"I saw you dancing with Dormé earlier, padawan." Obi-Wan said as he watched the gifts being handed out, fully expecting to receive a model of the XJ2100 Speeder he had made comments to Anakin about a few months ago.
"She's nice. And really pretty too. Don't you think so?" The padawan asked, suddenly looking less confident than he had earlier.
"Yes, Anakin. I think so."
"I really like her, Master."
Obi-Wan noted his padawan's eyes searching across the room and he followed, until he caught sight of Padmé opening her gift, and his eyes immediately dropped down to study his fingernails, which needed a trim actually.
"That's okay, isn't it?" The question surprised Obi-Wan. He had never needed to give his approval over Anakin's personal relationships before.
"Yes." He answered, noting the large grin that crept over his apprentice's face.
"Good, because I really like her." The young man repeated.
That seemed settled, Obi-Wan thought, once more testing a cuticle until he noticed a brown booted toe settle underneath his line of vision.
"Mace." He commented casually, immediately suspicious at the huge smile that the council member wore.
Obi-Wan took the gift presented him and watched as the never-before-giddy Jedi walked away.
"What was that all about?" Anakin asked, curious about the confrontation as well.
"I have no idea, except that this isn't an XJ2100 Speeder." Obi-Wan commented, looking down at the rectangular wrapped box he held in his hand.
"No, it isn't." Anakin replied. "Wait a minute! How did you know I was going to…" He began and then rolled his eyes. "Never mind."
Obi-Wan studied the package. Wrapped in gold paper with a single sparkling gold ribbon, it was slightly heavy and he shook the it gently.
"You know what it is, so you might as well open it." Anakin suggested.
Obi-Wan did indeed know, and was surprised at how anxious he suddenly felt. No sense in delaying the inevitable. He pulled the ribbon apart and opened the lid.
Inside was the fifth and final volume of D'Kestor philosophy and sticking out from the pages was a card that he pulled on carefully.
"Hope you can speak Gamorrean." Anakin teased dryly, but Obi-Wan ignored him as he read the card.
The waiting is over
The time is near
Release all your doubts
Look. I'm here
Love, Padmé
Obi-Wan gulped, trying to quench an abruptly dry throat and dared to move his eyes up slowly, seeing a trim figure wrapped in blue and green velvet and an outstretched hand holding what looked like an Altarian crystal, which happened to match the ones she wore around her neck. He had noticed them before and thought they were quite charming, especially on her.
Without any prompting, he rose from his seat, blindly setting the book down behind him and grasped the crystal. He then reached up and clasped it onto the chain about her neck, completing the lovely piece of jewelry. The touch of his hand lingered on the soft skin of her chest.
"Did you…?" She asked and just then he noticed the card that she held in her other hand. The writing was exactly the same as on his and it even had his name signed on the bottom.
He couldn't lie to her. He never had and never would, so he shook his head sadly.
Padmé nodded hers instead in understanding. "Someone has gone to a lot of trouble. Who do you …"
He knew she was about to ask his opinion on who would be responsible for doing this, but he really didn't care. It was a good enough sign for him, and he would treat the situation as if the cards and gifts had been given by the Force itself. So he pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her upcoming inquiry.
"Sh. No questions." He said softly, barely noticing that the music had once more begun playing, all of the gifts had been given out, and no one apparently was paying any attention to them.
"No questions." Padmé agreed with a small grin once his finger had moved away, ever so slowly tracing her bottom lip on its retreat. "Just one demand." She added, to which Obi-Wan's brow arched in surprise.
"Kiss me."
Obi-Wan gladly complied.