Padmé stood, soaking in the deep coloured dusky sunlight at the Varykino Villa railing, looking into the horizon, and at the lackadaisical sun, just like she and Ani had all those years ago. It was her favorite place to be, at any given time. It was amazing just to see the view, the fading golden sun glinting across the still, blue waters, picturesquely mirroring the alps towering above like huge peaked palisades, let alone to experience the refreshingly carefree memories. Her freedom from back then was long gone, and on a journey to some other young lady whose love was anything except secret, and it was never coming back. It was nice just to hope, dream, feel, that for a moment, just for three days, she could be free, before the last molecule of equity to the public melted away in the third sunset.

Padmé felt a pair of lips brush her hair, and a firm grip on her waist. She stayed silent, already knowing whose presence greeted her’s. Padmé leaned back into Anakin's grip, and relaxed, closing her eyes in comfort. She let the sunlight warm her eyelids, and hue her vision a rustic scarlet. Anakin's deep breathing slowed, and acquiesced with hers.

“Padmé,” he spoke quietly, tenderly, cherishing the simple two syllable, captivating name on his tongue, “I love you,” he stated it simply, yet completely, intensely.

Padmé felt chills of joy and satisfaction whisper up her spine. “I love you too, Ani,” she turned to face him, smiling slightly, and placed a small hand over his heart, “So, what are we going to do tomorrow?”

“Same thing we do every day-love each other, “ he replied matter-of-factly.

Padmé laughed, overflowing with mirth, “No, Ani, I mean for our schedule!” her hand played with his ash blonde curls absentmindedly, twirling them around her finger.

Anakin smiled to himself, “oh, well then, in that case…” he paused unsure of how to handle this much free time with his wife, “I dunno, you choose.”

Padmé's warm brown eyes pinched into a grin as she thought, the exotic pinkish purple hue of the sunset reflected in them, “how about we go visit my family?”

Anakin thought for a moment, “sure, that sounds good,” He kissed Padmé on the forehead, and pulled her into his embrace protectively “now let’s get to bed so we can go see Ryoo and Pooja tomorrow, bright and early!”

Padmé grinned, remembering her adorable nieces, and how much Anakin loved them. She couldn't wait till tomorrow now.

* * * *

Padmé and Anakin had woken up bright and early that morning-like he wanted- and after a breakfast of delicious shuura fruit, Padmé's favorite, had gone on their way to visit the Naberrie household, and had reached there at about 08:00. They had been there for two to three hours now.

Padmé was in the kitchen, helping her Mom, Jobal, make lunch, “so when is Sola coming back?”

The door in the other room swung open, “right now Mé,” Sola walked into the kitchen and set a couple of large paper bags of groceries on the counter.

Padmé walked over and gave Sola a long hug, “how have you been Sol?” Her voice came muffled by her sister's shoulder.

Sola split the embrace gently, “good! You?”

Padmé sighed deeply, “long story, I’m good now though,” she smiled, reassuring her words to Sola.

Sola smiled in return, then looked over Padmé's shoulder into the back room, “where are Ryoo and Pooja?”

“They're in the back room with Anakin,” Padmé responded after a moment, hesitant to mention him in front of her sister.

“Anakin? You mean that ‘Jedi Protector’,” she used hand quotations to emphasise her facetious tone on the title, “that you brought here a while ago?” Sola raised her eyebrows playfully.

Padmé was not ready to address this subject right now, so she just rolled her eyes irritably, walked into the back room, and stood behind Anakin, who was kneeling on the ground playing patty cake with the girls.

Sola followed her in, “Ryoo, Pooja, could you give us some privacy for a moment?”

The twins giggled, and replied in unison, “yes mommy!” They stood up and left the room saying, “goodbye Uncle Ani!”

Sola put a hand on Padmé's shoulder, “Mé, I know you're hiding something, why won't you tell me?”

Padmé made eye contact with Anakin, okaying the process, Anakin nodded, “well… to put it shortly, Anakin and I were married about six months ago, but we can't tell anybody else, since Anakin is a Jedi…” Padmé trailed off, smiling nervously.

Sola stood there for a moment, blinking slowly, “wow. I didn't think I'd ever get that out of you. Seriously? Congratulations!”

Anakin beamed, happy to finally have someone that knew their secret. He stood up and faced Sola, he was about to say thank you when Sola clapped him on the shoulder.

“You better take good care of her, or I'll be much worse of an enemy than any Sith or Bounty Hunter you'll ever meet,” she grinned.

Anakin smiled, and laughed in the carefree way that Padmé loved. “Let's go have lunch,” he waved his hand casually toward the table, and the family finished the day with small talk.

* * * *