~~ = Anakin
++ = Padmé
...you may kiss the bride.'
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~~
I paused for a minute, holding onto the moment the best I could, freeze framing it in my mind forever. The soft rippling of the of the translucent water below us, the ever changing horizon of Naboo's beautiful sunset, the way the wind was dancing through her rich brown hair. Padmé's hair...my wife! I searched her eyes for any sign of doubt, but there was none, all I saw was love. I squeezed her right hand tightly wishing I could stroke her beautiful face with my other, but my hand...it was gone. Something I would have to live with for the rest of my life. I subconsciously clenched my new mechanical fingers while I again searched her eyes once more, but they were unchanged. She was waiting, waiting for me. I slowly leaned forward, wanting this moment to never end and when our lips met, my heart exploded right in my chest. I wanted to kiss her and never stop! In the instant my mind started racing, thoughts bouncing through my head. Regret for the secret our love have to be kept, and anger and sadness because the only other women I had ever loved was not here to see my wedding...my mother. But mostly I was consumed by the passion I got from Padmé and soon all my thoughts were swept away and I was only living in the moment, in the kiss.
The first kiss Padmé and I shared as husband and wife.
~~
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++
The kiss continued on forever, and that was the way I wanted it to be. I wanted to become lost in this moment and never return. But the present has a will of it's own, and our lips began to slip apart. I could hear R2's distinctive whistling and 3PO's polite metallic clapping and my heart exploded with joy. I was married! Married to the boy who feel in love with me 10 years ago. Now he was mine, my Annie. I opened my eyes and found he was looking back at me. I gave his hand a little squeeze and we both started beaming. We turned to face the beautiful sunset and Anakin put his arms around me. I leaned into his and looked up into his gorgeous face and we both giggled again. C-3PO being so 'human incentive' had to take R2's hint to go back inside the cottage leaving me and Anakin alone. I turned to watch the pair through the door and quietly laughed. I really did love those two. Anakin softly blew into my ear and I felt his strong arms still around me. I twisted around into his embrace and kissed him again. Everything as so perfect! Everything was the way I lately had been dreaming it would be.
I looked up into the sky and saw that the sun was now completely down behind the low rolling hills and that storm clouds were quickly gathering. Something unusual for Naboo. Funny how the weather has such an impact on our emotions because in that instant a shadow past over my heart. Anakin must have sensed it because he gripped me even tighter.
"Padmé, what's wrong?
I inhaled deeply and let out a long sigh.
"I'm just think about when we are going to have to leave this place."
"Don't", he whispered in my ear, "Don't think about it."
And with that he trailed his fingers down my back like the first time we were up here on the balcony and he started kissing me passionately. I didn't hold back.
And for the rest of the night, those same thoughts didn't cross my mind again.
++
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To be Continued...