Padme was sitting by the window, taking down her hair, before running the brush through it. Then, taking one rubber band, before taking the sides and the front of her hair and pulling back, before running the brush through it one more time. After putting her brush down, she just sat there and listened to children laughing from the small playhouse. Now, she was wishing that she really did listen to her mother and took some time off and have sometime for herself, meet a man, settle down, marry and have kids. But, instead, she decided to go straight to work for the new Queen, who wanted her to take a Senator's place, who just passed away. She just smiled, as she just sat there and listened to her two nieces laughing, as they ran around a tree, which has been growing there, since she was a little girl. Getting up from her seat, going over to her bed, she picked up the light spring dress, and put it on. Once dressed, she headed out the door and went out of the room and headed downstairs.
" Padme, here is your drink that you wanted." Jobal said as her youngest daughter came into the kitchen.
" Thanks, mom. Where is Sola?" Padme said, before taking a sip of her drink.
" She is upstairs." Jobal said, watching Padme walk out of the kitchen.
Going to the bench, that was under the tree and sitting down, so that way, she could watch her two nieces.
" Hey, Padme. So, did you finish your meetings with the Queen?" Sola asked, as she sat down beside her sister.
" It was only one meeting, and the Queen had some information to pass along." Padme said, as she watched Ryoo and Pooja playing a game of tag.
" It's about that Military Creation Act. Am I correct, Padme?" Sola asked because she is worried for her sister, and she has a bad feeling that something bad is going to happen to her.
All Padme could do is think of the Military Creation Act, which is now before the Senate, was the most important piece of business in many years. Of course it holds the implications for the Republic, even beyond those during the dark time, when Padme was Queen of Naboo, and the Trade Federation had tried to conquer Naboo and lost.
" So, the Republic is all in a tumult, but not to fear, for Senator Amidala will put everything all right." Sola said, with somewhat sarcasm in her tone.
All Padme could do is look at her sister, in total surprise at her sister's sarcasm and it left her totally speechless.
" Well, that's what you do, right, Padme?" Sola said so innocently.
" Well, it's what I am trying to do, Sola." Padme said, before taking a sip of her tea.
" I know and that's all you ever try to do." Sola said, looking sad at her sister and showing her what she afraid for her.
" And what is that supposed to mean, Sola? I am a Senator after all, that is what I do." Padme said, as she looked at her sister with puzzlement on her face.
" Yes, now, you are a Senator, after serving as a Queen, which is probably with many more offices ahead of her." Sola said, before calling out to her girls and told them to ease up, just a little bit.
" You know, you speak like it's a bad thing, Sola." Padme said, taking another sip of her drink.
" Well, it's a great thing, Padme, if you're doing it all for the right reasons." Sola said, looking at her earnestly.
" There you go again. What is that's suppose to mean?" Padme asked, looking at her older sister.
" Well, I think that you have convinced yourself that you are indispensable to the Republic. That they couldn't get along at all with you, Padme." Sola shrugged, as if she was so sure of herself.
" Um ... take what?" Padme smiled, as to show her sister that her words had caught her off guard.
" Look at them. I see the sparkle in your eyes, when you watch my children. I know how much you love them, Padme." Sola said, as she looked over to her daughters.
" Of course I do, why wouldn't I?" Padme said finishing her drink.
" Then, wouldn't you like to have children of you own, Padme, and a family of your own?" Sola asked.
" I ... well ... um ... I'm working right now for something that I deeply believe in, and for something that's very important." Padme looked at her sister with wide eyes, as she had to stop and then started several times, before answering her sister.
" I see, and then, after this is all settled, the Military Creation Act is far behind you, then you'll find something else that will become important, Padme." Sola said, as she looked straight at her sister and she had worry in her eyes.
" Sola, how can you say that to me?" Padme said almost in tears, because she knew her sister was right.
" Because, it's true, Padme and you know I'm right too. So, are you going to do something ,just for yourself, Sis? I'm just worried about you, that's all." Sola said, taking a hold of her sister's hand and held it.
" I am." Padme said as tears welled in her eyes.
" You do know what I mean, Padme." Sola squeezed Padme's hand gently.
" You know that everyone is to be defined by their children." Padme gave a little laugh and shook her head, before turning her attention to Ryoo and Pooja.
Of course not, Padme. It's not like that at all, or not just that. I was talking about something bigger, Sis. You spend all of your time worrying about the problems of others, and of planet's dispute with that planet, or whether this trade guild is acting fairly towards that system. All of your energy is being thrown out there to try to make the lives of everyone else better." Sola said.
" What is so wrong with that?" Padme asked.
" What about your life, Padme? Have you ever thought about what might make your life better? Well, most people who have been in public service as long as you have would have retired by now. I do know that you get satisfaction in helping other people. That's pretty obvious. But, what about something deeper for you? What about love, Sis? And yes, what about having kids? Have you even thought about it? Have you even wondered what it might be like for you to settle down and concern yourself with those things that will make your own life fuller?" Sola asked in all seriousness.
Padme just sat there and found herself holding back the words, but they all seemed so hollow to her, mostly at that particular moment, watching her nieces playing around the backyard of the house. For the first time in many days, Padme's thoughts roamed free of her responsibities, free of the important vote, she would have to cast in the Senate in less than a month. And somehow, the words Military Creation Act couldn't filter through the whimsical song that Ryoo and Pooja were then making up about R2-D2. Then her thoughts began to drift to the one person who haunts her dreams. She wonders what he was doing and if he even thinks about her like she thinks about him.
*(pages 17-20 of Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones by R.A. Salvatore)