Authors Notes:
Here comes chapter two. This chapter is much shorter than the first, but I think that is a nice balance since the first chapter was twenty pages long. I would like to thank you for your reviews, favoriting, and following the story. I also, thank all of you who favorited the other stories in my Anakin and Padme AU series and favoriting me as an author. I appreciate your reviews and taking the time to let me know what you like or don't feel works in the story.
Sfloresf, thank you for taking the time to write such a great review. I am so happy you enjoyed the first chapter. I appreciate that you listed some of your favorite parts of the chapter. That first chapter took a great deal of time and research. Since I had not written a wedding reception at the end of Day After Innocence, I wanted to with this story. I also felt it would be a great way to set the plot for this story.
The most challenging scene to write was the love scene because I wanted to write something beautiful and different for my favorite movie ship. I also enjoyed giving the reader a better picture of what Anakin and Padme's relationship has been for the past few months, basically pure bliss. They deserve a break from the drama after what they went through with Sidious. It was fun to write Anakin's point of view regarding his feelings for Padme. I went a little more explicit than I usually do. Yes, I enjoyed Anakin and Padme playing matchmaker for Obi-Wan. I love writing the dynamic of Anakin and Obi-Wan, it's so much fun to write the sarcasm and witty banter between them. Lastly, before Anakin and Padme become parents, they have some issues to deal with. They need to prepare for major changes in their life together. This chapter will start to touch upon that.
Thanks again everyone for reading my story. Your reviews are very much appreciated and be safe!
Doctor Knows Best: Chapter 2
The Naboo sky had opened with sheets of rain. On a private landing platform, a black speeder lands gently onto the pavement. A cloaked tall figure quickly steps out of the speeder and runs to the other side of the vehicle. Anakin holds his hand out to Padme as she carefully steps out. The young couple walks hand in hand briskly with their hoods covering their heads to protect them from the pelting raindrops. Anakin sends a signal on his commlink and a large metal door slides opened. Waiting for them on the other side is Captain Typho.
Padme lifts the hood from her cloak gently off her head. "Thank you for meeting us here Captain." Padme says to her loyal security advisor.
"Of course, my lady. I am always happy to be of service. Queen Jamillia is away today at a last-minute political meeting, but she wishes you both good luck with your visit."
"That's very kind of her, thank you for letting us know," Padme says to Captain Typho.
"Dr. Polis is expecting you."
"Thank you, we appreciate you getting this visit together for us on such short notice."
"It was no problem Jedi Skywalker. Please follow me!"
Anakin and Padme follow Captain Typho as they walk through the magnificent building Padme at one time called home when she served as queen. The last time the young couple had visited the royal palace of Theed, they had gotten into an embarrassing disagreement in front of Queen Jamillia, Governor Bibble, and her handmaidens. The tension was evident between the senator and Jedi Padawan. The fuse was lit when Padme chimed in with "oh Anakin is not a Jedi yet, he's still a Padawan Learner." Her comment had bruised Anakin's force surging young man ego. Thankfully, the tension eased from that little scene with Anakin apologizing and deciding to trust Padme's judgment regarding her protection while on Naboo.
"Good luck to you both. I hope the visit is a productive one."
"Thank you, Captain," Padme replied.
"Enjoy the rest of your day."
"I will Jedi Skywalker thank you."
"Ok let's do this, my love," Padme says as she walks hand and hand with Anakin around a large marble column and into an opened door.
"Please come on in Mr. and Mrs. Skywalker." Dr. Polis says sitting behind her large wooden desk.
"Thank you Dr. Polis."
"Make yourselves both comfortable. I will ask you a few questions and then we'll start the examination. Is that ok?"
"Yes, of course, doctor," Padme says as they both sit down in comfy white seats.
"Now, let me read over my notes for a moment on your examination."
"You kept the records on my case encrypted correct?"
"Yes, Senator just like you asked. I have not reviewed any information since your one-time visit when Captain Typho brought you here and I confirmed that you are pregnant. That was my goodness, six months ago."
"Dr. when you examined me, would you be able to tell if I was carrying more than one baby?"
"Most of the time, yes."
"Dr. Polis, I know at the time I was very stressed and told you I did not want to know anything about my baby other than if it was healthy and when I'd be due, but a new development has made itself known. My husband will have to explain it to you." Padme puts her hand on Anakin's shoulder.
"Yesterday, I sensed through the Force that Padme is carrying two life forces. I believe she is carrying twins."
"May I confirm that you now want the full results I recorded from your examination?"
"Yes, doctor thank you." Padme replied to Dr. Polis.
"You are pregnant with twins, congratulations."
Padme put her hand over her heart and squeezed Anakin's hand with her other. "You, you knew."
"Of course, Senator. Our medical technology can indicate that information pretty early into the pregnancy."
"Thank you for confirming it, doctor. It seems silly, even irresponsible that I did not follow up with you sooner."
"You were both under tremendous scrutiny and danger. I understand how you would not want to add to anything else, but yes it probably would have been better if you heeded my advice to follow up with me. Your young and strong Padme, but it is always better to monitor the pregnancy. Have you been taking your prenatal vitamins and following the diet I suggested?
"Yes doctor, I have."
Anakin had not said a word, he sat in his chair stunned and breathless. They really were having twins, two babies, two human beings he and Padme would be completely responsible for. He felt overjoyed and overwhelmed.
A short time later Anakin is holding Padme's hand in the examination room. Padme is lying on the white examination table flat on her back in a white hospital gown. Anakin stands to the side of the table. A small floating droid like contraption hovers over Padme's belly.
"There they are." Dr. Polis announced.
"That's our babies?" Padme asked in awe.
"That's correct Mr. and Mrs. Skywalker.
"Oh Ani, look at them," Padme said squeezing her husband's hand.
Anakin and Padme look on in amazement at a holographic image floating in the air of two small curled up human forms of pure light. The young couple stares at the visual of their babies with tears in their eyes. Anakin wipes a tear from his cheek, leans down, and kisses Padme on her forehead.
"Does everything look ok with the babies?" Anakin askes Dr. Polis.
"Yes, Jedi Skywalker everything looks perfect. The babies are healthy with strong heartbeats, congratulations you two." Anakin and Padme look at each other and smile.
The examination does not last long. Anakin, Padme, and Dr. Polis are once again seated at the desk.
"Doctor, does it look like Padme will be ok to deliver the babies normally? Anakin asks Dr. Polis.
"I don't anticipate there will be any need for Padme to deliver the babies with any kind of surgical incision."
"That's very good news doctor, thank you," Anakin replies feeling relieved.
"Does my due date still look solid?"
"Yes, although with twins they are known to be born earlier."
"Wait, so that means my wife could go into labor at any minute?"
"Essentially yes, but it's about a sixty percent rate for human women that go into premature labor with twins. Therefore, it is not an immediate concern to me that Padme will deliver early, but unless it's absolutely necessary I would refrain from traveling outside of the planet at this stage of your pregnancy."
"Would you like to know the sex of the babies?"
Anakin and Padme turned to each other and smile.
"That piece of information my husband and I still would like to keep as a surprise doctor."
Dr. Polis nodded. "These next questions are personal, but it's necessary for Padme and the fetus's health."
"Of course, doctor," Padme replied.
"Are you two currently sexually active?"
"We are," Padme replied.
"Well, I'd like to go over a couple of things. After you give birth you must abstain from having sexual intercourse for more than 2 weeks because of the risk of infection and your body needs to heal. But I always recommend to my patients to wait a full six weeks."
"That's quite a while doctor but I can understand why."
"Yes, Senator, and just so you are both aware for a lot of human women sexual intercourse after only six weeks can be painful. You're going to want to listen to your body. Also, at this stage of your pregnancy, I recommend you refrain from having sex while lying on your back Padme. This can cause too much pressure on your body and can decrease blood flow to the babies."
"But is it safe for us to be having sexual intercourse at all before Padme goes into labor?" Anakin asks.
"Yes, Jedi Skywalker it is still safe. However, if Padme starts experiencing contractions or her water breaks you should definitely not have intercourse and should immediately contact me."
"We understand doctor, thank you," Padme replies.
"I ah, doctor. Is there um." Anakin wiped the sweat off his brow from all the news that the obstetrician was dropping on them.
"It's ok Jedi Skywalker breath!"
"Is there anything we can do while Padme is healing after she gives birth?"
"When you say do what are you referring to?"
"You know sexually ..."
Padme turned her head to look at her husband. She couldn't help but find him endearing watching him ask such an uncomfortable personnel question to a stranger.
"Can we, can I touch her? Can I put my mouth on her?" Anakin ran his fingers through his hair nervously.
Padme could see Anakin's cheeks were turning red. She placed her hand in Anakin's and squeezed. "I think my husband is asking if we can have mutual oral sex?"
"Yes, but only outside the female genitalia because you could risk infection. These guidelines are particularly important to follow especially if there is a need for any stitches from a surgical cut."
"Does this answer your question Jedi Skywalker?"
Anakin nodded, Dr. Polis nodded as well, and Padme smiled.
"The bottom line is, listen to your body Padme. This is brand new territory for you both. You're about to become parents of twins and there's a lot to experience and learn."
"We do not doubt that. Thank you, doctor." Padme says to Dr. Polis.
"Good luck to you both. Please reach out to me if there are any changes in your condition."
"We absolutely will. Good day to you doctor." Anakin says to Dr. Polis.
Anakin and Padme walk out of the royal doctor's quarters and Padme turns around to look at her husband. "Before we leave Ani, I want to show you something."
"Sure, lead the way," Anakin says as he puts his arm around her shoulders.
The newlyweds walk arm in arm, hoods over their heads onto the beautiful balcony. On the far end of the platform are lovely, flourishing gardens and benches. A light drizzle of rain continues to fall from the cloudy sky.
"What do you think?" Padme asks Anakin.
"This is some view, wow." Anakin proclaims in awe.
"Whenever I had a moment to myself, I used to come out here. I loved watching the waterfalls."
"There are so many of them," Anakin says with wide eyes from the aesthetic vision before him. Naboo was breathtaking.
Anakin takes Padme in his arms. She puts her head on his chest. "How are you feeling about everything the doctor told us?" Anakin asks Padme.
"All and all pretty good, it's a little overwhelming."
"Just a little?" Anakin asks his wife.
"Ok, it's a lot," Padme admitted to her husband.
"About the no sex part." Anakin blurts out. Padme looks up at him.
"We'll get through it Padme. After all, we were apart for months when I fought in the Clone Wars trying to track down Jango Fett with Obi-Wan."
"You were gone for four months. That was the hardest four months of my life."
"Mine too, but we got through it and we'll get through this," Anakin says with hope in his voice.
"We will and we'll make the most of what we can do to enjoy each other, but we better be prepared to learn how to function with less sleep. An infant's sleep cycle is all over the place. Not to mention we will have plenty of dirty diapers to change my love."
"Don't I know it," Anakin tells his wife.
"Have you ever changed a baby sweetie?"
Anakin shook his head. "Nope."
"I have, my sister's children." Padme wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'll teach you."
Anakin smiled and nodded. "Ani, I've been thinking. With the doctor confirming we are having twins, I kind of feel that we should…"
Anakin and Padme miraculously speak at the same time. "Wait on telling the Jedi Order."
"Wow, we said that at the same time. I want to keep this private for a while longer if it can be helped."
"What about your family?" Anakin asks Padme.
"Our family, my love." Anakin smiles and nods in agreement. "I'd like to tell them," Padme says to Anakin.
"Me too."
"What about Obi-Wan?" Padme asks her husband.
"I think we can wait a little while longer to tell him. I kind of like the fact that no one in the Order other than me knows and…" Anakin takes a deep breath. "Truthfully, even though I returned to the Order and I'm now a Jedi Knight, I'm still torn."
"Now that I'm about to become a mother, I have to admit I'm torn too."
"Don't get me wrong, I am really happy the Jedi amended the code regarding attachment with relationships. They made the right decision, but there are still things they do that I do not agree with. Knowing I am about to become a father, I can't help but think about it. Plus, to be honest, I have not forgiven them for keeping me away from my mother all those years. I don't know if I can ever forgive them."
"Even Obi-Wan?"
"Obi-Wan and I will work things out in time. We've already made great strides in strengthening our bond while training to defeat Sidious, but for the rest of the Jedi's culture and codes I don't know."
I'm so sorry Anakin. I, I don't like their practice of taking children away from their birth parents and especially at such a young age."
"Neither do I Padme, it's not right and it's not mentally or emotionally healthy. I learned that the hard way. Children need to have a relationship with their parents and siblings. This nonsense with the Jedi taking and raising babies to grow up as obedient sedated warriors need to change. Our children will not be brought up that way."
"I agree with you. They absolutely will not. I won't allow it."
"Neither will I. Being raised by the Jedi's strict rules, it's similar to what it was like to be a slave. I even had to refer to the Jedi training me as Master. I know it's only a ranking but the similarity to slavery hasn't escaped me. The Jedi control you. You don't have a say in your life at all, you're not even allowed to love. What kind of life is that?"
"You sound like you want to resign again?"
"Honestly, I don't know. I can promise you this. There is no way in Sith's hell I am leaving you and the babies to go on some blasted mission anytime soon. The only Padawans I intend to train are our children. Don't get me wrong I will always be a Jedi. I have a very special bond with the Force and intend to teach our children how to embrace it, but I will not let anyone control my life or manipulate me ever again. I only answer to one other than myself and that's you, angel."
"We make important decisions as a team my love."
Anakin nods and smiles. "I think we are doing great," Anakin says as he takes her hand and kisses it.
"I do too. Can I ask you something?" Padme asks her husband.
"You can ask me anything."
"Do you still feel the system doesn't work? What you said that day at our picnic, "if all the people don't agree they should be made to by someone wise."
"Yeah, I remember. You said, "It sounded like a dictatorship."
"And you answered, "well if it works." Were you, were you making fun of me, or were you serious at the time?"
"Truthfully, both."
"But you, do you…"
Anakin looks deeply into her eyes and takes her face into his hands. His move takes her a little by surprise and her breath gets caught in her throat. "No, I don't feel that way anymore about power and politics. Not after getting to know the real Chancellor Palpatine aka Sidious and watching how you handle politics; it was dark and light. Honestly, I'm ashamed of myself." Anakin let her go and walked over to the end of the balcony. He gripped the stone gate and leaned his head down.
Padme walked over to him and put her hand on his shoulder. "Why are you ashamed?"
"How in Sith's hell could I allow myself to be manipulated by that bastard? He poisoned my mind. How could I come to such a callous conclusion? That it would be acceptable to force one person's political aspirations onto the masses. I never thought that way before I met Sidious. For Force sake, I was a slave, me, and mom. Here I was, my arrogant naive midi-chlorian surging self, thinking I knew what was best for everyone. I almost allowed him to destroy my life by feeding into my overblown ego and fears."
"You expect too much of yourself. Your only twenty years old Anakin. We all make mistakes when we're young."
Anakin shook his head. "I know but morally, consciously I should have known better."
"The important thing is you know now. You woke up before it was too late."
"I don't know if I would have if it wasn't for Obi-Wan."
"I know my love. You have a very strong bond. I think it meant a lot to him to serve as your best man."
"I know and I am truly grateful for it." Anakin chuckled to himself.
Padme smiled. "What is it?"
"I don't think he liked me teasing him about his attraction to Dorme."
"Do you think he will ask her out?"
Anakin smirked and shook his head. "I have no idea. Obi-Wan is so stubborn when it comes to changing his life."
"That's why you're such a good friend to him. You challenge him to not waste opportunities in his life."
Anakin extended his hand to the air. There were no rains drops hitting his hand. He lowered his hood. "Looks like there's an opportunity right now. The rain has stopped. What do you say we get out of here and enjoy the rest of the day." Anakin put his arms around Padme.
"I think that sounds wonderful my love," Padme says to Anakin and she leans in and closes the space between their lips.
Authors Notes:
I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. Here's a fun Easter egg. Dr. Polis's name is a nod to Polis Massa, the location in the Outer Rim of the Star Wars Universe where Padme gives birth. Since Anakin and Padme are such a high-profile couple, I decided that the most logical choice for an obstetrician for Padme would be for her to visit a private physician. I came up with the idea that the royal palace in Theed has a doctor on call. I also love the idea of Anakin and Padme going back to the castle. I wanted the scene to be touching but also a little awkward for Padme and especially Anakin. It was fun to write him all red-faced and embarrassed.
Again, thank you for reading this chapter, and reviews are appreciated. I should have chapter three up soon. I have written quite a lot of it.