Leia closed her front door as quietly as possible and leaned her back against it, sighing happily. She was still on a high from her latest date with Han. They'd gone to see a movie, some silly old space film Han loved, but rather than watch the screen she hadn't been able to keep her eyes off of him. He was so handsome but it was so much more than that. He was a beautiful man in every sense and his soul was young and exciting and playful. She was learning more and more about him with every passing day and her feelings for him were growing so strong it scared her. She was beginning to forget what it'd been like for her before she met him. She couldn't imagine her life without him and it was terrifying to have so much to lose. God, she must've been insane… They'd only been dating a few weeks… she couldn't be in… love already could she?

Love.

The word felt so foreign to her and yet... it seemed to be the only way to describe her feelings for him. It just…fit. But it was too soon… it had to be. Nobody fell in love this quickly, except maybe in romance novels.

She'd never exactly been a girl who relied on guys for happiness; she was always so content alone, but with Han… she never wanted to be without him. He made her feel things she never thought she could. He was kind, caring, generous, funny and she knew this thing between them was more than a fling. But she was afraid, afraid of being hurt, afraid of hurting him, just afraid. At the same time she'd never felt so secure or safe with another human being. This was something her independence complex protested against but her inner need for sanctuary begged for.

She sighed. Everything was just so confusing. She was ready to get some schoolwork done to clear her head a little. She made her way to the stairs, but she hadn't reached the second step before she heard a voice from the lounge.

"Leia? Honey is that you?"

Her mother. She wasn't supposed to be home, not yet. She worked late on Fridays… Her father was away on business, which is why she'd chosen to go out with Han that night. How was she going to explain why she was only just home? Taking a deep breath she entered the lounge. Her mother was lying on the couch with her MacBook balanced on her knees. As always her demeanor was calm, collected, regal, but Breha Organa was very good at disguising her true feelings. So she wasn't safe yet.

"Mom, you're home early." Leia tried to sound as nonchalant as possible but her voice came out weird, almost high-pitched. If Breha noticed this however, she hid it well.

"I wasn't feeling well, so I came home to rest." She explained. She frowned then, eyeing her daughter carefully. "Where were you? I expected you to be back already."

Damn it. Leia had hoped she didn't ask that.

"I was at Luke's…studying." Again her voice came out weird and Leia wanted to punch herself. She hadn't perfected her lying yet, partly because she'd never had anything to lie about. Han was her first real secret.

"On a Friday night?" Breha closed her laptop and set it aside, her suspicion finally showing on her face. Leia nodded frantically, cursing herself for not thinking of a better backstory.

Her mother stood and approached her daughter, not breaking eye contact. She calmly placed her hands on Leia's shoulders and raised her eyebrows knowingly.

"Leia, who's the guy?" She asked, exhaling.

Leia felt her face heat up. She knew? She couldn't possibly. Leia opened her mouth to protest but Breha put her hand up to stop her.

"Honey, you're happier than I've seen you in a long time, you're constantly texting and you actually go out most weekends. Plus Threepio told me you visited the diner a while ago with a male friend. Spill the beans Leia Organa."

Her eyes bore into her and Leia felt like she was a child again getting caught for breaking her grandmothers vase. She considered arguing that Han was just a friend, it was nothing serious but she knew her mother wasn't an idiot. She sighed, giving in.

"His name is Han… He's a couple years older than me and…we're seeing each other." She felt her cheeks turn pink; this was the last thing she wanted to discuss with her mother.

"Where did you meet him?" Breha asked, continuing her interrogation.

Leia considered lying, saying that she'd met Han at school but she remembered what he'd asked her the night of their first date ("Are you ashamed of me or something?") and she couldn't bring herself to do it. If her parents were going to know about her relationship, they would have to learn to accept Han, all of him, just as she had.

"He runs the animal shelter I volunteered at."

"The guy you constantly complained about?" Her mother's eyes widened. Her voice finally raised, a rare occurrence. "THAT GUY?"

"Mom…I…" Leia began but Breha cut her daughter off, her voice softening slightly.

"Listen darling. I'm not angry with you because you're… dating someone. Hell, it's about time." She smiled for the first time that evening. A small smile but a smile nonetheless and Leia felt her nerves calm slightly. "But I am hurt that you felt the need to lie about it to me. To your father."

Leia looked down at her feet in shame. She hadn't meant to deceive her mother and she could hear the hurt in her voice. The Organas had always prided themselves on being an open, honest family. Bail always boasted to his friends about his great relationship with his daughter and that she told him everything. This clearly wasn't the case. Suddenly Leia's blood ran cold. Her father. She had forgotten about him. It was now inevitable that someone was going to have to let him know and that was not a conversation she wanted to have, but now it was out in the open. She met her mother's eyes helplessly.

"Are you gonna tell him?"

"Me? No, it isn't my job." She replied sternly. "You will tell your father and you will tell him properly, the way you should have told me. Understand?"

Again Leia felt incredibly young and small, scolded by her mother. She knew she was right. It was Leia's responsibility and Leia's alone to tell the truth to Bail. It didn't mean the idea didn't terrify her but now she had no choice.

"Yes mom." She answered with a half-hearted smile. Breha nodded, satisfied.

"Good. Now, this…Han… Does he treat you right?"

Leia felt a goofy smile grow on her face at the mention of her boyfriend. Did he treat her right? He treated her with more respect than she'd ever felt she deserved. But that being said he didn't put her on a pedestal. She was just a girl and he was just a boy and they were equals. He truly would challenge her if he felt it was necessary and she would do the same. It was refreshing. She didn't feel fragile or untouchable around him. She just felt like…Leia.

"Mom he's wonderful." She said dreamily, smiling to herself.

"Good. Then I'd like to meet him." Her face lit up all of a sudden. "You should bring him to the party!"

Leia gulped. The party her mother was referring to was the annual family gathering her family held to celebrate Leia's birthday. Aunts, uncles, cousins, and relatives from all over the world attended in all their upper class glory. Now that she and Luke were reunited, he was also included in the celebration and all of his adopted extended family were to attend too. Her family were intense enough as it was, without adding a boyfriend to the equation. Leia wasn't keen for Han's first meeting with her parents to be on the same day he met her insane extended family. The poor guy would be overwhelmed.

"But Mom…" she began to protest, but Breha wasn't having any of it.

"Leia, I will meet that man at your party and that is the final word." She stated and Leia knew that if she fought this, she would lose. She nodded silently.

Breha then sat on the couch again and indicated to Leia to sit beside her. She obliged.

"Now tell me everything."

…..

Han grinned as his phone screen lit up with a photo of Leia. He'd taken it last week when they went to a funfair outside of town. The couple had felt particularly childish that afternoon and he had gone to every stall trying desperately to win something. Eventually, $20 and several shooting games later, he presented her with a tiny 'beanie baby' dolphin. Leia had thrown her arms around him, kissed his lips, cheek and chin excitedly. Squealing because she'd never won anything before. The lights of the fair and her gorgeous smile lit her face up beautifully. He'd known in that moment that he never wanted this relationship to end. He'd known exactly how he felt about her and while it should've scared him it didn't. He loved her, pure and simple.

He'd wanted to tell her immediatly but he sensed that it wasn't the time, so he'd simply kissed her back and asked to take a photo of her, to mark the moment. She'd posed adorably, placing the dolphin on her head with a huge smile on her face. He'd now made it her contact photo so whenever she phoned, he was reminded of that moment. The moment he realized he'd fallen in love and it never failed to make his heart soar. He accepted her call quickly and smiled widely as he spoke.

"Sweetheart. Miss me already?" He teased, it'd only been about 2 hours since they'd seen one another and it was too damn long in his opinion. He heard that giggle he adored bubble through and his heart raced.

"Always hotshot, but actually I wanted to talk to you about something." She explained. She didn't sound upset or anything but there was an edge to her voice that warned him, so he sat up straight.

"Anything." He responded seriously and he heard Leia take a deep breath.

"So my mom sort of found out about us…"

Han stilled. Crap. This couldn't be good.

"What? How?" He asked nervously and Leia paused a moment before explaining.

"She figured it out. I'm such an idiot, I should've been straight with her in the first place." She sounded frustrated with herself and Han wanted to reassure her and he would've on any other occasion but his mind was otherwise occupied with anxiety. Was this going to lead to the end of their relationship? Would they stop Leia from seeing him? He didn't think he could stand it if they did. But he wouldn't blame them. He was sure if he was a parent he would hate him too.

"How…how did she take it?" He asked warily, hoping there wasn't already a lynch mob on its way to meet him.

"She took it ok but…" Leia paused and inhaled shakily. "She wants to meet you."

Han felt the tension leave his body. This was perfect, he wasn't about to get his ass beaten and he was finally going to meet Leia's parents. If it was out in the open there would be no hiding, no secrecy and Leia could really and truly be his. He wondered why it made her so nervous.

"Well, that's not so bad…" He started but she cut him off.

"I wasn't finished, she wants to meet you at my 19th birthday party. It's next Friday."

Han frowned; it was Leia's birthday next week? He couldn't believe he hadn't known that. Come to think of it he'd known she was close to turning 19 but he hadn't thought to ask when. Some boyfriend.

"Why didn't you say anything?" He needed to think of something to buy her! He had so little time!

"I'm not a fan of my birthday." She answered bluntly and Han decided not to question it. If it was a sore topic he wouldn't force her to talk about it.

"Anyway…what do you think?" She continued nervously.

"I'll come." He answered without hesitation

"W-wait really?" Leia stuttered, obviously not anticipating his answer. He smiled fondly at the surprise in her voice.

"Yeah. Why not? It'll be fun." He said with a light laugh. Fun may not have been the right word but he wanted to reassure her.

"Han, my family can be overwhelming. My father especially." Leia warned seriously and Han's heart sank. Perhaps there would be a lynch mob chasing him after all.

"Does he know yet?" Han asked, his voice full of dread.

"Not yet, I'm telling him tomorrow…" Leia trailed off, she obviously had no choice in the matter.

"How will he take it?" Han asked, his mouth was dry, so he took a sip of water.

"I'm not sure, but I explained how great you are to Mom and she took it well. I hope he understands." She replied softly.

"Me too, sweetheart." Han felt his body relax. It seemed everything would turn out all right. There was nothing to worry about. A slow grin spread across his face as he realized what she had said. "I'm great huh…?"

"That is what you took from this?" Leia groaned with an exasperated sigh, but he could hear the amusement behind her voice. She didn't seem so worried anymore either.

"It's always nice to be recognized for your greatness." Han teased cockily and he heard her laugh, properly, not forced and he smiled. That's it sweetheart.

"I hate you."

"You like me." His chest tightened as he anticipated her reply. It wasn't as if he expected her to tell him she loved him. Not now! Not over the phone. But he had an illogical need to know exactly how she felt about him

"Occasionally. When you aren't acting like a scoundrel." She said deadpan but she was being playful, a side of Leia he always loved. She deserved to feel carefree.

"I'll take it." He chuckled. "See ya soon princess."

"Bye flyboy."

Han hung up the phone and smiled. Sure it was gonna be a scary situation but what guy meeting his girl's folks wasn't scared shitless? He was determined to charm Leia's family and he was certain he would. He could be gentlemanly if he chose to be and it would be the perfect way to demonstrate to Leia how deeply he cared about. Maybe even tell her he loved her…

Right, he had some work to do.