The crew is standing in the holodeck, which has been converted into a beautiful, serene garden.
The Doctor: Well, Seven, the big day has finally arrived. Are you looking forward to the ceremony?
Seven: Kes has told me that the wedding will be a combination of Human and Ocampan tradition. Thus, there is certainly educational merit to it, both for myself and the Borg children.
Seven touches a sprig of some sort of plant that is nestled behind her ear. All the women in the room are wearing the same thing.
Seven: This flower clipping, for example, that Kes has given to the women of the ship. It is said by the Ocampans that wearing this during a wedding will bring prosperity in love to all those who attend.
The Doctor: A lovely tradition. Speaking of prosperity in love… how is Susan?
Seven: Lieutenant Susan Nicoletti brought me a present on Christmas. She was also slightly inebriated which led to –
The Doctor holds up his hand in the air. Seven stops.
Seven: Susan is doing fine, thank you.
The Doctor: Excellent. But don’t tell me what Susan wouldn’t want me to know.
He walks away, as a small chime rings out, and Captain Janeway steps ahead to where the wedding will be performed. Ken Dalby is with her, and so is Chakotay, his best man. The doors to the holodeck open, and Naomi Wildman walks ahead with a small basket of flowers. Behind her, Kes is standing radiant in a wedding dress covered by a traditional blue Ocampan wedding cloak. She’s on the arm of the Doctor, who has agreed to stand in for her father for the ceremony. She is flanked on both sides by Susan and Tal Celes, who wear simple bridesmaid dresses in light blue. Kes walks up the aisle, and kneels at the end. Susan and Tal remove her cloak to reveal her dress in full.
Kes: Sisters of my heart, thank you for guiding me to this path.
She hugs each of them in turn, and then the Doctor. The Doctor then goes to hug Dalby. He whispers a few words into his ear.
The Doctor: Take good care of her, Crewman.
He takes Kes’s hand and puts it into Dalby’s. Captain Janeway stands between the two of them.
Janeway: We’re gathered here today, not as Starfleet officers, but as friends and family, to celebrate the marriage of two of USS Voyager’s finest. Since the days of the first wooden sailing ships, all captains have enjoyed the happy privilege of joining together two people in the bonds of matrimony. But before I declare them husband and wife, Ken and Kes have written their own vows.
Dalby: Kes, you gave me your love when I felt that no love could heal me. You saw past my broken, flawed exterior to find what little goodness remained. I promise to cherish, protect, and love you until death do us part.
Kes: Ken, you believed in me when I didn’t know where to go. You gave me purpose, supported me with unwavering devotion. I thought I would never see family again after I left my home, but here you stand with me. I promise to cherish, protect, and love you until death do us part.
Janeway: Crewman Kenneth Dalby, Counsellor Kes, with the power vested in my by Starfleet Command and the United Federation of Planets, I now pronounce you–
A shrill scream cuts her off, and she looks down to see Kes crouching on the floor.
Dalby: Kes, what happened?
Kes: The… argh, the babies. They’re coming.
Kes: Yes, now! But we have to finish the ceremony, Ken.
He hauls Kes to her feet. She looks urgently to Captain Janeway, who nods.
Janeway: Crewman Kenneth Dalby, Counsellor Kes, with the power vested in my by Starfleet Command and the United Federation of Planets, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
Kes breathes a sigh of relief, and Ken picks her up. The Doctor runs to them.
The Doctor: Emergency medical transport. Three to Sickbay.
As they dematerialize, the crew stares in shock.
Neelix: Does this mean there’s no reception?
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