Chapter four
(A.N. Thanks everybody for your reviews. You will not believe how they
make me happy! Thanks a mil.)
As the shoppers came back inside what greeted them besides the smell of fresh-baked cookies and the warmth of the fireplace, was Obi-Wan Kenobi.
"Anakin, there's no question here Anakin." Obi-Wan said. "Come and help me with these lights or else you are going to be doing physical workout until you cant move anymore."
Anakin cracked a smile, "Surely Master, only you would be able to conquer the evil power of the Christmas tree lights."
Padme handed the fashion doll to Sola, "I thought you had them working when we left Master Kenobi."
"Come M'lady," Obi-Wan said, regaining his polite composure, "See for yourself."
Walking into he family room, Padme saw the tastefully decorated tree. The ornaments had already been put on it, and the garlands had already been draped in it's ever-green limbs. However, there was a very serious problem. The lights were bright and sparkling, but only HALF of them were lit! The tree looked pitifully decapitated without the rest of the lights. In fact it looked like a Hershey kiss with the top bitten off.
Anakin turned to Obi-Wan, "Master, why'd you put them on with only half of the lights working?"
"Force Anakin!" Obi-Wan said, turning quite red, "Make another crack and I'll put my foot in your mouth!"
Anakin held up his hands defensively, "Master, calm yourself. Remember, fear leads to anger, anger leads to ha-"
"I know perfectly well where it leads to," Obi-Wan said, interrupting his padawan, "What I'm saying is: fix it or else you will have suffering!"
Anakin shrugged walking over to the tree. "Yes Master. I'll try to do this incredibly difficult task."
Padme laughed, "be nice."
Anakin smiled at her, nodding. Starting to work on the rebellious Christmas-Tree lights.
Padme walked through the house. The two kids were watching an old Christmas halo, Obi-Wan was working in the kitchen with her parents, and Sola was still in the back room wrapping presents. Anakin, was still messing with the Christmas tree lights.
"Hey Jedi." Padme said as she walked up behind him.
"Hi." Anakin said, unscrewing and then screwing back in yet another light bulb. "How long have you had these lights anyway?" He asked.
Padme grunted, "Four about ten years."
"Next Christmas I'm definently going to buy you some new lights." Anakin said. "I've taken apart bombs that had sensitive fuses, I've fixed hyperdrives. But NOTHING was as boring or took me as long as these stupid lights!"
"What do you think is wrong with them?" Padme asked.
Anakin looked down at her, then sighed. "Well, you see that green one?"
Padme nodded.
"Well, it's mad at the blue one because the blue one is supposedly brighter."
Padme shrugged, rubbing his back.
"I don't know sith-spit what's wrong with them." Anakin answered.
"Why in the universe did I ask?" Padme said to herself. "Anymore tricks up your sleeve?"
Anakin nodded slowly, "Actually..."
To Padme's surprise the young Jedi took the lights with both hands, and began to shake them. Violently!
First they blinked, then the lights began to glow. Lighting up the room with their warm glow.
"That's quiet a trick." Padme said.
"Aggressive negotiations." Anakin answered, a satisfied smile curving his lips. "Almost always works."
Padme sighed, "Boy am I glad you're not in polotics."
Anakin grunted in a semi-agreement.
"Alright everyone," Obi-Wan yelled from the kitchen, "Supper's ready."
Anakin turned toward the kitchen, "you mean the charcoal is ready!"
Obi-Wan didn't reply to that comment. But Padme did hear something about 'smart-alic, brat' in Obi-Wan's mumbling.
"Anakin," Padme said, leading him into the kitchen, "You're getting a mean streak."
Anakin laughed, "I'm just drunk on Christmas-tree lights."
Padme eyed him, "I'm just glad you don't have to drive home."
Supper consisted of hotdogs, left-over pizza, and ice-cream. Nobody was that hungry since most of them had already eaten too much cooky-dough, and cherries from the Cherie-pie.
Still, of course, Anakin had a burping contest with Ryoo and Pooja. Ryoo wone. And Padme couldn't help but remark how surprised she was. Saying she was surprised, since Anakin certainly had enough hot air to win. This comment made Anakin blush crimson because he couldn't think of a witty remark. Then it was getting close to bedtime, and all the kids started to hang up their stockings.
"Well, Anakin," Sola said smiling, "Where is your stocking?"
Anakin sighed, "Back in my other life."
"We can let you use one of our old ones." Pooja said, holding up a soft furry stocking.
"That's okay, Pooja." Obi-Wan said, giving the little girl a small smile, "We arn't allowed to get presents."
"Ohh.." Sola said, Only now remembering in truth who their guests were.
"I've already thought of that." Padme said, turning to Obi-Wan. "Just hang them up. I've arranged it so you wont be in risk of breaking any Jedi oaths."
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, but still had a hint of skepticism. "Then I guess we can."
Ryoo and Pooja were overjoyed, and it showed on their young faces. It was quite obvious that they had adopted ANakin and Obi-Wan into their selective family tree.
Soon the stockings were hung, and all was silent as a mouse in the Naboo house... -------------------------------------------------------Christmas!----------- -------------------------------------
"Anakin! Anakin!"
Anakin skywalker opened his eyes, to stare right into Ryoo's. The little kid was ecstatic.
"Come and look! Santa came! Come and look at all the presents!" She literally grabbed his hand and pulled him out of his cot.
Anakin groaned as he tried to get his eyes to focus. "Can't I just see 'em later?"
"No!" She replied, hopping up and down, "We can't open them until everyone's in there!" That's when she saw Anakin's bulging stocking still hanging next to the fireplace. "Did you look in your stocking yet?"
Anakin shrugged on a boot, "No."
Ryoo was shocked, "Can I?"
"Sure." Anakin struggled with his other boot.
Taking down Anakin's stocking Ryoo looked inside...And gasped.
Anakin leaned over to look inside the stocking, and began to laugh. Inside of the worn stoking were snickers, mars bars, three musketeers, almond joys, butter fingers, and baby ruths. The thing was overflowing with candy. Padme was right. Jed weren't allowed to have presents, but they were allowed to eat. She was getting just as good at bending the rules as he was.
"Common!" Ryoo said, grabbing his hand again. "Come and see the rest of the presents!"
As they walked into the family room, Anakin noticed that everyone was just as groggy as he was. Well, almost everybody...
"Haven't I told you not to stay up too late my very young apprentice?" Obi-Wan asked, who-unlike everyone else, was fully dressed.
Anakin grunted, sitting down cross-legged at Padme's feet.
"Sleep well Anakin?" Padme asked.
"Uh-huh." Anakin answered, "Just not long enough."
Padme ran her hand through Anakin's short blonde hair, and he rested his head against her knee, closing his eyes.
Padme's dad stood next to the tree, "This is for Pooja!"
Anakin opened his eyes to see Pooja opening a very familiar box. Then as she ripped off the wrapping paper he saw the pink box. Yup, it was the fashion doll alright. Pooja took the doll out of it's box and hugged it, running her fingers through it's long purple hair.
"If I remember correctly," Anakin said, leaning toward Pooja, "That's a special order from the North Poll."
"Really?" Pooja asked, her eyes flashing with curiosity, "How would you know?"
Anakin bobbed his head slyly, "Jedi and Santa Clause work together a lot."
"Wow! Have you ever seen him?"
"Yeah!"
Padme cut in, "And right after that he got coal in his stocking for peeking!"
Anakin nudged her, "Thanks."
"Alright everybody!" Padme's father said, readying the moment, "Come and get your presents!"
That was when the utter chaos ensued. Wrapping flew, presents emerged, and notes were read.
"Padme!" Pooja said, still clutching the fashion doll, "There's a present for you!"
"Where?" Padme asked.
"Over on the other side of the tree." Anakin answered knowingly.
"Hmm.." Padme said looking over at Obi-Wan who was helping Ryoo to get a toy out of it's stubborn wrapper, "That tree looks awfully threatening. I don't know if I could go back there without my Jedi Protector."
Anakin sighed, pretending to be putting up with what she asked, "Very well M'lady." However, his smile over-ruled the act.
Padme walked behind the tree, with Anakin following her, and she found a small package lodged in the tree's limbs. The box was grey, with a white ribbon around it, and a string was tied to it. Attached to the string was a note that said, 'To Padme' in Anakin's scratchy handwriting.
Padme held the small box in her hand, wandering what the mystery present was.
"Well..." Anakin said expectantly, "Open it!"
Padme laughed quietly, nodding. She pulled the ribbon away, and opened the box. And inside was a wring. It was silver, with a tiny blue diamond in the middle that reflected the light of the Christmas-tree lights. For a moment Padme didn't say anything.
"Do you like it?" Anakin asked lifting his eyebrows, wrapping his arms around her waist, "Gee, say anything! If you have to say, 'Anakin, this thing is hideous! Take it back'...Anything!"
Padme laughed, "No Anakin," she whispered, "It's perfect."
"Then you like it?"
"Yes!"
"Then put it on." Taking the little box Anakin took out the ring, and slipped it on Padme's finger. "See, I could tell you wanted one." Anakin said. He knew that they didn't wear wedding rings because it was too dangerous, but he could tell it just didn't feel right with her. It was one of the many advantages of being a Jedi.
Padme wrapped her arms around his neck, and gave him a kiss. One that was long and sweet.
"Thanks." She whispered, after the kiss had ended.
"Glad you liked it." Anakin said, a big smile curving at his lips. He looked like a little kid that was so pleased with what he had done he might explode. "Although I don't know why you call this a holiday, we haven't gotten a chance to relax yet."
Padme laughed, "Just wait, we still have to deliver Christmas cookies..."
The END! Merry Christmas to all! And to all a goodnight! Now I'm done I'm gonna take a nap! Merry Christmas!
(A.N. I haven't worked really hard on the Different Past because I didn't think you guys would like it. I'll work as much on it as I can. But I've been really busy. I really can't tell how long 'till I've got more up on it, but I will finish it..I PROMIS!)
As the shoppers came back inside what greeted them besides the smell of fresh-baked cookies and the warmth of the fireplace, was Obi-Wan Kenobi.
"Anakin, there's no question here Anakin." Obi-Wan said. "Come and help me with these lights or else you are going to be doing physical workout until you cant move anymore."
Anakin cracked a smile, "Surely Master, only you would be able to conquer the evil power of the Christmas tree lights."
Padme handed the fashion doll to Sola, "I thought you had them working when we left Master Kenobi."
"Come M'lady," Obi-Wan said, regaining his polite composure, "See for yourself."
Walking into he family room, Padme saw the tastefully decorated tree. The ornaments had already been put on it, and the garlands had already been draped in it's ever-green limbs. However, there was a very serious problem. The lights were bright and sparkling, but only HALF of them were lit! The tree looked pitifully decapitated without the rest of the lights. In fact it looked like a Hershey kiss with the top bitten off.
Anakin turned to Obi-Wan, "Master, why'd you put them on with only half of the lights working?"
"Force Anakin!" Obi-Wan said, turning quite red, "Make another crack and I'll put my foot in your mouth!"
Anakin held up his hands defensively, "Master, calm yourself. Remember, fear leads to anger, anger leads to ha-"
"I know perfectly well where it leads to," Obi-Wan said, interrupting his padawan, "What I'm saying is: fix it or else you will have suffering!"
Anakin shrugged walking over to the tree. "Yes Master. I'll try to do this incredibly difficult task."
Padme laughed, "be nice."
Anakin smiled at her, nodding. Starting to work on the rebellious Christmas-Tree lights.
Padme walked through the house. The two kids were watching an old Christmas halo, Obi-Wan was working in the kitchen with her parents, and Sola was still in the back room wrapping presents. Anakin, was still messing with the Christmas tree lights.
"Hey Jedi." Padme said as she walked up behind him.
"Hi." Anakin said, unscrewing and then screwing back in yet another light bulb. "How long have you had these lights anyway?" He asked.
Padme grunted, "Four about ten years."
"Next Christmas I'm definently going to buy you some new lights." Anakin said. "I've taken apart bombs that had sensitive fuses, I've fixed hyperdrives. But NOTHING was as boring or took me as long as these stupid lights!"
"What do you think is wrong with them?" Padme asked.
Anakin looked down at her, then sighed. "Well, you see that green one?"
Padme nodded.
"Well, it's mad at the blue one because the blue one is supposedly brighter."
Padme shrugged, rubbing his back.
"I don't know sith-spit what's wrong with them." Anakin answered.
"Why in the universe did I ask?" Padme said to herself. "Anymore tricks up your sleeve?"
Anakin nodded slowly, "Actually..."
To Padme's surprise the young Jedi took the lights with both hands, and began to shake them. Violently!
First they blinked, then the lights began to glow. Lighting up the room with their warm glow.
"That's quiet a trick." Padme said.
"Aggressive negotiations." Anakin answered, a satisfied smile curving his lips. "Almost always works."
Padme sighed, "Boy am I glad you're not in polotics."
Anakin grunted in a semi-agreement.
"Alright everyone," Obi-Wan yelled from the kitchen, "Supper's ready."
Anakin turned toward the kitchen, "you mean the charcoal is ready!"
Obi-Wan didn't reply to that comment. But Padme did hear something about 'smart-alic, brat' in Obi-Wan's mumbling.
"Anakin," Padme said, leading him into the kitchen, "You're getting a mean streak."
Anakin laughed, "I'm just drunk on Christmas-tree lights."
Padme eyed him, "I'm just glad you don't have to drive home."
Supper consisted of hotdogs, left-over pizza, and ice-cream. Nobody was that hungry since most of them had already eaten too much cooky-dough, and cherries from the Cherie-pie.
Still, of course, Anakin had a burping contest with Ryoo and Pooja. Ryoo wone. And Padme couldn't help but remark how surprised she was. Saying she was surprised, since Anakin certainly had enough hot air to win. This comment made Anakin blush crimson because he couldn't think of a witty remark. Then it was getting close to bedtime, and all the kids started to hang up their stockings.
"Well, Anakin," Sola said smiling, "Where is your stocking?"
Anakin sighed, "Back in my other life."
"We can let you use one of our old ones." Pooja said, holding up a soft furry stocking.
"That's okay, Pooja." Obi-Wan said, giving the little girl a small smile, "We arn't allowed to get presents."
"Ohh.." Sola said, Only now remembering in truth who their guests were.
"I've already thought of that." Padme said, turning to Obi-Wan. "Just hang them up. I've arranged it so you wont be in risk of breaking any Jedi oaths."
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, but still had a hint of skepticism. "Then I guess we can."
Ryoo and Pooja were overjoyed, and it showed on their young faces. It was quite obvious that they had adopted ANakin and Obi-Wan into their selective family tree.
Soon the stockings were hung, and all was silent as a mouse in the Naboo house... -------------------------------------------------------Christmas!----------- -------------------------------------
"Anakin! Anakin!"
Anakin skywalker opened his eyes, to stare right into Ryoo's. The little kid was ecstatic.
"Come and look! Santa came! Come and look at all the presents!" She literally grabbed his hand and pulled him out of his cot.
Anakin groaned as he tried to get his eyes to focus. "Can't I just see 'em later?"
"No!" She replied, hopping up and down, "We can't open them until everyone's in there!" That's when she saw Anakin's bulging stocking still hanging next to the fireplace. "Did you look in your stocking yet?"
Anakin shrugged on a boot, "No."
Ryoo was shocked, "Can I?"
"Sure." Anakin struggled with his other boot.
Taking down Anakin's stocking Ryoo looked inside...And gasped.
Anakin leaned over to look inside the stocking, and began to laugh. Inside of the worn stoking were snickers, mars bars, three musketeers, almond joys, butter fingers, and baby ruths. The thing was overflowing with candy. Padme was right. Jed weren't allowed to have presents, but they were allowed to eat. She was getting just as good at bending the rules as he was.
"Common!" Ryoo said, grabbing his hand again. "Come and see the rest of the presents!"
As they walked into the family room, Anakin noticed that everyone was just as groggy as he was. Well, almost everybody...
"Haven't I told you not to stay up too late my very young apprentice?" Obi-Wan asked, who-unlike everyone else, was fully dressed.
Anakin grunted, sitting down cross-legged at Padme's feet.
"Sleep well Anakin?" Padme asked.
"Uh-huh." Anakin answered, "Just not long enough."
Padme ran her hand through Anakin's short blonde hair, and he rested his head against her knee, closing his eyes.
Padme's dad stood next to the tree, "This is for Pooja!"
Anakin opened his eyes to see Pooja opening a very familiar box. Then as she ripped off the wrapping paper he saw the pink box. Yup, it was the fashion doll alright. Pooja took the doll out of it's box and hugged it, running her fingers through it's long purple hair.
"If I remember correctly," Anakin said, leaning toward Pooja, "That's a special order from the North Poll."
"Really?" Pooja asked, her eyes flashing with curiosity, "How would you know?"
Anakin bobbed his head slyly, "Jedi and Santa Clause work together a lot."
"Wow! Have you ever seen him?"
"Yeah!"
Padme cut in, "And right after that he got coal in his stocking for peeking!"
Anakin nudged her, "Thanks."
"Alright everybody!" Padme's father said, readying the moment, "Come and get your presents!"
That was when the utter chaos ensued. Wrapping flew, presents emerged, and notes were read.
"Padme!" Pooja said, still clutching the fashion doll, "There's a present for you!"
"Where?" Padme asked.
"Over on the other side of the tree." Anakin answered knowingly.
"Hmm.." Padme said looking over at Obi-Wan who was helping Ryoo to get a toy out of it's stubborn wrapper, "That tree looks awfully threatening. I don't know if I could go back there without my Jedi Protector."
Anakin sighed, pretending to be putting up with what she asked, "Very well M'lady." However, his smile over-ruled the act.
Padme walked behind the tree, with Anakin following her, and she found a small package lodged in the tree's limbs. The box was grey, with a white ribbon around it, and a string was tied to it. Attached to the string was a note that said, 'To Padme' in Anakin's scratchy handwriting.
Padme held the small box in her hand, wandering what the mystery present was.
"Well..." Anakin said expectantly, "Open it!"
Padme laughed quietly, nodding. She pulled the ribbon away, and opened the box. And inside was a wring. It was silver, with a tiny blue diamond in the middle that reflected the light of the Christmas-tree lights. For a moment Padme didn't say anything.
"Do you like it?" Anakin asked lifting his eyebrows, wrapping his arms around her waist, "Gee, say anything! If you have to say, 'Anakin, this thing is hideous! Take it back'...Anything!"
Padme laughed, "No Anakin," she whispered, "It's perfect."
"Then you like it?"
"Yes!"
"Then put it on." Taking the little box Anakin took out the ring, and slipped it on Padme's finger. "See, I could tell you wanted one." Anakin said. He knew that they didn't wear wedding rings because it was too dangerous, but he could tell it just didn't feel right with her. It was one of the many advantages of being a Jedi.
Padme wrapped her arms around his neck, and gave him a kiss. One that was long and sweet.
"Thanks." She whispered, after the kiss had ended.
"Glad you liked it." Anakin said, a big smile curving at his lips. He looked like a little kid that was so pleased with what he had done he might explode. "Although I don't know why you call this a holiday, we haven't gotten a chance to relax yet."
Padme laughed, "Just wait, we still have to deliver Christmas cookies..."
The END! Merry Christmas to all! And to all a goodnight! Now I'm done I'm gonna take a nap! Merry Christmas!
(A.N. I haven't worked really hard on the Different Past because I didn't think you guys would like it. I'll work as much on it as I can. But I've been really busy. I really can't tell how long 'till I've got more up on it, but I will finish it..I PROMIS!)