August 9, 2013
A/N:
Greetings! 8D
So many thanks for your reading!
To the reviewers since last update: Shilo Thaniana, ILDV, Jedi Master Misty Sman-Esay, Eldar-Melda, froovygirl, JourneyRocks13, LadyMarrisaGarmadon, Jaspreet, Guest, Alexa Skywalker, Haley Renee, Jassie, phhsdj, AnakinlovesPadme, Mireilles3, and Jasssssss! Thank you so much! No words can tell you how much I appretiate your words! :D
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Here is *drum-roll*, Chapter 16: Belong. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 16: Belong
'Brace for impact… keep your breathing steady… don't flinch… don't even blink,' Anakin prepared himself for reactions.
He needed to be strong and make sure his desperation for their approval wasn't observable.
Since a warrior, how he prepared might be too much, or perhaps too little…
Each second Anakin and Padme stood there felt like hours. In actual time however, the no longer secret family was just registering the sentence told seconds earlier.
Their eyes shifted from Padme, to her newly confessed husband: Anakin Skywalker.
General Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker—his title was an impressive mouthful. Throughout his short lifetime, he became legendary; the face of the Clone Wars, bold and fearless, full of charisma and charity.
"Married?" Ruwee said while he choked on his beverage. He hit his chest a few times as he stared at the now known couple.
Padme's smile stretched ear to ear, "Yes dad, married."
Ruwee studied the man his youngest daughter had chosen.
He was a good man: intelligent, well-mannered and hardworking.
But, he'd taken his daughter without a word.
Skywalker wasn't here asking for Padme's hand in marriage or a blessing. He was here with Padme, and her—their twins, revealing a secret that not only had they had children together, but had married each other—engaged in two most sacred bonds without his consent or knowledge.
It hurt, and he was offended. He didn't know much of this thief, only what holo-news exaggerated with lavish drama and the little he's observed first hand.
"Since when?!" Sola gaped, flustered she hadn't discovered this marriage.
Padme's finger tips twitched, "Since the beginning of the Clone Wars."
Years, they've been married for years..!
Sola was dumbfounded, "That long?!"
Her younger sister nodded.
"Why the secrets?" Darren specifically asked his brother-in-law.
'Here goes...' Skywalker prepared.
"Jedi live a life of celibacy," Anakin replied, "We live with a code which forbids attachments."
Ruwee frowned, "And why did you break it?"
He looked strait into the older man's eyes, "I love you daughter very much, Sir, and can't live without her. I'd rather lose my status as a Jedi than Padme."
"You mean the Order would expell you if they knew?" Jobal pondered. What a ridiculous rule to live by!
"Yes," he answered solemnly.
The crowd went silent after hearing these words- too quiet for Anakin's comfort.
Padme squeezed his hand tighter, which eased his tension.
"Tell us about yourselves," Sola said gleefully, breaking the silence.
Padme fussed in her seat, "It will take a while to," she warned.
"We have time," Jobal said, not too surprise with this revelation.
'We'll do this together, Angel,' Skywalker told her through their bond.
'Together,' she hoped she replied.
After some shared glances between everyone, Padme and Anakin decided to sit down on a couch. All bodies turned to face them. Their curiosity, among other emotions, getting the better of them.
Everyone there was quite familiar with Anakin's heroic history over a decade earlier, in how he saved not only Padme—twice, but the entire planet. He fired the torpedo which destroyed the Separatists' Battle Droid Control Station. The control center's destruction had a chain event, which deactivated every single droid that seized Naboo.
Not only did he achieve the act, but he was a youthful nine year old when he did.
Padme and Anakin began their story. Stories told with adoring gazes and caring banters, of course.
Their history was more like a fairy tale. Ten years after last seeing each other, they magically re-meet. He saved her life, again… and they ended up on Naboo.
The family met Anakin there. They had suspected something romantic between them, but Padme denied their accusations.
'How ironic…' Sola mused.
Padme's hiding became more reclusive once at the Lake Retreat. The couple's feelings only grew stronger in such tender isolation.
They skipped over Tatooine's grief and shame gilded trip, and moved to Geonosis...
The thunder of screeches from bug like creatures echoed through the dusty area Anakin and Padme were held in. They screamed for their blood, for their deaths.
Anakin, shamed by failing to protect them from this, softly gazed at the Angel that will never be his. "Don't be afraid," he calmly stated. Determined to get her out alive, even if it took his life in the process.
Padme met his gaze. Her endless strength and bravery shined through her dark brown eyes, "I'm not afraid to die," she whispered, "I've been dying a little bit each day since you came back into my life."
Frightened and confused, Skywalker tried to keep a composed face, "What are you talking about?"
"I love you," she quietly, yet strongly, stated.
He believed he'd heard her wrong, but hope took over, "You love me?!" he controlled himself again; "I thought we decided not to fall in love. That we would be forced to live a lie. That it would destroy our lives," he reminded her, pained with every word.
Amidala wouldn't hear of it, "I think our lives are about to be destroyed anyway," she said. "My love for you is confusing, Ani, and I have no answers. I can't control it... and now I no longer care or want it to go away," as she poured out her true feelings, fires of determination spread throughout them both. Death has met its match today.
He couldn't control his smile as he tried to inch himself closer to her. Now, it's time to pour his heart out, "I have no desire to be cured of this love either. Long or short, I vow to spend the rest of my life with you."
Padme's heart pounded with his eternal pledge. She took a breath, more wanting and more encouraged to allow the once torturous feelings to speak, "I truly, deeply... love you- and before we die I want you to know."
Their bodies though bound and immobilized, reached for each other with leans. Padme started the kiss. Anakin happily accepted it and her heart.
More will and power filled them as the chariot drew them into an execution arena. An execution arena that was never stained with their blood…
Enchanted by their 'true' beginning, the Naberries stayed consumed by every word.
"After we returned to Naboo, we married with the droids," Padme gestured to R2 and C3PO, "as witnesses—"
"Do you have a holo-picture of it?" Jobal eagerly asked before her daughter could continue. Perhaps, with the droids they'd have a recording.
They both smiled, "Yes," Anakin confirmed. He summoned R2, "Play our wedding, R2."
The loyal droid obeyed his master, quite accustomed to relaying this specific file. One of his keeper's favorite.
A 3D blue projection appeared on the floor.
Padme was stunning, covered in a white laced gown. The gown was familiar to all; each female watching had worn it for their weddings, following a Naboo custom.
Skywalker had a very short haircut, and looked so much younger. The endless battles and wars he was thrust into quickly aged his soul.
It amused to see how nervous he was, even with the small recording— and the beads of sweat gathered on his face. But every word he said was deeply meant, every vow taken so seriously, so carefully.
After some time, they were husband and wife, and shared their first kiss as such...
The recording faded away, and the members remained silent for several minutes digesting all the new material.
All Naberrie eyes were moist.
They looked at the couple to encourage them to continue with their story.
Anakin and Padme happily did so. With each word spoken, their love jumped and beamed through their eyes.
They gave endless stories and hardships about the Clone Wars, until they reached when they were recently reunited after five painful months of separation…
An eventful day was coming to a close. Skywalker walked through the Senate Building, trying his best to keep the longing for a certain Senator invisible.
Hope sparked within him once he saw C3PO. Surely, if he was here she would be also. He ignored Viceroy Bail Organa, and scanned his surroundings. He sensed his wife. His heart literally skipped a beat once he saw her. His excitement was barely held in.
Padme followed her husband. She weaved through the shadows, unable to control herself.
"…I'll do everything I can with the Senate," Organa finished something Skywalker was oblivious to.
Anakin tried to act like he was listening, but wanted to quickly go to her, "Excuse me," he rushed with a hand gesture for a pause.
Bail courteously took the hint, unaware of the urgency, "Certainly." He soon continued to the herd of politicians ahead of him.
Skywalker's feet ran on, though he wasn't really controlling them. The joy he felt literally immeasurable.
She was everything good in his life. Everything safe, kind, and beautiful.
The hollow in his chest began to disappear. The emptiness only she can fill.
He can't explain it, but somehow she is a part of him, of his very soul. Somehow he had survived five long months without her… Somehow.
They strongly embraced with the gracious spin he traditionally gave her.
They soon, after he gently let her down, greeted each other with a kiss. A far too delayed kiss.
"Oh, Anakin! Thank goodness you're back," she moaned. The weights that lifted off her shoulder the second he held her were countless.
He, quite accustomed to her wonderful height, bent himself to look her in the eyes, "I missed you, Padme. I've missed you so," he whispered, filling any space left between them.
She lost herself in thought, "There were whispers, that you'd been killed. I've been living with unbearable dread."
Padme was acting as if he wasn't even here! "I'm back, I'm all right." He took her softly by the shoulders and kindly squeezed for a reminder. He noticed they were very tense; he'll have to fix that tonight…
"It feels like we've been apart for a lifetime. And it might have been if the Chancellor hadn't been kidnapped. I don't think they would have ever brought us back from the Outer Rim sieges," he moved in for another taste.
It took all of her control but, she stepped away, "Wait, not here."
Possessive hands held her, she wasn't going anywhere; he needed her too much, "Yes, here! I'm tired of all this deception. I don't care if they know we're married…" he moved in again, she dodged again. Though frustrated, he wasn't about to do anything she didn't want.
Her face got serious, a face he knew all too well. "Anakin, don't say things like that. You're important to the Republic, to ending this war. I love you more than anything, but I won't let you give up your life as a Jedi for me."
Anakin took a moment to feel out her emotions and shift through her words. He too became very serious, "I've given my life to the Jedi order, but I'd only give up my life, for you."
She blushed as butterflies flapped away. Just his words made her body go crazy. A smile, no more miss serious; that is what he was looking for! "I wouldn't like that. I wouldn't like that one bit," she teased.
He closed in on her; she knew that mischievous look in his eyes, "Patience, my handsome Jedi. Come to me later."
She tried to walk away, but he gently caged her in his arms. He felt she needed him just as much as he did her. And no sooner did she want to leave than he did.
Though he was playful and enjoying this gently game, he soon felt something was amiss.
Her body shook—trembled. "Are you all right? You're trembling," he became very worried, frightened even. This wasn't like her at all, "What's going on?"
Amidala tried to brush it off, not wanting to get into this conversation, "I'm just excited to see you."
He didn't buy the glossed smile for a moment, "That's not it. I sense," he closed his eyes and searched her body. Many things were going on within her, things he's never felt in her before. "…more. What is it?"
A Jedi husband could be a pain sometimes, "Nothing… nothing…"
He didn't like the game she was playing. Something was wrong, and she wasn't letting him know what. "You're frightened," what was she so scared of?! Him?! "Tell me what's going on!"
She felt her prudently built wall crumble brick by brick. How she has had to carry this burden alone. The tarries her body has gone through these last five months. The exhaustion that wearied her every fiber.
Padme can't hold herself together, not around him. She used the shelter of his cradling chest and began to weep. His arms cascaded her offering comfort and protection, "You've been gone five months, it's been very hard for me." She took a deep breath, "I've never felt so alone," no words could she find to tell him—that they were going to have a baby.
The sorrow and loneliness that emanated from Padme broke his heart, "Oh Angel," what could he say to make it better? Whatever 'it' was.
She nestled into his benevolent embrace further. "Hold me," she surprised herself by saying.
He swore he heard her say something, but it was so quiet… His grip tightened and his mouth met her hair, "I love you, Padme…" the only words he could offer her. They weren't enough, not in his mind, but it was something he could offer: love.
Courage, his love brought her courage. She stepped away, drying her tears, "Something wonderful has happened."
He waited, surprised by the word 'wonderful'.
'What's so wonderful if it terrifies you and makes you cry?' he doubted.
"I'm… Ani, I'm pregnant."
Stunned, shocked, overwhelmed, none of these words came close to what Skywalker's emotions scrambled through. In mere seconds, worries and logistics took root.
Hide a baby? Impossible.
Expelled from the Jedi Order? Highly possible.
But a baby? They're going to have a baby?! He was going to be a father! This is a miracle! He wanted to jump for joy, but had to find a way to contain it.
Oh, wait, she stared at him expectantly—she needed an answer. "That's," his mouth was dry, "that's wonderful."
Padme wasn't too convinced. "What are we going to do?"
His face warmed as he smiled, "We're not going to worry about anything right now, all right? This is a happy moment." He looked her straight in the eyes, "The happiest moment of my life."
Now, now she was convinced…
The hours of stories had finally passed. The finale was a skim through of what had just recently occurred.
Darren reached over and grabbed Anakin's shoulder. "Welcome to the family," he said with a smile. "Finally, another male!" he joked, which eased everyone in the room.
Jobal went in front of her new son-in-law, and beckoned him to stand. He did, sensing her actions were out of—love.
Before he knew it, he was captured tight in the embrace of a mother. It almost brought him to tears.
"Glad to have you in the family," she softly told him.
He gently returned the embrace, feeling that somehow an ache in his heart vanished. An ache that had been present for far too long.
After Jobal released Skywalker, Sola repeated the same act. "I knew it would be you," she said.
Ruwee concluded: Anakin was not a good man, but a great man.
He had protected Padme from countless deaths, appreciated her every breath, loved her, fought for her, made her smile, made her feel safe, sacrificed everything for her.
Ruwee could see she was his very breath.
He could accept this man.
Ruwee stood, "No one can ever be good enough for my daughter," his tone was harsh. He looked at Padme's eyes. The love she held for this Jedi boundless. He realized then, this was the moment. The moment he had to let his baby go-
He looked at Skywalker, who seemed nervous, much to Ruwee's amusement. He figured he'd give Skywalker the same lecture Darren received, "And if you ever hurt my baby girl," his eyes darkened, only adding to the younger's man discomfort, "You'll wish death was your fate."
Anakin feared he'd made an enemy with his father-in-law, for his emotions were a mixture, and not a good one.
But, wasn't it obvious Anakin wouldn't harm her? That he loved her too much to do so? He'd rather burn alive than lay a hand on her heart, or body, in anger.
'Can you blame him, though? What if it was Leia?' A knot formed in Skywalker's stomach. A very big knot.
Suddenly, the older man's eyes softened, "Welcome to the family, son."
A/N:
And there it is! So, *le tear* much love! :')
Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
I would love to hear you thoughts!
Side note (encase you wanted to know :) I am so sorry for this delay. I literally went through 10 different versions of this chapter, none of which felt right.
During these re-writes, I re-watched scenes from the movies for hours, trying to get a grasp of what this should feel like. I read through AofC and RotS's scripts to acquire the dialog. Also, anyone who knows me has been interview (*cough* interrogated *cough*) with questions about what their reactions would be in this kind of scenario.
So, finally, after much: trial, error, tears, rage, and joy this chapter was finally finished! :D
Also, there were changes in original/deleted dialog. Mainly, from the "Happy Reunion" scene. I personally didn't like how that one panned out... and therefore messed with it :) This was not done to offend, annoy, or upset anybody, and I hope it hasn't.
I am really satisfied with how this turned out, and hope you enjoyed it.
Love ya!
Heaven's Prayers
Have fun, be good, thank you!
And God Bless 8D