The whole familial exchange between Laura, Bill, Kara, and the baby is such a touching glimpse if what could have been. Thank you!

"So. Can I teach her how to pilot?"

"You'll have to fight Lee for that one, I should think," Laura said dryly, stretching. "And do it behind Bill's back."

"Do what behind my back?" Bill asked, coming through the door, one of Hera's hands tucked in his.

"I'm going to teach your daughter how to fly," Starbuck informed him with an impish grin. Laura was tempted to flash a similar one.

His expression didn't change; he continued to look stoic and forbidding. "No," he stated, and swung Hera up so that she could sit next to Kara on the bed. "Nor will you teach her to shoot, smoke, or gamble."

"I'd like to learn how to shoot," Laura informed him, raising a brow. "And I appreciate a game of cards, every once in a while."

"You will not teach her to smoke or gamble to excess," he amended smoothly, as Hera examined Clotho closer, cooing quietly in fascination. He moved to stand on the other side of the bed, next to Laura's shoulder.

"That's how you do it," Starbuck murmured to Clotho. "Just watch your mommy and Aunt Kara; we'll show you how it's done."

Bill let a tiny smirk show on his face, and reached out to gently trace the curve of Laura's jaw. "She's trying to undermine my authority again," he rumbled. She pressed her lips together tightly to keep from laughing."

Laura being Presidential, even right after childbirth, was exactly how I imagine her being. Bill stepping up and together them making the balance of leadership and parenthood possible, sounds sublime.

The following part struck home, as someone who works too hard, takes on too much responsibility, and has a partner who keeps me in check.

"Which is why I will never let anyone forget the last election."

He pulled a hand free and passed his fingers over her eyes, drawing the lids closed. "You're an amazing woman," he said quietly, resting his fingertips on her cheek. "I love you. Go to sleep."

The playfulness and intimacy between these characters we love was so satisfying. I particularly enjoyed the following line, because it seemed so in character, especially with the physicality of Laura's glasses.

"Give me her weakness, Lee," Laura ordered, pulling off her glasses. "I need some leverage."

Thanks, again!

Again, there was so much to love in this chapter. You took us through the miracle of childbirth in a compelling, compassionate way. And of course, it was all the more special because it involved two characters we love.

Bill's utter devotion and constant presence was satisfying.

"Earlier he had tried to give the impression that he understood what she was going through; now he had completely abandoned the act. She was glad of it."

I enjoyed Laura's aggressiveness and defensiveness, and later, her semi-conscious apology.

"As the contraction ebbed to something more manageable, she found herself clutching the front of Bill's undone jacket (she dimly remember grabbing it a bit too hard an hour or so earlier) and sobbing something unintelligible into his shoulder, something that sounded like a cross between a plea for forgiveness and a plea not to leave."

And, I appreciated that even the act of labor felt distinctly in character. :)

"On the brighter side, she had gotten a second wind at some point near the beginning, and she found that she really liked pushing. Pushing, in fact, felt pretty damn good."

Yes, of course she would prefer the pushing to the waiting.

Thanks for this treat!

I've enjoyed so much of this fic. Thank you for taking the time and energy to write and share it!

I especially loved this chapter with the implications of cohabitation (waking up together, sharing clothes, getting ready for the day), Laura reflecting about Bill's possessiveness and feeling similarly possessive, and this line of Bill's, "Even in my sweats, you still look absolutely in control."

Of course she's still Presidential and commanding in soft, oversized clothing!

So much of Laura to enjoy; thanks!

OMG I've just found out this fic and I love it! Thnk you so much

This is a fantastic story! Well-written, funny, suspenseful, cute. Loved reading it!

Good story.

Very nice story, but I think the rating may be a little confusing for some. Most would think to find hardcore smut here (which, by the way, I try to avoid), fortunately I try to check all the stories knowing there are sometimes very worthy stuff among M-rated stories.

I found here some mild (I think) mentions of sex and attraction and I think it would be more like T/M story than actual M.

I was about to say that it would be nice if this story had a sequel but fortunately I checked your profile first and found that there is one :) I just hope it is as good as this one.

Good job.

I quite literally love everything about this story. That said, my favorite parts have been the flashbacks. I like the way you have used them to fill in the blanks regarding what has led to the 'present' state of being of both Roslin and New Caprica as a whole.

Also, the title is fabulous. Likewise, I love the way in which you have woven the Sappho fragments translated in If Not, Winter into the opening lines of each chapter. Excellent choice and very well done.

Thank you!

Can you use the word unputdownable for an internet story? Right from chapter one I couldn't stop reading. My favorite part was when they were on New Caprica. I usually shy away from character pregnancy stories, but this one proved a point: any story can work, if told well.

Lamia (xxMe)

There were some truly lovely moments in this story, and it's obvious a lot of thought went into it. I was intrigued by the shared dreams and wonder what the significance of them are. Thanks for sharing your imagination!

Oh, I read the other one first and this one now. This is lovely. I just wish Lee and Kara would made up. This fic left me with a good warm feeling inside.

Thank you.

Hi

Really loved this story. Read it in one sitting. Best one of it's kind I have found.