Pregnant Pause - Part 2 Title:鼦 Pregnant Pause (2/2)
The second episode of the Series "For Better or Worse"

Author: Weebob

Fandom: Enterprise

Pairing: Tucker/Reed

Rating:袠

Category:䒷lash

Feedback: Aids the learning process!� ([email protected])

Archive: EntSTCommunity, Reed𠏋 Armory, BLTS,� MEGA � if you want it - any others, please ask first.

SPOILERS: Slight one for 孏he Expanse�, and nods to 𨯗 Night in Sickbay� and 廍ingularity�, I suppose.

Summary:� A companion piece to my fic �Just One More�, filling in a few missing details about Charlie Tucker-Reed𠏋 arrival.

DISCLAIMER:�I don㦙 own or have any rights to the Star Trek universe, 𡌃nterprise", or any of its characters � they belong to UPN/Paramount.� I am making no money from this story.


 A PREGNANT PAUSE II

On each side of the chest of his pregnant husband𠏋 tee shirt was a large, damp circle and Trip did the only thing that made sense to him at that moment: 岞omma!�

Mrs Tucker was already on her way back with Malcolm𠏋 tea when she heard Trip𠏋 urgent cry. Even from a distance, she instantly saw what the problem was and struggled to control her amusement at the stunned and horrified expressions both men were wearing. Abandoning the cup and saucer, in favour of increasing her speed, she immediately took charge of the situation 孏rip, get my coat then fetch the groundcar.� I think Malcolm will feel better someplace quieter.�

Trip hurried off to do his mother𠏋 bidding while she helped Malcolm to put on his own jacket 𨧻ts okay, sweetheart. I𠍿 sure this is all perfectly normal. When I was expecting Trip, I leaked like a damned sieve.� Although you won㦙 be able to breastfeed, your body𠏋 been mimicking a lot of the usual changes of pregnancy and I expect this is just another one to add to the list.� I𠑥l call Dr Phlox to make certain, but I don㦙 think there𠏋 anything to worry about.�

By the time Trip returned, Phlox had been consulted and had confirmed the relative normality of the situation. Malcolm was now flushed, flustered and apologising profusely for causing a stir.� Momma hugged him: 鐈ush now, sweetheart. There𠏋 no need to be sorry. You𠆫e just one big mess of hormones at the moment so, as far as I𠍿 concerned, anything goes. You𠆫e still my kick-ass son-in-law, even though my grandson𠏋 messing you around a little just now!�

She steered him outside and he managed a shy smile for her as she opened the groundcar hatch. 孏rip, its late and he𠏋 shivering. Put my coat around him and both of you cuddle up in the back seat while I get the heater going.�

As Mrs Tucker drove them home, Trip nuzzled close to Malcolm𠏋 ear: 鐈ey darlin� how come ya let her call ya 𦽳weetheart� but ya鏆 break ma legs if ah tried it?�

Despite his wet tee shirt and acute embarrassment, Malcolm managed a grin for his husband. 𨧻𠍿 not going to contradict my mother-in-law. If Momma says I𠍿 a sweetheart, then I𠍿 a sweetheart.�

Grinning, Trip pressed a gentle kiss to his lips 㛝es you are.� An� am real glad yer all mine!�

Phlox visited his patient weekly to monitor him and argue about his date of delivery, concerned that he was already beyond the doctor𠏋 recommended stage for giving birth. The arguments proved futile, however, as Malcolm remained determined not to have the baby early unless it was absolutely essential for its safety, not willing to see Charlie consigned to artificial gestation if he could continue to carry him himself.

𨧻𠐔e told you before, doctor. I am NOT letting you lock my child away in a lab with nothing but machinery for company! I𠍿 sure Charlie will let me know when he𠏋 ready to be born and you𠑥l be the first person we𠑥l call when that happens.�

Wincing as Malcolm attempted to get himself and his bump up a stepladder to hang curtains in the living room, Phlox caught him by the back of his tee-shirt and dragged him back onto the ground 幈h no you don㦙, Mr Reed. You suffer from high blood pressure and dizziness at present � your husband does not.� He can hang the curtains.� Seething, Malcolm reluctantly abandoned his task: 幞o he bloody well can㦙. That𠏋 why I𠍿 doing it in the first place. They𠑥l end up looking like rags by the time he𠏋 finished with them.�

The doctor sighed: 孏hen I䓴L do it, under your tutelage, of course.�

Phlox climbed the ladder and spent a difficult hour adjusting and readjusting the window treatment to Reed𠏋 satisfaction.� At long last, the job was deemed reasonably acceptable.� 𨧻 suppose that𠑥l have to do for now.� Thank you for your help, doctor.�

The Denobulan smiled 𨧻t wouldn㦙 have been necessary if you鏆 delivered the baby when I recommended.� You鏆 have been back to normal by now and able to run up those ladders.�

Malcolm𠏋 glare had the intensity of a small sun 𨧻 won㦙 tell you again, doctor �

Gathering his instruments, Phlox admitted defeat. 𨯗s you wish, Lieutenant. I can only hope that the child will be more cooperative than you are.�

**********

岞y God, Trip!� Its nearly 3am � and where𠏋 Malcolm?�

Tucker shivered in the cold night air and found himself answering in the pleading wail, which had always tended to be his boyhood response to his mother𠏋 use of that particular tone of voice. 鐈e𠏋 in our bedroom with the door locked an� he won㦙 speak to me. Ah can㦙 take much more of this, Momma.� Can ah stay with you an� Poppa for a while?�

The door intercom clicked off and the lock disengaged but, on entering, Trip found himself confronted with his mother hurrying downstairs, Poppa sleepily following in her wake as she threw her coat on over her floral nightdress. 幞o Trip, you can㦙.� This isn㦙 the same big house you grew up in. I have your cousin Tom𠏋 triplets staying while their parents snatch a weekend away for their anniversary and they arrived with two dogs, a hamster and four rabbits.� I can㦙 take much more either.�

She turned to her bewildered husband. 𨧻ts OK Charles.� Just feed 𦦨m and look after them like you did with our own kids.� I𠑥l be back before you know it.�

Pulling him down for a farewell kiss, she turned her attention to Trip and propelled him right back the way he鏆 come. 𨯗lright son, now drive.� You can tell me what you𠐔e done to poor Malcolm on the way.�

Gaping like a landed catfish, Trip obeyed, only remembering how to speak when they were out of the driveway and speeding back towards his home.� 𨯗h didn� do anythin�!� He jus� went� all quiet on me for the whole day then started cryin� at bedtime.� When ah asked what was wrong, he damn near took mah head off!� Said ah was a boor � hell, ah don㦙 even know what that is � an that ah don㦙 care 𨘀out 魀m.� But that ain㦙 true, Momma.� Ah love 魀m more then ever!�

His mother was already shaking her head 廍on, how many times am I going to have to say this to you?� Hormones!� They𠆫e the bane of a woman𠏋 life and, for a little while, they𠑥l be the bane of yours.� I𠍿 not letting you off the hook though, honey.� I𠍿 sure something must have set Malcolm off like that.� Did something unusual happen beforehand?�

The engineer frowned in thought and his tongue came out and lodged itself at the corner of his mouth, suddenly presenting Mrs Tucker with the memory of a juvenile Trip trying to master long-division for the first time!

岞omma, there ain㦙 � oh!� Uh, yeah.� Well � he𠏋 been havin� baths lately, 倴ause they help his backache, but ah was busy workin� on the nursery an� didn� wanna stop to help 魀m in an� out, so ah told 魀m to take a shower for once. Of course, Aunt Min. was only a skinny li𠑥 woman an the basic cubicle was fine for her, but its kinda skimpy on space for Malcolm𠏋 bump � an, well, he kinda got wedged inside.�

Her head in her hands, Momma sighed 㛝ou laughed at him, didn㦙 you?�

Trip shrugged 鏠ourse ah did! It was funny as hell.� He was all wet an� soapy an yellin� an fussin�. Got 魀m out no problem once he calmed down a bit. Nobody got hurt.�

Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed his mother giving him a rather harsh glare� 廍ure, Trip.� Nobody got hurt.� She sighed: 𨧻𠐔e had a hard day with the triplets, son, so I𠍿 going to take a nap.� Wake me when we get there and, meantime, try meditating on the word 蘔ormones� and imagining what Malcolm feels like being 24/7 bed and board for your son.�

Muffled sobbing was still audible outside the bedroom door when Trip and his mother entered the Tucker-Reed home.� Trip knocked on the door and called out for his husband to open it � receiving a less than positive reply: 䥲o to hell, Commander.� You𠐔e slept around in your time, you can bloody well do it again.�

Momma𠏋 eyebrows went up then she smiled as her son𠏋 colour ripened.� She tapped on the door: 岞alcolm, sweetheart, its Momma.� I𠍿 not here to make excuses for Trip, I just want to see you𠆫e alright.� There was a surprised pause, then 𨧻𠍿 fine, thank you, Mrs Tucker.� I𠍿 sorry he got you out of bed to bring you on a wild goose chase.� Please have him take you home � or make yourself comfortable in the guest room.�

Despite herself, Mrs Tucker grinned.� NOBODY did 𦽳tiff upper lip� like the English and, although Malcolm𠏋 nose was blocked from crying and his voice hitched with sobs he was fighting to control, he still remembered his manners!

She tried again: 孏hank you, sweetheart, but I𠍿 staying right here until you let me in.� You don㦙 have to talk to Trip � or even see him � if you don㦙 want to, but I think you need a hug right now and I鏆 be happy to oblige.�

For a few moments, all was quiet then the bedroom door clicked open and Trip glimpsed his husband � puffy-eyed, red-nosed, overwrought and miserable � then Momma slipped inside, ordering Trip to stay in the hallway with his mouth firmly shut!

As a child, Malcolm had, largely, been ignored by his parents � being too quiet and shy to be of much interest to either of them.� Now, faced with such maternal warmth and concern, he felt like a lost desert traveller finally stumbling upon an oasis.

Mrs Tucker gazed at the sorry sight before her:� Malcolm𠏋 tee-shirt and shorts gaped as they strained to cover his bulging stomach and, apart from the repercussions of his crying marathon, he looked dishevelled from his abortive shower and had come out in a hormonal rash which made him look like an acne-ridden teenager. She immediately made good on her promise and hugged her unhappy son-in-law. 鏠ome here, sweetheart.� Tell me all about it.�

After 20 minutes of pacing in the hallway, Trip heard water running in the en suite bathroom then, an hour and a half later, his mother finally opened the bedroom door and let him in.

Malcolm lay on his side, propped up a little on pillows, with a cushion supporting his distended abdomen.� He was bathed and clean-shaven, his hair brushed into neatness, and he looked comfortable in Trip𠏋 baggiest tee shirt and a pair of his sleep shorts. The room smelled of lavender and baby powder and the fragrances evoked a comforting memory for Trip, of childhood bath times and bedtime stories.

On the nightstand, stood a spray bottle of Mrs Tucker𠏋 lavender cologne, and a glass containing the remnants of one of Phlox𠏋 nutritional drinks sat beside the remains of a bar of Momma𠏋 favourite chocolate � the kind she kept in her bag as an emergency comfort food and had used to soothe away many a grazed knee in Trip𠏋 early years.

Nervously, the engineer approached the bed � suddenly realising Momma had slipped past him and out of the room.� 鐈ey, darlin�. Guess ya didn� marry the brightest star in the sky.� Sometimes ah forget what yer goin� through an� sometimes ah don㦙 even consider it in the first place.� Ah𠍿 sorry for hurtin� ya Malcolm, an ah really do love ya an� care about ya.�

In response, Malcolm said nothing but just opened his arms to his husband and Trip, overcome with relief, all but fell into them.

After a prolonged cuddle and a few remorseful tears on both sides, the engineer sat up and studied his pregnant partner � a disquieting thought suddenly occurring to him.� 璌id you let Momma give ya a bath?�

Malcolm blinked, surprised. 㜁ell, yes.� She offered, and you know I can㦙 manage by myself.�

Again, Trip felt uncomfortable. 璌id mah Momma see ya naked?�

Unable to resist a sideswipe at his husband, Malcolm shrugged 幈f course. How else would I take a bath? I don㦙 have anything you don㦙 have and, since she raised you, she𠑥l have seen THAT often enough.�

A blush was rising up from the engineer𠏋 neck to his hairline 𠐓ut THAT was a whole lot SMALLER when it was mine.�

Although knowing exactly what Trip was trying to say, Malcolm was deliberately obtuse: 㜁ell, I wouldn㦙 say you𠆫e a whole LOT smaller than me � but, anyway, I𠍿 sure she wasn㦙 comparing.�

There was a moment of stunned silence from Trip, then Malcolm smiled 㛝ou𠆫e right, love, I didn㦙 marry the brightest star in the sky, did I?� I kept on my shorts until I was getting dried off and, even although its much nicer when you do them, I washed and dried all the interesting bits myself.

岞omma helped out now and then, but mostly we just talked then she put me to bed and gave me a massage with baby oil, like your father did for her when she was expecting.� It really helped all my aches and she𠏋 going to show you how to do it.� And she says we should burn lavender oil in the bedroom to help me relax: she𠏋 left me her perfume to use on my pillow until we get some.�

He paused for a second, trying to recall something he knew he鏆 omitted 幈h, yes, and she𠏋 going to get me one of those little cropped jogging bra things Hoshi used to use in the gym, so I can wear pads when we𠆫e out anywhere. You𠐔e no idea how bloody embarrassing it is when I start to leak all over my clothes. Since I𠍿 not one of you hulking great Tuckers, she thinks she should be able to get something in the women𠏋 extra-size range to fit me.�

Only just managing to pull himself back from executing a repeat performance of his catfish impersonation, Trip listened to his husband talking calmly and knowledgeably about ante-natal matters then smiled at the magic his mother had worked on him. 𨯗nythin�, you want, darlin�. Anythin�.�

The following afternoon, Trip thanked Momma and gave her a grateful hug as he dropped her off back home.� She ruffled his hair and kissed him: 㛝ou𠆫e welcome, son.� All I did was mother him a little: he𠏋 never had that before and he sure as hell needs it right now. I had my mom to lean on when you and the others were on the way and its just so helpful, when you feel tired and sore and huge and unattractive, if there𠏋 someone around who𠏋 been there and can reassure you that things do get better.� Now go home and spoil him a little.� He deserves it.�

**********

孏rip, you great pillock, wait for me! I can㦙 walk as fast as you and I can 㦙 see my feet to get off this bloody escalator�

Turning at his husband𠏋 exasperated cry, Tucker smothered his laughter as Malcolm did an odd little off-balance two-step to disembark from the moving stairway.� He was wearing one of Trip𠏋 more subdued shirts and a pair of women𠏋 extra-size maternity pants but the ensemble still did nothing to disguise his bulk and, as he lumbered towards Trip, people were openly gawping.

璌arlin� ah𠍿 sorry, ah thought ya were right behind me. Here, take m� arm and calm down.�

Flushed and breathless, Malcolm complied. 䥲od, if it isn㦙 bad enough having to go to some parenting class to keep Phlox happy, did it have to be in the outer reaches of Starfleet Medical? It must have started about 10 minutes ago and all I want to do right now is lie down.�

A pretty young nurse at the door of the classroom smiled at them as they arrived. 𨯗h, you must be the Tucker-Reeds, go right on in � the vid𠏋 just beginning.�

Both men had known what a Caesarean birth involved but, by the time they鏆 watched the vid, Trip was nauseous and Malcolm had begun to hyperventilate. A few moments later, just as they were recovering, the pretty nurse appeared at their side and thrust an artificial, but frighteningly life-like, newborn into Malcolm𠏋 arms. 𨯗lright, gentlemen, why don㦙 you join us at the changing table while we learn the proper way to deal with infant� defecation.�

Later that evening, as they lay in bed � Malcolm on his side, complete with cushion � Trip fed his husband comfort-chocolate and stroked his hair. 璌on� t worry 𨘀out it, darlin�. It wasn㦙 a real baby.�

Malcolm sniffed and blew his nose loudly 孏hat𠏋 not the point, Trip.� I dropped it on its head! I𠍿 going to be a dreadful father.� I can㦙 even change a nappy!� Oh God, you𠑥l have to keep me away from Charlie.� I might kill him. At the very least, he𠑥l be terrified of me when he senses how nervous I am.�

Trip spooned against his miserable husband and slid his arm round him to gently rub his stomach 璌arlin�, it𠑥l be different when its for real. Yer the one who𠏋 been Charlie𠏋 home for months now an� he𠑥l feel safe with ya. He𠏋 gonna recognise yer voice too, an know he𠏋 okay.� Don㦙 think ah don㦙 know ya talk to him when ya reckon ah ain㦙 around!�

Leaning over, he kissed Malcolm then hitched up his tee shirt and planted a kiss on his bump, before slipping an exploring hand inside his shorts. 𨧻ts gonna be fine, darlin�.� Now why don� ya hand me over that baby oil an� let me see if ah can put the smile back on yer face!�

**********

When Malcolm was just over 8 months pregnant, Phlox gave up badgering him and opted for a quiet life. 廍ince you have no intention of following my advice regarding your � um� 𡤧onfinement�, I𠐔e decided to attend a medical symposium on Jupiter Station throughout this week. I may, therefore, be a day late for my next visit. I trust that won㦙 be any inconvenience, lieutenant?�

Glowering at the doctor, and feeling like a capsized turtle, Malcolm used the headboard of the bed to haul himself onto his feet before waddling off to the bathroom, his bladder giving the impression it was ready to burst after Phlox𠏋 prodding and poking. 𠐓loody relief, more like.� Don㦙 hurry back.�

As the door closed behind him, the doctor finished studying his scan results and smiled. 𨧻 believe the human expression is 焅amous last words!�

Four days later, Trip was busily assembling a rocking chair they鏆 bought for the nursery and, when the doorbell rang, he frowned at the interruption. His frown disappeared, however, as he opened the door.

鏠ap佋!� Its great to see ya.� Malcolm𠏋 catnappin� right now but that don㦙 stop us havin� a yap.� C𠍿on in. Make yourself at home.�

Jon flopped on the couch and unbuttoned the neck of his shirt a little

further: 𨧻ts hotter than hell out here, Trip. Are you guys managing okay with the heat?� Laughing, Trip handed him a tall glass of cold beer, which he downed with obvious relish. 𨯗h was born to it an� Malcolm � well, he𠏋 swearin� a lot.�

Archer grinned. 㜁hen𠏋 the baby due?�

Tucker made himself comfortable in the chair opposite and frowned. 㜁hen its drained the life outta him an� he𠏋 climbin� the walls with the pain.�

The Captain shook his head: some things never changed. 𨧻s he still coping with the pregnancy?�

Grinning, Trip fetched him another beer 𠐓arely. He𠏋 awful tired, an� the baby𠏋 so big now that its pressin� on his spine, so it hurts constantly but he won� admit it. Oh, an� he𠏋 cranky - REAL cranky!� If he sits in an armchair, he can㦙 get up again. If he walks around, his ankles swell.� He can㦙 get comfortable in bed an� sleeps sittin� up or he gets heartburn. I have to help 魀m in an� outta the bath and help him get dressed � he really hates that.� Oh an� we can㦙 go anywhere unless there𠏋 a toilet.� Ah swear, Jon, if peein� was an Olympic event, he could compete for Britain!�

A sound in the hallway made both men turn to see the lounge door opening. Archer gasped 鎽eez, Malcolm.� You𠆫e enormous!�

Malcolm looked pale and exhausted, his health obviously suffering, but he quirked a tired smile for his friend: 𨧻ts good to see you too, Captain.�

Trip was instantly on his feet and guiding his husband to a chair where, panting from the heat and the effort of his short walk, he more or less toppled into it.� The captain tried not to laugh at the sight of his ex-Armoury officer floundering in an armchair, peering at him over a massive bump. In an attempt to distract himself, he clumsily attempted to make casual conversation.

廍o, Malcolm� seen any good movies lately?�

The Englishman grinned: 𨧻ts alright to laugh, sir. Everyone does when they see me.� I suppose it rather looks like someone tried to push a melon down a drinking straw. Trip𠏋 father𠏋 afraid to be alone with me in case I explode � or fall on him, perhaps! I𠍿 a tad unsteady on my feet since my centre of gravity shifted and I feel like I weigh about a ton.�

The afternoon passed pleasantly, with news of how other crewmates were spending their long, post-mission leave, and reminiscences about the more light-hearted moments they鏆 shared on Enterprise.

Malcolm had worn a steady path back and forward to the bathroom throughout Jon𠏋 visit, so the captain was undisturbed when, yet again, he smiled up, pleadingly, at his husband. 孏rip, love, could you help me to the lav please? He𠏋 moving again and it always makes me feel like I𠍿 going to have to � AAAGH!�

The cry of pain brought both men to his side.� His eyes were squeezed shut and he clung to Trip like he was a lifeline.� The engineer looked panicked: 璌arlin�!� What𠏋 happenin�?�

Sagging against Trip, his teeth clenched and sweat pouring down his face, Malcolm, at last, managed to find his voice again: 鐈ow � how the bloody � hell should � I know? It feels � OH! Oh, Trip! � like he𠏋 trying to tunnel out of me. I think he𠏋 � stuck crossways.�

In desperation, he wrenched himself out of Trip𠏋 grasp and tried to stand up, hoping a change of position would relieve the pain, and his startled husband leaped to give him some support.� Leaning forward, hands on Trip𠏋 shoulders, Malcolm continued to moan in agony: 幈h it hurts! It really hurts! God, I can㦙 handle this! Please, Trip, you𠐔e got to help me. �

Trip looked more scared than Archer had ever seen him, horrified at his own helplessness in the face of Malcolm𠏋 suffering. It worried the captain too that Malcolm, whose high pain threshold was legendary, was in such agony as to actually be ASKING for help.

Archer decided to give his command skills a little exercise: 孏rip, call Phlox and tell him to get his ass back down here: Malcolm can㦙 take much more of this. I𠑥l wrap him up so he doesn㦙 chill. As soon as I𠐔e called the doc, we𠆫e taking him straight over to Starfleet Medical.�

As he headed for the bedroom, to get a blanket, he heard two anxious voices automatically chorus 𨯗ye sir!�

**********

After several fraught hours of waiting for Phlox, refusing analgesics in case they harmed the child, doing futile breathing exercises to try to ease the pain and having countless irritable exchanges with his partner, Malcolm 𡞫elivered� the long-awaited Charlie.

Apart from the post-operative accelerated healing, the Caesarean procedure was carried out in much the same way as it had been for over a century and a half. Malcolm was awake, agitated that he could feel the doctor 𩂈ummaging around� inside him, but numbed to pain. Although rather nauseated, Trip tried to reassure him, while his body was cut open, the baby removed and several essential systems, which had been re-routed to support the child, returned to their original configuration. It wasn㦙 easy!

The birth of their live, healthy son was overwhelming for both men and something of a triumph for Phlox.� Once a significant amount of relieved tears had been shed, and he was satisfied that his husband was no worse than exhausted by his ordeal, Trip sneaked their new child out into the waiting area to meet his grandparents - and be held by his godfather, Jonathan Archer.

Jon grinned at the perfect little human who was squalling in his arms 鏠ongratulations Trip! He𠏋 just incredible. How𠏋 Malcolm doing?�

Trip watched as his family gathered round Jon to coo over the new arrival 𡦖hlox says he𠑥l be okay in a couple of weeks.� His body𠏋 taken a helluva beatin� and the surgery was pretty extensive but the doc𠏋 gonna let him home tomorrow, so long as he promises to stay in bed and behave himself.�

Suddenly, Trip looked a little awkward: 𨯗n�, Umm, he, uh, wants to have another kid.�

Jon was relieved that he鏆 handed the baby over to Momma Tucker before the engineer made his last statement: 鐈e WHAT?�

Trip shrugged. 𨯗h hope its jus� the drugs talkin� � but he seemed pretty serious an� determined.� Maybe he𠑥l go off the idea once Charlie𠏋 been home for a while!�

Rocking the newborn in her arms, Momma looked up thoughtfully : 孏rip, honey, when you arrived, once I鏆 seen you, there was nothing and nobody that could have stopped me from having another baby.� Unless Dr Phlox puts his foot down and refuses to carry out the procedure, Charlie𠑥l have a little brother or sister.� Bet on it!�

**********

岞alcolm!� What in hell𠏋 � Are you doin� what ah THINK yer doin�?�

As Trip arrived next morning, at the door of the hospital room, Malcolm looked up and smiled. 𨧻ts alright, love. It was Dr Phlox𠏋 idea. He says I only have a small amount of milk � not enough to provide Charlie with more than a snack and it𠑥l dry up in a few days, once my hormone levels return to normal - but he can benefit from the antibodies just the same. He𠏋 had formula milk already but he has quite an appetite and wanted to feed again so, since my chest felt like it was about to explode, Phlox suggested I give this a go and its working really well now.�

To Tucker𠏋 surprise, Malcolm was calm and looked serenely competent in the way he handled his son.� His eyes seldom left Charlie and, although tired, they sparkled with happiness as he admired the tiny miracle he鏆 been largely responsible for producing.

Pausing to change sides, he beckoned his husband closer: 𨯗ren㦙 you going to come in, love? I𠑥l give him to you in a minute � it won㦙 take him long to drain me dry!�

Still somewhat dumbfounded, Trip sat on the edge of the bed and studied him. Everything Malcolm had eaten over the past month had seemed to go straight to putting weight on the baby and bypassed him completely. He was very thin now and, from this distance, Trip could see that he hadn㦙 suddenly developed breasts but was just swollen around the nipples - which themselves were much more prominent than normal.� The voracious Charlie was determined to make good use of them - tucked under his birth-father𠏋 arm, supported on a pile of pillows to bring him within reach of the teat he was currently sucking on.

At last, Trip chuckled 㜁ell ah𠑥l be damned!� Malcolm, d𠋀a think it鏆 be too kinky if ah kissed ya while ya were breastfeedin�?�

Trying to look as if he was giving the matter some thought, Malcolm smiled 𨧻 suppose it depends what part of my body you𠆫e going to kiss!�

Trip leaned in and pressed his lips firmly against his husband𠏋, rearing backwards as the door opened and Phlox entered the room. 䥲ood morning, Commander.� Please don㦙 let me interrupt � just be careful of the baby.�

Blushing, Tucker moved to the chair beside the bed 鐈ey, its OK doc, ah can wait until we get home.� He IS getting� home today, isn㦙 he?�

Phlox was washing his hands and turned to the bed as he dried them 𨧻𠍿 just about to check the Lieutenant over but I don㦙 foresee any problems.� Might I trouble you to take charge of your son for a few moments?�

Charlie had stopped feeding a couple of minutes earlier and had already disengaged himself from Malcolm, so Trip was able to scoop him into his arms and begin burping him while the doctor scanned his patient and inspected his already-healing incision.

鏠ommander, you must make sure that Mr Reed rests.� Keep him in bed but let him get up for a short period each morning until he starts to tire, gradually increasing the duration until he feels well enough to manage a

whole day.� He𠑥l find standing up quite difficult, let alone walking, for

quite a while � so please be on hand to assist him as necessary.� He slipped a small padd into Trip𠏋 jeans pocket, 孏hese are your instructions in more detail.� He shot a meaningful glance at Malcolm: 孏hey aren㦙 open to negotiation. Now, if I can borrow Charlie for a spell, while his daddy gets dressed, I𠑥l make sure all𠏋 well then you can be off home.�

Jonathan Archer was waiting in the groundcar𠏋 driving seat when Trip pushed his husband𠏋 anti-grav chair through the doors of Starfleet Medical. Getting out to meet the couple, Archer opened the hatch then, concerned at how light a weight he was, gently lifted his former tactical officer into the car while Trip took care of the baby.� Malcolm was mortified 鏠aptain! There𠏋 really no need.� I𠍿 fine!�

Jon grinned and settled him on the back seat 𨧻𠍿 sure you are � but frankly, Malcolm, you look like hell, so I𠍿 not taking any chances.� Mrs Tucker has warned the clan to leave you be for a few days before visiting, and I𠑥l be off back to Annabella once you𠆫e all settled in at home, so you 𠐔e no excuse not to rest.� With a family like his, Trip has plenty of experience with babies, so take advantage of it.�

He studied the exhausted figure as he fastened the seatbelt around him. 㛝ou 𠐔e done a great job getting Charlie this far, Malcolm, now he needs you to get well and strong again to help him through the next eighteen years or� so!�

Trip was securing their son in his baby seat and harness, and strapping himself in, as Malcolm glanced across at them. Comparing the two fair heads, generous mouths and upswept noses, he smiled: 幈h God! Eighteen years of coping with a Trip Tucker clone!�

And the prospect bothered him not at all.

FIN

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