Biggs stood at the rails on the observation deck of the Palace. He stood amongst diplomats, dignitaries, ambassadors and other elites of the Galaxy. They were all riveted on the ongoing drama on dais below.
Three beings stood on the dais. The first was a rather burly trooper in the dress uniform of the Alderaan Guard. Another was a gaudily dressed courtier who had some title or another, Biggs didn't really care. His eyes were fixed on the slight figure dressed in white on the chair.
Queen Leia Organa. Perhaps the most powerful person in the Galaxy. Well, for a few moments more at least.
"...do solemnly forswear all claim to the throne, for both you and your direct descendants, whether of the body or by law." the Courtier came to the end of his little speech.
Leia paused. Everyone held their breath. Many more had changed their mind at this point than not.
Say the words, thought Biggs. Please. Be free.
Leia could speak to him, read his thoughts and could merge their minds so that they thought, spoke and experienced things as one. Biggs however, had no idea how to contact her. Still, he willed for her to hear him. Say the words Leia.
According to historian's Queen Leia looked up to the heavens before solemnly abdicating the throne. That final moment of her looking up is perhaps the most famous and recognised. Almost every image, holo and statue of her is of that moment.
Entire chapters of lengthy biographies dedicated to Queen Organa's last thoughts as supreme ruler of five thousand systems. However, only one being knew them.
'I'm so tired.' she thought to Biggs as she looked at him.
'Just let go. Please love. Free yourself.'
'I'm, I'm afraid.' Biggs had the impression she was standing by a cliff.
'Jump. I will catch you.'
'Promise.'
'Always.'
Queen Leia Organa took a deep breath and rose from her throne.
"I, Leia Organa do formally relinquish all claim to this crown of Alderaan, for all time, for myself and my descendants." she said. She then removed the crown and handed it to the courtier, who took it in hand.
The trooper banged a gong three times. It was over.
The reception following was a crowded affair with beings from all over the Galaxy using the occasion to meet and deal. Biggs drifted through it all largely ignored.
"Biggs!" It was Wedge in the dress uniform of the Republic Navy. He was holding a drink.
"Wedge! What are you doing here." he said to his old friend.
"Not much. Showing the flag. Sampling some of this most exclusive wine. Reminding folks that the Republic is a good idea." said Wedge.
"Yeah, well. How are you doing? Been promoted again I see." said Biggs.
It had come as a surprise to Biggs how much Wedge was a Republican patriot. The very image of the New Republic's military and one of the few to have fought both Death Stars Wedge was an ideal diplomat.
"It's bad Biggs. We just lost Kaspera. Now it looks like we'll lose the Principality as well."
"Kaspera is still there mate. So will the Principality." said Biggs.
"But the Republic is collapsing. What did we fight for?"
"Freedom. Now people are exercising that."
"Freedom to be damn fools. What if the Hutts, Rodians or Kuat decides to expand?" Wedge said after drinking from his glass.
"I dunno. Maybe everyone will have to honour these new defense treaties."
"And there's a disaster in the making. Surely you see that."
A small circle had gathered round the two. Newsdroids hovered overhead, recording every word.
"Disaster or not. It's their choice."
"Damn it Biggs. Speak to Leia. Maybe she can keep the Principality onside for us."
"No."
"No?"
"The Civil War damn broke her. I'm not having the Republic finish killing her. Find someone else to toss on the Altar of Liberty!" said Biggs anger rising.
"Hey buddy. We're not enemies. Are we?" said Wedge. He looked worriedly at Biggs.
"Leave Leia alone if you don't want to find out!" said Biggs. He stormed off before he said or did something. He went outside for some air and peace. He found a seat and sat down wondering what the hell had happened. How was Wedge and himself on the opposite side of anything?
"Excuse me? Mr Darklighter?", It was a young woman. Affixed to her dress was a press badge and a newsdroid floated behind her left shoulder.
"You want to ask me some questions? Go ahead."
"Thankyou. I'm Alana Jons of The Beacon. You're Her Majesty's..."
"No longer Her Majesty."
"Right, that's going to take some getting used to. Anyway you're her, her..."
"Friend?" said Biggs.
It always surprised Biggs that the Principality, as polyglot and cosmopolitan a slice of Galactic society you could find nonetheless had this strange cultural blank spot where their royalty was concerned. Their cultural expectations for their monarchs were quite rigid and in their current time of crisis they weren't going to budge. They had accommodated Biggs, a foreigner who wasn't about to marry their Queen or even become a subject by the time honoured practice of ignoring it.
Pointing out otherwise to this young reporter may well scuttle her career. Tomorrow it would no longer matter. As much. Were living saints allowed lovers?
"Yes, you're her, friend. What do you think of her abdication?"
Eight bloody years late.
"I think it's great. This Monarchy for life business takes a hell of a toll. Leia has served the Alderaanian people her entire life. She can live for herself for a while at least."
"With you?"
"That's up to her."
"Really?"
"Yes. She's just become the most eligible woman in the Galaxy. Some of them are bound to more charming than the fool who first gave her a compliment."
"And you have no problem with that?"
"No problem? Unless it's that leader of the Union of Free Habitats I'll probably push."
"You would?"
As the reporter stammered Biggs heard a polite cough. It was Leia.
"Found you, finally." she said smiling. "What are you doing?"
Biggs rose and kissed her. "Just scandalising your ex-subjects. What does that make them now? Objects?"
"Hardly. I get to be a subject myself. Scandalising my fellow subjects? I think you've already done that inside."
"Yeah, sorry. Wedge wants you to rally the people to stay in the Republic. I want you to have some time off."
"I think time off starts tomorrow."
"Leia. Don't. Say, why don't you give Alana Jons an exclusive."
Leia froze and looked at the reporter.
"That's really your name?"
"Yes your..."
"I'm just Leia now." she flashed Alana a smile and sat down beside her. "Hi, I'm one of the Principality's newest subjects. What should I know about my new home." she said like some war torn refugee.
Which in a way, she was.
"Where are we going?" said Leia.
Biggs had finally gotten Leia away from the guests, reporters and other hangers on. They were sneaking towards the Palace landing bays.
"Keeping a promise." he replied.
"To me?"
"Who else?"
Hand in hand they snuck past the guards, who forewarned, pretended not to notice them. Crossing the pad they reached a ship. Biggs thumbed a control and the boarding ramp lowered.
"We're leaving?"
"You said you always wanted to escape the Empire in a yacht." Biggs said as he walked up the ramp. Leia paused.
"But the Coronation. I can't just run off." she protested.
"You can. Although not an expert I feel coronations go far more smoothly if the previous monarch is not present."
"I, don't know."
"Come run away with me. Aldean will be fine." said Biggs. In fact, Biggs knew that Leia's cousin would be much more relaxed without Leia looming over his shoulder.
"I."
Biggs had anticipated this. It was time for Plan B. He walked back down the ramp, looked Leia in the eyes and kissed her. As their lips met, so did their minds.
"We're free now. Where do we go? Anywhere you want."
Biggs picked Leia up and carried her into the ship. Shortly it lifted off and boosted for orbit. In short order it reached the hyper limit of New Alderaan and vanished.
Leia woke up. She was in a large soft bed. The bed was in a white room, all curves and rounded edges. The faint hum of a hyperdrive told her she was on a ship. She looked about and tried to piece together recent events. She was no longer Queen. No longer responsible for several trillion subjects. She had been a Princess from birth and then a Queen. Technically she had been Queen since that terrible day when Alderaan was destroyed. She had been eighteen years old. They had crowned her three years later after the Emperor had been killed. She had reigned for eight years until yesterday.
Now it was over. Who was she? Leia Organa? Leia Skywalker? What did she do now? She had slain The Emperor. What could top that?
A door swished open. Carrying a tray and wearing only a grin Biggs walked in.
"How about breakfast on your first day as a free woman?"
Oh yes. She had been carried away by her, friend.
"Yes please." she said.
Biggs set down the tray and sat on the bed facing her. He whisked off the plate cover and poured the caf.
"Caf, Rebellion style. I would say the way you like it but no-one sane could like the stuff." he said as he offered her the cup.
She took the cup and took a sip. No milk, three sugar. Ugh. Biggs was right, why did she still drink it this way?
Because she and millions of other Rebels had drank their caf like this. Now it was tradition.
"Biggs, why is there only one set of utensils?" she said.
"Since we are on a ship I figured we should conserve resources." he said offering her a forkful of food.
Okay, well this was fun. She let herself be fed.
"Biggs, where are our clothes?" she asked.
"By now? About thirty five hundred lights astern." he said calmly.
"What!"
"I threw them out the airlock."
Leia leapt at him. Tray, utensils and cup went flying as she quickly wrestled Biggs into submission and had him pinned.
"Biggs Darklighter. Please tell me where I can find some clothes." she said.
"Later."
"Later? Oh. Okay."
Sometime later Leia decided that she could think more clearly when she and more importantly Biggs were dressed.
"Are there any clothes on this ship?" she asked. She still wouldn't of put it past him.
"Sure. There, in the wardrobe." he said indicating a door.
She walked over, got dressed and threw some clothes at Biggs who quickly pulled them on. Once dressed she insisted on a brief tour of the ship as any sensible spacer would.
"Now." she said, sitting in the ship's lounge. "Whose ship is this? Where are we going?"
Biggs smiled. "This ship belongs to the Naboo Ambassador to the Principality. And, um this is a bit confusing but I think we chose to go to Naboo. That shared telepathy thing is a bit weird. I think the reason the Jedi started their celibacy rules was because otherwise they would never get anything done."
Leia had a better time sorting out her thoughts from Biggs' but it was still rather distracting. "I guess. Do you think the new Jedi will do that?"
"They may have to. Watching you and Luke grow into your powers really puts their rules into focus." he said. "I think it warrants further experimentation, though."
"'Really? Don't you get tired?"
"I'm being serious. What else can you do with it? Does anyone know? Anyone alive?" Biggs said.
He had a point. What could people linked or bonded in the Force be capable of?
"I'll need to think about that. So. Why Naboo?" she said.
"Well, I like my new home. I thought checking in with Jarsea for any ideas she has about where we go from here." Biggs said.
Right. Jarsea. Biggs was married. He had a wife. Biggs never mentioned her when he visited. He often gave Leia the impression that she was the only person in his life. Even if she knew that was not true had she foolishly believed it? Who was she? Where did Leia fit into everything?
"Biggs."
"Yes Leia."
"Do you love me?"
"Yes, surely you know that. Can't you feel that?"
Leia tried sensing Biggs. She could hear his thoughts and feel him looking at her. No. She was very used to the psychic attraction loop and its effects. While pleasant, extremely pleasant it was not conducive to rational thought.
"I can't, I can't tell." was she just a distraction?
"Well then. You'll just have to trust me. Like anyone else in the Galaxy." Biggs got up, walked over to Leia and crouched down beside her. Their eyes met and Leia saw her face superimposed over his "I love you." he said.
There was little rational thought after that.
Biggs lay in bed with Leia dribbling on his chest as she slept. They were approaching Naboo. His new home. He felt some apprehension. He suspected his life owed some measure of stability to both women living eighteen thousand lights apart. Well, now they would be under the same roof. Biggs was reminded of the old Tatooine glyph for trouble. Still, the Naboo had some extremely sensible rules and if could get used to them then surely Leia could adapt too?
He thought back to the conversation eight years ago...
"Share?" said Biggs and Leia together. They were both surprised.
"Sure. Shall we go over the options?" Jarsea said. "One. We scream and yell and fight and no one ever speaks to anyone else again. No? Didn't think so. So let's not do that."
"Two. I very noblely say I won't interfere with you and Biggs being together and go my own way."
"You did say that." said Biggs.
"And you refused. You're as likely to give up on me as you are oxygen. That thought alone got me through being captured and tortured."
"He resisted me quite well too. Despite your advice." said Leia smiling.
"And that was not fair to you. Or Biggs. You two clearly love each other. It's the Rebellion's worst kept secret. Clearly we cannot have option two." said Jarsea.
"Well what I figure option three is out. I'm not giving you up Biggs. You're mine." Leia said with a predatory grin.
"And so we're left with option four. We share and Biggs learns to balance having both of us. Which is not some wonderful fantasy. The reality will be hard work and likely a lot of stress. We'll probably drive each other crazy." said Jarsea.
So they had agreed. It was made a lot easier that Leia and Jarsea lived on different planets in different governments and even different cultures.
Different cultures. Right.
There was that sudden change as the ship transmitted back into realspace. Leia stirred.
"Was that transit?" she said muzzily.
"Fraid so." he said.
"What happens now?"
"Well, we land. Give the ship back and go home."
"Shouldn't we get dressed too?"
"Only if we want to."
"Only if we want to?"
"Know how the Principality has some odd customs? Well, so does Naboo."
"A clothing optional rule?"
"Yeah. Newlyweds are not required to be dressed during their honeymoon."
"Very funny. Well, even were it true we're not married. We're wearing clothes."
Biggs paused. "Well." He proceeded to explain. All things considered Leia took it quite calmly.
They landed. They disembarked and Biggs gave the ship back to the consulate. They arranged for transport to home.
"Daddy!" yelled six year old Susa as she charged out to greet them. Biggs scooped his daughter up.
"Hello trouble." he said and kissed his daughter. He then turned her towards Leia. "Susa, say hello to Leia."
"Hello mom." said Susa.
Leia stopped as if struck. She recovered quickly. "Why, hello to you to."
"Welcome home Biggs and welcome home Leia. You my husband are in trouble. You had to tell her, didn't you." said Jarsea smiling.
"Not half as much as you are, my wife." said Leia. "I feel another talk is in order."
"Well then, come on in." said Jarsea. She gave Biggs a peck on the cheek as he entered. She considered kissing Leia as well but decided she needed a break. One shock at a time. She led them into a lounge and everyone took a seat.
"Susa, why don't you get Leia the pictures." she said to her daughter as she was put down.
"Yes, mommy." Susa said and ran off.
"Now Leia. I can see you have some questions." said Jarsea. "And stop grinning Biggs, this is serious."
"Did you trick me?" said Leia.
"Eight years ago? No my dear. I was too relieved that both of you were still alive to properly consider legalities. As were we all." said Jarsea.
"And how soon did you find out?"
"About two years later when I got home. The War was effectively over and I could sort out everything. Oh, I sort of knew about it beforehand but it was in that sense of 'marriage is for old people'. You and Biggs were setting in at Echiverra, then Susa was born and you were Queen, and I'm sorry a few minor details got left out."
"Minor detail?", said Leia as she folded her arms.
"Compared to The Secession at home, your home rule problems in the Principality and the whole Grand Admiral business at large? Yes. I think the fact that you, Queen Organa was also my common law wife was a minor problem. So I waited and hoped and prayed a bit, to be honest."
"Hmm. Hoped for what?"
"That you would retire from that awful job."
"Abdicate."
"Whatever. That you would quit anyway. I was overjoyed by that news. Where you would go after that, well, that was up to you. But since you're here there's something I must ask." Jarsea paused, took a breath and looked straight at Leia. "Leia Organa. Will you marry me?"
Leia paused. Who was she? Just an ordinary Republic citizen? A Principality subject? Who was Leia Organa? Who did she want to be? She looked over at Biggs.
"Don't you get a say in this?" she said.
"Of course I do love. But Jarsea is oldest so she proposes. After you accept then all us subordinates get to approve or not." Biggs said.
"All the subordinates? How many more spouses are there?"
"Just him Leia. But Biggs is right. I propose, which I have and then you say yes, or no. Then Biggs gets to choose whether to accept or leave.
"As if my answer was in any doubt." muttered Biggs.
"Even so. It's considered unfair to stampede a potential spouse into a decision. So quiet you." said Jarsea.
Who was she? What did she want? It occurred to Leia that it was a question she didn't get to ask much.
"What if I say no?" she said.
"No to getting married officially, no to us thinking of you as a common law spouse or no, you never want to see us again?"
Leia looked into their eyes. They were serious.
"What if I meet someone else? What if I change my mind?" she said.
"Then we renegotiate, why? Is there someone else? Who are they?"
Biggs muttered under his breath.
"Didn't catch that dear." said Jarsea.
"Lando Calrissian." said Biggs.
"Union of Free Habitats? That Lando? Hmm, good choice. Well, for a fling. Trust me, he's not the commitment type. Is that what you want?" said Jarsea. She got out her comm.
Leia thought back to the times she had met the leader of the tiny alliance. He was very attractive and the things he had said! She then noticed what Jarsea was doing.
"Wait! Who are you calling?"
"The Union Embassy. We'll promise them that trade deal, get him at the negotiating table and..."
"What?"
"Well, that's up to you love. For my part I was going to keep Biggs here. For some reason he gets all atavistic over that man."
"Shiftless philanderer." said Biggs.
"Now, hush."
"Why, why are you doing this?"
"Because we love you. Because we want you to be aware of your options that you have. All your life you've been forced to be someone. Now you get to choose for you. Biggs and I would like to help."
"I need some time to think. Alone please."
"Of course. Biggs will show you to the guest room."
Biggs got up and extended his hand. Leia took it and got up. Then she followed him through a door, and down a hall to another door. She paused at the door and put her arms round his neck.
"She's mad."
"Yes Leia."
"How do you live like that?"
"Seriously? Practice my love. Lot's of practice."
"Would she really of called up Mr Calrissian?"
"Yes!"
"I like your daughter."
"Our daughter?" he said hopefully.
A daughter. Two actually. Was it possible? Or was this just another sick joke the universe would play on her?
"This, it's all too strange."
"I know. It takes some getting used to."
"I've know war and conflict all my life."
"Is peace and love so terrible?"
"Just unfamiliar."
"So take some time."
"Okay."
Biggs lifted up Leia and walked through the door. He set her down on the couch and kissed her gently.
"I'll be in the main room."
Leia just nodded. Biggs left.
Biggs leaned in the doorway to the lounge. Jarsea was working on a pad. She looked up.
"Too strong?" she said.
Biggs walked over, leant down and kissed her. "A little." he said.
"We both agreed to cover her in honey and throw her to the Draxians love."
"She's now in shock dear."
"Good. When she recovers she can start on being a normal human being."
"It's just..."
"What? We proposed to her. We threatened to set het up on a hot date. Both would be good for her. I for one want to dance naked through the streets with you two at my side. So do you."
Biggs started to say something but was interrupted by Susa. She was carrying a stack of flimsies.
"Where did she go? I got all my pictures." she said.
"Leia's in the guest room." said Jarsea.
"Okay." said Susa who trotted off down the hallway.
"That was underhanded." said Biggs.
"So?"
Leia looked out the window from the couch where Biggs had left her. Was she crazy? We're they? Biggs had seemed sane enough. Well, mostly sane. He had apparently married a mad woman.
The mad woman he had recruited into the Rebellion. Her former propaganda expert and holo-artist. The woman who had sent her tips on how to seduce her then boyfriend. The woman who seemed to wield some measure of political power on this crazy world.
The same mad woman had proposed to her. Leia had sensed no deception from her. She had honestly meant it.
Biggs and Jarsea had said she was already their wife. Was she? She tried the term on for size.
'Hi, my name is Leia and I am the wife of...'
What did that mean here? She knew what getting married would of meant as Queen. It was something to be avoided. It was a political minefield, the possibility of marriage was a bargaining chip, threat and negotiation tool rolled into one. Consort, Co-ruler or something in between. None had been palatable.
Getting married would also of meant no more Biggs. She had bent the rules to the limit, had to make all sorts of silly promises to court just to have a boyfriend! Well, a boyfriend who wasn't a subject, co-religionist or potential ally.
If you marry him then you can probably keep him came the next thought. They could have children.
"Hello." came a small voice.
Leia jumped. Her right hand scrabbled against her thigh, searching for the lightsabre she no longer wore.
"Would you like to see the pictures I drew?" said Susa.
It was Biggs and Jarsea's daughter. She would be her daughter too.
Susa held a bunch of flimsies. She spread them out on the floor . Most had the same theme. Three big people, one or two smaller people. They would be in a park, or at some landmark or doing something mundane like having breakfast.
"Who are these people?" said Leia. She was looking at the picture Susa had handed her.
"This is mummy, this is daddy, this is me, that's Anya and this is you." said Susa pointing out the various figures.
"But I wasn't here for these things. I just got here." she said.
"i know mom. Daddy said you were busy and couldn't be here. I drew you in anyway because I knew you wanted to be." said Susa.
Biggs had been asking her to abdicate for years. She had refused out of a sense of duty and, fear. She couldn't imagine another life. Looking at her daughter's pictures she realised what she had missed. Tears welled up and poured down her face.
"What's wrong mom? Why are you sad?" said Susa.
Leia leaned over and scooped up her daughter in a hug.
"I am fine. I am fine." she said holding her daughter.
Leia and Susa walked into main room. Jarsea looked up from her pad.
"Susa and I are going for a walk." said Leia.
Jarsea looked them over. "Shoes." she said. Susa ran off.
"There is a park at the end of the road. Take her there. Do you want to meet with the Union rep?"
"You're still going through with that?"
"We do need our trade relations with the Union sorted out. This coasting along pretending nothing has happened is irresponsible. If nothing gets done the Union will get gobbled up piecemeal and then we're back to smuggling and crime syndicates and we all lose out."
"What are you proposing?"
"Here." Jarsea handed her the pad. Leia read through the proposal.
"This is very favourable to the Union. Why would the Alliance propose this?" said Leia.
"This will build up our smaller neighbour and we become good trade partners. This is good."
Leia was about to say something when Susa came back in wearing shoes.
"I'm ready." she said.
"Good. Now take you mom to the park and have fun."
"Yes mummy." said Susa.
It took about ten minutes to walk to the park. It had trees, flowers, hedges a playground, ponds, benches and people. Susa dragged Leia around the park showing off everything. It was clearly a favourite place of hers. Leia eventually paused at a seat while Susa bounded about a padded low gravity field. She watched other parents with their children. Is this what she wanted? It was what she and countless others had fought for after all. Was this her?
"Are you troubled?" came a voice. It belonged to a young man. He was dressed in blue shorts and a gold top. Further away were more similar dressed people playing some sort of ball game.
"No. Yes. I don't know." said Leia.
"That sounds like a yes. I am Jedi Mills. I can help." said Mills.
Leia had heard of the new Jedi. While those able to use the Force like her were vanishingly rare many more had professed an interest in the Jedi Religion. The majority of them served as advisors and counsellors attempting to turn the Jedi teachings towards running an orderly society. Jedi were becoming known less for being galactic policemen and more as advisors and counsellors. Jedi would sort out a local dispute, find your lost pet or offer you some guidance if you were distressed. It was vastly less exciting then laser swords, TK and heroics. It had all seemed so underwhelming.
Leia looked at the young man. Ten years ago she had ordered people like this into battle, sometimes into absolutely horrible odds where she knew they would all die.
"You were in the war?" said Mills.
"Yes." said Leia. Would this young man connect her, someone still in ship knits sitting on a park bench to the famous Rebel Leader? Tired, stressed with a more than a few worry lines she only superficially resembled the nineteen standard woman from the holos silently imploring everyone to rebel.
"Now everything is different?"
"Yes! I come here and find out I'm married, I have a daughter, a husband and, a wife. They just proposed to me."
"I, see. You are currently regarded as a common law spouse to a local and they want to make it official?"
"Yes. Do newly married..."
"Do they really go out in public naked? Yes. Not as often now, your suitors must be traditionalists. It's more common nearer the equator. Where are you from?"
"Alderaan." Leia said quietly. As always, even saying her homeworld's name brought back the memory of that hideous day.
"Oh. I am sorry to bring that up for you. Wait. You're her, Leia." Mills paused recognition showing on his face.
"Yes, I am."
"Emotion yet peace. Emotion yet peace." said Mills quickly to himself.
"I'm sorry?"
"I apologise. One does not expect living legends to casually drop out of the sky. Still, you are distressed, I will help. That, that puts your concerns in focus. Three days ago you were an absolute ruler. You abdicated."
Leia blinked. "Yes, and this morning my, lover tells me this crazy world considers me already married to him and his wife. How does that even work?"
Mills breathed, this wasn't the simple task of aiding someone distressed. "Naboo and by extension the rest of the Alliance grants certain rights and obligations to any who are in in a long term relationship. They are mostly legal in nature, they concern you being able to co-sign on documents and any um, disputes when you move apart. Still, the common marriage is seen as a true union by many or as a precursor to taking more formal vows. It would only be recognised fully in the Alliance though."
"How long. Before this lunatic world says you're married?"
"Usually about two Naboo years. That's um, one point eight standard. Your partner didn't mention it? That's odd."
How long had she been married, even in this weird sense? Would it of made any difference? All those petitions, demands and even threats to marry for the Principality. Leia thought about that. A bloody annoying scandal if she had pointed it out and then the courtiers would of pointed out it would only apply in the Spindrift Alliance. Is that why Biggs had not mentioned it till she was about to set foot on an Alliance planet?
"Marriage, if you're Queen is a very different thing. It is about alliances, stability, politics, expansion." she said trying to explain the turmoil in her mind.
"Not love?"
"Oh, you're expected to love your consort. But everyone understands if that takes a little while."
"I recommend ascribing good motives to your lover initially. It is likely they avoided mentioning it to you because it carries far more weight for you. Also, you were not in the Alliance."
Leia laughed. "He's not even from here. He probably found out when his wife told him. I wonder when she did that?"
"I suggest asking her. Openness is superior to secrecy. Sometimes the secrets we keep are the wrong ones. Ignorance verses knowledge."
Leia was about to say something when she was interrupted. Susa had returned.
"Mom, I want to show you something." Susa said as she took Leia's hand and begun tugging. "Hi Mills."
"That's your daughter?" said Mills. The young man seemed shocked.
"Apparently so." said Leia as she let Susa drag her off. As she departed she heard a shout.
"Whatever your doubts are, ignore them! Say yes!" Mills called out to the departing pair.
Susa dragged Leia through the park.
"This way. This way." her daughter said.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll find out."
Susa was leading through a flower garden towards a statue. The statue was of a young woman in heavy robes wielding a blaster. Leia stopped. Susa tugged on her hand.
"Mom!"
Her mother. Leia rallied. It was just a statue.
"I thought you would like to see her. I remembered the statue. You, you're not mad, are you?" said Susa, looking at Leia.
Leia smiled and knelt down to be face to face with her daughter. "No, I'm not mad. It's just a surprise. That's all."
Her thoughts went back to the day she truly learned about her mother. Biggs and Jarsea had burst in like military decorum was not a thing in the Rebellion and babbled their discovery to Luke. It had been mere fortune that she had been there too. She had learned about her mother, that she had a brother and could use the Force with a few sentences.
'Yes, you won't believe it but, her name was Padme. Your mom was Amidala the Great.'
Leia had felt her entire world shift with those words. Everything had then changed.
"Are you okay?" said Susa, snapping her back to the here and now.
"Yes. I am fine. Do you know who told me about my mother? It was your mummy."
"Mummy? How did she do that?"
"You should ask her." Leia suggested, hopefully during a meal she added to herself.
"Oh, okay. You are going to stay, aren't you?"
Was she staying? Where else were there people who clearly loved her?
"Don't worry darling. I am staying." she said.
"Good."
Leia carried Susa back to the house for the last few blocks. She entered the house and walked to the main room. Biggs and Jarsea were seated. Jarsea had her other daughter on her lap and was showing her pictures on the pad.
"We're back." said Leia putting Susa down.
Biggs rose and walked over to scoop up Susa but paused. "Bath." he said.
"Dad!"
"Bath. Now." repeated Biggs. Susa stomped off. Biggs grinned and looked at Leia. "And you? Do you need a bath too?"
Leia smiled, a bath would be nice.
"Are you going to scrub my back?" she inquired.
"If you want." Biggs said.
"Then, I do need a bath." said Leia.
Jarsea looked up. "I'm not talking to smelly people." she turned to her daughter "We don't talk to smelly people do we?"
Anya laughed.
"Well that's settled. Everyone over seven standard back here in thirty. I'll put those under to bed. Now scoot." said Jarsea carrying Anya off to the bedrooms.
Leia moved in the direction Susa had headed.
"This way?"
"Yes." Biggs picked her up. He wrinkled his nose. "You do need a bath."
"Hey!"
Later, dressed in an over large dressing gown Leia was again sitting down and talking with Biggs and Jarsea.
"Now that you have had a little time to think, how are you?" said Jarsea.
"I'm much better thank you." said Leia.
"Good. Now, You must have several questions."
"Yes. What does getting married mean?"
"We get to have a big party." said Biggs.
"Yes there's that dear but I feel Leia has other concerns." said Jarsea. She stood up and walked over and gave Biggs a quick kiss. "How do you feel about that?" she said.
"I'm fine." she said.
Jarsea then sat in Biggs lap, wrapped her arms around him and turned her head. "How about this?"
Leia reddened. "Um, I guess."
Jarsea disentangled herself and stood up. "You guess? Not sure? No?"
Leia shook her head "No, It shouldn't bother me, but it does."
"Hmm, well. Now, if I were to kiss you Leia." said Jarsea.
What would happen if she kissed her? "I, I don't know."
"And if Biggs kisses you? Or you two are snuggling on the couch? Or more? How do you feel about me being here, maybe offering a pointer here or there?"
"You wouldn't!" said Leia. She paused, Jarsea had given her some rather explicit advice already.
"She would." said Biggs.
"As I should, but that's not the point. Now we have some idea of where your boundaries are."
"They're not very good."
"Nonsense, they're perfect, for you. I will be having some words with the Principality about the unreasonable demands they place on their monarchs, but I still want to marry you Leia. So, what will that marriage mean? Separate rooms for you and me, I keep my hands off you and give you and Biggs some space. How does that sound?"
It sounded too good to be true, Leia had been party to too many deals and negotiations to think otherwise. She would be getting everything she wanted. What was in it for her?
"Too good. What are you getting out of this?"
"Lots love. Biggs gets to be happy, Susa and Anya get another mother. You get to be happy. And I do love you. You are beautiful, commanding and inspiring. We all served you willingly during the War. It was a total surprise when it became clear how you and Biggs felt about each other. And Biggs' description of what happens when you kiss a telepath sounds far to exciting to pass up."
Well, that did seem to answer that.
"Okay. What about children? More children."
"Now we're talking. How many? Body or tank?"
"I recommend tank." said Biggs.
"You would." said Jarsea. "Body birth carries more risks but it's a hell of a grav chute ride. You may only want to do it the one time though dear."
The same technology that grew clones could also be used to safely gestate any child. While wildly available having babies traditionally remained popular.
"How many children is considered normal?" said Leia. Historically Alderaanians tended to small families. Leia had been an only child.
"Twice the parents is average. Although a recent resurgence in tank births is pushing the average up. And that's without counting the Cloners." said Biggs.
Leia paused. Three or even more children?
"How many would you be comfortable with?" said Leia.
"Let's start with one extra for now." said Biggs smiling.
"Or two?" said Jarsea with a wink.
"Hey! This isn't a contest. Is it?" said Leia.
"No, we were holding off on another until we saw whether you decided to stay on for another term." said Jarsea.
Term? Oh yes. The Naboo elected their Monarchs. Not for life either. It occurred to Leia that she had abandoned her post. She had been raised to do her duty and she had just run away from it all. Was that proper behaviour? She stood up.
"I'm sorry. I just feel a bit, odd. Please excuse me." she said and left quickly.
Biggs and Jarsea heard the main door open.
"I better go after her." said Biggs.
He stood up and followed after Leia.