Chapter Ten

Han slowly came up to the door and waited for a moment before reaching out and ringing the bell. He hadn't expected Leia's call tonight, but he had gladly accepted an unexpected visit. He waited outside the door, hearing Leia's voice from inside and the sound of Adelyn's favorite show playing. He heard the door click before it slowly slid open and revealed Leia. Han watched as she let out a sigh of relief when she saw it was him.

"Han!" She said, ushering him inside.

"Hey." He greeted her. He barely made it into the living room when Adelyn smashed into his legs and hugged him.

"Hi daddy!" She greeted with a bright smile.

"Hey little Princess." He said lifting her up and into his arms.

"Why you here?" She asked him.

"Momma called me." Han explained as he looked back to Leia.

"Yes I did…I have a bit of a favor to ask." She started, looking between Han and Adelyn. She looked stressed, he hadn't fully noticed it when he had walked inside, but now he could see it. Her brow was creased and her face looked flushed, a frown covered most of her expression, Han easily recognized this as her worried or stressed to her limit face.

"You alright?" He quickly asked her.

"I will be…"

"What favor do you need?" He asked her.

"So I have an unexpected meeting tonight, more of a dinner. This wasn't planned or I would have figured out other arrangements. These diplomats arrived early and suddenly want to meet with us tonight. It's rather important that I am there."

"Oh, sounds important." Han nodded.

"Momma does important stuffs." Adelyn whispered in her father's ear. Han smiled down at his daughter and nodded his head, yes he knew this.

"What can I do to help?" He asked Leia.

"Chewie has plans tonight and Luke is off planet, even 3PO is with Luke. I've never allowed Adelyn to be with anyone else." Leia explained. "I know this is last minute but I wondered if you could watch her?"

"Oh!" Han said, suddenly understanding what she meant. Looking to his daughter, she smiled brightly clearly pleased with the idea.

"I'm so sorry to spring this on you." Leia apologized.

"Leia, you don't need to apologize." he quickly told her. "She's my daughter too. Of course I can watch her."

"Really? I'd really appreciate it." Leia said, letting out a breath she didn't know she had been holding.

"We'll have fun, right little one?" Han asked Adelyn and she shook her head yes.

"Thank you Han…I need to get ready." Leia said starting to walk off but Han grabbed hold of her hand.

"Leia." He said softly, her eyes looking up to his. "You aren't alone anymore, I can help you. You don't need to worry about asking me these things." Han assured her. Leia smiled at him and offered his hand a squeeze. Letting go, she slowly made her way down the hallway to get ready.

"Guess it's just you and me kid." Han said, swaying with Adelyn. Her giggle echoed in the room, as Han moved them over to the couch. Adelyn jumped from his arms and pointed up to the tv.

"My favorite." She told him.

"I remember, you showed me." Han laughed, not quite sure why his daughter was fascinated by these dancing characters, but if it made her happy he was fine with it. Settling next to her, he rested back and tried to understand the children's show. His mind however drifted. He'd never been alone in Leia's apartment before, he wondered if it would be weird after she left. Her apartment was a good size and he didn't even know what was further down the hallway. He'd been in the main parts of the home and Adelyn's room, but besides that he had no idea what the other rooms were. It felt weird, the thought of being in this apartment alone with Adelyn. But it also felt normal, almost like this should have been his life to begin with. He'd settle for sitting with his daughter watching this ridiculous show, it was a simple happy moment that he gladly accepted.

"Momma will look like a Princess tonight." Adelyn told her father, looking from the holo screen and up to him.

"Your mom IS a Princess." Han corrected.

"I know." Adelyn giggled. "What color dress will she wears?" Adelyn asked aloud, Han wasn't sure if she was asking him or pondering the question herself. When her dark brown eyes found his, he knew she was waiting for an answer.

"How about red?" Han suggested and Adelyn nodded, she seemed to be thinking it over.

"Light reds or dark reds?" She asked her father.

"Dark." Han immediately answered, visions from cloud city flashing in his mind. The dark red color had looked amazing against her light skin.

"I think…" She said closing her eyes tightly and squinting, making a rather odd face. Han chuckled at his daughter as he waited for her answer. "Blue!" She finally said.

"Dark Blue or Light Blue?" He asked her.

"I think, Light Blue!"

"Shall we bet on it?" Han asked, reaching his hand out for her to shake. She pushed her lips out in confusion.

"Bet?"

"How about if I win we change the show and if you win I'll grab you some ice cream from the kitchen?" He suggested, her eyes lighting up.

"Bet!" she quickly said, shaking her father's hand.

"You're mom's gonna look like a beautiful Princess no matter what she wears." Han added.

"I knows."

"And you are my little Princess." Han told her, as he poked her nose with his finger. Her giggles continued as they heard Leia's footsteps coming down the hallway.

"What are you two laughing about?" Leia asked, coming to stand behind the couch. Han and Adelyn turned around and looked up at her, both looking to see what color she was wearing. Han looked up to her face first, noting her freshly braided hair and the way it was pulled around the top of her head in delicate details. Her face looked much more relaxed now, and she had added a dust of makeup. Han's eyes settled on her mouth for a moment, as he took in the dark pink color she had chosen to spread across her lips. He quickly pulled his gaze from her lips, not wanting to be caught staring. Han finally looked down and smirked at her dress. Adelyn let out a shriek of delight as she took in her mother's light blue dress.

"Adelyn! Honey don't scream." Leia said, startled by her daughters out burst.

"I won the bet Momma!" she told her mother. Leia sent her a questioning look before Leia looked to Han. Her hands moved to her hips as she offered him a playful glare.

"What?" He asked innocently.

"Oh nothing, just..could we wait a few years before you teach her sabacc?" Leia suggested as she moved around the couch. Han smirked at her, and watched as the light blue fabric swayed around her hips.

"You look pretty momma." Adelyn told her and Leia smiled sweetly at her.

"Thank you baby."

She did look good, the beaded pattern along her collar bone and chest flattered her perfectly and dipped in showing her waistline, before flowing out and around her hips and down her legs. She looked simple and beautiful, to Han she looked perfect.

"Now Han, I'll have my com. If you need anything you call me." She told him.

"I know."

"I mean it, anything at all. If you have a question or if you need something."

"Leia I got it." He said with a grin and a wink to Adelyn who grinned back at him.

"I can leave at any time, I don't care if I'm there five minutes, I can be back here if you need me to." She continued to ramble on, as Han stood and stepped towards her. Her heels put her slightly taller then her normal form but his height was still much taller then her. Looking up at him, Leia listened to him speak.

"Princess I got this." He said, placing his hands on her shoulders. "I'll take care of her." Han assured her.

"I'll be good for Daddy!" Adelyn added and Han and Leia both laughed.

"I hope she's telling the truth." Leia whispered to him.

"Of course she is, she's an angel."

"Partly, I hear she's half Corellian." Leia teased, offering him an innocent smile.

"Smart ass." Han muttered under his breath. Pulling away from him, Leia moved to pull Adelyn into her lap as she sat on the couch. She snuggled up to her mother, careful not to ruin her mothers makeup or hair.

"You'll be a good girl?" Leia asked her and she nodded.

"You look like a Princess." The little girl told her.

"I suppose I do tonight."

"Daddy says you always look like a Princess."

"Hmm, Daddy knew me when I was a Princess full time." Leia smiled, carefully kissing her daughters forehead before standing back up. Turning to Han.

"I mean it Han, if you need anything."

"I know, but we'll be fine. Trust me."

"I do trust you." Leia nodded, she wouldn't be leaving her daughter with someone she didn't fully trust.. "I better get going. I'll be back soon." She told both of them. Han slowly walked her to the door. Palming the door open, Leia turned to face him and offered him a smile. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me. You really look beautiful." He said, his voice lowering as he moved closer to her.

"Thank you." She said with a blush. "I should go…I'll be back soon." She told him, before she turned and walked out of the apartment. Han watched her go and smiled, yeah she looked amazing.

"So kid, how many times do you think your mom will call and check on us?"

-—

The meetings and greetings were growing tired as Leia made her way around the room. What was meant to be a simple dinner gathering had grown and she found herself introducing her title and position to masses of people. The diplomats had of course arrived, but they had brought their wives, their families, family friends and whoever else they saw fit. Not to mention most the people Leia worked with had also attended this gathering, it had become quite the ordeal. She had hoped to slip in meet the right people and slip back out before the Chancellor noticed, but she wasn't sure that was possible now, it was much too big and everyone knew her face. Leia sighed as she watched more people enter the room, she wanted to be at home with Adelyn and Han.

Leia smiled at Chancellor Mothma from across the room, but wasn't sure if she had enough energy to commit to a full conversation with her this evening. Considering the event had grown to be so large, Leia prayed she wouldn't be needed as long. Surely there were plenty of people that could help the Chancellor answer questions and considering none of these diplomats had any interest in Alderaan, Leia didn't feel she needed to stay much longer. "They always make you do everyone else's job." Leia remembered Luke's words. She only hoped he wasn't right tonight.

"Ambassador Organa." Someone said to her side. Finding the smile she needed, Leia turned to face them. She nodded and continued to smile at her coworker, or perhaps a coworker of a coworker. While Leia herself didn't do much work with him, she knew he worked closely with the Chancellor time to time.

"Minister Klaus, lovely to see you again." Leia lied, praying he bought her fake tone. Normally she was much better at this, but tonight her thoughts were on what were waiting for her at home. Her family? Could she call Han that? It wasn't that Minister Klaus was a horrible person, but his dates usually carried a lack of tact.

"You as well Organa. I see you have come unaccompanied." He said noting her empty side. Leia swallowed and held back the quick remark her mind screamed at her.

"Well, I believed this was a simple dinner and not such a grand event." She explained and he nodded.

"Yes, the diplomates surprised us all." He nodded. "This is my fiancé, CeCe." He said turning to introduce the woman beside him. Fiancé? Leia questioned in her mind, last time she had seen him he had had a different girl on his arm, one that was sporting a well hidden baby bump.

"It's lovely to meet you." Leia said reaching out to shake the woman's hand. Leia noted the young girls smile and briefly wondered how much younger then Leia this woman was.

"You as well, I have to admit I've been following your story." CeCe told her.

"My story?" Leia asked confused.

"Oh about you and that smuggler of yours…" She explained.

"Oh." Leia said looking down. She'd been avoiding the holo reports and the reporters that seemed to be desperate for a story, but still the story's had been posted. She'd seen a few ridiculous ones, reporting her new pregnancy or their secret wedding. Others were closer to the mark, talking about Han as an amazing father and how amazing the "Solo" family looked together. No matter, Leia preferred to keep her family, life and private life out of the holo news. She definitely didn't appreciate it being brought up at an event for work. But as she had thought earlier, his dates rarely held much tact.

"What a story…Having a baby out of wedlock during the war, and then finding him again. Very romantic. They could make a show about it." She giggled.

"Well, that story is my life."

"Of course. Just fascinating." She rambled.

"I have read a few things myself." Klaus added and Leia sighed. Just what she needed, people she worked with weighing in on her personal life. She thought she had been finished with that years ago. But she would always be Princess Leia, and that came with constant attention. No matter if she was Ambassador Organa, Princess Leia, Vader's daughter, or a smugglers whore as she had once been called, she seemed to get the same attention with every title.

"You've been seen together quite often?" Klaus asked Leia. Desperately trying to hold on to her diplomatic stance, Leia smiled and nodded. It's none of your business! Leia's mind screamed.

"He is my daughters father." Leia noted, noticing a small crowd now surrounding them. She felt like a million eyes were on her and she wasn't entirely sure why she was so interesting. She remembered similar attention when people had learned of her pregnancy, but these days she couldn't blame an outburst on hormones.

"Of course, but are you two getting married?" CeCe asked and Leia sighed. She did not want to have this conversation right now.

"I'm sure Someone of Princess Leia's rank wouldn't be thinking of a marriage like that." Klaus added with a laugh, several people around him laughing as well.

"Meaning what?" Leia quickly asked.

"I mean no disrespect to? What was his name dear?" He asked the woman on his arm.

"Captain Solo, Han Solo!" CeCe replied.

"Yes! Solo! I understand he assisted the Rebellion, but those years have long past. You my dear have higher standards, then a simple war time fling." He added. Leia could barely feel the pain as she physically bit down on her tongue. She wasn't exactly sure who he thought he was, but he sure as hell had no place commenting on her love life.

"Actually, Minister Klaus I believe my private life isn't up for debate." Leia bit out. He looked taken back by her tone, but the sound of CeCe laughing made him look to his side and away from Leia.

"She clearly still likes him honey, you're hurting her feelings."

"Perhaps if you minded your own…" Leia started but was stopped as someone stepped in beside her.

"Perhaps we should give Ambassador Organa some air." Chancellor Mothma said, stepping up to Leia's side.

"Of course Chancellor." Klaus nodded.

"Leia may I speak with you." Mon asked in a hushed voice.

"Yes." Leia nodded.

Following her out and away from the swarm of people, Leia waited for Mon to speak.

"I'm sorry you were objected to that." She told her.

"I was handling it."

"You were for a time, but you were nearing a breaking point, my dear." She noted and Leia looked away. Maybe she was right, but none of those people had the right to debate who she should be with, who she should marry and what her feelings were.

"I apologize for my behavior." Leia said tossing her feelings to the side and deciding to take the blame. Mon laughed softly and smiled at her.

"You don't owe me or anyone an apology Leia. You do need to understand something…"

"What's that?" Leia asked.

"You have a very public life and when you made the choice all those years ago to publicly announce your daughters father, you put Han Solo in the public's eye as well. I know you do not expect people to dictate your life, but you are being viewed by the whole galaxy. Now if you decided to continue things with Captain Solo that is none of my business, but the galaxy will be watching. And my dear Princess they will not always share the same opinion as you."

"I understand."

"The galaxy is full of people that only wish to disagree or start arguments. You my dear can handle yourself I've seen it first hand. However, you should prepare Captain Solo. As I said it is none of my business your love life, but he should know what being connected to you means." Mon said in a smooth tone, Leia only nodded her head not sure how she should process those words. Would Han want a public life? He had seen the press around them and hadn't said anything about it, he'd understand right? She wasn't sure, and Leia understood what Mon was suggesting.

"Now I have a few people I would love to speak to, would you accompany me?" Mon asked her and Leia nodded softly. Damn, Luke was always right.

—-

Han leaned back against the couch, watching as Adelyn finished her ice cream. She'd been great with him so far, not that he expected anything different. He felt a comfort and calm when he was around his daughter. He didn't know what to call it, maybe a special connection, it didn't matter what it was, he simply loved being around her. While Leia had warned him she wouldn't always be so sweet, he was ready for it all, even the crazy kid tantrums. It was only fair, Leia had handled it alone for all of Adelyn's life. Adelyn smiled up at him with her messy ice cream face and he couldn't help but laugh at her.

"How's that ice cream kid?"

"Yummy."

"Good stuff." Han nodded, he was doing something right.

"You're a good sitter Daddy." She told him thoughtfully.

"I'm trying kid." Han admitted.

"You're my daddy you don't gotta try." She told him before turning back to her ice cream.

"Do you like when Uncle Luke and Uncle Chewie watch you?" Han asked her and she quickly nodded her head and smiled great big.

"I likes my Uncles!"

"Me too, they're pretty good to you and momma!"

"3PO is annoying." She suddenly said and Han laughed.

"Is that why Momma doesn't like him watching you for too long?"

"Maybes." She shrugged. "He doesn't let me have ice cream." She said looking offended.

"So I'm above goldenrod then?" Han smirked.

"What's goldenrod?"

"Nothing kid, that was before your time." Han smiled. Standing up, Han quickly walked to the kitchen and grabbed a towel and came back to Adelyn's side. Reaching over he wiped off her sticky mess and revealed his daughters face underneath all the sweets. She smiled at him, before letting out a large yawn. "Tired?" Han asked her. She tried to protest but she only let out another yawn. She was already in her pajamas and looked rather comfy sitting beside him on the couch.

"Daddy?"

"Yeah Princess?"

"I think I cheated." She admitted.

"What did you cheat on?" Han asked confused.

"On our bet."

"Oh yeah? Did momma tell you what she was gonna wear?" Han asked her with a smile.

"No, I saw it in my mind." She told him.

"Oh…" Han said quietly. Remembering Leia's words about their daughters potential gifts.

"Does Adelyn?" Han asked. "We think so…" She nodded.

"I sorry." She said with a frown.

"It's ok sweetie, maybe you didn't mean to?" He suggested, not sure how that worked. That was a question for Luke, not for him.

"I didn't mean to." She quickly nodded her little head. "Just saw it."

"Well thats ok…I think." He sighed, He'd have to ask Leia about that one.

"Daddy?" She asked with another yawn.

"What is is sweetheart?"

"Can you get my blanket?" She asked with a innocent smile.

"Sure, which one?" Han asked, as he stood up and moved towards her room.

"The purple one! It's in Momma's room!" She corrected and Han sighed. Looking down the hallway and then back to his daughter he groaned. He wasn't sure he should be going in Leia's room.

"You wanna go grab it?" Han asked her, she quickly shook her head no and gave him a bit of a pout. Han sighed and stared at her. Maybe everyone was right, she had him wrapped around her little finger. Taking a breath, Han started down the hallway. He walked by what looked like Leia's home office, before continuing down the hallway and finding Leia's bedroom. He paused in the doorway and looked around the room. As odd as it sounded, it smelled like Leia, he remembered how her hair had smelled when she would lay her head against his chest. Or when he would wrap his arms around her. And that scent was everywhere in this room, it purely reminded him of Leia. Maybe it was her perfume, her shampoo or something else, whatever it was he couldn't help but take a deep breath and let his senses overload. Looking across the room Han saw the blanket laying across Leia's bed and quickly walked across to grab it. He didn't know how crazy he looked but he practically ran out of her room, the idea of getting caught in her bedroom worrying him. Coming back out and down the hallway Han moved to sit beside his daughter. She quickly snuggled up to his side and he draped her blanket over her small body. Looking up at the screen Han tried to relax back down, as Adelyn fought to keep her eyes open.

-—

Leia sighed and slowly walked down the hallway. Her feet were killing her and her mind was exhausted. While tonight was meant to be a simple dinner, it had grown and become something totally different. Thankfully most of the attention she had gotten at the beginning of the night had died down. People decided to actually focus on work and the good of the galaxy, instead of her personal life. Leia was at least thankful for that. She just wanted to go home and hug her daughter, maybe talk to Han. Reaching her hand up she quickly palmed the door open and stepped inside.

She wasn't sure what it was, but something seemed so different about her home. Looking around, Leia found the holo screen off and everything silent. Walking slowly into her home, she stopped as she came to the back of the couch. Looking over her heart swelled and she felt her breath catch. She looked down at them for a moment, not wanting to disturb or wake either of them. Her eyes traced over their sleeping faces, Adelyn's body draped over Han's as he held her. His eyes were closed and his face looked rested. She remembered that peaceful look upon his face from all those years ago. But now it was quite different. While she remembered his sleeping face quite well, it was a new experience to see him stretched out across her couch with their daughter sleeping across his chest. It was a precious moment, a moment that she wanted to freeze and keep forever.

Looking over she saw her data pad rested against the counter and swiftly moved across the room to grab it. she really didn't want to wake them, but had to document this loving moment. She swiped her finger across the screen and allowed several holo's to be saved to her device. She knew she would love them in the coming years and maybe Adelyn would love to look back on them as well. Setting the pad down on the side table, Leia smiled. She let herself move closer to them and slowly sit against the nearby chair. Leia let herself relax, and suddenly the nights stress was gone and she was simply at home with her loved ones. She couldn't help but smirk at the two of them, they looked so similar there sleeping against each other. Their breathing seemed to be synced and both looked so peaceful.

Leia wasn't sure how long she had sat there watching them, but she couldn't help herself. She hadn't felt this way in a long time, perhaps ever. She felt such love for her beautiful little girl, and she often loved watching her sleep. That had been true since she was just a baby. But this was new and different for Leia, Han was here with them. He was rested gently with Adelyn and it all felt so right. Reaching out Leia watched as her fingers brushed against Han's forehead and into his hair. She wasn't sure if she should be touching him, and she worried that she would wake him, but something made her reach her fingers out and run gentle touches across his skin. Closing her eyes, Leia let her mind stretch and open. She could feel they're relaxed state around her, and she felt it consume her. Suddenly she felt something change and her eyes quickly flew open. She found Han's eyes staring at her, a tired smile across his face.

"Hey." He said with a yawn, looking down and smiling at Adelyn's little head rested against his chest. "She still asleep?" He asked and Leia nodded. "What time is it?" He quietly asked.

"Late…I was gone longer then I planned. I'm sorry." She apologized.

"I thought I said no apologizes."

"You must be exhausted."

"I'm ok, just a little nap. She…She wanted me to hold her." He said a smile tugging on his lips.

"She gets very snuggly when she's tired."

"I don't mind. I must have drifted off."

"Here…I'll grab her." Leia said moving to stand and reach for Adelyn. Han quickly shook his head and moved to wrap his arms around their daughter.

"I got her." Han told her, as he moved to stand up and keep Adelyn rested in his arms. Leia watched as he held her close and made sure she was securely rested against him. Walking around the couch, Han slowly made his way to Adelyn's room, with Leia following behind.

"You got her?" Leia asked him quietly.

"I won't drop her." Han assured her.

"I know, Just don't want you hurting your back." Leia said reaching out and placing her hand on the middle of his back. She wasn't sure why she had reached out to touch him, but it some how felt right. Han was surprised by her touch as well, but gladly welcomed her closeness. He'd first awoken to the feel of her finger tips against his forehead, her warm skin felt pleasant against him, he almost didn't want to open his eyes.

"I'm good." He nodded. Gently moving his daughters body down and into her bed, Han made sure to slowly release her and make sure she was comfortable against her blankets. Leia moved to stand beside him and slowly pulled up the blankets up and around Adelyn's small body. They both stood there, staring down at their sleeping daughter. Neither wanted to move, or shift the current moment they were having.

"I used to watch her sleep so much." Leia admitted in a hushed tone.

"Yeah?"

"Especially when she was a baby, I would just sit in here and watched her rest."

"She looks adorable."

"She is, she had quite chubby cheeks when she was a baby. They always looked so cute pressed against her blankets." Leia said, sharing the memory with him.

"Wish I could have seen that." Han said, not wanting to sound sad, just honest.

"I know." She said reaching out and taking hold of his hand. Han smiled down at their linked fingers, watching as Leia stared down at their daughter. He moved closer to her and pulled her small body to his. Leia didn't seem to mind and slowly laid her head against his shoulder.

His mind couldn't help but drift away. This could have been them in a another life, only slightly different. He would have attended the event with Leia and they would have promised to leave the dinner early. Loving touches would have been shared through out the night, before they finally left and went home to their daughter. They'd tuck her in together, similar to this current moment. Maybe they'd even watch her sleep just like they were, but the difference was they'd go to THEIR room and Leia would spend the night in his arms. Yes that was a different life, and Han needed to be happy with Leia simply pressed against his shoulder right now.

"Was she good for you?"

"She was perfect."

"Hmmm. Must be a daddy's girl thing." Leia teased. Although she knew her daughter was never horrible, it was obvious she was quickly becoming a daddy's girl.

"She's a good kid."

"She is." Leia agreed.

"You've done so well with her."

"I tried.." Leia said with a sigh.

"You did amazing." He assured her. Leia slowly looked up at him and stared into his eyes. Both clearly lost in their gaze, they both started to move forward when a small voice stopped them.

"Momma?"

"Hi baby." Leia said leaning down to her. "Did we wake you up?"

"No…" She yawned. "You home?"

"I am. Daddy said you were a good girl."

"I was." She nodded, snuggling back into her blankets.

"Sleep well baby." Leia said kissing her forehead.

"Night little Princess." Han smiled, as Han and Leia both slowly left the room and shut her door.

"Thank you so much for your help Han." Leia thanked him yet again and Han smiled.

"No problem…I should probably get home." He said, noting what time it was.

"Alright, We'll see you tomorrow." Leia said.

"Tomorrow it is." He nodded. Leaning down, Han quickly pressed his lips to her forehead. Not giving it much thought, just knowing he wanted to kiss her goodnight. "Good night Princess." He whispered to her.

"Good night Han." She whispered back.

Hope you guys enjoyed. For some reason I was feeling weird about writing this chapter from my outline, but I actually really like how it turned out. But as always I love to hear your thoughts... More coming soon!