After being stopped by every crewmember on the way to the briefing room, Tom, B'elanna, and little Miral were the last of the senior officers to gather, for the rest were there early in hopes of seeing the new tyke.
"How are you holding up, Lieutenant?" Commander Chakotay asked B'elanna. Even after both joined the crew of Voyager, Chakotay had acted like a father figure to B'elanna and had helped her through many difficult times since living on Voyager.
"Nothing worse than what is to be expected." B'elanna answered. Other than Tom, Chakotay was the only other crew member who saw B'elanna's 'human' half on a regular basis.
Tom, who was pushing Miral's stroller, was immediately approached by Voyager's EMH. "Ah! How did the little one sleep through the night?" the eager Godfather asked.
"Fine, Doc. She woke up several times, but no more than I would think was normal," Tom responded with a slight yawn.
The Doctor grinned, "I see B'elanna has no issue with relinquishing some of the duties on you."
"I just didn't want her to have all the fun," Tom retorted as he carefully pushed Miral next to B'elanna's seat and took his own next to her. They shared a proud smile as the rest of the staff assembled to their own seats.
A weary Kathryn Janeway stood before the group with her loyal cup of coffee before her. "I know you are all eager to get home, and trust me, I am as well. Starfleet, however is worried about our safety as well as the safety of those we shall come in contact with once we reach earth. After lengthy conversations, Admiral Forrester and I have come to the conclusion that once we reach the orbit of Deep Space Nine, we will simply stay as such until Starfleet Medical can determine we're not carrying any pathogens. I informed them that the Doctor would be more than willing to work with them."
"Yes ma'am," answered the hologram.
Janeway continued, "Because of this unforeseen restriction, I am hereby allowing all personal communications once we are in short range distance of Earth, which will be in a little less than three hours," she added with a smile. "I'm sure there a few crew members on here anxious to call home."
The crew smiled as each person thought who their first short distance transmission would be. Most of them had talked with many of their loved ones due to the data stream in the Delta Quadrant, but this was a whole different type of transmission—one with promises of coming home that could be kept.
Captain Janeway, who had most likely been in communication with Admiral Forrester most of the night continued to speak, "It's no secret around here that many of the crew is curious about what should happen to many of them after we depart from Voyager. Because of our strange circumstances, Starfleet really has no idea of how to deal with the us. Admiral Forrester has confirmed to me that any offenses worthy of court-martial will not be pursued without my consent. I see no reason to punish any member of this crew; we have completed our greatest task, getting home. As far as a future in Starfleet, that part has not been figured out. I expect further talks with Admiral Forrester as well as Admiral Paris later today," she dropped her tone and went from Captain to friend. "If I have my way about things, Voyager will continue to serve for Starfleet with as many of her crew that wish to return. We'll see if I can get the Admirals to agree."
Tom smiled and broke the silence after the Captain's speech. "I at least hope you'll give us some shore leave before you expect us to trample across the galaxy again."
Janeway smiled, "I'm sure that can be arranged, Mr. Paris."
As if on cue, Miral woke up and began her cries once again. B'elanna looked up at the captain embarrassed, "Can we be excused, Captain?"
"I think the little one put it perfectly," Janeway responded. "Until we can really do anything, let's concentrate on making sure this ship is tidy to Starfleet standards, at least the standards as we know them. Also, Tom, no need to report to duty today, I'm sure we can manange."
As Voyager's newest family made their way back to their quarters with screaming infant in tow, Tom joked that Miral's fans from the trip to the briefing room were fickle. B'elanna offered a half smile but was more worried about getting back to their quarters before she could be embarrassed anymore than she already was. She never liked making any sort of commotion, even one she had no control over. She was glad when the door closed behind them with a slight whoosh.
The squalling of the computer added to Miral's small shrieks. B'elanna scooped up Miral and moved to the couch to feed her, while Tom moved to the computer console to deal with the other noise making annoyance.
Soon Admiral Paris's face appeared on the screen. "Son," the admiral began with a proud smile. "I have been trying to figure out how to start this conversation since yesterday, and I think the best was is to simply tell you that I'm proud of you, my boy."
Tom's face creased with questions. Deciding it was not yet the best time to ask some of them, he went with the simplest one. "How were you able to contact me? Captain Janeway didn't authorize communication with earth until we were within short range."
Admiral Paris's typically stoic face broke into a gentle smile. "Well, most of us here on earth aren't Admirals with new grandchildren," the older Paris looked Tom straight in the eye. "Now where is the little tyke?"
Tom smiled uncomfortably. Even though he had spoken a few times with his father since Voyager had been in contact with Starfleet, all communication had seemed so formal, barely a 'father and son' affair. It seemed like things were changing and Tom needed to be ready to accept this. "She's being fed right now, it'll be a few minutes, dad," Tom had said the word to the Admiral before, but had never really meant it with familial love. He was actually pleased with how nice it sounded when it rolled off his tongue.
Tom and the Admiral talked for a few minutes, exchanging pleasantries and some news from Voyager as well as earth. There were pressing matters for both of them, but some things were better said in person. When B'elanna was done feeding the infant, she put Miral in a faux Admiral jumper given to them by Samantha Wildman and signaled to Tom that Miral was ready for showing off to a proud grandfather.
"Well, I think little Miral here has decided to make her grand appearance," Tom told Admiral Paris. Immediately, the Admiral's face lit up and a sparkle found its way into his eyes. "Well, put her on! Direct orders from Starfleet!"
Tom chuckled and signaled B'elanna to come over. B'elanna was a little hesitant, as she was never sure how the Admiral perceived her, but didn't want to ruin the lovely conversation that had been going on between father and son. She handed Miral to Tom and pulled up another chair to sit on where she would be within the Admiral's sight. Although the older Paris was immediately taken in by his granddaughter, he reserved a warm smile for B'elanna as she sat down. B'elanna was taken aback by how much of her Tom she could see in that smile.
"You two must be the proudest parents around," the Admiral beamed. "She's absolutely gorgeous! I can't wait to see her in person." The Admiral looked down, "I tried to get special permission to be on the team that visits with Voyager today, but I didn't make the cut. This old Admiral doesn't quite have the immune system that some of the younger ones do according to Starfleet Medical," he added with a sigh. "I am, however planning on a grand dinner for you all when you are allowed to board Deep Space Nine. I'm sure I can use my rank to get us a fine meal. I even invited your father, B'elanna. I wasn't sure if I should, but I would feel bad if I was the only proud grandfather there."
Still being cautious of what she said and gauging her own reaction to seeing her father so soon, B'elanna thanked the Admiral, "That's very nice of you; I'm looking forward to it."
The Admiral continued to smile. "As much as I would love to tie up the comm all day, I have some official business I have to attend to. I also promised Captain Janeway I wouldn't spend too much time on this frequency. Congratulations again. You both will make fine parents. Admiral Paris out." The Admiral's face disappeared from the screen and the standard Starfleet insignia graced the screen again.
B'elanna and Tom both sat for a while lost in their own thoughts. Each had issues with their own fathers, and were wondering how things would go once they returned to earth. Tom eventually broke the silence with a yawn.
"Well, since the Captain let me out of duty, I think I am going to fit in a nap while I can," he remarked while strolling over to put Miral in the crib. Walking back over to B'elanna and whispering in her ear he added "I could use someone to cuddle with," in the best sexy voice he could manage.
Tom's sad attempt at arousing her failed miserably. With a laugh she pulled herself out of the chair and walked over to the bed. "As long as you don't expect anything more than cuddling, flyboy." Both kicked off their shoes and pulled off their uniforms, and crawled into bed. It wasn't two minutes before both were sound asleep.