Okay, this chapter was originally longer, but I've split it into two parts because too much was happening in one chapter. Also, I know it's been a while, this chapter was a bugger for me to write. Anyways, please enjoy!
"Leia, can you come here a second?"
Leia put her book down and headed into her parents' bedroom.
"Yeah mom?"
Padmé looked up at her daughter from where she was folding the laundry, "Come sit down, come on." She patted the spot on the bed next to her, and Leia jumped onto her parents' bed, laughing as her mother bounced up.
"Must you jump all over the place, you're a lady." Padmé shook her head, picking up a few pairs of socks that had fallen off of the bed.
"The day I act as a lady is the day Threepio stops shaking." As if hearing his name, the golden retriever suddenly jumped up on the bed and led across Leia's legs.
"So, what's up?" Leia turned to her mother, playing with Threepio's ears as she spoke.
Padmé finished putting the clothes into piles before turning to her daughter. "When was the last time me and you spent time together? Just us two?"
Leia thought for a moment, it had been a while since she had spent quality time with either of her parents.
Padmé spoke again, sensing that Leia was stuck for words
"I just feel like I haven't been there, for you or Luke. The past few years has been uproar at the senate. We're still trying to fix the mess Palpatine left us in when he left."
Sheev Palpatine used to work in the senate with Padmé but after a chain of events, all of which Padmé was forbidden to talk about, he ended up becoming the principle of the twins' high school.
"Mom, look, I know how hard you've been working. Plus, it's not as if you barely acknowledge us. You do everything for us. How about me and you go for lunch?" Leia hugged her back.
"Oh god we're going to be those ladies who lunch," Padmé said, rolling her eyes. "Why don't we invite Satine and Breha, the fanciest women I know to top it all off."
Leia started to laugh and Padmé joined her. Leia tried to stop but her mother had one of those contagious laughs that just made calming down all that much harder.
"What are you girls giggling about?" Anakin stood in the doorway, looking at the scene in amusement.
Padmé finally calmed down, until Leia snorted and set them both off again. Anakin just shook his head at the pair, smiling at how alike they really were.
Eventually, the girls finally managed to control themselves and Anakin turned to his daughter.
"Lei, I was about to take the dogs out, want to come with?" He asked her, knowing how much she loved to take the dogs out to one of the fields outside the city.
"Yeah just let me get changed. I can't exactly go out in my pyjama's."
"Alright, I'll get the dogs in the car. Threepio, Artoo, walkies!"
Ten minutes later, Leia was sat in the passenger seat, the dogs crying excitedly in the back.
"Where's your brother today?" Anakin asked as they left the city.
"Three guesses."
"Ezra's?"
"Ding ding ding, you're correct." Leia said, laughing with her dad.
Leia loved walking the dogs with her dad, ever since she was little. Anakin used to take the twins in their pushchair when they were little and Leia has gone with him ever since, Luke joining them occasionally.
The sunflower fields were one of Leia's favourite places, and watching the dogs run about with her dad was just as special to her. Artoo was chasing poor Threepio around the sunflowers while Leia and Anakin talked. Just as they were about to call the dogs back in, a giant Newfoundland appeared from in the grass, jumping up at Leia and knocking her over.
"No, down! Bad Dog!" Anakin yelled pulling on the dog's collar to get it away from his daughter.
But the dog didn't hurt her, it just wanted to play. Leia laughed as the dog licked her face. Artoo came over to play with the new dog while Threepio hid behind Anakin.
"Chewie! No boy! Leave her alone!" A young man appeared and the dog instantly running to him. "Sit. Stay." He connected the lead back onto Chewie's collar, "I'm so sorry, he wouldn't hurt you, he just wants to play all the time."
Leia suddenly realised who it was, "Han?"
He looked up and his eyes widened. "Leia, hi. How are you?"
"I'm good thanks, you?"
"Uh yeah, thanks."
Anakin looked between the two as they continued their conversation.
"A friend of yours, Lei?"
"Oh right. Han, this is my dad, Anakin. Dad, this is Han, my… friend."
Han stuck his hand out and Anakin shook it, studying the young man for a moment before speaking.
"What's your surname? I swear I know you from somewhere."
Han looked taken aback for a second before he collected himself and answered, "Solo, sir. I'm Han Solo."
Anakin thought for a moment, and Leia looked at Han as he shrugged at her.
"Dad he probably just looks like someone you knew befor-" Leia tried to explain but her father cut her off.
"Ah! You were a cadet in Chicago when I went there to check on how you were all doing."
Realisation suddenly dawned over Han's face.
"General Skywalker! Of course! I'm sorry I didn't recognise you; it's been a few years. Not that you've changed very much, it's just…"
Anakin laughed as Han rambled, "Relax, kid. It's fine." His gaze hardened suddenly, and he looked Han dead in the eye, "How exactly do you know my daughter?"
"Oh, we met at a party a few months ago."
Leia closed her eyes, hoping that maybe her father wouldn't make the connection.
"Ezra Bridger's party?" Anakin questioned, trying to calm Threepio down when he started to shake again.
Fuck, Leia thought. He'd made the connection.
Anakin turned to her and said "Right, we need to go. Your mothers making dinner. Put Artoo's lead on, I'll sort Threepio."
"I need to get back, Chewie will want food soon. Bye you two, come on Chewie!" Han called and he walked back through the field, the giant dog trailing behind him.
Father and daughter were silent as they walked back to their car, the only sounds being their footsteps and the occasional bark from one of the dogs. They got the dogs in the car and made it on to the main road when Anakin finally spoke.
"So, that was the mystery man from the party."
"Yeah, that was him." Leia's voice was quiet, she wasn't entirely sure he heard her.
"How old is he?"
"Twenty-four. He's five years older than me."
"That's the same age gap as me and your mother. I'd be a hypocrite if I got mad over that. Have you seen hm since that night?"
"A few times, we went for coffee one time. But it wasn't anything really, just two friends hanging out."
Anakin looked at her quickly, his eyebrow raised, before turning his attention back to the road. "Okay then, well as you said, you're growing up. I have to trust you."
Leia looked at him, clearly shocked that he was so calm. She nodded and it fell quiet again.
"Dad why were you so protective of me, but so calm about Luke and Ezra. Do you not trust me?" Leia asked, twining her hands in her lap.
"Of course I trust you, Lei. It's... I don't know. You're my baby girl. I just don't want to let you go. I don't want to let Luke go either, don't get me wrong. I just…" He stopped, clearly lost for words. Leia continued for him.
"It's just that I've always been closer with you."
"Yeah. You're twins, you're alike in so many ways yet different in others. But ever since you were born, you were both closer to either me or Padmé. We don't mind of course; we know that you love us both all the same. Just as we love you both the same."
The rest of the drive home was nice, both talking about Luke and Leia's upcoming birthday.
"I can't believe you're going to be nineteen next week." Anakin shook his head in disbelief.
Leia thought for a moment, it seemed like ages ago they were all graduating high school. She still had no idea what she wanted to do in life. Did she want to follow her mother and go into politics, or follow her father and brother into the military? Maybe neither. She wasn't sure.
But she'd figure it out, she always did.
The Lads
JynandTonic: Guys, apparently college acceptances are being sent out soon. Keep checking your post and emails!"
Bodhi :p : Oh yeah I forgot about that! I hope everyone gets into where they want!
CupHoldo: Fingers crossed. Luke, Ezra, when do hear back from the military?
SkywalkingOverYou: I haven't applied yet oops, my dad's going to help me later I think. Ez?
Blueberry: I haven't heard back yet. Just a waiting game, I guess.
Wedgieee: We need another party!
Princess Leia: Yes definitely!
Biggsy Malone: Sure, but where?
SkywalkingOverYou: I think our parents are out on Saturday. Our house?
JynandTonic: I'm in!
CupHoldo: Me too!
Blueberry: Me and Beanie are in.
Princess Leia: Okay, see you all Saturday.
Ezra crept down the stairs. It was still early and he didn't want to wake anyone up. Especially Jacen. He would only sleep for about three hours at a time and his parents were exhausted.
He tip-toed into the kitchen but startled when he saw Hera at the table, her head in her hands. She was shaking and Ezra could hear little sobs coming from her.
"Mom? Are you okay?"
Her head shot up, her eyes red rimmed and tears streaking her face. She seemed to stutter a little before nodding and smiling at him, though it was terribly forced.
"Uh yeah, yeah. I'm fine Ez, just running some numbers that's all. What are you doing up? It's barley five."
Ezra knew she definitely wasn't fine. "Mom, come on, what's up?"
Hera looked at him, her green eyes filling with tears again. She shook her head and Ezra sat down next to her.
"There's not enough room in this house for all of us but we can't afford to move with all the hospital bills." She covered her face again and Ezra quickly wrapped his arms around her.
"Hey, it's fine. We're all okay here, we don't need to move." He said, trying to calm her down.
"No Ez, you and Zeb can't keep sharing, you're almost nineteen and Zeb's twenty-three. You both need your own rooms. Plus, Jacen can't always stay with me and dad."
Well, Ezra couldn't argue with that.
"Okay, look, right now we are okay. When you go back to work full time then we can go from there. As long as we can eat and Jacen has clean diapers, we'll be okay."
His mother gave him a watery smile and pulled him into a hug, whispering "I love you so much, kiddo."
"I love you too."
Hera wiped her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. She stood up and smiled before clapping her hands together.
"Okay, breakfast?"
Ezra just smiled and nodded at her, having his own debate in his head.
If the guy who blinded Kanan was brought to justice, would they get compensation? He wasn't sure but if they did, oh it would solve all their problems.
"Hey mom, what if we took dads attack to court?"
Hera stopped, putting the bowls on the countertop before shaking her head.
"We can't. To go to court, dad needs a lawyer. Lawyer's cost money. A lot of money."
Ezra sighed and nodded. Well there goes that idea, he thought to himself.
"Ezra, love, I know you're trying to help but… it's just very difficult right now. Thank you though, it means a lot but just leave it to me, okay?"
He nodded and stood to get the cereal out of the cupboard.
This criminal, he was still out there. Ezra couldn't just sit there and wait, he had to do something.
"So, auntie Satine and Uncle Obi are flying back out?"
Padmé looked up at her son and nodded, "Yeah, I think they miss Korkie. Plus, they like being out here."
They were both in the kitchen, Luke helping his mother with dinner.
"Is this a good idea? Remember when I tried to help you cook but almost sliced my fingers off?" Luke asked as he chopped the carrots.
"In your defence, you were three. I turned around for two seconds, I look back and you have a knife in your hand!" Padmé said, shaking her head at the memory.
Luke started to laugh and Padmé smacked his shoulder.
"Don't laugh! You scared me half to death!"
An hour later, food was ready and Padmé sent Luke to go get the other two.
As he walked into his father's office to see Anakin on the phone. He turned to Luke and mouthed "Give me a minute." Luke nodded and leaned against the door frame.
"Okay, something has just come up. I'll have to call you back later." Anakin hung up the phone and turned to Luke, "What's up?"
"Dinner's ready. Who was that?"
"Oh someone from work, apparently they can't do anything without me."
As Anakin went into the dining room, Luke ran upstairs to Leia's room. Her door was open, and she was led on her bed, reading a book.
"I thought you were reading Jane Eyre?" He asked her.
"I finished it." She didn't even look up from the page as she answered him.
"What are you reading now?"
She held up the cover for him to see, We were liars.
"Oh. Dinner's ready by the way." Luke turned and walked back down the stairs, Leia following closely behind him.
Dinner was the same as most evenings, the twins teasing each other, all of them talking about their day, the dogs led at their feet under the table.
"Hey mom, dad, if you guys are out on Saturday, could me and Leia have some friends over?" Luke asked, hoping they would say yes.
"Hmm. It's fine but under one condition," Anakin looked between the twins and continued when they nodded, "No heads being cut open this time."
They all laughed, Luke absentmindedly touching the back of his head where the cut has closed up.
"You two were out with the dogs for ages earlier. Everything alright?" Padmé asked, sipping her drink.
"It was fine, yeah." Anakin nodded. "Luke, Ezra alright?"
Luke smiled and finished chewing before answering.
"Yeah, they're all exhausted with the baby, but he's adorable. He likes me as well."
"Babies are difficult. If they need a babysitter, we're always here." Padmé said.
Leia laughed, "Mom, you just want to see the baby."
After they had finished eating, Padmé had assigned Luke and Leia to do the dishes.
"Did I tell you that me and dad saw Han earlier?" Leia casually said as she dried a glass.
"What? No." Luke was trying to clean a particularly dirty plate as he spoke but water splashed over the side of the sink, soaking his shirt. "Dammit."
Leia laughed at him before explaining the whole thing. When she was done, Luke looked at her, very confused.
"Dad was that calm?"
"I know, I couldn't believe it myself, but he wasn't shitty or angry, well as far as I could tell anyway. Turns out he used to know Han."
"How?"
"Remember when dad went to Chicago for a couple of weeks when we were about fourteen?" Luke nodded and she continued, "He was teaching some new cadets out there, Han was one of them."
The twins finished off the dishes and headed back into the living room, both of them sitting on the other sofa across from their parents.
"I didn't know Han was military?" Luke asked quietly while they were watching something on the TV.
"He never brought it up. I'll have to ask him about it." Leia shrugged, clearly not worrying about it right now.
Later, when Luke was just about to go to sleep, his phone pinged. Artoo, who had decided to sleep on Luke's bed, perked up at the noise.
"It's fine Artoo, it's just Ez."
Ez: I need your help.
So Han is younger in this than he is in canon, just because I feel like it works better and it definitely feels less weird. Will I ever give Hera and Kanan a break? maybe.
I hope you enjoyed!