Rated G
Disclaimer: Everything Trek is owned by Paramount. I own this story but not its characters.
Summary: Set post-Endgame, Tom & B'E's fifth anniversary. Happy 5th VAMBies!
Feedback? Please.
"I'm not a fool, and neither are you," Kathryn muttered through clenched teeth as she smiled tensely and waved from the doorway at the departing family. "So how is it that we wind up doing this every year?"
Chakotay waved a final time to Tom, B'Elanna, and their three bouncing children as they clambered into the hovercar. "And by next year there'll be another one."
A look of terror flooded Kathryn's face as she pressed the button to close the front door. "No! You're not saying she's…" She trailed off and blinked in horror.
"Yes. B'Elanna is pregnant again. Ten weeks along."
"Oh dear God. I don't think the universe is ready for another Paris/Torres creation. Every single one of those kids is more hyper and unruly than the last." She wilted onto the couch in an exhausted heap, surveying the remains of what used to be their beautiful, tidy living room.
"Even though it was their anniversary, did you notice how there were no other babysitters available so they could go out to dinner? Not even Owen and Doris want to look after their own grandchildren anymore." Chakotay rubbed the small of his back, then rotated his shoulders. "I'm going to book us a vacation in Cardassia next year. It would be preferable to going through this again."
"And especially with a fourth one." Kathryn shuddered. "I need a strong drink."
"I need a chiropractor." He lay flat on the floor, twisting his back until a loud pop occurred and he sighed in contentment. "I don't know what they're feeding those kids, but they weigh a ton. If I had to play horsie with Miral and Michael one more time, you'd be putting me in traction."
"At least you didn't have Harry Jr. screaming in your ear for three hours straight. At ten months, that kid has the lungs of an Klingon opera singer." Kathryn ran her hands over her face, then stretched her neck to one side.
From his position on the floor, Chakotay regarded her quizzically.
"What?" she demanded.
"Is it just the angle I'm looking from, or is your hairdo a little scant on the left?"
She rubbed her head, attempting to fluff her hair. "He's not only a screecher, but a hair-puller too."
Chakotay grimaced in sympathy. "Ouch."
"That's what I said - more or less. Good thing he's too young to really understand."
Rolling to his side, Chakotay carefully pushed himself to a sitting position and leaned back against the couch next to her legs. "Who would've ever imagined that feisty B'Elanna Torres, the terror of Voyager's engine room, would turn into a brood mare, producing three kids in five years?"
"I know, but oddly enough, I don't ever remember seeing her happier. How weird is that?"
"Extremely." He heaved himself to his feet, extending a hand to her. "Come on. Let's go to the kitchen and I'll join you for that drink."
Kathryn wrapped an arm around his waist and they left the chaotic living room behind. "Speaking of kitchen; I'd just got those three quieted down, and you insisted on feeding them a snack. What was up with that?"
The smile on his face could almost be described as evil. "I knew Tom and B'E would be back soon. Think about what I fed them, Kathryn."
She reached for the bottle of whiskey with one hand, and pulled down two glasses with the other. "Hmm. Ice cream with caramel sauce and sprinkles. And hot chocolate with marshmallows."
"All of which contains loads of…" he prompted.
Recognition dawned and Kathryn laughed. "Sugar! Those kids will be bouncing off the walls by the time they get home."
He shrugged. "It couldn't happen to nicer people, right?"
She clinked her glass to his. "You are a wicked man, and I like the way you think."
Chakotay eased onto a stool at the breakfast bar, leaning on his elbows. "Have you noticed their tendency to name all their kids after their friends? First Miral Kathryn, then Michael after Mike Ayala, and now Harry."
"And both of those guys were decidedly unavailable tonight. Do Tom and B'Elanna know yet what this latest baby will be?"
"Another boy, she said." He froze and their eyes locked. "You don't suppose…?"
Kathryn tossed back the remaining contents of her glass. "I'll get right on the computer and see what we can book for a holiday this time next year."
The End
© Brianna Thomas, December 2008 Please email me to post/distribute elsewhere.