The afternoon seemed to pass quickly. After the excitements of the morning, Han and Leia decided to take the children straight the mess for lunch. Wedge and Chewie had decided to join them, and it was a pleasant meal, aside from the children complaining about the slop that the chefs laughably called food.

Han hadn't failed to notice the stares they were receiving, though. He and Leia had previously decided that if anyone should ask, they would just say they had been tasked with looking after these children. No more, no less. The problem was that in such a short space of time, they had unconsciously slipped into a comfortable family dynamic. Only half way through the meal did Han suddenly realise that the children had been referring to himself and Leia as their parents in front of a half filled mess.

After the meal, they had bid Wedge goodbye and retired to the Falcon. Spending the afternoon relaxing and playing with the children, Han couldn't remember a time when he had felt so content. Not once had he got the urge to immerse himself in the bowels of his ship. As he watched the children that he would one day create with Leia, he contemplated each of them.

Jacen resembled him but his temperament appeared to have greater likeness to Leia's. Quieter on his own, when he was with his twin he came alive. The pair of them together were a force to be reckoned with; they had a habit of tag teaming him when he least expected it.

Jaina looked like Leia, especially her eyes. She also had a smart mouth, but Han couldn't decide either way who she had inherited that from - probably a bit of both. She was a little bossy boots, too and he knew exactly where she inherited that trait from. As if to punctuate his thought, Leia walked into the room spouting orders for the twins to go clear up the mess they had made in the galley.

Anakin was seated on the floor lost in a bookchip. Han regarded his youngest child as a little enigmatic. He always seemed content to just sit back and observe people, talking when it suited him. Unlike Jaina, who had to have the first and last word on most topics of discussion. Suddenly, Han realised that Anakin's eyes were upon him. For a few seconds father regarded son, and vice versa, until a huge grin invaded Anakin's face. Han mirrored the action with one of his own. As Anakin went back to reading, Han couldn't help but wonder as to where his son had inherited his piercing blue eyes from.

Dinner passed without incident, although getting the children into bed proved slightly more challenging than previous nights. Getting them washed, changed and into bed wasn't too taxing; the problem was getting them settled.

"Can we have a story?" Pleaded Jacen.

"Yeah, tell us a story of one of your adventures!" Jaina agreed.

Five minutes later it became obvious that the children had already heard all their parent's child friendly adventures and the rest they just hadn't experienced themselves yet. Eventually Leia was struck with an idea, partly to calm the children down and partly to cure some of her curiosity.

"Why don't you tell us story, something exciting that we don't know yet."

"Are you sure that's a good idea, Leia?" Asked Han, somewhat nervously.

Her reply was drowned out by excited squeals of delight. While the children decided which tale to tell, Leia dimmed the lights. She then lay on the bed she was temporarily sharing with Han, resting her back against the headboard. She beckoned Han to lie next to her. A brief amusement flitted through her mind at the realisation that she was practically inviting Han to bed. He didn't offer any protest and joined her quickly.

"Remind me again how this is going to put them to sleep." Han questioned, sceptically.

"Just trust me, it will work." Leia retorted, before turning her attention to the children, "Have you guys thought of a story?"

"Yes," Jaina spoke up, "It's a really good one, too."

"Can I start, Jay?" Anakin asked. When the twins nodded for him to go on, he started the tale.

"It was Jace and Jay's birthday and they were having a big party, and me and Daddy had gone out to pick up the cake. But we only made it half way home before we got stuck in traffic. It was raining really bad and we were going to be late. Mommy kept calling to check we had the cake and that we weren't going to be late. So Daddy left the speeder at the side of the road, put me on his shoulders and gave me the cake to hold. Then he started running home..."

Leia felt someone lightly shaking her arm. Blinking a few times she realised that she was snuggled against Han's shoulder and he was smirking at her. Sitting up quickly, she spoke, "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"It worked, they're asleep. But I'm worried that I'll never know what happened to the missing present and the sock, now!"

Sitting up and glancing at the three children sleeping soundly, she asked, "How long have they...and I, been asleep...Wait, did you say just say sock?"

"Well, you were the first to go, closely followed by Jacen. Then Jaina and Anakin more or less fell asleep at the same time. About five or ten minutes I'd say."

"Why didn't you wake me?"

"Oh, I was kinda distracted watching you-...them, watching them sleep." He smiled sheepishly, and then carried on, "Do you want to go to bed now or come and have a drink?"

"Hmm, a drink would be nice."

Han shifted around nervously on the seat. He really wanted to talk to her about his dream but something kept stopping him. She'll think I'm crazy! Luckily... or not, he hadn't decided yet, Leia brought it up.

"Were you okay this morning? You said you'd had a bad dream."

"Oh...yeah."

Looking at Leia, his dream came flooding back to him. He remembered the pain he had seen in her eyes as he held her close, and how her body shook as she sobbed her heart out.

Leia responded to his silence, "It's okay, if you don't want to talk about it, but I'm he-"

"You were in it!" He blurted out, cutting her sentence off.

He smiled apologetically and continued, "We were in a big apartment and you were upset. I held you and you started crying and talking about missing them. Then you...you kept kissing me and begging me to bring them home. I carried you to a bed and we lay together while you cried yourself to sleep...And then I woke up."

For every second that Leia didn't respond, Han felt his heart beat a fraction quicker.

"That's why you were holding me when we woke." Han wasn't entirely sure whether that was a rhetorical question or not. He decided just to nod in agreement.

"Leia, I think...this is going to sound crazy but..."

"Spit it out, Han." She smiled as she spoke.

"I think I dreamed our future." There, I said it. Looking at Leia he could see scepticism all over her face. This only served to make him more determined to make her understand.

"Leia, I know it sounds strange, but it all fits. Firstly, you looked older in the dream, not really old, but older than you are now. When you were talking about bringing them back, I think you were referring to the children. And, we were kissing-"

Han wasn't quite finished, but Leia jumped in anyway, "There seems to be a lot of conjecture, Han."

Unperturbed, he carried on, "That is exactly what I was thinking at first, but there's more. Everything in my dream was how Jacen described it this morning. It's why I asked about the viewport and the bed. It all fit, even down to the carvings on the bed!"

"Okay, well that adds a bit more weight to it. I just don't understand how it is possible."

"I don't understand how our children being here is possible...but it is."

There was a short silence where both Han and Leia became lost in their thoughts. Finally Han spoke, "I think the only thing to do is wait and see if it happens again."

"Yeah, that makes sense."

The conversation flowed easily; Han spoke a bit about Jaina and Anakin playing in Wedge's X-wing. Leia wasn't so vocal about her talk with Mon Mothma, only stating that her and Jacen had a pleasant walk before it was interrupted. Leia seemed to have other ideas about what she wanted to talk about.

"How do you think we chose the children's names?"

"I don't think we chose them, I reckon that you picked the names out and told me what we were going to call them."

Han tried to keep a straight face as Leia looked comically affronted for a few seconds before she realised he was joking.

"You are such a nerfherder sometimes!" She let out a little giggle as she spoke.

Han couldn't resist drawing attention, "Why Princess, did you just giggle?"

Not taking his bait, she grinned wickedly and answered, "No, not at all. You must be mistaken."

"Hmm, I must be," he conceded...for now.

Trying to push the unbridled thoughts of Leia's rare yet coveted smile from his mind, he attempted to answer her question, "Well, like I said before, Jaina was my mother's name. I think we could assume that's why we called her that."

"Have you always thought you'd name your daughter after your mother?" Leia asked earnestly.

"Are you kidding, I've never even contemplated having kids before," seeing Leia recoil slightly at that statement he tried to amend it, "I mean, it's not something you really think about when you don't have anyone to have them with."

Leia nodded her head and appeared to agree with him; she didn't look completely convinced, though. When she did speak, she appeared wistful, "I always thought that if I had a son, I would name him after my father, yet I will have two and not name either of them Bail." Slowly, she turned suspicious eyes on Han, "Do you not like the name Bail?"

Alarm bells went off in Han's head, this is a trap! Answer carefully, "Yes. I mean no I do not not like the name Bail. It's a nice name. Perfect even. So great, I can't understand why we didn't name all three of them Bail-"

"Han!"

"Yes?"

"Calm down, I was only teasing." Damn that woman. Damn that beautiful, intelligent, woman.

Smiling, she stood up, "I'm getting a refill. You want one?"

He nodded his head in confirmation and watched her walk out the room. Get a grip, Solo.

[You love her!]

Han jumped out of his skin, and swung around to face the Wookiee lurking in the shadows. "How long have you been standing there? And no I do not love her!" He hissed at his co-pilot and long time friend.

[Only long enough to see you falling in love.] Chewie woofed in a teasing tone, although Han didn't find it too amusing.

"Can it, Chewie!"

Chewbacca knew when to push his friend and when to leave it alone. Right now, he sensed the latter was the preferable option. Instead he opted for a gentler approach. [You two seem to be getting along great anyway. It's been a couple of days with hardly any arguments. You must be proud!]

"I hadn't even noticed, really. I suppose having the children to connect us sort of pushed the arguing aside. To be honest I kind of miss it. She never looks as sexy as when she is right under my nose glaring up at me like she wants to skin me alive."

[Be careful what you wish for, Han. Also, you might want to speak to a counsellor about that, it doesn't sound healthy to me!]

Han laughed and made a decision to confide in his best friend. Glancing to check Leia was still absent from the room, he spoke, "Honestly, Chewie, I'm not in love with her now. Although, these past couple of days, it's as though she's a whole different person, or maybe I'm just seeing a different side to her. Either way, I'm starting to see how easy it would be to fall in love with her."

Just as the last words left his mouth, Han noticed a movement out the corner of his eye. Leia stood just inside the doorway with two newly refilled mugs of caf. Her expression was unreadable and gave nothing away. The fact that she was standing, stock still in the doorway suggested she had heard a fair bit.

[Well, it's getting late and I need my beauty sleep. 'Night Princess, Han.] Chewbacca left in a hurry, leaving Han and Leia to stare at each other.

Well, this is awkward. Should I pretend I didn't hear anything...but then why would I have been standing here like this for so long? Making the decision to move, she headed over to Han and placed the two cups on the table. Sitting down she noticed that he was looking everywhere but at her. This is ridiculous, she thought to herself. It's not like he just announced his undying love for me. We've been getting on so well, we can't let this push us back to square one. I might as well just go for it, it couldn't get any more awkward than this...I hope.

"So, you think you could see yourself falling in love with me?" She spoke with confidence, although her insides felt as though they had just turned to jelly.

Han's jaw dropped, and he spluttered as he tried to speak, "I just...I meant...I'm sorry."

"Don't apologise, it's a nice thing to overhear," seeing his crooked smile sweep across his face brought one to her own features, "I know where you're coming from as well. I was starting to feel the same about you. I mean, we know we get married anyway, so it shouldn't come as that much of a shock to us now that we can start to at least understand how we end up at that point."

For the first time, since the children had appeared, Leia finally started to feel as though she was getting some control back. That thought exhilarated her for all of two minutes. So I have control, what now? The past two days she had absolutely no control over anything, and she had started to loosen up, to enjoy the company of her children and her...Han. I've been happier without it. I can stand to lose control, while I have my family around me. The second they go back, I am regaining control of my work and this war will be won, so our future can take shape.

"Leia, is everything okay? You seemed to zone out for a second there."

"Oh, yes, I'm fine, thank you. I just got lost in my thoughts."

A comfortable silence settled over them as they stole glances at one another while sipping their caf. As Leia finished her caf, she bid Han goodnight and made her way to the 'fresher.

Han, left alone, shook his head and smiled to himself. Draining his last drop of caf, he went to the galley to wash the cups.

Walking towards the bunk room, he still couldn't believe that Leia had overheard him admit that. More unbelievable still, was the fact that she echoed his sentiments. This is such a backwards way to start a family, he laughed to himself.

Entering the bunkroom, he stopped dead, feeling as though he'd been punched in the gut. The room was softly lit, casting a warm, orange glow over the sleeping occupants. He wanted this moment last forever and at the same time, he couldn't wait until this future was his present and he didn't have to fear them suddenly disappearing.

Although he didn't doubt that Leia had already done so, he checked that each of his children was sleeping soundly. Moving over to his own bunk, he couldn't help but smile at the way Leia was sprawled out across the bunk, half on her side, and half on his. Not having the heart to wake her, he visited the 'fresher. She might have moved by I'm finished.

He had no such luck. I'll give her five more minutes, he decided as he gently sat down beside her. She lay on her back with one arm crooked up behind her head, and the other thrown out to the side. He watched her torso rise and fall to her rhythmic breathing; she looked so innocent and childlike in sleep. Sweeping a stray lock of hair from her face, he had to bite his lip to stall a burst of laughter at the way her nose scrunched up. Sliding his gaze down her body, he stopped on her stomach where her t-shirt was slightly bunched up, revealing a teasing strip of snow white skin. Resisting the urge to test how soft the skin was, he instead contemplated the toned flatness of it. Glancing towards where the twins were sleeping, he winced. She is far too tiny to fit two babies in there at once! She'll be hugely out of proportion. Hovering his hand over her stomach at where he guessed it would protrude to when carrying twins full term, he frowned.

"Han, what are you doing?"

Deciding that the truth would probably go down better than any lie he could think up, he admitted, "I...Um, I was just thinking of what you will look like when you're pregnant...with twins...you know, because you're so small."

Leia furrowed her brow as she asked, "So, what's the verdict?"

"I think you'll probably topple over."

Han was rewarded with an amused smile from Leia, before she placed her own hand on her stomach in investigation. She then raised her hand for her body a considerable amount.

Her eyes bulged in fear as she spoke, "Gods, Han, I'm going to be huge! I hadn't even thought about it."

Great, now I've gone and scared her.

Han fell forward, gripping his arm, grimacing as blood trickled down toward his wrist. A small hand appeared from nowhere, helping him up. Han thanked his wife with a brush kiss to her forehead before they carried on running toward the impenetrable darkness of the tunnel.

A high pitched squeal stopped them in their tracks. They turned as one to face the approaching enemy.

Four creatures stepped out from the shadows, their identities hidden behind steel masks and charcoal cloaks. Not giving their enemy any further advantage, Leia released the blue blade of her brother's lightsaber and struck the nearest creature. His life ended in an instant. Han joined the fray, distracting the creatures by aiming shots at their heads while Leia made quick work of them with the lightsaber. She was clumsy and untrained but effective none the less. Han stopped firing as Leia moved to the last target.

Getting in a lucky swipe, the creature knocked Leia out cold. Outraged, Han charged at the creature, only to be similarly knocked down. This time the blow was not enough to leave him unconscious. The being picked up the Corellian by his throat. Han gasped for air as the creature spoke in a low, gravelling voice, "Where are the younglings?"

"I'd die before I told you." Han chocked out.

The blue blade sprang to life and shone brightly as its rightful owner retrieved it from where it lay by an unconscious Leia.

Han was unceremoniously dropped to the floor by his wife's side.

Anakin woke with a scream, in turn waking up everyone else in the bunk room, as well as Chewbacca in his room. As Han fumbled for the light switch, Anakin had already jumped out of his own bunk and was heading for his parents. Han finally succeeded with the light and the sharp contrast from darkness to light made all the occupants squint their eyes in adjustment. All except for Anakin, whose eyes were wide with terror.

Leia lifted her son on to her lap and held him close, whispering soothing words in his ear. Anakin wriggled out of her embrace so he could clearly see her face. He then ran his small hands over every inch of Leia's face as if checking for injuries.

"You okay, kid?" Han asked sleepily.

His question served to draw Anakin's attention away from his inspection of his mother's face. Climbing across onto his father's lap, he carried out the same inspection. Seeming satisfied with the results, he let out a little sigh of relief.

"Hey, bad dream?" Han probed, again.

Anakin just nodded and leaned into Han's chest. Han enveloped his son in his arms while Leia settled the twins again. As the twins were starting to drift off to sleep, Chewbacca appeared in the doorway, checking everything was alright. Although Leia couldn't interpret what he said, she understood the message.

"Everything's fine, Chewie. Just a bad dream." Leia explained.

Walking back to the bunk, she climbed in. Han was slowly rocking Anakin in his arms.

"Can I sleep with you?" His voice was so soft, it was barely a whisper.

"Of course you can, sweetie." Leia responded.

A bit of shuffling around occurred, until Anakin lay in between his parents. Han dimmed the lights down, but not off completely.

"Do you want to tell us what happened?" Leia questioned tenderly.

Anakin nodded. "You and Daddy were running away from something and they caught you. You got some of them with Uncle Luke's lightsaber, but...but..." He started to sniffle and tears slowly rolled down his cheeks, forming a miniature puddle on the pillow.

Softly wiping away his tears, Leia encouraged him, "But what?"

"But the last one hurt you and you fell down and then he hurt Daddy, too!"

Han audibly swallowed, "It's okay, kid. It was just a dream. It's not real."

Anakin turned slightly to face his father as he spoke, "It's alright anyway, Daddy, because I think Uncle Luke was about to save you."

Leia watched Han's face drop and could tell he was trying not to bristle at the idea of having Luke save him.

Anakin shuffled to get comfy, grabbing Han's arm and pulling it around him until he was safely tucked under it. He then reached out for Leia, pulling her closer. Keeping her hand in his, he tucked it under his chin and closed his eyes. Cocooned securely in between his parents he fell asleep.

Leia watched her son as his breathing deepened. Lifting her eyes from his face she immediately met Han's. She had not previously realised how close their faces were thanks to Anakin's arrangement. Han's expression looked grave.

"Leia, he dreamed of us in a fight. Does that not worry you?" He spoke so quietly he was practically mouthing the words.

"You think it's a connection to the future?"

"It makes sense; we could have been fighting whatever wants to harm them." He unconsciously tightened his arm around his son as he spoke.

"Maybe, either way, there isn't anything we can do about it. I think we just have to let this play out."

Han nodded his agreement, "G'night, Leia."

"Goodnight." She mouthed back.