view. "They're more than that, Master. They are perfect. More perfect than I imagined. Especially because there are two of them."

Kenobi stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Yes, that was quite a surprise for all of us. That we could sense only one Force presence and yet there were actually two babies."

"I have a theory about that, Master. I think the reason we felt it as one Force presence was because of their temporary connection while they were conceived. And when they were born, their separate presences became their own."

Kenobi nodded. "That is an accurate theory and very possible."

A calm silence followed and Anakin watched two birds glide close to the surface of the water, but not touching it with so much as a feather. Once they took flight into the sky again he turned to face Kenobi properly.

"Luke and Leia's Force presences feel so powerful, Master. More potent than I thought they would become."

The Jedi master was reminded of the previous night's conference between Master Yoda and Master Windu. But he kept that thought hidden away behind his mental shields. It would be too cruel to place another burden on Anakin's shoulders at this present moment in time. Especially when he was so delighted with the arrival of his children.

"I agree, Anakin. I can also feel it in them."

After taking a deep breath the younger man looked Kenobi straight in the eye. "I'm going to train them, Master. When they're old enough to learn, I'm going to teach them the ways of the Force, so they can become Jedi like me. I know they have the potential to be more powerful than me. But I don't think any of the other Masters at the temple will understand them and their feelings the way I can. Which is why I know I can do this. It's stronger than the connection I felt with Ahsoka when I was her master."

Kenobi speechless. He was reminded even more strongly of the conversation last night regarding the Skywalker twins and their future. In some ways he knew that Anakin was right, that none of the other Jedi Masters would understand Luke and Leia's feelings like Anakin could, despite the fact that Kenobi did not know what it felt like to feel a Force connection with someone who was related to you. Force connections with blood relatives must be stronger than even the connection between a Master and a Padawan.

But then there was the Jedi code which forbad Jedi Masters not to have two apprentices at a time. However Obi-Wan felt that that rule could be bent, considering the circumstances. This was something which was not the norm for a traditional Jedi. For Anakin was a unique Jedi who had married the woman he loved and who had just had his children, children who had apparently inherited their father's powers. The Force had been with Anakin and guided him down this path and now he was at a crossroad no Jedi had ever been standing at before.

"I have no doubts that you would be a great teacher to them Anakin and they would look up to you. But this is a matter which is to be discussed at your trial before the Council."

Anakin's gaze dropped. "I know. I'm afraid of what they will decide to do with them. I know that Younglings are recruited at a young age, taken from their families." Kenobi could feel Anakin's pain and sadness growing through the Force and the words he spoke.

A loud cry came from in the room behind them and they both turned to see that Leia was crying in Padme's arms and Luke was sobbing into Ahsoka's chest. Both the women embraced and comforted the babies until they calmed down.

Kenobi's eyes were wide with amazement. For they had not been sad in that moment but scared with fear. It was as though they knew their father was in pain. This was getting beyond belief. But he recalled holding baby Luke in his arms and though it had been brief it had been a wonderful moment. The feel of a newborn baby in his arms had felt more magical than any wonder he had ever experienced. The feeling no doubt was many times stronger when it was the child's parent. That brief moment for him had made Kenobi realize that the thought of having something so small, innocent and helpless being ripped away was inhumane and diabolical. Despite his years of following the Jedi code, he was not going to deny the truth of what he now believed.

He stepped up to Anakin and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Fear not Anakin. I know how much those children mean to you. I promise you that I will not allow anyone to harm or even take them from you. And I'm quite sure that Ahsoka would say the same."

Anakin met his gentle gaze again but said nothing.

"If all goes according to plan, I will help you out in any way I can with the twins. Remember Anakin, you don't need to hide anything from me or try to do this all alone." Anakin still said nothing, but simply nodded in response and reached up to give Obi-Wan's hand a squeeze.

Later that night in bed, Anakin lay awake thinking about what Obi-Wan had said to him. He was relieved that his Master appeared to still be on his side and was willing to support him. And the fact that he had offered to help him with the twins. He wondered if that was in regard to their training. Anakin had to admit to himself that he did not mind the idea of Obi-Wan assisting him in training the twins. He was a wise and gifted master with both the Force and lightsaber combat. He would certainly be welcome if he was willing to share his knowledge of the Force with Luke and Leia. Especially because he'd promised he would help in protecting them.

The only thing was that Anakin didn't want the twins to refer to either him or anyone else as "Master" like he had as a slave and now a Jedi. For if their father was to be their teacher they should just keep calling by his parental title. And as for Obi-Wan and Ahsoka, they could just remain on first name terms as all friends of families are.

His worst fear now was that the Council would decide that the twins were to be treated as normal younglings and see them separated from him and Padme before they even knew their own parents properly. Then for them to be raised without attachments and have no understanding of family love.

This new fear had been haunting in the back of his mind ever since last night at the med center and the moment he had woken up. He didn't know where it had come from, but he would die before anyone took his beloved children from him. He had said nothing to Padme about it, but it was almost like it had been when he'd feared she would die in childbirth. The difference was that he'd had had no nightmare about this. But it was the same sort of fear like any parent would probably feel when they feared for their child.

He shivered and slipped his arm further round Padme who was curled up and fast asleep against him, her soft breath slightly tickling his neck. He looked across at the two small cots where the twins slept, and in the gentle glow of the moonlight he could almost make out their peaceful faces. He kept his eyes fixed on them until he finally fell asleep.

Author's Notes
Hello there my readers. I know it's been over a month since I last updated this story, but a few days after I posted the previous chapter I received the very sad news that my dear Grandad had passed away. I'm sure you will all understand that since then I've had a lot on my mind, supporting my family in the hard time and giving myself time to recover.
But now this week things became a bit easier for me and I've been able to get back to my writing. And I managed to get this chapter done quicker than I thought I would.

I'm sure some of you will recognize that the opening scene in this chapter had originally been posted in the last chapter. Well that was a mistake as it was meant to be in this one. I have since added a few lines to it so you may want to read it again if you have skipped reading that scene.

I am also grateful you have continued your support by following and reviewing this fanfic and please continue so I know how much you're enjoying it.

And Thank You very much to my lovely Beta Reader Carrie2sky.

May The Force Be With You!
LouisaJane007