Chapter 54

The next day Leia decided to speak with Mon Mothma about the subject of her leaving her Senatorial position. She did not believe that the Alliance leader would let her leave easily, but she hoped that she would understand at the very least. Once she spotted the President she increased her pace (as much as a six-month-pregnant woman could), and came up behind her, gently tapping her on the shoulder. The leader turned around quickly, momentary fear dissolving as she saw the face of her "assailant."

"Oh, Leia! You scared me," Mon Mothma breathed.

"I'm sorry," Leia said politely, "but I have to talk to you about something."

"Of course, but I only have a minute. There is a lot of work to do now, especially with the Ithorian Ambassadors coming tomorrow. It's good that you're here now – I don't know what I would do without you."

Leia swallowed nervously, quite aware that it would be difficult to make a decent argument for her quitting her position after Mon Mothma made that statement. She overcame her apprehension, however, and spoke in an authoritative, unyielding manner that Han had dubbed her "princess voice."

"Mon, I am sure that you are quite aware of the fact that I am pregnant," Leia began.

"Yes, I am certainly aware of that," she agreed, glancing at her protruding abdomen.

"And because of that I am going to have to change my priorities. I have thought about this subject for a long time, and I know that my job is important and that I want to continue serving the Alliance. I also know that I cannot in good conscience keep serving as a senator, as this would keep me away from my baby."

Leia was interrupted from speaking further by a mortified Mon Mothma. "Leia – we can't lose you! You are one of the most important figures in the Alliance. I was under the impression that you would take over as President some day."

"I understand that I am important to the Alliance. You did not let me finish what I was saying, though," Leia stated. "Like you said, I am an Alliance figurehead. I do not like the idea, but I can't go around changing the way that people think about me. Taking that into consideration, I would be much more useful to the Alliance as an ambassador. I am recognizable, and planets would understand that it is important to us that they join the Alliance."

"So you would like to leave the Senate and become an ambassador?" the President asked.

"Yes, very much so," Leia said, softening her tone. "I'll keep working as I have been until the baby is born, but after that I want to devote as much time as possible to my son. As an ambassador I would be going on peaceful missions, and I could take my family with me. Han could also pilot, which is something that he has been missing very much."

"Leia, though I wish that you would stay here and eventually become President, I respect your choice. I consider you my friend, and I am glad that you are going to do what you feel is right."

"Thank you, Mon. Your consent is very important to me."

"You're welcome, Leia. Now I believe that I am going to have to make you work extra hard in these next three months, pregnant or not," she teased.

"I can always pretend to faint," Leia returned. "People are always extra nervous around pregnant women. They think we're going to fall apart at any moment. I'd be rushed to Medical, and I could get a few hours off."

"I'll keep that trick in mind. Well, we'd better get started with our work. I believe that we have wasted too much time already," she said, and then looked upon Leia seriously. "Do not feel as if I am condemning your choice. You really will make a wonderful ambassador, Leia."

"Thank you."