CHAPTER FORTY ONE

FORGIVENESS

Anakin hanged his head once again. Another deep silence followed his geasture. Padmé sighed.

"Do you want to think it over?", she asked in a sweet tone. Anakin nodded. "Do you want me to help you on this?". Anakin smiled and grabbed her hand.

"No... I would really like to make this decision by myself. I really appreciate your help, though. But this would make a great difference in many people's lives, specialy mine. I need some time to think". Padmé smiled at him and squeezed his hand.

"Alright, I'll leave you alone", she said.

"No, don't go yet. Stay here with me", he asked. Padmé smiled.

Later that night, all the family was having dinner. Nobody was talking, everyone was concentrated on their food. From time to time, Padmé and Anakin would exchange glances for a couple of seconds, but that was it. Leia was giving Luke a hard look, because they had had a conversation earlier that evening where Luke agreed to appologize to his father. But he wasn't doing his part of the deal. Apparently he was too proud to admit that this akward situation in which the whole family was involved was his fault. In part, it was Anakin's fault too, but Luke was the one who pulled him to do what he did: hurt him. Kobby spoke up.

"Mommy, why's everyone so quiet?",  he asked softly. Padmé raised a brow and looked at him.

"Um… there has been some problems in the family lately", she answered. Kobby frowned.

"But why?", he asked confused.

"Because I was mean to dad, that's why", Luke answered raising his face and looking at Anakin. Padmé smiled and grabbed Luke's hand, encouraging him to continue. "I'm so sorry, father. Please forgive me". Anakin sighed and lowered his head. There was an akward silence.

"Ani, Luke is talking to you", Padmé said. Anakin raised his head and nodded.

"I know, honey", he whispered returning to his meal.

"Well, say something", she said impaciently.

"Luke, meet me in the conference room after dinner", Anakin said. Luke swallowed hard and nodded. Padmé gave Anakin a puzzled look, but all the answer she got from him was a raised brow and a:

"Your food will get cold, honey".

After an incredibly tense dinner, Anakin stood up and walked towards the hall. He stopped without turning around just to make sure that Luke was following him. When they both reached the conference room, Anakin closed the door and locked it. He was walking away from the door, when he returned to his previous position and smiled.

"Shmi, Leia, Kobby: get away from this door. You too, Padmé", he said trying to hold back a smile. He heard some shushing and whispering from the other side of the door and walked towards Luke when he realized that the rest of the family couldn't hear the conversation. Luke's knees were trembling.

"W…what is it, father?", he asked in a shaking voice. Anakin smiled.

"I wanted to tell you that I'm very proud of you", he said placing his hands on Luke's shoulders. Luke smiled.

"Really?", he asked disbelieving what he just heard. Anakin smiled again.

"Yes. You DID overcome your pride and ask for forgiveness. It takes a real man to do that". Luke's smile widened. He gave his father a big hug and laughed.

"Thank you, father. But... what are you going to do about your decision?", he asked curious. Anakin looked at his son.

"I wanted you to be the first to know that I'm leaving to Courasant tomorrow and discuss this issue with Yoda himself. I want to be the one to tell your...", he was interrupted when Padmé rushed into the room very upset.

"What are you talking about, Anakin?", she asked in a hard tone. Anakin stepped forward.

"I'm leaving to Courasant tomorrow so that I can talk about my decision with Yoda. I need his advice, his and Obi-Wan's", he explained.

"But Anakin, you just arrived home yesterday after a year, I won't let you leave us so soon", she said. Anakin looked over her shoulder and noticed that the rest of the family was on the door, waiting for his answer.

"Kids, would you please leave us alone? I need to talk to your mother in private".

"You're damn right...", she added. Anakin swallowed hard and gave a begging look to the children. They all left the room and Luke closed the door. Anakin looked into Padmé's piercing eyes. She was trowing flames at him.

"Please, Padmé...", he pleaded. Padmé's look softened and Anakin decided that it was a good time to continue. "It'll be away for just a couple of days, I promise you that..."

"I'm sick and tired of your promises, Anakin. You make it sound as if we don't trust each other", she interrupted.

"Alright, alright...", he said as he hugged her. "I'll be gone for just a couple of days, Padmé. I'll be back before you notice it". For some reason, Padmé was very emotional, and a couple of tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Do you want me to go with you?", she managed to say. Anakin smiled and looked at her.

"No. I need to figure this out by myself. Well, with Yoda's help. But thank you, Padmé. I know I can count on you for anything". Padmé nodded and wiped her tears.

"What time are you leaving?", she asked.

"Before sunrise. But I'll make you a deal: what if we spend the rest of the night together so that you won't miss me that much when I leave". Padmé let out a giggle.

"Ani, don't you think that that way I'll miss you even more?", she asked laughing.

"Well, if you are not up for it..."

"Oh no, I'm totally up for it!", she interrupted. Anakin smiled and kissed her.