chains | anidala

welcome

The hours painfully dragged on. Sweat glistened from Padmé's arms, forehead, and lower back as she caught her breath. The contractions came every few minutes, causing a loud shriek to escape her lips. A never-ending stream of tears stained her red cheeks.

She was exhausted as she brushed her messy, matted hair away from her eyes. Anakin glanced at her, his face painted with a worried expression. His irises expressed a questioning look, as to ask how she was feeling. Padmé sighed, her bottom lip quivering.

"I can't do this anymore."

Vulnerability tore her cover away like one pulling a blanket off. She felt naked, revealing so much pain to him. However, Padmé had no control of her body. All she wanted was to be held and comforted, besides of her mixed feelings towards Anakin.

"I can get you to a nearby planet soon, my love," He replied. "But this ship is slow. No hyperdrive. I'm sorry."

She shook her head, her knuckles white as she tried to focus on another sort of pain. Suddenly, she let out another shriek. The pain had doubled, paralyzing Padmé. She sat in the chair, legs wide, unable to find any position comfortable.

"I can't Anakin," She cried out. "I can't do this anymore."

"Seriously?" He asked her, glancing at her again.

Padmé's thick sob answered him. She continued to shake her head, gasping at her inability to form words.

"I-I think it's t-time," She whispered.

Anakin store hard into the darkness ahead of him. He kept his gaze set, fear washing over him. His greatest terror, losing her, had the potential to come true. These could be their last moments together.

And he hadn't even learned the power of life from Palpatine.

"Ani!" She screamed from beside him. "Ani, please! Help me! I need help!"

He didn't respond, forcefully willing the ship to go faster.

"Pl-please," She whispered. "I can't do this alone!"

"No, Padmé! Let me land the ship on the nearest planet. We'll get proper medical help."

"No!" She shouted. "I'm having this baby now. I can feel it."

"Can't you just wait?" He mumbled, fear thickly lay within each word.

"No, Anakin," She replied in frustration.  "There's this funny thing about childbirth... you can't wait!"

"Padmé, I can get you to a planet in-"

"Anakin Skywalker!" She hissed, the next contraction sneaking up on her. She cursed, throwing her head back. "Stop the ship. Snap out of this! It's alright! But it won't be if you don't help me!"

Anakin turned towards her in the chair, standing up dramatically and throwing his hands in the air.

"There is nothing here!" He told her. "How do we deliver a baby with nothing but a couple parts. There isn't even a blanket."

"Use your cloak."

"You're crazy," He sighed.

"Get over here," Padmé replied. "I need you to take my pants off."

Anakin grinned foolishly, wiggling his eyebrows. "I mean if you say so."

Padmé laughed, exhausted but joyfully. She hadn't been able to laugh for such a long time, it felt nice. Like a breath of fresh air on a hot and muggy day.

"Not like that!"

Anakin landed the ship on a nearby meteor. The impact jerked the machine and caused Padmé to wince. Quickly, Anakin crossed the distance between the two to hold her.