Shift: Chapter Nine

As I lay awake in our bed later that night, after having stuffed myself with Jobal's excellent meal, I could hardly believe it had only been three days. Three days ago, I was living a completely different life. Although it wasn't necessarily a bad one, I was now aware that it lacked several important factors: love and family for one. I suppose one doesn't realize what is missing in one's life if they've never experienced it.

But now that I've had the pleasure of living a life of blissful companionship, I couldn't bring myself to even consider giving it up. This is what I so desperately needed. I was still devoted to the Jedi, of course, but why couldn't I fit in time for family? I didn't need to save the galaxy all on my own. There were plenty of Jedi who were more than capable of protecting and serving others. It wouldn't hurt anyone if I took some time off once in a while to enjoy being with those who loved me, and yes, whom I loved in return.

It was time to abandon those thoughts of trying to find my way back. I wanted to stay right where I was. I wanted to enjoy everything this dimension had to offer. How? How could I live each day knowing that at any moment I could be swept back to my own reality? How could I possibly predict when or where that would happen? On the other hand, how could anyone ever predict their time in any moment? Death could make its claim without warning. No one had any control over their fate.

I could do this. I could happily claim what I'd found and be quite content. I would take advantage of every moment and value every passing breath as if it were my last.

Pleasurable thoughts such as these filled my mind as I maneuvered next to my wife and held her closely as I drifted off to sleep. I was looking forward to the next day and the time I would spend with my family.

After the morning meal had been put away and the dishes all cleaned, just as Padme had told me, her parents volunteered to take the children into town for some shopping. They would return for mid meal. Padme shared a knowing look with me; one that caused flutterbugs to take flight in my stomach. In fact, I heard no noise as the children were gathered and their grandparents left with them. I was so focused on my immediate future, I couldn't concentrate on anything else.

I'd been with women before but never with her. At least not in that way. What would she expect from me? Were there certain things she preferred? Was I about to expose my ignorance?

"Come on, let's go for a walk," she suggested once the house was cleared.

"I thought.." I uttered, my eyes glancing up the stairs. There was an extremely comfortable bed up there. Where were we going?

"It's a beautiful day. Let's go out enjoy it," she encouraged, pulling on my hand.

Nervously, I agreed. Perhaps some fresh air would settle my nerves.

At the end of the street, the line of houses came disappeared and the community gardens took over. There were rows and rows of fresh produce being tended to by both women and men, old and young alike. It was enjoyable to watch them work and I would've like to have joined them, to sink my hands into fresh soil, but Padme had other plans apparently.

We continued our stroll toward a path that led off into the woods. Soon we were standing beside a waterway that led to one of the great Theed falls. The moisture filled the air and freshened the breeze blowing across my skin. For the first time in a while, my soul was calm. Gone were the previous flutters and nervous anticipations. At least until she began speaking to me.

"Do you remember this place?" she asked.

Of course, I didn't, I admitted to myself.

"Of course," I said out loud.

"I think it was your third visit back to Naboo when we snuck down here and crept off into those woods."

"Shameful activities for a Queen," I teased.

The look in her eyes led me to believe she wished to reenact such scandalous behavior. Perhaps I could distract her.

"What types of trees are these?" I asked, looking skyward.

"I can give you a Naboo botany lesson later. Right now, I'm feeling rather…"

She didn't complete her sentence, although I could tell from the fire in her eyes what she was alluding to. It looked like I had no choice and finally surrendered to the temptation, stepped forward, and took her in my arms. She sighed against my mouth and wantonly returned my kiss, surprising me once again with the depth of her desire. There was a chance I might not live through this.

"Let's go find that cabin," she said with a sultry voice and in such a way I couldn't deny her. At that particular moment, I would do anything she asked.

Within forty meters, through a shadowy canopy was a rugged home that appeared to have been abandoned at some point. Piles of logs lay randomly about the yard, leading me to believe this had been a woodcutter's cabin at some point. Surely, she didn't expect me to go in there.

Indeed, Padme pulled me toward the entrance, carefully stepping over a broken step, dislodged a loose piece of siding, and produced a key that unlocked the antique doorknob. Once my eyes had adjusted to the dimness inside, I saw exactly what I had expected: Not much. This place wasn't fit for a rodent to live in. The furniture was absent, although right in the middle far wall was a stone fireplace. Inside that fireplace were several burning candles and in front of that fireplace was a plush rug of black fur. Next to the rug were two glasses, a bottle of wine, and a variety of cheeses and bread.

She had planned this. I'm not sure how or when she'd had time to do it, but I appreciated her efforts. The romantic display was almost enough to distract me from the dilapidated surroundings. Almost. There were gaps in between the boards, gaping holes in the ceiling, and what was that smell? Rotting wood, I figured.

Padme gave me a moment to take in the surroundings before she gained my attention. This time, she did so in a most provocative way. Item by item, she began to peel off her clothing. Soon, she was standing naked before me, a blush radiating up her chest, throat, and face as I devoured her with my eyes.

"You're so beautiful," I uttered, fascinated that this woman wanted me. She was mine. My wife! Amazing.

"Come join me."

This time, there was no hesitation. A charging bantha couldn't keep me from lying with her on that rug, from sampling everything she had to offer and giving her everything I had in return. No experience I'd ever had in my life compared to the joy I felt when I made love with Padme. This was right. This was meant to be, and no one was going to take this away from me.