milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

She'd made a promise to be there for her brother's wedding, and it's because of this that the front door opens and Leia steps through.

She looks very much the diplomat that she is, tonight, as she looks around for someone that she knows.

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Jaina blinks in surprise when she sees her mother walk in. Her much younger looking mother. "Mom?"

Leia stops at hearing herself addressed so, and turns to look at the young woman.

"I'm sorry?"

Jaina bites her lip, suddenly realizing that this version of her mother might not know her yet. She feels a slight twinge in her heart, and tries to dismiss it.

"I think you're my mother," Jaina replies softly. "If not you sure look a stang lot like her."

She masks her shock with a diplomat's manner, and even as she does so, somewhere inside, Leia is not unaware of the deep irony of this.

"I'm sorry. I don't have any children-- yet." Dryly, she adds, "Although around here, I've been given to understand that doesn't always mean anything."

"Why don't we sit down?"

Jaina nods, and leads her to a booth. She sits, and studies Leia's face. She can't remember whether Luke or Anakin mentioned when in time her mother was from.

There was one way to find out. "Are you married to Dad, uh, Han?"

Leia leans back in the seat, studying her in turn.

"I am. It's only been a little while, though. A couple of months, at most, even with how time seems to work here."

She starts to say something else, and then stops abruptly. "I don't even-- what's your name?"

Jaina smiles. At least her parents are together, which feels like a slight relief.

"I'm Jaina," she replies, feeling slightly strange telling her mother her name.

"Jaina." Leia smiles back. "I've always liked the name."

"Have you been here long?"

Jaina chuckles. "I'm glad. It's what you and Dad named me."

"I've been here a few days now. It's interesting."

"I can imagine," she says dryly.

Years of politics allow her to carry on the conversation, but inside, Leia is reeling. I have a daughter? Han and I only -- I just agreed to try to have children, not to be afraid of what could happen-- I have a daughter?

"Is-- are you -- is everything all right for you here?"

Jaina can sense some of her mother's emotions and tries to send a wave of reassurance to her.

"It's strange. Anakin's here, and kriff, he's dead from when I come from. You and Uncle Luke are around my age, and kriff, it's strange."

"I'll definitely agree about the strangeness, no question," Leia replies, then stops again.

"Of course he's dead. He's been dead since before you were -- will be -- born."

Jaina blinks, momentarily caught off guard. "You're talking about Grandfather, aren't you?"

"Yes," she says, with a hint of suspicion. "Who are you talking about?"

Jaina squirms slightly in her seat. "Uh, Anakin? My brother..."

"Your brother. Anakin."

Leia's tone is a little flat, and then she grins wryly.

"How many children do I have, Jaina?"

Jaina nods. "Yeah. I guess you know who you named him after."

She offers a smile to her mother. "I have a twin brother, Jacen. But that's it. Just three of us."

"It would appear so."

"Sorry, Jaina -- it's all a bit much to take in at the moment. You've known me all your life, and I... well, I don't know you. Yet."

Leia smiles weakly at her daughter.

"But that doesn't mean I don't want to."

Jaina nods. "I'd like that," she says, offering a small smile in return.

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