Author's note: Sorry for the delay but I typed this all before, and accidently deleted it. It is very frustrating to retype what you have just spent a half hour typing. So I decided to put it off for a day. From now on I'm saving every paragraph. Fuck leaving it to the end. (Can you tell I'm mortally annoyed at myself?)Sorry. I'd like to thank Maxine for responding to my question about Chakotay's brothers.

Embracing first Beyvhal and then Nayib Chakotay had to fight to keep the tears from his eyes. He'd missed his family desperately. He took a breath, and reached back to pull Tom to him. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet Tom, my husband." Nervous as hell Tom flashed them his trademark grin. Beyvhal and Nayib scrutinized him.

"Well, move aside you great lummox, and let me see him." Demanded an elderly female voice. Obediently Beyvhal and Nayib moved, aside to reveal Chakotay's mother, leaning on her walking stick. He smiled, fighting back tears. She was just like he remembered. He felt a pressure on his hand and his smile widened. Tom understood. His mother looked Tom up and down. She smiled, "A tall one, hmm? Well, we have no shortage of tall males in this family." She assured him glancing at Beyvhal. "Be a dearie and crouch down so I can get a good look at you." She ordered. He obeyed, most people did when she told them to do something. Gently taking his chin in her hand she gazed into his eyes. He gazed back, all traces of smirk gone. "Hmm, you've had a lot of sorrow in your life, more than anyone deserves. You're stronger than you think child, you'll come out on top when it comes to it. Well, you seem to be stubborn enough to deal with my son, he needs a lot of management you know."

"Mother!" Chakotay was blushing.

"That's ok," Tom murmured, "So do I. I'm honored to meet you ma'am," There was no sarcasm in his voice, only respect, "and I can see how Chakotay turned out like he did with you as a mother."

She chuckled, "Welcome to the family Tom Paris, We're happy to have you."

"Thank you ma'am."

But as he said it Tom could hear one of Chakotay's brothers murmur to the other, "Did she say Paris?"

"Tommy!" Two lovely young women ran out of the house and threw themselves at Tom. One had Tom's golden blond hair, the other had dark brown hair, but both of them had his breathtakingly blue eyes. Laughing he gathered them to him, "Nessa, Lily, I missed you."

"Thomas." A stern male voice interrupted, Owen Paris walked out still in uniform, he was followed by several others. His cold blue eyes flickered to Chakotay, "You didn't say you were bringing a guest."

"Neither did you." Tom countered, "Admiral Lanspeak, Ambassador Stavok, Ambassador Chichihkesy, it's good too see you again." He said easily.

"And you," Admiral Lanspeak said warmly. Ambassador Chichihkesy smiled, and Ambassador Stavok nodded, expressionless as always(vulcan).

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet my husband, Chakotay." Chakotay could feel Tom's heart beating wildly when he put his arm around Chakotay. Shocked Silence.

"So, you're married, hmm, suppose it was bound to happen sometime. Come in. Vanessa has made some delicious snacks to celebrate your return."

Tom smiled, "Thanks Buttercup, you wouldn't believe how I've missed your cooking." Pulling a long face he made lost puppy dog eyes at her. Laughing she claimed his free arm.

"You beast, I bet that's all you missed."

"Not so I also missed the way Lily does the laundry, and how both of you clean." They laughed. Lily flashed a brilliant smile at Chakotay and linked arms with her sister.

"Thomas may I speak to you privately?"

"Of course Father. Excuse me." Heart beating wildly in his chest Tom followed his father to another room. As soon as the door closed Owen Paris rounded on his son.

"How could you do this to me?" He demanded.

"Do what?"

"Marry a man."

Tom sighed in exasperation, "Father, it's the 24th century, no one cares about something like that."

"Yes they do. What do you think this is going to do to your career if Starfleet knows you're some sort of pervert. Caldik Prime was bad enough. But this!"

"Father! I can't believe you can compare the deaths of my best friends to my marriage!!"

"What's more he's a Maquis, a criminal."

"The war is over Father, the Maquis have been pardoned."

" Look you're young and foolish, you can end this marriage. He's your commander, say he forced you."

"Father! I can't believe I'm hearing this from you. I'm going to say this once, and once alone. I married Chakotay because I love him. And nothing. Nothing is going to come between us. And other than that, as far as I'm concerned this conversation never happened." Turning he strode from the room.

Chapter 3