Title: When I need you most
Primary Characters: Anakin, Leia, Padme, Luke
Secondary Characters: Sola, brief mentions of Lynzee Skywalker (Anakin's deceased wife) and Palo Macavetti.
Summary: Anakin and Padme have never met each other; Anakin was married until his wife was taken by illness, but not before leaving him with beautiful baby Leia. Padme had Luke her senior year of high school, the father, Palo Macavetti, has had nothing to do with Luke. Can two half families come together and form a whole?
Author's Note: OKAY OKAY! I caved! I posted it before I was finished writing Door to the Past. Sue me! I don't like having more than two stories at time posted. You might notice that this seems more like it's happening on earth, though it's taking place on Naboo. I don't like using comms, 'freshers, and chronos, I use more earth things. Does that make sense? Anyway enough with my rambling.

-:- When I need you Most -:-

Anakin Skywalker stared down at the polished headstone that his wife lay under. He couldn't breathe easily and took a shattered breath. He had a daughter to take care of and love, he couldn't spend the rest of his life wishing Lynzee was still with him, as much as he wanted to hear her soft sweet laughter, to brush her strawberry blonde hair out of her eyes, he couldn't.

Lynzee made him promise him that when she got sick, that he would always look forward and never backward, she wanted him to love again but he didn't see how that was possible.

She had given him a perfect little girl, she had had light hair like her mother when she was born but it eventually turned darker, she also had a pair of beautiful brown eyes. Leia was his angel, the only thing he had left…aside from his mother, but she still lived on Tatooine.

After his wife died Anakin and baby Leia moved to the peaceful planet of Naboo where he opened up a speeder repair shop. As Leia grew she started helping him more and more around the house and shop, she refused to let him help her. She also didn't want or need a mother. At least that's what she thought.

The feel of the smooth marble beneath his fingers sent a cool chill down his rigid spine.

Lynzee McKenna Skywalker, beloved wife and mother.

Was printed in bold letters that were slowly wearing thin. He placed the rose he had bought for her in the pot in front of the headstone and sighed. He always wondered what he had done so wrong for her to be taken from him like she had. It wasn't fair, their love was so pure and she was such a good person. A tear trailed down his wind beaten face.

"I miss you, my love." He whispered before lightly kissing the icy salt and pepper surface of the headstone. He stood up and looked longingly at the grave and then walked back to his own home, fighting the frost bitten air.

-:-

An aroma of fresh baked cookies and pasta hit him as the heat did. Leia had mastered the art of cooking at a young age thanks to his mother. He smiled when he saw her petite form sitting in one of the polished pine wood chairs, tilting it to sit on two legs instead of four. She seemed to be pouring herself into her homework. The white apron still on, contrasting with the soft black pants and shirt she was wearing.

"Hi daddy!" She smiled brightly at him looking up from her work.

"Hey sweetie, you almost done? I thought we could go to the town square ice rink." Leia's eyes brightened hearing this, she loved to ice skate and she loved going with her father to the rink. He wasn't the most talented ice skater but he could at least glide on the ice without breaking his tail bone.

"I've just got one more problem to do and then we can eat dinner and go, k?"

"Alright, whatever you've made smells delicious. I'm going to change and shower and then I'll be right out." He kissed her gleaming dark hair and walked down the hall to his bedroom.

-:-

Leia inhaled the sweet smelling air that was tainted with funnel cakes, caramel covered apples, and pizza sauce. She loved the town square, it wasn't very large but it was her favorite place to go.

There were several carts arranged in very cozy places that sold various items, an ice skating rink, a clear spot surrounded by white rose bushes that held around twenty picnic tables.

She looked up at her father with a mixture of admiration, and love. He had lost his wife –her mother- after just one year of being married. She wished she could have known her mother; she was a pretty woman with strong cheekbones, rosy lips, and bright green eyes. Leia often wished she had more of her mother's features.

"Want a funnel cake?" Anakin asked knowing his daughter would be tempted.

She shook her head no and then peaked over at the booth, seeing the steam rising off the cake and watching the old man that owned the cart sprinkle powdered sugar over it like snow. Anakin rolled his eyes and grabbed her elbow leading her to the cart where he proceeded to give her enough credits to purchase her favorite treat.

"Thanks daddy." She smiled up at him and kissed his cheek; after he leaned down to allow her access.

"You're welcome princess." He smiled and chuckled then wrapped an arm around her.

-:-

He tightened the laces on his skates and stood on wobbly legs then followed his daughter out onto the ice. She held his hand and skated at a steady pace, tucking her pink scarf tighter around herself and pulling her matching earmuffs down.

"I think you got it Luke!" A feminine voice broke the silence between father and daughter. Anakin hadn't heard such a melodious voice since Lynzee died; he turned to see who its owner was.

His blue orbs gazed at a creature so beautiful she couldn't possibly be human. A blonde haired boy with startlingly blue eyes skated uncertainly next to her. It was a sharp contrast seeing as how she glazed across the ice with such confidence and grace. The boy slipped across the ice and slid into Leia knocking both himself and Leia down.

Padmé skated over to them both and helped the two up and asking if they were okay.

"I'm sorry; my son has never taken a liking to ice skating." She laughed and tugged at Luke's jacket pulling it down to its original place.

"You're the lady who skates out here all the time when there's no one else around right?" Leia asked curiously. Anakin thought he saw a blush on Padme's cheeks but he couldn't be sure being that it was only about thirty five degrees outside.

"Yes, it gives me concentration. I didn't know anyone ever saw me." She replied.

"Oh yes, I come down here to do my homework and watch you sometimes. You're really amazing; I wish I could skate like that."

"It's not that hard, if you'd like I could teach you."

"Really? Dad did you here that?"

Padmé looked at Anakin Skywalker for the first time and felt like her breath had been knocked out of her lungs. He was incredibly handsome, with baby indigo eyes (curiously like Luke's), a strong set jaw, and blonde hair that barely grazed his shoulders.

"Yeah, that's great, you should thank-" Anakin realized he hadn't her name.

"Padmé. Padmé Naberrie." She extended her hand which he gladly took in his, enjoying the feel of it in his own hand. She was so warm.

"This is my son, Luke." Padmé smiled at Luke and nudged him to shake Anakin's extended hand. He was very shy, but took Anakin's hand in his.

"Hi Luke. This is my daughter Leia."

Leia smiled brightly at Luke and Padmé. She had been wanting to meet this woman for some time. She had just never had the courage to approach someone with such talent for a sport she loved. So she usually just sat at a picnic table and watch double axle after double axle.

After skating for a few more minutes and then grabbing a quick drink and exchanging phone numbers so Padmé could get in touch with Leia they all started to stand up.

"Wow its pretty late, I'm sure your husband is wondering where you are." Anakin said assuming that a woman as beautiful as Padmé and with a thirteen year old son would be married.

"Oh, I'm not married. We divorced years ago." Padmé smiled at Anakin, who returned the gesture, relief flooding his features.

"Well Leia does have school tomorrow so I guess we'll be seeing you soon?"

"Definitely." Padmé said biting her lower lip.

Anakin and Leia walked away with smiles on their faces, Luke and Padmé went the other way talking about the hockey game that was coming on the following day.

-:-

Behold, the first post.