The Solo twins had long ago fallen asleep on each other in the waiting room of the medcenter. Slumped in on each other and sharing a chair that was much too big for them, they snored away. For the first time since their father's capture, they were blissfully unaware of the worry and tension that settled around their family.

Chewbacca the Wookiee found Han Solo a few days ago, but the twins' father had been in a bacta tank ever since being returned to Coruscant.

In the seats across from the twins, Jaina and Jacen's younger brother Anakin sat in his mother's lap, his blue eyes rimmed with red. At five, he barely understood what was going on, but his connection to his mother fed him pain, worry, and grief that were too much for a youngster to comprehend. His tears were the tears Leia wanted to continue crying, but forced herself to hold back for the sake of those around her.

Han is safe. He is going to be fine, she repeated to herself over and over, rocking Anakin in time with her repetitive thoughts.

Being a boy not prone to words, Anakin said little and instinctively sent comfort to his mother. But he was confused. Uncle Chewie had brought his father back! So why couldn't he see him?

Suddenly, Jaina sat bolt upright, her brown eyes widening as she shook the sleep away from her mind. His resting place gone, Jacen's head dropped to the arm rest, the jolt awakening him with a start.

Jaya He sent naturally through their bond, not noticing the confused looks his mom and brother were giving the pair.

It's Dad! Jaina sent back. He's awake!

Like Anakin was more empathetic to Leia's thoughts and emotions, Jaina shared a unique bond with their father. Jacen was equally close to both of his parents.

"What's wrong, Jaina?" Leia asked, setting Anakin to his feet and coming over to sit next to the seven year old girl, running a maternal hand over her sleep-sodden face and smoothing her ruffled hair.

"Nothing," Jaina smiled, "Dad's okay!"

Anakin smiled as he felt his mother's relief wash over them both. Leia kissed each of the twins on the cheek with a smile and then reached out to brush Han's mind, a presence she could easily sense and recognize after all of these years. Her search confirmed Jaina's excited exclamation and immediately afterward, a young Bothan doctor pushed open the old-fashioned swinging doors to confirm it again.

"Madame President?" he started.

The twins hurried to their feet, burrowing their hands in the sides of their mother's skirts and sharing a smile. Leia lifted Anakin onto her hip and kissed the top of his head.

"Yes, Doctor?"

"Your husband has been taken out of the bacta tank and is asking for his children. He has fully recovered, but should take it easy for the next few days."

Jaina giggled; her daddy never 'took it easy.'

"I said I wanted to see my family!" a familiar voice bellowed as the doors swung open again. "I didn't mean in a few minutes; I meant now!"

"Dad!" all three Solo children cried at once, the twins disentangling themselves from their mother and burying their faces in their father's midsection as they embraced him.

Leia smiled and fought off her happy tears. He did look recovered; the scars were still a little visible, but faint, and there were still dark circles under his eyes, but the fire had returned to his hazel orbs.

"Look at you rascals!" he beamed, pushing the hair out of their faces so he could study the features he thought he might never see again. "Have you two grown?"

"Just me, Dad," Jaina grinned. "Jacen's one centimeter shorter."

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

Han chuckled and quelled their bickering. It was good to see not too many things changed while he was away.

"Okay, okay, you two." He leaned down and pulled each one in for an individual hug, kissing each cheek. "I missed you guys."

The twins shared one of the looks that meant they were sharing a private conversation.

"Hey, care to share with your old man?"

They smiled at each other and squeezed him again together.

"Talking about how much we love you, Dad," Jacen answered into his father's neck.

Han blinked away his tears. "Okay, okay, you lovable troublemakers. Let me go see your mom and brother."

They let go and followed behind him as he went to his wife and younger son, never letting him more than half a meter away from them.

Smiling like she had the night after Endor, Leia transferred Anakin to his father's arms with a knowing smile at Han.

"Hey buddy," Han grinned widely, surveying his son's tear-stained face. "Did you miss me?"

Anakin nodded vehemently, burying his face in Han's shoulder and flinging his arms around his neck.

"Hey there. Did you take care of your mom for me? That's your job, y'know."

Anakin pulled back and smiled, meeting his dad's eyes, hazel and blue coming to a new understanding. Anakin had always communicated more with his eyes than his mouth.

"I tried, Daddy," he answered honestly.

"Then you did good," Han laughed, tickling Anakin lightly so he let out a loud laugh and shook his dark head. "Do any good puzzles while I was gone?"

"Oh yeah," Anakin nodded excitedly, fishing in his small pockets. "Look. Winter gave me this one. This goes here. And this red thing goes here. It took me a whole hour to get this one!"

Han's eyes widened in surprise at his five-year-old prodigy. The holo-puzzle looked like it would've taken the father days.

"Stop gettin' so smart!" Han objected teasingly, embracing the boy again and then setting him on the ground to join his siblings.

"Hey Princess," he then grinned cockily at his wife. "Was he lying? Did he take good care of you or did he spend all his time on those puzzles of his?"

"Nerf-herder," Leia tried in vain to suppress a grin as Han swept her off of her feet and spun her around. She didn't know where he was getting this strength; the bacta must have really worked.

"What a wonderful homecoming!" he teased as he set her down again, "I get back and I'm insulted. Does that sound fair, kids?"

"Nuh-huh," the twins shook their heads. Anakin agreed and joined their giggles.

"Well, you were the one who disappeared on us," Leia mock-admonished, keeping the tone light.

He put on his best 'Who? Me?' face. "It's not my fault!"

"It's never your fault," she assured him, pulling his head down for a passionate "welcome home" kiss.

Wisely, the kids withheld their "eww"s, but still made faces their parents couldn't see.

When they broke apart, Han leaned his forehead against hers.

"I almost lost you," she whispered, the emotion stinging her eyes again.

"No such luck, sweetheart. You guys are stuck with me," he responded, pulling her against him so she rested her head on his chest. He kissed the top of her head and said softly in her ear, "I love you and I'm okay now."

"I know," Leia sniffled, recomposing herself and hugging him closer. "Can we go home now?"