Legend of the Jedi Princess 2: A Skywalker-Jinn Miracle

Father & Son Heart to Hearts

For the next three days, Anakin got to work making a checklist of everything the new baby would need. He even went into the closet and found a box of some of Gabby's old baby toys.

Anakin chuckled as he shook a little pink butterfly rattle Gabby used to love playing with.

"My little princess sure loved playing with you." He said.

Anakin looked through the box some more and found a book of old pictures. Pictures of Gabby when she was a baby. He had so many great memories with her. Her first words, her first steps, the first time she smiled at him and Padme, and when she called him Daddy for the first time. And then, he looked at another page he hadn't looked at in a long time.

That page was filled with sonograms and ultrasounds from when Padme was pregnant with their first baby. Anakin couldn't help feeling guilty that he wasn't there for her the first time. He wasn't there to get her whatever food she was craving, help her get up from bed or her chairs, or even to help her pick a name for the baby ahead of time. He never even got to attend one doctor's appointment with her to watch their baby grow inside her as they got the ultrasounds.

But then, another thought crossed Anakin's mind. What if Padme did end up dying in childbirth and he did have to raise his kids on his own? What would it mean for them? What would it mean for their family? Padme was the only woman he ever loved, and the only woman he would ever love.

Then, Anakin found something else. Something that meant so much to him. An old picture. The one picture he had of his mother. Qui-Gon gave him and Carmine each a copy of that picture. It was of Shmi holding the twins when they were just little babies.

Four years was not nearly enough time for Anakin to fully heal from the heartbreak he suffered after losing his mother. And to lose another woman he loved more than anything else... the mere thought made him break down in tears. He could sooner count all the stars in the sky than describe how much he missed his mother.

Anakin could've easily asked Gabby if she would cast that same spell she used to revive his father, but he remembered the warning she gave Carmine, that casting that spell too many times was not only dangerous for the casters... it would upset the balance of the world surrounding them.

"Mom... I wish you were here." Anakin whispered to the picture as tears slid down his cheeks.

Anakin was particularly sad today because today would've been his mother's birthday.

"I miss her too." said a gentle voice, startling Anakin.

Anakin looked to see his father behind him. He didn't say anything and just looked at his picture again.

Qui-Gon sat down beside his son and looked at the picture.

"Your mother was a remarkable woman." He said. "She deserved so much better than to be a slave."

Anakin still said nothing.

"While it is true she did not have a luxurious lifestyle, she always had you. And she was very fortunate to have had a child who stayed strong for her, and loved her so dearly. She was never alone."

Anakin sniffed. "Except for just before she died at the hands of those... monsters!"

Qui-Gon put a comforting hand on Anakin's shoulder.

"Anakin... I know I couldn't be there for you growing up, but I am here now. And so is your mother. In here."

Qui-Gon placed a hand over Anakin's heart.

"Once you love someone, that is where they stay... forever. Just as your mother always sang to you."

Anakin tried to hold back as he heard his mother's voice singing that song in his head, but he couldn't stop his tears. He wanted to cry, but didn't want to do it in front of Qui-Gon.