[Key Change Verse - For ltkyle]

[nyota_uhura24]

It was hard to believe that she'd only known about the pregnancy for a few hours. Already it felt as if her whole life had changed, and already it felt like she'd been waiting eons to tell John the news. She was trying her best not to speculate on what his reaction would be. Burying herself in work provided a measure of temporary distraction, but her mind kept drifting to her unborn child. Eventually she gave up and called up the computer's database on prenatal care, wanting to at least familiarize herself with what she should expect and how she could ensure the child's health. Then she reviewed the regulations regarding pregnant crewmembers; she could continue to perform her duties for the duration of the mission, though her involvement in away missions would drastically decrease. When she really thought about it, the timing could actually have been a lot worse. She'd be on Earth well before she had to deliver.

Towards the end of his shift Nyota sent John a PADD message asking him to come to her quarters when he was free. She took care not to say anything out of the ordinary, because even though part of her wanted to warn him that this wasn't just another evening, she didn't want to worry him with comments like, "We need to talk." Then she made a mug of tea and tried once more to come to terms with what was happening, joy and nerves still warring for control. She was nervous about not being ready, about John's reaction, about how this would affect her career and their relationship, but in spite of everything this was still a dream come true.

Comments

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

Sighing contentedly as he wrapped his arms around her, Nyota cuddled against him, wanting to be as close as she possibly could. She felt warm and sated, the challenges of their future all tinged with pleasant afterglow and the knowledge that they would face everything together, side by side. Even though she was tempted to let herself drift off to sleep, there was still so much to think about and process. Today had started as an ordinary day, but now she was pregnant and engaged. Things had changed so quickly, and the only reason she wasn't panicking a little was the incredible man lying beside her. "If that baby is a boy," she whispered, "How about we name him John?"

[ltkyle.livejournal.com]

Now, John wasn't one to show a lot of emotion. He didn't really do an excessive amount of smiling and he never cheered with glee. There was mostly him being solemn and the quiet type. Once Nyota spoke, offering up using his name for the baby if it was a boy, a smile broke out on his face. He pressed his lips to head, eyes shut, still smiling after he kissed her and hugged her. "I'd like that," he said softly in response, having a sudden moment where itw ould feel like he was actually a part of a family.

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

More even than the smile and the kiss, his tone of voice let her know just how much the gesture meant to him. Smiling and nuzzling against him, she murmured happily, "Me too." From Nyota's perspective, if they weren't a family yet they'd certainly be one soon. This thought led to another realization, a happy albeit potentially more troubling one. Given that they'd been out here in space, John still hadn't met her family, and while she had no doubt that they'd love him she also knew just how overwhelming they could be. "When were you thinking of getting married? My dad's going to throw a fit if he doesn't get to walk me down the aisle."

[ltkyle.livejournal.com]

"That's entirely up to you, love," he replied. "I'd hate to anger your father, so whenever you feel we could get away with it, that's fine by me." He didn't really think much about the timing of it because, well, why would he? John wasn't one to care much for when the wedding took place. He wanted to marry her, no doubt, but all he could think was maybe sooner than later relatively. "I suppose it all depends on if you want to be married before or after the baby was born," he suggested gently. "And I have no idea what you thought your wedding would be like and I had very little hope for myself," he teased.

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

"All that really matters to me is that my friends and family are there," she replied. "I don't care if we get married before or after the baby is born, though... I don't particularly want to look pregnant in my wedding photos." Perhaps it was a silly consideration, but it was how she felt. "If we wanted, we could try to get married before we return to Earth, but I'd only want to do that if my family could be there. I don't particularly want to wait, but it might be easier if we do." She didn't need excessive planning or a huge crowd, just her loved ones and the man she loved more than anything.

[ltkyle.livejournal.com]

John nodded, but mostly to himself. He really didn't have an opinion about it. He was simply going with what she would want. He didn't have any family to consider aside from Eli and once that was taken care of - which involved all of telling him - he'd have nothing else to worry about. "Whatever you'd like," he replied softly, "I have less people involved, so it isn't difficult."

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

She nodded too, giving him a tender kiss as she considered. "We'll be in communications range with Earth in a few days. I'll contact my father and start trying to find a time that works for everyone." She paused for a moment and than added tentatively, "I'd really like it if you two could talk before the wedding. I could set up a video call." It was important for her that her family and her husband know each other, but she didn't want to put any pressure on John.

[ltkyle.livejournal.com]

John figured that much. He wasn't too worried about meeting her father. He figured that he'd already proposed and gotten her pregnant. The man might not like him, but he was going to have to deal with John marrying his daughter one way or another. Not that he had any intention of being unpleasant in any way. "That's doable," he said, fingers gently sifting through her hair.

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

She hummed contentedly at the touch of his fingers. "He's going to love you," she said quietly. "He can be a little on the overprotective side, but all he cares about is that I'm happy. And you make my happy." John wasn't the type to get nervous about anything, but she wasn't sure how he'd deal with having to meet her family, and she didn't want him to be concerned.

[ltkyle.livejournal.com]

Right now, he had very little thoughts about her family. maybe once he was meeting them he'd feel something akin to nervousness, but at the moment, he figured the worst that could happen is they would meet him and find him strange. Even then, John didn't care much. "I'll behave," he offered up willingly, as if she had to worry about his behavior in the first place.

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

She really didn't have any concerns about John meeting her family, had only wanted to put him at ease, so his reply made her laugh softly. She rubbed her nose against his, all but purring with happiness. "I know you will." It was more than a little amusing that he felt the need to tell he that, and she couldn't help adding teasingly, "Though I much prefer it when you misbehave."

[ltkyle.livejournal.com]

"I never..." he gasped, furrowing his brow and wrapping his arms around her simultaneously. He grinned as she nuzzled in against him and he laughed. "I'm not one to misbehave. I have no idea what your going on about," he added, looking almost insulted, though not actually.

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

She laughed aloud when he feigned insult, doing her best impression of contriteness as she replied, "Really? Then I must have you confused with someone else. I could have sworn I remembered you being downright naughty." There was obvious innuendo in her voice and a little smirk on her face.

[ltkyle.livejournal.com]

John just shakes her head at her, completely disapproving of the notion that he could be such a thing. "You simply must be thinking of someone else," he replied, not even a smirk touching his lips. He did eventually grin at her.

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

"I'd concede the possibility," she replied, pretending to think for a moment before she returned the grin. "Except I never think about anyone else. There's no one but you." She kissed his smiling lips, feeling completely content and at ease.

[ltkyle.livejournal.com]

He laughed against her mouth and kissed her back, arms wrapped around her as he did so. Pulling back, he shrugged, "You should branch out, love. Thinking about me all day's got to be dull."

LOL

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

At his reply she laughed and shoved him playfully. "Don't sell yourself short, John. I never get tired of thinking about you." She pressed another kiss to his lips. "About your voice." A kiss to his jaw. "About your eyes." A kiss to the juncture of jaw and neck. "About your smile..."

[ltkyle.livejournal.com]

"I'm gonna run out of body parts," he replied flatly, tightening an arm around her and grinning to himself proudly as he shut his eyes and let her keep kissing him. He didn't mind.

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

"Oh, but there are so many I haven't listed," she murmured, pressing closer against him as his arm tightened around her. Her lips trailed down his neck, nipping and licking and sucking, almost hard enough to leave a mark.

[ltkyle.livejournal.com]

He swallowed back that desire she was instilling. He raised an eyebrow at her comment though and shut his eyes. "I see what you think about all the time then," he offers as an explanation.

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

Chuckling softly against his skin, she breathed out, "Those are some of the things I think about, yes. I also think about how very much I love you." Her lips traveled along the slope of his shoulder, hand skimming down his side to trace his hip.

[ltkyle.livejournal.com]

"Liar," he teased, "You only like me for my body. I can tell." He grins and runs his hands down her skin, turning his head to inhale her scent. Her hands keep moving over him and he raises an eyebrow. What's the worst that could happen? She was already pregnant.

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

"Oops, you've caught me," she teased back, still nibbling and licking at his skin. "But can you really blame me?" She started to shift a little lower to nip at his collarbone and lick his chest. "How could I not like you for your body?"

[ltkyle.livejournal.com]

John was perfectly okay with letting her play. In fact, he stayed very still for this whole ordeal. He smiled to himself as she played along and glanced down at her. "Mm, well, I guess you're right," he said softly. She was making it hard to focus.

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

Laughing softly, she pressed on John's shoulder to encourage him to lie flat on his back while she continued to kiss down his body. "I usually am," she replied, feeling a little accomplished that he already seemed distracted by her.