It was 8 o'clock on the dot and Leia was getting increasingly more nervous, Han was due to arrive any second now. So far it was just herself, Luke, Owen and her parents present but in about half an hour the room would be full of extended family. It was bad enough that her parents had to meet him less alone the rest of them.

Bail had taken it pretty well, a hell of a lot better than she would ever have expected.

He'd come home from a conference he'd attended and Leia came straight out with it. She was dating an older guy and had been for a while and he made her happier than she'd been in a long time. Bail had listened in his usual calm, respectful way, waiting until she had finished, before making a comment.

"Leia, darling" She recalled him saying. "You're not a child any more, I didn't expect you to stay single forever. I love you and I trust your judgment. I'd like to meet the young man."

She'd told him that her mother already had that covered and he'd chuckled when she explained Breha's condition and, said, "Poor guy." Leia was in complete agreement.

The house was decorated in the usual Organa fashion, extravagant. Over 100 helium balloons covered the high ceiling in blue and pink with both Luke and Leia's names on them. Luke and Leia had spent the afternoon making streamers and decorating the birthday table, which was stacked already with presents for both twins. Breha catered the event herself, they could afford the help but she preferred to do it herself, in her own words "If I'm capable of doing something myself I will." Leia knew some of her older relatives didn't share this sentiment but the food was excellent so they wouldn't be able to complain. Her mother had made of little dishes for people to pick from and Threepio had made them a huge six-tier cake. Leia had no idea how they were all going to finish the thing since most of her skinny, looks obsessed cousins didn't even eat carbs.

Leia once again looked at her watch and sighed, the sooner Han arrived the better.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked around to see Luke who was staring at her sympathetically, he could always tell when she was panicking.

"It'll be ok Leia, try to relax." He assured her. Leia nodded knowing her brother was right, there was no use in worrying.

The doorbell sounded and Leia felt her heart leap. Han!

"I got it!" She said hurriedly racing to the door before anyone could stop her.

She threw the door open and jumped into Han's embrace immediately. It had been almost a full 3 days since she'd last seen him and she'd grown so used to his company that being apart from him was almost unbearable. They were gross. He almost fell back in surprise but he managed to compose himself and laughed, his arms winding around her, holding her body close, breathing her in. He'd missed her just as much.

"Hey baby." He said quietly and Leia felt a chill ripple through her body.

Baby! That one was new.

"Thank goodness you're here!" She said when she pulled back and he grinned. She kissed him quickly then stepped back to admire him.

She was impressed he'd dressed up and looked more handsome than he ever had. (And that was saying something.) He wore a clean black shirt that looked new and fitted very nicely with his best trousers that he wore often on their dates, his belt was also new and the shoes he wore had clearly been polished. His usual mop of hair was brushed and styled in the best way he could manage and he held a beautiful bouquet of pink roses in one hand, a very full looking shopping bag in the other. He'd clearly made an effort and Leia felt a burst of love for her boyfriend, he was incredible.

"Are those for me?" She asked hopefully, nodding towards the roses and Han grinned, shaking his head.

"Actually they're for your mom." He admitted and laughed at the disappointment on her face.

"Don't worry darling, everything else is yours." He told her and then leaned in conspiratorially. "Including myself." He winked and Leia blushed, her body tingling.

Han took the opportunity to take in Leia's appearance and she smiled wickedly as his eyes explored her body, the attraction on his face apparent. She was wearing a black sparkly dress with a cutout above her cleavage, with lace over the top, which was classy and elegant, very Leia-esque. She'd styled her hair in a complex halo of braids with not a hair out of place and her lips were painted a deep red. He met her eyes and Leia melted under his adoring gaze.

"Beautiful." Was all he said and Leia swore if her family wasn't there, she'd have dragged him up to her bedroom.

She leaned in to kiss him instead, he sighed contently as she deepened the kiss, her hands either side of his face, gluing him to her. Nothing felt more right when they were together and finally they could go public about it. Han hadn't felt so happy in years.

They kissed for a long time and almost forgot where they were until they heard someone clear their throat. They pulled apart to see Bail standing in the hallway, smiling awkwardly. Leia immediatly turned as red as her lipstick but Han, who appeared not to share Leia's embarrassment, smiled and stepped forward to greet him.

"Hi, Han Solo! Great to finally meet you." He extended a hand and Bail shook it.

"Likewise, come in will you!" He lead them down the hall to the dining room.

Leia linked an arm through Han's as they walked wanting to feel close to him, he smiled and kissed her temple before they entered the room. Binks, who had met Han several times on their secret dates, ran over and jumped up on Han excitedly.

"Hey little buddy!" Han cooed, the animal shelter owner in him making its appearance.

Breha stepped forward cheerfully, with a smile on her face.

"Han! Great to meet you! I'm Leia's mom, Breha."

Han handed her the roses shyly and Leia watched in wonder, she didn't think Han Solo could be shy if he tried. Apparently she was wrong.

"For you." Breha met Leia's eye, a look of approval crossing her face.

"How thoughtful dear! Thank you!" She took the flowers and went to find a vase for them.

Luke came over and pulled Han into a hug as if they were long lost friends, he knew how much Han meant to his sister. "Great to see you again!"

Han patted his back laughingly, enjoying the attention. "You too, Kid. Where should I put my gifts?"

"On the table!" Breha gestured and Han began to set several large silver packages on the table.

Leia's eyes widened at the sheer number of gift's he'd got her. "Han! You didn't need to get that much!" She exclaimed, in awe.

Han smiled and kissed her cheek once he'd finished. "I know but you only turn 19 once!"

Leia rolled her eyes, about to continue their banter when the bell rang. Bail took a deep breath and looked around the group with a half smile.

"Let the games begin!"

…

So far so good.

The party was going well. As usual it was completely full and loud and chaotic but nothing bad had happened. Though Leia's grandmother asked Han when he was going to propose, to which Bail came to his rescue. Also a couple of Leia's cousins had shamelessly tried to flirt with Han, much to Leia's anger but whenever they would he put an arm round Leia or kissed her lips to make it very clear where he stood.

Now Leia was making an obligatory circle round the room, talking to a couple of her aunts. Han sat on the couch watching her from across the room with a smile on his face. She looked round and shot him an apologetic look before continuing her conversation. He sighed, looking her up and down. She was glowing tonight, inside and out and it brought him so much joy that she was proudly showing him off and embracing their relationship. Finally! But he still didn't know exactly where they stood.

He was in love with her. He loved her so much but was scared to tell her.

He had to at some point, but should it be there? At the party?

Was that too public?

Maybe it was too early.

Maybe she didn't love him back.

He lay back against the couch, conflicted. He was almost considering just going right up to Leia and letting it all out when Luke flopped down next to him, grinning. "How you holding up?"

"Good. Your family are certainly energetic!" He laughed and Luke joined him, rolling his eyes and nodding in agreement.

"I'll say! I just escaped my Great Aunt Julie! She was asking when I was planning on joining the family business. I could barely get a word in. They're an overbearing bunch but they mean well."

Han chuckled then his gaze went back to Leia. He watched as she threw her head back with laughter and his mouth turned up automatically, Leia's laugh never failed to give him butterflies. It lit her face up and she looked freer, younger, more relaxed than she did otherwise. That was how he always wanted her to feel but there always seemed to be a cloud over her head. Something was always bothering her. She was happy tonight though and Han loved it. He was staring tenderly at her while Luke studied his face and smiled at him.

"You love her," He said suddenly and Han looked at him surprised. "Don't you?"

There was a moment of silent anticipation before Han sighed and shrugged.

"It's that obvious?" He asked sheepishly.

Luke laughed again. "Yeah. Incredibly so."

Han looked down at his feet self-consciously. Luke's observation wasn't a problem exactly, but he wasn't so sure that Leia returned the sentiment. He didn't feel good enough for her, far from it. She was sunlight and he was rain and they were different in so many ways and yet they just got one another. He just wasn't sure that would be enough. Luke seemed to sense his unease and put his hand on Han's shoulder reassuringly.

"She loves you too, Han." He told him.

Han looked up, eyes lighting up hopefully. "She said that?"

"Well no…" Luke admitted and Han's face fell again but Luke was adament. "I can tell! Trust me, I'm her twin."

Han smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes. Luke lowered his voice, taking on a more serious tone.

"Look, Han, I'd go slow if I were you. Leia's been through a lot. She's an incredibly independent person and she finds it hard to let that go. She thinks that by loving someone she gives up on that and she's afraid. Our birth parents loved each other but it wasn't enough."

Luke paused, pain crossing his face at the mention of his past. Han watched Luke, intrigued. Leia didn't talk much about her birth family and he was both curious and nervous to approach the subject. He didn't want to push Luke, but he seemed to want to share the information with Han. He seemed to trust him.

"Leia worries," Luke continued. "She think's that if she gets too close to anyone romantically, she'll end up like…our father. But you aren't just 'anyone', with you I think she's starting to change. She's so much more open to you than…everyone really aside from me and Bail and Breha and maybe even more so."

He emphasized his next sentence, making sure Han was getting the message. "She really cares about you Han."

Han relaxed, feeling a lot more at ease from Luke's words. He was also happy that Luke seemed to have taken a liking to him and knew his sister well enough to analyse the situation. Perhaps everything would work out well in the end after all. Just like a fairytale. He sighed thoughtfully, wouldn't that be nice.

"Thanks buddy." He said gratefully to Luke, patting his back. He hoped the two of them could be friends; Luke seemed to be a great guy. Plus they both cared deeply about Leia, so that was one thing they had in common.

Han suddenly felt small arms around his neck and a kiss placed on his cheek, his heart soared. Leia was definitely happy tonight.

"Dance with me!" She demanded moving round him and grabbing his hands. Han stroked her palms with his thumbs looking her over for the hundredth time that evening. Beautiful.

"I'm not much of a dancer!" He warned her but pouted adorably and tugged on his hands insistently.

"Please, I'll make it worth your while." She said suggestively, a twinkle in her eye, Han couldn't resist. He let her pull him up and brought her into his embrace, kissing her hard on the mouth; Leia returned it so eagerly it almost bordered on indecent, her tongue stroking his desperately.

Luke coughed uncomfortably, causing the couple to pull apart, giggling, feeling dizzy from each other.

"Keep it PG folks!" Luke joked, but he grimaced, not exactly thrilled to see his sister being defiled. "I don't think grandma wants you to reproduce right this second."

Leia rolled her eyes and Han laughed, pulling her towards the middle of the room to dance, leaving Luke beaming after them. It was gonna be fine.

….

Hours later most of the tension had left Leia's body. This had been a success! Her family loved Han and he was charming and sweet and although she hadn't thought it would be possible to fall harder for him, she had. And now it was clear she'd have to confront her feelings and tell him she loved him.

She watched as Han bantered with Luke, both men laughing at one of Luke's uncles singing Karaoke, Leia's heart warmed at the two most important people in her life getting along. All was well. Or so she thought.

That was when the bell rang but she thought nothing of it. Since her parents were currently dancing she decided not to disturb them so she excused herself and went to answer it. She'd expected it to be a family member who'd gotten locked out, so she wasn't prepared, not in the slightest when she opened the door and came face to face with the last person she wanted to see.

She almost thought she was hallucinating when the gruff familiar voice that haunted her nightmares spoke.

"Happy Birthday." He said.

She was frozen to the spot, staring into the dark eyes of the man who scared her the most in the world. For years she hadn't been able to get those eyes, that face out of her head, she'd wake up gasping and crying, begging him to leave her alone. The bruises had faded long ago but the damage had not faded, never faded. She never thought she'd see him again. Never. Yet here he was, on her birthday.

"Come on Leia," Anakin jeered. "Got nothing to say to your own father?"