Across the Stars: A Senator's Tale of Love and Loss

by DMatukaitis

A fanfiction novel depicting the events from Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith through the eyes and point of view of Padme Amidala. As the Republic crumbles and the Clone War rages on, Padme must do what she can to protect her beloved democracy, forbidden marriage, and secret chid. I own nothing. I seek no profit. Rights remain to whoever they belong to.

21. To the Reader

To you, the reader:

I would like to begin with saying the first of many "thank you"s. I started this journey with a simple idea long ago, and it has flourished into a body of work that speaks with a life of its own. I cannot thank you for all the support and love that you've given to this story to make it what it is. It would be nothing if it weren't for you. For that, I am humbled and I thank you.

I also must say thank you to the determination and faithfulness of you, the reader, as well. Since Chapter 1, you've stuck by Padme and followed her journey through and through right to the very end. You were there to experience it all, and have stuck by her side, even when others have not. For that, I am speechless and I thank you.

Every writer wants to be read and noticed. I thank you, deeply, from the bottom of my heart, for everything these past few months throughout this journey. From reviews, to the sheer number of readers who have come to view the story, I cannot thank you enough. Whether you spent minutes or hours reading, I cannot thank you enough for this. You have made the journey worth writing about. You have kept me coming back chapter after chapter, writing more and more. For that I am forever grateful, and I thank you.

This story cannot end without thanking two of the most important people to whom this entire piece is dedicated to: George Lucas and Natalie Portman. There would be no story without these two visionaries. There would be no Padme for me to connect to and write about. There would be no voice to the story if it weren't for George's masterful writing and imagination or Natalie's impeccable beauty and acting talents than have translated written word to breath-taking visual, making us fall in love from frame one. For that and so much more throughout the years, from every last fiber of my beating heart, brain, and imagination, I truly thank and dedicate everything here to you, Natalie and George. Thank you.

And now, I present to you, the final chapter of Across the Stars: A Senator's Tale of Love and Loss: