Parenting 404: Graduation Day

by Maigret and Noon


[Tom and Harry are sitting next to each other, babies scattered throughout the room being held by various crewmembers]

[across the room three woman are engaged in a quiet conversation]

[Captain Janeway leaves her companions and begins clearing the Paris-Kim quarters and rescuing babies from their temporary keepers]

[the seven senior bridge staff and the hologram looked around at the detritius remaining from the rescheduled baby shower]

"How are you holding up Harry? It's been less than two weeks since your babies were born." [the Captain keenly assesses her Ops officer]

"I assure you Captain, Ensign Kim has fully recovered. I monitored him as soon as I arrived." [EMH answers officiously]

[dark haired Ops officer exchanges a smile with the captain] "I'm fine, Captain. By the way, thanks for the use of the Nanny. We are certainly appreciative."

"Of course, Harry. That reminds me though... Tom, you owe me some replicator rations."

[blond pilot's facial expression oozes innocence] "I don't think so, Captain. I'm sure I would've remembered."

"It has come to my attention that you have relieved many crewmembers of a large amount of rations."

[trying to maintain his innocent expression, Tom shoots a glare at the first officer]

"Don't blame Chakotay. I asked him a direct question."

"Uhh, well Ma'am, it was just too perfect to resist."

[sitting next to him, the captain pats his hand in apparent sympathy] "I understand how hard it would be. Just how much did you win?"

"Ummm, a lot. A whole lot, Ma'am."

"It strikes me, Tom, that some time ago I banned gambling on my ship."

[blond pilot gulps]

[captain places hands on her hips and pins pilot with gimlet stare] "Now, not only did you gamble but you gambled on me and my relationship."

[blond pilot hangs head]

"A relationship that is unusual, yes, but did not need public scrutiny. So, Mr. Paris, I mean to relieve you of some of those ill-gotten gains. After all my own family is expanding." [Captain gestures at B'Elanna and Seven seated in the corner]

[blond pilot realizes he can't very well refuse] "Uh, Ma'am, what did you have in mind?"

"Oh, I'll give you a sporting chance. It seems only appropriate."

[pilot brightens] "Pool?"

"No, you're the best pool player on the ship." [the captain strokes her chin thoughtfully] "I want Harry to tell your babies apart."

"But..." [pilot glances in panic towards spouse]

"I can do it, Tom. Identical or no, I would know our kids anywhere."

[quick conference with the EMH, Tom, Captain and Chakotay and the parameters for the bet are quickly established.]

[Chakotay wheels the two tri-carriers into the adjacent bedroom, out of sight]

[Harry sits alone of the large sofa waiting]

[EMH emerges with one infant, distinctive wristband is absent]

[Harry fondles infant's tiny fingers lovingly] "This one's easy. This is my one and only daughter, Chidori Ione Paris."

[Doctor smiles and produces a wristband, hands it over to the captain who nods agreement] "I concur."

[EMH leaves infant with B'Elanna and returns to the bedroom. He emerges with an identically dressed infant also missing the distinctive wristband.]

[Harry smiles broadly] "Serena Hanae Paris."

[EMH takes the same walk a third time]

[Harry spends a long minute considering, the beginnings of a smile begin to light up the captain's face]

"Hmmm, this one is mine. I had one girl and two twin boys." [Harry tilts his head to one side and squints, then nods] "Tristan Kim Paris."

[EMH emerges with a fourth identically dressed infant, captain sits tensely. Baby begins bawling.]

[Harry grins widely] "I know this little loudmouth, she resembles her father. Jessica Emiko Paris."

[Tom crows smugly] "I don't know how you did it, Har, but we win. The only two left are one of my triplets, Aislinn Joi Paris and Harry's other twin son, Jaewon Kim Paris. Can't miss the differences between those two."

[Several hours later two men were wrapped in each others' arms, all was quiet in their cabin]

"Seven and B'Elanna look good don't they."

"Yeah, they do." [blond pilot chuckles] "I don't know how you did it Har, but the Cap'n just about bust a gut when you guessed correctly."

"Mmm."

"You're fantastic, Har."

"Hmm."

[Harry closed his eyes, happy now that he'd forgotten to tell Tom about the tiny tattoos he'd asked the doctor to apply, and even happier about the doctor-patient confidentiality that prevented the EMH from informing the Captain about them]


The End

(for now)


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