CRASH LANDING
Chapter 10
(Leia)
This is the day we've been waiting for. It's been a tough 37 days, but Jarik is strong and healthy and ready to meet his older sister and brothers. I'm looking forward not to be running back and forth to the medcenter to feed him. He's definitely got eating down. He really does eat now like a starving Wookiee.
The kids, who've not been permitted to visit with him, come along with Han and me to bring him home. When I was first pregnant, they were not happy about the unexpected development, no pun intended. But they began to accept it more and more as the time came nearer, save for when I had to be rushed to the medcenter. That was upsetting for everyone. But Han and I have done our best to teach them that a crisis does not mean you crumble.
Now they're as excited as I've ever seen them - and I've seen them be excited a lot.
"I get to hold him first!" Jaina calls out as Han holds him while I get into the speeder.
"No, you don't!" Jacen tells her.
"Yeah, why do you get to go first?" Anakin demands.
"Because I'm the oldest. And I'm a woman."
I try not to laugh out loud, and Han winces.
"So?" Anakin shoots back.
"Women mature faster than boys," Jaina points out. Han looks as if he's about to be ill.
"Honey, don't grow up any faster. The opposite sex could never survive it," Han tells her.
We head on back to the apartment we're going to move out of in one weeks' time. This certainly isn't going to be a relaxing phase of life, but it holds the promise of being one of the most fulfilling times of our lives.
As Han pulls the speeder away from the medcenter, he turns slightly to smile at me.
"He looks pretty good for someone who had a crash landing," Han said, smiling.
"That he does." I have to agree totally.
"So, are you ready for our next adventure?"
"Which one?" I laugh, as there are so many.
"Being a family of six."
"Ready or not, here it comes," I say, and smile as we head off.
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