From: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
To: Adm. Owen Paris, VPN SF; Moira Paris, VPN SF; Kathleen Paris, VPN SF; John Torres, VPN SF; Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, VPN SF; Lt. Com. Harry Kim, USS Prometheus; Capt. Chakotay, VPN SF
Stardate: 58915.12
Subject: B'El's in labor! EOM
From: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
To: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
Stardate: 58916.26
Subject: It's a boy!
Yes, you knew that. Joseph Michael Paris arrived at 0800 Ship Standard Time today. He came in at 3.68 kilograms, 50.8 centimeters. Mom and baby are doing great. Miral's very puzzled.
Michael is for my Grandpa Paris. Joseph is to honor Joe Carey, who we both miss.
I should thank you for having me fly us through that Borg conduit during Miral's delivery. Not sure I'd of agreed to another if I'd seen her birth up close.
Think I will try to get a nap while I still can. Oh, holo included, and we're calling him Joey … at least until he's old enough to object.
From: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, McKinley Station
To: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
Stardate: 58916.98
Subject: Congratulations!
Wonderful news! And thank you for the holo, he's absolutely adorable! Very glad B'Elanna is doing OK.
Have to admit, I teared up over naming the little guy for Joe. Mary will be touched to hear that.
Enclosed are a couple of replicator codes. Something for Joey (pick the size you want/need). And something for Miral, since becoming a big sis is special.
Go get some sleep, Commander. You both did good!
From: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
To: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
Stardate: 58944.48
Subject: Thanks!
Thank you so much for the kids' gifts. The "Big Sis: I Know Everything!" T-shirt cracked us up. It's perfect! And with two older sisters, I can relate!
An FYI: Chakotay sent a congratulatory note today. Well, sort of congratulatory: He spent most of it complaining that you were ignoring him. BTW, does he know about the man in your life? He must be seriously out of touch. g
From: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, VPN SF
To: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
Stardate: 58947.55
Subject: Lots of news
Glad you like the shirt. Phoebe can certainly relate, too. g
And in other baby news, Samantha and Gresh just had No. 3. It's another boy (and I'd have to find the announcement to spell his name correctly). Haven't seen him yet, but I'm told all's well.
How are you all? Besides sleep-deprived?
Finally home (and on holiday leave) … the project test was a spectacular bust. (I should bring B'Elanna back for a consult. You can handle a newborn and a 3-year-old by yourself, right? g
Re: Chakotay. I found several messages/invitations from him. It's Finals Week, how does he have time? Right now, David is working through a wall of PADDS.
Apparently the Captain did find a new friend, an instructor from the Sciences Division. However, rumor is she dumped him. (Let's not speculate on why.)
Does he know? Not sure … haven't talked to him since the party. Maybe he is out of touch. Though for God's sake, Neelix mentioned it in his last transmission. David and I have talked about my complicated friendship with the Captain, and he is annoyed by Chakotay's attempt at a full-court press.
I've sent a message firmly telling the Captain that I'm taken, so stop with the romantic innuendo and invitations.
Anyway, life is jumping to Warp 8: David's (2nd-eldest) brother, Ian, is in town tomorrow evening (Fed Navy business). Daughter Anna arrives from Vancouver next week after exams. Then we head to Indiana for Christmas, then to Boston for New Year's with the Brogan clan. (Wish me luck!)
BTW, true that Sheridan's been diverted to the Tagim sector and won't be back till mid-January?
From: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
To: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, VPN SF
Stardate: 58949.87
Subject: This just in ...
Oh, I think we can speculate. Talked to Harry yesterday. One of his crewmates is friends with the aforementioned instructor. (Harry saw a holo; says she's a blonde. Surprise!) Apparently the instructor said he was "too old for her." B'El considered sharing Seven's revelation, but decided it would be too embarrassing — for Harry. I mentioned my theory on implants, and he agrees, and is glad he declined Seven's "invitation."
Yes, the Sheridan is playing taxi. Apparently there's a truce in a conflict out there. I've been scrambling to arrange a meetup with the Harbin to take on the diplomats, and of course, doing what needs to be done to keep diplomats comfortable. (And offload our folks who have holiday furloughs.)
I'm just as happy to be on the ship for Christmas. Joey's sleep schedule is erratic, and B'El's getting the worst of it since she's on family leave. We don't want to cope with him and Miral (who is VERY, VERY, VERY excited about Christmas … did I mention that she is VERY excited?) for two weeks of holiday hullabaloo with families.
And dearest Auntie, if you bring my wife back for a consult, you get the kids, too. Miral can dismantle your lab in no time flat. However, if you can clear it, B'El says she'd be happy to consult via vid/com.
Now … let me get this straight. You're "taken?" You're meeting/spending the holidays with each others' families? Kathryn, fess up: How serious is this relationship?
From: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, VPN SF
To: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
Stardate: 58964.03
Subject: Well, since you asked
Sorry for the delay … holiday prep. (Look for replicator codes soon. ) Under the circumstances, I can't blame you two for avoiding a potential Holiday Hell with the kids/extended family.
Just sent a msg to B'Elanna saying that I will prepare a consult proposal when I get back, and will send her the particulars. (Point taken about the kids. I'm delighted that Miral has engineering talent, but not in my lab, please.)
Your question: Yes, my dear, David and I are serious. Actually, he's moved in. (Well, mostly … this is only a three-bedroom apartment.)
It's all been totally unexpected and totally wonderful. And also very different (since unfortunately, I do have a basis or two for comparison). Not sure how to explain: Somehow, I knew. So did he. That scared both of us at first, but it all fell into place.
Timing? Fate? Insanity? Who knows? At the moment, we just plan to enjoy what we have. (And adapt to "sharing quarters." Been a while ... )
Anyway, our best wishes (and my love) to you, B'Elanna and the kids. Have a happy — and quiet —Christmas if we don't get to chat before the big day.
PS: Wait! I just reread your message. Seven actually propositioned Harry?
From: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
To: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, VPN SF
Stardate: 58988.55
Subject: Holiday cheer
First off, about your last message. We're delighted for you! You deserve some happiness … not that you haven't been, but having someone to share life with ... and that's as mushy as I will get.
Thanks so much for the gifts. We've declared this the "Toby the Targ Christmas." You, Harry, Mom & Dad, John & Liz, and both my sisters all sent a stuffed Toby. We thought the replicator was malfunctioning. I'm sure the neighbors were alarmed by the hysterical laughter coming from our quarters. But it's all good. Miral literally loves her Tobys to pieces, so having spares avoids tantrums.
And thanks for the cheesecake! We've hidden it from a curious taster.
Christmas was blissfully quiet after Miral woke us up at 0600. There was a party in the Mess Hall for the kids, with our Captain playing the part of Father Christmas. I won't elaborate … you can see the holo for yourself.
We were so tired after the party that all four of us took a nice, long nap. It was The Best Christmas Present of All.
And you?
From: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, VPN IN-BL
To: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
Stardate: 58990.49
Subject: Too many Tobys?
Well, Captain Joh painting his exocranial ridges silver and gold is an … interesting effect.
A big thank you for the Chateau Picard sampler. It arrived just before we left, and we look forward to tasting it.
As for "A Very Toby Christmas," oh, dear. I guess great minds think alike. (Mom just asked what was so funny. Told her it was a message from you. She understood completely … )
Christmas was lovely. Anna threw us a curve — asked if her boyfriend could join us. Apparently, both she and Josh (a photography major) need a project/portfolio to graduate. Being an astute architecture major, Anna realized that Bloomington is near Columbus, which has a trove of preserved 20th-century architecture. The perfect two-fer.
They had a grand time there, and Phoebe kindly introduced them to the area art scene. The kids were very good guests, so Mom was impressed. And David and my family got on quite well.
So, we leave for Boston tomorrow. I am still nervous about this.
And thank you for the good wishes … that means a lot.