Garden Rendezvous
It was the time of day Padmé always loved best. It was the time between day and night, light and dark, the past and the future, the beginning and the end. The sun was a brilliant golden orange as it set on the hills that ringed the lake, casting its glow over the water. Nightbirds began singing in the trees and shadows cooled the garden. As a child, she used to see the glowbugs flying in their mating dance among the shrubbery and trees and believe they were fairies.
There was something magical about dusk on Naboo, especially in the Lake Country. On Coruscant, it wasn't the same. In fact, dusk on the Republic capital world always struck Padmé as a bit sinister. But not here. Here, it was beautiful and romantic, straight out of a painting. She recalled the boat ride she and Anakin took shortly after exchanging their vows. He held her close and kissed her during that wondrous sunset hour. There wasn't anything more perfect save for the first time they shared their love for one another later that night.
A cool breeze came across the lake and Padmé wrapped her elegant yet simple shawl tighter around her body. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, as though to make a wish, and a soft voice whispered in her ear, "I'm home."
The suddenness of the whisper and the tickling of warm breath on her ear made her eyes spring open. And there stood her beloved Anakin.
"Ani," she gasped. Grinning, Anakin seized her in a tight embrace, spinning her around as he so loved to do. Their lips met in a hungry kiss that spoke of their longings for one another. And once again, Padmé believed in the magic of nightfall.
