Chapter Sixty-Five
Obi-Wan

I sit with Reek in the cockpit of the Negotiator, the familiar hum of the ship's engines providing a comforting background rhythm. The captain looks up from his console, his eyes meeting mine with a mix of concern and curiosity.

"Obi-Wan, Anakin will come back from Lothal soon," he says, his voice steady but tinged with a subtle reassurance.

I nod, my gaze drifting to the viewport where the stars streak past in a blur of light. The words hang in the air, a balm to the unease that has settled in my chest. Anakin's mission to Lothal has been on my mind constantly, and the uncertainty of his return has been a heavy weight.

"Thank you, Captain," I reply, my voice calm but carrying the weight of my thoughts. "I know he will. He always does."

Reek gives me a knowing look, his eyes reflecting the years of shared experiences and the bond that has formed between us. "He's strong, Obi-Wan. Stronger than he knows. And he has a good heart. He'll come back to us."

I appreciate Reek's words, and they do bring a measure of comfort. Anakin has grown so much since the day I took him as my Padawan. He's become a powerful and capable Jedi, but the thought of him facing the dangers of Lothal alone is still a source of worry.

I turn back to the viewport, the stars a constant reminder of the vastness of the galaxy and the many challenges we face. "I know," I say softly. "I just can't help but worry."

Reek places a hand on my shoulder, a gesture of support. "We all worry, Obi-Wan. But we also have faith in our friends and in the Force. Anakin will be back, and when he is, we'll be here to welcome him home."

I take a deep breath, feeling the warmth of Reek's words and the strength of his presence. "You're right," I say, my voice more confident. "We'll be here for him."

The captain nods, his eyes returning to the console as he continues to navigate the Negotiator through the star lanes. I sit back in my chair, the weight on my chest lightening slightly. Anakin will come back, and we will be here to support him, no matter what challenges he has faced.

I sighed as I received a call from Anakin, putting it on speaker. "Anakin, where are you?" I hissed, the tension in my voice palpable. "Sorry, Master," he replied, his tone trailing off. I could hear the mixture of happiness and angst in his voice as he continued, "It's just... I've been with Mira."

"Anakin?" I asked, sensing something more beneath his words. He sighed again, the weight of his thoughts evident. "Are you alone?"

I met Rex's eyes for a brief moment. "I will be," I replied, dipping my head slightly. The captain of the 501st nodded, quietly walking out and leaving me alone in the cockpit.

"I am now. What is it?" I prompted, curiosity edging into my tone. Anakin's voice softened, and I could feel his smile through the comm. "Mira told me she was pregnant."

I stared at the hologram, disbelief washing over me. "What?" I breathed out, my mind racing to process his words. Anakin giggled, a sound both lighthearted and tinged with defiance. "Yes, yes, I know it's against the Code and all that," he replied, his tone playful yet serious. I could almost feel him rolling his eyes through the transmission.

"But she's with my kid, Obi-Wan! Aren't you happy?" His excitement was palpable, a stark contrast to the somber weight of our duties. My heart raced as I grappled with the implications of his revelation, caught between the thrill of the news and the constraints of our reality.

I felt a surge of frustration creeping in. "Anakin, you just broke half the rules!" I exclaimed, struggling to keep my voice steady. The weight of his choices hung in the air like a storm cloud, darkening the excitement of the moment.

"I know, Master," he replied, his tone light yet defiant. "But you have to understand—Mira is everything to me."

"And now you're going to be a father," I reminded him, trying to balance my concern with the joy that seemed to flicker in his voice. "This isn't just about you anymore."

"I know," he said, a hint of seriousness creeping into his words. "But it feels right, Obi-Wan. For the first time in a long while, I feel... whole."

I sighed, realizing that the heart wants what it wants, even if it goes against everything we were trained to believe.

I leaned back in my seat, feeling the cockpit tremble around me as the reality of the situation sank in. Mira had always been a part of Anakin's life, and now it was clear they were bound together by something much deeper. "Damn it," I muttered, clenching my fists.

Anakin was with her, and they were starting a family. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was losing him to this new life, one that seemed to contradict everything we had been taught as Jedi. The cockpit shuddered again, mirroring the turmoil inside me.

"Obi-Wan," Anakin's voice cut through my thoughts, laced with concern. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," I lied, but I could feel the knot in my stomach tightening. How could I be fine knowing he was breaking the very foundations of our lives? "I just... I need some time to process this."

"Just think about how happy I am," he said, his voice brightening, but all I could think about was the weight of his choices and what they meant for the path ahead.

I shook my head at the hologram, trying to find my composure. "Yes, Anakin, I'm happy for you," I said through gritted teeth, forcing a smile.

"Master," he trailed off, his tone shifting as Mira appeared beside him. The moment she came into view, I could feel the happiness radiating from her, mingled with the familiar angst that clung to Anakin like a shadow. My heart skipped a beat as I took in her presence. She looked breathtaking, adorned with the queen's crown atop her head, a symbol of their bond and the life they were building together.

For a moment, the tension in my chest eased as I saw the love in Anakin's eyes, but the reality of their situation weighed heavily on my mind. "You both look... incredible," I managed to say, my voice softer now, though the worry still lingered just beneath the surface.

"Thank you, Obi-Wan," Mira replied, her smile radiant and full of life. In that moment, it felt like they had created a world apart from the chaos we faced, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of joy and sadness for my friend

She met my eyes, and there was a flicker of understanding before she turned to her husband. "Please let me talk to your Master alone, Anakin. I'll be right with you."

Anakin sighed but nodded, planting a soft kiss on her lips before walking off. As he left, Mira turned to me, her expression serious yet warm, the regal aura of the queen surrounding her. "Obi," she began, and I braced myself for what was coming.

"I know you're not just happy for me and Anakin, and I'm sorry. Really, I am."

Her sincerity struck me. I felt the weight of her words, the gravity of the situation hanging in the air. "It's not that, Mira," I replied, trying to soften my tone. "I just worry about the choices you both are making. This isn't a simple path."

"I understand," she said, her voice steady. "But I love him, and I want to support him in every way I can. We're in this together, and I hope you can see that."

As I looked into her eyes, I could feel the depth of her conviction. It was both reassuring and unsettling, a reminder that the world was shifting in ways I could hardly grasp.

She smiled brightly, a light in her eyes that seemed to cut through the tension. "I will even give the kid the gift of a name," she said playfully, "if it's a boy, I'll name him Kenobi after you."

My heart fluttered at the thought, a mixture of warmth and surprise washing over me. "Really?" I asked, trying to mask the sudden rush of emotions that surged within me.

"Yes," she affirmed, her sincerity clear. "It's a way to honor you, Obi-Wan. You've been a guiding light for Anakin, and I want our son to carry that legacy."

I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride at her words, though part of me was still grappling with the whirlwind of changes unfolding around us. "You truly don't have to do that, Mira," I said, shaking my head. "But it means more than you know."

Her smile widened, and for a brief moment, the worries about the future faded away, replaced by a sense of hope and possibility.

She dipped her head, sincerity etched in her features. "Always, Obi-Wan. You know I love you."

I smiled back, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with romance. It was a bond forged through years of friendship, trust, and shared experiences—more like family than anything else. The affection between us felt comforting, like the gentle embrace of a long-lost sibling.

"I know," I replied, my voice steady. It was a truth that resonated deeply. She had always been there for Anakin, and now she was stepping into a role that would shape their future.

As we shared that moment of understanding, I felt a flicker of hope for what lay ahead. Despite the uncertainties and the risks, love had a way of forging new paths, and perhaps this was just the beginning of something beautiful for both of them.