Washington D.C. 2011
Padmé met Sabé for lunch, as usual. They sat at Hawk 'n' Dove, eating pastrami sandwiches and drinking lemon water when Padmé couldn't take it anymore without asking.
"You weren't in such a good mood last night."
"We ended the non-relationship on Sunday. Anakin invited us a week ago, and we didn't want to spoil the evening, so we didn't cancel or say anything, but now it's official. It doesn't work, Padmé, it's no use, I broke up."
"What can I say? Gone stupid. It's a shame, it started so promisingly."
"I just don't have any luck with men. You know every single man I've been with, and you know they all had a flaw. I really think I'll never find a man who is OK...I mean no major flaws, no one is perfect...except your Lord Skywalker Perfect of Hoth, of course..." she smiled in frustration. " How is it that you have always so good luck in life?
"Why am I so lucky? You knew Palo and Rush Clovis and the few mayflies I was with. How can you name that luck?"
"You have met your Anakin, beautiful as Adonis in person, highly educated, noble, rich, great character, sensitive and he loves you. Can't you name that luck?"
"That's all true, but don't despair, Sabé, you'll find the right one."
Laurel 2011
She told Anakin about her conversation with Sabé and they both thought it was a shame. There was nothing that could be done, they brought the two together, there was nothing more they could do.
Padmé felt increasingly clumsy, her stomach was huge, no wonder she was carrying twins. Maternity leave is scheduled six weeks before the birth and eight weeks after. Accordingly, she could leave in mid-May. She wanted to talk to Anakin about it.
"Uh…Ani, it's really difficult for me now to drive to Washington and work all day. The babies are pressing on my bladder, my feet are swollen and… I… I was thinking about going on maternity leave a little earlier, for the last week of April, my last day at work would be April 22nd. I know it's unpaid, but…"
"Of course, my Angel, don't worry about the money, we have enough. I would also rather see you at home than in the car with that big belly. I'm looking forward to Easter together at home and the week after that we'll take care of setting up the baby room, OK. ?"
"I would like to celebrate Easter like in England. You say what we need, and I will get it or order it...or we have Mrs. Summers."
"I'll write down everything we need, and then we'll go shopping on Thursday next week...if you can."
"Just."
Washington D.C. 2011
They made a plan, which is what they liked to do for all their activities and purchases, and on the Thursday before Easter they went together to Washington Square for Easter decorations and then to Whole Foods Market for groceries. After shopping, Padmé wanted to go home.
"Please don't go to a restaurant, Ani, sitting is torture for me, I have to lie down, my back kills me. It's gotten so hard, I think I'm going to burst in the ninth month."
Laurel 2011
Anakin knew it would almost be like this, he felt sorry for her but he couldn't help, not effectively, he could only support her, be there for her. Actually, he suffered with her.
On Good Friday, they had homemade hot cross buns with jam and tea for breakfast, as is customary in England. Then they both drove to work.
Washington D.C. 2011
Padmé had arranged her early maternity leave, so this was her last day at work. She said goodbye to her colleagues and promised to come back sometime. She agreed with Senator Kerry to take six months of maternity leave afterwards. Because she got out earlier than planned, Senator Kerry asked her to complete some important documents and bring them to his office personally on the evening of May 1st. The committee met on Monday, May 2nd and needed these documents and would be waiting for them at the Capitol.
Laurel 2011
Anakin told her that in England it is customary to eat fish on Good Friday, so she made fish: poached salmon, spinach and potatoes, with fruit salad for dessert. On Good Friday evening, when he came home, he was surprised at how Padmé had prepared everything, and then they enjoyed dinner in wonderful togetherness. They colored the eggs together and were prepared for Easter. Anakin was already looking forward to finding Easter eggs with their twins next year. Padmé thought the twins would be able to crawl by then, or at least she wouldn't have this big belly anymore.
On Sunday Padmé got up early, she couldn't sleep, the babies were very restless. Sometimes they kicked so hard that it really hurt. She didn't say anything, but Anakin felt her pain, he was a doctor, he knew it hurt.
They didn't have much breakfast, they prepared for the nice lunch, wanted to cook together...according to English tradition there should be lamb, so they made leg of lamb studded with garlic and pepper, with mashed potatoes and cucumber salad with yogurt and garlic. For dessert, there was Eton Mess. After lunch, they sat on the couch and digested what they had eaten. In the afternoon, they spoke to Cliegg via Skype. He was in Edinburgh, so they were also able to speak to Owen and Beru. Then it was her parents and Sola's turn. Everyone was sorry that they couldn't celebrate together, but they understood that Padmé was unable to travel now.
All week long, Padmé worked on compiling and preparing materials for Senator Kerry's committee meeting. She could do this comfortably in bed and work with the laptop on her lap. She stood up often, the babies were pushing, but it was much better than if she had to sit in the office. Furthermore, she cooked a little something and when Anakin came home, they ate together. He always asked her how she was feeling, the next check-up was coming up, but it wasn't everything, he also called several times during the day. Padmé almost felt like she was being patronized. Anakin spoiled her on the weekends, ran errands and cooked...well, there was sex too, only in the spooning position and with less and less pleasure for Padmé. She was already huge, her stomach was always in the way. Anakin loved to caress and kiss her big belly. Unfortunately, he saw that there would be stretch marks on her stomach, and he knew that she would suffer from them and think how these marks had disfigured her beautiful body. But this happens to every woman who carries babies, the stretch marks won't bother him. He loved her as a whole, not her stomach, she is unique, and she would be mother of his children, not even Miss World could hold a candle to her.
By noon on Sunday, she had completed her work and was preparing to go to Washington D.C. to drive and hand it over to the senator personally. As agreed, it was strictly confidential. Anakin insisted on driving.
Washington D.C. 2011
Since he wasn't allowed into the congress, he stood as close to the check point as possible while she slowly walked up the steps. After a short time, she came back and was told that Senator Kerry was at the White House and was waiting for her there. So, Anakin drove down First St NE to Constitution Ave. NW and turned left toward the White House. He turned onto 15th St NW and stopped at the first check point. Padmé went to the guard post, he checked her ID and biometric data, she was picked up, Anakin remained waiting in the car. It took.
While Anakin sat in the car, Padmé was led to the White House. She wasn't supposed to meet the senator here, but she met him. He couldn't or didn't want to leave this room, so Padmé was led to the door, which opened a crack. It was a small room considering you're in the White House. She later learned it was the President's Situation Room. Many people were there. It was 03:30pm. She immediately recognized the president, his vice president, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, several security advisors, a general who was sitting on the laptop and somehow in contact with someone, and Senator Kerry. With a wave of his hand, he called her in. She stood next to him, while he whispered:
"I wasn't supposed to be here either, but as luck would have it, we are now witnessing a historic event."
"What do we see on the big screen?"
"Operation Neptune Spear." The Senator replied.
"I don't suspect anything good."
"The operation will make a decisive contribution to ending terrorist attacks against the USA. We are pursuing the capture of Osama bin Laden."
"The way I see this special unit, there will be no capture, they are there to kill him, right?"
"Only a few people in this room are aware of the powers of this special Seal unit, I don't."
Padmé thought there was no need to discuss how heavily armed they were...oh well. She actually didn't want to pursue it, but the senator said she should stay, she couldn't say no, that would be like a political statement, a statement against it. So, she stayed and wondered how she would cope, she had never seen anyone being executed, it wasn't Call of Duty or a crime movie, it was real. She wasn't usually a coward, but she was far from hard-nosed and now that she was pregnant, due to the ups and downs of her hormones, she was subject to emotional fluctuations. She resolved to stay tough.
Several cameras attached to the Seals' helmets broadcast live images of the operation. Everyone in the room was silent, watching the progress.
The men were seen rappelling down from the helicopter and blowing up the wall to divide themselves. A group went to the outhouse ready to enter. You heard shots and *go, go, go*, then silence. The other group was seen entering the main building...shots...a lot. All men who stood in the way, were shot. They found Bin Laden in a room with a woman and another man, probably his son. There was no time for them to react to the invading Seals; they were recognized and shot down.
"It is finished," said the general.
The Secretary of State put her hand over her mouth, and Padmé seemed to be giggling. Outrageous. Padmé knew what and how often the USA and its institutions suffered from the terrorist attacks, how many people had to lose their lives, although to be honest, she didn't see it herself, it's a question of faith...but laugh or giggle if you do watch someone die, no. Padmé pushed the laptop into the senator's hand.
"Senator, I'm afraid it's definitely too much for me. Goodbye."
Senator Kerry was left surprised. Padmé walked towards the exit as quickly as her condition would allow her. She stood outside in the fresh air, breathing in and out slowly and deeply, hoping not to vomit. She had never seen anything so terrible in her entire life, and she felt bad and was more shaken than ever before. Furthermore, she was still able to think clearly enough that she forced herself to calm down, nothing should happen to the babies. She now wanted to walk slowly to the car, sit next to her husband and cry on his shoulder for a while, it had to come out. Afterwards, she will feel better.
Anakin saw her walking across the street, got up and opened the door for her. She sat down slowly and carefully as she could, he sat down too and looked at her.
"It took you over an hour and a half..., you look terrible...Padmé...my Angel, what happened, tell me!"
She lowered the back of her seat a little and cried. "I never thought I would see anything like that. Drive home and I'll tell you."
"Tell me now…or is it that bad?"
"More than. Just take us home…please."
Anakin didn't like that. Either she was in shock or she needed time to think about what she could say about what she had experienced or heard.
"Yes, no problem…but you feel good, right? I mean, you don't have any pain or anything like that?
"No, not physically."
OMG, thought Anakin, that doesn't sound good at all, especially in her condition. He tried to get home as quickly as possible without being too fast.
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Best regards from Germany