Chapter
Six:
Second Month:
Janeway sits alone at the table
beginning to write a journal to her unborn baby girl.
Chakotay is
on bridge duty and the rest of the crew is asleep. Today was one of
the
best days in her life.
Dear
Baby Girl,
It has been two weeks since we discovered that you were
going to become a part of our family.
Your daddy is so pleased
that you are going to be a girl. I thought he would be happy if
you
were a boy but he wanted a girl. We have seven months to get to know
you. Your daddy
is going to try really hard to be here for every
thing you do. Although this time with your
mother is the most
sacred. The doctor told me that it is good to keep notes on
your
development. At first I wasn't sure I wanted to but now I see
a different perspective. If
anything would happen to your daddy or
me I want you to know how special you are to us.
When you come of
age I will give you this diary so you know everything that happened
while I
was carrying you. Tomorrow is going to be a very important
day. Tomorrow your daddy and
I are going to tell your future
family that we have been blessed and a little baby girl will
become
the newest member of the VOYAGER crew. The best thing is that I
haven't
gotten any morning sickness and I don't think that I will.
Although if I were to get it, it
would just prove to me again that
I have a baby growing inside of me. Right now you can't
even tell
that I am pregnant with you. But the doctor said that it was fine and
before we know
it I will look pregnant. That's why we decided to
tell the rest of the crew before they find out
themselves. Oh I
hope they don't go crazy, the crew has wanted your daddy and I to
get
together for the longest time. When we finally married they
couldn't wait for us to have a
family. But that wasn't as easy.
You see a little while before we thought about having you I
was
pregnant. Oh, your daddy was so excited. He would finally have
someone who could do
all the things he loved the most with. I
carried that baby for seven months and then we got
called to an
ailing planet. I won't tell you what so you don't become angry with
it. But it was
a lie. I wanted so much for us to find some
friendly species to spend some time on shore leave.
I got called
down to assist and got captured by a man named Redik. He was very
kind and
saw of my "delicate" condition and took really
good care of me. But he turned as your daddy
closed in on him. He
caused me to go into premature labor right there. I tried to hold
back
on the anguish I was feeling but your daddy knew and brought
your uncle Tom to me. He
had to take the baby or we both would
have died. Unfortunately, your sister didn't live and
my life was
shattered. I didn't think I would ever recover but I did. With the
help if this
crew, and your daddy I recovered and we decided to
try for another baby. I had to have
surgery because without it I
couldn't get pregnant. So I had it but getting pregnant with you
was
very difficult. The doctor decided to try a procedure the could
increase my chances to
become pregnant. It worked on the first try
and here you are. I still have seven months until
I meet you but
until then I will keep this journal for you and hope that it will
help you
understand what it was like when you were inside your
mommy.
All my love,
Mommy
Janeway
closes the diary and sighs with contentment. This truly was a very
special
baby girl. And she knew that her daughter was conceived
for a special purpose.
Janeway wasn't sure yet what it was but
she knew that it would happen.
Early the next morning the
senior officers have assembled in the briefing room
Janeway is
sitting in her usual seat, at the head of the table, Chakotay was
seated at
the right of Janeway. The rest of the senior officers
are seated down both sides of her.
B'Elanna sits uncomfortably in
her seat as the baby she is carrying makes it difficult
to stay in
one position for a period of time.
"You are all probably
wondering why I have asked to have this meeting. It has
nothing to
do with ship business. Well, it does but not really. Anyway,
Chakotay
and I have something to say. Now you all know that we
were trying to have a baby
but we didn't have any luck. So we
decided to try one more thing and if it worked we
would have a
baby. Well, this is going to sound like a fairy tale, but, it worked
and we
are going to have a baby sometime in the middle of
May."
"That's wonderful Captain, now I must give you
a baby shower, on Talax we honor
both the mother and the father.
So, with your permission, I would like to have one in
the mess
hall in a few months. I have been wanting to extend my cooking skills
so we
will have a feast as well. Everyone is invited."
"That's
very kind of you Neelix, but I don't know if I will be comfortable
going to my
wife's baby shower. Aren't they for girls
only."
"Well they used to be. But as the years went
on the father was getting involved.
After all they do have a very
important part in the conception."
"Neelix is right,
I will be at B'Elanna's baby shower this will be something we
can
celebrate together, being a father. Come on why don't we have
a baby shower for both
the Captain and B'Elanna. If it's alright
with you honey?"
"It would be a great time to catch
up on things. Our daughters will be the best of
friends. They can
grow up together they will always have someone to play with.
And
Naomi can baby sit when we need to get out. Come on Captain,
please have your
baby shower with me."
"Now how
can I say no to that. Alright but we need to have it soon because by
the
time I am far enough along you will go into labor. You only
have 2 months to go. I
have seven."
"We can make
it for Saturday that way if B'Elanna and Tom's baby decides to
come
early you will have the things she needs."
"Okay,
now get back to work Saturday is only three days away. We have to get
some
work done."
My
darling daughter,
Hello my sweet. The crew has decided to throw a
baby shower for your Aunt B'Elanna
and myself. At first I thought
it was early but B'Elanna is 5 months pregnant and because
she is
half Klingon she may deliver before normal klingon females deliver. I
have several
months to go but I figured that it would be better if
we have the shower early incase you decide
to come early. Neelix
is a great man he is going to create the shower by himself, I don't
know
if he can do it. Your daddy, and uncle Tom, are going to be
there too. Your daddy wasn't
crazy about it at first thinking a
baby shower was only for the "mother to be" instead of
the
"parents to be." But Tom talked him into going after
much bribing. This baby shower is
going to be so special and you
are so special to me. You're only a few centimeters long and I
am
so much in love with you. I can't wait to finally meet you.
All
my love,
Mommy
The day of the
shower...
The Mess Hall is decorated with pink ribbons, lace,
bows, and wrappings. Everyone
is in the Mess Hall except the
guests of honor. Soon Janeway and B'Elanna enter the
Mess Hall
both dressed to the nines with their husbands on their arms. Both
wearing
a smile on their faces while the guys too wear smiles.
"Come here people and seat at the "Baby Table"
I have used the Mess Hall tables to
create a special center for
the mommies and daddies. Here Commander, sit next to
Captain
Janeway and Lieutenant Paris, sit next to Lieutenant Torres. Now
there
that is what I was looking for. If you look closer to your
table each of the crew member
wrote a little something to assist
in the raising of your daughters."
"Thank You
Neelix, the table is beautiful and thank you all for your parenting
advice
you have given the both of us. We may need to take you up
on some of your offers,
seeing that several have offered to
babysit, after our daughters are born, Naomi you
will have a job
to do for a few days until we recover fully."
"It
will be my pleasure, after all these little girls will be like my
sisters in a way. We
were all born on this great ship and raised
by wonderful people. Who could ask for
more?"
"Well
let the party begin..."
B'Elanna and Janeway with their
husbands are seated at the "baby table" presents
are
scattered on the floor as well as several tables next to their
"baby table" Naomi is
giving the presents to the couples
as Samantha writes the what they got and who
from.
"Okay
now here is a present from The Doctor, isn't it beautiful
wrapping."
"Why of course it iss, now lets see what
you got for us here Doctor."
Both mothers-to-be open the
beautiful wrapping paper. Inside there was a box that
held
clothing. The women unwrapped the tissue paper inside was a small
pink outfit with bears on the front.
"Oh doctor, its so
beautiful I am sure that Miral will love it I think we will bring
her
home in this. Thank you."
"It was my
pleasure, you wouldn't believe how long it took me to pick out the
outfit. I
didn't know there were so many kinds of baby
clothing."
"You'd be surprised."
"The
next present is from Harry."
Naomi hands the present to
the couples this time the fathers open the gifts the men
laugh as
they begin to unwrap a very bad wrapping job. Inside was another box
that
held clothing. As the men unwrap the tissue paper cloth
diapers with a starfleet
insigma on the front. Thanks Harry I
wanted to use cloth it saves on the environment
those disposable
diapers kill millions of tree annually and being native
american
myself it helps me to keep up my family heritage so I may
pass it onto my daughter."
"No problem, I figured
that it would save a lot on the waste disposals and besides you
could
easily replicate more."
A few hours later...
The
presents are near completely opened there only leaves one more for
each it is from
Naomi Wildman.
"This is from me I had
to ask the doctor for some help as well as my mom she did
most of
it I just told her how to do it."
Naomi hands over a
large box with glittering paper to both Tom and Chakotay whom
hand
it off to their wives. Together they open it and peel away the tissue
paper to
reveal a beautiful hand made quilt. The couples gasp at
its beauty they could tell that
it had taken a lot of time for her
to do it.
"Oh its so beautiful Naomi how did you ever
find the time to make such a fine quilt.
When I knitted a blanket
for you it took me months."
"Well it took much
convincing with the doctor to with hold my study's and mom
worked
on the sewing while she wasn't sleeping or on duty. I pick out the
fabric and
designed the quilt myself. I wanted to give your
daughter a blanket like you gave me
one when I was born."
"Thank
you so much Naomi. I'm sure Miral will love the quilt it will be very
warm."
"Well that's all for the presents. Now time
for the cake and don't worry it is
replicated to Earths standards
however, I still think it is rather bland we need some
sweetener
so I replicated some sweet cider to go with it."
"Okay
well lets eat before I go into labor and we have to put the party on
hold until
Miral is born."
Later that evening...
My
darling daughter,
Today we had a party for you I got so many
different kinds of clothing you can wear each
only once for three
months. The crew were very generous, Naomi made this beautiful quilt
for
you all by herself, with the sewing skills of her mother.
Chakotay is very pleased that you are a
girl and he even has
started telling me names and I am only two months along and he acts
so
protectively. He is concerned about everything I do if I make a
noise he jumps up and asks if
I'm in pain. But I'm not or if I say
I have a headache he gets concerned about if I am
having a bad
reaction to the prenatal supplement and should go see the doctor for
a lighter
dose. He is sweet but I understand his concern. When I
was pregnant with you older sister I
had what is called placenta
privia, which is when the placenta holds up the baby from coming.
I
was in a lot of pain when I was first diagnosed but the doctor
treated me for it and I was
well again but now your daddy is
concerned that it may return. So far I have been find
however I
have experiences some discomfort noting bad I assure you just it's
strange that I am
pregnant again. I have experienced some mild
bleeding but haven't told anyone except the
doctor and begged that
he not reveal it to Chakotay. The doctor said that because of
the
previous problem with my first daughter it would happen and
may or may not continue
throughout my entire pregnancy and I will
have to tell Chakotay soon. But the doctor said
that you are very
healthy considering the way I got pregnant. But don't worry I know
that
you will be full term when you are born and you will be loved
unconditionally. Tomorrow I
have to go see the doctor to hear your
heart beat for the first time and maybe we can get
another picture
of you. Daddy can hardly wait to see you again. Not that you
changed
much in the last few weeks but the doctor wants me to come
by and see him every two weeks to
replace the patches I have on my
abdomen but in a month I may be able to take them off
earlier than
expected. I hope so the patches are not very attractive nor
comfortable. Well
until next time I just wish the best to you and
hope that you stay as healthy as you are this day
always. One more
thing, I wish that you can feel the love the ship has for you and
hope that
when you are born you welcome the universe into you
heart like I did and can continue to
embrace life as you have as
of now forever.
All my love,
Mommy
Third
Month...
My darling
daughter,
Well we just ended the first trimester and to my
surprise morning sickness has finally
happened although I welcome
it with open arms that means that I really am pregnant and you
are
on your way. Daddy is so nervous around me know afraid that I might
vomit on him but
I haven't really vomited I just feel nausea
occasionally with some of the things Neelix
prepares for the crew.
I have to see the doctor again today for my bi-weekly check up today
we
can see a better picture of you, you are a lot bigger I know
because I am beginning to show my
condition. The doctor is
concerned with my blood pressure it is a little high but there is
no
placenta privia that he was concerned with. I have a chance of
having you naturally without a
cesearn he thought I may need. So
today we are going to discuss birthing methods and the
items that
are available for the delivery. Not to exciting I know but hey
whatever is needed
I would rather feel that everything is there
incase something does occur. Well I hear your
daddy awaking so I
will say until next time.
All my love,
Mommy
Three
hours later Janeway and B'Elanna are spending some time together
helping
B'Elanna put together a play pen nearby while discussing
parenthood B'Elanna gasps
suddenly as a contraction draws her
attention.
"What's the matter B'Elanna is the baby
kicking?"
"No, I don't think so. I think that I may
be having a contraction."
"Where's the clock we need
to time them."
Janeway looks around and find the clock
nearby.
Soon the contraction is over and B'Elanna is more
relaxed than she was before.
"Well that wasn't to bad it
will be a long time before you actually need to contact
Sickbay
and your husband. I can't wait until my baby is born. I don't know if
I can
wait another six months."
"Your time will
be here before you know it. Then our daughter's will be best
friends
like we became."
"Do you remember when we
first met. I told the crew that the Maquis and Starfleet
were
going to join forces and work together to find a way back home. You
were so
sure that I couldn't do it and that Maquis shouldn't have
to listen to me. But you
changed we all did."
"And
now I couldn't imagine not being friends with you Captain."
"I
can't either. Without you I don't know where VOYAGER would be. It's
kind of
neat that you and I are having a baby at almost the same
time. It seems like fate has
laid its hand in our case."
"And
it was a very good hand that it laid."
Several hours
later...
B'Elanna is breathing through another contraction a
much stronger one. Janeway is
by her side looking at the nearby
clock while timing the contractions.
"Okay this is a
really good contraction and they are ten minutes apart I think
we
better call Tom and the Doctor so you can have this
baby."
"That's a good idea."
"Janeway
to Paris report to Sickbay immediately B'Elanna has gone into labor
we are
headed over to Sickbay right now."
"Aye
Captain, I'll be right there. Commander may I be excused?
"Of
course you are. Your wife is having your baby."
"Thank
you I hope to see you visit soon."
"As soon as the
newest addition arrives we will be there. I am sure that B'Elanna
is
in good hands with Janeway and the Doctor. Just remember how to
breathe because
she is going to need all you support. Having a
baby is hard work."
A few hours later...
"Attention
all crew members Miral Paris has arrived weighing in at 6 lbs. 8
oz.
Mother and Daughter are doing fine."
Shouts of
cheers echo around the ship. Another member of the crew to take over
if
this crew in case we don't arrive home in time.
Fourth
Month...
My Darling
Daughter,
Hello my darling its mommy again. I'm sorry I haven't
added to your journal. I was
helping Aunt B'Elanna with your new
friend. She is so beautiful she looks just like her
mommy. Of
course if you as her daddy he would say she looks like him but she
doesn't look
like him nearly as much as she to her mamma. She has
a mass of rich, dark, thick hair like
her momma but she does have
blue eyes for now. You just wait and see they will darken.
Your
daddy and I have began to work on your nursery. Every moment he has
off duty he is
building your cradle or wallpapering your room. It
had cute little butterfly's on it. He insists
that your animal
guide is a butterfly. Don't ask me how since you have to go on the
search
yourself to find out your guide but your daddy has a way of
knowing right off everything that is
going on. I began to
replicate some baby linens for you cradle. They are so beautiful, I
think
you will like them. Miral, Aunt B'Elanna's daughter is
getting so big. Your daddy has
offered to sit for them so B'Elanna
and Tom can have some time alone. Tom looks so warn
out but I
think he will get used to it soon. It just take a little time. Well I
have to go for
know I have an appointment with the Doctor again.
But don't worry I haven't had any
complications it is just
routine. Until next time.
All my love,
Mommy
Chakotay
came out of the bathroom just as Janeway closed her journal. With a
smile
Chakotay walked up to her and gave her a kiss on the
forehead.
"Just writing an entry in our daughter's
journal?"
"Yeah, I want her to know how we were
feeling while I was carrying her. I want her to
know all about the
people aboard the ship. She is going to have so many people
to
love."
"When are you going to give this
journal to her?"
"Oh I don't know I was thinking
maybe when she is old enough to read. Or maybe I
should wait until
she turns 16?"
"No, give it to her when she learns
how to read. You are speaking of Miral aren't
you?"
"Yes
of course."
"Well, wouldn't it be nice for her to
know that her parents knew that she was destined
to become friends
with Miral. Just as you have become friends with B'Elanna?"
"Well we had better get to Sickbay before the Doctor has a fit."
"I suppose so. Come on."
A few minutes later...
Janeway and Chakotay enter Sickbay and see and obviously annoyed Doctor. It
wasn't as if they were a half hour late it was only a few minutes.
"I'm glad you finally showed up. I thought I would have to note you never showed
up."
"Doctor we know how important it is for you to see me but it was only a few minutes
not hours. I was doing something and lost track of time. I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted. Now we must run the scans."
Janeway nods and is helped onto the biobed by Chakotay. She then lies down and
waits while the doctor runs the tricorder's wand over her body.
"You still have high blood pressure, but I see no sign of placenta previa which is a very
good sign. Would you like me to take some more pictures for your baby book?"
"Sure."
"I still want to see you every other week it is still possible that you may develop
complications."
"Do you think that I may develop this "placenta previa" because of my previous
history of having it with our first daughter?"
"It is very likely that you may develop it. But you have just began your second
trimester and that is when we first discovered it. I want you to come to me at the very
first time you experience any similar symptoms you had the first time."
"Okay Doctor."
"Now lets take a look at that baby of yours."
Janeway lies back down as the Doctor scans her again. A few minutes later a
holographic image is imprinted in front of Janeway and Chakotay. She is beautiful
fair skin and hair like her mother but Chakotay can see strength in that tiny baby
which he knows comes from him.
Fifth Month
My darling daughter,
I have just reached my fifth month. There is no sign of any complications as of today but
the Doctor said it is still possible but I have high hopes and if it happens that I come down
with complications I will do everything in my power to protect you. Well some good news
today while I was getting dressed for duty I noticed that you were beginning to make your
appearance. In a few weeks I will have to move to maternity uniforms. Samantha was kind
enough to offer her maternity uniforms she used while she was carrying Naomi. But
unfortunately she wears blue and I red. So I have to replicate red uniforms, but that won't be
for a few weeks. When we saw you two weeks ago we got a very good image of you. Daddy
said that you look a lot like me. I agree but he also said that you have his strength which I
also agree with. I can't wait until you are here neither can the rest of the crew. For a long
time your daddy and I kept our distance even though we fancied each other. I loved him since
we were sent to live on "New Earth" as well as your father. When we finally were about to
admit our love to each other they found a cure to the disease. That was the last time we
actually thought would be our relationship. But our love stayed alive but we kept it hidden
from ourselves and the crew. But B'Elanna she knew and so many time she set us up and
played matchmaker. One shore leave we couldn't deny our love and we let out all our emotions
and that is when I got pregnant with your sister. It wasn't as if we planned it, in fact we were
very surprised but a few weeks later we married and the rest is history. Someday when you are
older I hope that I can sit down and talk to you more about it. Well I have to go on duty in
thirty minutes so until next time.
All my love,
Mommy
Later that evening...
Janeway is in bed reading a book while Chakotay sleeps soundly next to her. Janeway
gently rests her a hand on her abdomen and smiles. Suddenly a small movement
catches her attention. At first she was worried that she was developing placenta
previa but when she wasn't experiencing pain more it was like butterflies in her stomach. The
baby was moving finally after all this time it felt real. She was really going to have a
baby. Gently shaking Chakotay awake he opens his tired eyes.
"What is it? Are you sick? Are you in any pain?"
"No, the baby she's moving come on feel her."
Janeway takes his hand and places it on her stomach Chakotay smiles at the gentle
movements. He can't believe that there is a baby inside his wife right now.
"That's amazing. How do you feel I mean with the baby moving like that?"
"Oh it's wonderful. B'Elanna said that you get used to it after a while so embrace it as
it happens. That is just what I am going to do."
"Well we had better get some sleep we both have big plans tomorrow. Tom and I are
going to do fatherly things. What are you going to be doing with B'Elanna?"
"Oh I am going to help B'Elanna adjust. We have a lot of things we have to do."
"Like what?"
"Oh you know, motherly things."
"Whatever you say. But lets just get some sleep."
"Okay honey, I love you."
"I love you to, goodnight."
Chakotay turns off the light and drifts off into sleep. Janeway unfortunately can not
go to sleep. Although the Doctor said there isn't any signs of placenta previa she
can't help but think maybe she will develop it again. But this time it will go south and
she may not be able to see her daughter grow up. She can't help but think that if
something were to happen to her during the delivery of their second daughter. How
would Chakotay feel if she would not make it through the delivery and leave him
alone to raise their daughter. But she shouldn't feel this way the medical advances
have changed so much over the last few century he baby would have the best care.
However, she cannot forget that the first daughter passed away in her father's arms if
only they were on VOYAGER her baby may not have died.
Sixth Month
My Darling Daughter,
Hello, honey today I am going to visit Aunt B'Elanna again. Tom has been working
double shifts to make up for the time he had to take off when your friend was born. I think we
are going to discuss how I am doing with the pregnancy and all and probably talk about
birthing methods. I certainly don't want to have a cesarean but the Doctor said it may be
possible. Your daddy told me that if that happened he would take care of you until I am
strong enough to care for you again. I think I will be just fine. We are almost finished with
the nursery all that is needed is you. You have gotten so big in the last month. I had to
change into maternity uniforms two weeks before I intended. I can't even see my toes anymore.
Lucky for me I don't have to wear those awful heeled shoes. The Doctor was concerned
with my back it seems you like to sleep there so without the heels it shouldn't cause my back to
ache. Well I had better go. Until next time.
All my love,
Mommy
Janeway enters B'Elanna's quarters in slight discomfort but pushes it aside as
B'Elanna motions her to come in. Miral is sleeping in a nearby cradle while the
mother's sit down on the couch.
"So how are you doing Captain?"
"We are not in a command structure you may call me Kathryn. Besides I think we will
be seeing a lot of each other after my baby is born."
"I will try but no guarantee's"
Janeway tries to fight bay a groan as sudden pain strike her middle and a small gasp
escapes her mouth.
"Are you all right?"
"I think so, but I'm scared."
"Can you walk?"
"I think so, could you help me move?"
"Of course. Just let me contact Naomi to come and watch Miral"
"Torres to Naomi Wildman."
"Naomi here."
"Can you come and watch Miral for a little while I need to take Captain Janeway to
Sickbay. Miral just went down."
"I'll be right there. Naomi out."
A few minutes later Naomi enters B'Elanna and Paris' quarters to find Janeway
crumpled on the floor next to the cradle.
"Thank you for getting her so quickly. Miral will be up in an hour for her bottle they
are in the warmer. Thanks."
"No problem, you had better get the Captain to Sickbay she doesn't look very good."
"I was just going. Come on Captain we have to go before you get any worse."
Janeway is assisted up by Naomi and B'Elanna and leave out the door.
A few minutes later...
Janeway is in less pain but as the pain comes and goes it gets worse. B'Elanna is
doing her best on keeping Janeway on her feet but with as much pain as Janeway is in
it is a rather difficult task.. The Doctor can see the distress that Janeway is in and
the problems B'Elanna is assisting a women that is a heavy as her. He runs over and
grabs Janeway and carries her to the bio bed. He knows what she is coming to him
for.
"You're having those pains again the ones you had with your first child aren't you?"
"Yes, but they seem different not like before."
The Doctor takes out the tricorder's wand and runs it up and down Captain
Janeway's abdomen. The device confirms his suspicion that she was developing
placenta previa. He's treated her for this already once so the instruments were
available and nearby.
"This will only take a few minutes. Then you know the rules, don't get out of bed for
the remaining of your pregnancy. It shouldn't be more than a long weekend."
"I understand Doctor, is the baby okay?"
"Yes, she is doing very good considering the circumstances. So far everything seems
okay except you still have high blood pressure. But don't worry its nothing to be
concerned with now. In a few months we will."
"Thank you Doctor for making the pain go away and for taking care of my baby."
"That's my job. I will do whatever I can to deliver your daughter safely."
Seventh Month
My darling daughter,
Last week I gave myself a scare. I came down with placenta previa which the Doctor said
might happen again. Don't worry I'm fine now. My blood pressure is still up but the
Doctor said he will just have to keep monitoring me. So far so good I can still have you
naturally like I planned now it is up to you. If you stay in the position you are in now it
should be no problem but if you flip then a cesarean is necessary. But I really don't want to
go through that kind of pain again. But if that means you will be healthy than I will accept it.
Your daddy is getting anxious so am I.
All my love,
Mommy
TBC...