WE NEED A VACATION

Chapter 7

So far, the morning had gone smoothly, even if the kids had only been on two attractions; they'd ridden each multiple times and were enjoying themselves.

The kids began to complain that they were hungry, and Han and Chewie decided to take them to one of the many fast food kiosks scattered about every thirty meters. Of course, everyone else's kids were starving as well, but the ubiquitous holoscreens were everywhere, whetting appetites for souvenirs among the junior division. There were gift shops everywhere, many connected to the eating establishments. Jacen and Jaina were already asking for various stuffed toys and T shirts.

"We'll get souvenirs the day before we go home," Han told them in between trying to order food for the three.

"But tat's forever!" Jacen protested.

"Yes, it is, and that's how long you have to wait," Han said patiently.

"But tat's nafair!" Jaina wheedled.

Han could normally be counted on to cave into his only daughter's wishes, but he was standing firm on this. The twins began sulking.

"You can always spend the day in the hotel suite," Han warned them. "With no holocartoons." That seemed to shut them up. "We're gonna have some lunch and then you can pick out one more ride. Then how about we go back and hit the pool?"

"Is Mommy 'kay?" Jacen asked as Han placed grilled cheese on flatbread sandwiches in front of the twins, four traladon burgers for Chewie, and one for himself. Chewie generally ate a 'light' lunch. Carbonated fruit juices for the kids, a bitters for Chewie, and a beer for himself. Chewie found it gratifying that they carried his favorite brand of bitters. Han thought the beer was weak, but it was ice cold and welcome.

"She will be," Han assured them. "I think she just needs to sleep today."

"Can we talk t'her?" Jaina asked.

"I'll comm her after everyone finishes lunch, but if she's sleeping, we'll let her sleep." There was some grumbling, but Han, while an intensely loving father, was also a rather strict one. Most of the time. There were moments.

And if working Dad failed, there was always Uncle Chewie. If Han was the disciplinarian, Chewie was anything but. He was as soft a touch as his fur and the kids knew it.

Jaina and Jacen were hungry and polished off their food without negotiations, something of a rarity in the Solo household. Anakin was getting more food on the ground versus in his mouth, but Han put some juice in his sippy cup, which he drank happily and demanded more.

"So what're you guys gonna ride next?" Han asked Jaina and Jacen.

"T'flume ride!" Jaina exclaimed.

"No! I wanna go t't'quaryum!" Jacen protested. There was an aquarium that the kids could go through on boats and watch the sharks and other sea life swim around above them. It was also one that the adults could participate in.

"We'll do both, one time only," Han told them.

"But wha'f I wanna go again?" Jaina said, scowling.

"Then we don't go at all," Han said simply. "After that, we'll see how Mommy is and we'll go to the pool."

"Can we call her?" Jacen asked in nearly a whine.

"I'll comm her but if she's asleep, we're not going to wake her up."

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Leia had finally been able to get herself from the 'fresher to the bed, which had been no small feat. She'd paged housekeeping for several washbuckets and had lined them along the bed. She'd only had to use one of them thus far; emptying it had been a long, laborious task. She needed sleep, but thus far, it eluded her. The anti-nausea drugs had kept the vomiting at bay, but not the pain. She kept thinking how hard it must have been for her baby boy to go through this. She hadn't felt this bad after the drugs they'd given her on the Death Star for her interrogation, and she'd felt pretty lousy.

She was sure that Han and Chewie were showing the kids a great time, but she missed being along for it. She had plenty of standard issue working mother guilt, now topped by not even being able to join them for something fun. She hated being sick, and she especially hated being sick on vacation.

She kept her comm close; at one point, she was feeling so lightheaded that she nearly called Han, but now that she was on the bed, she felt that if she could just get some sleep, she'd be all right.

Her comm went off. It was Han. She meant to keep the video portion off but had failed to set it that way.

"Hey sweetheart, how're you doing?" Han asked her tenderly.

"Do you want the diplomat's answer or the real answer?"

"You look as if you feel terrible."

"I do. How're the kids?"

"Having a blast. Don't worry, got lots of holos of 'em. We're gonna do two more rides and then come back and hit the pool, maybe go to the beach for a bit -" he was interrupted by a small hand grabbing his comm. Jacen's face appeared in frame.

"How're you, Mommy?" he asked in a worried voice.

"I'll be fine, sweetie. I just need to sleep today."

"Gimme tat!" Jaina demanded of the comm and snatched it from her twin brother. "Hi Mommy, I miss you!"

"I'll be better soon, honey. I'm going to get some sleep and I'll be better soon." The twins began arguing over the comm, which required Han's intervention.

"You two keep it, there'll be no rides, no pool, no beach, and no fun." He turned his attention back to Leia. "Anything you need?"

"Sleep. I think I've got what Anakin had."

"He seems to have recovered just fine," Han told her. "If you want me to come back early, let me know."

"It's fine. Let the kids have their fun." In truth, Leia was finding being on the comm exhausting. "I'll be here. I love you."

"I know."

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Han was grateful that he'd only allowed two more rides to Jaina and Jacen. The crowd was thicker after lunch than it had been before. He made a note to make sure they went either early or late in the day. This was madness. Even Jaina and Jacen were ready to head back to the pool.

The one positive of being in a crowded theme park with thousands of parents and kids was that they blended in anonymously. They hadn't been hassled by any of the holorazzi. Han and some of the other parents talked while they were waiting for their kids to come down off the attraction, and it had been first names only, no surnames. Occupational information was briefly traded, but enough sentients owned shipping companies that no one gave it a second thought.

Han was completely enjoying that. They were just another family. And he was enjoying his time with the kids immensely. They were actually well behaved and there were plenty of kids behaving in a way that made him appreciate his. Anakin definitely needed a nap, though, and he'd put the toddler down when they got back. Chewie offered to stay inside with Anakin and Leia; he was tired of being in the sun and would help that way.

Han was also in need of another beer. Selonia was cooler than Coruscant, but there was nothing like ice cold beer on vacation. He'd take the kids to one of the deeper pools and jump in with them. They were already good swimmers and he wanted to take a dip as well. Ever since Leia had taught him to swim, it became a favored pastime.

And, there were no rules against having a beer in the pool.

He was looking forward to the rest of the afternoon.

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Anakin had fallen asleep in his stroller before they reached the transport. Chewie carried the little boy to their suite and set him into his crib. He was remarkably light on his feet, despite his massive size. He then looked into the master bedroom. Leia appeared to be asleep but she stirred.

"Han?" a pained voice whispered.

{Sorry, it's me. Had to put Ani down for a nap. Han's at the pool with the twins. Do you need anything?}

"Chewie. I hate to ask you - "

{I'm at your service}.

"I could use a boontah spice soda water." Leia remembered it being given to her as a child. It was somewhat stomach settling, and she was feeling dehydrated.

{I'll find it at the pharmacy or market, I'm sure}.

"Chewie, you're a lifesaver."

{All part of the service}.

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"I'm gonna get you!" Han shouted at the twins. They were playing sea monster, and Han, naturally, was the monster. They both squealed with delight as Han chased them down, picked them up, and threw them back into the water.

Han thought back to never even considering the possibility of a permanent love relationship and children to go with it. That was Leia's fault, and he couldn't have been happier about it. He hadn't had a childhood, but by having children with the woman he loved, he was at long last having one.

And it was a blast.

There were enough pools and they were large enough so that movement was possible. Han was having the time of his life.

He thought back to a very drunken evening on a planet he couldn't remember, where a very old and somewhat demented looking woman who claimed to be a fortune teller informed him that what he wouldn't do for money, he would for love. Han was pretty certainly he'd laughed hysterically until he passed out.

He was happy that she'd been correct. Happier than he'd ever imagined being, and no one could say that Han Solo lacked imagination.

"Try and ge'me, Daddy!" Jaina shouted to him.

"Oh, you think I can't get you? Guess again!" Han swam after her and picked her up and threw her back into the water.

"Gotcha!" Jacen said, tagging his father.

"You think so, buddy?" Han heaved him into the water like he did his sister. The three swam about chasing each other. They laughed heartily and taunted each other (at the tender age of three, Han was making sure that they understood sarcasm).

If life never got better than this, Han was pretty sure it would be wonderful.