Chapter Sixteen

Anakin had decided not to tempt fate by being in the house alone with Padmé's father, and had gone for a vigorous jog while Padmé was out shopping. It helped him to clear his head, not to mention work out the sexual frustration he felt as a result of his enforced abstinence.

Arriving back at the Naberrie home he headed to the room where he had spent a restless night. He peeled of his sweat soaked clothes and headed for the shower. He turned the water on and stepped inside, letting the pulsating water cascade over his muscular shoulders and back. He closed his eyes and ran his hands through his hair, letting the water drench his long curls. The jog had been invigorating. The village where Padmé's family lived was scenic and very peaceful, so different from the hustle and bustle of Coruscant. A perfect place to raise children, he thought with a smile.

Having turned off the taps, and stepped out of the shower. He grabbed a towel and dried himself off. Hearing a knock on his door, he wrapped the towel around his waist and walked into the room.

"Hi," Padmé said as Anakin opened the door. She smiled when she noticed his state of undress, looking at him up and down. "You look very sexy," she told him as he pulled her inside and closed the door behind her.

"Too bad you weren't here a few minutes ago," he told her, framing her with his arms, trapping her against the door. "You could have joined me in the shower."

Padmé lifted her eyebrows. "Now that sounds like fun," she replied, running her hands up his bare chest.

He nodded. "Pity you arrived too late," he said, moving closer to her.

"Yes, pity," she replied softly as he brought his mouth to hers.

"Ani, we can't," she whispered as his mouth found the softness of her neck.

"Angel, I need you," he told her as his mouth moved to her ear next. "I haven't touched you in more than twenty four hours!"

Padmé could see in his eyes the depth of his need for her. He was impossible to resist when he looked at her like this. She smiled at him, as he pulled her close once again…

Padmé was setting the table later on when Anakin entered the dining room. Seeing no one else about, he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"That was incredible," he whispered to her as he kissed her neck.

Padmé smiled. "I'm glad you're feeling better," she told him softly.

"Perhaps we can continue later," he suggested with a playful nip on her earlobe.

Padmé was about to reply when she noticed her father standing in the doorway, watching them. The look on his face was one of barely contained fury. Clearly he not impressed by the open demonstration of affection between his daughter and her fiancé.

Anakin sensed Padmé's tension level skyrocket and looked up to see Ruwee staring at him, his eyes full of anger. Anakin met his eyes, not intimidated by him in the least, letting him know that he was not to be intimidated by him or any man.

Jobal entered the room at this point. She stopped as she noticed the two men staring at each other with undisguised animosity in their eyes.

"I'll have none of this," she said as she set the plates on the table. "Not tonight, do you hear me?"

Ruwee looked away. "I didn't say a bloody word," he grumbled.

Jobal merely looked at him, giving him a withering look, and he backed down. He glanced back at Padmé and Anakin once more, and then left the room.

"Don't worry," Jobal said to her daughter. "He'll come around in time."

Padmé nodded. "I hope so, Mom," she replied. "Because Anakin and I are getting married in three days, with or without his blessing."

Jobal nodded, lines of worry creasing her brow. "Come on," she said, "Sola and Darred will be here soon."

Sola and her family arrived within the hour, and were promptly introduced to Anakin. Sola's two daughters remembered seeing him before, but were far too young to think anything of it. They were more interested in the dresses they would wear as flower girls in the upcoming wedding of their aunt.

"Come on, let's sit down," Jobal said. "Everything is ready."

The entire family, along with Shmi and Anakin, sat down at the large table. It was Padmé's hope that there was enough of a buffer with Sola present that Anakin and Ruwee would not have the chance to spar with one another. She could feel her father's eyes upon her, but did her best to ignore him and enjoy the meal as well as the company.

"So how did the two of you meet up again after so long?" Sola asked looking at Anakin as everyone sat enjoying dessert. So far the meal had gone well enough; Padmé had hoped that would not change. But now, as she glanced at Anakin, she could feel the tension returning.

"Well, we've both lived on Coruscant for years now," she offered.

"Yes, we know that," Sola said. "You mean you've been seeing one another all this time?"

"No, not exactly," Padmé replied, feeling exceedingly uneasy.

"I came to Naboo a few weeks back," Anakin spoke up. "On a mission. It was then that we met up again."

"Talk about a whirlwind romance," Darred commented. "I guess what they say is true about still waters," he added, smiling at Padmé. She blushed.

"Yes, it certainly seems that way, doesn't it?" Ruwee commented. "I'm seeing a side of my daughter I never knew existed." He turned to Anakin. "I suppose I have you to thank for that," he commented.

"And what does that mean?" Shmi asked, unable to hold her tongue any longer.

"Mom, please," Anakin said, putting his hand on hers.

"No, Ani," she said, "I've sat back and listened to this man malign you and said nothing. I know I'm a guest in this house, but I'm afraid I can't hold back any more."

Sola and Darred looked at one another, uncomfortable and confused by the unexpected and drastic turn in the conversation.

"Shmi, you love your son, that is natural," Jobal said, trying to intervene.

"Yes I do," Shmi replied. "Just as you love your children. I know you wouldn't like to hear someone criticizing your children like…."

"Neither of our children has ever been a paid assassin," Ruwee interjected. "That makes something of a difference, doesn't it?"

"Anakin was a paid assassin??" Sola interjected. "Is this true, Padmé?"

Padmé looked at her sister. "Yes, it's true," she admitted. "But he has changed, he is not the man he was, he is a good person, why else would I be marrying him?"

"I think that's fairly obvious," Ruwee said. "Judging by the way you two can't keep your hands off of one another, even when you are in your parents' home."

"Ruwee!" Jobal admonished. "That's enough!"

"It's alright, Mrs. Naberrie," Anakin spoke up at last. He had been building to a slow boil since they had arrived, and could hold back no longer. "Clearly your husband refuses to accept that a man can change. I suppose he himself is perfect, and has never made a mistake in his life."

"Don't you take that tone with me," Ruwee said, growing angry. "I've seen the way you look at my daughter," he continued. "It's pretty obvious why you are in such a hurry to marry her!"

"You think you know everything," Anakin retorted. "Well it so happens that Padmé is already expecting my child, so you can put your archaic notions of why I want to marry her out of your mind."

"What!? Padmé, you're pregnant?" Jobal cried.

"I should have known," Ruwee said angrily, shaking his head. "I ought to…"

"What?" Anakin challenged. "Kill me? I'd like to see you try!"
"Stop it!" Padmé cried at last, standing up, sending her chair tumbling to the floor. "Just stop it, both of you! How can you be so insensitive?" she said, looking at her father. "When have I ever given you reason to question my judgment before? I love him! Why can't you see that? Why can't you be happy that I've found someone I want to spend my life with?"

Ruwee did not reply, his daughter's words shaming him and embarrassing him. "Padmé, I…"

"Forget it," she said. "We were foolish to think that you would be happy, we were foolish to come here at all," she said, bursting into tears. She ran from the room, leaving everyone at the table in awkward silence for a moment. Anakin stood up too, and, without a word, left the room to find her.

"Oh Ruwee," Jobal said, shaking her head as tears filled her eyes. "What have you done?"

Anakin found Padmé in her room, angrily taking clothes from her dresser and tossing them into her suitcase.

"Angel, I'm sorry," he said, approaching her.

"Why, Ani?" she said, not turning to him. "Why did you have to say that about me being pregnant? Do you think that helped matters?"

Anakin sighed. "No, probably not," he admitted. "But your father just pushed me too far, Padmé. You have to admit that I've been pretty good at keeping my mouth shut."

Padmé nodded. "Yes, you have," she said. Then she turned to him. "Until tonight."

"I'm sorry," he said again. "What more can I say? Besides, it's not like we can keep your pregnancy a secret forever."

She shook her head. "Ani, I know how much you want a baby, but…"

"Padmé, you're pregnant," he told her. "There is no question. I know you don't believe it now, but you will."

Padmé nodded, part of her hoping he was right. "I don't want to stay here tonight," she told him. "I want to go up to the lake."

"Very well," he said. "We'll go right away. I'm sorry things turned out this way, Angel," he said, taking her gently by the shoulders. "Truly I am."

Padmé nodded, trying in vain to hold back the tears that were springing to her eyes. "I know," she replied softly.

Anakin pulled her into his embrace and held her close as she cried.