"It seems congratulations are in order sir," Rex smiled.
"Thank you, Captain. I appreciate it," Anakin glowed with pride. "It's been a long time coming, eh?"
"Indeed General," Rex agreed quietly.
"We had you fooled for a bit there," Anakin smirked and jabbed Rex playfully in the chest.
Rex burst into a fit of abrupt laughter.
"What's so funny?" Anakin's brow curled in confusion.
"Forgive me," Rex began to rub tears from his eyes. "But--" he gasped before crumbling into another fit of chortling. Anakin stood there folding his arms grumpily. "Alright, laugh it up blondie. Maybe we weren't as inconspicuous as we thought we were."
"Sir, you both were about as discreet as two rancor's, dressed in handmaiden regalia," Rex chuckled.
"Hey!" Anakin snickered and began to protest until they were both joined by riotous cheers.
"CONGRATULATIONS GENERAL!!"
Anakin looked up to see the faces of his comrades; his brothers of the 501st.
"I suspected all along," Jesse grinned.
"You did not. You were the last one to find out," Tup teased.
"That's not true!" Jesse pouted.
"Many happinesses to you both, sir." Echo chimed in standing next to Rex.
"Where's the poor lady now? I have to give her my sympathies," Dogma cackled.
Anakin jabbed him in the shoulder blithely. "Thank you all. I can't say it was easy being secretive about everything. Not that it was the best undercover work we've done."
"Nor was it the most effective either," a voice chimed from the back of the room.
Everyone's eyes turned towards the door's entrance. Anakin's eyes lit up with cheer.
"There's no fooling you, is there Master?"
Master Obi-Wan Kenobi glided through the small crowd of troopers, his eyes warm and amused making his way to his padawan, friend, and brother. "Some may try. Few have succeeded."
"My scheme wasn't necessarily a victorious one," Anakin tried to joke.
A stern gentleness filled Obi-Wan's eyes. "You never have been quite like anyone else, my padawan. The more time goes by the more I'm beginning to realize that."
"I'm not the easiest person to teach, Master," Anakin looked down sheepishly.
"No," Obi-Wan agreed. "But the great one's rarely are." Obi-Wan's hands rested atop Anakin's shoulders. His eyes searched his padawan's sincerely, "Are you happy, Anakin?"
A moment of silence hushed everyone in the room. Anakin stood there with his master and friend lost in thought. He pondered the question deeply and felt a sense of serenity as Force washed over his mind. "Yes, Master. I've never been happier."
"Then there is nothing more that I could want for you, my friend." The two shared a fond and loving embrace. Before either of them could pull away the troopers had joined in on the hug as well. Anakin laughed overcome with delight. Rex hesitated only for a second until Jesse pulled him into the group with one big yank on Rex's arm. They all basked in the quiet warmth of the moment.
"Oh where's my cam when I need it?"
Anakin's head rose over the crowd of men and his smile grew wide at the sight of who had entered the room.
"SNIPS!" Anakin cried out as he broke into a run.
"SKYGUY!" Ahsoka shouted jovially.
Colliding into one another the two friends enfolded each other in their arms. Anakin cried out happily, "When did you get here!?"
"I've been hiding out in Rex's room for the past three hours. He didn't want me to spoil the surprise. He had a schedule and everything." Ahsoka giggled as Rex blushed. "Captain habits, sir."
"Besides, how could I stay away when there's a wedding to plan?" Ahsoka pulled away from the embrace and looked upon her beloved brother and friend. "I missed you, Master."
"I'm so happy to see you." Anakin held Ahsoka in his arms a little longer. He always missed her when she was away on a long mission. She'd become such an intricate part of his life that even a week without her constantly nagging him with questions or unpacking the most random thoughts seemed outlandish to him. The bond they had created became unmatched and untouched.
They always had one another. They looked out for one another and took care of each other on and off the battlefield. They were connected for life and Anakin would have it no other way.
"Have you seen Padme yet?" Anakin asked.
"Not yet. I believe she went to meet with Riyo and Sabe," Ahsoka shrugged. "Probaby to share the news."
Anakin failed to resist rolling his eyes.
"What was that look for?" Ahsoka swatted Anakin's chest. "I thought you and Sabe were finally getting along."
"My standing with Sabe changes daily, Snips. I'm still the annoying, snot-nosed kid from Tatooine in her eyes."
"Hmm, she's got a point there," Ahsoka mocked jokingly
"Oh kriff you," Anakin scoffed and pulled on Ahsoka's lekku tendrils.. "You and the handmaidens are going to give me grey hair during this wedding process."
"Ha! Don't tell her that General. It'll only make her more eager," Rex grinned.
Ahsoka shot Rex a humorous sneer, "You know me too well."
"Well now, we've got a wedding party to plan, ladies and gentlemen," Sabe announced at the breakfast table. "I dub this the first official meeting!"
"That's not necessary," Padme shook her head. "It's only been a few hours, Sabs. Let's just bask a little."
"Nothing wrong with a little preparation," Sabe debated. "Besides since I'm obviously first pick for handmaiden of honor—"
"Oooooh," all of the troopers teasingly mused.
"Yes, envy me, you jealous harpies," Sabe smiled wide and fluttered her eyelashes.
Fox chuckled, "We'll be more than happy to take charge of security, Senator."
Padme smiled gently, "Thank you, Commander. It is absolutely appreciated
"I second Padme in this instance. Let's just bask in this, dearest." Riyo chimed to Sabe. "I'm still in a state of delightful shock over all of this. My dearest friend," Riyo reached her hand out to Padme, "It feels just like yesterday that you and I were both sitting in on our first meetings together."
Padme enveloped Riyo's hand. Her lip quivered at the memory, "We were so young then. Awkward youths trying to change the galaxy."
Sabe gasped and her smile grew fiendishly wide, "Speaking of growing older…"
Riyo's eyes were quizzical, "What?"
Padme's eyes went big and she smiled, "OH!"
"Am I missing something?" Riyo said quietly.
Fox snickered and leaned into Riyo, "I think they're talking about a certain, very adorable, Pantoran senator's birthday."
Riyo's eyes rolled, "Oh, no. No no. I— We're focusing on the wedding not my— "
"BIRTHDAY!" Fives jumped up in utter excitement. "RIYO'S BIRTHDAY!!!"
"Zip it, you egg! She's not even sure if she wants everyone to make a fuss about her birthday," Thorn reprimanded.
"Thank you," Riyo nodded at Thorn, "Someone is on my side."
"Although…" Thorn brought his caf up to his lips and grinned.
"So close," Riyo murmured as her shoulders slumped forward.
"We are suckers for a good party, Senator." Stone took small sips of his caf. "We may be soldiers but we are quite good at stirring up some pleasant mischief.'
The other troopers hooted wickedly, holding their cups of caf up and roguishly grinning at the ladies.
"I'm always good for extra muscle," Hound winked at Riyo.
"I can attest to that," Ruby said smugly as Hound nuzzled his nose into the side of her neck.
"Oh! Please can I help with your birthday outfit?" Dia squeaked, clapping her hands at the mention.
Riyo felt herself begin to blush as everyone's eyes settled on her at the table. Their smiles and excitement to celebrate her was enough to make her heart burst. In that short moment she was overwhelmed with the love that her friends showered her with. She felt Fox shift in his seat and lean over towards her. He whispered playfully, "It seems you've been outnumbered, Senator."
Riyo chuckled, "Whatever should I do, Commander? Is surrender the only option?"
Fox's hand rested upon hers at the table. Riyo's heart skipped a beat. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Sabe's lips curl up in absolute cheeky pleasure noticing Fox's gesture. "Well, in my humble opinion, being the Commander of the Elite Guard here in the bustling metropolis of Coruscant," Fox placed his hand on his chest sarcastically.
Thorn, Thire, Hound, Fives and Stone snorted in unison.
"Sometimes, surrendering to an experience is for our benefit," Fox said softly. "In terms of celebrations that is. Merriment deserves to be had."
"Like surrendering yourself to your beloved friends so they can celebrate you and your presence in their lives," Padme added, putting her hand on Riyo's shoulder. "If anyone deserves to be celebrated, it's you, dearest."
"But your wedding," Riyo felt her eyes begin to brim with tears of joy.
"My time will come soon enough and Maker knows, I'll be driving you all mad when the wedding plans begin to unfold," Padme laughed heartily.
Riyo took a deep breath and kissed Padme's hand lovingly. Her eyes met everyone sitting around her, her beloved friends and confidants.
"Alright," Riyo said with a smile. "Let's make some mischief."
The troopers cheered aloud raising their mugs high, "LET'S MAKE SOME MISCHIEF!"
Ruby, Dia, Sabe and Padme snuggled Riyo into a group hug.
"But where are we going? Will you all at least allot me that information? I'd like to have full knowledge of where I'm being kidnapped and carried off to for my birthday." Riyo asked with curiosity.
Fox smiled brightly, "I know the perfect place."
Fives gasped excitedly, "Wait! Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Thorn, Hound, Stone and Thire's faces shined as they realized what Fox was suggesting.
"Gentlemen, I think it's time for Riyo to go meet DeV. What do you say, boys?" Fox grinned.
The men shouted and cheered, " TO DEV'S!!"