I get my things together the next day, and Chakotay, Kole, and I beam to our house. In all my life, I can't remember feeling more exhausted. Giving birth was physically, emotionally, and mentally trying, but looking at Kole makes it all worth it. By my recollection, I have been waiting for over 40 years to have a baby. Delta Quadrant me would've been lucky to find a way home soon and hope for a baby, but I know I wouldn't have risked having a life, let alone a child, while I was captaining a Starship.

"Kathryn… Kathryn!"

Chakotay's voice brings me out of my musings.

"Yes?"

"You looked like you were a million miles away."

"No. More like 75,000 lightyears."

"I can't imagine that life. Everything we had both gone through. Especially not now, not when I see you standing there holding our son in your arms."

"I can, and it makes me sad to think about how much I loved you. But I couldn't jeopardize the possibility of getting my crew home by having an intimate relationship with you."

"It's okay, sweetheart. I can tell you what I was probably thinking. I probably looked deep into your eyes and knew. I saw through your Captain's mask and knew you loved me as much as I loved you. I promised to make your burdens lighter, and would've done my best to see that promise through. No matter where or when we are, know that I love you Kathryn Janeway."

"I love you, too. Now why don't you change our son and get him to sleep while I take a long overdue bath."

"Would you like me to bring you a cup of coffee?"

"I would, but no. The doctor still wants me to limit my caffeine since I'm breastfeeding. But thanks. If I'm not out in 45 minutes, I probably fell asleep."

"I'll check. Don't take much longer than that though. Our family is coming over tonight. And momma told me to tell you to be prepared to pose for lots of holos."

"Of course she did. It's hard to brag to her book club without some evidence of how precious Kole is."

"That's the reason she gave. Now go enjoy your bath. I'll take our son off your hands."

I hand Kole over to Chakotay and watch as he cradles him close to his chest. He bends down and kisses Kole's forehead before looking back up at me and giving a broad grin and a wink.

As I step into my hot bath, I feel like the most fortunate woman in the world. Not only do I have my daddy, but I have my soulmate and a beautiful son. It's hard to compare this present with the other timeline – the Voyager timeline.

I think about how it would've been had it all worked out like I thought it would. I was supposed to crash into that Krenim vessel and reset a year. Daddy still would've been dead. The Cardassians still would've decimated Trebus. And I would've been a lifetime away from home. Nothing significant would've changed. I never imagined the far reaching implications. Though I guess I should've. If Annorax could wipe out millions of years of history from Delta Quadrant planets, it's not so crazy that he could affect 15 years of my life.

I realize how deep I have been in my thoughts when I register how cold the water has become. I look up after I set the water to drain and see Chakotay leaning against the door frame.

"I was just coming in here to tell you to hurry up, but you looked so beautiful."

At this point, I am standing in the tub, ready to get out, wearing nothing. Chakotay grabs the towel off the wall and wraps it around me.

"Don't tempt me woman. Just know that if I had time and the all clear, I would not have covered you in this towel."

"If I would've had time and the all clear, I wouldn't have bathed alone. Now go start dinner while I get ready."

"This is just a rain check, Missus."

"I'll be sure to cash in when the weather is better. Now move. You wouldn't want our parents to go hungry."

I get dressed and made up quickly and head to check on Kole. As I look into the crib Chakotay made, I see Kole's blue eyes stare up at me. I take him from his crib, and he immediately roots around. While I nurse him, I sit in the rocking chair and talk to my son.

"Hello, my beautiful little warrior, my Littlebird. I have waited a long time for you. Ever since I met your father, I wondered what our children would be like. I imagined them being as handsome as their father, and you are. You are what I've always wanted. Though I do hope your eyes stay blue. Just so you look a little like me."

I am still rocking with Kole at my breast when I hear the door chime.

I make to stand when I see my momma and my mother enter the room.

"Don't get up on our account dear. We just came to take a few holos and dote on our only grandchild."

"Isn't he beautiful? He looks so much like Chakotay."

As we look down at Kole he gives a facsimile of a smile, and I see his dimples for the first time.

"Just like Chakotay." I feel a maternal pride swell in me as I think of the fact that I created this little human.

"I hope his eyes stay that color. We did have ancestors with blue eyes, so it is possible."

"Can I hold this little charmer?" My momma says already reaching for Kole.

As soon as she has him in her arms, his face scrunches up and my momma starts laughing. "He looks just like your daddy."

Yatzil and I both peer over her shoulder before joining her laughter. Kole looks just like when my daddy was telling the Cardassians about how we found their weapons depot – scrunched up and very serious.

"Whenever women are laughing together, I get worried. What's so funny?" In tandem we turn to my father before laughing harder.

At this point Kolopak leans towards the baby. "He looks just like you Edward."

When our laughter gets louder, the men in my family realize what exactly we were laughing about the whole time.

Before my momma can drop him, my daddy takes Kole into his arms.

"Don't let those mean women say anything to you. One more of you, and the men won't be outnumbered anymore."

"It's cute daddy. We were only laughing because it was uncanny. With those blue eyes and raised eyebrow, he looked like mini Admiral Janeway."

"That's a good thing. He was born with something that takes many Starfleet officers years to master – your mother's death glare."

"Edward…" The warning in my momma's voice only makes my daddy bolder.

"Mrs. Janeway? It may be called the 'Janeway death glare,' but I learned it from you my dear wife."

The humor around the room fills me with joy and brings me back to the other Kathryn. How much happier I am this time around.

"I'm starving. Kole eats more than a fully grown Klingon." I say when I feel my stomach rumble.

"Dinner's ready." Chakotay says as he puts his hand on my lower back.

Chakotay made vegetable biryani, and my momma brought brownies. The food is delicious, and the conversation is simple.

"I can't wait to go to my book club tomorrow."

"Gretchen, you've been in that book club for 12 years. Have you read any of the books yet?"

"Of course Edward. Why else would I go?"

"It could have to do with those holo images you've been snapping since we got here."

"The women like seeing holos. Besides, I'll have you know that I have read most of the books."

"Of course dear." My daddy shakes his head slightly, and everyone snickers.

"Where are Phoebe and Sekaya?" I ask.

"Phoebe took Sekaya to her art gallery. She's very interested in learning what types of art are prevalent here. She works with sand, wood and beads. Painting with oils and canvas isn't an art form much utilized on Trebus." Yatzil's answer doesn't surprise me.

"I have a good feeling that they will be swapping techniques then. Phoebe always likes to work with new mediums, and Sekaya will enjoy the challenge."

"You did say something about stubborn being a family characteristic, daughter."

"Yes, well, I'm ready to see what they come up with."

Both sets of parents look at each other before smiling slyly.

"It is time for us to leave children. You have a series of long nights ahead of you." Kolopak stands before extending his hand to Yatzil. My daddy does the same for my momma.

"Night Goldenbird. Give Littlebird my love." My daddy and momma both kiss my forehead before Kolopak and Yatzil hug me.

After everyone leaves, I decide to head to bed after putting Kole down. He wakes up every couple hours to be fed, and I wake up feeling more and more tired. I realize how long the next few weeks are going to be, and I'm glad I took extended maternity leave.

…..

Eight weeks pass in much the same manner. Since I had Kole so early into my maternity leave, I have nine weeks scheduled with him before I have to go back to Voyager. Today my family is heading to Trebus to introduce Kole to his tribe. This is the only Anam celebration that is not held at night. Being new life, it is held as the sun breaks through the darkness and begins lighting the sky.

We take Voyager to Trebus, and my crew is excited to meet the reason for my absence. Many of my crew are members I requested because they served with me aboard DQ Voyager. It's hard to know that I can't tell them why I requested them, but it is a great comfort knowing I am surrounded by people I consider family.

The trip to Trebus is short, and our stay has to be even shorter. I only have a few days before command is transferred back to me.

The night before the ceremony, both families stay in Kolopak and Yatzil's home. The close quarters means that everyone wakes up often. Before any of us realize it, we must depart for Anam.

It is still dark out when I hand Kole to the tribal leader. His wife takes ashes and traces out a copy of Chakotay's tattoo on Kole's forehead. The rest of the tribe forms a circle around my family and the tribal leader. As the sun peaks out over the horizon, the leader begins to speak.

"There is never a more blessed occasion than the birth of a new life. Edward Kolopak Janeway is a child of two tribes. Both tribes are loyal and blessed. He will be raised as a product of those tribes. Surrounded by love and protected by the Spirits. He will walk a path not lonely like many believe to be the fate of a child of two traditions. No. His road will be lined by both tribes leading him in the right direction. As the sun rises higher in the sky, so does his spirit rise. This beautiful land given by the Spirits, and protected by them through his mother will be the land of many of his peoples. Beneath a great tree on a planet far away, he will feel connected to the other half of his peoples. Edward Kolopak Janeway proudly wears the markings of both – the coals upon his forehead and his eyes shaded like dusk. Anam gives its blessing."

"Anam." I hear from all around. For the next hour, each member of the tribe comes up and touches Kole's forehead where the tattoo lies, gives their blessing, and departs for their homes.

My family heads for Kolopak's home as the sun is nestled fully in the sky.

The last ten weeks have been more than I could've hoped for, but there is much left to plan and much more to accomplish. As much as I will hate being away from my son, I have to return to Voyager.