Mara turned to leave, but Luke caught her arm before she could walk off. Her eyes met his, and for the first time he saw traces of her true strength. It was something so strong and breathtaking, he actually felt his chest constrict in pain.
" I can't go home." she spoke softly, her eyes never leaving his own.
" I know. I don't want you to go home anyways. Come home with me." he said gently as he brushed a strand of hair from her eyes. She smiled slightly and nodded, resting her head against his chest for a brief moment.
000
Leia had managed to turn the gloomish birthday bash into a fun sleepover by inviting some of the other girls to sleep over as well, that way her mom would not have any problems with just Mara over. ( Padme is not stupid and knows about L/M relationship. ; P )
Padme was still awake when they had all arrived at their house, but Anakin was fast asleep, weariness taking over from a double shift. The girls set up camp in the den, while Lando and Han slept up in Luke's room.
Mara tried to be cheerful and forget her worries and pains, but it was no use. Eventually, she was the last to drift into a fitfull and light sleep, she was also the first to rise.
When she awoke to the sounds of morning traffic, Mara slowly made her way into the kitchen, needing someplace solid and barren to think. She settled herself in a metal chair at the table, the coolness of the iron waking her senses more. She longed for the old traces of Naboo, thoses peaceful and familiar surroundings.
Naboo was her old home, her old sanctuary. There were birds and flowers of every color and spectrum everywhere on the planet. But there was no Luke. He was where her home was now; he had become her sanctuary.
Her thoughts were broken when she heard someone enter the kitchen. To her surprise it was Luke's father, Anakin, looking like he had just crawled out of bed. His blonde hair was messy, his undershirt and pajama pants rumpled. A five o'clock shadow had formed on his jaw, and Mara had to admit, he was rather hot. But she would always favour the son.
When his eyes set on hers, he jumped, finally noticing that there was another person in the room. She watched him in amusement as he processed the fact that his son's girlfriend was sitting at the kitchen table at this time of the morning in his son's clothes.
" Um, why are you here?" he asked her hesitantly. She smiled wickedly before leaning back and answering his question.
" Luke invited me to sleepover. It was a very wild night. I have learned many things." she was speaking the whole truth too. Luke had invited her, and the night had been quite interesting and wild staying up late with about five other teenage girls. She had learned things about each of them she never would have guessed or wanted to know. Anakin's eyes were wide and his face was turning slightly red.
" Does his mother know that you spent the night?"
" Oh yeah. She even took down the games and showed me where the sheets and blankets were." By this point he was quite pale and had a look that resembled that of a deer caught in the headlights. Luke walked in at that moment, rubbing sleep from his eyes, not realizing or caring that he was in his boxers and undershirt.
" Dad, nothing happened. Leia had a sleepover and Mara is currently just toying with your mind." he turned to Mara and gave her a stern look.
" And you. Quit corrupting my parents' minds." she grinned mischeiviousley at him, a glint of humor lighting up in her eyes.
" Sorry. I'll try to control myself." she said slyly.
Just then the rest of the slumber party's members dragged into the kitchen, looking like hell. But still they managed to awaken easily at the sight of Anakin.
" Ooh, Mr. S. Looking hot as always." Tionne hissed out seductively at him. Anakin suddenly looked very uncomfortable and began to rise to his feet.
" Ok, I'm out of here. Way too many raging hormones for one room." He was about to exit when Han strode in, heading straight for Leia. Something flickered in Anakin's eyes and he sat back down into his chair.
" No chance am I leaving my daughter unsupervised around her boyfriend." he stated stubbornly. Padme walked in a moment later, looking as beautiful as an angel in her white nightgown. She immediately strode over to Anakin and leaned down to kiss him sweetly. His arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her into his lap.
" Ewww, gross. Why much you act like this in front of us?" Luke said, his face contorted into a grimace.
" Luke, sweety, come here for a moment." Padme said sweetly. He reluctantly did as told and kneeled before them, resting on his heels.
" There is something I think you're old enough to hear. A talk we've been needing to have for quite some time. Your daddy and I had sex to have you and Leia. That is where babies come from." Luke had an expression of sheer terror and horror on his face and he nodded quietly. Everyone else however was laughing.
" I don't know why you guys get to hang all over each other whenever but we can't with whoever we're dating." Leia said indignantly. Padme looked at both Leia and Luke when she spoke, a glint of humor in her brown eyes.
" You can do whatever you want when you're married. I don't care. Do it til the break of dawn and into the late afternoon. Whatever. I don't give a damn once you're married, but until then, tough luck."
Luke grinned and got down on one knee before Mara, taking her hand in his own.
" Mara Jade, will you marry me?" her eyebrows rose slightly and she took her hand from his own.
" Sorry, but I prefer brunettes to blondes." she grabbed the maple syrup off of the table top and began to pour it ontop of his head of blonde hair, rubbing it in to the silky locks with her fingers. She finally stopped and sat back, admiring her handywork while smiling slightly.
" Much better. Of course, now the smell of maple syrup makes me want to gag, but I guess I can't be picky." she got to her feet, licking her fingers while heading off to go and change. Luke stood up and looked at his parents and friends while trying to wipe the syrup from his eyes.
" Oh yeah, she's definatley a keeper."
A/N: So sorry I haven't updated in forever. First Hurricane, then internet broke. Ill try my best to update everything, but please be patient, it'll take time. In the meantime, enjoy!
