Part 2: Melonie
Melonie Taya Janeway loved Christmas. It was the one time of the year everyone made an effort to attend one of Neelix' parties. It was not what one may call traditional, considering the vast tastes aboard Voyager, but to her it was tradition to have a mix of cultures at this time. In her short life of 9, and a bit years, she'd never missed a Christmas. Well except that year the Borg attacked and all the children were transported and taken away in the Captain's shuttle, Goldenbird, but that was a touchy subject for everyone.
After nearly a decade celebrating a cross culture Christmas it was a very strange notion to come home, to earth, and find she would be with one family celebrating a 'traditional' Christmas. It was a nerving thought and she didn't really like it. Having met her moms family the social side was less daunting, it was the fact Neelix or Celes or one of the betazoids or Naomi would not be there to help celebrate with her.
The day did not go as well as she had hoped. Her cousins were mean and bratty, they didn't understand her or her siblings. She had loved the food but missed the variety, loved the warmth her new family had given but missed her old family and friends. It wasn't until very late on Christmas day when her mom came into her room with a coat and boats that she began to understand the importance of the holiday. Melonie and Kathryn tipptoed through the house, her mom picking a box up on the way out the back door. The frost was cold on her bare legs but the encouraging tone from her mom pushed her forward.
On the ground was a blanket it sat in front of the giant oak tree she had admired earlier. Now she was in front of it she could see the golden plaque the two names gleaming in the moonlight: 'Edward James Janeway, beloved father and husband, forever missed, exploring the stars for eternity' below was another name she did not recognise 'Zachary Owen Janeway, the biggest dreamer who will never be forgotten' Melonie had taken her time to read the memorials, her mom had lit two candles and was preparing to hand it to her.
"Hello Daddy, I've a very important person for you to meet" her mother whispered "say hello to your grandpa" very cautiously Melonie looked at the tree and whispered
"Hello Grandpa"
Some years later
Although things had changed over the years one thing remained the same everyone came together at the Janeway home for Christmas. Melonie had grown, as had her cousins and siblings. Melonie still loved christmas and now even more as she had a little girl and boy of her own.
At this time, the sky was black, like her fathers hair had once been, she carried the box of two candles in one hand and held Katie's hand the other. She was younger than Meonie had first been, when her mother had shown her the tree, but then again they'd been in space for a chunk of her childhood. A new name had been added to the tree: 'Zachary Tomas Janeway, a precious spirit who was needed elsewhere' Melonie fondly remembered her brother had come up with the memorial quote of the baby that could have been another little brother for her. As she handled the candles she bowed her head slightly for her Uncle and brother, Zac, who both died too young.
"Hello grandpa, I've brought someone very special for you to meet. Katie, sweetie, say hello to your…grampi" she echoed her mothers words just as quiet and precious. History then seemed to repeat as Katie did exactly what Melonie, her mother, had done. Cautiously she looked at the tree and whispered
"Hello Gampi"
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed that, please do leave a review always appreciated
That-Geek
