Chapter 12

Tom was sitting on the floor in his new home working on the new couch that he and Chakotay had finished last night. He was sanding the legs to make sure it was smooth. Sitting back for a moment, he ran his hand over the surface and grinned. He could feel no rough spots. He had decided to leave the wood a natural color. It made the place look more rustic. They had finished the furniture and the room now included two end tables, a desk, which was going to hold his computer terminal, a large cabinet to hold all sorts of things and the old fashion TV that B'Elanna had built for him.

He had asked B'Elanna to marry him, and she had said yes. He still couldn't believe she was going to be his. He loved her so much and wanted to make everything good for her. Sometimes when he thought of her, tears would weld up in his eyes. She was so perfect and so beautiful. He would sometimes worry that he couldn't give her all she deserved, but then Lanna would kiss him and tell him he was wonderful, and he would just melt.

The home was average sized. There was a good sized living room that also included the dining room, a very nice size kitchen, and three bedrooms. Lots of open spaces. There were lots of windows to let the sunshine in and Tom had even had some skylights installed when they had built the home. His had been the last home they had finished. He had put most of it on hold, as he had been quite happy living with his parents, but now he wanted everything perfect for B'Elanna.

There home was about a quarter mile from his parents home at the south side of the town square. The front yard had three shade trees, and Tom had planted a few flowering shrubs, and he had gotten some small window pots that he had placed on the front porch. The back yard also had shade trees, and he and Chakotay had prepared a plot for planting a garden, which he had planted last week. The garden was thriving now, and once they moved in, they should have fresh vegetables.

Chakotay came out of the master bedroom, wiping sweat off his forehead. He walked over and sat down on the couch in front of Tom and said

"I've got the bed all set up. All we need to do now is get that mattress we built situated. I'm going to need your help, but first, lets take a break."

Tom smiled and sat down on the floor.

"Thanks, dad. Lanna will love it. She was telling me last month how her dad had made her a sleeping pad out of fresh hay when she was little. How she had felt so comfortable lying on it at night."

He grinned as he thought of the woman he loved. Chakotay looked around the room and said

"You've done a good job here. I know B'Elanna will love this home."

He looked back down at his step son with love and pride in his eyes and continued

"Your mom and I will miss you."

Tom grinned at him and said

"With Kolo coming, you'll both be to busy to miss me! Besides, I'll only be a two minute walk away!"

His parents had decided to name the baby after Chakotay's father Kolopec. His mom was now eight months pregnant and whenever she went out, she complained that she could only waddle now. Tom had asked her if she had waddled with him, and she had playfully whacked him on the arm. Now she waddled even more, but Tom just thought it looked cute. He loved her all the more.

They heard voices at the screen door, and then saw both B'Elanna and Kathryn come in. B'Elanna was helping Kathryn and also carried a basket. They walked into the living room, and Chakotay stood to help his wife sit down on the couch. She sighed and settled back to get comfortable and then looked up at her husband and said

"You know I'll never be able to get back up by myself don't you?"

He smiled down at her and said

"Don't worry, you've got a husband, son, and a soon to be daughter to help you up."

B'Elanna smiled as she watched her two former commanding officers and thought of how much they loved each other and the easy way they teased each other. She looked at Tom and hoped that they would be able to have the same type of relationship. She loved Tom with all her heart, and she knew he loved her too. He had begun to open up to her, and tell her about his childhood and teen years. She had listened and felt sorrow for him. She had always thought that she had had a bad childhood with her father leaving and her mother trying to make her more Klingon, but hearing the story of Tom's childhood made her shudder. His father had not only physically abused him, but had also mentally done it. She knew that if she ever met up with him, she would kill him. The man had no honor.

She was so glad that he had found his mother. Kathryn had, in the last year and a half, brought Tom out of his shell and knocked down his defenses. Tom was not the same man she had known in Chakotay's Maquis cell. She had actually disliked him and had on several occasions called him pig. She had only seen the arrogant self serving man, not realizing that it was not the real Tom Paris. Now, after he had been loved and cherished by a mother he had not known existed, he had blossomed and shown his true self. She was so thankful that that evil man had not stamped out the goodness that had been at the core of Tom Paris.

She now held up the basket and said

"Kathryn and I have made you guys some lunch. I hope you're hungry."

She looked at Tom and saw that he was eying the basket. They then heard his stomach rumble. He blushed and hung his head slightly. She loved that look. He was so cute when he blushed. She had noticed he always seemed to have a rumble or two when he thought of food. She still was amazed that he stayed so fit. He loved to eat, but he worked hard, and he also worked out with Harry. They had erected a type of gym, and transported the equipment from the gym onboard to the new gym. Tom also wanted to build a swimming pool and they had picked out the spot for it right next to the gym, but it had not been done yet.

Now, Chakotay held his hands out to Kathryn to help her up, and B'Elanna had gone to the dining table with Tom to set out lunch. Chakotay helped Kathryn up, and walked her to the table. She sat, and ran her fingers over the table top. It was fine work, and she knew both Chakotay and Tom were proud of the furniture they made. They had sort of opened a woodworking shop, and had been busy these last nine months, making all the things people wanted for their homes. Now, though, they were lovingly making everything a new couple would need. She was so proud of them both, especially Tom. Chakotay had years of experience making furniture, but Tom had just started last year, and already he had learned so much from his step father. And most nights as they lay in bed, he would tell Kathryn how Tom had master another skill. It was plain he was very proud of him.

Tom came out of the kitchen with a tray that contained four glasses and a pitcher of lemonade. They all began eating the lunch that the women brought.

"This is good, mom...Lanna...thanks."

Tom said as he began his sandwich. He seemed to love everything they made. It was funny, he use to be such a picky eater, but they had discovered, it was the leota root, and Neelix's habit of over spicing everything he made that had made his so picky. Now he ate just about anything.

"I'm glad you like my sandwiches."

B'Elanna said and she laid her hand on his arm.

"So, how much more do you need to do?"

"We're almost finished, I just need Tom's help to get that mattress on the bedstead and then, we will finish up that dresser we've been building. It's really a unique design that Tom came up with."

He looked at Tom and smiled as his step son just shrugged.

"It's a pattern from the late nineteenth century that was very popular."

He reached for another sandwich, and then poured himself another glass of lemonade. Kathryn looked around the large room, seeing the care and love that he had put into the home and said

"I'd like to see it."

"Sure mom."

He started to get up, but she held her hand up and said

"After lunch, Tom."

She was smiling at him as he stopped midway in his rise. He sat down again and mumbled

"Sorry, mom."

He had hung his head in the way he did when he was starting to get embarrassed. Now Chakotay spoke up and said

"We love your enthusiasm, Tom. It's what made you an excellent officer and pilot...it's what makes you a very good woodworker."

Tom seemed very pleased, and they continued lunch, talking and laughing.

It was late, and Tom was going to sleep in his new home for the first time. He had gotten home a little while ago and was right now sitting on the front porch in the porch swing. He had seen it in one of his vids and wanted to add one to the home. When his dad had asked why he wanted it, he had given him a sly smile and said with a wink that it would be a wonderful way for Lanna and him to spend an evening, just swinging and cuddling. The idea was so appealing, Chakotay decided he'd build one for Kathryn. She'd love it.

Tom was just swinging and thinking, when he heard someone coming. He looked up and saw Harry. Harry's home was just up the path, and he liked taking a late evening walk. He came up on the porch and sat in the chair opposite of Tom.

"Hey, Har, you out for your evening constitutional?"

"Yup. Had a great walk and watched the meteor shower. It was spectacular."

"Yeah, we did too. Mom and dad enjoyed the show too. Lanna loved it too."

Harry was glad that his two best friends had gotten together and he was looking forward to the wedding. In fact, it was the most looked for wedding since the Captain and Commander. There were now twenty married couples, and more were getting engaged. They had been on the planet now for a little over a year, and they seemed to be making a home in the DQ. And, finally, Kathryn had let lose of the guilt at stranding them there in the first place. She also had felt bad about the fact that they would never get home to the AQ, but now, this was home. They all felt that way.

"So Tom, your first night in the new home?"

"Yeah, I am going to sleep in the new bed tonight."

Harry had looked up to the skies and watched the stars and replied

"Tom, I'm really glad you and B'Elanna have gotten together. You guys are my best friends, and..."

"And you love to see everyone paired off right?"

Tom looked at his friend with a grin. Everyone knew Harry was just a romantic at heart. He loved to see someone in love. He and Megan were very close, and Tom was sure that they were the next couple to tie the knot. He was glad. He knew that Harry had missed Libby, and for that first year and a half on Voyager, he had denied himself anything more than a friendly date here and there. But now he was letting himself get close to Megan and he knew he had fallen in love.

"It's just that I want everyone to be happy."

Harry said.

"I know, Har. I can tell you that Lanna and I are very happy. Besides finding my mom, she is the best thing that has happen to me. Harry, I love her so much, sometimes it just...hurts. But its a good hurt."

He knew that sounded silly, but it was the way he felt. He'd start to think of her, and the feeling would weld up in his heart and he'd be close to tears. It was something he didn't like to admit to many, but Lanna did that to him.

"I know, Tom, it's just the idea of loving someone with all your heart. I feel the same way about Megan."

Tom smiled and said

"So, when are you going to pop the question?"

Harry blushed and said

"To tell you the truth, I plan to ask her tomorrow night. We plan to go to the river park, and watch the moon rise."

Tom grinned at his best friend and replied

"Good choice."

The river park as they had dubbed it was a popular place to go and be with each other. Most of the couples had proposed there and it was a popular dating place too.

Tom stood and stretched and said

"Well, I'm ready for bed...It's been a long day. Thanks for stopping by Harry."

He yawned and Harry followed suit. They were both tired, so Harry bid Tom goodnight, and went home as Tom went inside.

He walked to the bedroom, and stood for a moment as he looked at the room. Under the large windows was the bed. It had a colorful quit on it, a gift from his mom, and the light from the moon streamed into the room. He sighed and walked over to the bed. He stood there a moment and looked at it, trying to imagine what it would be like for Lanna and him to be going to bed together after a long day. He smiled to himself and knew it would be wonderful, laying next to the woman he loved and talking about the day's activities, just being together. It was something he looked forward to. He got ready for bed, and when he laid down, he knew why Lanna had enjoyed the sleeping mat her father had made for her. He settled down and began thinking of his life with her. He quietly drifted off to sleep dreaming of all the kids they were going to have.

TBC