Miral's First Christmas
By Diane Klepper
(Author's Note: Seven months after Voyager comes home, Tom, B'Elanna, and Miral
celebrate their first Christmas as a family.)
B'Elanna Torres entered her apartment. Her arms were filled with packages. She
put the packages on the table by the door and took off her coat. B'Elanna rubbed her
hands up and down her arms trying to get warm. She still wasn't use to the cold San
Francisco weather. She frowned at all the packages she bought. She promised herself so
wouldn't go crazy with buying presents for her family and friends but some of the stuff at
the mall she couldn't resist. She opened up a small package and smiled at the pink teddy
bear she bought that had a bib that said "Daddy's Little Girl." Even though Miral already
had four teddy bears B'Elanna couldn't resist buying this one. But secretly she got it
more for Tom then for their daughter.
Tom loved being a father and even though she loved Miral greatly she still
sometimes felt uncomfortable around her daughter. She prayed to Kahless that she and
Miral never became as estranged as she had become from her mother. When they found
out Miral was on the way both B'Elanna and Tom promised that they would always put
their daughter first and they would never try run her life like their parents did to them.
She opened another package that had a gold- framed picture frame. She got that
for her father to put a picture of Miral in for him. Even though she had only seen her John
Torres three times since they got home they have talked regularly over the comm. system
the last seven- month. She still missed her mother dearly and was comforted that her
father was back in her life.
She opened another box and smiled at the photo album she bought for her mother-
in-law. She promised Maggie Paris that she would give her some of the pictures that she
taken on Voyager during their seven- year journey. Many of the pictures were of her and
Tom during their courtship and their eventual marriage. The pictures were on her
nightstand already to be placed in the book. B'Elanna gave a little smirk remembering
that some of the photographs she was planning on putting in the photo album were some
of the embarrassing holo- photographs that the Doctor took of Tom over the last seven
years. The Doctor gave her the pictures last week during Miral's check-up at Starfleet
Medical. B'Elanna couldn't wait to see the expression on Tom's face when he saw them.
That will be another great photo opportunity, she thought.
Another package contained an old fashioned medical bag that she got for Tom.
Even tough Tom constantly grumbled about taking the required courses he was taking to
be a Starfleet doctor, B'Elanna knew that he secretly enjoyed his time working as a medic
on Voyager even though he would never tell the Doctor that. She wondered what Tom
got her. Even they always exchanged presents on Voyager, often they had to give each
other small things because of replicator rationing.
B'Elanna was about to take all the packages into the bedroom when she heard
Tom in the living room talking to Miral. Even though Tom wasn't expecting her for
another hour she decided to see what he was doing. She smiled at the sight she saw. Miral
was in her play- pen with her thumb in her mouth and holding on to the blanket Kathryn
Janeway gave her. She was staring transfixed at Tom who was putting final touches on
their tree.
Tom put the star on top of the tree and climbed down the step- ladder. He then
walked over to Miral and took her out of the play-pen He kissed her on the forehead and
said, "Miral what do you think of your first Christmas tree."
Miral made a few happy babbling noises and Tom smiled. "I knew you would like
it. …Christmas was always my favorite holiday as a boy." Tom gave a slight frown,
"Your Grandpa Owen made me attend all these fancy Starfleet holiday parties where I
was expected to act like the perfect cadet…but Christmas was just for family."
Tom walked over to the replicator and ordered a bottle of milk for Miral and then
sat down on the coach with her in his lap. Miral quietly drank her bottle as Tom
continued to talk. "On Christmas your Aunt Kathleen, Aunt Moira and I use to wake up
really early. Your Grandpa Owen and Grandma Maggie would always be in the kitchen
having coffee." Tom smirked, "Your Grandma Maggie always insisted we eat a good
breakfast…She always made homemade pancakes or waffles…She would never use the
replicator on Christmas…everything had to be homemade."
B'Elanna listened from the hallway smiling. Tom didn't have that many great
childhood memories but she was glad that he had some Christmas memories to share with
Miral. She continued to listen.
Tom stroked Miral's soft black hair. "Then after breakfast your Grandpa would
read us A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. That was one of my favorite books
growing up besides stories about the sea…Then after that we would in turn each open
one present." Tom smiled, "I was always allowed to open the first present because I was
the youngest." Miral still drinking her bottle looked at him confused look.
Tom smiled and kissed her on her forehead ridges and said, "Hey being the baby
of the family had to have some advantages….my big sisters constantly teased me and
bossed me around…But guess what Sweetie if I have my way you will be the big sister in
a few years… Hopefully we can convince your Mommy." Tom gave a little smirk, "I just
have to figure out a way for me to carry him or her…I'm sure if it really comes down to it
the Doc will figure out a way to do it… just to give me morning sickness."
B'Elanna smirked from her hiding place. She also wanted to give Miral a little
brother or sister and there was no way she would let Tom carry their next child. She
enjoyed the often- comical banter that went or with Tom and his sisters whenever they
were in the room together. She felt she missed something not growing up with a sibling
and she didn't want Miral to have to go through that.
Tom stood up still holding Miral in his arms. He walked over to the tree and
smiled. "You know sweetheart every year my parents would put a new ornament on the
Christmas tree to commemorate a special event. I remember the Christmas after your
Grandpa Owen took me out for my first shuttle flight. He and your Grandma Maggie put
an ornament of the ship I flew on the tree. That was always my favorite ornament…But
now I have a new one." He shifted Miral so he could hold her in one hand and with his
free hand he fingered an ornament and said, "Miral…this is for you. It reads Miral
Katherine Paris's first Christmas December 25, 2178…" Tom kissed his daughter on her
cheek and said, "Miral ….my love I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure
all your Christmases will be happy."
B'Elanna wiped a tear from her eye and was about to go back into the other room
when she heard a small voice say, "Ma….Ma.."
Tom looked at the direction Miral was gazing at and saw B'Elanna there. He
smiled at his beautiful wife. "How long have you've been home?"
B'Elanna walked into the living room and took Miral from Tom's arms. "I only
got back a few minutes ago." She looked at the ornament and smiled, "The ornament is
beautiful…when did you get it."
Tom smirked, "Two days ago when I took Miral to visit my parents my Mom was
unpacking the Christmas ornaments. She roped me into helping her decorate the tree and
I saw the ornament for my shuttle ride and I thought Miral should have her own special
ornament."
B'Elanna kissed Tom on the lips, "I think that is a lovely tradition…I like the idea
of hanging a new ornament each year…for both Miral and any future siblings."
Tom blushed, "You heard that."
B'Elanna smirked. "Yes I did Helmboy…and you better watch your step or I will
make you carry the next one."
"Yes, ma'am."
B'Elanna looked at her daughter and saw that she was yawning. "I think our little
angel is tired."
"I think I wore her out today…we had to do some last minute Christmas
shopping."
B'Elanna frowned, "Tom I hope you didn't go crazy and buy her too many
toys…I don't want her to get too spoiled."
Tom laughed, "Too late for that…Wait till you see all the stuff her Grandpa Owen
and Grandma Maggie bought for her."
She kissed Miral on the cheek and then put her in Tom's arms. "Tom I'm have
some last minute wrapping I have to do so will you please put Miral to bed ."
Tom gave B'Elanna a gentle kiss on the lips. "Did you get me a present?"
B'Elanna smirked, "You have to wait until Christmas like a good boy to find
out…now put her to bed."
"Yes, ma'am."
B'Elanna watched as Tom carried Miral into her nursery. She then touch Miral's
ornament and smiled. "Merry Christmas Miral."
By Diane Klepper
(Author's Note: Seven months after Voyager comes home, Tom, B'Elanna, and Miral
celebrate their first Christmas as a family.)
B'Elanna Torres entered her apartment. Her arms were filled with packages. She
put the packages on the table by the door and took off her coat. B'Elanna rubbed her
hands up and down her arms trying to get warm. She still wasn't use to the cold San
Francisco weather. She frowned at all the packages she bought. She promised herself so
wouldn't go crazy with buying presents for her family and friends but some of the stuff at
the mall she couldn't resist. She opened up a small package and smiled at the pink teddy
bear she bought that had a bib that said "Daddy's Little Girl." Even though Miral already
had four teddy bears B'Elanna couldn't resist buying this one. But secretly she got it
more for Tom then for their daughter.
Tom loved being a father and even though she loved Miral greatly she still
sometimes felt uncomfortable around her daughter. She prayed to Kahless that she and
Miral never became as estranged as she had become from her mother. When they found
out Miral was on the way both B'Elanna and Tom promised that they would always put
their daughter first and they would never try run her life like their parents did to them.
She opened another package that had a gold- framed picture frame. She got that
for her father to put a picture of Miral in for him. Even though she had only seen her John
Torres three times since they got home they have talked regularly over the comm. system
the last seven- month. She still missed her mother dearly and was comforted that her
father was back in her life.
She opened another box and smiled at the photo album she bought for her mother-
in-law. She promised Maggie Paris that she would give her some of the pictures that she
taken on Voyager during their seven- year journey. Many of the pictures were of her and
Tom during their courtship and their eventual marriage. The pictures were on her
nightstand already to be placed in the book. B'Elanna gave a little smirk remembering
that some of the photographs she was planning on putting in the photo album were some
of the embarrassing holo- photographs that the Doctor took of Tom over the last seven
years. The Doctor gave her the pictures last week during Miral's check-up at Starfleet
Medical. B'Elanna couldn't wait to see the expression on Tom's face when he saw them.
That will be another great photo opportunity, she thought.
Another package contained an old fashioned medical bag that she got for Tom.
Even tough Tom constantly grumbled about taking the required courses he was taking to
be a Starfleet doctor, B'Elanna knew that he secretly enjoyed his time working as a medic
on Voyager even though he would never tell the Doctor that. She wondered what Tom
got her. Even they always exchanged presents on Voyager, often they had to give each
other small things because of replicator rationing.
B'Elanna was about to take all the packages into the bedroom when she heard
Tom in the living room talking to Miral. Even though Tom wasn't expecting her for
another hour she decided to see what he was doing. She smiled at the sight she saw. Miral
was in her play- pen with her thumb in her mouth and holding on to the blanket Kathryn
Janeway gave her. She was staring transfixed at Tom who was putting final touches on
their tree.
Tom put the star on top of the tree and climbed down the step- ladder. He then
walked over to Miral and took her out of the play-pen He kissed her on the forehead and
said, "Miral what do you think of your first Christmas tree."
Miral made a few happy babbling noises and Tom smiled. "I knew you would like
it. …Christmas was always my favorite holiday as a boy." Tom gave a slight frown,
"Your Grandpa Owen made me attend all these fancy Starfleet holiday parties where I
was expected to act like the perfect cadet…but Christmas was just for family."
Tom walked over to the replicator and ordered a bottle of milk for Miral and then
sat down on the coach with her in his lap. Miral quietly drank her bottle as Tom
continued to talk. "On Christmas your Aunt Kathleen, Aunt Moira and I use to wake up
really early. Your Grandpa Owen and Grandma Maggie would always be in the kitchen
having coffee." Tom smirked, "Your Grandma Maggie always insisted we eat a good
breakfast…She always made homemade pancakes or waffles…She would never use the
replicator on Christmas…everything had to be homemade."
B'Elanna listened from the hallway smiling. Tom didn't have that many great
childhood memories but she was glad that he had some Christmas memories to share with
Miral. She continued to listen.
Tom stroked Miral's soft black hair. "Then after breakfast your Grandpa would
read us A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. That was one of my favorite books
growing up besides stories about the sea…Then after that we would in turn each open
one present." Tom smiled, "I was always allowed to open the first present because I was
the youngest." Miral still drinking her bottle looked at him confused look.
Tom smiled and kissed her on her forehead ridges and said, "Hey being the baby
of the family had to have some advantages….my big sisters constantly teased me and
bossed me around…But guess what Sweetie if I have my way you will be the big sister in
a few years… Hopefully we can convince your Mommy." Tom gave a little smirk, "I just
have to figure out a way for me to carry him or her…I'm sure if it really comes down to it
the Doc will figure out a way to do it… just to give me morning sickness."
B'Elanna smirked from her hiding place. She also wanted to give Miral a little
brother or sister and there was no way she would let Tom carry their next child. She
enjoyed the often- comical banter that went or with Tom and his sisters whenever they
were in the room together. She felt she missed something not growing up with a sibling
and she didn't want Miral to have to go through that.
Tom stood up still holding Miral in his arms. He walked over to the tree and
smiled. "You know sweetheart every year my parents would put a new ornament on the
Christmas tree to commemorate a special event. I remember the Christmas after your
Grandpa Owen took me out for my first shuttle flight. He and your Grandma Maggie put
an ornament of the ship I flew on the tree. That was always my favorite ornament…But
now I have a new one." He shifted Miral so he could hold her in one hand and with his
free hand he fingered an ornament and said, "Miral…this is for you. It reads Miral
Katherine Paris's first Christmas December 25, 2178…" Tom kissed his daughter on her
cheek and said, "Miral ….my love I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure
all your Christmases will be happy."
B'Elanna wiped a tear from her eye and was about to go back into the other room
when she heard a small voice say, "Ma….Ma.."
Tom looked at the direction Miral was gazing at and saw B'Elanna there. He
smiled at his beautiful wife. "How long have you've been home?"
B'Elanna walked into the living room and took Miral from Tom's arms. "I only
got back a few minutes ago." She looked at the ornament and smiled, "The ornament is
beautiful…when did you get it."
Tom smirked, "Two days ago when I took Miral to visit my parents my Mom was
unpacking the Christmas ornaments. She roped me into helping her decorate the tree and
I saw the ornament for my shuttle ride and I thought Miral should have her own special
ornament."
B'Elanna kissed Tom on the lips, "I think that is a lovely tradition…I like the idea
of hanging a new ornament each year…for both Miral and any future siblings."
Tom blushed, "You heard that."
B'Elanna smirked. "Yes I did Helmboy…and you better watch your step or I will
make you carry the next one."
"Yes, ma'am."
B'Elanna looked at her daughter and saw that she was yawning. "I think our little
angel is tired."
"I think I wore her out today…we had to do some last minute Christmas
shopping."
B'Elanna frowned, "Tom I hope you didn't go crazy and buy her too many
toys…I don't want her to get too spoiled."
Tom laughed, "Too late for that…Wait till you see all the stuff her Grandpa Owen
and Grandma Maggie bought for her."
She kissed Miral on the cheek and then put her in Tom's arms. "Tom I'm have
some last minute wrapping I have to do so will you please put Miral to bed ."
Tom gave B'Elanna a gentle kiss on the lips. "Did you get me a present?"
B'Elanna smirked, "You have to wait until Christmas like a good boy to find
out…now put her to bed."
"Yes, ma'am."
B'Elanna watched as Tom carried Miral into her nursery. She then touch Miral's
ornament and smiled. "Merry Christmas Miral."