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THE PROFESSOR AND THE PLUMBER
(G)
Chakotay dismissed his class then stood to pack his satchel as the students filed out. He noted the time and decided to surprise his wife by showing up at home for lunch, a perfect excuse to check up on her. She was not handling her confinement well at all, and there was no telling what trouble she might get into when left alone too long. He entered their home by the back door and immediately knew his suspicions had been right. A string of curses, including a few in Klingon, could be heard coming from the kitchen. He set his bag down by the door then quickly crossed the mudroom and stepped into the kitchen. When he spotted his wife, he grinned and shook his head. She was lying on her back on the floor with the upper part of her body in the cabinet under the sink, her legs stretched out in a puddle of water. A variety of tools were scattered on the floor near her hip and a large wrench tottered precariously on her large round belly. Careful not to startle her Chakotay squatted next to her, concealed by the open cabinet door. He listened to her rantings and bit his lip to keep from laughing. "...no excuse for this!" she hissed. "It's the twenty-fourth century and man has not figured out how to make clog-proof plumbing?!" Her left hand came out and felt around the wet floor for a tool. "Where's that damn wrench?" Chakotay carefully took the wrench from her belly and put it in her hand. "Thank you," she said and was about to resume her work when she froze. There was a beat of silence before she asked, "Who's there?" "The warden," he answered, using the title she'd recently given him. "Out. Now." The attempt at firmness failed, ruined by the smile in his voice. He stood and watched her wriggle from the cabinet, barely able to keep from laughing as she grunted with the effort. When she sat up and looked at him sheepishly, Chakotay could not contain his laughter any longer. Her hair was wet and slicked to her head, and all the way around her lips was a grimy black circle. She smiled at first, relieved he wasn't angry, then gave her best death glare and pointed at him with the wrench. "You're not supposed to be here," she scolded. "Furthermore, it's not nice to laugh at your enormously huge pregnant wife." Still smiling, Chakotay moved to stand in front of her then leaned down, hands braced on his knees. "I would have no reason to laugh at my enormously.... beautiful pregnant wife if she didn't keep getting herself into these messes." She gave him a sideways grin. "Nice save, Professor." "Kathryn," he said as his eyes settled on the mark around her mouth, "Tell me you didn't try to blow the clog out." Ignoring the question, she lifted her arms for help. Chakotay held her firmly as he helped her to her feet then looked at the mess all over her shirt. "What are you doing here?" she asked before he could comment on her appearance. "I'd hoped to have lunch with my wife." "And check up on me." "And check up on you," he admitted with a nod. Carefully he helped her across the wet floor and pulled a chair from under the small dining table. When she was safely settled, he backed up and brushed his hands together. "Do I need to hire a sitter to keep you out of trouble?" "Don't be ridiculous," she answered in a huff as she brushed strands of wet hair from her face. Chakotay had taken several small towels from a drawer and returned to hand her one. "The doctor gave you specific instructions..." he began. She snatched the towel from him. " I KNOW what he said," she snapped, and began to dry her hair. Chakotay grinned and went to place the other towels on the floor to soak up the water. "It'll be over soon, Honey," he said softly. "Think you can behave yourself for a few more days?" He rose and faced her. "Or shall I just go ahead and check you into 'Fleet Medical?" "You wouldn't dare." "Try me, Admiral." He chuckled and handed her another towel. "Dry your feet so you don't slip and fall," he instructed. "I'll clean this mess up while you get yourself cleaned up, then we'll have some lunch." With this he went into the mudroom to get the bucket. As he took the bucket from the broom closet and closed the door, he heard another string of curses punctuated with loud grunts. He stepped into the kitchen just in time to see her throw the towel to the floor and cross her arms over her belly with a frown. When he approached and set the bucket on the table her eyes slid up to meet his. Without a word, she straightened her legs and offered her feet. Chakotay realized she could not reach them. He pressed his lips together to keep from smiling and went down on one knee in front of her, picked up the towel she'd discarded and began to dry her feet. "I'll have someone out here this afternoon to fix the sink," he said, hoping a change of subject would ease her embarrassment. She remained silent and watched him work. When he was finished he stood and wiped his hands on the towel. "What would you like to eat?" Kathryn looked up at him with tears in her eyes. The tenderness of his hands as he dried her swollen feet had brought home to her how incredibly fortunate she was to have this most wonderful man. He had been so protective of her throughout the pregnancy, so patient and caring, despite her stubborn resistance. The sadness on her face took him back down on one knee. "Honey?" he said, cupping her cheek. Kathryn placed a hand over his and swallowed past the lump in her throat. "You've been so good to me, and I've behaved so badly. I'm sorry." Chakotay smiled and brushed his thumb lovingly over her cheek. "I know this hasn't been easy for you," he said softly. "You're entitled." He stood and pulled her to her feet. "You need some lunch. How does pasta salad sound?" "I love your pasta salad," she answered and glanced down at her soiled clothing. "If you'll excuse me, I'll see about making myself presentable." *** Chakotay was placing a carafe of fresh coffee on the table and did a double-take when Kathryn returned. She hadn't just cleaned up. She had done her hair, applied makeup and put on the cornflower blue dress he liked. It was his favorite among what Kathryn called her maternity tents. "What did you do with the soggy plumber lady?" he asked as he walked to her. "Oh, I sent her away." They wrapped their arms around each other and got as close as her protruding belly would allow. "I couldn't have my handsome professor being seen with the likes of her." She looked past him at the table then met his eyes again. With a small frown she said, "It looks wonderful. Shame it has to go to waste." "What? Why?" "We're having a baby, Chakotay," she answered with a lopsided grin. "Of course we are," he said as he put an arm around her shoulder and walked her to the table. "That's why I make sure you eat..." His words trailed off and his head snapped around. "Kathryn? You mean...?" She nodded excitedly and laughed as he threw his arms around her, hugged her fiercely and rocked gently side-to-side. Suddenly he reached up to hold her face in his hands, looked at her with all the love in his heart and whispered, "We're having a baby!"
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