Star Trek Voyager characters are the property of Paramount Pictures
THE LOST YEARS
(R)
EPILOGUE
Kathryn gently picked up her sleeping daughter and carried her into the living room. Chakotay was sitting there reading, a small flat-nosed white dog at his feet, and he smiled when he saw his precious little girl fast asleep in her mother's arms.
"Looks like you've tired her out."
"Yes," Kathryn smiled. "Remind me to play ballet with her more often."
Chakotay laughed softly. As much as they both loved their daughter, she ran rings around them with her youthful energy and just watching her sometimes exhausted them both.
"She'll probably sleep for a couple of hours," Kathryn went on. "I'll put her to bed."
Chakotay put down his book and got to his feet. "I'll give you a hand."
He followed Kathryn to their daughter's room, and closed the pretty purple blind on the window to shut out the bright afternoon sun. The room was such a contrast now to the plain and empty room it once had been. On the floor was a fluffy pale purple carpet that matched the blind and curtains, and an abundance of toys filled the room from teddies and ragdolls to soft balls and starships. Cheerful nursery rhyme characters decorated the walls, and a small wardrobe and chest of draws shimmered the colors of the rainbow.
As Kathryn carefully removed Melissa's tutu, Chakotay pulled back the frilly purple covers on the bed. Then, when Kathryn had put their daughter down, he helped her to remove the tiny ballet slippers on the child's feet. Kathryn then pulled the covers over her daughter and kissed the little girl's temple.
"She looks so peaceful, doesn't she?" Chakotay commented as Kathryn drew away.
Kathryn nodded. "And I don't want that to change. I don't ever want that to change."
"Neither do I," Chakotay replied. "But she's going to grow up and have difficult times that to her will seem like the end of the world. When that happens, all we can do is be here for her."
"I know. I just wish...I just wish I could wrap her up in cotton wool and spare her from ever knowing pain or sorrow. But, as you say, they're a part of life and will be a part of hers..." She gazed wistfully at the beauitful sleeping child who, so far, had only known love and joy in her short life. "I just hope it's not for a very long time. These are her magic years, her innocent years, and that's how I want her to remember them...years full of laughter and happiness and love."
"And she will," Chakotay said, putting his hand on his wife's shoulder. "I'm certain that she will."
Kathryn was about to speak when a ball of white fluff passed her and jumped onto Melissa's bed. The little fluffy dog then lay down and wagged her tail.
"No, Snowy, honey," Kathryn laughed. "You mustn't sleep with Lisa."
She picked up the small dog and turned to her husband. "Come on. Let's get out of here before we wake our darling up."
Chakotay smiled. "Agreed."
He then kissed Kathryn's cheek, and they quietly left the room together.
THE END