Kathryn walked briskly down the stairs of her mother's Indianan home and into the office where an incoming message awaited her. "Admiral Paris, what a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting to see you until after another week of vacation."

"I'm sorry to interrupt, Kathryn, but something urgent has happened."

Kathryn's composure fell serious, realizing the call was not of a friendly nature. "What is it, Owen?"

"Both Tom and B'Elanna were killed on the outskirts of Federation space while investigating a new fuel source for their project shuttlecraft."

"My God, who did this?"

"You know the Maquis still lay out there, and how they're against Tom and B'Elanna's mixed relationship."

"But that doesn't matter anymore. It was B'Elanna's choice to remain a Starfleet officer after we returned home three years ago."

"She had contacted an old comrade, and he was determined to bring her back. We managed to match his weapons signature to the debris of their ship, and he has been apprehended."

"I... I can't believe it."

"Their funeral will be in a week. The reading of their will... will be held after the lunch."

"I'll be there, Owen. Call me if you need anything, anything at all."

"Thank you, Kathryn."

--

One week later...

Everyone was dressed in their fine dress uniforms, trying their best to mingle after the heartfelt ceremony without caskets. Kathryn was comforting her former Operations officer, Harry Kim as the Admiral Paris approached.

"Admiral," Harry said with sudden surprise as he wiped his eyes. "I... I'm sorry for your losses."

"Thank you, Lieutenant. Your condolences are much appreciated. I shall pass it on to my wife, but for now, we have a will to read."

Kathryn nodded and laid a hand on Harry's back as they both followed Owen into a secluded room where the former senior staff of Voyager sat, along with some infamous ship designers that had been very close to the Paris' family. As Harry found a seat next to Tuvok and Kathryn found a seat reserved for her next to Chakotay, Owen closed the doors behind him. A tall man with squinty eyes and a slender figure in a formal suit and tie stepped up to the nearby podium after Admiral Paris had nodded to him.

"I want to thank you all for coming to the reading of Thomas Eugene Paris and B'Elanna Torres-Paris's will. Their loss brings a sadness to myself, as well as to everyone, and I'd like to offer a moment of silence to honor their memory."

The room fell silent for a long moment, and the sun gleamed brighter through the windows all around them. Kathryn turned her head to the sunlight and let it warm her face as Chakotay slipped his fingers through her own. She smiled through tears at him, giving his hand an appreciative squeeze before the man spoke again.

"First and most importantly is their daughter, Miral Kathryn Paris."

The name always made Kathryn smile, feeling honored for a lifetime by the child's middle name. But as she looked at the small girl of only three in her black dress on the front row, her heart softened, and she felt a sudden urge to embrace the lonely child.

"The will reads: We, the above listed parents of the child, Miral Kathryn Paris, leave our blessed daughter to the Admiral-"

Everyone seemed to mouth in unison 'Owen Paris', being that he was the only remaining family member she had.

"Kathryn Janeway."

"What?!" Owen busted out, nearly sprouting from his seat and taking a swing at the gangly man.

"Surely she would be left to Owen, he is her grandfather," Kathryn said, standing in surprise.

"The will reads Kathryn Janeway," the man said, as Owen rose and snapped the large PADD away from him. He read over it for a moment, the room an awkward silence as she stood in shock.

"Well I'll be damned," he whispered to himself. He dropped the PADD back onto the podium as he looked blankly across at Kathryn. "I won't let you have my granddaughter, Kathryn. I won't. She's my flesh and blood."

"The will overtakes any authority you have, Admiral, sir. I'm afraid that Miral is now under the sole custody of Ms. Janeway."

"This isn't the end of things, Kathryn. It's just the beginning."