The sun was only warm now, not hot and the sand was shifting only with the footstep, not with the wind. He rested his back against the wall, savoring the warmth that eased his back. He recalled their first meeting.
Cliegg stooped a bit to enter Watto's shop. Shmi greeted him "Greetings - are you looking for something specific?"
As his eyes adjusted to the light, he gazed on the woman sitting behind a counter, working on a small device. She presented the effect of energy, yet her face was tired around the eyes. As his gaze met hers, those eyes began her smile.
"I'm... Cliegg Lars, I'm I'm looking for parts for a Kuat 327 series vaporato....r - I'm sorry..." He swallowed against the sudden rush of cooler indoor air.
"That's alright; the sun can do that to you at this hour. We have them, I'll bring them in"
He watched her rise and exit to the rear parts yard - he remembered his thoughts: She reminded him of his wife, now an angel, yes, he thought - an angel...
He stood on the back terrace of her home. He'd managed to find at least a reason a day to stay in Mos Espa just a little longer. They'd become friends,
Despite her protests
Despite Watto's
Despite her being a slave
So... he'd gone and done it. Watto had just lost another big bet on Podracing and Cliegg knew this was his best chance. The deal was struck and now he could give her the first gift.
Freedom.
"Let's go - I'll walk you over to the shop" He called inside the door. Shmi emerged, somewhat surprised to see him awaiting her. The hour was still early.
"Watto must have something that needs my attention right away?" Behind her, he smiled
After the chip was removed, Shmi walked into the street, in front of the shop, rubbing her arm; her eyes filled with an almost childish delight. "How, how...?"
"Shmi, I couldn't ask you this until you were free to make your own decision..."
Cliegg guided her to a bench in an alcove just beyond the doorway. He knelt."Shmi, marry me!" he held her hands in his one. "Be a mother to Lars. Join me in my home. Make it ours?"
Shmi thought of Ani, how happy he would be to hear her response, freedom and a family in the same day. "The Force is with us both "she thought. "Yes"
Anakin was trying to pay attention in one of the Jedi history and politics lectures with all the other 14's - final academics for the season when he felt a warm rush in the Force. He smiled "loudly"
"Padawan Anakin Skywalker!"
Announced the instructing Jedi- "Whatever your good news is in the Force, please share it - you're smiling too loudly!"
"Sorry, Master - I I don't know what the good news is". Anakin had an idea, but he had no way to verify it, so he kept it in his heart and hoped it was true.
The sun was only warm now, not hot and the sand was shifting only with the footstep, not with the wind. He felt the steps of those who carried the litter. He fell into a recall of their first meeting. He sensed he was being carried aboard a ship. He was helped into a healing trance and he dreamed of his vision of Padme in Watto's shop.
He awoke to a cool room, with a Jedi healer and a med droid peering over him. "Sit up now, slowly - don't put too much pressure on the new arm yet."
New arm!- oh..Yes he could feel the cool tips of fingers - but they had a distinctly metallic ting in his senses,
"It will take a few days for that all to knit together - no lightsabre practice with that hand for at least a week. You can get dressed now, but you should feel more normal as time passes"
"Thank you Jedi...?"
"Quaidan Roe" He and the med droid left the chamber as Anakin felt the thrum of the ships motors beneath his feet as he stood. He only glanced at his arm - he made the hand work as little as possible as he dressed in clean robes. He stepped out into the ships' corridor and found it warmer and wider than he expected. He glanced around and then he found her.
She sat, or more properly described as rested , on a bench that filled a curved alcove in the bulkhead. She leaned her head back against the wall, eyes closed, yet seated upright, her hands resting crossed in her lap, a simple white gown covering her form. Even though she rested, she did not seem asleep, or peaceful.
"She's been there a good while - she's waiting for news of you" Jedi Roe stood just behind Anakin "She will be happy to see you awake at last" he put his hand briefly on Anakin's shoulder, then slipped away down the corridor.
Anakin knelt on one knee, in front of Padme, not wishing to awaken her, just ease her concern and let her sleep. His mind was churning - he must allow her choice, he could carry the fact that she loved him - he would have to make the knowledge alone enough; if that is what she chose - and then he again envisioned her in Watto's shop - the angel he would make his bride.. If she would have him...now..
"Yes Anakin" Her eyes opened and she tilted forward so her nose almost brushed with Anakin's "You think too loud..Yes."
Anakin blushed a deep red as he realized what had happened. He smiled as Padme took his new hand in hers - filling it with a warmth and pushing out the metallic edge to his sensations. He closed his eyes and they kissed. As their lips parted, the very air seemed to have taken on a warm golden glow. He slid around to sit beside her and she rested into the crook of his shoulder, the tension and apprehension draining out of her with each breath. Anakin caressed her cheek as she rested her head.
"Anakin, Take me home to Naboo"
"Yes, M'Lady" his eyes twinkled as she fell asleep on his shoulder. Anakin too closed his eyes, considering what would come.
Anyone who made their own way in the universe would recognize the sight of two so in love - and yet Obi Wan only thought it sweet that Anakin was still so protective to Padme. He came upon the pair resting in the alcove and smiled to see his Padawan released from the medics.
Anakin felt his presence and sharpened his focus on Obi Wan. "Master..Padme wishes to return to Naboo now?"
Obi wan heard the question in his Padawan's voice and considered that he would not be able to do much training with him for a time; and the fact that the Council had made Anakin Padme's protector, well piloting her ship would be good practice with his new hand. "Good idea, you should bring her home, rest and decide when she will return to the Senate"
At home, 3PO was startled by his mistress's return. Shmi returned for the last time to retrieve 3PO and her belongings - a few bits of clothing and mementos of Anakin.
"3PO, hurry now, I don't want to keep Cliegg and the Officient waiting"
"Waiting for what Mistress?"
"For us Threepio, I need you to witness my wedding." If droids could, Threepio's face would have borne the look of astonishment. He hurried out the door without so much as a backwards glance, happy in his way to be a part of a most blessed day.
His companion rolled to a stop next to him and began to whistle. "Yes R2, they do look splendid."
"Beep tweep tweep hrrep"
"No, R2, I was just thinking of his mother's wedding" The droids turned to face the sunset. Threepio added it to his wedding database and R2 began one... For now.
DISCLAIMER: I did not make any money from this story