Author's Note: Just wanted to make sure everyone knew this is an AU. The original version of Chapter Fourteen just didn't work for me, along with Chapter Thirteen, so I've rewritten both. Sorry, this messes up the reviews a bit; but I wanted to make this as good as I possibly could.

Disclaimer: The Star Wars Universe was created and is owned by George Lucas, this is just my imagination at work, based on the universe he has created. If this story is similar to another, it's pure coincidence.

Note: Thoughts are in italics.

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"They are so adorable!" Padmé cooed, staring at her niece and nephew through the glass window. "And so very small." Darred nodded sadly, as they were all worried about Sirté and Jarred and how they would they would be heath wise.

"We've been here the entire time you were gone, it all happened so fast," Darred explained somberly. Shaking his head, he pressed his right hand flat against the glass. Looking over at her brother-in-law, she felt so incredibly bad for Sola and Darred. They did not deserve this. But she was determined to be optimistic; Sirté and Jarred would be perfectly fine. I hope.

"Oh, Darred, this is Anakin Skywalker," Padmé introduced, turning to Anakin. "Anakin, this is my brother-in-law, Darred. He's like my brother though."

"Nice to meet you," Anakin greeted coldly, though he was smiling.

"Likewise," Darred replied and nodded in agreement with Padmé. It felt so uncomfortable between the three, and she just knew that her 'brother' wondered who this mysterious man was that she brought.

"I'm, uh, I'm gonna go see Sola. You can. .talk about piloting or something." Hesitant to leave them alone, she needed to talk to her sister alone. She desperately needed to talk to her sister.

Walking down the hallway, she reached the room as soon as the nurse was coming out. Smiling, she quickly ran into the room, shutting the door behind her.

- - - -

"So, you're a pilot?" Darred tried to initiate a conversation with Anakin, not sure of where to start. But thankfully, Padmé gave them a bit of a starting point.

"You could say that," Anakin replied, distracted with something. Or possibly just being rude. "Are you a pilot?"

"No, my father was though. He died in the Clone Wars."

"Oh."

The silence was so excruciating, so unbearable. They just stood there, not making eye contact, just trying to pass the time away. "Let's go check on the girls."

"Sounds good."

- - - -

"So, you and Anakin are together now?" Sola prodded Padmé for information, eager to hear what was going on. The joy in her eyes that her younger sister might be finally settling down was so amazing.

"Well, sort of. You know, the Chancellor basically ended the Republic. Now the Empire is in control, or trying to be," she yakked on.

"What's your point, Pad? I know you're no longer a Senator, but what are you getting to?"

"Have you ever heard of Darth Vader?"

"Yes, why?" she asked curiously. After a moment of thinking, it suddenly hit her out of the blue. How she made the connection, she didn't even know. "Anakin is Darth Vader?" Padmé nodded sadly, looking down at the floor. Before she could say anymore, 'the guys' walked in. Anakin headed right for her, wrapping his arm around her waist.

"I'm hungry," he whispered, smiling for some reason.

"Why are you smiling?" she asked, as she began to smile herself. He shrugged; she melted. That boyish grin of his returned, something she had not seen in a very long time. "We're going to go," she said, turning to Sola and Darred. They nodded, Sola smiling as she seemed to forget who exactly he was. "See you later!"

They walked out of the room and towards the parking garage, back to her speeder. Sitting in the driver's seat, she rested her head on the headrest. "I don't want to leave," she muttered to herself.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"We don't have to leave, you know," he whispered, that grin still there. Kissing her lightly on the lips, everything seemed so perfect to Padmé; but sadly, so unreal.

"Are you serious?" she asked, amazed that he was changing so quickly. But why?

"Yeah, why not?" Padmé beamed, never feeling so happy before in her entire life. I hope this isn't a dream.