A/N- It's been six months since I've updated. I had really bad writer's block on the direction that I've wanted to take this story in. I hope you enjoy this chapter! Happy Thanksgiving!-GP

Chapter 9

The sunlight glistens against her radiant skin, bare and open for his eyes to gaze upon. Her back rises up and down as she is still in a deeply bound sleep. His eyes flicker to the rising rays, it perhaps is around 8 am, much later than that he's used to rising at.

They had been up most of the night laughing and sharing stories about their childhoods. He had been delighted to share his earlier stories about his training as Obi-wan's padawan. She had laughed hysterically at the story when he had played a prank on his master with several mechanisms attached to his bedroom door within the confines of the temple. In turn, Padme' had shared stories of swimming out to the lake country as a child, and shared the pranks or tricks she and Sola would play on each other. They hadn't gone to bed until after 1 am and he had risen by 7. Padme' had continued to sleep peacefully beside him as he had been watching her for the past hour on and off. He is about to turn to thoughts on making her breakfast when his buzzes.

He groans and reaches across to his nightstand and frowns eyeing the number. It was Tsbain's grandmother's number. He presses the turn on button. " Rene' is everything all right?"

" Yes, of course. I was calling to invite you to brunch this morning," Rene' says cheerfully, a bit too cheerfully to Anakin's liking.

He sighs a bit out of relief. He had thought it was an emergency having to do with Tabain. She has had moments where she has scared her grandparents a few times, including the time she had been determined to use the force to open all their kitchen drawers and climb up on top of the countertops. She had been laughing hard, sitting on the counter eating cookies from the cookie jar that her grandmother kept them in. It didn't surprise Anakin much, she after all is his daughter. He had been known for his own shenanigans at a young age, and his mother told him stories of those younger times he did not remember.

" Brunch? I-" He's stopped short with his reply.

" Tristan said you were out with a woman that is friend's with Sache'. We'd love to meet her." Rene' responds quickly, a bit too quick for Anakin's liking.

Was this a ploy to start an interrogation over their relationship? To question her into not wanting to be with him? In his mind Tristain seems like that sort of man. He hadn't been thrilled knowing Anakin had married his sister without her parent's consent, or that she had died giving birth to their child which no one knew about until after her death. Tristan blames Anakin for losing his sister, even though no one could save her.

" Rene'- I think it may be premature to meet her and on such short notice." Anakin says gently.

Rene' laughs and suggests, " I've heard wonderful tales of this young woman from Sache' and I adore that she was cherished as a friend by Tsbain. Please ask her to come to brunch, would you?"

Anakin sighs, no matter how much he's been through with his child's family, he knows they only want the best for them. They are the only kin Anakin and Tsbain have here on Naboo. And Rene' only wants the best for Tabain. She is a great grandmother to his daughter. Tsbain adores her and for Rene' it is a piece of Sabe' she still has in her life.

He isn't sure if Padme' will be all right with meeting Sabe's parent's as that in itself can be intimidating. Padme is a confident young woman with a bright future ahead and not one Anakin will not support. He knows their careers will be in front of their relationship, exempt from Spain. But is she willing to meet the parents so close to announcing their engagement?

He say quietly, " All right but I don't know if she will feel comfortable with this arrangement-"

He's cut off by Rene' exclaiming, " Wonderful! If you can be at the house around 9:30? I'm sure that is doable since Tsbain is already here."

He nods, even though Rene' cannot see him accepting the decision has already been made for both of them. Not much different than last night. " We'll be there."

He sighs and turns off the com. link. His eyes peer down at Padme's naked form underneath his sheets and her eyes are on him. Apparently the call had woken her up and the expression on her face is one that is uncertain of these turn of events. Her murky eyes meet his with that uncertainty in them, the uncertainty he's been feeling through the entire call.

" If you don't want to go, I understand. I'll tell her you woke up and didn't feel well." He murmurs gently.

Padme' blinks back the sleep in her eyes and leans back against the headboard. She bites her lips and keeps her eyes on her newfound lover. The last 36 hours have been a whirlwind; first they sleep together for the first time, then her mother basically shoves her into a " date" with Palo next weekend, then she and Anakin decide they want to announce their engagement soon- and now Sabe's parent's want to meet her. It is a bit overwhelming for her mind as those events of the weekend play out in her head. If she chooses to take Anakin's excuse and they announce their engagement Tsbain's grandparents will be disappointed in not knowing about their engagement prior to the public knowing. And by the sound of Rene's voice- and by the few things she's been told about Tsbain's grandparents- they are overprotective of her and Anakin. But if she chooses to go, would she even like her as a person? There is that huge amount of doubt in Padme's mind- that they will think she's just after Anakin like other women who have wanted a piece of him in bed or his fame. They might think their engagement is a bit rushed considering they've known each other for a little over a month.

" I'll call her back and tell her you're not feeling well-" Anakin says, noticing the silence filling the space of his bedroom- he also senses her fears that are screaming out into the force.

Padme shakes her brown messy curls around her and murmurs trying to keep her heart from racing more than it is. " No, if I don't go it will only prolong the inevitable."

Anakin sits down on his bed next to her beautiful form. He grasps her cheek gently between his fingers and palm. He strokes the side of her face and responds, " Angel, I won't force you to meet them. I need you to understand that it doesn't matter what they think of you. All that matters is what I and Tsbain think of you."

Padme' leans into his touch and sighs, closing her eyes. " It would be nice to see her little face. I haven't had a lot of time in recent days to spend with her. But I'll go because I want to see her."

Anakin nods, a decision made though it feels like an inquisition. He knows how pushy Rene can be. He's dealt with her nagging over these past few years- especially when it concerns Tsbain not having a motherly figure in her life- or someone to watch over her when Anakin is gone. She is fearful when it comes to the idea of Anakin having to leave her granddaughter behind- fearful that he desires adventure as he once did. But Anakin isn't too worried about his adventure-seeking any longer. He has Tsbain to take care of and he promised Sabe' that he would always put her first- even if he did at times miss the adventures of being a Jedi.

She opens her eyes and proclaims, " Now, I think I need to shower and dress for brunch."

He nods and moves away from the bed to allow her access to leave. He watches her form leave his bed and move into the refresher.

( Tsbain's Grandparent's Residence)

Padme' had been quick with her shower, and changed back into her tunic and leggings from the two nights prior. She'd need to keep a change of clothes at Anakin's on the weekends at their going rate. He had nicely cleaned her clothes so she could wear them back to her parent's home later today, as she would be returning to their home in the evening as she didn't expect to see Anakin the following day- he after all has work. She had planned on spending sometime in the morning hours to try and get a hold of Eirtare' on meeting about their construction project. She would be able to present their project and explain how much would be needed to be funded by the government if approved. Eitrare' would also be helpful in considering any permits or restrictions she and Anakin needed to look at prior to funding being voted on. In all, she knows this project, if funded by the government, could take months. But at the same time, she's trying to avoid giving all the credit to Palo. She didn't dislike the idea of him helping with a fundraiser through his gallery, but it also disapproved of how much he'd take the time to talk about himself and how he is helping the displaced citizens of Naboo. All holonews will care about is a local Famous artist, former handmaiden of the Queen and their own local General Skywalker working together to create homes for those military families and those displaced by the war. It wouldn't be about the people which is what Anakin and Padme' both agreed upon should it be about- not them organizing the fundraisers and projects.

" Are you ready to go in?" Anakin calls upon stopping the speeder in front of the large manor.

Padme' blinks and her eyes latch onto the large manor which is about the same size as her parents. She knew Sabe's family was wealthy in their own right, but their home could rival her parent's tastes.

The manor is that of the mid-century Nabooian style: with strips of wooden paneling of a high roof- unlike most of the domed features of the city. The domed features had been added around fifty years ago within the city of Theed. The manor's coloring is tan and light tones of brown. The windows are wide with a cross-cross section in the middle of each window. The doorway has a dark rich wooden porch over the front of their large tan doors.

" It's beautiful," She breathes out, imagining Sabe' growing up here as a little girl.

Anakin nods silently as he had been impressed by the structure of the manor the first time he had come here with Tsbain after Sabe' had died. He takes her hand and murmurs, " Are you sure about this? I can go in and get Tsbain and we could have brunch just the three of us."

Padme' assures him. " Yes, C'mon let's not keep them waiting."

She opens her side of the speeder and takes a deep breathe into the force. She cannot feel the force, but she knows the force is there, so she breathes in the heated morning air and sends out her nerves into the force. She feels Anakin's hand slide into hers as he has come to her side of the speeder and pulls her out and by his side.

Their strides match the others as they make it to the front doorway, before it slides open. A woman who is slender, and has these caring golden eyes that match those of her long last friend appear in the doorway. This woman must be Rene'- Tsbain's grandmother.

Rene pauses as she takes in the woman standing beside her former son-in-law. She blinks and is shocked to see a woman who frankly mirrors features like her dead daughter. She smiles and says, " Hello! You must be Padme'! I have heard so much about you from Sache' and Tristan."

Padme' feels assured by the woman's genuine smile, although she feels Anakin's fingers tightening almost in a protective way around hers. She nods and says, " And you must be Rene'."

Rene' smile at her with a warmth, that Padme' has never known from her own mother. But there is a touch of sadness within her gaze. The touch of losing one of your children so young. Rene' gestures for them to come into the parlor area.

Padme' eyes the parlor and there on a velvet maroon couch sits Tsbain. Her hands are both out, and Padme' notices her floating a doll midair with a brush, brushing the doll's hair via the force. Padme' is a bit surprised to see a young child using the force as she's never known any child that could do such tricks that isn't a Jedi. She loses her focus when she senses her father and Padme' join them in the room. Usually she'll leap up and run to her father- this time she screeches out, " Paddy!" and comes running across the room and hugs Padme's legs.

" I- misseded you!" She says holding her arms around Padme's legs so she can't escape her grasp.

The actions melt Anakin's heart seeing his daughter care about the woman in his life. Padme' watches the doll still in midair and the brush still brushing her hair, as if Tsbain stil had control over it. Padme' blinks and reaches for Tsbain then. Tsbain giggles in response and allows for Padme' to lift her into her arms. She wraps her arms around Padme's neck and Padme' snuggles the little girl into her neck and inhales her little scent. She smells of the shurra fruit that Padme' herself likes to shower with.

" I've missed you too Tsbain." She echoes the same response as Tsbain had given her earlier.

Rene' smiles at the embrace, as Tsbain hadn't known Padme' was coming today. It makes her heart ache for her daughter to know how much she's missing out on. It makes her ache for the times she had herself held her daughter as a young toddler- just as Padme' is holding Tsbain now. Padme' places Tsbain on her feet and is dragged by Tsbain to the doll she has been holding midair during the entire exchange. Padme' sits on the couch and waits for Tsbain to use the force to bring the doll to Padme's lap.

" Paddy, brush hariy?" Tsbain requests, using the force to float the pink brush into Padme's hand.

Padme' smiles at her request and begins to brush her hair. Anakin takes a seat next to Padme' as he's ignored by his daughter- if the exchange hadn't been with the woman he's going to marry- it might have shattered his heart- as Tsbain is his best friend, but to see how excited she is to play with Padme'- delights him and fills his heart with joy.

Rene' watches the two of them play together on the couch ask she perches herself onto the velvet matching chair across from them. She requests, " Padme', so you were a handmaiden to the queen until recently?"

Padme's eyes peer up at Rene' and she says politely, " Yes. I served under the Queen from the time I was 15."

Rene' nods and does the math in her head. " So you are 21 then? I thought you were a bit older based on your experience with being a handmaiden and body guard to my daughter when she visited Naboo."

Padme' shakes her head uneasy at her response. She did have a lot of experience in her short life. She had chosen a life serving her Queen and protecting her at all costs- she hadn't really thought past those years-especally with such disarray during the war. But why the comment then? Was it because her own daughter had been older than she? Sabe was older than Anakin as well by five years and would be 29 now if she was still alive.

Rene' asks, " How did you two meet?"

Padme' tears her eyes away from Rene' and back onto Anakin's blue ones. The hestiatation makes him respond for the both of them. " We met the night of the Queen's farewell ball."

Rene' seems a bit surprised and comments, " Interesting- I am surprised you accepted such an invitation Anakin. You usually don't enjoy such parties."

Padme' smiles at her comment, perhaps Rene' did know Anakin more than she thought. Anakin shifts in his sit and comments, " Yes, well the Queen had been supportive of Sabe' as a Senator so I felt I should pay my respects to her."

Rene' eyes Padme' questioning, " And with the Queen's retirement, what are your plans, besides this project Sache' told me you two are working on?"

Padme' bites her lip, knowing if she responds and admits that they are planning on announcing their engagement within the next week or so publicly, it is best they tell them before the news is spread across Naboo that the reclusive General has found a wife. Anakin wraps his arm around Padme' as she holds onto the doll in her lap. He smiles at her and peers back at Rene', " Well, our plans will be intwinted within the next few months."

Rene' eyes the affection the young man is eyeing her with and she lifts in eyebrow in curiosity. " Meaning?"

Padme' comments, " Anakin and I are- engaged is what he means."

Rene's eyes brighten up upon hearing this news. She smiles with ease and suggests, " I prayed to the gods that he'd find someone to marry. I've been telling Anakin for awhile now that Tsbain needs a mother figure in her life that is stable."

Anakin's mouth twitches at the corners of his mouth, in a frown. Rene' had been nagging him for sometime to find a wife to be Tsbain's stepmother- as she felt that two parents should raise a child together and with Anakin's nature he'd run off to war if there ever was another. A wife would help settle the matter quickly.

Rene' continues without a response from either of them. " I don't see a ring on her finger, Anakin Skywalker why did you not propose with a ring? That is very unsuitable of you to do. Also have you two decided on a date?"

Padme's mind is racing, listening to this woman go on and on. The only thought in her mind is the comments. Tsbain needs a mother in her life. You look like my daughter.

Padme' tries to keep her heart feeling the panic rising in her chest. Is this all their relationship will be about? The fact is she a replacement for Tsbain's dead mother? The fact that she looks like her too? Did he think of Sabe' when we were together the other night? Am I just a fantasy he's playing out?

All her fears set the panic inside of her. Had she been stupid enough to not see what might be going on here? Had she become blindsided by her own developing feelings for Anakin that she hadn't thought about the fact that maybe he was displacing his grief of his feelings for Sabe' onto their relationship? The insecurities she's feeling bubble to the surface and Padme' realizes that perhaps she needs to step back and think about their relationship a bit further- it had been pretty fast for them to feel such feelings towards one another.

She sets down the brush and doll and eyes her comm. Link, trying to find an excuse to leave at this point. She bites her lip, feeling the rising guilt and panic within her. He senses something is wrong and asks, " Angel are you all right?"

She shakes her head no and cuts off Rene's ramblings about styles of wedding dresses and flowers. " Where is your refresher?"

Rene stops and gestures towards the front of the hall. Padme' leaps from the spot on the couch, leaving Tsbain, Anakin and Rene is in surprise at how fast she runs towards the refresher. She reaches it and closes the door behind her. She clutches her chest as the panic freezes there and she can't breathe. She can't think.

She hears the pounding on the refresher soon later. " Padme'?"

She sinks down to her knees and can't speak- too panicked by her troubling thoughts. She hears the pounding again and Rene's voice once more. " Padme' are you alright? Do I need to get our medical droid?"

She keeps herself aganist the door as she hears louder voices coming to the hallway. " Rene' please just give her some space."

Rene' shakes her head and calls out again, " Padme' do you need a medical droid?"

She hears Anakin's voice a bit more demanding this time. " Rene', give her some damn space! You've literally pounced on her of wedding dates and details about her life. Can't you see how upset she is!"

Padme' feels the tears slide down her face and somewhat relieved upon hearing Anakin defending her. She stays quiet as Rene' responds, " She should be use to abrupt plans as a former handmaiden. If she cannot handle my ideals, how will she handle all the questions by the holonews once you've announced to the public of your engagement? How will she handle being questioned everytime you are out in public and how will she defend my daughter's memory if she's slandered across the holonews about Tsbain being her stepdaughter? If she cannot handle this, then she's not worth your time because she'll crack under the pressure of being in the public eye."

She can somehow feel the room grow cold within the refresher and the hallway beyond. Anakin is powerful within the force, and for some reason it is as if he's projecting his anger beyond what he usually does. Her eyes widen as she hears his voice booming, " Padme' and I will handle the holonews on our own terms and I would never allow them to slander her or your daughter's good name. You should know by now how much I hate the public eye on myself and Tsbain. Our relationship is private and the holonews can go to the seven sith hells and back."

Rene' seems much quieter than before and replies, " Then your ignorant of how slanderous the holonews can be. Do you know how many times they came to my door wanting to know if my daughter had been sleeping with either you or General Kenboi? Do you realize how they made me feel? The holonews will tear her apart if she breaks this easily. She is not going to be able to show Tsbain a life in the public eye if she's unable to handle it herself."

This hits Padme' like a ton of durasteel. How dare that woman assume she isn't capable of handling the holonews and their rumors! How dare she assume she won't be a good figure to Tsbain! How dare she assume she is not good enough! Padme's panic is still there, but there's fury radiating from her. She breathes and opens the refresher, facing the stand-off between Rene' and Anakin.

She turns on Rene with a furious tone. " You will stop assuming how I handle situations that are not within your control. I came here today happily to meet you and your family because you are Tsbain's grandparents and my friend's mother, but nothing more. You do NOT get a say in our relationship, nor get to assume what when Anakin and I will set a date. Frankly it is not of your business." Her eyes slide over to Anakin's whose have softened a bit hearing her stand up on her own. She demands, " Anakin I'd like to go home now. If you would so kindly do."

Anakin nods and eyes Tsbain eying the argument from the parlor. Rene' frowns and comments, " I have never been so insulted in my life. I invite you into my home and this is how I am treated!"

Padme' snorts and takes Tsbain's hand as she hears her comments. She comments, " I will not comment anymore in front of Tsbain as she does not need to feel that the adults she respects in her life do not get along. C'mon Tsbain do you want to race to the speeder?"

Tsbain nods and smiles, unsure of what has transpired between the three important adults in her life. Anakin watches them and turns to Rene'. " I knew this wasn't a good idea. I- think it is better that Tsbain stays home tomorrow with me."

Rene frowns feeling insulted more. " Are you implying that you will keep my granddaughter away because of your fiance's insults towards me?"

Anakin's turn to snort. " No Rene'. I need space away from you before I say more than I've already said in front of her and Tsbain. Things even Sabe' would be pissed to hear me say if she were here."

Rene' crosses her arms and comments, " Fine then. But mind you, I've warned you of what is to come."

Padme' rolls her eyes hearing the woman's comment. Rene' and her own mother would get along stupendiously. Padme' always wondered why Sabe' hardly spoke of her own mother in passing- now she understands she's overwhelming- just as her own mother is.

Tsbain leads the way out of the manor and says, " Race you!"

Her little feet pulse and she let's go of Padme's hand, headed straight for the speeder. Padme' laughs and takes off in a sprint right behind her- feeling the panic of her thoughts leave her- knowing that whatever is ahead of her she can handle- because all that matters is how much Anakin and Tsbain feel about her.

To Be Continued…