Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
AN: Here's chapter 32! Thanks for all the great reviews! Enjoy!
Forever Destined
Chapter 33: The Arrival
Padme paced nervously in the safe room she, Sola, and most of the younglings were at. Padme bit her thumbnail, as she paced nervously, making Sola very nervous.
"Padme, you need to relax," Sola said.
"I'm sorry Sola. I'm just so worried. Why haven't we heard anything?" Padme fretted, as she rested her hand on her very round stomach.
"We will soon, darling," Shmi assured her.
"Honey, you would have felt it if Anakin was not all right. Have you felt anything to give you that indication?" Elana asked. Padme shook her head.
"No," she answered.
"Then he's fine," Sola finished, as she helped her very pregnant sister sit down. Padme hissed in pain, as her back ached.
"Is your back still bothering you, dear?" Shmi asked.
"It's almost unbearable today and the twins are moving like crazy. It's almost like they feel that something is going on," Padme said.
"Well, Anakin is their father. They may already sense vibrations in the Force," Dooku said, as he walked in the room. Padme stood up, much to Sola's chagrin.
"Have you heard anything?" she asked. Dooku put his arm around her shoulders.
"Not yet darling. The last we heard was two Jedi star fighters made it on the Imperial Hand. We're waiting to hear from them," Dooku said. Suddenly, Padme held her stomach, as a contraction swept through her.
"Sweetheart, are you all right?" Elana asked.
"Oh...I think...I think my water broke," Padme cried...
The two Jedi knights fought the droid guards, while two other droids pulled the Chancellor away. Anakin defeated the guard and then freed the Chancellor. They ran back to the bridge and saw that Obi-Wan had also defeated the other droid. The two Jedi Knights destroyed the rest of the droids, then surrounded Grevious. The droid General shoved a staff into the window, shattering it. Anakin and Obi-Wan covered their faces from the dangerous shards of glass whipping everywhere. Grevious escaped, and Anakin pressed a control to seal the broken windows shut. The ship began to break apart under the stress of the firing Republic ships.
"Damn him," Anakin cursed.
"He jettisoned all the escape pods," Anakin informed in frustration.
"Do you know how to fly a cruiser like this?" Obi-Wan asked.
"You mean do I know how to land what's left of this thing," Anakin quipped, as he took the controls.
"Well?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Well, under the circumstances, I'd say the ability to pilot this thing is irrelevant. Strap yourselves in," he told his passengers.
"Open all hatches. Extend all flaps and drag fins," Anakin ordered. The ship broke in two, as it began to descend into the atmosphere. Anakin looked over at Obi-Wan.
"We lost something," Anakin stated.
"Not to worry, we are still flying half a ship," Obi-Wan replied.
"We're really picking up speed. Keep us level," Anakin said, as they entered the atmosphere.
"Steady," Obi-Wan said. Artoo let loose anxious clicks and whistles.
"Easy Artoo!" Anakin demanded.
"Five Thousand. Five ships on the left and the right," Obi-Wan reported. The ships around them deployed water to cool them down.
"The landing strip is right ahead," Obi-Wan informed.
"We're coming in too hot!" Anakin replied. The ship jolted hard, as it hit the ground. It slid and Anakin put on all the brakes, finally bringing them to a stop.
"Another happy landing," Obi-Wan joked, with a grin.
Anakin and Obi-Wan stepped off the transport behind Chancellor Palpatine in front of the Senate building. Senators milled about and Holonet scrambled to speak with the Chancellor and the Jedi who rescued him.
"Anakin," Mace Windu called.
"Master," Anakin and Obi-Wan bowed.
"Anakin, your wife is in labor. There is a speeder waiting for you both," Mace pointed. Anakin opened his mind to Padme and felt a wave of pain from her.
"Thank you Master," Anakin said hastily, as he and Obi-Wan shoved their way through the sea of Holonet. Obi-Wan's stomach lurched, as Anakin punched the throttle down and flew toward the Jedi Temple.
Anakin rushed into the Healer's ward, with Obi-Wan behind him. He quickly hugged his parents and grandparents before rushing into the delivery room.
"Ben, are you all right? You look pale," Qui-Gon said.
"Thirty," Ben said, with a sour look.
"Thirty? What are you talking about?" Qui-Gon asked.
"That's how many traffic violations he committed on the way here," Ben grumped. Qui-Gon couldn't help but chuckle and the others joined in. Sola came out of the delivery room.
"Thank goodness you both got here in time," Sola said, as she hugged Obi-Wan.
"Hello Sola, how have you been?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Fine. We've missed you. Ryoo asks the Masters about you everyday," Sola said.
"I've missed all of you as well," he replied, as they waited outside the delivery room together.
"Anakin!" Padme called, as she rushed into the room.
"I'm here Padme," he said, coming by her side and entwining his hand with her own.
"I was afraid...you wouldn't make it," Padme said, as another contraction hit.
"Hey, you didn't think I'd really miss this, did you?" he asked, as another wave of pain racked her body. She felt relief though, as her husband took on some of her pain as his own.
"You...don't have to do that...my love," she said.
"Let me do what I can for you, my sweet angel," he said, as he kissed her forehead tenderly.
"I've missed you so much," he said, as he dabbed her forehead with a cool cloth.
"I think their early coming could be a good sign," he said.
"Why do...you say that?" she asked.
"Maybe that means they'll have your good punctuality and not my inability to get anywhere on time," he joked. She tried to laugh, but was racked by another contraction. It was less painful now though, since her husband was sharing it with her. Bant quietly watched the young couple, as she monitored Padme's vitals, as well as the twins'. They positively radiated love. She had never felt such powerful love and devotion between two people before. These two younglings were going to be very lucky little children.
"Padme...your contractions are almost a minute apart," Bant said, as she lifted Padme's hospital gown and positioned her to give birth.
"On your next contraction, I need you to start pushing, honey," Bant said. Padme nodded and squeezed Anakin's hand, as she felt the pain rising in her again.
"All right angel, you can do this," Anakin encouraged, as he placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Push Padme," Bant said urgently. Padme gasped for air, as she finished the first push.
"Your doing wonderful Padme. These little ones are in a big hurry to get here. The first head is crowning, so this will be a big push," Bant said. Anakin kissed her forehead and held her shoulders.
"Okay Padme...push!" Bant said. Padme whimpered painfully, as she pushed as hard as she could. Bant coached her to push harder and she did. An exhausted cry escaped her lips, as she fell back. A cry pierced the air, as Bant cradled their wiggling, crying daughter. Bant handed her to Barriss, who began cleaning her.
"Oh Padme, look at her. She's so beautiful," Anakin said in complete awe. Padme smiled up at him, love shining in her eyes, before she felt another pain.
"Well, her brother is not wasting any time either. It seems he's just as eager to meet his mommy and daddy as well," Ban said, as the other child's head crowned. Padme squeezed her husband's hand tightly and pushed as hard as she could.
"Come on Padme, push as hard as you can. You're almost done..." Ban coached. Padme pushed with all her strength and another cry pierced the air, as Bant cradled their son and went to clean him up.
"Padme, would you like to hold your daughter?" Barriss asked. Padme nodded and Barriss placed their little girl in her arms.
"Oh Ani...she's beautiful," Padme said.
"She's perfect, just like her mother," Anakin said, as he looked down at her in awe. Padme smiled up at him and gently wiped a tear away that had cascaded down his cheek. He smiled and pressed his lips softly to hers.
"Anakin, would you like to hold your son?" Bant asked. He nodded eagerly and accepted the tiny bundle in his arms.
"Oh, they're both perfect," Padme said, as she gazed at them both.
"Well, is it all right if we come in?" Qui-Gon asked, as he peered his head in. Anakin and Padme smiled.
"Of course it is dad. We've got two very special little people you need to meet," Anakin replied, as their family filed in.
"Oh they're gorgeous. Congratulations to you both," Sola gushed. Anakin smiled and walked over to his mother.
"Would you like to hold your grandson, mom?" he asked. A few tears slid down Shmi's cheeks, as she accepted the tiny boy.
"Hello there, little one," Shmi said, as she cradled him. He cooed and whimpered at her in response.
"Dad, would you like to hold your granddaughter?" Padme asked. Qui-Gon smiled.
"I thought you'd never ask," he said, as Padme carefully placed her in his arms. Ben came beside his father to gaze down at the baby girl in his arms.
"I daresay these two will be the most loved children in the galaxy," Ben said.
"And the most spoiled," Sola added.
"Force Padme, she looks just like you," Ben said, as he watch the baby girl wiggle and gaze around at her surroundings.
"If you think she looks like Padme, you should see how much this little one looks like Anakin," Dooku said, as he and Elana gazed down at their great grandson.
"So, do these little bundles of joy have names yet?" Elana asked. Anakin and Padme looked at each other. They had not had ample time to discuss this, but Padme had thought about it.
"I have a boy's name I really like," she told him.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Luke," she replied. Anakin smiled and kissed her forehead.
"It's perfect, angel," he answered.
"I want you to name our daughter," Padme told him. Anakin nodded and his father placed her in his arms. He smiled down at his little angel and gently rubbed the brown fuzz on her head.
"You're going to be as beautiful as your mother, so you need a beautiful name," he cooed at her. Padme's eyes welled with tears, as she watched her husband talk softly to their newborn daughter.
"I think I know the perfect name for you, little angel," he whispered to her. He smiled at her and gently rubbed his finger along her tiny cheek. She cooed and gazed up at her father with wide little eyes. They stared at each other for the longest time, a father-daughter bond already forming between them. Anakin would bond with them both, so he could always protect them.
"Sweetheart, are you going to share the name you've chosen with us?" his wife asked.
"Yes...I think we should call her..Leia," he said.
"Oh Ani..." Padme cried happily.
"Your grandmother Winama was very important to you. I think we should name our daughter after her to honor her. Besides, it matches her brother's name too," he said, with a half smile.
"Luke and Leia sound like the perfect names," Dooku said, as he held his great grandson. Anakin smiled and handed Leia to her great grandmother. A couple hours later, Bant shooed everyone out, except Anakin, so Padme could rest.
It was the biggest headline of the week. Holonet reporters surrounded the Jedi Temple in hopes of getting a glimpse or a word from someone. Any holos they could capture would be worth millions. Any information would greatly improve one's career. The entire Republic was buzzing with the news. The Hero With No Fear's wife, the esteemed Senator Skywalker, formerly Senator Amidala, had given birth to twins. A boy and a girl was all they knew. Getting names would give the informant job security. Getting a holo would make them rich. Unfortunately, after three days of waiting outside the Temple, they still knew very little. But as the forth day dawned, there was hope, for the rumor was that Anakin Skywalker would be moving his family from the Temple to his and the Senator's penthouse apartment in Republica 500.
Anakin and Obi-Wan stood in the center of the Council room.
"The Council would like to commend you both for your rescue of the Chancellor. It would have been a serious defeat for us if Grevious had handed the Chancellor over to the Separatist leaders," Mace said. Anakin and Obi-Wan bowed.
"Thank you Masters," Obi-Wan answered.
"Unfortunately, Grevious has disappeared again and the war has slackened a bit because of this recent victory. However, we do not anticipate Grevious will stay hidden for long. But until then you both have granted a well earned leave," Mace said. Anakin and Obi-Wan both smiled gratefully.
"Thanks you Masters," they replied. As Anakin and Obi-Wan exited the Council chamber, Ryoo came bounding toward them.
"Master Obi-Wan, you don't have to leave again, do you?" Ryoo asked.
"No young one. In fact, your uncle Anakin and I are on leave now," Obi-Wan said.
"Mommy says you should come over for dinner at Aunt Padme and uncle Anakin's." Ryoo suggested.
"Now Ryoo, Obi-Wan probably has other things he'd rather do," Sola chided her daughter.
"No...I'd love to. Padme and Anakin tell me you're a fantastic cook," Obi-Wan said. Sola blushed.
"It would be wonderful to have you then," Sola replied.
"I'm going to go help Padme with the twins. We'll meet you by the speeder," Anakin said, as he headed for the room where his family was staying.
Padme smiled down at her wiggling son, as she finished changing him and buttoned the front of his little blue sleeper.
"There, all dry sweetheart," she said, as she lifted him into her arms and rested him against her chest. She heard her daughter coo from the bassinet, just as Anakin walked in.
"They already know when you're near," Padme said. Anakin chuckled and carefully lifted his little girl into his arms.
"Well, it looks like mommy has you two all ready to go home," Anakin said.
"How did the Council meeting go?" she asked.
"Well...considering I'm on leave, it went pretty well," Anakin replied, as he watched her eyes light up.
"Do I dare ask how long?" she wondered.
"Well, it all depends on when Grevious resurfaces. He's disappeared again," Anakin replied.
"I wish he'd just stay gone then," Padme said.
"Me too, angel," he said, as he stepped close to her and kissed her softly. As he kissed his beautiful wife, they heard their newborns coo.
"Sorry kids, daddy likes to kiss mommy a lot, so you'll have to get used to it," he said, making Padme giggle.
"Are there a lot of Holonet reporters outside the Temple?" Padme asked.
"Tons and probably all over Republica 500. But don't worry, they won't get too close if they know what's good for them," he said, winking at her. Padme smiled, as they left the room and slowly made their way to the landing pad. They carefully draped blankets over the twins to keep them hidden from the Holonet camera. The Holonet reporters scrambled around them, snappy pictures of them carrying their hidden children. They shouted questions and comments. Luke and Leia began crying amidst the commotion, as they stepped into the speeder. Obi-Wan then drove off toward Anakin and Padme's apartment. The twins began to calm down, as their parents' familiar voices and touches soothed them. Obi-Wan flew the speeder directly to Padme's veranda, avoiding the Reporters that were surely surrounding the building. Padme smiled, as she saw that Leia had fallen asleep against her father's chest. He smiled back and kissed her cheek.
"I'm going to go put her down," he said, as he went to the bedroom to put her in the bassinet. Luke soon fell asleep as well and Padme placed him next to his sister.
Much later after a wonderful dinner together, Obi-Wan read Ryoo and Pooja a bedtime story at Ryoo's insistence. After that, they enjoyed pleasant conversation and fine Nabooan red wine. Then Anakin and Padme had gone to the bedroom, so Padme could feed the twins, before putting them down again. The young parents were exhausted, as most new parents were, and bid Obi-Wan and Sola goodnight. They went to bed after the twins went down, knowing that their precious little ones would be up again in just a few hours. That left Obi-Wan and Sola together and they found they were enjoying each other's company immensely.
"That was delicious meal you made tonight," Obi-Wan told her. Sola blushed.
"Thank you Obi-Wan. And thank you for reading to the girls," Sola said.
"It was my pleasure. I enjoy spending time with them," Obi-Wan replied.
"Well, you'll make a wonderful uncle to Luke and Leia," Sola added.
"I hope so. It's going to take some getting used to. It's hard for me to believe that my baby brother has children of his own," Obi-Wan said.
"I know. It seems that it was not so long ago that I was helping Padme hide her books and novels from our father," Sola said a little sadly.
"No matter how many whippings or punishments father would give her, she always persevered. She was always so brave and determined to be free from the traditions of our village. When she finally ran away to our grandmother, I remember wishing I could have been half as brave as her," Sola said.
"You are brave, Sola. It took a lot of courage to leave him with two children in tow. You should not be so hard on yourself," Obi-Wan said.
"Thank you for listening. I am probably boring you to tears," Sola said.
"Not at all. In fact, I really enjoy your company. So much so, that I would like to ask you to accompany me to dinner tomorrow night," Obi-Wan said. Sola looked at him in shock.
"You want to ask me to dinner tomorrow night? You...mean, like a date?" she asked.
"Yes, unless that makes you uncomfortable," he replied.
"Oh no, I am just surprised that you would want to date me," Sola replied shyly.
"You're a beautiful woman, Sola. And you are still kind and a wonderful person, despite the hard life you've had. I know I don't have a very good reputation with women, but I want to change that. You're the first woman that I find myself being able to talk to for hours. Most my relationships in the past were very physical and lacked any emotional aspects. I used to think that was good; that if it was like that, I could not get hurt. Then, Anakin fell in love with Padme...and I felt myself longing for something much deeper than a one night stand or casual meetings with one of my female comrades. I want more...and I want to do this the right way. So...believe it or not, I'm going to actually follow my baby brother's lead and ask you out on a date," Obi-Wan said. Sola smiled.
"I'd love to," she replied.
"Wonderful. Then I will pick you up tomorrow night for dinner," he said.
"I can't wait," she replied.
"Me either. But I should really let you get some sleep, so I will see you tomorrow, milady," he said charmingly, as he kissed the back of her hand. He hopped into his speeder and Sola watched him drive off, leaving her utterly speechless. Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Negotiator, had just asked her, ordinary Sola Naberrie out on a date. She felt like she was floating...and she never wanted to stop...