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Last chapter. Lots of Padmé in this chapter. She and Anakin talk. There's some character growth for both characters. Don't worry, there's little bit of Obi-Wan too.

Changes are taking place all over the Galaxy. Including the Jedi Order.

If you haven't read or reread in awhile, you might want to. It brings up the Dark Woman and those notes that Obi-Wan found earlier in the story. Just in case, I hate for anyone to be lost.

And I'll warn you all now, it ends on something of a cliffhanger.

Chapter Seventeen

Bittersweet

The next day...

Coruscant

Padmé Amidala arrived home late at night on Coruscant.

The city was actually quite beautiful. Peaceful looking. Though Padmé hardly noticed.

She had too much on her mind. Her husband. The Republic. Her position in the Senate. Luke and Leia. The baby- the new baby.

Padmé was already incredibly busy. How could she possibly make all this work? She had yet to inform Anakin of this.

She would have told him when she got home, but she didn't quite find the right moment.

Luke and Leia were a little fussy when they came home. Though Anakin didn't seem to mind, he was so happy to see them.

"Home again, home again," he sung to them. It was an old classic song, one that both his and even Padmé's parents sung to her as a child.

Galen was most helpful by setting the table for dinner.

"Thank you," She kissed his forehead.

Even before he got Luke and Leia to go to sleep, A could sense something was bothering his wife.

"What's wrong?" He finally asked her when they pulled the covers down for bed.

Padmé was too tired to talk, "Just hold me." She reached for him. "Tell me everything's going to be alright."

Anakin wished he knew what was wrong. "Everything's alright," he whispered as he wrapped his arms around her. Holding her tightly.

Again, Padmé was so tired. She fell asleep minutes after her head hit the pillow. She had decided to wait until the morning when she was more awake and had the energy to deal with Anakin's potential reaction. Padmé had no idea how he'd react to the idea of a third child. She sensed he would be excited, but again, she didn't know.

Unfortunately, he was already gone when she woke the next morning.

According to his holo note, the Council called him in early. Apparently the Jedi Council was going to make some sort of announcement.

"Whatever that means," She could almost hear Anakin mumble.

She smiled.

She did enjoy her morning with Luke and Leia. They were much more pleasant this morning after a good night's sleep. Threepio and Artoo helped her feed them and get around.

It was just them and the droids.

Anakin had taken Galen with him to meet with some of the other Jedi younglings so that he could socialize with beings his own age, which Padmé thought was a good idea.

Anakin wasn't the only one called into work last minute. Padmé was called into an emergency meeting as well, but before she made her way to the Senate Plaza she briefly spoke with her lawyer. He would be bringing some paperwork by so she and Anakin could officially become Galen's legal guardians.

She supposed Galen could stay in the guest room they had given him. She also supposed they buy him some toys and books of his own instead of him always reading and playing with Luke and Leia's baby books and toys. She planned for Luke and Leia to share the same room until they were older. As for the new baby, he or she could occupy the room across from theirs.

The door to her private shuttle opened.

"SENATOR AMIDALA!" The paparazzi greeted her.

Captain Panaka helped her from the shuttle. He seemed to watch even more closely. While she hadn't said anything to him, she suspected that he knew she was pregnant.

"WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE END OF THE WAR?"

Padmé did her best not to pause. She knew she was late and had apparently a very important meeting. "No comment."

"WHAT ABOUT NUTE GUNRAY'S TRIAL? IS IT TRUE YOU WILL TESTIFY?"

For a moment, Padmé's mask slipped. She had no idea that trial was coming up so soon.

That also meant he was probably on this world somewhere. Locked up, she prayed.

Upon entering the Chancellor's Office, she learned it officially. The war was over.

Treaties signed and sealed.

The confederate systems and worlds were being welcomed back.

Though perhaps welcomed back should have quotations marks. There was hardly a red carpet or a sign. Mostly whispers, paparazzi gossiping, Senators both happy and unhappy.

Some of their current and newly appointed Senators were on their way back to Coruscant now.

"I'm not going to lie to you Bail, I'm not sure about all of this." Having some of the same Senators who stabbed them- the Republic- in the back all those years ago were just coming back. Like nothing had happened? #But# Something had; a war and beings, countless beings, had died.

Bail nodded. "In a perfect world, I'd prefer those Senators to be replaced." Knowing they would cause trouble. "But one thing at a time." Hopefully, in time, they could be replaced with the right beings such as the Senators who had not selfishly benefitted from the corruption in the Republic, but had followed their own ambitions all these years.

Padmé thought her family "reunion" a few months back had been awkward, but this was going to be something else.

"So how are you?" Bail had hardly seen his friend lately.

"Busy and tired," Padmé said with a smile. "You?"

"Busier and tireder," he answered with the same smile. He then told her about Breha. Bail, surprising even himself, admitted to being almost jealous of her and Anakin. "Well, certainly not your marriage being the center of attention." But that they had not one, but two beautiful younglings. "You are so blessed."

Padmé almost said that they would soon have three, but decided against it, since she wanted to tell Anakin first. Plus she didn't want to make Bail feel any worse.

Apparently, the Organas had been thinking of adopting a child, but for now their plans had been put on hold because of his Chancellorship.

"I hope it works out." Padmé said with a hopeful smile.

They talked for a few more minutes then she left.

Later that afternoon...

At last she was home.

She found Anakin passed out on the sofa. Galen was curled up, asleep on the other end of the sofa.

What's more?

The twins were still sleeping too. Apparently, Padmé thought while looking back over at their father, someone forgot to wake them up.

Padmé crossed her arms.

Oh, that husband of hers.

First, she was pregnant.

Again.

Now this!

Anakin slowly opened his eyes and looked up, "Hey." He yawned.

Padmé narrowed her eyes.

Oh, how he was going to pay for this.

Pay dearly.

"We are never having sex again."

Okay, not really. But at least not for a long time.

Padmé hadn't seen Anakin move so quickly in quite some time. If she wasn't so mad, she might have laughed.

Anakin's heart was beating out of his chest. "Uh-what?" He was awake now. "What did you...what did I do?" He honestly had no idea. Anakin looked around. Had he missed something?

"To begin with," Padmé said through clenched teeth. "You forgot to wake up the twins!" Now Luke and Leia would be up all night!

"Oh," Anakin looked over at the sleeping pair of babies then back to his wife. "Uh, okay." He paused, "Look, you stay in bed tonight," It seemed fair. "I'll stay up with them tonight." ...all night. Anakin sighed.

It was almost sweet. Almost. He wasn't getting off that easy. "Oh," Padmé still hadn't uncrossed her arms. "I'll be up anyway." Probably. Throwing up. Another thing that was his fault.

Anakin raised a brow, "...why?" What was wrong?

Padmé finally just said it, "I'm pregnant."

"Oh..." Anakin blinked. Wow! "That's..." Anakin ran his fingers through his hair. "That's wonderful." The same reaction he had when he found she was pregnant with Luke and Leia.

Another baby. Wow, he had not seen that coming. Unless it was twins again... He shook his head, better not go there.

Padmé finally sat down on the sofa, "What are we going to do?" Three children... now they would be outnumbered. Four actually with Galen.

Anakin tried to think of a good answer, "We'll manage." He said. He hoped.

"It's going to change things."

Anakin looked to his wife. "Yeah," What was the old saying? A baby changes everything. Luke and Leia had certainly changed things, but she meant something else. "What do you mean?"

"I...I don't know if I can do this." Padmé rubbed her temples. "Work. Three small children."

"Um," Anakin smiled as he made a gesture. "I'm here." He wasn't going anywhere. "It's not going to be like your first pregnancy." She wouldn't be all alone. He would be around. Which Anakin was looking forward to, he missed all the doctor appointments. Now he could be there for this child.

"I know," Padmé smiled. She was glad he was, she wasn't sure she could go through it all again without him. Especially with two children.

Anakin blinked several times. Was he hearing this? He long assumed and accepted that Padmé would never leave the Senate. Even when the Republic was nothing but dust, she would still continue on with her duties, responsibilities, and the work she loved. "But you love being a Senator."

"I do, Annie, I do, but this...this is killing me. When I'm here, I think about the Senate and the Republic. That's not fair to you or our children. When I'm at the Senate, I think about them." Padmé looked over at the play pen. Then back to Anakin. "I think about you, us, everything. I'm not being fair to anyone."

"If I have to give something up, it won't be this." It wasn't the first Padmé had considered all this. She thought this over prior to Luke and Leia's birth, but then Palpatine died and everything else happened. Representative Binks could take her place. Senator Binks. She smiled. Knowing Jar Jar would be thrilled and probably overwhelmed. As would the Queen. Oh, she would be thrilled. On top of everything else, she was about to lose her one of her most trusted ally and advisor.

For several moments, Anakin didn't speak. It was funny, Anakin thought he would be overjoyed- beyond thrilled if his wife ever decided to leave politics behind. Even consider the very possibility. Since he loathed politics, the Senate, all of it.

Yet he wasn't happy she was considering this, he wanted her to be happy. Would she be happy if she truly did leave? "I'll support whatever you want to do." Anakin caressed his cheek with his right hand.

Their lips met.

"Oh," Anakin made a face. As if he couldn't believe what he was saying, because he couldn't. Yes, he had been there when it all became official. He heard Masters Yoda and Windu say the words themselves, but he still didn't believe it. "You'll never guess what the Council said was no longer forbidden..."

It was official.

As of this morning at 0900 hours, Coruscanti time, a Jedi was no longer forbidden from forming relationships- including marriage and a family.

The attachment rule was still in place, but again, not marriage or love necessarily. When the attachment turned into obsession, where it took a being into that place that it nearly took Anakin, that was the kind of attachment that was forbidden. He was an example the Masters would show their students when teaching about attachment, love, obsession, and their differences.

Obi-Wan opened his eyes. Then closed them again. Doing his best to concentrate.

He had been in and out of mediation all day since the Council dismissed the Jedi.

Communing with Qui-Gon, coming to terms with what Anakin had told him, and finally what the Council had announced.

Though Obi-Wan had attended all the meetings where they Council had talked and meditated on the subject, Obi-Wan still could not believe it. He wondered if Anakin could either. He hadn't had a chance to talk to him. Perhaps he should and needed to speak with Anakin. He hadn't really spoken with Anakin since his little confession.

Yes, Obi-Wan knew it wasn't his fault. Anakin was a grown man now. He made his own decisions but a part of Obi-Wan would probably always feel responsible. Anakin was his responsibility and student at the time the...incident happened. He knew he shouldn't. Guilt was still an attachment, but Obi-Wan needed time to process this.

As for this morning, while Obi-Wan trusted Qui-Gon's wisdom and knew that Anakin being with Padmé was a good thing, Obi-Wan still didn't know how he felt about all this.

Also, since the Council made it official, he had been thinking about the past.

Siri...

Satine...

About how much different his life might have been if this new rule had been in place sooner.

Obi-Wan lowered his head.

...But even grief was still an attachment. And so, he let it go. As he let them go.

They were now one with Force.

He had to focus on the living, the Order, and everything these changes would bring. What was happening in the Galaxy? What would happen to Anakin, the Senator, and their family?

Obi-Wan didn't know if he ever would have those sort of things. He sensed... not. He sensed he was to end up like Master Yoda. Obi-Wan had never given it much thought, but he didn't know how felt about that.

There were not many, but a few Jedi, mostly Knights, Padawans, and Younglings, who began looking for their families.

To Obi-Wan's knowledge, only one Jedi Master had joined theirs.

Obi-Wan himself.

He knew was from Stewjon, he didn't know much else about his roots.

According to the reports at the Temple, the war had briefly touched down on Stewjon.

At least, that's what he was told. Obi-Wan had few memories of the world. Feelings really. He remembered endless fields of wheat. Playing with his older brother, Owen, but little else.

Earlier today, curiosity continued to get the better of him after he tried and failed to meditate.

According to the official records of Stewjon, the Kenobis still lived on Stewjon. They included his older brother named Owen, who coincidently was the same name as Anakin's stepbrother. Apparently they also had a sister named Sarah and another brother named Alec. Obi-Wan had no recollection of them so he assumed they were younger. Of course, Obi-Wan had few memories of their parents, who had passed away. Which was too bad. Obi-Wan supposed, but at least they were one with the Force.

He appreciated them as his progenitor, but he didn't have much feelings beyond that. He supposed it was apathy? At least, he didn't think so. Hours ago, he had no except the Order. Now he had three siblings and several nieces and nephews.

Did he?

He didn't know.

He didn't know what to do and how to feel about all this.

For now he decided to try meditating again and hopefully enjoy his newfound time with his Master, Qui-Gon.

A few days later...

Naboo

Varykino

Galen seemed to enjoy the world.

Anakin supposed it reminded him of his homeworld, Kashyyyk.

"He was the son of two Jedi who were killed recently," Padmé explained to her sister and mother.

Sola paused, "So you and Anakin aren't such an anomaly?"

"Apparently not," Padmé shrugged.

"And you're adopting him."

They hadn't really decided. Plus if they adopted Galen that would officially end his relationship with his parents. While yes, they were dead, Galen was still mourning them. Nor had she and Anakin decided if this would be permanent. Maybe, but Padmé hadn't decided, plus she had some other things on her mind at the moment."For now, we are filing the papers to become to his guardians." It should be official by the end of the month.

"Just his legal guardians.

"He sees something of himself in Galen and wanted to help him."

"What about..." Sola trailed off. Realizing the others didn't know. Nor was it her place to announce it.

"Your new baby." Jobal finished.

Padmé looked over to her mother. How did she...

"I'm mother," Jobal smiled. "I know everything."

"Where are the men?" All three of them. Anakin, Darred, and Dad.

"Hm," Jobal looked around. "I'm not sure." Though knowing those three it couldn't be good.

"I thought you said you knew everything," Sola smirked.

Darred and Anakin tiptoed through the halls of Varykino.

They were playings the kids earlier, but decided to go off and do their own thing. They had just drank a few beers and were now looking for a deck of Sabaac cards. Darred was looking in one part of the estate and Anakin on the other. He opened another door. Nothing, then tried the next. Hoping the Force would help with something useful for a change.

A moment later, he realized which door he had just opened was the wrong door and it was a moment later.

He opened the door to find, no surprise, his father-in-law, Ruwee Naberrie. Which really shouldn't be a surprise since this room was his study.

Anakin nearly cursed under his breathe, "Uh, I was..." Anakin couldn't remember was he doing here. "...going that way."

Ruwee held up a hand as he called out, "Wait."

Anakin paused. Not sure what to do next.

"Sit down," Ruwee said.

Anakin said with a puzzled face, "Why?" They had little to pretty much nothing to do with each other. At most they had said maybe a few dozen words to each other the past few months. Which they had done for the the family, mainly for Padmé's sake, they...tolerated each other.

Ruwee sighed. Why was he making this so difficult? "Sit," He gestured towards the chair in front of him.

Anakin slowly sat down.

Ruwee then offered Anakin a drink.

"Um," Anakin took the glass. "Thanks."

"Here on Naboo, this wine, the wine of the dove was often poured during negotiations and times of war." He wondered if Chancellor Organa had any?

Ruwee knew that was how the ancient Naboo got through the negotiations. Well, that and they were probably very intoxicated. Ruwee let out a brief chuckle. "It means peace." Ruwee said with a smile. "I know you think I don't like you." It wasn't that Ruwee disliked...okay, maybe a little. Anakin still needed to work on his ego. Also he and Anakin came from different worlds and backgrounds.

More importantly, his youngest daughter suddenly being married and having a family all at once had been something of a shock. Even now, it was still a bit of a shock, but now mostly in the good ways.

It would be hard on any father.

Ruwee also predicted that Anakin would one day understand this.

"I like traditions," Ruwee explained. "I like traditions, and I like consistency, and continuity, and I don't like change." Everyone had their fill of the latter lately. "But...when that change is for the better...when it helps turn a girl into a woman." Yes, in many ways Padmé had been grown up for a very long time. She was a great leader and put the needs of others before herself. Always putting work in front of all else. Now she putting her family first. It was no longer work, work, work. Realizing there was more to life. "Then I have to reconsider. A short time ago I thought you were the end of the Naberries. Now I see you may be the best thing that ever happened to us."

"Um," Anakin did not know what to what say except, "Thank you."

The two men quietly sipped their glasses.

Fireworks filled the skies of Coruscant.

Finally, after three years of fighting and months of negotiation, the Clone Wars were officially over. Chancellor Organa and Vice Chair Mothma had just finished making their speeches, welcoming back the Confederate systems.

Some were happy to be back. Others felt angry. Bitter.

The same could be said for those in the Republic.

But there was still plenty of conflict left.

What would happen to the Clone Army?

And what about the many impending trials?

"One day at a time," Said Chancellor Bail Organa live via the HoloNet. "Tonight, let's celebrate going forward."

Beings all across Coruscant watched, including those in the Jedi at the Temple, although some of them hardly noticed.

Days earlier, the Council informed the rest of the Masters, Knights, Padawans, and younglings of the changes that were effective at the Jedi Order.

Marriage was no longer forbidden.

Some of the Masters were still unsure if a Jedi should be allowed to marry. Especially a being who was not a Jedi or Force sensitive, but Masters Skywalker and Vos had chosen mates who were strong in the Force.

Possessions were still forbidden, unless they were for a Jedi's loved one or family.

Many Jedi welcomed the changes. Some even agreed that this was where the Force was leading.

A few even said they had visions over the matter.

Others were on the fence.

A few, not so much.

Some expressed their concerns with words and by packing their satchels with their few belongings. Effective today, five more Masters had resigned, following the Dark Woman.

Some left for reasons unrelated to the changes, such as Master Luminara Unduli.

Again, her decision had little to do with the changes- so she said, but because of the past.

She thought time would heal the events of last year. When her former Padawan, Barriss Offee set off that bomb at the Temple. Setting up another. Betraying them all.

"Time has not healed all wounds," she told the Masters.

Along with Master Unduli, three Knights and three Padawans left. One of those Padawans... decided to not follow her Master. Believing it was the right decision.

The Lost Twenty was now the Lost Twenty-nine, at least until any other disappointed Jedi left their ranks

Jedi Master Mace Windu paced back and forth.

Over a decade earlier there had been 10,000 Jedi.

"Our numbers were dwindling before." First the war. "And now this?" There were now less than eight hundred Jedi and that was counting Padawans, Younglings, and even those sleeping in the creche.

What was to become of them? How would they help and protect the Republic?

Yoda lowered his head. "A hard day this has been." He looked up. "But end on a more positive note it will. Come," He told his pupil. "Ready for the ceremony we must be," Yoda floated up in the stairs in his hover chair. He would be officiating the ceremony in less than an hour.

The wedding of Jedi Master Kit Fisto and Knight Aayla Secura.

Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala watched the footage and now the fireworks from her apartment.

Well, just Anakin. He was staring at a hologram of their new baby. Well, really it looked more like a...piece of shuura. It didn't really look like a baby. Anakin shrugged. He supposed that was how they all looked at one time.

Padmé had fallen asleep against his chest. In the playpen, Luke and Leia slept, too. Galen was playing with a toy starfighter that was quite similar to Anakin's.

They invited Obi-Wan up to watch the fireworks and to have dinner. The trio hadn't done anything together in so long.

Also, Obi-Wan said there was a matter he needed to speak with them on.

Something important.

Anakin hoped it wasn't about...what he told Obi-Wan the other day. About the Tusken Raiders and the fact that he still hadn't told the Council. Nor was he really planning on it."

"How are you?" Obi-Wan asked Anakin shortly after stepping off the turbolift and into the Senator's- his friends' apartment. It wasn't really just the Senator's apartment.

"Shh," Anakin put a finger to lips.

Seeing that the Senator and the twins, he lowered his voice. "You look..." Obi-Wan tried to think of the right word. He was about to say "better" when Anakin said just that.

"Better." Anakin answered. Now than he thought about it, he realized he was, "I am. Better than I've felt in a long time." He looked down at his sleeping wife. "Being with Padmé, our family, telling you about..." Even Ruwee the other night. "It's given me a sense of peace." A peace Anakin wasn't sure if he had ever known.

He kissed Padmé's forehead.

Obi-Wan paused as he reached into his cloak pocket.

"Mast-Obi-Wan, Anakin had almost forgotten. "You said there was something you needed to tell me."

Obi-Wan smiled as he reached back in his cloak pocket. Then he took his hand back out with nothing in it. "It's nothing." Leaving the notes in cloak where they belonged. He sat back and enjoyed the fireworks and magnificent view.

The celebration continued on all across Coruscant.

The Senators celebrated from their apartments or Senate Rotunda offices. Some with the look of relief and triumph. Like those on the Loyalists Committee, including Chancellor Organa at his side, Vice Chair Mothma raised her glass, "To the Republic," They said to their colleague in the ball room.

"To the Republic," Hundreds of beings raised their glasses. Clanging and drank in celebration. They then turn their attention to the fireworks.

Others with the look of defeat.

Palpatine was gone. Now they were going back to where they were before Palpatine. Many had to start from scratch. They were on probation. Investigations were looming.

For others, it was only beginning of their demise.

Across the city, former Viceroy Nute Gunray sighed from his cell. Oh, how he missed his floppy headpiece. On his world, such headpieces meant power. Wealth, but he wasn't giving up. He would get out of this. Somehow.

But then what?

The preliminary hearing for his trial began tomorrow.

"Gunray," Said the Lasat guard. "You have a visitor."

Nute Gunray raised a hairless brow. His family wasn't expected to land on Coruscant until tomorrow.

The guard led him down to a private visiting room where he undid his restraints.

One that Gunray didn't even know existed. He filed that tidbit away for another time.

"Good to see you, Gunray," Said a voice from the dark corner.

Nute Gunray sat down on the bench. "Uh, yes?"

Who was this man? Was he even a man? He couldn't tell. Neimoidians couldn't see well in the dark.

"Who are you and what do you want from me?"

The shadow paused. "I want... many things," he said. "To begin with, the Republic."

Gunray almost laughed, "I'm afraid the Jedi won that cause."

"On the contrary, my friend," He put his elbows on the table as he fingertips met. "The Jedi haven't won. The war for the Republic and its soul is merely on hold." The same could be said for the soul of Anakin Skywalker, who was the most vital element in his plans. Gunray was vital to both the fall of the Republic and Anakin.

Gunray shook his head.

What was he speaking of? "It's over." Gunray shook his head. "We lost." It was over before they even began.

Sidious who had apparently been Chancellor Palpatine of Naboo this whole time was gone. Playing him for a fool all these years.

"Oh, Viceroy, Viceroy," The shadow said in a mocking tone as he reached to pull back his hood. "When will you learn?" His secret fraternity was never out of tricks.

"Y-You!" Gunray stared in both fear and amazement. Was this possible? "But you're...you're-"

"Dead?" He smiled at the sniveling coward in front of him. "It is not in my fraternity's nature to die." After all, immortality was their ultimate goal.

One which he, and he alone achieved.

"Now let's get down to business..."

End.

What do you think? Any ideas on who it is? Also everyone seem in character and realistic?

Padmé has changed a lot and honestly, I hadn't really given it much thought until some of you pointed it out.

Trivia: I don't know how many Jedi were left by the beginning of Revenge of the Sith, but probably not many. There were said to be 10,000 in The Phantom Menace. Less during Attack of the Clones and certainly less in Revenge of the Sith.

Owen was originally going to be Obi-Wan's brother. It's in the Return of the Jedi novelization. I named his other Alec, in honor of Alec Guinness. Not sure how I came up with the name Sarah for his sister, but I like it.

The Lost Twenty only counts Jedi Masters and perhaps Knights, not Padawans. In case any of you were wondering.

TCW shout out. We never found out how Master Luminara Unduli dealt with Barriss's actions after that episode. I think it would be really hard on her.

** The next story will be called, Renaissance, but before I start posting it, I think I'd like to finish The Supreme Commander and the Grand Vizier first. Also I think it needs a bit of touching up before I start posting. **

Leave a review please.