Time seemed to fly after that first night.
The Solos returned to oversee their flooring be transformed before their eyes from dull and dusty to a high shine which also offered a slip-proof surface.
Their furniture arrived three days late, something which Han protested was not his fault.
The delay did, however, afford them the time to evaluate the renovation schedule.
Han watched in awe as Leia took charge, deciding which rooms needed decorating first and arranging both the colour scheme and company employed to complete the works. Han, meanwhile, began expanding and installing the Falcon cockpit he'd made for Jorj's bedroom.
With their furniture finally in place, renovations and decorations completed and the verandah and garden replanted and reseeded, the family could finally settle into their new home.
Jorj revisited the crush he had on his teacher Riva Fizz via subspace relay, and discovered new distractions in the form of newfound friends, Mayam Malik, Dilk Chamussy, Lars Dini, Ashby Newbould and Nyala Dyss. Especially Nyala Dyss, a blonde girl a year younger than Jorj who was as taken with him as he was with her.
Visitors dropped by, both new friends and old, until eventually came the call they'd been waiting for; that Jaina had gone into labour.
Even though they had been assured all was well, it felt like an anxious wait until they heard that their daughter had safely delivered their third grand-daughter; name to be confirmed.
Jorj had been less enthusiastic. Another girl had felt like a kick in the teeth to the boy who so desperately wanted another male in the family, and more so having been promised this one would be named after him.
Both Leia and Han did their best to placate their young son, eventually deciding that he would have to get over his disappointment in his own time and his own way.
A fortnight later the dinner party Leia suggested had been declared a great success and, as their guests dwindled and returned to their own property or to journey homeward, further gatherings were promised.
Standing on the verandah and waving away the last of their guests, Leia eagerly claimed a final cuddle of her newest sleeping grandchild. "She is so beautiful, Jaina." Leia gushed, then frowned at her daughter. "Should you even be travelling so soon after giving birth?"
"Oh p-lease! You had twins and were back in the office within a week!" Jaina accused.
"Not entirely true but even if it was I had your father by my side." Leia argued.
"And I have Jag by mine. He's only not here now because he couldn't leave the business." Jaina countered.
"She really is beautiful." Leia cooed, smiling down at the baby in her arms.
"That, Jorj my boy, is the 'Grandmother in her Natural Habitat." Han suggested, lifting the tired boy onto his lap.
"Did it have to be another girl?" Jorj grumbled, not for the first time. Leia and Jaina exchanged a glance then Jaina patted her lap for Jorj to sit with her. Grumpily, he climbed from his father's lap and onto his sister's.
"I'm sorry she's not a baby boy but it's not like I got to choose." Jaina soothed. "However, I do get to choose her name and a promise is a promise..."
"You can't call her Jorj, it's a boy's name!" Jorj sulked.
"True. But Jag and I have talked it through and, if you're happy, we'd like to call her Jorja." Jaina suggested, beaming as the name sank in.
"Oh boy! Am I ever!" Jorj exclaimed.
"Shall I go put her down?" Leia offered. "Maybe Jorj should come too."
"Time for bed Jorjie." Han commented.
"Jorjie's a baby name. And I'm nine now Dad!" Jorj pointed out.
Han's eyes darted briefly to Leia's then back. "So you are. Thanks for reminding me." He said, hiding his amusement.
"Here, let me fix Jorja's wristband." Jaina said, synchronising the baby's wrist monitor with her own before Leia and Jorj took the baby inside and upstairs to bed.
"Never had any of those new fangled things when you and your brothers were born. 'Course with your lungs, it was never an issue. Your Mom an' me coulda been clear across the Galaxy and we woulda still heard ya hollerin'!" Han noted, lighting a fat cigarra.
"The house looks great Dad." Jaina said, honestly.
"That's down to your Mom. She's got an eye for those kinda things." He answered, blowing a ring of smoke into the evening sky.
"I like your friends too. The people here seem really friendly." She added.
"That's down to your Mom also. She's got a way of zeroing in on 'nice' people." He told her, recalling his taunt on the ride to Bespin about him being 'nice men'.
"So, everything between you two is..o-kay?" She asked, almost hesitantly.
"Sex has never been better." He answered.
"Ew! Dad!" Jaina wrinkled her nose.
"Too much of an overshare? Sorry, but you did ask. Why? Things between you and Jag not...o-kay?" He queried.
"Jorja's less than a month old Dad, give me a chance." She sneered and Han chuckled.
"Nah, your Mom an' me...well, it's like we got our old mojo back, you know?" He said. "I mean, we were pretty busy getting the house all fixed up, but even so we managed to find time for one another. You know, in an intimate way."
He seemed younger to Jaina somehow. They both did. Like, just not being on Coruscant had taken years off them. She slid closer to wrap her arms around her father's broad torso and tuck her legs beneath her, the swing they sat on rocking with the movement. Helping herself to his cigarra, she took a long pull on the tobacco.
"Hey!" Han growled, snatching the cigarra back. "Your Mom'll have my hide if she catches you smoking one of these things."
"I'm surprised she lets you smoke 'em." Jaina teased.
"She knows who's boss in his own home. Besides, she's upstairs singing to your baby, I can hear her on that monitor thing you're wearing. Plus what she don't know won't hurt her." He said.
"You are so the master of your own home." Jaina laughed as he stubbed the cigarra out and stowed it in it's hiding place.
They fell into a comfortable quiet, Jaina hugging her father's chest; Han's arm around his daughter's shoulders.
"Pity your brother couldn't be bothered to show up. Didn't even send your Mom a message." Han said, breaking the silence, the disappointment evident in his voice.
Jaina straightened, nibbling at her bottom lip. "I...that is, Jag said I shouldn't interfere...But, thing is, I haven't seen Tilly in..must be months now and...well, I went to the cafe before coming out here and..and it's under new management."
Han looked at Jaina, puzzled. "Sold or...or insolvent?"
"I don't know Dad. I've called and called but Jacen's not picking up." She answered.
Han turned to stare off into the distance. The singing had stopped, as had the chatter from Jorj. Han could only conclude Leia would be on her way back.
"I'm coming back with you." He declared. "And your Mom isn't to know a thing, you got that?"
Both guiltily smiled at Leia as she returned to the verandah. "What are you two upto? Don't deny it, I can sense you're plotting something." She asked, narrowing her eyes at them.
"Caught!" Jaina sighed. "Dad won't let me take Jorja back on regular transport. He's insisting he takes us back in the Falcon. I said public transport is fine, but..."
"I should think not!" Leia exclaimed. "You never should have come that way in the first place. You should have made your brother bring you, no matter how busy the cafe is. It is busy, isn't it?"
"Last time I was in there." Jaina answered, honestly.
"Oh good." Leia relaxed beside her daughter. "I call but he never seems to have time to talk. Always picking up or dropping off Anais, or taking a delivery or sourcing a new supplier. I hoped he might have made it this evening though."
"Maybe he's planning on surprising you." Jaina suggested, hopefully.
"Ha!" Leia barked a laugh. "Solo men are not known for their surprises."
Han leaned forward to look at Leia from his position the other side of Jaina. "Pardon me! I think you'll find I've surprised you on more than one occasion." He exclaimed.
"Ew! I do not want to hear this." Jaina said, sticking her fingers in her ears.
"I don't mean like that." He told her, forcing her arm back down. "Though, in that respect, I have been known to surprise even myself on occasion."
"Da-ad!" Jaina groaned.
"I came back, you know, right before Yavin. That must have surprised you. Good job too, otherwise we wouldn't be here discussing it." He told Leia.
"Not really such a surprise. I knew there was more to you than money." Leia argued.
"Okay...Hoth then." He pointed out. "I'd got my clearance to leave and came back because I heard the Command Centre had been hit, and you were still in there."
"I was on duty." Leia said.
"Oh, no. This isn't about you, it's about me." He told her.
"All right. I admit to being a little surprised, although only that you cut it so fine." She argued.
Han narrowed his eyes. "O-kay..." He swallowed. Time to bring out the big guns! "Verida."
"Who's Verida?" Jaina asked.
"Verida's not a 'who' sweetheart, it's a 'where'." Han answered smugly. Leia's lips pursed, a hint of amusement behind her eyes and the start of a flush to her cheeks. "I gotcha." He grinned, his charismatic grin. "Didn't I?"
Jaina looked between her parents. "Well, is one of you going to tell me or do I have to wait for the book to come out?" She asked.
…..Han just shook his head. Never in his thirty-something years had he seen anyone make such a complete hash of something as simple as a dance.
Luke was trying, there was no doubt about that, but he had about as much grace as the Tauntauns the rebels used as beasts of burden. Unable to bear any more, Han covered his eyes and sighed.
"What?" Luke asked, exasperated.
"For one, you're probably not even gonna get to dance with her anyways. And for two, if you do get to dance with her she is not gonna thank you for tramplin' all over her dainty little royal feet, you know." Han pointed out.
"Well, you won't dance with me and Chewie won't dance with me so all I got to work with is Threepio and he's doing his best..." Luke argued back.
"I'm not dancing with you 'cos I'm the one trying to teach you and Chewie's not dancing with you 'cos if you climb all over his feet like that he'll rip your arms an' legs outta their sockets." Han countered.
"Then what are we supposed to do?" Luke appealed.
Han sighed again, then a sound caught his ear and his prayers appeared to be answered. "Hold that thought." He told Luke and disappeared down the boarding ramp.
"Where's he going?" Luke begged to a series of hoots from Chewbacca.
Striding down the boarding ramp, Han was relieved to see Wedge Antilles walking with the source of the sound he had heard - Leia. The Princess and her cousin appeared to be en route to the Mess Hall and also seemed to be in deep conversation.
Han placed the thumb and middle finger of one hand between his lips and blew, the shrill whistle stopped both Wedge and Leia in their tracks. Han watched Leia's hand rest against Wedge's arm, saw her speak softly into his ear, then wait until he had moved away before swivelling on her heel to glare at Han.
"Oh." Han apologised. "Did I interrupt? I was hoping to get a word with Wedge but I guess you'll do."
"What do you want, Captain Solo?" She asked, sounding annoyed. She only ever sounded like that with Han. Like he was an affront to the very recycled oxygen she breathed.
"Well, see, the thing is..." Han scratched at the back of his head. "It's not really me."
"Captain Solo!" She barked, her brow furrowed.
"It's Luke." He told her, hooking a thumb in the direction of the Falcon.
"Luke? Is he all right?" She asked, her voice filled with concern.
"Well..." Han sucked air between his teeth and rocked his head from side to side.
"Han!" She demanded, marching toward him.
"He's got this...dilemma...of sorts." Han explained.
Leia stepped past Han and up the ramp into the Falcon. Following the corridor to the main hold, she found Luke leaning dejectedly on one arm. "Luke?" She asked, puzzled.
"Leia!" Luke exclaimed, jumping to his feet.
"Han said you had a dilemma." Leia offered, waiting for an explanation.
Luke's pale face flushed, his eyes darting to Han now standing behind Leia. "You told her!" The younger man exclaimed.
"Would one of you two moonjockeys care to tell me what's going on?" Leia barked, hands planted on her hips.
"The kid here wanted to learn to dance." Han answered. Leia swung an angry face toward Han.
"Um..yeah. I..well, see the thing is, I got asked to escort you to that fancy thing on Verida and I figured there might be dancing involved and if there was..well..that I couldn't. Dance, that is, not escort you." Luke fired off.
Leia swung her attention back to Luke. "That 'fancy thing' is a conference and networking event, not a Gala Ball." She clarified.
"I told him it was a dumb idea." Han tossed in.
Leia laid a light hand on Luke's arm, Han noticed. "It was terribly sweet of you but I doubt there'll be time for such pleasantries." She told him softly, a gentle smile lighting her face.
"I just...I didn't want to let you down." Luke said, sadly.
Leia arched a slightly amused eyebrow. "So you came to this buffoon?" She indicated Han. Han checked behind him then realised she was actually talking about him.
"To be honest, he's pretty good." Luke admitted.
"I had no idea." Leia smirked. "I wouldn't have imagined you to be a popular dance aficionado."
"Oh I'm not. I'm more what you'd call a classical style dancer." Han admitted.
"Really? Does the Corellian Jig count as classical style?" Her smirk remained in place.
"No." He agreed. "But the Slow Waltz does."
Chewie released a series of bellowing laughs.
"What I do is so called a Slow Waltz!" Han argued. "Just happens it needs the right partner to make it look good."
"It's lucky that she's here then." Leia offered, taking up the appropriate stance.
Han checked behind him again, before pointing a finger at her. "Oh, you mean you." He said, increduously. Her glare was his only answer. "All right." He said and stepped forward. "I admit I may be a little rusty..."
Chewbacca growled something that sounded like 'and then some' before making his exit.
"Coward!" Han called after the Wookiee.
Luke sank back into his seat as Han took hold of Leia's hand.
"Hitch up a little wouldya sweetheart." He told her, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"A gentleman would sink down in the knees." She told him, turning her head in preparation for the dance.
"Threepio, music." Han commanded.
The droid began to emit a gentle refrain, light and lilting, it reminded Leia of some of the more gentile parties her father had thrown when she was a girl. Then Han strode forward, moving Leia with him.
The Falcon's main hold didn't afford much space for an improvised waltz, slow or otherwise and as it became increasingly obvious that his abilities far outweighed his boasts, Han resorted to his usual tactic of humour to cover his tracks. Pulling Leia even closer against him, he took her on a series of tight twirls until their laughter filled the atmosphere, then he stopped, dipping her deeply backwards.
The hand at her back held her firm. The hand in hers drew inwards to curl against his chest, where his heart beat within it's cage. Their eyes locked and, as emotions and growing feelings began to swirl and coalesce into a dawning realisation, the smiles that brightened both of their faces faded at a glacially slow pace.
Han returned Leia to upright and stepped slowly away from her, almost reluctantly.
"That was...amazing!" Luke gushed.
"The dip..." Han said, pulling on his earlobe. "That's..you know..optional."
"You didn't learn that on Corellia." Leia said quietly to which Han just shrugged.
"Wow!" Luke added with the hint of a sulk. "Maybe Han should escort you. He definitely wouldn't let you down."
…..Jaina's eyes were wide with expectation. She'd moved from the swing to lean against the porch fence and watch her parents faces as they retold of their adventures. "Well? Did Dad go with you or was it Uncle Luke?" She finally asked.
"Neither. Something came up and I never got to go." Leia explained.
"That time at least." Han said, his attention drawn to an approaching landspeeder. "Didn't we tell everyone it was early doors?"
Leia followed his line of sight.
Han rose and suggested the ladies go into the house; something was making the hairs on the back of his neck tingle. Jaina and Leia started to move toward the door then stopped; whatever it was spooking Han caught their attention also.
"I thought I told you two to step inside." Han growled, moving to block the top of the steps.
"You did, but when did I ever follow your instructions?" Leia asked, wearing a wry smile.
"Besides, it's probably just Uncle Lando come back for that expensive bottle of Corellian Whiskey he bought you." Jaina offered.
"Yeah." Han said, turning to face their visitors. "He always was cheap."
The landspeeder drew to a halt near enough for them to see it was a rental. Tinted windows hid it's occupants too well for Han's liking, especially after Leia had frisked him for every last weapon he might have concealed.
"Just stay back, okay?" He reminded them, taking the porch steps slowly down to street level.
The 'speeder door glided aside and Jacen Solo climbed out. Relief washed through them all, followed by Leia's joyous squeal. "Jacen!" She cried and turned to Jaina. "Did you know about this?"
"Me? No. No idea at all." Jaina replied, truthfully astonished.
"Keep the volume down would you Mom, I got Anais asleep in the back." Jacen waved his hands indicating a lower noise level.
"Did you do this?" Leia asked Han as she swept past him. He shook his head, lost for words. Leia flung her arms around her son, hugging him warmly.
"Mo-om!" Jacen moaned. "Will you just let me get my stuff out of the 'speeder first!"
"Just you? 'I got Anais in the back'..'my stuff from the 'speeder'.." Han quoted.
"Yeah..." Jacen's eyes went from his father to Jaina to his mother. "'Bout that..."
"Oh, your father's just being pedantic as usual." Leia dismissed. "Han, help get Jacen's stuff into the house. You're staying aren't you? Of course, you're staying! What are we going to do, make you go bunk up in town!"
"Mom, slow down would you! There's something I need you to know first." Jacen sighed.
Leia's mouth moved, the words lost somewhere between her vocal cords and her lips. Jacen had been so vague whenever he had actually mananged to find the time to talk to her. Anais was fine. Tilly was fine. He was fine. That was about as much as she had been able to establish even though clearly everything wasn't 'fine'.
Jacen sighed again, trying to order his thoughts.
"Han? Do you know what's going on?" Leia turned her query to him. Han shrugged an uneasy shoulder and twisted his mouth in an 'I don't know' gesture.
The 'speeder passenger door slid aside and Tilly's head appeared above the roof. "This is why I said you should have told them right away." Tilly told Jacen.
"Told us what?" Leia asked.
"Could we, maybe, go inside first?" Jacen suggested.
"I'll get 'your stuff'." Han said pointedly, and headed for the rear storage facility.
"I'll get Anais." Leia smiled.
"You have got to be kidding me! You planning on staying a few days or moving in?" Han stepped back from the 'speeder, his mouth gaping at the sheer amount of belongings crammed into storage.
"That'll be my fault. Great in the kitchen, lousy at packing." Tilly apologised with a gentle smile.
"Just the bags'd be great." Jacen said, circling the 'speeder to be at Tilly's side.
"Damn right they will!" Han mumbled under his breath. He yanked matching travel bags from the compartment, puzzled over the remaining items and slammed the hatch shut.
Anais jumped in her grandmother's arms and let out a high-pitched yelp. "Han!" Leia admonished, a deep frown creasing her brow. Han's glare matched Leia's.
Soothing Anais while Jaina carried the infant's travel cot, Leia couldn't help but feel that surrounded by at least the majority of her family she was perhaps finally home.
"You coming Jace?" Jaina called, turning to her brother. "Oh!.."
Leia turned then to her son. "My!.."
Han followed his wife and daughter. "Sweet Mother of a Sith!" He cursed.
"I could be wrong Jacen, but I think they figured it out all by themselves." The heavily pregnant Tilly noted.
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Leia placed a cup of black tea in front of the now seated but still heavily pregnant Tilly and took her own seat close by. "Should you even be travelling in your condition?" She asked.
"Oh, like we haven't had that conversation a half dozen times already!" Tilly scoffed.
"You must be pretty near your due date already." Leia noted.
"Another month, maybe. I told Jacen over and over; begged him to tell you but..." She rolled her eyes.
"What d'you think we'd do son? Disown you?" Han asked.
"I..." Jacen just shrugged.
"Well, I for one am glad. Means he's finally over that Tenel Ka witch!" Jaina stated.
"Jaina!" Leia scolded.
"She took him for a ride Mom and I can't forgive her for that." Jaina said, indicating that for her the subject was closed.
"Have you considered any names yet?" Leia queried, sipping her stim tea.
"Han's a good one." Han smiled. "Oh, unless it's a she. Not so great then."
"Well...actually..." Tilly laid a hand over her tummy.
"It's twins!" Jacen beamed, his hand covering Tilly's.
The Solos sat in stunned silence.
"Told you they'd be pleased." Jacen said between his teeth.
"Goodness!" Leia laughed after regaining her composure. "Twins!"
"Doesn't it run in the family?" Tilly asked, slightly confused.
"It usually follows a line. You know, Mom, her Mom, probably her Mom before that. Now Jacen, which means either he's bucking the trend, or..." Jaina pushed to her feet to go tousle her brother's hair. "...He's really a girl!"
"Hey!" Jacen cringed and pushed her away.
"I'm thrilled for you, truly. Even if you have outshone me with the whole twins thing." Jaina said.
"It's not a competition Jaina." Leia reminded.
"So. Names. I always liked..Hariison." Jaina suggested.
"Since when?" Jacen queried.
"Since a boy named Hariison kissed me at my passing-out parade." Jaina grinned.
"You never told me that." Leia commented.
"Nor me." Han growled.
"It was only a kiss. He was the strong, silent type. So clearly not my type at all!" Jaina shrugged.
"We have a couple of ideas." Tilly confessed.
"About eight or nine actually." Jacen admitted. "We figured we'd know once they were born like you guys did with us."
"Do you have a birthing plan?" Leia queried.
"Could we leave the rest of the interrogation until tomorrow? It's been a long day of travelling and I'd really like for Tilly to get some rest." Jacen asked.
"Good job Mom and Dad conveniently located the guest bedrooms on the second floor then." Jaina teased.
"Oh my!" Leia exclaimed.
"It's fine. Really." Tilly insisted, rising slowly.
"You must have our room. It will only take me a few minutes to get it ready." Leia told her, rising also.
"No. Really. It's kind but I'm fine. I'm pregnant, not an invalid." Tilly said, Jacen at her side.
"I..I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply..." Leia began.
"I know you didn't, and I'm the one who's sorry." Tilly sighed, taking Jacen's hand. "Jacen's right, I really am tired. It's been a long day getting here and Anais has become very clingy."
"Probably unnerved by the...bump." Leia suggested, indicating Tilly's stomach. "Jacen was the same with Anakin."
With his hand at her back and one supporting her arm, Jacen guided Tilly up to their bedroom.
"I can't believe he didn't tell us." Leia whispered, sitting again.
"I can't believe he got her pregnant!" Han moaned.
"Han!" Leia chided.
"I can't believe he got her to go to bed with him!" Jaina mused.
"Jaina!" Leia admonised.
"Don't tell me it's not what you've been thinking too." Jaina accused.
"He's a handsome, attentive young man, why wouldn't Tilly want him?" Leia challenged.
"Because, emotionally speaking, he's high maintenance. Plus wanting someone and wanting to go to bed with them are two completely different things." Jaina replied. "Dad, you'll back me up on that one won't you?"
"He is emotionally high maintenance." Han agreed.
"I meant the bed thing." Jaina prompted. "I bet you've got a long list of people you'd spend the night with but not the rest of your life."
"Sure." He grinned, feeling his wife's eyes firmly resting on him. "I had a list. Once. Long, long time ago now. Burned it. Right down to ashes. Did that the day I met your Mom."
"I still say it was a miracle him getting laid." Jaina shrugged. "But as much as I'd like to debate this further, I'm going to go check on my babies." She grinned and chuckled to herself as she kissed her parents goodnight before making her own way upstairs.
"You shouldn't let her put her brother down like that, you know how sensitive he is." Leia's scowl deepened.
"He's not even here." Han argued.
"A little encouragement would go a long way." Leia pressed.
"So would a little compromise. I do my best with that kid Ley, but all I get is every kindness thrown back in my face." Han countered.
"For him to have not told us...I feel like we've failed him. Again." She shook her head.
"That's it. I'm done." Han said, pushing to his feet.
"Han?" Leia queried.
"You wanna go on wringing your hands, fine you go on ahead. But I'm done! We have supported that kid Ley, same as Jaina, since the day he was born but there comes a time when he's just got to stand on his own two feet. And this is that time." He told her.
"For the record, I'm not here for your support; not physical, financial or emotional." Jacen told them. They hadn't heard him come downstairs, nor had they realised he was standing in the wide archway between the hallway and living room. His peace spoken, he strode off out the front door.
"Oh Han!" Leia breathed.
"You go up, I'll go talk to him. It'll be okay, I'll fix it. I promise." Han told her, though Leia looked doubtful. With a kiss to her forehead, Han sent Leia up to bed while he considered just what it was he was going to say. He'd been blessed with the ability to blag his way out of most situations, but this one just kept coming back to haunt him.
Finally, if still unclear on his way forward, he followed his son out onto the porch where Jacen was sat on the top step, tossing gravel into the night.
"Now what did that pebble ever do to you, huh?" Han asked to break the ice as he sat beside his son.
"Figured I'd just do it a favour an' get it as far away from me as possible." Jacen answered.
"What I was saying to your Mom..." Han started.
"You were telling her what a pain in the ass I am." Jacen said.
"Those..weren't..my..exact..words." Han tried to clarify.
"You wanna know why I didn't tell you about the pregnancy?" Jacen asked. "Because you and Mom were going through so much already, I didn't want to add to your burden."
"There is nothing we could be going through that would stop us wanting to know that you, your sister and your little brother are all right." Han defended and lowered his voice. "And you must never let your Mom hear you say you think there is."
"Despite what you think of me Dad, I'm not an idiot." Jacen looked his father straight in the eye.
"I just meant, it would break her heart if she thought you'd kept this to yourself because of her...her history." Han confided. Jacen nodded his understanding and returned his gaze to the dark countryside. "So, now that's cleared up you wanna tell me about the cafe?" Han queried. Jacen straightened to look at his father again. "Or was that something else you didn't feel you could burden us with?"
"Burden you with?" Jacen asked.
"I know it's under new management, so don't try spinning me a line about closing for refurbishment or anything." Han pointed out.
"Jaina!" Jacen realised.
"If you lost the cafe then you also lost your home and since I know for a fact that Poe and Riva are still living in your old apartment, I think I have a right to know where you, my grand-daughter and the girl pregnant with my grand-babies have been staying for the past I don't know how long." Han tried without success to growl.
Jacen's face broke into an ironic smile. "I didn't lose the cafe Dad, I sold it. For a profit too."
"Sold it...I don't understand, I thought you loved that place." Han frowned.
"I did, I mean, I do. But Tilly and me are gonna need some time after the twins are born and day care on Coruscant would bankrupt us. So, we talked about it and we decided to sell the cafe and invest in something somewhere less expensive to live." Jacen explained.
Han's lips twitched, whatever question he was forming dying on his lips.
"That's why we're here Dad. That's why we've got a pile of poodoo in the boot of our rental." The boy nudged his chin toward the 'speeder. "There's a place in town for sale and you made Terrendoc sound so idyllic we thought we'd come take a look. We'd like to make our home here, to raise our children here and to be close by for you an' Mom an' Jorj."
Han's mouth moved again.
"And before you bring it up, because I know it's on the tip of that tongue that seems to have gotten lodged to the roof of your mouth, about the whole 'wedding thing', you maybe missed it seeing as you were consumed by the size of Tilly's stomach, but she's wearing a love token round her neck. A love token I gave her the day before we found out she was pregnant, so it wasn't a kneejerk reaction to hearing the news before you think that either." Jacen continued with a broad smile. "And, just so you know, I plan on going down on one knee the day of your Anniversary with this."
Jacen fished in his pocket and pulled out an oval jewellers box, flipping the lid he slid his little finger into the gold band studded with diamonds. "There's seven. The number's supposed to be lucky." Jacen finished. "Do you think she'll like it?"
Han took the ring and examined it with a critical eye. "Where'd you get this?" He finally asked.
"Why? What's that matter with it?" Jacen asked, puzzlement threatened by annoyance.
"This is Alderaanian Gold. And those diamonds, they're likely as not made from the ashes of your ancestors." Han pointed out.
Jacen retrieved the ring and stared at it. "Mom's gonna freak!" He muttered.
"Nah! She'll love it! They both will." Han grinned and grabbed his son in a neck-lock and scuffed at his hair. "I'm real proud o' ya son!" He declared.
"Hey! You know how much this haircut cost?" Jacen pried himself free.
"You paid someone to do that to you?" Han laughed. "Hell, I get Leia to cut mine for free."
"Really? I'da thought it was Jorj." Jacen laughed.
"So, tell me about this place for sale." Han said, playfully shouldering his son's arm.
The couple chatted for some time before eventually retiring to their beds. Leia was still sitting up, waiting nervously when Han swaggered into their bedroom.
"You know something Ley?" Han queried, dragging his shirt over his head and tossing it into the recycling unit. "That kid is a diamond."
"Which one? Jacen?" Leia asked.
"Yeah." Han answered, exchanging pants for sleep pants and gliding into bed beside her.
"You've changed your tune." She noted.
"No. I re-evaluated my opinion based on new intel." He said, sliding down into the bed and patting his chest for her to snuggle against.
"This new intel being?" She questioned, flattening herself to him.
Han tilted her chin toward him, leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose. "Something you'll love almost as much as your Anniversary present." He boasted, letting them resettle. "Though not nearly as much as you love me."