𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐃 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐕𝐄 | 𝟏𝟖+

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ❷❾

Three months later...

I was now roughly five months pregnant. Most of my clothes don't fit anymore, so I've resorted to wearing Anakin's sweatpants and one of his black oversized long sleeve shirts, which I'd always end up rolling the sleeves up on. It still smells like him, even after all this time of being away. This mission wasn't supposed to last this long.

On our last holo chat, he promised that they'd be home in a week...that was last month. Every time we go without communication for weeks on end, I can't help but fear the worst. Mom and Padmé have been a huge help to calm my nerves on the days that I'm not busying myself with work, but sometimes it gets all too overwhelming, coddling even, and I end up back in our home, usually curled up in Anakin's silk robe, staring out into the distance.

Through my work, I've stayed fairly active for a pregnant women, helping Master Yoda train the younglings as well as advancing my own lightsaber skills in my down time. And thanks to Padmé's generous hand maidens, I was able to conceal my swelling belly with new black leggings that covered my bump and a black flowing tunic to minimize my pregnant appearance. Sometimes I even spiced it up with a jean jacket. I also changed my upper arm bands to gold, which popped proudly over the soft black cotton which covered my arms. And instead of my long light brown hair, it was now trimmed to just below my breast.

Now it just feels like all of my days are blending together, and the only thing I look forward to is the dead of night. But tonight just feels different. Sleep had escaped me and I was left staring at the dark ceiling while mom slept soundly to the side of me. Glancing in her direction, my mother's angelic figure faced the big window as I watched the steady rise and fall of her breaths.

I take a second before inwardly groaning as I slide off the bed and tiptoe to the door, grabbing my jacket before gently sliding through the crack I created in the doorway, silently closing the door after me. I slowly wander in the dark hallway until I walk through the dimly lit living room by the moons glow, and step out into the cool breeze of night, pulling my jacket on for warmth.

Before I could get the chance to sit on the cushioned chair, my comlink began to beep in my pocket. My heart begins to race as I fumble with the device in my shaky hand before placing it gently on the table and taking a deep breath as I answer it.

To my greatest relief, Anakin appears before me with a solemn glance, taking a deep breath with closed eyes before staring at me lovingly. My hearts palpitations continue greatly as I do my best to cover my swollen belly. "You're late again." I say with a soft smile. I wanted to say so much more, tell him the truth, but words suddenly escape me once I realized I just wanted to hear his voice. Memorize the new features before me.

His curly hair had grew another inch, his eyes had darkened around the edges from the lack of sleep. And he grew worry lines on his forehead, from Obi-Wan, no doubt. "Eden, I am so sorry. We didn't anticipate the Outer Rim Sieges would last this long." Anakin exclaims quickly. I could sense his longing to be with me, to be back home, to sleep soundlessly in his own bed.

"That would be why they call it a Siege, Anakin." I tease. My husband sighs and drops his head for a second before looking back up at me, "I know, I just thought that I—"

"You thought you could bring a swift end to the conflict single-handedly." I state rather than question. Shrugging his shoulders with bent elbows, Ani hesitates momentarily with his response, "Yeahhh." I giggle and lightly shake my head. When will he get it that he can't do everything alone? "Anakin, what you're doing is important. The Republic needs you on the front lines just as they need Padmé's voice in the Senate."

Anakin tilts his head before bringing it upright again. "I know." Just then, a soft echoing could be heard and Anakin turns to look behind him. I fur my brows and try to look around his blue hued figure as I ask, "Who is it?" Anakin sighs in annoyance and looks to his side, "Obi-Wan is coming." Knowing this is not the reason for my husbands sudden annoyance, I shake my head, "No, Obi-Wan knows about us, so that's not it. There's something else."