Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
AN: Here's chapter 8 and it's full of romance! Thanks for all the great reviews!
This is the T version of the chapter. The M rated version can be found at my yahoo group. To find the link, click on my penname and you'll find it there.
Forever Destined
Chapter 8: Love Across the Stars
Anakin and Padme talked and laughed, as they strolled to the waterfalls hand in hand.
"Well, what do you think?" Padme asked, as they arrived.
"They're even more amazing up close. My mom lived on a desert planet before she met my father. She would love this," Anakin mentioned.
"Come on, I want to show you something," she said, as she took his hand and led him around one of the secret caves that was behind it. Anakin saw a fluffy blanket on the ground and figured that she came here often.
"This is kind of my secret place. I come here when I need to think or just get away. I've never shown it to anyone else," she said softly, as he stepped toward her.
"I'm honored that you've shared it with me," he replied, as he kissed her cheek.
"It's our place now," she said, as his enticing, full lips drew her kiss. Anakin crushed his lips against her, deepening the kiss. After several moments, they broke the kiss, breathless.
"It'll be getting dark soon, so we should get back," she said softly, as she led him out of the cave.
"Wait, there's something I want to give you," he stopped her and pulled a carved pendant from his pocket, which was attached to a lanyard.
"I carved this from a japor snippet. Obi-Wan tells me that carving is a dumb hobby, but I've always liked working with my hands. I know that you have lots of expensive jewelry, but I hope you like it," Anakin said shyly.
"Oh, it's beautiful Anakin. I love it. And it will mean more to me than any other piece of jewelry, because it's from you," Padme told him, as she turned around and tilted her head so he could put it on her. He placed soft, sensual kisses along her neck and she cooed softly.
"I love you Anakin," she said.
"And I love you," he replied, with a small smile. He wrapped an arm around her waist and they started back to the house.
Shmi waited impatiently in the docking hanger at the temple. As the ramp on the ship dropped, the occupants disembarked. Once she caught sight of her husband, she bounded over to him, throwing her arms around him.
"Oh I missed you. I've been so worried," Shmi said. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her small frame.
"I missed you too, my love," Qui-Gon replied.
"Where is Ani? I've been worried sick since he ran off," Shmi asked. Qui-Gon smiled.
"He's still on Naboo with Padme. They'll be returning in a week or so. He saved us all my darling," he told her.
"Ani? Our little Ani?" she asked.
"Yes, I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for both our boys. The Council has Knighted him," Qui-Gon told her.
"Oh, I can't wait till he's home. And when is he going to bring this girl home so I can meet her? She must be something special if he's willing to chase her around the galaxy," Shmi said. Qui-Gon chuckled.
"Not too worry, my love. His first order of business upon their return is to bring her home for dinner," Qui-Gon promised. Shmi smiled, as Obi-Wan approached them. Obi-Wan chuckled, as Shmi hugged him tightly.
"I missed you too mom," he said. She hugged Dooku next, before stepping back.
"You all must be starving. Let's go home and I'll make you something to eat," Shmi said. The three men readily agreed.
Padme looked at herself in the mirror with uncertainty. Dorme had insisted that she pack this dress and wear it for Anakin tonight. She had to admit that it fit her body beautifully, hugging and cupping her curves in all the right places. It was a black leather corset dress that had a decorative strap that fastened around her neck, leaving her shoulders bare. The dress was low cut, giving a generous view of her cleavage. Dorme assured her that the outfit would drive him wild. She decided that she looked okay, after braiding her hair down her back. She left her room and headed for the balcony that overlooked the lake for a romantic candlelight dinner with the man she loved.
Padme stepped out onto the balcony where Anakin awaited her. Anakin felt like he couldn't breathe, as he laid eyes on the beautiful woman that had stolen his heart and soul. When he finally found his voice, he closed the distance between them.
"You look amazing. You're so beautiful," he told her. She blushed shyly.
"Thanks," she said, as he pulled her chair out for her. They sat down together, just as dinner was brought out for them. As they ate, their conversation drifted from each other to their families.
"So, do you plan to see your family while your home?" Anakin asked. Padme sighed.
"I don't know. I should, because I miss my sister and my mom. But every time I go home, all my father and I do is fight. He'll lecture me about how I should come home and settle down like Sola. He considers her the 'good one'," Padme replied.
"Well, surely he has to be proud of you," Anakin said.
"Why do you say that?" she asked. Anakin looked at her incredulously.
"How could he not be? You've done so much for your people. You're good and honest. The Senate needs more people like you," Anakin said seriously. Padme smiled and took his hand.
"You always know what to say to make me feel good. But you don't know my father. He's a bit of an isolationist and would rather I forget about the problems of others, " she said.
"I only say what's the truth and because I love you. I feel like the luckiest man in the galaxy, because you love me in return," he replied sincerely.
"I do love you, more than anything," she said softly, tears pricking her eyes. Never had she felt such strong emotion toward another person before. The feeling was incredible and everything about him intoxicated her. She never imagined that love could feel like this and she wanted to hold onto it forever. She loved him so much and that's why she didn't want to go home. She knew her father would never approve of her being with a Jedi and she didn't want to put Anakin through that. As they stood by the railing overlooking the lake while the sun set, she trembled and longed to be in his arms, hoping to stay there forever.
"Hold me," she requested of him. He opened his arms and held her tightly against his chest. Sensing her desperation, he made a promise to her.
"I'll never let go," he told her. As the darkness of night set in, Anakin and Padme went inside to cuddle by the fire. Padme lay cuddled against him, as their lips collided passionately again and again. Anakin explored her mouth with his tongue and Padme's own danced with his, as he kissed her deeply. She clung to him, as he trailed kisses down her neck. His lips left her skin on fire in their wake and she found herself tugging at his leather jerkin. Anakin stopped kissing her to look up into her beautiful, amber brown eyes, as she stared back into his eyes of sapphire.
"I want you," Padme said. Anakin caressed her cheek with the back of her hand.
"Padme, I don't want to pressure you into anything you're not ready for. I love you too much to do that and I'll wait as long as you need me to until you're ready," Anakin told her.
"I know and I'm telling you that I'm ready. I love you too and I've never felt this way before about anyone. I want to be with you," Padme replied.
"You're sure?" he asked.
"I've never been more sure about anything in my life," she replied. He kissed her softly and let her lift his leather jerkin over his head. Anakin stood up and swept her into his arms, before ascending the stairs to the bedroom...
Anakin carried her to her bedroom, as their lips moved furiously over each other's. Anakin set her on her feet, as he continued to plunder her mouth.
"I love you...I love you," Padme said breathlessly, as he trailed kisses down her neck. He stopped on a soft spot in the nape of her neck and gently sucked, creating a mark. on her skin. Her fingers fumbled with the buttons on his tunic and finally rid him of his shirt. She let her eyes travel hungrily over his defined, muscled chest. As Anakin resumed kissing her neck, he undid her braid and let her hair loose. He delved his fingers into her silky curls, as he kissed down her to her shoulder. Reaching around, Padme unhooked the decorative corset strap, as Anakin reach around to the zipper on the back of the dress. Anakin wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tightly, as he kissed his way over her chest. Padme panted in anticipation, as he kissed at the tops of her breasts. He looked up into her eyes and she nodded, before he tugged the zipper of her dress down. He slipped the dress down her slender form, leaving it in a pool at her feet. Padme looked down and blushed, as his eyes drank in the sight of her exposed flesh for the first time.
"You're so beautiful," he said, not able to take his eyes off her. She continued to look down shyly.
"You're sweet," she replied. He lifted her chin with his finger, so he could look into her eyes.
"I'm not sure why you don't think you're beautiful, but you must believe me when I tell you that you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," he told her, though he was positive that her lack of confidence about her appearance had something to do with a certain ex, since she seemed to be especially shy about her breasts. But he was about to wipe away all her insecurities, as he showed her how much he loved her.
"You're absolutely perfect," he told her, as he caressed her face and slowly led her to the bed...
Much later, she cuddled against his sweat-slicked chest, as they bathed in the afterglow. She kissed his chest softly, as he held her sated form in his arms.
"That was incredible," she told him.
"You're incredible. An incredibly beautiful, sexy woman. I am the luckiest man in the galaxy," he replied, as he kissed her hair.
"I'm the lucky one. I have never felt the things that you've made me feel before. I love you so much and you make me feel beautiful. No one has ever made me feel the way you do. When people put you down again and again, you start to believe it. You build me up and make me feel things I never thought I could feel, like true love. True, unconditional love. You love me for who I am...and no one...no one has ever loved me that way. You don't want to change anything about me like them..." Padme said, as she snuggled close to him. He kissed her softly.
"You're right, I love all of you Padme. That's what love is angel. It's about loving a person, faults and inadequacies included, with every fiber of your being. And that's how I feel about you and I will never stop loving you. You're stuck with me," he said, with a slight chuckle. She giggled.
"Good, because I'm never going to let you go...Ani," Padme replied with a giggle, as she kissed him passionately. She felt that now familiar heat building in her core, as his kisses trailed down her neck and over her breasts again, before moving up to her lips again.
She welcomed his protective weight over her, as he laid above her, kissing her deeply. His tongue explored her mouth, plundering it passionately. Her fingers threaded into his hair, as he kissed down her neck
"I need you again Ani," she panted. Their passion for each other surfaced again and would continue most of the night, as they made love many times, satisfying their insatiable hunger for each other...
The next day, Anakin and Padme enjoyed an intimate breakfast together overlooking the lake.
"So, what do you want to do today?" Anakin asked. She was dressed in a yellow, floral dress that was light and airy. She wore a matching headband and half her hair rested in twin buns on either side of her head. She was a vision of beauty to him.
"I don't know. I thought that maybe we could have a picnic or walk to the falls again to our secret place. Or maybe even swim to the island. What do you think?" she asked.
"I think they all sound wonderful, so let's do them all," he replied, as he fed her a piece of shuura fruit. Sache came out of the house and politely cleared her throat.
"You have company waiting in the sitting room, milady," Sache said politely, before leaving. Padme stood up and Anakin wrapped his arm around her waist, as they went inside.
Padme giggled, as Anakin tickled her sides. The young couple entered the sitting room and Padme was stunned to see her mother, father, her sister Sola...and Palo waiting for them.
"Mom, dad, Sola, what are you doing here?" Padme asked.
"We came to see you darling. We thought it would be nice since you're home for a couple weeks," Jobal said, as she hugged her daughter.
"We've missed you baby sister," Sola said, as she hugged her.
"I missed you too Sola, but what is he doing here?" Padme asked.
"Daddy invited him along," Sola replied, with regretful eyes.
"Padme, aren't you going to introduce us?" Jobal asked.
"Yes mother. Everyone, this is Anakin Skywalker, my boyfriend," Padme said, watching the anger on Palo's face and the disappointment on her father's. Anakin wrapped his arm protectively around Padme's waist, letting her know that he was there for her and she would not face them alone...