Jedi Storytime: Pods & Ponies

Happily Ever After

Some time after the tiebreaker race, there was another wedding. But this time, it was a wedding for love, not an arranged marriage.
"You may kiss the bride," said the preacher.
And up at the altar, was a passionate kiss shared by the bride and groom, Mr. and Mrs. Qui-Gon and Shmi Jinn. At long last, they were married. Their sons couldn't be happier for them. It was a wonderful night for their entire family.
Qui-Gon and Shmi were so happy to finally have the wedding they'd always wanted. And it was even better now because they got to celebrate under the starry night sky. The news of their marriage went all over the news.
Racing Legend Reunites With Long Lost Love
Racing Legend Marries Former Slave
Racing Legend Says I Do
Former Racer's Heart Racing For Love
Those were just some of the headlines.
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Shmi and Anakin officially moved in with Qui-Gon and Carmine and became one big happy family, Carmine proposed to Caroline, and Anakin finally figured out a business idea. He started a new school in the town. A school for racing, horseback riding, and mechanics.
And with the news of Anakin moving to Naboo Springs, things got better for the town too. People started to come by and explore the shops, giving the townsfolk new customers. Caroline was ecstatic that so many people loved her clothes, Plo and Shaak got lots of new people to feed, and Ahsoka, Citrus, and Fiesta got more tables to wait on, and Ki-Adi and Comedia got more customers too.
Dreams came true all over the town for its residents. Comedia got a much bigger audience at open mic night to tell her jokes, and someone put a video of her act online, which helped her create a very popular comedy channel. With the tourists coming along, for Boba and Omega that meant more kids coming into town. And not just that, but people with horses too... and from one of those families, Comedia recognized the horse.
"Emeraldi!" Comedia exclaimed happily.
Emeraldi couldn't believe it either when she realized it was her sister. They'd been reunited at last.
With all the publicity everyone was getting, Naboo Springs was eventually put back on the map. And, with enough funds and the right help, the townsfolk eventually got to build a series of big, strong bridges that went over the interstate road just for the wild horses to run over and be safe from all the vehicles down below. And, Padme soon reopened the Sun Rose Inn, with her family in attendance. They looked so proud of her.
Of course, there was one more thing.
On a day like any other, Padme and Anakin stood at the very fence where they'd enjoyed the view together for the very first time during their first ride, which I guess you could call their first date.
"Look at that." Padme said, looking at all the horses running down below across the bridges made just for them. "They're running free as they should be."
"Yup. No one hurting them, telling them what they can and can't do, being free to go when and where they please. "Anakin sighed, holding his new girlfriend in his arm.
"And now you're free as well, and free to teach the next generation of horse, engineering, and race lovers." Padme smiled.
"That night I was taken. I could only think about how much I missed you. And I spent so much of that time wondering how I would make it back to you. But instead, you came to save me."
"Well, I can go fast when I want to. Even those who go slow can be fast when they want to be." Padme said. "Besides, I believe we forgot a little something before you left."
Anakin chuckled and leaned in closer, as did Padme... until Comedia flew in excitedly.
"Hey, guys! You gotta come back to town! There's these reporters who want to do a story on the town!" Comedia said. "Oh... am I interrupting something?"
"Well..." Anakin said.
"I'll just... back away now. Go on and have your romantic moment- oh!" Comedia stopped and rescued a potted plant she'd backed into and almost broke. "I'm not here."
The couple just laughed for a bit. Comedia could be funny without even trying sometimes.
Anakin looked at Padme one more time and said, "You wanna try that again?"
Padme saw the pleading look in Anakin's eyes and with a smile, said, "What do you think?"
Anakin smiled and leaned in one more time, and at long last, he and Padme finally kissed. Now Anakin really felt like a winner. He had a new home, a loving family, a great new job, and a wonderful girlfriend with whom he was now sharing the best kiss he ever could've hoped to feel upon his lips.
When the couple finally pulled away, Anakin felt like he'd just died and gone to Heaven. And he had only one thing to say.
"I love you, Padme." Anakin said.
"I love you too, Ani." Padme said, puckering up once more, Anakin not hesitating to kiss her again.
"Hey, I hate to break you two lovebirds from your smooch fest," said Sapphire. "But, perhaps you'd like to make it back to town before supper?"
"How about it, my love?" Anakin said.
"Last one there is a rotten egg!" Padme teased, getting onto Lavendera and starting to race off with her new boyfriend and his horse.
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"And they all lived happily ever after," Shmi finished. "The End"
The kids really loved that story. Like the Tortoise and the Hare, it definitely taught them a lesson about slowing down.
"Maybe I can be a horse racer when I grow up." Gabby said. "Carousella's really fast."
"Aren't you gonna be queen someday?" Omega said.
"I can do both. Mommy's a princess now and still a senator. Why can't I be a queen and a racer?"
"Good point."