Change the Fate's Design

It's Never too Late to Come Back to My Side

The man standing outside her door caused her heart to pound against her rib cage. It wasn't Darth Vader. It was Anakin. He looked at her with such desperation in eyes, so similar to that day on Mustafar. "Padmé," he breathed. His eyes dropped to her rounded stomach. He placed his real hand on her bump, and for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to pull away. The baby kicked, seemingly sensing their father's presence. Anakin moved his hand to her cheek. She was still frozen in her spot.
"Padmé. I'm so sorry. I was wrong about everything. I want you to come back. I want us to be a family again."
Padmé just stared, her mouth opening but no words coming out.
"Please, Angel," he leaned his forehead on hers. The woman felt herself sink into his embrace and closing her eyes, forgiveness on the tip of her tongue.

Padmé woke up with a racing heart. Her hand immediately went to her stomach to find that her bump was still small, barely noticeable in her usual clothes. With the reassurance that she was in her room on the rebel base, she allowed herself to relax back onto her bed and breathe. Flashes of the dream popped through her head. Could that actually happen? Was she really just deluding herself? Even if it did, could she really forgive him that quickly? As much as she tried to deny it, Padmé knew that Anakin would always have a place in her heart. She also didn't want to admit that she would accept him in a heartbeat if he was truly sorry.

Padmé rolled over, eventually falling into an uneasy sleep.

——
The next two days went by without very much to report. Galen was still working on finding Obi Wan's current location and the rest of the rebels were running around doing whatever they could, Nova among them. Padmé had been confined to her quarters, being told to rest and that they would come find her when they found something. Padmé spent some time getting to know Lyra when she brought Jyn over to play with the twins, and Padmé found herself learning more about the rebels and their mission. The twins seemed to be settling in nicely, happy to have new clothes and a new friend. But she knew they would start asking about their father at some point.

It was early the next morning when Padmé was finally called to the meeting room. Galen had finally gotten into the network and told them Obi Wan's last known location was Hoth, an icey planet Padmé had little knowledge on. They had agreed to send Ahsoka with two teams, one to accompany her and one to act as backup. Padmé stayed quiet during the discussion.

After the meeting ended, Ahsoka left to prepare to leave immediately, as the trade was expected to take place at sundown. Padmé slipped away from the others and cornered Ahsoka at the docking bay.
"I'm coming with you," she told the younger girl.
Ahsoka turned around, not appearing too surprised at her appearance.
"Are you sure, Padmé? What about the twins?"
"They'll be fine, they'll have Nova and Lyra. Let me come, please. I have to prove my worth," she pleaded.
Ahsoka placed a hand on Padmé's arm in worry. "You know that we might run into him right?"
Padmé knew who she was referring to, and shook her head stubbornly.
"I don't care. He won't change my mind if that's what you're thinking,"
"I know he won't. But I don't want you to get hurt."
"I've been on plenty of dangerous missions. Besides, we did make a pretty good team back in the day." Padmé winked. Ahsoka rolled her eyes, begrudgingly giving in.
"Fine. We're leaving in twenty minutes." She then turned her gaze back to the supplies and Padmé ran back to her room to prepare for the mission.

——

"You're really going?" Lyra asked in surprise. The twins were playing with Jyn in the next room as Padmé gathered supplies.
"I have to earn their trust. Besides, Obi Wan has come to my aid many times. It's only right that I return the favour," She explained.
She faced the other woman. "Thank you for watching them, Lyra. I would ask Nova but she's doing work for the base."
"Of course." The other woman smiled.
Padmé closed her bag and turned towards the kid's room, where she called out to her children. They came running out and she bent down to hug them both.
"How long will you be away?" Luke asked anxiously.
"Not long, Luke. You'll be so busy having fun with Jyn and her mummy that you won't even notice I'm gone!" Padmé assured the little boy.
"Be careful mummy." Leia said.
"I will. Take care of your brother, okay?"
Leia puffed out her chest and nodded proudly. "I will."
"Hey! Im a Jedi! I can take care of myself!" The twins started bickering, and Padmé looked at Lyra with an apologetic gaze before turning back to the kids.
"Be good, okay?" She kissed them both on the forehead and stood up.
"Thank you again, and good luck." She told Lyra as she headed for the door.
"And to you. May the force be with you."