When Anakin returned, Padmé asked.
"Did you notice anything, Anakin?"
"Yes, and I don't like it a bit. Ben wasn't particularly talkative the whole time, didn't speak a word to Satine and drank too much."
"That's exactly what I observed and that discussion this morning, and her decision to go to Washington D.C. , to go...without him, this all smells like the end."
"Can you try to find out something more?"
"You're not curious, are you, Ani?"
While they were talking about their friends, they cleaned up the kitchen and dining area.
"Yes, but I'm not so good at asking the questions, you're a lawyer, you can better formulate what you want to know and..."
"Satine is also a lawyer and she can formulate the answer if she doesn't want to tell me anything specific."
"And you can also formulate the answer well if you don't want to tell me that you don't want to ask her."
"I'll ask Satine, but you can also try to get some information from Ben. What are we doing on Wednesday? Not all restaurants are open for lunch."
"The Chart House or Atlantic Fish Company? But what about tomorrow?"
"I have one special idea. You take the gentlemen to Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse and then to the Tunnel just two hundred yards away and I'll organize a little soiree for the ladies...with a buffet."
"Soiree? O-kay, soiree… but that's not just food, as far as I know..."
"Yes, Ani, you certainly know what a soiree is and I could really do something with the idea. We could make music together and read poems and..."
"Wait a moment. So now: make music? Ladies play an instrument? ...and who writes poetry? Please explain."
"Well, Dormé plays guitar and so do I, and Satine writes poetry."
"You can play the guitar? Why do I not know it? We never talked about it, didn't mention it...do you know I play guitar too?"
"No….but we were so busy self-absorbed at the time, playing guitar had no place in our time together. How good are you?"
"Somewhat. I completed eight semesters of classical guitar at the music school. I was ten when I started at Bloomingdale School of Music...and where were you?"
"I started when I was nine, near us at 92nd Street Y School of Music. I was so excited at first, I wanted to study music at the Jillard School later, well, my Dad didn't think it was for me, but I've got ten semesters behind me."
"OK. , great Angel, we will also play music together, like once a week, could be fun... and how about Satine's poems, I didn't know that she writes poetry."
"Since the other day."
"Well then...I know you're going to have a great time tomorrow evening."
"Sure, but what have we decided for Wednesday... Atlantic Fish Company?"
"Yeah, that would be good and then we'll take them to the hotel and say goodbye...if they leave at the same time, but Cody and Dormé fly to D.C."
"Uh... where's your guitar, do you still have it?"
"It's in the big box in the basement and where's your guitar?"
"Mine is here in my study. It's bad for yours where it is, it has to be brought here right away..."
"No, Ani please... I'm tired."
"OK. , then tomorrow morning. Are you tired for me?"
"Never. Come on, let's take a shower and..."
...and then the night was too short, luckily they didn't have to get up early. The breakfast was plentiful, they didn't want to eat anything until the evening.
Padmé called her friends and told them what she planned for the evening, so they were thrilled. The food was ordered from The Oceanaire Seafood Room, so you could be sure that the food would be good and delivered on time, even though the order was not placed until that day.
Around 7:00pm, Dormé and Sabé appeared in a good mood and Satine tried to pretend to be in a good mood.
"Soiree what? Look what I had to print out at the hotel..." and showed some sheets.."...luckily I had the poems on the Cloud." Said Satine.
"And I should play piano, Missy, huh? Where's that piano?" asked Dormé.
"You don't play the piano, you can play guitar like me and...tell me...if I didn't know you better, I'd say you were kidding me, but knowing you well, I'm sure you were kidding me."
"You can try, but joking aside, I also play the piano. Where's your guitar?"
"First we'll eat...a little, later a little more and if there's any left the men can have it… if they can still open their mouths after this binge eating at Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse."
"I know someone who can." Sabe said and everyone laughed knowing whom she meant.
Four friends sat at the table, silent, none of them wanted to start the questions, although all of them wanted to ask. It was known who was the bravest. Dorme.
"So Satine, what about Washington D.C. now?" , Why do you want to go alone?"
Satine just had her mouth full, so Padmé thought he could ask another question.
"Satine, I could talk to my father, the law firm is always in need of good lawyers and I believe you would..." Padmé began.
"No Padme. I know you mean good with me and every lawyer would like to work at Naberrie&Naberrie, but...I want to go to D.C. You have definitely noticed that something is wrong with me and Ben and this something is huge. Our Serena has asthma. Ben can't handle having a sick child, he often reaches for the bottle...too often. Well, then we fight and that's unbearable. He once told me my mother and her brother have an unhealthy sibling relationship. Can you imagine? I have to go. Serena will be harmed if I don't act soon. I'm leaving my mother and uncle Walter behind in despair, I..." She couldn't go on talking.
"Shit, I had no idea it was that serious. I thought I was the only one who went through the hell." Padmé said.
The mood was subdued and not much was eaten.
Satine took the papers out of her pocket. "Our evening can't stop here, Padmé, get your guitar."
Padmé got up and went into the study, Dormé followed.
"Two guitars?" I thought you were so fond of your Fender."
"The other one is Anakin's guitar."
"I didn't know he could play."
"Me neither."
"Oh yes, you didn't have time for such a discovery back then."
"Exactly." and winked.
"OK. , then I'll play Anakin's guitar, give it to me." Dormé carefully took the guitar case, opened it and screamed. "Oh my God, oh my God...a Gibson !"
Satine and Sabé stormed into the room.
"What's going on here?"
"Look ! Anakin has a Gibson...and he plays guitar, did anyone know?"
"No." Came from Satine..."...but I know Padmé can play guitar, well, let's go make music."
They walked into the living area, Padmé and Dormé sat down on the couch, guitars in their hands. Dorme held Gibson in her hands like a relic.
"Your turn first, Satine."
"OK."
She took a few sheets of paper out of her pocket and began to read.
the fog of oblivion,
in a city that won't let you forget
in a night without dreams
if you dream of being able to forget...
….
Satine finished reading the poem. Silence.
"Holy shit, girlfriend. Are all your thoughts so dark?"
"My poems as an expression of my mood, but … play something, lift the spirits.
That was easier said than done. Padmé started with a song that everyone knew.
"You can sing, Dorme."
Padmé started as an accompaniment, Dormé picked up the melody and started singing. Beautiful voice.
And disciplinary remains mercifully
Yes and um, I'm with you Derek, this star nonsense
…..
What have we found?
The same old fears
Wish you were here
This was followed by several songs from different eras and styles, rock, pop, classic, country.
Padmé and Dormé played together, sang together, or all, or just Dormé, she had a beautiful voice, not just the voice, she could play the guitar much better than Padmé, actually she played several instruments, a real talent. She wanted to study at the Jilliard School... but her parents have other plans, as is so often the case.
The songs like "Lay down Sally", "Harvest moon", "More of you", "Tennessee Waltz", "King of the road", "Jambalaya" could not be missing... and then...listened she heard the voices and the front door opened. Anakin, Ben, Cody and Rex were back.
"Our ladies are in good mood, hopefully we won't interrupt."
"No, we're glad to have you back, we just thought you'd prefer other types of performances...like pole dancing..." Padmé laughed impishly at her husband.
"Boring, nothing we haven't already seen. I've been longing for my wife, although she won't be dancing on the table for us...like Saturday night, huh?"
"What?"
"I got an MMS like this from Sola."
"I can't remember, it wasn't me."
"Satine, Dormé, Sabé, was that her, huh?"
"I can't remember." Came from each of them, none wanting to remember.
"A prime example of an iron friendship. Thanks a lot, ladies." Anakin played offended.
"You're welcome." Sabé replied.
The gentlemen took the chairs from the dining area and sat down next to them.
"So how was your evening?"
"It's not over yet, Ani, you're here, it's going to get even better."
"Have you eaten everything off?" Typical question from Rex.
"We weren't very hungry, there's still a lot left, whoever wants...take a little."
Rex got up, went into the kitchen and stayed there for a few minutes. He came back with his mouth full but definitely still hungry. Luckily there was still a lot left.
Padmé and Dorme were sitting on the couch with their guitars on their laps.
"I didn't know you can play guitar Anakin, you never mentioned it."
"I didn't know you could play either, Dormé, not even that Padmé could."
"Damn it, look what we missed."
"At Finch was nice too, even without guitar."
"It's correct. And now, show how good you are Anakin."
"You first, Dormé."
"No, you first, otherwise you won't want to play anymore, I'm damn good Anakin. Here is your precious Gibson."
Everyone was excited. Anakin wasn't as good as Dormé, but he didn't need to hide, he could sing and accompany himself with guitar. He turned to Padmé, who was resting both forearms on the guitar and her chin on it, and he began.
Saying "I love you"
Is not the words I want to hear from you
It's not that I want you...
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real….
More than words
Everyone knew this beautiful song.
"My love for you is real." Padmé said glassy-eyed..."You're good...uh, but now something from me to you."
When she started everyone knew this song was just right.
When I first saw you, I saw love
And the first time you touched me, I felt love…(Anakin's eyes widened)
And after all this time
You're still the one I love, mmm, yeah-yeah
Looks like we made it
Look how far we've come, my baby
We mighta took the long way
We knew we'd get there someday
They said, "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holding on
We're still together, still going strong, mm
You're still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You're still the one I want for life
You're still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss goodnight….
…
"Right, thank you Mrs. Skywalker. You are really good. It's your turn Dormé."
Dormé picked up Anakin's guitar. "Does anyone know anything about Jochan Sebastian Bach?"
"Played on guitar?" Ben was surprised.
"Then I assume nobody can play this, not that I'm a show-off, here's Gavotte from 4th Lute Suite for guitar."
When she started, all mouths were open and eyes on her capable fingers. A few seconds of silence when she was done.
"You're as good as Andrés Segovia, my goodness Dorme, why did you study law?"
"By my parents request, Ben...and now something for my sweetheart." She turned to Cody and as long as she sang, she only looked into his eyes.
Can you hear me calling
Out your name?
come on baby
We better make a start
You better make it soon
Before you break my heart
Oh I
I want to be with you everywhere
Oh I
I want to be with you everywhere….
…..
"WOW !" Anakin shouted and clapped.
Cody got up, went to Dormé and stopped in front of her.
"I can't play guitar or sing a suitable song to answer you with...like Skywalkers..." He dropped to one knee and took her hand in his..."...I can only ask you to be my wife, Dormé Dawson."
Silence… Surprise…..a big one…..
Dormé put her arms around his neck and said only:
"Yes, I will."
Then they kissed very tenderly without deepening the kiss and looked into each other's eyes. Cody stayed on his knees in front of her, everyone else had to realize the whole thing first, Rex was the first.
"I don't believe it now, my brother...wants...wants to get married. It doesn't exist, I can't believe it. Was it all planned or was it spontaneous...not that I'm not happy, it's just so unexpected I…..WOW."
Cody got up and turned to his twin.
"It wasn't planned, I just felt it was the right moment and as you can see, I don't even have a ring for Dormé and the others are without words either."
"Not me, come on get a hug." Anakin said, standing up and hugging his friend.
Then there were hugs from every side, laughter and even tears. Anakin took this as an opportunity to hand out Whiskey on the Rocks and Padmé mixed Cosmopolitans.
There was no more music, people talked for a long time, after midnight the guests went to the hotel to sleep a little longer, they will see each other again in a few hours.
.
Best regards from Germany