THE SKYWALKERS: book one

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - Home

"No!" Anakin woke with a start. It took him a moment to remember he was in bed next to Padmé in their temporary bedroom on Tatooine. He sat up, breathing heavily, and looked around the darkened room. He'd wanted to leave the day before, but Padmé had wanted him to rest after what he'd been through.

Anakin carefully got out of bed, trying not to disturb Padmé, and he slipped out of the room, not even bothering to put his tunic on since he was in nothing but some pants. He wondered if he'd ever be able to sleep through the night.

Without thinking, he stuck his head in the doorway of the twins' room, checking to make sure they were alright. They were both sleeping soundly, thank the Force. It had taken him and Padmé forever to get them down.

In the quiet darkness of the home, he could somewhat understand the appeal of the peaceful farm life. His life was so far from peaceful.

He couldn't help but replay his most recent nightmare in his head over and over. The younglings were crying out, calling for him, begging him to help. But he was stuck in an endless hallway. It was dark, and no matter how fast he ran, he couldn't reach them in time.

He stared at the twins, his face stony. How could he protect his children if he couldn't protect the younglings at the Temple? He didn't know the answer. It was yet another question to add to the seemingly endless list of conflicts.

"You had another nightmare," Padmé's arms were suddenly around him.

"Yes," he did his best to keep his voice steady.

"Come on. Let's talk." She took his hand in hers and pulled him from the twins' room. "So," she said once they were in the courtyard.

He turned his back on her. "I saw them dying. I couldn't save them."

"Them?" Padmé prompted.

"The younglings. Padmé, I was a monster. I came so close..."

"But you came back to me. You came back to us. Now you're going to be an amazing father." She walked around so that she was in front of him.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because," she took his face in her hands. "I know you, and I know that you're the most compassionate, loyal, caring person."

He smiled. "I wish I could trust myself as you do."

"You used to."

"No," he said, stepping closer to her. "I didn't."

Her brow furrowed, but she brought her lips to his. When she pulled back she said, "Leading isn't about always being sure of yourself. I'm sure parenting is the same way."

"I hope so," he said.

"Let's leave tomorrow morning. I'm ready to travel. We can go to Naboo and raise our children."

"Perfect. Now, that's enough talking." He kissed her again.




"Good to see you, it is, Obi-Wan. Your training, we will begin," Yoda said, sitting on a rock amidst the murky swamps of Dagobah. He was barely visible to Obi-Wan through the fog, but his presence was strong enough. "Alright, is young Skywalker?"

"Yes. Quite alright."

"And the child?"

"Children," Obi-Wan removed his hood and sat down on a rock in front of Yoda, bringing his hands together.

"With two, far greater, their power will be."

"I worry about leaving them to be trained by Anakin. It's not that I don't trust him—because I do. It's just that—"