Summary: I think the title explains a lot. This does jump ahead about two years
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Kathryn Janeway found herself in her childhood bedroom having her wedding gown smoothed down. Her hair was shorter but still her sister's best friend had created a work of beauty with lots of pins, flowers and hairspray. The dress was 50's inspired, Kathryn had originally wanted a small wedding but Mae, Phoebe and her mom had convinced her the dress was perfect for her.
"How do I look?" she turned to ask the women in the women.
"You can't seriously be asking that, you look drop dead gorgeous." Phoebe groaned.
"Sweetie you will be the most beautiful there" her mother told her caressing her cheek.
"Let's just say my dad is the luckiest guy in the quadrant." Mae beamed hugging her soon to be step-mom, although Mae had come accustomed to calling her 'mom' ages ago. The ladies laughed Mae was a force to be reckoned with since reaching double digits.
Walking down the stairs she hooked her arm round her old friend Tuvok.
"Your marriage will be a strong one" he told her as they waited at the doors.
"Thank you old friend. I know you're right" she whispered stepping into the sunlight. They caught each other's eye and simply beamed, the crooked cheeky grin that belonged to Kathryn and the dimple garnished grin that Chakotay took pride in. They had loved and fought but it came out alright in the end. Reaching the end of the short journey Tuvok stood back and watched his dear friend turn to her husband to be.
"Katie, you ready?" Admiral Owen Paris asked, he had been his father's best friend and it had been common for Kathryn to eat, study, sleep and generally just live in the Paris household. Owen had been a great support when Edward died.
"We are gathered here today to celebrate the matrimonial joining of Kathryn Elisabeth Janeway and Chakotay, son of Kolopak. We are all friends and family and we all wish you luck before I complete the process, the couple have prepared vows.
"Kathryn, we met in a park on a bench on the famous Ice cream day. It was pure chance that my daughter would intrude your peace but I am so glad she did. In the 2 years that followed we have been on a journey, learning about each other in all aspects of life and I will never forget that journey. You have changed me and helped me find peace and for that I am eternally grateful. Thank You, my love, thank you." He did not falter or look away from her he simply spoke from the heart. He gently slipped the gold band onto her ring finger bringing it to his lips gently kissing the back of her hand.
"2 years ago, I didn't even know your name. Today I couldn't imagine a day without you. I have been lost for a long time and with you I am at peace with myself and my passions. I am going love you forever and I will lighten you burdens as you have mine over the years. You are mine and I am yours from this day forward until death tears us apart, because only death can separate us." She smiled and placed his gold band onto his ring finger starring into his deep brown eyes as Owen pronounced them husband and wife. Chakotay took her in his arms and kissed her and she kissed him back, this was it all her life this was the moment that defined her the happiness and passion she felt, and all because they met somewhere different.
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Author's Note: Well, we've come to the end of our little story. I hope you enjoyed following this AU adventure and let me know if you would like an epilogue or any missing scenes you'd like to have 'seen'. Thanks to everyone who reviewed or read this it means a great deal to me.
That-Geek