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“Who is that?”
That was the question on everyone’s lips on that day in early October. The first time Leia Organa stepped into Brown, Farazzi, and Organa, formerly know as Brown Farazzi, and Campbell.
The prestigious law firm was a staple of the New York City of yesterday and today. They had been a staple of Madison Avenue since the 1800s, gracing the streets with the huge remodeled gothic building with bent arches and grand stairs leading up to the revolving doors. Covering 4 entire floors, the hustle and bustle of the building was never busier than on the day Leia Organa came through that elevator door. Employees with keen eyes would have noticed the branding on their doors changing overnight from ‘Brown Farazzi, and Campbell’ to ‘Brown, Farazzi, and Organa.’ They worked fast.
The ‘Organa’ was a new addition that the entire staff was only made aware of the previous afternoon. The Campbell name that appeared on the law firm’s official name for more than 30 years officially retired earlier that year. And after a 6 month search… here she was. Leia Organa.
The whispers started right away. Who was Leia Organa? If the IT staff had looked at their employee’s search history that day, Leia Organa would have popped up over and over. Her Wikipedia page left much to the imagination. There was no photo and only a short bio.
Leia Organa is an American lawyer known for her work in many high profile cases in the Los Angeles film industry. She studied at Stanford University and received her JD from Yale University in 2007. She is the youngest woman to make partner with a focus on entertainment law.
Organa is the only child of U.S. Senator Bail Organa from New York and Brea Organa, UN Ambassador from 2010-2012.
That was it.
What was she doing here? Changing her entire career trajectory from practicing entertainment law in Los Angeles to now working at an international law firm in New York City.
The image searches is where things got more interesting…
Her professional headshot came up most often; from her last firm’s website, a few nonprofits where she sat on the board, UCLA’s professor’s website, and some of her recent publications. Nothing that would hint at her cross country move.
If you scrolled past the obvious headshots, you could see her pop up behind the shoulder of many a celebrity as they walked into or out of a court room. You could see her sleek brown bob beside Taylor Swift, her profile walking in behind Johnny Depp, and her dark, perfectly tailored suit at a press conference speaking on behalf of Stephen Spielberg.
And if one went further into the deep end (as many of the employees did) one may see a pattern. One celebrity seemed to pop up more often than others. Maybe because he was in court more often than the others, bad boy reputation that he had. You had to have some sort of reputation to be named Sexiest Man Alive. And he was absolutely the sexiest man alive in the year of our lord 2024. You couldn’t get a more chiseled jaw, cleaner defined abs with just the right amount of hair lining his chest, and you couldn’t get a more perfect swoop of sandy colored hair as his lips curled in a smirk. And that was just from his photos in the magazine shoot!
So what was Leia Organa doing with him in the back of a photo that had him walking out of a grocery store on a Friday night. Or the photo of him talking with his former co-star (and suspected former romantic partner) with Leia Organa talking with somebody else off to the side. And there was one photo of just the two of them on a walk through a residential street in Beverly Hills.
The internet was no help. Nowhere was there a People Magazine article that mentioned both Han Solo and Leia Organa in the same sentence. And Reddit was also a bust.
Staffers bowed their heads together over lunch, a phone screen between them.
“Why is she here? What does she know about international law?”
“Is she back in New York to run for the Senate seat after her dad retires?”
And the most frequent question on everyone’s mind, “How does she know Han Solo?”
Two months later, none of their questions had been answered.
She seemed to be fitting in well, despite the enigmatic air that surrounded her. From her first day at the firm, Leia was kind yet precise in her introductions, making an effort to remember names and offer a genuine but tight smile. In meetings, she was the epitome of professionalism, her arguments sharp and her demeanor poised. Her new staffers couldn’t help but be impressed by her intelligence and work ethic. Comments like, 'She’s brilliant,' and 'She’s already making waves,' echoed in hushed tones around the office.
Still, there was something about her that made people tread carefully. Though courteous, Leia maintained a certain distance, her words chosen with care, revealing little about herself beyond the task at hand. Questions lingered in breakroom conversations: How did she maintain that unshakeable composure? Why did she leave Los Angeles?
Even her office mirrored her personality: immaculate and organized, but devoid of personal touches. No family photos, not even anything that hinted at her parents’ impressive resume and the experiences she inevitably had growing up among the political elite. No hint of her current life outside of these walls. It was as though she had simply appeared, fully formed, into their world—a force to be reckoned with, yet shrouded in mystery.
The grand halls of the New York Public Library had been transformed into a winter wonderland for the firm’s annual holiday party. Outside, the late December air was crisp, the city illuminated by twinkling lights and festive window displays. Inside, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, a sharp contrast to the bustling streets of Manhattan.
The company New Years Eve party was set in the iconic Rose Main Reading Room, its soaring ceilings adorned with intricate chandeliers that cast a golden glow across the polished wood floors. Rows of long oak tables had been cleared away, replaced by clusters of elegantly set cocktail tables draped in deep crimson cloths, each adorned with a centerpiece of white roses, evergreen sprigs, and flickering candles.
A towering Christmas tree stood at the far end of the room, its branches sparkling with delicate ornaments and strands of lights that twinkled like stars. Beneath it, a scattering of wrapped gifts hinted at the charity auction planned for later in the evening. Soft strains of live jazz filtered through the air, courtesy of a quartet stationed near the tree. The music added a sophisticated rhythm to the lively hum of conversation and laughter that echoed through the space.
Guests, dressed in their finest attire, moved effortlessly through the room, their glasses of champagne catching the light as they toasted to another successful year. The scent of spiced cider and freshly baked gingerbread lingered in the air, mingling with the faint aroma of pine. A bar set up along one wall served classic holiday cocktails, from mulled wine to eggnog with a dash of nutmeg, while a lavish buffet table displayed an array of delicacies: smoked salmon canapés, truffle-stuffed mushrooms, and an assortment of miniature desserts shaped like snowflakes and stars.
The grand doors to the Rose Main Reading Room opened with a gentle but deliberate creak, and all at once, the air seemed to shift. Conversations quieted as heads turned, and a collective murmur rippled through the room. Leia Organa stepped in, fashionably late, her entrance as poised and calculated as everything else about her. She wore a sleek, midnight blue gown that hugged her figure, the shimmering fabric catching the golden light of the chandeliers. Her hair was swept back elegantly, revealing a pair of diamond earrings befitting a princess.
But it wasn’t just her arrival that captivated the crowd—it was the man by her side. Han Solo, the movie star whose face graced countless screens, had his hand resting casually on the small of Leia’s back, guiding her into the room. Larger than life, that was a perfect description of the specimen that walked in. Many a jaw dropped throughout the room, maybe even some drool.
His signature charm was on full display: a roguish smile, perfectly tousled hair, and a tailored black suit that seemed to mold effortlessly to his lean frame. He carried himself with an easy confidence that only heightened the mystique of the situation.
The pair moved through the room like seasoned veterans of high-society gatherings, stopping briefly to greet a few of Leia’s colleagues. Her smile remained professional, her words polite, but there was an ease between her and her companion that everyone took careful note of—shared glances, an occasional laugh. Everyone in their vicinity watched transfixed, wide-eyed, as Han’s voice, warm and familiar, carried through the murmurs.
“Did you see him in Captain Zorro?” one whispered.
“I’ve been a fan for years, ever since that one Christmas TV movie,” another said, unable to tear their eyes away.
“He’s 40 years old, but you would never guess that by looking at him.”
The questions flew faster than the waitstaff could refill glasses of champagne.
“I heard he was dating Nadia Wilson!” someone exclaimed, to a chorus of agreement. “Yes, that Nadia Wilson.”
“But he went to the last Oscars with his costar, Frankie Dylan.”
“He’s been around,” came a knowing tone.
“Is Organa his lawyer?”
“Maybe, but I think they’ve known each other for a long time.”
“Yeah, look here.” A photo appeared on a phone, hastily passed between curious onlookers. “That’s from 2014.”
“And another one. Nadia is in this one too.”
The photos only fueled the intrigue. In one, Leia and Han stood side by side at what looked like a charity gala, her expression as composed then as it was tonight. In another, Nadia Wilson was in the background, laughing with a group, while Han leaned in to say something to Leia.
Speculation buzzed like static electricity. Was Leia just his lawyer? Why was there nothing about them to be found online? And why would someone like her—a fiercely private, no-nonsense attorney—choose to attend this holiday party with someone like him?
As the two continued into the room, it was clear that the evening had just taken on a new energy—one that revolved entirely around the question of the newest resident of NYC.
Leia seemed unbothered by the undercurrent of whispers as she accepted a flute of champagne from a passing waiter. Han, on the other hand, noticed everything, a glint of amusement in his eyes as he glanced around the room. If the attention fazed him, he didn’t show it. Instead, he leaned in and said something softly to Leia, earning a brief, rare smile that only deepened the mystery.
The moment the William Brown of Brown, Farazzi, and Organa spotted them, he moved swiftly through the crowd, his usual reserved demeanor replaced by something bordering on giddy excitement. Bill’s eyes lit up like the holiday lights adorning the towering Christmas tree as he approached Leia and Han, extending his hand eagerly. Hassan Farazzi, also of Brown, Farazzi, and Organa, ever composed, followed close behind, a curious but polite smile playing on his lips.
Leia saw them approach. “Bill, Hassan, may I introduce Han Solo,” she said, her voice steady, as if introducing a movie star to her colleagues was as routine as presenting a brief in court.
“No introduction needed, Captain Zorro!” Bill said, his hand clasping Han’s with enthusiasm.
“Hey,” Han replied with a lopsided grin.
Bill chuckled nervously. “Didn’t expect to see you tonight.”
“Well, here I am,” Han said, his tone casual, though his eyes flicked toward Leia as if to deflect the attention.
“Are you here to ‘beam us up’ into 2025?” Bill joked, leaning into his movie reference.
Han’s grin twisted, almost as if he had never heard that joke before. “You know your space movies. No, I’m here for Leia.”
“Organa, you bring the big names,” Bill said, turning to Leia with a touch of awe in his voice before he directed his attention back on the movie star. “Do you have any upcoming films you’re working on?”
“I’m in talks for a series that’s filming in New York,” Han interjected smoothly, his hand going to the back of his neck to scratch his nape. “Crime show that’s been optioned for three seasons.”
“New York’s lucky to have you,” Hassan chimed in, his tone measured, though his eyes darted between Han and Leia with growing curiosity.
“New York’s lucky to have her,” Han countered, his voice warm but pointed as he gestured toward Leia as her champaign glass rose to her lips.
“Of course we are,” Hassan said, his gaze lingering on Leia. “And why did you decide on New York?”
“New beginnings,” Leia said, shrugging as if it were the simplest answer in the world. “I’m originally from New York, you know.”
“Of course,” Hassan said with a nod, clearly embarrassed at forgetting how tightly woven her family legacy was in this city.
“It wasn’t a matter of what city I was going to next,” she continued, her eyes narrowing at her new colleagues. “But more of a question of which job offer I was going to accept.”
Bill swallowed, clearly hearing her confidence and message between the lines. “And we’re all the better for your decision.”
Han’s grin turned playfully smug, clearly enjoying this power play. “Yes, you are.”
Hassan tilted his head slightly, confidently asking the question everyone was dying to know the answer to. “So, how did you two meet? You seem to know each other quite well.”
Leia’s gaze remained steady as she replied, “A mutual acquaintance introduced us, years ago.”
“Oh?” Hassan prodded lightly, his tone deceptively casual. “It must have been quite the introduction.”
“It was,” Han said, the faintest trace of mischief in his voice, his eyes darting quickly to Leia’s before meeting the man’s. “But that’s a story for another time.”
If they were looking carefully, they would have seen Leia’s hand move to Han’s chest and ever so quickly roll down to his stomach before returning to her champaign glass. “And another audience,” Leia added smoothly, her words effectively closing the subject.
Hassan smiled politely, but Bill, still caught up in the thrill of meeting a celebrity, barely noticed the exchange.
Before anyone could probe further, the sound of chimes signaled the transition to the speeches section. A staff member approached with a polite smile, inviting the the seasoned lawyers to move towards the tree and their stage for the evening.
“It’s been a pleasure,” Leia said, her tone polite but final, as she guided her partner away.
Han, falling into step beside her with his hands in his pockets, leaned in just slightly, his voice low enough for only her to hear. “Dodged that one nicely.”
Leia glanced up at him, her lips curving into the faintest of smiles. “I always do.”
Their departure left Bill and Hassan trailing behind, exchanging glances that spoke volumes. The mystery surrounding Leia Organa only deepened, and now, with Han Solo at her side, it seemed there were even more layers to uncover.
11:50pm. Han stepped onto the library’s grand stone terrace, the cool December air biting but refreshing after the heat and hum of the party inside. His gaze immediately found Leia’s back, her silhouette framed against the twinkling skyline of New York City. She was leaning against the balustrade, her breath visible in the frosty air, arms wrapped tightly around herself.
“Hi,” he said softly, approaching her.
She turned at the sound of his voice, her face illuminated by the soft glow of the city lights. “Hi,” she replied, her voice warm despite the chill.
Without waiting for an invitation, Han stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her from behind, pulling her into his warmth. She relaxed immediately, leaning into him.
“You put your hand on my waist earlier,” Leia remarked, her voice tinged with amusement.
“Yeah, and…” Han replied, grinning against her twisted updo.
“And people saw it.”
“Yeah… do you have a point, sweetheart?” His voice purred in her ear.
“No point,” she said, turning her head slightly to glance at him. “It’s just not something you’ve done before.”
“Well, maybe I think it’s time I do it more,” Han murmured, tightening his hold just enough to make her smile. “Okay?”
Leia tilted her head back, her lips curving. “Okay.”
“You touched my chest,” he teased, countering her statement.
“Well, maybe it’s time I do it more,” Leia shot back, matching his tone. “Okay?”
He sighed, extremely contently. “Yeah, okay.”
They stood in silence for a moment, the city streets stretching out before them, each light in the distance feeling like a tiny promise of something bigger.
“Did I ever tell you…” Han began, but Leia cut him off, her tone playful.
“You’ve told me.”
“You don’t even know what I was gonna say.”
“Han, I know everything about you. I can guarantee you’ve told me.”
“Have I told you I love you?”
“Yes.”
“Good, ‘cause I do.”
“I know.”
Han chuckled softly, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
“I am,” she said. “I think I’m going to like it here.”
“At this firm?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“I’m glad.”
“I know you are.”
Han smiled against her cheek, his breath warm in the cold air. “And are you gonna like living in the City again?”
“It’s been good. More than good, actually.” She paused, a hint of wistfulness in her voice. “Last time we were in New York…”
“Last year…” His mind went back in time, a clear image present in his head that had his skin tingling. “You wore white.”
Leia turned fully in his arms, her eyes searching his as her fingers caressed her necklace that tucked perfectly beneath her dress’s collar. “You remember.”
“Was memorable.”
His hands continued their goal of warming her up, pressing into her upper arms as he caressed the bare skin. “You’re probably being missed in there,” Han said, his tone teasing, though his eyes held a flicker of concern.
Leia smirked, leaning back slightly to look at him, her breath misting in the cold air. “Not as much as your presence is being missed. All their eyes are on you, you big movie star.”
Han raised an eyebrow, a lopsided grin creeping onto his face. “Can you blame them? I am devastatingly handsome.”
Leia rolled her eyes but couldn’t quite hide her smile. “Modesty doesn’t suit you, Solo.”
“Good thing I wasn’t planning on wearing it tonight,” he quipped, earning a soft laugh from her. His hands slid down her arms, brushing lightly over her wrists before settling back on her waist. “Besides, let’s not pretend you don’t steal the spotlight in every room you walk into. I saw the way they were looking at you tonight. All admiration and a little bit of fear.”
“That’s how it should be,” Leia replied, arching an elegant eyebrow.
Han chuckled, his thumb stroking idly along her hip. “Damn right it is. You’ve got them all guessing, you know. This whole mystery-woman-lawyer thing you’ve got going? Sexy. It’s working for me.”
“Is that so?”
“Mm-hmm.” His grin softened into something more sincere. “But if they knew half of what you’ve accomplished, they wouldn’t just be impressed. They’d be in awe.”
Leia’s expression softened, her lips curving into a rare, genuine smile. “You’re just saying that because you like me.”
“Like you?” Han feigned offense, leaning back slightly to look at her, his hands still firmly on her waist. “Sweetheart, you’re the reason I’ll stick around New York’s winter weather.”
“Do you think you’ll survive three years shooting in New York?” she countered, the corner of her mouth twitching in amusement.
“Three years is just the start, sweetheart,” he shot back smoothly. “Unless you plan on running off without me.”
Leia paused, her teasing demeanor fading as she looked up at him. “I didn’t come to New York to run, Han,” she said quietly.
For a moment, there was nothing but the faint hum of the city around them, the warmth of his hands anchoring her in place.
There had been a time a few months after they first met, when Han couldn’t figure Leia out no matter how much he tried. She had this way of keeping him at arm’s length, her walls so high and reinforced that even his best efforts barely scratched the surface. He knew she felt something—he’d seen it in her eyes in those rare unguarded moments—but she was so damn stubborn. It wasn’t just about him, though. She was protecting herself, afraid that letting him and his crazy life into her own would be too much. She’d run before because she didn’t think she could risk him. Not yet.
But Han wasn’t the kind of guy who gave up, especially not when it came to Leia. He kept coming back, not to wear her down but because he couldn’t imagine walking away. He was hers. From the moment he first saw her he knew, and he was going to do everything in his power until she was ready to be his, fully and completely.
Her life was private. His life was public. And his life continued to be public for years, or at least parts of it. Maintaining their privacy in Hollywood was not easy. Maybe that is what clinched her decision to make the move back to New York. Away from the brightest of public spotlights and into a new era for them. Their New York start. Together.
Now, as they stood together in the crisp night air, Han felt a quiet kind of victory—not the cocky, triumphant kind he might’ve celebrated years ago, but the deep, steady satisfaction of knowing that this was their future. The way she looked at him tonight, her eyes soft and vulnerable in a way he was getting used to seeing, told him everything he needed to know.
Han smiled down at her, his eyes also softening as her words echoed. No, she’s not running. “Good,” he said simply, his voice low and steady. “Because I’m not letting you go.”
Leia tilted her head, a small smirk forming. “Big promises from a man who still hasn’t done his own homework and figured out his new character’s backstory.”
Han laughed, the sound rich and warm in the cold night air. “I’ll give you that,” he said, shaking his head. “But give me time. I’ve got you to help me figure it out.”
Leia reached up, brushing a strand of his sandy hair back.
Han smiled down at her, the teasing edge in his voice softening. “You know, I think that’s the reason I’m good at playing complicated characters.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because I live with one.”
Leia laughed quietly, shaking her head, but before she could retort, Han tilted her chin up and kissed her, slow and lingering, as if he had all the time in the world.
When they finally broke apart, Leia rested her forehead against his, her voice even lower than before. “You’re incorrigible.”
“And you love it,” Han said, his grin unmistakable.
The distant sound of cheers and laughter filtered through the doorway, reminding Han and Leia that the party inside was building toward the countdown. The muffled strains of "Auld Lang Syne" began to weave through the hum of voices, signaling that midnight was approaching. Han glanced at his watch and grinned.
“Two minutes to go.” He chuckled, shifting just slightly to bring her even closer, the excitement of the night bubbling between them. “We’ve just about made it another year without completely driving each other crazy. That’s gotta count for something.”
Leia laughed, shaking her head. “You’re lucky you’re cute, Solo.”
His grin widened. “Well, lucky for you, that’s not all I’ve got going for me.”
She felt his meaning as his fingers snaked and dug into her back, pulling their bodies even closer together, making his outline impossible to miss. The puff of air that left her mouth was more than audible.
She met his teasing, glassy eyes narrowing in on him, as she slid her body along his, up and then down with her last inhale and exhale.
He watched her, felt her, with bated breath. “And you, Organa, are just full of surprises,” he murmured as he pulled away out of pure necessity.
Leia didn’t let him go far, her hands lacing with his as her eyes glinting with mischief. “I’m full of plenty more where that came from.”
Han raised an eyebrow, his hands finding her waist again. “I can’t wait to see what you’ve got for me, sweetheart.”
A sudden roar of voices from inside the party broke the moment as the countdown began.
“Ten!”
Leia leaned closer, the warmth of her breath brushing against his cheek. “Any New Years resolutions I should know about, Solo?”
“Nine!”
Han grinned, his eyes flicking to her lips and back to her eyes. “Just one.”
“Eight!”
“And what’s that?”
“Seven!”
“That we don’t waste another second.”
“Six!”
Leia’s breath caught, and for a brief instant, the world narrowed to just the two of them.
“Five!”
“Han—”
“Four!”
“Three!”
“Two!”
“One!”
He didn’t wait for her to finish. Or for the countdown to finish. His lips met hers as the New Year erupted around them in a symphony of cheers, music, and laughter. The sounds of the world celebrating around them.
But, for them, the world could wait a little longer.