Sorry for taking FOREVER to update, I was so overwhelmed by all of our finals and projects. School was cut one week so they kind of mashed everything together.
Now it's summer and I've just been lazy hehe.
Anyways here's the next chapter(: Please review and I hope you like it!
"On the fifth year that marks your children's birth, I shall return! Mark my words…" The menacing voice spoke, "… only until then."
Anakin suddenly woke from his reminiscing dream; he sighed deeply and stared at the ceiling while he brushed the stray hair off his face. He thought about that day, the day of the attack, the day that Palpatine had telepathically sent him that alluring message. He suspired and turned over to his side admiring the sheer beauty of the woman that lay beside him. The light that peered through the crack of the curtains illuminated her face perfectly. He thought of how he loved her so much and of how they were forced to live in secret once more. They were now situated at their new more concealed home, which lay in the deepest part of the lake retreat, in order to keep the children safe.
Padme awoke from her slumber as she felt his eyes on her, "Ani, what's wrong?"
The light made her eyes hurt but she pushed through the urge to close them in order to look at Anakin. She rubbed his arm in comfort waiting for his answer.
"Palpatine. He said he would come…" he began, his gaze intense searching for something, he did not know what, in her eyes, "he would come on the children's fifth birthday, he practically swore he'd return on that very day.
She searched for words that would bring comfort to both him and herself, "Whatever is meant to happen, will. If Palpatine is returning, we'll have to face him but we can rest assured, for a while."
Millions of thoughts rushed like lucid airwaves through his head, "I guess all we can do for now is remain here and keep that a secret only known to close friends and relatives. We especially have to be careful of the media; we don't want any surplus attention. "
She nodded her head slowly, "We'll be fine Ani." He took her hand and kissed its top delicately as if it were a fragile rose, she returned the gesture and brought her lips to his. A warm welcoming morning kiss that eased the mood, tension, and the thoughts of the future. Just then the cry of an infant broke the silence, not wanting to end their kiss, their lips hindered and ultimately parted. "I'll go check on them." Anakin said as he pulled the covers that rested atop of him. Padme smiled as she observed him get up but the ring of the holoprojector quickly redirected her attention.
"Hello?" with the push of a button there was a blue figure before her, it was her mother resting on her favorite couch.
"Yes, hello Padme!" the figure replied, a beam of happiness lit up Padme's face as she heard the cheerful voice of her mother after such a long time.
"How have you been dear? I can't believe I haven't seen my grandchildren since they were born. How is it possible that their own grandparents haven't laid eyes on them!" It seemed like she was going on a rant but there was that spark of sarcasm in her voice that made Padme laugh out loud.
"Well you see…" She began explaining everything that had recently happened without a spare detail. If there was one thing that Padme loved about her mother was that she knew how to shift from the fine lines of humor and seriousness.
"My goodness … well marring a Jedi is a great adventure!" Her tone changed within a second, "Anakin is a good man. I know he loves you very much Padme, value it because you're one of the few lucky ones who was fortunate enough to find a man they love whom loves them back."
"Was it like that for you and dad?" She asked wirily thinking that the comment might have been directed towards her parent's happiness.
"Oh yes! I love him immensely! He gave me the best gift in the world; he made the mother of beautiful children."
Padme was quite for a couple of seconds, analyzing the words her mother spoke.
"Love is beautiful but it's also a curse."
"I can't argue with you there sweetie, nothing is perfect but you have to make the most of what you've got. At least there is love and maybe that can overpower the negative things you two are submersed in. Everything will set right at the end."
"Yes." That affirmative term contained the hope and optimism that reminded her of why she decided to marry Anakin, and why she decided to accept their love in the first place. It was an inevitable sensation one that they were both susceptible and even victims of.
"Anakin asked me to re-marry him..." the glow returned to her face, "he wants me to have a proper wedding, the wedding of my dreams."
Her mother gasped in a blissful shock, "That's great! I didn't like the fact that you didn't tell me when you and Anakin had wed at first! But I'm so glad you two are finally doing things right! By the way where is Anakin?"
"He went to check on the- oh! There he is." He walked in and smiled slightly at Padme; he took a seat next to her getting in range for the device to capture his image and transmit him to Mrs. Nabrrie and waved at her.
Discreetly he whispered something inaudible to Padme's ear; she shook her head slowly at his remarks.
"Mom."
"Yes dear?" Her words showed ambiguity coated with slight worry. "Well … you know that the house is pretty big for just the 4 of us and we could use some help with the twins. So we were thinking that maybe you, dad, and my sister would like to move in with us?"
Her mother's eyebrows rose in disbelief as she was taken by surprise with that unexpected offer.
"Yes of course! Wait, I need to discuss this with them. I'm sure they'd be delighted but I'll talk it over with them just in case. –Oh well I'll leave you two now! Be safe you two, I'll call you later honey!"
Padme and Anakin laughed in sync at the enthusiasm her mom sprinkled her words with, "Ok, bye mom."
"Bye sweetie.
Bye Anakin."
It was sometime later, by then Padme's family had settled in with them at their home. There had been no major problems, and for the first time Padme felt a sense of freedom. Even though technically she wasn't as liberated as she would have liked there was a new found autonomy that allowed her and Anakin to love each other immensely and faithfully. They made the most of the confinement they were forced to live in; the world seemed to edge out making only room for each other. The blissful entity of love that surrounded them was what kept them keen and willing to do whatever it took for their family.
Perhaps one of their favorite pastimes was to swim together at the picturesque waterfall lake that rested in front of their home. They swam and played around like young lovers, that youth in their love never seemed to die and it always retained its substantiality as it endeavored even the hardest of tests.
The sun gleamed on the rippled currents of the lake as the gushing water broke the surface of the lake. Padme emerged from the water instantly after Anakin. "Ani, I want to show you something."
"What is it?"
"It's something I found a long time ago when I used to play here with my sister."
She grabbed his hand and prompted him to follow after her. She swam towards the cascading waterfall and ducked under it so that they came up directly behind it. Being prepared for an amazement Anakin sighed in disappointment as the only faced a wall.
"This is what you wanted to show me? It's a beautiful wall?" he added quirky facial expressions and a sarcastic tone to his remark.
"No silly." She pretended to be slightly offended. "If I could just find the right stone here …" her hands traced against the cool rock's rigid structure. ".. I can show you what's behind-aha! There it is." She pushed the stone inward causing a small rupture and the sliding of a massive piece of rock. There was a large space at the center which served as an entrance to what seemed like water caves. Padme smiled and offered her hand to Anakin whom gladly took it.
The wonders of nature were truly at their peak in Naboo, they never failed to impress. This was no exception. They made their way into the entrancingly magnificent cavern on the stone walkways that framed the flowing water at the center which channeled for an inexplicable length. The complexity seemed to intertwine waterways everywhere. At one point they reached a small pool, of some kind of hot spring. Without the need for words they both climbed in and relaxed within each other's arms.
An inconspicuous pair of hands dropped a genetically altered creature into the lake. It was designed to follow the scent of one person and deposit deadly toxins in their body.
Oblivious to their surrounds, their thoughts only lay on being with each other. They reminisced on everything particular to their life leading them to this moment. Through all the trials and ordeals they were together and still in love. The sparks of their passion for one another was as vibrant as the moment they shared their first kiss. They knew that road ahead was going to be long and difficult but they also knew that they had each other's company and love to help them face it all.
"I love you." Anakin whispered into her ear with a timid smile.
"I love you." Padme mirrored his words but not his expression, her grin was vibrant and full. She yelled out those three words again loudly and threw her arms around Anakin hugging him tight against her body listening to the echo. She laughed blissfully as she returned to the comfort of being wrapped in Anakin's arms and then let her thoughts drift.
"Oh, have you heard about Obi-Wan?"
"Last I heard he was on a mission in Mutsafar."
There was a tingle that surged unnervingly through Padme's body as she heard the name of that dreadful place.
"What's wrong love?" Anakin asked tightening his grip on her frail body.
"Nothing.. it's just that, that place it brings unwelcomed reminiscences. That's all, but let's not talks about that." Comprehending he nodded swiftly and changed the subject.
"So… I found a new job that pays decently." Anakin said successfully eliminating the tension in the air.
There was a spark of interest in her tone, "Oh? What of?"
"I would be the master constructor, fixing all sorts of malfunctions and parts of machines at a discounted price, much lower than companies that work with droids."
A wide smile swept across Padme's face, she was enlightened by the fact that Anakin would at least be doing something he enjoyed. "Honey, that's wonderful." She kissed him lightly, then once more, this kiss was deeper more passionate and full of eroticism. Gathering all her strength she slightly pulled back enough to talk, "Anakin.. don't get any wild ideas… just yet. " She playfully pushed him away completely and stood up offering her hand, "I have a surprise for you tonight."
With a suspiciously curious smile Anakin took her hand and they headed out towards the exit and into the water. Anakin took the lead as Padme wandered behind him recollecting memories from her childhood there. Completely dazzled at the new memories she was creating, she examined her surroundings carefully not wanting to forget everything else that she had lived there. But there was something extraneous and unknown that caught her attention. It was a specimen of fish unknown to her; the creature exuded a spectrum of vividly bright colors that illuminated out of the water. It swam next to her giving her a chance to examine it more closely; she was enchanted by its captivating beauty.
Unexpectedly it began circling her in a crazed notion, Padme began to stumble not wanting to step on it and hurt the fish. Consequently she fell on her hands and knees, Anakin rapidly caught her before she could completely collapse.
"Padme? Have you been hurt?"
She vaguely heard Anakin's words, her head began to spin and her hand came to her forehead, "What? Anakin?" It was hard for her to retain her balance so Anakin simply swept her off her feet and carried her into his arms. She winced in pain with aggravated grunts, "My.. my leg.. Anakin."
"Pamde!" His bewildered thoughts were set straight as he saw the blood that gushed out of her knee. "Hold on Padme, stay with me."
As fast as he could he made his way into their house. He yelled out as he frantically as he placed her on the couch, "C3P0! Get the doctor down here, now!" He tried using a Jedi trick to heal the excruciating pain she seemed to be in. It seemed to work on the sting that cored from her knee but it wasn't long before she began trembling, and catching a fever then slowly drifted in unconsciousness.
"Where is the doctor!" Anakin yelled loudly, not wanting to leave her side.
Shortly afterwards the doctor came into the living room who was then followed by the whole family including the machines. Padme's parent had the children in arms and her sister looked on worriedly. They stepped back and allowed the doctor to perform and analysis and help sooth her. Using a medicine dropper he carefully dropped 3 droplets of a blue medication. Then, after cleaning out her wound and stopping the bleeding he applied a topical ointment.
"Is she going to be alright doctor?" asked an anxious Anakin.
"In a couple of hours she will begin regaining her force, there should be nothing to worry about."
"I don't understand, all I saw was blood." Anakin said trying to piece together what had just hastily happened.
"Yes, it seems that some sort of poisonous specimen punctured through her skin. If it wasn't for your precise timing, son, well let's say we may have been a little too late. But that Jedi trick.."
"Excuse me?"
"The healing?"
Anakin was puzzled, Jedi tricks were supposed to be exclusive to those who practiced the force. "But, how did you know?"
"My great-great grandfather was part of the order, he helped discover that method alongside Master Yoda."
"That's remarkable." Anakin exclaimed.
"Truly. Well now, please forgive me but I am needed elsewhere, just remember that every hour she needs the drops. It was a pleasure meeting you Mr?"
"Skywalker." They both bowed slightly in respect. C3P0 showed the doctor the way out of the house. Precariously everyone stepped out and left Anakin to be with Padme alone. Holding onto her hand Anakin listened to the rhythmic breathing that caused Padme's chest to rise and fall while he thought to himself, Who could have done this? Who? It must be someone who has obviously been here before…
An eerily dark caped figure spoke to a hollophone in a discreet voice, "I need a favor, one which is in your best interest. You will be rewarded handsomely, although being able to do this should be reward itself." Surrounded by ambiguity the figure began explaining in detail how the other could help with the devious plan proposed.
"It must be today… yes, exactly… that's perfect.." With a malicious and villainous laugh the figure continued, "That stupid senator does not know what hit her.. we are going to destroy her by damaging her where it'll hurt her the most…"
HOPE YOU LIKED THIS CHAPTER :D
I don't know the correct term for the holoprojectors that only require voice haha. Pardon me, I just want to get my story across(:
& Let me say, THANK YOU so much for having pacience and for having read up to this point. You guys are awesome!
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