CHAPTER EIGHT
Nine months later
Planet Earth
Han Solo stood outside the delivery room pacing the floor. He felt even more nervous as if it was his own wife in there, giving birth. He couldn't believe his ears when he got the call from Luke last month begging Han to come and be part of the birth of his twins. He couldn't help but be touched that Luke wanted him to be a part of this.
Han glanced up at the clock. By what he could tell it's been fifteen hours so far and still no sign of the babies. He buried his head in his hands and is about to drift to sleep when a gentle hand touched his shoulder.
"Mr. Solo?" A nurse with blond hair, brown eyes, and a kind smile stood before him. "You are with the Skywalker party aren't you?"
Han nodded. "Everything ok?"
"Oh yes. You may go in and see them now," The nurse took him to the delivery room.
Han's eyes widened at the sight before him. Luke stood tall above his wife, cradling a tiny bundle wrapped in a blue blanket, and Mara, looking at her worse cradled another bundle wrapped in a pink blanket.
"Twins," Han shook his head. "Should have known."
"Luke knew the whole time," Mara smiled up at her husband, love shone in her eyes.
"Ben Kenobi and Amidala Padme' Skywalker," Luke smiled. "They are so perfect."
Han smiled sadly. "It's too bad that Leia can't be part of this."
Luke nodded, also sad. "It is. Maybe someday we can come back home."
"Don't count on it kid. Leia is still out for Mara's blood, even after all this time. She's convinced that Jade here kidnapped you and is holding you against your will."
Luke shook his head. "Until things change and she drops this vendetta against Mara…we will never return."
Han nodded in understanding. "I'll tell her that when I see her."
"Are you still at the apartment?"
Han nodded. "I just can't get that trust started again Luke. Everytime I'm around her, I feel as if she's probing me."
"Picture," The nurse smiled, at the new parents as they hold their children. Luke and Mara just smiled as the flash goes off.
"Talk about primitive," Han shook his head.
"Shhh. They have no clue that they're not up to date. To them, this is their latest technology."
"Yeah we wouldn't want to bruise their ego," Mara smiled. "Talk about ego, how strong in the force do you think they are?"
"Almost as strong as my father," Luke looked at Ben and Amidala. "Hopefully we can help them avoid his fate."
"Or the emperor's," Mara sighed.
"How about Ani Han? How is he?"
"He misses his Uncle Luke terribly. So do the others. They wonder why Uncle Luke can't come home yet."
Luke bowed his head feeling terrible. "Tell them that they're in my heart and thoughts every night."
"I will," Han nodded. "Well let me leave you four alone. I'm starved and I'm going down and get some of what they call food on this backwater planet."
*
Six months later
Planet Earth
Han and Luke stoodd outside the Millenium Falcon, which was stationed out in the middle of the woods, next to the ex-wing, hidden by the trees and different plant life.
"Take care Han. And give Leia another chance. It's been over a year now…maybe she's learnt her lesson."
Han shrugged. "Maybe. I don't know. Listen you take care of your wife and children and keep me up to date ok?"
"Of course," Luke agreed. "Here. Give Leia this picture of the twins. She has the right to know that she's a aunt now."
Han nodded. "Keep in touch Luke."
"I will," Luke hugged his brother in law and watches him disappear into the Falcon. He waved as the ship took off and disappeared into the atmosphere. "May the force be with you."
*
Leia waited outside what used to be Luke's apartment. Her husband had been gone for months now. This was one of the times when she wandered over to the apartment wondering if this will be the day he returned, perhaps with her brother in tow. But each time she left in disappointment and it looked as if this would be no different. She turned to leave just to run straight into Han.
"Waiting for me?" He asked, his eyebrow arched in curiosity.
"Just wondering if you'd return. Where have you been all this time? Have you seen Luke?" Leia asked eagerly.
"Why don't you just probe my mind and find out that way," Han unlocked the apartment and entered.
"That's not fair Han! I was worried about my brother and you weren't giving me any clues, knowing that I knew when you were hiding something!"
"So that gives you the right to just barge in on my thoughts?" Han glared at his wife.
"Yes! Yes it does!"
Han threw his arms up in the air in irritation. "There's no getting through to you!"
"You're the one who refuses to come home, not me. The children miss their father Han! This latest trick, disappearing for months on end! It really hurt them. It's bad enough they lose their Uncle, they lose their father as well!"
"They didn't lose me and they haven't lost their Uncle either! Luke just needed to go somewhere where he can have his own life without you trying to destroy it!"
"Me destroy his life? How about Mara! She kidnaps him and who knows what she's done to him already no thanks to you!"
Han laughed. "Number one, she didn't kidnap Luke. He went with her of his own free will. Number two, your dear brother told me to give this to you. Here's your proof of Mara's handiwork sort of speak." Han handed her the picture of the twins.
Leia didn't look at the picture she stood there and glared at Han. "You went to see Luke and you didn't bring him home? How could you? Where are they Han?"
"Just look at the picture and be thankful Luke's giving you that much after all you've done," Han turned his back to his wife.
Leia gasped in shock. "These babies…"
"Meet your niece and nephew Leia. Ben Kenobi and Amidala Padme' Skywalker. Beautiful aren't they?"
"Are they…?"
"Almost stronger in the force than their grandfather according to Luke. I spent the last six months with them. Delightful children. A lot of Luke and Mara in both of them."
"It's so unfair. I'm his sister but I'm banned from the birth of his children, yet you got to be there."
"That's only because he trusts me Leia. He said that if you ever drop this vendetta against Mara, they would come back, but until then they stay where they are."
Leia sadly nodded. "Luke doesn't get it Han. It's not just me that want's Mara executed. It's the whole council. Believe me, if it was just only me I would have dropped the charges when I saw how it upset Luke. But I can't because the whole council wants her head."
"And the kidnapping charges?"
"Those I can drop because that was my decision alone. But…as far as the older charges…there's nothing I can do."
"Well then Mara and Luke remain where they are then. I'm sorry Leia, but there's no other way for them. Mara and those kids are Luke's family now. He won't jeopardize them just because he misses his sister."
"At least tell me where they are. I won't tell the council."
"I'm sorry Leia. I just can't do that. Listen; tell the kids that they're in their Uncle's thoughts every night…especially Anakin. He wants them to know that he still loves them very much."
Tears ran down her face as she nodded in understanding. "I'll tell them that. Good bye Han."
"Leia," He nodded, watching her leave the apartment. Silent tears of his own appear. He indeed missed his wife. But he didn't trust her. Heck for all he knew she probed his mind and was on her way to Earth right now. Only time could tell.