After the paperwork was all signed, Prime Minister Benjamin and Lady Evangeline arranged a celebration days later as Iziz had not seen in a very long time. The Cloud Room was adorned with sparkling lights, a band played symphonies from an elevated platform that had been brought in, and more tables were brought in while the bigger one used for the conference had been relocated against a wall and filled to overflowing with local delicacies.
Guests from almost all of the Separatist and Republic planets were in attendance, as well as Master Kit Fisto and Aayla Secura from the Jedi Order who joined their compatriot Shaak Ti by invitation of the Prime Minister and his wife when they heard the other two Jedi weren't far away on a mission to Corellia.
It did Padmé's heart good to see so many familiar and dear faces. Even Bail's wife Breha had made it, though she looked a little pale like she'd just recovered from some kind of illness. The woman's delicate health never stopped her and Padmé admired that greatly.
"Can I steal you for a moment?" Mina interrupted her thoughts by asking, nudging her gently.
"Of course." Padmé smiled and followed her friend to a private corner.
"I have been dying to ask you about this person you aren't supposed to be in love with."
"Oh, yes." Padmé sighed softly. "Promise you won't tell anyone?"
"Of course."
"It started on Naboo. I suppose the remote countryside and close quarters didn't help us. My protector Anakin Skywalker was kind and smart and we spent a lot of time together. He started having nightmares about his mother and we went to Tatooine at my insistence.
"I didn't see what happened when he went to get her body back, just the aftermath of pain and rage. I talked about losing my mother with him and that was the first time in years I was able to vocalize my feelings to anyone besides you. I think that must have been when his hand touched mine and I knew nothing would be the same between us."
"Padmé dear, the fact that you opened up is wonderful, however, I don't think it should be taken to mean romance. My husband and I bonded over many things, some of them seeming stupid at the time, so maybe there is a start of something more between you two. However, I feel like I must be the one to remind you he is a Jedi Knight and committed to a lifestyle of peacekeeping and celibacy. I know you would never ask him to stop doing work he enjoys, so you haven't said anything to encourage his affection."
"You're not wrong. When he admitted to having feelings for me, I didn't know what to say, and we haven't had a chance to talk since. It's probably for the best. After all, he is off with his Master looking for the Bounty Hunter who tried to kill me. That's why I said what I did. Mina, I haven't felt like this in years and I don't know what to do about it."
Mina smiled sympathetically, hugging her. "Well, I suppose it's important to ask yourself if there is anything to do."
"No, I guess not." Padme sighed. "How do I move on?"
"Time is the only solution. You are in the early stages of love, so it's not as hard as having spent most of your life with someone, raising a fantastic son, and then he's taken from you." Mina patted her back affectionately. "I keep getting asked if I will ever remarry after all these years, and believe me there have been some very eligible bachelors trying to convince me to tie the knot with them."
"But none of them are equal to your one true love?"
Mina chuckled. "Sounds a bit petty perhaps, however, you are right my dear friend. I never would have thought he was the one when we met, though he was very persistent and eventually I came around. I know he would want me to be happy, even if it means marrying again, and I am willing to admit I have entertained the idea a few times."
"Maybe you are just not ready?"
"That is very true. Perhaps I never will be. After all, I come as a package deal with a son old enough to find a love of his own."
"Might make it easier."
Mina giggled behind a hand. "You are incorrigible."
"I get that from you, you know."
"Yes, I take pride in that. You have blossomed into a fine Senator and woman. It is because of your encouragement we get to see Jedi again."
"I suppose so. Either way, it is the start of something new and exciting. Just a few days ago, I was wondering how in the galaxy we were supposed to broker a treaty with a ban on reaching out to the Separatists, and now we are all here enjoying a celebration together."
"Good things happen often at unexpected times, like solutions to problems providing themselves."
Padmé thought of Dooku's claims, wondering if they were merely in the eye of a much larger storm. She wished she could talk to her mentor about that and warn her of what may come, though ultimately there was little they could do. The fate of the galaxy and the balance of the Force all lay in the hands of the Jedi who hadn't had to battle against the Sith for a long while. Were they all doomed or did they have a chance? Only time would tell, but at least she could have hope and follow Master Kenobi's advice otherwise she would lose sleep and her mind. She wanted to believe that things could become better because her parents always said that positivity affected possibilities towards good the more it was used.