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The stars shone across the galaxy. Each little light flickering in and out, giving life to the enormous spaces of void in, well space. Life across the galaxy rejoiced with hope as the darkness faded away. Mothers and fathers holding their children, in tears knowing that they were finally free from the Empire's control. Planets and star systems rejoiced with the promise of liberty to be restored. The Republic was reborn once again into a galaxy that was plagued in war.
And there laid Anakin, on the one place he thought he'd never be back to, Tatooine. The Dual suns began to set over the horizon of the sea of sand. He sat there beside the old ruins of the Lars family farm. The place of the man who saved his mother from slavery and the resting place of Shmi Skywalker… his mother. There he laid, on top of the sand where his mother was buried. On the planet held all the memories of him as a child, with a mother who loved him.
Running down the streets of Mos Espa with his childhood friends. Building 3PO with whatever spare parts he could get. Eating his mother's cooking at the table after a hot day of work at Watto's shop. The day he met Qui Gon, the Jedi Master who believed in him, and… Padmé…
Padmé…
The love of his life. He still remembered being the small boy all those years ago. “Are you an angel?” The first words he said to her kept replaying in his head. She was like an angel, protecting those who couldn't and believing the good in people. The only woman he cared so much about… and he betrayed her trust.
Anakin tried his best not to cry, but it was futile to try. He could feel a tear coming down his cheek. His heart filled with the pain and guilt of his actions. Being stupid enough to believe Palpatine and worst of all… hurting Padmé. He placed his hands to cover his eyes and face. Tears flowing down with every ounce of regret he had. He made an entire galaxy suffer from his own mistakes and it could never be repaired.
He remembered all the good times. Getting into mischief with R2. Remembering being with Snips, teaching and loving her as a sister with Rex, a man he could trust by his side. Obi Wan, the best man and Master he could have to teach him along his life. Even with the short time he had known Qui Gon, he still held him dear with believing he was what the galaxy needed. In the end, it was Luke who the galaxy needed. A boy who still believed there was good in him and the future of the new Jedi Order. His son.
He was there, crying. Letting each tear fall one by one as the Dual suns sat below the horizon. The stars begin to start their nightly performance of twinkle. He stayed, listening to the winds shifting the sands beneath him. He stayed, feeling the force around him still. He stayed in the place where it all began. Wondering why he let everything go wrong.
“Ani?”
Whatever was left of Anakin's heart, he felt it drop at the sound of the familiar voice. Padmé's voice kept ringing in his ears as if she was there. He was afraid to look over his shoulder, not knowing if it was just his head or… if she was there, haunting his every thought with regret. He dared not open his eyes, unable to bear the many cracks that already filled his heart. This one threatened to tear him into little pieces.
Then, he felt it. A hand touching his shoulder. It was… soft and familiar, just like he remembered. Those nights when she comforted him from his nightmares. The days where the stress of the Clone Wars was too much and needed to be held by her. It was horrifying but comfortable and he didn't know what to do. He… was still afraid to confront her after all these years.
“Ani… look at me…”
He couldn't, not now. It was too soon.
“Anakin, please…”
What will she say? She wouldn't love him anymore, especially after everything he's done.
Then silence. He could remember the feeling of his heart trying to beat out of his chest. The moment was very tense with only the wind filling in the silence. Then, those soft hands he remembered were on top of his, he trembled at the memory.
“Anakin…”
He was frozen in place, hands still covering his face in fear. But, something else also rose in him. The need to see her one more time, the love of his life filled him. Even if she hated him, he needed to see her… even if it was for the last time. He kept his eyes closed but let her pull them away.
After a few seconds in silence, he slowly opened his eyes. They readjusted to the light of the stars from above. Tears made his vision blurry for a few moments until everything came into focus and clarity. Before him, stood her, the most beautiful woman he laid his eyes upon. Without thinking, he knew what to say.
“Are you an angel?” Anakin said, face still stained with dried tears.
“What?” Padmé said, caught off guard by Anakin's question until a light flickered in her head. The day they first met, the little boy on Tatooine. He mistook her for being an angel.
“An angel. I heard the Deep Space pilots talk about them. They're the most beautiful creatures in the universe. They live on the moons of Iego, I think.” He had a small smirk recalling these exact same words.
“... You're a funny little boy… Ani.” Padmé smiled. She also remembered after all these years.
It would take a few seconds before they both laughed in unison. After everything, they were together at last. Across the stars, the force never felt so much stronger than the connection they both had. It took them a solid minute to stop laughing for them to look at each other lovingly. Nothing could have ruined the moment.
That is until anakin got a slap on his cheek.
“That's what you get for what you have done and becoming a dictator, you moron.”
Padmé stated, eyes burrowing in anger by what his husband has done to the galaxy. Anakin held a hand to his cheek, knowing he deserved more than just that. He was about to speak before he was interrupted by Padmé grabbing him by his robes and pulling him into a desperate kiss. He was in shock feeling Padmé's soft lips on his again. Not in a millennia did he think he'd ever be back with her.
“And that is for coming back… Ani.”
She pulled away, ending the kiss. Both of them in an embrace on top of the sand. Looking at each other they kept staring in silence. Anakin then pressed his forehead against Padmé's, finally letting his emotions control him.
“Padmé, I… am so sorry… I should have listened…”
“You broke my heart Ani, but I knew before I died… there was still good in you, and I'm glad Luke knew too.”
Padmé said, hugging him harder than ever before. A hand on Anakin's hair, playing with it and the other rubbed circles on his back to comfort him.
“I don't deserve your forgiveness…”
Despite his words, Anakin needed Padmé. He hasn't had such heart broken since the night of his mother's death and meeting Padmé was the only thing keeping him from collapsing into the sand.
“You've done many unforgivable things Ani, but I see the regret and pain you're now in. Knowing you know you did wrong is enough for me to give you a… second chance.”
She formulated her words carefully. She knew she couldn't handle Anakin again in a relationship. She even couldn't stay for much longer, the force gave her only a small time frame to see him and she was under a timer before she joined back into the cosmic force. A thing she still after these many years couldn't understand.
“Padmé… I never deserved a woman just like you… You're kind… Brave… Beautiful… I just wish someday… I am worthy of everyone's forgiveness…”
Anakin said, finally returning into a calm but troubled state. The tears around his face began to dry as more time passed. They pulled apart to see each other again. Surrounded by the stars illuminating the desert surrounding them. Time stood still for both of them, as they both stared at each other in love.
“You've grown more beautiful in the afterlife.” Anakin said jokingly.
“Oh Ani, stop that.” Padmé blushed at his banter.
“Am I wrong? You've become the very Angel I saw when I was a boy.” Said Anakin
“And you will still be the boy I loved all these years ago.” Padmé responded, a smile forming across her face.
They sat there, huddled to each other now. Padme rested her head on his shoulder looking at the stars.
“Have you met our children?” Anakin asked. Not knowing if she did.
“Luke and Leia? The night I gave birth, after Mustufar, I died Ani… but I was able to learn that they grew up to be incredible people who saved the galaxy.”
“They both have grown into incredible people… Luke is becoming a Jedi just like me and Leia, a senator just like her mother, protecting those who are in need of help.”
“I wish I could see them. My little ones…”
Padmé said, not knowing how they look like now since infants.
“Obi Wan told me they were separated at birth to protect them from me. Leia was adopted by… Bail Orgaina. Luke was raised here, with the Lars family…” Anakin recalled, looking at the ruined building beside them.
“Obi Wan? He spoke with you?” Padmé said in small shock. Not knowing that there were multiple people who were forced ghosts already.
“I did, it was… unsettling speaking with my old master again.” Anakin recalled the reunion, it was unsettling knowing what he did to him.
“After what you have done… I'd understand.”
After a few seconds of awkward silence Padmé spoke again.
“Ani, I can't stay any longer. I feel myself grow weaker in this… ghost form…”
Anakin looked at her. He was heartbroken to indeed feel the force fading away from here. Anakin was internally fighting it, despite knowing it was the wrong choice to want to force her to stay.
“Anakin…”
Anakin gave her his full undivided attention as she spoke.
“Be good, and look out for Luke and Leia for me… please.”
“... I… will. For you, I'll keep our children safe.”
Anakin walked up to her. Noticing she has started to fade more and more. He raised his hand to cup her cheek, his thumb moving back and forth to cherish his wife. Padmé also raised a hand to cup Anakin's cheek as they both pulled in. Touching foreheads before Padmé spoke one last time.
“May the Force be with you Ani, always…”
They both closed their eyes and gently kissed. This time was the final goodbye. Padmé's force ghost faded into sparkling lights that surrounded Anakin.
Opening his eyes, he saw his hand empty from his love. His love who became one with the cosmic force and with that, part of him. The force is an energy field created by all living things, it surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the Galaxy together. Looking up, he saw that and felt each sparkling light across the stars, he let a tear fall, learning that this was his punishment for becoming shellfish as he spoke his last words for her.
“I'm sorry Padmé… for breaking your heart…”