This little plot bunny has been bouncing around my head for a few months now. I'm so glad to have finally gotten it written. Essentially this will be a retelling of the original trilogy with an added character. Now let's see what develops...

Prologue (15 BBY)

The suns on Tattoine were hot, even during the evening hours. Normally this is when the Lars family would be winding down from a long day of moisture farming and caring for their 4 year old nephew, but today was different. This day found Owen Lars pacing nervously outside the door to his home, listening intently for any signs of trouble from within.

"Uncle Owen?"

His pacing faltered momentarily as he turned to regard his nephew. The boy sat perched on the sandy retaining wall, his legs swinging back and forth in anticipation. He and his wife had taken in the boy nearly five years ago after tragedy had claimed both his parents. Since then he and Beru had cared for Luke as their own child, but did not hide the fact that he was not their biological son. He was adopted and for years that had never been an issue, but now Owen wondered if problems would arise with the arrival of he and Beru's baby.

"Yes, Luke?"

"Is the baby coming tonight?"

Owen stopped his pacing and took up a seat next to the boy. "I sure hope so." They sat in silence, each of them preoccupied with their own thoughts for what seemed like hours—but was probably only a few brief moments—before one of the midwives came out to fetch them.

Owen jumped to his feet. "Is she okay? How's the baby?"

The older woman smiled, her skin wrinkling around her eyes in amusement. This was not the first baby that Alinah had the privilege of bringing into this galaxy. She was well acquainted with every type of father: nervous, scared, pushy, and even occasionally the apathetic father. She was glad to see that Owen Lars was not in the last category. "Everyone is perfectly happy and perfectly healthy," she exclaimed. "You can go in now if you like."

Luke jumped off the wall and tugged on his uncle's hand, pulling him toward the homestead in excitement. Owen followed all too willingly, smiling fondly at the boy's antics. Inside the house there hung an air of expectancy despite the silence that echoed in the modest space. Owen allowed himself to be led through various rooms toward his and Beru's bedroom before stopping outside the door. Leaning forward, Owen pushed the heavy wooden door open slightly and stuck his head inside.

"Come on in," Beru called, a tired smile on her face.

Luke followed his uncle in and cautiously took a seat at the bottom of his aunt's bed. Owen took up a spot at the top of the bed and kissed his wife's damp forehead lovingly before peering at the tiny bundle in her arms.

"She's beautiful," he whispered. "Just like her mother." He pulled the soft blanket away from the baby's hands, counted ten fingers, and then diligently checked her toes. Thankfully everything appeared to be normal.

Beru smiled up at him then dropped her gaze to the young boy sitting quietly at the bottom of the bed. "Luke, would you like to meet your cousin?" He nodded shyly and crawled slowly toward the head of the bed where his aunt lay propped against several pillows. He peaked around the blankets and took stock of the tiny baby laying there.

Her eyes were much the same color as his, but her hair—what little she had on her head—was a dark brown color. Her skin still held the wrinkled, pinkish tint of a newborn. To Luke she looked very alien.

"Her name is Kasya," Beru explained.

Luke tilted his head to the side and studied her further before exclaiming, "She's real small."

Owen smiled. "Yes she is, but you were that small too and look how big you've grown."

"She'll get big too?"

"Yes she will," he nodded. "But you'll always be bigger than she will, so you'll have to look out for her, okay?"

Luke nodded. "Can I hold her?"

Owen looked to his wife for permission before instructing the young boy to lean back against the wall. Luke obeyed and quickly moved into position, thrusting his arms out. Owen gently plucked the newborn from her mother's arms and placed her in Luke's, making sure it keep his own hand beneath the baby's head for added support.

Luke stared down at the baby, watching as she yawned and fell into a fitful slumber. He may not have understood what caring for a baby entailed, but he understood that his life was different now. Even if they weren't related by blood, Luke had an obligation to protect Kasya. She was his responsibility now.

And he would spend the rest of his life watching out for her.