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At this point Anakin just wanted to get eloped. Naboo was notorious for its fancy parties and over the top clothing. And it seems weddings didn’t escape this treatment. Especially royal ones. Food had to be selected, decorations had to be put up, invitations had to go out, seating charts had to be made, speeches had to be written. The list was never ending and the wedding planners were frantic.
He wouldn’t voice any real complaints though. Padmè was even more stressed than him and having a traditional Naboo wedding was important to her so Anakin would go along with it. It was her special day as well after all.
“So the gungan dignitaries will sit on the left. How many will there be?” Padmè asked, looking more frazzled than ever. 4 months pregnant and dealing with the end of a galactic wide war and the death of the Chancellor, who turned out to be a sith, because nothing seemed to go right around here.
“23 ma’am,” One of the aides said. He had a list in hand of invitees that had RSVP'd already. There were already five thousand guests and Padmè still had many more people to invite. On top of that, Anakin hadn’t even sent out his invitations yet.
And on that topic, the aide, Anakin thought his name was Ihtad but he couldn’t be sure, cleared his throat and said, “And sir, we still need your invitation list,” Padmè whipped her head around and glared at Anakin full force, as she had asked him to do that days ago.
“Sorry,” Anakin said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Uh, family right?” The aide nodded. “So my mom and sister and brother and step-family - they’re on Tatooine, Shmi Skywalker - haven’t seen them since I was knighted, the Jedi of course. And friends… Oh! and the clones!” He grinned at the aide and turned back to the seating arrangement.
Ihtad turned to look at the senator with bemusement. He heard that the Jedi were strange - even if Skywalker was no longer one - but there were very little details in those answers. He’d have to find a Shmi Skywalker on Tatooine (Thankfully not very populated as planets go), but he knew where the temple was. Maybe he could just send an invitation to the Jedi and they’d decide who went? He shook his head. This wedding was going to be a planning nightmare.
“Invitation we received, yes?”
The council had been busier than usual, with the end of the war and Dooku being arrested. And of course Anakin leaving the Order.
Not that Mace thought that was a bad thing. Skywalker would thrive on Naboo. It was a pity that he could never get Anakin interested in theater though. Naboo had some of the most talented playwrights in the galaxy.
“Yes, Master,” Kit Fisto said, the amusement obvious in his voice. He had finally been able to leave the Healing Halls after Palpatine tried to kill him and he was still obviously getting used to his missing head tendril. “From Former Queen Padmè Amidala and Anakin Skywalker.” He was holding an embossed invitation in his hand, blue and silver. “It seems that the entire order has been invited. Anakin must have forgotten to give them names.”
“So who's going?” Obi-Wan said, sighing at his former Padawan’s forgetfulness.
“Well us of course. A few of you have to give speeches if I remember correctly.” Master Mundi said with a smile. “Also, he promised me his everlasting respect and that includes going to his wedding. Also, I think we could all use a break from the senate for a day.”
The rest of the council grimaced. The senate had been worse than it usually was, trying to find someone other than themselves to blame for the Clone Wars. Their frowns cleared up when Depa said, “And our padawans of course, Calab could definitely use a break.”
“A break all the younglings could use.” Master Yoda said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Fun for them a wedding would be.”
Mace put his head in his hands. He had the strong feeling that came from running the younglings’ theater, that this would end in disaster.
“Hey Rex! Your Jedi’s getting married!” Wooley shouted from across the office of Clone Affairs. Ever since the war ended, his younger brothers were getting more and more boisterous. It could be annoying at times, but it made him happy. It was good they were getting to have a normal life. A few had gotten married, had kids, or pursued a passion. Waxer and Boil had even gone to work in the Jedi Creche. They had loved kids since The Liberation of Ryloth.
“I noticed. I do have to give a blessing.” Rex said, a smile dancing across his lips. “Why are you yelling at me?”
“We got an invitation!” Wooley said, brandishing a silver and blue invitation at Rex. “‘To the clones,’” He read aloud. “‘You are cordially invited to attend the matrimony of Senator and Former Queen Padmè Amidala and her fiance, Anakin Skywalker.’” He sniffed the paper and then licked it. Rex just sighed. This was what happened when one spent too much time around Master Yoda. “It’s so fancy! We have to go, Rex!”
“Yeah! I want to go too!” Another little brother shouted from across the room. Answering cries of “Me too!” and “Hey! I want to go!” echoed around the office. Rex sighed and leaned back in his chair. He really wasn’t getting out of this was he?
Why did he have to dress up so fancy? Anakin knew he wasn’t a Jedi anymore but couldn’t he just wear his old formal robes. He could put those on in like 3 minutes at the most. These fancy Naboo robes were taking hours. Well maybe not hours, but it sure felt like it!
And they were behind schedule. The guests had already arrived and while the groom wasn’t supposed to see anyone until the ceremony, Padmè had to greet her guests. Then she would have to get changed again into her wedding gown.
Padmè snickered again as one of the stylists swatted the back of her fiance’s head as he tried to twist around to see the back of his outfit. Living in Naboo high society, notorious for its fancy clothing, was a bit of a culture shock for a man who had lived as a monk from age three to age 22.
“Ha ha, very funny Padmè,” He said, sticking his tongue out at her. “They should replace all torture methods with this.” He paused. “No offense guys.” He said to the stylists.
Any response from them was interrupted by Sabe, one of Padme’s former handmaidens. “Padmè!” She said, worry evident in her voice. “The guests are expecting to be greeted by the bride and are getting restless. Also,” She paused, glancing at Anakin. “There are a lot of Jedi here. And they’re all considered family of the groom so the family section is rather crowded.”
Anakin shifted guiltily. “They are all family.” He said.
“I know, Ani.” Padmè said, smiling at Sabè. “But I do need to greet them all, so you’re on your own love.” She started walking out of the room but paused and turned to say, “And I love you.” He replied in turn and she walked out of the palace to the courtyard.
And… wow. There were a lot of Jedi here. And most of them were younglings ranging from ages 3 to 15. The council stood in the middle of the chaos, unfazed by the shrieking younglings. They were wearing formal Jedi robes, practically identical to normal robes, in colors ranging from light cream to dark brown, but each robe had handmade embroidery in intricate and unique designs, the threading color the same as their lightsaber. A few, such as Obi-Wan with his teal and dark blue threads, had embroidery in multiple colors, crossing over itself.
“Master Jedi.” Padmè said, greeting the council. The council bowed to her. “I’m so happy that you could be here.”
“Happy to be here we are.” Master Yoda said tapping his glimmer stick on the stones. “Also happy to be here the younglings are.”
“Maybe too happy.” Master Windu said, his words were exasperated but his tone and smile were fond. “Padawan Kestis! What are you doing!”
A small redheaded padawan, with formal robes that had a surprising amount of colored threads embroidered into it, was scaling the very smooth wall of the palace. He grinned at the council members and shouted, “Climbing, Jaieh Windu. There are so many people here!” He spotted Padmè and waved, still somehow clinging to the wall. “Hi, Senator!” She waved back, still a little shocked by his climbing abilities.
“Does your Master know what you’re doing Padawan?” Master Plo Koon asked, picking up a human toddler that had been clinging to his leg.
“Yes. I do.” A purple lasat, who Padmè assumed to be Padawan Kestis’ Master, said. He bowed to her in greeting. “I am Master Jaro Tapal. I must congratulate you on your marriage Senator, Knight Skywalker can be a handful.” He wasn’t smiling but Padmè knew he was joking. He yelled something in the language that she often heard Anakin speak in with Obi-Wan and Ahsoka and his Padawan yelled something back and jumped off the wall. If she wasn’t so used to the Jedi she would have gasped, as the boy was almost 25 meters up.
He bowed once more to Padmè and walked into the crowd.
“Padawan Kestis is not used to life off a ship.” Master Windu said, his eyes sad. “He and his Master spend most of their time on the front lines after the former Chancellor approved 10 standard and up padawans for combat.” The group was silent, the mood around them suddenly heavy.
“We cannot change the past.” Obi-Wan said. “Today is a day to celebrate and celebrate we must. About the blessings we have to give Anakin before the vows, can we add to them?”
Padmè wandered through the crowds of Jedi, greeting the younglings that insisted on being carried, and Masters and Knights that were trying to wrangle the screaming children all around them, until she saw a small family - very obviously not Jedi - and recognized the older woman. “Shmi!”
Shmi Skywalker and her family looked rather out of place on the lush planet of Naboo, being desert dwellers. Their preteen daughter had been given a thick brown robe, obviously from one of the many Jedi - they wore a surprising amount of layers - but was still shivering next to her mother. The two men were looking around rather suspiciously, not used to this many people unless the Hutts were around. A young woman, who Padmè didn't recognize, was marveling at the green surrounding her. The young boy, 8 standard if she remembered correctly, was trying to play a game of marbles with a few Jedi children around the same age, except the game obviously required the force and the boy was getting more and more frustrated with his inability to play.
“Padmè!” Shmi greeted, embracing her. “It’s so good to see you! You’ve met my husband Cliegg Lars and his son Owen?” She gestured to the two men standing awkwardly next to her. “And this is Owen’s wife Beru.” The young woman greeted Padmè with a smile. She had extremely kind eyes that sparkled.
“Lovely to meet all of you. I’m so glad that you could be here. Have you introduced yourself to everyone?”
Cliegg snorted, “That would be impossible! There have to be a thousand people here. Why are there so few people over there,” he pointed at the area for Padmè’s family, which held about fifty people. “And so many over here?”
“Well, these aren't all the guests.” Padmè said with a small laugh. “This is just family.”
“What?” Owen said, very obviously shocked. “How many people are going to be here?”
“Yeah.” The young girl said. “Also, last time I checked, we’re the only family Anakin’s got.” She said this in the blunt way that only 12 standards can.
“Lin! Be polite.” Shmi scolded.
“Sorry mom.” Lin said, not looking all that sorry.
“We’ve talked to a few of the Jedi,” Shmi said. “Master Kenobi is so polite and Knight Tibb gave Lin his robe.”
“Yes, Master Kenobi is a good man.” Padmè agreed. “And to answer your question, there will be 12 thousand people attending and more people who will witness the ceremony, around 130 thousand if the estimates are right.”
“Why are there so many people?” Beru asked. “On Tatooine there’s, at most, 100 guests. You can’t know 130 thousand people.”
Padmè laughed, “I don’t. It’s a royal wedding, so most of Naboo will be watching.”
Any answer they were going to give was cut off by the little boy running to Shmi, hysterical. “Mama! I can’t play the game!” He sobbed, sounding heartbroken. “They’re moving stuff without touching it and I can’t!”
“It’s okay baby.” Shmi comforted him. “Maybe we can ask them if they can change the game so you can play? Does that sound okay Boaz?”
Boaz looked up at his mother, eyes starting to dry. “Can we?”
“Of course.” She said, taking her son’s hand and leading him back over to the other children.
Padmè stared after them and rested her hand on her stomach. She whipped around at the gasp from behind her and saw Lin grinning at her. “You’re pregnant! I’m going to be an Aunt!” She grabbed Owen’s hand. “Owen, Owen, we’re going to have a little niece or nephew soon! Who knows, just us?”
“Well,” Padmè said, smiling at her soon to be in-laws. “Shmi knows, Masters Kenobi and Yoda know, my mother knows, and now all of you know.” She had a feeling all of the Jedi knew as both Obi-Wan and Master Yoda had known before she or Anakin had said anything.
“Oh this is going to be great!” Lin said, jumping up and down.
Padmè waited at the end of the aisle for her groom, wearing a completely different outfit than before. A custom wedding dress made with silk and lace, that trailed for several meters behind her. Beside her stood Sabe and two of her sisters. Next to where Anakin would stand, there was Obi-Wan, Owen, and Captain Rex.
The music started playing and Anakin started walking up the aisle with his mother by his side, looking extremely awkward and nervous but also very handsome. He had been given a haircut, getting rid of his awful mullet and his outfit was a lovely combination of Naboo wedding fashion and Jedi formal robes.
Padmè took his hand as he reached the top of the aisle and he grinned at her, squeezing her hand gently.
The minister went through his long speech, speaking of the seven gates and seven sisters, the guardians of Naboo. It was longer than the average Naboo wedding ceremony because everything was turned up to ten with a Naboo royal wedding.
Then he called for the blessings and 3 more of Padmè handmaidens and 1 of her sisters stood and walked to the front. From Anakin’s side Master Yoda, Master Windu, Master Vos, and Commander Appo, joined Anakin at the top of the aisle.
Padmè’s seven blessings were very ordinary by Naboo standards, wishing blessings by the moons and the seven sisters. Anakin’s blessings were a little more abnormal. Owen, Rex, and Appo, stumbled a bit through the blessing of Naboo and each added their own, with Rex and Appo obviously giving him a pre battle blessing that the clones had created during the war and Owen giving him a traditional Tatooine wedding blessing. Obi-Wan and Masters Yoda and Vos, flawlessly recited the Naboo blessing, even if Master Yoda edited it to fit his outdated speech pattern, and each said the same phrase in the odd language that Padmè could never wrap her head around. When Master Yoda gave the final blessing, the rest of the Jedi responded in their language and bowed their heads, even the little ones.
The rest of the ceremony went by without a hitch, the exchanging of rings and the kiss, which all the clones cheered at. And the reception was lovely, with all the younglings and padawans descending on the cake like vultures as though they had never been fed in their lives, with Initiant Tarket sobbing when one of his clan mates accidentally caused him to drop his cake, which Initiant Grogu ate off the floor before anyone could stop him.
Anakin was certainly glad that he was no longer a padawan forced on creche duty, as a creche master scoopt up the sobbing initiant and walked him out of the room so he could calm down. He was glad that when Padmè gave birth it would only be one kid.
“So, dearest one,” Anakin jumped as Obi-Wan appeared behind him with Ahsoka at his shoulder. “Are you excited to be a father?”
“Force, Obi-Wan!” Anakin said, hands on his hips. “Why do you have to sneak up on me like that? Do you want me to have a heart attack?”
Ahsoka laughed and bared her fangs at him. “If you couldn’t sense us then Master Yoda should send you back to basic lifeforce sensing, Skyguy.” She jumped up onto him, forcing him to have to carry her.
“Snips!” He sighed, as she hung onto his robes. “ Taweju.”
“Metiv ,” She said, sulking and getting off him.
Padmè walked over to them, petting Anakin’s hair as she stood beside him. “It’s good to see you Ahsoka. I didn’t see you at the family greetings.”
“Sorry,” She said. “I was with Barris, she and I were watching a group of younglings.”
“No, no,” Padmè said. “It’s good for you to spend time with people your age.”
“And on the topic of younglings,” Obi-Wan said, placing his hand on Ahsoka’s shoulder. “Do you have any names picked out for the babies?”
Padmè and Anakin both stared at him. “Babies?”