Chapter 4

A few weeks later

The great hall of the Skywalker manor was decorated brightly, tables and chair filled the large space. Anakin, who stopped being amazed by his wife's talents, still marveled at her ability to put an elegant affair today in such a short time. Luke and his new bride sat at a long table at the head of the room, along with their parents, Obi-Wan and Dormé.

"Everything is just lovely, Padmé," Scerra Halycon said as they enjoyed their meal. "I can't believe how you put this all together so quickly."

"My mother is a woman of many talents," Luke said with a smile.

"We are so grateful for all this, Mother," Taza said. "I know how much work this was."

Padmé smiled. "It was my pleasure," she said. "Weddings are something to be celebrated, after all."

Anakin was only half listening to the conversation, for he was rather concerned that his younger children were not within his earshot. He'd been doing his best to keep an eye on them, but it was difficult to do when he was expected to entertain their guests. There's Qui-Gon, he said, spotting his second eldest son sitting with some friends. And Shmi and Ami are together. The members of his family that he was most worried about were the youngest two of course: Anakin Junior and Obi-Wan.

"Everything alright, Anakin?" The elder Obi-Wan asked.

"Hmmm?" Anakin asked, scanning the room.

Obi-Wan frowned, puzzled by Anakin's odd behaviour. "What are you looking at?"

"Not what, who," Anakin said. "My youngest two. They tend to be…mischievous."

Obi-Wan smiled. "I hadn't noticed," he said with a smile.

Anakin wasn't amused. He found Leia sitting far too close to Han Solo for his liking, and sent her a message. Find Obi and Ani. Leia's face registered how thrilled she was to have her good time interrupted, but obeyed her father nonetheless. She and Han stood up and began to casually walk around the room, looking for the two youngest Skywalker children. Anakin watched them, noticing that they were not having any luck finding the two boys. He looked at his wife, who was engaged in conversation, and then stood up. "Excuse me," he said to no one in particular, and then headed over to join Leia and Han in their search.

"They were sitting with us, Dad," Qui-Gon told his father.

"They were," Anakin said. "But they're not anymore. Where did they go? You know you're supposed to be keeping an eye on them, Qui-Gon."

Qui-Gon felt badly that he'd let his father down, and stood up to join the search.

From the head table Padmé watched her husband, wondering why he had left her. She frowned, and then noticed Obi-Wan chuckling.

"What's so funny?" she asked him.

Obi-Wan stopped laughing at once. "Well, it's just that Anakin seems to have misplaced your two youngest children," he said.

Padmé's eyes darted over to where her three younger sons had been strategically seated, only to see that none of them, not even Qui-Gon was there. I knew I should have kept those boys closer, she thought with a frown. "Excuse me," she said, deciding that she needed to join Anakin.

Anakin, Leia, Han, and Qui-Gon had made their way through the entire room, with no luck.

"Anakin, what's going on?" Padmé asked. "Where are the boys?"

Anakin stood still for a moment, focusing on his two youngest sons' Force signatures. It was difficult to do with so many people around, and with the rest of his children in the vicinity. Padmé watched, amazed even after a life time spent with him by his abilities.

"Found them," he said.

"Where?" Leia asked.

"The breakfast room," Anakin said. "You kids go back to the party," he said. He looked at Padmé. "Let's go."

Anakin and Padmé left the great hall and headed down the corridor to the kitchen. The serving staff had used the breakfast room for set up, while the kitchen was being used for clean-up. Anakin and Padmé stood in the doorway, watching as their youngest two offspring helped themselves to the rather large selection of desserts that had been arranged on silver platters. They were completely oblivious of their parents, until Anakin cleared his throat. And then, as one, they turned and looked at the doorway, where their parents stood with matching expressions of shock and disappointment.

"Obi-Wan and Anakin," Anakin said, using their full names as he always did when they were in trouble. "What is the meaning of this?"

Each of the boys had a mouthful of pastry, and could simply stare with wide eyes at their parents.

"We're very disappointed with you boys," Padmé said, shaking her head. "This is your brother's big day, and you can't be trusted not to get into mischief. Even today."

Their father's intent stare coupled with their mother's words were too much for the boys to bear, and they both started to cry.

Anakin and Padmé looked at each other. "Don't let them soften you," Padmé said. "They've gone too far."

Anakin was about to say the very same thing to his wife, and simply nodded in agreement. "Let's go, both of you," he said. "Upstairs with you. You can spend the rest of the evening with 3P0 and R2. And if there is any more trouble from you two, there will be very serious consequences. Do you hear me? Very serious consequences."

"Yes sir," Ani said, while Obi nodded furiously. "We won't give them any trouble. Promise."

Anakin indicated with a small movement of his head that he wanted the boys to leave the room, and they ran over to him at once.

"Now march," Padmé said as she and Anakin fell in behind them.

After ensuring that the boys had washed up and brushed their teeth, Anakin and Padmé returned to the party downstairs. They had only been seated a moment or two when Anakin was called upon to give a toast to the bride and groom.

"Almost forgot about that," he muttered to Padmé as he stood up. She smiled, confident that he would do a fine job.

"Good evening everyone," Anakin began. "And thank you for coming tonight to help Padmé and I celebrate the marriage of our first born, Luke, to the lovely Taza. I'll never forget the first time I met Luke, which, as you know, was not until he was five years old. He looked up at me with those big blue eyes of him, not afraid mind you, but like he knew that his father was deep down inside the stern masked man standing before him. Being the first born, Luke, has always been called upon to be a role model for his younger siblings. And he has always lived up to these expectations, indeed, he surpasses them daily. Taza has been an integral part of Luke's development into the man he is today, for she has brought out his best qualities, and helped transform the once shy youngling into the confident man he is now. Padmé and I could not be more honoured to have Taza as part of our ever growing family," he said, looking at his daughter-in-law with a smile. "So please, raise your glasses with me to salute this young couple. May they always love one another as deeply as they do now, and may they always bring out the best in one another. May the Force bless them and be with them always," with this, Anakin lifted his glass high, and then turned to Padmé to touch glasses. She smiled up at him, tears in her eyes.

"That was beautiful," she told him, kissing him on the cheek.

"Thanks Angel," Anakin said, returning her kiss. He took a drink of his wine and watched as Luke stood up, his turn now to speak before their guests.

"Thanks Dad," Luke said, looking at his father. "That was really wonderful, and Taza and I both appreciate your kind words. I don't want to say too much, but I felt that I needed to say thank you to my mother for putting this amazing party together on such short notice. And what an amazing party it is, am I right?" Everyone applauded and cheered their agreement. Luke smiled. "Getting married is a big step in a person's life," he said. "But I know that Taza are ready. And I know, personally, that I've had the best role model in the galaxy for being a good husband. I can say unequivocally that my father not only loves my mother, he honours her. Their marriage of nearly 25 years has served as a model for me as well as all my siblings for what a happy, successful marriage looks like. After all that they have been through, their love never wavered. If our marriage can be as successful as theirs, then I know Taza will have many happy years together." He turned to Taza. "Thank you for making my life complete," he said. "I promise to love you for the rest of my life." Everyone applauded as Luke kissed his bride.

"Ani," Padmé said, putting her hand on his.

Anakin turned to his wife with a smile. "I know," he said. "We did a good job with this one," he said.

Padmé laughed, and dashed a tear from her eyes.

"Dessert will be served shortly," Luke announced. "But for anyone who's interested, there will be dancing in the library next door." He held out his hand to Taza and led her into the library, followed by a number of people who wanted to witness their first dance.

"Shall we?" Anakin said, standing up and holding his hand out to Padmé.

"Love to," Padmé said, joining him.

"Luke's speech was so touching," Padmé said as she and Anakin danced together.

"Yes it was," Anakin agreed. He looked over to where their son was dancing with his new bride. "He's all grown up, Padmé," he said wistfully.

"Yes he is," she agreed.

He looked back at her. "Does that mean we're old?" he asked.

Padmé shook her head. "Not at all," she said, running her hands up over his chest.

Anakin could see by the look in her eyes where Padmé's mind was going. He picked up her hands and kissed them one by one. "Maybe we should go check on the boys," he said with a smile. "You know, make sure they're sleeping."

Padmé smiled. "I think that's a very good idea," she said.

Anakin took her by the hand and led her out of the room. They took the servants' stairway up to the second level, and walked to the boys' bedroom. Padmé slowly opened the door, and they peeked inside.

"They're sleeping," Anakin told her quietly.

"Good," Padmé said. She closed the door quietly and turned to Anakin. "Come with me," she said, taking his hand.

Anakin let her lead the way, loving her take charge attitude.

Padmé led Anakin down the corridor and across to their large bedroom suite, closing and locking the door behind her. She turned to him, and ran her hands up his chest into his curly hair. "Did I tell you how handsome you look tonight?" she asked him with a smile.

Anakin smiled, and wrapped his arms around her. "No, you haven't," he told her, slowly unzipping the back of her dress.

"Well you do," she told him, pushing his cloak off of his shoulders. "Very, very handsome."

Anakin smiled. "And you, my love, look spectacular," he said, sliding her down from her shoulders. He pulled her close and started to kiss her shoulders. "Even more now," he whispered, then kissed her earlobe.

Within moments they were both naked, their fine clothes in a pile on the floor.

"We haven't got much time," she said as he maneuvered her onto her back. "They'll notice that we're missing before long."

"Then we'd better get down to it," he said, lowering himself to her and kissing her deeply.

Obi-Wan stood by the bar, watching as the party guests danced, drank and enjoyed the delicious pastries that had been served. He smiled as he watched his children, Ben and Chloe, having fun with their friends. He had noted Anakin and Padmé's absence, and reasoned that they were undoubtedly dealing with their youngest children.

"Having fun?"

Obi-Wan turned to see Anakin standing beside him.

"Oh yes," Obi-Wan said. "Quite a lovely affair."

Anakin nodded.

"Everything okay upstairs?" Obi-Wan asked.

Anakin smiled. "You could say so," he said.

Obi-Wan frowned, confused by Anakin's response.

"I just had sex with my wife," Anakin said quietly.

Obi-Wan's eyebrows shot up. "You're lying" he said.

Anakin laughed. "Afraid not old man," he said. "Excuse me," he said.

Obi-Wan watched Anakin as he walked over to Padmé. They headed over to the dancefloor. Judging by the way they looked at one another, Obi-Wan couldn't help but believe that Anakin's audacious claim was true. He looked over at Dormé, knowing that in a million years he'd never have the nerve to suggest such a thing to her. Lucky bugger, he thought, watching Anakin and Padmé dancing together, seemingly oblivious to the rest of the room.