It takes a little while, but soon Anakin is feeling considerably better. Enough that he agrees when Ahsoka suggests starting a project in the backyard, which he hadn’t expected. It’s a welcome distraction, and every couple hours he has another drink. Because it’s medicine. Because he doesn’t want to have another seizure. And because he kind of wants to get drunk. It hasn’t happened yet, he’s still mostly sober, but he wants it.
Padmé calls when he’s finishing up digging a waist-high hole in the yard at Ahsoka’s insistence. A fire pit, she’d suggested, had basically ordered. They have to go out and get some supplies, but that will wait until tomorrow. Right now he’s just eager to talk to Padmé again, especially now that he’s feeling better and isn’t in the middle of a post-seizure brain fog.
Anakin pulls himself out of the pit and sits on one of the lounge chairs. “I’ll go make dinner,” Ahsoka offers, leaving Anakin to his privacy.
“Hey Angel,” Anakin murmurs when he answers. “How are you doing?” He knows she’s in a difficult position too - pregnant, there’s far less leeway for her to drink, and he’s a little worried that she might feel even a fraction as bad as he had been.
Padmé has managed to take Leia from Obi-Wan. The Jedi master is honestly a bit too eager to hand the still-crying baby to her mother. Leia isn’t wailing, though; it’s the soft cry of a baby who just isn’t happy. Padmé blames Kamali, who is playing children’s shows on the holo. It’s bright and loud, and even Luke looks unimpressed. How Obi-Wan has put up with this, the senator does not know.
“Can we change this? It’s upsetting Leia.”
“No, this is what kids like! Not those boring house shows you were watching earlier. They want fun!” Kamali exclaims. Obi-Wan’s sigh tells Padmé he’s tried to explain this already.
“My children are infants. They enjoy calm environments. When they’re older, they’ll probably enjoy things like this. But their attention spans don’t currently allow for them to focus on something like this for long. So let’s just turn the holo off for a while.”
Kamali’s face lights up and suddenly Padmé is afraid.
“Let’s go change their clothes and give them bottles and send them for naps so we can go shopping!” The unwanted houseguest decides. Padmé is firmly against it.
“We can go shopping if you want. But… where I go, so too go Luke and Leia. And Anakin. And therefore Ahsoka and Obi-Wan too. And it isn’t their nap time, so I couldn’t leave them if I wanted to. Bottles are also a rarity in this house, so that won’t be happening. But…” Padmé feels a bit guilty for handedly vetoing nearly everything Kamali has thrown out there.
“… If you would like to help me plan an afternoon outfit to dress them in, I think we can do that.”
“Can I carry one? I wanna carry Luke!”
Padmé freezes and pales as she imagines all the ways Kamali could unintentionally hurt or kill her son. Leia senses the change and fusses more loudly.
“I-I think…” she sees Anakin and Ahsoka entering the room. “Anakin can carry him. We only allow family to carry the twins right now.”
“Anakin, can- can you bring Luke upstairs? They need to be changed…” she murmurs hollowly. She doesn’t even trust herself to balance both twins on the stairs.
Anakin is in a decent enough mood now that his headache has lessened and is more than happy to follow Padmé up the stairs, Luke in his arms. To his consternation, Kamali follows after them. “Soooo, we’re gonna change their diapers and trust me, you won’t want to be in the room for it,” he tells her. “Afterwards you can help us figure out how to dress them.” Its an olive branch, and something Anakin is morbidly interested in seeing play out.
If Kamali says anything, he doesnt hear it as he closes the nursery door behind them. The changing goes plenty smoothly, but then Kamali is back and Anakin finds himself grinding his teeth as she asks, “You know what you should do? You should definitely be using oils on them. They make babies less fussy! My aunt uses them ALL the time and her babies are the quietest things you’ll ever see.”
Padmé’s eyes widen and she holds Leia just a bit closer. While she very thoroughly enjoys oils in her baths, she’s an adult and can make her own decisions.
“I’m sure they are,” she murmurs. “But they’re too young for oils. Their skin is too delicate and if any of it gets in their mouths, it would be too dangerous.”
“No! No, the ones my aunt uses are all natural! They can’t hurt anything! I even have a sample you can use, let me-“
“That’s all right, really,” Padmé insists rather forcefully. Kamali doesn’t seem to notice. “Help me pick out a dress for Leia? Her fussiness comes from her connection to the Force. No amount of oils will help her.
“Well, lets put her in something pink,” Kamali decides. “But if you decide you want oil to keep your baby from keeping you up all night, you know who to come from! Anakin, do you need oil? I mean, it’s great for babies but it’s also great for headaches!”
“I don’t trust unfamiliar oils on any of our skin,” the senator murmurs to her husband.
Anakin shudders slightly. He doesnt really know what the whole thing with oils is, but he definitely doesnt trust Kamali to know what will or wont help babies - or his own headaches for that matter - so he gives the woman a tight smile. “Thanks but we’re good,” he says.
Kamali’s insistance on dressing Leia in pink makes him cringe just a little bit. He doesnt even know if they have anything pink to dress her in. He points this out, and Kamali gasps in what seems like genuine horror.
“Then how do you tell them apart?” she demands. “Shes a little girl! She should be in pink!” Anakin glances up at his wife to see how she feels about THAT particular declaration.
“There… there are other ways of telling them apart,” Padmé stutters, avoiding the obvious particulars. “Luke is blond and Leia has dark hair, for one….”
“We didn’t know what we were expecting,” she explains coolly, thankful Kamali has abandoned the oils. “A lot of our baby clothes aren’t explicitly pink. You’ll find a few thinks with pink accents, of course, but…” she lowers her voice as if she’s afraid of upsetting the twins. “… I thought we were expecting only a boy.” Her voice returns to normal as she continues.
“And at this stage, dresses… aren’t a good idea. That’s something I’m thrilled to work on with Leia when she’s a few months old, but for now she and Luke share their onesies.”
Kamali looks horrified. “You have all this money and they have to SHARE?! That’s awful!”
Padmé is growing increasingly frustrated.
“They won’t be able to wear these outfits for more than a few weeks. MAYBE a month or two. It doesn’t make sense not to use them as much as possible. Once they’re old enough to understand the concept of ownership, we can start worrying about separate wardrobes.”
In the end, it is the senator picking the outfits; the twins are wearing matching sky blue-and-white onesies. She’s put blue socks on Luke and white ones on Leia, and is pleased with Kamali’s dissatisfaction.
“But she’s. A. GIRL! You can’t put her in blue!”
“I love blue. It’s a calming color, and the babies don’t mind. They just care that they have people to love and care for them. Don’t you?” She asks the twins as she reaches for Luke before remembering Ahsoka’s warning. She picks up Leia instead, determined to be that perfect mother.
“Ani, is your headache that bad? Ahsoka and I can take the twins and Kamali and head into town if you’d like to get some rest…” she offers. Kamali is poking at Luke, asking to hold him.
While Anakin is certainly tempted to use a headache as an excuse to avoid going shopping with Kamali, he also has no intention of letting the woman touch his kids and even with Ahsoka there to help, he cant guarantee that Kamali wont try something like grabbing the baby from somebody’s arms. “I’m feeling better,” he says, and it’s the truth, “I wouldnt mind getting out for a while.”
He does go into the bedroom to change his own clothes, though, and as an afterthought takes a small swig from the vodka under the bed. Just a tiny bit, just to remind himself what he can do when they get home for the evening. What THEY can do. Not just him, because it’s an important part of their… well. It’s important, now. He also pops a mint in his mouth to mask the scent; he isnt sure anyone would be super happy with him otherwise.
Thus, he returns to the nursery and swipes Luke up into his arms. He plans to use the carrier, but that’s downstairs and in the meantime he tries very hard not to glare at Kamali, who is still (STILL!) bemoaning the fact his daughter is dressed in blue.
“We aren’t changing her,” Padmé comments tersely. “I like having them match. They’re perfect, they match, they… it just works. Leia, stop- don’t take your sock off, sweetheart, it needs to stay on your foot.”
“Well, she’s a girl. And she should be wearing a pink frilly dress,” Kamali says, crossing her arms. “She looks like a boy now.”
“Infants are pretty ambiguous. There aren’t a lot of physical features to distinguish any difference. I’m not concerned, it’s just clothing.” She sighs as Anakin rejoins them.
“You’re sure you’re up for this?” Though if he needs a break, there are plenty of benches in the shade on the main avenue where he can rest. She adjusts Leia in her sling. Though Padmé knows Anakin prefers the carrier or even the harness, she refuses to give up the sling. Leia seems to enjoy it, as she drifts off quickly. Kamali doesn’t like that either, wanting to wake the baby.
“She’ll wake soon enough, but let her rest.” Padmé cradles the baby against her, not liking the invasion of Kamali in her personal space.
“Let’s just grab Ahsoka and head out?” She asks Anakin. “I don’t think we’ll be too long, but if you need to rest while we’re out, you don’t need my permission.”
She’d rather spend the rest of the day in bed with Anakin and both twins, to be honest. No responsibilities, no pressures, no Kamali.
Physically, Anakin feels perfectly capable of going for a walk to the shops, even carrying infants. His head still hurts a little, but it has lessened significantly from what it had been, and now that the irrational fear of using his powers is gone - mostly - he is feeling better overall. Mentally, he isnt entirely certain hes prepared for a day out with Kamali. Still, he would rather be there than subject Padmé to her alone, even with Ahsoka as backup.
“You know me,” he says with a shrug as they head down the stairs, “I’m up for anything.” Its a dirty lie and he knows it, but he truly is feeling good now. He’d had his emotional outburst, had time to calm down, and things are better-feeling now. For now.
“Hey Snips,” he greets upon entering the living room and getting Luke situated in his harness, “we need another set of hands to come shopping.” He uses the Force to send her a small plea of agreement, jutting his chin over to Kamali, who is distracted by oooo-ing over one of his paintings. He decides not to tell her who the artist is.
Ahsoka gives him a Look, but nods. He almost points out that this whole thing was HER idea, so she had better not be planning on bowing out now, but then she nods. “Obi-Wan’s in the office. He’s been on the comm with the Council for, like. An hour. I think they’re trying to send him back to the front lines.”
Anakin doesnt like that one bit. For some reason, he’d gotten it into his head that Obi-Wan’s presence would be permanent. He knows that cant possibly be the case, that Obi-Wan has plenty of other obligations and duties, but the idea still tugs at his guts uncomfortably. Well. No sense dwelling on it right now, though not dwelling on things isnt one of Anakin’s many talents.
Padmé is not privy to the conversation Anakin and Ahsoka are having; she’s busy refusing to let Kamali hold Leia.
“I’m still not okay with anyone but Anakin and myself holding them,” she insists. “Ahsoka And Obi-Wan are family, and if neither of us are able to do it, then we ask them. Maybe when they’re older.”
Kamali pouts but seems to realize that Padmé will not be handing over a cute little bundle to her to play with and cuddle.
“Is everything okay?” Padmé calls over to Anakin and Ahsoka. She swears, if Luke has spittled in his clothes again and she has to change him AGAIN before they leave, she’s going to be irritated.
“Everything’s fine,” Ahsoka insists in that tone that warns Padmé that something is less than ideal. Clearly, there’s no intent to address it right now, whatever it is.
“Are we ready to go, then?” The senator asks. “Excited as I am for this outing, I’d like to be back before dinner.
Anakin nods, sparing a glance back at Ahsoka as he joins Padmé and Leia. The walk to the shops is leisurely, but feels like it takes a thousand years with Kamali’s nonstop chattering about… well, Anakin isnt entirely certain. He had tuned her out entirely, focusing instead on trying to prepare himself for Obi-Wan’s inevitable departure. It’s not that big of a deal, he tells himself. It’s not like he hasn’t spent the past two years, give or take, apart from his former Master.
Its mostly that he worries. Obi-Wan is still fighting the war, and with Anakin’s absence from the front lines, probably in more danger than he would normally be. Feeling his thoughts starting to go down a familiarly dark path, Anakin forces himself back to the present, and what Kamali is saying.
“And I just think, well, I think it’s great they make colors for non-humans too!” This statement is directed at Ahsoka, who to her credit is barely managing not to scowl.
“I dont really wear makeup,” Ahsoka replies firmly, shrugging. “Dont really want or need to.” Anakin suddenly realizes that Kamali is trying to talk Ahsoka, of all people, into trying some ridiculous cosmetic of some kind, and he has to cover his laugh with a fake cough.
“That isn’t necessary,” Padmé agrees. While she very much enjoys makeup, she’s firmly against the concept that makeup is necessary for any being - but especially for minors. Ahsoka should be allowed to feel comfortable however she likes, not pressured by an overbearing saleswoman.
“Yeah, but you can be even prettier than you already are!” Kamali insists stubbornly. Padmé shakes her head again.
“I… really don’t need it,” Ahsoka repeats. “I like my markings the way they are.” She moves back from her position between Ahsoka and Padmé to join Anakin.
“I can’t believe how pushy she is,” the teen grumbles as she watches Padmé absently entertain Kamali’s sales pitches as she absently plays with Leia’s foot. The senator has a knack for this.
“You’re stuck on Obi-Wan,” she murmurs so Padmé and especially Kamali can’t hear. “I don’t need the Force to tell, you have that expression.” Though she will admit, it’s arguably better than being part of the current conversation.
“Do you want me to take Skyguy junior for a while?” She offers, giving her pinky to Luke. The toddler absently holds onto it as he looks around, fascinated by everything he’s seen.
“Hey, Padmé?” Ahsoka says at her normal volume. “I think we need to get the skybabies out more often. Luke is looking around like he’s never been outside before.”
“Leia, too,” comes Padmé’s voice. “Because they haven’t. It’s still cool enough some days that I don’t think they’d like it. But when the sun is warm like it is now, I do want to get them out for fresh air.”
Anakin scowls slightly, both at Ahsoka’s perceptiveness and at Kamali’s suggestions. “I’m fine,” he murmurs softly, not wanting to really hash out his feelings at the moment, “I just worry.” He chuckles ruefully. “You know me.” He does, however, hand Luke over because of all the things he worries about, trusting Ahsoka is not one of them.
He rejoins the conversation, then, coming up behind Padmé and leaning down to kiss her cheek. “Getting out more would be good for all of us,” he agrees. True, it’s not the easiest thing in the galaxy to wrangle infants and multiple adults into going somewhere, but he does always feel better if he’s not stuck in one place for very long - even if all they do is walk to the end of the street and back.
“I do know you,” Ahsoka agrees. “He won’t leave without telling you. And he’s worried about you, so you can bet he’ll comm when he can,” she reminds Anakin gently.
“I’m not suggesting we walk into town on a regular basis,” Padmé insists before Kamali can drum up another sales pitch. “Maybe we can take some strolls around the block and by the playground. They’re too young to play, but they might enjoy the sights and sounds.” And Anakin and Padmé may be able to learn how to enjoy being out and about without any clear objective.
They arrive in the downtown area fast enough, and weave in and out of several forgettable shops Kamali insists on visiting. But then they come across a tea shop that Padmé has never seen before, and she makes an executive decision that this shop may be worthy.
“I want to see what they have to offer… there are some off-world teas I enjoy and haven’t been able to get lately. Naboo isn’t conducive to growing tea leaves, so… we aren’t likely to find anything local,” she explains as they head in.
Deciding that he is going to put the thought of Obi-Wan leaving to the back of his mind for now. Theres nothing he can do about it, and he truly is trying to work on his tendency to obsess and catastrophize. Obi-Wan will leave eventually, and when that happens, Anakin will handle it. He has a support system, he just needs to be honest about what he needs when the time comes.
He follows the group into the tea shop, the mingling aroma of so many different types of tea creating a relaxing atmosphere, despite Anakin’s general disinterest in tea. It does smell awfully good in here, and he notices the twins calm considerably as well. Must be something they have in common with their mother.
Kamali is picking up and putting down containers seemingly at random. “You know, I have this cleansing tea you could try. You can only get it from certain people, but it tastes really good and it makes your whole body renew itself!”
Beside him, Ahsoka makes a face. “That sounds like organ failure to me,” she says in a low voice that only Anakin can here. Anakin cant help the snicker that escapes before he can clamp down on his response.
Padmé shakes her head, her face a mask of perfect professionalism.
“I have... specific tastes,” she comments gently, reaching for a specific container and inspecting it. “And I have to be mindful of the contents. In instances like this, I prefer purchasing from trusted sources.” There’s no need to inform Kamali of the danger her family faces just existing. The other woman pouts, clearly upset that she isn’t considered a trusted source.
Leia fusses, and Padmé gives the infant her finger, keeping her hold on the container as she moves to peruse a different shelf. Kamali eyes the infant almost jealously, though Padmé doesn’t see. Ahsoka does, however, and she nudges Anakin. This could be a problem... or it could be nothing.
“Ani?” Padmé calls, looking up at a shelf just outside her reach. “I need your Jedi abilities.” She’s teasing, of course. She’d have more options, she thinks, without an infant strapped to her chest. But she’s not taking any chances. When they’re a bit older, maybe.