Chapter 14

Anakin POV

I woke up to my communicator beeping meaning that someone was trying to contact me. I rolled over and hit the button. I was so not ready to deal with Obi-Wan or Depa right now.

"Go away," I growled.

Padme's image came up, "Hello, Anakin?" she asked.

I panicked and looked down. I was wearing black pants and no shirt, so nothing she hadn't seen before. But my hair was unkempt and my room was a mess.

"Hey, Padme," I said flashing her a sheepish smile. "I wasn't expecting you."

"Oh, who were you expecting?"

"No one important," I said.

"Do you have a minute? Can you talk?" she asked.

"Yeah. Of course," I said. I could do anything for her.

"I have been thinking about us," she started.

My heart raced. I said nothing.

"I'm not ready for you to move back in or anything Anakin." My heart sank. "But," she continued, "I think we can try this. Us again."

"Really?" I said too hopefully. This was pathetic I sounded like a lost puppy, she called and I came running.

"I have some conditions," she said.

"Name them." I would give into anything.

"First nothing physical until I know I can really trust you."

"Okay," I muttered.

"Second we go public. I mean immediately. If the Jedi make you choose between me and the Order we will deal with that when we get there."

"Absolutely!" I said. I was excited about that one. I hated keeping the secret by the end of it all.

"Wow, did'nt think you would agree to that. Okay, third, I guess you would be my boyfriend, and as my boyfriend you would need to meet my family and declare your intentions."

I tried to keep a straight face. I really tried, but I could feel a smile break out.

"Ani, I am serious," Padme said.

"I know. But what am I going to say? Hey we were married and had twins, but can we have your blessing on our dating again? It's a little backwards, Padme."

"Please Ani, I would really appreciate it," she pleaded.

"Yeah, Of course. What else?" I asked.

"The rest would be just to take it slow and let it just happen. Don't rush this," she said.

"Okay," I said.

"Wait. There is something else. Now that we are together, I was wondering if we could all do lunch. Obi-Wan, Satine, Ashoka, Rex, You, Me, Shmi, Qui-Gon, My mom and dad. What do you say?"

"That is a lot of schedules to get together," I said, hoping that would save me.

"Well, we kind of already did it. Everybody's free for lunch in two days from now. So will you come?"

I sighed, "Of course."

Her smile made it worth it.

"Hello General," said Rex, as we met on the porch of the Neberie house.

"Hey Rex," I said shaking his hand. "Thanks for coming."

"Well sir, when you are meeting the in-laws. It never hurts to have back-up."

Then Qui-Gon and my mom pulled up in a speeder. Mom was wearing a bright blue dress that made her look like Naboo royalty. I smiled as I was glad we had come a long way from being slaves.

"Hi honey," she said.

"Hey mom. You look beautiful," I said giving her a kiss on the cheek.

She looked me straight in the eyes. "Don't be nervous, Ani. Just be yourself."

I nodded, and followed them into the house. But quietly I thought to myself, "I don't know who I am anymore."

Lunch was served and everybody dug in. We had mainly fruits and vegetables that were found in the Neberies garden.

"This is delicious," said Rex.

"Glad you like it," said Jobal, Padme's mother. "Its Padme's favorite."

Suddenly, Ruwee threw down his fork. "What are we doing? I mean it, what the hell are we doing?"

"Ruwee, don't," said Jobal.

"We buried our daughter and our grandchildren when she was 27. She was 27! She was a child. She had her whole life ahead of her, and now here we are breaking bread with her killer."

"He did not kill me, Daddy! I died in childbirth," said Padme.

"What is your defense?" he asked me.

I looked down at my plate and tried to focus myself. If I let him push me over the edge I was gonna hurt somebody and just my luck it would be Padme.

"I don't have a defense for what I did," I said. "I was terrified that I was going to lose her, and it got twisted somehow. I cant even explain what happened. I know I hated myself for hurting her, and I am willing to do anything to keep her safe... even if it means not being with her."

"I think that is what you should do," said Ruwee.

"That is not you choice to make," said Padme. Suddenly she slammed her hand down on the table. "I was Queen of a planet when I was 14 years old. I led my people to victory over the Trade Federation. My people were suffering and dying and I stopped it. Then I lead an attack on a vote against the creation of an army in the senate. Then I stood my ground as the sith turned our republic into an empire. I will not sit here and let you two decide whether he is good enough for me. I will make my own choice." Then she turned and stormed out of the room.

"You brought that on yourself, Ruwee" said his wife, Jobal.

"This was amazing," I said as I got up. "I am going to clear my head."

I went out on the back porch and closed my eyes. I reached out with the force and tried to sense where others were. This process usually had a calming effect on me. I breathed in and out slowly and tried to feel my heartbeat. With each breathe, peace flowed through my veins. This was the light side. I had not felt it in years. It felt good.

Suddenly I felt a presence close to me. I opened my eyes and smiled as I turned to my angel.

"He is protecting you," I said.

"I don't need bodyguards. I need answers," she said. "Are you a Sith or a Jedi?"

"I am a man who is desperately in love with you."

"Oh Anakin," she said coming towards me. We share a kiss under a blanket of stars.