“We wanted you to have a special piece of your home,” Jaina said in a strained voice. “We know how much Alderaan meant to you, and that the Empire destroyed it—but in a sense, it’s not really gone. We’re children of Alderaan, too, because you passed on what you learned there to us. In a way, the spirit of Alderaan is very much alive.”
“It’s from the core of the planet,” Jacen added. “From its heart.”
Tears filled Leia’s eyes. “Yes, I know it’s from the heart,” she said. “From Alderaan’s, and from yours, as well. The heart is the one thing the Empire could never destroy. Those of us who survived—who weren’t on the planet when it was blown up—carry the heart of Alderaan inside us. And we pass it on to our children.”
“And speaking of children of Alderaan,” Han said, looking at the twins, “your mom and Luke and I talked to Raynar this afternoon, let him know what’s been going on with Boba Fett and Nolaa Tarkona and the bounty on his father’s head.”
“Han tells me that your friend Zekk offered to help us search for Bornan Thul,” Leia said. “That’s a brave thing for him to do. He must know there’ll be danger.”
“Oh, I’m sure he knows,” Jaina said. “But he’s changed. Everything changes, I guess. We just have to work hard to make the best of all those changes.”
Suddenly she felt a pang of guilt over her selfishness. In her excitement at being reunited with her family, Jaina had completely forgotten about Raynar. At the moment, the young man had no hope of seeing his parents or any other relatives. He couldn’t even be sure his father was still alive.
“Raynar could really use some good friends right now,” Luke said. Her uncle’s tone was mild, but Jaina heard the gentle rebuke in his words. She resolved to include the other boy more often in their daily activities. Glancing at Jacen, she saw that the same thoughts seemed to be running through his mind as well.
“This is a fact,” Tenel Ka murmured. Lowbacca gave a thoughtful growl.
Leia raised a cup of juri juice. “To family,” she said.
Han lifted his cup to touch hers. “And to appreciating what we’ve got—while we’ve got it.”
“To family,” echoed Jacen, Jaina, Anakin, Tenel Ka, and two enthusiastic Wookiees.
They all raised their cups and drank.