The big penthouse door opened even before Padmé rang the bell.
"Hey sis!" Sola called and hugged Padme tightly. "Anakin, come on, get a hug." And kissed him twice.
At that moment, Jobal walked into the large entrance area with Ruwee in tow.
"Months have passed again, can't you come more often?"
"We come as often as we can. My Anakin has his dissertation to finish."
"Why are you making it so difficult, you really want to be famous." Ruwee teased again."
"Oh yes, the next Mars mission will be named Skywalker."
"I don't doubt that. My little girl will definitely be proud of you when you graduate."
"I hope so. I have all the support I need to get there, my Padmé." Anakin was beginning to enjoy this rivalry.
Jobal noticed the tension in the conversation between the two and interrupted.
"Good ! So tell me how it was in Washington D.C. . We just read the headlines. This boulevar press….impossible."
"Honestly, they got it right."
"Really?"
And then Padmé told everything about Dormé, her professional career, all the money she has and then about Sabé and about twins Rex and Cody, about Ben and Satine. Well, her parents knew them all.
"You gossip Padme."
"No Anakin, this is not gossip, this is just sharing information." Sola pointed out. "Go on, Padme."
She told and told...
"You were the highlight of the wedding party, some reporters claimed you outshone the bride. There are many photos of you on the internet." Ruwee was proud of his beautiful daughter.
"Yes, the most beautiful woman in the whole world and I'm the lucky one to have her."
"Next to a man like you Ani, I always have to be in top style to keep up." She leaned towards Anakin for a kiss. So submissive, thought Ruwee, he didn't like that.
When she had told everything, she said now was the right time. "And now the big news..." everyone widened their eyes curiously. "...we're expecting a baby."
"Oh my God ! Yes, I'm so happy, dear." Jobal stood up and hugged her daughter, Sola did the same and Ruwee didn't let go of her.
Anakin rose from his chair and, albeit gently, snatched Padmé from her father's arms. "My Padmé is so fragile now, don't squeeze so much even though I know how much you love her."
"She's my little girl." Ruwee tried to laugh.
"And she is my wife. I'll take care of her now, I promised you that, didn't I?"
"Yes, you have."
"Ruwee, please go and ask Maria if we can eat already." He got up and left. "Sorry Anakin, he's obnoxious sometimes."
"To an extent, that's understandable, he loves his little girl." Sola knew Padmé was his favorite.
"How Mom loves you Sola, not that I'm complaining."
"Where's Darred, Sola?"
"Home, the girls are ill, bad cold."
"Give them all our regards, too bad we can't see them."
The rest of the evening passed in a more or less pleasant atmosphere, except when Ruwee couldn't resist teasing Anakin and Anakin had to answer, there were moments that were really funny. Around midnight Padmé and Anakin said goodbye and promised to call more often, the parents now wanted to know how their daughter was doing, how the pregnancy was progressing.
Her apartment was very comfortable as always, Padmé had a talent for making it a real home.
"Your fragile wife needs tender loving care."
"Come on, I'll be very careful."
"Anything you give me."
"Myself, the whole world and more."
The next morning they left New York but didn't know when they would be back. It didn't matter either, quieter times were ahead. They had no plans to travel, Anakin should work as hard as possible on his dissertation and Padmé wanted to take it easy and immerse herself in everyday life. No big events coming up, just Anakin's birthday in a few days, her birthday in June, and nothing after.
It was always the same when they came home...to fill the fridge first. They didn't eat much, but they liked to open the fridge and had several options to cook something. Same this time.
Padmé had divided her time between the housework, the work in the Order and pregnancy exercises, even appointments for the check-ups were now fixed.
Anakin also had his fixed plan. His work on his dissertation was a priority, which included working as an assistant of Prof. Preston, occasional trips to Cleveland's other institutions, and work in the Order, but only one afternoon a week.
Anakin's twenty-ninth birthday party was at Sorellina, with no friends, no families, they were alone now. Yes, Padmé liked white tablecloths. Anakin didn't want to form close friendships with the people of Order and the other graduate students at MIT weren't on his taste either and Padmé didn't know no one anymore. They kept in touch with their friends, made phone calls and skyped. Anakin's birthday wasn't forgotten this time either, they everyone called him, the families anyway.
The first check-up was at the beginning of April, everything was fine, as expected. The second, check-up which was fixed shortly after Anakin's birthday, resulted in a huge surprise from which they had to recover first. It wasn't a shock in that sense, it was just so unexpected, combined with great joy and a little bit of fear and worry.
"Mrs. And Mr. Skywalker, you are expecting twins. I congratulate."
"Oh my god...Ani...what do we do now?"
"We can be happy, Angel."
The doctor wiped the gel off her stomach, she got up, dressed and threw herself into her husband's arms.
"Ani, I'm so confused now."
"Come on, let's go home and then...we will talk about..." He was also kind of confused, but didn't want to and wasn't allowed to show it. When she came, he told her that he would always be there for her, that she could lean on him. Now he had to play the strong man, which he really wasn't, but he took responsibility, he had to prove himself now.
Padmé has also played strong women, particularly during the seven years without Anakin. She was very good at putting on her mask, making others think she didn't need anyone. But she needed him, always, she wanted to admit it to herself. It was different now, she could let herself fall into his arms and if he wasn't so strong on his own, together they will make it.
She sat down on the couch next to Anakin and rested her head on his shoulder. "Ani, we knew things were going to change with the baby, but two babies...how are we going to manage?"
"We will. We're not the first to have twins. We'll get less sleep at first, but that time will pass too...as will your hormone-induced mood swings these days." He smiled and winked at her.
"Ani? Are you saying I'm moody?"
"If I didn't know better I would say yes, but I know pregnant women have this tendency, so I take it easy."
"Fortunately. Well, I don't know if I should address the issue now or later, but it's not going away."
"What is the problem?"
"Baby room."
"Oh yes, indeed. Shall we buy a bigger apartment?"
"Firstly, it's not worth the time until you're done and god knows where to find a job and secondly, I don't have the strength, so pregnant as I am, to make a move."
"Okay, then I'll set up my study here next to the window, there's nothing here anyway. I only have a desk and bookshelf."
"It's not even going to look that bad. Problem solved. We'll start right away."
"Oh no, you won't carry anything."
"I thought…."
"Don't even think about it, I'll do it. You can only carry the books, two or three at the same time."
" You take too much care about me."
"I don't want anything to happen to you and our babys. When can we experience gender...maybe two girls..."
"I wish for two boys as beautiful as you...blonde hair and blue eyes...but we'll find out on June 13th."
"I can't wait... and now we have to share our surprise with our parents and friends. First Ben."
*Hi Ben, we got a huge surprise today. We're expecting twins."
*Oh Anakin, congratulations...you exaggerated again, huh? How is Padme?*
*Well, just kind of in shock, but soon the excitement will be down. How are you, Serena?*
*Serena is ill again, the medical expenses, well… and we…..are…how shall I put it, at the end. Divorce pending.*
*Fuck, can't you pull yourself together...is there anything I can help with?*
*Thanks for the offer. We've tried for years, no longer works, too much said, too much happened, too much broken.*
*I don't know how to say this to Padmé.*
*She'll hear that from Satine, she's already in Washington D.C. . We hear each other, bye.*
*Bye.* Anakin hung up and grimaced.
"Something bad?"
"It couldn't be worse. they are apart Satine is already in D.C."
"I will call her later. Now that I know that, I have to prepare for it somehow. It might take time. Now I'll call Dormé and Sabé."
*Hey girlfriend, how are you as a married woman?*
*Hi, ok thanks and how is the baby doing in your belly?*
*Nothing yet, but there will be a scrum, I'm carrying twins.*
*Holy shit...uh, I mean, congratulations. WOW, I'm so happy for you guys...but it's going to be hard.*
*I am afraid as well.*
*Satine is here in D.C. for a few days, the divorce is in progress, you must have heard.*
*Unfortunately yes and much more.*
*You mean Serena...and medical expenses...and liabilities.*
*Exactly. Don't you think we could help?*
*Well, their liabilities are their problem, you don't have to buy what you can't afford, but I'd definitely like to contribute to Serena's medical expenses. What about you?*
*I wanted to suggest that. I don't know if they would accept the help, you just have to convince them and I know someone who definitely can.*
*OK. . we know each other, I'll take it.*
*Fine, I'll talk to Anakin. We hear each other, bye.*
*Bye girlfriend.*
Sabé also had to get the news, so she was called.
*Hi girlfriend.*
*Hey Missy, what's new?*
*Indeed I have something. What are you doing right now?*
*Er, why, I'm sitting on Rex's lap right now.*
*That's good, turn me on loud.*
*O-kay spill it, whatever it is, Rex hold me.*
*We are expecting twins.*
*Oh-my-God, Missy, that's amazing, congratulations !* they said together..*...and are you happy? Do the others already know?*
*Yes, everyone...and what do you think about Ben and Satine?*
*Totally shit.*
*Talk to Dormé, I told her about my idea, she will do the rest.*
*OK. , Whatever it is.*
*Skype each other, hello to Miami.*
*Bye.*
"So Ani, we call our parents and then we have to talk. To start."
"Oh, imperative?"
"Sorry, I didn't mean it that way."
*Hi Mom, we went for a check-up today, don't worry, everything was fine, actually more than fine, I mean...we're expecting twins.*
*This is more than good news, Ani. We are so happy for you. Don't forget to call back soon, we want to know how you're doing, how Padme's doing.*
*Good mom, we'll be in touch, bye.*
"Your turn, Emperor."
"Ani, it wasn't meant that way... I have to …, but first Sola."
*Hi sis, I have nice terrible news.*
*How was it?*
*Nice is: I'm carrying twins, terrible is: it's going to be hard.*
*Oh Padmé, that's just nice, congratulations. Your David from Michelangelo not only looks stunning, he can also fuck successfully.*
*Sola !*
*What?*
*You're meaner than mean.*
*I know. Get in touch soon, give him my regards.*
*You are on volume.*
*Who's mean now?*
*Bye Bye.*
She immediately dialed her mother's number.
*Hi Mom. I wanted to let you know that we are expecting twins, so you can be twice as excited.*
*Oh Padmé, I'm about to cry. It's wonderful...and if you need help...you know where to find me. How are you doing?*
*Yes, thanks and... well, I'm still nauseous, but it's not that bad. I'll get back. Bye.*
*Bye love, Dad says hello to you too.*
*Greetings back.*
"I'm done. He didn't bother to speak to me."
"Come to me, Angel." He hugged her and kissed her hair.
She put her arms around his waist. "What would I be without you, Ani?"
"You wouldn't be pregnant."
.
Best regards from Germany