A/N: Thanks to Angie, Lusitana, Dragonball256, and Serena Bancroft for reviewing. Happy chapter ahead, so yay.

Chapter Twenty-One

Celebration

The hour was growing late and all the Lars family slept soundly.

Anakin and Padmé were outside in the courtyard faces turned up toward the sky.

Away from city lights and pollution the stars shone brilliantly, diamonds on a navy blanket.

When Anakin was a child he had promised himself he would visit every one.

Of course there were too many in reality, but he still vowed to travel the world.

He would see everything he possibly could before he died. No place was too far.

He looked over at Padmé who marveled at the view above.

She noticed his stare and turned her face to him.

"What?"

"I want to ask you something." His voice was hushed.

She mentally prepared herself for another argument.

"Yes, Anakin?"

"Just hear me out. Shmi…I don't think she'll last the week. I've ignored her for so long to follow my selfish dreams. I want to do something…special for her. I need your help."

Padmé listened intently.

"I know you said you wanted to wait to get married."

"Anakin…" She interrupted.

"Just listen. Please. Don't say anything. I think I have a good compromise in mind."

Padmé's face was earnest.

"I think it's every parents wish to see their child's wedding day. I was thinking we could have an engagement party. Not a real wedding. Just a memory she could hold on to when she…"

He couldn't finish. His eyes shut and he had to take a few calming breaths to stop himself from breaking down.

Padmé's demeanor relaxed, her serious expression melting into one of compassion. He opened his eyes and she was standing before him, her face turned up towards his.

She touched his cheek. "Of course I would do that for you."

He smiled. His hands were at her waist and he pulled her to himself.

She stood on her toes, leaning into him. His mouth covered hers softly. The kiss was gentle and slow, lazy caresses until they both grew faint with it.

There were no extra beds to spare at the Homestead but the couple made do.

They lay on the cold floor in a tangle of sheets, bare skin cast in the silver moonlight.

They gasped softly, their breaths falling into rhythm with each other. Padmé wiped away the beads of sweat that gathered over Anakin's brow.

He responded with a tired smile, still quivering with the after-shock of his climax.

He lay down in her arms. She stroked his damp hair and felt his sigh hum against the hollow of her neck.

His voice was barely above a whisper. "Thank you."

Then they both fell asleep.

Anakin woke just as the sun was rising. The room was cast in an orange glow.

He touched Padmé's bare shoulder. Her eyes fluttered open.

"Let's go and sneak some food out of the kitchen before they all wake up."

Padmé giggled. "You are something else, Ani."

"Oh shut up. You love it."

"Well, first we have to bathe, because I feel absolutely disgusting."

His smile was mischievous. "You know we'll be doing anything but bathing."

"Who said we couldn't multi-task?"

The devilish look on his face made her laugh.

They gathered their clothes and ran for the fresher like misbehaved children who were trying not to get caught.

There was the sound of pouring water and then the occasional giggle followed by a moan.

An hour later they sauntered into the kitchen only to find Beru prepring breakfast.

"Oh." Anakin whined. "We were hoping we'd be the first ones in here."

Beru smirked. "Oh noo. Men are not allowed in the kitchen without a lady's permission."

"Why not?" Anakin joked.

"Because, males have ravenous appetites. You'd eat everything in sight."

He chuckled.

Owen walked in, yawning.

"That's a good look you're sporting there." Anakin observed Owen's messy bed-head.

"We can't all be pretty boys like you. This is what a real man looks like in the morning."

Anakin laughed. "You mean like an overgrown Ewok?"

"That coming from someone who looks twelve." Owen countered.

"Padmé, say something."

She looked at Anakin, grinning. "Oh no. You're on your own."

"The betrayal!" Anakin exclaimed in mock insult.

There was a chorus of laughter.

After the noise subsided, Anakin spoke.

"So Padmé and I were thinking that maybe we could have an engagement party for mom. You know with you guys and us. We're both technically engaged couples."

Beru's eyes lit up. "Oh that would be wonderful!"

She looked troubled for a moment.

"I have nothing to wear." She said.

"No problem, I brought enough clothing to dress a city." Padme replied.

Anakin rolled his eyes. "Of course you did. And I had to carry those suitcases."

Padmé slapped his arm. "Anakin!"

Owen muffled the sound of his laughter against his palm.

"In all seriousness, you are welcome to borrow any of my dresses." Padmé said.

"Oh, but they probably wouldn't fit me. You're so thin."

"Oh nonsense. You are a very small woman, Beru."

Beru blushed, flattered that a beautiful woman like Padmé had complimented her.

After breakfast Beru and Padmé went into Beru's room, locking the door against intruders.

Said intruders being Owen and Anakin.

The boys knocked on the door playfully.

"Oh no! No boys allowed." Beru shouted.

Inside they both sat on Beru's bed. Padmé had unweaved beru's hair out of her buns. Her hair was long, brushing her elbows as it fell in cascading golden waves.

"Oh you have such pretty hair! Why don't you ever wear it down?"

"It gets windy here in the desert. It's good to keep it out of my face."

"You're a pretty woman, Beru and I don't think you realize it."

Beru looked at Padmé with childlike wonder. "Really?"

"Yes."

They both sat in silence and then Beru crushed Padmé in a hug.

Shmi looked around curiously as Cliegg walked beside the hover-chair she was seated on.

"What have you dragged me outside in this heat for?"

"You'll see."

He placed a basket full of rice in her lap.

She was confused.

And suddenly two young woman dressed in simple, flowy white dresses stepped out.

The tears sprung into her eyes and Shmi cried happily.

Anakin and Owen walked out and over to Shmi, one on her right and one her left. They kissed each awaiting cheek.

"Oh my babies!"

Padmé's portable music player played the instrumental songs of celebration and Shmi began throwing handfuls of rice towards the young couples.

They danced happily.

Shmi's final wish had been granted.