"Ready for your first supply run, Calrissian?" one of the soldiers chuckled as he stretched in his seat in their transport, sitting across from Lando. Feigning his excitement, he nodded vigorously. "What are we picking up?" he asked.

The runner gave a little frown. "The general didn't tell you?" he yelled over the roar of the transport's engines.

"Nuh-uh. Rieekan said he had a special list for me and handed me a flimsi. Said the pilot would know where to drop me off."

"Huh. Funny. Well, Madine put in a special request for newer X-Wings. And we could use some more medical supplies. What's the general got you running for?"

Lando fingered the flimsi sheet Rieekan had given him. "I don't know. He told me not to peek until I got dropped off."

"Huh."

"Calrissian," the pilot peeked out from the cockpit. "We're here."

"Alright. Thanks, Glier."

"Alright, Runners Two, Three, Four, and Five. Watch out for some unfriendlies in the back of the shop. Have you gotten through the Wings' access codes?"

"Just about, Runner Leader. Man, Cracken's going to be happy! We could almost make ourselves a whole new squadrons with these babies!"

"Quiet, Runner Five. Be sure not to trip any alarms."

Runner Five keyed an acknowledgment via their comm channel. Another runner keyed in about his success in escaping the planet's atmosphere with a Y-Wing and new engines while two others were still working feverishly to hotwire an X-Wing.

"Three, Four? We've got signs of mechanics and bucketheads moving in. Watch the south end of the docking bay."

Suddenly, blaster fire erupted over the team's commlinks and they all waited for anxiously for Runners Three and Four to respond. The rapid exchange of laser fire continued for a few moments longer before huffing breaths responded to the others. "Leader, you there?"

"Pfft! Three and Four, are you there?"

"We're making it. You can be expecting us up in the air in a few short moments, sir."

"Thank goodness. And hurry up over there!"

"Ohhh, Rieekan!" Lando growled beneath his breath as he took in the sight of the store before him. "One day, I'm going to get you back for this." He took a long breath, then walked forward and entered the store.

He supposed it would have been bad enough if Rieekan had just sent him to a women's department store. Yes, casually shopping in the extra small section of Lady Liva's Dress Store for Women of All Species would have been horrifying. But this was a whole other level of embarrassment. So, Lando thought.

"Well, hello there, sir!" A cheery and friendly voice greeted Lando as he entered the maternity store. "I see you've come by yourself. Your baby mama must be tired."

Lando went pink in the cheeks. "Yes, she must be."

"So, what can I do you in for?"

"Um. Clothes?"

It was on purpose, Lando swore, that Glier took a long sip of water from his canteen as Herf asked, "Wait, say it again! Rieekan sent you where?"

Lando looked away, directing his glare out the viewport instead. "To a maternity store!"

Glier's drink spewed from his mouth and at Lando and Lando turned to face him, his glare still remaining affixed to his face. "Wanna' do that again?"

"Leia, I brought dinner."

Leia jumped awake at the sound of her door sliding open and Luke walking in. Standing in the doorway with a tray, Luke froze. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were sleeping."

"No, it's fine." Leia yawned and quickly combed her fingers through her tangled hair. She pulled a pony off her wrist and set to work braiding her long tresses. "Thank you for bringing my meals in. Although, it makes me feel bad."

"Don't feel bad," Luke insisted. He came to her side, set her tray on the nightstand, and sat back in a chair that was positioned at her bedside. "It's nothing, Leia. Really. I don't have any other friends I would sit with at lunch anyway."

Leia gave him a look. "Not even the Rogues?"

"Well, they aren't as fun when they get moody like you are." Leia tossed him a comical glare and Luke just chuckled. "You're tired today," he noted.

Laying her napkins out on her lap, Leia nodded. "I felt nauseous earlier, but then it passed. Now, I just feel exhausted. But I don't want to stay in bed all day either." She paused, fork in hand.

"Maybe, when you're feeling better, we could take a walk around the decks in the back of the Home. Or at night tomorrow when everybody's in their quarters."

Leia smiled at his idea. "Yeah. That sounds nice."

"We could meet later, take our walk, then head back to bed and we wouldn't have to run into anyone."

This time, Leia just nodded.

She finished her meal quickly, then laid the tray back on her nightstand. There, she'd put up a holo of her, Luke, and Han shortly after they'd met. How things had changed since then . . .

Luke fell asleep. It was nearing close to Home One's curfew, so Leia got up to flick off the lights and cuddled herself up in her blankets with her journal and a book light.

Week 16

A few weeks have passed and I've hardly been out of my room since the incident in the mess hall. Their insults still reverberate through my mind too often for my liking. Sometimes, no matter how hard I try to keep my own thoughts preoccupied. I know I shouldn't let it bother me, but facing them again and letting them see how far along I am isn't exactly an alluring thought.

They are my light right now; my twins, my babies. I'm still terrified of becoming a mother and having two little ones who are dependent on me, but the idea has become much more . . .inviting now. I'm anxious for the evidence that they exist to be clearer. Of course, my belly is growing with them, but I can't wait to feel the first kick, to find out if both of my babies are girls or boys. Or if I'll be blessed with one of each.

It's been getting easier to keep myself preoccupied with matters of the pregnancy. I've found more to worry myself over just enough that Denun isn't concerned over my stress levels. I've been thinking about all the little things the babies will need. Bottles, pacifiers, clothes, toys. I still have no idea where I'll set up a crib. Maybe right in front of my bed. And names! I can't believe I haven't even thought about names!

Oh, well. I've still got time to figure it all out.

Time to prepare for my little ones.

Time to ponder how I'll tell Han when we find him.

Time to find Han.

Anyway, amidst my victimization, I'm learning to push away my unpleasant thoughts by focusing on my pregnancy. There's plenty enough for me to worry about and I've found those things almost calming compared to dealing with everything else. Yes, I used to feel that I'd much rather exhaust myself worrying about the months to come than actually pick up my own tray at meals in the commons. I'm working up the courage. Maybe, tomorrow I'll go with Luke for meals. We'll walk right through the busiest corridors and I'll smile pleasantly when people stop to stare at me and my growing abdomen. I'll emphasize caressing my little bump and they'll be left speechless because nothing they could do could bother me. Maybe sometime.

I do not feel a shred of shame for falling in love with Han Solo. Nor am I ashamed that I let Han Solo 'into my pants'. And I am especially not ashamed that I am pregnant with his child. In fact, in a smug kind of way, I'm proud.

I was thinking about this the other day and I think part of my pride isn't so smug. Part of my pride stems from my gratefulness that Han and I finally broke each other down. It took a few months, but our joined effort of stubbornness could only last so long and when it broke, it crashed around us, only leaving room for the undeniable truth: it wasn't so hard for us to deal with each other like we'd made it a big deal to be. Han broke first, then he wore me down until I could deny him no longer. At that point, everything started to fall into place.

My pride is born of my gratefulness that we figured it out before it was too late. That there was no lightspeed, no quick fix, that it took months to reach Bespin, that in the circuitry bay, Han forced me to face him, and that I surrendered because I really couldn't keep up the lie for much longer. I'm endlessly thankful for that trip to Bespin and I am even thankful that my contraceptives, and Han's, expired. Otherwise, I don't know how I would get through my life without Han.

"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!"

Leia groaned, pulling her covers over her head as she felt them being tugged away from her. "I'm tired! You go away!"

With a single snap, Luke tore her blankets off of her and Leia screamed, grabbing her pillow and throwing it his way. With ease, he caught it. "Morning, Mommy."

"Don't call me that."

"You might as well get used to it."

"Okay, but I really don't want to hear you call me that." Leia wiped at her eyes and got out of bed. "What time is it?"

"Time to get a new chrono."

"You're not funny."

Luke smirked at her. "And you're not funny anymore, either. Especially in the morning."

Leia slapped a hand to her stomach, glaring at him. "Maybe you shouldn't wake me up so early, then."

Luke dropped his arms and huffed. "Leia, it's nearly nine!"

She just groaned again, dragging herself to the refresher.

Half an hour later, Leia was clean and dressed. She pulled her hair up in a messy bun at the back of her head, too tired to bother with actually braiding it. When she came out of the refresher, she froze upon seeing her small living room packed full. All of Rogue Squadron, Luke, General Rieekan, Admiral Ackbar, Lando, and Chewie stood there, smiling at her. "Um . . . " Leia found herself at a loss for words and had no idea what to do or say, especially since none of them were talking. "What's going on?"

Rieekan chuckled as he hurried over and took her by her shoulders to steer her to a chair. "Sit down, Lelila. We've got a surprise for you."

"A surprise?"

"Relax." He gently pushed her onto her couch and everyone crowded around her. Rieekan kneeled in front of her, holding her gaze. "I found one of your father's saving accounts."

Leia gaped. "How? Where?!" Before Alderaan had been destroyed, obliterated in a cloud of fire and smoke, Bail Organa had spent years setting up saving accounts in various banks and planets across the galaxy. He'd called them contingency plans, telling Leia they would be for her in the future if ever she was in need. Leia had known he'd spread them in hopes that the Empire wouldn't notice all the Organas' saved up money and question it, but Leia had never had an idea as to how much he had saved up or where any of it was.

"He had a big one stored on Bilbringi. I found it by accident, but it was kept under the name 'Pricsa Liti'."

Leia smiled, recognizing her old native tongue. "Little Princess," she translated, her eyes already filling with tears.

Rieekan nodded. "And then I knew it was for you. Anyway, I found it and I got an idea."

Rieekan stepped back and Wedge came forward, smiling. "You've been having a tough time. People around here certainly aren't helping, so we thought we'd remind you that you aren't alone and that you still have support. And that you can call upon us for help whenever you need it."

"So," Rieekan traded a look with lando and the two grinned at each other. "I sent Lando on a little supply run."

Lando came forward, carrying several plain bags. He laid them at Leia's side and she reached to grab one. "Can I open it?" she asked Lando carefully. He nodded. "Please do."

Leia opened the bag, glanced in, and the tears finally fell. She clapped a shaky hand over her mouth and laughed. "You shouldn't have!"

"Yes, we should have. You needed help and you're too noble to ask for it, so we just went ahead." Lando nodded toward the bags. "There you go."

Leia reached into the one bag and pulled out a long dress. It had short sleeves and was off white with red, pink, blue and orange flowers covering it. They were clothes. Bags full of maternity clothes. Dresses, shirts, skirts, pants, shoes, plus accessories. Clothes.

"Oh, Lando! I don't know what to say! Thank you!" She jumped to her feet and Rieekan looked like he was about to have a heart attack, but Leia laughed, throwing herself into Lando's arms. "Thank you!"

Lando laughed, gingerly hugging her back. "It was no problem, Princess. Although, I don't know what you like to wear, so I just tried to get colors Han said he liked you in."

Leia paused. "Han said- you and Han talked about-?"

Lando's grin returned. "He was pretty proud he finally got you. You went to bed earlier than him and we stayed up for a while. He wouldn't stop talking about you."
Leia blushed.

The jaunty man paused for a moment, then leaned down and whispered in Leia's ear, "I know you've been worrying yourself over everything, but I think Han will be really happy when he comes back."

Leia managed a soft-spoken 'thank you', then sat back down.

"Of course," Rieekan began again, handing the bags of clothes to Luke to move out of Leia's way. "You still need all those necessities." He paused and held Leia's gaze. A wild grin broke across his face while Leia waited. "So we took care of some of that, too."

"Rieekan!"

The Rogue pilots dragged forward a few more boxes and Leia shook her head, still sobbing. Luke smiled, sitting with her and pulling her into a side hug. As Wedge and Janson opened the boxes, Leia cried into Luke's shoulder. She could hardly even see through her teary-eyed gaze, but Leia wasn't bothering to even really look at everything they were pulling out. All she could think about was how much she was indebted to these people. For standing up for her, for supporting her, for going out of their way to help her when she would be lost if left alone.

All she could think about was how lucky she was and how lucky her babies were, that they had so many caring uncles. For the first time in a couple weeks, Leia felt loved again. At least, she remembered that she was loved, that she wasn't alone, that everything would be alright and she would figure things out because she had help from all corners. She didn't have to stand up on her own because Luke was right at her side, hanging onto her arm. As were Rieekan, Lando, Chewie, and so many others. Therefore, Leia had nothing to fear. It would all work out because she wasn't alone.

Before she realized the show was over, Luke was standing up and pulling her with him. Leia got up and looked to see Luke grabbing her bags in one hand. He walked her to her room and laid the shopping bags on her bed. "There. Why don't you pick something out, then we'll walk to the meeting together."

Luke turned to leave, but Leia spun to catch his arm. He blinked at her, but she just smiled. "We'll go the short way?"

"If we go the short way, everyone will see you," he noted, his voice chirpy and almost cheery like he knew what she was thinking which Leia was sure he did.
She shrugged. "Let them. Kriff their thoughts. I couldn't care less."

Luke actually laughed. He swept her into a quick hug, saying, "That's right. At least, that's what Han would say."

"Well, I've been corrupted!"

Luke nodded, giving a glance at her belly. "Some time on that long trip to Bespin."

He left as his words sunk in for Leia and they drew a smile on her lips. She shut the door and nodded, one hand caressing her belly. "Yeah," she laughed to herself. "Some time when I lost my restraint." Silently, to herself, she added, luckily.

Leia Organa walked down the corridors of Home One, striding confidently. She wore a tight-fitting, red and navy blue striped shirt that accentuated her baby bump and she smiled proudly. Luke walked at her side, letting her have the show as they made their way around and everyone's gazes followed her. She didn't mind, though. She felt upbeat today; smugly happy and proud. This time, no one said anything to her nor shouted at her. All were silent and they just turned to watch her pass.

"Don't let them bother you," Luke whispered to her, staring straight ahead. "They can't hurt you."

"I'm not," Leia insisted with a smile. "In fact, I'm feeling sassy today. If anything, they should watch out."

"Oh-ho!" Luke laughed. "Watch out, world! You know, I think your mood swings are kicking in."

"Probably."

It was smooth walking most of their trip with the Rogues plus Lando and Chewie following as a sort of entourage behind the two friends. They made it just past the commons when someone stepped into Leia's path. She stood tall, taller than most of the men in the corridor. She glared down her nose at Leia with a sly smile. Her face was brightly colored with glittery teal and purple makeup, and whenever she so much as blinked or flinched a facial muscle, it looked like billboard lights flashing in the night. Leia blinked. "Think you're all proud now?" the woman asked, smiling. "You're above everyone else? Special because you're going to have a baby?" Her smile vanished. "You get special treatment and more food? That's right. Don't think the rest of us are that dumb. For, what, two weeks you had the Rogues picking up your tray for for you. That tray stacked with food."

Leia was about to object, her voice low and calm, but Luke was getting a nasty look and she was reminded of her own sassy mood of the day. "You really think I'm that selfish? That wasn't my request."

"I'm sure it wasn't, you dirty princess."

Leia rolled her eyes and pushed past her, muttering, "Kriff you," just loud enough so everyone could hear.