Adjustments

By TC Amlin

This story comes from the Novels and is a small glimpse of life for the new family.

Beverly walked a little faster than normal to her quarters that she shared with her husband and now newborn son. Taking advantage of 24th century medicine allowed for a four week recoup period and her return to work on a light schedule for a few weeks. Plus along with a great staff that was willing to make a few more adjustments here and there for ships leaders to change years of childless habits.

Beverly had usually been the one responsible for retrieving Rene from day care but with Troop off the ship for the 1st time in months helping with the recovery from the Borg war, she had ended up staying late for the birth of new crewman Taylor's 1st child. Not that staying over 10 hours bothered her because delivery duty was usually joyful, it was that she was just worried about the two men in her life and how the longest period they had been without her was going.

Jean Luc had amazed her with how he handled her labor and Rene's birth and then being a new Dad. She had been expecting the same nervousness that Jack had shown with Wesley. Smirking she even remember how Jack was all thumbs when trying to change diapers and then nearly laughed out loud when Wes had drowned his poor dad with a golden shower when Jack wasn't quick enough with the new diaper.

But not Jean Luc, even though he had treated the infant Wesley like a virus he didn't want to touch, with Rene he was making sure the bond between father and son was a strong one. Volunteering to see to the boy and care for him as though it was old hat. Of course she knew he was going on his experience as Kaman and being a father there stuck more than he thought.

But that didn't mean trying to bottle feed a baby used to breast would be easy with any experience as a parent. Having missed out on that time and bonding when she had Wes because of classes and call schedule though she had had no doubt that she was going to go all out with her newest child. The thrill of the knowledge that she was providing nourishment to Rene and that he was an easy baby to feed filled her with a motherly pleasure like no other.

Which brought a scowl to her face if her husband claimed that they had had no issues in her absence she was going to be upset, especially since the day care giver had called her when she was running late for a feeding on how the young Mr. Picard was adamantly refusing the bottle,thus causing her and the Captain some slight embarrassment when she had to leave a in the middle of an impromptu meeting. Thirty minutes later a happy boy was being cuddled by staff as a hurried mother returned to the meeting in time for the closure of it.

Just as the turbo lift made her floor "Sick Bay to Cr. Crusher?"

Sighing, "Crusher here?

"I am so sorry to bother you but there was an accident on the holodeck and we have a couple of injuries coming in, "came the voice of the newest nurse to staff her sickbay.

"Is it anything more than bumps bruises and cuts that you and the medics can handle?"

"No ma'am, just wanted to advise you," was a flustered answer, "I will call you if there is something serious."

Good idea crossed her brain, "Thank you, Crusher out."

Making it to her door, she entered the darken quarters quietly, her eyes acclimating to the low lit room she wandered over to the crib and to her surprise found it empty. Having seen the couch empty and cups, bottles and pads across the coffee table she took her search to the master bed room and was unable to keep the smile off her face. There laying sound asleep on his back was Captain Jean Luc Picard, bare-chested in his sleep shorts with an equally dressed baby lying on that bare chest.

The other reaction to seeing her son was the pain in breasts reminding her that they were full and seeking relief. She had expressed in her office between examinations and delivery of baby Taylor but all she had wanted to do is cuddle with Rene and enjoy that Motherly bond with him. And now with the cutest scene she alone would be privileged to she could bring herself to take Rene from his father's hold.

She was brought out of her musings by the quiet baritone whisper from the bed, "He is due to wake up soon if he holds to schedule, why don't you get ready for bed and lay down with us. And just take the picture you have been hemming and hawing over so you can embarrass me later."

Without hesitation she grabbed the camera and snapped off a couple of shots and then headed to the bathroom to change. Five minutes later she joined her men in bed.

Knowing her as he did, and how upset she would be if truth be told the little lad had taken the offered bottle from Daddy better than he hoped, "he wasn't very happy at meal time."

Almost feeling the glee from her as she cuddled up beside them, "I'm sorry that I was so late, your newest crew member took her time in coming. I never thought she was going to come out." Mainly because the mother to be didn't want to push she thought irritably.

Having remember the issues with Rene's birth he understood, "well as much as we missed you, we were okay. How are Lt Taylor and Mr Taylor?"

"Michael passed out at the part where you played doctor with this guy," Beverly nodded towards their little guy as her hand caressed his tiny back.

Jean Luc snorted, "Well some overzealous woman trying to be her own doctor thought that it would take more than 4 pushes to bring her child into the world." Not that he really minded after it was said and done, being the one to bring his son into the world had thrilled him even though Dr Tropp wasn't happy at the couple for not saying something a little earlier. He almost snorted again and wished he had had a picture of his face when he turned to the man but it was his wife who said the obvious, 'who was watching the monitors and took their time'?

Both parents laid there in awe of the small body starting to wiggle as hunger brought him to wakefulness. Sensing that full-fledged wails were coming Beverly scooted over and fixed herself so that Jean Luc could ease Rene off his chest and onto the bed. Seamlessly the baby found himself in front of what he wanted and started rooting. Attaching with practiced ease the little one filled his tummy while his parents shared a kiss.

Recognizing that she was still wondering, "We were fine. I fed him, bathed him, played and read to him, changed him and then as he crashed out I called sick bay and Nurse Maxwell let me know that it would awhile so I brought him to bed. Rene and I have an understanding, he knows that Papa might not be the best at this father stuff yet but he knows I am trying."

Smiling a million watt smile at him, "I know you will be dear and…."

"You are his mother and you worry." Leaning over to kiss her, "and I understand." Kissing her again and then kissing Rene's head, "Dear son you are the luckiest boy in the universe to have the momma you do. And heaven help us both till you are on your own as she watches over both us like a hawk."

Laughing she swatted him, "Jean Luc really."

Her movements caused Rene to become dislodged and he let his unhappiness known to his parents causing both to laugh. Settling him back quickly enough and rubbing his back all Beverly Crusher could think of how contended she was and with wonderment that the thoughts of rushing home to a family two years prior were the farthest from her mind.

Ten minutes Jean Luc ordered the lights lowered again to just star light illuminating the cabin as he rubbed the little ones back after mother and son had fallen asleep, laying the lad into his crib Jean Luc said a silent prayer thanking the universe for his happiness and made his way back to bed to join his deeply sleeping wife in slumber.