Gifts and Godparents
Seven stared at the room in shock and then anger. She immediately sought out Chakotay. He was standing next to Tuvok and she grabbed him by the arm. Unceremoniously, she hauled him into their bedroom.
"What is going on?"
"Take it easy."
"Answer me."
"Only if you calm down." She let out a frustrated breath but nodded.
"It's a baby shower. They…we wanted to surprise you."
"You were successful." She sounded very unhappy with that fact. He slowly placed a hand on his shoulder. He half expected her to pull away. She didn't move.
"However, you are aware I dislike surprises."
"I know…I tried to tell them that."
"Them?"
"B'Elanna."
"I see."
"Do you think you can go out there and act like you're glad to see everyone?" She let out another frustrated breath.
"Fine."
"Thank you." He managed to give her a quick kiss before they returned to the other room. The rest of the guests stood waiting anxiously. Seven couldn't help but give B'Elanna a slightly dissatisfied look.
"Here, why don't you sit down," Chakotay offered. Seven lowered herself into a chair and looked around at everyone; her family. She did her best to hide a smile but it crept onto her lips anyways.
"Well, how about presents?" B'Elanna suggested, seeming eager to get underway.
"As you wish." Seven looked around and saw an ungodly amount of wrapped packages sitting on the table. Chakotay sat down next to her and whispered in her ear.
"We've got two remember." She nodded. The first person to approach her was Naomi Wildman.
"I made it myself. I hope you like them." Seven raised an eyebrow at haphazardly wrapped object but took it gently. Seven pulled the paper away to reveal two delicately decorated picture frames.
"They're for the babies' first pictures."
"Thank you, Naomi. It is a very kind and efficient gift." Naomi beamed as she started to walk away. Chakotay cleared his throat and called out to the child.
"Naomi, do you think you could bring a few more presents over?"
"Sure, Commander." She picked up a few more presents and deposited them at Seven's feet. Several more of the crew had crowded around the couch to watch their presents being opened and assessed.
"These are from Tuvok," Naomi stated, handing over two heavy packages. Seven and Chakotay each took one. They opened to find Vulcan logic puzzles.
"I am certain they will enjoy the challenge."
"I would think so."
"Here, why don't you open this one next?" Seven looked up to see Kathryn handing her a small package. Seven slowly unwrapped it to find a small box. Carefully she lifted the lid to find a pendant on a thin silver chain. It bore a mother and child figure with two places for stones. She looked at the Captain in confusion.
"You can program them for whenever the twins are born…their birth stones."
"Thank you, Captain. It is a thoughtful gift."
"Ok, you've got to open this one." B'Elanna was pushing two boxes into Seven's lap. Seven opened them to find identical pairs of insulated baby booties. She couldn't help but smiling at the Lieutenant.
"Let's just say I'm returning the favor."
"Noted." Chakotay looked around and it appeared that they had gotten through all the gifts. They certainly had enough things to keep the infants clothed and comfortable for quite some time.
"Well…everyone, feel free to have something to drink and stick around if you'd like," Chakotay announced. Seven pushed herself to a standing position and went to join the Doctor by the window. He was playing with Miral.
"You did not give a gift, Doctor."
"The best gift I can give you is the healthy delivery of those two."
"Agreed." Miral reached out to Seven and she took the child into her arms.
"Just think, in a short time you'll be holding your own children in your arms."
"I still do not believe I am ready for such a task."
"Seven, you've got maternal instincts. You'll know what to do."
"You seem comfortable with such duties. Perhaps you would like to do the parenting."
"You're not getting out of it that easily." Neither had noticed that Tom had walked over until Miral bean to reach for her father. Seven handed the child over.
"Nice to see you put on a brave face for us."
"It was a thoughtful gesture, if poorly executed."
A short time later, Janeway and the Doctor were the only two guests remaining. The quarters were quite a mess, covered in bits of paper and drinks. Seven tried to protest to the Captain helping but Janeway just brushed it aside.
"We helped make the mess. We'll help clean it up." Seven had delegated the organization of the gifts to the Doctor and Chakotay. Before they had taken everything away, Seven had put on the pendant.
"It looks good," Kathryn commented.
"Thank you."
"Here, let me get that for you." Kathryn bent down under the couch to pull out some discarded bits of paper.
"It is becoming increasingly difficult to function effectively."
"If I know you, Seven. You'll adapt."
"Annika, can I talk to you for a minute?" Seven put the bits of paper down and went to join him in their bedroom.
"Yes?"
"I was thinking…the twins are going to need godparents."
"Godparents?"
"People to watch over them when we can't. You know…Neelix is Naomi's godfather."
"I see. Who did you have in mind?"
"Well I was thinking of asking the Doctor."
"I concur. I believe Captain Janeway would be a suitable godmother."
"Well that was easy." They returned to the other room to find Janeway and the Doctor ready to leave for the evening.
"Before you go, we'd like to ask you something."
"Certainly." Seven walked up to the Doctor and took a breath.
"We wish for you to be the children's godfather."
"I…I would be honored. Thank you." Before he could stop himself, he'd pulled Seven into a hug. Kathryn couldn't help but a snicker a little at Seven's surprised expression.
"That goes for you too, Kathryn." It was Janeway's turn to look surprised.
"You're sure?"
"Absolutely."
"I'd love to." The Doctor had released Seven and Janeway placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I'd be honored to be their godmother. You've got two great kids growing in there."
"To be honest, I couldn't imagine not being involved in their development," the Doctor said.
"Doctor…I do not believe your ego needs to be inflated regarding this matter. Her comment made Chakotay and Janeway laugh.
"I suppose you are right. I apologize."
"Come on, Doc. Let's give them some piece and quiet." With that, she and the Doctor took their leave. Seven and Chakotay retired to their room for a little rest.
"It is only 16:00 hours and I feel exhausted."
"So take a nap. It's Saturday after all. Nothing pressing to do." She laid down on the bed and motioned for him to join her.
"I'm sorry we didn't tell you about the party."
"You are forgiven."
"Really?"
"Yes." He looked a little shocked but shrugged it off. He ran a finger along her arm lightly as a silence fell between them. She looked at him and a after a minute, broke the silence.
"What are thinking about?"
"Just how much has happened…how far you've come."
"I agree. A lot has happened since our return from the Delta Quadrant."
"And a lot more is going to happen."
