Kathryn woke up to her back still hurting; a heavy leaden pressure on her tailbone that had been there for the last three days, seeming to only grow in intensity and pressure. She shifted from one side to the other, but to no avail. The pain was constant and steady, and stronger than it had been for the past week.

It was still dark outside, so she knew it was well into the middle of the night. Not wanting to bother Chakotay when she still felt fine, just a bit crampy and sore, she lay there quietly, her hands moving over the large swell of her very pregnant stomach.

She didn't know how long she lay there, but after at least an hour, her body told her that she had to get up and move. As gently as she could, she eased herself out of bed and began moving in slow circles around the living room. Her ankle had healed enough over the last few weeks that walking wasn't a problem anymore. The pressure lessened on her tailbone, but settled into her pelvis instead; it was just a different kind of uncomfortable.

She'd read about false labor and refused to be the expectant mother who worried about every ache and pain until it was warranted. She'd been uncomfortable for the last week or so, but never like this before. The babies; she could tell over the last few days, had dropped considerably. But she was only at thirty five weeks and though both babies registered on the tricorder as completely healthy and in position for birth, she refused to have them this early. Pacing slowly around the living room to try to alleviate the pain in her lower back, she willed the babies to remain where they were for a little bit longer.

After a few more minutes of pacing, Kathryn decided to go outside for a longer walk. She pulled on her shawl and pinned on her comm badge, leaving Chakotay's beside him on his night stand, just in case.

March had brought warmer weather, and now that the snow was gone it was comfortable to walk outside barefoot, which Kathryn did now.

The sun was just hinting at surpassing the horizon, casting a pale pink glow across the sky and meadow before her.

Kathryn felt wistful as she walked past the area where Oona's igloo had been. She missed her friend terribly, though it had only been several weeks since the Phreezah had left for the caves. She wished that she could have shared the babies with her. By the time Oona and her people came back, the babies would be nearly nine months old. It was hard for Kathryn to fathom as she walked.

She walked towards the meadow where soon the wildflowers would be blooming. New green shoots were already starting to sprout out of the earth. She smiled, remembering the flowers that Chakotay had gifted her with every day during the beginning of their stay here, and every day after. Her heart swelled with love whenever she thought of him, and everything he'd done since day one to make their lives here better. And now she was weeks away from delivering his children, and he seemed to be more prepared than she was. He was calm and collected and had a plan for every eventuality during the labor and delivery of their babies.

She smiled as she walked around the meadow, the feel of the new grass soft beneath her bare feet. At the edge of the open space she stopped to take a deep breath of the cool morning air.

As she slowly let it escape back out through pursed lips she felt an odd popping sensation and a sudden flood of liquid down her thighs.

Kathryn took a step back and looked down to see a wet spot on the earth where she had just stood. Panic took her as almost immediately she felt a pressure in her abdomen as every muscle there seemed to contract at once. She hunched over slightly, breathing slowly as she had read to do, until the pain lessened and her muscles relaxed.

She knew she had to get back to the cabin, back to Chakotay.

She walked as quickly as she dared, nervous that another cramp would overtake her before she got back. However the closer she got to the cabin, the better she felt. By the time she opened the door and entered, even the dull ache in her back had subsided a bit.

Chakotay still slept peacefully, and she didn't want to wake him and have him worry for nothing. She pulled her shawl off and decided to take a quick sonic shower before getting something for breakfast. Just as she dropped the shawl on the edge of the bed, another cramp overtook her, causing her to hunch over, sitting down quickly on the bed as her knees threatened to buckle. The movement caused Chakotay to stir. "Kathryn?" He could tell by her hunched posture that something was wrong.

"I'm…" she blew out a breath, "I'm fine." Her voice was strained and Chakotay was at her side in an instant.

"No, you're not." He knelt on the bed beside her. "Are you in pain?" He felt his own heart rate pick up.

"Ye...yes." She let out a long slow breath as the pain in her back lessened. "I woke up a few hours ago. I couldn't get comfortable." She stared at the floor, attempting to take stock of her entire body. "It felt better to be moving, so I went outside for a walk." She felt a smile pull at her lips even as trepidation settled in her chest. "My water broke while I was outside."

The moment they had been planning for for months was finally here, and though they had prepared as best they could, hearing Kathryn speak those words made Chakotay's heart skip a beat as he was immediately awake and on his feet, "Kathryn, why didn't you wake me up?"

"Because it was the middle of the night, and I didn't want to bother you with false labor. But then when I was outside, and...I'm only thirty five weeks. It's too early." She felt emotions tighten her chest.

"Plenty of twins are born at thirty five weeks, and even sooner." He felt elated and nervous and calm and terrified all at once, "Kathryn, we're going to meet our children today." He knelt in front of her to try to gauge her expression.

"I'm so nervous that something is going to go wrong. I'm not ready. I know we've read everything, but we are all alone here. I just wish we were on Voyager or had the Doctor here." He could see the fear clearly in her eyes and pressed his palm against her cheek.

"You have nothing to worry about. Both babies are in the correct position, both umbilical cords are healthy and right where they should be, and we've both read over everything having to do with labor and delivery at least ten times." He pressed a kiss to her forehead, "We are ready. You can do this."

She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as a soft cramp pulled at her stomach. "Uh, I'm probably going to need you to tell me that about thirty more times before this is over." She felt tears form and slip down her cheeks, "We're going to have our babies today. I just can't believe it."

He nodded, feeling his emotions well up, but he kept them under control. He couldn't let himself be anything other than calming and soothing for her. She would need that, and he would give it to her. "Okay, so how long have you been having contractions?"

She pressed her hand into her belly, "I've only had two, but I've had back pain for the last three or so days." He nodded, sitting down beside her, letting his hand drift up and down her back.

"Okay, tell me what you need." He knew what to do to help her during active labor and actually delivering the babies, but he had no idea what she was feeling in this moment, right now.

"I was going to use the sonic shower," she chuckled lightly, "Since I'm still wet." She felt the moisture between her thighs and realized that she was probably leaving a wet spot on the blanket beneath her. Chakotay smiled, his dimples flashing excitedly at her.

"Alright, do you think you can manage on your own?" Kathryn nodded, lifting herself to her feet. Chakotay stayed by her side as she moved towards her dresser. She pulled out a loose fitting, soft medical gown that she'd replicated for this very moment. Just as she reached their small bathroom another contraction forced her to stop in her tracks. The pain wasn't as intense, but it was more encompassing than the last two. Chakotay took her arm, giving her support in case she needed it. She breathed in and out slowly, willing the muscles in her abdomen to relax.

"I'm okay. It's not too bad. It just takes my breath away for an instant." He didn't release her elbow until he could see her visibly relax before him.

"Okay, go ahead and take a shower, but call me if you need anything. I'll get the bed ready and make something for breakfast. Does anything in particular sound good?"

Kathryn grinned at him, knowing that he would do anything for her in this moment if she asked. She pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. "Whatever sounds good to you. I'll save my requests for my first meal after the babies are born."

"Deal."

=/\=

Kathryn only had one more contraction while she showered, and though she felt pressure in her abdomen, she was still hungry. Both babies were moving in the very limited space that they had, and weren't making things any more comfortable for Kathryn. As if they knew what was coming, both seemed to give their final protests to their soon to be change of address.

Chakotay had made peanut butter toast and oatmeal for the both of them and they ate together in mostly silence. Kathryn took her time, feeling another contraction halfway through her meal. Chakotay ate his breakfast, but didn't taste a bite of it. All of his senses were focused on Kathryn; he watched her for any sign of discomfort and waited quietly in case she needed anything. "Chakotay," Kathryn finally chuckled, pulling him out of his concentration, "Are you alright?"

Chakotay grinned at being caught in his focus, "Yes, I just want to make sure that you are. I want you to tell me if and when you need something. I know you want to do this completely without pain medication, but I don't want you to push yourself too hard."

"When have I ever done that?" She grinned gently at him.

He chuckled, glad that her nerves weren't overtaking her for the moment. "Just remember that you'll be working twice as hard, bringing two babies into the world. Please tell me if it gets to be too much."

Kathryn reached across the table and took his hand, giving it a squeeze. "I promise." She grinned, "I love you."

"I love you too, so much."

Kathryn finished her breakfast slowly and then stood up from the table. Chakotay practically jumped out of his seat to come to stand beside her. As soon as she was upright she hunched over as another contraction pulled at her stomach. This one was more intense than the last few and while she felt the burning pain in her abdomen, she felt the ache in her whole body. Chakotay took that moment to put his arm around her, and she couldn't help but flinch, "Don't touch me."

He pulled his hand away, knowing well enough not to argue. Instead he stood silently beside her, ready to lend strength or comfort should she need it. After another ten seconds or so, he saw her visibly relax as she stood upright. She looked up at him, a soft smile tugging her lips, "Sorry."

"It's alright, Kathryn. You are running this show. You just tell me what you need, and what you don't need. I promise I will not be offended by anything you do or say." Kathryn breathed out a laugh through her nose. "Do you want to lay down, or stay standing up? We could keep walking."

Kathryn looked about the house as if weighing her options. If she was honest with herself, she didn't really know what she wanted. She furrowed her brow, "I think I'd like to sit in bed, maybe read a bit." She headed back towards the bed, and allowed Chakotay to create a nest of pillows for her to lean against. Once she was settled, he stood beside the bed, not sure what to do now. Kathryn chuckled at him. "I'm fine, Chakotay." He smiled sheepishly.

"I know that, Kathryn," he moved to retrieve the tricorder from the shelf, "Let me just do a quick scan to make sure everything is still looking okay." She sat silently while he scanned her, watching his face as he watched the machine. "You're already dilated to three centimeters," she smiled at the excitement in his voice. "Your back pain for the last few days must have been labor pains."

Kathryn nodded, grimacing as another contraction, much gentler this time, pulled at her abdominal muscles.

"What can I do?" He knelt on the bed beside her, gently resting his palm on her knee.

"Can you put on some music? Classical maybe? Just something low." Chakotay nodded, moving to the phonograph and putting on her favorite Chopin album. Once that was done he picked up the PADD that he'd been using over the last few weeks, making a list of everything they would need when it was time to deliver the babies.

Kathryn watched as he moved about their living space, collecting blankets, hyposprays, more blankets and their backup medical tricorder.

Once he'd crossed everything off his list, he pulled his medicine bundle out from under the bed. "Do you mind if I go outside for a few minutes?" Kathryn smiled knowingly at him, "I'll take my comm badge and you can call me if you need anything."

"Of course. Take your time. I think we have plenty of time to wait." She picked up her copy of Little Women, intent on reading where she'd left off, but another contraction pulled at her stomach. Chakotay noticed instantly and stopped before he went outside. Kathryn's brow was furrowed as she breathed through the uncomfortable pressure. "I'm fine," she panted out, "Go...ahead…" she panted again as the pain subsided, smiling as best as she could at him. "This may very well be the last time you get to spend outside by yourself for a while,"

Chakotay spent nearly an hour out in the woods. He'd been jittery and nervous and found it very hard to concentrate on his goal until finally the akunah worked its magic and pulled him in to the spirit realm. He had his communicator with him, but Kathryn never called.

When he got back to the cabin, satisfied that his ancestors had heard his prayers for a safe delivery, he found Kathryn on her hands and knees on the bed, her eyes pressed shut in absolute pain. "Kathryn, what is it?"

She grimaced, not answering him as she breathed through the pain, "I'm in labor, Chakotay, that's what's wrong." She huffed out the words, irritated at his interruption of her concentration.

He stood silently, watching as she worked through the pain, wishing again that he could spare her her discomfort.

With a sigh she leaned back on her haunches, "I'm sorry, Chakotay, I just can't get comfortable, and I'm tired. I'm sorry." Chakotay put his medicine bundle away, sitting on the edge of the bed, nearly elated when she leaned into his arms for a hug.

"I'm sorry you're uncomfortable. You can use an analgesic hypospray you know…" She grinned that lopsided grin at him.

"I know, but I don't want to. I want to feel this. I mean I don't want to feel this, but I want to hold off." Chakotay nodded.

"Can I at least scan you to make sure everything is progressing safely?" He picked up one of the tricorders.

"I just did five minutes ago. Nothing has changed." It was Chakotay's turn to smile.

"Can I scan you anyways?" Kathryn nodded. Chakotay used the tricorder, checking Kathryn's vitals, and the vitals of both babies. "It looks like little girl is still positioned to be delivered first. They are both in the perfect position for delivery."

Kathryn sighed, "It feels like a photon torpedo trying to force its way out."

"Would walking help?" Chakotay had no idea what Kathryn needed, or what would benefit her the most.

"I don't know," she sighed again, "It couldn't hurt I suppose." She let Chakotay help her to her feet and handed her her shawl.

"It's fairly warm, but there's a breeze."

Kathryn draped the garment over her shoulders, "Did everything go well for you?" She nodded at his medicine bundle under the bed.

"Yes," he winked at her, taking her hand as they walked slowly out the door.

=/\=

Chakotay was worried. He would not voice that concern, but with each passing moment he felt his anxiety increase. After their fairly lengthy walk; they stopped periodically when Kathryn had to work through another contraction, things had progressed more quickly. By late afternoon, she was nearly completely dilated, and had mentioned that the contractions felt different; lower in her belly and much more intense. As the pain progressed, Kathryn had slipped slowly away from him, into her own body and experience as mother nature took over, preparing her for what was about to happen.

Chakotay watched Kathryn as she silently worked through another painful contraction. She barely had any respite between them now, and as she forced air in and out of her lungs at metered intervals, his concern grew.

Kathryn was quiet. Too quiet in his estimation. It's not that he had expected her to scream and wail and carry on, but he had not expected silence. During each contraction the only sound in the room was her labored breathing and the thundering of his own heart in his chest.

When each contraction released her she let out a soft groaning sigh, but that was it. She did not speak, she did not smile, she did not seek out Chakotay for comfort in any way. Her eyes were shut and she was focused on her breathing.

It really was a miraculous thing to behold, watching Kathryn slip away from him into her own mind and body as she prepared to bring forth life. As much as he wished he could spare her the pain, he was in awe of her for what her body was doing in this very moment. Watching birthing videos to prepare for this moment had nothing on the moment itself; watching the woman he loved prepare to give birth to his children.

With barely a minute between contractions, Chakotay knew their daughter would be born soon. Scanning quickly with the tricorder told him his suspicions were accurate. He watched as Kathryn began to push, knowing it was time without being told. He whispered words of encouragement through her struggles, not knowing if she was hearing a word he was saying.

This pattern continued until Chakotay nearly had tunnel vision. He was no longer aware of the time of day; he may have been hungry or thirsty, he did not know...so focused he was on everything going on before him.

Looking back, Chakotay would never remember what he was wearing that day, or what they'd eaten for breakfast. He didn't remember how long Kathryn was in labor, or half of the things he'd said to her. The entirety of it was a blur, but when the small body of his daughter slipped into his hands, time stopped.

He turned her over gently, marveling at how small she was. Though she was light as a feather, he was terrified of dropping her. Cradling her in his hands, the wave of love that exploded in him would have taken him off his feet had he not already been kneeling on the bed.

"Nayeli," Chakotay breathed out as he looked at the small, distorted face of his baby girl.

As if knowing she was being spoken to, she let out a soft mewling cry as her lungs finally drew in her first breath. Chakotay sobbed out a laugh as her tiny sound brought him back to himself. He turned her gently, lifting her to hand her to her mother, who he was ashamed to admit he'd completely forgotten about for a moment. Kathryn reached for her, pulling her into her arms as best she could while still lying down. The baby let out another cry, louder this time, and Kathryn laughed out a relieved sob as she listened to her daughter's sounds, living on her own outside of Kathryn's body.

Chakotay lay one of the receiving blankets over the bundle as Kathryn pulled her closer, pressing her lips to the smattering of wet dark hair atop the little girl's head. "Scan her,"

Chakotay was already reaching for the medical tricorder, though he knew he didn't need it. He could easily hear that his daughter had a healthy set of lungs as her fluttery cries grew louder with each exhalation of breath. Her tiny hands were fisted as she squirmed under the blanket. Turning the device on, he ran the diagnostic sensor slowly over his daughter's small body. He grinned through the tears streaming down his cheeks, "She's perfect."

Kathryn let out a wavering sigh as she fought to catch her breath. Hearing those two words helped to calm her racing heart. The tiny bundle of her daughter squirming in her arms was the most precious gift she'd ever received, and her love for her growing family and for Chakotay exploded exponentially in her very soul. She could see Chakotay moving in her periphery, but she couldn't take her eyes off the little one in her arms.

Chakotay skillfully clamped the umbilical cord as he had read to do before snipping it, severing the connection to Kathryn's body. He wanted nothing more than to lay beside Kathryn and just stare at his daughter, but there was more work to do, and he had to be ready to help Kathryn deliver their son.

Once he knew the baby was situated in Kathryn's arms, he took a moment to scan Kathryn with the medical tricorder as well, seeing that their little boy was quickly dropping into place, "How are you feeling, Kathryn?"

She let out a soft laugh, a dreamy look on her face as she watched her daughter's expressions change as she whimpered. Kathryn smiled, "I feel wonderful."

"We have a bit more work to do. Are you ready to meet our son?" Kathryn frowned, and Chakotay knew what she was thinking; he was thinking the same thing. He wished there was someone else there with them to hold their little girl while he and Kathryn worked to deliver her brother. "I'm going to take her, but only for a few minutes. Once her brother is born you can have her back."

Kathryn's brow furrowed, but she relinquished the little bundle back to Chakotay, watching as he carefully swaddled her and put a soft hat on her head before placing her in the nest of blankets in her cradle. She whimpered softly but seemed, thankfully, content for the moment.

"This will probably happen quickly, Kathryn," he reached for her hand, lacing their fingers together, "I love you."

Kathryn smiled, pulling herself back into position, "I love you too."

Chakotay knelt before her, alert to each small sound his daughter made, every movement that Kathryn made, and the feel of his heart pounding. They were halfway there. Kathryn had done beautifully delivering their daughter. He'd never seen anything so amazing in his entire life. Adrenaline began to course through his body once again as another shock of dark hair came into view. "I can see him, Kathryn."

Kathryn needed no coaching; so attuned to her body that she knew exactly what to do. He would never look at her the same way again as he realized how phenomenal she truly was. It took three more pushes and a screaming baby boy was delivered into his waiting hands. Slightly smaller than his sister, he made up for it in volume, letting the world know that he had arrived. Chakotay laughed as the small boy flailed in his hands, his face clearly letting them know he did not appreciate what he had just been through. Kathryn was silently crying as Chakotay handed her the baby, placing a blanket over his small body.

Kathryn pulled down the material of her gown, allowing the baby to rest on the bare skin of her chest. That seemed to placate him enough that his wails decreased in volume to soft, angry whimpers. Chakotay glanced quickly down at his little girl, but she was still content, so he continued with what he was doing, severing the second umbilical cord and scanning their son with the tricorder.

"He's perfect, Kathryn. Our son is perfect." He stopped what he was doing for a moment to lean forward, pressing a kiss to her lips. After he pulled back, he picked his daughter up gently and helped Kathryn maneuver her under the blanket as well until both babies lay side by side on her chest. As if sensing his sister was beside him once again, their little boy's crying lessened into soft whining sounds. Kathryn laughed, kissing his scrunched up forehead.

He wished they had a holo-imager in that moment, because the exhausted but contented look on Kathryn's face as she cradled her son and daughter to her was one of the most beautiful things Chakotay had ever seen. Giving her a moment, he scanned Kathryn again with the tricorder, checking to make sure that both placentas were ready to be delivered.

Kathryn could feel Chakotay moving about her. She could hear him gently giving her instructions. She was pretty sure she listened to him and did as he asked, but all she could focus on were the brand new lives in her arms. She had done it. With Chakotay's help, guidance and strength, she had birthed their son and daughter into the world.

Chakotay finished with the delivery, happy that Kathryn barely noticed what he was doing as he gently but firmly manhandled her body. He scanned her again with the tricorder before using the dermal regenerator to aid in her healing. They both knew that it would take some time for her body to recover from carrying and delivering twins, but he would do all he could to speed up the process. He maneuvered her slightly to pull the soiled bedding out from under her.

"Chakotay, don't fiddle with that now," she breathed out, not taking her eyes off the babies.

"I want you to be comfortable." He spoke softly.

"I'm perfect." Her eyes finally lifted, finding his, "Come here, daddy." He knew in that moment he would never deny her anything for the rest of his life.

As gently as he could he slid under the covers beside her, sitting against the pillows to watch the babies as they squirmed against Kathryn. She looked up, lifting her lips to Chakotay and he gladly bestowed another kiss. "I couldn't have done this without you." She sighed contentedly, "Thank you."

He let out a deep breath, "Kathryn, I have never seen anything so amazing in my life. I have no words to describe how perfect you are. I...I should be thanking you. For asking me to be your first officer, for asking me to father your children, for agreeing to spend the rest of your life with me...for loving me..."

Kathryn beamed at him before looking back down at the babies, "They look just like you," she cooed gently.

Both babies had dark brown hair and Chakotay's complexion. Chakotay shook his head, "I can already see some of you in both of them. Little man has your brow and nose." He reached over, letting his pointer finger whisper across his son's forehead and down his nose.

"What about names? You said something when she was born," Kathryn nodded at their daughter, who was content for the moment, her eyes shut as her tongue worked in and out of her mouth.

Chakotay watched his daughter for a moment, his heart filling with that same wave of love as it had when he'd first seen her face. "Nayeli," he spoke it again, enjoying the sound of it, "It means 'love of my life'." Chakotay watched Kathryn for her reaction, "Do you like it?"

Kathryn let the name settle into her mind as she watched her daughter's face, "It's perfect." She kissed the little girl's forehead, "Nayeli Sekaya...Ellie," she looked back up at Chakotay, "I love it."

Chakotay's heart skipped a beat at Kathryn's gesture. "Are you sure?" Kathryn nodded. Chakotay kissed her again, "I'm honored, and I know Sekaya would be as well."

"What about our little warrior?"

Chakotay watched the little one as he fidgeted under the blanket, "Not sure yet. He hasn't decided," he leaned forward to press a kiss to his son's hair, letting out a sigh of contentment, as he tucked the blanket around him and pulled a second hat down over his small head. "He'll let us know when he's ready." He watched Ellie as her mouth continued to work, her tongue coming out against Kathryn's skin, "Speaking of being ready, do you want to try nursing her?"

Kathryn nodded, allowing Chakotay to take their son from her embrace so she could situate Ellie at her breast. Chakotay pulled off his own shirt to allow the little one the same skin to skin contact he'd just had with his mother.

Chakotay knew Kathryn had almost been more nervous about breastfeeding than she had been about giving birth. She had been worried that the babies wouldn't know how, or that she wouldn't know how, but now Chakotay could see that her worry was for naught. It only took a moment of coaxing before Ellie was contentedly feeding, her eyes drifting shut as her small cheeks worked.

Chakotay watched in awe as she nursed, cradling his son to his chest.

He was a father, and Kathryn was a mother, and they finally had their family that they had created so many months ago. When Kathryn had asked him if he would take this journey with her, he had no idea it would end like this; still tens of thousands of lightyears from home, alone on an alien planet. Their friends and crew were gone, and they would never see their families again. They had lost so much, but as he looked between his children and the woman he loved, he knew in that moment that what they had gained was even greater.

=/\=

Author's Note: OMG you guys! We finally made it here! I am giddy with excitement that the babies are HERE! Thank you so much for following along this journey with me! it has been a literal labor of love, and I have enjoyed creating this story for you!

As a side note. This is going to be the end of part one. If you are happy with this ending, please feel free to leave off here. However, there will be a part two, since I have lots more adventures for our little family going forward. Keep an eye out for "Creating A Future Part 2". I so very much appreciate everyone that has stuck by this story since it started last year. You guys have my heart and I so appreciate all the comments. You are WONDERFUL! xoxo