Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
AN: Here's chapter 19! Enjoy and please let me know what you think.
Age check for Ryoo and Pooja: Ryoo is six and Pooja is two. :)
Forever Destined
Chapter 19: Liberation
The next morning, Anakin and Padme sat down to breakfast with the Queen.
"I didn't expect to see you both back on Naboo so soon," the queen mentioned.
"Well, we came to see my sister and give her some news," Padme said.
"Oh? Good news I hope," Jamilla replied.
"Yes your majesty. Anakin and I are engaged," Padme announced.
"This is wonderful. Congratulations to you both," Jamilla said, with a kind smile.
"Yes, my sister was thrilled for us. The same cannot be said about the rest of my family, however," Padme replied.
"How is Sola?" Jamilla asked.
"I wish she were better. The very reason we came in person, was because Darred would not allow me to speak to her. And now...my family has forbidden me to see her and the children," Padme said.
"I'm sorry Padme. I wish they were not like that," Jamilla said.
"Me too. I am so fortunate to have found someone like Anakin," Padme said, as she smiled at him. They finished breakfast and while Padme continued to visit with Jamilla, Anakin went to ready their ship.
"Wow, is this really where the Queen lives?" the little girl asked her mother.
"Yes Ryoo," Sola said nervously, as she carried Pooja and Ryoo trotted beside her. She had left and she had nothing. She told her parents that she was going to the market and they would soon become suspicious. She had not been able to pack anything, for her parents would be suspicious otherwise.
"Are we going to see Aunt Padme?" Ryoo asked.
"Yes sweetheart," Sola said, as they continued to climb the steps. Once they reached the palace steps, a man stood between them and the entrance.
"I'm sorry miss, but you and your children are not allowed inside the palace," Panaka said.
"Forgive me Captain, but I am here to see my sister, Senator Amidala," Sola said politely.
"You are the Senator's sister?" he asked.
"Yes sir," she said, as she saw Dorme walk by.
"Dorme!" Sola called.
"Oh, hello Sola. It's all right captain, she is the Senator's sister. Are you here to see her?" Dorme asked. Sola nodded, shaking slightly.
"Is everything okay Sola?" she asked.
"It will be, once I talk to Padme," Sola replied.
"You finally left him, didn't you," Dorme stated, rather than asked.
"Yes..." Sola answered quietly.
"Well, I for one think it's about time. Padme will be proud of you," Dorme said, with a kind smile, as he led Sola to the dining area where Padme and Jamilla were conversing.
"Senator, you have a visitor," Dorme said, as Sola stepped in behind her with the children.
"Sola?" Padme said, as she rose and sprinted over to her sister. Padme hugged her tightly.
"I finally decided to take your advice...and I left. Mom and dad think we're at the market. I'm scared Padme. What if they realize what I've done and come after me before we leave?" Sola asked.
"They won't Sola and even if they did, Anakin and I wouldn't let them take you back," Padme promised.
"I couldn't pack any of our things since it would make them suspicious," Sola said.
"Don't worry about that Sola, I'll take care of everything. Anakin is getting the ship ready, so we'll be leaving very soon," Padme said, as she hugged her and the girls.
"Everything's going to be okay now, I promise," Padme said.
"But I've never been anywhere else. I've never gone farther than Theed, much less another planet. I don't have your education...or..." Sola fretted, but Padme stopped her.
"Sola, you and the girls will be fine with Anakin and I," Padme replied.
"Maybe...I'm doing the wrong thing. I mean Darred isn't that bad. He doesn't hit me very often, really he doesn't," Sola rambled.
"Sola, if he hits you once, it's too much. And what if he begins hitting Ryoo or Pooja when he gets angry. That kind of home is no place for any of you, especially since mom and dad know very well that it goes on and they let it continue," Padme said. Dorme came over and smiled at the women.
"Perhaps the children would like to talk a walk in the gardens with me. It will give you and your sister a chance to talk a little more," Dorme offered.
"That would be wonderful Dorme, thank you," Padme said.
"Sweetie, do you want to go see all the flowers in the garden with Dorme?" Sola asked Pooja. The little girl nodded shyly and allowed her mother to hand her to Dorme. Dorme took Ryoo's hand and led them out.
"Did...did Palo ever hit you?" Sola asked.
"No, though he wanted to. He just couldn't, because I was too much in the public eye and someone would have surely noticed. Palo's abuse was different. I made a terrible mistake of letting my loneliness get to me and I let Palo take advantage of that loneliness. The moment I let him into my bedroom that night, I knew it was a mistake," Padme paused, taking a deep breath.
"Angel, are you okay?"
"I'm fine my love. I'm just recalling some very bad memories," Padme replied, through their bond.
"The ones that I've sensed, but you haven't been ready to talk about, right?" he asked.
"Yes...and I promise we will very soon. I love you," Padme said.
"I love you too angel," he replied.
"Padme, are you okay? You spaced out for a minute," Sola asked.
"I'm fine Sola," she replied, taking another deep breath.
"It was my first time, but Palo cared nothing about being gentle. He only cared about his own pleasure. I knew the moment it was over that I'd made a horrible mistake. I knew I didn't love him and after he left, I cried the rest of the night," Padme confessed.
"Have you ever told anyone?" Sola asked.
"No...though Anakin suspects that my sexual relationship with Palo was never completely consensual. He can sense my distress and that's why I spaced out a moment ago," Padme said.
"I don't understand," Sola replied.
"Anakin and I share a bond Sola. He was speaking to me when I spaced out there a moment ago," Padme replied, with a soft smile.
"You mean you can talk to him with your mind?" Sola asked, her eyes wide in amazement. Padme smiled.
"And my heart. He always knows immediately when I'm hurting and he'll be making me talk about it tonight," she replied, with a smile.
"What happened after that?" Sola asked.
"The next night, he came over and I told him that what we'd done was a mistake. I told him that I didn't love him and that I couldn't be with him," Padme said.
"What did he do?" Sola asked. Padme pushed the memories away, as flashes of that terrible night haunted her.
"He got very angry and shoved me to the floor," Padme said.
"He raped you," Sola stated.
"Yes. Then the next night, I broke it off with him and told him I never wanted to see him again. The only reason he didn't attack me then, was because I informed Captain Typho of his violent nature. I never told him that he'd actually raped me, but only that he was a security threat. Captain Typho escorted him out that night and he was never allowed to come near my building after that. That's when he went home and told mom and dad all the terrible things that I had done to him," Padme said in disgust.
"That bastard. You never told Anakin about this?" Sola asked.
"Verbally, no. He's waiting until I'm ready. But Anakin knows my heart and my mind. He suspects that something like this happened, because of the intense fear that comes over me every time I see Palo. It's taken all the control and Jedi restraint Anakin can muster not to kill Palo every time he sees him. He knows that I wouldn't want him to do that, because Palo is not worth it and is the lowest form of scum there is," Padme replied.
"Oh Padme, I'm so sorry he did that to you," Sola replied.
"I'm fine Sola, but I told you so you could see that we're not so different. I left that abusive relationship and found the man of my dreams. You've left your abusive relationship and you will find happiness too. Palo is my past and while it's a painful past, I've let it go, because Anakin is my future and my eternity," Padme told her. Sola's eyes welled with tears, as she hugged her sister tightly.
Padme and Sola gathered the girls up and headed for landing platform shortly after their heartfelt discussion.
"Oh hello Miss Padme. Master Ani and Artoo are doing the final checks on the ship. Oh my, we have guests," Threepio said.
"Yes Threepio, this is my sister and her children, Ryoo and Pooja," Padme introduced them.
"Hello Miss Sola, Miss Ryoo, and Miss Pooja. I am C-3PO, human-cyborg relations," Threepio said. Sola giggled.
"Hello Threepio, it's nice to meet you," Sola replied. Pooja giggled shyly at the droid.
"Hi Mister Threepio," Ryoo greeted, as she shook his metal hand vigorously.
"Oh my," Threepio said, not expecting the exuberant greeting from the small child. Artoo rolled up, clicking and beeping and the children gathered around him.
"Artoo Deetoo, meet Ryoo and Pooja," Padme said, with a smile. Artoo whirled excitedly.
"Threepio, why don't you take the girls into the cabin and show them the souvenirs I picked up for them," Padme said. The girls eyes lit up at the prospect of any kind of gift.
"What did you get us, aunt Padme?" Ryoo asked.
"Well, you'll just have to go see," Padme replied, with a smile.
"Oh, you didn't go and spoil them, I hope," Sola chided.
"Of course I did. Anyway, there are just a couple toys I picked up at the Galactic market when Anakin and I were on Serenno. And a few other things I've got them over the years that Darred would never let them have," Padme replied. Padme smiled, as she saw Anakin approach.
"Hello Sola," Anakin said, with a smile.
"Hello Anakin. It looks like you're going to have a few more passengers than expected for your voyage," Sola said.
"Well, Padme and I were really hoping we wouldn't be going home alone. I'm glad you've decided to take this step," Anakin replied. Sola nodded kindly.
"I'm going to check on the girls," Sola said, as she walked up the ramp. Once she had gone, Anakin turned his full attention to Padme. He stared into her lovely brown eyes for a few moments, absorbing her beautiful image. Padme gazed back into his gorgeous blue eyes.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I'm in your arms. Of course I am," she replied.
"I'm serious Padme. But I can wait until you're ready to talk about it," Anakin replied. She took his hands in hers and looked down for a moment, before looking back up at him.
"He hurt me...really bad. I used to have horrible nightmares about what he did that night. How he forced himself on me and used my body. But those stopped the night I met you and I haven't had one since. That's why I didn't really want to bring it up. You healed me Ani and I was able to put my past behind me. You are my future and my forever," Padme said. Anakin slanted his head and drew her lips into a soft kiss. Their lips met again and again in a soft, passionate array of kisses.
"I love you so much and I'll make sure he never hurts you again," he whispered in her ear, as he placed soft kisses along her neck.
"I love you too and I know I'll be fine, as long as you're there, holding me," she replied. He wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Come on angel, let's go," Anakin said, as they walked up the ramp. Anakin took them into space and then plotted their course to Coruscant. He jumped them to hyperspace and then switched on the autopilot, before heading back into the living area of the luxurious ship.
Anakin sat down next to Padme and accepted the cup of tea she handed to him. Ryoo and Pooja came running in and hugged Padme.
"Thank you for the toys, Aunt Padme," Ryoo said. Pooja clutched her stuffed Dantooinian feline and smiled.
"Thank you Aunt Padme," Pooja said.
"Oh, you're so welcome," Padme said
"Are we really going to live with you, Aunt Padme?" Ryoo asked.
"Yep, you and your mommy, and your sister are going to live with me and uncle Anakin," Padme said.
"Yeah, you'll be starting a new school and make lots of new friends," Anakin told her. They all looked at him sadly.
"What?" he asked.
"You mean...I get to go to a real school?" Ryoo asked in awe.
"Of course," Anakin replied, looking confused.
"Ani, most of the girls in my village don't go to conventional school. The girls are taught how to read, only to get by in life and not to encourage free thinking. They are taught to write and very basic arithmetic. And enough about Naboo's history and government to get them by," Padme explained.
"But you had a very good education," Anakin said to Padme.
"That's because I ran away to live with my grandma Winama in Theed when I was ten. Grandma has a lot of powerful friends in the government so they prevented my father from taking me back. Many on Naboo are not fond of the outdated, controlling ways of some of the mountain villages. They consider them very uncouth and uncivilized, which they are in many ways. My grandmother hired tutors and entered me into the legislative youth program. She groomed me into a princess and I was elected as such when I was twelve. I owe her everything. Sola wasn't so lucky," Padme explained.
"I had no idea it was like that," Anakin replied, as he ruffled Ryoo's blonde hair.
"How much longer until we reach Coruscant?" Sola asked.
"About three more hours," Anakin replied.
"Well, that's just enough time for a nap. You girls have had a busy morning," Sola said.
"Ah mommy, do we hafta?" Ryoo whined.
"No whining Ryoo. Take your sister and I'll be there in a few minutes.
"Forgive me for asking Sola, but it appears that Ryoo nor Pooja are really upset about being taken away from Darred," Anakin said.
"No forgiveness necessary Anakin. Darred made it perfectly clear, when they were born that they were my responsibility. He didn't want to be bothered with them. He's always been too busy with his big time architect business, impressing his high end clients or carousing the Theed nightlife. He never held them when they were babies and he was gone a lot. When he was home, he usually ignored them or was yelling at me. Pooja doesn't even really know him and she's too young to understand. Ryoo isn't and unfortunately, she's seen Darred at his worst. I've already talked with her on the way to Theed this morning and she's not a bit sad about leaving," Sola said, as she sighed deeply.
"Do you think mom and dad have received the letter I wrote yet?" Sola asked.
"Corde was supposed to have delivered it by now, so I'm sure they now know," Padme replied. Sola put her face in her hands.
"They're going to be so angry," Sola fretted. Padme stood up from her seat next to Anakin and sat down next to Sola. She put her arm around her sister and rubbed her back.
"I know you're scared Sola, but you won't go through this alone," Padme assured her.
"Padme's right. We'll be there with you when they call or if they come to Coruscant. You'll have protection and you won't be alone," Anakin told her.
"Thank you both. I'm going to check on the girls," Sola said, as she wiped her tears away. Padme stood up and sighed, as she watched Sola go.
"Come here, angel," Anakin beckoned her. She smiled, as she allowed him to pull her into his lap. He saw the unshed tears in her eyes and he carefully guided her lips to his own in a tender kiss.
"Everything is going to be okay, no matter what we have to face, because we'll face it together," Anakin promised.
"I know I'll be fine, as long as you're there, holding me," Padme replied, as she cuddled against him and rested her head on his shoulder. Today had brought up a lot of memories that she just wanted to forget, but she happy that her sister was finally going to have a better life. Thoughts of the past were chased away by her thoughts of Anakin and hope for their future. She realized that she must have drifted off, because the next thing she knew, she awoke to an incessant beeping. Her sister smiled at her and Anakin kissed her cheek.
"Time to wake up sleepy head," Sola said.
How long was I asleep?" Padme asked, as she climbed off Anakin's lap.
"Only a couple hours. Sola and I kept each other company," Anakin said, with a smile, as he headed for the cockpit.
About twenty minutes later, Anakin landed the cruiser at one of the Temple's large landing pads. Anakin's family awaited them. Anakin and Padme were greeted with warm hugs before they were introduced to Sola.
"Everyone, this is my sister Sola and my nieces, Ryoo and Pooja," Padme announced.
"It's wonderful to meet you Sola. I'm Shmi,"
"And I'm Qui-Gon. We're glad you're here,"
"I'm Yan and this is my wife Elana," Dooku said.
"It's nice to meet you Sola," Elana said.
"Likewise maim," Sola replied. She watched fondly, as Anakin's parents and grandparents welcomed her children with open arms. She was taken aback by their welcoming and warmth. As Sola turned her attention back, she was met with a pair of hazel eyes. His hair was a light reddish blonde and a little long in back. His face was cleanly shaven, which seemed odd to her since Anakin had said he was the only male in his family that didn't sport facial hair.
"I'm Obi-Wan, or Ben, as some call me," he said.
"It's nice to meet you Ben," Sola said, as she found herself staring at his handsome face.
"You shaved finally. I was wondering when you'd get tired of that fur on your face," Anakin joked.
"I'll have you know that Luminara thought I looked very distinguished," Obi-Wan said.
"Isn't that another word for old?" Anakin teased.
"Ani," Elana playfully scolded.
"If it's so distinguished, then why'd you shave?" Anakin asked slyly. Qui-Gon chuckled.
"We overheard Bultar Swan and Shaak Ti discussing how it made him look ten years older," Qui-Gon laughed, as Obi-Wan reddened.
"Well, I could have told you that. Oh wait..." Anakin said, as he got closer to his brother.
"I think...I see a couple gray hairs!" Anakin announced.
"Anakin!" Padme scolded playfully, as she smacked his arm.
"You don't have any gray hairs, but you do look younger," Padme said.
"Thank you Padme. As for you baby brother, you know what pay backs are," Obi-Wan warned.
"Okay, enough of that. Let's go home and have a nice dinner," Shmi said. They all agreed and headed toward the speeder dock.
Back at Yan's penthouse, Sola was amazed further at how taken Anakin's family was with her children, especially Shmi and Elana. Ryoo and Pooja had taken a liking to everyone as well. Dinner had been wonderful with a warm sense of family she wasn't used to. It was after dinner when they had all been sitting in the living area, enjoying each other's company, that the call she'd been dreading came. Corde's face appeared on the holo screen and she bowed respectfully, as Yan answered it.
"Greeting Master Dooku. I hate to interrupt your evening, but I have Padme and Sola's family here. They insisted on back to the palace with me to contact you. They are waiting in one of the conference rooms. Shall I patch them through?" Corde asked. Padme took a deep breath, as did Sola.
"Go ahead Corde, thank you," Padme replied. Padme, Sola, and Anakin sat ready for the call. The rest dropped into the background to listen and offer support if needed. One thing they all knew, was that it would not be a pleasant conversation...