Title: Daddy's Girl 
Author: Cait N. 
Series: VOY 
Pairing: J/C
Rating: PG-13 
Feedback: Yes, please! caitn at mindspring.com 
Beta: Jade East 

Disclaimer: Paramount owns the characters, I just take 'em out
for fun every now and then.

Summary: A tender family moment.

Author's Note: An entry into the PPP contest:
<http://koffeeklub.net/picnic/categories.html>

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"Daddy's Girl" 
copyright July 2002 
by Cait N.


Kathryn stood in the doorway, watching the pair on the couch.
Chakotay's low, melodic voice drifted through the room, bringing
a smile to Kathryn's face when she recognized the song.

"You're the end of the rainbow, my pot of gold. You're daddy's
little girl to have and hold. A precious gem is what you are.
You're mommy's bright and shining star."

He paused to shift his arms to a more comfortable position and
then continued. "You're the spirit of Christmas, my star on the
tree. You're the Easter bunny to mommy and me. You're sugar
you're spice, you're everything nice. And you're daddy's little
girl."

"She's going to know that song by heart before her first
birthday," Kathryn joked in a quiet voice. 

"Sometimes I'm afraid my voice will give her nightmares instead
of peaceful dreams," Chakotay joked, careful to keep his voice
at a whisper. The sleeping infant in his arms didn't stir,
though, just snuggled up closer to his shoulder.

"Your voice," she said, walking forward and leaning down to
caress the downy head of her daughter, "is the stuff my dreams
are made of."

Chakotay tilted his head up for Kathryn's kiss. "You can
flatter me all you want, but it's your night to take the oh-two-
hundred feeding."

"I don't think she'll let me forget," she joked. "I think it's
safe to put her down now." 

"Do I have to?" he teased.

Kathryn stood aside as he gingerly got to his feet and walked
to the crib in the corner of the room. He pulled the covers over
his sleeping daughter, and then stood there, staring down at the
miracle of life he'd help to create.

"We really did that?" he said, wrapping his arm around
Kathryn's waist when she came to stand beside him. "Some days I
can't believe I had a hand in creating something so precious and
perfect."

"You're going to spoil her rotten, aren't you?"

"Of course." He turned, grinning. "Are you ready for me to tuck
you in now?" he teased.

"More than ready." She took his hand, heading for the bedroom.
"Do you know what I want right now more than anything else in
the world?"

"More than getting back home to Earth?"

"More than that."

"More than coffee?"

"Definitely more than that."

"Does it start with an 's'?"

"Oh yes," she said, crawling into bed and curling up on her
side with a contented sigh. "Sleep!"


THE END