Authors note: Sorry I didn't put
this up earlier. The entire story has been written for a long time. I've just
been lazy, and working on other things.
"Sure." Leia said.
"Hey, wai-" Han started,
but Leia, Luke, and Amidala had already left.
Outside the door Amidala, Luke, and
Leia broke out laughing. "Good one, mother dear." Leia said.
"Rule one, never ever let
anyone but yourself have the upper hand. Only drop that guard with family, but
don't let it go overboard either. Only really exercise that rule in, A.
diplomacy events, B. with Senators or council members, C. Husbands. Never
family or friends. Even with Senators, Council members and husbands relax it,
but don't let them manipulate you. Don't let any of the three think you can be
herded. Beyond that, use your judgment."
Leia found herself agreeing with her
mother. "Never let yourself be manipulated, i agree. Marriage should be
that of equals, neither should have the upper hand. History has proven, sadly,
that sometimes Husbands think their wives can be manipulated so it becomes
necessary for the wives to show they can have the upper hand."
"Exactly!" Amidala said.
"Yeah, I understand too."
Luke said, speaking up, "That is one reason when I get married I want it
to be to someone I REALLY love and who understands me, and who I
understand."
Amidala gave her son
a wide smile. "You are going to go far."
That meant a lot to Luke, hearing it from his mother's mouth.
"Thanks." Luke said softly.
"You are very welcome."
Amidala sighed; she could see that her son was still hurting. "Son, what
happened on Bespin, really wasn't your fault." Amidala said, taking her
son in her arms "2nd point, people really do love you. You aren't
'tolerated' you are LOVED."
Leia wheeled on her brother.
"She is right, I LOVE YOU. Han loves you, and I know at least 10 others
who love you."
Luke trembled in his mom's arms.
Leia sighed, she put her arms around her brother. "LOVE YOU." She
insisted, in a very childish voice.
Luke laughed.
"LOVE YOU DOUBLE." He answered, in the same type of voice.
Amidala broke out laughing, soon to be joined by Luke and Leia. They all kept
in each others' arms taking comfort from the connection.
"Come on, let's go." Amidala said, gently nudging her kids.
They all went to the dress shop arm
in arm.
Amidala gasped at the sight of one
of the dresses. "Leia, try that one on." She said, gesturing to a
dress that was modeled by a mannequin.
Leia went and tried it on. "It
is actually very nice, mom, you have a nice eye for these things." Leia
said, twirling.
"Seconded!" Luke said,
astonished that a dress could look so great.
"Will I be able to knock his
socks off in it." Leia asked, genuinely worried.
"Permanently!" Luke
answered.
"Good." Leia said.
She bought the dress. "Shoes
next, speaking of which, Leia, you can borrow my pearl and Sapphire necklace,
so you have something from a loved one, your dress is new, and the necklace is
blue."
"Good planning." Luke
said.
"Cousin-to-be, don't you need
to get an outfit as well." Stephaine asked.
"Yeah, but I need to wait until
Luke gets back. I have no sense in what'd be appropriate."
Rogue laughed. "At least you
care what is appropriate." She teases.
Han laughed, though it really was at
his expense.
Leia came back a little while later.
"Have fun." Stephaine asked, she wasn't really upset they'd gone
shopping without her. She realized the depth with which Leia and Luke needed to
be close with each other and their mom. She couldn't begin to imagine herself
in Leia's shoes. Besides, she had already bonded with Leia, she'd had more
time.
"Yes, I found the PERFECT
dress." Leia said.
"Can I see?" Reeci asked,
jumping up and down.
"Sure. Just a sec." Leia
said.
She checked her schedule and found
she had some more free time. "We blocked the entire day." Rogue said,
realizing what Leia was looking at.
Leia shot her aunt a grateful look
and went back to model the outfit. "Wow, it looks beyond gorgeous."
Stephaine said.
"You look like a fairy tale
Queen." Reeci said, and at Reeci's age that was the best compliment that
could be given.
"Thanks."
"She's my sister. She looks good in anything." Luke called from the doorway.
"Oh yes, my overprotective
older brother." Leia shot back.
"Cool it." Han said,
"Luke, you need to go shopping with me, i need a marriage outfit as
well."
"Go, Luke, while you guys were
getting the bridal outfit we finished a lot of the work, and we can get more
done while you are getting the groom's outfit."
Luke went with Han after giving his
sister a huge hug. "Let's see." Luke said, his eyes half closed in
concentration, "You want your outfit to symbolize what you are willing to
give to Alderaan, which is a lot, and what you aren't, which is your complete
freedom. You want it to symbolize that you love Leia more than your life,
right?"
Han stared at him. "Yes."
Luke walked around the store for 15
minutes. "Got it." He said, gesturing Han over.
Just the feeling Han got when
looking at the outfit told him Luke was right. He tried it on, he needed a size
bigger, but in the same outfit. It fit. "We'll take it." He told the
droid.
They went home.
When they went back they found everything ready. "Wow, did I forget the
wedding date, it IS tomorrow, right?" Han asked.
"Yes, it is tomorrow, but we
like to be ready early." Leia
said.
"So, what happened with your
smuggler buddy?" Luke asked.
"He just asked for confirmation that
I really am marrying you. When I said yes, he shook his head in disgust, told
me I was making a mistake, and left." Han said.
Amidala was fuming, how dare someone say that about someone
marrying her daughter. "Who was that guy? His life breath time is limited."
"Mom, calm down." Leia said, quietly. "It is all right. I
understand."
"Baby, you have just found
happiness, and someone has the nerve to try to tell the cause of the happiness
to leave?" Amidala asked, "This a mother's heart can't take."
"Aww." Reeci said, "That is sweet,
but you know, Leia has a point. He didn't leave." Reeci said, pointing at Han,
"So why are we thinking about it."
"Princess, or should I saw Queen, no
matter what anyone says, I will be here by your side." Han said, quietly,
taking Leia in his arms.
"AWWWWWWWW." Everyone in the room,
save Leia and Han chorused, teasing the couple.
"Just a day's wait." Alizabeth said.
The next day came quickly. "Oh
I am so nervous." Leia said to Stephaine, Saty, Alizabeth, and Luke.
"You love him, right?"
Stephaine asked.
"More then my
own life." Leia nodded.
"Then there is nothing to worry
about. Besides, you got a great family right here to back you up." Luke
said quietly.
Leia gave them a big
smile. Then Luke went to Han's 'end' to let Leia get ready and to get ready
himself.
He found Han also in hysterics.
"Oh mi gosh, I am marrying a queen."
"Han, relax, she is just Leia.
And you are marrying the woman you love, who happens to be a queen." Luke
advised.
"You are right." Han said
with a deeep breath, "I am just marrying the woman I love."
"Has he been like this all night."
Luke asked Chewbacca, who had been standing quietly by Han's bed.
Chewie growl-barked an affirmative.