The BLTS Archive - Our First Christmas
by Ronda Sexton (rondasexton@comcast.net)

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Note:  Special thanks to PJS who gave me the ideas for their gifts for
each other, and for beta reading for me.

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Tom and B'Elanna sat before the holographic fireplace they had
installed in their quarters as part of the Christmas decor.  Nearby, a
Christmas tree twinkled with brightly colored lights.

"Christmas on Voyager seems to get better every year," said Tom.

"I agree," began B'Elanna.  "I think that part of it has to do with
the crew growing more and more like a family as the years have
passed."

"I'm glad that the two of us became a family, B'Elanna.  It makes this
Christmas all the more special," said Tom.  A dreamy expression
crossed his face as he placed his hand on her slightly rounded
stomach.  "Next Christmas, we'll have an addition to our family."

B'Elanna smiled and placed her hand over his.  "I'm still having
trouble believing we're going to be parents."  She looked at the
fireplace mantle.  "Next year, we'll be hanging three stockings
instead of just two."

Tom bent down and kissed her tenderly.  "Do you know how happy you've
made me, B'Elanna?  Loving you and being loved by you have made me
complete.  For such a long time, there was an enormous void in my
life. Now, it is filled because of you."

"Tom, I understand more than you think.  For a long time, I felt
unlovable.  My dad's abandonment made me feel as if I couldn't be
loved by anyone..."  Tears filled her eyes.

He pulled her into his arms.  "B'Elanna, when we said our vows, I
promised you forever.  I meant it with all my heart.  I can't imagine
my life without you.  And, I can't wait for our daughter to arrive and
share our lives."

They held each other for a few minutes, each reveling in the comfort
the other's arms afforded them.

B'Elanna pulled back and smiled at Tom.  "Let's do the stockings now."

"Sure, B'Elanna," he answered as he stood up and removed them from the
mantle of their holographic fireplace.  Sitting back down, he handed
one to her.  "You go first."

As was their custom, she removed one item from her stocking.  It was
her favorite perfume.  She leaned over and kissed him.  "Thank you,
Tom."

Tom reached into his stocking, and found B'Elanna had replicated him a
miniature Camaro, just like the one they drove and occasionally necked
in on the holodeck.    "This is great, B'Elanna.  Everything is exact
down to the smallest detail."    He kissed her gently.

They continued taking turns removing things from their stockings.
When they had finished, Tom took a large package wrapped in red foil
paper with green foil ribbons and bows from under the tree.  He handed
it to B'Elanna.  "I hope you like it."

She took it and began to slowly open it. Tom sat impatiently watching
as she carefully removed the paper.  He could not wait to see her
reaction to his gift. He had put a lot of thought into this gift.
B'Elanna took the lid off the box. A sound of delight escape her lips
as he pulled out a silver model of the Delta Flyer inscribed with the
words:  The Mooshy Stuff, along with the stardate he proposed to her.

Tears welled up in her eyes and she embraced him.  "Tom this is
perfect."

He held her tightly.  "You're not only the most important person in my
life, B'Elanna.  You are my life."

She lifted her lips to his and kissed him passionately.

When they finally broke the kiss, she reached under the tree and
pulled out Tom's gift.  It was wrapped in Gold paper with Green
ribbons and bows.  She watched as he excitedly ripped the ribbons and
paper off the box.  He broke into a huge grin as he pulled out a hard
bound copy of Women Warriors at the River of Blood.

"This really brings back some memories," said Tom happily.  "Early on,
when we were just getting to know each other, I caught you reading
this."

"Look inside, Tom," instructed B'Elanna eagerly.

He opened it and saw B'Elanna's familiar handwriting.  It read:  You
quickened my heart a long time ago, Tom.   Being married to you is the
most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me in my life.  Love,
B'Elanna.

Tom drew her into his arms and kissed her with all of his being.
This was the woman he loved, the woman who was going to be the mother
of his child.  Finally, breaking the kiss with great reluctance, he
took her hands and they stood up.  "We'd better get to the mess hall
for the Christmas Breakfast."

She nodded her eyes twinkling with promise, "We can finish our private
celebration later."

They walked out the door arms around each other.

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The End