After her husband left the apartment, Leia turned her attention toward her unwanted guest. "What is it that you really want from us?"
"Go play with the twins, Nana," Jessa ordered her daughter, waiting until the young girl was gone before replying to Leia. "I want exactly what I told Han. I want my daughter to be publicly acknowledged by her father."
"Publicly? As in a holo-shill conference, with all the added benefits of a circus-type atmosphere?"
Jessa frowned. "Nothing of the sort. Just a simple, formal, written statement will do just fine."
"Then what?" Leia pushed, unwillingly to accept Jessa's statements as face-value. "Money?"
"That's the same thing Han asked, and I slapped him for suggesting it," Jessa responded.
"I wouldn't suggest trying that with me," Leia ground out. "I know how to defend myself."
"Ladies," Luke finally inserted, becoming concerned at the tone of the conversation. "Let's not make threats."
"I don't believe this is any of your concern, Luke," the Princess snapped. She glared at Jessa, and noticed she was staring at Luke with a strange expression on her face. "I'm not stupid, Miss Vandangante. If that was all you'd wanted, you could have stayed home and allowed Han to tell me this wonderful bit of news alone. You have another agenda, and it doesn't take my Jedi instincts to tell me this, either."
"I'll give you credit for being sharp." Jessa gave Leia a cool smile. "None of this has to be made public at all, if I get exactly what I want."
"Which is, what?"
Jessa's smile left her face. "I want a husband."
"Sorry," Leia shot back. "Han's already taken."
"It didn't appear to me you were thrilled to have him back," Jessa said with a laugh. "But don't worry, I'm not interested in stealing Solo from you."
"Then what are you babbling about?"
Jessa's gaze shifted back toward Luke. "My daughter needs a good role-model for a father. What could better than a noble Jedi?"
"ME?" Luke stuttered out in shock, his eyes growing wide at this unexpected turn of events. "I don't even know you, much less love you!"
"So? We'll learn to love each other," Jessa replied, unconcerned. "It'll be like those royal arranged marriages." She smiled coyly at Leia. "You almost ended up in one of those, right? What was his name? Prince Isolator? Idolater?"
Leia shook her head. "Nana already knows who her real father is."
"Yes, that's very unfortunate. It's also apparent she can keep a secret. Believe me when I say it will never come out who her biological father happens to be if Jedi Skywalker agrees to marry me."
Luke rubbed his temples. "We all need to take a step back, and think about what we're saying. Why don't I escort you to a hotel, and tomorrow we can start over with a clear head."
Jessa's smile grew wide, and she quickly took Luke's arm. "That's a great idea, Luke." She called over her shoulder, "Nana! Come on… we're going to be spending the night at the fanciest hotel on Coruscant, courtesy of the Solos."
The young girl ran back into the living area. "Does it have a swimming pool?"
"I'm sure it does, honey." Jessa pulled Luke closer, and gave him a kiss on his cheek. "Luke promised to take good care of us, didn't you Luke?"
"Sure," Luke said morosely, looking at his stunned sister for help. Leia gave a helpless shrug, and Luke added, "Whatever you want, I guess."
"That's what I want to hear," Jessa said as Luke escorted her out of Leia's apartment. "It's amazing what love-at-first-sight does for a person's outlook on life, isn't it?"
When the door shut, Threepio finally spoke. "Mistress Leia? May I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"My audio circuits seem to be malfunctioning. Is Master Luke expected to enter a marriage contract with this, err, lady?"
"It appears that's what she wants," Leia replied.
"I was under the impression that humans took on this particular commitment because of an emotion called 'love', which I freely admit I do not understand. Does Master Luke feel this emotion toward Miss Jessa?"
"No."
"Does Miss Jessa feel this emotion toward Master Luke?"
"I don't believe so."
"Then…" the droid trailed off, baffled. "I will never understand humans."
"Join the crowd."
Han didn't go to his ship, since it was still being stalked by holo-shills. Instead he headed to Chewie's apartment, although he dreaded facing his friend after the disaster with Leia. Taking a deep breath, Han rang the buzzer and quickly decided the best defense was a good offense.
As the door opened, Han pushed his way inside the room, refusing to look directly at his long-time partner. "What were you thinking? Salla? Salla? Salla's crazy, pal! You never, ever bring up the name of a crazy ex-girlfriend! It's obvious she's contacted the reporters, and now Leia's furious with me!"
[You don't think kidnapping your children had anything to do with her ire?]
"Well, maybe a little bit," Han conceded. "But if it wouldn't have gotten out that I'd left, then when I got home everything could've been smoothed over with a little kiss and an apology."
Chewie sighed. [Perhaps you're right. I should not have brought up Salla's name.] The holo-com gave a chime, and the Wookiee pressed the 'open channel' button.
Leia's face shimmered into view. "Is that no-account husband of mine over there?"
Chewie gave a toothy grin and waved Han over to the viewer to face his wife once again. "Hi, Sweetheart. Am I forgiven?"
"Are you kidding me? Do you know what that crazy girlfriend of yours wants?"
[What girlfriend? Salla?] Chewie inserted questioningly.
"Uh, no, not Salla," Han replied worriedly. "Jessa."
[You brought JESSA to Coruscant?] Chewie roared in disbelief.
"It's not like I had a choice," Han said defensively.
[What did she do, hold a blaster to your head?]
"Not a blaster. Just a kid of mine that I never knew about."
[AND YOU THOUGHT A KISS AND AN APOLOGY WOULD SMOOTH THAT OVER?]
"Quit yellin'," Han complained, holding his hands to his ears. Looking back at a still-furious Leia, he asked, "I suppose she lied to me, and she wants a ton of credits?"
"No, something much, much more valuable than money," Leia hissed out. "She wants a husband!"
"Uh, really? Did you tell her I'm still married to you and I ain't available?" Han asked, then added hopefully, "I'm not available, am I?"
"She doesn't want you, you egomaniac," Leia said. "She wants Luke to become her husband!"
"Luke? Instead of me? Why?"
Leia threw her hands up in exasperation. "I have no idea. Maybe she's not interested in Corellian idiots at this point in her life."
"Hey!"
"Get home, Solo. This instant!"
The holo image disappeared, leaving Han staring at a blank screen. "Luke, huh? Imagine that." He scratched his head in confusion. "I guess Salla doesn't qualify as the craziest ex-girlfriend I've ever had anymore." He looked up at Chewie. "Will you come with me? I might need your protection."
[You can go home alone.]
"What about your life debt to me?"
[Forget it. Leia's got a lightsaber.]
"That's true," Han said. "Which reminds me… I gotta wonder if Jessa has any idea what she's going to be up against."
[The Princess won't threaten Jessa with her lightsaber.]
"I'm thinking about Mara's lightsaber, pal."
"If you think about it," Han tried to explain to his irritated wife as he paced around their large blue and mauve colored bedroom, "this is all really much more Luke's fault than it's mine. If you think about it."
"I'm thinking," Leia said, arching her eyebrow. She crossed her arms and drummed her fingers on her elbows. "And I'm failing to understand how you can blame Luke for your lapse of judgment, either now or a decade ago."
"I'm not blaming him for Nana," Han said, shaking his head. "But try to see my viewpoint, Princess. If your brother had kept his nose out of our business – that business being the raising of our children – I would never have assumed the worse and grabbed them and taken off. And if I wouldn't have taken off, I wouldn't have needed somewhere to go. And since I did need to go somewhere, I had to think of someone that might consider helping me take care of the kids for a little while."
"So, naturally, you immediately think of all your charming former girlfriends."
"Jessa used to be normal," Han argued. "I don't know what happened to her."
"Couldn't possibly be anything you did."
"Me?" Han pointed at his chest, and gave his best innocent expression. "Nah."
Leia sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Even considering that fact she's your ex, it's still hard to understand her reasoning. She doesn't know Luke one bit. How does the fact he's a Jedi instantly qualify him as a good father?"
"Luke seems to think exactly that; he has the Force, and therefore we should concede to his superior wisdom when it comes to raising our children." Han sat next to Leia as he considered the possible motives behind Jessa's insane demand. "Maybe Jessa has decided since I'm not available and she can't have me, she'll take the next best thing – my brother-in-law."
"That way she can be close to you?" Leia questioned, trying not to laugh.
"Sure. Why not? I'm pretty irresistible to females of any species, ya know."
"I can resist you just fine," Leia stated. "In fact, you're going to spend the night in the guest room. Maybe the next hundred nights."
"A hundred?" Han asked, appalled at the idea. "Do I at least get one good-night kiss before being banished?"
"No." Leia tilted her chin up, and put a firm expression on her face.
"Please?" Han begged, placing his face closer and hoping she didn't slug him. He held his thumb and forefinger up, holding them close together. "Just a itty bitty little kissy?"
Leia gave a little giggle, unable to stop herself. "Oh, alright. One kiss. That's all."
Grinning madly, Han pressed his lips to Leia's, and immediately could feel her resistance melting as he deepened the kiss. Then her arms slid around his neck, and pulled him down into the soft pillows.
Han never did leave to spend the night in the guest room.
The next morning
It was Luke's turn to pace the Solos' living room floor. "Marriage? What makes her think I want to marry a woman I don't know?"
"Han thinks it's a ploy so she can stay close to him," Leia said with a straight face. She glanced over at Han, who was looking rather self-satisfied with himself. After last night's performance, she couldn't blame him. It was almost enough to forgive him for bringing home an ex-girlfriend and a long-lost off-spring. Almost.
"That makes no sense," Luke argued. "If Nana is really Han's child, then just remaining on Coruscant would be reason enough to keep her close by."
"True," Leia said. Then turned to Han. "Did Jessa provide you any proof of paternity?"
"What do you mean, a blood test?" Han asked.
"Yes, a blood test," Leia said with strained patience. "Did it ever occur to you that she might be lying?"
"Why would she do that?" Han shook his head. "The timing is right, and Doc was plenty annoyed at me. Read me the riot act for never coming back after taking advantage of his baby girl. If he was faking it, he missed his calling as an actor."
"Something doesn't feel right about any of this," Luke pointed out.
"Well, personally, I think you owe it to me to marry Jessa," Han stated firmly.
Luke turned to stare incredulously at his brother-in-law. "I owe it to you? In what demented, twisted universe do you figure I owe it to you to marry your ex-girlfriend that you got pregnant and abandoned?"
"She really wasn't a girlfriend," Han argued. "Just sorta a fling. It's not like we ever professed our endless, undying love for each other. And you can't accuse me of abandoning her, either. I never knew she was pregnant, and right after that happened is when I got all mixed up with the Rebellion. And that was your fault, too, now that I think about it."
"What!?"
"You an' Kenobi hired me, and then made me feel too guilty to leave and pay off Jabba," Han said petulantly. "I might've gone back to do business in the Corporate Sector if I would've stayed a smuggler."
"That is true, Luke," Leia pointed out. "Between the two of us, we forced him into a completely different lifestyle than he was used to."
"So that means I should marry Jessa?" Luke questioned, annoyed.
"If you don't, then she'll make me tell the galaxy Nana's my kid, and you know what that'll do to Leia's political career?" Han pushed. He made a slashing motion under his chin. "Over. Just like that. If you don't want to help me out, you could at least consider your own sister."
"In either case, she's heading over to our apartment as we speak," Leia said. "So if you don't want to marry her, tell us now so we can start preparing for the fall-out."
"Are you trying to push me into this marriage, too?" Luke questioned Leia in horror.
Leia shrugged. "You're not getting any younger, Luke, and it's not like you have other prospects out there."
"LEIA!"
"Well, you don't, do you?" she asked. "Unless your relationship with Jade is more than you've let on."
"It's not. We're just friends," Luke stated, his own words sounding weak to his ears as the image of the fiery red-head filled his brain.
"Okay, then. I'm not saying you should get, um, physical with Jessa right away, but she might very well agree to a business arrangement, with you helping raise Nana, and letting her take your last name."
"Why should I agree to raise a child that's not mine?" Luke asked, staring pointedly at Han.
Han gave a wicked grin. "You wanted to raise my other three. What are you saying, Kid? That only children with the Force are worth your time and effort, and to Sith with the rest of 'em?"
"No, I never said that." The buzzer on the door sounded, and Luke jumped at the noise. "She's here."
"Yep," Han said, heading toward the door. "Make up your mind, Kid. Just remember, whatever you decide, everyone's fate hangs on your decision." He pressed the 'open' button, allowing Jessa to enter with her daughter.
"Hi, Jess. Good morning, Nana. Did you have a good breakfast?" Han questioned his guests.
"Sure did," Nana said happily. "Waffle-cakes with berry syrup."
Jessa's attention focused on Luke. "Hello again, Luke. Did you sleep well last night?"
"Not really," Luke muttered, feeling his face flush. "You didn't happen to think better of your request, did you?"
"Why would I do that?" Jessa asked. "In fact, after sleeping on it and waking up with a clear head, as you put it, I'm more convinced about my decision than ever."
"Great," Luke said.
"So what's your answer, Jedi Skywalker?" Jessa questioned intently. "Will you marry me?"
"I…" Luke looked over at Leia, who took Han's hand in her own. "I… guess I will."
Jessa let out a whoop, and clapped her hands. "Did you hear that, Nana? Luke is going to become your new daddy!"
"Wow, a real Jedi," Nana said, eyes wide. "Can you make me float around the room? I've heard Jedi can do that. That'd be wiz, since I've always wanted to fly."
Luke held up his hands. "Wait! We're going to have to discuss some details about this arrangement before announcing it to the galaxy, Jessa."
"Leia and me will take Nana to the zoo with our kids, and you can stay here with Jess and hammer out all those fine points," Han told his friend.
"You listen to Han and Leia," Jessa ordered her daughter. "I don't want to hear that you misbehaved at the zoo."
"I'll be good," the child promised, excited at the prospect of a day of fun.
"You have fun, too, Luke," Han said as Threepio ushered the twins into the room, and Leia headed to the nursery to gather up the baby.
In short order the Solo family, Threepio and Nana were gone, leaving Luke alone with his new fiancée. As Jessa sat down on the sofa, and smiled up expectantly at the young Jedi, all Luke could think was, What is Mara going to think about me now?
While Leia changed Anakin's diaper in the public restroom at the zoo, she watched Nana washing her hands. The girl did resemble her mother quite a bit, but as hard as Leia tried, she couldn't see any of Han's features in the young girl's face. I'm just having issues with this, Leia thought, I'm probably in denial, or I'm jealous.
"So, you're eleven, almost twelve years old? Leia asked, trying to start up a conversation. If this girl was going to be a part of her life from now on, she'd better try and make friends with her. Leia hoisted the baby off the table, and tossed the dirty diaper into the recycler.
"No," Nana replied, turning off the faucet. "I won't be eleven for a few months."
"Really?" Leia asked curiously. "When's your life date?"
"The Quad of 3653."
The Princess felt a strange tingle at the mention of that particular month and year. "The month and year Alderaan was destroyed?"
Nana held her hands under the auto dry and smiled. "I was born on that exact date, according to Mom. Strange, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is," Leia replied. "We should hurry. Han is waiting outside with the twins and Threepio. He might be going crazy by now."
Nana laughed and hurried out of the refresher into the sunshine, leaving Leia standing alone and wondering about the time-frame Han had been with Jessa in the Corporate Sector, compared to the date of Alderaan's destruction.
After a surprisingly short negotiation session at Leia's apartment, Jessa had headed back to her hotel so she could contact her father and step-mother to tell them the 'good news' as well as prepare for her nuptials.
Luke had walked in a daze back to his own place. Back home, he looked down at the flimsi in his hand and re-read the informal 'contract' he'd worked out with Jessa for their marriage. She would lay no claim now or in the future to his or any of his sister's or brother-in-law's credits or inheritance. She agreed to keep Nana's paternity a secret. She, and her daughter, would live in Luke's Coruscant apartment and take his last name, but she would have her own bedroom and would not expect physical intimacy. As his wife, she would expect them to attend all public functions together, and Luke would allow Nana to take his last name, as well as provide her with food, clothing, home, reasonable entertainment expenses and an education until her twenty-first life date.
And, to top things off, Jessa wanted this marriage to take place immediately, as soon as Nana got back from the zoo. When Luke asked her, "What's the rush?" Jessa had laughed, and said she didn't want to give him time to change his mind. Considering the circumstances, that probably wouldn't be very far-fetched.
I wonder if she expects me to buy her a ring, since that's the custom on a lot of systems, Luke mused. He rubbed his hand across his face, and shook his head, trying to wake up from this weird dream. Nope, I'm still sitting here, still holding this Force-cursed contract… and why did I agree to this, again?
The communication panel blinked, and Artoo let out a whistle to bring his distracted Master back to reality.
"Yeah, I see I've got a message," Luke muttered as he walked over to the comm unit. He pressed the 'on' button, and gave a startled jerk at the face shimmering into focus. "Mara! Where are you?"
"Don't sound so happy to hear from me, Skywalker," the red-head grumbled. "I'm on Coruscant."
"You are? I wasn't expecting you. Are you still with Lando?" Luke asked, trying to keep the jealousy out of his tone while knowing he wasn't being very successful.
"Yes, I'm still with Calrissian. He's got business on Coruscant, so that's why I'm here. I've got to admit I wasn't planning on contacting you," Mara said. "But, for some odd reason, I thought about you. Are you okay? Health-wise?"
"Um, yeah, sure."
Mara's green eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What's the matter?"
"Uhh, well, you see…" Luke said, grasping for an explanation. "I'm getting married."
The ex-assassin's expression altered from suspicion to disbelief. "Excuse me? There must be some static because I thought you said you were getting married."
"Nope, no static. You heard correctly." Luke took a deep breath and plunged forward. "You see, Han showed up with this lady named Jessa – she's an ex-girlfriend of Han's - and we… um, decided it would be a good idea to get married… for some reason."
Mara blinked, her face betraying shock despite her best efforts to remain neutral. "You're marrying one of Solo's ex-girlfriends?"
"Yes. Isn't that funny?" Luke asked, forcing a grin on his face. "Ha. Ha."
"How long have you known her?"
Luke glanced at the chrono on his wrist. "I'd say it's been a good standard day about now."
Mara rubbed her temples, trying to ward off a sudden migraine. "Have you been experimenting with spice?"
"Nope, I'm sober as a temple-vole."
"Apparently you have as many brains as one, too," Mara snapped out. "Is she the most beautiful female in the galaxy?"
Luke shrugged. "She's okay looking."
"Stacked to the point you can't see beyond them?"
Luke frowned in confusion. "Stacked? With what?"
"Never mind!" Mara yelled. "When are you getting married?"
"Today."
"TODAY!?"
"You're invited, if you want to come, that is. You can bring your boyfriend," Luke added sullenly as an afterthought. "Lando might even know her already. As a matter of fact, I'd be surprised if he didn't."
"Oh, I'll be there," Mara said tightly. "You can count on that, Farmboy."
The screen went dark, leaving Luke staring at the space where Mara's face had been moments earlier.
Leia had pulled Han away from the twins and Nana, leaving Threepio standing next to the children and pointing out endless facts about the habitat of endangered wingless grass-bats.
"The Quad of 3653?" Han repeated in confusion. "I don't understand."
"Nana said she was born on the exact day Alderaan was destroyed."
"That's a strange coincidence," Han agreed. "But it's hardly a world-shattering revelation. A lot of people were born on that day."
"Nerf-herder," Leia said, frustrated at how dense Han could be at times. "I'm wondering about the amount of time it was between leaving Jessa and rescuing me aboard the Death Star."
Han pursed his lips in consideration. "Well, I'd say, um, about two yea - " He stopped, frowning. "Maybe I'm remembering wrong. It was a long time ago, and things do blur together after a while."
"You have detailed logs on the Falcon," Leia pointed out.
"Yeah, I do."
"We should probably check those dates, right?"
"Yeah, we probably should," Han agreed. "Before Luke ties the knot with Jessa, too."
When the buzzer to his apartment sounded, Luke answered and felt a sense of doom upon seeing Jessa standing in his doorway. "Hello."
"Is that anyway to greet your fiancée?" Jessa said, tilting her head to one side. "Do you like my dress?" She spun around, showing off a light green dress with rose-colored flowers.
"Uh, yes. It's nice."
"Good, I'm glad you approve," Jessa said, taking the young Jedi's arm. "Now, where is the Justice of the Peace located? We should hurry before they close for the day."
Luke shook his head, trying to clear his jumbled thoughts. "Now? Right this instant?"
"You agreed that today was the day," Jessa said, shaking her finger playfully toward Luke. "Don't try to back out now."
"But…we need witnesses," Luke said, trying to think of a way to delay his upcoming nuptials. "Aren't we going to wait for Han and Leia to get home? You do want your daughter there, don't you?" If only it had been Mara standing at the door, Luke thought desperately. She wouldn't let me marry a woman I don't know, even if I've already agreed... Mara would think of a way out of this situation.
"Not really," Jessa said. "This is only for legalities, anyway. Once things get settled, I'll have my father and step-mother come to Coruscant, and we can have a second, fancy wedding, one that Nana can participate in since I know she'd like that. Leia can be my bridesmaid, too. Do you think that would be okay? Luke?"
Luke drew his thoughts back to his current predicament. "What did you say?"
"We can have a second, more formal wedding later," Jessa said, sounding irritated that Luke's mind wasn't focused on her. "Now, we've got to hurry. Is that what you normally wear?" she asked, appraising his all-black outfit.
"I could put on my Jedi robe."
"No, that's fine." She pulled him out of the apartment and hustled him down the corridor. A few minutes later, Luke's forgotten comlink chirped on the dining table.
After they left the zoo, Han, Leia and the children headed to the Falcon to inspect the logs, although they told Nana they needed to pick up some tools, since they didn't want her to become suspicious. Inside the cockpit, Han flipped through his ancient records while Leia attempted to contact Luke. The children remained in the main hold with Threepio as he tried desperately to keep the twins from dismantling the game table.
"He's not answering his comlink," Leia complained to her husband, juggling Anakin on her knee as she sat in Chewie's overlarge chair.
"Try our apartment," Han replied, his eyes still focused on the computer screen.
"I did that," Leia said, trying to keep her impatience from showing. "Where could he be? I hope something didn't happen."
Han paused and looked up. "We've only been gone for a few hours. What could possibly have gone wrong in that short amount of time?"
"This is Luke we're talking about," Leia reminded him.
"Do you want me to try to contact Jessa?"
Leia's face took on a grim expression. "No. I don't trust her."
"You say that about all my old friends."
"No, I don't."
"You said it about Lando, back on Cloud City," Han argued.
"And I'd like to point out how that experience turned out."
"Quit rubbing in how right you always are," Han groused.
"Have you found anything?" Leia asked, waving toward the flickering screen.
"Not yet," Han admitted. "But it was a long time ago. I sure hope I didn't delete them."
Leia groaned, and went back to attempting to contact her brother.
Mara Jade wasn't happy. She pressed the buzzer to Luke's apartment repeatedly, then pounded on the door. After long minutes, she reached out with the Force to sense if he was even inside the apartment. He wasn't. In fact, he wasn't very close by at all. Her annoyance growing by the second, she made an attempt to contact him using his private comlink code, and that too, failed. Finally she keyed in Calrissian's code.
"Yes?" came the suave and familiar voice.
"I can't find Luke," Mara snapped.
Lando was silent for a few moments. Then he replied, "I didn't know you were looking for him."
"He told me he's getting married today!"
"He IS?" Lando asked, sounding stunned. "Why, that smooth-talking Jedi. Who's the lucky lady?"
"One of Solo's ex-girlfriends that he brought back with him. Someone named Jessa."
"I know Jessa," Lando exclaimed. "Is that where Solo went when he took off with the kids? I'll bet that the Princess was mighty irritated at that pirate."
"Apparently."
"Why would Luke want to marry Jessa? I mean, don't get me wrong, she's a looker, but still she's got to be at least ten years older than Luke, and he surely hasn't known her very long, has he?"
"He's known her for a day."
"Wow. And I thought I moved fast."
"Calrissian?"
"Yes?"
"Shut up."
"Fine, but I'd like to remind you, you're the one that comm'd me."
"I want you to find Solo and the Princess while I keep looking for Skywalker. See if they know where he went."
"I can do that," Lando answered. "You won't even have to say 'please'."
"Good thing, because I never say 'please' unless I'm using my lightsaber at the same time," Mara replied, shutting off her comlink.
"Here it is!" Han declared smugly, pointing at the computer. "See? I didn't delete it after all."
"What was the date you last left the Corporate Sector?" Leia prodded.
Han peered carefully at the tiny print. "Deca 3651."
"That's eighteen months before the destruction of Alderaan."
"So Nana's not my kid," Han said.
"That's obvious."
"Why would Jessa lie to me? Why would Doc lie to me? Why would they both lie to Nana, especially?"
"Nana told us no one ever actually told her that you were her father," Leia pointed out. "She just overheard some comments, and then made that assumption. Who knows what she heard. It could have been a misunderstanding."
"I didn't misunderstand," Han argued, appearing highly affronted. "Jessa came right out and lied to my face, and then I had to take Doc's wrath, too. It's not fair."
"You kidnapped our kids," Leia said. "It seems to me you got off easy, Nerfherder. Maybe too easy." She smiled at her husband. "Of course, after Luke hears all of this, that may change."
Han rubbed the back of his neck. "Kriff."
The Falcon's incoming panel lit up, and Leia answered. "Yes?"
"Hello, Princess," Lando's voice came on. "How are you doing this fine day?"
"Fine, Lando. Where are you?"
"Right here on Coruscant," Lando replied brightly. "What's this I hear about Luke getting married to Jessa?"
"Oh, you can blame all that on Han," Leia said, looking sideways at her abashed husband.
"Yes, well, that's not a surprise, is it? Anyway, Mara has asked me to contact you. She's pretty upset about this unexpected piece of news, and she's looking for Luke. According to Mara, Luke's not at his apartment, nor is he answering his comlink."
"Mara's on Coruscant, too?" Han asked, his voice coming out a bit on the panicky side. "Double kriff."
Leia made a quick call to Mara, reassuring the ex-assassin that if she heard from Luke, she would immediately let Mara know.
Grinning, Han said to his wife, "I've told you for years that Jade was in love with the kid."
"If that's true, you'd better run further away than the Corporate Sector," Leia returned. "Mara will hunt you down like a womp-rat for forcing Jessa off on poor Luke."
"Me? You helped by pointing out poor Luke didn't have any other prospects!"
"I wasn't thinking clearly," Leia said. "After all, it was your fault I was so stressed out from worrying about my missing children."
"Why is everything always my fault?" Han protested.
"Because it usually is."
"You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Paybacks are hell, Han."
Two hours later…
Inside the Solo apartment four adults stood just inside the entryway, silently staring at each other after Jessa presented Leia with a formal document showing she was now officially part of the family.
Han cleared his throat nervously before saying, "I can't believe you took off and got married that fast."
"Jessa was in a hurry," Luke said morosely. "A very big hurry."
"But… you said you were going to wait until we got back from the zoo," Leia said, clutching her neck as though she were having a spell. "I thought you said you wanted Nana to be there."
"Oh, we discussed that, didn't we Dear?" Jessa said. "We've decided to have a big, formal affair after my father arrives. We'll have at least five hundred guests, and Nana will be able to have a big part of that wedding. Right, Dear?"
"I suppose," Luke muttered, staring at the floor.
"Where is Nana, anyway?" Jessa asked, looking past the Solos, into the living area. "I can't wait to tell her the latest."
"We dropped her off at my friend Winter's apartment, along with our children and our droid, Threepio," Leia explained. "We didn't want Nana to be here when we confronted you about what we've discovered."
Jessa asked suspiciously, "What have you discovered that you feel the need for a confrontation?"
Just at that moment, the buzzer on the door sounded, and Leia pressed the viewer to see who was at the door. "Mara?"
"MARA?" Luke exclaimed, backing away from the door. He then noticed Han quietly moving to step behind him, and he twisted around to look at his brother-in-law. "What are you doing?"
"Putting some cover between me an' Jade's weapons."
"Thanks," Luke said dryly.
"Don't mention it."
Leia opened the door, and stepped aside as Mara rushed inside. "Have you lost your mind? You are NOT getting married to some brainless twit that you've only just met," Mara ordered, pointing her finger in Luke's face.
"I am not a brainless twit," Jessa shouted. "And who, exactly, are you to burst in here, uninvited, and tell my husband what he can and cannot do?"
"My name is Mara Jade." Mara replied frostily. "He's not your husband yet."
"Oh, yes he is," Jessa snapped. "Tell him, Dear. Show her our flimsi."
"I'd rather not," Luke answered worriedly.
"What flimsi?"
Leia stepped forward, and handed the document to Mara. "I think Jessa is referring to this flimsi."
Mara quickly read the sheet, then promptly tore it into small pieces, letting the confetti flutter to the floor. "That's what I think of that piece of that kriff."
"Surely you don't think tearing up our marriage certificate invalidates our marriage," Jessa said with a sniff. "That was only a copy, and the original is safe inside the Coruscanti Clerk's Office."
"Why in the galaxy would you marry this female?" Mara asked Luke.
"I, um, well…"
"Oh, that clears things up nicely."
"Han made me," Luke stated, stepping aside to give Mara a clear shot at the Corellian.
"I did not!" Han said, trying to move back behind Luke. "It was just a suggestion."
"You said if I didn't marry Jessa, the galaxy would find out about your illegitimate daughter and Leia's career would suffer," Luke shot back. "What was I supposed to say to that?"
"You have a child with this woman?" Mara asked Han, waving her hand toward Jessa. "Why am I not surprised?"
"That's the thing, you see," Han stuttered out. "Me an' Leia found out Nana's not my kid after all."
"That's not true!" Jessa yelled.
"WHAT!?" Luke shouted at the same moment. "When did this important detail come out? Why didn't someone bother to tell me?"
"We tried," Leia said. "You didn't answer your comlink or your apartment communication code."
Luke patted his shirt pockets. "Oops."
"If you married this woman under false pretenses, then you can have it annulled," Mara informed Luke.
"It's not true," Jessa repeated, clenching her jaw in determination. "Nana is Han's child! Why do you think I named her Hanna?"
"She was born eighteen months after I left the Corporate Sector," Han argued. "Explain that one."
"I…" Jessa started out, then burst into tears. "I .. ."
"Oh, come off it," Mara griped, rolling her eyes. "Tears? Really?"
"If you don't tell us the truth, we'll have a blood test done to clear Han as your child's father," Leia warned.
"You don't get it!" Jessa said with a sniff. "If you were in love with a wonderful Corellian that your father loathed, you might have some idea of the extent of my problem."
"Your father didn't hate me until you lied about me being a dead-beat father," Han said.
"This isn't about you, Solo," Jessa said snippily. "Why are you assuming I'm in love with you? I've never been in love with you."
"Why don't we sit down, and discuss this calmly and rationally," Leia said, ushering Jessa into the living area as everyone followed. Finally the group settled down, although all eyes were focused on the blonde woman, waiting for her next words.
"Well?" Han finally demanded, becoming impatient. "If you're not in love with me, then why did you name your child after me?"
Jessa sighed. "I named her after you so my father wouldn't suspect who her real father was… is. You see, not more than a few weeks after you left the Corporate Sector this other Corellian smuggler arrived, and he was so incredibly handsome and wonderful, and it was totally love at first sight for both of us. But there was a big misunderstanding with a supply shipment and a payment, and then my father accused him of stealing from us, then insults and punches flew. You know how those types of things sometimes get out of hand. Now Doc truly hates him, but my father has always liked you, Solo. At least he did until he thought you'd gotten me pregnant, and never came back."
Han shook his head in confusion. "But eighteen months? Doesn't Doc remember how long it takes to have a baby?"
"He knows," Jessa replied. "After I fell in love, I knew Doc wouldn't allow the man I loved to ever return to our base, so I made arrangements to meet up with him in secret locations. Then, about eight months later, I found out I was pregnant, and I couldn't very well confess my secret to Doc, could I? So I just told him I'd been meeting up with you in secret, and I simply allowed everyone to believe Nana was yours, Solo. That way, my real lover wouldn't be in any danger of having my father send a bounty hunter or an assassin after him."
"No, I'd be the one in danger of that," Han groused.
"I never intended Nana to learn any of this," Jessa said. "Unfortunately, people talk."
"So who is the baby's real father?" Leia prodded.
Jessa bit her lip, trying to decide if she should reveal her old secret. "I guess enough time has passed. Hanna's father is .." She buried her face into her hands and muttered something unintelligible.
"What?" Luke said, moving forward and placing his elbows on his knees. "We couldn't hear you."
Jessa leaned toward Luke, and whispered into his ear, much to Mara's ire.
Luke sat back, eyes wide with surprise. "Really? He's the father? Incredible!"
"Who is it?" Han demanded first, since he had to most compelling reason to ask.
"Tell them," Jessa said softly, casting her gaze downward, and rubbing her fingers together nervously. "I can't."
Luke grinned. "Someone we've all met. Guess."
"I hate guessing games, Skywalker," Jade snarled. "They make me very cranky."
"Everything makes you cranky," Han informed the red-head.
Mara jumped up off the sofa. "I'll tell you something else that makes me cranky, and that's arrogant Corellians that pressure people into marrying to cover up their mistakes."
"That part only makes you cranky because you wanted Luke for yourself," Han said smugly.
"That is not true!" Mara shot back hotly.
"Then why are you so worked up 'cuz Luke took life-vows with Jessa?"
Mara's face turned a deep crimson. "Because he's not in love with her, and he was only doing you a favor."
"Han, quit teasing Mara," Leia ordered, then turned to Luke. "I'll guess. She said he was Corellian, so my guess is Talon Karrde."
"Nope," Luke replied, still grinning. "Anyone else care to try?"
"I think it's Calrissian," Han mused aloud. "I know he's not a Corellian, but his system was colonized by Corellians centuries ago, so technically, I suppose he could make that claim."
"Not even close," Luke said with a snort.
"Good to know," Han said. "I'd hate to think Jessa would fall for that con artist and not me."
"I'll have you know I have better taste than falling for Karrde, Calrissian and especially you, Solo," Jessa said haughtily.
"Good answer. Maybe you're not so bad after all," Mara informed Jessa.
"Come on," Luke cajoled the group. "You haven't made a guess yet, Mara. Who do you think it is?"
"Garm Bel Iblis," Mara replied snidely.
"No."
"Booster Terrik," Han guessed.
"I'm not insane," Jessa griped.
"Soonir Fel," Leia conjectured.
"Crix Madine!" Han shouted, getting into the spirit of the game.
"Would everyone please shut up?" Jessa yelled in disgust. "It's Dash Rendar, okay? Dash! Not some guy old enough to be my father!"
"Dash? DASH?" Han repeated in disbelief. "I'm way better looking than he is."
"In your dreams," Jessa said.
Leia patted Han on his wrist. "Dash is rather… dashing."
"Does he know he's Nana's father?" Mara questioned.
"No, of course not," Jessa answered. "If he had found out, nothing would have kept him from me and our baby. Dash has character."
"I've got character," Han protested. "Although having character is overrated."
Leia twisted around in her seat and frowned at her husband. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're acting upset that Dash is Nana's father instead of you."
"No, no," Han protested. "It's not that…"
"It's just that Solo's giant ego has been deflated by finding out Jessa prefers Rendar to him. Am I right?" Mara needled.
"No," Han muttered sullenly, slumping down.
Mara gave a derisive snort, then addressed Jessa, "This still doesn't explain why you jumped all over Skywalker when you arrived."
Jessa shrugged. "That just kind of happened. I always wanted Nana to have a good father, someone she can look up to and admire. No one could be better than a Jedi Knight."
"Thanks," Luke said, blushing.
"You're still getting it annulled," Mara stated firmly.
"What's it to you, Jade?" Han pushed. "Maybe Luke would like to stay married to Jessa. It should be his decision, and not yours."
"You have no idea how close you are to finding out if there is an afterlife for morons, Solo," Mara warned.
"I'll go with Luke to the Clerk's Office tomorrow, and we'll file for the annulment," Jessa said with a sigh, warding off further disagreements. "Then he can take me and Nana to the spaceport and we'll leave on the first transport that's heading toward Ekibo. Will that be okay, Luke?"
"Sure," Luke replied, feeling a bit flustered as well as relieved. "That sounds fine."
"Are you going to tell Nana and Doc the truth?" Han questioned.
"Yes, I will," Jessa said slowly. "I'd like to contact Dash and tell him everything, too. Maybe, just maybe, my father will forgive and forget what transpired in the past."
"Yeah," Han grumbled. "Then you can have him send me an apology letter for dragging me through the hellfires of Mustafar while I was there."
Jessa stood up, and smiled. "Don't hold your breath, Solo." She turned to Leia. "Would you take me to Winter's apartment? I'd like to pick up my daughter now."
"Of course," Leia said, standing as well. "I'm sure Winter is more than ready to have me come get the twins and Anakin, too. And Threepio. I mustn't forget Threepio."
"No," Han groused. "We mustn't forget Goldenrod, must we?"
The next morning
When Leia answered the door early the next morning, a frantic Luke was standing next to a very unhappy looking Mara Jade.
"Now what's the matter?" Leia questioned, stepping aside so they could enter.
"She's gone!" Luke gasped. "GONE!"
Han strolled out of the kitchen, carrying a cup of kaffe. "Who's gone?"
"Jessa and Nana," Mara responded tightly. "They checked out of the hotel early this morning, and left Coruscant on a public space-flight."
"So?" Han questioned, appearing confused. "That's what she said she was gonna do."
"But we were going to go to the Clerk's Office when it opened and get our marriage voided before she left," Luke hissed out in frustration. "When I contacted that Office, they said Jessa never showed up there, and that I could file alone, but without her signature it would take a year to finalize because there's some law that it has to show she actually abandoned me. Can you believe this?"
"Huh," Han said. "Imagine that."
"That's all you've got to say?" Mara snapped. "Imagine that?"
"Well, yeah."
"Oh, Luke," Leia said, putting her arms around her brother. "I am so sorry."
"Good thing a year goes by pretty fast," Han added unhelpfully.
Leia glared at her husband, then turned her focus back to Luke. "Is there anything else you can do?"
"The Clerk said if I get her signature, and two witnesses to confirm she signed the form, then they could process the annulment and it would be done in six to eight weeks," Luke said glumly.
"So that's what we'll do," Mara declared suddenly. "We're going to follow her to Ekibo and get that signature if it's the last thing we do."
"We?" Luke questioned, raising his eyebrows.
"Of course," Mara said. "She might not sign the form unless I'm there waving my lightsaber under her nose."
"Mara!"
"Well, it's true," Mara snapped, pulling Luke toward the exit. "Come on, Farmboy. We got a trip to the Corporate Sector to take."
As they hurried out the door, Leia shook her head. "Whatever was Jessa thinking?"
Han gave a chortle, and tried to hide his mirth behind the cup of kaffe. Leia turned her suspicious gaze toward her amused husband. "Did you have anything to do with this?"
"I might have."
"HAN!"
"Luke deserved it," Han said defensively, then, unable to restrain himself, started laughing.
"You planned all of this?" Leia asked in shock.
"No, not all of it," Han replied, wiping his eyes as he continued to chuckle. "Just the last part… where Jessa took off without filing for the annulment. I sorta comm'd her last night and asked her to do that for me, as a favor. I pointed out she owed me, since she let everyone think Nana was my kid for all those years."
"But, why?"
"Paybacks are hell, Princess," Han said, repeating her earlier words to him. "Luke needed to be taught to keep his nose out of raising our kids and if he's busy flying around the galaxy with Jade, what better way to keep him preoccupied, I ask you?"
"Will Jessa sign the annulment forms?" Leia questioned.
"Oh, yeah," Han said. "When Luke eventually catches up to her. I gave her enough credits that she and Nana can spend a few months taking the long, scenic route back to Ekibo."
"Han!" Leia said, appalled. "That's terrible."
"Is it?"
"How could it not be?"
"Luke loves Jade, and it's obvious Jade loves Luke," Han pointed out, taking another sip of the steaming beverage. "By the time they get Jessa's signature, maybe they'll have both finally figured that out."
"You're very sneaky," Leia admonished Han.
Han set the cup down and wrapped his arms around his wife. "A sneaky scoundrel. I like the sound of that."
"You would," she complained, right before he kissed her. Leia forgot all about further protests.
THE END
