“That smells amazing.” Han sniffed the air like a Ssi-ruu on the hunt.

“Mom’s baking!” Jacen crowed, as Jaina giggled, mouth full.

Plucking a gingerbell cookie from the counter, Han put half in his mouth and ducked down for Leia to bite off the other half. It was warm from the synthoven, and melted on his tongue.

“Delicious,” he pronounced, following it up with a kiss. The kids were too young to know today’s anniversary, but Han understood well the reason for comfort food.

Leia sighed. “But the real ingredients...”

“I know.” Han pulled her into a hug. “I know.”

“Well, that worked out great.”

With Han, sarcasm was expected, but Leia sometimes forgot her brother also had it in him.

“What part?” she yelled over ion cannons slamming into the walls---rattling from the attack of Mucdro’s angry enforcers. “When you politely introduced yourself, or when they wanted me as payment for NR damages to their deathstick operation?”

“I was thinking more your idea to come here in the first place,” Luke grinned. “Now that we’ve caught our breath, shall we...” he ignited his lightsaber and nodded as Leia’s also flowed to life, “show them the error of their ways?”

Dryanta growled softly and nudged Chewbacca’s shoulder.

[You know I’ll come cousin, whenever you need me. I know what a life debt means.]

Shyriiwook had never sounded quite so gentle to Leia’s ears. Now, as the Wookiee family discussed Han’s rescue, she wished she’d made more of an effort to learn it.

Chewie’s response to Dryanta was forceful, and loud. They hugged then, as only Wookiees can, as if one was trying to squeeze the other to death.

“Threepio,” she whispered. “What did he say?”

“He said General Solo is his best friend, Mistress Leia. That’s the reason they’re going.”