Chapter 43

Coruscant

Helen looked around the enormous opera house, utterly enthralled. Obi-Wan smiled at her side, enjoying how enthralled she was.

"This is...this is spectacular!" Helen exclaimed as they stood at the top of the grand staircase.

"I can't believe you've never been to the capital," Obi-wan said.

Helen shrugged. "Well I've been busy with my career," she said. "A career that doesn't include travelling all over the galaxy, like some careers," she said with a cheeky smile.

Obi-Wan laughed. "Yes, travelling the galaxy was definitely a perk of being a Jedi," he said.

Helen laughed and linked her arm through his. "Thank you again for inviting me here," she said. "This has been the most amazing week, Obi-Wan."

"It has," Obi-Wan agreed. "I've been to the capital many times, as you know, but it's never looked as beautiful has it does tonight."

Helen smiled, enchanted by his charm. "You are a dear, sweet man, Obi-Wan Kenobi," she said, taking his face in her hands. "I do believe I'm falling in love with you. Is that okay?"

Obi-Wan was surprised by her admission, but more so by the emotions that it elicited within him. "That's...that's ever so much more than okay," he said as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Because it just so happens that I'm falling in love with you." He kissed there then, not caring who was watching, not caring if the entire galaxy had heard his declaration.

Naboo

Anakin was moved out of intensive care to a private room. He regained his strength gradually over the next week, even though his patience was put to the test. Eventually he was able to get out of his room and stretch his legs by walking in the corridor with Padme and their children. Luke and Leia were thrilled to be able to help their father, and encouraged him in every way that they could.

One afternoon, as Anakin was doing his usual walk around the ward, he sensed very strong emotions from his wife when a doctor he didn't recognize walked past them. Anakin stopped and turned to watch the man as he continued down the corridor.

"Who was that?" Anakin asked.

Padme did not want Anakin to know about the ugly altercation she'd had with Dr. Donnovan. "No one important," she said. "Let's get back to your room."

"Seeing him created a very strong emotional response in you, Padme," Anakin told her. "It was very clear. Who is he? And why do you dislike him so intensely?"

Padme sighed. "His name is Donnonvan," she said. "He was one of the doctors that was taking care of you, but you were removed from his caseload."

"Why?"

"Because he is unprofessional," she said. "Ani, I really don't want to get into this right now, here," she said, feeling uncomfortable. "I'll tell you all about it when we're home, okay?"

Anakin nodded, making a mental note to remind her when he was released, which he hoped would be soon.

"Come on," Padme said, "once more around the ward."

"Yes ma'am." Anakin said with a smile.

"How does it feel walking on flesh and blood feet again?" Padme asked.

"Fantastic," Anakin said. "I never imagined that this was possible. Ironic, isn't it? If I hadn't had this accident I may have never known that it was possible."

"That's very true," Padme said. "I've been meaning to ask you about that. How did it happen? It's not like you to crash."

"I ran out of fuel," he told her. "I was in such a hurry to get here for the twins' birthday that I didn't even stop to check the fuel gauge. Stupid, eh?"

Padme frowned, worrying that she'd put too much pressure on him to be at the party. "Oh Ani," she said. "I'm so sorry."

Anakin stopped in his tracks and turned to her. "Sorry? What for?" he asked.

"If you hadn't felt such pressure to be there," she said. "I made such a big deal about that party...I never would have if .."
"Hey, stop it," he said, taking her gently by the shoulders. "Do you hear me? You are in no way to blame for my stupidity," he said with a small smile.

Padme smiled too. "I'm just so glad you're okay," she said taking his face in her hands. "I've been so worried, Ani. The thought of losing you ..." she stopped as her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. Anakin sensed this and wrapped his arms around her.

"You're not losing me," he told her, his mouth next to her hear. "You will never lose me again, Padme. I swear it."

Padme didn't respond, but simply melted into his strong embrace.

Anakin yawned as he left the bathroom. The shower had felt good. He was surprised by how long his hair had grown while he was in stasis. He ran his hands through it, smiling as he reflected that they were real flesh and blood hands now. A little over a year ago I was a cyborg...and now I'm whole again...life truly is amazing...

"Anakin? May I come in?" said Obi-Wan as he poked his head in the door.

"Of course," Anakin said as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "Come on in."

"You weren't going to bed, were you?" Obi-Wan asked as he walked over to Anakin. "I don't want to deprive you of your rest. Padme would be most displeased."

Anakin smiled. "Yes she would," he said. "It's still early, have a seat. I've been wanting to talk to you. How was the capital?"

"Thriving," Obi-Wan said as he sat down on the one chair that was in the room. "It's very encouraging. Chancellor Organa wanted to talk to me about the developments on Tatooine."

Anakin lifted his eyebrows. "Oh really?" he said.

Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes, I thought you might find that interesting," he said.

"You're right, I am," Anakin responded. "I knew it was only a matter of time before Organa realized how important Tatooine is."

"Well I suppose better late than never," Obi-Wan commented.

"Yes, I suppose so," Anakin replied. "How are things on Tatooine?" he asked. "I feel so out of touch."

"Things are wonderful there," Obi-Wan told him. "And you might be interested to learn that your step brother Owen has had his own win fall," he said. "A large deposit of silver was found on his property, so he and his wife are set for life."

Anakin smiled. "That's fantastic," he said.

"Naaviva and Rex are very busy, but things are going very well," Obi-Wan continued. "In fact, the two of them have grown close. Very close."

"Is that so?" Anakin said. "Well what do you know? Speaking of growing close, I understand that you are getting rather close to a certain young nurse."

Obi-Wan smiled. "As a matter of fact I am," he said. "She's lovely, and smart...I tell you, Anakin I've never felt like that before."

Anakin smiled. "I think that's wonderful," he said. "There's nothing stopping you from making a life with this woman now. I think you should go for it."

Obi-Wan nodded. "Oh I fully intend to," he said. "I promise you."

The next morning

Anakin was released the next morning. He and Padme spent nearly an hour thanking all of the nurses and doctors who had had a hand in Anakin's recovery. In addition, Padme had arranged for the entire ward to have a catered lunch that afternoon, and had made a rather generous monetary donation to the hospital. As grateful as Anakin was for all that the medical staff had done for them, he was more than ready to say goodbye to them.

Luke and Leia had worked hard the previous night to make a big sign to decorate the front hall of their cottage home. Padme had thought it was a delightful gesture, and helped them spell the words correctly. When the family arrived home, the twins ran into the front hall, eager for their father to see their welcome home sign.

"See Daddy? See what we made?" Leia asked.

"I drew the picture of you," Luke said.

"And I made the letters," Leia added.

Anakin smiled. "It's fantastic," he said. "Thank you so much," he added, giving them a big hug.

"Come upstairs, Daddy," Luke said, taking Anakin by the hand. "There's a big breakfast for you with all your favourite stuff to eat!"

Anakin looked back at Padme, who simply smiled at him. Anakin allowed his children to lead him up the stairs to the kitchen where Threepio had set the table in preparation for Anakin's return home.

"Welcome home, Master Ani!" Threepio said. "It's so good to see you fully functional again!"

"Thanks, Threepio," Anakin said. Artoo Detoo whistled his agreement.

"I made you this hat, Daddy," Luke said, shoving a paper hat into Anakin's hand.

"Well, that's really nice," Anakin said. He put the hat on his head. "How does it look?" he asked, looking at his wife.

Padme smiled. "It looks wonderful," she said. "Very handsome. Come on, let's eat."