AN: I have nothing to say for myself except that I love Lwaxana and Odo, and I want to explore moments in their lives together (maybe repeatedly, because I'm obsessed) so that's what I'm doing. This story kind of goes with my last one, "A Shared Peace," but is also able to completely stand alone. There will probably be more moments from their lives that I explore.

I own nothing from any Star Trek show, and I just write this for entertainment value.

I hope that you enjoy! Please don't forget to let me know what you think/if you do enjoy!

111

Odo hummed to himself as he made his way around the station. When he realized what he was doing—producing the vibrating, happy noise that was common to a great many species—he stopped and paid a moment of careful attention to his own amusement. Then, he paid a moment of attention to the truly genuine happiness that he felt—a happiness and satisfaction that had led him to hum.

He'd been doing that a great deal lately. He had only just realized that humming was something that must, without a doubt, belong to his species, too. The few times he'd ever done it before, he'd imagined it must be coming from some mimicry where he copied the sounds of those around him. Now, though, it was happening spontaneously, and he felt the joy within him, when he studied over it, that produced the sound of happiness and contentment.

Odo was happily married—though, perhaps, not entirely in the way that members of all species were happily married. He and his wife enjoyed deep love for each other, and absolute commitment to each other and to their union, but they'd been willing to forego, at least for the time being, any sort of attempt at the mating rituals that many species enjoyed—but which Odo wasn't sure were part of the practices of his own species. In addition to a wife that he loved dearly, he also had a baby on the way—a son—though certainly not through the same traditional methods that many families might have employed.

Odo married Lwaxana Troi, Daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed, and Ambassador of Betazed. Lwaxana was practically Betazoid royalty, and he'd married her to break her bond with a Tavnian to which she'd been married before, and to save her son—now their son—from being taken from her at birth. The marriage to the Tavnian had been dissolved through the sincerity of Odo's declarations of love for Lwaxana, and Tavnian law had declared the baby Odo's at the time of their marriage.

Odo was happy. For the first time that he could recall, he was truly happy. He practically buzzed with happiness that ran through his form like a current.

And he was loved. He was loved for exactly who he was. Lwaxana had seen him in every form imaginable and she seemed to somehow be equally delighted with all of them.

Odo, too, had seen her in every form imaginable that she had to show him—and he was equally delighted to know each and every sparkling facet of the woman that he loved. Even when she would swear she was her plainest, he found that there was no one in the universe that could compare to her—not in his eyes.

Odo loved Lwaxana. He had no reason to hide it or be ashamed of it. She was his beloved wife. She was his—forever. And he was hers.

It felt good to belong to someone entirely. It felt good to have them belong to you and with you. Belonging was something that Odo had craved, and having Lwaxana in his life made it clear to him just how much he'd desperately ached for this.

Lwaxana had offered to leave—afraid he could never offer her everything she wanted from him, and not wanting to ask more than he could offer—but he had convinced her that he could be what she wanted him to be, and he already knew that she was all that he'd ever want her to be. She'd been hesitant, but he thought they were beyond that, now.

It turned out that, really, all that Lwaxana seemed to truly want was security in the fact that Odo did truly love her. That was easy for him to give, much easier than she seemed to think it would be.

He'd give her everything else he could, too, because she brought him such happiness.

"Odo! Odo!"

Odo was snatched out of his daydream by Lwaxana's voice. He searched her out quickly and started moving toward her out of instinct before he ever saw her half-trotting down the promenade.

"Lwaxana, don't run!" Odo said.

Nobody was exactly sure how pregnant Lwaxana was—not even Lwaxana. Odo loved her dearly for her free-spirited nature, but part of that meant that she hadn't exactly bothered to keep careful track of her pregnancy—nor had she kept up meticulously with her prenatal care. Added to that confusion, there was the overall difficulty that the baby she carried was half-Betazoid and half-Tavnian—something never before recorded, at least. The two species' gestation periods were quite different, with Tavnians carrying their babies longer than typical Betazoid pregnancies, and there was the added complication that Betazoid pregnancies—especially among more mature Betazoid women—could fall on a timeline all their own.

Their son would come when he was ready—that was Lwaxana's perspective—but Odo was starting to feel a low-grade and almost constant anxiety about when the little one in question might actually be ready.

"Oh—I'm fine," Lwaxana said, waving Odo's concern away with her hand. She pressed her hand over her belly, probably in response to their son's protests over being so bounced about. "Odo—I have to go."

"Go?" Odo asked.

"Look—I don't have much time to explain. I'll need to pack. There's a diplomat on the station from Ragnia."

"I'm well aware," Odo said. "I do handle security, my dear."

She smiled at him and touched his arm affectionately.

"I know you do, Odo, dear, but…he's leaving today. Very soon, actually."

"I know that, as well," Odo said. "What I don't know is what this has to do with you."

"He's taking a shuttle to rendezvous with the Enterprise," Lwaxana said. "They're going to transport him back to Ragnia." Odo didn't bother responding. He simply looked at Lwaxana, in silence, and waited for her to realize that he still needed her to continue. She looked at him sympathetically, as though she were sorry for him that he was so slow in putting together all the complicated pieces she'd joined for her latest little mental puzzle. "Odo—don't you see? I can go with him. The Enterprise will have to pass by Betazed on their route to Ragnia. I can go home!"

"This is your home," Odo said. "This is our home. Did you forget?"

"Odo—I'm a Betazoid, and I'm always going to be a Betazoid," Lwaxana said.

"And I would never change that about you," Odo assured her.

She frowned at him imploringly.

"I need something, Odo. I need my home, Odo," Lwaxana said. She didn't really have to say more than that. Odo thought he felt everything else. His whole body ached in response as every fiber of himself practically vibrated in response to Lwaxana's emotions.

"And—I need my wife," Odo offered. "You're my home, Lwaxana."

Lwaxana ran her fingers over the skin of the face that he offered her. He knew, though, she would have caressed him just as lovingly in any form that he chose to take. He missed her even while she was there, touching him. He couldn't let her go as far as Betazed, never knowing when she'd be back. He caught her hand and held it.

"Please, Wife," he implored her.

She smiled at him.

"Come with me, Husband," she responded with a smile.

"I have a job, Lwaxana," Odo said. "One that, unlike yours, requires me to stay in one location. I have a responsibility to the station."

"And you have vacation time, which you never take," Lwaxana said. "I know. I inquired about it. And you have the right to honeymoon time, and since I am Betazoid, you have a right to the leave that would be expected for you to spend with me after our marriage—your position on the station allows for that. You have paternity leave, too, Odo. Time to spend with me and our baby."

"We don't know when our son will be born," Odo said.

Lwaxana laughed.

"Soon, Odo. Very soon. I'm sure of it. And—that's why I need to go, don't you see? The shuttlecraft will rendezvous with the Enterprise. My daughter's on that ship. I haven't even told her about the baby, Odo. Doesn't she deserve to know about him before he's born?"

"What if he doesn't make it to Betazed?" Odo asked. "We have medical care here."

"They have a state of the art sickbay aboard the Enterprise," Lwaxana said. "I'm the Ambassador to Betazed, Odo. And even if I wasn't, they wouldn't refuse me the right to deliver our child on the Federation Flagship. Odo…"

"This is very important to you," Odo said.

Lwaxana nodded, her eyes were damp, and she didn't look away from him for even a half a second.

"I don't feel settled, Odo, and I don't know how to explain that. Deanna needs to know…"

"Why don't we just call her?" Odo asked.

"This isn't the kind of thing you tell your daughter over a screen, Odo," Lwaxana said. "And I've been waiting for the right time, but I never wanted to tell her the trouble that I got into with Jeyal. Odo…I can't be settled until I tell her. And—he knows that. Betazoid babies aren't often telepathic, but they're still very in-sync with their mothers. He knows I'm not settled. He knows I'm not ready. Not entirely. And I think he won't come until then."

"He can't stay in there forever, no matter how much he wants to," Odo protested.

"Odo," Lwaxana said, a hint of pleading coming through. "I'm going on that shuttle. I have to. I would love for you to be with me, but I understand if you can't be."

Odo frowned.

"I know that you're always going to be a bit of a roamer at heart, and I know it's always going to be part of your role as Ambassador to Betazed. But…do you promise that—when you're well and strong, and…when you're not travelling…you'll come back here to be at home with me on the station? Do you promise that we'll make a home here, as much as on Betazed?"

Lwaxana smiled.

"I already promised you that I would," Lwaxana said. "That we would. I promised you that—as long as you didn't try to clip my wings, I would always make my nest with you, right? I still mean that, Odo. But—I need to feel settled for him to come, and he needs me to feel settled."

Odo accepted what she was saying and nodded.

"I will—talk to Commander Sisko," Odo said. "However—you must be cleared by Doctor Bashir before we leave." Lwaxana started to say something and Odo stopped her. "Lwaxana, that isn't up for debate. You will not board a shuttlecraft of any sort without medical clearance."

Lwaxana's face softened back into a smile.

"I'll go right now," she said. "And when I'm done, I'll pack our things. I'll bring your bucket. Deanna's going to love you, and you're going to love her. And you're just going to love Betazed."

Lwaxana kissed Odo's cheek and smiled broadly at him.

"I love you," he said, "and, no matter what, that will be enough."

111

Doctor Bashir accompanied them as far as the Enterprise on the shuttle, and he saw them off as the shuttle prepared to return to the station. The trip had been a short one to the rendezvous point, but Doctor Bashir had thought it prudent not to let the Ambassador to Betazed travel, unaccompanied by medical personnel, in her current condition.

He didn't know when their little one would make his arrival, either, but he couldn't be confident that it would be far enough in the future for anyone to get comfortable with the idea that he might stay where he was for much longer.

Captain Picard had, of course, been filled-in on the addition to his arrivals, but a few of the details had been left out. That much was evident to Odo when the captain greeted them all in the shuttle bay with his first officer, William Riker, and Deanna Troi in tow.

Lwaxana kept her greeting with the captain brief, and Odo shook Captain Picard's hand, before they left the captain to escort the Ragnian diplomat out of the shuttle bay and off to whatever entertainment they had planned for him.

Odo and Lwaxana only went with Deanna far enough to be safe while the shuttle departed, and then Lwaxana faced her daughter with more sincerity than flair.

"I've missed you, Little One."

"Mother—I—I don't know what to say," Deanna said, clearly taking in her mother's condition via her appearance.

"I've been trying to find the opportunity to tell you, Deanna—could we…go to your quarters? I'd love some tea and a moment to get off my feet."

Odo didn't point out that she'd been off her feet for the whole of the shuttle trip. Instead, he simply caught her arm.

"Are you quite alright, Lwaxana? Should we pay a visit to sickbay before we go to Deanna's quarters?" Odo asked.

"Mother, if you're unwell," Deanna said, clearly becoming a little alarmed.

"Nonsense! I'm fine! Don't fuss over me. I'd just like to sit down a moment and talking over a cup of tea is always more pleasant. Mr. Homn will bring our things…"

That was the last that was said on the matter until they did make it to Deanna's quarters. As they walked, Lwaxana filled the silence with talk that was of absolutely no consequence, but she said nothing of importance until she was settled on the couch in Deanna's quarters and Mr. Homn had served everyone tea—including Odo, who accepted the cup despite the fact that he couldn't consume the beverage.

"Little One—you do remember that I told you about Jeyal?"

"The Tavnian you married," Deanna filled in.

"Well, I'd always heard that it wasn't unusual for some Betazoid women to continue having children until really very late in life. Of course, I knew a few who were able to easily do so, but…well…Deanna…it turns out that I must be one of those women."

"Jeyal is the father?"

"Biologically," Lwaxana said. She sighed and looked frustrated and annoyed. "Tavnian law said he could take the baby if it was a boy, Deanna. And I couldn't…you know I couldn't, Little One."

"Mother—do you need some help?"

Lwaxana smiled. She reached for Odo's hand.

"I've had all the help I need," she said. "Tavnian law also had a loophole or two available. Odo married me to dissolve my marriage with Jeyal."

"Odo…you're married?" Deanna asked.

"I assure you that…though I married your mother to dissolve her union with Jeyal, I do truly love her."

Lwaxana smiled at him sincerely.

"And I truly love Odo," Lwaxana assured Deanna.

"I can sense that much," Deanna said, a smile coming to her face. "From you, Mother. I'm afraid—I cannot read you, Odo, not at all…"

"Yes, well, Odo's a changeling," Lwaxana said. She said it so naturally and so nonchalantly that it sounded almost musical. It sounded nice and pleasant. Odo felt judged when some people said it. When Lwaxana said it, he felt no different than when she told someone she was a Betazoid. He smiled in response to the sound of it, and Deanna smiled back at him.

"I don't know what to say," Deanna said. "Except—congratulations. And this is all very…surprising, honestly. But if you're happy…"

"We're very happy, Little One," Lwaxana said, wrapping her arms around Odo's arm and resting her head on his shoulder. She took his hand and guided it to her belly. The baby was quite active, especially since he'd been less active lately as his space had grown more and more cramped. "Tavnian law made Odo the baby's father in every way. Jeyal has no claim to him now. I've been looking for an opportunity to tell you in person and—when I found out about the Ragnian diplomat…"

"We will pass by Betazed on our way to Ragnia," Odo offered, when Lwaxana's words fell off.

"You're going to have the baby on Betazed?" Deanna asked.

"Well, I…"

"Mother—you'll need help with the baby," Deanna said. "Not that I doubt that Odo will help you, but…you'll need to recover. Have you thought about that? Are you even well enough for the shuttle to Betazed?"

"I thought that…"

"Mother—you should have told me something sooner!" Deanna said. "I could have taken leave to be with you. To help you. I could have at least been there at first, while you're getting adjusted…while you're both getting adjusted. I could have helped you."

Deanna broke off. She made a face and made eye contact with Odo for a moment. He had a feeling that he was missing some sort of exchange between mother and daughter. He could practically sense that Deanna was trying to communicate with him. Maybe this was something he'd become accustomed to as his life began to be quite intertwined with those of telepaths. His family, after all, was going to be primarily Betazoid.

"Mother—are you well?" Deanna asked.

Lwaxana laughed and hugged Odo a little tighter. Instinctively, he hugged her back, feeling as though she must need something from him—some comfort.

"I've been trying to tell you for a few minutes, Little One, but…I think you're going to have the chance to help as much as you'd like. The pains have started in earnest now. And Betazoid births take a notoriously long time, but…we're still a week away from Betazed, and I don't think he'll wait that long. Do tell your captain that—we'll appreciate the hospitality that I'm sure he'll be offering."

"I'll call sickbay," Deanna said. "They can beam you there."

"Nonsense. Don't be silly, Deanna," Lwaxana chided. "We have plenty of time. Days, even. Odo will walk me there. You just—go and talk to your captain. You'll know where to find me."

Deanna looked to Odo for some sort of confirmation. He nodded his head at her, though, wanting Lwaxana to have what she wanted and not wanting to argue with her for the time being. He figured that, if it came down to it, he could get Mr. Homn to help him.

When Deanna was gone, Odo wrapped an arm around Lwaxana to help support her. If she needed it, though, she barely let it be known. She leaned against him, as they walked, but it felt more like an affectionate embrace than something that came from desperate necessity.

"Are you alright, Lwaxana?" Odo asked as they walked.

"I'm wonderful," she assured him. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"The baby…"

"Will come when he's ready," Lwaxana said. "I told you that. Betazoid births are notoriously…well…long and drawn out. Difficult."

Odo stopped a moment, before he even realized that he had stopped. She faced him. Even at this moment, she smiled at him reassuringly.

"Oh—what's wrong, Odo?" She asked.

"You would comfort me when you're in need of comfort?" He asked.

"Is comfort so very one-sided?" She asked.

Odo rested his hand on her belly. He recognized, now, that some of the movement might actually be the muscles of her body doing what they needed to prepare her and their little one for what was to come.

"Does difficult mean dangerous, Lwaxana?" Odo asked.

"My sweet Odo," she said, her voice rising with a hint of teasing. "Are you worried?" Odo simply nodded, and she took on a tone that was a bit more sincere. She sighed. "I'll be tired, but…that's nothing we can't handle, right? Unless, of course, you don't want to be with me while the baby's coming…I would understand, if you don't. I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

Odo sensed her sincerity. She would do this alone, if being there when the child was born would make him uncomfortable. He sensed, too, that she would never make him feel bad about the choice, if that was the one that he made.

"My beloved Lwaxana," he said. "There is nowhere I would rather be than at your side." She smiled, clearly looking relieved, despite the fact she wouldn't have pressured him. "Come on," he said. "Let's get you to sickbay. We're wasting time."

"We have plenty of time, Odo," she assured him, though she did accept his support again and start to walk with him.

"I will feel better when we are there, all the same," he said. "Wouldn't you give me something so simple if it would relieve my concern?"

Lwaxana laughed quietly.

"I would give you anything, Odo, to give you peace," she said. "Just as you would me."

"You are my peace, Lwaxana," Odo offered. And he'd never meant anything more.