A.N. This is it. This is the end. Now, just a quick note on this first scene: I kind of surprised myself when I wrote this, but- to me- it makes sense and I'm proud of how it turned out. I have my own reasoning for why I did this. If you have any questions or think it's weird, feel free to pm me!
Leia carefully fitted the silver comb just behind the mass of curls gathered above her neck. It sat there, perfectly firm in place. Pleased with her work, Leia dropped her arms and gave her appearance one last look over.
"You're really beautiful, Mama," a voice suddenly spoke from down by Leia's waist. She looked down and smiled at her five year-old daughter. "Thanks, Jaya. Do you think Daddy will agree?"
Jaina smiled; a lopsided grin that mirrored her father's. In all honesty, that was one of the only things to her that came from her father. Everything else about her was purely Leia's genes at work. Her big, chocolate eyes, narrow jaw, button nose, and delicate lips. Even her stubborn, pragmatic personality.
"Of course, Mama. Every day, Daddy always tells you how beautiful youare! And he's going to love your dress!"
Leia slid a hand down the front of her white, V-neck gown. "I hope so. You know what? I think he's going to think you look absolutely breathtaking too."
Jaina wrinkled her nose, but still smiled. Leia loved that smile. "Then, I'll have to remind him he's supposed to be staring at you all night. That's what Uncle Luke said."
Leia chuckled. "Speaking of Uncle Luke." She put out her hand for Jaina to take. "He's waiting for us. Are you ready?"
Jaina nodded, slipping her small hand into her mother's. They went out to the corridor where Luke was, indeed, waiting for them. "There you are! Wow." He squatted down and hugged his niece. "You look just like a princess, Jaina!"
"Daddy says I always look like a princess like Mommy."
Luke smirked. "You know what? I think he's right." Luke returned to his feet and studied Leia. In a hushed tone, he asked her, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Leia took a deep breath and nodded, relaxing herself. "I can't stay mad at him forever. Besides, he has a family." She stroked Jaina's heat-curled hair. "And he deserves to be a part of it."
Luke took her arm and brought her down the the hall to a decorated, but empty ball room. Tables were clustered around one half of the room and it was at one of the tables on the other side of the room where he sat. At the sight of him, Jaina released Leia's hand and darted for him.
"Jaina! Be gentle!" Leia called after her.
But he just laughed, a small, quick grunt being the only hint that Jaina had hurt him. He pulled her into his lap as she cheered, "Grandpa!"
"Why, hello, little miss Jaina."
"Mommy and Daddy are getting married today," she was quick to tell him.
Smiling gently, yet sadly, he nodded. "I know. I couldn't forget."
Leia held back a sigh as she approached. Her father's gaze turned to her and his smile vanished as he surveyed her hairdo and dress. "Wow," he said. "You look like an angel."
Leia blushed just slightly. She shook her head and sat before the old man. "I wanted to thank you for coming," she said.
"I wouldn't miss this for the world," he swore. "I'm very happy for you, Leia."
"I know you are," she acknowledged quietly.
"Grandpa," Jaina lightly yanked on his light Jedi robes. "Are you going to sit in the front row with me and Jacen?"
He shook his head, trading a long look with Leia while he answered the little girl. "No, Jaina. I think it will be better for me to stay in here. And look!" He pointed to the front of the room where a large canvas holoscreen hung. "I'll get to watch your mommy on that big, huge screen. It will be like sitting right in front of the altar."
Leia looked away, guilt eating at her because she knew it was harder for him to convince himself than his young granddaughter.
"Are you not sitting with us because Mommy's friends don't like you?"
"Jaina!" Leia quickly admonished, but her father shook his pale, burnt head.
"No, it's alright. Jaina, I just think my face might be a little too scary for them," he tried weakly to joke, "and I certainly wouldn't want to ruin your parents' wedding."
Jaina giggled, giving a kiss to the scars under his flayed right cheek. "I don't think your face is scary."
"Well, that's because you're a very brave, fierce little girl like your mother." He set her down on her feet and nodded. "Now, I think it's time for your parents to get married. You better make sure your mother isn't late."
Leia stood.
Quietly, so Jaina wouldn't hear, he said to his daughter, "Leia, my child, I can hardly stand myself for what I did to you and Han-"
Leia shook her head, looking away, her sense of discomfort quickly rising. "No. No, we don't need to go there today. Not today."
"No, Leia, I'm sorry-"
"I know you are. But please-" Leia could hardly stand to stare at all the guilt swimming in his eyes, but Leia forced herself to hold his gaze. "Not today."
He nodded slowly, tears sparkling in the corners of his eyes. "I'm happy for you, Leia."
Leia held his tender gaze and nodded. "I know you are. It means enough to me that you're here. Thank you." She took a shuddering breath. "Father."
He smiled the brightest smile Leia had seen him give. A smile that was almost as bright as his blue eyes.
She took Jaina's hand and turned to leave while Luke shared a word with their father.
Leia came walking down the aisle with their children at her side. Each twin held one of their mother's hands as- together- they all took slow steps toward Han. He took a brief moment to look all three of them over. Jaina's hand opened and closed with a quick, discreet wave and Han smiled down at her; he waved back. He and Jacen shared a smile before Han's gaze settled on Leia. His fiancée. His wife in a few moments. Han could hardly wait for it to be official, but the time was finally here.
They'd taken their time, all the time they'd needed. While adjusting to life with kids, they'd figured it out- together. Their lives had molded to evolve around the kids which had been, at first, different, but a good different. Han recalled those first years with plenty of happy memories. For a couple years, he and Leia had taken the time to adjust their lives to fit the twins.
The rest of that time had been for them. They'd figured out where and how their own children fit into their lives. They'd just needed to figure out how they fit together in their family. Sometimes, it had been hard, but it the long process had been so natural. When the twins were nearly five, Han knew that he and Leia had gotten to where they needed to be. And it was the most relieving moment of his life. He'd proposed, she'd said yes, and now- finally- they would get to show all their hard work and have it in writing in legal paper. And it would be official. All of it.
She looked so radiant and gorgeous. Her features were soft with the shine of love and happiness. Her smile was bright and it made Han so excited- for their future, for all the happiness that awaited them. Her hair- there was just something about Leia's hair that Han absolutely loved. He loved running his hands through the long tresses, loved feeling the soft threads, loved smelling the familiar, flower-like scent of her hair- and knowing that he would never have to be separated from her again. Yes, nothing like their separation on Cloud City would ever happen again because Han would see to it. He had a family to protect and they came above everything else in Han's life. Not that he had much else, of course.
But now he would have Leia. Officially. And that thrilled him like nothing else. And- soon, Han remembered as his eyes pondered over Leia's waist for a moment- he would have another little one to fawn over and adore as he adored his twin children. It had come as quite a shock when, several weeks ago, Leia had come to realize it. Especially with their wedding coming so soon. But Han and Leia had both still been thrilled and the twins seemed excited too. Han was just happy to get to share so much with Leia and to finally go through that with her as he had missed that with the twins. Now, though, Han would never miss another moment with his family. He would cherish them and hold them close and never let go. Because his future was was all Leia's. All Jaina's and Jacen's. All the baby's. And Han could ask for no more.
When Leia and the twins made it to the altar, Han bent down to hug his kids before they had to go sit with their uncle. Then, he looked at Leia, flashed her a smile, took her hands, and turned to face the officiator.
Another A.N. Thank you, everyone, so much for reading and reviewing!I hope you've enjoyed this whole story. Now, this Friday, I will be publishing the first chapter to my next story! It will be called 'Closed Quarters' and it's an alternative Bespin trip. I hope to see you guys again when that comes!