Chapter 8
When Zett and Han arrived in the waiting room no one was there, except for another medic droid.
The medic droid told them that Senator Organa and his small, green alien companion, had been rushed to the emergency maternity area, along with a young, red haired man and a pregnant, brown haired woman.
Han demanded to be taken to them, and the two droids dutifully escorted the boys to the maternity area.
As they passed through the final door, they saw Bail, Master Yoda, and a dishevelled looking Obi-Wan, dressed back in his Jedi tunic and with the dye washed from the hair on his head and face.
They were standing outside a windowed room, and turned their attention to the two boys as they entered the section. Han didn't give them a second glance, however, as he immediately rushed over to the window, pressing his face against the glass.
Han's foster mother lay on a medical bed in the middle of the technology filled room, dressed only in a simple dress of pure white, Padmé's her brown curls loose and fanned out around her head.
Medic droids floated around Padmé, scanning her as they updated their data on her condition.
"Han." The gentle voice was accompanied by a warm hand on the small boy's shoulder.
Han looked up and pressed a hand against the window, "Did you do this to her?" He addressed the Jedi Master quietly.
Obi-Wan shook his head, and looked into the medical facility room with tired blue eyes.
"No. Did Zett tell you about me stowing away on your mother's ship to Mustafar?" Master Kenobi questioned, Han nodded and Obi-Wan continued.
"When we landed, I waited for Padmé to disembark and then I hid behind the archway of the gangplank. Padmé spoke to An...Vader, telling him that she and you had been worried about him, that I had told her what he had done. She was begging him to come away with her."
Han turned to look back at Padmé's prone form, worry about what Obi-Wan would say next emitted from his features, as Kenobi's thin moustached face became full of even more concern.
Obi-Wan ran his hand over his mouth, "But he wouldn't listen. Even when she said that I wanted to help them...and I did...I do. Then Vader talked about overthrowing Palpatine, ruling the galaxy with your mother at his side. Padmé's voice broke with pain and she said that he was breaking her heart. I felt...he knew I was there then, if only..." he shook his head.
"Vader accused Padmé of it being because of me. But, she said it was because of what he had done and what he was going to try to do. I stepped out at that moment to help Padmé and Vader accused her of being a liar."
Han's eyes began to fog at the expression on Obi-Wan's face, "He...he hurt my Mom?" The boy demanded, hot tears ebbing down his cheeks.
Kenobi nodded wordlessly, and Bail looked down at Yoda, who was shaking his head, intensely feeling the pain and terror Han was radiating.
"I'm so sorry Han...I yelled at him to stop. Vader was choking Padmé with the Force, and he caused her to pass out. He then accused me of taking Padmé away from him, planning to take away you and the baby as well," the ginger haired Jedi Master looked away.
"I said it was him who had done that. Vader went to attack me...but, I held out my hand and with all the Force power I could muster. I put him into a coma, and he fell down onto the edge of the lava shore."
Yoda murmured grimly, "Destroyed him then, should you have, Master Obi-Wan." He reprimanded.
Obi-Wan lowered his eyes, "I couldn't, I needed to get Padmé to safety first...I knew the lava levels would rise up and consume Vader if I left him on the shore. He was my brother...my son...I loved him once. I couldn't fight him," he felt eerie, and a haunted expression flooded his features.
"But it was strange. I felt as if I should have fought him, like this strange feeling of interruption. Despite my misgivings, I should have killed Vader myself."
Han was biting his lip, "What if he survived?" He questioned, everyone stared at the brown haired boy as he wiped his eyes. "If you left him there, what if Palpatine could sense he was in danger, and rescued him after you left?"
Master Kenobi opened his mouth to reassure Han, when the head medic droid floated out of the maternity room, his mechanical arms opened with regretfulness.
"Medically speaking, she's fine. But for some reason she keeps fading in and out of consciousness. We fear we may be losing her."
"No!" Han howled in pain and Bail quickly put his arm around the boy's shoulders, Zett looked down at the durasteel flooring as Yoda shook his head and did likewise.
Obi-Wan's eyes widened. "She's dying? No...she was fine, I..."
The droid interrupted, "That is what is so perplexing, it's like she is losing the will to live," its glowing eyes affixed firmly on Kenobi. "We must operate quickly, if we are too save the babies."
"You mean...?" Han yelped before anyone else could react in surprise, the floating medic droid nodded.
"Yes. She's carrying twins."
Kenobi looked back into the room, rubbing his mouth thoughtfully, Padmé he sighed, I'm so sorry... then his eyes wondered over to Han. "Perhaps it might help if her son is taken in to see her?" He questioned the droid.
It nodded, "That could prove valuable, as the father is not here. Come with me, young master, and we will allow one of you to accompany him inside. Master Kenobi?" It inquired.
Obi-Wan looked over at Bail and Yoda, who nodded in encouragement, the younger Jedi Master inclined his head.
"Very well then, quickly now." The droid glided into the room, Han tearfully followed it and Kenobi followed after them.
Padmé was drifting, one moment she could see the bright lights of the emergency room and the levitating medic droids floating above her, and the next moment she was back on Naboo in the lake country, with Anakin's youthful, smiling face above her.
They were laughing...laughing...
Then pain brought her back, her baby was shifting furiously...Their baby... "Oh Anakin," Padmé murmured. "I didn't mean...I'm so sorry..."
"Mom?" A soft, pre-pubescent voice came from her side, and the brown-eyed woman turned her head to the side. Tear-streaked and with his features clouded with panic, her foster son took her hand and pressed it against his face.
"Mom, it's me, Han."
Padmé smiled weakly, "I can see. Are you okay, sweetie?" She winced.
The boy sighed and looked over at Obi-Wan, who hesitantly brushed some hair from Senator Amidala's forehead, and fixed his features into a comforting smile when Padmé looked up at him briefly, before looking back aside at her foster son.
"Hey! That's supposed to be my question to you. Did you hear the news? You're going to have twins, isn't that great?" Han beamed back down at his Mom.
Padmé's eyes twinkled and her smile grew wider. "Twins? That is wonderful...oh, Obi-Wan. Anakin...what happened to Anakin, tell me..." she let out a short cry. "What's going on? What's wrong with my babies?" Padmé's quick change of subject was filled with strength, much different from her previous fading voice.
Kenobi hid a look of worry. He knew Anakin had built a bond with his wife, could that mean he was...but there was no time to think like that.
"They've just decided to come into the galaxy a little earlier, Padmé. You have to be strong so that they arrive healthy. Han is going to be here, and so am I. You'll have both our strength."
Han nodded firmly and grasped his foster mother's hand, "That's right, we're both going to be here, I won't ever leave you, Mom, never," he affirmed.
Padmé kissed Han's small hand and smiled lovingly at him, as the droids began to prep her for the induced delivery. "I know you won't. Can you be brave for me, Han?" She whispered, "I'm not feeling very brave at the moment, I wish..." Padmé swallowed hard as the droids placed an iv in her right wrist.
Han lowered his eyes, guessing what his foster mother's wish was.
The droids placed a blanket over Senator Amidala's waist, while they placed her feet into stirrups and draped the stiff blanket over her knees, and they pulled back her simple gown back from her legs.
Obi-Wan looked down at the young woman as he took her other hand, placing his right hand gently on her forehead. "Stay strong Padmé, don't give up," he soothed.
Han gripped his foster mother's other hand firmly as she let out another cry of pain, the midwife medic droid let out a calming, breathing sound.
Padmé squeezed Obi-Wan and her foster son's hands tightly. Han's face formed a wince, and even Master Kenobi hid his own wince of pain.
"Ee-see-tah oy-doh," the midwife droid suddenly said in the Poli language.
Han hesitantly peered over into the droid's arms, looking at the wet, red, whimpering, and squirming newborn, as it was passed into Obi-Wan's sure grasp on a white blanket.
"It's a boy," Obi-Wan confirmed as he tilted his arms, so Padmé could see her newborn son.
The new mother's bright smile lit up her pale face, "Luke," Padmé murmured, reaching out with her free hand to touch her son's face. "Oh Luke. Han look, it's your little brother," Padmé breathed, leaning her head over to smile at her foster son.
Han nodded and grinned shakily, as Padmé cried out again.
The droid bent down it's almost cylinder like head, resuming its soothing sounds as the Senator went into labour again. Han kept a hold of his foster mother's hand, as Obi-Wan dawdled Luke, while looking down at Padmé with concern.
There was a hushed sound from the midwife droid as she looked up, murmuring again in her language.
Han peered over at the other baby in the droids arms, "It's a girl, right?" He asked the droid, it nodded twice and handed him the baby girl in the blanket.
"Whoa, okay, careful," Han carried the screaming newborn over to his Mom, a disbelieving look on his face as he struggled to hold the squirming baby. "Wow! She's got a set of lungs on her!"
Padmé smiled and reached out for her daughter, "Leia," she murmured, blinking back tears as she looked weakly between her infant twins. "Luke and Leia, my babies. Let me..." Senator Amidala struggled to sit up, "Let me hold them, please, let me..."
Obi-Wan looked at her with concern, "Are you feeling strong enough, Padmé? Perhaps after you sleep for a little while, you might‒"
The dark haired woman shook her head as she defiantly sat up on the birthing table, "no‒I want to hold my babies, please," Padmé motioned to Han, who gently passed over Leia, and Master Kenobi carefully passed Luke into Padmé's other arm.
Luke settled almost immediately, gurgling softly, but Leia continued to wail and thrash her arms about.
Obi-Wan looked over through the windows where Yoda stood beside Zett, Threepio and Artoo. Bail sat just offside and didn't hide the emotion he felt, while the Jedi looked on emotionlessly.
Kenobi shook his head and gazed down with a smile as Padmé juggled her babies.
"Oh my, oh my, shh, hush little Leia, Mamma's here. Oh Luke," Padmé leant down and kissed the top of her son's head, looking over at her foster son with a radiant, exhausted smile. "What do you think of your little brother and sister? Aren't they beautiful, Han?"
The young boy looked down at the squirming newborns, "Err, I don't know...they're still kinda slimy and red at the moment. Can I answer that when they're all cleaned up and," Han looked pointedly at the still wailing Leia.
"Asleep?"
Padmé laughed, her voice bright and clear, and without none of the sad, tiredness Kenobi had witnessed before. To the outsider the laugh may have been no more than a pleased expression, but to Obi-Wan and Yoda they knew it was love for her children that brought it on.
Still, Padmé had said nothing of Anakin...could she have slipped into amnesia and still thought her husband was alive?
"All right then, when they're all clean I want you to tell them how wonderful they are," Padmé kissed Han's cheek, and the boy put his arm around her shoulders.
Obi-Wan hesitantly cleared his throat, as the medic droids came to lift the babies from the new mother's arms.
"Are you feeling better, Padmé? It's not sore around your neck where Vader attacked you," Master Kenobi said slowly, carefully gauging the young woman's reaction, the brown eyes locked with his and looked vague and distant.
"Vader? You mean Anakin? Wouldn't he be proud of his children? I've given him a son and a daughter."
Obi-Wan's eyes widened as Padmé smiled slightly.
"I can still feel the good in him Obi-Wan. Anakin is still there."
Han stared at his mother, "You mean he's still alive? Mom, you know Anakin's Lord Vader, right?" He clamped his hand over his mouth. "I didn't mean‒oh no."
Padmé patted her foster son's arm, "I know, Han. But I know he can be redeemed, Anakin is still there, I can feel him...I feel the darkness though, it throbs...Obi-Wan, help me please!" She suddenly struggled to breath and Obi-Wan gently put his fingers on her temples, letting the Force flow through her.
"Thank-you," Padmé murmured, as the Jedi helped her slip into sleep.
Han kissed his foster mother's forehead, worriedly looking up Obi-Wan, "What does it mean, Master Kenobi?" He asked the red haired Jedi Master.
Obi-Wan made sure Padmé was comfortable before he looked over at the bright hazel eyes, remembering when he had first met the boy. That feeling of displacement was starting to ebb into comfortable reality. If Han hadn't been by Amidala's side at this moment of the twins birth, things might have worked out very differently.
"It means, we may be in trouble. Your Mother and Anakin had a very strong connection. If Anakin is still alive, and trapped within the shell of Darth Vader, we have to find a way to block that connection, or at least cloud it for the moment, until another solution arrives."
Obi-Wan rubbed his chin as he looked meaningfully at Master Yoda through the window, "I have an idea. Come along Han, we will let the droids shift your mother into a room on the Tantative IV."
Han nodded and kissed his mother's forehead again before sliding off the edge of the cot, looking back at his Mom with a sigh of worry as the medic droids began preparations to move Padmé, before he followed Obi-Wan out the door.
The Prince of Alderaan led the Jedi and young Solo-Naberrie, into a conference room on the Alderaani flagship, and sat on one of the high-backed chairs around the stark white table. Han hopped up on the chair beside him, and Zett sat beside Obi-Wan opposite them.
Yoda sat at the head of the table, and laid his walking cane over his small lap, gazing out seriously at all of them. "What to do, regarding current circumstances, decide we must," he said gravely.
Obi-Wan placed his folded hands in front of him on the table, "I agree. Senator Amidala's life is in danger, the bond that Anakin forged with her also remains within Darth Vader. She said he is still alive somehow, I fear..." he sighed and ran his hand through his hair.
"...I fear that if we do not disrupt this connection somehow, all the darkness and evil deeds that Anakin might do, will affect Padmé mentally, causing her emotional pain."
Yoda nodded, "Also, if know alive she is and safely delivered their children are, to the ends of the galaxy pursue them he will, the life of young Solo and your life also in danger is. Hmm," he pursed his lips. "Perhaps first, a funeral stage we might?"
Obi-Wan looked at his fellow Jedi Master with surprise, "You're suggesting that we inform the galaxy that Padmé died in childbirth?" He invoked.
Bail glanced at the venerable Jedi Master, "Master Yoda, I feel I agree with you. If Vader and the rest of the galaxy believe Padmé dead, it will be a lot easier to put Padmé and the children out of harm's way, and into hiding."
"Yes," the small green alien agreed. "Exactly my point is. Pregnant, she must still appear also to be, want Vader scouring the galaxy for his child, we do not," he looked askance.
"I have already felt the children's Force potential, very powerful are they. Especially when they are together. Separated they must be."
Han looked appalled, "No you will not!" He yelled.
The other people in the small room, all turned and stared over at the small boy, who was glaring furiously between Bail and the two Jedi Masters.
"I do have a say in this, since Mom isn't here. And you can put into your weird Force-sleep induced things all you like, but I will not have you discuss separating my little brother and sister without my Mom here! Our lives are not yours to control!"
Obi-Wan raised a hand, "Please, Han, we are sorry. It's just that plans have to be made to keep your family safe from the Emperor and Vader, we are only trying to help," he explained soothingly.
Han's anger didn't dim and he looked suspiciously at them again. "I know you are, but I am here, you know? Just because I'm a kid, doesn't mean that you have to pretend I'm not here when you talk about breaking up my family," he informed them, with all the determination the young boy could muster.
"I never had a family, and my Mom and Anakin took me in off the streets. My Mom is the kindest, most loving person I've ever known. I know all she wants is her family to be together," Han started to tear up.
"You can't just separate the babies from her without asking her, you can't! I won't let you do anything like that. Even if I have to wait until I'm older to do anything rash, I will!" Han thumped the table.
Bail placed a gentle hand on Han's skinny arm. "Han, calm down, please. It was only a suggestion, and we will let your Mother make the ultimate decision. What do you think about the ideas?" He asked seriously.
Han wiped his eyes hurriedly and looked down. "Um...I like the idea of a phoney funeral. I think Mom would like that as well. Is there any way of doing that before we do anything else?" He asked.
Bail rubbed his goateed chin and nodded firmly. "Arrangements will have to be made. The Naboo government and Padmé's family will all have to be told first, then the rest of the Galaxy. It will most likely be a public event. Your Mother is well loved by the Naboo," Organa commented offhand.
Obi-Wan looked down at his clasped hands, nodding in concord.
Yoda inclined his head grimly, "Speak of this to no-one, to think time perhaps we need. To the kitchens I will take the boys, and something to eat we will have. To join us, both care do you?" He asked.
Bail shook his head, "Not at the moment. I have a few things to monitor in the recent events on Coruscant," the Senator replied.
Obi-Wan rubbed his eyes tiredly, "I'll join you in a moment. I might stop in and check that Padmé's and the twins are settled first," he stood up.
Han looked displeased at Yoda, then turned back to the other Jedi Master, "Can I come with you, Obi-Wan?" He asked almost pitifully.
Master Kenobi shook his head with amusement, "I'm afraid not, Han. You look exhausted, and I will only be making sure that your mother and brother and sister are okay.
"Have something to eat with Zett and I promise when your Mother awakens I'll come get you. All right?"
The boy sighed in reluctance, "All right. But I'm not being put to sleep again!" Han turned and glared at Yoda, who chuckled to young Solo's great chagrin, and Obi-Wan's smile, that he hid behind his hand as he slipped out the exit.
The door slid across as the red-haired Jedi Master stepped into the simple, white and steel blue painted room. There was a large bed at one end, and a basic Alderaani style chairs and sofa set over the other. The room had an adjoining en-suite, and another room connected via an open doorway.
Obi-Wan looked over and saw the bed was empty, and the sheets thrown back. He pursed his lips, and took a lucky guess at where the Senator of Naboo had disappeared to.
Master Kenobi walked quickly across the room and peered into the adjacent room. Sure enough with, her back to him, with her loose curls tumbling down the back over her simple hospital gown, was Padmé looking down into a incu-crib.
Padmé looked over her shoulder as her husband's former master entered, "I know I should be resting, but I just had to make sure they were okay. That they were really here, and I didn't just dream them." The young woman whispered.
Obi-Wan nodded and walked over to the former Queen of Naboo, as Padmé turned her attention back to her newborn infants, laying a hand on the cheek of the nearest twin, who was slightly bigger than his sister.
"They're so beautiful. Luke is so fair, he'll probably look like Anakin when he's older, Leia...she's like me."
Obi-Wan smiled and held out his index finger, the little girl reached out and grasped it firmly in her sleep. "They're wonderful. You did a good job Padmé, despite being premature they're very alert and they glow in the Force...especially Luke," he was mildly surprised.
"It's like..."
Padmé stiffened, "I hope you are not insinuating that my two hour old son, is going to redeem his fallen father, Obi-Wan." She snapped irritably, her voice slightly higher than before and the twins whimpered. The new mother made soothing shushing sounds, as she adjusted the babies blankets.
"I..." Obi-Wan sighed deeply, "I don't know yet Padmé, but it could be so. One day these two could be the key to returning Anakin to the light. Are you all right with that idea?" He asked cautiously, moving around the incu-crib to stand beside the pale young woman.
The Senator of Naboo sighed deeply, "I don't know, it's too much too soon to think about these things. I wish I didn't ever have to think about it," Padmé ran her hand over her face tiredly.
"Oh Obi-Wan, what are we going to do? I didn't think things would turn out this way, it might have been too much to want Anakin there when our children were born. But this..."
Kenobi rested his hand on Padmé's shoulder, "No-one could have predicted this. Long ago Master Yoda said that Anakin future was clouded, but nobody could have seen this‒except me.
"Please don't blame yourself, Padmé. I could have stopped him long before you two met again, I could have stopped him from visiting the Chancellor‒"
Padmé interrupted, "Nobody knew that Palpatine was a Sith Lord," she tried to comfort him, her friend shook his head again and Obi-Wan began to shake.
"No, if I had been there for him more when he was a child, if I had listened more to him and given him more counsel he wouldn't have had to seek out Palpatine for advice," Obi-Wan shook his head.
"But I was young, and I'd just lost Qui-Gon...he should have been Anakin's master."
Padmé's weekly reached out clutched Obi-Wan hand, "No, Obi-Wan, Anakin was well trained by you. Palpatine lied to him and he played on Anakin's insecurities, that monster was not Anakin. He lied to me." Padmé began to shake in anger herself.
"He said he had nothing to do with the Jedi Knights demise... but that wasn't your fault, it was the so called Emperor, who did all this."
Obi-Wan lowered his eyes, "I would like to believe that, Padmé. But I can't help but blame myself. The only way I feel can find retribution is to seek a way to bring Anakin back to the light, or destroy both him and Vader," he murmured looking down at the infants.
"Padmé, if I were to ask you if I could train Luke and Leia to use the Force one day, what would you say?"
"If it were necessary...only if it was necessary," was the former Queen of Naboo's diplomatic reply, delivered with a sigh and a tilt of her head.
"How are we going to live, Obi-Wan? I had it all planned out, I was going to retire from the Senate and go live back on Naboo. Anakin was going to tell the council everything once the war was over..."
Obi-Wan caught the young woman as she nearly fainted, tears were beginning to roll down her face, and Padmé trembled as she sobbed in the Jedi Master's embrace.
"I'm losing my mind, I don't know how much longer I can hold on without him. Obi-Wan, I can feel him there but he's trapped and tainted, I want him back so much!"
Kenobi rubbed her back comfortingly, "Padmé, you have to hold on for your children, how can Han go on without you there? How can Luke and Leia grow up without having their mother to guide them? You are tougher then you think, Padmé. I have some more things to ask you. Can you answer me?"
Padmé nodded, "Yes, of course, but I think..." she trailed off, pulling away from the Jedi Master, "I think perhaps I better hear this sitting down." The petite woman linked her arm through Obi-Wan's and he lead her out of the room and back to her bed.
As Padmé got under the bed covers and adjusted the blankets around her middle, Obi-Wan grabbed a chair and pulled it up beside her. Once Padmé was settled, the red-haired man began.
"We have been talking about some possibilities. Han was your loyal defence against splitting up the twins."
Padmé smiled wanly, "He is such a good child. I don't know what I'd do without him," her voice was full of affection, but her eyes were so dim and her voice wavered. "He was already so troubled from his time on the streets, and now all this..."
Obi-Wan patted her hand, "Han is a remarkable boy, he knows that he has to be strong for you and the babies. Now you know that we did discuss separating Luke and Leia, but as your foster son pointed out, it is ultimately up to you as they are your children." He lent forward.
"The problem is this, Padmé, you and Anakin formed a bond. He can feel your emotions and you can feel his."
Padmé turned her head away, as the Jedi Master continued.
"Now that Vader exists, he will be consumed with desperation to have you and your children at his side, but the darker his deeds and the more he loses himself...the more you will suffer likewise," Obi-Wan voice dropped to a whisper.
Turning her deep-set brown eyes on the young Jedi Master, Padmé was shocked, "What do you mean 'myself'?"
Kenobi lowered his eyes, "Because of the bond you held, eventually all your memories, your very self, will begin to grow dimmer and more distant," he admitted.
Padmé recoiled her hand from under Obi-Wan's and clenched her hands, "How long?" The blunt question was sharp, and the young Senator swallowed hard after delivering it.
"Not for a long time yet, years even," Master Kenobi revealed slowly. "The more darkness that consumes Vader, the more you will suffer," Obi-Wan shook his head.
"I don't know how many times I can say that I'm sorry, Padmé. But, if Vader can be brought back from the dark side, your memories would return intact."
The lithe woman stared at the Jedi Master, "What can you do in the meantime, if I wish to keep my children together?" Padmé said as calmly as she could.
Obi-Wan rubbed his chin, "I could create a Force block around you and the children, but one day it could slip and then..."
"And then," Padmé interrupted, "we will think of what to do. For now, do what has to be done so I can keep my children," she folded her arms over her chest. "Is there anything else?"
The assertive tone in Padmé voice, made even the man the galaxy had called 'The Negotiator,' stumble over his words. "Oh, yes...we were also thinking that perhaps it would be better for you and your children, if Vader thought you were dead."
"A funeral?" Padmé responded thoughtfully. "My parents...?"
Obi-Wan placed his hands over her clenched ones, "The whole galaxy has to believe you're dead, Padmé, and your baby died along with you in vitro. We will take you and the children to Alderaan, altering your appearance and blocking your presence in the Force should protect you for the time being. Especially if Vader believes you dead."
Padmé bit her lower lip, turning away as she looked off into the distance. Her whole life would be gone, her parents, her sister, her nieces and brother-in-law, Anakin...but it was not leaving her with nothing.
It was leaving Padmé with the opportunity to raise her children in safety and anonymity, away from the Empire.
"Whatever it takes Obi-Wan," Padmé stared back at Master Kenobi firmly. "Whatever it takes."
Luke and Leia are here! And Padmé lives. The next chapter will be up soon. Thank you for reading.