Disclaimer: I dont own star wars or the characters. they belong to George. (sniffle sniffle)

Chapter 1

Padme sat in her apartment glancing at the chrono every two minutes. Her best friend was coming today. She hadn't seen Kaliee in almost a year.

Kaliee had been her friend since before she was Queen. Kaliee was as close to her as a sister. She knew things that even Sola didn't know.

Dorme walked into Padme's quarters. "Milady, is everything alright?"

"Kaliee is coming today, you know that. I know you don't get along but please be civil with each other."

"It's not that I don't like Kaliee, Milady. It's her lifestyle I don't agree with. Two children and no husband to speak of." Dorme shook her head.

"That's her choice, Dorme, we can't pass judgment. My sister doesn't approve of my lifestyle. She thinks I should be looking to settle down not facing assassins."

"I promise, Padme. I'll be on my best behavior." Dorme said with a smile on her face. "Is she bringing the children with her? One time she left them with the girl's father."

"Of course, their Aunt Padme has missed them." Padme chuckled.

"I don't see how she does it. The youngest, Leigh-Ann is a handful."

"But you have to admit, Kayden is a darling." Padme commented starring off.

"He is, and he's so smart for a four year old. Did you know his father?"

Padme smile, "Yes and he was a good man. Kaliee just didn't want to ruin things for him. But don't say anything; she doesn't like to talk about it." Padme shifted uncomfortably at the conversation.

"I won't Padme, I promise. When is he getting here?"

The door pager sounded. "Apparently now." Padme, wearing normal attire, ran down the hall and slid to the door. She opened it up to three smiling faces.

Leigh-Ann and Kayden ran past Padme into the apartment. Kaliee trapped Padme into and embrace that almost knocked both women over. They laughed hard and squeezed each other tightly.

"I missed you, Kay." Padme said letting go of her friend.

"I missed you, too, May." She grabbed her bags and walked with Padme.

"I'm so glad you're moving here. I'll be able to see you and the kids."

"I'm excited too. I really appreciate you letting us stay here while our stuff is being shipped."

"Hey, I owe you a lot more that a few nights here." They walked down the hallway toward the bedrooms.

A little brown hair boy ran into Padme's leg. "Hi Kayden." She said as she bent down to hug him.

"Where has you been Aunt Padme? I missed you a whole lots. You use to come over all da time."

Padme wanted to cry whenever she starred into those crystal blue eyes. "I've been working a lot, but I promise I'll come see you more. Okay?"

"Okay!" He turned to Kaliee, "Mom, Leigh-Ann is playing in the fresher bowl."

Kaliee sighed. "Great! I'll be right back." She left to go clean up the mess she knew her daughter had made.

Padme looked down as Kayden pulled at her pant's leg. "Aunt Padme, do you has to go to work tomorrow?"

"Not tomorrow, I'm spending the whole day with you and your sister."

"Cool!" He ran off to go play.

They had already put the children in bed. Padme had sent Dorme home, although her guards stayed posted at the main door.

Both sat in the kitchenette, far away from listening ears. "I'm so hungry." Kaliee said looking through the cabinets.

Padme pulled a container out of the cooling unit and put into the reheater. "So do you want to tell me what happened?" The buzzer sounded and she pulled the container out. She dished her and Kaliee out some of the pasta in the yellow creamy sauce.

"There isn't much to tell. I know he is Leigh-Ann's father but I had to leave, you know. I was worried he might try to hit her or Kayden. I couldn't let anything happen to those two."

"You did the right thing. So I'm guessing the drinking got worse?"

"Yeah. I wish my parents were still alive. Dad would've already knocked him here to Tatooine and back. But let's get off that depressing subject. What's new with you?"

"Nothing much, just working a lot."

"Have you seen him?"

She knew she was going to do this. "Yeah, just once or twice in passing. I really don't want to talk about it."

"Padme! I saw you the day he left. You were so miserable. I think I should call him for you."

"I don't think so. You'd get him in all sorts of trouble and me. I have enough problems with being followed by holo reporters now, don't add to it. But you can call anyone else you want." Padme said hoping that her friend would be disappointed because she didn't know anyone else that lived here.

"I think, I'm going to call Pablo."

"Oh, Sith no! I really don't think you should! One, the kids are in the other room! Plus, we both know how crazy things when Pablo is around."

"Only for you, cause you two can't keep your hands off each other."

Padme's face turned crimson. "Last time I spoke with him, he and his new girlfriend were doing great. Plus I don't feel that way toward Pablo anymore. I haven't felt like that in years."

"Like before your little 'break' between Queen and Senator?"

Padme immediately got frustrated. "Shut up, Kaliee." She got up to put her bowl in the sink and sat back down.

"I'm sorry, May, I won't say anything again."

"Aunt Padme?" Kayden stood at the entry way. "I can't sleep."

"Come here." Padme allowed him to crawl into her lap. She began rocking him to sleep.

"He's been waking up every night lately. I don't know what's wrong with him."

"Maybe you should take him to a healer. I can arrange it, and I'll pay for it." Padme said know that money would be tight. But Kaliee was a very proud person so she didn't know whether she'd take her up on the offer.

"I don't know." Kaliee sat and watched Padme hold Kayden. She saw her shift and she held out her arms. "Here, I'll take him."

"No, I've missed this." Padme smiled down at the little boy asleep in her arms.

Kaliee watched for a little while. She knew that raising Kayden and Leigh-Ann had been the most wonderful thing she could've done with her life. Although neither had came about in a way she thought she'd be taking care of her children she still loved them.

She wondered would Padme ever allow herself to settle down. When Kayden had been born they talked about what should or could be done. She knew that Padme had said that she wouldn't want a child, but that was then. Maybe it would be good for her.

Kaliee bit her bottom lip. "Padme, I think he knows."

A/N: so what do ya think? stupid? intresting? keep writing? just let me know!