Could Not Ask For More
Author: Jett Wall
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Paramount owns the characters…I own the love and respect.
Written for "The Birthday Challenge - Chakotay

"Grandfather, can we walk to the beach. Mommy said I can't play in the water but she said nothing about the sand." The sparkling blue eyes lifted to his while tugging his hand in the direction she had already made her mind up to go. Her dimpled smile and mischievous glance tugged at his heart and he knew she could lead him anywhere.

"Dad…now don't let her get wet! I know she is just itching to get in trouble and she knows she can wrap you around her finger." Kol's deep voice warned trying to look sternly at his daughter, failing badly as she blew him kisses over her shoulder. "Her mother will kill me if she is a mess for the party."

"Have a little faith in your old man. I think I can control this little devil. I'm a Starfleet Officer, I've faced worst than this." He waved his hand in dismissal, swinging the terror in question up to his shoulders. Her legs dangled and thumped against his broad chest.

They walked for a half-hour, her endless questions making him laugh. Her curiosity of the world around made him feel young again. He swung her down from his shoulders and stooped to remove her shoes and socks. No sooner done than she was bounding towards the surf. He listened to her joyous laughter as she chased after the seagulls. Watched her do handstands in the wet sand, falling, ruining her perfectly pressed party dress. He felt reborn. This simple gift of a child's love of play made him feel more alive than any of the gifts awaiting his return. He removed his own shoes and rolled his trouser up to join her at the waters edge. Later they would be reprimanded for returning wet and sand filled but for now he wanted to enjoy his day with his special girl.

"Grandfather…" She called as she ran to him, catching him at his knees. "I have a present for you! Close your eyes, don't peak." Laying her gift in his large outstretch hand as he bent down to her. "Okay, open your eyes. Look, it's a star just for you, like the ones up there where your ship is." Her small hand reached out to trace the blue lines over his black eyes so like her fathers. This tiny gesture she picked up from her Grandmother having seen her do it a hundred times. "Happy Birthday." She giggled as she placed smacking kisses on his cheek.

His eyes filled with tears as he closed his hand over her gift. Picking her up in his bear like embrace he placed a kiss on her auburn streak hair. Twirling around in the surf their laughter joined as she sang her version of Happy Birthday to You especially for him. They were dizzy and falling down in the foam when she glanced over his shoulder at the woman approaching.

"Oh boy…were in big trouble now. She looks mad as spit." She looked at him her brows knitted together. She moved towards him her small hand circling his neck.

"Don't worry sweetie, her barks worst than her bite." He smiled at the figure of his lovely wife as she tried to death glare them both into submission.

"I could have sworn you were asked not to let her get into trouble. She knows she can make you do anything, her mother is going to have a stroke." The Captain stance firmly in place as she folded her arms over her chest waiting for an explanation from him. "Your father would like to see you Miss Elizabeth, hurry and change before the guest see you." Her tone softened as the younger version of herself skipped towards her. Giving her Grandmother a crooked smile, she ran on to the house still singing Happy Birthday to You.

"Don't you dare laugh until she's out of hearing range. You'll just encourage her more." Kathryn tried to be serious but when she look into his eyes all she could see was the man she had loved for over forty years. He maybe another year older but he was still breathtakingly beautiful. "What am I going to do with you two, come on it's time to open your gifts, everyone's waiting." Taking his hand she tugged him in the direction she had already decided they should go.

"Let them wait…" he said as he pulled her back into his arms. "This is the best gift I could ask for. Some alone time with my two favorite redheads." Chakotay raised her chin to look into her sparkling blue eyes, seeing the mischief there. Her hand reached out to trace the blue lines above his brow as she raised on tiptoes to touch his lips with hers. "I could not ask for more…my love." He declared against the familiar warmth of her mouth.

"Too bad…" His bride of thirty odd years softly said "I was hoping to show you more… later… maybe here on the beach. Would you care to unwrap my present under the stars?" Her voice was full of sensual promise. She could still make him weak in the knees, his heartbeat quicken.

He captured her lips in a deep kiss as his hand held tight to the tiny star from his other love. "As it is my birthday let's see if we can get rid of our guests early."

From the porch, Elizabeth was cradle against her father's broad chest. One strong arm holding her tight, the other around her mother's waist. Her mother's hand traced the blue lines over his left temple. Watching his parents while wrapped in the love of his two favorite girls Kol knew he could never ask for more. Happy Birthday Dad, he whispered, aren't we the lucky ones.

THE END