Chapter 10

The drive back to Anakin's house had been one of laughter and fun between the three of them. Tsbain had attempted to explain in her two year old like manner and speech what she had done with her Nannie and Poppop the last two days, but all Anakin and Padme' had been able to clearly understand was that she had gone swimming with them nearby.

As per requested by Padme', Anakin had taken her back to her parent's home. As much as she desired to spend the rest of the afternoon with her newest two favorite people in her life, she knew she needed time on her own, especially the eventful session between her and Sabe's mother. She hadn't thought much about it while Tsbain had distracted her, but after being home work an hour or so, her fears had crawled back, replaying those words Rene' had said to her.

You look like my daughter.

She cannot handle my interrogation, how will she handle the public and the holoreporters?

Her stomach hadn't sat right with the first comment Rene' had made, even though Anakin had dashed her thoughts away by his supportive nature, she kept wondering about the same thought as she sat within the confines of her living room. Her eyes drift away from her datapad that she had been rereading, as they were the plans sent over by Palo for their agenda for their lunch meeting which he insisted upon being within two days time. Padme' hadn't even considered that she should let Anakin know, yet she didn't want to disrupt his afternoon with his daughter before the week started. At the same time, she didn't know if it would be a good idea for him to join them at the luncheon with her own concerns.

Padme' tries to concentrate on her reading and thinking of what question she should ask of Palo prior to their luncheon, but her thoughts are a tangled mess of lies and truths, all balled up within her mind. Her mind drifts back to her first meeting with Anakin and his comments about his wife.

"The formalities of my titles are not needed. You are a friend of a friend who would want me to intervene in this matter and I'd like you to hear my suggestion before making your decision to accept your fate."

" There was someone long ago who held my heart, but she's gone now."

" Ms. Naberrie- I want my daughter to have stability in her life, and if you choose us, then you are choosing to be part of her life until she reaches the age of adulthood. And I think you would be a great influence on her life. Sabe' trusted you then, I will trust you with the most precious person in my life. "

Those first two meetings had held a lot of reminders of Sabe' for him, and comments he had made all those weeks ago. He had been open and said the love of his life was gone, and at the time they had started a brief friendship. But those comments on top of Rene's didn't help. It had only been two years since her death- perhaps it was too soon.

Padme' bites her lip with her mind roaming over these thoughts. Her mind continues to roll with worry as her mother stares at her from across the room. Her eyes pierce through her daughter and she can see the worry and stress stretched over her features.

Last night had stressed their relationship, but no matter of that- she can see the worry now.

" My dear girl, what is wrong?" Her mother calls quietly, just as she did when Padme' was little.

Padme' breathes in deeply and attempts at shaking the worry from her features, but her voice is soft and murmurs, " Do I look like her?"

Her mother's brow furrows in confusion at first and she questions, " Look like who dear?"

Padme' whispers, " Like the former Senator of Naboo- I know I've been told I'd make a good double for her, but how similar would you say we are?"

Her mother shrugs, not sure where this comment is coming from. " You resemble her some- same cheekbones, and dark hair and but your eyes are different. I- didn't really know of Senator Amildala enough to know her well. Do you think you are like her?"

Padme' bites her lip, not wanting to present the obvious which is that Tsbain was the dead Senator's daughter and Anakin's former wife. Padme' shrugs and murmurs, " I don't know- we weren't close friends, but some people say we are much more alike in manner than I ever thought."

Her mother taps her chin in thought. " Why all these questions about our former Queen and Senator? Are you considering applying to be a handmaiden for the newest Senator? Or are you considering running for office when her term is up? You know your father and I will always endorse you."

Padme' smiles appericately at her mother's supportive nature. Her mother had always been supportive of her dreams of yearning to be a Senator and even supported her choice to become a handmaiden to the Queen. The only time she's ever felt not supportive from her mother is now- with her engagement to a man she's spending so much time with.

Jobal can sense her daughter's tension still under the surface of her smile. The questions raised make her think there's more to those rumors from so long ago between General Skywalker and the famous Senator Amidala. But to ask such a question of her daughter? She had attempted at lying to her daughter by considering she might be wanting to closer to her dreams from so long ago rather than ponder on the gossip during the Clone Wars. Did she dare ask her?

The silence between them continues as Padme' tries to turn back to the datapad once again. And the denial hangs in the air. Jobal sighs and murmurs within the quiet, " Your afraid he's displacing his grief onto your relationship, aren't you?"

Padme's wary brown eyes meet her mother's and the undeniable truth sets between the mother and daughter. Padme' replies quietly, " Is he? Her mother says I look just like her. It feels good with him- but it's just happened so quickly."

Jobal sees the break in her daughter's eyes- the possible heartbreak that might be just under the surface. Jobal stands up and without hesitation joins her daughter on the smaller green sofa. She gathers her daughter within her arms and holds her tight- much like she's done over the years. Padme' closes her eyes and holds her mother close, resting her chin on her mother's shoulder, trying to keep her tears at bay.

" You may resemble her in features, but no one is like you my dear flower," comes her assures just as she heard from her as a child.

Padme' sighs against the comfort of her mother's arms and murmurs, " I'm afraid that her mother is right- and that he might be displacing his grief into what he thinks is his growing liking to me."

Jobal pulls away from her daughter's grasp and brushes back the humid curls of out her face. Jobal comments, " It can happen instances with some couples, but not always. Do I think you are rushing things, of course. I think you should be open to all options in your life before making a final choice. But it is your life Padme'. I am sorry I have been pushy with Palo being back in your life- but it is only out of concern for you. If you are happy with Anakin- then I support you."

Padme' smiles at her mother's pushy ways and murmurs, " I am happy- but everytime I feel right about our relationship- someone or my own thoughts push me back into uncertainty."

Jobal nods, knowing of a woman who would be able to support Padme' with better advice than what she could give. But that woman had perished among thousands of others during the war. Jobal says, " Your not the first in this family to consider a marriage so suddenly, or question a relationship with someone whose been through a loss."

Padme' furrows her brows together and her dark eyes reflect her confusion. From all the stories she's been told, or seeing her parents, and grandparents relationships- they were sound and happy. She waits for her mother to continue her tale.

Jobal continues, " You wouldn't know this without full discloser by your Gran, but she married my father under similar circumstances. His first wife had died giving birth to her older brother and a year after her death, he met your Gran. Gran told me and your Aunt Soleia of their meeting. She feel in love with your Grandfather very quickly and questioned whether it was too fast for them and his grief."

Padme' ponders on her mother's comments. Her Gran had always seemed happy with her Grandfather, although he had died when Padme' was much younger and she didn't have too many memories of them together. Her Gran had never regretted marrying him or so it seemed.

" Did he love her?" Padme' questions, wondering of their marriage.

Jobal nods and says, " When I was a child, they were always playful and full of laughter. I don't remember my mother ever saying she didn't love my father." She pauses and her eyes meet her daughter, so similar in color as her own. " Padme' the circumstances are different though- your considering marrying someone who has been the spot light of the holos- an added pressure that Gran didn't have to deal with. My worry for you is that you marrying the General and in a few years you seem to notice that he doesn't love you like he did at the beginning of your marriage and you both realize it was his comparing of you to his former wife- a remarkable young woman whose life was cut short. I don't want to see you get your heart broken. I have always wanted for you and Sola to find someone like I did- and love them with your whole heart and be loved in return. Sola has found hers, even if the circumstances were backwards and quick- but she's happy. I just want the same for you- even if I am pushy when it comes to trying to open your eyes to other possibilities. All that I ask is that you take a step back- and take time for yourself to think this through. I understand you care for Anakin and his daughter- but you don't have to hurry into a relationship unless you are ready."

Padme' nods considering her mother's heartful speech. She meant every word and in the end Padme's mother has been right in the past when it came to providing her with advice. She takes a deep breath, even though her insides are like those of jelly. Perhaps she hadn't been really taking a step back, every time she had tried to step back she and Anakin had grown closer.

She whispers to her mother, " I do care for him- more than I want to admit."

Jobal brushes her hand against her cheek and murmurs, " Love never comes at the right times or always with the right people and definitely is never planned. I did not sleep much last night when you left here after our argument and I don't want someone you want to marry get in between our relationship. I could not bare it."

" Mother, that no man in the galaxy will ever get between us, I love you first." Padme' says heartfelt and hugs her mother tightly.

Jobal laughs and hugs her back. " Good- but I think you have a lot to figure out."

Padme' sighs against her mother's embrace and knows she has a lot to figure out and part of that will entail keeping her distance from a certain man to keep her thoughts straight. As much as it pains her to do, but she needs a few days to gather her thoughts- perhaps even the weekend with Palo will help her consider everything washing over her mind. Being around Anakin all the time has caused her to lose her senses, even if they were working on the building plans or funding. She needs time to gather her thoughts before she determines if she can announce her engagement or not.

The only sound she can hear in her mind is her doubts.

To Be Continued.