4Disclaimer: All quotes from Republic High and Careless Preparation are mine. However, I don't own Star Wars. All characters are the property of George Lucas and Lucasfilm Ltd.
Okay, everyone, it's Happy Ending time at last! I really don't want to spoil the contents, of this chapter, so I won't say much, except that there will be some Careless Preparation cameos...And, as a special treat for the last chapter of this fic, it will be written in Anakin's POV
Enjoy!
I don't fidget.
Not normally anyway. But, as I stand here next to the most important person in my life, one hand shoved into my pocket to grip the small, black velvet box nestled there, my nerves get the better of me. Soon, I'm shifting my weight from one foot to the other as we stand out on my balcony in my crappy flat-rate apartment.
It's spring now, and the evenings are finally warm enough to stay outside and watch the sunset; it's one of Padmé's favorite things to do.
Speaking of which, Padmé will be due any day now...and I can't shake the sense of guilt at knowing that we aren't married. Somehow, I'd always imagined that I'd do things in the right order: Fall in love, get married, have a baby. Unfortunately, that's not quite how it turned out.
But, hopefully this will make up for it.
With a shaking hand, I reach out to caress Padmé's shoulder.
As she turns, her beautiful brunette tresses glittering in the evening sun, I get down on one knee.
It's then that I realize I'm shaking.
Taking on a sociopathic evil dictator?
No sweat.
Popping the question?
Facing Palpatine has nothing on this.
I gaze up into Padmé's enrapturing brown orbs. "Padmé?" I venture.
"Yes?" Padmé raises an eyebrow. "What are you doing on the floor?"
I take a deep breath. "I was really hoping to do this the traditional way; you know, fancy restraunt, a bottle of champagne, a band that plays our song at exactly the right moment..." I explain as I grip the box tighter.
Padmé nods, forehead creasing in confusion.
"I was also hoping we'd have reached this point in our relationship before we had kids, but I think I'm mostly responsible for that." I take the ring out of my pocket. "Padmé, you are the most wonderful, the most beautiful, radiant, smart, sexy, angelic, fantastic woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. And I can't imagine spending my life with anyone but you. Padmé Naberrie...will you marry me?" I ask, opening the ring box to showcase the beautiful 45 karat diamond ring.
Padmé smiles down at me. "Of course I will, you big dope." And then she kisses me.
Inexplicably, she jerks away from me, panting.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
Padmé looked down at herself. "I...I think my water just broke." She stutters.
Realization sets my brain on fire. I nod. "I'll get the car."
***SoS***
I don't know how long I've been standing here, beside Padmé's hospital bed. It feels like days, no, years.
I grip her hand with my flesh appendage as my mechanical one brushes her sweat-damp hair gingerly from her forehead. "Padmé? How're you doing sweetheart?" I wonder, then cringe as she screams; another contraction, no doubt.
Padmé's eyes fly open. "Anakin," She pants, face glistening with perspiration. "Oh, Anakin." She moans exhaustedly.
I chuckle brokenly. "It's alright, Padmé, I'm here. We'll get through this together." I smile down at her, wincing as her grip tightens, grating the bones of my organic hand against one another. This is going to be a long day. I think.
I'm right.
Every one of her screams torments me- the dread dragon in my chest sneers: This is your fault. You did this to her. With an almost Herculean effort, I manage to ignore the pangs of guilt stabbing me.
It is the worst kind of torture imaginable.
But in the end, it's worth it.
After six excruciating hours in labor, at 7:42 PM, Padmé delivers two beautiful children into the world-a boy, Luke and a girl, Leia.
With the med-droid's assistance, Padmé is able to hold them for a little while.
For a long time, we sit together, marveling at the beauty of our children.
We are, for the first time since the whole mess with Palpatine started, happy.
And then Obi-Wan walked in, Ahsoka and Mace trickle into the room behind him.
I look at him remorsefully. "Listen. About before..." I begin.
Obi-Wan waves his hand, cutting me off. "Water under the bridge. Everyone is safe now, that's all that's important. Besides, You're going to have your hands full with these kids." He says.
"I know." I reply.
"What are their names." Ahsoka interjects.
"Luke and Leia." Padmé answers.
"Can I hold one of them?" Ahsoka asks.
"Yes, but be very careful; make sure you support his head." I warn, handing Luke to her gingerly.
Luke coos up at her and she smiles.
As I look between my fiancée and my cousin, It hits me:
I have my whole life ahead of me.
We're safe.
We're happy.
And now, we're a family.
And you know what?
That's good enough for me.
And that will conclude the Republic High duology. Many thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far, I hope you enjoyed the story; don't forget to tell me what you think of the ending!
Also, I need to clear some things up- in an earlier post, I had mentioned something about starting a Star Wars/ Twilight crossover. Sorry to disappoint, but that will no longer be the case. One of my very patient fans, MasterCheif2486 has been waiting for me to finish this series so I can turn my attention to the fic I've started in his honor...Star Wars: Twilight Memorial. It's also an AU fic, but it's set in the Star Wars universe, so expect lots of lightsaber duels and Force pwnage. Check it out if you haven't gotten a chance to yet, it's what I'll be working on for the next while.
May the Force be with you,
~Ink17