Times were getting scarier by the day, and Padme found herself working more and more against the wishes of her nurse. Especially since the Chancellor's kidnapping by General Grievous. It was a sad twist indeed, and there was no telling what the monster would do to him. The only good news was that the Senate requested two of its best Clone War Jedi to save him: Obi Wan Kenobi, and her beloved, Anakin Skywalker. Were it not for this awful turn of events, Anakin would still be in the Outer Rim. The downside, was the possibility of his being killed whilst trying to save his friend.
Padme sat at her desk and whispered a prayer. The Republic was in horrible shape and she couldn't decide if it was worth saving anymore. At least, worth being saved by her. She wanted...needed to take her baby and husband away before one of them were killed. But that was just a fantasy. There were too many people out there counting on them both. She wouldn't even allow herself to think like that, much less act on it.
Padme's holoscreen sent a signal. She allowed the connection. Threepio appeared on screen. "Senator Amidala, Holonet News is reporting the death of Count Dooku, and the Chancellor's arrival on Coruscant with Master Skywalker, and Master Kenobi."
Padme's heart skipped a beat. "Thank you, Threepio. If anyone should ask, please tell them I will be in meetings all day."
"Of course, my lady," answered Threepio, dutifully.
Padme closed her datapad, then stood and adjusted her senatorial robes. She was visibly pregnant now. In fact, her pregnancy was an open secret. Thankfully, her colleagues had far too great a respect for her to ask questions... and for that, she was grateful.
Typho waited just outside of Padme's door. "Come Typho, please take me to the Jedi Temple."
"Of course, my lady," he answered, slightly reminiscent of Threepio only moments earlier.
Padme took the elevator to the top floor and boarded the waiting speeder. Typho climbed into the pilot's seat, and both strapped themselves in. From above the city, they could see shrapnel and bits and pieces of a crashed ship. Padme's heart caught in her throat. Threepio said Anakin was here... he didn't say Anakin was in good shape.
"Typho, land near the Temple garden, I'll walk from there."
Typho gave a sideward glance at her belly. "Are you sure my lady? The nurse droid said-"
"Typho, please... I'll be fine."
The ship gained clearance to land near the garden and a few minutes later, Padme was walking very slowly toward the temple. A large crowd had gathered near the side entrance. A crowd of senators, like Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, Mas Amedda, Chancellor Palpatine, as well as Jedi Masters like Mace Windu and Yoda to name a few. So many people but no Ani...
Padme slipped behind a column and watched the excitement from afar. Then she saw him. Her Anakin stood at the center of the crowd. People touched him, pulled his clothing, shook his hand... some even hugged him. She wanted hug him. But this was the life of the Hero. The Hero With No Fear, as they called him. After a few moments of watching him mingle and act the part of Jedi poster boy, the crowd slowly dissipated and only Anakin and Bail Organa remained. But even as they talked, Anakin's eyes seldom engaged the senator, for he was looking for his beautiful wife, wondering where she was and why she hadn't come out to greet him. Bail Organa said something and Anakin replied. Then finally, his gaze swept by the column, and he saw Padme standing there, hiding in the shadows, patiently waiting... a smile as wide as the universe spread across his face. Anakin quickly bade Bail Organa goodbye, looked around, then ran toward her.
Padme fell into his arms, her head against his chest as she hugged him. "What are you doing over here?" he beamed.
"Oh Ani, I missed you," Padme said. "I'm so glad you're safe. I'm so glad you're here. There are so many things I want to say, so many things to tell you... and then there were rumors that you had been killed," she gasped.
"I missed you too," he replied. "And I'm fine." Anakin cupped Padme's chin, and tried to kiss her. But Padme pulled away. He gazed at her face, eyes searching. "What's wrong?" he asked.
Padme opened her mouth to speak, but he cut her off. Quickly gripping her by the shoulders. "Something's different. There's someone else, isn't it? I can sense it," he raged. "Who is it?" he yelled, shaking her forcefully.
Padme held tight to his arms, in a feeble attempt to stable herself. "Anakin, please stop or you hurt us!" she yelled.
"Tell me who-" he was saying, when suddenly, the words froze on his lips... "Did you say us?"
Padme nodded.
"What do you mean?" he asked, as though not fully understanding.
Padme fell into his arms again. "Ani, I'm pregnant."
He pryed her away to look at her face. She did seem a little bigger... "Are you serious?"
Again, Padme nodded. She stared at his face, waiting for some type of reaction. A reaction other than shock. He stepped back for a moment, as though his knees were about to buckle, still holding her by the arms.
Padme's heart beat loudly in her chest. He was under enough stress with the Clone Wars, hiding their marriage, and waiting for the council to make him a Master...
But suddenly, he smiled. Then laughed. "This... is wonderful news," he said.
"Is it really?" Padme asked, her eyes filled with worry. "If the Jedi find out, you'll be expelled."
Anakin waved a hand irritably. "We'll worry about that when it's time to worry about it. Padme, you've made me happier than you can possibly imagine," he said, pulling her close.
Padme gave a worried sigh. "Oh Ani, what are we going to do?"
"We're going to take care of you, have our baby, and be the happiest parents in the world."
They walked off, toward the garden where Anakin kept his speeder. "We'll have to leave here," Padme said.
Anakin opened the hatch and helped Padme inside. "And go where?" he asked.
Padme sat in the co-pilots chair. Anakin climbed in beside her. She laid a hand on his lap. "Rea... it's my favorite place, next to Naboo. The ocean water is clear and blue... it's quiet and sandy. There's a villa there that I would love to have."
As if I can afford it, Anakin thought. "Say the word, and I'll leave everything now."
Padme shook her head. "No, we can't. Not yet. There's too much business to settle. The Clone Wars are almost over now that Count Dooku is dead. They'll fall apart. We have to see it through, then we can run away."
"How far along are you?"
"Five months."
"...and how long have you known?"
"Since the day you left."
"We should have run away then. But now, I'm in so deep, Padme."
Padme caressed his cheek. "We have a few months before the baby is born. I've waited for you before, and I'll wait for you now." Anakin stared out of the viewing window, eyes focused on the landing space on Padme's veranda.
The ship circled the apartment building, then finally, the thrusters were off and it was safe to land. Anakin opened the hatch and jumped out. He then walked to the other side, and helped Padme to the veranda safely.
"Are they sending you back?"
"No... I'm here for a few weeks, I believe. The Chancellor has requested it."
Padme's smile was ear to ear. He opened his robed and pulled her in. They hugged and watched as the sun set, then finally walked inside.
Anakin slipped to the bedroom, while Padme ordered her staff home for the evening, insisting they not return until specifically requested. The servants would still receive their pay and only the droids would remain. Droids knew how to follow orders. Droids, had no business around town where they might talk of Anakin being there.
Anakin managed to take a shower while Padme was away, dealing with administrative issues. When she returned, she found him in bed, a blanket covering the lower half of his body. His black glove was off, and his mechanical chrome colored arm, gleamed in the moonlight that shone through their window.
Padme sat the plates she carried on the nightstand. "Are you hungry?" she asked.
"Hungry for you."
Padme smiled. "Anakin..." she droned. "What about the baby?"
"What about her?"
Her? "You might- hurt him," Padme replied.
Anakin sulked, then slumped against the headboard. Padme supressed a giggle as she walked out of the room... to the fresher to take a shower. When she returned a few minutes later, only a towel covered her wet body, from the breast down. He could see how round her belly was without the senatorial robe she wore earlier. He smacked his lips hungrily.
Padme sat on the edge of the bed, opened the chester, and grabbed a sleeping gown. Anakin's favorite, she thought with some satisfaction. It barely fit her before, being a little too big, but now it fit just right, in the way the fabric fell against the curves of her body. Padme threw the blanket back then climbed beneath it. Anakin watched in silence for several moments, then finally leaned over and dropped his head onto her lap.
"Please... Padme?" he begged. "Please? Waiting to be with you is the only thing that kept me alive out there, and now you're telling me I can't have you." He turned his head and gave her a wicked grin.
Padme sat up and slipped the gown from her shoulder. He rose from her lap to kiss it. "Okay, I give in... but promise you'll be gentle."
"I'll be very gentle," he whispered against her lips. Anakin cuddled beside her then slipped his hands beneath her gown, pulling it up. He let his hands roam until he found her belly, then leaned over to kiss it.