Chapter 3

"Luke told me that you and he had a good chat," Padmé said as she sat brushing out her hair at her dressing table.

Anakin watched her from their bed. "We did," he said. He loved watching her brush her hair. It soothed him somehow.

"I'm sure you know how much it meant to him," Padmé said as she set her brush down. "He idolizes you, Ani. He always has."

Anakin smiled. "It was that bear," he said. "That was what did it. Remember Spotty?"

Padmé laughed. "I remember. You know he still has that bear? Maybe he'll pass it on to his baby. Wow, Luke's having a baby. I can hardly believe it."

"I know," Anakin said as he watched his wife take off her dressing gown. "We're too young to be grandparents, Padmé. I'm still getting used to being in my forties for crying out loud."

Padmé smiled. "You'll be a wonderful Grandpa," she said. "Having younglings around keeps us young. You know that, right?"

"If you say so," he said.

"I think we ought to have a party for Luke and Taza," Padmé said as she climbed into bed with Anakin. "They didn't have a wedding reception after all," she said.

"Neither did we," Anakin said.

"Ani, I thought you'd accepted this?" Padmé said. "Luke said as much."

"I have," Anakin said, running a finger down her bare arm. He frowned. "I suppose I'm a hypocrite for being upset with our son for making a mistake. Force knows I'm the last person who should be critical of that."

Padmé could see in his eyes that he'd been reflecting on the past. "Ani, don't go there," she said.

Anakin looked at her, trying his best to heed her words. But ever since he and Luke had talked earlier, the mistakes of his past had been troubling him. As perfect as his life was, as happy as he was, the past was something he knew he would never get over: the crimes of his past still haunted his soul.

"I'm trying," Anakin said softly. "It's not something I can always control, Padmé."

Padmé looked into his eyes, then took his face in her hands. "I know," she said. "I just wish there was something I could do to ease your mind."

Anakin smiled. "You do something every minute of every day, Padmé," he said, pulling her to him. "You've given me a beautiful family, a beautiful life," he told her. "Your love has given my life meaning, Padmé. That makes it possible for me to live with the past."

Padmé's eyes filled with tears. "Ani," she said, pulling him close.

The next morning

Once Padmé Skywalker got it into her head that she was having a party, she went full steam ahead. She sat down with Taza and Luke to explain her ideas with them, each of them more than happy to go along with whatever Padmé had in mind.

"We don't want you to go to a lot of trouble, Mom," Luke said. "Really."

"Nonsense," Padmé said. "Getting married is a big moment, it's something to be celebrated. Your father and I never got to celebrate ours, so we want to make sure you get to."

Luke and Taza exchanged a smile, grateful for Padmé's kindness.

"All I need from you is a list of who you would like to come," Padmé said. "And I'll take care of the rest. Unless of course you have something specific in mind," she added, not wishing to step on her daughter-in-law's toes.

"I'm sure that whatever you plan will be perfect," Taza said. "We're very grateful, Mother."

Padmé smiled. "It's my pleasure," she said.

Jedi Temple

"So, you're going to be a grandfather," Obi-Wan said as he and Anakin shared lunch together.

"So it seems," Anakin said. He could see how much Obi-Wan was enjoying this. "Even though I'm far too young," he couldn't help but add.

Obi-Wan laughed. "Forty-three by my reckoning," he said. "Not that young, Anakin."

Anakin raised his eyebrows. "Forty-three is a lot younger than, let's see, fifty-eight, isn't it?"

"I suppose," Obi-Wan said. He took a sip of his tea. "I have to say, Anakin, I'm not really surprised."

"Why not?" Anakin asked. "I sure as hell was."

"Because he's your son," Obi-Wan said. "His…proclivity for procreation comes naturally to him," he said with a smirk.

"Oh that's hilarious," Anakin said. He sighed. "I just hope the boy is ready for this," he said. "Being a father is not a part time job."

"No, it isn't," Obi-Wan agreed. "But Luke has had an excellent role model. He's been watching you for fifteen years now, Anakin. I think he'll do just fine."

Anakin nodded, hoping he was right. "I guess it won't be long before your children start dating," he said casually, knowing how it would get Obi-Wan's goat. "Chloe is, what, almost fourteen now, isn't she?"

Obi-Wan scowled. "And far too young to think about boys," he said.

Anakin laughed. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't she have a huge crush on Qui-Gon not that long ago?"

"Simple infatuation," Obi-Wan said as he dabbed his mouth with his napkin. "She's outgrown it, I assure you."

"If you say so," Anakin said, standing up. "Let's go, back to work."

Obi-Wan picked up his tray and followed Anakin to the exit.