The conclusion to the "Dorme Saga" was in the previous chapter in case you missed it. This chapter is not for younger readers - CG
The soft glow of a candle's flicker filled Anakin's and Padme's bedroom with hazy light. Padme sat with her legs curled beneath her, reminiscent of Dorme only nights before. Anakin pushed the thought from his mind. That was over now. Thanks to his precious Padme.
Padme sipped from an oblong stem of cider, while Anakin opted for something more potent. He promised himself, he wouldn't drink as much as Obi Wan -- ever.
Their arms entwined as they took yet another sip from the glasses like they had seen couples do on those awful holonet programs. They exploded in a fit of giggles.
"See? We're the best friends we could ever have."
"Indeed. Although, I find it a bit sad that we can't have friends like normal couples... at least none who would try exploit our 'situation'," Padme replied.
"Everyone in the Republic are becoming more treacherous with each passing day."
"Even the children?"
Anakin looked down, swirling the contents of his glass. "Some." His eyes darkened.
"Not our baby..." Padme replied, leaning toward him for a kiss.
His lips pressed against hers longer than she expected, his breathing almost erratic when they parted.
"Where will we live when the baby is born?"
"I don't know... maybe Alderaan or Hoth."
"Hoth? Are you crazy? The noses on that planet are way too big."
Anakin smiled. "What do you mean? You've never even been to Hoth."
"The air is too cold. You want a child with a big nose?"
"That's only a myth."
"I'm not taking any chances," Padme replied.
She moved to Anakin's side of the bed, snuggling in his arms. "I will go to Aeeq."
Aeeq was an ocean covered planet close to Naboo with cities and land masses that float on top of bodies of water. Anakin gave her a skeptical look.
"What if an asteroid penetrated the atmosphere and sank us?"
Padme laughed, pinching him softly. "Don't be silly."
"I'm not being silly, I worry about you and the baby everyday."
"You worry too much."
"I have to protect you," he said, finishing his glass of spice rum. Anakin kissed her forehead, his alcohol tinged breath made Padme cringe and laugh quietly to herself.
He reached into a bowl of fruit then pressed one into his mouth, a sarcastic look on his face. Did she forget how easily he could sense her thoughts?
"Who do you think the baby will look like?" Padme beamed.
"Uh... I don't know. Viceroy Gunray?"
"I'll kill you!" Padme turned and faced him. Her fists bounced off of Anakin's muscular pecs. He flexed them up and down for her amusement, then grabbed her flailing hands.
Anakin's idea of humor was to behave in what Padme often described as "pernicious". The victims of his wry sense of humor evolved quite naturally, from Obi Wan to his rueful wife.
"That won't get you anywhere. Let me teach you a defensive tactic..."
"Get up, Anakin before you crush the baby."
He shrugged, then mumbled an apology about forgetting. "Okay, someone is holding you down, take your elbow and jab him in the neck like this... That'll stop the attacker from breathing for about... five seconds, long enough to grab his throat and try to catch his breath."
"Oh Anakin everyone knows about that," said Padme mockingly.
"Really? Then what do you do next?"
Padme looked around, trying to think of something to say.
"There isn't anything to do next, but get the hell out of there." He kissed her nose and did push ups over her body. He was bored, and Padme was great to tease and have fun with. Whenever his body pressed closer to hers, she tried pushing him back up. He kept his stomach rounded back, to keep from crushing her belly, which was like a small round ball. This enabled him on every other push up to steal a kiss.
"How long am I to be tortured?" Padme droned.
Anakin stopped, catching his breathing for ten seconds, a thoughtful look on his face... "Uhh... I don't know Padme. Until I'm done with my workout (doing push ups again with an arm tied behind his back), or until you find a way to entertain me."
A fine coat of sweat formed on his chest and trickled down to his abs.
"You must have been an awful boy," Padme griped.
"No more awful than other boys or padawans."
"Was Obi Wan as awful as you? I bet he was the perfect padawan."
"Let him tell it, he probably was. But I've heard differently from both Master Windu and Master Yoda (switching push up arms). In fact (grunting), Obi Wan was once expelled from the Order when he was only thirteen for disobeying orders and challenging Master Qui Gonn to a saber match."
"You lie. You are still awful, Anakin Skywalker," Padme teased. She pressed her open palms against his chest in a second, but futile attempt to push him away.
"You think Obi Wan is perfect? He's not."
"No one is perfect. Or so near to perfection as you are, my love."
Anakin slowed in his push ups, bringing his lips close to hers. He lingered before planting a kiss. Then lifted, doing several more push ups... "Only 500 more to go..." he grunted.
"Anakin! I am not to be teased like this... How would you like if I did push ups over you?"
He paused, giving her a sly grin before continuing. "I would love it... don't think the baby would like it so much."
Padme sighed, realizing she'd have to play as dirty as Anakin to get out of the situation she was in. Her hands slowly drifted down her sides as she slowly drew her gown up and over her waist. Anakin, realizing what she had done, paused in his workout, a defeated look on his face. He panted, out of breath as he leaned over her thinking how easy these push ups might have been to continue without the baby to worry about.
"You win," he said in a defeated voice.
Anakin sat up, legs folded beneath him as he pulled her legs around his body. He peeled his pants down from his waist then let his hand side beneath her as he pulled her even closer. A desirous gaze filled his eyes. Padme thought about how easily carried away Anakin could get, and stopped him from moving forward with a foot to his chest.
"Don't hurt the baby," she said... her usual warning prior to making love.
"I never do," he replied, whispered gently.