Chapter 26 - The Twins Drop a Bomb!
Anakin looked down at his work. He had been teaching several courses at the community center that Padme ran, and since today was technically a day off, he had to work on his lesson plans for the upcoming weeks. First there were his Intro to Mechanics and his Advanced Mechanics classes. Those were his favorites. Then there was his piloting class, though there wasn't really much to prepare for it. Mostly he just sat in the co-pilot seat with a learner pilot, holding on for dear life, and afterward offered what pointers he could. He was starting to understand why Obi-Wan got so white at the prospect of flying. Though Anakin didn't want to admit he was ever as bad as some of his students. Then there were his Jedi classes. Anakin was teaching a class in saber skills to the nine to ten year old younglings, and a basic healthy attachments course to the preteens.
The last of these he actually taught alongside Jedi Healer Nema. It was usual to teach younglings about things at that age, but with their allowing attachments, some of the others were concerned the usual education was not enough. So Anakin was begrudgingly recruited, and he handled the emotional and behavioral side while Healer Nema handled the usual things. Anakin found it easier than he'd expected to teach that class. He used some of the same skills he'd developed training Ahsoka to mentor the Younglings.
And that wasn't it. He was forgetting something, but what was it? Anakin scratched his head as he went over his papers. 'Oh that's it.' Padme had also asked him to start teaching a basic self defense class. Recently there had been some outbreaks of violence in the city areas. It seemed the Hutts were up to something, and it was attracting a number of shady characters. Most of his students were locals. Farm boys and girls who had no experience fighting or defending themselves. He intended to teach some of the Jedi hand to hand techniques. He also planned to teach them how to build a Silicartha spray canister. Since most of his students lived in a farming community, he figured they would have no trouble getting their hands on the common Sand-borer poison.
Anakin looked up at the clock. It was almost noon. 'Luke and Leia should be coming home soon,' he thought. Now that they were five, his twins were spending almost a half day in classes at the center. Anakin sighed. There were some days when it was a relief, being able to send his children away and spend some alone time with his very busy wife, or work on a special project of his. But most of the time Anakin missed the days when he had all day to play with his little rug-nunas. He still had Leo for most of the day, but at two and a half, even he had a class a couple times a week with the youngest Jedi.
"Daddy, daddy, there here!" Leo called out from the window.
Anakin dropped what he was doing and ran to greet his kids. He collapsed on his knees and gave them a big hug as they walked through the door. Padme walked in next and placed her bag on the counter. After sending the kids off to put away their school bags, he turned to his wife. "And how was your day today?"
"It was fine." Padme shrugged, and Anakin noticed the brief tightness in her shoulders. The only show that leaked her stress. His politician wife was usually very good at keeping it from showing, so whatever was upsetting her, he knew must be rough.
"What is it?" he asked as he walked over to massage her shoulders.
Padme let out a big sigh. "Some Hutts have called in a false claim about our center. They're claiming several breaks to the code, and improper procedures."
"E chu ta!" Anakin cursed. Padme looked down quickly to make sure the kids hadn't heard, then gave him a cold glare. "Those Koochu Kung! I oughta go down there and... "
"You will do no such thing." Padme ordered. "I will handle this the proper way. Let them make their inspections. They're not gonna find anything. You just watch your language!"
"I'm sorry," Anakin breathed. They both remembered what happened when Leia learned her first curse word, and neither wanted to repeat the experience.
"Besides, it wasn't a completely bad day. I did see Satine earlier. She and Obi-Wan are coming over for dinner tonight."
Satine had visited Obi-Wan several times over the last year. Though each time she'd only stay for a few days, Anakin saw the effect it had on Obi-Wan. Of course he continued to refuse Anakin's suggestions that they let him babysit and take a holiday together, but he was wearing Obi-Wan down. Anakin just knew it.
"That sounds great," Anakin responded. "What can I do to help?"
"I have to make dinner, and the kids need to pick up their toys." She glanced up at Anakin, and saw his still rigid posture, and his distant eyes. "You know what. I'll get '3PO to help me. You can go take a walk and clear your head." Padme practically pushed Anakin out the door.
Padme knew the Hutts were always a sour subject for her husband. Those Hutt kung had bought and sold him and his mother like Banthas. She didn't have much respect for them either. Infact, it was one of the reasons she did what she did. Running the Center, she was able to put a thorn in their gigantuous backsides, and keep future slaves out of the debtors pool. She was just thankful that she and Anakin lived where they did. Their small community was mostly farmers, and none of which owned any slaves. She doubted her husband could look at that every day and not do something reckless.
As Anakin walked, he tried to clear his head. Before long he noticed he had walked all the way to the Lars's homestead. He decided to stop in and see his brother Owen. Maybe he'd even get to hold little Mace-Ti.
Mace-Ti sure had grown since coming to the Lars's. That boy sure was lucky. He had as many Aunts and Uncles as there were Jedi, and they all loved to spoil him. Anakin included. Not to mention, he had two of the very best parents who loved him more than life itself. They made a beautiful family.
That evening, by the time Obi-Wan and Satine arrived, Padme had the house cleaned, the kids dressed up, and a deliciously smelling dinner prepared. Sometimes Anakin thought his wife must be magical.
When Padme opened the door and greeted their guests, Anakin stood back a moment and blinked at the sight. Obi-Wan had a smile and Anakin could tell through their bond, as well as the emotions leaking off him in the Force, he was full of hope and happiness. It was his usual mood whenever Satine visited. But it was Satine that made Anakin blink a little bit. She felt very bright today in the Force. Such brightness could have a number of causes, some of which left Anakin slightly embarrassed at the thought of.
Anakin didn't want to pry, so after giving his greeting, he looked away, shifting his attention down to Ella-Reese instead. "Hi Ella."
"Reese!" The little girl put her hands on her hips and corrected him.
Anakin laughed. "Hi Ella-Reese. How are you today?"
"Hi Uncle Ani, Mommy got me a dwess and we payed in the pawk and eated ice-cweam. It was fun."
"Oh, after eating so much ice cream I hope you're hungry for supper. It sure smells good doesn't it."
"Mmm. Yes it does."
"Alright, Ella Reese, Why don't you go join the kids in the lounge." Padme said, and the little girl ran off to find her playmates.
Anakin stood up and followed the others. Before they got too far, Obi-Wan leaned over and spoke to Anakin, "Just thought you should know, Masters Kirak and Coleman both say they have another set of requests to put through to the council. Our next meeting is going to be a long one."
"When is it ever not?" Anakin quipped.
When Anakin had his last vision, before Maris died, Yoda decided to remerge the clans. Attachment was allowed for all Jedi, and an amendment to the code was put together based on the system Anakin and Obi-Wan used in their own clan. The others had just one alteration they insisted on. The Jedi council had to approve all serious Jedi attachments above a casual friend level.
This meant that every meeting the council had a set of couples to question about their intentions, announcements on new babies to bless, and adoptions to approve. In addition, the council members were also acting as relationship counselors.
And since Anakin was the one member of the council who was actually married, his opinion was frequently requested on such things. But Anakin didn't mind though. At least it meant his fellow Jedi didn't need to hide or deny their attachments any longer. Of course he did try to suggest, in the most subtlest ways of course, that Master Yoda could find a partner and gain some valuable experience of his own, but the nearly nine-hundred year old Jedi was set in his ways. Still, Anakin wasn't the type to give up.
"Padme's hosting a crafters night at the center. Do you think we could persuade Yoda to attend?" Anakin asked.
"Not if he thinks you've suggested it," Obi-Wan answered, with 'I know what you're up to,' written all over his face.
Later that evening they had the kids all seated around the table and Padme brought out her dinner. She served roasted dewback with a Pallie fruit glaze, and an Eopie Cream Pie for dessert.
During the meal Padme looked up and noticed her two silent twins, eyeing each other with subtle eye movements this way and that. She knew they were having another twin-bond conversation. "Luke, Leia, don't be rude to our guests," Padme corrected. There was a time and a place for such things, and she had been trying to instill a sense of manners in her young ones.
"Yes, I'm sure we would all love to hear whatever it is you two are discussing," Anakin added.
Luke looked over at the adults and said, "We were just wondering, when Auntie Satine has the baby, will it come here to live with Uncle Ben, like Ella-Reese?"
"Or will the baby stay with Auntie Satine on Cheravh?" Leia finished.
Anakin's eyes went wide. Padme was having a coughing fit across the table. He looked at Satine and for the first time that night, really studied her Force-signature. Indeed, his little ones were right. She was extra bright because she carried not just her own, but a second, growing signature. He then looked at Obi-Wan who had the same shocked gaze on his own face. Satine was looking him in the eye. She gave him a quiet nod and he started to breathe again.
Satine and Obi-Wan both got up and walked into the next room. Though they kept their voices low, their body language was very loud as they seemed to argue.
"Did I say something wrong?" Luke asked.
"No, just eat your food," Padme said.
"But are they going to answer our question?" Leia protested.
"I don't think they know how to yet." Anakin looked over to see Satine and Obi-Wan hugging. Tears were in both of their eyes. "Then again…"
A few minutes later Obi-Wan walked Satine back into the room. They were both smiling and rubbing tears off their faces.
"I suppose it's a little late to make an announcement, but we are having another baby," Satine said. Then she turned to Luke and Leia. "And we will both be staying here, with your uncle Ben and Ella-Reese."
"Yay!" The girl in question threw her hands up and cheered. Across the room Obi-Wan beamed with joy.
"Congratulations," Anakin patted his former master's back. The kids had all finished their dessert and were running and playing a game of some sort. Padme and Satine were having their own conversation in the other room. "Sorry about that bomb-drop."
Obi-Wan laughed. "Skywalkers, what do I expect?"
Anakin laughed. "And to think, all those times when I'd offer to babysit, and you'd insist it wasn't that kind of visit."
"The little one does take naps, you know." Obi-Wan shrugged.
"Still, next time you insist that your life is boring and nothing's going on, I won't believe you," Anakin replied. Obi-Wan's only response was a raised eyebrow.
Hi Everyone,
I started this chapter intending it to be a bridge for the time jump. Just kinda reflections on what's happened, but then decided my idea for Obi-Wan and Satine was too good to skip over like that. I didn't exactly plan to give them another child. It just kind of felt right. The stats have been low on both my fanfics, so I definitely can use the positive reinforcement reading your comments/reviews provides.
Next chapter I may not need to jump too far… spoilers… It seems I've started something here.
