Merry Christmas To all of you that Celebrate! I hope you have a wonderful day. A few of you asked me if I had heard about Carrie...Of course! and My heart broke. Sending So much love and positive vibes to her and her loved ones!

Chapter Fifteen

Leia giggled and the simple sound warmed Han's heart, hell it could have warmed the mountains on Hoth. She looked absolutely beautiful, laying in his arms. He knew they had to get up soon. Luke and Chewie would be arriving soon to celebrate the holidays, but for now he was happy with Leia resting in his arms. She smiled up at him, as she tried to hide her bright smile against his chest. His fingers moved to tickle up her sides, before grabbing on to her hips to steady her wiggling.

"Stay still Princess." He mumbled, as his lips ran over her neck and up her jaw. Leia giggled once more, Han's lips tracing up and down her skin.

"Han…We have to get up." She told him yet again.

"I know…We have time."

"My brother and your best friend will be here soon. I'd prefer to have clothes on before that happens." She suggested, Han groaned and leaned in to kiss her once more. Leia gladly accepted the kiss, her fingers running through the back of his hair. Her arms pulled him flush against her chest, before pulling him completely on top of her.

"I thought we needed to get up…"

"Hmmm." She mumbled against his lips. "You're a bad influence."

"I am not." He laughed.

"Liar…" She said, running her hands up and over his face. Just holding her fingers against his skin. She was still telling herself that this was real, Han was really here with her. They'd spent so much time together over the last few days. Just getting to know each other again, talking and sipping caf together. Leia was sure this was one of the best holiday's she had had in years. Han had taken her out to celebrate with more lights and music. The last few days had been a dream come true and Leia didn't want it to end. She'd especially loved the private moments they shared alone in her apartment, with little to no clothing on.

"I love you Leia…" Han told her. He'd been telling her it so often.

"I love you too Han."

"Good." He smirked, Leaning in to kiss her once more.

"We really have to get up." She said pushing at his chest this time and making him roll back to his side of the bed. Reaching out, Leia grabbed hold of the blanket and wrapped it around her bare skin. Han groaned in disappointment, watching her cover her body.

"I can't stay naked Han." She told him form over her shoulder. Standing up she walked over and grabbed her robe, quickly wrapping it around her form. She smiled as she turned back to Han and caught him staring at her once more. Walking over slowly towards his side of the bed, Han traced each and every movement she made.

"I changed my mind, lets just not let them in." Han suggested, reaching for her hand and pulling her closer to him.

"Luke has the code." Leia laughed.

"Damn it." He said sitting up and leaning closer to Leia. She smiled softly at him, leaning over and kissing his lips.

"Happy Holiday Han Solo."

"You have no idea a how much I love you."

"I have a feeling." she whispered to him. "I have to get ready." She told him, walking towards the fresher. Han continued to watch her walk, never wanting to take his eyes off of her. She slid the door shut laughing as Han protested. Laying back on the bed, Han sighed. The pillows smelled just like Leia, her delicious perfume seemed to fill the whole of this apartment. His eyes started to shut and he wondered how much sleep he had actually gotten. Not that he cared at all, he'd gladly give up sleep to spend time with Leia again. The last few days had been good for them. While Han was immediately ready for everything with Leia, she needed time. The past days had been a great introduction into their relationship. Han knew Leia had enjoyed their time together, she looked so beyond happy. That was all he wanted.

His wife had always enjoyed the holiday season and had made a point of sharing the joy during the holiday. Over the last few days, Han had finally started to see that woman once again. Leia had assured him she hadn't done much for the holidays over the last few years and she was thoroughly enjoying their holiday festivities.

"What do you think of this dress?" Leia asked as she stepped from the fresher. "Are you sleeping?" She whispered now. Han groaned and slowly rolled over facing her. His eyes scanned over her and he nodded. The dress was fine, but Leia looked beautiful in everything and in nothing.

"It's good." He mumbled.

"You're so sleepy." She smiled.

"A little."

"You rest…I'll start things in the kitchen."

"You can't cook!"

"I can cook just fine! thank you."

"Leia…" He sighed.

"Rest Han…I'll keep my hands to myself tonight. You need more sleep old man."

"Hey now! I never said I wanted you to keep your hands to your self."

"Rest…" she said again, as she walked out of her bed room and down the hall. Han tried to fight it, but slowly his eyes closed and he drifted back to sleep.

Han wondered if he was dreaming. Everything felt very light and some what blurry. Looking around he found himself back in his apartment, not Leia's alone but his and Leia's together. He was suddenly standing back in the home he had left. Looking around the room his eyes found their wedding holo. He stared at it for a moment, just taking in their happy faces.

"Han?" He heard a voice say from behind him. Turning around he was met with Leia, her long braids hung low and a bright smile filled her face.

"I missed you." She whispered to him, as she stepped forward.

"Leia…" He whispered back to her.

"What's wrong Han?" She asked him, her hand reaching up and cupping his face.

"I'm dreaming…" He told her.

"Yes…" She nodded.

"I wish I could go back and fix it all." He assured this version of his wife.

"It wasn't your fault Han."

"I should have been faster."

"Han…" She smiled to him, leaning up and kissing his chin. Han sighed and looked down at her, his wife. This Leia knew how much he loved her, he had never hurt this Leia and they had been happy together. There had been no break up or pain, only love. Part of him wanted to stay in this dream world with his wife. But he knew a different version of Leia was waiting for him. He had found and made his way back to Leia, he couldn't stay in this dream like make believe world.

"I have to go…"

"You're waking up." She nodded in agreement. "She loves you Han."

"Who?"

"The other me." She smiled softly. "She does love you…I want you to be happy." Han nodded and leaned in to kiss her.

"I love you Leia."

Sitting up, Han tried to catch his breath. He didn't know how to feel about his dream, or his feelings. All he knew is that he needed to see Leia again, to help fix the numbing he felt in his chest.

-—


Leia hummed a little holiday song as she moved around the kitchen. Mixing and creating a meal for her friends and family. She felt so happy and joyous as she enjoyed the holiday festivity. Turning around, Leia caught sight of Han as he walked into the room.

"Han…Are you alright?" Leia asked as she turned to face him. She looked at him for a moment, taking in his distressed look. Han quickly shook his head no and stepped towards her.

"I'm good." He nodded, quickly pulling her into his arms. He kissed the top of her and hugged her tight. It was so good to feel her in his arms after that dream. His heart still wanted to mourn his wife, but he tried to remind himself that Leia was still here in his arms.

"You can't have missed me that much." Leia giggled.

"I did…I like it better when you're in bed with me."

"Of course you do." She smirked.

Turning back to the meal before her, Leia stirred the pot and started humming simple holiday songs once more. Han leaned back against the counter, just simply watching her move about the kitchen. Her voice was quiet but still very soothing.

"They should be here soon." Leia noted.

"Alright…Can I help you with anything?" Han asked her.

"I think I'm alright…you wanna start a fire?" Leia asked him.

"You sure?" He asked with a smirk.

"Yes?"

"You usually get pretty fired up with the fire." Han smirked, kissing her neck softly.

"Shh you. My brother will be here soon."

They both heard movement outside of Leia's apartment. Hearing the doorbell ring, Han laughed and moved to answer it. Sliding the door open Han revealed Luke and Chewie both. They all greeted each other and slowly made their way into the living room.

"Happy Holiday!" Leia said running into Luke's arms and hugging him tight.

"You seem happy."

"I am very happy!" She said with a smile.

"Good. I like seeing you happy Leia."

"Happy Holiday Chewie!" Leia said turning and hugging the large Wookie. Chewie quickly wrapped his furry arms around the small princess and lifted her up and into the air. Leia squealed as Chewie hugged her and then slowly set her back to the ground.

"Don't scare her!" Han said scolding his friend.

"It's alright Han." Leia said with a nod to Chewie. "I know he wouldn't drop me."

"She's too tiny to drop." Chewie noted aloud.

Leia quickly ushered everyone into the living room and pointed towards the chairs, for them to all get comfortable.

"Alright everyone, take a seat, I'm just finishing up some food for us all."

"You need help Leia?" Luke asked her.

"I think I'm alright." Leia said thinking she had everything under control. Luke was about to protest when Chewie spoke up.

"Nah.. I'll help the Princess."

"You two can take." Leia suggested looking over to her brother and Han.

The two men nodded as they watched Chewie and Leia walk out of the room.

"So…Leia seems good." Luke noted, taking a seat across from Han. Han quickly nodded and smiled.

"She's been happy. Enjoying the holidays."

"That's good." Luke nodded. "I can't help but wonder if you're the reason her mood has changed?"

"I might be, you'd have to ask her."

"I don't want to upset her."

"You won't, she loves you Luke. She won't get mad at you."

"Perhaps. I'm still worried. I want you to understand that." Luke started. "I'm giving you a chance and Leia does seem happy. You can't ruin this Han. She can't go through that again."

"She won't. I'll never hurt her again. I want everything with her."

"You know she can't…" Luke started but quickly stopped, not wanting to out his sisters secret. Han let out a shaky breath, thinking he understood what Luke was talking about.

"She told me about the procedure."

"She did?" Luke said surprised.

"She did, It doesn't matter."

"Of course it does! You made her change her whole future!"

"I…I didn't intend to…I…Luke I'm not that guy anymore." Han said stumbling over his words. He couldn't even begin to stand up or defend this world's Han. If anything he agreed with Luke. "I only mean that..the fact that she can't get pregnant doesn't change anything for me. I still want her, I still love her."

"So kids aren't for you?" Luke asked.

"I suggested we adopt. Of course that's a long way away. But it's an option. Leia's adopted, so why not adopt ourselves." Han said with a shrug.

"Gods…" Luke said with a smile. "You really are different." Han didn't say anything, instead stayed quiet and nodded. He was different.

—-


Leia sat beside the fire, the warmth feeling so good against her skin. Luke was showing Luke and Chewie out. It had been a wonderful day, filled with laughter and love. Leia wanted more days like this in the future. Hearing Han's footsteps, Leia barely had a chance to look up before she felt him sit beside her and wrap his arms around her.

"Fire feels nice." He whispered against her ear.

"It does."

"You feeling frisky yet?" Han smirked.

"Stop it!" She laughed. Leia leaned back against his embrace, keeping her eyes on the fire.

"Today was nice." Han told her.

"I liked it." Leia nodded.

"I'm glad."

"Thank you for being here." She whispered to him. Han kissed the side of her head, loving the way she fit in his arms. Out of nowhere Han suddenly shouted.

"Shit!"

"What's wrong?" She asked quickly looking back to him in alarm.

"I forgot your gift on the Falcon!" Han said quickly standing up and walking towards his jacket.

"What? you didn't have to get me anything Han."

"I know, but I wanted to."

"Well, we'll just get it later." Leia suggested with shrug.

"I'll run down there real quick and get it."

"You're really going to go out in the cold just to go to the Falcon and then back here." Leia laughed.

"umm yes. Don't look at me like that, I want you to have your gift." Han said, hoping she would understand. Leia nodded softly and slowly stood.

"I guess I'm coming with you then." Leia said, quickly grabbing for her coat and dropping it over her body. Han tried to protest but one look from Leia and he knew there was no debating it. "Let's go hot shot." She smiled pulling at his arm and tugging him towards the door.

The night air was crisp and sent a chill down both their bodies. Han immediately pulled Leia closer to him, so glad that he was once again open and free to touch her in such a way. The walked quickly to the nearest transport and waited. The wind whipped around them and Leia quickly hid her face against Han's chest.

"I said you could stay home." Han reminded her.

"Yeah yeah…I wanted to go with you. But we're sleeping on the Falcon. No way I'm going back out here." Leia told him and Han chuckled.

"Anything you want Princess."

Hearing the lift, Han and Leia looked up and waited patiently for the doors to open. They almost ran inside, as they were closed off from the outside cold. Leia kept her body up against Han's, still needing his body heat, and just loving having him close.

"Han?" Leia whispered to him.

"Yeah?"

"After the holidays…How long are you staying on Coruscant?" She asked looking up and into his eyes. Han tried to read her expression, he saw bits of pain and panic.

"I don't want to leave. You are here."

"But what will you do on Coruscant?"

"Leia."

"Yes?"

"Stop worrying." He said offering her smile and hoping it calmed down her nerves. "I want you and you're here. We'll figure it all out." He assured her. Leia stared up at him, before bringing their lips together. Han sighed into their kiss, happy that no one else was on this lift. Feeling the movement stop, they looked out and around at the dark city. The hangar was just down the street.

"Let's do this." Han laughed as they ran back into the cold of the night.

The ship was in sight and Leia couldn't be happier, all she wanted was a nice warm bed and preferably Han laying beside her. As they stepped closer to the ship, Han couldn't help but feel like they were being watched. He glanced around the room and saw no one, but still the feeling was there.

"You alright?" Leia asked him.

"Let's just get inside." He said quickly. Their steps were fast now, as Han pushed them closer and closer to the ship.

"Princess!" They heard someone yell from behind them. Han and Leia both turned to face the voice. Neither had time to take a breathe as the man before them quickly pulled out his blaster. Leia stared forward at the end of the blaster's point. She didn't notice Han or even notice his movement beside her. The blaster immediately fired and Leia waited to feel the hit. Instead all she felt was Han shoving her out of the way.


Happy Holidays! Next Chapter will be posted on the 27th!