Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned in the story. They are the respectful property of Paramount; I just write stories about them.
B'Elanna was slowly drifting back into consciousness. Tom noticed her eyes fluttering as she attempted to open them. He quietly pulled the chair he was sitting in closer to the biobed. He sat back down, and her head turned towards him.
"Tom?" she asked. Her voice was barely above a whisper, so he moved in closer to hear her better.
"Yeah, it's me. How are you feeling?"
"Tired. Is the baby alright?"
"The baby's just fine, don't worry." He lied to her; he didn't like doing it, but he knew it would be better if she didn't know the truth. The baby was fine for now, but there was a chance at placenta abruption. Telling her that would worry her, causing her stress.
"Where's Miral?"
"With your mother."
"May I see her?" She started to rise, but was stopped short by Tom.
"Take it easy; I'll go ask the Doctor if you can see Miral. You rest." He gently pushed her back down, and left the room in search of the Doctor.
*
After two weeks of close observation, Tom was able to take B'Elanna home. He was going to stay at the house to take care of her and Miral, since B'Elanna was going to be on bed rest for a month.
B'Elanna's father, John Torres, had come up for a visit, and volunteered to help.
"You said Miral likes mashed string beans right?" he asked Tom.
"Yeah, but don't leave her alone with it."
John gave him a puzzled look.
"Trust me, you don't want to know what happens if you do."
Tom brought his attention back to the stove, where a hot pan of eggs was frying. He picked up the pan with a towel, and shared the eggs onto the plates he had laid out on the counter. He brought one of the plates to John, and the other he placed on a tray with some toast and orange juice for B'Elanna.
"I'll be back in a bit." He picked up the tray and walked up the stairs.
*
When he reached B'Elanna's room, he placed the tray down on a dresser near the door, and knocked lightly to see if she was awake.
"Come in," she responded.
He opened the door, and brought the tray over to her.
"I hope you're hungry."
"I'm famished." He placed the tray over her lap. "Thanks."
"No problem. I'll leave you alone for a bit, then come back for the tray." He headed out the door, and left B'Elanna to finish her meal.
"Tom!"
He ran back to the room when he heard his name, fearing the worse.
"What's wrong?" He saw tears in her eyes, but she was smiling.
"Nothing, the baby just kicked. It hasn't kicked since I left for Qo'noS."
"Oh, good; I was worried for a second." He let out a sigh of relief, and sat down on the edge of the bed. "May I?"
"Sure." She took his hand and placed it on her stomach. The baby kicked again, and both of their faces lit up. There was a knock on the door, and John appeared with Miral in his arm.
"I thought you said you'll be back in a bit." He was clearly ticked, and Tom couldn't blame him. He had chunks of Miral's breakfast in his hair, and on his clothes.
"Sorry."
"I don't know if the two of you are aware of this, but your daughter is a trouble maker."
"We know," they replied in unison.
