Padme was elated for her young friends becoming parents, after getting a dose of baby cuddles, she decided to leave the family to adjust. She still had a few days of annual leave left, which she was hoping to spend with her husband. Feelings of envy clouded her, watching Ahsoka and Lux start their own family made her desire that for herself one day, only her and Anakin's circumstances were far from ideal.

Anakin was waiting eagerly for Padme to return, he was overlooking Coruscant from the balcony of her complex, leaning on the bars. He was thinking about Ahsoka, how he was concerned for her after she reached out to him through their closed bond. He was worried that she was in danger but before he could delve deeper, she shut him out again and it stung. Obi-Wan and himself were not the only one she had reached out to, Rex and Master Plo experienced a similar sensation from her, although none of them knew what was wrong, they just showed her their support and encouragement. He was irritable and wanted to share this with his wife, he needed to tell her.

Once Padme had returned, he threw himself at her and gave her a much-needed hug. She buried her head into his chest, their love emanating from them both. Anakin was first to pull away, he kissed her deeply, showing his affection for her.

"Did you have a nice time away?" He queried. Padme smiled and nodded.

"It was wonderful." She said, not trying to allude to anything of her time on Onderon.

"Where did you go?"

"To see some old friends." Padme quickly thought on her feet. She did not want to lie to him. She was not wrong technically; she did visit some old friends. "How was your mission?" He smirked.

"A success, as always." He cockily stated. She rolled her eyes at him. "There is something I need to tell you." Padme raised an eyebrow at his hint.

"And what is that?"

"Ahsoka reached out." Pretending to be shocked, she motioned for him to share. "She was in trouble, Padme. She needed me and I couldn't help her, I felt so useless." Padme knew that Ahsoka must have reconnected their bond, she saw her enter a slight mediative state during her daughter's delivery, but she did not know what for.

"I'm sure you helped her, Ani, with whatever it was she needed you for." She comforted.

"But that's the thing, she was scared and in pain and I don't even know why." He was visibly upset by this. "I wasn't the only one who felt it, Obi-Wan, Rex and Master Plo felt the shift too. None of us have any answers."

"I wouldn't worry too much." Anakin was becoming aware that Padme knew something but was not letting on.

"I need to find her. I need to know she's okay." Padme put some distance between herself and Anakin, arousing more suspicion. "Do you know where she is?" He finally cracked, Padme was startled by his question but remained silent, only worsening the situation.

"I know she's safe." She finally admitted, turning away from her husband.

"You've been to see her, haven't you?" Anakin started to feel angry, all he wanted was to see his Padawan again, to know she was safe however he was no aware that she did not feel the same way.

"She isn't ready to see you yet." Was all Padme could say, however it only upset Anakin and he channelled it into anger.

"Padme, why couldn't you tell me you were going to see her?" Resentment in his tone, Padme did not answer. "You know how much I miss her, and I don't even know where she is or if she's safe."

"I've just told you that she's safe, Anakin." She fired back.

"Tell me where she is." He demanded.

"No."

"I'm going to find her." Anakin stormed passed her and charged for the door.

"She doesn't want to see you. I know you miss her and are concerned for her, Anakin but please, just take my word that she is safe, and she will reach out when she is ready." Padme pleaded; Anakin paused. As much as he selfishly needed to see Ahsoka again, Padme was right, he needed to respect Ahsoka's decision and wait patiently for her to be ready. He sighed. Padme walked over to him and grabbed his hand, offering comfort. Anakin was clearly hurting and confused, but he needed to drop it for now.

"I just miss her so much, Padme. Why won't she reach out to me?" Padme wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I know, Ani. She will in time."

*'*'

Mina was perfect to Lux and Ahsoka in every way. She was the image of Ahsoka, although her skin was a few shades lighter. When she opened her eyes for the first time, they noticed the shade of blue matched Ahsoka's. the only thing she seemed to inherit from Lux was her hair, the brown strands crowned her head perfectly. Mina was the seamless mix of her parents.

She was now a few weeks old, and the couple were adjusting quite easily to becoming parents. They expected the sleepless nights, but they found it relatively simple, they took it in turns to tend to their daughter, Ahsoka taking the lead with feeds. Lux had gotten Mina into a steady routine each day and night, she napped several times a day and she rarely missed one. Ahsoka had recovered well from the birth, she healed rather quickly and was back on her feet the next day although she was still sore. Her baby weight was still present, and she was determined to get back to her fit physique once she had fully healed, it didn't bother her, but she was just used to being the peak of physical fitness.

Lux had fallen asleep with Mina curled up on his bare chest, he had read up on skin-to-skin contact with little ones and saw it had great benefits comforting them when they were upset. Mina had woken from a nap, wailing and he often did this to help comfort her back to sleep. It was extremely valuable for bonding with his daughter. Unlike Ahsoka, who had an instant bond with their daughter, Lux had to use different methods to bond with her. Ahsoka and Mina had already developed a strong connection to each other, and Lux was in awe of their relationship, he adored watching his lover with their child. Mina knew who her father was but would calm easier in Ahsoka's presence.

Ahsoka was clearing away Mina's toys when she caught sight of Lux in the nursery with Mina, the two were asleep in a rocking chair tucked in the corner. She loved seeing Lux with their child and was forever grateful that her family was now her new purpose in life. Being a mother was something she never thought she'd experience with being part of the Order, since the Code forbade Jedi to form attachments. Mina stirred from her slumber and started to fuss; it was time for another feed. Ahsoka gently scooped her from Lux's grip. Mina latched on easily, right from the moment she was born it came easy to her. This was another aspect of motherhood that changed for her, Ahsoka's body changed in many wonderful ways since the arrival of Mina. Throughout her pregnancy, her body transformed. Her hearing was more tuned, which came in handy when Mina would wake up and her instincts had changed too. Ahsoka always knew what her child needed; the Force helped her in truth but that scared her.

Ahsoka tested her daughter's ability with the Force, and she already knew she harnessed the power, in which she had mixed feelings about. She was proud that she could pass on the gift to her and teach her how to use it one day, but there was a voice in the back of her head that told her to worry. Lux knew this as well, he was proud that Ahsoka could pass on this gift to their daughter however, he too was apprehensive of her possessing it. They had often discussed this throughout the pregnancy and they both agreed that she must be hidden from the Jedi, to shield her from the life Ahsoka had.

As Ahsoka was feeding Mina, she left Lux to sleep in the rocking chair letting him catch up from his exhaustion. He had been away from the Senate this whole time, and he soon needed to return. Before Padme left Onderon, she promised to fill in for Lux during his absence, so he had time to spend with his family, but that time was nearly up. She had mixed feeling of Lux returning to work, wanting to keep him with her and Mina would mean the world to her however, Ahsoka needed answers to what the Force was telling her. The encounter with The Daughter still weighed heavy on her mind, she told her that she needed to go to Lothal to find the answers. Ahsoka has had little time to research Lothal further since Mina was born and this was the first opportunity she had to do it.

Mina had finished her feed, and Ahsoka knew she would have a nap again shortly. She gently brough Mina up over her chest and began patting her back to burp her, she was a little fussy, but Ahsoka knew what to do.

"Shh, it's okay, baby." She cooed softly; Mina babbled before she burped. "Good girl." Ahsoka smiled, as she swaddled her to her chest using a stretchy fabric. She ensured Mina was strapped to her tightly. The baby's eyes fluttered shut and she began to snooze against her mother's frame. Ahsoka took that as her cue to begin reading up on Lothal on the Holonet.

She found little from the Holonet, all she found out was that it was an Outer Rim system that has avoided the Clone War so far. Little to nothing was available about the Force and it frustrated her. She felt as if she was searching for a needle in a haystack, there were no clues for her to follow to make sense of this puzzle. Her eyes were strained from staring at the screen, rubbing them she did not realise Lux had joined her. Slightly startled, he soothed her with a kiss in the dip of her lekku.

"Lothal?" He asked, Ahsoka nodded.

"Do you know anything about it?" Lux shook his head.

"No, not really. Although I know the people have been petitioning for the senate to intervene in their economic crisis, but other than that I don't know much." Ahsoka rested her chin on her knuckle as Lux hovered over her. "Is this the place from the nightmares?" Ahsoka had told Lux of her encounter with the Mortis ghost, and he encouraged her to find delve deeper.

"The Daughter told me about this planet, but I have no clue why. There are no ties to the Force at all." Lux pursed his lips; it made no sense to him either.

"Could you contact any Jedi for help?" Lux already knew what her answer would be.

"No, I won't do that." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm going to Lothal, I need to." Lux did not like where this was going.

"I won't stop you, Ahsoka but, I don't think it'll be safe." He was worried for her welfare and Mina's. Lux knew she would go regardless but, he didn't want Mina to go with her. If anything were to happen to them both and he wasn't there to protect them he could never live with himself. Ahsoka could always look after herself and Mina, there was no doubt in his mind about that however, there was always a risk to them both.

"I'll be fine, love." She assured him, standing up to face him she kissed his cheek. "Mina and I will be safe." Lux eased slightly but still did not feel comfortable with her choice. He kissed her on the lips.

"I know you will be, but I am allowed to worry about my family." His anxiety came from a good place. Since the death of his parents, Lux struggled to not blame himself. He couldn't save his father or mother and it haunted him, if he were to lose his new family then it would truly destroy him, they were his life. He pulled her into an embrace, careful not to disturb the sleeping infant.

"I love you, Ahsoka."

"I love you too."

*'*'

The time finally came for Lux to return to the senate. Both Ahsoka and Lux were dreading this day, the last month was wonderful for them both as they became parents but, duty calls especially in war time. Lux felt guilty leaving and had debated asking Ahsoka to come back to Coruscant with him but thought against it, he simply would not let her go back there if she didn't want to. He did consider her staying with Padme short term, until they found a place of their own however, she would not want to, and he wasn't going to force her.

The two stood on the platform of the Palace, caught in an embrace, neither one of them wanting to let go. Saw was watching Mina while the couple said their goodbyes, he warmed up to their daughter in the following weeks, earning himself the nickname Uncle Saw, which he was not hesitant to enjoy. Lux had a tearful farewell with his daughter moments prior, he hated leaving her. Nothing could have prepared him for how difficult going back would be, even if he knew he was going to be back rather soon. Ahsoka was more upset than what she was letting on, once being a Jedi allowed her to conceal her emotions easier. She fought back tears as she watched Lux embark on his ship, returning to a place that caused her immense pain.

"I'll be home soon." He promised her as he left, words she would hold on to. Lux would contact her frequently upon his departure, anxious to see his family. Now that he was gone, Ahsoka found it to be the ideal time to meditate, hoping to see The Daughter again. Over the last month, she had not seen Morai, at all and she was becoming desperate to find out more about Lothal and her nightmares. They persisted, Ahsoka hoped they would go away once she gave birth, but they did not. The nightmares only added to her sleepless nights, she would awake and hear Mina crying which made her feel that her daughter knew of her dreams. It was more than a coincidence. Without fail every time Ahsoka had the dream, Mina would wail, and it would be near impossible to sooth her, she never wanted feeding and she never needed to be changed, she just wanted her mother. Now that Mina was affected by the premonition, she knew she had to do something.

The Palace Gardens were still the ideal place for Ahsoka to meditate. It was calm and peaceful, and she would not be disturbed. She sat cross legged and focused her mind, determined to reach out to the Force. It didn't take long to reach the dream like state, she searched for her old friend and would not give up until she had seen her. She could feel her presence and soon The Daughter would appear.

"Hello." The ghost sang.

"You told me to go to Lothal but I have no clue what I am looking for. I can't make sense of The World Between Worlds, I have no idea how to get there." Ahsoka jumped straight into interrogating her.

"Deep within Lothal, there is an ancient temple, all the answers lie there." The Daughter spoke.

"Why can't I find anything about this temple. The Jedi have never mentioned it."

"Go and you will uncover the gateway." She was speaking in riddles and Ahsoka was becoming impatient.

"But how do I get there?" She snapped.

"Go to the southern hemisphere, the temple lies within that region. Go and all shall be revealed. Let the Force guide you" With that, she vanished again. Leaving Ahsoka satisfied, she knew what to do. Ahsoka was going to Lothal.