Sabé flicked off the lights so all was dark in the small kitchen beside the flickering of the candles on Samé's cake. Stuck in the thick, green frosting coating the two-tiered cake were two candle numbers '1' and '6'. The birthday girl sat at the head of the table, the cake sitting before her. She smiled excitedly, happily. Her mother's smile, though, was one of bitter joy. At old memories, Han knew, because his smile was born of the same thing.

It seemed like just last week his youngest child was born, a petite little thing that seemed to be mostly made of the thick, brown locks of hair on her head. But, in reality, that had been years ago. Sixteen years ago, to be exact. Now, Han's baby girl was 16 and he could hardly take it. She was beautiful like her mother, like her sisters. She was smart, quick, witty, and tough and Han couldn't be prouder of the fine woman she was becoming. Looking at her now, Han tackled his brain to try and figure out how the years had gone by so fast.

Leia, ready with a holo-recorder in hand, started them off in singing to Samé who flushed, her face illuminated by the candles' light. She looked around the table at everyone, family, friends. Her face was alight with happiness. When they were finished singing, Samé licked her fingers and stamped out the tiny flames between them, causing everyone at the table to laugh amusedly.

Han leaned forward with the knife and began cutting slices to put on everyone's plates. As Leia helped him lay the first slice on their daughter's plate, Han snuck in a kiss on Samé's cheek. "Happy birthday, Princess," he said to her.

Sabé laughed. "I thought Mom was your princess," she pointed out with a smile and Han turned to see his wife playing with them, frowning, a fist planted firmly on her hip. "I can be your . . . " Samé pondered for a better nickname.

"No," Han interrupted her thoughts, giving her shoulder a squeeze. "You're one of my princesses, too."

"You're our baby," Leia told her, giving her another kiss on the cheek. "Whether you like that or not, you're always going to be our baby."

"The baby of the family," Samé said more to herself. Then, she grew a smile and said to her parents, "It hasn't been too bad."

Leia laughed. "No, I suspect not. Not when you've got all of us wrapped around your finger."

"Always have," Han agreed with a smile. "And to think we almost didn't have you."

Samé gave a little frown, trying to understand her father's last statement. "What do you mean?"

"Huh?"

"You said you guys almost didn't have me?"

Immediately, Leia slapped Han upside the head. "Ow!"

"What did you mean by that? 'We almost didn't have you'?"

"I think," Evern said, coming to his sister's side and squeezing her shoulder "What I believe that means is . . . you were the accident of our family."

Her arms crossed, Leia fixed a deadly glare on her son. "Evern!"

Evern, smirking, gave an innocent look. "Well, there has to be one in every family."

Slowly, Samé turned back to her parents. "Is it true? I was an accident?"

Leia's expression melted and Han slowly turned away.

"It is true!"

"Do we have to use the word 'accident'?" Leia asked with a sigh. "How about 'surprise'? Yes! You were a surprise! That's all."

"So, basically, I was an accident."

"Sammy," Leia shook her head, slipping a comforting arm around her daughter's shoulders. "If it makes you feel any better, you weren't our only 'surprise'."

"What?!" six other voices cried. From where he stood beside Jaina, Jarik laughed. "It's good to know I'm not one of them."

Snuggling close to her youngest child, Leia told Samé, "You don't think your dad and I were planning on triplets, do you?"

"Ha!" she laughed, turning to her oldest siblings. "That means two of you were accidents too!"

Leia took her shoulders and turned her back around. "It doesn't matter if you were an accident," she told Samé. "Maybe we weren't planning on having you, but we were really glad we did."

Jarik cast one more look towards the building before turning back to his mother, his big eyes filled with fear and hesitation. Leia smiled encouragingly at her five-year-old, nodding him on. "Go on," she told him. "It's alright. I bet you'll make a lot of new friends today."

In a meek and quiet voice, Jarik objected. "But I want to stay with you, Mommy."

"Ohh," Leia moaned. She squatted beside him, taking his hands. "Don't say that to me! Look. I know it can be scary, but it'll be so much fun. Just remember what Jaina and Jacen told you yesterday. And when school is over, Daddy and I will both come to pick you up. Then, we can celebrate your first day of school!"

He sniffled, shrugging his backpack straps to readjust them. "Promise?"

Leia held up her pinky. "I swear." Reluctantly, Jarik took it. "Okay. Now, give Mommy a hug before you go." Jarik threw his little arms around her and she squeezed him tight, quickly drying her tears before her son could notice. He backed away and walked towards the school. "Bye, Jarik! Have a good day! I'll miss you! I love you!"

"Okay, that's enough," Sabé chuckled as she took Leia's arm and dragged her back into the speeder. "The kids are gone. The husbands are at work. It's time for us to catch a break."

"But I don't want to take a break," Leia whined.

"Come on. I think you'll change your mind when you see what Aryn and I planned."

"A girl's day?"

"A little something." Sabé winked and began pulling her along. "Relax. Today, we get to relax. And you need it."

"Seems like someone's having separation issues," Aryn noted with a sad smile as she surveyed Leia. Lying lamely in a chair across from the queen, Leia only acknowledged her assessment with a groan. She pulled herself into a proper sitting position with a sigh. "I can't take it, Aryn. Even my little prince is gone to school."

Aryn shared a smirk with Freneá for a second, then moved to approach Leia. "It's tough, but it gets easier."

Sabé threw her arms out, frowning at the air in front of her face. "I still don't get why we're trying to comfort Leia. She's the one with seven kids."

With her usual bounce to every movement she made, Freneá tossed her head to the side, considering. Her ebony curls bounced with the quick nod, sending ripples through her cascade of long hair. "Perhaps, it's because she keeps forgetting how this works. The rest of us have had some time to get used to it with one kid."

Leia moaned again, dragging her hands down her face. "The years fly by," she complained. "I don't get how it just goes by like that."

"Nobody does," Aryn agreed. "But I think you can make it a few hours without seven little ones demanding your attention." Aryn grabbed Leia's arm and yanked her to her feet. "I hadn't realized you needed a break this bad. Honey, all you had to do was call!"

"I! Don't! Want! A break!" Leia grunted, yanking her arm, then fell to the floor when Aryn finally released her. All three of the women looked down to Leia, their arms crossed and their looks expectant as they waited. They waited for a count of five before Leia sighed, throwing up an arm for Sabé to help her up. "Holy tauntaun, I need this."

But she didn't want it. There was something about motherhood that Leia was addicted to. Leia tried to put her finger on it, but when she considered, there were too many possibilities. She loved it all. It ached her heart to think that all her babies were no longer babies. Especially Jarik who was already five. How can that be? Leia boggled her mind to understand. I swear it was just yesterday . . . It was just yesterday that life somehow escaped me and I can't cope with the fact that I can't always have a little baby who is completely dependent on me and needs me to carry them around. They're not babies anymore and I need to get on with life, enjoy them where they are now. Enjoy watching them grow up.

But there was something so confusingly wrong about the thought. It bothered Leia to no end as she tried to think what it could be. Something was missing from the bigger picture, but Leia couldn't look past the portrait of her little Jarik, five years old and off to school. Maybe Aryn and Sabé were right. She needed to move on. She still had the rest of her children's lives to enjoy. Why couldn't she just be content with that?

"Mommy? Mommy?"

"Mmmm. Not now. Mommy's tired."

The mattress shifted and rattled under the pressure of Jarik's jumping, sending Leia's stomach rolling.

"Mom! We're late! We need to go to school."

. . . School . . . school. Leia considered the word and pushed herself up to catch a glimpse at the chrono.

They were late.

"Kriff!" Leia threw herself out of bed. Like blood rushing to the head, the effect was instant and her stomach lurched. She slapped a hand to her mouth, running for the refresher.

"Mommy!" Jarik yelled after her, but Leia was already emptying her stomach into the 'fresher bowl. "Ew."

"Leiá!" she heard Sabé call and she was grateful.

"Sabé!" Jarik called back, running off. "Mommy's sick!"

"Sick?" Sabé hurried in and came to an abrupt stop in the doorway of the refresher.

Leia looked up, wiping her mouth on her sleeve. She could hardly care. Weakly, she told Sabé, "I can't take the kids to school."

Sabé laughed, taking Jarik's hand. "Hang on," she said. "I'll send Memily in. Don't worry; I've got the kids."

"Thank you." Slowly, Leia moved herself so she could sit against the tub and sat there, her hair and face a mess, while she waited for Memily to help her.

Sick, she considered, dropping her gaze down her own body. She picked up a hand and placed it over her stomach. What were the chances . . . No! Leia prayed she was wrong. That wasn't in her and Han's plans. Jarik was their baby and that was that. They'd purposely waited to adopt Jarik so he would be their last. The decision was supposed to have been final. And it had been final. For five years. How could this suddenly happen?

Why would this happen?

And why now?

With a majestic wave of his hand, Han pulled out a single, plump and blue fruit to show the older kids at the kitchen counter. "There's only one left," he said. "Who gets it?"

Romé, who definitely had the fastest reaction time of the four, shot out a hand to pluck the fruit from Han's hold, but he'd been expecting her to do that. She was cunning and fast and tricky, but, over the years of living with her and her parents, Han had learned. "Ah, ah, ah! You cheater," he accused.

"Oh, come on! That's right up your alley!"

Dumbfounded, Han paused their game to closely inspect her. "How did such nice, loving, caring parents end up with you for a daughter?"

Romé just smirked. Giving up, Han tossed her the fruit and his own three oldest kids erupted into complaints. He ignored them, turning his attention to the door as his wife entered. She finished twisting her hair into an outspoken braid as she came in. When she dropped her arms, Han caught her by her waist and pulled her body to his. "Morning, Princess," he drawled in her ear, then moved his mouth to capture her lips. Leia boldly accepted his invitation and kissed him long and hard. Nearby, Anakin, Jarik, and the twins all cried, "Ewww!" Leia pulled back and smiled up at him, one delicate hand resting on Han's chest. "What do you think, flyboy?" she asked with a mischievous smile. "One more just for show?" Han answered her with actions, kissing her once more, then laughed.

Leia separated herself from him, but grabbed his arm and dragged him to the corner of the kitchen with her. "We need to talk," she whispered to him. Her simple statement gave him pause. He wrapped an arm around her waist and leaned down to ask her quietly, "Is everything alright?"

Leia inhaled as she prepared her answer. "I think we should go talk in our room." Her gaze flicked to the counter where the kids sat. "Away from them."

"Oookay."

Leia led him out of the kitchen. When Han closed their bedroom door behind him, Leia stood in front of their bed and she stared at him with such a nervous look. "What's wrong?" he asked her.

"It's not that something's wrong," she assured him. "Not as much as it's just a surprise-" She interrupted herself, her gaze locking with Han's. "Han, what would you think about having another baby?"

First, Han's brow furrowed, then those wrinkles disappeared and he broke into a laughing grin. "You're kidding, right?" Han took her elbows and gathered Leia up in his arms. "Sweetheart, we had this conversation five years ago. We agreed that Jarik was our last one for good."

"The last time we had this conversation was five years ago," Leia agreed. "So, maybe it's time to have it again."

Han sighed and pulled Leia to their bed with him. "Sabé told me you've been struggling with the fact that our babies aren't babies anymore."

"That's not what this is-"

"It's okay, Princess. I know it's tough. Jarik is getting a little too big to carry, now, but none of this means-"

"Han, that's not what's bothering me right-"

"We just have to enjoy the rest of our kids' li-"

"Han, I'm pregnant!"

"New bottles, new crib, new clothes . . . "

"Because we got rid of it all," Leia said, freshly frustrated with herself and Han and things that they had done five years ago. Shoving the empty boxes back inside the closet, she sighed aloud. "Why did we do that?"

"Because we swore this wouldn't be happening again . . . "

"Well, a lot of good that did us."

Sticking his head out from behind their bed, Han objected. "Hey! I wasn't the one who originally swore it!"

Leia stifled back another sigh. As had grown into a habit for her, Leia pressed a hand to her flat abdomen and used her Force skills to check on the tiny, new fetus planted somewhere deep within. This had been a habit since her pregnancy with the twins when she'd first really learned of her own capabilities and Luke had begun teaching her however informally. And, just as it had been every time since then, the rapid progress of cells growing and clustering to form a new person that was part her and part Han astounded Leia. She offered a welcoming and loving feeling to the fetus before returning her focus to her husband. "Well, I was wrong," she said quietly. She stood up and began to walk around the bed.

"What?! Please speak louder. I'm not sure I heard-"

"You heard me plenty fine, flyboy," Leia said, comically frowning as she sat herself in his lap. "But can't we just forget about that for now? This is real and it's happening, Han. Are you ready to go through this again?"

"I have a better question," Han said and reached out a hand to wipe a stray strand of chestnut hair past Leia's ear. "Are you? Are you ready to have another baby? Your body rented out to someone else for nearly a year. Months of sleepless nights following. You know, it's been a while."

"It has," Leia agreed. "Too long. Now, I don't think you need to worry about me. Remember that I've done this a few times before? I was the one you knocked up with triplets."

Han froze, pretending to think about it. "You know, something about that does sound familiar."

Leia punched Han in the shoulder. Turning serious, though, she took his face in her hands and leaned in close so their noses touched. "All joking aside, though, Han, I'm really happy about this."

"Yeah," Han said, smiling back as he wrapped his arms around his wife's small frame to hold her. "I know you are. I know how much you love being pregnant."

"I do, don't I? Han, for a while now, I've felt like something's really wrong. It drove me insane trying to figure out what it was, what was missing, but I think I figured it out. Something about this feels so right, Han. Something about being pregnant again . . . I don't know, Han. All I know is that I feel so much better. It's like something's been missing from our family and this is it. I really think this is it, Han. I think this is what we've been waiting for."

Han considered Leia's words of fulfillment and began to realize how familiar that sounded. Adopting Jarik had been the exact move he and Leia had needed to make. That, they'd been sure of and they still were. Jarik had filled in a spot in their family that they'd always known they wanted. Of course, they'd planned on adopting him as their last child, but Han felt like Leia had perfectly described things he'd been feeling for a while now too, but hadn't been able to explain to Leia. That was mostly because he hadn't been sure what he felt was needed. But now he knew. He wanted another baby, too.

"When Jarik was four," Han started to tell Leia, "And the couple from House Ulgo had their second child, Jarik came up to me and said he wanted to be a big brother like Ramson Ulgo."

Leia smiled. "I think he'll be a great big brother. Do you think this might help blend him in?"

"What do you mean?"

"You remember we wanted to adopt Jarik last so things weren't messy and we had kids younger than him to deal with."

"Yeah."

"Well, everyone's older than him. Maybe it will be really good for him to have a younger sibling. That way, he's in the middle of our family, not adopted last on purpose."

"Yeah, I think that will be good for him."

"I think this will be amazing for everyone," Leia added.

She was the talk of the family when she was born the night before Winter Fete. All of the seven other Solo children sat on their parents' bed, clustered around their mother who held their newborn sister in her arms. Arms stretched over little bodies as they reached out to touch her and Leia laughed, passing her daughter over a few heads to her husband. Eissa and Jarik both jumped off the bed, hurrying for a good spot next to their father. Han, too, chuckled. "Alright, kiddos. Calm down. Eissa, you already got to hold her. How about we let Jarik have a turn."

Jarik's jaw dropped and he stared at his father. "Why are you so surprised? Go sit next to your mom."

Quickly, Jarik hauled himself back onto the bed and sat up straight with his arms folded weirdly in an imitation of how he'd seen Eissa fold hers. Leia smiled and adjusted his arms as Han laid Samé there.

"What do you think, buddy?" Han asked his son. "Are you happy about being a big brother?"

Jarik nodded vigorously, his gaze never leaving his baby sister. "Now I'm a big brother just like Anakin and Jacen and Eile and Evern."

"Exactly," Leia agreed. "That's a big responsibility, but I bet you'll do just fine, won't you?"

Jarik nodded again.

From the nearest wall, Sabé laughed, watching the Solo family. Romé, Ducchi, Memily, Luke, and Bail stood back at a respective distance, allowing the siblings some time. "Look at that thick hair," the Nabooan woman marveled at the baby's thick curls.

Bail smiled with her. "That is definitely her grandmother's hair."

Leia looked up to her father who sat in a repulsor chair at her brother's side. "Padmé, you mean."

Bail nodded.

Han grinned at Leia. "What a coincidence," he said to her and she beamed back.

"Sabé," Leia said. "We picked out a name for her a while ago and we want to tell you the first time we tell anyone. We're naming her Samé. After you and the mother I never knew."

Sabé slowly looked up to Leia, tears already filling her eyes. "Oh, Leia," she managed, shaking her head. "No, honey-"

"No, Sabé! Come here."

Jarik looked up and, when Sabé came close enough, he smiled up at her, lifting his baby sister to her. Sabé shared his smile and carefully took the baby girl into her arms. "Hi, there," she cooed quietly, rocking Leia's new child. "Hi, Samé. Aren't you just adorable? You look so much like your mother and your grandmother." She ran her fingers through the dark locks. "Samé. Samé Solo. Isn't that beautiful?" She took one last look at the baby before she handed her back to her niece. "Congratulations, Leiá."

"Thank you."

Han picked up Jarik and sat beside his wife with him in his lap. The kids returned to crowding around each other and the other grownups smiled brightly at the sight.

"We got our family," Han told Leia with the brightest smile he had. "We got it all. And I love you for giving it to me."

"I know," Leia agreed, then leaned over to kiss him. She sniffled through tears and looked back down to the precious child in her arms. Her last. "We got our family."