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FAMILY RECIPE
"Mmm, you spoil me," she said in a low, sexy voice that carried the promise of a reward. He placed an arm around her shoulders and smiled. "My pleasure." Kathryn took another sip then rested the cup on her thigh and her head on his shoulder. "You've been very quiet." "It's a little hard to get a word in edgewise in there," he chuckled. When she looked up at him he added sincerely, "I've thoroughly enjoyed this day." "Really?" she asked suspiciously. "Are you kidding?" He pulled her closer and patted her arm. "It's wonderful to have a family again. Your...our niece and nephew are really something, aren't they?" Kathryn settled her head back on his shoulder. "A little too energetic maybe." "And your mother's determined to make me fat." "She enjoys seeing people eat for some reason. It's getting worse, I've noticed." Chakotay pushed with his feet and set them swinging. "You wouldn't have her recipe for cherry cobbler, would you?" Kathryn stopped the swing and straightened to look at him, her expression somewhere between amusement and smugness. "Oh no you don't," she said and wagged a finger near his nose. "I know all about the deal you made with Mom." Chakotay tugged an earlobe. Busted. "Oh." "Shame on you, Chakotay." "Hey, a grandchild for a recipe hardly seems a fair exchange," he said in his defense but with a grin. "Besides, I'm the willing party here. Why should *I* be denied when *you're* the one dragging your feet?" "Stop whining," she said with a smile and settled back. "It doesn't become you." Chakotay started the swing again and turned his gaze out over the snowy landscape. He knew he shouldn't press the subject, but Kathryn hadn't yet given him a good reason for not wanting to start a family. 'I'm not ready' just wasn't good enough as far as he was concerned. They certainly weren't getting any younger. He glanced in her direction to find the smile still on her lips as she watched the light snow fall. Perhaps he'd push just a little, and hope the holiday spirit might make her more receptive to the subject. "Am I ever going to get my hands on that recipe?" Kathryn rolled her eyes and stood to go in the house. "Too much of that cobbler *will* make you fat!" She paused at the door and gave him a crooked smile. "Although...you *would* make a good Santa." With a wink she disappeared into the house. Chakotay smiled and shook his head. Shot down again. He looked down at the wedding band on his hand, not yet six months old, and remembered the day she accepted his proposal. It was the happiest day of his life. At least he'd thought so at the time. And then, a few months later, Kathryn had walked down the aisle to become his wife. She carried a single peace rose and he would never forget the look on her face. In that moment he'd known she was all he ever needed or wanted. He looked out across the yard again and sighed softly. Even if Kathryn never warmed up to the idea of having a child, she was more than enough to fill his life with happiness. He would stop being selfish and not bring it up again. The door creaked open and Phoebe's youngest, three year old Caroline, peeked out at him. "Come in!" she ordered. "Why?" he asked and chuckled at the stern look on her usually cherubic face. She placed a small hand on her hip and rolled her eyes. He had to cover a laugh at this little girl already so practiced in Janeway gestures. "Because I *want* you too!" He jumped to his feet and crossed the porch to swoop her up into his arms. She giggled delightedly and wrapped her arms around his neck. "That's good enough for me!" he said and kissed her rosy cheek as he stepped into the house. The moment she spotted her brother playing with one of her new toys she squirmed to be put down and rushed over to join him. Phoebe and her husband were snuggled together on one of the sofas talking quietly while Gretchen gathered empty dessert plates from the coffee table. Kathryn was nowhere in sight. He walked over to help Gretchen but she shook her head. "You're a guest in this house, Chakotay. Sit and relax." Her smile vanished when she straightened and saw the expression on his face. "Did I say guest? What in the world was *I* thinking?" With this she shoved the plates at him and barely gave him time to grasp and balance them before she plopped into a chair and put her feet up. "You're family. *You* wash, and *I'll* relax!" When Chakotay grinned she gave him a wink and added, "Son." He turned to go to the kitchen but had the last words. "Sure thing...Mom." Kathryn came from the pantry as he entered the kitchen and he noted a rather odd expression on her face. When he lowered the dishes into the sink, from the corner of his eye he saw her stuff something into her pocket and chalked it up to another prank. Playing practical jokes on one another seemed to be a holiday tradition in the Janeway house and he wasn't about to spoil it for her. Even though so far he'd been the only victim. He'd already fallen for the tin of 'peanut brittle' from which exploded a springy, 6-foot long 'snake'. Phoebe informed him that her cohort on that one had been none other than Tom Paris. The children had even gotten in on the fun and talked him into holding Caroline's new baby doll which promptly peed all over his leg. Kathryn went to pour herself another coffee then stepped to his side. "Want some help?" It sounded like a hollow offer to him so he declined. "Go enjoy your third cup of coffee with your family." His grin grew. "Or is that your fourth?" "Fifth, but who's counting?" she answered saucily on her way out. Chakotay again shook his head at the antics of his wife and went about his task. This day had truly been a most wonderful experience for him. Even the pranks at his expense would be cherished memories for they proved he was a real member of the family now. A family he loved deeply and one that returned his love in full measure. His smile grew as he realized how very fortunate he was. When he returned to the living room, Gretchen was reading a story to Caroline who had squeezed herself into the chair beside her, Phoebe was stretched out on the sofa with her head on her husband's thigh, barely able to hold her eyes open, and Kathryn and Eddie were playing together on the floor near the Christmas tree. Delicious aromas from the earlier feast still lingered in the air and the carols playing softly mingled with the crackle of the fire while outside the large picture window snow continued to fall. It couldn't have been more perfect if he'd created it himself in a holoprogram. Chakotay moved quietly to an armchair and settled comfortably with his feet on an ottoman. He leaned his head back against the chair and interlaced his fingers across his middle, and watched his wife and nephew at play. Surely, a man couldn't expect very many days as perfect as this in one lifetime and he wanted to savor every moment of it. Unaware he'd nodded off until Kathryn sat down on the arm of his chair, he looked up just as she leaned down to kiss his forehead. Their eyes met and expressed their love, then Kathryn pressed an envelope into his hand. "What's this?" he asked. He covered a yawn and straightened. "It's another gift," she answered very softly so only he could hear. He glanced around the room at the others and expected to see anticipation on their faces, certain this was another prank. To his surprise and relief, no one seemed to be paying him and Kathryn any attention. He looked up into her eyes for any sign of playfulness. Instead, the depth of love he saw there nearly took his breath. "Go on. Open it," she whispered. Carefully he peeled up a decorative seal then lifted the flap and started to remove the contents, and froze. With another quick glance at the others he pushed the recipe card back into the envelope and slipped it under his thigh. "How did you get this?" he whispered urgently. "Isn't that what you wanted?" she chuckled. He made sure Gretchen was still occupied with Caroline then whispered to Kathryn again. "Not if it makes her angry." He passed her the envelope and mouthed the words, 'Put it back'. "I can't do that, Chakotay," she said softly, her smile gone. Her eyes misted as she pressed it back into his hand and held it there. "You earned it." ~ end ~
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