Eternal Bliss
Part 4
by: AW
Date: May 2018
Summary: Episode addition to Bliss…
Pairing: J/C
Rating: M
Length: 1,241words
Kathryn drew in a deep breath and stared at the door. "Okay so the senior staff knows. Now I have to face the rest of the crew."
Chakotay patted her on the shoulder. "You heard the doctor, you're not the only one who has to deal with complications from that day. You're not going to be alone and there will be other women too who are dealing with a pregnancy that wasn't planned for out here." He placed a hand on her abdomen, "And our child won't be so alone."
Kathryn drew in one last cleansing breath and exited her quarters headed for the bridge and the day of reckoning.
As Chakotay and Kathryn walked down the halls they received some surprised looks and other knowing and understanding glances.
Finally they entered the turbo-lift. "They were laughing at me Chakotay. I'm not sure I can do this."
"Computer halt turbo-lift." He stared at her and tilted her head up so she was staring at him. "You can do this; and once you get over the first little surprise reveal, it will be smooth sailing."
Kathryn sighed, "I suppose we should just get this over with."
"Lieutenat Ayala to Captain Janeway."
Kathryn got an odd look on her face, "Yes Lieutenant."
"May I schedule a meeting with you today? I'd like to bring Ensign Brooks with me as well."
Kathryn stared at Chakotay. She had a feeling she knew what this was about. "Of course Lieutenant what time is good for you?"
"The earlier the better Captain. I want to get something out in the open."
"Very well; You can come by my ready room now if you'd like."
She heard a pause, "Yes Captain. We'll be there in ten minutes. Ayala out."
Chakotay stared at her. "I bet I know what that's about."
Kathryn laughed, "I bet I do too."
"Computer start turbo-lift."
Kathryn and Chakotay got to the bridge. They walked steadily to their seats and sat down. Most of the senior staff had already been informed of the situation so there were no surprises there.
There were a couple of surprised gasps from other crewmen.
Kathryn checked her messages at the side area and made her way to the ready room.
Once there she sat behind her desk and waited for Ayala and Brooks to make their way there. Inevitably the door chimed. "Come."
She had asked Chakotay to man the bridge while she spoke to the crewmembers.
Lieutenant Ayala looked down at his feet as Stephanie Brooks blushed. "I'm sorry Captain. We never meant to do something like his without checking with you. We thought we were going home…"
Kathryn shook her head and stood up for the reveal. "You're not the only one who had a surprise discovery after the wormhole incident."
Ensign brooks let out a startled breath and realized that she wouldn't be the only one dealing with this. "Thank you Captain. I'm so glad I'm not alone in this."
Kathryn nodded. "We had a senior staff meeting today so they know, and I figured I'd let everyone else find out when they see me."
Mike Ayala stared at the Captain, "I wish Steph here was as confident in what happened as you are. It just it wasn't planned at least not like this – and I keep telling her that this baby will be here sooner than we care to admit, and it's going to come out in the open –"
Kathryn smiled and raised her hand quieting the couple before her. "You weren't the only one surprised Mike. I never in a million years would have expected this."
He looked at her almost afraid to ask the question. "May I ask who the father is?"
Kathryn jumped back surprised. It was true she hadn't divulged the father's name yet. She expected that many of the crew had their suspicions but aside from the senior staff no one was privy to the real identity of the Captain's baby's father.
"Commander Chakotay."
Ayala smiled, "So the rumors about you guys were true." He turned to Stephanie, "Told you."
Steph smiled, "I'm just glad I'm not alone."
Kathryn felt the tears beginning to well in her eyes and went over to hug Stephanie. "As long as you're on my ship; you'll never be alone."
Stephanie nodded and grabbed Mike's hand. "Well we'd better be going we both have to be on shift soon."
Janeway nodded and watched the couple leave the ready room. Janeway slapped her combadge. "Janeway to Chakotay?"
"Chakotay here, what can I do for you Captain?"
"Could you please meet me in my ready room when you get a chance?"
"I'll be right there. Chakotay out."
Kathryn sat down heavily in her chair and looked down at her hands. Looking past he bump that in the last three months had become a large part of her life.
She rubbed a hand across the baby bump and felt her muscles ripple beneath the fabric of her uniform. All of a sudden the movement stopped.
She shook her head and left it where it was. Then all of a sudden it started again.
With a suddenness that robbed her of her breath she realized that her baby had made its first movements.
The chime rang and she called for entrance.
Chakotay walked up to her and wiped the tears from her cheeks and she realized in that moment how transparent her feelings were.
Chakotay stared at her concerned. "What's wrong Kathryn?"
She looked at him and let a smile grace her porcelain features. "Nothing junior just moved."
Chakotay stared at her. "This is really real. We made a baby and that child will join us in about six months. We're going to be a family forever and always Kathryn."
She stood up and came around the desk so she was standing in front of him. She placed his hand on her abdomen. "This is real. This is going to happen and this child will be so loved."
He bent down and kissed her full on the lips. "Is this why you called me in here?"
She stared at him. "They know I'm pregnant now, but I was asked who the father is. Do they really not suspect it is you after the many years of speculation?" She looked at him, "What do they think of me that after this long they can't guess who the father of my child would be?"
Chakotay lifted her chin up so she was staring at him. He smiled at her, "I think that after this long they'd given up hope. Everyone wanted us to be together and it never happened… and then it did."
She shook her head, "So what they thought I whored around and got knocked up?"
He shook his head staring at her tenderly, "No they're just happy you got your head out of the sand and saw what was right in front of you."
She felt the tears falling down her cheeks. "I don't know what I did to deserve such a gentle man to be the love of my life and the best first officer I have ever worked with." He looked down at her baby bump. "Okay and the father of my child."
He brushed his fingertips along her cheek, "Our child Kathryn."
She nodded, "Our child."
And put a hand on her abdomen in acceptance.
END PART 4
THB IN PART 5
