Chapter 14
They had many contacts with home throughout the months as they headed for home. And no one was happier than the Paris children. They had taken their time to really get to know their grandparents. Tom had mentioned to B'Elanna that his old man had really mellowed in the years he'd been gone. Now that they were back on Earth, they had been debriefed and now were on a six month vacation so that they could all decide what they wanted to do. The former Marquis had been pardoned and were offered a commission in Star Fleet, but at this time they wanted to see what opportunities were available.
Chakotay and many of the other marquis had gone back to Darvon 5 to help with the rebuilding of the colony. Harry and most of the regular Star Fleet officers had decided to stay in Star Fleet and were now all over enjoying the first vacation they had had in well over fifteen years. Harry had decided to spend his off time with his parents and Libby in Hawaii and had sent several messages to Tom and B'Elanna, who were staying with Tom's parents at the Paris estate. And there was a rumor that Captain Janeway would be offered a promotion to Admiral in Star Fleet. Her friends were not sure she would accept the promotion.
The sun was just setting on this summer day and both Tom and B'Elanna were sitting on the lounge chairs set up near the beach that backed the Paris estate. They were enjoying the sunset and watching their children playing near the water's edge with their grandfather. Joy was floating on her back a few feet from shore. Neither of her parents were worried as she was an excellent swimmer, Tom having seen to that. He had taught her young and she had excelled at water sports. The twins, Mike and Katie were sitting with their grandfather digging in the sand as they made a sandcastle. And Tommy was running up and down the beach whooping like an Indian.
Tom chuckled and said
"I remember running up and down the beach just like Tommy, although I don't think I made as much noise."
B'Elanna smiled as she watched her youngest child come running back up the beach and flop down next to his grandpa. He hugged him and then began to talk to his bother and sister.
"I can just see you now running up and down the beach, all wind swept and full of sun."
"Well I guess I was a 'wild one' at that age"
Tom said with a grin.
"You certainly were. Why I can remember how you would come home and your shirt was torn and you'd have a black eye or some such thing."
Elizabeth Paris had joined them and had sat in the other chair.
"Owen thought we'd BBQ tonight. I've got all the stuff ready and now I'm going to rest. By the looks of Owen, we won't be ready to start for at least a half hour."
They all turned to watch Owen playing with his grandchildren. He looked so content. Elizabeth smiled and said
"He seems so content now"
She turned to Tom and continued
"He was so devastated when he thought that you were lost...maybe dead, but once he knew you were all alive and that you would be coming home, he became obsessed with bringing Voyager home. Now to find out he has more grandchildren, he's ecstatic."
She again looked at her husband,who was now walking towards them with all four grandchildren in tow. Tommy was busy chattering. He was perched on his grandpa's shoulders. The twins were each holding his hands and Joy brought up the rear, her towel wrapped around her waist. The picture of the group made both Tom and B'Elanna smile. Owen deposited Tommy on the ground and said
"Liz did you start the coals?"
"Yes dear, they should be ready in ten minutes."
She stood to walk back with him as Tom and B'Elanna rose to follow. Tommy rushed up to his dad and said
"Did you see me running along the beach daddy? Did you?"
Tom scooped up his youngest and said
"I certainly hear you! You were whooping like a wild Indian!"
He ruffled his son's hair and followed the group up to the house. Joy, who brought up the rear now said
"You certainly did kick up a lot of sand. I'm surprised there was any left on the beach."
She was smiling as she looked at her youngest sibling. He was also grinning. He turned to his sister and said
"Aw you know there is plenty of sand and no matter how much I kicked up it would never be all of it."
"Really?"
She said with a skeptical look on her face. They had arrived at the patio and now Owen checked the coals in the BBQ. They were almost ready and he and Liz went into the kitchen to get the meat, hamburgers for the kids and steaks for the adults. Elizabeth followed him with several foil wrapped ears of corn to BBQ. As she passed Tom, she smiled and said
"I remember that you loved corn on the cob when you were a child, I hope you still like it."
Tom nodded and said
"Sure do mom, nothing better than corn on the cob, smothered in butter and a little salt to boot."
Owen had placed the meat on the grill and then placed the hood down and turned to sit down. Elizabeth and B'Elanna had gone back into the kitchen to do the finishing touches on the rest of the meal. They had made potato salad,coleslaw, and for desert, a large chocolate cake. Then they placed the sides in the refrigerator and came back out to join the rest. Tommy was helping his grandpa with the BBQ and the twins were setting the table. Joy was talking to her father.
"So you see dad, I want to start the academy this fall. I passed all my entrance exams and I can start this fall."
She was looking at her dad with a pleading look on her lovely face. Tom knew that she had wanted to join Star Fleet since she was eleven. She had fallen in love with Star Fleet and the stories Tom had told her. She had shown a great interest in flying and deep down Tom was proud of her aptitude to piloting. She had the same spirit as he had and he knew she would some day make an excellent helmsman. He looked into her face and knew he could refuse her nothing. Finally he smiled and said
"You know that Star Fleet Academy will be hard and that its four years of hard study and hard work. Do you still want to try this?"
He knew full well what her answer would be.
"Oh yes,yes. I know I can succeed and make both you and mom proud of me!"
Tom hugged his daughter and said
"You already have sweet pea, you already have."
The stars were twinkling and nightfall had come an hour ago. The adults all sat on the patio and the tiki torches were lit and they cast a soft light over the group. Tommy has fallen asleep in his father's arms and Joy had just went inside to help the twins get ready for bed. Then she would return for Tommy. Now Owen said
"You know, Joy can live here if you both want to get back into space. That way she can attend the academy and you won't have to worry about her."
"yes we would love to have her here."
His mother said. Tom was glad that his parents were so willing to take Joy, but he had some news to tell them that he was sure they would be happy about. He turned to look at Lanna and she smiled at him. He turned back to his parents and said
"Well, that would be great, but we both have decided to stay on Earth. Both Lanna and I have been offered teaching opportunities at the academy and we decided to accept it."
He finished with a smile. Deep down he knew his parents didn't want them to accept positions on a starship.
"Oh Tom...B'Elanna, we are so glad. I must say that I didn't want you out in space again."
His mother looked at Owen with a smile and continued
"Your father won't admit it but he didn't want you out there again either."
"Now Liz, the boy has the right to decide for himself."
He looked at his son with a relived expression and continued
"I am glad you both decided to stay on Earth though. With your talents, the cadets will have the best teaching."
He was smiling broadly and his eyes were twinkling. It was plain he was happy with the decision that both Tom and B'Elanna had made. Joy had just taken Tommy up to bed and Tom took Lanna's hand as he said
"Well when we were approached by Star Fleet to accept the teaching assignments, we were glad to. B'Elanna has a lot to give to the young engineers. After all, she's the best!"
Tom looked at his wife with pure adoration. She smiled and said
"With my fly-boy teaching all those young cadets, how can Star fleet lose?"
She leaned over to place a kiss on his cheek. He smiled and said
" I don't know about that but I do plan to pass on my...unusual expertize."
He turned to his parents and continued
"Now we just need to plan on where to live."
Now his father looked at his mother with a small grin on his face and said
"Son do you remember that five acre tract that adjoins this estate?"
"Sure, I use to go there whenever I wanted to think. It was so peaceful and that meadow that was next to the beach was my special place. I always thought that when I grew up that I'd..."
He trailed off and looked at his parents. They were both grinning at him. He just stared at them so his mother spoke up
"Tom, your father bought that land when you were only ten. He knew how much that you loved it."
"You see son, we'd hoped that when you grew up that you'd want to build a house on that land and that you'd want to live there...raise a family there..."
Tom was dumbfounded as he said
"Dad...you did that for me? Even with all the trouble I caused you and mom..."
His father raised his hand and said
"That's all in the past and forgotten. Your mom and I are very proud of the man you turned out to be. Besides with your sisters and their family's living so far away, we hardly ever get to see them. If you accept this gift, you can begin building right away. You all can stay here and when you move into your new home...well...your mom and I have other motives..."
Now his mom spoke up
"What your father means is that our grandchildren will be close and we can see them."
Tom was still speechless so B'Elanna answered for them both
"We would love to have you both as neighbors. We accept."
Tom finally found his voice as he softly said
"Thanks mom...dad."
Both Elizabeth and Owen Paris smiled broadly. They knew this was a new beginning.
Epilog
The Paris family stood in front of their new home. It was situated in the meadow under large shade trees about five hundred feet from the beginning of the beach. They could hear the sound of the surf from here and Tom had made sure both the master bedroom and Joy's room faced the rear and the ocean.
It wasn't a large house like his parents, but it had everything they needed and they all loved it. Now they stood in front and just looked at it,each with their thoughts. Finally Tom said
"Okay guys...we're home. Not only are we home on Earth, but we are standing in front of our very own house and I'm glad to say that all of your input to the design is what makes this our home."
He looked at each of his children...Joy...his little sweet pea. Now she was a young woman and starting the academy in fall. She had saved his sanity and would always be his little sweet pea...Michael...his studious one...he knew that whatever he tackled he would succeed. He was a walking encyclopedia...Katie...his little gentle soul...she was kind to everyone and brought sunshine into everyone's life...and Tommy...his whirlwind...he was always running...but his heart was made of gold and he had revitalize his grandpa. Many a day they were together doing odd jobs.
"Now remember that we have people coming over tonight for a housewarming and BBQ so please kept the house straight."
B'Elanna said as the kids started towards the door. Tommy asked
"Is uncle Harry coming?"
"Yes and uncle Chakotay,and Aunt Kathryn and a whole lot more, so I want you all to be on your best behavior."
"We will."
They all said and started up the steps. B'Elanna started after them but Tom stopped her. She turned to her husband with a curious look and he said
"Lanna...This is our first home and I just want to enjoy it with you alone for a moment."
B'Elanna leaned into Tom and hugged him. This was a special moment for them both. For a moment they just stood there enjoying the closeness of each other. Then with a sigh, Tom said
"We're home Lanna. Come on,lets go in."
They walked up the steps with there arms around each other and into their new home.
The End
A/N
Well there it is. I hope you like it. I am so sorry that it took so long to finish this story, but like I've said I hate unfinished stories so I had to finish this one. As to my cancer, I have finished both chemo and radiation(2 sessions) and now I just need to heal inside from the radiation for them to get a good ct scan. The Dr did say that it appears that the tumor has shrunk and I'm hoping that I will be free of the cancer. Wish me luck!