Chapter 5 The Ball
Later in the day the Council meeting was in session but Anakin was absent since he had some business in the Senate. Eleven members sat in their seats and prepared to discuss the upcoming issues. Ahsoka Tano, Imperial Princess and Jedi representative to Anakin's Council told the group that she had an announcement.
"I got this letter from my Master. He states that today in the evening a ball will take place. All Council Members are expected to come and they should arrive in pairs"
The Jedi looked at Ahsoka with confusion since they did not really believe on what she said. They were expected to get a date? That seemed just too much for them. Ahsoka looked at their faces and then continues.
"Anakin also gave a proposed list of pairings for the ball. He states that any couple could be formed but if a Council member needs a date, Anakin put another person with. So, Anakin paired Obi Wan with Luminara, Kit Fisto with Aayla, among some others. By the way, there is a note saying that Quinlan can bring his wife if he wants"
The Jedi suspiciously looked at Master Vos.
"What? Why Anakin should be the only one to break the rules? And besides, I heard many interesting stories about Obi Wan"
"Don't you dare!"
"Well, we will take on that matter another time."
"Guys, I know it is annoying for you but my Master really asked you to build up some couples so that you could attend. Barriss, you could go with Knight Olin. You are roughly the same age"
"Eh, Ahsoka. Well, since I do not see another option. By the way who are you going out with?"
"I thought that was quite obvious, my man will be Rexter. So now as I see we are left with Masters Plo Koon, Shaak Ti and Stass Allie. You better find a date soon or Anakin will be angry. Just kidding although you still need to hurry up."
"So are you saying that we need to go as paired on the list?" Obi Wan was still a bit confused.
"Yup. No excuses"
Masters Obi Wan and Luminara looked at each other. The view was quite funny and Barriss giggled at the facial expression of her Master. They both sighed since it was very clear that they really had no choice but to go along with Anakin's plan.
"I have a very bad feeling about this" Protested Master Luminara Unduli although Ahsoka ignored her.
In the evening the guests started arriving to the Grand Ballroom of the Senate. Many Senators arrived, occasionally a Jedi couple popped in. Finally, Anakin Skywalker, the Emperor of the Galaxy, arrived to the scene walking together with his wife Padme Amidala Skywalker. Besides Anakin walked Ahsoka who was accompanied by her favorite clone. Admiral Yalaren soon arrived as well with his wife. After a while, the Jedi Council members started popping in. Among them Anakin noticed his former Master Obi Wan Kenobi, who was holding Luminara's hand. The rest of the Council paired too.
Anakin went and greeted Obi Wan since he was one of the few Jedi Anakin actually liked to talk to.
"So, Obi Wan, how is the ball going? Are you enjoying yourself? Feel free, refreshments are on the table."
"Well, thank you Anakin although I am not quite used to such luxurious occasions"
"Well, in that case you better get used to since you especially will attend many social events"
"Anakin, when will you grow up?"
"I already did! Don't you see, I brought peace, justice and freedom to my new Empire. We are still working on some things but now the Government will be more efficient. Anyway, I will leave you two alone. Feel free to take any food or drink you like"
Anakin returned to his wife who he saw was talking to her colleague from the Senate, Senator Bail Organa. The Senator brought his wife with him and the two ladies chatted about different things. After Anakin joined them, Padme introduced her husband to her friend.
"Anakin Skywalker, very nice to meet you. Padme told me a lot about your combined war effort in the Senate. It is so nice that now the war is over and the Galaxy can return to a more peaceful lifestyle"
"Nice to meet you to, Emperor Skywalker. My name is Bail Organa and this is my wife Breha Organa."
Anakin looked at the two and then felt that something was wrong. He did a quick meditation and learned the reason why there was a problem. Anakin meditated and sent some healing waves towards Breha Organa.
"Now you two don't need to worry about having a child. I healed your wife and she is healthy now"
Ahsoka and Rex were walking outside the Ballroom, since they decided to spend some time together. They were so happy that they now could be together and not hide their feelings to each other. The war was over and they were allowed to be in a relationship. That made both of them very happy. The two looked at each other with a lot of love running between them.
Suddenly they saw a boy on a street, who was lonely and confused. By his appearance he was around nine or ten and it was clear that he got lost. Ahsoka and Rex came to him and asked what was wrong.
"I lost my parents and now I don't know there I could go. " The boy replied
"What is your name?"
"My name is Han Solo and as I see now I became a homeless orphan"
"Oh, don't worry sweaty, we will find you a new home. Rexter can take you, right?"
"Yes Commander"
"Rex, I am not your Commander anymore. And besides we are a couple anyway."
"Well, all right, I will take and train him Ahsoka."
"Thank you"
After the ball finished, everybody started to leave. Padme suddenly felt that she needed to get into a hospital. She felt as that she would give birth soon. Anakin got alarmed and called Ahsoka to her comlink.
"Ahsoka, do you copy?"
"Yes, Master?"
"Get me a transport. We need to get Padme to the hospital."
"Right away Master."
Ahsoka got the taxi soon and Anakin climbed there with Padme. Obi Wan and Ahsoka followed them and the four soon got to the hospital. Anakin carried his wife to the bed and called the doctor. The procedure went well and Padme gave birth to two healthy children whom she named Luke and Leia respectively. Ahsoka really liked the twins.
"Oh, Master, they are so cute"
"Wait until they grow up. And Ahsoka, I sense that they both are strong in the Force. You will be my daughter's Master after she grows up."
"I see what you are implying Anakin" answered Obi Wan
"Yes Master, you will teach my son Luke Skywalker. You are the best for the job, you have the most experience in how to handle a Skywalker, I mean you already taught one"
"I have a bad feeling about this"