As always thanks for your notes and enjoy! A light chapter before more drama...
Love never dies, Love never alters.
"Are you sure? I hate to leave you alone on our day off." Leia checked her light makeup and hair in the hall mirror and spoke to Han who sat watching a pod racing game on the holo.
"For the twelfth time, yes Leia. Spend time with your brother. I can function on my own for a few hours."
This was a big week for them. It had been two months since Leia's head to head with Isolder. She had already signed the last of her divorce papers two weeks ago and as of the end of this week, Han would also be officially free.
On this weekend, Luke requested Leia's help with some thoughts he had about new areas to track down former Jedi relics. Leia was happy to help, but she had been looking forward to spending her day with Han. They were both working strange hours, giving them less time together.
She bit her lip. "I'm sure you can function on your own. I'll just miss you. I should be back by dinner."
He turned over his shoulder to look at her. "And I'll miss you. But we've got all evening together."
She gave him a look that told him exactly what she planned to do during that time.
"Leia Organa! You've got a dirty mind!" He scolded.
She gave him a sly grin. "You have no idea what I am thinking!"
"Oh, but I do!" He turned back to the holo with a shake of his head.
She slunk silently behind him and hunched over the sofa. Her fingertips brushed his shoulders and snaked slowly down his front. "Trust me Han, even you have absolutely no idea what I was thinking."
By the time he recovered enough to turn around and devour her, the front door shut and she was on her way to Luke's.
He bit his lip and chuckled, thinking of how fortunate he was to finally be with her. The first time he met her, he knew he met his match. It just took them years to fully recognize that. She was so precious to him and he wanted to do everything in his power to make her happy.
That was exactly what he planned to do. Not long after her speeder drove away, Han set to work. First step, cookies. He found a recipe on the holonet a while back and he knew how much she loved them. He whipped up a batch and popped them in the oven, but not before humming his appreciation of the delicious batter. He fired up the stove and searched the conservator for the vegetables and meat he hid last night. He marinated and chopped for the next hour before all the ingredients were ready. With the cookies cooling and the rest of the meal baking, Han set out a new table cloth and their yellow dish set. He found a few candles to light and he pulled out the bouquet of roses he hid under the sink the night before.
The setting was complete and the kitchen smelled wonderful. He turned the heat down and showered quickly before donning a clean pair of pants and collared shirt. He left the top two buttons undone, as that was how Leia preferred it.
Knowing Leia would be back soon, he turned the oven on low to keep it warm and lit the candles. There was still some daylight left, but it would be dark before long and the candles would provide sufficient light. He chose a bottle of wine and poured two glasses.
With everything ready, he sat on the sofa and waited.
It was dark before Leia opened the front door to a dark apartment. For a moment, she wondered if Han had gone out. Then she saw a dim light coming from the kitchen. The candles were much shorter than when they were first lit. She sighed and bit her lip as she took in the atmosphere he created. It smelled heavenly. She opened the oven to find a delicious casserole simmering before her. The only thing missing from such a lavish evening was her partner.
"Han?" she called.
Her answer was a heavy breath that resembled someone in deep sleep. With little search, she found him slouched against the couch, eyes firmly shut.
She shook her head at this wonderful man of hers. With a smooth dip, she covered his lips with her own and brushed her fingers through his hair. She didn't move her lips from his until she felt him respond. She watched him move under her.
His eyes were still closed as he became conscious. "Is this the girl I've been waiting hours for?"
"I sure hope it is!" she exclaimed giving him a small peck on the lips.
He puckered his lips and stuck out his tongue. "Hum um. That's not her. My Leia gives better kisses than that."
She sighed, but happily complied, allowing his tongue to slip into her mouth. Before she knew it, he pulled her on top of him and his hands roamed from her back to her bottom.
He broke the kiss and finally opened his eyes. "Ah! Well it is my girl!"
She shook her head. "If I wasn't so happy you cooked for me, I would let you have it for that remark." She dug her pointer finger into his shoulder.
"No you wouldn't." He sat up so she was still sitting in his lap. "You love me too much." He gave her a wet kiss on her cheek.
"I guess you're right, but if I take the time to show you just how much I love you, your wonderful dinner will be very cold."
She held his hand as he stood and got his sleepy legs working again. He pulled her chair out for her, took the casserole out of the oven, and dished up the meal. When both had a hot, steaming plate in front of them, they began eating, drinking, and talking.
"Luke was right when he said this would be a project. Can you believe he was thinking about combing Jakku for relics? Thankfully I talked him out of that!"
"How dare he!" Han shook his head in mock disbelief.
"Ha-ha. But we did put together a new plan that calls on some government resources and scouting missions led by planet administration."
Han rolled his eyes. "Guess that means more Jedi talk next time we have a get-together."
"That reminds me." She took a sip of wine before continuing. "He asked us over next week for cards, but I suggested hosting it here instead. We always seem to be imposing on Luke and Mara, and it may be nice to have them here."
Han also took a sip of wine and thought about her proposal. "Sounds good to me. It's not like we can have any other company."
"We can pull together some drinks and appetizers. Now that I know how well you can cook, I will be expecting to see more of you in the kitchen with me."
"Sweetheart, if you want to get anything accomplished in the kitchen, I suggest you keep me far away from you."
She chuckled. "Maybe you're right." She took another bite and savored the taste. "How did you learn to cook so well?"
"I'd like to say I'm a natural, but it took years of trial and error. Mostly error." He told her about the time the smoke alarm went off. "I was up on a chair trying to turn it off when Qi'ra and the boys came home. Vinn still talks about that day."
Leia laughed at the picture in her head. "I can believe it!"
"Qi'ra was never much of a cook, you know."
"I do know," Leia replied, remembering her first impressions of Han's new wife. "She lived off of nutrition bars and celery."
Han chuckled. "Well her talents have expanded to nuggets and mac and cheese for the boys."
Leia took a sip of wine before asking her next question. "And for you?"
Han cleared his throat. "I got used to picking up something on my way home."
"Hum." They were silent for a moment, the only sound was their forks scraping against the bottom of their plates.
"Cookie time?" she inquired, wiping her mouth with a napkin.
Han stood before she even had the chance. "Allow me to serve you, Princess." He placed the cookies on a plate and brought them to the table. "Hope I did justice to your favorite dessert."
She showed her approval through a low moan, and quickly took a second bite.
Han's comm rang, interrupting the silence. He rushed over to the side table in the living room to pick it up. "Yup… Oh, hello Qi'ra." He rolled his eyes over to Leia. "How are you?… and the boys?… They should be tired. We had quite an exciting time last…" There was a long pause on his end as Han closed his eyes and rubbed his temple with his free hand. "Qi'ra, it's the only evening I have with them. Why shouldn't I let them choose what we do?"
Leia felt like an intruder, listening in on their conversation, not that this was the first one she was privy to. The raised voices over the telephone had increased since Han took his boys out every Friday night. Qi'ra always found something about their evening plans to disagree with. The boys seemed to be having a wonderful time with their father. Leia accounted Qi'ra's objections to jealousy. Qi'ra was having a difficult time accepting the fact that Han was asserting his right to have an influence on his children's life.
After a few more choice words and Han standing his ground, he rejoined Leia at the table.
"At least you and Qi'ra are still speaking to each other." Leia began the conversation. "I haven't heard from Isolder since our divorce was finalized."
"Right now," Han sighed, deciding he wasn't hungry anymore. "I would take cold silent Isolder over harping Ms. Perli."
Leia took his lead and left a half-eaten cookie on her plate. "Qi'ra Perli. I forgot she didn't take your last name."
"Yea, she kept Perli as her professional name, if she had decided to continue working and keep her reputation with clients." Han stood and gathered their dishes, bringing them to the sink.
"Let them there Han. I'll get them in the morning." Leia carried over their empty wine glasses and set them in the sink beside the plates.
"I'll let them here for now, but I will wash them tomorrow. This was my treat for you and I'll do the cleanup." He reached around her shoulders and brought his lips to her temple.
Leia lingered in the kitchen for a moment before moving back to the table. She picked up the two candles that still lit their little sanctuary. She walked them into the living area and placed a candle on either side of the sofa.
Han followed her lead as she gestured for him to sit on the sofa. As soon as he hit the cushion, he reached for her hips and pulled her closer to him. She sunk beside him sideways with her legs curled on his lap. His arm draped over her shoulders and she brought her head to his chest.
"How was your evening with the boys?"
"Can't believe how much they've grown so quickly." He rested his head on top of hers and gazed into the future. "Before I know it, they'll be off to academies and livin' on their own."
"How about you focus on primary school first, honey. You still have a few years to accept the fact that your sons are not so little anymore."
Han huffed. "I'll always see them as the babies they were."
"Give yourself time. You'll navigate the change."
Han nodded in recognition. "And you, Sweetheart." He turned to look at her. "Will you still be by my side? Holding my hand while I navigate these changes?"
This took her by surprise. She looked away from him and off into the distance before he tugged on her shirt collar and drew her eyes back to his. She saw his worry in the creases of his brow and turn of his lip. But his eyes begged for a promising answer.
Was this what she wanted? A future tied to someone again? But it would be different with Han, of that she was sure.
Han continued as Leia sat, still caught off guard. "You don't have to say anything now. I just need you to know," He brushed her cheek ever so lightly with the back of his fingers. "My future seems meaningless without you beside me."
She nuzzled her cheek against his hand and pulled herself back into his embrace.
"I wonder what I will wear to their academy graduation?" Leia asked after a time.
Han was finally able to suck air back into his lungs and let it out with a chuckle. "Whatever you wear, Princess, you'll look incredible." He paused before another thought came to mind. "As long as it matches the ring that'll be on your finger."
Leia skipped a breath as she hid her face further in his hold. "Oh Han…"
He needed to see her, to read her, to make her understand that she was his everything. She was always meant to be his and he was always meant to be hers. He lifted her chin with his fingers and cupped both her warm cheeks in his immense palms. "Can't wait for the day when I can scream it to the galaxy that I love you." He paused. "'Cause there's a name that fate saved especially for you, my future Mrs. Solo." He lifted her face higher so he could express how much he wanted that statement to be true.
And she was helpless. When he released her lips she found her answer. "I think Mrs. Solo is a perfect name. Possibly the most wonderful name a person could have."
He grinned and drew her back into his embrace, beyond relieved that she was finally ready to say yes. "It's yours for the taking."