Laurel 2011
As she said…."Anakin, we have to talk."…..
"Whatever you want, Darling."
"Only my mother calls me that."
"And only my mother called me Ani."
"Touche, Anakin." she smiles "...now you have disarmed me."
"So bad? Did you want to shoot me down?"
"As well as. You've been flirting with Sabé the whole time."
"WHAT !? For God's sake Padmé, what makes you think that? She was our guest, I was just friendly to her, she's your best friend, so our friend."
"You kissed her and groped her."
"Friends greet each other with a kiss and I didn't touch her, she needed comfort, I just….oh my god !" I don't know at all why I justify myself when, as a doctor, I know exactly where your jealousy comes from..."
"So, and where-does-it-come-from?"
"Padmé, you are pregnant, you have strong hormonal fluctuations that affect your mood, that is normal, as is the fact that you find yourself ugly and doubt yourself. Padmé, I love you, only you and for me you are the most beautiful woman in the entire universe, I don't want anyone else. You are my wife who carries my children and there is nothing that could make me happier than that."
"Oh Ani, I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me."
"But I know, I just told you. Come on, go upstairs, I'll clean up and then I'll follow. Maybe I can brighten your mood in one way or another." He winked.
"I don't know…"
"If not, that's OK, then I can kiss my children and talk to them."
"I love you Ani." She said and left.
That night they had sex. He was careful and tender as always. She enjoyed this after the most, lots of caresses and kisses.
The whole month of May passed quietly. Anakin worked, came home late in the afternoon, if he was at the gym he came later, then they ate together and she told him what she had done during the day. He didn't talk about his work, understandably, he wasn't allowed to, well, not about the patients.
On Saturdays, Anakin took care of the painting work in the children's room. He had never done anything like this before, so he called Ben and asked for help. It wasn't that he couldn't do it at all, he didn't want to break off the contact with Ben now that he was married. Padmé liked the idea and always cooked something good, even though she was already moving around and everything was difficult for her. The furniture finally arrived before the last weekend in May. Ben was there again to help put the furniture together.
On Sundays after breakfast, they would Skype with Cliegg in London or Edinburgh, wherever he was. Afterwards she always called her parents and then Sola, that was always the same procedure. She didn't tell anyone what she saw on May Day; only Anakin and Sabé knew that. Padmé slowly calmed down and concentrated on what was ahead of her and that was supposed to be pleasant and beautiful, her babies.
Baltimore 2011
The penultimate check-up should take place at the end of May. Anakin took her to the clinic that morning to see Dr. Meet Wilson, a colleague who is supposed to represent him as a doctor at the birth. Anakin wanted to be there as father, not as the doctor but he could intervene if anything went wrong, after all he was a senior doctor. Anakin told Dr. Wilson is supposed to do the exam, he just stood there and watched. Dr. Wilson was about Anakin's age, very nice and, above all, competent. Anakin knew who he could trust with his wife and children. After the examination, he drove Padmé home himself. He wanted to come back later.
On the way to Laurel 2011
On the way home he told her what the Porsche dealer said. "Padmé, the delivery times for the Porsche Cayenne are six months, we can't wait that long."
"I don't want a Toyota, just so you know!" she said almost angrily.
"OK. , I have understood. There is still a possibility. They have a Porsche Cayenne as a demonstration car with only two thousand miles. Can you imagine something like that."
"Color?"
"Black."
"Absolutely perfect, yes buy it….but see first."
"Then we've done almost everything. Is there anything else on our agenda?"
"Yes, the curtains for the children's room and then they can come. I'm so happy Ani."
"Me too. You and me and our children. When I think that just eight months ago, I was alone, somehow without a fixed point in life... and now I have the wife that I love, soon I'll be a father... I'm happy with you, Padmé."
"And I used to live by the principle of inertia and didn't think about it much, but with you everything changed. I'm happy too, Ani, happy with you, and when our children come... yes, I know it won't be easy, but only then will life be complete."
Anakin took her left hand and kissed it. He took her home, helped her in and up the stairs. "Lie down and rest, when I get back, I'll make us something to eat…."
"No, I'm going to make a little something...maybe something sweet, huh? Curd cheese crepes?"
"Sounds good, but tomorrow night I'll be at the gym twice as long."
"Stop being perfect."
"I thought you liked me to be perfect."
"No longer. Look at me, I look like a dumpster."
"Padmé, please. This is what every pregnant woman looks like, this is a temporary state, I love your pregnancy and your looks, you are beautiful." He kissed her and left.
Laurel 2011
That afternoon Padmé was looking for the curtains for the children's room. She knew what she wanted and called a local specialty store to see if someone could come and measure it. She made an appointment for the next day.
The next day someone from the service came, took the measurements, and promised to bring and install the curtain in three days...and that's what it was. The children's room was now finished and ready for the new residents.
On Friday evening, the expectant parents stood at the door and looked at what they had done in the last month. They were satisfied.
The walls were painted light yellow, and melon-sized gold, pink and blue dots were painted on the wall where two little beds stood. One baby bed was covered with pink bed linen, the other bed with light blue bed linen. On the other side of the room there was a changing table and a cupboard, and between two windows there was a chest of drawers. All furniture was white. The carpet was a light yellow, like the walls, and had a border of pink and blue dots all around. The curtains were white with ruffles. A small crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. At the last moment, Padme decided to order a rocking chair, more like an armchair. This one was light blue.
"You have good taste, Angel."
"Without you and Ben...I don't know what use my good taste would be."
The days went by, Padmé could do less and less, her stomach was huge and her back hurt like hell. Anakin was frustrated at not being able to help her. It was all normal, he knew that. Pregnancy hormones make the cartilage, tendons and ligaments of the pelvic bones softer than usual. These physical changes, which are used to prepare for birth, can lead to back pain during pregnancy. The pain is also triggered or aggravated by physical stress; her stomach was large, she was carrying twins. She wasn't actually complaining, but he could see that she was struggling. She also couldn't do any shopping herself, even though her new Porsche Cayenne was in the garage. She was so excited about her new toy, but she couldn't drive because her stomach was getting in the way again.
It was almost mid-June, on the second Thursday, he drove to Washington D.C. to Tiffany and bought two little hearts. Even though she said that her birthday won't be celebrated because she can't even sit, he hasn't forgotten it and she should get a little something. He chose white gold hoop earrings with diamonds.
"You're pretty late today. Are you in Washington D.C.? been…somewhere…New York Avenue….long delayed, Ani? Let me see…please."
"I'm so easy to read, right." He pulled the Tiffany box out of his jacket pocket and opened it. "Happy final month, Angel."
"Two hearts…hearts of our babies. It's so sweet Ani, thank you."
"…..aaaand, happy birthday, my Angel."
He opened the second box and Padmé almost screamed.
"Oh Ani! They're amazing, I've always wanted something like that."
"Hmm, maybe I can read your mind." He laughed.
She reached up to kiss him and then suddenly she felt something warm running down her legs and quite a bit.
"Oh my God…Ani…Ani ! It's the amniotic fluid, Ani help me, what should I do?"
Completely collected, like a doctor and without panic, he kissed her to calm her down. "Go easy, Angel, don't worry. "I'll wipe everything up first and then I'll get your bag and we'll go to the clinic."
"I have to at least wash myself, I'm all wet."
"OK. Do you want to go upstairs?"
"No, I'll do it down here, just bring me clean clothes and another dress, please."
He wiped the area where she had lost the amniotic fluid, went upstairs and brought everything she asked for, took her into the washroom, put her in the small shower and rinsed her off. He dried her off and helped her get dressed. Once that was all done, they got in the SUV and drove to Baltimore. It was already evening. Anakin called Dr. Wilson called and told him to meet her at the clinic.
Baltimore 2011
Padmé was almost in a panic, she knew the babies were premature, just like Anakin told her.
"Ani, they're too early, I'm worried, I…."
"Padmé, if it says fifty percent of the time, then it's pretty normal. Please don't panic, everything will be okay, I'm here, with you and for you. You go to bed now and we'll wait and see what happens next."
"But I'm not in labor yet…OW! I think they are there now too. Don't leave me Ani. I can't get through this without you."
"I'll stay with you, Angel."
He picked up his iPhone and called Dr. Wilson.
*Hi Chris, are you there yet? We just went into labor.*
*Hi boss, I have just arrived and am about to go...where are you?*
*Room 509.*
*I need five minutes.*
After a few minutes, Dr. Wilson was there, in a good mood and making jokes.
"Hello Mrs. Skywalker, how often do contractions come?"
She wondered why he didn't address her as Lady Skywalker, not that she missed it. She thought she'll ask Anakin. "Every ten minutes."
"OK. "We still have a bit of time… and the water has already burst?"
"Yes."
"Okay, then I'll leave you with Dr. Skywalker alone for a moment, but I'll be back... and you boss, how do you feel as a pregnant patient and not as a gynecologist here?" he laughed.
"Uh… different." Then they all laughed. He went.
Padmé felt another contraction, quite strong, and cried out.
"That bad Angel?"
"Oh yeah. …and if this continues like this and gets worse, I won't be able to do it, Ani."
"Of course, you do, I'm here, squeeze my hand and it will get easier."
"I'll break your bones."
"I will endure anything for you."
"Tell me Ani, why did Dr. Wilson not addressed as Lady Skywalker, not that I'd miss it, I'm just wondering?"
"I never told anyone I was Lord Anakin Skywalker, only Dr. Anakin Skywalker."
"Humble my Lord?"
"It has no relevance here."
Her contractions came at ever shorter intervals. After half an hour Dr. Wilson and asked again about the intervals at which contractions occur. They now came every two minutes.
"Then we will push you into the delivery room, Mrs. Skywalker."
Everything was already prepared in the delivery room, a nurse, a midwife, Dr. Wilson were there, even Anakin was disinfected and was wearing a blue coat.
"So as a doctor…..AUAAAA"
"No, it's regulation."
Anakin stayed with her, holding her hand, kissing her forehead and stroking her hair. It took…three hours. Dr. Wilson looked at his boss and said, "Ten centimetres."
"So, Angel, now you have to push and breathe as briefly as we learned in preparation." She pushed and pushed but you can't get the babies out that quickly, she screamed the whole time. A gynecologist knows how this happens, but it was his wife, his Angel, who was suffering so much. She keeps screaming between contractions. "Aniiii, I'm falling apart….."
"A little more Angel, we can see the head."
The midwife used her fingers to expand the opening, but it still wasn't enough. She shook her head.
"Boss, we're going to have to cut or it's going to tear."
"Angel, should I make the decision for you?"
"Yes, but the best decision for our children."
"OK. Chris, please cut."
"I don't want a caesarean section!"
"No, there will be an episiotomy."
"Left or right boss?"
"Your decision, Chris."
"Mediolateral, left."
"Exactly."
Padme felt a strong pain from the cut but almost at the same time as the baby slipped out. Dr. Wilson cut the umbilical cord and the baby cried out.
"Congratulations, it's a boy."
Best regards from Germany