This Story takes place two years+ after my story The Enchantment Continues. Tom and B'Elanna are expecting their first Child. All except K.E.P. and story belongs to Paramount. Happily Ever After --In loving Memory of my beloved nephew, David Anthony Sexton, who loved babies.---I love you and miss you "Bubba." =**+S Tom looked at the beautiful woman sleeping peacefully beside him. He and B'Elanna had been married for over two years now. Married life was wonderful. Only one thing was lacking in their lives. For a year now, B'Elanna had been trying to get pregnant. After eight months of trying, they had gone to the doctor to see if anything was wrong. He had assured them there were no fertility problems that would prevent conception. He also reminded them that B'Elanna could only get pregnant about three days out of the month, so they should just relax and wait for it to happen. Tom smiled. Just last night, B'Elanna had told him that she was "four days late." He knew her menstrual cycle was extremely regular. He had wanted to pull out his field medic kit and scan her then, but B'Elanna had insisted that they wait and let the Doctor diagnose her in the morning. He had been very thorough in running all the fertility tests, then patiently explained all the results to them, and encouraged them not to give up, so she wanted him to make diagnosis. Besides, she had plans for the night, which were definitely non-medical. B'Elanna shifted in bed beside him. Her eyes fluttered open. She put a hand to her stomach and grimaced. "Are you okay, Bella?" he asked worriedly. "I'm so sick to my stomach." moaned B'Elanna. She got up slowly, staggered to the bathroom, and began retching. Tom was at her side in an instant. He held her as she vomited. When she finally stopped vomiting, he helped her back to the bedroom, and got her clothes for her. "I think we'd better get dressed and head for sick bay, Bella. Your symptoms all point to pregnancy. You need to have the Doctor examine you right away. He can also give you something to stop the nausea." She nodded weakly. When Tom saw how weak she was, he helped her dress, then got dressed himself. As they prepared to leave their quarters, B'Elanna fainted. Tom quickly slapped his comm badge, "Transporter Room Two, medical emergency, beam B'Elanna and I directly to sick bay." Tom gathered her protectively in his arms, and the transporter took them away. In sick bay, Tom lay B'Elanna gently on the biobed. "What happened, Tom?" asked the Doctor briskly. "Well Doc, she's five days late for her period, she complained of nausea this morning, and vomited. Then as we were leaving our quarters to come to sick bay, she fainted." The Doctor noticed that despite his deep concern over B'Elanna, that there was a glimmer of hope in his eyes. The Doctor picked up his medical tricoder and scanned B'Elanna. Pregnancy was the primary diagnosis, and the secondary diagnosis was low blood sugar. He quickly prepared two hyposprays. One with an anti-nausea agent, and the other with a glucose concentration to elevate her blood sugar. He quickly gave her the injections. Tom waited quietly as the Doctor monitored her. In a few seconds, her eyelids flickered, then she opened her eyes. The Doctor flipped the tricoder shut. "What happened?" asked B'Elanna in puzzlement. "You fainted before we left our quarters, Bella." explained Tom. "With good reason too," began the Doctor. "Your blood sugar was very low." He smiled broadly. "Congratulations are in order. You're pregnant, B'Elanna. I told you that it would happen eventually, and it has." Tom embraced her happily. "Oh, Bella, we're going to have a baby." She nodded against his chest. "I'm so happy. I was so afraid it would never happen." "Excuse me, Lieutenants, I need a few more seconds of your time this morning." said the Doctor with an amused expression on his face. They pulled apart and looked at the Doctor. "B'Elanna, I've injected you with an anti-nausea agent and glucose, but you still need to eat. I want to see both of you here at 1500 hours. I need to give B'Elanna a more thorough exam, and I want to discuss the pregnancy with both of you in detail to prepare you for the coming months." The Doctor gave them his best "CMO's orders, no nonsense" look. "No problem, Doc, we've waited so long for this, we aren't taking any chances." B'Elanna nodded in agreement. "We'll be here at 1500 hours." Tom helped B'Elanna to her feet. "We'd better hit the mess hall. We have a Senior Staff meeting this morning." said Tom as he slipped his arm around her waist. It was obvious to everyone in the mess hall that something was up. Tom and B'Elanna were both glowing as they sat down for breakfast. Since they had chosen a table in the corner away from everyone, their fellow crew members respected their privacy. Later, as the Senior Officers entered the conference room for the Staff Meeting, Captain Janeway noticed Tom and B'Elanna's glowing expression. She glanced at her handsome husband, but Chakotay shook his head, he had no more idea than she did as to what was going on. With everyone casting curious glances at Tom and B'Elanna, the Captain knew the meeting would go nowhere due to a lack of attention. Besides, she was just a curious as the others. Tom and B'Elanna both held such a special place in her heart. They were dear friends, trusted officers, the very first couple she had married on Voyager, and they had served as honor attendants when she and Chakotay married each other a year ago. "Tom, B'Elanna, the way your faces are glowing, I know something is up. Instead of keeping us all in suspense, would you like to tell us what's on your mind." Tom looked at B'Elanna. She chuckled and nodded. "B'Elanna and I have an announcement to make." He slid his arm around her. "We're going to have a baby." Tom stated proudly. "That's wonderful. I know you've been trying for over a year now. When did you find out?" asked the Captain. "I've suspected it for a few days, and this morning, the Doctor confirmed it." said B'Elanna happily. "Yes, I did. I've also requested that they both return to sickbay at 1500 hours. There are more tests I need to run, and I discuss the effects the pregnancy will have on B'Elanna. I will be sending you a full report as well, Captain." stated the Doctor. "No problem, Doctor. I'll see that their shifts are covered." replied Chakotay. B'Elanna looked at the Captain. "We'd like for you and Chakotay to be our baby's Godparents." The Captain reached out and took Chakotay's hand. We'd be honored." "Do you know if it's a boy or a girl yet?" asked Chakotay. Tom shook his head. We don't want to know. We decided when B'Elanna first started trying to get pregnant that we wanted to wait until the baby is born to find out." "It was my idea." admitted B'Elanna with a grin. "Tom wasn't too sure of the idea at first, but he agreed." "Well, we'd better get to the business at hand." said Janeway briskly, and the meeting began. Promptly at 1500 hours, Tom and B'Elanna arrived at sick bay for their appointment with the Doctor. After greeting them, he began running the tests. When he finished, he escorted them into his office. "Is everything all right, Doc?" asked Tom nervously. "Everything is fine. These are standard tests ran on all pregnant women." assured the Doctor. He turned to B'Elanna. "Are you aware of any difficulties your mother had with pregnancy, B'Elanna?" "Mother never mentioned any. In fact she never had any health problems." stated B'Elanna. "That's good. Now, I'll want to see you every two weeks at first. Later on, I'll want to see you more often." B'Elanna nodded. "I agree. Tom and I want to do everything possible to make sure our baby is born healthy." "Now," continued the Doctor. "I want to advise you of what to expect during the course of your pregnancy. Unfortunately, you will experience dramatic mood swings. There is nothing I can give you to stop them. I suggest that when you feel a severe mood swing coming on that you take a break." He looked at Tom. "Your attitude and reaction can help her when she is suffering from the mood swings. Tom slipped his arm around her. "I'll take care of her, Doc. She's the most important, precious person in the universe to me." The Doctor smiled. "You're almost three weeks pregnant. Normal gestation is about thirty-eight weeks. As long as there are no complications, I'll allow you to remain on duty. However, after the birth of your baby, I'll have you on medical leave for six to nine weeks, depending on how your delivery goes." "What type of complications could there be, Doctor?" asked B'Elanna. "There are many types. Right now, my chief concern is the low blood sugar. I will be monitoring you closely for blood sugar problems." He turned to Tom. "I'll want you to check her blood sugar levels every morning and evening. As our field medic and my assistant you are quite capable of doing it. I want it monitored on a daily basis." Tom nodded. "I think that's a wise precaution." "B'Elanna, I want you to have healthy snacks mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and at bedtime. I'm authorizing an increase in your replicator rations accordingly. That should help keep your blood sugar stable." He handed her a PADD. "I've down loaded dietary guidelines for you. I'll also be giving you vitamin shots when you come in for check ups." "Can you do anything about the nausea?" asked B'Elanna hopefully. "Yes," He handed Tom a hypospray. "Tom can administer this to you. One injection in the morning, and one at bedtime. That should stop the nausea." B'Elanna sighed in relief. She hated being sick to her stomach. "Thank you, Doctor." "I've also down loaded material on Klingon-Human pregnancies for both of you to read. I'm sure you'll find it quite informative. Of course some of your activities will need to be restricted. No Klingon exercises or battle simulations should be attempted. The PADD lists recommendations for exercises to help prepare your body for childbirth. For the time being, you may continue to have intercourse. When you get further along, say twenty-eight weeks, you'll have to abstain." B'Elanna nodded, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Do you have any questions?" asked the Doctor. They shook their heads. "Good, your appointments are listed on the PADD as well. They are subject to change if conditions warrant an increase in appointments. I'm putting both of you off duty for the rest of today, and all day tomorrow. It will give you time to review the material I've given you. Feel free to contact me if your have any questions or concerns." He stood up, signally the end of the discussion. "Thanks, Doc." said Tom, offering his hand to the Doctor. They shook hands, then Tom and B'Elanna walked out of sickbay. Tom smiled at B'Elanna. "Let's go to our quarters. We can study the information the Doctor gave us. Besides, you need to have your afternoon snack." "Sounds like a great idea." said B'Elanna cheerfully. "Let's go" Tom slid his arm around her waist and they walked to the turbolift. Later that evening, Tom and B'Elanna lay in each other's arms talking about the baby. "Tom, do you want a boy or a girl?" asked B'Elanna softly. He smiled at her. "A little girl, who looks just like her beautiful mother would be perfect." He brushed a kiss across her forehead. "How about you?" he murmured. "I'd like a son, with his father's unruly hair and twinkling blue eyes." she answered. "If you were carrying twins....." He groaned as B'Elanna poked him in the side. "Be careful what you wish for, Tom." she said with a teasing grin. "It could be twins the next time." Tom returned her grin. "Is that a promise, Bella?" "Could be, you never know. I'm glad there's only one this time. Tom brushed some hair out of her face. "Why, are you nervous about having a baby?" She nodded. "A little. Aren't you, Tom. This is such a big responsibility." "Yes, I am" he admitted. "I didn't have the world's greatest role model for fatherhood you know." "I know Tom, but look how great you are with Naomi Wildman. You'll be a wonderful father." she said wistfully, becoming quiet and pensive. Tom realized she was thinking of her relationship with her mother. "You do an even better job with her than I ever could. You're going to be a great mother." He kissed her tenderly, reveling in her response. "Tom, the Doctor said it was okay for us to make love." she whispered huskily, kissing and nipping on his neck. Tom moaned softly. "That's right, he did." murmured Tom against her lips. "I can't think of a better way to celebrate you pregnancy. His hands slowly slid her gown off her body. **************************************** As the doors to their quarters opened, Tom hear soft sobbing. He hurried over to where B'Elanna sat huddled on the couch. "Bella, what's wrong?" he asked as he sat beside her. She turned to him shaking her head. He drew her into his arms, knowing from experience that holding her during when a mood swing brought her down was the most effective means of comforting her. He rocked her and kept murmuring assuringly that she would be okay, and that he loved her. When she finally stopped crying, she lifted her head to look at him. "I'm sorry, Tom.. I tired to get myself under control before you got home." Tom shook his head. "It's not your fault, B'Elanna. Mood swings are something we just have to deal with. I love you and I'm just glad I could be here to comfort you." She smiled at him as he continued. "Go wash your face, and I'll fix us some supper. We can discuss names for the baby. We need to go ahead and choose names." B'Elanna stood up and walked to the bathroom as Tom began to replicate their meal. When B'Elanna came to the table, Tom pulled out her chair for her, and she sat down. Tom had prepared spaghetti with meat balls, salad, and juice. He sat beside her and they began eating. "This is good, Tom. Thank you for fixing our supper. I just wasn't up to going to the mess hall tonight." she said softly. "A quiet meal at home was just what you needed too." He picked up a PADD and turned it on. "Let's see, the boys' names we both liked last time were Patrick James, Michael Wayne, and Terrance Andrew. The girls' names were......" "Wait," said B'Elanna. "If it's a girl I like to name her Kathyrn Elizabeth after Captain Janeway and your mother." Tom nodded. "I think that would be great. We do need to ask the Captain if she minds, but I'm sure she'll be proud to have her god daughter named after her. When did you decide on this name?" "I was thinking about it last night. I woke up, because the baby was kicking, and couldn't go back to sleep, so I started working on names." She let her hands rest on her swollen stomach. "Well, how about Terrance Andrew for the baby if it's a boy." asked Tom. She nodded. "I like that name. We'll know in twelve more weeks if we have Kathyrn Elizabeth or Terrance Andrew." Tom smiled. "I can't believe how time has flown. It seems like just yesterday we found out you were pregnant." B'Elanna laughed. "It would seem that long if you were the one who was carrying the baby." He nodded. "I know. Here, let me clear these dishes away. We do need to ask the Captain about naming the baby after her if it's a girl. Why don't we see if she can talk to us now?" She nodded in agreement. "Sure Tom, call her and see if she can see us." ************************************************* A short time later, Tom and B'Elanna were sitting with the Captain and Chakotay. "Tell me, Tom, what's on your mind?" asked Captain Janeway. Tom smiled. "We wanted to ask you if we have a girl if you minded if we name her Kathyrn?" Her eyes shone brightly. "I'd love that." she replied softly. "Her full name would be Kathyrn Elizabeth Paris. The Elizabeth is for Tom's mother." said B'Elanna. Tom nodded. "If we have a boy, we've settled on the name Terrance Andrew. We'll know for sure which name we'll use in about twelve more weeks." "You two certainly have a lot of self discipline to wait for the full 38 weeks to know the sex of your baby. I would not be able to wait that long." said Chakotay. "Well," began B'Elanna. "I wanted it to be a surprise." ************************************* The weeks passed quickly. The Doctor said B'Elanna could go into labor at any time. He had pulled her off duty four days ago, saying she needed to rest so her body would be ready for childbirth. B'Elanna sat on the couch looking at the gifts she'd gotten from the shower the engineering crew had given her. Captain Janeway was also planning a shower for the baby, but had opted to wait until the baby was born so everyone would know the baby's gender. Her favorite gift was the lovely bassinet that Joe Carey had given her. She knew he missed his children, and that her baby had been a great morale booster for him. He had shared with her that the bassinet his sons had used looked very much like this one. She fingered a pair of sleepers with feet. It was so tiny. The Doctor said her baby would not weigh more than six pounds, which was good considering how small B'Elanna was. She shuddered at the thought of delivering a larger baby. The door slid open. Tom entered and walked over to sit by her. Sliding his arms around her, he gave her a tender kiss. "How's the most beautiful woman in the world?" he whispered. "Tired," she whispered wearily. "I just wish the baby would be born.' "Do you want to go to the mess hall, or do you want me to replicate dinner." asked Tom. "Let's go to the mess hall." she said. "I want to get out for a while." They went into the mess hall and got some food. They sat at a table. Different people stopped by to inquire how B'Elanna was feeling. As they were finishing their dinner, B'Elanna put a hand to her stomach and grimaced. Tom put a hand on her shoulder. "Are you having a contraction, B'Elanna?" he asked softly. "I think so." she answered. "It feels like how the Doctor said they would." "Then, let's get you to sick bay. The Doctor can check you out." said Tom firmly. She nodded. They quickly left for sick bay. The Doctor confirmed the start of labor. "You can stay here, or Tom can monitor you until you pains get five minutes apart, then you can come in." "We'll go to our quarters for a while." answered B'Elanna. They sat in their bed timing the contractions. B'Elanna was not in a talkative mood, so they were quiet. Tom comforted her as the contractions grew stronger. They started at 15 minutes apart and slowly got closer together. Tom carefully monitored her condition along with the baby's. After six hours, the pains were five minutes apart. They returned to sick bay. Tom helped her onto the bio-bed. "Well, B'Elanna, you're doing just fine. You've dilated to seven. Your pains will get worse from here on out. Two hours later, B'Elanna enter the transition stage. She never dreamed any pain could be so bad. As a pain gripped her, she glared at Tom. "This is your fault, and you are never touching me again." she snarled at Tom. Tom understood. "It'll be okay, B'Elanna. The baby will be in position before long. In a few more minutes, you'll feel the urge to push." "Right now, the only thing I feel the urge to push is you out an air lock." snapped B'Elanna. "Remember your breathing patterns. It will help." said the Doctor. A few minutes later, B'Elanna groaned. "It's coming. I....." Liquid poured out of B'Elanna. Her water had finally broken. The pushing stage had begun. After two more hours of pain and pushing, the Doctor announced. "The head is crowning. Tom moved down to assist the Doctor. As the baby slid out of her body, Tom smiled at her. "Bella, we have a girl." She collapsed onto the bio-bed in exhaustion, but was still smiling. Tom tapped his comm badge. "Paris to the Bridge." "Bridge, here." answered the Captain. "I'm pleased to announce that B'Elanna and I are the proud parents of Kathyrn Elizabeth Paris. Mother and baby are just fine." said Tom proudly. Captain Janeway and Chakotay looked at each other with a smile. "Shall we go and meet our God Daughter?" she asked with a smile. He nodded standing along with her. She turned to Harry. "Ensign Kim, you have the Bridge." They left to see the child who would bring so much happiness to them all.