Chapter 17

The loud rumble of thunder echoed across the valley, as the huge thunder storm raced across the Lake Country. The sound of rain bounced off the windows, as the wind blew them against the window pane. Padme rolled over and opened up one eye, as she thought she heard something else, besides the rain and wind. Then, she closed her eye again and began to drift back to sleep.

The clock chimed one and then, there was a small rapping sound. Padme sat up and listened again. This time, she did hear a sound coming from the living room. The more she listened to it, the more she realized that someone was knocking on her door.

“ Who could be here at this time of the morning and who could be out in this mess?” Padme mumbled to herself, as she got out of bed, grabbed her robe, and wrapped it around her body. Walking out of the room, through the living room, she came to the front door, just as thunder rumbled again, but this time only louder. Opening the door, she just saw a shadow figure standing there in the rain. Just then, lightening lit up the sky and Padme saw the face that was under the hood.

“ Anakin! What are you doing here?” Padme stepped back, so Anakin could come inside the house.

“ Hey, Padme. Well, I came here to see you. I have a some free time and Obi-Wan was off on a secret mission somewhere.” Anakin stepped into the foyer and pulled back his hood from his head.

“ Oh, Ani. You are soaked to the bone. Here, let me take your robe and you go to the guest room, get warmed up and dried. You still have clothes here from the last time, we were here, and I will make you some Caf.” Padme took Anakin’s robe, went to the laundry room and hung up Anakin’s robe, so it could dry.

Anakin went into the guest room and found his trunk that he had with him the first time he came here. He went through it, until he found his night clothes. Once he had them, he went into the refresher, turned on the shower and got into the stall. He let the hot water cascade down his body. While Anakin was in the shower, Padme went into the kitchen and put on a pot of Caf for both her and Anakin. Padme was just pouring the Caf into the cups, when Anakin walked into the kitchen.

“ I am sorry to have waken you up. I should have gotten a hotel and waited until later in the morning to come here.” Anakin came over to the counter and watched Padme put the pot of Caf back on the machine.

“ It is ok. I really could not sleep, because of this thunder storm. I really hate them.” Padme looked at the window, just as lightening struck just outside the building. The lights flickered before going out completely.

“ Great. Now what?” Anakin said, before he noticed that Padme was shaking a little bit.

“ Um . . . We need to see if we can find some kind of light.” Padme began to opening a couple of drawers that was in front of her.

“ I.. Wait right here. I have the perfect light that can help us.” Anakin left the kitchen, by feeling his way through the room.

“ Don’t worry, I am not going anywhere.” Padme backed up against one of the stools and sat down on it.

Anakin used the Force to guide him through the house and to the guest room. Entering the room, he went straight for the nightstand and opened up the drawer. He reached into the drawer and pulled out his lightsaber. Once he activated the saber, it lit up the room. Walking out of the room, he headed back into the kitchen, only to see Padme sitting on the stool drinking her Caf. He also noticed that every time it either lightening or thundered, she jumped a little bit and was holding onto her cup a little tighter too.

“ Hey, are you ok?” Anakin came over to Padme and put the saber down on its end, so that way, it could stand straight up.

“ Um . . . what? I just don’t like storms. That is all.” Padme looked up at Anakin and felt a tear roll down her cheek.

“ It is ok, Padme. I am here to look after you. Come here.” Anakin took Padme’s hand and helped her off the stool and pulled her into his arms and held her.

“ I am so sorry to cry like this, but thunderstorms have always been one of my fears, ever since I was little.” Padme put her arms around Anakin and moved closer into his body.

“ It is ok. Let us finish our Caf in another room.” Anakin kissed the top of Padme’s head and then let her go. He grabbed his cup, just as Padme did the same thing.

“ Thanks. Ok. Then, follow me, because I know the perfect place we could finish our Caf.” Padme smiled at Anakin, as she walked past him and stood in the doorway, waiting for him to follow her.

Anakin nodded and then he picked up his lightsaber and followed Padme. He lit up the way and he realized that she was leading them straight for her bedroom. Walking into the room,Padme went straight for her nightstand and put the cup down, before taking off her robe and draping it across the back of the chair.

“ It is not what you are thinking, Ani. Yes, I want you to stay the night with me, but all I want you to do is hold me and protect me from the thunderstorm.” Padme turned and looked at Anakin, who was still standing at the door.

“ Ok. You do know that I will always protect you from anything.” Anakin came into the room and put his cup and the lightsaber down on the night stand, before taking off his robe and joining Padme on the bed.

They sat there drinking their Caf and making plans for later in the day. Once they were finished with their Caf, they put the cups down on the night stand. They laid down and Anakin pulled Padme into his arms. Using the Force, he pulled the covers over them, just as they began to drift off to sleep.