Chapter Nineteen

As soon as we'd established contact with Theed Flight Control, I started the landing cycle. Over the past four years, Naboo had become my home, and it was indeed a sight for tired eyes. The midday sun was reflecting off the great falls as we flew over and I pulled back on the throttle to guide us slowly into the palace hangar, adjusting for the imbalance of only having one functioning engine.

"Welcome home," I said quietly. My senses were alerting me that there were many Naboo headed our way and soon our private time would come to an end.

"Thank you, Obi-Wan. No matter how many years we spend together or how many times you save me from certain death, I never want to take you for granted. After everything is settled, come find me. We have some unfinished business to take care of."

The look she cast me was pure enticement, and I squirmed in my seat as she added to the temptation by rubbing her body across mine as she moved.

Unable to exit herself, I hopped out before her and lifted her out of the cockpit. Within seconds, we were surrounded by security personnel and handmaidens. I set her back on her feet for a moment to allow everyone the opportunity to show how much they cared about her. She received countless hugs and shared tears of happiness with her entourage, as well as welcome applause from palace personnel.

I joined in, pleased with the appearance that they all seemed so grateful to have her back. Even if I wasn't here, she didn't have to be concerned about being alone. She had a family who loved her right here in the palace.

But then she turned around, physically supported by her First, Sabé, and I slowly came to realize that the one everyone was looking at was me. My own applause gradually died. I wasn't used to acknowledgment of this kind and I didn't know how to react. I tried to stop them with an upheld hand and a shake of my head, but then Panaka stepped up and grabbed hold of me, pulling me to him in a strong, manly hug.

"Good job, Obi-Wan. I'm glad you're here. Thanks for bringing her back to us."

He clapped my back soundly a couple of times and even offered to shake my hand as well.

I was taken aback, unused to the attention and could feel my face coloring.

"Okay everybody, that's enough. We don't want to completely overwhelm him," Panaka announced loudly with a chuckle. "Allow me to speak for all present and tell you how grateful we are to you, Obi-Wan, for returning our friend and Queen. If there's anything we can do for you, just ask."

My mind was a complete blank. I even shrugged my shoulders and looked at Padmé, hoping she would rescue me. She smiled, hobbled over and took my hand.

"Since you mentioned it," she slyly replied, "In return, I would like to declare nuptials for Obi-Wan and I to commence tomorrow evening at the 1800th hour in the throne room."

There was a murmur of shock amongst the handmaidens, who quickly regained their composure once their Queen had stared at them.

"Nothing too fancy, and I mean it," she added with a glare toward Sabé. "I'm fully aware that I missed my birthday celebration and you all went to a lot of trouble to prepare it. I apologize for that, but perhaps you can save everything you had and we can use that for decorations for the ceremony. Would that be possible?"

"Of course, Mi'Lady," Sabé announced while I stood there in a stupor.

She continued to surprise me. She knew about her surprise party and was now planning a wedding that I knew nothing about. I was speechless, especially when she turned around to face me.

"I wanted to kneel to do this, but my ankle isn't going to cooperate. Instead, I'll stand before you and say that you have become not only my best friend, but my constant companion and the most important man in my life. It would be an honor if you would say vows with me tomorrow night and become my husband."

She was most sincere and I'd had no idea this was coming. We were going to have to discuss this ability she was developing of hiding her intentions from me.

"The honor is mine," I routinely replied before doing what she could not and going to one knee. Suddenly, the ring I had bought for her naming day made much more sense. "I wasn't sure what to expect when I was called to be your Jedi Protector, but it certainly wasn't this." I laughed nervously and looked to our audience who were all smiling. Even Panaka may have had a tear in his eye.

"As I told you during the flight, you are my life, my heart, and soul, and I look forward to sharing my future with you. I love you more than life itself."

I was immediately on my feet and lifting Padmé off of hers as I swung her around. I had always been a private person, and thankfully she was as well. Even though the bond was singing, we chose to ignore its call and only held one another.

"Congratulations," Panaka said, once again thrusting out his hand, which I accepted much more enthusiastically this time.

The rest of the crowd broke into another round of applause, which was something I wasn't sure I'd ever get used to. I was wishing they would stop when Sabé yelled out frantically.

"Girls! We've got a wedding to plan! Let's get to it!"

I carried Padmé to her private rooms and contacted her personal physician, who arrived within minutes.

"I'd heard the news of your abduction. Theed is grateful to you, Jedi Protector," the older man said as he studied her ankle.

I wanted to insist he focus on her health and not thanking me, but I was learning lessons today in being accommodating and I bowed respectfully. Padmé, on the other hand seemed to be enjoying my discomfort and she had placed her hand over her mouth to disguise her smile.

"Is it broken?" I asked the medic, although I'd already ascertained that it wasn't. I was just trying to distract the man.

"No, just badly sprained," he confirmed. "I'll leave a cooling treatment with you. Keep your foot elevated and apply the treatment up to twenty minutes at hourly intervals. Minimal activity and stay off it for the rest of the day."

After he applied a hypospray for pain, he took his leave and I sat on the edge of the bed.

"I could really use a shower," Padmé told me while I pulled numerous twigs from her hair. "Mind helping me?"

I would love to, but I wasn't too sure I could handle the stress the bond would put on me. "We'll have time for things like that and much more after you're healed and we've exchanged our vows. You surprised me, by the way. I have no idea how you keep doing that."

"I'm sorry," she said, although I suspected she didn't fully mean it. "I'm more sorry you got so embarrassed. If you're going to keep doing miraculous things to save my life, you're going to have to get used to the recognition."

"I realize that now. I'll work on it," I promised her, while reaching for her hand. Just that simple touch sent tiny shockwaves throughout my nervous system.

"I'll fetch Sabé and Yané to help you get cleaned up, and then I'll bring back something for us to eat."

"Thank you," she said, captivating me with her gaze. Her gratefulness meant much more than those two simple words. I realized that and leaned forward to kiss her.

"No thanks required. I would do anything to keep you by my side. Anything."

"Then don't bring me back something to eat that once had feathers."

I smiled in response to her comment. I, too, still carried the lingering smell of roasted Slivilith.

"Deal."