Disclaimer: Paramount owns! I lust. No money or profit on my end.

Dedicated to listmom, Anne in Chicago, and my archiver, Noon, the archiver behind the writer.

[spouse reading datapad frowns] "Any idea why the captain wants us?"

[spouse examines clarinet, looks at protuberant middle, looks at clarinet again] "Good question. Another would be if I am up to another round of touch tag with the saclets?"

[spouse grins] "Try Brahms' Lullaby, that might calm them."

"I did." [spouse pouts] "Two night ago you suggested that. That's the last time I take a music suggestion from you."

"Oh yeah, I remember. They LOVED that."

[spouse snorts] "But I didn't. They were turning cartwheels for hours afterwards."

"What can I say. Like Father, like saclets. They love your music."

[spouse says with pride] "They do, don't they? But I really would settle for polite applause, not gyrations and cartwheels."

"Awww, they're expressing their love for their Daddy."

[spouse sticks his tongue out]

[spouse grins] "Play something for me."

"Do we have time? When does the captain need us?"

"Not until 1900 hours." [spouse struggles out of the chair with difficulty]

[soft music echoes through the quarters once spouse sits down on specially adjusted, superfirm sofa]

[forty minutes later spouse is asleep, snoring softly, sleeps on undisturbed through conversation with EMH. Clarinetist puts away instrument, stares at very prominent bulge that's changing shape]

[spouse touches middle gently, awestruck expression crosses face followed by proud smile]

"Hey, Tom. Wake up, lover."

"Wha...whazzit?"

"The Cap'n's waiting for us."

"Uh huh"

"And the Doc wants to schedule delivery times."

"Damn!"

The End

Continued in Parenting 304