And Then He Kissed Me

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A/N: I do not own Star Wars.

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Shmi and Cliegg:

I can't remember the last time a man looked at me the way Cliegg looks at me. After years as a slave, I have to remind myself what freedom is; so it's understandable that I have had hesitancies with his affections.

Cliegg has come into town more often than usual, and I know it's because he wants to see me. He is so kind, and so gentle. A far cry from my time in Gardula the Hutt's service, where all I was appreciated for were my looks and my work; if that.

I wonder what Ani would think of Cliegg were he still here. A smile graces my lips as I think of my son. He would probably be protective of me, yet he would also understand that I have feelings for Cliegg.

Feelings I didn't understand until he kissed me.

It wasn't the fireworks and sparkles of a teenage passion, but the depth of his feelings for me was conveyed in it none-the-less. He is a hard worker, slaving away under the hot suns of Tatooine with his son Owen, a strapping young man in his own right.

He asked me today if I would enjoy life on a farm. I told him I didn't know anything about farming, but a change of pace from Mos Espa has definite appeal.

Tonight he and I are to have dinner together. It will be at my little hut of course, since Watto would never let me leave town to go on a date.

I have a feeling he will ask me to marry him. Call it intuition; call it the wishes of a lonely heart, but if he asks… I will not refuse.

Because I love him too, and to be freed and loved… to be taken care of for a change instead of taking care of strangers would be a dream come true.

And to think I didn't realize my love for the man behind that tough exterior before his kiss.