Padmé Amidala - her perspective

Chapter 3 - it was only a dream

We went back to my place while the sun began to slowly sink down over the horizon. Anakin briefed me of what had happened since we last spoke. He didn't elaborate over the rescue, but I was delighted when he told me that he had met Ashoka, his old padawan right before the news of the kidnapping had reached him and Obi-Wan. Apparently she was well and now on her way to Mandalore to try and capture Darth Maul.

"I wish I could have gone with her", he sighed when we arrived to my apartment, his expression a mixture of longing and worry.

"I know you do", I said and smiled gently at him. "But the Republic needed you and Ahsoka can take care of herself. You taught her that."

He smiled back at me and I hoped Ashoka would get in touch with him again soon.

We went inside and started to get ready for bed. Anakin washed off the blood and sweat while I changed into sleepwear and let out my hair.

The black sky settled over Coruscant. Millions of tiny lights lit up everywhere in the capitol and for the first time in a while I actually appreciated them. When Anakin was away there had been moments when I almost loathed them as they only reminded me of how far away I was from my home planet where the night was dark and quiet instead of light and noisy. But with Anakin around the lights almost appeared romantic. The feeling reminded me of falling for Anakin and seeing love wherever I went. Maybe that was one of the few benefits with being away from each other for so long.

I went out to the balcony to brush my hair. Eventually, I heard him come and lean against the edge of the door. I entangled all the knots and then I continued to slowly pull the brush through my curls while my thoughts wandered. Right at that moment I felt more calm than I had in a while and I didn't want to let it go just yet. Instead, I allowed my mind to roam in peaceful directions.

"Ani, I want to have our baby back home on Naboo," I said and looked out over the city. "We can go to the Lake Country where no one will know, where we can be safe."

I turned to him, spun a curl around my finger and smiled as I imagined how happy and careless we could be there.

"I can go early and fix up the baby's room." He smiled back at me, obviously wanting me to continue painting the image of us there and I paused for a second, thinking of possible details.

"I know the perfect spot," I said and looked out across the millions of lights again. "Right by the gardens."

I could see everything in front of me. A bright baby room with plenty of space. Large windows and a glass door leading to the garden. The never ending sound from the fountains and the heat from the sun. The scene I had imagined earlier with Anakin and the child playing in the water. The three of us having meals on the balcony and taking walks in the gardens. The child sleeping peacefully in front of the fireplace.

Even though I knew this vision could never become true, at least not entirely, I couldn't help myself from fantasizing about it. The closer the end of the pregnancy appeared to be the more I longed to get out of this place and create the family life I now truly wanted.

"You are so... beautiful," Anakin said.

I turned to smile at him.

"It's only because I'm so in love."

Anakin laughed at my corny line.

"No, it's because I'm so in love with you," he said, and even though his line was even cornier the last words were filled with sincerity.

I frowned and pretended to be offended. Normally, I wasn't a huge fan of this type of cheesy dialogue but I couldn't help myself tonight. As well as the lights, silly sentimental talk contributed to the romantic atmosphere.