The Beginning

February 2, 2338, 3:55 AM at the Soong residence of Noonian, Juliana, and their son, B-4.

"Juliana, you must keep pushing!" the doctor said.

"I'm trying, but it hurts so bad," Juliana sobbed, gripping Noonian's hand.

Noonian looked at the doctor with concern before speaking.

"Is there no more pain relief she can have?"

"No, I'm afraid not. She's already had the recommended dosage and I don't want to exceed it, for fear it will hurt the twins."

Five more minutes of pushing, and then one of the twins made his entrance into the world.

"That's it, almost there. One more push and twin number 1 will be here!" The doctor said.

With a determined push from Julianna, out came the baby boy. Immediately, angry and loud cries could be heard from his tiny lungs.

"My, my," said Julianna tiredly, as she reached for her newborn son. Her chuckle turned to concern when the doctor hesitated.

Nervously, she looked between him and Noonien, and her voice cracked as she all but cried out, "What's wrong? Is everything okay? Oh gods, what's wrong with my baby?"

"There's nothing wrong, I just didn't want you to be alarmed by your son's appearance."

" His appearance? What do you mean? " demanded Noonien cutting off the doctor.

" Well… He's, um, a golden , sir." the doctor stated as he handed over the still screaming baby to his mother.

"Oh, Noonien, he's beautiful!" she exclaimed, gasping a little as she moved the baby blanket a bit to get a better look at the pale, golden-skinned baby in her arms. Suddenly, her eyes lost their focus as she was caught up in another contraction, reminding them all that she still had another baby to deliver.

"Mama, here let me hold him, please." B-4 softly spoke from the chair he was sitting in by the window.

"No, B. I don't know..."

"Oh hush, Noonian , let him hold his brother! I certainly can't hold him right now and I will need your hand back!" Juliana cut in, glaring at her husband.

"Fine, fine. But, you be careful, my boy. Remember, he is not an android like you are."

Of course, Papa. B said as he rose and walked over to his mother, very gently picking up the still squalling baby. Gently rocking his baby brother, B began singing a lullaby softly, as tears filled his eyes and love filled his android heart to the brim.

" See, Noonian dear, B is doing just fine - aren't we , my sweet child." Julianna cooed between contractions.

Noonian sighed, "I suppose he is. " looking with pride and love, at his older son holding his tiny newborn son.

" Mama, Father, have you chosen a name yet?" B asked, not taking his eyes off the fussy, wiggly baby in his arms, though the loud angry wails had subdued to softer cries of unhappiness,thanks to B-4's gentle rocking and soothing lullaby.

" Son, it's a little hard to think of his name right now….oh dear!" Juliana said thru gritted teeth as another contraction took over.

Noonian chuckled," I think someone is a bit excited. I tell you what , if your mother approves, you may help us name him and his twin - once he decides to make his appearance. "

" I … oh Father, I'd be honored!" B exclaimed excitedly, causing the baby in his arms to start wailing again. " shh… little one. It's ok." B softly spoke, soothing his tiny angry brother .

Shaking his head, Noonian turned back to his wife and the doctor, before asking, " Any signs of the second baby?"

" Not yet. Unlike his brother, this one doesn't seem to be in a rush to come out. You might as well get comfortable, sir."

Finally, after an hour, out came the second baby. But, unlike his still fussy twin, this one was quieter, only whimpering a little.

" Should we be worried that he is so quiet and his twin brother is still fussy after an hour ?" asked B-4

"Not really, they both check out fine. Some babies are fussier while others are more quiet." the doctor stated, finishing up his scans.

"I wonder… B, please bring your brother over here and lay him next to his twin." Juliana said

B gently laid his brother next to his twin, who immediately squirmed closer to his crying brother. Once their tiny bodies made contact, the eldest twin ceased fussing and started making small content noises.

"Well, look at that! How did you know he'd settle?" Noonian asked, looking in awe at the twins snuggling up against each other .

" I just had a feeling that this little guy would calm his brother and I have a strong feeling, it will be that way for them always. Now, I seem to remember you promised B that he could name these two darlings?"

" Ah ...yes I did, didn't I ? I may have overstepped…"

" Oh hush Noonie, I have no problems with him naming them. Look, how smitten he is with them." Juliana nodded her head towards B, who was fawning over the babies.

Not taking his eyes off his brothers, B asked, " Mama, didn't you once say, you sensed one would be a great storyteller and lover of history while the other one a wealth of factual information?"

" I did say that. The quiet one will be the lover of facts and the louder one will be the storyteller. Why?"

" Well, I was thinking of the names , Data Julian Soong and Lore Noonien Soong. That is, if that's ok?" B asked shyly

Data and Lore….I like it! What do you think, Noonie?

The three of them looked down with love at the twins cuddled contentedly up against each other.

I love them. The perfect names for our new sons. Welcome to the world, my sons!