A/n: I'm really sorry about the long wait for this. Please enjoy and review!
"Tom and B'Elanna invited you and Naira to lunch too after we're all finished with the Doctor…" Chakotay told Icheb as the former Borg tried to help him corral all the children into one room so he could dress them.
"We had to decline their invitation." Icheb said regretfully, "After Naira's appointment I've arranged to see Commodore Fraser about a temporary Earth based position."
"Really?" Chakotay echoed, this being the first he'd heard of it. "What does…" He stopped as Max tried to wriggle out of his grasp, "Sit still Max while I find a t-shirt for you!" He ordered sharply when the little boy continued to struggle. Quickly rummaging through the chest of drawers he found a top he thought might still fit Max and held it up to him, "Arms up please!" Obligingly Max lifted his arms and let the top go over his head, giving Chakotay enough breathing space to continue his question to Icheb, "What does this job involve exactly?"
"I was only contacted about it late last night but I believe it would be focused on building new defences for Earth." Icheb answered.
Chakotay winced, was the war really heading in the direction of Earth already? Glancing down at his hyperactive youngest child, he hoped not. Speaking of hyperactive children, at that moment Aylen ran in screaming, Michael hot on her heels brandishing a purple crayon. As Aylen clutched breathlessly at his legs, seeking an effective shield from her brother, Chakotay sought an explanation, "What's all this about?"
"Papa, Michael's going to draw on my face with my crayon!" Aylen wailed against his knees.
Chakotay couldn't tell whether she was scared of being drawn on or angry about Michael stealing her crayon, but he knew how to sort it out either way. "No he won't Aylen." He assured her, shooting Michael a warning look to which he paid no heed whatsoever, sticking his tongue out as his sister. "That's enough now…" He began to discipline as Aylen tried to snatch the crayon from Michael, "Both of you stop it! Give me the crayon." He waited until it had been placed contritely into his hand before speaking again, "Now both of you settle down or I'll tell Auntie Rini you've both been too badly behaved for her to come and look after you today."
"No! We be good now!" Both of the twins exclaimed in horrified unison at the threat.
"Okay then." Chakotay said with a sigh, moving on. "Aylen do you want me to brush your hair?" he asked her, noting how messy it was, though that wasn't exactly surprising with all the cat and mouse she and Michael had been playing all morning.
"Mama do it, like always." Aylen replied, her dark brows furrowing as she looked up at her father in confusion.
"Mama's not feeling too well this morning honey, I'll have to do it." Chakotay explained gently, cursing his luck that Seven's morning sickness had kicked in with a vengeance that morning.
"Oh, okay." She agreed in a mumble as Michael appeared by her side again.
"Mama's sick? She eat something bad?" He asked Chakotay worriedly.
Chakotay chuckled slightly, wondering how the three of them would take the real reason. "Not exactly son, but she'll feel better soon, don't worry." This reassurance seemed to have the desired effect on them and they calmed down significantly, letting him finish getting them ready before they headed downstairs with Icheb while he checked on Seven, knocking on their en-suite's door. "Are you feeling any better?"
He heard a heavy sigh, the tap running in the background as she replied, "I'm functional." He took that answer as a negative response as she appeared through the door, looking grey faced.
He gave her a sympathetic smile. "That's good." He said, knowing that disagreeing with her would do neither of them any good. "I finally managed to get the kids ready for Irene coming…"
"I asked you to do that more than half an hour ago! What happened?" Seven asked as she pulled her hair back neatly in front of the bedroom mirror.
"I was shorthanded!" He exclaimed defensively as she laughed. "We'd better go if we want to make the appointment on time and get to Tom and B'Elanna's…" He paused as he saw her face fall, "What? You don't want to go? The kids will be fine with Irene for a few hours…"
"No, I know." Seven answered quietly, "Of course I want to visit them, why wouldn't I?" she murmured before disappearing out into the hall as she heard the doorbell ring. In truth, part of her dreaded having to give Tom and B'Elanna their news, she didn't want to aggravate the pain of their recent miscarriage, in fact just thinking of how she'd feel if their positions were reversed made her feel even more nauseous…
"I programmed their lunches into the replicator but you can of course help yourself to whatever you want and if they misbehave…" Seven outlined what she had planned to Irene for the third time that morning as Chakotay, Icheb and Naira stood at the door waiting to leave.
"Annika, you explain this to me every time I babysit for you, try not to worry so much!" Irene advised her gently.
Seven felt herself begin to blush. "I apologise for being repetitive Aunt Irene…" She began earnestly but Irene patted her soothingly on the arm.
"You seem awfully nervous today dear, is there anything wrong?" She asked carefully. Seven sighed painfully and leaned over to whisper her news in her aunt's ear, out of earshot of the three toddlers at their feet. Irene's face paled in surprise for a moment but then she laughed softly. "I suppose I won't be dismissed from my babysitting duties for a while yet then?"
Seven bit her lip anxiously, "If you ever feel we're taking advantage of you…"
Irene hugged her tightly before she finished the sentence. "Don't be silly, it's wonderful news!"
Icheb cleared his throat. "We are in danger of being unpunctual Seven…" He reminded her quietly, earning himself a glare from his wife.
"Icheb don't be so rude! Anyway, it's very likely that all the Doctor's going to tell me to do is eat those vile herbs my mother sent me, just like every other doctor I've seen…" Naira said, frowning.
"They can't taste that bad if they're good for the baby Naira…" Icheb began to retort impatiently.
Ignoring the bickering beside him, Chakotay squeezed Seven's arm gently. "He's right honey, we're going to be late."
Seven nodded silently and came into step with her husband, smiling at her aunt, who said reassuringly, "Everything's going to be fine."
A/n: Sorry it's so short after such a long wait, I wanted to make it longer but I don't have time tonight. Please review anyway! :D