Arriving Home

part III

By: AW

Rating: K+
Pairing: J/C, P/T, whole crew
Summary: Finally the real J/C stuff.
Disclaimer: The story is mine, but the characters belong to Paramount.
Length: 1196 words
Date: March 2008

Chakotay turned to the sound of the doors of their temporary quarters opening. "Is that just about it honey?"

"Ughh." Kathryn just about spat. "I think so. I convinced the brass to let the Voyager crew have a week with their families before the beginning of 'the real trials' so to speak."

Chakotay nodded and motioned for Kathryn to come of over to the couch where he was sprawled.

Kathryn looked at him, "Can you just let me get out of this uniform first. It's beginning to get a little snug. They decided to give me new uniforms in the same size as the ones that I left with Voyager."

Chakotay nodded and watched his soon-to-be wife walk into their bedroom. She exited wearing cloths that were much less 'restrictive'.

She approached the couch and positioned herself between his legs, laying comfortably in his warmth. "What the hell was that all about yesterday with you and Seven?"

He laughed, "I didn't know until I talked to the doctor, and reviewed her holodeck programs."

"Oh this sounds good," Kathryn stated dryly.

He placed his hands on the beginnings of the swell of her abdomen. "I'll tell you but first...Kathryn, you're 17 weeks pregnant, you're not going to be able to keep this a secret much longer."

She turned around on the couch so she was laying on top of him facing him. "I know, I figured we were getting married tomorrow: we'd tell everyone then." She paused unsure of herself. "Tonight we have to go see my mother, and I figured we'd tell her and Phoebe then."

Kathryn ran to the bathroom, her stomach not quite holding food down the way it used to. "I hope this morning sickness ends soon. I can just picture it now, losing my lunch all over Admiral Paris as we recite our wedding vows." She turned and went to the bedroom to change for their outing. "And I think supper with my mother is the best time to break the news."

She came out of the bedroom wearing a flowing emerald green dress with an empire waist, not showing off the pregnancy... but not hiding it either.

Chakotay walked up to her, admiring her new frame and glowing face. He enveloped her in a hug and pulled her tight to him, when he felt a foot, maybe an elbow connect with his abdomal muscles. "Well someone is excited about meeting grandma." He laughed, then stopped to look at her full smile. "You are so beautiful Kathryn."

Kathryn blushed under his scrutiny and praise. "I love you Chakotay. You know that right?"

"I love you too Kathryn, both of you." He paused laying a hand on her expanding mid-drift.

Kathryn smiled at him. "Let's get you ready to go... 'daddy'."

*~*~*~*~*

Twenty minutes later both were dressed and ready to go. "Janeway to transporter operator. Two to beam to station in Bloomington Indiana."

"Aye Ma'am." She heard the transport operators voice, and felt her body dissolve, and soon the couple both arrived in the station. "You ready to meet my family Chakotay?"

"I've been ready my whole life Kathryn."

She smiled. Chakotay looked at her, "You ready to let the cat out of the bag?" She nodded. "I am so happy Chakotay." She paused, "This life is something I never thought I'd have."

He smiled, "Never is a long time Kathryn."

She paused and looked at him, "Do you think we're rushing things?"

He looked at her astonished, "Kathryn, four years is hardly rushing things."

Kathryn looked down giving in. "I guess so, but it just will seem so sudden to everyone else."

"Maybe, but not to me." He kissed her and grabbed her hand, as they walked to her mother's farm house.

*~*~*~*~*

When they walked inside, Chakotay noticed Kathryn's mother and sister sitting on the couch speaking in hushed tones. As soon as the pair heard the door opening, Gretchen walked up to her eldest daughter joy in her eyes. "Oh my god, Kathryn you're finally home!"

Kathryn nodded and pointed to Chakotay, "And this is my soon to be husband Chakotay." Gretchen embraced Kathryn and felt an ever so slight movement. She looked into Kathryn's eyes and watched her daughter nod.

"And soon to be father of my grandchild I see."

Chakotay opened his arms and embraced his 'mother-in-law'.

Phoebe ran up and pulled Kathryn's arms to her side, staring at Kathryn's changed shape. "Oh my god Kathryn. I'm so happy for you. So this is the reason for the suddenness of the wedding?"

Kathryn gave a lopsided grin, "Well not the only reason, but an important part of it."

Phoebe pulled her sister down to sit next to her on the couch. "So when it the 'little bundle of joy' going to make its appearance?"

Kathryn sighed, "Well, I have about 23 weeks left to go, god willing."

"My goodness you're over four months pregnant? By this time I looked like a beached whale."

"I highly doubt that sis. So where are my niece and nephew?"

"They're with their father, you'll meet them tomorrow at the wedding. I wanted tonight to be just us, mom and Chakotay catching up on old times."

Kathryn got up, "Coffee anyone?"

Gretchen followed her daughter, "I see you still haven't managed to break her of that habit, huh?"

Chakotay rolled his eyes, "I'm not sure that anyone or anything could break her of that habit. Seven years in the Delta Quadrant with Neelix's coffee substitutes didn't break her of that habit." He paused looking at his new family, "And if that can't...I'm not sure that anything can."

Gretchen chuckled, "Oh come on now, it couldn't have been that bad."

Kathryn piped in, "You have no idea mom."

Kathryn placed her hand on her belly, "Mom, come here. You have to feel this."

Gretchen walked over to her daughter and placed a hand on her belly. "Feisty one isn't she?"

Kathryn smiled and got a happy look on her face. "Mom, I didn't think I'd ever get to have this."

"You deserve it, if this is what you want. You've spent your whole life trying to make people happy...and most of the time you have succeeded: Now it's your turn."

Chakotay walked up behind Kathryn and wrapped his hands around her, feeling the baby make fluid butterfly movements beneath his fingers. "You are so beautiful Kathryn and this pregnancy is making you glow."

Kathryn turned around and kissed him full on the lips. "Let's go eat, the baby is hungry." She pulled her hands down to meet his on her abdomen.

Phoebe watched the display in front of her. "Mom, they are discustingly cute."

Gretchen raised an eyebrow, "That they are, but Kathryn's finally home, and finally happy."

Phoebe nodded, "And I think that Kathryn deserves happiness more than most." She paused, "Let's go eat Mom."

End, Part III
THE END