A/N: You will be very proud that I am already updating this story. I have even outlined this story so that you may get a brief idea what will be happening in this story.
Story Outline:
1. They meet at the age of twelve and fifteen and constantly fight about everything possible.
2. Two years later while Anakin has just turned eighteen and Padme is nearing sixteen they still constantly fight about everything under the sun.
3. They end up kissing after a Thanksgiving celebration.
4. The next day Anakin confronts Padme about their kiss with another kiss.
5. Things have forever changed between them and their once hatred has turned into almost a constant friendly banter.
6. It's five months away from their wedding and there is a party to celebrate it, which ofcourse they both attend.
7. Anakin is with padme in the carriage that is taking her home from the party. She tells him that she's scared. He tells her he is leaving for a year to persue school.
8. Two years pass by and Anakin returns to the Amidala household where he sees the most beautiful young woman that he recognizes as Padme. She is changed, more beautiful, more grown up.
9. She realizes that Anakin has changed, that he has lost his arrogance, and she wonders if too much has happened for them to marry.
10. He gives her a speech of everything she has come to mean to him. He is sad when she doesn't say much back. But despite that they're married two months later.
11. They have sex for the first time, resulting in her first pregnency.
12. After Aidan is born Daniel begins to take a stronger interist in Padme than a childhood crush.
13. Padme realizes she may be able to love Daniel instead of Anakin because they didn't have an arranged marriage.
14. Aidan grows and by the age of seven is about as cocky as Anakin and Padme were. Anakin realizes he doesn't want his son to be anything like they were.
15. He tells Padme that she is free to go, free to love Daniel and to take Aidan with her because Daniel would be a much better father to him then he could be.
16. It's in that moment that Padme realizes that although their marriage was arranged that she had always loved him.
17. She comes to Anakin, him expecting that she's leaving. And it's her turn for a speech.
18. Five years later Daniel and one of Padme's sister's, Elizabeth, are engaged. Also Anakin and Padme are expecting another child.
************************
Padme sat next to Anakin and they softly whispered as they usually did at these dinners. There seemed to be more of these family dinners lately. Usually they would be harshly whispering some Nubian curse at the other. Right then though they were almost playfully bantering about something.
Anakin was going to win this argument. He knew how to win these days. If only he had discovered this method a long time ago... He gave her a sly smile...
"What," asked Padme as he stared at her.
He just kept on staring at her watching as she stared back at him. Then he watched as she looked down at her lap. He softly smiled at her.
Padme felt a warm hand on her neck. It was almost hot. She noticed how his hands were always warm. That was something she had never noticed before. But then again they had never touched before lately. They had avoided eachother at all costs, but now...
Padme smiled as she felt Anakin lay a soft quick kiss on her cheek. She knew they wouldn't be able to get away with much more than that. They had already been caught kissing in his room once, her room another time and in the garden twice. You would almost think that would alarm their parents, but it didn't. It didn't bother them in the least bit. Maybe it concerned their mothers' a bit, but that was all. Almost everytime one of the four parents caught them all that was said was
"You can't seem to even so much as save it for your wedding..."
No, it didn't seem to both any of the parents really minded in the least.
******
Amethyst and Elektra had come in quietly back to lunch right after they were caught in the garden the first time. They looked at both of their husband's who had questioning looks on their faces.
"Well, where is my daughter? I expect better. When I call the family to dinner I expect everyone to be here. Now, where is she? Was she not in the garden with Anakin," question Alfred Amidala.
"She is there alright. They're talking," said Elektra.
"Outstanding. They seem to have put their differences aside and now they may get along," said Christopher Skywalker.
The woman looked at eachother as they shrugged their shoulders. It was the truth, but a bit twisted. Who really cared, though? It made their husbands' happy.
*********************
The first time they had been caught in Padme's room was after their second kiss. They hadn't heard the door being unlocked. They finally heard the clearing of throats. They expected their parents to be angry. Their mother gave them aprehensive expressions while their fathers' expressions were ones of amusement.
"Now, son. You're going to have to try to save that for the wedding. Come along now. We'll be back tommorow. You can see your beloved tommorow," said a Christopher who was a little bit tipsy.
Both teenagers raised their eyebrows at eachother and inwardly cringed at the fact that Christopher had referred to Padme as Anakin's beloved. Before Anakin completely left the room he winked at Padme. He expected her to scowl at him, but was surprised when she winked back.
Both Father's were out the door unaware of the guesture that had transpired between their children, but both mothers had seen it. They shook their heads at eachother, but couldn't quite seem to manage to keep the smile off their faces at their children's guesture.
Anakin wanted to linger a little bit longer, but obviously his mother had other ideas. He felt himself being pushed out of the door.
"That's enough for one day Romeo... Save the rest of your "charm" for tommorow..."
"Oh, I always have more left..."
That was the last thing Padme heard before her mother sofltly closed the door and ushered her daughter into the sitting room. When they had both taken seats side by side she turned to Padme.
"I remember a time when you insisted that you couldn't quite stand him..."
"Oh, I can stand him just fine now..."
"Well, at the pace the two of you seemt to be taking this I am glad we have decided to push the wedding for this year instead of the next..."
"What," asked Padme in shock.
"Didn't your Nana tell you, or even your father? Yes, in about six months from now you will be married to Anakin..."
"But, Mother, I'm only almost sixteen..."
"Yes, but darling when we first told you about him we proposed the two of you be married around this time, but pushed it farther to allow the two of you time to get to know eachother. Now we see that you two have. We believe the two of you to be ready, whether either one of you feel the same way..."
"I'm not ready, Mother..."
"Darling, you are only a young girl. How would you know what would be best for you? I am your mother and I do."
"Mother-"
"Padme don't you want to make me happy?"
"Yes, but-"
"And what about your father? Don't you want to make him proud of you as well? I know this has caused him a sense of happiness that could come to last a long time."
"Alright, Mother."
"Excellent. We love you, Padme. We only want what's best for you. I know you must know that."
"Ofcourse I do, Mother. Now if you will excuse me, I shall retire."
"Ofcourse, my dear."
Elektra kissed her daughter on the cheek. Padme did the same. She watched her mother as she softly closed the door. Then she slowly walked into her room and layed her head down before falling into a deep sleep.
***************
The first time they had been caught kissing in Anakin's room was during a party. Anakin and Padme had escaped it by going up to Anakin's room. Neither seemed to be thrilled about their parents' decision.
"Sometimes you would almost think it was them getting married, and not actually us," said Anakin passionately.
"In their mind they are doing the right thing. In the end they just want what's best for us," said Padme.
" 'What's best for us?' How in hell would they know what's best for us? Jesus, our parents cant even pick out their own clothes without the help of a servant, let alone decide what's best for us," said Anakin sarcastically.
He watched Padme roll her eyes at him and shake her head. Then she almost smirked at him.
"You're unbelievable sometimes, you know? I could have had anyone, but I got stuck with you," said Padme.
"It's the other way around. I could have had anyone, BUT I got stuck with YOU," said Anakin.
"What? And you think I like it?"
"No, I know you hate it. But face it, you could have done worse."
"YOU face it! You could have done worse."
"True," they said at the exact same time.
Anakin stood up watching Padme's questioning look as he held out his hand.
"Come on."
"Where are we going?"
"Just give me your hand."
She put her hand in his as he pulled her up. She was amazed at how strong he was.
She followed him to his balcony. They looked below his balcony to the backyard where people were dancing. It was the people that belonged to their world, the same people that it had always been.
"Why did you bring me out here," asked Padme.
"I wanted you to look at them and see something."
"What did you want me to see," questioned Padme.
"You know their stories as well as I do. Their gossip even reaches to the ears of those who should never know their stories. Women are miserable because they are trapped in marriages they don't want to be in. and it's not just that, but their husband is perhaps even having an affair with thier governess..."
"Yes, I know the stories. So..."
"It'll never be like that with us, I swear. If you ever want out of our marriage you have my leave without even so much as a scandal. And I will never shame you or embaress you by having an affair with another woman. I give you my word."
Padme looked in his eyes and saw his serious expression. Even if she had spent most of their time of knowing eachother trying to hate him, she knew one thing to be true. If he promised something, gave his word, to her, to anyone he would always keep it.
"Thankyou, Anakin. That means alot to me. You don't know how much it does. Come on, dance with me."
"I really don't want to go back down there..."
"We don't have to. We can hear the music clearly from down there. And it's just us."
She smiled as they both turned from the railing of the balcony. She put one arm around his neck and the other arm leaned against his as her hand clasped with his. He placed his other arm around her waist and drew her close never breaking contact as they danced.
"Anakin?"
"Hmm?"
"What did you REALLY think of me the first time you saw me?"
"Is it really that important that you know?"
"Yes, it is."
"Alright. My governess, well the fifteenth one anyway, told me about angels. She told me that they were the most beautiful creatures. I had stopped believing in myth and in fairytales by the time we met. I was fifteen, by then, as you know. But for a minute I wondered if you were an angel, just for a minute."
"And then?"
"And then I knew you were the girl who would one day become my bride, that my parents had finally found someone for me."
"You didn't think for one moment that they would deem me unworthy?"
"No, how could they? You were perfect. You were beautiful, articulate, polite, confident and you came from a well off family. You were everything they had ever wanted for me."
"Even then you thought I was beautiful? Oh, but how we fought, how you hated me! You thought I was beautiful?"
"Look at you now. Even then I would have been a fool to not see your beauty."
"Thankyou," said Padme.
"You're welcome. Now, tell me, what did you think of me the first time you saw me," asked Anakin.
"I saw you sitting in that corner looking as if you would rather be anywhere else. You're eyes were shut, but I knew you understood me, because I'd rather be anywhere else as well. But when you opened your eyes and looked straight at me I felt like you could see inside my soul. And I wondered if you were the man I was to meet that day. And then your father called your name and your serious look changed to one of cockiness."
She smiled softly as she looked into his eyes she turned serious as she noticed how passionate they were.
"You made me feel alive, Anakin."
"I'll always make you feel alive when you need me to..."
"I know..."
She leaned her head against his chest as she felt the arm on her waist crawl up to the upper part of her back. She felt his hand go up and down and she softly smiled.
She smiled up at him not seeing a smile on his face. Instead he looked at her as if he were consumed by something, desperate for something. And the smile from her face disappeared and matched the look on his face.
She took the hand that was clasped in his and wrapped it around his neck with her other hand. She felt both of his arms wrap around her waist. He looked up at her, waiting for her to do something, because he always initiated the contact between them. If she made the first move she would be admitting how things changed.
He watched her look at the floor. Then he watched her as she looked back at him. She slowly pulled his head down towards her own. When their faces were almost touching, she stopped, hoping he would kiss her, allowing her, her freedom.
She watched as he silently shook his head a little. She knew she had to kiss him. She closed the distance between them by placing her lips over his. She meant for it to be a soft chaste kiss on her part, and he could push her on. But he didn't kiss her back. This frusterated her and she roughly pulled his head down even further and roughly kissed him, her tongue probing at his lips demanding entrance.
He knew he could only hold himself back for so long, and he would, as long as he possibly could. First she gently kissed him, expecting him to take over for her. He smirked inside his mind. It was the first time he realized that never once in her life had she been allowed to completely controle something. He wanted her to know the feeling, and revel in it.
He felt her frusteration at her having to do all the work. Finally she lost it and began to roughly kissing him, forcing her tongue into his mouth. The minute her tongue touched his he lost it and kissed her back as hard as she was kissing him.
"Alright, that's quite enough," came a female voice that Anakin recognized quite a bit better than even Padme did.
They pulled away making sure to stand within proper distance of eachother. It had been Amethyst Skywalker who had spoken. She looked neither angry nor pleased. Her expression was one which neither teen could read, which was saying alot for Anakin.
Padme turned to her mother who was with Amethyst. Her mother bore the same expression, one she couldn't possibly read.
"Alright, sit down," instructed Elektra.
Towards the side of the balcony there was a table with four chairs, two on one side and two on the other. Amethyst sat next to her son and Elektra sat next to her daughter.
"This is the third time we have caught you," said Elektra.
"How could you have seen us on that night? You had already left for the party?"
"That's not the time we're talking about," said Amethyst calmly.
"There was another time," asked the usually poised Elektra.
Both Anakin and Padme looke at eachother with weary expressions. They had both been sure she had meant Thanksgiving. If not Thanksgiving, then when? Oh, the garden, the garden...
"How many times have there been," asked Amethyst.
Amethyst swore to herself that her son had better know. If he didn't know she may lose calm. And she was sure one of them needed to remain calm.
"Only four times. You knew about two of the times. Walking in here you now could say you knew about three of the times. And now Padme has told you about the fourth time."
"And-"
"That's all Mrs. Amidala. I swear to you. Those are the only times and that is all that has happened. I give you my word."
Elektra nodded as well as Amethyst. What could they do about it? Nothing. So, they must remain calm. There was no sense getting out of sorts about something they couldn't even do about, much less controle. All Elektra could do was convey her wishes to her future son in law.
"Anakin, I can't tell either one of you what to do in this matter. I can only hope you will take my wishes into consideration as well as your mother's. Padme is my most beautiful daughter in every way. I hold her in the highest exteem and take pride in her the most, out of all my children. Please, keep my wishes, and honor her. Respect her and treasure her by not laying a finger on her until after you two have been married."
Both Anakin and Padme notice how she spoke as if Padme wasn't there. Padme saw just how much this meant to her mother. And then she looked at Anakin who suddenly looked much older and much more serious.
"Mrs. Amidala, I will honor and respect your daughter with everything in me. I swear on the moons of Naboo I will. I will leave her untouched until we are married. I swear. You have my word. But if I promised you I wouldn't so much as kiss her until we were married I would not be a man of my word. And I have always prided myself on keeping my word."
"I wasn't asking for the last part you just mentioned. But it fills me with the utmost joy of what you have just promised to me. Thankyou, Anakin. You are a good man. I have had the pleasure of watching you grow, and will continue to take that pleasure."
"Thankyou," said Anakin dutifully.
All four stood and headed for the door. Anakin knew the Amidala's were preparing to leave. He gave Padme a kiss on the cheek and hugged her. He watched as Mrs. Amidala walked out first. Padme turned around and looked at him. He winked at her and she winked back. It was after all tradition.
*********
It had been an especially hot day on Naboo when Anakin and Padme had shared their second kiss in the Garden. Both fathers had been inside. Both of their mothers had gone out for the day leaving both Padme and Anakin in the care of their fathers.
Had either woman actually expected either man to keep a watchful eye for their child? Neither man had so much as held their child when they were crying, let alone watched them as a infant. Why would things suddenly change now, now that one was nearing adulthood and the other was almost in the middle of her teenagehood.
They didn't watch either one, but played chess in one of the studies. From their standpoint they were old enough and didn't need to be under watch. Ofcourse, neither man had decided to share that information with his wife.
So, that morning both wifes had told their husbands' to keep a close eye on Anakin and Padme, never once stopping to question when both of them gave a slight nod, not really hearing what their wife said, but only knowing their favored child would be there today to keep the other company, meaning they could engage in a long game of chess. Yes, that's exactly what their wifes' must have said or at least meant, or something like that...
*********
Padme and Anakin sat in the main garden drinking lemonade. Padme looked at him and laughed. That meritted a questioning look from Anakin. She stopped laughing so she could explain why she was laughing, although she was pretty sure Anakin would find it less than humorous.
"Why are we out here when we could be inside?"
"Well, it's too hot inside as well..."
"But you can actually feel the sun beating down on you out here," argued Padme.
"Actually, no, we can't. We're in the shade. Maybe you can, but I sure as hell can't," said Anakin.
"True..."
"When do you think our Mothers will be back?"
"Do you mean when will they be back or do you mean when will yours actually be leaving our house."
"True..."
"They'll go shopping, for hours. Then they will decide they want lunch. After lunch they will shop some more. Then around dinner time they might actually remember they have children at home, and come home for dinner. You know your parents will end up staying for dinner. Hmm, then they will talk. So, I think you'll be here pretty much all day."
"Wonderful..."
"I'm not that bad of company, am I," asked Padme playfully.
"No, you're not," said Anakin keeping his eyes on her as he took a swig of his lemonade.
"This is where we had our second kiss," said Padme.
"I consider it our first kiss. The one before it was because we were fighting, but yes, technically it was our second kiss."
"It was the day everything changed..."
"Do you sometimes wish things hadn't changed or that you could go back and change things," asked Anakin.
"Sometimes I think things were easier when we constantly fought. But I don't regret it. Do you," asked Padme.
"Never," said Anakin.
"Good, then neither do I."
"Good," said Anakin as he arched one eyebrow at her.
Suddenly the chair that was directly right next to her was occupied with his presence instead of the one across from her. She smirked at him as she leaned in and gently kissed him. She was surprised when he didn't try to deepen the kiss, but continued to gently kiss her. She pulled away and looked into his eyes. There was something there she had never seen before, something that she couldn't place. And she wasn't going to be able to place it right then, because once again they had been caught.
They both noticed their fathers standing and watching them with amused smiles on their faces.
"Come in. It's time for lunch," Alfred said finally.
*********
TBC
(SEE?! I did update. I've gotten into the Star Wars mood again. And listening to across the stars just motivates me more, but not as much as reviews...)
Story Outline:
1. They meet at the age of twelve and fifteen and constantly fight about everything possible.
2. Two years later while Anakin has just turned eighteen and Padme is nearing sixteen they still constantly fight about everything under the sun.
3. They end up kissing after a Thanksgiving celebration.
4. The next day Anakin confronts Padme about their kiss with another kiss.
5. Things have forever changed between them and their once hatred has turned into almost a constant friendly banter.
6. It's five months away from their wedding and there is a party to celebrate it, which ofcourse they both attend.
7. Anakin is with padme in the carriage that is taking her home from the party. She tells him that she's scared. He tells her he is leaving for a year to persue school.
8. Two years pass by and Anakin returns to the Amidala household where he sees the most beautiful young woman that he recognizes as Padme. She is changed, more beautiful, more grown up.
9. She realizes that Anakin has changed, that he has lost his arrogance, and she wonders if too much has happened for them to marry.
10. He gives her a speech of everything she has come to mean to him. He is sad when she doesn't say much back. But despite that they're married two months later.
11. They have sex for the first time, resulting in her first pregnency.
12. After Aidan is born Daniel begins to take a stronger interist in Padme than a childhood crush.
13. Padme realizes she may be able to love Daniel instead of Anakin because they didn't have an arranged marriage.
14. Aidan grows and by the age of seven is about as cocky as Anakin and Padme were. Anakin realizes he doesn't want his son to be anything like they were.
15. He tells Padme that she is free to go, free to love Daniel and to take Aidan with her because Daniel would be a much better father to him then he could be.
16. It's in that moment that Padme realizes that although their marriage was arranged that she had always loved him.
17. She comes to Anakin, him expecting that she's leaving. And it's her turn for a speech.
18. Five years later Daniel and one of Padme's sister's, Elizabeth, are engaged. Also Anakin and Padme are expecting another child.
************************
Padme sat next to Anakin and they softly whispered as they usually did at these dinners. There seemed to be more of these family dinners lately. Usually they would be harshly whispering some Nubian curse at the other. Right then though they were almost playfully bantering about something.
Anakin was going to win this argument. He knew how to win these days. If only he had discovered this method a long time ago... He gave her a sly smile...
"What," asked Padme as he stared at her.
He just kept on staring at her watching as she stared back at him. Then he watched as she looked down at her lap. He softly smiled at her.
Padme felt a warm hand on her neck. It was almost hot. She noticed how his hands were always warm. That was something she had never noticed before. But then again they had never touched before lately. They had avoided eachother at all costs, but now...
Padme smiled as she felt Anakin lay a soft quick kiss on her cheek. She knew they wouldn't be able to get away with much more than that. They had already been caught kissing in his room once, her room another time and in the garden twice. You would almost think that would alarm their parents, but it didn't. It didn't bother them in the least bit. Maybe it concerned their mothers' a bit, but that was all. Almost everytime one of the four parents caught them all that was said was
"You can't seem to even so much as save it for your wedding..."
No, it didn't seem to both any of the parents really minded in the least.
******
Amethyst and Elektra had come in quietly back to lunch right after they were caught in the garden the first time. They looked at both of their husband's who had questioning looks on their faces.
"Well, where is my daughter? I expect better. When I call the family to dinner I expect everyone to be here. Now, where is she? Was she not in the garden with Anakin," question Alfred Amidala.
"She is there alright. They're talking," said Elektra.
"Outstanding. They seem to have put their differences aside and now they may get along," said Christopher Skywalker.
The woman looked at eachother as they shrugged their shoulders. It was the truth, but a bit twisted. Who really cared, though? It made their husbands' happy.
*********************
The first time they had been caught in Padme's room was after their second kiss. They hadn't heard the door being unlocked. They finally heard the clearing of throats. They expected their parents to be angry. Their mother gave them aprehensive expressions while their fathers' expressions were ones of amusement.
"Now, son. You're going to have to try to save that for the wedding. Come along now. We'll be back tommorow. You can see your beloved tommorow," said a Christopher who was a little bit tipsy.
Both teenagers raised their eyebrows at eachother and inwardly cringed at the fact that Christopher had referred to Padme as Anakin's beloved. Before Anakin completely left the room he winked at Padme. He expected her to scowl at him, but was surprised when she winked back.
Both Father's were out the door unaware of the guesture that had transpired between their children, but both mothers had seen it. They shook their heads at eachother, but couldn't quite seem to manage to keep the smile off their faces at their children's guesture.
Anakin wanted to linger a little bit longer, but obviously his mother had other ideas. He felt himself being pushed out of the door.
"That's enough for one day Romeo... Save the rest of your "charm" for tommorow..."
"Oh, I always have more left..."
That was the last thing Padme heard before her mother sofltly closed the door and ushered her daughter into the sitting room. When they had both taken seats side by side she turned to Padme.
"I remember a time when you insisted that you couldn't quite stand him..."
"Oh, I can stand him just fine now..."
"Well, at the pace the two of you seemt to be taking this I am glad we have decided to push the wedding for this year instead of the next..."
"What," asked Padme in shock.
"Didn't your Nana tell you, or even your father? Yes, in about six months from now you will be married to Anakin..."
"But, Mother, I'm only almost sixteen..."
"Yes, but darling when we first told you about him we proposed the two of you be married around this time, but pushed it farther to allow the two of you time to get to know eachother. Now we see that you two have. We believe the two of you to be ready, whether either one of you feel the same way..."
"I'm not ready, Mother..."
"Darling, you are only a young girl. How would you know what would be best for you? I am your mother and I do."
"Mother-"
"Padme don't you want to make me happy?"
"Yes, but-"
"And what about your father? Don't you want to make him proud of you as well? I know this has caused him a sense of happiness that could come to last a long time."
"Alright, Mother."
"Excellent. We love you, Padme. We only want what's best for you. I know you must know that."
"Ofcourse I do, Mother. Now if you will excuse me, I shall retire."
"Ofcourse, my dear."
Elektra kissed her daughter on the cheek. Padme did the same. She watched her mother as she softly closed the door. Then she slowly walked into her room and layed her head down before falling into a deep sleep.
***************
The first time they had been caught kissing in Anakin's room was during a party. Anakin and Padme had escaped it by going up to Anakin's room. Neither seemed to be thrilled about their parents' decision.
"Sometimes you would almost think it was them getting married, and not actually us," said Anakin passionately.
"In their mind they are doing the right thing. In the end they just want what's best for us," said Padme.
" 'What's best for us?' How in hell would they know what's best for us? Jesus, our parents cant even pick out their own clothes without the help of a servant, let alone decide what's best for us," said Anakin sarcastically.
He watched Padme roll her eyes at him and shake her head. Then she almost smirked at him.
"You're unbelievable sometimes, you know? I could have had anyone, but I got stuck with you," said Padme.
"It's the other way around. I could have had anyone, BUT I got stuck with YOU," said Anakin.
"What? And you think I like it?"
"No, I know you hate it. But face it, you could have done worse."
"YOU face it! You could have done worse."
"True," they said at the exact same time.
Anakin stood up watching Padme's questioning look as he held out his hand.
"Come on."
"Where are we going?"
"Just give me your hand."
She put her hand in his as he pulled her up. She was amazed at how strong he was.
She followed him to his balcony. They looked below his balcony to the backyard where people were dancing. It was the people that belonged to their world, the same people that it had always been.
"Why did you bring me out here," asked Padme.
"I wanted you to look at them and see something."
"What did you want me to see," questioned Padme.
"You know their stories as well as I do. Their gossip even reaches to the ears of those who should never know their stories. Women are miserable because they are trapped in marriages they don't want to be in. and it's not just that, but their husband is perhaps even having an affair with thier governess..."
"Yes, I know the stories. So..."
"It'll never be like that with us, I swear. If you ever want out of our marriage you have my leave without even so much as a scandal. And I will never shame you or embaress you by having an affair with another woman. I give you my word."
Padme looked in his eyes and saw his serious expression. Even if she had spent most of their time of knowing eachother trying to hate him, she knew one thing to be true. If he promised something, gave his word, to her, to anyone he would always keep it.
"Thankyou, Anakin. That means alot to me. You don't know how much it does. Come on, dance with me."
"I really don't want to go back down there..."
"We don't have to. We can hear the music clearly from down there. And it's just us."
She smiled as they both turned from the railing of the balcony. She put one arm around his neck and the other arm leaned against his as her hand clasped with his. He placed his other arm around her waist and drew her close never breaking contact as they danced.
"Anakin?"
"Hmm?"
"What did you REALLY think of me the first time you saw me?"
"Is it really that important that you know?"
"Yes, it is."
"Alright. My governess, well the fifteenth one anyway, told me about angels. She told me that they were the most beautiful creatures. I had stopped believing in myth and in fairytales by the time we met. I was fifteen, by then, as you know. But for a minute I wondered if you were an angel, just for a minute."
"And then?"
"And then I knew you were the girl who would one day become my bride, that my parents had finally found someone for me."
"You didn't think for one moment that they would deem me unworthy?"
"No, how could they? You were perfect. You were beautiful, articulate, polite, confident and you came from a well off family. You were everything they had ever wanted for me."
"Even then you thought I was beautiful? Oh, but how we fought, how you hated me! You thought I was beautiful?"
"Look at you now. Even then I would have been a fool to not see your beauty."
"Thankyou," said Padme.
"You're welcome. Now, tell me, what did you think of me the first time you saw me," asked Anakin.
"I saw you sitting in that corner looking as if you would rather be anywhere else. You're eyes were shut, but I knew you understood me, because I'd rather be anywhere else as well. But when you opened your eyes and looked straight at me I felt like you could see inside my soul. And I wondered if you were the man I was to meet that day. And then your father called your name and your serious look changed to one of cockiness."
She smiled softly as she looked into his eyes she turned serious as she noticed how passionate they were.
"You made me feel alive, Anakin."
"I'll always make you feel alive when you need me to..."
"I know..."
She leaned her head against his chest as she felt the arm on her waist crawl up to the upper part of her back. She felt his hand go up and down and she softly smiled.
She smiled up at him not seeing a smile on his face. Instead he looked at her as if he were consumed by something, desperate for something. And the smile from her face disappeared and matched the look on his face.
She took the hand that was clasped in his and wrapped it around his neck with her other hand. She felt both of his arms wrap around her waist. He looked up at her, waiting for her to do something, because he always initiated the contact between them. If she made the first move she would be admitting how things changed.
He watched her look at the floor. Then he watched her as she looked back at him. She slowly pulled his head down towards her own. When their faces were almost touching, she stopped, hoping he would kiss her, allowing her, her freedom.
She watched as he silently shook his head a little. She knew she had to kiss him. She closed the distance between them by placing her lips over his. She meant for it to be a soft chaste kiss on her part, and he could push her on. But he didn't kiss her back. This frusterated her and she roughly pulled his head down even further and roughly kissed him, her tongue probing at his lips demanding entrance.
He knew he could only hold himself back for so long, and he would, as long as he possibly could. First she gently kissed him, expecting him to take over for her. He smirked inside his mind. It was the first time he realized that never once in her life had she been allowed to completely controle something. He wanted her to know the feeling, and revel in it.
He felt her frusteration at her having to do all the work. Finally she lost it and began to roughly kissing him, forcing her tongue into his mouth. The minute her tongue touched his he lost it and kissed her back as hard as she was kissing him.
"Alright, that's quite enough," came a female voice that Anakin recognized quite a bit better than even Padme did.
They pulled away making sure to stand within proper distance of eachother. It had been Amethyst Skywalker who had spoken. She looked neither angry nor pleased. Her expression was one which neither teen could read, which was saying alot for Anakin.
Padme turned to her mother who was with Amethyst. Her mother bore the same expression, one she couldn't possibly read.
"Alright, sit down," instructed Elektra.
Towards the side of the balcony there was a table with four chairs, two on one side and two on the other. Amethyst sat next to her son and Elektra sat next to her daughter.
"This is the third time we have caught you," said Elektra.
"How could you have seen us on that night? You had already left for the party?"
"That's not the time we're talking about," said Amethyst calmly.
"There was another time," asked the usually poised Elektra.
Both Anakin and Padme looke at eachother with weary expressions. They had both been sure she had meant Thanksgiving. If not Thanksgiving, then when? Oh, the garden, the garden...
"How many times have there been," asked Amethyst.
Amethyst swore to herself that her son had better know. If he didn't know she may lose calm. And she was sure one of them needed to remain calm.
"Only four times. You knew about two of the times. Walking in here you now could say you knew about three of the times. And now Padme has told you about the fourth time."
"And-"
"That's all Mrs. Amidala. I swear to you. Those are the only times and that is all that has happened. I give you my word."
Elektra nodded as well as Amethyst. What could they do about it? Nothing. So, they must remain calm. There was no sense getting out of sorts about something they couldn't even do about, much less controle. All Elektra could do was convey her wishes to her future son in law.
"Anakin, I can't tell either one of you what to do in this matter. I can only hope you will take my wishes into consideration as well as your mother's. Padme is my most beautiful daughter in every way. I hold her in the highest exteem and take pride in her the most, out of all my children. Please, keep my wishes, and honor her. Respect her and treasure her by not laying a finger on her until after you two have been married."
Both Anakin and Padme notice how she spoke as if Padme wasn't there. Padme saw just how much this meant to her mother. And then she looked at Anakin who suddenly looked much older and much more serious.
"Mrs. Amidala, I will honor and respect your daughter with everything in me. I swear on the moons of Naboo I will. I will leave her untouched until we are married. I swear. You have my word. But if I promised you I wouldn't so much as kiss her until we were married I would not be a man of my word. And I have always prided myself on keeping my word."
"I wasn't asking for the last part you just mentioned. But it fills me with the utmost joy of what you have just promised to me. Thankyou, Anakin. You are a good man. I have had the pleasure of watching you grow, and will continue to take that pleasure."
"Thankyou," said Anakin dutifully.
All four stood and headed for the door. Anakin knew the Amidala's were preparing to leave. He gave Padme a kiss on the cheek and hugged her. He watched as Mrs. Amidala walked out first. Padme turned around and looked at him. He winked at her and she winked back. It was after all tradition.
*********
It had been an especially hot day on Naboo when Anakin and Padme had shared their second kiss in the Garden. Both fathers had been inside. Both of their mothers had gone out for the day leaving both Padme and Anakin in the care of their fathers.
Had either woman actually expected either man to keep a watchful eye for their child? Neither man had so much as held their child when they were crying, let alone watched them as a infant. Why would things suddenly change now, now that one was nearing adulthood and the other was almost in the middle of her teenagehood.
They didn't watch either one, but played chess in one of the studies. From their standpoint they were old enough and didn't need to be under watch. Ofcourse, neither man had decided to share that information with his wife.
So, that morning both wifes had told their husbands' to keep a close eye on Anakin and Padme, never once stopping to question when both of them gave a slight nod, not really hearing what their wife said, but only knowing their favored child would be there today to keep the other company, meaning they could engage in a long game of chess. Yes, that's exactly what their wifes' must have said or at least meant, or something like that...
*********
Padme and Anakin sat in the main garden drinking lemonade. Padme looked at him and laughed. That meritted a questioning look from Anakin. She stopped laughing so she could explain why she was laughing, although she was pretty sure Anakin would find it less than humorous.
"Why are we out here when we could be inside?"
"Well, it's too hot inside as well..."
"But you can actually feel the sun beating down on you out here," argued Padme.
"Actually, no, we can't. We're in the shade. Maybe you can, but I sure as hell can't," said Anakin.
"True..."
"When do you think our Mothers will be back?"
"Do you mean when will they be back or do you mean when will yours actually be leaving our house."
"True..."
"They'll go shopping, for hours. Then they will decide they want lunch. After lunch they will shop some more. Then around dinner time they might actually remember they have children at home, and come home for dinner. You know your parents will end up staying for dinner. Hmm, then they will talk. So, I think you'll be here pretty much all day."
"Wonderful..."
"I'm not that bad of company, am I," asked Padme playfully.
"No, you're not," said Anakin keeping his eyes on her as he took a swig of his lemonade.
"This is where we had our second kiss," said Padme.
"I consider it our first kiss. The one before it was because we were fighting, but yes, technically it was our second kiss."
"It was the day everything changed..."
"Do you sometimes wish things hadn't changed or that you could go back and change things," asked Anakin.
"Sometimes I think things were easier when we constantly fought. But I don't regret it. Do you," asked Padme.
"Never," said Anakin.
"Good, then neither do I."
"Good," said Anakin as he arched one eyebrow at her.
Suddenly the chair that was directly right next to her was occupied with his presence instead of the one across from her. She smirked at him as she leaned in and gently kissed him. She was surprised when he didn't try to deepen the kiss, but continued to gently kiss her. She pulled away and looked into his eyes. There was something there she had never seen before, something that she couldn't place. And she wasn't going to be able to place it right then, because once again they had been caught.
They both noticed their fathers standing and watching them with amused smiles on their faces.
"Come in. It's time for lunch," Alfred said finally.
*********
TBC
(SEE?! I did update. I've gotten into the Star Wars mood again. And listening to across the stars just motivates me more, but not as much as reviews...)