"Jean-Luc, I don't understand why it won't happen for us. We both want it so much."
"I know Jack. Don't worry about it. You and Beverly were made to be parents and sooner or later it will happen." Jean-Luc tried to comfort his friend. "But, Jack, you are an officer on one of the greatest ships in Star Fleet. For ambitious Star Fleet officers, there are certain limitations…"
"Johnny, I want this. Beverly wants this." Jack had considered the limitations. He had years to consider the limitations.
"And don't forget to think of Beverly. Her career could be limited if you have a child. She will be an excellent medical officer. It will be harder for her to achieve that with a child." As progressive as twenty fourth century Star Fleet was, Beverly would still be expected to take time off with pregnancy and an infant.
"You don't think I've thought of Beverly? Beverly, who cries every month she isn't pregnant? We're ready, Johnny."
"Then Jack, I believe it will happen. I've heard it happens the moment you stop worrying about it. Tell Beverly you love her and she is more than adequate as a woman, as a wife, as a doctor, whether or not she becomes a mother. And know that you are more than adequate as a man, as a husband, and as an officer, whether or not you become a father."
"Thanks Johnny. It really means a lot to have your support. Would you talk to Beverly? It might help for her to hear that you think of her that way. I know she feels like she isn't enough a lot of the time."
"I can certainly do that for you." Jean-Luc did not want to tell Beverly how he truly felt about her…that she was beautiful, smart, charming, as close to perfect as a woman could be. She was his best friend's wife and he respected that, but he knew she would always be the woman he loved.
A short time later, Beverly Crusher approached Jean-Luc's door. "Enter." He commanded, as he always did, but with a gentleness reserved only for her. "Ah Beverly. Please, sit. How are you?"
"As you know, I have been better." Beverly sat and looked down.
"I'm sorry. I'm no ship's counselor, but you know I will always be here to talk with you. You and Jack, of course."
"Thank you Jean-Luc. It really means a lot. It's just so frustrating. I know everything there is to know about conception and pregnancy but even I can't make it work. No amount of medical knowledge can fix this. There's no reason for this!" Beverly had jumped to her feet and was now pacing Jean-Luc's ready room.
Jean-Luc approached her and took her hand. "You are an amazing physician. An even more amazing woman. I have seen you with young patients. You will be a wonderful mother. Do not fret.""
Thank you Jean-Luc."
Jean-Luc Picard knew he couldn't do enough to make his friends feel better. He could do even less for himself. Once again, the nagging feeling, that he was missing out on something wonderful was back. He had always wanted to be a starship captain for Star Fleet and the Federation, and now he was. But, he still felt emptiness. He had made the choice not to marry and not to have children, making sacrifices for his career.
Beverly conceived a child, the future Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher, just two months after this conversation. Six months later, Jean-Luc visited her hospital room. "Would you like to hold him?" Beverly smiled as she held the tiny bundle up for Jean-Luc to take.
"He is beautiful, Beverly. Just like his mother." Jean-Luc tenderly cradled the child, and felt tears welling up.
"Johnny, will you be his godfather?" Jack was beaming, clearly overjoyed and full of pride in his young son.
"Of course, Jack, Beverly. I would be honored." It was that promise that motivated Jean-Luc to accompany Wesley Crusher to Star Fleet Academy sixteen years later. That promise, and the necessity of a heart procedure. But it was the promise alone that led Jean-Luc to answer Wesley's incessant questions about children, reminding Jean-Luc of the "certain sacrifices" he had made.