f o u r t e e n

This is a very eventful chapter you guys!! Hope you enjoy:))

Anakin was shocked by my sudden movement at first but he quickly kissed back.

He placed both hands at my waist, pulling me towards him so our bodies were flush.

His warmth rolled over me and I kissed him harder, putting my hands on his chest, slightly grabbing his robes.

I could feel him smiling into the kiss as he rubbed circles into my waist.

"Anakin" I broke away breathless, the cold air stinging my swollen lips.

Regret filled me as my body yearned for Anakin's warmth and comfort.

A look of concern graced his beautiful features.

"What's wrong Verena? Did I do something?" He asked, clearly confused and hurt by my sudden action.

I simply smiled at him, "I'm perfectly fine Anakin" the look of concern morphed into a slight smile, "I just think that we should talk about everything." I explained as I moved my hands to his biceps.

"Oh ok, yea, that's probably a good idea." Anakin laughed, relieved I didn't chastise him or storm off.

I smiled again and kissed him one last time before grabbing his hand and leading him inside.

I found a spot on the couch and sat down, finding a pillow and hugging it to my front.

Anakin joined me, sitting to my left and turning to face me.

"Well this is all you hun, I already confessed my undying love for you." Anakin said, smirking at me.

I pursed my lips and then rolled my eyes in a sarcastic manner.

I sighed before speaking, "Ok well, I'm not very good at this whole romance thing and I can't speak verbal poetry like you can, but I'll try my best." I began, "all I know is that I've never felt this way towards anyone and I think in the beginning, it scared me because it was new and different and I don't like change. So in order to cope, I pushed you away and came up with lame excuses as to why we could never be together, but they never really had any substance to them" I looked to him, he didn't have a reaction, so I continued, "But I believed them anyway because I was trying so hard to convince myself that you and I could never exist together. But tonight, when you confessed your feelings for me, it kind of started a chain reaction and I realized that I wasn't afraid of any potential consequences or hardships, I was afraid of love." I finished.

Anakin nodded, "Well at least you never hated me." He smirked.

I laughed at his reaction and shook my head slightly.

He simply smiled and took my hand in his.

"It's getting late Verena, I think we should head to bed."

"That's probably a good idea, my bed is calling my name." I said, standing up and stretching.

Anakin narrowed his eyes and feigned jealousy.

I looked at him and quirked an eyebrow.

"Don't worry love" I assured him as I gave him one last kiss and walked to my room.

I got changed into my nightdress and put my hair into an updo so it was out of my face.

I thought about the events of today and smiled as I drifted off to sleep.

I woke up in the middle of the night to noises coming from Anakin's room.

It sounded like he was talking, but the wall between us muffled his voice.

His voice wasn't constant, it was random.

He obviously wasn't talking.

Then it clicked, he was having a nightmare.

I decided against waking him up, not wanting to intervene and tear him away from the sleep he desperately needed.

I turned on my side and tried not to focus on Anakin's pain, allowing myself to fall back to sleep.

When I woke up in the morning, I left my room immediately to check on Anakin.

As I made my way to his room I noticed he was standing outside on the balcony, looking at the sky.

I stepped outside to speak to him when I realized his eyes were closed and he looked to be meditating.

Not wanting to disturb him, I began walking back the way I came.

"Don't leave" Anakin's pained voice called out to me, "your presence is soothing." He explained.

I smiled and approached him again.

Not knowing what to do or how to help, I hugged him from behind, silently praying he wouldn't become angered by my actions.

He stiffened at first but quickly melted into my body and turned to hug me.

He sighed as he wrapped his arms around my waist and placed his head on top of mine.

"I heard you last night, you were having a nightmare." I whispered, still not knowing if it was the right time to bring it up.

"Jedi don't have nightmares." he replied simply.

"I heard you" I said, pulling back to look at him.

His eyes met mine for a brief moment before he looked away.

"I saw my mother" he hugged me back to his chest, "she is suffering Verena." He replied quietly.

I could feel his sadness and hopelessness and wished I could help, but I didn't know how.

He removed his arms and they fell limply to his sides, "I saw her as clearly as I see you now." He explained, pain evident in his blue eyes.

He turned away and placed his hands on his hips.

He sighed, "She is in pain" his voice shook with every word and I wanted nothing more than to comfort him.

Turning around to face me, I could see his eyes misting over.

"I know I am disobeying my mandate to protect you Senator, but I have to go. I have to help her." He explained, a tone of desperation clear in his words.

"I'll go with you." I said, knowing he needed my full support at this moment in time.

"I'm sorry, I have no other choice." He apologized.

"Anakin, please don't apologize, I completely understand." I soothed him as I wrapped my arms around his midsection.

"I don't know what I would do without you Verena, thank you." He replied sincerely.

I looked up to him and stared into his eyes.

He stared back into mine and leaned down to kiss me.

I met his lips eagerly and we shared a sweet romantic kiss full of love and appreciation.

I pulled back and smiled at him as I removed my arms from his body and walked back towards the suite with him trailing behind me.