"Harry," Tom ran up to his friend.
Harry smiled. "Tom," They started to walk down the corridor. "What can I do for you?"
"I was wondering what you were doing tonight?"
Harry gave Tom a strange look. "The same thing you are doing tonight. Spending the night with my family."
Tom smiled. "My wife is kicking me out for night. I was thinking we could do parker night in holodeck one with you, me, Chakotay, Neelix, the doctor, and Tuvok. Tom smiled at the mention of Tuvok.
Harry laughed. "If you can get the others, I'll be there," Harry headed for turbolift. "I'm needed in Engineering."
Tom nodded and followed Harry on the turbolift. "I'll get everyone. Bridge."
Tom stepped on the bridge to see Chakotay and Tuvok on the bridge. Tom made his way down to the helm. Tom did his basic check before turning around and looking at Chakotay. "My wife is kicking me out tonight and I was wondering if we want to get a poker game going in holodeck one. What do you think?"
Chakotay smiled. "I think that is great idea," Chakotay turned to Tuvok. "What do think, Tuvok? Will you be joining us?"
"I don't think it will be logical if I join," Tuvok said.
"Come on," Tom said. "It will be fun playing against a Vulcan."
"I will think on it," Tuvok said.
That was almost as good as a yes from Tuvok. "I already got Harry. I will see if we can get Neelix and the doctor," Tom said to Chakotay. Chakotay nodded and went back to the PADD he was holding.
Harry saw B'Elanna at one of the consults talking to one of her people. He made his way over to her. B'Elanna looked up and smiled at him. "Ready?" He said.
B'Elanna nodded. They made their way to the second level to get started on the project Janeway wanted them to work on. They started working before Harry said. "So, you are kicking Tom out tonight."
B'Elanna finished punching something in before looking up at Harry. "He has been anxiety lately and it has been bothering me. So, I suggest that he take a night out and he agreed."
Harry only nodded, watched B'Elanna, and thought that she might need some time away from her family and her husband. "When was the last time you had alone time?" He knew he could be risking his own life.
B'Elanna laughed. "I haven't had any alone time since…" B'Elanna had to think. It had been a while. The last time she had any time alone was when she was pregnant with James and the doctor put her on bed rest. And that was six months ago. B'Elanna took a breath. "I guess it has been a while."
"Maybe take a couple of hours to yourself," Harry said in a quiet voice.
"I will tomorrow," B'Elanna said. She could probably get a few hours on the holodeck. Harry raised an eyebrow. B'Elanna laughed. She knew what question he was asking. "Tom needs this night as much as I need my time alone," Harry nodded.
"I'm out," Tom threw his cards on the table. Tom looked across the table at Tuvok. "You clean us all out."
"It is only logical," Tuvok put his cards on table. "Good game everyone," Tuvok stood up and headed out of the holodeck.
"Same time next week," Tom stood up. "Next time we don't invite Tuvok," Tom headed for the door.
"Oh, we need him," Chakotay stood too. "Good night, everyone," Harry, Neelix, and the doctor followed everyone out.
Tom made his way to his quarters and found it dark. He could tell that all the kids were asleep as he made his way to his room. He stepped in to see that James was asleep in the crib in front of the bed. Tom looked over and saw B'Elanna laying in the bed. It looked like she was sleeping. Tom quickly changed and climbed into bed with her. He didn't have to do much as B'Elanna leaned closer to him.
"Do you think you can take care of the kids tomorrow night?" B'Elanna asked.
Tom looked down at his wife. "I thought that you were sleeping."
B'Elanna looked up. "You know I don't sleep well unless you are next to me."
Tom nodded. "Yeah," Tom wrapped his arms around her. "What are you doing?"
"I just need some time by myself," B'Elanna placed her head on Tom's shoulder. Tom kissed B'Elanna's head. "Did you have fun tonight?"
"We did. Next time we can't invite Tuvok. He won."
B'Elanna let out a little laugh, not too loud enough to wake their sleeping baby. "He's very logical."
Tom lifted B'Elanna's head. "They want him back next week." Tom kissed her. "We are doing it again next week."
"Okay, I think all you need that," B'Elanna moaned. Tom was ready to kiss her again when the door to their room opened. Gabby stood in the doorway.
"I had a bad dream. Can I sleep with you?" She looked at both her parents with dark eyes.
Tom and B'Elanna pulled apart. "Sure," B'Elanna sighed. Gabby ran over to their bed and held out her arms for Tom to help her in the bed. Gabby got comfortable before she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Tom looked over their daughter and smiled. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight," B'Elanna said before going to sleep.
Tom ran from the bridge to the schoolrooms. He had to pick up the kids, grab dinner, do homework with the kids, bathe, bed all before B'Elanna gets home. Tom stopped at the school doors opened. All four children looked up at him. The teacher smiled at him.
"Sorry, I'm late," Tom said. "I lost track of time."
It is no problem, sir," The teacher smiled.
"Daddy," Gabby came up to him. "Where is Mommy?"
"Mommy is busy," Tom picked up James. "Come on. We gave to grab dinner," He ushered the kids out of the schoolroom. He let Miral take to the turbolift, Dexter followed his sister, and Gabby took his hand.
They picked up dinner and went home to their quarters. He put James in a highchair while the older kids got out plates, cups, and utensils. With the table set, Tom took out the food. He made sure the kids had enough food before sitting down and getting his own food. The kids started talking about their day. He let the kids' voices wash over him.
After dinner, the kids helped clean up the dishes. "Homework," Tom said. He heard Miral moan as she took out her PADD. Dexter did the same thing. "Gabby, why don't you get out some toys you can play with in the living room." Tom took James out of the highchair and placed him on the floor to play.
Somehow Tom got through homework with his two children. They had an hour before bath time. "Who wants to watch a movie?" Tom asked. The kids agreed and climbed on the couch where Tom turned the TV on to a kid's movie.
Halfway through the movie, Tom started the bath and gave James a bath. Tom got James dressed and in his seat in the living room. "Gabby, your turn," Tom called Gabby in. Tom let Gabby play before washing her up. He helped Gabby out and dried her before putting her in her pajamas. "Dexter," Dexter moaned but followed Tom to the bathroom. Tom stepped into the living room after Dexter was done and looked at Miral. "Time for your bath."
"I don't want to take a bath, can I take a shower," Miral stood.
"Sure," Tom followed his daughter to the bathroom. "May I ask why?"
Miral stood in the bathroom doorway. "I think I'm getting too old for a bath," Miral closed the door in Tom's face.
"If you need any help let me know," Tom yelled through the door.
"I know how to take a shower, Dad," Miral sighed.
Tom stood by the door until he heard the shower going. He walked out to see his three other children sitting on the couch and watching TV. Tom sighed when did his little girl grow up. He took a seat on the couch and watched the movie as he listened to the shower going.
Miral stepped out ten minutes later, cleaned and it her pajamas. Tom reached over and turned off the TV. "What story should we read before we go to bed?" The kids started to yell over each other at what story they wanted to hear. "How about I tell you a story?" Tom yelled over them. James didn't like the noise and started to cry. Tom picked up James as the other children settled around him. "Once upon time there as a space captain called, Captain Proton…"
As Tom told the story the kids held on to every word he said. Tom didn't know how they sat there listening to him. He might have to work on the program and make it kid friendly for his kids. He hasn't don't Captain Proton in years before Miral was born.
"Alright, time for bed," Tom saw that James was asleep and Gabby's eyes were falling.
"But Dad," Dexter said. "What is going to happen to Captain Proton and Kidd."
Tom smiled. "You are just going to have to wait until tomorrow."
The kids moaned but trooped off to bed. Tom tucked in Gabby, Miral said she was too old to be tucked in, Dexter didn't want his dad to tuck him in. Tom kissed James on the head as he put him in the crib. "At least you'll let me tuck you in for a while." Tom went back to the living area and took out a PADD. He started working on a new Captain Proton program that would be friendly for kids.
"What are you doing?" Tom looked up and saw B'Elanna had come in. She made her way to him and was ready to sit next to him when Tom pulled her on his lap.
"Working on a new Captain Proton program," Tom placed a PADD on the coffee table and wrapped his arms around B'Elanna.
B'Elanna's eyes widen. "You haven't done anything with Captain Proton since…" They both knew how long it had been.
"I know but the kids got me thinking," Tom said.
B'Elanna nodded and leaned her head against Tom's shoulder. "How were the kids besides story time?"
"Well Miral only wants to shower and doesn't want to be tucked in. Dexter doesn't want to be tucked in by me. At least I still have Gabby and James."
B'Elanna laughed. "They are growing up."
Tom sighed. "I know. I just want them to stay little forever."
"That's not how it works," B'Elanna smiled.
"I know," Tom sighed as he tightened his arms around B'Elanna. "Did you enjoy your time alone?"
"I did, but towards the end I was missing you guys."
Tom moved one hand to B'Elanna's face and kissed her. "I love you."
"I love you," B'Elanna sighed. Tom took his other hand and ran it over B'Elanna curves. He was ready to reach for her breast when B'Elanna stopped him. "We can't."
Tom moaned and looked at the two closed doors that held their children. He smiled. "We can," Tom kissed her. "Take this to our room," He kissed her again.
B'Elanna let out a little laugh. "We have a baby in our room."
Tom's head fell on B'Elanna's shoulder. "We need to get him out of our room."
"I know, but first we must clean Dexter's room and put the crib up. When is your next day off?"
"Wednesday, yours?" Tom wrapped his arms around his wife. If he couldn't make love to his wife at least he can hold her.
"Same. Do we want to tackle that project?"
"Yeah, because I would like our room back," They both glanced at the girls' room. They both needed Gabby to sleep in her room.
B'Elanna sighed. "Do you think you can get the kids up and to school. I need to be in engineering early?"
"Yeah," Tom unwrapped his arms. "We should probably get some sleep," B'Elanna nodded. They stood and went to their room.