Leia hummed quietly, not even aware she was doing it, slowly weaving an intricate braid. Pausing only briefly to admire her work, she tickled the hair's owner to let her know she was done. The young girl turned around and flashed a wide smile in Leia's direction. Her smile was infectious.
"Thanks Mama!" The girl giggled hopping off of the stool.
"Of course darling, now go put your shoes on we don't want to be late." Leia said with a rare smile. The young girl was one of the only things that could coax a real smile out of Leia anymore. Sure, she faked plenty of them, but the people closest to her could see through the façade.
Walking into her bedroom she paused in front of the mirror. She wore a long navy blue dress. It looked formal, but simple. Her hair abruptly ended at her shoulders, adorned with only a small pin, keeping her hair out of her face. She made her way over to her jewelry box in search of the necklace her brother had gotten her for her birthday the year before.
Her delicate fingers reached down and picked up the ring she could never bring herself to wear, but on the contrary could never get rid of. It was truly beautiful, by far the prettiest piece of jewelry in her collection. Simple, but elegant and just flashy enough to catch your eye. But, she could never wear it, it brought back to many powerful memories. Memories of him; the love and joy he brought to her and the passionate emotions that came with it. Memories of twinkle in his eye and he smile that dominated his face as he asked her for his hand in marriage. And memories of the inevitable heart break and the pit of despair that followed, because she would never see his twinkling eyes again or his real smile, the big goofy grin that was almost too big for his face, not his trademark smirk he so often sported. She would have given anything even to see that smile again, even if it was just a smirk.
Carefully setting the ring down, as if it were so delicate it could shatter at the slightest provocation. With a shaky hand she whipped the tears that threatened to spill out of the corner of her eyes. Quickly finding her prize, she shut the jewelry box, sealing in all of the emotions it contained. Quickly doing the necklace's clasp she returned the living room and her main source of happiness in life.
In front of the door stood the young girl in a frilly, rose colored dress admiring her feet clad a pair of heels much too big for her child sized feet.
"Hana, are you sure those are your shoes, darling?" Leia chuckled. The young girl slowly raises her head, wearing a small mischievous grin. Comically she raised her arms giving an exaggerated shrug to feign innocence. The motion nearly brought tears to Leia's eyes; she couldn't help but grin at the piece of work that was her beloved daughter.
"Let's get you into some shoes that fit a bit better." Leia cooed exchanging heels for a much more suitable pair, before slipping the heels on her own feet. "I think that's much better, don't you think, Hana?" She said taking her daughters hand in her own.
"But mama I wanna wear doses shoes so I can look as pretty as you do." Countered Hana looking up at Leia, her expression turned serious, her hazel eyes open wide.
"You are already beautiful, darling, you don't need fancy shoes to make you pretty." Leia reassured kissing the young child's head.
Hana's face lit up, "Really mama?"
"Of course, but we have to hurry if you want to say hi to Uncle Luke and Uncle Chewie before the ceremony." Hana cheered in agreeance as Leia picked her up and walked out the door.