'The Stars In Your Hand ... '

Chapter Twenty Four - Epilogue

'One chance this night, to shine on this land, this time with pride, give back now while you can ...'

One Year Later ...

She threaded her arm through his and smiled. "Are you enjoying yourself 'Admiral'?"

He grinned at her. "This retirement party is certainly better than the last attempt," he said playfully.

Laura Roslin's face grew serious as the memories rushed back.

He squeezed her arm. "I'm sorry to have reminded you of bad times."

She shook her head, waves bouncing more lightly now that they were able to be tamed regularly. "It's okay. Maybe it'll sound harsh and cruel but in a way I'm glad it all happened the way it did. None of this," she swept her arm to include all of the party-goers, "would have happened otherwise."

His gaze swept across the hundreds, stopping at some all-too familiar faces for a few seconds to bring to mind their lives and where they'd ended up.

Hotdog - he and Racetrack had ended up together, as everyone had suspected they would. More importantly, they'd fit into Earth's space program as if they'd been born to it. The people of the Thirteenth Colony were as fledgling birds when it came to space - they'd done some little exploration but hadn't ventured far from the nest. Adama had stayed with the military as a liaison between their people and his as those from Galactica who'd wanted to stay military had found a place for themselves. Brendan and Margaret had stood head and shoulders above the rest and were now the top test pilots. Adama was proud.

Gaeta - if he had a personal life word of it certainly hadn't reached him. But he'd become part of the rocket design team, his brilliance invaluable in launching the space program decades forward.

Dee - he still felt a trace of sorrow for her and perhaps even a little shame at how she'd been treated at the hands of his son. But she'd rebounded, a fighter in many ways. She'd quit the military altogether and now lived far away from where most of Galactica's former crew had settled. She wrote to him of the man she'd met and was planning to marry - a doctor in a clinic where she'd found work. Adama had always felt close to her, never more so than when Lee had left her. Though he'd known her presence here would be awkward for Lee and Kara, he'd felt the need to include her.

Sam Anders - he and Kristy had gotten married less than a month after finding Earth. Some were surprised. Adama wasn't. The young man was more like Kara than anyone realized. A survivor - he did what had to be done because for him just existing wasn't enough. He needed to live. And he was as passionate and impulsive as Kara, leaping before looking. Adama hoped this time it would work out for him; he was a good man, he deserved to be happy. Their baby was due any day now, though Sam already glowed as though he'd held his child in his arms. Adama was no end glad they'd made the trip to be here, difficult as it was for her. Somehow it felt right having them as part of his family. Even though they weren't by blood or marriage, they were by choice.

Helo and Sharon - he couldn't help but think of her as Sharon though everyone else except Helo himself called her Athena so as not to remember what she'd once been. They were both still military, though Sharon war currently on maternity leave with her second child. No one had made mention of the fact that she was a Cylon - with her entire race wiped out and no longer a threat to humanity the differences no longer mattered. She was Helo's wife and a damned good pilot and their children were just children like any other.

The thought of children involuntarily drew his eyes to Kara, standing not far off. She was rubbing her stomach, again carrying an Adama child. His heart warmed at the sight of her. As difficult as their relationship had been over the years she truly was the daughter he'd always wished he'd had. Your relationship with your son hasn't been any easier, his subconscious reminded him.

"Too true" he murmured with an affectionate smile.

"I beg your pardon?" Roslin cocked her head in close, waiting to be let in on the secret.

"Nothing. Nothing at all my dear. Just the crazy ramblings of an old man."

"Hardly old," she said, snuggling his arm close with a smile. "Crazy ramblings maybe, but I've known you long enough to be used to those."

He smiled at her then his eyes roamed back to the crowd, easily finding his son and granddaughter. It wasn't hard - Lee was busily chasing Clea as she ran from him, infectious smile catching in everyone she passed. Her flaxen pigtails flew in the wind as her study little body ran as fast as a one-year-old's legs could take her.

Adama studied his son for a few moments. Lee looked good. Good. Happy, well and glad to be alive. He could have sworn some of the wrinkles accrued during the war had disappeared from his face. He looked younger and happier than Adama ever remembered seeing him. They make a good pair, a quiet voice whispered in his head. As difficult as it's been to watch them struggle with and without each other, you have to admit they're quite a pair. A pair that's always belonged together whether your or anyone else believed it.

"I'm convinced," he muttered.

Roslin looked at him, a mixture of amusement and irritation on her face. "You're doing it again," she said. "Shall I start calling you 'Baltar'?"

"Gods forbid!" He laughed. "Let's not let thoughts of him spoil my party."

"It is a grand party," she agreed. "I'm going to be sad when it's over."

Adama turned to face her and with his free hand he brushed the hair out of her eyes. She smiled as the wind pushed it right back. "Then let's find a reason to have another one."

She moved slightly closer to him and her voice dropped a couple of notches. "You have a something in mind?"

"Marry me. Marry me Laura Roslin."

"Is that an order Sir," she asked coyly.

"I'm done giving orders. Now I just make requests." He stroked her cheek gently, weathered hand feeling the wrinkles of responsibility that had grown on her face over three years of hardship, and loving her all the more for each of them. She understood as no one else did, the need to put one's responsibilities ahead of her own wishes.

Fortunately that time was over for both of them and it was time to be selfish for a change.

"And you're requesting that I marry you?" She pulled at his sleeve playfully.

"It's a serious request. And a strong one ..."

"You don't need to convince me Bill. I was convinced a long time ago."

He leaned in and touched his lips lightly to hers. "So that's a yes?"

"Yes."

"Yes that's a yes, or yes you'll marry me?"

"Don't overthink things Bill. Just go with your instincts."

He slid his arms around her and pulled her close, kissing her much deeper this time.

ooooooooooooooooo

Lee stopped in front of Kara, panting as he tried to catch his breath. "Uh oh," he said, a smile breaking out on his face.

"What?" Kara put a hand on his arm in concern.

Lee nodded his head towards his father, locked in a passionate embrace with Roslin. "It looks like we're going to have another reason to have a party."

Kara watched them, a growing smile on her face. "Just so long as they wait till after this bub comes out," she said, patting her belly. "I'm missing the dancing!"

Lee put his arms around her as he laughed. "Don't worry Kara. It'll be out soon enough and then you'll be able to do anything you want. You'll hold the universe in the palm of your hand."

The End

A/N: Thank you to everyone who's faithfully stuck with this story for the last 7 months, and especially for being patient for this last chapter. Real life has been terribly busy lately and my muse decided to take a vacation (since the rest of us weren't) and so I had troubles finding the time and motivation to finish this. I really appreciate everyone who's taken the time to read this and to respond, even if your feedback hasn't always been as positive as I'd like. :) I've taken it all to heart though and definitely see room for improvement so I'll remember your comments as I continue to write. Thanks especially to Mariel, one of the most faithful readers and responders here and she's not even a Kara/Lee shipper! Thanks again everyone.