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CHRISTMAS ANGEL

CHAPTER 6

CHRISTMAS EVE, 2386

Her hair now sleek and short, Kathryn stood before a magnificent Christmas tree in the lounge of her home. The tree was now six years old, the same as the little girl who had been born just feet away from it, and glittering amongst the decorations were the four special baubles of green, blue, red, and gold. The angel her father had given her was still topping the tree, and in the soft light of the room's artificial Christmas candles, Kathryn gazed at it. She was still gazing at it when Chakotay emerged from the kitchen. His dark hair was streaked with silver now but he was still as handsome as Kathryn was beautiful.

"Here," he said, going over to her with two steaming mugs in his hands. "A hot chocolate."

Kathryn took the drink with a thank you, but then continued to gaze at the angel.

"Are you ok?" Chakotay asked. "You seem a little distracted."

"I'm fine," she answered. "I'm just...I think tonight's the night."

"For what?"

Kathryn turned to him. "For our little angel to do her thing."

"I see," he said.

"She looks exactly as she did in the visits, and during the first one she told me we'd burnt mince pies that day. Well, our effort this morning almost burnt the house down."

Chakotay laughed. "It certainly did."

"It's time," Kathryn said, "I feel it. Time for the wheel to come full circle. I'm just wondering how it will happen...what it will look like."

"Well," Chakotay smiled as Angelica came running down the stairs in excitement, "I think we may be about to find out."

Kathryn put down her drink and turned towards the spiraling stairs. As she did, Angelica came into view and Kathryn gasped. The smiling little girl was wearing an angel costume and was holding a silver bauble in her hands.

"Mommy, Mommy!" she cried. "Look at me! I'm your Christmas Angel!"

Tears filled Kathryn's eyes. "Yes, darling."

"Q says I can keep the costume, as a birthday present, and he's given us another bauble. Isn't it beautiful?"

Kathryn nodded.

"I'm so glad I got to cheer you up, Mommy. I hate to see you sad. And I'm so glad you didn't die, Daddy." She stepped forward and handed the bauble to her mother. "For you, Mommy."

Kathryn smiled. "Thank you. And what's your message this time?"

"None," she answered, "except that I love you."

Tenderly, Kathryn reached out and put her hand to the child's cheek. "I love you too, darling."

Angelica then turned to her father. "And you, Daddy. I love you too."

Chakotay smiled. "As I do you."

"I love the mince pie Neelix made too," Angelica went on. "I ate it all. Every last bit! You'll have to ask him for the recipe when you next talk to him, Mommy. I know we can't make them, at least not without burning them, but Grandma Gretchen or Aunt Martha can."

"They sure can," Kathryn replied. "If we don't have the recipe in Voyager's database, I'll ask him."

"Oh thank you, Mommy! Thank you! Then we can have them at my next Birthday-Christmas party!"

"If I'm not mistaken," Chakotay said, gesturing to the Christmas tree. "There are new presents."

"Oh, there are," Angelica declared. "They're from Q. Isn't he kind, Mommy? I don't know why people say bad things about him. He's the funniest person I know."

"Well," Kathryn smiled, "he's certainly funny." She then held up the bauble. "What do you say? Shall we put the bauble up?"

"Yes, yes," Angelica laughed. "Let's put it up!"

Without further ado, Chakotay lifted his beloved little girl into his arms and Kathryn handed her the bauble. Then, with a happy smile on her face, Angelica fastened the bauble to the tree.

THE END