Chapter 2

Leia awoke to Han's peck on her cheek. She stirred and smiled up at him.

"Good morning, sweetheart," he said. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," Leia replied. She sat up and Han rubbed her swollen belly.

"Did he bother you at all last night?" he asked.

"No, not at all; he was fine. It was Jaina who caused problems."

Han rolled his eyes. Leia smiled - Han obviously didn't remember being woken up when Leia threw off the covers to retrieve their daughter.

"Did she keep you up long?" Han asked as Leia pulled on her robe.

"No, it was just a bad dream," Leia replied. She didn't want to tell him her worries yet; knowing him, he would want to chase down whatever was frightening Jaina with blasters blazing. Besides, she wasn't even positive it was anything to worry about. She would let him know after she talked to Luke about it.

"Well, Princess, what are your plans for the day?"

"You're full of questions, aren't you?" Leia replied with a grin. "You've been with the twins too long."

Han laughed.

"I'm just wondering how you're going to get through these next two months, away from the political scene," he said. "It was nice of them to give you the time off to prepare for Anakin, but you might become so antsy that I want you away."

Leia stood up on her toes to give her husband a kiss.

"So that's what you think of when I'm around," she said with a Solo smile.

"Now Princess, that isn't everything." Han reached around and pinched her bottom; she squealed, jumping back from him. He chased her into the living room where the twins were already making a mess.

"Hi Mommy!" Jacen said with a wide smile. He reached up for her to lift him, but Han picked him up instead while Leia went for some caf. Jaina, jealous of her brother suddenly having all the attention, ran over to her father. The three sat on the couch as Leia returned, two mugs in hand. The four sat snuggling on the couch together.

"Mamma," Jaina said, "do you get to stay and play today?"

Leia smiled, but there was a twinge of sadness behind it - the fact that her daughter had to wonder if she would be home or not.

Blasted politics, she thought silently.

"Yes, dear, I'll be home," she replied. "In fact, I'll be home until Anakin comes." She placed a hand on her stomach.

"I want him to stay dere for a long while," Jacen said from the other side of Han. His father laughed and ruffled his hair.

"What are we donna do today, Mamma?" Jaina asked.

Leia pursed her lips. "Have I ever told you how much you're like your father?"

"Uh, no."

Han and Leia laughed.

"Well, I'm not sure about today," Leia said, answering Jaina's question, "but I thought that I'd call Uncle Luke and see if he wanted to come for dinner in a few days."

"Uncle Luke!" both twins squealed together. "Yay!"

"Yeah, it's been a while since we've seen the kid," Han agreed.

"We could invite a few others," Leia continued. "Lando and Tendra, Mara…"

Han grinned at Leia.

"Are you going to try to set your brother up again?" he smirked.

Leia returned his grin.

"I wouldn't call it that," she answered, "but maybe. He's lonely, and I think they'd be good for each other."

"Aside from the fact that she wanted to kill him a few years ago," Han said, grunting as Jacen suddenly decided he needed to climb on Han's shoulders.

"Han, they're past that," Leia said quickly. "I've seen them work together, on Wayland. Luke won't admit it, but he needs her. And she could use the love."

"Alright, but I'm not apart of this," Han replied, setting Jacen down on the floor. Leia ignored him.

"You Skywalkers are nothing but trouble," he muttered playfully, then dodged a pillow tossed his direction. Jacen and Jaina noticed it and grabbed the other two and began pummeling Han with them. Leia watched in amusement until Han began tickling her. Jacen and Jaina continued attacking their father, distracting him long enough for Leia to wiggle out of his grasp, acquire a pillow of her own, and join her children in hitting Han. Then, as quickly as it had begun, it ceased, leaving all four Solos laughing.

The next day during training, Mara distanced herself a little more from Luke, though not on purpose. Everyone knew they were good friends, but her subconscious was causing her to overcompensate for the situation. She held her walls up high to avoid any accidental slips and pretty much kept to herself. Due to morning sickness, she had been late for the day's sessions, and had seemed weary throughout her practices. To her relief, no one commented. It was a good thing, she mused, for she wasn't sure what her response would be.

Luke, on the other hand, was glowing, both physically and in the Force. He was full of energy, pushing the trainees harder and being very generous with praise.

When the group braked for a midday meal, Luke went back to his quarters to prepare for an afternoon of one-on-one sparring. Upon entering, he noticed a flashing light on the wall com, indicating a missed call. It was Leia. He quickly dialed back, and she answered almost immediately.

"Luke! How are you?" she said vivaciously, a bright smile warming her cheeks.

"I'm wonderful," he answered with equal buoyancy. "And you?"

"Almost perfect," she replied. "I've been given two months off - one to prepare for Anakin, and the other to recover."

"That's great, Leia! I'm sure the kids are enjoying that."

She smiled and looked off-screen for a moment, then nodded.

"So much so that they're tearing the house apart."

Luke laughed, and Leia smiled again at her brother.

"You're in a good mood," she noted. "It's nice to see you this way. Heck, you're even out of your black robes."

"Ah, Ley, give me a break," he teased. "Being a Jedi Master isn't all that easy. But it's been better the past few weeks. They're making notable progress."

"That's good to hear."

Luke suddenly remembered that he was returning her original call.

"So, why did you call?"

"I was thinking that if it was convenient, you could come to Coruscant and spend a few days with us," Leia said, hopeful. Luke smiled.

"I'd love that."

"Han, the kids and I, Lando and Tendra, and probably Talon Karrde…" Leia trailed off. "Is Mara still there training?"

Luke almost jumped at Mara's name, but managed to control himself.

"Yes, she is," he replied, careful to keep his tone relaxed. "Why, did you think she'd run off?"

"Not really," Leia replied with a shrug. "I was just wondering."

Luke decided to drop the topic.

"I'll see how soon I can leave here." Luke thought for a moment. "I should be able to be there in two days."

Leia nodded.

"Sounds great. The kids will be so excited."

"I can't wait to see them," Luke replied.

Han suddenly appeared behind Leia.

"Hey, what about me?" he asked, feigning hurt.

"Oh, I suppose I have to say hi to the in-laws," Luke said with a laugh.

Leia turned serious.

"I love you, Luke...stay safe."

"Love you too, Leia. See you soon."

Leia cut the transmission and Luke turned away from the dark terminal to continue getting ready. He smiled. For the first time in a long time, he felt...happy.