Shift: Chapter Twelve
I followed Padmé into the kitchen and waited while she shut the door behind me. When she turned and faced me, I immediately recognized a new mood. I'd seen it a few times over the past couple of weeks. She was angry. With me. Good. I was hoping I'd have the opportunity to explain myself.
"Hold on," I warned, backing away slowly before pulling out chairs for both of us. "Take a seat and hear me out. I have something important to tell you."
She eventually sat, although it had apparently taken an argument with herself to do so.
I took a deep breath and began. "Thank you for listening. First off, I want to tell you how sorry I am for not coming to see you or contacting you like I promised I would."
I paused at that moment because there really was nothing else to say. There were no excuses I could offer her and none she'd want to hear anyway. My apology would have to do. She'd either have to accept it or…
No. There was no other alternative acceptable. She had to forgive me!
"Is that it? After all this time, that's all you have to say?"
Perhaps, I should've explained a little more.
The next words out of my mouth needed to be carefully chosen. They would make or break our future relationship. As I focused on them, images of our time together flooded my mind. All the beautiful moments we'd spent together and with the children had truly been a blessing. It had given me the opportunity to not only get to know her better but to fall more in love with her. No matter the outcome of this conversation, I would continue to do so. What else could I say? What could possibly be better than my sincerest apology? Maybe if I repeated it.
"Padme. I am truly sorry."
The anger appeared to be melting away only to leave behind a dull sadness in her dark eyes.
"Truly," I repeated after a long moment of silence.
She continued to stare at me with a pained gaze and finally spoke softly. "I realize now how young and naïve I must've seemed to such a handsome Jedi as yourself. I mean, that must happen all the time, right? I imagine you have a long line of lovers waiting for you in every port."
Was she serious? "No, that's not at all what…" I tried cutting in, although she wouldn't have it, and kept talking over me.
"I'm wiser now thanks to you. What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Isn't that what they say? I got over my childish crush a long time ago. If you don't mind, I'm going to contact the Jedi Council and request a different team of Jedi be assigned for my protection. I think that would be best."
Apparently, her mind was made up and she stood and approached the comm unit on the kitchen wall. She was about to prove her point to me when I joined her and promptly disconnected her call. My heart was crying out to her silently. How could I convince her to give me another chance? What could I say?
"Our daughter looks just like you," I suddenly blurted out, gauging her reaction after I'd done so. She looked surprised but intrigued, so I hurried on. "She's beautiful and smart like you too. Lucas, on the other hand, takes after me. They're twins, you know. He's ornery and stubborn and thinks he's right all the time. He also bosses around his twin sister, but Leia usually ends up with the upper hand. Ben's the oldest. He'll be ten soon. He's a perfect example of both of us put together. He's witty, intelligent, and plays on the local laserball team. He's small for his size, like me, but he makes up for it with his natural athletic ability. And then there's us. We're a good team. We joke around, laugh a lot, argue sometimes, and make love until the sun comes up. You decided not to pursue a career in politics so you'd have time to be with the children and they've benefited greatly from your care. You're an excellent mother, Padmé, and with your help, I'm a decent father. At least I try."
I chuckled a little and dared to reach for her hand; thrilled when she accepted my touch. "We visit your family on Naboo once in a while and have such a great time. I think your parents have accepted me and are very kind. They love the kids. By the way, your mother is an excellent cook. I gain weight every time we visit. We have good times, but you worry about me being gone on missions. That's okay because we talk about it. We work things out Padmé since we're so much in love. That's all that matters."
By the time I'd finished spilling my heart out at her feet, there were tears in her eyes.
"Is…is that a dream you had?" she asked just as one fell onto her cheek.
I smiled at the thought. No. It wasn't a dream. It was real. I know it was. Or at least it could be.
"Not a dream really, just a vision of what you and I could be. All that we could have if you would only forgive me. Padmé, if I could do everything all over again, I would do them differently. I would've come seen you so often, Captain Panaka probably would've had me banished. The truth is, I love you. Help me, Padme. Help me make this vision a reality."
I held my breath while she thought over everything I'd said. I hoped it all made sense and I hoped it was enough to persuade her.
"Three kids, huh?" she teased while stepping forward.
"Too many?" I asked, daring to form a grin.
"I've always preferred even numbers."
This was too good to be true! Boldly, I reached out and drew her to me. "Four is an excellent number," I replied, leaning toward her as I watched her reaction closely.
"Four it is then," she whispered just before our lips met.
Her kiss chased away all my anxieties, doubts, and fears, and left me only with concern for her safety. Oh, yes. There was that. I regretfully pulled away.
"Let's get you somewhere safe," I suggested as we embraced.
"As long as I'm with you, I'll go anywhere you wish. Just promise never to leave me again, Obi-Wan."
"I won't," I told her earnestly. "I promise." This time, I meant it.
/End (although I may be writing a sequel to this...maybe)