Troy had actually helped clear the table and shepherd the kids into the other room. He helped Arianna get ready for bed as Kitty and K'Tag took Raktajino in the main quarters where Zac sat and read a book off of a PADD. Kitty was very happy to have the chance to have K'Tag over. It had been a long time.
"So how are things down at Serenity?" she asked as she took a sip of her Klingon coffee. "Though I do see the switch to a red collar and the new pips seems to suit you. Congratulations on the promotion."
He nodded."Thank you. So far things seem to be moving very slow, much slower then things up here, lots of time for easy promotions I suppose."
Kitty smiled. "It sounds like you miss us," she replied.
"I miss you!" Zac chimed in quickly, looking up from his PADD.
"As I have too missed you, young Zac." K'Tag turned toward the young boy as he spoke. "DujLLj yIvoq Utyeha Duithem."
Zac's smile broadened. "Are you gonna stay here and visit more often now? Or do you live on Serenity now?" His eyes looked at K'Tag seriously.
"Young Zac, I honor the wishes of those I serve. I am needed on the planet, but this will always be my home." K'Tag stood and walked over to Zac. The two made a sight. K'Tag put his hand out and Zac put his hand into the hand of the giant Klingon.
Kitty smiled. "As you can tell, we definitely miss your presence around here." Just then Troy came out the back with Arianna in his arms. Pikachu followed behind.
"A little someone wanted to say goodnight," he smiled as he brought the little girl to her mother. Arianna hugged her mother tightly around the neck and kissed her cheek.
"Night-night, momma," Arianna said. "Read to me?"
"I promised you I would read to you tonight," Troy replied. "Is that okay? Pikachu is going to watch."
"Pika, Pika," the little yellow creature said.
Arianna nodded.
"Goodnight, sweetie," Kitty replied, kissing her daughter one more time.
"I'll be right back," Troy replied as he disappeared with the little girl and the Pikachu.
"Arianna always has to have her books," Kitty laughed softly. "And Pikachu sleeps with her. He seems to protect her. I guess I'm very lucky."
"I would say so." K'Tag replied glancing quickly at Kitty. "There is also good news I bring to you."
<bing bing>
"That must be Claire now." K'Tag spun as he spoke. Zac came running to his mother, and began tugging at her shirt.
"Mom, mom, is that Aunt Claire?" Zac inquired with large eyes. Kitty nodded her head to Zac who then ran to the door to welcome the Lieutenant into their quarters.
The door slid open and Claire walked in.
"Hi, Aunt Claire!" Zac greeted.
For a moment she stopped dead in her tracks and looked at him and smiled. "Hello, Zac," she replied. "Thanks. Want to guide me in to everyone else?"
"Sure!" Zac replied and took her offered hand. He then lead her into the main quarters where his Mom and K'Tag were sitting. Troy soon appeared.
"Ah! Hi, Claire!" Troy replied.
"Can we get you anything? A Raktajino, maybe?" Kitty offered, raising her own cup up.
"No, that's okay," she said as she went to K'Tag and sat down. "Thanks anyway."
K'Tag reached up and took Claire's hand. They turned back to Kitty and Troy. "K'Tag and I have decided to get married." Claire spoke with excitement in her voice.
Kitty's eyes lit up with joy at hearing the announcement. "That's wonderful!" she replied. "I'm so happy for the both of you!" She reached over and put her hand over Claire's and K'Tag's. "May it be a joyful union for all time."
"I second that motion," Troy added with a smile of his own, as his arm slid around Kitty's waist. Their marriage had been a wonderful one and in only a few more months she'd have their child.
"Have you both chosen a date yet?" Kitty asked.
"Or a place?" Troy added.
"Married?" Zac replied with a disgusted look on his face. "That means you gotta kiss, doesn't it?"
Kitty and Troy laughed. "Something like that, they replied, as they exchanged a kiss quickly, much to Zac's displeasure as he groaned, "Gross . ."
"Well we kinda have to do it sooner than later." Claire quickly added. K'Tag looked at her with a puzzled look upon his face.
"We were hoping to do it somewhere we both called home." K'Tag began.
"So we decided here on the station would be the perfect place." Claire finished.
"The ceremony will take seven days," K'Tag continued.
"What do you mean seven days?" Claire dropped K'Tag's hand.
"It will take seven days to complete the path of the warrior." K'Tag continued.
K'Tag again grabbed Claire's hand.
"I was actually hoping to have a traditional Betazoid wedding. For my Mother's sake." Claire turned to face K'Tag.
"I am not wedding you, standing at the altar naked." K'Tag stated in his firm Klingon voice.
"If we are wearing clothes, then there is no rush." Claire finished, again dropping K'Tag's hand from her own.
Zac quickly grabbed K'tag's now empty hand.
Kitty's senses were picking up something Claire wasn't saying. She wasn't sure she should bring it up or stay out of it, but her own hormones were askew.
"Was there some rush to get the nuptials over with if you had to appear nude?" Kitty asked. "I'm just trying to figure out what the difference is," she said with a hint of concern.
"Kitty can I see you in the other room?"
"Of course," Kitty replied. "I believe the boys can entertain themselves for a few minutes alone," she smirked. At that, she got to her feet a bit awkwardly as her center of gravity had shifted with her growing baby, and lead the woman into her bedroom. "What is it, Claire?" she asked, having a feeling what the answer was.
"Kitty, last week, I had been having some pains in my stomach. I went to the doctor, figuring I was having motion sickness, since now I was dealing with the rotation of the planet...but..." Claire trailed off and began to cry. "I can't tell him, I can't figure out how to tell him, and I am so far away from all my friends being on Serenity, and I have a new job on the surface, and I can't tell him that..."
"Oh, honey . . . I'm so sorry . . ." Immediately Kitty had Claire in her arms. "I know it's hard and it seems like an impossible situation. But if you can't trust K'Tag now, how can you marry him?" She tried wiping away the young woman's tears. "He loves you, Claire. I know he does . . . Maybe there's some kind of compromise that can be worked out so you don't feel so isolated from your friends too. After all, you're going to need a lot of emotional support . . . and I could send Kassia down to check in on you from time to time. She's also trained as a medic. I could have one of the doctors give her some courses on child birth and she could teach you what you'd need to know . . . There are all kinds of possibilities, Claire. You're not in a dark tunnel yet. There's a way out and I'll help you as much as I can . . . I promise."
"I have to tell K'Tag, I have to find some way to give him the news. I do trust him, I do love him. Don't tell, I asked him to marry me. I felt it in my gut. It just turns out it may have been more then just my gut telling me. My mother is going to be so ashamed of me. How can I bare the child, of a man I'm not married to. What if he reacts in anger and he leaves me. How do I know he will be a good father?" Claire replied quickly almost in one breath.
Kitty took both of Claire's hands in her own. "Take a breath," she said and watch as the young woman did it. "Now, what does your heart tell you?" she asked simply.
"I love him. I do, I am just so afraid of messing up, right now." Claire replied
She could here the boys getting louder in the next room. Claire turned to peak in on the growing sound. As she turned K'Tag leaned out from around the corner, and pressed his lips to hers.
"Is there something wrong, dear?" K'Tag could tell from the tears in his soon-to-be wife's face.
Kitty smiled. "We were just having some girl talk," she replied, winking at Claire. "But if you two would like to talk, you're more than welcome," she said motioning to her room. "Just try not to break anything in there." There was a twinkle in her eyes as she was trying to make light of things. She wanted Claire to talk to K'Tag, but knew it had to be in her own timing. She was giving them an opportunity, but in a way that was non-threatening.
She could see Troy give her a strange look, knowing something else was going on. She subtly shook her head. It went unnoticed by everyone, except Troy who nodded and smiled gently.
Suddenly Kitty grunted and placed a hand on her abdomen. "Oh! I think this one is going to love dancing! I think I'm going to sit back down," and almost headed for the couch, only Claire still held her hand.
"K'Tag are you ready to be with me for the rest of our lives?" Claire began.
"I am, I love you, I honor you and am ready to keep you near for the rest of our lives." K'Tag continued.
"I'm pregnant. The Klingon, Betazoid, and Human DNA, may cause some problems, but I'm pregnant. Do you have anything to say?" Claire began to look down waiting for a response. Claire dropped Kitty's hands and wrapped her arms around K'Tag. "I love you!" Claire added.
"I am going to have a son, a warrior." K'Tag added.
"It may also be a girl." Kitty piped up.
"Then she will be a warrior." K'Tag corrected himself
"Are you really gonna kiss her?" Zac came running from around the corner. "When is dessert?"
"I am starving again," Claire responded and began to rub her stomach.
"It seems we have many plans to make, very quickly." K'Tag spoke in a more direct tone.
Kitty's eyes sparkled. "Why doesn't everyone take a seat at the table and I'll get it," she replied.
"Oh no!" Troy replied coming up behind her, allowing his arms to go around her waist to rest on her growing abdomen feeling the moments there that his child made. He then tenderly kissed her neck. "I want you to sit down and start making those plans. I'm going to get dessert."
"I hope I get extra later," she said softly.
"I think something can be arranged," he replied.
She had a wicked smile as she reached the table and sat with the others. Soon they were all involved in plans for a wedding and eating the best cheesecake anyone every had on the Starbase.