Once again, thank you for the favorites, follow, and reviews.

** This is it, the last chapter, but not the end. In case any of you are not aware, there will be a sequel called The Emperor and the Empress: The Vader Dynasty. **

I hope everyone likes this chapter. To be honest, I'm not too sure about it. Not a lot of dialogue in this chapter. There is some at the end, but it's more of a summary. Enjoy!

Epilogue

Six months later...

Inside the main ballroom of the Vaders' Palace, now known simply as the Palace or the Imperial Palace, a celebration was taking place. The celebration marked the six month anniversary of the Vaders' declaration as Emperor and Empress of the Galactic Empire.

Holographers were filming every square inch of the place. Along with their bright and blinding flashing holographers.

Over half the Senate had turned out. Never had so much veda cloth, brocart, and shimmersilk graced the lavish mosaics and crimson carpets that led up and inside to the ball room. And never had such a diverse assortment of Coruscanti spilled from the sleek hover taxis and limos that delivered them outside the front door: patricians and doyennes, tycoons and philanthropists, pundits and patrons, lotharios and ingénues, gangsters and their molls.

Expensive glasses clanking and slurping.

Beings twirled, laughed, cheered, and danced.

Excitement filled the air both inside and outside where an endless line stood. Some had been waiting in line for hours.

But to most beings, the wait was worth it.

To be here.

To see the Imperial Palace and renovations going on.

More importantly, to be part of the new regime.

But also to see the new Emperor and Empress.

Many were still getting used to seeing Emperor Vader without his mask. He had taken it off for the first time in public only weeks after he declared himself Emperor.

While public opinion of him had been low at the start of his self proclamation, it had slightly risen almost twenty percent since he no longer wore the respirator. According to the polls, it made him appear "more human" or "one of us". That he was not some droid or machine. Some even sympathsized with him more and less with his predecessor, Emperor Palpatine.

Then Empress Padmé Vader, who after months of speculation was confirmed to be pregnant, again. Many of the holographers were hoping to get a better shot of her baby bump. In the past few months, only a few sneaky but very skilled holographers managed to get a few grainy, blurry shots of the Empress.

The news had also made her poll numbers increase nearly eight percent. Saying that like her husband it made appear more human. Less the "ice queen" as some called. A few of her critics compared her to Palpatine—the "female Palpatine" and not in a complimentary way. Also who didn't love babies? And the new Empress was doing it the old fashioned way while many upper class women especially on Coruscant chose to pay other beings or even use expensive medical incubators to reproduce.

Many also longed and hoped to see young Prince Luke and Princess Leia. Recently their parents had just enacted an act of succession confirming their ascendance to the Throne upon the passing of both their parents. Though they didn't say which child would. Luke was the eldest, the natural heir. However, some argued the Vaders' could also pick their second born child, Leia especially when the Empress came from a world that had been enjoying a plethora of Queens in recent years. More and more times females were taking precedence over their older brothers.

But as many pointed out, their transition to the Throne would not be for many years.

Also to the disappointment of many, but of little surprise, the twins would not be in attendance this evening. Since the tragic death of Palpatine they had rarely been seen by the public. Actually besides the official holo portraits their parents released to the public, they were never truly seen out in public.

Earlier, their parents had bid them goodnight before they went down for this evening's party. They were sleeping soundly with Dormé, Threepio, Artoo, and three teams of Clones Troopers from the 501st Legion. Empress Vader also had one of her most trusted guards, Captain Rex stood guard over the crib while they slept.

Since Emperor and Empress Vader declared themselves the new leaders of the Galactic Empire, there had been many threats against the Imperial family.

Meanwhile, Emperor Vader had sent various troops to each system. He had also gone personally to many of worlds. Dealing with any other threats personally. From the minor inconveniences- such as the HoloNet's attacks on the Empress to the body of a mutilated Clone Trooper someone placed at the enterance of the new Imperial Palace.

Vader had personally hunted down and killed a number of these beings. Leading a number of the slaughters himself. While it was dangerous for him to do so, he felt it was important to show his men that he too was willing to fight. To lay down his life.

Many beings were also captured, jailed, awaiting trail, and possible execution.

Including a handful of Moffs and other leaders of various systems did their best to try and proclaim themselves as the "rightful Emperor". Even simply trying to declare their independence from the Galactic Empire. Gathering their tiny fleets, various leaders, and systems to their cause.

Some such as Moff Jade of the Aquilaean system had to gather his neighboring systems to his cause and rebel. Vader did not understand why, the system was not well known and held very little in terms power or wealth. Then again, maybe there was the answer.

Vader had planned to execute the traitorous man, but Padmé had convinced him otherwise. Instead Vader stripped him of position, his power, and took hew new pregnant wife as a hostage. Vader could not recall the wife's name, but would never forget his stunning beauty and luxurious red hair. The wife was also surprisingly Force sensitive, not overly powerful, but certainly had connection. Now Vader had little interest in the wife. Deeming her too old to train, but suspected her unborn child would be Force sensitive. When the time came for the wife to give birth, he planned to keep the child, but return the wife to her disgraced husband.

Along with Moffs and other Galactic leaders, Vader had spent the last six months weeding out Darth Sidious's network of spies, Inquisitors, and other servants. Especially those who were Force sensitive. Many had to be dealt with because of their fierce loyalties to Darth Sidious or because they were growing too powerful in the Dark Side.

Besides Jade's unborn child, the last six months had proven something of a disappointment for the new Emperor. He had killed so many of Darth Sidious's Force sensitive servants. Leaving so few servants for himself. Unfortunately, they were too loyal to their old Master and too many in numbers. Vader feared they might one day band together against him. He felt he should start fresh in any case, but he had kept a few of them around. Such as two former Jedi humans named Jerec and Antinnis Tremayne.

Jerec had proven loyal.

"I am a servant of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Lord Vader."

While Vader kept Tremayne on leash. Testing his limits.

His chains clanked and rattled. His teeth gritted, "I hate you."

"Very good," Vader remembered replying after the former Jedi succumbed to the darkness.

Vader did not see either one lasting.

Despite his "loyalty", Jerec was more of Palpatine's man anyway.

Tremayne would eventually try to betray him.

Try.

No, he knew he needed someone...someone young and who he could mold in the ways of the Dark Side. There was the Jade child, but they were not even born yet. It would be many years before the child could serve him and for all he knew, the child might not even be Force sensitive. Besides Force sensitivity did not mean talent in the Force. According to Darth Plagueis's writings.

However, the Force had finally provided. During his travels, Vader had encountered new and young beings strong in the Force. A young boy on Kashyyyk, strong in the Force. The son of two Jedi. The mother had apparently fallen during the Clone Wars. The father by Vader's own blade. Which the boy witnessed with his eyes, which would one day grow into hate, perfect for a pupil of the Dark Side.

Was he becoming like Darth Sidious?

"Your Highness," Some lowly being greeted him.

No... Emperor Vader would be different than Emperor Palpatine.

Better.

So he hoped.

"Good evening, your Imperial Highness," A well dressed man lowered his head.

"Emperor Vader," Said a woman. "Sir, might I have a word?"

Vader quietly sighed as he excused himself. He wished to be left in peace. Instead he was receiving greetings and bows from high ranking nobles to humble beings of Coruscant. A few even tried to pull him to the side to whisper their agendas in his ear. Instead he simply kept walking forward. Then other beings saw him and then he had to greeting beings back and exchange pleasantries, "Your Highness." Something he was still not accustomed to hearing or doing. When he was Palpatine's enforcer beings would bow and greet him, but not nearly as many. Sometimes he still believed beings were addressing Palpatine who was lurking just behind him. Sometimes he even looked behind him, just to make sure. He hoped and prayed to the Force that he would escape his former Master in time.

Maybe he could finally sleep.

"Emperor Vader, a moment of your time."

"Not now," Vader brushed the lackey aside. He only saw the man for a half a second, but was his uniform even on straight? Another thing he needed to address. The slacking off among the Imperials. There was so much work to be done.

Again, Vader longed for a full night's sleep.

Something he had not had in...he could not even remember. Since he had lost his arm, though he would hardly call that peaceful rest. Between the shock and the painkillers.

But between the affairs of the Empire, the Sith, and his pregnant wife, Vader had no time for rest.

And Emperor Vader was tired.

He managed to slip out of the group of beings, outside a glass door, and onto a quiet balcony. The night air was cold and bitter, but he did not notice.

Vader did something he almost never did outside his private chambers, he sat down on the cool marble bench.

Meanwhile...

Empress Padmé Amidala-Vader walked around the grand party.

Yes, maybe that was a mouthful, but Padmé longed to keep her original name of state and surname, Amidala. It was the name she built her career on. Also she felt it made her stand out more throughout history.

Unlike Palpatine, who planned to somehow live forever, they understood their mortality. At least, Padmé did. She hoped Vader understood this and didn't fall into the same trap as Palpatine and all previous Sith. He seemed to when they discussed it, but she still wondered about his Sith tendencies. And so, instead of trying and failing to live forever, they planned to create a dynasty.

The Vader Dynasty.

After coming to this decision they had decided they needed to have more offspring, but initially agreed to wait a year. They felt that would give them time to sort out Imperial and Galactic matters.

Less than two weeks later, Padmé discovered she was pregnant. At first, she was stunned and upset that she had gotten pregnant only months after Luke and Leia's birth. Not to mention the morning sickness, but after it finally ceased, she started to feel better about everything. Though Padmé wished the pregnancy had not happened this year.

Perhaps it was a will of the Force. That was how Vader saw it. Since the baby was conceived on the day of their declaration. Which Padmé did see as a bit ironic, but really it was the result due to their foolishness in not using protection.

Again, Padmé wished it could have happened next year.

Especially not right now as she and Vader were reshaping their Galactic Empire.

But what in life truly went as planned?

Little.

Padmé knew there was much work to done and she had been wise enough to know it wouldn't work itself out overnight.

Still, none of this was quite how the new Empress imagined it.

Padmé did not remember what she thought...or what she had assumed when she became Empress. Yes, she knew there would be challenges, but this wasn't all quite what she had expected and imagined all those years.

For example, the media.

Yes, anyone with a brain knew the Empire had tight leash on the media, but even Padmé did not realize how much tax payer credits were going into silencing them and making Imperial propaganda.

Padmé stopped this practice days after she had discovered it.

The Galactic public was very much in support of it. While the HoloNet was another matter.

Some were supportive. They had even posted some nice supportive HoloNet News pieces regarding her and Vader. Particularly the younger members of the media who wanted to be creative with their works.

Others were clearly unhappy over their loss of extra income. Such as the beings planning retirement and had families to support.

Accusing her and Vader of murdering Emperor Palpatine. She supposed they weren't entirely incorrect.

The rest were about Padmé. Attacking how she looked. What she wore. Whether it was a good idea for her to work so hard with two small children. Padmé wasn't certain she could argue with the latter. In fact, that was why she kept her pregnancy a secret until recently. That and Vader had been away while she had discovered she was pregnant. She waited until he came home. Not wanting to tell him over communication channels. Fearing beings might be listening in.

Needless to say, after the third set of articles were published, Vader personally went down to chat with them. To speak to the presidents of the HoloNet companies and the journalists who had written the articles. No one had apparently died, but those HoloNet outlets found other topics to publish.

Some citizens then accused Vader of being no better than Emperor Palpatine. Which only added fire to Vader's anger, but Padmé argued for him to hold back. In a few months, beings would move onto something else.

Most of them seemed to be.

She wished she could say the same for the members of her family, but she did not know.

She had not spoken to them in months.

Before she and Vader had proclaimed themselves Emperor and Empress on that night six standard months ago, she had left a private and coded message for her father and sister. Trying to explain. Hoping to calm any..unhappy reactions.

It did not.

They were not happy to say the least. Namely her father. While her sister, Sola had said very little, but was clearly angry with her.

Padmé did not know why they were so surprised and upset.

They knew her and knew how she had craved power since the incident at Varykino. It wasn't like she exactly kept it secret from them. Maybe they just didn't realize how far she was willing to take it. That would stay married to Vader even after the Emperor's death.

"Now is your chance," Her father adamantly advised in his deep voice. Taking her firmly by the shoulders "Run!"

She had tried to reassure him and her sister.

"I'm staying with Vader because I want to. It's my choice. This is what I want."

"You're only staying with him because he is Emperor."

"Even if he wasn't the Emperor, I would still stay with him."

"No!" Ruwee could not fathom what he was hearing.

Padmé had not seen him so broken since her mother's death.

She wondered if this all served as another reminder that she was not truly in his child and had a claim to the Throne as well.

"We love each other! We belong together." Padmé tried to explain. "We are going to fix everything that Palpatine broke."

That everything would be alright.

That she was now Empress and she had the power to keep them safe. Palpatine and all the rest would never harm their family again.

So she thought.

A few months ago Padmé's father, Ruwee suffered a series of strokes. Probably due to all the stress from the previous months. The last several years actually.

Padmé only went to see him once after his strokes. Things were still not better between them.

And the way her sister, Sola looked at her. Padmé knew she blamed her and maybe it was not far from the truth.

"Just...just go." Sola quietly pleaded from his bedside.

For now Padmé just stayed away. Hoping that would help her father. She and Vader were far too busy to visit in any case. Between the affairs of their new Empire and their growing family.

Padmé rested her right hand on her expanding abdomen. She hoped the birth of her new child might cool things.

Time would tell.

In the mean time as Vader hunted down their enemies, she stayed on Coruscant. Handling the nervous Senate and political affairs. Making speeches, passing laws, and amending the Imperial Constitution.

They had spent more nights apart than together the last six months.

New taxation and trade laws were put into effect. Ones that many grumbled about and some still did, but for now most seemed satisfied with them.

Also effective immediately, slavery throughout the entire Empire was completely outlawed. Any being that continued the practice would be jailed and possibly executed. All workers, regardless of their species had to be paid, treated properly, and were free to leave if they so chose.

Beings such as the Wookiee slaves working aboard the secret super weapon known as the Death Star. Padmé personally saw to their release within a few weeks after her and Vader's declaration. They were released back to their homeworld of Kashyyyk and compensated for their treatment. Granted, nothing could make up for such treatment and lost time, but it did continue to paint Palpatine as the villain and her and Vader as the Galaxy's saviors.

They were also further compensated to never speak of the Death Star. The story was that they had been working the mines on Geonosis.

Padmé and Vader had yet to decide on what to the super weapon. On the one hand, she saw it a complete abomination. On the other, such a weapon could one day come in handy. Vader seemed to want to keep it.

The previous Emperor had secured a tidy amount of credits through taxation and various other deals. Though it was hardly a bottomless pit.

Padmé also knew he had plans to one day take control of the Outer Rim and completely abolish slavery across the Galaxy. Vader was very adamant about it. It was one of his main goals as Emperor.

But boyhood dreams would have to wait. Right now, they needed to focus on the Imperial systems they already occupied. Not any future systems they planned to conquer.

Padmé and Vader had arguments on such subjects, many times.

"I am the Emperor. Dark Lord of the Sith!" He shouted.

"I am your wife." She shouted, "I am your equal."

"Not in terms of the Force," Vader said more calmly. "Besides you don't treat me as an equal in matters of state."

Padmé was doing her best. Trying to keep Vader included in all her decisions, but it was hard. Between Vader being constantly gone and also Padmé was not used to including another in her decisions. As Queen she a series of advisors, but in end most were left up to her. While she and Vader were partners. Tried to be. That's why she was slowly making up a council of advisors. A new Imperial Ruling Council.

Members included Senators Ister Paddie, Lexi Dio, Ask Ack, Orn Free Taa, Grand Moff Tarkin, and former Vice Chair of the Old Republic Mas Ameeda.

Padmé had worked with Ister Paddie, Lexi Dio, Ask Ack, and Orn Free Taa on the Loyalists Committee.

Ister Paddie and Lexi Dio were humans who both resided from the Core. They could easily be controlled.

The Gran, Ask Aak was a progressive and a firm supporter of Palpatine, but seemed eager to serve the new regime.

The powerful Twi-lek, Orn Free Taa had divided the Vaders. Yes, he had been a supporter of Palpatine, but after Ameeda he was one of their next strongest supporters in the Senate. However, despite his professed loyalty, Taa was corrupt and self-indulgent. As Vader surmised, Taa was loyal to the Empire. Though he would always put his own interests first, his homeworld Ryloth interests second, and the Empire third. Vader did not like having such a being around his wife. He sensed the Twi-lek would be trouble.

Along with his seat on the Imperial Ruling Council, Moff Wilhuff Tarkin was also made the first ever Grand Moff. It also served as a reward for staying loyal to the Empire and its new rulers. After Palpatine's death, many thought Tarkin would try taking the Throne for himself. Padmé knew if he had challenged them early on...things might be very different now. It also served as compensation for halting work on the Death Star. Something he and Director Krennic had worked long and hard on the last few years. Vader seemed to like Tarkin. Which was the main reason Padmé agreed to his appointment.

Aak and Ameeda were also not afraid to let their criticisms be known. Which Padmé did not always appreciate, but also felt it was necessary. Also she would rather hear it from them than the HoloNet.

What was wrong in the Senate. She felt it was good having someone like that around. To have some idea at what they were thinking and perhaps planning.

While Mas Ameeda who was serving as the Council's interim leader. Unless Vader had any objections, which Padmé doubted, she planned to make Mas Ameeda the Grand Vizier. Yes, as Empress she still planned to keep many of Grand Vizier's powers for herself, but while she was busy with the children or away from Coruscant he would act in her place. In both their places. Allowing Padmé and her husband to have some time to themselves and with their children.

Now, where was he?

Padmé crossed her arms as soon the cool air greeted her outside. She found him outside. Sitting on small bench, shrouded in darkness. "What's bothering you?"

"Nothing," Vader answered without really looking at her. Just the endless city.

"Anakin," Padmé only used the name in private. She would even use when she was irritated with him. "How long is it going to take us to be honest with one another?"

Vader looked away. He hoped she wasn't going to bring up marriage counseling again.

Padmé attended weekly counseling sessions with some med droid. One whose memory was regularly wiped after each session. She discussed almost everything with this medical droid...almost. Things she did not even tell Dormé.

For a time, Padmé had insisted they go to counseling together. To work on their communication. Feeling they needed to strengthen their trust in one another.

Vader repulsed at the idea. Saying he did not to discuss with some droid how he was feeling.

But he met her halfway, every day he would tell her about his day. Even if it was over private communications or in letters when it was too dangerous to speak for communications. His doubts on the Empire and how they were doing. "I'm just tired." He answered. "Overwhelmed I guess." He pressed his lips together. "And I hope to one day escape my Master's shadow."

Padmé didn't know if that was all, but knew that was at least some of the truth. For now, the answer satisfied Padmé for now and she understood what he meant. "It's just...going to be like this for a little while." Like her husband, she was often compared to Palpatine. She sometimes feared he was just around a corner in the Senate Rotunda. She looked down, "He may always be with us. I pray not." She added.

Vader prayed so as well. He wondered if his Sith predecessors had this trouble. Like the founder of his Sith lineage, Darth Bane when he killed his Masters, the Brotherhood of Darkness with the thought bomb.

Vader wanting to change the subject looked down at her belly. "I don't care what the medical droids say," He shook his head. "I'm telling you, it's different this time."

"Well, I hope so," Padmé smiled. "I'm glad to only have one this time." Which three different med droids had confirmed.

"No, it isn't that." Vader insisted as he shook his head. "And the medical droids are certain all is well?"

"Yes, our son is healthy." Padmé took his hand of flesh and pressed it against her belly. "And quite active." Feeling the pulse against his palm.

Vader smiled, at least the child seemed physically strong. For now, he put his doubts aside. Nor did he want to distress his wife. "Have you decided on his name?" He asked, changing the subject.

Padmé had a few names in mind. She wanted to use the name, Anakin, but knew her husband would never approve. She had also considered naming the baby after her father, but she just...she didn't know. "I'm still deciding."

Vader remembered what she named the baby in his vision years ago, but he would not say, not wanting to change that future. He had been a lot of his Master's text and lore regarding visions of the future.

"Come on, the vultures will searching for us."

"After the party, I'd like to speak with you about Mas Ameeda."

Ameeda? That was surprising and a pity. He was hoping it was Orn Free Taa. Vader's eyes narrowed, "Has he done something to displease you?"

"No, no, quite the opposite." Padmé smiled as they walked back inside.

Together as husband and wife.

As Emperor and Empress.

The End.

Wow! We're here. How's the ending? How is the story overall?

** SEQUEL: The sequel will be called The Emperor and the Empress: The Vader Dynasty. It will be about Vader, Padmé, and their descendants. It won't be like my previous stories. I'm planning to make it a series of numerous oneshots and short stories.

I'm sure I'm quite repetitive at this point, but sorry for the wait. I just got back from a 3 day trip. I think that helped me recharge. Also I've worked long hours lately, but now my hours are getting cut so I may have some time over the next few weeks. We'll see.

Trivia: The boy Vader found on Kashyyyk is Starkiller/Galen Marek. We will see more of him in the sequel.

Veda cloth, brocart, and shimmersilk are materials used to make clothes. Palpatine's were made from brocart.

Ister Paddie and Lexi Dio were in Attack of the Clones, they were members of the Loyalists Committee.

I imagine most of you can guess who Moff Jade's unborn child is. ;) The Aquilaean system is from the original Star Wars drafts. One can read about it in The Star Wars, obviously it also later became known as Alderaan though the name has never been used in Legends or Canon. I hope you guys like that. Mara Jade has never had a backstory.

Once again, thank you to all my readers and reviewers. Thank you for sticking with me.