- Prologue -

He was perfect. Every inch of him. As her neighbour - the closest thing she had to a midwife, in fact not a midwife at all, just another young mother - placed the tiny boy in her arms, Jaina couldn't hold her tears back any longer. It had seemed so much work - carrying him, labouring to bring him planetside. But now it seemed like nothing at all. Because in her arms rested the most perfect child that had ever lived. She was sure of it.

"Do you have a name for him?" Leela asked, checking the baby over as best she could without disturbing their first moment together. He was crying loudly, his colour was good, and he was already trying to find something to suck on, so she didn't bother taking him from his mother just yet.

"Han," Jaina said softly. "It was my brother's name."

"It's a strong name," she nodded. "Let me wrap him up, then he'll want to eat," she said, gently taking the baby from Jaina.

"Where's Jo?" She asked, shifting a little on the bed and looking around for her husband.

Leela carefully wiped the baby clean and wrapped him in a blanket, handing him back to his mother. "He's waiting outside. He couldn't handle watching," she said. "I'll get him."

Jaina cradled the baby to her chest, quickly settling him at her breast as Jonash stepped into the room. "It's a boy," she told him. "A son."

Jonash sat on the edge of the bed and peered at the baby. "A son," he repeated, reaching out and touching his cheek.

"You can hold him in a minute. He's eating," she said, rubbing the baby's back. "His name is Han."

Jonash nodded and gave her a rare smile. "He's very small."

"He's a good size," Leela said, starting to help Jaina clean up and get a little more comfortable. "I'm sure he didn't feel small a few minutes ago," she said to her.

Jaina shrugged. "He's everything I've ever wanted."

Hours later, when night had settled over the city and Jonash had kicked Jaina and the baby out of the bedroom so he could sleep, the young mother paced the living room while her tiny son cried. She'd fed him, changed him, given him a sponge bath, taken him next-door to ask Leela if he was sick or hurt, and fed him again, and he remained inconsolable.

"Let's get some fresh air," she said softly, wrapping an extra blanket around him and carefully carrying him up to the rooftop. The freezing ground bit at her feet, but the cool night air was soothing on her face. She knew she wouldn't be able to stay for long, she ached all over and her legs were shaky and weak.

She cradled the baby in her arms and sang softly, a song she vaguely remembered her own mother singing. He settled quickly, his little hands grasping at her own. He blinked serenely, staring at the sky. "Do you see the stars, sweet boy?" she whispered, following his gaze skywards. "One day you'll fly away from here, Han. I promise."

She believed it, and so did he.