Hey guys! Sorry for the wait and thanks for your patience! There is a surprising twist at the end of this chapter! I am sad to see this story come to an end, but I am happy to announce there will be a two-part epilogue coming shortly!

Leaving Home

20 years

Padme wiped another stray tear from her eye as her husband tightened his grip on her and held her close. Anakin tried to hide his tears and act "tough" but it was failing. He sniffled and blinked back happy tears. The twins stood in front of them, smiles on their faces.

"Mom, don't cry," Leia said softly, coming forward to hug Padme. Padme laughed ruefully and said:

"I can't help it." She folded her daughter into a tight embrace, though with some difficulty. "I don't want you to leave. Alderaan seems so far away."

"I'll come and visit. I promise," Leia replied, brushing a lock of brown hair out of her eyes so Padme could plant a tender kiss on her forehead. Leia was leaving for Alderaan to study politics, and Padme had tried and tried to persuade her to study here on Coruscant, but she had politely declined.

As for Luke, he had decided to go to his mother's home planet of Naboo to attend the pilot academy and join the Air Force. As a boy, he had always been interested in ships and had a knack for piloting and now he could make his dream of flying come true.

"C'mere, kid," Anakin said in a watery voice, pulling Luke into a hug. Luke went willingly, though he was never one for embraces. "I'm gonna miss you," Anakin whispered. "There'll be no one to prank your mom with anymore."

"I heard that!" Padme said, setting her hands on her hips and giving him a playful glare. Anakin released Luke and ignored his wife, hugging Leia instead. Luke walked to his mother, who pulled him into a hug, having the same trouble she did with Leia. Luke sighed but allowed Padme to hold him tightly and stroke his hair. "I'm glad you chose to go to Naboo, even if I don't want you to leave me," she whispered, running her fingers through his shaggy blonde hair. "Get a haircut, will you?" she asked playfully, releasing her son. Luke shrugged and ran his hands through his hair, tousling it.

"Sure, Mom," he replied, shouldering his backpack.

Meanwhile, Anakin was whispering in Leia's ear, his breath tickling her neck and blowing the small baby hairs gathered by her ears.

"I love you, princess, and I'm gonna miss you a lot."

Leia pulled out of the hug and said:

"Same, Dad." She hefted her own backpack onto her shoulders and moved towards the door. "It's time to go, Luke," she said, opening the sliding door that led to the landing pad, where two outdated Eta-2 Actis-class interceptors sat, primed and ready, each equipped with an R2 series astromech droid. Anakin had managed to persuade the Jedi Council to allow him to have the outdated Starfighters, convincing them they didn't need them.

The family walked out together. Padme's shoulders shook with silent cries. Anakin held her close as they watched the twins step up onto the wing of the ships and into the cockpits.

"Right, now, I gave you the coordinates to where the hyperspace rings are docked?" Anakin asked, knowing he did but wanting his kids to stay.

"Yes, Dad, many times," Leia said, pulling on the headset and closing the canopy. "Artoo-Teefour, fire up the engines."

Outside, Luke was in his starfighter but kept the canopy open.

"Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad!" Luke pulled on his headset and adjusted the microphone. He waved, then closed the canopy. "Start the engines, Artoo-Kaythree." Luke's engines fired up and both ships rose into the air, landing gear retracting as they rose higher. Padme closed her eyes and leaned into Anakin, crying hard, Anakin hooked an arm around her shoulders, tears streaming down his cheeks. The ships left the atmosphere, escaping the sight of the tearful parents. Anakin wiped his eyes and rubbed his fingers on the seat of his trousers to dry them before resting his hands on Padme's four-months pregnant belly. Padme smiled and set her hands on his.

"Just think, Angel. We get to do it all over again." Anakin said, leaning down and kissing her forehead. Padme nodded and smiled a watery smiled and said:

"All over again."

...

Didn't expect that, did you? Leave a review, wouldya? I love to hear your guys' opinions!

Okay, another AU part for you: I changed the ages for Ani and Padme. In this story, they are only one year apart instead of five. Padme was nineteen when she had the twins and Anakin was eighteen. I know, I know, it's young, but I needed to do it for the twist.

Hope you enjoyed it!