Author's Note: Just wanted to make sure everyone knew this is an AU. By the way, we are not yet near the end of this. grin

Disclaimer: The Star Wars Universe was created and is owned by George Lucas, this is just my imagination at work, based on the universe he has created. If this story is similar to another, it's pure coincidence.

Note: Thoughts are in italics.

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"That will be your wedding dress," Gira informed her, pulling it off of the hook in the wall. "Isn't it beautiful? Try it on, Lord Vader picked it out for you."

The stunning dress was the meaning of simple elegance, yet Padmé wanted to avoid it at all costs. "No, I do not wish to wear that."

"But you must! At least try it on."

Gira was very excited about it, for there could not possibly be many weddings if any at the Imperial Palace. I'll try it, for her sake, Padmé reasoned. She really wanted to try it on, too.

As she slipped the intricate dress on, the eyes of her clothier widened in amazement - or shock. "What? Does it look okay? Is something wrong?"

Gira shook her head, her mouth now hanging open. "It's beautiful, miss."

Padmé smiled at the compliment, her thoughts quickly turning to Anakin and how he complimented her. You're beautiful. His words were stuck in her head, replaying over and over again. "I-I think. . .I think I will, uh, I think I'll wear it," she stuttered nervously, her fingers inspecting the amazing details and embroidery.

"It looks wonderful. I'm glad you are going to wear it. It is your wedding, after all."

- - - -

Padmé muttered thoughts of nothingness to herself as she spotted Anakin - Vader - waiting for her. He always wore very similar attire: all black clothing. What else would a Sith wear?

She wanted to hit him, kiss him, yell at him; her mixed emotions getting the best of her. She tried her best to smile as he approached her, though her sadness prevented that from fully happening.

"You are disturbed," he sensed in her, placing his hand on her shoulder. No compliments, no boyish-grins, no sweet words; no Anakin left in him. She didn't even seem to catch his eye in the least.

"What did you expect? You promised me a wedding on Naboo with my family and loved ones. Now here I am, alone and getting married against my wishes."

"You didn't try to escape or resist."

"I know what you would have done to me if I made such an attempt," she pointed out as he smiled. Though the smile brought fear and hate inside of her, instead of love and warmth.

"Good. Now, come." He took her arm and slipped it in his own as they walked to the turbolift and went up a few levels. Closing her eyes, Padmé was afraid where he was taking her. Knowing how he was becoming once again, she wouldn't be surprised if she was married by or in front of the Emperor himself. She began cursing at him in her mind, those curse coming to an abrupt end as she rememebered Anakin could read her thoughts; and the Emperor as well. "Here we are."

They stepped off of the lift and onto a cobblestone path. Opening her eyes to just slits, a beautiful rooftop garden was before them. A small fountain sat near the holy man, which brought a small smile to her face - though very faint. They began to walk closer towards the man until they stopped a few feet away from him. Vader turned towards Padmé, holding both of her hands in his black gloved hands. He looked down, deep into her eyes as the man began to recite a few words. Must be the Sith code.

She blocked out most of what he said, every once and awhile catching a few words. Too concerned with her own consicence telling her to run, while at the same time telling her this is what she really wanted. No, you can't do this. Yes, this is your true love.

No, I cannot do this.

- - - -

Sola held Jarred in her arms, for the very first time. He looked so much like his father, and yet so much like her. Sirté fell asleep in her father's arms, the spitting image of her grandfather, mother, and aunt.

"My dears," Sola whispered as Jarred barely wrapped his little fingers around her thumb, and Sirté yawned. Darred looked down at his third daughter, so beautiful. Both she and Ryoo looked alike as well, while Jarred matched his sister Pooja's looks.

"When are Padmé and Anakin returning?" Darred asked Ruwee as he handed his daughter to his father-in-law.

"I'm not sure, they didn't act like they would be gone very long though."

"I think they'll be back soon; Padmé really wants to be here," Jobal pointed out as she held her only grandson. Her attention quickly turned from Padmé to Jarred.

"Darth Vader had some business to finish up before coming, so who knows how long that will be," Sola reminded them as Jobal and Ruwee looked at her, dumbfounded.

"Who said anything about Vader?"

"Anakin is Vader."

"You're kidding me," Ruwee spat out as he handed Sirté to Jobal, once his wife passed Jarred to Darred. Folding his arms against his chest, he walked around the room nervously. Sola nodded in confirmation that Anakin was, indeed, Vader. He looked disappointed, upset, concerned; every reaction a father could have.

"My daughter is engaged to a Sith?"

- - - -

"No!" Padmé screamed, interupting the ceremony. She began to run towards the door, though through the force Vader stopped her in her tracks.

"You know what will happen," he reminded her, pulling her back. As Vader held her in place before him, the holy man finished what Padmé considered a "speech".

"You may kiss your bride," he directed as she froze and began to literally shiver.

"No," she mumbled, just as Vader leaned down and began to lightly kiss her lips. At first, she reminded herself that she was the innocent victim; she was being force into marriage. Then she remembered that she truly loved him, as much as she hated it. She returned the kiss, as she became Padmé Naberrie Amidala Skywalker Vader.

Lady Vader.