The month seemed to fly by for Anakin who spent much of his time divided between training with brother, completing his duties as emperor and spending as much time as possible with his family. Laic, though only a month old seemed to be growing right before Anakin's eyes. Despite his attempts to spend as much time with Laic, it wasn't always possible and even when he was apart from Dormé and their son his heart was with them. However, as time passed and his return to the light was growing more certain the young emperor began to grow cocky and sure of himself. Therefore, Anakin spoke to his brother about the matter and despite Obi-Wan's concerns believed he no longer needed the Jedi Master's support any longer. In truth, Anakin wanted to spend more time with his family and felt that he would be able to control his struggles much better now. Just being around Laic added to his determination to tend to his darkness and it was with this in mind that Anakin decided he would further his training while at home.

Having completed the last of his duties -much pertaining to the aftermath of well wishers who had partook of the celebration of their little prince. Returning home in good spirits Anakin entered their private quarters to hear the familiar melodic tones of his beloved singing to their son. For a moment, he paused at the entrance of the veranda, watching and listening in silence as Laic's Ama sang. It was moments like this that Anakin cherished and held onto.

It was hard to believe that Prince Laic was already a whole month old. Dormé relished every moment of the day, every feeding, every time he needed to be changed. She loved soothing him when he cried and singing to him to sleep, which was her current occupation. That morning, Master Kenobi left and Anakin and she presented their little prince to the public for the first time. Laic was hardly in the mood and didn't like all of the people, but was now snoozing peacefully in his ama's arms. Laic was now a healthy size, which was reassuring to Dormé and she made no qualms about the Jedi Master leaving once he checked Laic again. Every night the little prince slept with his parents in their bed, as it was easier for Dormé to feed him and comfort him when he awoke. Anakin didn't seem to mind this and she couldn't be happier.

Concluding her song, she headed back indoors when she spotted Anakin. She smiled at him, though it was evident in her features that it had already been a long day for her. Though she had gotten used to having a nap or sleeping whenever Laic did, she wanted to spend time with Anakin outside of duty. He had been so busy as of late with training and imperial duties, especially since she had been little help while recovering from childbirth and taking care of Laic. She quietly slipped indoors to rest Laic in his cot before returning to Anakin.

Dormé's smile immediately made him forget all about the busy day as once more his entire universe consisted solely of her and their son, which was, in his opinion, as it should be. Despite his joy at returning home, the emperor took note of his wife's exhaustion and offered to aid her in putting Laic to bed. The little one was already ready to rest and soon Dormé had him placed in his cot.

'Sound asleep,' she said, 'for now at least. Have you finished with your duties?'

Anakin smiled as he nodded in reply before reaching out to touch her cheek. 'I'm all yours,' he murmured gently before allowing his hands slip to her shoulders as he gently massaged them.

'Mmm good,' Dormé replied, leaning into his touch.

'It's been a long day for all of us,' he continued as his expression softened and grew gentle. 'You rest and I'll rub your shoulders,' he offered as he could feel knots in her shoulders and wanted to work them out for her.

At his offer, she said, 'Let me take my hair down first.' She hadn't even changed from Laic and her first public appearance since Laic's birth. Donning a rich, wine-coloured gown of velvet with an equally majestic diadem, the young empress had shown off her once again lean form while not taking the spotlight away from the little prince.

The emperor nodded simply in reply at her words, though the hint of a smile that crept into his features marked that he wasn't about to refrain from interrupting either. Following her to their bedchamber, he let his eyes roam over her slender form feeling a bit envious of the gown that hugged her body. As Dormé let down her long hair, the emperor's thoughts grew less impish and more peaceful. Watching her for a moment longer Anakin couldn't help but feel so at peace. As always, Dormé looked radiant and with long locks tumbling about her shoulders and trailing down her back, the petite woman reminded Anakin of the legends he had heard as a child about goddess's taking human form. The need to touch her hair and feel her skin beneath his fingers soon grew too irresistible and despite the fact Dormé was obviously watching him the emperor was soon sidling up behind her.

'May I?' Anakin offered as he let his fingers wrap over Dormé's own that held the brush.

Dormé enjoyed the way Anakin's eyes followed her. It made her feel loved and appreciated in ways she had never felt before meeting Anakin. The revelation about the dark side was long forgotten over this past month and she was thankful she would be able to spend more time with the love of her life. She smiled as he approached and allowed him to take over brushing out her hair. She relished the feel of his calloused fingers gliding lightly over the skin of her neck and shoulders as he gently brushed her hair. He did so with such ease and grace; it seemed as though he wanted to take the time as though this was an honour. When he was nearly finished, she turned around to run her fingers through his hair before giving in to her desires and kissing him.

Anakin could feel her enjoying his watchful gaze and it only added to his own enjoyment. One of the many things he loved about Dormé was that she relished his rather possessive nature and hardly minded his need and desire to enjoy her. He loved the feel of her hair against his fingers as he gently brushed it out. There was a time when he used to dream of having such an opportunity and he could still remember the first time she let him brush her hair. A smile crept into his features at the memory of how heavenly he felt at being able to have such a chance. Soon his thoughts were returning to her once more and after some time Dormé was soon running her fingers through his own far shorter hair. His expression easily reflected his thoughts as did hers and soon Anakin was eagerly returning her kiss with fervent passion.

Dormé couldn't recall the last time they really had a moment to themselves after all that happened since Laic's birth. Everything had been about recovering, for both Anakin and Dormé. Tonight, it was about them and in Dormé's opinion, it was perfect timing. Unaware of the damage Anakin's impatience would inevitably cause, Dormé communicated to Anakin, in her own way, that she was fully ready to enjoy his presence this evening. 'I suppose I don't have to ask if you're game,' Dormé chuckled between kisses, already initiating the removal of hindering attire.

Anakin was more than eager to make the most of this evening and did little to hide it as he eagerly returned her kisses. At her words, he just gave an impish grin as he chuckled. 'The question you need to ask is, when haven't I been game,' he purred into her ear as he promptly began to undo the clasps of her gown.

Dormé smiled at his words, while unhooking his belt. 'Never?' Dormé replied with a mischievous grin, helping him out of his tunic. 'You have to take heed to be gentle with me,' she said, pulling back to meet his eyes to emphasize the point.

Anakin didn't need to reply as his expression said it all as his fingers continued to unclasp her gown until she pulled back. Immediately he gave her a questioning look until her eyes met his own and the warning was given. Furrowing his brow Anakin nodded in reply understanding the weight of his words and putting them to heart. Despite his best intentions, it was certain that reminders would be needed throughout the night.

As nice as it was to have this time together, so far without interruption, Dormé was hardly impressed with Anakin's attempt at being gentle with her. Dormé had to physically make her point while gasping, 'Anakin—gentle! Unless you want to be the one to give birth next time—'

Anakin in his opinion was trying to be gentle. But it was hard not to lose one's self in the heat of the moment and it was only upon feeling Dormé's nails running across his skin did it finally hit home. Giving a yelp of pain, he cursed in Huttese and debaucherized Uriashian before catching Dormé's remarks as he turned crimson. 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...' he sheepishly apologized before attempting once more to be mindful of Dormé's delicate situation.

Despite his best efforts, Anakin continually forgot himself, making hardly the most pleasant time for Dormé who had to compromise. However, she only winced slightly as she continued her methods of reigning him back. In the end, they were probably in the same amount of pain, though it would decrease in time.

Anakin continued to try to be mindful of Dormé but every time he tried to get into things the emperor would forget himself and soon need a reminding. Though it hardly went as expected there was amusement to be found and as he eyed the marks on his waist, he could help but chuckle.

Seeing the impressions on his waist and back, Dormé felt a little bad, but couldn't help chuckling. Kissing his bellybutton, she giggled, 'We're implacable, aren't we?'

'This does bring back memories doesn't it?' he teased as he motioned to his far older i battlescars /I .

'Vividly,' she replied, grinning.

He purred at Dormé's kiss and soon was playing with her hair and leaning in to kiss her neck as he grinned. 'You say it like it's a bad thing,' he replied with a wink as he pulled her near.

They continually tried to be together, despite the pain, because they couldn't help themselves and Dormé couldn't help having a laugh about it. She giggled as he kissed her neck, enjoying the way the vibrations from his chest felt against her skin as he spoke. 'Mhmm, a terrible thing,' Dormé said before kissing him on the lips.

Her final words brought another mischievous grin to his lips, one that didn't fade as he eagerly returned her kiss while running his fingers through her hair. Though it was a delicate situation to say the least, Anakin was grateful they tried nonetheless as it had been awhile. When it involved basking in Dormé's presence there was little if any, when it came to resisting such opportunity. Fortunately, despite the pain, there was some pleasure found and Anakin couldn't help but find some amusement in the situation. He grinned at Dormé's reply as his expression turned wistful. 'I still remember showing them off to Kei.'

She spaced kisses along the battlewounds as he explained how he showed them off like some war hero. 'You didn't!' she gasped, as though finding it hard to believe, but knowing it to be true. 'You're terrible.'

'The look on his face was hilarious!' he recalled with snicker. 'I showed others too. I can't remember them all. Anyone who was willing to listen pretty much,' Anakin admitted with a wry smile as he could still remember their reactions. 'Kei, I swear was going to faint. Mikal just told me I probably deserved it, which now that I think about it, I guess I probably did,' he continued with a mischievous grin that didn't hide his warm cheeks. Soon talk was forgotten as Dormé was kissing him leaving Anakin to forget about said topic in the first place.

Dormé was not that shocked at the revelation and couldn't say she didn't find it heartwarming. Anyone and everyone knew Anakin was hers, just as she was his. This time as Dormé kissed him, she took the initiative to take things into her own hands. With more control this time, there was less need for punishment and consequently less pain. Curling up next to him, now quite sleepy, Dormé murmured in a mixture of Uriashian and Basic how much she loved him.

Dormé was, by far, the finer artist when it came to such things and Anakin despite his inability to truly focus was eager to learn. This time things went about more smoothly and as sleep became more the focus of his thoughts Anakin was soon wrapping his arms around Dormé as she whispered her love to him. Through the Force he uttered the words of his heart while playing with her hair and kissing her cheek.

---

The meeting with the loyalist Humbarine faction, led by Queen Breemu, Kei's mother, and other parties involved in efforts to reunite the Humbarine people through political persuasion instead of war, went far better than Dormé could have hoped. However, the young empress had difficulty managing Laic and had to have one of her handmaidens watch him for a few hours. She decided it would be best if Laic didn't attend meetings with her, despite her hesitancy to leave him with anyone else.

This whole week had been one arduous meeting after another, trying to find a solution to the conflict. It had been taxing on Dormé, who still was up early in the mornings to care for Laic, and as much as she wanted to retain control over the split Humbarine factions, whose home planet had been destroyed by General Grievous, Dormé cared more about spending time with her family. She was incredibly stressed out and exhausted, finding little energy to enjoy her time with Laic. Even with Anakin's help and support, it was difficult to balance work and home life and Dormé would much rather quit being an empress and stay home with Laic. However, as this was an impossibility, Dormé tried to make the best of things.

Dormé knew absolute control would not be an option in this case with the Humbarines and inevitably, they decided to let the traitors go, but they would not be able to return or travel in imperial space. Anyone caught doing so would be executed without question. It seemed the majority was satisfied with this decision and as Dormé left the meeting to go to the handmaidens' quarters where Laic was being cared for, one of the senators approached her, offering her their congratulations.

'Thank you.' Raising an eyebrow, Dormé queried, 'What exactly are you congratulating me for?'

The Bothan replied, 'For your pregnancy. Your aroma shows clear signs of it.'

Confused by this, Dormé just smiled and politely thanked the senator again before heading in the opposite direction: this time, to the medical wing. Surely, the Bothan was only smelling the hormones still present in her system from Laic. After all, she was still breastfeeding him… Anakin had been away this past week and they had barely spent much time together… Dormé shook her head, finding the nagging possibility highly unlikely.

The medical droids disagreed with her.

Finding their assessment incredibly surprising, but hardly negative, Dormé was all smiles as she bounced to the handmaidens' quarters to retrieve Laic. 'I'm pregnant!' she told the five young girls who acted as her handmaidens. 'Laic, you hear that? You're going to be a big brother soon! We have to tell Daddy the good news!'

'Milady—' one of the handmaidens began, but the empress was already out the door, heading to her private chambers. 'So much for telling her that headdress is about to fall off,' she muttered to the other girls.

Carrying Laic, who was smiling happily, Dormé found whatever exhaustion she had leave her as she was filled with excitement over the news. She used their private codes to transmit a message to Anakin. 'Anakin, whatever you're doing, you have to come home right now because I have something very important that I have to tell you and I want to do it in person!'

Laic still hadn't learnt to talk yet, but he tried to reach out to the holovid projector.

---

Despite Anakin's wish to remain home with is family duty demanded his presence elsewhere. As reluctant as he was, the young emperor couldn't ignore the matter any longer and thus parted ways with his family for the worlds that made up their empire. Though it was easy to remain in the light side when his family was near, Anakin couldn't say the same about being on the front. Though battles were more often fought in meeting halls over space and fields, the struggle to remain focused on the light side grew more difficult for Anakin. It wasn't long before he began to touch the darkness once more. This time, he was mindful of his use and kept it at a minimum using it only when encountering the rebels or threats.

As time passed, it wasn't long before the excuses began to present themselves on an even more regular basis. Though Anakin did his best to resist, it was met with mixed results. On this particular day, the struggle proved to be worse than usual as he found himself caught up in a rather violent and ruthless attack made against him on the world he was visiting. Though he tried to tell himself that using the dark side was necessary to remove his enemies, that they were traitors even Anakin couldn't deny the fact that there were innocents who suffered for it too.

Though most heralded him as a hero for saving the people, the struggling emperor felt awkward and out of sorts by his actions. He couldn't stop thinking about Laic and of Aené and the other children they were to have but never could. Yet at the same time, he couldn't ignore the fact his assailants were traitors and deserved justice. Struggling with these thoughts, he returned to his temporary quarters to discover his commlink was chiming, demanding his attentions.

Hurriedly, he activated it upon recognizing the transmission and codes used. At the sight of Dormé and Laic his struggles were forgotten as his eyes lit up and a smile graced his features. How he missed them both so much and the thought of returning home to them soon was almost too good to be real. At her words, he furrowed his brow curiously though he could tell it was something exciting as Dormé's joy was radiating off of her and was equally contagious.

Anakin rushed out the door to the hanger bay where his ship was held. Though some of the senator's were caught off guard, most were used to this sort of behaviour and didn't bother attempting to question his actions. Anakin, on the other hand, had only one thought in mind to get back to Coruscant as swiftly as possible. Whatever it was that Dormé wanted to tell him, it was exciting indeed and, never a patient man, the young emperor was more than eager to learn what it was.

---

Dormé took Laic back home to change him before going to the platform near their chambers to meet him. With Coruscant's controlled temperatures, it wasn't too cool, but she didn't want to chance it. Instead, she placed Laic in his cot and waited until she saw her husband's ship. Dormé had been smiling broadly since the news was confirmed and was bubbling over with joy. 'Anakin, we're having another baby!' she practically yelled, bounded over to him.

Anakin had gotten no further then got clambering out of his ship when Dormé was rushing towards him. As if seeing her once more wasn't joy enough, her blurted statement took little time to sink in as his eyes further lit up leaving him to pick her up and whirl her around in joy. 'We're having another baby?' he asked hopeful before reading her joy and realizing this was no joke as he whooped in joy and twirled her around again. 'WE'RE HAVING ANOTHER BABY!'

The thought was just too wondrous to keep to himself and the young emperor was soon shouting the news to the world as he laughed and kissed his wife feeling as though he was the luckiest man in the universe.

Dormé squeezed him tight, so thrilled that he was as happy and excited about this news as she was. Dormé kissed him with all the love she bore him.

Anakin returned Dormé's kiss with equal fervency and felt as though he had reached a new level of joy. The thought of having another child was beyond wondrous and Anakin couldn't help but thank the Force for blessing it once more.

'I just found out a few hours ago and I—I had to tell you in person!' she exclaimed. Their dreams were coming true and Dormé was so incredibly happy, tears came to her eyes and the overwhelming emotions rendered her speechless for a moment. With Anakin knowing the cause of the previous difficulties, and it having been solved, there were no doubts that this pregnancy would be successful.

Holding her close, her Anakin caught her words and beamed finding even more joy in the fact that she had discovered this only a short time ago. 'I can't believe it, Dormé. We're having another baby!' he whispered in excitement before eagerly returning her kiss.

'So how far along are you? Do you want to start preparations for their nursery or wait until we find out if it's a boy or a girl? What about names? I guess it's too early but we can still toss ideas,' Anakin rambled in excitement before catching himself as his cheeks warmed.

'Three weeks,' Dormé replied, grinning like mad.

'Sorry to flood you with questions. I just can't help myself I guess,' he admitted with a lopsided grin.

'I was thinking it might make more sense to have another room for Laic when he's older and use the nursery for our next little addition. Oh names—yes! We should!'

Anakin grinned at her exclamation and grew even more excited at her idea. 'Agreed, that will definitely be better! Either way we need to think up how the new room will look,' he said eagerly as ideas for Laic's new room were already filling his thoughts.

'When do you want to think of names? Its not too early to do it now is it?' he suggested eagerly.

Dormé's joy was contagious and despite himself Anakin found his eyes too were filling with tears as held her close buried his face within her hair.

Dormé gasped, breathing Anakin in as he pulled her close. Her fingers danced in his hair. She remained so, just holding him and breathing him in, relishing the moment she would cherish in days to come. Once they pulled back slightly, she kissed him again, slowly.

Lost in the moment, Anakin ran his fingers through her hair as well just nuzzling his face against her neck and lightly kissing her throat and holding her near. Bliss was found in this place and he was reluctant to ever let it end. Her kiss was equally inviting and enticing leaving him torn to relish the moment of their discovery or bask in her presence once more. 'This is such wonderful news,' he breathed. 'Just think Laic is going to be an older brother now,' he said as another rush of joy flooded his thoughts making him feel light headed and giddy.

Dormé took his hand, leading him indoors, for she didn't want to be far from Laic for long. 'I told Laic he's going to be a big brother soon. I know he'll be a good brother...and teach them things...I can't wait...'

'Just think, it won't be long before they'll be playing together and run around the palace making all sorts of mischief,' he said wistfully.

'And playing tricks on the palace guards.'

As they entered the nursery Anakin caught sight of Laic reaching for him leaving the young father unable to resist picking the baby up. 'I've missed you so much, Laic,' Anakin said as he kissed the baby's forehead before giving Dormé a smile as she spoke to their son.

He had just learnt to lift his head up and she thought he would be crawling soon. 'Would you like starship holos in your room, Laic?' Dormé asked.

'Starship holo's now that is a definite must,' Anakin agreed.

Dormé watched serenely as Anakin cradled their son. He had been so afraid to hold him a few months ago, but now it was like second nature to him.

Laic was very happy because his parents were so happy and he tried to express this. His verbal skills were still far from anything resembling Basic, or Uriashian but resembled Huttese.

Anakin loved being able to hold their son like this to feel the baby's joy radiating from him. At their words, Laic spoke up and appeared to be in agreement which caused Anakin to chuckle as he lightly ran his hand over the baby's hair.

Dormé kissed Laic's cheek. His hair was starting to come in quite rapidly in dusty blonde. 'You like that idea, don't you?' she asked Laic.

Smiling to Dormé's words, Anakin gave a contented sigh.

Laic felt like Daddy could understand him and would soon come to find that Daddy understood him better than Ama. Smiling, he continued trying to speak, since they knew what he meant.

'I want to name our next baby Ani,' Dormé said quite seriously.

Anakin's eyes widened in shock as he looked at her in concern. Had he not been distracted by Laic the young emperor might have understood this was but a joke but right now he was too caught up in the moment to see anything beyond her statement. 'Ani? Are you sure that's such a good idea? I mean—' he tried to hide his obvious disdain over the idea as he believed his wife was serious.

Dormé gasped, pretending to be shocked by her husband's reactions to her suggestion of names. 'But Ani is such an endearing name...'

'...It might be all right when they're a youngling, but when they grow up—' he faltered trying to figure a polite way of talking her out of this idea. 'You certain you don't have another other names you like?' he offered finally.

Anakin was continuing to object, which she was ready to counter. 'Oh, but Anakin, I wanted to name our baby after you.' Dormé put on a face akin to one he was so found of putting on when he was a teenager.

Though the last thing he wanted was to hurt Dormé, Anakin was hesitant about this matter. He had always hated the name Ani and dreaded the thought their child would be cursed with the same name. Anakin felt his cheeks warm as he tried to bury his panic. 'But...Ani? I mean when he's a youngling he's not going to mind, but what about when he's an adult...No one is going to take him seriously with a nickname like that. I mean...If that's really what you want to call him...I suppose...' he said trying to placate her but at the same time dreading the possibility of having a child bearing such an awful name.

Dormé listened as she nearly won the argument over names and couldn't help giving herself away. Her grin became undeniable, despite her attempts to remain placid. 'I can't believe you fell for that twice!' she laughed, kissing his cheek.

Laic thought Ama was being silly and burst out laughing, though he couldn't understand the complexities of adult conversation.

Anakin finally began to piece it together that she was teasing him once more. 'Hey it's not my fault! You're a far better actress then you realize!' he remarked in defence before chuckling as she kissed his cheek. 'I swear you are going to be the death of me!' he teased before catching Laic's laughter as he shook his head at their son.

'Death by brattiness? Highly unlikely, Ani,' she teased, wrapping her arms around him.

'You knew Ama was teasing Daddy all along, didn't you?' he teased as he lightly tickled under Laic's chin. 'He gets his brattiness from you, you know,' Anakin teased as he gave Dormé a wink.

Laic laughed as Daddy tickled him, kicking his legs around.

Dormé laughed at his assessment and wasn't going to argue the point.

Anakin laughed as he poked out his tongue. 'Sure it is, you keep calling me that awful name I just might go so crazy that my head explodes,' he teased back before tickling Laic as he grinned. 'Isn't that right, Laic?'

Feeling Dormé's arms around him and the laughter of his family filling his ears, Anakin felt as though he was whole once more and in silence he kissed Dormé's cheek as he slip his free hand around her petite waist. This was harmony and this was peace but little did he realize soon fleeting both would become because of his own foolishness.

Coming down from her excitement at the news, Dormé felt her exhaustion hit her with full intensity. Leaning in to Anakin, she watched Laic smiling and giggling in his Daddy's arms. She felt as though everything was perfect in the galaxy, that there were no wars or slavery, or violence (because it was no longer necessary). Here, with her family, she felt as close to Harmony as a mortal could be.

Leaning his head against hers Anakin gave a sigh of contentment as he could feel her exhaustion which in reality was beginning to mirror his own. But the moment was perfect and he didn't want it to end and so for a brief time he continued to hold them both feeling as though he held the most important things in the universe in his arms.

Dormé hummed softly, which seemed to reflect in Laic who was also getting tired from the excitement of only a few moments ago as they pondered names for their newest addition. Though she knew her body wanted rest, she didn't want to miss a moment of this with her boys.

Anakin gave a soft purr to Dormé's humming as the sound of her voice was always soothing to him. Laic seemed to agree with this assessment and was promptly growing sleepy.

'Maybe if it's a girl, we can call her Ani then,' she added, only joking of course, as was evident in her smile. 'All right, all right,' she giggled. 'Shani? Rune or Runa...' she mused, listing a few more off the top of her head for boys or girls.

At Dormé's suggestion he raised a brow and made a face though it was obvious he was equally teasing before her giggle brought another smile to his features. But her actual suggestions for names did catch his attentions and Anakin furrowed his brow listening intently to the suggestions. All sounded appropriate though one or two stuck out in his mind. 'If it's a girl, I think I'd like the name Runa. What do you think?' he offered.

She kissed him before saying, 'Princess Runa...I like that.'

The young emperor smiled as his expression softened. He rather liked the sound of it as well and was more than eager to meet the newest addition to the Vader family. But before he could dwell on this any further Anakin found himself reminded of Dormé's exhaustion through Laic's sleepy form and decided it was best to call it a night. 'I can only imagine you must be about ready to drop, I know I certainly am. Perhaps we should continue this name business somewhere more comfortable,' Anakin murmured as he kissed Dormé's cheek.

'I think that's a good idea,' Dormé replied, smiling softly at him before helping him with Laic, who was now drifting to sleep. She then took his hand and led him to their bedchamber, curling up next to him and falling asleep soon afterwards.

---

A/N: Happiness is fleeting, however! Stay tuned for more angsty drama in the last two chapters of part two! Part three to follow soon after! Bwhahahaha!