By Lena
A Novelization
Chapter One
Prologue
Kathryn Janeway looked to the ceiling for the 100th time it that last 20 minutes. She couldn’t sleep. She leaned over to the night stand hoping that she would not wake the slumber of her husband Chakotay. There was so much going on her mind she was lucky to get any rest at all. Slowly she got up, out of bed slithered over to the closet, and pulled on her robe. B’Elanna would be able to help her out if only she wasn’t pregnant herself. She was probably be resting while Tom worked extra shifts so he could take time off for when the baby would arrive. Looking over to Chakotay, she slides out the door quickly. Soon after, she arrived at B’Elanna’s door.
The common beep echoed the silent corridors as Janeway looked around. This is what she felt like inside, alone without any sound coming through the common busy corridors of VOYAGER convinced her even more that she would never feel good again. Too much had occurred in such a brief moment of time. Once not very long ago she had a child inside her womb and responded to every movement her mother gave. Now there was nothing.
“Come In….”
Janeway entered the darkened doorway of her best friend. When ever she felt down she know that B’Elanna could cheer her up with just a look. B’Elanna as usual greeted Janeway at the door with a smile. For a brief moment, she felt better.
“I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“Nah, the baby’s been kicking all night there was no way that I would have gotten any sleep tonight. I was just ready to go to the Mess Hall, I’m sure Neelix is still there if you would like to join me.”
“Sure.”
Together the two women walked down the corridor smiling at the few crewmember who where ready to go down for the night. None spoke fearing that what ever they would say may offend their already depressed captain. B’Elanna exchanged a few words to her engineering crew as they went on duty. As the doors, hissed open to the Mess Hall Neelix greeted the women with his usual smile and tried to make them comfortable. Bringing them over to a quiet corner where they would have privacy. Janeway never understood how Neelix new she wanted to be alone with her best friend and often wondered if he should be promoted to the ship counselor. A counselor would be a good addition now to help her bring her feelings to ease. As the women took their seats Neelix brought over a cylinder of coffee for Janeway and a cylinder of spring water for B’Elanna. He knew it was going to be very long night. As he sat down the containers, he smiled and excused himself to the Kitchen to clean up before he would close for the night.
“The Mess Hall is open 24 hrs if you need it and I am always here for you if you need some help.”
“Thanks but I think that B’Elanna can help me through this but if she can’t than I know who I can go to, you always.”
“Hey that’s my job well if you call this is job if it were a job than I would not like it at all and I do, in fact I love it. I better go the replicator is up and running.”
“Thanks Neelix see you tomorrow morning.”
When Neelix is out of the room and B’Elanna has checked for eavesdroppers, she takes her seat next to Janeway.
“Quarter for your thoughts.”
“I offer you a dollar but currency doesn’t exist any longer remember.”
“I know, I just was trying to lighten the mood, I know something is bothering you and I would like to know what and see if I could help.”
“I know you always know when I need you. Remember a few months back when I delivered my daughter on that planet.”
“Yes, I heard about it. What happened?”
“I went into premature labor because of the beating I received from Redik Tom had to perform a cesarean section right there or we both would have died. But something went terribly wrong and Tom really tried to do everything he could but my daughter died anyway.”
“I know it’s been around the ship. What can I do?”
“Nothing, I’m sure that you hadn’t heard the whole thing. Now did you?”
“I suppose not.”
“Well when we returned to the ship the Doctor gave me an exam. He told me that I would probably never be able to have children or even get pregnant again because of what happened unless he would do some serious surgery.”
“Well what have you decided?”
“I know that Chakotay wanted children just as bad as I did, and when I got pregnant I hadn’t been happier in my life. You should have seen Chakotay’s face he looked like a kid in the candy store. However, know I don’t know if he will ever be able to be that happy again. I want to do what is right but I don’t know if I can handle the surgery.”
“Well what does this surgery involve?”
“I just went to the doctor today, without Chakotay so I can find out what would be involved. The doctor has told me that I have a lot of scar tissue around where the incision was, that tissue is blocking my tubes and that I could never hold a child inside of my uterus for it would burst.”
“I don’t know what to tell you. I think you should do what your heart tell you to do.”
“But that’s it I’m afraid to get pregnant again so I am afraid to get the surgery.”
“Why are you afraid to go through with the surgery. I can tell you want children. And why are you afraid to have more children?”
“I don’t know, at times like this I wish we did have a counselor, because I could sure use one right about now. We all could. Thousands of light years away from home, away from family, our loved ones, Starfleet, Naomi hasn’t ever met her father. If we keep going at this rate, she will never meet her father. He was such a great man and Samantha did right by sending him pictures he may never meet her.”
“She loves this ship and she loves everyone on it. She’s the sweetest thing, and now when this baby comes I know I can always have someone come over and play with her when she’s older. Maybe even get a sitter a time or two if Samantha would let me barrow Naomi for a few hours.”
“I’m sure she would. So how is your pregnancy thus far?”
“Oh I have good days and bad days. She likes to keep me up most of the night. When I was in my first trimester, I had some scary moments. I almost passed out several times, but I didn’t have any morning sickness.”
“You were lucky than, I had some at times I just wanted to roll up and die, but I got through it and as my pregnancy continued I actually felt good about the baby. At first, I was scared wondering what kind of place is a starship to raise children. I sat down with Neelix and we talked for hours on how wonderful it would be to actually hear the pitter-patter of tiny little feet running around the corridors late at night. Even a nursery being added in one of our cargo bay now with your baby we can have it.”
“We always could if only you would have let the crew bring their children on in the first place.”
“But it was only supposed to be a three week trip. I wasn’t sure what kind of place the badlands were like. Even the name scares me to death so I didn’t want any of the children to possibly be in danger. I thought I was doing the right thing, now I know that our crew will never see their families again.”
“This ship is our family, our baby is going to love it here and everyone will love her. So no matter what would happen we know that we will always have our VOYAGER family.”
“I suppose.”
“I really think you should have this surgery, it may be dangerous and painful but do you really think you could go on without any children?”
B’Elanna smiles and gets up to exit the Mess Hall leaving Janeway in the darkness with the company of her thoughts.
Hours go by while Janeway sat in the darkness and stillness alone in the Mess Hall. After hours of debating what B’Elanna had said as she was leaving the Mess Hall. Maybe she should go through the surgery regardless to how painful the doctor said it would be. Several more minutes go by and Janeway finally believes that she should at least go to sickbay and get the details.
Outside of Sickbay doors Janeway contemplates if she really wants to do what she decided earlier and hesitates slightly only to turn away and head back to their quarters.
Inside Chakotay is still sound asleep, she was pleased with that and crawled into bed next to him. To her surprise he slides his hand over her body and opens his eyes
“Your feet are freezing, where have you been.”
“I had a little chat with B’Elanna”
“About what?”
“Nothing of your interest, just girl talk.”
“Whatever lets try and get some sleep.”
Chakotay gives a kiss but she know she will not be sleeping tonight there was still too much going on in her head. In addition, what B’Elanna just said gave her a headache. No, she was not going to sleep tonight.
=/\=
Chapter Two
The next morning Janeway and Chakotay are seated at the table. Janeway is pushing her food around on her plate looking serious and deep in thought. He wants to know what’s bothering his wife. Chakotay can sense that something is not right but doesn’t know how to break the awkward silence.
“Honey, can if I ask you something do you promise not to jump down my throat. I mean I don’t want to ask it unless I know you are prepared for it.”
“Huh? I’m sorry Chakotay honey what where you saying I wasn’t listening, not that your words bore me I just have a lot on my mind and I am trying to figure out a way to sort through them with little hurt.”
“That’s what married people do they talk through there difficult times and hopefully in time can heal the hurting that their partner, the one they will spend the rest of their life with, that’s why we married to begin with right?”
“I thought you married me because I was the only one that was available on the ship who would fit your standards. Or maybe it was because I was carrying your child…the one that died in your arms”
Chakotay stretches his hand out toward Janeway’s and places it gently on her hand. The gentleness made Chakotay’s hair stand up on the back of his head he hadn’t felt the woman before him in his arms since the day the child died. She became a stranger to him and it seemed that their married life was over. No matter what he would be with her always and would not let her down.
“You can tell me, I’m your husband if something is bothering you tell me maybe we can work it out and hopefully you can forgive yourself and move on with your life.”
“I want to I really do, it just like I have this emptiness inside of me and it is taking over my body and I don’t know how to stop it. I don’t know even where to begin.”
“We have plenty of time come on, maybe we can go to the holodeck to a quiet countryside and listen to the silence until you are ready to talk to me openly and honestly. Believe it or not I am feeling those same feelings I just don’t express them openly because I need to be strong for you.”
“You don’t need to be strong for me. I am a strong woman and I can handle things like this you. Maybe we should go on the holodeck and get some R&R God know I need it.”
“So do I, now finish your breakfast and I will contact Tuvok he would gladly like to run the ship for a few hours. We can talk through all of our feelings and hopefully I can help you deal with all of the emotions you have bottled up inside your body. Its not healthy and you know that, I don’t mean to sound like the doctor but if you stay on the level that you are on now I am afraid of what you might do and I really don’t want to loose you this early. I want to have more children a happy life and I want you to be waiting at home for me to come into your arms and hold you all night long.”
“Okay Chakotay but promise me one thing, don’t and I mean don’t start talking like the doctor or I will have to leave or remove you of my sight. I have had enough of him.”
A smile crossed her face lightening it up. Chakotay hadn’t seen her smile for months and he was afraid that he would have never seen it again. Let alone ever see her happy again. It gave him some relief that she was very slowly accepting what had happened and he had hopes that they would be back to normal in a matter of time. But he knew that it would be a long time before she would fully recover but he could see that she had a long ways to go and he would be there every moment along the way no matter how difficult it would be.
Together as Janeway finished her breakfast, they took each other’s hands and exited out of their quarters. It would be a long road but they would succeed.
In the holodeck, Janeway and Chakotay both in civilian clothing enter the holodeck. Beaches with ocean waves reached their peak as they crash down to the wet sand beneath the couple’s feet. It was romantic but somehow something was missing. Maybe it was the eternal love they had once shared was falling apart. On the other hand, maybe it was because once again Janeway was deep in thought.
“Kathryn why don’t we sit up by those rocks and smell the fresh air. Then we can talk about what is bothering you and how I can help to heal the hurt I know you are feeling deep inside.”
“I don’t know where to begin, there is so much I need to deal with and I don’t know if you can help me with everything I need help with. The first thing is the baby…our baby the one that died in your arms, I have never felt so much pain in my life and when I found out that she had taken her last breath my whole world just crumble before it even began. Her life was finished the moment that she entered the world. I wanted to protect her but I couldn’t. I mean that was my job I was her mother…I was supposed to protect her but I was to weak. I keep thinking that if I were strong enough I could have saved her.”
“Kathryn, why didn’t you tell me you were feeling this way. I could have helped you instead of taking you to the holodeck to ease you pain. However, you have to understand I also was hurt and you were not to blame for the death of our daughter it wasn’t anyone’s fault. Please believe me.”
“I am trying to Chakotay, now I may never have anymore children and I wanted them so badly. I wanted you to be their father I know you would have been a good father. But the doctor has said that I needed to go through some very painful surgery in order to at least try to conceive and he isn’t even sure that will work.”
“Are you thinking about having that surgery? I mean I think you should really think hard on it your would be on your back for three months before you are even aloud to get out of bed. If you do that and you still can’t conceive you will blame yourself again. I don’t think you are ready to go through that again.”
“I don’t but I still want to at least try and get the surgery, maybe if we are lucky we will conceive. I must say that I am not crazy about laying on my back for three months but I want a baby don’t you?”
“Yes of course I do I just think we can wait a little longer until you have completely healed from the first loss. Besides the doctor has some of your eggs in storage for when we really think we are ready to start a family again.”
“I want to conceive the old fashioned way when two souls become one and feeling my husband inside me. It’s sacred and I don’t want the doctor to insert a syringe inside of my womb just to allow me to possibly get pregnant. What kind of fun is that, when you’re making love to your husband? You know that this could be the day that you conceive that child you always wanted; and knowing that that sacred moment when your husband fills you with joy could be the beginning of a new life a life you created with him and would always be there with you.”
“I know how you feel, I’m not crazy about giving the doctor sample of something you share only with your wife. Knowing that you got pregnant because of the doctor’s expertise not because of nature or me. I want you to have this surgery so we could try to get pregnant. I just think it is to soon and we both need to heal on the inside as well as the outside.”
“I want to do that surgery now Chakotay I want to start to try to have another child with you right away. Thinking that maybe it will help me heal in ways no one has ever expected.”
“Okay, lets do it but promise me one thing…don’t get upset if we don’t get pregnant right away it could take time everyone says that and the doctor also said it could be painful when we first get intimate after the surgery so please promise me you won’t get upset.”
“Okay I promise, will you be patient with me on being intimate it may take a while for me to get into the whole sexual thing.”
“I will.”
Janeway smiles for the second time since the death of their daughter. Chakotay missed that she looked so beautiful. Chakotay took her into his arms and sat on the hot, dry sand beneath their feet they held each other for hours in complete silence. There was a long road ahead for Janeway and Chakotay but they accepted that challenge with open arms.
=/\=
Chapter Three
Janeway alone is walking down the corridor to Sickbay thinking of both the pros and cons of the surgery. Pro: She could possibly conceive Con: The probable concept of going through months of excruciating pain and sickness. Pro: She and Chakotay would have baby Con: She wouldn’t be able to take care of it for the first few weeks of its life. Pro: A baby Con: She would have to step down her command for the whole nine months. Pro: She would have a baby. One idea kept crawling in on Janeway’s thoughts. Definitely, what she wants to do no matter what pain she will endure. As Sickbay’s doors hiss open in front of her, she finally realizes that whatever the Doctor has to do this is what she needs.
“Hello Captain how can I help you today. I hope you aren’t ill but if you are you know that I am the best physician on the ship. I’m the only physician so I guess that, that would make me the best.”
“Doctor remember months ago after I loss my baby on the planet you told Chakotay that I would never be able to have another baby unless I have some really delicate surgery?”
“Why yes of course I do, you didn’t want anything to do with the surgery, if I remember correctly you said you wouldn’t want surgery if your life depended on it. Have you changed your mind?”
“I know I was terrible at the beginning but I needed to find out why God took my daughter away from her parents. Months went by, I didn’t find an answer yesterday Chakotay took me to the holodeck, and we sat on the beach and discussed it. I want this surgery but I want to find out all of the details before I make such a decision, Chakotay is on the bridge but we decided it was going to happen I was concerned I wasn’t ready. Doctor do you think I am ready to take such a gigantic step in my life so soon after the death of my baby?”
“I think you are ready but you must understand the risks that are involved in this delicate surgery. I have to make an incision just below the umbilical line it will be about 3-7 inches in diameter, there will be scarring. Then I have to cut into your uterus remove the scared tissue with a laser scalpel. I then have to suture up the incisions in your uterus, which again will have scarring, but not as severe as it is now. Then I have to move up into your ovaries to inject them with a female hormone, progesterone so they may again release an egg. Again, I will have to repair the damaged tissue. Finally, I will have to close the incision in the uterus, ovaries, and below you umbilicus. It takes a great deal of time and patience and you will be in a great deal of pain for three months.”
“I understand that but it’s something Chakotay and I want to do. He told me that he would be there for me and help me through and I think I can make it. I want a baby now more than ever and I know that you can do that.”
“I told you that it is possible that you will become pregnant and there is also the possibility that you may not. I don’t want you to get your hopes and dream up, only dashed when you cannot become pregnant. You must understand the risks.”
“I understand them and I still want to do it. Can you just tell me how you are going to do this surgery and when you will do it. I want it done right away the sooner the better.”
“I can start tomorrow morning at 0800 hours. I want Chakotay here when you are sedated it helps the patient go under with ease and comfort. You will also be under for several hours he needs to be there for you in case we start to loose you while we are performing the surgery and after the surgery he can help you come out. It is proven in Earth’s past that someone that is close to the patient can hear the ones they love and come out of the sedative.”
“That sounds risky. But we have talked about this we want to do this I will contact Tuvok to see if he can man the bridge while I undergo surgery.”
“Can I ask you something off record?”
“Sure.”
“Have Chakotay and you really thought about this surgery or have you only talked about this surgery.”
“Yes, we want it.”
“Do you both want it or just you?”
“I guess me more than anything, Chakotay is worried that I haven’t let enough time go by and he also worries that it won’t happen. You know that I get pregnant and doesn’t want me to go through the surgery unless I am sure I can live with it if I can’t get pregnant.”
“Can you live with it if you don’t or can you live with it if you do? These questions, Physicians ask all the time. I can perform the surgery and do my best to correct the problem the only thing you need to do is to recover.”
“I want to do it for myself as well as Chakotay.”
“Alright I will see you both tomorrow at 0800 hours make sure Chakotay come he is the key part in the surgery. I will have Lieutenant Paris as an assistant but I want you to give me the okay before.”
“He can assist without him I wouldn’t even have had the chance to see my baby even if she wasn’t alive. I want to thank him for everything he did to help me through that difficult time.”
“Okay, come here about 0730 so we can run the pre-op tests and exams that way we don’t have to delay the surgery any longer than we expect.”
“Thank you Doctor for everything.”
“That’s my job. I’ll see you both here tomorrow.”
The next morning Janeway is up at 0700 hours getting prepared for what lays ahead in the surgery. Although slightly nervous, she knows that the Doctor is the best physician in the quadrant. Chakotay is in the bathroom getting ready while Janeway kneels down to pray for a successful treatment.
Fifteen minutes later her and Chakotay enter Sickbay the doctor and Tom have already set up the pre-op equipment all they need is the patient and at least 6 hours for the surgery.
“Hello Captain, Commander I am glad you could come earlier it makes the surgery come closer and I know how much you want this done.”
Paris is off in the corner cleaning some utensils Janeway sees this and excuses herself while the doctor and Chakotay discuss the details of the surgery and Chakotay gets over his last moments of jitters.
“Tom, I’m glad you are here I couldn’t imagine going through surgery without you by the doctor’s side. I know you are uncomfortable here since the last time you performed surgery it was quite an emergency.”
“I know that I couldn’t help your baby and I just feel that if only you were home on VOYAGER that baby would still be alive and probably out of Sickbay’s incubators. I’m sorry I couldn’t do anything more or ease the pain I know you were in.”
“It’s okay Tom you did the best you could and if anyone else was there they would have not known what to do. I’m glad you were there.”
“Thanks, we had better get you in a gown and set up for some pre-op tests. Here is a gown use this sheet to cover up from the waist down leave this open in the front the doctor can get to you belly button easier.”
“Thanks.”
Janeway smiles and moves to a room on the side of sickbay’s surgical bay. Closing the door behind her, she takes a deep breath and exhales as she removes her clothing and places a gown on. Soon she exits the room and Paris assists her onto the bio-bed, drawing several samples of blood and hormones.
Thirty minutes later, a curtain drapes above Janeway’s chest the sheet on her lower half of her body and Chakotay holding her hand as the Doctor inserts a hypo into Janeway’s carotid artery.
“I love you Chakotay always.”
“And I love you to.”
“I need you to count down from 100 when I know you are completely out I will begin the surgery. Now start counting now.”
“100…99…98…9sev”
Soon the monitors scream she is out and the Doctor looks at his patient, her husband, and his assistant. The doctor withdraws the cover just below her pubic line we can see a nasty looking scar crossing entirely over her stomach.
“Laser scalpel…”
The steady humming crosses her scar and soon we see the muscles in her abdomen. The doctor cuts through every layer of her abdomen carefully and perfectly soon he reaches her uterus.
“Retractors”
We can see the scarring leaving masses of tissues in bundles still healing after the first incision. Chakotay strokes her hand and looks on as the doctor begins to carefully reconstruct her scars to almost minimal.
After a very tiring and complicated seven-hour surgery, Janeway is now in the recovery room. Chakotay is still by his wife’s side stroking her hand and talking with her as though she was fully awake. Soon a brief mumble catches Chakotay’s attention as Janeway slowly opens her groggy eyes. Blurred vision blocks her from seeing the individual next to her but the outline of his tattoo brings Janeway to a smile.
“Hey Chakotay how did it go? Can I get pregnant now?”
“I’ll go get the Doctor he can explain it better than I can. Doctor she’s awake and has some questions.”
“I’ll try and answer them as quickly as I can.”
The doctor moves over to the recovery bed that Janeway is laying on and smiles Janeway is nodding of occasionally.
“How are you feeling Captain are you in any pain?”
“No I feel sleepy, potent stuff you gave me there I can’t feel anything from the waist down.”
“That’s just the sedative when it starts to were off you will be able to feel some pain just let me know. I have a prescription hypospray that will give you some ease.”
“So can I get pregnant?”
“Well we removed the scarring around and on your uterus one ovary was removed because there was to much damage I couldn’t repair it so you will only get your cycle every other month. However, other than that you came through the surgery well aside from a few scary moments. I believe that after your check-up three months from now you can start and try to have a family.”
“Thank you doctor, when can I go home?”
“I would like to keep you here overnight for observation you lost a lot of blood during the surgery and see how your incisions are healing. But you don’t have to worry about Chakotay I will have a bed set up next to yours so he can spend the night here with you.”
“Thanks doctor.”
Janeway stifles a yawn.
“Your sedative is beginning to take affect you need your rest.”
“Thanks Doctor and thank you Tom for everything.”
“Your welcome.”
Janeway drifts off into a long sleep as Chakotay looks on to his wife. She looked so weak but beautiful to him. After he is sure she is asleep, he leaves his wife and moves to talk to the doctor.
“How much pain will she be in for the next three months Doctor?”
“We did a lot of pulling and tugging so she will have a lot of pain in her abdomen. She will not be able to sit up by herself for a least three week and will need constant care. The anesthesia will start to wear off and she may become nauseous or even suffer severe nausea so make sure there is some type of container nearby in case she becomes ill. If her incisions seemed to become infected call me immediately or if she become disoriented.”
“I can ask Tuvok to take some extra hours until she is comfortable enough for another person to look after her. I’m sure that B’Elanna will come and stay with her while I go on duty. I think that she will like to have B’Elanna come by and visit.”
“Okay.”
In the middle of the night Chakotay awakens at the sound of a grunt of pain knowing it is probably Janeway he rushes over to her side. Janeway is in a lot of pain and Chakotay can tell by the expression of pain written across her face. Chakotay take her hand and tries to sooth the hurt with comfort.
“Do you want me to activate the Doctor to give you some pain medication? I ‘m sure he’d want to know if you were feeling any pain even if it was mild.”
“No Chakotay I’m alright, I have to go to the bathroom and I don’t know how to do it since I can’t sit up.”
“The Doctor put a catheter in for the next three months he will come by and change it every day. If you need to do other business I am not going to say what, than I am supposed to but something that looks like a diaper on. Just let me know.”
“I have to pee that’s all for now but I am sure that I will need to do the other sooner or later I’m glad you’ll be there to do that.”
“The catheter is in now so you can go as you wish. Are you in any pain?”
“No whatever drug he gave me for the surgery hasn’t worn off yet I wonder if I can get some for headache instead of that generic stuff he always gives me. It makes me sick.”
“I’m sure it has a morphine base so he won’t prescribe it to you. Instead, he prescribed you “Naproxen Sodium” he says you are supposed to take it with food or a glass of milk to prevent nausea and bleeding in your stomach. Are you sure you are okay?”
“Not really I feel sick to my stomach but don’t worry I won’t toss my cookies I don’t have anything in my stomach to toss.”
“Maybe we should activate the doctor he can give you something for that so you can get back to sleep.”
“No really I am fine just lay down with me.”
“We both won’t fit on the bed…but I bet I can move this cot over next to you so we will be laying with each other just not on the same bed.”
“I don’t care Chakotay just be with me.”
Chakotay moves his bed over next to Janeway and hold her hand as she slowly but surely drifts into slumber. Chakotay stay awake a few minutes later trying to find out a way he can move her sleep in the same bed with her that won’t cause her any serious pain. He couldn’t deal with lying in a different bed.
The next morning Chakotay activates the Doctor when he awakens the Janeway gasping in pain. Frightened he panicked and activated the Doctor without even thinking.
“Please state the nature of the medical emergency.”
The Doctor sees a panicked Chakotay hovering over Janeway like a wounded animal. He can hear brief cries escaping Janeway’s pursed lips.
“ I see the drug has finally worn off. Apparently, your body used the pain medication longer than I anticipated so we will have to remember that next time you have surgery to give you ¾ of the original dose. Now what can I do for you today?”
“Doctor! She’s in a lot of pain just look at her she’s hurting so much she can hardly breathe.”
“I told you this surgery was going to cause a great deal of pain. Here s a painkiller it will cause drowsiness I want to examine her before I allow you to take her back to your quarters. This painkiller will numb her from the waist down so you can carry her to your quarters, and she won’t feel a thing. Be careful with her for the next few hours is her pain comes back or gets worse call me right away and I will be there in a snap.”
“Okay Doctor now can you give her the pain medication so I can take her home. She wants to go home.”
“I need to examine her before you take her home”
Chakotay nods and Janeway is given the painkiller it take effect almost immediately as Janeway slowly drifts into another sleep.
“This medication should keep her out for at least three hours but when she wake up again she will need another hypospray. Now lets see her incisions.”
Chakotay lowers the covers from her chest down and the Doctor opens the lower half of Janeway’s gown. There is some redness and bruising but no sign of infection. The doctor is pleased and covers her up again.
“She’s coming along better than I expected. The Captain has a remarkable healing time. She is asleep so you can take her back to your quarters call me the minute she wakes up so I can check on her again. Change the dressing every 2-4 hours as needed to prevent the swelling from getting worse give her an ice pack for 15 minutes and a heating pad for an additional 15 minutes as needed to minimize the bruising. Try to get her to each something when she gets up even if it is Chicken broth. I will contact Neelix and he will bring up some soup and tea don’t worry Chakotay I will let him know not to put in any spices she needs bland food because of the surgery.”
“Thank you Doctor I want to take her home now if you are finished. I want to put her down in bed and change her out of this gown. She would be happy if she woke up to her own quarter rather than staring up into the lights in Sickbay. No offense I assure you.”
“It’s alright Commander I have heard worse. Go on I am finished examining her be careful when you pick her up I don’t want her to start bleeding where the incision was.”
“Yes, sir I understand. I will see you in a few hours.”
The Doctor nods and Chakotay gently and affectionately takes Janeway in his arms and walk out of Sickbay. The Doctor smiles at his milestone and hopes that in the next few years, the surgery will be a success and they will be welcoming their first child.
A few hours later while Chakotay’s eating his lunch Janeway awakens to darkness and some pain in her middle. She calls Chakotay’s name and he comes rushing in.
“What? What’s wrong are you in any pain are you going to be sick there is a container next to you if you need to vomit. Do you need to use the bathroom?”
“Chakotay honey relax, I am just fine a little sore but other than that just fine. How did I get in here without knowing? Did the doctor beam me here or something?”
“No, I carried you here after the painkiller took effect. I thought you would rather wake up in here than staring into Sickbay’s bright lights.”
“You are very smart I didn’t want to wakeup to Sickbay’s light I have been in there long enough. Besides, I wanted to be home with my husband even if we couldn’t make love like I want too. But don’t worry after these three months are over with I will make it up to you.”
“I know you will but for right now just concentrate on getting well and resting you are officially on leave until December by orders from the Doctor. I go back to the bridge tomorrow but don’t worry B’Elanna will be here to take care of you if you need anything.”
“Thanks Chakotay, now go get Neelix so I can get something into my stomach before I shrivel up like an old lady.”
“Okay, Chakotay to Neelix please bring what the Doctor has given you for Captain Janeway’s stomach. Try and remember she needs something very bland if you add those spices you always add she will be sick all night and I don’t want to deal with that.”
“Yes, Sir I will be right there.”
A few minutes later Neelix comes to their quarters with a bowl of chicken broth as bland as it can be. With a smile, he's greeted at the door with Chakotay. Janeway is on the bed reading some ship information. However, is overcome by a wave of pain and cries out. Neelix hears this and grabs a hypospray nearby. Chakotay moves over to the bed as Janeway was arching her back as the pain overtakes her and tears begin to spill from her closed eyes. She tries not to let Neelix see but can’t do it the pain was controlling her entire body. Chakotay administers the painkiller and slowly the pain is controlled. Janeway wipes away her tears as Neelix approaches the bed and sets her soup down on the night stand nearby.
“Are you alright Captain, you had me worried when I heard you cry out in pain. The whole crew is rooting for your quick recovery so you can return to us.”
“I won’t be doing much socializing for the next few months I have to stay on my back and off my feet until December. I am sorry I will miss Prixin this year.”
“That’s alright, we will bring Prixin to you I’m sure that the crew will feel better once you start to recover.”
“Thank you Neelix, I hope you come to see me besides just bringing my meals to me. I hope you also bring by Naomi to see me.”
“Oh I will no need to worry she would be glad to help you out with some of the things you need her to do. She is the Captain’s Assistant after all I will have her come by after her studies are complete with the Doctor. I am sure that Samantha won’t mind.”
“Thank you Neelix.”
“Well I had better go I have 130 individuals who are waiting to taste some of my Gavnion stew brewing on the stove. I will see you at dinner Captain get well soon we all miss you.”
“I will try.”
Later that night Chakotay climbs onto the bed per Janeway’s request to sleep next to her husband. Not that they could do anything even the slightest jostle would make Janeway cringe and cry out in pain. Chakotay tried hard not to move the bed too much but even the slightest movement would cause tremendous pain. It was going to be a very long three months but at least the surgery would bring up their chances to have children. Chakotay lay gently down on the bed and closed his eyes. Unconsciously he moves his hand to trace the creases of her forehead and pull away stray strands of her hair. Slowly they drift off into a hopeful to uneventful night. There was still a long way before Janeway would fully recovered from her ordeal but it was worth it.
=/\=
Chapter Four
Chakotay open his eyes and glances at the chronometer across the room. With a groan, Chakotay shuts it off with a simple command. Slowly he climbs out of bed making sure he does jostle the bed or make any sudden movement to awake Janeway. She was up all night in terrible pain so he wants her to rest as much as she can while the pain medication still works.
Janeway makes a small groan and slowly opens her eyes. She looks upon Chakotay and smile. Apparently, the medication is still working or she wouldn’t be smiling.
“Good morning husband how are you today?”
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to wake you I tried very hard not to move the bed so you can rest. It was a pretty rough night you must be really exhausted.”
“No I’m alright I am feeling a little pain but nothing to worry about I have had cramps worse than this. Will you be back for lunch?”
“I don’t think so, but B’Elanna will be coming by in an hour do you think you can manage without anyone for that time because if you can I will contact the bridge and tell Tuvok you need me until B’Elanna comes by.”
“NO! I will be just fine besides I just woke up because I could hear you turn the chronometer down. I will most likely go to sleep when you leave for the bridge.”
“Okay, but if you need anything contact me immediately. I don’t care if we are in the middle of a battle. I want to know if you are in any pain.”
“Isn’t that why you asked B’Elanna to come by? Please Chakotay go on don’t worry about I will be just fine. B’Elanna and I need to catch up on old times anyway.”
“Okay, I don’t mean to keep pestering you but I am very worried you have to lay on your back for three months I don’t think you can make it.”
“You are probably right but right now bed is a good idea so why don’t you replicate yourself some over-easy eggs while I go to sleep.”
“Sure, can I give you a kiss or will you be in any pain?”
“Go ahead, it’s been a long time since I got a kiss from you I don’t care how much pain I am in.”
Chakotay smiles and leans over Janeway’s body planting a kiss on her lips than her forehead. Surprisingly she didn’t experience any pain. She wasn’t sure if Chakotay’s kiss moved the pain away or that the pain was easing ever so slightly.
An hour later B’Elanna enters silently into Janeway’s quarters. Janeway slowly awakens as B’Elanna takes her seat in a chair near the bed and pulls out some reports from Engineering. Janeway smiles up at B’Elanna, she still hadn’t shown her recent pregnancy but Janeway could see the glow all over B’Elanna’s face. B’Elanna looks down at her best friend and gives her a large smile.
“Hello sleepy head how are you today?”
“Oh I am just fine had a rough night I didn’t get to sleep until around 0500 hours. Poor Chakotay he had to go to bridge duty at 0700 hours he has to be exhausted. I feel terrible on having him up with me all the time he needs his rest but I can’t really hide the pain I feel.”
“I don’t think Chakotay minds staying up with you. He loves you a lot everyone can see that. Not every husband will handle your condition as well as he had today. I don’t think Tom could be as calm about it if it were me instead of you in that bed.”
“Chakotay is really great about all this. I couldn’t believe it at first because it takes a lot out of the body. He hasn’t slept in the last few days very well. I try to hide it but Chakotay can tell.”
‘What is the worse part about staying in bed for three months on you back. I would love to do it sometime just not, what you did. When this baby is born, I probably will be on my back for a few days. The doctor has said that her cranial ridges may get caught similar to what happened with Naomi.”
“It isn’t that fun I can’t do what I love to do. However, when I decided to have this surgery I knew the consequences it would have on my command structure but I wanted the chance to give Chakotay another baby to actually know how it feels to become a father. To watch his baby come into the world and know that it was a part of us. Chakotay would make a great father I can see it when he is around Naomi.”
“You are also going to be great mother. Unlike me, I was an only child so I never got the chance to practice on a sibling. You had a baby sister, I bet you were like a mother hen when it came to Phoebe.”
“Actually I never liked her she always took attention away from my father and even more from my mother. For two years I thought her name, was “Your sister” isn’t that silly? Of course I was only 4 when she was born so at six is when I found out her name wasn’t “Your sister.” As we both got older we fought more than played with each other.”
“Well why did you fight, I wanted to have a sibling more than anything and when I found out that that wasn’t going to happen I made up imaginary friends who were human. However, as I aged I grew out of that and just read. I loved to read my father would bring me classics to read. I couldn’t put them down for a moment.”
“I loved to read as well. I used to hide under my father’s desk while he was working and learn my multiplication facts. By the time I was four years old I knew my tables up to 12 times 12. If I got them right my father would play a special game with me. He called me “Little Bird” I wasn’t sure why he called me that I was the oldest. Instead of going outside to play, I would study complicated math problems. That is why I went to Starfleet, not only to assume role of my father but I have always believed that my father taught me those things because I was destined to go. I miss him so much sometimes I dream about him and it seems so real. But than I awake only to find it was a dream and my pain begins again.”
“My father and I never really got along as you know neither did my mother and I. I think it was because she was so Klingon that it drove me crazy on some of the things she made me do. I used to blame myself when he went away but than lately I found that I think she drove him away. I mean she even had us do some silly Klingon ritual. “
“I thought that you liked some of the rituals Klingon’s did. You even celebrated you “Day of Honor” on Voyager. Why was this one different from the others?”
“Most Klingon rituals involve food of some kind like “Blood Pudding” or the hart of a Targ. That kind of food didn’t agree with my human anatomy yet she still made me do it. I was sick for a week.”
B’Elanna hears Janeway groan quietly and walks over to the counter to grab the analgesic serum for Janeway’s pain. As she loads the container Janeway groans louder. B’Elanna rushes to her side and injects the serum into Janeway’s neck. The pain eases slightly and the grimace on her face fades slowly but surely, when the medication takes full effect.
“Are you feeling better?”
“Yes, I am sick to death of this pain. I knew the symptoms would be painful but I didn’t know it would be so exhausting to feel the pain.”
“Well the medication has some side effects maybe that is what you are experiencing. Perhaps I should let you sleep I have a long way to go in this book maybe by the time you awake I will be done and we can talk about the book.”
“Sure, good night B’Elanna. You are welcome to go to sleep in the next room it is the guest room. Probably if this surgery is successful we can change it into the nursery.”
“Don’t talk like that. You have a lot of faith more faith than most of the crew combined. I know that you will have a baby someday and hopefully sooner than you think. You know, I bet we could actually go out and leave the guys with the children. They need the practice.”
“That’s a really good idea. However, Chakotay and Tom may not like the idea at all. Can you imagine those guys would be going crazy within the first few moments? We wouldn’t even get out the door before they would be calling our names.”
“Yeah I know that’s why I think we should do it. You know how they are always saying, “I wish I could take away some of your pain” well this is the only way I think we take them up on their word.”
“Well, I am going to read the rest of these reports, why don’t you rest with a nap I will be here when you wake up if anything happens. Maybe that pain killer will knock you out until Chakotay comes back.”
“Nah, I am sick of sleeping. I cannot believe I just said that. I am by far one of the people who need their rest. I just do not want to do that the whole time I am in bed. Why don’t you tell me what book you are going to read?”
“It’s an Earth classic, “A Christmas Carol” I have never read it before and the Doctor said that I remind him of the ghost of Christmas future. I want to know it that is a good think of a bad thing. Maybe you can tell me so I don’t have to read it, it doesn’t seem very interesting.”
“Sure I would love to. Maybe it will help me keep my mind off the pain and prevent me from falling asleep again. Let us see, I have not read this book since I was a teenager so it may be a little vague. Hmmmm…okay it starts off with a greedy old man, named Ebenezer Scrooge, who hates Christmas, he hates it so much that he has ignored the fact that there are those out there who celebrate the holiday. His assistant Bob Cratchit is his only employee and has a family of his own. When he moves to put more coal in the old kettle stove Scrooge yells at him asking what he thinks he is doing? Hesitantly, Bob answers “Just wanted to add more coal to the fire so the ink would thaw out.” Well Scrooge didn’t like that saying that coal costs money and if he wanted to he would take it out of his pay.” Well Bob could not because he was such a poor man and his family needed the extra money. Therefore, Bob quietly moved back to his seat and sighed. One more thing he wanted to ask... “Pardon me Mr. Scrooge tomorrow is Christmas Day, would it be alright if I take off half-a-day so I can celebrate Christmas with my family?” Well, Scrooge was not happy and he let out a mumble. “Christmas, bah humbug.”
“Bah humbug, is there such a word in the universal translator. If there is, I have not heard about it. Maybe its another language?”
“I don’t think so, but who am I to judge, Charles Dickens has his own unique language. Anyhow, Scrooge wasn’t to humble about it but agreed anyway all he was going to do that day was count all his precious coins and see how rich he was compared to everyone else. Suddenly his nephew bangs the door down and screams “Merry Christmas!” Scrooge answers back “bah humbug” his nephew doesn’t care an invites him to Christmas Dinner with his family and Scrooge asks several questions on what is going to be there to eat. His nephew starts naming off items on the dinner table and Scrooge starts to mimic him by asking a few of his own questions. He seems to be ready to accept the offer but he really is not and puts his nephew down by saying something like “do you know what that will do to my body. You want to kill me so you can get your hands on my money” Well the nephew is outraged saying he just wanted to have the whole family for Christmas Dinner and storms out of the building. Later that night two minutes before closing time Bob starts to pack up and leave and Scrooge yells, making sure that he stays the entire time.”
“Finally, at closing time, Scrooge lets Bob go and he leaves his building. Later that evening as Scrooge walks up the stairs he get the feeling that someone is following him, he also can hear heavy chains dragging. Feeling spooked he looks around and finds that no one is there. When he finally is ready to go to bed Scrooge sees his dead partner Marley. Scrooge is delighted that his old friend is back and they begin to reminisce about the old times and at first Marley is proud of what he did but they catches himself and begins to tell Scrooge about why he is here and why he is carrying those heavy chains. “Scrooge I am carrying these heavy chains because it is my punishment for what I did to all the people out there.” Scrooge of course does not believe him and just laughs in his face. But Marley warns that if Scrooge doesn’t change his attitude by Christmas Day this year he was going to die and his chains would be far more heavy.” Scrooge is scared and begs Marley to tell him what he can do to prevent this event. Marley tells him that tonight three ghosts will visit him within hours of each other and they will be able to answer his questions. Then Marley fades into oblivion never heard from again. But Scrooge can here is haunting words and nervously goes to sleep in his bed.”
“That would scare me too if I were in, what’s his name’s positions?”
“It would haunt anyone who read the story and didn’t leave much to society.”
“Anyway, at the stroke of midnight the first ghost makes his appearance. His presence scares Scrooge under his covers and the ghost removes the covers. Scrooge shaking with fear stammers out…”Who are you?” I am the ghost of Christmas Past. Grab onto my robe and I will take you to a time you have forgotten. Scrooge did not like that but the ghost took him anyway. The ghost takes Scrooge to a time when he was just a boy. A time that Scrooge has forgotten, a shy boy sit in the corner waiting for a dance with the girl he loved. Along came his crush he was taken aback by the memory. “That’s my old girl, we were so much in love, I was going to marry her not matter what. I knew it that day as soon as she kissed me. I do not know what ever happened to her. Boy wasn’t she a beauty.” Yes, she was but you scrooge began to love something more, even more then he love her.” The ghost begins to fade as Scrooge looks on and begins to wonder. “Why are you fading away?” “It is almost time for me to go” “Bit we must stay I want to remember this,” “I cannot” Suddenly Scrooge appears in his own bed. Believing it was just a dream he falls back to sleep.
“A few hours later another ghost appears. She is the ghost of Christmas present surrounded by tons of food. The food represented the greediness that people around the world have around this time of year. It also represented the greed Ebenezer had for his money. Without a word, she took Scrooge to another time far very familiar. It was the house of his partner Bob Cratchit. On a plate that seemed to fit a larger turkey, dinner was a minuscule bird and a few vegetables. Scrooge’s heart sank, “Surly they had more food than this?” “I am afraid not, that is all they can afford for this holiday.” Suddenly, from inside a small noise caught Scrooge’s attention. It is a small boy with a crutch hobbling down the stairs. Scrooge heart was aching, something was wrong with him but Scrooge did not know. “What is wrong with him?” “If you don’t change your attitude toward Christmas, this Christmas will be Tiny Tim’s last Christmas” “From inside Scrooge can hear a tiny voice saying a blessing. “ And God Bless Mr. Scrooge” it tore Scrooge apart as the ghost of Christmas Present fade away with Scrooge.”
“Finally this is where you come in B’Elanna the ghost of Christmas Future.”
“So why is it so bad?”
“Just listen…Scrooge awakens to the chime of his clock as a darkened thing stands over the bed of Ebenezer Scrooge which is no longer a bed it is a cold and lonely cell. Scrooge feels a mass amount of fear crawl over his body, as the ghost of Christmas Future does not reveal his face. Suddenly a finger points into a direction of a small-unmarked grave Bob Cratchit stands hovering over it. Scrooge’s biggest fear makes his way. “Is that the grave of Tiny Tim?” the lonely, dark head nods in reply. Suddenly fog covers Scrooge’s viewing area, Scrooge’s begins to fear what is next as the Ghost of Christmas Future pulls down his hood a revolting face appears sheer terror rushes over Scrooge’s body as the man laughs wickedly. Scrooge follows the finger to a large grave in the center of the cemetery. “Whose, may I ask, grave is that?” “Why it ‘s yours Scrooge” Scrooge than is pushed into the murky grave. Scrooge then awakens with the jumbled covers of his own bed. Scrooge rushes to the window to find it is Christmas morning knowing there is still time to prevent this horrible event. Scrooge rushes out in his nightclothes as well as slippers, gives bags of cash to the peddlers one the street, and buys the large turkey in the window. After being dressed, he rushes happily to Bob Cratchit’s house. Knocking with his can and putting on the most angered face Bob opens the door. Bob, this Christmas holiday is making us loose money, I want you to come back and work right this moment. Sir, this is Christmas. You said I could take a half-day. I know what I said I changed my mind, It’s only right that I…give you a RAISE!” Scrooge cannot contain himself and begins to laugh. He sees Tiny Tim and picks him up and together they laugh. Tiny Tim replies “God Bless Us Everyone?” Well that’s it…”
“That’s pretty good, however, I fail to see what the Doctor meant when he said the Ghost of Christmas Future reminded him of me. Am I that terrible?”
“Oh no, I think he meant that you are so closed up that you don’t let everyone help you with your problems. That because of this, you have this darkness over you and you won’t let the light in.”
“Oh, well now I will be more careful and let others help me with my problems. You told the story really well but I think I am going to read it anyway. Your medication must be kicking in I will let you rest. Thanks for telling me the story. Maybe when you are well again we can hold a play about the Christmas Story.”
Before she finishes, Janeway is asleep. B’Elanna opens the book and begins to read it.
=/\=
Chapter Five
Chakotay and Janeway are sitting in Sickbay waiting for Janeway’s test results. Soon the Doctor comes out with a smile on his face. Janeway and Chakotay let out a sigh of relief.
“So Doctor, how am I doing? Can we start to try for a family?”
“Well, I know how much you want to start right away but I need to keep track of your cycle for at least six months and I will need you to keep a journal of your…sexual activities.”
“Our sexual activities, why Doctor isn’t that kind of personal and should be kept between Captain Janeway and I?”
“Of course, but I need to know how Captain Janeway is doing. If something were to go wrong because of her surgery. I would need to know how to treat it before it causes more damage. You have enough damage already more would cause you to be infertile. I also need to administer hormone shots so her body prepares for the pregnancy.”
“I understand why you need to track my cycle, to bring up my chances of conceiving, but our sex life I mean, do you need to know everything?”
“Not everything, I just need to know when you have it and what happened after it. If you choose, the latter by letting me artificially inseminate you. I thought you wanted to try and do it naturally.”
“We do its just weird having to tell your friend when and where you had sex. Don’t you think that is wrong?”
“No Chakotay, I am your friend but I am also your Doctor and you should feel comfortable talking to me about this subject.”
“I will try. So when do we have to come back and see you?”
“Probably after you track you cycles for three months if you are not pregnant by then we can artificially inseminate you; if that is what you want to do?”
“It is Doctor, thank you for everything.”
“That’s why I am here. I will see you in three months and don’t worry I will administer the hormone shots.”
“See you soon.”
Janeway jumps off the biobed and they both head out of Sickbay they waited this long to get the go ahead on getting pregnant what is three more months.
=/\=
Three Months Later…
Janeway and Chakotay are again in Sickbay this time to conceive their baby. Although it’s not the traditional way, the outcome is a baby and that’s all Janeway and Chakotay wanted. Janeway and Chakotay are seated in seats across from the Doctors desk. Just putting the final additions on the last thing they needed to do before Janeway was to be artificially inseminated.
“Okay now, you Captain Janeway usually ovulate the 12th day of your cycle, a little earlier than most however, it doesn’t make it harder just easier. Now Chakotay in a few days I am going to need a sperm sample from you a little while later we will go on with the insemination and maybe two weeks later we can see if you are going to have a baby this time or not.”
“What do you mean this time, I thought this procedure was fool-proof and Kathryn would get pregnant right away?”
“I said she could get pregnant right away. This procedure is the only kind for Captain Janeway to be able to let her get pregnant. If she has surgery again it will weaken her uterus and she will never have a baby.”
“Chakotay please, you know how much I want to be a mother if this is the only way than let it be. I can’t go through surgery again, I won’t be able to handle it.”
“Okay, if this is what you really want. So when do you need the sample from me?”
“Now would be great the sooner we inseminate her the sooner we will be able to tell if she is going to have a baby. Now Captain, I need you to put these patches on you abdomen it will strengthen your uterus.”
“I understand Doctor.”
The Doctor nods and assists Janeway off the table as Chakotay is given a container and walks into the bathroom. A few minutes later Janeway knocks on the door giggling she says…
“Shall I talk sexy to you Chakotay?”
“No I think I am doing just fine.”
20 minutes later Chakotay emerges from the bathroom and hands the container to a gloved Doctor. Janeway takes a seat on a maternity table and covers herself up with a paper sheet. Chakotay smile and holds her hand as the Doctor begins the procedure. Painful gasps come out from Janeway’s mouth.
“Little tender there still?”
“Just a little, but nothing I can’t handle I have felt far worse.”
“Okay, that’s it, now I want you to lie here for 20 minutes and then you can leave and rest for the next two weeks. Come back if you are still having discomfort and maybe you’ll have a baby in the end.”
“Thanks Doctor.”
As the Doctor exits Janeway and Chakotay wait in silence until their 20-minute wait is over. Maybe this would be the only time they needed to go through this procedure.
A few weeks later…
Janeway just couldn’t concentrate. Could she be pregnant? Sure, it would be great to actually become pregnant on the first shot. However, one question still lingered in her thoughts. Was she ready to have this baby?
In Sickbay Janeway is sitting on the Biobed, unfortunately Chakotay was on Bridge Duty and couldn’t be there with her. The Doctor comes out of his office with a hypospray to see if she was pregnant.
“So how are you feeling? Any nausea, period etcetera?”
“I am feeling great, and not my period hasn’t come that’s why I’m here remember. Do you really think I could be pregnant?”
“Well, not getting your period is a good sign although we have been thorough this before. I think that you have a good chance.”
“Well then lets just scan me and see.”
“Okay.”
The Doctor takes the hypospray wand and runs it up and down Janeway’s body.
“Your blood pressure is a little high we will have to keep track of it incase there is a serious problem.”
“Your blood pressure would be high too if you were waiting to see if you could be pregnant after the first try.”
“I suppose, well you seem to be in pretty good shape you can remove those patches in a few weeks.”
A smile stretches across he face as he smiles with pleasure.
“Look what I found.”
The Doctor hands the tricorder over to Janeway, on the screen a second heartbeat and a small figure (about five weeks old) is seen.
“I guess congratulations are in order, your pregnant Captain and only after the first try. I could tell you the sex if you wanted to know it?”
“Lets wait for Chakotay, he would like to be here.”
“I can call him if you wish?”
“Sure, but don’t even hint that I am pregnant say something like “Sickbay to Bridge, Medical Emergency!” he will be down here faster than warp speed.”
“Sure, whatever you want.”
The Doctor taps his COM badge, “Sickbay to Bridge, Commander Chakotay report to Sickbay immediately. Sickbay out.”
Before the Doctor could finish, his sentence Chakotay’s voice and is heard over the COM.
“Tuvok you have the bridge!”
Chakotay came tearing thorough the doors of sickbay within 30 seconds to his surprise Janeway was sitting up on the bed smiling.
“What is the emergency Doc?”
“No emergency, just wanted you to hear the news, Captain Janeway is five weeks pregnant.”
“You’re kidding right, this is impossible, not on the first try, no way.”
“Yes, way look.”
Janeway holds out the tricorder and their baby’s first Polaroid Chakotay suddenly felt woozy and staggered on his feet but caught his balance as he stared awkwardly at the small being.
“I wanted you to be here when the Doctor told us the sex, unless you don’t want to know.”
“No, I do, tell us Doctor is it a girl or a boy?”
“Let me put it this way, B’Elanna and Tom’s daughter will have a best friend…it’s a girl. She’s beautiful and healthy and should be here around the early summer. Probably by the looks of her gestational age, the end of May. Congratulations both of you and I hope Captain Janeway you will take good care of your body while your pregnant to prevent any complications?”
“I will, I promise you Doctor.”
“What are the possible complications involved?”
“Well, as I told you before you blood pressure is a little high at first I thought it was the excitement but I ran a stress test, you didn’t do very well. Be careful, you can go into premature labor again. The surgery you also had could also induce labor early. Just try and keep stress free and you should have a normal delivery”
“I don’t need a cesarean section like you thought before.”
“Well, right now the baby is in the correct position. I don’t want to do surgery on you again you alone couldn’t handle it again.”
“I will take care of myself doctor. Thanks again for everything.”
“No problem that’s what friends are for.”
Janeway and Chakotay exit Sickbay in each other’s arms as the Doctor smile with contentment. This was the greatest thing he has ever done.
=/\=
Chapter Six
Second Month:
Janeway sits alone at the table beginning to write a journal to her unborn baby girl. Chakotay is on bridge duty and the rest of the crew is asleep. Today was one of the best days in her life.
Dear baby girl,
It has been two weeks since we discovered that you were going to become a part of our family. Your daddy is so pleased that you are going to be a girl. I thought he would be more happy if you were a boy but he wanted a girl. We have seven months to get to know you. Your daddy is going to try really hard to be here for every thing you do. Although this time with your mother is the most sacred. The doctor told me that it is good to keep notes on your development. At first I wasn’t sure I wanted to but now I see a different perspective. If anything would happen to your daddy or me I want you to know how special you are to us. When you come of age I will give you this diary so you know everything that happened while I was carrying you. Tomorrow is going to be a very important day. Tomorrow your daddy and I are going to tell your future family that we have been blessed and a little baby girl will become the newest member of the VOYAGER crew. The best thing is that I haven’t gotten any morning sickness and I don’t think that I will. Although if I were to get it, it would just prove to me again that I have a baby growing inside of me. Right now you can’t even tell that I am pregnant with you. But the doctor said that it was fine and before we know it I will look pregnant. That’s why we decided to tell the rest of the crew before they find out themselves. Oh I hope they don’t go crazy, the crew has wanted your daddy and I to get together for the longest time. When we finally married they couldn’t wait for us to have a family. But that wasn’t as easy. You see a little while before we thought about having you I was pregnant. Oh, your daddy was so excited. He would finally have someone who could do all the things he loved the most with. I carried that baby for seven months and then we got called to an ailing planet. I won’t tell you what so you don’t become angry with it. But it was a lie. I wanted so much for us to find some friendly species to spend some time on shore leave. I got called down to assist and got caaptured by a man named Redik. He was very kind and saw of my “delicate” condition and took really good care of me. But he turned as your daddy closed in on him. He caused me to go into premature labor right there. I tried to hold back on the anguish I was feeling but your daddy knew and brought your uncle Tom to me. He had to take the baby or we both would have died. Unfortunately, your sister didn’t live and my life was shattered. I didn’t think I would ever recover but I did. With the help if this crew, and your daddy I recovered and we decided to try for another baby. I had to have surgery because without it I couldn’t get pregnant. So I had it but getting pregnant with you was very difficult. The doctor decided to try a procedure the could increase my chances to become pregnant. It worked on the first try and here you are. I still have seven months until I meet you but until then I will keep this journal for you and hope that it will help you understand what it was like when you were inside your mommy.
All my love,
Mommy
Janeway closes the diary and sighs with contentment. This truly was a very special baby girl. And she knew that her daughter was conceived for a special purpose. Janeway wasn’t sure yet what it was but she knew that it would happen.
Early the next morning the senior officers have assembled in the briefing room Janeway is sitting in her usual seat, at the head of the table, Chakotay was seated at the right of Janeway. The rest of the senior officers are seated down both sides of her. B’Elanna sits uncomfortably in her seat as the baby she is carrying makes it difficult to stay in one position for a period of time.
“You are all probably wondering why I have asked to have this meeting. It has nothing to do with ship business. Well, it does but not really. Anyway, Chakotay and I have something to say. Now you all know that we were trying to have a baby but we didn’t have any luck. So we decided to try one more thing and if it worked we would have a baby. Well, this is going to sound like a fairy tale, but, it worked and we are going to have a baby sometime in the middle of May.”
“That’s wonderful Captain, now I must give you a baby shower, on Talax we honor both the mother and the father. So, with your permission, I would like to have one in the mess hall in a few months. I have been wanting to extend my cooking skills so we will have a feast as well. Everyone is invited.”
“That’s very kind of you Neelix, but I don’t know if I will be comfortable going to my wife’s baby shower. Aren’t they for girls only.”
“Well they used to be. But as the years went on the father was getting involved. After all they do have a very important part in the conception.”
“Neelix is right, I will be at B’Elanna’s baby shower this will be something we can celebrate together, being a father. Come on why don’t we have a baby shower for both the Captain and B’Elanna. If it’s alright with you honey?”
“It would be a great time to catch up on things. Our daughters will be the best of friends. They can grow up together they will always have someone to play with. And Naomi can baby sit when we need to get out. Come on Captain, please have your baby shower with me.”
“Now how can I say no to that. Alright but we need to have it soon because by the time I am far enough along you will go into labor. You only have 2 months to go. I have seven.”
“We can make it for Saturday that way if B’Elanna and Tom’s baby decides to come early you will have the things she needs.”
“Okay, now get back to work Saturday is only three days away. We have to get some work done.”
My darling daughter,
Hello my sweet. The crew have decided to throw a baby shower for you Aunt B’Elanna and myself. At first I thought it was to early but B’Elanna is 5 months pregnant and because she is half Klingon she may deliver before normal klingon females deliver. I have several months to go but I figured that it would be better if we have the shower early incase you decide to come early. Neelix is a great man he is going to create the shower by himself, I don’t know if he can do it. Your daddy and uncle Tom are going to be there too. Your daddy wasn’t crazy about it at first thinking a baby shower was only for the “mother to be” instead of the “parents to be.” But Tom talked him into going after much bribing. This baby shower is going to be so special and you are so special to me. You’re only a few centimeters long and I am so much in love with you. I can’t wait to finally meet you and see who depends on me to survive.
All my love,
Mommy
The day of the shower...
The Mess Hall is decorated with pink ribbons, lace, bows, and wrappings. Everyone is in the Mess Hall except the guests of honor. Soon Janeway and B’Elanna enter the Mess Hall both dressed to the nines with their husbands on their arms. Both wearing a smile on their faces while the guys too wear smiles.
“Come here people and seat at the “Baby Table” I have used the Mess Hall tables to create a special center for the mommies and daddies. Here Commander, sit next to Captain Janeway and Lieutenant Paris, sit next to Lieutenant Torres. Now there that is what I was looking for. If you look closer to your table each of the crew member wrote a little something to assist in the raising of your daughters.”
“Thank You Neelix, the table is beautiful and thank you all for your parenting advice you have given the both of us. We may need to take you up on some of your offers, seeing that several have offered to babysit, after our daughters are born, Naomi you will have a job to do for a few days until we recover fully.”
“It will be my pleasure, after all these little girls will be like my sisters in a way. We were all born on this great ship and raised by wonderful people. Who could ask for more?”
“Well let the party begin...”
B’Elanna and Janeway with their husbands are seated at the “baby table” presents are scattered on the floor as well as several tables next to their “baby table” Naomi is giving the presents to the couples as Samantha writes the what they got and who from.
“Okay now here is a present from The Doctor, isn’t it beautiful wrapping.”
“Why of course it does, now lets see what you got for us here Doctor.”
Both mothers-to-be open the beautiful wrapping paper. Inside there was a box that held clothing. The women unwrapped the tissue paper inside was a small pick baby outfit with bears on the front.
“Oh doctor, its so beautiful I am sure that Miral will love it I think we will bring her home in this. Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure, you wouldn’t believe how long it took me to pick out the outfit. I didn’t know there were so many kinds of female baby clothing.”
“You’d be surprised.”
“The next present is from Harry.”
Naomi hands the present to the couples this time the fathers open the gifts the men laugh as they begin to unwrap a very bad wrapping job. Inside was another box that held clothing. As the men unwrap the tissue paper cloth diapers with a starfleet insigma on the front. Thanks Harry I wanted to use cloth it saves on the environment those disposable diapers kill millions of tree annually and being native american myself it helps me to keep up my family heritage so I may pass it onto my daughter.”
“No problem, I figured that it would save a lot on the waste disposals and besides you could easily replicate more.”
A few hours later...
The presents are near completely opened there only leaves one more for each it is from Naomi Wildman.
“This is from me I had to ask the doctor for some help as well as my mom she did most of it I just told her how to do it.”
Naomi hands over a large box with glittering paper to both Tom and Chakotay whom hand it off to their wives. Together they open it and peel away the tissue paper to reveal a beautiful hand made quilt. The couples gasp at its beauty they could tell that it had taken a lot of time for her to do it.
“Oh its so beautiful Naomi how did you ever find the time to make such a fine quilt. When I knitted a blanket for you it took me days.”
“Well it took much convincing with the doctor to with hold my study’s and mom worked on the sewing while she wasn’t sleeping or on duty. I pick out the fabric and designed the quilt myself. I wanted to give your daughter a blanket like you gave me one when I was born.”
“Thank you so much Naomi. I’m sure Miral will love the quilt it will be very warm.”
“Well that’s all for the presents. Now time for the cake and don’t worry it is replicated to Earths standards however, I still think it is rather bland we need some sweetener so I replicated some sweet cider to go with it.”
“Okay well lets eat before I go into labor and we have to put the party on hold until Miral is born.”
Later that evening...
My darling daughter,
Today we had a party for you I got so many different kinds of clothing you can wear each only once for three months. The crew were very generous, Naomi made this beautiful quilt for you all by herself, with the sewing skills of her mother. Chakotay is very pleased that you are a girl and he even has started telling me names and I am only two months along and he acts so protectively. He is concerned about everything I do if I make a noise he jumps up and asks if I’m in pain. But I’m not or if I say I have a headache he gets concerned about if I am having a bad reaction to the prenatal supplement and should go see the doctor for a lighter dose. He is sweet but I understand his concern. When I was pregnant with you older sister I had what is called placenta privia, which is when the placenta holds up the baby from coming. I was in a lot of pain when I was first diagnosed but the doctor treated me for it and I was well again but now your daddy is concerned that it may return. So far I have been find however I have experiences some discomfort noting bad I assure you just it’s strange that I am pregnant again. I have experienced some mild bleeding but haven’t told anyone except the doctor and begged that he not reveal it to Chakotay. The doctor said that because of the previous problem with my first daughter it would happen and may or may not continue throughout my entire pregnancy and I will have to tell Chakotay soon. But the doctor said that you are very healthy considering the way I got pregnant. But don’t worry I know that you will be full term when you are born and you will be loved unconditionally. Tomorrow I have to go see the doctor to hear your heart beat for the first time and maybe we can get another picture of you. Daddy can hardly wait to see you again. Not that you changed much in the last few weeks but the doctor wants me to come by and see him every two weeks to replace the patches I have on my abdomen but in a month I may be able to take them off earlier than expected. I hope so the patches are not very attractive nor comfortable. Well until next time I just wish the best to you and hope that you stay as healthy as you are this day always. One more thing, I wish that you can feel the love the ship has for you and hope that when you are born you welcome the universe into you heart like I did and can continue to embrace life as you have as of now forever.
All my love,
Mommy
Third Month...
My darling daughter,
Well we just ended the first trimester and to my surprise morning sickness has finally happened although I welcome it with open arms that means that I really am pregnant and you are on your way. Daddy is so nervous around me know afraid that I might vomit on him but I haven’t really vomited I just feel nausea occasionally with some of the things Neelix prepares for the crew. I have to see the doctor again today for my bi-weekly check up today we can see a better picture of you, are a lot bigger I know because I am beginning to show my condition. The doctor is concerned with my blood pressure it is a little high but there is no placenta privia that he was concerned with. I have a chance of having you naturally without a cesearn he thought I may need. So today we are going to discuss birthing methods and the items that are available for the delivery. Not to exciting I know but hey whatever is needed I would rather feel that everything is there incase something does occur. Well I hear your daddy awaking so I will say until next time.
All my love,
Mommy
Three hours later Janeway and B’Elanna are spending some time together helping B’Elanna put together a play pen nearby while discussing parenthood B’Elanna gasps suddenly as a contraction draws her attention.
“What’s the matter B’Elanna is the baby kicking?”
“No, I don’t think so. I think that I may be having a contraction.”
“Where’s the clock we need to time them.”
Janeway looks around and find the clock nearby.
Soon the contraction is over and B’Elanna is more relaxed than she was before.
“Well that wasn’t to bad it will be a long time before you actually need to contact Sickbay and your husband. I can’t wait until my baby is born. I don’t know if I can wait another six months.”
“Your time will be here before you know it. Then our daughter’s will be best friends like we became.”
“Do you remember when we first met. I told the crew that the Maquis and Starfleet were going to join forces and work together to find a way back home. You were so sure that I couldn’t do it and that Maquis shouldn’t have to listen to me. But you changed we all did.”
“And now I couldn’t imagine not being friends with you Captain.”
“I can’t either. Without you I don’t know where VOYAGER would be. It’s kind of neat that you and I are having a baby at almost the same time. It seems like fate has laid its hand in our case.”
“And it was a very good hand that it laid.”
Several hours later...
B’Elanna is breathing through another contraction a much stronger one. Janeway is by her side looking at the nearby clock while timing the contractions.
“Okay this is a really good contraction and they are ten minutes apart I think we better call Tom and the Doctor so you can have this baby.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“Janeway to Paris report to Sickbay immediately B’Elanna has gone into labor we are headed over to Sickbay right now.”
“Aye Captain, I’ll be right there. Commander may I be excused?
“Of course you are. Your wife is having your baby.”
“Thank you I hope to see you visit soon.”
“As soon as the newest addition arrives we will be there. I am sure that B’Elanna is in good hands with Janeway and the Doctor. Just remember how to breathe because she is going to need all you support. Having a baby is hard work.”
A few hours later...
“Attention all crew members Miral Paris has arrived weighing in at 6 lbs. 8 oz. Mother and Daughter a re doing fine.”
Shouts of cheers echo around the ship. Another member of the crew to take over if this crew in case we don’t arrive home in time.
Fourth Month...
My Darling Daughter,
Hello my darling its mommy again. I’m sorry I haven’t added to your journal. I was helping Aunt B’Elanna with your new friend. She is so beautiful she looks just like her mommy. Of course if you as her daddy he would say she looks like him but she doesn’t look like him nearly as much as she to her mamma. She has a mass of rich, dark, thick hair like her momma but she does have blue eyes for know. You just wait and see they will darken. Your daddy and I have began to work on your nursery. Every moment he has off duty he is building your cradle or wallpapering your room. It had cute little butterfly’s on it. He insists that your animal guide is a butterfly. Don’t ask me how since you have to go on the search yourself to find out your guide but your daddy has a way of knowing right off everything that is going on. I began to replicate some baby linens for you cradle. They are so beautiful, I think you will like them. Miral, Aunt B’Elanna’s daughter is getting so big. Your daddy has offered to sit for them so B’Elanna and Tom can have some time alone. Tom looks so warn out but I think he will get used to it soon. It just take a little time. Well I have to go for know I have an appointment with the Doctor again. But don’t worry I haven’t had any complications it is just routine. Until next time.
All my love,
Mommy
Chakotay came out of the bathroom just as Janeway closed her journal. With a smile Chakotay walked up to her and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
“Just writing an entry in our daughter’s journal?”
“Yeah, I want her to know how we were feeling while I was carrying her. I want her to know all about the people aboard the ship. She is going to have so many people to love. I just can’t imagine life without her.”
“When are you going to give this journal to her?”
“Oh I don’t know I was thinking maybe when she is old enough to read. Or maybe I should wait until she turns 16?”
“No, give it to her when she learns how to read. You are speaking of Miral aren’t you?”
“Yes of course.”
“Well, wouldn’t it be nice for her to know that her parents knew that she was destined to become friends with Miral. Just as you have become friends with B’Elanna?”
“I suppose you’re right.”
“Well we had better get to Sickbay before the Doctor has a fit.”
“I suppose so. Come on.”
A few minutes later...
Janeway and Chakotay enter Sickbay and see and obviously annoyed Doctor. It wasn’t as if they were a half hour late it was only a few minutes.
“I’m glad you finally showed up. I thought I would have to note you never showed up.”
“Doctor we know how important it is for you to see me but it was only a few minutes not hours. I was doing something and lost track of time. I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted. Now we must run the scans.”
Janeway nods and is helped onto the biobed by Chakotay. She then lies down and waits while the doctor runs the tricorder’s wand over her body.
“You still have high blood pressure, but I see no sign of placenta previa which is a very good sign. Would you like me to take some more pictures for your baby book?”
“Sure.”
“I still want to see you every other week it is still possible that you may develop complications.”
“Do you think that I may develop this “placenta previa” because of my previous history of having it with our first daughter?”
“It is very likely that you may develop it. But you have just began your second trimester and that is when we first discovered it. I want you to come to me at the very first time you experience any similar symptoms you had the first time.”
“Okay Doctor.”
“Now lets take a look at that baby of yours.”
Janeway lies back down as the Doctor scans her again. A few minutes later a holographic image is imprinted in front of Janeway and Chakotay. She is beautiful fair skin and hair like her mother but Chakotay can see strength in that tiny baby which he knows comes from him.
Fifth Month
My darling daughter,
I have just reached my fifth month. There is no sign of any complications as of today but the Doctor said it is still possible but I have high hopes and if it happens that I come down with complications I will do everything in my power to protect you. Well some good news today while I was getting dressed for duty I noticed that you were beginning to make your appearance. In a few weeks I will have to move to maternity uniforms. Samantha was kind enough to offer her maternity uniforms she used while she was carrying Naomi. But unfortunately she wears blue and I red. So I have to replicate red uniforms, but that won’t be for a few weeks. When we saw you two weeks ago we got a very good image of you. Daddy said that you look a lot like me. I agree but he also said that you have his strength which I also agree with. I can’t wait until you are here neither can the rest of the crew. For a long time your daddy and I kept our distance even though we fancied each other. I loved him since we were sent to live on “New Earth” as well as your father. When we finally were about to admit our love to each other they found a cure to the disease. That was the last time we actually thought would be our relationship. But our love stayed alive but we kept it hidden from ourselves and the crew. But B’Elanna she knew and so many time she set us up and played matchmaker. One shore leave we couldn’t deny our love and we let out all our emotions and that is when I got pregnant with your sister. It wasn’t as if we planned it, in fact we were very surprised but a few weeks later we married and the rest is history. Someday when you are older I hope that I can sit down and talk to you more about it. Well I have to go on duty in thirty minutes so until next time.
All my love,
Mommy
Later that evening...
Janeway is in bed reading a book while Chakotay sleeps soundly next to her. Janeway gently rests her a hand on her abdomen and smiles. Suddenly a small movement catches her attention. At first she was worried that she was developing placenta previa but when she wasn’t experiencing pain more butterflies in her stomach. The baby was moving finally after all this time it felt real. She was really going to have a baby. Gently shaking Chakotay awake he opens his tired eyes.
“What is it? Are you sick? Are you in any pain?”
“No, the baby she’s moving come on feel her.”
Janeway takes his hand and places it on her stomach Chakotay smiles at the gentle movements. He can’t believe that there is a baby inside his wife right now.
“That’s amazing. How do you feel I mean with the baby moving like that?”
“Oh its wonderful. B’Elanna said that you get used to it after a while so embrace it as it happens. That is just what I am going to do.”
“Well we had better get some sleep we both have big plans tomorrow. Tom and I are going to do fatherly things. What are you going to be doing with B’Elanna?”
“Oh I am going to help B’Elanna adjust. We have a lot of things we have to do.”
“Like what?”
“Oh you know, motherly things.”
“Whatever you say. But lets just get some sleep.”
“Okay honey, I love you.”
“I love you to, goodnight.”
Chakotay turns off the light and drifts off into sleep. Janeway unfortunately can not go to sleep. Although the Doctor said there isn’t any signs of placenta previa she can’t help but think maybe she will develop it again. But this time it will go south and she may not be able to see her daughter grow up. She can’t help but think that if something were to happen to her during the delivery of their second daughter. How would Chakotay feel if she would not make it through the delivery and leave him alone to raise their daughter. But she shouldn’t feel this way the medical advances have changed so much over the last few century he baby would have the best care. However, she cannot forget that the first daughter passed away in her father’s arms if only they were on VOYAGER her baby may not have died.
Sixth Month
My Darling Daughter,
Hello, honey today I am going to visit Aunt B’Elanna again. Tom has been working double shifts to make up for the time he had to take off when your friend was born. I think we are going to discuss how I am doing with the pregnancy and all and probably talk about birthing methods. I certainly don’t want to have a cesarean but the Doctor said it may be possible. Your daddy told me that if that happened he would take care of you until I am strong enough to care for you again. I think I will be just fine. We are almost finished with the nursery all that is needed is you. You have gotten so big in the last month. I had to change into maternity uniforms two weeks before I intended. I can’t even see my toes anymore. Lucky for me I don’t have to wear those awful heeled shoes. The Doctor was concerned with my back it seems you like to sleep there so without the heels it shouldn’t cause my back to ache. Well I had better go. Until next time.
All my love,
Mommy
Janeway enters B’Elanna’s quarters in slight discomfort but pushes it aside as B’Elanna motions her to come in. Miral is sleeping in a nearby cradle while the mother’s sit down on the couch.
“So how are you doing Captain?”
“We are not in a command structure you may call me Kathryn. Besides I think we will be seeing a lot of each other after my baby is born.”
“I will try but no guarantee’s”
Janeway tries to fight bay a groan as sudden pain strike her middle and a small gasp escapes her mouth.
“Are you all right?”
“I think so, but I’m scared.”
“Can you walk?”
“I think so, could you help me move?”
“Of course. Just let me contact Naomi to come and watch Miral”
“Torres to Naomi Wildman.”
“Naomi here.”
“Can you come and watch Miral for a little while I need to take Captain Janeway to Sickbay. Miral just went down.”
“I’ll be right there. Naomi out.”
A few minutes later Naomi enters B’Elanna and Paris’ quarters to find Janeway crumpled on the floor next to the cradle.
“Thank you for getting her so quickly. Miral will be up in an hour for her bottle they are in the warmer. Thanks.”
“No problem, you had better get the Captain to Sickbay she doesn’t look very good.”
“I was just going. Come on Captain we have to go before you get any worse.”
Janeway is assisted up by Naomi and B’Elanna and leave out the door.
A few minutes later...
Janeway is in less pain but as the pain comes and goes it gets worse. B’Elanna is doing her best on keeping Janeway on her feet but with as much pain as Janeway is in it is a rather difficult task.. The Doctor can see the distress that Janeway is in and the problems B’Elanna is assisting a women that is a heavy as her. He runs over and grabs Janeway and carries her to the bio bed. He knows what she is coming to him for.
“You’re having those pains again the ones you had with your first child aren’t you?”
“Yes, but they seem different not like before.”
The Doctor takes out the tricorder’s wand and runs it up and down Captain Janeway’s abdomen. The device confirms his suspicion that she was developing placenta previa. He’s treated her for this already once so the instruments were available and nearby.
“This will only take a few minutes. Then you know the rules, don’t get out of bed for the remaining of your pregnancy. It shouldn’t be more than a long weekend.”
“I understand Doctor, is the baby okay?”
“Yes, she is doing very good considering the circumstances. So far everything seems okay except you still have high blood pressure. But don’t worry its nothing to be concerned with now. In a few months we will.”
“Thank you Doctor for making the pain go away and for taking care of my baby.”
“That’s my job. I will do whatever I can to deliver your daughter safely.”
Seventh Month
My darling daughter,
Last week I gave myself a scare. I came down with placenta previa which the Doctor said might happen again. Don’t worry I’m fine now. My blood pressure is still up but the Doctor said he will just have to keep monitoring me. So far so good I can still have you naturally like I planned now it is up to you. If you stay in the position you are in now it should be no problem but if you flip then a cesarean is necessary. But I really don’t want to go through that kind of pain again. But if that means you will be healthy than I will accept it. Your daddy is getting anxious so am I.
All my love,
Mommy
Chapter Seven
AT 0230 hours the morning after Janeway wake up with a small cramp in her abdomen. Not panicking she goes back to sleep only to be awoken fifteen minutes later with a stronger cramp. Now she begins to worry the baby is seven weeks early.
“Chakotay, something’s wrong I am having contractions.”
“What do you mean having contraction you are seven weeks early you can’t be having contractions because I’m not ready.”
“Well our daughter is.”
“Let’s get to Sickbay maybe he can stop the contractions.”
“Okay.”
A few minutes later Janeway and Chakotay reach Sickbay. The lights are out and the Doctor is offline.
“Computer, lights.”
The lights flicker on.
“Computer activate Emergency Medical Hologram.”
The Doctor pops on and greets the couple his usual greeting.
“Please state the medical emergency.”
“Captain Janeway has gone into labor we were hoping you can stop the contractions and the baby will come when it is full term.”
“I will do my best.”
Chakotay lifts Janeway into his arms and walks over to the neonatal/maternity ward still in her night gown the Doctor instructs her to lay on her side to ease so of the contractions.
“This should take effect almost immediately.”
“Its not working Doctor they are coming quicker and stronger.”
“Why is that Doctor she is two months early. What about her placenta previa does she still have it? What about her blood pressure, you were worried about that?”
“Commander slow down, she still has placenta previa, and her blood pressure is high because of that.”
“Uh oh Doctor.”
Janeway says as the Doctor is trying to calm down her husband.
“What do you mean uh oh.”
Chakotay asks in a most panicked voice. The Doctor runs the tricorder over her abdomen.
“Her water broke.”
“Can I still labor?”
“Yes but I will keep you monitored every step of the way if there is any sign of distress I can get that baby out in now time.”
“But I can labor right?”
“Yes now just relax and breath every time a contraction comes I want you to take a deep cleansing breath and the take rapid breaths until the contraction ends. We haven’t had any Lamaze classes since you are two months early.”
“Well I didn’t do it on purpose she just is eager to enter the world I guess.”
“Well she won’t be here for several hours your are not having regular contraction so I can give you something to sleep and it will in no way harm the baby.”
“No thank you, I will be fine by Chakotay might need something to calm his nerves.”
“Some Valium?”
“No thanks I think I can handle it. Its just not every day we become parents.”
“No it isn’t but you both will make excellent parents. I know I can tell. Captain Janeway takes care of 152+ people on board this ship none of them are hers this one is special she belongs to the both of you.”
“That’s why Chakotay is so nervous about me having natural childbirth because of my previous history of surgery.”
“I assure you, your wife and Captain Janeway are in capable hands.”
“Please don’t worry Chakotay I am fine and so is the baby. Besides I have the best Doctor in the quadrant in my care.”
“The only Doctor.”
“Well, you are still the best.”
A few hours later Janeway is dilated 6 centimeters and seventy-five percent effaced. She is having more regular contraction but she is still far from having the baby. The placenta has not moved so she still has to have a cesarean.
“Okay here comes a contraction Kathryn the Doctor will keep track of the how the baby is and I will couch you through it okay?”
“Okay...ooo...here it comes.”
“Okay just breathe come on breathe the baby needs to get oxygen from you.”
“I’m trying it just hurts so much.”
“Just a little longer Captain Janeway you are doing better than most soon-to-be-mothers.”
After twenty-seven hours of labor it is time for the birth. It was an exciting event.
=/\=
Chapter Eight
The Doctor places a drape across Janeway abdomen. He pulls the paper sheet over to expose her swollen abdomen. Draws the tricorder over her abdomen to find out where the baby is. The placenta is still covering her cervix she is only 9 centimeters dilated but that was as far as the Doctor would let her labor. Paris is behind the Doctor holding a laser scalpel in one hand and a cloth in the other.
“Are you feeling anything below where I stuck the hypospray in you back?”
“No its pretty numb down there. How long will it take for me to get my feeling back into my legs?”
“You should be able to feel your legs in about 8 hours. If you don’t we will have to keep you longer than anticipated. Are you ready to see your baby for the first time?”
“Are you kidding I have been wanting to see our baby since the first day I found out I was pregnant. Lets go I can’t wait another minute.”
“Alright. Mr. Paris, laser scalpel.”
Paris hands the laser scalpel over to the Doctor. And begins to make the incision. There is only a small amount of bleeding.
“I see you have kept your shape you have a lot of stomach muscles.”
“Well its hard to keep in shape on this ship so I work out with Seven in the holodeck. She doesn’t want to admit it by I am better than she is.”
“I’m sure. We have reached the uterus soon we will be able to see your baby.”
As the Doctor reaches in Janeway can feel a lot more pressure than when he pulled apart her abdomen and soon Chakotay can see a mass of blonde hair emerging from the Captain’s abdomen. It was his baby and it was her baby. She was their child.
“I can see her Captain only the top of her head but she is so beautiful. She looks just like you do.”
As the Doctor reaches further in and pulls the rest of the infant out he can see that she is a spitting image of her mother. A mass of blonde hair, features of her mother were so dormant he began to wonder where he was in there. But than he saw it she has his mouth and hands. She was beautiful and he couldn’t believe that it was his daughter, his diamond , their diamond.
“Oh she’s beautiful she looks a lot like you Captain but I do see a bit of her father in her not as apparent but he is there.”
“I want to see her, can I see my baby?”
“Let me cut the cord then I will have Paris hold her up over the curtain so you can see her. She really is remarkable, and so much like you. She has leadership qualities I can see that now. Maybe she will bring this ship home.”
Janeway nods threw tears of joy. Chakotay can barely breathe his daughter was so beautiful he can’t get away from that. So much like her mother. Soon Chakotay cuts the cord as Paris cleans up the baby and wraps her in a warm, pink, blanket. While the Doctor finishes closing Janeway’s incision Paris hands over Chakotay’s daughter to her father. The baby lets out a content coo as she opens her eyes only briefly but Chakotay can see that she has deep blue eyes, they were sure to be brown when she got older.
A few hours later...
Janeway is holding her daughter and tracing every crease every mark on her daughter’s face. She was so beautiful. The Doctor hands over a bottle of warmed formula for the mean time until Janeway’s body begins to produce milk for the baby. Chakotay is sitting nearby on a chair as he watches in amazement as their daughter feeds hungrily from the bottle.
“We are going to have to put a name on this certificate soon do you have one picked out yet?”
“Well we did have Natalea Faith Janeway but as soon as I saw her I knew that she was not a Natalea Faith she was an Isabella Rae Janeway.”
“Isabella Rae, Isabella is french for beautiful isn’t it?”
“Yes and what better name could we give our daughter than one that signify’s how beautiful she is.”
“Isa bella Rae Janeway it is. She is in perfect condition considering she was almost 6 weeks early. Outside of some respiratory problems shortly after she was born she is as healthy as a full term infant.”
“Thank goodness, I don’t know what I would have done if she would have been sick for several weeks.”
“Don’t talk about that she is a fighter just like her parents. Now I am requested if you are in the mood for some company.”
“Sure the more the marnier. Bring them in.”
The Doctor unlocks Sickbay’s maternity recovery room to welcome in some of the crew. B’Elanna is the first to enter with Miral, following closely behind were Naomi and her Mother and Neelix.
“Hello everyone. Come on in come and see our daughter.”
“She’s so tiny Captain.”
“She was nearly six weeks premature Naomi, now that Isabella is here I am going to need my Captain Assistant more than ever as well as a baby sitter.”
“I’m here for whatever reason you need me Captain. Now can I hold her?”
“Sure be careful with her head. Samantha would you take her over to Naomi.”
“Sure captain. Naomi take a seat here in my chair I have held her a lot today I just can’t get enough of her.”
“I was the same way with my daughter Chakotay it must be a father thing.”
“I’m sure. Come on Naomi here take this seat your mom will had Isabella over to you since Captain Janeway is a little sore from her cesarean.”
“Sure Commander.”
Naomi takes a seat next to Janeway and Samantha hands the child over to her daughter.”
“I just can’t believe how tiny she is.”
B’Elanna brings Miral over to where Naomi is seated and kneels down. The young Klingon infant smiles as Naomi faces Miral.
“This is going to be your best friend Miral, her name is Isabella. You are only a few months older than her but I am sure you will be the best of friends.”
B’Elanna looks into Janeway’s direction
“Just as your mothers are.”
=/\=
Chapter Nine
Two days later the baby is healthy enough to go home considering its early delivery. Janeway is till very sore from the surgery but she is excited to finally get out of Sickbay. Janeway takes the small bundle in her arms as the Doctor runs one final scan on the new mother and her child. Both are in excellent condition.
“Well Captain Janeway, Isabella, you are free to go home. But take your time it takes a lot of effort to care for a new infant are you sure you are ready?”
“We are as ready as we can possibly be besides we have the greatest group of people on board. If we need any help they will jump at the opportunity.”
The Doctor nods as Janeway climbs off the bed in slight pain and together the new parents exit Sickbay.
A few minutes later...
Janeway enters her quarters with her husband and together they take the baby into her room. Chakotay had decorated it with butterflies. Her bedding and wall paper had butterflies on it and in small section of the wall hung her father’s medicane wheel. The wall were a soft lavender with a hint of pink in the corners. In a corner sat a white rocking chair with a matching crib. The things that her father made. Janeway was in awe at the amazement of the nursery. Inside their room lies a white bassinette where she will spend the first part of her life next to her mother.
“Chakotay I think Isabella likes her room. She is cooing. Maybe she knows how much time and effort her father put into this room.”
“Well someday she will find out how precious she was to us and all of our children will know.”
“I had better go get her fed she is hungry. I will be right back Chakotay.”
“Do you want me to make a bottle?”
“No I am going to try and nurse her. My milk should be in by now sorry you can’t do it. Maybe next time I will make a bottle and you can feed her. You have the morning
shift.”
“You should rest as soon as you are finished Isabella needs her mother to be as healthy as she can be in order for her to keep up with her.”
“I will Chakotay I promise now I have to feed my baby will you excuse me?”
“Sure when do you think you will be finished?”
“The Doctor said that I should only nurse twenty minutes at a time.”
“Okay I will see you in twenty minutes.”
Chakotay leaned over and kissed his daughter on the forehead and Janeway walked in to the next room to feed her daughter.
Twenty minutes later...
“Well, she is ready for a nap she was very hungry. I filled a bottle while she was feeding it is on the changing table could you go and get it and put it in the warmer you have the next shift.”
“I thought I had the morning shift?”
“You do I just thought that you wanted to feed her in two hours to get some fatherly bonding with his daughter. You don’t mind do you?”
“Of course I don’t.”
Janeway and Chakotay walk into their bedroom and lay Isabella down in the bassinet and soon she drifts off into a quiet slumber. Listening to the sounds of nature, the sounds her father grew up listening too.
A few hours later Isabella woke up and was ready for another bottle Janeway was asleep in the room and moved she awoke at the sound of her daughter’s cries.
“It’s okay Kathryn I will get her you go back to sleep. Besides its my turn to feed her remember.”
“Yeah I forgot. Thanks honey for taking care of her.”
“Hey you weren’t the only one who made her I think I had a pretty big part in it you know. I believe you just laid there right while the Doctor inserted you with my seed right?”
Janeway laughs lightly but groans in pain.
“Are you sure you are okay? I can contact the Doctor.”
“No I’m just fine, a little sore from the surgery. The Doctor said I would be for a week or two.”
“Okay now I have to feed our daughter I don’t want her to starve.”
“Okay go get the bottle I will take her out of the bassinet.”
Chakotay nods and moves into the ajoining room to retrieve the bottle Janeway filled earlier. This was going to be the best time of his life. Well until they had another baby.
=/\=
Chapter Ten
One Year Later...
The mess hall is decorated with pink and white balloons. Decorations of butterflies hand from the rafters as well as the windows. This is the celebration of both Miral and Isabella’s birthday. A few months later for Miral but she is loving it. Spending time with her best friend and they are only a year old.
“Neelix bring out the cakes we have to capture this moment on camera so that when the children are older they can prove they were best friends since they were babies.”
“Right away Tom, I have made something special for Miral as well as Belle. But don’t worry the cakes were replicated I didn’t add anything new. Didn’t want them to have their first cake and hate cake forever.”
Neelix exits out of the room as a rather large box is placed near the infants and their parents. It was a gift from their parents. It was also very hard to keep quiet for a few hours before the party. Soon Neelix comes back with two cakes. One with Miral’s name on it in the shape of a teddy bear and the other Belle’s name on it in the shape of a butterfly.
“Happy Birthday Girls this is a cake I made especially for you. It took some convincing mind you. But it worked out.”
The candle is lit as the parents and crew sing “Happy Birthday” to the infants and blow out the candles. Miral places her fist in the icing and winds up getting everywhere but her mouth. Belle sticks her fingers in and gets some on her clothes and nose but it was a cute moment.
A little while later it is time for presents. The biggest presents came first one for Miral and one for Belle. They may be a little young for it but they wouldn’t be forever.”
The boxes are opened and out comes Pure breed hymalayian kittens one female one male. They would grow up together.
“I can’t believe we found these cats out here.”
“You wouldn’t believe how long it took for us to find them than we ran into a trader on the planet right before we came up here that said his cate just have three kittens and he needed to find a home for them. Well being the animal lovers we are we decided to get them for the girls. They are litter-trained and have their own room where they can do business.”
“That was a great idea the children will love them if we have anymore.”
“We will have another one.”
Everyone looked at Captain Janeway as she smiled.
“Yes, Chakotay and I are expecting again. The baby is due in the early December give or take a month or two you know how our children are egar to make their apperiences.”
“That’s amazing, Tom and I are expecting as well, we are due in early November. We weren’t expecting to have one so soon but you know how it is.”
“It’s the same for Kathryn and I we didn’t need to do any special procedures to get pregnant this time we just did.”
“Are you having a boy or a girl?”
“Belle is going to have a baby sister.”
“What about you B’Elanna?”
“We are having a boy.”
“Your kidding right?”
“No we just found out today, ask the Doctor he is the one who ran the exam.”
“Is she really having a boy Doctor?”
“Yes she is. Now instead of best friends your children may become a couple in fifteen years you never know.”
“That is the best new I have ever heard.”
The End...Or is it?...feedback may continue this saga.
