Chapter 3
Even now, almost six months later, Padmé felt flushed at the thought of that night. They only had a couple of days, but those had been two of the sweetest days they had spent together since they were married. She had nothing going on as far as Senate meetings and had been able to spend the entire two days in her quarters. Her guards had come to the door a couple of times to check on her, as they had not seen her leave, but she made an excuse about being sick and just wanting to stay in. She had been running a fever all right, but not the kind that they were thinking. They had made love that weekend with a fervor that put even their wedding night to shame.
Anakin seemed almost possessed, like he couldn't get enough of her. At the time she thought it was simply because they hadn't seen each other for so long, and their passions had overcame them. But the truth was there was something more, something she wasn't sure if she wanted to admit. He was still the Anakin she had fallen in love with, and yet something was different, he seemed darker somehow. She couldn't but her finger on it, and she wasn't sure if she wanted to.
"It's probably just the war getting to him. Being up on the front lines like that would get to anybody after awhile." That's what she tried to tell herself. It was a comfortable lie.
Yet she knew that was not entirely true either. It was simply more comforting to believe at the time, then to push the issue. They had such a short time together, she didn't want to waste any of it, and neither did Anakin. When they were together alone, it was like the rest of the galaxy ceased to exist, if only for a little while. When she had a chance to see him again, she could ask him, if he hadn't worked out whatever it was for himself by that time. At least that is what she told herself.
Another look at the chronometer, reminded Padmé that if she didn't get a move on quickly she was going to be quite late. She smacked the alarm off a little harder than necessary, and hesitatingly got out of bed. She dragged her self into the fresher and splashed some cold water on her face.
"Can't expect the galaxy to stop just because a Senator and her Jedi husband want to celebrate their anniversary." she said out loud to no one.
After exiting the fresher, she stepped to her closet to figure out an appropriate outfit for the day's meetings. She was meeting with the Senators from Corellia and Selonia to discuss a new bill regarding, trade routes and import tariffs. It was bad enough that all the Senate seemed to do lately was rehash the same old arguments they had been having for years. They were in the middle of a war. Instead of making progress toward finding a way to end it, they seemed to be caught up in more foolishness, and nothing was getting done. They had made no progress at all towards finding a solution, in fact they seemed to be further away from one, then when they had started a year ago.
She always hated it when she had to deal with the Corellians; everything always became a contest of wills. Just once she wished they would be up front instead of making everything twice as hard as it needed to be. Today of all day's she was most definitely not in the mood for games. Considering what else one of the Corellian Senators was likely to have on his mind, she opted for one of her more formal, least revealing gowns. It was a heavy high-necked gown of dark blue crushed velvet. Running out of time she opted to go with the Alderaanian style buns, instead of one of her more elaborate updos.
Taking one last look in the mirror, she decided she would opt for one more accessory today. It was a simple accessory, one that no one would notice. But it was something that meant more to her than anything else in her jewelry box. It was a small one of a kind carving on the end of a dark blue cord. Anakin had given it to her on their wedding night. The design was one that changed with the angle of the viewer, and on the back were three words that she wanted to keep close to her heart, especially on a day like today. Anakin would always be hers, and if she couldn't have her husband on her anniversary, she could at least have a part of him with her