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AN: Here's chapter 20! Thanks for all the wonderful reviews!

Never Gone

Chapter 20: The Wedding

Surrounded by heavy security, Anakin, Padme, and their families arrived at Varykino very early the morning of the wedding. The wedding decorations were already being set up. Anakin and Padme would be married in the garden overlooking the lake. A large, white archway was being set up as the alter. Silver and royal blue Nabooan roses, which were the colors Padme had chosen for her wedding, adorned the alter and most of the decorations. Upon arrival, Anakin and Padme were separated to begin preparing them and their wedding party. Anakin was strictly instructed that he was not for any reason to venture into the women's half of the house.

After Padme showered, Shmi and Jobal began helping Padme with her hair. While they were doing that Sola was helping Ryoo and Pooja into their flower girl dresses. Ryoo would be doing most of the petal throwing and little Pooja would be carrying the rings. After Ryoo and Pooja were ready, Lea, Beru and Sola helped each other into their maid of honor and bridesmaid dresses.

"This is such a lovely color of blue," Beru said, as she stared at the deep royal blue shimmersilk dress in the mirror. Each dress was identical with off the shoulder sleeves and a hart shaped collar above the bosom. The skirt was long and full, but not overly full or bulky.

"Yes, it is a beautiful color. Padme told me she chose it, because it reminded her of Anakin's eyes," Lea said. There was a collective awww from Sola and Beru, followed by a few giggles. Padme's hair was tumbled down her back in loose ringlets. The sides were brought to the back and fastened at the back of her head with a beautiful clip, decorated with roses. After her hair and a light amount of make-up was applied, Jobal and Shmi helped Padme into her dress. Shmi fastened the sheer veil in hair with pins and then brought it over Padme's face. Her mother completed the process by handing Padme her bouquet of silver and blue roses.

"Oh Padme, you look absolutely radiant," Jobal said. Padme beamed. It was really happening. She was really marrying the most wonderful, gorgeous man in the galaxy.

"Thanks mom," Padme replied. They heard a soft knock at the door and Ruwee stepped in.

"Are we just about ready?" he asked.

"We are dear," Jobal replied. Ruwee stood in awe of his youngest daughter.

"You look beautiful Padme," he told her.

"Thank you daddy," she replied, as she took his arm and he led her to their positions.

Anakin stood at the alter next to the holy man, more nervous than he'd ever been. Though, he usually hated tuxes, he had to admit that the tux Padme had picked for him looked good. It was all black with royal blue trimmings. He scanned the guests briefly. Some he knew, some he didn't. They had kept the guest list down to about fifty people, which was small, considering how many people Padme knew. In the front row, Cliegg gave him a reassuring smile and he smiled back. Anakin recognized Padme's good friends, Bail Organa and Mon Mothma. There were a few other Senators there too, but he couldn't put names with their faces. His eyes drifted to Queen Jamilla herself. She was seated next to Chancellor Palpatine. Anakin knew that he should be honored that the Chancellor of the Republic was attending his and Padme's wedding, but for some reason the presence of the Chancellor and Tarkin for that matter only unnerved him. He took a deep breath and used a calming technique that Obi-Wan had taught him. Thankfully, due to all the security, they had managed to keep the holonet reporters back in Theed. He was also kind of glad that Master Yoda and Master Windu had to decline their invitation due to matters concerning the war. He was worried that they would be able to sense that Obi-Wan had been training him. Or worse, they would notice the connection between he and Lea. Anakin tried to calm his rambling thoughts again, as his mother and Jobal were escorted to their seats by. Soft music began to play, as Owen and Beru slowly walked down the aisle arm in arm. They both gave him smiles, as they flanked off to their positions. Sola and Darred were next and each took their positions. Finally, the best man and maid of honor were next. Obi-Wan wore his most formal Jedi robes, black in color, to match the other tuxes. Lea looked stunning in her maid of honor dress also. Each took their positions, as Ryoo and Pooja walked down the aisle, sprinkling rose petals. The music intensified and Padme entered on her father's arm. At that moment, everyone around her disappeared from Anakin's gaze. She encompassed his attention completely and stunned him to speechlessness. She reached the alter and her father released her arm. She joined hands with Anakin, and they both smiled, as they gazed into each other's eyes.

"You are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," Anakin whispered, in awe of her. Padme blushed under his intense gaze.

"Thank you Ani," she whispered back.

"We are gathered here today to join Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala in the sacred bonds of marriage," the holy man began.

"Who gives this women to wed to this man?" the holy man asked. Ruwee and Jobal stood.

"We do," Ruwee said, with a soft smile on his face.

"What we join together today, let no one come between. You both have chosen to recite your own vows," the holy man said, indicating they could begin. Padme handed her bouquet to Lea, as Anakin took both of her small hands in his own, before he began.

"Padme, I've loved from the moment I first laid eyes on you, almost eleven years ago, when I just a boy. I knew that you had to be an angel and you are. Since then, I've dreamed of making you my wife and it's finally happening. I will love you and cherish you for the rest of my life and beyond Padme, because you are my universe. I will spend the rest of my life making you happy, taking care of you, and protecting you. I love you Padme and I give myself to you," Anakin finished, as he slid the golden wedding band on her finger. Tears had long ago welled in Padme's eyes during his speech and she reached under her veil to wipe them away.

"Anakin, before you came back into my life, I was living an incomplete, empty life. Even if I didn't realize it at the time. I don't remember what life was like without you and I never want to remember. You've made my life complete and today, I'm finally making you my husband. I will love and cherish you for the rest of my life and beyond Anakin, because you are my universe too. I love you Anakin, so very much, and I give myself to you," Padme finished, as she slid the golden wedding band on his finger.

"A love like this cannot be broken by any Force. By the power vested in me by our benevolent queen, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride," the holy man told Anakin. He inched closer to Padme and lifted her veil. He tilted his head and she leaned in, as their lips met in a passionate kiss, sealing their union.

Anakin and Padme danced slowly, entwined in each other's arms. It was their first dance as husband and wife.

"I love you so much Padme. I'm so happy," Anakin said. Padme reached up and fondly brushed his bangs out of his eyes.

"I am too Ani and I love you too," she replied, as she rested her head against his chest, as they swayed slowly to the music.

Lea sighed.

"They look so happy," she said dreamily.

"Well, why don't we stop standing here and go out there and dance ourselves?" Obi-Wan said, holding his hand out for her.

"Can we? They're aren't any Jedi here...but" she was cut off by Obi-Wan.

"Milady, I do believe that it is traditional for the maid of honor to share a dance with the best man," Obi-Wan replied. Lea smiled and took his hand.

"I believe you are correct master Jedi. Kindly lead the way," she replied, as she took his hand. The rest of the wedding party joined in the second dance as well. It wasn't long before most of the other guests were dancing and enjoying themselves as well.

Chancellor Palpatine sipped carefully at the fine Nabooan wine in his hand. The Force around him was permeated with so much love it was nauseating. He studied Skywalker for a moment, trying to survey his connection to the Force. It was an incredibly strong connection...and it had grown stronger, much stronger than it had six months ago. His eyes drifted to Kenobi and he had to suppress a cruel snarl. Had Kenobi really been training the boy? If he had, Palpatine would have normally been thrilled. Anakin was extremely gifted, but the Chancellor knew that there would be no way to successfully turn him, even if Aurra Sing managed to do her job and kill the Senator. He had sensed the boy was already suspicious of him and for that reason, Palpatine needed him to be eliminated. If Aurra Sing failed to do it...then he might have to send Dooku after the boy and his wife. Plastering a fake smile on his face, he approached the couple to offer his congratulations.

"The night is wearing late my young friends, so my security will be seeing me back to the palace. I just wanted to offer my congratulations to you both," Palpatine said.

"Thank you Chancellor," Padme replied gratefully.

"We have missed your presence in the Senate milady. I do hope you will be able to return soon," Palpatine said.

"Me too, your excellency," she replied.

"And congratulations to you Anakin. You are a very lucky man," Palpatine said.

"Yes I am, thank you your excellency," Anakin replied, as he shook the man's hand. He didn't like this man at all. Something about the way he looked at both he and Padme. To anyone else, it seemed kind, but Anakin always got the feeling that his gaze for them held carefully hidden malice. Anakin shook those thoughts away and smiled gratefully at the Chancellor, as he and Padme bid him good night. And so, the painstaking task of standing at the exit to receive well wishes and bid goodbye to their guests began. Two hours later, the last of the guests were gone. Sola and Darred loaded their sleeping daughters into the speeder, before saying goodbye and heading home. Padme's parents and Anakin's families were next to leave and now all they were all that remained, besides Obi-Wan, Lea, and the heavy, but discreet security. Obi-Wan and Lea had already left them alone. Padme wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately for a long moment.

"Let's go change into something more comfortable and then I thought we could have some of that wine on the veranda, Mr. Skywalker," Padme said, with a smile. Anakin smiled back.

"That sounds perfect Mrs. Skywalker," he replied, as she led him to their bedroom. They walked in and through the sitting room to the bedroom, where Padme immediately occupied the fresher. Anakin went about taking off the tux and slipped on a pair of his black sleep pants. He slipped on the matching top, but left it unbuttoned down the front. He waited out on the veranda for Padme and filled two glasses with the fine red wine. Soon, he heard soft footsteps behind him and turned to his bride. His jaw dropped, as she walked toward him, swaying her hips. She was dressed in a slinky, red silk night that barely reached mid thigh in length. The rest of it hugged her curves and barely concealed her chest. Anakin accidentally dropped the wine bottle he was holding. He cursed in Huttesse, as he quickly picked up the bottle and placed it back on the table. Padme put her hand over her mouth to stifle a chuckle. When Sola had given her this at her bridal shower a few days earlier, Padme had blushed ten shades of red. But as Sola predicted, it was having the desired effect. She moved closer to him and snaked her arms around his neck.

"I take it you approve of my attire, my darling husband," Padme said.

"Yeah," he replied, with that crooked grin she loved. They picked up their glasses and clinked them together, before sipping. They set their glasses down, as Anakin's lips descended on hers. Padme eagerly wrapped her arms around his neck, as he let his passion for her take over the kiss. Padme felt her knees go weak, as his mouth moved over hers and his tongue danced with her own. Suddenly, she felt a strange sensation and pulled away from his lips. She gasped and clung to him, as she discovered they were hovering off the ground.

"Ani, what are you doing?" she asked. He chuckled.

"Floating. It's how I feel when I'm with you," he replied, as he kissed her neck. Padme's eyes drooped shut, as his lips moved along her neck with gentle kisses and soft nips of affection. Padme held onto him tightly, as they continued to float.

"I'd never let you fall angel," Anakin whispered, as he pulled her lips into another kiss. Padme melted in his arms, letting him hold her up completely. He lowered them back to the ground slowly.

"I'd like to take you higher, but I think I'll save it for another night. There's something else I want to do right now," he told her. She stared into his dreamy blue eyes.

"And what would that be?" she asked.

"I want to make love to you," he said, as his hands drifted over her shoulders and down to her hips. Padme linked her arms around his neck, as he lifted her into his arms. Padme held his face in her hands, as he carried her to their bed.

"I want that too Ani," she said softly, before his lips came crashing down on hers in a searing kiss...

In chapter 21, things turn serious as Aurra Sing plots to eliminate the Senator and her husband...