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anakin sat down in the ship, fiddling with different spare parts that he always had on him. it was just him and R2, and they were on their way back to coruscant.
the droid behind him beeped and he sighed, spinning in his seat and looking at him. “everything will be fine, R2. obi-wan and ahsoka’s with her. hopefully, we can get there before the kid is born.” he spoke, setting the spare parts down on the seat next to him.
R2 whirred in response and anakin shrugged. “i’ve been thinking about that. but i’m not sure. padmé really wants us to go back to naboo to raise the kid, but that would mean that i would have to leave the order.”
he laughed as R2 beeped more. “of course not, you’re my buddy. if i leave, i’m taking you with me. and we both know that padmé won’t let us go without C3PO.” he patted his droid’s head. when R2 whirred again, he smiled. “you’d protect the kid well. i trust you.”
the ship started to beep and he looked over at why. they were approaching coruscant space. “alright, alright.” anakin hit a few buttons and they left hyperspace. he then hit another button, and a hologram of ahsoka popped up.
“hey snips. listen, R2 and i are in coruscant space. we’ll be down shortly.” anakin spoke.
“okay! i’ll be sure to let master obi-wan and padmé know.” she answered.
“how is everything?”
“it’s going good so far! she’s been relaxed, master obi-wan and i have been keeping her company. she’s been asking for you, though.”
anakin nodded, leaning back in his chair. “i had a feeling that she would be.”
“master, are you ever going to tell us the truth? that you’re dating?”
anakin stopped himself from laughing. “we’re not dating, snips.” that wasn’t a lie. no, they weren’t dating. they were married.
“somehow, i doubt that.” ahsoka crossed her arms, shaking her head. “well, comm one of us when you get into the building. i’ve got to get back in with her.”
“see you later, snips.”
and with that, he entered the planet’s atmosphere.
-
as he landed, he felt like something was off. but he shook his head. everything was fine. he would’ve been commed if something was wrong. “come on, R2. let’s get going.” anakin spoke, leaving the ship. but as he walked, that feeling… it didn’t go away. the last time he felt this, something was wrong with his mom.
but everything was fine. everything had to be fine. padmé was strong. he knew that this time, his nightmare wouldn’t come true.
he didn’t waste any time getting to the building, comming ahsoka. there was no answer. okay, maybe she just didn’t hear it. so he commed obi-wan. again, no answer. that was off. obi-wan almost always answered his comm.
he repeatedly tried to comm both of them; they were the only two that anakin knew were around. someone had to answer. he could feel his heart pounding. something was wrong. what happened?
he was a hallway away when he saw obi-wan. why was he not with padmé?
before anakin can say anything, obi-wan stopped him. “anakin, i need to talk to you-”
“move, i need to get to padmé.” anakin attempted to push past him, but obi-wan didn’t allow it.
“anakin, she’s been moved to another room. it’s… not a good-”
anakin narrowed his eyes. “where is she?” he interrupted.
“anakin-”
the jedi knight could feel his chest tighten. “no, no tell me where she is! where’s padmé?!” he didn’t even realize he raised his voice. everything around him felt like a blur. he couldn’t break down. not here. he needed to see his wife.
and then obi-wan said the words he was dreading.
“she’s gone, anakin. i’m sorry.”
anakin didn’t even feel the hot tears roll down his face. “she can’t be-” he tried to keep his voice from shaking. “this is a joke, right? a-a cruel joke?”
obi-wan lowered his head and anakin tried his best not to start sobbing his eyes out. he pulled his cloak tightly around him, feeling R2 bump his leg. “where… where is she, obi-wan?” he asked quietly.
“follow me. ahsoka and senator organa are with her.”
anakin followed closely, watching as they walked past her original room. this had to be a nightmare. yeah, that’s it. he would see her and then wake back up to her fast asleep next to him.
when they got into the room, anakin saw bail standing near the bed, and ahsoka was sitting next to her.
anakin quietly made his way to her bed, gently holding padmé’s hand. it was still warm. that’s when he really broke down.
“padmé… force, please wake up…” he muttered, scooting the nearest chair next to the bed. “please. i ne-need you.” he hiccupped, kissing her hand. he pulled his glove off and switched hands, holding hers with his metal one. she had always loved when he did that.
“anakin, i’m so sorry.” he heard obi-wan say. but he ignored him. anakin leaned forward and kissed her head gently. he was always so gentle with her, and he didn’t know what to do.
“master-”
“anakin. just-” he shook his head. “please don’t call me master. not- not right now.” he looked at ahsoka, and her eyes widened. he was being serious.
“i was with her the whole time.” she wiped her tears. “she didn’t realize you weren’t here… she said that she loved you.”
anakin rubbed his eyes, squeezing padmé’s hand gently. “the kid. where-”
“it’s twins.” senator organa said, his voice just barely over a whisper. “she named them both. luke and leia. the medical droid has them.”
anakin’s eyes widened. twins… he had two kids. he couldn’t believe it. “get them. please. i-i don’t think i can-”
“you’re shaky. it’s alright. we’ll go get them and give you space, alright?” obi-wan rubbed anakin’s shoulder, and he shook his head.
“obi-wan, can you… stay?” he felt like a little kid again. the last time he asked his former master to stay was right after a nightmare when he was 10… and he felt like that again. he was scared, terrified even. and he needed the person he trusted the most.
“of course. ahsoka, senator, do you mind-”
“no, no we don’t mind. come on.” the two then left the room.
and the tears that anakin was holding back fell, and he let out a soft sob. he hated crying in front of anyone. but he couldn’t hold it anymore.
“i know, anakin…” he felt obi-wan rub his back and the jedi knight just cried.
“i-i love her, obi-wan…”
“i know.”
“i should’ve-” anakin shook his head. “i should’ve been here. she needed me and i just…”
“none of us could know this would happen.” obi-wan explained.
but anakin did. his nightmare came true… and he hated it. he was so stupid for thinking it wouldn’t happen.
“i... i need her.” anakin made fists in his robes,
“i know, anakin. and i’m sorry. i am truly sorry.” he could tell that obi-wan didn’t know what else to say. but… that’s all he needed. he needed to know that someone was there.