So wow. The amount of people who wanted the end of this story was amazing. Thanks for all you support guys! This is terribly late, but just the fact that so many people wanted the ending was enough to break my writer's block and now I present to you the last chapter. I'm so thankful for the push from you guys to finish this.
The theme/credits song for this fic is "Kiss Me Babe, It's Christmas Time" by Owl City. Seriously, go listen to it and think of this fic. So lovely *weeps tears of fluff feels*
Special thanks to Jadaerys, thechosenbibliophile, JacJac, and sodorland, for their sweet and encouraging comments and for being there every chapter. You guys are the best *finger guns*
Also to the various other commenters and guests. Thanks for the likes, follows, and comments.
So without anymore interruptions, I give you... Because It's Christmas part 4.
Christmas week was always one of Anakin's favorite times in the entire year. Only now, his happiness was multiplied times ten. Padme had said that yes, yes of course she would date him. He had asked her if she wanted to tell her parents, but she had shyly shaken her head and she wanted to wait until Christmas. She wanted to surprise them. Would Anakin wait to tell his mother? And of course he had agreed.
He didn't know if he could keep it a secret though. He was famously horrible at keeping secrets.
"Anakin? Are okay dear?" his mother asked. "You've been rather cloudy-headed since you went to that party last week. Did you do something?"
"No!" Anakin answered a little too suddenly. "Why would you think that?"
Ahsoka snickered over in her corner of the couch. "Yeah Ani, did something happen?"
Anakin didn't know whether or not Ahsoka had seen anything Saturday night, but he wasn't taking chances. "Well, what about you Ahsoka?"
That shut her up.
"Well, if you two are done glaring at each other, I had something to say", said Shmi looking at her two children who were shooting blackmailing stares at each other. Both turned and looked expectantly at her. "Well, I actually have two things to say. One, the doctor said I'm doing much better. The latest blood tests came through looking very much improved."
"That's great Mom!" said Anakin and Ahsoka at the same time.
"And", she said continuing. "I was thinking we should have some friends and neighbors over on Christmas Eve to celebrate with us. What do you two think?"
Ahsoka hopped up and hugged Shmi. "I think that sounds amazing, and from Anakin's grin, he likes the idea too."
Anakin did like the idea. In fact he loved it. Neighbors meant the Amidalas. Amidalas meant Padme. "Let's do it."
"Told you he's on board."
"Shut up Ahsoka!"
Padme sat wrapping presents with her mother. She was deep in her own thoughts, and there was only one person she was thinking about.
"Padme? Padme!"
"Huh? Oh what is it mom?"
"I've been trying to get your attention for awhile now. Are you alright? You've been all spaced out lately."
"I guess it's just that... well I'm looking forward to giving you and Dad your christmas surprise", said Padme giving a nervous little laugh.
"Oh really?" asked her mother, unconvinced. "Are you sure you haven't done anything stupid?"
"Nothing stupid, I promise Mom."
"Very well. What I wanted to tell you was that Ms. Skywalker invited us over for a Christmas Eve party. She said she really wanted us to come. Your father and I are going, did you want to come?"
"The Skywalkers?", asked Padme a bit faintly. Had Anakin said something?
"Are you sure you're okay?" Asked her mother.
"Of course I'm going!" said Padme. "It sounds like so much fun." Her mother was staring at her suspiciously, but Padme kept a straight face. Her mother shook her head.
"I'll never understand you", she said chuckling. "You always try too hard to keep a secret."
"What secret?" asked Padme nervously. Had her mother already figured her out? Had someone told her?
"Um, you said you had a Christmas surprise for your father and I?"
"Oh yeah, that." Padme hopped up off the floor. "You know, I'm going to go... do stuff. In my room. By myself." And with that, she practically ran from the room. Too close. She could hold out until Christmas Eve, couldn't she? Her mother always had the ability to see straight through her.
She layed on her bed and wondered how her parents would react. Would they approve? Would they like Anakin? She glanced at the present on her desk. It was the last of her secret santa and she had a hard time picking it out. Since it was the last one, it would be the one to tell him that she was his secret santa. In fact, she had taken Ahsoka to help her. She had thought it best to tell Ahsoka that she and Anakin here going to start going out. She hadn't seemed surprised, and only nodded in agreement. "As it should be", she had said. Whatever that meant.
She wondered what Anakin was doing. He had told her that until they told their families, they should probably keep a distance. It was only for one week. But that didn't mean she couldn't text him.
She didn't realize how much time had gone by. She and Anakin had just been chatting via text about nothing in particular.
"What's up little sis?" said a well known voice.
Padme looked up to see Sola standing in her doorway. "I didn't know you guys were here!" exclaimed Padme jumping up to give her sister a hug.
"Well of course you couldn't have known, Mom says you've been up here forever", said her sister.
"Well, I'm just busy", said Padme.
"Busy being on your phone I see", said Sola motioning to the bed where Padme had left her phone. Padme snatched it up defensively.
"So? I needed a little alone time."
"Okay, whatever", Sola smiled. "So, found a boyfriend in the short time I was gone? 'Cause if you haven't I-"
"Oh no, of course not! What would make you think that?" asked Padme shakily. Was she this bad at keeping a secret?
"Geez, I'm just joking", said Sola, confused by Padme's outburst.
"Oh, sorry."
"Look, I'm going to head back downstairs. Come down when you're ready. The girls wanna see you."
"Of course! I'll be right down", said Padme.
As soon as Sola had left, Padme whipped out her phone to text Anakin.
P} Gotta go family stuff to do. Uhg, good thing christmas eve is tomorrow. I don't know how much longer i can keep this up :(
A} Well, it was your idea. Don't worry about it ;)
Padme went downstairs to see her family. Ryoo And Pooja wanted to bake Christmas cookies, so Padme took them into the kitchen and started pulling ingredients out. "Let me keep them busy so you and Mom finish up whatever it is you guys need to do", she told Sola.
As she baked with her two nieces, she couldn't help but dream about the day when she would do this with her own children. She sighed. That sounded nice.
Ahsoka's in a weird mood, Anakin thought to himself. I think she knows. Wouldn't surprise me. She seems to always know everything that isn't her own business. He stared at her suspiciously. She seemed too happy. Something was up, and he was going to find out.
"What are you so happy about?", he said, leaning on the counter where she was working on mixing something in a large bowl. He swiped his finger into the mixture and took a quick taste. "Mmm peppermint brownies. My fav."
Ahsoka slapped his hand. "Unhand my brownie mix brigand!"
Anakin just grinned and went for another swipe. Ahsoka growled and swatted him away. "Go! I'm trying to finish this up so we can go hang out with the guys. Why don't to text Amidala and get her to come too? We're going to do the last Secret Santa at the park, so tell her to dress warmly."
"Why can't you?" Anakin asked.
Ahsoka rolled her eyes. "Do I look like an idiot to you? I know who you've been texting like all the time since Satine's party."
Anakin glanced away. "Soooo, like you know?"
"That you two are head over heels for each other? Please, If I didn't, I'd turn in my busybody membership card. It's pretty obvious Skyguy."
"Really? I'm that bad at keeping a secret?"
"Yup, really bad."
Anakin sighed. "Fine, yes we are going to start dating. There I told you. Are you satisfied?"
"She already told me, so there's no need for you to feel bad", Ahsoka shrugged.
"Padme told you?" Anakin sighed. "I'm so confused. She didn't want to tell anyone until tomorrow and now she's telling people. Who else knows?"
"I'm pretty sure it's just me", said Ahsoka spooning the brownie mix into two greased baking pans and sliding them in the oven.
Anakin huffed and sat down in a kitchen chair.
"Oh don't pout Anakin. Have some Christmas cheer", said Ahsoka sticking a candy cane in-between his lips.
Anakin licked his candy cane moodily. "Do you even think we'll work out?" he asked abruptly.
"Sure Ani, why shouldn't you? Stop worrying about it."
They sat there sucking on their candy canes, Ahsoka licking hers into a spear to poke Anakin with. She was glad he was home. She didn't like when he was away at his school, but she knew that was where he had really wanted to go. She felt bad because she was so happy he was home. He had given up more than she could imagine. Why hadn't he stayed in his fancy school?
She had asked him once, soon after he had come home to stay, and he had only smiled and said, "Family is important Snips. If we don't have family, then do we have? To which she had replied, "Bathrooms to ourselves." But his words had stuck with her. Without Shmi, she would have been just another kid without a family, probably in some group home somewhere. But she had a family, people who cared about her. Shmi, Anakin, Rex, and all the rest of the guys. She unconsciously smiled to herself.
"What's so funny?", Anakin said.
"Nothing, just thinking about how awkward you were when you were my age", she said smirking at him.
"Oh so I was awkward, was I?"
"Down to your hormonal teenage bones."
Anakin laughed. "Yeah, but you were such a weird little kid. Always making jokes that never made sense."
"Remember the December when I was six, you told me Santa wasn't real?"
"Yeah, and then you went to school and told all your classmates, and they believed you because apparently I was a reliable source for such information? Didn't the teacher call mom or something?" Anakin laughed.
"Yeah, and mom just sighed and said, "Well, I guess I can take finally take credit for all the gifts "Santa" brings."
They burst out laughing remembering. "Mom never really gave a crap about all the shenanigans we got into." Anakin smiled.
"Or still get into", Ahsoka pointed out.
The beeping sound of the oven timer interrupted their walk down memory lane. "Brownies are done", said Anakin.
"No shit Sherlock."
"Where are you going in such a hurry Padme?" Sola asked. "We're not that annoying, are we?"
"Of course not Sola. I just have to go meet some friends tonight."
"Friends, or a special friend?"
"Pleeeease stop trying to pry into my social life Sola", Padme groaned.
"Fine, fine", said Sola raising her hands in defense. "But if you don't get a boyfri-"
"Goodbye, I''l be back soon!" said Padme, dramatically slamming the door behind her.
She set out down the road towards the park, comfortably bundled against the biting wind. Anakin had said he was going to meet her on the way there and give her a ride. And although she didn't trust motorcycles, she trusted Anakin. She just wished he would drive slower.
Hearing the familiar hum coming up behind her, she stopped and gave him a hitchhiker wave.
As he rolled to a stop next to her, he flipped up the visor on his helmet. "I usually don't pick up hitchhikers", he said jokingly. "But I might make an exception for a beautiful woman."
"Oh shut up and give me a helmet", she said smiling.
He grinned and retrieved the item in question. "Hop on. Ahsoka will have my neck if we're late." They climbed on together, Padme wrapping her arms sheepishly around Anakin's torso. "Well, at least this isn't as awkward as last time", she mumbled.
"That's what she said."
"Anakin Skywalker did you seriously just...?"
"Yes, yes I did."
Padme raised her eyes at him. He just laughed and scrunched his face up adorably. "Come on, I've gotta drive." Soon they were cruising down the street, wind blowing at their faces.
"You should really try going the speed limit one of these days", she yelled to him over the motorcycle and the wind rushing in her ears.
"And where's the fun in that?!"
When they arrived at the park, most everyone had already gathered.
"What took you guys so long?" Ahsoka complained. "You're like, so late."
"Not really Ahsoka", Rex said. "The General's only late by about ten minutes and that's kinda normal anyway."
"Well, I appreciate you guys waiting for us", said Anakin.
"Not a problem, really", said Fives smirking. He bumped Cut-up and they burst into laughter. "We wouldn't miss it for the world."
Anakin look baffled. "Am I missing something? Is there some joke I should know about?" Fives just shook his head and continued giggling uncontrollably.
Rex gave him a stern look. "That's enough of that, Rex. Let's open presents." Fives made a face at him behind his back.
"Seriously Fives, are you like twelve?" asked Ahsoka.
"On a scale of 1-10, then hell yeah!"
Padme smiled. She found herself really enjoying the company of these slightly weird people. Well, "slightly" was being polite, but she didn't care. They had accepted her into their tightly-knit group of friends almost without a question, though Anakin had told her later that that wasn't something they would normally do. Maybe the fact that she had almost been run over by their "General" had something to do with it. She was glad. She had never a lot of friends, most were just acquaintances, but these people had just adopted her into into their clan. And she liked it.
They gathered around the table to open their last presents.
"So, before we start, The General has an announcement to make", said Ahsoka.
Anakin was confused. "I do?" Ahsoka just stared at him with her "You're an idiot, Skyguy" face. "Oh that's right, I do." He glanced at Padme and smiled. "Padme and I are going to start going out, so-" He was cut off by a wild cheer from Fives who was poking Cut-up in the ribs saying "I told you so! I told you and you didn't believe me!"
"Well boys, settle your debts, so we can open these damn presents", said Heavy smugly. He had been on the winning side and was rather pleased with himself.
A confused Padme and an amused Anakin watched as pretty much everyone passed money around the table.
"What are they doing?" she asked him.
"Well, I'm not exactly sure, but I wouldn't put it past them to bet on us."
"Us?"
"On us... um, getting together." Anakin rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "They're kinda weird like that I guess and well they can be-"
Padme leaned up on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. "So your friends are a little weird. We're all a little weird Anakin."
He grinned. "Yeah, I guess we are." She just kissed me... his heart did a little weird jump.
"Hey, earth to Anakin", said Ahsoka. "We gonna open these presents or what?"
"Yeah sure. Come on guys."
The exchange was lighthearted and enjoyable, though Cut-up decided to "forget" the rule against gag gifts like he did every year. But what else could you expect?
Padme watched with hesitation as Anakin opened his. She had taken Ahsoka when she went to get it and Ahsoka had approved, so that was good right?
"Woah, this is really amazing!" Anakin exclaimed as he saw what it was. Ahsoka and Padme exchanged glances. "The extended edition of Lord of the Rings trilogy?! No way!" He looked at the card. "Padme?"
She grinned. "Yeah, do you like it?"
"Like it? I love it! How did you know I-"
She pressed her finger to his lips. "Shhh, I can't take credit for all of that. Ahsoka kinda tipped my off on what you wanted."
"Well, I love. Crazy though, you getting me", said Anakin
"Why is it crazy?"
"Um..."
"Here's your present Padme", said Ahsoka, butting into their conversation.
Padme carefully unwrapped the gift, wondering who it was from. She still had her suspicions of Ahsoka, but she wasn't sure. It was a small box. She knew that store. She and Ahsoka had stopped by there when they were shopping. Opening it, she found a small but detailed motorcycle charm. She eyes snapped up to Anakin. "You?"
He laughed nervously. "Yeah, I know jewelry is kinda cliche, but Ahsoka said you liked that kinda stuff and-" She cut him off with a kiss. "I love it."
He grinned. "Well I'm glad, because I do too." Honestly, he was relieved. He didn't know if Padme was that kind of girl and he didn't want to mess anything up, but Ahsoka had assured him that she had heard Padme praise this particular jewelry store, so he thought he'd give it a try. He put his arm around her. "Well, it seems to me that we both used Ahsoka to find out more about the other. She always so happy to help when it comes to other people's relationships."
"Yes, well about that", said Ahsoka. In the background, Rex was looking smug about something. "I have something to admit to you two."
Anakin facepalmed. "What did you do now Snips?"
She looked a little uncomfortable. "Well, here's how it went down."
"What went down?" Padme asked. "Another bet?"
"Well, the thing that spurred the bets. I'd better Rex explain. He explains thing better."
"Why me?" said Rex. "Well anyway, the first day we met you Padme, when we almost ran you over, Ahsoka thought it would be a good idea to try and get you and Anakin together. And I'm quoting her when I say, "they would be the most disgustingly adorable couple". So she convinced the guys to rig the name drawing so that you would draw each other. Despicable, right? So we did, and bet on it. And it was so much more fun than a normal Secret Santa."
"And you thought would make us like each other?" Anakin spluttered.
"Well, it worked didn't?" said Ahsoka innocently.
Anakin tried to come up with a devastating comeback to that, but could find a good answer. "It was merely circumstantial", he protested.
"Yes, and I help set the circumstances up. You should thank me", said Ahsoka with an air of importance.
Anakin sighed and looked at Padme for a reaction. "Honestly, nothing should surprise me after this", she said.
"Have anymore secrets Ahsoka?" Anakin asked with a stare. "Because if you do, you need to spill them now."
"Nope, I think I'm good", she said with a small, mischievous smile. "If I told you all my secrets Skyguy, I wouldn't have anything left to shock you with."
Anakin mumbled something about being done with secrets and surprises for a lifetime, but let the matter drop. Padme bounced on her feet and blew on her gloved fingers. "You cold?" Anakin asked looking down at her.
"Yeah, the temperature is dropping. I should probably be getting back, or my dad will come searching. You don't want that."
"Should I be worried about your father?" Anakin asked hesitantly. He honestly hadn't thought about whether or not her parents would like him/approve. Scratch that, He had thought about, he just didn't want to think about it.
Padme pulled him out of his thoughts. "You'll be fine. I think my parents will love you."
"You think?"
She laughed. "Apart from the usual death threats if you hurt me or break my heart, I think you'll be just fine."
"If you say so", he said hugging her from behind, resting his chin on the top of her head, enveloping her with his large frame.
Padme grinned. She loved this. She didn't know boyfriends could be this huggable. When she dated Rush, he wasn't a very touchy-feely person, so he wouldn't dream of just hugging her because he could. She liked that about Anakin. He was just... adorable.
"We should go", she said, hating the very idea.
"Yeah, I guess", he replied, his voice echoing what she was feeling.
"Come on."
"I don't wanna."
"We have to."
He released a dramatic sigh. "Fine, if you insist."
They headed back to where he had parked his motorcycle hand in hand, breath puffing out in clouds in the freezing air. Despite the cold, Padme felt warm and fuzzy inside. Anakin was the best Christmas present she could have ever received.
Christmas Eve rolled around cold and bleak, but inside homes everywhere there was that certain thrill that Christmas time brings. Something that Ahsoka liked to call the three Fs. Family, food, and friends (or was fun? It didn't matter. Both words meant the same thing).
Ahsoka, always the procrastinator, was wrapping presents in her room and blasting Trans-Siberian orchestra obnoxiously loud out of her phone's speakers. Anakin grinned to himself as he helped his mom prep the last of the food for tonight's party. He had introduced her to Trans-Siberian and felt very proud of himself.
Tonight's party was going to be great. Everyone would be heading straight over after the candlelight service at the local church. The candlelight service was one of Shmi's favorite traditions. Even since before he could remember, Anakin knew Shmi had bundled he and Ahsoka into the car and taken them to the service. It was one of Anakin's favorite memories.
"Anakin, would you go start the car and get the heaters running?" his mother asked him. "I don't feel like freezing just for the car to warm up as soon as we get there."
Anakin laughed. "Sure thing Mom."
"Don't forget my seat heater!" she called after him.
"I won't Mom."
"Ahsoka, are you almost finished?" Shmi called up the stairs to her daughter.
"Just about", Ahsoka called back. "I'm finishing up my makeup."
"Nothing too dramatic Ahsoka. I'm tolerant when it comes to your appearance, but I don't want you looking like a painted witch. We're going to a church."
"This look nice?" Ahsoka stood at the top of the stairs, dressed in a maroon and black dress, boots, and her coat over her arm. "My makeup isn't "witchy" tonight. You like?"
Shmi smiled. "You look lovely dear. Doesn't she Anakin?" She grabbed Anakin and pointed him towards Ahsoka.
Anakin whistled. "I know one guy who's gonna really love this." Ahsoka blushed.
Shmi swatted Anakin on the shoulder. "I like Rex and all, but if you keep making comments like that Anakin Skywalker, I just might change my mind."
She walked back into the kitchen and Ahsoka flipped Anakin off. He stuck his tongue out at her. Ahsoka bounded down the stairs and leaned dramatically on the railing. "You're looking sharp Anakin", she said. "I know one girl who's gonna really like this." She poked him in the chest.
"Shhhh, Ahsoka", he said, trying to cover her mouth with his hand.
"Hands off Skyguy. Don't touch the artwork", she said, motioning to her face. "I want it to stay perfect."
"Fine, just don't go shouting stuff about girls."
"Like it really matters. You're gonna tell mom tonight, aren't you?"
"Sure I am, but... just not right at this second."
"What were you not going to tell me Anakin?" said Shmi from the kitchen doorway.
"Um..."
"What did you do now? Does it involve a girl? Anakin Skywalker, if you got a girl pregnant you are in so much trouble!"
"Woah Mom, slow down! I did nothing of the sort, I swear!" said Anakin, raising his hands and backing away. His mother could be one scary woman when she got angry. "Why do you always jump to the worst conclusions?"
"Then what is it?" She said with her hand on her hips. Ahsoka was doubled over in the background, silently laughing at Anakin's plight. "Ahsoka young lady, you can just be quiet. Or do we need to have another talk about certain issues in your life?" said Shmi. That shut Ahsoka up.
"Look Mom, just calm down and listen to me", said Anakin. "I was going to tell you tonight, but I guess I'll tell you now. Obviously you're not going to wait."
"You are correct in that assumption."
Anakin rubbed the back of his neck like he always did nervous. "Um, so I kinda got a girlfriend."
Shmi raised her eyebrows. "So it is a girl. I was starting to wonder."
Anakin looked confused. "Wonder? About what?"
"Well, you never really had a girlfriend Anakin. You flirted with everyone, and were never serious with anyone. I was starting to wonder if you were gay." Shmi sighed. "Of course, that would have been alright, but I guess I was wrong."
"MOM I'M NOT GAY!"
"Well I guess not. So who is she?"
"YOU THOUGHT I WAS GAY?"
Shmi threw her hand in the air. "Well what was I supposed to think? But you never said anything, so I left it alone."
Ahsoka lost it and Anakin glared at her. "Mom, for the record, I am not gay. I have a girlfriend, and she is wonderful."
"Maybe you're still in denial", Ahsoka snickered.
Shmi gave Ahsoka "the mom look". "That's enough Ahsoka. It was an honest mistake. So who is this lovely girlfriend of yours Anakin?"
"Her name is Padme Amidala", said Anakin, still shooting dirty looks at Ahsoka.
"Padme from across the street?" asked Shmi surprised.
"Yeah. We kinda met sometime around Thanksgiving and we've got mutual friends, and it just kind of happened."
"Well, if you're sure about this Anakin. Just be careful and considerate and everything will be alright I suppose." Shmi stopped and glanced at the clock on the wall. "Look at the time! We have to get going. We're going to be late and you know how I hate being late."
"Yes mom we know", said Ahsoka, slipping on her coat. "C'mon Anakin. You're driving."
"I call shotgun", called Shmi from the entry, where she was wrapping a scarf around her neck.
"Mom, that's something young people say!" complained Ahsoka.
"Well young lady, I'm not that old ", said Shmi.
Anakin just shook his head. he loved his mom, even if he just learned that she thought he was gay? He didn't understand how she came to that conclusion, but he was just glad she was chill about him dating Padme. Now the only thing he had to worry about was her parents.
Padme sighed in contentment. The church was always so beautiful at Christmas time. From the pew where she and her family were sitting, she could just see that back of Anakin's head. He was sitting in between his mother and Ahsoka. Padme also noticed Rex sitting with them, looking slightly uncomfortable in his dress shirt and sweater vest. Padme assumed that Ahsoka probably made him wear it.
The service was almost magical with all the twinkling lights from the dozens of candles. She smiled at Ryoo and Pooja who were staring with wide eyes at their surroundings. The service ended with a Christmas carol and lights came back on and the spell was broken, but Padme never forgot the way she watched the candlelight flicker off Anakin's face when he turned for one second and they made eye contact. He had smiled his signature smile and it made her feel warm and happy. She smiled back, wondering what she had done in a previous life to deserve Anakin in this one.
Her mother tapped her on the shoulder. "Padme honey, we're going to stay here and chat for a little, but Satine and her boyfriend are heading straight over to the Skywalker's if you want to go with them."
Padme smiled. "Thanks mom. I'll go find Satine. Where did you see her?"
"She's over there with that ginger boyfriend of hers."
"His name is Obi-wan mother."
"I know, I know. It's just that his name is so strange that I can never remember it."
Padme rolled her eyes. "Okay then. I'll see you there."
Satine saw Padme heading towards them and waved her hand. Padme gave her a hug. "I didn't know you and Obi-wan were going to be here."
"Yeah, well Obi-wan used to come every year with the Skywalkers, so I came with him", said Satine smiling up at her boyfriend.
"Hmm yes", was his only response, but he smiled back at her.
"I'm glad to see you two have patched things up", Padme whispered to Satine.
Satine looked slightly nervous. "Ah yes, about that", she started to say, but just then Anakin walked up. "Hey guys."
"Hello Anakin", said Ob-wan and Satine a little too quickly. Anakin looked quizzical, but didn't say anything.
"Can I talk to you for a second before we all head over to my mom's house Padme?" said Anakin. Satine nudged Padme and winked at her, but Padme just rolled her eyes. She walked with Anakin to a secluded corner to talk.
"What's up?" she asked him.
"Well, my mom sorta found out. B-but she's cool with it, just so you know." He looked at her for a reaction. "Are you mad?"
Padme smiled. "Of course not Anakin. But how...?"
"Nosy Ahsoka and her very loud mouth", said Anakin sighing. "Mom overheard."
"I see."
"We should probably be going. Party and all that?"
"Sure." Padme started to walk away. "Oh, you riding with Obi-wan, Satine, and I?"
"Naw, I'm going to drive my mom home. So I'll see you later." He waved to her as he left.
When Obi-wan pulled up to the Skyalker's house, Padme was delighted by all the outdoor lights. The candy cane striped trees lit up the yard and the whole effect was magical. Anakin, Ahsoka, and the rest of the crew had done a wonderful job. Padme was sure that Shmi had been pleased.
The pleasant glow that shone from the windows of the house looked warm and inviting, and Padme for one was looking forward to this night. Of course, she wasn't exactly sure how her parents would would react to the fact that she as dating Anakin, but she was confidant that no matter what happened, it would blow over soon enough. Come to think about it, she wasn't even sure how she would tell her family. Maybe announcing it at a party wasn't such a good idea.
Satine had been rambling small talk the whole car ride, and Padme had been giving the appropriate "Uh huh" and "Sure". Now that they were pulled up to the Skywalker's house, Satine turned around from the passenger seat to look at Padme.
"Are you okay Padme?" she asked. "You sure have been quiet all this time."
"Haha no of course I'm fine", Padme said, perhaps a little too quickly.
Satine glanced at Obi-wan and raised an eyebrow. "Mmhm, sure. Totally fine. So it has nothing to do with a certain guy who turns into the heart eyes emoji whenever you're around? Hmmm?"
"I-I'm not entirely sure what you mean", said Padme.
Obi-wan took the effort to turn around and look at her. "Padme Amidala, please. We know. There's no reason to keep on denying it. You've got the hots for Anakin Skywalker. It's nothing to be ashamed of. I'm sure we all have at one point."
Satine burst out laughing. "He's not messing with you Padme. Anyone who lays eyes on Anakin knows it's true, as much as they might try to deny it." She paused to wipe the tears from her eyes. "Oh Padme, the amazing thing for you is, he likes you back. You guys are going to be fine."
"But Satine, I thought you didn't like Anakin. You said..."
"Forget anything I said, dear. Anakin's perfect for you if I do say so myself."
"Well I'm glad you think so then", said Padme. "We are going to start dating."
"Well you better", said Satine. "After all we di-" she clapped a hand over her mouth.
"Did?" asked Padme. "Satine, what did you do? Who's we?"
"Um, we'd better go inside. Come on Obi-wan." And with that, Satine flung open her door and sprinted towards the house.
"Obi-wan?" Padme said warily.
"Let me get your door for you", said Obi-wan, smirking at her from under his scarf. "It's much too cold to be lingering out here."
All of Padme's wheedling from the car to the front door had no effect on Obi-wan. What had Satine meant?
"Come in, come in", Anakin's mother was saying, motioning for them to enter her beautifully decorated home. Satine and Obi-wan made their way to the living room, but Shmi pulled Padme aside.
"So Anakin told me, my dear", she said. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm really happy for you two. Unless you hurt him. Then you'll have to deal with both Ahsoka and myself. And I really wouldn't wish that upon anyone." She smiled cheerily. "But I'm sure that won't happen. Won't it." It hadn't been a question. It was a statement. Padme smiled confusedly. Had she just been threatened by this cheery woman with laugh lines creasing her face?
"Of course not Ms. Skywalker. I never had any intention of-"
"Oh I never said you did sweetheart. Come on, they'll be wondering where we are." With that said, she guided Padme to the living room.
"Padme!" said Ahsoka hopping up quickly from where she was sitting on the couch. One, to give Padme a hug, and two, to hide the fact that she had been sitting in Rex's lap and didn't want her mother to see.
Padme excepted the hug from Ahsoka and turned around only to bump into something warm and solid.
"My turn", said Anakin, enveloping her in a hug of his own. Padme felt herself snuggle in without meaning to. She both loved and hated how this guy, could turn her into a melty puddle of fluffy emotions. Sappy. She took a sniff of him. He smelled like cologne, mint, and coffee. An odd combination, but she loved it.
Anakin kissed the top of her head and she reluctantly pulled back out of the hug and looked up at him. There he was, her Anakin, grinning like an idiot.
"Hi", was all he said.
She smiled back. "Hey".
"TOLD you Rex. They are a disgustingly cute couple", said Ahsoka smugly.
Just then the doorbell rang and Shmi let in the rest of Padme's family. She glanced at Anakin nervously, but her just smiled at her. It'll be fine, his eyes seemed to say.
Soon the house as full of people laughing and talking, full of the Christmas spirit. Padme's mother and father, her sister Sola and her husband, Ryoo, and Pooja added to the present company made for a full house, but it didn't bother anyone. Ahsoka's peppermint brownies were a decided hit, and now Padme knew why Anakin had smelled like mint. He liked to taste test everything, especially desserts.
The grownups had gathered in the living room, chatting and swapping stories, while Ryoo and Pooja tried their very best to stay awake. The younger crowd had taken over the kitchen and breakfast area, doing their best to put a dent in the refreshments.
"So Anakin and Padme", started Satine, but she stopped.
"Yes?" they both asked.
Ahsoka looked at Satine and shook her head, but Obi-wan just laughed. "Satine will never get herself to say it", he said. "So I will. We," he motioned to the present company, "Were all involved in a little scheme brought to the table by Ahsoka and Rex. You see, I believe Ahsoka has already expressed her feelings about you two, about believing that you two would be a disgusting perfect couple. But I believe we all had a part in her little... scheme. Satine and I were instructed to pretend our relationship was... going through a rocky time. That way you two would have a common goal, getting us back together. Not exactly the best plan if I do say so myself, but-"
"But it worked, didn't it?" Ahsoka interrupted.
Obi-wan looked miffed at having been interrupted. "As I was saying, it ended up working. Rex was in charge of rigging the secret santa, and Ahsoka handled the details." He stopped and looked at Anakin and Padme's slack-jawed expressions. "We claim full responsibility for our actions, but I'm afraid none of us are actually sorry, as it turned out well in the end."
"The end justifies the means", Rex muttered.
"And I thought nothing could ever surprise me again", Anakin said softly, looking a little dazed.
"You're not... mad, are you Padme?" asked Satine.
"I don't think so", said Padme slowly. "But this is all a little absurd. Whatever put it in your head, Ahsoka?"
"Oh I don't know", she said with a sickly sweet innocence in her voice. "Maybe it was the fact that Anakin has been pining after you ever since he met you. You know, in middle school?"
"I did not pine," Anakin protested. "I-"
"You needed a push in the right direction Skyguy. I gave it, and now you owe me for life", said Ahsoka breaking her facade with a genuine grin.
"Well that was uncomfortable and I'm glad it's over", said Obi-wan. "We're all good here, right?"
"I think so", said Padme. "Now the only thing left to do is break it to my parents." She looked up at Anakin.
"Yeah I guess so. But let's go out onto the back porch for a minute."
"Why?"
"Just, come on."
He led her by the hand out the backdoor. Leaning on the porch railing, he motioned for her to join him. Together they stood in silence, watching the snowflakes gently drift down.
"Hey Anakin?"
"Mmhhmm?"
"Why do you think everything between us worked out so perfectly?"
Anakin smiled and pulled her close, both of them shivering slightly in the cold. "I don't know", he said slowly. "But maybe..." he trailed off.
"Maybe what?" she asked, snuggling closer.
He looked at her, eyes full of adoration. Pulling her towards him, he bent down and kissed her. He kissed her like there as nothing else in the world but the two of them. Padme melted into that kiss.
After some time he pulled back and whispered in her ear, "Maybe... because it's Christmas."
-The End-