Clone Wars

Naboo

"We're almost there", said Anakin pushing some buttons. Padme looked up from her book she was reading and smiled, her true smile. It had been awhile since she had smiled like that and he grinned back. "I'll be glad to see everyone", Padme said. Anakin set the ship down and then they walked to her parent's house. Before they could knock Ryoo and Poojah came running out almost knocking them over. "Ryoo! Poojah! It's so good to see you", Padme said hugging them both. They walked into the house and Ryoo shouted, "Mom, Auntie Padme is here." Sola came out a moment later seeing Padme she rushed to her and gave her a long hug. "Sis, it's so good to have you home!" "I'm glad too", Padme said smiling. They parted and Sola noticing Anakin, "Anakin good to see you too." Anakin smiled, "Always a pleasure." "Come on you two, mom is in the kitchen." The walked into the kitchen which smelled of roast beef and bread. Anakin felt a feeling of family and love in the house, something he had never had much of when he was at the temple. "Padme!", said Jobal who embraced her daughter in a hug. "It's good to be home mom." "Anakin", Jobal said with a smile. "Glad to you were able to come." "Me too Mrs. Naberrie." "Where's dad mom?", Padme asked. "Outside in the garden as usual." "I can go find him", volunteered Anakin. "Oh would you Anakin? Tell him dinner's ready." Anakin wandered outside and found Ruwee digging in the garden. "Anakin! Good to see you!", said Ruwee standing up. They shook hands and headed inside. As they were walking in Anakin asked, "Mr. Naberrie, do you think you could someday teach me how to grow a garden? I would like to make one for Padme someday." "Call me Ruwee son and of course I'll teach you." Anakin grinned and they headed inside. After more hugs and greetings they sat down for dinner. 

After dinner Jobal started to clear the dishes. "Mrs. Naberrie, would you like help with the dishes?", asked Anakin. "Thank you Anakin, I could use the help." "I'll be outside Anakin", said Padme going to the door. After helping with the dishes Anakin went outside to look for Padme. He finally found her sitting under the willow tree in the garden. "May I come in?" "Of course", she scooted over to make room. "This is where I would go to think and write in my diary when I was little." "So that's what that book was that you were writing in and didn't want me to read." "It's kind of private Ani." "Well I'll never read it unless you want me too." Padme smiled up at him and leaned into him pressing her hand into his prosthetic one. They sat like that for awhile watching the stars come out. After they visited with Padme's family for the rest of the night. That night they laid quietly together in the peacefulness until Anakin broke the silence. "I love you Padme." "I love you too Ani." She moved closer and soon they both were fast asleep.

The next morning Padme woke up before Anakin. She got up and dressed and then went to the kitchen. Sola who was already up was drinking coffee and reading a magazine. "Good morning Padme", she said looking up. "Did you sleep well?" "Yes, it's always good to be home." Padme went and poured herself a cup and sat down. "Would you like to go for a walk Padme? Just like old times?", Sola smiled. "I would love to." They got up and headed outside. "Sola", Padme began. "I, uh saw Palo two day ago." Sola looked at her, "What did he want?" "He-he wanted to apologize, about what happened..." Sola snorted, "Well he could have asked me that at least." They continued on in silence until, "Sola I blame myself about what happened. if only I-I would've..." "Padme, I don't blame you, it was no ones fault." "I know", Padme said crying into Sola's shoulder. "That's what Anakin told me." "And he's right", Sola said hugging Padme close. they continued on their walk talking of more happy moments when they were younger.

Anakin was sitting at the table when he way Padme and Sola walk by. He thought best not to interrupt since it seemed that they were in deep conversation. A part of him longed for the family he had never had with the jedi. Padme was his only real family. His commlink beeped and he answered. It was Obi-Wan. "Anakin, I was wondering where you were." "I'm on Naboo, taking some time to unwind." "Of course, how long are you planning on staying?" "Uh, 2-3 weeks." "I was hoping you were coming back sooner. We are going to need you pretty soon. Do you think you could come back in 5 days?" "Yeah, I'll be there." Anakin quickly said goodbye and ended the call. "Anakin! Anakin!", shouted Ryoo and Poojah. "Come back here you two!", said Jobal laughing. "Sorry Anakin." When Anakin didn't respond she looked up worriedly, "Anakin, is everything okay?" Anakin startled out of his daze, "Uh yeah. Just need to go for a walk and clear my head." He gave a little smile and walked out. 

A little while later Padme and Sola came laughing in the door. "Good morning mom", they said at the same time. "Good morning you two." Where is everyone?", Padme asked taking a sip of her coffee. "Well you father is in the garden, as usual. Ryoo and Poojah are with him helping him plant some flowers. And Anakin, well he went for a walk. And to be honest Padme, he looked upset." "I'll go see what's wrong", Padme said standing up.

She found Anakin looking over the water at the spot where they had fist kissed and later gotten married. She wrapped her arms around his waist, "What's wrong Ani?" He faced toward her and wrapped his arms around hers. "Obi-Wan called...I have to go back in 5 days, but I won't be gone for more than two months since Ashoka's trials are then. I know we were planning to be here a few more weeks, sorry to cut it short." "Ani, it's okay, duty calls." She hugged him tight and they stood like that for awhile looking over the lake.

That day the decided to go for a picnic. The rest of the family was going to the museum anyway, so Padme and Anakin were left alone to do whatever. Anakin spread the blanket on the grass and Padme sat the basket on top. They ate and enjoyable lunch and after went on a walk through the meadow and down to the waterfall. "It's so good to be home Ani. We used to have picnics here all the time as a family." "That mush have been nice", Anakin said. "As a slave we weren't allowed to go on picnics. As a jedi we never really do any family stuff together. This is the real only place I ever do that stuff. You're lucky to have a family to come back to." "Ani, do ever wish to not be a jedi?" He sighed, "Not when I was younger, that's all I wanted to do. But as I have grown older my views have changed. The jedi are supposed to be peace keepers, but we have turned into soldiers." They continued along until they reached the waterfall. "Come on", Padme said pulling Anakin along. "I have something to show you." Padme led Anakin under the falls and into a small room filled with stuff in it. "This is Sola's and mine old hideout. Only me, Sola, my mom and dad and you know about it." Anakin looked at all the books, pictures and other odds and ends. "Is this all yours?" "Yep and look here. It's an box where Sola and I will each put a dream of ours and one thing we are thankful for once a year." She opened it up and pulled out a piece of paper. "I hope to marry a man with a kind heart and that he will love me. I am thankful for my sister." Padme looked up at Anakin, "And my dream came true." She took another one and read, "I hope that one day I will have children. And I am thankful for my husband Anakin." "How long ago was that?" "Last year, seems that my dream still has to come true." Anakin looked at her seriously, "Padme, one day we will start a family of our own." They looked through a few more and then spent the rest of the afternoon walking in the meadow and near the waterfall. 

The next 5 days went by faster than they both wanted it to. The morning Anakin had to leave was a beautiful one. Padme woke up to the sun shining in beams of light on to the bed. She stretched and then noticed Anakin was gone. She quickly got dressed and then went to find him. She found him sitting in the grass meditating. She sat next to him and he smiled. Suddenly Ryoo and Poojah jumped on to them knocking them back. "Ryoo! Poojah! Get off them", said Sola. "It's all right Sola", said Anakin propping Ryoo on his knee. Poojah grabbed Anakin's shoulders and pulled, pulling Anakin laughing to the ground. Padme felt tears coming, "Excuse me", and she got up and walked to the house. Poojah looked confused, "Mr. Anakin, did we do something wrong to make Auntie Padme mad?" "No, no girls. This is just a hard day for her. I better go talk to her." "Let me", said Sola. "Watch the girls would you?" Sola found Padme crying in her room and she sat down next to her. "Come here Sis", said Sola pulling Padme in a hug. Padme cried into Sola's shoulder, "I'm scared that he's going to be hurt or worse..." "He'll be fine Padme, he knows how to defend himself. He'll be home before you know it." Padme nodded and they went down to breakfast and to see Anakin off. 

They ate breakfast and then Anakin got ready to go. "Safe trip son", said Ruwee. "Stay safe Anakin", said Jobal hugging him. "Goodbye Mr. Anakin", said Ryoo and Poojah. "Anakin", said Sola nodding her head. Anakin turned to Padme, "Walk with me to the ship?" She took his hand and they walked to the ship. He faced her, "I'm going to miss you Padme." "Me too", she put her hands around his neck and he pulled her closed. "Now don't you get hurt Anakin Skywalker." He grinned, "I'll try not to." He kissed her gently and gave her one last hug. Then he walked up the ramp.