-Tears-
Kyp's never been completely sure when his actual lifeday is. He was young enough when his parents died that he knows the general time of year, but doesn't know the exact day. When he got out of Kessel, he picked a day that was "close enough". No one argued or questioned it, so it's been the observed day for nearly forty years. For his fifty-first lifeday, he and Jaina had marked the occasion with a small, private dinner, since they'd still been hiding their relationship at the time. This year, Han throws a proper party, as Kyp is his son-in-law now.
Three days after Kyp's fifty-second lifeday, Jaina goes into labour. It's a hard seventeen hours, with Jaina barking obscenities at her husband during the worst parts, but at the end of it, a squalling, red-faced and wrinkly Kyrie Durron emerges. Jaina bursts into tears and apologises profusely to Kyp as they hold the baby. Grinning broadly, Kyp points out it's not the first time she's called him names and probably won't be the last.
As Jaina rests, Kyp sits by her bed in the medical ward, Kyrie in his arms. Her little head is covered with dark fuzz, and she holds his finger tightly in sleep.
Han comes in and pulls up a chair. "I remember when Jaina was that little," he says. "One of the best days of my life. You think you're prepared for it, but when you get to hold your baby… There's nothing like it."
Kyp shakes his head. When he looks up at his father-in-law, his eyes are shiny with unshed tears. "No," he says thickly. "There isn't."
Han holds out his hands. "You mind if I hold her?"
The new father carefully passes the infant over. As he watches Han settle Kyrie against his chest, he says, "I never thanked you."
"For what?"
"Being there for me that night."
Han frowns a little in confusion, then realises what night Kyp is referring to: the night of Jaina's wedding to Jag, when Kyp got completely smashed in an effort to drown his sorrow. "Oh. No need to thank me, kid. Even if it took Jaina a long time to see it, you've always been family. Family looks out for each other."
Propping his chin on his hand, elbow on the arm of the chair, Kyp watches Han rock his newborn granddaughter. "Still. That was the lowest I've been since… Since Carida, and both times, you've been there for me. I really appreciate it, Han. You've been family when I had no one else."
"You're stuck with us now," the older man says gruffly.
"I'm not going anywhere," Kyp assures him.
Han nods. He smooths a few bits of hair on Kyrie's head that stick up. Kyp isn't going to tell him it's useless, that his daughter has inherited his curls. "You know, when I realised you were in love with Jaina, back on Borleias, I knew I didn't need to worry about her as much. Because I had been. I saw what was happening to her and there wasn't a damned thing I could do about it. We'd just lost our boys, and I was terrified something would happen to Jaina, until I saw the way you looked at her. I knew you'd never let her get hurt. You brought her back to us."
He looks up at Kyp. "I know she picked that idiot over you. She even told me you'd, ah, expressed interest in her. Never could understand why she chose Jag, myself. I wanted you for my son-in-law. It's hard, being a father. You gotta let your kids make their own mistakes. I just hoped she'd see the light one day. I been watching you two dance around each other for years. When I figured out you'd finally got together, all I could think was that it was about damn time. I didn't even mind when you eloped."
Kyp grins sheepishly. "Yes, I absconded with your daughter."
Han snorts. "Shoulda done it years ago, if you ask me. But I'm kinda glad you've always put her first, even if it hurt you. A father needs to know someone loves his little girl as much as he does."
The younger man nods. He looks at Kyrie, blissfully sleeping in her grandfather's arms, and knows what Han means. He would do anything for his little girl, and her mother, and hopes that someday, Kyrie will find someone who loves her just as much. She's so special, she deserves nothing less.
They sit in silence for a while longer, until Han rises and hands Kyrie back to her father. "I'll go, let you guys get some rest," he murmurs, and takes his leave.
Kyp cuddles Kyrie close, studying the tiny lashes fanned on her little cheeks. One of the happy tears he's been holding back splashes on her cheek, and he gently wipes it away.
Jaina stirs, waking with a small groan. She sees him holding the baby and offers a wan smile. "Hey. How is she?"
"She's perfect. How are you?"
"Exhausted. Sore in places I didn't know I had."
He reaches over and strokes her hair. "Go back to sleep, sweetheart. You earned it."
Jaina nods, closing her eyes. "Wanna hold her."
"You did. And you will. Rest now. I've got you both."
