By Coral
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Paramount, even my soul... ;-)
Written in answer to Kendra's "Kiss Me" challenge. Just a short C/W moment.
"Kiss me, please," she asked, holding her arms out to him imploringly.
Joe looked at the blond-haired beauty in front of him and considered the request. "Well..." He gave her a playful grin before sweeping her up in his arms and giving her a large kiss.
Naomi Wildman squealed in delight. "Again, please, Daddy!"
A genuine smile of joy light up Joe's face as he carried his stepdaughter over to her bed. "If I give you another kiss, it has to be a goodnight one. And then you're going straight to bed." He mock-glared at her, causing her to laugh aloud. "Do I have to make that an order?"
Naomi shook her head and Joe carried her into her pretty bedroom, setting her down lightly on the bed. To Joe, the half-Ktaran girl was perfect in almost every way, and he loved her almost as much as he loved the small girl's mother. They went through the same ritual every night - and had been doing so for two months - and neither one of them was tired of it yet.
"Come on now, into bed."
Reluctantly, Naomi crawled under the bedcovers, pulling them up to her chin and rolling onto her side with a smile. Joe handed her the cuddly Flotter toy that Neelix had given her a few months ago; the girl never went to sleep without it. Giving her a quick kiss, he bade her goodnight and ordered the lights out. Naomi was drifting off to sleep even before he exited the room.
Sam looked up from the PADD she was reading as Joe finally came back into the lounge area of their quarters with a happy expression on his face. Sam smiled wryly. "Is she in bed at last?" she asked.
Joe nodded and sat down next to her on the sofa, removing his uniform jacket as he did so. "Out like a light," he said.
"She adores you, you know," Sam observed quietly.
Joe blushed a little. "I adore her. I had a terrible time when I first realised that I'd never see my two sons again. Having Naomi - helps ease the pain, if only a little."
Sam shifted position slightly, and placed one of her slim hands over Carey's own. "It must be very hard for you. At least I have Naomi here. And now I have you too," she added lovingly.
Carey looked into her eyes sincerely. "And I have you, Sam," he replied with a smile. "I - I guess I still miss home sometimes, but you help me forget that. You make me glad to be alive and well on Voyager, grateful for everything I have here." Sam blushed as Carey continued; "I can't imagine life without you and Naomi. It would be so empty. I enjoy my job in Engineering, I love it in fact, but I need more in my life than just a job..." He trailed off, then grinned sheepishly. "Sorry. I didn't mean to babble so much."
Sam sighed softly, taking his chin in her hand. "Joe. I like your babbling. It's cute. But now..."
"Hm?"
She grinned. "Joe, just shut up and kiss me!"
Joe did.
END