A/N: I got stuck on some parts, so I'm just going to put out what I have so far. You guys will like this, though, and hopefully, it'll tide you guys over in the meantime. Both Anakin and Padmé perspectives were in my head, so this is what came out…

Please enjoy!

Chapter 21

Naboo

Skywalker residence

Early evening.

It was well past 8:30 at night by the time Anakin got home. Typically the twins would have been fed, dressed, and bathed by Dormé for the evening before being tucked into bed by either Padmé, himself, or both parents.

A sharp pain of regret pierced his heart at not being able to do that for them this evening. It was a simple gesture he never took for granted and enjoyed immensely. Maybe because it reminded him of how Shmi used to tuck him in at night.

Striding through the front door, he smoothly slipped in, twisting around to push the door closed once again. With the faintest of clicks, the front door was locked and secured, his loved ones safe and sound. What more could he ask for?

Perhaps he was more hypervigilant lately, but after everything that had happened, it pressed within him an urgent compulsion to make sure his family was safe. With his Jedi reflexes, he soundlessly padded through the dimly lit living room, stopping only when the back of his mind tingled with a presence. A concerned smile cracked his stern face. With a woeful heart, he shuffled the item in his arms as he peeked over the couch, finding his beloved wife strewn across it. Probably asleep waiting on his return. Another thing he'll need to amend.

A lovingly worn multicolored woven blanket laid over her, an heirloom gift from her mother and her mother before her. With her head tucked into the corner of the couch, she had fallen asleep propped up on the cushions, her exposed pale shapely legs stretched over the pillows.

The sight melted his heart.

A peaceful vision that he could never get enough of. Asleep, her unguarded face was relaxed and emphasized her delicately feminine features, the hard lines of her inner strength taking a break in her slumber. It was in this state that she seemed so fragile and incredibly precious to him. Sometimes he would stand there and watch her slumber like this before he joined her in bed. It drew a protective instinct within him. A fierce desire to shield her from harm and encase her in an impenetrable bubble.

And then there was her smile. Her luscious lips slightly curved upwards with whatever she was dreaming about. A smile on her face, even when she was asleep, was a thing of beauty in his eyes. If he had things his way, he would always keep a smile on her face and protect her from whatever prevented staying in that continued blissful state. But, alas, it wasn't for him to strive for such lofty goals. His mind focused on their need to continue their previous conversation.

Inhaling a sharp breath, he rounded the corner of the couch, stepping lightly as to prevent waking his dear wife prematurely, and savored the last couple minutes of her like this. The cushions of the furniture rose up as his weight settled into them. Next to her, he drank in the sight of the wave like rise and fall of her petite chest before slipping the gift he bought for her on her crossed arms resting over her belly. Taking a tender finger, he brushed a wayward hair out of her face as she slowly stirred awake.

Padmé's thick eyelashes fluttered open, her eyes slowly adjusting to the outline of her husband. "Ani…" she murmured as she smiled adoringly, relieved by his presence. She lifted a hand to embrace his jawline but stopped at the weight tickling her arms. It took a moment with her groggy mind slowly connecting the wonderful scent that wafted around her to the curious item laid across her. Looking down, a bouquet of deep red millaflowers touched her heart, it was her favorite. A tasteful apology for her husband's pigheadedness earlier. Accepting the offering eagerly, she clutched them to her chest and inhaled deeply, her eyes searching and connecting with his beautiful, intelligent blues.

"I'm sorry," he added, reinforcing the flowers' intent. With a surge of relief, his heart warmed at the radiant smile that blossomed on his wife's face. Her love engulfed his wayward emotions and her reaction, affirming that it was the right move as he absently stroked the side of her hip.

Suddenly sitting up, Padmé tossed the blanket aside as she threw herself into her husband's arms. The gorgeous flowers ending up on the nearby coffee table in the process. Effortlessly, Anakin's arms came around her, enclosing her in a tight, loving embrace as she sighed loudly.

After all, the masculine scent of her husband was infinitely more intoxicating and delicious than the aromatic floral arrangement, and she snuggled into him deeper. With her arms wrapped around her husband's waist, she tucked her hands into the creases of his robes as he nestled a gentle kiss on her temple.

Padmé whispered against his chest, "I don't want to fight anymore."

Anakin held her closer, his shoulders relaxing in relief as he nuzzled his nose into her hair and enjoyed the light floral scent of her shampoo. "I agree."

While the moment of reconciliation was needed, there were still many things left to address. Pulling her head off his chest, she turned to look at Anakin. "I'm sorry." She started as she bit her lower lip. "I had no idea about Obi Wan, and I should have known with the how quiet you all were and how odd he was acting when you guys returned. I knew something was wrong but I was so consumed with my own issues to see it. I'm sorry I wasn't more sensitive." As a person who prided herself on reading the room and everyone's emotions within it, she was distraught with her oversight.

Anakin rubbed slow circles into her back, showing he was listening, and so she continued. "You must have felt so awful when you came home and I wasn't supportive. I feel so selfish for not thinking of what you were going through."

After taking in his wife's words, a little surprised with how distraught she was over it, he finally spoke up softly and reverently. "It's ok. I understand. " Anakin answered sincerely.

He gave her his love freely. He loved her so much. She was his light and his everything. Even after seeing the worse parts of him, she still stayed, still loved him. How could he not offer forgiveness for such a minor issue? It was a matter of no concern, yet she seemed so upset by the notion. So, of course. He forgave her. There was nothing to forgive anyways.

He raised her dainty wrist to his lips, planting a light kiss on the pulse point, conveying his unyielding love for her in the enduring gesture and loving the small smile that graced her face in response.

"Besides, it's my fault you were so upset in the first place," Anakin admitted finally.

When she frowned in response, Anakin planted a kiss into her hairline as he changed the subject. "I spoke with your father." He began.

"Oh?" Padmé tensed in his arms. Concerned with what he told her father.

"He set me straight." Anakin continued undeterred, absently thumbing his wife's hand in his. "That we are a team." He explained. "It's important for us to figure these things out together for our family and for us." It was hard for him to talk about this, and it wasn't what he wanted personally, but he knew it would make Padmé happy, so he would try for that reason alone.

The words soothed the tension out of Padmé's shoulders only to return when Anakin suddenly pulled away. Turning around, Anakin faced her on the couch, both her hands pulled over his heart while gazing at her with his intense blue eyes.

"Padmé, I love you. More than anything. More than my own life, I love you. Ever since that day in Watto's junkshop, you have stolen my heart, and it's been yours ever since." Anakin's eyes sparkled and were so tender and full of love. "You are everything to me. The reason I get up every morning, the reason my heart beats. Coming home to you makes everything I have to go through worth it." He confessed profusely, pouring his heart out, hoping she'd understand how hard this was for him.

"Oh, Ani…" Padmé's eyes started to glisten with her own love and dedication to him but stopped before adding more, letting him continue. He was so intent on getting his point across she didn't want to interrupt.

"So, I need you to understand that also means that no one can hurt me the way they can through you." His face shifted, and his expression stern as he sat up straighter. "If anything ever happened to you, it would destroy me, and I wouldn't be able to recover. I can't." Anakin squeezed his eyes shut from the tears that threatened to spill. His voice quieter, "please tell me you understand this."

Emphatically, Padmé shook her head as hot tears trickled down her face. She pulled herself closer to her husband, bringing her hands to cup his face proving to him how precious he was to her. "I do, Ani. No matter how little I got to see you in those early years we were together, I was happy because I knew I had your heart. What we have now is a dream I didn't think possible." Her voice trailed off. "But, if you stopped coming home one day? If something happened to you…" Her eyes filled with different tears this time. "My dream will turn into a neverending nightmare. I would be just as lost without you, Anakin."

Anakin let go of the breath he was holding, grateful that she got it. "I know, Angel. I know."

"So, we're a team?" Padmé reached for confirmation. Her heart leaped for joy with the progress they were making. It was a huge moment, and she reminded herself to thank her father later.

Heaving a hefty sigh, he answered, "I'll try…but it's not going to be easy." Anakin admitted, and he swore this was harder than herding a nest of gundarks.

A warm smile crossed Padmé's face again and Anakin knew he made the right decision. Anything he had to do to keep that smile on her face was worth it.

"That's all I'm asking," Padmé said in support. She was so proud of Anakin. Squeezing his hand, she brushed away a stray strand of dirty blonde hair out of his beautiful blue eyes. "You don't have the carry all your burdens by yourself, Ani. I'm here." She explained as she gazed at him with that piercing stare that read her opponents like an open book and her husband's heart.

"I'll do whatever you need to be happy," Anakin answered calmly, and Padmé felt he was sincere, although he didn't seem like he understood what she meant. But she decided to drop it for another time. They have made significant strides today.

Padmé breathed, "I love you."

He smiled that handsome smile of his. "I love you too…until the end of time," Anakin whispered as he placed a firm kiss on Padmé's forehead. "So are we ok?" Anakin prodded as he slid his hands down to her hips again, holding them a little tighter this time.

"Yeah, we're ok." She answered, drawing herself closer into his strong arms and warm embrace, sighing contently.

"Good, because I really missed you, Padmé." The deep notes in his husky voice were hard to miss.

She bit her bottom lip knowingly before fending a cool expression. "How did you miss me?" She asked innocently enough, the children were asleep, Dormé was in her room resting for the night, and Obi Wan and Ahsoka minded their own business, wisely. The two had time just for themselves.

That crafty smile reappeared on Anakin's face instantly. His eyelids grew heavy and his bright blue eyes darkened. "Let me show you, Mrs. Skywalker." With a note of warm indulgence in his voice, he scooped her up into his arms as he rose. His smile widening as she giggled.

"Wait," Padmé protested as Anakin halted in his tracks, his eyebrows twisted in confusion. For a moment, he was afraid he made another mistake.

But the embarrassed blush that spread across Padmé's face spoke otherwise as she pointed to the neglected bouquet on the coffee table. "My peace offering," she explained shyly with the coy smile Anakin loved so much.

The endearing confession was hard to deny as he was captivated by her further. Easily bending down, he dipped her as she snatched up her cherished bloom, possessively securing them into her lap as she draped her arms around his neck, embracing her beloved husband.

"Ok, take me away, Ani." That mischievous glint took over her eyes and it drove Anakin wild. Then, he quickly ran off to the bedroom with his beloved wife clutched preciously in his arms to start working on that teamwork...

A/N: I'm finalizing some finer points in Ahsoka's timeline, so the following parts may take a while.