The Fan Fiction Archive presents the 2nd part of its Proposal Anthology, a collection of stories from the fanfic writers presenting their ideas on how Anakin and Padme became engaged.

"Do You Take This Woman..." showcases Part 2 of the thirteen stories that make up the anthology.

Excerpts

Lost Charm by Lady Padme

"I've been busy," he said, in a clipped voice, as his hands clenched and flexed reflexively.

"Too busy to see me?" she asked, incredulously. "I came to see you twice at the Jedi Temple, and you wouldn't see me both times. They said you were busy, but even Jedi have time to rest."

"What are you, my keeper?" Anakin asked, angrily, "I've been training! It took years for me to reach my skill level with the lightsaber, and now I've got to start all over again! I don't have time to spend playing around! As you said, milady, I'm not a full Jedi, yet - I have my training to complete. I have work to do!"

"Playing around?" Padm?'s voice was almost a whisper. "Is that what it was all about? After all you said! You - you said I was in your soul. You said that you thought about me, dreamed about me - that you would do anything I asked. Was that all just a game to you? Did you mean any of it?"

"As I recall, you told me to go back to the real world," Anakin said coldly, while inside his heart was twisting in pain, "And so I have."

"Then you're saying it was all a lie?" Padm? was becoming angry herself, "You were just amusing yourself before? Well, I'm sorry to be so much trouble. An important Jedi Padawan like yourself - well, I'm sure you have more worthwhile things to do with your time. You should have told me beforehand, and I would have refused your escort. We could easily have hired someone from local security and you could have been spared this useless exercise!" Padm?'s voice rose, "You're excused, Anakin." She raised her hand in an imperial gesture and then turned to leave the room. Read more here.

Across the Stars by John Takis

"Our droids fight like an old married couple," Anakin said.

"It would be a shame to separate them," she replied with an equally playful grin.

He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. There was a meadow fragrance that seemed to hang in the air. "Padm? ... I'm glad you're here."

"I wanted to see how you were doing."

"It's not just that. I wanted to talk to you." He opened his eyes and swallowed, feeling only slightly less awkward than a Dug with a stubbed finger. "About what you said to me, down there ... just before the arena."

"Yes?" Her eyes were wide and compassionate. He almost had to look away.

"I want you to know that I understand ... we thought we were going to die. And now that things are back to normal ..."

"Are things 'back to normal?'"

"I just mean that...." He took a deep breath. "You're a senator again," he said quietly. "You have duties, I realize that. I won't get in your way. If you..." Read more here.

You can check out Part 1 of the anthology by clicking here.

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