The Star Wars community was shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of our beloved space princess Carrie Fisher. Carrie's legacy as Princess Leia, an amazing writer, a script doctor, and her impacts on our lives will never be forgotten.
In memory of Carrie Fisher
"She's one with the force now Han," Luke tried to reassure his friend.
Han shook his head, his arms still wrapped around his knees like a kid. He missed her so damn much. It was never going to be the same without her.
"Han!"
He flinched, looking at Luke standing beside him. "Han, Chewie needs you, your son needs you."
Han continued to stare straight, Luke's words unconvincing. She was gone.
"I'm sorry to be rude Han, but snap out of it! Your son and Chewie need you! She would've wanted you to be there for them, not concealed in your own little world."
"I can't," he muttered, his head leaning back against the boxes.
"Yes you can," Luke tired to encourage him.
"She's gone."
Luke rolled his head back. He'd just lost his sister and now her husband was grieving, concealed in his own shell, allowing no one to comfort him. She wouldn't want this. She would want him to be there for Chewie and his son, celebrating her life and all she worked for.
"Han, Leia wouldn't want this."
He looked down at the metal floor of the Falcon, his eyes closing. "I can't believe she's gone."
Luke sat down next to him. "Leia's not gone, she's one with the force. The force surrounds us and it binds us. She's a part of the force now. She'll always be with us."
"I... I love her so much. I just can't live without her," he whispered, tears beginning to fall down his cheeks.
"As do I Han. She's never going to be gone. She's with the force now, forever watching over us."
Han nodded, wiping away the tears as Luke put a hand on his shoulder. "I love you Leia," he blurted out, hoping that wherever she was, she could hear it.
"I know you've transformed into the force Leia. May you forever watch over us. I love you too."
••••
Han walked to the Falcon's cockpit. It felt so empty now without Leia. Chewie had moved back to Kashyyyk to live with his wife and son. So Leia took the role of his copilot. The two of them went everywhere, even when their son Ben came along.
Leia. His heart felt heavy with love and grief. How could someone he loved so much be taken from him in a matter of days?
Han sat in Leia's chair. He would forever miss the feeling of waking up with her wrapped in his arms. He would miss the taste of her gentle kisses, her beautiful smile, and her personality. She gave him hope when he was down, and her funny jokes to lighten the mood. He would forever love her. No one would ever be as smart, beautiful, and strong as his princess, and he was lucky to have known her, and loved her. Leia was with the force now, and he knew she would look after him.
••••
Han clamped the box closed, and gently lowered it down into the belly of the Falcon. It was full of her most prized belongings that he couldn't bare to let anyone get a hold of. The days following Leia's passing, Han received plenty of holo-mails from people claiming to know Leia. Many of them Han never heard of. They all sent their condolences, along with a request for a piece of Leia's belongings. He donated a few dresses that he knew Leia hated and would never wear to the New Republic, and many other star systems wanting to make a tribute to Princess Leia.
But inside the box lay some of Leia's prized possessions. Some of her beloved dresses, her awards, lightsaber, blaster, pictures of them, and even some of her makeup. It was stuff Leia would want him to keep. He locked it away to keep anyone else from getting to it and in time, he would bring it out again.
He closed the cargo hatch, wiping the tears off his cheeks. "I love you Leia."
"I know."
Han froze, a chill going down his spine. The voice, it sounded so much like hers...
"It's me," the voice said again.
He turned around to see a shimmering blue figure of Leia, wearing her beloved white dress, her hair braided around her head in a halo, and falling down her shoulder in a simple braid.
"Leia!"
She smiled. "Hello Han."
"You're alive?"
She looked over at his workplace, seeing the tool box she'd gotten for him all those years ago. "You still have this?"
He came closer. "Of course sweetheart. But you're alive?"
Her figure shimmered. "No, I'm part of the force now. But I'll always be here."
"I miss you so much Leia."
"I know, and I miss you, Luke, Chewie, and Ben." Leia twirled the braid around her finger. "An old friend taught me how to commune with you and Luke."
"Master Yoda?" He wondered.
"Yes, as well as Obi-wan," she answered. She paused for a second before asking "How's our son?"
Han swallowed. "He's having trouble with the loss of his mother."
"And I know you are too Han. My time with you is limited, I still have much to learn. Take care of him for me. Take care of yourself."
"I will, I promise."
"I love you Han. Tell Ben I love him."
"I love you too Leia," he said, wiping away more tears.
"Don't cry Han, we'll see each other again sometime." And then the shimmering figure of Leia was gone.
Han took a deep breath. Leia would always be with him.
••••
Han walked along a trail covered in snow, unsure where it would lead to. He kept going until he came to a clearing with a single tree. Under the tree stood Leia, dressed the same as she was when she appeared to him.
He approached her, noticing the grey streaks in her hair. "Leia."
"We're together again Han."
"I missed you."
"I missed you too. You still drive me crazy."
"I love you."
She smiled. "I know."
Han leaned down to kiss his princess. The kiss felt normal, and he was glad to see his wife again. She pulled away gently. "I'll always be with you."
