Copyright 2000, Susan S. McCrackin  Reprinted with permission of the author.

Tom was stretched out on the blanket, squinting in the bright sunlight at B’Elanna and KB as they concentrated on building the sandcastle. They had been at it for almost an hour. He laughed as he watched, amazed at the two of them. They were totally engrossed in their project.

The afternoon was a rare treat. It was the first time since KB, the Doctor and B’Elanna had been kidnapped that Seven had allowed KB away from her for more than an hour. Today, she had agreed for them to have KB for the entire day. He and B’Elanna had combined their holodeck time and traded some future time to allow them to have the holodeck for full afternoon. They were enjoying a sunny afternoon at the beach.

His eyes were focused on B’Elanna, watching her as she played with KB, pure joy on her face. She had really missed her special time with KB but had understood Seven’s need to have her child close. Recovering from the kidnapping had been difficult for everyone. B’Elanna had suffered with a lingering cough and nightmares. She would wake up in a cold sweat, shaking and angry. She would pace around her cabin for hours, trying to calm down and would make at least two trips a night to check on KB. The Doctor and Seven had finally gotten used to her coming and going from their quarters at odd hours of the night. Recently, though, she seemed to have come to terms with the experience and had the nightmares less and less frequently.

The Doctor had changed. He was more protective of his family. He seemed…stronger somehow. There had been a few times when he had asked the Doctor if he wanted to talk about what happened, but the Doctor always politely thanked him for asking but decline to discuss it. He knew the Doctor and B’Elanna talked about what had happened frequently, but they kept their conversation private. He knew neither was ready to share everything that had happened and both were concerned about protecting Seven. 

Kathryn B’Elanna had been impacted for a while, but she seemed to come out of it faster than any of the adults. Ketaria had stayed on Voyager to help her, and she now seemed to have come away from the episode basically unscathed. She was back to her normal, happy self.

It was Seven who seemed to have suffered the most. Her physical wounds had healed quickly. The emotional ones were still raw. She would barely let KB out of her sight. The worst was seeing the joy that had come into her life go out of her eyes. She would work her duty shift in Astrometrics, but anyone who was around her in there knew she only wanted to be back in her living quarters with the Doctor and KB. She had retreated from everyone emotionally and was only now starting to warm to people again.

Still, things were better and today was an indication that life was starting to get back to normal.

Well, he thought, as normal as life could be on a Federation Starship trying to get back home from the Delta Quadrant.

He heard KB squeal and looked up to see a wave splashing onto the sandcastle, wiping away part of their hard work. Then, B’Elanna burst into laughter and, with the next wave, joined KB in playing in the water and knocking down the rest of the sandcastle. He joined in their laughter when KB ran to B’Elanna, practically throwing herself into B’Elanna’s arms and B’Elanna pretended to be knocked backward into the wave. Then, he watched as they rolled in the waves and the sand, with the baby squealing with the excitement of their play. 

He pushed himself up and supported himself on his elbows, crossing one foot over the other. He realized that just thinking about the incident with the crew of the Ikora had given him a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. He could not believe how close he had come to losing B’Elanna. There had been other bad times, but he had never felt the hopelessness he had felt during the time she had been kidnapped. Watching her now, he knew more now than ever in their time together how much he loved her. 

B’Elanna finally looked over at him, seeing the smile on his face. She looked at him strangely for a moment, then asked, "What?"

"Nothing."

She laid herself on her back and lifted KB in the air above her, glancing over at him, "Are you sure?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Because of the expression of your face." She was tossing KB up, the child waiving her arms and laughing.

"I was just thinking."

She waited, continuing to play with KB. Finally she said, "Okay. I’ll bite. What were you thinking?"

He looked down at his toes for a moment, then looked up at her, "I was just thinking about how much I love you."

She stopped, holding KB at arms length in the air and looked at him with a pleased expression on her face, "I love you, too, Tom."

Finally, she sat up, shifting KB to sit in her lap and wiped some sand from the baby’s face. He smiled at her gentleness with the child. She saw his smile and asked, "Now what?"

"The look on my face?"

"Yes. You have the oddest look on your face."

"Thank you."

"No, Tom. You know what I mean."

He just continued to smile at her.

"Okay. Okay. What are you thinking this time?"

"Nothing."

"That is a ‘I’m thinking nothing’ expression?"

He laughed but he did not respond. He stayed quiet for a minute and she went back to wiping the sand from KB’s face. He watched as the child made faces, then sneezed as B’Elanna wiped sand from her nose, tickling it. As B’Elanna laughed at her, he said, "Marry me."

She stopped, then looked up at him, a puzzled expression on her face, "What did you say?"

"Marry me."

She went back to wiping the sand from KB, then stood her up and pulled at her swimsuit, arranging it. KB reached up and gave her a hug, then pulled away and sat down to play in the remnants of their sandcastle. 

B’Elanna concentrated on the child for a few minutes, then looked back to Tom, "Okay."

Seven was pacing around their living quarters. The Doctor’s eyes were following her around, slightly pained.

"They are not running late, Seven. They have another ten minutes."

"I know, Doctor." Her voice was tight. "I do not expect them for another eight point two minutes."

He repressed a smile. He knew how difficult it was for her to let Kathryn B’Elanna be away from her for an entire day. It had taken Ketaria almost a week to talk her into it. She had done it for Kathryn B’Elanna as much as she had done it for Seven. Ketaria recognized the child needed her special time with her "Aunt" B’Elanna. Their bond was special, and Ketaria could feel that bond needed to be nurtured. Still, today had proven unsettling for Seven, and the Doctor knew she was struggling with herself over Kathryn B’Elanna’s absence.

He was opening his mouth to speak to her when the doors opened, and Tom and B’Elanna walked in with Kathryn B’Elanna sound asleep on Tom’s shoulder. Seven quickly crossed the room to him, and he placed the sleeping child in her arms. They saw the expression on her face change from panic to fear to anxiety and finally to an uncomfortable calm. She looked at them, trying hard to smile. 

B’Elanna reached up to push KB’s hair back, "She had a wonderful time, Seven. Thank you so much for letting her spend the day with us."

Seven looked back down into Kathryn B’Elanna’s face and simply nodded her head, almost incapable of speaking. Finally, she said, "I will put her to bed." She turned and walked to the small bedroom, almost clutching her child to her.

B’Elanna glanced at the Doctor, "Rough day?"

"Oh, you have no idea." He shook his head, "she has done nothing but pace around here since you two left with Kathryn B’Elanna this morning."

"You should have called us."

"She wouldn’t let me."

"What?"

"She said it was important for Kathryn B’Elanna to spend the day with you." He gave them a short ironic laugh, "She said she would adapt."

"Wow," said Tom, "she is really trying hard."

"Yes, she is." A concerned look came over his eyes. "This has been very hard for her to deal with." He forced himself to smile at them, "But today was an important step. I am glad Kathryn B’Elanna spent the day with you. It was good for her and good for Seven."

"Doctor," Tom said, "I know it is late but, would it be possible for us to stay and visit with you and Seven a few minutes?"

"Of course. Why don’t the two of you go ahead and sit down," he indicated the chairs, "and I will get you something to drink. What will you have?"

They gave him their orders and he went to get them from the replicator. By the time he was serving them, Seven walked back into the room. She was slightly surprised to see Tom and B’Elanna sitting there but recovered quickly and moved to join them. Tom could not help but notice how tired she looked.

"Thank you for today, Seven," he said. "We really had a great time with Kathryn B’Elanna."

She gave him a slight nod of her head and the Doctor handed her a cup of tea and joined her on the sofa, sitting close to her. This had become a habit for them. It seemed as if Seven could not be close enough to the Doctor these days. She used to sit in the rocking chair whenever Tom and B’Elanna were there, allowing them to sit together on the sofa but not any more. The Doctor lifted his arm and draped it around her shoulder. She pulled her legs up on the sofa and sat curled up beside him. 

Tom threw B’Elanna a questioning look and she nodded her head at him before saying, "We thought the two of you might be interested in knowing Tom asked me to marry him today."

The Doctor and Seven froze for a moment, looking back and forth between B’Elanna and Tom. Then the Doctor asked, "Well, what did you say?"

Tom grinned, "She said okay."

"Congratulations, you two! That is wonderful news." The Doctor stood to embrace B’Elanna and Tom, as did Seven. "So, when are you going to ‘tie the knot,’ so to speak?"

B’Elanna and Tom looked at each other and Tom replied, "We haven’t decided that, yet. Actually, we haven’t even discussed that." He looked at B’Elanna, "What do you think?"

"The sooner the better," she responded. "Being around the two of you makes me want to be married right now." She looked up at Seven and smiled.

Seven gave her an appreciative smile, "Thank you. I know you and Tom will be as happy as the Doctor and I am."

"I hope we are. If so, it will be a very happy marriage."

The Doctor beamed, "This calls for a celebration." He turned to the replicator and came back with drinks, "Champagne for you two, sparkling water for Seven and a holographic champagne for me." 

They all took their glasses and the Doctor offered a toast, "To the happiness of two wonderful people. May yours be a very short engagement and a long and happy marriage. Cheers!"

They each took a drink then returned to their seats, Tom and B’Elanna making plans and the Doctor and Seven offering suggestions or just listening. After a while, however, Tom used his eyes to indicate B’Elanna should look at Seven, and she looked over to see that Seven had fallen asleep, her head on the Doctor’s shoulder.

"It was a long day for her, wasn’t it, Doctor." Tom offered him a small smile.

"Yes, it was. But she was determined to see it through." He gave them a sad look.

"She will overcome all this, Doctor," B’Elanna spoke encouragingly.

"I know. She is Borg."

They laughed softly and Tom said, "I think we should probably go and let you get Seven to bed. We’ll let ourselves out."

They got up and quietly left. The Doctor sat on the couch for a few minutes, holding Seven close to him. Then, he slowly got up and lifted her, carrying her into the bedroom and put her down on the bed. He activated the regeneration mechanism and covered her with a blanket. Then, he lay down next to her and pulled her to him.

She never woke up.

"Enter."

B’Elanna entered the Captains ready room first, followed by Tom. Janeway was concentrating on the computer on her desk. As soon as they approached her desk, she pulled her attention away from her work and looked up at the two people, standing in front of her.

"You two wanted to see me?"

"Yes, Captain." Suddenly, B’Elanna was nervous. She could feel Tom was, also.

Janeway watched them, a quizzical expression on her face, "So, are you going to explain why?"

B’Elanna looked up at Tom and he cleared his throat, "Captain," he grinned, "I have asked B’Elanna to marry me, and she has agreed."

Janeway immediately looked at B’Elanna who nodded at her. Janeway stood and reached up, grabbing each by the arm, "That is wonderful news! I am so happy for you." She came around her desk to hug B’Elanna, followed immediately by Tom. She pulled back, beaming at them, "Let me also say it’s about time! When is the wedding?"

"Well," responded B’Elanna, "we haven’t exactly decided but we are interested in having the ceremony soon. We thought we would discuss that with you."

"Oh?" She took them each by an arm and started to move them toward the sofa under the windows in her ready room. Making certain they were comfortably seated, she asked, "What can I get you to drink?"

"Tea," responded B’Elanna.

"Coffee would be good," said Tom.

"I’ll join you, Tom." She turned and ordered their drinks and served them on a small tray before sitting down in front of them. "I can’t tell you how thrilled I am for the two of you." She sat down and her eyes slightly teared, "The two of you are so special to me, and I know that this is a good decision for both of you."

They looked at each other, then at her, both struggling with their emotions. Then, B’Elanna said, "Thank you, Captain. That means a lot coming from you. You are very special to us also. It means a lot to us that you will be performing the ceremony."

"I’m going to perform the ceremony?" They gave her a shocked expression and she started laughing. "Of course I’m going to perform the ceremony. I wouldn’t let anyone else do this."

They laughed then Tom took B’Elanna’s hand, "Captain, I want to thank you for everything you have done for me. You believed in me from the beginning and gave me the chance to start over. Because of you, I have a good life, even if I am spending it lost in the Delta Quadrant," he laughed, "and I have someone wonderful to spend the rest of my life with." He squeezed B’Elanna’s hand and gave her a loving smile. 

B’Elanna returned his look, then quickly wiped at her eyes, unable to say anything. She was grateful when the doors opened and Chakotay walked in.

"Commander, please, join us." Janeway called him over.

"Am I interrupting something?"

Tom stood, "No. I’m glad you came in."

B’Elanna stood next to Tom, "Actually, you have saved us the trouble of finding you." He looked at them with a questioning look on his face, and B’Elanna stepped forward at little, "Tom and I have decided to get married."

His face broke into a huge grin, "Congratulations!" He hugged B’Elanna and shook hands with Tom. "That is great news. I am really happy for you."

"Thanks, Chakotay," Tom was grinning, "we’re pretty happy right now, ourselves." 

"So, when is the date?"

"Well," said B’Elanna, "that’s what we were just talking about with the Captain."

"Then maybe I should come back later."

"No. Please stay. Besides," she looked up at Tom, "I was hoping I could talk you into giving me away."

He looked at her, slightly taken aback, then took her hand, "B’Elanna, I would be honored." He pulled her to him and gave her a hug. Then, they broke away and Chakotay held her hand for a moment before turning it loose and allowing her to return to Tom’s side.

"So," Janeway asked, "when do you plan to have the wedding?"

"We were hoping for three days from now," Tom replied. "Neelix had planned a special meal that night, and we were hoping to make it a bigger celebration."

"Three days from now," exclaimed Janeway, "that really is fast. B’Elanna, can you be ready that fast?"

"There really isn’t that much to do to get ready," B’Elanna responded, "besides, if I had my way, we’d get married right now."

They laughed and the Captain said, "Let me know if I can do anything to help you."

"Thank you, Captain, I will. Right now, we will go and I will start planning."

"I’ll tell Neelix the wedding is on," Tom said. "Of course, he started planning as soon as we asked about that night."

They shared hugs and handshakes and Tom and B’Elanna left. Janeway glanced over at Chakotay, her face filled with happiness. "That was delightful news."

"Yes, it was." He sat down on the sofa and she took her chair across from her. He ventured a question, "How are things going with that other project you are working on?"

The smile disappeared from her face, "Not nearly as well, although I think I am making progress on some levels. At least they have agreed not to throw Seven in jail and delete the Doctor’s program. But they are still expressing deep concern over Kathryn B’Elanna’s safety."

"Safety?" He was shocked. "Why are they concerned for her safety?"

"They are having trouble accepting that an ex-Borg could love a child and adequately care for her."

"They are concerned about Seven and not the Doctor?"

"Their feeling is that the Doctor’s program would protect the child physically, but they have questioned whether he could provide for her emotional well-being."

"Kathryn, are they willing to reserve judgment until they meet them and see the family together?"

"I think I have them convinced that would be a proper thing to do, but I am worried about the entire situation."

"Any particular reason?"

"Some of the issues that have been raised seem…political." She raised her head, a disgusted look on her face, "And where the issues become political, it seems the first victims are reasonable and right."

He nodded his head. Janeway looked away, a deep worry in her eyes.

B’Elanna was in her quarters, programming her replicator when the door announced Seven of Nine’s presence. 

"Computer, allow her to enter." She did not take her eyes off of what she was working on.

The doors opened and Seven walked in carrying Kathryn B’Elanna.

"Bala. Bala."

She turned immediately, a huge grin spreading over her face. She saw Seven crossing to her with Kathryn B’Elanna starting to bounce in her arms. B’Elanna reached her arms out to the child who almost propelled herself out of her mother’s arms into B’Elanna’s.

"Hello, sweetheart." They shared a big hug and a quick kiss as Seven watched them. After a moment, B’Elanna shifted KB to her left hip and looked up at her mother, who was now looking at her, expectantly. "Thank you for coming, Seven."

Seven simply nodded and stood waiting for her to continue.

B’Elanna looked at KB quickly, trying to hide the sadness she felt. Seven had changed so much since the kidnapping. Her coldness and aloofness had returned. It was difficult to get close to her these days although things did seem to be improving. She knew it would just take time.

"I wanted to ask you a favor."

Seven stood and continued to wait.

B’Elanna looked at KB, smiled, then said, "I was hoping you and the Doctor would allow Kathryn B’Elanna to be my flower girl."

Seven looked at her strangely, "I do not understand. What kind of flower would you want her to be?"

B’Elanna grinned, "No. She would not be a flower. She would carry a basket of flowers and walk in front of me, dropping flower petals." When Seven continued to have a confused look on her face, B’Elanna explained, "It is an earth custom. Mainly, it means she would be part of the wedding ceremony."

Seven’s expression changed to indicate she accepted this explanation. "Of course. She will enjoy that."

"Thank you, Seven. It will mean a lot to Tom and me to have her as a part of the wedding." Seven nodded to her but stayed quiet. B’Elanna gave herself a moment before asking her next question. "I was also wondering…."

Seven had looked away from her but turned her attention back when B’Elanna’s voice trailed off. B’Elanna started again, "There is also another earth custom. It is customary for the bride and the groom to ask people who are…special in their lives to stand beside them during the ceremony. Tom has asked Harry to be his best man." She hesitated, shifted KB on her hip and took a deep breath, "I was wondering if you would stand by me. I would like you to be my matron of honor."

Seven’s look was one of pure surprise. For a moment, she could not speak. Then, she asked, "Me?"

B’Elanna nodded, "Yes, Seven. It would mean a lot to me if you would stand beside me." When Seven did not respond, she continued, "I know we haven’t always had the best relationship, and I know we aren’t exactly best friends now, Seven, but I have a lot of respect for you and for your marriage and for the family you have. What you have gone through for your family has given me the courage to say yes to Tom. If it wasn’t for you and the Doctor," she looked at the child in her arms, "and for Kathryn B’Elanna, I don’t think this wedding would even be happening." She looked earnestly at Seven, "I would really like for you to do it."

B’Elanna was not certain what the look on Seven’s face meant, but she was relieved when Seven nodded her head, "Yes."

B’Elanna beamed at her, "Thank you, Seven. I really appreciate it." She started to move back toward the replicator, then stopped and added, "Oh, you should also know Tom has gone to the Sickbay to ask the Doctor to sing at our wedding."

At this, Seven’s look gave way to a pleased smile, "That will make him very happy. Thank you for doing that."

She nodded and activated the command on the program she had been working on and watched as two objects appeared in the replicator. She picked up one of the objects and looked at it carefully. "Looks very good."

Seven walked up to stand beside her, "What are those?"

"These are wedding rings."

"Explain."

"They are another earth custom. Rings are traditionally given as symbols of the love two people have for each other. It is also an indication to other people that you are committed to someone."

"Oh." 

B’Elanna shifted KB to her right side and slipped the ring on her left hand, holding it out to inspect it. "A wonderful fit."

Almost without thinking, Seven held out her left hand and looked down at it. After a moment, she said, "I do not think I could wear such a ring on my hand."

"Why n…." B’Elanna had spoken without thinking, but cut off her question as soon as she looked down at Seven’s hand, only then remembering the exoskeleton. She closed her eyes for a moment, a pained expression on her face, "Right."

They looked at each other for a moment and B’Elanna saw a flicker of the emotional pain she knew Seven still carried, but it passed quickly, returning to the expressionless look she wore these days. B’Elanna thought for a moment, then said, "But you and the Doctor have a symbol of your love and commitment to each other."

When Seven gave her a questioning look, she grinned and said, "Kathryn B’Elanna."

This brought a smile to Seven’s face, and she gave her a small nod, looking with love and pride at the child in B’Elanna’s arms.

The Doctor finished his song and stepped back as Tom and Harry followed Kathryn Janeway to stand in front of everyone. Tom adjusted his uniform and looked nervously at Harry.

The music started, and the doors of the holodeck opened and Kathryn B’Elanna was pushed by unknown hands. She toddled in, carrying the basket of flower petals in both hands. She was dressed in a soft blue jumpsuit and her blonde hair was held back with a matching blue ribbon. The Doctor beamed at her from the front of the room. She moved into the seated crowd and started handing a flower petal to each person seated on the aisle. A petal would be accepted, and she would be encouraged to move on to the next person. It took a full five minutes for her to make her way down the aisle. When she finally reached Tom and Harry, standing with Captain Janeway, she handed each of them a petal, then sat on Harry’s shoes to play with the remaining petals in her basket. 

Tom turned his attention from her to look back, seeing that Seven of Nine had entered. He felt Harry catch his breath beside him. Seven was dressed in a flowing, soft blue pants outfit with her hair hanging down and held in place by a ribbon, like Kathryn B’Elanna’s. She walked in, keeping her eyes locked firmly on the Doctor. Tom knew she had almost backed out when she found out she would have to walk down the aisle in front of everyone. She said she had not even walked down the aisle in front of everyone at her own wedding, and she would not do it for B’Elanna. It had taken a lot of coaxing and Ketaria’s comforting presence to talk her into it. 

When she finally reached the wedding party, Tom leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek and whispered to her, "Thank you, Seven." She just nodded at him nervously. 

Finally, the wedding march started, and B’Elanna entered. She had chosen to dress in her Starfleet formal dress uniform and carried a bouquet in front of her. She walked in on Chakotay’s arm, immediately catching Tom’s eyes and beaming broadly. As they approached, Chakotay leaned over and kissed her on the cheek and, taking her hand, pressed it into Tom’s. He smiled at the couple and went to take his seat in the audience.

Then, the music stopped and Kathryn Janeway raised her head to speak. "We gather tonight for a very special occasion. Tonight we join together in formal recognition of two people who had found each other, recognized their love for each other, and who have chosen to live out their lives in celebration of that love. We join them in that celebration and serve as witnesses to the commitment that they make to each other here tonight.

Tom and B’Elanna have written their own vows." She nodded to Tom.

"B’Elanna, I promise to love you, to honor you and to respect you. I will be there for you, in good times and in bad. I commit my life to you, in all ways and forever. I thank you for the happiness you have brought to my life. I did not understand what it meant to truly love someone until I met you." He looked at the Captain, and she nodded to B’Elanna to go ahead.

"Tom, you are my center. You ground me in ways I did not think I could ever be grounded. I love you. I want to spend the rest of my live with you, to grow old with you, wherever fate takes us. Fate brought us together, and I will trust it to take us through our lives together." 

She glanced at the Captain, who then looked at Harry and said, "The rings?"

Harry handed her the rings, and she gave B’Elanna’s to Tom. B’Elanna turned and gave the flowers she was carrying to Seven. Then, she gave Tom her hand, and he slipped the ring on her finger, "I give you this as a symbol of my love and commitment and my unending love."

Then, Janeway gave Tom’s ring to B’Elanna and she repeated the words as she slipped his ring on his finger, "I give you this as a symbol of my love and commitment and my unending love."

Janeway stood as they turned to face her and said, "By the power invested in my by the Federation, I now pronounce B’Elanna Torres and Tom Paris husband and wife." She looked at the beaming couple and said, "The groom may kiss the bride."

Tom leaned down and took B’Elanna in his arms, kissing her as she wrapped her arms around him. They parted and turned to face their friends while Janeway put her hands on their shoulders, standing on the platform behind them, "I present to you Tom and B’Elanna Paris."

B’Elanna accepted her flowers back from Seven, then took Tom’s arm to walk out among their friends. Harry bent over to pick up Kathryn B’Elanna, giving Seven a warm smile. She returned it, but he could see the relief in her eyes when the Doctor joined her, taking her arm. Harry offered Kathryn B’Elanna to the Doctor, and he pulled his daughter to him.

"You did a wonderful job, sweetheart." She handed him a flower petal and laughed. He laughed with her. Seven smiled as she watched them, turning when she heard Neelix’s voice.

"Got it!" He looked at them and waived the holo-imager. "That was a great picture." He made an adjustment, "If you folks will excuse me, I’m going to go get some more pictures. Oh, Harry and Seven, I’ll be taking pictures of the wedding party, so please try to stick around for a little while"

He walked off, slipping around to get a shot of Tom and B’Elanna talking to Tuvok. He caught a shot of B’Elanna and Tom with their heads close together, their smiles filling the picture. He did not think he had ever seen two happier people.