in the stars | anidala

the dragon

Padmé Amidala - Coruscant.

There was a night, about a year prior, saved in Padmé's heart. It stood out, like an old photograph, and she savoured it.

It wasn't like some of their other moments together. No intensity, no burning flame. Anakin was sitting on the kitchen table, his hands in the air, and his face was painted with a majestic grin. His laughter erupted through the room, bringing a chill to her bones. There was a light to him that she'd often forgotten about.

She stood there, taking him in. She matched his laughter, relaxed and in love. She wanted things to stay this way, it was beautiful.

"There'll be babies there, too?" She poked at him, giggling at his rolling eyes.

"I told you," he continued. "We live in a castle far away from everyone. They think its haunted, no one dares even breathe when they walk past! We've haven't been bothered in years. Trust me," he wiggled his eyebrows. "It'll be filled with all the babies."

She sighed, "We aren't going to have kids though, right?"

"What?" He grinned. "I told you-"

"I know," forcing her smile not to fade. "We live in a castle and we aren't bothered and I haven't worn clothes since the day we moved in. But it's filled with babies, so you're gonna have to fix that last part."

"Okay," shaking his head. "You're right. That part can be altered."

A shadow crossed her face, and she broke eye contact as she studied the floor. What a life that would be. Anakin's laughter faded, and she realized she'd destroyed their picture perfect moment. Now, they were met with silence. She bit her lips, guilt creeping in. She often did this.

"I want to have kids," he blurted out. "Don't you?"

"We can't," she said, voice fading. "We have our duties-"

"Stop that," Anakin interrupted her. "You think too much, Padmé."

"You don't think enough," she retorted.

He folded his hands, propping them on his folded knee. "This won't be our always, I won't give you this kind of life forever. We won't have these duties forever, we'll be able to live the life you deserve. I promise."

"I love our life together-"

"I want to have a family and I want to live the mundane life neither of us ever got."

"You've trained your whole life-"

Anakin stood up, walking towards his wife and bringing her into his arms. "Nothing compares to a life with you."

Padmé reached for his neck, pulling him gently to her list. He grinned, pulling her closer to him. As they broke apart, Anakin mumbled, "We will be making all the babies."

She rolled her eyes, hitting him playfully on the chest. "Don't get ahead of yourself."

"Some babies?"

"Maybe."

He'd gotten his wish.

As she sat there, pushing back the memory, all that met her was fear. Not joy.

Anakin wouldn't be happy about this. He couldn't. He was so close to winning the war, becoming a master... All his hard work coming to light. He was a war hero, a name known to conjure miracles, a saviour to the republic.

A father?

Everything they'd worked for would crumble.

She was a queen, senator, courageous and hopeful keeper of the peace. A beloved and hardworking professional.