Chapter 25

The nursery aid had taken the baby, so that when Padme faced Obi-Wan, she would do so alone, with her hands free. When he made his re-appearance, however, he was the opposite of what she would describe as aggressive. In fact, if she wasn't mistaken, it appeared as if he'd been crying, which confused Padme even further. His contrite appearance did help her to relax. A little.

"Padme."

Her name was spoken so sweetly, so reverently, it made her blush. Perhaps this reunion would be the one she had dreamed about.

"Where's the baby?"

Maybe not.

"In the nursery."

"She's beautiful. She looks like you."

"Thank you."

"May I sit down?"

"Of course." She may not trust his reasons for returning, but Padme couldn't forget her manners. "You look tired."

The hint of a smile did not reach his eyes. The truth was, he looked exhausted. There was no telling what Obi-Wan had been through in the past few months. The thought caused Padme to lose a bit of her cynicism and join him on the sofa. She sat down on his right and turned a bit to face him, although neither were looking at one another. They both seemed content to study the patterns on the marble floor.

"I'm sorry," he began, and Padme held her breath. Here it came. He was sorry, but he had to take their daughter away. He was sorry that he couldn't love her. Sorry that he couldn't give her what she needed and what she hadn't realized until this moment - so desperately wanted.

"I'm sorry I left like I did, that I wasn't here for you when...when you needed me."

The words were not what Padme was expecting, but the threat still remained. Her suspicion was still raised. But there were tears again in his eyes. Were they being caused by guilt? Did he honestly feel that bad about taking away her child? Good! He deserved to!

Obi-Wan reached to take her hand in his, which Padme allowed, although her fingers remained curled into a fist.

"It's my plan to never do that again. What I'm trying to say is...I never want to leave you again. I want you to marry me. Marry me and go with me to Dagobah to be with Master Yoda - as a family."

What? "What did you say?" Padme realized it was cruel to ask to repeat himself, but she had to make sure she'd heard him correctly. Did he just ask her to marry him?

Apparently, it was a day full of surprises, and nothing surprised Padme more than when Obi-Wan slipped from the sofa to kneel in front of her, taking both of her hands in his. "Marry me, Padme Amidala. I love you and I never want to let you out of my sight again."

In some ways, the ceremony was similar to her first: just a few witnesses, a palace official reading their vows. But in other ways, it was completely different. Together, she and Obi-Wan stood in front of the floor to ceiling windows overlooking Mount Aldara, in the cabin they had considered their home for nearly a year. They were surrounded not only by the warmth of the roaring fire, but the friendship of the ones who had opened their home and hearts to them. It was Breha's wedding dress, which Padme wore, and it was Bail who handed Obi-Wan the ring, which he placed proudly on Padme's finger.

There were no flowers, no music, no dancing afterward, and outside the cabin at the base of the mountain was a ship waiting to take the three of them to Dagobah.

Nothing was happening like she thought it would, but for Padme, everything could not be more perfect.