by Dakota

Kathryn sighed and sank gratefully onto the couch. She and Chakotay had been baby-sitting for Miral and the three year old was getting to be a handful. Not only did she have her mother's temper but she was polishing the skills she inherited from her father, namely a quick mind and even quicker tongue. That added to the lingering terrible twos made her a handful to say the least. B'Elanna was six months into a difficult pregnancy and they had been keeping Miral several evenings a week for the last month so she could rest.

Chakotay joined her on the couch bringing her a cup of tea while they relaxed after the evening's challenges. Kathryn sipped the tea appreciatively. Nearly three years together had made her appreciate tea late at night even if coffee was still her beverage of choice during the day. Together they enjoyed the peace until the tea grew cold.

"Would you think I'm a terrible person if I told you I am glad when Miral goes home?" Kathryn's voice was curious more than worried.

"No. In fact I think you're a good person for insisting she come back so often because you know B'Elanna needs the rest. Neither of us is really up to handling a three year old, be she Klingon or Terran."

"Somehow I always thought you'd want a family."

"I do. And I have one."

"You know what I mean."

"Sure. I would have liked a family, but now? I'm not so sure. Twenty years ago, I would have been trying to talk you into a dozen kids. Maybe even ten years ago I would have wanted one or two. We have a good life and I'm happy with the family I have – and the children who go home with their parents. I love Miral like my own grandchild and Tom and B'Elanna may as well be our children, but I'm like you – I'm happy when they go home." Chakotay stood and pulled Kathryn to her feet. "Come on. Let's get some sleep. We're eating dinner with them tomorrow and I need to rest."

"Darn. I was hoping you might want to cuddle a while."

"I could be convinced by the right woman. Up to a challenge?"

"Convincing you has never been much of a challenge." Laughing they cleared the cups and headed for their room.

The next evening the four friends enjoyed a relatively peaceful dinner with only one minor crisis when Miral spilled her milk. Kathryn was quicker to react than B'Elanna and quickly wiped up the spill. The men volunteered to clean up after they ate leaving Kathryn and B'Elanna to entertain Miral for a few minutes before she went to bed. After she was asleep, the four talked companionably for about thirty minutes before Tom changed the subject.

"As much as we always enjoy having you over, tonight we had an ulterior motive." Tom moved to B'Elanna's side and took her hand. He was clearly nervous. "We have a favor to ask of you."

Chakotay smiled at that and both he and Kathryn relaxed. "You know you can ask anything so long as you are willing to take 'no' for an answer if we can't help." His final comment was meant as to be humorous and he was expecting Tom and B'Elanna to smile and relax. They didn't.

"That's just it. We aren't going to be willing to take 'no' as your answer. This isn't some routine trivial favor."

"Just what is it you want from us, Tom?" Kathryn looked and sounded concerned.

"We know this is asking a lot, more than we have any right to expect, but we've talked about it for months and agree it's what we want." Tom was starting to ramble and realized it. He took a deep breath and tightened his grip on B'Elanna's hand. "If something happens to B'Elanna and me, we want you to raise Miral and the baby."

Fearful blue and brown eyes met startled brown and gray eyes as the request's enormity registered. For a long minute no one spoke. Tom and B'Elanna were afraid to say anything in case it sparked a negative answer. Kathryn and Chakotay didn't know which question to ask first. Kathryn finally found her voice.

"There must someone in your family, Tom, who would do a better job, like your parents or one of your sisters."

B'Elanna joined the conversation. This was familiar territory for she and Tom had discussed all the possibilities for weeks before making their decision. "We thought about them all, especially Tom's parents. They love Miral dearly but are at a complete loss when they have her more than a couple of hours. They are also older and have a hard time keeping up with her."

"We're older too, B'Elanna." Kathryn grasped at straws to change their mind.

"Not as much older, not enough to be Tom's parents. You're more like older siblings than parents. I guess that's how we feel about you two, like Tom's sister and my brother. You're as close to Miral as an aunt and uncle could be."

"What about one of Tom's sisters?"

"That might be ok except for one little problem. B'Elanna is part Klingon and so is Miral. Don't misunderstand me; my entire family has no problem with that but it affects Miral's behavior. She doesn't react the same as Terran children. My sisters have no idea how difficult some things are for Miral and why other things are so easy for her. Their only guide is B'Elanna and they only know her now. They never saw her struggle to find a balance between her heritages. You both have. You know better than anyone in my family what B'Elanna went through, you especially, Chakotay, because you knew her in the Maquis when she was first finding that balance. You both helped B'Elanna through that process."

"You helped far more than we did, Tom." Kathryn was quick to deny credit.

"Maybe, but you helped more than you'll ever know." B'Elanna spoke again. "Kathryn, you trusted me on the word of your enemy. That alone made me to find the strength to justify his faith and gain your trust on my own merit. You both gave me the space I needed to grow as a person while you refused to let me drift away into isolation. You both expected me to deal with both my heritages and to find a balance and you refused to let me fail. That's what we want for our children and you're the only people we know who can give them that."

Chakotay finally spoke again. "We're honored, Tom. You know we'd do anything to help you, but Kathryn was right. We are older, maybe not as old as your parents, but we can't keep up with young children as well as we once could. Can't you find someone else to be primarily responsible for your children and let us continue to be involved in their lives as we are now? It's very unlikely that anything is going to happen to both of you. Even if it did, our circumstances could very easily have changed making it impossible for us to give young children a home. Then there is the question of family values. As close as we are, we aren't family and we don't have the same values as your family."

"Chakotay, you're right about family values. The first flaw with your argument is that Tom's family doesn't have the same values as my mother. The next flaw is that we don't agree with all their values or priorities either. You know Tom and his dad had a lot of very rough years because they had different ideas of what was important. That's behind them now, but the underlying differences are still there. The truth is you and Kathryn would teach the values that we'd rather see our children learn.

"As for being older and having circumstances change, you're right. That could happen. But it's equally true for anyone else." B'Elanna looked at Kathryn and Chakotay as she finished speaking. They seem to have run out of objections and questions. She stood pulling Tom with her. "Come on, Helmboy, let's get some tea and let them talk a few minutes."

Ten minutes later B'Elanna and Tom returned with tea to find Kathryn and Chakotay huddled on one end of the couch quietly talking. B'Elanna passed them mugs of tea and sat down next to Tom on the other couch. Tom broke the silence.

"I meant what I said earlier. We are not prepared to accept 'no' as your answer. This is what we truly believe is best for our children."

"We understand, Tom, or at least as well as anyone who is not a parent can understand." Chakotay spoke for the couple, this time with a purpose in his voice. "Can you accept that we can't say 'yes' without some qualifications?"

"Like what?"

"First of all, we're honored. What you have asked of us is something very important to you both. We know that just as we know our own limitations. This request could require many years for us to fulfill. We are older and our circumstances will change. Do you trust us to decide at the time what is best for your children? Will you let us designate who would be primarily responsible for them?"

"Are you eliminating yourself from consideration?"

"No. Based on what you've told us tonight and any other criteria you give us, if we will consider ourselves one alternative in that decision, will you let us make it?"

"All other factors being equal, you will raise the children? You'll only send them to someone else if it's clearly a better option for them?"

Chakotay glanced at Kathryn and waited until she nodded. "Yes."

Tom and B'Elanna exchanged similar looks. B'Elanna's tentative smile was enough of an answer for Tom. "We'll accept that."

B'Elanna was out of her chair and hugging Kathryn before anyone had realized she had moved. Tears were running down her face. "Thank you."

A little over two years later, Kathryn looked up from her desk to see an ashen faced Owen Paris standing in her door. When he realized she was staring at him, he spoke.

"Tom's dead. My son is dead. How will I tell my family?" He rambled a few more minutes before Kathryn managed to get him to sit down.

As shocked as Owen but remaining more functional, Kathryn called for a doctor to check on him.  While she waited, she obtained details about the incident and asked Chakotay to join her. Although sketchy, the information about the training flight indicated that a young trainee had panicked and somehow managed to decompress the shuttle, killing everyone on board including the three passengers heading home from Jupiter Station where Tom had been working on a new scout class ship.

Eventually, they sent Owen home with his aide to tell his family while Kathryn and Chakotay went to tell B'Elanna what had happened. B'Elanna was immediately on alert when the two showed up at her door unexpectedly in the middle of the day.  She turned to Chakotay. "What's wrong?"

"Sit down, B'Elanna. We have some bad news." B'Elanna backed to a chair, nearly tripping over it as she sat. Her expression was panic-stricken.

"No, no!" She was in denial before she heard the words.

"B'Elanna, I'm so sorry. Tom was killed in a shuttle accident a few hours ago."

Chakotay's soft words were what she had feared the most. Her energy drained out of her and she collapsed back in the chair tears running down her face. Miral understood enough to know that something bad had happened to her father and launched herself into her mother's arms sobbing. Tommy didn't understand what was happening but reacted to the emotions around him and followed Miral's lead.  B'Elanna hugged her children while Kathryn and Chakotay watched helplessly.

Finally the children allowed Chakotay to entice them to the other room with the offer of a snack. Kathryn stayed with B'Elanna who slowly regained control. They talked quietly, asking unanswerable questions. Eventually B'Elanna sought the comfort of the familiar role of mother and stood to go check on Miral and Tommy. She fainted as soon as she stood up. Kathryn immediately summoned a doctor who arrived a bit put out that his patient couldn't transport to his office. Kathryn had insisted on a house call because she didn't want to alarm the children. The doctor stopped sputtering when he counted the pips in the room and recognized an admiral's daughter-in-law.

A few minutes later, he had checked a now alert B'Elanna thoroughly. He seemed unsurprised that she had fainted and satisfied with her general condition.

"You are fine. You're going to need to make a few allowances though. I'd think you'd know that."

"What do you mean? Why should I know to make allowances?"

"You have two children already. I would have thought you'd know what changes to make in your activities while you're pregnant."

"Pregnant?" B'Elanna voice was shocked. "Are you telling me I'm pregnant?"

"Yes, with twins. Didn't you know?"

"Twins?" B'Elanna's grief and shock turned to anger and the anger was focused on the doctor. "If this is some cruel joke, it's not funny! I just found out my husband is dead and now you're playing jokes?"

"I'm sorry. I thought you knew. You're about six weeks pregnant." The doctor was at a loss. What would have been good news for most people was probably the last thing his patient needed to hear. He turned his attention to Kathryn. "She's fine, all things considered. She needs to see her regular doctor about the pregnancy and to rest until the shock caused by today's events has subsided. Can someone stay with her tonight? In the meantime, I'll give her something to help her sleep tonight."

"Of course."

The next week turned into a blur for Kathryn and Chakotay as they helped B'Elanna deal with Tom's funeral and the memorial service Starfleet held for all those killed in the accident.

Once things settled down after Tom's funeral, the Paris family kept themselves involved with B'Elanna and the children but slowly their grief at losing Tom made seeing the children too difficult. They withdrew into a closed circle to ease their own grief forgetting that B'Elanna and the children shared that grief. The children's behavior deteriorated slowly but steadily as they reacted to Tom's absence and the withdrawal of the Paris family. B'Elanna was trying to deal with her grief and an unexpected pregnancy while rebuilding her life without Tom. Kathryn and Chakotay tried to keep the children so B'Elanna could rest but a few hours a day were not enough to make up for a missing parent. The time they spent with the children was time they could not use to help B'Elanna adjust and she needed their support as much as the children.

After a few months, Chakotay confronted Owen at Starfleet headquarters. He never told Kathryn what he said to Owen but after their conversation, the Paris family made a conscious effort to be part of B'Elanna's life. Later Owen thanked Chakotay for forcing them to deal with their grief with B'Elanna and the children rather than closing them out.

Eventually, they all settled into a routine that had the children spending time with their grandparents and aunts regularly leaving B'Elanna time to rest both on her own and with Tom's family. Kathryn and Chakotay continued to keep Miral and Tommy regularly but were also able to spend quiet evenings with B'Elanna talking. Slowly life for them all resumed.

Early one morning about six months after Tom's death, Kathryn and Chakotay sat in the living room of B'Elanna's home as Miral and Tommy rushed to finish their breakfasts. They were taking the two children to the LunieToons Zero-G Theme Park on the moon for the day. Kathryn wasn't so sure a big breakfast was a good idea for the two.

Despite being nearly eight months pregnant B'Elanna looked pale and thin. Carrying twins was hard for anyone and the problems she had experienced with Tommy were minor compared to what she had been going through with the twins. There was no doubt she was looking forward to a day of rest.

Miral rushed into the room from the kitchen slowing suddenly to a walk and was nearly knocked down by Tommy who was right on her heels and had not been prepared to stop. Instead of their usual argument, Miral simply ignored Tommy.

"We're ready!"

Kathryn and Chakotay smiled and exchanged rueful looks. They were going to have a long and eventful day. Quickly the children hugged their mother and tugged Chakotay to his feet, each pulling on one hand. The three waited at the door while Kathryn assured B'Elanna they'd keep a watchful eye on the children.

Eleven hours later an exhausted Kathryn and equally exhausted Chakotay stepped off the shuttle transport a block from Starfleet command each carrying a sleeping child. They looked at each other. They were both thinking the same thing but neither would say it. Finally his concern for Kathryn won and Chakotay spoke.

"Look, we don't abuse our privileges here at Starfleet very often, but this time I think we should. If these two wake up, we both know they won't go back to sleep for hours and there is no way we're going to get them home asleep if we use ground transportation. Let's use the transporter."

"I'll tell you why this is wrong in the morning. Right now I'm too tired to care." Kathryn led the way. The transporter facility was practically empty. The officer on charge didn't even ask who they were or where they were going. There were very few at Starfleet command who didn't recognize Admiral Paris's grandchildren on sight even if Kathryn Janeway was hard to find under her civilian attire.

"You want the corridor or the kids' bedroom?"

"You have the coordinates for their room?"

"Sure. Admiral Paris uses it when the children visit and stay late."

Kathryn and Chakotay exchanged a look. "I don't think B'Elanna will mind, Kathryn. She will be thrilled if they stay asleep."

Kathryn merely nodded her agreement to the transporter officer. Seconds later they were in the children's room. Chakotay put Miral on her bed then turned to help Kathryn with Tommy. They took off the children's shoes and pulled light blankets over them. It wouldn't hurt them to sleep in their clothes. Quietly they left the room and closed the door behind them.

They went to find B'Elanna. They walked past her empty bedroom on their way to the living area. When they didn't find her there they called out for her. No answer. The light in the kitchen drew their attention. Wondering why she would be in the kitchen so late and not answer they went through the dining area and into the kitchen. What they found made them both freeze in horror. B'Elanna was on the floor unconscious in two pools of blood. Years of training kicked in and they called for an emergency transport. Kathryn went with B'Elanna while Chakotay waited for someone to come stay with the children.

An hour later Chakotay found Kathryn in the maternity area of the hospital. She practically ran into his arms when she saw him. "Oh, Chakotay, they couldn't save her. She's dead."

"Do the Parises know?"

"They aren't here yet and I'm not telling them over a comm line. Who's with the children?"

"I got Harry to come over. He can stay as long as we need him. Do you want me to tell the Parises what's happened?"

"No, this is something I have to do but I'm going to need you with me." Kathryn finally stood away from Chakotay. "Come on. Look at the babies. They're beautiful, just like their mother even if they are boys."

Later the doctors told them a severe contraction probably caught B'Elanna by surprise and she either stumbled or fainted and hit her head. She had been unconscious at least six hours when she arrived at the hospital. Between the blow to her head and loss of blood they had been lucky to save the babies.

The following week turned into a blur much like the one following Tom's death only this time it was the children who needed their attention and comfort. Tommy didn't understand what had happened but Miral knew that, like their father, their mother wouldn't be coming home anymore. The addition of two babies to their family didn't make it easier for them.

After B'Elanna's funeral, her friends and family set up a schedule to stay with the children until permanent arrangements were made. One of Tom's sisters agreed to keep Jimmy and Danny until arrangements were made for all the children.

The weeks after B'Elanna's funeral brought back a promise made years earlier. Kathryn and Chakotay were torn. They had made the promise to Tom and B'Elanna never really expecting to have to act on it. Now they had to decide who would raise the four Paris children. Tom had told his father what he and B'Elanna wanted so his family was not surprised about the decision regarding guardians for the children being made by someone not in the family. Tom also had made it clear to his family that their preference was that Kathryn and Chakotay raise the children themselves rather than find someone else to do it but he had asked them to support whatever they decided. Both Kathryn and Chakotay had secretly hoped that one of Tom's sisters would ask to raise them but none had stepped forward. The entire group had talked several times about the type of home each could provide. In the end, Kathryn and Chakotay had to agree that no one could offer the children a better home. They remembered their promise – all things being equal, they would raise the children.

"I'll turn in my resignation tomorrow. It will take me a week or so to clear my desk."  Chakotay was surprised at Kathryn's words. She saw his face. "Don't look so surprised. We can't both work and raise four young children."

"Why you and not me?"

"I already qualify for full retirement benefits. You don't. We're going to need the money eventually."

"They have money from Tom and B'Elanna. That will help cover the extra cost."

"I'd like to keep that to give them when they're ready to start their own families. Besides, we told them we'd raise the children, not use their money to raise them. It's the least we can do."

"At least think about it a couple more days, Kathryn. I'm not sure you should give up your career."

"All right. I'll think about it a couple more days before I turn in my resignation." Chakotay sighed knowing that was the best he'd get from Kathryn that day.

Later that evening they visited Admiral Paris and his wife to tell them what they had decided. The admiral was sorry that they children wouldn't be raised by family but quite relieved that Kathryn and Chakotay had done what Tom and B'Elanna wanted. They discussed how and when they would tell the children.

The next weekend Kathryn and Chakotay spent looking for a new house. Their two bedroom home would not be big enough. They had found several that were large enough but were in areas they didn't particularly like. The few they could afford in areas they liked were too small. Thoroughly discouraged they ate a quiet meal at home and discussed the homes that were large enough, trying to convince themselves one of them would be satisfactory. Their unproductive argument with themselves was interrupted by an unexpected visitor. Chakotay asked Admiral Paris to join them for coffee and dessert. The admiral accepted the coffee gladly but declined the dessert. They made small talk for a few minutes before the admiral explained the reason for his visit."

"I have a favor to ask of you two, one I have no reason to expect you to grant. First I need to give you a little background. We're still living in the house where we raised our children and have been reluctant to move out even though we don't need such a large house anymore. Lately it's been getting more and more difficult for us to keep it up. We had hoped one of the girls would want it but they didn't. Until…recently we had hoped to talk Tom and B'Elanna into moving in so we could move to a smaller place. After Tom died we put off mentioning it to B'Elanna. We thought she'd be more receptive after the twins were born.

"We'd still like some of our grandchildren, Tom's children to be precise, to be raised in the house. Would you consider trading houses with us?"

Kathryn and Chakotay were unprepared for the offer. Both were familiar with the Paris house and knew it was not only large enough but was situated in an area that was exactly the type they wanted. They also knew that as nice as their home was, it was not a fair trade for the Paris home. They told the admiral as much. An hour later, after a long discussion, they had agreed to think about it and meet the admiral for lunch the following day with their decision. The admiral's parting words echoed in their thoughts the rest of the evening.

"Our house is the best place for the children and it is something we can contribute to their happiness. Please allow us to make this contribution to their future."

The welfare of the children and the need to get them settled quickly overcame their pride as they were forced to admit that trading houses with the Parises was the perfect solution. They could move in as quickly as they could make arrangements and Miral and Tommy were already comfortable in the house. It had four bedrooms upstairs and a fifth downstairs. Kathryn and Chakotay could sleep upstairs until the twins were older then move to the room downstairs. Once they accepted the idea they found themselves making plans about when to start packing and what to pack first. Chakotay abruptly ended the discussion by standing up and pulling Kathryn to her feet.

"Come on. I don't know about you but I'd like to get some sleep tonight."

"It's early yet." Kathryn's protests were real.

"Tonight I am going to start enjoying our evenings alone whenever we get them. We're about to become the parents of four very demanding children so I suspect these evenings will be few and far between."

"Well, when you put it like that, how can I resist?"

The next day Kathryn and Chakotay told the admiral they would trade houses. When the three started discussing all the legal steps that needed to be completed, the admiral brushed it aside and told them he'd have someone in the JAG offices sort it out for them. He then told them he and his wife had decided they wanted all new furniture for their new home and would really appreciate it if Kathryn and Chakotay would let them leave their old furniture in the house. Kathryn insisted they take some of the nicer pieces from the formal living room and all the antiques. When she pointed out that those things wouldn't fare well in a home with young children, the admiral reluctantly agreed. The admiral had one last request before the parted.

"Would you still hold a family gathering for the Parises once in a while?"

"Of course, but only if you send someone else over to do the cooking." Chakotay's quick answer earned him a painful elbow in the ribs compliments of Kathryn and a chuckle from the admiral.

"Of course. I'll gladly volunteer all the cooks in my family. I'll even provide people to clean up before we leave."

A few days later, Kathryn and Chakotay were staying with the older children for the evening. Chakotay had found Tom's favorite pizza program in the replicator and the children had been talking and laughing for the first time since they had been to the theme park. As they finished, Miral spoke.

"Aunt Kathryn, what's going to happen to us?"

"Nothing is going to happen to you, Miral. Why do you think something would?"

"Well, I heard some people talking at Mommy's funeral about not knowing what would happen to me and Tommy. I didn't know what they meant so I thought I'd ask you."

"They meant they didn't know where you were going to live and who would take care of you. That's all."

"Why didn't they know?"

"That's easy. Because your Mommy and Daddy didn't tell them the plans they made for you and Tommy in case something happened to them."

"Did Mommy and Daddy tell you their plans?"

"Yes, they did. They told us all about their plans for you a long time ago. Would you like to know what those plans are?"

"Will I like them?"

"I hope so but even if you don't they're the plans your Mommy and Daddy made for you, Tommy and the twins so we will all have to do our best to follow those plans. Do you think you can do that?"

"I don't know. Will you help me?"

"I promise. So, do you want to hear those plans now?"

"I suppose so." Kathryn glanced at Chakotay silently requesting that he pick up the conversation, which he did.

"Well, first of all, your Mom and Dad wanted someone to take care of you who would love you almost as much as they did. They also wanted someone who would teach you about your Grandma Miral's people. Most of all they wanted you all to be happy."

"What if we're not happy?"

"Well, you probably won't be as happy at first because you miss your Mom and Dad. Do you think you can at least try?"

"I guess so. But who did Mommy and Daddy say had to take care of us."

"They didn't actually say anyone had to, but they asked Kathryn and me to take care of you and we said we would."

"So are we going to come live with you?"

"Yes, but not in our house. We're all going to go live in Gram and Gramp Paris's house."

"We're all going to live with Gram and Gramp?!" Miral sounded slightly horrified.

"No, Gram and Gramp are going to move into our house. It will be just you, Tommy, and the twins living with Kathryn and me." Chakotay paused. Tommy had crawled onto Kathryn's lap while Chakotay was talking to Miral, knowing the conversation involved him but not quite understanding what was being said. He seemed to be mirroring Miral's reactions before he fell asleep. Chakotay made sure Miral had time to think about what he had told her before he continued. "So, do you think those plans are ok?"

"I guess so. I'm going to miss being here though."

"I know. But you can have your own room when we move and Kathryn and I will be there with you. Now it looks like Tommy is ready for bed. Would you like a story before you join him?"

"Yes, please."

Chakotay took Tommy from Kathryn and headed for the children's bedroom while Kathryn and Miral went to find a book.

Six weeks later, Kathryn collapsed on the couch next to Chakotay. Jimmy had finally fallen asleep again. She glanced around her new home and sighed. Since the evening Chakotay had told Miral about the plans Tom and B'Elanna made for the children, things had been moving quickly, too quickly.

Kathryn had cleared her desk at Starfleet and officially retired but she had extracted a commitment from a few of the brass that later, when the children were older, she could become a consultant on as-needed basis. Kathryn was thinking three or four years before she could begin. Wiser, more experienced heads knew it would be longer than that, if ever. Chakotay couldn't do anything about his schedule at the Academy during the current term but he did make sure the schedule for the next term had all his classes on the same days so he could spend more time at home.

Kathryn picked up the cup of tea Chakotay had waiting for her and sipped it slowly. He lifted his arm and she slid closer to him. "I'm not cut out for this, Chakotay. It's only been a few weeks and already I've run out of ideas to keep them happy and busy. They run circles around me until you walk in the door."

"You're doing great. The only reason you think they start acting better when I come home is because I'm a distraction and I change the odds. You're not outnumbered when I'm here."

"I was a starship captain and commanded hundreds of people and I can't even get two little children to stop fighting or one newborn to go to sleep when he's tired. I tell you, I'm just not cut out for this."

"Look, Kathryn. The kids aren't in Starfleet and don't know the first thing about following orders. You're expecting too much of yourself and them too soon. Miral and Tommy love and respect both of us but we're not their parents and it's going to take time before they accept us in that role." Kathryn didn't look convinced. "How many years did you study and train and work your way through the ranks before you were a captain?"

"More than I want to admit."

"And how many years have you studied and trained and taken care of children in preparation for being a mother?"

"What's your point?"

"You're new to this. Most parents start with one newborn like Jimmy or Danny, not two and certainly not two with two older siblings. We're still learning how to be parents. Now stop demeaning my former captain because I happen to know she is going to be a great mother to those four."

The next few years flew by for Kathryn and Chakotay even as the days sometimes crawled. The children adapted to their new home and family; the boys started calling them 'Mom' and 'Dad' leaving only Miral still using their names. On good days, Kathryn believed it was Miral's way of remembering Tom and B'Elanna but on bad days she wasn't so sure.

Tommy was easy going like his father rarely showing a temper inherited from his mother. He was an imaginative child and eager student but always in the middle of any trouble brewing at school. Somehow he never got blamed but Kathryn and Chakotay both knew that he was probably the instigator of many of the incidents they discussed with his teachers. They were of the private opinion that the first lesson Tommy had learned at school was how to avoid being caught.

Jimmy and Danny were an interesting blend of their brother and sister. They both had tempers but seldom lost control except when someone else did something to the other. The bully who pushed Jimmy down had to deal with Danny. Since dealing with the second immediately brought the first twin into the action, the bullies quickly learned to leave them both alone. The ensuing peace and quiet that surrounded the twins attracted a small circle of friends.

All the children were good students and at one point or another the boys all declared they wanted to attend Starfleet Academy. That was hardly surprising considering the number of people in their lives who had made Starfleet their career. Only Miral never mentioned attending the Academy.

"Only Miral."  That summed up the story of her life for Kathryn as the children grew. Only Miral truly remembered Tom and B'Elanna. Only Miral seemed to struggle with her Klingon heritage. Only Miral found friends that Kathryn didn't trust. Only Miral constantly challenged Kathryn's authority to set limits in her life.  Only Miral turned her words into daggers aimed at Kathryn's heart, "You don't want me to be happy! You don't really love me! You're not my mother and father!" Words shouted by a frustrated adolescent struggling to grow up but words that hurt. Only Miral brought Kathryn to tears regularly through the years, tears that even Chakotay's gentle wisdom couldn't ease.

Only Miral brought home friends who were rude and lazy. When Kathryn suggested she find other friends, Miral stormed to her room shouting, "You don't want me to have friends. You don't care if I'm happy. You're not my parents!"

Only Miral resisted visiting her Grandmother. The boys enjoyed playing with the Klingon children they met and loved the stories and legends Grandma Miral told them. Miral only listened to the stories about her mother, but she listened from a distance. At least once a day during their visits Miral managed to find a reason to complain to Kathryn. "The only reason you bring us here is so you can dump us on other people for a few hours. You don't care whether we learn about our mother's culture or family. You don't love us. You only took us in so you could move into that big house!"

Kathryn lost track of the nights she cried her frustration and pain out on Chakotay's shoulders. They both felt the frustration and often questioned their decision to raise the children. They struggled to believe they had done the right thing, but at times it was difficult. They ended up doing what any other parents would do - the best they could for all four of their children but they were not convinced their best was what Miral really needed. Only Miral concerned them.

Only Miral attended Starfleet Academy. Miral stood at the podium holding an award for her achievements in engineering. She was quiet a few moments before she spoke.

"There are a lot of people I should thank, but there are only two I want to mention to all of you. Most of you probably know that my parents died when I was only five and that my brothers and I were raised by Kathryn Janeway and Chakotay. That decision to raise us cost them more than even I know and like all children I have seldom shown my appreciation for the people who care about me. Well, today I'm saying it. Kathryn and Chakotay, you may not be my mother and father but you have been my Mom and Dad for as long as I can remember. Thank you."

The polite applause from a crowd of strangers hid the enthusiastic response Miral's words inspired from the group of officers where Kathryn and Chakotay sat with tears running down their cheeks. Never again would they question the decision they had made so many years ago to fulfill a promise to their friends.