Perfect

Chapter Six

"Hey sis," my older sister Sola said as she stepped up to my side and turned to view the gathered crowd. Soon, there would barely be enough room in the dance area to move. "You've put on quite a show this year. Much better than the last one. And I'm glad you changed gowns. That silver and blue monstrosity must've weighed a ton."

It did, but I'd hadn't complained. It was a beautiful work of art and I'd worn it proudly. The gown I had changed into for the evening's festivities was a slightly darker shade of blue with a warm lining. The wind blowing across the falls chilled the Naboo nights and I was quite comfortable. At least before Sola had joined me.

Don't get me wrong. I love my sister, but sometimes she can be a tad overbearing, and frankly, quite meddlesome. Especially when it came to my personal life. I was happy she had found someone who made her happy and was more than pleased when I'd learned they were expecting a child. I loved children and someday wished to have a few of my own. Obi-Wan would make a wonderful father, in my opinion.

"So, I noticed you dancing with that handsome Jedi a little while ago. What's his name?"

"Obi-Wan Kenobi," I informed her, which was the easiest thing to do. If I hadn't, she would've pressed me for the information until I caved. "He was one of the Jedi who rescued us from the Neimodians."

"Oh, that's right," she recalled while rubbing her slightly swollen belly. "He's more handsome than I remember. Perhaps you've noticed."

"Maybe," I said, deciding to play along for the moment until I changed my mind. "I know what you're getting at Sola, but we're just friends. Besides, he's too busy with his padawan to even consider being romantically involved with someone."

"He has a padawan?" she questioned with interest as she glanced around, more than likely trying to find him. "Perhaps he'll be suitable for you."

"He's eleven years old," I informed her flatly.

"Okay," she agreed momentarily. "In a few years though, he'll be eighteen and you'll be..."

"Twenty-seven," I finished for her. I wouldn't want her to strain herself or anything.

"See? That could work. It's time you start thinking about things other than politics. You're not getting any younger, you know."

I gazed at my older sibling and pasted on a smile. I knew that deep down, all she wanted was for me to find happiness although she often went about it the wrong and most annoying way. I wish I could tell her about the proposal, but she wasn't very good at keeping secrets, and I wasn't ready for everyone in Naboo to learn I was about to marry a Jedi.

"I think Mom needs you," I suggested after I spied my parents glancing in our direction. My mother had always kept an eye on me whenever Sola was around. We had given her a lot of grief by squabbling too much while we were growing up.

"All right. I know when I'm not wanted. We're heading home soon. I just wanted to tell you what an amazing job you've done. Everyone's apparently having a wonderful time."

Compliments from Sola were as rare as the hug I received following it.

"Thanks, sis," I said. "Tell mom and dad I'll comm them tomorrow."

After Sola left, I checked the silver chrono I kept clipped inside the bodice of my gown. Nearly forty-nine minutes had passed since Obi-Wan had informed me I was to meet him at the fountain. To get there without everyone noticing, I would need to mingle first. I stepped into the crowd to do just that, bumping into none other than Jar Jar Binks. Just great! This particular Gungan was extremely verbose and very difficult to get away from. I hoped he wasn't going to make me late for my own wedding!

After listening to him tell me how terrific the food was, as well as the music, my dress, the speech I gave, and each and every single decorative item within sight, the plaza tower chimed the hour. At that exact moment, the first of many firework displays planned for that evening exploded overhead in a dazzling display of multicolored sparkling light. It was enough of a distraction that I could slip away far more easily, and I walked toward the fountain as quickly as I could in the confining blue cloth wrapped about my legs.

By the time I arrived, Obi-Wan was looking tense, although he relaxed once I made an appearance. Indeed, just as he said, a monk from one of the hillside monasteries was there, appearing smug and impatient.

"Ready?" Obi-Wan asked while extending his hand.

I was nervous but determined and I greedily accepted the invitation before he changed his mind. I looked at the man presiding over the ceremony, uncertain how Obi-Wan had contacted him. Most of his kind kept themselves isolated in their temples built outside of the city. "You may proceed."

Due to time constraints and the secrecy we were trying to keep, the formalities were abridged and no vows were exchanged, other than the promises we made to one another secretly locked behind our stares.

I had accepted Obi-Wan's proposal without a doubt or second thought; completely confident that I could cope with the fact he would be leaving in the morning. I'd convinced myself that his love was worth any sacrifice I had to make; that I could stand the long stretches of time spent alone, simply for the fact that he would eventually return to me.

How was I to know I was setting myself up for the biggest heartache of my life?

"I'm sorry."

Anakin's words were heartfelt. I could tell by the look of compassion on his face.

"You really loved him, didn't you?"

I smiled and sighed away part of my anxiety. It was important for Anakin to understand why I had rejected his advances.

Over time, I had come to accept my fate although it didn't stop me from occasionally pining for what could and should have been. Once more as I had done a million times over the past ten years, I brought out the token of our commitment which hung from a thin golden chain around my neck. It wasn't much, but it meant the galaxy to me and I held it gently in the palm of my hand as if it were a priceless treasure.

"Hold on. Can I look at that for a second?"

Nervously, I stretched the strand out for Anakin to examine.

"That's what he gave you as his vow?" the young man spouted before he chuckled loudly. "You do realize this is a tuning flange from a lightsaber."

"I know," I said with a huff of disapproval, depositing the item back to where it belonged, hanging between my breasts, close to my heart. It was nothing but a metal band with holes in it. I had watched Obi-Wan remove it from his lightsaber and hand it to the monk. It didn't matter that it was easily replaced or that it cost next to nothing; it was the symbol of his commitment to me, that his life as a Jedi was now a part of my life as well.

"He promised to replace it someday with something nicer, but I don't think I'll allow it. This has meaning and it's important.

"Whatever," the young man replied. "I think it's pretty lame. If it had been me, I would've planned a little better and bought you the best ring I could afford. You deserve it."

I could've retorted rather sarcastically at his comment, but I realized Anakin was recovering from a disappointment of his own - one that I had inadvertently caused. He was young, however, and hopefully would get over it quickly. At least I hoped so.

"I appreciate that," I told him instead.

"He never came through on his promise though, did he?"

"About the ring?" I asked when I wasn't certain which promise he was talking about. Actually, the answer would've been the same for any of them. "No, he didn't. But a nicer piece of jewelry isn't what I want." I hated to keep adding fuel to the fire burning in the young man's eyes, but he needed to know how deeply in love I was with his Master. "I want Obi-Wan," I told him, a sudden and unexpected burst of emotion causing my voice to warble.

I would keep the memory of what had happened after the ceremony safely locked away in my own mind. I wasn't about to share it with Anakin or anyone else. Those few precious hours we spent together were what kept the hope alive that someday he would come back to me.