Chapter 20

The day seemed to drag by for Anakin as he had very little to accomplish to prepare himself for his wedding. To pass the time he wandered through the vast gardens that surrounded the lake house and even ventured back to the meadows just over the hill. Obi-Wan joined him for a while but he preferred the quiet peace of meditation to pass the hours. Anakin eventually wandered into the garage after the midday meal, pleasantly surprised to find a rundown water speeder in dire need of some attention. The tools were easy enough to find and in only a matter of moments he was elbow deep in the engine searching for the root of the problem.

Ruwee found the young man occupied with a speeder that may well have been older than him, arms covered in grease and his tunics carelessly cast aside so that they could not catch on anything. Obi-Wan had directed him to look for Anakin in the garage after he had begun his quest to search out the young man that was about to become his son.

"Am I interrupting anything?" he asked from the door.

Anakin's head jerked up in surprise. He had been too focused on what he was working on that he had not felt Ruwee's approach. "No, of course not," he said, pulling his hands from the engine and grabbing a rag to wipe off the excess grease. "I was just trying to kill the time."

"I remember my own wedding day," Ruwee said, his voice wistful as he thought back to that day. He walked over to one of the cleaner counters and leaned back against it, his arms crossed over his broad chest. "We didn't marry until nightfall and I had nothing to do with all that time except imagine the worst."

"You thought Jobal might leave you at the altar?" Anakin asked.

"No. I didn't think that would happen, in fact I knew it wouldn't, but the mind tends to play tricks on you when you're waiting for something to happen, especially if it's something as important as your wedding ceremony," he said. "Men have it easy on our wedding days compared to the beauty routines women seem to think they have to endure."

"But it's worth it," Anakin said.

"You two are lucky that you didn't have to deal with all the planning that goes into one of those bigger ceremonies. Keeping it simple was smart."

"We're not even supposed to get married so keeping it simple was rather important," Anakin replied

Ruwee's expression grew serious and asked, "You would really throw away everything you've spent your life training for just to be with my daughter?"

"I would do anything for her, sir. She means more to me than I can explain and we've always had a connection that drew us together. I figured it was pointless to fight against it, even though she did for a while," Anakin said, glancing over at the other man as he went back to work, anything to keep his mind occupied. "But I love her and she loves me just as much and that's all I need."

"Good answer."

"It's the truth."

"Anakin, I know we didn't exactly get off on the right foot after Padmé announced that you two intended to marry but I want you to know that I could not have picked a better man for her. I see how happy you make her and I know she makes you just as happy. It means a lot to me to know that she'll have a husband that cares as much about her as I do," Ruwee said. "I suspect you'll understand my meaning better should you two have a daughter in the future.

"I understand what you mean, Sir," Anakin said. "I think I'd react similarly to you if I were in such a situation."

Ruwee chuckled at Anakin's words but nodded his head in agreement. "I don't know why you two didn't just elope after the fool I made of myself."

"I could never have done that to Padmé. I know how important family is to her and I could never make her keep that a secret from you."

"Well I appreciate that, son."

"She probably would have insisted on eloping if I hadn't insisted that we do this properly," Anakin said. "Would you hand me that hydrospanner?"

Ruwee grabbed the tool next to him and handed it Anakin. "I thought Jedi could use the Force to float things."

"We can, but it usually freaks people out to see things randomly floating," Anakin said with a grin.

"I'm sure it does," Ruwee agreed with a laugh.

They fell into a companionable silence as Anakin continued working, every so often he would glance up at the other man, trying to gauge his mood. "Is there something on your mind?" he finally asked.

"Will your children be Force sensitive?"

"I don't know," Anakin admitted. "I suspect they will be but there is no real way to know until they're conceived."

"But you'd be able to know before they're born?"

"If they're strong in the Force then I should be able to sense them. Why?"

"I don't want my daughter to lose any child she has to the Jedi Order. I know what they do, how they take children away from their parents when they're still infants to train them and I don't want that to happen to my grandchild."

"I wouldn't let them do that," Anakin said. "If we are blessed with a child then I will fight to ensure that we are allowed to raise our child as a family."

"Good, good," Ruwee said. "You're a good man."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Enough with the Sir bit just call me Ruwee. You're my son and it gets rather awkward to have you calling me Sir all the time."

"I'm sorry. These manners have always been drilled into me, even by my mother."

"I would have liked to meet her. Padmé speaks very fondly of her."

"She was an amazing woman and I wish she could have been here today," Anakin said, blinking back tears at the thought of his mother. The memory of her death was still painfully fresh and he suspected it always would be, just punishment for the sins he had committed in the name of revenge.

"She is here today," Ruwee said. "She'll always be a part of you, she's never truly gone as long as you keep her in your heart and keep her memory alive."

"Thank you," Anakin said softly. "That helps."

They spent the rest of the afternoon getting to know each other and growing rather fond of each other, forging a bond through their love of Padmé. They were both quite pleased with their discussion when they parted ways to get ready for the ceremony.

Padmé anxiously ran her hands down over the skirt, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles, as her sister put the finishing touches on her hair. Sola had braided two sections of her hair from both sides of her head and wrapped them back to meet in the middle where they became a larger braid down her back, a white ribbon had been interwoven to add to the style. It was simple but elegant, just the way Padmé had wanted it. Once Sola finished, they left her alone to go prepare themselves.

For the first time that day she found herself completely alone and without the constant chatter of her mother and sister as the flitted about in preparation. As much as she loved them, they could be overwhelming at times, especially when they were so determined to make absolutely certain that every little detail was thought of. She took a deep breath and briefly closed her eyes to gather her thoughts before opening her eyes again to look at herself.

She examined her reflection in the mirror, pleased by what saw, and quietly ran through her wedding vows. She and Anakin had decided on a traditional ceremony except that they would speak their own vows for the ceremony. Sola and Darred had done that for their wedding and Padmé liked the idea of speaking from the heart rather than repeating words spoken by countless others. They had agreed to keep their vows simple and she was most eager to hear Anakin's.

The soft knock on her door interrupted her midway through her third time whispering her vows to her reflection. She glanced over in time to see her father enter the room; his sharp intake of breath pleased her as he seemed to freeze in the door. She smiled and met him halfway, letting him embrace her and place a loving kiss against her brow.

"Oh, Padmé," he breathed, unable to believe it was his daughter standing before him, radiant as he had ever seen her. "You look absolutely stunning."

"Thank you dad," she said softly.

"I think you just might look lovelier in that dress than my mother did," he said, his eyes shining proudly.

She beamed at his compliment and kissed his cheek. "Is it time?"

"It is," he said.

She gave her reflection one final glance before slipping her hand around her father's arm as he led her from the room.

"Are you nervous?" he asked when they reached the doors that would take them out onto the balcony where she had shared her first kiss with Anakin.

"No," she said, glancing up at her father as she shook her head. "I know this is the right decision for me, for us."

"He'll make a fine husband."

"I knew he'd grow on you," she said triumphantly.

"I had a good talk with him today," he explained. "I'm honored to have him in this family."

She smiled at him, wanting to throw her arms around him for what he said but she restrained herself from doing so, there would be time for that after the ceremony. He tenderly patted the hand that rested on his arm and opened the doors so they could step out onto the balcony with the rest of their family.

All the attention turned towards them instantly but the only person Padmé saw was Anakin, all eager impatience and loving smile, his eyes went wide when he first saw her before a look of awe settled over his features. He stood proudly next to the holy man, towering over him in his dark Jedi robes with stray curls of his hair golden hair falling perfectly across his forehead; her fingers itched to comb them back. He looked more handsome than she could remember him ever looking in the pink light of the sun setting behind him and she was struck, not for the first time, how she was drawn to him as though there was a cord that kept them tied together. She returned his smile as her father walked her towards him, towards her destiny.

Ruwee placed her hand in Anakin's, sharing a significant look with the young man, before he took his seat next to his wife. Anakin guided her to stand with him in front of the holy man.

"You look like an angel," he whispered.

"You look quiet handsome yourself," she replied softly, squeezing his hand affectionately.

The holy man looked over the young couple standing in front of him, smiling at the obvious love between them, before he began the ceremony, "We are gathered to unite this man and this woman in marriage. It is not a bond to be entered into lightly, but with reverence. This celebration is the outward token of a sacred and inward union of hearts, as this union is created by loving purpose and kept by abiding will. Into this legacy, these two lovers come to be united.

"Padmé, please face Anakin, and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you." She did as he requested, marveling at the weight and warmth of his hands in her own as she looked up into his warm blue eyes. "These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day as he promises to love you all the days of his life. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams. These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you. These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your child for the first time. These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family. These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wracks your mind. These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you." As he finished she brought both of his hands to her lips, placing a tender kiss in the middle of each palm, her eyes never leaving his, even when his breath hitched sharply and desire glowed brightly within their depths.

"Anakin, please hold Padmé's hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you." Anakin gently took her hands in his own, staring down at how tiny and graceful they were compared to his own; small but deceptively strong. "These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life. These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go. These are the hands that will massage tension from your neck and back in the evenings after you've both had a long hard day. These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times. These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving. They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child, that together you have created a new life. These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized." Anakin repeated the action of kissing both of her palms, unable to tear his eyes away from hers, and lowered her hands so that they stood facing each other with their hands clasped before them.

"Now, Anakin and Padmé, will you take vows here, before all of us, which symbolize the many unseated vows you have already made and will continue to make to each other throughout your relationship."

Anakin had to clear his throat twice, finding it rather difficult to speak around the lump that had suddenly lodged itself in his throat, before he could begin, "Padmé, we take our vows today and I take them gladly and without reservation. I am honored to take your hand in such a sacred ceremony and I am proud to walk this life with you forever by my side. You are my light through this life and I promise to honor you, believe in you, protect you and do everything in my power to make your life as happy and fulfilled as you have made mine with your love. Long or short, I vow to spend the rest of my life with you, loving you. This is my promise to you." The setting sun glittered off of tears that welled within her eyes, a lone tear slipping down her cheek, and he had to fight the urge to take her into his arms and brush away her tears.

Padmé took a deep breath, calming the nerves that had taken flight in her abdomen and to speak her vows, "Anakin, I pledge to honor, encourage, and support you as we walk this life together. When our way becomes difficult, I promise to stand by you and lift you from the darkness, so that through our union we can accomplish more than we ever could alone. I promise to work at our love and always make you the priority in my life. You are the strand of my fate that I chose to follow, binding my life to yours for all time without fear. With every beat of my heart and every breath that I take, I will love you. This is my solemn vow." Her voice was soft with all the emotions sweeping through her in that moment but she spoke her vows with assurance that made it clear to all that were gathered that she had no doubt about the path before her.

"May the Gods bless the union that you have witnessed this day. Give them long days filled with tenderness and happiness where their love can be nurtured during the quietest of moments. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the darkness of disillusionment. Bless their union with as much joy as they share today and give them good fortune as they embark on this life together," the holy man said, raising his hands above his head in an entreaty to the gods. "As Anakin and Padmé have consented together in wedlock, as they have pledged themselves to each other, and have declared their eternal bond by joining hands, I pronounce that they are husband and wife. May you always be in love. May your love be as beautiful on each day you share, as it is on this day of your wedding."

Anakin could scarcely believe that the ceremony they had just taken part in was real and that the woman standing before him with tears of joy in her eyes was finally his wife. It took him a moment to realize that his own eyes were foggy with tears and he smiled sheepishly as he pulled her closer to him. He raised his hand to tenderly tilt her chin up as he leaned down to brush his lips across hers in their first kiss as husband and wife. Her arms wound around him as the kiss lingered on and their loved ones applauded.

The festivities that followed the ceremony lasted well into the evening as they ate and made merry. Toasts were made using only the finest blossom wine that flowed rather freely among the adults as they celebrated. Anakin and Obi-Wan disappeared from the party, slipping into the hallway for privacy but Padmé had managed to witness the embrace they shared and the boyish laughter that followed. It put her mind at ease to know that their bond had been strengthened, in part, by her relationship with Anakin; at the very least it was because of his honesty with his former Master. Obi-Wan slipped away from the house shortly after that to give his former student and his new family the chance to celebrate without the presence of a Jedi Master to dampen the mood. Padmé shared a similar moment with her sister later in the evening when Sola pulled her away to offer her some sisterly advice about her wedding night despite knowing full well that this was not their first night together. They had shared several laughs while they watched their husbands and she felt closer to her sister than she had in a long time.

It was late when Padmé's family departed from the lake house, leaving the newly married couple completely alone as they stood on the dock to see her family off. The twin moons were high in the sky, bathing their surrounding in an ethereal glow as Anakin took her hand and led her back up to the house. Their fingers twined intimately as they made their way through the hallways towards the master bedroom that he had slipped away from the festivities to prepare for their wedding night.

Padmé gasped softly when she saw the room illuminated by a roaring fire and several old fashioned candles next to the rather large bed. "Oh Anakin, its perfect," she whispered breathlessly.

"I'm glad it pleases you," he said, gently scooping her into his arms to carry her across the threshold.

"What are you doing?" she asked through giddy laughter.

"My mother told me once that the groom was supposed to carry his bride across the threshold on their wedding night," he explained as he placed her down on her feet near the bed but did not relinquish his hold on her.

"Why ever were you asking about such things?" she teased, sliding her hands up his broad chest to twine around his neck.

"There was this beautiful girl I met once when I was a boy. I thought she was an angel the first time that I set eyes on her," he said softly, leaning down until his forehead rested against hers. "I knew the moment I saw her that she was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, even if she just thought I was a funny little boy. But now that she is my wife I never want to leave her side again."

A wave of overwhelming affection washed over her at his simple words and she was unable to keep herself from practically launching herself at him, claiming his lips in a kiss that spoke of love and devotion. She claimed him for all eternity with that kiss, pouring everything they had held back in the presence of her family into every passionate sweep of her lips along his. His arms pulled her closer as deft fingers worked to loosen the ties of her gown and she sighed against his lips when his fingers brushed over bare skin, shivers of anticipation racing down her spine at the simple touch.

They undressed each other with great reverence, taking the time to gently remove every layer of clothing and draping them over the couch. He gathered her close again and they reveled in the touch of skin against skin as they shared simple kisses and whispered words of love. She took his hand and led him to the waiting bed, pulling him down with her as their lips met again in heated passion.