Anakin Sept. Challenge (Proposal)
Anakin stood in front of the viewport in his sparse quarters at the Jedi Temple, staring at the neverending cityscape. It was evening in this side of the galactic capital world and soon he would depart for Naboo with Padmé and their droids. It was going to be the first time they would be together without the watchful eyes of Jedi, medics, healers, and security officers. He instinctively understood they would have to confront the reality of their love and come to a decision on whether they could ever make a relationship work.
Deep in his heart, Anakin already knew what he wanted. He wanted Padmé, now and forever. She was the other half of his heart, the other half of his soul, and there could be no life without her. That day on Geonosis, when they were about to be taken into the arena, she'd pledged her love, and he accepted it. They had been bonded from that moment forward. No Code or social rules could interfere or break it. They fought it side-by-side until they'd been separated and when she found him injured in the hangar, she remained with him until she was forced to have her own injuries treated. Since he was fitted with a prosthetic arm she'd come to see him almost every day. As soon as he had recovered enough to travel, she asked Obi-Wan if Anakin could accompany her home. Amazingly, Obi-Wan consented.
He had no doubts she loved him and wanted to be with him, but would she accept the ultimate bond of marriage? The idea had been in his mind and heart since boyhood. Simply carrying on an affair with Padmé wasn't enough and didn't properly honor what they had. They needed something to ensure their bond could sustain them for the long separations to come. His close brush with death on Geonosis and the death of his mother reminded him that life was too short. One had to take whatever happiness was offered.
As for the Council, they need not know for now. One day I'll be on the Council, Anakin thought, and then I'll change things.
For now, he had to trust that Padmé Amidala Naberrie wanted to be his wife.