The Rocker Chair,
Chapter 2
Much to his dismay, Padmé started madly coursing through her bureau. She began muttering curses that made even Anakin, who had grown up in the back streets of Mos Espa, blush.
"Where is Dormé?" she grumbled, alternately pulling out gowns and then discarding them. "I can't get into half of these blasted Senatorial gowns without her help!" She paused, running a hand through her hair and sighed in exasperation and turned to look at Anakin who hadn't said a word. When she saw the hurt expression on his face she paused, a little taken aback. "Ani? What wrong?" Padmé asked him softly.
"I thought you would stay home today," he said quietly, trying unsuccessfully to mask the hurt in his voice. "After all, you've been ill..." he looked down to the floor, aware that he was just repeating himself but unsure of what else to say. She put the last of the gowns she held back on to the back of the chair. Padmé wandered over to her husband who had turned away almost as if he were sulking. She put her hand on his shoulder and he pulled away, still not meeting her gaze. Smiling tenderly, she cupped his chin in her other hand, and turned his face towards her own.
"Anakin," she whispered. "Look at me..."
At first he resisted, his pride wounded, but at last he allowed her eyes to meet his own.
"I'm sorry," he said finally. "I've never dealt with anything like this before... I don't know how to treat you... how to act... I sent Dormé away and then sent word to the Chancellor's Office asking if they could excuse you for another day..."
Padmé suddenly silenced him with a kiss. She closed her eyes; slowly running her hands down his back and pulled him in closer. He tenderly returned her kiss, putting his arms around her back but carefully avoiding her belly.
At last, eyes still closed, she rested her head under his chin.
"Forgiven... this time" Padmé told him, and she began to giggle.
"What's so funny?" he asked irritably.
She didn't say anything but slowly moved his left hand down to her belly and held it there, even as he tried to pull away.
"Padmé, please..."
"Don't be silly Ani," she murmured into his breastbone, lacing her fingers into his. "There's nothing to be afraid of..."
"I'm not afraid!" replied Anakin, aware that the tremor in his voice belied the truth. "Really... It's just... just..."
She began to rock with him, and after a moment, Anakin began almost dreamily humming a lullaby.
"Is that for me, or for your baby?" Padmé asked him playfully. He didn't answer her directly but she could feel him tighten his embrace, ever so slightly.
"And now that you've got me to yourself today..." She pulled one hand slowly round to his front and traced a line lightly down his chest and abdomen with her finger tips. "Tell me 'Master Jedi'..." she whispered huskily and then softly nuzzled his throat.
"For OUR baby," he purred and suddenly lifted her into his arms. "I have OTHER plans for you..."
"Breakfast?" she asked him coyly.
"Breakfast," he agreed, carrying her back to their bed. "And something to eat afterwards..."