A/N- Thank you for the new follows and reviews. And yes, I am setting the stages for the upcoming chapters in the last chapter.

-Please review and follow as always,

GP

Chapter 14

Location: Theed, Naboo

Month 10 Day 3 Year 29 BBY

The clinging of the cups are a toast of their guest of honor at the dinner table. Though the dinner table only consists of 5 of the family members and one special guest. Ruwee had insisted on celebrating her success and the trip she would leave in two days' time. He is proud of his youngest daughter's commitment to her work. She has a bright future ahead in whatever she truly sets her mind on. He can see her becoming a successful Senator if she chooses to be.

Though he knows there is a possibility that she might have another path. Ruwee eyes the pair of green eyes staring at his youngest daughter with longing. The young man raises his wine glass in her honor and suggests, " May the Gods watch over you and your diplomatic mission to the Outer Rim and let your mission be successful in your group's endeavors. "

Padme' smiles at her companion. The brilliant Senator Clovis had come to see her off. She has become quite fond of Rush. He visited often in the last few months, since the summer. She had bounced ideas for the refugee project when their funding had come undone. Rush had agreed to help support their mission and found many Senators in the Senate who desired to help fund their project of creating a new colony where these poor souls had a place to go.

Padme isn't fond of the Emperor's policies of refugees and has voiced her opinions to Bail, and many other members of her class. Although Rush is a true Imperialist, his ideals have flaws at times which Padme has noticed. She is careful to speak her opinions to her newfound friend, as she desires to keep her friendship. She needs friends and connections if she were to gain an internship at some point in the future. But Padme knows her dreams were only her dreams now- as she finds herself at a crossing that will determine the rest of her life. But she doesn't ponder on this now, she celebrates with her family of her journey ahead.

Ruwee raises his glass clearly feeling the wine after three glasses. He needs them to get through the next few days. His last part of Jobal will be going off into the world and didn't need him any longer. She is grown- almost 18, well within three months time. She is old enough to marry, old enough to attend university or choose to go off on her own diplomatic mission. All eyes on the stars for her now. He knows she'll be home shortly as this trip is to help them begin settling in. The trip will only last three weeks and then she'll be home for Fete Week. The week his entire family will be together once more. All three of his daughters,, Bail Organa and even Anakin will return. If only you could see how they've all grown into fine young women, Jobal.

They toast once more and the group disperses to begin their separate activities after dinner. Senator Clovis nods to Ruwee and asks, " Ruwee, may I speak to you in private for a moment? I have a business transaction to discuss with you."

Ruwee nods his head as Rush had proposed the idea when he had first arrived the day prior. Ruwee had been busy with his grading of his classes exams, but now he has a free moment. He gestures to the study and Rush follows him in that direction.

Padme doesn't seem to notice where her father has gone. She has packing to finish. She climbs the stairs to her room and presses the bedroom panel. Her bedroom is in shambles, clothes strewn across the bed as she isn't sure what to pack. The winters are mild compared to Theed's. She can feel the bitter wind through her room's balcony's doors. Snow has yet to fall in Theed, but it wouldn't be too much longer. Her eyes travel to her half-filled bags. She hadn't meant to pack so heavily, but she isn't sure what she would need for the 15 days she would be there.

I also don't know what will still fit…

She picks up one of the long sleeve shirts she had thrown over her dresser. It is soft and black. She stands in front of her mirror, holding the shirt that is larger than her. She had laid eyes on it several days prior. It is a bit large on her now but the fabric is so soft. There is a light pattern of smokey gray stripes on the top of the shirt. She sighs, she didn't know if she'd need this shirt quite yet, most of her winter clothes still fit- not tightly, except for a few pairs of her pants. She had turned to longer skirts this winter instead. She didn't like the feeling of the tight pants against her waist.

It won't be much longer. She knows her days of her perfect life will come down around her. Her dreams slammed into the dust and her family's trust in her would dissolve. Her father will be ashamed by her actions, by her selfish reasons. She has come to the conclusion she'll never have her dreams of becoming a Senator. She might be able to keep her connections with Bail and Rush to find a job on Coruscant. She'd need somewhere to go in the coming weeks. She'd need a job to support herself- no the two of them.

Tears rush into her eyes as she touches the fabric of the large shirt. Her hands come down and lie on her stomach. By the force her life had turned upside down a month after summer had ended. She hadn't felt very well and didn't want to eat anything. Sabe' had suggested she went to see a medical droid at the city's infirmary. She had agreed thinking whatever she had come down with was contagious to her family. What the droid confirmed to her was nothing she had expected. Nothing has been the same since.

Here she finds herself 17 and with a child. The symptoms and her missed cycle made sense after that visit to the Medical Infirmary. She thought they had been careful. They had taken precautions and she'd even taken birth control after the second time. Though even after centuries of perfecting birth control it wasn't foolproof. And she's pretty sure it had been that night of the party some 15 weeks ago.

And she had decided to keep the baby. She didn't want to abort a child which hadn't had a choice of who his or her parents are. She had decided to tell her main family members when she started to show. That would be several weeks away which gives her time to get her affairs in order. She knew her father won't allow her to stay within their home. In Nabooian culture, unwed mothers are frowned upon. They are shunned by their family and their reputation for marrying is slim to none. The idea is barbaric but that is the culture she has grown up in. It is their customs so she must follow them. Her father must follow them as part of the elite. He could lose his job and position at the university if they become aware of her bastard child.

Tears fall down her face as she cradles her nonexistent belly in her hands. It doesn't help that she refuses to tell Anakin of her plight and troubles. She has chosen to follow this path on her own without his help, nor will she acknowledge the baby's father to anyone, even him. She has chosen to do this alone without help and she would be strong. She has to be.

" I thought you might need some help packing, " Calls a voice from behind her.

She jumps and jerks the black shirt around from her. It drops to the floor and her fears heighten. At this moment, she wishes she has the powers of the force like Anakin. She dreads turning around, hoping that she hadn't seen too much of the show in the mirror.

Padme' plasters a regal smile on her face and turns to her stepmother's waiting form. She says politely, " I could use some assistance as I don't know what to pack. I've always been terrible at packing."

Katrina's features have a sympathetic gaze. Her mouth has formed a think line. As the door to her bedroom slides shut, she knows she's been caught like a bantha in a speeder's headlights. She waits for Katrina to yell, to accuse her of being a slut. But none of that happens, instead her voice is soft and suggests, " How long child?"

Padme has never really taken to Katrina, but in that moment she breaks. The reality of her family knowing is out in the open. Tears stream down her cheeks, perhaps it is the hormones, but she finds herself stepping forward and reaching for her stepmother's arms. Katrina is taken aback. Padme' hardly showed affection towards her and she wraps her arms around the shaking brunette. They both know the weight of her predicament. The weight of what her father will have to do to her.

Padme' breaks away, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand. She mumbles out, " I'm just over 2 months."

Katrina holds her hands and her fears for the girl grow. Katrina knows how dangerous her pregnancy can be. She knows the truth about her force sensitivity, and she knows the girl has had her booster since she was a wee babe. The chances of her child surviving were lower than 60 percent and her chances of miscarrying are high. The girl needs to know the truth so she can prepare for the downfall of losing everything.

" Child, we must speak of this. Does anyone know?" She questions her eyes flickering back toward Padme's brown orbs.

Padme' shakes her head. " No, just you and I. I wanted to wait to tell everyone after the holidays."

Katrina grips her hands and utters, " What are your reasons for keeping it?"

Padme' blinks her tears away and states simply, " Because this child shouldn't have to suffer some fate because his or her parents were careless."

Katrina nods in acceptance of her answer. She sits down on her bed and pulls Padme' to sit beside her. She looks down at their clasp hands as she begins, " Padme' this pregnancy is too dangerous for you to go through with."

Padme' eyes lit up in confusion. She trembles out, " Katrina I can't abort this baby- I won't."

Katrina eyes her and squeezes her hand. " Padme' there is something you do not know. You have a higher risk of miscarrying or having a child that is stillborn."

Her eyes shine with her confusion and she asks, " How? You helped my mother give birth to me. You cleared my health as a babe. I have been fairly healthy and lucky in my health. I don't understand how I can be considered high risk."

Katrina gives her hand another squeeze and murmurs, " Dear you are healthy, but because of the vaccine you are given each year- there are side effects."

Her eyes narrow in understanding. " The vaccine is for the blue shadow virus, every one of us in the family gets it each year. Sola has a healthy child-"

Katrina raises her hand and murmurs, " Everyone except you gets that vaccine each fall. You receive the standard vaccine for force sensitive individuals."

Padme's eyes widen upon hearing this knowledge. How? She isn't- she's never had any sort of force abilities. She swallows painfully remembering her basic health classes from university. She had an exam with a question about the vaccine. The question had gone over the side effects of the vaccine- including the effects of miscarriages, stillborn deaths, and becoming infertile.

She pulls away from her stepmother's hands and says in dismay, " I- no! Why would you hide this from me?"

Katrina's eyes downcast hearing her anger. She knows she has every right to be angry, but she'd be more hurt knowing her father had hidden this knowledge from her. She murmurs, " Your mother and father chose to not keep it on records. They asked me to lie on the records and give you the vaccine. They knew if you were registered you'd be in danger for the rest of your life. Your parents were aware of the risks of you never conceiving or having a healthy full-term pregnancy."

Padme's hands tremble with this knowledge. She demands, " Why didn't my father tell me? What's if I had gone my whole life wondering why I couldn't have a baby? To be a mother."

Katrina tries to reach for her and assure her fears, but Padme' jerks away halfway across the room. She shakes and murmurs, " How could he do this to me? What are the chances of this baby surviving?"

Katrina's face deems her answer. Her features shine in sympathy and a grimace on her lips. Padme' knows studies have shown a few have survived but the chances were less than 60 percent. Less than the odds she wanted to face. She nods and whispers, " I can't lose this baby- he or she is all that I have left of him."

Katrina catches her meaning. She assumed the child was probably the boy's. She had a guess but Padme had just confirmed her suspicions. Katrina replies, " There is nothing to be done. If you choose to go through with this pregnancy I want you to be aware of the risks. As far as telling your father, I won't- but I do suggest you tell Anakin."

Padme's eyes narrow upon hearing her statement. How did she know? Padme' hadn't even told her sisters' about her short fling with Anakin. She felt it better to forget their affair and not mention it ever again. But suddenly it clicked. Suddenly her thoughts drift back to the night Anakin had broken off things with her. He had looked in pain as if it hadn't been his choice as if-

Padme's rage seethes through her in a roar, " You? It was you all along!"

Katrina knows she has been made. She knows her little talk with the boy was out in the open now. Katrina stands ready to defend her choices back many months before. She comments calmly, " I did what must be done. He knew that he wasn't good enough for you."

Padme's anger towards her best friend lessens with this knowledge. He hadn't wanted to break her heart. Her mouth forms the words and she demands seething out, " Why would you do such an awful thing? I loved him!"

Katrina places her hands on her hips and states simply, " You deserve a life better than what a soldier can give you. You deserve to become a Senator or to marry into the political world. Being a wife of a soldier is one of distress. I watched many weeping widows give birth to their sweet babies after their husbands' had been murdered by the Separatists. Many of those same women committed sucide not long after their children were born, leaving them orphans. Is that a life you want to live or leave a child in?"

Padme's anger is still evident but she suggests, " I am stronger than that. I wouldn't be that weak."

Katrina smiles sadly eyeing the strong stubborn girl. She adds, " You aren't weak, but you've never lost the man you love in wartime. It is not a life I want to see you live and neither would your father. Besides, your luck may change tonight."

Padme crosses her arms asking, " What do you mean?"

Katrina sighs and begins packing some of her things out of habit and nerves. She states clearly, " I happen to know for a fact that currently Rush Clovis is asking for your hand in marriage. He is bewitched by you."

Padme's eyes widen and she covers her mouth in dismay. " I can't marry him. I'm having another man's child-"

Katrina stops her mutterings and states firmly, " He is a caring man and I think if you explain to him the truth he'll accept it if you accept his proposal."

Padme' chuckles at her nonsense. She shakes her head. " I can't marry him. I don't need a man to support me."

Katrina clasps her hands tightly in anger. She leans forward and seethes through her gritted teeth, " You stupid girl! This is your only choice! If you have this child out of wedlock then you'll be shunned by everyone and it will eventually come out that the child is that boy's'. You will ruin his prospects of a future as well with your nonsense!"

Padme' rips her hand away, thinking of her friend's career. She hadn't thought of that. But what if the child looked like him? What if the child had eyes the color of his, or his coloring of hair? It would be very apparent who the child's father is. She bites her lip and answers, " I don't think the Senator is that giving. He won't want to raise a child that is not his."

Katrina sighs and whispers, " You have nothing else to lose but to plead your case to him. Make him conditions of sorts. He is bewitched by you and I think he will understand your case. He is not of Nabooian culture so he was not raised in our manners or etiquette. Please just speak to him, that is all I ask. Think if this child survives what kind of life you could give it on your own without help from your family."

Padme' knows what she says to be true. She knows that if her future suitor gives her a chance, her child could have a comfortable lifestyle. She doesn't even know if the child will survive but she knows she has to think about not only her wants but the child's needs too. She hasn't really figured out what sort of job a single mother could get. She nods her head and utters, " I will speak to him when he comes to me with a proposition."

( Later in the Evening- Gardens)

Her heart pumps in her ears as she waits for any reply for the man walking beside her.

She knows her fate lies in her hands. She has told him the short version of her plight after he proposed marriage to her. She knows her entire family awaits for their return with an answer to his question. Her father had agreed to give him his permission to marry his baby girl. It had taken some courage to accept his proposal and some negotiations as to what he would receive of her lands. He had accepted Lake Vakriyio. It will make a lovely vacation home for the couple for she chose to accept him. Though now it seems for him to accept her.

Rush has never wished to marry, but the girl walking beside him has bewitched him. She is intoxicating and he has to possess her- to make her his. If that means to marry her, then he will. He knew if he told her father all that had been just revealed he can never have her. She is young and had made a grave mistake as any young person does in their lifetime. He sure as hell made mistakes in his youth. He had learned many lessons during his time among the Munns, but he also knows she is no different. Besides if she were only his, she'd have no others after him. If he accepted and acknowledged the child as his, she would be his forever. Divorice is frowned upon in the Empire unless under dire circumstances and if he grew bored of her? He could always take a mistress on the side.

He turns to her and states, " And if I accept everything that you offer, how will we explain the birth of a child that clearly was created before our marriage?"

She bites her red sweet lips and he desires her even then. He has waited months to have her.

She responds clearly with a plan in mind, " I would admit that we gave into our infatuations for each other during one of your visits and you wanted to be an honest man and marry the mother of your child. I think my father would accept that."

He nods and asks the question looming over his mind. " And what of the man who fathered this child? Won't he want to know of his child's existence?"

She blinks and seems to be thinking of the right answer. But her next words are firm, " He doesn't get a say in my life, nor the child's. He chose the life he lives."

Rush seems elated at his prospect and he takes her hand in his and kisses it. He smiles down at her with those lovely green eyes and asks, " And what of you? Can you grow to care for me?"

Padme's lips form a small smile as she says, " Perhaps, but let's start with a friendship and then allow fate to decide what happens."

He seems to accept this, but knows he'll still have her in his bed on their wedding night. In any culture they had to consummate their marriage and he's looking forward to that night.

He nods and says, " Then I accept your terms. Will you marry me?"

Padme's heart breaks as she whispers, " Yes."

To Be Continued.