Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.

AN: Here's chapter 11! Thanks for all the great reviews! You guys are great! As always, the M rated version of this story can be found at my yahoo group. You can find the link by clicking on my pen name and going to my profile. This version is rate T. :)

Forever Destined

Chapter 11: Meant to Be

Padme sat quietly on the picnic blanket in the meadow. Anakin sat behind her, arms wrapped around her waist. A picnic basket sat abandoned off to the side, as they had just enjoyed a picnic lunch. She wore a beautiful sky blue sun dress that was light and airy. Her shoes had long ago been discarded. Anakin had discarded his shoes as well and after lunch, his shirt followed, as he loved the feel of the sun on his broad, bare shoulders. Her beautiful curls cascaded down her back and wafted in the soft meadow breeze. Her hands rested quietly in her lap and she sighed.

"Are you sure I can do this?" she asked.

"I'm positive. You have a very strong presence for a non-Jedi. That's why I was curious about your midichlorian count. While it's not nearly high as a Jedi's, it is significantly higher than a normal being. Yours is much higher than my mom's and dad was able to teach her how to open herself to the Force and let him know if she was ever in trouble or ever needed him. That's pretty much all she can do, but I want you to be able to also in case you're ever in trouble. If there is this link between us, then we'll never truly be apart," Anakin said. Padme shivered, as his warm breath tickled her neck.

"I want to be able to feel you all the time...but are you really supposed to be teaching me this?" she asked.

"No, I'm being a rebel again. It'll be our little secret, star nymph," he replied, referring to the name he'd called her last night during a very passionate session of lovemaking. It was still making her blush.

"The Force is all around us. It exists in all living things and is very strong here. Close your eyes and focus on that energy," Anakin instructed. She did as she was told and concentrated for several minutes, before she finally began to feel a peculiar tingling all over her body.

"Do you feel it angel?" he asked softly.

"Yes..." she replied.

"Okay, now let go and let the Force fill you completely," Anakin instructed.

"But...I don't know how," she replied.

"Just relax and quiet your mind, angel," Anakin instructed. After a few minutes, he could feel that she had done as he told her. Carefully, he opened himself to the Force and touched her mind with his own. He heard her gasp, as their minds melded together. It was truly the most amazing thing he'd ever felt. When he first decided to teach her how to reach him through the Force, that was all was expecting of her. But her higher than average midichlorian count was proving that she actually had the ability to communicate with him. It would take more practice for her to perfect the ability, but what she was doing at the moment far exceeded any expectations he had previously. She finally opened her eyes, as they existed the trance-like state.

"Anakin, that was amazing. I could feel you...I can still feel you..." she said in amazement. He smiled at her.

"I almost felt like I could talk to you without moving my mouth," she said.

"You'll be able to if you want to keep practicing at it," he replied.

"I do. Will it always feel like this?" she asked, wonder shining in her eyes.

"Yes, most likely. It was pretty amazing for me too," he replied.

"I could actually feel you touch my soul," Padme replied.

"And I could feel you touch mine," Anakin replied, as he kissed her tenderly. Padme kissed him back hungrily and passionately, as he slowly lowered her to the picnic blanket. Anakin trailed kisses down her neck, tasting her sweet skin. Anakin settled over her between her spread legs. His hand traveled up her shapely leg, inching her dress up until her thighs were revealed to him.

"Ani...should we...out here?" she asked. He smiled.

"Why not? There's no one around for miles and the sun is setting," Anakin said, as they looked at the sky, which was now red and orange, casting a glow on them.

"Can you think of a more romantic setting?" he asked, brushing her curls away from her face.

"Well, since you put it that way..." she replied, as his lips descended on hers again. She moaned, as he plundered her mouth. His stamina had yet to cease to amaze her. Last night, they had made love nearly all night till dawn and then slept into the early afternoon. But here he was again. Her strong, sexy Jedi was going to make love to her again...and in the middle of the meadow no less! As she palmed her hands down his bare chest and along his sides, he broke the hot, plundering kiss to give her a sexy smirk.

"Jedi have incredible stamina," he said, with a feral look. Her chest heaved in air to her starved lungs.

"That's a vast understatement, my Jedi hero," she replied, as his lips crashed down on her again...

She stared into his blue eyes, as she had never seen a more beautiful pair. She admired how truly handsome he was. But she wasn't the only one doing the admiring. He couldn't take his eyes off her beautiful face, especially her full, kiss swollen lips. Her amber specked brown eyes captivated him, as he knew they were the window to her beautiful soul. He through about earlier when they touched each other's minds. Her hands traveled down his chest and to his hips. She gently shoved them down and he kicked them off with her help. He slowly pulled the dress up and over her head. He kissed her passionately, as their hands roamed all over. Suddenly, she felt something incredible assaulting her senses. It was the same tingling feeling that she'd had earlier when she was learning to open herself to the Force. She obeyed its beckon and opened her mind to Anakin again. Their eyes locked, as their minds and hearts joined. Anakin could feel her ragged, impassioned breaths on his shoulder, as he made love to her. She nipped at his neck, sucking his pulse point and marking him as her own. Her soft mewls and cries assaulted his ears, their bodies moved together Her nails raking across his back was sweet torture and her hot, being with her was an indescribable feeling.

As their bodies had merged, the most mystical thing began to happen to them. Their minds and hearts merged as well, or at least that was the only way he could think to explain what was happening between them. It was the most incredible thing he'd ever felt and he knew without a doubt that he could never live without her. The sun had set and the sky had become a darkened blue, but neither noticed, for they were far too interested in each other. He collapsed into her embrace, his slick skin sliding against her own. As they panted and held each other through the powerful climaxes. Neither noticed a peculiar, twinkling star above them.

Their powerful releases stormed through them, their bodies trembling and their breathing ragged. Passion's spell had taken a hold of them and neither wanted its hold to end. Finally, Anakin pulled himself from her hot depths and rolled onto his side. He pulled her bare form tightly against his own, as they stared into each other's eyes. Neither could say a word for the feelings and emotions they felt for each other rendered them speechless. Words weren't necessary, as they slowly familiarized themselves with this new feeling of complete oneness. Soft caresses and gentle kisses were the only thing that spoke volumes, as they entered the afterglow and their hearts spoke silently to one another's.

"I love you," Padme finally said, finding her voice.

"I love you too," he replied, brushing her curls from her face.

"Ani...what just happened was..." she trailed off, at a loss for words.

"I know...it was amazing. I never imagined our connection could be forged so deep. I don't even know if anything like this has ever happened before, but I do know that I belong to you now. Mind, body, and soul," he said huskily, as her full lips drew his kiss.

"I'm yours too, only you," she whispered, as she pressed herself to him, as tightly as she could. He rolled onto his back and pulled her with him, so that she was resting against him, her head on his firm chest. The sky was now midnight blue and blanketed by stars.

"Wow, look at all the stars. You can never see them like this on Coruscant," Anakin said.

"I know, it's beautiful and very romantic," Padme replied, as she snuggled against him. He raised his hand and used the Force to call his black cloak to his hand. He draped it over their exposed bodies, as they cuddled together. Padme closed her eyes, as his lips descended upon hers in a soft, passionate array of kisses. She melted in his strong arms and surrendered, as their lips met again and again under the watchful stars. Much later, they finally found the strength to return to the house and to their bedroom where they fell into a deep sleep entwined into each other's arms...


A few days later...

Anakin brought Padme cruiser out of hyperspace in orbit of Coruscant. The last few days had been blissful for them, as they spent every waking moment in the company of each other. Tonight, they were returning to Coruscant, as the Senate would resume session very soon. They were going to his parents and grandfather's home for dinner tonight upon landing. He knew Padme was in back, fretting over what to wear, even though he insisted that she had nothing to worry about. Anakin landed the ship at the temple docking bay. He went in back and met Padme, who was looking unsure.

"What's the matter, angel?" he asked.

"I don't know...I'm a little nervous I guess. Do I look okay?" she asked. Anakin smiled at her, admiring how beautiful she was. She wore a long, royal blue dress that flattered her trim figure.

"Okay? You're stunning. You're the most beautiful woman in the galaxy and I'm the luckiest man in the galaxy, because you love me," he replied.

"You're so sweet," Padme said.

"You have nothing to be worried about. My mother is going to love you. Everyone is going to love you, because we love each other and we make each other happy. That's all they really care about Padme. They want me to be happy and you make me happy," he replied, as he caressed her cheek with his thumb.

"I love you," she said softly.

"I love you too," he replied, as he kissed her gently. They walked down the ramp together arm in arm with Artoo following behind. Anakin smiled, seeing that his father and grandfather were there waiting for them by one of their speeders.

Qui-Gon gave his youngest son a hug.

"It's good to see you Ani, we've missed you," Qui-Gon said. Anakin cocked his head playfully.

"I missed you too, but I've only been gone for a few days.," Anakin replied.

"Yes, well you know your mother," Qui-Gon replied. Anakin hugged his grandfather, while Qui-Gon greeted Padme.

"It's good to see you as well Padme. My wife is very anxious to meet you," Qui-Gon said.

"It's good to see you again too Master Qui-Gon. I'm anxious to meet her as well," Padme replied. Dooku greeted Padme, while Qui-Gon observed his youngest son, who at the moment couldn't take his eyes off the beautiful young woman that stood next to him. The four of them got into the speeder and Qui-Gon drove them home.


"Ani!" Shmi exclaimed upon their arrival.

"Hi mom," Anakin replied, as his mother flung her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

"I missed you," Shmi said.

"I missed you too mom," he replied.

"Aren't you going to introduce me?" Shmi asked. Anakin smiled and took Padme's hand in his own.

"Mom, this is Padme. Padme, this is my mother Shmi," Anakin introduced them.

"Hello Mrs. Jinn. It's wonderful to meet you," Padme greeted.

"It's wonderful to meet you too Padme, but please call me Shmi," she replied.

"Well, it's about time you got back. If one more person at the temple asks me when you're going to return, I'm going to run them through with my saber. I am not your answering service you know," Obi-Wan teased.

"I missed you too Ben," Anakin replied, giving his older brother a hug.

"Hello Senator, it looks like you've taken good care of our Ani," Obi-Wan replied. Padme smiled.

"It's good to see you again Obi-Wan, but please call me Padme," she replied.

"Oh, how wonderful, you're home Master Ani," a golden protocol droid said.

"Hi Threepio, I'd like you to meet Padme," Anakin said, clapping the droid on his metal shoulder.

"Hello Miss Padme, I am C 3PO, human-cyborg relations," Threepio greeted.

"Hello Threepio, it's nice to meet you. This is my astrodroid, R2 D2," Padme gestured to the little droid behind her.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Artoo Deetoo," Threepio greeted. Artoo blooped a friendly greeting in response and rolled off, following Threepio.

"I don't think I've ever seen a droid quite like him," Padme replied.

"I built him myself when I was boy. Dad would bring home spare parts from the Temple garages and when I finished him, grandfather had golden plates put on him," Anakin replied.

"You built him yourself? He's amazing," Padme marveled.

"Thank you, that means everything coming from you," Anakin said, as he kissed her cheek.

"Well, I'm going to check on dinner," Shmi said.

"Can I help with anything?" Padme asked.

"Sure darling," Shmi replied, as Padme gave Anakin a smile, before following Shmi to the kitchen.

"Well..." Obi-Wan said.

"Well what?" Anakin asked.

"You are certainly happy. You must have had a pretty amazing time," Obi-Wan replied.

"We did. She's the most beautiful, amazing woman in the galaxy. I love her more than anything and she loves me back just as much," Anakin replied. Obi-Wan sighed.

"Well, as long as you're happy," Obi-Wan replied.

"She's my life now, Ben. I promise that after you all get to know her tonight, you'll see why," Anakin promised.

"Come on boys, dinner is ready," they heard Shmi call. Together, the six of them sat down and the idle discussion began.

"So, I trust that you both had a nice time together on Naboo," Shmi said. Anakin and Padme shared a smile.

"Yeah, we did," Anakin replied.

"What did you do all that time?" Obi-Wan asked, with a smirk. Anakin glared at his older brother and Padme blushed.

"We spent a lot of time together. And...um...Padme's parents and sister came to visit," Anakin replied hesitantly.

"Oh that's wonderful. Perhaps if they come to visit you here on Coruscant, we can all have dinner," Shmi said.

"Well, I'm not so sure that will be possible Mrs. Jinn," Padme replied.

"Oh sweetheart, please call me Shmi. May I ask why? Does your family not visit you on Coruscant?" Shmi asked.

"Well, no they don't. My father doesn't approve of my career. I come from a very old fashioned mountain village. Father's usually choose who their daughters will marry when are young. So, you can imagine when I ran for princess of Theed and later Queen, my father, Palo, and Palo's family were very angry. My grandmother Winama encouraged me to run, because she didn't believe in our village's and other village's arranged marriages," Padme began.

"Well, I agree with you and your grandmother. And your father should be proud that his daughter is a bright young woman who works to help so many others," Shmi mentioned.

"Thank you. That's kind of you to say. Anyway, they showed up at my lake home and brought Palo with them. They came to try and force me into marriage and both he and my father were furious when they found out about Anakin. My sister was happy for us and I think my mother would like to be, but she never goes against my father. I told them that I would not marry a selfish, controlling man that I despise and that I was in love with Anakin. He told me that if I continued my relationship with Anakin, then I didn't need to bother coming home. I've chosen Anakin and I love him. I'm not going to let my father run my life," Padme said. Anakin gave her a smile and squeezed her hand.

"Well, I know I speak for all of us when I say this. As far as we're concerned, you're already apart of this family," Shmi said.

"Thank you Shmi. You don't know how much that means to me," Padme replied. Shmi smiled at her and patted her shoulder.

"Ani, why don't you help me with desert," Shmi said. Anakin followed his mother into the kitchen.


"I hope you plan to hang on to her," Shmi said. Anakin chuckled.

"Don't worry mom, I have no intention of letting her go. I love her," Anakin replied.

"Good, I'm so happy for you baby. She's wonderful and very beautiful too," Shmi gushed.

"Yeah, she is," Anakin replied with a smile.

"Don't wait too long to give us some grand babies," Shmi said. Anakin rolled his eyes.

"Mom..." he warned.

"Oh now, honey, you know I have to ask that of you. Your father and I would like to have grandchildren before we're too old to enjoy them," Shmi said.

"Don't worry mom, I'm sure that someday Padme and I will have beautiful children," Anakin replied.

"I know you will my son, but make sure that someday is sooner rather than later," Shmi said, as they picked up desert and started for the dining room.

"Mom..." Anakin whined. Shmi laughed, loving that she could finally tease him about this.


Much later, Anakin and Padme returned to Padme's apartment. They had already decided that it would soon become their apartment, as Anakin would be moving in with her.

"Your family is wonderful Anakin. I love them already," Padme said.

"Well good, because they loved you too. I told you that you'd have nothing to worry about," he replied, as he kissed her softly.

"So, should I crash on the couch, or do you have something else in mind?" he teased. She smacked his arm.

"Yeah right," she said, as she grabbed his tunic and pulled him close, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"You're sleeping with me handsome," she said, kissing him passionately.

"I can't sleep unless you're holding me in your arms," Padme whispered passionately.

"Me either," he replied, as he swept her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom...