Author's Note: Ok, one chapter left to go. Thanks to shoshana my beta. Feedback as usual.
Jacqueline stared at herself from the mirror. She wore a white dress. It was low in the neck and gave little to the imagination. She touched her hair. It was pinned similar to Padme's, being braids wound tightly on each side. Jacqueline titled her head slightly pondering her new image.
Padme entered the room followed by her droid, C3PO. He was a machine, but had the ability to think, speak, and move on his own. Not to mention he has a distinct personality. He was too fussy in Jacqueline's opinion. "Mistress Jacqueline, may I offer you some refreshments?" He asked in a prissy voice. "Thank you that would be nice." Jacqueline offered a smile and the droid shuffled out of the room.
Jacqueline then turned to regard Padme. "How do you do it?"
Padme sat on the couch and gestured for Jacqueline to do the same. "Keep my marriage a secret? Be months without my husband?" Jacqueline nodded waiting for her to continue. "Anakin is a Jedi Knight. They have a strict code forbidding processions, and attachments. This includes marriage. It is a necessity to keep our marriage secret."
Jacqueline frowned. "If it is forbidden, then why did you do it?"
Padme sighed and went silent starring out the huge glass window. "I tried to ignore his feelings, tried to not return them, tried to lie to him, but…" She trailed off a few seconds and then turned to look at Jacqueline. "I could not lie to my heart. Our love goes against everything, but it makes it right. It is our fate, and that is worth every risk." She fingered her necklace showing it to Jacqueline. "Anakin gave this to me, thirteen years ago, when we first met. I have treasured it, and I wear it especially when he is away, to remind me of his love."
Jacqueline nodded her understanding but remained silent.
C3PO returned with the drinks and a snack tray.
They sat in silence and Padme then spoke. "D'Artagnan seems to care deeply for you."
Jacqueline shook her head. "He teases and taunts me. He is trustworthy, but he acts strangely sometimes."
Padme laughed. "Anakin was the same way. He tried everything to get me to notice he was grown up. I ignored him, until I no longer could."
Jacqueline raised an eyebrow.
"He kissed me one day, neither of us planed it, it just happened, it was wonderful and then, well I no longer ignored him." Padme stood now. "Jacqueline you must learn to put your fears aside. Let happiness and love enter your life. Trust what your heart is trying to tell you."
A noise from the veranda stopped them. It was a transport. Anakin and d'Artagnan were back. Padme rushed out to be captured in a hug by Anakin. They moved inside, leaving d'Artagnan and Jacqueline alone. D'Artagnan gaped at her. "You look beautiful." He said after a few moments. They turned to look out at the city. D'Artagnan leaned in closer to her, and she leaned in closer to him, when a bright light started to form and continued to grow until it blinded them…