Two years later
Anakin felt a light pressure on his forehead as his peaceful sleep was disturbed. He felt around him with the Force and smiled as he opened his eyes to see his beautiful wife pulling away from him with a smile of her own on her face. Her brown eyes shone brightly as his eyes locked with hers and she placed her hand lovingly on his cheek.
"Good morning my love."
He grabbed her hand with his robotic one and placed a tender kiss on her palm.
"Good morning my Queen."
As they looked at each other, Anakin couldn't help but relive the past memories that brought him to this moment with her.
One year and eight months ago
Anakin had been staying at the castle for close to four months now and had been enjoying every minute of it. He had been placed as the Grand General of the army, due to his experience of being in the war and had been doing a fine job at it. His friendship with Bray and Devan grew to one of brotherhood as they would work on the ships in the hangar and banter as they did. He got to know their wives and all the other members of the royal guard as well, growing to become a well loved member of the castle.
His relationship with Sakina had grown as well and they would spend many of days out at the waterfall soaking in the peace and serenity it brought. It was their safe haven. They'd spend hours out there telling each other about their hopes and dreams and how different the life of a Jedi was to being here. It was just something about this planet that could soothe his restless soul and bring him balance.
As they were at the waterfall one afternoon, he couldn't help but to take in her beauty as she sat next to him. Her hair had been let out of her typical pony tail and blew lightly from the wind. His eyes couldn't leave her face if they tried as he took in every feature.
She's just so beautiful.
For months, he had been noticing the draw he felt to her when she was nearby. Whenever he'd enter a room, she'd have her eyes on him. When he'd feel her enter a room, his eyes couldn't help but to wander over to her. And every time they did, he'd see a beautiful smile already on her face.
It was like they were connected to each other. He didn't understand it but he was afraid of asking her. He didn't want to overstep a boundary and end up making a fool of himself.
As he was thinking about all this, he noticed her eyes were focused on him. She seemed to be studying him and could see that he was struggling with something.
"What is bothering you Anakin?"
He looked up at her and quickly dropped his gaze. He felt a slight heat on his cheeks and could tell he was blushing. He fidgeted with his hands and was struggling on how to put into words what he was feeling. Seeing that he was, she reached over and took his hand.
"There's no need to worry. I will not judge you."
It was spoken so soft and sweet, he couldn't help but believe her. As he looked into her eyes, he could see the truth behind her words. Swallowing the nervousness that had been bothering him, he took a deep breath and spoke.
"I feel this connection to you. It's like I'm drawn to you and I've felt it ever since I came here. I've been wondering if you've felt it too, I've just been worried about making a fool of myself."
She tilted her head and smiled at him as she squeezed his hand. Looking out at the water, she remained silent for a few seconds before giving him an answer.
"When I meet you for the first time, I had been out on a walk. Being out here brings me peace and soothes the stress that comes with being a queen. I had felt a pull while I had been walking and followed it until I reached you. When we locked eyes, it was as if I had found a peace of my self that I never knew was missing."
She turned back to him and gave him a small smile.
"Ever since then, I've had this urge to be around you. It was like a need that my body was telling me I had to have. Maybe it is this Force of yours that is trying to tell us something."
He glanced down at his hands and felt himself sigh. He had been feeling it too, but the last time he was with someone, it ended up not going well. He had wondered how Padmé had felt when she had received the document notifying her of the divorce. He knew she'd be hurt but he told himself it was for the best. Their marriage had been failing, and he didn't think there was anyway back after what happened in her apartment with Clovis.
Feeling her eyes on him still, he looked up to see her looking at him in concern. He realized he had been quiet for too long and suddenly felt shy. Her saw her take one of his hands again and leaned over to him.
"What's wrong?"
He told her about Padmé. About how she was the reason why he had been found on Tatooine. He told her about her planet Naboo and how she herself was a queen. How they fell in love ten years later after he had left to begin his training at the Jedi Temple and she had become a Senator. He told her about how she admitted to returning his feelings for her before they were set to be executed on Geonosis. The secret marriage they had when he was sent to escort her back to Naboo. And the fight they had which made him realize their marriage was failing and his decision to divorce her.
When he finished, he expected her to be a little hurt with him not telling her about his ex-wife. Instead, he saw sympathy in her eyes and the concern on her face. She told him that things happen and unfortunately, we make decisions in the spur of the moment while not realizing the dire consequences they held.
"I care about you and want to see you happy. There is a place in my heart for you and I yearn for you. I understand that you were married and are still carrying the pain from the divorce, but I would like to help you if you'd let me."
He looked at her in shock and could see the truth that she spoke on her face. The words she spoke rang with honesty and sincerity, and he couldn't help but to hold on to them. Squeezing the hand that she placed in his, he nodded his head and told her that he would love to have her in his life.
They sat there for a little longer and they agreed to pursue a courtship. They told each other that they would be honest with each other and speak what they were feeling and how they wanted to fix things if they ever were to have an argument. He would do this correctly and learn from his first marriage that the better he communicates, the smoother the relationship will be.
When they had told everyone about the courtship. They were mostly met with smirks and words along the lines of 'it was only a matter of time.' Their friends expressed how happy they were for them and expected the relationship to be one of love and happiness.
They were proven true as three months later, they had been married and had been happier than ever. He could feel the love as she had walked down the aisle with her mother by her side. He could feel the happiness from Bray and Devan as they stood beside him as his groomsmen, and the same from Rosaé and Alia across from him as her bridesmaids.
He had never seen someone so beautiful in his life as she had reached him and looked up at him with the most purest form of love he had ever seen. Hugging her mother, he promised her that he would take care of her daughter as long as he lived. He received a teary smile and was told that she knew he would and thanked him for being so good to her daughter.
The entire castle had been filled with guests and they had cheered as it was pronounced that the two were married. As they shared a kiss to seal their matrimony, he couldn't help but feel the Force sing it's praise. As they broke it, he smiled down at her and could see the pure joy in her eyes as the tears ran down her cheeks. Anakin Skywalker had never felt so at peace and happy in his life than in that moment.
Their marriage had been going strong ever since then and rarely ever had any problems. There had been a few minor disagreements, but they had talked them over and moved past as if they never happened. The love he felt with her was nothing like he ever had before. With her, he felt whole. There was a connection with her that he felt and it was the most beautiful feeling he could have. When he meditated, he could feel the pure joy the Force sang whenever he had thoughts about her.
She leaned down to give him a light peck before standing up and walking over to her dresser. His eyes followed her as they always did when she was in a room with him.
"I'd suggest you get up if you want any food. Breakfast will be ready shortly, and you know how quickly the food disappears."
He could see her look into the mirror and give him a smirk and he couldn't help but laugh. He never heard the end of it when it came to his eating habits. Bray and Devan would often pull him into a eating contest, not that it took much persuasion, and they would always hear the light remarks from their wives. It was always an entertaining way to start the day.
He got up and went to the shower to get his day started. He was in and out, brushed his teeth, got his hair just right, and threw on his clothes. Taking his wife's hand, he led her out to the dining area to meet the others.
As he entered, he could feel the smile growing on his face as he took in the sight. He could see his brothers already there and they looked to be having an animated conversation with his sister. Ahsoka had come here close to a half a year after he had married Sakina. The memory of seeing her again always remained fresh in his mind.
Eleven months ago
He and his wife had been in their bedroom, as he was meditating and she had been going over some documents that had been sent to her from an ally planet. He had been so deep into his meditation, he could easily feel the familiar presence as it got closer to the castle. When he realized who it was, his eyes snapped open and a look of shock had taken up his face. Could it be?
He got up and raced out of the room, startling Sakina in doing so. He ran as fast as his feet could carry him, rounding corners as if he was a blur. He reached the entrance of the castle and saw her form walking up to the stairs leading up to the door.
When her eyes met his, they seemed to stare at each other in disbelief. He had gone months without seeing her and had feared that he never would again. He had always wanted to find her, he just couldn't figure out where to start. She had grown and looked older, but he would always be able to tell that it was his Snips.
"Ahsoka."
The words left him so quietly, he thought he didn't even speak them. When he saw her slowly snap out of her stare, he realized she heard him.
"Skyguy."
He bolted down the steps and she meet him halfway as she threw her arms around him and he returned the embrace. He picked her up and spun her around in happiness, hearing her laugh as he did so. When he placed her down, he finally leaned back to look at her. His sister was alright. And she had come back to him after fearing he'd never see her again.
"How did you find me?"
She told him that she had been searching for him and had missed him. When she had felt a shift in the Force, she knew it had to be him as it had never felt so peaceful. She has been following it and end up tracing it all the way to where she was now. The smile she had on her face could've lit up the sky as he could feel her joy.
The two turned as they heard soft footsteps making their way down the stairs. Ahsoka took in the sight of the most beautiful woman she had even seen. She could see the light in her eyes as she looked at Anakin and the small smile that shown on her face. Turning her head, she looked up to see the same on Anakin's face, and quickly put everything together. This was what brought Anakin his peace.
"Hello. You must be Ahsoka."
Ahsoka had nodded her head in confirmation and was shocked to see her reach her arms out and embrace her. When she got over her shock, she returned the embrace and the lady made her introduction.
"My name is Sakina. My husband told me all about you. It so good to finally meet you as I've heard nothing but good things about you."
When she looked over at Anakin, she could feel the joy surrounding him and the smile on his face told her all she needed to know. This woman made her brother happier than she had ever felt him be. It had made her heart swell with happiness.
She was told that she could stay as long as she wanted and that if she was a part of Anakin's family, she would be a part of hers. Anakin looked at her with a smile so big, she couldn't help but return it. She thanked the beautiful woman and was led inside to be shown around. She had met Bray and Devan and had taken a liking to them instantly as it too reminded her of the clones. Their wives were also as nice as the queen and helped show her around.
Ever since then, it was like one happy family. Ahsoka had been asked to be part of the Royal Guard and had accepted without hesitation. She couldn't help but to want to show her appreciation towards Sakina for helping her and most of all, help calm the spirit of Anakin. Eleven months later, she couldn't have been happier at what she was surrounded by.
As Anakin watched the banter, he shook his head and let out a chuckle. The scene in front of him was a common one and he wouldn't change it for anything. He cleared his throat to get their attention and moved over to sit at the table, leading his wife along beside him.
"Morning guys, you going to sit down and eat?"
Ahsoka gave her usual hug to the two and took a seat to Anakin's left. Bray and Devan were soon sitting at the table with their wives coming in to join. It was little moments like this that made Anakin feel pure bliss. He looked over to his wife and could see the joy in her eyes as she turned her head to meet his gaze. Squeezing her hand, he turned his attention back to the table and dug in to the food that was presented to him.
Once the food had been finished off, with the men having quite a few helping for themselves, the room was soon filled with some banter and laughs as the day went in to motion. Topics were discussed like visits with family and the training schedule that Anakin had set up for the army.
He was proud to say that he felt that he had been doing great at helping the army improve, along with the fact that he seemed to hold the respect of everyone. He treated them all as equals, even the new recruits and maintenance department. The army had already been well trained, he just provided some techniques that would progress in their training. Bray and Devan had been a huge help, as they often reported to him that the moral was always high and they were never any complaints. It was far different than when he was a general in the GAR.
As everyone had gotten ready to go on about their day, Anakin turned his head and saw 3PO waddle his way into the dining room. He smiled as even 3PO had found a part in this family of theirs, as he had helped out hugely when it came to assisting the queen and governor.
"Master Ani, how are you this morning?"
He chuckled and gave the droid a slight pat on the shoulder.
"Very good 3PO. How are you doing?"
The droid seemed to get excited, as he always got happy when he was shown interest.
"I am doing well, thank you. Just seeing if Mistress Sakina or Mistress Alia needed any help with today."
Anakin turned to look at the two mentioned and watched as his wife smiled fondly at the droid.
"As a matter of fact I do 3PO. My mother is coming to visit and I really need some help in preparing her guest room for her arrival. Would you mind in helping me with that?"
3PO jerked in excitement and nodded his head rapidly.
"Why I would love to! I must say, your mother is a very nice woman. It is always a pleasure to see her when she visits. I will make sure the room is ready and that she will be comfortable for her stay."
He turned to make his way to the guest room and continued on his rant. Anakin watched him go, shaking his head in amusement before turning to his wife who still wore her smile.
"You might want to go and assist him. You know how excited he gets and could short circuit a wire or something."
She chuckled and nodded her head. Walking over, she gave him a quick kiss before following the droid. When she caught up, he could hear the two in conversation about her mother's visit and how happy he was to see her again.
Alia and Rosaé made their departures as the former had some documents to go over, while the latter had the watch duty over the training today for the new recruits. Bray and Devan both gave their goodbyes, as they wanted to go test out the new weapons shipment that had been created for the army. Turning to Ahsoka, she gave him a smile that he returned.
"Want to go to the waterfalls and meditate, Snips?"
She nodded her head and they made their way to the hangar to find a ship to take them there. As they made their journey, Anakin couldn't help to to thank the Force that he had been given everything he could have asked for. A loving wife, an amazing family, and his beloved little sister had returned back to him. Smiling, he landed the ship and the two stepped out to make their way over to the waterfalls, taking a seat and basking in the peace that it brought. Closing their eyes, they began to sink into the Force and felt themselves become surrounded by the bliss this new life had brought them.