"Tom stop jumping up and down. You look like you have to pee your pants."

"No, but seriously, B'Ellana, did the Captain or Chakotay say anything to you? Anything?"

"No, fly boy. Stop asking. Chakotay called me on my way back to my quarters and requested that I be here in ten minutes. I don't know anything else."

"Hey! Tuvok!" Tom ran up to the tall Vulcan, "do you know why we're here?"

"No, Mr. Paris, I do not. My presence was requested here at short notice by the Captain. I presume that she will be along shortly."

A familiar smooth velvet voice came from just around the corner, "Computer run holodeck program Janeway Alpha 5."

"Chakotay" Tom heralded, "Did the Captain call you here too? Do you know what's going on? Are we in trouble? Is the ship OK? Is this an impromptu simulation?"

"Calm down, Tom. No. And yes. She-"

"What're you all waiting for? Let's get this show on the road!" I smile as I round the corner. My eyes are only looking for him. He looks handsome. He always does, but tonight he looks even more so. In just a few minutes, he'll belong to me and me to him. It's all terribly romantic.

"Close your mouth, Tom." B'Ellana giggles.

"Capt-"

"Kathryn" I correct him. Tonight there is no place for rank. Tonight is the joining of a family in more ways than one. Four years ago, Chakotay and I joined our crews, making one Voyager family. Tonight, though, Starfleet and Maquis are joining in a a different way. Tonight we are starting a new kind family.

"Kathryn" Tom begins awkwardly, "you look lovely, if you don't mind me saying so."

"You do, Kathryn," B'Ellana is beaming. She knows why we're here: woman's intuition. "You look absolutely stunning, Kathryn."

"Thank you, B'Ellana, Tom."

I turn to Tuvok, "so – can you guess why I called you here?"

"It is a logical to assume that since you are wearing that dress and the commander is similarly dressed, that you wish me to perform a wedding ceremony".

Oh Tuvok. It isn't logical at all, but I love that he says it is. But Tuvok knows. Chakotay hasn't stopped staring. In fact, I don't think he can speak – this could prove problematic in a few minutes. I move in close to him and put my arms around his waist. It's such a public display of affection – but what the hell – we're about to be married and these are our friends. This is our family. I lean up close to his ear, the distance a little smaller now that I'm wearing heels, "will you marry me?" I whisper.

He smiles a grin so big that the Cheshire Cat would be jealous, "you betcha".

I've grown up around technology; I christened myself 'a child of the 24th century'. But, despite technology's constancy in my life, I am still blown away. This evening I step from one land to another. In a moment I step from the deck of a ship into the grassy park the sits on the periphery of the lake. The sun is setting on the lake. The sky is lit up with hues of pink, yellow, red, and a rich orange. It's beautiful. It's perfect. A slight breeze tickles my neck as we walk to the willow tree; its branches blossomed telling me that it's late summer. "Here," I stop. Tom stands next to Chakotay and B'Ellana stands next to me; this too is symbolic. We are blurring the lines even more. Tuvok stands ahead of us. I'm giddy. I'm never giddy, but right now butterflies are all over my stomach. My Cheshire grin matches his. I look up into his face. He's crying. He's looking at me and he's crying. He feels it too; he's overwhelmed. We're overwhelmed by what we are about to do. This is forever. This is a bond that even death can't break. I reach up and wipe his joyous tears that begin to setting in his deep dimples. He mirrors my action. I realize that my own face is damp.

Tuvok clears his throat and breaks the spell, refocusing us on our task. Rings are placed firmly on our fingers. "I do's" are exchanged. Ecclesiastes 4:2: Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Tonight we have sealed our bond. We've made a promise and we seal it with a kiss. Wedding kisses are traditionally but chaste, but he and I hold nothing back – a mirror to our life and our commitment.