The Force is With Her

13 · two sets of good news

(vera)

About a week after the defeat of the Chancellor, the senate and Jedi order were in total chaos. The senate needed a new leader, but none could agree on one. The Jedi were in chaos, because Anakin Skywalker, the man who defeated the Sith, saved the Jedi order, and brought balance to the force, had just revealed he was the father of Senator Amidala's baby, and that they had been married for three years.

I sat in the Council room, on a seat in the corner, like a kid waiting to be talked to by a school principal. Not only was Anakin on "trial" so to speak, but now so was I, because Anakin stupidly had mentioned I knew about it too.

"Kryoff, would you come up?" asked Master Windu and I hesitantly stood up, looking nervously at the blank stares of the masters.

"Hey, um, how y'all doing?" I asked, nervously. Sweat was running down my face and my palms moistened.

"Knew about Skywalker's secret, you did?" asked Yoda.

"Y-yes," I stuttered.

"And kept it, you have."

"I couldn't betray him. He's my master."

"But you kept a secret about someone breaking the code," said Windu, looking at me.

"With all due respect, masters, I believe you aren't thinking through this. He fought and won against the Chancellor. The way you're thinking is that if he was married, he wouldn't have succeeded. But he did."

"Vera's right," Obi-Wan spoke up. "The code is thousands of years old. It almost brought him down the wrong path. Maybe it's time for a change."

"Agree with Master Kenobi, I do," Yoda said, "expelled, he will not be. Bring him back in, we shall."

Master Windu opened the door for Anakin, who looked stressed beyond belief. He was wringing his hands and gulped nervously. I gave him a large smile, and his nervousness stopped.

"Skywalker, we have elected not to expel you. The code is old and we will be doing away with it. And, for your bravery, you are to become a Jedi master and a member of the council," said Windu.

Anakin smiled and nodded.

"Thank you," he said calmly.

"You two are dismissed."

Anakin and I walked out of the conference room, and as soon as the door closed, we let out a cheer. 

"You did it!" I cried happily, giving him a large hug.

"Because of you. You're amazing, Vera," he replied, lifting me up and swinging me around.

"Come on, let's go tell Padmé the good news!"

I grabbed his hand and pulled him down the hallway. I was incredibly happy too. Maybe, just maybe, if Cassie felt the same about me, I could finally have the relationship I wanted so desperately with her.

Anakin and I entered the ship hangar and I hopped into my speeder, starting it up. I waited for Anakin to take off, then followed after him. The directions to his and Padmé's apartment were still a little fuzzy in my brain. We both landed soon, and practically knocked down the front foor as we rushed inside.

"Padmé! Guess what?" I shouted excitedly.

"What?" she asked waddling towards us.

"I'm a master now. And they changed the code. We don't have to be a secret anymore," said Anakin, taking Padmé's hand and kissing her passionately.

As soon as they pulled away, Padmé gasped and grabbed her stomach.

"What is it, angel?" Anakin asked nervously.

"M-my water. It broke," she said breathlessly, holding her stomach.

Anakin's eyes widened and so did mine.

"Vera, there's a blue bag on the foot of our bed. Go grab it while I help Padmé to the ship!" Anakin ordered, wrapping his arm around Padmé's shoulders.

I nodded quickly, turning on my heels and sprinting towards their bedroom. I was ecstatic. The Skywalker baby I had couldn't wait for was finally arriving.

(anakin)

I helped Padmé into the ship, and ten seconds later Vera came sprinting out of the apartment with the bag slung over her shoulder.

"Here you go!" she shouted, handing it to me quickly and getting into her own ship.

"Vera, no, you stay here. I'll have Obi-Wan get you when the baby is here," I told her.

"But-" she said.

"No buts. We'll see you later."

I closed the hatch and prepared the ship for takeoff, with one hand since Padmé was squeezing mine as hard as she could. Thankfully, it was the mechanical one and if busted it could be replaced. I felt bad for leaving Vera, but she wasn't old enough to be in the hospital room and I would feel even worse if she had to sit outside. I made a note to tell Obi-Wan to stay there with her so she wouldn't run off. I quickly sent him a message, my hand never leaving Padme's.

I landed the ship in the hospital landing bay, helping Padmé from the ship. She was breathing heavily, and I grew worried. What if the vision came true? 

The medic droids inside helped her into a wheelchair, wheeling her into a birthing area. She was helped onto a bed, and I stood next to her, holding her hand through each contraction. Her hair was matty and her face was red and sweaty, and with every contraction I felt myself grow even more nervous. Then I realized the hospital dress she was wearing was baby blue, not the white one like in my vision.

"Padmé," I said stunned.

"W-what is it, Ani?" she said through short breaths.

"The vision. It's not real. It was never real."

She smiled throughout the pain, before letting out another. I held her hand, ecstatically awaiting the birth of my children.