Leia hadn't been happy when Obi-Wan told her about Anakin and Luke going back to Maridun. She wished she could go with them. But, at the moment, her baby was more important.
Padmé had come to talk to Leia, and see how she was. She was worried about her daughter, and how she'd be taking the drastic change that comes with being pregnant.
Leia sighed, closing her eyes. Her hand was resting lightly on her stomach, as it always seemed to be ever since she found out about the baby. "I just…feel so helpless…" She sighed. "I want to be there, helping Father and Luke."
Padmé resting her hand on Leia's arm. "I know, Leia. But, how would you feel if you lost the baby? Hun, you'd be putting too much strain on yourself."
"I know," Leia murmured. "I've had this lecture a hundred times in the past few weeks."
Padmé smiled. "Han?"
Leia nodded. She opened her eyes, sharing her mother's smile. "Who knew a former smuggler would be so anxious to become a father?"
Padmé laughed. "I know. I wonder if he's always been this soft."
Leia scoffed. "Oh, I know he hasn't. I'm not sure Father's ever told you how much Han and I hated each other when we first met. I think, if I had known then that I'd marry him, I would've taken a blaster to my head."
"Hey!" Han cried from the kitchen. He stuck his head into the living room to glare at his wife.
Leia covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. "That was before I knew how wonderful you are, honey."
Han scowled, going back into the kitchen. Leia and Padmé shared an amused glance.
"Your father did tell me something after you first met Han, though," Padmé told Leia quietly, gesturing for her to come closer, as if she was about to tell a very large secret. Leia complied, a curious expression on her face. "He told me that on the way to Kas, he saw the future, where you were telling Han you loved him."
Leia stared incredulously at her mother. "So…he's always known I'd fall in love with Han?"
Padmé nodded. "Well, he made sure to point out that the future is always changing, but that he thought that it would still happen." She smiled. "He stewed over that for quite some time. He didn't want you to end up with Han, actually. Didn't think he was good enough for you."
Leia shook her head, trying to wrap her mind around this. "Why didn't he ever say anything?"
"I guess he just thought he'd let fate take course." Padmé shrugged. "Don't be mad at him. If he had told you, would you have believed him anyway?"
"Well, no. Not at first. But, why didn't he tell me after I married Han?"
Padmé shrugged again. "It didn't matter then, I suppose."
Leia nodded. That must've been why Anakin thought they could trust Han way back when. Because he knew is only daughter would fall deeply in love with him.
Han had fallen asleep long before Leia. His arm was wrapped around her from behind. Leia covered his hand over hers above her stomach. It made her smile to think that Han was protecting their child even while sleeping.
She closed her eyes, focusing on the presence in her womb. Her eyes flew open, her arm reflexively pulling back from her stomach. Her elbow came down hard on Han's gut. He jumped, waking up in surprise.
"Leia?" he asked groggily, moving her elbow away. "What the kriff?"
"Han," Leia whispered, her eyes wide with shock.
Han immediately noticed the tone of her voice, forgetting about her elbowing him. "What's wrong? Is something wrong with the baby?"
Leia's lips moved, as if she was trying to say something, but couldn't find her voice. Finally, she managed to say "There's…babies."
Han gaped at her. "What?"
"I can feel two presences. Two separate presences."
"We're…we're having twins?"
Leia turned to meet Han's gaze through the dark. "Apparently, they run in the family."
Han grinned widely. Having one baby was amazing. Having two babies… Han couldn't even comprehend how happy he was.
He took Leia's face in his hands and kissed her. Leia smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck, returning his kiss.
A few days later, Anakin and Luke contacted the Council.
"There really isn't anything here," Anakin's fuzzy blue image sighed. "Luke still thinks there's something that we're missing, but we've searched Maridun high and low and back again. Do you think we could've gotten the planet wrong?"
Master Windu sighed. "Not likely."
Yoda nodded slowly. "True, this is. Follow your feelings, you must."
Master Windu nodded in concurrence. "Report back again in a few days, or if you find something. If not…we'll have you come back."
Anakin agreed grudgingly, his image fading away.
Yoda steepled his hands underneath his chin. "Curious, this is. Dark energy around Maridun, I feel. But always two, there is, there should be. Confused by this, I am. Meditate on this, I must."
The Council was dismissed, so Obi-Wan headed to Leia's apartment. He had promised to keep her updated on the Maridun mission. Whether it be worry for her father and brother, or a wish to be on the mission, he didn't know. Perhaps it was combination of both.
Han answered the door and let Obi-Wan in. "Leia's just waking up." He rolled his eyes. "Pregnancy apparently does that."
Obi-Wan nodded, taking a seat at Han's insistence. He disappeared into one of the rooms. Moments later he returned with Leia. She looked tired still, her hair messy and blinking blearily. When she saw Obi-Wan though, she woke up further.
"Master!" She paused. "Uncle, rather." He smiled. "Has there been news from Maridun?" She took the seat across from him excitedly.
"Yes, your father reported in today. They've found nothing new." Leia's expression turned sour. "If they don't find any evidence of the Sith clan within a few days, they'll be coming back. Master Yoda was going to meditate on it, however. Apparently the Dark Side surrounds Maridun. Quite perplexing."
Leia sighed in frustration. Suddenly, she brightened. "Uncle Obi-Wan, you'll never believe it." Her eyes were bright, her hands resting over her stomach. "Han and I are having twins."
Obi-Wan gaped at her a moment before laughing. "That's wonderful, Leia. I remember when your mother was pregnant with twins." He frowned. "Not exactly the most…peaceful pregnancy."
Leia sighed, nodding. She knew the story. She had heard it from her regretful father once, only to warn herself and Luke to beware the Dark Side.
Obi-Wan smiled. "Let's hope yours is better." He stood. "I still can't believe that little baby I once knew is pregnant now… I could hardly accept that you were getting married." He laughed. "I've got to get to working with my new padawan." Leia stood also. She gave him a quick hug before he left the apartment.
Han had been strangely quiet. Now, Leia turned to see a puzzled look on his face. She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him softly. "What's wrong?"
Han grabbed her waist, a contemplative expression still on his face. "Did you ever tell me that story? Why your mom had such a bad pregnancy?"
Leia's expression darkened slightly. "No, I'm pretty sure I've never told you." She didn't elaborate.
"Why's it such a secret?"
Leia looked away. "That's when my father was close to the Dark Side. One wrong move, and it would have swallowed him up, and still have him today."
Han didn't know what to say. He remembered the day when Anakin had told him that he had been a Sith for only moments. It had given Han a new respect for him. To become a Sith and come back alive? Anakin was one brave man.
"I just feel terrible for my mother…" Leia murmured, bringing Han from his reverie. "To have to go through that." She shuddered, shaking her head. "My father is still haunted by it."
Han wasn't sure to say for a moment, studying the faraway, troubled look in Leia's eyes. "Your pregnancy will be better, sweetheart. I promise."
Leia smiled, wrapping her arms around Han in a tight hug, burying her face in his shoulder. "One can only hope."