THE GUEST LIST
(Takes place before Han and Leia's wedding. Sequel to Wedding Plans.)
"You're not serious about inviting such a criminal element to your wedding!" Mon Mothma gasped as she and Leia went over the guest list.
"They're Han's friends. I've met a lot of them, and do keep in mind that a lot of them were crazy and brave enough to help us out during the war," Leia reminded her. "You certainly didn't object to them then."
"They were needed for the effort," Mon remarked, her voice chilly. "But I very much doubt that their mindset has changed. This wedding is an important event for the Alliance, Leia. I think inviting such an element would coarsen the event. It would turn it into a fiasco!"
"Are you implying that no heads of state ever get drunk? Because I've seen more than a few become inebriated more than once."
"Leia, if I'd known that active duty was going to change you in this way, I'd never have permitted you to join the front line efforts."
"Change me in what way?" Leia demanded.
"Leia, you're the daughter of royalty, for gods' sakes! You never belonged with the Renegades and the Rogues. You fall in love with a smuggler! I can only imagine Bail's reaction to THAT."
"You're forgetting that my father got to know people before he passed judgment," Leia told her severely. "I think my choice may have initially surprised him, but he would come to respect and like him."
"I think you're justifying it to yourself. Bail would never approve such a union."
"I think I know my father better than you do."
"Leia, you knew him as a child knows a parent. It's not the same as two adults knowing each other."
"I resent that remark," Leia said, hostility rising in her voice. "If you make any more of them, Han and I will have the wedding at Chalmun's Cantina."
"Mos Eisley? You couldn't choose anywhere worse in the galaxy!"
"Exactly. Han and I agreed that you could invite any heads of state and diplomats you wanted."
"After forcing me to pay for their presence here."
"And we're paying for those we wanted to invite."
"Bad enough that the Rogues and Renegades will be there, and now smugglers!"
"You know what?" Leia's temper was rising. "Every smuggler you've ever encountered has treated you with courtesy and respect, and that's more than I can say for how some very highly placed people have acted!"
Mon Mothma sighed dramatically and threw up her hands. "There are some individuals you must dance with or they'll be terribly insulted."
"I'll dance with whomever I want. In case you've forgotten, Han and I are the major players here. We're the ones getting married. And I'm not going to spend a moment of it thinking about galactic politics. If you'll excuse me, I need a dress for my wedding."