A/N: There are elements of this chapter that would not have been written without the suggestion of PadawanMage. Thanks for the idea!
Trip stood before their viewscreen with T'Pol beside him and Elizabeth in her arms. He'd been in such a rush to hear what Ross had to say that he hadn't bothered to put down the rattle when Hoshi commed them, and if he moved Lizzie looked straight at it.
"I have good news Commanders. Citing the recent trauma and your recent exemplary care, 'the child found about the Tradewind will be legally and permanently rendered into your custody.' That's the decision of the board. You just have a few more forms to fill out." Ross was a big believer in the no-beating-around-the-bush strategy of news delivery, which the couple receiving the news appreciated.
"Yesss!" exclaimed Trip triumphantly. That was followed by a moment of basking in their shared joy. Ross looked confused, but figured out that the silence had to do with their bond.
"Additionally, I didn't have to tell anyone about your bond."
"Thank you, Admiral."
"Commanders, there is one other thing. The adoption agency usually keeps information private, but we've got a whole planet that cares about this little girl."
"People are gonna put two an' two together as soon as we get back," Trip told T'Pol. "We might's well say somethin' now."
She hesitated for a moment, considering her desire for privacy and the inevitable discovery that he mentioned. "Very well. What should we say?"
"That we're thrilled?" suggested Trip, who had not stopped smiling since Ross told them the wonderful news.
"Admiral, we are honored and privileged to adopt Elizabeth. In the past three weeks, she has enriched our lives immeasurably."
"We couldn't imagine a future without her," added Trip. "She's gonna grow up with lots of love."
Ross looked at T'Pol and Elizabeth again, thinking about how odd it was that T'Pol and motherhood seemed natural.
"If you will excuse us, Admiral, our daughter's diaper needs to be changed."
"Our daughter," announced Trip, enjoying the phrase immensely. "We'll get those forms right back, sir."
"The sooner, the better." He looked at them again for a moment and wondered if he should tell them how he'd influenced the board's decision. "Commanders, I believe that the board made the right decision."
"Thanks, sir." Trip was still wearing a huge smile.
"As do we, Admiral," added T'Pol.
"Get me those forms as soon as you can. Ross out."
"This calls for a ship wide announcement!"
"Does it?" T'Pol was not, as a rule, a fan of ship wide announcements.
"Joy shared is doubled, so think of how big it'll be if we tell the whole ship!"
"While I believe that your logic is flawed, the crew has been supportive and does deserve to know that Elizabeth is our daughter."
That was all the encouragement he needed. "Tucker to Bridge. Hoshi, can you give me a ship wide channel?"
Trip woke up the next morning to hear Elizabeth crying and T'Pol talking to her. "Mornin' ladies."
"Good morning, Charles."
He checked the chronometer. "Six-fifteen? What time did she go to bed last night?"
"Shortly after zero hundred hours," answered T'Pol. The rhythmic Vulcan song not only soothed her daughter; it lulled her husband to sleep on occasion as well. The night before he had fallen asleep ten minutes before Elizabeth, despite his attempts to stay awake.
"Six hours? Lizzie, I think you set a new record!"
"Indeed," T'Pol told him over the cries, "this is the first time she has slept six hours without waking."
"I hope she keeps it up," he yawned. "Since you're doin' diaper duty, I'll start her breakfast." By this time, Trip could (almost literally) prepare baby food in his sleep. It didn't take long before Lizzie, in a fresh diaper, was snuggled in his arms enjoying her first meal of the day.
"Charles," said T'Pol, "We have twenty-seven letters." She'd finished cleaning up and taken the opportunity to check for letters, but had not expected to find over two dozen.
"Who're they from?"
"One is from your mother, although it has been less than twelve hours since we talked with her."
"She's almost as excited as we are, so I'm not surprised." He looked down at his daughter. "You've just got so many people who love ya."
"She has provided several helpful insights on how we might 'baby-proof' our new home." They weren't even the official owners of the house yet, although their offer had been accepted, but Lucy Tucker was a fan of thinking ahead.
"Another is official confirmation from the adoption agency. We are now legally Elizabeth's parents."
"Come here for a second," he said. "I can't move right now, but this calls for a celebration kiss."
He could feel her joy, and thought to himself that their bond was a splendid thing. "Look at how happy you're makin' you momma an' me," he told Lizzie. Still, he could feel undercurrents of concern from T'Pol. "What's the matter?"
"The other twenty-five letters," she said, returning to the desk to check. "I do not recognize the senders."
"Oh boy," groaned Trip. "Let me guess, they're writin' 'bout Lizzie?"
"Did you assume that we would receive such communications?"
"Um, a few, but not like this. I didn't even know that they released the info yet."
"Apparently they did."
"I'd say so. Just delete the whole lot of 'em."
"There is nothing to be gained from reading them, but their presence is a cause for concern."
"You had ta figure we'd get this."
"I did not anticipate so many people being displeased." She was silent for a moment, and then seemed surprised.
"What?"
"We just received another letter."
"I know that we'll be good parents, an' so do you. The adoption board agreed. That's all that matters, T'Pol. Not what some morons think."
"You are correct." She deleted the letters and walked over next to her family. "Hoshi would like to throw a 'baby shower' for us."
"Men don't usually go to those, ya know."
"Nor do Vulcans usually marry humans and adopt human children. I would appreciate it if you came."
"Okay, but can we make it so more guys come? If we're goin' for untraditional, we might's well." Then all he had to do was convince other guys to go. He was pretty sure that Captain Archer could be talked into it, and Hoshi could probably convince Malcolm. Dr. Phlox would go just for the sake of observation. That made three down, and roughly fifty to go.
Then a good attraction came to him. "Can we have lotsa snacks?"