Tom looked out at his yard to see Miral and Xavier playing with some of their cousins. His older nieces and nephews were sitting away from the others because they were too big to play with the others. Selena was on the patio in her playpen, watching her siblings playing. B'Elanna was talking with his sisters and brothers-in-laws. They were only waiting on his parents to show up for the cookout. Tom stepped towards the grill to get it started before B'Elanna started to yell at him.
Tom saw his mom come out and hug him before heading over to the others. His dad came out and handed him a beer. "Here." Tom took the beer and took a sip. He watched as his father looked over at the rest of the family. "This is some family."
"It is," Tom said. He was wondering where his father was going with this. Tom turned back to the grill to light it. Tom thought that his father would leave and sit with the others, but he didn't. "Is something on your mind, Dad?" Tom asked.
"No, I just like watching my family," Owen took a sip of his beer.
It got Tom thinking. "Dad, are you proud of me?" Tom asked. Tom knew some of the things he did in life weren't great, but he had to ask anyways. Tom guessed the little boy in him still wanted his father's approval.
Owen turned to Tom and smiled. "I couldn't be prouder of you."
"Really," They could hear the shock in his voice.
"Yeah, you are wonderful father, husband, son, brother, and friend," Owen looked at B'Elanna. "Your path in your life led you to B'Elanna and I see the way you look at her. You can't live without her. With your children you are here for them. They come to you when they want something. You also have an amazing career as a writer. I couldn't be prouder of you than right now." Owen turned around and gave Tom a hug.
Owen left and passed B'Elanna on his way to the others. He smiled at his daughter-in-law before finding a seat next to one of his daughters. B'Elanna came and stood by Tom. "Is everything okay?" She asked.
Tom smiled before leaning down and giving her a kiss. "Yeah."
Xavier ran and grabbed his two-year-old son before he ran into the grill that was on. "Brice," He growled. Brice only laughed.
"You were the same way," Tom laughed at his son and grandson.
"I ran towards grills." Xavier made sure he had a hold on his son.
Tom laughed again and reached for his grandson. "You ran into a lot of things. Your mother and I were always running after you," Xavier didn't mind giving Brice to his grandfather. "The things you would get into. I think that your mother wanted to murder you most of the time."
"I don't find that hard to believe," Xavier mumbled. He looked to find his mother to see that she was talking with his sisters and wife. His youngest sister was six months pregnant with her first child. It was hard for him to believe that Selena was going to have a baby. Xavier had met his brother-in-law and liked him. His older sister was mother of four and still found it hard that she was mother even those she has been one for years now. "Dad," Xavier turned back to his father.
"Hmm," Tom was paying attention to his grandson.
"Do you think we are crazy for leaving Starfleet and starting our own ship building company?" Xavier and his wife Peata were starting their own ship building company and it was that they had to do.
"What?" Tom looked away from his grandson to his son. "No, I'm proud of you. I know how hard it is to step away from Starfleet. It took me three years to step away after we came back, but one of the best decisions I made. I know you and Peata can do it while raising two children."
Xavier laughed. "If I remember you were writing while raising three children and mom was working and going to school. I always wondered how you did it."
Tom smiled. "I sometimes wonder too. I do have to say that you all turned out to be amazing people. You each had your own dreams and followed them. I know your mom and I couldn't be prouder of you three."
"Thanks, Dad," Xavier took his son. "You know that you can follow your dreams."
Tom gave his son a confused look. "I have. The last time I checked, I'm famous author."
Xavier laughed. "I meant that you and Mom should travel like you want and not only to Q'onoS." Xavier didn't wait for his father to say anything, but just walked away.
Brice held his newborn daughter, Senva, as he made his way over to his father. Xavier smiled at his son before taking his granddaughter. "She beautiful," Xavier told his son.
Brice tried to smile. "She gets it all from her mother," He looked around for his wife. He found her talking with his mother, sister, aunts, and grandparents. He looked around and saw his cousins around the yard with their own families. This was the first time in a while that the whole family had been together. They all knew that his grandfather Tom doesn't have long until he passes. Brice looked back at his father. "I can't believe that everyone could get here."
"Me too, but I think some people have some pull," Xavier smiled down at his granddaughter.
"Dad, I'm sorry if I disappointed you," Brice said out of nowhere.
Xavier looked up at his son. "Where is that coming from? You could never disappoint me."
Brice ran a hand through his blond hair. Brice tried to smile. "Well, I got your best friend's daughter pregnant. We got married after Senva was born."
"So, you made mistake. I don't think that you meant to get Osa pregnant. Do you love Osa?" Xavier asked.
"Yes," Brice smiled as he thought about his wife.
"Then that is all that matters. You love your wife and daughter," Xavier looked around the yard before saying. "I'm just hoping for more grandkids."
Brice shook his head. "Let's give it a couple of years before we decide to have another."
Xavier laughed. Xavier looked around until he saw his own father. "You know I had asked my father about being proud of me after I left Starfleet and doing something else. He told me that he was proud of me and I'm proud of you. You never know what life is holding for you." Brice smiled and followed his dad's eyes to his own grandfather.
"We are Paris men," Brice said to his father. He saw a smile grace his father's face. "Come on," He took his daughter from Xavier. "Let's go and hear some of Grandpa Tom's stories," Brice made his way to his grandfather with his father following him.