Dark Skies

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Later that evening, the couple sat on the balcony looking out as the water reflected the moonlight. They sat in silence, taking in the peace of the secluded area and the calmness it offered. Anakin stretched out in his seat, taking what felt like his first breath of free air in a long, long time.

Padme was curled up next to him, a sleeveless, cream nightgown covering her ivory skin. Her curly brown locks were draped over her shoulder as she laid her head on Anakin's shoulder. For the first time in a long time, she felt as if they were really home and finally a family again.

Anakin turned his head slightly to look over his wife, a sense of peace settling over him as he studied her. Gently he leaned over and kissed her temple.

"I love you, Padme." He said softly.

"I love you more, Ani." She tilted her hair up and kissed his cheek. She felt as though nothing could get better than this moment. Padme felt four little feet kicking up a storm once again, although it didn't feel as bad as it had on the flight home. Anakin for his part sensed his children were restless and reached out a hand to gently caress Padme's stomach.

Padme couldn't help but giggle. For the first time since he returned home from campaign, Anakin was acting like his old self. He was being affectionate and caring instead of distant, cold person he had been on Coruscant. Her Ani was back and she planned to keep it that way.

"What was that giggle for, Angel?" He asked, playfully tweaking on of her chocolate curls with his free hand. She had an effortless smile on her face, biting her lip as she looked up at him. "You're just... being your old self again and it's amazing." Padme laid her hands over his hand that rested on her belly. "I think that the twins like their Daddy's goofy, lovey-dovey self is wonderful."

"Who said anything about goofy?" He protested with a smile, though at the corner of his eyes one could see the strain, the haunts of remembering all that had happened even in this peaceful moment... "I just did." She turned around and threw her legs over his thighs.

"I am not goofy!" He smirked, his eyes playfully challenging her. "Well, you're my goofy!" She laughed again, cupping his jaw with both of her hands. He gazed back at her, love and admiration shining through his gaze.

"How could you be so perfect for me? Even if you say I'm goofy." He asked with a small sigh of contentment. Padme smoothed down his hair with one hand, holding his jaw with other. "Darling, I'm anything but perfect."

"But you're my perfect." He answered using both his hands to trail down her finely chiseled jaw. She couldn't help but blush. He smirked slightly to see that reaction.

"You're cute when you blush."

She pushed his hand away, looking away from him. "Shut up, Ani..." Her cheeks burned even more. "See? Such a modest Angel..." He teased, reaching for her hand and bringing it to his lips. She started giggling again, slumping back against him as she looked up at the stars.

Anakin decided to drop the teasing for the moment and a looked up in the same direction.

"You know, when I was a kid I said I would be the first to see all the stars.. Now I've found the place where the most important starts shine the brightest." He commented thoughtfully, his hand tracing circles on the back of her hand.

"Which ones are the brightest?" Her brown eyes danced across the dark skies. "The ones that are reflected in your eyes." He said, turning his head slowly to look at her.

Padme turned her head, feeling those blue eyes on her. They were nose to nose, their lips almost brushing against each other's. "If I have you Padme, I don't need anyone or anything else." He whispered, his eyes searching hers. She felt her eyes grow heavy and her lips tremble softly. "Ani..."

"Shhh Angel, don't cry..." He said gently using his hand to wipe a stray tear away from her face. Padme buried her head in his shoulder only to shoot straight back up. The twins were kicking up a storm, sharp pains coming from their little feet.

"See? They don't like when Mommy's upset do you little ones?" Anakin asked, putting one hand on Padme's back to support her, while the other went to caress her belly again. She squeezed her eyes tight, the pains getting worse as their feet didn't stop. Padme gasped, grabbing his hand on her stomach.

"Anakin, it hurts..."

"Just breath Padme, I'm here." He soothed, his brow furrowing in worry, as his one arm held her shoulders. Tears started to form in her eyes and then the most unexpected thing happened. Her water broke.

Anakin jumped up, sensing the change in her sense, though he didn't know what had just happened. "Ani," She looked up at him with a pained smile on her face. "It's time."