Thank you so very much for this wonderful story. Loved it.

This is INSPIRED!

Okay okay okay...you've got me going with this one too.
Very clever SW references!

FYI I chose to reread these chapters while sitting on a bench in my Disney hotel while I wait to do more chaperoning. It’s helping any homesickness I might be suffering from. Bless the goddess of fic for she has saved me again ️

"Any dummy could see how Han Solo loved Leia Organa, see just how precious she was to him."

I just love their hug and this line with all of my heart!

I am not laughing because of Han's awkward fidgeting and I am definitely not laughing because of Leia's reading choice ( also, you WWII fellow nerd, you! cue an airy kiss). Not laughing whatsoever!

But on a more serious note, it's quite magical how you cut to the chase of their feelings, how you move them through life and how beautifully on character you keep everything. I trust you with these people I love, Cic and you do them justice!

I am finally caught up with basically everyone in the Han and Leia fandom finally and have finished reading this. I apologize in advance for not having left you reviews on more chapters but I don't know how I could've found words for most of them. This is such a beautiful alternative version of these two finding each other and falling in love and starting a family. It was just really amazing to see Han Solo struggle with the person he was and evolve into someone who could love, and more importantly, BE loved. And of course Leia being a strong character as well here, and Han loving that about her and never wanting her to feel like he expected her to be anything less than what she was or deal with any of the unfortunate gender norms that existed at the time. Also though heartbreaking to see when Han had to leave the room when she had their daughter because some stuff was just, unfortunately, done a certain way and there was no getting around it. Clearly that would almost kill him to leave her when she needed him like that! But I loved the inclusion of other characters, like Shara who was able to assure him that she would be taken care of, otherwise I don't think he would've left. And just seeing them given lots of good friends in town.

Of course also so ingenious how you weaved in different characters and elements from the OT, whether it was a small line here and there or much bigger plot points, it all blended seamlessly. I was definitely not expecting the whole big twist with Obi Wan and Padme and Breha. Also an interesting way to add some complication to their romance with the Isolders.

And thanks, as usual, for letting these two live happily ever after in a house of love and mutual respect and all that good stuff. I did also enjoy the little touch of Luke naming their daughter. I wasn't expecting that either, but I loved the matter-of-fact way he just kind of knew that was her name. Excellent work, and again, sorry that this is probably wholly inadequate and of course very late!

"his knowledge of her was the gift"

This line right here is a gift in itself, dearest dearest Cic. I love your Han and your Leia, their feelings, their moments, their everythings. But what I can't ever get over are these fragments of absolute truth, these words I recognise as something I find in my own heart and among my own needs. To be known, recognized, seen, remembered. You write so much of life. It breaks my heart and fills it, all at the same time!

I am finally about halfway through. And obviously basically any reviews would be wholly inadequate but I'm going to comment on something here, and I will guess it is probably not going to be the part of this chapter that most people focus on. But I really loved the bit you had from Dottie's point of view, when she sees them all happy together and suddenly feels this sort of motherly protection over Han, and sees how in love they are and thinks about how she has the same thing with her husband and it is such a small thing but I really, really loved it. And of course I love how Han and Leia are too but it's excellent to see that it is so apparent to others as well.

And as a general comment on the whole first half of this thing, in case you were not already aware, you are an incredibly talented writer with this unbelievable way with words and I can't even pinpoint exactly what it is, but just the WAY you write things is so beautiful. Plus of course getting inside the emotions of these 2. It's just wonderful to see why Han is the way he is, and see him getting this great opportunity for love and him and Leia finding each other. And of course all the clever connections to the actual movies. Loving it!

“Thought we were neutral, huh”. Cic, I loved that Chewie is a red haired, big bearded descendent of Vikings, but this made a Danish Resistance Fighter’s granddaughter’s heart sing! Elske!

I don’t know where to start! I can’t stop reading! I thought at this 2/3rds point was a good place to stop and collect my thoughts. I can’t even imagine the torture it must have been for the original readers not to have 75 chapters to read one after another!
Here I go:
In an alternate universe you wrote NHI first and SW is the fic that George Lucas wrote to honor you!
Every word you put in their months is true to character, every situation, thought, emotion, reaction plausible. You have caught the essence of these characters that we love and admire and you have given us more! More to love, discover, hate in their stead, but cheer for, and grieve for.
Specifics! The way you weave dialogue from the films and it’s not trite, it flows so naturally from their lips! The smut! This is so important! Please don’t call it smut or fluff, because it isn’t! It is so far from it! It is erotic and dirty and visceral, but it’s smart and full of emotion it is down right religious to read it. The complete antithesis of toxic rape culture. Han is a man of sexual prowess, testosterone on a stick, but full caring, intelligence, honor, and savage grace. Leia is an ancient deity of wisdom and beauty and femininity, but she is no virgin Amazon or wonton whore; she is the goddess of fertility and knowledge and she is going to f’ing bite that apple and no one is kicking her out of any garden!
Thank you!

Just finished this story for the fourteenth time. It never gets old. It shows me something new every time, like all great works of literature. With this reading I was struck by how fully realised the auxiliary characters are. Everyone in this story could have their own spinoff and I'd happily follow them around - Willa Calrissian, Annie, Doc and Dottie, and even Madine all spark and hold my attention. That is the mark of truly exceptional writer.
And of course the things that have always killed me still resonate. The imagery of the flaming heart in chapter 53 and all it represents makes me feel as if it's my heart that's on fire and, later, Han's "crown of stars" guts me in the best possible way. Gorgeous, perfect, singular story. It's my happy place forevermore.

This is absolutely, totally and 100% one of my favourite chapters of yours. How private these moments are, how they are suspended within their love and need and grief and hope. And Leia's lines... *insert a very long exhale*
Everything rings true...

Oh my GOD YOU'RE DESTROYING ME!
I totally love it obviously. Who's complaining?!
It is amazing, what you've added, shifted, expanded to make this moment such as it is. And it is heartbreaking and upsetting and shocking and SUCH a strong visual that I can only sit back and wait till everything has unfolded so that I can count my wounds and keep track of my blessings. You give SO MUCH to this world and these characters, you magical being!

Oh Cic... so much pain in this chapter and so much anger and despair and yet the way you write makes things more bearable, knowing what faith and love and action can do! And you make it so very easy to be in that car, sitting next to Leia, sharing her thoughts and accompanying her on this journey! You are more than lovely!