Chapter 25
One week later…
Han and Leia were asleep in their bed when someone knocked loudly on their apartment's door. Han sat up groggily, running a hand through his hair as he stood up. He glanced over at Leia, but she was still sleeping, exhausted from both her day at the Senate and her pregnancy.
Han grabbed his trusty blaster just in case the person outside wasn't friendly, and slowly made his way toward the door. He looked up at the screen above the door to see who it was, and barely restrained a loud whoop of excitement when he saw who was there.
"Chewie! Lando! What're you guys doin' here?" he asked in excitement as he slid open the door.
"Well, I was just taking a break from the toy business to come visit the newlyweds, and I found old Chewbacca here in the hangar bay. I guess we both had the same idea," said Lando with a toothy smile.
Chewie growled in affirmation and swept Han into a bone-crushing Wookiee hug.
"Hey buddy, I kind of like my bones the way they are!" Han berated good-naturedly as he gently pushed his oldest friend away from him.
How are you doing, my friend?" Chewie asked.
"Never better, Chewie. We've got some exciting stuff to tell you. Do you want me to go wake up Leia?"
"She's already awake," came the reply from the doorway of the bedroom.
Leia looked disheveled, with her long brown hair in a mass of tangles and shallow rings under her eyes, but she was still beautiful.
"Well, hello beautiful princess," Lando said as he dipped down into a bow and kissed her hand softly. "It's an honor to have you grace us with your presence so early in the morning."
"Likewise," Leia said groggily. "Why are you guys here? I tried comming you, but I couldn't get through."
"I didn't even know that you called. I just wanted to see how you and Mr. Respectable were doing here on New Alderaan."
"Well, we're doing wonderfully. Are you sure that's the only reason you came? You're not having troubles with the…toy business?" she asked with a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"No, no, business is great. Is stopping by for a friendly visit a crime these days?"
"When you're Lando Calrissian, yes. Well, it's at least highly suspicious."
"I should be offended, but my affable personality forbids it," Lando said, grinning.
Leia decided to ignore him and turned to Chewbacca. She smiled broadly when she saw the enormous, furry Wookiee, and enveloped him in a huge hug.
"We've missed you, Chewie. Did Malla and Lumpy come to visit, too?"
Chewie nodded, and was about to make a comment when he realized that something was different about Leia.
You smell different, little princess. Is there something you need to tell us?
"Well, yes. Han and I have an announcement to make," she paused as she went over to her husband's side and entwined her fingers with his. Finally, she could make the announcement! "We're going to have a baby."
Chewbacca roared in excitement as he went over to the happy couple and grabbed them both in a congratulatory hug. He ruffled Han's hair and gently (for a Wookiee) slapped him on the back.
Lando just stared at them, dumbstruck. He had never imagined his old smuggler friend as a father. The idea would have been completely inconceivable had he not known how much Han loved his wife. He supposed that he would get used to the idea in time; right now he had to congratulate the two parents-to-be.
"Well, congratulations, you two. It's gonna be interesting seeing Han as a dad."
"Yes, it will," Leia replied as she looked up at Han.
Chewie growled his agreement.
"Hey! It's not that strange," he said, and was met with silence. "Well, maybe it is, but what about Leia? Won't it be strange that she'll be a mother?"
"No, not really, it's just you," Lando said.
Chewie cocked his head to the side, thinking, and then nodded.
"Okay, okay, I get it - Leia's the respectable one. Anyway, it'll be fun being a dad. I can teach the kid how to repair the Falcon, we can go to smashball games…"
"And change diapers, and wake up in the middle of the night…" Lando added.
Han groaned. "Don't remind me. But I guess all that stuff will be all right, since the rest of the time we'll have fun, ya know what I mean?"
"Yeah. You know what, Han old buddy? I think you're shaping up to be a good father already."
"Thanks, pal. You don't know how much that means to me."
