A/N: I'm so sorry this has taken me so long to get out to you! College and starting a new job have killed my inspiration... Writer's block really is the worst. But hopefully, updates will be more regular now. Thank you for sticking with me!

By the time they arrive at the party venue, it's already dark out and Leia is bouncing in her car seat and whining about the journey taking "forever". Padme can't really blame her; it's been just over an hour's drive from her parent's place back into the city, and then another twenty minutes before they actually reached the hotel… Even she's feeling a little restless now. But the jitters that make her knee bounce and her fingers twitch aren't merely from uncomfortable boredom from a long drive, but nervousness, and it spikes as Anakin parks the car with a well-practiced ease. They're really here.

The moment Anakin opens the door for her, Leia takes off, bounding inside the building as fast as her little legs can carry her, the layers of her sparkling purple tulle dress bounce with every excited step and Padme watches the little figure with a smile. It must be nice to feel that excited about the party. She wishes she was even halfway close to feeling such joy.

Now that Anakin has met her family, it's Padme's turn to be the nervous one about meeting his, and she is. She's really nervous. Part of being a teacher is being good at meeting people, and after years of it, of parent-teacher conferences, of dealing with disputes and tantrums, she's very good with people. But, all those skills, they come from a strictly professional background, they've been cultivated in Padme's working environment, not her personal life, and this party couldn't be any more personal. Anakin needs her to make a good impression tonight. The people he's been so eager for her to meet are his closest friends – people he considers to be family. It's important. And he's so good to her… He tried so hard with her parents, even shaking Rush's hand across the table despite how little he likes him. Padme knows how difficult it must have been for him to swallow his pride and do that, but he did, for her. Now, she has to return the favour and get along with these people, because it's what Anakin deserves.

Padme can see the difference in him already, there's a bounce in his step which screams of the excitement he feels – Leia is so much like him in that manner - and nervousness be damned, Padme can't not smile at him. He's wanted this for a long time now; to introduce her to the people he loves. She wants it too, especially now that dinner with her family went so fantastically. It's an important part of any relationship; to meet the other's family and doing this, knowing the people Anakin knows will give a sense of… Strength and realism to their relationship – an intimacy they've been lacking despite how much they love each other.

At least, unlike Anakin's, her introductions are going to be masked with a veil of casualness. It's a party, after all. Not the intimate family meal he was subjected to… If someone were to go wrong, there's going to be other guests to mingle with and music to drown it all out. And alcohol… Not that Padme will benefit from that factor tonight. She already promised to drive them home. This is a celebration with his friends; he deserves to have a good time without worrying about driving. She just hopes that there'll be no reason to want to drown anything out with wine or champagne. Everything is going to be just fine… Anakin has told her what must amount to thousands of stories about these people, and she can't wait to put faces to the names she has been hearing this whole time beyond the pictures hanging on his walls.

The host of the party, the birthday girl Satine's boyfriend, Ben is especially important to Anakin, Padme knows that. He was one of the few who rallied around him throughout his troubled years and urged him to get better. Anakin thought of this man as something of a brother to him after their close childhood and common father figure. She's always hearing about Ben. And Ben's father… His name… God, she knows it… She does… It's... Qui-Gon – yes that's it. Qui-Gon is important to her boyfriend too; he taught Anakin everything he knew about mechanics and cars and whatever else he does in that garage. The older man stepped into a strong father-figure role in the place of the absent father in Anakin's life. This is truly as close as Padme's ever going to get to meeting his dad, and from the way he always brushes off any questions she has about said missing father, he is perfectly alright with that.

This is important.

"Will you tell me their names again?" She asks as they ascend the small stone steps leading into the building, and she's glad to be getting out of the cold and into warmth. She can recall most of the names he has told her from story to story, but if there is any misstep she could possibly make tonight, she wants to avoid it. Beside her, Anakin chuckles and wraps his arm tightly around her waist, drawing her hip close to his body and Padme's glad of the comfort.

"Padme, you're trembling." His smile falls away as he stops their walk just a few short steps into the hotel's lobby. From the corner of her eye, Padme can see Leia waiting for them outside a pair of large cream and gold ornate doors and feels her breath shudder. Is she trembling? She doesn't feel any shaking… But one glance down at her fingers shows the small vibration jolting through her flesh. Oh. Pursing her lips tightly, careful not the smudge her carefully applied lipstick, Padme silently wills herself to just calm down. She's working herself up about nothing… It's just a fun night with her boyfriend and his friends. No more. But it is so much more than that… And after Anakin's earlier declaration of his true belief that she's perfect, it just… There's a lot of pressure hanging over her. What if she messes up? Because she might. She's not perfect… If that's what he tells her, what has he told them? They're probably expecting someone flawless to arrive on Anakin's arm, someone utterly impeccable. Someone that Padme just… Can't live up to. They could be disappointed with her or just plain not like her… And Anakin would be so disappointed…

"I'm just nervous, that's all." The smile she musters must look every bit as forced as it feels upon her mouth, as Anakin's face hardens into a frown, his handsome features twisting into something between confused, irritated and sympathetic. The slight hint of his annoyance at her only makes her feel worse… She knows how much he wants her to want this. And she does. But she doesn't want to compete with whatever lofty standard Anakin has set up for her with these people. She can't.

"What's wrong?" He sighs, "Hm? Aren't you happy about this?"

"No…" She winces, glancing over her shoulder to the three people behind the large mahogany desk not so subtly attempting to listen into the conversation. The youngest, a wispy teenage girl who watches them through her thin, blonde hair immediately darts her eyes down to whatever paperwork she's evidently supposed to be doing and Padme sighs harder. This really isn't how she imagined tonight playing out so far… "Yes. I mean, I am, Ani, I really am. But I'm afraid. Anything could go wrong in there – what if they don't like me? Or I do something to offend them? Or I'm not exactly who they imagined I'd be, or –"

To her shock, Anakin just begins to laugh. A slow, quiet little chuckle from the back of his throat as she rambles on about her misgivings only serve to momentarily spark an irritation of her own, strong enough to blind her to all of the worries plaguing her. This isn't funny! Not one bit! "What are you laughing at? This is hardly funny, Anakin!"

"You know what's funny?" He smiles down at her, stroking his fingertips along her arms and Padme only glares in response, fuelling the fond amusement shining in his eyes.

"What?"

His hands come to rest on her hips, thumbs rubbing soft circles into her flesh as he bites down another laugh. "You really want to know?"

"Anakin…" She seethes, thoroughly irked at his blasé treatment of her tonight. To put it rather bluntly, she's beyond annoyed with him… Padme would never have made fun of him when he was nervous about meeting her family – never! "If you're just going to make fun of me, then I don't want to –"

"I'm not making fun of you…" Anakin rolls his eyes, "I just find it funny that you of all people could ever think people won't like you." He speaks so bluntly, so matter of fact, as if his words are a simple truth, something undoubtable or indisputable, that Padme casts her eyes down low for a moment in the wake of it. It's almost overwhelming. She doesn't see his smile, but she hears it in his voice when he speaks, "You. Of all women, Padme, have nothing to be nervous about. Not ever."

"You really think so?" Her own hands climb his chest gently, to fist at the material of his navy dress shirt. She's relieved to hear him say these things, even if not all of her believes in them. She just can't help it. But it's… Nice to hear Anakin reassuring her, to be the one on the receiving end of loving praise for once. For as long as she can remember, Padme has always been the good friend who'll talk and talk about the goodness of someone; she'll say anything to make them feel better about themselves… She strives to see the light amongst the dark. And sometimes, it's difficult to let others peer into her. Opening up to someone about your insecurities isn't easy; she's rarely ever done it and as a result, people have often gained false perceptions of coldness or haughtiness about her. Ask her sister to describe her, and Sola would be likely to say something like, "pragmatic", which is equally unpleasant to Padme's ears. She supposes, she just doesn't like being judged and so avoids most situations which require her to be… Including emotional moments with others which come so easily to most people… But talking to Anakin, bearing her heart and soul to him comes as easily to Padme as breathing, and most surprising of all, the fact that it doesn't frighten her. Not one bit. And to hear his reassuring words only reinforces her faith in this choice to offer him and this relationship another chance. This is how it should be… And she's lucky to be with someone so open with their emotions, so happy to share them because Padme could never have had this conversation with Palo… Nor would he have sought to reassure her the way Anakin does. This is better, much, much better.

Anakin laughs again, and this time, the corners of Padme's mouth twitch just slightly along with him. "You are the most irritating," he declares, "Self-righteous," Padme's eyes widen as the insults roll off of his tongue. "Stubborn… Beautiful, intelligent, kindest woman – hell, person, I've ever known." The hands on her hips urge Padme half a step closer to Anakin's body as his lips abandon their calm smile in favour of something sly, playful even… "And by far the sexiest, too." The last part comes breathed lowly; his breath warm against her face and Padme can't not smile widely, barely holding back the sudden burning tears that well up in her eyes at Anakin's sweet, loving words. No one else in the world could ever make her feel even halfway as utterly beloved as Anakin does with words alone… He's never not affectionate with her, and as truly lovely as that is, his constant vocal praise does wonders not only for her esteem but her trust in his absolute love for her. It's so unlike her relationship with Palo where more often than not she felt so alone and unwanted… As if she was lacking some special feature that would make her deserving of his attention. But Anakin… Anakin… She loves him so, so much. Whatever pressure she felt before at the acclaim he regarded with evaporates into nothingness beneath his earnestly devoted gaze. How can she dislike the words of adoration he creates just for her? She can't. She won't. Not now that she understands it better. He isn't holding her up to a certain standard like Palo did, but praising her and loving her beyond what anyone else ever could. Suddenly, Padme doesn't feel uneasy or anxious anymore.

She feels loved.

"They're going to love you," Anakin continues as Padme desperately tries to blink back the wetness of her eyes. "Because I love you…" Bending down, he affectionately runs his nose against hers with a smile so deliciously affectionate that it's all Padme can do to shake her head and reach up to take his cheeks in hand and rise up on the tips of her toes to press her mouth to his. She kisses him furiously, dominantly taking his lips with her own, thanking him, and loving him oh so much…

"Daddy!" Their kiss is interrupted far too prematurely for her liking by a loud, rather bored, cry from Leia as she bounces on her toes by the door. "Can we go in now? Please, can we? I want to give auntie Satine her present!" She has one little hand firmly grasping the shiny bronzed handle, ready to tug it open the moment she has her father's permission and the smile Anakin directs at her is no less loving, but entirely different. It's his daddy smile. The smile reserved purely for his baby girl, his light… It's the smile Padme's only ever seen directed at Leia.

"Yeah, go on in, Princess. We'll be right behind you." Leia needs no more encouragement and pulls at the door, though it takes all of the strength within her tiny body, she yanks it and takes several steps backwards until the space is large enough for her to fit through, and immediately, she vanishes into the darkness of the party. From where they stand, Padme can barely make out the silhouettes of multiple partygoers and despite herself, one small flair of nervousness sparks up inside her chest once again. But when Anakin's large hand slips into her own far smaller one their fingers lacing together, the kindling is crushed to ashes. Anakin loves her… That's all that matters. That's all Padme needs to know. "Are you ready?" He asks, forever patient with her.

And this time, she is ready.

The crowd of party goers is a little… Smaller than Padme anticipated upon their arrival. While she expected at least a hundred or more guests in attendance, there are only around fifty … She supposes it was silly of her to assume so many people would be here, Anakin did tell her Ben and Satine only surround themselves with the people they believe matter. There are no acquaintances in their life, only close friends and family. They're strict with who they allow into their lives and Padme can only admire them for that. She wishes she could be so strong-willed in that respect… She was always the person who invited the entire class to her parties regardless of whether or not they were actually her friend.

Her eyes scan the room for any familiar faces from the photographs Anakin showed her, but in the darkness, it's impossible to pick anyone out. She does, however, spot Leia, with another young girl with her hair twisted into a long braid, dressed in a plain, yet pretty combination of dark trousers, a black and white striped shirt and sparkling little flat shoes – the latter which she kicks off her feet with a visible huff. She seems exactly the kind of girl Leia would keep company with. "Who's that over there with Leia?" She asks Anakin and points toward the girls as he narrows his eyes to gleam a better look across the dance floor.

Upon recognising the girl, his face breaks out in another smile, gentler this time. "That's Jyn. Jyn Erso. She's the daughter of one of Qui-Gon's friends… Galen, I think? They've been friends for years… She always comes to these things to play with Leia."

"That's nice." Padme nods along, watching the girls prance around one another. "They seem close." Leia has friends in abundance, but from what she has seen, only a select few who she actually enjoys spending time with… A trait, she has no doubt will follow her into adulthood too. Sola is the same way – extremely popular with everyone she knows, but will only ever count her real friends on one hand. It's a good trait, if just a little too selective for Padme's liking… But then, she supposes it weeds out time wasters…

"Yeah. Leia has plenty of friends to be girly with, but it's all rolling around in mud and getting rough when Jyn's around. It's good. I like that she has both." Anakin turns his attention away from the children and back to Padme with pride in his eyes and she could roll her own with how ridiculously proud of his baby he is. If it wasn't so sweet, it would be sickening.

"Yes… Anything that saves you from her makeup and tiaras I suppose…" Anakin visibly stiffens beside her at the reminder and Padme giggles. "Though, that is something I'd love to see. I think you'd look very dashing in the pink one you know."

"That was one time." He grumbles and she would have laughed more at his poor, poor ego, if a loud voice, thick with an accent she can't quite place, didn't interrupt her amusement at his expense. From the right of them, a large male pushes through the crowd and the closer he comes, the better Padme can make him out. His features, although masked in the darkness, seem oddly… Familiar… Like she's seen him somewhere before, but she just can't put her finger on it…

"Anakin!" The man calls and Padme forces a small smile to conceal her frown. There's just something about him… Has he ever been with Anakin at the school to pick up Leia? No… She would have remembered him better if that was the truth. Where does she know him from?

Oblivious to her thoughts, Anakin releases her hand to wrap his arms around the burly man in a mutually affectionate hug that, when it ends, it does so with several hard slaps to both sets of shoulders. Hard enough to make Padme wince slightly. Men. "Rex!" He cries, obviously delighted, "Man, it's been too long! How've you been?"

The man, Rex, she supposes, grins widely, all teeth and handsomely crinkled eyes. "Good, very good. Passed my arrest quota for the month, so I'm expecting a nice little bonus when payday comes!" The pair of them roar with laughter Padme doesn't quite understand, but she smiles politely anyway. As if suddenly remembering her presence, Anakin turns around, smile still wide and excited and the sight of it makes her own more genuine. She loves to see him so happy.

"Rex, this is Padme… Padme this is Rex. He's a cop – we actually met through Ben." Anakin reaches for her hand and Padme takes it gladly, stepping forward to properly greet Rex. Now as close to him as Anakin, she can see just how handsome he is… Darkly tanned skin with what little hair he has upon his head is bleached a bright blonde that should look odd, but it only serves to make his chocolate brown eyes pop in the most attractive of ways. Even without knowing more than his name and job, he emits the impression of a man who has lived. Someone with a plethora of interesting stories to share… Despite herself, Padme feels her heart beat just slightly faster in her chest… She may be very happily in love with Anakin, but she's not blind. Rex is gorgeous. And still so oddly familiar!

"It's very nice to meet you." She smiles and extends her free hand to the man to shake graciously, but he only eyes it for a moment before shaking his head with another round of his loud, roaring laughter and envelopes Padme's entire body in the embrace of just one muscular arm, drawing a surprised gasp from her lips.

"None of that handshaking crap here!" He snorts and tightens his hold so that for one, terrifying moment, Padme loses the ability to breathe. "Any friend of Anakin's is a friend of mine!" Thankfully, Rex sets her back upon her feet far more gently than his hug, which gives her a few seconds to gather her thoughts. He's certainly very… Playful… Like a large puppy who is unaware they've far outgrown the ability to sit on their owner's lap. But it's good – it's nice – to be welcomed so warmly by someone, especially given all her earlier doubts. "But we'll have to leave it as just friends…" Rex winks, and Padme can't help but laugh at the corny, light-hearted joke…

"Damn right." Anakin nods smugly, wrapping his own arm protectively around Padme's hips. "She's all mine."

"For now." She adds, snaking her own arm around Anakin's own body with the joke. Though he exhales through his nose sharply, entirely unamused, Rex throws back his head once more with another round of his irresistible laughter… Something about it compels Padme to join him without thinking; even Anakin manages to smile along with them too.

"She's a good one. You're a lucky man!" Rex's gaze switches from between Padme and Anakin with an obvious playful smirk that lights his entire face with mischief. "You got any sisters?"

His remark comes so unexpectedly that for a moment, Padme can only gawk at him silently. No one has ever pulled that line on her before! She never thought anyone ever actually said things like that in real life – such corny lines have always been reserved for on TV, to her at least. Apparently, she was wrong. Beside her, Anakin groans, shaking his head which only seems to add to Rex's amusement.

"Actually, I do." Padme smiles, and Rex's eyebrows rise up in surprised hopefulness and Anakin's fingers squeeze her hip in a clear silent question of just where exactly she's going with this. "She's very beautiful and very happily married." Perhaps she should feel bad, to see the dashing of hopes in Rex's eyes, and she does, but Anakin's sharp bark of laughter pushes any such feelings far to the back of her head in favour of the amusement at his friend's expense.

"Damn…" Rex whistles, barely audible above the music, "I don't suppose there are any friends of yours looking for –"

"Rex!" Anakin moans and the man simply holds up his hands in defeat. Poor soul… Though, as they laugh, an idea strikes Padme, one that draws a sly smirk of her own across her lips… One she's not quite ready to share with either man with her for now, because she does have one beautiful and single girlfriend… And Padme knows Dorme well enough to know she'd far prefer the handsome and funny cop over the stamp collector… But such things have to be talked about girl to girl first. Even she knows that.

Eventually, Rex leaves mingle throughout the other guests and Anakin brushes a quick kiss to Padme's temple as they walk through the slightly crowded event hall toward the bar. "You're amazing," he smiles and Padme matches it with a relieved smile of her own. Meeting Rex went so well! If the other introductions can go even half as fantastically as that, then all her worrying was for nothing. In retrospect, she feels a little silly for making such a big deal…

"I don't know about that," She laughs, but Anakin only shakes his head, an elated grin stretching across his handsome face up in a way that even now, makes Padme's heart flutter in her chest. Unable to help herself, despite the public setting, she leans up on the tips of her toes as best as she can given the slightly uncomfortable heeled footwear she chose and presses her lips to his. Just lightly… An affectionate brushing of their lips, but she means it. She's so happy to be here tonight with him. And more than that, now she has dipped her toe into the waters, Padme almost feels… Excited at the prospect of meeting everyone else.

She doesn't have to wait very long, as after returning from the ladies room with Leia, Padme steps back into the hall and scans the room to find Anakin near the dance floor, beer in hand chatting happily to a face Padme has seen in photographs more than enough times to recognise immediately.

Ben.

For one single second, she falters as the nerves attempt to make yet another reappearance, but after everything Anakin told her before, she forces them back down. She doesn't need to feel nervous… She's just overthinking things again. Calm down. It's fine. It's going to be fine. As best she can, Padme paints a confident smile upon her mouth, the well-practiced smile of a teacher right before meeting with parents, and saunters casually across the room to where the men stand together, heads close to hear one other's to hear their words above the music. When she's close enough, Anakin senses her approach and almost forgets about his friend entirely… Whatever Ben says is lost beneath the thrum of the music as Anakin smiles his beautiful grin and reaches out a hand for Padme to take, which she does, gratefully. More than that, understanding just how much tonight means to him, she drapes herself around his arm lovingly because Anakin thrives upon affection… Especially in public, and despite Padme's more private nature, she's more than willing to play along tonight. It's nice to be romantic every once and a while.

"There you are!" Anakin laughs, and from the corner of her eye, Padme spots one of Ben's eyebrows rise curiously. "Was Leia alright?"

"She's fine." Padme dismisses him with a smile, "Ran off with Jyn the second we left the bathroom to get back to their game. Something about smugglers, I think."

"That's my girl." He snickers proudly and to her surprise, Anakin's smile is mirrored by Ben as he looks over his shoulder at the girls playing near the long, thin table laid out with an assortment of various snacks and sample sized foods. If it were Ryoo and Pooja over there, everything with the lightest sprinkle of sugar would have been carted off to be quickly inhaled beneath a table. Knowing Leia, she's already accomplished just that… "Anyway," Anakin turns back to Ben and fixes him a bright, proud, smile. "Ben, this is Padme… Padme, this is who I've been telling you about… Ben Kenobi."

Ben outstretches a single hand in a polite offer of a handshake and Padme immediately unwinds her arm from around Anakin's to accept. "None of it's true, I promise." He laughs. Just like Rex, Ben is very handsome, but in a classical, older brother kind of way. His light auburn hair is neatly trimmed, yet long enough to reach the end of his neck much like Anakin's sandy curls, and the matching beard is enough to seem mature without the rather scruffy, messy look most men seem to sport while donning such facial hair. His handsomeness reminds Padme of an attractive teacher or college professor… He was the kind of man she might have developed a small crush on back in her college days. But it is his eyes that truly catch her attention; the bright shining blue is almost as intense as Anakin's and so similar that if she didn't know any better, she might have believed they were brothers.

"Well, I'm sure you could tell me plenty about Anakin in retaliation." She smiles and at once Ben's own becomes mischievous and she feels Anakin stiffen beside her. She's not the only one with embarrassing stories in the closet, it seems. "He only tells me the flattering ones."

"That's because all my stories are good ones," Anakin mutters, rolling his eyes and Padme almost does the same at the sheer childishness of him… Still, there's no denying just how adorable he is when he gets all embarrassed like this. "And I have plenty on him too, y'know. Like the time he got stuck in a mud hole in this field and I had to rescue him from the cows."

Although they've only just met, Padme can't hold back her giggles at the idea. Ben, however, calmly holds up a hand to quieten Anakin down, "That – that doesn't count… Those cows were extremely riled up and looking for a target. And at least my fear was warranted, do you remember the tantrum you threw when dad drove us to the beach?" Ben's blue eyes catch Padme's and his irritated and slightly flustered body language only makes it more difficult to hold back her laughter. Brothers indeed. They certainly act like it. "You cried because you didn't like the sand."

"Hey!" Anakin huffs, "I was eleven, and it was my first time on the beach… That stuff got everywhere." Now she can give no pretence of not laughing… The picture of her mind of little Anakin all flustered and upset by sand of all things is too humorous to not react to. Padme's family home is only a ten-minute drive from a small beach, so she all but grew up upon the sand, nothing about it ever felt overwhelming to her. Oh, Ani… Her hand flies up to cover her mouth as Ben joins her laughter. Anakin however, is entirely unamused and glares at them both even as she swears she can see a slight pink tint washing over his cheeks. The sight only makes her wish they were alone, something about the flustered grumbles he emits make her want to take his cheeks in her hands and kiss him senseless… It's just so sweet! And a nice change from it being her as the butt of the embarrassing childhood stories jokes this evening.

Finally, when her stomach stops aching enough for Padme to regain the ability to speak once more, she leans up on her tiptoes to gently brush her lips to his adorably warm cheek for a moment, "I never knew sand bothered you so much."

"It doesn't," Anakin grumbles, scowling at Ben who simply smirks into his glass of whisky. "I just didn't know how to handle it, that's all."

After a little longer of an easy banter between the three of them, a beautiful, tall, blonde woman slithers up behind Ben and wraps her arm around his waist in a gesture that for a split second, he seems almost nervous to return. Padme knows this woman. She's seen her in countless photographs with Ben and holding little Leia in her long, slim arms. As lovely as she'd looked in the pictures, they truly did her looks no justice as this woman, the birthday girl herself, is easily the most beautiful woman Padme has ever seen. Satine. She's all shining blonde hair, high cheekbones and luscious curves that Padme could only ever dream of. Her emerald green, crushed velvet dress reaches the floor to brush her ankles and suddenly Padme wishes she'd worn something… Longer… Being so near this woman makes her feel tiny, even more so since even in her heels, she's forced to look up into Satine's eyes in a way neither Anakin or Ben have to. The joys of being vertically challenged…

"Anakin, I really must thank you for the lovely gift!" Satine grins, flashing her perfect white teeth. "Leia came to me with it earlier and I'm just infatuated with it already." One long, elegant wrist extends out to show off the stunning silver bracelet she and Anakin picked out together and the little colourful gems sparkle in the rainbow strobe lights. Oh good! Padme had hoped Satine would like the present… It's always difficult to pick out something for a person you've never met. And Anakin said Satine's tastes are rather… Difficult to predict. What was it he'd called her again? Oh right, an elegant hippie.

"I'm glad you like it." He gently releases his hand from Padme's to embrace Satine and accept her affectionate kiss upon his cheek. "But I can't take any of the credit really, it was all Padme." With a flick of his wrist, Anakin gestures toward her and Padme's own cheeks flush at the praise.

"Padme?!" Satine gasps, eyes wide, "Finally!" Her embrace with Anakin is forgotten entirely as long, snow-white fingers land onto Padme's shoulders with a tight, excited, squeeze. "At last! I threatened him within an inch of his life to bring you here tonight. We've been so eager to meet you, dear!" Without another moment's hesitation, she finds herself pulled into a tight hug and wraps her own arms around the tall woman… She's so nice! From the pictures alone, Padme imagined her as almost a little… Cold… But now she sees this couldn't further from the truth. It's no wonder Anakin – and Leia too, for that matter – speak so warmly of her.

When they pull apart, Padme steps back into Anakin's body and leans even closer when she feels his arm snake its way around her waist. Despite herself, she feels rather… Amorous tonight, even after her desire to refrain from intimacy for a while. But there are other ways to show intimacy than lovemaking and Padme is enjoying embracing them. Intimacy comes from closeness, from touching and just feeling in love with someone, and that is exactly how she feels right now. Every time she meets Anakin's eyes, her heart flutters in her chest like it did on their first date all over again. It's silly… She knows that, but she's happy to embrace it regardless.

With the feeling of his warm hand on her hip, Padme rests her weight against Anakin's body and she feels his lips brush against her hair as Ben tells a story about a rather disastrous evening babysitting Leia. Something about a prank war or something started by Ahsoka who also happened to be visiting at the time… But honestly, though she laughs along, Padme finds herself drifting in and out of the story as her attention switches between Anakin and Ben. She just feels so content right now, so happy and in love…

"So Ben," she asks once the story is over, "What is it you do? Ani told me but I get the feeling he shaved off most of the details."

"He's a cop." Anakin drawls. "There's no details to shave off."

It's Ben's turn to roll his eyes now, though she doesn't sense any true annoyance in the act, just more brotherly banter between the two. She can see why Leia calls him 'Uncle Ben'. After a moment, Ben's warm eyes focus on Padme and it's easy to see how they light up at the prospect of talking about his job. She knows that feeling too. Teaching is her passion; it's so much more than a simple way to earn a living. Educating the next generation is one of the most important roles a person can take on in this life, and almost nothing can make her as happy as watching her students grow and learn day by day. Just the thought brings a dull ache to Padme's chest… She misses working so much. It's almost like there is a part of her that's missing while not being able to do her job and she can't stand it. But it can't be too much longer before Sheev calls her back now, can it?

"I'm not a cop, Anakin…" Ben huffs, "I work in crisis negotiation."

"Oh, what's that like?" Padme asks, interest immediately peaked. So much so, that she subconsciously releases Anakin's hand from her own to inch closer to Ben. Admittedly, she knows shamefully little about how law enforcement works on the ground levels like this, and what little she does know, comes from her years of enjoyment of silly cop shows… It's Sola's fault really, she's the one who got her started on all those shows in the first place!

Satine positively beams with pride beside Ben and for a second, Padme could almost swear she sees the man's cheeks flush as his partner whispers something beneath her breath into his ear. She's only known them a few minutes but they're one of the sweetest couple's Padme has ever seen. "Well," Ben clears his throat, "Really, I make friends with some very terrible people and convince them to act against their own self-interests. Sometimes, by the end of it, they believe that going to jail is what they want to do…"

"Yes, he's very good." The blonde beauty smiles and it's infectious, spreading to both Ben and Padme alike. Anakin really wasn't lying when he said Ben and Satine are one of the most in love couple's he's ever seen… She's only been around them a little while and she can practically feel the mutual respect and affection they feel for one another. There's an ease to their relationship, a natural calmness Padme has never experienced before that exists between them, and for a second, she can't help but feel slightly envious. Everything is always so dramatic in her and Anakin's relationship… It's passionate and so very full on. Sometimes it can be exhausting.

As she glances at the man she loves as he laughs at something Ben says, something Padme doesn't hear, she knows that she would rather have exhausting with him, than calm with anyone else.

The night progresses wonderfully, with food, dancing and introductions to the people who fill Anakin's life. All she feels now is happy… And slightly tired. But incredibly happy. She meets people like Ahsoka Tano, Anakin's little apprentice in the garage, a hyperactive young girl whose playful personality fits Anakin's just perfectly… She's just how Padme imagines Leia to be when all grown up… Perhaps with slightly rougher edges, however. The girl is lovely. Extremely friendly, if a little suspicious at first, all narrowed eyes and expectant questions, but Padme likes her already. She can see the fire in her that appeals to Anakin. And they're quite a pair. Mischievous. She isn't sure she wants to know what they get up to while 'working'…

And then, there's Qui-Gon.

A long-haired, bearded man whose name Padme has heard in countless stories from Anakin. He is the man who effectively, saved his life. The father Anakin never had… The man he owes everything to. She was determined to ensure the man liked her… That she had his approval. But it was really quite intimidating…

Qui-Gon is without contest, the warmest, most welcoming man Padme has the pleasure of knowing. He shakes her hand and asks her questions about herself, not probingly or accusingly, but he's interested and Padme likes him immediately. He tells her all about Anakin as a boy and all three of them spend what feels like forever talking and laughing until the man politely excuses himself, clapping Anakin on the shoulder as he passes them by.

"He loves you…" Anakin whispers in her ear as they walk toward the bar again. He's had a few beers already, but Padme doesn't mind. She's the driver tonight, so he deserves to have some fun. Besides, she's never seen him drunk before… And the prospect is rather entertaining. "They all do."

"I don't know about love, Ani. But they're all so nice." She laughs, leaning back against the bar as Anakin steps up close, purposely pressing her body to the counter with a grin, knowing he's squishing her and enjoying every moment of it as he orders another beer and a lemonade for her. "Get off!" Padme moans, furiously attempting not to smile up at him, and keep the unamused frown tight on her face. But as usual, Anakin is a force onto himself and simply leans down to brush his lips against hers as the bartender places their drinks onto the dark surface.

Finally, he steps away, just as Padme loses the battle and laughter bubbles up her throat and bursts out of her lips, and Anakin joins her easily, bending to steal another kiss. A kiss, Padme is more than happy to give him, taking his cheeks in her hands as his own arms wind themselves tightly around her waist as their mouths dance together languidly.

When they break apart, Anakin's attention is immediately drawn down, and Padme's follows it to see Leia tugging on his shirt, eyes wide and excited. "Hey, Princess!" He grins, leaning down to look the girl in the eye. "What's up?"

"Daddy, will you dance with me?" Leia pleads, and Anakin visibly melts. A wide, sappy smile lights up his face, and Padme feels one of her own on her mouth at the sweetness of the moment. They're adorable, the pair of them… He laughs, scooping Leia up, into his strong arms and reaches for his beer, taking a quick swig before placing the bottle back down onto the counter.

"Of course! We need to show Padme how good we are… Think you can do it?" His eyebrows wiggle playfully, making Leia giggle beautifully and the little girl gives one, slow nod of affirmation.

"Yes." Her smile is almost as big as her fathers and equally ecstatic.

"Have fun!" Padme calls after them, as Anakin carries Leia toward the dancefloor just as an upbeat song replaces the slower, quieter one from just moments ago. Leaning back against the bar again, albeit far more comfortably this time, she carefully picks up her lemonade, the glass covered in condensation, coating her fingers in the cool moisture, and brings it to her smiling mouth as Anakin sets Leia upon her feet again. She loves watching him with her… There's just something so wonderfully charming about it. Whether he's partaking in tea parties, colouring, playing pirates, Anakin playing with Leia makes Padme's heart beat just that bit faster in her chest.

She watches Anakin twirl Leia around, making the skirt of her dress swirl around her little body as Satine comes to stand beside her, also watching them. "How are you coping?" The woman asks after a while, and Padme reluctantly tears her eyes away from the dancing pair to look at her. Coping? What is that supposed to mean? Satine must see the confusion upon her face and laughs before taking a small sip of the wine in her glass. "It's a lot to take on, a man and his child…"

"Oh." Padme breathes. "Fine, I suppose… I love Leia. She's a sweet girl."

Satine nods, "Well that's great! It is a big responsibility, though… But I imagine you're used to that by now, being a teacher and all."

At the mention of her profession, something in Padme's chest aches again, but she can't let her pining for her job spoil tonight. "Yes, I'm used to being a role model of sorts. But if things go well, Leia should have her mom to look to for that." Being Leia's role model really is Anakin and Sienna's job, not Padme's. The closest she could ever come to such a thing would be a step-parent, nothing more… There's a line somewhere, one she can't cross… Even if part of her might like to…

"Please," Satine scoffs, "That horrible woman doesn't deserve to share the same air as that precious little girl." The underlying anger in the woman's voice makes Padme's eyebrows rise up… She knows how much Anakin dislikes Sienna, but hadn't given thought to what the rest of his friends may think… It's only natural, she supposes, to feel protective of them. But things will be different this time, she has to believe that.

"Anakin would say the same thing."

"And rightly so," Satine mutters, sipping at her drink again, and Padme diplomatically remains silent. Instead, she just watches her love and Leia dancing and lets the sweet sight whisk away any negative thoughts of Sienna… She wants to enjoy this. And as Anakin looks up at her, smiling from ear to ear, she does. She enjoys it very much. Leia seems to feel the same way, laughing and dancing along with her daddy without a care in the world… Kids. What Padme wouldn't give to be that innocent again.

"Look at her…" Satine sighs contently, "Only a child could be so lithe."

Despite herself, Padme laughs, covering her mouth with her palm for a moment. "Oh, I don't know… I think after a few more yoga lessons, I might be able to accomplish something similar…"

"You do yoga too?" The blonde gasps, excited suddenly, and Padme turns her head to nod with another smile. "Perfect! You'll have to bring me along to your studio! My favourite place was just closed down and my mind has been swirling without it. It's how I find my centre and calm… I'm sure it's the same for you."

For a moment, all Padme can do is blink. And then nod. Yoga is just a bit of fun for her and Dorme, a way to enjoy themselves and get a little exercise… And a bit of added flexibility doesn't hurt, either, she supposes. She's never taken it so… Seriously before. But for Satine, it seems to be a genuine hobby, a passion even. Suddenly, Padme isn't sure Satine would enjoy attending classes with her.

"Of course! I'll have Anakin pass along my number to you." She smiles, for politeness sake, but it becomes more genuine when Satine's face takes light with a smile of her own. She seems so excited about the whole thing… Who is Padme to begrudge her that? Besides, she doesn't have many girlfriends, and Satine seems lovely. It might even be fun.

Toward the end of the night, when little Jyn has already left with Qui-Gon to go home to bed, and Leia is falling asleep on Satine's lap, Anakin somehow manages to drag Padme back onto the dancefloor for just 'one more dance'. She shouldn't have let herself be roped into it, because truthfully, she's tired too, but she just couldn't resist his beautiful, pleading eyes. And it's fun to dance with him… To do the couple thing for the night. To wind the night down, a slow, steady beat fills the air and as their bodies lazily sway to the beat with her arms around his neck, a swell of guilt fills Padme's chest as her mind wanders back to what happened earlier, in her parent's house.

"Ani…" She breathes, looking up at him through her lashes, "I – I'm sorry about what happened earlier. I don't know, I just…"

"No." Anakin shakes his head, azure eyes searing into her own brown ones. "I'm sorry, Padme, for making you feel uncomfortable around me." His gaze is filled with regret and sadness and it's truly heartbreaking. For a moment, his shoulders slump with sheer misery and Padme needs to reassure him.

"Anakin, I don't feel uncomfortable around you! That's not it at all, it's just that –"

"I saw how you flinched earlier… You practically recoiled." His voice is thick with disgust, and she feels heartsick at the sound. She never wanted to make him think like that, not about himself! It's only the idea of rushing back into intimacy that feels uncomfortable to Padme, not him… Never him. "I don't blame you," he continues, "After what I did; it's a miracle you can stand being around me at all, never mind actually being with me."

Uncoiling one arm from around his neck, Padme fills her palm with his cheek, gently swiping the pad of her thumb across his cheekbone as her eyes sting slightly. "I love you. That's all that matters, Ani. We love each other. Things… Things may not be perfect right now, but I'm here. And I don't plan on leaving anytime soon… Alright? We just need a little bit of time, that's all."

Silently, he nods and when he bends, Padme meets him halfway, sealing her promise with a kiss.

Next time: Padme makes an unsettling discovery about Anakin, and Anakin's anger management lessons begin!