On a beautiful green planet close to the Core, on the elegantly crafted balcony of a royal palace, a young Queen sat.

Her husband had commed her, let her know he was coming home; and he wouldn't be alone. He was bringing their new daughter with him.

Daughter. The word resounded in her heart. It had been two years since the last miscarriage, the fifth painful, terrible sense of loss, two years since the doctors, the best the galaxy could offer, had told her: no more. She could die if they tried again.

She might have died as Padmé had died.

Her brows drew together as she remembers the beautiful young Senator, her husband's friend and colleague. Now gone, even as she brought new life into the world. Breha shakes her head slowly, trying to make sense of it and cannot.

The stars are fading now, dawn is approaching. She has sat here much of the night, since receiving the comm from Bail, watching the sky for any trace of his ship. Her eyes droop, and she rests her head on the railing.

She is awakened by a light touch on her shoulder, a whispered, "M'lady." A young palace guard stands over her. She smiles gently, placing a hand on his arm. He tells her, the Tantive IV has just landed, her husband is here.

She stands at his words, heart suddenly full of joy and anxiety all at once. Seeing her husband again… and her daughter for the first time.

Light footsteps bring her eyes up to the entryway. Bail stands there, a soft smile on his face as he glances from his Queen, down to the small bundle in his arms. The young guard withdraws as the Prince Consort steps onto the balcony, the rising sun just visible over his shoulder. The two royals sit, and Bail gently places the bundle – Leia – into Breha's waiting arms.

If the Alderaanian Queen was beautiful before, she is radiant now. Holding Leia – this child, their child – is a wonder she had dreamed of for years. The little girl's light blue eyes meet hers, and it is instant love between them.

Breha thinks of Padmé for a brief moment, wishes she could be here, too. But she is, and she will live on through Leia now. Breha can see it, feel it in her heart.

It is through the living that the departed are given immortality.

Author's note: It's been awhile, but I just remembered where that last line is from. It's a quote from the story "That's Why They Call It The Present," an excellent Kung Fu Panda fanfic by Luna Goldsun. If you haven't read her stories yet, check them out.