AN: Just a short little story about love, based on the song by the same name (Sung by Bob Carlisle). Please Read And Review!!!!!

Butterfly Kisses

~/\~

Tom Paris made his next musical selection and called out, "All right, boys. Time to get out there with your special little ones!"

Slowly, men began to trickle out onto the dance floor, Tom included. On the blonde pilot's arm was a young brown-eyed brunette.

Chakotay turned to his 'date' for the evening. "Kathryn—?"

She smiled softly. "Of course."

He grinned and moved out onto the dance floor with his beautiful girl in his arms.

A beautiful song floated over the small group, winding around them, swirling and twisting, a lovely melody that whispered one moment, grew full and round the next, filling them all with a feeling of contented peace.

There's two things I know for sure:

She was sent here from heaven and she's

daddy's little girl

As I drop to my knees by her bed at night

She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes and

I thank God for all the joy in my life

Oh, but most of all

For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;

sticking little white flowers all up in her

hair; "Walk beside the pony, Daddy, it's my first ride."

"I know the cake looks funny, Daddy, but I sure tried."

In all that I've done wrong I know I must

have done something right to deserve a hug

every morning and butterfly kisses at night.

Sweet 16 today

She's looking like her mama a little more everyday

One part woman, the other part girl.

To perfume and make-up from ribbons and curls

Trying her wings out in a great big world.

But I remember

Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer; sticking

little white flowers all up in her hair.

"You know how much I love you, Daddy, but if you

don't mind I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time."

With all that I've done wrong I must have done

Something right to deserve her love every morning

and butterfly kisses at night.

As he looked down at the infant cradled in his arms, Chakotay's heart warmed. This was, indeed, his special girl. Several feet away, Tom held his five-year-old daughter close, she standing on his feet as they swayed to and fro together. Miral was the picture of her mother, with a temper to match and a devilish streak to rival her father's. The innocent babe in the dark Indian's arms was also her mother's mirror image, with her bright blue eyes and the dusting of auburn hair across the top of her tiny head. Emma's diminutive fists opened and closed slowly as she watched her father's face, feeling his heart beating against her side in a comforting rhythm. The stark lines on his left temple and the chiseled lines of his face served to lull her further into a feeling of complete safety. His warmth seeped into her, all the way down to her very bones.

All the precious time

Like the wind, the years go by.

Precious butterfly.

Spread your wings and fly.

She'll change her name today.

She'll make a promise and I'll give her away.

Standing in the bride-room just staring at her.

She asked me what I'm thinking and I said "I'm not

sure—I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."

She leaned over…gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there,

Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair

"Walk me down the aisle, Daddy—it's just about time."

"Does my wedding dress look pretty, Daddy? Daddy, don't cry!"

Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have

done something right.

To deserve your love every morning and butterfly

kisses—I couldn't ask God fro more, man this is what love is.

I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember

every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses…

Emma looked up at him, blinking sleepily, her wide eyes finally closing as he left the dance floor and settled her back into her mother's arms.

Kathryn held the infant tenderly, careful not to jostle her and interrupt her peaceful slumber. She looked up at her husband lovingly, her eyes glowing warmly.

This was her family.

At last.

~/\~

THE END

Please review and tell me what you think.

CHALLENGE: I propose to you all a challenge in which you must pick a song like this one and write a short, sweet babyfic, incorporating the words into the story somehow. You must, however, make it a one-chapter stand-alone story, like mine, and it should be no more 1000 words. (This number may or may not include the words of the song).