I wake to Anakin's warm body beside mine. We get so few of these moments together. I do not wake him but lie watching his slow breathing for a while. He, too, is concerned that I work too much. It seems that everyone is, except the war. I do not fight in the field as my husband does, but the Senate has a great deal to do with the conflict. Sometimes I wish I could forget about it all, just for a little while. But I fear that my resting may cost lives.
Anakin asked me last night about all my political duties, about how well my handmaidens are looking after me. I didn't mention the late period. There is nothing to mention. He has enough to worry about without an entirely hypothetical complicating factor.
A message flashes on my data pad from Esmé. "I have cancelled this morning's appointments, Milady, in honour of our esteemed guest. Rest well."
Anakin stirs and half-opens groggy eyelids. "Did you know you are incredibly beautiful?" he slurs.
I smile stupidly. "You've told me once or twice."
"What are you doing with that data pad? It's way too early to be working."
"Don't worry, Ani. It's just Esmé, and she's cleared my schedule for this morning. The data pad goes away right now." I tuck the device into a bedside drawer.
He shuffles closer to me in the bed and runs a hand along my arm as he once did on Naboo. "You need to take a break. More than one day off." His hand finds its way to my back, my shoulders, my hair. I lean in and kiss him deeply.
"I'm coming with you," I tell him.
"What?"
"To Tatooine. I've decided. Dormé will find some narrative to fabricate about my taking a brief Sabbatical or visiting my family. I will send off my amendments to the bill this afternoon and trust that Bail and Mon can handle them without me."
He pulls me into a tight embrace. "Are you sure? I can't guarantee it's safe. Well beyond Republic control."
"I'm sure. I'll have my Jedi protector by my side the whole time. This is important. Your mum is important."
The shadow returns to his eyes as he is reminded why it is we are going to Tatooine.
"Hey." I smooth his unruly hair away from his face. "We will find her, and we will do what we can."