Hand in hand, the couple walked towards the apartment in silence. "And how was it on Alderaan?"

A while passed before Anakin answered. "Oh, not that special. Just a bunch of clones on site to meet us."

Padmé looked at him in pain, but Anakin pointedly kept looking straight ahead. Something must have happened on Alderaan. But she didn't reply. When they reached the apartment, he went to take a shower. Meanwhile, Padmé was preparing something to eat in the kitchen. Senators were given small apartments in the temple consisting of a kitchen, anteroom, bedroom and bathroom. When Padmé had come to the temple, Anakin had immediately moved in with her. She took a plate and slapped two fried eggs on it. Then she left the kitchen with two forks in her other hand. Padmé entered the bedroom and saw her husband meditating on the bed. She carefully sat down next to him, put the plate aside and wrapped her arms around his upper body. She enjoyed his closeness and pressed herself against him. After a while, Anakin turned to her and hugged her back. Softly, he pressed her to him.

"I missed you so much," she suddenly sobbed. Anakin let her sit on his lap and looked into her eyes. A look that meant a lot to him. Anakin saw Padmé's pain as clearly as he felt it. It didn't do her any good to be alone for so long. First the Clone Wars and now the war against the Empire. While he was thinking, Padmé started to cry and buried her face in his chest.

Anakin tried to calm her down, but she continued to whimper and clung to him. "Padmé my angel. Please, everything is fine. I'm with you," he whispered in her ear and hugged her so tightly that he could feel her heartbeat against his chest. He slowly laid his head on hers and rocked her in his arms.

After what seemed like an eternity, Anakin heard her whisper. "Stay ... stay with me." She lifted her head and looked at him. He lost himself in her beautiful honest brown eyes looking at him so desperately. He lowered his head and approached her lips. Padmé came towards him and brushed his lips. Anakin pressed closer to her for a real passionate kiss.

As they broke apart, he smiled at his wife. She returned it and held the plate of fried eggs up to Anakin's nose. He grabbed a fork and began to eat with relish. "Don't you want some too? Tastes really good."

Padmé laughed. He gave her an odd look, then realized his voice must have sounded funny with his mouth full. "Be warned," she said, still giggling. "Don't you start whining around when there's nothing left." Though the young senator tried with an effort to add a threatening tone to her words, Anakin quickly saw through her and grinned at her.

"What were you doing while I was out?"

Suddenly, Padmé became serious again and looked intently at Anakin. When she had collected herself, she began to report. "Since I had many sleepless nights, I often wandered through the temple. Here and there, I looked for a place to rest and think about important things. From time to time, I was at small Senate meetings of the senators, who stay here in the temple. I've also been in the archives quite a few times, reading. But most of the time I've spent ... missing you, asking me how you're doing, if you're hurt. I have thought of you every day." She paused to make sure he'd heard everything. Then she continued. "You can even ask Obi-Wan. I used to pester him with the same question every day."

Anakin smirked. "And what was that question?"

"Anything new from Anakin?"

-

How do you guys like it, so far? Happy new year!

Skyllen :)