The force flowed around Anakin, a gentle current soothing his pain as he moved slowly, every step an excruciating reminder of his recent prosthetics attachment and his skin burns. The injuries rendered his movements laboured and painful, but the force provided a measure of relief, softening the agony, and lending him strength to press on.
As Anakin embarked on his journey, leaving Coruscant behind, a faint sensation brushed against his senses. The presence of the Jedi, once thought extinguished, lingered faintly in the currents of the Force. Anakin dismissed it, attributing the sensation to possible survivors of the purge, unaware of the force's immense intervention.
Simultaneously, on Tatooine, Obi-Wan Kenobi remained in the solitude of his dwelling, silently watching the holovid transmission. His gaze fixated on the holographic image of Padme, her once lifeless form now miraculously revived. The sight left him in a state of bewildered wonderment.
As the holovid flickered and Padme's return to life was broadcasted from a different angle, Obi-Wan's composure faltered, a mix of shock and disbelief coursing through him. He had witnessed the impossible: Padme emerging from the clutches of death itself. He forces himself to calm down, stand up and walk to his starfighter.
He had to reach Padme before Vader does.
He was about to reach his ship when Qui-Gon appears in front of him.
-"Where are you going?"
-"Isn't it obvious? Vader is going after Padme. I must get to her."
-"Did the force revealed that to you?" Qui-Gon asked.
Obi Wan stopped walking.
-"…No…"
-"So how do you know?"
-"Come on master! He tried to kill her before…"
-"Vader did and he is gone."
-"Not that again Master! I need to go."
Obi Wan past by Qui-Gon, get in his cockpit and tries to start the engines. But they refuse to start. Obi Wan with a heavy sigh looked at Qui Gon who wears a small smile.
Anakin's heart raced as he reaches Naboo, the hazy memories of his moments here with Padme mingling with anticipation. He veiled himself in the force as to not be recognized in the city and in the hospital.
When he reaches Padme room, he cannot help but froze on the doorstep. Padme lay unmoving.
He basks a few moments in her beauty.
Then, he enters, encased in the dark armour of Vader, his breathing the only sound breaking the silence.
He stands by her bedside, an array of emotions coursing through him.
Padme stirred, her eyes fluttering open, her gaze meeting Vader's mask. In that moment, despite the cold and unforgiving armour, Padme recognized the man she once knew. She saw Anakin, the man she had loved and still loves.
She didn't know how but she knew it was him.
Her voice trembled as she spoke, a mixture of disbelief and hope.
Padme: "Anakin… is that really you?"
Unable to reply, Anakin merely nodded. He felt the weight of his actions, the pain of their separation, and the hope of their reunion. Remorse and regrets lingered still, yet in Padme's presence, they were fleeting.
Padme: Oh Ani… Padme started saying but he cut her off.
Anakin: Padme…I…I am so sorry…
Padme: Oh Ani, I never gave up hope. I knew you could come back. I love you.
Anakin breathed more then heard the words. Those 3 words he thought he would never hear again.
With them, he surrendered to the force like he never did before. He felt like he was back home after a long journey.
Anakin: You have no idea how much those words mean to me. After everything I have done, you still…
Anakin almost fell and Padme rise to try to catch but, she only succeeds in guiding him to seat on the bed next to her.
Anakin: I love you more than anything he tells her sobbing.
Padme tries to hug him, but he recoils in pain. She wonders why the mask and pain but ultimately chooses instead to hold his prosthetics hand.
Padme: Ani, what happened to you? You're injured… I don't understand.
Anakin: It's a consequence of… of the path I took. I have to live with it now.
Anakin still reeling from the fact that she still loved him, couldn't answer immediately. After a moment to gather himself, he said:
Padme: But there must be something we can do to help you, Ani. You're suffering.
Anakin: I've done so much wrong, Padme. It's a pain I deserve to bear. There's no going back.
Padme: No, Ani. There's always hope, always a chance to make things right.
Anakin hesitated, grappling with the weight of his injuries and the anguish they caused.
Anakin: (voice breaking) I don't deserve your forgiveness, Padme. I don't deserve your love after what I've done.
Padme: Ani, listen to me. Your past doesn't define you. You're still the same person I fell in love with. We can overcome this together.
Anakin felt a sense of overwhelming emotion. The sincerity in Padme's words pierced through the layers of guilt he'd been carrying for so long.
Anakin: (whispers) Thank you, Angel… thank you for still loving me…
Padme: Tell me what happened to you…please.
Anakin: I will tell you later Angel. But please tell me where is our baby?
Padme eyes welled with tears at those words and Anakin heart starting sinking.
Padme: I don't know Ani. I know I gave birth to Leia and Luke…Obi Wan was there…maybe he knows…
Anakin felt relieved instantly then, he realizes what she said:
Anakin: Leia …and…Luke…?
Padme smiles with her tears.
Padme: Yes Ani. We have a son and a daughter. 2 babies…twins…We were both right. She laughs at that.
Anakin is awed and starting to realize how much of a fool he had been. If the force hadn't intervened …
They moved to embrace each other, but the agony searing through Anakin's injuries beneath the suit made it unbearable. He winced, unable to hold her as he wished. The suit, a grim reminder of his past, now an obstacle between them.
Meanwhile, on Naboo's outskirts, Obi-Wan Kenobi hurried, feeling the pull in the Force guiding him toward Padme's location.
Qui-Gon Jinn's words echoed in his mind, yet Obi-Wan's scepticism clouded his judgment. He remained steadfast in his belief that Vader's darkness persisted.
Arriving at the hospital, Obi-Wan sensed a profound change in the Force, a cascade of energies engulfing the place. As he reached Padme's room, he glimpsed the surreal sight of Vader and Padme in an emotional exchange. His heart ached, torn between doubt and hope.
Qui-Gon's insistence and the undeniable change in the Force tugged at the edges of his scepticism.
Obi-Wan: (murmuring to himself) Anakin… can it be? What have I been blind to?
Qui-Gon stepped closer to Obi-Wan, a glimmer of hope in his eyes, attempting to sway Obi-Wan's rigid belief.
Qui-Gon: Obi-Wan, the Force has granted us a chance, a chance for redemption, for forgiveness. Anakin needs our help, not our mistrust.
Obi-Wan: (struggling) I've seen too much darkness in him, Qui-Gon. Too much pain and destruction.
Qui-Gon: (earnestly) Darkness can be dispelled by light, my friend. Padme and Anakin deserve that light.
Qui-Gon: Obi Wan, Anakin is back. You must believe me. I would not put Padme in danger or lie to you. The force will not for that matter.
Obi-Wan wanted to believe but memories of the slaughter at the temple and his fight on Mustaphar made his doubts unyielding.
Obi-Wan's heart wavered, the stark realization of the possibility that Anakin might have returned to the light both humbled and frightened him. He stood, grappling with his inner turmoil, his convictions wavering against the stirring winds of hope and doubt.