June 14, 2013
A/N:
Hello and welcome! 8D
Thank you for your reading!
A thank you shout-out to the reviewers last update: LadyMarissaGarmadon, Shilo Thaliana, froovygirl, Jedi Master Misty Sman-Esay, JourneyRocks13, Eldar-Melda, Guest, and Alexa Skywalker. Thank you so much! :D
To all of the subscribers and favoriters, thank you, thank you! *heart*
And now, Chapter 15: Mistake. Please enjoy!
Chapter 15: Mistake
Each minute, hour, and day he watched someone else hold his babies was torture.
They were his. And he hadn't held them in far too long.
Anakin's fists were clenched on his lap, the unavoidable frustration building.
The frustration was from his children's discomforts.
Leia had been fussy all morning, and hadn't slept. Luke would start crying whenever Skywalker was in the room, wanting his attention.
He knew it was because they wanted him—must be "father's intuition".
He observed every minute of them holding the twins, even Darren! He seemed to have grown attached to them; he should be holding them, not him.
Agony, pure and simple agony.
"Anakin?" he barely heard; but it was her melodic-voice.
"Yes?" he turned to Padme; she held their little girl.
"Could you hold her while I go get some water, please?"
His arms were already out.
Leia's little body was transferred to her father's loving arms.
As soon as she saw her father's face, she beamed. A newborn's toothless grin sprouted on her face.
Anakin admired her smile and dimples, both much like his owns.
Padme's family briefly wondered why she chose the Jedi instead of one of them.
Once they saw the little one's reaction, they smiled as well. They'd never seen her smile unless in her mother's embrace.
"I think she likes you, Anakin," Darren commented, careful to observe the man's reaction.
'She is my daughter,' he barely held to thought.
"I suppose," he answered calmly.
The heat was on, "And you seem to be familiar with infant holding." Darren said; realizing how well, and protectively, the man held her.
"The Jedi maintain many experiences through their lifetimes; I've picked up baby holding along with my master," he recited. Partially true; one of the duo's many 'adventures'.
"Of course," Darren backed off, realizing the Knight's discomfort. The man was protecting them, after all.
He didn't buy the story, however. It took more than experience to hold a baby so caringly.
'Parents hold their children like that…' Darren noted.
Skywalker couldn't help but have a controlled smile as Leia captured his finger and sucked on the tip.
I love you, he sent her through the force; a feeling, not words. He's been doing so since he's known of her, and unknown brother's, existence.
He was beyond awestruck the first time a feeling was sent back.
His knees could no longer support him, his emotions rushed straight to his eyes. The message was so beautiful, so pure, and so small. He knew it was his baby being carried by Padme; and he knew then he had so much to lose…
No, he wasn't going back there—to that time, not now or ever again.
Presently, when the message came through, he was familiar but still awestruck with the emotions his daughter now sent back.
A simple Love was all she 'said'.
More than enough for him.
Leia relaxed, father's finger still in mouth, and her eyes drifted close.
"She hasn't slept all day!" Jobal said, "You're very gifted, Anakin."
He smiled in response, curling his arms to nestle Leia closer.
'He has to be their father,' Darren concluded, knowing all too well the look on Skywalker's face—any father would. 'But why is it such a big secret?' He had a feeling that was a real problem-puzzle.
Padme went on her way to the living room again, but stopped in the hallway. She observed a precious moment between Leia and Anakin; one he has had too little of recently.
Amidala wanted to let her husband hold their babies at least once today. Harder than it sounds, she realized over the days they've been here. But she knows it should be more than once, much more.
It must be killing him to be like this—inches away from them but unable to do anything, unable to claim them.
It would kill her, even if only for an hour.
And what about the twins? They didn't seem to like it, either.
'Maybe I didn't make the right decision,' she questioned walking back in.
Anakin clung to his daughter, happy to have her in his arms. He tried to forget the nagging knowledge that this daily embrace wouldn't last forever.
"It's good to see she's finally resting," Padme said taking her seat near-ish to Skywalker.
What should he say? A bitter taste filled his mouth, "Would you like her back, Padme?"
She wouldn't dare take Leia back, he deserved to have her, "Oh, no, she seems to be happy where she is."
Darren finally saw the tension, the strain this act was taking on both of them. Their reasons must be strong to have this resolve; even around family.
'A Jedi's career is quite demanding… Isn't there something about no relationships?' Darren started to see the picture.
Anakin was tied to the Jedi more than to his family.
It made him sick that this man would rather choose the Jedi over Padme and her twins! He probably wasn't even around that much and—
'Wait a minute… you're jumping too far ahead. Think of earlier this morning, right now even. He obviously cares for them—give the man a chance.' Easier thought than done, he concluded.
After he had to give up Leia, his immeasurable-misery seemed to progress. They might be hiding at Varykino for months! MONTHS! And they'd have to live like this?!
Their life shouldn't be this difficult! Shouldn't be so painful! Things were going so well for them, and now—now it's awful again…
He couldn't do this—he could just sit around and love his family from a distance!
Skywalker needed to get out of there. "I am going to go for a run around the perimeter," and then he left.
He went to a deck and took off some layers of shirts until just his loose tan-tunic remained. From there he ran. He ran as fast as he could without using the force.
Padme watched her husband leave; his distress was obvious to her. Every fiber in her being wanted to chase after him; but she held still and thought.
Her family and problems vanished, and all she focused on was her husband.
She felt his heart—his emotions in that moment as if they were her own.
It hurt, her heart literally hurt.
Her hand rested on her chest. She, through this sort of 'trans', even thought she had tears in her eyes.
Her poor Ani! What was she thinking?! She'd put him into a torturous cage!
'You so made the wrong decision,' she told herself.
She stood up, "I'll be back," and she sprinted off.
Dusk is always pleasant on Naboo, Anakin remembered trying to distract. He watched trees, shrubs, birds, and whatever else was in these hills pass before him at a fast speed.
The longer he ran, the more pained he became, the faster the speed.
He had to pull himself together.
No, he needed to talk to Padme. She needed to know he can't do this; he can't handle this struggle to keep their family a secret among her family.
His Padme radar suddenly went off… He sensed her searching for him; why? Was something wrong?!
He turned on his toes and headed back to the retreat.
The lake was painted with a vibrant-sunset's array of colors, but Padme hardly noticed.
She jogged around the lake's shore, using the tree-ridden view to help her scope. Where was he?
There he was! Just across on the shore closest to the hills. She sped up, "Anakin!" she called hoping to grab his attention, not knowing she already had it.
There she was! Why was she running!? He force ran to her.
Amidala froze in her tracks once she saw him move towards her faster than light. Soon, very soon, his hands were on her shoulders.
"What's wrong?" he gasped, breath had been held with worry.
Wrong? "Nothing," she said, brushing some hair away from his eyes.
His face crinkled with confusion, even more when she kissed him hard.
'What is going on?' he barely managed to think as his lips glided over hers. Really, what did he care at the moment?
She pulled back, breathless from the kiss and intensity, "I've made a mistake… It wasn't fair on you, and I am so sorry."
He tried to say something but was dragged, literally dragged by the hand, to wherever his wife was taking him.
He quickly figured out what she was doing. As he kept running with his wife, "Are you sure?!" he made sure he was heard; Padme was quite determined.
"One thousand percent!" she said with a huge grin.
He smiled. Let the cards fall where they may now!
Padme bursted through the living room's entrance, breathless and beaming.
Her face was flushed pink, and she was giddy like a youth around her crush.
A hand was tied to Skywalker's while they stood in front of the Naberries.
He stood close to Padme—very close; beyond suspiciously close.
The others started to realizes their suspicions where probably true.
She tightened her hold on his hand, "Anakin is the father, and he is my husband."
To be continued…
A/N:
A little cliff-hanger there… ;O
Hope you enjoyed reading this, and thank you for doing so!
A review from you is always welcomed and treasured! *heart*
I am really working on increasing my turtle-speed updating; if you find any loop-holes in quality, please let me know. I want to keep the quality and speed increasing.
And, I REALLY want to thank you guys for staying with this story for so long! 8D I know it has been a little rough, and a even little slow, but things are about to get crazy around this 'relationship-revelation' bend, and I hope you'll enjoy what's coming up!
Thank you again, and until next time!
God Bless :)