Chapter Thirty-Nine: A Future Out West
The morning light coming through a window in the city was different than that in the West. No one could convince me otherwise. Somehow it was filtered, gritty; almost dirty. Obi and I had always enjoyed our mornings together, and would often spend a good hour after waking talking and cuddling. It was one of my favorite times of the day.
Despite the stressful events of the past week, we were taking advantage of our final day in the hotel doing just that; our hands clasped together, held up in the air as we studied their differences and similarities.
I had my head on his shoulder while he was lying on his back and for the moment, our lives were peaceful. I wasn't certain how long it would last, but I was enjoying the blissful feeling.
"How did you know?" I asked once he'd allowed our hands to fall onto his chest.
"Know what?"
"That President Valori would show up just in time."
Obi placed a tender kiss to my knuckles before he answered. "I didn't."
That wasn't exactly comforting! "But you asked him to come, right? I mean, it wasn't a coincidence, was it?"
He rose up then and looked down at me, at first playfully and then lovingly, before bending low to kiss me several times. "Don't you believe in coincidences? What about you and me? If you hadn't been on board that train I robbed, we would've never met."
I hadn't ever thought of it that way before. "In a way, I suppose, although I prefer to call it Fate."
"Ah, yes. The idea of an invisible hand guiding your life."
Was he being sarcastic? "You've never denied its existence before! What else would you call it?"
"I have no name for it," he replied thoughtfully. "Although I do believe somebody somewhere is determined to keep us safe and together. I'm thankful for that, but I'm also glad you didn't call it luck."
"That's because I don't believe in luck," I told him.
"And that's one of the reasons I love you," he said before kissing me again.
"What do you think this Invisible Hand has in mind for us now?" I asked after noticing the twinkle in his eye that usually accompanied a lover's caress. We had made love just last night, but that never seemed to stop him from wanting more. The man was insatiable!
"Perhaps we could start on that family? Now that things are all settled, maybe you and I could think about settling down ourselves. Just name the place. Where would you like for me to build you a home?"
Was he serious? It was so soon! We hadn't been married a month and he was already wanting a family? Not that I wasn't. Of course, I wanted to have his children. I just wasn't sure I was finished accompanying him on his rides throughout the West.
As usual, he read my thoughts through my expression and paused while taking my hand and holding it against his mouth.
"I tell you what. You let me know when you're ready. I'm in no rush. I just keep having these fantasies about how beautiful you're going to look being pregnant with my child."
"Fat, you mean. And cranky. Don't forget cranky. I thought Darred was going to make Sola live in the barn!"
"You're only more attractive when you're agitated. As a matter of fact, when you were holding that gun on the Governor - I'd never seen you so angry or so enticing."
"Is that why you…?"
He stopped my question with a kiss that relaxed my entire body, the opposite of what his kiss last night had done. After leaving the governor's mansion, we had barely made it through the door of our rented room before Obi grabbed me and kissed me like he was a starving man and I was the dinner special. He was already out of breath from having raced me to the sixth floor – having refused to ride the elevator. Not long after, his breathlessness was for another reason entirely.
"How interesting, Mr. Kenobi," I replied once he'd let me go. "I'll be sure to control my temper from now on."
"Honestly?" he said. "I don't think there's anything you can or cannot do that will keep me from touching you. I can't seem to help myself. Where you're concerned, Mrs. Kenobi, I have very little self-control."
Following a few more kisses and gentle caresses, I swatted his bare backside. "It's nearly seven o'clock. We need to get up and get moving, get the horses and head toward that town you were so worried about."
"You're right. Ungh!" he grunted. "I'd much rather lay in bed with you all day."
I knew the feeling. "Come on lazy bones, let's get going."
While we packed our few belongings, I realized neither one of us had answered our earlier questions. "Why did the president show up in the Governor's mansion?"
"Because I asked him to. Just in case. I had no idea what was going to happen and I was hoping he'd arrive in time to find out the truth."
"When did you manage to contact him?" I asked before I recalled him being gone for so long while I was loading the horses before we'd left Angel Bluff. "You telegraphed him? And you didn't tell me?"
"Only because I couldn't be certain he'd show up! I didn't want to get your hopes up and I couldn't stand the thought of you being disappointed," he said while tightening the belt around his bedroll.
"That's sweet of you," I told him honestly. I loved how he was constantly looking out for me. "But next time, would you please not keep secrets from me?"
"Hopefully," Obi replied while taking my bag from me, "there won't be a next time. But I promise; no more secrets."
We stepped out into the hall. On the right was the elevator and further down were the stairs. Instead of separating, I took his free hand and we descended the steps together, paid our bill, and then headed toward the stables.
It felt right to be back in my riding attire. It felt right to be getting back on Diamond, and it felt even better to be putting all the noise and business of the city behind me. My future with Obi lay in the West, where we would build our home and raise our family.
In the West is where we would stay. I had never wanted anything more.
/End
A/N: NOOOOOOO! I didn't want this story to end, but I was running out of reasons to keep it going! I loved Obi and Padme in this setting so much! I may have to write a sequel! Seriously! I'm so sad! :(
As promised...here's the character list:
(The main characters are obvious, I think, so I won't be listing them.)
Duke: Count Dooku
Dor Mai: Dorme
Marshall Matthew Quinn: Qui-Gon Jinn
Leyla Bailey: Leia Organa
Mark Dathers: Darth Maul
Oscar and Brianna Bailey: Bail and Breha Organa
President Valori: Finis Valorum
Annie and Kenneth: Bant Eerin and Kit Fisto
Mr. Mundy: Ki-Adi Mundi
Chester: Dexter
Mr. Yade: Yoda