Chapter 38
The next morning (after desperately trying to keep Security from killing Luke and fighting off hoards of crazy people wanting to see the threesome up close) the three of them headed for the medical ward. Han had checked in early that morning (as none of them had slept at all) to make sure that Leia would be able to get in, and they had said that there would be no problem. Han suspected that, like at the medical center on Corellia, this was partially due to Leia's position as Senator - but he was not complaining. Anything that eliminated pointless paperwork and long waiting lists was fine with him.
The droid at the front desk took Leia's name, and the group sat in the waiting area. Several worn-out chairs were placed randomly throughout the room, and each one had a table beside them that held numerous outdated holo-mags. A few of the holo-mags had pictures of Han and Leia on the front page. They were from a month or two ago, and were about Leia's pregnancy and Han's reasons for threatening the reporters. It seemed like such a long time ago now.
As if the visitors needed more entertainment, a sound system played soft music that attempted to recreate popular tunes, but instead grated on the nerves. Leia wondered why they didn't just play the songs in their original form. After listening to the "music" for what seemed to be the longest amount of time a human could bear, the droid called their name. The three stood up, with Han looking noticeably frazzled.
Luke chuckled at his brother-in-law's appearance and nervousness. He knew a side to Han that few others did, and he felt privileged. He knew no one else who was as dedicated to his friends and family as Han, and he doubted any of the reporters or politicians (besides Leia) on New Alderaan had the slightest idea of this. Most people naïvely judged Han based on his past or outward appearance alone, and he believed that to be a shame. Han was the best friend he could have.
The nurse tried to keep Luke from entering Leia's room, claiming that only the mother and father could go in, but Han and Leia were adamant that he should be allowed to go in. The nurse looked miffed, but he gave in and let Luke stay, undoubtedly afraid of what would happen if he crossed a Jedi Knight. He told Leia to sit down on the bunk, performing a few necessary tests, and a few minutes later the doctor came in. The doctor was a female human of about fifty standard years, with short brown hair, gray eyes, and a kind smile.
"Leia Organa Solo - is that correct?" the woman asked with a slight grin, apparently very well aware of whom she was talking to.
"Yes," Leia replied.
"Well, Ms. Organa Solo, it says here that you are approximately 3 months pregnant, is this correct?"
"Yes," Leia repeated.
"And you are here to find out the sex of your child, correct?"
"Yes."
"Perfect. My name is Doctor Gharen, and if you have any questions at all you may go ahead and ask. We can start now, if there are no objections."
"None from me," Leia said. "Do you have any objections, you two?"
Han gulped, but shook his head; Luke followed suit.
"Okay, let's start. I am going to roll this indicator along your belly, and your baby will appear at this screen to your left. Would you please lift your shirt?"
Leia followed the doctor's orders, lifting her shirt slightly to expose her belly. Doctor Gharen took the indicator and slowly rubbed it around the womb area, and almost immediately the screen displayed a tiny figure. Leia, Han and Luke gasped, amazed at the image before their eyes. The baby obviously was not very developed and barely bore resemblance to what it would undoubtedly look like at full term, but to the three of them the child was the most beautiful sight they had ever seen. They were still fixated on the screen when the doctor proclaimed, "Congratulations! You are going to have a boy!"
Han turned, trance broken by the doctor's words.
"Wha-what did you say?" he stuttered.
"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Solo; you are going to have a boy!"
"A b-boy?" Han repeated, shocked.
Leia reached for Han's hand, a smile appearing on her face that looked unlike any he had ever seen. This one somehow looked more complete. It was an infectious smile, and Han soon found his shock and sense of unreality disappearing. A full grin appeared on his face, and he moved closer to her, kissing her and taking her hand. Luke moved closer as well, grinning like the farm boy he had once been.
"I'm going to have a nephew!" he exclaimed, breaking the silence.
"Yeah, you are," Han said, playfully slapping his brother-in-law and best friend on the back before turning his emotional gaze back to his wife. "And we're gonna have a son."
