Chapter 8
Padme had listened to what Obi-Wan had to say that day he came to see her. But she couldn't deny she had enjoyed Anakin's company on Naboo. She loved Naboo and was glad she got to show Anakin the lake country, she never got to show Obi-Wan her favorite places when she was Queen. She was caught off guard by Anakin's advances and she when she found herself kissing him back she broke the kiss and made sure to let him know she should not have done that.
She knew Obi-Wan was right, she was well aware of the rules Anakin was breaking by admitting his feelings for her. She had been down this path before and it ended in heartbreak, she was not going to allow herself to be put into that position again. She found Anakin to be very attractive, he had many good qualities and she still saw the little boy on Tatooine in him. She didn't deny she was starting to have romantic feelings for him, but she wasn't going to let him ruin his future for her. She told him that night after dinner that wouldn't live a lie. She couldn't do that, she had already made a fatal mistake by lying, a mistake that she would have to live with for the rest of her life. She was relieved to see that Anakin had accepted that.
But then just a few days later she found herself in a cell about to be executed. She had insisted they go to Geonosis to save Obi-Wan, she was very worried when she saw the message being transmitted of Obi-Wan being attacked by droids. She knew they had to rescue him and she wouldn't take no for an answer. But the plan failed and here she was with Anakin about to be taken out to an arena to await her death. While she stood there she realized something, life was too short to leave things unsaid. She was not going to die alone, she was going to make sure Anakin knew how she really felt, she never got a chance to tell Obi-Wan, she wasn't about to make the same mistake twice.
When he told not to be afraid she told him she wasn't afraid to die, then she told him, she told him how she loved him and that she just wanted him to know that before they die. She really was dying a little bit each day since he came back into her life, he and Obi-Wan both, but she knew she had to leave that part out. Then she kissed him, she felt it was the only chance at happiness she had left. She would not allow herself to die with regret.
While they were taken out to the arena, she noticed Obi-Wan staring them both down, not looking too happy. She figured he had probably seen the kiss, but she didn't have time to worry about that now, she needed to try to figure out a way to survive the situation she was about to be put in.
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Padme couldn't believe she found herself standing in front of Anakin in a wedding dress saying her vows to him. They had survived the battle on Geonosis and while she was relieved to see that Obi-Wan had survived her main focus was on Anakin. She rushed to his side and hugged him tightly while Obi-Wan struggled to get up. She felt terrible for ignoring him, but Obi-Wan deserved better than someone who had lied to him. With Anakin she had a fresh start, and she was determined not to make the same mistakes again. She knew Anakin was breaking the Jedi code but he was willing to make that sacrifice, they both were.
A part of her felt like she was betraying Obi-Wan, but she wouldn't deny her feelings anymore, Anakin might not be the ideal choice for a husband, but he loved her, and she was not going to be alone anymore. She ruined her relationship with Obi-Wan; it was time to finally accept that. She finished saying her vows and kissed Anakin gently and lovingly. She did love Anakin, it was very different than with Obi-Wan, it wasn't as passionate, but she felt she could tell Anakin anything and he would understand. She knew he thought of her as the perfect angel that could do no wrong, and she felt comfort in that. She couldn't do that with Obi-Wan, what kind of person does that to someone they love she thought to herself as she stood overlooking the lake with her new husband.
'Obi-Wan is better off without me' she said as she squeezed Anakin's hand tighter. Then she cursed herself for thinking about another man while she stood beside her husband about to start a new life.
I know this chapter was rushed but I figured since everyone knows the AOTC story no need to drag it out, the ROTS parts will be rushed as well.