This is a series of small events/moments from the Solo kids' lives as they grow up. It may not end up being in chronological order. It's set while the kids are growing up. I just wanted to explore the more "normal" everyday aspect of the Solo family's life, and this is what I've come up with. I hope you like it!

The Mess We Make

(Set in 15 ABY)

They were discussing the new X-Wing model over cups of caf when there was a loud crash. Luke Skywalker and his brother-in-law exchanged a look, caf and Incom's merits and failures forgotten.

"Jaina?" Han called. "Jacen!"

The twins had disappeared into their playroom after saying hello to Luke, as they usually did. He'd caught something about "pirates" in their excited chatter, before they had run off. Only Anakin had remained with the two men, quietly playing on the couch beside Luke.

Theoretically, Threepio was meant to be keeping an eye on the twins, but Luke realised belatedly that he didn't hear the droid's prissy voice amid the muffled shouts of "It's all right, Dad!"

Han Solo sighed and left the room to investigate. Moments later, he called for Luke, who hurried to the kids' playroom and stopped, trying to make sense of the scene that unfolded before him. Threepio sat slumped in a corner, deactivated. The kids' wardrobe had collapsed and its contents lay strewn about the room, along with a smooth board that Luke recognised as a spare shelf which had been stored beneath Anakin's bed.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Yeah," Han said, looking at his eldest son. "Why don't you tell Uncle Luke what happened, Jacen?"

Six-year-old Jacen Solo shifted his weight from one foot to another and sighed. "We made a slide."

"Oh," Luke said. "Did it work?"

"Once," Jaina said. She was sitting in the middle of the mess, unscathed as far as Luke could tell. "It was a really wild ride." On that, both children dissolved into giggles.

Han tried to keep a straight face as he extracted his giggling daughter from the tangles of clothes, books, and furniture. "This is the last time I trust Lando Calrissian when he says that this piece of furniture doesn't need to be bolted down."

Luke couldn't help laughing. Han shot him a betrayed look and set Jaina down.

"Now," he said. "Looks like we'll have to clean this mess up, hey?"

"But Threepio can –" Jacen began, but Han held up a finger.

"Uh-uh," he said. "Deactivated droids can't help anyone."

"But you can switch him back on," Jaina said.

"And why would I do that?" Han asked. "I didn't switch him off. Which one of you did that, anyway?"

"Me," Jaina said. Luke shook his head. The twins were nothing if not honest; when asked a question, they usually told the truth. It had taken him a while to understand how they could be so honest while constantly scheming to cause trouble while the grown-ups weren't looking. Knowing Wes Janson had helped, as had the realisation that the twins didn't really mind getting caught, as long as what they had wanted to do had already been done. They were ready to accept responsibility, but preferably for something that could be deemed a success.

"Why am I not surprised," Han said. "Well, it's bad enough that you switched him off, I don't see why he needs to clean up your mess on top of that. Come on. I'll help you with the wardrobe, you sort out the clothes, and Jacen, you collect the books, all right? And let's get this done before your Mom gets home."

The twins grumbled, but did as they were told. Luke and Han righted the wardrobe and put the shelves back inside, exchanging amused glances. It was not the first time. Not a week went by without at least one of the kids causing mischief, and both Han and Leia seemed to take it in stride. Well, they had known each other for a while; they had probably known what they were getting into. It would have taken optimism to the point of denying reality to expect their kids to be anything but rambunctious, mischievous, and up to no good.

It didn't take long to set things right, partially due to the fact that tidying up messes like this had become a well-practiced routine. Afterwards, Han set Threepio to rights and sent him to the kitchen to prepare more caf, juice for the kids, and some afternoon snacks.

The twins ran off into the living area while Han found a new home for the spare board, under his own bed this time. In the relative quiet that followed, Luke became aware of the sound of someone bouncing up and down on upholstery, accompanied by a four-year-old's voice raised in a never-ending "eeeeee!"

"Oh no," Han said. "Anakin."

Luke frowned, not understanding. "What?"

"Anakin," Han repeated. "Ah. Did you finish your caf before we left?"

Luke shook his head.

"Mine was almost full." Han sighed, his voice full of resignation. "Anakin really likes caf. He'll be bouncing off the walls for the next three hours, maybe more." He shook his head as they went to join the kids for refreshments. "I swear to you, kid, working with the Wraiths was easier than keeping tabs on these terrors."

Luke laughed and nodded as he caught sight of little Anakin Solo, still bouncing on Han's favourite chair and giggling madly as he threw cushions at his sister, who returned them with just as much force and only slightly better aim. If Han managed to get them all to sit down and have their juice and snacks, Luke thought, the man deserved another medal.