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Switched

Chapter 50

Wearing a straw hat to shade her eyes from the sun, Gretchen Janeway carried a plate of freshly cut sandwiches across a lawn to a long table of food that Phoebe and Bill had helped her to prepare. The table was covered in white linen and was beautifully decorated with rainbow ribbons and artificial flowers. Gretchen could not have ordered a more perfect day for the party. The sun was warm, bright, and there was not a cloud in the sky. Phoebe and Bill were now engaged in setting up picnic chairs and tables for the guests and they were just putting the last chairs in place when Kathryn and Chakotay arrived with Cayla and Vic. When Phoebe saw them she had to do a double take as Kathryn and Cayla looked indistinguishable. They were both wearing long dresses, one blue the other yellow, and the only noticeable difference between them was that one had bobbed hair and the other a bun. If it wasn't for the fact that the blue-dressed, bobbed hair, twin was arm-linked with Chakotay, Phoebe would have been hard pressed to tell them apart.

"Hi Phoebe, Bill," Kathryn said as they approached the staring couple. "Working hard I see."

"Yes," Phoebe replied, too distracted by her sister's twin to crack her usual joke.

"If you can't guess," Kathryn said. "This is Cayla and her partner Vic."

Phoebe gazed at Cayla for a moment and then held out her hand. "Hi...I'm Phoebe...Happy Birthday."

Cayla took her hand and as they shook she looked at Lacey's biological sister as curiously as Phoebe was looking at her.

"I can't believe how alike you are," Bill said. "You're like peas in a pod."

"Well," Kathryn smiled. "Identical twins have a habit of looking identical."

"I know," he said, "and I knew you would be, but to actually see you side by side...wow. You should be wearing t-shirts with C and K on the front."

At this everyone laughed and Cayla, who was very uptight, relaxed a little. Even though she'd known from what Kathryn had told her that Phoebe was nothing like Lacey, it was so good to see that in person. In fact, Phoebe was so unlike Lacey in looks and manners that she would never have thought them sisters. Phoebe was warm and welcoming whereas Lacey was always cold and aloof, and while Lacey had been tall, freckled and red-haired, Phoebe was small, olive-skinned and had a head of dark curls.

Gretchen slowly approached and Kathryn turned to her.

"Mom, meet Cayla and her partner Vic."

Cayla smiled warmly and held out her hand. "How do you do, Mrs Janeway."

Gretchen took Cayla's hand and shook it, but did not return her smile. "Hello, Cayla," she said quietly.

Vic also held out his hand. "It's an honor to meet you," he said.

Gretchen shook his hand, but her attention returned to Cayla. As she gazed at Kathryn's twin, tears filled her eyes and with effort she blinked them away. "Well, I...I'd better get on," she said. "Lots to do....lots to do."

With that she left and made her way across the lawn to the house. As she did so, Cayla lowered her eyes and fidgeted with her fingers. "She doesn't want me here," she said sadly.

"She does," Kathryn replied. "Don't think otherwise. This is all just...it's very hard for her."

"I guess I understand," Cayla replied. "It's got to be hard seeing a double of your daughter who reminds you she's not your daughter...if you know what I mean."

"I do," Kathryn said. "Mom's always bottled things up, never given vent to her own feelings because she always wants to be strong for us. It was the same when our father died, she kept it all to herself."

"Maybe it would be better if Vic and I left. If just meeting me is hard for her then the party's going to be hell."

"You're staying put," Kathryn declared. "Mom just needs a breather. Give her time."

"But..."

Phoebe spoke now. "No buts. You're absolutely staying put. Don't you know how much work I've put into your birthday cake? I slaved on it all last night and this morning."

"That's right," Kathryn said. "This isn't just my birthday party, it's your birthday party. So no more talk of leaving."

Cayla gave a wan smile. "Ok."

Kathryn put her hand on her twin's shoulder. "I'm glad that settled. Now, I'll leave you all to get better acquainted while I go and check on Mom."

Kathryn found her mother in the kitchen, sitting on a chair wiping her wet eyes with a handkerchief.

"I'm sorry," Gretchen said when Kathryn came in. "I just...When I saw Cayla...saw her looking like you...it all just hit home."

"I understand," Kathryn said, going to sit beside her. "And you don't have to apologize. I know how hard all this must be."

"If she didn't look like you," Gretchen confessed, "then maybe it would be easier." A tear ran down her cheek. "Do you know what I thought when I saw her? I wished that she didn't exist. For just a moment I wished that...wished there was just you. How terrible does that make me?"

"If it makes you terrible then it make me terrible too. Because I've been there, wished that. And no doubt so has Cayla. When the Doctor first told me I had a twin, I didn't want to believe it, didn't want her to exist. It's just a natural gut reaction and doesn't mean anything." She took her mother's hand in hers. "You've coped with all this amazingly, but you don't have to be strong all the time. It's ok to let things out sometimes."

Gretchen gave a wan smile. "Advice from the master?"

"I know," Kathryn replied. "I need to take my own advice"

Gretchen squeezed her daughter's hand. "Then let's learn to take it together."

Kathryn nodded and squeezed her mother's hand in return.

"But no grieving today," Gretchen went on. "It's your birthday and God knows I've waited years to have you home for it. So lets get on with the party."

"Let's indeed," Kathryn smiled.

"Unfortunately, I've had to break my own rule of no replicated food at parties," Gretchen continued, "as there won't be enough food to go around otherwise, but if you don't tell, I won't."

"My lips are sealed," Kathryn smiled. "But don't worry. When I said I was inviting a few friends, I meant just that...a few. A couple of old friends and Voyager's senior staff. It won't be long now before the media finds out about Cayla and I'd like my closest friends to learn of her from me."

The kitchen door suddenly opened and Phoebe came in with a pretty young woman who had blonde hair and blue eyes.

"I found this prowler on the doorstep," Phoebe teased.

Kathryn didn't recognize the woman but her mother did.

"Erin?" she said, getting to her feet.

"That's right," the girl smiled. "Your granddaughter."

Gretchen welcomed the girl with an embrace. "It's wonderful to meet you," she said. "Wonderful."

"I'm sorry I'm a bit late," Erin said as they drew apart. "There was a long transport queue."

"I've been so swept off my feet," Gretchen answered, "that I haven't even noticed the time. But you're here now, that's all that matters."

Erin then turned to Kathryn. "As I've just seen Aunt Cayla in the garden, you must be Captain Janeway."

"Not today," Kathryn smiled. "Today I'm only Kathryn." She embraced the girl warmly. "It's good to meet you at last."

"You too," Erin said. "I've been following the Voyager story since I was a teenager and I can't believe you're my aunt of sorts. Thomas, my son, is really excited about it. He's obsessed with starships."

"I didn't know you have a son," Kathryn said. "How old is he?"

"Five. I had him when I was eighteen. Mom wasn't happy about it, especially as the father didn't stick around, but I love my boy to bits and we get by."

"I'm sorry," Phoebe said, "about your mother's death. I wish we'd had a chance to get to know her."

"Thank you," Erin said. "But Mom was the kind of person who didn't have much time for family. She liked to do her own thing. Eros and I hardly ever saw her when we were growing up and since we've grown up we've seen her even less. Sometimes she wouldn't even remember my birthday and Thomas's she forgot completely. I'm not saying this because I'm bitter or anything, because I'm truly not, just so that you understand why I'm not totally gutted about her dying. I should be, I know, because even though I hardly knew her she was still my mother, but I can't pretend to feel what I don't. I'm much closer to Aunt Peggy...that's Dad's sister....than I ever was to Mom. If anything happened to her then I really would be devastated. She's been like a mother and a father to me and has helped me so much with Thomas. I even have fonder memories of Aunt Cayla than I do of Mom, even though I haven't seen her for years, because when we were really little she would take Eros and I to the seaside during summer vacations. Mom and Dad never took us anywhere. We both cried for days when Mom said we weren't allowed to see Aunt Cayla anymore. The truth is Mom just hasn't been a big part of my life so I can't grieve for her like a daughter should a mother."

"We understand," Kathryn said. "If there's anything we've learnt over the past few months then it's how untrue the old saying is that blood is thicker than water. It's not a blood relationship that matters, it's a relationship. And that relationship is only as good as the love and time devoted to it."

"I was hoping you'd bring Thomas to the party," Gretchen said. "I'd love to meet him."

"Then you haven't hoped in vain," Phoebe smiled. "He's in the garden talking with Cayla and the others."

"I'll call him in," Erin said. "But first I'd like to wish you a happy birthday, Capt...Kathryn." She reached into a silver bag and pulled out a gold box. "This is for you from me and Thomas."

"Thank you," Kathryn said, taking the gift.

Erin then went to call Thomas in and held open the door while she waited for him to come. As she did so, Kathryn carefully opened the box.

"I think I'll set up a table for gifts," Gretchen said. "Guests can then disencumber themselves on arrival without encumbering you."

"Good idea," Phoebe said.

Inside the box was a beautiful purple velvet scarf that shimmered like silk when it caught the light.

"How exquisite," Kathryn said. "What good taste you have, Erin."

Erin smiled, and then turned to the doorway as a little boy with thick red hair came running into the kitchen. Affectionately, Erin pulled him towards her and ruffled his hair. "This is my boy," she said proudly, "Thomas."

The little boy smiled at everyone and Kathryn's heart skipped a beat. Not only was he adorably cute but he was the image of her father. He had the same blue eyes, same shaped nose, and smiled just like him. Kathryn glanced at her mother and found her gazing at the child in joyful awe.

"Hello, Thomas," she smiled. "I'm your great grandmother and am very pleased to meet you."

The boy smiled warmly.

"Your mother tells me you like starships. Would you like to see your great grandfather's model collection? They're in the attic, just as he left them."

The boy nodded.

Gretchen held out her hand to him. "Then come with me."

Thomas took her hand and Gretchen lead him out of the room.

"Looks like the start of a beautiful friendship," Phoebe commented.

"Yes," Kathryn smiled, "it certainly does."

"I can't believe you have a twin, Captain," B'Elanna said, sipping a glass of tomato juice, "it's incredible."

"Totally," Harry said. "And weird. Cool....but weird. I mean, there being two of you. I mean...not two of you, but two people looking like you. I mean...one other person looking like you making two of you. I mean...you know what I mean."

"I think I get the drift," Kathryn smiled.

"What I get," Tom said, "is the smell of suspicion. No one gets mixed up at birth these days. Tell us what's really going on here. Is Cayla really you from an alternate reality or is she the result of a transporter accident?"

"How can she be the Captain from an alternate reality?" B'Elanna asked. "She's her own person with her own life. And people are switched at birth all the time. Well, maybe not all the time but it happens. I read about a case only last week were two little boys were mixed up at birth ten years ago."

"Ten years isn't forty whatever years. How can something like this take so long to be discovered? Something else has to be going on here."

"Only in your mind, Tom," Kathryn replied. "As hard as it is to believe, Cayla is my twin and I was switched at birth. DNA and Cayla prove it."

The Doctor, who had been talking to Aunt Martha, approached now. "And I can confirm it, Mr Paris. Not only as the Captain's physician but as the one who made the discovery."

"Well, if it really is true," Tom said, "all I can say is I hope you don't plan on having junior at this center. Who knows whose kid you'll come home with."

"Actually I do," Kathryn replied. "But don't worry, if B'Elanna gets pregnant again and goes into labor while visiting, I'll make sure she's beamed elsewhere."

"Oh no you won't," B'Elanna teased. "A switch might not be a bad thing. Baby Paris cries like there's no tomorrow. A Baby Vienna might save me a headache." She then fell serious. "But we shouldn't joke about it. You must have been through hell with it all."

"I have," Kathryn confessed. "We all have, but we're coming to terms with it now and are looking forward to getting to know each other."

Tom turned to Tuvok who was standing next to him with his wife. "You're very quiet, Tuvok," he said. "What do you make of all this?"

"If you are asking whether I share your suspicions," the Vulcan answered, "the answer is no. I believe that Ms Brenton is who the Captain says she is."

"It's a shame she wasn't on Voyager with us," Harry said. "Imagine the fun we'd have had fooling aliens. A real life double has to be better than a hologram any day."

The Doctor raised an eyebrow at this. "I won't take any offense," he said, "as I'm sure none was intended."

Before Harry had a chance to reply, Seven approached with Samantha Wildman.

"Seven, Samantha," Kathryn smiled. "I'm glad you both could make it."

"We're glad to be here," Samantha said. "Happy Birthday."

"And birthday greetings from me," Seven added.

"Thank you," Kathryn smiled.

"We've left your gifts on the table as your mother told us too," Samantha said, "but I could have sworn I saw you there just a second ago getting some food."

"Not me," Kathryn smiled. "My twin sister, Cayla."

"You've never told me you have a twin sister," Seven said.

"That's because I didn't know," Kathryn smiled.

Naomi suddenly came running up to her mother. "Mom, Mom," she cried, "the Captain has a twin that looks exactly like her. Exactly!"

"So the Captain has just told me," Samantha replied.

"I thought she was you, Captain," Naomi said, "but she wasn't. Why haven't you ever said you have a twin? It's awesome, Captain. Awesome!"

"It's a long story," Kathryn answered. "And while I'd like to fill the three of you in, I'm expecting a special guest any moment now and must excuse myself."

"Who is this special guest, Captain?" Naomi asked.

"A little girl called Gertie that Chakotay and I are adopting," she informed her.

The Doctor spoke. "Gertie Vinten? The little blind girl we met at the Children's Ward in Ireland?"

"That's right," Kathryn replied. "Lucky for us the family who were going to adopt her changed their minds." Kathryn put her hand on Naomi's shoulder. "I hope you'll befriend Gertie and make her feel very welcome."

"You can count on me, Captain," Naomi smiled.

"And on all of us," Tom said. "Adopting a kid is a real noble thing to do. Anything you need, any time, just give us a call."

"Absolutely," B'Elanna confirmed. "We'll be there for you and Chakotay all the way."

Kathryn smiled, touched at their support. "Thank you, all of you."

Standing beside Nurse Cassie, eating what was left of her ice-cream cone, Gertie talked to Naomi and Thomas.

"It would be worse not being able to see," she said, "if I didn't have an imagination. I have a real active one so even though I can't see with my eyes, I can imagine where I am, and by imagining where I am I can see where I am in my mind. Chakotay has described every bit of this house and garden to me so I can see it all perfectly. Maybe even better than if I did have working eyes because then I probably wouldn't have noticed the rose bush growing by the patio. I so love roses, especially yellow ones. Yellow is my favorite color. Even though they're not in bloom yet I can imagine they're in bloom. In fact, as this town is called Bloomington I'm going to imagine there are yellow roses everywhere. Oh, I can't believe I'm going to be living here, that I'm going to be Gertie Vinten Janeway of Westside House....that's the name of Kathryn and Chakotay's house...and of Bloomington, Indiana. I thought I was going to be Gertie Vinten of St Mary's School, New York City. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how much more exciting it is to be Gertie Vinten Janeway of Westside House. I love Kathryn and Chakotay already and am going to try so hard to be a good girl for them. Mommy always said I have a genius for trouble. In that way I'm very much like Anne Shirley, who is a little girl in a book I'm listening too called Anne of Green Gables. She was always getting into trouble too, especially for talking a lot. I'm always told I talk too much but I can't help it. My tongue has a life of it's own, that's what Grandma used to say. I don't think it does exactly because I make it move with my thoughts, but I agree that I do find it difficult to think without using my tongue. But while I love Anne Shirley, I don't think she's right in thinking that brown hair is better than red. I love having red hair. Mommy had red hair, and Tina, and my bosom friend Bunny does too. She lives with me at Travers Hospital and is my imaginary friend. Poor thing was so disappointed that she couldn't come to the party but only I was invited so she couldn't. I'll tell her all about it tonight, though, and give her a piece of cake to make up for her not coming. Incase you're wondering who Tina was, she was my sister, although a lot of people thought she was my mother because she was sixteen years older than me. That's because Mommy had Tina when she was 28 and me when she was 44. I was a surprise present, she said. Isn't that nice, to be a surprise present?"

Kathryn, who had joined them with Chakotay, spoke now. "It's nice to give surprises too," she said. "And we have one for you."

Gertie's face lit up. "For me?"

"Especially for you," Chakotay smiled. "Listen carefully, what can you hear?"

Gertie did what he said and concentrated hard on the sounds around her. "People talking," she said, "knifes and folks hitting plates, laughing and...and horses! I can hear horses!"

"That's right," Kathryn said. "We've ordered a horse and carriage just for you."

Gertie laughed and clapped her hands together.

"So, come with us young lady," Chakotay said. "Your carriage awaits."

Naomi looked towards the road and saw a huge open carriage, pulled by 2 black horses, draw up outside the house.

"Oh, can I come too?" she begged "Please, please?"

"And me?" Thomas asked.

"I think there's room for us all," Chakotay smiled.

Naomi and Thomas cheered and then Naomi took Gertie's hand and pulled the laughing child towards the garden gate.

"I don't think I've ever met a child that talks so," Phoebe said as she and Kathryn watched from the patio as Gertie and Naomi played with Goldy at the bottom of the garden. "I should have given you ear-plugs not earrings for your birthday."

Kathryn laughed. "Her tongue can wag, definitely. But I don't mind her chatter. In fact, I like it. She comes out with the strangest, funniest, things. Besides, Miss Phoebe Janeway, you're hardly one to talk about talking. You've never been the silent type."

"That's true," Phoebe confessed. "I don't think anyone got sent out of class in high school as much as me for talking. I strained my mouth muscles that's for sure."

Goldy retrieved a ball Naomi had thrown for him and both Kathryn and Phoebe observed how the dog ran up to Gertie, nudged her leg with the ball, and then dropped it at her feet so she could throw it.

"Smart dog," Phoebe said. "You and Chakotay should have him trained to be her guide. It takes a certain kind of dog to cut it and I think he just might."

"Great idea," Kathryn replied. "We'll look into it."

Suddenly the sound of metal on glass cut through the air, commanding everyone's attention, and was followed by Gretchen's voice.

"May I have your attention please."

Everyone obliged and turned towards the food table where Gretchen stood upon a stool.

"As you all know...or should," she teased, "we're gathered here today to celebrate the birthday of someone very special who I'm proud to call my daughter, Kathryn Janeway. By now you all know...or should...that while I've had the privilege of being her mother for...I won't say how many years....it wasn't Kathryn I gave birth to on this day all those years ago. In Bloomington Birthing Center, less than a mile from here, I gave birth to another little girl, a little girl who somehow got mixed up with Kathryn in the special care unit and went home with another family. Kathryn came home with us and never, not for a split second, did it cross my mind that she wasn't my biological child. All these years we've loved each other like mother and daughter and we still love each other like mother and daughter. A fact of biology can't change a lifetime of love and our relationship is now stronger than ever. Our family is also bigger than ever because we have new, very special members....Erin, my biological granddaughter, Thomas, her son, Eros, my biological grandson who sadly can't be here today, and Cayla, Kathryn's long lost twin whose birthday we're also celebrating today. Although I will never get a chance to know Lacey, the little girl I gave birth too, she lives on through her children and grandson, and through them I will get to know her. I'm so happy that we all have the chance now to be one big family and I hope that's what we will become...one big happy family." She then picked up a silver knife from the table. "But now is the moment you've all been waiting for...the cutting of the cake! So Kathryn, Cayla, step forward and do the honors!"

Kathryn and Cayla did as she said and Gretchen proudly unveiled the cake. It was cleverly designed in the shape of a combined K and C and was covered in chocolate icing. Gretchen presented Kathryn and Cayla with the knife and, holding it between them, they plunged it into the cake as the crowd cheered.

END OF CHAPTER FIFTY