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Tiny Leia Skywalker wasn’t supposed to be wandering the halls of the Senate office building. She was supposed to be in her mom’s office waiting to be dressed for the function the family was attending that evening. However, she had escaped the office as Threepio opened the door and was happily following random senators around and listening to their conversations. She was distinctive, being still in her Jedi robes, and thus recognizable, so most of the senators simply tolerated her presence.
She was currently tailing a Rodian senator who was chatting with Senator Grebleips while chewing on a lollipop. The two glanced down at her occasionally but continued with their conversation on the opposition’s bills without being hindered by her presence.
“Yes, it’s very obnoxious,” the Rodian said.
“What’s obnoxious mean?” Leia asked.
The two senators paused and stared down at her.
“Obnoxious means…well, it means annoying,” Senator Grebleips said.
“Do you know what annoying means?” the Rodian senator asked.
Leia nodded, still chewing. “My daddy says Master Windu is annoying.”
The two senators barely restrained their chuckles.
“I see,” the Rodian senator said.
“Obnoxious,” Leia muttered to herself. She turned and wandered off down the hall to share her new word with her twin brother.
Anakin grinned as he made his way to Padmé’s office. The classes he was teaching at the Temple had stretched on far longer than he expected, necessitating Padmé picking up the kids from the crèche, but finally they were over and he had an uninterrupted evening to spend with his family—in public, no less. He could spend time with his wife and kids at a public function and not have to worry about getting kicked out of the Order. Even though it had been several years since attachments were allowed in the Order, it still made his day.
He stepped into the office. Padmé was struggling to get Luke into a fancy shirt as he whined. Ben was quietly fussing in his hover stroller and Leia stood in the middle of the floor in a beautiful dress reminiscent of Padmé’s outfit she wore frequently when Anakin guarded her on Naboo. She even had the tiny buns wrapped in an orange net.
“Stand still, Luke!” Padmé glanced up. “Oh, hi, sweetie.”
Anakin stepped forward and bent down, planting a quick kiss on her lips. “Having a bit of trouble?”
“Someone doesn’t want to get dressed,” Padmé said.
“I don’t wanna be fancy!” Luke wailed. “Daddy, help me!”
“Sorry, kiddo.” Anakin threw his hands in the air. “My hands are tied.”
Padmé sighed. “I wish you had time to change too, but I suppose it’s fine. Luke, stop struggling! I don’t want to tell you again.”
Anakin snorted. As if he would ever dress fancy for a social function. “Never. There’s nothing wrong with my Jedi robes.”
Padmé rolled her eyes as she tried to shove Luke’s arm through the sleeve of the light blue shirt.
Anakin smirked but decided not to prod her. She was already stressed. He knelt in front of Leia and touched one of her buns. “You look very pretty today, princess.”
Instead of smiling like he’d expected, Leia burst into tears. “I don’t wanna be pretty, I wanna be obnoxious!”
Obnoxious? Why would she want to be obnoxious? Where had she even learned the word? “Leia…” Anakin glanced up helplessly at Padmé.
Padmé was still focused on Luke. Luke who, with Leia’s tears, was starting to melt himself, his lip trembling.
Padmé gave him a fiery glare. Anakin didn’t need a Force bond with her to know she wanted him to take Leia out of her office before both the twins were in tears. Anakin scooped up his sobbing daughter and left the office.
“Don’t you want to be handsome?” Padmé pleaded with Luke.
“Noo!” Luke howled as the door closed.
Anakin glanced down at Leia. “Shh, it’s all right, princess. Why would you want to be obnoxious?”
“Because!” Leia wailed, giving no further explanation as if that one word was enough. Tears streamed down her face, both wrenching Anakin’s heart and exasperating him. Had his mother ever had to deal with something like this with him?
“But, Leia, your mommy is pretty,” Anakin said. “Don’t you want to be pretty like Mommy?”
“No!” Leia cried. “I wanna be obnoxious!”
Anakin sighed, pressing her head down on his shoulder. “It’s all right, princess. Daddy’s sorry he called you pretty.” He shook his head, torn between exasperation and amusement. Leia’s actions were beyond him sometimes.
Leia perked up. “Do you think I’m obnoxious?”
Anakin blinked, shaking his head. This was not a fight worth having. “Yes, Leia, I think you’re very obnoxious.”
Leia beamed. “Thank you, Daddy!” She threw her arms around his neck and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I love you.”
Anakin kissed her hair. “I love you too, princess.” He wiped Leia’s face and nose with his sleeve. “You feeling better now?”
Leia nodded. “I’m glad I’m obnoxious.”
Anakin shook his head again. “As long as you’re happy.” Oh, this was definitely a story he’d have to save to embarrass her with later. Maybe at her wedding.
Bail Organa strolled down the hall, stopping at the two. “Good evening, Anakin.”
Anakin nodded at him. “Chancellor.”
Bail bent down a bit and smiled at Leia. “Hi, Leia.”
“Hi, Mr. Bail.” Leia stuck a thumb in her mouth and grabbed Anakin’s shoulder with the other.
“You look very pretty today,” Bail said.
Oh no. Oh no. Anakin braced himself. Please, not another meltdown.
“I am not pretty!” Leia shouted. “I’m obnoxious!”
Bail drew himself back and glanced at Anakin, frowning.
Anakin shook his head. Please don’t argue with her. It’s not worth it.
Bail shrugged. “I’m glad to hear that, Leia.”
Leia tilted her head. “Don’t you think I’m obnoxious?”
Bail glanced up again at Anakin.
Anakin nodded, hoping to send a message with his eyes. Do not argue with her.
“Of course I do,” Bail said. “I’d say you’re quite obnoxious. I’ll see you at the dinner later, all right?”
“Okay!” Leia said.
Bail smiled and winked at Anakin, then walked down the hall, his shoulders shaking.
“What do you say?” Anakin prompted her.
Leia pushed herself up. “Thank you!” she called. “I think you’re obnoxious too!”
Anakin almost choked. He pressed another kiss to her hair to hide his laughter. “Come on, let’s go see Mommy.”
“Okay.” Leia laid her head on his shoulder and began to play with his shirt collar, oblivious to the chaos she’d caused.
Despite himself, Anakin’s heart warmed. Where would he be without his little girl?