Learning

Chapter 20: Care

Anakin and Padme lay wrapped around each other as the weekend sun moved across their closed curtains. Anakin was especially grateful for it to be the end of the week, he'd underestimated exactly how taxing those kids would be. He was also surprised when Ahsoka hadn't been in the rest of the week for they'd made good progress on the town in Tutor and Anakin wanted to include her input. "Morning gorgeous." He kissed Padme on the top of her head with a smile. "How did you sleep?" In truth, Anakin hadn't slept great but she wasn't to know that.

Padme smiled and stretched, awakening her body. "I slept pretty well actually, not too bad. What about yourself? You look like you haven't slept and you have that crease in-between your eyebrows you get when you're worried." Padme ran her finger along the ridge right where she said it was with a curious smile.

Anakin sighed for it was impossible for him to keep anything from her. "To be honest, my mind feels like scrambled eggs. It's been a tiring week and I've got a bit of work to do. I'm also concerned about Ahsoka, she hasn't been in for the last few days. But don't worry, I have actually slept. Just not well or for long." He pulled away from the embrace as Padme shook her head at him.

"Ani, you know that isn't good. I'm sure Ahsoka is fine. Maybe she got a cold, kids tend to get those after holidays when they are all mixing again. It's often nothing to worry about." Padme smiled at him as she went to take a shower. "Now, go start breakfast my love, I'm hungry." She instructed him while Anakin grumbled about not wanting to get up at this time as he got dressed.

He made a bowl of cereal for himself and Padme before she came in, washed and dressed from her shower. "Here you go, Madmoesle, one fresh bowl of cereal to suit your wonderful taste buds." Anakin placed the bowl in front of her with a silly grin.

Padme smiled. "Thank you Ani, now I feel like we need to talk about our next steps. If you and I don't want a child that is half one person and not half the other than we should look at methods of parenting that aren't genetic. That leaves foster care and adoption." He sat down next to her, listening to what she was saying but also paying a strange amount of attention to his breakfast.

Anakin nodded. "Well which one do you think we should try?" He would be happy with whatever Padme chose, so long as they could raise the child together.

Padme sighed. "I'm not sure, adoption means that we will have the child from a certain stage in their lives and be forever legally with them. However do you think that's too big of a jump when we've never looked after another person before? Foster care is only for short-term but if we really loved the child then we could adopt it as our own but that can be tricky however it might be too emotional for us to have to give the child up when it's time? Oh I don't know Ani, it's too hard!" She wailed and collapsed into the table, thankfully to the side and not directly in her breakfast.

Anakin looked sadly at his distressed wife and decided to take action. "Okay, relax, we will get through this. I'll go talk to Obi-wan today, see if he or Satine can help us while you stay here, calm down, and do some research. We will work this out." He kissed her softly as he stood up and washed his bowl up.

She smiled, already more relaxed. "Okay, thanks Ani, that's helpful and a good idea. I love you." Padme told him with a loving look.

Anakin smirked as he walked out the door. "I know."

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Ahsoka had managed to get up and out of bed today as well as get dressed and have something to eat. That was a good start. She still felt consumed by grief and bereavement and despite her sluggish movements, Ahsoka could start to look after herself. What annoyed her the most however was Mrs Talzen's insistence on finding her a home. She knew it was important obviously but Ahsoka really couldn't care at the moment. It was towards the beginning of the mouth so rent wasn't due for a long time, the fridge had recently been replenished and the bills weren't due again for ages.

It also made the social worker extremely keen to get to the bottom of Ahsoka's determination not to go to Hosin or into care. They were both pretty self-explanatory but Ahsoka just didn't feel like sharing her personal information with people she barely knew, regardless of their profession. She didn't want to live with her dad because that would encroach on his new life and be uncomfortable for everyone. The care was only slightly more complicated. To be honest, Ahsoka doubted whether or not she actually counted as going into care.

Shortly after the divorce, Ashla had gone off the rails and lost control. Mrs Offee had worried about Ahsoka's wellbeing and contacted some people to look into it. She'd made clear the circumstances of Ashla's breakdown and the social services understood but they agreed that until she got help, it might be better for Ahsoka to be placed in temporary accommodation. They had found a nice couple for her who Ahsoka lived with for a year. Mr and Mrs Farr had been very friendly and welcoming to her. Ahsoka had liked living with them but she remembered being escastic when Ashla was deemed suitable to mother her again. Mr and Mrs Farr had sent her birthday and Christmas cards but it had unnerved Ashla slightly and Ahsoka stopped replying or checking to hear from them. They eventually stopped trying to communicate with her.

So Ahsoka had actually nothing against going into care but the fear and terror she'd felt when the people tried to explain to a young Ahsoka and hysterical Ashla that she was being taken away had stayed with her for years and haunted her dreams. She didn't want to have to go through that upset and loss again, even if Ashla was gone and not coming back to retrieve her.

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Anakin knocked on Obi-wan's door and smiled when Korkie answered. "Hey Korks, your parents home?" Anakin was his non-genetic uncle and cared deeply about his nephew.

Korkie nodded. "Yeah, Father is in the living room, watching TV and Mother is in her office. What do you need, Uncle Anakin?" He led him into his home where Obi-wan was stood waiting for him.

Anakin smiled at the kid. "It's nothing for you to worry about Kid, a grown-up thing." He ruffled his hair and sent him off in the direction of his bedroom. Smiling, he turned to his best friend. "I need your help." Anakin pleaded with him.

Obi-wan shook his head. "I figured that much, what did you do now?" He guided Anakin to the couch who looked so offended.

"How could you assume I've done something dreadful?! I haven't! No, I need your help deciding whether or not Padme and I should adopt or foster." Anakin explained to him, only mock-hurt by his accusations.

Obi-wan frowned. "Well, believe it or not, this is one question I can't help you answer. You and Padme are your own unique couple who need to decide what's best for you. However, I will give you some advice: Whatever you pick, you will be raising a child so I suggest you choose knowing that you can look after them." With that, he patted him on the back and together they watched TV for a bit.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I hope I did the care thing right and that you enjoyed the bit with Korkie . I'll update again tomorrow, bye, bye.