AN: Here we are, another piece here. I'm not sure, but I think some people might have missed the last chapter (or you may have skipped it). Either way, if you're interested in it, please make sure that you read Chapter 19 before you read this one. It was the second one I posted yesterday.
I hope you enjoy the chapter! Please don't forget to let me know what you think!
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"Are you coming?" Raffi asked through the bathroom door. Standing at the mirror in their bedroom, she fastened her pips and combadge. The party was casual, but she was still expected to be in uniform. She tucked up a few stray pieces of hair and assured herself that she would pass any inspection, not that she expected there to be one. "Seven—we should be going soon if we don't want to be late."
"I require assistance," Seven said. She stepped out of the bathroom, and Raffi's breath caught. She was beautiful. She'd replicated a dress of her choosing, but she'd kept it a secret from Raffi until this moment. Now, Raffi knew why. They'd seen a similar dress one day on a holo-film, and Raffi had suggested that Seven would look beautiful wearing it. It looked like a vintage dress from cerca Earth's 1950s. The top was fitted, though modest, and the skirt swung out in soft pleats. The entire thing was a soft, baby blue. Seven had pulled up one side of her hair, and the other side cascaded in loose curls that she'd clearly styled for the occasion. She came out, offering a necklace in Raffi's direction.
"Your wedding ring," Raffi said, holding the band that hung from the chain in her palm.
Both of them had agreed on plain, platinum bands, and they'd both agreed to wear their rings on their right hands. As soon as Raffi had suggested bands upon agreeing to marry, Seven had withdrawn a little, and as soon as Raffi had figured out that she'd been concerned about the fact that she couldn't wear the ring with her implant, it hadn't taken Raffi more than a moment to suggest that they both switch hands with the bands.
The meaning behind the ring mattered to Raffi—how it was worn, did not.
Seven frowned at her and, then, looked at her with big blue eyes. Her expression showed some discomfort and, perhaps, the sharp sting of fear that Raffi might disapprove of what she was about to say.
"It's tight," Seven said. "On my finger. I thought—I could still wear it this way."
"You don't have to," Raffi said.
"I wish to wear my ring," Seven said quickly. She looked a little uncomfortable that Raffi would even suggest otherwise. "It just—does not fit comfortably on my finger."
"Maybe your fingers are swelling a little," Raffi offered gently. "Turn around." Seven did turn, and Raffi fastened the chain that Seven had replicated. She let it fall delicately against Seven's skin. Seven turned around and touched the band with her fingertips. There were, probably, a thousand pieces of jewelry that a fashion expert would say were more suiting to the dress that Seven had chosen, but there was nothing more beautiful to Raffi than the one she'd selected. "Let me see your hand," Raffi said. She took Seven's hand in hers and squeezed her fingers. "You're probably just retaining a little water." Seven simply looked at her, the look of worry still on her features. "It's perfectly normal," Raffi assured her. She smiled at her. "Seven—you look…beautiful."
Seven's nervousness didn't entirely dissolve, but she did visibly relax. She smiled, too, and that smile was worth everything to Raffi.
"I wasn't sure what color you would enjoy," Seven said.
"You made a perfect choice," Raffi assured her. Seven straightened Raffi's collar—not that it wasn't straight before—and Raffi accepted the gesture for exactly what it was meant to be. Seven leaned and closed her eyes, silently requesting a kiss. Raffi pressed her lips to Seven's and tasted the kiss she was offered. For a long moment, she stood there with Seven's hands on the back of her neck, simply enjoying the long, lazy kiss. Her heart was pounding and the sweet fluttering of anxious butterflies filled her belly. "I smudged your lipstick," Raffi offered when the kiss broke. Seven laughed quietly and used her finger to wipe the lipstick off of Raffi's lips before she stepped back into the bathroom to quickly touch up her makeup.
"Are we ready to go?" She asked, when she emerged from the bathroom again.
"I'm always ready to show off my wife," Raffi assured her, offering her an arm. "And—when my wife looks like you do right now? I'm always ready to get her back home again."
Seven's cheeks ran pink, and Raffi laughed quietly. The butterflies in her stomach were stirred up again, but she welcomed the feeling of them. She enjoyed walking from their quarters, down the corridor, with Seven's arm through hers. She enjoyed the ride on the turbolift. She enjoyed walking into the mess hall. She pretended that everyone that looked at them was staring because they couldn't believe how beautiful Seven was, or how lucky Raffi was to have her on her arm. And, whether or not that was the truth, it didn't matter to Raffi.
The party was casual and crowded—with people moving in and out at will. They had already been informed that duty rosters would be sent out later, since there had been a delay in getting them out, and everyone was free to spend the evening how they wished. In the morning, the ship would actually leave the hangar—and everyone on the duty roster would be expected to report to their position at 0800 hours.
Elnor met them, dressed in his uniform, and immediately hugged Seven like he hadn't seen her in years. It was only after releasing her that he hugged Raffi.
"How were your physical examinations?" He asked.
"We're fine, Elnor," Raffi said. "We're all fine."
"You are well?" Seven asked him, smoothing his uniform.
"I had very little chance of being otherwise," he said bluntly. "But…you…"
"I am fine," Seven assured him. "And—so is the baby, since there is no need for pretense about your greatest area of concern and unease."
"We have some news on the Baby Musiker front," Raffi said. "But—it isn't bad, and it'll keep. Breakfast, OK? We'll meet and fill you in. For now—go enjoy the party, Elnor! Mingle with the other cadets."
"You're sure that your news isn't pressing?"
"I'm sure the entire Musiker Collective is healthy and happy," Raffi said. "Go—have fun. We'll meet for breakfast. We'll set the time as soon as we all have our duty rosters."
Elnor hugged them both once more, and then he did disappear into the crowd to mingle with the others who would be going on the mission.
"Raffi! Seven!" Janeway approached them quickly, and Raffi stood at attention. Janeway smiled at her. "At ease, Commander. This party is entirely informal. Seven—you look wonderful. Raffi—you do, too…I only meant…"
"It's OK," Raffi assured her, "I told her a few times, already, how wonderful she looks."
"I presume that intake physicals went well? I know that information has been shared with Chakotay, but he's very professional about keeping that information to himself unless there's a need-to-know situation."
"They were…enlightening," Seven said.
"In a good way, I hope?" Janeway asked, looking sincerely concerned.
"It would appear that—our baby is developing a little uniquely," Seven said.
"In what way, Seven?" Janeway asked, her voice heavy with concern.
Seven made eye contact with Raffi, asking her silently if she wished to say something. Raffi gestured for her to continue. If Seven wanted to talk about their little one, Raffi wholeheartedly supported that. To try to reiterate that, Raffi reached and gently pressed her hand to the small of Seven's back, hoping the pressure would provide any needed comfort or support.
"Our baby is developing a little more rapidly than is apparently customary for human gestation," Seven said.
"Rapidly?" Janeway asked.
"The baby should be at three weeks of gestation," Seven said. "However, it appears to be at five or six weeks. It has developed a heartbeat. The good news is that the heartbeat is strong and regular, and the baby appears to be thriving."
"What would be the cause of the irregular growth?" Janeway asked.
Seven's cheeks ran red, and she shifted her weight—clearly showing some physical discomfort with the question or, perhaps, with its answer.
"We do not know how my Borg physiology will affect the progression of my pregnancy," Seven said.
Janeway looked at her tenderly. She reached a hand up and touched Seven's face with her knuckle in a light brushing motion.
"The baby is healthy, Seven?" Janeway asked.
"Very," Seven said. "It appears to be thriving."
"Then, that's all that matters," Janeway said. "We hand-picked our medical team. You'll be in good hands."
"I am confident of that," Seven said. "The Doctor is well-informed about my physiology, and he is good at solving problems as they occur. I am not as familiar with Dr. Crusher, but she appears to be meticulous and dedicated to her work. I feel confident in their combined abilities."
"You'll be well taken care of," Janeway said. "Don't worry about that." She winked at Seven and smiled. "I've already let it be known that Baby Musiker is considered high priority among those aboard this ship."
Janeway looked at Raffi then, and Raffi renewed her smile from earlier. She almost felt like, for a moment, she'd been simply watching something that wasn't meant for her—the tender exchange between Seven and Janeway had been for them, alone, despite the crowded room.
"Please—have some food. Drinks. Chakotay is going to make a speech, soon, but, until then? Just enjoy—have some champagne."
"I will not be drinking spirits of any kind," Seven said quickly.
"Ginger ale," Raffi said. "We'll—get you some ginger ale. Or sparkling juice. They'll have something you can drink."
Raffi and Seven moved toward the tables where they were offered a variety of things. Raffi asked for ginger ale for Seven and, while she waited for that glass and her champagne, she watched as Seven slowly filled a small plate with one of nearly every hors d'oeuvre on offer, despite the fact that Seven could be, at times, a bit selective about the food that she enjoyed. Seven made her way back over to Raffi when Raffi staked out a spot near the wall, and she was already eating items off of toothpicks, sampling them and passing judgement with nothing more than a facial expression and the choice to either finish the food or abandon it, half-eaten, on the plate.
"You want me to take that?" She asked, gesturing toward her glass.
"I'll hold it for now," Raffi said. "You've got your hands full."
"Would you like something to eat?" Seven asked, offering Raffi the plate from which she could make her selection. Raffi laughed to herself.
"I would rather you eat your little smorgasbord," Raffi teased.
"You have not had adequate nourishment today," Seven said. "You have failed to eat since breakfast."
"I ate," Raffi assured her.
"You did not," Seven protested. "Raf—you have to eat."
"I ate while you were regenerating," Raffi assured her. "I did, Seven. I swear. You can—pull up the data on our replicator when we get back, if it makes you feel better."
"What did you eat?" Seven challenged, raising her eyebrow.
"Are you testing me?" Raffi asked with amusement.
"I simply asked what you ate," Seven said. "I can report that I ate a Southwest Burrito. What did you eat while I was regenerating?"
Raffi smiled at her.
"Roasted chicken, roasted potatoes, and steamed carrots," Raffi said. "A suitable replica of the very first meal you ever cooked for me. It's not as good as yours, but I eat it when I'm feeling a little homesick."
Raffi saw Seven visibly relax.
"You're feeling homesick?" Seven asked.
"You were regenerating," Raffi said. "You miss me when you regenerate, and I feel a little homesick. I ate, Seven. Eat your—is that bacon wrapped shrimp?" Seven offered her one and, rather than argue, Raffi allowed her to feed her the snack off the end of the toothpick. "OK—your turn. Eat something off that plate. Expand your palate. You're worse than a child sometimes with your random taste and texture aversions."
They teased a bit more, with Raffi pressing Seven to try bits of food, and Seven trying to feed Raffi anything she found suspicious or displeasing. They both gave Chakotay their undivided attention, though, when he took his place near the table at the center of the room and called for everyone's attention.
"I won't keep you all long," he said. "If any of you know me, you know that I'm not given to long and unnecessary speeches. Still, it's somewhat expected—if not required—to give something of a welcome speech as we embark on a new mission. Most of you know me. Many of you, I have considered friends, and even family, for years…decades. You know my wife, Kathryn, whom you may know better as Admiral Janeway. You know our children—Kaya and Kol." He held a hand out, and Kathryn joined him, moving to his side. He wrapped an arm around her. Their children—fourteen and ten, respectively, didn't join them, but Raffi knew they were somewhere in the crowd. She'd seen them earlier. Both of the children were beautiful, each having picked up their father's overall coloring and features, but sporting their mother's eyes as a tip of the hat to genetics. "Each of you was hand-selected to be on this mission. It is the first diplomatic mission to the Delta Quadrant, but it's also a mission of scientific and anthropologic research and discovery. It's also a family mission—whether that family is biological or otherwise made from the people around us. People who have our backs, while we watch theirs. I look forward to spending time with all of you that I already know, and I look forward to getting to know all of you that I don't know. More than anything, I look forward to building our family here aboard the Soñador."
Chakotay paused for a moment, and everyone clapped. He drank from his champagne glass, and everyone followed suit. Raffi passed over Seven's glass of ginger ale, and she touched their glasses together before they drank to the idea of growing families—of all types—aboard the ship.
"I know that you're all anxious to get back to mingling and talking," Chakotay said, "and I don't want to interrupt that. I just have a few more announcements to make, and then I hope to have the opportunity to talk to each of you at least once before the night is over. Duty rosters should be arriving, soon, to your personal devices and the information panels in your rooms. In addition—I know everyone has been waiting for me to announce who I have chosen as my First Officer on this mission. I want you to know that this wasn't an easy decision to make. There are many people on this mission that are people that I would absolutely trust with my life. In a way, we're all trusting each other in that way. Still, I debated the choice with the Admiral and Vice Admiral, and I found myself always coming back to one person—someone who has not served with me before, but who I think will be perfect for this mission in a number of ways, someone that I look forward to getting to know better. I would like to announce that my choice for First Officer for this mission, should she choose to accept, is Commander Raffi Musiker."
Raffi nearly dropped her glass of champagne, but somehow, she kept a hold on it. Seven took it from her, managing to hold both glasses with one hand. She smiled at Raffi with a beaming smile.
"Go!" Seven said. "I cannot clap, but—I am clapping for you."
Raffi squeezed Seven's arm and quickly made her way toward Chakotay—hoping she was looking as dignified as she was attempting to appear. She'd known her name was in the so-called "consideration" pile, but she had no idea she'd actually be selected out of all the people that could be considered suitable for the job.
Chakotay met her with a hug, and she accepted it, realizing that she'd only really dealt with him in personal matters where Janeway and Seven had brought them together.
"I don't know what to say," Raffi admitted when the embrace broke and she realized that everyone had stopped clapping and was waiting for her to say something. "I didn't prepare a speech."
"That's fine," Chakotay assured her. "As long as what you do say is that you'll accept the position."
"I don't feel like I can refuse," Raffi said. "And, even if I could, I wouldn't want to. I'm excited about this mission—every aspect of it—and I'm excited about going to the Delta Quadrant and just…getting to know new…people. New individuals. Every part of this mission, as it has been described to me, feels important—acceptance, family, growth. They're all things that I'm anxious to be a part of…and there are so many more worthy people for this position…so—I am just flattered that I was chosen. Thank you!"
"Of course—as the night goes on, please find Commander Musiker and welcome her as your First Officer," Chakotay said. "She's here tonight with her family…since family is the overall theme of our mission. Her lovely wife, Seven of Nine…"
"Seven Musiker," Janeway interrupted. "Chakotay—Seven Musiker."
"Excuse me," Chakotay said, "her lovely wife—Seven Musiker."
Chakotay waved in Seven's direction and she came. Somewhere, she'd abandoned the plate of food, but she did hand Raffi her glass back as she reached her. She slipped her arm around Raffi's back, and Raffi copied her, holding her against her and offering support as they were, suddenly, the center of attention for a moment.
"And they also have with them their…son?"
Raffi smiled. They had adopted Elnor solely as a demonstration of their commitment to him. He was plenty old enough that he didn't need parents, not really, but he wanted them—and they had wanted to be that for him.
"Our son, Elnor," Raffi said. "Elnor?"
Elnor found his way through the crowd and very proudly kissed Raffi on the cheek before standing beside her, beaming about her promotion and, without a doubt, his opportunity to be publicly recognized as their son.
"Thank you all," Raffi said, when the applause died down. "We're looking forward to getting to know everyone. We're looking forward to spending plenty of time with old friends and to meeting plenty of new friends to make into old ones soon enough. Thank you, again. Please, enjoy the party!"
"You enjoy the party, too," Chakotay said, when the attention was finally off them for a few moments. "I'll expect to see you in my ready room at 0700 hours."
"I'll be there," Raffi said. "I have family breakfast at 0600," she added, winking at Elnor who was clearly hovering to find out when he might expect to have breakfast and find out everything he needed to know about the somewhat-still-secret Baby Musiker and its latest check-up. "Elnor—go mingle. Seven and I are going to do the same."