"Chakotay!" I exclaim as soon as I see him.
We stand in the middle of Starfleet grounds embracing like we haven't seen each other in three years instead of three months.
"I knew I would miss you."
"I missed you, too."
Chakotay leans down to give me a soft kiss. We both know that we need to get home before we can kiss like we want to, so we start moving.
"How did it go with Paris?"
"It was great. He's a wonderful pilot. We also finished the specs for the Delta Flyer."
"Delta Flyer?"
"That's the name I gave the shuttle we designed."
"I see. Anything exciting happen while you were out there."
"Something exciting happened, but it wasn't out there."
"You've only been home five minutes. How can something exciting have already happened here?"
"It hasn't."
Chakotay turns to me and takes me by the shoulders.
"Care to explain."
"Something exciting happened, but it was before I left. You see, I had successfully avoided Sickbay for three months before I had to get the physical to lift our ships quarantine. You know how it is when you want to go planetside after you've been in space."
Chakotay nods. I can see his patience dissolving.
"So I got my physical, and Dr. Toran was asking me some strange questions." Chakotay tightens his hold on my shoulders and looks like he is about to say something.
"Don't be concerned. He was just asking if I felt any different than normal since I'm three months pregnant."
"You're pregnant?"
"Yes. We're going to have a baby."
Chakotay picks me up and spins me in a tight hug.
"So instead of eight months, we'll only be out there five. Then Voyager will get a temporary Captain. I'm going to try to see if Tuvok will do it."
"We have to tell our parents. Which reminds me, mother and father surprised us yesterday with a visit."
"Do you think they know anything?"
"Perhaps. They haven't said anything, but my father especially is very close to the spirits."
"Let's go home then."
When I see my house in front of me I get an idea. Before we enter, I whisper in Chakotay's ear and throw myself in his arms.
"Momma, I found a couple puppies outside and have decided to keep them. One of them bites. I don't know about the other one. Is that okay with you?"
"Two puppies? What do they look like?" She shouts from the living room.
"I'll let you see them. I'll bring them to the living room."
"I only see one puppy, Chakotay. Is the other one hiding somewhere?"
"They're both here, momma. One's just very small at the moment."
Chakotay puts me down and places a hand over my abdomen.
"Kathryn?"
"Yes, momma?"
"You're having a baby?"
"Yes, momma."
"Oh, Kathryn!"
For a woman in her fifties, my momma moves very quickly. Before I know what's happening, I am enveloped in her arms, soon to be followed by my father's, Kolopak's, and Yatzil's.
Cupping my cheeks she asks in rapid succession, "How far along? Do you know the gender? How long are you taking maternity leave? When are we going to have your baby shower?"
I can tell she will keep going if I let her. "Momma, will you give me some time to answer your questions?" She just nods. "I am three months along. The conception date is the day after my birthday. I didn't want to find out the gender until I told Chakotay, so no on that front. I am taking a month's maternity leave before the baby arrives and six weeks after. We can have the baby shower at the beginning of my leave. Anything else?"
"Can I brag to Elizabeth?"
"Since when have you needed my permission for that? Though I must warn you, her son just finished designing one of the nicest shuttles I have ever seen. She'll be wanting to brag, too."
"No mother would ever think a shuttle is better than a baby. Just watch Elizabeth try."
"Yes, momma. Mother, may I ask something?"
"Of course."
"Did you or father know? Did the spirits tell you?"
"No. They only told us to come to Earth, but they didn't tell us why. I must tell you that I am pleased daughter."
"So am I, mother. I am also very tired. Dr. Toran asked me two days when I had my physical if I had been overly tired. But I wasn't until last night. Now I feel like I could sleep for days on end."
"My grandson needs the rest, so he can grow to be a great warrior like his father and his fathers before him."
"Well, father, I guess I should give the Little Warrior what he needs. I know I just got here, and you are all excited about the news. But if I don't go to bed now, I will probably fall asleep on the couch."
"We understand Kathryn. I was the same way with you and Phoebe. Dinner will be ready when you wake up."
"Thanks, momma. Good night everyone."
Chakotay and I go to our room. He tucks me into bed with the biggest dimpled smile I have ever seen.
"I love you more and more every single day my brave Woman Warrior."
"I am ready to meet our Little Warrior and tell him the ancient legend of the Angry Warrior."
"Our son will be lucky to have you as his mother, Kathryn."
"I can think of no one else I would rather have as the father of my children, Chakotay. I love you from the deepest part of my soul."
"Sleep well Kathryn. Our son obviously needs it."
"Good night."
With that, I slip peacefully into sleep.
