This fic takes place after Rebirth, two months after Ben is born. Not much else you need to know. Enjoy!

Rebirth

A very content infant slept in Leia's arms. She stroked Ben's cheek lovingly, remembering how Anakin always had the exact same expression on his face as he slept. Come to think of it, Han does too.

Leia lay Ben back in his crib, her smile spreading a little farther. Less than two hours earlier, Mara and Luke had reluctantly left Ben in her and Han's hands. With Ben being only three months old, it was the first time they had let Ben out of their sights since birth. Leia was more than happy to take care of the infant, especially if Han would be there. Perhaps it would give her a brief break from the war against the Yuuzhan-Vong, and a chance to bask in memories of her own children.

Han stood in the doorway, watching his wife lay Ben down. An almost suffocating force hit him as he remembered seeing Leia hold the twins for the first time, back at the height of another war, another time. He clutched the door frame for a moment before stepping forward and sliding his arms around her waist. He still couldn?t believe that he had been so blind, that he had nearly lost this wonderful creature, the creator of such happy memories.

"He's so handsome," Leia murmured, linking her fingers through Han's.

"Who me, or the kid?" Han asked, humor dancing behind his grin and laughing hazel eyes. She offered a sardonic smile and punched him lightly on the jaw.

"Ow!" he howled quietly, "when'd you get so strong?"

"At about the same time that I started jumping into garbage chutes," she smirked.

Ben cooed and stirred in his sleep, his eyes sleepily cracking open. "Hey cutie," Leia breathed in chirpy voice. A voice Han remembered from the days when he was still knee-deep in diapers, and most recently, the one Mara had adapted. Ben offered only a sleepy cry in response.

***

Han lay dozing on the nerf hide couch in the living room, the late afternoon Coruscant sun staining his shirt orange. He'd forgotten how exhausting babies could be, though not nearly as bad as twins. He smiled slightly, remembering when he was still a newlywed.

Han tucked Jaina back into bed for the third time that night. Her and Jacen were beginning to teeth, and they were both waking several times a night. He smiled unconsciously at the silence and padded down the hall. Laying next to Leia, welcome warmth enveloping him, he snuggled close and inhaled the intoxicating scent of her hair. Her hand found his beneath the light blanket.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I know," Leia answered and offered a chuckle. Han grinned, kissed her neck gently and rubbed one silk draped leg. "And I love you too."

They kissed slowly. "Gods..." Han sighed against her cheek, "I could never leave you..." He paused, then offered a cocky grin. "Who'd keep me out of trouble?"

Leia grabbed his face and kissed him roughly, hungrily. Coincidentally, she announced her pregnancy with Anakin five weeks later.

A warm hand found his and a moment later, a familiar body snuggled close to his, bringing him back to reality.

"Ben's finally asleep," Leia whispered.

"It's days like these that make me wonder why I ever wanted kids...then I remember I've made three wonderful children with the woman I love more than anything else in this galaxy, and I realize that every one of those sleepless nights was worth it." Beside him, Leia smiled gently.

***

Han cradled the tiny infant in his arms. Ben slept soundly, like Leia who was still curled up on the living room couch. Han smiled as he marveled at how amazing it was to hold such a young soul, unmarked by the harsh realities of the worlds they lived in. He trailed one calloused finger down Ben's smooth cheek and realized the last baby he'd held was Anakin, 15 years ago.

Leia's thin arm slid around his waist. "Hi," she whispered, "did Ben wake up? I didn't hear him."

"No," Han whispered back, "he didn't wake up, but if he does, don't worry." He paused and smiled to himself. "I'm not going anywhere."