I apologize for how long it's taken to get back to this fic. Been busy with life.
Anakin lifted Lillian up into his arms. She was his precious treasure to him and he couldn't wait to teach her things. He glanced over at Padme as she held out her arms causing him to smile. It was time for a feeding as he handed Lillian over to Padme. "Padme, I was thinking about maybe finding a way to keep Han preoccupied while Leia was on her date with Isolder," he paused for a second to gauge Padme's reaction. "That's if your okay with me disappearing for the evening?"
Padme frowned as she took Lillian from him. "Depends on what you have planned?"
"Taking Han to the Sims for Rogue Squadron," Anakin answered honestly as Padme raised an eyebrow. "Or not…"
"You should take him to where he'll be distracted for a couple of hours, not minutes," Padme explained with a frown. "Knowing you, you'll beat him three times and he'll loose interest," she paused for a second and grinned. "How about taking him to play Sabaac?"
"I guess I could put up with the under world for a few hours, for Leia's sake," Anakin muttered under his breath as he watched Padme feed Lillian. Padme was more beautiful to him now then she was twenty two years ago. The last thing he wanted Han to find out, was what Leia was up to. He feared of Han doing something he'll regret later.
"I approve of you distracting Han," Padme agreed with a small smile as she leaned her head up an inviting manner as Anakin leaned over the rocking chair and kissed her on the lips. "Just be careful he doesn't find out this is a ruse."
"I'll do my best, maybe I can aim to get him a little drunk," Anakin muttered under his breath as he sensed Padme's disapproval. "Or just a couple of drinks," she nodded in approval. "I love you, Angel and you my little Angel."
"We love you too, Anakin."
Leia turned around in her dress as Fress nodded in approval. Leia was in a red dress made for a queen. She walked forward and hooked the necklace into place as Leia glanced down at the jewel. The stone caught the light shimmering blue and green. "It's beautiful, Fress. Thank you."
"You're welcome," Fress answered with a smile. "Your father bought this for my birthday when I turned sixteen."
"Dad bought you this?" Leia questioned as she fingered the pendant as Fress nodded.
"We had been on the front lines for months and he felt bad when he found out I had turned sixteen so he bought it when we were on Naboo," Fress explained with a small smirk. "Jess got jealous thinking I meant someone new.
"I can see that," Leia shook her head. "I can see why you forgave him so easily. I promise, I'll make sure you get this back tomorrow."
"I heard Anakin invited Han and Jess out tonight, does this mean Han has no clue with what's going on?" Fress questioned with a curious expression as Leia nodded. "It sounds like Anakin plans to distract Han tonight. You really should tell Han before he finds out by accident."
"I fear that Han will not take to this well," Leia answered sounding worried. "And may do something drastic. I don't plan to marry Isolder but agreed to give him a fair shot. I love Han, he's everything to me. Dad told Isolder no and managed to give a good argument…"
"I'm sorry, Leia," Fress gave Leia a hug. "I just hope in three days time you still feel the same way."
"You don't think?" Leia questioned with a worried expression.
"You never know," Fress answered honestly. "I highly doubt it, love never happens that fast. Crushes yes, love no. Just be careful you don't mix them up and you'll be fine. And if you need someone to talk to, I'll be here."
"Thanks Fress," Leia gave a warm smile. "You're a good friend," she walked to the door as Fress followed closely behind her. "Isolder should be here soon and I'm a little nervous."
"You'll be fine," Fress reminded her with a smile as a knock sounded at the door.
Leia opened the door and invited Isolder in. "Princess Leia, you look absolutely breathtaking," Isolder spoke as he kissed Leia on the hand.
"Thank you, Prince Isolder," Leia answered politely. "And you look very handsome."
"Thank you, Princess," Isolder turned his attention to Fress with a smile. Fress felt stunned by Isolders looks, he was beautiful, chiseled abs, stormy gray eyes. Tall and just downright gorgeous. "And who do we have here?"
"Prince Isolder, may I introduce you to Fress Colias, Jedi Master and General of the New Republic Military of Alderaan," Leia introduced with a smile. "And a friend to the family. She fought in the Clone Wars beside my father."
"Its a pleasure to meet you, Master Colias," Isolder held up her hand and kissed it causing Fress to blush a bit. Leia was in so much trouble, Fress thought to herself. Isolder seemed to drop out of heaven.
"The pleasure is all mine, your highness," Fress answered with a smile. "I really should get back to my apartment to check to see how my children are doing. Good luck on your date, Leia," she was going to need it she quickly added in after thought.
Fress quickly slipped out of the apartment and walked down the hallway. She was beginning to quickly understand why Anakin decided to distract Han tonight. She can see Han going ballistic with jealousy and may end up doing something drastic that may cost him his relationship with Leia.
Anakin glanced around the bar as he spotted a sabaac table as he nudged Han in the shoulder. He hoped he could keep the young man distracted for the most part of the night. "See anything you like?"
Han glanced around and noticed the Sabaac table and grinned. "I can take them."
"Really?" Anakin questioned with a curious expression as Luke and Jess watched in silence. "I would like to see you try."
"This is unusual for you, Anakin. What's going on? It feels like you're trying to distract me," Han pointed out as Jess raised an eyebrow as if to say. I told you he wouldn't fall for this. He had to try.
"Maybe I just want to get the chance to know you better," Anakin quickly recovered. "You'll be my son-in-law soon enough."
"I'll buy that for now," Han answered as he glanced at Jess and Luke as Luke shoved a Corellian ale into his hand. "Okay, you're up to something. None of you drink or gamble."
"Come on, Han. I view you as a son, you're saying I can't partake in some of your activities?" Anakin questioned with a grin.
"It's not like you," Han pointed out again as Anakin slung an arm over Han's shoulders. "I am starting to see you like a father."
"I'm touched and I'm beginning to view you like a son," Anakin gave a grin as Jess handed him an ale as well as Luke. "I decided to have a guys night out, and decided to try some of your activities with in reason of course."
"So nothing too crazy?" Han questioned with a frown as Anakin nodded. "Sounds more like you a little. Okay, how about a drink and just chat?"
"Sounds like a plan to me," Anakin agreed with a small smile as they made their way to a back table that seemed private enough. He slid into the booth as Han, Luke, and Jess took their seats. "Where is Chewie?"
"He thought this was a good time to go visit his wife and son," Han answered honestly. "What do you want to know about me?"
"I know you're from Corellia, an amazing pilot., a natural leader. You have been a good friend to everyone. Who are your parents?"
"I don't know," Han answered honestly. "They were killed when I was two and I learned to survive on the streets until I turned five when a man took me in. He used me to beg credits from people. Pick pockets, and eventually helped steal from rich families."
"How did you find out about your last name?" Anakin questioned in curiosity as he felt his heart go out to the young man. He never did find out who was his father or if he even had one.
"Dewlanna, a wookiee who raised me found out from Shrike," Han answered honestly. "That's how I learned to understand Wookiees so well."
Anakin nodded as he felt longing and pain come from Han as he talked about his upbringing. What was worse was the name Shrike. It was bothering him, he remembered someone by the name of Garris Shrike. He heard horror stories about this man and began to wonder about Han. "Was his full name Garris Shrike?" He questioned as Han nodded looking a bit surprised. "Were you ever beaten?"
Han looked surprised as he slowly nodded. Han had a heart of gold under the rough exterior, the roughness was for show to prevent Han from getting emotionally and physically hurt again. Leia must've saw under the rough exterior and that was a part of what attracted her to him in the first place. "Have you heard of him?"
Anakin nodded. "Only by rumors, and from what I heard wasn't good. I'm sorry you had to go through that, no child should have to go through that. A child should never endure that kind of treatment."
Han's attention turned towards a holo broadcast as Anakin glanced towards the screen and cursed under his breath. The press had caught wind of Leia's date and was broadcasting it over the news. The headline read, are Leia and Isolder considering marriage. Has she left Han Solo? "Is this a ruse to keep me preoccupied as another man moves in on the woman I love?"
Anakin noticed Han's anger was rising considerably as he placed his hand onto Han's arm. "It's a formality. I tried to get Leia out of this courting ritual but Isolder would not take no for an answer. He wanted a fair shot at her heart. I just don't want to see you do anything to jeopardized your engagement to Leia. She doesn't plan to marry him. The reporters decided to have a field day and nothing more without knowing the specifics. This will be done and over with in three days from now."
Han raised an eyebrow as he shrugged Anakin's arm off causing Anakin to frown. "She could've told me instead of you distracting me. I should have known something was a miss as soon as you suggested to come down here. This is out of character for you, Anakin."
"I'm going to tell you something, I came close to nearly ruining my marriage with Padme due to my jealousy. Don't make the same mistakes I made," Anakin explained with a frown. "Just let it play out and things will go back to normal. You and Leia are meant to be. I'm positive of it. Don't ruin it because you feel threatened."
Han leaned back in the chair while releasing a frustrated sigh. "Do you see yourself in me a little?"
"I do actually," Anakin answered honestly. "If it helps, show Leia what she means to you," he paused for a minute gauging Han with a serious expression causing Han to look nervous. "Make me a promise, don't do something that has me chasing you halfway across the galaxy."
Han gave a reluctant nod as Anakin stood up and leaned across the table. He grabbed the collar on Han's jacket pulling the younger man off his chair and growled. "Promise me Han, no funny business."
"I promise, Anakin," Han answered with a nervous gulp as Anakin released his hold on Han. Luke and Jess both looked shocked as he released his anger into the Force.
Anakin sat back down as he noticed the fear in Han, reminding him who he used to be. He hoped it was enough to keep Han from doing something really foolish. Knowing Han, he might do something foolish out of pure desperation. He hoped Leia and Han talked about this arrangement between Leia and Isolder. He hoped Leia chose correctly in the end. He was very worried for Leia, it appeared two boys were starting to fight over his beautiful, caring daughter.
Anakin entered Padme's recovery room as she held out Lillian to him, and by the smells of things. She was in need of a changing. He smiled as he accepted Lillian into his arms and went about changing the baby.
"How did boys night go?" Padme questioned in curiosity as Anakin concentrated on his task. "I caught wind that Leia dating Isolder is all over the holo net.
"Han got angry at me for keeping this from him," Anakin answered honestly. "The bar we went to showed the broadcast," he finished securing the new diaper and picked up Lillian into his arms. "There we go, nice and fresh."
"Why do I have this feeling you're keeping something from me," Padme spoke as Anakin chewed on his lower lip.
"I had a heart to heart with Han and drove it home not to let his jealousy get the better of him. I had him promise me not to do anything foolish that has me chasing him halfway across the galaxy."
"You mean you threatened him," Padme spoke with a frown as she watched him closely. "Anakin, let Leia deal with Han."
"I see myself in the boy," Anakin pointed out. "And I could sense he was entertaining bad ideas. I just want to see Leia and Han together, and I don't want to see Han do something that will cost him his relationship with Leia. I nearly cost us our marriage more then a few times."
"I'm glad to see you care about Han," Leia spoke up from behind Anakin causing him to turn around in shock. "It took you a while to warm up to him in the beginning."
Isolder was standing behind her as Leia reached for Lillian. Anakin handed Lillian over to Leia. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to say goodnight to my baby sister and to see how mom is doing. Then we plan to go back to my place. Does Han know?" Leia questioned in curiosity as Anakin nodded.
"He didn't take to it well," Anakin reported. "He caught wind of it off a news broadcast. Something about you possibly marrying Isolder and splitting up with Han."
Leia froze as she glanced at Isolder. "Dad…" She eyed him with a frown. "Please tell me you didn't threaten him?"
"Maybe," Anakin half answered as Leia gave him a look that Padme always used to get him to confess. "I did and I'm sorry. I sensed Han might've done something otherwise."
"Anakin, we've been through this, keep Vader under control please," Leia suggested as Anakin shook his head sadly.
"Being Vader has nothing to do with my protectiveness," Anakin defended himself. "I was making him promise me that he doesn't do something that has me chasing him halfway across the galaxy and losing you in the process."
"Anakin, we spoke about you scaring him," Leia pointed out with a frown as Anakin gave a slight smile.
"I'm sorry, baby," Anakin apologized. "And if you want I will apologize to Han."
"You're buttering me up with the baby comment," Leia pointed out with a frown as Anakin smirked.
"Maybe, is it working?" Anakin questioned in a curious tone. "I do see you as my baby girl."
"Well, apologize to Han if he doesn't do anything," Leia said with a smile.
"I can agree with that," Anakin answered as Leia handed Lillian back to him. "The best part of my night is coming home to my girls and boy."
Leia smiled in appreciation as Anakin felt peace settle over him watching his baby girl sleep. Lillian briefly opened her eyes then closed them again. He glanced at Padme with a frown as she gave a brief nod in understanding. "Leia, your mother is getting released in the morning. I want you to stay with us until the dust settles."
"All right, I'll bring my stuff over in the morning," Leia agreed with a frown as Anakin watched her with concern. He could already tell that Leia was taken with Isolder and this concerned him a great deal. He watched as they left as he turned his attention to Lillian and sat down in the rocking chair. This really was the best part of his day.
Thanks for reading :)
