There aren't enough days left in the universe for me to express to you how much I love you. Please, wear my ring. Marry me. Stuff Starfleet. I love you, Beverly Howard Crusher. Always have, always will." He captured her lips in a kiss and slowly placed the ring on her finger. "Beverly. Will you do me the honour of marrying me?"

Deanna, tears in her eyes, slowly backed out of her office to allow the two to have a moment alone.

Beverly looked down at the ring, sparkling in the light. Should she? "Yes, Yes. Of course. Can we do it now? Can the captain perform his own marriage?" Jean-Luc grinned. "Before you lose your nerve?"

"Something like that."

"I don't think I can, but my First Officer should be able to...should I ask him to join us?" Beverly nodded.

"Picard to Bridge."

"Riker here."

"Ah, Number One. Could you please join me in Counsellor Troi's office?"

"Sir, is Deanna ok?"

"She's fine. I just need you to join me."

"Right away, Sir. Riker out."

Jean-Luc smiled at Beverly and called out to Deanna's reception area. "Counsellor, I think you should come back in now."

"Is something wrong?"

"No, everything is right. We'll be joined by Commander Riker in a minute and then...there just might be a wedding in your office." Jean-Luc's eyes twinkled. Deanna looked over at Beverly. "Really?" Beverly nodded. "In my office? Don't you want...a more romantic setting?"

Beverly thought about it for a minute. "Jean-Luc, can we go to the holodeck?"

"Whatever you want, my love."

"Twenty minutes? And change into your dress uniform?" Jean-Luc groaned but placed a kiss on Beverly's lips. "Anything for you. Counsellor, please inform Commander Riker to meet me in the holodeck in twenty minutes in his dress uniform instead."

"Uhm...I kind of need Deanna's assistance."

"Right. Picard to Riker."

"Sir, I'm on my way..."

"Belay that. Make it the holodeck in twenty minutes...and wear your dress uniform."

"Sir?"

"I'll explain when we get there. Twenty minutes. Picard out." Jean-Luc pressed another kiss to Beverly's lips. "Twenty minutes, my love."

"Twenty minutes."

Jean-Luc entered the holodeck and smiled at the scene in front of him. They were on a hill in France, overlooking the family vineyard. It had always been a favourite place of Beverly's whenever they were in France, and it was the place Jean-Luc had first proposed to her twenty-five years ago. Will appeared at his side.

"Sir?"

"Ah, Number One. Good, you're here. Now, how familiar are you with wedding ceremonies?"

"Not very, Sir."

"Well, you had better brush up. You're performing a wedding. I am temporarily appointing you as Captain of theEnterprise."

"Sir, I don't understand. Why can't you perform the wedding?"

"Well you see, Number One...I'm the one getting married." Will gaped at his Captain.

"Sir?" The doors slid open before he could ask anything else and Beverly glided into the room with Deanna trailing behind.

"Ah, here's my bride now," He walked up to Beverly and kissed her cheek. "You look beautiful, my love." Beverly blushed. With Deanna's help, Beverly had created a soft green dress that cascaded down her body in waves ending with a tiny trailing train. She didn't wear a veil, but she had a crown of flowers woven into her hair. Jean-Luc thought she was beautiful and he told her as much. The door opened again, and Data, Geordi, and Worf filed in, all in dress uniform along with Guinan, who had a large grin on her face. Jean-Luc raised his eyebrows at Beverly.

"Thought we could use some witnesses. I only wish Wesley, Yvette, and Rene were here."

"We'll call them later." Jean-Luc took her hand an turned to Will.

Will cleared his throat. "We are gathered here..." Jean-Luc groaned. "Shorter ceremony, Number One. None of that nonsense."

"Er?" Deanna appeared at his elbow and started whispering in his ear. "Ah, I see. Right," He looked at the couple in front of him. "Do you, Captain Jean-Luc Picard take Doctor Beverly Howard Crusher to be your wife until death parts you?"

"I do," He slid a small ring onto Beverly's finger.

"Beverly, do you take Captain Jean-Luc Picard to be your husband until death parts you?"

"Try and stop me." She took the ring Deanna offered her and slid it onto Jean-Luc's finger.

"By the powers granted to me by the United Federation of Planets and Starfleet, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may...carry on kissing," Will wryly added as Jean-Luc and Beverly were already locked in an embrace.

"Number One, you are in charge for the next week. Doctor," he paused, not sure if Beverly wanted to change her name. She nodded. "Doctor Picard and I will be on our honeymoon in our quarters and are not to be disturbed unless one of our children needs us."

"Of course, Sir." Jean-Luc's words suddenly registered. "Wait, children? Did you say children?"

"I said children. Speaking of, I believe we have some children to notify of our nuptials..." He took Beverly by the hand and led her out of the holodeck. "Thank you everyone for coming. We really appreciate you being here." As the couple disappeared into the corridor, Will still held a look of confusion on his face.

"He said children. Why did he say children?" Deanna patted Will's arm. "I'll explain later..."