~ Chakotay ~
The walk to sickbay was a long one. Even with their cabin being one of the closest, the trip seemed to take forever.
Father. He was going to be a father! The idea kept spinning around in Chakotay's mind. It was going to take a while to get used to that. With a sideways glance, he looked at the woman who was going to make it all possible.
Kathryn was walking to sickbay like it was any other day, with the possible exception that she would never go to sickbay willingly for herself. This was for the child. She greeted crew men and managed to exude power and authority, even though they were no longer on a ship. During the past few weeks, Chakotay had gradually seen the change come about: she was finally back in charge, fully aware of herself.
Just before they entered sickbay, Chakotay drew Kathryn against him in a tight hug. "I love you," he whispered into her ear. She gently eased out of his embrace, looking a little taken aback by the sudden display of affection in public.
"I love you too Chakotay," she said, and she pushed the door open.
Chakotay saw a tired B'Elanna and ecstatic Tom sitting on the far side of sickbay. B'Elanna was propped up against several pillows, and Tom was making gurgling sounds with little Miral, bouncing her up and down. She loved it. When B'Elanna saw him, a smile lit up her face.
"I was wandering when you were going to come visit me!" He leaned down and embraced her.
"I just heard the good news. I was in the woods earlier today when you went into labor, so I missed all the fun," he kidded. "Are you doing alright?"
"I'm doing just fine, although I think Tom's gotten more joy out of this than I have so far." B'Elanna motioned to her husband, who was now blowing softly on the baby's tummy. "Tom!" she called over to him. "Tom! Why don't you share her with the rest of us?" B'Elanna motioned to Chakotay. Tom carefully sat the child into Chakotay's arms.
It was awkward at first, because he wasn't sure what to do with her. But Chakotay got over his shyness quickly when Miral started to grab at his neck with one hand, while waving the other tiny fist in the air. Cute was typically a word Chakotay didn't use, but here, he thought it was a perfect description.
"How's little Miral? Does she like her Uncle Chakotay's shirt?" Chakotay could never understand the allure of talking to baby's, and yet he found himself doing just that.
"May I see her?"
Janeway came up behind Chakotay and held out her hands. The parents nodded their permission, and Chakotay put the small bundle in her arms. She readjusted it, and then started to rock Miral back and forth. Kathryn actually had a beautiful handle on the child. She looked so natural, standing their, purring softly to Miral. When Miral started to doze off, Kathryn set her back down in B'Elanna's arms.
"She's beautiful." B'Elanna thanked Janeway, who moved away, back towards where the Doctor was. Chakotay leaned down and gave tiny Miral a kiss on the top of her head.
"Well, I'm afraid I need to excuse myself. Will you guys be back in the cabin tonight?" Tom shook his head.
"No, I think we may stay here for a few days, until we've put up another house. Unfortunately, Miral here has inherited her mother's third lung, and can throw some great fits. We don't want to keep you guys up all night, and the Doctor will be a great babysitter until then." Chakotay was about to protest and then thought better off it. He said his good byes once more, and then turned around to find Kathryn. She was behind a screen with the Doctor, who was running the tricorder over her belly. He snapped it shut and turned to Chakotay.
"Ah, commander, just in time! I was just about to announce how old the fetus is and other baby facts!" He beamed at the command team. "You can take a seat right over there," he said, motioning to a chair.
"Well, it looks like you have a healthy, two week old, child. Now," he eyed them both, "here's the important part. Mommy here will need to eat right. Which means no throwing away any more food. In fact, if Daddy here – wait – you are the father, right?" Chakotay gave Janeway an impatient glance. She just smothered a smile. The first of many. He could see this possibly getting old quick.
"Yes, I am."
"Oh, okay then! Well, if you would, you may just want to go back and fetch seconds for her occasionally." Janeway held up a hand.
"Doctor, I'm not disabled. Just pregnant."
The Doctor started to look as if he had said something dirty. "Well, with all due respect, Captain, I didn't mean it like that, but you should be taking it easy for a while."
"Ah, I knew there was going to be a catch." She smiled. The Doctor continued.
"I won't be confining you to quarters or anything, just don't overexert yourself. If you feel tired, then sit down, stop working, for just a few minutes. Just don't push it." His eyes silently pleaded with hers.
"Alright. I won't." He smiled at her.
"Good. Then I'll see you back in two weeks? Until then, commander, keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn't do anything rash." Kathryn threw up her hands in surrender.
"With you two watching me, I certainly won't be able to sneak off and do anything!"
Chakotay just laughed and escorted her out of sickbay.