Endor Engagement
Endor, right after the destruction of the Second Death Star. (for those of us who hated a five year wait for H/L to marry)
Han watched from the small wooden balcony as Luke and Leia talked quietly a short distance away. The words "he's my brother" had come as such a shock, and relief, to the Corellian he could still barely believe them. There was no longer any need to feel jealous since Luke and Leia were family. And Han desperately wanted to be part of that family. He had loved Leia for so long it felt incredibly natural to be able to say the words, I love you, to her. He knew he had loved her from the beginning - it had just taken so long for both of them to admit their true feelings for each other, instead of hiding behind sarcasm and heated words. Han wanted to be with Leia tonight, but he knew that she needed time with Luke as well. So with a sigh, he turned and headed for the Falcon. After all, Lando had told him it needed repairs, and there was no time like the present. He would never be able to sleep tonight anyway, he was so wound up.
The Princess turned to look as Han walked off toward his ship. The last thing she wanted to do was to exclude him, but there was so much she needed to discuss with Luke, and she felt torn between the two men she loved.
"We can talk tomorrow, you know," Luke said quietly as he watched the Corellian leave.
"He feels like an outsider," Leia told her brother with a shake of her head. "I think he always does, no matter where he goes, or who he is with, with the sole exception of Chewie."
Luke nodded his agreement. "I wish there was some way we could make him feel like he belongs."
A smile spread over Leia's face. "There is a way, Luke." She turned and gave her brother a hug. "I'll talk to you later."
The young Jedi frowned in confusion as his sister hurried off after Han.
"Han?"
The voice of the Princess surprised Solo as he surveyed the damage to his precious ship. "Hey," he answered with a quick smile. "I thought you wanted to spend some time with Luke."
"I do," she admitted. "But I want to spend time with you, too."
Solo's smile grew larger. "That's nice to hear." He stepped toward her and put his arms around the woman he loved.
Leia embraced him back tightly. I want you to belong, Han. To me, she thought fiercely. Han pulled back slightly from her tight hug and kissed her deeply and slowly, leaving her breathless and nearly forgetting what she intended to say. Gasping for air, Leia drew back. "Han, I need to ask you something," she said very formally. The worried expression that crossed his face nearly made her laugh.
"All right."
"I want you to stay with me," she said. "I want you to promise me you'll never leave me. I want a commitment."
"Do you see these General bars, sweetheart?" Han grinned. "Isn't that a commitment?"
"That's a commitment to the Alliance," Leia replied somberly. "I want a commitment to me."
Confusion flashed across his face. "You know I'm committed to you, Leia. I love you."
"Then prove it," she responded. "Marry me."
For a brief moment, Han felt panic. He had spent his life avoiding the very thing Leia wanted - a lifetime commitment to one woman. But that was then, before he knew what true love was. The panic quickly faded away and was replaced with joy. "Of course we'll get married," he agreed. "As soon as things settle down, and the Alliance finds a home base..."
"No."
"No?"
"No, not later," she said firmly. "Right now. Tonight."
"Tonight?" he asked, flustered.
Leia put her hands on her hips and frowned. "Do you have other, more pressing plans for tonight?"
"Uh, no."
"Good. Then it's settled." With that, she took his hand and led him back to the large celebration and in less than an hour there was one more reason to light up the night sky with fireworks.
THE END