Baby Makes Three- Chapter 3
When Jim went to pick up his daughter in the morning and couldn't find Bones, he realized the man was avoiding him. It wasn't until Jim was in the middle of a shift on the Bridge that the man in question arrived, toting his baby.
Bones handed the sleeping infant to him and Jim met his eyes briefly before looking away. "Thank you," he said softly.
When Bones merely nodded in response, Jim's hopes dropped. It seemed that their friendship might not be reparable, that he had made too big of a mistake.
"Her name," Jim whispered, "It's Aundri Georgia Kirk." He paused a moment before adding, "I'm sorry."
Bones shook his head and sighed, and his voice was gruff when he finally spoke. "I may have been a bit harsh before," he admitted, "But, Jim, it's not as hard as you think it is. If you'd give it a try instead of running away as soon as she cries, she'd get used to you. We will help you if you need it but we're not that kid's parent. She needs you."
"I'm going to try," Jim replied, voice soft.
"Good," Bones stated. When Jim still didn't quite meet Bones eyes, Bones sighed. "I'm not going anywhere, kid."
Jim looked up at him in relief, and smiled.
Break/Break/Break
The first time Jim walked into the mess with Aundri against his chest in a sling and a baby bag in his hand, the room went silent. Everyone stared at him before the whispers began. It wasn't long until the whispers turned into a dull roar. Jim met the stares head-on and tried not to be completely mortified.
When he pulled a bottle out of the bag, tested the temperature, and started feeding Aundri. He was rewarded with Bones' smile.
Break/Break/Break
The next problem occurred later that day. He was in his command chair when he smelled it, he wrinkled his nose and checked to make sure he was right but his suspicions were confirmed. Aundri had pooed. He resisted the urge to run away screaming– he was going to do this right, damn it– and made his way to the Sick Bay.
"Bones," he called out as he entered, "I need your help."
Bones made his way over to Jim, "What is it?"
Jim made a face before he asked his question, "How do you change a diaper?"
Bones stared at him and raised an eyebrow, "You've never changed a diaper before?" he asked incredulously.
Jim frowned at him, "Of course not," he told him, "I was my mom's youngest child."
Bones just frowned right back. "No," he replied, "I mean you've had Aundri for two weeks, and you've never once changed her diaper?"
"Uh…" Jim paused, trying to find a way to answer without sounding completely stupid. "No," he finally managed. When Bones continued to frown at him, Jim shifted the sling to his back, and crossed his arms, "Look," he said, "I'm trying to change that. I'm asking for your help with the diaper so that I know how to do it later, if you're not going to help me just say so."
Bones led him to one of the more private biobeds and pulled a piece of the disposable paper over the surface, "Set her on the bed," he instructed.
Jim took Aundri out of her sling and placed her on the bed.
"Okay," Bones told him, "Now, remove the diaper, and try to make sure that nothing spills over onto the bed."
Jim did as he was told, trying not to inhale the stench– he failed.
"All right," Bones continued, "You need to wipe her to make sure she's clean – make sure you do so thoroughly."
Jim reached into the bag and pulled out the wipes and a fresh diaper.
"Pull out the baby powder and baby lotion too."
Jim pulled out the listed items and wiped Aundri. He grimaced when it took more than two wipes. Bones was looking at him with poorly concealed amusemen, and Jim made a face at him.
"You'd have to learn it at some point, kid," Bones informed him wryly, "When you finish wiping her up put on the lotion before sprinkling on some baby powder. The wipes can go in the dirty diaper. Less mess that way."
When Aundri was clean again, Jim put her back in the sling.
"You might want to walk around with her a bit," Bones suggested, "The rocking motions will be soothing to her and she's at an age where babies mostly sleep. Enjoy it while it lasts."
Jim sent a panicked look in the doctor's direction, and Bones' laughter echoed behind him as he made his way out of the Sick Bay.
Break/Break/Break
"Jim… Jim? Jim? JIM!"
Jim jerked out of his reverie and looked at the bridge crew, all of whom were staring at him. He coughed and prayed that his cheeks weren't red, "Yes?"
"Captain," Spock asked, "Are you well?"
"I'm fine, Spock," Jim replied.
The bridge crew exchanged looks that indicated they didn't believe him.
"What was it that you wanted to say before?" Jim asked, frowning at them.
"Captain," Spock announced, "We have an exploratory mission on planet Taurin and we are currently in orbit. It is M-class. I would like to suggest that four security members, Uhura, and myself go."
Jim absently stroked Aundri's soft hair, and nodded his agreement. "Okay."
The crew looked at him with varying levels of shock. Even Spock rose an eyebrow, it all but disappeared into his hairline as he asked, "Captain, you do not wish to go?"
Jim glanced around at his Bridge Crew before looking away and sighing. "I do want to go," he replied quietly, "But Aundri needs me,"
Uhura smiled at him before moving toward him and planting a kiss on Aundri's head, the baby gurgled happily at the attention. "Captain," Uhura stated, "I do believe you're growing up." With that pronouncement, she headed towards the turbo lift to go to the transportation room.
Jim looked down at the baby in his arms, the child he had come to love. Things weren't easy. No, there were definitely hard times, and he had to sacrifice some of the things he used to do simply because she was around now, but he couldn't actually say that he really regretted it. He sighed. That didn't mean that he didn't miss things though.
A/N: And here is the next chapter. I wanted to thank AnneMary for beta-ing, she did an amazing job. Happy New Year everyone.