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[imahologram]

for whatever miscellaneous bullshit your little heart can come up with.

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[ex_forcechoke292]

It's nothing like that.

[It's given in the same easy, petulant tone as earlier, his own worry miles away (at least for that single moment). It's reflex that has him reaching out with his other hand, laid carefully atop hers when he's still learning restraint with it.]

I just didn't...I didn't want you to think I didn't want to tell you. I--

[Couldn't? Still really shouldn't? All of that only makes it sound worse.

She's going to kill me for this.]

Mom, I'm married.

[Halfway there. If it even makes it that far.]

[shmi]

[Shmi stares at him for a moment, two, before she lets go of him, her hands flying to her mouth. Married! He can't truly mean--but he does, he's absolutely serious, and he ]

Anakin Skywalker!

[It's not her best scolding: there's too much surprised laughter mixed in with the indignation, and now that she realizes it, she can't stop smiling. She stands, closing what little space remains between them so she can gather him against her. Bending down, she kisses his curly head.

Her eyes shut, and for one fleeting breath, he's her little boy again. And then he isn't He never will be again. Married! Her dear, grown son.]

And you didn't bring her here with you--Anakin, this is wonderful!

[The Order can wait until she's kissed and clucked over him; this is an occasion for such happiness.]

I wish you had warned me, so I could prepare--we'll have to celebrate tonight, once Owen brings Cliegg home.

[ex_forcechoke292]

Mom I--Mom!

[He has to get all of that feigned tiredness of her fussing over him out; soon, that's going to be his job.

Hells.

Anakin acts rather resigned to the whole thing, despite his relief momentarily spiking at her obvious approval. She's close, and here, everyone is happy, and this is all he's really wanted, isn't it?]

I couldn't tell you--her career's at stake as much as mine is.

[He sighs as he pulls back; there's the consideration that always makes it worse. As much as he wants to keep his mother close, he can't quite knock that tendency of folding in on himself when he's uncertain: and everything about this is uncertain.]

We're not supposed to have a political agenda, and if [WHEN] it... gets out that a Jedi and a Senator are--

[Fraternizing isn't even a good word for it. Still, Anakin can't even deny that his own mother's good mood is infectious, even if that makes this all harder, and he can't quite repress that smile, no matter how dim the inevitable outcome seems.]

But that's not...everything. [Another tense inhale.] You might want to sit back down for this.

[shmi]

Then it is Padmé. [Shmi says it with no small amount of satisfaction. Padmé is kind, and she has a gentleness that might temper Anakin's more forceful moods--but she is no one's person but her own. Anyone would hope for such a daughter-in-law.]

I'm sorry. [Not that sorry, though. She's still smiling, her face light and warm despite the wrinkles heat and hard living have put into it.] A mother can't help but be happy for her son.

[The fact that this secret could be dangerous for both of them is more difficult to accept. There is so much in the galaxy that is painful, so many people who suffer; surely happiness should be celebrated where it can be found, when it does no one harm. She knows little enough of the intricacies of their politics, but she knows what is right, and it's seeing her son's smile.

Drawing her chair up next to his, Shmi sits, and rests a hand upon his. She'll bear whatever must be borne, for his sake.]

Go on. You can tell me, whatever it is.

[ex_forcechoke292]

[As if there has ever been anyone else? But she doesn't know that, couldn't possibly, and thirteen years is a long enough time that the possibility--for anyone other than him, perhaps--would be wide open.

His nod then is an affirmation, and his smile, the one he can't quite get rid of despite the enormity of the consequence, is almost as telling as heart he's always worn sewn to his sleeve. There's more to it, there's always more to it, but when the politics are so far away...it's easier to forget there will be consequences when all he's surrounded by is this love.

(The Order has to be wrong about this. Maybe this time is the time he finds the right way to stay it.)

Anakin takes her hand in both of his, and takes a deep breath. This is what has brought him all the way out from the Core Worlds to a ball of dust he would otherwise be all too damned happy to forget, save for her.

This time, his eyes meet hers, and the smile there, wider than anything he could properly give, almost spoils everything.]

Padmé's pregnant.

[shmi]

[It doesn't seem possible that Anakin could be old enough to be married, let alone with a pregnant wife. But here he is, her grown son, promising her a grandchild to think of.]

P--oh, Anakin.

[There's relief there, palpable relief, at the fact that he's not in real trouble. This should be a joyous occasion, the thought of a new life. She should get up to hug him again.

But there's worry, too. If Anakin and Padmé's marriage must remain a secret, pregnancy is an unacceptable consequence for them. There is no secret in it; Shmi knows well enough that it marks a person in so many ways in the thoughts of others. That means little enough besides personal hardship for a slave. For a senator, it's different.]

A child is a wonderful thing, Ani. [She reaches for his hand with both of hers.] And I know that you and Padmé will be wonderful parents.

[ex_forcechoke292]

I know.

[It's intoned softly as he ducks his head, so used to having to hide the smile in it. This baby is a blessing. He hasn't stopped thinking that. Not once.

But a unique blessing also comes with unique consequences, and they're running out of time to hide from them.]

It's just-- [a pause] Mom, I don't know what to do.