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Anakin never gave much thought to the future, at least not in detail. Ever since he was a child, he only wanted to free himself and his mother and leave Tatooine never to look back. And then he met Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Padmé and his life changed in more ways than he ever expected.
When he began to learn the ways of the Force, he gained a purpose. He was the Chosen One. He was to become a Jedi and bring balance to the Force. He wanted to make Obi-Wan proud. He wanted to show the Jedi Council that he was worth training, just to realize later that they would never cheer or compliment anything he did. He fought a war and became the Hero With no Fear. He did what he was destined to do, and was pleased with it.
But never complete.
Meeting Padmé again after all those years was like being struck with lightning and becoming one with the Force at the same time. It was exhilarating and peaceful. She was the only thing he could focus on and he didn't remember the last time he felt genuine happiness, even if the encounter was because she needed protection. Anakin fell. Hard.
He wasn't supposed to. He was a Jedi, he couldn't have attachments. And yet, he couldn't help it. Padmé was like the warmth of the two suns of Tatooine in his life, her Force presence glowed brighter than anyone and anything and it just felt right .
Anakin broke the code because of this. He married her without hesitation and never regretted it, not even once. It was awful having to keep it a secret, he was so bad at it and he was sure that Obi-Wan knew at least a bit. But he tried because he still needed to, wanted to be a Jedi and they wouldn't understand that Padmé was a part of him as much as his lightsaber.
But that lasted only until she became pregnant. When she told him, it was the happiest moment of Anakin's life. His family was growing. A child that was his and Padmé's. He felt like he could cry. And it was an absolute breaking point.
He loved being a Jedi — not at the cost of being at war, of course — and for a good chunk of his life, it was all that he had. It was everything he was and gave him a reason for his life. Anakin was very grateful for it and for all the people he met because of it, but now he had other things to worry about. He had a family . A wife and an unborn child that he already loved with his very being. His responsibility was to them.
So, after the war ended and his children — children , twins! — were born, he did the only thing he was capable of. He left the Order.
It took a while for him to get set on his new reality. The war was over, there was peace, and there was time . He had a family and could be with them because he wasn't sent out to other planets without warning and didn't have to follow a code. Not anymore. So, yeah, he needed some time.
And, with these last fifteen years in this new reality, there were two things he knew for sure:
- Leaving the order was the best kriffing decision he ever made, besides marrying Padmé. Being her trophy husband who sometimes deals with a very exclusive service selling on-demand hand-made pieces for speeders, ships, and droids was even better than it sounded. Even if he missed the action, just sometimes.
- Raising twins was very confusing and extremely exhausting. Especially when they were part him and part Padmé.
It had been a slow day. With Padmé stuck in the senate working on some bill that had been hard to pass or some minor insurrection of a long last separatist group — he didn't really pay much attention or understand politics — Anakin had been left for himself. At least until Luke came back from the Temple and Leia got tired of interacting with many diplomats.
Being around his children always made him happy. They were like a supernova in the Force. They brought him peace at the same time that they made him understand how Obi-Wan was always exasperated when he was a teenager. It was the best feeling.
“So, what is this supposed to do?” Luke asked, looking at the datapad like it was some political bill written in Mando’a. He had never been very good with languages, unlike Leia.
Anakin took his attention off the batter he’d been whisking for a moment. Not like he could continue the cake without the jogan, and Treepio hadn’t returned with it yet. “Theoretically, it would give the speeder more potency without taking too much fuel.”
“But, how would it work?”
“Again, this is just theoretical for now, but it would redirect the energy to the engine in a safe way to give the speeder more race power without compromising the power source or anything. But I’ll need to run some tests after I build it.”
Luke hummed as if what Anakin said was nothing but simple and easy to understand. His son’s affinity with mechanics was something that made Anakin kinda emotional, to be honest. “And to whom it’s for?” Yeah, his lack of subtlety also came from Anakin, unfortunately.
“Oh, Luke, if you were at least a little more subtle you might’ve gotten an answer.” Anakin shook his head with humor.
“Come on, Dad! One name. You already told me what it is, what bad can it do to tell me who bought it?” Force, that boy could be insistent, but he lacked every ability to be convincing.
How could he have none while Leia and Padmé could crush him with just a couple of words? Was Anakin that bad too? He liked to think he could at least talk himself out of some situations. But maybe it was more charm than convincing abilities.
“Because is confidential. Those people search for me because my service is unlike others, obviously, but also for the discretion.” Anakin doubted Mon Mothma would be happy if other people knew about her affection for speed.
“But I’m your son! Is it really a confidentiality break if you’re telling someone that is a part of your family?” Oh, boy, what was Luke learning, and who was teaching him that?
Anakin sighed and crossed his arms “Yeah, okay, I don’t know what Obi-Wan has been teaching you, but that’s not how it works, little one.” At what point Anakin started having more conscience than Obi-Wan? Have fifteen years of fatherhood made him a genius?
“You sound like Uncle Obi-Wan when you call me little one . Is not cool.” Luke’s face scrunched in displeasure. Then, he froze. “Wait, does mom know about your business?”
“What? Of course, she knows!” Did his son think he was doing something illegal? “You know I’m not doing anything illegal, right? Just some people prefer not to expose their deals, and that’s what I offer. And always assume your mom knows everything.”
Luke shrugged, looking a little guilty “Sorry, but you didn’t want to say who ordered the piece and that was a little suspicious. What was I supposed to think?”
“That maybe some people treasure their privacy, dumbass.” Leia waltzed into the kitchen without any ceremony. Her hair was only half pinned up and somewhat messy. She looked so young and grumpy Anakin’s heart swell. “Dad, can you help me? These stupid space buns just won’t stay.”
“Of course, princess.” A soft smile appeared on his face as he put the batter away and cleaned his hand so he could do his daughter's hair.
Anakin didn’t have much skill as Padmé when it came to hairstyles, but throughout their marriage, she managed to teach him a thing or two, which came in handy when the twins were born. He loved them both so much and, well, almost equally. While Luke was a mama’s boy, Leia was a huge daddy’s girl and Anakin took pride in that. He was always by her side and helped in everything he could, from feeding her to spending the night awake with her to helping pick her clothes and do her hair. It took a lot of learning, but, Force, he was just so happy to be useful.
"How was the Legislative Youth Program?" He asked.
"It sucked. Everyone is just stupid." She crossed her arms and Luke chuckled at the reaction. If he wasn't fiddling with her hair, Anakin was positive she would prop her nose up, but he frowned with the answer anyway.
"What happened, Lei?"
"Nothing exactly. I'm just tired of everyone doubting me and my ability and the quality of my work just because I'm a Naberrie-Skywalker. Or because I once was Master Plo's padawan, when I'm clearly the only capable person in that sh-thing." Anakin could have laughed at her saving if he wasn't worried.
"I'm sorry, dear one, but you knew it would be hard. I'm still proud of you, though. You're taking it better than I imagined."
"Well, I didn't hit anyone yet, so I guess it's a win." Anakin could feel more than see her smile. Her Force signature glowed brighter with his words. "But it's kinda unfair that Luke doesn't go through the same."
With that, Luke started laughing "Do you really think that? Our dad is the Hero With No Fear, my Master is the Negotiator, everyone kinda expects me to be as awesome as them."
Anakin beamed at his son's words. He thought he was awesome. Okay, he felt pressure because of that. But Luke thought he was awesome .
"You know you don't have to prove anything to anyone, Luke. Right? And you don't have to be a Jedi either. You can always change your mind, just like Leia did." Anakin felt the need to reassure his kid. He wished someone had told him that.
"I know, dad. But I like it." Luke smiled his big bright smile. His sunshine boy. Then, his smile became mischievous. "Besides, it's always fun to see Master Windu's expressions whenever I'm around. It's like he's constantly expecting something bad to happen, or for me to shred the Code in his face."
Anakin fully laughed at that. With mouth open, hand in his belly, tears in his eyes, and all. "Oh, Force, I need to see that. Am I still the Jedi that most broke the Code?"
"Just the fact that we exist, I'd say you don't have much competition." Leia poked, with amusement. Just then she thoroughly looked at the state of the kitchen, with the datapad still in Luke's grip, the dirty bows in the sink, and the batter resting waiting for the jogan fruit. "What were you doing?"
"Dad was explaining his business with mechanics because I was bored." Luke's honesty made Anakin question if he was supposed to feel offended or flattered.
"And that?" Leia pointed to the bow of batter.
"That is for the mini jogan cakes I'm doing for your mom's tomorrow campaign event. But Threepio still hasn't returned. Should I be worried? I mean, he's with Artoo."
"Those two? Yeah, you should be worried. But it's kinda your fault since you're the one that programmed him." Force, Leia was always brutal.
"Always the kind one, princess." Anakin pinned the last strand of hair and planted a kiss on Leia's head. "All done."
“Thanks, Dad.” She turned around and hugged him tightly. Something inside Anakin clicked in place like it did every time his kids were about as he returned the hug. "And right on time. You are the best." She said as she glanced at the chrono on the wall.
Anakin was confused. "What do you mean?"
Leia detangled herself from him and went behind Luke to clap her hands on his shoulders. "We are going out. So go get ready, Luke."
"And where are we going?" He asked, unamused.
“We’re going to Dex’s. Han just called to invite us.” Anakin didn't like any of the words that his daughter said.
“Han Solo called you?” he asked, trying to keep his expression as steady as possible.
“No. He called Luke, but he wouldn’t answer his stupid commlink so I did ‘cause it was pissing me off.”
“Language.” Anakin scolded without heat, but she just rolled her eyes, unfazed. Leia always had an improper vocabulary and he never knew where the kriff she learned it.
“And can you please not talk about me like I’m not here?”
“You shouldn’t be because you should be getting ready or we’re going to be late. Come on, Luke. Get up!” Leia insisted, poking her brother so he would get up off the chair. But Luke didn’t move, just kept scrolling through the datapad.
“Yeah, I’m not going. I’m not really in the mood to be a third-wheeler.” He said, distracted. Leia’s eyes widened and Anakin tensed. He didn’t hear right, right? Of course not, cause that wasn’t possible.
“Luke.” Leia’s voice sounded sharp, in a warning tone. Oh, Force, Anakin didn’t like any of this. There was some kind of secret between the twins, Han Solo was in the middle, and Leia clearly didn’t want him to know. So he had to know.
Okay, it wasn’t like he didn’t trust his kids. He did! He totally did! But he did not like Han Solo or trusted him. Even if he had helped Luke and Obi-Wan. That guy was a smuggler and a conqueror. If it were up to him, Han Solo would never even get close to his babies.
“Why won’t you go, Luke? I’m sure it would be nice to go out with your friend.” Force, he was bad with subtlety, but this would work. Leia clearly didn’t like it.
“I mean, yeah, if Han wanted to hang out with me it would be fun. But he just wants to see Leia and I really can’t stand their weird flirtation today.”
“The what?”
“Luke, shut up!”
Anakin felt as if something exploded in his head that enabled him from understanding things. That could be it. But Leia’s ire was too real. Still, Luke didn’t seem to feel threatened and kept talking. Anakin had never felt so thankful, and yet, not thankful at all, for his son. Maybe it would be better if he remained ignorant about that.
“It’s weird, Leia! You two keep insulting each other like you hate each other when everyone knows it’s a lie and it just gets intense and it hurts to watch and is so uncomfortable. Just admit that you like each other and end our misery already!”
“You like Han? Han Solo?” Anakin knew that talking at that moment was a bad decision. Leia looked at Luke like she was ready to murder him and Luke seemed proud of his outburst. But he had to say something.
Leia’s eyes widened as she looked at him and she was flushed, but it seemed to be more of outrage with the idea than of embarrassment. “Obviously not! Why would I like that… that arrogant, scoundrel… nerf-herder!” For a minute Anakin breathed in relief, but then Leia crossed her arms and propped her nose. “But there would be nothing wrong if I did.”
From a moment of relief directly to the sith hells. Without stops.
This was all Obi-Wan's fault. If he hadn't accepted the mission in kriffing Geonosis, for Force's sake, and hadn't dragged Luke with him — Anakin once was Obi-Wan's padawan, he knew how it worked, but that didn't mean he liked it — they wouldn't have crashed in kriffing Tatooine. That Force-forsaken planet that Anakin hoped his kids never got to meet. And if they hadn't crashed in Tatooine, they wouldn't have had to ask for a clandestine ride with a smuggler because they lost their communication. And then Anakin wouldn't be having this awful conversation with his daughter about kriffing Han Solo .
From now on he wouldn't let Luke go out of the planet with Obi-Wan without any supervision.
“Of course, it would! You’re my baby girl, Han Solo is not good enough for you.”
“Oh, so it’s because I’m a girl? You’re being sexist.” Anakin rubbed his face. This was not going well. He had no idea how it was supposed to go. “I bet you would not react the same way if it was about Luke.”
“Then you don’t know dad.” Luke supported him.
“I would do absolutely the same thing with Luke. You’re both my babies, no one will ever be good enough for either of you. And, besides, you’re only fifteen.”
“You were also young when you married mom. And mom was younger than us when she was elected queen .” Of course, Leia would argue. She really was her mother’s daughter.
“It is a completely different situation and I was nineteen!”
“It is different because you two got married and had us while I’m not doing anything! I just want to get out and have some fun!”
“Well…” Luke teased, Anakin had a minor stroke, and Leia looked like she had enough. She looked dangerous and almost made Anakin regret every bit of that conversation. He really didn’t like any of it.
“You know what? I have better things to do.” Leia straightened up and started to walk away from the room with a determination that made Anakin worried, but not more than Luke. His son seemed truly terrified.
“Where are you going?”
Leia stopped and looked at him with sharp eyes. Anakin knew that look, Padmé, and Obi-Wan gave him every time he fucked up somehow. “Oh, you know, do stuff. There are some gorgeous and really exclusive Nabooian clothes that I look forward to destroy.”
Anakin have never seen Luke move as fast as he raised from the chair. “No, Leia. Not them. They are one of a kind! Mom got me for my birthday, I haven’t even used it yet! Leia!” Luke ran after his sister desperately and Anakin could only shake his head. Sometimes he really didn’t know how to deal with them.
A soothing feeling took over him and Anakin knew Padmé had arrived. She had always had that effect on him. Her Force signature was subtle for everyone, but not for him and it brought peace and relief to him after spending most of his days surrounded by Force-sensitive people. She was like his refuge from the overwhelming Force presence.
Not long after, the front door opened and closed and Padmé appeared in the kitchen. Her senator pose lasted one more minute before it all crumbled. Her shoulders dropped, her eyes blinked lazily and her mouth curved in a tired smile. Anakin opened his arms and she didn’t hesitate to dive into the embrace, nosing her head in his chest.
All the love he felt for her took over him. There was peace. There was excitement. There was happiness. The feeling that he was where he was meant to be. Pertenciment.
“How was your day, Angel?” With the custom of a little over fifteen years, Anakin started working on the pins of her headpiece, soaking her presence.
“Stressing. Exhausting. Many senators trying to trick me to change my vote. You know, the usual.” She mumbled, a lot more relaxed. Her fingers started drawing shapes on his back at a calming pace. “But I got to finish drafting another anti-slavery bill and I really think this is the one that’s finally gonna work on the Outer Rim.” And then, an exciting smile appeared on her face, followed by small taps on his back. “Oh, and Bail said he was planning on asking Leia to be his intern. But don’t say anything, 'cause it’s supposed to be a surprise.”
“She’s gonna love it.” Anakin smiled softly. Leia would freak out when she knew. She really looked out for Bail’s work and she would be thrilled to do some work herself. “She was just complaining that she was the only competent person in the Legislative Youth Program.”
Padmé chuckled and then sighed in relief when the headpiece was finally out. Her dark locks fell effortlessly behind her back and Anakin didn’t fight the urge to run his fingers through her beautiful hair. Her eyes closed and her head fell back as Anakin massaged her scalp. For a moment there was just the two of them. No problems, no worries. Just love and domesticity. Anakin bent and planted a kiss on her forehead sweetly.
“Hey,” Padmé frowned, “where is she, by the way?”
“Trying to destroy Luke’s clothes you got him for his birthday. And Luke’s trying to talk her out of it.”
“Why… Wait. Do I wanna know?”
“I didn’t wanna know, so yes.” Padmé rolled her eyes and Anakin smiled. And then sighed, because he wished he didn’t know about his daughter's love life. Not for a while. “Luke talked about her weird flirting with Han Solo and how he didn’t want to go out with them ‘cause he didn’t want to be a ‘third-wheeler’. Leia got pissed, denied everything, and then threatened to destroy his exclusive clothes.”
He could see his wife visibly hiding her laughter. Sometimes he wasn’t sure if she was at his side or if she liked to see his suffering. Maybe both. “That must’ve been a very exciting conversation for you.”
“It was like a Sith hell. Why did it have to be Han Solo , my love? He is a smuggler, egocentric, and nowhere near good enough for Leia. They couldn’t be more different!”
A smirk appeared on Padmé’s face as she looked at him with her big brown eyes. Eyes full of light, full of love. Eyes that were way too good for him, that he definitely didn’t deserve. “I mean, he kinda reminds me of someone. And if Leia’s taste in a romantic partner takes after mine, is not that surprising.”
Anakin was outraged. “I am nothing like Solo !”
She arched an eyebrow in a challenge. “Yeah? Then what is that?” She pointed to the bow of batter.
Anakin felt that saying the truth wouldn’t be his best choice, but he wasn’t backing out. “It’s for the mini jogan cake for your campaign tomorrow.”
“So, you plan to bribe my electors with your baking so I can win as chancellor?” Well, when she put it like that.
“It’s not a bribe, my love. It’s just a heart gesture of the husband that loves and supports you so much that wants to show up and help. And that maybe, possibly, could incentive some people to pend towards you. I know senator Orn Free Taa will love the free food.”
With that Padmé couldn’t fight back the laugh any longer. Anakin really loved making his wife laugh, even if it was at the cost of his dignity. “Oh, my, Ani. I love you, but please, don’t jinx the election. I need it to be fair. And it doesn’t help with your case of being so different from Han.”
“Hey, I am way more charming, I have a business that has nothing criminal about it, and I have some dignity.” Anakin kept defending himself. He was not like that kid.
“Some is the key word.” Padmé gave a kiss on his jaw and just like that any and every fight and will to argue left his body. If she said so then that was it.
Anakin sighed and tightened his arms around her. “I just hope that at least Luke has better taste in man.”
Padmé stood still for a moment and Anakin frowned in confusion. “Oh, so he told you.”
“He didn’t tell me anything."
She looked at him with suspicion. "Have you been spying on him with de Force again? We already talked about this after the last time."
"Oh, you mean the time that I saved our son and Obi-Wan from a conflict with slavers in Ryloth? All because I was checking on Luke through the Force? I think that went pretty well." Padmé did not buy his deflection. He sighed. "No, I didn't spy on him with the Force. I’m his father, I just know. He told you?”
“Of course, he told me. I’m his mother .” She smiled playfully. But then got serious. “But don’t mention it till he talks to you, okay? I know you like to meddle in the lives of the ones you love, but is a big moment for him. So just… wait for him, for his time.”
“You don’t have to worry, my love.” Anakin caressed her face affectionately with his flash hand. Even though it’d been years, touching his family with his mechanic hand wasn’t comforting, it didn’t really feel like a part of him some days. “I love Luke and Leia more than anything. It’s all in his hands.”
“I know. I love you.” One of her hands locked on his neck, and she got on the tip of her toes, he bent and then they were kissing. His wife, the love of his life, the mother of his children. His life, by all means.
Anakin tried for years, but he could never put into words what exactly Padmé was for him. How she felt.
Obi-Wan was his brother, his father figure, even if he looked like had just eaten a sour meiloorun every time Anakin talked about the fatherly feeling. Ahsoka was his little sister, for whom he would do anything to keep safe. Rex was his brother, a bond forged by the war, but as precious as any.
But Padmé? She was everything. She was his life, his air, what he breathed for. Years of attending a Mind Healer helped him work on that bond so it wasn’t as damaging and dependent as it sounded. It was important but also didn’t change her impact on his very being.
With Padmé in his arms, Anakin felt peace and as if he could change the world.
“Oh, Master Ani, how good it is to be back!” But then C-3PO stormed into the kitchen and ruined their private moment. Anakin groaned in annoyance while Padmé chuckled and hid her face in his chest. “Artoo and I had quite the adventure. You are not going to believe what happened.”
“I’m glad you went through it with all your parts intact, Treepio. You too, Artoo. But you got the jogan fruit?” He asked, without much patience. Artoo seemed to notice, beeping something about ungrateful organic forms.
“Well, of course, we did. But mind I say, the seller did not make an easy transaction. A fortune! He wanted to charge us a fortune! But I ministered an intense negotiation…” C-3PO was briefly interrupted by Artoo’s beeping. Padmé seemed to laugh harder. Anakin? Anakin was frustrated. “Oh, yes, Artoo, I was getting there. Your actions were essential for…”
“That’s great, Treepio. I’m happy you two got back safe and that you completed the mission. You can just leave the jogan here. But now I have a new task for you.” He didn’t. He just wanted Treepio to stop talking. But the house was very silent and he started to worry about what Leia could have done to Luke.
"Oh, yes, Master Ani, what is it? Oh my, another adventure? I don't know if my circuits would survive it."
"No adventure, Treepio. I think you had enough of it for half a decade." He felt Padmé's slap on his chest, a warning to not be rude to the anxious droid. "I need you to check on…"
Before he could finish, the twins reappeared in the kitchen. Leia's hair was a little wilder than he had left, but not quite undone and her brown eyes sparkled with…joy? He couldn't tell, but her Force presence was brighter than when she stormed out. Luke had a pout and his mop of blond hair covered his eyes, but the way he rubbed his shoulder gave away that whatever happened, Leia had the victory. They both tripped a little at the sight of the kitchen full.
"Glad you are back, Treepio and Artoo. And hi, Mom." Leia was brief.
"Oh my, thank you, Mistress Leia." Treepio would be blushing if he had more than circuits and a metal cover, Anakin was sure.
"Missed you, Mom. Hope work wasn't so bad." Luke showed a little more emotion than his sister. Maybe politics really were the right path for Leia.
Anakin could feel more than see the soft smile Padmé gave to their children. "It was okay, sweethearts, though I was dying to come home. And where are you going?"
Leia elbowed Luke when neither answered. Oh, Anakin got it. "We are going to Dex’s" Luke mumbled, then his blue eyes widened in a mix of panic and hope. "But… but if you need us for something…"
Padmé grinned, probably also noticing how Leia looked mortally to her brother. "It’s okay, love, you two go have fun with your friend."
Anakin bet Leia’s face would drop the red and go purple. But her smile was huge. "Thanks, Mom. Bye!"
Yeah, he couldn't resist. "Bring Artoo with you!" The droid complained about babysitting the organic offspring. Luke’s face enlightened a bit, while Leia’s seemed outraged.
"No Artoo." She fought back.
"Yes, Artoo or you are not going." She looked ready to argue, but Anakin stood in his position, even with Padmé rolling her eyes. Leia appeared to understand that it wasn't a fight she would win and just dragged Luke out of the penthouse grumbling.
"Was it really necessary?" Padmé questioned.
"Yes, Angel. At least to keep my sanity a little longer." He knew she was thinking if he even had one. She had the same face whenever he talked about sanity or did something stupid.
"Master Ani, what is it that you need me to do?" He had almost forgotten about the protocol droid.
"Can you check out if the twins destroyed something inside?"
"Absolutely. I just hope Mistress Leia didn't do some irreparable damage. Oh my, could you imagine it?" C-3PO started to overthink it before he even saw whatever mess there was. Maybe Anakin had to work on some upgrade on the droid that could make him less anxious. He was certain everyone would appreciate it.
"I can't believe we still have to worry about our kids destroying the house when they are already fifteen." Padmé shook her head and Anakin laughed. "I would appreciate not having to worry about it anymore."
Like that, an idea that had been wandering around Anakin's mind for a while popped up. "We could use a break, you know."
"What do you mean?" She asked, but he knew she already picked up on where he was going with it.
"The election is coming soon, which is more stress on your back besides your current job and the energy of the twins when they are both around. You haven't had a vacation in ages. We could take a small break. Just you and me."
"But… but Luke and Leia…" Padmé tried to argue, but Anakin could see that she was already sold by the idea.
"I know I’m a bit overprotective with them, but, as you said, they are fifteen. And they wouldn't be all alone. There is Treepio and Obi-Wan, and we could comm Rex and Ahsoka too." He wandered his flesh hand over her arm in a caress. "Think about it. You and me, in Varykino for a couple of days. Wouldn't it be great?"
"It would be an actual dream." Padmé sighed in contentment. "I'll work on my schedule but I think we could make it work a little before the election."
"Almost our second honeymoon, if you think about it. Well, without the impending war. But I think we can figure out how to make it more exciting than the first one." Anakin smirked and wiggled his eyebrows. Padmé's laugh warmed his heart, as it did the slap on his shoulder.
He loved his kids, however, he did not remember the last time he had a real one-on-one time with his wife when they were just husband and wife, not a senator and former Jedi, or parents. He longed for it.
But the truth was that if he had his family, he was fine. Because he had everything he needed. They were his everything. And he was really happy he didn't have to hide it or fight to keep it anymore.