Chapter 41
Anakin was taken off of life support by the end of the week. He remained in stasis, however, and in the bacta tank so that his body could completely heal. Padmé and her children were present when this occurred, and Luke and Leia sensed an immediate change in the level of their father's awareness. Even though her remained in stasis, in order to allow his body to heal, they could sense his luminous presence in the force. It was muted, however, but still recognizable.
As for Obi-Wan, he had taken Helen out to dinner to one of Theed's finest restaurants. He had been nervous until he picked her up, but being with her allayed all his trepidation. He found himself utterly comfortable with her. She was easy to talk to, easy to be with, and Obi-Wan found himself growing more attracted to her with each passing moment. But what happens when I need to leave Naboo? he thought as he returned to his ship after their date. What happens when the Chancellor calls on me? This bothered him, for he did not know how to make things work with Helen given his present situation. Padmé will know what to do, he thought as he reached the ship. She's always been good with difficult situations.
Padmé smiled and looked up from her knitting as Helen entered the room. She was humming a song and seemed to be in quite a good mood.
"Good morning, Padmé," Helen said as she gave her a smile before attending to her duties. "How's the blanket coming along?"
"Awful," Padmé said, setting the knitting in her lap. "Honestly, I don't know how my mother has the patience for this," she said with a sigh.
Helen laughed. "It's not for everyone," she said.
"So how did your date go last night?" Padmé asked, unable to hold back.
Helen turned to her and smiled. "It was wonderful," she said. "He's such a gentleman, Padmé. So sweet, so kind...I have to say, I'm smitten."
Padmé smiled. "I'm so happy to hear that," she said. "Obi-Wan is a wonderful man. I'm so glad you two have found each other."
"So am I," Helen said.
On board the Devastator - a few days later
"And this, of course, is the bridge," Obi-Wan said as they concluded their tour.
Helen looked around in awe. She had never been on board a star destroyer before, and was utterly impressed by the huge vessel. But even more than the vessel, she was impressed by the respect with which the officers and crew regarded Obi-Wan.
"Very impressive," Helen said. "And you're in command of all this," she said.
"I am," Obi-Wan said. "The ship was Anakin's, of course, but he handed command to me over a year ago," he told her as they stepped onto the turbo lift.
"Was that when he stopped being Darth Vader?" Helen asked.
"Yes," Obi-Wan said. "About the same time."
Helen nodded. "That must have been so painful for you," he said. "When he because Darth Vader. I know you two were good friends."
"We were like brothers," Obi-Wan said. "And yes, it was immensely painful. But that is all in the past now," he continued, refusing to dwell on the dark days. "Anakin has redeemed himself, and now we are like brothers again." He smiled. "I couldn't be prouder of him."
Helen smiled. "He's lucky to have had you in his corner," she said.
"Anakin is lucky in many respects," he said. "He has a wife who has never lost faith in him, even when he was Darth Vader. He has two beautiful children, and two more on the way. I envy him, Helen. In many respects, I envy what he has."
Helen was surprised by his admission. She stepped closer to him and took his hands in hers. "Does that mean you want what he has, Obi-Wan? A family?"
Obi-Wan looked into her eyes and simply nodded. And then he kissed her.
Three weeks later...
Anakin was being removed from the bacta tank after four long weeks. Padmé had barely slept the previous night, for she was so excited. It had been a long four weeks, four long and stressful weeks. But today would be the end of it, today Anakin would be removed from the tank and removed from stasis.
Luke and Leia were as excited as she was, and barely touched their breakfast. "Is it time to go yet?" they kept asking.
"Eat your breakfast first," Padmé told them.
But finally, when it was clear that none of them could eat, they left their unfinished meals and departed for the hospital.
"Good morning," Dr. Halpern said as Padmé and her children reached Anakin's room. "Today is a big day."
"It certainly is," Padmé agreed.
"They are removing him right now," the doctor said. "So if you wouldn't mind waiting here, I'll let you know when you can come in and see him."
"Very well," Padmé said, a little disappointed that she'd have to wait yet again. "Come along children," she said. "Let's go sit down."
Obi-Wan arrived shortly after Padmé ad the twins had settled themselves in the waiting room. "Well? What's the news?" Obi-Wan asked.
"They're removing him from the bacta tank right now," Padmé told him. "We were asked to wait here."
Obi-Wan nodded as he sat down with them. "An exciting day, isn't it?" he asked the twins.
"Uh huh!" Luke said with a smile.
Obi-Wan smiled at the boy's enthusiasm.
"Have you seen Helen?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Not yet, no," Padmé said. She smiled. "You two have been seeing a lot of each other lately, haven't you?"
Obi-Wan smiled. "I suppose we have," he said.
"I think it's wonderful, for the record," Padmé said. "She's a lovely person."
Obi-Wan nodded. "Indeed she is," he said. "I'm concerned though," he said. "What happens when I'm called away by the chancellor?"
"You've already been away to Tatooine for a few days last week," Padmé reminded him. "And nothing changed. I'm sure that Helen is aware of your situation, Obi-Wan," she said.
"Yes, she is," Obi-Wan said. "But is it fair for me to expect her to entertain a serious relationship with me if I'm never in the same place for long? If I'm being called away to all parts of the galaxy?"
Padmé smiled. "Anakin and I have had a relationship in circumstances that were far more difficult," she reminded him. "I know how she feels about you, Obi-Wan, and I know you feel the same way. It can work. Take it from someone who knows all about...difficult and unlikely relationships."
Padmé's words encouraged Obi-Wan and he smiled. "Very well," he said. "I will take this under advisement."
It seemed like forever until Dr. Halpern reappeared and invited them into Anakin's room. Padmé took Luke and Leia by their hands and followed the doctor back down the corridor. Her heart was pounding in her chest when she stepped into the room, her eyes seeking out the bed. She felt her eyes fill with tears when she saw Anakin on the bed.
"It's Daddy!" Luke cried, and ran over to the bed. Leia followed him.
Padmé walked over to the bed, her eyes on Anakin's face. He was still sleeping, but he looked well. Very well. Her eyes travelled down to his hands, which were now flesh and blood again. She picked up one of them in her hands, the warmth of them making her emotional.
"The bacta treatment has been very successful," Dr. Halpern said. "We've given him a stimulant, so he will be waking up slowly."
"Thank you Doctor," Padmé said, not taking her eyes from Anakin's face. "For everything."
"Mommy why is Daddy still sleeping?" Leia asked.
"Well, he's been sleeping for a long time, honey," Padmé explained. "It will take him a while to wake up. But he will."
"If you talk to him, it will help him to wake up," Dr. Halpern suggested.
"He can hear us?" Leia asked.
"In a way he can, yes," Halpern said. "Give it a try," she said, giving the twins a smile.
Luke and Leia stood on either side of the bed and looked into their father's face. They didn't say anything, which surprised the doctor. But Padmé knew that both children were speaking to their father in their own extraordinary way.
Daddy? Can you hear me? It's Leia. I miss you, Daddy.
Hi Daddy, I'm so happy to see you. I miss playing with you, Daddy. Please wake up soon.
Dr. Halpern gave the family some privacy and continued on her rounds. Padmé gave Anakin's hand a squeeze, and then kissed it. "We're all here for you, Ani," she said. "We love you so much, all of us."
Padmé was unable to hear it, but the twins did. They heard their father say : I love you too.