Chapter Text
Obi-Wan woke in the middle of the sleep-cycle to a small, but truly irritated disturbance in the Force. He took a moment to breathe and ground himself before reaching out to determine the larger goings-on in the ship. He swung himself out of bed and grabbed his robe on his way out of the bedroom he was sharing with Cody. He could sense that Anakin was awake, but his emotions in the Force were unusually calm and measured. He poked his head around the corner and saw Anakin, softly swaying from side to side, holding a swaddled newborn in his arms.
“La la lu,
La la lu,
Oh my little star sweeper,
I’ll sweep the stardust for you.”
Obi-Wan knew then that this was what Anakin was made for. Sure, he was a brilliant General and a demon on the battlefield. His control over the Force was breath-taking. But there was something so perfectly right about Anakin holding his child and singing them a lullaby. For the first time that Obi-Wan could remember, Anakin’s presence didn’t burn, it glowed.
“La la lu,
La la lu,
Little soft, fluffy sleeper,
Here comes a pink cloud for you.”
Obi-Wan leaned against the doorframe and found himself at peace. Anakin had never been more solidly in the Light. There had been moments as the war raged on that he had been concerned for his padawan. Being surrounded by death and suffering had led to more than one Jedi Falling. He would delight in calling the Council and informing them of just how wrong they had been.
“La la lu,
La la lu,
Little wandering angel,
Fold up your wings,
Close your eyes.”
Padmé slipped next to him and watched as Anakin seamlessly fell into his new role. She kept her voice quiet as they both watched. “I knew he loved children. I just didn’t realize how much until they were born.”
“He’s a natural.”
“Thank goodness one of us is. I never spent much time around babies. I didn’t get to really have much free time to see my niblings when they were born.”
“La la lu,
La la lu,
And may love be your keeper.
La la lu,
La la lu,
La la lu.”
Obi-Wan whispered to Padmé, “I don’t know the lullaby. It’s not one that he would have picked up on creché duty.”
“It’s Nabooian. Although, I must admit, I have no idea who he learned it from.”
Anakin carefully placed Leia back into her crib and ran his fingers across her soft, downy hair. “I downloaded a few to my datapad when you told me the news.”
“Forgive my ignorance, Anakin, but why not something from the Temple or perhaps Tatooine?” Obi-Wan asked.
Anakin frowned. “The Temple songs are all focused on serving the Force. They talk about greater love and service, not family. And the songs I grew up with on Tatooine …” Anakin’s frown deepened. “They aren’t really relevant to them.”
“How so? They are unique to you and part of your culture.”
“They are songs of freedom. And death. And freedom through death. Simultaneously celebrating the new life born and mourning their every breath in slavery. My children are freeborn. The Nabooian songs are everything I could wish for them.”
Obi-Wan didn’t know what to say to that. The horrible reality of Anakin’s enslavement was all too fresh, with stunningly real consequences.
Thankfully, Padmé had a better handle on the moment. She approached from behind and pressed her head against his arm, right hand caressing the soft hair on the top of Leia’s head. “You have a lovely singing voice, Ani.”
A light blush dusted Anakin’s cheeks at the compliment.
Padmé paused and let the compliment sit with him for a moment. “You do know there is nothing to be ashamed of about your heritage, right? What was done to you wasn’t your fault. Your culture is rich and vibrant, even in its secrecy. Our children deserve to know what their father endured. Perhaps they will be the ones to see an end to slavery in our galaxy, if we can’t.”
Anakin was silent as he contemplated her words.
Obi-Wan turned and left the couple with their daughter. He didn’t have anything to offer in the way Anakin needed in the moment. He wished he did. But, while he had a stint of slavery thanks to his former padawan brother, he had never taken in the culture of the other slaves. He knew their suffering and pain, but he had far too much of Xanatos’s attention to develop any deeper connection to the people he was held in bondage with. His focus had been to fall back on his training in the Temple, to keep centered, and to trust in the Force. One thing was constant: Obi-Wan would follow Anakin into whatever new adventure lay ahead. He hoped it included being at peace and getting to witness the two beautiful little lights growing up. And maybe watching Anakin deal with those same little lights being just as outrageous as Anakin and Padmé were as children.
Cody was sitting at the tiny table, clearly attempting to not fidget. “General.”
Obi-Wan gave him a small smile. “Commander.”
“I am assuming we will be rendezvousing with our ship as scheduled above Naboo?”
“That is the agreed upon plan.”
Cody nodded. “Are we going to be reporting back to the Council when we’ve arrived?”
Obi-Wan hummed and stroked his whiskers. “Perhaps.”
Cody shook his head. “Sir, the paperwork alone is going to be a nightmare to complete about our trip to Polis Massa. If we are going to be patrolling Nabooian space -”
“Do not fret, Cody. We have the permission of their Senator to remain. And she will be asking Queen Apailana for her approval, as well.”
“I assume our mission will be to protect the Senator and General Skywalker?”
“To an extent. Officially, we have no mission. The moment we were – absconded – with, we had completed our duty in locating and freeing Anakin. We will be on R&R for the foreseeable future.”
Cody snorted.
“Oh come now, Cody. Naboo is quite lovely.”
“I’m sure it is, General.”
Obi-Wan sat across from his Commander and stretched his legs out under the table as far as he could. “The war is over Cody. Dooku and Sidious are dead. Grievous is dead. All that’s left is to hear back from Ahsoka and Captain Rex.”
“How do you think the Commander is faring?”
Obi-Wan gave a quiet smile. “Ahsoka is a credit to her Master. I sure that she will handle herself and the men accordingly.”
“Do you think the Council will offer to let her back into the Order afterwards?” Cody couldn’t quite keep the derision out of his tone.
“Ahsoka is a credit to the Order. The Jedi would be exceptionally fortunate to have her amongst their ranks. However, I am quite convinced that that time has passed. And that is before we take into account everything that has happened with Anakin that she has yet to be informed of.”
“At least her temper isn’t as bad as General Skywalker’s.”
“Yes. The Council will be shamed, but the Council Chambers will remain quite intact.”
Artoo rolled by and whistled as he passed.
“I do believe that is our cue, Commander. I’m quite looking forward to watching Anakin land a ship without being in duress and actually attempting a gentle approach.”
“Is that even possible, sir?”
Obi-Wan chuckled. “It’s why I’m looking forward to observing his attempt!”
The space above Naboo was clear of all Republic ships. Only the Naboo starfighters were on patrol. However, even they seemed to be in a relaxed formation. The news of the ended of the war must have reached the Mid Rim.
Padmé tapped Anakin on the shoulder. “If you don’t mind.”
Anakin gave her a soft smile and stood from the pilot’s seat.
She activated the comms and deftly tuned to ground support’s channel. “This is the civilian ship Twilight . We are carrying Senator Amidala and her entourage.”
“Understood Senator. Please send your codes.”
Artoo brushed past Anakin and accessed the transponder port. He whirred and swiveled his dome to look at Padmé.
“The official business with urgency codes, please.”
Artoo beeped affirmatively.
“Codes received. Your presence is expected. The Queen is looking forward to a full report.”
“Of course.”
“Please land in Bay 3. Your Starliner in berthed there under guard by Captain Typho.”
“Very well.”
Padmé stood and stretched as Artoo disconnected. “All yours.”
Anakin nodded and retook the pilot’s seat. A Nabooian starfighter passed in front and gave them a wing waggle. The landing was probably the gentlest the Twilight had ever made.
Obi-Wan couldn’t help but comment on it. “Apparently, all it takes for you to land like a civilized being is to be carrying younglings. I dare say I believe I will refuse to travel unless they are present.”
Anakin grinned, eyes sparkling with mischief. “I”ll take you up on that. I am sure Padmé will appreciate the dedicated babysitter for the twins when they are mobile and figure out how to use the Force.”
“Ah well –”
Padmé spoke up from their room. “I accept. How wonderful of you to offer your services!”
Commander Cody looked between them and his General. “Sir, I think –”
“Yes, yes, Cody. I forgot exactly who I was dealing with for a moment.”
“Gentlemen, if you don’t mind disembarking, my husband and I have a rather important meeting to get to.”
Anakin flushed at Padmé’s brazen use of the title “husband”. He fiddled with Leia’s hat, making sure it fully covered her ears. “We need to get some proper wraps before we head to your parents’ house.”
Padmé nodded. “Whatever you think we need. I know Sola has plenty of baby things we can borrow.”