a/n: quit takin' your time, Noura!
12 ABY
Coruscant
She found it hard to characterize how she felt about childbirth the second time around. Had she dreaded it, been ready for it? Leia wasn't sure. Truth be told, she'd been too busy with work, Jaina, and getting through the symptoms of each day to think much about labor and delivery at all. She knew she was capable of doing it, and that was a constant comfort; she knew her body was made for this – she also remembered the pain, and towards the very end, developed a bizarre fear that she'd go into labor so fast she'd have to deliver without a touch of painkillers.
That, however, turned out to be an entirely unfounded fear; she was in labor with Noura for what felt like days. She was so exhausted and ready for it to be over that when the final moments came, she was vaguely unsure of what day it was, and what the baby's birthday would be.
Han was there, though, and that was what mattered. His hand in hers, his shoulder pressed against hers as he helped her. She knew he was tired, too – he'd been up for two days straight helping run a mission from Coruscant, since he had insisted on being planet side for the last four weeks of Leia's pregnancy, and she'd woken him up when he'd only been in his third hour of sleep to let him know they needed to go.
He didn't complain, didn't even flinch; he was just there.
"Alright, Leia," Dr. Mellis murmured, calm and soothing as always, perched on her little stool between Leia's legs with her usual quiet confidence. "You're almost there, hold back for a moment," she said, and then spoke to the midwife next to her.
Han straightened up a little.
"Han," Dr. Mellis called. "Now's your time."
Han started to slip his hand out of Leia's, but she snatched it back tightly, shaking her head.
"No, I need you," she said, her voice hoarse. "I'm tired," she said quietly. "I'm too tired."
Han sat back down; sliding his arm around her shoulders and helping her sit up a little more again. He looked at her curiously, and Leia winced, taking a deep breath. She blinked sweat out of her eyes, and bit her lip, resting her head lightly on his shoulder.
"She's," she said heavily, having a hard time catching her breath. "She's – this one's not scared," she told him, laughing a little.
Han grinned, squeezing her hand tightly.
"She's okay," Leia murmured, focusing on Noura – she didn't have the same terrified reaction to this as Jaina had which, while fascinating, was something Leia would think on later. She had assumed the process would be scary and life altering for any baby, but it seemed that was not the case.
Noura was, she was –
"Hey, doc?" Han called. "She's really pale," he said, his eyes on Leia.
"I'm fine, Han," Leia murmured firmly.
Dr. Mellis looked up, and had the midwife assess Leia's scanners.
"She's right, she's okay," Dr. Mellis reassured him. "It's been a long time. She's tired," she explained.
Han looked nervous, but accepted the assessment. Leia's grip was still strong on his hand, so that made him feel better, and Mellis was right – this had taken a long time, much longer than Jaina. He was glad they had decided to leave Jaina with Bail until things had settled, rather than let her wait outside in the sitting area with him.
She'd be bored out of her mind, and driving everyone wild and –
"One more, Leia," Dr. Mellis said pleasantly. "I promise, only one more," she encouraged.
Leia leaned forward, and grabbed one of her knees. Han pressed his hand against her back, and then gently leaned into her with his shoulder, helping her like he had been for the past hour now. She tucked her head down, bracing herself, and reached out to wrap her sensitivity around Noura as she came into the world, and focus the last of her strength on the relief of knowing that after this final exertion of energy, it would be over, and she could rest.
"There she is," Dr. Mellis announced. "Girl, though you knew that," she said, and whatever else she said was drowned out by the relieved fog that washed over Leia as she collapsed back against Han, a weary, triumphant smile touching her lips.
The baby was crying, loudly, and Leia lifted her head, amused – Jaina had taken a moment to cry. This one – brave, unafraid of the world she was coming into, indignant at the change though, it seemed – already had a different personality, and so much about her that was new and unique.
Han moved gingerly so Leia could sit back. He dragged pillows closer to her, propping them behind her, and kissed her forehead with proud grin before hurrying down to help cut the cord so he could bring Noura over.
"She's got lungs," Dr. Mellis said, amused, as she helped settle the baby in Han's arms. "Against Mom's bare skin," she reminded him, adding a wink to show she knew he didn't need to be told. "She might quiet down," she added, laughing, and then turned back. "Ignore me down here, Leia, I'm just finishing things up," she said, tucking her head and gesturing to the midwife.
Leia wasn't listening to her anyway. Her eyes were on Han, watching him run his hand over the crown of the newborn's head reverently, taking a moment to admire and sooth her before he quickly brought her over and transferred her to Leia's chest, his hands never leaving her until he was sure Leia had her securely.
Leia tilted her head; occupying herself making sure the baby was snuggled up. She ran her fingers over the little hands and toes – counting them just to reassure herself. She smiled as the baby tilted her head and opened her eyes, staring at Leia with her tiny, unfocused gaze.
She did quiet down at the look and at the touch, and as Han bent over her to get a closer look – though still giving her plenty of space, Leia pursed her lips to soothe the baby quietly, whispering:
"Noura," she murmured.
Han reached out and ran his index finger around the baby's brow, grinning from ear to ear.
"She wasn't scared, huh?" he asked.
Leia shook her head, adjusting her arm. Han immediately reached over her and drew a pillow more firmly under her elbow.
"Thanks," she murmured.
"Then what took 'er so long, huh?" Han snorted softly.
"Stubborn, that's all," Leia whispered huskily. "Not scared."
This being the second time diminished none of the beauty of having her baby placed into her arms. She still felt powerful, in awe – of herself, and of what she and Han could bring to life out of nothing.
"Leia," Dr. Mellis said mildly. "Try nursing for me," she suggested. "I'd like to see your oxytocin levels up a little."
She paused, and then glanced at the midwife.
"Push a little more oxytocin for her," she murmured, moving one of her hands over Leia's lower abdomen and applying pressure gently.
"Everything okay, Arksiah?"
Han asked, starting to straighten up tensely.
"Mmmhmm," Mellis said. "Little more bleeding than I like, but no real trouble yet," she explained.
"Yet?" Han repeated, drawing away, and pulling a little closer.
"I'm fine, Han," Leia said again, eyes still on the baby.
"You sure?" Han asked, looking between all of them – midwife, medic, and his wife – suspiciously.
"Yes," Leia said fine. "I'd feel it, otherwise."
"She's right," Dr. Mellis said, concentrating. She waved her hand at the midwife. "Roll the baby warmer over to Han," she suggested.
The midwife did as asked, transferring a state of the art bedside crib to Han so he could roll it over closer to Leia. Leia glanced at it with a narrow look, and shook her head.
"Not until I have to," she muttered threateningly.
Han laughed, watching her for a moment, and then inched back towards Dr. Mellis suspiciously.
"You trust me, don't you, Han?" she drawled wryly, glancing up at him. "Well, if you're going to lurk, do me a favor - take Leia's knee," she said, "and put it back up into this stirrup."
"She got another one in there?" Han joked.
"Still not funny," Leia grumbled.
Dr. Mellis smiled wryly at him.
"Hold her knee – I know you're tired Leia," Dr. Mellis said sympathetically, "but when you feel me press, push a little."
Leia tilted her head back and sighed dramatically. She obeyed, and Dr. Mellis nodded firmly, sliding back on her stool and bending down. She and the midwife transferred to a portable exam shelf, and Han eyed them narrowly.
"In tact?" asked the midwife.
Dr. Mellis appeared to frown, then looked closer, then nodded, and sat back, snapping her gloves off.
"Yes, she's good to go," she said, standing up. She folded her arms and stepped up to Han. "No need to worry about bleeding. She's good."
Han gestured at the table, arching a brow.
"Placenta," Dr. Mellis said brightly. "Some species cook it for nutrients. Interested?"
Han backed up warily, and Mellis laughed at him. She shook her head.
"I don't remember this part from last time," Han muttered.
"Well, you always notice more the second time around. It's like reading a good book multiple times," she said, and stepped up to Leia.
She bent over Leia's arm, peering down at the baby and doing a cursory, quick exam. She checked her pupils and her sensory responses, and then smiled, nodded, and took a step back.
"Xio is going to give you three small stiches, Leia," she said, a grimly apologetic look on her face. "There's often more tearing in long deliveries. The stitches will dissolve in about," Mellis wobbled her hand, "two weeks, and," she turned and glanced at Han, then back at Leia, "it won't prolong recovery."
Leia nodded, taking it in, but not dwelling on it. She still couldn't fell anything below the waist, and she wasn't looking forward to getting sensation back. It was enough right now to feel like she had physically run about seven marathons.
She stifled a yawn as she tilted her head, resting her elbow on the pillows to help alleviate the strain on her arm as Noura nursed. Jaina had been weaned for almost two years now, but falling back into this was natural, and it felt right.
Mellis reached out and patted Han's arm gently.
"You and Leia were both distracted by your new baby last time," she said, and then put her hand on the rolling care. "I'll let you finish nursing and have a moment before Xio takes her to do vitals and clean her," she said. "She's perfectly healthy so there's no need to rush."
"She is perfect," Leia agreed quietly.
Mellis inclined her head, and returned to the end of the bed to attend to things. Han stepped up closer and sat down gingerly. He slid an arm around Leia's shoulders, and aligned his body against hers, so her elbow had even more support.
He stroked his hand over Noura's head, fingertips touching the pale, soft hairs there, and watched the tiny, instinctive, movements of her little fists. He'd almost forgotten how small they were when they were newborns. She was so little – but this time, Han wasn't so afraid of how fragile and breakable she was.
He just vaguely wanted Leia to hurry up a little, so he could have his turn to hold her. He'd go with her for her first checkup, her vitals, her cleaning, and the two vaxxes they immediately gave infants. Jaina had cried when she'd received her shots, but he wondered if this one would, or if she'd stay as unafraid.
"You have a name?" Xio asked, disinfecting her hands over at a sink in the suite, and drying them. She plucked a Holo chart off a table, and activated it, studying Leia patiently.
"Noura," Leia answered, looking up. "Noura Mé Solo."
Xio nodded.
"Spelling?"
"N-o-u-r-a. M-e, vowel mark – "
"Solo," Xio finished. "That one I think I can remember," she added wryly.
"Enter her into the record system the same way we did Jaina Solo," Mellis murmured, rubbing her hands together.
Leia smiled gratefully – Mellis really did go out of her way to protect the records and identities of her high prolife patients. Her 'net systems were secure, Leia trusted that, but Mellis always used shadow names or misdirection just in case her systems were hacked.
"You two came prepared this time," Mellis noted, helping Xio, and a second nurse who had come in, to clean up trolley carts and medical instruments.
Han laughed, looking up from Noura's face.
"Well, this time Leia told me what we were havin' ahead of time," he drawled.
"She told me earlier," Leia said fondly, looking up as well.
"Any significance?" Mellis asked. "Noura," she said. "It's a beautiful name. Alderaanian?"
Leia nodded.
"She's the folk hero of Jaina's favorite story," Han said. "Second name's after Leia's mom. Kinda figured if we bring Jaina home her own Noura, well," he snorted, "maybe she'll accept her."
Mellis laughed.
"Oh, you'll all do just fine. Children get new siblings all the time. There are growing pains, but they're never as bad or abnormal as they seem."
Han turned back to Noura, and noticed she was nodding to sleep, ignoring Leia's breast even when Leia tickled her foot. Leia looked up, shifting to pull her gown closed a little. She shivered, and nodded.
"She's finished," she said.
Han reached in to take her gingerly, curling the blanket around her carefully and shifting her to hold her against his shoulder. He pressed his palm lightly to the back of her head to soothe her and keep her steady, and then stood up.
Leia pulled a cover closer.
"Arksiah," she said mildly. "It is cold in here."
Xio beckoned to Han brightly. Mellis nodded, and stepped closer to Leia, pulling a quilt up over her more securely.
"Hang in there, we'll get you a change of clothes and move you into a recovery suite – much warmer. Did Han bring - ?"
"Yeah, her stuff's in that small bag by the door," Han said gruffly, standing at the foot of the bed with Noura and Xio. "You good, Sweetheart?" He asked.
Leia nodded, lying back tiredly. She waved at him; glad he was going to go with Noura just like he had Jaina. She would be okay if he lingered a little – she wanted Noura back in her arms, of course, but she so desperately wanted to sleep as well. She turned her head, catching Dr. Mellis' eye.
"What time is it?" she asked. "And what's her birthday?" she added wryly.
Mellis grinned, and checked her chrono.
"It's just after twenty in the evening," she said. "Still Centaxday," she added.
"Still?" Leia murmured.
"I know it was a long one, Leia," Dr. Mellis said, giving her a warm smile. "But you did an incredible job. That's some stamina you have."
Leia smiled faintly.
"It's nothing," she murmured.
She rolled her head to the other side, and noticed Han approaching.
"Where's Noura?" she asked.
"Xio has her, she's right there at the door," Han said, crouching down. He put one hand on Leia's forehead, his eyes on hers intently for a long time. "Hey," he said softly, leaning forward to kiss her forehead, and the corner of her mouth. "Damn proud of you, Your Worship. Damn proud."
Leia smiled at him.
"Make sure you call and let Jaina and Dad know," she whispered.
Han nodded.
"'Course."
"And," Leia started with a wince.
But Han pre-empted her.
"They'll come visit tomorrow mornin'," he said firmly. "After you've had some sleep. Noura can stay with us or in the nursery," he told her.
Leia smiled at him again.
"Does that make me a bad mother?" she asked wryly.
Han stroked her hair back.
"You couldn't be if you tried," he assured her sincerely.
He kissed her brow again, and straightened up. Leia settled down to rest, watching as he went back to Xio, eagerly took the baby back, and followed her out of the room. She was vaguely aware of the sounds around her as they got ready to move her to a recovery suite, and she reached out with her senses to connect with Noura, viscerally able to feel her tiny, fluttery heartbeat, and how happy she felt snuggled up against Han's shoulder as the his footsteps gently rocked her.
Even as strange scenes passed her, and Leia used her sensitivity to soothe the baby, introduce her to the world, reassure her, and tie her to Han with a mental imprint – she could tell that Noura was fearless.
Despite there being an abundance of living options throughout Coruscant, neither Bail nor Rouge saw a reason to move away from the one place in perhaps the whole galaxy that was still a stronghold of Alderaan – proverbial Alderaanian soil. What had been a temporary place for them after the rescue was now unequivocally home, and they liked it that way.
Living in the place where the central operating mechanism of the Council and the Diaspora worked out of was reminiscent of living in the midst of politics and the people in the palaces of Aldera, and it felt right.
More often than not, it was a quiet peaceful escape from the screech and bustle of Coruscant. Bail and Rouge lived relatively simply, and very calmly, when not out in public – but this afternoon, and well into the evening, the Residence at the Alderaanian Embassy was alive and thrumming with activity.
Bail had been the designated person to care for Jaina when the time came for Leia to have the baby, so instead of going to the Med Centre to happily wait in the sitting area to meet his second grandchild, he was at home. Thus the Residence had become a sort of gathering place for all those waiting to hear news about Leia – and Bail was more than happy to host it.
They were all thoroughly enjoying each other's company and the familiar anticipation, not to mention focusing on spoiling Jaina just a little extra in her last few hours of being an only child.
Chewbacca and Luke were present, of course, as Han's best friends and Leia's family, and Luke had brought his Mara along as well, which Bail was quite pleased with. He'd taken it upon himself to draw Luke in as a family member as closely as he could, and he always valued getting to know the boy's chosen partner. She could be a rather elusive woman, especially skittish around public figures or those who she knew had fought long, tired battles against the Empire – considering her background – but Bail was a kind, forgiving man, and he wanted Luke to feel comfortable including Mara Jade where he wanted to.
Bail also happened to think it was a blessing to have the two of them for help. Jaina had been not necessarily troublesome all evening, but she was clearly not herself, prone to distraction, anxiety, whining – and both Bail and Rouge had started to worry about her profusely until Luke showed up and quickly identified that she was just in a state because she sensed her mother was under stress.
"She knows Leia's in pain, that's all," Luke said, stroking his niece's hair and soothing her gently. "She doesn't really know that it's a natural, temporary pain."
"Isn't Leia able to shield that?" Rouge asked worriedly.
"Well, yes, theoretically," Luke said, and with pursed lips, Mara had supplied pointedly: "It might not be the most important thing on her mind."
"Oh, of course," Rouge murmured, strained. She clicked her tongue, and Luke grinned.
"I'm sure Jaina will calm down when the epidural kicks in, Rouge," he said.
Rough sighed, Bail smirked – and as far as they could guess, that appeared to be what happened, though no one bothered Han to test the theory. They were leaving him alone, simply waiting for updates, and as the hours dragged on and on – Leia had gone to the Med Centre early in the morning, just near sunrise, after having intermediate contractions throughout the night – Bail became more and more quietly alarmed.
After dinner, he had retreated to the kitchen for a fourth time to 'make tea' or 'get something,' and while he was in there giving himself a quiet, calm-down pep talk, Luke ventured in, and without a word, placed a hand on the old Viceroy's shoulder.
"Bail," he said pleasantly. "I check in with her from time to time, very subtly," he assured him. "She doesn't mind it if I do it so that I only sense her aura – she's okay," he said. "She's just tired. Nothing is going wrong."
Bail sighed, shaking his head. He rubbed his jaw and yawned, turning his head to eye Luke grimly.
"I appreciate that, Luke," he said. He took a deep breath, straightening up. "You must understand, I am not squeamish," he said firmly. "I only…am quick to think the worst when it comes to this whole childbirth business," he admitted.
Luke nodded in understanding. Bail had been through quite a lot with Breha in that department, and recently enough, Winter had dealt with more than her fair share of minor complications, compounded by a somewhat dangerous birth.
"And you know, I tend to think if Han isn't communicating with us, it's because something has gone wrong and he hasn't the time," Bail trailed off. "I know that's silly. Either way, he's focused on Leia. As he should be."
"I understand that logic," Luke said. "His little messages have dropped off, but I'd say it's just because they're both tired," he pointed out. "Really, I can't sense anything wrong with Leia. And if there were," he added, "I think Jaina would be inconsolable. She's very connected to Leia even when they're not actively communicating through their senses," he explained.
Bail sighed again.
"Well, that's a relief, I suppose. So, as long as Jaina's happy – "
"We're all happy," Luke snorted.
"That does seem to be the case," Bail agreed with a laugh.
Luke squeezed his shoulder, and tilted his head towards the gathering area where the rest of the family was.
"Ahh, is everyone keeping an eye on me?" Bail asked.
"You do keep disappearing," Luke snorted. "But Jaina does also command a lot of attention."
Bail smiled. He nodded to Luke, and headed back into the main room with him, feeling a little silly. He was worried about his daughter, and in moments like this, he always missed Breha. The whole process just reminded him of her so much – both in the waiting, and in the fear he'd always experienced. Leia had been perfectly fine when she had Jaina, and he knew she would likely be fine when she had this little Noura, too.
When she was fine, though, that made him miss Breha, too – because he knew how much she would have loved to see Leia's children, to hold them, love them, and help raise them, and it broke his heart all over again not only that he'd lost her, but that she was unable to see what a wonderful, fulfilling life her daughter had, even after all she had suffered.
Bail took a deep breath as he re-entered the room, and took in the scene. Chewbacca was seated on the floor, though tall as he was, his head still came level with Mara's as she sat on the sofa.
Rouge was perched neatly in her well-loved armchair, one leg curled under her in the most dignified of undignified poses, and Jaina was happily using Chewbacca as a play gym. All of Rouge's worries that Jaina might be frightened by the towering, hairy behemoth Chewbacca was had been dispelled by his gentle disposition and constant presence in Jaina's young life.
Rouge had come to adore Chewbacca's devotion to the toddler. She had always respected and appreciated him – despite how elitist Rouge could be, she was truly Alderaanian in the sense that she believed in the equality of species – for the protection he extended to Leia via his Life Debt, but her admiration had increased tenfold seeing how loving and protective he was of her little grand-niece.
"Are there any updates on Leia?" Rouge asked, searching both Luke and Bail's faces.
"Ah, no," Bail said.
"But Leia's fine," Luke added.
Jaina climbed up Chewbacca's torso, over his shoulder, and then tumbled head over heels into Mara's lap, laughing through a big, wide yawn. It was far past her bedtime, but she was over-stimulated, and no one really had the heart to take her away from the fun and put her to bed.
Bail watched as Mara righted Jaina and placed her on the floor. He tilted his head. The woman had a curious way of interacting with the child. Mara always seemed very stiff, almost automated, though Bail did notice she smiled – secretly – much more the few times he had seen her around Jaina. And though she did seem mechanical around Jaina, Jaina herself never seemed put off or alarmed by Mara.
And Leia did not object to Mara around Jaina, so as far as Bail was concerned, that was the end of that.
He continued to watch as Jaina kept making the same round – up and over Chewbacca's shoulder, into Mara's lap, and completing the circle again. Luke pressed a hand to Bail's shoulder once more, and went around to sit at the corner of the couch near Mara. He put one foot up on the table and leaned back comfortably.
Bail rested his hands on the back of the sofa, looking over all of them.
"It's taking quite a bit longer this time," Rouge murmured, tilting her head back thoughtfully. "I don't envy Leia."
[She will be okay,] Chewbacca said pleasantly. [She is a very strong female. Han is the one who will lose his mind,] he snorted.
Rouge and Bail laughed. Mara turned her head slightly towards Luke, and Bail watched him tilt his head slightly, smirk, and a moment later Mara nodded, giving a small smile as well. Bail noted that they seemed to be able to speak without speaking the same way Luke and Leia could, though the bond was clearly different.
Jaina leapt over Chewbacca's shoulder again, still full of energy, and then mistimed her flip onto Mara's lap and tumbled awkwardly, her foot knocking into Mara's jaw. She scrambled up, then grabbed onto Mara's hair and pulled to keep herself from falling off the couch.
"Jaina," Rouge gasped, clicking her tongue. "You mustn't be so rough!"
Chewbacca turned to look, and Bail reached down to rest a hand on Jaina's back, steadying her. Mara didn't flinch. She only reached over to touch Jaina's waist to provide extra stability, and smiled at her, gently reaching up to extricate her hair.
"You didn't mean to, did you?" she asked calmly.
Jaina shook her head, sitting down hard and resting half her body against the back of Chewie's shoulder.
"I'm sorry for the hurts," she said, flexing her hand, "and the pulling. Ouch."
Mara shook her head, leaning over to touch Jaina's nose gently.
"It didn't hurt," she confided.
"Mara's got a thick head," Luke remarked.
Mara arched an eyebrow, and Bail turned to give Luke a mildly amused look.
"Did you learn that sort of wooing from Han?" he asked dryly.
Luke snorted.
"Wooing? I'm not doing any wooing. Mara does the wooing," he pointed out.
"Don't you forget it," the redhead muttered archly.
Jaina sat forward and reached for the edges of Mara's hair.
"Why so much red?" she asked.
"Well," Mara said slowly. "It was just like that when I was born," she answered.
Jaina flopped backwards onto her back, and looked up at Bail curiously.
"Oh," she said, as if to no one in particular. "Mine all dark," she said conversationally. "Like Mommy."
"Your mommy does have dark hair," Bail agreed.
Jaina rolled onto her side and stared at the couch cushion, yawning, abandoning her gymnastic game. Rouge looked up and gave a pointed look to Bail – Jaina was clearly getting tired, though she was too worried about missing the excitement to go to bed.
After a moment, she sat up, and stood facing Bail, sighing.
"Where is Mommy and Daddy?" she asked again.
"They are still having the baby," Bail answered pleasantly.
Jaina groaned and frowned, putting her hand to her forehead.
"When they give up?" she whined.
Luke laughed.
"I'm sure your mom is asking herself the same question," he snorted.
"Jaina," Rouge said, leaning forward. "Are you excited to meet the new baby?" she asked.
Jaina turned to look at her, and shrugged. She didn't say anything.
"You'll have to be a good big sister and make the new baby feel welcome," Bail said. "Be nice to her, and be gentle, and take it easy on Mommy."
Jaina sat down, eyeing him sharply.
"Mommy mine," she informed him.
Luke raised his eyebrows. Chewbacca tilted his head back and clicked his tongue soothingly.
[There is plenty of your mother to go around,] he assured her.
Jaina reached out and patted his nose. She beamed at him, and then yawned. She stood up again, and inched closer to Mara, putting a hand on her red hair seriously. She squinted at her.
"You have baby?" she asked.
Luke flinched, mortified. Rouge put a hand to her mouth in amusement, but Mara just calmly shook her head.
"No, no baby," she said.
Jaina almost smirked. She leaned forward and hissed:
"I come live with you."
Mara laughed.
Bail grinned dryly, and straightened a little, holding his arms out.
"Come here, Jaina," he suggested. "I know you hate the idea, but let's get ready for bed."
Jaina made a soft, outraged noise. She started to shake her head, but stopped when Chewbacca tilted his great shaggy head back and nudged her leg gently. He gave her a calm, soft look, and after a moment, Jaina's shoulder slumped, but she nodded. She stood, and put her hands out, and allowed Bail to sweep her up.
He gave Chewbacca an amused look.
"You really have a way with her, don't you?" he asked.
The Wookiee shrugged. He bared his teeth in a benign grin. Jaina pushed limits with almost everyone, but she always seemed to sense that Chewbacca was a kind, selfless soul who was there to keep her safe, and Bail had seen her to respond to a mere look from him even in the midst of an epic tantrum she was throwing at Han's feet.
"Are you going to bathe her?" Rouge asked.
Jaina reared back in Bail's grip and gave him a suspicious look. He snorted.
"I'd say that's a no," he muttered. "Ah – Leia said she didn't need one tonight, so no," he said, louder. "Rouge, why don't you just make up a small plate of crackers and fruit for a snack, and bring in some lavender juice while we read for bed?"
Rouge nodded, getting up. Luke swung his foot off the table and turned, leaning forward to talk to both Mara and Chewbacca, and Bail carried Jaina out of the gathering area down the winding maze of the Residence, giving her a look of exaggerated excitement.
"It won't be so bad, going to bed," he said conversationally. "It will be an adventure. You get to sleep in your mom's big room!"
He and Rouge were putting Jaina in the suite that had always belonged to Leia when she was crown princess – and that Leia and Han had stayed in for a while during the Skywalker Reckoning. Rouge was concerned about Jaina flipping out of the big bed and getting hurt, but Leia was dismissive of the idea.
She doesn't roll, Leia said confidently, she sleeps like a lump of rock.
Rouge had lined the edges of the bed with pillows, anyway, and both she and Bail had a monitor in their room, and in the main rooms, just in case.
"Sleep in Mommy's room sometimes," Jaina told him. "Daddy was bye-bye."
"Mm-hmm," Bail agreed.
He knew Leia had allowed Jaina to sleep with her much, much more often the handful of times Han had been deployed. She was relieved Jaina hadn't grown too attached to the habit – she was still fine sleeping on her own when that was she was told to do.
Bail thought Jaina had a wonderful little personality. She was very much like Leia, and very much like Han as well, and while she had all of the impulsive, demanding, sometimes clingy, sometimes terrible, sometimes angelic qualities of a toddler, she was a good kid who more often than not behaved when she needed to, and was kind and affectionate to those who loved her. She was intelligent, too; Bail knew it was easier for children to pick up languages, but he thought the way Jaina could converse with Rouge in Alderaanian quite clearly, while also maintaining a good command of Basic, was incredible, and it gave him hope.
He was thrilled that Leia's desire for her children to be well versed in their dying language was not going to be just a half-hearted pipe dream. He knew Leia wished for them to be fluent in Corellian, too, but to this day, the only words he'd heard Jaina spit out in Corellian were swear words. Thanks to her father, no doubt.
Bail had a hard time being critical of Han for swearing in front of his daughter, though. He didn't really do it on purpose; it was just a remnant of the way he spoke. Breha and Bail had never uttered so much as a slightly filthy word in front of Leia – of course, Breha didn't use that language at all – but Han's good qualities as a father far outweighed a few slip-ups in foul language.
Bail hadn't really had any doubts about Han. They had all faded away years ago, shortly after Leia had married him – and they hadn't resurfaced just because there was an infant in the picture. Han proved himself to be an outstanding father, even in Rouge's eyes – Bail knew she had been impressed when his sister had turned to him with a sniff at one point and said, honestly: Han's even more involved than you were.
She didn't mean it as an insult, and of course, Han was not a Viceroy; he and Leia had a different dynamic, and different positions, than Bail and Breha had – but Rouge was right. Han did much more, especially in the day to day, than Bail had ever been able, or conditioned, to do for Leia.
Leia was more involved than Breha had been, too - and that wasn't to say that Bail and Breha had been uninvolved parents, or bad parents, or anything negative of the sort; they had simply been aristocratic monarchs, and the traditions and customs there were vastly different. It was not seen as uninvolved to have hours in the morning and evening blocked off for time with the child before she was passed off to governesses and tutors and other activity leaders for the day. Nor was boarding school during certain summers seen as odd, but when Rouge had vaguely asked what schools Leia was looking at for Jaina's formal training, Han had retorted that Jaina would go to boarding school over his dead body.
A comment that made Leia roll her eyes, as she was more inclined to see what Jaina was interested in as she grew older.
Han was just protective. Fiercely protective, and very influenced by the untamed nature of his own childhood, and how dangerous it seemed to him now despite how free it had seemed at the time.
Bail thought Han and Leia were an unexpectedly excellent parenting match, which was a blessing, as he'd quietly worried that maybe parenting would be the one thing they'd struggle with, starkly different as their backgrounds were.
"Okay," Bail said, placing Jaina on the bed and picking up the little suitcase that had come with her. "Pajamas?" he suggested.
Jaina sighed. She folded her arms, but nodded, acquiescing, and then tried to stifle a yawn. Bail gave her a mock suspicious look.
"Was that a yawn, Miss Solo?" he asked. "Was that…are you…tired?"
She flopped backwards, biting her lip to hold back a giggle.
"Not tired," she argued, rolling onto her side and burying her face in a pillow. She mumbled to herself, and Bail grinned, pulling out her pajamas from the bag.
"We'll see about that – stand up, let me help you change," he requested.
Jaina bounced up.
"I do it by myself," she informed him.
Bail nodded, and solemnly handed her the outfit.
"I'm sorry," he apologized sincerely. "I forget how big you are. I want you to stay little," he whispered.
Jaina smirked, and began smartly changing her clothes. Bail supervised her without scrutinizing her too closely, so she'd feel plenty independent.
"Baba," Jaina said, her voice muffled in her pajama top as she pulled it over her head. Her face popped out, and Bail reached out to straighten the neckline and her sleeves so she'd be more comfortable, looking at her expectantly.
She frowned, and folded her arms, standing on the edge of the bed and staring at him seriously.
"What if," she started, puckering her lips, "baby sister gets more hugs?" she asked, a consternated look on her face, as if that wasn't what she was trying to ask – but that was the only way she knew how to ask.
Bail understood her. She'd been told about the new baby. She'd met Winter's new baby, and knew about the Naberries and their siblings, but she'd never had her own before, and she was scared of the changes – or worried about them. She had no concept of what it was like to share the affection of her parents.
"Hmm," Bail said, tapping his chin. "Well," he began, leaning forward and placing his hands on the footboard to get his face closer to hers. "She will be tiny, so she will have to be held and carried," he explained, "but that doesn't mean she's getting more hugs," he assured her. "She has different needs."
Jaina studied him, and Bail nodded encouragingly, continuing:
"But nothing will change how much your mom and dad love you," he said. "You're their first baby, and that's a very special thing. And Noura will be their second baby, and that's a very special thing," he said. "Different, but very special."
He smiled.
"And you'll always have a friend, like my big sisters always had each other," he said. "Ro-Ro is my big sister, you know," he reminded her. "You'll be like little Noura's Ro-Ro!"
Jaina brightened at that, giggling.
"Fancy," she said. "Ro-Ro is fancy," she said.
"Yes," Bail said with a laugh. "You can be fancy like Ro-Ro."
Jaina gave a soft squeal, evidently satisfied with that.
"You'll see," Bail assured her. "Every sibling has their own unique spot in Mommy and Daddy's heart, but it's all equal," he said. "Everyone gets the same amount of hugs."
"You sure, Baba?" Jaina asked astutely.
"Sure," Bail answered confidently, ruffling her hair. "Do you love your Mommy or Daddy more?" he asked.
Jaina looked horrified. She scowled at him,
"Love both," she snapped. "Love both, Baba!"
Bail grinned, and touched his nose to hers.
"Exactly," he whispered. "You see?"
Jaina beamed, brightening with understanding.
"Oh," she cooed. "I see!"
He swept her up and held her on his hip.
"Let's go say night-nights," he said. "Then we'll read your book, and have your little snacks, and when you wake up," he trailed off in anticipation.
"Get to meet No-uh," Jaina filled in. "But baby No-uh, not fairy Al-dah-an No-uh," she informed him seriously.
"Yes," Bail said with a laugh.
He took her back into the sitting area where everyone was, and commenced the routine of saying night-night to everyone. Jaina was effusive and polite, making sure everyone got a kiss and a hug, and before he and Rouge took her back to read books, Bail shot a questioning look at Luke – nope, still nothing, the kid's eyes said.
Bail gave a sympathetic little wince for Leia's sake.
"Daddy say night?" Jaina asked, as Bail and Rouge settled her on the bed and took seats next to her with the snack, juice up, and bedtime story.
Rouge pursed her lips, stroking Jaina's hair.
"He might be taking care of Mommy," she said gently.
Han had said he'd try his best to call and say goodnight to Jaina, but Bail was sure there was a lot going on, and that might not be possible.
"It doesn't mean he forgot," Bail added.
"Okay," Jaina said, plucking a cracker off the plate in Rouge's lap and taking the safety cup she was offered with a sigh. "That okay, if he take care of Mommy."
Bail grinned.
"What are we reading tonight?" he asked, datapad at the ready. "Noura of the Castle Lands?" he suggested wryly – might as well, right, with the baby Noura on her way?
Jaina shrugged.
"No, save for sister," she murmured. "Read stripe stripe book," she requested.
Bail nodded, and searched his electronics for the story she requested – a Corellian fairytale that provided a childlike version of the origin of bloodstripes. Jaina was very interested in stories she could associate with her father.
"Sit up a little so you don't choke on that juice," Rouge murmured, as Bail began to read.
And Jaina listened attentively for all of five minutes before she started to fade, her eyes drooping and her grip on her little cup loosening. Rouge took it from her while Bail continued to read. She got up and did away with the snacks, spending time re-adjusting the pillow fort she'd so attentively built around the bed.
After continuing to read for just a little longer to make sure Jaina was settled, Bail gently extricated himself, leaving the holopad on the bedside table, and helping Rouge carry the half-eaten snack and juice out. They left the door open, and in the corridor, Rouge sighed.
"I know Luke keeps telling us not to worry, but I am worried about Leia," she admitted.
"I am as well," Bail said frankly. "It's impossible for us not to worry. But, alas," he shrugged, trailing off, and they dropped the remnants of food off in the kitchen and headed back into the sitting area –
- to be greeted by Luke and Chewbacca standing excitedly, while Mara sat forward on the sofa, alert and perched on the edge – all of their attention focused on Luke's portable commlink, which had been placed on the table. A miniature projection of Han glimmered there, and Rouge and Bail shared a look, and then hurried forward.
"He called just as you were sitting down to read," Luke advised eagerly. "We didn't want to disturb you."
"Tried to call you, Bail," Han said smugly.
"Yes, well, my commlink was in my desk, while I put Jaina to bed," he said, hurrying around the sofa to move closer. "Things are well, I hope?" He asked. "You have news? You're smiling," he noted.
"Yeah, I am," Han answered, his grin widening. "I'm gonna send a holograph along in a minute, but I was gonna kill two mynochs at once if Jainy's still up – she's not?" he asked.
Rouge shook her head apologetically.
"She just fell asleep, Han, but we assured her you were taking care of Leia, not forgetting about her."
"Damn," Han said, with a small frown at himself – but not too fazed. He had been taking care of Leia, and the moment when he should have called to talk Jaina to bed had pretty much coincided with the exact moment of his second daughter's birth. "Ahh, s'okay," he muttered.
He adjusted the image capture he was holding, and turned, showing them the room he was in. It was a recovery suite akin to the one they had all met Jaina in three years ago, and briefly, Bail caught a glimpse of Leia – or a lump that appeared to be Leia - asleep in a bed in the dimly lit corner.
"She's real tired," Han said quietly, moving the image capture off of her quickly. "It was eighteen hours total, if you count the time she was tossin' and turnin' at home," he bragged. "She's good, though." He didn't mention that there had only been a small issue with bleeding – it was too small to get anyone worked up about.
"And the baby?" Luke asked, eyeing Han's image earnestly.
Han nodded proudly, and shifted his comm again, directing the image capture downwards to one of the standard issue, climate-controlled, rock-and-soothe Med Centre bassinets. Tucked into a tight swaddle, with a tiny little knit cap on her head, they all saw the new baby sleeping contently, her head turned just slightly to the side.
Han kept the image visible for a long time, narrating gruffly.
"Her name's Noura, you knew that," he said quietly. "Noura Mé Solo, and she's pretty little for a newborn so we're annoyed it took her so long," he joked. "But she's healthy, got the all clear. Didn't cry for her exam or her shots and went right to sleep," he said.
Then, he tilted the image capture back on himself, and pointed.
"You make sure and tell Jaina how well Noura went to bed," he threatened with a wry smile.
[She is exquisite, Cub,] Chewbacca murmured.
"Noura Mé," Rouge sighed contently. "Such a beautiful choice."
"After Padmé?" Luke asked.
Han nodded.
"That's nothin' against Breha," he said gruffly, almost worriedly, his eye's catching Bail's. "S'just – "
"There's no need, Han, no need," Bail said easily – honestly. He thought their way of honoring Breha – choosing a Corellian name that had the same meaning for Jaina's second – was lovely, and he didn't need a granddaughter named after his wife to remember her, or feel like she was honored.
In fact, Bail firmly believed that Breha would have found it honorable and fitting that Leia's girls were named after women who had less of a voice, who had been marginalized, had their agency stolen, all but erased, in ways Breha never was.
Jaina Solo and Padmé Amidala needed their legacies reinforced and memorialized; Breha Organa's was all her own, forever, no matter what.
"Noura is a wonderful name," Rouge gushed. "It's such a cherished fairytale, and Jaina already knows it –oh, honestly, Han, stop it with your apologies," she said, waving her hand. "Your girls are beautiful and healthy and that's all that matters to us."
She beamed, and Han smiled at her contently.
"Thanks, Aunt Rouge," he said.
Her smile turned to a suspicious glare immediately.
"Why in the stars does that always sound so wicked when you say it – " she started.
Bail leaned forward, and lifted the portable comm.
"Would you like me to wake Jaina?" he asked. "It wouldn't bother her too much."
"Nah, let her sleep," Han said. "Leia's stayin' overnight, 'course, and I'll stay, too. You mind bringin' Jainy in the morning, soon as she gets up?" he asked.
Bail nodded.
"Rest of you can come," Han added with a grin. "You too, Mara. Leia's gonna make you hold a baby."
Mara gave the image a thin, wry look, but looked subtly pleased at the invite. On the projection, Han stirred, looking away, responding to a noise. He turned back to them.
"Hey, I gotta go, she's wakin' up," he said. "'M gonna see if I can rock her and let Leia sleep some more," he added. He nodded around at them. "I'll send that holo for you to show Jaina," he added.
Bail nodded, and the company gave a chorus of well wishes, saying their goodbyes – everyone breathing a sigh of relief to know that Leia was done with her ordeal, and done without any complications.
After Han hung up, a few moments later, the device lit up with a message, and Luke tapped a button to open it. The holo that popped up had clearly been taken sometime earlier, prior to Han's call. He must have waited until things were more settled to call.
The image was just a short capture, and showed Leia cradling the new baby snugly. Her legs were drawn up closer to her in a relaxed posed, and she was bent forward slightly looking down at Noura, holding her up just enough so that Han could get a good photo. In the replay of the capture, Leia would look up, smile, and then look back down so Han could focus again on the baby.
She looked exhausted, but triumphant – and the baby was just as gorgeous as she'd looked in Han's call. Bail looked up, beaming, as everyone craned their necks to get a good look, and admire the photo, and when it was all said and done, he couldn't resist stealing away to very quietly wake Jaina, just so he could show her a glimpse of her new little sister.
very much like i did with Jaina, I will include a "Meet Noura" one-shot that is about Jaina meeting Noura ... gotta be predictable with my patterns here, eh?
-alexandra