A different takes on the whole Cardassian idea, hopefully better than
the first. I just twisted a little of Kathryn’s past.
written September 2000, revised January 2002.
Secrets
by Sheri
rated pg13
“I’m sorry, we can’t, Chakotay. Please understand.” Kathryn was trying hard to not cry; she wished he would just walk away, just give up.
“Kathryn, we’ve been home for three weeks. We’re free to go, to get on with our lives. I want you in mine.” He was pleading with her.
She cupped her hand on his face, “I’m sorry.” It was all she could say; she walked away, leaving him free to go on with his life. He would find someone, someone to make him happy. He deserved that.
********
“I don’t understand it," began Chakotay. " I thought maybe once we got home that she would give us a try, but she just walked away.” Chakotay was lost. He was staying with Tom and B'Elanna and they couldn’t help him in any way either. Kathryn was being elusive to everyone, and as soon as she was released, she went home and didn’t contact anyone.
They all understood she wanted time with her family, but they at least expected a quick vid-call or something, but it had been four weeks and nothing.
Maybe they shouldn't be surprised since she had always kept herself distanced from the crew, allowing only Chakotay to be close to her and even he didn't have any answers. They didn't want to push the issue, knowing they all needed time to settle back in but the feeling of being cut off from everything they had grown to know was a bit much to take.
B'Elanna decided to go for a walk; the air was definitely tense in their apartment. She made her way around the winding streets, oblivious of where she was really going. She wasn’t sure how long she had been walking, but she ended up in a park near headquarters. She sat down on a nearby bench to rest. She was only five months pregnant, but she already found that she got tired rather easily.
B'Elanna had been sitting for a short time, softly stroking her belly, enjoying the movements of her child when she heard a familiar voice. She couldn’t quite make out what she was saying but that voice belonged to Kathryn Janeway. She got up and proceeded to walk towards the voice. The Captain was heading for a nearby transport station, walking with a young woman with auburn hair.
“Captain, is that you?” She called out.
The woman stopped and turned and so did her companion; it was Kathryn Janeway. B'Elanna froze; the woman with her was definitely Cardassian. She wasn't expecting that, “B'Elanna, …it’s good to see you. How have you been?” asked Kathryn.
B'Elanna eyed the other woman carefully. She had tried for years to put aside her hatred for the Cardassians but that was not easy. She came out of her slight daze and spoke “I'm well, Captain. We wondered what had happened to you. We haven't heard from you for a while.”
“I’ve just been catching up with friends and family," said Kathryn, resting her hand on the young woman's arm. " I’ve missed out on a lot.”
“Yeah, I can imagine you have.” B'Elanna didn’t have a chance to say anything else. The young woman whispered something in Kathryn's ear. “I’m sorry, B'Elanna, but we have to get going.”
“I hope I see you again soon. Maybe we could get together for dinner.” She suggested in a last ditch effort.
“Maybe sometime. I’ll contact you,” said Kathryn before she turned and walked away.
"Funny, she never introduced her friend," thought B'Elanna as she watched the pair walk away.
********
“I’m telling you, Tom, it was weird. The woman looked Cardassian but definitely not one hundred percent. She was actually pretty.” That thought surprised B'Elanna herself. B'Elanna hadn’t been able to tell Chakotay about her encounter with the captain, but she was still going over and over it with Tom. “She didn’t introduce her; she almost acted as if she weren’t there.”
“Maybe she was no one important. She has to have a lot of people bugging her. Maybe she has just had her fill of it and wants to be left alone for a while," said Tom. " Maybe if we left her alone for a while, she would come around, and maybe even give Chakotay a chance.”
“Well, you could be right, but I don't know. There was something about her actions that said they were close," said B'Elanna remembering how Kathryn rested her hand on the other woman's arm.
“What are you two talking about?” Chakotay interrupted having just arrived home.
B'Elanna took a deep breath and told Chakotay the story.
He just shrugged it off, “I don’t know B'Elanna, maybe I should just take the hint.” Chakotay sounded defeated.
“I don’t think you should give up," began B'Elanna. "Tom is right -- we just need to all take time away from all of this, give her a chance to settle in. Given time maybe she will come around, or maybe you will."
Chakotay sighed. Giving up on Kathryn wasn't something he was ready to do but maybe B'Elanna had a point. “Yeah, all right. I was thinking about taking a trip to Dorvan anyway. I want to see what’s left. I won’t be staying there long, maybe two weeks to a month. It’ll clear my head, help me get control of these feelings.”
“When will you be leaving?” Asked B'Elanna.
“I’ll arrange for transport tomorrow.”
********
Chakotay had been gone for two weeks. He had just called; he looked to be in much better spirits. He was going to stay two more weeks, and then he would be coming home.
As soon as B'Elanna ended the call with Chakotay, the doorbell rang. She got up to answer it and was surprised to find the mysterious woman that was with the Captain a few weeks earlier.
“Hello, can I help you with something?” asked B'Elanna.
“I’m sorry to bother you," she said, "but if I could, I would like to come in and talk."
B'Elanna was a little taken aback, yet opened the door all the way and motioned her inside. Once she entered B'Elanna got a better look at her visitor. She was actually quite beautiful. Long, dark auburn hair, bright blue eyes, and Cardassian features that didn’t stand out that much except the spot on her forehead was quite obvious and B'Elanna could see the tendons in her neck underneath her hair but they weren't as obvious as the Cardassian's she had known from her past. The young woman's skin color was pale but smooth, and there were no scales present anywhere.
“Umm, I’m not sure where to start," began the young woman. " My family has always protected me, a little too much at times, but I know it was for my own good. Now my mom is still trying to protect me, but I’m 21 years old, and I don’t think I need protecting from this.”
“What are you talking about? I don’t even know who you are,” B'Elanna said, sounding a little annoyed.
The young woman looked up, a little hesitant, took a deep breath and spoke, “I’m Carlene Janeway, Kathryn Janeway’s daughter.”
B'Elanna was a little shocked, “Oh boy, I think I need to sit down.”
Carlene, noticing B'Elanna's condition was immediately worried, “Are you ok? Listen, I didn’t mean to shock you, I just didn’t know how else to say it." She guided B'Elanna to the couch. "My mom has dealt with so much rejection in her life. I don’t know how she does it. It seems to roll of her back. She has always said she loves me and doesn’t need anyone else. But this time seems different' she seems so lost. She misses everyone terribly and she could do something about it but she won’t. Once again she's protecting me. So I ‘m here to find out, do I need protecting?”
Wow, this woman knew how to get to the point. Would the crew of Voyager accept her? Suddenly her heritage made no difference. B'Elanna smiled, “No you don’t. Now let’s get something to eat while we wait for my husband to get home. I'm absolutely starving. Then we can all go visit your mother.”
Carlene smiled. She somehow knew these people would be ok.
“What about Chakotay? Will he understand?” she asked as she followed B'Elanna into the kitchen. She had heard her mom talk a great deal about her first officer. And she could tell her mom liked this man. She hadn’t admitted it outright but it was more than obvious.
“Hmmm Chakotay. You’ll like him. And I think he’ll be relieved his problem with Kathryn was as simple as this.” B'Elanna gave her a heartwarming smile.
Carlene gave her a smile back, relieved that this turned out much better than she had hoped. Now she only hoped her mother wouldn't be mad that she had taken things into her own hands.
********
They all stood outside of the Janeway home. Tom still couldn’t help but stare at Carlene. “ I still don’t understand how you could’ve missed it. She looks just like her,” he said whispering to B'Elanna.
“Well, Tom, we didn’t know about her. How in the world would I have picked that up?” B'Elanna whispered back.
They followed Carlene into the house, “Carly, is that you?” came a recognizable voice from somewhere inside.
“Yeah, mom, it’s me, and I brought company," said Carlene.
“Really, who?” she asked emerging from the kitchen. She stopped in her tracks and looked shocked. “Tom, B'Elanna, I wasn’t expecting you.”
“No, I suppose not. Carlene invited us. I hope you don’t mind,” said Tom.
She was a little uncertain, but didn’t want to show it, “She did, did she?”
“Yup, I just took matters into my own hands,” Carlene answered her mother with a smile.
“Well, come on in, and have a seat. Carly was about to cook us dinner,” said Kathryn in her typical captain tone.
“I am, huh,” said Carlene, sounding too much like her mother.
“Well, do you really want me in that kitchen?” asked Kathryn, pointing towards the far room.
“Jeez, mom, what’s with the threats? I'll cook, I'll cook,” she laughed.
The four of them fell into a comfortable conversation. Kathryn never brought up the fact that she didn’t tell them about Carly, as they quickly began calling her. It was obvious why she hadn't. A ship full of Maquis, determined to hate Cardassians was the obvious reason. Now they just had to let her know that it would’ve been different.
They ate dinner, Carly was a wonderful cook. “This is delicious," said B'Elanna. Thanks for having us.”
“You’re welcome, " said Carly. "Grandma taught me to cook before she died. She said someone had to keep mom fed when she got home.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know you’re mother had died, Captain,” B'Elanna said sympathetically.
“Thanks, B'Elanna," she said softly. " She died six months before we got home. I’m just glad she was here to raise Carly, and please, call me Kathryn.”
“Well, Kathryn, at least she got the news you were alive before she died,” said Tom. " I hope that helped her some in the end."
Carly spoke up, “That did help. We were so lost when Voyager disappeared. All I could think was that the one person who accepted me for me was gone. Grandma was there to help me, and I was there to help her. That jerk Mark came around a few times. God I never liked him.”
“Mark, wasn’t that your fiancée,” asked B'Elanna.
“Umm no, not really. I just made that part up.” Kathryn was looking at her feet. She had had so many secrets. It felt good to get them out in the open.
“Oh, I see. What else was made up?” Asked Tom, his tone a little rougher.
Kathryn was taken aback but still replied, “Nothing else really. I haven’t been involved with anyone since Justin, and we weren’t really involved. We were going to get married, but it was right after… well, I wasn’t in any condition to be … umm more than friends. He asked me to marry him and said he would help raise the baby then he was killed along with my father when we crashed our ship. Carly was only 2 months old. I was with them, and I was almost killed too. I nearly left her for good, twice. I’ll never do it again.”
“What are you saying?” asked B'Elanna.
“I retired from Starfleet. I really needed to get away from all that.” She paused, “I sacrificed too much already. I won’t sacrifice any more.”
“So tell us, what happened? We see she’s here, but…” B'Elanna wanted to know. If they were going to help her, they should know but it might not be that easy.
Tom interrupted, “I have a feeling I know. God, Dad never said anything. He said he was the only one. He lied.”
“Tom, he was trying to protect me. I’m sure you’ve heard the story of Tom’s father’s capture by the Cardassians,” Kathryn addressed B'Elanna.
“Yeah. Tom told me. He said you were captured too, but that nothing happened to you.”
Kathryn began to speak, as if on autopilot, “Well, that wasn’t entirely true. I was in that dark, tiny cell, left alone to hear Admiral Paris’s screams. I was grateful that it wasn’t me. God, if I only knew what was coming. Funny, but it actually happened just a short time before I was rescued, ironic huh? One moment I was alone in the cell, the next I was being dragged out by my legs. The guard wasted no time ripping my clothes off…well no details needed. Justin arrived after the guard finished. He pulled him off me and broke his neck.”
Kathryn broke out of her trance and looked over at her daughter who was crying. “Oh, honey. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said it,” she said, wrapping her arms around her, trying to comfort her.
“I’m ok, Mom. I do know how I got here. I guess I just never heard it before. You know, hearing it makes it more real. How can you…”
Kathryn pulled out of the hug to look her daughter in the eye, "Don’t even say it. Sweetheart, I love you. You are my reason for living. The reason I had to get home. Don’t ever forget it.”
“I won’t, I promise. I love you, Mom," said Carly, embracing her mother
once again in a warm hug.
*********
Tom and B'Elanna had spent a lot of time with Kathryn and Carly, getting to know a very different side of Kathryn and getting to know her daughter.
They had been looking for a house and happened to find one very close to Kathryn's that was available. The house had been vacant for quite some time and needed a lot of work, but it seemed to be exactly what they were looking for.
They were sitting on the couch going over all the repairs needed when Chakotay came in.
“Hey, old man, welcome back,” said B'Elanna.
“It’s good to be back, B'Elanna," said Chakotay, taking a seat on the couch after dropping off his luggage in his room. "So what did I miss? " He was definitely in a much better mood.
They both just stared at him, not sure how to explain the past two weeks.
“What? You two have me worried,” said Chakotay, beginning to feel self conscious with their stares.
“Well, there isn’t anything to be worried about. In fact it’s really good news,” B'Elanna commented, remembering Kathryn’s confession to her late one night. They had stayed up late talking when Kathryn blurted out that she loved Chakotay. She wanted to be with him, but between Carly and the fact that she hadn’t been with a man in nearly 22 years, she was scared, more likely terrified.
“We saw Kathryn. In fact, we’ve spent nearly every day with her for the past two weeks," explained B'Elanna.
Chakotay looked surprised, “What? How is she? What is she doing?”
B'Elanna laughed at his sudden exuberance, “She’s fine, and she’s expecting us for dinner tonight. You will be a delightful surprise for her. But, Chakotay, I have to warn you; she’s been keeping a huge secret. I don’t know if you really want to hear it," said B'Elanna
“What’s going on, B'Elanna?” he asked concerned.
“It’s not bad, not really. Well, it is but it isn’t. God, Tom, how do I tell him this?” asked B'Elanna, turning towards her husband.
He patted the swell of her tummy then looked in her eyes, “You don’t. Let’s go see Kathryn. Let her explain.”
“B'Elanna, I want to know what’s going on. No strike that, maybe I don’t." He noticed the padd on the table that they were looking at and picked it up, " Hey, what’s this? A house?”
“Yeah, we found a house. It needs a lot of work, but we’ve decided to take it. It’s right by Kathryn’s house,” explained B'Elanna.
"Really?" he said, giving them a confused look. He shook his head, "I know, I'll find out later. I'll go get ready to leave then."
*********
They arrived at the house a few minutes late; Harry had called at the last minute and wanted to come along. Tom and B'Elanna had already told him about Carly and he was dying to meet her.
The door opened and Carly let them all in. She stopped B'Elanna on the way in, “Is that him? God, he’s gorgeous,” she whispered.
“Hey, Kathryn, we have a surprise for you,” called Tom.
“You do, and what could that be?” she asked, walking up the greet them. “Harry, god it’s good to see you,” she said hugging him. Then Kathryn suddenly noticed her surprise walking up the steps, “Chakotay, oh my god, I didn’t know you were back already.”
“I got back just a few hours ago,” he answered stealing a glance at Carly. For some reason her Cardassian features didn't seem to bother him.
“B'Elanna, I take it you didn’t tell him anything,” asked Kathryn.
“I didn’t," said B'Elanna. "His reaction will be more real. Isn’t that what you wanted.”
“Hmmm. I suppose. Well, Chakotay," began Kathryn, taking a deep breath she continued, "I…I would like you to meet my daughter, Carlene.”
Chakotay nearly choked, “Daughter? How?…"
"I know it’s a shock but…"
"Why didn't you tell me? I thought we were friends, but you seem to have kept a lot from me," began Chakotay. He was angry. "She's obviously Cardassian and…"
Carly interrupted them, “So do you have a problem with me?” She was more than ready to defend her mother.
Chakotay glanced at Carly, sorry for his outburst, “I'm sorry, of course I don’t have a problem with you, but Kathryn, what happened? You told me about your capture by the Cardassians but you never said you were … Why didn’t you tell me?" he asked.
“You’re right,” she answered, in barely a whisper knowing what his unfinished sentence was asking.
“Gods Kathryn, how could you leave this out,” he was oblivious to all the people around, at that moment it was just he and Kathryn. He stepped closer to her, just inches away, “ We have been good friends for a long time, and you leave out something like this. A daughter…” He wanted to continue his rant but the tears brimming in Kathryn’s eyes stopped him cold, he reached out and enveloped her in a hug.
“I didn’t know what you would think. I needed you out there. If I had told you, you might have left me,” she cried enjoying the comfort she found in his arms.
“How could you think, after knowing me for so long, that it would make a difference in how I felt about you?" he asked. "I’m sorry, me of all people should know why you didn’t say anything. Sometimes my mouth runs away from me. I just wish I had known that you left a beautiful daughter behind. I would have liked to be there for you, helped you…”
Harry broke the mood, “Beautiful is an understatement,” he mumbled, not realizing that everyone could hear him Carly blushed slightly, not sure if she should respond to his comment.
“Oh, god, did I say that out loud?” asked Harry, embarrassed?
“Watch it, Mister Kim, that’s my daughter,” Kathryn said, her arms still around Chakotay.
“Feel better?” he asked her.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she answered.
“I’m sorry. I think we have a lot to talk about but we'll do that later. No more secrets, ok?” He said kissing her on the forehead.
“No, no more secrets,” she replied, briefly tightening her arms around his waist. She didn't think she would ever let go.
*********
Chakotay spent the next few weeks getting to know this Kathryn. She wasn’t entirely different, she was. She was a mom -- over protective, loving, and happy. He learned more about her ordeal, about how Justin helped by accepting the baby unconditionally, about her devastation over his and her father's deaths, about her trying to grieve and be a new mother at the same time. There was so much pain for one lifetime. It amazed him to watch her, despite it all; she was such a strong woman.
Everything during their stay in the Delta Quadrant made sense. New Earth and how she desperately wanted to leave that peaceful planet and go home. Her clinging to Mark, which he now knew, was really clinging to Carly. How she pushed him and everyone else away. God, if she only told them!
Chakotay was trying not to dwell too much on the past. He could see a future for them, and he wanted to make sure she could see it too. He had already accepted Carly for who she was, a beautiful, strong woman who had her mother's spirit. When the two of them ganged up on him he knew it was a lost cause.
Everyone was getting excited over the impending birth of Tom and B'Elanna's baby; she was due any time now. They didn’t yet know what they were having; they wanted it to be a surprise.
Harry seemed to be ‘just in the neighborhood’ an awful lot lately, too. He and Carly went for walks and seemed to be really enjoying each other’s company. It was obvious to both Kathryn and Chakotay that there was something developing between the two of them. That made Kathryn a bit nervous at first but soon she felt ease with it. It was Harry Kim after all.
********
Kathryn was a little nervous about Chakotay. He was staying with her now, but in a separate room. They got along wonderfully and he fully accepted Carly for who she was. He and Kathryn had many talks about his past and hers. They shared their fears and hopes. But one subject still remained untouched: sex.
He never pushed it, kept telling her he didn’t need it, but that wasn’t fair to him. She had no right to expect that. He had needs to be taken care of and if she couldn’t fulfill them, he would eventually go elsewhere. At least that’s what she thought. Intimacy wasn’t a problem; they often were found cuddling on the couch, or under her favorite tree. She enjoyed kissing him, but the kisses just bordered on the passionate side. It was going beyond that scared her, it was something that she couldn't do in the past and she wasn't sure she could do it now.
Ever since the rape, she couldn’t bear the thought of any man touching her. Mark was the only one who had tried. They had been dating for six months, when one night things started heating up. She froze, pushed him away. He told her if she just tried, she would get over it, and he resumed his ministrations. He only stopped when she let out a panicked cry. Shaking all over she repeatedly apologized for her behavior. Mark said he understood, but it was never the same between them. They stayed friends but nothing more.
Now, she didn’t want the same thing to happen to Chakotay. The only thing he was pushing was the sleeping arrangements. He wanted to hold her during the night, but that could lead to something else, and she wasn’t ready to risk that. It wasn't that she didn't trust Chakotay, but felt it wasn't fair to tease him and not allow any more than to hold her.
“Hey, penny for your thoughts.’’ Carly sat down next to her mom. “Are you ok? You looked a million miles away.”
“I’m fine sweetie, just thinking.” She didn’t feel she could discuss this with her daughter of all people.
“Well, you know you can talk to me about anything, right, Mom?” asked Carly.
“I know. It's just something I have to work through.” The call coming in interrupted them. It was Chakotay; he had been at Tom and B'Elanna's new house helping them get it fixed up when B'Elanna went into labor. “Meet me at the transport station; they are already at the hospital.”
“I’ll see you in a few,” said Kathryn.
“All right, love you, Kath.” And the screen went blank.
She turned to Carly, "We have to go."
Carly smiled at her, also anxious to see the new little Paris.
**********
Tom came bursting out of the room, “It’s a boy! I have a son!”
Even after his wife had gone through nine hours of labor, Tom looked like he had energy to burn. “He’s perfect, just perfect. Doc said you could see him in a few minutes. I’ll come and get you.”
Before anyone could say anything, Tom flew back into the room. Chakotay let out a laugh and looked down at the floor. Kathryn knew what was bothering him. He wanted a child of his own.
“He seemed excited. Did they even say what they were going to name it if it was a boy,” said Kathryn.
“Owen, I think. I guess we’ll have to wait,” said Chakotay.
They didn’t have to wait long; Tom came back out 15 minutes later and escorted the two of them back into the room. B'Elanna looked exhausted, but happy as she gently cradled her newborn son. “Hey, congratulations B'Elanna,” offered Kathryn. “He’s beautiful.”
“Do you want to hold him, Kathryn?” asked B'Elanna.
“Oh yes, definitely,” she said. She sat on a nearby chair cradling the precious bundle. “Oh, how I miss this age, so new, so small. Carly was such a tiny baby. I loved to hold her. Mom would tell me I was spoiling her, but I just couldn’t put her down.”
“Do you want any more kids, Kathryn?” asked Tom.
“I haven’t really thought about it,” she lied. She had thought about it, a lot since Chakotay had come back into her life.
“How about you, old man, are you going to hold my son?”
“Just waiting my turn. Somehow I think Carly is going to jump in there next,” he said with a grin.
“Oh, I’m tempted to, but I think you deserve to be next,” Carly replied.
“Why, thank you, young lady. Now we just have to wait till your mom finished.”
Kathryn never noticed the playful banter going on in the room. She couldn’t take her eyes off of little Owen Paris. She did lie; she wanted another baby so bad she could taste it. She wanted Chakotay’s baby. Maybe it was time to put aside her fear and try. She knew Chakotay would be patient with her. She couldn’t ask for a better man.
“Kathryn, hello, are you there?” he asked her playfully.
She smiled. “No, I left an hour ago. I suppose that’s a hint to share. It’s your turn.” She had to find a simple way to let him know she was ready for more, ready to try. She didn’t intend on saying it, it was more a thought then anything else, but before she could stop herself, it came out. “All right, here you go, after all, if you’re lucky, you’ll need the practice.”
Did he just hear that, right here, in front of everybody? “Kathryn?”
She smiled, this was not the time or place for that conversation, “Have a seat, Chakotay.”
He obeyed and accepted the baby; he could have this one-day.
********
Months passed; little Owen grew quickly. Kathryn and Chakotay’s relationship also grew. It wasn’t easy at first, but over time he helped her over come her fears. It was only a couple of months after Owens's birth that they took the next step. They didn’t advertise the fact but Chakotay was sure everyone knew; to him Kathryn seemed to be glowing.
It had been after Carly left with Harry, explaining that they would be out late. Kathryn had sat down next to him outside as he sat looking up at the stars, "Miss them?"
She cuddled next to him, "No, not really. I have enough here. I don't need that any more."
They sat in silence for the next hour before getting up and heading back into the house walking arm in arm towards the bedroom. It was early but Kathryn claimed she was tired.
Chakotay should have known better; Kathryn never tired so early. He bent down to kiss her goodnight and was quite surprised by the returned passion. She broke away, looking him in the eye, "I'm not sure how far I can go, but could we try…"
"We will go as far as you want. I've told you, I'm in no hurry," explained Chakotay. "Holding you through the night is the fantasy, Kathryn, everything else will come in time."
They didn’t make love yet lay together, exploring one another, letting Kathryn get used to a man's touch. He touched her and caressed her, bringing her to a climax before laying her down next to him to sleep.
They slept in the same bed from that night, just holding and touching each other with Kathryn growing bolder as the days passed.
A few days after they began their explorations Kathryn encouraged Chakotay to continue. Unlike her experience with Mark, this time it had been wonderful and fulfilling, ending with her crying in her arms over the emotion the two of them shared.
*********
Kathryn had been a little upset at the fact that Carly spent little time at home; she knew she was spending that time at Harry’s and had mixed feelings. When she left for the Delta Quadrant her daughter was 13 years old, still a child. It was hard at times to remember she was now a grown adult. Yet she trusted Harry, she couldn’t ask for a better young man to be with her daughter.
But now she had other things to think about. She had just returned from the doctor, after feeling nauseous for the past three weeks she decided it was time for a check up. The doctor confirmed her suspicions; she was eight weeks pregnant. She knew Chakotay was going to be thrilled and to tell the truth, so was she. The problem was telling Carly She had been an only child for the past 21 years, and her mom wasn’t all that young any more. God, what was she going to say?
Well now was the time to find out. “Hi, mom, I’m home.”
“Hi, honey, I’m here in the living room. Come in here and talk to me,” called Kathryn.
“You’re in the mood to talk? Good, I think I really need someone to talk to.” Carly sounded upset.
“What is it? What is wrong, honey?” asked Kathryn.
“Well, I’m not sure if you’re the person I should talk to about this, yet you’re the only person I want to talk to.” She stopped a moment eyeing her mother carefully, “You know Harry and I have become quite close. Well, I think we’re at that point where we want to…umm…you know.”
“Have sex,” Kathryn said blatantly.
Carly blushed, “Yes, I’ve already been to the doctor, I’m now on boosters. I don’t know, I guess I just felt the need to tell you.”
“I do appreciate you coming to me, and I’m glad to see you already took precautions. It’s smart to think of those things ahead of time before you’re in the heat of the moment. And I’m glad we’re on this subject, because I need to talk to you about something too.”
“Sure, Mom, what is it?” asked Carly.
“Well, it would seem that I wasn’t as careful as you were, and don’t get me wrong, I’m not disappointed but, well…”
“Mom, what? Are you ok?” She hadn’t seen her mom this flustered before. “Oh my god, I didn’t realize that you and Chakotay had… well.” God, why couldn’t she say that word?
“Yes, we have and I suppose you realize what is coming next.”
Carly couldn’t help it, she practically leapt into her mom’s lap, “Yes, I’m finally going to be a big sister. I can’t wait. This is wonderful!”
“Oh, Carly, you’re approval means so much to me.”
“You definitely have it. Don’t worry about that.”
“Now keep quite., I haven't told Chakotay yet,” said Kathryn, hugging her daughter close once again.
*********
Chakotay allowed himself be led over to the dining room table, he had only been home from work for fifteen minutes but he could already tell Kathryn was up to something.
“What’s for dinner, Kathryn?” asked Chakotay.
“Well, we have baby peas and baby corn here, baby potatoes over there, and I thought of replicating baby lamb, but I don’t like the taste of it, so I made a lovely sauce, and made baby rice to tie it all together," she said.
“Baby rice? Never heard of it,” said Chakotay, obviously not getting the hint.
“I just named it that, it seemed to fit with the rest of the dinner, here, have a drink.” She said offering him a glass.
“Apple juice? Oh let me guess, baby apple juice,” He laughed, enjoying her playfulness, but not quite catching on.
“Well, it’s usually baby’s first juice.”
“What is with you? You are definitely acting strangely.”
“Hmm, I thought you would’ve figured it out by now but…”
Chakotay took a bite of the food and began to chew when it suddenly hit him what Kathryn was trying to tell him. “Kathryn, a baby? Are we going to have a baby?” He already grabbed her and pulled her into his lap.
“Yes, daddy, I’m eight weeks along already.” She leaned close and kissed him passionately.
“You have made me the happiest man alive,” he returned the kiss, just as passionately as she did.
*********
Epilogue:
Tom and B'Elanna walked down the hallway carrying young Owen; he was playfully pulling his mom’s hair. “Stop that, it hurts, sweetie.” Said B'Elanna removing his small fingers from her hair.
“Hair,” the little boy said once again reaching for another handful.
“Here, Tom, you carry him.” She handed Tom the small handful.
“Hey, it’s about time you guys got here.” It was Harry, standing with his arm around Carly.
“Any news yet?”
“No. Nothing.”
Just then Chakotay burst out of the door. “It’s a girl, I have a daughter. She’s perfect! Kathryn’s perfect.” And with that he ran back in the room.
“Looks like someone else a year ago.” Laughed Harry.
Tom laughed. “There’s something about becoming a father that makes you think not quite straight.”
“Remember that, Harry, maybe you’ll learn something.”
Harry tightened his grip around Carly, “We have plenty of time, when we're ready for that.”
“Come on, Carly, you have a little sister you have to meet.” They both rose to go greet the happy parents. Life was certainly better with no secrets.
END