Author's Note: Keep in mind; this is totally AU- my universe, my rules! Thanks for the reviews! Don't forget to keep reviewing! Thanks to all who have! I decided to skip ahead a few years to Evelyn and Chakotay remembering stuff. Don't get confused, this is just a little intermediary chapter to explain some things.

He held his niece in his lap, as she looked up at him, her eyes wide and full of tears.

"Do you miss her Uncle Chakotay?"

"Kathryn?" Evelyn nodded her head as she looked up at her cousins, playing with their Christmas gifts.

"What happened to my mommy?" she asked, taking hold of his sweater and leaning against his chest.

"It's a long story- I don't think you're ready to hear about it."

"Please?"

"Some other time Evelyn." His tone became terse and she relinquished her grasp of his sweater and slid off his lap.

As she stood, staring at the Christmas tree, she quickly shut her eyes. There she was, her mother. If she closed her eyes, she could see her. Her mother's long brown hair, her smile and her eyes filled her memory. A small smile formed on her mouth as she let the few memories she had of her mother take over her mind. Chakotay looked at his little niece, so small, yet so strong. Just like Kathryn, and Phoebe.

He remembered how thrilled Kathryn had been when Evelyn was born. How her eyes sparkled with tears as she held her niece in her arms. He loved the way she smiled up at him and whispered little endearments into Evelyn ears. All Kathryn's worries seemed to melt away as she held the baby; she was at peace with the child in her arms. He whished so many times that Evelyn was his daughter, his and Kathryn's, that way he would have a piece of her with him, always. But now all he had was a photograph and the necklace that Evelyn wore.

Evelyn's hands found the necklace that hung around her neck, and as she traced the outline of the heart pendant, she found a small clasp. Her eyes flew open and she quickly fumbled with the little hinge. The heart split in half to reveal two pictures: one of a man and woman she didn't know and one of her uncle and a really pretty lady. She looked over her shoulder at her uncle who sat in his chair, gazing at the Christmas tree.

"Uncle Chakotay?"

"Yes Evelyn?" he answered as she walked toward him and sat on his lap. She took the necklace off her neck and gave it to him. "Who are these people?" she pointed to the picture of the man and woman on the left.

"The lady is your mother, Phoebe. And the man, he's your father, Eric."

"Who's the lady next to you?"

"That's Kathryn."
"She's pretty."

"Yes she is." Chakotay tore his gaze away from the picture and sighed.

"I wish I knew them, I wish they knew me."
"They know you Evelyn, they know you."

"Do you miss Kathryn?" he ran a hand through his hair.

"Yes."

"Dinner!" Anna called from the hallway. All the children sprang up from their spots on the floor and Evelyn hopped off Chakotay's lap. "Come on Uncle Chakotay! It's time for Christmas dinner!" He rose slowly from his chair and looked out the window and up at the stars. "Merry Christmas Kathryn."

"If I never knew you
If I never felt this love
I would have no inkling of
How precious life can be"- Pocahontas