Hi guys!! Thanks for the reviews. You're the best!

(Oh, and I apologize. I don't know the names of Hoshi's parents, so I just call them her mum and dad.)

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Malcolm sat on the bed in sickbay, drumming his fingers on the edge of the bed, and looking up at the monitor. Hoshi sat on the bio bed opposite him, playing with Celeste to keep her quiet. Phlox had already examined and cleared them, and now, he was humming and hawing over Malcolm's test results.

There had been a fair few raised eyebrows at the sight of the little family as they walked with Trip and Phlox towards sickbay; Archer had gone to contact Admiral Forrest. The stiff-upper-lip armoury officer carrying a small child on one arm with the other slung over Hoshi's shoulders was not something that the crew of the Enterprise saw every day. Hoshi whispered to him that she had to resist the urge to run up and hug people, but then she remembered that they had only been gone for a few days.

Doctor Phlox had examined Celeste first, and both Malcolm and Hoshi breathed a huge sigh of relief when he told them that she was a perfectly healthy child, and would have no problem adapting to life in space.

Hoshi had been next, and again, everything was fine. Her pregnancy was advancing nicely, and Hoshi was completely healthy. Phlox had given them a shock though, when he revealed that Hoshi was carrying twins.

"Lieutenant Reed" Phlox called him. It took Malcolm a moment for him to answer, because he was used to being called 'Malcolm' or 'Daddy'. It was going to take a while to re-adjust.

"Yes Doctor?"

"Most of your tests have come back normal. I find it fascinating that your allergies didn't bother you down on the planet."

"You didn't see him in the winter' Hoshi grinned. "The pollen count was up, and I swear, once he sneezed forty seven times in one minute!!"

"You didn't have to count, you know" Malcolm grumbled. Hoshi only grinned. Doctor Phlox smiled at their banter. It seemed comfortable and familiar to them. Personally, Phlox was glad that they had found happiness together, no matter what the circumstances were.

"I have the equipment here to mend your leg properly" he continued speaking to Lieutenant Reed. "And I have you scheduled for surgery at 16:30 tomorrow." Seeing how Malcolm flinched and Hoshi blanched at the word 'surgery' he was quick to assure them both. "It is a relatively minor procedure. You should be up and about after a few days."

"It doesn't involve any eel therapy, does it?" Malcolm asked, grimacing as he spoke.

"I shouldn't think so" Phlox replied, trying not to laugh at the look of relief on the Lieutenant's face.

"Can we go?" Malcolm asked, getting dressed again.

"Certainly. Mr. Reed, I will see you tomorrow. Ensign Sato, I wish to see you tomorrow also."

"Me? Why"

"I wish to discuss your pregnancy with you; nutrition, difficulties. Things like that."

"Doctor, I've already had one child. I know what to expect."

"I am aware Ensign. However, delivering a baby on a planet is very different from having one on a starship."

"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow."

By this time, Malcolm had dressed, so they made to leave. Before they left though, they heard the doctor mumbling to himself. Hoshi's eyes glazed over when they caught the words 'pregnancy plan', 'daily checkups' and 'extensive research.' The doctor was obviously in full observer mode, determined to gain everything he could from Hoshi's pregnancy, and Hoshi whimpered in despair.

Trip was waiting for them outside sickbay when they came out. His already cheerful grin became wider when he say Malcolm's arm around Hoshi's waist.

"What's up?" he asked them.

"The Doctor is in full research mode." Malcolm explained. "He's never observed a pregnant human female before," (he stressed the word female causing Trip to blush a little and grumble that he would never live that down.) "and is taking delight in the experience."

"Wait! You're pregnant?" Trip exclaimed.

"Yep" Hoshi exclaimed proudly. "The Doctor just told us it's twins" She could get no more out, because Trip had suddenly lifted her up into a bear hug. She still had Celeste in her arms, so she was hugged also. She looked a little bit scared, so Malcolm reached out and took her.

"Trip, please put my fiancée down" Malcolm asked the Commander.

"Your fiancée?" Trip was incredulous again.

"Of course. We haven't set a date yet, but we want to get married on Enterprise." Hoshi told him. "The Captain is going to officiate the ceremony."

"Be my best man?" Malcolm asked, a little shyly.

This time is was Malcolm who was crushed into a bear hug. Again, Celeste got scared, and this time, Hoshi took her. They were getting several odd looks from passing crewmen. The small group had yet to move from outside sickbay, and all passing crew members saw was their Chief Engineer squeezing the life out of their, a little bit disheveled looking [which in itself was a shock] Armoury officer.

"I take it that's a yes then" Malcolm wheezed out when Trip released him.

"Of course. I'd be honoured to be your best man." Trip assured him. "Come on" he told them. "I'm off duty. Want to go get something to eat?"

"Actually, I want to call my parents" Hoshi told them. Trip saw the panic in Malcolm's eyes, but waited until she had gone to her quarters to make the call before asking him about it. They were on their way to the mess hall, and Malcolm had Celeste by the hand as they walked. It was slow going with her tiny legs, but the two men adjusted their stride to accommodate her.

"What's that all about?" Trip asked.

"What was what all about?"

"Oh, come on Mal. You know what I mean. The look of complete and utter panic in your eyes when Hoshi said she was going to call her parents."

"Well, what am I going to say to them. 'Hi. You don't know me, but I put your daughter in mortal danger and then got her pregnant... twice. How are you?"

"I see your point" Trip grimaced. "Still, you're doing the right thing. You're getting married."

"I'm not marrying her just because of the kids Trip. I'm marrying her because I can't live without her. She's my life."

Trip smiled. "Tell Hoshi's parents what you just told me" he advised his friend. "And I guarantee they'll love you."

By this time, they had reached the mess hall. Word had already spread about what had happened on the planet, thanks to Travis (also known as the biggest gossip ever to grace the space lanes) but still, people stared when Trip came in with Malcolm carrying Celeste. The two men tried to ignore the whispers as they got their food and sat down.

"So" Trip began as they ate. "Want to explain... this?" he gestured to Celeste, who was sitting on Malcolm's lap, happily chewing a slice of apple.

"What's there to explain? This is my daughter."

"I know that. It's just, how did she come to be? When did you tell Hoshi that you loved her? How soon after the crash? Just... how?"

Malcolm sighed. "I suppose I'm going to be going over this a lot in the next few weeks. With you, Starfleet command, my family. Ok. Here we go. It basically started when we were mapping the surrounding area. I had fallen through..."

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Hoshi ran her fingers across the smooth surface of her computer desk, reveling in the sensations. Cool. Solid. Smooth. She had been gone two years, but nothing had changed. What was once so familiar now seemed alien; her narrow bunk, (She was used to sharing a huge bed with Malcolm, and she had no clue about what they were going to do about arrangements), her computer terminal, her data PADDs full of languages, her uniforms hanging in her closet. It all seemed so strange.

Sighing, she turned determinately towards the computer and keyed in the code to open a communications line to Earth. No point in putting off the inevitable. All hopes that her parents were not home were dashed when her mother's smiling face appeared on the screen before her.

"Hoshi! Sweetheart. It's wonderful to hear from you."

"Hi mom." Hoshi replied nervously as her mother called her father to the comm. unit. Her mom studied Hoshi's face, and in true mother style asked

"What's wrong honey? You look... different. Older somehow."

"Well Mom, Dad" Hoshi addressed her father who had just appeared on the screen "Something happened. I was on a supply mission with two other crewmembers, when we crashed onto an uninhabited planet." She paused at her mother's gasp of horror. "I'm fine mom, really. Our pilot, Ensign Jack Martins died in the crash. He saved our lives. That left me and Malcolm, I mean Lieutenant Reed. No... Malcolm."

"You don't seem very sure dear" her mother said, a devilish glint in her eyes. "I'm sure this young man is... very nice, no matter what you call him."

"It's not that dad. Enterprise came and rescued us, after we were on the planet for nine hours. But, the planet's sun is dying. The radiation is turning the planet's atmosphere all funky. It's speeding time up. For every hour that passed in space, three months passed on the planet. We were down there for two and a half years."

She paused, letting her parents digest this information. She knew they would believe her. Hoshi had never been one for jokes, and they both knew that she would never use the ship's comm. system just for a joke.

Her father cleared his throat.

"Are we to assume from your earlier confusion about what to call him, that you became involved with this Lieutenant..."

"Reed Dad. His name is Lieutenant Malcolm Reed. And yes, we got involved. I love him. We're getting married."

"Finally!" her mother exclaimed, not unkindly. "I knew the odds were with you when you signed onto a starship where two thirds of the crew were men."

"Mom!!"

"Hoshi dear, I'm your mother. I think of these things. Anyway, when's the big day? We're coming, of course. When can I expect my first grandchild?"

"Um, that's just it mom. You already have a grandchild."

Both her parents froze.

"You had a baby" her mother breathed.

"I did. Her name is Celeste Anna Reed. She is just over the year old. She's gorgeous. So perfect."

"You had a baby with this Malcolm Reed?" her father asked. She sensed a hint of steel in his voice, and resisted the urge to gulp. Her father had always been very protective of her, and she always knew that, at first, he'd hate whoever she was in love with.

She rushed on before either of her parents could speak. "Yes Daddy. I did. And I'm pregnant again. Daddy, I love him so much. And he loves me. He has for ages. He told me so, even before I got pregnant. He proposed before I told him the news. He really loves me."

"Where is he now?" her father asked. "I would like to talk to him."

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"... And so, we thought that Celeste was an appropriate name for her" Malcolm was just finishing telling Trip the highlights of how he and Hoshi had survived their first year as a couple. Trip had long ago abandoned his food, and was listening in fascination to what Malcolm was telling him. Celeste had fallen asleep on Malcolm's shoulder long since.

"That explains a lot" Trip told him "Explains about the scars too." He was hesitant to ask about them in case he hurt his friend. "Do they still hurt?"

"No. Not anymore. They go a lot further down you know. It hurt like the devil at first, but I'm ok now."

"Sato to Reed" Malcolm shifted his sleeping daughter to the other shoulder, and walked to the comm.

"Reed here. Everything go ok love?" he asked.

"That's why I'm calling you. My parents want to speak with you."

Malcolm gulped and threw a helpless look at Trip.

"On my way"

Trip grinned at Malcolm "Strength!" he advised, and grinned again as Malcolm left the mess hall.

Malcolm wanted to dawdle, but he knew that Hoshi was probably getting the third degree from her parents, and didn't want her to face that alone. All too soon, he reached her door.

When it slid open, Hoshi look extremely relieved to see him. She moved forward, and kissed his cheek. She took the sleeping child from his arms, and laid her on the bed while Malcolm walked over to the computer console. There was an open comm. link. On the small screen were two people, obviously Hoshi's parents. Her mother's eyes were red as if she had been crying, and her father's eyes held glints of steel. He felt Hoshi came up behind him.

"Mom, Dad, This is Lieutenant Malcolm Reed. My fiancé."

"Mr. Sato. Mrs. Sato." Malcolm greeted them.

"So, Mr. Reed" Hoshi's father began. "You're the one who got my daughter pregnant, twice." Malcolm resisted the urge to gulp.

"Sir. I'm the man who's marrying your daughter."

"And why are you doing that?" her father countered.

"Excuse me?"

Hoshi's mother interceded. "What he means is why marry? From what Hoshi has told us, you are very duty-orientated, and we do not want our daughter married, just because it is the 'right thing to do'. Long gone are the times when a woman has to marry when she has a child. We do not our daughter to be married to someone who feels obliged to."

Remembering his earlier conversation with Trip, Malcolm took a deep breath.

"I assure you" he began "that I feel in no way obligated to marry Hoshi. I didn't ask her to marry me so I could live with her. I asked her to marry me because I can't live without her. I love her, and I think I have since we first met. I never believed in soul-mates until I met your daughter. And, I intend to spend the rest of my life showing her how much she means to me."

Hoshi's mother's eyes were brimming with tears at the end of his little speech, and her father's eyes looked a little misty too. At some point, Hoshi had come to stand beside him, and held his hand. When he was finished, she kissed is cheek, and whispered that she loved him too.

"Well" Hoshi's father said, his voice gruff "Welcome to the family son."

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Travis scanned the mess hall as he collected his food. He saw Malcolm feeding Celeste, while Hoshi was chatting animatedly to Trip and Liz Cutler.

"May I join you?" he asked as he joined the little group.

"Of course Travis" Hoshi smiled. He sat down, and ducked just in time to avoid a piece of flying carrot that had headed his way.

"Celeste Reed" Malcolm stated sternly. "Stop that" His daughter only giggled in response. Malcolm rolled his eyes, and looked apologetically at Travis.

"Don't worry sir" he assured the Lieutenant. "I grew up on a cargo ship, remember? I'm used to kids."

"Hoshi was just telling us about the time Malcolm caught her talking to her stomach when she was pregnant." Liz told him, giggling.

"She's doing it again" Malcolm explained. "I caught her doing it this morning before we left Terra. She was explaining to her stomach where we were going."

Hoshi blushed, but laughed along with the rest. Attempting to change the subject, she asked Travis "Are you off duty now?"

"Yes" he told them. "and I just got off the comm. with Jack's parents. I felt like I should talk to them cos I knew him so well."

"We are going to talk to them too" Malcolm explained. "After all, he saved our lives."

Just then, the comm. sounded.

"Archer to Reed"

"Reed here sir."

"Could you and Hoshi please join me in my ready room? I have Admiral Forrest on the comm. He wants to talk to you both."

Malcolm and Hoshi exchanged worried looks.

"On our way sir." Malcolm answered. He turned back to the table. "Let's go love" he said to Hoshi. He straightened the collar of the shirt he wore, and brushed it down. Hoshi did the same to hers.

"Wait" she told him, and reached up to take something out of his hair. "Carrot" she explained as she threw it down on the plate. She reached up again and began to fix his hair. Malcolm suffered this for about two seconds before he brushed her hands away.

"I'm ok" he grumbled.

"I know" Hoshi retorted. "I'm trying to make you better than ok."

Trip coughed into his hand, something that sounded suspiciously like 'old married couple'. Hoshi and Malcolm glared at Trip, while Travis and Liz tried to smother their laughter.

"What was that Trip?" Malcolm asked. "Were you just volunteering to watch Celeste while we're talking to the Admiral?"

"Wha?..." Trip looked panicked, and Travis and Liz nearly burst something trying not to laugh and draw Malcolm's attention.

"There's nothing to it" Malcolm assured Trip, handing him the nappy bag. "Just give her plenty of hugs, and talk to her."

"But don't use baby talk" Hoshi advised. "She doesn't like that."

"I can't do this!" Trip exclaimed.

"Sure you can. You have nieces and nephews, don't you? Besides, you have Travis to help you." Travis gave him a look that reminded Malcolm of a deer caught in headlights. "

"Besides, he's used to kids, aren't you?" Hoshi supplied sweetly.

"Liz, you gotta help us!" Trip exclaimed when Hoshi deposited his soon-to-be- God-Daughter into his arms.

"Sorry guys" she laughed. "I'm only on a break. I gotta get back to sickbay." She pushed away from the table, and left the mess hall, all the time laughing to herself. Malcolm and Hoshi followed her, after kissing their bewildered daughter goodbye.

Travis and Trip looked at each other, then at the baby between them.

"We're grown men. We can handle this" Travis stated, but he didn't sound so sure.

"Yeah. She's only a baby. How hard can it be?" Trip agreed.

Then, Celeste began to cry.

Loudly.

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Right, hope you enjoyed this chapter.

The next chapter... calls home.

And the one after that... Trip and Travis do babysitting!!

Review please.

Go on, you know you want to.

Go on.

Go on.

Go on.

Go on.

Go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on

GO ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!