The recording was still going on, or again, since the recording will start again when it ends. They didn't notice. Padmé was lying on his chest with smeared make-up, Anakin was already awake but didn't want to move, so as not to wake her up. She was exhausted, they were both exhausted. She stirred and opened her eyes, for a moment she didn't seem to know where she was, but then she smiled.

"Good morning."

"Good morning Angel. How are you this morning after all this excitement?"

"A hundred different feelings…. mixed, but somehow….I feel better. I know now that what I couldn't believe 100%, is true. You didn't cheat on me." She smiled and ran her hand over his face, neck, chest... lower and lower. "I want you, Anakin."

Still, he could resist. "No Padme. We are not hormone-driven teenagers anymore, to fall in fire careless, we're adults. You said earlier you have a hundred different feelings and until you are not sure about what you want and how you feel about me. Sleeping with me would be wrong. Just wanting me is not enough, Padmé. I couldn't handle having sex with you now and losing you again."

"You don't want me?"

"Losing you… was the worst thing for me ever. I couldn't accept it, I never got over it, despite therapy. I never stopped loving you and I want you, but not just for one night to give you comfort, I want you forever, Padmé."

With this statement everything was clear, she smiled. "Good. I go back to Washington D.C. , talk with my therapist and Dormé. I will go to New York as well and talk with my parents. We had a verbal argument, but it's not that we don't talk to each other, just...our good relationship is a bit strained. Anakin, I am a little upset right now, but somewhere in my subconscious, my love for you has always been hidden. I knew I would always love you, no matter what you did to me… well what you didn't do to me, and back then, when I still thought you guilty, I have forgiven you."

Her hand slid down his chest and stomach, she smiled and caressed his manhood.

"Padmé, my self control is at its limit."

"Then I'll continue." She smiled at him.

He grabbed her hand. "Padme, we're through with this. Give me a kiss, we take a shower, have breakfast and head the airport. The jet is waiting."

She kissed him...as deeply as seven years ago. Earthquake of emotions.

They couldn't wait to land in Boston. Home sweet home. In those two weeks with Anakin, Padmé has adjusted to the apartment, felt at home. Boston was familiar and she loved Boston. Now she will leave all of this and especially Anakin. He asked her to prove her feelings for him. He had become insecure. The carefree handsome young man had become a serious adult, not a trace of carefree and that was her fault.

She decided to leave on November 12th. It was cloudy but dry, 53°F , the rain greeted her in Washington D.C.

She phoned Anakin, said she was there in a good eight hours.

*Oh, then you drove faster than allowed.*

*Uh...I think this ride is going to cost something.*

*In that case, I'm glad to hear your voice.*

Padmé called Dormé immediately, who came right over to hear everything Padmé had been doing in Boston and Las Vegas and was very surprised that Bradley could act like that. She was glad to hear Padme and Anakin getting closer and especially that the recording from the last party was showing up.

"I always told you what I saw was right, girlfriend and I know, you still love him.. how is he now, after so many years? As before?"

"No. He's changed, he's calmer and more reserved, although he claims he never stopped loving me."

"Padmé, he's not twenty anymore, he's a man. I can understand if he doesn't act rashly, he's scared of losing you again, maybe that's why he doesn't want to rush into an affair if he's not sure you love him. Do you love him?"

"I want him, I burn when he's around."

"Does he still look this good?"

"Better."

"Is that even possible?" Dormé laughed "...well, do you love him, or do you just want him...only for fucking ?"

"I just know that I want him."

"I'll ask the question differently. Do you miss him...so like now?"

"Yeah, I can't wait to be with him again, to do things with him, to go out, cook with him, go shopping, just sit on the couch and talk...I could do that every day, it feels so good."

"Every day ….until the end of your life?"

"Yes."

"When you started studying in Boston, when you thought back to what happened, were you jealous of Pat?"

"Do you want to give me therapy?"

"Very simple question, answer and then I'll tell you what I think."

"Yes I was, I thought he cheated on me with that bitch." Padmé laughed "...and before you ask the next question, yes I want a baby with him."

"Then it's very clear, you love him, Missy."

"Yes, I love him. The stupid thing is the job situation at the moment...I mean he's working on his dissertation and it's so specific what he will and can do in the future, he'd be best off with NASA or Boeing. He has many millions under his belt, he doesn't have to work, but you must have a goal in your life and set a good example for your children. I also have a lot of money now, but I will still work. I know now, wherever he takes his job, I would follow him."

"Yes, it is, Padme. You don't need another therapist."

"You are my best therapist, you always made me see something right or drove me insane." Then they both laughed.

"When do you want to dissolve everything here?"

"I'm quitting my job and the apartment tomorrow, packing the rest of my belongings in my car and drive to Boston."

"...and when do you want to see your parents?"

"Well, difficult question, but not yet, you know we rarely talk on the phone. It's not the way it was... and that they really thought I would acquiesce and marry someone they thought worthy...incredible."

"I bet Missy, you would have acquiesced if Anakin didn't exist."

"I hate you if you're right."

"Oh?"

"Oh, what?"

"I am always right."

Typical conversation between two best friends.

Within thirteen days Padmé settled her issues, said goodbye to Dormé in tears and promised to call at least twice a week. She put her few belongings into her Audi Q5 early in the morning and drove 480 miles to Boston.

She didn't want to tell Anakin exactly what the day she's coming back, he didn't know if she was staying in Boston, if she was clear about her feelings...actually he didn't know anything, he just hoped.

Padmé wanted to surprise him, show up at his door the night before Thanksgiving, put her arms around his neck, tell him she loves him and kiss him senseless.

The traffic was terrible, sure, the night before Thanksgiving. It took her almost ten hours. She was tired.

Around 6:00pm she was standing in front of the door of the house when she rang the bell and it opened. She took only one suitcase upstairs. She stopped in front of the apartment, excited about her intention but also because she had missed him. She rang the bell, the door opened, Anakin came out and closed the door behind him. She froze, she thought he had a visit... maybe a woman, they were actually not together, she came unannounced...

"Padme..."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know...you have a visit, sorry, I should have called, I'll take a room at the hotel..."

"Padme, it's not like that..."

"I understand, Anakin, you are under no obligation to me, I..."

"Padme, listen to me..."

"It's okay Anakin…."

"Padmé !" He grabbed her, pulled her to him and pressed his lips firmly to hers. She was surprised. His explanation was simple, he could have said it straight away.

"Padmé, my parents are here. We had no time to defining our relationship yet. I don't know how to formulate your presence; my girlfriend, we are together again, my wife-to-be...how? Did you thought about it when you were in D.C. , did you?"

"Yes, I did. I love you Ani, I would be happy if we are together again...if I will be your wife...we still have to see, I mean if we fit together. Too much time has passed, we are no longer teenagers who act rashly and impulsively, but it is my dearest wish to get there."

"Well, the status is; we are back together. Let's go inside."

She smoothed her coat and straightened her hair. "Am I presentable?"

"You are the most beautiful woman in the whole galaxy. I love you, my Angel."

"How will they take that, what do you think? But next to you I feel safe, I love you too."

"They will be surprised, but they will be delighted, they have always loved you."

Anakin opened the door and they went in together. He took her coat and she left the suitcase beside the door. With his arm around her waist, they walked into the living area, where Shmi and Cliegg were sitting on the couch.

"Good evening."

They turned and Shmi shouted loudly: "Padme! You are here, you are back. Oh my God ! I don't know what I wanted to ask, how to ask the question."

"You wanted to ask how we feel about each other now, didn't you Mom?"

"Uh...yeah."

"We're back together."

.

Best regards from Germany.