A/N: Thank you all for the amazing feedback over this last week! Please enjoy this next chapter, read, review, and let me know your thoughts!

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Heartbeat:

"You know we can look into other options... maybe find someone else?" Anakin assured, trailing behind his wife.

"Anakin, you know as well as I do, we don't really have any other options." Ahsoka retorted.

Since arriving on Shili, the couple had been busy establishing their new life together and unfortunately forgetting to prepare for prenatal care. Ahsoka was almost four months pregnant and already prominently showing.

Not wanting to have their personal lives on display, Ahsoka had resorted to wearing loose fitting closing to hide the ever-growing bump.

Anakin thought it would be a good idea to have the baby's progress checked since it had almost been two months since she'd been to a doctor. However, he was weary when Ahsoka told him that she was going to see the local midwife.

The nearby town was on the smaller side and only had one healer who took care of the people which raised his concern as Anakin wanted Ahsoka to have the best care during the pregnancy... in case something went wrong.

"We can go to the city, find you a real doctor, even relocate there until the baby is born." Anakin pleaded.

Ahsoka stopped in her tracks before turning to face him. "We just got here, I don't want to pick it all up and leave again. You chose this place for a reason... If we go to the city, the clinics will take our information and the baby's, which mean they'll be in the system and someone could potentially use that to find us." Ahsoka step towards him, taking his hand in hers. "I know you're worried but so am I... this is what's best for all of us." She'd lifted Anakin's hand, moving it over on her rounded stomach.

Anakin let out a sigh, knowing it was best not to fight on the matter. "I... I just don't want to lose you."

Ahsoka could hear the pain in his voice. "You won't... I promise." She'd pressed her forehead against his, hoping her words would give him some relief. "Come on, maybe after you meet her, you'll change your mind."

Anakin chuckled. "Not likely but, we can do it your way."

Once again, they were walking, only instead of trailing behind, Anakin stuck by her side, his hand with hers.

-•-•-•-

Ahsoka walked up the steps of the healer's house, lightly knocking when she reached the door.

After a minute, an older female Togruta opened the door, peaking out at her visitors. "May I help you?"

"Are you Sala?" Ahsoka asked, only receiving a nod in response. "My name is Ahsoka, I was directed to you in hopes to acquire your services as a midwife and healer."

The older woman smiled and stepped aside to allow her guests entrance to her home. Ahsoka looked behind at Anakin, silently signaling for him to follow before she herself walked in.

"How far along are you, my child?" Sala asked as she led the couple through the house to a back room she seemed to use as her clinic.

"Fifteen weeks, I think." Ahsoka replied. She was asked to sit on the table in the middle of the room as Anakin stood by the door.

"And I assume this is the father?" The older woman did not seem fazed by the brooding man in the corner. She knew a protective mate when she saw one.

"Yes. We moved here not too long ago, into a farmhouse right outside the town. I heard you were the person to see for any care I may need." Ahsoka said.

Sala could see the younger woman was a bit on edge and tense. "I have delivered more children than I can count, you'll be in safe hands." She had hoped to provide a bit of comfort to the couple. "I assume this is your first child. Have you been to see a healer since learning of the pregnancy?"

"Yes, it is our first baby and I did see a doctor back on Coruscant when I was eight weeks along, that's when we first found out." Ahsoka replied.

"It must be very different for you both to come to our small village after living in the city." Ahsoka nodded as Sala continued. "Have you experienced any complications? Any bleeding?"

"No." Ahsoka responded.

"Actually," Anakin's voice causes the older woman to turn. "The reason she saw a doctor in the first place was because she collapsed one night."

"I see." Sala quietly said.

"It was only because I hadn't been eating or sleeping well at the time, but the doctor cleared me." Ahsoka retorted.

"All information helps my dear. It's best I know everything in order to provide the needed care for you and the child." Sala interjected. "Do you mind pulling up you top and lying back so that I can take a look?"

Ahsoka did as she was asked, but hated feeling of being vulnerable and exposed.

Sala placed her hands on Ahsoka's stomach, detecting any abnormalities and progress. She then brought over a small device, placing the wand at the end near the top of her abdomen.

"Do you wish to hear the child's heartbeat?" Sala asked, looking between the couple.

Both quickly nodded and as she clicked the button. Soon a soft thumping filled the room. Anakin slowly moved towards Ahsoka, refusing to look up from her stomach as he did.

The realization that they were going to be parents set in once more. Their child was real and growing inside her.

Anakin took Ahsoka's hand in his, wanting to express how much he loved her and their baby in this moment but decided to hold back until they were alone. Instead lightly placing his lips against her hand.

"The child is strong and progressing as it should by this stage." Sala said before switching the device off. "You can sit up again." Ahsoka nodded as Anakin moved to help her do just that. "As for a routine, make sure you are getting proper sleep and eating well. You need to listen to your body; it knows what's best for you both."

"I will." Ahsoka replied.

"Good. And I'll need to see you here every two weeks for regular checkups. You're welcome to join if you wish." The healer looked towards Anakin.

"Thank you, Sala." Ahsoka said as she hopped off the table.

"What if... what if something happened and we needed you?" Anakin wanted to be prepared for any emergency that may arise.

"I am normally here, but if for some reason I'm not, my daughter will be. She is almost as skilled as I am. However, your wife and child seem to be in perfect health, I don't foresee any issues."

Anakin nodded upon hearing her words of assurance.

Sala led the couple out of the room and towards the front door. Ahsoka thanked the older woman once more before making her way across the threshold. Anakin followed behind, giving a nod of gratitude towards the healer.

"See? My way wasn't so bad." Ahsoka smirked as she and Anakin walked back towards their home.

Anakin laughed. "You know, I didn't know it was possible, but I think pregnancy has made you snippier." He teased.

Ahsoka giggled, resting her hand on her bump. "Wait till there's two of us."