CHAPTER TWENTYTWO

MIDNIGHT TALK

When the twins turned four, Obi-Wan took Luke as his Padawan learner. Leia was a little sad at the beginning, but she got used to it. Now she joined her mother on her senate meetings and helped her to 'organize' her papers. Actually, she didn't help much, but Padmé loved to have her daughter near her. Now that Anakin couldn't be a Jedi anymore, he was the new commander of Theed palace. Padmé was happy because Anakin was by her side all the time, but she could tell that he missed being a Jedi.

One night, Padmé and Anakin were lying on bed, holding each other and talking. It wasn't a special conversation, they were just talking about their children and their marriage. They never talked about jobs or duties when they were alone. That was the forbidden topic. They stayed quiet for a while, when Padmé realized about something.

"Anakin, I just realized something".

"What is it, honey?", he asked brushing her hair with his fingers.

"Well, I'm five years older than you". Anakin laughed. "What, what is it?", she said tickling him on the ribs.

"I can't believe that you just realized that", he said still laughing. Padmé rolled her eyes and softly punch his arm.

"No, it's not that. It's just that when you are 30, I'll be 35".

"Yes, so what?", Anakin asked confused.

"And when you turn 40 I'll be 45! Anakin, I'll be so old for you, and I'll look much older. By the time you are 45, you'll not like me anymore", she said worried. Anakin nodded and squeezed her, comforting her.

"Padmé Naberrie Skywalker: after six years of a wonderful marriage, you should know better. You know I'll love you forever, no matter how old you are". Padmé turned to look at him and caressed his cheek.

"You really mean that, Ani?"

"Of course I do, Padmé", he assured her. Padmé smiled and kissed him. when they broke apart, Anakin smiled. "Besides, the fact that you are older than me, has it's advantages. Once I'm 40, you can help me to overcome the 40's crisis and give some advice". Anakin laughed, but Padmé didn't think that his comment was amusing. She rolled away from him ans turned her back offended. Anakin laughed and move next to her. He wrapped his arms around her and Padmé tried to release from his embrace.

"Come on, let go Anakin. I mean it!", she threaten. But Anakin didn't let her go. He pressed her tightly against him and kissed he shoulders, still laughing.

"Oh, come on, honey. You know I was joking. Besides, I've got a surprise for you..." Padmé's curiosity grew, and she turned to face him.

"What?", she asked seriously. Anakin smiled at her wife.

"Luke's coming for a visit this weekend".

Padmé's smile couldn't have get wider than it was right then. She wrapped her arms around Anakin's neck and asked him over and over if it was true. She hadn't seen Luke for three months now, and she really missed him.

"Now I'm forgiven?", Anakin asked smiling.

"Issue forgiven, forgotten", Padmé answered smiling at her husband.

"Who's my favorite old maid?". It was a big risk to ask that, but he needed to do it so that he could prove Padmé's patience. She'd probably slap him in the face and send him to sleep at the balcony. At least. . . For his surprise, she smiled and leaned closer to him so that their noses were touching. She wrinkled her nose and smiled.

"I am". They kissed and held each other until they fall asleep.

*********************

The next morning, Padmé was very excited. Luke was going to arrive at any time now, and she couldn't wait to see him. the space shuttle FINALLY landed at their hangar. She ran towards it and waited for the door to open. When it did, Luke came down wearing Jedi Padawan robes and the classic hairstyle that came with it.

Padmé ran towards her son and picked him up. She held him tight and kissed his head and face. Luke wrinkled his face and pushed her away, begging her to stop. Padmé gave him one final kiss on his cheek and noticed Anakin was standing behind her, waiting to hold his son. She let Anakin carry his son and hug him. suddenly, Leia came running into the hangar screaming Luke's name. Luke saw his sister and yelled her name back. Anakin smiled and let Luke ran to her sister. They hugged and laughed, very happy to see each other again. Leia was very curious about his brother's new hairstyle, she kept tugging his braid and ponytail. Luke complained at first but then he let her have her way. Padmé wrapped her arm around Anakin and they both watched as their children played. Somebody behind them cleared it's throat. They turned around and saw Obi-Wan.

"I'm so sorry, Obi-Wan. How rude of us. . .", Padmé apologized, but she was interrupted.

"Don't worry, it's alright. I know you must be pretty excited about seeing Luke again".

"When Anakin told me the news, I couldn't believe it", she said smiling.

"Yes, it's the greatest news we've heard in a long time around here", Anakin added. Obi-Wan smiled to himself and sighed.

"Well, I guess that there are more good news coming, Anakin. . .", Obi-Wan said in a mysterious tone. Anakin was curious, so was Padmé.

"Why, what is it?", Anakin asked smiling. Obi-Wan took a deep breath and placed his hand on Anakin's shoulder.

"There's a way that you can get your powers back".