Author's note-veni vidi vici. I got this one out faster. And hopefully the next will be fast too. I fear that though I enjoyed writing this chapter immensely, some of you won't enjoy reading it that much, this is pure star wars. I needed to put this for the complete view point. I will pick up the pace a bit, don't worry and I will get back to the main plot. This story does have a set plot and these minor deviations shouldn't take away from that. If they do, please tell me.
Back on Yavin 4. "Happy Birthday, Princess." Han said, giving Leia a kiss.
"Thanks Han." Leia said.
"I love you."
"Love you too." Han said.
The galactic senate had declared a recess for 3 months, and it had been pure luck or, as Luke had said, it was the force. The entire family was together at Yavin 4 for The Twins' birthday.
The Holo reporters had had a field day with Jaina's disappearance, and Luke had struck a deal with them, they would leave the family alone to celebrate a family birthday, after they had a big public bash.
Luke and Leia had set the public bash for midday meal time so they could enjoy the rest of the day as a family.
"Ready for the bash." Luke asked Leia at the morning meal.
She rolled her eyes. "No. I really am not in the partying mood, at least not the kind the public bash will entail."
Luke gave Leia a hug. "At least it will be short-."
"-and we will get it done soon." Leia finished. "I know, I know."
"Where is Han?" Leia asked, worriedly. "I know he is up. Why isn't he eating? We are on a tight schedule. We will be late otherwise."
"Relax, it takes Han much less time then it takes you to get ready." Luke said. "Finish eating, then go get ready. I will wait for Han."
Leia finished eating quickly then ran upstairs to get ready. As if on cue Han came in right as she left. "Drat it, I missed her worship."
Luke laughed. "She just left, and it is nice to see you too, Han."
Han rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
Luke and Han had a very interesting conversation about nothing serious. Jaina's disappearance was resting heavily on both men's mind, but they both knew there was nothing they could do about it right then. Luke could tell through the force that she was happy wherever she was and they had to be content with that.
"We'd better get ready." Luke said, 45 minutes later.
"Nah, I am going to hang out for awhile longer."
Luke shrugged. "Leia will yell at you, not me. I will grab Jacen and Anakin."
Luke ran up, grabbing a protesting Jacen and Anakin and pulling them upstairs.
10 minutes later as they were getting ready (with Luke having to force dress clothes on Jacen and Anakin) they heard shouts and screams from downstairs. It was Leia, yelling at Han. "This is why I brought you up here even though your father was still downstairs." Luke informed them.
They nodded mutely. They finished dressing it took them much less time then they had originally thought. Luke left Jacen and Anakin to their own devices and went down to the Great Hall. They had decorated the Great Hall the night before, so there was really no work left to be done in it, just a few minutes of touch up work. He just wanted to see the effect of the Hall before the guests got there.
Luke went in and saw that Leia was also there. "You look awesome, Leia."
"You don't think it is too childish?" Leia asked, self consciously.
Luke accounted it to not knowing anything about fashion, but he didn't see how the outfit Leia was wearing could ever be considered childish. "I don't think so."
Leia smoothed her dress, and in habit reached over to smooth another dress. But she smoothed air and when she realized what she had done she turned away. Luke winced. A minute later he put his hand on Leia's shoulder. He turned her towards him and held her tightly, protectively. He tried to ward all pain and suffering away from her.
"Drat it, my eye shades, and cheek coloring are all gone." Leia said, a few minutes later, but she made no move.
"Leia, you look MARVELOUS." Han said whistling.
Leia laughed. "Han Solo don't lie to me, my face is a mess right now."
"I am not lying. Han Solo never lies."
Leia laughed and Luke rolled his eyes.
"Madam who gave me a really loud and humiliating lecture about why I should stick to the schedule, look at you."
"Sorry, dear sir." Leia said. "I am humbled and now, I run, to a tryst with destiny." She said, quoting a famous Alderaanian play.
Leia ran upstairs.
"What happened, kid." Han said, turning to Luke.
"Take a guess." Luke said grimly.
"Oh." Han said, knowing not what else he could say.
Leia came down a few minutes later with Jacen and Anakin. "Now remember, you need to behave. The holo reporters are going to be trying to incite you, but don't let them. They will twist anything they can. They just want good headlines. Don't give them anything. Maybe you can try and think of this as a Jedi test."
"Yes ma'am." They said, giving her a proper military salute.
She laughed and gave them each a kiss on the head.
The guests arrived promptly. And as Leia had expected the holo reporters tried to insinuate her, Han, Jacen, Luke, and Anakin. But they didn't give the reporters the reaction they wanted. Leia was proud of her family. The ending ceremony of the public bash was Luke and Leia securing together another Floral circle with a beautiful candle on their picture in the great hall (The picture usually hung in Leia+Han's, because that was the official 'Skywalker-Solo meeting place." apartment, they were going to take it carefully back with them.) to symbolize their living essence being around for another year, they already had one for every year they knew each other on there. (Before they had met each other they had hung them on separate ones, and The Twins had decided not to combine them.)
Then started the real fun. Luke and Leia weren't really sure what was planned. They knew that Han, and Jacen and Jaina had planned something but it was supposed to be a surprise. "Now, Princess and Master Jedi." Han said, smiling mischievously once they got to Han and Leia's quarters. "Get changed."
"Uh oh." Luke said. "Leia, is it just me or is it time to get nervous."
"Time to get nervous." Leia said.
"Come on." Han said, looking hurt. "If you don't trust me, at least remember that Jasa and Ani planned this with me. It is a good plan, right kids?"
"Yes." Jacen and Anakin said, nodding.
"It should be good then." Leia said. "Come on Luke."
But both Luke and Leia looked dubiously over their shoulder as they walked away.
They found that someone had laid outfits out for them. They put them on and met everyone downstairs.
A beautiful evening awaited them, filled with only family, and later they were joined by close friends.
Truly a birthday to remember.