Chapter 16

Padme was sitting outside on the patio, watching the sunrise over the lake, when she heard a small watercraft approaching the docks. Getting up off the lounge chair, she went over to the railing, looked down towards the docks and saw the small craft docking and that it belonged to her family.

“Great, I wonder what they want.” Padme mumbled to herself, as she saw her mother step off the craft, followed by her sister.

Padme went back to her lounge chair and sat back down. She reached over to the small table, next to the chair and grabbed her teacup. Off in the distance, Padme could hear her mother’s voice, as she and Sola came up the path to the house.

“Mother, I really do not think that she really wants to see us, or I should say, you mostly, after what you and Daddy did.” Sola scolded her mother, as they continue up the path.

“Well, it was mostly her fault, for not letting us know.” Jobal huffed, as they came up to the stairs that lead up to the patio.

Padme put her cup down on the table and began the breathing exercise that Anakin had taught her, as it calmed down the anger that she felt towards her mother’s statement. The more she thought it, her mother is right. She and Anakin really should have told them.

“Padme, sweetheart, what are you doing out here, dress like that? You know, someone could see you.” Jobal said in shock, as she saw her youngest daughter still dressed in her nightgown.

“Morning to you too, mother, Sola. I just got up a few minutes ago, so that way, I could watch the sunrise in peace.” Padme looked at her mother with a little bit of anger in her eyes.

“Morning, Padme. I told her that you just wanted to be by yourself and that you would come and see us, when you felt the time was right.” Sola gave Padme a sorry look, before turning towards her mother and gave her, a I told you so look.

“I see. Well, guess the only thing I can to do is, say that I am very and truly sorry that I did not let you and Daddy know about Anakin. I guess it is time for me to forgive you guys, because I know that you were just looking out for me. Before you get so happy, I just want you to know that, am still mad at you though.” Padme gave her mother a small smile, to let her know that things were fine between them and that she understood what she was trying to do for her.

“And I just wanted to say that I too am very sorry for what I did. You were right. I was only looking out for you, and I was just worried for you is all. I do want you to know that I am very proud of you, and you have made the right choice in a husband.” Jobal smiled at Padme to let her know that she was truly proud of her.

“Thank you, mother. I want you to know that I truly and deeply love Anakin with all my heart and soul. I really cannot be without him.” Padme stood up and came up to her mother and sister.

"I know. I saw that when you looked at him. I also saw how much he truly loves you. I want you to know I really do like him. When you brought home that first time, I knew then that you two were meant to be together.” Jobal went a little closer to Padme and held out her arms to her.

“Thank you.” was all Padme could say, before she went over to her mother and wrapped her arms around her. She felt Jobal pull her closer and just held her, as she began to cry.

Sola came over and wrapped her arms around both her mother and sister and held them, as all three of them began to cry.

“Excuse me, Milady, but your breakfast is ready. Oh, dear. I did not know we had company.” 3Pio came out of the house and saw all three women holding onto each other.

“Oh, 3Pio, please set the table for two more people. Mom, Sola, would you like tea or Caf?” Padme pulled away from her mother and sister and turned towards the droid that was standing in the doorway.

“Yes, Milady.” Threepio turned around, headed back inside the house and towards the kitchen.

“Tea would be good, thank you.” Sola looked down at the small table and saw the tea pot on it.

“I believe that I would have the same thing, please.” Jobal nodded and went over to one of the chairs that was next to the patio table.

Padme pulled her robe closer to her body and covered up her night gown. Turning to the small table, she picked up the kettle and began pouring the tea in the cups that was on the tray. Bringing the tray over to the table, where now both her mother and sister were sitting at, she put the tray down on the table and handed the cups to her mother and sister.

Sitting down, just as C3-PO came out with two more serving droids, they put the plates of food down in front of the three ladies.

“So, Padme, how long are you going to be staying here in the lake country?” Jobal asked, as she was cutting up her egg.

“I am living here now.” Padme began buttering up her toast, without looking up at her mother.

“But won't you be missing stuff in the Senate? What about Anakin? He will living at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, right?” Jobal also began buttering up her toast.

“No, I will not be missing anything. I have resigned from my post as Senator. I will see the Queen early next week to hand in my resignation. As for Anakin, he has to go through a trial with the Jedi Council, to see what will happen to him. He broke one of the rules in the Jedi Code, which was to fall in love and get married. So, now we both have to wait and see what the verdict will be. They will wither let him stay or expel him from the Jedi Order.” Padme felt tears come to her eyes, as she mentioned Anakin’s name and she was so very worried about him and wandered what was going on back on Corscant.

“Oh, dear. I am so sorry about what could happen to that sweet man. I hope that those people could see what good it has done for him.” Jobal nodded and also felt the pain that both her daughter and her husband must be feeling.

“Thanks, mother. I too hope the same thing. Now, all we can do is wait. He told me that he would let me know the outcome of the hearing, and at the moment, they have him under house arrest until the hearing.” Padme picked up the toast and took a bite of it.

“Oh, dear. They are really strict with him, then?” Sola took a sip of her tea.

“Yes, they are. That is because he is what they call the Chosen One, the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy. From what Master Obi-Wan and Anakin have told me, most members on the Council are afraid of him, because he is more powerful than the whole Council, and even their Grand Jedi Master Yoda.” Padme began eating her eggs.

“Really? He is that powerful? I always knew that there was something very special about Anakin.” Jobal nodded in agreement with Padme, as she too began eating her breakfast.

The three women sat at the table eating, turning their topic to other things. Both Jobal and Sola knew, that the more they talked about Anakin, the more Padme got sadder and even quieter.