A/N: Hello and Happy Holidays my lovely readers! Boy, is it nice to be on Summer Break here in Australia! Of course, the weather isn't that nice. It's a whopping 31 degrees today (Celsius) and it's only going to get hotter here in the lead up to Christmas! Once again, I'm sorry for taking so long to update. But now that I'm on school holidays until late January, I should be able to pump out chapters a lot more frequently!

Also... HOW AMAZING WAS THE LAST JEDI! My boyfriend and I saw the Midnight Premiere here and woah! It's only reaffirmed what I already thought in The Force Awakens... Poe Dameron is a fucking babe. I'll ride his X-Wing any day ;) *swoons*...

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter! xx

The Girl From Harvard

Chapter 44

Padme was in the kitchen, washing up her dishes from her breakfast of blueberry pancakes and bacon, when Dorme let out a scream from behind her. Completely startled and worried that her best friend had hurt herself, Padme yelped and dropped her dishes in the sink with a clatter, and whipped around, to see Dorme standing in the living room, her eyes wide and mouth hanging open, holding a letter.

"What?!" Padme cried breathlessly, clutching her chest in fright. "You almost gave me a heart attack!"

Slowly lifting her head, Dorme faced her with this shocked look on her face, her eyes glazed over and a dopey grin now spreading on her face. "It's your graduation letter, P!" she said, excitedly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to open it. I thought it was for me."

"WHAT?!" Padme shrieked, rushing forward and snatching the letter out of her hand. Her eyes quickly scanned the letter, which read…

Dear Ms Padme Naberrie,

I am pleased to inform you that you have successfully completed all the requirements for your dual Masters of Political Science and Communications degrees, graduating class of 2017. Your graduation ceremony will commence at 2pm on Thursday, the 25th May, 2017. Academic gowns and trenchers are available for hire or for sale via the university website.

Congratulations are also in order for your appointment as Class Valedictorian for 2017. I commend you on your hard work and conscientious effort in achieving outstanding academic results, and welcome you warmly into the Harvard Alumni community.

Yours Faithfully,

Dean Xiao-Li Meng

Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Her heart pounded in her chest, and the widest smile broke out on her face as sheer relief and joy overwhelmed her. She scanned the letter again and again, unable to believe that this day had finally arrived. After three years of her undergrad degree, and four year of her masters, Padme was finally ready to graduate. Tears welled in her eyes, as she lifted her head to see her roommate, who was grinning from ear to ear, just as happy for her as she was for herself. Suddenly, they embraced fiercely, each of them sobbing with happiness, and they began jumping up and down in celebration in the middle of their kitchen.

"Oh my god! Oh my god!," Padme cried out again and again. "I did it! I did it!"

Incredulous laughter bubbled forth from her lips, as Dorme released her, and she wiped her eyes, her cheeks practically sore from smiling, but she just couldn't stop. Even though Padme had always known this day would come eventually, the moment when she'd receive her graduation letter, it had always felt so far away – some distant future that she could see on the horizon but never thought she'd make it to. And, now she was here, the feeling was unbelievably hard to describe. All her hard work, all the tears, caffeine fuelled all-nighters and stress-induced breakdowns had all lead up to this moment, and now she was finally graduating, as valedictorian nonetheless!

"Congratulations, P!," Dorme praised her warmly, tears of pride in her own brown eyes. "That's amazing! And, you're Valedictorian, too! You deserve this so much. You've worked so hard for this, and I'm – " she sniffed back tears and then laughed, "Look at me, blubbering like a fucking moron, and it's not even me graduating!" Dorme shook her head and then stepped forward to hug Padme again.

"Thanks, Dorme," Padme laughed, hugging her best friend tightly. "And, thank you for putting up with all my breakdowns. I might've died - more than once - if it wasn't for you."

With a dramatic groan, Dorme rolled her eyes. "My god, you literally stress way too much. There were times I just wanted to hit you over the head to knock you out so you'd calm down. I hope Anakin knows what he's getting into with you," she added with a smirk. "I'd be outta there quick smart if I were him."

Rolling her eyes, Padme shook her head. "Oh, shut up. I'm not that bad."

"Mmm, yeah, sure," Dorme muttered under her breath, earning her a slap on the shoulder. "Alright, alright! I'm sorry," she surrendered, putting her hands up in the air. "Well, we have to organise a post-grad party! I'm thinking cocktail style… at Orchids, y'know, somewhere classy. And, we'll have champagne and caviar and all that miniature food that fancy people eat – " she began pacing back and forth, pulling out her phone and typing away frantically. "Oh! And we have to go shopping for a dress! Something colourful. I mean, it's almost summer. A bright colour – maybe yellow or peach or even light blue? And…"

"Dorme! Please – we can organise all of this later!" she begged, beginning to feel her euphoric bubble disappearing at the thought of all that planning. "I wanna call my parents. And, Anakin."

With a knowing smile, Dorme nodded her head. "Of course! Leave it to me – I'll get everything sorted toute de suite!"

Mouthing a quick 'thank you', Padme hurried off into her bedroom, shut the door, and lay down on her stomach on her bed. The first person she called was her father. She couldn't wait to tell him the news – especially the fact that she'd been selected as Valedictorian! He'd be so proud of her, and it was something Padme had been wanting her entire life – her father's praise.

"Good morning, Sweetheart," Ruwee answered the phone brightly. "Isn't this a nice surprise. How are you?"

Unable to keep in her news through small talk, Padme burst out excitedly, "Dad! I'm Valedictorian!"

There was silence for a moment, before a soft, deep chuckle rumbled through the phone. "I know, Sweetheart," he said kindly. "I was informed as soon as they'd made the decision. They wanted to make sure it wasn't a conflict of interest, seeing as I'm an associate professor here. Do you know how hard it was to keep this a secret for so long?! I wanted to tell you as soon as I found out! I'm so proud of you, Padme." His voice cracked on her name, and Padme realised that he was crying. She couldn't recall a time when she'd ever seen or heard her father cry - not even when her parents divorced, and the sound was so beautiful, that soon, Padme's own eyes were filled with tears.

"My baby girl, Valedictorian! I'm the luckiest, proudest father in the entire world to have such a wonderful, intelligent, hardworking, and passionate daughter. Y-you… you and your sister make me so proud. I'm blessed – truly blessed."

"Aw, Dad!" Padme sobbed happily. "Thank you so much – for pushing me and encouraging me to aim high and never give up. I couldn't have done this without you."

"Don't thank me, Sweetheart," Ruwee assured her. "It was all you. Your hard work and your dedication to your studies has finally paid off. I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks, Dad," she said again, completely sincere and grateful.

"You should ring your mother. She'll be delighted with the news! It was a nightmare trying to keep it a secret from her – you know how persistent she can be." He chuckled, and Padme smirked at the thought of her father trying to lie his way out of Jobal's questions.

"Yeah, I will. Right now."

"Okay, Sweetheart. I love you, and I can't wait to see you for your graduation."

"I love you too, Dad. Bye." Padme hung up the phone and wiped her eyes, feeling prouder than ever that after all these years, she had finally gotten her father's much longed for approval.

The conversation with Jobal was very short indeed. But just as joyous. As soon as Padme had called her and announced the news, her mother had shrieked with glee and started sobbing rather loudly, praising Padme over and over again and telling her how 'proud she was'. After several minutes of consistent crying, Jobal finally pulled herself together and informed Padme that she would have to buy a new dress to wear to the graduation.

By the time it came to finally call Anakin and share the news, Padme's cheeks were stained wet from happiness and her smile was brighter than ever. At this moment in her life, Padme felt like she was floating on cloud nine. Everything she had worked so hard for had finally fallen into place, and she couldn't wait to share her joy and excitement with the love of her life.

"Hey, Beautiful," Anakin's warm husky voice answered the phone call, spreading heat right through to her very core at the sound. Anytime he called her an endearing nickname, she couldn't help but feel giddy with happiness, reverting back to her blushing schoolgirl days. "How are you?"

"Hey, Ani," she responded, her voice trembling with excitement. "I'm great. Wonderful, actually! How are you?"

His low, warm, rumbling laughter shot through her ear as he chuckled at her response. "I'm alright, Angel. Nothing new to report here. Just missing you." She smiled at his remark, understanding how much he missed her, for she missed him just as much. "But you have something to report, I can tell."

Giggling, Padme nodded her head furiously, even though Anakin couldn't see her, unable to keep from grinning widely as she announced, "Ani, I did it! I got my graduation letter today...and I'm Valedictorian!"

"That's amazing, Babe! I'm so fucking proud of you. You deserve it – you've worked so hard!"

She beamed at his words of pride. "Thank you, Baby. I can't believe it, to be honest!"

"I can," Anakin remarked somewhat cockily. "You're one truly brilliant woman, Angel! They'd be stupid not to give it to you."

She rolled her eyes at his comment, but laughed all the same. "I'm not all that brilliant…" she started to rebut, when Anakin interrupted her.

"Yes, you are, Padme Naberrie!" he growled fiercely. "You're so intelligent, compassionate, hardworking, selfless, dedicated… and not to mention you're breathtakingly gorgeous to boot."

"I don't think they take looks into account when choosing the Valedictorian, Anakin," she laughed, shaking her head.

"No, but I still wanted to remind you of how incredible you are. I love you so much, Angel. More than anything else in the world."

For the fourth time that day, Padme felt tears spring up in her eyes once more. "I love you too, Ani. Always."

They shared a blissful moment of silence, letting their words of love rush over each other and seep into their skin. The few weeks leading up to the day when Padme handed in her final thesis, communication with Anakin had been at an all time low. She was far too busy and stressed out to really have a proper conversation with him, and he respected that – being busy with his own final exams for the year. This was one of the longest conversations they'd had in weeks, and Padme wasn't going to let it go to waste.

"So, when is your graduation? I take it, I'm invited, yeah?" He added cheekily, causing Padme to roll her eyes.

"Of course, you're invited. It's on the 25th of May. At 2pm. I think Dorme is arranging some sort of after party or something as well."

"Well, I'll be there, Angel! I wouldn't miss it for the world!" He paused for a moment, then asked sheepishly, "Will I have to wear my navy suit?"

Padme laughed. "Yes! Suit and tie. It's a formal occasion, Ani."

He groaned dramatically through the phone. "Oh, alright. I'll do it for you, Babe. Only because I love you though."

She giggled at him. "Stop being such a drama king. I like it when you wear your navy suit. You look very… sexy and hot."

"Well, in that case, I'll wear it all the damn time," he growled, and Padme could hear the blatant desire that laced his voice. It made her eyelids flutter and her thighs squeeze together, and she couldn't help giggling. She couldn't deny that she had missed him since coming back from Owen's wedding in March…Had missed the feel of his lips softly caressing the skin of her neck, his calloused hands sliding down the curves of her body, the weight of him above her pushing her down into the mattress, the feel of him hard, hot and deep inside her, stretching her like no other man ever could… She exhaled deeply, trying to keep her control.

"Mmm…" she sighed softly. "I'd like that, Ani."

"Fuck…I've missed you, Angel. Two months away from you is two months too long."

"I know, Baby, I know," she soothed him. "But, we'll be together soon. Just a couple more weeks. Then, once grad is over, I'm on holidays and you'll be done with school for the year. We can do whatever we like… go wherever we want maybe. Would you like that, Ani? Take a trip somewhere together maybe?"

"That sounds perfect, Angel. I have to go to class now, but I'll talk to you tonight, okay Babe? I love you so much! And, hey, let's plan for an...extended Skype session tonight to celebrate. Sound good?"

Padme couldn't help the blush that swept her cheeks...or the giggle at the clear arousal she could hear in Anakin's voice. He also chuckled darkly and suggestively, making her blush even more. She couldn't wait, and knew exactly what she was going to wear for their 'Skype date' too… that lacy black teddy that she knew he loved so much… and loved tearing it off her even more.

"Ok. It's a date, Baby! And, I love you, too. See you tonight, Ani! Bye!"

He hung up after blowing her a kiss, and Padme slumped back down on her bed. Two weeks. Two weeks and then she could finally be with Anakin… properly…without her studies or distance keeping them apart. They could celebrate her life's biggest achievement thus far together with her friends and family, and then they could have their own private celebration later that night. With that in mind, she was going to need more than just a new dress for graduation. She was going to need something that would really blow Anakin's mind for that night. Hmmm.

Smiling wickedly to herself, Padme decided today was the absolute perfect day for her and Dorme to go do some...intimate shopping.

And that was a most exciting thought indeed.