Title: Of Birthdays and Babies
Author: azhosking@cox.net
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own them but they are fun to play with.

Titan series book 3. The historian's note got to me. Unfolds late February to late March, 2380. Someone has a birthday at the end of March.

Full Name: Deanna Troi
Date of birth: Terran equivalent: March 29, 2336

So with that in mind and with help from the end of Bennett's book, Orion's Hounds, I came up with a little dabble, which I hope will give everyone a little Imzadi fix.

Of Birthdays and Babies

Orion’s Hounds by: Christopher L. Bennett (p.374) Will had exercised his authority to command everyone else to stay well away from the lake so they could have it all to themselves.

* * *

Troi nestled up against her husband, basking in their solitude. “Thank you,” she murmured. At Riker’s quizzical thought, she continued, “for reminding me who I am.” Troi took a deep breath and cleared her mind with its release. “I haven’t relaxed my guard since…”

Riker lifted his wife’s head to hold her gaze. He smiled as he brushed a tear away with his thumb. “It’s only been four months. What Shinzon did,” Will swallowed at the memory; “you can’t expect it to resolve in a day or so.”

Deanna pressed her lips against Will’s and started to unfasten his uniform. At that moment, the Captain recalled they weren’t truly alone and squirmed to forestall his wife’s advances.

Troi pulled out of the kiss and rolled to place her husband above her. “Relax, Will. It’s not as if they’re adolescents. And I can assure you any perception they’ll receive will be quite satisfactory.”

The devilish look she gave didn’t get passed him. “You’re awfully sure of yourself.”

She pulled him down in another kiss. No I’m sure of you, she thought, divesting Will of his uniform. This time he offered no protests.

This is going to be good, was the last coherent thought Will gave before they allowed their more primitive instincts to take control.

* * *

“You sure have one hell of a way of convincing a man, Counselor.”

Troi nuzzled into Will’s embrace and murmured her agreement.

Riker pulled away and sat up on a bench the jelly materialized for them. “There’s something I need to ask you.”

Troi smiled, “I know.”

“In sickbay when you asked why we didn’t have a child, was that you or…” Will paused for a moment. “Oh gods. I’m so sorry, Deanna.”

Deanna pulled herself up to sit next to Will. “What?”

“I totally forgot about your birthday.”

“It’s all right, Will.”

Will shook his head, “No. It isn’t.

“It’s not a big deal, really,” Troi said with a soft chuckle. “Though having someone threaten to eat me alive wasn’t exactly how I expected to spend the day.”

“I am such a lousy husband.”

“No, Will. You just had other priorities on you mind. Priorities, I might add, that were a little more important than your wife’s birthday.”

Riker gave her an apologetic look. “Another year older and nothing to show for it.”

Troi smiled, “Not true. I do have this lousy husband.” She leaned over and pecked his cheek. “Seriously Will, you are a wonderful husband and you’ll make a wonderful father. When you’re ready.”

“So that was you asking and not the jellies?”

Troi shrugged her shoulders. “It was a little bit of both, I suppose. There is one fact birthdays don’t allow you to forget: We aren’t getting any younger. And I’m ready to proceed with the next step.”

Riker hesitated. “We can’t make this choice on our own.”

“Starting a family is a personal matter between a husband and wife. I don’t see why we can’t decide this ourselves?”

“How many of those husbands are Captains of a Starfleet vessel whose wife is the senior diplomatic officer?”

“Good point, “ Troi acquiesced. “There are some things we’ll need to discuss and work through.”

Continued in book 4 (hopefully)

* * *

Orion’s Hounds (p. 377) She studied him. “Will… you haven’t said if you want a baby.”