The BLTS Archive - The Arms of Love by Jennifer Presley (jlpresley@aol.com) --- Disclaimers: All characters except one belong to Paramount, the other and the story to me. --- "Here, let me do that." Chakotay gently pushed Kathryn aside, and moved the table up against the wall. He smiled at her, "You aren't going to give up, are you?" Kathryn snorted at him, "I am only pregnant-not disabled! I can still handle some things by myself!" "Yes-but you don't have to. That's what I'm here for-to take away these chores." Chakotay said as he grabbed a chair and pulled it up behind her so she could sit down. Sighing, Kathryn less than gracefully sat, her distended stomach seeming to take up more and more room each day. "Well-I'll make you a deal-you take over this for me and I'll wait on you hand and foot!" She placed her head on the back of the chair and groaned. "I don't think I can take another 4 months of this." Chakotay picked up her left foot and began tenderly massaging it, trying to work out the soreness. "No, I think I prefer the current arrangement. Besides, you are a lot more beautiful pregnant that I would ever be!" Kathryn didn't bother with a response. As Chakotay continued his ministrations, she relaxed and her thoughts turned to the past. One year ago, she and Chakotay had remained behind on New Earth, victims of an unknown virus that was controlled only while on the planet. Their former crewmates (and friends) had reluctantly left them and continued on their journey towards the Alpha Quadrant. The first six months had been the hardest for her and Chakotay. In addition to the knowledge that they would never see their homes, friends or family again, they had to deal with the growing attraction that existed between them. To his dismay, she had fought their relationship, and only after they had had a terrible fight and he was almost killed in a storm, was she able to accept her feelings and pledge her life to him. They had waited another week to consummate their relationship, ostensibly to allow them both time to reconsider. (But mainly because necking in the pouring rain had given them both bad colds.) The wait had been well worth it, and on a beautiful summer afternoon, they had spoken the words that would bind them together as man and wife, and later that day, had allowed their bodies to merge as one. And 3 weeks later, she had discovered she was pregnant. Chakotay had been ecstatic when she told him. Laughing and crying at the same time, he had picked her up and twirled her around, at least until she threatened to lose her lunch on him. In the time since, he had done everything he could to help her. He comforted her when her hormone-caused emotions had her sobbing, he held her head as morning sickness (that lasted all day) left her weak and shaking. Kathryn couldn't imagine what she would have done if he hadn't been as supportive as he was-probably would have throttled him! Chakotay had even began an addition on the house that was to become the nursery. He had already reconfigured the standard Starfleet shelter to allow a bed large enough for them to share. Now, he was concentrating on building the needed baby furniture. Kathryn smiled as Chakotay rose to his knees and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Hmm-thank you, love. They feel a lot better." She wiggled her toes at him, then lifted her left foot and trailed it suggestively down the inside of his thigh. "Be careful," Chakotay warned her with a leer. "You might get what you are asking for..." "I certainly hope so!" She murmured as he lifted her into his arms and carried her off to the waiting bed. --- In sleep, Kathryn's face was relaxed and peaceful. Chakotay lay on his side, propped up on one elbow, his other hand smoothing her hair back from her face. *She is even more beautiful now* He thought, as his hand caressed the swell of her stomach. She was giving him a priceless gift-their child. But he couldn't help the fear that resided deep within. Kathryn was older than the typical first-time mother, and there was no doctor within reach. *Hell-there isn't anyone within reach* He feared what might happen if complications arose. Not only could they lose their child, but he could lose the one thing that meant more to him than life itself-Kathryn. And that scared him. "Umm-good morning, sweetheart." Kathryn greeted him with a kiss and looked at him quizzically. "What's wrong? You look sad." "No, not sad...." Chakotay replied. "Just thinking about you and our son, wondering who he'll look like." He hated lying to her, but he didn't want to admit his fear to her. He knew she harbored the same fear, and that many nights it kept her awake. "Now, what makes you think it's a son? It could be a daughter, but whichever, I hope they take after you!" Kathryn laughed. "I don't care whether it is a son or daughter, only that they are healthy, but if it is a daughter, I hope she has her mother's hair." He ran his hands through the silky strands. "You have the most incredible hair-have I ever told you much I love your hair?" She raised herself on her elbows and gave him a teasing glance. "Keep it up and I'll begin to think you love my hair more than you love me! I can cut if off for you if you'd like to marry it!" "Don't you dare!" He rolled over onto his back, pulling her into a sitting position on top of him. She leaned over, her hair falling like a curtain around their faces. "Maybe you had better prove you love me more than my hair......" "Gladly!" And he did. --- "Chakotay-I think it's time!" Kathryn groaned as pain tore through her lower back. She had been experiencing twinges all day, but had ignored them. She still had three weeks to go before her due date. But then, as she felt a sudden wetness soak her legs, she knew that it was indeed time. Chakotay ran through the door, stopping short at the sight of Kathryn standing with a hand to her belly and a pool of liquid at her feet. "Okay, Kathryn, let's get you into bed." "Typical male-you take any chance you can to get me into bed." She laughed, and then winced as another contraction hit. "But, I think that's a good idea." Six hours later, Kathryn was writhing in agony on their bed. Chakotay kneeled next to her, gripping one of her hands in his and sponging her face with his other. "Breathe, Kathryn, breathe!" He called. "That's it, come on, you can do it." "I am breathing, damn it! But if you think you can do better, you are more than welcome-ah-to try!" She gritted her teeth, trying not to scream as the contractions continued, unceasing. Suddenly there was a noise behind them. "Do you need any help?" A familiar voice laughed. "Tom!" Chakotay swung around, finding Paris, Kes and the Doctor standing behind them, just inside the door. "What-where-how? Wait, no, never mind. Doctor, please!" "Yes, well let's see what we have here, move aside Commander." The Doctor pulled out his medical tricorder and ran it along Kathryn's body. "Ah-late stages of labor. Pulse, respiration good." He clicked the tricorder shut. "Everything looks good. You may continue." Kathryn's hand tangled in Chakotay's shirt as she pulled him closer to her. "Bring him closer-I want to HIT him!" "Shh-Kathryn. Let's get the baby out, and then you can hit him." Chakotay whispered, "And I'll help!" She laughed, and then moaned as the pain became even more intense. She began to push, wanting to free their child from her body. --- "Congratulations, Captain, Commander. You have a beautiful baby girl!" Kes exclaimed, as she handed the precious bundle to her exhausted mother. Tears were rolling down bother her parent's faces as the beheld their first born child. Chakotay gathered Kathryn and their baby into his arms and kissed the new mother softly on the forehead. "Thank you for this gift, Kathryn. I love you both, very much." "Oh, Chakotay-she looks just like you!" Kathryn looked up at him, exhausted. "But I don't think you should touch me, ever again" Then she laughed and kissed him back. He laughed with her, then gently stroked the baby's head. "Amanda Kathryn-a beautiful name for a beautiful baby." Tom came up and held out his hand. "Congratulations to both of you. It's been a long time." Chakotay took the proffered hand and shook it firmly. "Thank you, Tom. Yes, it has been a long time. We are looking forward to hearing the story." Then he turned and saw that Kathryn had fallen asleep, holding Amanda to her breast. "But, maybe you should us later. I think I would like some time alone with my family." Tom grinned and nodded. "Yes, sir! We'll beam back up to Voyager-but if you need anything, we're here, and we won't leave again without you." Then he handed Chakotay a communicator. "I guess you lost yours, or you would have heard us contacting you a week ago!" Chakotay smiled as he sank down onto the bed and pulled his sleeping wife and child into his lap. "Well, we've had more important things on our mind. But thank you." Then he leaned his head against Kathryn's and breathed in her scent as he closed his eyes. He fell asleep with everything he held dear in his arms, not noticing when the other three left the new family alone for their first night together. --- The End