For the next three days, Anakin got to work making a checklist of everything the new baby would need. He even went into the closet and found a box of some of Gabby's old baby toys.

Anakin chuckled as he shook a little pink butterfly rattle Gabby used to love playing with.

"My little princess sure loved playing with you." He said.

Anakin looked through the box some more and found a book of old pictures. Pictures of Gabby when she was a baby. He had so many great memories with her. Her first words, her first steps, the first time she smiled at him and Padme, and when she called him Daddy for the first time. And then, he looked at another page he hadn't looked at in a long time.

That page was filled with sonograms and ultrasounds from when Padme was pregnant with their first baby. Anakin couldn't help feeling guilty that he wasn't there for her the first time. He wasn't there to get her whatever food she was craving, help her get up from bed or her chairs, or even to help her pick a name for the baby ahead of time. He never even got to attend one doctor's appointment with her to watch their baby grow inside her as they got the ultrasounds.

But then, another thought crossed Anakin's mind. What if Padme did end up dying in childbirth and he did have to raise his kids on his own? What would it mean for them? What would it mean for their family? Padme was the only woman he ever loved, and the only woman he would ever love.

Then, Anakin found something else. Something that meant so much to him. An old picture. The one picture he had of his mother. Qui-Gon gave him and Carmine each a copy of that picture. It was of Shmi holding the twins when they were just little babies.

Four years was not nearly enough time for Anakin to fully heal from the heartbreak he suffered after losing his mother. And to lose another woman he loved more than anything else... the mere thought made him break down in tears. He could sooner count all the stars in the sky than describe how much he missed his mother.

Anakin could've easily asked Gabby if she would cast that same spell she used to revive his father, but he remembered the warning she gave Carmine, that casting that spell too many times was not only dangerous for the casters... it would upset the balance of the world surrounding them.

"Mom... I wish you were here." Anakin whispered to the picture as tears slid down his cheeks.

Anakin was particularly sad today because today would've been his mother's birthday.

"I miss her too." said a gentle voice, startling Anakin.

Anakin looked to see his father behind him. He didn't say anything and just looked at his picture again.

Qui-Gon sat down beside his son and looked at the picture.

"Your mother was a remarkable woman." He said. "She deserved so much better than to be a slave."

Anakin still said nothing.

"While it is true she did not have a luxurious lifestyle, she always had you. And she was very fortunate to have had a child who stayed strong for her, and loved her so dearly. She was never alone."

Anakin sniffed. "Except for just before she died at the hands of those... monsters!"

Qui-Gon put a comforting hand on Anakin's shoulder.

"Anakin... I know I couldn't be there for you growing up, but I am here now. And so is your mother. In here."

Qui-Gon placed a hand over Anakin's heart.

"Once you love someone, that is where they stay... forever. Just as your mother always sang to you."

Anakin tried to hold back as he heard his mother's voice singing that song in his head, but he couldn't stop his tears. He wanted to cry, but didn't want to do it in front of Qui-Gon.

"It's okay, Anakin. Let it out."

Many blue flowers grew all around the room as Anakin cried, and weeping willow branches filled the ceiling

Qui-Gon pulled Anakin into a hug and let him cry into his shoulder. He hugged his son tighter, careful not to super strength hug him, and kissed his son's head. When he freed Anakin, he vowed to Shmi and himself that he would see to it that both of their boys would be loved the way they deserved and grow up to be the great people they knew each of them could be.

"Mom didn't deserve the things she went through!" Anakin sobbed. "Why did she of all people have to die the way she did?"

"I wish I had all the answers." Qui-Gon said. "But I do know your mother never lost sight of what was most important to her. And knowing both you and your brother were free and would be able to lead a better life made her happier than she'd ever been before. You were fortunate to have known her at all. Carmine never did."

Anakin realized his father was right. Anakin got to know both of his parents, even for a short time when he was old enough to remember. Carmine, however... he'd only known one of them. He never knew Shmi. The only motherly figures he'd had in his life were his grandmother and later a teacher he met at music school who became his foster mother and raised him as her own.

Now Anakin felt bad that he was crying about missing his mother while his twin brother was too young to remember her when he was last with their mother, when their whole family was together.

"I forget sometimes that Carmine never knew Mom. And here I am whining about how much I miss her." Anakin said, wiping his tears.

"No, Anakin. You have every right to feel the way you do. But you are correct that it isn't fair for Carmine that he never knew Shmi like you did. But you can help him know her by talking about her. He knows today would've been her birthday as well."

Anakin got out from his room and decided he needed to do something.

Sapphire was just drinking some water, when she heard Anakin come in.

"Let's go for a ride." said Anakin, bringing in her saddle.

"Bad mood?" Sapphire said more as a statement than a question.

"Let's go."

Sapphire ran with Anakin on her back and took off into the air as Anakin felt the wind flowing through his hair. Breathing in that fresh Naboo air... it felt so soothing to Anakin. Seeing all the green plants and the clear blue water... it made him feel more at peace knowing his children would have a more peaceful place to grow up, and hopefully his new baby would like it too, as well as grow up in a more peaceful time.

Anakin still worried about his nightmares, but talking to his family helped him calm down. Still... he decided he needed to talk to Master Yoda about this, and Obi-Wan too. It couldn't hurt to get a second opinion, he thought.

"Your mother was a lucky woman to have a son like you." said Sapphire. "And your children are fortunate to have you as a father."

"I only hope the baby will get to have Padme as their mother in their life."

"I don't know what will happen, Anakin. But I know Padme is a strong woman. And no matter what, your children will have a father who loves them and will stop at nothing to see to it that they grow up happy and loved. And remember, you have family and friends who are right there by your side. True love is more powerful than any death. It is what keeps us connected with the loved ones we've lost, no matter what."

Sapphire flew a little longer until they reached a beautiful lake, where Anakin quickly found they weren't alone.

By the lake sat Boba with Remix laying beside him. Boba placed his hand on the water and felt it for a bit. And he looked down at his reflection.

Anakin was curious about his son being at the lake. But, he had an odd sense he was thinking about something. He looked sad, confused, unsure. So many emotions seemed like they were running through his head at once.

Boba had a lot on his mind today. Earlier that day, he had the same idea as his adoptive father to go to a lake to clear his head. Back on Kamino, on the rare occasion he did leave the walls of his home when it wasn't raining, he would stare out at the ocean, wondering if anything resides beyond the edge of the water he saw, or beyond the planet's atmosphere.

Still, his father did have his moments of wisdom when he wasn't bounty hunting on a rare occasion.

Boba learned from him that fear was not an option when completing a mission, and then he learned from his adoptive family that that was true especially when fighting for loved ones. He also learned that he had to think for himself first, and then his birth family opened his eyes to that meaning he had to be happy with who he was first and know how to make his own choices and make the right ones. However, that was easier said than done.

Boba had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. Sure, he was only almost thirteen now, but by this age, most of his friends knew who they wanted to be. Colden knew he wanted to be a great ruler like his mother, Roya wanted to be a fashion designer, five-year-old Lamenta dreamed of following in her parents' footsteps as a dancer, even the horses knew who they were.

Mirabel knew how Boba felt about being the only family member without magic of his own, but he doubted it was anything like when he used to be a bounty hunter. Still, she had lost someone she loved tragically. But still, she wasn't adopted or a clone of her parent like he was.

"Got a lot on your mind?" said a voice, startling Boba from his train of thought.

"Oh... hi, Dad." Boba said flatly, looking back at the water.

Anakin looked at the water too.

"Are all the mirrors being used for magic portals now?" Anakin joked.

Boba just shrugged.

"You know, I remember my mother used to tell me that when we look at our reflections, we see more than how we look." Anakin said. "If you can look at your reflection, and a smile appears on your face, you're looking at your true self."

"My dad basically tried to turn me into him." Boba said. "I had no idea who else I could've been growing up."

"Well, it is pretty common for parents to try to live vicariously through their kids." Anakin said. "But I'm sure your birth father meant well."

"Today would've been his birthday."

"I remember now. It would also have been my mother's." Anakin said. "You know, I understand if you feel a lot of different things now. It's normal. No matter how much time passes, you might never feel done grieving for the ones you lost, and that's okay."

Boba looked at his adoptive father with a bit of awe in his eyes.

"You know, my father told me earlier that once we love someone, they stay in your heart forever." Anakin said. "And I believe it. And even though I might not have had the life I would've liked with my mother, I at least know she was happy knowing both her children were free to live happier lives. And I think your father would be glad to see you living a life of luxury, for one. But more importantly, that you have a family that loves you and wants to help you become the best version of you."

Boba looked at Anakin again and asked, "Is it odd that I look back to my childhood and find that back then, I somehow knew I didn't really want to be a bounty hunter? And I just told myself I did because I didn't want to disappoint my father?"

Anakin looked at Boba dearly.

"No, I'd say that's pretty normal. The last thing any of us wants is to disappoint our families. But, you could never disappoint me or your mother, your sister, or anyone in the family for that matter. You're part of this family, and you always will be."

"But what am I supposed to be in life?" Boba asked. "Am I meant to be a musician? An engineer? Or just an outcast prince?"

"Boba, you are not an outcast to us." Anakin said, getting Boba to look at him. He kissed his head. "You're my son, and you're Gabby's big brother. That's a pretty important career in my eyes and in hers. It doesn't matter what job you have in life. Being someone's role model... that's a really rewarding thing. Sure, it's a challenge, but again, it's rewarding when you know it's made a difference."

"You speak from experience?" Remix said. "Being the Jedi's poster boy and all?"

"Maybe." Anakin smiled. He looked at Boba again. "Bring it in."

And the adopted father and son embraced in a big hug.