Chapter 8

Padme lay in Anakin's bed. She once again tried to close her chocolate eyes to sleep but slumber continued to evade her. She pushed her dark hair back out of her chestnut orbs and snuggled deeper under the soft sheets. She shuffled silently around in the dark, rubbing her belly softly.

She thought of all the exciting things that had happened to her that day. She'd admitted her love to Anakin, told him it was his baby she was having, been attacked by her assassin, she'd even told Ani she wanted to be with him forever. Speaking of Anakin, when was Obi-Wan going to finish talking to her lover? She now knew she loved him and had decided life was too short to live without the man she loved. She fell into a deep sleep, dreaming of the final moments she had shared with Anakin after the Battle of Geonosis.

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Padme Amidala elegantly slid out of the speeder, happy to be back at the lake retreat house. She smiled softly; she had already called ahead to her parents who were coming to meet her later on that evening. She spotted a dark shadow, silhouetted against the rapidly fading sun. The figure spotted her and started to run to her. She frowned slightly as Anakin came in to view.

"Padme," he greeted, lifting her chin in an attempt to kiss her. She pulled her chin from his fingers and took a step back. "Padme, what's wrong?" The young Jedi asked, puzzled.

"Anakin, listen. What happened before, in the prison, in the cave and in my ship afterwards, it was a mistake! You have to understand, Ani. I'm a Senator and you're going to become a wonderful Jedi. You can't marry; it was a dream, Ani, nothing more." She turned and started to walk away.

Anakin stood glued to the spot. "Padme?" he asked softly, "Padme, wait please!"

She turned, "I'm sorry Anakin, I know the way you feel and I hate that I have lead you on, but you must of guessed by now, I don't feel the same way."

He glanced at her, "Padme, I don't understand."

"I don't love you!" She snapped, turning her back to him and walking into the retreat, covering her eyes as they began to flood with tears. I did what I had to do, she thought softly.

Anakin watched her go, "but I love you, Padme!" He whispered under his breath.

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Padme woke to feel the soft weight of another body on next to her own. She smiled at Anakin, who was snuggled close to her, his hair sticking out at odd ends from his sleep. She noticed his arm was held protectively around her stomach. She glanced at the crono, it was already midday. She gently kissed his outstretched arm and called his name softly.

Anakin groaned as he woke,"what time is it, Padme?"

"Just gone twelve o'clock," she answered.

"Already?!" Anakin exclaimed, panicked.

"Yes," she replied, giggling, "what have you missed now?"

"Just a council meeting, which is in twenty minutes. Think we can make it?"

"We?" Padme questioned.

"Yes, you too angel," he responded, "which reminds me, I have something to ask you." He said fiddling in the drawer next to his bedside table, "Padme Amidala Naberrie," he started, kneeling on the floor in front of her. She glanced at him and he continued, "Dearest Padme, will you marry me?" He pulled a glittering ring out of the item he had taken out of his drawer.

The young Senator looked shocked for a moment and then answered definitely "Yes, Anakin, I will."

The Jedi beamed, happily, sliding the precious jewellery on her finger. "I love you, Padme," he said, kissing her, passionately.

"And I will always love you, Ani."

"We better get ready," Anakin said, reluctantly.

"Yes," she replied, delicately, getting up and moving to the bathroom.

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"Anakin?" Padme asked, quietly as they walked along the halls towards the council chambers. "Why do the council want to see us?"

"I talked to Obi Wan last night after you had gone to bed and I told him our situation. I also told him I was going to stay with you until I die, he told me if I felt that strongly I must go and talk to the council about it. I'm sorry to drag you into all this; I just want the council to see how much I love you."

She smiled, "it's alright, Ani. If we're going to do this, we're going to do it together." Padme took her lover's hand gently and kissed his palm.

They drew outside the chambers and their conversation ceased. Obi Wan stood outside the room looking very solemn. Anakin drew close to him and hugged his master. Padme could tell he was not looking forward to what he was about to do.

"Are you sure about this, Anakin?" the Jedi asked his padawan.

"Yes, Master," Anakin replied, without hesitation.

The doors opened, "come in Padawan Skywalker." Anakin grasped Padme's hand tightly for support as they walked into the meeting that would determine the course of Anakin's life.

"Anakin," Master Windu greeted, "you had a matter you wished to discuss with the council?"

"Yes, Master," Anakin said, bowing slightly. He ran his hand nervously through his hair, "well I've fallen in love, Master. The Senator and I spent some time together after the battle of Geonosis and now she's pregnant with my child. I love her Masters, I want to spend my life with her. I will not leave her!" He finished, pleadingly.

"Forbidden by the code, is this," Yoda commented.

"But what to do?" Master Windu commented.

"Give Skywalker and the Senator a chance, I say," Yoda suggested.

"It is decided then," Master Windu finished, "you must prove this attachment will not hinder you."

"For now the council's approval you have." Yoda said.

"Thank you, Master," Anakin said, bowing once again and leading Padme into the hallway.

I think this has to be one of my longest chapters ever.

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Love ZacE4eva xxxxxxxxxx