Love Denied; Love Lost

by NextWave00

Disclaimer: The Star Wars Universe was created and is owned by George Lucas, this is just my imagination at work, based on the universe he has created. If this story is similar to another, it's pure coincidence.

Summary: Padmé Amidala said no to Anakin Skywalker once, but will she be able to let him go again - even if he now is the Dark Lord of the Sith?

Rating: PG-13 (to be safe)

Note: Thoughts are in italics.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Chapter One:

It looks exactly the same.

Padmé vividly remembered that day, the day he confessed his love to her; the day she turned him down. Only hours before that uncomfortable conversation, the two of them had been at the very same place she was standing, three years later. Never did she even begin to think that she regretted her answer to him, though she somehow knew she did in the back of her mind.

"Padmé, why so quiet? Is something wrong?," Jobal asked, such a sincere and worried tone in her voice, as she spread out the picnic blanket upon the grassy meadow. Then again, Padmé always described her mother and sincere and loving - not expecting anything different from her.

"I'm fine, why do you ask?," Shrugging it off, the young Senator lied to her loving mother. Sola smirked at her younger sister's response, obviously sensing the truth. Something was wrong with Padmé lately, though she would have never come out and said anything, or even hinted at such an absurd suggestion.

"You seem. . ,"

"Distant," Ruwee interupted, finishing his wife's sentence. The two looked and smiled at each other, an indisputable love for each other in their eyes. Padmé wondered if that very same look could have been seen in her eyes, when she looked at him - her true love.

"I'm fine, don't worry," Padmé insisted, helping her mother unload the basket of food they had brought for their family picnic. In the distance, Ryoo and Pooja's laughing and carrying on could be heard as they played closer to the waterfall.

"Don't get too close!," Darred yelled to them, smiling at his wife. Placing his hand on her pregnant belly, Sola smiled back at him. Quickly changing the subject and turning the attention off of her, Padmé began to ask questions about her future niece or nefew.

"Have you come up with any names?," she asked, eating a slice of the maroj melon Ruwee had cut up for them. Nodding, Sola held one finger up as to say "hold on", as she stuffed her mouth full of melon pieces. Giggling at her sister, Padmé looked at Darred as he tried to explain.

"She's gotta eat for three people, after all."

"Three?!" The Naberrie family gasped, their mouths hanging open in complete surprise.

"I didn't tell them yet," Sola mumbled under her breath, elbowing him in the chest, almost angry at her husband.

"Ah, um. Well yeah, I, um. . .I think I better go check on the girls. Yeah."

"You're having twins?" Jobal asked, a smiling slowly creeping upon her face. "That's wonderful!" Embracing her oldest daughter, little shrieks of the cheering and excitement coming from her made Padmé and Ruwee laugh, despite being in shock.

"I was going to tell you, honestly! I just wanted to surprise you. It didn't seem like the right time yet," Sola explained, as Ruwee hugged her tightly.

"That's fine, dear. I just can't beleive it! I mean, I knew twins ran in the family, but I never in a million years expected this!"

"Congratulations!" Padmé cheered, throwing her arms around her sister. "So, so, what are the names?," she asked, smiling, seeming herself once again; cheery, not depressed and quiet.

"Well, we just found out, so we only have 2 names picked out - one girl, one boy. If it's a boy, Jarred Eshen, and if it's a girl, Sirta'. No middle name, yet," Sola told them, grinning ear to ear. Padmé could remember how Sola always had wanted a big family, even just as they were kids playing "house", while she herself had never really cared about such things. Though the desire to have her own family seemed to grow even more each day.

"I love those names," Jobal replied, smiling. She loved her two grandchildren, more than words could ever express. But now, two more? No one in the universe could be any happier it seemed. "I hope they like to eat!," she poked fun of herself, as she was known for her gigantic dinners and lunches all over Naboo.

"I'm sure, being Naberries, they will," Sola smiled, patting her stomach. "Speaking of that, when are we going to eat?"