"You look… beautiful." Anakin stood in her doorway, staring at her in awe and his compliment made her weak at the knees. Padme knew she wasn't unattractive, and she had certainly put in a lot of effort to look pretty. Her brown curls were pinned back elegantly with a dragonfly clip at the back of her head, tumbling over her shoulder in glossy waves. She had chosen a flowy blue dress, with a lace neck and sleeve that swirled around her knees prettily when she walked. On her feet were a pair of cream ballet flats. Yes, she looked pretty, she had to admit. But the way Anakin was staring at her made her feel as though she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
"You look pretty handsome yourself." He did. His black slacks and crisp white shirt clung to his long, lean frame, emphasising how tall he was. He had tamed his hair, still restrained in a small ponytail, but strands no longer hung waywardly in front of his eyes. The slender, charcoal tie that reached just above his belt buckle was crooked, and Padme reached out with delicate fingers, straightening the Windsor knot and readjusting it. The smell of his cologne was intoxicating. He grinned at her as she pulled back, as a form of thank you.
"We'd better go," he said. He took her by the hand and out to where a black sedan was parked in front of her driveway. She sighed in relief that they were actually travelling under the protection of a roof; for it took far too long to style her hair and she didn't want all that effort to go to waste.
A driver got out, and opened the door for the two of them. As she slid across the leather seats, she felt Anakin's hand resting on the small of her back, guiding her. The act made her question her initial thoughts about Anakin. Sure, he might have had several sexual partners and never really had a serious relationship, but he was sweet, as least, he was around her. That was enough.
They sat next to each other in a comfortable silence. Anakin's legs were so long that he looked quite ridiculous with his knees drawn up high. His fingers tapped an indiscernible rhythm against her leg, but the other reached for her hand, closing around it with grateful softness. He was nervous, Padme could tell. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and was rewarded with one of those lovely, genuine smiles that her heart ache. All she wanted was for this boy to be happy.
The wedding was held in a small, quaint looking church, with a delicate garden out the back for the reception. It was a beautiful venue, intimate but still lovely; the path to the ornate wooden doors lined with rosebushes and it gave the whole thing an antique, yet elegant feel. People were already filing into the church to take their seats. Padme saw Ahsoka standing with Obi-Wan, looking cute in a red dress and black, heeled boots, the latter dapper in his cream suit, making the red of his hair and beard more prominent. There was another woman on his arm, a tall, slender woman with a pointed chin, fair blonde hair and a regal, straight nose. She was beautiful.
Anakin lead her over to them, nudging Ahsoka in the arm playfully.
"You don't scrub up too bad, Snips," he told her with a sly grin. "Shame you can't hide the scabs on your knees."
"I'll give you scabs on the knees, Skyguy," she growled at him, causing him to roar with laughter, a hearty, chest rumbling laughter that was reserved purely for Ahsoka.
"Obi-Wan," Padme reached out to take his hand in a greeting, ignoring Anakin and his young friend, leaving them to their bickering.
"It's lovely to see you again, Padme," he said kindly, before gesturing to the woman beside him. "This is Dr. Satine Kryze. She's been a – a friend of mine for many years."
Satine smiled fondly at him. "Oh, Obi," she chided, her voice coated in a slight British lilt. "There's no need to be so modest." Offering out a slender, pale hand, she turned her light blue eyes on Padme. Everything about Satine was fair, she had an old world beauty about her, a sort of regal elegance that was uncommon amongst most women. Padme gleaned that she and Obi-Wan were more than just friends, but he was far too conservative to say so. "It's a pleasure to meet you, my dear."
