Luke could fix moisture vaporators with his eyes closed, bullseye womp rats in his T-16, and even hit a thermal exhaust port to blow up the Death Star, but for the life of him he couldn't figure out how to properly put on a fancy dress suit. He let out a sigh of defeat, letting his arms fall back to their sides after what felt like the hundredth failed attempt.
A chuckle sounded from somewhere beyond his line of sight. "Need a hand there, kid?" He turned to find Han standing there, leaned up against the doorway, with a teasing grin tugging at his lips. Luke rolled his eyes at him. Despite being the best man, Han had opted out of wearing a formal suit, much to Leia's disapproval. Instead he had gone for a slightly more well kept version of his usual clothes.
"Do you even know how to put on a suit?" Luke asked.
Han nodded as he pushed himself away from the door and crossed over towards him. "Just because I don't like them, doesn't mean I've never worn one."
It was hard for him to imagine someone like Han wearing a fancy suit. Then again, he supposed it was possible he might have worn one in order to sneak into a high class party to smuggle something. Either way, he let his friend take over from him, watching as his surprisingly nimble fingers fastened each button and folded correctly.
"I'm sure her worship will be able to help you out of it come the honeymoon." Han winked at him as he finished and took a step back.
Luke's cheeks flushed at the comment, but otherwise he brushed it off as he turned to look himself over in the mirror. He still looked like himself, and yet at the same time he had clearly changed. There were a few key features like the tan of his skin from long hours spent working out under the heat of the twin suns, as well as the long, sun-kissed blonde hair, that stood as a testament of his origin, but he wasn't quite so scrawny anymore, having developed more of a healthy body weight. His facial features had lost almost all of the softness of youth.
If Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru had still been alive, they would have said he looked like a man. As much as it hurt to think about them, he still found some comfort in thinking that they would have been proud of him. Maybe not for going with Old Ben to try and become a Jedi like his father, but for everything else he had achieved. There he was, twenty-years-old, a pilot for the rebellion, soon to be a husband and father. At the very least he knew Aunt Beru would be proud. Unlike his uncle, she always hoped he would go off and follow his dreams. She always knew he was meant for more than that of a farmer's life.
"How are you feeling?" Han asked. "You ain't getting cold feet, are you?"
Luke shook his head. "Not a chance."
"Good." As much as Han and Leia didn't get along, he knew that neither of them truly hated each other. Han cared about her in his own way too. There might have been a time when Luke feared he might try to steal her for himself, but he knew better now. Han had made it clear that he wouldn't get in their way.
"Thanks for being here." Luke knew that Han would have to leave eventually. He still had to pay back his debts to Jabba the Hutt. Still, Luke hoped that he'd come back when that was done. The Rebellion would miss having a good pilot like him. And he would miss having a good friend like him.
Han, who had never been one to be overly emotional or sappy, just waved it off. "We better get going," he said, as he started back towards the door. "Wouldn't want to keep her worship waiting."
Luke grinned as he followed after him. No, he definitely didn't want to do that.
The entire Rebellion had gathered for the ceremony in the base's grand hall, forming two groups on either side of the aisle. Luke stood before the altar at the very front of the room, doing his best to compose himself in the face of so many people. To his right stood Han, followed by Wedge, Chewie and Artoo, who had been appointed as groomsmen. Then there was Threepio, holding in his hands a small cushion with a pair of nearly identical gold rings.
It felt like just yesterday he was standing up on that podium alongside Han and Leia to receive his medal of service. And now he was standing there, waiting for the first glimpse of his bride to be. It felt almost too good to be true, like a dream he'd wake up from at any moment. He picked himself for extra measure, a wave of relief washing over him at the pinch of pain he felt. It wasn't a dream. It was all real.
A hush fell over the room soon after and the doors were flung open to reveal the procession behind. Luke's eyes flew at once to that of Leia. He couldn't help the small gasp that escaped his throat at the sight of her. She looked like an angel as she started down the aisle towards him. She was dressed in a gown of pure white lace, with a swooping neckline and long flowing sleeves. Her hair was mostly left hanging, with a single large braid wrapped around the top of her head and two smaller ones hanging from either side.
As she grew closer, he was able to see her face more clearly. Her skin was practically glowing, a small, bright smile tugging at her lips. Her chocolate brown eyes sparkled as they met his gaze. And then she was at his side, and it took every ounce of willpower not to take her in his arms right then and there. There would be more than enough time for that later.
No sooner were they standing side by side, then the officiant stepped forward to begin the ceremony. "Thank you all for joining us today, as we gather to celebrate the blessing of matrimony between these two people," the officiant began. "The love that Commander Skywalker and Princess Leia share is proof that even in a world that is consumed by darkness, there is still light to be found."
Leia reached out to take his hand in hers, giving it a meaningful squeeze, as if to affirm the officiant's words. That he was the light to her darkness. He squeezed her hand back to show that he returned the sentiment. If he was her light, then she was his.
The officiant went on to speak more about the sacredness of life and the bond that all living beings shared in the force. Out of the corner of his eyes, Luke caught sight of Han rolling his eyes, not even trying to suppress the yawn he let out. No doubt he was tired of listening to him ramble on. He never had been one to believe in the force. Leia clearly noticed this too, as she shot him a warning glare.
The officiant turned to face him. "Do you, Luke, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love and comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, in times of sorrow and joy, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"
Luke nodded his head resolutely. "I do."
The officiant then turned to face Leia. "And do you, Leia, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love and comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, in times of sorrow and joy, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Leia nodded with equal resolution.
Threepio stepped forward then to present the rings. A blessing was said over the rings before they both took turns sliding them onto each other's finger.
"Then by the will of the force, I now pronounce you husband and wife." The officiant clasped his hands together in finality. "You may kiss the bride."
Luke didn't need to be told twice, as he reached out to take Leia by the waist and pulled her into him, claiming her lips in a passionate kiss. All at once the hall erupted with the sounds of thunderous applause. Artoo let out a series of overly excited beeps. Chewie roared loudly. Even Han couldn't help the smile that tugged at his face. Happiness truly was infectious.
There was a short reception dinner to follow, where they were served fresh fruit and cuts of meat, the best that the Rebellion had been able to find on such short notice. Some of the staff members, who also happened to have come from Alderaan, pitched together to bake them a wedding cake. Luke was in awe of the creation, never in all his life having seen such an extravagant looking cake. It was a three-layered, vanilla cake with white buttercream frosting and decorated with what he'd been told were Alderaanian roses. Leia looked as though she were doing her best not to cry, clearly appreciating the thought behind it.
After everyone was finished eating, they got up for the dance that followed. And Luke couldn't help but get a bit nervous at that. He had never been much of a dancer to begin with, but with Leia's guidance, he managed to make it through the steps with relative ease.
"So, if you're a princess, does that now make me a prince?" Luke asked as they swayed slowly in place to the music, Leia's head resting on his shoulder.
"Sorry to disappoint you, flyboy." Leia giggled. "You're only a prince in my eyes."
Luke smirked at that. "That's more than good enough for me."
Eventually the reception as a whole came to an end, and everyone followed the newly weds off to the hangar where a ship was ready and waiting to take them to their honeymoon destination. It had been difficult to arrange, what with the ongoing war, not to mention the empire's presence on almost every habitable planet, but Luke had managed to find a lesser known system in the outer rim.
There was an tropical island on the planet, mostly uninhabited save for the local wildlife, and best of all, no imperial presence. It would be just the two of them there for a whole week. Well, the two of them and Artoo, who insisted on coming along as an extra precaution. Luke thought it was unnecessary, but didn't argue the point. He'd never say no to having Artoo around.
Waving goodbye, Luke and Leia boarded the ship. Luke sat down at the captain's seat and took hold of the controls, and after flicking a few switches and pushing buttons, they were off zooming through hyperspace.