Please see first chapter for disclaimer and other info.

A/N: Look, I didn't leave you hanging for months! This is in celebration of my author's alert/fave authors lists reaching 100. Thank you all for your continuing support to my writing. Although I can't reply to everyone, please know I appreciate what each and every one of you have to say. Tomorrow I'm back at the prison (university) and have a ton of stuff to be doing, so if I get behind, I'd appreciate a few 'get off your butt and write' messages and emails :D Enjoy!

Chapter Seven: I Give Thee Permission

"How did it go?" asked Padmé as she walked into their private quarters. Anakin was sitting on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands. She had seen this pose before and it was never a good sign.

"Do the words 'complete and total disaster' mean anything to you?" he responded, bringing himself to look at his wife. They were certainly no spring gundarks but she was still very beautiful. He had no idea what she still saw in him, but he always hoped it was because he was still very charming and attractive.

Padmé sighed and took a seat next to her husband. "I suspected as such. Prince Isolder came barging in on my meeting with the Organas and wouldn't leave until we drew up a contract regarding the impending nuptials between him and my daughter. I can tell you I was not impressed."

Anakin couldn't help but grin. Usually he was the only one who was able to irritate Padmé to this extent. Like the time he hid all her left shoes so she wouldn't be able to leave the apartment. He had paid dearly for that one. If Isolder had annoyed her, it was further proof that he wasn't the prime candidate for being their son-in-law.

"I know it will be up to Leia to choose whether or not she wants to marry this…" Oaf? Bantha? Nerf Herder? "Despicable male, but I can't help secretly hoping she will turn down his offer," she finished.

Perhaps now was the time to let his gorgeous wife in on a little secret. "Might not be an issue," he said cryptically. She raised her eyebrow as she began to systematically remove all the ridiculous and overbearing Chancellor dressings. Anakin stood to help her escape but couldn't help throwing in an appreciative look every now and then.

"Let's just say that we may have that Isolder problem taken care of in a much more dramatic and entertaining way."

"Oh no, Anakin. Please don't go interfering in our daughter's love life again. The last time it didn't turn out so well, did it?"

He raised his hands in defence. "I didn't say anything! In fact, I've been quite open minded about the whole matter. Mind you, Leia would probably kill us both if she found out we were planning weddings and contracts and giving permission for her to be married," he pointed out.

Wow, that came out quite smooth. A few more of these and not only will she have forgotten about this Isolder problem but she will have remembered what a kind, sensitive person, not to mention what a fabulous lover her husband is…

Finally in some more comfortable and decent clothes, Padmé sat back down on the large bed. "We don't have long before tonight's celebration starts. We need to talk to her soon. Of course she won't have to make the decision tonight but if Isolder's expecting anything, she should be prepared,"

"Han asked my permission to marry Leia," he blurted out. Padmé looked shocked for a moment but then regained her composure.

"Did you give it to him?" she asked curiously.

Anakin groaned. "Unfortunately I was a little busy trying to prevent another galactic war to erupt between big mouth and even bigger mouth down there," he grumbled. "It's not fair, how can I choose?"

Padmé sighed. "It's not really up to you, is it Anakin? Leia will marry whomever she wishes. She's told me she respects the Prince. She will always strive to do what is best for the people she serves. She will need to decide whether she will do what is best or follow her heart. She will not care which man you give your blessing to."

"Why do you always have to be right?" Anakin asked. Padmé simply grinned.

"Because I'm a Skywalker."

--

A swift knock on the door snapped Leia out of her thoughts. "Enter," she called out to whoever was at the door. They would have to be quick as she was just about to start getting ready for the welcoming dinner tonight.

The door opened and Prince Isolder stood in the doorway, holding a bunch of flowers. "For you," he said sincerely. She smiled and accepted them graciously, watching as he flicked his blond hair.

"Thank you. To what do I owe this pleasure?" she asked, trying to hide her annoyance at the Prince interrupting her alone time.

"I wish to speak with you before tonight," Isolder said slowly. "There is something important I would like to ask you…"

He was interrupted by the loud slamming of the door. They both turned around and Isolder's face turned an amusing shade of red as he realized who caused the interruption.

"Han, what are you…?" Leia began.

Suddenly, Han stormed across the room and dipped Leia. Right in front of the Prince, he leant down and kissed her.

Han could practically hear the steam coming out of Isolder's ears.

Oh, I wish I had a holorecorder…

Leia let herself enjoy the kiss before she began to question Han's motives. She broke it off and eyed him suspiciously as he flashed a triumphant and somewhat cocky grin to Isolder.

Something odd was going on here and she knew it had something to do with her nerf herder of a boyfriend and the pompous prince.

At least Dad's not involved this time. Dealing with laser brain here is one thing, but with Prince I'm-The-Sexiest-Man-Alive as well would cause a reload in his brain.

As if on cue, Anakin appeared at the door. "Leia, your mother and I want to talk to you about…"

He stopped. Leia looked around the room. Suddenly, everyone's eyes averted from her and towards each other.

She focused on her father first because honestly, if anybody was going to lay a bantha, it was Anakin.

"Solo…Isolder. Anybody care to explain why you two are both in my daughter's private quarters?"

For a moment, Anakin wasn't sure he wanted to hear the answer. Actually, anything aside from 'I'm here to tell Leia I'm joining a monastery that promotes celibacy for life' would result in lightsabers activating. In fact, even that might cause a negative reaction. He just hoped it wasn't anything resembling what that late night holonet channel broadcasted…not that he watched it or anything.

"I've come here to ask Leia to marry me," Isolder said bluntly. Anakin could see the shock in Leia's eyes and the anger in Han's.

"Funny story there, Blondie. But why don't you just take your fat, ugly, flowing blonde head out of our business and go back to your sixty-three worlds of sissy boys and leave my future wife alone!" Han retorted, poking a finger into Isolder's chest.

And just to excite things even more, Anakin caught a glimpse of someone approaching. Within moments, Luke had also entered the room. "Hey guys, what's going…"

"You!" Han screamed, pointing at Luke. "Tell pretty boy over here that you've given me your permission to marry Leia and that the likes of him aren't welcome here!"

Anakin turned to glare at his only son. "You gave your permission for Leia to marry this old bantha?"

As Luke opened his mouth to answer his father, Leia stood in the middle of the room and yelled at the top of her lungs, "ENOUGH!"

Anakin winced as the full force of Leia's voice hit the roof. All four men in the room stood in silence.

Now they've gone and done it…

"I want you to all get out, NOW."