It was the night of December 17, 2268; I lay in a comfy bio bed in Sickbay, as I gaze into my beautiful, newborn, baby girl's face. She's the prettiest thing I've ever seen in my life, ever. I can't help but not believe that she was actually here and actually in my arms! It was remarkable!
Julia Eleanor McCoy opened her eyes up at me and looked at me, as if she knew who I was, and gazed around the room, taking in everything around her. I couldn't help but give a smile and chuckle.
"Hey…how are you, there…huh," I cooed, softly.
Julia simply looked at me and made soft, grunt noises, as she continued turning her tiny head around to look at everything in sight. I leaned over and kissed her tiny, little head, not helping myself but love her with all my heart could hold.
A knock came at the door, and the new temporary Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Atticus M'Benga, walked in with a big grin.
"Hey, Leonard; how are we doing in here?" He asked, softly.
I smirked and looked back down at my little girl.
"This all feels like a dream to me." I answered, in complete shock.
"She's quite a miracle, isn't she," Dr. M'Benga cooed, looking at the new little Enterprise crewmember on board.
"Had it not been for Jim and Spock, she wouldn't even be here, right now." I cooed, staring at her sweet, little face.
I took my finger and gently rubbed her tiny, little cheek, as she looked up right at me. I smiled and kissed her little cheek, making her grunt, slightly. I couldn't help but chuckle, finding her absolutely adorable.
"You really quite are the lucky guy, Leonard." Dr. M'Benga remarked, crossing his arms and smiling.
"I kinda am, aren't I," I replied.
Julia made more soft noises.
Dr. M'Benga smirked.
"Alright, I'll leave you two be; little baby and Daddy need to get a little more 'getting to know each other' time." Dr. M'Benga kindly spoke.
I nodded and smiled.
"Atticus," I spoke, softly.
Dr. M'Benga turned around and stopped to look at me.
I smiled small.
"Thank you…had it not been for you or Christine…she may not even be here, right now in my arms. Thank you for making sure she got her safely." I spoke, sincerely.
Dr. M'Benga smiled.
"Just doing my job, Leonard, you know how that song goes." He replied, with a wink.
I chuckled softly, trying to make my belly hurt so much; after all, I had just had an emergency operation to have my kid.
"I do…all too well," I answered.
Dr. M'Benga nodded and walked out of the room, leaving Julia and I to ourselves.
I leaned forward and gave Julia another kiss, then held her close to me and rocked her gently from side to side. She simply looked up at me with her little blue eyes, and I smiled and began softly singing to her a lullaby that would eventually grow to be her one and only favorite I sang, in the key of D major.
"I've been working on the railroad, all the live long day. I've been working on the railroad, just to pass the time away. Can't you hear the whistle blowing, bright so early in the morn? Can't you hear the Captain shouting, 'Dinah, blow you horn'!" I softly sang.
Julia's eyes fluttered and instantly fell to sleep.
I continued to hold her close to me and look at her. She was such a miracle to me, I could hardly believe her existence. It's as if all my problems had been vanished, and this tiny little baby has brighten my whole world to a whole new level.
As I continued rocking and holding Julia close in my arms, I started remembering how this all started, and how Julia became a part of my life to begin with.
