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“It’s been too long,” Leia said, stepping in close to press a kiss to Luke’s cheek. “When are you going to stop leaving me alone to deal with your messes?”
“My messes?” Luke teased. “I thought we were in this together.”
“We are… we are.” She sighed, staring adoringly at him. “It just seems such an awful lot of effort for so little…” She glanced over her shoulder at the courtyard beyond them. “Just one student, this time…”
“Yes,” Luke said, “but I think Rey’s special.”
They turned together, Luke slipping an arm around Leia’s middle, as they watched the newly arrived eight-year-old Rey being led down by C3PO to meet the rest of the people at the academy. One of Luke’s best students, a tall twelve-year-old boy named Finn, was the first to greet her with a bright, welcoming smile.
“You say that about all of them,” Leia chided.
Luke shrugged, watching his students as they all eagerly swarmed together to greet the newest member. There were almost a dozen, now, of all varying ages and species. “They all are.”
“I know, I just–”
Behind them, someone coughed.
As one, the twins turned to find the transport pilot awkwardly standing outside his ship, his helmet in his hands. He was young, early twenties, but with bright, sharp eyes and a mop of dark, shaggy hair. “Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said.
Luke smiled, feeling Leia stirring next to him. “That’s right,” he said, “I’d almost forgotten. Leia, this is our transport pilot, Poe Dameron. Poe, as I described, the incomparable Leia Organa.”
“It is a real honor to meet you, General,” Poe said, stepping forward to kiss Leia’s outstretched hand.
Leia’s eyes widened in delight and she stole a questioning glance at Luke. “Leia is fine. And, the pleasure is all mine, captain,” she answered. “Thank you for coming all this way with just my brother and one student.”
Luke cleared his throat. “It is such a long flight,” Luke agreed. “I actually told him he would be welcome to stay the night, have dinner with us, maybe get a tour of the academy?”
“Did you now?” Leia said, smiling warmly.
“If it’s not too much of an imposition?” Poe nervously said.
“Not at all. Not at all. We don’t get many visitors here, so this is quite the rare treat.”
Luke was pretty sure Poe blushed, but chose not to draw attention to it. Instead, he nodded at the pilot. “Why don’t you go head down and meet up with C3PO and Rey. You can catch the tour, and then meet us back at the dining hall when you’re all done.”
“Really? That’d be great! Thanks!” Poe nodded then jogged off toward the crowd of students. He was soon surrounded by a gaggle of preteens, all of them clamoring to wear his helmet and touch his flight suit.
Leia linked her arm with Luke’s as they stood there watching. “Did you bring me a treat, brother dear?”
Luke grinned broadly. “I brought us a treat, sister dear.”
She playfully nudged against him. “You think he’ll go for it?”
“He adores you… and he idolizes me. He’ll be game.”
Leia grinned, biting her lower lip. “It’s been an awfully long time since you brought me a treat.” Her eyes watched the young pilot as he finally freed himself from the students to follow after C3PO, leaving his helmet behind with one of the older boys. “Oh… I think I’m going to like this one.”
“I think you will, too,” Luke teased, giving her a more intimate squeeze. “And if we play our cards right, we might be able to get him to stay for more than just the one night.”
“Oh, I’d really like that.”
“So don’t scare him off.”
“I won’t!”
“Then stop drooling!”
“Luke!” Leia shoved him, laughing. “Come on. If he’s going to stay for dinner, we’d better make sure it’s done right. And, I’ll need a bath!” She took off down the hill.
Full of love and laughter, Luke followed her to the cheerful, glowing academy and their happy, loving home.