Ahsoka Skywalker's POV
I was immediately shocked by what my eyes saw.
Anakin laughed, sprinting towards me to embrace me and spin us in circles. "Happy birthday, my love." he whispered to me.
I smiled as tears trickled down my cheeks. He remembered after these past 6 years without me. I wrapped my arms around his neck even tighter.
My father was the next to hug me as Anakin lifted Shmi into his arms, bouncing her in the air. Our daughter giggled while the rest congratulated us.
"Happy birthday, my little love." Anakin smiled, kissing her forehead.
I embraced my mother the tightest. "Oh, mom." I cried, snuggling my face against her shoulder.
My mother stroked my headtails, hushing me. "It's okay, cariño." she whispered, rocking us from side to side.
"I missed you so much." I wept, wiping my tears away as we pulled back to look at each other. "Perdóname que no fue a mirar te, mami. Es que la guerra fue muy difícil."
"I know, Soka." She nodded, giving me a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it. You are here now and that's all that matters."
I looked down, hesitating. "Mom... Can I ask you something?"
My mother nodded immediately, before we walked outside into the patio.
I walked over to the snow covered railing, eyeing the evergreen trees. "Mother... Is all what Anakin and everyone else told me of what he did true?" I questioned, looking at her from the corner of my eye.
She gazed down before saying, "Yes... Anakin was extremely lost without you. He kept crying ever night and hurting himself. Not one day went by without him doing something to himself."
Tears filled my eyes and only one single tear rolled down my cheek. I wiped it away, trying to hide it from my mother's sight. However, she already took a grip of my hands to turn me around, so I could face her.
"Cariño, come here." she pleaded, hugging me.
"Why did he have to go through so much pain? Especially caused by me!" I sobbed, my snowsuit protecting me from getting frostbite.
She began to shush me again until we both heard the glass door slid open. My mother kissed my forehead before leaving me with my husband.
"Baby, what's wrong?" Anakin's warm breath and arms made me feel comfortable and relaxed.
I glanced up at him with loving eyes. "Ani... I love you, you know that… right?"
He looked shocked but chuckled.
"Of course I do, love. If you didn't love me... Then, why am I here?"
I frowned. "And you love me -"
Anakin fiercely kissed me. "Just as much." he breathed, hugging me.
I giggled. "I don't care what you did these past six years, Ani. All I care about is our children, you and right now."
He arched an eyebrow. "What brought this up?" he quizzed me.
"Nothing, Anakin." I reassured him. "Just promise me you won't go suicide if something happens to me."
He hesitated, but nodded in agreement. "If you promise me the same thing."
I reacted just like he did but agreed. "Your last request is what I will do."
We kissed for another long minute until Obi-Wan called our names.
The rest of the day, we ate molé that my grandmother made, Shmi played with her cousins while Anakin showed my parents around the house. Since Shmi's and my birthday were close to Christmas, my parents and some of my cousins and both of my siblings had to stay here at the house or rent a room at a hotel in Aldreean.
Soon it was time to open the presents, once Shmi heard the word 'Present'; she jumped up and down, clapping.
When I was small I always had only one present from each family. I sometimes made my small birthday party at a Live Oak forest park in my small town or at my Grandmother's house. My sister and I had to combine our birthday celebration because they were so close until my brother came along. His birthday was one away from my sister's while mine was on December 21.
She opened Anakin's first and almost cried in happiness. "Thank you, Daddy! I love you so much"
"What is it?" I asked, resting my head against Anakin's arm.
She held out a necklace with a locket on it which held a picture of her, Anakin, Vesta, Zevark, and I. "I love you, Daddy!" she embraced him, tears trickled down her cheeks.
"That's not it, little love." he smiled and placed her down to her feet before racing upstairs.
Shmi and I looked up at him in confusion. He came back with another present. Anakin smiled, kneeling down in front of her.
"Happy birthday, baby girl." he kissed her forehead and handed her the present.
Shmi ripped the wrapping paper and pulled the lid off the box. She gasped and squealed. "Oh my -"
I grinned along with Anakin.
"Thank you, Daddy!" she giggled as she began to play with her new doll.
Anakin turned around to face me, handing me my birthday present. "As for you, my love, here's your present."
I arched an eyemarking, and took it from him. I gasped and laid my hand over my heart. "Ani..."
He took the diamond necklace from the box to place it around my neck. "Happy birthday, my love." he kissed my neck and chuckled.
I giggled and embraced him. "Thank you, Anakin. For everything."
The rest of the night, Shmi received more toys, clothes, and accessories. I received clothing, jewelry and some other things I mother and woman may need.
Once everyone left, Anakin began to play his piano to our babies and himself.
I sat next to him, watching his fingers move with each note. He began to play 'Say Goodbye' by Skillet.
"Things are changing,
It seems strange and
I need to figure this out.
You've got your life,
I got mine.
But you're all I cared about.
Yesterday we were laughing,
Today I'm left here asking,
'Where has all the time gone now?'
I'm left alone somehow,
Growing up and getting older.
I don't want to believe it's over.
Don't say goodbye,
Cause I don't wanna hear those words tonight,
Cause maybe it's not the end for you and I.
And although we knew,
this time would come for me and you.
Don't say anything tonight,
if you're gonna say goodbye.
Do you remember,
In December,
How we swore we'd never change?
Even though you're leaving,
that our feelings
would always stay the same.
I wish we could be laughing,
instead I'm standing here asking,
'Do we have to end this now?'
Can we make it last somehow?
We both know what we've gotta say, not today
Cause I don't wanna leave this way.
Don't say goodbye,
Cause I don't wanna hear those words tonight,
Cause maybe it's not the end for you and I.
And although we knew,
This time would come for me and you,
Don't say anything tonight,
If you're gonna say goodbye.
And if it's over
it hurts but I'm giving you my word.
I hope that you're always
Happy like we were,
Happy like we were.
Don't say goodbye,
Cause I don't wanna hear those words tonight,
Cause maybe it's not the end for you and I.
And although we knew
This time would come for me and you,
Don't say anything tonight.
If you're gonna say goodbye.
Yesterday we were laughing,
(if you're gonna say goodbye)
Today I'm left here asking,
(if you're gonna say goodbye)
and although we knew this time would come for me and you,
don't say anything tonight.
If you're gonna say goodbye."
I held the tears as he sang and eyed me.
Everyone smiled as they watched us. Obi-Wan and Satine soon after told us they were going to sleep and took our babies along with Shmi to bed.
Anakin and I were finally alone.
