A Love From Across The Stars

this is not edited. so im sure there are typos and stuff. sorry lol. i also kinda hate this chapter just because it's pure wish fulfillment.

Just two days after Christmas, Padmé comes into work at the office. She’s the last one to arrive, which is unusual. But seeing as Anakin is the only one she has to answer to, she knows she’s not getting written up because it’s truly his fault she was late in the first place.

Last night, she went over to Anakin’s apartment and well... didn’t exactly ever return to her own. Although that part was her fault for getting so drunk she couldn’t drive home. She made Anakin promise he would wake her up in the morning when he got up for work, but he didn’t.

He didn’t. And she’s a little mad at him for that.

She woke up about seven thirty in the morning with a note he left on the nightstand that read thought you might want to sleep in, love you.

A sweet gesture, but today was not the day. It’s embarrassing to be late for work on the first day back after a holiday. Before she was able to get to the office, she also had to go home to get her Secret Santa gift for the party.

She barely makes it in time for that.

Quietly, she opens the entrance doors. The office space looks very festive with fairy lights and a large Christmas tree in the corner. Everyone is lining up for the buffet that Anakin had catered for the party. Or actually, Padmé had been the one to organize the caterer following Anakin’s request. This year, they went with Japanese food as the theme instead of the regular holiday fixings. Neither her nor Anakin could take another smoked ham and green bean casserole.

He stands in the back of the line in a navy suit. She sighs, seeing him. He really does look good in a suit.

Padmé sets her large gift under the tree by the others and then scurries over to get in line for the food. Everyone’s distracted, so it seems she came in unnoticed.

Anakin turns to her. “I wasn’t sure you were going to make it.”

“No thanks to you,” she scoffs.

“There was no reason for you to come in at your normal time today. Literally, I’m paying everyone to come to this party.”

As she scans over the office, Padmé eyes Rex in the corner setting up both a coffee bar and a bar bar. “I thought we weren’t serving alcohol at a work event. We agreed on a coffee bar.”

He scratches the back of his neck. “Obi-Wan’s request.”

“You should have run it by me,” she whispers. “Whatever. You know he’s going to get plastered.”

Anakin chuckles. “That’s what the holidays are for, baby.” His hand reaches around her waist to pull her close.

She immediately pushes him away. “Are you nuts?”

He bites his lip. “Sorry. I’m just really happy to see you.”

Padmé blushes. “Just not at work.”

“I know. I’ll try to play it cool.”

“Good,” she says.

They move up into the line. She leans to the side to try to get a peek, but it’s no use. Her stomach grumbles because she didn’t have a chance to eat breakfast like she normally does.

“You destroyed me at Mario Kart,” he whispers in her ear.

She snorts. “It’s a shame because I was super drunk, and you weren’t.”

“I guess... we’ve finally found a game you can beat me at.”

“Or you were taking it easy on me.” She wants to nudge him in the stomach, but that wouldn’t exactly be professional.

“I know you hate to lose.”

“I do.”

Last night when they played Fortnite, she almost threw the controller at the screen and that would have been a very expensive mistake.

“I guess we shouldn’t sit together,” he says, a little uncertain, as if he’s really asking her permission.

“You know what I’m going to say,” she says. “I don’t think so.”

He groans. “Yeah. I don’t know if I can really reel myself in the way I need to at work. It’s probably best if we keep our distance.”

“Yeah.”

Anakin isn’t the only one disappointed about the situation. She wants to stand right next to him and hold his hand, but she can’t. It wouldn’t look good on him mostly. He’s the one in a position of power. She doesn’t want anyone questioning his ethics because they don’t know the real situation. And she’d really rather not be known as the girl who slept with her boss. Even though that wouldn’t be untrue.

So, after they fill their paper plates with food, they go their separate ways. Padmé sits at a table with Satine and Ahsoka and Barris, the new intern. Anakin sits with Obi-Wan at a small table in the corner.

Satine nudges Padmé and leans over to whisper. “I think you have a secret to spill. Don’t think I didn’t notice the way you two were chatting it up in line.”

Padmé gives Satine a firm glare. “Text me later?” Please? She mouths.

Satine gives a subtle nod. And Padmé gives a sigh of relief.

Standing right by the Christmas tree, Satine holds a microphone close to her lips, announcing the start of Secret Santa. She bends over in front of the presents and starts reading the names off the gifts. A crowd slowly gathers by the tree to receive their gifts.

Anakin stands alone in the back holding a beer as he watches people tear into their gifts. The office is filled with laughs and shouts as people try to guess who was their secret santa. Padmé’s heart rate intensifies when Satine calls Anakin to collect his present. His box is five times bigger than everyone else’s, but it makes sense considering the contents of his gift. She second guesses herself as he rips into the paper. She should have gotten him a new videogame or a book.

Everyone pauses to watch Anakin open his gift. No doubt everyone is wondering who was the poor victim who pulled his name from the stocking. Considering that Anakin is her boyfriend now, she shouldn’t worry as much because she knows he loves her.

When he opens the box and pulls out the navy quilt, he smiles brightly and holds it up. Satine approaches him and asks if he has a guess for his secret santa.

“I’m going to have to guess...” he looks at Padmé. She knows he knows it was her, but instead, he says, “Obi-Wan?”

Obi-Wan snorts from behind. “You think I would spend that much money on you? Very funny.”

Satine asks him again. “Do you have a second guess?”

“Was it you?” he asks Satine.

She facepalms. “You’re impossible! Padmé!” she shouts, “It was Padmé. Isn’t her gift so thoughtful.”

Anakin turns back to her and waves her over. Padmé walks to him albeit nervously. She doesn’t want anyone to think there is something going on between them.

“This is perfect,” he tells her. “All I have on my bed is that cheap fuzzy blanket I got from the grocery store.”

“I know,” she sighs. “It’s atrocious.”

Anakin gives her a side hug. This is the closest they’ve been since the party started. She can’t wait until they finally have some alone time tonight.

“This reminds me of the quilt my grandma made for me.”

“Yes!” she exclaims. “That’s why I got it for you. I thought you might want a little something to remind you of home.”

“You’re the best girlfriend ever,” he whispers to her. “Remind me to make it up to you tonight.”

She shouldn’t be getting turned on in a public setting, but the way he said that. She sighs. She’s tearing off his clothes the moment their alone.

“One last gift!” Satine announces. They both look towards the Christmas tree.

Satine picks up a small box on the ground, the final present. “This one is for Padmé! It is quite heavy.”

Padmé accepts the rectangular box. Satine was right. It weighs a good bit. The wrapping paper is extremely neat. There’s a real red ribbon bow wrapped around it. She pulls the ribbon and carefully unwraps the gift.

Her gift is a book.

But not just any book.

It’s a stack of paper stitched together with no cover, but she’s not quick to judge the gift. She reads the text on the first page.

This is the unpublished manuscript of the fourth book of The Empyrean.

There’s only one person in the world who would care so much about a Christmas gift for her to get their hands on a draft of her favorite book series.

She all but jumps on Anakin.

“Thank you! Thank you!” she says, “This is the best gift I’ve ever received!”

He pushes her off him quickly which reminds her that they are in the office in the presence of all their colleagues.

Oops.

“H—how?” she asks him, keeping her voice down.

“I have connections,” he says with a wink.

Padmé flips through the pages. “This is all I’m going to be doing for the next two days.”

He shakes his head. “You’d better make some time for me.”

“It’s beautiful, Ani!” She panted as they came to a stop by the flower vendor at the edge of the market.

“I know!” Anakin replied, “nobody does Life Day preparations like the Coruscant Underworld.”

He turned to the vendor’s cart, giving the worker half-hidden behind the flowers a nod as he selected two tiny, dark purple, star-shaped blossoms with glowing teal centres, tucking one into the breast pocket of his shirt (which was slightly ill-fitting, since he’d borrowed it from Lionel - who, all height jokes aside, really was quite a bit smaller than him) and the other behind Padmé’s ear along with a strand of her dark hair that had fallen from the loose bun it was tied in.

“You remembered our special flower.” Padmé murmured, reaching up to touch its tiny petals and brushing her fingers against his as she did so.

“Of course,” Anakin said as they continued further into the market, “how could I possibly forget? That was our first date as a married couple.”

As bright and beautiful as the lights had been on the street, the lines of shops in Uhmandasee Market were even more dazzling, with thousands of lights that glowed like a sky full of suns on every corner, every storefront, every vendor’s cart.

“Should we do a bit of Life Day shopping while we’re here?” Padmé mused as they strolled through the crowd, who remained blissfully oblivious to them both when they were dressed in commoner clothes, “for our friends?”

“Jedi aren’t really supposed to ‘shop’,” Anakin murmured, “especially for material possessions, even if we’re giving them away.”

“But you’re not a Jedi,” Padmé argued playfully, smirking at him, “not while we’re here, at least, nor am I a senator. We’re just a happy couple in love, enjoying the Life Day market and looking for gifts to give our friends.”

Anakin grinned back at her.

“Good point,” he said, “but let’s get some Kashyyyk cocoa first - I’ve been dreaming of it all morning.”

Padmé giggled as he took her by the hand and led her to the little outlet that always set up by the entrance of the market this time of year. He and Lionel had been there plenty of times as kids, before Anakin was even tall enough to see over the counter.

The same Wookiee that had been running the stand since he and Lionel were ten and twelve was still there - he seemed so gruff, but Anakin knew better after ordering from him for so many years.

The two of them slowed their pace through the market once the hot, sweet drinks were in their hands - again, it wasn’t exactly cold in the Underworld, and it never was, but the warmth leaking through the disposable cups and into their fingers and palms was still wonderful.

Padmé looked up at Anakin as she took a sip, then started giggling so hard she had to spit her cocoa back into her cup.

“What?” Anakin asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

“You have whipped cream on your nose.” Padmé replied, stretching up on her toes and kissing the end of Anakin’s nose, leaning back with the little dab of whipped cream on her lips, which she licked off.

Anakin rubbed his nose with a self-conscious chuckle.

“Well, not anymore.” Padmé laughed softly.

“Thanks,” Anakin murmured, “you have some on you too.”

“Ani, I didn’t order mine with-” Padmé began, then broke off with another laugh as Anakin bent his head past her ear to kiss the crook of her neck.

She swatted his shoulder.

“Got it!” He proclaimed as he straightened back up with a grin.

“You loon.” Padmé snorted affectionately.

For a moment, Anakin’s heart sank as he thought about the fact that it couldn’t be like this all the time for them. While they were here in the Underworld, they were free, they could pretend they were just another ordinary couple. But the moment they left, they returned to the real world, where Anakin was a Jedi and Padmé was a senator. They couldn’t be like this up there. They had to pretend.

They had to hide their true selves.

“Ani?” Padmé asked, and Anakin realized he’d been staring off for too long, his smile fading.

He shook himself.

“Nothing.” He said quickly, “just got distracted. C’mon, let’s go shopping and get those presents you wanted.”

The bustling crowd and magical sights in Uhmandasee Market were more than enough to take Anakin’s mind off his momentary brooding, and he found himself smiling again in no time as Padmé took the lead as they went from storefront to storefront, her eyes sparkling more and more each time they picked out the perfect gift for one of their friends.

By the end of it, they had something for just about everyone on their list. A small statue of a raxshir and a pair of carabiners for Ahsoka; a couple of well-suited fidget toys for Fives and Echo (which they’d probably use to drive Rex crazy during briefings); cozy socks for Rex, since Anakin remembered him complaining about his feet being cold in the barracks; a pretty choker for Sister that she could discreetly wear under her blacks; a mug with a medic symbol on it for Kix and a matching one with the Republic symbol on it for Jesse; firecrackers for Hardcase; flavoured caf for Cody; a new sketchbook and pencils for Lionel; two adorable plush tookas for Ryoo and Pooja; a new perfume for Sola. Anakin even found a blend of tea from Ryloth that he knew both Aayla and Obi-Wan would enjoy, even if neither of them outwardly accepted the gift.

Jedi weren’t supposed to give and receive presents for Life Day, but Anakin wasn’t a Jedi while he was here, he was a young man shopping for his beloved friends.

It was hard to tell how long exactly they’d been in the market after a while - losing track of time was far too easy in a place like this - but eventually, the two of them wound up in an ornament shop, where a particular set caught Padmé’s eye.

She tried to hide it, but Anakin noticed, and stopped to pick up the clear box the ornaments were in.

There were two dozen, shaped like stars with twelve sharp points, and dangling teardrops hanging from the bottom, made of delicately cut and polished crystal.

Anakin gingerly opened the container and lifted one of the ornaments out, and it shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow in the light.

“Ani, they’re beautiful.” Padmé gasped softly.

“You like them?” Anakin asked, and Padmé nodded, “then they’re yours, my love.”

“Really?” Padmé practically squealed.

“Of course,” Anakin chuckled, “they’ll look lovely in your apartment. Consider it an early Life Day present.”

“Oh, Ani,” Padmé sighed, leaning on his shoulder, “thank you!”

They continued on, back to the entrance to the market, after Anakin purchased the ornaments. It was only when they reached the flower vendor that Padmé stopped again.

“You go on ahead,” she murmured quickly, glancing over her shoulder, “there’s one last thing I want to get.”

Anakin raised an eyebrow at her in amusement, but didn’t say anything, doing as she said and walking back out onto the street to wait for her.

After a few moments she returned, beaming, and presented him with a bouquet of flowers.

Anakin quietly took them into his arms, feeling his mouth falling open as he realized they were all Tatooinian flowers. He looked back up at Padmé, into her glimmering eyes.

“Padmé-” he began, befuddled.

“Well, you bought me something,” Padmé said, “it would only be fair for me to get you something too.”

Anakin stared at her, then looked back down at the flowers, then back up at her with a fond smile.

“Thank you.” He murmured.

Maybe it didn’t matter that they couldn’t live like this all the time after all.

The bitter cold Coruscant wind, carrying drifting snow, whipped around Padmé and stubbornly clung to her bones as she arrived at her apartment, making her long for Varykino. What was once just a summer lakehouse had now been transformed into Padmé and Anakin’s year-round home, and right now it was probably wonderfully sunny and warm, maybe even warm enough to force her into the water for an evening swim to cool off. At the moment, however, the thought of dipping her feet in the water just made her shiver even more.

That changed the moment she stepped inside, closing out the blizzard over the city and instead being enveloped by the sound of her children’s laughter, mixed with the fainter rumble of her husband chuckling.

Padmé was smiling before she’d even realized it, her frustrations and homesickness forgotten in an instant.

She rounded the corner to her and Anakin’s bedroom just in time to see Anakin lift up Luke’s shirt to blow a raspberry on his belly.

Luke squealed, shoving at Anakin’s head with his little hands.

“Daddy, stop!” He exclaimed through giggles as Leia promptly clambered on top of Anakin’s shoulders to try and pull him off her brother.

“Daddy’s not here!” Anakin growled in a playful voice, “I’m a monster! And I’m hungry!”

He reached behind his back to grab Leia as he said it, gently dragging her back down onto the bed so he could tickle both twins mercilessly.

The room was filled with squealing and giggling again immediately, and Padmé laughed quietly to herself.

“Having fun?” She asked, and Anakin relented for a moment to look up at her with a grin.

“Mommy!” Leia giggled before he could answer, “protect us!!”

Padmé felt an involuntary smirk curl the corner of her lips.

“Who’s ‘Mommy’?” She teased, before swiftly crossing the room to scoop Leia into her arms, tickling her the same way Anakin just had been.

Leia let out a shrill shriek before giggling even harder than before.

“Oh no, two monsters!!” Luke cried in mock-terror, then squealed again as Anakin blew another raspberry on his stomach.

Padmé laughed as she let herself fall onto the bed with Leia still in her arms, closing her eyes and listening to Luke and Leia’s residual giggling as their parents finally let up.

“Mommy, your hands are cold.” Leia murmured after a moment.

Padmé had honestly forgotten about that.

She opened one eye as she felt Anakin’s warm hand come to rest on her arm, the glimmer of joy in his eyes immediately replaced with concern.

“Oh, Padmé, you are cold!” He said worriedly.

“I’m alright,” Padmé replied, “you know how cold Coruscant winters are-”

Anakin didn’t let her finish.

“Let’s warm up Mommy, you two!” He said to the twins, who both immediately snuggled closer to Padmé. Anakin, meanwhile, grabbed the blanket from the end of the bed - the one she had bought them as a wedding gift the first year they were married - and draped it over the four of them, wrapping his arms around her, Luke, and Leia.

Padmé wanted to protest again that she was fine, and this wasn’t necessary, but she couldn’t help the way she instantly relaxed, letting out a contented hum as the warmth from the embrace and the thick blanket soaked into her, warmer than the sun’s rays.

The cold had left her body in no time, but Padmé made no effort to move, nor would she for as long as she possibly could.

Tomorrow was Life Day, and she would spend it far away from the problems of the galaxy. It had taken her a long time to fully be able to believe she deserved to take this kind of break.

It’s the night before Christmas. And Mrs. Shmi has put Padmé and Anakin to work. Even though no one in the house still believes in Santa, Anakin’s mom pretends that they do. Which is why Padmé and Anakin are in the kitchen after dinner baking chocolate chip cookies again. Padmé doesn’t mind. The last time they made cookies together was one of her fondest memories of them.

Anakin pours in the chocolate chips which will be the final step before they mold the dough into cookies and put them into the oven to bake.

He’s so focused. His brows are tightly knit as he folds the chips in. She giggles when she notices a big white streak on his cheek. Padmé licks her fingers and starts to wipe the flour.

He flinches because he didn’t expect her touch.

“You have something on your face,” Padmé says.

Anakin leans down to her level so she can reach more easily.  A few moments later he asks, “Did you get it?”

She kisses his cheek. “Yes.”

“Thanks, baby.”

Padmé tenses up. He doesn’t notice what he just said. The pet name sounded so natural from his lips, but she’s still getting used to being his girlfriend instead of his assistant. Hearing him call her baby so sweetly is strange but a good strange. She can’t help but melt a little inside.

Once the cookies are mostly cool, Padmé scoops them onto a big porcelain Christmas platter. Anakin left to get some firewood from Owen and Beru.

Mrs. Shmi washes carrots in the sink for Santa’s reindeer. “You know I made that almost ten Christmases ago!”

Padmé takes a second glance at it. The plate is white and in the shape of a Christmas tree. There is gold, silver, red, and green decorations painted on in metallic color. The design is beautiful.

“I never would have guessed.”

“Anakin made one too.”

Padmé looks at Mrs. Shmi and smiles. “I need to see it.”

“He gets a little self-conscious about it. I typically keep it packed away.”

“He’s not here though,” Padmé tells her with a big grin.

Mrs. Shmi nods in agreement. She walks over to the cabinet and pulls out another large platter also in the shape of a tree. She brings it over to Padmé, holding it up in front of her.

Anakin’s platter is a hyper realistic version of a Christmas tree. It looks better than what a factory could do. They should have this on display in their home. It’s magnificent.

“I had no idea he was such an artist.”

“Hardly anyone does. He’s very talented, but he doesn’t like to brag on himself. Let me put this away before he gets back home.”

Padmé is going to have to tease him about this later. She can’t believe he never told her about his art.

She wants to bring his Christmas platter home with her and tease him about it every year.

After Anakin comes back with firewood, he gets the fireplace going. Padmé watches him from afar as he tends to it. She can hardly believe that the man in front of her is really hers. She trembles thinking about what that might mean for her future and all the joy that this love might bring them together. She knows love isn’t easy, but she knows it’s worth it.

Satisfied, Anakin looks back at her. The firelight catches in his mesmerizing eyes. No one has ever looked at her like this. She’s so lucky to have him in her life. Padmé takes steps toward him, desiring a kiss.

Mrs. Shmi interrupts things when she comes into the living room with a glass of milk and the platter of cookies. She sets them on the coffee table.

“Thanks for doing that for me, Ani.”

“You’re welcome, Mom.” He pats her on the shoulder. “I think that the fire might be a problem for Santa though.”

“Oh, Ani, you should know that Santa has Christmas magic by now. How many times have I had to explain this to you?”

“Plenty, Mom.” Anakin shakes his head. “And you’re right. I don’t know why I said anything.”

Padmé can’t help but laugh at them. Anakin explained to her how seriously his mother takes Christmas Eve. Seeing it play out in real life is rather adorable. Neither Mrs. Shmi not Anakin believes in Santa, but these little traditions seem to keep the magic alive between them. Anakin might tease her for it and roll his eyes every chance he gets. But he still plays along because he knows how much it means to her.

The last thing Mrs. Shmi puts out are the freshly washed carrots for the reindeer. Anakin finds that one the most ridiculous, but his comments are minimal. Seeing the milk and cookies and the carrots makes her so happy.

Four stockings hang over the fireplace. One for Cliegg. One for Shmi. One for Anakin. And one for Padmé. She feels honored to be included.

“I’m going to head to bed. You two better not stay up too late. And don’t have too much fun. These walls are thinner than you think.”

“Mom!” Anakin snaps. His lips meet in a firm line. “Just go to bed. Now.”

Mrs. Shmi laughs at him and then waves to Padmé. “Sweet dreams, love.”

“Good night, Mrs. Shmi. Tell Mr. Lars goodnight for me as well.”

Anakin watches his mom go up the stairs. When the door shuts for sure, he turns back to Padmé.

“I am so, so sorry about her. She’s...”

“It’s fine. I mean my mother would never make such jokes, but I’m glad your mom is more fun, I guess.”

“That’s not fun. That’s embarrassing.”

“There’s nothing she could say that would scare me away. I’m here to stay, Anakin.”

“C’mere,” he says, as he pulls her against him. Softly, he kisses the side of her neck. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

“I’m happy to be here.”

He lets go of her and runs to the tree. There are several stacks of presents.

“Can I give you your gift?” he asks.

“You don’t want to wait until morning? It is Christmas.”

“I can’t wait,” he says cheerily. “Besides, being alone would make it more special.”

“Fine. But then I’m giving you your gift tonight too.”

Anakin passes her a flat, square box. “It’s not much, but I didn’t want to go too crazy on our first Christmas. I’ll save that for next year.”

Padmé stares at the gift. The wrapping paper is shiny and silver with a gold bow. “It’s perfect.”

“You haven’t even opened it yet.”

“Oh.”

Anakin sits down on the couch and pulls Padmé with him. “Open it.”

Slowly, she pulls the ribbon lose and then cautiously unwraps the present, careful not to tear the paper. It’s a maroon box. She knows it’s going to be jewelry by the look of it. She really hopes he didn’t spend too much on her. His money isn’t the reason she’s with him.

Padmé opens the box. Two large diamond earrings and silver necklace with a matching pendant sparkle at her from the black velvet cushion. She’s never gotten jewelry from a boyfriend. She’s so touched by his generosity she starts to cry.

“Anakin—this—this is too much.”

“They’re lab grown. So, these aren’t completely unreasonable. I hope that’s not a problem.”

Padmé laughs. “No, not at all.”

“Lab grown is more ethical. That’s why I didn’t get natural diamonds. It’s not that I don’t think you’re worth it. You are.”

“They’re perfect, Anakin.” She leans forwards and kisses him briefly. “Thank you. I’m going to put them on.”

She takes off her hoops and exchanges them for the diamond earrings. Anakin takes the box from her hand and holds the necklace between his fingers.

“Let me.”

Padmé turns away from him and draws her hair to the side. Gently, he loops the thin chain around her neck and puts the clasp back together. She faces him again, and his eyes fall onto her.

“You are so lovely.”

Right now, she feels pretty because of the way he looks at her. The diamonds do help.

“Now for your gift, Anakin.” Padmé gets up to get it from under the tree.

His present is rectangular in shape with red wrapping paper with a gold bow. Anakin inspects it for a few moments before tearing into it, and what he sees seems to stun him.

He holds it up.

“How?”

The gift is a picture of their first kiss under the mistletoe in a decorative frame.

“Apparently, your mom snapped a picture of us without us knowing. She showed me later, and I thought it would be perfect for your office... eventually when everyone knows about us.”

They haven’t really discussed how they are going to tell the rest of his employees. Maybe after she finds another position.

“I can put it on my desk at home for now.” He kisses her cheek. “Thank you, Padmé. It’s perfect.

“You’re welcome!”

“I will say... the fact that I’m crazy about you might be the worst kept secret at Skyline.”

“What!”

Anakin sighs. “I’m pretty sure, Ahsoka knows. And Obi-Wan cornered me on it. So, then Satine must know.”

“And none of them told me?”

Anakin shrugs. “I never worried about it to be honest. What were they going to do? Fire me?”

Padmé rolls her eyes. “You could be asked to step down. Skyline isn’t a tiny operation in your garage anymore more, Anakin.”

It’s the night before Christmas. And Mrs. Shmi has put Padmé and Anakin to work. Even though no one in the house still believes in Santa, Anakin’s mom pretends that they do. Which is why Padmé and Anakin are in the kitchen after dinner baking chocolate chip cookies again. Padmé doesn’t mind. The last time they made cookies together was one of her fondest memories of them.

Anakin pours in the chocolate chips which will be the final step before they mold the dough into cookies and put them into the oven to bake.

He’s so focused. His brows are tightly knit as he folds the chips in. She giggles when she notices a big white streak on his cheek. Padmé licks her fingers and starts to wipe the flour.

He flinches because he didn’t expect her touch.

“You have something on your face,” Padmé says.

Anakin leans down to her level so she can reach more easily.  A few moments later he asks, “Did you get it?”

She kisses his cheek. “Yes.”

“Thanks, baby.”

Padmé tenses up. He doesn’t notice what he just said. The pet name sounded so natural from his lips, but she’s still getting used to being his girlfriend instead of his assistant. Hearing him call her baby so sweetly is strange but a good strange. She can’t help but melt a little inside.

Once the cookies are mostly cool, Padmé scoops them onto a big porcelain Christmas platter. Anakin left to get some firewood from Owen and Beru.

Mrs. Shmi washes carrots in the sink for Santa’s reindeer. “You know I made that almost ten Christmases ago!”

Padmé takes a second glance at it. The plate is white and in the shape of a Christmas tree. There is gold, silver, red, and green decorations painted on in metallic color. The design is beautiful.

“I never would have guessed.”

“Anakin made one too.”

Padmé looks at Mrs. Shmi and smiles. “I need to see it.”

“He gets a little self-conscious about it. I typically keep it packed away.”

“He’s not here though,” Padmé tells her with a big grin.

Mrs. Shmi nods in agreement. She walks over to the cabinet and pulls out another large platter also in the shape of a tree. She brings it over to Padmé, holding it up in front of her.

Anakin’s platter is a hyper realistic version of a Christmas tree. It looks better than what a factory could do. They should have this on display in their home. It’s magnificent.

“I had no idea he was such an artist.”

“Hardly anyone does. He’s very talented, but he doesn’t like to brag on himself. Let me put this away before he gets back home.”

Padmé is going to have to tease him about this later. She can’t believe he never told her about his art.

She wants to bring his Christmas platter home with her and tease him about it every year.

After Anakin comes back with firewood, he gets the fireplace going. Padmé watches him from afar as he tends to it. She can hardly believe that the man in front of her is really hers. She trembles thinking about what that might mean for her future and all the joy that this love might bring them together. She knows love isn’t easy, but she knows it’s worth it.

Satisfied, Anakin looks back at her. The firelight catches in his mesmerizing eyes. No one has ever looked at her like this. She’s so lucky to have him in her life. Padmé takes steps toward him, desiring a kiss.

Mrs. Shmi interrupts things when she comes into the living room with a glass of milk and the platter of cookies. She sets them on the coffee table.

“Thanks for doing that for me, Ani.”

“You’re welcome, Mom.” He pats her on the shoulder. “I think that the fire might be a problem for Santa though.”

“Oh, Ani, you should know that Santa has Christmas magic by now. How many times have I had to explain this to you?”

“Plenty, Mom.” Anakin shakes his head. “And you’re right. I don’t know why I said anything.”

Padmé can’t help but laugh at them. Anakin explained to her how seriously his mother takes Christmas Eve. Seeing it play out in real life is rather adorable. Neither Mrs. Shmi not Anakin believes in Santa, but these little traditions seem to keep the magic alive between them. Anakin might tease her for it and roll his eyes every chance he gets. But he still plays along because he knows how much it means to her.

The last thing Mrs. Shmi puts out are the freshly washed carrots for the reindeer. Anakin finds that one the most ridiculous, but his comments are minimal. Seeing the milk and cookies and the carrots makes her so happy.

Four stockings hang over the fireplace. One for Cliegg. One for Shmi. One for Anakin. And one for Padmé. She feels honored to be included.

“I’m going to head to bed. You two better not stay up too late. And don’t have too much fun. These walls are thinner than you think.”

“Mom!” Anakin snaps. His lips meet in a firm line. “Just go to bed. Now.”

Mrs. Shmi laughs at him and then waves to Padmé. “Sweet dreams, love.”

“Good night, Mrs. Shmi. Tell Mr. Lars goodnight for me as well.”

Anakin watches his mom go up the stairs. When the door shuts for sure, he turns back to Padmé.

“I am so, so sorry about her. She’s...”

“It’s fine. I mean my mother would never make such jokes, but I’m glad your mom is more fun, I guess.”

“That’s not fun. That’s embarrassing.”

“There’s nothing she could say that would scare me away. I’m here to stay, Anakin.”

“C’mere,” he says, as he pulls her against him. Softly, he kisses the side of her neck. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

“I’m happy to be here.”

He lets go of her and runs to the tree. There are several stacks of presents.

“Can I give you your gift?” he asks.

“You don’t want to wait until morning? It is Christmas.”

“I can’t wait,” he says cheerily. “Besides, being alone would make it more special.”

“Fine. But then I’m giving you your gift tonight too.”

Anakin passes her a flat, square box. “It’s not much, but I didn’t want to go too crazy on our first Christmas. I’ll save that for next year.”

Padmé stares at the gift. The wrapping paper is shiny and silver with a gold bow. “It’s perfect.”

“You haven’t even opened it yet.”

“Oh.”

Anakin sits down on the couch and pulls Padmé with him. “Open it.”

Slowly, she pulls the ribbon lose and then cautiously unwraps the present, careful not to tear the paper. It’s a maroon box. She knows it’s going to be jewelry by the look of it. She really hopes he didn’t spend too much on her. His money isn’t the reason she’s with him.

Padmé opens the box. Two large diamond earrings and silver necklace with a matching pendant sparkle at her from the black velvet cushion. She’s never gotten jewelry from a boyfriend. She’s so touched by his generosity she starts to cry.

“Anakin—this—this is too much.”

“They’re lab grown. So, these aren’t completely unreasonable. I hope that’s not a problem.”

Padmé laughs. “No, not at all.”

“Lab grown is more ethical. That’s why I didn’t get natural diamonds. It’s not that I don’t think you’re worth it. You are.”

“They’re perfect, Anakin.” She leans forwards and kisses him briefly. “Thank you. I’m going to put them on.”

She takes off her hoops and exchanges them for the diamond earrings. Anakin takes the box from her hand and holds the necklace between his fingers.

“Let me.”

Padmé turns away from him and draws her hair to the side. Gently, he loops the thin chain around her neck and puts the clasp back together. She faces him again, and his eyes fall onto her.

“You are so lovely.”

Right now, she feels pretty because of the way he looks at her. The diamonds do help.

“Now for your gift, Anakin.” Padmé gets up to get it from under the tree.

His present is rectangular in shape with red wrapping paper with a gold bow. Anakin inspects it for a few moments before tearing into it, and what he sees seems to stun him.

He holds it up.

“How?”

The gift is a picture of their first kiss under the mistletoe in a decorative frame.

“Apparently, your mom snapped a picture of us without us knowing. She showed me later, and I thought it would be perfect for your office... eventually when everyone knows about us.”

They haven’t really discussed how they are going to tell the rest of his employees. Maybe after she finds another position.

“I can put it on my desk at home for now.” He kisses her cheek. “Thank you, Padmé. It’s perfect.

“You’re welcome!”

“I will say... the fact that I’m crazy about you might be the worst kept secret at Skyline.”

“What!”

Anakin sighs. “I’m pretty sure, Ahsoka knows. And Obi-Wan cornered me on it. So, then Satine must know.”

“And none of them told me?”

Anakin shrugs. “I never worried about it to be honest. What were they going to do? Fire me?”

Padmé rolls her eyes. “You could be asked to step down. Skyline isn’t a tiny operation in your garage anymore more, Anakin.”

The bitter cold Coruscant wind, carrying drifting snow, whipped around Padmé and stubbornly clung to her bones as she arrived at her apartment, making her long for Varykino. What was once just a summer lakehouse had now been transformed into Padmé and Anakin’s year-round home, and right now it was probably wonderfully sunny and warm, maybe even warm enough to force her into the water for an evening swim to cool off. At the moment, however, the thought of dipping her feet in the water just made her shiver even more.

That changed the moment she stepped inside, closing out the blizzard over the city and instead being enveloped by the sound of her children’s laughter, mixed with the fainter rumble of her husband chuckling.

Padmé was smiling before she’d even realized it, her frustrations and homesickness forgotten in an instant.

She rounded the corner to her and Anakin’s bedroom just in time to see Anakin lift up Luke’s shirt to blow a raspberry on his belly.

Luke squealed, shoving at Anakin’s head with his little hands.

“Daddy, stop!” He exclaimed through giggles as Leia promptly clambered on top of Anakin’s shoulders to try and pull him off her brother.

“Daddy’s not here!” Anakin growled in a playful voice, “I’m a monster! And I’m hungry!”

He reached behind his back to grab Leia as he said it, gently dragging her back down onto the bed so he could tickle both twins mercilessly.

The room was filled with squealing and giggling again immediately, and Padmé laughed quietly to herself.

“Having fun?” She asked, and Anakin relented for a moment to look up at her with a grin.

“Mommy!” Leia giggled before he could answer, “protect us!!”

Padmé felt an involuntary smirk curl the corner of her lips.

“Who’s ‘Mommy’?” She teased, before swiftly crossing the room to scoop Leia into her arms, tickling her the same way Anakin just had been.

Leia let out a shrill shriek before giggling even harder than before.

“Oh no, two monsters!!” Luke cried in mock-terror, then squealed again as Anakin blew another raspberry on his stomach.

Padmé laughed as she let herself fall onto the bed with Leia still in her arms, closing her eyes and listening to Luke and Leia’s residual giggling as their parents finally let up.

“Mommy, your hands are cold.” Leia murmured after a moment.

Padmé had honestly forgotten about that.

She opened one eye as she felt Anakin’s warm hand come to rest on her arm, the glimmer of joy in his eyes immediately replaced with concern.

“Oh, Padmé, you are cold!” He said worriedly.

“I’m alright,” Padmé replied, “you know how cold Coruscant winters are-”

Anakin didn’t let her finish.

“Let’s warm up Mommy, you two!” He said to the twins, who both immediately snuggled closer to Padmé. Anakin, meanwhile, grabbed the blanket from the end of the bed - the one she had bought them as a wedding gift the first year they were married - and draped it over the four of them, wrapping his arms around her, Luke, and Leia.

Padmé wanted to protest again that she was fine, and this wasn’t necessary, but she couldn’t help the way she instantly relaxed, letting out a contented hum as the warmth from the embrace and the thick blanket soaked into her, warmer than the sun’s rays.

The cold had left her body in no time, but Padmé made no effort to move, nor would she for as long as she possibly could.

Tomorrow was Life Day, and she would spend it far away from the problems of the galaxy. It had taken her a long time to fully be able to believe she deserved to take this kind of break.