"I knew it!" I laugh as the house draws nearer. And there it is – what I sensed was out of place: a large white tent covering tables surrounded by what must be at least two-dozen chairs. It's a beautiful set-up that has Marie's name written all over it. I recognize the white linen tablecloths whose edges ebb and flow in the subtlety of the valley breeze.

Wildflowers and peonies fill large vases decorating each segment of the long ensemble. Special colourful plates, delicate tableware, wine glasses, and, of course, bottles of wine lay in wait for what looks to be the beginnings of a very large party.

"What's all this?" Jean Luc beams, his eyes feasting on the same scene.

"Well," Marie walks out of the house, a glass of wine in hand, "It's about time you showed up!" She laughs, "Any longer and I was about to send a search party!"

"What's going on, Marie?" Wesley manages, wide eyed as can be.

Her smile deepens as she looks back in the direction of the house and beckons unseen forms with her hand.

I can't believe it.

Geordi, Worf, Deanna, Will, and Data. And, oh my, I can't believe it: Kathryn, her husband (whose name eludes me at the moment), and the familiar faces of the EMH and Seven. They're all here. For us.

"We wanted…" Will steps forward, but can't finish through the onslaught of emotion.

"We wanted," Deanna finishes for him. "To say thank you and to…" She looks at each of us individually. "To honour you for what you did," she motions with her wine glass. "And for the sacrifices that you made…" She looks back. "For everyone."

I can feel tears stream down the curve of my cheek as I reflexively take the hand of the man standing next to me. "Wha?" My voice cracks through emotion as bewilderment and wonder course through my arteries.

Deanna holds my smile as she raises her glass, "To Jean Luc, Beverly, and Wesley." She waits a moment, "Here's to you."

"To Jean Luc, Beverly, and Wesley!" The crowd mirrors, "Here here!"

"What's the matter, Carrot Top?" Deanna laughs after the silence. "Cat got your tongue?"

I nod my head, not trusting my own voice through the overwhelming sentiment. In a moment, I'm locked in her embrace, "Glad to see you looking so well, Beverly." She whispers in my ear.

"Well," Jean Luc clears his throat and wipes away his own tears of shock. "It's, eh," he laughs in the midst of his own silence. "I'm usually not one to be lost for words!" There's a rumble of laughter at the veracity of his statement. "He's right," Will laughs. "If I had a penny-"

"Oh alright, Will!" Jean Luc blushes as he again looks around. "Thank you all. This… it's such an honour that each of you would come all the way here just to visit us."

"Nonsense, Jean Luc," Kathryn steps forward. "After what you three did and endured… well" She smiles. "That was quite a feat. I mean, you three practically took on the whole of Starfleet!" She looks so different now, I think. If it's possible, she's more beautiful than when I saw her last. She's left her hair long as it cascades in deep auburn, chestnutty undulations past her slight shoulders. Motherhood, I think as I see two babies propped against her husband's chest, suits her.

"Kathryn?" I muddle through a bleary smile. "It's so good to see you."

"You as well, Beverly," her small arms enfold me in an embrace. "You look beautiful," she whispers against my shoulder.

"You know," I step back and regard her petite form. "I was just thinking the same about you."

"This," She takes my hand. "Is my husband and former first officer, Chakotay."

I have to say even the wedding photo did not do this man justice! Towering over Kathryn's tiny stature, he's enticingly riddled with a bevy of charismatic charm. His hair, longer than it was in his photo, allows a stray strand to hang enticingly over one eye. "I would shake your hand," He looks down and smiles at the two drowsy bodies propped against his shoulders. "But uh…"

I laugh, "Say no more. It's good to meet you. Jean Luc and I were very pleased to hear about your marriage," I look at my friend.

"Well," She leans against him and laughs "So were we!"

"Doctor," Data interrupts.

"Data!" I move to embrace him. "Thank you, again," I emphasize. "For everything."

"Might I remind you, Doctor," he automatically squares his shoulders, "That it was Wesley who did most of the work."

"Doctor Cru-Picard," Worf corrects as he too interrupts.

"Worf! It's good to see you, Worf." I regard him, "We've missed you."

"Likewise." He counters austerely. "I am very sorry that I was not able to be of assistance. I only heard about the news not three days ago when I was leaving Deep Space Nine to visit Alexander back on Earth."

"Oh Worf, it's-"

The clang of a glass cuts short our conversation and I'm riveted to Robert's deep, resounding voice. "Eh, welcome to the Picard vineyard," Robert booms from under the tent. "It's so good to have all of you with us, et eh," he laughs. "Before the wine takes its effect and I start talking too much, I would like to invite all of you to come and sit, and," He chuckles with gusto. "More importantly to eat!"