B'Elanna was pacing a long circle in the hallway, a few steps behind her was Neelix. Capt. Janeway stood by the wall, kind of leaning against it watching as they paced. She could see B'Elanna was agitated, "B'Elanna, come over here for a minute please." Janeway said. Stopping to look at the Capt., Neelix so close and not paying attention bumped into her, B'Elanna glared at him and he hastily apologized then B'Elanna moved over to the Capt., as Neelix continued pacing.
Janeway asked, "Would you like to talk about it B'Elanna?"
She shook her head, "No Capt., it's just rotten timing is all." B'Elanna replied but her thoughts went back about 10 hours earlier and she continued to speak. "I had just left to go to Engineering for my shift when I got paged to meet Tom outside of Holo-deck 1. When I got down there Tom said he had a surprise for me. We went inside and we're in a grass hut, as the door closed he commanded the computer to seal the doors and to hold all non-emergency calls for the next 3 days. I was stunned to be sure, it took me a moment to recover and I asked him if he was crazy or something, that we couldn't just take 3 days off like that."
B'Elanna turned and placed her back against the wall as she continued, "It seems all that over time we had been working was part of a deal with Chakotay and the work schedule. He traded a lot of work hours for the Holo-deck time and took a few personal days for his time off. He wanted it to be a surprise so instead of asking me to take personal time he got Chakotay to swap time with other engineers to cover my 3 days and I covered their time. I almost wanted to break his leg, but I was actually pretty happy over all."
Janeway smiled at her, she had wondered why all the schedule changes but hadn't actually asked Chakotay about them. "What a romantic thing to do, grass hut huh? So it must have been a really nice warm beach environment then huh?" B'Elanna's grin grew wide as she nodded, then continued.
"Tom showed me the hut and it was a really nice hut, 6 rooms, living room, kitchen, dining, bathroom, bedroom and a really nice dressing room for me. He'd programmed in all kinds of clothes for me. He pulled me in tight, kissed me and said he wanted to spend some time on the beach with me first; he told me to find a bikini I liked and join him. He left the room and I was totally overwhelmed with what he had done for me. I heard the front door close and so I undressed and started looking at all the swim wear and I had a wicked thought and decided to surprise him, I walked out and joined him on the beach. His eyes nearly fell out of his head so I think I had accomplished my objective." Janeway and B'Elanna laughed for a moment before she continued.
"We'd just embraced and were in the middle of a kiss when the intercom chirped and the Dr. told Tom it was time. I couldn't believe it, I was so crushed. The past 5 months since Tom found out he was going to be a grandfather have not been the best for our relationship. That 1st month after Eugene was great, but he's been spending a lot of time with Kes and Tal and I don't mean to sound like I don't want him to have a part in Tal or her child's life, but there just wasn't a lot of time left for us and I still haven't resolved myself with Kes and Tom's relationship that produced Eugene. I've worried about what if some how the child stirs up feelings between them, where does that leave Tom and me?"
Janeway nodded in understanding with how she was feeling, "I can certainly understand B'Elanna but I think you can trust Tom and his feelings about you. To go to that much trouble, I think he has clearly chosen who he wants."
B'Elanna nodded grudgingly, "Perhaps," just then Chakotay came around the corner.
"Any word yet Capt.?" B'Elanna turned and began pacing again as Janeway shook her head no.
Harry came running around the corner almost out of breath, "I heard the baby is here?" Janeway just laughed and shook her head no, the smile on his face went to a frown, "Dang, I had this hour block on the baby pool." Chakotay laughed as he turned to go back to the Bridge.
Janeway looked at Harry for a moment as he continued to catch his breath. "Harry, you and Tom are pretty close, did you know about his plans for 3 days with B'Elanna?"
Harry looked at B'Elanna as she paced and nodded his head and spoke softly, "I think I saved it for him before it was interrupted."
Janeway cocked her head, "In what way?"
Harry grinned and speaking softly again, "Well Tom and I was walking the night before last and he was telling me what he had planned, he was telling me about this great ski cabin program he designed, he told me about the world class ski slopes he copied from various resorts and snow boarding and ice skating. It sounded really good but I looked at him and said Tom, is this suppose to be a romantic gift for B'Elanna? And Tom nodded his head and I was like, Tom, B'Elanna hates the cold, if this is really about romance and about her, you need to change this to some place warm. You can have some activities you like, but to be romantic, it needs to be about her. He looked at me like I sprouted 3 heads and then grinned and told me I was a genius and that he had the perfect idea then and ran off."
Janeway grinned at Harry and then laughed, "I think I need to promote you to ship's Cupid-officer." Harry laughed as he moved on down the corridor. Janeway looked across the hall at the Medical station that was open for normal injuries then turned and looked at the door beside her and wondered if she should go on into the Sickbay.
Inside Sickbay, Tal reclined on a modified biobed, her legs in stirrups as Kes was sitting between her splayed legs, the Dr was standing to the side watching everything with his tricorder and Tom stood on the other side holding her hand trying to help with her breathing and giving her encouragement. Tal was tired and sweaty; she'd never expected it to be this hard. The Dr. kept telling her she was doing just fine and that it wouldn't be long now…of course he had been saying that for the last 6 hours so she was almost ready to hit him.
Tom looked at the Dr, "Are you sure the baby is okay? It seems early to me Doc."
Continuing to look at the tricorder the Dr. replied, "Mister Paris, I explained to you before, Bajorians do not have as long a gestation period as humans and Ocampa gestation is even shorter. This clearly falls within the time frame I worked out. Now PLEASE, concentrate on the breathing."
Tom looked down at Kes, "What do you think Grandma, are you ready for this?"
Kes looked at Tom briefly with a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, "I don't know, are you ready Grandpa?" and they both laughed. "How is B'Elanna handling all the time and the baby Tom?" Kes asked, as she measured Tal again.
Tom thought back to a couple of days after he and Kes was brought back to Voyager with Eugene's sacrifice. B'Elanna had grabbed him as he was walking to the bridge and pulled him into an alcove, ignoring his question about what she was doing, she pushed him up against the wall and kissed him deeply. Tom was puzzled but slipped into the kiss quick enough. B'Elanna broke the kiss finally and pulled back a little. She still had his collar in her hands, his hands resting on her buttocks. "We need to talk, soon, your quarters as soon as your shift is over." And without waiting for a response she let go and started to walk away.
Tom grabbed her arm before she got too far and pulled her back and returned her impromptu kiss, pulling her tightly against him by her arms then sliding his hands back down to her buttocks and held her there for several long moments. He broke the kiss, but kept her there against him, "I am looking forward to it." Tom replied then kissed her lightly and let her turn and leave.
Tom looked at Kes again, "I think it has been really good Kes, though the timing of the baby was a little off." Tom laughed, "I had arranged a 3 day holiday for B'Elanna and me in the Holo-deck, we had just gotten in there when the Doc called to say it was time."
Kes frowned, "I'm so sorry Tom, I hope she wasn't too upset."
Tom's eyes were a little distant, "I don't know, she was hurt, that much was obvious, but she said she understood and even came down here with me, hopefully I can make it up to her after the baby is born and I spend some time with Tal and the baby."
Tal looked at Tom almost frantic, "I'm sorry Tom, I didn't mean to interrupt you guys."
Tom laughed, "It's okay I don't think you had a choice in the matter Tal. It'll be alright."
Just then a big contraction hit and Tom helped her up as she bore down, Kes's eyes lit up, "I can see the top of the head starting to push through!" Tal let out a loud cry and Tom almost did as she squeezed his hand. "The head is out Tal!" Kes exclaimed as the Dr. continued observing and monitoring the progress and all vital signs.
"Another big push Tal should do it now, just wait for the contraction." The Doctor told her as he placed the tricorder on the edge of the bed and moved down to assist Kes. As the next contraction hit, Tal took a deep breath and pushed with everything left and the baby slid on out into Kes's waiting arms.
"Is the baby okay?" Tal asked just as the baby began to cry.
"He is just fine Tal, give us just a moment." The Doctor told her.
"It's a boy?!" Tal exclaimed.
The Doctor nodded then placed clamps on the umbilical cord, "Mister Paris, would you like to cut the cord?" The Doctor asked. Tom looked at Kes and she grinned and nodded, Tom looked at Tal and she smiled weakly at him. Tom moved down to the end of the bed, and took the scissors Kes handed to him and pointed out where to cut. His hand shook a bit, but he finally got it cut.
Kes and the Doctor took the baby over to the table by the bed, examined him and cleaned him up then swaddled him and scanned him one more time. Then brought him over and placed him in Tal's arms. Tal kissed him and started crying as Tom and Kes gathered next to her to look at the new mom and their grand child. She moved the baby down to her breast and Kes helped her get the baby to latch on and the baby began nursing. The door to Sickbay opened as Janeway poked her head in with Neelix and B'Elanna standing anxious behind her. Tom pulled the cover over Tal's legs and stomach. "We thought we heard a new crewman coming aboard." Janeway said as they started moving on into the room.
Tal smiled at the comment as Janeway stood on Tal's left side and looked down at the child. B'Elanna moved around towards Tom as Kes moved down to the foot of the bed and stood with Neelix. Tom put his arm around B'Elanna and hugged her tightly against him. "Have you decided on a name yet Tal?" Neelix asked.
Nodding her head, I want him named after his father and his grandfather, Thomas Eugene Paris III." They all smiled down at the baby, as the Dr walked over with a hypospray, "Is my baby okay Doctor?" Tal worriedly asked.
"He's fine Tal, a little under weight but this is for you, it will help pass the placenta a lot faster."
The Dr moved over by the Capt., and was preparing to inject her when she cried out in pain and he pulled the spray back away. Kes worried, "Tal, what's wrong?"
"I don't know; it felt like a contraction, a rather strong one." Tal replied. Confused, the Dr put the hypo down and picked up the tricorder and began scanning when another contraction hit. Tal quickly handed the baby to B'Elanna, who recovered quickly and took the baby after having him thrust at her.
"Doctor what's going on?" Tom asked quickly.
The Dr was shaking his head, "I can't believe after all the scans and tests, we didn't see this before."
Janeway looked down at the tricorder, "What is it Doctor?" She asked.
The Doctor smiled, "It's twins, the other baby must have always been in a position that hid it from the scan. I haven't seen a case like this in my database in years. I might have to write a paper!"
Tal groaned again, "Doctor!" Janeway, Kes and Tom all said at once. Neelix had already backed up towards the door, Kes pulling the cover back, resumed her position between Tal's legs while Tom and the Captain held her hands.
"Okay, everything looks good for this delivery too Tal, on the next contraction, deep breath and push just like before." The Dr told her. Tal glared at him for a moment as she was so wore out when the next one hit and she pushed with all her might.
"I can see the top of the baby's head." Kes said so excitedly. As her strength ran out on this push, the baby's head emerged completely. "Almost there Tal, the shoulders and the baby will slide out just like the first time." Kes told her. Struggling to get the strength the next contraction hit and she pushed and the baby slipped on out.
The Dr moved in and was helping Kes as the baby began crying. "Is the baby okay?" Tal asked tiredly but her adrenalin was kicking in a bit.
Kes smiled up at her, "She's beautiful Tal." Kes told her.
"S-she, it's a girl?" Tal was stunned.
"Tom, would you like to cut this cord too?" Kes asked.
Tom looked up at Janeway, "Captain, would you like the honor? It's your ship after all. Would you like to welcome her aboard?" Janeway stared at him for a moment then looked at Tal. Tal smiled and nodded her head. Janeway stepped down and took the scissors and moved her hand over to where Kes was pointing and nervously cut the cord.
The Dr and Kes took the baby over to the table beside the bed and cleaned and examined the baby then wrapper her up in a blanket while B'Elanna stood to the side talking to little Tom about his 'baby sister'. After a quick scan they gave the little girl to her mother as she pulled back the blanket a little to look at her daughter, she cried and kissed the little girl, then asked for her son back. Tom again pulled the cover back over her legs and stomach as Tal began to nurse them both, Kes helped get little Tom latched and the Dr helped with his sister.
"Did you plan a name for a girl by chance?" Kes asked.
Tal nodded, "I had thought I would name her in honor of my mother and in honor of you Captain, if it is okay, I want to name her Kathyrn Alara." Janeway was stunned but her smiled was a mile wide.