You all probably thought I dropped off the face of the planet! Sorry for the EXTREMELY long wait for this chapter. On top of everything else, I just recently moved, so I've been trying to get settled in. Thank you for not giving up on the story and for your faithful reviews! I hope you enjoy!

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Darth Sidious, yet again, felt like killing someone to relieve his frustration. Obi-Wan's presence had completely disappeared from the Force. It was just like it had been a month ago. There was no way Obi-Wan could shield himself to that degree. He had to be somewhere that shielded him in some way – whether artificial or natural. But where?

The emperor turned away from the incredible, star-studded view on the bridge of his Star Destroyer. He ignored the relief practically flowing from the bridge crew as he exited. Could the Jedi have constructed some kind of secret base for emergencies? To shield an entire base from Force users would take a huge amount of energy. A wicked looking smile crept up the emperor's face. Enough energy that it should be easy to detect.

Sidious stopped at the nearest com station. "Captain."

"Yes, my lord."

"I want all of our ships throughout the galaxy to release probe droids. We are looking for a possible Jedi base where General Kenobi might be hiding. A base that might be expending a large amount of energy to keep itself shielded."

"It will be done, my lord." Pretty much all Imperial forces now knew of the emperor's obsession with finding General Kenobi. The captain just hoped that they found him soon. The longer they went without finding the Jedi, the more foul-tempered the emperor would become. He shivered at the thought.

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Padme headed back to the living area. It had been a couple hours since everyone left to let Obi-Wan talk with Master Yoda. Her steps slowed as she caught sight of Obi-Wan holding their slumbering children. His head was resting on the back of the sofa and his eyes were closed. Padme happily basked in the scene, fervently happy to have him back safe and sound.

Sky blue eyes blinked open and Obi-Wan smiled up at Padme. "Hi," he said quietly.

"Hi. Were you sleeping?"

"No, just meditating." Obi-Wan glanced down at Luke and Leia. "I didn't have the heart to disturb them."

"I think it's safe to move them." Padme carefully scooped Leia into her arms. The baby just sighed softly, laid her head on her mother's shoulder and continued sleeping. "See."

Obi-Wan carefully got off the sofa with his little bundle. Much to his relief, Luke continued in slumber like his sister. He and Padme went to their room and put the children to bed.

Once the children were settled in their cribs, Padme wasted no time in helping Obi-Wan remove his clothes. She wanted him…NOW. Obi-Wan seemed just as eager to be skin-to-skin as she was. In no time at all, his warm skin was pressed against her and his mouth had claimed hers in a deep, passionate kiss.

Once he released Padme's mouth, Obi-Wan placed a trail of kisses around her neck and over to her ear. After nibbling on her earlobe, he murmured softly, "I missed you."

"I missed you, too." Padme gasped lightly as Obi-Wan swept her up into his arms and carried her over to their bed. "Every night you were gone was hard, because I wanted nothing more than to be in your arms."

Obi-Wan stretched out beside Padme, propping himself up on his elbow. He gently pushed a lock of her dark hair away from her face and grinned. "Shall I make it up to you?"

Returning his wicked grin, Padme pulled Obi-Wan down on top of her. "Oh, you will…all night long."

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Padme lay with her head on Obi-Wan's chest, perfectly content. She felt complete again. The entire time Obi-Wan had been gone, she had felt like a part of her was missing. "You're never allowed to leave my side again."

Obi-Wan chuckled. "Oh, really?"

"Yes, really." Padme placed a kiss on Obi-Wan's chest before propping herself up to look him in the eye. Her smile faded as she took his chin in her hand, her thumb caressing the cleft. "You're a part of me now, Obi-Wan Kenobi. So much so, that I honestly don't know if I could go on without you."

Obi-Wan wanted to disagree, to tell her that she was stronger than she thought, but he held it in. She had given him the perfect opening…"You're a part of me, too, my sweet Padme." He pulled back the covers and scooted out of bed.

Padme's confusion quickly turned to lustful admiration as she watched Obi-Wan's naked form move over to his still-packed travel bag. She propped her chin on her knees, gleefully admiring the vision of him kneeling on the floor while digging through his bag.

Padme's grin grew even bigger when Obi-Wan walked back to the bed. She still had to resist the urge to pinch herself – to verify that this was real, and not some glorious figment of her imagination.

Obi-Wan climbed back into bed beside Padme. "On top of asking your family to join us here, I entrusted Senator Organa with another task. It was a task that he then passed on to your mother." He brought the small box into view and opened it.

Padme gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. Inside the box was an exquisite ring. The beautiful gold setting held a multi-faceted anzalene gemstone – a royal purple stone found solely on Naboo. "Obi-Wan…"

"We may not be able to legally marry; but in all the ways that matter, I want you to be my wife." Obi-Wan held his breath, waiting for her reaction.

Tears formed in Padme's eyes at his heartfelt words. What had she ever done to deserve this man? He not only had brought her family to her, but he had thought of this, as well? Padme worked to form words around the lump in her throat. "In all the ways that matter, you ARE my husband."

Obi-Wan pulled the ring from its cushioned slot and placed it on Padme's slender finger. "I love you, Padme Kenobi."

Grinning through her tears, Padme grasped both of Obi-Wan's hands in hers. "I can't tell you how much I love the sound of that!"

"Probably almost as much as I loved saying it." Obi-Wan pulled Padme in for a long, sweet kiss.

Padme pulled back from Obi-Wan and gazed down at her new ring. "I love it, Obi-Wan. It's absolutely perfect."

"Your mom deserves the credit for that. She picked it out." Obi-Wan smiled happily at his wife – wife! – as he gently caressed her face.

Padme didn't think she'd ever seen anything more beautiful than her husband at this moment. She would be willing to give anything to keep that glowing smile on his face permanently. "Maybe so, but you were the one who thought to get it in the first place." Padme placed her hands on either side of his face. "You are my husband, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and I love you." She then leaned in to place a sweet kiss on his lips.

Obi-Wan had never been happier in his life. This kind of bliss was a new experience for him. Oh, he'd been happy before, of course, but nothing like this. He studied Padme's face, wondering how he could end up with someone so beautiful, so wonderful. Thanking the Force, Obi-Wan pulled his wife into his arms, wishing he could make the night last forever.

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Jobal smiled at Padme as they prepared some tea in the kitchen. "I see Obi-Wan gave you the ring. Do you like it?"

"I love it! Thank you for picking it out."

"I may have chosen the ring, but it was Obi-Wan who asked that it be an anzalene."

Padme paused from her work and glanced out into the eating area at her husband. Obi-Wan was deep in conversation with Ruwee. "He did?"

"Yes. I asked him about his choice on our way here. He told me that he wanted you to have a piece of Naboo to keep with you always."

Padme didn't know what to say. She again turned her gaze to Obi-Wan. He seemed to sense the weight of her stare and turned to meet her eyes. He flashed Padme a sweet smile before turning his attention back to her father.

"You have a real prize, my dear."

Padme smiled at her mother. "I know."

Sola, who was on the other side of the kitchen preparing some snacks, had been listening in on their conversation. She moved over to Padme, a wicked smile on her face. "So tell me, sister dear, is the rest of Obi-Wan as gorgeous as his face?"

"Sola!" Padme kept her voice as low as she could. "You're a married woman!"

"I may be married, but I'm not dead! That walk of his could be considered a sin…or at least, an inducement to sin." Sola's eyes twinkled in amusement at her sister's discomfort.

"Mom, can't you do something about your daughter?"

Jobal snorted. "Are you kidding? I gave up on that a long time ago."

After throwing her mother a mock-glare, Sola sidled even closer to her sister. "Come on, Padme, just tell me! I'm not asking for you to go into detail…unless you want to, of course."

Padme couldn't help but laugh as her sister waggled her brow suggestively. "You are incorrigible, Sola!" She looked over at Obi-Wan to make sure he was still engrossed in conversation, before continuing in a low voice. "Yes...okay? His body is just as gorgeous as his face."

Sola sighed wistfully. "I knew it. Now, about those details…" Sola had to move quickly to avoid the wet dish rag sailing through the air. "Time has not improved your aim, little sister!"

"Hmph! Keep ogling my husband and believe me, my aim will improve!"

Jobal smiled to herself as she finished with the tea. It was like old times again. As much as she would miss Naboo, she was very glad they had made the decision to come live here.

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Kudos to those of you, who from the beginning, guessed that Obi-Wan would give Padme a ring. That was my intent all along, but I didn't want to give it away!