A bit of a filler chapter before more big reveals. Enjoy!
Love never dies, Love will continue.
"Luke asked us over this evening. I didn't think you'd have a problem with that." She was at the sink, washing up the dishes from their breakfast, and Han was 'brushing' his hair with his fingers as he came out of the bedroom in a hurry. He was on a tight schedule this morning and meeting a new client.
"Sure. Been a while since I saw them. But I'm with the boys tomorrow evening, so don't forget about that." He finished and joined her in the kitchen. "Can I help?" he asked getting ready to help her dry.
"Yes you can," Leia replied from the sink. She tilted her head to the side. "My neck is a touch sore, right here." She pointed to the side of her neck without looking up from the dishes.
Han lifted his eyebrows, his mouth pursing, and walked towards her. This was better than drying dishes. He leaned over her, keeping his body away and his hands behind his back, and let his lips lightly touch her neck. "Better."
That was not the tender caress she was looking for when she asked for his 'help.' "Good gods no! If that's an example of your care, I'd rather let my doctor take care of my neck problems."
"Your doctor," he laced an arm around her waist and pulled her back against his chest, his hands softly caressing her stomach. "If anyone else tries to treat you constant neck pain the way I do…" The thought was left hanging as his ministrations covered all exposed areas of her neck, ears, back, and chest. Her quickened breath, subtle moans, and weak knees told him he was doing something right. He turned her in his arms to give his mouth better access to the front of her neck and chest. She was barely conscious enough to make sure her soapy hands stayed away from his shirt.
The comm beep forced him to duck under her wet arms and rush to see what the notification was.
She was dizzy by the time he finished and had to lean against the counter. "Han!" she yelled after him.
He peeked his head back around the corner. "Yea, Sweetheart?"
"At least make sure I'm conscious after a treatment like that." She smiled at him and dried her hands on a dishtowel.
He rushed back over to her with a smile in his eye. He paused when they were toe to toe. Without preamble, he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her to meet his height. He drew her into a long, lavish kiss that made them both feel needed and wanted. She sighed, relaxing her muscles against his chest. He let her slide down his body until her feet were back on solid ground. With a last peck, he hurried out the door.
She laughed wholeheartedly at his parting words.
"Had to check if you were still breathing."
"Hey, sis. Han. Good to see you two." Luke greeted Han and Leia at the door. They had driven separately, for appearance's sake, but they arrived at the same time.
They usually let themselves in and were surprised at his presence at the front door.
"Mara! Han and Leia are here!" He called into the apartment. "It really is good to see you again!" His excitement seemed more than forced to both Han and Leia.
"Luke, what's wrong?" Leia was the first to call him out on his unusual behavior.
"Nothing," Luke was quick to reply. "Oh look here's Mara."
Mara entered looking like she carried a heavy weight on her shoulders. Luke, of course, told his wife about Han and Leia's new relationship, but she too had yet to process it. Mara gave them each a quick hug as a greeting and they all followed Luke into the living area.
"Leia, can I talk to you for a minute, in the kitchen."
Before anyone had a chance to object, Luke pulled her along by the arm. "I guess I don't have a choice."
Once in the kitchen, Luke finally dropped her arm. He moved towards the counter to lay out some snacks they were planning on offering their guests.
Leia eyed her brother. There was definitely an atmosphere brewing. Luke was purposively avoiding all eye contact and pretending to keep himself busy. Leia had known him for a while now and their Force connection let her know him even better, and all the signs pointed towards a very long argument where nobody would win.
"Luke," Leia sat across from him on a high stool. "Care to tell your sister what's the matter?"
Luke didn't even act the innocent. He eyed Leia right back, not sure how to carry this conversation. "I'm worried."
Leia immediately thought back to Mara's odd look that evening. "Is it Mara? Is she mad that you forgot her birthday again?" she asked.
"No!" Luke defended. "No, no! I'm worried about you!"
Leia sighed. "I glad to have such a protective big brother, but I'm really doing okay. We have both been officially divorced for over a month, I faced Isolder again, we have a plan to talk with Qi'ra soon, and…" This didn't seem like the right time to break any more news. "And I'm ready to move on with my life."
"Your life?" Luke punctuated and questioned. "Your life as Senator Leia Organa, singular?"
Leia was confused at where Luke was taking this. "I am no longer married, but I'm not alone. I have you and Mara, and Han of course."
Luke sucked in a breath and focused on his shoes.
"Does this have anything to do with Han and me?"
Luke stared up at her with eyes that said she finally guessed the cause for this conversation.
"Because if it is, all I have to tell you is that I am very happy. We both are." She spoke the truth. "I thought you knew that."
"It's not that I doubt you're happy right now," Luke explained. "But Leia, how long will this last? I mean, I understand you were both going through your divorces at the same time, and rekindling a wartime affaire, it must be nice to have that support from someone, but…" She paused.
Leia waited for Luke to finish.
"But we're talking about Han Solo. He's one of my best friends, but it's no secret the guy has commitment issues. And does he want to be in the shadow of Princess Leia Organa and take on all the duties that entails? The hounding press that will follow him wherever he goes. It's a lot to ask of a guy who's thrived on his freedom's all his life."
Leia's face turned from shock to outrage in a split second. "First off, I am NOT asking anything more of him than he has openly given! We both agreed individually to enter this relationship, knowing what my public life entails. Second, Han has been there for you, and for me more times than I can count." She stood from her seat. "His commitment is far greater than you give him credit for.
"Furthermore…" Her rage took a backseat as her emotions broke through. "I love him! If I am honest with myself, I have loved him for the 10 years I've known him…"
Luke took Leia's arms as he saw her sister's emotions rise. "I don't doubt you love him…"
"And he loves me," she interrupted. "I have never been truly loved by a man other than him." The thought of her brother disapproving of their relationship was a hard pill to swallow.
Luke rubbed Leia's hands trying to soothe her. "I ask you this because I love you. Will it last?"
Leia thought of their child growing inside her, the manifestation of their love. Yes it will last.
At that moment, Mara called from the other room. "Luke, could you bring the food in here. I have the wine."
"Coming," he called back, picking up the tray and walking away from a speechless Leia.
"You were quiet this evening. Something wrong?" Han slipped into bed beside her.
Leia left only a few minutes before Han, but when he arrived back at their apartment, Leia was already in her pajamas and in bed, lying flat on her back and unusually silent.
She had been doing a lot of thinking since Luke's speech. Yes, she loved Han, of that she was sure. And she was confident in his love for her. She did feel guilty about what Han's future would be like with her, the public spectacle her life was. Was he ready for this? And his kids. They would certainly not live a normal life if she was in the picture as well. Was she asking too much of him?
These conflicting thoughts ran through her head constantly.
As Han settled on his side of the bed, Leia sighed and stared at the ceiling. "Luke was being a protective big brother. He doesn't think I can make up my own mind or live with the choices I made."
Han listened as he laid his head down facing her. "This about me?"
Leia took a moment before nodding her head.
"What did he say?" Han spoke softly, coaxing her to open up.
She stared at her hands brushing over their comforter. "He said I'm putting you in an impossible situation by pulling you into my public life that you couldn't possibly be comfortable with. He said I'm asking too much of you and implied that might make you leave in the long term."
Han wasn't sure what to think about her words. He, of course, had thought long and hard about their decision to be together as well as the consequences. He knew what he was signing up for, the life he would need to get used to if he was to stand by her side. It was part of the whole package of what was Leia Organa. But he loved her, he was happy with her. Was it wrong to pick up a piece of happiness when it presented itself?
"I know what I'm gettin' into. You're not asking it of me. I'm givin' it to you. It's not gonna be easy."
She nodded sadly. No it wasn't.
"Only thing I'm sure of," Han continued. "S'that I can't live without you again." He slid his hand over her two clenched ones. His love for her lasted for a decade and was only growing every day he spent by her side.
She turned to him, with an abundance of love in her eyes. "We need to tell them."
There was no use elaborating on the 'them' Leia referred to.
He nodded, never taking his eyes off of her. "Yea, we do."