It had been a long day and Captain Kathryn Janeway sighed tiredly as she stepped into the turbolift. "Deck eight," she called and when the doors closed, she leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes.
Moments later the computer signaled the lift's arrival and Kathryn stepped out, moving down the corridor to her cabin. She entered and as the door closed behind her she called out, "Lights, low." At her soft command, the room brightened to a soft glow.
Pressing her hands to the small of her back, Kathryn massaged the ache that had settled there as she moved to the replicator. She was nearing it when she found herself restrained as a pair of strong arms encircled her and she was pulled back against a solid, warm and very familiar body. Gentle hands came to rest on the gravid curve of her belly, caressing its roundness tenderly. Kathryn's hands moved to cover his and she tilted her head back resting it against his shoulder. "Hello," she said with a soft smile.
"Mmm, hello." Chakotay murmured as he nuzzled the soft, fragrant curve of her neck and shoulder.
Kathryn gave a soft sigh of pleasure as his lips moved to her earlobe.
"I missed you." he breathed in her ear.
"We just said goodbye not five minutes ago. Remember?" Janeway replied with a teasing lilt to her voice.
"I remember." Chakotay's deep voice rumbled in her ear. "But on the Bridge, you were my Captain, not my wife and I couldn't do this." Chakotay finished then tucked a finger under her chin, tilting her head back until she could look into his eyes. His lips descended to hers and he kissed her deeply.
"Hungry?" he questioned when they had parted.
"Starving," Kathryn replied with a grin.
Chakotay chuckled softly. "You're always starving." he teased gently and pressed his lips to the top of her head.
"Well, it's not entirely my fault, blame these two," she replied in a soft voice and drew his hands back to her abdomen. "They're hungry also."
Chakotay caressed her belly tenderly and flashed her a soft smile. "Well, then I guess we'd better feed them. You go and get comfortable. I'll splurge and replicate us something for dinner."
"Mmm, you're so good to me," Kathryn replied and gave him a quick kiss before slipping from his embrace and moving to the bedroom.
Chakotay watched her move away and smiled affectionately at her, surprisingly graceful, pregnant waddle then crossed to the replicator.
Several minutes later Kathryn's voice drifted from the bedroom. "Chakotay could you help me please?"
When he entered the bedroom she was sitting on the end of the bed. "What's wrong?" he questioned as a worried tone slipped into his voice.
"I can't get my boots off," she told him, flashing a sheepish smile. "Would you please?" she asked as he held out her foot.
Chakotay smiled and crossed to kneel at her feet. He tugged off the first one and then the other of her boots and tossed them aside. His fingers then began to massage her swollen feet and calves. Kathryn sighed and closed her eyes.
"Ooh God that feels so good." she murmured in an almost dreamy whisper.
"Need help with the rest of your clothes?"
Kathryn smiled and opened her eyes. Her grin widened at the saucy twinkle she read in her husband's obsidian eyes.
"I think that I can manage on my own, thank you," she told him almost primly.
"Well, you can't blame a guy for trying." Chakotay quipped as he got up and Kathryn's laughter followed him as he returned to the other room.
Twenty minutes later Kathryn stepped from the bedroom and padded barefoot across the room. The plush carpet beneath her feet silenced her footsteps and Chakotay was unaware of her presence until she reached his side. He looked up from where he was lighting the candles on the table and gave her a tender smile as his gaze lingered over her appearance.
Her hair was still damp from her shower and she had pulled on her favorite pair of green silk pajamas.
"Mmm, everything smells good," Kathryn commented as Chakotay guided her to her chair and helped her sit.
Dinner was a quiet, intimate affair and afterward they curled up on the sofa to watch an old movie. Kathryn shifted beside him, trying to find a more comfortable position.
"Are you all right?" Chakotay questioned softly as he looked down at her.
"I'm fine. My back is just a little sore and I can't seem to get comfortable."
"Do you want a back rub?" he offered.
"Mmm that sounds heavenly, maybe a little later."
"Okay," Chakotay replied and brushed his lips across her temple. He pulled her closer to his side, keeping his arm around her shoulders before turning back to the movie.
Several minutes later he heard Kathryn's sharp intake of breath
"Kat, what is it?" he questioned concernedly and turned worried filled dark eyes on her.
"I think I may have had a contraction," she told him, with a frown.
A few minutes later she gave another gasp of pain. "Oh yeah, that was definitely a contraction," she muttered.
Chakotay quickly tapped his comm badge. "Chakotay to Sickbay!"
"This is the Doctor. What's the problem, Commander?"
"Kathryn's having contractions," he told the doctor urgently.
"How far apart are they?"
"I don't know," Chakotay stated anxiously and turned to look at Kathryn.
"They're coming about every 10 minutes," Kathryn said.
"Then there is still time." the Doctor stated, "I want you in Sickbay as soon as you can get here."
"Okay," Kathryn replied and Chakotay helped her up from the sofa.
"Ah, Captain, good..." the Doctor said as the couple entered Sickbay. "There's a gown for you on the exam table and I hope you don't mind, but I've asked Ensign Wildman to assist me since she has done this before."
"Of course not."
"Good." the Doctor stated and then turned to Chakotay. "Commander, you'll have to excuse us for a few minutes. I need to do an examination. Perhaps this would be a good time to inform Commander Tuvok that you two will be unavailable for the next several hours. You may use my office."
"Ah, Okay," Chakotay muttered and glanced nervously at Kathryn. She flashed him a smile.
"Don't worry Chakotay. I'm not going to give birth just yet. Although if my mother and sister are any indications it shouldn't be too much longer."
"Do easy births run in your family?" the Doctor questioned.
"Yes." she nodded and gasped as a contraction hit and there was a warm gush of wetness between her legs. "My water just broke."
"Come with me." the Doctor said and slipped an arm around her waist. Chakotay watched the Doctor lead Kathryn into the change room before sighing and heading to the Doctor's office to call the bridge.
Several hours later the Alpha watch was just reporting for duty. Throughout the previous watches, word had spread that the Captain was in labor and the ship was filled with an air of anticipation and excitement. The twins would be the first children born on Voyager since the birth of little Naomi Wildman and everyone was anxious to greet the arrivals.
B'elanna stepped off the turbolift and before moving to her own bridge station, detoured past Tom's.
"Any news yet?" she whispered as she stopped behind him.
"Nothing," Paris replied.
"You're doing well, Captain." the Doctor said cheerfully. "You may start to push now."
Kathryn released a growl that would have made B'elanna proud and then her hand lashed out and grasped Chakotay by the front of his shirt. She dragged him close until his face was mere inches from hers.
"Chakotay, do me a favor?" she said mock sweetly, her eyes holding a nasty feral glint. "Get me a phaser so I can shoot him and put him out of my misery."
Chakotay chuckled. "Whatever you say, Kat," he replied and pressed his lips to her sweat-damp forehead.
"That wouldn't do me any harm." the doctor responded in a somewhat miffed tone.
"No, but it would make me feel a hell of a lot better," she growled.
"Push!" The Doctor barked.
Several minutes later the Sickbay was filled with a strong healthy cry. "You have a daughter." the Doctor stated and he accepted the blanket from Sam, wrapping the infant in the soft fabric. He gave the baby to Sam who then carried her over to Kathryn.
"Meet your new daughter, Captain." Sam smiled with happy tears in her eyes.
"Hello, little one." Kathryn cooed softly as she took the infant and pulled her close. She brushed her lips over the tiny dark head then turned her eyes to look at Chakotay, seeing the tears in his dark eyes.
"Congratulations, Captain, Commander." the Doctor said quietly. "We have a few minutes before the second twin arrives and so Ensign Wildman and I will leave you alone." he finished and motioned for Sam to follow him.
All heads on the Bridge turned to the back of the room when the turbolift doors opened and the Doctor stepped out onto the upper deck.
"Well?" Harry questioned.
"Come on Doc, 'fess up," Tom said as he rose from his chair.
"The Captain was safely delivered of small but healthy twin daughters at 0830 this morning. Mother and babies are resting comfortably." He reported and Paris could almost swear he was grinning with pride.
"All right!" Tom cheered then turned and threw his arms around B'elanna and they shared a hug. "See I told you they would be girls," he told her.
"No way Helmboy. If I remember correctly it was I who told you." B'elanna replied then flashed him a look that would have had any other man running for the hills. "You didn't start a betting pool on this did you?"
"Ah, of course not." Paris hemmed. "You know me better than that B'ela."
"Yes and that's why I asked."
"I didn't" He responded "But this does call for a celebration. How about drinks at Sandrine's when our shifts are over?" he asked the rest of the Bridge crew.
"Are you buying, Paris?" Harry asked with a smile.
"Of course he is Harry," B'elanna said with an evil grin. "What better way to spend his ill-gotten gains"
"But B'ela?" Tom protested.
"Either you buy, Helmboy or I'll tell the Captain about this little wager of yours. She'll have you cleaning out the waste recycling unit for the next several light years."
"All right, all right," Paris acquiesced "I'm buying," he told the rest of the Bridge.
Kathryn rolled over and opened her eyes, finding smiling dark eyes looking at her.
"Hi," she said and gave him a tired smile.
"Hi yourself," Chakotay replied softly as he tenderly brushed back her hair. "How are you feeling?"
"Tired. Where are the twins?" she asked when she saw the bassinets were gone from beside her bed.
"In the nursery. The Doctor said you need rest and that he would have Sam bring them in when they got hungry."
Kathryn gave him a smile and reached for his hand. "We have a decision to make," she told him quietly and pulled his hand close. "We haven't decided on names yet."
"I know, and I was thinking about that while you were sleeping. If it's all right with you I'd like to name them according to the tradition of my people."
"Which is?" Kathryn asked curiously.
"The naming of a child is a sacred duty that falls upon the father. Since names hold such great power these names are kept secret until the naming day which is usually three days after birth. The child is the first to hear their name before they are presented to the spirits and their family. After that, they become one with their people. Do you trust me, Kat?"
"Of course I trust you." she smiled softly.
Three days later a small group of friends joined Kathryn and Chakotay on the holodeck for the naming ceremony. The scene was one of a lush green forest glen and the area was filled with the sounds of nature: birds singing in the trees above and the soft sound of gently falling water from the lake and waterfall a few yards away.
Tom, B'elanna, Neelix, Tuvok, Harry, Seven, and the Doctor, Sam and Naomi Wildman stood in a semicircle facing Kathryn and Chakotay.
Once everyone had arrived, Chakotay stepped up to Kathryn and took their firstborn from her. Holding the infant close to him, he moved to the center of the circle and turned to face everyone. Pulling the baby closer, Chakotay pressed his lips to the tiny delicate shell of her ear and whispered. When he had finished he removed the blanket surrounding her and then with one hand resting behind her head and the other holding her feet, he raised the naked baby above his head. Immediately upon being removed from the warm comfort, the baby began crying. Chakotay smiled softly and closed his eyes.
"Mother Earth, Father Sky, we thy children are far from the comfort of your warm embrace and far from the bones of our people. We call upon you today and beseech your presence for the naming of this child.
I Chakotay, son of Kolopak, present to you this girl-child and ask you to accept her as one of us. From this time forth she shall be known among us as Leiryn Marie, daughter of Kathryn. Accept her and guide her on the path that has been laid out for her. May she be blessed with the wisdom and beauty of her mother and the strength and courage of her father. We call upon you now and ask your guidance and protection for this child. Accept her and may she be forever one with her people."
Chakotay's voice trailed off quietly and he opened his eyes. Wrapping Leiryn up he turned and carried her back to Kathryn. He gave the baby to Sam then turned to Kathryn. She gave him a teary smile and held out their second child. Chakotay took the baby and returned to the center of the circle and started the ritual anew.
"Mother Earth, Father Sky, we thy children are far from the comfort of your warm embrace and far from the bones of our people. We call upon you today and beseech your presence for the naming of this child.
I Chakotay, son of Kolopak, present to you this girl-child and ask you to accept her as one of us. From this time forth she shall be known among us as Naelani Phoebe, daughter of Kathryn. Accept her and guide her on the path that has been laid out for her. May she be blessed with the wisdom and beauty of her mother and the strength and courage of her father. We call upon you now and ask your guidance and protection for this child. Accept her and may she be forever one with her people."
Once he was done, Chakotay returned to Kathryn's side.
"They're beautiful names Chakotay," she said softly. "Who is Naelani?"
"My mother. She died when I was very young. I don't remember much about her. I only know that she had this beautiful long dark hair and she would let me brush it every night." he smiled at the memory. "She was also very beautiful and used to sing me to sleep every night."
Their quiet conversation was interrupted moments later by Neelix.
"I have prepared a small meal in celebration of this day. Everything is ready when you are," he told them.
"Thank you, Neelix. We'll be there shortly." Kathryn told him.
The Talaxian nodded and stepped away leaving Kathryn and Chakotay alone. Minutes later the Doctor stepped up.
"When you get a minute Captain I need both you and the Commander in Sickbay to finish filling out the birth certificates."
"Of course Doctor," Chakotay replied and watched as the hologram nodded and moved away. He turned to Kathryn and gave her a smile. "I think we'd better follow him and get this done or he'll hound us until we do."
"You're right." Kathryn agreed with a knowing smile.
Chakotay slipped an arm around her waist and they followed the others from the holodeck.
End Chapter One. TBC