Sorry this took so long...my graduation party is this weekend and my parent's have been slave driving me! I hope you all enjoy it! And don't worry, for those of you who aren't crazy about too much sap, it's really only heavy in this chapter...the two short chapters after this are fairly sap free. Enjoy!

"Mommyyyyyy! Don't I look pretty?"

Kathryn turned from the mirror and smiled at her daughter…her daughter. It was still so strange to her to see this laughing, playing child who was very nearly the mirror image of her, and to know that once she carried her in her body. And not very long ago either, from my perspective, she thought wryly. She watched Katie continue to twirl, her dress floating around her. The little girl had picked it out on her own, and Kathryn had the suspicion she modeled it after a dress from a fairy tale. It looked very similar to the dress worn by Princess Aurora in Disney's version of Sleeping Beauty, only it was a pale pink, nearly the color of cotton candy. Kathryn was sure she'd never seen a little girl look prettier.

"You look gorgeous, my dear. Just like a little princess." Katie beamed. "You're very lucky to be able to wear pink. I couldn't when I was your age. Actually, I really can't get away with it now, either."

"Because your hair was red as carrots." Katie said cheerfully.

"That's right." Kathryn took one last look in the mirror before turning to her daughter. "Well, how do I look?"

"Like a princess."

"Flattery will get you everywhere."

Gretchen joined Katie in the doorway and smiled softly at her daughter. "You look beautiful, Kathryn."

She hadn't wanted to wear too elaborate a dress. She had been to several civilian weddings where the bride was wearing a huge confection of white, and she had been to plenty of Starfleet weddings where the bride was wearing her drab dress uniform. Kathryn was actually partial to her dress uniform, but Starfleet was no longer using that style. The new dress uniforms were white with gold braiding, and while they were nice, they were still white, and she didn't want to wear white. "Too clichéd." She told her mother. So she tried to come up with something fancier than a dress uniform, and something less extreme than a traditional bridal gown.

What she finally came up with was, she thought, quite nice. Her mother was wearing pale lavender, B'Elanna was wearing pale green, and Katie was wearing pale pink, so Kathryn decided to wear pale blue, so pale it was nearly white. It was made out of a shimmering iridescent material, and really, it was quite lovely. It complemented her blue eyes and auburn hair perfectly. It was a strapless A-line that reached her feet, and under the dress she wore shoes of the same color. Her long hair was piled on her head with a few curls framing her face, and she wore a wreath of blue and white flowers in her hair, the same flowers which she carried in a small bouquet. Her mother had insisted on the bouquet, claiming it was tradition. And as Gretchen was a staunch traditionalist, Kathryn was disinclined to argue with her. But overall, the effect was quite stunning. She could barely be recognized as the Starfleet captain she had once been. Today, she looked like a woman in love, who was getting married.

"You're sure it's not too much?" she asked her mother anxiously.

"It's not enough, as far as I'm concerned. I wore a veil when I was married."

"Well, I have no patience for a veil. I don't even have much patience for this. I almost can't wait to be able to change."

"Into one of those hideous long dresses you have?" Gretchen scrunched up her face. "Try showing a little leg, Kathryn."

"Mother!" Kathryn stole a glance at Katie, who seemed rather oblivious. "That's a bit inappropriate."

"For God's sake, you're in your forties; you can do what you want at this point."

"Actually, I'm not." She said smugly. "Five years in a stasis chamber has seen to that."

"I'm glad you've gotten over it."

"What woman wouldn't be thrilled to be five years younger than she should be?" Kathryn tugged the dress up. "Are you sure this is okay? Maybe I should put straps on it or something. This really isn't me. I don't look silly?"

"You look gorgeous. Take another look. It's impossible to miss."

She glanced in the mirror again. It really wasn't her; it was a stranger staring back at her. Captain Janeway didn't wear strapless dresses and flowers in her hair. She didn't have an elaborate hair do and a flower girl or a matron of honor. Captain Janeway didn't even have a husband.

But apparently, Kathryn Janeway had all of that.

"Captain, you look beautiful." B'Elanna, her bump draped with a pale green tea length dress, came into the room with them. "You're going to knock everyone's socks off."

Kathryn smiled wryly. "I'll assume that's an expression you've picked up from your husband. And thank you, B'Elanna." She hesitated. Starfleet captains were supposed to maintain some distance from the officers who served under them, but really, she wasn't B'Elanna's commanding officer anymore. There was no reason for them not to be friendlier with each other. "B'Elanna…I'm not your captain anymore. I would actually rather not be called that. Voyager's not my ship, and a captain isn't a captain without a ship."

"Voyager was always your ship." B'Elanna smiled. "Even once Tuvok was officially given command, it still always felt like your ship."

"Thank you, B'Elanna. But you are my matron of honor. I think calling me Kathryn would be more than appropriate."

B'Elanna opened her mouth to argue, but then closed it seeing the look on Kathryn's face. "I'll try."

"That's all I ask. Well, it looks like we're all ready." Kathryn looked out the viewport and smiled. "It looks like a beautiful day."

"That was so much fun, landing the ship!" Katie said. "Edward and me stared out the window the whole time."

"It was exciting, wasn't it?" she smiled at her daughter. "I remember the first time we landed this ship. It was a little unnerving."

"It was at that." B'Elanna said. "It was rare to feel Voyager shake like that."

"Unless we were under attack."

"Unless that, yeah."

"Okay, no talking about attacks on Kathryn's wedding day!" Gretchen said in a singsong voice. "Let's get going here. Computer, how much of the crew is left on the ship?"

"There are fifteen crew members on board"

"Is Commander Chakotay still on board?"

"Negative."

"There you see? They're probably all waiting for us. We should get going." She threw a sly look at her daughter. "You know, hundreds of years ago, a mother would have a little chat with her daughter on her wedding day. She would tell her what…attentions to expect from her husband on her wedding night. Perhaps I should sit you down and have a little chat with you."

"Oh, yes please, let's do that." Kathryn said sarcastically. "Because my two children were created through Immaculate Conception, and honestly I have no idea what to expect."

"What's that mean?" Katie asked.

"Never mind. Grandma's just being silly." She shot Gretchen a look. "Come on, honey. Let's go get Mommy married."

Chakotay tapped his foot nervously as he waited in the clearing with the rest of the crew. Every now and then Tom would pat his shoulder, and he would calm down for a minute or two, but then the tapping would start up again. He couldn't believe he was so nervous. It was ridiculous. He was getting married, not facing a firing squad…or a Cardassian. In fact, he hadn't ever been this nervous, even when he was facing a Cardassian.

He gazed around at the set up Tuvok had surprised him with. Honestly, he hadn't remembered the Vulcan being so…human. But he supposed the past seven years – the war, the loss of life, the bonding with one crew, and the aftermath of it all – had done more to humanize him than anything that came before. The fact that he had arranged all this showed a side to him that Chakotay hadn't expected existed. But then, Tuvok always did have a soft spot for Kathryn.

They were having the wedding in the clearing where their house had stood just a day or two ago. Since Voyager had come for them, the crew assigned to clean up had been thorough in their duty. Nothing remained of seven years of their lives; it was all disassembled in Cargo Bay 2. The house – the original modular shelter and the wooden extensions -, the woodshop he built three years ago, the shuttle Kathryn had been housed in, the playhouse for the kids, all of it was gone. Even the gardens had been transformed back to the plain ground it had been seven years ago. Indeed, it looked as though they had never lived there.

Chakotay might have been upset about it if he had seen it before Tuvok had ordered the 'modifications', as he put it. But what he saw now made up for it. He knew that the life he had lived here with Kathryn and their children couldn't be forgotten just because the setting no longer existed; if that were the case, his entire childhood would have been forgotten, because he knew the village where he grew up had been destroyed. It didn't matter how many houses he lived in or how many times he moved around. It was the memories he took with him, and he knew that the memories he had made on New Earth would be with him forever. So while he felt a twinge of sadness to see his home was gone, he was gratified that this would be the place where he and Kathryn would be joined together. God, Chakotay, he thought wryly. Grow a pair and stop being a sap.

But it was hard for him not to be a little 'sappy', especially on his wedding day, and especially after what Tuvok had done to the clearing. Shimmering ribbons were draped throughout the trees around the clearing, and much of the ground was covered with red and white rose pedals. A large white arch was wrapped with pink climbing roses. A flower strewn aisle made its way from the entrance of the clearing to the arch, bisecting the white chairs for the crew to sit in. It was simple, yet elegant. He was sure Kathryn would like it, and he was rather impressed that Tuvok had arranged it all.

The foot tapping continued. Tom patted him on the back, but this time it didn't work. Tom sighed.

"All right, old man. I know its a little nerve wracking, but you really need to knock it off with that foot tapping."

"I can't help it." Chakotay hissed. "Something will go wrong. Something always does."

"Nothing will go wrong. You'll get married and we'll head back to Earth. Happily ever after, Chakotay."

Chakotay snorted. "Right. That's what I thought when she was pregnant."

"And it happened, didn't it? It might have taken five years, but you've finally gotten everything right, haven't you?"

Chakotay glared at Tom. "I appreciate what you're doing, but things like this never go right, for either one of us. Her track record and mine speak for themselves."

"You're reading too much into things. I didn't exactly have the best track record either, and look at me now. I'm very happily married. I'm very happy with my life…now. We went through a lot of tough times, just like you and Captain Janeway, but everything worked out. You'll see."

Chakotay rolled his head and heard his neck crack. He winced. "We'll see."

Tuvok came walking through the crowd which had already formed to join them under the arch. "Are you ready, Commander?"

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be." He said nervously.

Tuvok raised an eyebrow high on his forehead. "Indeed." He tapped his combadge. "Tuvok to Commander Torres. Are you ready to proceed?"

"We're on our way."

Tuvok nodded to Harry, who was off to the side with the band he had put together several years ago. Harry gestured to them, and they prepared themselves to play. Chakotay nudged Edward, who had been standing next to him fidgeting silently and keeping an iron hold on the little pillow in his hands. He looked up and smiled at his father.

"Do you want to go wait for them so you can walk with your sister?"

Edward shook his head. "No, Daddy. I want to stay here with you."

"Are you sure? You'll get lots of attention."

"Katie would like that better than me." His son said, grinning.

Chakotay grinned back and ran a hand over Edward's head. Then his gaze headed over to the clearing opening, and his foot started tapping again.

"Commander, I am detecting apprehension in your demeanor. There is nothing to worry about. The ship is on lock down, and this is the logical conclusion to your relationship with Captain Janeway." Tuvok said evenly.

Chakotay rolled his eyes. "Like I told you when you first got here, logic doesn't have much to do with it, Tuvok."

"All human men are nervous before getting shackled, Tuvok." Tom said cheerfully. "If you'll recall, I was a nervous wreck."

"Yes." Tuvok said, almost sardonically. "A wreck is exactly how you could have been described."

Tom winked at Chakotay. "He's just bitter because of all the Romulan Ale we got him to drink at the bachelor party. That reminds me…when we get home, we all owe you a night of carousing and debauchery."

Chakotay let out a short laugh. "Run that by Kathryn and see what she says."

"Umm….no thanks, never mind."

"Torres to Tuvok."

"Yes, Commander?"

"We're at the entrance to the clearing."

"Acknowledged." Tuvok signaled to Harry, and the band began to play Pachelbel's Canon. The crew quieted down and turned to watch the procession.

B'Elanna came walking out first. She smiled gracefully at everyone, and made her way to stand opposite Tom. She smiled reassuringly at Chakotay, recognizing the expression on his face as the one of near-horror that most grooms wore. She was followed by Katie, who was taking her role as flower girl to the limit, prancing and posing and beaming at the crowd. They were eating it up, oohing and ahhing and altogether making the little girl's day. Tom leaned over and whispered to Chakotay. "You'd better watch out, old man. Before you know it, she's going to be a vid star and there'll be no downsizing that ego." Chakotay smirked, but all the same he couldn't help being just as awed by his beautiful little girl. He watched as she liberally tossed pink rose pedals out of a little white basket. She took her time making it to the arch at the front, as she greeted nearly everyone she passed and even took the time to stop and shake some hands. Tom is right, Chakotay thought. She's turning into a little ham. Next thing I know, she'll be in public office or something.

Katie finally made it up to B'Elanna, but not before grinning at her father and practically shouting "Hi, Daddy!", at which the crew laughed gently. Then, the music changed to the traditional 'Wedding March' (at Gretchen's insistence and Kathryn's chagrin), and all eyes were watching for the bride.

As much as Gretchen had insisted on tradition, Kathryn had also insisted on her own little concessions. Her father wasn't there to 'give her away', so to speak, so she had asked that her mother have that honor. Gretchen had been slightly unsure, but Kathryn had merely rolled her eyes and stated that plenty of mothers walked their daughters down the aisle, and that her mother was being ridiculously archaic. So Gretchen grudgingly gave in, and now she appeared with her daughter, their arms linked and identical smiles on their faces.

The crewmembers who served under Captain Janeway had never seen her like this, so she wasn't surprised to hear an audible gasp of shock rise from the crowd. The shock quickly wore off though, and she received nothing but warm and encouraging smiles as she made her way to the arch. She caught Chakotay's eye, and for the rest of the ceremony, they didn't stop looking at one another.

The ceremony went by quickly, and it incorporated characteristics not only from Starfleet and the Federation, but from Kathryn's Christian background and Chakotay's tribal one. There were several Mayan blessings spoken, and a parable that they had asked Neelix to read. Kathryn was glad for that, because she had felt guilty that they weren't having a traditional ceremony in the way of Chakotay's people. But he had insisted that this be mostly the way her mother wanted it. "After all, my parents aren't here for us to please. She's here, and she's already upset that we're not waiting to get home so she can throw an elaborate wedding. Let's indulge her. It's the least we can do. When we get home, we can have a small tribal ceremony with my remaining family if you'd like. But I'm honestly okay with this. It doesn't matter to me how we get married, as long as we do. Let your mom have this. As long as I have you, I don't care."

They spoke their own vows, and exchanged the slim silver rings that were resting on Edward's little pillow. Harry played a hauntingly beautiful clarinet solo for them, Tuvok said a few more words, and before they knew it, the crew was cheering as Tuvok pronounced them husband and wife, and Chakotay soundly kissed the bride. He pulled away from her, the crowd still clapping and cheering, and smiled at her. "Finally." He whispered.

"Not a moment too soon." She whispered back.

The chairs were quickly assembled around tables transported from Voyager, and Neelix had the buffet transported down. The band played, there was dancing, eating, champagne toasts and laughing. Kathryn even followed the age old tradition of tossing the bouquet. It was caught by a young ensign in life sciences, and she blushed to the roots of her dark hair, and was of course subjected to some good natured ribbing. The crew hadn't had much chance for downtime lately, so this was really a relief for them. And Kathryn and Chakotay hadn't been around a crowd of people in many years, so it was a welcome change, the beginning of many new welcome changes, they hoped. As for Katie and Edward, they had never been around a crowd of people before. They had never been to a party, or really danced much to music. They had never seen a band in person. Kathryn watched them as she danced with her husband, watching as they twirled around with Neelix's little grandson. She felt a momentary pang of sadness for all they had been denied. They hadn't just been living without a mother; they had been living without socialization. It was no wonder Katie never kept her mouth shut. She was probably making up for all the years of having only her brother and father to talk to. I'll make it up to them, she promised silently. I'll give them everything they could ever hope for. I'll take them everywhere and show them everything. They'll always be happy.

"A credit for your thoughts, wife." Chakotay murmured in her ear.

She smiled. "Is that all they're worth?"

"They're worth every star in the universe."

"Ugh. What are you turning into?"

"Only what you made me." They laughed. "Really, what are you thinking so hard about?" He twirled her under his arm and then pulled her close again. "You looked like you were solving a calculus equation."

"Nothing so mind intensive, I assure you. No, I was thinking about the kids. I can't wait to get them back to the Federation. I feel so guilty that they haven't had other kids to play with."

He stroked her back. "You have nothing to feel guilty about. None of this was either of our faults. It was just fate, Kathryn."

She smiled up at him. "Well, from where I'm standing now, it looks like fate turned out pretty well."

The crew transported back to Voyager just before sunrise. It had been a long, fun filled night. The dancing and merrymaking had gone on for hours, and no one had wanted to break it up. Little by little people trickled back to the ship, until finally, Tuvok and the Janeway's were the only one's left.

"Well, Kathryn. I think I'll head back with Tuvok." Gretchen said, yawning. "I'm getting too old to be doing this."

"Captain, Commander. We'll be breaking orbit in a few hours. If you feel the need to…spend a few last moments here, I suggest you do it now. I'll be having everything transported up shortly."

"Thank you, Tuvok. For everything." Kathryn tentatively gave her Vulcan friend a hug, which he gingerly returned.

"No thanks are needed, Captain. Consider it a gift." He turned to Gretchen. "Mrs. Janeway?"

Gretchen gave her daughter and son-in-law a hug, then brushed a kiss on the forehead of each child asleep on two nearby chairs. Then she nodded to Tuvok.

"Tuvok to Voyager. Two to beam up."

They watched as they disappeared in two rays of blue light. Then Kathryn sighed and looked around the clearing. "It's hard to believe we lived here once. It's even harder for me to believe all the years you lived here without me."

Chakotay wrapped his arms around her. "I never want to live without you again."

"Not if I can help it." She kissed him briefly, then nodded towards the twins. "What should we do with them?'

He glanced at the sky. "The sun will be rising in a minute or two. Let's wake them up, so we can watch this last sunrise as a family."

She nodded, and picked up Edward while he picked up Katie. The children moaned and squirmed, but they were eventually able to get them on their feet. Edward squinted up at his mother with displeasure. "Mommy, why can't we ever sleep?"

"You can sleep when we go back to the ship. But we're going to be leaving soon. Don't you want to say good-bye to this planet?"

"Yes." He said. Katie nodded sleepily.

"Good." Chakotay pulled some chairs over to the opening of the clearing, which overlooked a hilly valley below. "Come on, let's sit down and watch."

Katie climbed onto her mother's lap while Edward sat on his father's. Each child snuggled up to a parent. The early morning was mildly chilly, and tiny puffs of air could be seen as they breathed. As they watched, the last of the stars disappeared and the sun began to rise above the hills, so similar to the sunrises on Earth, but so different because Kathryn and Chakotay knew it wasn't the same. They knew they didn't really belong here; it had been a home for a little while, but now their real home was waiting.

"Mommy?" Katie asked softly. "Will we ever come back?"

"I don't know, Katie. But you'll always remember this place. It was our first home together, and even though I couldn't really share it with you, I was still here."

Chakotay hugged his son closer and leaned his head against Kathryn's. "You know guys, there's a belief in my tribe that everywhere you go, you leave a little piece of yourself behind, like an echo. I think that a part of all of us will always live on here. Even though our house is gone and there's nothing left to show we lived here, I know that one day, whoever lives here next will know that we were happy. And we were happy, weren't we?'

"We were, Daddy." Edward said. "You weren't, not until Mommy woke up."

Kathryn looked at her husband with tears in her eyes. "Well, I'm awake now." She said softly.

"And now we can all be happy." He whispered.

They finished watching the sun rise. Finally, the blue sky was completely overhead, and they could hear the birds twittering around in the trees. They knew it was time to go.

They stood up, each of them with a child in their arms. "Say good-bye, kids." Chakotay said hoarsely. "Remember our first home. I think it'll always remember us."

The twins said sleepy good-byes, and Chakotay locked eyes with Kathryn. "Good-bye," they both said. They gazed once more upon the land that had been theirs for so many years. Then Kathryn tapped her combadge, and a few moments later, they disappeared in a blue haze.

TBC