Disclaimer: This is an original story based upon the characters of Battlestar Galactica. No profit will be made from this story (except my own personal enjoyment) and no copyright infringement intended.

Author's Note: Thank you to all who read, and to those who reviewed the last chapter. I enjoyed writing it, so I hope that you enjoyed reading it. I am so glad there is a world of fan fiction out there. It helps me miss Laura (and Bill) less. I hope you enjoy the next installment.

He built them a little nest away from the general crowd. It was just one of the standard canopies, but as he set it up he imagined himself chopping logs and stacking them together for a cabin. He smiled at the thought. He had done some woodwork in high school, and had been good at it. He imagined making a fireplace, and carving their initials into the mantle. He would carve her a shelf to put the picture of the two of them, the picture of Zak and Lee as boys, and the picture of her and Billy together. Those were the only possessions they had any more, the only things they couldn't bear to leave behind. He would build her a porch that she could sit out on and watch the beautiful world around them.

It was her coughing that brought him back to reality.

Even now she still tried to smother it for his sake.

He moved towards her immediately, taking his water canteen and bringing it to her lips.

"You okay?" he asked gently, after it had past.

She nodded slowly.

"This is almost done," he said as he gave her a quick kiss on her mouth, "And then you and I are going to watch the sunset together."

She smiled lovingly at him, reaching up a hand and caressing his cheek with her thumb. "I'll be waiting."

The canopy was finished, and she giggled slightly as he carried her inside and told her he was "carrying her across the threshold." Kara and Lee arrived shortly after with a dinner fit for a queen, a large container of some sweet wild berries, and some fresh sparkling water that was more tempting than anything had been for a long time. They all ate together, laughing and smiling; the berries staining their mouths. Laura beamed with happiness and Bill smiled as he watched, grateful to whatever gods were out there, that his Laura would know joy again before she left. This was their family. He breathed a deep sigh and unconsciously took her hand in his as he thought about it...this was their family. He felt her weakly squeeze his hand and heard her hum in pleasure. Suddenly there was a pain stabbing him as he remembered again that he was losing her, and losing her soon. That hum reminded him of all the little things he would miss, the soft skin of her hands, the sculpted cheekbones he loved to kiss, her giggle, even her glasses. He realized this would probably be the last time they would be together as a family and he wanted it to last, this happiness he had never really known. He wanted Lee and Kara to stay with them, but at the same time he was selfish and ached to have her to himself. Lee and Kara seemed to sense that it was time to go, and both kissed Laura's cheek and gave Bill a smile as they walked away.

"They're lovely," Laura said smiling as she watched them go.

"You're lovely," Bill leaned over and whispered in her ear.

She cuddled up against him, and he wrapped his arms around her, placing his head against hers.

The sky was beginning to turn pink and gold and a delicious evening scent permeated the air. He reached over and kissed the side of her temple, her cheekbone, and her jaw line.

"I love you," he whispered into her skin.

"I love you back," she replied.

The sky was glorious. White puffy clouds sailed against a gold backdrop, and there were some mountains in the distance that looked almost purple. He took her left hand in his and sliding off the gold wedding band he had worn for so long, he lovingly placed it on her ring finger.

"For my wife," he said smiling as she looked up at him, "For my beautiful Laura."

Her lower lip trembled, and tears shone in her eyes as she nestled closer to him. "Your...wife," she repeated happily, holding her hand against brilliant sky, causing the gold to sparkle.

They watched until the sun had disappeared, and little specks of silver permeated the sky.

"There...that one," she whispered pointing to a bright star.

"What?" he asked kissing the side of her temple again.

"That's your star," she replied. "It's name is Adama."

"Is it now?" he asked, turning to her and smiling.

She chuckled slowly, which again turned into a cough, "I'm...the...president...it's named Adama,"

He reached for the water again, and helped her sit up as she took it.

"Besides," she said after she had caught her breath, "You named the planet...I get to name the star."

"Yes mam," he said as he tenderly laid her back and down and took her in his arms again.

"It's so that when you...get lonely...you can look up in the sky...and know that there was a woman...who loved...you...so very much."

He wouldn't cry...he had sworn to himself that he wouldn't cry until it was over. Instead, he swallowed and brought his hand up to her cheek.

"That is beautiful," he said quietly.

"For...my...husband," she breathed.

He wrapped more blankets around her as the air became more cool, and the wrapped his arms around her again to give her more warmth.

"Tired," she whispered; her eyelids droopy.

He knew he would not sleep. He would watch the rise and fall of her chest all night long.

"You sleep," he replied, whether for tonight or always "I'm right here."

"Bill..." she said after a minute.

"What Baby?"

"Promise me you won't leave me...ever...not until it happens."

If it was possible for his heart to break anymore, it just had.

He reached up and stroked the head that lay against his heart...reassuring the woman who was his heart.

"I promise."