by Marleena
with her arms. "You don't understand."
Tom approached her from behind, and pulled her around to face
him. He was determined that they were going to talk this out, and
resolve where they stood with each other for once and for all.
"Tell me, B'Elanna. You can't leave me hanging like this."
B'Elanna looked up at the pilot, her dark brown eyes were moist
with tears that threatened to spill over. Reaching one hand up,
she caressed his cheek.
"Tom, I was so afraid to tell you. First, I thought that
something was wrong with the babies, but after the Doctor assured
me that they were fine, I was afraid all over again. I--I was .
. . " she stammered, and as the tears finally broke through, she
rested her forehead against Tom's chest.
Tom let her weep for a while before he raised her head with both
of his hands to face him once more. "Ssssh. Tell me, B'Elanna,"
he said softly.
She barely nodded her head. She knew there was no way that he was
leaving her cabin tonight without hearing the truth. She should
have told him weeks ago, she owed him that. "Tom, I was afraid
that if you found out, that you wouldn't come back. You'd think
that I didn't need you anymore."
"Do you, B'Elanna? Do you still need me?"
"I'll always need you, Tom Paris, I love you," she said as a
flood of tears joined the few that had already spilled.
Tom pulled her into his arms, and onto his lap as he sat down
with her on the couch. He sat there with her for a long time, stroking
her hair, kissing her forehead, whispering tender words to her,
until she cried herself out. Finally, cupping her face in his
hands he used his thumbs to try and wipe the wetness from her
cheeks. "B'Elanna, I've loved you for a very long time. I was
hoping that someday you'd feel the same way about me."
"Really?" she asked in a small voice.
"Really, 'Lanna, I've loved you for what seems like forever. I
never what to be apart from you."
"Me either. I want you with me. Always."
"Do you want to get married?" they said in unison which caused
both of them to laugh and nod their heads.
* * * * * *
"What do you make of this?" the Captain asked her First Officer
as they had coffee in her Ready Room that afternoon.
Chakotay took the datapadd out of her hands to pursue the readout
himself. "I'd say that we've been invited to a party in Holodeck
Two," he replied with all seriousness.
Janeway scuffed him along side the head in frustration. "I
*know* that, but it doesn't say who's giving the party or what
the occasion is. I hate surprises.*
"Well, there is always one way to find out -- we just go to the
party. I'll pick you up at 1950. Don't forget it says semi-
formal and in particular 'no uniforms allowed.' "
Kathryn Janeway just smiled at him and nodded her head.
Chapter 16
The people started drifting into the Holodeck program shortly
after the agreed upon time of 2000. Tom and B'Elanna had
situated themselves away from each other -- her taking a position
near the waterfall with Tom located nearer the forest. B'Elanna
was exquisitely dressed in a deep navy dress with red leather
trim that came down to just below her knees, it had a U-shaped
neckline that afforded a slight view of cleavage, and long
flowing sleeves. In her hair she had placed a couple white and
deep blue color flowers. Tom had chosen to wear deep navy
colored slacks with a matching jacket. Underneath, he wore a
stark white shirt.
In between the pair were two large tables full of food and drink
with a sign posted on each instructing the guests to help
themselves. All through the crowd, people could be heard
speculating as to the reason for the party and asking each other
if they knew who was responsible.
Finally, after it looked like everyone had arrived, B'Elanna
caught Tom's eye, and with a conspiratory wink, they met each
other at an agreed upon location behind a group of trees behind
the guest unbeknownst to anyone.
"Are you ready, B'Elanna?" Tom asked as he cradled her face in
his hands.
"I am. This feels so right, Tom, I'm not even nervous."
"Neither am I. It wasn't long ago that if someone told me I'd be
getting married, I would have told them there were crazy. What em
Tom Paris getting tied down to one woman. But that was before I
met you. B'Elanna Torres, this is the last chance you have before
we go out there and make it permanent -- and I do mean permanent.
Are you sure you want to marry little o' Tom Paris?"
"I've never been so sure of anything in my whole life, Tom. I
just kick myself for having waited so long. I think I knew
that I loved you a long time ago probably after I was split in
two by the Vidiians and you were there for me. But at the time,
all I could think of was why would Tom Paris, the Best Damned
Pilot of the Delta Quadrant want me? I shouldn't have pushed you
away . . ."
Tom quieted her by placing his fingertips over her luscious lips.
"Don't regret what you did in the past, B'Elanna. I'm trying not
to. Be thankful for what we have now, I know I am. There isn't
a morning I don't wake up with you by my side that I remind
myself how fortunate I am for knowing you and being with you. I
simply adore you, B'Elanna."
"I love you, Tom," she breathed. "Are you ready to tell
everyone?"
"I've been ready a long time, my love. Let's go."
The happy pair stood in front of the guests, but with everyone
talking they hadn't noticed that the two of them were together.
"B'Elanna, how are we going to get their attention?" he asked.
B'Elanna's eyes twinkled with glee. "Oh, I've got an idea," she
growled as the engineer pulled the pilot's face down towards hers,
and captured his lips with a long, wet, passionate kiss. By the
time she was done, silence had descended upon all the guests. Many
were standing with their mouths agape not believing what they
were witnessing.
Tom and B'Elanna turned to address the now attentive audience
with the helmsman standing behind the engineer with his hands
upon her shoulders. "Thank you all for coming to our little
party tonight," Tom began. "We hope that you've enjoyed yourself
so far."
B'Elanna took over. "Yes, we are glad to see that everyone could
make it. As you might have guessed by now, there are a couple of
things that we need to tell you," she said as the half-Klingon
looked up at the tall man behind her.
From somewhere in the middle of the crowed, the Doctor could be
heard saying to anyone who would listen: "I know and you don't."
B'Elanna and Tom smiled at each other. "One is that as you might
have just guessed, Tom is the father," she said with a prideful
smile on her face while she patted her stomach.
A voice in the back who piped up. "You owe me, Terre, I told you
I thought that he was the one all along," which caused the rest of
the guests to laugh.
While another shouted, "So, that's what you've been up to every
night, Paris!"
"Second," she continued, "I am carrying twins."
"That'll be four credits," Joe Carey whispered loudly to Sue
Nicoletti as he tried to collect on his bet.
A smiling Janeway turned to the tall Indian, who stood beside
her. "Twins and Tom's the father, they have done well to keep this a
secret."
"And third," Tom piped up. "Captain, if you would be so kind;
B'Elanna and I would like to be married."
Janeway stepped up next to the happy pair. "Of course. You tell
me where and when, and I'd be honored to perform the ceremony."
"Actually, we were think about right now," B'Elanna explained as
Tom reached into his back pocket to retrieve a datapadd with the
words of the ceremony they had composed, and handed it to the
Captain.
After a little bit of preparation, Tom and B'Elanna stood before
the Captain.
"First, before we begin," she started. "I just want to say how
happy I am for both of you. If you two will join hands, we'll
begin."
The wedding was beautiful. It consisted of a blending of human
and Klingon ceremonies and traditions. First, the traditional
Starfleet service was used up until the point where the two were
pronounced man and wife. Then two bat'leths were brought out by a
holographic assistant, and the bride and groom performed the
traditional Klingon ceremony. Finally, in the end the bride and
groom had their own words to add before the rings were placed on
their fingers.
"Tom, I give you ring as an expression of my everlasting love.
You complete me and make me whole. Your my life and my love.
Together, I feel that we can conquer all. I know you have
conquered my heart."
"B'Elanna, you make my heart smile and sing. I feel that before
I met you, I merely existed. You have made me come alive and
rejoice. Please accept this ring as a simple token of my love,
for my love for you can never die. It is eternal."
"Tom. B'Elanna. I am honored and very happy to pronounce you
man and wife," Janeway said her eyes moist with tears of
happiness. "Tom, you may kiss the bride."
Tom Paris bent down, and gave his new wife a deep passionate kiss
which was accompanied by applause and laughter by all those in
attendance.
* * * * * * *
Paris and Torres danced slowly to the soft music that played
through the holodeck. Tom rested his cheek on top of B'Elanna's
head, breathing in her scent. His eyes were closed as his mind
invisioned a wonderful future with B'Elanna. A soft smiled
crossed his lips as he realized he didn't have to dream anymore.
I don't have to imagine it anymore.>
Tom drew B'Elanna closer to him as they danced. The Chief
Engineer smiled as she wrapped her arms around his waist. She
closed her eyes as she breathed in his scent. She never imagined she would
ever be this happy, yet here she was; married and pregnant.
*To think,* she thought, *this might never have happened if
he....*
She pushed the thought of never seeing him again out of her mind.
She concentrated on the now as she inhaled his scent deeply.
B'Elanna opened her eyes, and saw that they were alone. She
Looked around to confirm her thought, then looked at Tom, who still
had his eyes closed.
"Tom," she whispered, touching his cheek, "We're alone on the
holodeck."
The pilot opened his eyes, and looked around. It was true, the
holodeck was empty, except for them. He looked at his bride, and
smiled.
"We have the holodeck all to ourselves, 'Lanna. Have anything in
mind?"
B'Elanna smiled impishly, "Computer, engage privacy lock.
Authorization Torres Beta Five."
At the computer's beep, she brought Paris' head down for a
kiss. She didn't let it last long, for she had other ideas in
mind. She released him, and smiled at his confused expression.
"How about a dip in the water, Tom?" she asked as she kicked her
shoes off.
Tom smiled ferally as he took off his shoes. He then unbuttoned
his jacket, followed by his white shirt. He then quickly
discarded his pants.
B'Elanna tossed her dress aside then unfastened her bra. The two
discarded their underwear next.
Tom stopped to admire her glowing body. He ran his right hand
down her left arm, stroking it. He looked at her to see that she
was staring at her protruding stomach.
"What?" He asked.
"You married a whale, Tom," she answered, rubbing her belly.
He laughed, causing her to stare at him. He brought her close
and kissed her. "You're more beautiful than ever, B'Elanna," he
whispered to her, "I've always thought you were beautiful."
B'Elanna smiled and kissed him. She thanked him then took his
hand, and headed for the river. Tom stepped in first then helped his
bride slowly into the water.
"It's cold, Paris," the half-Klingon softly growled.
Tom chuckled, "It'll warm up, 'Lanna. Just give it awhile."
"How much longer?"
To answer her, he brought her closer and devoured her mouth.
She returned the kiss as she ran her hands into his hair. She
felt her body heat rise, chasing the cold away.
"Warm, yet?" Tom asked after awhile.
She growled her answer, bringing a smile to Tom's lips.
Tom took her hand again, and swam with her to the falling
water. It grew louder as they neared it.
"Computer, decrease the amount of water falling," Paris commanded
loudly.
The waterfall decreased to a shower. He smiled as he looked at
B'Elanna, who was staring at the water, impressed. He then
stepped under the waterfall, bringing the half-Klingon with him.
"Tom," she gasped as she felt the water fall over her head,
soaking her.
"I thought we could take a shower together," he said, bringing
her closer.
The two embraced and kissed each other deeply. Soon, everything
around them ceased to exist as they made love for the first time
as husband and wife.
Finis
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Please e-mail:
Marleena at [email protected]
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