Story #14: THE GIFT

by Delta and Shalee

 

 

 

 

Act One: GIVING

 

Winter snow is falling down

Children laughing all around

lights are turning on

Like a fairy tale come true

 

Sitting by the fire we made

You’re the answer when I prayed

I would find someone

and baby I found you…

 

~*~

 

Time

 

It’s such an intangible thing.

 

Yet, when given a moment, you can almost touch it.

 

Feel its texture . . . its taste, sometimes bitter, sometimes sweet

 

That’s how Kathryn Janeway felt at this moment, bittersweet. It had been ten years since their return from the Delta Quadrant, fifteen since Voyager’s fateful mission into the Badlands. So very much had changed, yet had stayed the same. Friendships forged had remained constant, only the family had diverged. Growing, renewing and moving to places around the galaxy. Living life apart but never out of contact. Now, the family gathers. One hundred and forty five people once strangers on the lone starship in the Delta Quadrant, they were closer than some families bound by blood. How their family had grown in the ten years since their return, numbering at this time two-hundred and twenty-three, soon to be two-hundred and thirty-one. Marriages outside the family and children had speeded its growth and numbed the bitterness of their long plight. Now, it was time to enjoy the sweetness of the gifts they had been given.

 

The gathering group quickly was filling up the lower level of the large house that Kathryn and Chakotay now called home.  Within a year after their return to Earth, they had gone back to the midwestern United States, where Kathryn remembered fondly an old house that she knew would be perfect for their family… and for Chakotay’s plans for his future endeavors. It was an old structure, dating back to the early twenty-first century, its four-story structure filled with untold stories of midwest winter blizzards and summer tornadoes; unsolved disappearances and even possible ghosts; its long history even included a fire in which Janeway herself was involved! 

 

Upon their first visit to the place, which was meant to be only a side trip in their visit to the area, they found the place almost as she remembered it from more than thirty years earlier – still unoccupied and dilapidated.  With typical Janeway enthusiasm and optimism, Kathryn convinced Chakotay that this would be just the place to fulfill his plans. Oh, yes; it took a little bit of coercion – but by now, she knew just the right buttons to push on her husband to get him to see things her way.  Finally, he saw the merits of the place, and agreed to negotiate for its use.  After months of debate regarding the legalities of its occupancy, for its last owner three hundred years earlier had stated that no one would live in it after his death, the old mansion stood in restored contemporary grandness.  Through the wizardry of late twenty-fourth century shuttlecraft, Kathryn was able to commute back and forth easily to her office at Starfleet headquarters, and Chakotay, having resigned from Starfleet, proceeded to develop a galactic anthropological consortium. And now, the old edifice was the perfect place for the current reunion.

 

From the other side of the room Chakotay watched the myriad of emotions flash across Kathryn face. He knew exactly what she was feeling and thinking. Excusing himself from the group he had been talking with the former Maquis captain moved stealthily through the burgeoning crowd to reach his wife’s side in moments.

 

“Hey”

 

“Hey, yourself… “ Kathryn replied as she allowed herself to be enveloped in a hug.

 

“You okay?” Chakotay asked as he looked down into her face.

 

“Sure, just thinking.”

 

“More remembering, I’ll bet.”

 

Kathryn chuckled softly as she turned to watch the crowd. “Yes, remembering.”

 

“Do you know what I remember?” Chakotay asked as his arms encircle her from behind.

 

“What?”

 

“Our first real sail on Lake George.”

 

“Mmmm, aboard the Edgewater.” Kathryn murmured nestling her head back against Chakotay’s shoulder as they gently swayed to the music floating across the room.

 

“Uh huh, the second one. Built from the designs and holo-images of the original.”

 

“I wonder if she stills roams the lake on Gaia.”

 

“I’m sure she does. She was a tough little boat.” Chakotay answered.

 

“Well, she survived us on our honeymoon; that has to mean something.”

 

“It means more than something; that’s the night we created… ”

 

“Kathryn, Chakotay! ” came Tom Paris’ voice from across the room. The couple looked in that direction and noted him motioning them over.

 

Kathryn smiled wanly as Chakotay waved and together they headed over.  Tonight was a night for retrospection and it was just beginning.

 

~*~

 

 

Act Two: SHARING

 

All I want is to hold you forever

All I need is you more every day

You saved my heart

From being broken apart

You gave your love away

And I’m thankful everyday

For the gift

 

~*~

 

Commander Harry Kim smiled as he watched his wife take in the tableau in the huge room. Huge was an understatement. He was certain this was one of the reasons Kathryn and Chakotay had brought this house, lots of room to expand. The other reasons being it was less than ten miles from her childhood home and her mother. Harry grinned as he noted Gretchen Janeway with several of the former crew. At ninety, she was still spry and a force to be reckoned with.

 

“Did Kathryn say this house was almost four hundred years old?” Sarah Hickman-Kim asked as her eyes scanned the interior of the mansion.

 

“Yeah, she and Chakotay bought it from the last surviving member of the original owner. Kathryn visited it as a child and fell in love with it. Chakotay, of course, saw it as a fixer-upper.”

 

“He would. It’s so grand though… not at all like Kathryn or Chakotay.”

 

“It may seem that way, but it’s only this room. The smaller rooms, dens, parlors, bedrooms are quite cozy… fireplaces in every one.”

 

“Sounds nice; maybe we can find one that’s unoccupied and… ” Sarah whispered as she brought her face closer to Harry’s.

 

“Mom… ”

 

“Saved by the bell,” Harry quipped… but it earned him a smack on the chest from his wife.

 

“Quiet,” Sarah scolded as their eight-year-old daughter approached with her five-year-old brother in tow.

 

“Mariah, what is it? Sean, stop pulling on your tunic like that; you’ll stretch it.”

 

The dark haired boy looked abashed for a minute, and then scooted up to his father. Harry chuckled as he ruffled his son’s hair. Sarah was the disciplinarian in the family, and was very good at it.

 

“Mom, can I go with Kammy and Hope?”

 

“Where are they going?”

 

“There’s a pool out back, Aunt Kathryn said we could if you agreed. It’s monitored by computer, almost like a holodeck.”

 

“I suppose its all right, but no wild notions.”

 

“Great… thanks,” Mariah replied and a second later as was gone.

 

“Tell me again; whose child is she?” Harry asked with a chuckle.

 

“All ours, my dear, she’s all ours.” Sarah answered as she kissed him soundly. Neither noted the screwed face their son was making at the display. Sean Kim had already decided he was never going to kiss a girl. Uh uh; no way!

 

~*~

 

One of the renovations to the old castle-like house was the addition of a long portico along its front.  It faced to the southwest, so that evenings could be enjoyed but also so that folks viewing the setting sun could remain protected from its heat and blaze on long summer days.  It was now into the final days of August, and most of the summer heat was over for another year. But an older couple, neither of who minded all of the heat, strolled down the portico’s long length. Even in the warm waning days of Earth’s northern hemisphere’s summer, they wore their traditional Vulcan attire, albeit, in light of the casual atmosphere of the event, not their most formal wear.  Their long light-weight robes of subtle grays and tans loosely draped their bodies, gently cinched in place by narrow tooled belts.

 

Tall and slim, their dark hair now highlighted with a silvery gray, they remained somewhat apart from all the others and the boisterous high spirits of the occasion. They did not mean to appear aloof; it was just that they were there without any of their own family – their four children and their spouses and the seven grandchildren had remained on Vulcan, none of them understanding the human need for socialization and reminiscing.

 

Without a word, they stopped at the same time, looking out into the green expanse in front of them where people were now migrating from the confines of the house. Children running gleefully in and out of groups of talking adults… several dogs chasing the children… tables laden with food and drink underneath the shelter of white canopied open tents – it was a far cry from the disciplined and spartan days aboard Voyager. 

 

Tuvok turned to his wife, his eyes speaking silent words of love and admiration to his partner of almost sixty years.  “My wife, my spirit is grateful for your accompanying me to this populous event. I know that there is little logic for a gathering such of this, with no ritualistic or spiritual merit; yet, looking at these friends, I can tell that the communal aspects of the festivity are important for their continued well being, and I find that our presence is valued.”

 

T’Pel extended her hand to her mate, fingers spread in the way of Vulcan intimacy.  His long fingers reached out, their fingertips touching and communicating the deeply seated emotions they still shared for one another.  “My husband, it does me honor that you want to share this part of your life with me.  I know that these people became your family for five years; indeed; if it hadn’t been for their concerned caring for you, I would not have you beside me now.”

 

They stood motionless, their eyes and hands conveying all that needed to be said, assimilating the joie de vivre that formed an all-encompassing blanket of love across the gathered community.

 

~*~

 

One of the more interesting trios attending the reunion was a young Starfleet cadet accompanied by two older gentlemen, both of whom were of non-Terran heritage.  Naomi Wildman, still part child by human chronology but a young woman by virtue of her Ktarian half, came with her biological father, Greskrendtregk, a Ktarian, and the Talaxian man, Neelix, who had been her surrogate father for her three years in the Delta Quadrant, Neelix.

 

When Voyager’s Legacy returned, Neelix was most apprehensive of attempting to locate Naomi’s father… not just because of having to report to him the death of Samantha, but also having to justify his connection with Naomi… and Sam.  Their initial contact put Neelix’ diplomatic skills to one of the most difficult tests he’d ever faced; but in the end, it was Greskrendtregk himself who became the true diplomat.  

 

Greskrendtregk had been on Deep Space Nine when his wife left with the Voyager crew fifteen years earlier.  He could not understand why Starfleet needed to send a xenobiologist on a mission to the Badlands to begin with, especially since it was known to be hostile territory during this height of the conflict with the Cardassians.  He was devastated when Voyager suddenly disappeared; he and Samantha, married almost six years, had finally decided to begin a family.  When Voyager’s Legacy showed up suddenly from within the unexplored depths of the Delta Quadrant, he was ecstatic at the thought of a reunion with his wife.  However, when he heard nothing from Starfleet in their initial calls to family members in the Alpha Quadrant, he knew something must be amiss, and he contacted them himself.

 

Captain Janeway herself finally communicated to him the sad news regarding Samantha’s death.  However, his sorrow was short-lived when she relayed to him that he had a daughter… a fine young girl by the name of Naomi, whose youth and spirit had been a lifeline for the entire crew.  Indeed, just about all of them felt that she was ‘theirs’, and it was going to be difficult to give her up.

 

Upon recovering from the roller coaster shock of learning of Samantha’s death only to discover that he was a father, of course Greskrendtregk wanted to meet Naomi as soon as possible.  He was most anxious to thank all who had cared for Naomi over the years, but most especially those who had been the little girl’s caretakers since Sam’s death.

 

Janeway fell silent for a moment before continuing, her voice taking on a low, almost apologetic tine.  “Greskrendtregk, as I’m sure you have heard, a year ago our ship crashed on an unknown planet in the Delta Quadrant, damaged beyond repair and practically killing any hopes of our ever returning to the Alpha Quadrant.”  She stopped, taking a deep breath before proceeding.  “Our lives were taking on new directions… new meanings; survival was paramount for all of us.” Again, she took a respite in her story. “Samantha was a wonderful mother.  However, even with all the rest of the crew supporting her and Naomi, it was evident that Naomi needed a loving male to be a father figure for her.  Another one of our crew – in fact, a native of the Delta Quadrant – had also lost a partner recently, and he (Neelix is his name) and Sam became… good friends.  In light of their friendship, he and Naomi quickly bonded.  When Sam died, Naomi especially needed Neelix, much as he needed her.”

 

Greskrendtregk felt his heart sink.  “What you telling me, Captain, is that Naomi already has a father… and does not need me.”

 

“No, no!” Janeway rebutted.  “Not at all!  Neelix understands the situation and knows that Naomi’s place is with her real father.  She has been told ever since infancy all about you; Sam even gave her her own little PADD with her ‘father files’ on them.  Now… Neelix has told her that she can finally meet you and she is most excited – truly anticipating your reunion, in fact!”  She continued with suggestions for an initial meeting of the three of them, attended also by herself and anyone Greskrendtregk wanted to bring.

 

Two days later, in a small conference room at Starfleet headquarters, Kathryn Janeway, Neelix and Samantha met with Greskrendtregk for the first time.

 

Somewhat shy at first, Naomi, clung onto Neelix’ arm and cowered behind him.  The Captain made introductions, smiling all the time and attempting to alleviate some of the apprehension.  Neelix’ firm hand, hidden behind Naomi, gently urged her towards the large Ktarian man who was her father. 

 

Greskrendtregk knelt, and held out his hands, not forcefully, but slowly, his palms open and towards the young girl.  “Hello, Naomi,” he said softly.  “I’m sure glad your long trip is over and that you’ve made it back to Earth.”

 

She took a couple of steps towards him, flashing questioning looks to either side of her, to Janeway and Neelix.  His eyes never left hers… eyes that matched hers… a smile that matched hers.  Tears came to his eyes, as the only person he saw in her face was Samantha.  “Naomi.  That’s such a pretty name… and you look just like your mother…”

 

Naomi’s eyes welled at the mention of her mother.  “My mother’s gone to the Great Forest… that’s what Neelix says…”

 

Greskrendtregk glimpsed up at Neelix, who nodded quickly.  “Then… that she has, my little one.”

 

Naomi looked at him, her eyes now quizzical.  “And you’re wrong; I can’t look like Mommy,  ‘cause I look like you!”  She reached out and touched the four fleshy nubs on his forehead, and then moved her fingers to the smaller similar ones on her own forehead. “Mommy told me that these were a special gift from you.”

 

“She was right,” he said, hesitatingly drawing her towards himself in a hug.  “But the rest of you… well, you are definitely Samantha’s little girl.”  He picked her up with one arm and stretched out his other to Neelix.  “And you, my friend, seem to have been a guardian angel for her.  I cannot thank you enough.”

 

It was all Neelix could do to hold back his tears at this point.  He took the dark Ktarian’s hand in a firm shake, and tried to make his answer as cheerful as possible.  “The pleasure has been all mine, Greskrendtregk.  I have never known as child so… so… wonderful.”  He tried not to swallow the last words in a choke.

 

Naomi, in her ever astute ways, suddenly realized that the words being spoken meant that Neelix was going to be leaving her… leaving her with this man she had just met.  Huge tears welled up in her eyes, now opened wide in horror; she squirmed in the stranger’s arms.  “Neelix!” she cried out.  “No… no! Don’t go!”

 

He reached up to her, brushing the tears off her cheeks.  “I have to, sweeting.  This is your father, and you belong with him.”

 

She looked back at Greskrendtregk, who was wrought with conflicting emotions.  The scene suddenly became frozen, as all the participants stopped time while life-involving decisions could be made.  In Earth time, it probably seemed an eon; in the infinite time of the universe, only a micro-nanosecond elapsed.

 

Slowly, movement came back, and Greskrendtregk tenderly put Naomi down, urging her towards Neelix.  Once more, he knelt down and spoke softly to his daughter.  “Naomi, until three days ago, I didn’t even know that I had a daughter. Today, when I first saw you, I felt that I had known you for your entire life.”  He looked up at Janeway and Neelix, who now held Naomi’s hand again.  “But I haven’t.  Neelix, however, has been with you since before you were born.  He has been with you through all the good and bad that have come into your young life; I have not.  Although I am your father in the flesh, Neelix is your father in spirit… and, if he so desires, I think he should continue to be your father.”

 

Naomi looked back and forth between the two men, who spoke to each other’s hearts and souls only through their eyes.  The young girl was obviously conflicted, having been counseled by the captain and Neelix that her biological father would be taking her into his life… and that hers would be changing.   Greskrendtregk’s look and nod assured Neelix that this was the right decision… that he could never be the father to her that Neelix had been during these young formative years of her life. 

 

Neelix’s eyes took on a shine brighter than any star in the universe as he realized the sacrifice the other man was making.  “Well, little sprout… would you like to continue living with me? Of course, we would certainly all get together with your papa Greskrendtregk as frequently as possible; after all, we really want to learn to be one family…”

 

“Oh, yes!” Naomi cried out.  “That would be just… perfect!”  She reached out for Greskrendtregk’s hand and took his and Neelix’s between her two smaller hands.  “Then… I would be the luckiest girl in the whole galaxy… ‘cause I would have two fathers!”

 

And so it came to be that this was exactly how things worked out.  Although Naomi lived with Neelix until just the past year, when she entered Starfleet Academy as one of the youngest cadets ever, the threesome spent much of their time together.  Now, they all were attending the Voyager reunion as the family they had become. Naomi almost danced along in the middle, her arms linked through one of each of the proud gentlemen on either side.  Smiles beamed from all three of their faces, smiles that reflected love that transcended mere ‘human’ possibilities.

 

~*~

 

Next to Naomi Wildman, the next oldest of the offspring of Voyager’s crew was Kammy Paris.  Like Naomi, she bore the distinct characteristics of her mixed heritage, which seemed to highlight the most striking of all the combinations. At ten, she was tall for her age, thanks to her dad’s genes.  The Klingon ridges under her hairline were attenuated somewhat, but they still cast a stern appearance to her high forehead, and gave an almost eerie appearance in contrast with her crystal blue eyes.  Kammy assumed her role of ‘elder’ child with great responsibility, feeling that she herself should make certain that ever one of the forty-two children in attendance was involved and having a good time, even if that meant she was not actively participating herself. 

 

“She’s definitely you,” Tom whispered to B’Elanna, as they watched their very determined daughter guiding a group of six year olds away from the older children and trying to interest them in a game of vortex ball. 

 

B’Elanna nudged him in the ribs.  “Better that than running around making bets on which fully clothed person gets thrown into the pool first!”

 

His eyes gleamed back at hers, his laughter taking them back to the early days on Voyager. “Oh? Whatever gave you that idea?  Is that an invitation for me to take the initiative?” 

 

She smiled back at him.  “No; it’s just that sometimes she seems almost too perfect… and I’m waiting for the real Paris part in her to come out.”  She sighed, looking out at the girl who was growing up much too fast; soon, she would be her own person… and then… gone. “Sometimes I wish… I wish…”

 

“I know,” Tom answered softly, pulling her close to him and kissing the top of her head.  “I do, too.  But we’re lucky to have her.”

 

“I know,” B’Elanna responded.  “But… it’s my own fault that she’s an only child.  You are such a wonderful father; you really deserved to have more children.”

 

“B’E… let’s not go into this again.  What happened, happened.  There’s no fault anywhere… with anyone.”

 

“I just can’t help but think…

 

“Then don’t,” he said, not for the first time, knowing that she replayed the accident in her mind all too frequently.

 

After their return and all the ensuing celebrations and debriefings and reunions with his family and her father, Tom and B’Elanna had been assigned by Starfleet to work on developing a fleet of warp speed shuttlecraft patterned after the design of the Delta Flyer. The couple was delighted with their assignment, for it meant they could stay together as a family and follow through with they liked to do best.  After all their years of personal hardship and self-doubts, their lives finally had pulled together and they at last found some peace and happiness.

 

Kammy was growing like the proverbial weed, and both her grandfathers were as proud as could be when her first ‘word’ sounded like gapa… which they immediately announced was “grandpa”. She was walking by the time she was a year old and never still, much to her parents’ delight… and chagrin!  She was a true treasure to all of them.

 

Two years had passed since the return of Voyager’s Legacy.  A new load of raw ore, high in dilithium content, came into the research engineering area where B’Elanna was now in charge.  When Lt. Armistead had come into her office excitedly announcing that the dilithium content was almost four times what had been predicted originally, B’Elanna had to see for herself.  She practically ran with Armistead to the processing area.

 

A large rectangular tank with a capacity of ten gigaliters sat behind a containing wall and force field.  It held the refined molten product of the ore, waiting for final processing into usable fuel for warp cores. 

 

“What’s the purity level?” B’Elanna called out over her shoulder to the technician by the monitoring console. 

 

“We’ve got it to ninety-nine point nine two percent,” he answered back.  “One more pass through the ion beam and we should have it within point zero-zero one percent pure.  In fact, it’s time for it to recycle.  If you can stick around for a few more minutes, I can give you an update,” he added.

 

“Great!” B’Elanna said, slapping her hands enthusiastically against her hips and turning towards him. 

 

Just then a power surge ripped through the lines to the beam disrupter, opening the slit for the atom-splitting energy to shoot towards the enclosed chamber… and anything… or anyone… in its path.  At this particular moment, B’Elanna Torres-Paris was in its direct path.  A slight tingle passed through her body as the pulsating ray did also, leaving her somewhat disoriented and dizzy.  The technician immediately cut all power to the instrument and ran over to B’Elanna, who now was slumping to the floor. 

 

Lt. Armistead hit his comm badge.  “Medical facility… code yellow in engineering!”

 

Within minutes, medical personnel and a radiation hazard unit were in engineering, containing the residual theta radiation that was in the enclosed area.  The technician had been behind a protective shield, but B’Elanna and Armistead had been out in the open… and B’Elanna had borne the brunt of the rogue discharge.  She was immediately transported to the nearest med facility.

 

The accident had not proven to be life threatening; however, she did suffer second and third degree burns on her torso and abdomen.  Tom, who was doing a test run away from Earth, was called back immediately.  Even though it took him only nine hours to return, to him, it seemed like nine eternities.  By the time he arrived, she had been stabilized and tissue regeneration to the burned areas had been begun.  In four days, she was pronounced healthy enough to return home, although her work duties were curtailed for two weeks.

 

However, before her final release from the med facility, the attending physician called the couple into her office.  They could tell, before she said a word, that she had some difficult news for them.

 

“Tom… B’Elanna…” Dr. Rose Cantor began, “although we have been able to repair all of the damage done by the radiation burns, there is another effect that I’m afraid we weren’t able to restore.  I know that you are a healthy, young couple… and that you have one daughter and would like to have some siblings for her.  However… B’Elanna, I’m afraid that the theta radiation affected your ovaries to the extent that all of your genetic material has been damaged beyond any hopes of restoration.  I truly am sorry, but it looks like you will never be able to become a mother again. I… I really am sorry…” she continued.

 

So.  That was it.  In one split second… billions and billions of infinitesimal particles destroyed their hopes… their dreams. 

 

B’Elanna sat in shock, trying to comprehend what she had just been told.  No; what she was hearing couldn’t be true! She was fine!  She could walk and talk and breathe and function just as she could before… why, there was barely a scar left from where she had been burned!  No, no; everything would be fine; she knew it would – the doctor just didn’t know what she was talking about; she was mistaken.  She and Tom would continue to ‘work’ on that sister or brother for Kammy; after all, hadn’t they been through worse things before?

 

Tom came around her and hugged her.  She could feel his body shaking just as hard as hers… his own grief crashing in on him in torrential waves.  He whispered into her thick hair.  “It’s alright, B’El; it’s alright. The important thing is that you are here… that Kammy and I didn’t lose you.”  His voice was at the point of breaking, but Tom Paris had gotten strength before from her; he knew that now he must be hers.

 

He helped her get up, cradling her in one arm as he reached out to Dr. Cantor, who was almost crying herself.  “Thank you, doctor; we truly appreciate your honesty.  But… most important… thank you for saving my wife.”

 

The years had gone by.  By the third year after her accident, B’Elanna had accepted the immutable truth of its outcome.  If anything, it had all brought her and Tom even closer, exemplifying the best of what solid love relationships are all about.

 

Although he knew she thought about their unborn children, she rarely spoke of it.  It was just that today… seeing all of the young ones around them… knowing what they had hoped for…

 

“Yep, B’Elanna Torres-Paris, that’s one beautiful young lady we have out there.”  He pulled her close, hoping to calm the demons inside her.

 

B’Elanna took his hand in hers, squeezing it in affirmation.  “I know. And I am thankful everyday for her… and you.”  She reached up and pulled his face down to hers, not caring who saw her. “But you… you are the greatest thing that ever happened to me, Thomas Eugene Paris.”

 

~*~

 

With her usual efficiency, Annie Graham, nee Annika Hansen, aka Seven of Nine, former Tertiary Adjunct to Unimatrix Zero One, was locating all the members of her rather large family.  Her blonde hair, still long, was pulled to the back of her neck and held in place with a large wooden clasp.  Ten years after Voyager, she remained a handsome woman, although her waspish waist had thickened some, her hips broadened a bit and her trademark full breasts now weighed heavily.  After all, having given birth seven times would do that even to the most disciplined of women! Nonetheless, the flowing sky-blue tunic and slacks she wore allowed that she was still a beautiful woman.

 

Shortly after the Voyagers’ return to Earth, Annie and Harlo Graham married.  Harlo became in much demand for xenobiology medicine and cybernetic conferences, in addition to his heading up the thriving Institute of Galactic Medicine. Annie, with her typical enthusiasm for new challenges, opted to become a full time wife and mother.  She and Harlo proved to be a rather prolific pair, and she decided that her budding maternal instincts aboard Voyager were merely a testing ground for what she now considered her most important role – motherhood.  In the ten years since their marriage, their union had produced seven remarkable offspring, all sharing their parents many talents and intellectual and physical attributes.

 

Annie suddenly stopped, realizing that the frenzied motion of her efforts was an inefficient use of her energies; after all, each of the children had his or her own communicator.  She tapped the comm-pendant that hung from a chain around her neck, summoning the tribe.

 

“Attention, all Graham children.  You will proceed to the southeast corner of the portico where your father and I will meet you in five minutes. You will arrive prepared for our performance, which will commence at exactly 1530.”

 

Suddenly, from all directions, the seven children hurried to meet at their assigned assembling place.  There was Alastria, the oldest at nine years, almost a clone of her mother; next in line came Benzar, who was eight and already showed signs of his father’s outgoing personality. Next in line was Chamra, seven years of age, and, as the ‘mother hen’ of the brood had Caldos, the feisty two-year-old in tow. Rigel, Drayon and Yonada, five, four and three years old respectively, ran out from the same clump of bushes where all three of them had been hiding in a lively game of hide-and-seek with several of the other children. Each of the seven children wore a shirt of the same color of their mother’s attire – there was no mistaking any of the Grahams!

 

One… two… three… four… Annie counted off, nodding at the appearance of each of her offspring.  From behind her, she heard the unmistakable hum of her partner in production, the irrepressible Harlo Graham himself.   With energy that never flagged, he came behind his wife, grabbing her in a quick hug.  “I see that you have summoned our little group,” he smiled at her beatifically.  “I hope that all of them are in good voice today.”

 

The tall blonde woman nodded with serious affirmation.  “We practiced for the required forty-five minutes this morning.  They all realize the importance of this performance, and do not wish to fall short of your expectations.”

 

“Ah, my sweet Annie,” Harlo said to her while gleefully groping for a quick fondle of her full backside.  “I do so admire your capabilities with all of our young ones.  Although they do get in my hair at times… oh, don’t look at me like that; you know what I mean… you do a remarkable job of organizing them and keeping them happy.  As you do me… “ he concluded, his touch now transforming into something that made her smile. 

 

She took his hand and silently led the way to the corner of the long porch where all the Graham children stood, lined up according to height.  The commotion of their actions started drawing attention from the other guests.  Soon, the lively din of the large gathering dwindled, as people wondered what their largest family group in attendance was planning to do.

 

Annie walked down the stair-step line of her brood, combining the tasks of straightening out-of-place hair, wiping tell-tale smudges off faces and pulling shirts into alignment as she moved.  She took her place at the end next to Caldos, gently enclosing his pudgy small hand in hers and cooing to him to be still.  Harlo nodded to her as they all stood in readiness for what was to come. All eyes were now on the group on the portico. 

 

The doctor stepped up to the long rail and smiled smugly out at all in attendance.  “Good afternoon, my friends,” he began officiously.  “Annie and I are delighted to be with you again today.  Although we’ve had the opportunity to see many of you on a regular basis, there are others whom we haven’t seen for ten years… and several more whom we’re meeting for the first time today.”  He nodded at some of their newest acquaintances in the group.  “By this time, I’m sure you have gotten to meet all of our wonderful children…” and with a wave of his hand, he proudly presented them. 

 

“As you know, in addition to my professional responsibilities, I have continued my avocation of vocal performance.” A few anonymous catcalls came from within the crowd.  Harlo raised an eyebrow, giving them the stern look that had silenced his critics before.  “Over the years, Annie has developed her own singing talents as well, and I’m happy to say that all of our children share in this favorite pastime of ours.”  Several snickers came from the awaiting audience, in noting that a couple of the older children were rolling their eyes at the all-too-familiar pomposity of their father.  Undaunted, the man continued.  “So, today, I would like to introduce to you, for the first time in performance… the Graham Family Singers!”

 

A slight gasp of disbelief rippled through the waiting group, realizing what was to follow.  Impervious to these reactions, Harlo took his place at the end of the line opposite Annie.  He draped his arm around the shoulders of Alastria, whose face contained mixed emotions of embarrassment and happiness. She lowered her head shyly as Harlo looked at her, his face beaming with pride.  He glanced down the line at Annie and asked, “Ready?”  She nodded to him.

 

He looked out over the sea of anticipating faces in front of them.  “Today, as our inaugural piece, we would like to sing for you the song that Annie and I first learned together; I sometimes call it ‘Annie’s Song’,” he smiled sweetly, then hummed the opening pitch to the group.

 

Suddenly, floating out into the air of the bright summer afternoon, came a chorus of voices so sweet and melodious that they rivaled the birds in the trees all around them.  In precise pitches and perfect harmony, words succinct and clear, the group sang out to their friends:

 

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

You make me happy when skies are gray

You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you…

Please don’t take my sunshine away.”

 

The song transported many in the audience back to days long ago on Voyager, and most of the watching eyes became misty.

 

~*~

 

Kathryn walked into the kitchen and headed for the replicator.  Chakotay, at the preparation table was putting together another tray of Risian pastries.

 

“We’re running out of Altarian cider again,” she said, calling up an order for several pitchers of the hard ale.  “I guess the Graham Family Singers have driven everyone to drink,” she laughed huskily, pulling out the first pitcher.

 

Chakotay looked over at her, his eyes full of merriment.  “What’s the matter, Kathryn; jealous of their rousing performance?”

 

She shook her head vigorously.  “Never for a moment!  I had my fill of ‘talent shows’ years ago!”

 

His voice lowered, as he took on a more serious tone.  “But all their children.  You do wish that…”

 

She came over to him, wrapping her arms around his torso, now somewhat thicker than it was during their Voyager and New Hope days.  “Chakotay… we both know how fortunate we are to have Hope and Kolopak.  I… I never even thought we would be… could be… blessed with even them.”

 

He turned and enfolded her, pulling her close.  “Yeah; guess there was just something in the wood I used to build the Edgewater, wasn’t there?”

 

She reached up, touching his lips with the tips of her fingers.  “Either that… or some powerful magic in a certain man I know…” Her fingers were followed by her lips.  “Chakotay… we both know that they were a very special gift for us, one that I will never quite understand…”

 

“But a gift we both accepted… with love and thanksgiving.”

 

In the next few seconds, their eyes replayed the events of ten years earlier, scrolling across the screens of their minds – a vivid replay of the months of tumultuous events beginning on Gaia and culminating on Earth six months after their return.

 

The steady hardships of leading Voyager in the unknowns of the Delta Quadrant and the subsequent stay in New Hope had taken their toll on Kathryn Janeway physically.  Although at that time she was far from being an ‘old’ woman, her body, in defending itself against so much, had thrown her into that inevitable physical state that all women reach in their lives, the time referred to biblically as when she ‘ceased to be in the manner of women’.  Within the first few months on Gaia, the doctor himself confirmed that Kathryn’s hormonal pattern had changed drastically, and that even though she was only forty-three years old, she was indeed post-menopausal.  With mixed emotions, Kathryn greeted her ‘fate’; on one hand saddened to think that she was ‘old’ so soon; but on the other hand, she was relieved that she no longer needed to receive the monthly injections that were deemed necessary by Starfleet for all unmarried personnel.

 

Two weeks into the return trip of Voyager’s Legacy, Kathryn began to feel ill.  Chakotay was concerned that she had allowed herself to fall into her old habits of existing primarily on coffee with very little that resembled decent food.  However, this time, she couldn’t even look at coffee; the beverage nauseated her.  Initially, she refused to see the doctor, brushing it all off as a lack of sleep and an increased workload.

 

“This is the eighth morning in a row that you’ve been this way,” Chakotay pleaded with her.  Now… you’re going to check with the doctor now!” His tone became a demand.

 

Kathryn weakly shook her head as she came out of the bathroom area, “Yes; you’re right.”  She laughed weakly.  “You know, if I didn’t know better, Chakotay, I’d think I was pregnant…”

 

He helped her pull on her uniform tunic. “But… didn’t you say that there was no way?  Isn’t that why you told me that there was no need to worry about taking the suppressant inoculations?”

 

“That’s what the doctor told me…” she answered.  She took a deep breath and pinched her cheeks.  “I really should have a little bit of color; I don’t want him to think that I’m part of a holodeck grid.”

 

“You’re almost as thin as one,” Chakotay retorted, leading the way out of their quarters.  “Now… I don’t want ‘no’ as an answer; I’m going with you.”

 

“What’s the matter?  Think I’ll change my mind?”

 

“Maybe,” he quipped.  “Or… maybe I just want to see what I can do to help.”

 

Twenty minutes later, in an older version of the sickbay that they remembered from Voyager, the three senior officers traded astonished looks of disbelief.  There was no doubt about it; the doctor had done his scans three times: Kathryn Janeway was indeed pregnant; not just pregnant, but pregnant with twins!

 

Of the three, Kathryn was the most incredulous.  “But… but… I thought… you said…”

 

The doctor nodded.  “I know; I know.  But… well, sometimes… things just happen.”

 

“So… when do you think that this little… um… ‘miracle’ occurred?”

 

“From the genetic maturation profile, I would say that these babies are what people in former times used to call ‘honeymoon babies’,” he responded.

 

“’Honeymoon…” Kathryn said.  “On the Edgewater?”

 

Chakotay took her tenderly in his arms.  “Well… you always did say that the place felt magical…”

 

Some of Kathryn’s strength seemed to be coming back as she hugged him with more vigor than he could remember in a long while.  Just knowing… something… washed her with relief and raised her spirits.

 

“Now, Captain,” Harlo continued, very much with his doctor’s hat on again, “we are going to have to do something about changing some patterns in your lifestyle, if you want everything to proceed satisfactorily with this pregnancy.”

 

“She’ll do whatever you say, doc,” Chakotay answered for her.  Then, looking at her, he queried, “Won’t you?”

 

Janeway was still in shock… in awe… of the revelation.  “I… am… pregnant!  This is truly amazing.  Never would I have dreamed… oh, Chakotay!  I hope you don’t mind…”

 

“Mind?” the ecstatic man cried out.  “Kathryn, next to your finally saying that you loved me, this is the most wonderful thing that I could ask for!  You are going to be a terrific mother; I can only hope to be a good father…”

 

“I’m sure you both will be excellent parents,” the doctor stated matter-of-factly.  “Now… will both of you listen to me?  We really have to discuss things…”

 

The news of Kathryn and Chakotay’s pending parenthood spread throughout the ship faster than a brushfire in the Vulcan wastelands.  Although Kathryn insisted on no special treatment, the entire crew was at her beck and call for the remaining weeks of the journey; no Starfleet captain had had a more dedicated company.

 

By the time they made their jubilant return to Earth, Kathryn was feeling much better.  She had put on some healthy weight, her color was back, and her energy was at peak levels.  Although the story of her pregnancy had shocked her and her first-officer husband, to Starfleet, it took a backseat to the other events of their journey. Weeks and then months of debriefings stretched out, much as her pregnancy had done to her.  The pregnancy’s continued progress was uneventful; Kathryn behaved herself, Chakotay monitored her rest and food, and a room was just about ready for the arrival of their double-trouble package. 

 

Earth’s annual winter holidays were concluding for the year, and the air outside Starfleet headquarters was brisk and windy.  Kathryn and Chakotay had just left the last required social event of the season, weary in body, but relaxed in spirit.  They had almost reached the transporter area when Kathryn stopped suddenly, inhaling a with a quick gasp. “Ohhh!” she jerked as a peculiar sensation shot throughout her.

 

“What’s wrong, Kathryn?” Chakotay asked with sudden concern.

 

“I don’t know,” she answered, looking for a place to sit down.  “Nothing really hurts; it’s just that… that something doesn’t feel right.”

 

Chakotay hurriedly sought his commbadge as Hondo Swedlund exited from the Admiral’s party where they had all been.

 

“Kit!” he cried out, seeing the distressed look on her face. “There’s something wrong…”

 

“Yes,” she answered weakly, her words barely audible under Chakotay’s summons for an emergency medical transport.  “Hondo… “  she barely got out, before collapsing into his waiting arms.

 

When she awoke, she was in a biobed in the local med facility.  Chakotay was there beside her, his face a mixture of love and concern.

 

“The babies…” she feebly inquired.  “How are the…”

 

Chakotay brushed the damp hair back off her forehead.  “Shhh; they’re fine, sweetheart. And you’re okay, too; your early-warning system seems to have saved everyone.”

 

“Wha…what????” she asked.

 

“It seems that one of the umbilical cords became tangled… around both babies.  We got here in time; the folks here quickly unwound the first problem that our kids have caused… and I’m sure that it will be the first of many…”

 

She grabbed his hand tightly as a paroxysm of pain shot through her.  “Uhhhhh… are you sure everything is alright?”

 

Chakotay smiled down at her.  “Yes.  You’re just reacting as anyone would following a surgical removal.”  His eyes gestured towards her much-flattened torso. ”The doctor decided that it was time for our family to arrive, so she performed a caesarian section.  Kathryn… we have two beautiful, healthy babies…”

 

As if on cue, a duet of cries came from the warmed incubator next to the biobed.  “Would you like to meet our son and daughter?” he asked, his eyes bright with a layer of tears.

 

Kathryn’s eyes were already on the small enclosure next to her.  She stretched, raising herself on her elbows.  “Oh, yes; where are they?”

 

Chakotay carefully lifted one of the small bundles from the resting place.  Her eyes blinked open, two sapphire blue windows looking at her mother for the first time.  Kathryn tucked her into the crook of her arm, adjusting the thermal covering that tightly encased the infant.  “Hello, Hope Voyager; welcome to your home on the planet Earth.”  She turned, as Chakotay filled the space in her other arm with the other half of their matched pair.  Following his older sister’s lead, Kolopak Edward looked up at his mother through a heavy mop of black hair that covered his head. Kathryn’s face looked up, more radiant than he could ever remember.  “They’re beautiful, Chakotay.”

 

“All three of you are,” he smiled back.

 

Chakotay leaned over the threesome, a faint smile on his face.  He nodded at all of them in a motion that Kathryn knew all too well… his silent acknowledgement of a job well done.

 

The ‘accident’ of the twins’ conception proved to be just that… a strange fluke in the ways of any biological system.  Immediately following the birth of Hope and Kolopak, Kathryn’s hormone levels recalibrated themselves to the post-menopausal levels she had known on Gaia.  These two children were a true miracle in every sense of the word.

 

Kathryn and Chakotay’s current reverie was broken by shouts from the two offspring about whom they were just reminiscing. 

 

“Mom! Dad!  Tom says that he’ll take some of us on a short flight of the original Delta Flyer next week!  Can we go, please?” Their voices called out in unison, as Kolopak ran up to his mother and took her in one of ‘those’ hugs that he knew she couldn’t resist, while Hope grabbed her father’s hand, knowing that she was wrapping herself around his heart.

 

“Who all is ‘we’?” Kathryn asked, not wanting to give in too easily. “Where would you be going?”

 

“Kammy… Sean… Mariah… Vorlax… “ Kolopak rattled off.

 

“And Naomi said she’ll be there, too!” Hope expounded, deep into hero worship of the young cadet.

 

“Puh….leeezz?” they both pleaded.

 

The older two acquiesced.

 

~*~

 

 

Act Three: RECEIVING

 

Watching as you softly sleep

What I’d give if I could keep

Just this moment

If only time stood still

 

But the colors fade away

And the years will make us grey

But baby in my eyes

You’ll still be beautiful

 

~*~

 

The two and a half days of fun and reminiscing were drawing to a close.  Almost all of the large group had said their good-byes and wearily transported back to their homes or stations scattered throughout the quadrant; the rest were in the final stages of making their departures.

 

A lone figure leaned over the railing of the portico, assessing the now-empty setting in front of him.  Hondo Swedlund had come alone… alone, as always.  Kathryn and Chakotay had asked their old friend to stay over a few extra days before he headed back to San Francisco, where he was one of the drill chiefs in Starfleet’s elite Rangers school.  Now he stood in his solitude, listening to residual sounds, smiling at shadowy images, putting all the puzzle pieces in place.  The reunion had been a long time coming, but it was needed… to bring to a close the old life and to open a new book, looking forward to the future with a new energized hope and vitality. 

 

Throughout the emotional event, as he migrated from group to group, sharing in raucous laughter and healing tears, he knew that his own long journey was nearly over, too; his purpose completed.  In the eternal cosmic picture, these years were but a blink… but every one of those blinks formed a small essential part of universal purpose.  He turned, his large body showing a few signs of the advancing years but still a magnificent physical specimen.  Chakotay and Kathryn strolled over to him, their arms around each other.

 

“Hello, my old friend,” Kathryn smiled at him.  “I do hope you have enjoyed yourself.”

 

He turned and leaned against the railing. “Yeah, Kit… probably more than you’ll ever know.”

 

“So… what’s it like in the Rangers these days?” Chakotay asked, trying to get their somewhat reticent guest to tell them a little more about his own life.

 

“Not what it was like in our youth, Chakotay,” he stated.  “But… there are lot of good youngsters out there now… ones who have a good feel for physical and moral discipline; they’ll turn out fine.”  He paused and looked at his friends.  “And how about you?  How are you after all these years?”

 

Kathryn’s face took on a strange questioning look.  “Why, Hondo… you of all people should know! It seems like you’ve always been around when the most horrendous of our crises of our lives have hit…”

 

He nodded and smiled.  “Yeah, guess I have.”  His steel blue eyes slowly focused on each of them in turn.  “Did you ever wonder about that?”

 

“About what? Chakotay asked.

 

“About why I always seemed to be around…”

 

Chakotay looked at Kathryn before speaking, a sudden realization hitting him.  “Now that you mention it…”

 

Hondo nodded in approval.  “Yep, sure does. Looks like you’ve finally found all the right answers; guess it’s time for me to move on.”

 

Kathryn was even more confused.  Whatever are the two of you caring on about?”

 

Hondo paused before answering her.  “Kathryn… Kit… I know that you haven’t ever considered yourself a spiritual person; but I do know that you’ve at least given some thought to the fact that sometimes reason and logic just can’t give you all the answers.”

 

“Yes,” she allowed slowly.

 

“Let’s just say that I’ve been around you… and Chakotay… to sort of ‘nudge’ you in the right direction at the right times…”

 

Kathryn shook her head, still not wanting to comprehend what he was saying.  “I’m not sure…”

 

He smiled.  “Yes, I think you are sure; you just don’t want to admit it.”

 

“Kathryn… I think what we have here in our friend, Hondo, is someone that folks used to call a ‘guardian angel’.”

 

Hondo chuckled.  “Yep, I’ve been called that, among other things…”

 

Kathryn looked back and forth between the two men, shaking her head. “No; no; there’s no such…”

 

“Think, Kathryn,” Chakotay said softly.

 

A velvet silence enveloped them, much as the approaching night skies began to wrap the world around them.  This whole concept was something that Kathryn Janeway just didn’t know about.  Finally, with a deep breath, she said, “Perhaps.”

 

Hondo laughed heartily.  “And that, Kathryn Janeway, shows that you can do some healthy doubting.  Yep, there’s definitely hope for you yet!”  He pulled his friends into his broad embrace.  “I know that you invited me to stay for awhile, but there are still a lot of folks out there that I’ve got to see.”

 

“But everyone has gone,” Kathryn blurted out before stopping herself.  “Oh.  Oh!” she continued, suddenly realizing what he meant.  “You mean… out there!”

 

“Yep; places to go, people to see.  But don’t worry; I’ll be back to finish up with you two,” he winked as he started towards the steps off the long porch. “Remember… I’ll always be watching out for you.”

 

He waved as he walked down the path into the rapidly engulfing night, suddenly disappearing as if he had never been there.

 

Kathryn looked up at Chakotay, her eyes asking him if he really understood what happened. 

 

He merely nodded and took her into his arms.

 

 

All I want is to hold you forever

All I need is you more every day

You saved my heart

From being broken apart

You gave your love away

And I’m thankful everyday

For the gift

 

~*~

 

FINIS: The Series – PICTURE THIS

 

 

 

 

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