Chapter 20

When Han was finished with his story Ty, Gerry, and Helena all looked at Han and Leia in shock. They never knew what a crazy romance those two had.

"So here you are," Helena said finally with a gentle smile. "So, are the two of you planning on having any kids?"

"Yes," Leia said with a glance at Han. She was about to say more when Ty interrupted.

"Yeah, they are! She's already pregnant!"

"Really?" Helena asked Ty before turning to the couple standing before them. "Is that true, Senator Organa Solo?"

"Yes, I am pregnant. We're going to have a baby."

Helena thought this through; she was amazed to see that she was one of the first people in the galaxy to hear about Senator Organa Solo's pregnancy.

Gerry joined in the conversation after no one had said anything for a while and asked, "So, how did you guys meet up with Ty?"

"Well, we were walking back from the hospital to our hotel room when we saw Ty on the side of the street begging for help, and we knew that we wanted to help him find a home. Han is thinking about opening up an adoption agency on New Alderaan, so we can find homes for other children like Ty."

"Oh, really? That would be wonderful. New Alderaan is really in need of a place for adoption. It would've been helpful for us," said Gerry.

"So, do you think that you two will be able to help us adopt Ty? How can we adopt him if no agency will help us out?" asked Helena.

"Well, I think that I can pull some strings for you. I'm sure the Senate will help us out, especially if they know that we are going to form an adoption agency on New Alderaan. The Senate is most interested in human-welfare issues, since they were completely ignored in the days of the Empire," Leia responded.

"Well, I hope it all works out for everyone. Just wondering, though, how're we all going to get back to New Alderaan? Are we leaving now, or tomorrow, or what? And who's bringing Ty?" Han asked, trying to get all his questions out into the open before he was interrupted by the enthusiastic bunch.

"Would you mind if we took Ty back with us? We were going to stay for a week, but this is worth going back for. We can leave tomorrow, if that's all okay with you guys," Gerry said.

"That sounds good. We were planning on leaving tomorrow as well, and just spending the rest of our vacation back home. Do you live near the capital?" asked Leia.

"We live about 15 kilometers away from the Senate building. Not too far away. Can we meet you there as soon as we get back?" inquired Helena.

"Sure. So I guess we'll see you in about a week or so, then. We should probably trade comlink frequencies, huh?" stated Han.

The four adults traded comlink frequencies and other vital information as Ty watched them all with interest. As soon as they were finished, Gerry and Helena hugged the Solos in pure gratitude. When the new friends disengaged from their hugs Han and Leia turned to Ty, and the three were suddenly overcome with emotion.

Ty hugged Leia first, the woman who had been like a mother to him the past couple of days. She held him close, feeling suddenly upset that another couple would be adopting him. He had a beautiful heart.

"Now, Ty, you have to promise me that you'll come and visit us and the baby. If he's anything like his father we'll need all the help we can get."

"I promise, Leia. And thank you for everything that you've done for me."

Leia hugged him again, and then let her husband take over.

"Hey, Kid, we'll definitely miss you a lot. And you'd better listen to Leia and make your new parents take you over to visit us. You can meet Luke and Chewie and all of our friends, too. And I still have your toys from Corellia Land, so if you don't come see us you won't get them back," Han joked, trying to alleviate the tension with humor.

"Don't worry Mr. General. I mean, Han," Ty teased, much to the surprise of the ex-smuggler. The kid was catching on quick. "I'll visit all the time, if they'll let me."

He glanced in the direction of his prospective adoptive parents and saw them nod in response.

"Good," Han said simply, and enfolded the boy in a bear hug. He would miss him, but he knew that Ty belonged with the Bengleys. Ty clutched him tightly, and the two former ragged street beggars exchanged emotions in the only way that they could both completely understand. They shared a bond, a friendship, in a way that only two people who have been through the same terrible experiences can. When they separated the despair was palpable, but only temporary. Both knew that this was not a final parting.

As Ty and the Bengleys started walking toward their hotel Ty walked backward, waving all the way. He didn't want to turn his back on Han and Leia. He didn't stop waving until the two people who had completely turned his life around were out of sight.