Having previously taken inspiration from the Expanded Universe, this is the first of my writing to purely follow my own path.
This chapter is for general viewing, however, the rating will rise to M for obvious reasons. I mean, what follows a wedding if not a wedding night...
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Han held his sleeping wife tenderly in his arms as he reflected on the day that had just ended. He felt her shiver against him and he tightened his arms, just a little, so she knew he was still there. Not so long ago it had seemed they had been slipping away from one another. One tragedy, the death of Chewbacca, had threatened to tear them apart and it had taken another, the attack on Leia and her subsequent injuries to bring them back together.
If there was any good to come of this further tragedy, the loss of their youngest son Anakin, it was that they were more connected now than possibly at any other time in their lives.
Luke's words, that he was the richest man in the Galaxy, repeated over and over in Han's head. And despite the overpowering sense of loss pervading throughout his being, Han understood.
Understood that he still had a bright, intelligent, beautiful daughter.
Understood that he still had a gentle, loving, handsome son.
Understood that he still held in his arms the first truly great thing to come into his life...well, after Chewie. And as good as Chewie had been for him, Leia was in so very many ways so much better. And not just because she smelled good. Or because she felt good. But because of how he felt from just knowing she was his.
Han inhaled deeply and pressed his lips to Leia's forehead. She had been so strong for so long and tonight her strength had shone through in spades.
Anakin's fellow students had both guarded and guided them from Luke's homestead to a memorial service at the Jedi Temple before escorting Anakin's body and supporting his family through the boy's cremation.
Han didn't remember seeing Anakin's young girlfriend, Tahiri Veila. Though if he was honest, he could barely remember anything from the day except that his beautiful, strong, incredibly stubborn wife had insisted on standing throughout.
It was only long after their son's body had succumbed to the flames and Han had felt her trembling with exhaustion, that she had allowed him to hold her up until the last of the smouldering embers turned to grey wisps of smoke rising into the night sky.
Only when her strength finally left her, had Han been permitted to scoop her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck nuzzling her face against him and announced that they could go, Anakin had spoken to her and they were both at peace.
He'd carried her to the Skywalker homestead and laid her gently on the bed they shared where she curled into the pillow, already asleep.
He sat beside her for several minutes, watching the soft rise and fall of her chest as she slept. A sweet smile crossed his lips and he bent to place a tender kiss to her cheek. He told her to sleep peacefully and that he would return shortly, before slipping away to check that Jaina and Jacen were all right.
In the small nursery the twins were sharing, Jaina had sat beside Jacen sniffing back tears as he tried to soothe her. Han stayed with them, talking and reminiscing until he had assured himself they were settled and then he returned to his wife. Had it not been so late he would have liked to speak to Luke, to thank him for today. But it was late, and it would have been unthinkable to impose any further tonight. Han remembered all too well having a young son and the sleep deprivation that came with it.
Leia had stirred when Han slipped into bed beside her. He'd gently shushed her as he pulled her into his embrace and held her against him while he laid, staring up at the ceiling until daylight. Which is where he found himself now.
"Morning, you sleep all right?" Leia smiled at Han as she pushed herself to one elbow.
"Like a Bantha." He lied.
"How do you feel this morning?" She asked, sitting up.
"Like I'm ready to marry my wife. Again." He told her, climbing out of bed.
"You don't sound very ready." She observed. "Han? Are you all right? We don't have to do this today if you don't feel up to it."
"If anyone shouldn't be feeling up to it, it ought to be you. You were on your feet all day yesterday." He said, not looking at her.
"I feel renewed." She shrugged. "I wish you could have heard him Han."
"Him? Oh...Anakin." Han realised without looking at her.
"He was so...so eloquent. I never heard him talk that way before." She beamed.
"Yeah...well..." Han sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "Just goes to show ya, not all Solos are poorly educated vagabonds or miscreants."
"Han, please tell me what's wrong." She said quietly. "And don't say it's nothing, because I know that to be a lie."
"Is that 'the Force' talking to you again?" He asked, turning misty eyes in her direction.
"No. It's the better part of thirty years first learning to like you, then to love you." She told him.
"I dunno Ley." He sighed again, deeper this time. "I guess...I guess I'm just finding it hard being surrounded by so many Jedis."
"You mean Force-Sensitives." She corrected him and slid from the bed to go to his side. "We shut you out yesterday. I'm sorry, we didn't mean to."
She circled his waist with her arms and laid her head against his shoulder.
"So, what did the little fella say to you?" He asked, his arms folding her in his embrace.
"That he knew, right at the time of the explosion, he was going to die. He'd accepted his fate and realised he needed to do whatever he could to save his fellow students." She squeezed her arms around his waist. "He said he thought there were a couple of things you wanted to say to him. And a couple of things that you wanted to know."
"I wanted him to know I never blamed him for Chewie. Not really. I know I was an asshole back then, and I never really thought he was responsible." He hugged her tightly.
"He knew you didn't Han. Although, I could've told you that." She smiled up at him.
"I wanted him to know I was so very proud of him, I guess I wanted to know if he was ever ashamed of me." He said.
"Which he wasn't. Not ever." Leia confirmed.
"And I wondered if he knew that I loved him and if he loved me too." He arched an eyebrow down at her. "I suppose you could have answered those queries for me also."
"We're really very lucky when you think about it. You know, it's only when someone dies suddenly that you realise how many opportunities are missed to tell them how much you love them, how much they mean to you." Leia strained on tiptoes to kiss her husband's cheek. "I promise to never squander those opportunities again. I love you Han Solo."
"I love you too Princess." Han leaned down and hugged Leia tightly until she retched in his ear, he released her with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, sometimes I forget just how feeble you are."
"I'll show you who's 'feeble', later." She promised with a sly, lecherous grin before disappearing into the 'fresher ahead of him. He watched her, his own grin fading as he realised he'd been suckered into second place.
"Aw come on!" He groaned and heard her giggle as he realised she had secured the door behind her. In the 'fresher Leia clutched the edge of the basin and willed her stomach to stop somersaulting.
"Come on Leia, pull yourself together!" She mumbled at her own reflection, before mentally acknowledging that perhaps she ought to seek a little medical attention.
Not right now though. Now, she needed to get herself ready to renew the vows she'd made with Han so many years before, but which meant just the same, if not more, to her today as they had back then.
Han meanwhile sought out Luke with a serious conversation in mind.
"So..." Luke smiled at Han. "A Princess and a guy like you, who'd have thought that huh?"
"Luke, I wanted to talk to you about yesterday."
"Was it okay? I didn't say anything wrong did I? I got Anakin's date of birth wrong didn't I? Damnit Han, I'm so sorry." Luke looked concerned.
"Luke..."
"Is Leia mad at me?" He sighed. "I said to Mara, I asked her if I should check..."
"Luke, shut up!" Han placed a hand on Luke's shoulder. "I wanted to thank you. The ceremony was beautiful. You did our boy proud. Both Leia and I, we wanted you to know we're so grateful for everything."
"You don't have to thank me." Luke looked up into his friends eyes. "I'd say the pleasure was all mine, but there was no pleasure involved. None whatsoever."
"Nevertheless, we wanted you to know." Han smiled weakly. "Thank you."
Luke nodded his understanding, straightened his shoulders and leaned in toward Han, lowering his voice confidentially. "You're welcome, but you better go get yourself ready. I hear Winter has a 'schedule'."
"Ha! She doesn't scare me." Han's face drained of blood as he saw Luke's eyes grow wide. "She's behind me isn't she?"
"No." Luke grinned. "But the fear on your face was worth it."
"Jedi humour." Han grumbled and shook his head. "Gotta love it!"
With a friendly man-hug and a knowing nod, Han went to shower in the now empty 'fresher whilst Leia, Jaina and Jacen dressed and headed over to the Temple. Once Han was in his best shirt and blood-stripes, he followed them. Their small group of friends, the same group that the day before had bid farewell to their youngest son, waited also. At the altar, Luke smiled patiently at Han.
"This is a happy occasion Han." Luke quietly pointed out. "You're allowed to smile."
Han's lips twitched into a half smile that inched close to his eyes, even if it failed to meet them.
"Anakin was looking forward to this day you know." Luke added, hoping his words were of some small comfort. "We spoke often of family and he couldn't have been happier at the prospect of witnessing today."
"Except he's not." Han intoned.
"He'll always be with you Han." Luke said. "He may have been named for his Grandfather, but he was you in miniature."
"I have a feeling that's supposed to be a compliment." Han narrowed his eyes at Luke. "Yet it sounds like you're calling me a child."
"It kinda did, didn't it?" Luke smiled apologetically. "Though you might want to remember the compliment part when you're making love to my sister on her surprise honeymoon tonight."
"How did you...?" Han started to ask. "Lando!"
"Lando." Luke confirmed. "Oh, heads up. The wife's on your tail."
Han turned to see Leia waiting for her cue before stepping forward for the short walk to the altar to face her soon-to-be-husband. Again. She arrived at his side with a smile and without taking her eyes from her husband's face.
"Take one another's hands." Luke prompted and they did so. He looked between his sister and brother-in-law who were looking into each other's eyes.
"We all know why we are here today." Luke announced and turned to his sister. "Leia, you made a commitment to Han, to honour him with your life and with your love and as you stand before me now, do you reaffirm that commitment to him?"
"I do." Leia smiled. "Without hesitation."
"Han." Luke turned his attention to his friend. "You made a commitment to Leia, to honour her with your life and with your love. As you stand before me now, do you reaffirm that commitment to her?"
"I do." He confirmed. "Today and always."
"Family and friends." Luke addressed the assembled guests. "Leia and Han stand here before you, declaring that their commitment to each other is as strong today as when they were first joined. It gives me no pleasure to do this, but it's in the rules, if any of you know of any reason why this joining may not be blessed, I would ask that you speak it now." Luke intoned solemnly.
When there was no response he returned to the couple.
"Leia. Han. You stand before me having declared your commitment to one another and with your family and friends in attendance. I consider it my greatest honour to bless this union. Ordinarily at this juncture I would invite you to confirm your love through a kiss, however, I believe you have written vows which you wish to share with each other and in the presence of your friends and family."
Han turned an ashen face on Luke. "We what?"
"Leia said you were writing vows." Luke answered quietly through his smile.
"We discussed this. Remember?" Leia prompted, also through a smile.
"Yeah. But that was before we brought the ceremony forward by about two months." Han smiled back.
"Can't you wing it?" Luke grinned.
"Wing my Wedding vows?" Han false-grinned back. "Mara sure is a lucky girl to have snagged you!"
Leia cleared her throat and licked her lips nervously.
"Force help me!" Han mumbled under his breath as he turned his full attention back to his wife.
"Han." Leia spoke confidently. "Over the years you have been my rescuer, my protector, my friend, my lover and my confidante. Through good times and bad you have held me aloft, never more so than the past year when your love and strength kept me upright even when my own legs could not."
She gripped his hands more tightly and her face took on a sombre expression.
"We have both lost those that we love. And we will both surely experience further loss as our lives continue. But with you by my side, with you as my rescuer, my protector, my friend, lover and confidante, I can face anything. My love I give to you willingly, unhesitatingly and openly before both family and friends and in the sure and certain knowledge that it resides where it was always destined to be and where it will always belong."
Han gazed down, his lips twitched into a half-smile-half-grimace.
Leia looked up at him, her forehead showing a brief flash of puzzled concern.
Han turned to look at their guests and saw Jaina, scowling in his direction.
"My daughter's giving me evils." He laughed. "She's been doing that a lot lately. Of course, I've given her good reason to. You see, I...er...I came pretty close to losing the one truly great thing to come into my life. Only I was being too much of a stubborn asshole to realise it."
Han's face paled and he looked a little worriedly at Luke. "Am I allowed to say asshole in here?"
"You...er...you kinda just did." Luke laughed.
"Well, anyway, the thing is...that 'truly great thing' I was talking about...she's right here. Right here in front of me." Han looked back down into Leia's eyes and took a deep breath. "Leia..."
Han opened his mouth and froze, his mind completely blank. It wasn't just that he couldn't speak, he was incapable of thinking of a single, solitary word. If Lord Vader himself had strapped him to a torture rack, he still would have been unable to form a word.
Leia's eyes were scanning his face for some clue as to what was wrong. Then, from the congregation came Han's saviour.
"Oh for Sith sake, why don't you just kiss her!" Winter barked.
It was the shock Han needed to revive him and with a characteristic grin he lowered his mouth to Leia's, his lips seeking and finding hers and lingering there. His hand automatically slid into the hair at the back of her head, his other pressing into the small of her back scooping her against him as he gently bent her body back.
In response, Leia let herself be moulded by his touch, one hand upon his bicep, the other around his neck, disolving into the kiss with every bit as much passion as he was giving.
Approving smiles gave way to spontaneous applause which gave way to lecherous roars from the Rogues before Han and Leia finally broke the kiss in order to breathe.
"I pronounce the union blessed." Luke announced, not that anyone was really listening or cared for that matter. Those who weren't whooping were chatting between themselves.
"I'm sorry Sweetheart." Han said to Leia, still cupping her face. "The Falcon I can wing, but Wedding vows...not so much."
"They're words Han." She told him. "You being here means more than any words ever could."
"Even more than being held aloft?" Han grinned as Leia looked puzzled and in the next moment he swept her up into his arms to more applause and louder raucous shouts from the Rogues. "I love you Mrs Organa-Solo."
He leaned forward to kiss her again, which she paused with a finger across his lips.
"How about we start calling me just Mrs Solo?" She suggested.
Han's grin widened.
"Fine by me, just Mrs Solo." He told her and once again crushed her lips with his.
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Han was still holding Leia in his arms. Still kissing her lips, her nose, her eyes, her cheeks, while all the time she giggled and squealed and squirmed in his arms.
"Han put me down!" She begged for the two-dozenth time.
They were back at the homestead, in the room they had shared before and since Anakin's funeral. The room in which Han now intended to make love to his wife, if she would just stop trying to deny him.
"Not until you let me make love to you." He teased.
"Not now Han. Please put me down!" Her stomach was lurching again, if only he'd stop swinging her around!
"You're my wife now. In some cultures that makes you my property." He started tickling her ribs.
"Seriously Han, you need to stop. Stop right now!" Her struggles were in earnest now, bile rising in her throat.
Han set her lightly on her feet. "Well, okay. But tonight..."
He was silenced by her stumbling backwards, clutching at thin air in an effort to maintain her balance. Stepping quickly to her side, Han caught hold of her and led her slowly to the bed.
"I'm fine. Just a little dizzy." She assured him.
"You're whiter than a snowdrift on Hoth!" He said concerned. "You hungry?"
She gave him a look.
"I mean, well, you haven't eaten properly for a couple of days or more." He added.
"I'm fine." She smiled weakly. "Really."
"Been quite a few days hasn't it?" He asked, kneeling at her feet. "I wasn't going to say anything until we were under way, but maybe a little pick-me-up will help make you feel a little better. You remember the other night, when I came home apparently drunk?"
"I remember." She replied as the room started to return to focus.
"Well, it was all an act. I was playing Sabaac with the guys and doing pretty good too. Then Lando pulled this kind of double or nothing kind of stunt. Best of three, winner takes it all."
"I get the picture Han." She said, a little snappier than she intended.
"So, I imbibed a little liquor and embellished it's effects on me and long story short, I won." He shrugged and grinned.
"Won what exactly?"
From his vest pocket he pulled what appeared to Leia to be a room key and dangled it before her. Her eyes defocussed from the card and refocussed on Han's face.
"Won what exactly?" She repeated.
"Turns out Lando owns a time share in one of the most sought after vacation spots in the entire Galaxy." He grinned and raised an eyebrow. "Or at least, he used to own it. And I figured, what a great place for a honeymoon."
"We just cremated our son yesterday." She reminded him softly. "And you want to go on honeymoon?"
Han pushed to his feet before sitting beside her and wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Life goes on sweetheart." He said, leaning his head against hers. "I know I sound callous and uncaring, but it's true. Our friends out there will be taking a transport later back to their lives and their families, their homes and their businesses. And we have to move on too. Today, tomorrow or a week from now, it's still gonna hurt."
"But a honeymoon will help ease that pain, is that what you're thinking?" She asked sceptically.
"That..." Han knew the truth may very well blow his chances, but... "And the fact that Lando failed to mention until after he'd handed the key card over that his regular booking started day before yesterday. If we don't go now, we lose out for a whole 'nother year."
"You are unbelievable!" She stated and pulled away from his embrace.
"I'm honest. I could have given you some guff about some healing time to ourselves being just what the doctor ordered, but I chose to tell you the truth."
"Because you knew I'd recognise your lie the moment it left your mouth!" She snapped, rising and pacing the room.
"That...And the fact that we talked about having some time away, just you and me. This seemed like the perfect opportunity. No one is going to expect either one of us to show up at work or class for the next few days at least..."
He let the sentence linger in her mind and after a while he could tell from her posture she was seeing he was right.
"What about Luke?" Leia asked.
"I like Luke, really I do. But seriously, he's not my type and I'd much prefer to honeymoon with you."
"I mean, we were going to stay with him, Mara and Ben for a few days. Help Jaina settle in." She corrected him.
"Jaina?" Han asked, eyebrows raised. "Jaina, who was the only girl at junior camp not to take a stuffed toy or comfort blanket. Jaina, who just spent six months alone with Killiks...if you don't count the night she spent getting pregnant by a Rogue. You really think that Jaina wants or needs us to stick around to help her 'settle in'?"
He'd got her pretty much sold on the idea and he knew it, but maybe just one more small push. "And it would give Jacen some great experience at handling the Falcon on his own. His first assignment could be to drop us at our destination. You know, if you agree we should go that is."
"You said you'd get him some help." She reminded him.
"Well yeah, sure, for shipments." Han explained. "But for just a routine drop off he can handle that on his own. Besides, three days and he'd be coming back for us anyway."
"You've certainly thought this through haven't you?" She sighed.
"Some." He said, innocently. "I guess."
"Well. You better check there's room for us on that transport if you want us to get back to Coruscant to pick up the Falcon." She told him as a huge grin spread across his face. "I'll pack up here and meet you there."
"You're gonna love it!" He scooped her into his arms and spun her around before depositing her back on the bed and racing out of the door.
The room circled before Leia's eyes and she again fought the urge to vomit. Grasping her comlink she placed a call to the renowned Jedi Healer, Cilghal, who was only too happy to make time to see her.
Cilghal's medical facility was, Leia noted, small and functional. Much like every other facility, office or home on Yavin IV. Jedi's lived simple lives, though Leia sometimes wondered if the simplicity wasn't just a little too forced.
"Please, take a seat and tell me what it is I can do for you." Cilghal indicated a chair.
"I seem to have picked up a slight ear infection." Leia explained. "I was hoping you might be able to offer some medicinal respite."
Cilghal sat opposite Leia, her Mon Calamari mouth set in the appearance of a smile.
"And I thought I was the Healer." Cilghal observed. "What makes you think you have an ear infection."
"The symptoms are all the same." Leia said. "I had them as a child. My father used to say it was from inappropriately listening at doors!"
"Symptoms?" Cilghal asked.
Leia sighed inwardly. Mon Cals could be so infuriating sometimes. "Nausea. Dizziness. Lack of balance. Difficulty focussing."
"They could all be symptoms of an ear infection." Cilghal conceded. "Along with any number of other complaints. To be certain, I'd like to conduct a couple of tests."
"Seriously? Can't you just give me an anti-nausea shot? I can see a physician when I return to Coruscant." Leia insisted.
"How's your motor function?" Cilghal queried.
"My...it's fine. A little stiffness sometimes, but Han massages my legs when needed and I'm due to have the stimulators removed shortly." Leia replied.
"So the balance and dizziness isn't associated with your previous injuries." The Mon Cal suggested.
"No." Leia assured her. "Nor is the nausea, my emotional state or the difficulty focussing due to bereavement."
"Emotional state?" Cilghal's nictitating eyelids swept across her eyes.
"I have been a little...over emotional. It's been a difficult few months." Leia sighed.
Cilghal leaned forward, nictitating eyelids blinking. "Let's talk about that, shall we?"
Leia groaned to herself. This was going to be harder than she'd expected.