Thanks for the reviews =)
Sorry this is such a short section... I promise a bigger part next week! This is slight AU
:)
* * * * *
Naboo was as beckoning as it had been the first time. After they had
left the passenger ship, they headed toward Padmé's home, where she was planning on
breaking the news to her parents and to introduce Anakin to her sister, which she hadn't
done the first time they'd been home.
The droids followed closely behind as they continued to walk.
"Suddenly I'm afraid," Anakin said softly, looking over his
shoulder to the droids and letting his gaze wander to the curious faces looking at him, as
though trying to figure out what he was doing there.
"Why?" Padmé asked. "You've met my mother before."
"Yes," Anakin replied, "but the last time we met you
told them you had as much romantic interest in me as in a scone."
Padmé giggled, then raised her hand to her lips and lowered her gaze.
"I might have said things, but being in a life-or-death circumstance changes
things."
"Too true you are," Anakin chuckled.
"Just don't mention the fact that I was an assassination
target," she warned him. "Or that I fell off that transport ship. Or that I was
almost killed by a giant kitty. Or that I was almost shot apart by droids. Or that-"
"Not a word," Anakin promised, taking her trembling hand in
his and leading the way up the stairs.
Before she opened the door, Padmé took a deep breath. "Here goes
nothing."
As they entered, Padmé's mother entered the room, looking surprised.
"Padmé Amidala," she said, walking over and hugging her daughter tight.
"After you disappeared, I feared the worst."
"I'm right here, Mother. And I brought someone..." her voice
trailed off as she gestured toward Anakin. Anakin smiled and bowed slightly before hugging
Padmé's mother, leaving both women surprised.
"I'm pleased you returned my daughter home safely," she
replied, turning away, as though expecting Padmé to follow her and Anakin to leave. She
seemed confused when she saw them both, standing arm in arm, behind her in front of the
door. "What is it, Padmé? You look flushed, are you all right?"
It was at that instant that Padmé's sister walked into the room,
looking mildly surprised to see her sister standing next to her Jedi escort.
"Padmé!" she gasped, grabbing her sister in a huge hug and pulling her away
from Anakin. "I have heard the worst rumors! I never thought I'd see you again!"
As Padmé was dragged away, Anakin turned back to his fiancee's mother.
"Can I have a word with you?" She turned to him and nodded. "I remember a
few weeks ago, when you suspected that Padmé and I had... had a thing going." He
felt his face redden and realized he had no experience in this matter. "She swore we
did not... but after spending the past month with her, alone, in a very remote area on
Naboo, I realized that she's my always. I want to ask you and her father if it is all
right to ask her hand."
Padmé's mother's jaw dropped, just as there was a loud squeal from the
other room. Padmé and her sister returned, arms locked around each other, neither one of
them able to keep their feet on the ground.
"Do my ears deceive me?" Padmé's sister gasped. "Are
you two getting married?"
Padmé released her sister and returned to Anakin's side. He lifted her
hand and smiled at her, before they both turned back and nodded.
Padmé's sister and mother cried out, clapping their hands and rushing
Padmé. As Anakin stepped forward to join in the celebration, Padmé's mother pulled him
aside.
"My daughter's hand... and heart... are yours. Take care of them
wisely, Master Anakin."
He grinned, his smile telling her he would, before they joined into the
celebration.
