Chapter 20
A Little Help From My Friends
We Pretend It's Alright
Words- 8,094
We Pretend It's Alright
"Padme stay calm, everything will be fine!" Ahsoka practically yelled, grasping Padme's hand as she steered Padme towards the court room exit, Obi Wan on her other side, helping to support the pained woman.
"Ahsoka I'm-" Padme tried to brush off, her voice tired.
"I said it's going to be fine, we are going to take care of you, no need to worry." Ashoka exclaimed, her voice still unnaturally high and full of nervousness, as she used the force to gently part the crowd ahead of the trio.
"I know, I'm fine, let's just go." Padme grimaced as another contraction hit. Shem leaned into Obi Wan's support as she struggled to maintain their pace.
"Please step aside, we need to get through." Obi Wan commanded to the crowd Ahsoka was attempting to part. Her voice commanded attention, and miraculously, the crowd parted. Padme couldn't help but wonder if he hadn't used some Jedi mind-trick skills.
"Obi Wan, make sure Ani doesn't do anything stupid." Padme whispered as they reached the courtroom exit. "Maybe you should go with him, make sure he follows his parole- "
"I do believe he would break it to kill me for not staying with you." Obi Wan said with a small smile. "He'll be smart Padme, do not worry. He's come so far, he will not lose it now."
"Why don't we go with him?" Padme suggested as they walked into the lift, her gaze falling down the long hallway to the left of them, the hall way she knew Anakin had been taken down. "I'll give birth on Tatooine when we land, we'll be together, it'll be- "
"You need the best medical attention available, Padme." Obi Wan said with a sigh, Ahsoka nodding her head in agreement.
"I know Skyguy is scared, but risking your life even isn't the best idea." Ahsoka offered, the lift beginning to move up.
"This birth may not be easy, Padme," Obi Wan added, concern on his tired face. "It's best to be with your doctors, the best care you can get."
"I- I know." Padme said, looking at the floor of the lift as they zoomed up to the senate lobby. "I just, I really him with me." Both her friends could sense the fear in her voice, and Ahsoka gave her hand a squeeze.
"I know, Padme, I know." Ahsoka comforted. "But don't worry, both of us will be there and Anakin will be here as soon as he can, just a few days."
Padme nodded, her eyes glistening with unfallen tears as the lift slowed to a stop and the doors open. The trip was met with shouts and the flash of cameras as soon as the doors pulled back. Questions, insults, and cheers all globed into sheer noise as Padme blinked at the hoard of people in front of her.
"Out of the way!" Came the clear voice of Bail Organa, pushing his way through the sea of reporters that surrounded Padme, Obi Wan, and Ahsoka. Breha stood behind Bail, her baby bump pronounced underneath her striking red dress, concern on her beautiful face as she saw the distress on Padme's.
"Clear a path now!" Bail roared, forcibly parting the crowd with the help of senate guards as he made his was to Padme.
"Are you alright?" Breha asked, taking Ahsoka's place as the former Jedi ran ahead to get the transport.
"I- I will be." Padme murmured, her face screwed up in pain as another contraction occurred. "Gods, they are getting more frequent." She admitted nervously, carefully placing an arm around her stomach ad they began moving, Bail leading the way.
"Don't worry 'Me," Breha soothed, wrapping her arm fiercely around her friend. "Anakin will be fine."
"I know." Padme said for what felt time the millionth time. I do know, she thought, her eyes dry now. Anakin just gained his freedom, the war is over, and I am surrounded by my closest friends, time to pull it together. Padme let a smile slip onto her face, and she held her head high.
"Senator, would do you make of rumors that you are going into labor?" She heard the question in the sheer noise and gave a small laugh.
"Well," She laughed, "For the first time, that one is true."
A ripple of excitement went through the crowd as the group made their way out the senate doors, to the transport Ahsoka had waiting. Outside the transport stood Ahsoka and Rex, who helped guided her into a seat as the rest of the group crowded in, shutting the doors on the masses outside.
"Ma'am." Rex greeted, moving to stand by the doors. "I will serve as any needed protection, not that I think you'd need more than someone to make sure you room is secure."
"Thank you, Rex." Padme smiled at him, wincing as the transport took off with a jerk, sirens whirling as the medical transport sped through the airways of Coruscant. "I-I-" Padme felt her voice stutter as she suddenly felt a wave of heat rake over her body and her eyes grew heavy as the world swam before her.
Ashoka jumped just in time to keep Padme from falling out her seat. "Padme!" She exclaimed, Rex and Breha at the pregnant woman's side as well, fanning her and squeezing her hand.
"Something isn't right." Obi Wan murmured, turning the driver. "Please, as fast as you can, this is now an emergency!"
The driver nodded and accelerated, not sparing a glimpse for the scene behind her as she navigated the complex airways at break-neck speed.
We Pretend It's Alright
"Please as fast as you can." Anakin said as he was loaded into the ship. "I need to get to Naboo."
The guard said nothing as they secured him in his seat, before taking a step back and handing over the control for his constraints to the clone that was leading his transport.
"Report in as soon as you arrive." The guard said.
"Of course." The clone said, nodding to the guard as he walked off the cruiser. Anakin narrowed his eyes as he heard the clone speak. Was it-?
"All set, Sir." Another clone reported to the first, removing his helmet as the external doors shut. The original clone removed his helmet as well, and with a grin turned to Anakin.
"Hello again, General Skywalker." Charger said with a cocky grin, nodding to the surprised former Jedi.
"Charger." Anakin greeted, trying to return the smile. "Careful with that title now, you may not have heard but I have been forbidden from leading any army."
"Old habits die hard, general." Charger said with wink. "This is Jinx." He introduced, gesturing to clone next to him. His clone had his hair bleached blonde like rex, but kept it long, pulled back in a bun that reminded Anakin with a jolt of Tup.
"Pleasure." Anakin said with a nod. "I'd shake your hand but I'm afraid that may be a little hard." Anakin jested, nodding to her restraints.
"Oh yeah, about that." Charger moved forward and deactivated the restraints.
Anakin felt a rush of freedom as he moved his hands apart, enjoying the freedom of movement again, and thanking Charger as the ship took off.
"Sorry if I won't be good for much pleasant conservation this trip, got a bit on my mind." Anakin muttered, glancing out the cruiser's window in the direction of the medical center.
"So we've heard." Charger said, exchanging a look with Jinx. "Good thing it won't be along ride."
Anakin turned his head back to the clones at these words, not understanding. "Don't know if you've ever gone to Tatooine from Coruscant, but it's a good ten hours. "Anakin replied, but looking suspiciously at the two, who just exchanged a look.
"You've done a lot for us, General." Jinx said. To Anakin's surprise, he pushed back the hair on the side of his head and revealed a small red incision mark. "Just got mine out last night, had to wait in line for three hours." Jinx said proudly, letting his hair fall back over the mark.
"Had mine out two days ago." Charger added, showing his scar as well. "And so did Mac, ain't that right Mac?" He yelled up to the front of the ship, where the clone that was piloting yelled back his confirmation.
"You saved a lot of clones." Charger said, offering Anakin his hand and pulling the thin man to his feet.
"A lot of good men." Anakin amended with a genuine smile.
"I told you Jinx, he's the real deal, ain't he?" Charger grinned.
"Aye, you're right." Jinx nodded, "Worth it for sure."
"Worth what?" Anakin asked as his brow furled.
"Put this on." Charger had reached behind and pulled a spare set of clone armor from the closet behind him. He tossed Anakin the armor and nodded.
"I don't-" Anakin stared, still not realizing.
"Sure this one was a general?" Jinx jested, giving a small laugh. "We are replaying you, you saved us, we save you."
"We are going to smuggle you into the medical center on the way out." Charger explained, a grin on his face. "We will continue to Tatooine and 'check you in', we'll register you as going to Naboo and you'll have twenty hours to check in on Naboo. We have another crew waiting to take you and the Missus as soon as you are ready to go. Got it?"
Anakin was already stripping off his prison uniform and pulling on the clone armor. "I can never repay you for this," Anakin started, stumbling as he hurriedly shoved his leg through the pant hole. "Really, never-"
"No need." Charger waved him off. "You and Senator have already done so much for us."
"And we'll do more, especially her." Anakin promised, thinking of the clone rights bills he knew Padme to already be working on as he saw the medical center getting closer through the window. "How will I get to her?"
"Tell the clone at the front desk that Charger sends the general his regards and he will take you to her room." Jinx answered.
"Everything will be smooth, I assure you of that." Charger added as the cruiser began to slow in front of the facility. "Good luck General Skywalker, and don't forget, you have fifteen hours from when I contact you." Charger warned the Jedi, who nodded as he pulled on his helmet.
"Thank you, Charger, jinx. You don't know how much this means to me." Anakin said, shaking each of their hands briefly as the doors opened.
"Send the Senator our regards!" Charger yelled after him as he hurried off the cruiser.
"Well, off to Tatooine then." Charger said with a grin as they watched Anakin run inside the building.
We Pretend It's Alright
"I have a bad feeling about this." Ahsoka muttered to herself as she ran behind the doctors pushing Padme on a hospital bed through the birthing ward.
"She'll be fine, they'll all be fine." Obi Wan said, a confidence in his voice that he wasn't sure he truly felt. They hurried down another hall before the doctors pushed Padme's bed into a large white room, full of machines and her doctors, all waiting to begin.
"When did she fall unconscious?" One asked as two others gain checking her vitals.
"It was in the transport, maybe five or so minutes?" Ahsoka answered, looking breathlessly at the brunet woman behind hooked up to three machines, her mahogany curls spilling off of the pillow behind her head. "Do you know what is wrong?"
"She is very drained of energy; the stress of the labor might have been too much for her. Has she been under any other unusual stress the last few days?" The first doctor asked as Padme's heartbeat appeared on screen behind them.
Ahsoka wanted to laugh, any stress? "This woman has saved the Republic, started a new government, and watched her husband's court case conclude, just about thirty minutes ago too, she's certainly stressed."
"This morning?" The doctor asked, looking up from a screen she was taking a measurement from. "That probably what did it, honestly I'm surprised she went this close to full term."
They fell silent for a moment, watching as the doctors worked.
"How is she doing?" Breha had arrived, out of breath as she stood clutching Bail in the doorway.
"Her vitals are stable for now, but we believe her state is because of stress, not an issue, I assure you." The doctor said kindly. "She should be waking up about now."
As if on cue, Padme's eyes began to flutter as her head rolled on to the other side. A grimace flashed across her face as she opened her eyes to see the crowd before her.
"What happened?" She said hoarsely, looking around at the equipment and doctors.
"You fainted, my dear, but don't worry, you are just fine, we are taking great care of you here." The doctor smiled kindly at her. "No if everyone doesn't mind leaving, I need to prepare Ms. Amidala for labor. IF you would like someone to help?" She suggested, looking questioningly at Padme.
"Breha, would you mind?" Padme asked "I don't think I'll be able to get out of this dress alone. And, it's Mrs. Amidala now" She added to the doctor with a small smile. "It feels good to say that."
"Mrs. Amidala, my apologies."
Breha walked further into the room as the rest backed out, giving the two women some space.
"You had me worried." Breha admonished as she began to unfold the soft, white hospital gown the doctor had left out for Padme.
"Don't be." Padme said, carefully unbuttoning the front of her dress and pulling it off with Breha's help. Together, Breha helped Padme slip the white gown on, adjusting the bed so Padme could sit up. Padme smiled sadly at the door, imagining Anakin walking through and sweeping her up in his strong arms.
"This will be you soon." Padme commented, raising her brow at Breha playfully. "Better take notes."
Breha laughed, grasping her friends hand as the doctor returned, along with Ahsoka and Bail.
"Obi Wan and Rex are securing the hallway, don't want anyone bothering you today." Ahsoka said, moving to stand by Padme's other side as Bail came and wrapped his arm around Breha, hugging the woman to his chest.
"Don't worry, Padme, this will be smooth, and you'll be on Naboo with Anakin in no time." Bail smiled, pressing a kiss on Breha's head as he smiled kindly down at his friend. "We already have transportation prepared for whenever you wish to leave."
"Thank you Bail, I am eager to return home." Padme admitted, glancing again at the door as she suddenly found it hard to look at Bail and Breha together. Was Anakin in hyperspace yet? Sweat began to form on her brow as contractions came and went. Ahsoka kept up pleasant conversation as Padme tried to breathe through the pain. A half an hour later, the doctor returned.
"How are we doing?" The doctor asked as she moved to stand next to Padme, Breha and Bail taking to go grab a snack from down the hall and give Padme a little space.
"Alright, my contractions seem to be coming faster and in more intensity." Padme said, moving her hand to her belly as she spoke.
"You are quite far along in your labor already, I would expect the babies should come within the hour, we will begin preparing for the birth shortly." As she spoke, a few nurses and droids tittered about the room, beginning in the equipment needed.
"Are you waiting on anyone else?" The doctor asked, glancing back at one of Padme's charts.
"Not anymore."
They all turned to see a clone standing in the doorway, but… but that voice. She knew that voice.
We Pretend It's Alright
"Excuse me, Trooper, this hallway is blocked off." Rex addressed the approaching trooping, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"Even if it's for my wife?"
Rex's confusion evaporated as Anakin removed his helmet, grinning at his old friend.
"Sir-"
"Ah no time for that rex." Anakin said, putting his helmet back on and beginning to walk past the clone. "All I can say is I have more friends than I thought, and they helped me get here. I have to check in on Naboo in about twenty-five standard hours, so let's hope this birth is fast."
"Are you sure this is wise?" Rex asked, following Anakin down the hall. "If you are caught-"
"Well, you'll just have to guard this hallway very well, won't you?" Anakin joked back, leaving Rex in the hall as he found the room he was looking for. Anakin approached the doorway quickly as he heard the doctor ask if Padme was waiting for anyone else.
"Not anymore." Anakin said, stepping into the room.
He moved to her bed side as he pulled off his helmet.
"Anakin!" Padme screeched as he pulled his into his arms, so relieved to see her alright. "What are you doing her, how-"
"The clones- Charger- he's got it covered." Anakin said with a silencing look, not sure where the doctor stood on all of this. "I have twenty-five standard hours before I need to register on Naboo, we'll be fine."
"Are you-"
"Yes, I'm, sure, no one knows, we are fine." Anakin murmured in her ear, silencing her next protest with a kiss. "I love you, Padme Amidala"
"I- Anakin, I cannot believe this." Padme said. They stared at each other in sheer bliss for a few more second before Anakin was attacked from behind with a hug.
"Skyguy!" Ahsoka yelled, wrapping her arms around the former convict. "What are you doing here?"
"Hey Ahsoka." Anakin smiled, wrapping the young woman in a tight hug. He couldn't help but feel emotional as he stood in this room, surrounded by those he cared about most, free, for the first time in months. His happiness was intoxicating as he and Ahsoka pulled apart, both with beaming at one another.
"I'm so sorry, Ahsoka." Anakin found himself saying, all of his memories about Ahsoka's trial resurfacing as he beamed down at his former Padawan and seeing a grown woman in her place. "I'm so proud of you, I owe you so many apologies."
Ahsoka, raised her eyebrows in shock as Anakin pulled her into another hug, giving Padme an amused look over Anakin's shoulder. Padme shrugged, a bemused expression on her sweaty face.
"It's okay, Anakin. I forgave you, and I understand." Ahsoka murmured in Anakin's ear, squeezing him harder. "NO hard feelings, it all happened like it needed too. Let's just move on, right? Today is about beginnings."
They broke apart, and Ahsoka could have sworn she saw Anakin brush away a tear (which he would of course deny later). Anakin looked back at Padme, who had just let out a groan as another contraction began.
"Can I get you anything? Water, food, anything?" Anakin asked, bending down at her side and grasping her hand.
"Don't go anywhere." Padme said breathlessly, managing to smile as she screwed up her face in pain.
"I assume this is the father?" The doctor asked, a little amused, as she finally broke the moment between the three.
"Yes." Anakin said. "You are Padme's doctor I presume?"
"Yes, Dr. Gretum." The woman said with a nod. "Can we get you into more appropriate attire for this?"
Anakin hesitated, he wasn't sure if abandoning his disguise was wise, but on the other hand he didn't want to make an issue. "What do you have, I'm trying to remain… discreet. Have a few people who may be looking for me." He shrugged at the doctors raised eyebrow, trying to brush it off.
"Would a nurse uniform suffice?" Dr. Gretum offered, deciding not to get involved with whatever was going on here. Her intentions were to provide Padme with the best care and service she needed, and keeping this man here sure seemed to be helpful to Padme.
"Sounds great." Anakin agreed, pulling off his armor and leaving his long black shirt and pants on as a droid handed him blue scrubs to pull over his clothes.
Anakin and Ahsoka each took one of Padme's hands as she groaned through another contraction. The senator was quite disheveled now, her hairline and face wet with sweat as she panted, trying to ignore how drained of energy she was feeling.
"Anakin."
The voice came from the doorway. It sounded weak. Anakin looked up to see Obi Wan standing in the door frame, surprise on his aged face. The Jedi and his former apprentice simply stared at each other, all the events of the past year building the tension between them as neither lowered his gaze.
"Go." Padme whispered to Anakin, her face still inches from his face as he leaned down next to her. Perhaps it was he desperation for her command, or his own emotions, but Anakin didn't notice the new fragility in her voice. He straightened up and began to work forward towards his former brother. Obi Wan moved forward as well and before either quite new what was happening, they were wrapped in a fierce hug.
"I'm made so many mistakes, Anakin." Obi Wan murmuered, his voice full of regret and grief.
"You aren't the only one." Anakin responded, his voice a little higher than usual as he dealt with the swirl of emotions that light up in his chest. "I'm sorry."
"Me too, more than you know." Obi Wan whispered back, giving Anakin one more squeeze, reveling in the fact that he was here before him.
The two separated, each looking at other in a new light, one of understanding, one of forgiveness. Each man had made choices, sacrifices, and each wanted to move beyond them.
"I don't even want to know how you are here, Anakin." Obi Wan said, raising an eyebrow at the young man. "This is rather risky."
"Let's just say I have more friends than I thought." Anakin said with a grin. "And Obi Wan, would you really expect anything else from me."
Obi Wan shook his head in amusement as Ahsoka let out a laugh. Consumed by the reunion of there family, no one noticed Padme's eyes fluttering or her hand slacking its grip on the bed rail.
"How long do you have?" Obi Wan asked.
"Five hours." Anakin replied, looking nervously at the door. "The doctor said the babies should be here pretty soon, so hopefully- "
Anakin was cut off by the blare of the alarms from several machine's Padme was connected to. Four doctors and several droids flooded the room as Anakin and Obi Wan looked around for the cause.
"Padme!" IT was Ahsoka's call that alerted them t the situation. Dr. Gretum was at her side as Anakin took Ahsoka's place at her other side, gazing in horror at Padme's pale face.
"What's happening?" Anakin demanded as the doctors began working on padme, attaching new sensors and taking manual tests.
"Please step back." Dr. Gretum commanded, "We need space to work."
Anakin didn't move, still clutching Padme's clammy hands the doctors and droids whizzed around them. "But what- "
"Sir, step back or we will clear the room."
"Anakin." Obi Wan grabbed his arm and pulled the young man backward. "Let them work, step back now."
"But what- "
"Come stand here, they will figure it out, this happened before."
"What do you mean this- "
"She fainted on the way over, the doctor said it was her energy level, nothing to be worried about, they just needed to monitor it." Ahsoka cut in, putting a comforting hand on Anakin's arm as they walked the doctors work from the corner of the room.
"She doesn't look fine." Anakin trailed off. "Ahsoka," HE said abruptly, grabbing the girl by her shoulders and staring her dead in the eyes. "You've read my journals?"
"I don't think- "
"You've read them?"
"I- yes, I've read them." Ahsoka said begrudgingly, looking concernedly up at her mentor. There was a desperation in his eyes that scared her. That look of pure love, the look of I will do anything for her. Ahsoka grabbed his arms as he stilled pinned her shoulders and calmly gazed back at him, giving him a searching look as she saw the panic flying through his mind. "But still- last resort."
"I- "Anakin seemed to snap out of his trace as Obi Wan placed a hand on his shoulder. "Yeah, you're right, I just- "He broke off as he released the young woman, raising a hand to his forehead and each person on his sides, held him in their grip, trying to stabilize him. "I'm not going to lose her, not after all this. I can't do this without her."
"She said the same thing about you a few weeks ago." The soft voice came from behind them, and the three turned to see Breha and Bail standing in the doorway. Bail looked scandalized to see Anakin but shifted his focus as he saw the doctors surrounding Padme. There was no longer quite the urgency about them, they seemed to have stabilized her.
"She will be waking up in a few minutes, but we need to deliver these babies soon. This labor is too draining for her." Doctor Gretum said, approaching Anakin. "We will go ahead as soon as he regains conciseness naturally. We are going to mover her to a larger room with more resources in two minutes as soon as it is ready. Only family will be allowed in with her. We'll be back as soon as the room is ready to move her."
Anakin nodded to her, murmuring thanks as he rushed back to Padme's side, grabbing her hand as he stooped down beside her, pressing her hand to his chest as he looked at her protruding stomach. "You two need to take it easy on your mother." Anakin whispered, kissing Padme's hand as Ahsoka and Obi Wan stood beside him, each still resting hand on his shoulders.
"Anakin- "
"Bail arrest me later, I really don't have time for it now." Anakin interrupted the Senator, not taking his eyes off Padme."
"I- "Breha placed a hand on her husband's shoulder to quiet him.
"Bail, why don't you go alert the clones of our impending move and make sure the hall is clear from Anakin to travel." Breha said lightly, shooing her husband out the door before moving to stand at the other side of Padme's bed.
Ahsoka and Obi Wan followed Bail out, wanting to ensure Anakin would have safe travel and to give him a moment with Padme.
"I meant it." She said after a moment of silence, looking down at Padme but directing her words at Anakin. "She didn't know how she could have done this without you."
"She would of." Anakin said quietly, not wanting to dwell on his very near fate. "She's stronger than she thinks."
"That's what I told her." Breha said with a small smile. "And that's what she'd tell you too."
"That's not going to happen." Anakin said firmly, still not moving his gaze from her face. "I won't let it."
"You cannot control life, Anakin." Breha countered lightly, looking at Anakin now. "She wouldn't want you to."
Anakin said nothing. He had made his decision long ago. Padme could do this without him. Without her though…
"Be strong for her, for the babies, that's all she will want." Breha advised, gently placing her hand under her chin and guiding Anakin's eyes to look at her. "I know that's what I'd want from Bail."
This was the first time Anakin noticed her stomach, the subtle bump that protruded from beneath her dress.
"I will save them, all of them." Anakin said quietly, his vow still managing to echo in the room. "We've made it this far, no one get's left behind." Except me.
Breha said nothing more as she removed her hand, looking back down at Padme, who stirred.
"Padme?" Anakin said softly, brushing her hair away from her face as her eyes began to flutter. Her face twisted into a grimace of pain as she gasped out, her hand shooting to her stomach as another contraction, stronger than any before struck.
"Anakin." Padme gasped, her eyes clenches tight as his hand found hers, Breha grabbing her other.
"Squeeze down as hard as you can on my hand, as hard as you need and then harder." Anakin said, his voice still smooth and resolute, his eye's never leaving her face. "I'm here, right here and I'm going nowhere."
"What... happened?" Padme managed, squeezing Anakin's hand so hard his figures might snap.
"You fainted again dear, low energy affecting your heartrate." Breha explained, mopping Padme's forehead with a cool towel. "It's going to be time to deliver, to meet you precious babies."
"We are moving you to another, better equipped room, Madam Senator." Doctor Gretum, had reentered with a team of doctors and medical droids. "We will move you now, judging by that last contraction you are about ready. Mr. Skywalker can stay will you as he is the father. Are you ready now?"
Padme looked frightened but squeezed Anakin's hand any nodded. "Let's go."
"I'll be right outside." Breha told the woman as the began wheeling her bed out of the room, Anakin walking beside her, their hands still locked. Breha's hand subconsciously moved to cradle her own belly, a tiny sense of dread filling her as she watched her best friend disappear for what she hoped wasn't the last time.
We Pretend It's Alright
"It's time to push, Padme." Doctor Gretum said calmly yet firmly, positioned between Padme's knees as the birthing woman yelled out in pain.
"Now?" Padme gasped, feeling like a boulder was slowly crushing her. "I can't- I'm not- "
"You can do this." Anakin said confidently, making fierce eye contact with padme as he coached her. "You've been through so much more, this is nothing, you can do this. Just push."
"push?" Padme said, feeling the heat of a thousand suns beaming down on her as the pain mounted.
"Now." Anakin said.
Padme pushed, and she felt like her body was ripping in half.
"Come on, Padme, keep coming." Doctor Gretum commanded, leaning forward. "I can see the head."
"Squeeze my hand again, you can do this." Anakin said, feeling his circulation cut off again as Padme squeezed and pushes again with a scream of pain.
Suddenly, her scream was cut off by another.
Doctor Gretum held up a baby, covered in fluids and screaming. "It's a girl." The doctor announced as she handed the baby to another doctor to be cleaned and blanketed.
"Leia." Padme said, her voice weak as tear of joy and pain trickled down her cheek. She turned her head to Anakin who was staring at the baby in the droid's arms, a look of wonder on his face.
"Anakin?" Padme called, beaming. "Are you okay?"
Anakin looked back down at her, his eyes wet. "I love you."
"The feeling is- "Padme broke off as dizziness overlook her, pain returning.
"Padme?" Anakin said, his brow narrowing as he refocused on his struggling wife. "What are you feeling, what do you need?"
"We need to deliver the other baby, this is too much stress on her body." Doctor Gretum yelled, concern on her face as she looked at the machine readings next to her. "Padme, you need to push, it's time again."
"Time…" Padme mumbled, her vision blurring as she heard a baby crying.
"Padme, just like last time, we have one more baby to get into this world." Anakin said, mopping her brow with a wet towel and trying not to let his fear in. "You need to push."
"I cannot, not again- "
"You can." Anakin said softly but firmly. "You're the strongest person I know, squeeze my hand and let's introduce Leia to her brother."
"Now, Padme, you have to push now." Dr. Gretum yelled, eyeing the stats uneasily again. Something wasn't right, her heart beat was decreasing, her vitals all decreasing. They needed to end this labor. \
"Padme- "Anakin started, but he needn't of. With a fierce cry, Padme pushed and pushed and pushed.
"Keep going!"
Padme's screams yet again mingled with the cries of another; their son was born.
Anakin gazed in amazement again as another baby was lifted, taken next to her sister as Padme cried with tear of joy, pain, and exhaustion.
"Did I, did I do it, is it over?" She asked deliriously, barley managing to hold on to her consciousness.
"Yes, you were amazing, you did it." Anakin pressed a kiss to her sweaty forehead as tear rolled down his cheeks. "I love you so much, that was- "But he broke off, noticing her eyes closing and her grip slacking in his. "Padme!" he yelled, shaking her by the shoulders as the sensors went off again.
"We're losing her!" Doctor Gretum yelled, and Anakin was pushed back as four doctors surrounded Padme, beginning CPR and injecting her with stimulants.
"No…" Anakin murmured, watching helplessly as the doctors attempted to revive the woman he loved, the woman who was slipping away. He could feel her presence fading, but he was stuck, frozen in place.
"It's not working." A doctor said, stepping back. "I don't understand what's wrong, there's no reason she should be crashing. It's like her life force is draining."
That snapped Anakin back. Silently, he outstretched his hand and willed the force to surround him and Padme, the doctors pushed back as their attempts failed. The lights in the room flashed as the force seemed to swirl around Anakin like a gust of wind. Padme was holding on by a thread, but Anakin knew what to do. To the astonishment of everyone inside the room and those watching through the windows, a blue glow began to form between Anakin and Padme, a series of thread-like connections linking them. Anakin was attempting to anchor Padme to his life-force, to pull her back from the brink.
oOo
"What is he doing?" Obi Wan exclaimed as he felt the power of the Force Anakin was commanding. "I've never seen anything like this."
"It's what he researched." Ahsoka said, panic dawning on her face. "He's trying to stop her life force from disappearing, anchor hers to his own, siphon his to her."
"Siphon his? He's- he's killing giving her his life force?" Obi Wan cried, looking stricken as Ahsoka nodded.
"I think so. Obi Wan," She turned and looked into the older man's face as more threads spun between the two, spinning from Anakin to Padme. "He's going to die."
They saw Anakin fall to his knees, his arms outstretched as the light from the blue beams grew. "We have to stop him- "Obi Wan started, "We cannot let him."
"You cannot stop, you don't know how to interfere, you can't let Padme die." Ahsoka replied, her mind racing as she saw Anakin slump down further. The light around Padme was growing, Ahsoka felt their balance in the force and knew it was working. But at what cost?
"I know what to do." She whispered, pushing past Obi Wan and ignoring his calls as she burst into the room. Swiftly, she jumped kicked Anakin in the face, causing the man to fall over, and the light to start the fade.
"No!" Ahsoka cried, and with a power she had never felt before, she grabbed those threads through the force, feeling a jolt as she continued the process Anakin started. Life came a price, something she had learned far before Anakin. This was her role, what she was meant to do. This was why she had come back.
She had meant to help them, not matter what.
"Ahsoka!" Obi Wan yelled from the doorway as he tried to enter the room. He was stopped in the doorframe, the force not allowing him to enter the room.
"NO!" Ahsoka yelled, her voice echoing with the power that flowed through her. "Stay back, I have to do this, I have to save them!"
"You'll kill yourself!" Obi Wan protested, standing helplessly at the door, watching the last three people he cared about locked in a struggle for life.
"I'll save them." Ahsoka said, falling to her knees as she felt her life slipping away, the light glowing stronger yet. "Take care of them." She choked out as she felt as through she was being squeezed by giant hands. "Obi Wan, protect them…" She trailed off as the light erupted, sending Ahsoka falling to the ground and blinding everyone temporarily.
We Pretend It's Alright
"An-Anakin." Padme mumbled as she regained consciousness, her eyes slowly opening to find a very shaken Doctor Gretum at her side. "Where, where is Anakin? Where are the babies? I don't remember what happened."
"The babies are fine, Anakin is fine. So are you, miraculously." Doctor Gretum said, raising a hand to her forehead as she tried to wrap her head around this. "About three hours ago, right after you gave birth to your son, you lost consciousness and your vitals began dropping. We attempted to revive you, but nothing was working, we still don't know what happened, though we have several theories, informed by the Jedi council."
"How am I alive then?" Padme asked, confused. "Where is Anakin?"
"Anakin did something after we were unable to help you, I- I don't know what to call it. He used Jedi powers to keep you alive, thin blue stings of light connected you both. Master Obi Wan says he was- and I may not be quoting him correctly- but well, that Anakin was transferring his life-force to you."
Padme stared, trying to comprehend what she was being told. Then it hit her. "His research." Padme muttered, shaking her head as emotion surged through her. "That idiot."
"I believe it was working, he was appearing weaker and you stronger, the light was growing." Doctor Gretum continued, wanting to tell Padme what had happened. "But then- well, Ahsoka Tano entered the room and she kicked Anakin in the head, knocking him out in his already weakened state and breaking your connection. She then proceeded to take up the connection."
"Ahsoka?" Padme asked, a blank loo on her face as she failed to comprehend what she was being told. "Where is Ahsoka?"
"Padme, she… she finished what Anakin started. I don't understand, but there was a large flash, I'm guessing the completion of the process and she fell as your vitals returned."
"But- what happened?"
"Ahsoka Tano is currently unconscious and not waking. We don't know what is wrong, but from what the Jedi have attempted to explain, it seems her life force has been almost completely depleted. We will continue to monitor her and work with the Jedi towards finding a solution, but we don't have much hope."
Padme's words caught in her throat. She couldn't process this. Ahsoka had attempted to give her life for her, and for Anakin. She had saved them both, she had sacrificed herself.
"Anakin was weak from his attempts and from his head injury, but he regained consciousness just shortly ago I was just told. As soon as the doctor's clear him and give him an energy booster, I expect he will be- "
"Padme!" Anakin called her name as he rushed into the small room, like the one Padme had first been admitted into. The man ran to the now crying woman and wrapped her in his arms, hugging her life he would never get another chance. "I can't believe you're alive, that it worked- "He broke off, tears swelling in his blue eyes as he buried his face in her shoulder.
"It's not your fault." Padme whispered in his ear, feeling the wetness spreading on her dress as he cried. "She made the choice, there was nothing could have done- "
"I should never have showed it to her, have made her think she had to- "
"She didn't." Obi Wan's soft voice floated into the room as Doctor Gretum left to give the grieving couple a moment. "I was there when she made the decision. She wanted to, there was no hesitation."
"Still- "
"Anakin, she cares for you and Padme more than life the same way you were ready to die for Padme, like you would for her. She would make the call over again, and she wouldn't want either of you to blame yourselves." Obi Wan blinked back a tear as he thought of the time he had felt responsible for the death of friends- of loved ones. Satine.
Anakin said nothing, staring with empty eyes at the doorframe.
"Thank you, Obi Wan." Padme managed to say, and she meant it. His words may not mean anything to Anakin right now, but they would in time. And they meant something to her.
"I must go discuss with Master Yoda, I'll make sure to say good bye before you leave."
"Before we leave?" Anakin said, breaking the silence as he frowned. "We cannot leave, Ahsoka is here."
"Anakin, you have two hours to be on the plane to Naboo, or they will throw you in prison for five years." Obi Wan rationed, walking inside and coming up beside her old padawan.
"I cannot leave her, I will not."
"You want her service to be for nothing?" Obi Wan challenged, his tone pressing into Anakin like a knife of shame. "She did this, so you could leave, all of you, together. Stay here, and it was for nothing."
"Then she can come with- "
"She'll get the best care here, with the staff and with the Jedi." Padme interjected gently, finding Anakin's gaze and holding it. "I Don't want to go anymore than you do, but Obi Wan is right. It's what she'd have wanted."
Anakin closed his eyes, centering himself with the squeeze of Padme's hand as he tired to think rationally. He knew they had to go, that she had to stay, but it still felt so wrong.
"Anakin." Padme said gently. "It's okay, she will be okay. If I know Ahsoka, she'll want to meet her niece and nephew."
Anakin let out a watery chuckle as fresh tears fell down his bruised face. Obi Wan smiled as well, glad Anakin wasn't about to make a mistake he would regret. That poor man didn't need anymore regrets on his list.
"Speaking of meeting the twins." A voice sounded from the door. Doctor Gretum was standing in the doorway with Breha, each holding a small bundle wrapped in white.
Both Padme and Anakin felt their hearts skip a beat. Considering the situation, they hadn't yet gotten to hold their children.
The women walked into the room, and gently, each handed a baby to the shell-shocked parents.
"What are their names?" Doctor Gretum asked, handing Anakin Leia and Breha laid Luke in Padme's arms.
"Luke and Leia." Padme said, staring in astonishment at the little face peaking out of the blanket cradled in her arms.
"I'll finish their birth certificates and bring them to you both, I understand you need to leave in the next half-hour." Doctor Gretum said. "We will have an escort for you both to the private bay in back where your ship has docked."
"Thank you." Anakin said, unable to tear his gaze from the cooing little face of his daughter as Gretum left.
"She's looks like you." Obi Wan mused, smiling down at Leia in Anakin's arms. "Congratulations to you both. I must go, but I will see you off."
Anakin and Padme bade him goodbye as he left to room to find the wizened Jedi master.
Padme shifted Luke from her chest as Anakin sat down on the edge of her bed, repositioning Leia so Padme could see her.
"I can't believe they are finally here." Padme murmured, looking between the twins and Anakin. "Is it wrong to say I can't believe we made it?"
"Not without loss." Anakin murmured, his gaze darkening.
Padme put a hand on his shoulder as Luke gurgled, making Anakin smile.
"Hey little buddy." Anakin whispered, exchanging children with Padme so that she could hold Leia and he, Luke.
"I should probably feed them before we leave, I may not have a chance for a while." Padme mused, "We go in half an hour."
Anakin nodded, laying Luke down in the cradle beside the bed as he stood up.
"I need to say good bye before we go, do you need help feeding them?"
"No, go. Jus be careful, remember what Obi Wan said." Padme said cautiously.
Anakin nodded, kissing her on the forehead and stealing one more glance at Luke and Leia as he left the room.
We Pretend It's Alright
"She'll pull through, she always does." Rex said this with confidence, confidence Anakin wished he shared.
"If anyone can, she can." Anakin said, trying to alleviate his own fears. "You're going to stay with her?"
"If that's alright, I feel a duty to be here, to protect her."
"Good." Anakin said, staring at the pale face of the woman he felt was a sister to him. "Protect her, help her where you can." Because I can't, went unspoken.
"She'll be safe with me, General."
"Call me Anakin, Rex."
We Pretend It's Alright
"Call the minute you are home." Breha called as Anakin and Padme boarded their ship. They stood in the west docking bay, the surrounding area empty. "I need updates."
"OF course, you better come visit." Padme called back, glancing over her shoulder at Anakin who seemed to be having trouble removing the twins from the sling he had them in across her body. "Thank Bail again for me, I know how risky it was of him to turn a blind eye to Anakin."
Breha waved her apology away. "Think nothing of it, you'd do the same for him I'm sure."
The two women embraced. After all the had been through, they parted with hope in each other's eyes. This was a new time, a new republic, a new generation. They had hope.
Obi Wan and Anakin had just seceded in securing the twins in their travel carriers when Padme boarded the ship, Breha retreating inside the medical center.
"Keep in touch." Anakin said, a slight desperation in his voice. "Any update, I want to know"
"Of course." Obi Wan embraced Anakin, pulling the man close and trying to reassure him with this show of affection. "Stay safe, both of you." He said after the broke apart, gently hugging Padme before heading for the ship exit.
"Obi Wan, make sure you visit." Anakin called after him. "Luke and Leia need to get to know their Uncle Obi."
Obi Wan smiled back at the young family, his heart full of that which he had tired to avoid his whole life as a Jedi. "I could of nothing better. Good bye, old friend."
Obi Wan stepped down off the ship and watched as the doors closed, the engine ignited and the ship lifting up and away into the evening sky. As he stood, looking up into the darkening sky, he heard the hoot of a convor.
We Pretend It's Alright
The convor soared through the sky, having traveled threw thousands of systems to be here. She circled the medical center for a while before coming to rest on the window ledge pf Ahsoka Tano's room, her long green tail gently blowing in the wind and he looked down over the seeming sleeping woman.
We Pretend It's Alright
AN:
Hi… long time not see. What can I say, college is crazy and I was out of inspiration. Buuut, here it is! Last big moment of the story! We are close to done, only two chapters left. I hope I haven't lost all of my readers, here's to hoping someone reads this.
It's been a crazy ride writing this, and this chapter takes some turns and goes into non-canon powers territory. Stick with me, this force stuff will be explained as well as why Padme was dying.
Also, I'm sure this has many grammar errors, and if you want to fix, I am actually looking for someone to beta this story! PM me if you are interested!
Hope you all liked this! Let me know what you thought, anyone surprised?
Till the next chapter!
-Diamondgirl3;)