Tuesday when Anakin was at work, Padmé left to conduct errands. Although she wasn't happy when she was back, she understood it had to happen and was important.

"I have to fly to Cleveland tomorrow morning and I return in two days. Please provide me something to wear.

"Jeans, jacket?"

Yes, I'm wearing jeans, but I don't need a jacket. Usually I take pullover and shirt."

"It will be done."

Everything was ready and set up on the bed.

"You are excellent; you haven't forgotten anything. I'm not sure what I can give you in exchange, you are a terrific lady for me and smart and gorgeous."

"Yourself exactly as you are and a baby."

"I'll do it, I swear...right now?"

"You only think about sex."

"No sex, no baby."

"We did, however, agree that I would't stop taking the pill until after the wedding.

"Uh... and why not right now?"

"I don't want people to assume that our marriage was required because I was pregnant."

"That is absurd. Why should we care about what people think or say? We both know what we want, so we go after it."

"You're correct, but after the wedding, that's how we handle things."

"Your choice, Angel. A month sooner or later doesn't matter. I honestly don't know how..."

"What?"

"How I'll survive without you for two days."

"You will be occupied all day."

"But that night will probably be a nightmare."

"As well for me. Since we have been together nonstop for the past two months, Ani, we must learn to expect similar apart in the future, maybe for longer periods of time."

"Please stop using the word apart it has such an unpleasant aftertaste."

Even though they didn't want to, it sometimes only took a small amount to trigger such upsetting memories, and because their happiness was so new and emotionally fragile at the moment, they still subconsciously worried losing it.

"OK, no aftertaste, we're doing phone sex."

"Wow, Angel did you make it yet?

"I didn't have anybody with whom I couldn't spend a night without having sex, did you?"

"No."

They weren't teens anymore, so he grinned, wondering whether she truly wanted to do it, but the concept had already enticed him. He'll surely give her a call. He made fun of himself.

She drove him to Logan International the following morning. He had leased a little Piston plane just for him, which was waiting there. He will be in Cleveland in three and a half hours.

"I'll be back at Logan tomorrow at 9:30 p.m.; will you be waiting for me?"

"Impatiently." Kiss.

"I'll miss you." Kiss.

"I'll miss you, too. Do whatever you set out to do, my genius, and I wish you luck.

"Am I ?"

"Yes, you are; one day, the whole world will know you."

He kissed her deeply before walking to the gate. She watched him until he rounded the corner, at which point she left to go home.

She was now alone in the apartment she loved so much. Then she suddenly felt helpless. She was unable to complete what she had planned. She felt sick. What happens if he doesn't return, and the plane crashes? What a ridiculous idea, she scolded herself. She felt that way for the past seven years. He wasn't around. What had been going on with her? She realized that she could not and would not survive without him at this point. She only needs to push herself to realize that due to his profession, she will have to go without him for a few days. She said to herself, "I can do that." She grabbed a glass from the kitchen cabinet, filled it close to the brim with whiskey, and set it next to the ice machine. She took a good sip and entered the living space. She cried as she sat on the sofa. Only two days and one night without him, it can't be that horrible. Fear of being lost. He's performing his work and needs to finish this dissertation, so he will not leave her. Yes, everything is evident, but he isn't around. The effects of Corona are now resurfacing. Yes, only with Anakin can she feel like everything is fine. Was everything ok? Call Sola, shake your heart?

*Hi sister.*

*Hello, sis. How are you? You sound extremely upset."

*I've been without Anakin for two days and I'm freaking out here.*

*Why, are you all right?*

*Yes, but I'm alone here; he's not here.*

*Where is he?*

*He has to go to NASA in Cleveland due of his dissertation.*

*You knew he had to do it, and that's why it's reasonable. However, aren't you afraid of losing him?*

*Yes.*

*Padmé, stop acting so immaturely. He must complete this; he must accomplish it. Logic dictates that he cannot remain at your side constantly. When he returns to you, everything will be back to normal. Pull yourself together, please. You are aware of my support, but this time your worries are unfounded and irrational and you are aware of this.*

*I know it.*

*Complete all of the tasks you set out to complete today, go to bed, and dream about him, he'll be back soon.*

*I overreacted, you're right about everything. Thanks. I can't wait for all of you to arrive. Till then, let's chat, bye.*

*Bye.*

As she sat there, Padmé analyzed her condition. Do these Corona effects still exist? Maybe; if Anakin isn't there, then everything comes out. When Anakin gets home, everything would be OK since she still had the intelligence to gather herself, as Sola had said. So…

Before they fly to Acapulco, she sat down and wrote lists of the things she needed to get done and buy. Indeed, fly. She picked up her laptop and researched the price of a charter flight. Acapulco, about $100,000 for the trip there and back, but without Corona. She knew Anakin had money, but he had spent a lot of it since they live together. She didn't feel comfortable with it. When he returns, she will need to discuss the matter with him.

She rummaged through her wardrobe and decided she didn't need to purchase as many gowns since she would be wearing bikinis and swimming trunks practically constantly. She grinned at the idea, knowing she wouldn't need her nightgown. Her Anakin... He was gorgeous; in fact, he seemed much more handsome now, he was a man.

After then, her iPhone rang.

*What are you doing, Angel?*

*Missing you, what are you up to?*

*I had been irritated all day.*

*Why?*

*This is not going as it should to. There was never a test run that went smoothly, there was always the same error. I'll have to reprogramme and conduct the whole series of tests again. Angel, it's going to take longer than expected. I intend to arrive late on Friday night.*

*I'm really sorry things didn't work out, Ani. It must be important, I think.*

*It is, indeed. I would have to develop a new program and run it again if it ran improperly again. I would have to postpone doing it until after the wedding since I wouldn't be able to do it in time, but I don't want to think about it again, dammit.*

*Shit, but keep your optimism because you're a genius, I know you'll find the error and fix it.

*Obviously not.*

*You are, indeed. We're not together, and that's the problem. I have things to do around here, but even so, I still think about you at night,* she chuckled.

*I'm in no better shape either. You are deeply missing, Angel.*

*Call me again the next day, my blue macaw, I need to hear at least your voice.

*I-love-you," imitating a parrot. "Do macaws really talk?*

She responded in the same way, "I-love-you-too," and chuckled.*Yes, they can.

Bye, I'll call you tomorrow.*

*Bye my love.*

He shouldn't have known that she was about to cry as she cut off the connection. He won't be back tomorrow. Damned. She won't cry now, though, since he's only doing his work or what needs to be done in order to perform his job later, he's not out of this world. Still shit. She entered the kitchen, took a glass and a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet, filled the glass halfway, and then took a sip. Now that he's absent, are you going to start drinking? She asked herself. No. She poured the rest of the glass into the sink. Padmé, pull yourself together, she thought.

Recently, everything has been going quite well. They reconnected, and this time their relationship was stronger than ever. They didn't want to lose each other or split up, not even for a second. But it wasn't real life, was it? She had, in a sense, been living in a bubble for the last two months. She had to seriously learn about the other aspects of life in the past, even if it was her own responsibility. She had to face life, determined, no matter what, so does Anakin. Then she thought if it could be that Anakin has a strong character, more determined than her She's been adept at putting her mask and playing a powerful woman for the last eight or almost eight years, despite the fact that it was not who she really was. She thought that Anakin is stronger, but it wasn't quite that way.

Without her, he was helpless and in need of help. The lonely years he lived after indolence. Everything proceeded according to plan and without any issues...externally, except the arm tragedy and the end of my professional career. Nobody, including Padmé, knew what he was feeling on the inside. They were together now, and they both needed to play to their own advantages to ensure the partnership's long-term success.

Padmé made it her goal to support him in whatever way she could; he had to finish as soon as possible. It will take more than 10 minutes for them to plan their life if they both want to have a child. By the end of the year, she thought he would graduate, and then shortly after that, the baby would come, and... and... and... They need to talk about it and find a solution together right away since they will soon become a strong team and lifelong partners.

With that determination, she got through the week doing everything she could on her own and going above and above what she had pledged to do for the Order.

She remained in front of the sliding glass door that was used by passengers from private jets on Friday at 9:30 p.m.

With one hand, Anakin pulled his suitcase while firmly gripping the bag with his MacBook. When he saw her, he lifted the MacBook case and shouted loudly: "Angel, I have everything, all results, everything here." He approached her in a matter of seconds, left the suitcase and gave her a strong hug. "Padme, I have missed you so much."

"And you have no idea how much I missed you. I'm overjoyed that you're back."

"I agree, let's get home right away."

"Should I still observe the traffic rules, Ani?"

They chuckled as they rushed out the door and into the parking lot. She drove home as fast as she could….and was allowed.

"I made the stew, which is your favorite dish."

"I think, the stew can wait." He smiled.

.

Best regards from Germany