Jedi Princess Jainakin- Thanks! I'm glad you've enjoyed it so far.

InsaneJediGirl- Hehe! I love leaving you hanging.

chimpo- Thanks for reading!

GavinDarklighter- Thanks for reading and reviewing. I'm glad you have been enjoying my story.

Chapter 29

Jaina took a few deep calming breaths before reaching her hand out to knock solidly on her parent's front door. She had been gone for several weeks; spending time getting to know her new family.

The seconds that passed before the door opened felt like hours. Jaina wasn't sure how her mother would respond to the two visitors she had brought along with her.

As the front door swung open, Jaina was greeted by her mother's smiling, surprised face. "You're back! Honey, we've missed you."

A pair of strong arms wrapped around Jaina, and she felt her own move to clasp her mother's back. "I've missed you too Mom."

The two broke apart, and Leia's eyes roamed over the two other women who stood in her doorway. One was an older woman with graying hair, and the other was a young blonde several years older than Jaina. A small but rather confused smile crossed her face as she questioned, "Who is this?"

Jaina reached out and took the two women's hands. She gently pulled them forward and said, "Mother, I have some people I would like you to meet. Can we go inside first, though?"

Leia's cheeks flushed pink from embarrassment, but she stepped out of the doorway. "Of course. Come in." She lead the way down the hall and into the living room where she beckoned towards the couch. "Have a seat."

All four women settled down into the chairs before anyone spoke. Several moments passed before anyone said a word. Glancing from her mother to her cousins, Jaina leaned forward in her seat in anticipation.

As they had planned, Ryoo spoke up first, "I know that this is going to sound very strange, but Jaina felt that we should meet. My name is Ryoo Daltame, and this is my daughter Layne."

"It's nice to meet you," Leia said, but it came out as more of a question than a statement.

Ryoo shifted her gaze towards Jaina for encouragement and she received a small smile in return. "I'm…we're you're family."

Leia blinked once, but her smile never faltered. "Excuse me?"

"Please excuse my rudeness," Ryoo said with a blush. "I should probably start at the beginning. Your daughter came to my home several days ago with some rather interesting information. Are you the daughter of Padme Amidala?"

Leia looked over at Jaina with a look of confusion. "I do not know who my mother was."

"My aunt was a beautiful woman; strong and caring. She was one of the greatest queens Naboo has ever had. Unfortunately she died very young while she was nine months pregnant. Or so it appeared. Your daughter seems to believe that my aunt Padme had her children before she died, but that a group of Jedi were forced to hide them away from their father." Ryoo paused here and looked into Leia's eyes for the first time. "Jaina believes you are Padme's daughter. And now that I can see you for myself, I think so too. You have her unmatched beauty, as does your daughter."

"I'm sorry, but are you trying to tell me that you knew my mother?" Leia questioned hesitantly.

"Yes, I knew her, although she was taken away from us much to early. Your mother was a lovely woman, Leia."

Coolly, Leia stood up from her seat at the couch. "Madame, you have no idea how many times I have been approached by people who supposedly have known my mother. From all across the galaxy, I have heard every tale. I am afraid that after the first few years I grew tired of the search and no longer see people who only intend to bring me more pain. Maybe you should speak to my brother about this."

"Mother," Jaina began, but she was silenced by Leia's icy glare.

"Excuse me," spoke up Layne, who had been silent up until this point. "I don't mean to interrupt, but I wish to assure you that my mother has no intention of bringing you any more sorrow. We would not have come all of this way to meet you if we did not believe that you really are Padme's daughter." A small tear slipped down the young woman's face. "We have only a small family left. All we want to know is if you might be part of it."

Leia sat back down beside her daughter as she listened to the girl speak. Maybe she had been too hard on them. "I am sorry. I should not have said those things to you."

"It is alright," Ryoo said. "May I ask you something?"

Leia nodded shortly.

"Did you ever know your father?"

Stiffening immediately at the words, Leia asked carefully, "What do you mean?"

"He was a great man. I only met him once as a child, but I could see how much he loved my aunt. She spoke of him often, and I was very sorry to learn that Anakin would not be coming to her funeral. He was her Jedi protector, you know. Maybe that was why he couldn't go. He felt like he had failed her."

Leia had practically stopped breathing. These people were her family! Neither she nor Luke had ever released to the public the identity of her father, but this woman knew! Her face broke into a large grin and she scooped the two women into her arms. She was home.

The day was one of tearful introductions and loving embraces. The entire family was grateful for having found one another after so many years of searching and finally giving up hope.

The sight of her mother and Uncle Luke being practically giddy with joy brought a small smile to Jaina's face. The two were assaulting Ryoo and Layne with questions, and Jaina was sure that she had never seen either one of them this excited before in her life.

Rubbing her hand across her now slightly swollen belly, Jaina thought about her own family. The baby would be here in just a few months now and she still hadn't gathered up the courage to tell Jag. It doesn't matter, Jaina thought to herself. He'll never forgive me. Might as well accept the fact that I will be raising this child alone now before it becomes any harder.

Leia felt her daughter's sudden depression through the Force, as well as saw it on her face. After giving Layne's hand a small squeeze, Leia rose from her seat and walked towards Jaina. "How are you feeling?"

"A little nauseous," Jaina replied guardedly. "How about you?"

"The same," Leia said as she too began to stroke her belly. "My morning sickness isn't as bad anymore, but I've started feeling a little bit ill in the evenings now." She watched the family reunion that was currently going on in her home. "I can't believe that you found them, Jaina."

"They were here all along. Just waiting for us, I think. Too bad Jacen isn't here for this."

"Or Jag," Leia said tentatively.

Jaina visibly stiffened at her mother's comment. "I don't know about him."

"Jaina, what happened between you two?"

She didn't answer for a long time. After a while, Jaina tore her eyes away from her uncle and long lost cousins to look at her mother. "Mom, I made a mistake."

Please, please, please review! It's what keeps me going!