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Okay, big chapter. More Anakin and Darred. The kids and a game of hide-and-seek. Finally, Ruwee talks with the whole family. I hope you all like it and that it was worth the wait.
Chapter Twelve
Ruwee
When the door to the library opened, Sola nearly stumbled into her father's arms, but managed to catch her balance just in time on the slippery, stone floor.
Ruwee shook his head. When would some nosy beings learn spying lead to nothing but trouble? Weren't the paparazzi the other night proof enough? Then again, it was good to know some things would never change.
Plus it reminded him of his late mother, Winima. Years, earlier when she and Ryoo were always spying on him and Jobal when they were young. Trying to set them up and plotting to marry them off. Both their mothers were completely shocked when they actually did fall in love.
Padmé did her best to suppress a smile. However, since she was home and not on her other home- the Senate floor, she didn't see or feel the need to.
"Where's your mother?" Ruwee asked Sola.
A rather red faced Sola paused, shook her head, and shrugged like some teenaged girl.
Ruwee gave a slight shake to his head. He was so thankful his children were not that age anymore. "Find her," He was about to turn but paused. "And bring Darred and Anakin too."
Sola raised a brow.
She looked to her grandmother, Ryoo. Who was equally surprised with a similar raised brow.
Darred and Anakin too? What was happening here?
They then looked to Padmé, who was as unreadable as always. However, over the years they had learned to recognize what she was feeling despite the mask. She seemed...hopeful, but a bit anxious.
Regardless, this should be good...so they hoped.
Jobal came around the corner, "Ru," Calling her husband by his nickname. "What's going on?"
"There's something I need to say and I'd like you all to hear it," He then lead the group into the dining chamber.
Earlier...
After some more chatting and male bonding, Anakin and Darred finally found their into one of kitchenettes. Judging by the newer cabinets and tons of granite, it must of been the main kitchenette. There were small kitchenettes in each wing of the estate.
Even after ten years of marriage, "I still get lost sometimes," Darred chuckled.
Anakin nodded. Reminded of a rather embarrassing time, he couldn't find his back to his honeymoon suite.
Teckla and Jobal were preparing some dinner. Shurra for dessert. Anakin smiled, knowing it was one of his wife's favorites. There were lots of bright fruits and odd looking vegetables spread about the kitchen.
Anakin didn't mind fruit so much, but vegetables...he made a sour looking face. Growing up on Tatooine, slaves and most beings- besides the wealthy, lived on a diet of grains and meat. Certain times of the seasons, fruit was available. Vegetables were impossible to grow and keep in Tatooine heat.
However there was shaak as the main course, so that could work.
Three smiling and eager faces approached the pair.
Pooja whispered in Sonni's ear, "I told you he was even more handsome in person."
Both girls giggled while looking up at their dashing knight and hero.
Jeck rolled his eyes at the silly girls. He then nervously asked if they, mainly Anakin, the Hero with Fear wanted to play hide and seek.
Darred gave a small, silent sigh. Realizing he was no longer the cool dad.
The two men traded glance in agreement.
"Sure," they answered simultaneously.
Even little Ry joined in. Lately, sometimes she would and sometimes she wouldn't. She was now nearly ten and quickly approaching that in-between age. Some days she wanted to be a kid. Other days she wanted to be an "adult." Especially since she no longer took primary classes and went to art school.
The four younglings instructed them to, "Count to veinte and don't count too fast." That was cheating.
"Yes, yes," Darred replied. "Of course." They then went out into the living room to count.
"Uh," A puzzled Anakin looked to Darred, "What's veinte?"
Darred then explained veinte meant twenty in the old Nubian language. "Word of advice, you might want to study some of old languages, hymns, and customs." Especially now that his secret marriage was not so secret anymore. Now he didn't have to know everything. Darred himself was no expert, "But at least be familiar with the basics," He advised.
"Hm, so you're telling me I should start listening to Padmé when she tries to tell me these things."
Darred chuckled, "That would be wise, but I did the same when I first started dating Sola." It was when they went to social events and wasn't familiar with some of the customs and felt like an idiot then he started to listen. Darred then realized he had forgotten to count, but more than enough time had passed. "Veinte!" He shouted, "Ready or not here we come!"
In the middle of the seeking, Sola found the two and asked, well more like summoned to the two to the dining area.
So they left the seeking to Teckla.
Darred looked over to Anakin who looked rather, dare he say it, afraid?
Darred gave a dashing smile. "What's this, the Hero with No Fear is actually nervous?" he teased. "What would the HoloNet say? I'm only kidding, cheer up." Darred gave him a comforting smile, telling him it would be alright. "In my experience, family meetings usually mean good things." Then Darred paused. Except for earlier, he supposed... and when his sister-in-law announced the news of her pregnancy, but other than, they were usually good. For example, when Ruwee gave his blessing for he and Sola to be married he had called one before hand. He figured and hoped this was something like this.
When Ruwee gave his blessing for he and Sola to be married. He figured and hoped this was something like this.
Anakin stopped and frowned, "Darred," Not sure how to say this.
Darred stopped and looked back to his friend, "Yes?" Had he said something wrong?
Anakin looked upset. "Please don't call me that,"
"What?" Darred raised a brow. "You don't like being called the Hero with No Fear?" He seemed surprised. Isn't that what the HoloNet and every creature from the Core to the Outer Rim called him?
"Yes," Anakin whispered. Knowing some of his fans were nearby, but not within ear shot. "I never liked that title." In fact, he hated it. He never minded the fame, attention, the adoring fans, or even having a title. The problem was that, deep down, Anakin knew the title was the complete opposite of the truth.
"Oh," Darred had never thought or even considered that Anakin might dislike his title. "Well, alright, from now on I shall only call you Anakin."
Anakin suddenly felt reminded of when he first met Padmé. "I am a person and my name is Anakin."
Anakin started to smile when he and Darred found Ruwee a few meters ahead of them.
Knowing this was not his place, nor did he really want to be caught in the middle of any uncomfortable conversations, Darred turned to leave.
"Close the door," Anakin said.
"No," Ruwee turned to Darred, "Leave it open."
Darred paused. Looking from Anakin to Ruwee, unsure what to do. Again, he didn't want to get caught in the middle, but he certainly didn't want this delicate situation to turn ugly.
While Anakin said he understood Ruwee and his position earlier, Ruwee had, like the Jedi Council had days earlier, left him waiting for too long and his little patience had worn thin. "What's the matter Mr. Naberrie?" Anakin crossed his arms. He was calm, but clearly unhappy. "You don't have the guts to face me alone?"
Ruwee could tell the boy was trying to pick a fight. He even considered taking the bait, but no. No, he wasn't going to do that. Though it was a good thing that hadn't run into each other earlier, because he might have taken the bait. He supposed he would let this one slide. He sensed Anakin had been dealing with such a thing a lot recently. "Son, before you start telling me how much guts I have and start jumping to conclusions and assume you know what I want to say, come into the next room and take a seat." He looked back to Darred. "Both of you."
Anakin was surprised, but began to follow.
Darred couldn't help but smile as he followed the pair out of the room.
Anakin slowly took a seat next to his wife who was sitting next to her mother. And Darred sat next to Sola on the other side of the table. The children were with Teckla and the others.
Ruwee closed the doors, not wanting some of the younger beings who would likely take after their mother to eavesdrop.
"Well, this has been a very interesting week."
That was putting it mildly.
"Father," Padmé began. Fearing where this was going.
"Daughter," Ruwee said reassuringly. "I love you and I am not going to yell. I have not told you what to do since you were..." Ruwee suddenly felt rather old. "Eleven." He usually didn't need to, but like any parent there were times he longed to do so. "And this may be the last chance I will ever get to do so." After she was now a married woman. "I have a few things to say, and you just might think they are important. So for the next few minutes, be quiet." Ruwee firmly, but calmly stated.
Padmé's narrowed her brown eyes, but she bit her tongue and nodded in agreement. For now. Much like her husband next to her, she hated being told what to do.
From across the table, Sola could not help but have a smile grow across her face. She did her best to hide it, pursing her lips together, not wanting to start something or interrupt, because this should be good.
"I've been out there walking around. Thinking about the week and how it has gone. It seems to me that now I need to make a few personal statements. For a variety of reasons."
Under the table Padmé took Anakin's hand into her own.
Ruwee thought back to the other night. "It all started after a joyous occasion the other night. My two granddaughters were bouncing up and down the wall for some unknown reason while my daughter decided to hurry her and me out the door." He turned from Sola to Ryoo. "I asked my dear mother-in-law about whatever is going on, and she said you'll see," He said in his best Ryoo Thule impersonation. Not to mention the part where Sola basically threw he and Jobal out, but that was another story. Back to the point, "And I did." He added. All right before bed. "I was shocked to say the least." That was one word for it. "Then later that night, my darling wife- who apparently along with every single being of age knew what was going on knew what was going on."
Anakin and Padmé looked around the table.
Jobal remained silent.
Sola and Ryoo looked away. Not making eye contact was telling enough.
Darred gave a nod of sorts.
Ruwee nearly rolled his eyes. "Now where was I? Oh, yes, my wife naturally decided to disregard every practical aspect of the matter and its consequences."
"The rest of the week was certainly no picnic. My students were asking me about anything but their assignments."
Nor was it really a picnic for anyone. He looked at both his daughters and then his sons-in-law.
"And finally today, just a matter of hours ago, it was explained to me by my daughter- a very remarkable young woman- that not only what was so blatantly obvious was all true." That Anakin was the father. That she and Anakin were in love. "Also, she explained that she and this young man who I had only met twice are in fact married, and that the nuptials were not a recent affair, but, in fact had taken place shortly after our second meeting three years earlier."
"I think it's fair to say that I responded to this news, the way any normal father would." He looked to both Darred and Anakin. Then next his youngest daughter. "And while I am digesting this very fresh information, my daughter goes down to the capital and finishes filling in the rest of the details to the public. While my mother-in-law and wife made some remarks which I had never even considered."
He smile at Padmé and she smiled back at him.
Which made Jobal smile at both of them. Knowing now that everything was going to be okay.
"Now, as for my mother-in-law, who basically called me some burned out old shell of a man who cannot even recall what it is like to love a woman." Ruwee paused, "And as strange as it seems, that is the next statement I am prepared to take issue with, because I think you are wrong." As wrong as she could be. "I admit that I hadn't considered it. I hadn't even thought about it, but I know exactly how he feels about her." He had known that since Anakin had first walked through the front door three years ago. "And there is nothing, absolutely nothing that Anakin feels for my daughter that I didn't feel for Jobal. The memories are old- yes. Burned-out- certainly, but I can tell you they are still there- clear, intact, indestructible, and they'll be there if I live to be a hundred and one."
Ruwee looked to Jobal who had tears in her eyes.
Ruwee looked back to Anakin and Padmé, "As for you two and the problems you're going to face," Ruwee no need to go into them. They knew what they were up against. What they may have to face every day the rest of their lives. "They seem almost unimaginable, but you'll have no problem with me."
Anakin looked to Padmé.
And she him.
Again, a lifetime of worries began to evaporate from Padmé. There were so many times and so many ways she imagined this conversation going in the complete opposite direction.
This was...there were so many words to describe what they were feeling. Happy. Relieved. Amazed. Surprised.
Then the couple looked back to Ruwee. Along with the rest of the family, from Jobal, to Ryoo, Sola, and Darred.
"Where the two of you made your mistake, I think, was when you attached so much significance in what our opinion might be. Because in the final analysis it, doesn't matter a damn what we think." Or any other being for that matter. "The only thing that matters is what you feel, and how much you feel." If it was half of what he and Jobal felt then that was everything.
"As far as I'm concerned, you're both just two people, who fell in love, and happened to have some unique professions."
"Now where's Teckla?" He said, "And when are we going to eat?"
Well, what do you think? Please review. Again, I hope it was worth the wait.
Trivia: Veinte means twenty in Spanish. One of the filming places for Naboo was Spain so I thought that was fitting.
Next and final chapter: Luke and Leia. Big Anakin chapter too. Also, again, it is the final chapter. However, don't worry, another sequel called, Surprises: The Price of Freedom will be out after Surprises: Unimaginable. I will try to update The Supreme Commander and the Grand Vizier this week.
Also you have any wishes or requests for the next story, let me know in your reviews or PMs. I make no promises, but it never hurts to ask.
