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The young girl glanced down at the floor, letting out a soft sigh. Impatience gnawed at her, making it feel as though they'd been standing there forever. As her eyes drifted aimlessly, a familiar voice echoed nearby, pulling her attention. She looked up just in time to see Anakin speaking with Senator Bail Organa. From what Zera understood, Bail was a trusted friend to both Anakin and Padmé.

Anakin smiled at something the senator said, though the smile faded slightly as he sensed two familiar presences hiding behind the columns. He straightened, but continued to listen to Bail's words. "I'll do everything I can with the senate," Bail reassured him.

Anakin nodded respectfully. "Thank you, Senator. Excuse me."

"Of course."

With that, Anakin turned toward the shadows, his gaze finding Padmé and Zera. As he approached, Padmé rushed into his arms, their embrace a silent conversation of relief and longing. When their lips met, Zera quickly looked away, feeling as if the moment stretched on forever. Finally, when the kiss ended, Anakin gently released Padmé and lifted Zera into his arms. She giggled, wrapping her small arms around his neck, feeling safe and cherished in his embrace.

Padmé's hand lingered on his arm, her voice shaky as she found the words. "Anakin, I-I can't believe you're home. They told me..." Her voice caught in her throat, and Zera could see the pain in her eyes. "There were whispers... that you'd been killed. I couldn't-every day-"

Anakin's expression softened, his gaze full of reassurance. "Never believe stories like that," he whispered gently. "Never. I will always come back to you, Padmé. Both of you." He smiled down at the young girl in his arms, his voice filled with quiet determination.

Padmé swallowed hard, finally able to speak again. "I've lived a year for every hour you were away."

"It's been a lifetime," she murmured softly. "Two."

The young girl reached up to touch the burn scar on Anakin's cheek, her small fingers grazing the mark. "You got hurt?" she asked, her brown eyes wide with concern.

Anakin smiled, attempting to ease her worry. "Nothing serious," he reassured her. "Just a little reminder that I need to practice with my lightsaber more often."

Zera nodded solemnly, accepting his words as fact, though her eyes lingered on the scar a moment longer. Anakin gently set her back on the ground before turning to Padmé. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. Zera, once again, averted her gaze, staring anywhere but at them.

Padmé turned her head, her voice hushed but firm. "Anakin, not here. It's too risky."

"Let them see," he whispered, a hint of defiance in his tone. "I'm tired of the deception. I don't care if they know we're married."

Padmé shot him a warning look. "Anakin, don't say things like that. We have a duty to the Republic. Both of us."

He brushed his thumb gently across her cheek, the rebellious spark in his eyes dimming slightly. After a moment of silence, he pulled her close, resting his forehead against hers as if drawing strength from the contact.

Moments later, Anakin pulled back, noticing the tremor in her hands. "What's wrong? You're shaking."

Padmé hesitated, her lips trembling as she gathered her courage. "Something wonderful has happened. Ani... I'm pregnant."

The words hung in the air, and Zera watched as Anakin's expression shifted, the weight of their child's meaning crashing over him. But then, as if the sun broke through the clouds, joy lit up his face-wild and uncontainable. He glanced down at Zera, who was grinning ear to ear, sharing in the excitement without fully understanding.

"That's..." he said slowly, a spark of life returning to his eyes. "That's wonderful... Padmé, that's incredible. How long have you known?"

Padmé shook her head, worry flashing across her face. "What are we going to do?"

Anakin's response was immediate, his voice confident. "We're going to be happy. That's what we'll do. And we'll be together. All four of us." He lifted Zera into his arms again, as if to make his promise tangible.

"But-"

"No," he interrupted, pressing a finger gently to her lips. "No buts. No worries. You already worry too much."

"That's what I told her!" Zera chimed in, throwing her hands up in playful exasperation.

Padmé managed a tearful smile. "I have to," she whispered, blinking through the moisture in her eyes. "Because you never worry at all."

Anakin laughed softly, kissing her forehead. "That's why we make the perfect team."

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