A/N: So, here's the next mega-chapter! I'm so in love with Baby Jude, and thank all of you for enjoying her story!

CHAPTER 3

Caught between sleep and waking, Bill Adama was taken back to his childhood.

The Old Tauron song, a lullaby that told the story of a young man that captured the stars to make a necklace for his love, had been sung to him by his Tsattie.

At the time, his family still lived in their Caprica City apartment, and had yet to officially move to the beachfront home in Qualai. Ruth did not approve of their relocation to the beachside community, which was populated by many with Old Money. Also, she did not trust the Greystones, who lived next door, and voiced her displeasure of Joseph Adama's friendship with Daniel Greystone, on a regular basis.

But she adored her Little Bull, and babied him in secret.

The song, sung in the old language had soothed him on many a night when his parents worked late.

Fully awake now, Bill smiled at the source of the tune.

He dressed, pulling on jeans and tanks, then padded barefoot out to the deck of their cabin. It was there that he found the source of the gentle singing.

Laura was nursing their month-old daughter, while sitting on the wide chaise lounge. Baby Jude was near sleep, as her mother was stroking her rosy cheek, and murmuring the old standard.

Bill was almost afraid to approach, as the sight moved him to tears. He hesitated, until Laura finally paused in her singing, and beckoned him lovingly.

"Since when do you know Tauron- other than my favorite swear words?"

Laura hummed, as Jude disengaged and waited to sleep so she could be burped. Daddy Bill took on that duty, as he joined her mommy on the chaise.

"I had a bit of time on my hands, as I waited for you to arrive on the Shore," Laura explained. "That and the fact that Joe pulled the Ethnic Card on me, and refused to speak to me in Colonial Standard. He didn't like that you'd married a Caprican- for the second time, no less, and a politician at that. So I had to win him over... your mother and Uncle Samuel were wonderful teachers."

"Coming from the former Secretary of Education, that's quite a complement."

"Ruth taught me the song. She said that I needed to know it... obviously she knew something that I didn't."

The parents kissed, and made a love sammie, with Jude as the center filling.

"I don't want to do it, Bill," Laura said as they parted. "I don't want to share her."

Bill huffed. "They gave us a month, Teach."

"I know what we agreed to," Laura replied with a sigh, as her husband coaxed a burp from their infant daughter. "But I think we should ask for more time."

Jude's official presentation, to their family and friends on the Shore, was scheduled for later that day. Everyone was waiting to meet the littlest Adama- or Roslin, depending on who's family you asked, and the hours were counting down quickly as the time approached.

Bill smiled at his wife. Back when she was President of the Colonies, she often dug in her heals on a particular policy, and, she still continued to do it, on occasion, in their life in Elysian.

"It'll just be a couple hours. Everyone will get their fill of Jude, and then that'll be that," Bill cheered brightly. "I, myself, am anxious to see how much lipstick tagging she gets from the Roslin Women, not to mention all of the Sixes that will likely show up."

"Oh, God!"

Bill chuckled, softly, as the baby snoozed against his chest. He rose from the chaise, and offered a hand to Laura, who took it naturally.

"We'll have fun," Jude's mommy finally pronounced.

Bill smiled toothily, as they entered the indoors of their cabin. He and Laura would let their baby take her morning nap, and then bathed and dressed her for her debut before an adoring crowd.

But in the meantime, while Jude slept, her parents would have a little sexy time...

Laura gave a husky giggle, as she read Bill's thoughts...

Maybe the day wasn't going to be so bad after all.

Tables had been set out, in the grassy field near the lake, and all manners of food and drink were made available to the guests, as they mingled and gushed excitedly about meeting the little angel baby.

Judith Roslin and Evelyn Adama had planned the affair, and both women worked well together. Each were highly organized individuals, and had been very career oriented in Life. Since their families joined, the pair had become good friends.

Their husbands, however, remained cautious of one another.

Ed Roslin didn't trust the former mob lawyer...

Joe Adama thought the botany professor was light in his Birkenstocks...

But both couldn't wait to finally meet their granddaughter, after a lifetime of waiting.

The gathered crowd cheered, once the new family of three finally arrived at the gathering.

All three were dressed in white, as if for a wedding. Bill was in a linen shirt and drawstring pants, while Laura was in a flowy maxi dress, with gold bracelets at her wrists. Jude was the centerpiece, naturally, in an ethereal dress of ruffles galore, combined with a sparkly pink headband.

The child looked like a true princess, and everyone couldn't wait to hold her.

Laura's mother, Judith Roslin- Jude's namesake, was the first of the group to get that honor. Her quiet tears of joy, matched Laura's, as three generations of Roslin Women, were gathered together.

"She's as beautiful as I pictured."

"Thank you, Mother."

The women embraced, then Judith turned to Bill and pulled him into a hug.

"And thank you, William, for giving my daughter this precious gift of a child. I always hoped that Laura would know motherhood, with a true partner in love. You are that for her, and I am very proud to call you my Son."

Bill didn't know what to say, as he was in as much awe of Judith Roslin, as his wife was. "Laura is the one who truly gave me a gift. She and Jude are–"

Judith hummed, halting Bill in mid-declaration. She embraced him again, then whispered in his ear, "I know."

Before any tears could fall, the Adamas came forward, and met the newest member of their family.

"You did good, Son," Joseph stated horcely, as he held his granddaughter for the first time. The man had given similar approval of Laura, months before, at the couple's wedding, and he meant it every bit then as he did now.

Bill saw the emotion in his father's eyes, and nodded in silent reply.

The other members of their families were next to meet Jude, and the child did not dissapoint. A natural diplomat, she never fussed as Laura's father and sisters smothered her in kisses. Bill's mother Evelyn, was next in line, followed by his siblings and uncle, Samuel.

Bill's half siblings, Tamara and Willie, doted on their niece, showering her with tickles and kisses.

But of course, it was Tsattie Ruth, who nearly stole the baby outright. The normally stoic woman was reduced to a mass of loving goo, as she held Jude in her tattooed arms. And were it not for the Adamas' elder children- both natural and adopted, Ruth would never had let her go.

"I always wanted a little sister," confessed Zak Adama, as he finally got temporary custody of Jude, and swiftly tucked her into his arm.

"Not me," Kara retorted with a smirk that quickly turned into a shy smile. "But if I have to have one, this little nugget will do. Good job, Old Man!"

"She's really cute, Ma'am," Billy Keikeya told his former boss. Laura's former aide had come with his love, Dee, who added her own adoration of the infant, along with a million kisses.

Bill and Laura continued to take turns mingling about the group, with Jude in arm. Occasionally the baby bestowed her audience with a smile of bubbles, or a sleepy coo. Never once, ever, did she cry– even when she became covered in lipstick tags.

When the baby began to indicate her need to feed, Laura waived Bill off so that he could visit with his uncle Samuel, while she and Jude found a secluded tree nearby, to sit under.

Just as Bill had promised, it had been a lovely day of celebration, with their families and friends. Food had been eaten, music had been danced to, and a good time had been had by all. But even so, Laura enjoyed the quiet moment, away from the fray, as much as her daughter.

With great skill, the new mother deftly unbuttoned the row of tiny buttons on the bodice of her dress with one hand, and parted the opening to allow Jude to suckle.

Laura had never known such joy, as that she experienced with every feeding time.

Jude took after her daddy, and was a very good eater.

Neither mother, nor child, noticed the arrival of the two newcomers to their midst.

"Congratulations, Laura. You deserve this."

The woman looked up to find her two former New Caprican teaching assistants, kneeling before her.

"Maya... Tory... It's so good to see you!"

Both women smiled with genuine warmth for their former superior, although Tory Foster was noticeably contrite.

"It's good to see you, too, Laura," replied the exotically beautiful Cylon.

"And Jude!" Maya added excitedly, while breaking the ice between Laura and Tory. "My God, but she's so beautiful. You and the admiral must be so happy."

"We are," Laura replied with an unabashed smile. "And seeing both of you, here, is a joy as well."

Tory pressed her hands together. "When the word came of Jude's Presentation, I didn't think I should attend... but Maya convinced me to come with her."

"She had to!" Maya chimed in. "I brought my husband and son, and they both agreed that Tory needed to see the baby."

"I'm glad you did," Laura told them both. "The two of you were with me during my pregnancy on New Caprica, when things were less than wonderful. Now that they are, it is good to enjoy the moment."

Both women agreed, and offered future babysitting duties, before taking their leave.

"Tory Foster, as a babysitter? Can we trust that?"

Laura looked to find that her husband had arrived, wearing more than a few lipstick tags upon his weathered cheeks.

"I think so."

Bill chuckled. "Tom Zarek crashed the party, and sends his regards."

Laura groaned.

"Shall we go kick everyone out and tell them to go home and leave us alone?"

Before her mommy could reply, little Jude disengaged from Laura's breast, and gave a squeaky affirmative to her daddy's suggestion.

The parents laughed, then set about thanking their guests for coming.

Their loved ones had adored the baby fully...

All of the food and drink at the buffet table was consumed...

Finally, the celebration came to a very sweet end...

As the Adama Three made their way toward their cabin home, they were stopped by two more guests, who'd been late to the party.

Dr. Sherman Cottle, and Elosha.

Both apologized for being so tardy, but wanted to give their well wishes and congratulations in person.

"She's absolutely gorgeous!" Elosha declared upon seeing the sleepy Jude.

"Yeah," agreed the retired doctor. "Thank Ron that she looks like you, Madam President."

Bill glared at Cottle, then thanked the white haired man for being there for his girls, the first time around.

Cottle waived him off, as usual, but the emotion in his eyes said otherwise.

"I'm just glad you guys finally got your happy ending."

Elosha playfully nudged the crusty man who'd become her partner on the Shore, and pressed a small gift for the baby, into one of Laura's hands. It was a delicate necklace, with a tiny glowing solitaire pendant.

"This is beautiful, Elosha," Laura remarked to her friend. "Thank you!"

The woman smiled in reply. "It is from God Himself. Ron wanted to come today, but is very busy, as you know. He said that He'll see you eventually. In the meantime, this necklace is for Jude to wear when she's a bit older than she is now. The charm is the very star that she was conceived under, that night the two of you were together on New Caprica... Ron said that-"

"Please, Woman!" Cottle interrupted sharply. "No one needs to hear all of the details of how the kid came to be! Its bad enough that I've seen each of her parents naked... so I surely don't want to even think what it looks like when they're frakking!"

Bill coughed, as he'd become very bit as uncomfortable as his former major was. "It's a wonderful gift that Jude will treasure as much as Laura and I do, and we'll thank Mr. Moore when we see Him, eventually."

Cottle and Elosha both hugged the couple and kissed the child, then graciously took their leave.

And finally, it was just Bill, Laura, and Jude, once again.

Inside their cabin, Bill drew Laura and Jude a warm bath, as was their end-of-day custom. Soothing and gentle green tea-scented bubble bath was added to the water, and both mother and daughter enjoyed the well earned relaxation time.

Bill massaged his wife's shoulders, as she leaned back in the claw footed tub, and into his touch. "You shared nicely, today, Laura. I'm proud of you."

"Thank you, Honey. It wasn't easy, but it ended up being a lovely day. I'm proud of you, as well. I saw your face the first time you handed Jude off, and you were every bit as unwilling as I was."

"Guilty as charged."

"Well, we did it, and that's that... so are you going to join us, or what?" Laura asked, as Jude spooned against her chest in the warmth of the bath.

Bill shed his clothes, and was in the tub before Laura could even hum.

"Our girl likes the water."

"She's a natural swimmer."

Laura smiled at her husband, who was folded across from her, at the foot of the tub. "We should take her down to the lake tomorrow, and start swimming lessons."

Bill grunted. "Teach, Jude's barely a month old."

"Actually, I was thinking that you and I might need the lessons– so that we can keep with her," Laura suggested with a husky laugh.

To prove her point, Laura passed Jude to Bill, by way of floating the baby in the water on her back.

The proud daddy grinned, as he took his daughter in his hands, and held her to his muscled chest.

Laura loved seeing Bill and Jude together, as they were nothing short of adorable. The baby was just a shade lighter of tan than him, and so far her eyes were still the dark blue color she'd been born with. They matched Bill's perfectly, and Laura prayed daily that they would not change.

Unable to resist the sight of her husband and child, amidst all the bubbles in the tub, Laura closed the gap between herself and them.

At once, the very much in love parents kissed tenderly, which caused their daughter to react playfully.

Bill grunted, as he felt a tiny jet of new warmth in the bath water.

"Did Jude just potty? In the tub?"

Laura giggled as she kissed her husband again.

"Uh huh."

"The joys of parenting," Bill stated with a mock huff.

Defending her sweet self, Jude actually squeaked a tiny baby laugh, which in turn caused her mommy and daddy to smile.

"Totally," Laura replied.

Bill huffed gamely, before kissing his each of his girls. "Yeah, totally."

#TO BE CONTINUED#