Many young girls dream of one thing growing up, and that's to be a real princess. You know, the horse-drawn carriages, the fancy balls, beautiful gowns, tiaras, the whole shebang. But what most little girls might not realize is that being a princess isn't really all it's cracked up to be, nor are all princesses the same.

Padme Naberrie, the youngest of two daughters in her family, was a very special woman. One of the youngest queens of Naboo, having served at age 14, and an exceptional senator in the Republic Senate; to say she was talented would be an understatement. Padme was very intelligent, a skilled fighter, extremely compassionate, and beautiful too. Every man in the galaxy was practically demanding to take her out, dreaming of having her hand in marriage. But, only one man was lucky enough to get a ring on her finger.

Anakin Skywalker was his name. A little boy when he first met Padme, somehow he just knew that beautiful fourteen-year-old girl was his future wife.

But, Anakin was to become a Jedi, which meant he was forbidden from marrying her. That didn't stop him from getting on one knee and asking her to marry him in secret.

A secret marriage though, was far from easy. So, when the time came where the Jedi Council decided it was time to make some changes to the Order, Anakin was happily surprised with the news that one of those changes would be abolishing the rules forbidding marriages. But, the way it would be with the rest fo the galaxy was another story. Then, Anakin had an idea of how he was going to ultimately show Padme how much he loved her.

Anakin decided he was going to re-marry his wife, and this time do it right with a real wedding with their friends and family there. But first, he was going to give her a do-over proposal. The first time he'd done so, he didn't have a ring to give her. He offered Roya money to design and make an engagement ring for Padme, but she instead asked that he convince his bride to let her design the wedding dress. Roya was on the verge of starting her own fashion business, and wedding dresses were no exception to the things she designed, and if a senator like Padme wore one of her designs, it would make a huge difference in the growth of her business.

"I'll see what I can do." Anakin had said.

The proposal was a huge success too. Padme was happily surprised by the lovely ring, and she didn't hesitate to publicly lean in and kiss her husband. For once, she wasn't worried about reporters getting pictures of her and Anakin kissing because this time, that was one kiss that sealed the day everything began changing for both of them.

The couple went all-out in planning their nuptials that would include their friends and family from the perfect invitations to the cake, the rings, everything every bride and groom could want for their dream wedding. Of course, it felt good that their baby was involved in it too. It was Gabby's idea to paint little flowers on the invitations; she was going through a phase of drawing little flowers on pretty much every work of art then, and showering them with glitter sparkles. They had tons of help from their other friends too.

Their pegasus friend Strawberry Sundae proved herself to have a great future as a baker and cake designer with the beautiful and delicious cake she created for their wedding; it felt like a crime to bite into that marvelous creation. But, with word going about how great their cake was, it definitely helped in getting investors interested when she decided to start her own sweet shop, and it was even better when she got matched with Master Windu, and they went into it together. Since Mace was good at precision and such, he was helpful in hiring the best candidates and finding th emost reliable droids to help out so he and Strawberry would have time for their families.

Wysteria was no amateur when it came to flowers; she took gardening very seriously, and making sure each set of flowers had the perfect pot. She didn't even cut the flowers that were in the vases at the reception; she found a way to make them into vases that doubled as flower pots, and put those flowers in at the roots so that they would last for a long time. Plus, they made great party favors. Padme even still had one that she placed in the palace garden for her and Anakin to enjoy and remember that special day forever.

And their adopted son's now-girlfriend Roya really outdid herself with her designs of the wedding rings, the bridesmaids' dresses, the maid of honor dress, the ring bearer and flower girls' outfits, the groom and groomsmen's suits, and especially the bride's wedding dress. Roya stacked quite a pile of orders for her to design royals' and senator's suits and dresses for themselves and their children for all kinds of occasions. Birthdays, school dances, conferences, you name it, Roya made an outfit for it. Roya made sure to include her new business card in the card on her family's wedding present for the couple if they ever wanted a new design for any occasion, and you can bet they called her for all kinds of occasions whether is was a christening, a birthday, or simply wanting to reward their kids.

Some time after the planning was all done...

"You may kiss the bride," said the preacher.

Anakin's heart exploded with happiness as he and Padme kissed up at the altar, and this time in front of everyone they knew and loved, and all over the news that they'd declared their love for one another.

Padme pulled Anakin closer and closer as they kissed. Since her childhood she'd dreamed of her wedding day being just like this; the beautiful white dress, the music, the beautiful flowers, the whole shebang. But, what she really cared about most was this moment, being with the man she loved and who out of billions of women in the entire galaxy, he chose her and he loved her. And here she was, up at the altar with him, kissing him, holding him close in front of their friends and family.

When they finally pulled apart, Padme could only look into Anakin's eyes with no other expression than love.

"I love you, Ani." she smiled lovingly. She fluttered her lashes at him.

To Anakin, he knew that was usually Padme's way of saying, "Don't stop kissing me now." So, Anakin did what he felt was the only logical thing and caressed his wife's cheek in his hand.

"I love you, Padme. My angel." And he kissed her again.

And they kissed the whole way to the reception, and when they rode in the limo to their honeymoon. The driver had to call them three times just to get their attention.

Five years later...

Anakin felt like he was in Heaven as Padme lay on top of him and they were just kissing like there was no tomorrow.

It was early in the morning one summer weekend. Anakin and Padme woke up to see each other's faces; their favorite way to wake up. They would typically greet each other with a good morning kiss, but that usual single kiss turned into a bunch, and Anakin wrapped his arms around his beautiful wife and pulled her closer into a passionate makeout session.

Being parents of five, they didn't have quite as much time for just the two of them as they did when they had just one or two kids. But, they didn't mind; they made the most of it, and the children, they were just another blessing that came from their marriage.

Usually, by now they were woken up by the babies or the big kids making noise. But, their children were visiting Padme's parents, which left these two with a little more time alone to themselves.

"I can't remember a time I've ever felt happier." Anakin said, running his fingers through Padme's beautiful hair. It was even softer than the pretty blue silk nightgown she wore. And to Anakin, she was the only woman who made a night gown look good day or night, and somehow she never had a bad hair day even when she just woke up. But, Padme could wear a burlap sack and she'd still be the most beautiful woman in the galaxy to Anakin.

"Five years, almost to the day." Padme smiled, kissing Anakin once more. "The day we said 'I do' and kissed as husband and wife for the first time."

"Hmm, I think I remember that kiss. How did it go again?" Anakin joked. And Padme kissed him again.

A little later, Anakin and Padme were together in the garden where they sat at a bench near some milla flowers and roses Anakin grew with his powers.

Anakin liked that he'd finally gotten the hang of his magic, especially since he could use it to show just how much his love for Padme was growing and growing every single day.

Padme and Anakin kissed again as more roses started to blossom and come together to form into a big heart.

Their fifth wedding anniversary was just around the corner, and the couple was going to celebrate in a special way.

Anakin was working on a very special present for his bride. According to tradition, wood was the gift to give on the fifth wedding anniversary.

When Anakin was a boy, the first present he ever gave Padme was a japor snippet, a charm of good fortune. But this year, he was carving a little wooden bird for his wife. Padme loved the birds, especially blue jays. He wanted to make sure it was perfect, so when he was done with it, he asked his daughter Gabby to perform a special mission for him.

"Take good care of this bird, Gabby." Anakin said. "It's very special, and important that your mother doesn't find out about it until it's time to exchange our anniversary gifts."

"I won't let you down, Daddy." Gabby saluted.

Gabby was making something too. Something special for everyone. Not only did the wedding anniversary celebrate Anakin and Padme's love and marriage, but it also celebrated the Jedi Order daring to make changes that led to something truly beautiful, and she planned to show her gift to everyone at the party.

Anakin and Padme walked outside the mall together after doing some shopping for new shoes and accessories to wear to the anniversary ball, when they were swarmed by paparazzi who had all kinds of questions and were crazy for the opportunity to get a profitable picture for the holo-net.

Being a famous couple, it took some serious effort to be able to go on dates and have them in peace for Padme and Anakin. And not surprisingly, the most desperate reporters would always wait to get a shot of them kissing. No one was able to get a shot of their kiss up at the altar, but they got plenty when they walked out of the church and kissed, which were not quite as profitable despite the adorability of when they were giving their flower girl and ring bearer some kisses too.

"Prince Anakin! Any comment on your upcoming anniversary ball?" One reporter asked.

"Have you given any thought to having more kids or adopting another?" Asked another.

"Are the rumors true that there are men who still seek your hand, Senator?"

That last question was one both Padme and Anakin did not like to hear. Admittedly, Anakin did try to not be jealous when other men looked at his wife, but he couldn't help feeling it sometimes. It didn't surprise him that men were attracted to Padme though. She was beautiful, kind, and both a wonderful mother and senator who cared very deeply about helping others. But it seemed there were thise who couldn't take a hint that she was taken. And the same went for Padme sometimes as well.

Anakin had more than a tendecy to be popular with the ladies; he was surprised that he didn't see all those girls' eyes turning into hearts when they looked at him, not that he wanted to. Any time women saw him on the news, or they "happened" to walk by when he was trying on new outfits in the store, or the event somehow they spotted him without a shirt on, they went berserk. And let's just say, if Padme had a lightsaber like her husband, she wouldn't hesitate to use it against anyone who dared to go after her man if telling them to back off wasn't enough.

But, deep down, the couple knew they had nothing to worry about. They loved each other, they stood up at the altar and gave their vows, placed a ring on each other, and sealed it with a kiss, which they continuously resealed every opportunity they got.

It took a while before Anakin and Padme finally managed to shake the paparazzi.

"Geez! Isn't there a celebrity somewhere else they can bombard?" Anakin groaned.

"The curse of being on the top ten of paparazzi bait." Padme sighed. "But, it's no curse our love can't break."

Anakin smiled as he lovingly caressed his wife's beautiful face and said, "And in many fairy tales, every curse is broken by a kiss."

And once again, Padme and Anakin were kissing, not caring if anyone if anyone got that on camera.

Of course, not everyone was happy that Padme and Anakin were married.

Initially, the Jedi were furious to learn Anakin had secretly married and hid the secret that Gabby was his daughter. But, after some time, they warmed up to the idea of marriage and having families. The way Anakin put it, having something to fight for motivated him to become a better Jedi, a better warrior, and most importantly, a better person. The old Jedi way practically prohibited emotions completely, but you can't outlaw emotions; that would be like trying to outlaw breathing, blinking your eyes, or eating when you get hungry.

But, one person in particular was definitely unhappy that Anakin won Padme's heart. One man who'd been madly in love, well more like obsessed, with Padme for a long time. Before Anakin and Padme were a couple, Padme was close to a man named Rush Clovis, who'd entered the senate the same year as her. To Padme, they were good friends, but Clovis wanted more.

Now, Clovis sat in a prison cell, facing punishment for treason against the Republic after his dealings with a corrupt banking clan during the Clone War. He felt terrible that he'd placed Padme in harm's way, but he still felt jealous of Anakin.

Padme should be my wife, and those should be my children! He thought. What does that Jedi have that I don't, besides Padme?

He asked himself that last question everyday since he was put in prison.

"I would anything to be with you, Padme. If I could only make that change to make you mine."

On this day, however, Clovis was approached by a guard who said there was a package for him.

"Odd, I wasn't expecting anything." said Clovis. "Who sent it?"

"Someone who claims to be an old friend." said the guard. He placed a little box with yellow paper and a blue bow on it.

Clovis thought maybe Padme had sent him a present.

"It's not even my birthday, is it?"

"I don't think so. Enjoy your gift." said the guard before leaving.

Clovis unwrapped the present and inside, he found something he didn't expect. Inside the box was a beautiful golden hourglass with sparkling white sand inside it. It was a beautiful trinket, but Clovis found it a little odd that someone would send him this.

"What's this?" Clovis noticed something attached to the bottom of the hourglass. A note.

Dear Clovis,

I hear tell that you wish you could have Padme Amidala as your bride.
What if I told you I could make that wish come true?

Clovis was intrigued when he read that last sentence and he kept reading.

Simply follow these instructions very carefully and exactly, and all will be well.
According to my research, all this began the night Anakin Skywalker conceived a love child
Have Padme believe that you are the father, and she will marry you.
To make this spell work, say to the hourglass, "Take me to the night Gabriella Skywalker was conceived"
Then turn the hourglass over. The rest will be up to you.
Once the deed is complete, I will come to ask you to give me something in return.
It will not be difficult, seeing as you will have everything you wanted.
But be warned, if you are not careful, and make the wrong choice at any moment,
Everything will go back to the way it was.

Sincerely, Anonymous

Of course, Clovis thought this sounded crazy. But, he decided to give it a go. What did he have to lose.

Clovis held the hourglass in both his hands and said to it, "Take me to the night Gabriella Skywalker was conceived"

And he turned the hourglass over, and as the sand fell from the top to the bottom, it started to glow, which caught the attention of the guards. But before they could do anything, they were blinded by a big white flash of light!