Disclaimer- See part 1
A CHILD'S LEAD: Epilougeby Jaclyn Parker
I dreamed of a wedding of elaborate elegance,
A church filled with family and friends.
I asked him what kind of a wedding he wished for,
He said one that would make me his wife.
--Author Unknown
"Counselor Troi, please report to the transporter room. Immediately!" Jean- Luc added the last word with a bit of panic in his voice. Deanna laughed, lowered her mug of hot chocolate, and winked at Beverly over the table in Ten-Forward.
"I think my mother is here." Deanna told her and Beverly laughed as well.
"She must be so excited with your wedding happening in four days. I know you and Will are ecstatic, not to mention Lily." Beverly said and Deanna smiled at the thought of the little girl who would be officially hers in four days. Just a day after the vows would come an adoption signing, which would make Deanna legally Lily's mother.
"Sometimes I still can't believe it is actually going to happen. It seems like yesterday Will came back to me...to us." Deanna said and Beverly gave her a soft smile.
"Two months is a short time, but in my opinion you have been waiting too long to do this." Beverly said making Deanna blush.
"Truthfully, Will wanted to get married the day he got back, but it was only fair to Lily to wait. She needed time to get adjusted to having her father back in her life." Deanna told her and Beverly nodded, sipping her mug of tea. "We only just got her used to the idea of us going away on a honeymoon."
"I am very glad you chose to get married on the holodeck of the Enterprise. It will be perfect. And I am honored to be your maid of honor, as is Jean-Luc to be performing the ceremony." Beverly said placing her hand over Deanna's and smiling.
"Beverly, you are like a sister to me. Did you ever doubt that you would be my maid of honor?" Deanna asked incredulously and she shook her head. "As for marrying on the Enterprise, it didn't feel right any other way. Besides, the holodeck is the only space large enough to hold everyone who is coming."
I know you can hear me, Little One. I think you had better get down here before Admiral Picard has a heart attack.
Deanna sighed as her mother's voice echoed in her head. Beverly gave her a quizzical look and then a knowing one as her husband's voice came through Deanna's comm. badge.
"Counselor Troi!"
"Yes, sir. On my way, sir." Deanna said and hit her badge, ending the transmission. She gave Beverly another smile and stood up. "I'll see you later at dinner. Semiformal. Mother wants to make an impression, as always."
"I'll see you at 1900." Beverly said and waved good-bye as Deanna left Ten-Forward.
Deanna made her way quickly to the transporter room, sensing Jean- Luc's growing frustration and her mother's growing amusement. As she rounded the corner, she met Will coming the other way. She gave him a smile that belonged to only him and he leaned in to kiss her before they entered.
"Counselor!"
"Little One!"
Jean-Luc and Lwaxana both exclaimed for Deanna at the same time causing her to bite back a laugh. Her mother practically glowed in the dark blue metallic looking gown she had on, her hair swooped up in a large mass on her head, with a ring of blue feathers around it. She had large sapphires dangling from her ears and a sapphire necklace, with a stone in the middle almost as large as the one from the ancient Earth film, about the sinking luxury liner in the early 20th century.
"Hello, Mother." Deanna said and accepted the loving hug from Lwaxana Troi.
I have missed you, Little One
"I have missed you too." Deanna said aloud and Lwaxana frowned. The frown turned back into a smile when she noticed Will standing nearby.
"William!" she cried happily and attached herself to him. Will was taken aback slightly, but gave her a return hug.
"It is good to see you too, Lwaxana." Will said, releasing the older woman from his grasp.
"Now where is this soon-to-be granddaughter of mine?" Lwaxana asked excitedly and Will beamed with pride.
"She is in school at the moment, but will be home in about ten minutes." Will told her and Lwaxana nodded, clapping her hands together in anticipation.
"Well then let's get a move on. Mr. Homn, please take my things to my quarters, then meet me in..." Lwaxana trailed off looking from Will to Deanna.
"Ensign Roberts will show you the way to my quarters after he shows you to yours." Will told the tall man who followed Lwaxana around everywhere. Jean-Luc excused himself, saying he needed to be back on the bridge and Will and Deanna led Lwaxana out of the room.
"I want to thank you again, Mother, for understanding about this ceremony." Deanna said as they walked.
"Of course I can understand the need to celebrate your Terran side. Your father would have wanted this." Lwaxana said and squeezed her daughter's hand at the mention of her late husband. "Just don't forget your promise. A traditional Betazed wedding in two weeks and everyone participates."
"I promise, Mother." Deanna said and gave Lwaxana a kiss on her cheek. They entered Will and Lily's guest quarters and Lwaxana took a seat on the sofa, while Deanna and Will stood. Deanna was about to ask how her trip was, when the doors opened and Lily flew in.
"Mommy! Daddy!" Lily cried and Deanna bent down to receive the child. Lily launched herself into Deanna's arms and hugged her hard. Her face shone with happiness and unbound excitement was in her eyes. "Miss Tor'al let me out early. Just me!"
"That was very nice of her." Deanna said, smoothing down the white tunic dress that Lily wore and smiling at her lovingly.
"Ahem." Lwaxana cleared her throat loudly and they all turned to look at her. "I believe that I am the reason she was let out early, so I would like to meet my granddaughter-to-be."
Deanna stood and Lily wrapped her arm around her mother's slender leg ,also taking one of Will's hands in her own. She eyed Lwaxana warily and gave a small curtsey without letting go of her parents. Lwaxana gave her a huge smile and waved the girl closer. Lily looked up at Deanna and at her nod, moved to stand before Lwaxana.
"How do you do?" Lily asked politely, curtseying again and Lwaxana let out a laugh.
"I have been looking forward to meeting you for two months and that's all I get?" Lwaxana asked and Lily's eyes widened.
"You have?" she said and Lwaxana nodded.
"Of course. I have never been a grandmother before." Lwaxana told her and Lily gave her a tiny smile.
"Don't you have something for Lwaxana?" Will asked Lily and the child's eyes widened.
"Oh, I forgot! Excuse me," Lily cried and ran into her room. Lwaxana's eyes followed her and then turned on Deanna and Will.
"She is absolutely beautiful. She reminds me of you when you a girl, Little One." Lwaxana said happily and shook her head. "She even resembles you."
"It's uncanny, isn't it?' Will said and pulled Deanna into his arms. She smiled up at him and he kissed her forehead.
"No...it's fate." Lwaxana answered him and he grinned at her. Lily ran back into the room with a small ivory colored box in her hand and tentatively handed it to Lwaxana. The woman opened it and with a small gasp, pulled out a long string of glass beads. They shone brilliantly in the room lights, each a different color as bright as the rainbow. They were arranged in a pattern of alternating color with a metal clasp in the design of a hummingbird to make it into a necklace.
"I made it myself. Uncle Geordi helped me drill the holes in the beads, but I strung it myself and picked out the clasp." Lily said and bit her lip, as she normally did when she was nervous. "Do you like it?"
"Oh, Little One. I love it!" Lwaxana said and in an abrupt movement grabbed Lily to her in an enormous hug. Lily froze for a second and then wrapped her arms around Lwaxana tightly. "I am going to wear it tonight at the party and tell everyone that my granddaughter made it especially for me. I have the perfect dress for it too."
"You really like it, Miss Lwaxana?" Lily asked, from her new position on Lwaxana's lap.
"What is this 'Miss Lwaxana' stuff?" Lwaxana asked, pulling back to give Lily a look.
"What should I call you?" Lily asked, innocently.
"What's wrong with 'Grandmother'?" Lwaxana replied and Lily's eyes grew wider, if that was at all possible.
"I can really call you that?" The child asked, in awe and at Lwaxana's nod, she sighed. "I've never had a grandmother before."
"Well, it is fun, Little One. We grandmothers get to spoil you grandchildren and never get in trouble for it!" Lwaxana said and tickled Lily, making her laugh. She stopped and Lily sighed happily, throwing her arms around Lwaxana's neck.
"Hi, Grandmother!" She cried and Lwaxana closed her eyes, hugging the child back.
"Hi, Little One."
Deanna leaned back in Will's arms and he rested his chin atop her head. His father and stepmother of 4 years, Catherine Pulaski, would be arriving the following day, making Will happier than ever. He and his father had grown closer in the past years, especially when Larah had died leaving him alone with Lily. Will had to admit, that while Kyle Riker had been a less than decent father, he was an amazing grandfather and doted on Lily. When Kyle had married Dr. Pulaski, Will had been happy for them both and it had added to his own life.
Will and Deanna sighed out of happiness at the same time, causing them to chuckle. Yes, their family was coming together and it was a wonderful sight to see.
Saturday AKA The Big Day
"Mommy, I can't find my shoes!" Lily cried from the bedroom.
"Check under your bed, Sweetheart!" Deanna said, trying not to sound too frazzled. Inside, however, she on the verge of a huge nervous breakdown. She had been up since 0600 this morning, pacing, and then had woken Lily up at 0900 only to find she had stayed up until 0130 from excitement and was exhausted. She kept falling asleep every time she sat down and Beverly was coming at 1130, which was in five minutes, to help with her hair and makeup. All Deanna had on was the underwear that would be under her dress and a long gray T-shirt that had been Will's, until she had claimed it.
Just as she was pulling on a robe, the door chime rang. Yelling for the person to come in as she ran to make sure her old fashioned iron was plugged in, Deanna barely mumbled a hello to Beverly. Eyes wide, Beverly peeked past her into the disheveled quarters. Suddenly an underwear clad little girl appeared from the guest bedroom.
"Lily, honey!" Deanna exclaimed. "I told you to put on your slip and then your bathrobe! Don't worry about your shoe for now. We can always replicate another one."
Beverly let loose a chuckle and Deanna whirled around to glare at her. "What is so funny?"
"Deanna, you have to calm down." Beverly said and led her over to the table. She pushed on Deanna's shoulders and forced her to sit. She quickly replicated a cup of hot chocolate for her and placing it in front of Deanna, told her to drink it and not move until it was empty. Beverly went to Lily and helped her get into her slip, then replicated another pair of white patent leather shoes. Deanna watched her and gave her a grateful smile, then noticed Lily's cautious glances at her.
"Oh, Sweetie, I'm sorry." Deanna said and sighed, realizing that she had been a little over the top. She reached out her arms and said, "Come here."
Lily didn't hesitate and ran to be wrapped in Deanna's warm embrace.
"It's okay, Mommy. Grandmother said you'd be a little scary." Lily said, her voice muffled because her face was buried in Deanna's chest.
"Oh she did, huh?" Deanna said and let out a laugh. Suddenly, the door opened to let the subject of conversation float in.
"Okay, Little One. Time to make you a bride." Lwaxana said and Deanna felt flutters in her stomach. A few hours later, Deanna found herself staring in awe at her reflection in a three-way mirror, that Beverly had replicated.
Her wedding gown was off-white and made her look skin look golden tan. It was an off-the-shoulder short-sleeved look that showed off her smooth shoulders. The top was cut in a sweetheart neckline and a corset type front that pushed her chest up to show the round swells of her breasts. The whole bodice was a complex style of beadwork in a pattern of roses and it shimmered and glowed in the light. As the gown went on it hugged her hips then flared out into a bell shape that was broken down into layers and layers of satin and crepe material. The back had a flowing train that she was absolutely crazy about. Deanna's dark hair was in a mass of upswept dark curls and placed at the top of her head was the headpiece. It was the type that looked like a tiara only this one had a soft veil that would just reach the small of her back. Lwaxana stepped forward and placed a strand of pearls around Deanna's neck, where they lay perfectly at her collarbone.
"You look like a princess, Mommy." Lily whispered in awe and Deanna felt tears spring to her eyes. That was just how she felt. Deanna looked around and gasped at the sight of her family. Just as she had been transformed, so had the three of them. She just hadn't noticed, due to her nerves.
Lily looked like an angel in her long off-white flower girl dress. It was spaghetti strapped and the bodice was the same beadwork as on Deanna's dress. At the waist it belled out to become entirely satin that continued with the rose pattern on it. Her hair was down, but in tiny curls matching Deanna's hair and a wreath of white rosebuds lay on top of her head. She wore elbow length white satin gloves and in her hands she clutched a bouquet of white baby roses. Attached to the stems was a long white satin ribbon with the rings on them.
Beverly wore a red strapless gown that hugged her until the waist, where it flared out slightly to become a bell shape similar to Deanna's skirt only not as full. It was satin and had no design, except going up the back was a row of at least 30 tiny buttons that secretly hid a zipper. Deanna would never be able to understand why her friend had cut her gorgeous red hair to her shoulders, but she had done it the previous week despite all protests. Beverly had said it was time for a change, but Deanna suspected it was to make the gray that was appearing her hair, which incidentally was actually a golden color, look more like highlights. However, at that instant it didn't matter. Beverly's hair was up in a French twist, with the golden streaks going back towards it, setting off her facial features that had softened with age. Her blue eyes still twinkled with the same hint of mischief that always seemed to appear in Lissa's own gaze.
Lwaxana, of course, had gone all out by wearing a dress of shimmering gold, but Deanna had to admit that it gave her mother almost a glow. Lwaxana's dark hair was up like her daughter's and mixed in were ribbons of gold and gold colored flowers. Her deep obsidian colored eyes, again so much like her own daughter, had a gold eye shadow above them, but it was outshone by the look of happiness that was in her eyes.
"We're ready." Beverly said aloud and the computer relayed the message to Jean-Luc as it was preprogrammed to do.
"We're ready here too." Jean-Luc's voice floated back to them and Lwaxana nodded at the three younger females.
"Let's get this show on the road," she said and after a minute of waiting in the room they found themselves outside of holodeck #4. Deanna was grateful that they had thought of a site-to-site transport, for she would have hated everyone walking around the ship in their dresses.
Standing before the door was Admiral Jonathan Hawthorn, the man who was going to give her away. He had become like an honorary member of the family since returning Will to them two months earlier. In fact, he and Deanna's father had been best friends during their Academy years. Only during their first meeting, he hadn't had time to find out that she was the same little girl that Ian Troi had always bragged about. When that fact came out later, she and him had spent a lot of time together talking about her father and what kind of man he had been. Two weeks ago, during their weekly video gram, she had gone on instinct and asked him to give her away. He had tearfully agreed on the behalf of his late friend.
"You look..." Jon trailed off, his eyes misting over. "Ian would be so proud of you. I know I am."
"Thank you, Jon." Deanna said, her own eyes beginning to tear. She blinked them away rapidly. If she made her makeup run before the ceremony even started, Beverly would kill her. Jon nodded to her and then hit his Starfleet communicator. He led her off to the side, where she couldn't be seen and they watched as Data led Lwaxana in, followed by Beverly, who was escorted by Geordi. Lily gave her a glance before taking a deep breath and heading in. Deanna smiled proudly as she heard voices coo over her and say how adorable she looked.
They heard the ancient Earth wedding march replace the wedding party's music and she felt Jon begin to move. Blindly, Deanna followed his lead and gasped at the sight she saw. The building that Will had personally created was enormous and filled with bright sunlight. The reason for this was that walls and high sloped ceiling were made of glass, letting the outside world that Will had created shine in. The view outside was made up of lush green hills spotted with groups of wild flowers, a bright blue sky, and a shining sun.
Looking around out of the corners of her eyes she could see that the church was full of friends, coworkers, and family, some of whom she had not even seen over the past years. They all grinned at her and she heard more than a few "I told you so"s and "It's about time"s as she passed. But when she was only two feet in front of Will, she could no longer see or hear anything or anyone else.
He looked dashing in his dress uniform and a white rosebud was delicately pinned on to his left lapel. His hair was freshly cut and his beard newly trimmed. His crystal blue eyes caught and held hers as Jean- Luc's words drifted over them. When he finally got to the important part it was Kyle Riker, acting as best man, who had to nudge Will and force them to pay attention. They both blushed and dragged their eyes from one another.
"Please take right hands. Do you William Thomas Riker take Deanna Elizabeth Troi to be your lawful wedded wife? To have and to hold from this day forward. For better or for worse, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?"
Will looked deep into Deanna's eyes and he smiled from within.
"I do." he said firmly. He squeezed her hand and she felt her heart skip at least four beats. Then it was her turn.
"Do you Deanna Elizabeth Troi take William Thomas Riker..."
Deanna looked into Will's eyes and knew that something was missing. She could sense that he felt it too and she heard his voice in her head.
Go ahead, Imzadi
Nodding, Deanna released his hands and turned to Jean-Luc.
"Just a second, please." Deanna interrupted him gently, and she heard several gasps from the audience.
Deanna ignored them and turned to where Lily sat on the front bench between Lwaxana and Catherine Pulaski-Riker. She held out her hand and Lily's eyes widened. She pointed to her chest and mouthed the word "me". Deanna nodded and Lily grinned, jumping up with her bouquet in her hand and rushed up the stairs. She was careful not to step on Deanna's dress as she made her way to stand between them. Deanna took hold of Will's hand again, but in her other, she took Lily's small one. Will took Lily's other hand so they formed a small circle. She met Will's gaze again and saw the complete love he held there and shivered. Deanna turned once more to a grinning Jean- Luc and nodded to him.
"Please continue." She said and it was he who nodded.
"As I was saying, do you Deanna Elizabeth Troi take William Thomas Riker to be your lawful wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward. For better or for worse, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?"
"I do." She answered him. As if she would have said anything else.
"The rings, please." Jean-Luc requested and Lily released Deanna and Will's hands to undo the ribbon on her bouquet. Jean-Luc told her to give the one for Will to Deanna first and she silently handed it to her new mother. Deanna brushed a finger down Lily's soft cheek, smiling at her and then looked at Will. As Jean-Luc talked about the symbol of the ring and its purpose, she slipped it onto his finger admiring the way the gold band shined in the light. Then she repeated the words that Jean-Luc was now telling her to say.
"I am my beloved and my beloved is mine," she said softly, making Will smile at her. The process with Lily was repeated and she handed Deanna's ring to her father, giggling softly as he winked at her. As Jean- Luc's words were said, Deanna gasped at the gorgeous ring that he slid on her finger. Instead of a plain gold band, the 18 carat gold ring gleamed with the 16 small diamonds encrusted on it. They were split into groups of two divided by small gold Xs.
"I am my beloved and my beloved is mine." Will said and she felt the tears falling freely now. She echoed one thought into his head and when tears appeared in his own eyes, she knew he had heard her.
Always
"And now, by the powers vested in me, I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Jean-Luc said somewhat smugly.
The whole mass of people leaned forward as one to catch this moment, but then and there only two people existed. Deanna looked into Will's soul and he looked into hers. He leaned forward and brought his lips to hers. Her eyes shut and she felt his tongue prod her lips. She let them part and wrapped her arms around his neck as he took his toll on her mouth. He in return wrapped his around her waist and pulled her close. They pulled apart, somewhat reluctantly and turned to realize they were not alone. The entire room was silent, but only for a few seconds. Then it erupted into a huge frenzy of screaming friends, family and coworkers, all clapping and shouting their heartfelt congratulations. Will bent down and lifted Lily to settle on his right hip, wrapping his left arm around Deanna's shoulder, pulling her close. They stood there, finally a family, and the cheering doubled in volume.
The wedding march played again only faster this time as their cue to leave. Will, with Lily clutching his neck, pulled Deanna down the aisle stairs and she followed, laughing. She was vaguely aware of the rice being thrown as they hurried outside the holodeck and were transported back into their quarters. It would serve as their room for the night, before they left for their 2-week honeymoon on Therian 2. Then they would come back to the Enterprise and it would take them to Betazed, where the other ceremony would take place. After that, it would be to their new home together on Will's ship the USS Legacy.
They changed for the reception with Deanna and Lily in one room and Will in the other. They wanted to take showers and Deanna insisted on blowing her hair straight, causing Lily to want hers straight too.
Deanna wore a sleek ivory sequined gown that came to just above her knees. She shifted and Will caught a glimpse of the back, or should he say the lack thereof. Unlike the extremely high front, it dipped low and came to just above the small of her back. She wore ivory heels that seemed to make her legs look longer and better toned. Her hair was pulled back and up by a diamond clip. A few tendrils were framing her face, accenting the excited look in her eyes. She was putting in a set of pearl earrings and her makeup was retouched. He was having trouble breathing just staring at her.
She, on the other hand, couldn't breathe at all.
The incredibly expensive suit that he wore had been a gift from Jean-Luc, Worf, Kyle, Geordi, and Data and he wore it like he was a born model. Will wore a white dress shirt underneath the black suit and a black tie completed the ensemble. Then she noticed he had the first two buttons undone on the jacket. She had the wildest urge to run to him and rip all of the buttons off of the suit and take the tie with it. And the shirt. And the pants. And the underwear...
Okay, she wanted him stripped and prime for the taking.
She blushed at her thoughts especially with their daughter in the next room and then realized he was shifting nervously from one foot to the other. Grinning she walked over and took his hand in hers. He lifted his head and looked into her eyes. Noticing her smile, he placed one on his own face and nodded towards the door.
"Ready to go? They'll be waiting for us," he said smiling his boyish smile. The chronometer on the mantle struck 1930 and Deanna smiled. It had already a little more than two and a half hours since the ceremony and knowing her husband, she was guessing he was a little anxious to party.
"Yes, let's go. Lily, sweetheart, come on." Deanna called to her, while putting the strand of pearls back on her neck. Lily ran in and Deanna held out her hand to her child. Lily wore a dress with a black velvet bodice and ivory colored, crepe, knee length, two-tiered skirt. She had wanted her hair done up in a French braid and Deanna had elaborated by entwining an ivory color ribbon throughout the braid as well. Lily swayed back and forth making her dress swish with her and Deanna swung her hand to get her attention.
"Let's go, Mommy. I wanna party!" Lily cried and Will laughed. Deanna just rolled her eyes and they all went back to the holodeck. When the doors opened, they grinned seeing that it had changed into a large ballroom. Light and music poured from the room and she saw everyone had arrived and were already dancing to the live band. Will nudged her and she looked to where he was pointing. She laughed when she saw Lwaxana dancing with Lissa to the fast song that was currently playing.
Suddenly the band stopped and Jean-Luc took the microphone. "Ladies and Gentleman, may present to you...Captain and Mrs. William Riker!"
A loud cheer went up with applause and they waved. Will grinned and waved his hand to band, letting them start playing again.
Lissa came running over and bounced up and down in front of them with Lwaxana following her, chuckling at the girl's exuberance.
"Hi, Aunt Deanna. Hi, Uncle Will." Lissa said giving them each a hug. She then turned to her best friend and grinned at her."Come on, Lily! This is so much fun!" Lissa yelled and that was the entire sentiment of the evening. Lwaxana pulled her new son-in-law out onto the dance floor with Deanna and none of them sat down other than to eat. The night faded away into a mixture of lights, music, laughter, and love.
{AUTHOR'S NOTE: Please forgive me but the only way my mind would let me write this last scene was in the way of a episode script. Please bear with me, but this is how I saw the end of my story. Hope you've enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.}
FADE IN: We hear the soft strains of 20th century jazz song, "It Never Entered My Mind" by Miles Davis.
We follow the camera slowly through the mostly empty hallways of the Enterprise that we know and love. We begin to enter into some familiar rooms.
Ten Forward: We see small groups of people at scattered tables, talking. A few couples on dates. A group left over from the reception still in their finery, having coffee.
Engineering: Crew monitoring the Warp Core, and making diagnostics. A female crewmember hands her report to the senior officer on duty and points out some things.
Sick Bay: ALYSSA OGAWA tending to a minor injury and a couple people lying on bio beds.
FADE OUT
FADE IN to the quarters of DATA:
(DATA is looking over something on his monitor, typing inhumanly fast with one hand and stroking Spot his cat with the other. Data stops as Spot nuzzles his hand and he gives almost a smile)
FADE OUT
FADE IN to GEORDI
(GEORDI is writing a letter on his PADD. He pauses briefly and gives a small secretive smile, then goes back to his letter. The camera pans around and we see it is addressed to Leah Brahms)
FADE OUT
FADE IN to WORF:
(WORF is cleaning his knives and daggers. He pauses and goes to check on his sleeping son, Alexander, then with a Klingon smile goes back to his weapons)
FADE OUT
FADE IN to WESLEY CRUSHER:
(WESLEY is reading a book on telemetry, or so it appears. As the camera moves around him, we see that he is actually reading some sort of comic book. He laughs and we, as the audience, want to laugh with him, seeing he is still the child we watched grow up)
FADE OUT
FADE IN to JEAN-LUC and BEVERLY PICARD:
(JEAN-LUC is lying on the couch in his quarters with BEVERLY snuggled up into his side. They are both in their nightclothes and both are fast asleep, each with a book on his or her chest. The camera pans down to the floor where we see LISSA, wide awake, playing with her kitten. She looks behind her at her sleeping parents and giggles into her hand, then goes back to the kitten)
FADE OUT
FADE IN to KYLE and CATHERINE RIKER
(KYLE and CATHERINE are eating a romantic candle lit dinner with a rose off to the side. She leans in with her fork and lets him eat off it and he does the same to her. They pause and kiss gently over the plate of food and then go back to eating)
FADE OUT
FADE IN to LWAXANA
(LWAXANA sits at her vanity and fingers the glass beads that Lily has given her and then gently traces her finger over a photograph sitting next to them. It is one of her, when she was younger, standing next to her young Starfleet husband, who holds their six-year-old daughter in his arms. They are all smiling. Camera shows the older version of Lwaxana's face and she is smiling through tears, but they are happy tears)
FADE OUT
FADE IN to LILY:
(LILY is sleeping in her parent's bed. A soft smile is on her face and she clutches a small teddy bear in her arms. Her hair is still braided from the reception and she is sleeping soundly. The camera slowly swings around to show the nearby night table where there sits an already developed picture of the three of them from the wedding. They are now a family and will be for a long time to come. The camera continues pan around the room and we see a soft light coming from the living room. The camera follows it. We pan up the legs of a couple to get to the faces of DEANNA and WILL. They are dancing softly to the last soft strains of the song, arms wrapped around each other and both of their eyes are closed)
The camera stays on them for a moment or two in order to absorb their complete happiness. Finally it pulls back, going through the hull and showing the Enterprise in its entirety. Stay on ship for a brief second as it travels through space.
FADE TO BLACK as the song ends