A/n: Thanks to Anniexus for finishing "Upbringings" with a lovely pro-C/7 ending. :)
"I can't wait for this…" B'Elanna gestured irritably down her inescapably swollen stomach, so large now in all the glory of 35 weeks gestation that she could no longer see her lower limbs from above. "…to be over!" She exclaimed as she sat down on one of the deckchairs Tom had helpfully set out so that even in her whale like state she could still enjoy their garden. "My feet are killing me…" She grumbled under her breath as she tried and failed to cross her legs in an effort to rub her protesting feet. Baby Taya Kotay, whom she held securely in one arm, giggled delightedly as B'Elanna's awkward movement caused her to sway slightly back and forth. "See!" B'Elanna laughed, cuddling the little girl affectionately as she turned to Taya's mother, who had just followed them out onto the patio carrying a tray heavily laden with lunch. "I'm so big I could practically bounce Taya here on my bump!"
A wry smirk of amusement at the thought pulled at Seven's lips as she set the food down on the nearby wooden table before deftly taking her youngest daughter into her own arms. "Perhaps." She conceded as she gave her friend's ever growing figure an assessing glance, "Taya would no doubt enjoy the attempt but it is unlikely Tom would approve."
"No, he wouldn't." B'Elanna admitted, "He won't even let me make the beds in case I strain myself…"
Seven arched a questioning brow in her direction. "And making beds is a pleasant experience for you?" she queried teasingly.
B'Elanna chuckled at herself, "No, not exactly!" She leaned back in her chair with a sigh, "I think he's just making up for all of those Engineering shifts I had when I was pregnant with Miral."
"An admirable goal for a husband." Seven reminded her softly as she busied herself setting out plates for the older children before the table was overrun with their ravenous little hands.
"Yeah, I suppose it is." B'Elanna replied, the warmth of love seeping unconsciously into her voice as her gaze found Tom at the bottom of the garden, in his element as he and Chakotay entertained the kids with a paddling pool and hoses. As much, and as loudly, as she complained about his protectiveness, and although her independent spirit frequently chafed under its weight, in truth she loved him dearly for it. It was just another facet of her husband which set him apart from other men in her past, including her father. His selfless, freely given love gave her all the security and comfort she needed to truly love him in return. She put a motherly hand on her bump and caught Seven's knowing look, "Aren't you going to tell me it'll be over soon?" she asked the ex-drone curiously, "That's all I seem to hear from everyone nowadays."
"That would be a futile gesture on my part." Seven answered bluntly without looking up from the fruit she was mashing for Taya, but then worried she sounded cold and met B'Elanna's gaze matter-of-factly. "I cannot predict when this child will come, anymore than you can." She explained before her eyes softened apologetically, "If it makes you feel better I will happily say "it will be over soon"."
B'Elanna's tired smile widened into a friendly grin. "I should've known you'd see it like that." She said warmly, "I wish other people would, I feel like I've got my in-laws on tenterhooks."
Seven returned the smile easily, but her reply was deadpan. "The Captain told you you'd learn to tolerate me."
B'Elanna smirked back at her. "She told that to Chakotay and look where that got him!" she joked.
"Speaking of Chakotay…" Seven muttered as she watched her husband sprint away from four soaked children, and Tom, as they ganged up on him with a water pistol Miral had received for her recent fifth birthday. "It's time for lunch!" she called loudly, indicating the packed table.
Chakotay came to her first as the children ran past him to the table. Food was the only acceptable reason to stop playing in the eyes of four young children after all. "Thanks for saving me." He murmured gratefully in his wife's ear, putting his arms around her to kiss her before he realised he was dripping wet and settled reluctantly for a sweet peck.
Seven wasn't about to let that go and unflinchingly rested her hands on his damp shoulders, pleasingly aware of the see through quality the water had given his summer shirt. "Of course." She whispered seriously before quirking an eyebrow as she added, "It appeared to be quite the onslaught."
"Oh, practically the Hirogen all over again…" Chakotay answered in the same teasing tone as he pulled her against him for a passionate kiss. It barely had a chance to deepen however before being interrupted by a spurt of water from behind. "Michael!" Chakotay spluttered breathlessly as the couple were jerked apart by the cold spray, although he found himself laughing rather than truly chastising as he met his son's mischievous hazel eyes. The three year old just looked so pleased with his aim as he held the water pistol proudly.
Seven had to bite back a small smile herself as she approached her son, although she did share an exasperated but amused glance with Chakotay before addressing Michael firmly, "I don't think water pistols are suitable for lunch are they?"
Michael had the sense to appear contrite. "No Mama." He agreed, reluctantly pressing the water pistol into his mother's waiting hand. "That's Miral's you know." He reminded her.
This time Seven couldn't help but soften. "I know. I'll return it to her, I promise." She hastily wrapped him up in a towel, "Go finish your lunch and don't enter Aunt B'Elanna's house until you're completely dry." She instructed.
Chakotay put his arm around her shoulders as their three elder children agreed to the new rules in chorus. "It was a good idea to visit, wasn't it?" he murmured warmly.
"Yes, it was." Seven answered, resting her head on his broad shoulder with a contented smile. "It certainly is a relief to get out of the house while it's in such a state of disarray…"
"If I remember rightly, you said it would be more efficient to decorate at the same time as extending the house and I didn't argue." Chakotay pointed out.
"Perhaps I should've have sacrificed efficiency for the sake of a relatively peaceful house, or at least a room." Seven muttered to herself, then gave a small laugh and kissed him. "What's done is done." Chakotay hugged her tightly in approval and Seven relaxed again. It had been a difficult week. They'd decided, with Taya quickly approaching weaning, that it was time to move her from their room and thus they needed more room for their growing children. Seven could tolerate all manner of mess from her children with good humour but the disorganisation and grime related to construction had worn her nerves down to a thread. Still, the Californian July sun that shone here, while she was with friends, was lifting her mood significantly.
Chakotay's deep voice pulled her out of her thoughts, "Tom's arranged a surprise for Miral, to cheer her up in anticipation of her little brother coming. He's asked me to go with him to pick it up after lunch."
"What kind of surprise?" Seven asked curiously.
Chakotay chuckled as he gave a clueless shrug. "When has anyone ever known what Tom's got up his sleeve?"
A/n: I'm sorry for the shortness of this chapter. The next one will be longer, I just felt like writing some fluff. I hope you all liked it, PLEASE REVIEW! :D