First Impressions
By Adrian, formally known as K. Skywalker
Anakin Skywalker's ship, Queen of the Angels, landed with much ease on the slate platform. He hit the comm. switch that was connected to his mother's room alerting her that they had arrived on Coruscant just as she entered the small cockpit. Anakin turned around, sensing her presence behind him. "Oh my stars Ani! It is so massive! Look at all the ships and the People!" She worked in with a gasp.
Anakin smiled, recognizing the reaction that was not so unlike his own years ago. "It is a little different than Mos Eisley." He said with a laugh as he stood up and led his mother down the plank to the platform, carrying her one suitcase in his hand. Amidala had sent a speeder to pick them up and both Skywalkers loaded their things in the trunk.
Through the whole ride to the palace apartments, Shmi stared out of the window in amazement at the large buildings that covered the planet and the speeders bustling about. Anakin just smiled at her, glad that she was by his side.
"We have arrived sir, do you need help with your luggage?" The driver said with a slight Alderannian accent. "No, We can manage." Anakin said as he handed the driver a few credits and took the luggage out of the speeder trunk. "This way mom," Anakin said as he took her inside the palace where she would soon meet her heirs…and daughter in law.
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"Luke! Leia! What in the WORLD are you doing!" Amidala said as she stood in the doorway of the kitchen, holding her youngest son Alec in her arms. Leia and Luke both looked over at their mother and smiled, their little face covered in flour among other ingredients, identical to the kitchen. "We are making Daddy and Grandma cookies! It is a surprise!" Leia said seriously, almost like royalty. Luke just giggled like a silly farm-boy and continued mixing the concoction to which both Skywalker twins had contributed.
Amidala tried to force the smile off her face; "You two are a work of art I must say." Alec giggled, "Mommy, brother and sissy made a messy!" He whispered in her ear. Amidala couldn't keep the grin from spreading to both sides of her face. "Why don't we try to clean up this mess before your father and grandmother get here."
She went into the family room and put Alec down in front of the holo-vid, which put him in the usual trance as he watched the cartoons. Then she walked in to the kitchen, only to here the swoosh of the front door behind her. That only meant one thing, her mother-in-law and husband were finally there, and her kitchen and children were a complete mess.
She looked at the twins who were rushing around the kitchen. "NUTS!" Luke almost yelled. "What's wrong Luke?" Ami asked as she tried to quickly wipe off the counters, "We didn't finish the cookies!" Amidala stopped what she was doing and began to laugh. "I am sure they won't mind Luke, at least you two tried." Luke just shrugged.
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"Anybody home?" Anakin called as he stepped into the large foyer, his voice echoing through the house. "Come on mother, I am sure somebody is somewhere in this house." Shmi just nodded as she looked around, very impressed by her surroundings. The foyer had a large vaulted ceiling made of tan Ithoranian Marble that matched the floor and walls and the beautiful stained glass windows at the peek of the ceiling were draped with Alderannian silk. As she walked through the large opening that entered the living area, she caught her breath at the beautiful surroundings.
The walls and floors were also made of Ithoranian Marble, but it was Grey and the floors were covered by massive Naboo style Rugs, while Alderannian silk drapes that covered the windows. The furniture was covered with Red Corellian silk, which was stronger and wore better than Alderranian. The furniture was covered with multi-colored pillows made of all different fabrics. The walls were also covered with many breath taking tapestries.
At the far end of the room, a pair of old-fashioned French-doors were set in the wall a few feet. They were made of a dark type of wood and had shining silver handles. As she looked to her left she saw a small open area cut into the marble, inside the open area the marble was red and a stone table held a beautiful vase of flowers. On each side of the room, there was a pair of French-doors identical to the first pair she saw. On another side of the wall, an exquisite fireplace was built into the marble, with beautiful designs carved in the hard rock.
A few feet away from the opening, a marble staircase spiraled up into the ceiling, Shmi guessed it was to the upstairs. Also, there were glass statues in beautiful colors strung around the living room. She couldn't help feel as if she was in a castle.
At that moment, the doors at the other end of the room opened and a lovely woman in a flowing lilac dress gracefully walked in with a small toe-headed boy in her arms. Her face was slightly smudged with flour and her hair was pulled into a tight crown around her head leaving a long, thick strand of loose brown hair falling down her back. She smiled at both of them but her eyes rested on Anakin. The little boy also smiled.
Breaking the silence, a little boy and a little girl covered in flour rushed in, screaming loudly and ran into their fathers arms. "Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! We tried to make you and grandmother cookies…" Leia began, but Luke interrupted her and finished the sentence. "…But we didn't get them finished and Mommy made us clean it up." He pouted, but when he saw Shmi he smiled and ran to her giving her a hug. "Hello there," she said, Leia quickly followed her brother's action and they both engulfed their grandmother in a huge hug.
Amidala walked over and stood by Anakin, who was practically beaming at the sight. He kissed Alec on the forehead and Ami on the cheek, putting his arm around his wife. "Ani, I invited Sabe' and Obi-Wan for dinner tonight. I hope you don't mind they really wanted to meet your mother." Anakin smiled at her, "Sounds good to me. Did you really get the whole kitchen cleaned?" He asked as Leia and Luke began telling stories to Shmi. Amidala shook her head. "Well then," Anakin continued, "How about I go use a few tricks and get that place spotless and you can give her a tour, get to know each other a little better." He held her a little tighter. "Ok," Amidala agreed, "Better get to work fly boy."
Anakin grinned and took Alec out of her arms, then he kissed Ami on the nose. "Luke, Leia, why don't you let mommy take grandmother on the grand tour and you two come help me clean the kitchen. I hear it is a real disaster area. Leia did as her father told her, with Luke close behind. "See you two in a bit." Anakin said as he walked into the French Doors Ami had come out with the twins on his heels.
"Shall we?" Amidala said as she picked Shmi's suitcase off the floor. Shmi smiled and walked over to the couch, as she sat down she patted the seat beside her, "Why don't we get to know each other a little better first ok?" Amidala sat the suitcase down with a smile and walked over to sit by her mother-in-law.
To Be Continued…