Prince Ben sat at a long table eating alone like he did every night. After he had conspired with enemies of his parents kingdom, Naboo, he was banished to a remote castle at the border of the kingdom. Though he had servants waiting on him, and guards to protect him, the castle was more of a prison than a home. And the guards were there just as much to prevent him from leaving as to protect him.

He was allowed to go into the city that he was charged with protecting, but he rarely did. The people of the city had heard of his betrayal and didn't exactly give him a warm welcome.

He hadn't seen his parents in many years, in fact the only member of his family that he got to see was his cousin Hux, who was in charge of watching him and sending reports back to his father.

At first Ben and Hux hadn't gotten along. Mostly because Hux had taken part in the same crimes that he had. It had actually been Hux's idea, he was the one had talked him into it in the first place, yet he had seemed to have been given a lighter punishment than Ben. At first Ben had been jealous of Hux because he hadn't been as severely punished, he was allowed to leave the castle and visit his father whenever he wanted. But Hux had eventually explained that since he had been responsible for talking Ben into conspiring against the throne, his father was holding him responsible for all of Ben's actions while he was banished, as well as for taking care of him and helping him earn back his right to the throne.

Now that there was understanding between them, they spent more time together since for the time being they had no one else. ...Well Ben had no one else, Hux had a girlfriend, a battle maiden who guarded the castle, that was another reason Ben felt jealous towards Hux, he had someone to brighten up his life and Ben didn't.

Hux had agreed to embellish Ben's image slightly and make it look like he'd changed in his reports so that they could both go home quicker. Ben hoped the plan would work, he was tired of staying here. Maybe he hadn't changed completely, but he'd learned from his mistakes, he'd grown up. He knew better than to get involved with Naboo's enemies now, he'd meant it to be a silly prank but it'd turned into more than that, he'd been so young and dumb at the time. Just the thought of that ridiculous plan he and Hux had come up with made him cringe.

But so far Ben still hadn't heard from his parents. Hux had been polishing his image for over a year now and still nothing, no word, no visit. He was beginning to lose hope.

~*~

The next day, Hux came to see him, clearly excited. "A messenger came with a letter from my father."

Ben nodded for him to open the letter.

Hux opened it and began reading aloud.

Dear Ben,

Hux has sent word to me that you have turned your life around. Your parents want me to go to see you and judge for myself if this is true. If it is, you and your cousin will be allowed to return along with your family.

I look forward to spending Christmas with you and my son for the first time in many years and I pray that Hux is right. I miss you both and so does your father and mother, especially your mother. You know how she worries.

I can't wait to meet your wife and your son. And of course you know that your parents are excited to meet their daughter-in-law and their grandson.

Tell Hux I said that I love him.

Love your uncle, Luke

At first Ben was too surprised to speak. What did his uncle mean by his family? His wife and his son? He didn't have a wife and he certainly didn't have a son.

"This is great news! We'll finally be able to go home," Hux said.

"But what did Uncle Luke mean? I'm not married and I don't have any children."

"Well I told you that I had to polish your image slightly."

"Yes and I thought that what you meant by that was that you were going to tell them something like I was volunteering at the church or donating to the local orphanage, not that I'm married and have a son! Now Uncle Luke is coming, he'll know we lied to him. I can't find a wife by Christmas and I definitely can't have a child by then."

"Who said it had to be your son? Just leave it up to me."

"No way, I'm not letting you pick a wife for me," Ben answered.

"I never said that you had to marry her, I already have a girl who's agreed to pretend to be your wife if we pay her well and she has a son."

"And what about when my parents want to meet her?"

"She's agreed to do it as long as it takes as long as she gets paid," Hux replied.

Ben looked at him doubtfully. This wasn't going to work, he didn't want to be stuck with some girl Hux had most likely found in the local tavern for the rest of his life just so that he could be king one day, he'd rather just live in exile for the rest of his life.

"Please just try, I want to go home. I miss our family."

"Fine," Ben agreed, deciding that getting to see his mother again would be worth it.