Motives

Chapter 37

Three Months Later, New Alderaan

Han exited the lift and walked down the hallway toward Leia's apartment. He had just arrived in his official capacity as President of Corellia to attend the Grand Opening Ceremony of New Alderaan's Capitol City: Appenza, named after Alderaan's iconic snow capped mountain range.

Leia was now living in Windrider Towers, an elegant hotel at its street level and for the first few floors with long-term living on the higher levels and penthouse suites. This meant that Han was staying in Leia's building and navigating between their residences would be a simple ride on the communal lift.

Stopping in front of her door, Han ignored the electronic calling system and opted instead to rap his knuckles against its traditional wood. He was rewarded with an immediate, aggressive and familiar barking.

"Open up, Dancer," Han called, jokingly. "It's me."

The door was opened and Han was greeted by Eliza as she held Dancer back by the collar. "Hi, Dad," she said, moving back and letting Han in.

Han entered and looked around. It was his first time in this apartment, but he wasn't looking at the decor.

"She's not here," Eliza said, raising up on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.

Han scratched Dancer behind the ears as he followed Eliza deeper into the apartment. He hadn't told Leia that he would be arriving a day early, he had wanted to surprise her.

"She's still at work," Eliza continued. "Last minute scrambling for tomorrow's ceremony," she said, walking into the kitchen. "Want something to drink?"

"No, thank you," he replied, taking a seat at the bar on the other side of the counter from the kitchen area. "And what's this? Don't you think I'm here to see you, too?"

Eliza rolled her eyes as she opened a bottled drink and took a sip. "I'm not a child, Dad," she replied, sounding very much like a child. "I know you want to see me, but I also know who you miss more."

At about that time, Dancer reared up and placed his paws on Han's lap. "That's right," Han replied, "you know I miss you the most, don't you?"

Eliza took another sip of her drink and eyed Han over the bottle. "Did you get the ring?" She asked when she was done.

Han had asked Eliza to get Leia's ring size for him a few months ago. "Yes," he replied, guardedly. "Thank you."

Eliza had been overly excited about the prospect of her father proposing to Princess Leia, asking him about it every time they spoke. Han didn't want any added pressure to his very personal decision and he didn't think his daughter appreciated the complexity of all that went along with a formal commitment between him and Leia.

"So?" She pressed. "Why do you make me ask?"

"Because I'm hoping that you won't," he groused and then stood and walked over to the window. Proposing marriage to Princess Leia was something that he had worried about and pondered over for longer than he cared to admit. "I want it to be about us," he explained, verbalizing his desires for the first time. There had always been this concern that it would be more about sacrifices, title and precedents than it would be about their absolute love for one another. "Not for the press or the people. Just...she and I."

"That sounds really nice and all," Eliza replied, walking into the living room. "But when is that ever gonna happen?"

"We're getting closer," He replied, turning to look at her. "I can take some vacation time."

"Pfft."

That was the only reply he got from his daughter before she plopped down on the sofa and turned on the holo. He turned and looked out the window again. Appenza looked small from where he stood. Everywhere in the distance, for as far as Han could see, was untouched, undeveloped land. The future of New Alderaan. Whether Leia was made queen or not, she would be busy for a lifetime here.

He turned back to look at Eliza. "Which one is her office building again?"

Leia hadn't been in her office. The receptionist indicated that she had left at least three quarters of a timepart ago. Plenty of time for her to have made it back to her apartment when Han had been there.

He thumbed his communicator and buzzed Eliza.

"Yeah?"

Han shook his head. Leia had been bragging about how much Eliza had matured during her time here, but he definitely didn't see it. "Is Leia back there?"

"Nope," she replied. "She's not at the office?"

"No," Han said, looking around.

"Try the square," she suggested. "She might be checking out the setup or the sound system or something."

"Yeah, okay," Han said. "Thanks."

"Anytime. Orakzai, out."

"Solo, out," Han replied. Eliza's signoff reminded him of something else he had been wanting to do. But he shelved that thought for later.

Ryell Square, New Alderaan

The small capitol square was brimming with activity. Stages were being erected, lights hung and sound system checks interrupted the upbeat music coming from the bandstand. Han walked around at a leisurely pace, certain that he would run into Leia eventually and grateful to be able to stretch his legs after the trip over from Corellia. Stanton hadn't made the trip with him, but he was closely followed by his security detail, as was the usual.

He hadn't wanted to comm Leia, preferring instead to see the look of surprise once she discovered that he was there. Walking around a large fountain, he watched as a construction crew lowered a large statue into its center with the help of a small crane. Han's love for his ship didn't stop there, he had always been fascinated by all sorts of machinery and working parts. He enjoyed watching the relationship between beings and machinery at work.

After the statue had been gently set down and the crane was being moved away, Han turned to start walking in the opposite direction from whence he had come and then froze in his tracks. He had caught sight of Leia. Even though her diminutive stature made her hard to spot in crowds, he had recognized the crown of braids and the familiar curves of her face in profile. He also recognized who she happened to be with.