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Disclaimer: Paramount owns all things Trek. I have just borrowed some of their characters to play with in my story.
The Family Series - Book Seven
Tears, Time and Joy
by Dee Price
Slowly time drifted by. Although Jonathan still felt devastated
at the loss of his parents, the passage of time finally started to ease the
pain. Maori also was his salvation as
they spent countless hours out at The Family just talking.
The Chakotay families' closeness, all due to the love and
example set by their parents Kathryn and Chakotay, spread without much effort
to the children. Everyone within all
families loved everyone else and just being with one another. This closeness was also very obvious to
their friends, who all marveled at the joy and love they felt when in any of
the family's presence.
When his sister Maori was born Jonathan proclaimed himself
her ‘teacher' and this tradition continued in each family with the arrival of a
new brother or sister. Kolopak, Jonathan's first born son, had been his brother
Jeremiah's teacher and now Jeremiah appointed himself Kathryn's 'teacher' and
shortly after her birth started telling her stories about her Grandparents
Chakotay and Kathryn, as well as the legends Chakotay had passed on about his
people. Jonathan and Annie had beamed
proudly as they sat and listened to Jeremiah.
Jonathan had been on an extended leave, due to the death of
his parents, but two months after Kathryn's birth, and after much deliberation
and many conversations with his wife Annie and sister Maori, he decided to
return to Starfleet. His first
assignment was a "classified" mission under the command of the highly
respected Vulcan, Captain Darok. Scheduled for two months Starfleet abruptly
told the families of the crew it had been unexpectedly extended, causing the
family great concern and worry for Jonathan's safety. No contact was allowed and they had no way of knowing if the
mission was troubled or if anyone was still alive and well. As time continued and no word was
forthcoming from
Starfleet, the sense of concern for Jonathan deepened
immeasurably.
Meanwhile, Katie and James decided to enlarge their family
and soon Katie was pregnant. Their son Chris was excited he was going to have a
brother or sister. With Jonathan away on his mission, and because of no
contact, Adam and Jennie constantly visited Annie, trying to lessen her
loneliness as well as help with the children.
Suddenly, after four months absence, Jonathan returned. It
was obvious, however, from Jonathan's demeanor, something had happened on that
mission, as everything was more 'hush hush' than normal. Jonathan was unusually
quiet and solemn.
One week after his return Jonathan and Annie were quietly
sitting in the Family Room. Jonathan
was holding baby Kathryn in his arms but seemed to be staring into space. Kolopak and Jeremiah were crowded on the
sofa at their Dad's side.
Annie looked at Jonathan and quietly asked, "Honey, I
know that mission was secret and you can't talk about it, but you have been so
quiet since your return . . . like something bad happened. Is there anything you can talk about that
will help? I'm here to listen if it
will help you in any way."
Jonathan didn't answer at first, then sighing deeply he
looked at Annie. "The mission made me realize how very much I don't like
being apart from my family. I love you
all so much . . . " He hesitated a moment then shrugged his shoulders
as he continued, "I've started to think of resigning from Starfleet, but
when we got back - " He stopped again, took a deep breath and said, "something
did happen on that mission Annie and shortly after our return Starfleet told me
they were going to promote me to Captain, and now I just don't know what to do.
It would be such an honor being Captain, but . . . "
Annie took hold of his free hand and squeezed. "You know I will support you in
whatever decision you make. But
Captain! Oh Jonathan that's wonderful! Your mom and dad would be so proud and
so excited for you."
Jonathan grinned. "I know. I can picture the
pride in their eyes, but like you they would tell me whatever decision I made
would be fine with them. I just don't
like leaving you and the children - if anything should happen . . . "
"Jonathan," said Annie firmly, "I know you
feel that way because both your parents died while you were on an away mission,
but you can't let that influence your life. You love Starfleet! It's been
your dream ever since you were a child."
"Maybe it's not that important anymore, Annie. Maybe Starfleet would give me an office job
or . . ."
Annie interrupted but in a quiet voice. "You wouldn't
be happy doing that Jonathan."
"You can be Captain, poppa," said Kolopak
suddenly. "We'll all miss you a
lot, but at least you'll come back home. And we know you love us."
Jonathan looked at Kolopak in amazement. Then he smiled as he glanced at Annie. "Are you telling me you want me to go
away?" he kidded Kolopak as he playfully punched him on the shoulder.
Kolopak laughed. "No, poppa. I don't want
you to go way, I know you like your job. It's just sometimes you have to leave,
but then it's always so good when you get back home. I want to be in Starfleet
too when I grow up."
Jonathan looked at Kolopak. "You do huh? You realize it's a lot of work and time away from your
family?"
Kolopak solemnly nodded his head, but then with a
mischievous grin said, "I know, but I wont get married right away, I'll do
all that work first." Becoming serious he added, "I love you poppa, I'll
make you proud of me being in Starfleet and I'll be so proud of you being a
Captain." His face suddenly contorted. "Just don't go away like
Grandpa and Grandma did," and he turned and buried his head onto
Jonathan's chest and a sob was heard.
Jonathan, although still holding Kathryn, shifted her
slightly and wrapped an arm around Kolopak, pulling him tight to him, then
reached out to pull Jeremiah closer. The family sat quietly for a few minutes until Kolopak straightened up
and wiped tears from his eyes.
"I'm sorry poppa," he said quietly, "But I
miss Grandpa and Grandma so much."
"I know. I miss
them, too. But don't apologize for
crying, son. Remember what Grandpa told
you, 'It takes a strong man to cry and not be embarrassed.' Not a day goes by that I don't think of them
and I cry each time."
"Me, too," said Kolopak as he sniffed. "And even Jeremiah understands now and
sometimes at night I hear him crying."
Jonathan reached down and tousled Jeremiah's hair, then his
breath caught as he saw such a sad look in Jeremiah's eyes. He really did understand that Grandpa and
Grandma were gone!
Jeremiah rubbed at one eye with a fist and smiled sadly at
his Dad. Suddenly he crawled over Kolopak and onto Jonathan's lap, wrapped his
arms around Jonathan's neck and kissed him on the cheek. "Love you poppa," he said
quietly. Annie quickly reached over and
took Kathryn from Jonathan's arms and he promptly wrapped his arms around both
sons, holding them tightly as he buried his face onto their heads. A few
muffled sobs broke the silence.
* * * * *
Eventually Jonathan decided to stay with Starfleet 'for a
while' as he put it, and accepted the promotion to Captain. It was sometime later the family was told
that while on this Classified Mission they had engaged in a battle with some
smugglers and Captain Darok had been killed, thus placing Jonathan, as the
First Officer and next in line, in charge of the mission. Eventually they had
captured the other ship and placed its crew in the brig, a coup for Jonathan,
as these were the men Starfleet had been after for some time for stealing Starfleet
equipment and selling them to the highest bidder.
Unfortunately there was other bad news from this mission.
Tyler had also died on that mission while trying to protect Captain Darok, and
Nick had been severely injured but would be all right after lengthy
rehabilitation. Maori had been extremely saddened to learn this news, but said
she had suspected something of that sort, since after Jonathan's return neither
Tyler nor Nick had come by the house. Actually, she had steeled herself to the conclusion that both had died,
but could not ask Jonathan about it since the mission was secret.
In another vein, while that mission had been going on Mathew
had returned from his, and he and Maori had a long talk, which ended with the
breakup of their relationship, but with the promise "to always be good
friends." It was after learning of
Tyler's death that Maori realized she had deep feelings for him, but Mathew
came by daily to see her and offer his friendship, strength and counsel to help
Maori overcome her feelings of loss.
However, Maori was a strong person, and upon learning Nick
was still alive in the Rehab Unit, buried her personal feelings of loss and
made it a point to visit Nick daily, often helping in his Rehab. Through this
she and Nick became deep friends, but it was also during this period of time
that Maori met a Doctor Spencer, a new assignee to Starfleet, and although they
clashed at first on principles and methodology, as it sometimes happens, this
antagonism changed to love and they soon announced their engagement.
As sometimes the case, fate is a strange cousin to love and
it seemed Maori was not destined for happiness, at least not yet, as shortly
after announcing their engagement Spencer was sent on a mission from which he
never returned. It was only the love and support from her brothers and sisters,
along with Nick's friendship that got her through this devastating time, as
Maori had now suffered the loss of two men she had loved.
The months slowly went by, with Nick continually offering
his friendship and counsel to Maori. One bright sunny day they both realized
their deep friendship had turned into more than that and their relationship
deepened, much to the family's happiness. Only a few months later they made
their plans and got married. It turned
out to be a deep love, not unlike that of Kathryn and Chakotay, and only after
their marriage did Nick confess he had loved Maori since the trip to the
planet, but had just played the part of a friend because he felt she would
never love him.
Jonathan grinned when Maori told him that. "Kinda sounds
like Dad and mom's situation." Maori's
eyes opened wide for a moment and then she giggled as she realized it was true.
*****
Two years went by and one day Jonathan and Annie proudly
announced Annie was again pregnant, and true to their desires, nine months
later Annie gave birth to a brown haired brown-eyed, son, who per Jonathan and
Annie's prior decision, was promptly named Chakotay. As usual, and true to the
Chakotay family tradition, a 'teacher' stepped forward when Kathryn proudly
proclaimed herself Chakotay's 'teacher', thus assuring the legends and stories
would be passed on.
Adam and Jennie also had another child during this period, a
son they named Jonathan, much to 'Uncle Jonathan's' delight, and here, too, the
'teacher' tradition carried on only with a slight variation. Both Daniel and Rebecca insisted they would
be 'Jonathan's 'teacher' and with large smiles Adam and Jennie gave this
twosome their blessing.
As to the Tattoo, it became apparent this tradition would
never end, as each child continually asked their parents when they could get
theirs. As usual the child was asked if they knew the story and reason behind
the tattoo and to explain why they desired one. Some of the answers veered slightly, but always held true to the
'essence' of the story.
Adam's daughter Rebecca, much in the mold of her Aunt Katie,
did break the tradition that only the men of the tribe get a Tattoo when she
stubbornly insisted on having one, and at the age of six pulled an outwardly
reluctant, but an inwardly delighted Aunt Katie into the Parlor for her Tattoo.
Adam and Jennie, upon seeing the Tattoo on their daughter's forehead, were at
first shocked and frowned deeply. That
reaction was only momentary as they soon broke into large grins, much to both
Rebecca's and Aunt Katie's relief! Later both Rebecca and Aunt Katie giggled to
each other 'that they both feared for their lives'.
Meanwhile, Katie and James' daughter, named Joy, who was now
three years old, lived up to her name by having a perpetual smile on her face
and a professed love for anyone she came in contact with. Her only frown was the fact she didn't have
a younger sister or brother to 'teach', but made up for this whenever visiting
an Aunt or Uncle by sitting in on every story that was being told by one of her
cousins, and then retelling the story to her mom and dad to be sure she had it
right. A year after the birth of Joy, Katie, after a discussion with James and
despite her great love for Starfleet, had resigned to be 'just a plain old
mother,' leaving James to represent this family in Starfleet. She had come to
firmly believe that her family should have a mother and wife at home.
As to their friends, one day while Harry was visiting he announced
he was resigning from Starfleet, saying it "was just getting to be work
and not much fun anymore." He
reminded Jonathan that Kathryn had once told him that 'when it stops being fun,
Harry, it's time to leave.' The family told him that it just meant they would
now be able to see each other more. Tom and B'Elanna began to noticeably slow
down due to their age and Tom retired from his job as a test consultant in his
Research and Development job. As far as
the families knew Tuvok was still alive, although no one had heard from him
since Kathryn's funeral. Neelix was still running his restaurant, but now in
just an ‘overseer' position due to his age. "Don't feel up to standing over a
hot stove anymore," he chuckled.
One day a message arrived while Jonathan was on an away
mission. It was from T'Pel and her
message said simply, "My mate Tuvok passed on this morning. He had a full
and rich life." Adam and Katie's families, along with Annie and her four
children, traveled to Vulcan to honor Tuvok, and was thanked warmly - if a
Vulcan can express warmth - by T'Pel. Annie expressed her regret over Jonathan's absence but T'Pel merely
nodded her understanding.
When Jonathan returned he was tremendously upset over the
news, but seemingly more upset that this event had happened when he was again
on an away mission. He immediately
contacted T'Pel to express his condolences and shortly after resigned from
Starfleet, saying too many things occurred when he was away. Starfleet tried to persuade him to remain by
offering him a promotion that would allow him to remain at home, but Jonathan
refused, saying he liked being Captain, and besides he had given Starfleet
almost 30 years service, counting the Academy days, and how many times could he
turn down a promotion anyway. However, he did agree to being retained as an
Instructor for Starfleet and when not engaged in that, like his Dad, merged
himself in civic functions and volunteer work around the city.
More years drifted by and before the family even realized
how much time had actually passed, Kolopak was getting ready to enter High
School, as was Adam's son Daniel, and those two would soon be joined by Katie's
son Chris.
Maori and Nick in the meantime had two children, a daughter
named Katelyn and of course a son named after her 'teacher'. However she had to
alter the spelling and named him Johnathan. Maori giggled and teased Adam unmercifully that she had to change the
spelling because he had named his last son Jonathan.
One evening, everyone was sitting around The Family in the
back yard at Maori's when Thomas Paris came walking around the side of the
house. As Jonathan rose from the grass
and started to greet him he stopped short, and just looked at Thomas. "What is it?" he asked quietly.
Thomas seemed to brace himself before answering. "It's Mom and Dad. They . . . there
was an accident with their shuttle when returning from their vacation in the
Appalachian Mountains. Some malfunction
of some kind and with Dad's age, well he wasn't as quick with his skill I guess
- they didn't make it."
Jonathan immediately put his arms around him and Thomas held
tight for a few minutes. "I'm
sorry, said Jonathan. Everyone else
expressed their shock and gave Thomas heartfelt condolences and hugs.
After Thomas recovered he said, "They had a long, full
life and at least they died together. The Medic told me they must have survived the initial impact because
they were outside the shuttle, sitting on the ground against a tree and had their
arms around each other when they were found."
"How are your wife and kids taking it?" asked
Adam.
Thomas gave a grim smile. "Deb is okay, but the kids, well - you all know about
that." Everyone nodded in
understanding, and then as Thomas readied to leave everyone informed him they
would help in any way. As Adam expressed it, "Uncle Thomas and Aunt
B'Elanna were very special people to us and we love them very much."
"I know," said Thomas. "Thanks, I'll let you know about the service," and
left.
The Chakotay families turned as one and walked to The
Family, standing quietly in their own thoughts. Time had started to thin their ranks.
* * * * *
As the months, slowly rolled on, Kolopak, now in High
School, found he excelled in the sciences. Jeremiah and Kathryn were doing well in Elementary school and Chakotay
simply 'had' to be enrolled in Kindergarten because he didn't want to be
'left out' of going to school.
When he graduated to first grade he went running to his
father, so excited he couldn't even talk, just kept jumping up and down and
waving the certificate. Joining in his son's excitement, Jonathan immediately
picked Chakotay up and swung him around in the air, but one of Chakotay's feet
hit a lamp sending it crashing to the floor. Both father and son stood very silent and contrite as Annie just stared
at them. After cleaning up the mess
Jonathan and Chakotay headed out to the backyard 'where they wouldn't get in
anymore trouble.'
With their children now in school Jonathan and Annie began
to spend more time on volunteer and civic activities. Jonathan also continued to teach Part Time at the Academy and he
always seemed to have overflowing classes
Before they knew where the time had gone Kolopak graduated
from High School and proudly entered the Academy. However, it was hard to tell who was the proudest, the child or
the parents. Adam and Jennie's
first-born son, Daniel, entered the Academy at the same time and he and Kolopak
spent many nights studying together.
Maori became Chief of Medical Services at the Hospital,
while Nick, still in Starfleet, had the occasional away mission, which even
though she tried to deny it, made Maori very nervous. After all she had lost both Tyler and Spencer to away missions.
As for Adam, he was now in charge of Research and
Development and Katie's husband James had attained the rank of full Commander.
Jonathan gleefully said one day, "The Chakotay families are almost taking
over Starfleet! We are going to have to
be careful lest they accuse us of 'Corporate takeover'!"
Bartu, although getting very old and slowing down
immeasurably still managed to make it out to The Family every night, either
with Maori or both she and Nick when he was home, and of course with all the
families and their children as the backyard was a regular meeting place. Bartu especially enjoyed the children and
listened in rapt attention as they told him their stories and legends, even
though he had heard them a million times before.
Many nights he would sit in his rocking chair and have two
or three children in his lap.
All of the families continued their closeness, never being
far away or without contact with one another. And it went without saying that
they would gather every Sunday at Maori's house for dinner, conversation and
lots of laughs. To save Maori, the families would occasionally make it a
potluck, with everyone bringing something for the table.
Reminiscing about Kathryn and Chakotay always seemed to
occur on these Sunday gatherings. "I remember one time at the planet when
for the first, and I might add, the only time I ever saw mom irritated at
dad," said Adam as he started to chuckle.
** "Dad was helping me build a table for beside my bed
- Katie was only a year old and Jonathan wasn't even thought of yet - and mom
wanted the sink fixed. It was plugged
or brown water or something, I don't remember exactly. Anyway mom had asked him several times and
he always answered with 'In a minute, honey'. " Then mom said very sharply:
"Chakotay I need this sink fixed now or you can just go
without dinner tonight!"
Chakotay winked at Adam. "Does that mean just me or are you going to starve Adam and Katie
too?"
"No smart remarks Chakotay! Please fix this sink - NOW! You have had all day working on that
desk!"
"That Captain tone got Dad's attention real fast and
dad started puttering at the sink while mom stood off to one side with her
hands on her hips. All of a sudden Dad gave a yank on the faucet, it broke and
water started spraying everywhere! All over Dad - all over Mom - and all over
me too. Mom didn't know whether to be
mad or laugh, Dad had such a sheepish look on his face! She put a hand up to her face to try and
hide the start of a smile and then started giggling and both of them went
downhill from there. By the time they
stopped laughing we practically had a river running through the
house." **
Everyone in the back yard was laughing uproariously and this
story lent itself to others from Katie and Jonathan. Bartu sat and wiped tears from his eyes he was laughing so hard.
"Aiyee," he said, "This family always happy
and always making me laugh. No wonder I
live so long!"
*****
Another two years went by and as Kolopak was about to enter
his third year at the Academy, a very sad, yet somehow poignant, bittersweet
event occurred. Bartu took ill and had
now been confined to bed for the last month. The family knew he didn't have long and it hurt them greatly. He was like a member of their family.
The EMH, who the family still used, came down the stairs
from Bartu's room. Shaking his head he said, "It wont be long now."
Jonathan, sitting on the couch, felt absolutely terrible and
started up the stairs. Bartu smiled
when he saw Jonathan and reached feebly for his hand as Maori stepped aside and
wiped the tears from her face. Jonathan
grasped Bartu's hand and squeezed, as Bartu said, "Thank you Jonathan, for
everything. This family treat me as one of you and love me as if a
brother. I am very happy."
"We love you, Bartu," said Jonathan quietly. "You are part of us, you are one of our
family and always have been."
Bartu sighed and nodded his head, then closed his eyes. Maori again swiped at a tear as Jonathan
squeezed Bartu's hand. Bartu, even with
his eyes closed, smiled and squeezed back.
Jonathan walked downstairs and glanced at Adam and
Katie. "Better go up," he
said quietly. As they rose and headed
up the stairs a knock was heard and Jonathan walked over and opened the front
door.
A stranger stood there and asked if this was the house of
Kathryn and Chakotay.
Jonathan nodded. "But I'm afraid they are no longer alive. I am their son Jonathan. Can I do something for you?"
The man looked closely at Jonathan then nodded his head,
smiled, and introduced himself. Jonathan's mouth gaped and his eyes opened wide in amazement. They engaged in a short, animated
conversation, and then Jonathan hurriedly took the man up to Bartu's bedroom,
where everyone was now gathered. The
stranger looked down at the man in the bed, who was laying very still, his eyes
closed and breathing labored.
Reaching down the stranger took hold of Bartu's hand and
said in a quiet, though rich baritone voice, "Poppa?"
Bartu opened his eyes and stared at the face looking down at
him. Slowly recognition dawned and he
smiled a joyous smile as he said, "My son! You are alive! My son Marko,
you are alive!"
Marko leaned down and kissed his father on both cheeks. "Yes, Poppa, I am here."
Jonathan quietly herded the awe struck family out of the
bedroom, a large smile on his face. As
they entered the family room tears showed in everyone's eyes at this miracle.
"Isn't this the most fantastic news," enthused
Jonathan.
"Oh my," said Maori. "How did he get away from the Borg and how did he find
us?"
"It's a long story, Maori, and we'll have Marko explain
it but for now Bartu sees a son that escaped the Borg and knows it before he
passes on."
Twenty minutes later Marko walked out of his father's
bedroom and as he came down the stairs he was crying. "He is gone. My
father is gone, but before he left he expressed his joy at seeing me and said
to tell all of you how much he loved you."
The family all started to cry. It was such a bittersweet moment. After everyone regained their composure Jonathan contacted a
Family Parlor about Bartu and soon two men came to retrieve his body. Jonathan
told Marko they would help him with arrangements and that if he didn't object,
Bartu would be laid to rest in a site near Kathryn and Chakotay.
Marko accepted with gratitude and after receiving a drink of
lemonade from Maori, the family took him out in the backyard where he could see
his father's sculpture of The Family.
Marko smiled. "Yes, I was but a boy, but I remember poppa working on this
one. He always spoke so highly of
Kathryn and Chakotay, though I do not remember so well. I do remember Adam, Katie and Jonathan a
little," he said as he looked closely at them.
Maori brought out drinks for everyone and then they all sat
and listened to Marko's tale of his escape from the Borg. It seems he had gone to the New Village that
morning to buy some new tools for his father. He met a young couple who had
traveled a lot and "when word spread that the Borg were coming, they seemed to
know about the Borg and took me with them deep into the woods into a hidden
cave, where we lived in constant fear. Finally after a little more than three
months we ventured out and crept into the city, only to find it deserted. Then we made our way to the old village, as
I was concerned about my father and brothers and sisters, only to find it
deserted as well and I feared the worst.
"This couple had a ship, a marvelous ship that went high
into the sky, and they took me to the next planet, where they again found
deserted cities. This 'planet hopping' continued for years until they came upon
a trader who volunteered to take me on as a helper, as this couple now wanted
to settle down. So I went with this
trader and he knew of a wormhole as he called it and we came out in the Gamma
Quadrant. This, of course was all new
to me, but I work hard for this man and eventually we entered the Alpha
Quadrant . . . here yes . . . and saw Earth.
"Well I remember once poppa saying Kathryn and Chakotay had
at one time secretly mentioned to him a place called Earth that they wanted to
see again someday. As it happened we
docked at the Spaceport of San Francisco and by another stroke of luck I was
eating at some restaurant where there were these two pictures on the wall of a
man and a woman and the names below them were Kathryn and Chakotay! So I inquire and they take me to this very,
very old man - someone by the name of Neelix.
"Well after this Neelix - despite his age he is very jolly
fellow - listened to my story, he had someone get a shuttle and take me to your
home. . . . this home." Marko stopped talking for a moment. "The rest you know," he finally
continued. "Providence shone on me
today to find you and see my father before he left his mortal existence, and I
shall forever give my thanks for that."
Their conversation with Marko continued well into evening,
and then Jonathan offered to have Marko stay at his house until the service was
over. Marko accepted graciously.
Three days later, following the service for Bartu, there was
a reception at the house and the family asked Marko to stay and live with them,
but he refused, saying he would continue on his way, but added that now that he
knew them and where they were he would stop by and visit occasionally.
"But where will you go, what will you do, Marko?"
asked Maori. "You don't know
anyone else and I would love to have you stay here."
Marko smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "I think I will find a small town with
lots of trees. These big cities are not
for me," he said with a loud, rich laugh.
When he left, after hearty hugs and handshakes from all, the
family somehow felt contentment. They
had lost Bartu, but the Spirits had brought them Marko, a son long thought
either dead or assimilated by the Borg, and showed him to Bartu before he had
drawn his last breath.
*****
Two more years rolled by and Kolopak, along with Daniel,
graduated from the Academy and much to their delight were assigned the same
ship, Kolopak as Chief Science Officer and Daniel as Head Tactical Officer.
Jonathan and Annie outwardly sent them off with a smile, but
inside they were sad. "Where does
the time go, Annie?" asked Jonathan sadly. "It seems only yesterday Kolopak was born, and now our first
child has left home and will be starting his own life."
"I know dear," she answered, "And in a couple
of years Jeremiah will be joining him, not to mention Kathryn and Chakotay as
well as Adam and Katie's children. Starfleet seems to be in this families blood!"
Jonathan turned and put both arms around Annie and kissed
her. "I know it's been said
before, but now I know how mom and dad felt when Adam, Katie and then me left
home. I just feel sorta empty thinking
that Jeremiah, Kathryn and Chakotay will soon be following."
"Life moves on, hon, but the one thing your parents
gave us all is love and love of family. Despite everything, we'll always have that."
At that moment the yells of Kathryn and Chakotay could be
heard in the backyard. Jonathan grinned
and grabbed Annie's hand as he turned. "Come on, let's go see what those
kids are up to."
Rounding the corner of the house Jonathan grinned
delightedly. Despite their ages the children were playing Leap Frog. As they
approached they saw Kathryn leaping over Chakotay, then he rose and started to
leap over her, only Kathryn suddenly reared up, spilling Chakotay to the grass.
"No fair, you do that every time," laughed
Chakotay. Then seeing their mom and dad he called out for them to join them.
Jonathan chuckled as he remembered the time when he had
suddenly reared up and spilled Adam to the grass. Still smiling he and Annie ran over to join their children in
this game he so fondly remembered from his youth on that planet.
"It runs in the family son," he called out,
"I used to spill Katie and Adam used to spill me."
For the next hour the backyard reverberated with their
laughter.
The End
To be concluded with "The Chakotay Legacy"
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