Change the Fate's Design

Did You Hear About The Girl Who Lives In Delusion

It had been six months since the bombing on the rebel base. Almost everything had been destroyed, leaving only random items and the bunker. Whatever equipment that could be salvaged was moved down to the bunker, which quickly became crowded. About half of the rebels had been sent to various other bases to share information and trade supplies. As a result, there was less people in the bunker to feed and take care of.

Padmé had stayed on Endor, only venturing outside to get fresh air and watch the kids play. She hadn't been part of any more rebel plans or missions. Some rebels were still unconvinced of her loyalty, questioning how she knew about the bombing before it happened and worried that she was leaking intel to the empire. Instead of fighting, Padmé took a step back from the planning to focus on herself and the twins. She didn't want to know too much anyway, afraid that Anakin would come to her in a dream and somehow make her share everything she knew.

Obi Wan's and Ahsoka had been training the twins, and Padmé was relieved to see that they hadn't learnt much in the way of the dark side. Bail and Mon were still running everything, especially since Galen and his family had transferred to another base to help with mechanic issues. The empire had been quiet since the attack, and Padmé worried that it meant they were planning something else. Anakin hadn't appeared in any more of her dreams, and a small part of her couldn't help but be sad. She missed the man she married, the one he was before the empire, and the one that peaked through in that dream.

Padmé sunk into her bed and got comfortable. It was crowded in the base, but the bunks allowed for everyone to sleep comfortably and away from the official business. Padmé sighed, feeling exhausted from the extra weight she carried. The doctor had checked her often, but wasn't able to confirm if the baby had any conditions due to their limited medical equipment. But there was definitely only one baby this time, which made Padmé sigh with relief.

She didn't realise she had fallen asleep. When Padmé opened her eyes, she instantly looked for Luke and Leia. She spotted them across the room with Ahsoka. They both were completely captivated by whatever she was saying. Padmé shuffled over to listen.

"Boom! The bounty hunter fell through the vent!" Ahsoka spoke theatrically. "I jumped in but your mum pulls out her blaster and takes her down! Then she finishes her speech like nothing happened!"
Padmé smiled at the familiar story.
"You give me too much credit," she spoke up, and the three of them turned to look at her.
"Mum! Is it true that a bounty hunter tried to kill you?" Luke asked in astonishment.
"Yes. She wasn't the first either." Padmé sighed.
"Mum's a badass," Leia said proudly.
"Language," Padmé chided her, but couldn't help but smile.
"Ah Ahsoka, what corruption are you teaching the younglings this time?" Obi Wan appeared beside her.
"Just telling them about one of the bounty hunter attacks on Padmé. You stopped one too, didn't you?"
"Yes. It is difficult to forget when I jumped out of a window in pursuit. Luckily Anakin caught me before I plunged into the city." Obi Wan stroked his beard. The twins turned to him and started bombarding him with questions.

Ahsoka looked at Padmé, noticing the sad smile on her face.
"Are you alright?"
Padmé nodded, and Ahsoka realised that she wouldn't say otherwise in front of the twins.
"Can you come outside to help me with something?" Ahsoka asked.
The twins barely noticed them leaving, too engrossed in Obi Wan's recount of the failed assassination attempt.

——

Padmé knew there was nothing that Ahsoka needed her help with. No one asked the heavily pregnant woman to do anything.
"How are you?"
"The baby's okay and the kids seem happy, so I'm fine." Padmé replied.
"I was asking about you Padmé. How are you feeling? Really?"
Padmé sighed.
"Scared. Lonely. I miss him. I know I shouldn't but.. I can't help but think about how I'm going to give birth without him."

"Can I ask you something?" Ahsoka asked, and Padmé nodded in response.
"Why did you go with him? Truly?"
"I thought I could help him. Change him back to the man he was. But I was stupid and delusional. I see now that he was already too far gone by that point." Despite her words, Padmé couldn't help but think about the glimmer of blue left in his eyes.
"That's what I thought. But is he really completely gone? There must still be good in him." Ahsoka said hopefully. Padmé took her hand and squeezed it in comfort.
"I like to think there is. But the emperor pushed it so far down that I don't know if Anakin even knows it's there." Padmé sighed, covering her face with her hands. They sat in silence for a moment, unsure what else to say. Just as Ahsoka was about to speak, Padmé let out a sharp hiss of pain.
"What's wrong?"
Padmé took a breath, curling in on herself before responding shakily.
"I think the baby's coming."