Change One Thing: Lifetime Worth of Memories

Chapter Six: Family

Disclaimer: Nope, not claiming any ownership here. They're different events, but the same people and we all know how Star Trek loves their "Alternate Universe(s)"

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They wasted no time starting a family of their own. Will nearly bounced off the wall when Beverly told them that Deanna was pregnant.

Deanna sat serenely while Beverly relayed information and Will couldn't stand still. He repeated almost everything Beverly said. 'Ten months? Ten months!'

"Will, Will. Calm down, Love. Calm down." She found Will hand and brought it to rest on the topside of her thigh. "Just listen and be calm."

Each and everyday of the pregnancy Will calmed down a little bit. Every little feeling or queasiness Deanna felt he had a minor heart attack.

On the day of the birth he was surprisingly calm. He held her hand through every contraction and meditated with her; helping her focus. "Yes, Imzadi," he said. "Our baby is coming." He smiled serenely. "Our beautiful baby; and I couldn't be happier." He didn't sound very excited, but he was bubbling over with joy.

When their baby girl entered the world screaming Will kissed Deanna's forehead. "We've planned this day for years. Now it's here, and everything's perfect. Thank you, Imzadi."

Will held his new daughter while Deanna rested. He looked into her little blue eyes and told her how she was going to have the best life. He told her how she as going to be as beautiful and as smart as her mother, and as adventurous as her daddy.

The baby just dozed to the sound of his lulling voice.

Two days later Lwaxana arrived. "What a beautiful baby, Darling!" Lwaxana exclaimed, stealing the baby from Will's arms as she walked off the transporter pad. "What's her name?"

"Kalila, Mother," Deanna leaned against Will. He wrapped his arm around her and watched Lwaxana play foolishly with their baby.

"Ah, 'beloved'," she whispered. "Lovely choice, Deanna." Lwaxana smiled and looked into her granddaughter's eyes. Will knew she was looking into her mind. After a moment she smiled. "It's always said 'children of Imzadi bonds are strong telepaths.' Now I've seen the proof. A Daughter of the Fifth House indeed."

Kalila was their first child, and they had another on the Enterprise three years later. Kali loved her Little Brother. With his wonderful family, Will was looking past the stars to the beyond. To the future. To the best future for his family.

He found it.

"What do you mean, Daddy?" three and a half-year old Kali asked Will.

"Well, Sweetheart. Starfleet decided to promote me and give me a ship. Daddy gets to be the Captain of his own ship."

"You get to be a Captain? Like Uncle Jean?" she asked; her eyes wide.

Will kissed her forehead. "That's right, Kali. We're going to live on another ship now: The Endeavor; Enterprise's sister ship."

"Am I going to see my friends?"

"Of course, Sweetheart. You can contact them whenever you want. But you can make new friends too."

Kali looked down at her hands. "Is Mommy coming with us?" she asked quietly.

"Yes, Sweetie! Why would you ask that?"

"'Cause Tally's Mommy got promoted and she stayed with her Daddy. Her Mommy when away and now she doesn't see her. Almost never!"

Will kissed his daughter. "Well, Mommy's coming with us. So is Little Brother."

Will and his little family moved to the Endeavor-D. Four years later Deanna gave birth to a little boy, Aaron, and a little girl Canan, two years after that.

Over twelve wonderful years of marriage and four children, Will and Deanna were as in love as the day they were married. They always found time for themselves, no matter much they had to 'mislead' their children.

"Kali to Captain."

"Yes, Sweetheart?" Will asked, not looking up from the report he was reading.

"Dad, I'm with my friends!" the eleven-year-old spit-fire complained.

"And I'm on the Bridge, Sweetie. What do you want?"

"Can I stay at Tara's tonight?"

"Who's going to watch your siblings? Your mother and I have meetings until late tonight."

"But-"

"Kali," he warned. "Maybe tomorrow night."

She sighed angrily. "Fine!"

Will smiled. "I love you, Sweetie," he said in an over exaggerated tone.

"Love you to, Dad. Kali out," she grumbled.

Will smiled and looked back at his PADD, fully aware half of the Bridge crew was looking at him. He was Captain, he didn't care. It was his daughter who was embarrassed. Dad1; Kali0; at least, that was that day's score.

"You don't have meetings, do you, Sir?" First Officer Blake Hague asked.

"No, Blake. Deanna and I have planned and evening."

Blake laughed. "Good for you, Sir."

Will walked to Deanna's office later that evening. She was sitting on her desk in something black and lacey, holding two glasses of a nice dark wine. He stepped up to her, locking the door behind him. He put his hands on her waist. "I am so glad I married you." He leaned into kiss her.

Instead of kissing her, she took a sip of wine. "You really are."

One Betazoid gestation period later, their fifth baby, a little girl, was born.

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