Change the Fate's Design

I Was Too Scared to Jump In

Padmé awoke to the sound of a baby's cries. She slowly sat up and realised that Luna wasn't in the sling, which was still tied across her chest. She panicked,looking around for the source of the cries and found her laying in a crate nearby. She quickly scooped up the baby and and shushed her, before looking around the small room. Luke and Leia were on the floor as well, just starting to wake up. She ran over to them as Luke looked at her groggily, before his eyes grew wide in fear.
"Mummy? What happened?"
"What is this place?" Leia grumbled.
The room was made up of three solid grey walls and set of bars that went from the roof to the floor and crackled with electricity. There was nothing in the cell with them except for the small crate.

"I think we're on a separatist vessel," Padmé told them, ushering them closer. Her hand went to her thigh and she cursed when she realised her blaster was gone. "Do you two still have your weapons?" She asked. They both patted their shirts and nodded. "Good. Keep them hidden."
Before they could do anything else, footsteps started to echo down the halls.
"Get behind me," Padmé told them before she handed Luna to Leia.

As she expected, Palpatine's ugly face appeared at the cell. He looked way too happy for her liking.

"Lady Vader! Looking lovely as ever." He cackled.
"Sadly, I can't say the same for you." She shot back.
"Now, that's no way for a lady to speak. Ah, I see you have another youngling! I suppose congratulations are in order." He hummed, smiling wickedly. "And she seems to be strong in the force too."
Padmé only glared at him, staying in front of her kids. Luna started to whimper before crying loudly. Padmé took her from Leia and bounced her as Palpatine looked on in disgust.
"Quite troublesome though. I advise you get her under control or I will."
Padmé held Luna closer, enraged my the threat.
"Well, I'll leave you to settle in. Enjoy your stay." He turned around, cackles echoing through the hall as he walked off.

——

A few minutes had passed and Padmé had Luna back in the sling, cuddled close to keep her warm. The baby had calmed down after she had been fed and was now dozing off. Padmé moved around the room looking for weak points or otherways to escape. So far she found nothing. The twins were curled up together on the ground, talking in hushed voices.

None of them expected for another person to appear so soon.
He stood tall, towering over them in his black suit and helmet. Padmé took a step back as he entered the cell, the bars reappearing behind him.

"You're here," he said, like he wasn't expecting to see them there. Padmé shielded Luna, glaring at him. A small part of her wanted to leap into his arms and be held again, but her rational side fought back. She couldn't help the fear that clenched her heart. There was also a flare of anger as his betrayal flashed in her brain.

"Daddy?" Luke asked hesitantly.
Vader removed his helmet and bent down to the twin's level. Even though she knew he wouldn't hurt them, Padmé tensed up.
"That's right. I missed you two," he said softly, as if he was trying not to scare them. Luke glanced at his mother briefly before jumping into his father's arms. Vader immediately embraced him, a tear slipping down his cheek. He looked over Luke's shoulder at Leia, who had moved to Padmé's side and was glaring at him. He smiled gently at his daughter, holding a hand out to her. Leia glanced at her mother before moving closer to her.

Vader sighed, standing back up and facing Padmé. "I..." he stammered.
"I didn't know he was going to capture you. He doesn't know I'm here, but I had to see if it was really you." He explained breathlessly.
He took a step closer, holding out his hand. "Padmé, please-"

"Sir, the Emperor requests your presence immediately." A voice told him through his com link.
"I'll be back," he told her, but Padmé still refused to respond.
"Dad's here? What is he going to do?" Leia asked, confused. Padmé looked at the hallway he had disappeared down and sighed.
"I don't know, honey. I don't know."