"…and all the animals said goodnight and went to sleep." Seven finished, closing the picture book firmly.
"Again!" insisted Michael, pulling at the cover's edges.
"No, two books in one night is enough and it's almost bedtime." Seven told him just as Aylen hopped off the couch and toddled to the bookshelf, pulling a book out from the middle of the pile sending most of the stack all over the floor but she nonchalantly returned to her mother.
Waving the book in the air as she walked she placed it determinedly in Seven's lap. "Wead book Mama." Seven choked back a sigh of exasperation; she would find a cargo manifest more interesting. Under normal circumstances she left such tasks to Chakotay but he was working late that night, part of her could understand their captivation at their father's storytelling but she wasn't exactly a voice actress!
"Hello!" Chakotay's shout reverberated through the house before he reached the living room threshold and caught Seven's relived smile as the twins threw themselves at him. "Hi! Have you been good for Mama today?" he asked them seriously as he accepted their hugs and wet kisses.
"Yes." Michael replied, standing to attention.
Not having given up Aylen thrust a book into his hands. "Papa wead."
Chakotay was about to agree as out of the corner of his eye he saw Seven shaking her head vigorously. "Oh…I think Mama's read to you plenty for tonight. How about I tuck you in now?"
Michael immediately bolted back to his mother, making her wince in pain as he threw himself into her lap. "No sweepy." He said stubbornly.
Chakotay looked at Seven in concern before pulling Michael off to the side. "Be careful Michael or you'll hurt Mama and the baby."
"Brudder?" he questioned, his eyes shifting between his parents.
"Yes that's right, your brother." Seven confirmed, relieved at him remembering as preparing the twins for a sibling had proven harder than either of them had anticipated.
"Say you're sorry." Chakotay continued.
Michael looked balefully up at his mother. "Sorry Mama." His voice became quieter as his gaze moved to her stomach. "Sorry Brudder."
"That was very nice Michael." Said Seven approvingly. An idea hit her and she took Michael's hand and placed it on her stomach. His face was confused until the baby kicked and he gave a slightly bemused giggle. "That's the baby moving." Seven reassured him and a slow smile, with dimples in full evidence, formed on his face.
"Come over Aylen." Chakotay gently encouraged as he saw her watchfully hovering nearby.
"Haf Michael…" She mumbled without moving forward.
Chakotay smiled reassuringly at her. "You'll always have Michael honey, this is another brother that you'll see soon." He then took her hand, guided her over and placed the cautious hand on Seven's stomach.
When the baby, thankfully feeling active, kicked again Aylen jumped violently and drew her hand back fearfully. "Hurts Mama?"
Seven hugged the anxious child, letting her cuddle against her for comfort. "No my love it doesn't hurt, I promise." Aylen sighed in acceptance as she sleepily huddled close.
"Okay, bedtime now." Chakotay murmured, this time receiving no complaints as he gathered them both up in his arms. Seven rose to help him but he calmly waved her back to the couch. Seven shot him an anxious look as he returned, "They're off to sleep…" He kissed her gently before joining her on the couch. "Happy anniversary." He whispered in her ear.
"You remembered…" she replied with a smile as she returned the kiss.
"How could I forget with those two little terrors and another on the way?" He joked as he pulled out a small jewellery box.
"Chakotay, I don't want anything…" Seven started but he interrupted her.
"I wanted to give you something. Here…" He opened the box to reveal a simple silver chain bracelet with four lockets hanging from it, opening each tiny locket to see that they each contained a picture, one of Michael, one of Aylen, one of their wedding photographs and an empty one. "When the baby comes he can have a picture too…" Chakotay explained.
"Oh, it's beautiful…perfect…" Seven murmured in awe as he clipped it on her wrist. "Thank you, I love it." She said sincerely.
"Well, you're not well enough to go out this year and I have to go to that boring work do tomorrow night alone, the only thing that made that bearable last year were your observations of the guests…"
Seven lifted her eyes from the bracelet to meet his. "Oh, I got you released from that duty."
"What? How?"
"I called the organiser's wife and informed her that you were needed at home."
Chakotay's expression changed from happy to anxious. "Am I needed at home? Are you ill?"
"Not anymore than to be expected. It was the only plausible lie I could think of."
"Seven…have I ever told you that I love your inventive streak?"
"Not exactly…"
Seven gulped nervously for the forth time since they'd left the car and Chakotay let go of one of the stroller's handles to clasp her hand. "Stop worrying…"
"You're the one that booked the emergency appointment!" She snapped in retort.
"You almost fainted at home, you know it's better to be safe than sorry."
"What if the Doctor has to deliver me?" She whispered to him as the twins began to chatter.
He swallowed slightly. "I doubt it, you haven't even been on bed rest so far and you're already a week further along than when you had the twins." He squeezed the hand he was holding hard. "Everything will be fine."
The expression on the Doctor's face told them everything was not fine as he scanned Seven. "You're going to have to stay in the hospital." He told her firmly.
All the colour drained from Chakotay's face. "In a coma?"
"No, she's far enough along not to risk that again. I meant bed rest. Just like with the twins your implants are starting to struggle again, only much later because it's a single baby and I improved the drug…"
Seven cut him off. "Why does the bed rest need to be conducted here? I stayed at home last time."
The Doctor looked at her and then glanced at the twins who at that moment were fighting within the stroller. "Do you really think complete bed rest is possible with those two to run after?"
Seven wanted to say yes but honesty and common sense wouldn't let her. "Are you sure?" she asked quietly.
He squeezed her shoulder in a paternal fashion. "It's the best thing if you want to avoid another premature baby." Seven gulped tearfully and he nodded. "I'll go and arrange a bed." He then left leaving the family alone to digest the news.
Chakotay immediately came out of his own shock and held her supportively in his arms. "We knew this might happen sweetheart…"
"I never thought I'd be abandoning you and the children for weeks! How will we cope?"
"We'll just have to. I'll call in a lot of favours and bring the twins in to see you whenever it's allowed…"
The twins begun to fuss nervously, never having seen their mother cry openly before and Chakotay brought them to Seven who hugged them tightly and tried to dry her tears.
Chakotay tried to concentrate on the work he'd had sent home but he was just too tired. Being a single father even temporarily left him with little energy in reserve. Of course everyone had jumped to help, B'Elanna and Tom, Harry and Debbie, Irene, they'd all been lifesavers but they couldn't do everything. Even with twice daily trips to the hospital the twins were as unsettled as he was. Suddenly Aylen's squeal dragged him from his thoughts and back to reality where the twins were scribbling with paper and crayons. Aylen was looked at Michael with disgust. "Yucky, eat cayons!"
Chakotay choked when he followed Aylen's gaze and saw Michael crewing on the end of a blue crayon. "Michael, spit that out!" he ordered anxiously, just as he saw him swallow visibly. Kneeling down he stared at Michael. "You didn't…you're too old for that…"
"Gone." Stated Michael clearly, patting his stomach as he did so.
Chakotay mind slowed down in denial for a second before in full panic mode he gathered them up and seized the car keys.
The Doctor was checking Seven's test results when Chakotay burst in, a child under each arm. "What's wrong?" he asked in concern at Chakotay's flushed face and breathlessness.
"Michael ate a crayon! Will you have to remove it? Has it damaged his throat?"
The Doctor stared at him for a minute before realising he was completely serious and sat Michael down on a biobed. "Now did this crayon taste nice Michael? I don't eat so I wouldn't know…" He returned Michael's sheepish grin. "You know that was wrong don't you…" He felt Chakotay staring daggers into his back and turned around. "Don't look at me like that. At least he didn't put it in his ear like David Wildman or swallow a marble like Miral…"
"How can you be so blasé about this!" Chakotay ran a habitual hand through his hair. "Seven's going to kill me…"
"Probably not. He's fine, it'll dissolve and come out the other end in a day or two."
Chakotay breathed huge sigh of relief and sat the twins down side by side. "Now, eating anything that isn't on your plates is bad, is that understood?"
"Yes." They said in unison.
"Okay, now when we go in to see Mama we don't mention this. It'll be our secret okay?"
"Shh…" said Aylen helpfully.
"Yes." Felling the high of panicked adrenaline start to leave him, Chakotay's legs suddenly felt like jelly but he led the twins out to see Seven anyway. "That goes for you too Doctor." He called back as he left.
Seven shifted once again in an attempt to find a comfortable spot in the bed she'd occupied for the last two weeks. She had grown accustomed to the boredom but not the loneliness, she missed and worried about Chakotay and the twins constantly. Her heart's wish came true at that moment as Aylen and Michael bounded into the room ahead of their father. "Mama!" They both exclaimed. Showing agility for eighteen month olds they both clambered up to join her on the bed. "Miss you Mama. Kiss." Said Aylen, offering her small cheek which Seven duly kissed.
Michael crawled up the bed and patted her stomach. When he felt no movement he declared, "Baby sweeping."
Seven smiled affectionately at him. "Yes I believe he is." Chakotay now approached her and gave her a quick kiss in greeting. "How is everything?" she asked as he pulled back.
"Fine." He stated without elaborating, sounding cagey to Seven's ears. "I'll go and get us all a drink." He said quickly.
"Okay…" He left as soon as the word had left her lips and she turned in curiosity to the toddlers beside her. "What's wrong with Papa?" she asked as she brushed Aylen's hair, a task Chakotay had neglected to do.
"Secwet." Aylen replied.
"Shh." Added Michael, finger to his lips. Seven sighed. They all seemed undamaged, whatever had had happened she would discover and correct when she got home.
A/n: I hope this chapter isn't too farfetched. Please review!