I know in the world of fandom there's much discussion over when and where Han and Leia first 'did the deed'. If you've read any of my stuff you'll probably already know that in my version it was after Han took Leia to Corellia in an effort to disengage her attentions from Prince Isolder.
Some believe there's a veiled reference to their first encounter in a book called "The Truce at Bakura" from the now defunct expanded universe stories, and it's with that in mind we find Han recalling special times with Leia...with the help of his wife's memoirs, and a day babysitting his first-born grandchild. Hope you enjoy...
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"You think Dad will be all right?" Jaina asked, a worry frown creasing her forehead.
"Are you kidding? Your father's been looking forward to this since the day you first told him you were pregnant!" Leia answered.
"He's only just out of the hospital." Jaina reasoned.
With Jagged Fel on a freight run, Leia had happily agreed to accompany her daughter to her first medical scan after learning that she was pregnant with her second child.
With local day care booked solid Han Solo had, with squared shoulders that brooked no argument, offered his services as babysitter insisting he had both the required experience and nothing better to do with his time. He had further insisted that mother and daughter should have lunch, go to a spa, do some shopping and get their hair done whilst the offer was still fresh.
Jaina's concern lay with her father's most recent brush with the grim reaper, having been admitted to hospital with a burst aneurysm.
"He's been treated and he's just fine." Leia assured her daughter. "And don't let him hear you say you think otherwise."
"I just..." Jaina worried.
"I know sweetheart. But honestly, he's as fit as can be." Leia soothed, slipping her arm through her daughter's and shaking her head. "It's Lei I feel sorry for. There isn't a sentient female your father can't enchant."
"I don't know, Lei can be pretty perceptive. What if she sees through him?" Jaina sighed, chewing her bottom lip.
"Don't worry! Your Dad will have everything under control." Leia reassured Jaina.
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Han grinned down at his precious first grandchild and said. "Okay, kiddo, just you and me for the rest of the day. First off, let's see what your mama's gone and left us, shall we?"
Han settled himself into a corner of the sofa and stripped Jaina's baby supplies bare.
"Diapers...moisturiser...powder...chewy bics...milk...soother..." He leaned over the sofa to look at Lei, lying on her blanket, feet in the air, chubby hands reaching for and then releasing her toes.
"Like we're gonna need a soother." He told the babe before returning to the bag, frowning. "Age appropriate educational toy...yeah, right. Like we're gonna need that either!"
Han shoved the items aside and peered down at the little girl again. "You wanna drink?"
"Ba...Ma...Ba..." Lei replied.
"G.r.a.n.p.a." Han enunciated back.
The baby giggled and rolled onto her side, the tumble giving rise to a look of confusion on her tiny face.
"What? You never saw feet before?" Han wiggled his toes, watching Lei's eyes follow their movements. "O' course you never saw feet before. Those parents of yours believe in keeping their feet covered in case they tread on something shocking. Like the ground."
Han glanced around the apartment he and Leia were currently sharing with their daughter, son-in-law and first grandchild. It wasn't designed for so many people but necessity had forced them to become temporary lodgers while Han and Leia sought their own property.
Something across the room caught Han's eye and, checking Lei wasn't about to make a break for the secured door or the safety-locked windows, he pushed to his feet to cross and pick up the padd his wife had left behind.
"Feel like a story?" Han asked Lei who was now closely examining her fingers. He laid the padd on the sofa and bent to slide his hands beneath Lei's armpits, his back groaning as he straightened. "Man! I forgot what it was like lifting one of these things up off of the floor." He muttered, retaking his seat.
He shuffled to make himself comfortable and nestled Lei into the crook of his arm. "Comfy?" He arched an eyebrow at her.
Lei looked up at the sound of his voice and grinned. "Ba.." She said.
"G.r.a.n.p.a." He repeated, then shook his head. "Ah, we got all day kid. Let's see what we got here, shall we?"
He retrieved the padd, thumbed the device on and grinned, waggling his eyebrows at his disinterested grandchild.
"It's another of your grandma's memoirs." He leaned down to snuggle Lei closer to him. "Shall we see if I'm in it?"
He skipped the incomplete introduction and chuckled. "Hey, here I am. You ready?"
"Ma.." Lei said again.
"I'll take that as a yes." He said, clearing his throat and reading. "So...we were here again. Another base and battling the same old enemy, only this time we're battling the elements as well." Han nudged Lei. "I'm guessing we'd just settled on Hoth." His attention returned to the padd. "Where was I...elements as well...Morale was going to be a problem, one for which we thought we had a solution."
"Seriously?" Han Solo queried. He was sat, one leg casually folded over the other, an arm draped around the back of the chair. "Socks!" He added, amazed.
"You have a problem with our requirements Captain?" The Princess asked.
"The small meeting space was occupied by Han Solo, Captain of the legendary Millennium Falcon, mercenary and all around genius when it came to acquiring whatever it was the Rebel Alliance required..."Han glanced down at the semi-curious infant on his lap. "Okay, it doesn't actually say 'all around genius' but reading between the lines, that's what your grandma's trying to say."
"Ba.." Lei said, then burped.
Han paused to wipe a dribble of baby drool from Lei's mouth. "How about a chewy bic? I mean, I know your mom said not to spoil you but what your mama don't know wont hurt her, right?"
He dug about in the pile of debris he'd left on the other side of the sofa until his hand closed over the pack of soft biscuits he'd been left for emergency purposes. Unwrapping one single handed, he wafted the sweet treat before Lei's shining eyes.
"If you tell her, I'll deny it." He told her as she grasped the biscuit and guided it into her eager little mouth. "Okay. So the small meeting space was occupied by Han Solo, General Rieekan, Mon Mothma, General Madine, General Waldock and myself. Waldock?...don't remember him bein' there...anyway, they're all sitting there waiting for Solo to capitulate." He barked a laugh. "As if!"
"Captain." Mon Mothma finally spoke and leaned forward, resting her arms on the table between her and Solo. "It has been suggested that you have an issue with authority."
"Not true." Han denied, turning his attention to the Rebel Leader. "My issue is with stupidity. And socks."
Han's characteristic, half-sarcastic grin, hugged his right cheek. Hard as she tried, Leia couldn't keep the amusement from her own lips at that.
"I knew she couldn't resist me when I turned on the charm!" He gloated, grinning down at Lei before returning to the padd.
"Captain." Leia started, then amended her approach. "Han. Morale is going to be of paramount importance to the men on base."
"An' you think a consignment of thirty-five thousand pairs of socks is going to improve that?" Han asked, exasperated. He pointed a finger at Leia. "You I can understand." Then turned the same finger toward Mon Mothma. "You too. Possibly. I don't know you all that well." He withdrew the finger and turned his gaze toward the Generals. "But you guys. Seriously! You wanna improve morale? I'll ship in a hold-full of prostitutes and I can promise you there won't be a guy out there who complains. Probably not one in here, either." He offered.
"Captain Solo! This is a military base." Mon Mothma's stern bark and deep scowl silenced him immediately.
"Yes Ma'am it is." Han then answered. "But it's men..and women..who work, live and breathe here. You think they go about their duties without thinkin' about getting their rocks off?"
"Han does have a point." Leia interjected and was surprised when all eyes turned on her, so felt she had to go on defending him. "We are only human after all. Mostly. I mean, I know there are other species here too but..but, my point is that we can't expect the 'men' to just turn off their desire to procreate simply because we're at war."
"See?" Han gloated again. "She gets me."
"It's the situation I appreciate, not you Captain." Leia corrected.
Mon Mothma seemed to consider, before finally asking. "What do you suggest. And please don't waste my time with the offer of paid liaisons."
Han chuckled as he thought, then eventually suggested. "How 'bout a party? Something the men on the ground can enjoy an' the officers' can turn a blind eye to. Nothin' feels better to a foot soldier than getting one over on command."
"Commander Skywalker." Leia said, for no immediately clear reason. All eyes were on her again and she realised they were waiting for an explanation. "Luke has become a highly respected member of the Alliance since his heroism at Yavin Four. And he has a birthday coming up, isn't that right Han?" She looked to Han for support. He, naturally, couldn't have been less supportive.
"Does he? I dunno." He replied.
"He was telling us. The other evening." She prompted. "A coming of age I think."
"Oh that." Han recalled. "I figured that was just his excuse for still being a virgin!"
Leia heard Mon Mothma's intake of breath, as well as the shuffling feet of the Generals. She wasn't sure who she felt worse for, Han or Luke.
"Perhaps something low key, to help him celebrate in lieu of his family." She suggested to the group who seemed to consider it's merits.
"Commander Skywalker is well liked." Madine offered.
"He's likely to attract some considerable interest amongst the ranks." Rieekan considered, nodding.
"An' it's a whole lot more exciting than new socks!" Han added, folding his arms triumphantly across his chest. "'Specially if the kid finally gets his rocks off!"
The party was discussed and finally agreed. Han was commissioned to ship in an acceptable quantity of alcohol, which Leia felt sure he would disregard in favour of his own thoughts on what constituted 'acceptable'. The meeting ended and she had the dubious honour of watching his smug swagger for the rest of the day.
"What he never knew was that the meeting had been as much to do with me as it had with him." Han read. "True, the High Council had it's concerns regarding Han's somewhat cavalier attitude, however, of greater consideration at that time was my own involvement in the Alliance. My military rank was General, unknown by most. My standing within the ranks was less certain, known by even fewer. Many saw me as little more than a figurehead. Others, as a liability. My presence on base a distraction. And it was growing increasingly obvious to me that my level of authority was in question."
Han closed the page, a frown furrowing his brow.
"I never knew that." He mumbled, looking down at Lei. "You think that was anything to do with me?" He sighed at himself. "Nah! It was everything to do with me. I'm the one who fought her authority, every damn chance I got."
Lei hiccuped and rocked against his thigh.
"Don't think I don't know what you just did there, young lady. I felt that rumble through your diaper same way you did." Han chided.
Lei giggled and rubbed her nose with her fists.
"Hmmm." He groaned, slid his hands beneath her armpits again and lifted her to sniff at her rear. "Ah, you gotta be kiddin' me!"
Lei giggled again as her Grandfather returned her to his side.
"Fresh diaper?" Han queried with an arched eyebrow.
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"Great choice for lunch Mom." Jaina suggested, eyeing her brother's tapcafe with disinterest.
"Doesn't hurt to support your brother's endeavours." Leia admonished.
Jaina rolled her eyes.
"It's not as though we haven't supported you in yours over the years." Leia reminded her daughter.
"Or reminded me of my failures either." Jaina countered, regretting her words immediately and apologised.
Leia lifted the menu padd to read.
"Actually, I think he's done a pretty half decent job with the place." Jaina added, lifting her own menu.
"Glad you approve." Jacen spoke over his sister's shoulder. "Can I recommend the nerf from the specials board? We offer a light platter too, for our clientèle who may be watching their waistline."
"You calling me fat?" Jaina growled.
"Would I dare?" Jacen smiled.
"Nerf salad." Jaina ordered, closing her menu.
"Noodles. The seafood special sounds lovely. Double chocolate to follow." Leia requested, closing her menu.
"Mom!" Jaina exclaimed. "Single scoop for me and your promise not to say a word."
"With you in a moment ladies." Jacen confirmed and made his way to another table.
"He's done more than just a half decent job here Jaina. He's worked his butt off and just look around, this place is a real success." Leia said.
Jaina glanced around the tables, mostly full, all clearly enjoying their meals. She grudgingly shrugged her agreement.
"Your Dad and I have been talking, and we were hoping we might be able to sit down with the two of you and discuss expanding the business." Leia explained.
"I'm not waiting tables." Jaina stated.
Leia chuckled. "No, I'm not suggesting that. We were thinking ahead, you know, to when you have this baby. And we wondered if maybe the freight should take a back seat for you, just while you're both bonding with your new little one and getting into a new routine."
"Oh, I get it. Dad's back now and he wants to take over!" Jaina folded her arms defensively.
Leia shook her head softly. "No, Jaina, not at all. You've done a wonderful job picking up the business from your brother and running with it. Besides your father's in no physical shape to be portering heavy goods. Though if you tell him I said so, I'll deny it."
Jaina laughed at that.
"We'd already started to discuss this before we left the race circuit behind. Your father's taken on Poe Dameron and I think he'd be a fine replacement for Jag, in the short term." Leia went on, making a point of emphasising 'the short term'.
Their orders arrived and Leia smiled and thanked her son for his courteous service.
"Jacen and Tilly have their hands full already running this place and caring for Anais." Leia continued, spearing some seafood. "Riva Fizz has agreed to continue her educational role with Jorj and we've discussed the possibility of extending her duties to include childcare for Lei and Anais as well as the new baby should the need arise and with appropriate notice, of course."
Jaina watched her mother's movements while she chewed a piece of nerf.
"The thing you realise as you get older is that while you may look your age on the outside, on the inside you're still in your prime." Leia pointed out.
"Have I just been called fat and old?" Jaina queried, swallowing her nerf.
"Not you sweetheart." Leia laughed. "But neither your father nor I are teenagers any more. Whilst we might not feel ready for full de-commissioning just yet, we're having to face the fact that we may need to slow down a little."
"You mean, Dad is." Jaina corrected.
"This latest brush with death has really hit him hard. Harder, I think, than either one of us ever expected." Leia admitted. "He's not ready to go. And I'm not ready to lose him."
"So, where do we come in?" Jaina pressed, loading her fork with salad.
"Jacen and Tilly's business is a success. Yours and Jag's is a success too. Why not combine the two?" Leia asked.
"What? Like a flying restaurant? 'Cos, no offence Mom, but no right minded individual would pay good money to dine on the Falcon!" Jaina said, around her food.
Leia laughed again. "No, we were thinking a little smaller scale. You and I could easily handle the bookings at the same time as the main freight business. Poe manages the freight, leaving Jag to undertake the local food deliveries."
"But if Jacen and Tilly are already at full throttle here, how are they going to cope with the extra orders?" Jaina asked.
"Your father would help with the cooking." Leia grinned.
Jaina dropped her fork with a clatter. "Dad and Jace! In the same kitchen! At the same time!" She exclaimed, cleaning debris from between her teeth with her tongue. "Oh, I'd pay good money to watch that! Forget the freight business, let's call the local media, we'd have a sure fire hit on our hands."
"So, there are one or two wrinkles we need to iron out." Leia waved away the comments. "But the concept, what do you think?"
Jaina seemed to give the idea some considerable thought, then picked her fork back up. "If all the food's as good as this, then I think it's worth investigating further." She finally agreed.
"Perfect!" Her mother grinned. "Because I already asked Jacen and Tilly to join us for breakfast tomorrow and I plan on raising it with them then."