Disclaimer - - again, Star Wars isn't mine

Author's Note - - I published this story a while ago but inspiration hit and I decided to add a little more to it, hope you like it!

It was another perfect day. The sky was blue with gently rolling clouds with no hint of bad weather. Many days on Naboo were like this. The air was so cool and fresh. The water glistened from the not too warm sunlight shining upon it. To other people it was an ordinary perfect day. But to Padme it was anything but that.

She stood in front of her full-length mirror contemplating her reflection. She was dressed in a beautiful white gown decorated with lace and intricate beading. Of everything she had ever worn, Padme decided this was her favorite. To top it off was a veil following the same design of the dress. No handmaidens were attending to her today. Today she was simply Padme. Not the senator just the woman anxious on her wedding day. She dressed herself and applied her makeup moderately and simple. She loved being simple. It was a luxury she never could afford since she went into public service. Too long had her life been complicated with facts, figures, stresses and the complex rules of politics. Instead of being relieved of her official duties for a day she found herself wishing that was all she had on her mind.

"How could this possibly work out?" she asked herself. It must have been a moment of weakness when she agreed to marry Anakin. Padme knew she loved him, she had no doubts there. Actually, Anakin might just be her soul mate that she had dreamed of as a small child. When she grew older she shrugged it off as a childish fantasy. Soul mates weren't real. Then Anakin was thrown back into her life and everything she tried to convince herself out of flooded back in. All he had to do was give her a kiss, one pure kiss and Padme was a believer. For once in her life her heart ruled over her mind.

But that had to stop. Civil war had broke out and the Republic needed them more than ever. Duty always comes first. Anakin was a Jedi after all. If their love was ever discovered he would be expelled from the Order. Padme just couldn't allow that to happen. No matter how much they loved each other she couldn't break his dream......his life just for her. Besides, they would be living a lie! Just that factor went against every moral principle that Padme stood for. The scandal would be too much. It would destroy everything......the beauty of their love. It would destroy them as well. No, they must not be together, she decided. Padme loved him too much; she had to save him before it's too late! It would be her greatest sacrifice. Padme quickly walked out of her room. Carefully, she planned what she would say to him. If they reasonably talked it out he would see that it was a mistake to get married. She never should have kept him there this long. It was all her fault.

The were still at the Lake Retreat House. The perfect place for a secret marriage. Padme had ordered all of the servants and guards from the house. No one was to know of the marriage. It would be too dangerous if someone knew. Padme couldn't even tell her family which killed her the most. She never lied to them and starting now would be the hardest thing she'd have to do. But if they knew it could put them in danger and Padme would rather die then let harm come to them.

After walking alone in the main hallway she saw C-3PO standing by the doorway leading to the terrace. Next to him was R2-D2. They were going to be the two witnesses. The droids were loyal to Padme and Anakin, they would be able to keep their secret.

"3PO, where's Anakin?" Padme asked.

"He's waiting for you on the terrace, m'lady. The minister has just arrived," replied the droid. "Would you like me to announce you Senator Amidala?"

Padme smiled, C-3PO was always reliable when it comes to etiquette. "No thanks 3PO, that's not necessary."

Padme took in a deep breath. For one of the first times in her life, she was nervous. She repeated to herself that everything would be fine. She had faced worse things than this. She slowly reached for the door handle, opened the door and walked onto the terrace. It was a beautiful setting. You could see the beautiful green mountains and the blue water rustling beneath them. The sun would start to set in a few minutes so it made the scene more romantic.

Anakin turned around to face his bride. He was dressed in his best Jedi robes and looking very handsome. He flashed her that boyish grin that made Padme go weak in the knees. The minister was standing next to him, ready to begin the ceremony. Padme stood still hardly able to breathe. When she saw Anakin she remembered why she had said yes. Every second thought that had almost convinced her not to marry him were gone. Anakin walked over to her and slipped his hand with hers. He gently kissed her on the cheek.

"You look amazing m'lady," he whispered.

Padme felt like melting right there. "Anakin I......" she started but when Anakin looked into her eyes she suddenly forgot what she was going to say.

"Is everything alright?" he asked.

Padme smiled, "yes, I just wanted to say I love you."

"I love you too," he smiled back and kissed her again on the cheek.

Hand in hand the two star crossed lovers got married under the setting Naboo sun. They were surrounded by beautiful flowers, a cool breeze, and such a calm peace as never before. When they kissed as husband and wife Padme felt that maybe there was hope after all. If one does not have even the slightest bit of hope then all would be lost. She loved Anakin and that was all she cared about for now, never wanting to let him go. Together they turned and watched the sun set even lower on that ordinary perfect day.