Thanks to all who reviewed... I'm not sure if I replied to everyone, but I want you ALL to know that I am VERY GRATEFUL.
I've been having some difficulties lately, being that I have two plot bunnies for a ROTS AU, this one and another... I thought about weaving them together, but I decided that might ruin what this story has to offer. Please help me, I am still VERY nervous about this fic, because it is very serious and I am dedicated to it. :D
Special thanks to Fialleril, who by the way, is an amazing author and has been very supportive during the production of this fic... and reminded me to work extra hard and pull through with a chappie!
Onward...
Disclaimer: Any quotes or things from Star Wars aint mine. And aint aint no word, but I'm going to use it you I aint gonna edit it out so ha! And you aint allowed to criticize me for using it cuz I aint serious I am only trying to create a disclaimer that's more creative than "It aint mine" and I aint tryin to imply that I use such language in my daily routine. I aint like that when I speak, okay?
Is aint in the dictionary?
Wow that was weird...
Chapter 4
"...A man can smile and smile and be a villain..." –Hamlet, William Shakespeare
-----
"Senator Amidala!" an urgent call echoed through the pillars, saturating Padmé's peaceful moment, shattering her silence to bits. Padmé flinched visibly, startled, and brought a hand to her chest as she turned around.
Bail Organa, panting from exhaustion sprinted toward her. She sighed, letting herself slip back into calmness.
Bail smiled apologetically as he caught his breath. "Oh, milady, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you."
Padmé nearly launched into another reproach; ready to scold him for not calling her Padmé, but she swallowed that thought and forced a smile. For with his arrival, her simple moment to be Padmé had been demolished and now, she had to assume the stance of a Senator again. "Oh no, it's quite all right, Bail. I was being silly... I suppose I'm a bit jumpy."
Bail's eyes twinkled a little. "You have reason to be, today was a climactic day, Padmé."
Padmé couldn't hold back her smile when her friend had finally forgotten the formalities. She moved her hand away from just below her collarbone and let it fall softly to the side.
Suddenly Bail looked anxious. "I'm afraid I have important news for you, Senator."
Padmé pretended that her heart wasn't swirling with worry, anxiety, and sadness, among other things. "Yes?"
Bail looked around and motioned to a small platform to their right, where air taxis alighted and departed. "There isn't time...I must tell you on the way there."
He began to walk toward the nearest air taxi, and Padmé had to struggle to keep up, taking the longest strides possible.
I'll be grateful when all this excess weight is gone... She thought, following in Bail's tracks. They boarded the air taxi, which was otherwise empty. Padmé tried to will herself not to notice that the usually crowded seats were eerily vacated and silence filled her ears.
Bail sat down, puffing out a long breath, and suddenly he looked much older, far beyond his years. And tired. Padmé could make out a sort of lost and distressed look in his eyes.
She daintily seated herself beside him. "What is it, Bail?"
Did she want to know the answer?
Bail finally looked at her. "Senator Amidala, we have just received word that Skywalker and Kenobi have successfully returned home, and are headed to the south side of the building where the Chancellor plans to greet them personally."
Padmé barely heard the second half of the statement. Her heart thumped madly in her chest against the japor snippet that lay upon her skin. Anakin... oh, Anakin...
"Padmé?" Bail asked anxiously.
Padmé jolted from her trance and nervously tried to compose herself. Quick to change the subject, she stuttered. "T-the south side? But, Bail, if this is true, surely we could have walked there!"
Bail's eyes clouded over with an odd unidentifiable sort of glow and he looked down. Padmé may not have been a Jedi, but she sensed something was bothering him.
"Padmé, I was merely concerned for your condition, and I thought that this method would be more suitable, not to mention comfortable for you..."
Padmé's face blanched and she had to fight to bring the next breath into her lungs. Somehow, she managed to reply, cursing the pitiful squeak that escaped her. "Condition? Bail, I don't know what..."
"Padmé." Bail said, almost chiding her. "It's okay. I'd like to think that we are good friends, and if this is something you wish to conceal, I will not get in the way."
Padmé didn't know it, but her hand had instinctively rested itself upon her abdomen. "But...I...you..." Senator Amidala, usually a confident and striking rhetorical presence, was at a loss for words.
"I want nothing but the best for you and your child." Bail said, his words confirming that she had been exposed. She felt so bewildered, so horrorstruck and she couldn't ignore the pang in her heart that wished for her Anakin to be there, beside her.
"How...?" She croaked, her voice losing its brilliant strength and her very self faltering.
"You try to disguise it, you wear more capacious garments, and you never gained a passing glance from many. But I saw it, Padmé. I noticed how you scheduled your meetings later in the day, and how you sometimes lowered your hand to touch the fabric upon your stomach... I noticed, Padmé."
Padmé was frantic. "W-was it that obvious?"
Bail smiled. "No. I assure you, no one else suspects a thing. But I care about you a great deal, Padmé. During our times together in the Senate, I'd like to think that you are one of my confidantes... someone I can truly trust in this world of hidden evil..."
Padmé nodded, swallowing a lump in her throat.
"... and so, I can only feel it is justified to grant you the same kind of trust, Padmé. Do you trust me?"
Padmé let several tears drip down her cheeks. "I do trust you, Bail. You are my friend... I'm just scared."
Bail placed a hand upon her shoulder supportively. "I promise, this information is not mine to tell, therefore I shall remain quiet about it. But please, if there is ever anything... anything I can do for you, to help, don't hesitate to ask."
Padmé let herself smile finally. The horror and shock washed away, and suddenly, she wished Anakin were there for a different reason. It felt so good... so good. For once, not to be so secretive. It was like a flood of locked-up emotion had left her, and now, she was floating blissfully. The only pressure she felt were the movements of Anakin's child within her and her burning desire to see him again.
"It must be hard for you." Bail murmured, watching the people below them as they neared their destination.
Padmé didn't answer. She longed inwardly for Anakin...
"Padmé?"
"Mmm?"
"I..." Bail seemed uncomfortable. "I'm happy for you. You'll be a great mother."
Padmé wondered if Bail was at all curious as to the father of her child, but dropped that thought as a pang of sadness stabbed at her heart when Bail spoke.
"I'm sorry, Bail. I know you and Breha have been wanting a baby..."
Bail sighed. "We do, Padmé. But I did not wish to imply my envy..." He paused awkwardly. "You've been given a great gift. And I'm glad. I can't think of a reason why you shouldn't deserve this."
He's right... this baby is a gift. A gift of the Force... I can only hope Ani thinks the same.
"Thank you, Bail. Perhaps if you and Breha are still unsuccessful, you'll look into adoption..."
"We already have, a bit. It seems possible... if only this war would end, I could go home and actually think about family."
Padmé suddenly felt very at ease chatting with someone other than her handmaidens or the medical droid about parenthood. She hoped beyond hope that Bail would someday be granted the same blessing as her. And then, she thought of a way to assure him that their friendship was very important to her.
"Bail..." she began, throat feeling dry. "If anything ever happens to me... I cannot think of a better care provider for my baby."
Bail was startled. "Padmé... what... don't say that, nothing is going to happen to you..."
Padmé hushed him. "There's always that possibility."
Bail looked ashen. "Oh, Padmé, you are going to be just fine. You will have a healthy baby, and you shall live to raise it into the galaxy. A budding Senator perhaps."
He chuckled lightly.
Padmé laughed weakly and cleared her throat. "You're right, of course. I'm just nervous about it all. Motherhood, and with this war..." Padmé closed her eyes.
"You'll do fine." Bail said, with a reassuring smile. Then his eyes wandered to the hidden curve under her dress. "Do you know of the gender yet?"
"No. I wanted it to be a surprise." Padmé said, another smile blossoming upon her lips. I wanted to wait for Ani...
"I see." Bail said thoughtfully. "Breha and I... always talked of a little girl..." Then he turned away, now gazing out the viewport.
"How is Lady Breha, by the way? Please give her my regards when you see her next." Padmé stated politely.
"Breha has been a little ill lately, but we're staying optimistic... we're hoping it's nothing serious."
"Oh!" Padmé's hand flew to her mouth. "I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope she gets well."
Bail nodded. Then a rumble sounded beneath their feet. "We've landed."
The life within Padmé stirred as her heart fluttered madly.
All around the landing platform, life forms jostled and noises wafted into Padmé's ears. The excited crowd waited impatiently, vying at the chance to be first to catch a glimpse of the transport that would carry the heroes to the surface.
Padmé, in a complete daze, allowed Bail to escort her out of the ship. The sounds became muffled to her hearing and all she saw was the face of her husband swimming before her eyes...
She was overcome, but concealed it well. Bail gave her an anxious glance, but said nothing. He made a move to join the throng, but Padmé stayed rooted to the spot.
Bail looked confused. "Padmé?"
"Go on, Bail." Padmé said, noticing that Threepio was standing nearby. "I have a few things to address with my protocol droid. I'll catch up."
Bail opened his mouth and shut it again, as if deciding what to say in reply. Finally, he just smiled and nodded, bidding her goodbye. He ambled casually over to Mon Mothma, who was among the group awaiting the anticipated arrivals.
Anakin... The name rang through Padmé's mind as she managed to step away from the edge of the swarm and toward the golden droid.
"Oh, Mistress Padmé, I came as soon as I could... but it seems my joints are malfunctioning slightly... curse this metal body..."
Padmé smiled in spite of the swelling within her.
"...I am fortunate that it wasn't acting up so badly and I wasn't caught somewhere during the invasion... I could've become entombed!"
Padmé nodded curtly. "We are all fortunate that we got to safety," she murmured idly, rubbing her midsection. All of us.
This thought brought her out of her trance a bit and she looked at Threepio. "Threepio, if you could please go over and greet Anakin formally with the others..." she began, her husband's name almost foreign on her lips.
She savored its sound, the way she could feel the baby kick as she pronounced the name of whom she cared for most.
After a pause, she became aware that Threepio was speaking. "But, Mistress, I had thought... what about you?"
"Do not worry about me... I will see Anakin in time." Padmé grinned at the thought. I will see Anakin...
Her heart was doing back flips.
"As you wish, Mistress, though I'm not sure why you wouldn't..." Threepio made a noise that was as close to a sigh as a droid could express. "Sometimes I just don't understand human behavior."
Padmé ignored his murmurings as he tottered away toward the growing horde of Senators. She stole silently behind one of the nearby pillars, fighting to bring the air to her lungs.
She could hear and see everything play out from this location, but no one could say the same for her. Or so she thought.
----------
Threepio waddled into the gathering crowd, standing out mostly among the crowd of people. A transport suddenly appeared, turning swiftly around the midsection of a tower. It soared lightly toward them before alighting upon the small landing pad. The whispers around the droid grew in intensity and volume.
Small wisps of exhaust and mist pooled around the settled vehicle and the door opened, the swishing noise echoing through the pillars of the room.
And the first thing Threepio saw was the dome-shaped outline of his beloved counterpart. A whirring of servo drivers accompanied Artoo Detoo's descent down the gangplank. Then, the waiting throng pushed closer, holoreporters surging forward, anxious to capture the sight of the glorious Jedi Knights that would step out after the astromech.
Threepio jostled uncomfortably as people shoved past, and the task at hand was simply maintaining balance. The whispers were no longer conspiratorial and hushed. They were shouts of joy and excitement, like pleas of remaining hope ringing through the air. Threepio lifted a golden shining metal hand to acknowledge its presence, so as not to be trampled.
It hated crowds. The noise, the tight spaces, and the constant uncomfortable movement.
All of which only got worse as two figures stepped down from the gangplank.
----------
Anakin got the feeling his former Master was teasing him, for Obi-Wan merely stood back, letting all the impatient reporters devour the sight of the younger Jedi.
Anakin rolled his eyes at the twinkle he caught in Obi-Wan's blue-gray orbs, and the mischievous grin that blossomed upon the older Jedi's face.
Finally, maybe not wanting to seem to rude, Obi-Wan feel into step beside Anakin as they headed toward the end of the platform. There stood Mace Windu, his face grim. Beside Master Windu, Master Yoda was perched upon his hover chair, merely gazing at them. And alongside Yoda were several other Council Members of the few that remained on Coruscant. Finally, farthest to the left, stood Chancellor Palpatine, of the Galactic Republic, who was sending wise smile flashing in Anakin's direction.
Anakin managed a weak smiled back as thoughts of his wife spilled into his mind. He longed to pull her into his arms and hold her... to assure her safety, and in fact, to never leave her side again. But with the war at its boiling point, such wishes were fruitless.
"You know, Master Windu says that there is evidence that Count Dooku and Grievous planned to kidnap the Chancellor... and you hadn't..."
Anakin cut him off, feeling sick as he remembered Dooku's death. "I don't want to talk about that, Master. What I did..."
Obi-Wan put a hand on his shoulder. To the holoreporters and gossipmongers around them, this gesture was just the highlight of a snapped holopic that would graze the Holonet in the days following, likebanja cake upon a plate at Dex's Diner. Something delectable and savory, that would be devoured instantly.
But to Obi-Wan, it meant that he was supporting Anakin no matter what. And he hoped Anakin knew that and felt the same.
Anakin looked at his former Master, as Obi-Wan spoke. "We've already discussed this. You had to, Anakin, and you did the right thing. What anyone would have done, even Master Yoda would have done the same, I'm sure of it."
Anakin drew in a breath. "I will tell you everything someday, Master. Someday when there is no reason to hide."
Obi-Wan was slightly startled by this statement, but didn't dare show it. He nodded solemnly. "As will I, my brother. Secrets are dangerous, we have learned... Now, our welcome party waits." Obi-Wan paused here, and Anakin could just see him scratching his beard without looking. "There's just the matter of fighting our way through this... mess." He finished, his voice low.
Anakin smiled, and he heard several holocameras snap as he did so. "Well, surely you have a plan, Master? I mean, that's your job, I'm just the hero."
Obi-Wan smiled back. "Right you are, even more so today than you were yesterday. But even so, a remarkable Jedi such as you could surely come up with a plan?"
Anakin lowered his head, happy to receive a compliment, but unsure how to respond. Finally, he said, "Well, you know me, Master, always rushing headlong into situations without a plan."
"So reckless." Obi-Wan agreed cheerfully.
"So unless you wish to dive into this 'mess' as you put it without any idea of how you plan to get out, maybe it's best if you figure out the best technique."
"Listen to us, Anakin." Obi-Wan said, laughing. "We banter back and forth about even a simple thing like walking through a crowd."
Anakin waved nonchalantly at the crowd as they chattered and greeted him. Then he turned to Obi-Wan and hissed. "Well, that's what happens when you've been stuck with the same person for far too long."
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. "And come to think of it, my friend, most of that time was spent following my instructions and plans... except of course anything to do with aerial assault."
"What are you getting at?" Anakin asked, as Obi-Wan shook the extended hands of several excited politicians.
"I'm saying..." Obi-Wan replied, with a gentle smile, "That maybe we should follow your lead this time."
Anakin smiled before added in a teasing tone. "And look where most of your plans got us... they usually ended in me saving your skin."
Obi-Wan retorted defensively, "Not that many times, Anakin! Not Nearly enough for you to get cocky!"
Anakin laughed. "Ten times, according to my count."
"Nine, Anakin." Obi-Wan chided, but he looked like he was trying hard not to laugh. "That business on Cato Neimodia doesn't doesn't count."
Anakin laughed again. "You're just embarrassed."
Obi-Wan smiled as a holocameras shoved in his direction, then whipped his gaze upon Anakin. "It would be wise of you to shut your mouth before you say something you'll regret... and I'm quite lucky I don't blush." He is voice was indignant.
Anakin turned and peered into Obi-Wan's face with a sideways grin. "You look like you're blushing now."
Obi-Wan snorted and waved him off. "Yeah, yeah... Anakin, I highly suggest you take my previous suggestion about your mouth into consideration."
"Well, it would also be wise of to keep moving before we are completely swallowed up by this crowd and before Master Windu gets too angry."
"Hmm." Obi-Wan actually stopped walking for a moment and Anakin halted, looking at him quizzically.
"What are you doing?" Anakin asked, in genuine confusion.
"I was allowing you to go before me... after all, you ARE the Poster Boy." Obi-Wan said smugly, looking quite proud of himself.
Anakin sighed almost loud enough for the chattering reporters to hear. "Poster Man."
"Oh my. I'm terribly sorry!" Obi-Wan exclaimed. "You're absolutely right."
Anakin smirked. "Or maybe the truth behind all this is that the great Negotiator is camera-shy."
Obi-Wan didn't answer, but motioned for Anakin to walk. Anakin grinned and obeyed.
The two Jedi made it out of the muddle of reporters only slightly frazzled and frustrated. Soon, they met the Senators waiting to give them thanks and welcome them home.
Anakin searched frantically for the one Senator he truly cared about greeting, but he was startled to find that his search came up dry. He frowned, but only for a second, as another Senator approached him, hand outstretched, and thoughts of his beautiful Padmé were pushed from his mind.
For the time being.
Tundra Dowmeia shook his hand ecstatically. "Welcome, oh, welcome back, Knight Skywalker. It is truly wonderful to see you alive and well."
Anakin nodded hazily, as he felt worries for Padmé sinking back into him, slowly, taking him over. The invasion... what if something happened... my vision! No... stop it, she's fine. Then why isn't she here?
"And you should know, Knight Skywalker, that you are always welcome to visit my family's deepwater estate... back on Mon Calamari. I have relatives who would just love to meet you."
Anakin decided that he would try something. Padmé was not a Force-sensitive, and yet Anakin always felt he could feel her through the Force, like a bright beacon shining and guiding him along. And if he could just reach out... to touch her...
"And maybe someday, when this dreadful war has ended... you can come and visit, surely even Jedi need a little time to rest and recuperate?"
There. Anakin felt a warm sensation pulse through his heart as he numbly allowed Padmé's signature in the Force to flood through him. She was here. But she was across the sea of various creatures, each one wanting to exchange a separate conversation with Anakin.
She waited quietly behind one of the tall stone-grey pillars.
Anakin smiled and looked directly at Tundra Dowmeia. "Perhaps someday, yes, but for now, I thank you ma'am."
Tundra's mouth curved into a smile as a more cheerful Anakin plunged deeper into the ocean of babbling spectators. Nearby, Obi-Wan greeted Senator Mothma and the crowd that gathered around him.
Malastarian Senator Ask Aak approached, yelling something about coming with him to grab a drink at Dex's that afternoon.
But no. Anakin knew right away what his answer was. He knew where he'd be that afternoon. Where exactly.
At least, where he hoped he would be.
He glided past Aak, smiling in a way he hoped was politely apologetic.
R2, whistling hugely, following Anakin as he finally broke free of the sweat—drenched mob of politicians.
C-3PO stood off to the side, and Anakin longed to run toward Threepio, past him... to where his wife waited...
"Anakin!" Obi-Wan waved, and Anakin sidled almost dejectedly toward where Obi-Wan stood, shaking Mace Windu's hand.
As Anakin came up behind his old Master, he heard the Chancellor greeting him.
"Ah, Anakin. It's great to see you, my boy. I hope you are well?"
Anakin thought for a moment, an image of Padmé standing behind the pillar floating before his eyes. "Yes, Chancellor, never better."
"And you, Obi-Wan. How feel you?" Yoda spoke, looking thoughtfully at the older of the two Jedi.
"I'm quite well, thanks to Anakin here."
Mace seemed to remember something and rounded upon Anakin. "Yes, I hear you killed Count Dooku, Skywalker?"
Anakin nodded, a lump rising in his throat.
"He did well." Obi-Wan said, seemingly more to Anakin than the Korun Master staring intensely at the young Knight.
Mace raised and eyebrow before saying firmly. "I expect I shall hear more from you when the Council adjourns later this afternoon."
Anakin felt his heart sink into the pit of his stomach. Padmé...
Obi-Wan seemed to sense the source of Anakin's extreme disappointment and nodded, clapping Anakin on the shoulder. "Later this afternoon, then." He said, looking at his former padawan. "But I request that we be allowed time to eat and freshen up, Masters, it's been a hard day." He might as well have winked at Anakin and nudged his arm.
Anakin felt the corners of his smile turn up into a smile once more, as Yoda nodded, accepting Obi-Wan's appeal.
"For all of us." Palpatine, said. Obi-Wan idly noticed his eyes hadn't left Anakin. "Ah, well, I am once again glad to see you well; Anakin, my friend, and I suspect I shall see more of you later as well."
Palpatine, seemingly taking hint of Obi-Wan's curious glance, walked off, the two Guards accompanying him sauntering behind.
Anakin and Obi-Wan bid the Masters farewell, and Obi-Wan gave Anakin a knowing grin before Anakin could say a word. The elder Jedi walked off, beginning a conversation with Bail Organa.
Anakin waited a moment, pondering the man that was his best friend, brother, and former mentor; but then allowed his desire to take him over, and with a quick glance around, he trotted toward the pillar behind which an angel waited.
-------
Padmé watched him come, her breath leaving her as he came nearer. His hair was longer... the dark blond radiation- bleached curls falling nearly to his shoulders. He looked so much older, and more matured, and Padmé felt heat rise to her cheeks as she admired him.
Then, she was in his arms. She forcibly held her tears back, burying her head into Anakin's chest, letting his warmth and love fill her.
"Padmé..." he breathed her name. "Oh, Padmé, love, I missed you..."
Her reply was a choked sob. She reached up, fingering his hair and letting his hands rest upon her lower back. He tilted his head forward and she moaned as he kissed her for the first time in months.
"Anakin..." she finally found words tumbling from her mouth as he broke away from her. He pulled her closer as she said, her voice trembling, "There were whispers... that you'd been killed... oh, Ani..."
"I'm alright." He assured her.
She looked into his eyes, and then let out an unrestrained gasp as she eyed the jagged red mark that was burned into his skin.
"Anakin... your face..." she murmured, her fingers caressing the scar. "Oh Ani..."
"It's nothing, Padmé, nothing to worry about." He tried a smile to prove his words. "It's just an ugly reminder to keep up on my lightsaber practice."
Padmé let her hand fall from near his eye to further down his face and she brushed his cheek. Passion seemed to envelop him once again as he leaned down, ready to grant her another kiss...
But Padmé closed her eyes, remembering that only meters away, mingling Senators lingered and holoreporters compared and boasted about their captures.
She pushed him back gently. "No, Anakin. Not here."
There was a defiant glint in his eyes that she instantly recognized. "Yes, here." He hissed meaningfully. "Padmé, I don't care anymore... let them talk. I'm tired of all this deception..."
Padmé put a finger to his lips. "Anakin, don't say things like that!" Then, when she saw the look in his eyes, she crumpled a little in his arms. "I know it's hard..."
Anakin's blue eyes rested into the gaze of Padmé's deep brown ones. Her chocolate colored locks, pulled up into two perfect buns on either side of her head, bobbed a little as she pulled him down into her arms.
"Padmé..." Anakin whispered. "He knows... Obi-Wan..." His voice was almost strained as he told her. "He knows about... us."
"You told him?" Padmé's voice didn't betray her shock, but she didn't seem upset either.
Anakin nodded slowly. "He wants to help us. He's not going to tell a soul."
Padmé smiled softly. "He is a good friend. We should have trusted him from the beginning..."
"It's too late for that now, my angel." Anakin leaned in to kiss her again, and this time, she didn't bother to protest. He pulled her protectively into his strong embrace, relishing the mere action. But then, he stopped, for beneath his palms, and against the fabric of his robes, shivers were running through Padmé's petite body.
"Padmé..." he began, pulling away to look at her face. "What's wrong?"
Padmé's mouth opened a little and she replied gently, "Nothing, Anakin... nothing's wrong, I'm just happy to see you..."
Anakin shook his head. "You're trembling..." His heart leapt. "What's going on?"
He searched Padmé's face for something readable as she fumbled with words in her head. Her eyes filled with unshed tears as she told him. "Something... wonderful has happened."
Anakin's eyes didn't leave her for an instant.
"Ani... I'm pregnant."
Padmé looked at her feet for a moment, allowing her husband to soak in what she had just revealed. She looked up as soon as she dared, seeing an unidentifiable look upon his face as he considered exactly what those words entailed.
Then, she felt her heart gush with relief and joy as the biggest, warmest smile appeared on his face.
"Padmé... that's..." His eyes were wide and had a streak of feral happiness in them. "...That's wonderful!"
Following the exclamation, he tenderly scooped his expectant wife into her arms and spun her around, hugging her tightly.
Padmé, for a moment, lost in her glee, forgot about the more complicated issues, but as soon as Anakin set her down again and she felt that contact with the stone beneath the soles of her boots, something deep within her snapped and her bliss was grounded. "What are we going to do?" she spoke, her words amplifying her fears.
Anakin's bright grin silenced his uncertainties. "We're not going to worry about anything right now... this is a happy moment. The happiest moment of my life."
And as his lips met hers in another passionate kiss, Padmé had to agree.
-----------
It wasn't until fours hours later that Anakin's comlink sounded. He was curled up on the seat in the main room with his beloved wife, stroking her curls as the fountain gurgled beside them.
"You know, Ani, I told the medical droid to keep the gender of our baby a secret." Padmé said her voice slurred and sleepy.
Anakin was slightly surprised by this. "Why? Don't you want to know?"
Padmé took Anakin's flesh hand in hers and placed it upon her abdomen. "I wanted us to find out together."
Anakin sighed happily and leaned closer to Padmé.
"Then we can think of a name." Padmé continued, stifling a yawn. Her reunion with Anakin was not the only aspect of the day that had left her exhausted.
Anakin smiled at his wife's stumbling attempt to conceal her sleepiness. And as Padmé's words about the gender and name of their child began to digest within him, a bright pulse of happiness flooded through him.
A father... I'm going to be a father.
"Are you going to tell Obi-Wan?" Padmé inquired, rubbing Anakin's palm across the bump forming near her midsection.
Anakin thought a moment. "Yes. I will."
Padmé closed her eyes and grinned. "I'm glad you told him, Anakin. Now we don't have to keep that secret from him anymore."
"I know. It hurt me to keep that from him. He's like my brother. He is my brother." Anakin amended quietly.
Padmé nodded. "If only my family could share in our happiness..."
Anakin squeezed her gently with his free arm. "We'll go back to Naboo soon, and don't you worry, they'll soon be a part of this little miracle." He indicated the rounded stomach he was rubbing.
Padmé seemed startled, yet touched. "You mean it, Anakin?"
"I'd never lie to you, love." Anakin smiled then looked once again at where his hand rested. He reached into the Force, curious about the life growing within Padmé. Light flowed through his senses and he relaxed, exploring the supple strands of Force connections that led to his child...
And was vaguely perturbed by the immense amount of strength that seemed to call out to him.
He knew that his child would have a considerably large midichlorian count, because of its inheritance from its father... but this was astonishing.
"Anakin?" Padmé questioned.
Anakin grunted thoughtfully, and smiled slightly, to show his wife that all was well. Reaching even further and deeper, he found that the strength seemed to beam at him in separate forms. Intrigued, he intended to contemplate the meaning of this phenomena, but then the incessant buzzing of the comlink device that rested upon the table, along with his utility belt, filled his ears.
He groaned and opened his eyes, diving forward to give Padmé one last kiss before he stood up, still filled with questions.
Separate Force signals? Is it possible that Padmé is carrying more than one child?
Anakin kept these thoughts to himself, not wanting ruin a potential surprise for Padmé. He answered the link, his suspicions correct. After conversing hurriedly with Master Windu, he rushed to the refresher and got ready.
Padmé blew him a kiss from the seat before settling into the cushions for a nap. He left the apartment, grinning ear to ear.
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Anakin stood before the member of the High Council, noticing a knowing smile upon Obi-Wan's face.
Mace Windu scrutinized Anakin a moment before announcing, "The Jedi Council has taken into consideration your recent contributions to the war effort and evidence that you have become an upstanding member of this Order."
Anakin bowed his head humbly.
"And so, we have come to the decision that it is only right that you be granted a seat on this Council." Mace Windu continued, and Anakin's head shot up.
"What?' he asked numbly.
"Welcome to the Jedi Council, Master Skywalker." Obi-Wan grinned at his former apprentice.
Haha. Nope, that was not a typo.
Hey I have an idea, how about you give me a review? Ooohh... that's a nice idea.
Obi-Wan: Yes good one, Arie.
Me: Thanks.