Acceptable
The doors to Sickbay slid open and Tom raced in. He stopped short, trying to catch his breath as he caught sight of B'Elanna sitting on the bed. She looked over at her husband and failed to hide a broad grin. She looked tired but no worse for wear. The Doctor stood by looking quite content with himself.
"Well Mr. Paris, would like you come meet your daughter?" the Doctor asked. Tom nodded and moved to the bed. He gazed down at the infant resting in his wife's arms and let out a hiccup of laughter.
"She's perfect," he breathed, resting his head on B'Elanna's shoulder. He tentatively reached out a hand and traced a few fingers over the newborn's forehead.
"We did it," B'Elanna murmured.
"Yeah…we did," Tom agreed. The infant gave a whimper and squirmed in her mother's arms. The Doctor looked on as Tom gently took his daughter into his embrace.
"So, have you decided on a name yet?" the Doctor asked. Tom and B'Elanna shared a look. She let out a sigh and rubbed at her eyes.
"You know, Doc…the list got a little…out of control. We'll get back to you," Tom said. The Doctor nodded and instructed B'Elanna to lie down.
"Lieutenant, I suggest you rest. Childbirth is an exhausting endeavor for any species."
"Thanks for the advice."
"Can I…take her back to our quarters?" Tom asked, looking down at the baby nervously.
"I don't see why not. However, she will need-" the Doctor began but Tom cut him off.
"Great."
Tom leaned down and gave B'Elanna a kiss on the cheek before walking out of Sickbay. He smiled down at the baby in his arms as he wandered the corridors of the ship. The crew's morale had skyrocketed in the past few minutes. They were back in the Alpha Quadrant. As he turned a corner, Tom nearly collided with Tuvok. The two stopped short and the tactical officer looked at the infant.
"She is…a very fine offspring. I am certain you will make a fine father."
"Thanks, Tuvok…I think," Tom replied with a half smile before continuing on to his quarters. He gently laid the baby in the cradle by the bed and sat down.
"You're going to be a handful…just like you mother," he chuckled. She gurgled up at him and closed her eyes.
Several hours later, Tom woke up to the sound of loud cries. He nearly fell out of bed trying to get to his feet. He bent down over the cradle and reached in. No amount of rocking and shushing could quiet the newborn. In a last effort, Tom reached for his comm. badge.
"Paris to the Doctor."
"Go ahead, Mr. Paris."
"She's crying and she won't stop. I don't know what's wrong with her."
"I believe she is most likely hungry. Why don't you bring her to Sickbay?" Tom gave a nod even though the Doctor could not see him and raced out of the room. He arrived at Sickbay moments later, the infant still wailing. B'Elanna sat up and extended her arms. Tom transferred the child and watched as his wife pacified the newborn.
"Hungry…right," Tom gasped.
"I tried to inform you earlier Mr. Paris. She will need to be fed every few hours and would be best if she stayed with B'Elanna until she is able to return to your quarters," the Doctor said. Tom just gave a haggard nod.
Several days later, B'Elanna had been released from Sickbay and the majority of the crew had been introduced to the baby. Currently the Captain watched as Tom rocked the baby in his lap.
"You look like a natural, Tom," Captain Janeway commented.
"Thanks, Captain."
Down in astrometrics, Seven of Nine stared out at the view screen in front of her. They were only a few days from Earth now and she didn't have much to do. The doors behind her opened and Harry walked in.
"Morning, Seven," he greeted. She turned and gave him a nod.
"Good morning, Ensign."
"So…have you been by to see Tom and B'Elanna and the baby?"
"No. I have been busy. I have duties to fulfill here."
"Seven, come on. We're almost home. Go see them. Take a break. You don't have to work so hard," Harry protested. He reached out and took her by the wrist, leading her out of the room.
"Ensign, I demand you let me go," Seven shouted. Harry just smiled to himself. By the time they reached Tom and B'Elanna's quarters, B'Elanna had returned from her shift. Captain Janeway was still in the room. All three looked up in surprise to see Seven standing in the doorway. Harry gave her a nudge and she stumbled further into the room.
"I…came to see how you were doing," she said awkwardly. She hadn't yet perfected what the Doctor had called 'mixing and mingling'.
"We're all doing fine. Do you wan to see her?" B'Elanna answered. Seven looked a bit apprehensive but moved towards the cradle. She looked down on the baby.
"We finally settled on a name," Tom announced.
"Well…let's hear it," Janeway said.
"Miral," B'Elanna stated.
"It is…an acceptable name," Seven agreed.
"Thanks, Seven. I'm glad you approve," Tom said, earning himself a smack on the arm from his wife.
"Do you want to hold her?" B'Elanna questioned. Seven's eyes widened but didn't have time to give a response. B'Elanna had picked the baby up and placed her in the former Borg's arms.
"I…am unfamiliar with this process."
"You're doing a fine job, Seven," Janeway complimented. Miral squirmed in Seven's arms and Seven stared at the child.
"Why do you keep her confined with blankets like this? Can she not keep herself warm?"
"Babies require a little help keeping warm," B'Elanna explained.
"I see," Seven murmured. Just then, the comfortable silence of the quarters was interrupted.
"Chakotay to Seven. Please report to astrometrics," Chakotay's voice came through the comm. system.
"On my way." Seven handed the infant off to the Captain and exited the room. When she got down to astrometrics she found Chakotay waiting for her, alone.
"What is it you need, Commander?"
"Uh…it's not official business, Seven. We need to talk."
"I do not see what there is to discuss."
"Well…we made it back to the Alpha Quadrant. We'll be reaching Earth in a few days…" he began.
"Yes. I am aware of our current situation, Sir."
"Let me finish," he said, holding a hand up to keep her quiet.
"My point is…we aren't stuck in the Delta Quadrant anymore. I'm pretty damn certain nothing is going to happen to you…nothing that Admiral Janeway relayed at least."
"Are you asking to resume our…relationship?" Seven asked.
"Yes. I think we deserve a second chance. Because, to be honest I'm not going to let you go." He took a step towards her and reached out his hand. She didn't stop him as he placed it against her cheek.
"I think we both know how we feel about the other and it would be wrong to deny it," he whispered.
"Perhaps you are correct." He smiled at her and stroked the soft skin of her cheek.
"So what do you say to picking up where we left off on that fifth date?"
"That would be acceptable."