The number of days left till Christmas, five to be exact, could be counted on the fingers of one hand.
The delivery of the oil painting was something they were looking forward to on the 21st, and when it came at midday, Anakin started hanging it up. The place was perfect for seeing the painting from the couch where they were sitting.
"Such a lovely, melancholy painting, with snow."
"Do you like snow? Just not as much snow as in New York..."
"Yes, I like snow, especially in the highlands because it is so white, pure and beautiful. I was skiing in Aspen with my parents when I was seventeen, in my final year of high school. There was a lot of niceness. Could you ski?"
"Yes, I can, and that is why we're traveling to Aspen the tomorrow. The flight is chartered, and everything is already booked."
"WHAT !? Oh my God, Ani...this is crazy! Oh God, what a surprise. I love you so much, Ani, you always know what I need." She cried with joy, he pulled her and started kissing her.
"Oh yes, I know exactly what you need now, you need..."
"Oh no, oh no, no, no, no, we had sex precisely four hours ago, so please stop. I need winter clothing right now; how am I meant to go skiing in jeans? I don't have anything for low temperatures in Colorado, therefore I need something warm. Oh, how delighted my credit card is.
"My credit card is already used to this...well then, we're going right now, I need a few little things as well. We're having lunch at Saltie Gril, OK. ?
"OK. "
For those people with much money, Newbury Street is always the best spot to buy clothing.
They found everything they needed for their vacation and choose a good restaurant to eat, of course there was plenty of lobster.
"Anakin, tell me again what your gym's name is."
"The Lynx Fitness Club."
"I must take action as well, even if I don't want to lose weight; instead, I just want to maintain my current weight."
"Arrive and register when you arrive next. We begin packing at home...so for two weeks."
"Two weeks in Aspen?! That is rather expensive. You spend all the money you have… just for me."
"Don't worry, just like you, I made a good investment and am surviving off the yield.""
"But I haven't spent a penny while we've been together."
"You'll have your opportunity …eventually, OK."
Packing and preparations took up the two days prior to leaving. Despite COVID-19 and the extra precautions that had to be taken in the travel and whereabouts, they both anticipated the lovely Christmas season in a place like Aspen.
The day of departure, a Wednesday, was gloomy and chilly 37°F, which is typical for Boston winter weather. Snow and the necessary cold in the mountains were things they were looking forward to, but 7°F was already quite cold. They descended the stairs from the plane and stood there while their luggage was placed in the trunk of the limo Anakin had reserved. They were comfortably outfitted in heavy down coats with their hoods drawn up against the biting weather. Under the boots, the snow was creaking. Romantic...and they could have simply walked to the hotel, if it weren't too distant.
"We'll take a little walk after dinner because it's so lovely."
"Good idea. Is Angel hungry yet?"
"Really, yes. We have meals delivered to the room so we won't have to get dressed."
The Little Nell, where Anakin had reserved a room for them, was where they arrived in the limousine. They checked in, had their things brought to their suite, and the bellboy left them alone after receiving a generous tip. They merely ordered a steak with sides of veggies and strawberries for dessert.
"I feel too full to go for a walk right now, Ani."
"I've got another idea. Consider heading to the pool. Although there is snow and it is freezing outside, the water is actually rather warm.
"Yes, I love the water."
"I am aware, therefore the suggestion. Change and move forward together."
Even though it was 1.4°F and icy outside, you wouldn't know it in the warm water.
His swimming trunks included a tiny zippered pocket inside for keys or whatnot, just like most men's swimming trunks do. It was placed there by him. A little turquoise container contained Tiffany's engagement ring, a three-carat piece of the highest quality.
This plan had been run through Anakin's brain a hundred times; it had to succeed; nothing could or would go wrong; and the timing was right.
They descended to the pool, removed their robes, and entered the inviting water. Padmé rested on the ledge of the pool after covering two lengths. She was swimming in front of Anakin because she was quicker, but when she turned to look, she couldn't see him. He was just behind her, which she found amusing. Then he showed up before her. He was holding the ring in his right hand.
"Padmé Amidala Naberrie, do you agree to be my wife?"
She was so startled that all she could do was cover her lips with both hands before she ultimately fell.
"Padme? Padme ! "Oh, shit!"
Anakin dove after her, his left hand grabbing her upper arm and lifting her up.
"You scared me. Are you OK?"
"No, ugh, yes... no... what did you say?
"I just made a proposal to you, Padmé."
"Proposal, proposal, oh Ani..." and began to cry.
"Angel, Padmé, I'm waiting for your answer, do you want to be my wife, do you want me to be your husband?"
"YES ! Yes, Ani, I do..." and kept crying.
Before cupping her face in his hands and kissing her, Anakin grabbed her hand and placed the ring on his finger.
"I love you."
"Enough of that, please. You and I are the only ones looking forward; everyone else is no longer in the picture. For the foreseeable future, it's just the two of us... plus a few babies.
She nodded, smiled, and cried as he winked at her. After spending some time in the warm water to help her calm down, they got out, changed into their bathrobes, and took a shower.
"I'll get us another nightcap," she said. Anakin stated.
"I'm not ready to go to bed yet."
"I don't either, but a little stimulant can't harm, right?"
Are you going to become passionate right now?
"Attempt?"
After receiving Anakin's order, the room service staff delivered two drinks, took the tip, and then left.
"Oh, it seems delectable. Describe that."
"This cocktail is known as orgasm."
"No cues, huh?"
"We'll enjoy in this orgasm right now, followed by a few more, my lovely fiancee." He smiled.
"My stunningly attractive fiancé was able to completely take me off surprise. I didn't see that coming. Why did you decide to ask me so quickly while I was sick, confused, and looked terrible?
"First of all, you look great, and second, if I assist you, it will enable you to get over the disease's long-term impacts. I already notice a difference between today and when you first arrived, but most importantly, I want you to know that I love you. Why are we still waiting? We're out of time, so perhaps your parents are correct...and I..." Pause.
"What, Ani? Ani, please tell me."
"I want to have children."
"Are we ready for this?" We've only been together for two months, after all."
"...and engaged already. We might as well start a family."
"I like kids, and I believe the moment has come—slowly, I know. We'll visit the doctor when we come back and get some advise."
"Yes, my Angel, get into bed. I have so much to give you."
The night was short, and they were worn out the following morning. After a late night's sleep, they walked downstairs for breakfast. They were the last.
"We don't need to hustle because we're on vacation and can stay in bed if we don't feel like going to the slopes."
"You simply can't get enough of me, right?"
"If you knew how it appears in my pants, wouldn't you ask?"
"Anakin!"
"I have a higher libido today than I had when I was twenty."
"But we should practice skiing a little bit, or we'll forget how to do it."
They dared to visit the slopes since the new ski suits suited them perfectly. Although neither of them was a very good skier, they had nothing to be ashamed of. They took a lot of pictures—Padmé with Anakin, Anakin with Padmé, group selfies—for the upcoming family photo album.
"Is your blue picture frame still alie?"
"Yes, but there isn't a picture there. In a fit of desperation, I tore out our portrait so that the empty frame would serve as a constant reminder of how tragically something good might turn out. Somewhere in the box must be the frame."
"We should hang a new photo of us in this frame to serve as a reminder of how a phoenix can rise from the ashes."
It was simpler because the ski lift was almost right in front of the entrance. Even though going skiing made you hungry, they had planned to wait until dinner today. Every evening they wanted to visit different restaurants; it didn't have to be the most expensive. It should be a cozy, welcoming, French Alpine Bistro this evening. They had white beans and chicken thighs before moving on to crepes topped with ice cream and caramelized fruit.
"How did you come up with the wonderfully creative idea of putting the question in the water, Ani, that's incredibly original?"
"I don't know, I know you love the water, so I thought I would associate something with it...but the way you reacted, I could have lost the ring in the pool," He laughed.
"Yes, I understand. I was completely perplexed at the time. When did you purchase this ring?" She extended her hand and inspected it.
"Your list was long when you went shopping last week, so I thought I would have time to rush over to Tiffany's right around the block."
"It must have been too expensive."
"There's nothing you can't handle. You don't know how much I love you, Padmé."
"And I also love you, at least equally."
He grasped her hands and they sat across the table from one other and stared into each other's glazed eyes.
The night, as well as the next and every other, belonged to her love.
. .
Regards from Germany