Chapter Eighteen – Settled Differences

As the sun set over the city, the last orange glows reflected off the buildings and the flying speeders. Anakin had been reminded of that evening where he had been all alone in the Council Chamber and was at the breaking point of what path to choose. How far he had come since that night. If someone had told him that night of what he would do in the days which followed, he probably wouldn't have believed it.

After the trial had ended, Anakin and Padme had left the Temple and brought the twins back to Padme's home. Ahsoka had remained at the Temple because she'd wished to catch up with her youngling friends and Captain Rex.

Anakin and Padme had plenty to do when they'd returned to Padme's Penthouse. During their journey from Naboo she had been on her datapad and ordered some stuff for the twins. So when they got in they found that everything had arrived. These included baby cradles, a changing table, high chairs, baby food and some toys. This place wouldn't be their permanent home because Padme and Anakin still wished for the twins to spend as much time on Naboo as they could. But this was just in case they were ever called back again and they would have everything they needed and were all prepared.

Most of the afternoon had been busy with organizing everything, but it was mostly easy labor which didn't take too long. It was a good thing that the penthouse was very spacious, it meant that all the new stuff didn't clutter it up in any way. Once they had finished, they had a very peaceful evening and dinner time together with the twins, Threepio and Artoo. And when they finally all went to bed, Anakin was relieved that he easily fell asleep with no worries or fears clouding his mind.

The following morning was equally as peaceful and they both woke to a bright and sunny day which lit up all the rooms. Together, they had decided that they would not leave the city straight away, because Padme wished to visit the Senate at some point to speak with her friends. For she was sure that they would want to know the truth of all that was going on. Anakin didn't mind and had told Padme that they would depart the planet once she had taken care of all that she needed to do.

He himself didn't think he would have much more to do seeing as there was no more war to fight. But something unexpected happened later that morning after they had cleared away the breakfast things.

Threepio had entered the kitchen and said, "Pardon me, Master Ani, but Master Windu is here to see you."

Anakin straightened up in surprise. What was Mace Windu doing here? Then he remembered Windu's disapproving mood during the trial and the feeling of dread started to fill him.

Threepio led them to the lounge area where they found Mace Windu standing in front of the wall to ceiling windows, his back to them as he looked out at the bright, sunlit city. The fear started to increase. Was Windu here to confront him about the result of the trial? Was he going to share his thoughts on how he had decided the trial should have gone? Whatever it was, it couldn't be good.

However, when the Jedi master turned around to face them Anakin was relieved to see that both his face and his mood through the Force was calm and peaceful. It was confusing.

"Master Skywalker," Windu greeted him.

"Master Windu," Anakin replied just as politely.

Windu then turned to Padme who stood close beside Anakin. "Senator Amidala." Padme nodded.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Windu's calm expression did not change as he next spoke. "I wish to speak with Anakin alone."

Anakin looked down at Padme who gave him a look that said, It will be ok. She squeezed his hand reassuringly and then she headed back to the kitchen, Threepio trotted after her. When the door closed behind them Anakin led Windu over the sofas. It was the same sofas which he and Obi-Wan had sat upon three years ago, the day that Anakin had been reunited with Padme after ten years apart from each other.

A short silence passed between the two Jedi. Then Anakin decided to be the one to break it.

"What do you want to talk to me about, Master?"

"Last night after you and your family left the Temple, myself, Obi-Wan and Yoda had a small meeting. We again discussed the plan for your son and daughter's future. And then we spoke of my opinions about the matter."

Anakin kept his face and emotions calm as he waited to hear what Windu had to say.

"In all the time I have been a Jedi, I have strictly followed the laws and rules of the Jedi Order. Your recently discovered actions of marriage to Senator Amidala and impregnating her went against all the rules of the Jedi Order. I was all ready to expel you from the Order as you may remember."

Anakin nodded once.

"However, Obi-Wan told us about the dark visions which had plagued your mind and how you feared to trust us with the truth, since it would have led to us finding out about your marriage. I knew you were unbalanced and conflicted, but I did not realize how deep this was for you." A short silence followed until Windu spoke again. "Do you remember I told you that if your claim to Palpatine's true identity was true, you would have gained my trust?"

Anakin nodded again wondering what was about to be said. "Well, I have decided that I am going to keep my word to you." His heart began to beat fast. Was this really happening?

"Master Yoda has decided that in view of all which has occurred, the Jedi should consider some changes to the order, seeing as the Clone War has ended and this is a new start. Therefore, I will accept that along with your new position in the Council and being a married father." He stood up from the sofa and Anakin followed suit looking almost flabbergasted at Windu's words.

"Anakin, as I promised you, from this day onwards you have now and forever gained my trust." With that, he held out his hand and Anakin stared at it for a few seconds then took it to shake.

"Thank you, Master."

Windu nodded and released his hand. "You take care, Master Skywalker and may the Force be with you."

Anakin smiled. "And you as well, Master Windu." He bowed and took his leave.

The dread which had filled Anakin before was now replaced with relieved happiness. Finally there was nothing at all to worry about. And he had the trust of all the Jedi now.

In the next few days, Padme was very busy with many things, mostly in the Senate itself. Some of the time she had to leave Anakin for a few hours, but he didn't mind a bit because he had the twins to look after and Artoo and Threepio for company. Sometimes, Ahsoka and Obi-Wan visited to chat and help out. Obi-Wan himself, seemed to have a soft spot growing for the twins, especially young Luke. Anakin was grateful for both their company and help.

A few times, he accompanied Padme to the Senate with the twins who lay curled up in their hover-pram. Padme's senator friends were amazed at the unexpected news of her becoming a mother of twins and even more that Anakin Skywalker was the father. And when they came to meet the twins, almost every single one of them were overcome with adoration the moment they laid eyes on Luke and Leia.

One afternoon, Anakin was in Padme's office and there was quite a gathering of Padme's friends who were all fussing over the twins. Padme was seated with Bail Organa and Mon Mothma on one of the sofas. Bail was holding Leia in his arms with an adoring smile. Anakin was holding Luke on the other sofa with Jar Jar Binks beside him.

"Messa so happy for yousa, Ani."

"Thank you, Jar Jar." Anakin replied, bouncing Luke in his knee who smiled up at his father.

"Messa is remembering when wessa first came here," The Gungun commented glancing round the room.

"I remember too, so long ago now, Jar Jar."

Anakin recalled how he was awed by the huge building and all the different species of Senators they had encountered. That day, he had been a freed slave boy from a desert planet and Jar Jar had been an outcast of his own people. Now Anakin was a powerful Jedi master and Jar Jar was a respected Senator. They certainly had both risen high in the years which had passed since then.

He smiled to himself as he looked over at Padme and remembered how her goodness and beauty had not changed in all these years since they had been kids. Back then, she was already in a high position as the Queen of Naboo and yet she had disguised herself as a handmaiden. Her decoy Sabé had looked so like her that they could have been sisters. So much that Anakin probably could not have told them apart if they were both made up in the royal robes and make-up.

He now wondered what would have happened if Padme had confessed her love for him back then after he had helped them with the Battle of Theed? Could he have been crowned a royal at her side? But there was no way as she already looked so mature for a fourteen year old girl and he was only nine and a small boy. A pilot he may have been, but Obi-Wan had taken him in as his Padawan learner and the chance of him being with Padme back then would have been impossible.

But now that the Jedi knew of their relationship and had allowed Anakin to remain in the Order, they could finally be fully open and honest about their deep love for each other with others apart from just their faithful droids. Their marriage had been publicly announced a few days after Anakin's trial and Padme officially took up her married name of "Padme Skywalker".

The news caused waves of confusion and astonishment throughout the citizens even more than the news of the twins. Many questions arose, but Padme, the gifted senator that she was, gave a public speech about how there was nothing wrong about the love between her and Anakin Skywalker. He may have been a Jedi, but he had every right to make his own choices as they all did in the galaxy. The Republic was a democracy where everyone was free to be open about what they liked and what choices they made. And now that the war had ended, everyone deserved to enjoy their newfound freedom and peace. That speech alone was enough to satisfy the reporters who had tried following them at first and soon enough they left them alone.

The next thing which came to everyone's notice was that they were now without a Supreme Chancellor. So many put their names forward for the position. It wasn't a long process and in the end the winner of the vote was Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan. Padme was very proud and delighted for her close friend as he was. Anakin was also proud, in the time he had come to know Bail, he knew he was a caring, sensible and wise man who had the capability for the role. Watching him stand upon the podium in the center of the huge chamber with all the senator's platforms you could see he belonged there. The people were also delighted because in his years as a senator, Bail Organa was much loved among many and to have him as the new Supreme Chancellor brought up their hopes for a newer and brighter future now the war was over.

All around the city and throughout the Galaxy, there didn't seem to be an end of celebrations. Every night Anakin and Padme could hear the many cheers and cries of joy as the citizens celebrated. Anakin and Padme didn't feel the need to go join any of them as they preferred this time to themselves and the twins.

The last thing Padme did at the Senate was to have a meeting with Bail where she asked permission to took leave from her position as Senator of Naboo so she could dedicate her time to being a mother. Chancellor Organa didn't mind at all because he told Padme that just recently his wife Queen Breha had found out that she was with child. So he knew how much this meant for Padme to want this time with her children.

As for Anakin, although he was now officially a Jedi Master, the Council had allowed him as much time as he wanted to be a father. So he informed them all that he and Padme would be returning to Lake Country to officially stay and raise Luke and Leia until they would be old enough to start training. Ahsoka would be there too to help with both looking after the twins and assist Anakin with training them when the time came.

When the day finally came for them all to leave the city, quite a crowd of people had been there to see them off. A great majority of the Jedi had come, including all of Ahsoka's youngling friends.

"We're going to miss you, Ahsoka," said Katooni.

"I'm gonna miss you too," said Ahsoka, patting her shoulder. "I hope you all succeed with your training, I know you are capable of being great Jedi Knights and will make your Masters proud."

When she finally bid goodbye to Master Plo, they just shared a heartfelt hug which seemed to speak more than any words could.

Chancellor Bail Organa and Senators Mon Mothma and Jar Jar Binks had come to bid Padme goodbye. They all wished her luck with the twins and that they knew she would be a wonderful mother to them. And Padme wished them luck with all that would come.

"Messa isn't sure that messa can manage alone," Jar Jar said sadly.

Padme smiled and took one of his hands. "Of course you will, Jar Jar," she encouraged him. "You have done so many times before. And until someone else comes to take my position, I believe you will manage quite well. Just have confidence in yourself and your abilities."

The Gungun looked like he was on the brink of tears. "Oh, yousa too kind, milady." Padme smiled up at him.

Kenobi approached Anakin with a kindly smile and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You take care Anakin, I'll come and visit you as often as I can."

Anakin smiled in return. "I'd like that very much Obi-Wan. You and all the Jedi would be welcome." The older man then glanced down into the hovering pram where the twins were looking up at them with their bright eyes. Still smiling, Kenobi reached down to tickle them both under their chins and made them both giggle. Anakin laughed as well, watching this interaction.

"Besides, I would very much like to oversee these two little ones as well. They truly are special."

Anakin nodded. "I always knew they would be special even before I knew there were two of them." He glanced to the side and saw that Padme and Ahsoka were ready to go. "Goodbye Master, let me know when you plan to visit."

Kenobi nodded "I will Anakin." Then to Anakin's surprise the hand which still held his shoulder tugged gently and a second later his Jedi Master took him in his arms and Anakin held him back as a brother would. When they let go of each other, Obi-Wan nodded a goodbye to Padme and Ahsoka then turned back to his former Padawan.

"May the Force be with you."

Anakin smiled. "May it be with all of us," he replied. With that, he turned and both he and the pram headed towards Padme and Ahsoka. All together, they headed up the ramp and into the ship.

Obi-Wan and the others kept their eyes on the ship as the engines roared to life and lifted off the ground before taking off into the sky and leaving the planet.

Author's Notes
Hello there my readers. I'm sorry the long break. Since I last updated I had a bit of writers block when I was writing the scene between Anakin and Windu as I knew that most of you were wondering what would happen between them and whether they would settle their differences or not. Well I hope that you like it. I have also been busy because of Christmas fast approaching so there has been a lot to organize.
And Finally ever since Halloween I started watching the Mandalorian. I watched Season 1 in one weekend and them watched Season 2 as the episodes came weekly and I love the show so much. So much that I shed tears of joy during the Season 2 Finale.

I'm glad that you have kept sending in your reviews and following this so please keep them coming so I know what you think.
We are getting to the end of the fanfic now and I believe the next chapter will be the last one. It is a lot longer than this chapter was and I hope to post it very soon.

Thank you again to my Wonderful beta reader Carrie2sky.

Hope you're all having a Merry Christmas.
May the Force Be With You
LouisaJane007