A few days later the ship was just hours away from orbiting their new home planet when Tom's commbadge chirped at him.
"Lieutenant Paris, might I recommend you make your way to Sickbay, post haste, so that your wife may fracture your hands, as opposed to my Sickbay?" came the Doctor's monotone voice, which was punctuated by a loud "TOM!" coming from B'Elanna.
This, of course, had Tom on his feet, pausing only long enough to gain permission from his captain.
"Go, Tom, the ship's in good hands. Let us know when Miral's born," Kathryn stated, dismissing the father-to-be, who promptly ran into the turbolift.
Beside Kathryn, Chakotay grinned. "I'll bet he's excited."
"That's not a bet I'll be taking you up on, the way he bolted out of here clearly states that he's ready to be a dad," Kathryn gave, looking around the bridge, to see all but Tuvok and Seven grinning like fools.
"Admiral Paris will be glad to see her in our next transmission," Chakotay noted, still grinning, stupidly.
"Chakotay, if you want, and you don't get kicked out, you can go offer your moral support," she stated, offering a laugh at one of the godfather's to be (the Doctor being the other).
"You should be speaking, Kathryn. I suspect that you're equally as excited as the rest of us, God-Mommy," Chakotay gave, snickering as he received a halfhearted glare from Janeway.
"Yeah, well, look who's talking, 'God-Daddy', someone has to be a good role model for the girl, and we know it won't be you," she gave.
After that the bridge fell into an anticipatory silence for several hours, awaiting any news about the Paris-Torres family. Several hours of waiting ensued until the Doctor's voice echoed with the information of Miral's birth onto the bridge. Once the information was received Kathryn signalled for Harry to open a ship-wide communication.
"Janeway to all hands. I have recently been informed that at 2132 hours Miral Paris-Torres was born, weighing six pounds and seven ounces. Congratulations go out to Tom and B'Elanna. Please allow the family time to rest and Tom's hands time to heal," she gave. "Janeway out."
Once the transmission had ended a mix of applause and laughter could be heard throughout the ship, inclusive of the bridge, where Chakotay simply laughed at the noise.
"Sounds like that went over well," he gave as he stood and headed towards the turbolift, Kathryn close behind, leaving Tuvok with the bridge.
"Deck five," Kathryn ordered of the 'lift.
Soon the two godparents stood in Sickbay with the happy family. Tom was still grinning like a fool as he sat with B'Elanna, who was holding Baby Miral in her arms, happily staring at the newborn.
"Congratulations Tom, B'Elanna," Kathryn spoke as she moved to uncharacteristically give Tom a hug, before looking at Miral. "She's gorgeous."
Chakotay nodded, clapping Tom on the back. "She is, she got that from her Mom, no doubt," he noted with a wink.
"Do you want to hold her, Captain?" the Chief Engineer asked. Upon receiving a small nod from Kathryn, B'Elanna handed the child to her godmother.
Kathryn looked at the girl as she held her, afraid she'd drop the child. At this Chakotay couldn't help but chuckle, coming up behind her.
"Relax, Kath, she won't bite, and, even if she did, she doesn't have any teeth," he stated, looking more at the infant than the woman holding her.
"Not yet, but remember, she's part Klingon," Torres noted, watching her commanding officers.
Tom grinned at this, holding his wife's hand possessively, while watching his daughter carefully.
"Come on, Chakotay, we should let the happy family rest," Janeway gave, handing Miral back to B'Elanna. "Congratulations, again, you two, make sure you let us know if you need anything. And, Tom, I don't want to see you on the bridge for at least a week," Kathryn ordered before exiting Sickbay.
Chakotay nodded his agreement. "If I see either of you trying to work between now and then I'll get Tuvok to attach a security detail to you two," he noted before following Kathryn out.
Once the Commander left Sickbay the family went back to admiring their baby girl. While, out in the hall, the godparents grinned.
"Admiral Paris will be excited to see Miral," Kathryn stated, yet again, receiving a nod from Chakotay.
"He will, I'm sure. Though, for now, I think it's time for bed. Don't we have a meeting with the Admiral tomorrow?" he enquired.
"Mmhmm. That and the families of the rest of the crew," she stated as she stepped into the turbolift, Chakotay right behind her. "Deck two," she commanded, causing the lift to come to life.
After stepping onto the deck two hall Chakotay escorted Janeway to her quarters. "Goodnight, Kath, see you bright and early in the morning," he gave, giving the captain a brief hug before heading to his own quarters.