Under the Stars: An Anakin and Padme Fanfic

Under the Stars

     Just after a light rain, the night sky on Naboo was smeared with clouds that hid the bright stars like an ocean full of pearls.

     It was beautiful. But Anakin wasn't smiling that night because of pretty sky, or sparkly stars. He was smiling because in less than a day, he would be married to the love of his life, Padme Naberrie Amidala.

     Could this night go any slower? He thought impatiently, as he leaned over the marble balastrade that peared out over the gardens of Varykino Villa. Every minute seemed to crawl by like a Bantha with heat-stroke. Ever since the second he proposed, he had been filled with joyous anticipation.

    "Padme, will you marry me?"

       He asked the night before, deep in the fragrance of the rose garden and under the watch of the stars.

     "Anakin, I..."

       She protested, but her voice trailed as her gaze drew to the starry sky above.

      "Do you see that star?"

        She asked. Anakin frowned in confusion,

       "What?"

         Padme pointed a finger toward the sky toward a bright star that glowed more brilliantly than all the others.

        "That's my favorite star... I used to think that it was so bright that you could see it from anywhere in the galaxy."

         She sighed thoughtfully. Anakin smiled at her as she tilted her head up to the expanse of heavenly bodies.

         "You're my favorite star..."

        He whispered meaningfully. Padme lowered her chin and breathed in. She rested her head against Anakin's chest and released the breath.

        "Yes Anakin... I will marry you..."
        That was the happiest moment in Anakin's life. But now, joy and dread had become intertwined in his stomach. He was never one to follow rules but this wasn't his usual disobedience to light restrictions of the Council. This was absolute betrayal. The penalty would be expulsion from the Order or even death.

     But Anakin thought it was worth a thousand deaths to be with Padme.

      The crickets in the garden chirped like a symphony of twilight as Anakin watched the clouds pass over the full moon. He felt a tingle down his spine as he sensed a being behind him. "I can't remember a more beautiful night..." she noted in admiration of the nature surrounding them. Anakin didn't turn around, he instead focused on the stone vase of roses that sat near him. He picked a withered flower from the corner of the pot. The delicate petals fell like rain drops and only a dozen or so clung to the stem of the rose.

     "I can't remember are more terrifying night..." he stated bluntly. He looked back at Padme who stared at him in curiosity. Anakin twirled the fragile flower between his fingers, "I never thought I could be so afraid of something I've been dreaming of for years," he continued vaguely. Padme's eyebrows rose, "Anakin Skywalker is afraid?" she asked in surprise. Anakin nodded slightly and returned his gaze to the stars.

      "Can you show me your favorite star again?" he asked softly. Padme smiled and joined his side by the railing of the terrace. She looked up at the sky for a moment and then brought her brown eyes to Anakin. With only the rose between them, she let her soft lips meet his in a light kiss.

     Anakin let the rose fall and caressed her cheek with his left hand. After a moment, Padme let the kiss end and locked her almond brown, doe eyes on his blue ones, "You're my favorite star, Anakin."

     Anakin smiled down at her, his confidence building slowly, "I love you," he murmured.

     The moon's glow made Padme's beautiful features shine with grace. Her brown curls cascaded down her back and her long lashes bordered her eyes. The curves of her neck were defined by the light which caused Anakin to blush slightly.

     Padme smiled back at him, "It's late Anakin. You should get some sleep," she insisted. Anakin yawned, "I'm too nervous to sleep." Padme rubbed his shoulder, "Don't be. Nothing is going to change," she assured him.

      Anakin stood up straight and looked down at her with intensity, "You're right. Everything is going to change."

      Padme slowly pulled away and headed inside, "Goodnight my Jedi Knight," she sang sweetly. Anakin remained by the rail, "Sweet dreams, Senator..." he uttered soothingly.

       As Padme disappeared, he looked out over the garden. The beauty of the night was almost as beautiful as the girl he would marry the next day. He felt lighter than air as he found himself watching the stars once more. Like crystals over a lake, t he sky shown gorgeously across the expanse of world around him. Deciding that he would spend the night outdoors, Anakin retrieved the fallen rose that lay at his feet and perched himself on the top of the balastrade. He leaned comfortably against the marble column and felt his eyes become heavy.

     With a smile across his face and the dying rose across his heart, Anakin Skywalker slowly drifted to sleep under the stars.