Author's note: A shout-out and thank you to the like 5 of you who are enjoying this story (just kidding there's maybe like 10 of you :P ). I finally decided on a direction for the plot so you can expect more to come over the holiday season. Enjoy!

Rest

Chapter 9

(back to present day)

Obi-Wan walked through the Meditation Gardens of the Jedi Temple towards his favourite spot, a large boulder near the fish ponds in the centre of the gardens. He appreciated any chance he had to return to this place, especially with the ongoing days away in the battlements. The level of peace and solitude in the Mediation Gardens was something hard to find when constantly travelling between different planets and regions of the galaxy.

However, on his way to his mediation spot, something curious and unexpected surprised him on his way there.

Anakin was meditating on a bench near a pond filled with white lotus flowers. Something as out of character for him as would be Master Yoda dancing at a nightclub…

Obi-Wan, although his curiosity was peaked, continued on his way past Anakin. If he had decided to meditate today, perhaps it was something he really needed. The ginger man's eyebrows furrowed, and he made a mental note to ask Anakin what the problem was as soon as they had the chance to speak.

He continued to his favourite spot, let go of his thoughts, and began to mediate himself.

-break-

Later that day, Anakin returned to 500 Republica with his mind refreshed. He silently waited in the living room for Padme to return home from the senate buildings.

He reflected on the past months… while he felt there were many accomplishments on behalf of the Jedi, he realized today that he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something missing from their approach to the war. Almost as if there was an underlying dark power they were trying to locate. Of course, Count Dooku was still at large, but Anakin sensed there was some greater dark force in existence than just that of the ex-Jedi.

And then there were his personal problems with the Jedi council and Jedi ways. Anakin, for more than the first time, was questioning the Jedi mantras. If he were being honest with himself, he only felt stronger with the Force when he considered his attachments. His love for his mother became destructive in her death, but he wondered if that overwhelming power he felt could be controlled and channeled into something positive. Anakin had realized, after his incident destroying the village of Tusken Raiders a few years ago on Tatooine, that he could not allow himself to get to that point again. It was Padme who consoled him, who helped him see the light in himself long after that day, when all he could see for himself was his soul surrounded in darkness. Padme's love and commitment to him brought an evening light to his life; as his commitment to her, he silently declared never to reach into that darkness again, and instead he would feel his emotions and strengthen himself through his attachments, regardless of the "Jedi way." 'I mean, they couldn't hold me back if they tried, anyway,' he cockily reassured himself.

However, he still felt such a commitment to the Jedi that it became stressful to consider departing from their ways. Anakin constantly needed to shield his thoughts from others, especially from Obi-Wan who always seemed to sense when something was up with Anakin. Anakin was terrified for his and Padme's situation, considering both the timing and Padme's safety. He felt torn between his commitments to the Jedi, the galaxy, and to her and their child…

A million wonders raced through his head. He still was in some level of disbelief about the situation. While they were careful, protective measures weren't always at the forefront of their lovemaking… it was only until he saw the beauty of Padme's swollen belly and felt the baby's movements last night that he brought himself into the reality of their future and began to accept it. And he made sure Padme knew that by kissing all over her baby bump and confessing his love for her and their child.

The doors to the apartment opened. Anakin watched silently, admiring her beauty, as Padme entered and removed her cloak. In that moment he realized he hoped with all his heart for the baby to be a little girl, one with lovely dark curls and sparkling brown eyes like her mother.

C3P0 walked up to Padme as she put her cloak away. "Mistress Padme. Master Skywalker is in the living room, waiting for you. I hope you had a pleasant day."

"Thank you, '3P0. Please take some down time," she told him.

"Oh, thank you."

Padme removed her shoes and rushed to Anakin, her face glowing with a smile.

"Padme," Anakin breathed.

Their lips met with a deep kiss. He felt her smile as they kissed, and he laughed in his joy. Anakin moved his hands to her middle, parting the fabric of her gown so he could feel her belly beneath.

"He's been active all day today," she said, "It's like he knows you're around, he won't stop moving!"

"Do you know it's a he?" Anakin asked, surprised.

"No, just my motherly intuition," Padme winked with a coy smile.

The baby kicked right into Anakin's hand. "With a kick that strong, it's got to be a girl," he teased. Padme giggled.

"Well hopefully he will settle down now that he knows you're nearby, as he's been doing a number on my bladder all day," she joked.

Anakin laughed, "I'm sorry for the inconvenience she's caused you, angel. How was work?"

Padme's lighthearted laughter died down. "Oh… stressful. It seems as if our democracy is in collapse…" Padme paused, thinking. "Anakin, the loyalist senators… we're struggling to keep tabs on the senate. It seems like the chancellor is gaining too much power, almost as if it were a dictatorship."

This comment took Anakin aback, and the shock was visible on his face. "Chancellor Palpatine is one of my closest advisors, Padme. I'm surprised you would say that. Didn't he council you before, too? I feel as though we should trust the senate to make the right choices for us."

Padme shook her head, "No Anakin, things have changed. The feeling in the senate is one of unease and distrust. Politicians seem to be turning on one another. It's as if this war is changing people and all we have held important in politics. Chancellor Palpatine doesn't emit feeling of confidence and I, and other senators, once had in him… It's beginning to feel as if politicians are being manipulated and we're uncertain of what will happen next."

Anakin considered her words carefully. He didn't feel like he could believe what she was saying just yet, but he decided he would hold out in hope for her and the Republic. "I don't know what to say Padme. I haven't been as up-to-date on the politics of the war as you are. If you believe there is cause to be wary about what is to come from the senate…"

Padme's face showed her uncertainty. "That's not it exactly. There's hope that things will turn out soon and perhaps the war will end in a year or so once Count Dooku is found and certain enemies are discovered and brought to justice. Things just seem corrupt in the senate though, and it's almost as if there's some underlying cause to it all that we've yet to discover…" Padme's voice trailed, "Anyway. I have been working on separating myself from work. Although I will worry about what is to come in the politics on Coruscant, it will soon be out of my control. Queen Apailana is appointing a senatorial elect to cover my position, and I will be back on Naboo."

Anakin smiled for her; it made him happy to think that she would be starting to prepare for their family on Naboo, even though it wasn't the best situation with all things considered. He let those thoughts go for now. "Padme, I am so lucky. You are so beautiful."

She laughed quietly, "It's only because I'm so in love."

He shook his head, "No, it's because I'm so in love with you!"

Playfully, she asked, "So love has blinded you?"

"Well, that's not exactly what I meant," he said.

"But it's probably true," she wrinkled her nose at him.

They both laughed.

"I haven't laughed in so long," he expressed.

"Neither have I."

They embraced.