This story takes place after Star Trek X: Nemisis and is rated PG

Surprises

Deanna felt waves of nausea coming over her as she started her day. This was not the first time it happened to her either. This ordeal seemed like it was becoming a daily thing.

"You know, Deanna, you really should eat something." Will offered her breakfast.

Deanna took one look at Will's eggs and ran for the "porcelain goddess".

Will walked to the bathroom entrance and said to her, "Gee, I didn't know my cooking was that bad." trying to lighten things.

"I toss all my cookies and that's the best you can say?" Deanna retorted gasping for air.

"We're cranky today too!" he said, "Seriously, I am concerned."

"I'm fine, Will." Deanna informed, still gasping.

"You've been doing this for days, Deanna. When are you going to see the doctor?"

"Will, I'm fine." she said again, "Besides I am seeing the bad bedside doctor today and I do believe I know what he's going to say." She really could not stand this doctor on this ship.

"Really? You mean I don't have to drag you down there."

"Funny, Will. The doctor will say I'm fine and all my symptoms are normal."

"You call ralphing every morning at the site of food for four days normal?"

"For my condition it is." Deanna said with a lit in her voice.

"Your condition? What con...." Will paused, "Wait a minute. You're not saying?"

Deanna smiled and nodded.

"No!" Will said in disbelief.

"ahu" Deanna was all smiles despite the nausea.

"We're pregnant?" Will was all smiles now too and gave Deanna a big hug. "I'm so happy, Deanna."

Later that morning Deanna was in sickbay. She longed for Beverly Crusher. She really loathed this doctor. "An EMH has a better bedside manner than this doctor." she thought to herself.

"Well, Mrs. Riker", he said, walking in from the lab, "You are a good doctor. You're also right. You're pregnant. Just don't make a habit of this or I'll have to see to it you don't practice doctoring without a license."

"Doctor please. I really didn't come here for bad jokes."

"Crankiness. Classic symptom also."

"Doctor!"

"You may also wish to know, it's dizygotic."

"What!" Deanna was not happy with how he phrased things.

"Two eggs. You passed two eggs and both were fertilized." He stated, "In other words Maternal twins."

"I know that!" she said, "It's just you're talking about a baby."

"Babies." he corrected.

"Babies." she was getting very annoyed now, "as things, not living beings."

"No, I'm merely stating facts." he said.

"Doctor, if I may give you some advice as ship's counselor."

"You may." the doctor said.

"Your bedside manner." she said.

"What about it?" he inquired.

"It sucks!"

"That's your professional advice?" he asked some what shocked.

"No." she said firmly, "My professional advise is, you really should try treating your patients as people with feelings and not as objects to be examined under a microscope."

"I'll take that into consideration." he said with his nose pointing upward.

"And stop acting so arrogant!" she demanded, "Data and the EMH have more people skills."

"You're comparing me to an Android and an EMH?"

"Yes! No!" she couldn't decide, "It's just that most people I've talked to on the ship feel you don't have much compassion toward your patients."

Now the young doctor seemed hurt. "Look," Deanna continued,"just try and be more sympathetic to your patients and then maybe the doctor-patient relationship will be better." Then Deanna slid off the exam table and left.

"Betazoids!" he mumbled,"They're too forward and honest. I can't stand them." Little did he know the feelings were mutual.

Deanna was walking down the corridor to the bridge when Will stopped her.

"Deanna."

"Will."

"So what did the doctor say?" he inquired.

"I was right. I'm pregnant."

"Oh, Deanna!" He threw his arms around her, "I'm so happy."

"With twins."

"What!" he pulled away with shock.

"Not to your liking?" she teased.

"No, no. I'm just surprised and overjoyed." he said, "Walk with me."

"OK." she said.

"By the way," he started, "Did you know your mother was coming today for a visit?"

Now she was the one who was suprised. "No."

"Well, I guess this is a day of surprises." said Will, "Let's go meet her in the transporter room."

Once they met Lwaxana they took her to lunch in ten forward and suddenly wished they had not.

Will suddenly rolled his eyes and thought, " Why does she have to have that damn gong at every meal!"

"I heard that!" Lwaxana said aloud. "You know why. And when are you going to give me some grandchildren? You've been married for a while now and no children. Do you think..."

"We're pregnant." Will informed her.

"Ah." Lwaxana was speechless.

Will almost laughed, then added, "With twins."

Lwaxana sat there wide-eyed. Not a word came from her. The gong was even silenced.

After a moment Will leaned over to Deanna and asked, "Is she alive?"

"I think so." said Deanna.

They could not help but to enjoy Lwaxana's silence. However, It was not long though until Lwaxana Troi was her talkative self again. They were back in Will and Deanna's quarters and Lwaxana was telling them the proper way to raise her grandchildren. How and where to live and how to decorate for the babies. The Rikers just let most of what she said go in one ear and out the other.

Will recounted the events of the day and decided it really was a day of surprises.