A Past Long Forgotten Part 7

Heather waited until Laura, Tom and B’Elanna had disappeared into the house before she looked at her friends. They all guessed that the trio weren’t talking to each other. Laura had probably retreated to the safety and privacy of her bedroom, while Tom was most likely doing his damnedest trying to explain his actions to B’Elanna. Heather thought, trying to keep the frown from forming on her face.

Shelly pouted her lower lip. “What’s the story?” She asked.

Heather looked confused. “What do you mean?”

Shelly shrugged and crossed her legs under her and it was Learra that continued with the question. “With Tom and his girlfriend. And with Casie and Laura. Does Casie know? Does Lieutenant Torres know?”

Tessa cut her off. “Yeah. Why couldn’t Tom, Laura and Casie just be happy?” I know it’s been five years, but still...”

Heather sighed and gave a glance in the direction of the house. Casie had returned to the water with Caity and Matt. She blocked out their incessant squeals of laughter. “Well, Tom told me that he and B’Elanna have been together for about two or so years. Apparently, shortly after Voyager got back, Tom approached Laura and found out about Casie. Tension between them has been escalating.” She took a deep breath. “B’Elanna knows about their previous relationship, but not about Casie. She may suspect something though. I don’t know.” Heather fought back tears. “I keep thinking that I’ll turn around and everything will be fine.”

Shelly agreed. “They were so happy. And now that we’re all back together, I’m expecting them to be back to the way it was too.”

Tessa jumped to her feet, a little too eager to change the subject. “Last one in the water is a rotten egg!” She bolted toward the ocean, Shelly, and Heather joining her after a moment’s hesitation. Learra rolled her eyes and mumbled something about not wanting to ruin her hair. She stayed put on the blanket.

Heather was, as usual, the last in the water. She dove through the oncoming wave and resurfaced next to Tessa, who was floating on her back, legs crossed. Shelly was a few meters away, treading water. They hadn’t even been out there more than a minute when three small bodies came splashing toward them.

Caity, with her dark blonde hair stuck on her cheeks, bounded on top of Tessa, who let out a yelp before being submerged in water. Casie giggled and jumped onto Heather’s back. Matt climbed into his mother’s arms and laid his head on her shoulder.

“Matt, are you tired honey?” Shelly asked, pulling his thumb out of his mouth. He nodded slowly and stuck his thumb back to where it had been seconds earlier. She made a quick apology to Heather and Tessa and started to trudge back toward shore, Matt yawning in her arms.

Heather watched Shelly and her son exit the water. Tessa was busy playing a game of shark and minnow with Caity and Casie, who had decided to get off of Heather’s back. Everything had changed. Five or so years ago, Heather and her friends were ready to conquer the galaxy. Now, they were all different in many way. Mike and Justin were dead, Aria was gone, working on a far away scientific research vessel, Tessa had a promising medical career, Shelly and Brian were raising a family, Learra was busy ordering her superior officer around, and Heather was alone. It was true, she did have a wonderful position under one of her best friends. But honestly, it wasn’t where she thought she’d be. Heather didn’t even know where she thought she’d be.

She let out a deep breath and turned onto her back, closing her eyes to block out the sun’s rays. The biggest change for all of them was Tom and Laura. Everyone had just assumed that they’d be together now. That was a constant throughout the Academy. Heather may have switched majors more than once, Tessa may have dated Mike and then Clinton and then Mike again, Shelly may have been friends with the Delany’s one minute and enemies the next, but throughout it all, Tom and Laura were together. But here they all were. Laura had a fatherless daughter and an aspiring Starfleet career. And Tom had just returned from the dead, bringing with him a complication to his and Laura’s happiness. Heather didn’t know B’Elanna and she knew she shouldn’t even be pre-judging the woman, but Tom and Laura were two of her best friends. And she could only hope that no one got hurt.

***

Tom grabbed B’Elanna’s elbow. He spun her around and he could see the fury and the anger in her eyes. He needed to apologize. “B’Elanna please. Hear me out!” She pulled away from his grasp and crossed her arms, not offering any response. Tom took a deep breath and got ready to confess everything to the woman he loved. “Laura and I...we were involved back at the Academy. Out there on the beach, I just got carried away in the past. My memories got the best of me. Please...” He pleaded, knowing he wasn’t telling the whole truth and unaware that she knew that too.

B’Elanna rolled her eyes. “I wish you could just tell me the truth once. No side-stepping it.” She insisted. “Tom, you cannot forget the past, no matter how hard you try. I know that. Those feelings for her will always be there.” She sucked in a breath. “I just need you to be completely honest with me. I won’t be able to trust you otherwise.”

He stared at her. Clearing his throat, he began to speak again. “Well then...Laura and I were engaged to be married for a little over a year. I left her after the accident and I hadn’t seen her since.” He turned away, unable to look at her. “She told me a couple days ago that Casie is my daughter.”

Shock registered on the half-Klingon’s face. “She never told you?” She asked in horror.

Tom shook his head. “I never gave her the chance. I was gone before she could say anything.” He pursed his lips together and looked back at B’Elanna, taking hold of both of her hands in his. “B’Elanna, marry me.” He didn’t give her a chance to answer. “I love you so much, and I want nothing more than to give Casie a family. Will you B’Elanna?”

She didn’t know what to say. “What about Laura? You can’t just take her daughter away from her.”

“I won’t be. I just want time with her.” He took a step closer, moving his hands to her waist. “And with you...”

B’Elanna looked up at Tom. His blue eyes were sad, yet they still shined with love and trust. She swallowed hard and nodded. “I love you too.” She sealed their promise with a kiss.

***

Casie sat on her bed, legs swinging back and forth against the side. She was waiting, somewhat impatiently, for her father. He had told her earlier that night that he was going to leave for Voyager tomorrow, but he wanted to talk to her first. She sighed in frustration.

There was a knock at the door. Excitedly, Casie jumped off of the bed and tore open the door. Tom was standing on the other side, leaning against the door frame. “Hey there sweetheart.” He lifted her up and gave her a hug before sitting her down on the edge of her bed and kneeling in front of her. “Casie, I need you to know that I love you very, very much.” She nodded, fearing that the worst was yet to come. “B’Elanna and I have decided to get married. And we want you to come stay with us for a while. I was going to ask your mother after I talked to you.”

Casie was silent. “You told me you still loved her.”

He looked away for just a moment. “I do Casie. But not the same way that I love B’Elanna. Do you understand?”

She nodded sadly. “Yeah.”

He smiled at her. “Casie, a long time ago, before you were born, I loved your mother very, very much. But I gave up the privilege to love her the moment I walked out on her.”

“When I come visit, does Mommy get to come too?” His daughter wondered, starting to fidget on the bed.

Tom shook his head. “Probably not.” He explained. “You’ll just meet B’Elanna and me on Voyager and then stay with us while your mom finishes a mission. Would that be okay with you?”

She nodded again.

He grinned at her and kissed her forehead. “That’s good. I’m going to talk to your mommy now, okay?”

Casie smiled a little. “Yeah. I love you Daddy.”

“I love you too Casie.” Tom helped her lay down on the bed and he tucked her in before heading out the door to find Laura.

***

Laura sighed tiredly and tossed the padd onto the bed in front of her. There had to be something better to do than read possible candidate for her two open positions. She was beginning to think she should just throw all the applications at Heather with the instructions to ‘choose the two she likes best’.

She thought for a moment or two before getting up off the bed and wandering into the hall. Not exactly sure where she wanted to go, she headed down the stairs and into the kitchen. Opening the cupboard above the sink, she pulled out a tall glass and filled it with cold water. She took the glass out onto the porch and sipped it thoughtfully.

All of the guests had since gone home and both Admiral and Mrs. Paris had retired to their bedroom. Casie was upstairs in her room reading a book. Laura was going to go up to tuck her in soon. She wanted to give her a few more minutes. Since the incident with Tom this afternoon, she hadn’t spoken to either Tom or B’Elanna, and, quite honestly, she didn’t have any intention to. Finishing the water, she set the glass onto the table near the door. She peeled her sandals from her feet and laid them on the last step, walking down onto the sand.

The sun was disappearing in the horizon and the sky was filled with deep shades of pink and orange. There had been many times that Laura had walked along this stretch of beach, trying to sort out her thoughts. This wasn’t any different. She was about halfway between the house and the boathouse when she decided to stop walking. She sat down in the sand, the breeze blowing through her auburn hair.

Laura hadn’t been out there long when someone sat down next to her. She turned her head to find Tom looking at her. “Hi.” She greeted meekly.

“Hi.” He returned, moving his head to look at the setting sun. “Voyager’s leaving tomorrow.” Tom said quietly. Laura could tell that wasn’t what he had come down here to talk to her about. She was right. “B’Elanna and I were talking.” He started. “And we wanted to take Casie with us for a couple months.”

Laura’s jaw dropped. She shook her head, not believing what she had just heard and turned to look at him once again. “Excuse me?”

Tom swallowed. “We’re planning on getting married in a few months, and we want Casie to be a part of it.” He sighed. “I want her to be a part of it.”

“You want me to let Casie go off with two complete strangers? Tom, I can’t do that.” Laura jumped to her feet, tears beginning to sting her eyes.

“Casie knows that I’m her father.” Tom said simply, the words hitting Laura hard.

She spun on her heels and glared at him incredulously. “What?”

“She told me this morning that she knew I was her father.” He explained, not able to look her in the eye. “Casie said that she wanted to know why I left you and why I never came back. I tried to explain it to her, but I want more time. B’Elanna is more than happy to help me with Casie, even if it is for only a little while.” Laura had turned away again and Tom tugged on her shirt sleeve. “Please Laura. I just want time with my daughter.”

Laura managed to lift her head and Tom could see the tears falling down her cheek. “Of course Tom.” She choked out. “Maybe it’ll give me a few weeks to get my life back together.” She swallowed back more tears and wiped her nose with her sleeve. “I’ll tell Casie.” Laura pulled out of Tom’s reach and half-walked, half-ran back to the house, unable to hold back the tears any more.

Tom stood on the beach alone, wondering if he had just made the biggest mistake in his life.

***

The following morning, Voyager was being released from drydock and Tom and B’Elanna were expected to be on it. Casie was going with them. Laura had gone up to talk to Casie after her conversation with Tom. Her daughter was more than excited and Laura tried to stay calm. She helped Casie pack some of her clothes and her favorite books and stuffed animals before bidding her good night and sweet dreams. She then returned to her own bedroom and cried herself to sleep.

Laura walked down the stairs in her bathrobe and entered the kitchen, surprised to find most of the other occupants of the house already up and busy. Theresa was busy at the stove, scrambling eggs and making pancakes. Casie was happily enjoying her bowl of cereal at the table with her grandfather and Tom, who were each waiting for their breakfast. Laura leaned against the doorframe and, for a moment, she was the wonderful mother and this was her family. But the dream ended at the sight of B’Elanna entered from the family room. Tom gave her a good morning kiss before helping her into the seat on the other side of the table. Now Laura felt like an outsider, looking in on a happy family sharing the most important meal of the day with each other.

Casie was the first to see her mother. Her face brightened and she jumped out of her seat, running straight for Laura’s arms. “Mom!” She exclaimed. “Tom and B’Elanna said that Naomi’s going to be on Voyager too, so I’ll have someone to play with. Her mom’s staying on board like they are.” She was clearly excited and, deep down, Laura was truly happy for her daughter.

Tom looked up from his food to see Laura in the doorway with Casie. Her face was red and swollen and he could tell she had spent most of the night crying. “Good morning Laura.” He greeted, offering her the seat across from him and next to the admiral. She declined his offer.

“I’m not really hungry. When are you three leaving?” She asked, not moving from her spot. Casie had returned to her seat.

“As soon as we’re finished eating.” He answered, pouring himself another glass of fresh squeezed orange juice. Casie held out her glass, wanting more too, and he gladly filled hers up also.

B’Elanna rose from her seat and approached Laura. “Thank you.” She smiled.

Laura raised an eyebrow. “For what?”

The half-Klingon shrugged. “For letting us take Casie. I know how difficult this must be, but I do want you to know how much I admire you. Thank you.”

Laura’s face softened. “You’re welcome.” She responded. “I know you’ll take good care of her.” Torres nodded and wrapped her arms around Jenkins’ neck, embracing her.

“This means a lot to Tom.” She whispered.

“I know.”

***

Laura hugged her daughter hard and a tear fell down her face. “I want you to be on your absolute best behavior while you’re with Tom and B’Elanna, do you understand me?” She instructed, receiving a nod of her daughter’s head in response. “Alright. I’ll see you in a few months.” She let go and brushed a strand of hair from Casie’s face. She took one last look at her before pushing her toward the door. “Now get going. You three don’t want to be late.” Casie grinned at her mother and skipped out the door and toward the hovercraft.

B’Elanna walked through the door next. She hugged Laura again. “It was great meeting you. Thanks again.”

Laura smiled. “You’re welcome. And congratulations.” She nodded toward the ring on her finger.

“Thanks.” Torres continued out the door and joined Casie outside.

Laura took a deep breath and turned around in time to find Tom’s arms wrap around her. “Thank you so much.” He murmured in her ear. “She’ll be okay.”

She nodded and laid her head on Tom’s chest for just a moment longer than necessary. “She better be.” Laura chuckled. “Or else I’ll hunt you down and show you just how powerful my ship is.” She joked, pulling away from his embrace.

“I’ll see you in a couple months.” He added, leaning down and kissing her cheek softly. “Good-bye.” He headed out the door and walked over to his fiancée and daughter.

Casie turned to look at her mom and she waved, a smile on her face. Laura waved back and watched sadly as Casie pushed between Tom and B’Elanna and took both of their hands in hers. The two adults shared a smile and walked into the hovercraft. Laura watched it take off and, as it disappeared from her sight, she felt her entire world shattering around her.

The End.

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